xx Barrie's Sidewheeler

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in Ontario. Consuming alcohol was often frowned upon, especially among the well-heeled “upstanding” citizens. However, private excursions aboard the Ida Burton were rarely dry, and were used as opportunities to indulge in alcohol away from prying eyes. Parties, complete with musical entertainment, were often the highlight of the summer social season. George Burton didn't enjoy her success for long. He drowned in Lake Simcoe on June 10, 1869. He was only 33 years old. After his death, the Ida Burton was taken over by sons Martin and James Lindsay. Though she continued for a time in the passenger trade, the steamship's fortunes were undermined when the Northern railway was extended to Gravenhurst. She was increasingly utilized as part of the Burton Brothers' industrial business by towing logs from timber camps around the lakes to their sawmill at Barrie. End of the Ida Burton In 1875, the Ida Burton was badly damaged in a collision with another vessel. With their timber fortunes now being made at Byng Inlet on Georgian Bay, there was no real reason for the Burtons to rebuild their steamship, so she remained moored along the Barrie docks. Her end came a year later when her machinery was removed for sale and she was taken to Orillia and ignominiously sunk at the lakeshore to serve as the foundation of a wharf. She lies there still, The steamship’s passing wasn't much of a setback for the Burton brothers, who went on to help found the Barrie Electric Light Company and other enterprises. Martin also went into the lumber business in a big way. With extensive timber rights and a huge mill at Byng Inlet along Georgian Bay, he became one of the wealthiest lumber barons in Ontario. James Lindsay devoted much of his later years to local politics, serving many years as deputy reeve of Barrie and then as reeve from 1889 to 1890.
************************************ The Burton family name lives on in Burton Avenue in Allandale, but their steamship Ida Burton has been forgotten and what remains of her lies beneath the waters at the shore of of Lake Couchiching. Brian Perkins (2016) **************************************
Page 1 and 2: BARRIE'S SIDEWHEELER THE STEAMSHIP
Page 3 and 4: Barrie's Sidewheeler Lake Simcoe an
Page 5: was nearing its end. The Ida Burton

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