NOT EVERYONE KNOWS THIS…
By John Chaput John Chaput, born and raised in Montreal, eventually morphed into a Westerner. A retired writer and editor, he occupies much of his time as president of Regina Little Theatre.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY KATE JOHANSEN
APRIL 19, 1904 APRIL 24, 1184 BCE
Toronto Fire Chief John Thompson and Mayor Tom Urquhart watch their city go up in flames and
According to tradition, it is on this date that the
ruminate on a conversation they had a few days
Greek army enters the besieged city of Troy by
earlier. Thompson, seeking an increased budget
means of the Trojan Horse. Not everyone knows this,
for the fire department, had told the Mayor, “We
but the Trojan Horse is one of the first successful
are taking more risk every year. We are running on
experiments in physical distancing. Instead of trying
wonderful luck.” To which Urquhart replied, after the
to send their whole army inside the city gates, the
city’s controllers rejected the plea, “Oh, I guess we’ll
Greeks dispatched a small number, about 40 men.
have to risk it another year.” On April 19, fire broke
Once they emerged from their confinement, they
out at a factory on Wellington Street West, near what
moved about, deduced they were OK, and invited the
is now TD Bank Tower, and the Great Fire of Toronto
rest of their guys to join the party.
would destroy about 100 downtown buildings. Not
(The author of Not Everyone Knows This has
everyone knew this, but the city had only five fire
personally procured sponsorship for portions of this
engines and was saved from worse catastrophe by
article. Those who wish to advertise elsewhere in
rapid responses from Buffalo, Hamilton, Brantford,
SideOne should contact the Publisher. See Page 2.)
Peterborough and other municipalities. (Brought
(This instalment is sponsored by ConfineMint, the
to you by Eau De Humanity, THE cologne for mass
new chewing gum made especially for people stuck
disasters. Eau De Humanity ... it’s not just for
indoors by themselves.)
exploding zeppelins anymore.)
SIDEONE APRIL 2021
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