Georgetown Stories: 1869- 1890 ‘5

Kings County Exhibition, 1869

The annual King’s County Agricultural Fair was held in Georgetown on Oct. 6 & 7, 1869. Exhibits were entered from every part of the county and prizes awarded. Among the awards in leatherwork were Angus McLean for the harness, Alexander Walker for the best riding saddle, Daniel Compton for the boots and shoes. Ezra Wickwire and James Cogswell also won in this category. Dr. Kay had the best fat cow. George Moar won for sheep, John Smith for his pig entry, Mary MacDonald for her pair of turkeys and Lonzo Lavers for his three ducks. In the vegetable competition, Michael Burke took the prize for the best cabbage, Mrs. Alex McDonald for tomatoes and pumpkins. Thomas Cameron exhibited the best bushel of timothy seed. Archie J. McDonald won for the best barrel of mackerel. The best window sash frame was made by Daniel Morrison. D. B. McPhee won for his set of harrows and Allan Morrison for his homespun suit of clothes. For work in cloth, Mrs. A.W. LeBrocq had the best hearth rug; Mary McDonald won for mitts and Mrs. A.A. Macdonald for her bead and needle work. New Perth entrants carried off

most of the prizes for flax and for cheese. (Islander, Oct. 15, 1869)

Death of Seminarian Thornton

“Towards the close of the year 1871, the Diocese of Charlottetown was called upon to mourn the death of James Thornton, one of the diocesan students preparing for the priesthood. This promising young man was born at St. Andrew’s Point, near Georgetown, and from an early age manifested a decided inclination for the sacred ministry. To prepare himself for the high calling he spent some time at St. Dunstan’s College and afterwards he entered the Grand Seminary of Montreal where he won the love and esteem of his superiors by his fervent piety and high respect for rule and discipline. Few, indeed, could look forward to a more useful career in the Church than young Thornton, when he was suddenly struck down with smallpox and died after only a few days illness.” From John C. MacMillan’s The History of the Catholic Church in Prince Edward Island, 1813, p 297.

The Eastern Advocate

Georgetown’s first newspaper, W Advocate, publisher, John Ross, ceased in Sept. 1872 after only a few years. (Patriot, Sept, 1872) The Geor etown Kin ’s Count Advertiser [Peter McCourt, editor] then began publishing and carried on for a number of years.

The Visit of Lieut—Gov. Robinson

Lieut. Governor Robinson visited the opening of the Annual King’s County Exhibition at Georgetown in Oct. 1872. The Editor of the Patriot, David Leard, observed that the addresses to the Lieut—Govemor by important Georgetown citizens were “servile”, even “‘umble. In contrast those in Montague, whom Robinson also visited on the occasion were “manly” and “ a model of what such addresses ought to be.” (Patriot, Oct. 17, 1872

The Georgetown Fire of 1872

A fire broke out in Georgetown in December, 1872. A number of buildings including “the beautiful white house on the corner” were destroyed, and six families made homeless. An article by Rev. Peter Melville in the Charlottetown Patriot relates that much more damage might have been done were it not for the heroism of many people who responded quickly when “the Kirk bell” was tolled. Melville wrote: “And long will it be remembered with tender hearts and wet eyes that the greatest loser of all strove first of all patiently and alone to save the town before he did anything to save his own goods.” One result of the fire was that a few days later, a public meeting set up a committee to ask for donations for a fire engine. Wm. Sanderson chaired the meeting. The committee appointed consisted of D. Gordon, W. Sanderson, J. J. Westaway, Michael Hession, Archibald J. McDonald, James MacDonald and Joseph Fairchild.” A.C. Stewart was secretary of the meeting. (Patriot, Dec. 15, 1872)