Remembering Chester Rundle And Solomon Northup

Chester Rubdle: Chester "Red" Rundle (1922-1996) was bom, raised and lived his life * in Streetsville. Together with his wife, Norine, Red operated a local business known as "Streetsville Wood Products and Glass Red added a windmill, which he had acquired from a nearby farm. In the winter he installed "Fairy Lights" on the windmill, connected to electricity from his own house. An avid gardener, Red maintained this small park area for the enjoyment of residents of Streetsville on his own time Service". Red also served as a Streetsville volunteer firefighter. In 1952, after moving to their home on Church Street, Red decided to make improvements to this small park area across the street from his home. He began cutting the grass, decorative garbage, planting removing trees, and installing rocks relocated from the nearby Niagara Escarpment. The additions and care provided by Red beautified the park. Over time, eyes (marbles) were added to the rocks to create fanciful faces. Later, and at his own expense until 1 993. irelessly his ile, R ed Throughout supported community endeavours in his beloved Streetsville, and volunteered. his time and materials for several community projects, including the stonework on the omamental gates to the Streetsville Public Cemetery. Chester "Red" Rundle is fondly remembered.

Solomon Northup: During the summer of 1857, Solomon was in Canada for a series of lectures, supported by the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada. Solomon found his way to Streetsville in August of 1857, and was scheduled to speak at the Town Hall. prevented However a hostile reception him from speaking. Solomon was safely escorted out of the situation by Streetsville hotel-keeper Robert Stephens. The Globe newspaper and the Fayetteville Observer recounted the harsh welcome he received in Streetsville. This visit to Streetsville is the last-known reference to Solomon Northup Solomon's whereabouts after his visit to Streetsville are unknown, and the location and circumstances of his death are also uncertain. Despite the harsh reception Solomon received in Streetsville, there were also advocates and supporters of the Anti- Slavery Society of Canada. In the years that followed Solomon's visit several local Reform politicians were elected on platforms that supported the efforts of the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad and S180T his olomon in wife, Northup Hebron, Anne was New Hampton, York. free-born had Solomon three circa children: Elizabeth, Margaret and Alonzo Solomon worked as a farmer and raftsman After moving to Saratoga Springs, New York in 1834, Solomon found work on the Champlain Canal and as a carpenter Solomon was also well-known as a skilled fiddle player In 1841, at the age of 32, Solomon was kidnapped and sold into slavery, ripped away from his wife, children and the freedom he had been born into. Solomon was sold to a preacher from Louisiana. Over the next several years, Solomon was sold twice more, and endured a great deal of hardships. On January 4, 1853, after living 12 years as a slave, Solomon regained his freedom and rejoined his family in New York. Solomon wrote Twelve Years a Slave in 1853.