Note: This article has been adapted from “History of Sports in Hantsport 1900-1950“, a supplement to the 1969/70 High School Yearbook1, by Cameron Porter and Richard Rogers, with additions from “Summary of the Minute Book. Tri-Mu Club 1913-1916”, transcribed and indexed by Bob Langdon2.

The main driving force behind sport in Hantsport in the period before World War I was the Tri-Mu, a boys’ and young men’s club organized by Rev. F. E. Barrett, Methodist minister, before 1910. When he moved on to another charge, the club was led by Rev. Waldo C. Machum3, the Baptist minister.

We have not found a satisfactory explanation of the name Tri-Mu, though the constitution does state the object of the club to be threefold: “To promote the moral, mental and muscular well-being of the boys and young men of the town.” This was open to boys and young men between the age of twelve and twenty-five who were elected by a two-third majority of the members. It is startling to note from the minutes that the club regularly rejected applicants. It is also indicative of the lure of the club, at least in the early years, that some of these who were rejected applied a second and even third time.

Hantsport Advance, April 1908

The club’s pledge was itself a noble document: “I will honestly try by God’s help to keep the promises I have now made; that I will attend regularly some Sabbath School and, whenever possible, one other church service on the Lord’s Day; that I will be present as often as possible at the regular business meetings of the club; I promise further to do my best to develop my body by making as much use as possible of the opportunities the Club affords by way of sports and gymnastic exercise. I further promise that I speak no foul, impure, nor wicked words, and that I will endeavour to make the most of myself mentally, morally, and muscularly, that the Club may have reason to pride itself on my membership.”

Their motto was 2 Timothy 2:15.

Note 2: Tri Mu appears elsewhere in North America around that time although the focus on young men’s sport and ecumenical nature is unique to Hantsport. Mr. Curtiss, a U.S. Senator, presented a memorial of the Young Men’s Tri Mu Class of the First Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas in July 1919 .. remonstrating against the repeal .. of wartime prohibition.4 The First Baptist Church of Glendale, California reported in September 1921 that the Tri Mu Class was trying for 100 members as part of Rally Week.5

1913 Officers

Tri-Mu Club Room, Tuesday Evening, Jany 7th, 1913

Special Meeting.  Opened with a prayer by Mr. Machum.

Moved, seconded and carried that the Anniversary of the Club be held, Thursday Jany 23rd.          Moved, seconded and carried that a Committee be appointed to make arrangements.   Mr Machum named the Executive as the Committee, namely Carl Comstock, Hugh Rolph, Ian McLellan, Will Murray.  Moved and seconded that the price of Season tickets for the Rink be fifty cents to members. Carried.  Moved and seconded that the price of Ladies Season tickets be $1.00 and Gents $1.25. Carried.      Moved, seconded and carried that a levy of 10 cts. be made on each member of the Club to purchase a ham for the Anniversary Banquet.  Moved, seconded and carried that henceforth the Club dues be paid quarterly instead of monthly.                                                                                                            Ian B. McLellan, Sec.

Around the turn of the century, there seems to have been a round rink down near the tracks called Parker’s Rink. We have been unable to confirm the when or where of this one.

Around this time also, the Mumford Foundry owned by J. A. Mumford and from which Foundry Road gets its name, was sold out and the machinery moved to Amherst. The building itself apparently continued to be owned by Mumford who allowed some changes to be made in the empty building so it could be converted into Hantsport’s first and only indoor rink. It was rather primitive, the water being pumped from a well on one side of the building and the fine ice making was done by carrying around a garden sprinkling can. This building was long, running parallel to Cottage Street. Later, around 1911, it was sold to Mr. Nichols who shifted a part of the building to house a saw mill and fruit basket industry. This was later Murray’s mill, or more properly, the Hantsport Fruit Basket Company.

This change marked the end of the indoor rink and an outdoor rink was then constructed on what is now the spur line of the Gypsum Company. This rink was behind the L. B. Harvie property and ran parallel to William Street. It continued to operate until the Gypsum Company moved in, and around 1945, a rink was constructed on the site of the present school.

The Tri-Mu club arranged all athletic activities including track, baseball, basketball and hockey. For a number of years they operated the rink. They were also the main force behind arranging the festivities for special days like May 24th and July 1st. Some cultural activities were arranged, mainly as money makers, and included minstrel shows, plays, and bean suppers.

The club apparently flourished until around 1914. An amendment to the constitution, Section 4, “The use of tobacco or strong drink in any form by any member shall debar him from membership in the club”, took a heavy toll. Several members were debarred and it would be suspected there would be some who dropped out in face of the threat. By 1915 many of the older members were in the services and the club apparently disintegrated after a long and worthwhile life. A list of members who signed the constitution is appended. This was by no means all the members.

The club meeting room and gymnasium, were upstairs above the present McKinnon’s Hardware, which previously had been a Lodge Hall. Their reading room was on the ground floor. Older readers will remember this section as Simpson’s Jewellery Store, MacBurnie’s barbershop, a hot dog dispensary, and Hart’s Clothing Store. The building at that time was owned by Andrew W. Pattison who ran a tinsmith’s shop downstairs. Later the club moved to a barrel shed, now long since gone, which stood near the site of Ray Johnston’s home on School Street. It was owned by John Woolaver.

Tri-Mu Club Rooms    Thursday Eve, May 28st 1914

Meeting opened with prayer by Mr. Machum.  M,S & C we proceed with the initiation of Jim Barkhouse, and Leslie Benjamin.  Mr. Machum brought in his report of May 25th and announced we would have between fifty five to sixty dollars clear.  M,S & C we pay the bills at the Hants Journal and Tribune offices. 

M, S & C send a card of thanks to all the outsiders who assisted us in the concert and also to those who gave prizes for the sports.

M, S & C we give a present to Miss MacDonald for helping us with the music for the concert. 

Mr. Machum spoke of the good work of Clyde Davison for selling tickets to the value of twelve dollars.  He also said that he would form a baseball league and a game to take place every Thursday night on the school grounds.   Mr. Machum wrote for information concerning the Y.M.C.A. camp and anyone who wanted to go to send in their names and the club would vote on them.  The names of Percy Frizzle, Harold Stab, Milford McCharles and Harold Cohoon and the first three were elected but Harold Cohoon was rejected.  M, S & C we adjourn.

Cecil H. Riley                                                                                                         Secretary                                                                                                    

One of the high points of the year for the Tri-Mu Club was their camping trip. Usually a two-week stay at Cheverie, groups of as many as thirty-six would go over with Mr. Machum who always used the first half of his vacation for this purpose. Later, camping again received a shot in the arm with the setting up of Boy Scouts under the leadership of George Holmes. They camped at Lakelands and continued also to use the Cheverie campgrounds.

Medal shown by Garth Scott at HHS meeting
awarded to either Hugh or Harry Rolph

                                                                                       Tri-Mu Club Rooms      Sept 17th 1914

Meeting opened with prayer by Mr. Machum.  M, S & C that Mr. Machum’s camp report be received and adopted.  It was announced that election of officers would take place next Thursday evening.  M, S & C that we vote on Harry Craig’s name next meeting.  Announcement was made that the club member who made the best development during the next eight months, muscularly, mentally and morally should receive some form of recognition.

Some reference was made to the basketball series. M, S & C we adjourn.

                                                                                                              Cecil  Riley      Secretary 

Rev. Barrett, founder of the Hantsport Tri-Mu Club, delivered the eulogy for Arthur Pentz who was wounded and died in France while serving in the First World War. “(Mr. Barrett) read extracts from a letter he recently received from the young hero, in which he gave expression to his comfort in 2nd Timothy 2:15, the motto of the Tri-Mu Club, and also of pride that he was among the first to respond to the call of his country and served so faithfully and courageously.”6 A letter from Rev. Mr. Machum was also read.

I hereby subscribe to the Tri-Mu Constitution:
Waldo C. Mechum (Rev.)Laurie Pattison
Ian McLellanErnest Frizzle
George NewcombManning Gertridge
Campbell GunnLaurie Davison
Walter ComstockGeorge Reid
Cecil RileyFrank Newcomb
Le Roy McLellanFred Newcomb
Maurice SmithHamilton Morris
Jacob HarvieNeil Forsythe
Elton SteeleRussell Salter
Frank SmithHarry Harvie
Clyde DavisonCarl Mitchner
Joe McLellanCharlie Hyson
George DavisCecil Conrad
Russell WhitmanAliston Riley
Wiley ReidIvan Pulsifer
Cyril HarveyRaymond Morris
Lloyd StarrattBurt Yeaton
James BarkhouseRobert McLatchy
Leslie BenjaminMalcolm Davison
Milford McCharlesEverett Pentz
Earle WallaceHarold Borden
Harold StabtWilliam Perry
Percy FrizzleElroy McDonald
Gordon Coldwell
Constitution Signatures

Sources:

  1. Hantsport High School Yearbook 1969/70
  2. HHS Collection, “Summary of the Minute Book. Tri-Mu Club 1913-1916” transcribed and indexed by Bob Langdon
  3. Bishop, Brian. “BarberShop BaseBall” 2015, pp. 10-14
  4. US Senate, Congressional Record, Tuesday July 15, 1919
  5. Glendale Daily Press, 23 September 1921
  6. The Evening Mail, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Wednesday, August 16, 1916