Item
The Automobile Comes to St. Andrews
Beacon
July 13/1899
On a Gasoline Car
Supt. Timmerman arrived in St. Andrews last Friday on his gasoline car, on a trip of inspection. To test the merits of this wonderful little machine, Mr. Timmerman gave the Beacon representative a run as far as the Bar road. It proved a thrilling ride, the distance being covered in about five minutes. On some of the straight stretches, a speed of thirty miles an hour was developed. Mr. Timmerman is his own engineer and is quite in love with his little engine. He has recently covered over 300 miles on it. He finds it splendidly adapted for inspectoral work. Gasoline provides the motive power, a miniature electric plant producing the necessary combustion. The machinery, though quite complex is confined within a small area and the car is so light that one man can easily turn it on crossings. Two men can lift it off the track easily, while in a pinch one man might do it.
Beacon
Nov 7/1901
The first automobile ever seen on St. Andrews streets traversed the town on Monday last. (November 4, 1901) It proved a source of wonder to those who had never seen one of these carriages.
Beacon
Aug 21/1902
The first automobile to be brought into town by a pleasure seeker was brought in last week by Mr. Mott of New York. Owners of mettlesome horses were none too well pleased with its advent. (painting of this event upstairs in Charlotte County Archives)
Beacon
Sept 1/1904
Auto Accident
Three Montreal Ladies in Peril—Two Injured
A trail of frightened horses, broken-wagons and angry drivers usually follow the automobile when it starts out on roads that are unfrequented by such machines.
It was so in the case of Mr. R. Downing, Paterson, of Saint John; although he was on his bridal tour and everything should have been lovely. Mr. Paterson, his bride and auto were on their way to New York from St. Andrews on Thursday afternoon last for shelter for the night. As they approached the town on the St. John road, a carriage containing Mrs. Hosmer, Mrs. Heney and Mrs. Brimacombe, of Montreal, was moving in the same direction from the shore road. Neither saw the other until the auto suddenly shot out from behind Mr. Daniel Hanson’s residence. The sudden appearance of the swift-going machine and caused Mrs. Hosmer’s horse to swerve, when the carriage was upset and all three ladies were thrown out. Driver John Russell succeeded in preventing the horse from running away, otherwise a more serious accident might have happened. Mrs. Hosmer sprained her ankle and received a severe shaking up. Mrs. Heney suffered a wrench to her neck, while the other lady escaped without much injury. The wagon was considerably damaged.
The auto continued on its way to the Algonquin, where Mr. and Mrs. Paterson spent the night. On their outward run the next morning they alarmed Grimmer and Keay’s delivery horse and another upset was the result. Some of the top hamper of the wagon was carried away and the good scattered about. Returns from the out parishes have not yet been received.
Beacon
July 27/1905
Autos Coming—An invasion of automobiles is looked for before the season ends at St. Andrews. Their advent will not be very joyously welcomed by owners of teams. To prevent, if possible, any accidents, Mr. F. H. Grimmer has caused to be posted up a number of cards requesting drivers of motor vehicles to exercise great caution in approaching and passing teams on the road. (cows still roam the sidewalks—ref in earlier month of same year)
Beacon
June 6/1907
The automobile will take a back seat when the flying machine comes in vogue.
Beacon
June 25/1908
Same ad for Algonquin as last year. “Among early guests were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Todd and Mr. J. T. Whitlock, of SS, who came down by automobile.”
Beacon
Aug 27/1908
Dr. Gibson of Houlton left home at 7:00 a. m. and reached Kennedy’s at 4:00 p. m. by auto.
Beacon
June 17/1909
Automobiles Unpopular at Summer Resorts.—At Bar Harbor report is to the effect that an unusually large number of the cottages at that place have been leased; indeed, a much lager number than ever before at this date in June. The Bar Harbor authorities exclude automobiles from the principal highways of the place, and this is said to be one of the prime causes in bringing about so many rentings. The summer residents of the place strongly favor automobile exclusion.—globe. [A similar feeling prevails at SA, bit is has not yet found any expression in exclusive legislation—beacon]
Beacon
Sept 9/1909
SA Views Thro’ Tourist Spectacles
Joseph Smith--not Elder Joseph Smith, of Mormondom, with a plurality of wives, but Joseph Smith of Newspaperdom, with a plurality of ideas in his well-ordered cranium--has been visiting St. Andrews and has written of his experiences in the Boston Traveller. Under the heading “A Voyage of Discovery--Last Leg,” Mr. Smith thus soliloquizes with respect to SA:--
We have a friend who holds that no summer resort is worth a thought where a man cannot sit out on the verandah in his shirt sleeves, put his feet on the railing and yell baseball scores at his neighbour in the next house. You cannot indulge in anything quite as democratic as this at SA, but you can play golf to your heart’s content; you can gad all over Passamaquoddy bay in a motor boat very close to nature, or you can fish off the wharf with a native, swap yarns about the war of 1812, or listen to the legends of the golden age of SA, when the patron Saint of the Democracy, T. Jefferson, laid his embargo and these waters were filled with smugglers.
Along back in those early days, when the people on either side of line made faces at each other, when the British Lion was called a yellow dog and the American Eagle a clucking hen, this town of St. Andrews was some pumpkins; it had a garrison of red coats and Fort Tipperary on the crest of the ridge; and, with its Old Dominion Loyalists, was as cocky and blood-thirsty as could be. Since those days the shouting has ceased, the ships have sailed away, the captains are on crutches or in the cemeteries. St. Andrews has become humanized and slumberous, and in the very middle of Fort Tipperary, surrounded by sodden ramparts, stands the summer home of the president of the C. P. R., and the old 32-pounder pointing across the St. Croix River is only a receptacle for the flotsam and jetsam children push down its black and harmless throat.
So passeth the glory of the World;
The people who summer in St. Andrews are not really up-to-date; they go there to rest and their conduct is calculated to make a self-respecting cad or bounder sick with disgust and disdain. It is true we were there only for a day or two, but in that time we never saw an automobile, we didn’t see a single lady--or a married one--going in swimming with a diamond tiara and a brass band; no monkeys, French poodles or Russian princes were entertained during our stay, and a guest could get his meals without carrying a letter of introduction to the head waiter or surrendering his watch to the waiter. The most shocking and revolting thing about the Algonquin Hotel was the number of children around the place, and the parents, who appeared to be proud and fond of them. St. Andrews is cool and restful but dreadfully behind the times in real fashionable splurge and reverberation; why, they don’t even have a sardine cannery or an effluvia there; the place is hopelessly slow
Beacon
Dec 16/1909
Santa in an auto! See Ad.
Beacon
July 21/1910
The Beauties of Fair SA
As Told in the C. P. R. Company’s Summer Guide Book
. . . The excellent roads rob motoring of all its discomforts, and there are many long stretches in which automobiles may be speeded with out danger. [Cf. Complaints by the locals about speeding tourists]
Beacon
July 28/1910
Big Tourist Traffic. “We have never had such a rush of people in July before,” said Manager Kennedy, of Kennedy’s Hotel, when asked by the Beacon as to the condition of the summer tourist business. “They are coming by boat, by train and by auto, and it wouldn’t surprise us if we had them coming by flying machine before August is out. Every room in the house is filled up, and we are sending them to outside rooms.” Just then some one exclaimed, “The Campbells are coming,” and there was a rush to the door to greet an auto load of Fredericton folks, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. “Campbell and their two daughters. Right after them rattled another mud-stained car from the capital, occupied by Mr. Blackmer and wife. The two autos left Fredericton on Monday and had run into a heavy storm and bad roads. It was 2 o’clock on Tuesday afternoon when they drew up at the curb in front of Kennedy’s hotel. They were all tired and travel stained, but the folly greeting and the goof are soon elevated their spirits.
Automobile Party Found Road Very Bad
St. John telegraph.
Three automobile parties left the city Saturday, for St. Andrews. From Lepreaux they took the shore road buy way of new River mills and Pennfield to St. George. From there they followed the post road to St. Andrews. A member of the party said last night that they had a delightful trip. In some sections where the road machines had been used, the roads were in pretty bad shape. The sods and rock had been thrown out of the ditches into the centre of the highway. Those were left there and very naturally in the wet weather the water could not drain off, and the road was turned into a stretch of bog. It was a pity, he thought, that those stretches of road could not be properly repaired. (Stayed at Algonquin)
Beacon
Sept 29/1910
A Minister’s Vacation—Moralizes on the Rough Roads of Bocabec
Eastport Citizen—Arriving at Bocabec we put up for one night with our good Baptist brother, Mr. Charles Hanson. He showed us his granite quarry on the hill above his farm that has proved to be a source of profit in the days gone by. The view from the hill as the sun was going down was something grand. Starting the next day for SA, we had all the way a lesson of Patience for the roads were in awful condition. These rough rocky roads in NB compared with smooth and beautiful highways in Maine certainly show that somebody is at fault. The good roads plank seems to have fallen out of the party platform in Canada and traveller by carriage and automobiles cannot take any pleasure in riding over the most part of our provinces. The reason that men and women, tired to death of forms and conventionalities, choose the heart of the forest and the cool avenues and lanes of the country is not far to seek. They are seeking for rest as well s recreation and nothing is more helpful than a quiet drive through our own province if the roads are in good order. But when jolted about on loose rocks, and tripped first one way and then another by the ruts and gullies of a driveway the weary traveller feels more tired than if he had gone afoot, and recuperation for man or beast is out of the question. I am glad to say that as we neared St. Andrews the roadways improved and in every direction around that fine little town it was a pleasure to ride or drive.
St. Croix Courier
June 15/1911
Eastport Sentinel—A Visitor from Uncle Sam’s domain writes of the Shire town.
Found much to impress the stranger, including an ideal hotel.
. . . Beautiful St. Andrews at this time is one of the cleanest of towns, no rubbish or litter about the streets and the well-kept lawns give full reward for the labour expended. The new concrete addition to the Algonquin, the leading summer hotel of Canada, nearly doubles its accommodations and already the demand for rooms presages the largest influx of summer tourists known in its history.
SA has many handsome and costly summer residences. In fact, the taxes paid by the summer colony and the CPR cover three-fifths of the assessment. . . . (No one in St. Andrews yet owns an automobile) (same excerpt appears in Beacon June 1, 1911)
Beacon
June 22/1911
Mr. And Mrs. Luther Brown of Worcester, Mass. In cottage 2. “Mr. Brown has his auto and their three saddle horses with him.”
Beacon
Aug 31/1911
Auto party, all the way from Tennessee, struck town on Sunday. Had spent five weeks in States and Quebec; and were on way back home. Had a camping outfit with them, as well as an up-to-date photographic plant. (cf. Algonquin sketch book)
St. Croix Courier
April 11/1912
The Automobile Question in local Legislature. Resolution to prohibit use of the joy wagon one day each week voted down. (idea to shield farmers’ horses from fright)
Beacon
June 13/1912
St. Croix Auto Club
Newly formed. The committee on legislation will endeavour to secure legislation in NB authorizing the passage of automobile and teams on the right side of the International bridges the entire length of such structures with the idea of avoiding mix-ups due to the changing from right to left as at present; also to secure other legislation of benefit to motorists. The street committee will make a special effort in the direction of road improvement and will urge town authorities to do their road and bridge repair work in the spring of the year instead of the in the fall, as at present.
Beacon
June 20/1912
Road from St. Andrews “Villainous”
Telegraph—A gentleman who it will be admitted is a most impartial critic, as he is one of the best known conservatives of the dominion, arrived in the city yesterday en route from Montreal to Amherst by automobile and expressed himself as failing to understand how a public road in any province could be so bas as the highway between St. Andrews and St. John. the gentleman is Dr. Nathanial Curry, president of Canadian Car Foundries, ltd, who was accompanied by his wife and N. G. Curry, his son, and the latter’ wife.
Dr. Curry said he left Montreal on Wednesday and came through New Hampshire and Maine to St. Stephen and St. “Andrews. “After leaving St. Andrews the road was villainous,” he said, “and I fail to understand how public roads in this province or any province for that matter could be in such a condition. It is actually dangerous and no place for a high power car. Here and there I could see signs of automobiles having become mired by the roadside, with the marks of the skids used for extricating them still visible. It was by far the worst road that we saw anywhere on our tour.”
When asked if he thought NB road were getting any worse, Dr. Curry said that he had not been on this particular piece of road, but two years ago had taken an extensive trip through the province and found nothing as bad as the St. Andrews to Saint John highway.
Beacon
June 27/1912
The “Square Deal” in Auto Running
A farmer living on the outskirts of St. Andrews visited the Beacon last week to enter a protest against the reckless driving of autos on the country roads. He said the roads have become positively dangerous and conditions are daily growing worse. In some instance, the auto drivers show consideration for owners of teams and pedestrians, but in the majority of cases there is an utter disregard for their feeling or conditions. They dash by teams without warning; race down hills at breakneck speed, regardless of cross roads or private driveways, behaving as if there was no law at all for their government, and no limit as to the speed they should adopt. The protesting farmer wanted to know whether the auto owners controlled the roads, or whether the man with the horse had any rights they were bound to respect.
In answer to his query we can only say that the roads belong to the people and are intended to be used by all classes of vehicles, the auto included. They are not intended to be used recklessly by any one. As we hear of some marvellous speed records being made between St. Andrews and outside points we are forced to the conclusion that there is something in the complaint that the farmer makes. Bu the remedy is not so easily applied. The law is very liberal with respect to the rate of speed at which autos may run on a country road, practically leaving the matter at the discretion of the auto driver. He may run twelve miles an hour, or fifteen, or twenty,--just as the conditions may warrant. Looking the mater over, it would seem as if the remedy lay in the application of the “square deal.” In some New England communities a thorough understanding has been reached between auto drivers and horse-owners by the “square deal” process, each side agreeing to give the other “a square deal” instead of having recourse to forcible methods of adjusting troubles. We feel that an arrangement of this kind would be satisfactory to our farmers. If, instead of dashing by a fractious colt, the auto owner would stop and endeavor to accustom the horse to the machine, he would be helping himself by allaying the feeling of resentment against the auto which many farmers cherish, and which at some time may lead to retributive measures. It might also be the means of preventing a serious accident at some time. We would appeal to auto divers to give this matter their consideration. Some day they may need the services of the farmer or the farmer’s horse, and they want to keep on the good side of them.
Beacon
Aug 29/1912
Vice Regal Visit
Duke of Connaught Loyally Welcomed at St. Andrews [Willa’s book, p. 29 photo]
Receives Address, Dedicates School and has a Good Time on the Golf Links
All anticipations with respect to the visit of St. Andrews of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia, last week were more than realized. The weather was not quite up to the mark in all respects, but it remained sufficiently stationary on Thursday to permit the public functions to be held most successfully.
The town was never more gaily decorated, nor was there ever more people on the streets. Autos and carriages by the score were present. SS, Milltown, Calais, SG, the islands and the mainland villages in the County each contributed its quota to the general throng. The Warden of the county, Mr. E. A. McNeill attended, and was present on the dock to greet His Highness and welcome him to Charlotte County. So also were Mayor Murchie, of Milltown, and Mayor Grearson, of St. George.
Incidents of the visit—
Almost a serious accident occurred during the procession on Thursday afternoon. Mr. Whidden Graham, of Milltown, got out of his auto to crank it up, not knowing that the power was on. As he finished cranking it the machine started up and came in contact with a carriage containing Mrs. Augustus Rigby and Miss Eva Stoop. The carriage was overturned and the ladies thrown out, narrowly escaping being run down by he auto.
Beacon
Aug 29/1912
ON Wednesday and again on Thursday and Friday, the Duke and members of his party appeared on the golf links for play, being driven out by autos from the St. Andrews Garage, in charge of the Messrs. Anning. They enjoyed the course thoroughly, the Duke stating to the Mayor that it was one of the finest courses he had ever played upon.”
Beacon
Sept 5/1912
Auto Dives in River
Fortunately River was out at the Time
If Waweig River had been at home on Thursday afternoon last instead of cavorting around St. Andrews Bay, there might have been a serious auto accident.
During the afternoon, three young physicians from Calais, Drs. Lawson and Brown and another, were telling off the miles in their auto, on their way to the Pythian picnic at St. Andrews, when their power gave out in climbing the hill on the eastern end of Waweig Bridge. The moment the power gave out the machine began to back up. In a twinkling almost it was over the steep river bank on the upper side of the road. Its occupants, finding themselves helpless, leaped out and let the machine go. It ran down into the river bed, and coming in contact with a huge boulder, was capsized, with considerable injury to its anatomy.
The physicians held a consultation over the dismembered machine and concluded that it could be saved by a number of surgical operations. They employed a double horse team, dragged the machine out of the river bed and towed it sadly back to Calais, where the needful operations were performed.
St. Croix Courier
April 24/1913
Provincial Auto Association preparing for summer
A regular meeting of the New Brunswick Auto Association was held in Saint John last week. A resolution was adopted that the president write to Hon. J. K. Fleming, premier of NB, congratulating him on the provisions of the new Highway Act as a distinct step forward, an also thanking him for the courteous consideration extended to the association. President Regan announced that the minister of public works for NB had agreed to have the road signs placed in position when furnished by the association, and this work would be done immediately. (more on signs)
Beacon
Aug 21/1913
Large number of auto parties in town this summer.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 30/1913
An exchange recalls that it is only twenty two years since Sir John A. McDonald passed from life’s activities and yet Sir John never dodged an automobile, never heard the stuttering of a motor bike, never held a strap in a trolley car, never posed for a motion picture, never mailed a latter regularly for less than three cents , never listened to the squeaky voice of a phonograph, never saw an aviator capering around in the atmosphere with a heaver than air machine, never despatched a message by wireless and never was mobbed by suffragettes.
beacon
Nov 13/1913
A summer resident has sent us a circular issued by Mr. Desert resorters in favor of an auto-less health and pleasure resort, with a request that a study be made of it with a view to applying such legislation at St. Andrews. The request comes too late. The auto is here, and whether it is good or bad, it has come to stay. Anything that we might say or do would not keep it out. Besides, we are not prepared to admit that from a summer resort point of view the auto has not been helpful. It has created a desire to travel, and the effect has been seen by the transient arrivals during the summer season at our hotels. It may be that in some instances its presence suggests the turmoil of the city streets, and in that sense it is offensive to the eye and ear of many summer people who pine for absolute rusticity when away from their city homes, but it must also be remembered that many city people bring their autos with them when on their vacations.
St. Croix Courier
June 17/1915
Several auto came to St. Andrews on Sunday from SS, including W. F. Todd’s, Harry Wall’s, Thomas Toal’s. Michael O’Donnell’s and Thompson McNeill’s. Each car had a goodly number of passengers, all of them enjoying a ride without dust.
St. Croix Courier
June 24/1915
Owners of motor boats and motor cars, who come to Sa, in future, will find that a long needed convenience has been supplied by Joseph Handy, in the form of a gasoline reservoir and patent adjustable, automatic, self-registering pump, for dispersing gasoline. The location is particularly convenient for both classes patrons, being o the market Square within a few feet of the public wharf and Kennedy’s hotel. Mr. Handy has also fitted a commodious garage, facing on the public square, where automobiles can be cared for an housed for visitors while in town. (first garage in town?)
St. Croix Courier
July 22/1915
Four autos with twenty occupants came through from Montreal on Friday and remained a few days in town guests at Kennedy’s hotel, and of Mr. and Mrs. J. Handy. (transient tourists begin to appear)
Beacon
June 21, 1917
Capt. N. M. Clarke has recently purchased an automobile.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 26/1920
The summer gaieties in the form of dances, picnics, auto parties, still go on, the fine weather gives every opportunity to carry out the fun. The hotels are filled to their utmost capacity, many of the guests occupying rest rooms in private homes.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 3/1922
NB a Magnet for Tourists.
By George A. Mackie, publication Manager Canadian Forestry Magazine.
This province is being visited by increasing numbers of tourists each year. The many beautiful streams, secluded lakes and camping grounds are made accessible by a net work of highways. The brooks and streams teem with trout and salmon and the forests abound with large and small game. Last year over 13,500 game and fishing licenses were sold, of which about 1000 were non-resident licences. And this does not include the thousands of local fishermen who do not require a license to fish. The annual revenue to the province from fish and game amounts to $100,000, but the actual benefits may not be measured by dollars and cents alone. It is impossible to determine the extent of the benefits arising from these recreation trips in the open. All one knows is that the recreation seekers, who, spending his holidays in the woods and forgetting the monotony of office work and routine or the drone of machinery, comes back with all the enthusiasm and joy of youth, his whole being as it were made over.
A Million on Roads.
Each year the province is being patronized more as a mere camping and recreation ground, due to a great extent to the wonderful improvement of late years to the highway roads, making the country accessible by automobile. Over a million dollars are spent in the maintenance and improvement of roads and bridges each year. And the roads of today will be greatly surpassed by those of tomorrow.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 10/1922
Value of Canadian Motor Highways. 167,285 autos entered Canada in 1921 for touring purposes. Total for 1920 only 93,000. Represents expenditure of approx 107 million revenue produced by motor highways.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 14/1922
Automobile Trips Through Maine. Calais to Bar Harbour via Machias and Ellsworth. The road along the shore from Calais is the most popular route during the summer months, the travelling is excellent, the scenery of surpassing beauty. Approaching Mount Desert Island, the mountains of Lafayette National Park can be seen in the distance.
St. Croix Courier
1923
Found Pleasure on NB Roads (on recent highway improvement; see R. E. Armstrong)
Five years ago I made by first trip by automobile to Charlotte County. The roads were then so very poor in many places, that I did not care to go again the following year. But when I made my second automobile trip three years ago I found the road conditions much better and each year since there has been a marked improvement. So great, in fact, has the improvement been that one can now start on a trip with no special concern about the roads. (Rest illegible--get better photocopy, esp. on last paragraph and the many native-born Canadians living in Mass, who with good automobiles and now good roads would come to New Brunswick)
St. Croix Courier
May 8/1924
Special Issue titled “For Automobiles.” General update on latest advances, common remedies for common problems. Ads. Muddy roads still common enough to cause sticking.
St. Croix Courier
June 12/1924
Rapid Growth of Motor Vehicles in Maritimes. From 169 in 1908 to 37,667 in 1923. Growth of trucks also. (article on file)
An interesting report has been issued by the Highways Branch of the Department of Railways and Canals, Ottawa, of Motor Vehicle statistics. The rapid growth of the automobile has been very remarkable. There was registered in 1908 in NB 104 motor vehicles, and in 1923, the number registered was 16,829. In NS in 1908 there was registered 65 motor vehicles, and in 1923 this number had increased to 18,884. Prince Edward Island, in 1913, had 26 autos and in 1923 there were registered 2454, making the total number registered in 1923 in the Maritime Provinces 37,667.
Total vehicle registration in all nine provinces last year 585,079, an increase of 13.58 percent over that of the preceding year, 1922, which registered an increase of 10.9 percent over 1921. Canada now takes third place in the total of motor vehicles of the different countries of the world: Great Britain having taken the second place formerly held by Canada in this regard. (increase in registrations in US last year 23 percent, and eleven different states registered an increase of from 30 to 41 percent)
A feature of the registrations of motor vehicles in Canada last year was the increased percentage of commercial trucks, amounting to 18 percent, compared with an increase of only 13 percent in passenger vehicles. The importance of the motor truck, as an auxiliary instrument of commerce, is being realized to an greater extent in all provinces.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 25/1925
Highways of NB to Appear on Silver Screen. Armchair automobile features scenic tour of province. A very fine pictorial of the highways of NB, those finished, those in course of construction, has been completed by upper Canadian Laboratories for Saint John parties and will be shown throughout the province.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 8/1925
Editorial “The Wheeled Dragon.” On need to curb burgeoning auto accidents.
St. Croix Courier
June 4/1925
Tourists Welcome.
We bespeak a warm welcome of the automobile tourist traffic which the present motoring season will bring. . . . There are many ways by which automobile travellers especially may be made to feel so welcome that they will want to come back again. . . . Of course, one of the most important factors in attracting tourist trade is the quality of garage service available. Most motorists on a tour all at some garage or other, either for repairs or supplies of gas or oil or both. When a motorist finds combined with a high quality of individual service a scale of prices which are reasonable, he carried away with him impressions which are assets to the community concerned.
St. Croix Courier
July 23/1925
Editorial: In the Good New Days. On automobile innovation. Section on touring with ironic slant.
From “The Price of Automobiles:” “Motor cars are now in such general use, and have become so closely woven into our social and commercial fabric, that anything bearing authoritatively on their price interests practically everybody.”
St. Croix Courier
Aug 6/1925
Government Election Ad.
Every automobilist in NB know this to be true: that far and wide throughout the province it is easily possible by reason of the splendid new government highways and by-ways, to make business and pleasure trips with comfort, speed and travelling delight. The farmer with his truck finds marketing facilitated. The outsider is attracted to our country in the tourist season. NB is now linked up with the great transcontinental roadway systems of the US and Canada. And more than that, everybody knows: That he can now traverse NB safely, and comfortably and expeditiously. That dreaded hills and curves, gullies and cliff sides, have been eliminated. That business houses are now selling their goods by NB auto routes. That it is now possible to motor your family on visits, picnics and sightseeing. That NB can now boast as good highways as the Continent at large. That no better claim for support could be made by a government. That the government’s road policy has helped keep people working in dull times. That our children are learning to appreciate their homeland by automobiling. That the marketing farmer and his auto truck is a new element in business. That good roadways improve business conditions uniformly in every direction.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 20/1925
They Will Speed In Algonquin Cars. Saturday’s Accident near St. Andrews Almost a Fatality. Fred Cowans, 17 year old son of Percy Cowans of McDougall and Cowans of Montreal, overturns his dad’s Chrysler and puts a passenger 14 year old Banning Richardson in critical condition. On way to New River Beach. One of the occupants Miss Williams an Algonquin guest.
St. Croix CourierSt. Croix Courier
Aug 11/1927
Increased Revenues Mean Road Improvements. Provincial roads soon to have new marking system. (Highways signs and route destinations) “The increasing number of automobiles in the province, the growing number of motor bus lines, and the multiplying tourist travel by autos was making the highways maintenance problem one of growing importance.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 9/1928
Appropriates a car and does a little joy riding. Collides with a Ford injuring occupants--arrested and now staying in SA--but not at the Algonquin. Details. Booze.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 16/1928
The number of US automobiles that entered NB this season up to July 31st, 1928, gather ed by the Bureau from the Collectors of National Revenue at 23 ports of entry . . . That NB has been able to show such a large percentage of increase of motor tourists from the US when the weather has been especially unfavourable because of continued rains, indicates that this province is reaping the benefits of the extensive and energetic advertising and publicity campaign ever undertaken on behalf of NB and carried on this year for the first time under the Government Bureau. The returns here show the continued growing popularity of the route from the New England states which leads from Bangor through Houlton and other points in Northern Maine to NB, practically all of the increase that is being shown being accounted for at points of entry from Woodstock north along the upper Saint John river. (See stats on individual entry points in file: St. Stephen 4501 in 1928 over 4235 in 1927; nearest competition Richmond Road at 2731 in 1928 over 1690 in 1927. Except for St. Leonard, ever other entry point less than a thousand.)
In previous years NB Automobile Association compiled stats; now done by NB gov Bureau of Information and Tourist Travel.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 11//1928
Auto registrations more that $110,000 over 1927 total. Gasoline tax receipts also ahead.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 18/1928
Improved Train Services Between New England and Maritime Provinces.
Almost 40 percent Enter St. Stephen. Unusually busy Sept. 10,062 over 8,812 in 1927 with permits for stays between 24 hours and 60 days. Richmond Road next with 6,276, St. Leonard 3,432, Andover with 1,791 and Grand Falls with 1,653.
Permits for visits over 24 hours totalled 26,136 to Sept 30 over 20,002 over last year—province wide. Increase of 30 percent. Province wide, 299,658 US owned automobiles entered NB up to August 31 through 23 points of entry. St. Stephen principal gateway.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 14, 1930
Competition of Camps too Keen for Hotels. Visitor Ascribes Falling Off in Business to Improved overnight Camps. (Description of early motor home--seems homemade and something of a sensation)
A tourist car with a specially constructed Wiedman camp body providing complete living accommodations for four people with all the comforts of home, was in town on Tuesday and attracted considerable attention. The machine is owned by E. S. Adams, of South Hamilton, Mass., who has used it for extensive touring through the Eastern States during which he carries on work for the New England Automobile Club. He has covered approximately 3200 miles this season.
The car is divided into a kitchenette, diningette and an observation platform which has ample room for two good-sized chairs, as well as a folding platform at the rear on which chairs may be placed. It is mounted on a standard Chevrolet chassis. The cooking is done entirely by electricity. The car has its own running water supply, refrigerator and gas heater and according to the owner is more comfortable than his other car, a large sedan.
Mr. Adams was keenly interested in the tourist traffic and seemed highly pleased when told that the travel to NB this year had increased more than fifty per cent over last season. He felt the business depression in the United States was largely due to the psychological reaction following the stock market crash and looked for a recovery within the next few months. Speaking of the falling off in hotel business generally in NB he said the same condition was reported in the New England States and believed it was largely due to the high tariffs of many hotels and the competition of the overnight camps, which now under Government regulation provide fairly comfortable and sanitary accommodation at much less expense than the hotels.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 1, 1931
US Tourists Left 20 million in NB During 1930 Season. St. Stephen Gain less than 1,200. 44 percent increase overall.
Motor tourist travel to NB from the US was 44 percent greater in 1930 that in the previous year, this percentage of increase in tourist business being the greatest shown by any Province of the Dominion of Canada for 1930.
The figures are included in statistics compiled by the NB Government Bureau of Information and Tourist Travel from returns of permits issued for tourists automobiles from the United States by Canadian Customs officers at 24 Customs port of entry along the international boundary in NB and do not take into consideration the also largely increased number of American motor tourists who visited this province after entering Canada at customs ports of entry in other provinces; nor is the greatly increased motor tourist traffic from other Canadian provinces included in the compilation.
In view of the great increase in motor tourist travel from the United States, as well as from other provinces in the Dominion, despite the fact that tourists’ individual expenditures everywhere were not as large on the average in 1930 as before, the business depression, the gross value of NB’s tourist trade of all kinds, which was placed by independent estimates at $18,000,000 in 1929, must have been fully maintained if indeed it did not reach $20,000,000 in 1930. The total number of American motor tourists who entered Canada through NB ports for stays of more than 24 hours in 1930 is placed at 186,441, practically 150 percent greater than the number in 1927, the year before the Government took over administration of the Province tourist business. The results from the government bureau’s newspaper advertising and publicity campaigns are therefore highly gratifying.
Permits issued for tourist automobiles from the United States at Canadian Customs houses at international boundary points in this Province for stays of longer period than 24 hours totalled 53,269 for the first eleven months of 1930, an increase of 44 percent over the figures for the full year of 1929. There has been at the same time, an equally large if not larger increase in the volume of tourist travel to NB from other Canadian provinces during 1930, it being estimated that interprovincial tourist travel was at least five times as great in 1930 as in 1927. The returns supplied to the Bureau of provincial Information and Tourist Travel by the Federal National Revenue Department further show that 605,848 United States owned automobiles entered NB in 1930 up to November 30th through the 24 ports of entry in this Province along the International Boundary.
Telegraph Journal
August 15, 1934
St. Andrews Visitor is Killed
Mrs. W. C. Van Horne Loses Life in Auto Accident at Oak Bay
Member of Prominent Canadian Family has Skull Fractured when Car Leaves Road and Crashed in Creek’s Botton
St. Stephen, Aug 14 (Special)
the body of Mrs. W. c. Van Horne, 27, Toronto, fatally injured in an automobile accident at Oak Bay, five miles from here, early this morning while returning to her summer home in St. Andrews, after attending a dance here, will be taken to St. Andrews tomorrow, when her father, William L. Fraser, Montreal, arrives here. it is expected that the body will be removed from St. Andrews on Thursday to Montreal for funeral services at her parents’ home.
Mrs. Van Horne, whose husband is prominent in the automobile business in Canada, and is a grandson of the late Sir William Van Horne, formerly president of the CPR, suffered a fractured skull and other injuries when her car, which she was driving, left the road in failing to make the sharp turn at Oak Bay and plunged over a 20 foot embankment into the rocky bed of a creek. Nels Svensen, SA, the other occupant of the car, escaped injuries. She had motored to St. Stephen with other St. Andrews summer residents last evening to attend a dance and was on her way to the seaside town when the accident happened, at 2:30 o’clock. there was a heavy ground fog at the time, it was stated and this was believed to have obscured visibility.
Mrs. Van Horne was brought to Chipman Memorial Hospital here by Edward Corbett, who operates overnight camps near the scene on the accident, and her death followed shortly after her admittance to the institution.
Dr. H. S. Everett, SS, coroner, decided that o inquest was necessary, stating that death was purely accidental. The coroner and Royal Canadian Mounted Police visited the scene of the accident soon after being notified and conducted an investigation.
St. Andrews Grieves
St. Andrews, August 14—(Special)
News of the car accident near St. Stephen early this mornign claiming the life of Mrs. Edythe Audrey (Fraser) Van Horne, wife of W. C. Van Horne, came as a great shock to the summer colony here and residents of the town generally, with whom Mrs. Van Horne was very popular. The body will be brought from St. Stephen tomorrow, and burial will be made in Montreal.
Former Montreal Girl
Mrs. Van Horne was formerly Miss Edythe Audrey Fraser, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. William L. Fraser of Montreal. She was married to William Cornelius Covenhoven Van Horne in Montreal, November 29, 1928. Her husband is a son of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Van Horne of Montreal, and a grandson of Lady Van Horne and he late Sir William Van Horne, former president of the CPR.
Following their wedding, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Van Horne took up residence in Toronto. Mrs. Van Horne is survived by her husband and a daughter, two years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Horne have been spending a vacation at “Covenhoven,” the Van Horne estate at SA, guests of his aunt, Miss A. Van Horne. Miss Peggy Fraser, sister of Mrs. Van Horne, is also a guest.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 10/1936
Shire town Items—Big Convention Sept 9. Sun Life Co. 400 delegates in two parts each, divided by one day to reset hotel. McQuoid’s taxi service 40 cars on call day and night. Many privately owned automobiles are being used for this purpose, and young lady chauffeurs will be a commonplace. It is expected that the upper grades of the school will have one session in order to provide caddies for the golfers. Each part of convention identical in program—even down to menus.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 29/1937
Whitehead sees first tourist automobile. Towed out to island behind fishing boat. From Norwood Mass.