Outing. v.15 (Oct 1889-Mar 1890), 29. Most of Toronto’s wealthiest citizens belonged to private clubs such as The Granite Club and prestigious churches such as St. James Cathedral. They wintered at the same resorts. In many ways the wealthiest class in Toronto was like a small village, as Leslieville had been. They were god parents to each other’s children; They went to the same schools and universities. They married each other and buried each other and lie in the same cemeteries. Often they are in huge, elaborate mausoleums like those in St. James Cemetery and Mount Pleasant Cemetery. They also gossiped, had affairs, shared good times and bad, grieved over lost children. In short they were human just like anyone else — no better and no worse. There was little “old money” in Toronto and many had climbed the social ladder through hard work, risk-taking, luck and good timing. Though some were scoundrels in pinstrips, most were more or less devout, principled and generous. When the Shacktown Crisis hit, they had the money to make a difference. And they gave it.
Leslieville Historical Society 