40 A Bridge To The Past

For a time the machine shop on the Taylor Road was operated by Mr. Miller and his son. They were often called on to repair tread mills and to assist Mr. Clark of Clark's Mills when a breakdown occurred at the saw or

grist mill.

John Dickieson, another manufacturer and dealer in farm machinery, was the son of Daniel Dickieson who lived on the property now owned by Floyd Caseley. John Dickieson started business at Ross Corner and later moved to Summerside. He imported farm machinery for local farmers and was classed as an agent for several companies. His brother, Reuben, who lived on the home place until 1909, was an agent for barbed wire.

CARRIAGE SHOPS AND CABINET MAKERS

The carriage and cabinet maker was a man of many skills and his ex- pertise was often put to use in times of need or in response to some require- ment in the community. His trade required a knowledge of wood and wood— working, a certain skill in staining, painting and varnishing, and some ex— perience in upholstery. These skills would all be required as he worked away in his carriage shop.

His stock of aged and air—dried lumber would be his first concern and even as the tree stood in the woodlot it would be ear-marked for a special purpose. A slight curve in the trunk would be ideal for sleigh runners and wagon shafts, while the clean, straight tree would make planks and boards. The Island’s forests could supply some hardwoods; and softwoods were readily available. From this stock of dry wood he would also make tables and chairs, cupboards and Sideboards, linen chests and bedsteads. He could fashion a solid but plain pine coffin, line it with some material bought at the country store, and help the grief stricken family in a time of bereavement. If he decided to specialize in the furniture line he would become known as a cabinet maker.

One such person was George Doull, who in the Census Report of 1861 had made four carriages. His shop was near Rolling Bank Cottage on land now owned by Kenneth Clark. Mr. Doull later moved to Summerside and became a well-known furniture maker. The shop was used for a short while by Mr. Samuel Burrows who made sleighs. wagons, and furniture. One set of table and chairs, which were made by him that are now over one hundred years old. are in daily use in the home of his grandson. Records show that an earlier carriage maker, Malcolm W. Donald, was a busy worker. He lived in the eastern section of Wilmot Valley near John Picketts. In 1861 he made twenty-seven carriages. This would suggest that his services were sought by people outside the community who would come to him when they needed a new carriage.