Dutton's Town Clock Lorraine Bolgar Wanted to Do Mayor Campbell Opened the Dutton a Favour

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by AI Kirk Dutton's Town Clock Lorraine Bolgar wanted to do Mayor Campbell opened the Dutton a favour. And she has. But she meeting by pointing out that since a has also changed history. A few person could be heard as well in the months ago, Ms. Bolgar purchased a dark as in the light, the Council clock for Dutton's Town Hall. Before Chambers light bulb should be moving out of the community that she turned off to save the expense. A has called home for years, she wanted short discussion was held to deal with to do something for all the friends she the concerns of wear and tear on the was leaving behind. But it is what Ms. light switch. A counter motion was Bolgar and many other people don't made that the bulb should just be know that is the reason for this story. unscrewed a bit until the light went off. Built in 1927, Dutton's Town Hall Deputy Mayor Campbell stated has always had a space for a clock but that a clock was a wasteful thing. ~it one was never put in. That may seem was not being watched, it was like an oversight or a very bad case of running for no purpose and the procrastination but, in thought of the gears and hands fact, the missing clock turning all day just so a passerby was part of the village's could, on occasion, glance up at it heritage. was a foolish, wasteful expense. For the last three Alderman McKinnon suggested months I have been that when the clock was not being doing extensive watched, it could be turned off just research on why like the light bulb. This triggered a most of them. Dutton's Town Hall has long discussion from the other always been clockless. · My research has led me to the members of Council, some saying After extensive REAL reason why a clock was never that turning the clock on and off historical research, installed on the Town Hall. would surely cause more wear on searching newspaper On Aprillst, 1929 a special session its parts. It is a well-known fact that the now clippings, going over yellowed of Dutton Town Council was called to Murucipality of Dutton Dunwich was Mayor Campbell pointed out that documents in the Town Hall's musty decide on the matter of purchasing a settled by Scots. It is also well known a town clock lacked any real basement and interviewing local clock. In attendance were Mayor that these same Scots were, well functional purpose to the community. history buffs, a fascinating story has William Campbell, Deputy Mayor Bill thrifty. Okay, that's .not quite right. After all, if it was light out, people emerged that needs to be told. And Campbell, Alderman Willy McKinnon They were cheap. Really cheap. And I should be working and if it was dark here it is. and Alderman Billy McKinnon. can say that because I'm related to Continued On Page 6 • Dutton's Town aock Continued From Page 3

out, they would be home sleeping or sitting quietly. Alderman Campbell stated that a calendar would be much more practical than a clock as the only exceptions to working, sleeping and sitting quietly were drinking at the Macintyre Tavern on Friday night and the Saturday night bath. All were in agreement that a calendar was a much wiser investment but this did not solve the problem of what to do with the hole in the Town Hall where the clock was supposed to go.

Alderman McKinnons~ggested that perhaps the sensible solution would be to simply buy the clock's face without buying the inner workings. Under his proposal, the clock would show the correct time twice a day- quite an acceptable solution given the saving that could be had. Yet that would still require the purchase of a clock face and hands causing Deputy Mayor Campbell to state that if Council was going to waste all that money why not just board up the hole instead. So, from then till now, 81 years, the Town Hall has been without a clock. Tbe new donated clock by Ms. Bolgar will run on electricity arid presumably the Municipality will have to pay for it. So, \-.rill this extra expense cause our ancestors to turn over in their graves? Probably not. AU of that movement would cause too 1nuch wear and tear on their coffms. (Al Kirk is a freelance writer and · columnist. He resides in the Hamlet of Jona Station just east of Dutton.) The London Free Press ~ Saturday, March 3·1, 2007

.~00,000 fought • 3,598 died • Anation was born ~ ( '11) -'lTJIIY A. I•t'

Elgin MUttary Museum Collectlor

In Elgin County, Ellis Slfton was a . member of his church choir and the local gun dub. In France, by age 25, he was a veteran of battle and a leader of men. "I ~ope that the courage will be mine at the right moment if I am called upon to stare death.in the face," he wrote to his sisters less than a year before he was killed.

Veterans Affairs Canada the mass grave wHere Ellis Sitton's remains are burte~ near the·battlegroufld, In llchfleld Crater. The_crater was created by an exploding' mine. . .

. Less than a year before he .fought his final battle- at Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917 -Ellis Wellwood.Sifton, a farmer from Elgin County,.wondered i(4e was up to fighting to the death. He needn't have worried. When his momeqt. gun~, he.single-handedly took out a G~rman machine-gun nest with grenades~ his rifle and, . . . . finally, his bayonet, before being shot dead by a dying German. Sifton was awarded the Victoria Cross, one of only four Canadians at Vimy Ridge·so honoured. Free Press Reporter Debora Van Brenk visited Sifton' s old haunts in and around Wallacetown and combed books, newspapers and museums for this report. WALLACETOWN have promoted me to reached hlm yet. barbed wire. Keillor says Sifton confided Tyrconnell, at St. Pete AprilS, 1917 Sergeant." Be careful, they say, answer He surprises the German just before the attack he bad a church where the young m This is Holy Week and the ing his lament that so many crew in their nest, kills them hunch he wouldn't live sang in the choir. Elgin County countryside is *** married fathers fall in battle. all and silences their big gun. through the battle. He asked Up the road, in Dutton, fi waking, and waiting. As the Slfton sisters and German reinforceptents only that Keillor let his people flat memorial stones reco~ Red-winged blackbirds, WALLACETOWN father leave the church thIs rush down the trench to take know. the family plot. They mark home from their migration, AprilS, 1917 cool Easter morning, the mes their comrades' places. Sifton's remains are buried last of the John Sifton line. alight on rushes that line a ·It is Easter morning, and the sage of Christ's death on the For Sifton, training and with 56 others near the battle Two cedar trees stand dirt road beside the neat farm Siftons and Bobiers and cross and the promise of resur adrenaline take over. field at Lichfield Crater. It is a sentinels over them. owned by John James Sitton. Pearces and Backuses and rection rings in their ears. He gives an underhand hole in the ground, crudely There is a drizzle in the air. Ellises - all stalwarts of the thrust with his bayonet. carved by an exploded mine. Debora Van Brenk Is a Free Horses itch to put their strong community - crowd to wor *** Thrust. twist, withdraw. Reporter. limbs to wotl{, but the fields ship at St. Peter's Anglican And again. Thrust. twist * .-. d{)Qnbrenl.:@{/iJress.com are too heavy with mud to put Church in nearby Tyrconnell. VZMYRIDGE withdraw. Sou.ras i11clude: E. W. Sifton harness to the plow. The church gazes out over April9, 1917 Again. And again. Back home in Wallacetown, letters, 1915- 1917,· St. Thomas Fruit trees in the front yard the pioneer cemetery, where Less than a year ago, Ellis It is chaos. events unfold quickly. Daily Tirrws. 1917,· Elgln Mllita are poised to bloom. trees whistle as a northwest Sifton had wondered if he was His platoon charges through A terse telegram arrives: Museum documents and Ian A rocking chair on the wind blows down to Lake Erle. up to his task: "I hope that the the hole Sifton has created and ''Deeply regret inform you Ralien, musewn executive broad front porch watches for Sons of the pioneers have courage will be mine at the arrives to find this skirmish 5370 Corporal Ellis Wellwood director; Vi my and More. by Ellis Well wood Sifton. gone away to war and left gaps right moment if I am called all but over. Sifton· infantry officially Arthur Bishop tn Legion Soon, it seems to say, the in pews that would normally upon to stat·e death in the A cheer rises in their reported killed in action April Magazine, Nouember-~ son a.nd eventual heir to this be full. face," he wrote his sisters. throats. ninth nineteen seventeen. 2004; historian Jeff Be;.. homestead will return. Ellis Sifton would ordinarily But those moments of doubt And then a dying German (signed) Officer in ChargE!; Veterans 1\ffairs Canada, uariO take his place with the choir. have long since vanished. plucks his rifle from t.he mud Records." documents; Mary 0/d.e, arc!llvts ..... He is a fine singer, a cheer He is a veteran of battle. and takes aim . At a ceremony in Toronto in Elgtn Military Museum ful man but not frivolous, and He ls 25, and a leadet· ol' He shoots Ellis Wellwood August, Sifton is posthu VIMY RIDGE, France devout. men. Sifton dead. mously awarded the Victoria AprilS, 1917 Ellis's seat on the choir They have rehearsed the Cross, the Commonwealth's This is Holy Week and an bench has been empty for battle plan on the practice *** highest award for valour. ungodly calm hangs over what more than two years. fields; each knows the objec· Tbe governor-general him is left of the French country He signed up with the 18th tive; and each has been taught Vimy Ridge, from April 9 to self hands the bronze medal side. Battalion in October 1914, as to use initiative where their April 12, claimed the lives of lion to John J . Sifton and says, Artillery fire and mines soon as he was able. 1t is both planning might fail. All this 3,598 Canadians. Twice that ''I am honoured to do this." have blasted trees into slivers. adventure and duty, but he gives Canadian troops an many again were inJured. Tn all of the Vimy conflict, Mud everywhere. Endless, believes his place, eventually, advantage other Allied forces Historians say the Vi my vic with its 100,000 Canadian com knee-deep, putrid mud. is back at the farm. lack. tory ultimately made little dif batants, Sifton is one of only The soldiers wait, knowing Ellis is a crack marksman, They are now in the front of ference to the outcome of the four Canadians to receive the they've trained for something like his father, and has been a the ft'ont I ines and their job Great War. vc. big, something soon. Many member of the Elgin Rifle today is to move that line But, they note, Vimy In October, the mails bring write letters home. man's Association since he forward. changed us in our own eyes a small cardboard box with But it is cold and raining was 18. So, it is dawn and a north and In others'. Four un ited Sifton's few personal effects: a and Ellis Sifton 's pen is use Older sisters Ellie and west wind rlrives snow and iliviRinn~ nf f'::.nArliAn c:nlrliPrc: Rihlp givP.n him bY the Bishon less. Millie dote on their little sleet up the ridge. had advanced where profes of Huron before he went over He writes in pencil: "Dear brother, even more sin.ce their Artillery fire signals the sional Allt~d forces bad been seas; a mUita~:y training book, Sisters: Just a short note to let mother's death in 1912. start of battle. turned back. the Canadian G'orps' bible: and you know that all ls well with They hav.e written him five Thousands of Canadian sol· "In those few minutes," says a tiny souvenir diary, unused, Ellis tonight ... '' letters in the past two weeks, diers creep forward through Br ig.-Gen. Alexander Ross, with an even smaller "Vimy" He tells them not to be anx although the mails haven't the mud, then balt and fire. who had led the 28th Battalion illscrlptlon and pencil. ious if they don't receive news Then they creep forward at Vimy, "I witnessed the birth And the Sifton family - the from him for a while, "as it is again. of a nation." father grief-stricken, the spin not always convenient to But blasts from unseen No longer were we add-ons ster sisters bereft - sell the write." machine guns - where are in battle. We were instead a farm and move to Dutton. He writes of having those damned things? sol country with an earned repu recently seen his cousin, diers shout through the tation as a tactically superb *** Leo, and his hometown cacophony - slow the military force: skilled and buddy and neighbour, advance. smart and brave. WALLACETOWN Sydney. Sifton is first to spot a Spring, 2007 Ellis doesn't tell them gun barrel poking out of a *** With its latge porch and that two weeks earlier, he bunker. arched-brick windows, the had led a trench raid that He races forward and with Three independent sources Sifton home stands much the resulted in his section captur all his might, throws grenades record Sifton's role in the same as it did 90 years ago. ing or killing more tbao 20 towards the machine-gun battle. They include battalion The rocking chair and fruit Gennans. emplacements. war diaries and lettnrs home trees are gone. Blackbirds still But he mentions, as an Elgin Military Museum Collection With heart pounding and from Lt.-Col. D.M. Ross of call out over the wet fields. afterthought, the reward of his Slfton's dog tag Is among the Lee-Enfield ritle cradled in his Stratford and Pte. Sid Keillor, An Ontario Historical leadership. possessions his family donated arms, he charges across open Sifton's friend and neighbour plaque to Ellis Sifton's ground through a space in the in Wallacetown. memory has been erected in ''P.S.," he writes, "They to the Elgin Military Museum. 100,000 fought 3,598 died A nation was born

A young man and heir to a farm in the Elgin County hamlet of W ~acetown, Ellis Wellwood Sifton left the tranquil country life for the killing fields of France, where his bravery at Vimy Ridge in Aprill917 earned hhit the Victoria Cross, the Common FAR LEFT: Ellis Wellwood Sitton ofWallacetown wealth's highest award cuts a handsome figure in full military dress. Acrack for valour. Like 3,597 marksman, he signed up other Canadians, with the 18th Battalion in October 1914. Two weeks tho~, Sifton didn't before he was killed at Vi my Ridge, on April 9, survive the historic 1917, Siftonled a trench raid that resulted In his battle. Pree Press section's capturing or Reporter Debora killing more than 20 Germans. He was Van Brenk tells Sifton' s promoted to sergeant. , on Pages Al0-11.

Pnotos co • ' . . Urtesy Elgin Military M useum Coiii!C!Io, ......

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Sitton wrote this letter to his two sisters back In Wallacetown, only four days before he wits killed. "Just a few Jines to let you know that all is well wfth Ellis tonight," he wrote. Elgin Military Museum Collection A finafletter home from the war front

BY DEBORA VAN BRENK sister's toothache is better unlike every other young Sun Media and who notes how he has man who fought in one of the seen cousin Len a few times seminal battles of our coun ST. THOMAS - "Just a recently. They reveal a man try's history. short note to let you know devoterl to duty and accepting "He's (also) just a guy doing that all is well with Ellis of his responsibility as a his bit because everyone else tonight ... " newly promoted sergeant. was," says Raven. So begins 25-year-old.Ellis In one letter, he writes how A researcher once asked Wellwood Sifton's last letter senseless it seems that a Olde for a list of Elgin men to his famlly. single man should remain killed at Vhny. She started Sifton earned a rare Victo unscathed while his married alphabetically anti, "I got as ria Cross for valour during buddies were being killed. far as the Bs, '' she says, the first day of fighting at And here he was at Vimy before the enormity of the Vimy Ridge, on April9, 1917. Ridge and he alone spotted task made the researcher give For rears, the Elgin Mili the obstacle that was keeping up. tary Museum has preserved his unit from advancing. In Debora Van Brenk is a Free the letters, bequeathed b:Y the heat of the battle and with Press reporter. Sitton's sisters, in a file to be the strength of his training, touched only by white-gloved rank and character, he dvan brenk@/(press. com hands. charged the machine gun. But those letters soon will Sifton knew what had to be be available for anyone to done and he did il, says Ian read. Raven, curator of the Elgin On April 9 - on the 90th Military Museum. ..,.. What: "All is Well with' Ellis anniversary of Vimy and the Says Booth, "It's very clear Tonight/ a compilation of war 25th anniversary of the Elgin by the end, he's a peace with time letters by Ellis W. Sitton to his Military Museum - a spiral himself, he's at peace with sisters. bound booklet ofSifton's war God , he's at peace with the ..,.. Where: Unveiled at Elgin· time dispatches will be made situation." Military Museum, 30 Talbot St., . available for purchase. Sifton's story, museum The compilation includes archivist Mary Olde says, St. Thomas. 67 letters from Sifton and two deserves telling because he ..,.. When: April9, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. from war buddies who saw was special - his Victoria ..,.. How much: Copies cost $10, him fall. The project was a Cross is the only one awarded proceeds to the Elgin Military labour of love for Jeffrey in Elgin County and is one of Booth, who assembled them. just 94 ever awarded to a Museum. "I came to realize that Canadian. ..,.. Of note, The Victoria Cross there's nobody left from Sifton was undeniably a awarded to Sitton will be on dis World War One to tell the hero, Raven says. "He saw play (it is usually in a locked vault tales anymore," Booth says. something that needed doing In the Elgin County Museum and a The letters reveal a man and he did it." replica is on di.splay at the military devoted to his family; a loving And Sifton's story deserves museum). It will be accompanied brother who asks if his telling because Sifton was not by an honour guard, BY KYLE REA now," he said with a laugh. "I eluding a close call that year. "I TIMES- jOURNAL STAFF keep it as a souvenir." was digging a slit trench, near More than 60 years ago, Don His father had other ideas a hill," he said, noting the Monteith said goodbye to a and Monteith came back trench was long but not deep. dear friend, killed in ltaly dur home. Undaunted, he simply "One morning, l got up and 1 ing the Second World War. went to another district with bent over to tie up my shoe Before he dies, the St. no records of him. laces and a shell landed seven Thomas native would like to "So my dad said, OK, that's inches from me (outside the retuxn to the rolling hiiJs near it. You want lo go that bad, trench) and knocked me cold, ~ Monte Cassino and visit his you're going," he said. the concussion of it. 1f I hadn't I grave. Monteith was part of the 5th tied my shoes, I'd be dt•ad." (Il l It's why Remembrance Day Canadian armomcd division Monteith's friend Wismc t~ means so much to Monteith, and was attached to the New however, was not so lucky. 84, who served all over Europe Westminster regiment from "l wasn't there when he I during the biggest conflict of British Columbia. As n signal died," he said, noting other the 20th century. man, his job was to ensure soldiers told him what hap I 'II remember my buddy that communications between pened. I buried over there," said Mon brigade headquarters and the Monteith recalled that every teith. "We were real close regiment. moming, Wismer would fetch friends." He fought all over Europe, water. The Germans were me His friend, Laverne Wismer, serving in Italy, Holland, Bel thodical about firing three 22, of Waterloo, Ont., was gium, France and Germany. mortar row1ds at the Canadian killed by a mortar blast on But that didn't mean Mon position around that time. April 28, 1944. Both were sig teith nevl;!r saw battle. "(That morning) they fired nalmen with the Royal Cana "We were about 50 yards two and then waited. Finally, dian Signals Corps. from the front line where Ma he (Wismer) said he had to get "The war was a necessary hony (John Keefer) won the to work. He went down to get thing. People were dying. Victoria Cross," said Monteith. the water and just as he was When you're young you do it Mahony won the Victoria walking away that's when a as a thrill or an experience. Cross 'at the River Melfa in mortar fell. He got it in the When you get over there and Italy while 'establishing a back." the real thing hits you in the bridgehead tmder fierce ene Wismer died a short while face, you grow up quick." Don Monteith, 84, fought across Europe during the my fire. He was twice wound later. The ink on Canada's decla Second World War. He marks Remembrance Day in ho ed but held his post. Monteith said he made a ration of war on Germany was nour of a friend killed in Italy more than 60 years ago. (T Monteith recalls that most of cross and placed it on his stiU fresh when Monteith vol J photo by Kyle Rea) the action he saw was in the Po friend's grave. He hasn't been unteered. River Valley, Italy, in 1944. back to tne gravesite since. But "I joined up on Sept. 5 at the ing 18, some creative work on "I had blue irik replacing "You've got to be lucky/' he recalls his friend every Re age of 16," he said. his birth certificate was need black ink. It didn't show that Monteith said of his experi membrance Day. With the recruitment age be- ed. bad then, but it shows up bad ence near the front lines, in- "It (war) is a cruel thing." 1111115,2007 Established 1993 loll•t15- IISilt14

Medical Clinic expansion in works

Demolition JGFF KEMPENAAR/THE CHRONICLE John Drummelsmith tears down the old Dutton Advance building on Main Street in Dutton to make way for the Dutton Medical Clinic expansion.

moved from Wallacetown. Street was only closed when the front of the Staff He said it was likely pulled by horses, building was demolished. One of the last buildings moved to Dutton using a cap stand, where the horses would It's hoped construction can begin this year from Wallacetown more than 100 years ago walk in circles around the building turning on the expansion. w as rll"mnlic;llPfi M ru11bv nvolrinn ...... r~~ " ..... •• 0' Wednesday, April 4, 2007 The Dutton-Dunwich HORIZON - Page 7 W ALLACETOWN HALL CARD PARTY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS: 1957-2007- MoNDAY, APRIL 23, 2007 Wallacetown - The 1992. June of 2002. Ever obtained he would organizations such as Lunn, Owen Hooley, irst Card Party was In 1973, Jean Van since 1999, on his "Make a Deal" by the Daffodil Society, Ricky Spring, v1onday November Nuland assisted birthday, a card asking trivia questions Heart and Stroke, MS, Georgie Breen, Rose 8, 1957 with eight Stewart by making the signed by the players or you could make Lions Club Programs, Daniels, George abies in play. lunch. Later, Joe Van was presented to him a trade. Prizes were and the Wallacetown Drummelsmith , Stewart West Nuland, Rose and Ivan and the last card was given for High and Women's Institute. Donald Leitch, Nina 1rganized the card Daniel pitched in and on his 99th birthday, Lonehands butanyone 10 games - 10 Reid, Margaret Ross, >arty assisted by Bill when Stewart retired February lst, 2005. was able to win with wins was always a Lila Sutton and Jean md Ann Dietrich. in February 1999, Joe Stewart passed aw~y Lucky number or challenge. Over the Van Nuland. ...ater , Clare and Doris and Jean stepped in to in March 2005 in his special prizes such as years some of the Come out and be : ampbell helped then take over and are still IOOth year. Valentines Day. lucky winners were part of history! ~ rancis and Ruth organizing the card The Wallacetown Over the years Joe Wballs, Arnold Georgie Breen vfeyers. Leonard parties today. card party was profits from tbe card Clarke, Mrs. Morley ~unn helped until he Stewart moved into Stewart's pride and parties have been Gammon, Stewait >assed away in May the Bobier Villa in joy. After a prize was donated to several West, Leonard ·····························································································--·-·-

the 3rd Annual Daffodil this day, when I think time with his wife Anna that left their mark this event. Mark your October 4th, 2008 Society "Cancer" Golf of the Downhill Derby building parade floats but also because the calendars now for the at Dutton Mead Tournament, many 1 recall being at the with the Canadian Girls proceeds go to such a 4th Annual Daffodil Golf Club. names came to mind of top of the "huge" ramp in Training (CGIT); he great cause. TheDaffodil Society "Cancer" Golf Marg Gruenbauer people who bad passed running timing lights acted in, and worked Society is a very unique away from cancer and while Wally announced behind the scenes in organization that assists should be remembered the drivers. (He never a number of WEDS cancer patients and their through this ~vent. After .could pronounce my productions; he held fami lies. This assistance lengthy discussions, last name right!) He the office of President includes providing the one selected was a made the day fun, which of the Wallacetown equipment such as beds \ man that left a lasting is what volunteering for Fair Board, and much or wheelchairs for borne impression with me, these events should be. more. On a business use, financial assistance although I only knew Wally Tokarz was note, Wally brought for needed medicines a long time resident pizza to Dutton with not covered by drug that gave a lot to this the first Pizza Parlor plans and transportation community. I knew and was owner/operator for patient visits to Wally as the "man on of Wrock Industries the Cancer Center in the Mike" and that Insulation. All this and London. A round of meant volunteering a family too! Wally applause goes out to all his sound system to gave so much to thjs the deserving volunteers events like the Santa community and his involved with this Claus Parade, Downhill trademark generosity organization. Derby, Wallacetown lives on in his famHy, In closing, I wish to Fair and many more. whom are still active as thank all tbe people When this tournament volunteers. and businesses that WALLY TOKARZ began to come together, Helping with this helped make this year's (Wallace town) tournament is a great tournament a success. 2007 Honouree I learned other things October Mixed about Wally as 1 talked honour for me not We are looking forward Golf Classic to people around town. only as we remember to our community's There's ·history

record him as someone who got the pro one side and should b.e snatched up if cedure right but the theory wrong. It was found at a flee market. Later models n't until Louis Pasteur developed the sci featured rubber rings under the cap to ence of bacteriology sever~l decades later further improve the seal. that the elements of food spoilage could For over a century, home canning has be explained. It was not the air in storage used the same, basic methods but its containers per se that caused food to spoil popularity has waxed and waned, espe but micro-organisms such as bacteria and cially among urban dwellers. It peaked mould. during both world wars when canning By mid-century there was considerable and victory gardens became a patriotic commercial interest in food preservation. duty. With naval blockades and diminished Manufacturers experimented with vari trade, food self-reliance on a national scale ous vessels, entrepreneurs filed hundreds was critical. Also, metals and rubber were of patents, and the industry forked into needed for the war effort so the two prongs: tinned cans and glass jars. The availability of tinned goods declined and earliest cans were sealed with beads of paraffin wax was promoted as a sea lant lead-based solder and while customers for glass jars. • noticed a steady improvement in the taste In the prosperous fifties and sixties, and quality of preserved fruits and home canning suffered a serious image vegetables, in fact every can contained a problem. Pantry shelves filled with potenti~lly deadly foodstuff. Just how homemade pickles, jams and jellies had many people were poisoned Is unknown, connotations of frugality and rural ness, but the number may be significant. For values not evocative of the times. Food example, recent findings suggest that preservation could have received a death some members of the Franklin Expedition, blow from the women's movement of the ill-fated searchers for the Northwest seventies,. with its mandate to I i berate Passage through the Arctic (1845-48), did women from such domestic drudgery, if not die from starvatioR or freezing, but the "back to the land" movement hadn't botulism from lead-tainted canned food. occurred simultaneously. As many house The glass jar segment had many wives cast aside their crocks and mason players but one man developed a superior .jars, rura l newcomers sought them out product in 1858 and his name became and rediscovered the joys of home-grown ' synonymous with home canning: John fare. has been realized by the weight-watching food consumers are committed to "buying Landis Mason. The mason jar is so com Nowadays several factors may be multitudes. Also, health-conscious locally" because tropical products are not mon now that it is difficult to imagine converging to account for the popularity consumers, alarmed by frequent reports part of a "green" lifestyle. someone actually invented threads in a of preserving. The fact that homemade of contaminated, imported fruits and Mason jars have their own protocol: if glass bottle neck and a screw cap. Early jam can have half as many calories as an vegetables, are choosing to purchase someone gives you something in a jar, you mason jars have "The Gem~ embossed on equivalent amount of butter or margarine domestic produce with more reliable should never return the jar empty, but standards of inspection. In our northern filled with something you made. This habitat, the only way to extend consump amiable custom shows that despite its tion of produce such as peaches and illustrious history, a mason jar still stands berries is to do up your own. Still other for home, sweet home.