Caledonian Burns Supper, Montreal, 1952

Montreal Daily Star, 12 Jan 1952

Caledonian Burns Supper

The Caledonian Society Will Hold its

192^nd Burns Supper and Dance in the

Windsor Hall, Windsor Hotel

Friday January 25^th

For further information telephone

AB Proven   – MA Enkel  – John G Withers

DE 5027         BY 4097        DE 5545

Bell Sisters to perform, Montreal, 1908

Montreal Standard, 16 May 1908

In the amusement world – the Bell Sisters, Scotch dancers, who will take part in the Empire Day Concert to be given in the Arena on Friday evening, May 22^nd, under the auspices of the Caledonian Society of Montreal.

Halloween, Montreal, 1917

Montreal Gazette, 1 November 1917

Scottish Music, Songs and Dances

Capacity audience delighted with programme at Halloween Concert

Enthusiasm was apparent in the capacity audience assembled last night at the Halloween concert given under the auspices of the Caledonian Society at the Windsor Hall. The programme, though it contained nineteen items, did not prove long enough to satisfy most of the people who insisted on an encore from almost every artist.

The appearance of Piper Major Gray, clad in the Hunting St Clair tartan, was hailed with applause, the big piper lustily skirling whilst the presidents of the various national societies walked up the hall. Scotch dances formed a big part of the programme. Four children, the Misses Charlotte Grieg, and Jean Thomson and Masters Robert Baxter and George Rae, danced a Scotch reel, going through all the intricacies of the measure with much grace.

Miss Barbara Foster then sang “Angus Macdonald,” her powerful contralto with a rich Scotch inflection, making a strong appeal to her audience. She was accompanied by Mr JH Shearer, who contributed largely to the success of all the artists.

Miss Nellie McGhie is a really clever violinist, and though some of her pieces might almost be termed “trick” playing, because of their imitativeness. Miss McGhie displayed the real artistic feeling. “Echoes from Ayrshire,” introduced the pipes very cleverly, and in one of her encores Miss McGhie made her violin produce the weird sound of the bagpipes fading away over the hills.

Miss Jeanie Fletcher, who has a high soprano with a good deal of tremolo, has made quite a reputation in the States by her singing of Scotch songs. “Came Ye by Athol” was much applauded, and as for “Sound the Pibroch,” it touched the Scottish hearts effectively. Miss Fletcher and Miss Foster gave the “Keel Row” as a duet, their voices blended well, and the quaint old song was much appreciated.

The “Macgregors’ Gathering” and “Bonnie Dundee” were rendered by Mr Donald C Macgregor, a baritone, who sings with so little effort that it is a pleasure to listen. Mr Macgregor’s duet with Miss Foster, “The Crookie Bawbee” was especially well interpreted.

One of the hits of the evening was Mr Neil Baxter, a comedian, who danced, sang, and sported a curious tartan which belonged to no clan ever yet seen in or out of Scotland. Mr Baxter’s second song entitled “Beefy” described the curious adventures of a Scotch butcher with his customers.

Mr T Leith Rettie, tenor, charmed everyone by his singing of “Scots Wha Hae” and “Mary of Argyle” followed by that ever popular melody “Annie Laurie”. Of course, no Scotch concert would be complete without a Sword dance, and a highland fling, and these were executed with plenty of vim by Mr William Rae.

Miss Jeanie Fletcher brought the evening to a grand finale by singing “Lochnavar,” and “Auld Lang Syne.”

St Andrew’s Day, Montreal, 1870

Montreal Evening Star, 30 Nov 1870

This is St Andrew’s Day; Scotchmen are the heroes of the hour; highlander and heather have it all their own way; the pibrock’s din drowns all other sounds. To day the Scottish heart overflows with patriotism, and love of country is imprinted on every Scottish face. Old men who crossed

The tedious great wave

To room in climes unkind and now

Will relate to crowds of wondering youngsters gathered around, tales of history, of gallant deeds of those who centuries back struck a blow for Auld Scotia. The names of Wallace, Scott and Burns, and a hundred others, will afford plenty of food for the most eloquent.

A Scotch contemporary says:

“To two men above all others Scotsmen owes not only a vast proportion of their own happiness, but the romantic interest which their country claims from the natives of every clime. The fame of Burns and Scott will endear as long as the Doon and the Tweed, as long as Sohiehallion and Benlomond. May will be pardoned for again reminding our countrymen that on the 15^th of August in the coming year will take place the centenary of Sir Walter Scott, a Scotsman whose nationality glowed as intensely as that of Burns? At every St Andrew’s festival in the United States and the Dominion of Canada, the fact should be dwelt upon with a fond and loving interest; and we are sure that nothing will do more to warm a true Scotsman’s heart, and, for that night at least, make him prouder than ever of dear old Caledonia.”

The programme arranged by the Scottish societies for to day is as follows:

At one o’clock the Caledonian Society will meet at the Mechanic’s Hall, transact business, and at two march in procession along with the St Andrew’s and Thistle societies to St Gabriel Church, where the Rev Mr. Campbell will preach the anniversary sermon, and where a collection will be taken up for the Home.

In the evening the grand anniversary concert of the St Andrew’s Society will take place in St Patrick’s Hall, the proceeds of which will also be devoted to the Home. The programme for this concert is exceedingly rich and well arranged. Addresses will be made by Mr. A McGibson and by the new pastor of St Andrew’s Church the Rev Gavin Lang. The singers engaged include many old favorites, and a delightful evening may be confidently expected.

Elsewhere will be found “A Passage in the Life of Burns,” which cannot fail to be read with interest by Scotsmen and their descendants.

Caledonian Games, Montreal, 1899

Montreal Gazette, 2 Sep 1899

Caledonian Society Games

The games today of the Montreal Caledonian Society, if the weather is fine, promise to be quite as attractive as usual, which means a good deal. Among the outside competitors are the noted jumper, Clauson, of Boston, and Perry and Scott, the heavy weight throwers of the same city. Numerous other entries for the different events have been received by the secretary and everything tends to show that the forty-fourth annual gathering will be among the most successful in its history.

Captain Gilmour of no 10 fire station, who is captain of the fireman’s tug of war team, states that his team is in fine condition, and will give the police team a pull at the Caledonian games today that will cause the greatest of interest among the spectators.

Burns Anniversary, Montreal, 1874

Montreal Gazette, 27 Jan 1874

Burns Anniversary – The annual dinner of the Caledonian Society in celebration of Burns’ Anniversary, was held at the Terrapin last night. It was quite a success and the eulogiums bestowed on the Ayrshire poet were distinguished by a just appreciation of his genius. Pressure on our space by political intelligence, compels us to be thus brief in regard to this interesting celebration.

St Andrew’s Fancy Fair, Montreal 1904

Montreal Daily Star, 10 Oct 1904

St Andrew’s Society – At a well attended meeting of the executive committee of St Andrew’s Society held on the 6^th inst, Principal Peterson presiding, it was decided that St Andrew’s Day, 30^th December next [November!] be celebrated in the following manner. A fancy fair called “The Seven ages of woman” on an elaborate scale, will be opened on Monday 28^th November, continuing until St Andrew’s night, inclusive: with the annual ball on Friday evening, December 2^nd. As large ladies’ committees of both the St Andrew’s and Caledonian Societies, assisted by committees from many of the Presbyterian Churches, have been at work since last spring, it is expected that this fair will be highly successful towards clearing off the building fund debt still resting on the St Andrew’s Home.

Caledonian Games, Montreal, 1894

Montreal Gazette, 16 Aug 1894

The Caledonian Games

Some of the events to take place – Glengarry Against Argenteuil County tug of war – the trooping of the colours

The Montreal Caledonian Society’s annual sports have during the memory of the oldest citizen of Montreal have been popular.  The society’s objects, as is well known, are for the propagation of love of Scotland’s songs, dances and games, which embrace pretty much the history of the old land, because each has its turn in stimulating the Scotchman’s brain or brawn for discussion as the case may be. The list of purely athletic events is larger than usual. In addition, the Royal Scots and Highland cadets will troop colours, with the fine band of the regiment. There will be a firing race.  In this competitors will fire five blank shots, kneeling as they fire, at each fifty yards they run.  This will be a pretty spectacular. Valleyfield and the Druids of Montreal will play off their final football game for the Caledonian Cup. The chief event, however, is the great tug-of-war between Glengarry County, Ont, and Argenteuil County, Que.  In this will be pitted against each other twelve men of either county – the strongest representatives each can bring together. The match will be pulled on the sward or turf, best two in three pulls. The Glengarry boys are prime favourites for this, though when Argenteuil puts her best men forward, they are hard to beat. There will be the usual tug-of-war contests between teams of sailors. These teams will likely represent each of the lines coming to the port of Montreal.

It is expected, also, that there will be some representatives of the British Navy present, as an invitation was telegraphed last evening to the admiral commanding.  President Harper and Secretary Mitchell assuring any of the sailors or mariners a hearty welcome if they should come.

A most welcome feature of the Caledonian gathering this year is the promise of Acting-Superintendent Macdonald, of the Street Railway Service, that they will put on fifteen extra cars on the routes leading to the Exhibition Grounds.  This will give a splendid service to the public. For the first time in the history of the Street railway it will fully accommodate the Caledonians with car service of the best.

Lord Dundonald’s visit to Montreal, 1904

Montreal Daily Star, 28 July 1904

Lord Dundonald’s stay in Montreal

His Lordship’s last day in city was spent quietly

Plans have been changed

Procession to-night to Place Viger station instead of to SS Tunisian

Lord Dundonald has changed his plans as far as his departure from the city of Montreal are concerned.

His Lordship has decided to leave from the Place Viger station by this evening’s 11:30 train for Quebec, and from there he will set sail for home on the steamship Tunisian.

He was busy in his apartments at the Windsor Hotel all morning. Numerous callers put in an appearance and these he received with that gracious demeanour, which is one of his outstanding characteristics. His Lordship’s morning mail was a voluminous one, and this in itself demanded not a little of his time and attention.

The St Andrew’s Home has been elaborately decorated for this afternoon’s function, profusely hung with bunting and the lion rampant of the Scottish ensign.

The Caledonian Society has issued all the tickets at its disposal for their reception this evening, and have been obliged to deny the request of many hundreds. People from far and near have been flocking into town, many from points several hundred miles distant, many only to find that they may not be able to obtain admission to the reception this evening.

A number determined to take some part in the proceeding, tried to obtain torches, only to fine that the local supply had been exhausted. One enthusiast when last seen was in search of candles, he had already found a Japanese lantern. The exteriors of many of the buildings along the line of route will be illuminated.

Sergeant R Paxton, a veteran of forty years’ standing, arrived in town this morning from Labelle, Que. It’s just to show that I’m loyal, and to do honour to Lord Dundonald, he remarked, and I’d go twenty times the distance for the same reason.

The army and navy veterans will muster in large numbers. Notices were this morning posted calling them out in force. The South African veterans have had buttons made bearing a picture of Lord Dundonald. They will march in a body.

The programme to-day:

St Andrew’s Society reception, 4:30 to 6.

Army and Navy Veterans’ reception, Windsor Hotel, 8:30

Caledonian Society’s reception, Windsor Hotel, 9:00

Departure for Place Viger Station, 10:30

The pipers will lead the procession from the Windsor Hotel.

The route to be followed after the reception will be as follows:

Dorchester street to Beaver Hall Hill, down Beaver Hall Hill to St James Street, along St James to Court House, along Notre Dame to Gosford Street, down Gosford to Craig and along Craig to Place Viger station.

The order of the procession will be as follows:

Pipers, thirty strong

Guard of honor, Westmount cadets, 60 strong

Lord Dundoland, in barouche, drawn by four horses

Caledonian Society executive in carriages

St Andrew’s Society executive in carriages

Members of the Caledonian Society in carriages and afoot

The army and navy veteran’s society

Citizens in carriages and afoot

Mr. RP Niven, marshal of the Caledonian Society, will marshal the procession.