Galt becomes a Town in 1857- The election of the first Mayor and Corporation—Names of those elected—The first School Trustees—Municipal Celebration in May—Description of the procession—Galt Rifles, Artillery Company, Firemen, Oddfellows, and Sons of St. George- Mayor Lutz lays the foundation stone of the Town Hall and Market—The official document read by Mr. Ker—The Mayor’s speech—Their testimony to the great prosperity and enterprise of Galt at this period—Lunch at the Queen’s Arms—The celebration closes amidst much enthusiasm.

On the 1st January, 1857, forty years after its founders, Messrs. Dickson and Shade, visited the spot, Galt became a town.

During the previous spring steps had been taken to this end. A public meeting of the ratepayers instructed the Council to divide the village into five wards, each to have three representatives in the Council. The Act of Incorporation was procured in due course, and as the new year drew near, much interest began to be manifested in the first elections to the Town Council. In fact, when one remembers the caucusing, ward meetings, and other movements which took place on the occasion, in which almost every leading citizen took an active part, it is impossible not to be struck with the change which has since' come over “the spirit of our dream” in regard to municipal affairs.

Before the time for the elections arrived, preliminary meetings were held in every ward to place candidates in the field, so great was the interest felt in the approaching contest. Although but twenty-three years have passed and gone since that time, the list of those brought forward as candidates at these ward meetings, possesses a melancholy interest, and too eloquently tells how brief a period of time serves to effect the most wonderful changes.

When the elections did occur, on Monday and Tuesday, the 5th and 6th January, they passed off much more quietly than was anticipated. The ward meetings had served greatly to cool off the excitement, and settled the minds of the ratepayers generally on those gentlemen they thought best qualified to represent them in the first Council of the new town. In three of the wards only were the seats contested.

The election of Mayor was at that time vested in the Council, and a good deal of speculation took place before the Councillors were elected, as to which citizen should have the honour of being the first Mayor. At one time there seemed some likelihood of the election of Councillors turning chiefly on this question, and there can be no doubt it did enter into the matter in some degree, although not to such an extent as to become the principal issue.

The new Council met for organization on the 19th January, Mr. Adam Ker, Municipal Clerk, in the chair. It having been ascertained that a majority were prepared to vote in favour of Mr. Morris C. Lutz for the first chief magistrate, on motion of Dr. Richardson, seconded by Mr. McNaughton, he was unanimously elected. The Council then proceeded to elect the Reeve. Mr. William Robinson was nominated by Mr. Ramore, seconded by Mr. Young; Mr. William Osborne, by Mr. Kay, seconded by Mr. Hobson. On a vote being taken, Mr. Robinson had the majority, and was declared duly elected. And, thus equipped, the wheels of our first Town Council began to move.

The number of School Trustees under the new Charter was increased from five to ten, and the election was somewhat memorable this year, not only in consequence of the long struggle over the erection of the Central School, but also on account of the opposition to the introduction of the Free School system. To the credit of the citizens, the Free School party effected a complete triumph, the following gentlemen being selected, mostly all of whom were favourable to that enlightened system : First Ward, Messrs. John Barbour and James Young. Second—John Scott and William Wilkins. Third—Andrew Malcom and James Dalgliesh. Fourth—James Blain and John Cheeseman. And Fifth— George Biggar and Robert Malcom.

No public celebration took place on Galt becoming a town, but it was understood that at the laying of the foundation stone of the new Town Hall and Market, which would come off in the spring, and when the weather would be more suitable for municipal festivities, suitable honour should be done to the occasion.

This celebration took place on the 13th of May, and fitly gave expression to the buoyant, enterprising, and ambitious feelings which pervaded the citizens of Galt at that period. It was the most successful municipal display ever made in the town. All the places of business closed at three o’clock. Half an hour later, a grand procession was formed on the Queen’s Square, which presented a very fine appearance. “The marshal of the day, Mr. Adam Ker, mounted on a dashing charger,” to use the language of the Reformer of that day, appeared to much advantage. The Galt band, which took the lead in the procession, discoursed that ‘sweet delicious music ’ for which they are noted, and were followed by the Galt Rifle Company, in full uniform, under the command of Lieutenant Busby. Behind the Rifles came the Oddfellows, and the looker-on had scarcely ceased viewing the rich uniform and discipline of the corps, when the splendid banner and glittering regalia of the Oddfellows arrested his attention, and claimed his admiration. The members of the St. George’s Society came next, arrayed in regalia, bearing aloft—

‘The flag that's braved a thousand years,
The battle and the breeze,’

and the red coats of the Firemen, and the peculiar dress of the Hook and Ladder Company, added much to

A GLIMPSE OF GALT, FROM THE CREDIT VALLEY BRIDGE,

the imposing appearance of the procession. The children of the Public Schools followed the societies, and the rear was filled up by the Mayor and Corporation of the Town, who were dressed in a becoming manner for the guardians of the public weal.

“When the procession reached the site of the Town Hall and Market, it was found that an unusually large number of spectators had gathered from all parts of the surrounding country. A large platform had been erected in the centre of the work, and, according to the chronicler of the time, there was seated upon it ‘a dazzling constellation of youth and beauty, composed of the ladies of Galt and vicinity.’”

The ceremony began by the band playing the National Anthem, and by a deafening volley from the Rifle Company, after which Mr. Ker, the Clerk of the municipality, rose and read the following document:—

“The growing importance of the town being much inconvenienced from the want of a Town Hall and Market House; the Town of Galt, desirous of providing a remedy for that evil, and at the same time consulting the convenience of trade in this important and now incorporated Town, under the sanction, and with the liberal grant of the Government, through the Clergy Reserves and aid of the rate-payers, resolved to erect this building of a character corresponding to the importance of the Town. Nor does it appear that any other time can be more suitable for such an undertaking, than when, in a period of general mercantile depression throughout the Province, the Town of Galt flourishes in affluence, population, industry, comfort, and domestic union—entirely free from debt to the Municipal Loan Fund—and the Province, at present, governed by a Queen, the encourager of the Arts, and under whose auspices it has attained its present eminent position.

“The corner-stone of this building was laid by Morris C. Lutz, Esquire, first Mayor of the Town of Galt, on Wednesday, the 13th day of May, in the twentieth year of the reign of Queen Victoria, in the year of our Lord, 1857.

“William Graham, Superintendent; H. B. Sinclair, Architect; and H. B. Sinclair and R. Burrowes, Contractors.

“The following are our institutions at this date:—

“Town Council.—Morris C. Lutz, Wm. Robinson, Dr. Richardson, D. Ramore, James Kay, John McNaughton, John Young, E. L. Cutten, B. Hobson, William Osborne, T. Sparrow, F. Lowell, R. Scott, R. Blain, and T. Armstrong, Esquires, Councillors. Adam Ker, Esquire, Clerk and Treasurer.

“Clergy.—Church of England, Rev. M. Boomer; Established Church of Scotland, Rev. H. Gibson; Free Church, Rev. John Bayne, D.D.; United Secession, Rev. James Strang; Primitive Methodist, Rev. Thomas Davidson; Wesleyan, Rev. Isaac Barber; New Connexion, Rev. James McAllister.

“Grammar School. —Wm. Tassie, Principal, and an assistant, —100 scholars.

“Central School.—James Baikie, Principal, and six assistants, —700 scholars.

“Free Masons. -H. Fulford, Master; N. Booth, Senior Warden ; E. Irving, Junior Warden; R. Nellis, Senior Deacon; J. Jaffray, Junior Deacon; W. H. Job, Secretary; W. Templeton, Tyler.

“Oddfellows.—Wm. Jaffray, N. G.; James McMillan, P. G.; Wm. Robinson, Y. G.; Samuel Tongue,. Secretary; Dr. Richardson, Treasurer.

“Fire Company.—D. Ramore, Captain; J. Barbour, 1st Chief; St Tongue, 2nd Chief; Robt. Malcom, Secretary.

“St. George’s Society.—Thomas Rich, President; G. Mum-ford, Vice-President; R. Esterbrook, Secretary.

“Gore Bank.—John Davidson, Esq., Cashier.

“Commercial Bank.—Wm. Cooke, Esq., Cashier.

“Professions.—Three Barristers; four Physicians.

“Millers. —John McNaughton, and R. and J. Blain.

“Rifle Company.—H. H. Date, Captain; T. I. G. Busby, Lieutenant; R. Esterbrook, Ensign.

“Artillery Company.—James Crombie, Captain; Andrew Scott, Lieutenant.

“Trades.—The population of the town is 3,500, and our manufactures consist of one axe factory, two woollen factories, two chair factories, four sash factories, one stave and shingle factory, four foundries, three machine shops, one distillery, one malt house, one brewery, three carriage factories, one haime factory, and two weekly papers.”

This document, with copies of the town and other newspapers, the town by-laws, and a number of gold, silver, and copper coins, was placed in the box, which was then properly cemented and placed in the corner stone. Mr. Councillor Ramore then presented the Mayor with a beautiful silver trowel in the following words: “I have the honour to inform you that the Committee of Management has appointed you in your character of Mayor of Galt, to lay the corner-stone of the new Town Hall and Market House, and I am directed to present your Worship with this trowel, presenting it as a means of assistance to your Worship in accomplishing that object.” Mr. Mayor Lutz, having accepted the trowel, then made the following speech

“I am now about to lay the foundation-stone of the new Town Hall and Market, and before doing so, I shall take the liberty of making a few remarks.

“The laying of the foundation-stone of the public edifice which is about to be erected, is an epoch in the history of Galt. It tells of the general prosperity of the town, and the rapid progress which it has made. believe no town in this section of Canada has advanced with more rapid strides, and it is gratifying to me, when there is so much financial depression as at the present period, to be able to say the onward course of Galt has never been arrested, and to congratulate yon upon the flourishing condition of every branch of industry and trade within its limits. It is not my intention to make a long speech to you about Galt. Some ten or fifteen years ago, many of you remember that it then consisted of but a few houses, and a small number of inhabitants. But what do we now find ? Why, the little village has grown into the bustling town, and in place of its once diminutive buildings, we have large manufactories, splendid stores, and some public buildings, one of which (I refer to the Central School) would be a credit, not only to any town, but almost, to any city on the continent ; and we have now assembled to witness the laying of the foundation stone of another noble structure. You have much reason to feel proud of your town, and I only speak the sentiments of others when I say, that Galt will compare favourably with any town in Canada West, either as regards its progress, trade, and prospects, or the industry, intelligence, and enterprise of its inhabitants.”

The foundation-stone was then adjusted into its place, which ceremony was followed upon the lowering of the signal flag, by the thundering of the cannon of the Artillery company, which was stationed on Dickson’s hill, the firing of the Rifle company, the music of the band, and the cheers of the different societies and citizens who had Assembled on the auspicious occasion. The enthusiasm displayed on all sides was exuberant. As the proceedings drew to a close, the cheering was taken up by the Oddfellows, the St. George’s Society, and other bodies separately, then the entire assemblage cheered together, and loudly did the surrounding hills resound with their joyous acclamations.

After the playing of the National Anthem, the procession reformed, and again passed through some of the principal streets on its way to the Queen’s Square. Those who had taken part in the proceedings were here entertained by the Mayor and Corporation, after which the gathering dispersed, those who felt so disposed, to meet again at supper at the Queen’s Arms in the evening.

The supper was largely attended. Mayor Lutz occupied the chair, having on his right Mr. William Osborne, and on his left Mr. John McNaughton. Mr. William Robinson acted as croupier. The proceedings, like those of the afternoon, were unusually enthusiastic. Galt was then, like many other parts of the Province, on the topmost wave of the commercial expansion caused by the Crimean War. The dark shadow of the coming crisis had hardly become visible. The future of individuals, of municipalities, and of the Province, looked roseate in the extreme. The close of this celebration was, therefore, more exuberant even than its beginning—indeed, such a night4 as that was with speeches, songs, and predictions of the future greatness and importance of the new Town of Galt, was never before, and has never since, been witnessed in its midst.

It was thus that Galt started on its career as one of the towns of Canada, and here we must close these Reminiscences of its history, at least for the present. The succeeding events are too recent to require narration in order to preserve the recollection of them, and have not yet attained that interest which attaches to circumstances, even those comparatively trifling, when they are hoary with age.