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Gilberts: More Tupperville stories from Melba Simpson

This week, we take another look at Tupperville From the Beginning, Melba Simpson's early 2000s town history

Last week, we started looking at Tupperville From the Beginning, Melba Simpson’s early 2000s town history. There were too many stories for one column, so I am having another go this week. Thanks to Jim, who helped me decide which stories to feature.

Simpson tells us a bit about the town’s post office, operated from 1883; for most of its years, it was located inside the JS Baker Store. Rural mail delivery began in 1913.  Like in other places, mail delivery changed over the years, and not necessarily for the better.

Gilberts: More Tupperville stories from Melba Simpson Back to video

“When I came to Tupperville in 1946 mail came in and out three times a day,” Simpson writes. “You could post a letter early in the morning and they could reply and you would get it the same day.” I guess these days, we can email or text.

Simpson mentions that during a February 1918 blizzard, the mail carrier drove his cutter and horses on the river, so farmers put wooden boxes on posts along the river bank. The mail had to get through one way or another.

Finally, Simpson lists all the post masters and mistresses, including George Shaw, from 1958-74, and Joyce Teeter, from 1974-90. Then she explains what really happened: Shaw was told he had to retire when he turned 65, so his daughter, Joyce, took over in name only. When George took ill, Joyce’s husband, Gordon Teeter, took over the store and post office until Joyce died in November 1990. The post office closed the next year.

In the latter years of the 19th century, like many other places in Chatham-Kent (and Canada, I’m sure), there might not have been radio, TV or internet in Tupperville, but there were many sports, clubs and activities people could engage in. The social life was much richer than today. Sports such as baseball, lacrosse and horse racing could take place in the park. There were lodges like the Orange Lodge or Oddfellows you could join. Or you could just come to town on Saturday night and socialize, because the whole community was there.

Music wasn’t just a spectator sport in those days, and the Tupperville Band was one of the area’s better community ensembles. It was known far and wide and participated in many concerts and parades throughout the county.

Another option was acting. Young people in Tupperville formed the Crescent Dramatic Club, which soon became very popular in the area. A contemporary account says “its productions are of the highest class and its hall is always crowded with a pleased and appreciative audience. The club has a brass quartette, male quartette and soloists: in fact, every member is an artist that would be a valuable acquisition in a larger company.”

Amazing! In a small community like Tupperville! Are people today really that much less talented or have mass media and entertainment killed that creative spark in us?

There are many more stories in this book; find a copy and see for yourself. And if you know where I can get my hands on one, please let me know. I used Kathy Jurasek’s copy, and I thank her very much for it. I promise to return it soon.

Before I leave this, though, there’s another story I’d love to know more about. On page 63, at the very bottom of the page, Simpson writes:  “1897 – Shooting at Tupperville,” but doesn’t elaborate. Talk about a cliffhanger! I hope someone who knows more will get in touch so I can do some research and get back to you. Stay tuned.

The Gilberts are award-winning historians with a passion for telling the stories of Chatham-Kent’s fascinating past

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