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HISTORY OF KEARNEY (cont'd) of Butt Lake in Algonquin Park. Later the name was changed to Canada Wood Products and a veneer plant was built, also a basket bottom factory. These are not running at time of writing. Tudhope Brothers of Orillia purchased some bush lots not long after the close of the first war, and built a small saw mill. Later they operated near Clam Lake, and then in Butt Township. Ahola Brothers operate a small mill near Ravensworth. Recently too, another charcoal plant has been built and is operating. If it could be that some of the very first lumber jacks could i appear on the scene the methods of lumbering would amaze them. Instead of the hauling of the logs to a river and then the long drive in the spring, the logs are hauled right to the mill. Indeed Merrit Brothers hauled birch logs from the same area that Brennans cut pine on, and of course hauled the logs to Kearney. Kearney has been fortunate in the calibre of the persons who supplied spiritual guidance. .Their tole.ran.ce and leadership contributed greatly to the genial and friendly attitude that still prevails amongst all creeds. Probably the best remembered for all time will be the late Father Flemming, who was known as the Protestant Priest, and was loved by everyone. Kearney has also been very fortunate with regards to the type of men who have administered to the physical welfare of its inhabitants. Immediately following the construction of the railway, Dr. Cook open- ed up a medical practice, which covered a period of three years, follow- ed by Drs. Hogg, Paulin, James, Mason, McMurchy, Graham and Po- cock. Dr. Pocock came in 1919 and still carries on the practice, though for the last few years his office has been in Emstlale. Kearney has had its share of fires. There was the Chair Factory in 1908; Prunty's Hotel in 1918; the fire in 1921 that destroyed three buildings and took the lives of four members of the Wheeler family; the skating rink in 1928; and the fire which destroyed the livery stable and blacksmith shop in 1935; in April of this year fire destroyed the old Rankin store. At the turn of the century there were several schools in the area. Besides the Public and Separate Schools in Kearney, there were Birchdale, Ebbertson, Sand Lake and Ravensworth. Like all country , schools, attendance was regulated by the weather and the seasons. It is a decided mark of progress that the pupils from the outlying areas are now brought to Kearney by bus and the pupils who attend High School go to Burks Falls. Th.e advantages ar.e clearly shown by the . number of pupils who get High. School educations. Years ago it was quite a thing for Kearney pupils to be able to attend High School, either at Huntsville or Burks Falls. Now it IS expected that all school children will attend High School and this year Kearney can be proud to say they have students at VarSity,.Queens and Western, as well as many who have attended various Business Colleges. In late years, Kearney is becoming well known as a tourist centre. Many of the lakes close by have beco.me well-known centres for sum- mer cottages. Sand Lake, first mentioned m the Algonquin Story, it the best known for its several hundred cottages. Too, there are spring-