Star owner remembered for his column, CB Writes
This concludes the story of the life of C.B. (Bert) Smith that has been told over the course of a year. In 1948 he was finally able to sell the farm and was able to discharge the mortgage on the Star’s plant. He had a feeling of prosperity. He owned his own home and had no liabilities. Bert’s story continues in his own words:
In all my years in the newspaper field I had plenty of labour problems. Lorne Raymer was the one and only man who was always dependable. I had several boys come to work for me but as soon as they got even half skilled they wanted a skilled man’s wages. The last boy left in the spring of 1953. Again Raymer and I were alone and his health was slipping. I knew he was working too hard and I was quite worried, so decided to try to find another first class man as I was completely fed up with beginners.
Well, I advertised extensively and got no results. Then it happened. In November Mr. Reg Westbrooke of the Collingwood paper came to see me. After a long talk he said he wasn’t looking for a job, but he and another fellow would consider buying me out.
To make a long story short, the other fellow flunked out. Westbrooke felt he couldn’t finance it alone. I was past 65 and was under considerable strain. I sent for Westbrooke and persuaded him he would be better to be the sole owner. The new owner took possession on January 1, 1954. My successor asked me to stay on and I was free except that my successor asked me to contribute a few articles.
Nothing particular happened in 1954-55. I being retired of business worries enjoyed better health. Plans were made to join a trip overseas in 1956, in August. But trouble intervened. When May got up on the morning of May 17, her arm was limp.
There follows in Bert’s words the account of how she was taken to Collingwood hospital, then Toronto General. Her recovery seemed certain. On Friday, June 28 he spoke to the doctor who said everything looked to be promising. He returned home on Saturday, June 30.
He continues, the next day, Sunday, July 1 we had a terrific storm. Rain and high wind caused telephones to be knocked out. I tried to get a phone call through to Toronto. The tension was quite perturbing. I kept busy and retired at midnight. At 2:30 a.m. I learned that my beloved wife had died suddenly at 10 p.m. My whole world collapsed.
However life continued as it always seems to do. Bert remained in his house on Elizabeth Street and wrote a weekly column for the Creemore Star and participated in the life of the village. He passed away on May 5, 1965.
His obituary states: Many were C.B.’s contributions to Creemore. For many years he was the president of the Creemore Red Cross branch. He was recognized by the Ontario Division of the Red Cross in 1962.
Still other organizations benefited from his interest. He was a staunch supporter of St. Luke’s Anglican Church where he served as warden. He also found time to serve as Master of Nitetis Masonic Lodge, on the village council and a director of the Noisy River Telephone Company.
He was an ardent supporter of Creemore Lawn Bowling Club and for 40 years a keen member of the Curling Club.
Like editors before him and since, Bert supported every worthwhile venture in Creemore and Nottawasaga. His efforts did not go unnoticed. A testimonial dinner was held in the old Creemore Town Hall on Sept. 3, 1963 when friends and newspaper colleagues met to present him with gifts and thanks and appreciation for his contributions in many fields.
Probably Bert will be best remembered for his weekly column in the Creemore Star, “C. B. Writes.” Here he brought his interest in history to everyone’s attention. His stories were of the pioneer days of Nottawasaga and Creemore, of their families and their trials and tribulations. He interspersed them with amusing anecdotes and events of the developing communities. They were widely read and anticipated week by week. In a final column printed after his death he expressed his philosophy of life in the words of Sir William Mulock.
“I have warmed both my hands at the fire of life.”
Helen Blackburn is a retired teacher, avid gardener and a long-time contributor to The Creemore Echo. She writes about local history.
