Heath had a high wagon coach hearse and a bob-sled hearse for winter use. He kept a good looking span of coal black horses to pull the coach in summer, but in winter he required only one horse for the bobsled hearse. The change to motor transportation also brought with it the motor hearse. Heath operated a Packard hearse and had an ambulance on 24 hour call. Some of the young men in the community assisted Heath in his business, and many tales are told of trips in the ambulance at all hours of the day and night.

Arthur Thomas, nephew of Heath, was the only resident to follow in the undertaking profession. Arthur went west, eventually settling in Richmond, BC. Heath’s brother-in-law, Lloyd Howatt; his nephew, Jimmy Howatt; and a North Tryon resident, Norman Wood, assisted Heath at the funeral home. The business closed when Heath passed away in 1977.

Child Birth

Pregnant women did not go to the hospital to have their babies until the 19405. Before this time the mothers had their babies at home or at a Nursing Home, attended by a country doctor or a mid-wife.

Several mid—wives, who assisted in child birth in our community, were the three MacKinnon sisters: Mae MacKinnon Dawson, Sarah MacKinnon MacKenzie, and Flora MacKinnon Thomas, as well as Margaret Riley Leard. Dr. Nelson Bovyer of Crapaud and later Dr. Everett Bell from Cape Traverse served this community in the early part of this century. Dr. Bovyer was followed by Dr. Peter MacDonald, Dr. David Stewart, Dr. Robert Lund, and now, Dr. Hendrick Visser in Crapaud. Dr. Bell was preceded by Dr. Docherty and followed by Dr. John Downing.

Mabel Sawler, a Registered Nurse, opened a Nursing Home in her house on the Crossroad in the late 19305. Expectant mothers went to Mrs. Sawler’s house about the time their baby was due and stayed until they were back on their feet after their baby was born. In those days new mothers were not permitted out of bed for at least two weeks but more likely a month. The new mother went to a relative’s house from Mrs. Sawler’s if she did not have help at home. Luela Lund Best, Tryon; Bea Lefurgey Dawson, Augustine Cove; Cicely Leard Stordy, Lady Fane; Dorothy MacDonald Muttart, Searletown; and Helen Lefurgey Sherren, Augustine Cove; were some of the mothers who had children born at Mrs. Sawler's Nursing Home.

Mothers now have their babies at the Prince County Hospital, Summerside, or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown. There was one instance in the community when a mother gave birth with only the assistance of the father. There was no time to get a doctor or

midwife. Mother and child did fine, and so did the father!

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