STANEEY BRIDGE

Those who are interested in the early histOry of the Island, especially around Stanley Bridge? will enjoy the following article written in 1904 by Mr. HedleyRcss9 a native of that village, but now a Doctor of Philosophy? rem siding in Saskatoon? Saskatchewana The Mr. Dougald Henry referred to, was the father of Mrs Hacker Henry, an interior decorator of Toronto, and Mra Nelson Henry, Kensington. Captain Andrew Bell was the grandfather of Dr. W. B. Howatt, Summerside. '

"One by one the early settlers of this province are passing away; most of the men and women who wrestled with the stumps in the virgin wilderness are now sleeping in quiet country ohurchyardso It is a pity that there have not been more rural historians to take down from their lips the simple but fascinating story of how they struggled and achieved. Something along this line has been done it is trueo Until within a very few years ago, the picturesque village of Stanley Bridge and its vicinity could boast of several residents of advanced years; men and women of individ= unlityg fond of the fireside tale. A few, a very few of them _ are still with us; ?

"Of this number is Mr. Dougald Henryg born in t 1817. His trade being that of a blacksmith? for about 50 years, he pounded an anvil in different sections of the Islandl and for most of the time in the village of Stanley Bridge, where on the banks of the lovely river he set up his roof tree in view of an expanse of land and water? whose charm- ing combination made a bit of scenery as picturesque as any which hangs in the great galleries of the world. The following notes were gleaned from Mr. Henry:

" 'I left the land of my birth, malpeque, 64 years ago and came to Cavendish, where at that time shipbuilding was carried on by Alexander and James Simpson. They used to launch from their yard two vessels a summer. My brother Was their blacksmith. I went to learn the trade with him and was there five years. From Cavendish I returned to M21- Peque, where I finished out my trade. my next move was to Winsloe Road after that to CharlottetoWn to work for a man named Charles C. Davis. This was about the year 1846. I

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