Georgetown Stories: 1919-1922 74

Soldiers’ Homecoming

“A splendid welcome was accorded the returned soldiers when a reception was held in the Town Hall on Thursday night, May 22nd. After complimentary remarks by Mayor Howard Macdonald and other prominent men of the town, a most delectable supper was served up, after which the floor was cleared and the remainder of the evening was spent in ‘tripping the light fantastic.’ The National Anthem terminated a most successful evening.” (Guardian, May 30, 1919)

Georgetown Smoker Re-opgned

“The smoker of the Georgetown Fish Company is almost filled with herring procured from the Magdalenes. These herring have been under smoke for about a week and in two weeks more will be ready to be boxed for shipment. The plant is under the capable management of Mr. George Guptill of Grand Manan, N.B. . He was in charge of the plant when it was first started about eighteen years ago. It ran for several years, then closed down. It is now being re— opened with good prospects of success. The company has a trap set off the entrance of the harbour but so far the catches of herring have been small. However, a sure supply is always available at the Magdalenes. The smoker employs about 18 hands. It is to be hoped for the sake of Georgetown and the industrial movement generally that prosperity will reward

the enterprise of the company.” (Patriot, May 27, 1919)

Cadet Coms Excels

“The Cadet Corps of the Georgetown High School was inspected by Lieut. Col. Leigh on Friday, June 27th. Col. Leigh expressed great satisfaction with the way in which the corps has been trained, stating that while their drill exercises quite equaled, their discipline surpassed that of any other corps he had inspected. This but corroborates the report that inspector Adams had given the pupils of the Georgetown High School and they are to be congratulated on their earning such an enviable reputation.” (Guardian, July 17, 1919)

Peace Day Celebrated

Georgetown celebrated Peace Day most enthusiastically on Saturday. A feature of the day was a patriotic parade. starting from the Town Hall and proceeding through the principal streets to the Exhibition Grounds. It was made up as follows:

automobile decorated with all the colors of the Allies; Veterans Band from Charlottetown; an artistically—arranged float representing Victory; Cadet Corps; float representing munitions workers and farmerettes; school children; float of Great Britain and her Allies; returned soldiers, including several army and navy men; townspeople inc. every man, woman and child; the Mayor. and Councilors.

The afternoon was taken up with a program of athletic sports including a bare—backed horse race, then an old—time picnic and in the evening a concert by the Veterans including a sing song and bonfire of 1,000 loads of brush. As the flames leaped to the sky, the band played “0 Canada.” The celebrations ended with thanks by His Worship Mayor Macdonald. (From Patriot July 21, 1919, front page.)

Changes in Georgetown, Fall 1919

“ J. J. Hughes & Co. have opened up the brick store formerly occupied by McDonald & Westaway. It has been renovated inside and put in excellent condition. The carpentry work was done under the capable supervision of Mr. A. Renton and the painting by Mr. Charles Johnson who is an artist second to none in this province, having learned his trade in London, England. This job has been pronounced by experts to be one of the finest jobs of painting they have ever seen. Mr. Renton’s is also a highly creditable piece of work. Capt. Charles Fitzgerald has his new fishing schooner, the Charlotte M ., lying at the Government Wharf while the finishing touches are being made. She has been pronounced by nautical experts to be one of the finest fishing vessels built in the Maritime Provinces. Long live the genial captain and may he long ply his craft in this line of industry.