Quint Guardians

Following the amazing birth of the Dionne Quintuplets in May 1934, the Hepburn government removed them from the custody of their parents and appointed 4 guardians to govern their upbringing. In 1935, the original guardians were Judge Valin, Dr Dafoe, Dr David Croll and Oliva Dionne. Dr Dafoe, country doctor, acquired immediate planetary fame when the quints survived. His name became common coinage in the currency of the bleak Depression.

Judge Joseph Alphonse Valin was in retirement living in well earned peace and tranquility just down the street from the Nipissing District Courthouse where he presided since 1895 when he arrived in North Bay. While he was a pioneer resident and judicial official known throughout northeastern Ontario, Judge Valin never achieved anywhere near the notoriety of Dr Dafoe. His appointment as guardian had the earmarks of a wise decision. He was widely known and respected in the local area, was seen as the ideal father figure when there were doubts about Mr Dionne's capacity, and most importantly, he was a model French-Canadian. Few could match those essential attributes. What likely made him exceptionally appealing was that he shunned the limelight at a time when international searchlights were fixed on Corbeil.

A newspaper description presented him as "a kindly old French-Canadian judge" in 1935 when he was 78. Since his retirement in 1934, he lived with Mrs Valin in their McIntyre Street West home. For a man of his age, he was in good health and enjoyed walking with his two spaniel dogs that were constant companions. He said he found a new interest in life through the Quints after his retirement from the Bench. He and Dr Dafoe (Callander, ON) had not met previously although they lived in neighbouring communities for 26 years. The fact that Callander, 9 miles from North Bay, was in the adjoining judicial district of Parry Sound possibly accounted for their lack of acquaintance. As fellow guardians, they became close associates intricately involved in the lives of the most famous children on the planet.

Dr Carruthers School

Miss Mary Collins came to North Bay in 1909 and taught at King Edward and Queen Victoria schools. King Edward School is the present location of the public library. Worthington Street School is the empty property at the corner of Ferguson and Worthington. After abandoning the log schoolhouse on Main Street near Cassells Street, the public school board established these two historic schools. A dedicated teacher, she was appointed principal of Dr Carruthers School for its opening June 2, 1922. A noteworthy achievement for a woman teacher in an era when there was a traditional preference for men as principals. Miss Collins carried on for 12 years before retiring at the end of June 1934. She left North Bay and moved to Toronto where she died in the fall of 1941.
The public school was the centre of the local community. The caretaker played a prominent role in the life of the school. In this position, the caretaker maintained and superintended the building, assets and property. He knew the students, many of their parents and played a wider role than his job description may have indicated. The pupils, teachers and parents looked upon the caretaker with fondness. John Smythe was first caretaker at Dr Carruthers. The students affectionately referred to him as “Uncle Johnny”. This caring school personage died while working at the school in June 1936.
Dr Carruthers was a pioneer doctor in North Bay. On arrival, he immediately got involved in education matters. In the early days, few men had an education beyond 4-5 years of public school. The teachers at the elementary level had no college training and were either graduates of the model school or received temporary posting on approval of the inspector. The leading citizens who had university education were often the doctor, lawyer, judge, church minister and priest as well as an occasional education official. Residents with these qualifications played a major role in school administration in North Bay. A G Browning, crown attorney, and Judge Valin helped to start the public library. Reverend Scollard was secretary of the separate school board for many years. Dr Carruthers was mayor in 1895 and served as chairman and secretary of the public school board almost continuously during his residence in town. As a former teacher, he was comfortable in the school setting. When he visited classrooms, as was his wont, he led the students in singing and displayed his vocal music talents. He knew the children and their families and was eager to take part in community life. At St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Dr Carruthers was choirmaster and soloist even before the church acquired an organ or piano. North Bay lost a dedicated citizen when he died in 1904.