tague, Murray River, and Murray Harbour. In the last few years they extended their lines into the rural districts, and now many of the farm homes enjoy the benefit of electric power in their buildings. It might 1ave taken the Montague Electric Light Company a little longer to ac- complish all this, but they could have done it, and their initial success proves that contention. They had a capable man in the person of R. K. Clements, to superintend the line work and the wiring of homes. In his annual report to the company in 1918, the president, the late W. L. Poole gave R. K. Clements great credit for his work with the company. Mr. Clements’ service was retained by the new company, and he is still actively engaged as manager of the Montague branch. It is close to fifty years since “Bob", as we all call him, was engaged by the Montague Electric Light Co., and he is going strong yet.
The churches were the first buildings, apart from the homes, to have the lights installed. I remember how a number of us young chaps would form a half circle in front of the switch board in vestibule of the Church of Christ. We would catch hands, and, the one at each end of the half— circle would place his index finger on a certain place on the side of the switch box, and whew, what a sensation. It was a risky and foolish thing to do, but “ignorance” was “bliss" to us, and we got a thrill out of it.
When the plant was located in MacDonald‘s Mills an unfortunate incident occurred. Wendell Gordon, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter Gor— don, was employed by Mr. MacDonald. Wendell‘s job was somewhat of a watchman’s job, he was to be there at six in the evening, and at mid- night he would shut the power off. Whatever he was doing, his clothing came i noontact with a shaft, and he was whirled around until his two feet were beaten to a pulp. Someone heard the noise, and stopped the machinery. His two legs had to be amputated near or at the knees. He was fitted with artificial limbs. His aunts enabled him to study law in Boston, Mass. I have heard nothing about him for years.
For a number of years Russell Finley, who is still working for the Maritime Electric Light C0,, in Charlottetown, was in charge of the plant or power house here. Russell is a wonder for his years. He is en— gaged in many activities. He has even taken swimming lessons as re— cently as last summer, and came through with flying colors.
The writer has overlooked a few items, which prove to be of inter— est. We have stated that by an Act of the P. E. Island Legislature, the Montague Electric Light Company was incorporated, Frcliay, the 19th dry oi May, 1899. The first or provisional Board of Directors were: Norman J. MacDonald, George Wightman, George A. Thompson, Donald L. lx’lacKinnon, Daniel G. Cameron, W. L. Poole, and Patrick Kelly. The first shareholders meeting of which there is any record was held on June 21, 1899, when the following directors wree appointed, viz.: George W'igiitman, Patrick Kelly, D. MacKenzie, D. A. MacKinnon, and George A. Thompson. George W'ightman was appointed president, Norman J. MacDonald, manager, and John A. Stewart, sec’y-treasurer. At the meet- ing the sec’y—treasurer was voted a commission of 5 per cent of all revenue collected by him for the company.
After the plant was moved from the MacDonald Mill property to the Keith mill site, it was difficult to get a competent man to operate it. Several tried it, among them were Ivan Griffiths and Michael Rice. There were times when the company was obliged to get a man from the Charlottetown Light and Power Co., to come here and make repairs, and that was costly. This was done several times, until it was learned that right here in Montague there was a competent man who could get them out of their difficulties. That man was Albert Martin. Mr. Martin had taken a college course in Electrical Engineering. He was called upon January 17, 1917, when Montague was in darkness. The Light and Power
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