38 Stave“ (m [/18 [it/54c

which began in 1893 and lasted with some intervals into the Great War, was published in French (though the advertising was all in English). The Impartial was not a local community newspaper, but one designed to serve the Island’s Acadian community. It contained local, Island, and world news, many educational articles, a serial story, and plenty of curious or shocking fillers. It brought its readers in touch with the wider world, and was read as far away as New Brunswick. It was strongly in favour of progress — except in the Catholic Church, to which it was rather hysterically loyal - and changed its political allegiance from impartial to liberal later in its career. In general, it was much like other small—town newspapers of the time. Its interest for us lies in the fact that not only did it exist, but that it survived for twenty— two years, and that it advocated friendly relations with anglophones. In addition, it helped to make Tignish a centre among Acadian communities for some years. It also put the finishing touch on Tignish as a small town. Now that it had its own newspaper, its status as a town was quite clear.

Buote Printing Office, Circa 1900

Documents and photos on pp. 38-41 courtesy of the]. Henri Gaudet Collection