THREE WIKY RESIDENTS DIE IN TRAGIC CRASH
by Michael Erskine
MANITOWANING – Three people were killed and two people were injured in a tragic motor vehicle collision between a tractor trailer and a pickup truck at High Falls last week.
The accident occurred at 10:30 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2001.
Four people were in the pickup truck. The driver of the pickup truck, 58 year-old Joseph A. Shigwadja of Orillia, was killed, as were passengers 62 year-old Rosalind M. Corbiere of Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve and their great granddaughter four year-old Mabel Philomene Corbiere. Mabel’s mother 19 yea-old Chastity Corbiere survived the crash and is listed in stable condition in the Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current.
The driver of the tractor trailer, 51 year-old Harold Hodgson of Brandford, Ontario sustained minor injuries.
The accident closed Highway 6 for nearly 16 hours, the highway finally reopened at 2:30 am Wednesday morning. Ministry of Environment spill containment crews were still dealing with a diesel spill from the tractor trailer Thursday.
“The spill was contained and has not entered the creek at High Falls,” said Constable Boyd. “That at least is good news.”
The accident was described by Constable Al Boyd of the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) as “…one of the worst accidents I have ever seen in my career. Everyone did everything they possibly could to help. In the end, it just wasn’t enough.”
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, with mechanical checks being conducted on the tractor trailer.
“It will probably be a week or so before we have the answer to what actually happened,” said Constable Boyd.
In a sad and poignant connection to the season, the tractor trailer was carrying Christmas trees to the south east area of the Island.
Manitoulin Expositor, December 5, 2001.
JUDGE J.E. HEWSON’S DESK DONATED TO GORE BAY MUSEUM
by Tom Sasvari
GORE BAY – A mint-condition antique desk, once owned by Judge J.E. Hewson, has been donated to the Gore Bay Museum.
Pete Petto, of Gore Bay, presented the desk to the museum, recently. “My wife Nan, and I have had the table since we were married. I think it belonged to Nan’s grandparents, and her grandfather, C.E. Hewson, was a judge here in Gore Bay.”
The beautiful desk, made of hardwood, has a drop leaf writing section with shelves and drawers inside.
Nicole Weppler, curator of the museum explained the desk would have been produced at the turn of the 20th century. “Judge Hewson lived in the house owned by the Purvis family for about 20-30 years.”
The table is made of hardwood with intricate details, and inlay wood. “It was produced by the Canada Furniture Company. It would have been mass produced in a small amount, probably about 5,000, said Ms. Weppler.
“I thought the best place for the table was in the museum so that if anyone was interested in it, they would have the chance to see it there,” added Mr. Petto.
Manitoulin Expositor, November 14, 2001