In previous blogs I have told the story of Wally Hern (the first cousin of Lois' father Bob Hearn). Wally was such a gifted athlete that stories are still being told about him 100 years later. Most recently a picture appeared in the Stratford Beacon Herald of the Junior OHA team of 1900 of which Wally was a valued member.After he finished playing competitive hockey Wally travelled throughout southern Ontario as a hockey referee. At the same time, of course, Wally's older brother Riley continued to be a hockey celebrity in Montreal. Above is an column from the Montreal Gazette from 1909 when both brothers -- Riley for his clothing store, and Wally for his refereeing -- are mentioned.
After his hockey career wound down Wally opened a men's clothing store on Downie Street in Stratford. Things went well for a number of years, and
stories are told of the successful self-confident businessman who drove an expensive car, and who laughed loudly and generously.The success did not last, unfortunately. The family story is that the business collapsed because a store clerk was stealing from the till. Whatever the reason, here, are two newspaper advertisements taken from the Stratford Beacon Herald in June 1925. In the first bowler hats are being sold for prices ranging from 95 cents to $3.95. However, it is evident that Wally knew already that his store was in trouble because the second advertizement a few days later announces that Wally is retiring and all his merchandise is being sold off.
