Community 123 Politicians: (By Waldron Leard)

The First District of King’s has been in existence as a dual elective riding since at least 1831. For the most part, over the years, Lots 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47 have been scenes of spirited political debate as they picked representatives to go to the Provincial Legislative Assembly. The odd exception has occurred with opposing candidates being elected by acclamation. For example, in 1882 and again in 1890, the Liberal and Conservative party organizations met and agreed to nominate John McLean for the Conserva- tives and James R. MacLean (no relation) for the Liberals as candidates, thereby eliminating the need for an election campaign.

The first man from the Souris area to be elected to the Assembly was Donald Beaton, a well known Souris merchant. He first took the seat in 1850 but was defeated in 1854 by Peter Macgowan. He stood for election in 1863 and was a member of the Legislature during the momentous events of the Charlottetown Conference which eventually led to Confederation. How- ever, he passed away before his term of office was over and lies buried in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery.

In 1859, John Knight was an elected representative during the term of Premier Edward Palmer. He served in the Legislature until the 1863 election when he was defeated by Donald Beaton. John Knight died in 1875 and was buried in Union Cemetery, Souris West.

In 1867, Edward Kickham was successful in seeking a seat in the Legisla- tive Assembly. He was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1805. He came to the Island in 1830 and was a successful farmer and shipbuilder at Souris West. He also served as a Justice of the Peace. His tombstone in St. Alexis Cemeitery says “His kind and gentle disposition endeared him to many frien s.”

The Hon. James R. MacLean, merchant, farmer and Notary Public, was born at East Point, April 9, 1842. He married Mary Armstrong, daughter of Hftarai. Joseph Wightman of Summerside, in 1870 and came to Souris shortly a r.

In 1869, be defeated Conservative W.W. Sullivan in a by-election and first sat in the Legislature in 1870. He was on the Executive Council in 18724873. He was unsuccessful in his bid for a federal seat in 1873 but was re—elected to his House of Assembly seat that year and again in 1876. In 1879 he was defeated by J .C. Underhay of Fortune but re-elected in 1882, serving in the Liberal Government from then until his retirement from politics in 1900. In 1891, he was appointed to the Executive Council as Commissioner of Public Works. He served in this capacity under the administrations of Hon. Fred Peters, Hon. A.B. Warburton and Hon. James Farquharson. He sat on the Board of Governors of Prince of Wales College and was a Major in the active Mi itia.

On the day James R. MacLean died, the flag flew at half mast over the Provincial Building. A special train left Charlottetown for Souris the day of his funeral which was held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Pallbear- ers were John McLean, M.L.A., R.R. MacDonald, C.H. Stems, A.E. Clarke, Captain Dominic MacDonald and Captain Lanigan.

John McLean, born at Mount Herbert September 23, 1846, attended Prince of Wales College and later taught school for two years. In 1869, he came to Souris and, with partner Uriah Matthew, formed a general mer- chandising business called Matthew, McLean & Company.