A DEVASTATING FIRE Jimmy Hughes came to Bear River from Saint Mary's Road in the 1920's after serving in the armed forces during World War I. His brother Stephen, was living in Bear River at the time, and he came to help him in his farming operation. While here, he met his wife Marion McGaugh and they were married in 1929. ' Jimmy purchased a farm in this community and became a successful farmer. Although small in stature, he was a very energetic and ambitious man who was always well-organized. In the 1930's when money was scarce he would always have a crate of eggs to sell at the local grocery store. If he was going to Souris he would take along a load of split wood, and sell it for four or 1Ue °jmTmy and Marion did not have any children of their own, but were very happy to help Jimmy's brother, Stephen, and Marion's sister, Alice It so happened that after their seventh child was born Alice suffered from appendectomy and had to go to Charlottetown for an operation. Martina was only two-and-a-half months old; so, Marion and Jimmy were delighted to help out and look after the baby. She remained with them, and continued to be close to her brothers and sisters who lived nearby. ii^'.^m* One morning, Jimmy was up early since he was selling some hogs that day. When the truck was leaving, Jimmy went with the driver to make the delivery. Some time later, Marion thought she heard rain or snow. She glanced out through the window, and saw smoke coming through the barn-door. She hurried outside, to discover that the barn was ablaze. She managed to open a gate in a pen and two heifers were able to escape. However, all the other animals that were in the barn were lost in the fire. They were now without milk, cows, 70