34 A Bridge To The Past

The mills were operated for many years by several generations of the Clark family. Their advertisements and activities often found space in the Summerside Journal and other newspapers. In 1867 George Clark was running an ad stating, “Shingles! Shingles! At Clark’s Mills, Wilmot Val- ley.” Then a few years later in 1874, Theophilus Clark was offering for sale the valuable land and mill property, the farm of George Doull, bordering on Wilmot Creek. Sometime in the next few years a fire must have destroy- ed the mill as a news item appeared in March, 1886 reads, “Theophilus Clark has begun work on his new mill over the ashes of his old mill”. One month later the story continues in a notice: “Theophilus Clark is putting the machinery in his new mill which will shortly be completed and running”. And in late May of the same year: “Clark’s new steam mill has started”. In 1891 a new miller is operating the mill as stated in the ad, “George Robin— son of Clark’s Mills has planed lumber, woven wire fencing, and pearl bar- ley for sale”.

Mr. Robinson, while in charge of the mill, had one misfortune as told in the following news story: “The waste gate at Robinson’s mill dam, Wilmot Creek gave way at noon on Saturday last. When the men who were working in the mill went to dinner everything was as usual but when they returned to work they found the water rushing in a flood through the broken gate. The damage was repaired as soon as possible and the mill is again running”.

At the turn of the century a big improvement was made in the flour mill and the following notice appeared in the Summerside Journal of July, 1902: “Mr. Ewen Clark of Clark’s Mills, Wilmot, has installed a roller press for flour making and has enlarged and thoroughly renovated his mill which now has a capacity of forty barrels of flour per day. By the roller press Mr. Clark is able to turn out A-l flour equal to the best imported flour but much lower in price as he is determined to put only a first—class article on the market. Our farmers would do well to patronize the mill which is

now right up-to-date in every respect”.

Ewen Clark continued to operate the mills for many years and like the previous operators, he hired men to help him when necessary. A house nearby was available for renting and was often referred to as “the miller‘s house.” The earlier millers often lived in their own homes in the community and perhaps had a small farm as well. One such man was Joseph Smallwood who lived nearby. Chester Palmer also worked at the mill for many years during the time that George Robinson was in charge. Both these men moved to Summerside and opened a mill and bakery.

Other men who helped to keep Clark’s Mills a going concern throughout the years of greater activity were: Walter Warren, Prince Leard, Heath Durant, Johnson Haywood and Heath Clark.