Reminiscences of the early history of Galt and the settlement of Dumfries, in the Province of Ontario

Front matter

the estate of

J. Stuart Fleming

-

Preface

It has frequently been suggested to the writer to collect in some permanent form the fast-fading Reminiscences of the early history of Galt and the settlement of Dumfries, in whose atmosphere he has lived from childhood. A few months leisure during the past summer and fall, was devoted to this purpose, the result of which is the present volume, which, with some misgivings, is now laid before the public.

It is not claimed that the settlement of Dumfries and Galt has varied much from that of other parts of Canada, or that their history has been marked by many events of historical interest. But it is hoped it will be found not uninteresting, even to persons unassociated with the locality^ picturing some phases of Backwoods Life in Canada half a century ago, and as illustrating what communities and individuals may accomplish by honest industry and thrift, to better their fortunes in a new land.

These Reminiscences, however, will be chiefly interesting to the remnant — alas ! constantly growing less — of the early Pioneers of the settlement, and their descendants. Imbued with profound respect for the time-scarred Veterans who transformed Galt and Dumfries from a wilderness into what they appear to-day, the writer has aimed, however feebly, to exalt their arduous life-work, and preserve the names and memories of many of these good

PREFACE.

tv

men and true, who, with the other early Pioneers of Canada, are believed to be its true heroes.

In proceeding with the work, more difficulties were encountered than had been at first foreseen. Very little in the way of reliable records was available. The facts and dates of the earlier circumstances had necessarily to be •obtained from some of the oldest Pioneers, and the memory, after the lapse of fifty or sixty years, is not always reliable, particularly in regard to dates. Reference to some persons and circumstances may have been overlooked which ought to have appeared — indeed, one of the difficulties in dealing with the sober circumstances of every-day life in a new settlement, is to decide between what is too interesting to omit, and too trifling to appear. Care has been taken, however, to verify all material statements, as far as data could be found, and to present them -as accurately as possible.

As the names of my Mentors are mentioned in one way or another in several places, it is unnecessary to do more here than to thank them, which I do most heartily, for much information and assistance zealously rendered.

The little volume has been hastily written, makes no pretensions to literary excellence, and no one is more conscious than the writer of its deficiencies, both in matter and form. It is hoped, however, it will be welcome as a humble tribute to his native place, that it may help to preserve the memory of the men and the circumstances, however unpretending, connected with the early history of Galt and the settlement of Dumfries, and, it may be, brighten a leisure hour or two in its perusal.

“ Thornhill,” Galt, Christmas, 1879.

THE AUTHOR.

OCXNTEjSTTS.

Chapter I

Dumfries originally Indian Lands— The Iroquois or Six Nation Indians — The brave Thayendanega (Col. Joseph Brant) their Chief — Dumfries purchased by Philip Stedman, in 1798 — Ninety-four thousand acres for £8,841 — Stedman dies Intestate — The Hon. William Dickson — A glimpse of his Character and History — Duel with Mr. Weeks — How Dumfries was obtained by him 9

Chapter II

Absalom Shade— A man on whom Nature had left an imprint — Meeting with Mr. Dickson at Niagara in 1816 — Shade fails to get a contract, but finds a home in the Wilderness — Earliest settlers in Waterloo Township — Dickson and Shade visit Dumfries — They follow the Indian trail — The valley in which Galt stands selected for a Village — Its Natural Beauty — A Colisseum in Leaves — Shade returns to the Wilderness . . 19

Chapter III

Difficulties of the new Settlement— The first building erected — Mr. Dickson actively engages in inducing Settlers to take up lands — The old Ruin with a History — A rough and ready Grist Mill — Population in 1817 — The Branchton settlement— The Village of “ Shade’s Mills ” in 1820 — Hoisting the Stars and Stripes on the new Grist Mill- -Nearly a serious affray —The price of land sixty years ago 30

Chapter IV

The progress of Settlement slow — Physical features and soil of Dumfries- - Remarkable Geological character of the rocks underlying Galt — Ener getic efforts to attract Scottish settlers— The Ettrick Shepherd offered a farm in Dumfries— John Telfer visits Scotland as agent — Poverty of the first settlers — Log Houses chinked with clay— New buildings — Visit of John Galt, Esq. , in 1827 — Its object— How Galt obtained its name — Mr. Dickson removes from Niagara — A Highland acquaintance 38

Chapter V

The Trading period of Bush life — Money scarcely ever seen — Marriage under difficulties- The want of roads oppressively felt — The terrors of Beverly Swamp— Early stories of the Benighted Region— Mr. Shade determines

VI

Contents

to float the produce of the Settlement down the Grand River— Galt’s first and only Fleet — The “ Arks ” as a freight line 54

Chapter VI

Canadian Backwood’s life — Its merry-makings and jolly character— Bears: and Wolves— Mr. Bruin, a slandered animal — Singular Bear Hunt in Galt, in 1834— Winter the liveliest season of the year— Christmas shooting matches for Turkeys and Geese — Early Drinking customs— “ In Devitt’s fall, we sinned all” — Temperance Reform 60

Chapter VII

Character of the first Settlers of Dumfries — Education and Love of Knowledge— A Debating Society forty-five years ago — The names of its members — Subjects discussed — Would an Iron Ship Sink or Swim? — The Society’s Annual Dinner — Making a Haggis with Dundas oatmeal— The courage and energy of the early Pioneers — A tribute to their memory 70

Chapter VIII

Early Churches and Schools — Rev. William Stewart arrives about the Fall of 1831 — First Presbyterian Church in Galt — Early Missionary Visits — Rev. James Strang— St. Andrew’s Church begun in 1833 — The old-fashioned Camp Meetings — Divine Service in West Dumfries — What fashionable Church-goers will be surprised to learn— “O why will ye die, 0 House of Israel” — The early Schools of Galt — Mr. John Gowinlock — Glimpses of School Life forty years ago 74

Chapter IX

Galt in the Spring of 1834— Its principal Citizens — New arrivals— Dr. Miller— Improving prospects of the Settlement — A travelling Menagerie visits the Village — A fearful calamity comes swiftly and fatally down — Terrible ravages of the Cholera — Graphic description by Mr. Alex. Burnett, written at the time— Painful incidents of the fearful ordeal — The Village left a pitiful scene of mourning and woe 9J

Chapter X

From the time of the Cholera to the Rebellion — The population — Business of Galt improving— Break-up of the old-fashioned Mercantile monopoly —Early prices - The Dutchman’s one per cent — Richard Irwin — Names of prominent Galtonians who arrived during this period — Rev. John Bayne — A great man who prefers the backwoods of Canada to the intellectual centres of Europe— Erection of the King’s Arms Hotel and other ancient land-marks — Early Musicians— Construction of the Macadamized Road — Galt dam — Unrealized projects 10S

Chapter XI

Material Progress begets new ideas — Public Meeting- Foimation of Galt Subscription and Circulating Library in 1836 — lull list of its members — Sweet and sad Recollections of by-gone days — A valuable institution — Curling on Altrieve Lake with Maple Blocks— Galt Club Established in 1838— The Drama in Galt’s early days— Rob Roy and Bailie Nicol

CONTENTS.

Yll

Jarvie as done by leading villagers — Comical incident not in the play 123

Chapter XII

Early Municipal Government — The old annual Town Meetings — A baker’s dozen of settlers meet in 1819 — First Officers elected for Dumfries — Amusing Enactments — Early efforts at public speaking — The perplexed Chairman and how he opened the Meeting— Three Township Commissioners elected in 1836 — Their names— Polling for District Councillors in 1842 — The greatest day Galt had ever witnessed — First School Commissioners— Introduction of our present Municipal System — First Councils of North and South Dumfries 133

Chapter XIII

First Parliamentary Elections — Political Issues of the day — Richard Beasley and William Scollick elected for Halton, 1825— Growing opposition to the Family Compact— William Lyon Mackenzie— The Members elected for Halton in 1828 and 1830— Mr. Shade returned in place of the Hon. James Crooks in 1831- Mackenzie speaks in Galt in 1833— Burned in •effigy by Conservative opponents — Arrival of Sir Francis Bond Head at Toronto — The Halton Elections of 1834 and 1836 — Mr. Alexander Burnett — “Liberty Cottage” — Upper Canada on the brink of Revolution 147

Chapter XIV

The Rebellion breaks out— News of the Battle of Gallows Hill received in Galt with surprise —Public feeling in Dumfries — The Union Jack taken off Mr. Dickson’s house at night — The men of Dumfries called upon to muster— The bridge guarded by Galt Volunteers under Captain Rich — Men drilling for Duncombe’s Army near Ayr — Arrests made by Galt .and Fergus Volunteers near the Blenheim line — A Wife worth having— Samuel Lountsaidto have been hidden near Galt— The Galt Volunteers at Navy Island— Restoration of peace and order 154

Chapter XV

Visit of Sir George Arthur to Galt in 1839 — Rather a cool reception— First Durham Meeting said to have been held in Galt — Memorable Meeting in Dundas — Procession from Dumfries and Galt — Speeches by Messrs. Burnett and Benn — The struggle ends in the triumph of Responsible Government — Dinner to the Hon. Wm. Dickson in Galt — Full report of his speech — The other guests present - First Agricultural Society — Its Officers — 1840 — The Rev. Dean Boomer — Galt Society in a flutter over a dashing young Englishman — The Western Advertiser that never appeared — The Knights of the Round Table — A most heartless swindle 166

Chapter XVI

Disruption of the Church of Scotland— First Fire Company formed- Its officers —Erection and burning of the Dickson Mills —Galt Thespian Amateurs — A Monk who was not solemn— The Elections of 1841 and ’44 — Local leaders of the two Parties — Mr. Francis McElroy — How Burns was quoted for the Bible — Webster beats Durand by eight votes — The Dumfries Courier started in 1844 — Origin of the Galt Reporter — Dis-

Vlll

CONTENTS.

cussion, in 1845, between Dr. Bayne and Dr. Liddell — Erection of Old Knox Church — Dr. Bayne’s death— His successor— Other Ministers of Galt — New Schools and Teachers 188

CHAPTEB XVII.

Galt becomes an Incorporated Village — Population in 1850— Other villages of Dumfries — Early reminiscences of Paris. St. George and Ayr— Visit of Lord Elgin to Galt in 1849 — First Councillors of Galt — Beeves and Municipal Officers - The Dumfries Reformer — The County Town struggle— Berlin carries off the prize — Public meeting— Beform dinner to the Hon. George Brown — The Ferrie and Tiffany election— First great Fire in Galt— The Collegiate Institute — Dr. Tassie— The Bailway era opens — Turning the first sod of the Galt branch— Municipal rejoicings .... 207

CHAPTEB XVIII.

Great prosperity of Galt from 1850 till it became a Town— Principal Manufactures and Business firms — It is called the “ Manchester of Canada” — Effects of the Crimean war— Beminiscences of the old Militia muster — Amusing incidents — Formation of the Mechanics’ Institute -Some familiar faces now nearly forgotten — First officers elected — Early lectures by Galtonians in “Noah’s Ark ”— Splendid lecture course in 1855-’56, and afterwards — Crowded meetings— Excitement and fun now preferred to lectures — What does it portend ? 230

CHAPTEB XIX.

Opening of the Great Western Bail way to Galt— The Galt and Guelph line — The McCracken affair — Warm municipal struggle, in 1855, over the erection of the Central School — Mr. Peter Cook — William Lyon Mackenzie’s last visit to Galt — His Homestead Fund — Enterprising spirit of Galt at this period — Proposed Galt and Saugeen Bailway — £15,000 voted to aid the enterprise —Bears seen in Dumfries as late as 1856 — Meeting in 1856, to authorize the erection of a Town Hall and Market —Second great Fire in Galt 244

CHAPTEB XX.

Galt becomes a Town in 1857- The election of the first Mayor and Corporation— Names of those elected — The first School Trustees — Municipal Celebration in May — Description cf the procession — Galt Bifles, Artillery Company, Firemen, Oddfellows, and Sons of St. George- Mayor Lutz lays the foundation stone of the Town Hall and Market — The official document read by Mr. Ker — The Mayor’s speech — Their testimony to the great prosperity and enterprise of Galt at this period — Lunch at the Queen’s Arms— The celebration closes amidst much enthusiasm . . 252

CHAPTEB XXI.

Concluding remarks — Contrast between the past and present— Young Galtonians who have won something of success or distinction — The Hon. Wm. Dickson lives in Niagara till his 77th year — How the early Pioneers regarded him — Mr. Shade’s closing years — He survives with all his natural characteristics until 1862 — His life-work — What may justly be said of its effects upon Galt’s prosperity— Mr. William Dickson — The wealth and prosperity to which Dumfries has attained— Galt at the present day — The true heroes of Canada 263

REMINISCENCES

OP THE

EAllLY HISTORY OF GALT

AND THE

SETTLEMENT OF DUMFRIES.

vmwwvmwuuunuwi

Chapter I

Dumfries originally Indian Lands — The Iroquois or Six Nation Indians— 1 The brave Thayendanega (Col. Joseph Brant) their Chief — Dumfries purchased by Philip Stedman, in 1798 — Ninety-four thousand acres for £8,841 — Stedman dies Intestate — The Hon. William Dickson — A glimpse of his Character and History — Duel with Mr. Weeks — How Dumfries was obtained by him.

The Township of Dumfries, in which the Town of Galt is situated, was originally part of the lands granted by the British Crown to the Iroquois or Six Nation Indians, at the close of the American Revolutionary War. They were composed of the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Tuscarora, and Onondaga tribes, and for at least two centuries previously, under the name of the Iroquois Confederacy, they had been united and acted together for mutual protection and advantage. Their shrewdness, iO HiSTORY OF GALT AND DUMFRIES.

bravery, and, it must be confessed, cruelty, made them the terror of the Hurons, Algonquins and other tribes, and the dreaded foes of the early French colonists, But from an early period in the history of the American colonies they became the warm friends and allies of the British settlers.

Under the leadership of the brave and good Chief, Joseph Brant,* (Thayendanega), they clung to the fortunes of Great Britain all through the Revolutionary War. Brant was born on the banks of the Ohio River, in 1742, and was of pure Mohawk blood. He was educated in the State of Connecticut, and was possessed of abilities far above those of the generality of his race. At the close of the struggle, when the independence of the Colonies was recognised, the Six Nations crossed over into Upper Canada, and Governor Haldimand, representing the British Government, awarded them valuable tracts of the lands of the Province as a recompence for their services and fidelity.

These grants to the Six Nations comprised some of the most fertile and beautiful lands of the Province. They were situated on the Bay of Quints, the River Thames, and the Grand River. The latter was the principal reservation, and the chief mustering place of the tribes was at a beautiful spot on the river, about two miles below what is now the City of Brantford, where the

* The heroism and virtues of Col. Brant are about to be honoured by the erection of a monument to his memory in the City of Brantford, the derivation of whose name was Brant’s ford, or crossing-place. The estimated cost is about $20,000, most of which is already subscribed, and it has been decided to place it in Victoria Square, a very pretty place for the purpose.

COL. JOSEPH BRANT.

quaint little church which Brant erected in 17S6, as well as the unpretending grave* which covers his remains, can be seen to this day. This grant gave to the Indians six miles on each side of the Grand River from its source to its mouth — a noble expression of the good faith and gratitude of the British Crown to the weakest of its subjects— and embraced within its limits what ultimately became known as the Township of Dumfries and the Town of Galt, the early settlement and history of which form the subject of the present sketch.

For several decades after its cession, the Grand River and its tributaries continued to be the principal huntingground of the Six Nations, and during their expeditions, which were numerous and constant in earlier times, the place where Galt now stands was one of their favourite camping-grounds. The locality abounded in fish, game, and fresh water. These were the chief objects of Indian pursuit, and they lingered long in places where they were plenty. The forest primeval, the scores of wigwams lining the rivers banks, the hundreds of painted red men, with the other surroundings of semi-savage life, which then frequently filled up the beautiful valley in which Galt is situated, must have made a wonderfully picturesque scene, and one strikingly in contrast with the peaceful and prosaic character of modern, every-day life.

Through course of time the expeditions of the Indians

* Col. Brant died at Wellington Square, November 24, 1807, in his 65th

year.

HISTORY OF GrALT AND DUMFRIES.

assumed a more regular character, and were chiefly confined to upward trips in the fall in pursuit of fur-bearing animals, and the return downwards in the spring with their furs and other products of the chase. They continued to be made in very considerable bands, ho wever, till long after settlement had commenced, and the axe of the backwoodsman began to denude the country at once of its forests and its game. There are those still surviving who remember their later encampments in Galt, which were chiefly on an unwooded piece of ground on tlie west side of the river, near where the Soap factory now stands. Their visits were not regarded as absolutely dangerous, but their absence was generally preferred to their company.

The title of the Six Nations to the upper portions of the Grand river was not long retained by them. The fertility of its banks soon attracted the attention of speculators, and the Government offered no opposition, if they did not encourage, the extinguishment of the Indian title.

On the 5th February, 1798, Colonel Brant, on behalf of the Six Nations, and acting as their legal attorney, sold to one Philip Stedman of the Niagara district, that portion of their lands known as Block number one, comprising 94,305 acres, and which, by an Act of the Legislature of the Province, became known as the Township of Dumfries. The stipulated price was £8,841.

Several other tracts of Indian land were sold by Colonel Brant at the same time as the Township of Dumfries.

DUMFRIES PURCHASED BY PHILIP STEDMAN. 13

From Smith’s “ Canada ; Past, Present and Future,” we learn that on the 5th February, 1798, a formal deed was made in the name of the Six Nations, surrendering all their interest in the lands mentioned below : — :

“ Block No. 1, now forming the Township of Dumfries, containing about 94,305 acres,

was sold to P. Stedman hfor £ 8,841

Block No. 2, sold to Richard Beasly, James Wilson and John B. Rosseau, 94,012 acres,

Block No. 3, sold to William Wallace, 86,078

Block No. 4, no purchaser or price named,

Block No. 5, William Jarvis, 30,800 acres 5,775 Block No. 5, given originally to John Dockstader, by him sold for the benefit of his Indian children, to Benjamin Canby,

The making of these contracts with the individual purchasers, and the fixing of the consideration money, were, as it appears, the acts of the Indians themselves, either concluded upon in their Councils or negotiated by their agent, Brant, who was fully authorized for the purpose.”

As the fee simple of the Indian lands remained in the Crown, some time elapsed before the transaction with

HISTORY OF GALT AND DUMFRIES.

Stedman could be completed. The Indians surrendered their rights, and petitioned His Majesty George III. to issue Letters Patent conveying to Stedman the block of lands which he had purchased from them. This was finally assented to, and in the Crown Patent it was recited that the purchaser had given security to the Hon. David William Smith, Captain William Clause, and Alexander Stewart Esq., Trustees for the Indians, for the payment of the purchase money or the annual interest thereof.

It does not appear what efforts Stedman made to turn his purchase to account. Indeed, little could be done with it at that time. Upper Canada was then (1798) little better than a wilderness. When separated from Lower Canada in 1792, and given a separate government, the total population was estimated at 20,000 souls, most of whom were settled around Kingston, the Bay of Quints, the Village of Newark (now Niagara) and at Amherstburg. Kingston and Newark were the only places of any size. Toronto was in its infancy, having just been founded by Governor Simcoe, and the progress of settlement was extremely slow. All the interior of the Province, now cleared and cultivated, dotted over with cities, towns, and villages, ^and the abode of nearly two millions of people enjoying all the blessings of civilization, was then an almost unbroken solitude. It is difficult to realize that eighty-seven years can have wrought such a wondrous transformation !

Stedman died within a few years after obtaining the

THE HON. WILLIAM DICKSON.

Patent from the Crown, and left neither direct heirs nor any devise of his estate. His property was, consequently, inherited by his sister, Mrs. John Sparkman, of^ the Niagara district, who subsequently, on the 26th J uly, 1811, in conjunction with her husband, soldand conveyed to the Hon. Thomas Clarke, of Stamford, in the County of Lincoln, the block of lands obtained from the Six Nation Indians. No part of the principal money agreed upon with Philip Stedman had at this time been paid, for Clarke, on taking possession, executed a mortgage on the lands to the Indian Trustees for the payment of the £8,841 and interest.

There was at this time living in Niagara a gentleman, whose name was destined to become permanently associated with this block of valuable lands, and who found in them an ample fortune for himself and family. This gentleman was the Hon. William Dickson.

Mr. Dickson was born in Dumfries, Scotland, in the year 1769. He came to Canada in 1792, and, having settled in Niagara, began the practice of the profession of the law He took an active part during the war of 1812 ; was taken prisoner, and sent to Greenbush, New York State but was subsequently released on parole. An effort, it is said, was made to retain him a prisoner in consequence of a duel fought with a gentleman named Weeks, also a barrister in Niagara, which took place on American territory. The judge before whom the case came, however, would not allow Mr. Dickson to be detained, on the ground that he was a military prisoner, and had not come

HISTORY OF GALT AND DUMFRIES.

voluntarily upon United States territory. As they serve to throw some light upon the “good old times,” as some consider them, when duelling was the recognized mode of settling disputes between gentlemen, the circumstances of the duel, as obtained from the most trustworthy authority, may be briefly narrated, as follows: —

“ Mr. Weeks, an Irish gentleman, and Mr. Dickson, were barristers practising law in Niagara, in 1808 (I think), and at the Assizes held at Niagara in that year’ they were acting as Counsel in the same cause. In the course of the trial, the conduct of Governor Simcoe (then dead) came into question, and was very coarsely and profanely commented upon by Mr. Weeks in his address to the jury.

“ At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Dickson rose, and addressing himself to the Court said : ‘ As he was engaged in the suit on the same side as his learned friend, it might be supposed that he concurred in all he had said to the jury, whereas he disapproved and condemned the manner in which his learned friend had spoken of Governor Simcoe, and considered the remarks as unjustifiable, and he wished it to be distinctly understood that they did not meet with his approval.

“ Mr. Weeks and Mr. Dickson met the same evening, and there was no apparent interruption to the good understanding between them. During the night, however, some friends of Mr. Weeks impressed upon his mind that Mr. Dickson had insulted him in open court, and that he must challenge him, which he did. Mr. Dickson accept-

THE HON. WILLIAM DICKSON.

ed it, and the duel was fought opposite the Town of Niagara, behind the American fort. At the first exchange of shots, Mr. Weeks fell mortally wounded, only living three hours.”

Possessed of much force of character and well educated, Mr. Dickson during his period of active life, was a prominent and influential public man. He was called to the Legislative Council of Upper Canada about the year 1816, and was widely known and respected. As an evidence of his energetic character, it may be mentioned that on the outbreak of the Rebellion in 1837, although then in his 68th year, he rallied what men he could at Niagara, went by steamer to Toronto, took an active part throughout the battle of Gallows Hill, and, afterwards, in restoring public order.

Shortly after the close of the war of 1812, Mr. Dickson, having full confidence in the future progress and prosperity of Upper Canada, determined to become possessed of some of the large tracts of agricultural lands which were in the market, and open them up for settlement. With this object in view, he placed him self in communication with the Hon. Thomas Clark, who had five years previously, as we have already seen, become possessed of the Stedman Indian lands. The final result of the negotiation was, that on the 3rd July, 1816, Mr. Dickson purchased the entire block comprising the Township of Dumfries The consideration money was £15,000, and the assumption of the mortgage of £8,841, making altogether about £24,000, or a little over one dollar per acre.

HISTORY OF GALT AND DUMFRIES.

Mr. Dickson shortly afterwards paid off the mortgage, to the Hon. William Clause, Trustee for the Indians, entered into possession of the township, and, as the next chapter will disclose, promptly began arrangements to open it up for settlement,

Chapter II

Absalom Shade— A man on whom Nature had left an imprint — Meeting with Mr. Dickson at Niagara in 1816 — Shade fails to get a Contract, but finds a home in the Wilderness — Earliest settlers in Waterloo Township — Dickson and Shade visit Dumfries — They follow the Indian trail — The valley in which Galt stands selected for a Village — Its Natural Beauty — A Colisseum in Leaves — Shade returns to the Wilderness.

“ There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them how we will.” So at least it is said, and so it appeared, at all events, in connection with Mr. Dickson’s new enterprize. He occupied at that time the position of chairman of the Quarter Sessions of the Niagara district, and, in conjunction with two other Commissioners, was empowered to take steps to secure the erection of a court-house and gaol in the village of Niagara. They advertised for tenders, and among those who applied for the contract was a young carpenter named Absalom Shade. His residence at this time was the town of Buffalo, where he was engaged in following his calling as a builder, but he was a Pennsylvanian by birth, having been born in Wyoming county in that State, in the year 1793. His father was a farmer, and Absalom was the youngest son of a numerous family.

There are some men upon whom nature has left such an imprint that once seen they are seldom forgotten. Sometimes we are attracted, at other times repelled, but

HISTORY OF GALT AND DUMFRIES.

a man of unusual energy and force of character generally carries some of their insignia about him, and seldom escapes the notice, and even memory, of close observers.

Absalom Shade was a man of this description. His appearance was striking. He was tall and wiry, straight as an arrow, with regular and sharp features — more particularly the nose — -the whole face being lit up with the sharpest of bluish-grey eyes; in short, he possessed a temperament and formation of body and head rarely disassociated with mental and physical strength and acuteness. He was then in the full flush of early manhood, and looked every inch of him the typical “ live ” Yankee, minus the dyspepsia, slang, and tobacco.

Young Shade failed to get the court-house contract, but it proved a fortunate failure. The chief Commissioner, Mr. Dickson, whose mind was then full of schemes for the opening up of his Indian lands, was so attracted by the appearance and enterprising spirit of the young contractor, that- he determined to make an effort to induce him to expatriate himself to the wilderness of Dumfries, in the hope of carving out a fortune as settlement advanced.