"Mr. Geo. Stoddart has been awarded the contract of the Middleton School, which is to be either of cement of brick and finished by Dec. 1st."

"Yesterday afternoon Mr. Geo. Stoddart met with a serious accident. He was working on the new school building at Middleton, and the scaffold on which he was standing at the time gave way precipitating him, and Mr. Fred McKay, to the ground a distance of about 25 feet. Mr. McKay escaped unhurt, while Mr. Stoddart sustained a broken leg at the ankle. The nature of the break is considered to be quite serious, and may mean amputation of the right foot."

"Dr. Bruce, of Toronto, was called here, professionally, on Saturday afternoon last to see Mr. Geo. W. Stoddart who had sustained a broken leg, at the ankle, a few days previously. The Dr. arrived here in his auto and remained a little more than an hour. We understand he expressed no fear of serious results and spoke hopefully of the break properly healing in due time."

"Mr. Geo. Stoddart, who is in the General Hospital, Toronto, continues in a very critical condition. Besides a broken leg other troubles of an inward nature have developed and the latest reports have not been encouraging."

"The school opened this week with Mr. Duncan McArthur in charge. He comes highly recommended and your scribe wishes him success. We have a fine school house with large play ground."

S.S. # 6 Middleton School. This school was built in 1908 on the same site as the old school (first built in 1850, moved to become a barn in Bond Head) by T.D. Stoddart.

See the related articles for information on its construction and George Washington Stoddart's accident during construction. These small articles from the Bradford Witness & South Simcoe News in 1908 and 1909 on the construction of Middleton School S.S. #6 were found through the research of the Bradford Heritage Committee.

"Tenders will be received by the undersigned up to the 20th July, 1908, for the erection of a new School House in S.S. No. 6, West Gwillimbury. For plans and specifications apply to T.D. Stoddart."

"We are informed that Mr. Geo. Stoddart who met with an accident at our school house, and who is at the Toronto General Hospital, is able to move himself around in an easy chair."

The old Hollows schoolhouse on the Middletown Sideroad of West Gwillimbury. In 1863, this school was built by John Garbutt on his lot (Con. 12, lot 11) so his children would not need to walk as far. The school burned down in 1888 and a new, brick one was erected very soon after by William Bingham (pictured here), with William Tindall as the first teacher, later minister in the Methodist church. The new school opened September 29, 1888 with celebration and games. Like many around it, this school was closed and sold in 1960, though the building later became the Hollow Community Centre. The renovated school house is currently the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Skitteral. The mature maple trees on the property were planted by the students in the photo.

"The Trustees of School Section No. 6, West Gwillimbury are asking for tenders for re-modelling of the old school, also for building a new school. For plans and specifications apply to T.D. Stoddart. The lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Tenders closed the 11th March."