More Georgetown Stories

1838-1899

was the ice packed.” (Examiner, Jan. 6. 1879, from S;

John Teleggph.)

Murchison to LeBrocg: A Sea Stogy

“The Advertiser reports that in a letter received by Mr. John LeBrocq of Georgetown from Captain Hector Murchison of the brigt. G.W. Wakeford, dated at Baltimore, on the 6th inst. a brief outline is given of another perilous adventure incident to seafaring life. While his vessel was lying at Morant Keys, W.l., the captain and two men started ashore in a small boat and before reaching the shore they were suddenly caught in a squall and tick LSE] weather which drove them, out to sea a long distance. Unable to see land or the vessel, they were three days and nights in this perilous situation without food or water, which terribly exhausted all hands. At length by cutting up their clothes and making a sail for their boat, they reached Jamaica, where they engaged a schooner to bring them back to their vessel. The captain stated that he was badly burnt by the scorching heat of the sun and could not stand upon his legs for four days afterwards. His friends will be glad to hear that he is fully restored from the effects of the great hardship he endured on this occasion The G. W. Wakeford is now loading at Baltimore for Ireland.” (Daily Examiner, Sept. 20, 1879

from King’s County Advertiser)

A Spgedy Trip

“The Brig’t Plymouth, Capt. L.J. Westaway, Jr. arrived at Georgetown on the 18th inst, twenty -three days from Greenock. This vessel left that port on the 19th Aug. went to Baie Verte, discharged ballast and loaded a cargo of deals for Greenock, discharged cargo, took on ballast and returned to port, making the round trip in two months (Daily Exminer, Oct., 22, 1880 copied from King’s County Advertiser)

St. James Total Abstinence Society Elects

“The term of three years for which the St. James Total Abstinence Society was formed having expired on the 16th inst, a meeting was held Sunday evening for the purpose of organizing the Society for another term of the same length. After winding up the business for the past year, those present were requested to come forward and renew their pledges for three years and a large number responded showing great enthusiasm for the cause. The appointment of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: Patron: Very Rev. Dr. McDonald; Spiritual Director. Rev. J .C. McDonald; President Peter McCourt; Vice-presidents: Donald B MacPhee, Henry Griffin, James MacPhee; Treasurer: FW. Reddin; Messenger. John Griffin; Secretary: A.E. Burke (re-elected)” (Daily Examiner Dec. 27, 1880)

St. James’ Tea Pay

“The tea party held at Georgetown on Dominion Day in aid of St. James’ Church was notwithstanding the very unfavourable weather a grand success in every way. About 1400 persons were on the grounds and everything possible was provided for their comfort and amusement.

The tea was held in the beautiful and spacious field of Mr. William Dalziel, commanding an excellent view of the Montague and Brudenell Rivers and the surrounding country. We have seldom seen a finer spread of dainties or a greater supply of trimmed cake than that which graced the tables in the Dining Saloon. The ladies seemed to vie with one another in having everything in hand calculated to tempt the appetite and they certainly deserve great credit for the manner in which they conducted their department. The proceeds of the tea which was the most successful one ever held in Georgetown amounted to

$650.” (Daily Examiner, July 5, 1881)

Oats in the Sand

“ The Hon. Dan Gordon, Georgetown, received from Souris a carload of sand with some oats mixed with it. This he declined to ship for the vessel did not need ballast, his cargo being sufficient. Besides they have any quantity of this article on the other side of the Atlantic, and quite equal to the quality of that from Souris beach. We have long heard of the wicked grocer sanding his sugar, etc., but for the ‘honest farmer’ to descend to the tricks of trade proves the fearful state of morality in 1881.” (Dailv Examiner, Dec. 27, 1881) [ A letter to the Patriot, Jan. 17, 1882, denied that the shipment tame from Souris and implied evil intentions on the part of the Georgetown reporter. The Jan. 20 Examiner explains that the Georgetown reporter had been given incorrect information on the case, though a shipment of oats and sand had been received earlier by an unnamed merchant in Georgetown.)

“Barefaced Robbery”

“While attending church on last Sunday night, the residence of Mrs. Smith at Georgetown was entered by a thief who broke open a trunk and carried off two silver watches and $15 in cash. We are not aware that any measures have been taken to corner the burglar, who ever he may be, but we think it is time the people should take steps to discover the perpetrator of such a barefaced robbery.” (Daily Examiner, Mar. 10, 1882, quoting the King’s County Advertiser) [Editor’s note: It was Mrs. Smith who was attending church, not her residence!]

St. James Spire Hit by Lightening

“On Friday night last during the thunder storm that went over this part of the Island, the spire of St. James Church was struck by lightening and considerably injured. The damage, however, is not great as would at first appear. Down from the foot of the cross which remains untouched, the noughboards and shingles were stripped clean off the spire and one or two of the spire rafters shattered or broken. The fluid poured thence down two angles of the tower splintering but not seriously injuring the lower parts.” (Daily Patg'ot, Aug. 4, 1882, quoting

the King’s Coungg Advertiser)

Accidental Accident

“A son of Mr. Cameron, tailor, Georgetown. aged 16, had a leg accidentally broken on Saturday. He was