74 Commercial

shoemakers. We are inclined to forget that nothing came in bags or boxes in those days. Shoes in stores were on display in bins. Only in later times was there a distinction between the right and left boot. George Francis and James Dunphy were saddlers and harness makers.

l‘huu. Morin-V S Al'nrn "nurtvsy l’irlurou of the Paul by [tardy

W.B. Leard Tailor Shop staff(l9l4)

L—R: Waldron Brewer Leard, Carrie Paquet, Anna MacDonald, Herb Cheverie, Alice Peters. Hannah Shea. James Swallow, Milton Saunders.

Today, his daughter-in-law and two grandsons continue Souris‘ oldest surviving business - in the same building.

Tailors were very much in demand. W.B. Leard came to Souris in 1898, fresh from a winter’s course in New York City at the Mitchell Cutting School. He apparently had no fear ofcompetition from the four other tailors: James McQuaid, Norbert Pierce, John McQuaid and Ellie] Paquet. Men were well suited in those days in made to measure outfits of material oftheir own choice. At a time when the Leard Shop was occupied by W.B. Leard, tailor; J.B. Mellish, lawyer in the eastern section; and Matthew & McLean Company kept funeral supplies 0n the upper floor, the building was referred to as the “three suit" shop: the tailored suit. the law suit and the wooden suit or overcoat, cloth lined with imitation silver buttons—the last suit for everyone-"7