Throwback Thursday is sponsored by Dresden Meat Packers:
In recognition of Wallaceburg’s 150th anniversary this year, the Wallaceburg & District Museum has launched a new feature on social media: ‘150 Facts, for 150 Years’.
Here is one of their recent posts:
Ella Belle (Bella) MacDonnell (pictured above) was the daughter of William John MacDonnell and Jane Backus. They lived in one of the elegant homes along Margaret Avenue and the family were well known locally.
Erasmus Huntington lived on Elizabeth Street. He was a musician and an athlete, being a member of the Lacrosse Club that won a Western Ontario Championship. For his day profession, Huntington worked in a local bank.
Just as the first Baldoon settlers experienced health issue due to the incessant dampness of this area, so did Bella. The family doctor, Dr George Mitchell, diagnosed Bella with bronchitis.
Over time, her condition worsened and Dr. Mitchell confided in the family, proclaiming that it was highly unlikely that Bella would survive the falling of the autumn leaves. Distraught, Erasmus penned the words to the song “I’m Tying the Leaves So They Won’t Come Down.”
His lyrics were paired with Fred Helf’s music and they created a ballad that became widely popular reaching the top of the charts and endured for many years. The prospect of Bella’s demise was too much for Erasmus and soon he left Wallaceburg. However, Dr Mitchell’s prediction did not come true that fall.
Bella’s fortune changed somewhat, and she fell in love with Dr Mitchell’s son Harry. They married but her illness persisted, hampering her life for another 5 years before she died January 9, 1911. Widower Harry Mitchell continued to live in Wallaceburg and found a new love, marrying a choral music teacher, Grace Rankin.
If you have an old photo, or video, that you would like to see on the Sydenham Current, let us know by sending us an email to sydenhamcurrent@gmail.com.
