The Islands: Letter: Harold Cosgrove to Ernie Crawford 1970

Letter from Harold Cosgrove to Ernie Crawford

Submitted by Chris Morrell

Canada Post Office
Wolfe Island Ont
Dec 15/70

Dear Ernest,

Today I noticed a letter addressed to Mrs. Estelle WHITMARSH. She passed away will be dead a year in Feb. It is Harold COSGROVE the Postmaster Wolfe Island writing to you. I have been Postmaster 15 years before that I sailed from 1939 to 1956. I got my Captain's & Master's papers.

My good father passed away Sept 13/70 with shortest of breath. My mother passed away Dec 6/67. My dad was good right up to the last. He would have been 89 on Oct 22/70.

Your old friend Willie CUMMINS was to see my dad this summer. He lives in Lonton, Ont now. Jack BRICELAND died this summer he was 89 in May/70. Craig & Dick RUSSELL died in Aug & July. Mrs. Sam HOGAN died Dec 1969.

I get my pension Feb 4/71. I will be 65 then. The Government built a new PO this year in the old McAVOY place. The property was mine I bought it from Ernie WHITMARSH. Ernie died 2 years ago. He was 59. He ran the butcher shop for years.

We have 2 ferry boats now operated by the Government and are free. Dick SPOOR is still around has not worked since 1964. Father Jimmie RYAN is our priest. He has been since 1951. Old Fred WHITMARSH died a few years ago out west. He was buried here on the Isle. The Isle has changed in 1948 a bunch of Dutch Farmers came here and bought up a lot of Land and are veal farmers all the old cheese factories are gone forever. Kraft bought them out and have a large factory at the prings. Willie & Eulalic (??) are the only men of that crowd are alive. I write to Ralph SPANKIE all the time he and Willie live in Calgary. Herb is out west somewhere. Dan McGLYNN died yesterday, 83. Henry DAVIS is only one of the boys left he has been sick for yers. Anne who is 70 now and Mildred only girls left. Geo O'BRIEN died a year ago. Wm WHITMARSH alone on old homestead that is who I gave letter to.

A few years ago the M..... Carbide Co bought 6000 acres up at Head Isle from San?? Bayn?? and built a Big Lodge on Bell's Isle. They use it now in the summer.

Bruno SPOOR is still alive also Etta BRUME (?) live is Buffalo, and works same as ??????
Mack McLAREN is not very good he lives in the city. Sold the old hotel in 1953. Tryysin (?) MOSIER & Letta HAWKINS are still OK. Also Nelson ALLUM & wife. Bob BULLIS died a few years ago.

If at any time you would like to write me I should be glad to hear from you. Any news I can let me know I shall be glad to do so. I know you were a great friend of my Dads.

Best Regards,
Harold Cosgrove
Postmaster
Wolfe Island
Ont