Here's something I took from the microfilm machine a couple of months ago from the Peterborough Examinor if Monday, July 16, 1956 "INSEPARABLE" CLEGHOURNS REJOINED IN DEATH. LALONDE SUFFERES SEIZURE -------------------------------------------------------------------- Montreal (CP) Sprague and Odie Cleghorn, the inseperabule star's of professional hockey's early days, were rejoined in death Saturday. Oddie, the dapper little forward believed in finesse rather than force on the ice, was found dead when his sister went to waken him to attend the funeral of brother Sprague, whose favourite moments in hockey came when he was in the center of a brawl. "I'm sure Odie died of a broken heart," said Ottawa sportsman Tommy Gorman, an old-time friend ot the brothers. "They were inseperable". LIKE TWINS ---------- Leo Dandurand, veteran Montreal sportsman and a long-time friend of the Cleghorns, said "They were almost like twins ". Sprague died Thursday of injuries received June 20 when he was struck by a car. Odie appeared in good health when he greeted mourners who visited the funeral parlor to pay their respects to the all-time defence great. But he told his friends: "I guess I haven't too much longer to go. You know I'm only a year younger than Sprague". Sprague was 66 and Odie 65. SEVERE SHOCK ------------ The news of Odie's death came as a severe shock to those who had not heard of it before going to attend Sprague's funeral. Dandurand, his voiced choked with emotion. had difficulty believing Odie was dead" "Odie was very well yesterday" he said. "Nobody knew he has a heat condition". Odie was recognized as one of the greatest stickhandlers of all time. When his playing days as a centre and right-winger were over he beceme an outstanding referee. Strangely, as a coach, Odie was a man mainly responsible for the end of the era of the 60-minute man at which both he and Sprague thrived. THREE FORWARD LINES ------------------- As coach of a weak Pittsburgh team, he instituted the system of using three forward lines and changing them often to get the best out of his players. Soon every team adopted the plan. Odie was always fastidious about his clothes and even appearing on the ice he would carefully comb his hair. Sprague, rough and always ready for a battle, was an extrovert and given to practical jokes. Sprague was also the self-appointed protector of Odie and engaged in many fights because someone had roughed up his brother. BRAWL WITH NEWSY ---------------- One of the bitterest brawls in his career was a result of this. Sprague thought Newsy Lalonde, another all-time great was picking on Odie and the two started a fight that ended with Sprague on a stretcher and both under arrest. "Newsy, who became a good friend of the Cleghorns, suffered a heart attack Friday and has been confined to bed. Mrs. Lalonde said he spent a comfortable day yesterday but was allowed no visiters. She added that he had talked of little else but Sprague's death the day prior to his attack. Newsy is 69. Odie and Sprague started their hockey careers with Montreal Westmounts in the old Provincial League. They went to New York to play for the St.Nicholas squad for a year but returned to Canada to join the famed Renfrew Millionaires. After a year there they returned to their native Montreal to join the Wanderers. Odie's playing career was interupted by service in the First World War. In 1918, when the Westmount arena burned down. Odie switched to Montreal Canadians and Sprague went to Ottawa to finish his career with the senators. Sprague helped the Senators win two Stanley Cups before hanging up his skates. Funeral service for Odie will be held at the game church Saturday. Re: 1927 Canadian Diamond Jubilee Lacrosse Medal -------------------------------------------------- Please find enclosed my finding regarding researching by Dads medal. If there is anything else that I can supply, please let me know. My Dads name was Louis Rockburne and had joined the Ottawa Fire Department in 1918, after returning from the 1st., world war. I will await your opinion on the best way to transfer the medal, however, my curiosity is telling me to drive down to see your site. Best regards.. Ed rockburne. THE CANADIAN DIAMOND JUBILEE LACROSSE MEDAL In 1927 Canada celebrated it's Diamond Jubilee, and Col. Charles Lindbergh was invited to join in the celebration. During his stay, an exhibition game of Lacrosse was performed on his behalf at the Ottawa's Landsdowne Park on the Saturday afternoon of July 2, 1927, between the Ottawa Firemen and the Ottawa Emmetts of the Ottawa Professional Lacrosse League. The hard fought match was won by the Ottawa Emmetts by a score of 5 to 3. Col. Charles Linbergh presented the Gold Diamond Jubilee Medals to the winners, and Silver Diamond Jubilee Medals to the losers. Other Dignitaries present were; The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon., W.L. Mackenzie King, The United States Ambassador, Hon., William Phillips and the Mayor of the City of Ottawa, J.P. Balharrie. INCIDENTAL INFORMATION The Ottawa Professional Lacrosse League at the time, consisted of four teams; The Ottawa Firemen, The Ottawa Emmetts, The City of Hull, P.Q. and The Lauriers. MEDAL RESEARCH BACKFROUND AND COMMENTS I spent considerable time researching this medal and events by searching the following areas; The Canadian National Archives, The Canadian National Library, The City of Ottawa Library, The Royal Canadian Mint, The Governor General Archives, The Dictionary of Canadian Medalists, by Robt. C. Willey's, The Canadian numismatic Research Society, the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper, 1927, The Ottawa Journal Newspaper, 1927, The records of Henry Birks and Sons Jewelers Limited, The records of Ellis Bros., Limited, The Ottawa Fire Department records, and several emails were sent to the Royal Mint, London, England without recieving a reply. COMMENT: Most of the information regarding the exhibition lacrosse game and Col. Charles Lindbergh's visit was obtained from the pages of the Ottawa Citizen and the Ottawa Journal Newspapers. dated July 2nd, and 4th, 1927. Information about where the Medal was struck was very hard to determine. Many of the Meadals were struck for various groups, such as ones to hand out to school children, Dignitaries, and various sporting events. It was learned that some Medals were struck at the Royal Mint, located at that time, in Ottawa as a division of the Royal Mint of London, and others, including sports Medals, were provided by Ellis Bros. Limited of Toronto. It was Ellis Bros., that I'm inclined to believe, provided the Diamond Jubilee Lacrosse Medals for this occation. ASTONISHING; The Ottawa Fire Departmens Historian, had no information regarding the Professional Lacrosse Team, nor were they aware that they had ever had one. Further, in all my research, it appears that this Diamond Jubilee Lacrosse Medal, is the only one available. In fact, not even a photograph of one was available. The only Jubilee Medal located was at the Canadian National Archives, where they have the personal one presented to the Governor General Wellington, which was a dignitaries medal. No one from the Public were allowed to touch the Medal because it is so rare. It appears that this Diamond Jubilee Lacrosse Medal is extremely rare, and may be the only one in existence today. I will attempt to get a photo of the team, but if not, I'll one of my Dad in his Firemans Uniform. Please advise by phone or mail (My computer is infected), the best and secure way to get the medal to you. Yours sincerely; Ed. Rockburne