More Georgetown Stories

17

1900-1919

“Deceivers’ Deceived” Souris Stars won over Georgetown Deceivers 12 to 0 (Examiner, Feb. 12, 1903 (on hockey) save to see if a Georgetown victory instead of defeat is reported.

Fitzgeralds to Peddle Fish

“Capts. Charles and John Fitzgerald who have recently purchased the schooner Bessie B. from parties in Souris have added a horse and wagon to their equipment and are now prepared to supply the town and surrounding country with the products of the sea. Both are practical and experienced fishermen and success is assured. Our citizens in the past have suffered more or less inconvenience in procuring fish and it is pleasing to note that his industry will receive more consideration in the future.” (Guardian, May 12, 1904)

Coins at Holy Trinity

“An interesting discovery was made the other day by W. S. Easton. While making investigations near the comer stone of Trinity Episcopal Church, he observed a cross carved on an adjoining stone. He secured a chisel and while scraping out the mortara small parcel of coins, five in number, made their appearance. The specimens were not very ancient and are supposed to have been placed there by the Rev. Dr. Roach. During his pastorate about 40 years ago extensive repairs were made to the church. Mr. Easton replaced the coins securely wrapped up so that they may not be destroyed.” (Edited from Guardian, Oct. 19, 1904)

Home from the West

“Mr. Richard J. Westaway has been conducting Presbyterian missionary work in Saskatchewan for the past two years. During his career he opened up many new fields through the West where no missionary has traversed before. Last winter he continued his work in the vicinity of Montreal Lake and attended fourteen camps, the homes of a thousand lumbering men. The extreme distance between those camps was two hundred miles. Despite the severe frost when the mercury stood at 40 to 75 degrees below zero [Fahrenheit], Mr. Westaway visited each camp every two weeks for five months during which he travelled upwards of three thousand miles. He moved from place to place in a cutter drawn by small ponies. At times he would be in his sleigh for twenty—four hours and ate many a frozen meal. Mr. Westaway leaves this afternoon for his home in Georgetown where he will spend a few weeks with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Roger Westaway [Lower Montague] before going to Dalhousie [University] where he intends to continue his studies.” (Edited from Daily Examiner, Nov. 2, 1904)[

Ice in Harbours Stops Boat Traffic

“On the 24th day of January the steamers made their crossing between Pictou and Georgetown. Since then one has been blocked in Pictou harbour and the other in

Georgetown harbour and for thirty days since the only connection with the Island has been by ice boats across

the capes. The blockade means a very great disarrangement of business. A large number of commercial men were on the Island when the boats stopped running while others would like to get there. Some on the Island are waiting for the boats to bring them of f but others more hardy have made the capes trip. This is an unpleasant experience and not particularly profitable as sample trunks etc. cannot be carried. When the boat service will be resumed depends entirely on the weather. Today or tomorrow or next week the wind may veer around so as to drive the ice out of the harbours and let the boats out. Then there will be a rush to clear up the accumulationof freight." (Edited from the Guardian, Feb. B 1905, as copied from the Saint John Globe.)

Professor Amuses Audience

“Prof. Stockton gave his concert here [Georgetown] Saturday to a large audience which was composed of ladies and children as well as the leading merchants and business men of the town. During the concert the audience was in roars of laughter with the many tricks, ventriloquists and music imitations, and trained dogs.” (Daily Examiner, Feb. 7, 1905)

Gales Cause Loss of Life and Near Escapes at Boughton Island

The bodies of two men, Thomas Jackson and William Stewart, of Peter’s Road, drowned in the recent gale,

were picked by Capt. Sampson of the Schr. Viper. Two narrow escapes are also reported. “While heading in from the lobster traps on Friday evening a boat belonging to Murdoch King was upset by the squall and sank. Fortunately the boat was close to the Launching bar and the occupants clung to the spar which remained several feet above water until rescued by men in a dory who came out from Manuel’s and McPhee’s. The boat was carrying all sail at the time she was upset. On Saturday afternoon Peter Fougere and Reginald Batchelder, employees of J .W. McPhee’s factory on Boughton Island had their boat sunk in the same manner. She went down in shoal water. leaving six feet of spar projecting above the surface. It was blowing a gale from the north-west. The men held on to the spar until rescued by Charles Delorey.”

“The heavy south-west gale yesterday did much damage to J.W. McPhee’s stage at Boughton Island. Several boats were sunk or destroyed. Two boats belonging to J. D. MacCormack’s factory were badly damaged. One is a total loss. A great many lobster traps were damaged and a large quantity of gear is in shoal water now.” (Edited from reports in the Daily Examiner, June 28, 1905 and Guardian June 27, 1905)

Digging a Well

“Last week Simon Martin of Georgetown with the aid of Harry Thistle started to bore a well near the former’s home. After reaching ten feet they struck a log and had to start again in a new place. This time they again touched the log but managed to overcome the obstruction. The drill, however, next entered a bed of buck clay 20 feet