Item

Crime and Punishment in St. Andrews

Eastport Sentinel
August 19, 1826
A negro man and woman were sentenced to be hung at the late session of the Supreme Court in St. Andrews, on the 29th instant, for the murder of an infant child.  The circumstances relative to the murder are such that no good can result in the community by publishing the, and we question the propriety of spreading before the world, as is customary, detailed accounts of every horrid enormity that is committed.

Eastport Sentinel
Aug 27, 1826
In our last issue we stated that two persons of the last session of the Supreme Court in St. Andrews were convicted of the crime of murder.  In pronouncing the awful sentence of death the hon. Judge [Ward] Chipman [Jr.] in a distinct and emphatic manner, addressed the prisoners in the words to the following effect, which we taken from the St Andrews Herald:
            Richard Stuart, Maria Stuart:--You have been convicted by a jury of your country, after a fair and impartial trial of a horrid crime, and that jury would not have discharged themselves of he solemn oath they were under, nor have performed their duty to Society, if they had not found the verdict which they did.  Murder is the highest crime which one person can commit against another.  it is the taking away that life which he cannot restore, and for which he can make no compensation, and in your case, the crime is deeply aggravated, by the circumstance that the being which you have destroyed, was the fruit of your own incestuous connection.  I say this, for although the fact was not distinctly proved, yet the presumption from the facts which were proved, was irresistible.  Nature shudders at the contemplation of your offence—Even the beast of the field will cherish, protect and preserve its offspring with a force of instinct that renders it dangerous to disturb it.  And it is reserved for the perversion of human nature a perversion that can be brought about only by a course of guilt, to lay hands on its own offspring and strangle it in the hour of its birth—Your hearts were hardened by the foul mingling of that common blood which you derived from one parent; you commence by indulging you unhallowed passions, and you ended by murdering the infant to which they gave birth.  And this for the purpose of concealing your criminality, is in itself a full evidence that you had a deep consciousness of the guilt of your connection.  this horrid termination of your amours should be a warning to all against venturing on the path of vice and crime.  they cannot foresee whither it will lead them.  The particular circumstances of the case are also of a very aggravated character.  When the hour of delivery approached, you Maria Stuart, sent your daughter, the only inmate in the house besides yourselves, to be at an unusual hour of the day.—and preparation was made for the deadly scene.  But that all seeing eye which witnessed what you were doing, also provided a human witness in this very daughter, whose suspicions had been incited by your unusual conduct, to appear in your condemnation.  She did observe what passed through an opening in the partition, and she has testified it at the bar of this Court.  And here let me say that heart rending as it is, to see a child give evidence against its own parent, ye tit is a natural working of the human heart, especially in a young person, when made the depository of such horrid secrets, to unburthen itself by disclosing them, even against the impulses of natural affection.  The great ends of public justice have also been answered.  This girl has been the instrument in the hands of Providence to bring to light a foul crime, and upon every principle of justice and good policy, is entitled to the countenance and support of this respectable community.  the girl heard the scream of the infant as it was left to drop from the mother’s womb, in the hope perhaps that the very fall would deprive it of life.  the child was found concealed on the premises—the fatal string found around its neck has been identified—the girl discovered traces of blood in the morning and the chain of evidence is complete.  there is also no difference in he guilt of the two offenders.  You, Maria Stuart, were the person who ordered the girl to bed, and there is not a shadow of doubt from the circumstances of the transaction, tha tit was the effect of preconcert between you.  The birth was at all hazards to be concealed, and this could only be done by putting an end to the child if born alive.  It would indeed be a dangerous principle if, when more persons than one are present, assisting in the commission of a crime and participating in its execution, the hand that actually perpetrated the act should along be condemned, while perhaps the more guilty mind should escape.  In such circumstances, law and reason unite in making the act of one, the act of all.
            By the law of God, by the law of England, by the law of this province, I may add by the law of every civilized community, death is the punishment for this enormous crime.  the calls of justice imperiously require that your lives, should be forfeited for this foul offence, and to operate as an example to all others from entering upon such works to destruction.  I can therefore hold out to you no hope of mercy in this world.  But God has revealed his holy will to mankind, and has pointed out the way by which the foulest sinners even at the eleventh hours, may obtain pardon from him, by sincere repentance, through the merits and intercession of the blessed Redeemer whom he sent into the world.  You have but a short time to lie, I therefore exhort you, if you have every had religious instruction, earnestly to recall it, if not at once to seek it and to make your peace with your God without delay, that your souls may not be condemned by Hi, as your bodies much perish on the Gallows.  it remains for me only to pronounce the awful sentence of the law, and that is, That you Maria Stuart and Richard Stuart be taken from hence to the place from whence you came, and from thence to the place of execution, on Tuesday the 29th day of August instant, between the hours of ten in the forenoon and two in the afternoon, and that there you and each of you be hanged by the neck until you are dead.  And may God have mercy on your souls.

Vestry Book for the Church of St. Andrews, Charlotte County
In Vestry, Tuesday Morning, 7 o’clock
29 August 1826
The Rev. Mr. Alley, Rector
Thomas Wyer, Dr. Frye Churchwardens
P. Smith, G. Campbell, George McMaster, James Parkinson, S. Nelson, John Aymar, J. Barber, Peter Stubbs Vestrymen
Resolved that a lot in the burying ground in the south east corner thereof to contain 8 feet by 12 feet be set apart for the reception of the bodies of the aforesaid criminals Dick and Maria Stewart who are to be executed today, or for any others that may suffer the sentence of the law; and resolved that the church wardens and William Barber be a committee to measure the ground accordingly. 
            The ground measured, as aforementioned, by the committee

New Brunswick Royal Gazette
August 29, 1826
The Circuit Court for Charlotte County closed its session in St. Andrews on Wednesday the 16th inst.  On that day, at two o’clock, Richard and Maria Stewart were brought up to receive the sentence of the Court, for the crime of murder, of which they had been some days previously convicted by a Jury of the country after an impartial trial.  The Hon. Judge Chipman, after having addressed the prisoners in a feeling and impressive manner, pronounced the awful sentence of the law, which was: “That you Maria Stewart and Richard Stuart, be taken from hence to the place from whence you came, and from thence to the place of execution, on Tuesday the 29th day of August, instant, between the hours of ten in the forenoon and two in the afternoon, and that there you and each of you shall be hanged by the neck until you are dead.  And may God have mercy upon your souls.”
            The Herald says Maria Stuart appears to be exceedingly agitated, but Richard Stuart exhibited no appearance of emotion whatever.  there has been only one execution in this County since its erection.  We deeply lament that there should be any cause for present sacrifice of human life, but the case was so clear, that nothing was left for either Court or Jury, to induce them to lay any statement in favor of the miserable culprits before the Executive.  We hope most sincerely, that this awful example will act as a warning to others in this vicinity, who, there is too much reason to believe, although not guilty, as in the present case of incest, yet are strongly suspected of having taken away the lives of their own children, the fruits of their illicit amours.

Eastport Sentinel
Sept 2, 1826
Richard and Maria Stewart were executed on Thursday lat, agreeably to their sentence.

Aug 30, 1826. 
#236 All Saints Burial
Richard and Maria Stuart, convicts, executed for murder. 

Standard
March 5, 1835
Last week Col. Wyer introduced a bill to assess the inhabitants of Charlotte for erecting anew Court House in the County, and by a resolution of the Committee, the Saint Andrews Standard will be immortalized in the Journals of the House, an order having been made that a copy of this aid Bill be published in said newspaper for the information of the Inhabitants of the County of Charlotte. (letter from Clitus)

Standard
Dec 24, 1835
On Monday the 21st day of December inst. Two seamen of the Brig Agenora, Robert Gray, master, were brought up for examination before Thomas Wyer, Esq. and the Honorable James Allanshaw, upon a charge of Mutiny and Desertion.
            It appeared that on the tenth day of December, that the crew of the Agenora consisting of ten men, all shipped about 4 o’clock, that the Vessel then lay at the Eastern Ballast ground, and was to proceed to sea early next morning, but that abut seven o’clock in the evening, the Captain, Pilot, and Mate, who were all in the Cabin heard a loud noise near the Companion doors, and the Mate went at once to ascertain the cause of it, but as soon as he had opened the door it was forcibly closed that he made another attempt and succeeded in opening the door, where he discovered two seamen standing near it, one with a pistol in his hand, and the other with a pump brake, that they both swore they would knock out the first man’s brains who attempted to come up, that the Captain, Mate and Pilot, not having any fire arms or weapons, were not in a condition to make resistance, when seven of the semen (amongst which were the two prisoners) possessed themselves of the long boat,, cut the painter and made for Deer island, where they landed at the risk of their lives, the boat going to pieces in the surf, and the wind blowing a gale at the time. They subsequently reached Eastport, in the State of Maine, where owing to the exertions of Messrs. Babcock and Son and the prompt assistance of the civil authorities, there, the two prisoners, with another of the crew, who was admitted as a witness, were arrested and brought here, the other four having unfortunately for the public made their escape. The Justice committed the two prisoners for mutiny, to take their trial at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer for the County, the witness not having been able to find bail was also committed. The Justices also bound over Mr. George Watson, of this town, as accessory before the fact to appear and take his trial at the same time.
            J. W. Chandler and G. D. Street Esquires appear as Council, on behalf of the Prosecution.

Standard
Jan 28, 1836
Riot
On Monday last, William McNamara and others, were brought up before the Magisrates for riotous and disorderly conduct in the street on Saturday night the 23rd inst. After a long and tedious examination, which lasted from 11 am to 7 pm, William McNamara, John Fortune, and Peter McCrawley were bound over to keep the peace for 12 months, and fined two sureties in 20 pounds each and one surety of 40 pounds for their appearance at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer.

Standard
April 14, 1836
Charlotte County Common Pleas
And General Sessions of the Peace, April 1836
The High Sheriff, Coroner, Magistrates and other gentlemen, preceded by a corps of Constables, escorted the senior Judge Thomas Wyer, Esq. from his residence to the Court House on Tuesday last, when the usual form of opening the court was gone through and the following Grand Jury was sworn in:
William Babcock, Foreman
Thomas Watt
 John McCurdy
John Mowatt
James Boyd,
Thomas Sime
George N. Smith [nb]
Hugh Cavin
William Libby
Nininan Lindsay
William Thomson
William C. Scott
Albert Robinson
Hugh McCullum
Zadok Hawkins
John boyd
John Mann, Jun.
Malcolm McFarlane
William Smart
Richard Sitson
Daniel Brown

His Worship the presiding Judge then addressed them nearly as follows:
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,
In the absence of the senior Justice, Colonel McKay, it devolves on me to address you.
            The law which has just been read to you, respecting Retailers of Liquors and Tavern keepers, you will particularly have in charge.
            Any presentment that you may make to the Court, you will be particular to give the name of the witness, that the law may be put in force; you will likewise be particular in presenting those persons who allow liquors to be sold or drank in their house son the Lord’s day, commonly called Sunday, as well as those persons who keep a disorderly or improper house, by which, the peace of society is disturbed.
            By your office, gentlemen, you are appointed guardians of the liberty and property of the community in general, a trust of great consequence and importance, to discharge which, it is not only necessary that you take notice and present all public wrongs and offences, and that you also give enunciation and encouragement to every thing that is praiseworthy.
            The public accounts that will be handed in to Court, shall be laid before you as the law directs, and the Court has no doubt but that you will give them that attention that the law contemplates, and the County expect of you.
            There is but two persons confined in gaol for criminal offences, to be tried by the Supreme Court, and one person for debt.
            I am happy to congratulate you, gentlemen, on the spirit of enterprise and industry, that is now going on in this county and the Province at large; nothing can so much promise the interest of the community and the society in which we live, as the spirit of industry and sobriety; then, let us all, Gentlemen, profit by experience, and vie with each other in making the best use of our time, to improve the advantages which the blessings of the land and the sea hold out for our acceptance, and that thereby we may be a community justly famed for good order., and a regard to the law of our god, and our Country. The Clerk of the Court will give you the necessary papers; a constable will attend you, and you can go to your room when you please.
           
On his worship sitting down, the Grand Jury retired to their room and the business of the Court proceeded.
            Should any thing of special interest be brought forward, we will endeavour to announce it.

Standard
April 21, 1836
Report of the County Charlotte Grand Jury
April Sessions, 1836
. . .
The Grand Jury have made some remarks on the Gaoler’s account expressive of their surprise at the extraordinary nature of these charges to which  they would particularly call the attention of the Court, particularly a charge of carrying bread from the baker to the prison, which actually amounts to more than the cost of the bread.
            The Grand Jury on view of the Prison would remark that it appears sufficiently strong for any thing where strength alone is required, but on the principle that imprisonment should not be torture and death (which must ensue if Prisoners are  put into the cells during winter), the Jury would remark that it appears totally unfit for the purpose for which it was intended to serve. There is a certain want of cleanliness about the Prison which should be immediately looked into by the authorities; heaps of soot and ashes are to be seen about the lobbies and small stores of the debtor’s rooms; the cellar is also very unfit for the purpose intended, the gaoler having lost great part of his vegetable during last winter.
            It appears to the Grand Jury absolutely necessary that something be done in the way of a drain or sewer to carry off the filth accumulating bout such an establishment, and to save the monstrous expense of removing it in the manner in which it is now done, as well as to prevent the generating of dangerous diseases during the hot months of summer.
. . .
A. Jack, Foreman

Standard
1840
Improvement—
Our new court house is now in a state of great forwardness, the plastering and stucco work being completed. On a recent visit to this building e were much pleased with the faithful manner in which the work has been performed. The Judges Barristers, Grand and Petit Jury Rooms, together with a spacious apartment allotted for Session business, are all convenient and well adapted for the use of those engaged in the administration of the laws of the country. The Court Room in the centre of the building will be judiciously laid out for public convenience, and by no means overlooking the accommodation expected by the Bench and the Bar. The building committee, together with the architect, Mr. Thomas Berry, are entitled to great credit, for having faithfully performed their respective duties. The building is situated on arising round in the vicinity of the Jail, and from its commanding situation, it will have an imposing effect when completed.

Standard
Nov 5/1841
Disgraceful—On “Wednesday evening last, as Mr. Young, (a witness attending the Court) was passing along Water street, near the Post Office, a collection of boys assailed him with a volley of stones and sticks, cutting his face and otherwise abusing him in a shocking manner, without any kind of provocation. Mr. Young, who is a peaceable, sober man, was inclined at first to treat the outrage as a joke, until he was followed up and struck with a bludgeon which knocked him down. As we were passing near the place at the time, we saw Mr. Young bleeding profusely from his face, surrounded by a gang of young scamps, who are nightly collected in our streets, disturbing the inhabitants. It is a matter of deep regret that the Magistrates do not put a stop to such infamous proceedings by appointing special Constable to patrol the streets at night. Such conduct is a disgrace to any community, and we trust that the offenders in this case will be brought up and severally punished by making a public example of them. While mentioning this outrage we cannot avoid calling attention to the disgraceful conduct of these youths at the evening Book auctions; instead of embracing the opportunity of purchasing cheap information, they have invariably molested the auctioneers in various ways and stopped the sales at an early hour, and in one instance several books were stolen. We again call the special attention of their Worships to these proceeding, and hope they will follow the method adopted in other towns in the Province, by making examples of the culprits and publishing the police reports giving the names.

Standard
June 17, 1842
Improvements—We notice that the lower part of the old Jail is undergoing repairs, for the purpose of converting it into a Market House; the room used formerly for holding the Courts in, is also to be repaired and fitted up for a Public Hall. The partitions and floors of the old jail were lined with iron bars about six inches apart and double planked over timber, notwithstanding which several places can be seen where we are informed persons have cut through and made the escape out of holes barely a foot square. The iron and spikes appear to be good and may be disposed of to advantage.

Standard
July 1, 1842
Mr. Editor—
I wish to draw the attention of the guardians of the public peace to the conduct of person sin the habit of assembling near the Practice rooms of the Amateur Band, whose object appears to be to offer insult to the performers, and to prevent any of the very large assemblage of respectable persons who nightly attend to listen, from deriving any pleasure; and when I look round and see that the mob is composed almost entirely of boys, and see no means taken to prevent the annoyance, I cannot help applying censure to those who should and could so easily take measures to put down such a disgraceful nuisance; and it is certainly very far from being complimentary to those who have devoted so much time and expense, for an object so calculated for public gratification, that they should be so completely thwarted in their endeavors to please, and subjected to insult. If the parties are thus quietly allowed to annoy, the public may rest assured that it will operate as a direct license to all the unruly boys of which our community is already unfortunately too full, to insult with impunity. And I feel confident that it will be admitted, that they are sufficiently versed in all that is bad, without thus granting such a bounty of blackguardism, as to allow them to accomplish their design, of obliging spectators to retire with disappointment and disgust. It is abut a short time since their worships were under the necessity of appointing a nightly watch to preserve order in our streets and it is now a mater of surprise that with so much more cause they tacitly permit the continuance of misconduct, which could at once be put down by the presence of a single constable.
Yours,
Good Order.

Standard
May 10/1848
Communication re slavery and prejudice in St. Andrews. See photocopy.

Communication, for the Standard
Mr. Editor,
A copy of the Eastport Sentinel of the 3d inst. having been sent to me, I noticed the following editorial remarks, which if founded on fact, were deservedly severe, but if not, require to be confuted. Now sir, I, as a resident of SA, am not willing that any incorrect statement or wholesale slander, respecting our town, should be sent abroad, without being refuted, and have taken some pains to ascertain the true version of the affair. The following paragraph is from the Sentinel of Wednesday last:--
            St. Andrews Magnanimity.
            We learn that a respectable citizen of this town was refused a dinner at a public house at St. Andrews recently, because our common Father and Creator was pleased to create him with a dark skin. He had been busily engaged with his customers about the house, (Railroad Hotel?) and being much fatigued and hungry, requested to be provided with a luncheon--his own delicacy preventing him from wishing a seat at the general eating table; and he was answered only by a gaping stare of some dirty servants. What we once heard of a runaway slave is strictly true: that people at the north need not fear to be overrun by the black in case they should be emancipated by the South, for the cold weather would half kill them, and prejudice would half kill them, and so halves make a whole. Refuse brother man a dinner merely because he is black? O, free and equal bluenosedom! Tell it not in Gath! Mr. Crawford is a man we should be happy at any time to have seated with us at our table.
            The above is the statement given to the Sentinel, and a more willfully false and malicious report has seldom been circulated. But what are the facts? A decently dressed coloured man (the Eastport barber I am informed) called at one of our hotels, during the sitting of the court in this town, between one and two o'clock in the afternoon, he was met in the hall by one of the attendants, a clean neatly attired girl, and asked for a luncheon, he was shown into the public sitting room, where he was shortly after met by some of the gentlemen who returned from dinner, and asked them if he could get a lunch, the reply he received was that they would see, and immediately informed the landlord, who at once ordered a dinner; he then went to see "the respectable citizen of Eastport," but learned he had gone out, leaving word that he would return in a few minutes. The dinner was kept waiting upwards of an hour, but he "hungry man" did not return. This is the true version of the affair. A word more and I have done. Your brother editor of the Sentinel, in his notice, has cast a reflection upon the whole inhabitants, based upon Crawford's false report; perhaps he may yet find out--that the Bluenoses are truly free, and that they hail every honest man be he ever so dark skinned, as a brother. We have neither slaves nor slaveholders amongst us, nor are we living in slavish fear.
            Yours,
            Fair Play.

Standard
Sept 29/1852
First escape from County Jail in 21 years, over which Capt. Law has been jailer.

Escape from Prison:
On Wednesday night last,
Charles Hickey, charged with stealing from a shop in St. Stephen, and confined in the County Jail here, made his escape from it in the following manner:
            The Jail is undergoing repairs, several apartments are in consequence rendered unfit for use, and the jailor is compelled to occupy one near the prisoner's room, and off the same passage. This passage is usually secured by fastening the doors at the end of it, on the outside; but owing to the Jailor being obliged to sleep where he did, this could not be done. Hickey was the only prisoner on this floor. His room was, according to custom, examined the 1st thing at night; when this was done, Hickey was in bed, and his light was extinguished. Every thing appeared to be secure, and the Jailor retired to rest. Having ascertained this circumstance, the prisoner converted a tin pannikin filled with butter into a lamp, and manufactured the iron bale of a water bucket into a small crow bar--then, taking down a long shelf and raising it against the wall, and one end raised on a tub, and the other resting near the aperture in the brick wall, intended for the admission of a stove pipe, he contrived a seat by winding a blanket round the plank. Once astride of this with his crowbar, he soon made the opening large enough to admit his body. Before removing the brick, however, he forced through the stove pipe hole onto the passage floor, some bedding, and disposed his mattress in such a way in his own room as to receive and deaden the sound of the falling bricks and rubbish. He then let himself down into the passage, bolted the iron door on the outside, leaving the Jailor within, and without molestation helped himself to sundry articles of apparel, and a few knickknacks belonging to the Jailor, and obtained his freedom.
            The Justices being at the time in Session, investigated the affair, and unanimously resolved that no blame was attributable for Capt. Law, the Jailor.
            Capt. Law has had charge of this Jail for 21 years, and this is the first instance of a prisoner escaping from it.

Standard
Sept 9/1874
Shows
During the past few weeks a number of shows and Entertainments were held here by Americans, and two thirds of them were as great humbugs as ever exhibited anywhere. Their flaming placards worded in the most bombastic style, attracted people to their exhibitions, who were disappointed and disgusted—particularly at the deception openly practiced by those who advertised “Gift Entertainments—no humbug—everyone received a gift”, according to the number of their ticket. In one instance a few paltry gifts were given away when numbers were called out which had not bee issued. In a hall that will not contain more than 300, the folly of calling no. 450, 520 or 630 is apparent, that people saw at once that the Yankee claptrap had deceived them. We hope they will profit by the lessons at the expense of 20 cents.

Standard
Nov 18, 1874
Attempt at Robbery
About 3 o’clock on Friday morning last, the premises of Wm. Whitlock were entered by thieves. They failed in boring holes at the office window, to wrench the bolt off, and afterwards effected an entrance to the store by removing the window over the door; after rummaging the store they passed into the house, and regaling themselves on sweet meats, opened the doors, and went up stair to where the inmates were sleeping. Mr. Polleys’, the book keeper, whose room door was partly open, heard the robbers moving noiselessly to each door, and heard them say, “he’s fast asleep,” when opposite Mr. Whitlock’s bedroom. He rose cautiously, opened a drawer where his revolver was, and moved towards the door, when he saw the light of a match for a second below, and ran down the stairs, but the villains had heard him, and made their exit by the back door. He ran to the street but cold not hear or see anyone. A more daring and barefaced attempt at robbery was never made in St. Andrews. The premises are situated on Water Street, in one of the most public parts of the town; the robbers must have been daring fellows to run such a risk. Had they not made their exit so rapidly, it is probably hat one of them had “bitten the dust.” The store of J. R. Bradford was entered a few nights before by cutting the sash of the back window, and the till rifled of small change. In both cases the robbers left burnt matches from the windows to the doors. The same parties we learn have been operating in the town of St. George.

Pilot
May 30/1878
Rowdyism. Our attention has been called to the increasing rowdy element of young men and boys congregating at the corners of streets at night, making all kinds of noises, using profane language, firing guns in alleys near windows, flinging stones at houses, and such like offences against public peace and order. One gentleman near the post office has the names of several parties who have thus committed themselves, and only keeps them back for the present on account of the parents. This caution, we hope, will have its effect to warn those nocturnal disturbers of the peace to take heed to their way.

Pilot
Oct 3/1878
The New River Tragedy!
Thomas Dowd and Mrs. Eliza Ward arrested for the murder of Thomas E. Ward. And committed to the Jail in St. Andrews.
Charlotte County, it is to be regretted, has now its murder-tragedy to record. The “Shediac Tragedy” which created such excitement throughout the Province, and which is destined to create yet more, does not now stand out as the only murder-tragedy in NB.
            The New River Tragedy exceeds in atrocity the Shediac tragedy, inasmuch, as a wife is implicated in the murder of her husband!
            The wife of the murdered man, and her paramour, Thomas Dowd, have received the verdict of “wilful murder” by a Coroner’s Jury, after a lengthened, patient, and careful investigation of circumstances and the testimony of witnesses. Thomas Dowd as principal, and Eliza Ward as accomplice.
            The contradictory statement of the accused parties themselves, are deemed sufficient to fix the suspicion, if not the certainty of the crime of murder, upon them. That the awful deed—a cold-blooded, premeditated murder has been perpetrated in New River, in this County, within the past few weeks, there is not the shadow of a doubt.
            The residence where the murdered man lived, is the well-known “McGowan House,” located a few rods west of the New River Bridge. It overlooks the rapid New River stream, and was at one time a favourite “Inn by the Wayside”. It is on the main road leading from St. George to Saint John, and distant from the Lepreaux Mills and Village, about 3 ½ miles.
            It appears from testimony adduced before the Coroner’s Jury that, an improper and illicit intimacy sprang up between Dowd and Ward’s wife; which bad beginning has, it is feared, culminated in the murder of the unfortunate husband.
            The evidence of several witnesses went to prove that Ward left the house early in the morning to cut grass on the meadow a short distance up the river; and that Dowd went in a short time also, in the same direction. Also, that Ward never returned; while Dowd came back to the house about 10 o’clock the same morning, went to the Pantry and took a “lunch.” And, that Dowd and Mrs. Ward were both seen returning during the same day towards the house from the direction of the Meadow.
            A young man of Lepreaux, a few days ago, being in search of his cows in the vicinity of the meadow, noticed by the unusual movements of his little dog, that, something more than common was nigh; instituted a search, discovering the toe of a man’s boot projecting out from bush and moss. Further examination discovered the body of a man, giving forth offensive effluvia of decomposition. The body was subsequently identified as that of Thomas E. Ward.
            Suspicion soon pointed to Thomas Dowd as the murderer, and he was promptly arrested at Musquash—several miles distant from the scene of the murder. The wife of Ward in giving her testimony, made such and so many conflicting statements as led also to her arrest as an accomplice.
            An inquest under Coroner Reynolds of Lepreaux after a protracted investigation concluded their services by rendering a verdict of wilful murder against Thomas Dowd, as principal, and against Eliza Ward an accomplice. On Sunday afternoon, Sept. 29th ultimo, two teams from Lepreaux drove into St. Andrews, and in the first was seated Thomas Dowd—in the second team sat Mrs. Ward and her daughter, with a young child about 7 months old. Dowd and Mrs. Ward entered the prison doors of the County Jail as prisoners, and Annie Ward, the daughter, a young unmarried girl of 17 years of age (with her illegitimate child) as witness in the case.
            The Editor of the Bay Pilot on Tuesday morning visited the prisoners in their respective rooms. Thomas Dowd was first interviewed. In personal appearance he is small of stature—with but very little muscular development—just assassinate but not kill a fellow man in a face to face, stand up fight. His complexion is quite dark—black hair, and wearing it thickly around his mouth and on his chin. His eyes are dark, rather small, and seemingly restless. His features, take them in all, are not comely. His voice is clear and his utterance low, but distinct and rather pleasing. The whole physique of the man is against either strength or courage.
            In answer to a few questions, he gave his age as over 40 years; was born in the City St. John, where his father was killed when he was quite a child. Has been living at, and about Lepreaux for the last 30 years. Worked for Mr. Christopher Robinson, when Alexander Gibson, Esq., owned the Lepreaux Mills. Was never married.
            Had lived with the murdered man Ward, since the 5th of April last. Had a contract from Mr. Joshua Knight last winter to get out railway sleepers for Mr. Ross of St. Andrews. Declared his innocence of the crime of which he is accused, and seemed anxious to know when his trial would come on, and wanted to know if he could get a lawyer to defend him. For one in his situation, he appeared cheerful, and expressed a desire to get some newspapers to read—“to wear away the time,” as he expressed it.
            Mrs. Eliza Ward’s room was next visited; and we found her sitting by a window busily employed in sewing; while Annie, the daughter, sat also near the window nursing her babe—the poor little creature all unconscious of the wretched condition of its mother and grandmother, trying to be playful as all babies do.
            Mrs. Ward gave her maiden name as Eliza Summerton. Born at Digdeguash, Parish of St. Patrick, 43 years of age. Moved to Lepreaux in November 1877.
            In person, Mrs. Ward is small—thin-featured, light complexion, but rather sallow. Her forehead is the best looking part of her face or head—indicative of intellectuality; but lost, for want of culture. She is very free to talk, and only for a moment or so, hesitated, and seemed reluctant to answer, when questioned as to her husband’s age—she soon rallied however, and talked as fast and freely as if presiding at the “McGowan House.” She said she had always worked hard for a living; had sold liquor last winter, as—“she had a good ‘slew’ of Boarders,” Such were her own words, and we would not attempt to mar them by change of phraseology, or of diction. She said her husband had always been kind to her, and she “called god to witness her innocence of doing anything to hurt him.” At this stage of her conversation, her lips trembled, a tear welled up to the eye, and her whole frame seemed to shake with agitation.
            Turning from the mother to the daughter, we found her much more reticent. She “believed her father had been murdered”—“had no doubt of it”—then, spoke of her child, of its “being unwell”—when the interview ended by both Mother and daughter expressing desire to get some papers to read—the mother particularly desiring to get a Saint John paper, “to see what it said,” which request, received a promise of compliance.
            The Bay Pilot will give full particulars of the trial when it takes place, and our readers may look forward to its columns for a plain, unvarnished report of the trial of—The New River Tragedy, as it progresses, from beginning to end.

Pilot
Nov 14, 1878
The Opening of the Court
The opening of the present sitting of the Circuit Court in SA, on Tuesday 12th inst., Judge Weldon presiding, brings with it unusual interest.
            After the disposal of certain civil causes, they themselves of no trifling import, particulars of which we purpose publishing; the, the criminal cases now on the docket will be taken up.
            From the variety of legal talent in court, both plaintiffs and defendants—accused and accusers, may expect all the aid, comfort, and assistance that long practice at the bar and legal acumen can afford. The trial of greatest interest will be The New River Tragedy.
            that Thomas E. Ward was willfully murdered near his residence at New River in the month of September last, admits of no doubt. Suspicion founded on certain circumstances pointed strongly to Thomas Dowd, a boarder in Ward’s family, as the person who committed the deed and which led to his arrest. Subsequently, additional circumstances pointed to the murdered man’s wife, as an accomplice in the perpetration of the bloody crime, and she too, as accordingly arrested.
            the daughter of the murdered man, was now looked to as an important witness, and repugnant as it might seem to put a daughter on the witness stand, where the mother was an implicated party, yet, stern justice demanded it, and Annie Ward has also been held in custody to give testimony as to what she knows concerning the terrible deed of blood. Now, while the trial of the accused is progressing, it is our intention to give to the public a faithful report of the proceeding in Court. To put before the public the evidence as correctly as possible; without a single word calculated to prejudice the public mind either one way or the other. To remember that, fellow human being are on trial in a mater to them of life or death; and that, that all-important matter is in the hands of Counsel, Judge and Jury. There let it be, until Thomas Dowd and Eliza Ward—both, or either of them, is condemned or acquitted.

Pilot
Nov 21, 1878
The Verdict
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1878, will be remembered for many long years in Charlotte County as an eventful day. the day was a stormy one; fitful gusts of angry wind howling around the corners in mournful cadences, as accompaniments, the streets presenting the one same view of snow-slush to aid, if possible, he disagreeableness of the day. It seemed a day in fit keeping with the gloomy and sad events here recorded. The forenoon at the court house had been devoted to Judge Weldon summing up all the evidence before he court to go to the jury for their final decision, thereby to enable them the more righteously to adjudicate on the innocence or guilt of the Thomas Dowd and Eliza Ann Ward for the awful crime of murder.
            The jury having received the Judge’s charge, retired, and scarce twenty minutes elapsed ere they returned into court. It was a solemn moment when the jurors entered the court room and jury box, took their seats and answered to their names. It was yet more solemn when their lips opened to pronounce the verdict, and that was –“guilty.”
            The Death Sentence
            At two o’clock in the afternoon, the court room was literally jammed with anxious people from town and country. The Judge took his seat, the Attorney General and G. S. Grimmer, Esq., in their legal gowns, entered, Mr. Grimmer, as Clerk of the Court, standing at his desk. This gentleman then addressed himself to the prisoners that if they had anything to say why the sentence of death should not be pronounced upon them they had now the opportunity. Both prisoners standing up, Dowd first, Mrs. Ward afterwards, declared their innocence of the crime, the female prisoner appealing to God as witness of her innocence.
            The Attorney General then stood up, and called on his Honor he Judge to pronounce the Sentence. The prisoners, Thomas Ward and Eliza Ann Ward having then been directed to stand up to receive sentence. His Honor, the Judge, evidently deeply impressed by the solemn duty devolving upon him, in tremulous voice addressed the prisoners.
            His Honor addressing himself to Dowd, referred to the evidence on which he was convicted by a jury of his country. From all the circumstances, no person of human reason could come to any other conclusion. His Honor briefly, but feelingly alluded to the days of the prisoner’s youthful innocence, when he would have shuddered at the thought of being capable of committing such a crime as murder. But, neglect of religious duties and associating with evil, led him on step by step to the commission of the awful crime of which he now stood convicted. Turning from Dowd His Honor then addressed Eliza Ann Ward, the female prisoner. Referred to her marriage vows, and that she had assisted in the murder of the man whom she had solemnly pledged and vowed to love and cherish. That no doubt existed of her complicity in that murder by assisting Thomas Dowd to drag the murdered body of her husband to the spot in the gully where it was found. Nothing, therefore, remains for him to do but to perform the remaining part of his duty according to law—hoping and trusting that both the prisoners would make use of the time given them to repent of their great crime, wand under the ministration of religion seek the mercy and forgiveness of God.
            The Sentence was then pronounced, that he Thomas Dowd, and Eliza An Wad, be taken to the jail whence they came, and from thence on Tuesday, the 14th day of January next to the jail precincts in the town of Saint Andrews, there to be hung by the neck until dead and may god have mercy on your souls,” uttered the venerable judge who was much affected, even to tears. The moist eyes of the Hon. Attorney General and the sad, serious look of G. S. Grimmer, Esq., both prosecuting officers for the town on this important trial, plainly evidenced that the sympathetic feelings wee deeply stirred in both of those learned and legal gentlemen.
            The condemned man and woman were then remanded to prison to await the period of the execution. Dowd appeared nervous, but did not evidence that trepidation, or feeling, at the terrible sentence that might have been expected. Mrs. Ward, seemed for once, to have some feeling; and as she left the dock for the prison, held her handkerchief to her face, and wept.
            Thus for the present ends the New River Tragedy,; and it should be the prayer of all that, another such tragic and horrifying Murder may never be recorded in the future history of Charlotte County or elsewhere.
           
Confession of Thomas Dowd
On Wednesday morning, 20th November, about 10 o’clock, the condemned prisoner Thomas Dowd, made the following confession, in the jail to the jailer:
“I killed Ward in the valley were his remains were found. I killed him with McCarthy’s narrow axe. Ward was on his way home with axe and pitchfork. When we met we had some words, he made at me with the fork. I clinched the axe, and killed him; I then took him by the legs, and dragged him to where his remains were found. Mrs. Ward never saw him after he left the house, ‘till she saw him dead in the woods; nor any one else but myself.”

Pilot
Dec 12, 1878
The Death Sentence
The public are already aware that, Thomas Dowd, and Mrs. E. Ward, are now in St. Andrews jail under sentence of death for the murder of Thomas Ward; and that, the execution is fixed for the 14th of January, 1879. Petitions are in circulation for signatures praying that, the sentence may be commuted. No more opportune time could well be for the prayer of such petitions to be granted. Our new Governor General, having just passed the threshold of his advent into the Dominion, will very probably be an additional inducement for the exercise of Executive clemency. It would be sad to chronicle so early in the New Year a hanging scene. No doubt, His Excellency will do as “seemeth him good,” in the matter.

Pilot
Jan 16/1879
Execution of Thomas Dowd
The Charlotte County New River Tragedy has at last been finally disposed of, by the execution of Thomas Dowd; and the sentence for the incarceration of Mrs. Ward in the Provincial Penitentiary for several years.
            The Tragic Drama
            Tuesday morning, the 14th day of January opened up the tragic drama of the Execution of the unfortunate Thomas Dowd. The High Sheriff, with his usual desire to carry out the duties of his official position with strict fidelity to the injunctions, the letter and the spirit of the law, took every necessary and available precaution to fulfill the stern demands of the death-sentence in accordance with the law.
            The grounds adjacent to the Jail were guarded by a posse of men, in order to keep hundred of would-be spectators from witnessing the dread spectacle of the hanging of a fellow creature. The High Sheriff, in keeping with his duty, admitted the members of the press, and a certain number of others, to whom it is his prerogative to give admission—all others, were excluded.
            The Hour.
            Fixed for the execution, was 8 o’clock in the morning; and long before that hour, the streets of St. Andrews presented an unusually life-like scene. People hurrying to and fro, as tho’ stirred into action by some powerful agency—it was “Dowd is to be hung!”
            His Appearance
            At about 17 minutes past 8 o’clock, Thomas Dowd came down stairs preceded by the Rev. Father Doyle, Parish Priest, of SG, The condemned man, wore dark pants and vest, with white shirt and no coat. He walked through the hall and out of the back door to the stand where he was to die, bearing a lighted candle in candlestick, in his hand. The Reverend Clergyman walking by his side, and bearing a crucifix.
            Scene at the Gallows
            On coming to the plank-stand both Father Doyle and Dowd kneeled on its outer edge with their backs to the spectators, facing the jail windows. The priest, with open book, reading the solemn prayers and services—Dowd, the meanwhile, “crossing” himself, according to the religious usage of the Roman Catholic Church, and, when the Rev. Father held the crucifix to his (Dowd’s) lips, he kissed reverently, five times, in accordance with the number of the “five bleeding wounds” which Jesus received for sinner! This was a most affecting scene! And, as if to heighten it, Mrs. Wards, his fellow-prisoner, was seen standing at a basement window, near the back-door, gazing at Dowd, and weeping bitterly!
            Final Preparations
            On the priest, and Dowd, rising from their knees—the priest whispered a few words to him, and then retired a few paces; when the jailer, Mr. Mark Hall, placed him under the end of the long plank in which was fixed an iron ring; and into which the rope was secured with the fatal “knot” prepared. The jailer now secured his arms and feet, with leather straps when the unfortunate man, with almost a deathly gaze, looked upon the few, but solemn faces of his fellow-creatures there before him for the last time.
            He Speaks
            The last words of Thomas Dowd. “I am much obliged to the Sheriff; and Mr. Hall, and his family. They have showed me every kindness; and gratified my every wish. I feel every kindly feeling to the people of St. Andrews. I wish you all well. God bless you all.”
            The Fatal Knot
            Immediately, following Dowd’s dying expressions, the jailer passed the rope over his head, fixed the “knot” in its place; and, adjusted the black cap on his head, covering face and eyes!
            In a Moment
            The rope secured inside an upper window of the jail, was cut; and, Dowd, was jerked upwards some three feet from the platform—when, to all appearance—
            Death was instantaneous. A slight twitching of the body, principally between the shoulders, was nearly all that was perceptible; and, the impression generally was, that, the unfortunate Dowd, suffered the extreme penalty of the law, with but little more than momentary suffering.
            The arrangements made by the Sheriff were admirable; and, all the persons acting under his directions, performed their respective duties, properly and well.
            Taking down the Corpse
            After the lapse of about 15 minutes, the body was lowered—and Dr. Gove felt the wrist; and opening the shirt bosoms (outside and inside shirts) laid his ear against the left breast for a few seconds; also, lifted the cap from the face, and looking upon the features pronounced him “dead.”
            Thus expiated, Thomas Dowd, his crime of murder; and, as far as human expiation goes, justice is satisfied. And, it is only merciful to hope, that the manifest sincere repentance of Dowd, was accepted by the God of infinite mercy, and that, although’ the body has been consigned to a deep, dark grave, the “spirit has returned to the God who gave it.”
            May the sad, awful death-drama, enacted in SA, on this the 14th day of January, A. D. 1879, be a serious and salutary warning to all young men and boys, to shun the ways of evil; and to live soberly and righteously—the only safety from Sin, and its awful consequence.
            Removal of the Body
            Shortly after the execution, the body being deposited in the Coffin, it was conveyed to the C. C. Church where a requiem high mass was performed—and the remains subsequently interred n the Catholic Cemetery.
            Additional Remarks
            By direction of the Sheriff, a guard of twelve men, under Capt. E. S. Polleys, in uniform; armed with muskets and fixed bayonets, were detailed around the jail grounds, to keep them from intrusion by spectators. The people, however, were remarkably orderly and the utmost decorum prevailed.
            Some 40 persons had gained access to the roof of the Hospital which stands in close proximity to the jail, overlooking the “Yard” where Dowd was hung; and, they had every facility to witness the operations.
            The coffin, was on the ground, but concealed from the sight of him who was so soon to be its occupant. Previous to the execution, Mrs. Hall, the Jailer’s wife, on visiting Dowd, said—“Tommy, I hope you are prepared—you, are about to pay a debt we'll have to pay sooner or later.” (Mrs. Hall was weeping.) He replied—“Yes, but do not fret, it is nothing—god bye, God bless you! I hope we will meet in Heaven.”
            Just before 8 o’clock, Dowd signed a petition, witnessed by Father Doyle, to the Governor General, praying for the further commutation of Mrs. Ward’s sentence of seven years in the Provincial penitentiary; as she was entirely innocent of any participation in the murder, or the knowledge of it. If this be so, and who would dare question the authenticity of a dying man’s confession—then, this Mrs. Ward, with all her manifest faults, should be permitted to go out again in the world—Free—but, bearing with her, the intolerable stigma of having her name so closely associated with the murder of her husband, must ever cause her to feel, like Cain, that her punishment is greater than she can bear.
            We are glad that this, New River Tragedy is over. May the Press of Charlotte County, never gain have such a record to publish to the World. Again, we express hope that the awful doom of Dowd will prove a salutary warning to old and young to shun the road that leads to vice and run.

Standard
Jan 15, 1879
Fifty years ago last April, two persons, black Dick and Maria, were executed in St. Andrews for murder of their children, and but few of the residents who witnessed it, are now living.

Pilot
Aug 18/1881
Mischievous Prank.
Some person or persons entered the window of the attic of Mr. D. Keezer’s fish house on the market Square, one night last week, and stole his flag. They also shoved his boat over the wharf, but as it was high water at the time it was not injured. Such tricks on a peaceable citizen of the town are most unjustifiable. Mr. Keezer recovered his flag again.

Pilot
Nov 3, 1881
A gang of boys marched through the street of the town on Monday evening shouting in the most disgraceful manner, calling at house and stores demanding apples, hey attacked Mr. D. Keezer’s store on the Market Wharf and smashed in the windows. It is time that attacks on Mr. Keezer should be put down by the strong arm of the law, he is a very hardworking and industrious man and ought to be protected. A portion of that gang of boys took charge of the schooner Minnie Ha Ha of Shelburne, N.S. laying at the wharf and took a barrel of apples off her deck, such conduct is indefensible and calculated to bring discredit on the town. [it seems Mr. Keezer is a favorite target of ruffians]

Pilot
Nov 10, 1881
Saturday night last, a man presumably on plunder bent, placed a ladder against the side of Mr. Thomas Armstrong’s house, evidently intending to enter a bedroom window. Mr. A. happened to be in the room at the time, without a light, hearing the noise he looked through the slat of the blind, and saw the face of a man peering through the glass, he ran down to the barn, let loose his dog, and then went into the house to get his revolver. The would be robber was apparently no stranger, as the dog did not attack him. When Mr. A. got out the man had decamped, but he came back again during the night and removed the ladder, which he had brought with him. Mr. A. feels pretty certain of the identity of his midnight visitor.

Pilot
Oct 12/1882
One day last week Mr. G. Johnston of the parish of St. George drove into town and sold to H. O’Neill and sons an ox. The O’Neill’s suspicions being excited they afterwards interviewed Mr. Johnston, and his statement being unsatisfactory, they insisted upon getting their money back. Johnston left the animal in their charge and meanwhile skipped across the river. Monday Mr. Hugh McKinney of Rollingdam came in search of an ox that had been stolen from his son on Whitcher Ridge, and upon identification thereof the animal in charge of the O’Neill’s was surrendered to him. Johnston’s story was that he had bought the ox from a man whom he did not know, with money entrusted to him by his Mother-in-Law Mrs. Adanarim A. Gilmor, to purchase a sewing machine. Johnston wrote the O’Neills from Calais to turn the d--- ox on the road and he would go home.

Pilot
Aug 2, 1883
Escape from the County Jail of Waddell, the American House incendiary and Three Others.
A great general jail delivery, without the interposition of Court or Jury, took place here on Saturday evening under the following circumstances. It will be remembered that Hugh Waddell, bar keeper of the late American House, in this town was arrested here on the morning of Saturday the 16th of June, charged on the information of William H. Whitlock, livery stable keeper of the SS, with having set fire to the American House, which with its contents was burned down on the morning of Friday 1the 15th of June, and that Waddell, on the 18th of June, after an investigation held before Justice C. E. O. Hatheway, was committed to take his trial at the County Court to be holden here in October next. Besides Waddell, there were four other persons confined in the jai;: Charles McCarty, James Stevens and Gilbert Lauchlan, hailing here from Saint John , NB, who were committed on the 10th inst.. from St. Stephen on a charge of drunkenness and vagrancy, the two former for sixty days and Lauchlan for thirty days, and James McCardy of SA, committed for safe keeping.
            Mrs. Murchie, Proprietress of the American House, has at intervals, since Waddell’s commitment, visited him at the jail. On Saturday evening hast about a quarter past eight o’clock, she applied at the jail for admission to see Waddell, saying she had heard he was sick. Mrs. Paul, daughter of Mr. Mark Hall, the jailor, who had gone down street on business, answered the call, and admitted her. While Mrs. Murchie was standing talking to Waddell, through the grating, Mrs. Paul ran upstairs to see why her child was crying. She almost immediately came down again, and while coming down the stairs, heard a noise, like what would be made by tapping the stick of an umbrella or cane on the flags. She quickened her pace, and just as she turned the foot of the stairs, into the hall, she met Mrs. Murchie going in the direction of the outer door. She was looking very pale, and said as she passed: They have opened the door, or the door is open. Mrs. Paul ran and laid hold of the solid iron door, which is used to cover the grated door, and is hung outside of it, and tried to close it and nearly succeeded in doing so but the prisoners inside pushed against it; forced it open again, stepped out into the hall, and passed through the outer door to liberty. They ran into the street and round the corner of the Court house. Mrs. Paul immediately went down town, and meeting Mr. Charles O’Neil, told him what had occurred, and requested him to find Mr. Hall.
            Upon examination it was discovered that by some means, probably the lever in the hand of Mrs. Murchie, the large padlock attached to the grated door had been wrench off, the link of the lock was broken, the hinge pin was forced out and the keeper end of the link broken off. The dropping of the lock on the floor was doubtless the noise heard by Mrs. Paul. If Mrs. Murchie was not a party to the escape, it seems a strange coincidence that she should be on hand at the moment that it took place, and why she should display so much sympathy for Waddell, who beyond the shadow of a doubt, set fire to her house, requires explanation. The plan of escape was well matured and effectively carried out, both as regard the method and time. The night was dark, the Telegraph office was closed, and no doubt Mr. Hall’s movements were carefully watched, and his temporary absence taken advantage of to carry out the scheme.
            On being informed of the escape Sheriff Stuart immediately placed officers in motion, and had a watch kept during the night, and at daybreak on Sunday morning started in pursuit of the fugitives. Their footprints were discovered in the mud on the road leading from Edward’s corner on the St. John road across to the above road, and up to Johnson’s cove about three and a half miles from town. Enquiry at Mr. Thomas Johnson’s elicited the fact, that his boat, when was at anchor in the cove Saturday evening had disappeared during the night. The boat has since been found at Red Beach, on the United States side of the river, and it has been ascertained that Waddell and his comrades landed from her, having paddled the boat over with a pair of paddles, which they found in a punt which laid near the boat in the cove.
            The escape of Waddell created a sensation in town; on Monday it was the general topic of conversation on the street. Public opinion demands that a strict investigation into the circumstances connected with the escape be made.
           
Pilot
Aug 30, 1883
Our attention has been called to the disgraceful practice of late indulged in by some young men and boys, who, in one of the most public places in this town, the Market wharf, in full view of the passers by, strip stark naked, run about the wharves, climb in to the rigging of the vessels laying thereat and jump therefrom into the tide. Now we beg to inform the parties indulging in such reprehensible practices, and who appear to be lost to all sense of decency, that they subject themselves to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months, with or without hard labor, or to fine, not exceeding fifty dollars, or to both, in the discretion of the Magistrate. We notify them that should occasion arise the law will be enforced. There are plenty of opportunities to indulge in the healthful practice of bathing, in and around St. Andrews, without doing it in such public places, and in the indecent manner referred to above.

Pilot
Nov 29, 1883
Use of the Knife in St. Andrews
On the night of Wednesday the 21st inst. A lad named James Gallagher, for some misconduct, was by the proprietor of Kennedy’s Hotel, ordered off the premises, refusing to go he was ejected; shortly afterwards Gallagher returned and attempted to force his way into the hotel. Mr. Kennedy barred his entry, when a tussle took place. Gallagher drew a jack knife and stabbed Mr. Kennedy in the left breast where the passage of the knife was stopped by the rib, and in the abdomen immediately below the ribs where the knife, fortunately, only made a slight puncture. Both wounds were in a dangerous locality. Had the knife been thrust with a little more force, either of them, would probably have cost Mr. Kennedy his life. Mr. Kennedy also had one of his fingers gashed. Mr. Mark Hall, the County jailer, came to Mr. Kennedy’s assistance, and succeeded in disarming Gallagher who we are informed, was severely punished by Mr. Kennedy striking him across the head and face with a whip.

Pilot
July 17, 1884
Hugh Waddell who escaped from the Charlotte County Jail, in this town about nine o’clock pm Saturday July 28th, 1883, where he was coffined on a charge of having on the morning of the 25th of June, set fire to the American House, was at the instance of the Attorney General of New Brunswick arrested by a United States Deputy Marshall, at Saco, Maine, on the 9th inst., on board the schooner Anne Frye, of which he was mate, and taken to Boston. Sheriff Stuart proceeded to Boston on the 9th inst. To identify Waddell. A hearing on the petition of Sheriff Stuart for the extradition of Waddell was held before Judge Nelson, in the U. S. district Court on the 11th inst, which resulted in the granting of an order remanding Waddell to await proceedings in the usual form before the state department at Washington. Sheriff Stuart arrived her Monday evening, he will return for Waddell, as soon as he received notification from the U. S. Authorities.

Pilot
Sept 11, 1884
A Jail Breaker’s Designs Foiled
Thursday last, Rebels a prisoner [Rebels and one or two others escaped from jail earlier this year and made it as far as Calais; see earlier issues] serving a sentence in the Charlotte Co. jail, advised Mr. Mark Hall, the jailer, to be on his guard, for that Hugh Waddell and Duel Marshall, prisoners, had torn an iron strap off the wood grating, which forms a division in the corridor or jail hall, that he Rebels had told Waddell, not to do it, as he had got enough of escaping, and was now being punished for breaking out of fail, Waddell told him with a profane expression to mind his own business, they would not interfere with him. The jailer demanded the iron to be given up, but compliance was refused, the cells of the conspirators were searched, and the iron strap found in that occupied by Waddell. The presumption is that they intended when an opportunity should offer, to attack the jailer when he came into the corridor, and fell him with the iron, and either having stunned or killed him, to make their escape. The two men are now by order of the sheriff, kept in close confinement. We think that representation of Rebel’s conduct should be made to the proper authorities, with a view of securing a commutation of his sentence. Since the incident took place, Rebels has had to listen almost incessantly to abusive epithets hurled at him by Waddell, who feels enraged at the exposure of his villainous design.

Pilot
Nov 13, 20, 27--1884. Trial of Hugh Waddell. Sentenced 14 years Dorchester.

Pilot
Dec 18, 1884
Grand Jury Glenn recounts visit to St. Andrews jail for inspection. Not very friendly reception by Sheriff Stuart, who is taken up by Glenn for referring the “hallowed precincts” of the jail. In Dec. 24 issue Stuart defends the remark.

Pilot
March 18, 1886
The Knife in St. Andrews
Saturday night lat an Indian lad, a resident at the point, was trying to take home to their camp, his brother, who was under the influence of fire water. The drunken aborigine plunged a knife into his brother’s leg, inflicting an ugly gash. A number of young men belonging to town, procured wire switches and gave the culprit a severe lashing, which caused him to howl with

Pilot
June 3, 1886
An old man from the Provinces went about from house to house in Eastport last week with a subscription paper to raise money to rebuild his house which he claimed had been recently burned. Several persons gave him sums of money. He became troublesome at last, refusing to leave two of the houses in which he had been helped. It was at length discovered that he was a fraud and a tramp, and he was arrested and sent to Machias Jail.
            A poor old Italian tramp went to St. Andrews the other day and collected a few cents from some of the kind hearted inhabitants. The authorities heard of it, had the tramp arrested, ordered him to pay over the money to them and to leave town. St. Andrews people are quite indignant over the cruel and shabby treatment of a poor man and think the authorities should be ashamed of themselves.
            The above items are from the Eastport Standard. The old man from the provinces referred to in the first item, visited St. Andrews where he succeeded in victimizing a number of the unwary. In reference to the Italian tramp in St. Andrews, he was arrested for violation of law, but instead of inflicting a penalty, the magistrate let him off on his promising to leave the town, and the payment of costs of his arrest. And the opinion of all sensible people is that it served him right, and that the magistrate is entitled to commendation for his action, and the sooner Italians or tramps of all nationalities learn that St. Andrews is a poor field for them to come to, the better it will be for the interest of the town.

Pilot
Jan 6, 1887
Some morons have broken a number of the street lamps so laboriously procured by Lady Tilley and with such considerable expense maintained by the local ladies of the town. [my note]

Beacon
Oct 24, 1889
An Old Prison
A Peep Within the Walls of St. Andrews Jail
How Some Prisoners Have Escaped. The Story of Hugh Waddell’s Escape and Recapture Told once More.
The recent escapes from the County Jail, followed by the removal of Mr. Mark Hall, for nineteen years jailer thereto, have directed public attention to this venerable institution.
            St. Andrews’ Jail was not the creation of yesterday, as a glance at its antiquated walls will readily show. It was constructed as far back as 1832, and, doubtless at that time it was considered to be a model prison in every respect. In these advanced days, however, it is very far from being what it ought to be, and there is little doubt that to this cause, as much as to the alleged carelessness of he Jailer, is due the numerous escapes that have taken place from time to time. The immense blocks of granite out of which the venerable pile is built were brought all the way from Deer Island, Maine, in sailing vessels, there being no quarries in this neighborhood in operation at the time. The building itself is quadrangular in shape, two stories in height, with a low pitched roof, running down from the four sides. A little over one-third of the building was designed for the use of the jailer; the rest was for prison purposes. On the ground floor are the criminal cells, and from the glimpse we got of them in company with Sheriff Stuart, on Friday last, we would blame no prisoner for tying to escape from them. They are both small and dark and ill ventilated, and before they were provided with a water closet, must have been noisome dungeons indeed. There are five cells on each side of the corridor. The cell doors are of iron, and the entrance is so small that a man, with a corporation on him of any size, would have some difficulty in getting through. Each cell is 6 x 8 feet in size, and is surrounded by solid stone walls, two feet thick. There is an aperture in the outside wall of each cell to admit air and light. These apertures are about four inches wide, by twelve inches high. In olden times, a large wooden plug was used to close them up, but of late years the wooden plug has been discarded, and a sliding window cover the space. An old fashioned draw-bar fastens each cell door.
            The corridor is, perhaps, five feet wide. It is entered by two doors. The first door is of solid wood very securely fastened. The second is composed of broad iron bars held in transverse sections. It is fastened on the outside by means of a modern prison padlock of ponderous size. There is no fastening whatever on the inside, so that when the jailer has occasion to go in, he just have some person to stand guard at the door until he comes out. Usually his wife or his daughter has performed this service but it is a dangerous job to ask any woman to perform, where there are desperate characters imprisoned. There is a low window at one end of the corridor, which admits light. This window was protected by thick iron bars, which were considered escape proof, but not many years ago, the prisoners sawed them through and made their escape. Since then, an additional grating of the strongest iron has been placed outside of this first grating (the latter having been repaired () and he would be a bold ingenious fellow who could saw his way through this window now without detection.
            Cutting for Freedom
            Even with the old-fashioned grating it was no easy task to cut through to liberty. The prisoners who did this job must have been at their work for some time. They unravelled the yarn from their socks before beginning their task each day, and fastened it tightly around the bar above and below where the cut was being made. This helped to deaden the sound. For fear any noise from the sawing should reach the jailer’s ears, the rest of the prisoners tramped up and down the corridor, whistling and singing, and making as much noise as they could, keeping a close watch upon the door at the same time. When they had sawed as long as they dare, the cut was closed up with soap and dust sprinkled on it to hide it from view. Then, having removed the yarn, the prisoners slipped off to their couches, no doubt to dream of sweet liberty. In this way they carried on their work until two of the bars had been cut through. Then, the cross-bar was easily swung out, and one by one the prisoners crawled out through this narrow hole, and gained their liberty.
            The Debtors’ Quarters
            The second floor of the building is utilized as a debtor’s prison. It is well lighted, and in composition with the lower apartment, is quite comfortable, indeed. There are four cells on this floor. One of them is now being used by a female prisoner, who is serving out a sentence of twelve months for larceny. There are three males down stairs, Henry McIntee, awaiting trial on a charge of arson Wm. Walker, serving out a term for vagrancy, and a debtor. Walker had the honor of letting himself out on one occasion, but he did not enjoy his freedom long, being brought back in about a week afterwards. He received an addition ten days from Judge Stevens for breaking Jail, his honor remarking at the time that he would blame no prisoner for walking out when he found the door open.
            The Escape of Hugh Waddell with three other prisoners, on the 23rd of July 1883, caused one of the biggest sensations that St. Andrews has ever experienced. Waddell was awaiting trial on a charge of setting fire to the American House, in St. Andrews. On the day of his escape he had been entertaining an old sweetheart of his. While she was conversing with him through the grated door, the jailer’s family were alarmed by hearing a noise as if caused by something falling. Instantly, the woman screamed out, “They’ve gone, every one of them.” And she had spoken truly! When the affrighted jailer reached the prison quarters every one of his four birds who had been caged so securely (as he thought) had flown. It was a general jail delivery in earnest, without any court ceremonies to lend éclat to it. The lock had been broken by the prisoners, though exactly how they had done it has not been discovered to this day. Of the four prisoners who gained their liberty that time, but one, Waddell, ever saw the inside of a St. Andrews jail again. They got across into Uncle Sam’s territory, as speedily as possible, and from that day to this the whereabouts of those three missing jailbirds have been unknown to the authorities. Waddell was out a year and a month before Sheriff Stuart got his fingers closed on him again. It was some months after he had flown that the Sheriff heard that he was in Boston. By the consent of the Attorney General proceedings were at once begun looking to his extradition. The papers were made out, and the Sheriff, with Mr. James G. Stevens started off to Boston to collar the prisoner and bring him back. But the task proved a more difficult one that they had anticipated. They enlisted the services of the United States and Boston detective forces, but not a clue could they get concerning him. After a long and weary search, the Boston detectives had to declare themselves beaten for once, and the Sheriff and his companion were obliged to return home empty-handed. Time went on. The extradition papers were mildewing in the Sheriff’s desk, and the Sheriff himself had about made up his mind that he and the St. Andrews Fire bug had parted company forever. But one day, the townspeople noticed a sudden change come over the usually stoic features of the Sheriff. All at once he seemed to be full of business. His step became buoyant; there was a flash in his eye that had not been seen there for some time before, and the number of constables that were observed hastening in and out of his presence betokened something unusual in the wind. But the officers of the law were as dumb as clams, and the curious citizen were obliged to satisfy their curiosity by indulging in surmise and speculation. The presence of constables about the wharves night after night, evidently lying in wait for some one they expected to arrive by water, roused the curiosity of the people almost to fever heat. By degrees it leaked out that the Sheriff had received information that Waddell was on his way to SA, and that to see his sweetheart he was willing to risk liberty and even his life. But he did not land. One night, while watching along the river-bank, the constables observed a boat being rowed cautiously towards the shore. It was not more than a hundred years from the beach, when a shrill whistle from the land was heard. In a twinkling the bow of the approaching boat was turned seaward, and the craft was rowed silently and quickly away into the darkness. It was afterwards learned that Waddell was in this boat, and that his watchful friends on shore had given the signal which had caused the boatmen to turn about so quickly. After watching in vain for his return he constables abandoned their vigil. A day or two afterward, Sheriff Stuart went to Saint John and, with the assistance of two Saint John detectives, made a search of two vessels in which it was though the fugitive might be concealed. But, beyond hearing that the man he was after had come as far as Eastport in one of the vessels, the officer of the law left Saint John littler wiser than when he went here. Coming home in the steamer he accidentally met a party who was acquainted with Waddell's haunts in Boston. Again, the Boston Detective machine was set to work, and this time with better results. Ascertaining that Waddell’s mother was living in Boston, the detective visited her, and on the pretence of securing her son’s services as a bar-tender for a Nantasket Beach hotel, he learned that his man was on the way from New York in the schooner “Annie Frye.” The detective kept track of the schooner until she arrived at Biddeford, Maine, and then hastening thither he had little difficulty in picking Waddell out from the crew. He was arrested, taken to Boston, the extradition proceedings were renewed, resulting in his return to St. Andrews Jail, on the 20th of August, 1884. After he had got back to his old quarters, and while waiting for trial, he and another prisoner conspired to attack the jailer and gain their freedom. Another prisoner let the secret out. The Sheriff, on making an investigation, found that an iron bar had been wrenched off the drunkard’s cage in the jail, and with this the jailer was to receive his quietus. All the prisoners denied any knowledge of the bar, and it was only found when the rotten flooring in one of the cells was lifted up. The prisoners were kept closely confined until their trial took place when Waddell was sent to Dorchester penitentiary for fourteen years. He went to prison as meek as a mouse, and is still an inmate of it.
            The Jailer’s Goose Froze
            Dark, ill ventilated and uncomfortable as St. Andrews Jail may be now, its present condition is ten times better than it was a few years ago. It is not many years since it was so cold that a goose belonging to the jailer froze to death in it. It is almost a miracle that the prisoners did not share a like fate. The walls had not been demented for years, and the wind and weather had opened the interstices in the stone to such an extent that the building was like a sieve. Within quite a recent period the walls have been pointed with cement, and thus and thus the wind was prevented from whistling through the cracks and blowing the hair off the prisoners’ heads as it had been doing. There is also a stove in the corridor and a closet for the prisoners comforts that a few years ago they were stranger to.
            The Late Jailer
            To talk of the Jail without having something to say about the Jailer would be like describing a church without mentioning the minister. Mr. Mark Halls, as has been stated before, has held the position of Jailer for almost twenty years. Whatever his faults may have been, none can say that he was ever cruel or unkind to those unfortunates who were placed in his charge, and if he erred at all it was on the side of leniency. Had he been a man of less kindness of heart and a stricter disciplinarian, it is probably that escapes would not have been so frequent as they have been. It is the knowledge of this fact that has created a great deal of sympathy for him throughout the County, and the wish has been freely expressed that he should be reinstated and given one more chance.
            Mrs. Hall has been alike a mother to the prisoner, and has accorded them kinder treatment than they were entitled to. In other prisons the inmates have a stated hour for getting up from their beds to their meals, and if they do not rise at that time they either have to do without or take cold victuals. In St. Andrews Jail, humanitarian principles have to a large extent government the conduct of the jailer and his wife in this regard. It has ever been the practise to keep the fires alive until the last prisoner has arisen, so that his mug of tea might be warm and comfortable for him. No doubt in some people’s eyes this would be considered an unnecessary kindness, and some might even be disposed to find fault with the jailer or his wife for it, but, under the circumstances, we cannot blame them. Situated as the jailer is, comparatively alone, there should be some better arrangement of the cells than exists now. As things are at present the jailer is comparatively at the mercy of the prisoners. There should be some arrangement by which each cell could be scoured without making it necessary for the jailer to go in and close each one. In addition to this, the means should be at hand to lock the corridor door from the inside, when the jailer has occasion to go in. If some such arrangements s these were carried out and a little more light provided, so that every object in the corridor could be distinctly seen by the jailer before entering, and the position of every cell door and prisoner noted, the number of escapees would be reduced to minimum, and a great deal of danger to the jailer’s person removed.
            A Youthful Jailer Appointed
            Since Mr. Hall’s removal, the jail has been in charge of Mr. Leonard Chase. Mr. Chase slept in the jail office, and took his meals at his home, which is only a few rods distant from the prison. His appointment was only a temporary one, however, as on Monday the announcement was made that the Sheriff had appointed his son, Louis Stuart, to be responsible position of jailer, and that it was the Sheriff’s intention to move into the jail himself as soon as possible. Sheriff Stuart says that he jail is to be run on jail principles after this, so that intending “boarders” should bear this in mind. The man who tries to escape after this, need not be astonished if he is “winged” before going many yards.

Beacon
Feb 20, 1890
Routed by the Enemy
Mrs. Keezer is not Allowed to Narrate her Battle Experiences. Her Husband has an Exciting Experience with the Mob, and is Compelled to Seek Cover
“What means this eager, anxious throng?” was the first question a stranger would have asked if he had been in Saint Andrews on Saturday night, and had seen the crowd of men and boys that surged about the entrance to Stevenson’s Hall, between 7 and 8 o’clock.
            The explanation of this unusual stir was to be found in the hand-bills that were posted about the fences and in the shop-windows, announcing that Mrs. David Keezer would deliver a lecture on “Experiences in the late United States rebellion.” Those of the crowed who had a dime in their pockets—and there were few who hadn’t that night—and who were eager to hear Ms. Keezer’s thrilling war experiences hustled upstairs, dropped the aforesaid dime into the waiting hand of the lecturer’s husband, who officiated as door-keeper, and then stepped inside the hall. By 8 o’clock there were probably one hundred and fifty persons in the room, all of them of the masculine gender, and of them apparently expecting some startling “experiences.”
            The lecturer was on hand in good time, and occupied a seat on the platform for half an hour before the lecture began. She was neatly attired and made rather a favorable impression upon those who had come to hear her. She had on a pretty black bonnet, and well-fitting black jacket, and a dress of brown material. In front of her on a small table, covered with a white cloth, reposed her back fur cape and pocket handkerchief.
            When the hour came around for opening the lecture, Bradford Boone, Esq., was moved into the chair, and at once took her station on he platform. He was followed by a score of others, whose hearing appeared to be defective, and who seemed anxious to get as near the lecturer as possible in order that none of her “experiences” might be lost to them. After a little parleying, the chairman arose, and called the meeting to order. He then introduced Mrs. Keezer as “one of the most remarkablest [sic] women of the age,” and intimated that the audience would hear a lecture, the like of which they had never heard before and would never hear again. Vociferous applause followed Mr. Boone’s brilliant effort.
            Mrs. Keezer began her lecture very nervously, but in a good voice. She used no notes. She wasted little time in useless introductions, plunging at once into her narrative. In April, 1861, her first husband, Charles Norwood, who was an American soldier, came home on a furlough. At the suggestion of the chairman, she went into particular as to the period of the furlough. It was six weeks long. At the end of the six weeks, he persuaded her to go to the wars with him. She went as a nurse, and at the same time to look after her husband. She commenced to describe the battles she had seen, when some young scamp, in the rear of the hall, no doubt to give the battle sketches a realistic effect, began discharging fire crackers. Mr. Keezer at this juncture rushed in and threatened to “cal her off” and “dismiss the meetin’” [sic] if such disturbances were not ended right there.
            As soon as order had been in a measure restored the lecturer returned to her narrative, and was describing with a master hand the “ghastly sights,” “the terrible scenery” and “the wild demons” she had seen on the battle field, when another cracker exploded at her feet. She uttered a faint scream, assumed a tragic attitude, and then sat down, declaring she would not speak another word. Her husband, who had reason to be justly indignant, again burst into the room, and in a voice of thunder, said that “the meetin’ was dismissed.” He then called upon “Mary” to come off the platform. Instantly, there was a demand from a score or more that their money be returned to them, and to add to the bedlam the cracker fusillade was renewed. The fire appeared to be chiefly directed to Mr. Keezer. There were “crackers to right of him, crackers to left of him, crackers all around him.” He boldly held his ground, however, and his cash, too, and declared that if they would call upon him the next day he would give very cent back. He said he did not want their money. He could get along without it. Finding the atmosphere was becoming too hot he endeavored to get outside the hall, and after a good deal of jostling he got to the door. By this time an enormous crowed had gathered, and the noise they made sounded as if bedlam had been let loose. To go home, with such a howling mob after them, was madness, so they both very wisely decided to seek shelter in Miss Moore’s saloon, until the crowd had dispersed. Every effort was used to coax Mr. Keezer out by the crowed, some young villains even going so far as to bring his sloven down to the saloon door, but her refused to appear. Subsequently the sloven was thrown over the wharf. When eleven o’clock had come around, and the streets appeared quiet, they determined to start for home. A number of prominent citizens offered to accompany them as a body guard, which offer was accepted. Mr. J. T. Ross acted as advance guard, bearing on his shoulder a rusty sword, which he had fished out of somewhere. Immediately behind him came Mr. and Mrs. Keezer, hand in hand, determined to fall together if the worst should come. Mr. Arthur Moore and Mr. Wm. McQuoid occupied the right and left wing. The rear was protected by Con. Lamb, Mr. Owen Rigby and Mr. B. F. Estes. Mr. J. M. Hanson did outpost duty with a lantern. Mr. Keezer and his chosen band had scarcely entered upon their dangerous march when the enemy appeared, every corner and every alley yielding its quota. Despite the sturdy efforts of the body guard, their ranks were frequently broken by some bold youth, anxious to get within reaching distance of Mr. Keezer. A few of them succeeded, but fortunately without doing him any serious injury. One cowardly scamp struck him square in the face as he turned a corner. The crowed did not molest them after they got into the home.
            Mrs. Keezer declared that when next she lectured it would be in St. John, where she would be protected by the law. She said there was no law in St. Andrews. It certainly looked that way on Saturday night.

Beacon
June 12/1890
It Ended in Tears
In the vicinity of Black’s Harbour there lives an old man named Thompson. He has a daughter, who is married to a sailor lad named Wallace. Some time ago, during the absence of her husband on the briny deep, the daughter returned to her father’s home to live. The old man raised no objection until the husband came back from his voyage, when he, too, announced his intention of making his father-in-law’s house his habitation. The old man refused to give his consent to the arrangement, and the daughter endeavoured to influence by means of a club.
            But the club argument was of no avail, for as soon as the daughter showed her hand, the old man hitched up the mare and drove to St. George to invoke the aid of the law. The necessary legal papers were issued, and on Wednesday, father and daughter and son-in-law were before Justices Wetmore and Davis as Plaintiff and defendants in an ejectment suit. When the old man began to state his case, he burst into tears. The daughter’s heart was melted by this display of feeling, and she, too, began to weep. Even the eyes of the justices began to grow moist. Fearing that the court might dissolve altogether, a reconciliation was proposed. The olive branch was eagerly grasped by both parties, and when court fees had been paid over, they all drove off together.

Pilot
Aug 2, 1883
Scott Act Repeal
We understand that steps are about to be taken to secure the repeal of the Scott Act in this county. It must be admitted that the Scott Act, so far as charlotte county is concerned, has been a complete failure. Although we are in favor of prohibition, pure and simple, we are not in favor of a prohibition whose only effect has been to prohibit on paper, while it has left the county a prey to the most deplorable effects of the liquor traffic. The question may be asked, Why has the Scott Act been a failure? Our answer is, that it had not and has not public sentiment to back it up, and sustain its enforcement, and further that experience has taught us, that laws, the enforcement of which are left to popular caprice, are seldom effective in their operation. How many people would pay duties at the Custom House if the government did not appoint officers whose duty it is to enforce the revenue laws? Now believing as we do that the Scott Act is a failure, we are in favor of its repeal, and a return to a licence law, which imposes restraints to the Liquor traffic.
            Prohibition is doubtless the true and best remedy, where practical, but where its enforcement is impracticable, as has proved to be the case in this county, the next best thing is to stringent license law. It is certainly better than permitting the free and unrestricted sale. Although the license law permits the traffic in intoxicating drink it does so under restrictions and regulation that have a tendency to lessen the evils connected with the traffic.

Beacon
March 20/1890
The Scott Act.
Inspector O’Brien Opens fire on St. Andrews.
He Gains Two Easy Victories but is Repulsed by Pop in Two Other Battles
Among the guests who have been gathered around the board of the International Hotel, the past week or two, has been a tall man, with iron gray hair and side whiskers, keen, yet pleasant blue eyes, and shaggy eyebrows, whose age might safely be placed anywhere between fifty and sixty years. More than usual interest has been taken in this stranger’s advent, from the fact that he is none other than Mr. Edward O’Brien, the Scott Act Inspector for the County.
            Although the general public were not expecting a visit from Inspector O’Brien, there were some people who appeared to know of his coming, and who were closeted with him soon after his arrival. It was not long before rumors of contemplated prosecutions were on the wing, and it became an absolute impossibility to obtain anything stronger to quench their thirst than plain pop or ginger beer.
            Not until Friday was any positive move taken b the Inspector. Then two informations were laid, and summonses were issued for the afternoon of the following day. Mrs. Ann Hatch’s case was the only one tried on Saturday by Justice Hatheway. Mr. Grimmer, the County clerk, appeared in the inspector’s behalf, Mrs. Hatch being undefended. She pleaded not guilty, and intimated to the court that “since the sneaks were going to run the town it was about time to put a fence around it and turn it into a goose pasture.” Mr. Thomas Storr was the first witness. He did not know of Mrs. Hatch selling liquor for a period of twenty years. His business as truckman frequently called him to her store, and quite often he drank pop and ginger beer there. He never got any whiskey, or brandy, or gin there, and as for lager beer, well, his opinion of that beverage was not very high. Mrs. Hatch had a bar, with bottles on the shelves, but what they contained he did not know. As the other witness, Mr. Fearby, was not on hand, the further hearing of the case was adjourned until 8 o’clock. Mr. Fearby’s evidence was no stronger against the defendant than that of the previous witness. He had been in the habit of visiting Mrs. Hatch’s shop, but for six or more months past he had obtained nothing stronger than pop stuff or sarsaparilla. She had refused to sell him liquor, and he heard her refuse it to others. No intoxicating liquor was mixed with the pop or sarsaparilla he drank. He could have detected it if he had been there. At the close of this witness’s testimony, Mr. Grimmer applied for a further adjournment until Monday afternoon, so that other witnesses could be summoned, but the justice would not grant it and dismissed the complaint.
            The other cases were set down for Tuesday afternoon, the defendants being Patrick Donaghue and William Sheehan. The former acknowledged a violation and paid his fine. Sheehan pleaded not guilty and several witnesses were examined without any evidence of guilt being disclosed. The further hearing of the case was deferred until the evening. The witnesses examined in the evening all drank “pop,” so that there was nothing left for the court to do but dismiss the complaint.
            The Inspector went upriver on Wednesday.

Beacon
March 27/1890
A Miserable Business
Rev. A. Gunn Fires a Shot at “Pop” Drinkers
A Danger that Dorchester will Receive some of Our Citizens
When Rev. A. Gunn arose in the Presbyterian pulpit on Sunday evening to deliver his usual discourse, he state that at a future day he proposed to make some remarks upon Sabbath desecration, a sin, he remarked, that appeared to be increasing rather than decreasing in this community.
            There was another subject upon which he proposed saying something about, and that was “this miserable pop business.” On previous occasions he had pointed out that the man who sells intoxicating liquor in the County of charlotte violates the law of the land. He is a criminal. The man who buys the liquor and rinks it has also committed a grave wrong. He is an accessory in crime. In this case the law does not punish the accessory, but there are cases in which the accessory is very severely punished.
            The facts, said he, which have come out at late trials here, show a low state of moral sentiment in certain quarters. They show that some men have lost much of the honor the Creator endowed them with. On more than one occasion, the preacher said that he had shown that drink demoralizes a man and deprives him of honor. If there was false swearing at the trails to which he alluded, he would not say, but this he would say—things do not look well. A man may afford to pay a liquor dealer’s fine, but he cannot afford to get the dealer clear by swearing falsely. The price was too much. It was high time that the moral sentiment of this community was raised. If it does not, Saint Andrews will lose some of her citizens, and the population of Dorchester will be correspondingly increased. There will be a short turn some day. He had raised his voice, he had given a warning. His remarks were not directed particularly to his congregation. We want a high moral sentiment here. It is time the moral sentiment was raised. If a man has done wrong, let him like a man acknowledge his wrong. The law does not punish the man who buys; it does not punish the accessory. The moral guilt remains however. If a man is guilty, let him not attempt to conceal it by a greater crime. When a man takes an oath it requires of him that he shall tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If he endeavours to conceal facts, or employs subterfuges, he has violated his oath, and punishment awaits him.
            The reverend gentleman then proceeded with his sermon, the pith of which was that if men employed the same diligence in seeking after spiritual things as they do in seeking after gold, or silver, or hidden treasure, it would be better for their eternal welfare. During the course of his remarks he stated that if he offered two dollars per day to people to attend church, he had no doubt that the church would be crowded, but, because he had something better to offer them, but few attended. Yet there were people who would accept a dollar and a half per day to go out on the lake at the Sabbath day and work. [directed at the Chamcook Ice business, it seems]

Beacon
June 19/1890
Delving in the Past
How We Did our Business a Century Ago
Interesting Extracts from the First Court of Sessions in Charlotte
Among the books and documents in the custody of the County Secretary, there is none that possesses greater interest to the resident or native of Charlotte, than the record of the first court of sessions held in this county. Through the kindness of Mr. Grimmer we are enabled this week to publish a number of extracts from this interesting historic volume, and it is possible that at a future date we may be able to take the matter up again.
            The first court of sessions was established in Charlotte county, in June, 1785, but the first record which appears is that of September sessions of that year, the opening entry being as follows:--
            At the Inferior Court of common pleas and general Sessions of the Peace of our Lord the King held at the Court House in the Town of St. Andrews in and for that County Charlotte on the first Tuesday in September being the sixth day of September in the twenty-fifth year of His Majesty’s reign, Anno Domini, 1785.
            The justices who participated in this first meeting over one hundred years ago were Robert Pagan, William Anstruther, Colin Campbell and Nehemiah marks. Thomas Wyer was Sheriff, and as subsequent extracts will show his office was no sinecure.
            Methods of punishment prevailed then which for many years past have been obsolete, as witness the following, which was copied from the sessions record of September 9, 1785.
            Dominus rex vs. Duncan McEachern—Bench warrant on complaint of the Grand Jury, for insulting and abusive language to them, on duty: the said Duncan McEachern being brought before the court and the charges alleged against him being proven to their satisfaction, Ordered, that he be set in the public stocks half an hour for the said offence. The Sheriff returns that he has executed the said sentence as by warrant commanded. Dominus rex. Vs. James Piercy—Bench warrant for disrespectful behaviour, profane swearing, etc., in open court. Ordered that the said James Piercy be confined in the public stocks for one hour for the said offence. The Sheriff returns that he has executed the said sentence as commanded.
            At the sessions of July, 1786, the justices present being John Curry, Robert Pagan, William Anstruther, James Campbell, Jeremiah Pote, Nehemiah Mar4ks, Hugh Mackay and Henry Goldsmith, the following license fees were agreed upon:--
            Licences to tavern keepers and retailers of spirituous liquors above one hundred gallons from the 18th July 1786 to the third April next, twenty shillings license and bond one and a half dollars, upon certificate by two neighboring justices.
            HOW THIEVES WERE DEALT WITH
            In the treatment of criminals, no morbid sentiment prevailed in those days. A prisoner was given a fair trial, and discharged if found innocent, but if he was adjudged guilty, summary and severe punishment was usually meted out to him. Here is an entry copied from the record of August, 1786:
            Timothy Houston was brought before the court in consequence of a warrant issued against him by Jeremiah Pote, on suspicion of petty larceny, and upon examination there appeared to be no foundation for the charge against him, ordered that he be discharged.
            Also, Joshua Lock, on suspicion of the same, to wit, for stealing a pair of silver buckles from Phebe Webb, confesses the charge, ordered that he receive twenty lashes on the bare back at the public whipping post forthwith, and be banished the county for twelve months, and that a warrant be made out directed to the Sheriff for that purpose, and that the buckles be returned to the above-named Phebe Webb, the rightful owner.
            A CHIMNEY ROBBER
            Houses were constructed on a different principle then from what they are now, and it was not an unusual occurrence for a robber to enter a house through the chimney and make his exit in the same way. At the sessions of 23rd March, 1787, a prisoner was indicted on a charge of having entered a house by the chimney route:--
            Cornelius Ryan, who being apprehended on a warrant issued by James Campbell, on suspicion of going down the chimney of the dwelling house of Neil McNichol and stealing from thence sundry articles at different times, the property of the said Neil McNichol and John McPherson, upon the oath of Neil McNichol, ordered to be committed to the Common Jail till discharged by due course of law.
            NAUGHTY WIDDERS
            At the April session of the General Sessions, 1788, the grand Jury made a number of presentments, among them being the following:--
            The widow Helms of the parish of West Isles, for keeping a disorderly house. The widow Polly, of the said Parish, for the same. Also, Peter McDougall, of the town of St. Andrews, Tailor, for harbouring and concealing William Bowers, an apprentice servant of Andrew Martin’s of the same town.
            The same jury rapped the magistrates over the knuckles for not paying “that attention to the laws in general of this Province, that they are required to, especially an Act passed in the year of our Lord 1786, entitled an Act to Prevent Nuisances, Hedges, Weirs, Seines, and other Encumbrances obstructing the Passages of Fish in the Rivers, Coves and Creeks of this Province.”
            FISHERY REGULATIONS
            Regulations overseers of the fishery Saint Stephens, 2nd April, 1788:--
            The subscribers being appointed overseers of the fishery on Scoodiac river beg leave to propose to the honorable court the following regulations to be observed in the sessions:

1. that all vessels and craft shall lay as near to high water mark as possible, and that they shall cure their fish on shore.
2. that no boars, canoes, or craft of any kind shall be allowed to go above the middle landing after the 10th day of May.
3. That no seine shall be drawn at the point at the foot of the Salt Water Falls, nor to extend more than one-quarter of the breadth of any part of the river.
4. that all the offal shall be buried at last forty feet from the banks of the river.
5. that no fish shall be taken on Sunday, but e allowed a free course up the river. Samuel Mulberry, Michael Simpson, Benjamin Getchell.

            THE GAOLER’S PERQUISITES
            The Gaoler to be allowed at the rate of twenty pounds per year, to be paid as contingent funds of county will admit, in proportion with other allowances to be paid from them, and liberty for retailing spirituous liquors free, at the same time the thanks of the court to be delivered to him by the clerk of the court for his past services. Adam Smith was the name of the Gaoler.          
            SENDING PAUPERS BACK
            The following appears in the record of sessions, 28th April, 1788:--
            Upon information of Robert Pagan, that on Saturday evening last a poor woman named Boyle, with two young children, were left in his absence within his dwelling house, attended with other circumstances of rudeness by a man who said he was a servant of Mr. Owen, of Campobello, alleging that he the said servant had brought the said woman and children from Campobello, and that he acted by his master’s orders,”
            --the matter was referred to the overseers of the poor, who reported that the paupers had no claim to a settlement in the parish of St. Andrews.
            The court having taken into consideration the matter of right as the manner of sending and leaving the poor persons in question, within the parish of St. Andrews, and conceiving the power abrogated by the said servant and his conduct in consequence thereof in the premises, as n indignity offered to the authority of the County of Charlotte at large, and an injury to the parish of St. Andrews in particular, do order that the paupers aforesaid be sent back to the place from whence they came and that a copy of the proceedings in this business be transmitted to Mr. Owen to the intent that he may be informed of the conduct of his servant therein, which the Court cannot suppose Mr. Owen to have been heretofore acquainted with.
            COMMONS REGULATIONS
            At the court of sessions, first Tuesday in April, 1789:--
            Ordered that each inhabitant of Saint Andrews owning a horse, cow or ox, be requested by the commissioners appointed for that purpose, to give a day’s work of one for each, and every two under two years old, to be considered as one, and on refusal that their cow, horse, or ox be excluded the privilege of the said Common. And say inhabitant importing cattle for sale, who shall put any such cattle on the said Common shall pay to the Commissioners to be laid out for extending the Common six pence per month, after the first month, and that Colin Campbell, John Dunn, Capt. Pote, and Robert Pagan, be and they are hereby appointed commissioners for the purpose of carrying the above regulation into execution.
            WHARF AND VESSEL BUILDING
            On the 3rd September, 1789, Robert Watson asked permission “to put out a small wharf and erect a store on it for the convenience of fishing on the beach of the river St. Croix, in the line of part of the road running through Morris Town,” which was complied with.
            At the same time John Campbell and Co. were given permission to use a lot of land to build a vessel on.
            THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS ENCROACHING
            At the session of the court held 8th September, 1790, the following resolution was adopted:--
            This court being informed that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have of late repeatedly discovered a disposition to exercise their jurisdiction over Moose and Dudley Island, to the great inconvenience of the inhabitants of this County in general, and of those island in particular, therefore resolved, that Mr. Curry, Mr. pagan and Mr. Campbell be appointed a committee to enquire into the particulars of the late conduct of the said Commonwealth respecting those island, and after obtaining the necessary information thereupon, in the name of this Court to write an official letter to His Excellency our governor respecting their situation and requesting that he will be pleased to adopt such measure as may be most expedient for securing the inhabitants of those islands and their property from the unjust encroachments of foreign power and for protecting them in their allegiance to His Majesty.
            ROAD AND BRIDGES IN ST. GEORGE
            In April, 1791, Donald McDougall, Gideon Vernon, and James McNabb, in behalf of themselves and other inhabitants of the parish of SG, urged the expediency of having “a good passable road cut through from one extremity of the parish to the other,” in consequence of “the badness and danger of the navigation of the river Magaguadavic in the Spring and Fall.” They also urge the building of bridges across the rivers Bonny, Little Digdeguash and Magaguadavic where the public roads cross the said rivers. It was pointed out that “a good and sufficient bridge can b erected on the main river Magaguadavic with a few days labor of the inhabitants for 25 pounds cash.
            COMPLAINING OF RESERVES
            Robert Pagan, Colin Campbell, and Henry Goldsmith were appointed a committee “to write to His Excellency John Wentworth, stating the great injury to this county from the large reserves that have been made on the Schoodick and Digdeguash rivers, by which the settlement in that part of the county is impeded, also to inform him that the growth on those rivers is chiefly hardwood, and to request that he would be pleased to take off such reserves, where there is no growth of pines.”
            AFRAID OF SAVAGES
            Among the entries of the September sessions, 1791, appears the following:--
            The Grand Jury, considering the peculiar situation of this County, being situated on the frontiers of this Province, that the last spring an unusual number of Savages assembled on Pleasant Point on the American shore, and some uneasiness has arise respecting the claims of some islands on the frontier, we beg that a request may be made to the commander-in-chief that a sufficient number of troops may be sent down for our protection as may be thought necessary.
            WHAT JOHN WISHED TO KNOW
            John Ross, a seaman, was arrested in April, 1792, for neglect of duty on the British ship “Queen.” Evidently Jail life did not agree with John, for he presented the following petition:--
            To the gentlemen of the court: I would wish to inform the court, that I would wish, as I have no friends in this place, and I should like to know, whether I am to lay in her and suffer or not, so no more at present from your humble servant, John Ross.
            STATING INNOCULATION
            The Grand Jury being informed that the small pox is about to be introduced into Saint Andrews by inoculation, are much alarmed at the ill consequences that such a matter may be attended with to the public welfare in general at this time, therefore pray that the Worshipful Court will take such steps as may be necessary that the inoccupation may be stayed until the Fall of year. The court concurred in this recommendation.
            John McKenzie announced his intention of building a vessel of upwards of one hundred tons in SA, and asked for a lease of land at the same time.
            James Cristy, of SS, at the same court, prayed for a lease of land on the top of the hill, near John McCollum’s farm, “for the purpose of erecting a house or houses and lumber yard to carry on a trading in lumber, and provide suitable accommodations for the traders who may occasionally come this way.”
            The “Waweig Ferry” was granted to Edmond Dougherty “on giving security to go from sunrise to sunset, 3d. per man, 1s. a cow, 1s. an ox, and 1s. a man to Oak Point Bay. Not to keep a passenger more than an hour.
            CHIMNEY REGULATIONS
            At the September sessions in the same year, it was ordered “that every householder within the town of St. Andrews shall once in three months at least sweep all their chimneys where constant fire is kept or burn the smut during rain or snow, and to enforce the said regulation they hereby order that every person whose chimney will take fire and has not bee swept, or otherwise cleared within the time above mentioned, shall be subject to a fine of ten shillings for very such offence, to be appropriated to the county Funds.
            A CLERGYMAN ROADMAKING
            Rev. Samuel Andrews made a strong appeal to the sessions at that time “to devise a more certain and equal support for their poor.” He also presented a petition for a road to Chamcook Island, stating that he had been proprietor of the island for seven years [since 1785 then, which would mean Osburn sold to him the same year he acquired the island, and the 1791 deed is post-dated, as it seemed to be] and had not been able to get a road from the town to it. “Much the greater part of the time he has been obliged to go to and from the island upon the sea shore, and to cross the water of the Cove, which has been the occasion of much trouble and great delay to him and has sometimes been attended with personal danger to himself and others.” He goes onto say that he had cut three road through the woods but had been obliged to give up two of them as soon as made. “Finding finally that he must give up the island altogether, or aught of any land he could get for a road to it he has complied with the offer of the proprietors of the land about Chamcook bar, and by their friendly assistance has but a road through the woods, to a line between them from the Bar till it strikes the great road, which leads from town to the country. This has been an expensive undertaking, and tho’ assisted by the others immediately concerned in the road with him, it has cost your memorialist at least six pounds currency, over and above his quota of work upon the public road.” He asked for certain concessions, which were allowed.
            A WINDMILL AT INDIAN POINT
            In April, 1795, Nathan Frink asked for leave to erect a wind-mill at Indian Point. The petition was complied with, twenty shillings per year being required as rent, “the building to be completed within a twelve-month hereafter, the toll to be what is commonly taken in this country, viz. 1/16th for grinding only and if boulted 1/16th, the preference of ground between him and John Campbell to be drawn up for by lots.
            THE TWELVE COMMANDMENTS
            The following regulations were ordained in 1793 with regard to tavern keepers and retailers of liquors:--

1. Tavern keepers shall lodge and entertain as their guests, all travellers, not being of bad report, who may request and tender, if thereunto required, a reasonable satisfaction for the same, and shall be answerable for the goods of their guests.
2. Tavern-keepers or retailers shall not harbor, under any pretence idle and disorderly persons of bad report, nor any person, not being a traveller, who is retained in any service, nor credit such retained person in any sum exceeding five shillings.
3. all tavern keepers and retailers shall observe and cause sobriety and good order at be at all times observed and kept in their respective house, and shall not permit any persons not being their guests, or with whom their guests have just cause of intercourse to be or continue herein at such hours as are unreasonable on the Lord’s Day.
4. All tavern-keepers and retailers shall sell by measures duly stated, and shall render their customers particulars of what they may have received, and shall not detail their goods for the reckoning.
5. No person license to retail spirituous liquors shall take any pawn or pledge, as security, nor shall they detain or receive wearing apparel, or tools of any kind or description for payment.
6. No person whatever shall be permitted to sit drinking in the house on the Lord’s day, commonly called Sunday.
7. No liquor shall on any pretence whatever be sold or given in the house to any one who is in the smallest degree intoxicated.
8. Tavern keepers shall keep a copy of the foregoing regulations hung or posted upon some place in the house.
9. Breaches of all or any of the foregoing regulations hall incur the forfeiture of their licence, over and above the penalties and forfeiture to which they are liable in and by the Act for regulating inn holders, tavern-keepers and retailers of spirituous liquors.
10. No tavern-keeper shall harbor or conceal any idle or disorderly person of bad report.   

           
Beacon
June 26/1890
Ninety Years Ago
Extracts From the Record of the Sessions
The extracts which we published last week from the record of the first court of sessions held in St. Andrews having awakened a degree of interest, we return again to the subject.
A PROTECTING PRIVATEER
At a court of the General Sessions of the Peace held in St. Andrews, on the third Tuesday of September, 1795, a letter was read from the Brigade Major at Fredericton informing the board “that the privateer brig Union is ordered by government to proceed immediately to St. Andrews, Passamaquoddy, with directions to remain for the protection of that town, the Bay and settlement till further orders.” The Board returned thanks “to his Excellency the governor for the intended protection, with an earnest request for the continuance of the same, as in appearance so publicly necessary for the security of the inhabitants.”
INDIAN MEAL TO BE SOLD BY WEIGHT
In consequence of representations made by the Grand Jury at the April session, 1796, regarding the inconvenience and dissatisfaction prevailing in consequence of Indian and other meals being sold by measure, it was resolved to sell it by weight “at the rate of fifty-two pounds per bushel of yellow meal and forty-eight pounds per bushel for white meal.”
EXPORTING A PAUPER FROM ST. JOHN
In February, 1796, the board was called upon to deal with a complaint from the overseers of the poor, which set forth at a poor man named Wm. Matthews had been landed at St. Andrews from a brig belonging to Mr. Prince, of St. John. An order, was passed to send the man back, and a copy of the proceedings was transmitted to Mr. Prince.
SHOT WHILE TRAYING TO RESCUE CONTRABAND GOODS
Among the matters disposed of at the April sessions of 1797, was a case of homicide se defendendo. The parties implicated were John Robinson, Hugh Lamey, William Stewart and Sergeant Stewart. According to the evidence submitted it appears that on Sunday, the 2nd day of October, 1796, these persons were on board a schooner at Grand Manan, guarding contraband goods that had been seized by Colin Campbell, searcher to His Majesty’s Customs. At the hour of eleven o’clock at night a party, supposed to consist of from eight to eleven persons, “with force and arms,” boarded the schooner and threatened to sacrifice the guardians of the smuggled goods, if they made opposition, “who, being hard pushed and fired at with three musquets, were unavoidably obliged to defend themselves by firing several guns in return, through which mans William Newcomb, of Moose Island, fell dead on the forecastle; the others retreated in confusion, leaving the body of Newcomb on deck.”
THISTLE DOWN
The “rapid increase of thistles in the county” formed a theme for the Grand Jury about the same time. The presentment was filed, with a letter from A. Botsford, of Sackville, in which the regulations of that county respecting thistles were enclosed. The contents of that letter are not entered in the records.
SUPPRESSING VICE AND IMMORALITY
Rev. Samuel Andrews requested the aid of the court in 1789 in suppressing vice and immorality. The Grand Jury replied:--
That they feel deeply impressed with the truths stated by the Reverend Mr. Andrews, particularly the profanation of the Lord’s Day. They lament that the regulations heretofore made to prevent drunkenness on the Sabbath have not had the desired effect; they also beg leave to state that it would be proper for the Sessions to take some measure to prevent fowling and fishing on the Sabbath, which they are sorry to learn is practiced by some persons in town, likewise to prevent boys and servants playing in the streets in different parts of this Town, which has been long complained of as a nuisance. It is customary in many places for the church Wardens to visit public houses and different parts of their parishes during divine service and at other times on the Lord’s Day; they believe such a regulation would be attended with good effect in this parish.
CLERK GARNETT’S RESIGNATION
At the April sessions, 1800, a long letter of resignation was read from Joseph Garnett, clerk of the peace and treasurer. He speaks of having been visited “with a malady dreadful in its nature and most grievous in its extent, with afflictions impossible to describe,” which have compelled him to withdraw himself from the County and from his home, “in the view of obtaining relief from those excruciating agonies I am laboring under without intermission, and in the hope that with the blessing of God of my preservation eventually from an otherwise impending, a rapid, an alarming and a most loathsome dissolution.” He asks that his faults may be looked upon with indulgence, “that my omissions may be attributed to the imperfections of human nature in general, and my variegated sicknesses, sufferings and new –country difficulties,” and “that it may always be remembered I left a beloved wife behind me, who merited every kind and tender return of conjugal love an affection from me, and three little innocents, the pledges of our mutual love, more near and dear to me than life itself.” The closing sentences of his letter are worthy of reproduction:--
May the social unanimity of the County of Charlotte, in its state of infancy, be restored, and but one general competition of strife in who shall do most for its welfare and prosperity among you exist. May the Maker, Ruler and Judge of the Universe (to use the emphatical and memorable words of the Sessions records) continue the exercises of true religion and genuine morality in the land, and keep modern philosophy and atheistical principles at a distance, far removed from the enviable unenlightened, and may the friends of order and regular governments in all parts of the globe, have cause to rejoice for ever victorious over their disorganized enemies and inveterate opposers, and finally (in the language I lived to hear adopted in the States) may all mankind discard the pernicious doctrines of modern liberty and Equality and place a just value upon civil subordination which protects property, and upon regular governments which secure the natural rights of Man.”

Beacon
Aug 14, 1890
“When rum is in wit is out” is a saying that was exemplified on Water Street on Friday afternoon, when one young man who was loaded to the muzzle by very bad rum made an attack on a schooner captain, who was in about the same trim. The language that was used was really appalling, and shocked the ears of many who were obliged to listen to it. A good able-bodied policeman would seem to be needed here to quell the turbulent spirits which break out occasionally.

Beacon
Nov 13/1890
Fires Last Week
Two Mysterious Fires occur within a few hours of each other.
“It never rains but it pours” is an adage that has once again been verified. On Friday night about five o’clock, consternation was caused in town by the sudden appearance of flame in the outskirts. At first it was thought that it has the Alms House that had caught fire, but in a few minutes all doubts on this point were set at rest, as the fire was found to be in John Doherty’s barn on the Bar Road. The building contained about three tons of hay, a mowing machine and some other articles. Everything was burned. it is not known how the fire occurred. The barn and contents were insured in the Lancashire office for $400.
            Between 12 and 1 o’clock the next morning the townspeople were alarmed by the wild clanging of the fire bell. As no blaze could be seen many thought it was a false alarm, but as it continued to peal they turned out to find the firemen industriously at work trying to smother a fire in the one-storey wooden building on King St., owned by Capt. Green, and occupied by W. D. McKay as a photograph saloon. As the ire had made little headway, and was easily reached, it was soon subdued. Mr. McKay got out the most of his furniture and effects before they were destroyed. There was no insurance on the building. There is a belief that the fire was of an incendiary origin.

Beacon
Jan 15, 1891
Another of those disgraceful dog fights which have become so common around our streets, took place on Saturday morning. One of the dogs belonged to Constable Keezer. When a citizen appealed to Mr. Keezer to put a stop to the fight, he was met by threatening gestures and vile language, conduct totally unbecoming a guardian of the peace.

Beacon
May 28, 1891
Constable Keezer’s tongue got him in trouble again last week. Meeting constable McQuoid he began to scold that officer, and he was promptly knocked down for his temerity. Both men then hastened to Justice Hathaway’s court, one to lay an information for abusive language, the other for assault. Subsequently, they saw the error of their ways, and withdrew the charges against each other.

Beacon
Oct 29, 1891
Judge Stevens Pleased with Court-House Improvements. Details.
Poor commissioners of St. David’s parish on Trial for having neglected property.
Nov 25. Poor Commissioners of St. David’s Honorably Acquitted. Details.

Beacon
Nov 5/1891
Not Guilty
The Poor commissioners of St. David’s Honorably Acquitted
The two poor commissioners of the parish of St. David’s who were on trial last week in the county Court for wilfully neglecting to care for two paupers in their charge, are not the monsters their enemies would have the people of Charlotte believe, for, after a patient hearing of the evidence on both sides the jury promptly returned a verdict of not guilty. The first witness in the case was John Webber, whose description of the dilapidated state of the poor house, and of the filth which he alleges he found there, was briefly given in last week’s paper. [details follow]

Beacon
Feb 11, 1892
Scraps of History
Gleaned from the Old Sessions Records of Charlotte
HOW SCHOOLMASTERS WERE MADE
            September Sessions of Charlotte county, 1815: “order, that application be made to His Honor the President and Commander-in-Chief, recommending Benjamin Caldwell and James Brown, 3rd, residing in the Parish of St. David, in the county of charlotte, to be duly licensed, as a school-master, as by His Majesty’s royal instructions is directed, the said Benjamin Caldwell and James Brown, 3rd, being of good moral character, and in the pinioning, of the said court qualified to keep a school; also, that Ebenezer Bugbee, of the town of St. Andrews, should be recommended as above.”
            A subsequent order makes it appear that two school houses had been provided in St. David, and 60 pounds assessed for their maintenance, and that a school house hade also been built in St. Andrews.
LASHING A PRISONER
            On the same day on which the above orders were passed, George Roberts, adjudged guilty of larceny, was sentenced “to receive at half-past two o’clock of this day thirty-nine lashes upon his bare back, then to be discharged and depart the county.”
            The stern old magistrates of those days were evidently firm believers in the maxim, “Never put off till the morrow that which should be done today.”
MARKET RULES IN ST. ANDREWS
            At the April sessions, 1819, the following rules and regulations were ordained for the government and management of the market established in St Andrews:--

1. The regular market hours shall be from sun rising to sun setting of each day of the week (Sunday’s excepted)
2. That no fish, fresh meat, poultry or butter of any sort shall be sold in any part of the said town of St. Andrews until the same shall be regularly exposed for sale in the market house for the space of two hours, under the penalty of 20 shillings for each and every offence.
3. That no person shall purchase any fish, fresh meat, or poultry of any kind, or butter in the said market for the purpose of selling the same again, until after the same shall have been exposed for sale in the market house at least two hours, under the penalty of 20s. for each and every office.

Joseph Walton was given a lease of the Market House on paying 100 pounds.
The bell-ringer was ordered to be paid 7s. 6d. for the last sessions.
INSPECTOR FOR THE WEST ISLES
            At a subsequent special meeting the same year Jacob Gold, was appointed inspector and culler of fish for the parish of West Isles, in the room of Jonathan Merrill removed from the said parish.
LEASING MARKET WHARF LOTS
            On the sixth day of January 1820, Thomas Wyer auctioned off a number of lots adjoining he market wharf, to the following persons, at the yearly rent stated:--
            Lot 1. Jonathan Currier, 31 pounds
            Lot 2.John Staples, 17
            Lot 3. Harris Hatch, 19
            Lot 5. Joseph Walton, 21
            Lot 6. Colin Campbell, 16
            Lot 7. Benjamin Stymest, 16
            Lot ?    Samuel Frye, 13.
Adjoining lots were leased to peter Stubs and David W. Jack.
RESTRICTING LIQUOR SALES IN ST. STEPHEN
The April sessions, 1821, ordered “that no person who do now or may hereafter keep a retail store of good in the parish of St. Stephen, shall be allowed to obtain directly or indirectly a tavern license for the purpose of selling spirituous liquors in the said parish, and it is further ordered that all person selling under a tavern license shall have a sign put up in some conspicuous place in front of the house so licensed.”
PUNISHING SEDITION
            Andrew Merrill was arraigned at the same session, on an indictment for sedition. The fury, through their foreman, Charles R. Hathaway, found him guilty, and he was sentenced “to pay a fine of ten pounds to the king, to suffer three months imprisonment and to sit in the stock on the three first Mondays two hours at each time, between the hours of twelve and four o’clock in each day and to pay the cost of court.”
TO CHANGE THE GAOL SITE
At the April sessions in 1823 it was ordered “that it is expedient to build a new gaol, and that committee, consisting of Colin Campbell, Thomas Wyer, Jr., and Peter Stubs, to appointed to find an airy and eligible situation for the site of the said gaol. And to suggest the ways and means to carry the same into execution.”
SWINE IN ST. STEPHEN
Swine were evidently something of a nuisance at that time. No swine were “allowed to run at large in St. Stephen between the still water and Mr. Porter’s bridge without being ringed in the snout in addition to being yoked as directed.”
OPPOSING THE JAIL LIMITS
At the September sessions, 1823, the following order passed:--“that the Jail limits be bounded as follows, to sit, north-westerly by the north-western line of Elizabeth street from high water mark in a north-easterly direction to Parr Street, thence south-westerly along the north-eastern lien of Parr Street to Sophia Street, thence south-westerly along the south-eastern line of Sophia street to high water mark at the bank of the harbor, to include all the wharves now built or that hereafter may be erected, between a prolongation of Sophia street and Elizabeth Street, and a distance of fifty feet round the said wharves, and also to include the space between the said wharves, and to extend to low water mark, between a prolongation in a south-western direction of Fredrick street and Edward Street.” These limits were subsequently extended.
PUNISHING A BLASPHEMER
            If blasphemy was treated now as it was in 1823 more than one set of stock would be needed. Jonathan Currier, indicted for blasphemy at the September term of 1823, was sentenced to “one month imprisonment, to pay 5s. fine to the king, and to be set one hour in the stocks and to pay all costs.”
NO DRIVING ON THE SIDEWALKS THEN
Record of sessions, 1824:--“Ordered, that any person riding on horseback or driving any carriage on the footpath in the town plat of St. Andrews shall forfeit and pay the sum of five shillings for the second offence.”
THE ST. STEPHEN FERRYMAN
Ordered by the session of 1824 “that William Andrews shall have exclusive privilege of keeping a ferry, for three years in St. Stephen, fro the public landing across the river St. Croix, and the fare to be as follows:--for conveying across horse, one shilling; for each person, four pence.”
PROVIDING FOR A HANGING
A special meeting was held 21st August, 1826,, when it was ordered “that a sum of ten pounds be placed in the hands of the sheriff of the county of Charlotte to repay the expense of erecting a gallows for the execution of Maria Stewart and Richard Stewart and other incidental charges.”
TOO MANY TAVERNS
In 1828 the sessions resolved that there were too many tavern licenses in St. Andrews, and a committee composed of John Campbell, Peter Stubs and John Wilson, was appointed to recommend who should retain licenses and the rate they should pay. It was subsequently ordered that no tavern license be granted without a recommendation from the magistrates residing in the parish in which the tavern is situated.
COURT AND GAOL AGAIN
At the same sitting the Clerk of the Peach was instructed to draw up a petition to the Lieutenant governor and Council, and House of Assembly praying that they will grant aid towards the erection of a courthouse and gaol in St. Andrews.
            A bill was also presented authorizing an assessment for the erection of a courthouse and gaol. [assessments here]
            Elisha S. Andrews, Beverly Robinson, Harris Hatch, Samuel Frye and Peter Stubs were appointed a committee to build the gaol pursuant to plans exhibited by D.D. Morrison. A contract with Morrison was entered into on the 29th of June, 1831.
ROBINSTON FERRY
Ferriage fees from the slip, or Joe’s Point to Robbinston, were fixed in 1830 as follows:
            A man, 1s. 3d.
            Man and Horse, 5s.
            All persons in addition, 1s. 3d.
            Man or two men, with chaise or other carriage drawn by one horse, 6s. 3d.
            Carriage and two persons drawn by two horses, 7s. 6d.
            Yoke of oxen, 5s.
            All in addition, 2s. 3d.
            A cow, 2s. 3d.
            Sheep, 3d.
            Calfs, 3d.
Nathan Fifield and N. W. Tattale were given the exclusive privilege of this ferry for five years.
REGISTERED CARTMEN IN ST. ANDREWS
The following were the names of the registered cartmen in St. Andrews, in 1830. Robert Dougherty, John Dougherty, Patrick McCan, James Kehoe, Cornelius Conley, William O’Brien, Jonathan Currier, Thomas Alexander, Thomas Haddock, Henry O’Neal, John Locke, William Babcock, Charles Gillesland, Thomas Boyle, William Rogers, John Maxwell, George Hume, James Maxwell, James Howland, Hugh Thomson, Edward Melver, Adam Melver, Michael Farrel.

Beacon
Feb 18/1892
Scraps of History
Gleaned from the Old Sessions Records of Charlotte
THE TIME OF THE CHOLERA
            Who has not heard the old resident dating his affairs “from the time of the cholera?” The first mention of “cholera” appears in the records of the Sessions of charlotte, of April 11, 1832. The following resolutions were then adopted by that body:--
            “Whereas it is enacted by the laws of the Province that all vessels having on board the small pox, yellow fever, putrid bilious fever, or other pestilential or contagious distempers at the time of her departure were known or supposed to prevail or on board of which vessel any person during the voyage had died or been sick of any such distemper or having passengers on board should be subject to such rules and regulations made at any General Session of the Peace.”
            “And whereas a contagious distemper called the cholera morbus, among others, is now raging in the continent of Europe and in Great Britain, and it is highly necessary and expedient that necessary measures should be used to prevent the introduction of all contagious distempers into this Provinces, especially the cholera morbus,”
            “therefore ordered, that all vessels from Europe bound to this County or from any other port having passengers on board shall anchor between the eastern end of St. Andrews island and the Sand reef; that pilots shall furnish masters of vessels with a copy of the printed regulations, or read and explain the same to them. Vessels on arriving within sight of the harbor of St. Andrews to make the signal pointed out by law in the day time and at night to have light in its stead. Captains and supercargoes of any vessel ordered to perform quarantine may hand over to the physician any letters or any papers in such manner as he may direct, which after being sufficiently fumigated to be forwarded to their destination.”
            The day following, the Sessions passed another resolution, ordering “that the pest house on Little Hardwood Island e finished with all convenient dispatch, and that Mr. Hatheway, Mr. Wyer and Mr. Hatch be a committee for that purpose.”
            When the court resumed its business the next day, the Clerk was “directed to borrow two hundred pounds on the credit of the County for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in erecting buildings, furnishing provisions, medical attendance, etc., for the emigrants reported diseased, or on board the brig Susan and for preventing the spreading of the cholera morbus and other infectious distempers in this county.
CONVICT LABOR
At a special meeting of Sessions held in May 1833, an order passed “that all persons adjudged to hard labor shall work from 7 o’clock am until 6 o’clock pm that they shall be employed in breaking up stone for the market wharf and levelling and clearing away around the County Gaol and at such other public work as the committee hereafter to be nominated may direct and appoint.” This committee was composed of Thomas Wyer, William Ker and James Douglass, and they were authorized to employ a suitable person to superintend the work of the criminals. In a recent conversation with councillor R. Cogan, of St. Stephen, he stated that his father was engaged as superintendent of the criminal laborers. Some of the best roadwork done in St. Andrews was done by a gang of criminals under Mr. Cogan’s superintendence.
THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE
In April, 1839, the Board of Sessions passed a resolution appointing D. W. Jack, Hon. H. Hatch and Alfred Street a committee to erect a court house, giving them authority to expend a sum not exceeding 1200 pounds in its erection. Cornelius Connolly’s tender was 150 in excess of this sum, but the tender was accepted, and the work proceeded with. Shortly afterward Alfred Street removed from the County and Hon. James Allenshaw was appointed on the committee in his stead. In 1840, the courthouse was completed and handed over, the Sessions holding their first court in it on the 3rd day of October in that year. The land on which the old court house stood was sold at auction in October, 1839, and was bought for town purposes by Hon. H> Hatch who paid 200 for it. This the lot on which the present town hall now stands.
THE BOYS OF FIFTY YEARS AGO
The boys of 1840 were evidently a lively lot of “bloods,” judging from the following resolution which was passed in that year:--“whereas, the good order and peace of the town is much interrupted by unruly boys going about by both day and night insulting females and committing depredations, to the great annoyance of the inhabitants and to the danger of property in the place, Ordered, that John Pike, constable, be employed to look after the disorderly and arrest any improper proceedings in any person and report his doings to the magistrate of the town, as often as the case may demand.” For this duty Constable Pike was paid 2s. 6d. per day.

Beacon
March 10, 1892
Pine, the jail breaker, who declared he would not be taken alive, was capture in St. Stephen on Tuesday morning by Marshall McClure. He tried to draw a revolver on the officer, but in his haste to escape he dropped the weapon and did not have time to pick it up. McClure fired two or three shots at him before he hove to. He is now ensconced in St. Andrews sail once more. Pine was indicted before the Grand Jury for theft in October, 1889, but before is case came up for trial, he had made his escape. He is an accomplished thief. Numerous robberies have taken place since he regained his freedom, in which he is believed to have been the principal. The Wren robbery at Bocabec is supposed to be one of them.

Beach
March 17, 1892
Pine, the youth who was recently returned to Jail after an absence of almost three years, was identified by Christopher Wren as the pat who was employed with him and who suddenly disappeared with a gold watch, a revolver, a suit of clothes and a number of other articles belonging to his employer.

The oath which a constable takes requires him to preserve the peace. It does not authorize him to act as umpire when a street fight is in progress. Such conduct is in direct violation of his oath.

Two bloods came together one night last week, and in the presence of at least one hundred persons, conspicuous among whom were some town constables, punched and prodded and butted each other until the snow around them was besmeared with gore. Such incidents as these are far too common on our streets, and are discreditable to the town.

Beacon
May 19/1892
Racing horses on the front street should cease, since the accident of Friday last, by which Mr. Daniel Thompson was made the innocent victim of a runaway. Mr. Thompson was badly shaken up and was confined to the house for several days.

Beacon
Aug. 4/1892
A Border Tough
Who Has Something to Show for His Experiences
Among the visitors who drifted into St. Andrews last week was the famous William Pierce. A few years ago, William was one of the toughest of the border toughs. Nothing was too hot or too heavy for him. As strong as a bull, he was known to lift immense weights that no one in the neighborhood could budge. As brave as a lion, he feared nothing. And when a couple of fingers of gin were added to these attributes, “bill” was a holy terror. He would fight anything that stood in shoe leather. Numbers made no difference to him—the more the merrier. It is related of him that on one occasion, a St. Stephen policeman sought to effect his arrest, and knowing the kind of material he had to deal with, the officer struck him a blow on the head with his baton that would have felled an ox. For an instant bill was dazed. Before the policeman could strike another blow, Bill’s strong right arm was getting in its work, and if a posse of citizens armed with weapons of various kinds had not come to the policeman’s rescue, eh would have been the land of dreams in a very short time.
            Another time, Pierce performed the fire act in a very thrilling manner. He had been placed in the lock-up for drunkenness, with two boon companions. Full of rage at being imprisoned, he set fire to the interior of the lock-up, and then, like demon, he danced among the smoke and flames, calling upon his companions to pray as they had never prayed before, and likening them to the three men in the Scripture story, who occupied the fiery furnace. When the smoke was seen from the outside and help arrived, Bill was glued to a hole in the wall, sucking in a little fresh air, apparently as cool as a cucumber, while his half-smothered companions were on their knees, praying for all they were worth. On the door being burst open, Pierce’s first act was to rush at the policeman and knock him down.
            One day, Pierce and a drunken companion occupied the train going into St. Stephen. They began quarrelling, and Conductor Stewart—not Superintendent Stewart—locked them up in an empty box car. When the train reached town, both men were running with blood and scarcely a stitch of clothes covered their bodies. They had fought like wild cats the whole way in, each doing is level best to clean out his antagonist.
            Pierce fought through American Civil War, and can relate many hair breadth escapes.
            Beneath his roughness, bill always had a tender, generous heart. In his seafaring life, he found abundant scope to exercise this good quality. On one of the ships that the was a sailor on, there was a brutal, big mate, who showed a disposition to act very cruelly towards a pale, emaciated young fellow, who was in the same watch with him. Bill stood it as long as he could, and then he sent an ultimatum to the mate, which prevented any further display of cruelty of the voyage.
            The exciting experiences through which this border tough has passed during the past fifty-six years have left their impress on him in several ways. His close cropped head is slashed and furrowed with scars which point in every direction, while a little piece of gold-plate that covers a hole in his cranium marks the spot where a revolver bullet got in its work. His nose is broken several of his teeth have also disappeared. His hands are knocked out of shape, and worse then all, he has but one leg, having lost the other is some trouble aboard ship. To raise money to purchase a cork leg was the ostensible object of his visit to St. Andrews. A mission of this nature very soon brought him into contact with corks that were used for other purposes, and it was not long before he was feeling in a very happy frame of mind. He remained here for a day or two and then deported for Eastport.

Beacon
March 30, 1893
What Bad Rum Did
It Causes a Brutal Fight, Qualified One Man for the Hospital and Nearly Leads to the Death of Another
Rum—villainous rum—was the primary cause of a brutal quarrel which began on Friday afternoon, and nearly resulted in the death of one man.
            Capt. Kerrigan, of the schooner “Mary,” and his brother, who is mate of the vessel, came up town on Friday after dinner, and laid in quite a store of fighting rum. So also did Steward Walsh, of the schooner, “Erie.” The three men started off for their vessels together quite peaceably, but had only gone a short distance when the two Kerrigans were seen to attack their companion. They knocked him down several times and kicked him until his face was amass of blood. Then they left him and hastened towards the wharf. They tried to pick a quarrel with Capt. Brown, who was getting his vessel under weigh, but failing in this, they returned to finish the steward, who had staggered down as far as the steamboat wharf. They resumed the attack upon the man there, when Mark Hall remonstrated with them. Mr. Hall received for his pains a tap in the nose which stretched him out on the green for a couple of minutes. The mate, fearing the crowd were going to make a general attack upon him, fled towards another schooner for protection. He mustered up courage in a few minutes to return to his brother’s side, and for the next half hour the air was blue with the oaths of the infuriated men, who expressed their ability to whip the whole town.
            Constable McQuoid, who was present, was asked by a citizen to place the men under arrest, but he declared he had no authority without a warrant. In the meantime, the “Erie” had sailed out to an anchorage over the western bar. Capt. Brown sent the mate and two men ashore for the steward, but he would not go with them, and became very abusive. They left him ashore, and returned to their vessel.
            Then one of the Kerrigans caught the unfortunate steward and dragged him own to the water side, with the evident intention of drowning him. He held him under the water, until the other brother interfered. After this incident, the steward was taken on board the schooner “Mary E” [Ellen?] for protection and a permit was obtained for him to enter the hospital. It was supposed at this time that the Kerrigans had shed enough gore for one day, but they were evidently not satisfied, for about 5 o’clock, Capt. Kerrigan went over to where Ab. Denley was working with his team and without any provocation struck Denley a blow in the face. The other Kerrigan also drew a knife, threatening to do him up. Before a second blow could be made Denley’s younger brother picked up a wagon stake and struck Capt. Kerrigan on the head with it. He fell like a log, and laid on the ground in an unconscious condition for several minutes, the blood oozing from a horrible gash in his head. Then Constable McQuoid placed young Denley under arrest and took him before Justice Hatheway. Ab. Denley also appeared before the Justice and swore out a warrant against the two Kerrigans for the assault upon him.
            When the constable went to serve the warrants, Capt. Kerrigan was on board his vessel, having partially regained consciousness. Dr. Harry Gove, considering the man’s condition dangerous, would not allow him to be removed, but the mate was arrested and brought up town. The following morning, the mate was arraigned before Justice Hatheway. Denley was represented by M. N. Cockburn. At the request of the prisoner the hearing was postponed until 2 o’clock that afternoon, when a plea of “guilty” was put in. the Justice imposed a fine of $5 and costs—in all $17.70. The charge against the captain was withdrawn. After the mate got out of the clutches of the law, the “Mary” at once set sail for St. John.
            The Injured steward of the “Erie” also joined his vessel before she sailed from her anchorage on Saturday morning.

Beacon
May 11/1893
If owners of cows will not obey the law and keep their animals from annoying their neighbors and becoming a public nuisance, they should be compelled to. There is a regulation providing for the impounding of all cattle running at large within the town limits, ye there are many vagrant cows to be seen wandering around, defiling public and private places, and annoying everybody but their owners. A Stop should be put to this practice, and that immediately.

Beacon
Oct 26/1893
Murder in SA; murdered child found in well. Details.

Beacon
Nov 2/1893
Two able-bodied young men made an attack upon Obadiah Conley, on Monday night, at the lighthouse wharf. he had objected to their taking the lighthouse boat, when they seized him and kicked and cuffed about until his cries were heard by the occupants of the Pendlebury house.  they then fled. Subsequently, Mr. Conley learned that his assailants were Capt. Bullerwell, of the schooner Tacoma, and one of his crew. Warrants for their arrest were issued, but the vessel was speeding through Latete when the papers were placed in the constable’s hands.

Beacon
Aug 19, 1894
Owners of vagrant cows need not be surprised if, after today, their cows are impounded. The law is to be vigorously enforced hereafter. Be warned in time.

Beacon
May 3/1894
A number of suspicious characters have drifted through town the past week,--tramps, umbrella menders, furniture-polish vendors, etc. The two umbrella menders, who are supposed to be connected with eh St. George safe robbery, were in St. Andrews last week. One was about 5 feet 8 inches high, probably 40 years of age, and wore a brown cloth peaked cap. He had a smooth face, was considerably sunburned, and had a pair of piercing, defiant eyes. His companion was a few inches shorter, a little stouter, and perhaps 35 years old. He had a small dark moustache, and a swarthy complexion. Both men were fairly well-dressed and each of them carried under his arm a cloth-covered parcel about 18 inches long. Another couple that behaved suspiciously sold furniture polish. They worked the blind and dumb racket, but both of them could see as well as speak. Householders and store-keepers should be on the alert when such strangers are about.

Beacon
may 24/1894
A load of bad whiskey, with an accompaniment of revolver and knife, is what a Milltown tough brought to St. Andrews with him on Sunday night. He drove down with the wife of a Scott Act prisoner, and having been refused permission to bestow some of the whiskey upon the jail boarders, he became very wroth. He struck one young man a treacherous blow in the face. Then he drew his revolver and threatened to shoot. He was allowed to go scot free.

Beacon
Aug 16/1894
Was it Incendiarism?
Mrs. Brixton, (is this a mis-spelling of Brickson, mother of Caddy Norris? in 1903 the CPR purchased the Brixton property to enlarge the golf course) the colored woman who resides on the outskirts of town, is without her barn. She also mourns its contents, consisting of about fourteen tons of hay, a calf, several geese and hens, a wagon belonging to a neighbor, Mr. Ray, a number of agricultural implements, two stoves, a trunk containing her winter clothing and a variety of other things that she could ill afford to lose. All these disappeared, when her barn disappeared in smoke on Thursday morning last.
            She stated to the Beacon that she believed the barn was set on fire, because she smelled paraffin very strong when the fire was burning. She said no fire was apparent when she first got up in the morning. About eight o’clock, she had occasion to going to the rear of the barn when she noticed several boards off and fire burning inside. She alarmed the lads around the house and then made an effort to save the contents of the building. The horse and cow had previously been let out. She threw open the barn door, and seized hold of Mr. Ray’s wagon to pull it out, but a great wave of fire swept over her, and the wheel catching on a projecting piece of woods, she was obliged to abandon it and flee for her life. Her hair was singed in the effort and her hands and shoulder also burned.
            Help came from a neighboring farm, but the barn could not be saved. The house caught fire, and one end of it was badly charred before the flames could be extinguished. Mrs. Brixon’s loss is a very heavy one. She did not have a cent of insurance. She say she has no reason to suspect any one.

Beacon
Sept 14, 1896
Was it Murder?
Michael McMonagle Meets Death in St. Croix River
Indians Say he was drowned while trying to rescue one of them—others declare Indians murdered him for his money—Indians Arrested

It was a sad day in St. Andrews on Thursday when news reached town that Michael McMonagle, foundryman, had been drowned the night before from a canoe in the St. Croix. The story of the tragedy, as told to the Beacon by Lola, one of the Indians who was in the ill-fated canoe, is as follows:
            During Wednesday afternoon, the deceased visited the Indian camps and persuaded three of the Indians to start for Eastport with him. The names of the three were Lola, the celebrated Indian runner, John Stevens and Wallace Nicholas, all strapping young men. They set sail about 4 o’clock and ran across to the American shore without any mishap. They then took to the paddles, Stevens paddling in the bow and Nicholas in the stern of the canoe. Off Frost Cove, and about three hundred yards from the shore, Nicholas split his paddle and plunged headlong overboard. As he came up alongside, McMonagle seized him by the breast of his shirt, and against the protests of the others, attempted to drag him in to the craft. The usual result followed—the canoe upset—and all four men were struggling in the water. It was now dusk, so that the accident was not visible from the shore. Stevens, one of the Indians, says that he dove twice after McMonagle and brought him to the surface and urged him to hold on to the canoe until help would come from the shore. When he went down a third time, the Indian made another dive, going down fifteen feet or more. he could see nothing of his companion, and when he returned to the surface he was himself almost exhausted. The Indians had been in the water but a short time when a boat from the shore, manned by two men named Pottle and another named Robson, put off to the rescue. They took them and their canoe ashore, but nothing could be seen of poor McMonagle—who thus lost his life while engaged in the noble task of endeavouring to rescue a fellow-being. The deceased was a young man of about forty years of age, and was unmarried. For about ten years he has been proprietor of the St. Andrews stove foundry. He was a very useful man in his business, just in all his dealings, an had many estimable traits in his character. His aged mother, his two sisters and brother have the entire sympathy of the community in their terrible bereavement. The deceased was a member of the St. Andrews Foresters courts.

Arrested in suspicion of murder.
In consequence of reports while came from the neighborhood of the crowning accident to the effect that the men in the canoe had been seen quarrelling just before the craft was capsized and that one of them had struck another occupant of the canoe with his paddle, Attorney-General Mitchell wired an order to Sheriff Stuart on Friday to have the three Indians arrested on suspicion of murder, pending an investigation. When the telegram came the Indians were being examined by a commission from the Forester body in which order the deceased half a policy of insurance for $1000. the told the Foresters practically the same story as told to the Beacon the day previous.
            Deputy Sheriff Chase made the arrest about six o’clock Friday afternoon. The Indians were a little surprised but showed no evidence of fear. A report that John Stevens had struck Wallace Nicholas on the arm with his paddle and knocked him overboard led to Sheriff Stuart sending for Dr. Wade to make an examination of the Indian’s arm. He found one of the arms a little swollen, but this welling, the Indian declared, was caused by his falling upon the beach. A St. Stephen despatch to the Telegraph on Friday said:--“the report of the drowning of Mr. McMonagle near Gleason’s Point, Maine, proves to be a murder case. Mr. McMonagle had some $80 in his pocket. The Indians who were taking him across from St. Andrews to Pleasant Point knew this and demanded it. The were refused and one of them struck McMonagle over the head several times and threw him overboard, striking him again and sinking him. This was listened to by three Calais men who were drifting nearby in the yacht Ferry Point. These men were /Thomas Mahar,, Freeman Cox and Dennis Harrington, who claim it made their blood run cold to hear the cries for mercy.” There are few in St. Andrews who give an credence to this story. In the first place no person knows how much money Mr. McMonagle had on his person. None of his family knows, and his business associate is alike ignorant on the point. Secondly, the men who have circulated the story do not bear the very best reputation themselves. Harrington will be remembered as a individual who spent six months in St. Andrews Jail for perjury. Mahar bears an unenviable notoriety in connection with Scott Act matters. Cox’s reputation is not of the best either. Any story that such men tell must be accepted with a very large grain of salt. When the Indians were asked if they had seen anything of this Calais sloop they said that they had seen one half a mile away, but it was utterly impossible for its occupants to have heard anything from the canoe.
           
Indians taken to Calais
On Monday morning, Sheriff Foster, accompanied by Attorney McKusick, came drown from Calais to take over the three Indians. they had not taken the precaution to arm themselves with a warrant or some other authority so that the Jailer did not feel justified in letting the prisoners out of his keeping until a telegraphic permit had been received from the Attorney-General.  In conversation with the Beacon, Sheriff Foster stated that the chief testimony against the Indians came from Mahar, Cox and Harrington, and as the reputation is shady not very much credence is placed in it. the Sheriff says that a great many reports are in circulation, and it will be difficult to arrive at the true facts until an investigation is held. Another Indian named Sebattis Tomah, who is supposed to have been in ? with the St. Andrews Indians, was arrested on Friday at Peter Dana’s point, but Sheriff Foster thinks from the statements he had received since his arrest that the Indian will be able to disprove any connection with the case. the three Indians from St. Andrews went up river in the Standish on Monday afternoon. So eager were they to go that, fearing they would miss the boat, they ran away from the constable who was accompanying them, reaching the steamer nearly one hundred yards ahead of them. The Indians have been committed for trial, though the evidence against them is of a very flimsy character. Every effort has been made to find the body of deceased but in vain.

Beacon
October 1/1896
Body Not yet Found.
Lola and His Companions Awaiting Trial in Machias Jail
Though every effort has been made to bring to the surface the body of poor Michael McMonagle, the river waters have so far refused to give up their dead. The Indians Lola, Nicholas, and Stevens, who are held on suspicion of having foully dealt with the unfortunate man, are now locked up in Machias Jail, awaiting their trial, which will come off this month. The evidence of the witnesses at the preliminary investigation was very conflicting. The chief witnesses against the Indians were Freeman Cox and Dennis Harrington, two Calais toughs. The swore they saw the canoe containing the Indians and McMonagle off Lewis’s Cove, and heard them arguing. Fog coming up they did not see the canoe again until about seven o’clock, when they saw that McMonagle and an Indian were disputing. McMonagle told the Indians to land him at St. Andrews or it would be worse for him. The Indian threatened to kill McMonagle, and after hot words on both sides repeatedly struck him with a paddle, in spite of his appeals for mercy. McMonagle in an unconscious condition, was thrown overboard but, revived by the water, loudly shouted for assistance. He was again struck by the Indian and soon afterwards sank. This yearn was not swallowed very readily by the court, more particularly as it was shown that there was no fog that night and also that Cox and Harrington had been drinking quite heavily during that day. the story told by the witnessed from Perry was exactly the reverse. they saw the canoe containing the Indians and McMonagle upset by the breaking of the paddle. they put off in a boat and when the reached the spot were informed that McMonagle had sunk, the Indians expressing deep regret at his death. After consuming the entire day, Judge Rounds and R. J. McGarrigle, counsel for the Indians, waived further examination, and they were sent up for trial. The Indians are in excellent spirits and their friends are confident that t the trial their innocence will be clearly brought out. The Department of Indian Affairs has offered to place counsel at their disposal.

Beacon
Oct 8/1896
The Dead Rises. Body of Michael McMonagle washes ashore on Maine Beach. details.
Autopsy Discloses No Evidence of Foul Play—Money Found Intact in his Pocket.  Body Badly decomposed. Brought to St. Andrews for Burial.
On Monday, nineteen days had elapsed since the fateful day when Michael McMonagle, foundryman, of SA, lost his life in the St. Croix river. His friends had despaired of ever recovering his body, but on Monday night their despair gave place to other feelings when a telegram signed by Gove and Sons, of Perry, Maine, arrived, containing the information that a body answering the description of the deceased had been washed ashore on the Maine shore of the St. Croix a short distance from where their accident is supposed to have occurred. Bright and early on Tuesday morning a number of friends of the lat Mr. McMonagle set sail in a large sloop for Perry, expecting to be able to identify and bring back the body the same day. Amongst those who went over were Henry Quinn, George Langmaid, Wheeler Mallock, Thomas Rooney, Thomas Howe, Her. Ross, Charles Judge and William Shaw. A Beacon representative accompanied them.
            On visiting Frost, Cove, it was learned that the body had been discovered about 4 o’clock Monday afternoon by a son of Jason A. Robson, who was down on the beach hauling rockweed, The promptly circulated the news of the discovery and willing hands soon lifted the body up to a safe place on the beach. Acting under advice of the authorities, the body just as it was found was placed upon a wagon and conveyed to Perry, Maine, where it was placed in the hearse house, under the care of Mr. J. F Gove, one of the select-men of the parish.
            The St. Andrews men turned their boat’s head toward Perry, reaching it about 11 o’clock. They found the body still immured in the hearse house, awaiting the result of an autopsy that Dr. Horace Johan, of Eastport, and Dr. Holland, of Calais, had been ordered to make. It was nearly noon when physicians entered up their task. Before beginning, the St. Andrews friends of the deceased were permitted to view the body. Though every vestige of flesh had been stripped off the head, they had not the slightest difficulty in identifying the body by the clothing that was upon it.
            After the body had thus been viewed the doors were closed and the autopsy was begun, the Beacon representative being the only person permitted to be present with the physicians. the body was clothed in dark blue serge pants and vest, a pair of no. 7 brown canvas shoes, a light cotton shirt with a small figured spot in it, and the usual under clothing. A careful examination was made of the clothing. the best was almost completely deprived of its button, having evidently been worn away by the action of the gravel on the beach. the pocket of the vest were empty.  It was stated by some of his friend that the usually carried a wallet in an inside pocket of his vest, but there was non inside pocket in the best he had on. In the right hand pants pocket a $10 Bank of Nova Scotia Bill and a $10 US silver certificate were found, also a 5 cent Canadian piece, and some fragments of paper, which upon being pieced together, turned out to be receipt given b y T. R. Wren to Michael McMonagle for $2.72 Forester dues for June and July. In the left hand pocket there was s copper cent and in the hip pocket a large white handkerchief, and a fragment of a second handkerchief, with a broad red striped border upon it. A pearl collar button was found in his shirt and a pearl cuff button similar in design in the cuff of one of his shirt sleeves. An examination of the body itself showed that the exposed parts were in pretty had shape, while that part of the trunk that was covered with clothing was fairly well preserved. A most critical examination was made of the skull externally and internal and not the slightest evidence was discoverable of any violence prior to death. On this point both physician were very positive. An external and internal examination of the body made also made and there was no evidence found of any would or puncture or violence upon it or of any condition that would lead to the belief that the man had come to his death by any other means than by drowning. At the close of the autopsy, the medical examiner swathed the body in cotton and the door of the death chamber was closed, pending the arrival of Sheriff Foster, who wired to Perry that he was on his way thither from Machias, where court for the trial of the alleged Indian murderers was being held. It was nearly five o’clock Tuesday afternoon when the Sheriff reached the scene. He decided to hand over the body to eh deceased friends, and Henry Quinn accompanied him back to Machias to give evidence respecting it. About 9:30 Tuesday night, the boat containing the body, reached St. Andrews. The remains were taken in charge by a committee of the Forester county and conveyed to undertaker Rigby’s establishment, where they were coffined, after which they were taken to his late home. the funeral on Wednesday morning at ten o’clock, was held under the auspices of the Forester body. There was a large attendance of Foresters in regalia and a large concourse of friends. the Forester burial service was repeated at the grave.
           
New Developments
A Calais letter to the Bangor news says: H. J. McGarrigle, who has been engaged as counsel for the Indian accused of the murder of Michael McMonagle, spent a few days in Perry early in the week looking up the important evidence in the case. Some new development will be brought up which are expected to throw a different light on the matter.

Beacon
Oct 15, 1896
The McMonagle Case. The three Indians dismissed for lack of evidence.
The three Indians, Lola, Stevens and Nicholas, who were with Michael McMonagle when he met his fate in the St. Croix river several week ago, and who were arrested by the Maine authorities on a charge of murder in that connection, were put upon trial at Machias, Maine, last week, but the evidence against them was not sufficiently strong to support the charge and on Thursday they were dismissed by Judge Strout. Lola is at present at Pleasant Point very ill.

Beacon
May 13, 1897
Escaped from Jail
Robert Pye Opens Bolts and Bars and Secures His Freedom-But is Captured within Sight of his Prison Walls.—An Ingenious Prisoner
One of the most ingenious and successful attempts at jail-breaking ever made by a prisoner was carried out b Robert Pye, a prisoner in St. Andrews jail on Saturday afternoon last. By means of some keys and other instruments of his own making, Pye opened the bolts and bars of three massive doors which restrained him, and then having obtained an entrance to the office of the jail, he leaped out of the open window and in a trice was breathing the free air of heaven. Unfortunately for his plans, though the jailer and his wife were both absent at the time, the prisoner’s departure was noticed by a little girl, the adopted daughter of the jailer. She gave the alarm, which resulted five minutes later in the recapture and return of this prisoner.
            To aid him in his escape, Pye had blackened his features. This deception proved so successful that although the jailer noticed the man on the street he did not recognize him as the prisoner until the little girl told him. To Jailer Kendrick Pye said that he had been planning his escape all winter. He expressed regret that all his ingenuity and labor have been thrown away.
            In order to gain an entrance into the hallway of the jail, the prisoner had to pen three doors. The first one was of latticed iron, which was fastened on the outside by a padlock four pounds in weight. The key to open the lock was of peculiar construction, but the prisoner, after several attempt, succeeded in making a hardwood key the exact counterpart of the original. After opening this door, he encountered a wooden door, with a steel face, which is secured with a huge bolt outside a few inches from the floor. The only opening in this door is in the middle. It is about two inches square. Through this small aperture, he dropped out a wire which pulled the link f the bolt up in shooting the bolt. Door No. 3 was of iron bars fastened with a lock. This door he unfastened with a key which he had constructed out of the blade of a knife. To obtain an impression of this lock while the other doors were fastened he had to reach out through the openings in the two doors a distance of about three feet using the handle of a white-wash brush. Sheriff Stuart had no idea that man’s ingenuity cold secure an opening through three massive doors, but this opinion on that subject has considerably altered since Saturday.

Beacon
Oct 14/1897
Lola Again a Prisoner
This time He is Charged with Assaulting a Yong Indian Woman
Lola, the Indian who was in the canoe with the late Michael McMonagle, of St. Andrews, when the latter met his fate about a year ago, and who was supposed by many to have been instrumental in his death, has evidently forgotten the temperance lesson which that regrettable incident taught him.
            After getting clear of the courts in the McMonagle matter, Lola never returned to St. Andrews, but took up his home at Pleasant Point, Maine, where he has since remained.
            Little has been heard here of his doings since then, but, it would seem from the accompany despatch that he has not been living the life that a good Indian should:--
            Eastport, Oct 6—Numerous Indians from Pleasant Point village, Perry, were here all day Tuesday. Lola, T. Lola, their recently appointed deputy sheriff, had been arrested early in the day b Indian Policeman Joe D. Socabasion, for assaulting the young wife of Governor Joe L. Dana at her home Friday evening, during the temporary absence of her husband.
            Mrs. Dana was much frightened at the sheriff, who entered her house, intoxicated, and not until the next day did she tell of the intrusion. The officer at the Point was notified and a warrant was secured for the arrest of Lola. He fled to this city and was not located by Socabasion, until Tuesday, when he was locked up. He was arraigned late at police headquarters before Trial Justice J. H. McFaul. Lola pleaded guilt to the assault and was fined $10 and costs, which he paid.
            Lola is known as the swiftest Long distance runner in eastern Maine and is a fairly well educated young man, with wife and children living at the village.

Beacon
Dec 16/1897
The Jail Bed-straw
Fragrant as were the memories which Mr. James Brayley carried away with him from he County Jail, after his Scott Act imprisonment, they were not half so fragrant as a lot of bedstraw which he brought out with him. It was no particular fondness for he Jail beds that moved him to do this, but rather a desire to le the public know the kind of stuff that the County compels its prisoners to lie down upon. The Beacon was invited to partake of a sniff of the straw aforesaid, and we are quite safe in saying that a bed or roses could not be more fragrant. But the fragrance was of the wrong kind. Mr Brayley says that he will submit the straw to the inspection of the S. P. C. A. and it is possible that he may also carry a sample of it to Premier Emmerson. Sheriff Stuart, who was spoken to about this matter, said that every prisoner, on entering the Jail, is furnished with fresh straw and clean bed clothing. He declares this was done in Mr. Brayley’s case.

Beacon
Sept.15/1898
Disposing of a saucy Tramp
Two tramps, who completed a 30 day term at the Jail on Friday last, became very annoying got the townspeople. Eon of them, named Maguire, belonging to Indiantown, Saint John , was particularly offensive. He entered houses, helped himself to whatever he could lay his hands on, frightened the woman folks, and used threatening language to everybody he met. About nine o’clock in the evening, the boys took him in hand, and after conducting him to the outskirts of the town, the belaboured him with whips, sticks, etc., until he was very glad to leave the place. It’s doubtful if he will return for some time.

Beacon
June 20/1901
A Twenty Mile Jaunt
How John Graham Demonstrated the Sturdiness of His Frame
The alms house commissioners of St. Patrick are men who believe in taking time by the forelock. When they found that John Graham, who had been a resident of the parish for a little less than a twelve-month, was not in the receipt of a munificent income and that the weight of odd years was telling on his once sturdy frame, they came to the conclusion that sooner or later he would become a parish charge and that it was in the interests of their constituents that he should not be permitted to obtain a legal settlement in the parish. They, therefore caused summons to be issued to the overseers of the poor of St. David to show cause why Graham should not be returned to that parish, where he had lived s sufficient length of time to gain a residency under the Poor Act.
 As the law requires, a summons was also served upon Graham, who was living at that time upon William Blakely’s farm, a little over twenty miles from St. Andrews. It did not take the veteran long to get into his good clothes and trudge towards the County seat. He covered the twenty miles to St. Andrews easily in a day and when he got here he was only beginning to get warmed up to his work.

The hearing of the case was to have taken place before Justice Hatheway on Monday and all the parties were here with the witnesses and their lawyers, but the lawyers for the prosecution having learned of the walking feat of the veteran, and having been assured by his friends that he was not a pauper, nor likely to be one, they concluded to drop their case. The parties then got their heads together and it was decided to proceed no farther. Mr. Graham will, therefore, continue to exercise his privilege of citizenship unmolested.

Beacon
Oct 22/1903
Bold Bank Burglars
Bank of Nova Scotia Safe Wrecked by Nitro-Glycerine
All the Cold Cash on Hand Taken—Burglars Helped Themselves from Various Places—Made Escape on C.P.R. Hand-car—Pinkerton Detective has Case in Hand—No Captures Yet
The burglarizing of the Bank of Nova Scotia safe at St. Andrews between Friday night and Saturday morning last furnished the new town with its first sensation.
            The burglary was discovered by Manager Kerr, who went to the bank office about 7:15 in the morning to take out his bicycle. He was astonished to find the outer door open and the lock lying upon the floor. His astonishment was increased tenfold when on entering the main office where the safe was he found the safe the ruin and the room filled with debris. He did not need anyone to tell him that the office had been burglarized and that the work had been done in a thoroughly professional manner. Two holes had been bored in the other doors of the safe and nitro-glycerine applied. Both doors had been shattered by the explosion the pieces of the combination lock and the lining of the doors being scattered all over the room. Holes had then been drilled in the inner door and the lock smashed. The cash box containing about $3000 was cut open and its contents removed. A few rolls of cents were left untouched. Two rifles in the room in front of the safe were not removed.
            The front of the safe had been swathed in old horse blankets, a comfortable, a blanket, a piece of carpet and a long brown reefer. These were all saturated with water to deaden the effect of the explosion. The coat and the comfortable were identified by Mr. A. O’Neill. They had been taken from a shed in the rear of his residence at the head of the town some time during the night. A piece of a silk handkerchief saturated nitro-glycerine, found in one of the holes, resembled a handkerchief that had also been taken from the O’Neill house. A brace and a long screwdriver found on the floor were identified by Kenneth McLaren, blacksmith, as his property, they having been stolen from his premises the night before. A heavy, crow-bar and hammer were identified by section foreman Richardson as the property of the C.P.R. These articles had been taken from the section house alongside the station. Two horse blankets and a lap robe were the property of the Alms House. In getting these the men had evidently some trouble, as they first entered he cow barn and afterwards tried to work up through the floor. The keepers, Mr Carr, noticed a man walking through the lane about 10 o’clock.
            Entry to the bank had evidently been effected through a hole in the front window, one of the large panes, used for ventilating, purposes, being on hinges. This swinging pane was fastened inside by a little brass button. To fore this open was an easy mater. One man had evidently entered the window and then unscrewed the lock on the door, allowing his companion to come in. The rear window was open as if exit had been effected by that means. The glass in the window had been shattered by the explosion.
            Suspicion rested upon two individual who had been seen lurking about the town. The two spent Thursday night in the Quinn fishing camp. Mr. Quinn found them there and had quite along talk with them. They were quiet young men, one, the taller, having a smooth face, while the other, who was a short, stocky fellow with a thick neck, had a reddish moustache. They told Mr. Quinn that they worked in lumber camps. They had walked here from St. George and were going to walk to St. Stephen. The same two got lunch and supper at Stinson’s restaurant on Friday. The paid their last visit to the saloon about 7 o’clock.
            The fact that the hand-car had been taken from the section house and that at 5 o’clock, Mrs. Mowatt heard it rattling by Chamcook led people to believe tha he burglars had used that means of escaping from town.
            Manager Kerr telegraphed and telephoned to all the points in the vicinity, hoping that the robbers might be intercepted. Sheriff Stuart and a posse of constable also started out to make enquiries along the road, as it was though the men would abandon the car soon after passing Chamcook and either take to the woods or make their escape by water.
            One peculiarity of the incident is that though two explosions were heard within fifteen or twenty minutes of each other by several of the neighbors about 3:30 o’clock in the morning none of them thought enough of the mater to look out of doors or make any enquiries.
            The fact tha the articles used by the burglars had been taken from widely divergent points lead some to think tha they must had had assistance. Two men could scarcely accomplish in a night what these men did.
[Cf. Beacon April 28, 1904: “the Bank Robbers: One of the Them Arraigned in Portland, Maine.” After a string of bank robberies in the States. “Huddle and O’Rourke are believed to be the two men who burglarized the Bank of Nova Scotia here last October. Huddle was fully identified as one of the men who were lounging about St. Andrews at the time.”

Beacon
March 9, 1905
Forensic Eloquence from the Prisoner’s Box
A Student of High-Class Literature Convicted of a Crime Makes an Eloquent and Successful Plea for Clemency
In the case of the King vs. William Cripps, tried before the Count court last week, the grand jury found a true bill and a verdict of guilty was returned by the petit jury. The Solicitor-General, Hon. W. P. Jones, appeared for the crown and the prisoner conducted his own defence.
            After the verdict of guilty was returned, the prisoner was given a chance to make a plea for clemency on his own behalf, which he did in a most clever and pathetic manner. His reference to the sorrow of his aged parents in their declining years, should he be sent to prison, to his beloved sister now upon her dying bed, and to the many temptations against which he had to fight, were truly touching, and stowed away down in the heat of hearts of that young criminal, there was at least a keen perception of the good side of life, and a knowledge of the advantages of abstaining from sin. He referred to his previous conviction in the county court and penitentiary. Since his return from that institution, he said, he had been besieged and sought after by the lowest and the most unclean element in the town of St. Stephen and had received very little recognition or encouragement from the better class in society, which had made it doubly hard for him to resist the temptations which were thrown across his path almost at every turn he made. “I want,” said the young prisoner, “to be a good and an honorable man. I have higher and better ambitions than to be a criminal. My parents are very old, both over seventy, and I want to spare them the great sorrow they would feel should I again be sent to prison, for I am their only boy. My sister, too, is now on her dying bed, I know she cannot recover; I want to spare her grief also. If your Honor will show me the clemency for which I now plead, I will show your Honor that your mercy and your confidence have not been misplaced.”
            His manner, although cool, was earnest, and carried with it evidence of sincerity and evidently touched the heart of the learned Judge, for after a gentle reprimand His Honor said he would suspend sentence and discharge the prisoner on his own bail.
            In an interview between the Solicitor General and young Cripps after court had adjourned, Mr. Jones congratulated him upon his escape from a severe sentence and asked him where he had obtained his education. “Oh, I was educated in the public schools of St. Stephen,” was the prompt reply. “but,” continued the Solicitor General, “you seem to have a great command of language and express yourself very fluently, how did you acquire that art?” to which the precocious convict blandly replied, “Oh that would naturally be gained by reading such authors as Scott, Thackeray and Dickens.”

Beacon
Oct 12/1905
A Pair of Kids
Captured by Judge Landry on Tuesday
A pair of immaculate kids, indicative of an absence of criminal business, adorned the desk in front of Judge Landry when he stood up on Tuesday last to address the grand jury “of the body of the County of Charlotte.”
His honor, after thanking the jury for their attendance, commented upon the good old-fashioned custom of presenting the judge with a pair of white kid gloves. It was a custom little honored outside of this county but one that should be maintained. The gloves did not always fit, but they stood for purity and for this reason were appreciated. Another old custom that gave him pleasure was the ringing of the bell at the opening of court. This was a custom that was followed in no other county. Another laudable custom which was observed here was that of the sheriff meeting the judge at the train and escorting him to the court-house. The judge in his own person represented no more than any other member of the court but as the presiding officer of the court he was entitled to respect. These old customs, which were more honored nowadays in the breach than the observance, all tended to add to respect for authority.
            There were some features of the juror’s oath, particularly hat part which says that they will do their duty “without fear, favor or affection, gain, reward, or the hope thereof,” that wee full of instruction and that contained food for wholesome reflection. There was a tendency nowadays towards dishonesty in high places, particularly our neighbors. He instanced the insurance frauds in the United States, which he characterized as disgraceful. Human nature is the same everywhere and it might be that if the lessons taught by this oath were not impressed upon our own people that human nature on this side of the line might finally yield to temptations. It was important in this new country to have these examples before our eyes that we might avoid the errors other communities have fallen into.
            The jury was discharged.

Beacon
Feb 8/1906
The Old Trapper Trapped at Last
David Slater, who will be recalled as the “star witness” in the famous Scott-McLaughlin murder trial of October, 1901, died at the residence of his sister, Ms. Samuel Clark, Baillie, recently, aged 76 years.
            TRAPPER WOULDN’T BE TRAPPED
(Extract from the Beacon, Oct. 17, 1901)
            A quainter character was never found outside the page of a dime novel than David Slater, the grizzled old trapper who was called as a witness in the McLaughlin murder case.
            A giant almost in height, with his head and face covered with an unkempt mop of hair, he looked like a veritable wild man of the woods. The fierceness of his aspect was enhanced by a huge pair of spectacles which were tied with a string behind his head and pulled high up over his forehead. He appeared at his best in the witness box when he was fondling along old fashioned rifle that had been presented him by the prisoner. “It’s a beauty,” said he, as he drew it toward him, stroked his fingers down into the muzzle.
 No mother ever gazed upon a child with more loving eyes than this lean old veteran gazed upon this rifle. And when he took it in his hand and brought tit to his shoulder, he made a picture for an artist. Every movement showed the keen-eyed, alert hunter. Some of the spectators trembled a little lest the eccentric old gentleman might look upon the court as fair game for his rife, and they breathed more freely when the weapon had been returned to the crown lawyer.
            His trapping instincts were clearly sown in his evasive replies to the court. He had never seen the inside of a court room before, and he had entered it with the fixed belief in his mind that he was being led into a trap. He knew nothing and cared less about the dignity of the court or the respect due to it. When the lawyer questioned him a little closely, he replied: “you don’t get me into a trap; no sir. I have been a trapper myself; yes, sir.”
            One question he evaded by saying “This is the place where you hang people aint it? You don’t hang me, no sir. You don’t twist an old man up; no sir, because I won’t be twisted. There’s enough scotch in me for that; I won’t stay, sir; I’ll go home, sir.”
            He would have seized his hat and fought his way out of the court room if the judge had not calmed his fears. He declined to say why he had chipped the wood off the stock of one of the guns. “I did it to suit myself—and that’s all you’ll get out of me; yes, sir. If it suits me it’ll have to suit you, sir.”
            Asked whether it was by chance or by appointment that he had called upon the prisoner at his house, he replied: “Yes, just by chance, sir, as the cow killed the rabbit, when she tossed it in the air, sir, and caught it on her horns.”
            The climax of ludicrousness was reached when he asked the court; “Where’s George?” meaning the prisoner. “Don’t you see him?” queried the judge. “No. I don’t;” and the old man peered on the bench, among the jurymen and over the lawyers. Failing to discern the prisoner, he called out in stentorian tones, as if he was in the woods: “Where are you George; speak for yourself, man!”
            The prisoner answered with a faint halloo from the dock, and the old man was happy.

It would be difficult for those who looked upon this uncouth, shaggy old veteran of the forest, and listened to his quaint answers, to imagine that he had at once figured in an affair of the heart, and it was owing to the unhappy outcome of love’s young dream that he had become the eccentric individual that he now is.
            In his young days, David Slater was one of the finest specimens of sturdy manhood in the countryside. He was a giant in stature, as strong and as brave as a lion and as tender as sucking dove. He fell deeply madly in love, and gave the object of his adoration all the affection that was in his manly heart. She proved faithless.
            When she jilted him, he fled to the forest, vowing that he would never again look upon the face of womankind.
            For over 50 years he has kept his vow. In the deep solitudes of the forest, far from the haunts of man, with only his dogs and his gun for companions, he lived the life of a hermit. Once in a while, one of the male relatives would seek him out and leave him food or reading matter, but beyond this he was dead to the world. He was a great reader.
            For eight or nine years he had a huge bear as the sharer of his forest life. He caught the bear in a trap when it was two years old, dragged it to his cabin and tamed it. For several years it was his constant companion. At night it would drag its huge bulk up to the “dingle” and lie down with the dogs, while the old trapper disposed himself in the bunk.
            On one occasion, when Slater came into the settlement, the bear, then of enormous size, followed him in. It grew frightened when it reached civilization. Its master tried to coax it along, but it became ugly and in its ugliness it leaped upon him and tore his hand. In its rage it would have rent him into fragments, but the old hunter seeing this, crew his revolver and placing the muzzle in the bear ear blew out its brains.
            The defection of the bear, which he had come to regard as one of the dearest friends, was to him a source of keen sorrow for a long time.
            There is probably no man in the province who has killed more game in his days then David Slater. On the witness stand he declared he “had left his mark in the woods” by killing between 250 and 300 animals. His friends say that he has a game book in which he entered every animal killed by him, whether it be mink, otter, deer or moose.
Though more than half century has passed over his head since his heart was shattered by a faithless woman, the old man has not forgotten his vow. When he came to St. Andrews on Thursday last, he refused to enter the hotel for his dinner because there were women in the house. His food had to be brought to him out of doors. He ate it sitting in the wagon.
            The constable who captured the old man and brought him to St. Andrews had to seize him in his bed at night. He fought with the officer of the law and had to be fairly dragged to the court. On the witness stand he vented his wrath upon the constable and detective Ring. When his examination was over, he refused to remain in town over night, or to trust himself to the “new-fangled” railway train, but struck out for his 36 mile tramp homeward on foot.

Beacon
April 26/1906
Whipping Post in the Old Days
SA in old times utilized its law breakers by setting them to work on public improvements, as Saint John does at present. They had the same trouble experience when opportunity offered. Their mode of dealing with eh absconder, however, when he was recaptured, though highly efficacious as a deterrent, would scarcely be tolerated amongst us at the present day.  The following lively account of one of these attempted escapes is reported from St. Andrews on July 13, 1830:
            One of the convicts employed at forming a common sewer in this town becoming wearied of his employment, on Monday last made a bold but unsuccessful attempt at escape. The villain had found some plan of unlocking his fetters although the lock cannot picked, and stripping off his party colored inexpressibles, underneath which he had provided himself with a pair made of white duck, he suddenly bolted and went on a smart trot up King Street, doubled, the corner of Queen street, and turned up Frederick street, where he was headed off, and being closely pursued in the rear showed fight, but was instantly overpowered and led back to confinement. On e the same day a meeting of the magistrates was held in order to decide upon suitable punishment for the misdemeanour, when it was adjudged that on the following day he should receive 39 lashes on the bare back; which punishment having been inflicted he has since been set work, with still less chance of escape than previously in making this imprudent trial.—St. John Globe.

Beacon
June 28/1906
Sir William’s summer home on Minister’s Island robbed.       
When Lady Van Horne and Miss Van Horne opened their summer residence on Minister’s Island, on Tuesday, they were astonished to find their linen closet emptied, also almost all the silver in their silver closet taken away. The value of the linen alone was about $700, so that probably in all $1000 worth of goods had been stolen. When it was taken nobody knows. The closets were securely locked when the house was closed, and they were found locked when the house was re-opened. Mr. Clark, the gardener, inspected the house every day, and never saw any signs of the closets being tampered with. Whoever did it must have been an expert in the business.

Beacon
July 5/1906
The Van Horne Robber
Robbers Showed Unusual Taste in Selection
No clue has yet been formed to the robbers who despoiled Sir William’s summer residence on Minister’s Island. It is thought that whoever did it must have had a good knowledge of the house, and they must also have had a good assortment of keys with them, as nearly every door has a different lock, and almost every door had been opened by the burglars and locked again. Why they should take this precaution is not clear, unless it was to prevent an earlier discovery of the robbery by the gardener, who inspected the house every day.
            The character of the goods taken is not such as the ordinary burglar would trouble himself with. How burglars are there who would burden themselves with $400 worth of linen, nearly every piece of which would be marked with the owner’s stamp? Or what burglar is it that would take a lot of private writing paper bearing the “Van Horne” stamp upon it? Yet that is what this burglar did, for he or she took nearly all of Sir William’s private writing paper and left behind in the same drawer a fine pair of field glasses. The case had apparently been taken out and returned to the drawer again.
            The silver taken was not of a costly character, the solid silver having been removed to Montreal when the house was closed.
            Another peculiarity about the robbery is that some rolls of butter that had been left in the refrigerator were taken.
            It is the general belief that the robbers landed in a boat on the back of the island and carried their plunder off by the same way.
           
Beacon
July 2/1908
The Man Who Broke the Bank at St. Andrews
Makes a Desperate Attempt at Freedom While Marching to Georgia
Portland, Maine. June 5th. U. S. Deputy Marshall Charles E. Haskell, of this city, accompanied by Capt. E. R. Brown and Special Officer Stewart of the Portland police department, Captain of the Guard E. D. Daniels of the Maine State prison at Thomaston, and constable Fred. E. Stevens of Lewiston, who left Thomaston a week ago today with four federal prisoners whom they were to take to the United States government prison at Atlantic, Georgia, had rather a sensational attempt made by one of the men to escape from them while passing through Raleigh, N. C.
            The officers reached home, this evening and this is the first that was known of their encounter.
The prisoners were William Phelps, who was convicted of breaking into the post office at Red Beach, Maine, William Huddle, who has served a sentence in a Montreal prison and who was sentenced three years ago for blowing a post office safe at Southwest Harbour, Maine, Paul Ritchie, a Massachusetts yeggman who was convicted at the recent term of the United States court for the burglary of a post office at Livermore Falls and a negro, Minot St. Clair Frances, who was sentenced for burglary with Huddle for the Red Beach post office break.
The men were handcuffed together, but by twisting the handcuffs, Huddle, who was handcuffed to Phelps, released himself and attempt to leap from his berth window in the Pullman car in which the officers and prisoners were travelling. One of the guards saw Huddle’ attempts to leap from the train, which was travelling at the rate of 30 miles an hour, and as Huddle made no attempt to remain the guard fired a revolver shot at him, and this caused him to change his mind and turn back. It was two days later before the prisoners reached their destination.
[Huddle, who made such a desperate attempt to regain his freedom while marching to Georgia, was without doubt one of the men who despoiled the safe in the Bank of Nova Scotia at
St. Andrews three years ago. The Pinkerton detective who was placed on the trail of the St. Andrews bank burglars, succeeded in finding sufficient evidence against Huddle to have justified his arrest had it not been for the fact that he was already in the hands of the law for the robbery at South West Harbor. Several articles that were taken from the bank safe here were discovered among Huddle’s effects. He would undoubtedly have been brought back here for trail if it had not been for the mortgage Uncle Sam held against him for the part he played in robbing the South West Harbor Post office. His companion in crime succeeded in eluding his pursuers. The burglary here not only displayed enterprise and skill, but it also tested the physical endurance of the burglar to a marked degree. After having robbed the bank they ran down to the railway with the plunder, and getting on to a hand-car pumped it a racing speed a distance of almost fourteen miles. Then they lifted the heavy machine from the track and carried it down an embankment and through a wood road for about a hundred yards. A man of that stamp would be able to put up quite a fight for freedom.

Beacon
May 8/1913
Was She Murdered?
Father of Mrs. Henry Lola Thinks She Was
Newell Sabbatis, the Indian who was managing the canoe from which Mrs. Hannah Lola, (formerly of St. Andrews) was drowned, was arrested and held to await an investigation into the woman’s death.
            At the coroner’s enquiry, the fact was disclosed that the woman had come to her death from hearth failure as a result of the shock from the cold water when the canoe sank. John Nicholas, father of the dead woman, visited Princeton after the tragedy. He told the Beacon that he believes his daughter was foully dealt with, as her face was bruised and her neck showed marks as if she had been throttled. She had had some money on her person, and this had disappeared.

beacon
Nov 5/1914
Eight men, who had been at work on the Algonquin Hotel, were arrested at McAdam Junction last week on the supposition that they ewer Austrian reservists intending to go back to their own country via United States. They were taken to Saint John , and were brought before Lt. Col. McAvity and questioned by him through an interpreter. The men turned out to be Bulgarians, and were allowed to return to McAdam.