LOOKING BACK - THE PEOPLE OF CAPREOL
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June 9, 2002
The Town of Sellwood.

Much of the history and stories of Capreol begins with The Town of Sellwood.
In 1901, a New York developer opened Moose Mountain Mine and the Town of Sellwood boomed. At it's peak the population was over 1,500 people, most of which worked at the mine.
Services were abundant with eight general stores, four pool rooms, three boarding houses, two bakeries, two hotels, two restaurants, a bowling alley and one Chinese laundry. In it's day, the Warren Hotel was quite a spectacle with three floors and 100 rooms. In 1913, a two room school was built and it also served as the town's recreation centre.

Dr. Cook was the town healer and T. Lafleur filled in as part-time police officer and barber. Father Fawcett and Father Williams visited the newly constructed Catholic Church on a regular basis or when needed.
The men worked hard and long shifts in the mine, usually 12 hours a day and six or seven days a week. During their time off the town's people took sleigh rides and horse and buggy rides. They also played horseshoes and had games with prizes for the children. Every new citizen of Sellwood was greeted with a party. People played instruments and sang songs until dawn on some nights. The residents of Sellwood all worked hard and they helped each other making Sellwood a great place to live.
In the early 1920's, the mine closed and some of the residents moved to Capreol to start over. The residents who ended the story of Sellwood also had a major role in the history of Capreol. Some of the families that moved to Capreol were Alex Nepitt, Anthony Jaworski, Arthur Menard, Thomas Lafleur, Micheal Mastafla, Eli Shpaiuk, Joseph Castonguay and Constance Saradoc.
Today, at the Sellwood site all that remains is a lonely graveyard and the memories of The Town of Sellwood

F. Aime, Agnes, Jeanne, Lucien, Ida, Eva,
Arthur and Laurie Menard. Sellwood 1925.

B. Menard, in the Sellwood
pre-prohibition beer parlor.

From the Sudbury Star - February 25, 1976

Former hockey star John Horeck dies on February 24, 1976.

Hockey fans in Sudbury and area were saddened to learn of the passing of John Horeck, well known throughout Northern Ontario for his exploits in both the Ontario Hockey Association Senior "A" League and the now defunct Northern Ontario Hockey Association Senior "A" League.

Horeck, also played professional hockey in the American Hockey League with the Buffalo Bisons, Cleveland Barons and the St. Louis Flyers. He passed away in Montreal following a brief illness.The 54 year-old Horeck, born in Sellwood Ontario, on February 8, 1922, gained the honor of coaching the Chatham Maroons to the Allan Cup in 1960-61 season. Following the Maroons' Allan Cup victory the Chatham team went on an eight game exhibition series in Russia, with Horeck handling the coaching.

In addition to coaching the Allan Cup Maroons, the Northern Ontario native also coached the Soo Michigan Indians of the old NOHA, with local players such as Dan O'Connor, Marcel Clements, Ron Rubic and Vip Palladino playing for him in the 1950's.

Horeck also coached the Moncton Hawks and Sidney Millionaires during his hockey career which was highlighted by the Allan Cup win in the 1960-61 hockey season.

Horeck is survived by his father, John Horeck and seven brothers, Peter, Andrew, Russell, Steve, Nicholas, George and Dan.
Alex@capreolonline.com