Next Story Table of ContentsFriday the 24th was a great day in the history of Fort Frances, as on
that day Mayor McKenzie turned the first sod of the paper mill which the
Ontario & Minnesota Power Co. are under agreement to build and complete
within the next fourteen months. Mr. Backus, the president of the Power
Co. was unable to be present, but he delegated his duties to his efficient
manager, Mr. R. J. Young, who presented the Mayor with a new shovel for
the occasion. Supt. McNaulty of the construction department had a stake
driven and a big Union Jack floating from it to mark the spot where the
corner stone of of the big 120 paper mill would be constructed, so that
no mistake would be made in the exact location. The ceremony which was informal,
took place at about 5:30 p.m., in the presence of a large number of citizens
and visitors from outside points. The Fort Frances band was also present
and played several choice selections which were very much appreciated. As
soon as everything was in readiness the manager of the Power Co., to turn
the first sod of the first paper mill to be built in Canada, west of the
"Soo." We may have been a long time getting ready to build, said
Mr. Young, but we are going to construct one of the best paper mills that
human ingenuity can build. We also will not only build a mill of 100 tons
as promised, but will build a bigger mill as we find the we will now add
a large book machine machine making the capacity nearer to 175 tons a day
than the 100 tons agreed upon. The work will be rushed as fast as possible
and another year will see the empty ground a scene of massive buildings
humming with industry.
Mayor McKenzie, on stepping forward with a firm grasp on the spade said
he was proud to say that the present occasion marked an epoch in the history
of Fort Frances. For years the town of Fort Frances had been fighting the
Power Co. for an agreement of arrangement whereby one half the power would
be utilized on the Canadian side, and such an agreement had finally been
entered into. A peaceable agreement had been made and victory had at least
crowned the efforts of Fort Frances citizens who had so stubbornly resisted
the exportation of all power to the American side. He was proud to be the
official who had assisted in the final peace arrangements and the turning
of the first sod to-day was only a fore-runner of many larger and greater
industries for Fort Frances. The Mayor then, like a native born son of labor,
turned the sod with an adeptness which showed that he was evidently as familiar
with the spade as with a case of surgical instruments, the conclusion and
everybody present was proud to see the beginning of what is going to be
an important factor in the building up of Fort Frances. When the applause
had died away the Mayor then called upon Mr. J. A. Osborne, secretary of
the Board of Trade, for an address. Mr. Osborne, on coming forward, was
greeted with applause.... He said that he was proud to be present on such
an occasion. It meant a great deal for Fort Frances and was a great turning
point in the history of out town. After years of fighting the town council
and board of trade had come to an amicable agreement whereby for all time
to come the one half of the the full quantity of power developed must be
used in on the Canadian side. The present occasion was also notable for
the fact that it meant the coming of a new era and with it the building
of a large city. We had great resources and with the coming of capital and
the building of such industries as we had before us to-day, the next future
city of western Canada would be Fort Frances. Mr. Osborne congratulated
the citizens of Fort Frances in Backing up and assisting as far as possible
their representatives in carrying on the fight now happily terminated. He
trusted all would pull together for a greater, bigger and better Fort Frances.
He was pleased for the sake of the settlers that an industry was coming
which would furnish a market for their pulpwood, also that the building
of a greater Fort Frances would give the farmer a market for their produce.
Finally, Mr. Osborne urged all to work together and assist as far as possible
in the development of Fort Frances and the district and even their most
sanguine expectations. Mr. N. G. Neill, secretary of the Port Arthur Board
of Trade was then called on by the Mayor for a speech and on the gentleman
responding he was heartily applauded. Mr. Neill said he could not tell the
people of Fort Frances how proud he was to be with them on such an occasion
as the one where the turning of sod meant the coming of a big industry.
He congratulated the people of Fort Frances in such a happy solution and
ending their difficulties and said that there was no reason why situated
as Fort Frances was that we should not be a great industrial center. He
was more than delighted with the future prospects of the town and was not
a bit jealous of the growth and future promise of Fort Frances. The city
of Port Arthur had a great future before it but "we have to keep boasting"
said Mr. Neill. "You will need to do the same." He urged everyone
to do all they could to push ahead and there was every prospect that not
only the first sod of paper mill would be turned and the mill built but
that several more industries would follow. Mr. Neill is a good speaker and
his short address was listened to with the greatest interest. This ended
the ceremony of turning the first sod which will be followed later by the
laying of the corner stone.
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