A Ticket at Frank and Elgin (1960)

An officer writes a ticket at the corner of Elgin and Frank streets, 1960. Image: Ted Grant / LAC Accession 1981-181 NPC Series 60-695A.
An officer writes a ticket at the northwest corner of Elgin and Frank, 1960. Image: Ted Grant / LAC Accession 1981-181 NPC Series 60-695A.

Another photograph that caught my eye from the “Meter Maids” collection: this time, one of the new recruits writing a ticket at the corner of Elgin and Frank. One thing that stood out to me here is the Kenniston Apartments in the background, previous to the conversion of its basement to commercial and restaurant spaces.

Continue reading A Ticket at Frank and Elgin (1960)

It’s a Library and it’s an Archive and it’s My Favourite

In all its glory. Image: July 2016.
In all its glory. Image: July 2016.

Maligned by some, I have never hidden my love for the Library and Archives building at 395 Wellington. I’ve always found Alvan Mathers’ design for the building to be both monumental and welcoming at the same time. To my eye it is certainly a “building befitting, in design and size, the dignity of the Dominion and the importance of the undertaking” of a National Library (and Archive).1F. Dolores Donnelly. The National Library of Canada (Ottawa: Canadian Library Association, 1973): 41.

Continue reading It’s a Library and it’s an Archive and it’s My Favourite

Notes

Notes
1 F. Dolores Donnelly. The National Library of Canada (Ottawa: Canadian Library Association, 1973): 41.

Three Houses, Three Centuries, and a French Connection

Yesterday, being the beautiful day that it was, I went out for a walk. Oh sure, there were book sales and a fantastic brunch at the Rochester Pub, but there was sunshine and a million things to shoot. To say the least, the case was successfully made for me to spring for a Juicepack. Here are three homes that I took shots of while on my walk, ordered from the Confederation era to today.

Nineteenth Century (c. 1867)

The MacLeod House, at the corner of Stanley and Union in New Edinburgh was constructed around 1867 by Dougal MacLeod, an employee of Thomas McKay.

Although there has been some disagreement as to the actual date this handsome stone home at 92 Stanley (at Union) in New Edinburgh, there is none that it’s a great representation of the earlier stone homes that were constructed in the community. As MacLeod purchased the lot from the McKay Estate in 1867, that date appears to be the accepted one now. Some sources have suggested c. 1850, however. According to the city directories available for the time, Dougal McLeod (also sometimes spelt “McCloud” and in later sources, “MacLeod”) was a miller and one time foreman in McKay’s New Edinburgh mills.

McLeod was a foreman, at least in 1868. Source: Sutherland's Ottawa City Directory, 1868.
McLeod was a foreman, at least in 1868. Source: Sutherland’s Ottawa City Directory, 1868.
Working as a miller. Source: Ottawa City Directory, 1883.
Working as a miller. Source: Ottawa City Directory, 1883.

As much as it may have been a solid middle-class existence, working in the mills was not without its own set of risks. McLeod passed away at 53 on April 25, 1883 due to the all-too-common occupational hazard of Stonecutters’ Disease of the Lungs (Silicosis). He was buried at the nearby Beechwood Cemetery.

Beechwood Cemetery register for Dugall McLeod. Notice that Stanley was then known as Rideau. Source: Beechwood Cemetery Internments, 1873-1990 (Ancestry.ca).
Beechwood Cemetery register for Dugall McLeod. Notice that Stanley was then known as Rideau. Source: Beechwood Cemetery Internments, 1873-1990 (Ancestry.ca).

Following the death of her husband, Jane McLeod moved into the smaller home behind. The house was then occupied by another McKay foreman named G.A. French.

Jane, Dougal's widow moved into the home just behind 92 Stanley (Rideau). Source: Ottawa City Directory, 1885.
Jane, Dougal’s widow moved into the home just behind 92 Stanley (Rideau). Source: Ottawa City Directory, 1885.
G.A. French moved into 92 Stanley (Rideau). Source: Ottawa City Directory, 1885.
G.A. French moved into 92 Stanley (Rideau). We will see later on in this story, a very similar name. Source: Ottawa City Directory, 1885.
Detail from the 1888 (1901 Revision) Goad's Atlas showing 92 Stanley and 34 Union. Following the death of her husband, Jane McLeod moved into the smaller wood-frame home behind her old home.
Detail from the 1888 (1901 Revision) Goad’s Atlas showing 92 Stanley and 34 Union. Following the death of her husband, Jane McLeod moved into the smaller wood-frame home behind her old home. Click to enlarge.

As New Edinburgh was in the early days of its sort of renaissance as the leafy and generally well-heeled neighbourhood that it is today (with the demolition of most non-residential elements being rapidly completed), the restoration and preservation of the MacLeod House was worthy of celebration. This piece from the March 21, 1970 edition of the Ottawa Journal gives a run down of the subsequent owners/occupants. It appears that it received its plaque in 1992.

A few minor inconsistencies with the records available today aside, it is a very nice story. Source: Ottawa Journal, March 21, 1970.
A few minor inconsistencies (it was his widow Jane who moved following his death, for example) with the records available today aside, it is a very nice story. Source: Ottawa Journal, March 21, 1970.

Twentieth Century (c. 1935)

Later on during the day, as I was making my way to the book sale at First Avenue Public School, I happened across this beautiful double on First Avenue.

This beautiful double at 386 First Avenue certainly caught my eye. April 2014.
This beautiful double at 386 First Avenue certainly caught my eye. April 2014.

Admittedly, I haven’t been able readily locate a specific date of construction or an architect/builder. The west end of The Glebe (along Bronson) underwent a construction boom beginning in the early-mid-1930s and a number of builders were present. What I was able to locate, however, was its first resident: the ever-popular Dominion Church organist, Allanson G.Y. Brown. Brown was born in York, UK in 1902 and arrived in Canada in 1932. As a young man in England, it was patently clear that he had a knack for ecclesiastical music, replacing his parish organist in York during the First World War.

Arriving on a Third Class ticket, Brown did not yet have a listed address. He was nevertheless, a man on a mission. His voyage to Canada was his own. As we can see, his parents remained in York Source: LAC RG 76-C, Passenger Lists 1865-1935 (at Ancestry.ca).
Arriving on a Third Class ticket, Brown did not yet have a listed address. He was nevertheless, a man on a mission. His voyage to Canada was his own. As we can see, his parents remained in York Source: LAC RG 76-C, Passenger Lists 1865-1935 (at Ancestry.ca).

 

Brown's parents could have come to Canada but chose to remain in York at this home at 23 Stanley Street. Source: Google Streetview (Image Date: April 2012).
Brown’s parents could have come to Canada but chose to remain in York at this home at 23 Stanley Street. Source: Google Streetview (Image Date: April 2012).

It appears that Brown was quite a frequent traveller back to to the United Kingdom. A number of records documenting his entries and exits are available at Ancestry.ca. If I were less frugal, I’d have sprung for the global access package, rather than the Canada-only one that I have.

By the time he returned from another trip in 1935, he had an address to list. Source:
By the time he returned from another trip in 1935, he had an address to list. Source: LAC RG 76-C, Passenger Lists 1865-1935 (at Ancestry.ca).

Shortly after his arrival in 1932, he set down to work as the organist at Dominion United Church.

Brown made is debut that fall. Source: Ottawa Journal, October 15, 1932.
Brown made is debut that fall. Source: Ottawa Journal, October 15, 1932.

Of course, that was not going to pay all the bills, nor was it going to challenge him musically. The following year, he also began to offer lessons “keen students.”

"Only Keen Students Needed." Source: Ottawa Journal, September 2, 1933.
“Only Keen Students Needed.” Source: Ottawa Journal, September 2, 1933.

After nearly eight years of service, he was elected as the chairman of the Ottawa Centre branch of the Canadian College of Organists.

Meet your new chairman. Source: Ottawa Journal, April 8, 1940.
Meet your new chairman. Source: Ottawa Journal, April 8, 1940.

Brown remained in Ottawa until the mid-1950s when he departed for Leamington, ON. His arrangements would actually go on to be used in services all over the continent.

For example, one was used in San Bernadino, California. Source: San Bernadino County Sun, June 15, 1957.
For example, one was used in San Bernadino, California. Source: San Bernadino County Sun, June 15, 1957.
...and in Fitchberg, Massachusetts. Source: Fitchberg Sentinel, December 21, 1963.
…and in Fitchberg, Massachusetts. Source: Fitchberg Sentinel, December 21, 1963.

He also won a number of prizes and accolades for his work.

$100 from Trinity Presbyterian in Atlanta, Georgia. Source: Ottawa Journal, January 25, 1969.
$100 from Trinity Presbyterian in Atlanta, Georgia. Source: Ottawa Journal, January 25, 1969.
Recognition for 60 years as an organist. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 10, 1975.
Recognition for 60 years as an organist. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 10, 1975.

 

Twenty-first Century (2010)

203 North River Road is a real modern beauty. April 2014.
203 North River Road is a real modern beauty. And an award winner to boot. April 2014.

In the spirit of acknowledging that the privacy standards we operate on today are significantly different than they were in the past, I will refrain from the sort of discussion above. I will say that this modern home, constructed about four years ago is a real beauty and I appreciate it greatly every time I happen to walk past. In this case, it was on Saturday morning on my way to the Rockcliffe Park Library’s annual spring book sale. Always a real treat.

Excerpt from the December 2009 issue of Ottawa Construction News.
Excerpt from the December 2009 issue of Ottawa Construction News.

This is where a little bit of the historical fun comes in. Building Permit No. 907454 was issued in 2009 for the construction of a home at 203 North River Road. The contractor on the file was the award-winning G.M. (Guy) French Construction. If you’ll remember from above, following the death of Dougal McLeod, one G.A. French took up residence in the home at 92 Stanley. Before the Vanier Parkway was completed, North River used to be joined with Charlevoix and Mackay and was the road into New Edinburgh from Hurdman’s.

The House that Electric Beans Built (474 Cooper Street, Centretown)

474 Cooper Street. February 2014.
474 Cooper Street. February 2014.

Although many of them have been converted into apartments for decades, Centretown remains home to a large number of stately homes, constructed during the Victorian, Edwardian (VII), and early Georgian (V) periods. Of course, it wasn’t the working-class families of Lebreton Flats or Eastview constructing these homes to live in. It was Ottawa’s then burgeoning commercial class and the few well-positioned, well-paid members of the Inside Service taking up residence in these homes.

Pictured above is the home at 474 Cooper Street, just a few lots west of Kent. Although quite beautiful (if in need of a little care), it is a pretty standard design for the time and, if I had to guess, was likely (or largely) sourced from an existing pattern book.

Following their honeymoon, Robert and [NAME] returned to Ottawa, staying in the Hotel Cecil. Source: Ottawa Journal, December 20, 1909.
Following their honeymoon, Robert and [NAME] returned to Ottawa, staying in the Hotel Cecil. Source: Ottawa Journal, December 20, 1909.
 After six months in the Cecil, they were able to move into their new home. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 2, 1910.

After six months in the Cecil, they were able to move into their new home. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 2, 1910.Robert Nathaniel Bates was born at Prescott in 1881 to Joseph and Juliet (Lighthall) Bates. Robert married Mabel Asquith in 1909 and for a time took up residence in the Hotel Cecil on Sparks. The newlyweds needed a nest, however. Once construction was completed in 1910, they moved in to their home at No. 474 Cooper.  It appears that it was a reasonably straightforward purchase: Bates was earning $5000 a year at the time. 

Crown's short-lived success. I haven't found any other mention of the company. Source: Ottawa Journal, February 17, 1909.
Crown’s short-lived success. I haven’t found any other mention of the company. Source: Ottawa Journal, February 17, 1909.

As with a number of entrepreneurial families, the Bates’ were involved in a number of enterprises. Robert and his father Joseph, for example, founded and ran the Crown Oil & Gas Company, enjoying some limited success in 1909 in oil and gas exploration. It appears that 1909 would it its only real notable year, however. The company is not mentioned again in the local papers, although Crown’s activities were later continued. In any event, both Robert and his father seem to have had other, much larger, plans.

Robert Bate was also president of the Electric Bean Chemical Company. Source: Ottawa Journal, June
Robert Bate was also president of the Electric Bean Chemical Company. Source: Ottawa Journal, June 24, 1911.

First and, perhaps most interestingly, Bates entered the patent medicine game in 1907 selling “Electric Beans”, seemingly iron supplements, which promised to energize and vitalize the listless. A half-page ad published in local newspapers offered a narrative of how scientists discovered this plant material that energized the blood and – miracle upon miracles – those who take the beans experienced a whole new life and a rosy glow to go with it.

Electric Beans are what rendered 1906 "A Year of Great Achievements." Source: Ottawa Journal, March 4, 1907.
Electric Beans are what rendered 1906 “A Year of Great Achievements.” Source: Ottawa Journal, March 4, 1907.

Advertisements for these Electric Beans were run in the Ottawa Journal until 1918 and materials were published directly by the Electric Bean Chemical Company until at least 1920. It appears that Electric Beans were merely a sideline or a single act for Robert. Along with his father, it appears that they had more conglomerate aims.

Feel the pulse. My favourite Electric Bean ad: "They will fill you with ambition and make life worth living." Source: Ottawa Journal, December 14, 1907.
Feel the pulse. My favourite Electric Bean ad: “They will fill you with ambition and make life worth living.” Source: Ottawa Journal, December 14, 1907.
Advertisement in Canadian Druggist. Electric Beans weren't the only medicinal product in the company's catalogue. "Electric" appears to be the Edwardian/Georgian equivalent to "Extreme", "Pro", or "i". Source: Canadian Druggist, January 1911.
Advertisement in Canadian Druggist. Electric Beans weren’t the only medicinal product in the company’s catalogue. “Electric” appears to be the Edwardian/Georgian equivalent to “Extreme”, “Pro”, or “i”. Source: Canadian Druggist, January 1911.

In the summer of 1910, Robert and his father formed the British Canadian Industrial Co. Ltd. British Canadian appears to have been largely an attempt to bring all their different activities into a single incorporated body, not the least of which the Electric Beans and oil and gas properties.  This would also help them to raise capital.  

Invest in British Canadian as a whole or in the Electric Beans specifically. Your choice. Source: Ottawa Journal, November 23, 1910.
Invest in British Canadian as a whole or in the Electric Beans specifically. Your choice. Source: Ottawa Journal, November 23, 1910.

British Canadian's future looked bright in those early days. After their first year, expansion plans were made. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 23, 1911.

British Canadian’s future looked bright in those early days. After their first year, expansion plans were made. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 23, 1911.Not three months later, British Canadian’s new business was announced. Fitting for an Ottawa business, British Canadian created a whole new company (with a $2,000,000 capitalization) called the International Land and Lumber Company. Throughout the year, Bates had been raising funds, both domestically and internationally, in order to purchase a timber limit around Lac St-Jean, Quebec.

On July 24, the birth of International Land and Lumber was announced. Source: Ottawa Journal, July 24, 1911.
On July 24, the birth of International Land and Lumber was announced. Source: Ottawa Journal, July 24, 1911.

For a time, it appeared as if British Canadian and the International Land and Lumber Company were going to become a significant corporate presence in Ottawa, Canada, and even noted abroad. Robert had been tremendously successful in raising funds, making contacts, and interesting some important persons. Within three years, both Bates-run companies had grown considerably.

1914 seems to have been a good year for the Bates' enterprises. Source: Ottawa Journal, April 29, 1914.
1914 seems to have been a good year for the Bates’ enterprises. The pictured headquarters was actually a new facility. A fire at their former premises at 226-228 Albert in the previous year left British Canadian and International Land (among a number of other notable Ottawa companies) homeless. Source: Ottawa Journal, April 29, 1914.

While under the control of Robert Bates, it appeared that the sky was the limit. That is, of course, where the story takes a turn.

Robert Bates: passed away at 38 years old while away on business in London. Source: Ottawa Journal, March 4, 1920.
Robert Bates: passed away at 38 years old while away on business in London. Source: Ottawa Journal, March 4, 1920.

In March of 1920, local papers reported that Robert had died while away on business in London (UK). While his cause of death does not appear to have been published, his entry into Beechwood Cemetery registers lists the cause of death as asphyxiation. He was just under 39 years old, clearly with much ahead of him.

Beechwood listed his cause of death as asphyxiation. Source: Beechwood Cemetery Registers (Ancestry.ca).
Beechwood listed his cause of death as asphyxiation. Source: Beechwood Cemetery Registers (Ancestry.ca).

From there, the wheels began to come off British Canadian and International Land. In 1921, high-ranking corporate officer S. A. Huntington departed for Leamington, ON to establish a fruit farm. Two years following, the Toronto General Trusts Corporation, trustee for the International Land and Lumber Company’s bondholders began to investigate the company’s affairs.

International defaulted on its bond payments in 1923. Source: Ottawa Journal, November 20, 1923.
International defaulted on its bond interest payments in 1923. Source: Ottawa Journal, November 20, 1923.

Toronto General Trusts’ investigation uncovered that much of Bates’ fundraising energies – aside from his work in England – were focused on investors of modest means in rural Eastern Ontario and Quebec. Once the company’s larger debts were paid (the investors in England, the Government of Quebec), it did not appear to be good news on the horizon for these smaller investors.

Details of the International Land and Lumber Co's position in 1923. Source: Ottawa Journal, November 21, 1923.
Details of the International Land and Lumber Co’s position in 1923. Source: Ottawa Journal, November 21, 1923.

The following year, in 1924, the company began bankruptcy proceedings in earnest. With that, it was all gone. Today, very little of any physical reminder of Bates’ entrepreneurial life exists. Neither office building is standing (both burned), and neither is his home at death, 248 O’Connor. His first home, at 474 Cooper, however, remains standing and truly is one built on the strength of Electric Beans.

 

Inspector Lemoine’s Elgin Residence

Nestled between the Mackenzie and Holbrook Apartments is this home at 408 Elgin.
Nestled between the Mackenzie and Holbrook Apartments is this home at 408 Elgin.

As you continue south down Elgin, the commercial feel begins to dissipate and the residential character the neighbourhood once had is able to show through: if only a little. With both the east and west sides of the street lined with 3 and 4-storey apartments (common along the city’s former streetcar routes), it would be easy to miss this comparatively small home between the Mackenzie and the Holbrook apartments on the street’s west side.

Although it is now part of the collection of buildings that comprise 388 Elgin (namely the Holbrook, Mac’s/Parkdale Apartments, and the detached home at the rear on Gladstone), this wasn’t always the case.  408 Elgin’s first owner was Humane Society Inspector James Lemoine. A lifelong resident of Ottawa, Lemoine began his working career with the Bronson Lumber Company, making his way up to foreman. A career with Bronson was not enough, however. In 1899, Lemoine partnered up with James Currell and formed the Electric Transfer Company. Lemoine and Currell operated in the city’s highly-competitive baggage transfer market for some years before selling the business to Roy Brownlee.

1914-08-01-OHS-Lemoine-Profile-Picture-Page-13
Lemoine’s image as published in a profile of the Ottawa Humane Society. Source: Ottawa Journal, August 1, 1914.

Lemoine was appointed to the position of Inspector in 1908. He seemed to approach the job with some gusto and was often the face of the Ottawa Humane Society when it came to the enforcement of early animal cruelty laws.

His tenure in that position did not last a long time. On December 17, 1915, Lemoine died of pneumonia at 55 years old and was interred at Beechwood Cemetery. His widow Elmira (“Minnie”) and children Ethel, Florence, Harold, and Isabella then moved to a home at 102 Argyle. Harold, the only son, died from wounds he received during World War 1 in 1917.

Miss Harmon’s Tragic End

Miss Harmon. Source: LAC Topley Series A, May 1868 (MIKAN 3470100).
Miss Harmon. Source: LAC Topley Series A, May 1868 (MIKAN 3470100).

In more recent years, Ottawa’s local historians have become more interested in Miss Harmon’s School for Girls. Most materials pertaining to the operation of the school are centred on its final location at the corner of Elgin and MacLaren. By far the best of these I know of is found on URBSite.

The details surrounding the closing of the school tend to be unarticulated for the most part. Additionally, the nature of Miss Harmon’s death, being a suicide, is not generally discussed.

Operating a business – any business – is quite a challenging undertaking. With new competitors emerging with varying regularity, client tastes and demands always changing, and a whole host of other issues that may – at any given time – prove challenging to the regular needed cash flow of your operation, it isn’t easy. Miss Harmon appeared to be poised to handle any and all comers to the field of women’s education in Ottawa.

Abby's father, Daniel, as pictured in an edition of his published journals. Source: D.W. Harmon, A Journal of Voyages and Travels in the Interior of North America" New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1903.
Abby’s father, Daniel, as pictured in an edition of his published journals. Source: D.W. Harmon, A Journal of Voyages and Travels in the Interior of North America” New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1903.

Miss Abby Maria Harmon, the youngest daughter of Daniel Williams Harmon and Elizabeth [Lizette] Laval [Duval], was born in Vermont around 1838. By the time Abby was born, her father Daniel had been long retired from the fur trade (Northwest Company) and had indeed already published his journals. According to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, he never did achieve much in the way of success after he left the trade and returned to his home state. He died five years following her birth, in 1843.

1861 Census entry for Abby Harmon at Beaver Hall West. Source: LAC Census Collection, Item No. 279649
1861 Census entry for Abby Harmon at Beaver Hall West. Source: LAC Census Collection, Item No. 279649

At some point between her father’s death and 1861, Abby relocated to Montreal. Perhaps due to some connections her father had with (former) Northwest Company colleagues, she appears to have taken up a position teaching at a ladies’ boarding school in the Golden Square Mile at 31 Beaver Hall.

That arrangement did not last long, however. Abby Harmon soon relocated to the recently-selected capital of the United Canadas. In 1862, she established the Harmon Ladies’ School with the help of Agnes Lloyd, who subsequently married Pembroke hardware dealer W.A. Hunter.

The 1871 Census lists Abby Harmon as a resident of Victoria Ward and working as a Preceptress. Between 1875 and 1892, her school was located at 49 Daly, home to The Union Mission for Men since 1912.

1871 Census entry for Miss Harmon, Preceptress. Source: LAC Census Collection.
1871 Census entry for Miss Harmon, Preceptress. Source: LAC Census Collection.

Regardless of its location, Miss Harmon’s school in Ottawa was a resounding success. Aside from remaining in business continually, she did seem to attract a lot of notable clientele, including Hugh John Macdonald’s daughter, John A. Macdonald’s granddaughter. At the end of each school year, the Journal and Citizen would report the successes of the pupils. Unsurprisingly, the young women present on those lists had a number of notable family names – Lyon, Lewis, McKay, and Wright, to name a few examples.

Miss Harmon was also somewhat involved in local politics that concerned her business. In December of 1891 she petitioned the city for tax exempt status. The reason being is that she saw the private religious schools as competition that had the advantage of not paying taxes. The Journal noted that the owner of a ladies’ school in Montreal was not only successful in winning the exemption, but that she also secured the costs. It appears, however, that her own petition fell on deaf ears and she restructured and incorporated her business, moving it to the corner of Elgin and MacLaren the following year (beginning that year, her advertisements claimed that the school was “Incorporated in 1892”).

In 1891, Miss Harmon petitioned City Hall to grant her school an exemption from taxes. Source: Ottawa Journal, December 9, 1891.
In 1891, Miss Harmon petitioned City Hall to grant her school an exemption from taxes. Note that the Journal pointed out that she had been in operation for nearly 30 years. This suggests that she departed for Ottawa quickly after her time in Montreal. Source: Ottawa Journal, December 9, 1891.

Finally, Miss Harmon was also exceptionally active in the community, holding a number of positions with a large number of charities attached to the Presbyterian Church in Ottawa.

The trouble, it seems, was in Miss Harmon’s personal life.

Interprovincial Bridge, under construction. 1900. Source: LAC Samuel Jarvis Collection, MIKAN No. 3358974
Interprovincial Bridge, under construction. 1900. Source: LAC Samuel Jarvis Collection, MIKAN No. 3358974

On September 20, 1904 it was reported that Miss Harmon had taken her own life by jumping off the Interprovincial (Alexandra) Bridge. The Journal reported that there were witnesses to the jump, which took place at 11:40PM. When her body was recovered in the morning by an E.B. Eddy employee, a note was recovered from the pocket of her skirt:

“Dr. MacCarthy killed me with his theory of keeping boarders. Send my body to Rogers’ morgue, Rideau street, and from there to Montreal, to Kate.”

For his own part, Dr. MacCarthy was reported in the Journal article as having recommended to Miss Harmon that she stop taking on boarders as she was getting older and was quite tired. Although she was convinced to stop teaching a few years earlier on that basis, she missed it and returned to the classroom. While her financial position was generally stable, she did not see it that way and apparently felt that not accepting boarders would lead to her financial ruin.

“Dr. MacCarthy attributes her rash act to nervous prostration and mental depression which produced insanity.”

The Journal established a narrative whereby nobody noticed anything different about her behaviour with the exception that she had dressed herself alone that day. Something that she had apparently been unable to do in three years. Outside of that abnormality, she seemed exactly as she always was.

The reporting on Miss Harmon's suicide was extensive. Source: Ottawa Journal, September 20, 1904.
The reporting on Miss Harmon’s suicide was extensive. Source: Ottawa Journal, September 20, 1904.

At least in Ottawa’s educational circles, Miss Harmon cast a long shadow. Once news of her suicide had spread, the Ottawa Ladies’ College closed for the day as an official act of mourning.

Ottawa Ladies' College closed for the day. Source: Ottawa Journal, September 21, 1904.
Ottawa Ladies’ College closed for the day. Admittedly, I am uncertain about the relationship between her own school and the Ottawa Ladies’ College. Source: Ottawa Journal, September 21, 1904.

Reprinted in the Journal, the Montreal Star eulogized Miss Harmon thusly:

A teacher who has been the successful educator of two and even three generations of pupils, and to whom the passing years have brought and ever increasing measure of public esteem and confidence cannot fail to occupy a unique position in any community. Such was the case with the late Miss M. A. [sic] Harmon is Ottawa, whose tragic death in a moment of mental derangement was reported in our news columns a few days ago.

The pupils of Miss Harmon are to be found to-day in every part of the Dominion, many occupying social positions of prominence; and wherever her name is mentioned the thought will arise of the kindly, painstaking and judicious teacher and the sincere and sympathetic friend.

Miss Harmon’s school had become almost an historic institution of the Capital of the Dominion, antedating as it did the removal of the seat of government to that city; and, under the influence, grew up to womanhood the daughters of hundreds of the leading citizens of the place.

The children of former pupils replaced their mothers in the course of years, and in a few cases the grandchildren sought their education under the same wise and genial auspices.

Miss Harmon was a firm believer in a thorough English education. Her aim was to develop at once the intelligence and the character, rather than to impart a show of knowledge and transitory accomplishments. Everything in her system of education was solid as far as she could possibly make it so. Her own character was compacted of firmness and kindliness; and the public had learnt to place unlimited reliance on her judgement in all that related to the welfare of her scholars.

In the inexpressibly sad death of this estimable lady there is a lesson for the strong not to overtax their strength; for in the human constitution, as in everything else, there is a breaking point. To approach that point is dangerous; to touch it means collapse, perhaps absolute and fatal.

However that may be, to have been, through a long life, patient in purpose, steadfast in aim, patient in well-doing and indefatigable in the performance of duty; above all to have been a source of strength and moral upbuilding to others; is to leave a record which no clouds gathering round the last stage can ever obscure.

It does appear that, in general, most accepted that her psychiatric issues were precipitated by her penchant for overwork.

Miss Harmon’s will was probated a few weeks later and was valued at approximately $20,000. The will, which was dated July 20, 1904 (eight weeks previous to her suicide), made a large number of bequests to a variety of individuals and charities. Some of these charities included the Widow and Orphans’ fund of the Presbyterian Church, St. Luke’s Hospital, the Protestant Orphans’ Home, the YWCA, and the Home for Friendless Women.

Harmon's final will and testament spread her assets around to a number of charities. Source: Ottawa Journal, October 19, 1904.
Harmon’s final will and testament spread her assets around to a number of charities. Source: Ottawa Journal, October 19, 1904.

The legacy left by Abby Harmon would be much larger than the number of cash bequests she left in her will, however. In the spring of 1905, a number of prominent Ottawans – including but not limited to J.W. Woods and George Perley – met to develop a new ladies’ college as “the work done by Miss Harmon should be continued and not allowed to die out”.

Miss Harmon's work was immeasurably valued in the city and leading citizens sought to continue it. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 20, 1905.
Miss Harmon’s work was immeasurably valued in the city and leading citizens sought to continue it. Source: Ottawa Journal, May 20, 1905.

Although misspelled, Miss Harmon’s name also lives on in the name of an apartment building that was later constructed on the site of what was the playground for her school.

The "Harman Apartments" serve as a tribute to the late Miss Harmon. Source: Christopher Ryan, December 2013.
The “Harman Apartments” serve as a tribute to the late Miss Harmon. Source: Christopher Ryan, December 2013.

By way of relation, the autumn of 1904 would see another teacher pass on. On October 13, the Journal reported that Miss Annabella MacLeod had passed on. Like Miss Harmon she was an educator and also like Harmon, MacLeod’s father, John MacLeod, was in the fur trade, a chief trader of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Tragically, also like Miss Harmon, her death appears to have come at the end of a depressive episode (although due to a physical medical issue). According to the report in the Journal:

Since the death of her younger sister, Miss Annie, last July, Miss MacLeod has been in a feeble state of health, although she continued at her work of teaching up to Wednesday afternoon. Yesterday pluresy developed, and she was unable to rally.

At a later date, I will continue the tale of how influential citizens of Ottawa were able to continue Miss Harmon’s work in the city. In a subsequent piece, I will continue to track the physical development of the building that once housed the school.

 

The Soviet Line on Gilmour

The Gilmour Inn, 431 Gilmour (November 2013)

This one will just be a quick hit for you this gloomy Sunday afternoon. 

It really doesn’t take a powerful suggestion for me to engage in some research on something. Sometimes it’s just a question that pops into my head when walking by, sometimes it comes from a question that someone asks me, and other times, it could be as innocuous as being followed on Twitter or Instagram. In this case, it was a 70-30 split between the last and the first. The Gilmour Inn followed me on Twitter, I wondered, and I searched. Although I am aware it was not the same for many people, when I was young, one of the most important lessons that I was taught was that an unanswered question is one of the saddest things in the world (*cue violins*). This boundless curiosity has caused me untold amounts of joy, has helped to satisfy the curiosities of others, and has put others to sleep. Of course, if you’re represented in the latter group, you’d probably not be reading this.

The house at 431 Gilmour was constructed around 1895 for Zaccheus J. Fowler, the Chief Engineer for Grand Trunk subsidiary, Midland Railway Company of Canada (and previously of the Indiantown Branch of the Intercolonial Railway in New Brunswick). Though it was originally addressed as 389 Gilmour, the growing city necessitated the renumbering of many blocks throughout the city, this one being no exception.

Extract from Goad's 1888 (1901 revision)
Extract from Goad’s 1888 (1901 revision)

At some point after 1909, the property was sold by Fowler to fellow New Brunswicker, the prolific and Honourable George. E. Foster, who remained resident there for some time. By 1923, the property had been picked up by William Charles Mitchell, the former publisher of the Ottawa Free Press and local property owner (who, at his death, owned the Ottawa Free Press building at Elgin and Queen and the nearby Shorncliffe Apartments, among others). Following his death in 1927, his son Fred and his family took up residence in the home. The couple remained there until the death of his wife Florida in 1941. After than, he sold the home and moved into a hotel on Bank, where he died in 1945.

While I’m unsure of the specific course of events following the sale of the house in 1941, the home was, by 1942 or 1943, converted into to the Canadian headquarters for the Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (Russian: Телеграфное агентство Советского Союза), shortened to “TASS” in English. TASS wasn’t itself an intelligence agency. It was just the newswire service agency responsible for the collection of national and international news for Soviet newspapers. Unlike the Canadian Press, Associated Press, or Reuters, it enjoyed a monopoly in that position. It nevertheless was frequently used by the NKVD/KGB and GRU for intelligence-gathering purposes.

Coming soon to Ottawa: a TASS Office. Source, Montreal Gazette, July 25, 1942.
Coming soon to Ottawa: a TASS Office. Source, Montreal Gazette, July 25, 1942.

On July 24, 1942, the Montreal Gazette reported that, much like its New York office, TASS official Nicholas Zhivaynov was poised to open a Canadian headquarters in Ottawa. As this was during World War 2 and the Soviets were allied (albeit with trepidation given the official public ideology), so an office for their wire service probably wasn’t considered much of a threat.

That, of course, all changed with the defection of Soviet cipher clerk Igor Gouzenko. Without recounting the entire event, Gouzenko was working for the Russian foreign service at 14 Range Road. He became concerned when it became clear that the Soviet government was spying on the Canadian, hoping to acquire nuclear secrets from the United States. When Gouzenko first attempted to inform the RCMP and the national media he wasn’t believed. When some “officials” (the NKVD) attempted to pay him an unfriendly visit at his apartment (511 Somerset, Apartment 4) it became clear that his story may have had some merit. It was this event that served as sort of the official kickoff to the Cold War.

1946-02-20-Journal-Spy-Case-Page-9
In February of 1946, news of the espionage exploded in the national media. The picture to the right is 431 Gilmour. The veranda has long since been removed. Source: Ottawa Journal, February 20, 1946.

The resulting Royal Commission to Investigate the Facts Relating to and the Circumstances Surrounding the Communication, by Public Officials and Other Persons in Positions of Trust of Secret and Confidential Information to Agents of a Foreign Power (quite a mouthful, hence it being better known as the Kellock-Taschereau Commission) uncovered what was then very startling information. Leaving most of the specifics of the event to the Cold War historians, the Commission’s findings, which were tabled later in the year, uncovered that Zhivaynov, working out of the TASS office was a central figure in the whole intrigue.

The Kellock-Taschereau Commission's "Cast of Characters".
The Kellock-Taschereau Commission’s “Cast of Characters”.

In spite of the Commission’s findings, the agency remained active in Canada (as it does today), though after it became clear in 1949 that another one of their agents was at least questionable. Subsequently their reporters had to prove clean in order to receive their Press Gallery credentials.

Another operative. This time he violated - rather than confirmed - expectations. Source: Windsor Daily Star, April 14, 1954.
Another operative. This time he violated – rather than confirmed – expectations. Source: Windsor Daily Star, April 14, 1954.

It appears that the TASS office quickly relocated from 431 Gilmour as my searches tend to result in regular classified ads (ie. goods for sale, rooms for rent) and local information (obituaries) at that address for several decades. In 1979, Annice Kronick relocated her “decorators studio” business, Accents Incorporated, to that address from 323 Somerset W. By the mid-1980s, it was the Raven Café (specializing in live folk and blues), and after that the Savana Café.

Today, the ITAR-TASS Agency in Ottawa is located in unit 1305 of the Champlain Towers Apartments in Lindenlea.