Court Houses

Estevan Court House

Provincial Court - Estevan Court House
1016 - 4th Street
Estevan, Saskatchewan S4A 0W5

Built in 1930 in the Modified Colonial Style.

The Judicial District of Estevan was created in 1912.
(Westview School History book says May 1913?.)

An article dated Apr 11, 1895, states Judge Wetmore Supreme Court Judge in Estevan.
Not sure where though?

Side view showing Historical Plaque

The Historical Plaque for the old Court House

Estevan Court House Postcard

Coal Miner's Corner - Historical Plaque for Black Tuesday, Sept 29, 1931

Estevan Court House Postcard ca 1940

Judge Edmund Richard Wylie KC, BA, elected Head of the Masons
b- Dec 12, 1873
in Franklin, Cavan, Durham Co. ON
d- Oct 7, 1951,
in Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria BC, age 77
son of John Wylie and Elizabeth, nee Henders
siblings:
1. John Milton Wylie
b- ca 1885
d-1907
buried in Oxbow SK
2. Gertrude Nora Wylie
b- 1877,
d- May 1946 in Saskatoon SK
3. Henry Courtice “Harry” Wylie
b- Nov 26, 1879, Cavan, Durham, ON
d- 1967
4. George Wilfred Wylie
b- 1883
d- 1960
married Elsie Gibson Cope, July 6, 1927 in Vancouver BC

He headed the Royal Commission looking into the Riot and Strike of 1931, held in this Court House, which was the location of the Riot.
He lived at 1401 3rd st.
His mother Mar 31, 1892 lived in Oxbow.
married twice-
first- Hannah Florence Whitlam in 1905
4 children
2nd marriage-

His Wedding announcement, Nov 22, 1946, to Jennie F. Amas

Newer view showing Miner's Memorial

Architect and Engineer,
Maurice William Sharon. (seen first name as Morris in one obit)
b- Nov 1, 1875, St. Thomas, ON
d- Sept 8, 1940
Last building he designed as Provincial Architect.
Exterior is entirely medium-brown, Estevan pressed brick, with small amounts of Tyndall Stone trim.
It was in this building where the trial, and Royal Commission with Judge Edmund Richard Wylie was held, after the Sept 29, 1931 Miners riot.
The deadly riot by chance was held in front of this building on that infamous day.
The building occupies 13 City Lots, and was completed in 1930.

Maurice married Florence Edna Freek
Sept 20, 1905 Elgin Co, ON
b- abt 1880 in St. Thomas, ON
She graduated from Alma College
in vocal and instrumental music in 1901.
Attended London Normal school for 1 yr.
taught school for 1 yr in St. Thomas, ON
went to school in music in New York for 2 yrs.
taught for 2 more yrs in Alma.
Then moved to Regina in 1906.
Soloist in Methodist Church in Regina.
writer for Toronto World, and Regina Standard.

They had one daughter I know of
Helen Marjorie Sharon
b- Mar 18, 1907, in Regina SK

and another child, name unknown to me.

Judicial District of Estevan- ca 1919.

Judge of District and Surrogate Courts.
His Honour Judge Wylie, Estevan.

Local Registrar King's Bench,
Clerk of the District Court and
Clerk of the Surrogate Court.
William Nichol, Estevan.

Deputy: John William Mealey. (Mealy?)
Official Administrator : Sheriff:

The Western Trust Co., Regina.
William Nichol, Estevan

photo taken aug 2009

The upstairs in the Smith Block on 12th Ave., between 4th and 5th st., was used for Court Offices, prior to 1930 at least, until this building was built.
It was owned by James Alpin Smith, who lived at 1306 2nd st. Smith Block was built ca 1911. Address 410-12th Ave.

The First Court Cases, were held in the Upper Floor Auditorium, of the old City Hall starting in 1913
Judge E. R. Wylie presided from 1913-1948

ca 1920-1921
Court House
Margaret McDonald, Registrar Clerk, res 906 4th st
John W. Mealey, Deputy Clerk of the Court, res Clarendon Hotel
William H. S. Glew, Deputy Sherriff, res 1325 2nd st
Jeannie A. Muirhead, Stenographer, Sheriff's Office
William D. Muirhead, Sheriff's Office, res 321 3rd st
William Nichol, Sheriff and Clerk of the Court, res 2nd st

John William Mealey (Mealy)
- Deputy Clerk of the Court
b- June 1866
He retired in 1931.
1911 Census says he was a Civil Servant
He actually worked in the Land Office.
A John William Mealey died in Victoria BC
on Aug 4, 1932, age 68, so could be him.
If it is, he didn't live long past his retirement date.

Judge Walter Livingston Clink KC
b- Mar 17, 1894 at Hobema AB
d- 1955
presided after Judge Wylie retired
until April 1950.
Walter served in WWI
enlisted in Mar 1916, reg #534203
Discharged in Feb 1919
Went to Public school in Battleford SK
Called to the Bar in 1920
Member of the Masons.

son of Daniel Livingstone Clink, (1839-1918)
and 2nd wife Catherine “Kate” Anne Shaw.
Daniel came west to Manitoba in 1870,
from Ontario, went to BC, back to Battleford SK.

Married Gertrude Rosina Ridington in 1924
b- Apr 26, 1898 in Foxwarren MB
d- Feb 8, 1973, Victoria BC, age 74, widow
daughter of William Richard Ridington
and Emily Louisa Day
they 5 children, 2 sons, 3 daughters.

Elevated to the Bench ca Feb 9, 1949, appointed Judge of the Estevan Judicial District.

Mar 22, 1923 Lee Dillage on trial for murder of Paul Matoff
killed on Oct 4, 1922 in Bienfait
King's Bench Court
Mr. Justice Bigelow presiding
he was found not guilty

William F. Nichol was the 1st Sheriff from ca 1914-1930
b- Mar 1866 in Ontario,
d- Aug 16, 1947 in Vancouver BC, age 81
He was the Homestead Inspector in 1911.

Judge Joseph Henry McFadden KC
b- Feb 28, 1892, Canard, King's Co, NS
d- Mar 9, 1967, in Hospital in Vancouver BC, age 75
Lived in Vancouver since 1965
Called to the Bar in SK in 1923, Practiced in Estevan for several years.
Appointed to the Bench as District Court Judge, at Arcola in 1940.
Appointed to Melville in 1951.
Attended school at Canard, King's Co
Attended Kings Co. Academy at Kentville.
Completed a course at the Agricultural College at Truro.
Joined Bank Of Nova Scotia.
Spent 5 years working at various places in NS.
Transferred to the Quebec Bank
spent a year in the General Manager's office, at Montreal.
Studied arts at St. Francis Xavier University, at Antigonish.
Graduated from Dalhousie University Law School at Halifax in 1922.
Personal friend of Angus L. McDonald. later Premier of NS.
After graduating from law School he read law with Walker, Daly and Rutledge.
He came to Regina in 1922, where he was associated with S. R. Curtin, his brother-in-law, prior to opening a practice in Estevan. One record says R. J. ? Newsome, a College friend, joined him in partnership, in 1924.
They opened a branch office in Weyburn, which was taken over by Newsome.
I believe this is really R.D. Newsome. Raymond Dawson Newsome. (see below)

Interested in growing wheat and flax, Judge McFadden continued on large farming operations, SW of Estevan.
Served 2 terms on Estevan Council. Later he became the Town Solicitor.
Official receiver under the Farmer's Creditors Arrangement Act.
3 years he was Agent of the Attorney-General, for the Judicial District of Estevan, Appointed Aug 4, 1937 in Estevan
Secretary of the Liberal Assoc. for a number of years.
Later President of the Estevan District Liberal Assoc.
Member of the Knights of Columbus, Estevan Rotary Club, and Estevan Elks Club.
Appointed King's Council in 1935
married Ellen Evangline Tompkins of Westmount Quebec, formerly of Halifax, in 1944.
Brother John McFadden in Canning NS
Father- Charles McFadden
Mother- Catherine O'Hearn

©