Georgetown Stories : 1891-1900 27

Lantana and Crew Go Down

The brigantine Lantana , owned by Messrs. Macdonald & Westaway, Georgetown, was wrecked off the coast of Newfoundland. Captain and crew all drowned. (Weekly Examiner, Jan. 9, 1891)

Georgetown’s Population.

The census of 1891 revealed that Georgetown’s population, including the Royalty was 1,060 compared with 1,118 in 1881. (Weekly Examiner, Jan. 15, 1892)

Farewell to Ewen Stewart

Principal Ewen Stewart of Georgetown High School was given a “handsome parlour lamp” as a farewell present by the pupils of the school. (Weekly Examiner, Oct. 23, 1891)

Concert at Georgetown

“The Georgetown band under the direction of D. A. McKinnon, gave a successful concert in the town hall on St. Patrick’s evening. The audience was large, orderly and attentive, and seemed greatly to appreciate the fine playing of ‘the boys’. The music of the band was interspersed with readings, recitations, and singing which added much to the pleasure and variety of the entertainment. Special mention might be made of the violin playing of Mr. Peter Morrison, the reading of Mr. C. W. McDonald and the solo singing of Mr. D. H Logan. Mr. Mackinnon’s address at the opening of the concert was very neat, pointed and in good taste.” (Patriot Mar. 21, 1892)

6

‘Great Day at Georgetown”

“The athletic sports races at Georgetown yesterday were a great success. The weather was fine and clear and the attendance of the spectators was large. [A later report said that 1400 attended] The greatest interest was taken in the athletic sports which began shortly after 10 o’clock. The judges were A. J. Macdonald, Ewen McGregor and Dr. Stewart.” The events included putting the stone, hammer throwing,

running jump, etc. Dr. Stewart demonstrated his own prowess at the stone. Among the prize winners were Benjamin F. Stewart, William McDonald, R. F. Stewart, A. MacDonald and J. MacDonald. The program was interrupted by the time coming for the horse races, and these took so long that they never got back to the athletics. (Further details of the event in Weekly Examiner, July 8th & July 15th, 1892)

The Georgetown Fire, 1893.

“The fire started in the loft of Dr. Barnes’ stable in the rear of his residence on Main St. where it spread to the Doctor’s dwelling—house which, with the stable, was soon reduced to ashes. From Dr. Barnes’ residence the flames spread to the Russell House, owned and occupied by Mr. Angus McLean and soon that fine structure with the outbuildings in the rear was razed to the ground. Around the comer the fire worked its way wiping out the existence of Walker’s harness shop and barn. Next, two fine dwelling-houses owned by Capt. James Burke and the outbuildings belonging thereto came to grief and the Salvation Army Hall also succumbed. Then Thomas McEvoy’s house was also destroyed. A stable belonging to Hon. A. J. Macdonald was badly scorched. The origin of the fire is unknown. Dr. Barnes was absent from home at the time. the fire was discovered by a man named Hebert who was going fishing. Most of the furniture from the different houses was saved... “ (Part of a longer account in the Weekly Examiner of June 1, 1893) On June 9th a further comment on the fire was printed. This was from Father A. E. Burke whose father had lost his home. Burke said that the house of Mrs. Henry was also lost and that much of Mr. McLean’s stock had gone, but that Capt. Burke was the greatest loser in that he “had not a cent of insurance” due to a recent disagreement with the insurance company. Some others were insured. The loss was estimated at $12,000. he moral of the story for some was that Georgetown should organize a fire department. (Weekly Examiner, June 2, & June 9th, 1893)

Parmenas McLeod and Lucy Maud Montgomeg

. Among those passing the entrance exams to

Prince of Wales College in 1893 was Parmenas