1930

Despite the unfavorable weather forecast which promised thundershowers, there was a very large attendance at the picnic held at Osgoode yesterday under the auspices of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and the weather was for the most part faverable to the outing. which was judged a huge success.

Rev. Father A. J. Gorman, the parish priest, welcomed many members of the clergy from other parishes in the Ottawa district, and a host of old parishioners and friends returned to Osgoode to join the people of St. John's in a most happy occasion.

Fine Sports Program.

A program of sports was run off in the afternoon on the grounds adjoining the church, and refreshments were served under canvas by the busy dinner commitiee. Several times during the day a heavy shower of rain was threatened, and it did rain slightly on two occasions. The showers were not sufficient to dampen the enthusiasm of the picnickers, however, and did not interfere with the regular program of the day.

Among the visiting members of the clergy at the picnic were: Rev. Father F. Corkery, South Gloucester; Rev. Father Gerald Gorman, Huntley; Rev. Father O'Toole, Pakenham; Rev Father McCauley, Fallowfield; Rev. Father J. J. Burke, Ottawa; Rev. Father L. M. Curtin, Ottawa; Rev. Father P. C. Harris, Metcalfe; Rev. Father John O'Neil, Ottawa; and Rev. Father J. T. Brownrigg, Ottawa.

The sports events were keenly contested, particularly the high and vroad jumps, and one of the chief events of the day was the horseshoe pitching contest, in which eight local champions were matched.

Results of the sporting events follows: High jump (prizes donated by C. A. Seguin, M.L.A., K.C.) -- 1. G. O'Callaghan, 4 feet, 8 inches; 2, Lea Hammill.
Broad jump (prizes donated by Alex. Marion, Rockland) -- 1, Leo Hammell, 17 feet, one inch; 2, M. Finley.
100 yards dash, open (prizes donated by Alex. Marion, Rockland) -- 1, M. Finley; 2, H. Blanchfield.
Boys under 12 years, 50 yards dash (prizes donated by John Ralph, Osgoode) -- 1, Oliver McElroy; 2, Alonzo Grant.
Boys over 12 years, 50 yards dash (prizes donated by John Ralph, Osgoode) -- 1, Leo Blanchfield; 2, Walter Clelland.
Girls race, open, 50 yards dash (prizes donated by Mrs. Chapman, Osgoode) -- 1, Mary Kelly; 2, Mary Blanchfield.

In the horse-shoe pitching contest, the first place was won by Fred Thompson and Frank Dowser, as a team, and the second place went to Jack Hurley and V. Marion. Prizes in this event, also were donated by Alex. Marion, the Conservative candidate in Russell County.

Early in the afternoon C. A. Seguin and Alex. Marion visited the picnic at Osgoode, but were on their way to a political gathering at Limoges, and did not address the gathering.

Girls' Ball Game.

During the day an impromptu girls' ball game was held, with the following young ladies taking part: the Misses Margaret Callaghan, Mary Hogan, Mary Burke, Irene Carter, Alice Maloney, Agnes Scissons, Mary Foy and Brigid Neville.

Much of the success of the picnic was due to the energy and untiring effort of those on the various committees. Those responsible for the conduct of the picnic included:

Grounds committee, Thomas Grant, Michael Daley, Philip McEvoy, Hugh Clelland, John Doyle, Sr., Jack McEvoy, William Dewan, Howard Leahy, Ray McEvoy, Pat McEvoy, Leo McEvoy, David Lemieux, Thomas Shields, John H. McEwen, Charles Blanchfield, and William O'Brien.
Refreshment Committee, Thomas McEvoy, Stephen Herbert, Kenneth McEvoy, Lionel McEvoy, Anna Herbert, Lettie Dewan, and Leopold Lemieux.
Fancy work committee, John J. O'Callaghan, Ambrose Herbert, Mrs. J. J. O'Callaghan, Mrs. James Dewan, Ethel Grant, Mary Herbert, Frida Clelland, and Mildred Ralph.
Candy and fish-pond committee, Harold Clelland, Donald McEvoy, Leonard Blanchfield, Theresa Dewan, Miss McKiernan, Miss O'Neill, and Ida Burns.
Miscellaneous committee, Orphir Lemieux, Thomas Daley, Augustin McEvoy, Joseph Herbert, John Ralph.
St. John's Hall committee, James Dewan, Charles McGuire, and William Herbert.
Auto parking committee, Pat Shields, Thomas O'Rourke, John Hurley, Joseph Turner, John O'Rourke, George Burns, Andrew Doyle, Sr., Alonzo Daley, Joseph Carriere and Bernard Dewan.
Dinner committee, John R. Blanchfield, Ernie Blanchfield, Mr. and Mrs. Nap, Faubert, Miss Mary A. Doyle, Mrs. J. R. Blanchfield, John Doyle, Sr., Peter Daley, Michael Herbert, Roe McKenna, Mrs. Philip McEvoy, Mrs. J. H. McEwan, Mrs. Leo McEvoy, Mrs. Alois Herbert, Mrs. James Shields, Miss. Mary E. Doyle, Mrs. O. Lemieux, Mrs. J. Brisson, Mrs. George Burns, Mrs. Thomas Daley, Bruno Lemieux, Howard Blanchfield, Lorne McEvoy, Desmond McEvoy, Mrs. John McEvoy, Mrs. Patrick McEvoy, Mrs. Thomas O'Rourke, Mrs. Thomas Grant, Mrs. Ray McEvoy, Mrs. Augustine McEvoy, Mrs. John Gosson, Mrs. Hugh Clelland, Mrs. Thomas McEvoy, Mrs. Charles McGuire, Mrs. Bernard Dewan, Mrs. Pat. Shields, Mrs. John Devereux, Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. Brisson, Jr., Mrs. Brigid Shields, Miss N. Daley, Mrs. Joseph Carriere, Mrs. Alonzo Daley, Mrs. R. Mckenna, Micheal Murphy, Leo Blanchfield, Leslie McEvoy, Bernard McEvoy, Walter Clelland, Thomas O'Brien, Ray Herbert, and Al. Herbert.

Fire of unknown origin caused damage estimated at around $20,000 to the Church of St. John the Evangelist, on the old Prescott road. three miles east of Osgoode, late yesterday afternoon. The blaze was first discovered about 4:15 o'clock by the family of Philip McEvoy. who immediately notified the sexton, Thomas McCarthy.

The Osgoode Fire Brigade, the first to reach the fire, was later reinforced by No. 10 chemical truck, sent out by the Ottawa Fire Department on orders of Chief J. E. Lemieux, and the Nepean Fire Brigade, under Fire Chief Richard Hayes.

Reached the Roof.

The fire started in the vestibule of the sacrist and worked its way through this portion of the edifice to the roof. Though several times the firefighters felt they had the situation in hand. the blaze proved to be particularly stubborn, and it was not until about nine o'clock that the fire was under control.

News of the fire spread rapidly throughout the entire district, and the road leading to the church was choked with automobiles. Many parishioners came long distances on foot to give what assistance they could, and willing hands salvaged everything movable in the church. including the three altars and the rows of pews.

Saved the Host.

Rev. Father P. C. Harris, of Metcalfe. formerly of Blessed Sacrament church, Ottawa, was one of the early arrivals on the scene, and undeterred by the flames, removed the sacred Host and Vessels to safety.

The Osgoode Fire Brigade arrived at the fire with a motor pumper. A huge zinc tank was placed adjacent to the church and a bucket brigade was hastily organized to replenish it with water from a creek about half a mike away. This enabled the fire-fighters to utilize the pumper throughout in their efforts to check the blaze.

No. 10 chemical truck arrived at the fire a little after six o'clock and final re-inforcement came from the Nepean Fire Brigade.

Will Use Parish Hall.

Rev. Father A. Gorman, parish priest, well-known as the former curate of St. Brigid's church here, stated last night that pending the rehabititation of the church, mass would be conducted in the parish hall. That damage was not heavier than it was he attributed to the fact that the church was semifireproof and offered considerable resistance to the flames.

The present stone church was built in 1918 at a cost of $30,000 to replace the old wooden church used up to that time. The stone church was dedicated by Mgr. Routhier, in the absence of the late Archbishop Gauthier. Rev. Father F. Corkery, now parish priest at St. Mary's, South Gloucester. was pastor at St. John's at that time. Largely through his efforts, the church damaged yesterday was erected to care for the spiritual needs of the many Roman Catholics in that district.

The presbytery which was in such danger of destruction last night is 10 years older than the church.

Rev. Father Gorman thanked all three fire brigades for their fine work before they returned to their respective stations.