Robert Alexander

Schoolmaster in Newmarket and Galt

    Mr. Robert Alexander

It affords us much pleasure this week to
introduce to our readers our esteemed and only Public School Teacher, Mr. Robert Alexander, who came to Newmarket 60 years ago this week and in the space of a short decade so won the respect and estimation of the citizens that half a century ago this week as will be seen by reference to our "50 Years Ago" column, he was made the recipient of a magnanimous present for those days.

Mr Alexander taught school in Newmarket for about 20 years.  A good deal of that time he had from 90 to 110 pupils in his own room and such excellent order was maintained that almost any time one could hear a pin drop on the floor.  Everybody, pupils and parents alike, had a good word for Mr. Alexander-even the boys who were invited to the library to feel the "cat-o'-nine-tails"  look back now and revere their old master.  the punishments in those days for disobedience were "stay in at recess," "stand on the platform," or "go to the library."  It would be very interesting for the old pupils to meet together and recall many of the occurrences at the old Common School.

As far as we can remember the only boys left in Newmarket who went to Mr Alexander are Walk. Caldwell, John H. Millard, Jas. Sutherland, Geo. Wood, Chas. Denne, C.E. Lundy, N.J. Roadhouse, J.H. Elvidge, Alf. Allen, Chas. Stickwood, Wm. Stickwood and the Editor of the Era.  There are some eight to ten ladies we might mention, but we would not like to give their names

of last December and is still hale and hearty as may be judged by his photo, which ws taken recently and kindly loaned to us by one of his old pupils.

The naming of the new school Alexander Muir is significant as it perpetuates the name of two popular principals

Mr. Alexader left Newmarket
to accept a more lucrative position in Galt, where he remained as Principal of the Public Schools until he superannuated a few years ago.  He is now a resident of Ottawa where his daughter is in the Civil Service.  He was 84 years of age on the 31st

50 Years Ago Today

Since the appointment of Mr. Wm Anderson as Principal of the Grammar School the attendance is gradually increasing.

Bewtten two and three hundred people-parents and children-assembled at the Common School last Monday evening to mark the occasion of Mr. Robert Alexander completing his tenth year as principal.  refreshements were served,

Mr. S.T. Peskham was called to the chair and Miss Smith to the melodeon.  Mr. Nelson Gorham read an address of appreciation and presented Mr. Alexander with a gold watch and chain valued at $100.  After a very suitable reply a program of music and speeches was given.  A juvenile choir led the singing.  The speakers were R.H. Smith, E. Jackson, S. Roadhouse, J.J. Pearson, J.W. Marsden, W. Anderson and T. Kirk.

Newmarket Era February 8, 1918

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