Old St. Andrews

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Title

Bill O'Neill, Grocer

Content

Item

William C. O’Neill

 


Beacon
Dec 21/1911
New Ice Rink—through the kindness of Messrs. O’Neill, the boys of the town have been able to secure a piece of land for an open air rink. The rink has been laid out, and all that is necessary now is to flood it and get ice.

 

St. Croix Courier
Aug 14/1924
Little Rose Mackay celebrated her 10th birthday last Saturday by giving a delightful picnic to her friends. Devonish still in town. W. C. O’Neill and Earl Caughey in university--O’Neill at Mt. Allison or St. F. X. or Acadia, Caughey at UNB. David Caughey Grade 5.

 

St. Croix Courier
March 6/1930
W. O’Neill Honored by St. Andrews Club (for efforts to make new hockey rink success)

 

St. Croix Courier
Jan 8, 1931
Shiretown Boasts Fine Outdoor Rink. Description. Constructed 1930.
            The group of St. Andrews hockey fans, headed by William O’Neill, who were responsible for the construction of the open air rink here last winter, have been working assiduously for several weeks past and have effected great improvements in the property, which is now probably the best equipped arena of its type in NB. The St. Andrews team now offers visiting players and spectators comfortable and convenient accommodation, comparable with those of the average outdoor rink. The front of the arena has been greatly improved by the construction of a new entrance containing a ticket office and ladies’ and gentlemen’s dressing rooms. Room for 300 spectators is provided in the enlarged grandstand down the left side of the playing surface, which is now nearly 200 feet long. On the opposite side of the rink from the grandstand is another new building divided into dressing rooms for two teams and a smaller chamber housing the combination radio and phonograph machine. The enterprising fans have added a novel feature in connection with the latter in a transmitter through which announcements may be made through the loud-speaker, which is suspended over the centre of the ice. The practicability of this equipment was demonstrated during a practice game last week when it was used to call for a doctor for one of the players who had been injured and it is also valuable for making announcements regarding the progress of the game. The water supply has also been improved by extending the piping direct to the rink.
            For night playing the ice surface is illuminated by 18 300-watt electric lights of the most modern type, the same equipment as used in the St. Stephen rink. This light covers the playing surface measuring 175 feet by 75, slightly smaller than the St. Croix surface. All the work of making these alterations has been done by the interested fans themselves during the evenings and their extent may be judged from the fact that expenditures of materials will be over $1,000. High hopes are held for the St. Andrews hockey team this season. The ice game took on a new lease of life last year with the reorganization of the team and the same players with one or two additions will be available this season. A promising recruit will be H. B. Hachey, who was transferred to the Biological Station here a few weeks ago. Under his coaching the team is making excellent progress. The following comprise the squad which as been working out: H. McQuoid, R. Graham, Tillie McNichol, Tom McNichol, R. Johnson, G. Johnson, L. McQuoid, J. Graham, W. O’Neill, J. O’Neill, Hachey, Stinson, Williamson, Love.
            Sport generally appears to be enjoying healthy popularity in St. Andrews with the improvement of the rink following closely upon the completion of the new Scout gymnasium.

 

St. Croix Courier
March 10/1932
Photo of St. Andrews Arenas, runners up for provincial title, featuring W. O’Neill, Capt; F. Haughn; L. Williamson

 

St. Croix Courier
Jan 5/1933
Dream of Years Realized in New St. Andrews Rink. 800 attend Official Opening in Shiretown Monday Evening. When Winter Program in Splendid new Rink is Begun with Fitting Entertainment. “Plucky Bill” Given Warm Praise. By Dr. J. F. Worrell.
St. Andrews, Jan 3. The new skating and hockey arena at St. Andrews was officially opened on Monday, Jan. 2nd. At 11 am Mayor Kennedy raised the flag in the presence of a large number of spectators. As the bunting unfolded and floated out on the breeze to the strains of “God Save the King” not a person but felt a thrill of joy as he was brought to realize from the material evidence before him that the dream of years had at length come true; not a person but felt a glow of satisfaction that every obstacle overcome, the efforts of the past few months had been consummated and at last the little town of St. Andrews could boast a rink of which many a larger place might well be proud.
            At 8 o’clock Monday evening an appropriate program was carried out within the rink. The dome-like structure over the entrance was brilliantly lighted with colored incandescents and the interior of the rink was decorated with Chinese lanterns. Just within the entrance, and beneath a model aeroplane with swiftly revolving propeller, waited the reception committee consisting of Santa Claus and his assistants with barrels of apples and other confections.
            At the lower end of the rink a raised platform with enclosing curtains could be seen and promptly at 8 o’clock the curtains were drawn aside disclosing Mayor Kenned and A. W. Rigby, president of the St. Andrews Athletic Association. The Mayor spoke as follows:--
            “I have been asked as Mayor of St. Andres to say a few words tonight on the occasion of the opening of this magnificent rink, and I feel highly honored and pleased to do so. In these time of depression, which you know we in St. Andrews feel, but happily not to the extent that the rest of the Province, and you might very well say the rest of the world feel, it is a happy tribute to the sponsors of this rink and the town and surrounding community. I have been requested to mention no names in connection with the erection of this spacious and excellent rink, but let me say right here that we all know the driving force and live wire who has made it possible. To him we give our utmost support and commend him also for giving to this small town such a building of its kind that would be a credit to a town or city of much larger population.”
            “Let me also say that it has passed the lips of many of the citizens of the town, as well as quite a few to my knowledge of citizens, of other communities, that it could not have been accomplished in any other town they know of, and by that they mean the loyal and energetic work of many of the citizens of this town who day after day, without charge, gave their services that the rink might be successfully erected and in time for the present winter season. This is generally accepted and I know that not only the rink management but the people of the town, as well as the people of Chamcook and Bayside, gratefully acknowledge it. Incidentally I might say that the erection of the rink has been greatly helped y the volunteer work of men from Chamcook and Bayside.”
            In concluding my remarks let me welcome you here tonight and ask that you lend your hearty support to the sponsors of this rink, which you see for yourselves is a very excellent one, and one that would be a credit to any community, and that I, with yourselves, trust will be financially successful and stimulate healthy sport in this community. I am sure wit the community spirit prevailing here this will succeed.”
            “This morning at 11 o’clock the flag was officially raised on the flagpole of this rink, and with the concluding ceremonies of this evening the rink will be officially opened. May it prove financially successful, and may the hockey team it produces go a long way in giving St. Andrews a name on the sport pages of the press of the Province. To them we give our hearty support.”
            At the close of the Mayor’s address Mr. Rigby in a few well chosen words expressed the thanks of the association for the support they had received from the townspeople during the building of the rink.
            An amusing set of tableaux depicting the building of the rink was shown, and this was followed by a hockey game between two local teams, the “Bachelors” and the “School” which resulted in a win for the latter tem 1 to 0.
            As there was no charge for admission no accurate way of determining the number present was possible, but it was estimated that there at least eight hundred in attendance.
            In the hopes of inspiring sports enthusiasts in other parts of the county, or in other parts of the province, that they do likewise a few words explaining how this undertaking was carried out may not be amiss.
            The history of skating rinks in St. Andrews during the past few years is really the history of the dreams and schemes, discouragements and successes of one young man. From the time of the inauguration of hockey in a small building on Water Street where the ice surface was probably less than half regulation size and where room for only a few spectators could be provided, on through the succession of outdoor rinks adding improvements from year to year, up until the present, when he sees his hopes realized, this young man has persisted in the idea that a real rink could be built by the people of St. Andrews, and that some day it would be built. A quiet, unassuming chap he is, who will accept no credit for what has been done, but says it was just his idea, that was all—that the rest of the boys did as much as he. At college he was called “Lucky Bill.” A more appropriate pseudonym would be “Plucky Bill.” When the announced that the time was now propitious for the building of a covered rink practically every person whose advice should be worth most tried to discourage him. It meant tearing down the appurtenances of the open air rink upon which $1000 had been spent last year, but this meant nothing to bill. He had no convincing argument to use to prove the project would be successful. He simply felt it must succeed. And herein lies the solution of the whole proposition. This young man had his finger on the public pulse and he knew.
            In making an estimate of the cost he allowed practically nothing for labor and here is where he knew his public as his advisers did not. When bill began the work his position resembled that of Napoleon on is return from Elba-just himself and a handful of the most faithful. But ere he reached his “Paris,” the completion and opening of the rink on January 2nd, 1932, he had an army behind him, an army whose spirit was sufficient to overcome any amount of labor, expense or inclemency of weather.
            Great credit is due to Frank Gilman, who constructed and erected the frame work, and Gus Rigby who took charge of the finishing and whose advice and labor were invaluable.
            Many names might be mentioned of those whose unsolicited assistance contributed so greatly towards the success of the enterprise, of those who donated liberally in cash, or of those who toiled there day after day in the muck and dirt with no other hope of reward than that of a sense of duty well done. But after all it is Bill’s rink. And the people of St. Andrews and of the surrounding districts, who also had their share in the work, feel that as long as there is a stick of this building standing, it will stand as a monument to the pluck and enterprise and public spirit of one of our native sons.
            The building is 200 x 86 feet outside and has an ice surface ? x 76. Heated seating spaces will accommodate about one hundred and there is standing room on the sidelines sufficient for six hundred more.

 

St. Croix Courier
Feb 23/1933
Senators Eliminate Cubs from Intermediate Series
St. Andrews Six, Led by Graham-O’Neill Combination, Score 6-5 Victory over Fredericton Cubs for Right to Meet North Shore Winners.

 

St. Croix Courier
Dec 12/1935
Kiwanis Would Revive Town Band. Names include Don Worrell, Caddy Norris, Sidney Anning and Bill O’Neill.

 

St. Croix Courier
March 11/1937
Senators of St. Andrews are Crowned NB Intermediate Hockey Champs.
St. Andrews, March 9. St. Andrews Senators fought their way to another New Brunswick intermediate championship by downing Sussex Rovers 5-2 before the largest crowd of the season.
Members of the team are show in the above group. Left to right, they are: B. Denley, Bill O’Neill, Jimmy Graham, H. McNichol, C. Williamson, R. McQuoid, J. MacFarlane, J. Finigan, F. Haughn, V. Stinson, A. McNichol, John O’Neill, G. Stinson. Absent when the picture was taken was Tommy McNichol.

 

St. Croix Courier
April 29/1937
Shiretown Items—Installs New Fountain. W. C. O’Neill already famous for his fountain drinks, has installed a new up-to-date soda fountain in his store. The fountain is double the length of the old one and is equipped with comfortable upholstered stools. The public will now expect bigger and better milk shakes.

 

St. Croix Courier
May 19/1938
Shiretown Items—O’Neill Fountain Improved. Fountain end of business equipped with booths and tables. Kitchen also set up for lunches and hot drinks. Number of latest gadgets added to fountain.

 

St. Croix Courier
Nov 10/1938
Shire town Items—Twenty Years After.
A Great Day’s Work—
The few local adherents to that peculiar and obnoxious type of philosophy colloquially known as “blue ruin,” were afforded convincing evidence on Thursday Nov. 3rd, that the community spirit in St. Andrews is still very much alive, and that interest in the hockey and skating arena is as strong as ever. At 6:30 Thursday morning eleven trucks and fifty-five men were on hand at the Russell gravel pit, Bayside, to start the day’s work, and a great day’s work it was! One hundred and five loads of an excellent quality of gravel, approximating 260 yards were hauled to the Arena and spread. The surface was levelled to a nicety and will be rolled down hard with a heavy roller. This gravel, which contains a large proportion of sand, will pack down hard and smooth and will not only make an excellent foundation for ice, but also assure a firm, dry floor for the various uses to which the Arena may be put in the summer months. Part of the crew spent that day, smoothing and sloping the ground outside the rink, on the northeast side, towards the street gutter to effect better drainage. The men who took part in this latest community rally all expressed themselves as having had a “whale of a time. Of course the highlight of the day was dinner served at the pit at noon. Picture fifty-five hungry but happy men, ranged in a semi-circle on comfortable settees, a huge fire in the centre, glowing in accordance with the best traditions, two wash-boilers brimming full of delicious fish chowder, gallons of coffee, heaps of pies and doughnuts, cases of ginger ale, boxes of cigars and cigarettes, bags of candy! Is it not a picture to make one’s mouth water? The sand bank, one hundred feet high, as a background, in front the noble St. Croix of deep cerulean blue, sparkling in the autumn sunlight, and the amusing antics of the diners, boys again for a day, was a setting made to order for Bill O’Neill with his movie camera. he took several reels of pictures which will be shown later in technicolor to his friends about town. The only items of expense in connection with this wonderful rally were the food for the men, the gas and oil for the trucks, and the gravel, which cost five cents a yard.

 

St. Croix Courier
Dec 28/1939
SA Community Arena Destroyed by Fire On Christmas Night. Photo. Erected 1932. Debt only just paid off. Origin of fire unknown. Bill O’Neill conceived the project and carried it through to completion.

 

St. Croix Courier
Jan 11, 1940
Shiretown Items
Real Friends Appear
Friends of St. Andrews and patrons of the Arena have begun to express their sympathy in a material way. A cheque for $100 has been received from Senator Cairine Wilson. Senator Wilson not only made a substantial contribution at the time the Arena was built seven years ago, but has also donated generously each year to the funds raised by the Bazaar, and it is gratifying to the promotes to know that her interest, so splendidly expressed, still continues. And another of the owns’ finest boosters, Howard Pillow, has also been heard from. He expressed himself as not only willing to contribute generously himself, but will also undertake to raise some money among his friends. During recent years Mr. Pillow has shown a great interest in the welfare of the town, and has been a great help in many ways. He is now so intimately known among the locals that he is considered “one of the boys,” than which we can pay him no higher compliment. Now that he has put his hand to the plough it can be taken as an assure fact that the Arena will arise in youthful freshness from its own ashes.

 

Shiretown Items
Visions New Arena.
Bill O’Neill has started to make figures and draw plans for the new Arena, having become quite ‘het up’ since receiving such tangible evidence of support from friends among the summer people. It is planned to make the new building as fire-proof as is humanly possible. The entire structure will be covered with steel, nailed directly to the studs, arches and purlings dispensing altogether with boards. The floors of the dressing rooms will be of concrete, with a narrow board walk leading to, and running in front of the seats to protect the skates. The walls of theses rooms will be of tile or concrete blocks. A central chimney will extend above the roof of the main building and immediately beneath the entrance a basement will be excavated to contain a furnace in an absolutely fire-proof room. The dressing rooms and gallery will be heated by coils of pipe carrying hot water or steam. it is thought that about $2,000.00 will be required in addition to the money now on hand, to complete the building. Various plans are being suggested to raise money locally through the winter months.

 

St. Croix Courier
Jan 18/1940
Shiretown Items—Howard Pillow contributes 100 towards new rink.

 

St. Croix Courier
Jan 25/1940
Miss Hosmer and Miss Struthers each contribute 100.00 towards new rink. Work planned to start middle of March so as to be ready for annual bazaar and flower show, “both of which events have been very popular among the summer people as well as the locals.”

 

St. Croix Courier
March 13/1941
Shiretown Items
Old Firm Keeps Modern
The H. O’Neill grocery store and meat market has just completed 118 years of public service, having been established here early in 1823. The store was first located in the building now occupied by George McKay. It was later moved to a building at the head of market wharf, situated on the site of the present post office. This building was destroyed by fire about 1875 and the store moved temporarily to the Lorimer building. In 1877 the buildings now occupied were moved from the Gove lot near the depot. The following paragraphs are copied from the “Canadian Grocer:” “The basic merchandising factor at the H. O’Neill grocery store in SA, NB, is the 118 years of activity of the store. It was established in 1823. Although one of the oldest grocery stores in the world, this business is not living wholly in the past, as illustrated by installation of a modernly equipped fountain and offering a special service in soft drinks, sodas, ice cream, light lunches. The installation was made to capitalize on the annual influx of people each summer season from various parts of Canada and United States. St. Andrews is a leading summer resort and located right on the US border, the Bay of Fundy junction with the mother Atlantic, and the St. Croix River mouth, the latter being the international boundary line. For farmers, livestock raisers, poultrymen, there is feed service. All types of foods, tonics, disinfectants and remedies for cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, poultry, foxes, are carried here. The higher priced items are offered for the wealthy summer residents from Montreal, ‘Toronto, Boston, New York, Washington, Chicago, etc. These prevail not only for human beings but for domestic animals and birds. Some of the families have occupied their own estates in the St. Andrews area for over half a century, and have stock farms as a hobby. An effort is made to blend modernity with antiquity at this general food store, and without sacrificing the atmosphere of old age. Three and four generations have continued in rotation as customers of this store and this involved not only the wealthy summer rusticator, but the fishing and agricultural families of the mainland as well as the near-by island of Deer Island and Campobello.”

 

St. Croix Courier
Oct 30/1941
Shiretown Items
Famous Turnips in Demand
A. B. O’Neill shipped a carload of turnips to Boston this fall, the first shipment since 1933. These turnips, which were of splendid quality, were raised on the O’Neill and Redmond farms. On some farms, in spite of the use of borax with the fertilizer, the turnips showed black or woody hearts. An effort is to be made to ge the Dept. of Agriculture of the province to analyze the soil in this locality in order if possible to restore turnip raising to the profitable position it held a number of years ago. The market is waiting for unlimited quantities if the quality can be produced. Mr. O’Neill has an order for another carload which is now being loaded at the depot.

 

St. Croix Courier
October 22/1942
Shiretown Items
Dick Pegg Departs
The St. Andrews Bakery, owned for several years and managed for twenty-one years b Dick Pegg has been sold, lock, stock and barrel, residence included to Bill O’Neill. . . . As for Mr. Pegg’s successor, Bill O’Neill, it goes without saying that he will make the same success of this new venture that he has with everything else he has undertaken here during the past fifteen years. Bill is not going to put his fingers in the dough, in a literal sense. He will supply the dough to boy the dough, while don Garnett, who had several years experience in a bakery at McAdam, will do the mixing and turn out the finished product.

 

St. Croix Courier
Dec 7/1944
Shiretown Items
Old Records
In has been interesting looking through the first day book of O’Neill’s Market running from 1823 to 1828. Very few names are found correspondng with those of the present time here. Everything was sold, from broadcloth to brandy and buttons to beef. The terms “Senior” and “Junior” were evidently not in vogue in those days. I see where young Daniel Stinson got an eight-pound roast of beefor four shillings. Geroge Swift and H. Hatch were cutomers—probably the fathers of the men of the same names we recall from boyhood. Collector Campbell and sheriff Andrews are mentioned, also John Mowatt, probably the fatehr of the John we remember. Liquor was sold by the gallon then—no coupons required—rum at five shillings and finest imported brandy at nine shillings. Imagine a whole gallon of properly aged rum for $1.25! Doesn’t it make your moth water? But most interesting of all in this old book are the names of the ships which the store stocked regularly with provisions. Just to mention a few: Brig Cassock, Brig. Hero, Ship St. Andrews, Ship Perseverance, Brig Fames, Ship Harmony, Brig Nemesis, Ship Cumberland, Ship Wanderer and Brig Nancy, capt. Paul.

 

St. Croix Courier
July 8/1948
Shiretown Items: O’Neill’s Market
O’Neill’s Market and Grocery store is having anew front of Vitrolite to correspond with the front of the adjoining building which was done last year. Frank Gilman’s crew doing the work. This business was established by Henry O’Neill, great grandfather of the present proprietors, in 1823. The first store was in the building down town just below John Garnett’s residence, the owner then living across the street where George MacKay now lives. Later the store building was extended to provide living quarters. The store end remained as originally built until last year when it was remodelled for form an apartment. After doing business at this stand for several years the proprietor moved farther up town to a building on Market Square, about where the present post office stands. This place was burned about 1876 and the building now in use was moved up from the Gove lot near the depot as was also the one now used as O’Neill’s restaurant. When Henry departed this life the market was carried on under the same name by his three sons, Hugh, Charles and Henry. After the death of all three brothers the business was continued by A. B. O’Neill, son of Charles, and now his two sons, John and Bill are carrying on under the original name, H. O’Neill. Many changes were made in A. B.’s time and the present owners have continued to improve and modernize. I can recall the old store in the days when round steak was 10 cents a pound, and sirloin two pounds for a quarter. Two long and well worn wooden counters extended on either side from front to back. At the rear an archway disclosed a stove in the center. Near the stove was a chair or two and half a dozen soap boxes to provide comfort and rest to loafers at all times and to the proprietors during leisure moments. On the few occasions when I dared to poke my nose into this room, which to me at the time was a veritable sanctum sanctorum, I can recall that the conversation was always clean and elevating, especially when Charles O’Neill was present. Young as I was he impressed me as being a fine scholar and a great gentleman. Conditions the habits of men and their line of thought have changed since those days, we hope for the better, but we sometimes wonder!

 

St. Croix Courier
March 10/1949
Shiretown Items
Barbara Ann Scott
Barbara Ann, world champion figure skater and the whole world’s sweetheart, is coming to St. Andrews to display her art in two public appearances at the Arena. The dates are March 17 and 18. These will be her only appearances in the Maritime provinces at this time. In other years St. Andrews has entertained many famous personages but the coming of the charming Barbara Ann will, without a doubt, surpass any event in the history of this small town. How did we do it? You may well ask, as it seems like accomplishing the impossible. In the first place through the initiative and persistency of W. C. O’Neill, manager of the Arena, who has been working on the idea for over a year. In the second place through the influence of Norman Wilson of Ottawa and SA, and in the third place, and chiefly because Barbra Ann wanted to come! She said she had heard so much about St. Andrews from friends in Ottawa and Toronto that she was anxious to pay us a visit. It is an expensive proposition even at the reduced rates her manager is offering us and unfortunately the Arena will only accommodate about 1500 spectators. A packed house for both nights is assured, however, and the management of the Arena should at least break even. Within 24 hours of the definite word being received that Barbra Ann was coming there was a call for over fifteen hundred reserved seats. Visitors are coming from all over the province and Lieutenant-governor McLaren will be here to extend an official welcome. Mayor Hachey will also welcome her on behalf of the town and we shall all be at the train to meet her with a hearty, rousing cheer.

 

St. Croix Courier
March 24, 1949
Shiretown Items
The Great Day Arrives
Never in the life-time of the oldest inhabitant ahs ther ebeen an event which so stirred the hearts of our citizens, an event awaited with such eager anticipation. The cares and duties of the work-a-day world were forgotten and neglected. Flags and bunting, signs of welcoem and string sof colored lights were erected. The sole topic of conversation was the coming of Barbar Ann. The day broke learnd cold, the 16th day of March, 1949—a day that will be forever marked in bold red capital letters in the annals of the little town of St. Andrews. Long ebfore the arrival of the train crowds began to gather at the depot. What mattered it that fierce, chill wind blew from the North? The sun shone brightly overhead in a clear and cloudless sky and the warmth and glow within our hearts made our bodies impervious to tteh cold.

 

His Greatest Moment
As I watched W. C. O’Neill, “Bill” to his many friends, standing there on the platform with the other members of the reception committee I thought of what a thrill the occasion must be to him! He is the boy who really put it over. When he proposed the idea, about a year ago, it was scoffed at by some, derided by others and deemed impossible by most of us. But his unfailing courage and optimism, which stood the test of the burning of our first Arean in 1939, and whose leadership at that time directed us in the erection of a better building, were not be be denied. Much praise is due to all, who worked day and night to make this occasion the grand success it was but primarily and chiefly the credit must to the “Bill.”
           
“That She Blows”
When the train blew for the station, though nearly a mile away, a cheer went up from the waiting crowd. The pent-up thoughts of the joys to come could no longer be restrained. More and greater cheers sounded when she hove in sight around the bend. We seemed to think this great inanimate but life-like thing could hear our voices and transmit to Barbar Ann our cheers of welcome. With a-hissing of steam and a screeching of brakes the rain ground to a stop. The reception committee, headed by Mayor and Mrs. H. B. Hachey and including Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy, hostess to Barbar Anna nd her mother, Mr.s Clyde Scott, during their visit, henry O. McQuoid, president of the Arena Assocation; and Mrs. McQuoid, Principal F. T. Atakinson of Prince Arthur School, and Mrs. Atkinson and W. C. O’Neill, maanger of the Areans, boarded the private car provided for the distinguuished visitors from McAdam Junction down. In a fe wmoments they re-appeared, followed by Barbar Ann and her mother. As Miss Scott paused on the car steps to have photos snapped and to wave to the surrounding throng a deafenign cheer arose. Then the daint little queen of th eice, honey-blonde hair reflecting the sunshine and eyes of sapphire blue glancing at everhone int urn, tripped down the patform waving in all directions and throwing kisses to the two hundred school children lined up as a guard of honor. She entered flag-bedecked car, and still smiling and waving her hand, was driven to her temporary home at Fort Tipperary.

 

Afternoon Practice
Instead of resting on Wednesday afternoon after her long trip her fro Philadelphia, as one would have expected, Barbar Ann spent three hours in practice along with Casey’s Concert Orchestra. The Arena was closed to the publci but a few of us more fortunate one shad the priviege of watching her. Personally, I had the great honor of appearing in a picture with her, along with her mother, Mrs. Clyde Scott, W. C. O’Neill, manager of the Arean and Mrs. Windsor Dewar of Milltown, who was at the Arean with her husband, a member of the orchestra. It is a picture I shall prize very highly and it will occupy a top spot in my treasury of souvenirs.

 

St. Croix Courier
March 31/1949
Photo of Barbara Ann Scott with arena Committee: Bill Brownrigg, W. C. O’Neill, Henry McQuoid, M. Bartlett, W. L. Williamson

 

St. Croix Courier
March 30/1950
SA Senators once again NB amateur champs. Photo April 6. Cy Spear, Frank Haughn, Rick Ross, Kent Ross, Jerry Dryden, Doug Henderson, Harry McNichol, Allison McNichol, Reg Sharkey, John McFarlane, Sandy Miller, Bud Stuart, Donald McNichol, Pete McFarlane, Bob Anning. Coach W. C. O’Neill.

 

St. Croix Courier
April 6, 1950
Shiretown Items
[Senators to play Halifax for Maritime Intermediate Championships]
Champions All
It may be of interest to readers to review the names of the individual players on the Senators’ hockey team in their four provincial championships.
1933: Frank Haughn, Bob Love, Loren McQuoid, Cicil Williamson, henry Holmes, Leigh Williamson, John O’Neill, Jim Graham, Jed Stinson, Joe Finigan, bill O’Neill
1937: Vernon Stinson, Frank Haughn, Cicil Williamson, Jim Graham, Bill O’Neill, Raymond Mcquoid, Joe Finigan, jed Stinson, Tommy McNichol, John O’Neill, Allison McNichol
1947: Kent Ross, Earl Thomas, Barney McFarlane, Frank Haughn, Jim Graham, Bud Stuart, Doug Henderson, Harry McNichol, Sandy Miller, John McFarlane, Peter McFarlane, Tommy McNichol.
1950: Kent Ross, Tommy McNichol, Richard Ross, Harry McNichol, Cyril Spear, Frank Haughn, Bud Stuart, Allison McNichol, Doug Henderson, Sandy Miller, G. Dryden, John McFarlane, Peter McFarlane, Reginard Sharkey, Bob Annning.
[Senators lose to Halifax for the 1950 championship[

 

St. Croix Courier
Jan 22/1953
Photo of 2x3 foot Christmas Card sent by cast of Sonja Henie Ice Revue to SA, addressed to W. C. O’Neill.

 

St. Croix Courier
Nov 4/1954
Sir James Dunn is Made Freeman of St. Andrews. Resident last 9 years--1945. Brief informal ceremony at Andraeleo Hall. 80 years old that day. Cuts cake. History of Freemen, why Dunn came here.
            Multimillionaire industrialist and philanthropist Sir James Dunn, QC, was made a freeman of St. Andrews Friday at a brief, informal ceremony in Andraeleo Hall attended by civic, business, religious and Canadian Legion leaders of the community. He was the third person to be so honored in the town’s 51-year history since incorporation.
            Silver-haired Sir James, celebrating his 80th birthday the same day, was presented with a gold key to the town by Mayor Leigh Williamson, a birthday cake inscribed “happy birthday, Sir James, from the town of St. Andrews and Passamaquoddy branch, Canadian Legion” and a rousing, spontaneous rendition of For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow by the 50 guests present.
            Thanking the gathering for the honor bestowed upon him, Sir James said he first came here “because there was an airport (Pennfield) nearby” but stayed on after it closed because of “the kindly welcome I have received when walking down the street here, the excellent service which I try to reciprocate, and an unequalled climate.”
            He said he would carry the key in his waistcoat pocket, if “it assists me to continue to open hearts to friendships which I have formed here.” Sir James, who told the gathering he had been pleased and happy to receive birthday greetings that morning from, among others, Sir Winston and Lady Churchill, and Rt. Hon. C. D. Howe (a fellow sometime resident of the town) was also tendered the best wishes of citizens of Sault Ste. Marie, headquarters of Algoma Steel Corporation of which he is president and chairman of the board, via a telegram from the mayor of the Sault read by St. Andrews Con. William O’Neill.
            During his short talk, Sir James, alluding to Pennfield where his aircraft is based, said he had been promised that some of the airfield’s facilities would be restored to allow what he called “contact with the outside world to be resumed.” He added that he had continually worked for at least a partial re-opening of the nearby airbase.
            First man to be made a freeman of the town as present at Friday’s ceremonies. He is F. L. Mallory, of SA, county secretary-treasurer, who was made freeman March 10, 1949, in recognition of over 30 years service to the town as clerk and treasurer. Seven days later, Barbara Ann Scott was similarly honored following an ice skating show presentation here in which she starred. Miss Scott subsequently spent a summer vacationing here. . . .

 

St. Croix Courier
Sept 29/1955
News Notes written by Bill O’Neill. Name revealed at last.

 

St. Croix Courier
March 5/1959
E. B. Ross Mayor St. Andrews. Photo of town Council. W. C. O’Neill back row.

 

St. Croix Courier
July 14/1966
Dunn Hockey School Claimed Canada’s Best
St. Andrews. The Sir Jame sDunn Arena Hockey School which opened on Monday and runs to July 23 has the most expert instruction staff of any hockey school in North America.
            Two Norris Trophy winners, Two American Hockey League record-holders, the youngest coach in the history of the National Hoekcye League, the coach of the Western Hockey League Cchampions, a member of the NHL’s second All-Star Team, and one of Canada’s leading physical educationrs, and two Montreal Canadian hockey stars make up the list of instructors at this year’s chool.
            Montreal All Star defencemen Jacques Laperriere won the Norris Troph and coach Doug Harvey was a seven-time Norris Trophy winner. The two american Hoekcye League record holders at the Sir Jame sDunn Arean are two former defencemen Eddie Busha nd Roly McLenahan. Coach of Hamilton RedWings, Bush still holds the AHL record with most points by a defenceman with 72, while McLenahan now sports coordinator ith the New Brunswick Department of Youth and Welfare, was close behind with 71 points. McLenahan holds the AHL record for most goals by a defenceman with a total of 25 and broke Bush’s recorde of 24 goals.
            Scotty Bowman, a ten-year hockey veteran with the Montreal Canadians organization, was recently appointed coach and assistant general manger of St. Louis Blues of the expanded NHL, making him the youhgest coach in the history fo the league.
            Frank Mario, coach of the Victoria Maple Leafs of the Western Hockey League, coached he team to the WHL championship in his first year in the league. Mario is a former centerman with Boston Bruins nd coached Peterborough Petes of the OHA Junior A league for a number o fyears.
            Montreal Canadien star defenceman J. C. Tremblay is a newcoemr to the St. Andrews staf but comes well qualfied. Tremblay was selected to the seconde NHL All-Star team this season and was a strong contender for the Conn Smythe ropy for the leading players  in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
            One of Canada’s leading physical educators, Dr. John Meagher, director of the physical education at the University fo New Brunswick, is the guest lecturer for the two-week school. Dr. meagher served in the same capacity at the Ourth Annual Hockey figure dkating and Referee’s School at the Sir James Dunn Arena last week. That school was sponsored by he department of youth and welfare in conjunction with the Fitness and Amateur Sport Directorate of Ottawa. The school was directed by Roly McLenahan in his capacity of sports coordinator with the department.
            Gilles Tremblay and Ralph Backstrom, two leading member of the Stanley Cup winning Montreal Canadiens, round ou the roster of coaches a the Third Annual Sir  James Dunn Arena School. A poll of the instructors revealed that they consider the New Brunswick School to be the finest of its kind in North America.
            The school opened on Sunday evening when Bill O’neill, school directors, welcomed the more than 160 boys to the Sir James Dunn Arena and outlined the program for the first half of the school this week. Anoehr 160 young players arrive next week.
            The school’s recreation directors, Gene MacDonald, a McAdam High School teacher has set up a well-balanced program for the boys while they are not on the ice, the program includes volleyball, basketball, softball, badminton, horseshoes, ping-pong, and ceoquet. Only 40 of the players receive hockey instruction on the ice at any one time while the remaining 120 take part in the recreation program or watch hoekcye films. As a nightcap the boys are treated to more hockey films and not chocolate before liths out.
            The instructors work in groups of three. J. C. Tremblay and Doug Harvey working as a unit. Scotty Bowman, Ralph Backstrom and Jacuques Laperriere work as anotehr unit while the tird unit consists of Eddit Bush, Gilles Tremblay and Roly McLenahan.
            The school is billed as a bilingual school with a French-speaking member of he instructional staff on each unit.

 

St. Croix Courier
June 27/1968
Shiretown Items: “Well, it certainly was a real treat to have Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians here in person at the Saint John Dunn Arena.” Presenting Guy with gift Mayor Hachey said Bill O’Neill had planned for 20 years to get you here. 2,500 or more guests from all over province and Maine in attendance.

 

St. Croix Courier
Sept 19/1968
Shiretown Items—Only a Memory
That’s all that is left of the whole O’Neill corner block of buildings and all you hear up and down the street is regret. The outbuilding, yes, they were possibly ready for retirement, but the main corner buildings were a landmark, and even people from Saint John were remarking “you just didn’t let them get torn down. Why St. Andrews makes its living from its tourist attraction by its old buildings.” Residents who have lived here all their lives are just sick and many who adopted the place not so long ago are finding that they feel like they had lost one of the family. We agree progress must take place but this may proved a good lesson to many people who could not u\see the point when Ian MacKay suggested a by-law to preserve our historic buildings and our past. Williamsburg and Sturbridge have them, who not SA? The front street will never look the same again! A good many people in St. Andrews and throughout the County are bemoaning the tearing down of the concrete block school here known as prince Arthur of Connaught. This, in its way, was a landmark too although only built in 1912. None of us want to stop the clock, but only to preserve our charm and tourist potential. Portland, Maine, has never looked the same since they took down the fieldstone Union Station, and put a prefabbed cardboard box one story rambling shopping center. Think what St. Andrews would look like if one by one, the buildings on the front street are razed! (Rose Haughn)

 

Courier
April 29/1971
Bill O’Neill dies. Great Great Grandfather established grocery business in 1823.

 

St. Croix Courier
August 23/1992
Arena renamed W. C. O’Neill Arena.