Remembering the legacy of Fenelon Falls’ Little Hector
Fastest little horse in Canada initially used to pay a hotel bill
In the 19th century, local sports were very different than they are today.
Hockey and curling were both emerging pastimes. Baseball diamonds were quite unusual, while basketball, football and volleyball were nonexistent.
Fenelon Falls lumberman Sandy Dennistoun, who moved to Montreal and married Margaret Pringle Redpath — of the famed sugar family — is remembered as a pioneer of golf; granted, precious few 19th century residents of the Kawarthas enjoyed the experience of golfing.
Many sports were activities that could be done with what was commonly at hand — running, swimming and wrestling, or whatever daredevil feat the lumberjacks dreamed up that day.
Decades before televisions became common, families would read all about the exploits of famous boxers or rowers. Regattas were some of the bestattended annual events.
In 1888, the focal point of the Fenelon Fair was a trotting race between the Austin Brothers’ White Stockings and Joseph McArthur’s Billy Mac. Somewhat seen as the precursor to demolition derbies, spectators would talk about the race long after it was over.
McArthur owned the McArthur House Hotel (now Subway), which was located right beside the canal, and was a busy place for people coming and going from the village.
After he died in 1892, the property was sold to John Aldous, who moved to the area from Mono Mills. Aldous was a close friend of the village’s veterinarian, Dr. R.M. Mason, and interested in horses, much like his predecessor.
One day, Aldous had a boarder at the hotel who could not afford to pay for his stay. The individual offered to give Aldous a colt instead. At that time, barter was a common means of paying bills and it’s likely Aldous may not have thought much about the transaction.
The hotel keeper decided to give the horse a try at the Fenelon Fair. Little Hector won the race with ease. Then, as Aldous travelled to fairs around the district, Little Hector showed his heels to the other contestants in race after race.
With a little training for horse and driver, Aldous was soon travelling to compete across Canada and the U.S.
By the end of the 1890s, Little Hector was routinely winning races on both sides of the border. He earned a reputation as the fastest little horse in Canada, becoming a national celebrity. He even had a brand of cigars named after him.
While the pacer was still at the top of his game, Aldous decided to sell Little Hector to an American syndicate for $1,300, roughly the price of a farm.
It was hard for the whole community to see their sporting hero leave, however, the media and residents quickly moved on to the next sensation.
Within a few years, the little horse that was once the pride of the community and the talk of Canada would be all but forgotten.
GLENN WALKER IS A LOCAL HISTORIAN AND MEMBER OF THE MARYBORO LODGE MUSEUM, A COMMUNITY CULTURAL CENTRE LOCATED ON CAMERON LAKE IN FENELON FALLS. CHECK OUT WWW.MARYBORO.CA FOR MORE UNIQUE, ENTERTAINING — AND OFTEN UNKNOWN — HISTORICAL FACETS OF THE KAWARTHAS.