ODDS’N’SODS — The chauffeur who missed Ottawa

The column (T.N.M., Oct. 10/94) on Thayer Lindsley and Karl Springer by Philip Eckman brought back memories of the many times I travelled with “T.L.” (He was rarely addressed as Thayer.)

He graduated from Harvard in 1903. (One of his classmates, Franklin Roosevelt, went on to become president of the U.S.) He began his career as a civil engineer, after receiving a degree from Columbia, which included a few courses in geology.

I first met him in Noranda (now Rouyn-Noranda), Que., while working on one of his many exploration projects and, by 1955, had become closely associated with him. Travelling with T.L. was an “experience” and most trips were taken when he was in his late 70s, including a working trip around the world when he was a young 80.

A man of T.L.’s stature was offered many honorary doctorates, but he accepted only three — from Queen’s University in Ontario, St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia and Bates University in Maine. I was present at all three convocations but it is of the trip to Kingston, Ont., that I have the most vivid memories.

A uniformed chauffeur arrived at the door of my Toronto home and escorted me to the equivalent of what we now call a “stretch limo.” I knew this would be a working trip when T.L. asked me to sit on his “good ear” side and I saw a dozen black, bulging brief cases. (When T.L. asked me to seat a visitor to his office on the “bad ear” side, I knew he planned only a brief meeting.) As we headed off, the first briefcase was opened and I went to work answering his questions and making notes. Just east of Oshawa, I became aware of a “sudden braking” from time to time, but T.L. didn’t seem to notice. Looking up from the maps, I could see that we would approach a transport truck at high speed and then, rather than passing, the chauffeur would slam on the brakes just short of disaster.

I became alarmed as at that time my responsibilities included a wife, two children and two mortgages. I suggested to T.L. that I ask his chauffeur to drive more carefully and he replied, “Don’t you do any such thing as you could upset Edgar. He is my regular chauffeur when in Toronto. You see Edgar isn’t like most chauffeurs as he doesn’t talk too much and disturb my chain of thought, so he is my favorite. I admit his eyesight is not too good, but otherwise he is perfect.”

Somehow we managed to arrive at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, and that evening we visited Sen. Patterson at his home. Early the following morning, we drove to Montreal and based ourselves at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. T.L. told Edgar to take the rest of the day off. Knowing a series of meetings outside the hotel was on the agenda, I suggested he retain Edgar’s services. T.L. disagreed and told him to pick us up at 7 p.m.

We had a busy day and returned by taxi to the hotel at 5 p.m. Said T.L.: “I want to leave for Ottawa immediately. Call Edgar.” As gently as possible I reminded him about the 7 p.m. pickup. (Those were the days before the car telephone.)

The Friday evening traffic was heavy as we left Montreal, but as the sun set and it grew darker, out came the flashlights and we resumed work on the geological maps. Finally, I looked at my watch and noted that almost three hours had elapsed and we should be within sight of the bright lights of Ottawa. Nevertheless, it seemed extremely dark outside.

I watched for the next road sign, which read: “Perth — 5 miles.” Edgar had driven us almost 30 miles beyond Ottawa. It was just before midnight when we arrived at the Chateau Laurier.

The following day we drove to Kingston where we enjoyed the convocation at Queen’s. On arrival back in Toronto and feeling rather relieved, I thanked Edgar when he deposited me safely at my home. He had taken me on a ride I would never forget.

— J.A. Harquail is a professional engineer who resides in Toronto.