Community 125

Other Souris men who offered to serve the First District of King’s included John Geddie Stems, Frank Heartz, James W. Brennan and Thomas K. Kickham.

The Legislative Assembly remains today as the primary governing body in Prince Edward Island. Prior to 1903, however, there was an upper house called the Legislative Council. There bills passed in the Assembly received another reading before being signed into law by the Lieutenant Governor.

Thomas Kickham served in the Legislative Council from 1886 until the Council was abolished. Mr. Kickham was a general merchant, shipbuilder and postmaster in Souris West. He was the son of Edward Kickham, men- tioned earlier, and an ardent Liberal supporter. He made two attempts to enter the Assembly, first in 1893 in Third King’s and again in 1904 in First King’s.

Lawrence Kickham, in business with his brother, Thomas, was elected to the Legislative Council as a Liberal/ Conservative in 1878. He served until the election of 1882, when he did not re-offer. He died shortly after. Both he and his brother Thomas are buried in St. Alexis Roman Catholic Cemetery, Rollo Bay.

Peter A. MacIntyre, Souris doctor and King’s County coroner, was born in 1840. He was Railway Commissioner for Prince Edward Island 1872 to 1873 under the Liberal Government. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1874 and re-elected in 1882 and 1887. In June 1899, he accepted the appointment to position of Lieutenant Governor of the Province. He died on July 16, 1910 and is buried in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Souris.

Dr. Ephraim B. Muttart was born at Cape Traverse, March 7, 1839. He and Dr. MacIntyre, mentioned above, were both highly respected in Souris and the surrounding area that they served for many years. Dr. Muttart was elected to the House of Commons in 1878 but was defeated in 1882 and 1887 attempts to return under the Liberal/ Conservative banner. He died June 26, 1912 and is buried in Union Cemetery, Souris West.

James J. Hughes, born at St. Mary’s Road August 15, 1856 received his education at St. Dunstan’s College. He worked in the Merchants Bank in Halifax and was later manager of a branch in Souris. He left banking to become a general merchant, exporter and steamship agent. He was elected to the House of Commons in 1900 by the Liberals and re-elected in 1904, 191 1 and 1921. In September, 1925 he was called to the Senate. He died March 5, 1941 and is buried in St. Alexis Roman Catholic Cemetery, Rollo Bay.

In summary, Eastern King’s has been well represented in both Island and Dominion Governments. In addition, two Senators, John McLean and James J. Hughes, and two Lieutenant Governors, Dr. P.A. MacIntyre and (in later years) William J. MacDonald of Souris West, have come from this area.

Sports:

Long before Souris had an indoor rink, skaters had the use of a great outdoor arena from time to time. A nice winter thaw and rain, followed by a cold snap and Colville Bay became one large sheet of shining ice. But that didn’t happen often enough. Norris Pond was much more dependable as a skating rink. It was usually frozen hard enough by New Year’s Day. A skate there on a moonlit night with a bonfire burning on the shore and the cities could keep all their closed in rinks. But then word got going around about an