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St. Andrews Night at Elm Corner

Beacon
March 21/1912
“St. Andrews Night”
A “St. Andrews Night” at “Elm Corner” is always san evening of rare delight, but that of Monday last, under the auspices of the Canadian Literature Club, was even more delightful than usual. Well-written and well-told stories of the St. Andrews of long ago by such inimitable story-tellers as R. M. Jack, Charles Campbell, the late I. Allen Jack, Rev. A. W. Mahon, John Campbell, and Judge Cockburn made the hours slip by most pleasantly
            There were stories of old school-day battles, of the troublous day of 1818, of the Fenian raid, and of the many quaint characters that St. Andrews in its early day possessed.
            One amusing narrative was that of Frank Lynn, a mischievous lunatic, who, on his way to the asylum at St. John, possessed himself of the warrant of commitment, and, when he reached the asylum, persuaded the physician that the constable was the real lunatic. The constable was detained for several days while the roistering lunatic drove gaily back to St. Andrews.
            Then there was the story of the late Dr. Caleff, who, on a very foggy day in 1818, thought he heard a noise like a Yankee gunboat out in the bay. The Home Fencibles were brought out and remained on duty for two days. Then it was discovered that the mysterious noises had been caused by a stately old turkey gobbler.
            The story of a dainty little silver trowel, which had been handed down from the misty past, was among the stories told by Rev. A. W. Mahon.
            A most amusing story was that of a youthful British officer, who was hoodwinked into rowing down to Deer Island to fight a duel with the brother of an Eastport young woman he had flirted with. As the “brother” was a myth, there was no duel. The joke was not discovered by the officer until years after, when he was at Constantinople on his way to the Crimea.
            Among the Loyalist stories that were told was one relating to the history of the British coat of arms in All Saints’ Church, which had been brought from Wallingford, Conn., by the first rectors, Rev. Mr. Andrews.
            Many laughable incidents connected with the Fenian raid were narrated.
            Mr. John Campbell, during the narration of his reminiscences, declared that St. Andrews had not been so prosperous for 75 years as it is today.
            A feature of the evening was the display of “relics” of St. Andrews, among which were a venerable sampler; a wedding message of 1786, written upon birth bark; the family bible of the late Dr. Cassels, the first teacher of the grammar school, and the first Presbyterian clergyman of St. Andrews; the first bible used in Greenock church; a communion token of 1825; a gold signet ring bearing he Bredalbane crest; a medallion brooch; the banner of Hibernia Masonic Lodge, the first Masonic lodge to be established here; a ponderous old watch; an old picture of St. Andrews in its very early days, and a number of other most interesting and historic antiques.
            One of the most interesting “exhibits” made at the meeting was an autograph letter recently received by Rev. A. W. Mahon from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
            Miss Mowatt read the birch-bark wedding messages, which was a most unique production. During the evening Miss Gwen. Jack sang solos. Dainty refreshments were served by the hostesses, Miss Mowatt and Miss Campbell, and a most delightful evening was concluded by the singing of Auld Lang Syne and the National anthem.