J.W. Brown is listed in the 1901 Census as a General Merchant. One of his daughters, Fannie, married Wesley Milligan. Another daughter, Millie, married Will Ellis. R.J. MacNeill bought the store from J.W. Brown in 1908 and sold it in 1925 to Clifford Hayes, Oliver MacKay and G. Shelton Sharp, who operated the business under the name of Hayes, MacKay, and Sharp. Later G.S. Sharp and his wife, Bessie, continued keeping store for a few years. About 1946, Clair and Blanche Montgomery began operating the general store. Living quarters were upstairs. On the evening of December 26, 1949 while they were away, fire broke out and destroyed the entire building.

The following account of the fire was published in THE JOURNAL-PIONEER on Thursday, December 29, 1949:

FIRE DESTROYS TYNE VALLEY STORE

A fire of unknown origin which for a time threatened to destroy the entire village of Tyne Valley completely destroyed the general store and living quarters of RC. Montgomery Monday evening. The blaze which was dis- covered about five o’clock by a passerby was too far advanced when dis- covered to be controlled as far as Mr. Montgomery’s property was con- cerned. Fortunately, there was no wind at the time which made it possible for the local Fire Brigade to prevent a further spread of conflagration.

Alarms sent in to the RCAF at Summerside and to the O’Leary Fire Department were responded to in short order, but on their arrival it was found that the local brigade had controlled the blaze and prevented it from spreading to the closely adjoining buildings.

The Cable of the Island Telephone Company was burned out, but a crew of workmen under the direction of Mr. Leigh Stewart were able to estab- lish connection with Summerside ‘by nine o’clock. For a time several adjoining business establishments were severely threatened, including the funeral parlors of Mr. Roy Phillips where a body had to be hastily removed from the morgue to prevent its destruction.

The general store of Mr. Montgomery was taken over by him about three years ago from Mrs. Bessie Sharp, and was one of the most up to date coun- try stores in the province, having a large stock of goods on hand, including groceries, clothing, household furnishings, etc. as well as a privately operat- ed electric plant.

Living quarters were maintained in the second storey, and all household

38 Roors & BRANCHES