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Four Farewells

Here we have four farewells - that of Adam Smith to the Standard, John Magee to the Pilot, Robert Armstrong to the Beacon, and Fred Worrell to a few recently deceased readers of his lively ""Shiretown Items"" column, just a few years before his own death in 1951. Our editors all left with mixed feelings, having laboured hard to promote the business interests of the town, and with some success, but not overall with the outcomes they wished. Mr. Worrell, living in a time when many of these dreams had died and St. Andrews had entered upon its career as a watering place, filled his columns with a lively catalogue of culture and character, and in this sense was a worthy successor to our three editors. •

Standard

July 21, 1880

A Retrospect

It is rapidly approaching a half century since the Standard was first issued. At that time St. Andrews carried on a large trade with Great Britain and the West Indies, the Port owning upwards of eleven thousand tons of shipping, carrying ton timber to Great Britain; boards, shingles, house frames and cattle to the West Indies; and return cargoes of dry goods, iron, coal, salt and ships fittings from Britain, and rum sugar, molasses mahogany and tropical fruit from the West Indies.

                  Her merchants were men of capacity, enterprise and energy - one of them owning forty sail of vessels, among them ships, barques and brigs; only one small vessel, a schooner, was registered here, it being the port of registry and entry for this County. There are no such merchants now as Scott, Rait, Wilson, Allanshaw and McMaster, Ker, Douglas and Campbell, Scott and Jack, Wyer, Babcock and Son, and others. At that period the Charlotte County Bank was doing a large business and was the only money institution in the Province with the exception of the Bank of New Brunswick at St. John. Business was brisk, money abundant, no lack of employment. The trade of St. Andrews was second only to that of St. John; indeed in commercial standing it was almost on a par.

                  At that time, the Standard was ushered into the world and was welcomed by its contemporaries the St. John Courier, Observer, City Gazette, Watchman, Chronicle, and Colonist, all which papers have long since been discontinued, and their proprietors have gone the way of all flesh. The Standard alone is left; a perusal of its files would furnish a history of the County for the last fifty years. In its prospectus it was announced that the Standard will be conducted on liberal principles. The affairs of New Brunswick demand peculiar attention and will be discussed with firmness and fairness. The vindication of liberty will not be allowed to degenerate into licentiousness; but an undaunted maintenance of political rights will be carried the whole length allowed by the constitution.

                  How we have adhered to those principles we leave our readers to judge.

                  It has ever been our aim to advocate the interests of the town and province to the best of our ability. We were instrumental in past years of advancing the prosperity and commercial status of St. Andrews by urging the formation of a company to build and purchase vessels for the carrying trade of the port, which were afterwards known as "Company vessels," and the building of the steam mill which gave employment to a large number of men in the manufacture of lumber. And last but not least, as stated in our edition last week, the Standard was the first and for some time the sole newspaper which advocated the construction of railways in the British Provinces, and ultimately succeeded in its efforts, resulting in the formation of the St. Andrews and Quebec Railroad Company which commenced the first section of the line to Woodstock, which was afterwards completed to that place by the N. B. and C. Railway company. It also lent its aid to establish branches to the main line and railways in all parts of the Province, and other enterprises to develop its resources and increase its prosperity. It also maintained and defended the people's justice.

                  In politics it had decided views and supported new government which it believed administered the affairs of the Province for its welfare. It studiously avoided attacks on private character and invariably treated those with whom it differed with respect, always discussing questions on their merits, and eliminating unpleasant and disrespectful remarks to those with those views it did not coincide.

                  It is a pleasure to be able to record that when our contemporaries differed with us, they treated us with marked respect, for which we felt grateful. During our half century of editorial life, we would have been more than mortal had we not committed errors, knowing well that perfection is not attainable on earth; the errors were those of the head, not the heart. But "to err is human, to forgive divine." When alluding to the Press, we know no party; and from a lengthened experience, we assert that the people of New Brunswick have just reason to be proud of their Press, which for enterprise, ability and sturdy independence is not surpassed. It is probable that in the large cities of the United States and Canada, with dense populations and enormous wealth and business, they may possess journals of greater circulation and wealth; but for ability, tact, and journalism the Provincial Press is their equal.

                  To conclude - in a lengthy review of the "Past and Present," and wishing our readers "a very happy New Year" it was added, "We do not know what is in the womb of futurity; it may, or may not be the last time we will have the privilege through these columns of extending our annual greeting." It was our endeavor "to swallow a sun beam" that we might look at the bright side of the picture. Well, we did so, but - we cannot say that word, which calls up memories dear to us, and our readers will pardon the omission.

Pilot

March 21, 1889

Pilot Valedictory

The publication of the Bay Pilot ceases with the number issued today. It is now nearly ten years since the management of the paper devolved upon the present editor, who, although conscious of many shortcomings and errors in judgment, has the satisfaction of knowing that so far as in his power, he worked for the advancement of the interests of the Town of Saint Andrews, and for the instruction and edification of the subscribers to and readers of the paper, many of whom, especially those living at a distance, he feels assured, will miss its weekly visits. To the subscribers who from the first have stood by us in sunshine and in storm, and who regularly paid their dues, we tender hearty thanks. We hope that those who are indebted to the office, will feel it their bounden duty to pay what they owe. We also tender our best thanks to our contemporaries of the press, with whom we regularly exchanged, and wish them great prosperity.

                  It may be asked why we retire from the journalistic field. The answer is, that we have found the management of the paper and the cares incident thereto, together with that of our fast increasing dry goods business, were rather more than we could attend to; either one had to be abandoned. We have decided in our own interest to give up the publication of the newspaper. We are glad to say that the prospects for the town of St. Andrews never were more encouraging than at the present time. It behooves the people thereof to exercise wise judgment in dealing with the parties who are investing their capital so liberally, (firstly of course for their own benefit) which must eventually greatly stimulate the prosperity of the town. The residents of the town should, so far as they can, cooperate with them, and all attempts at obstruction should be frowned upon. Any proposition emanating from the parties referred to should be carefully considered and approached in a generous rather than in a carping spirit.

                  We are pleased to state that the Bay Pilot will be succeeded by another newspaper which we have reason to believe will be a credit to the town and for which we ask the favorable consideration of all our readers. Let all of us throw aside personal and local prejudices, and unite in one grand effort for the good of the dear old town of St. Andrews.

                  The newspaper to be published in St. Andrews in succession to the Bay Pilot will be called the St. Andrews Beacon. The publisher, Mr. Robert E. Armstrong, as already intimated by us, has had considerable experience in journalistic work in all its branches. He entered the composing room of the Saint John Evening Globe as an apprentice, and was advanced step by step, finally reaching the position of foreman. He was eventually attached to the reportorial staff, for which he provided himself eminently qualified. The first number of the Saint Andrews Beacon, which will for the present at least be issued weekly only, will be published in either the first or second week in April. The editor of the Bay Pilot, having steered his craft safely through the storms that sometimes beset her, until the Beacon is within measurable distance, cheerfully resigns his charge, with best wishes for the prosperity of the new craft.

Beacon

March 26, 1914

Publisher's Announcement

My acceptance of the position of Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Trade of my native city of St. John necessitates the early severance of my relations with the Beacon as its editor and publisher, also the severance of my very agreeable relations with its many readers and with the people of Charlotte County generally.

                  The task of making this announcement is far from being a pleasant one. When a man creates a paper and gives all that is in him during the best years of his life to its development and maintenance, it becomes part of himself, and when he has lived with a people for many years, sharing their joys and sorrows and their ambitions, the pain of separation in such case is rendered very acute indeed.

                  The years that I have lived with the people of Charlotte County have not been unpleasant ones - quite the reverse. They have brought to my door an abundance of wealth - not the passing wealth of money which today is and tomorrow is not, but the greater wealth that comes from warm hearts and loving friends. I wish to thank the people of Charlotte County (those at home and those abroad), also the summer residents, for their kindly consideration during the years for their many tokens of good feeling, and for the patronage which they have extended the paper. I have done what I could during my residence in Charlotte County to advance its interest, to develop its resources and to encourage its people. More I would have done had I been permitted. It is satisfaction to me to know that there is a prospect of an early materializing of one of the projects for which I had most strenuously labored.

                  I wish to thank most heartily the patrons of the paper - the advertisers, the subscribers the world over, the correspondents - all who in any way have contributed to its success. I would say to them that I hope before the middle of April to make a positive announcement as to the continuance of the paper. Much will depend upon the encouragement received from the business people of the Town. [The Beacon continued under the editorship of Wallace Broad until 1919.]

                  To my brethren of the press throughout Canada and the U.S, I will say that their companionship has been very dear to me. I do not intend to bid them farewell, for in the new field which I propose entering I will be brought very close to them and will have to rely very largely upon their kindly support and their brotherly consideration and advice.

 - R. E. Armstrong

St. Croix Courier

Jan. 17, 1946

"Shiretown Items"

Old Friends are Passing

It is a common experience to us all as we grow older to lose each year through death a number of our intimate friends. In the recent passing here of Thomas Pendlebury I have lost not only a good friend of many years standing but one of "Shiretown Items"'most faithful fans. I rarely met him on the street without receiving some word of praise or encouragement, and many of my old-time items were written from information I got from him. He bought four Couriers regularly every week to send away to his children. His death was not unexpected, however, as he was 82 years of age and had been in poor health for a year or more. The sudden death of Bev. Jordan and J. H. Stanton were on the other hand a decided shock to me as I had received Christmas cards from both of them as usual during the past few years and it is hard to realize that they are gone. I had known Bev. intimately ever since he was Town Marshall in St. Andrews and have had many proofs of his friendship, his manly qualities and his sincere understanding of human nature. As to Mr. Stanton of Oakland, Cal., he seemed to me like some beloved character in a book. In our books we can turn up a passage at will and spend a few minutes communing with an old friend. And so it was with Mr. Stanton's spicy little notes which have been coming quite regularly for the past four years. There was always something new and intriguing about them. We could glance over them at intervals during dull moments and enjoy a fellowship with one so far away as miles are measured but so near at hand as friendship is considered. His first and many following notes were signed "Passer-by" and he kept me guessing for a long time before I found out his name or much about him. His often expressed wish to re-visit his native New Brunswick was not to be fulfilled. He is gone and I shall miss him more than I can say. And so, dear Passer-by, farewell, a fond farewell.