| Notes |
- [Edey.FTW]
NOTES: Samuel Edey, the Mayor of South Hull, is a son of Luther. He is
familiarly known throughout the Valley as "Sam". He has been connected
with municipal affairs for more than a quarter of a centruy, and few in
the Valley will equal him in matters municipal. He is high up in Masonry,
having been Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Quebec.
"Sam" Discourses on the French-Canadians
It is as entertaiing as a stroy book to listen to Sam's experiences in the
lumber camps of the far north woods. "I have often been," said he, in one
of his reminiscences of the forest, "for months with the French-Canadian
shantymen, and a more genial lot of fellows I have never camped with. They
are always happy, ready with a song or story, and make the time pass so
delighttfully that I never tired of being with them: And then, he said,
of the Frendh-Canadian, that which I have often heard remarked before, "I
do not believe there is a happier people on the face of the earth, or more
willing to do a kindly turn. and what, (as no doubt you have often
remarked, in your wanderings through the Province of Quebec), is most
commendable in those of the country districts, is this: they seldom build
beyond their means, and never for simple show. The result is that they
are far happier in a cottage that is paid for than many another people
living in mortgage covered palaces, that are so sure to create heart
burnings, and jealousies among neighbors."
A PUBLIC SPIRITED CITIZEN
There are few, if any, in the Valley, morepublic spirited than Sam Edey.
To him much is due and the success of the Agricultural Fair held annually
in Aylmer. Both Samuel and Mrs. edey take many prizes at these Fairs. The
Crown Bank of Aylmer offers, each year, a valuable silver cup for the best
herd of cattle. It was this year awarded to Sam, who ways that the
farmers of the county of Wright will have to give great attention to the
improvement of their cattle else he will get in the habit of taking it
annually. This season he offered to compete with any of the adjoining
counties. This friendly competition is doing great good in bringin up the
standard of all kinds of live-stock.
If, in after years, this volume should prove a source of interest to those
whose family records are here preserved, they will have much to thank Sam,
for the preservation, for when, by reason of the risk attendant upon a
local book, I would have given over the task, this man's cheery, "Go
ahead, our people will support your efforts," gave heart to continue.
Sam is a philosopher, in a way. "I'll never be rich," says he, "nor do I
wish to be, since I see the sort that money makes of men, often cold,
calculating, selfish - unwilling ever to do a thing that will not bring to
themselves direct benefit. I don't refer to the broad rich, but to the
little narrow fellows, and most of 'em are - well, not broad." Again he
referred to the French. "The Frenchman is the true philosopher. He
raises a family regardless of size-and with him the larger the better. He
seldom hoards up for a rainy day, for says Jon Batiste: 'What ze use, I
nevair can all ze rain keep off, en ef ze roof she leak ze kidz she can
change ze place an go whare she is dry." and 'Jon Batiste' is right, for
few of us can leave enough to make all of our children a lazy easy-going
lot, and had better follow the Frenchman's plan and hoard not up, at the
expense of present comfort, and especially if the hoarding make of us
grinders of our fellows, as it invariably does. I'd rather be fair than
rich."
The Colonel never grew tired of listening to Sam. "Rube," he'd often say,
"Sam has the correct view of life," and the Colonel was a good judge of
the "Correct".
Luther Edey is living with his son Luther, in the old Samuel Edey
homestead. He is 86, and fairly well for that age.
|
1850 - 1910 (60 years)
