A BEAR RIVER ROADMASTER

John H. MacKinnon was a prosperous farmer living in Bear River in the early 1920's, who had a mixed farming operation. He managed to have something ready for market every month of the year. In this way he always had cash on hand to pay for unforseen expenses, or for an emergency.

John was a very well organized farmer. One hot day, he had engaged the help ,of some young men to help him with the hay. During the early afternoon, the pole broke in the wagon and the boys thought that they would get the afternoon off. Instead, he went up to the granary loft, and to their dismay, returned with a new one. He replaced the broken pole, and they were back at work within a half an hour. He always had extra parts on hand which he made during his spare time.

John was a very charitable man who would be an asset to any community. If anyone was sick or needed help, he was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. At that time there was a destitute family living in the community. Dan Maclsaac and his wife, Kate, had a family of four children. Dan lost a leg; so, farming was an enormous difficulty for him. There was no compensation in those days; so, John would make arrangements with the local farmers to go and help put up the hay and grain for the cattle for the winter. Later in the fall, they would return to plough, and do the other chores, so that Dan and his family could survive the winter.

If there was sickness in the community, John was the first to appear on the scene, doing his part to help in any way he could. On one occasion, a man in the area became very sick, and his wife and daughter needed assistance at night to care for him. Once again, John made arrangements with some other men in the district, and they took

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