More Georgetown Stories

1838— 1899

passengers as “Ale.”I asked a gentleman by my side if this was customary and got the answer that it was and that he had seen the same lad sell packs of cards and this “Ale” and parties had a good time over it. Tonight I came from York Station to Georgetown and the same lad offered me a bottle of his “Ale.”l inquired of him what kind it was, thinking perhaps he might call it “Ginger Ale”. But he stated it to be “English Ale, good English Ale.” I have traveled considerably by the lntercolonial and other lines but have never seen any hint of drinks sold on them and am surprised to find this thing tolerated on the Island Railway. I place the above facts at your disposal and trust that nothing more will be needed to put an effectual stop to the practice than to call the attention of the Railway authorities to the matter.

Georgetown, Dec. 25, 18% A Traveler.”

(Daily Patriot, Dec. 27, 1883).(T he Patriot editor stated in a later edition of the paper that the Railway officials denied that any alcoholic drink was sold on their railway.)

Militia Maneuvers in Georgetown

“The ordinance shifting competition took place in the drill shed, Georgetown under the inspection of brigadier- Major Freeland on last Saturday night and No. 3 company under the command of Capt. Charles Owen gave a good account of themselves. The shift was made in two minutes and forty-five seconds, a very creditable record considering the disadvantages our Georgetown friends have to contend with.” (Daily Patriot, Jan. 2, 1883)

Profitable Fishing Season Forecast

“Such schools of herring as frequented Georgetown harbour this spring were never before witnessed there. In conversation with William Sanderson, Esq. we learn that unusual hauls were taken around the railway and fen‘y wharves. He also informed us that lobster are very plentiful and large and with an abundance of hening for bait, the fishermen and packers in that section are in hopes of doing a profitable season’s fishing.” (Daily Patriot, June 7, 1884)

H g Potatoes

“ A basket of potatoes grown in the garden of Mrs. James McCormack of Georgetown can be seen on exhibition at the store of Michael Hession (§i_c), Esq, several of which weight one pound and a half and some weighing as much as two pounds and five ounces. Who can beat that ? “ (Daily Patriot, Sept, 28, 1885)

Suspected Murderer N abbed at W

“The alleged murderer of Fitzpatrick was brought to the city, Saturday evening in charge of Constable McKinnon by the 7.30 train from Georgetown. Despite the stormy weather an enormous throng gathered at the depot curious to see the unfortunate culprit

The story of the capture is as follows: Constable McKinnon of this city suspecting that he {Robertson}

might go to Georgetown, had a warrant made out and went to Georgetown a few days ago. While there he learned that a vessel had left for Canso with Robertson on board. Dispatches were sent immediately to all the ports on the strait to be ready for his arrival. Constable McKinnon waited at Georgetown with Constable McKinnon of that place. During the storm on Saturday the vessel was obliged to return . Two other constables of Georgetown named Ross and Weatherbie had been informed of the affair and they all made up to go out to secure the man together. Messrs. Ross and Weatherbie, however, stole a march on their companions and put off to the vessel immediately upon her return. Robertson jumped into the boat and on being brought to shore was handed over to Constable McKinnon who had the warrant. Roberston has not the appearance of a murderer but of an ordinary country young man.” (Daily Patriot, Nov. 2, 1885, edited) Syd Robertson was charged with manslaughter in the death of ten-year-old Joseph Fitzpatrick, but on evidence, the shooting, which occurred on a rural road near Charlottetown, turned out to be “accidental” and the jury declared Robertson “not guilty.”

Georgetown Court House Burned to the

Ground

“The cause of the fire at Georgetown is now beyond

doubt the work of an incendiary. Broughton, the keeper of the Court House, and his wife were awake and talking

to one another in the judges’ room at the west or-rear end of the building about a half hour before they discovered the fire. Mrs. Broughton heard footsteps outside the building and asked Broughton to listen. He remarked at the time that he would not get up until the person rapped at the door. Mrs. Broughton says that at about a half hour or more after this she heard the crackling of fire and went to the front end of the building on the inside where she discovered fire coming in from the outside right in the south—east angle of the porch and the building. The wind at the time was blowing a gale from the north-east. If a few buckets of water had been timely applied no damage would have been done, but owing to the lateness of the night and the isolated position of the building water could not be had. All the court papers and furniture were saved. Some volumes of the Dominion Statistics and a few other books kept in a room upstairs were lost.” (Daily Patriot, Feb. 27, 1886). King’s County Supreme Court was meeting at the time and on the day following the fire this was reported: “The court house having been burned to the ground during the night arrangements were quickly made and accommodation provided in the schoolhouse and business proceeded as it nothing had happened.” (Daily Patriot, Feb. 27, 1886)

Father of Confederation Rescues Nephew

“During the visit of his Honour Lieut-Governor [A.A.] Macdonald to Georgetown and while leaving the wharf at that place for Souris, his nephew, son of Hon. A. J. Macdonald, Georgetown, fell from the yacht into the water and immediately sank His Honor at once plunged into the water and rescued him." W Aug. 27, 1886)