Summer Reading - Bandit: A Portrait of Ken Leishman

And now for something completely different: a book review !

Source: telefilm.gc.ca

A number of years back I wrote a post about Manitoba's Ken Leishman, also known as the Flying Bandit or the Gentleman Bandit. It is one of my most read posts and I still get comments and emails from those who knew the man. He obviously touched many people.

This year is the 45th anniversary of Leishman's crowning criminal achievement: the largest gold heist in Canadian history. Winnipeg author Wayne Tefs has bought Leishman back in a novel called Bandit: A Portrait of Ken Leishman (Turnstone Press, 296 pages, $19.00).

Tefs' novel begins at a quick pace. It's winter 1966, just days before the airport caper. A pacing, antsy Leishman is in a warehouse near the Winnipeg International Airport selling his painstakingly planned out scheme to a small ensemble of accomplices.

The novel is set during that whirlwind period of theft, capture, prison breaks and an international manhunt. That alone would have made for a great story and Tefs could have treated Leishman in a one dimensional way. Instead, the author uses a series of flashbacks to Leishman's early life to help explain what made him such a complicated character. A broken, dysfunctional childhood in Depression-era rural Manitoba. A teenager relying on Hollywood gangster films as a means of escape. A budding inventor who never got a break. A man who loved his wife and family.

Tefs writes that In Winnipeg, a blue collar city, sticking it to the Man goes over big even when what's been done is illegal. So long as nobody gets hurt.

That is what initially brought Leishman his folk hero status. Behind the good looks and the ballsy crimes, though, bad luck followed Leishman throughout his life. Every time he stuck it to the Man the Man stuck back but he tried again. That allowed Leishman's status to endure long after his life of crime was over.

You saw a movie once. A man approached a glass door, his hand out and the door swung open. Another man approached the door. He was dressed differently, no briefcase. But he had seen the first man go through, he was expecting it to. His face smacked against the glass. He looked puzzled and hurt, he kept rubbing his nose. That was the story of your life. More bad luck than good. For other men the glass door swung open, but for you there was only the smack on the nose, the look of bewilderment. You think you saw that in a movie. maybe it was a dream.

You had a dream. All you ever wanted to be was a businessman.

Bandit: A Portrait of Ken Leishman is a great read about a nearly forgotten local legend. Definitely worth a spot on your summer reading list !

Related:
Wayne Tefs on "Bandit: A Portrait of Ken Leishman" CBC
Turnstone Press

The U of W's new science complex: Completing a transformation.

In the late 80s, early 90s when I went to U of W there was talk about the cramped, outdated science labs in Manitoba Hall. Not up to snuff and the school could perhaps lose its accreditation for science programs.

Well, it took over two decades but the U of W finally has a new science building, the Richardson College for the Environment and Science.

The 150,000 sq ft, $66.58m facility caps off what has been quite a transformation for the block of Portage Avenue between Furby and Langside.

What was a very underutilized block, home to a couple of stores, a used car lot, a handful of houses, a soon to be condemned roller rink (which I really do miss) plus a lot of vacant land has now boasts a 112 child daycare, a 200 person residence and this complex that will be home to up to 2,000 students per day.

Reference:

Richardson College Fast Facts
Richardson College Grand Opening (News Release)
U of W Scientists Ready to Roll Free Press
New Science Centre a Work of Art Free Press

Here is a look back at the block and its transformation:

Top: Furby Theatre (1912 - 1952)
Bottom: Used car lot / parking for Winnipeg Roller Rink (until 2006)

Interior shots from the grand opening on June 11, 2011:

Downtown Living: The Mixer

It's been an interesting couple of weeks for downtown. The Jets return to the MTS Centre, the Met Theatre renovations are getting back on track, a deal to expand the Convention Centre is in the final stages and announcements have begun about what will fill the new entertainment zone on Portage Avenue.

Not to be overshadowed, there are number of downtown living projects well underway, ranging from rental properties in the Avenue Building to a number of condo projects on Waterfront Drive.

On Tuesday night, June 28, 2011, the Downtown BIZ is hosting a Downtown Living Midsummer Mixer. A chance to meet and mingle with the developers of some of these projects and find out what what could be coming in the near future. Participating buildings include: The Avenue Building; District Condos; Sky Waterfront Condominiums (2); 128 James and H20 on Waterfront Drive.

The event is free and takes place on the rooftop patio at Tav United from 4:30 to 7:30. To register check out the website or email info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com.

Oh, and there will be door prizes including: Jets tickets !

Mynarski Statue Project Update

June 13, 2011 marked the 67th anniversary of the death of Andrew Charles (Andy) Mynarski. He died in battle at the age of 27 and was the first RCAF member to receive the Victoria Cross in World War II.

A couple of years back in my This Was Winnipeg entry for June 13th I wrote about the Mynarski Statue Project and have a good news, bad news update.

Source: Mynarski Statue Project site

The good news is that plans for the project are nearing completion. The group is consulting with local artist Charlie Johnston on the final design and seeking an exact location. A final confirmation of both is expected soon.

Durham Tees, U.K. statue
Source: Veterans Affairs Canada site

The bad news is that due to slow fundraising the group had to settle on a scaled down version of what was first envisioned. This has caused some ill feelings between Winnipeg and the group that unveiled that Mynarski statue in Northern England a few years back. (Yes, England has a statue to the Winnipeg war hero outside the Durham Tees Valley Airport where Mynaski flew out of on his final mission).

In the same month that the city fell all over itself to give Gene Simmons a key to the city, we had to settle on a scaled down version of a due to lack of interest and $30,000 or so.

Still, it is a victory that this project is being worked on at all.

Other Mynarski Notes:

- Last year a 50 minute documentary As Close as Brothers was released and is available free on MTS TV.

- Mynarski's medal and other artifacts are on display at Air Command Headquarters Museum in Winnipeg.

Related Media:

Veterans travel from Canada for Service

Northern Echo (UK) June 18, 2007
Mynarski statue faces U.K. legal threat
Winnipeg Free Press, April 9, 2011

Reference Links:

The Mynarski Statue Project
Mynarski Memorial Page Veterans Affairs Canada
Andrew Mynarski Historica heritage Minute (video)

Andrew Mynarski's Valour Cross citation:

“Pilot Officer Mynarski was the mid-upper gunner of a Lancaster aircraft, detailed to attack a target at Cambrai in France, on the night of 12th June 1944. The aircraft was attacked from below and astern by an enemy fighter and ultimately came down in flames.

As an immediate result of the attack, both port engines failed. Fire broke out between the mid-upper turret and the rear turret, as well as in the port wing. The flames soon became fierce and the captain ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft.

Pilot Officer Mynarski left his turret and went toward the escape hatch. He then saw that the rear gunner was still in his turret and apparently unable to leave it. The turret was, in fact, immovable, since the hydraulic gear had been put out of action when the port engines failed, and the manual gear had been broken by the gunner in his attempts to escape.

Without hesitation, Pilot Officer Mynarski made his way through the flames in an endeavour to reach the rear turret and release the gunner. Whilst so doing, his parachute and his clothing, up to the waist, were set on fire. All his efforts to move the turret and free the gunner were in vain. Eventually the rear gunner clearly indicated to him that there was nothing more he could do and that he should try to save his own life.

Pilot Officer Mynarski reluctantly went back through the flames to the escape hatch. There, as a last gesture to the trapped gunner, he turned toward him, stood to attention in his flaming clothing and saluted, before he jumped out of the aircraft. Pilot Officer Mynarski’s descent was seen by French people on the ground. Both his parachute and his clothing were on fire. He was found eventually by the French, but was so severely burned that he died from his injuries.

The rear gunner had a miraculous escape when the aircraft crashed. He subsequently testified that, had Pilot Officer Mynarski not attempted to save his comrade’s life, he could have left the aircraft in safety and would, doubtless, have escaped death.

Pilot Officer Mynarski must have been fully aware that in trying to free the rear gunner he was almost certain to lose his own life. Despite this, with outstanding courage and complete disregard for his own safety, he went to the rescue. Willingly accepting the danger, Pilot Officer Mynarski lost his life by a most conspicuous act of heroism which called for valour of the highest order.”

Andrew Mynarski is buried at Meharicourt Communal Cemetery near Cambrai, France.

River East Collegiate turns 50 !

My history of River East Collegiate has moved here.

Remembering Winnipeg's Bloody Saturday

June 21, 1919 - Despite warnings from officials another pro-strike parade is scheduled for 2:30 p..m.. The crowd is to gather outside city hall for a march to the Royal Alex hotel where federal officials are staying.

Mayor Gray comes onto the balcony of city hall to read the riot act and gives people 30 minutes to disperse. While re-entering the building the crack of a gunshot is heard causing panic in the crowd. In the melée strikers and police turn on each other and Saturday, June 21 becomes Bloody Saturday.

A timeline of events that day can be seen at my 1919 General Strike blog.

Manitoba Lives Lived at 146 Maryland Street

Earlier this year, a friend bought the house at 146 Maryland Street and converted it into Level Hair and Spa. I wanted to take a look at the history of the house, which sent me on a historical chase back to the very beginnings of part of the West Broadway and Wolseley neighbourhoods.

This is one of a three part series:
Part 1: West Broadway's pre-history
Part 2 - A neighbourhood forms
Part 3 - Lives lived at 146 Maryland

The information below is from newspapers and the Henderson Directory so it is not complete. If you can add anything please let me know !

This new neighbourhood began filling up quickly. To get a sense of who lived there, this excerpt from a Manitoba Historical Society essay on the history of Wolseley describes the residents of nearby Purcell Avenue:

In 1910, the homes on this street were occupied mostly by white collar workers, including two buyers for Eaton’s, an Eaton’s clerk, a Bank of Montreal clerk, and a book keeper for Marshall Wells Company. Also there is a teacher, a carpenter and the Eaton’s stable manager. Only one proprietor of a business is listed.

Architecturally, it is a good example of streets in the area since it has seen only minor changes. The stability of the residents on the street is demonstrated in the small number of changes of owners in the early years. In 1929, over half of the houses were owned by the same families as in 1915.

Here are some past residents of 146 Maryland:

1907 - 1914 The Cosgraves.

James Martin Cosgrave was an accountant by trade. He came to Canada from Northern Ireland and worked for Merchants Bank then the auditing department of the City of Winnipeg before moving on to the Winnipeg General Hospital in 1901.

He began as clerk to the Board of Directors and in 1905 became the business manager, a position he retained through to 1914 when the family moved out of 146 Maryland.

Cosgrave went on to other executive positions within the hospital and eventually retired l to his Garfield Street home in 1933.

The Cosgraves had one child, Gerald, who became a professor at the University of Toronto. James and his wife were visiting him in 1939 when James died at the age of 78.

1921 - 1930 The Cameron Family.

John and Flora with, it appears, two children: John and a daughter for whom I could only find a married name of Mrs. O.M. Lancaster.

Cameron was the manager of The Metal Shingle and Siding Company located at Dublin and Notre Dame. The company lasted from 1919 – 1927 and specialized in prefab metal garages and work sheds.

Mrs. O.M. Lancaster, a newlywed back in 1925, was in Winnipeg visiting her parents in when she was struck by a car at the corner of Main and Inkster. It broke her leg in three places and gave her an ‘an injury to the head’. She did recover.

On August 18, 1930, Flora Cameron died in the home at the age of 67 and later that year John Cameron moved out. I can find no date for his death.

1932 – 1934 The Watson Family.

William Watson is a clerk at the Canadian Oil Company. Despite the Depression the Ontario-based producer of kerosene and gasoline was expanding into the Western Canadian market. White Rose gas stations was one of their brands (in the early 1960s Shell Canada bough out their assets).

Waton’s daughter Peggy was an accomplished pianist and soprano who played many local venues and music festivals. She sometimes advertized piano lessons from the home as seen in the September 08, 1934 Winnipeg Free Press ad above.

The Watsons lived there until 1934.

1935 – 1940 The Keirs

In 1935 a retired farming couple from the Marquette area moved in. William and Robina Keir were the first owners listed as having a telephone at the residence. The couple had two daughters and a son but they would have been married off by this time.

In February 1939 Mr. Keir died at the home and the following year Mrs. Keir moved out.

1943 - 1954 The Mackie Family.

In 1943 The Mackies and daughter Mona moved in and they would spend the most time at 146 Maryland.

George Mackie was an employee at Canada Safeway. They lived there until 1954 with his wife and daughter Mona.

1955 The Duplex Years

As with many large downtown houses 146 Maryland often rented rooms.

1916

Toward the end of the Cosgrave years single rooms for rent were on offer.

1945

That tradition appears to have kept up for most of the life of the house, especially during stressful times in the housing market like the wars or Depression.

1955

In 1955, however, the house faced the same fate as many of Winnipeg's older, inner city homes: the subdivision into multiple dwellings. In this case the front foyer and main staircase was enclosed to allow for a two level duplex.

1956 – 58 The Lavergnes.

The Lavergnes were both retired Eaton’s workers though Mrs. Lavergene opened a small flower shop called the Flower Nook on Kennedy Street.

James Lavergne died of a heart attack at Misericordia hospital on March 6, 1958. The following year Mrs. Lavergne moved out.

1960 – 71

Through the 1960s and 70s the house appears to have become more of a rental property than an owner-occupied house. The two units were home to a large number of tenants and owners, often times both suites were never listed as full at the same time.

2010 - Present

The owner of Level Hair and Spa purchased the building for conversion into, you guessed it, a hair salon and spa.

During previous renovations many architectural details of the interior of the home such as original doors, wood trim and stained glass window off the main hallway, remained intact.

Renovations to convert it back to a 'single building' uncovered more features such as the original flooring, pocket doors leading to what would have been the original dining room and a fire place.

Level Hair and Spa opened in early 2011.

West End History: 868 Arlington Street

I had to rush this one to the head of the queue due to upcoming demolition !

Last week I wrote about a piece of Arlington Street's industrial history that has a new lease on life. This week, another bit of that history but this one is about to meet the wrecking ball. It's 868 Arlington Street, the former Acme Blower / Telesky Taxidermy Supply Building.

June 13, 1931, Winnipeg Free Press

This unassuming 3,300 square foot building is tucked away in mature trees at the north end of the St. Edwards Church / School property. It was constructed in 1928 for Acme Fan and Blower Company, Bernard G. Jones, President and Chief Engineer.

I can't find much information on the building or Jones. The only old photo I could find of the place is in a 1933 photo from a St. Edward's Parish Souvenir booklet. Acme Blower's sign can be seen in the top left.

October 1928, Manitoba Free Press

Acme manufactured and installed central heating and ventilation systems for many medium sized buildings of the day including the Beacon Theatre, the Winnipeg Winter Club and the St. Charles Hotel.

In 1952 Acme closed and the building was sold off.

From 1954 to 1957 it was home to Don Pelts Ltd wholesale Tobacco and Confectionery.

In 1956 it began a decades long relationship with John V Sampson, a West End businessman who lived on Dominion Street.

In 1886 Heimskringla, an Icelandic language printer was formed to publish books as well as a weekly Icelandic newspaper (still published today). By the late 1950s it was also known as Viking Printers, of which Sampson was part owner, and it operated from 868 Arlington. By 1966 Viking Printers either moved or shared space with a new tenant but Sampson either owned or had an interest in the building.

Between 1966 and 1971 it was home to a group called Ferrett Products, a pioneer in the home beer and wine making industry in the city (Howard Donner, proprietor). They used a loophole in the Liquor Control Act in that it did not mention the sales of such kits to the public.

From 1975 to 1979 it housed J.V. Samson Ltd, an insurance company. Though J.V. Sampson died in 1974 at the age of 64 the company still operates, now located on Ellice Avenue.

In 1980 the zoning was changed to allow the building to be used as a private club, though I cannot find evidence of one operating there.

From 1988 – 1999 it was home to Telesky Taxidermy Supplies (which still exists further up Arlington).

The building was sold in 2006 for $89,900 and I can find no more mention of it.

The demolition signs went up in June 2011.