Maclean Chief Claims Tito ‘Fairly Successful’, Montreal, 1957

Montreal Gazette, 26 November 1957, page 3

Maclean Chief Claims Tito ‘Fairly Successful’

Sir Fitzroy Maclean, the British soldier who dropped behind German lines in Yugoslavia by parachute during the Second World War to organize guerilla resistance said yesterday he believes Josip Brost Tito has been ‘fairly successful’ in maintaining Yugoslav independence.
Sir Fitzroy, who now sits in the House of Commons and is president of the Clan Maclean Association visited Montreal briefly en-route to New York. He returns Thursday to be guest of honour at the St Andrew’s Society Ball in the Windsor Hotel.
“I think since his break with the Russians, Tito’s main objective is to retain his independence. That I believe he has managed to do,” said Sir Fitzroy.
“Now, he is trying to have good relations with East and West and it is not always easy for him to do so.”
Sir Fitzroy advised Winston Churchill that all their support should go to the then unknown Tito. “Today, I think this was right, as I did then,” he said.
“I think it was always right militarily because my direct concern was to support anyone fighting the enemy. But since I think it has turned out to have been quite a wise decision politically, as well. I believe it showed Tito that it was possible for him to find help elsewhere than from the Russians without sacrificing his independence.”
The British MP, brigadier and author, arrived with Lady Maclean aboard Trans Canada Air Lines. They left shortly after for New York where a speaking engagement and two television appearances await Sir Fitzroy.
Ball officials meanwhile announced that Lady Maclean, a daughter of the 14th Baron Lovat, will wear a century-old tartan velvet dress found by her mother in an attic at Beaufort, the family manor recently.
Lady Maclean wore the dress at the Caledonia Ball in Paris and according to her, “It stood up quite well to the Dior gowns also being worn.”
Sir Fitzroy’s personal and clan flags arrive here via TCA this week.

Halloween Concert by Caledonian Society, Montreal, 1911

Montreal Daily Star, 31 October 1911, page 2

 

Hallowe’en Concert by Caledonian Society

 

Mayor Guerin Speaks Highly of Society’s Work

 

With the Windsor Hall crowned to capacity, and the proceedings opened by the wild skirl of the bagpipes playing by marching pipers, led by Pipe-Major Johnston, the 52^nd annual Hallowe’en Concert under the auspices of the Caledonian Society last night, was a pronounced success.

Mayor Guerin gave a little introductory speech in which he spoke very highly of the Caledonian Society.  He liked it, he said, because it was an intensely patriotic society, fostering good citizenship and proving a powerful magnet to draw thrifty young men to Canada.

Besides the Mayor, President WC McAllister had supporting him on the platform, Lt-Col Gardener of the St Andrew’s Society; Mr James Mitchell, President of the St George’s society; Major Rodden president of the Irish Protestant Benevolent Society; and Mr Davies president of the St David’s Society.

The programme was a long and highly interesting one and [illegible] thus of the [illegible] was Miss Mina Taylor, Mr Frederick Carter, Miss Barbara Foster, and Mr [illegible] sword master [illegible] Pipe Major Wm Johnston, [illegible] Miss [illegible].

 

Curling Sketches, Montreal, 1911

Montreal Daily Star, 23 January 1911, page 3

Curling Sketches No. 3

Mr FF Barr of the Heather Curling Club, is known to be in more ways than one the “biggest curler inMontreal,” and this fact, considered from a standpoint of physique, can readily be appreciated when it is stated that he is some six feet four inches in height.  He has always been deemed a very careful and consistent player, and when he faces the tee his reach almost allows of his placing the iron past the hog at the other end of the rink before the stone reaches the los. Before joining the brethren of the Heather Club, of this city, Mr Barr was an enthusiastic curler in Toronto, where the granite stones are in general use, in conversation with the Star the other day, one of the skies under whom Mr Barr is playing, laughingly stated that he had to give him instructions through a megaphone or stand on a platform when he wished to inform his steady “third shot” what was required.  In former years Mr Barr has held office in the Heather Club, while in business he is associated with the Canadian Bag Company.

Poem in honour of Robert Burns, Montreal, 1911

Montreal Daily Star, 26 January 1911, page 8

 

The Poet’s Corner

 

The Birthday of Robert Burns

(January 25^th 1759)

 

Sweet in the ear of fame of yore a bard

With lips a lover’s wooed the heart of time;

To him his love was meet reward,

Ere fame awoke to fine his song sublime;

Within his heart the sheen of nature glowed;

A patriot’s fire his noble sour endowed,

And heart and soul found ecstasy in rhyme,

That stirred the heart of time and soul of fame

To garland with the loves of men the poet’s name.

 

Twas where the landscape sighs when Bonnie Doon

Sings mournfully as winter stays its glee,

The cottar’s heart, in loght of Januar’s moon,

First heart the voice disguised of heaven’s decree

A Scottish poet born.  The north wind blew

A Hansel-blast, but none the omen knew

Though drear the willows soughed across the lea

And every somber pine and bearded oak

Sustained the solemn birthday hymn till day awoke.

 

AndScotia’s sons with patriotic cheer

Join festival to celebrate his birth

The spirit of his song still hovers near

To lustre friendship and its well-timed mirth:

His song was nature’s incense of the heart

With nought to hide because it knew no art-

The song of life as life is found on earth-

Sweetpess is sorrow, evil in the good

The only song man sings and yet has understood.

 

How oft his minstreisy entints our joys:

How oft his genius lindeth friends sincere:

If life and joy we know be but alloys,

‘Tis these his love and poesy endear:

Hail for the land whose poet-son he was:

Hail to the land that fought in freedom’s cause

Hail to its love as brethren let us seek

The virtue void of art, the patriot’s pride that’s meek

JM Harper

Quebec.

 

A Nicht with Burns, Montreal, 1900

Montreal Daily Star, 26 January 1900, page 11

 

A Nicht Wi’ Burns

 

An eloquent address by Prof McGoun on the Scottish Bard

An address on theBritish Empireby Prof Clarke Murray- the Concert

 

The one hundred and forty-first anniversary of Robert Burns was celebrated in a fitting manner last evening by the Montreal Caledonian Society.

 

The entertainment, which took place in the St Andrew’s Home, was entitled “A Nicht wi’ Burns.”  In that phrase its character is well described, for the various speeches, songs, recitations and other parts  of the programme had, for the most part, their inspiration in the well beloved bard of Auld Scotia.  Mr William Seath, president of the Society, occupied the chair, while on his right sat Prof Archibald McGoun and on his left Prof J Clarke Murray.

 

To Prof McGoun had been entrusted the task of delivering the oration to the memory of Robert Burns.  His speech was an eloquent  and masterly effort, showing the deep study and keen appreciation of the works of the great poet. The speaker, who was frequently interrupted by applause, showed the reasons why Burns has gained such a hold in the hearts of his countrymen.  It was the true instinct that made him break loose from the narrow, cramped, stifling atmosphere of the rude and harsh conditions of a society as he found it, and to seek the independence of thought and action, which is the inalienable birthright of every true man.  Professor McGoun concluded by reading a beautiful little poem, the composition of Mr John MacFarlane ofMontreal, entitled: “Burns inAmerica.”

 

Prof J Clarke Murray spoke on “The British Empire,” and showed why Britons the world over should be proud to belong to it; the spread of liberty, enlightenment and civilization being the noble mission ofGreat Britainand her people.  Incidentally, Dr Murray warmly praised the patriotic attitude of the people of the Dominion in the present difficulty inSouth Africa.

 

Those who contributed to the programme with music, songs and recitations were: Miss Nicholls, Miss Pringle, Miss Edna Clarke, Mrs Robert Reid, Mr S Dunn, Mr Robert Reid, Mr Cathcart Wallace, Mr Donald ofGlasgow,Scotland.  Mr Reid, among other things, recited a most touching poem of his own composition, entitled “General Wauchope’s Farewell toEdinburgh.”  A feature of the evening was the singing of many of “the auld Scots songs” by Mr Donald, a member of the company engaged this week at theAcademyofMusic.  Mr Donald’s father, inScotland, is noted as a Burns enthusiast; and had commanded his son, in whatever part of the world he might find himself, to assist in the celebration of the poet’s birthday, and sing for those assembled to do honour to the bard.  He fulfilled the injunction, and appeared before our Caledonian Society last evening where he fairly carried his audience by storm by the splendid manner in  which he rendered the beautiful old songs.  At the close of the concert dancing was begun, and continued until an early hour this morning.  Refreshments were served during the evening.

 

SCOTTISHHIGHLANDSOCIETY

 

Scottish song and music drew a large crowd last night to Drummond Hall, where the members of the Scottish Highland Society held a most enjoyable concert in honour of the birthday of Robert Burns.  In addition to songs and recitations, the pipes were strongly in evidence, the inspiring tune of the “Cock o’ the North” evoking great enthusiasm. Those who contributed were Mrs Forrester, Mrs Crawford, Miss Bella Forbes, Messrs Geo. H McLeod, Alex Smith, Robt. Crawford and Robt.Anderson.  At the close of the concert the large hall was cleared and until an early hour this morning dancing was indulged in.

Descendants of Mary Ann Leitch Neil, Iowa

This is the family chart of Mary Ann Leitch, daughter of James Leitch and Jean Frue Neal (aka Jean Frew) of Saltcoats Scotland.  She emigrated with the family to Canada, where she met and married Robert Neil.  They emigrated to the United States to Iowa, the Davenport area.  I was able to trace them not badly from the territorial censuses on ancestry.  I was also able to determine that her younger sister Jean also emigrated with them to the US.  Mary’s mother died there on a visit to the family in 1868.

 

Of course if any one can furnish me with more information about their lives, I would be very grateful.  I would love to know why they moved to the US, and other information.  So I am putting out there what I know and leaving it in the hands of fate.

Family pics- Agnes Newall-Bryden

 

This is the picture of Agnes Newall Bryden, born in Dumfries Scotland, the daughter of Robert and Nicholas Newall.  She married William Bryden in Williamstown, Ontario.  They had two daughters Nicholas and Agnes.

Portrait- William Leitch, Glengarry Ontario

Am now starting to post images of ancestors for people to admire.  Thought it would be good to add to the story and the lovely charts and images of gravestones that I am posting fairly frequently.  So today I am posting an image of William Leitch.

William was born in 1816 in Saltcoats, Scotland.  He, along with his parents and three sisters, emigrated to Canada in around 1832.  The moved first to the Lachine area then settled permanently to the South Branch in Cornwall Township in Ontario.  He is buried in Williamstown, Ontario at St Andrew’s United Church.

He bought a farm in 1852 and spent his life as a farmer in the area.  He married Nicholas Bryden and they had seven children.

Descendants of James Leitch of Saltcoats Scotland

This is the family chart that has had a lot of difficulties, which started with James often being refered to as Archibald, and Jean Frew referred to as Jean Frue Neal.  I think that I have settled that with my research.  It has taken several years to be sure of my findings…..

Descendants of Robert Newall of Airdrie, Scotland

This is the family chart for the family of Robert Newall, who lived in Airdrie, Dumfrieshire, Scotland.