Enterprising Websters saw opportunity in railway
The year 2016 was almost over when it suddenly occurred to me that July 2016 was the 40th anniversary of the grand Websterville centennial celebration and that I hadn’t marked it in any way.
Because many of you may be unaware that there is a village of Websterville, I shall tell you a little about its history this month and next month relive some memories of that celebration.
In the 1840s, two brothers, Edward and George Webster, came here, to what was to become the village of Creemore. Edward had mills built, was on the first school board, worked on establishing the first church, was Justice of the Peace, bought land and had it surveyed into lots and streets.
Meanwhile George ran the mills, built three taverns, two stores and some houses. He also assisted Michael Steed in constructing the first St. Luke’s Anglican Church.
But, then, in the early 1870s railway fever came to this area. Rumor had it that a line was to be established between Beeton and Collingwood and would pass through Creemore. Not only that, but the tracks would necessarily pass through the valley west of Creemore following the Mad River. Railways meant growth and riches and we can imagine how excitement danced through the mind of George Webster.
George decided to buy up land and establish a village. He bought land in the valley and along both sides of the Mad River between the Fifth Concession of Nottawasaga and the Sixth Line. He employed C. Stewart to survey the village of Websterville in 1875. In February 1876, the village plan of Websterville was registered at the county office in Barrie.
George Webster did sell the lots and houses were built. Over a few years in the late 1800s three mills were built and operated. It was a neighbourly, friendly place but George Webster never became rich nor did the village flourish and grow.
The first sawmill was built in 1873 behind what is now 8003 County Road 9. It was a muley saw; the blade operated vertically. This mill also had a planer for preparation of finer lumber. It fell into disuse after about 10 years.
George Webster’s next sawmill was built further west not too far from the Sixth Line. It was in operation until the turn of the century and tended by George Webster Jr. after his father retired to Creemore.
Soon after the mill opened George Webster Jr. had an accident in the mill. Pulling a wrench the wrong direction he was thrown off balance by the machinery and lost his arm near the elbow in the saw. His mother was concerned that none of her other sons meet with an accident in the mill. She was particularly concerned about her youngest son, Walter, a boy of 14 with red curly hair. One night after school in October 1884, Walter disobeyed his mother and sneaked away to the mill. He was caught in the machinery and battered to death. Knowing their mother’s concern the brothers wet his clothing and told her that her youngest son had drowned.
The third mill was built by George Mustard in 1888. It was located on the river just upstream from where I live. An advertisement in the July 4, 1889 issue of The Creemore Star reads, “Not Dead Yet. Websterville’s Planing and Shingle Mill – Sash and Door factory – Mouldings-Balusters-Hand Rails and Newells on hand or made to order. A lot of first class Basswood and Maple flooring ready dressed. George Mustard, Creemore P.O.” Some of George Mustard’s fine handwork may be seen today in the ceiling of Creemore Baptist Church.
The mill caught fire in 1902 and the house and small barn nearby also caught fire. The Mustard family was able to rent a house nearby. The mill was rebuilt.
Late one evening, in November 1914, Mr. Mustard left for the mill to check something. His wife woke the next morning and discovered her husband was not home. Hurrying in the direction of the mill she discovered him lying dead on the railway crossing. It was only 10 or 15 minutes before the 7 a.m. train from Collingwood was due. She was able to pull him off the track before calling neighbours for help.
Nelson Mustard, his son, carried on the operation of the mill until it was dismantled in the early 1920s. Jim Jackson used some of the lumber to build the first two homes on the southeast corner of Collingwood Street and County Road 9. In the late 1920s, Daniel Schwandt of Singhampton operated a portable sawmill there for three years. Its demise meant the end of milling in Websterville.
