More Georgetown Stories

1838- 1899

Fightin’ Words “To the Editor of the Patriot,

Dear Sir,

In the Examiner of the 22nd inst., there appeared a letter intended to be an answer to a communication in a previous edition of the Herald signed ‘Georgetonian’, over the signature of ‘Another Georgetonian’ in which I am wantonly and maliciously dragged before the public. The writer or writers broadly insinuated that I am the author of the article in question. I emphatically deny having any knowledge of the letter of a ‘Georgetonian’ until I read it in the columns of the Herald. The tone of ‘Another Georgetonian’s’ letter and the animus he displays in the precious effusion bear the unmistakable impress of a prominent official proverbial for his cowardice in clandestinely attacking and slandering all those who to whom he may be opposed. If my surrnises as to the principal author are correct he has not hitherto been distinguished for his brilliancy of intellect or literary talent nor has the obtuseness of his mental vision been improved by his newly-found literary associates. The innuendoes contained in the splenetic production are beneath notice. I now dismiss him and if he wants a fair til_t let him doff his cowardly mask and appear with his real name and I shall take pleasure in measuring swords with him in the cause of right and fair play. ‘Come on Macduff.’

William Wightman”

(Patriot, Jan 27, 1872)

A Daring Rescue

“We are glad to be able to report the arrival of the derelict barque Enigram.. Mr. P. Foley of this city [Charlottetown] and some others boarded her five or six weeks ago off East Point, and a few days afterward, his father, Capt. Foley, started from Georgetown with sails, provisions etc. for the abandoned ship. On account of the ice he was unable to reach her until Thursday last. After a great deal of trouble and excitement, Mr. Foley and his men succeeded in working his prize into Georgetown Sunday. Tuesday evening she anchored off Point Prim and she in now in port [Charlottetown]. For a long time their friends at home were very uneasy about them, and their safe return is a source of pleasure and satisfaction for the whole community, Fortunately Capt. Foley with admirable foresight, shipped sufficient provisions for his long and uncertain expedition. The Emigrant is laden with pine timber, deals and oak staves. When boarded she was worthless in the condition in which she was placed. Her rescue is wholly due to the energy and perseverance of Capt. Foley and his son together with their men and we hope that they will be handsomely rewarded for their trouble.” (Patriot, June 6, 1872) [The June 15 issue of the Patriot gives the names of the crews. Those from Georgetown were Capt. Thomas Foley, Archibald MacNeil, D. Walker, George Haynes, D. Flynn, and Murdoch Delory.]

Brudenell Tragedy “Sunday last, two young men, clerks of the Hon. Daniel

Gordon of Georgetown, named Scott and Matheson, left that place to attend the afternoon service at Cardigan [Presbyterian] Church. They took a boat and sailed up the Brudenell River till they came opposite the residence of Mr. John Gordon, where they landed and had dinner. After dinner, in order to have a swim, they pushed the boat into deep water, then jumped from the gunwale. Scott, who was a good swimmer, reached the shore in safety but Matheson was nowhere to be seen. Assistance having been procured, the boat was reached and a search made, which resulted in the finding the body of the unfortunate young man at the bottom of the river. The deceased was about 19 years of age, of steady, industrious habits and a son of Mr. & Mrs. Donald Matheson, blacksmith, St. Peter’s Road [near Cardigan] The Mathesons were at church when the melancholy tidings were communicated to them. This, we regret to say, is the second time that Mr. and Mrs. Matheson have been visited by the chastening hand of providence in the sudden removal of beloved sons. We sympathize with them in their affliction.” (Patriot July 11, 1872, edited by N.H.M.)

The New Fem

The Georgetown Ferry Steamer Ospray (§i_c_): This handsome and substantial steamer which is now nearly ready to be placed on her route between this town and Lower Montague, proceeded on her trial trip the other day, and after testing her machinery fully she was pronounced by competent judges as being a first-class boat for the purpose designed. Her hull was well-built under the personal inspection of Joseph Fairchild, Esq. of this town, a gentleman who has been engaged in shipbuilding nearly all his life-time. She is built of juniper and Southern Pine, is copper-plated including the centre line. Her extreme length on deck is 90 feet. She will have a horseway on each side of the machinery capable of containing about 14 teams. There will be an enclosed portion for passengers outside of the team road, which will accommodate 100 persons. The machinery was manufactured by Messrs. George Fleming & Sons of Saint John, NB. who have superintended the whole work up to the present time. The engine is an inclined low-pressure condenser of 40 horsepower. The boiler is a return tubular with two furnaces and will cost altogether about $6,000. Her speed is above ten miles an hour. On her trip to Montague Bridge which is about seven miles, taking into consideration the curves in the channel, she made the distance in 43 minutes. (Patriot, Sept. 18, 1872) copied from the Eastern Advocate.

The Akbar on Voyage

[This seems to be a telegraphed message] “Brigt. Akbar

of Georgetown arrived at QueenstOWn [Ireland] on the second inst, seventeen days from LaHave, Nova Scotia, reports in a gale from the south-west on the 26th February, a young man named Macaulay of Georgetown Royalty was washed overboard and drowned. Vessel was thrown on her beam end, lost mainsail, main boom and gaff, part of deck load, bulwarks, cabin skylight. Cabin filled with water and forward house was stove by the force of the sea. After some time succeeded in righting the vessel and ran before the wind till the gale abated. The Akbar after refitting at Queenstown proceeded to Ayr