It isn’t the page of “Odd Items - A Man’s Physical Condition Expressed In Numbers” (an early version of Body Mass Index). We quickly realized a man with a numerical value of more than 35 was deemed “unfit for service” and probably a lot of other things, as well.

It isn’t the June 1903 calendar which noted 3 ember days (fasting days) on June 3, 5 and 6. June 4, we’re told, is to remember Jacques Viger who was elected first Mayor of Montreal in 1833. We’re quite certain that was important at the time.

Rather, it was the back cover notation that read “PRESENTED WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF J.A. SCOTT, CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST, TAVISTOCK, ONT.”

Who was J.A. Scott? That was the attraction.

He was James Scott, born in 1879. He graduated fourth in a class of 130 in the University of Toronto Pharmacy exams and was also a graduate of the Toronto Opthamalic College. He first appears in the Tavistock Gazette in March of 1900 in a front-page ad that asks “How Is Your Sight?” and then proceeds to list 8 symptoms that indicate “attention today is needed”. Mr. Scott’s ad offered the “most approved treatment and total satisfaction along with free consultation”. He was quite the marketing man. The Local News column, again on the front page, begins with “Let Scott help you see. For eye symptoms see Scott’s ad”. Judicial placement of ads and reminders through the newspaper was a hallmark of Mr. Scott.

The Christmas ads for The Medical Hall that he operated included promotions for everything from Ebony Goods (hair brushes and mirrors) to Perfumes to Bibles (10 cents and up) to Celluloid Goods (handkerchief boxes). A short while later he was selling cream of tartar and kitchen spices. After that came note paper. All this in addition to medicine and eyeglasses. There was, indeed, something for everyone at The Medical Hall. The Medical Hall was located on Hope Street and would later be Lemp’s Pharmacy at 16 Hope Street West, Tavistock.

In 1903 the Gazette stated that The Medical Hall business was sold and went on to say “Mr. Scott’s action caused great surprise in town for he had an excellent growing business. He purposes spending a year or so in large American cities. We’re sorry to see Mr. Scott leave town, for he is a number one fellow, popular with all”.

J.A. Scott was, indeed, a popular and busy boy. He was instrumental in organizing the Debating and Literary Society along with his friend and travelling companion, A.O. Murray, the photographer. On a lighter note he won a prize at the ice carnival for his Johnny Canuck costume. At a local tennis match between the Fat Men and the Thin Men he was a Fat Man winner. In a football match between the Lutherans and the Presbyterians, Mr. Scott played half back and helped the Presbyterians to victory. The Gazette stated “Oatmealists The Victors”.

The very last mention in the newspaper of J.A. Scott reported that he had a desirable position with the Frazer Tablet Company in Chicago.

The photo above is thought to be of J. A. Scott in front of his "Medical Hall" on Hope Street West and photographed by A. O. Murray.