Item
Beacon
July 24/1890
The New Brunswick Railway
The announcement that General Manger Cram of the New Brunswick Railway would sever his connection with the line when it passed into the hands of the CPR has awakened many expressions of regret from the people of St. Andrews. Mr. Cram has always manifested such a deep interest in the town, and has labored so assiduously for its advancement, that the people here feel that in his departure they lose a true and trusted friend. Mr. Timmerman will be his successor. . . . We have not heard what Mr. Cram's plans are for the future, but wherever he goes, he will carry with him the good wishes of thousands of New Brunswickers for his success. During the five years that he has been connected with the New Brunswick Railway, [then since 1885], he has shown himself to be not only a thorough railway man, but a manly man, in the truest, broadest sense of the word. Among the employees of the road, he inspired something more than respect, and by them he will be greatly missed. Under his management the road has been vastly improved. It was largely through his instrumentality that the St. Andrews branch was placed in the excellent order that it is in at present, and in other directions the town is very greatly his debtor. We are extremely sorry that he has felt called upon to sever his connection with the railway before the full fruition of his hopes regarding the future of St. Andrews had been reached, and we can only express the hope that the work so well begun by him will be carried forward in the same hearty manner by his successor. The Globe says that it is gratifying to know that Mr. Cram's retirement is voluntary. In other words, that had he been disposed to continue in the new service and retain under existing conditions of pay and the necessarily changed condition of rank he might have done so."
A Hooped Seal
John Nicholas, one of the Indians living at the Point, was out porpoise shooting the other day, and when in the neighborhood of Wilson's Beach was fortunate enough to draw a bead on an immense seal. When John secured his prize, he was astonished to find a hoop around the seal's neck. The animal had evidently been wearing this peculiar necklace for a long time, as the hide beneath it was completely worn away, and it was embedded deep into the flesh.
Among the Islands
The Beacon's commissioner talks of the Deer Island of Today
Third letter
The New Brunswick Railway
The Announcement that General Manager Cram of the New Brunswick Railway would sever his connection with the line when it passed into the hands of the CPR has awakened many expressions of regret from the people of St. Andrews. Mr. Cram has always manifested such a deep interest in the town, and has labored so assiduously for its advancement, that the people here feel that in his departure they lose a true and trusted friend. Mr. Timmerman will be his successor. The Sun has this to say regarding the change:—
As Mr. Cram's intimate friends in this city are aware he has resigned his position as general manager of the New Brunswick Railway and, inasmuch as the CPR formally takes over the road on August 1st, the latter company deemed it better to have a gentleman connected with their road previous to Mr. Cram's departure in order that he might become somewhat familiar with his new charge.
Mr. Timmerman, although an old railroad man, is young and active looking and at once impresses one as a gentleman possessed of solid business qualities. He has been railroading for twenty years, ten years of which he spent in the employ of the Grand Trunk. From the latter company's employ he went to Winnipeg, and for the past ten years has been superintendent of the division of the CPR between Winnipeg and Port Arthur. In that time Mr. Timmerman has had an extensive experience as nearly the whole CPR line in the Northwest was constructed under his control.
General Superintendent Timmerman will spend the next few days looking over his new charge, and as the meeting of the New Brunswick Railway company at which the transfer of the road to the CPR is to be ratified, is to be held on Friday, it is expected Mr. Timmerman will formally enter upon his duties Saturday next.
So far as can be learned no changes in the railway staff are contemplated. Saint John will form the practical eastern terminus of the CPR, and as such a staff quite as large as the present in the New Brunswick offices will be required to carry on the business. For the present the eastern division of the CPR will be from Saint John to Vanceboro, but it is said that in the near future the eastern division will extend as far as Mattawamkeag.
We have not heard What Mr. Cram's plans are for the future, but wherever he goes, he will carry with him the good wishes of thousands of New Brunswickers for his success. During the five years that he has been connected with the New Brunswick Railway [1885], he has shown himself to be not only a thorough railway man, but a manly man, in the truest, broadest sense of the word. Among the employees of the road, he inspired something more than respect, and by them he will be greatly missed. Under his management the road has been vastly improved. It was largely though his instrumentality that the St. Andrews branch was placed in the excellent order that it is in at present, and in other directions the town is very greatly his debtor. We are extremely sorry that the has felt called upon to sever his connection with the railway before the full fruition of his hopes regarding the future of St. Andrews had been reached, and we can only express the hope that the work so well begun by him will be carried forward in the same hearty manner by his successor. The Globe says that "it is gratifying to know that Mr. Cram's retirement is voluntary. In other words, that had he been disposed to continue in the new service and retain under existing conditions of pay and the necessarily changed condition of rank he might have done so."
A special meeting of the stockholders of the New Brunswick Railway is to be held tomorrow when the transfer of the road to the CPR system will be completed
The work of laying out into building lots the Land company's property between the Algonquin Hotel and Katy's Cove has begun under the supervision of the Company's Superintendent, Mr. L. M. S. Horton. Several streets or avenues are planned, among them Acadia Road, which is a continuation of Mary street, Champlain avenue, Andre Avenue, De Monts Avenue and Breda Terrace. Mr. Alexander Bell has the contact for the grading of Acadia road, and he is now divided up into one hundred and thirty three building lots, and there is not one lot among them is not desirably situated. The company have received several applications for land in this section, but they have not yet disposed of any.
Hotel Gossip
What we Have Seen with Our Eyes and Heard with our Ears Lately
Small Talk
Mr. Carter arranged a fishing party last week to McMaster's Island. About sixteen persons participated. They had a delightful sail across the Bay in the "Crusoe," and did some fair fishing. Before returning to the mainland, Mr. Carter prepared an excellent fish chowder, which was thoroughly enjoyed.
The Algonquin orchestra gave a sacred instrumental concert to the hotel guests on Sunday afternoon. The selections were of a very high order and were well executed. On Saturday night last, the hotel guests on the hill had a charming little dance. The pleasure was heightened by some choice vocal selections by Mr. Tasse and Miss Kearns, of Ottawa and Mr. Fiske.
A hop is on the boards at the Algonquin for next Saturday night. By that time the guests will be acquainted with each other, and the reserve which appears incident to the first few weeks of hotel life will have melted away, so that the hop ought to be a gay one.
Among the Guests
The bean game was introduced to the Algonquin guests on Monday evening for the first time. And this is how they played it. Two captains were selected, Mr. Nazro, of Boston, and Mr. Tasse, of Ottawa, being the chosen ones. Each of these "chose a side," as the boys, would say when playing ball. These "sides," numbering about 15 persons each, were arranged opposite each other in rows. At the end of each row was a table, and on the head table of each was an equal number of bean bags. When the referee, Mr. Carter, gave the word "go," the captain on each side seized the bags one by one and passed them down the line, and as they reached the end, they were placed on the table there. Any bags that were dropped by nervous players had to remain on the floor until all the other bags had passed, then the captain picked them up where they had fallen and continued them on their journey. When all the bags had reached the foot of the row then they were started back, and the side getting them all back to the starting table first won the heat. The first heat was declared won by Capt. Nezro's side. Then Mr. Lewis, of Washington, assumed the captaincy of Mr. Tasse's side, but he had no better luck, for in the second heat, Capt Nazro was once more the winner. A third heat was declared a draw, and a fourth was won by Mr. Nazro, who thus captured the laurel wreath.
Gleaner
July 25/1890
The Train Service: (Edit: service on new line to junction unsatisfactory. "What we want is the same rapid and easy communication with Saint John and other places we had two months ago." The 1889 Gleaner makes frequent mention to the effort to secure its own branch of the Short Line: apparently the effort was unsatisfactory)
Northern and Western doing large passenger business this summer.
Gleaner
July 26/1890
The Advantages of Fredericton. (Good edit on local geography, geology, industry, train lines, business prospects. Short Line denied but other possibilities)
Raymond Excursionists are now in Saint John and will pay a visit to the celestial city Monday night, arriving by boat. The party will only remain in the city a few hours, leaving for home by special train after tea. (List of excursionists July 28: 38 in number. Most from Mass: 15. Rest from Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and New York.)
Gleaner
July 29/1890
The Saint John Valley: (From Toronto Globe: various references to tourism in province; local stereotypes, and history. Excellent)
The Raymond Excursionists—What they think of Saint John and this city: A Fine Place for Factories. "This party of our trip," said one of the Excursionists to a Gleaner reporter, "is the most pleasant of all. We have heard much of the noble Saint John (river), but no description or sketch can do its beauties and magnificent scenery anything like justice. It is the grandest and most interesting we have seen, and we will not neglect to inform our friends of it upon our return." Fredericton "one of the prettiest little cities in North America." [pop 6,500; not enough factories on river; should take advantage of waterpower]
Gleaner
July 30/1890
Superintendent Timmerman arrives in Fredericton. Stays at Queen Hotel.
Gleaner
July 31/1890
Trains typically give the right of way to boats at drawbridges; this usage is dictated purely by custom; boats having been on the scene first. By rights the reverse should prevail.
Beacon
July 31/1890
The New Brunswick Railway
The stockholders of the New Brunswick Railway have ratified the transfer of the road the CPR. The meeting for that purpose was held in Saint John on Friday afternoon, among those present being Sir George Stephen, Mr. Meighen, Hon. Henry Stearns, and Mr. E. R. Burpee. The act of last winter authorizing the issue of consolidated stock was accepted and the directors were authorized to enter into an agreement with the CPR. Several matters of detail were deferred until the regular meeting of the New Brunswick Railway stockholders, which will be held on the 7th prox. It is understood that there will be very few important changes in the running of the road, the change of management being perhaps the most radical. By the lease of the New Brunswick Railway, the CPR has secured as fine a railway property as there is anywhere in the Dominion. The roadbed at all points is in the best of order, and the rolling stock and equipments could scarcely be better. This satisfactory state of affairs is largely due to the exertions of the retiring manager, Mr. Cram, and the fact is one which the New Brunswick Railway stockholders hold not lose sight of.
The new manager of the line, Mr. Timmerman, received his first introduction to St. Andrews last week. He is evidently a thorough railroad man, and being of genial manner, we have no doubt that he will soon popularize himself in his new position. Mr. Timmerman is charmed with St. Andrews, and well he might be, and has no hesitation in saying that a summer resort it has a brilliant future before it. He was not so frank in giving his views as to the prospects of this port being used for freight purposes, though admitting that there were exceptional natural facilities here. From the tone of his conversation there is evidently a disposition on the part of the CPR to utilize this port as coal depot. If his idea were carried out it would prove a great benefit to the place, and would no doubt lead to other freight being shipped here. In this way quite respectable freighting business might b worked up in a few years. From a railway standpoint, the bringing of coal by way of St. Andrews should prove highly advantageous, as it would relieve the main line of a very heavy burden, and would have room for a great deal more freight.
Visit From the New Manager
Mr. Timmerman, who has succeeded Mr. Cram in the management of the railway, visited St. Andrews last week in company with Mr. Cram. He is a young man, of genial manner, frank disposition, and evidently wide experience. In the few minutes conversation which the Beacon had with him he stated that he was charmed with St. Andrews, and as summer resort he believed it had a bright future before it. He said that he would do all in his power to help the town along, and that it was the intention of the CPR shortly to run sleeping cars from here for the benefit of visitors.
Mr. Timmerman said he recognized the natural advantages we had here for doing a shipping business St. Stephen, but he did not know whether the CPR proposed to utilize them or not. He thought that a profitable business might be worked up if St. Andrews was made a distributing point for coal for this end of the road, but suitable wharves would be needed, and there would have to be some provision made for return cargoes for the large vessels which they would utilize in this business.
Our Port
The newspapers of Saint John and Halifax are engaged in their periodical controversy over the question, which has the better harbour. The Haligonians say that the harbor of Saint John is little better than a mud flat or a mill race, while their Saint John confreres retort in kind and declare that Halifax harbor not only freezes in the winter, but during a great part of the time is so surrounded by fog as to be practically inaccessible. We don't like to say unkind things about our neighbors, but we cannot refrain from remaking that we fail to see what either port has to boast about in the matter of harbor. Neither harbor can offer any comparison to that of St. Andrews, which is not excelled by another harbor on the North Atlantic coast. Here there is a sheet of water, protected on all sides, where, to use a well-worn expression, the navies of the world might safely ride at anchor. There is good anchorage almost anywhere in it, and along its shores, there is no difficulty in finding locations for wharves where there would be thirty feet of water at the lowest tide. The entrances to it are broad and deep, and the channels plainly defined and well-lighted. At the lowest run of tide, the largest vessels can enter in safety, a remark which will not apply to some other harbor son this coast about which a good deal of boasting is being done. Added to these advantages is the fact that it is the nearest Canadian port on the Atlantic from Montreal, and this fact is a strong argument in its favor. Taken all in all, we have no hesitation in saying that there is not another port in lower Canada possessing the natural facilities for ding a shipping business that we have here.
Among the Islands
the Beacon's special commissioner bids Deer Island Farewell
fourth letter
From Montreal Witness
This is one of the most charming and restful spots in the Dominion and is destined to become the summer resort of many families from Montreal, Toronto and other Canadian cities, as it is now of not a few from Washington, Philadelphia and New York. The opening of the Canadian Pacific short line to the Maritime Provinces brings St. Andrews within fourteen or fifteen hours of Montreal at an expense of $15 for return first class tickets. The quaint old town is beautifully situated on a Peninsula in Passamaquoddy bay, and the scenery of the district is perhaps unsurpassed anywhere on the Atlantic coast. The air is bracing and salubrious, and the almost entire absence of fog, together with the odors of balsam which thickly stud the park on the beach, make it one of the healthiest places on the continent. It is difficult to imagine surroundings more congenial to restfulness and health. The drives in the vicinity are numerous and the roads all that could be desired. There is fishing in abundance in the bay and in the numerous lakes within easy access. There are daily excursions by steamboat to St. Stephen, Calais, Campobello Island, Eastport, St. John, Portland, etc., as well as by rail to SG, Fredericton, Grand Falls, etc. The town has a population of about 1,500, with numerous stores and well-appointed liveries, etc. There are five neat and attractive churches, the best known of which is the Presbyterian "Kirk," some 65 years old, with its high pulpit, which cost 500 pounds sterling, presented by a wealthy member of a former generation. There are several hotels, two of which are large and well-appointed summer hostelries. One of them, "The Algonquin," is in the West End, with accommodation for some 150 guests. The other, "The Argyll House," has room for about the same number, and is situated on the border of the town park, having a railway platform on its own grounds for the convenience of guests. There are extensive grounds for the amusement of children, and the view from nearly every room is good. The rooms are large and airy, all carpeted and well furnished. The table is good, there being sufficient variety for any ordinary taste, and the cooking all that could be desired. The landlord spares no pains to make his guests feel at home, and good order and punctilious cleanliness are marked characteristics of the Argyll House. The rates are most reasonable, running from $7 to $10 per week, with a reduction for families.
There are several Montreal families in St. Andrews thus far this season, including those of Rev. Dr. Warden, Mr. J. S. McLachlan, Messrs. Jas. Burnett, R. Meighen and John Hope. Others are expected this week. The season continues till October, fever patients being here in large numbers in September and October. Hay fever cannot exist here, nor, apparently, can most other diseases, St. Andrews being one of the most healthy places, with a lower death rate than almost any other town on the continent.
Beacon
July 31/1890
The Place to Go
There is a time when one feels kindly towards his fellowmen and longs for his neighbors to participate with him in his pleasures. Have any of my readers ever made a "visit to this place, and here on a foreign soil and under a foreign government, ever tested the pleasures of studying the phases to be found in the life and habits of a beautiful, sleepy town, a town where once the busy mart of life was found and where now only the remnants of prosperous place are left, and with this no signs of poverty? If not, and one desires to rest that daydream give one accustomed to the battle of our Yankee life, visit this place. Do not come expecting to find the artificial life of Newport, or the hurly burly of Old Orchard or fashionable Saratoga but come with all the imagination that you can command, for anything you can picture will be realized. The bay of Naples at your feet and the range of Alps as you turn to the Italian blue in the skies, are pictures that can be realized in this quaint old town. Here, without taking an ocean voyage, may be found the charming old gentleman with a title, and as you hear a neighbor address him as "Sir," you cannot help asking yourself, "Is this only half a day's journey from Boston?"
Leaving Newton a few days ago a party of our citizens found themselves at the Boston and Maine depot bound for this place. When we left home the sun was shining, but on our arrival, for our benefit, the plugs of the skies were pulled out and a more gloomy, disconsolate number of people would be hard to find. Even getting supper at the Algonquin, kept and managed as only a Yankee can manage a hotel, did not make us feel any too well toward the place where we were looking for rest and when one after another had turned in, it was with regrets that we were not back on Yankee soil.
What a change in the morning, for as we met one after another on the broad piazza of the hotel, the only expression to be heard was "How Beautiful." Accepting an invitation to take a ride over the village and into the woods, we found ourselves upon delightful roads and we turned from one road to another and as one view after another presented a different picture, we were only too sorry when our appetites called up back to take care of the inner man.
This place cannot be described. If any one of our citizens desires a change and that change to be restful and invigorating, I do not know how you can act better the part of a public benefactor than by encouraging them to visit St. Andrews, New Brunswick.—Doctor
Sensible Summering
Newton Graphic
"The majority of our citizens who are able to take advantage of a summer vacation, are actuated by one or two motives: recreation and pleasure for themselves and their families, or necessity of rest from the continuous labors of the year. Our remarks at this time apply more directly to those coming under the latter head. The Newtons are filled for the most part with men of business, whose brains are constantly working to attain success in their occupations and these are the men who require and should have absolute rest, bodily and mentally, during at least one month out of the twelve, for it they did but stop to think, they would realize how many of their associates or business acquaintance have discovered when it was too late, that they had not heeded nature's requirement by "letting," so to speak, on their treadmill lives after money. We are very apt to imagine that our business can only be carried along by our personal push and pressure, and this may be true in many cases, but the successful business man brings to his aid the assistance of those, whether partner or employees, who can safely be entrusted with his affairs, while he renews his health and vigor by taking the much needed rest. Nine times out of ten when we find our health undermined, and our body and brain out, we can look back and see where a rest at needed times might have saved us from our present condition. A summer's daylight to some nearby place seems to satisfy many, but the labor of getting there, and trying to rush a month in one day produces anything but what is aimed at. To the would-be fashionable Newport, Saratoga and like resorts afford the momentary gratification to their desires, but for perfect rest we should seek places of unquestionable healthfulness, pure atmosphere, and more than an entire change from our ordinary surroundings. Years ago, several of our citizens discovered just across the Maine border, a place that seemed to possess all the attributes required, and each succeeding year their number was so increased that they found it necessary to build a modern hotel, the Algonquin, which they opened to the public last year. Aside from the hotel and its perfect location, St. Andrews presents wonderful attractions by reason of its ocean, bay, river, inland lakes and mountain scenery. The average temperature during the summer months is 70 degrees, while at night blankets are always required. Mosquitoes and malaria are unknown, and there the tired brain and fatigued body will find perfect rest and recuperation. (Editorial, but perfect Newton propaganda)
Beacon
July 31/1890
In July the Beacon began a gossip column titled "What We Have Seen with Our Eyes and Heard with Our Ears Lately." Devoted to hotel information, esp. Algonquin. A sub-column titled "Amusing the Guests" almost seems sardonic.
"Progressive Euchre engaged the attention of the Algonquin guests on Wednesday evening last. The party was held in the parlour and proved highly enjoyable. . . . Bubbles light as air floated ceiling ward in the Algonquin parlour Friday evening. 'Bubbles' was the game, and so intensely amusing was it that everybody was bubbling over with good spirits before it was over. Master Burnett, a five-year-old cherub, blew the biggest bubble among the little folks, and got the first prize, while the second prize was won by little Olive Hosmer, who blew the tiniest bubble. Among the children of larger growth there was much good-natured rivalry as to who should wear the laurel wreath."
Gleaner
August 2/1890
A party of 8 or 10 ladies and gentlemen from Mass. registered at the Barker yesterday and did the town in the Barker House coach with four horses attaches last evening.
Gleaner
August 4/1890
*Our Communication with the Outside World. (Edit: on history of local transportation, compared with pre-railway days)
Improvements to Commercial Hotel. Incandescent light. New ell added.
Historical Society needed. Americans far ahead in this regard.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 5/1890
Large numbers of summer visitors are now arriving daily, and both the Algonquin and Argyll hotels have already nearly as many guests as they can accommodate.
There are at present four livery stables in St. Andrews, and all seem to be doing a flourishing business. A Mr. Watson, of Woodstock, and Haney and McQuoid, of St. Andrews, have lately engaged in the business.
The St. Andrews Land Company are having the Weir farm laid out in building lots and gravelled streets made through it. This land lies between Prince of Wales Street and Kitty's [sic] Cove and commands a fine view of the eastern part of Passamaquoddy Bay. It will be sold in building lots.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 6/1890
Very few of those who look upon the trim freighter Matilda of St. Andrews, Capt. M. Stinson, which runs so regularly in the summer season between St. Stephen and St. Andrews and SG, can imagine that she is fifty-nine years old. And yet such is the fact. She was built on Grand Manan fifty-nine years ago and has had a very uneventful existence since then. . . .
Beacon
Aug. 7/1890
Among the Islands
The Beacon's Special Commissioner on Historic Ground
Indian Island the Beautiful—Interesting Incidents of the Past
Fifth letter
The Railway
All the formalities of the transfer of the New Brunswick Railway to the CPR have been completed, and except in name the road is now a portion of the great system which encircles the North American continent. The name of the New Brunswick Railway will continue, for the present at least. Mr. Timmerman, the new manager, entered upon his duties on Friday last, and Mr. Cram is now taking a well-earned rest at St. Andrews before embarking into other ventures. Mr. John Stewart, who was superintendent of the northern division, has had his jurisdiction extended, and he is now acting as superintendent of the entire division. This a good move and shows Mr. Timmerman to be a level-headed man. There is a probability that Superintendent Stewart will make McAdam his headquarters. Mr. Timmerman remarked to a reporter that the only other change would be in car accounting. This business will be managed from Montreal. There will be some changes in office methods, due to a change in the system, but the staff will continue for the most part as at present. Mr. Timmerman has had an inspection of the whole road. He has made a favourable impression upon those he has come into contact, and he has been favourably impressed himself. He is pleased with his place of residence, and we have to doubt that he will soon and easily adapt himself to the surroundings.
The Wharf Question
From time to time, we have urged upon our people the advisability of taking some action with a view to providing better wharf accommodation at this port. We hope that our words have not been entirely lost. We have reason to believe that Mr. Van Horne, the CPR manager, is quite favourably impressed with St. Andrews as a shipping port and with the facilities it has to offer as a coal depot. Mr. Cram, we are told, pressed the matter very strongly upon his attention, and during the flying visit Mr. Van Horne made here recently he saw enough to convince him that Mr. Cram's statements were well grounded. If an effort was made to provide a suitable wharf or wharves it might do much toward hastening the consummation that we so devoutly wish for here. We have no doubt that both the Dominion and Provincial governments would willingly aid the enterprise, if it was taken hold of by responsible parties.
Travellers Trials
The St. Andrews hack driver will have to alter his methods if he does not wish to injure his reputation and that of the town from which he draws his livelihood. More than one person has complained to us of the annoyances they have been subjected to on landing here, particularly if they come by steamer, and it is about time that change for the better was made. Scarcely does the visitor set his foot upon the wharf than the hack driver and their aides, regarding him as common prey, pounce upon him and a scramble usually takes place as to which shall get him. One seizes his valise, and another grasps his hatbox, if he is so unfortunate as to have one; a third grabs him by the elbow, and almost pushes him towards his coach, so that by the time the unfortunate visitor is captured, and has gathered his belongings together, he is so dazed that he scarcely knows what he is about. We are sorry to say that very little more, if indeed as much, respect is shown to lady passengers. This state of things should not be. In no well-regulated community are such things permitted, and they should not be permitted here. The hack drivers themselves should be able to see that the effect of such conduct is to disgust a stranger with this place and give him a bad impression at the start. And surely, they do not want that to happen.
Mr. Cram Addressed
Before severing his connection with the New Brunswick Railway, Mr. Cram was presented with an address by the employees of the road, expressive of their appreciation of his uniform kindness to them, and of their regret at his departure. Reference was made to the many improvements he had brought about upon the road, and in closing the hearty wish was expressed that wherever he may sojourn his lines may be cast in pleasant places, and his life one of unalloyed peace and prosperity. The address was read by Mr. Moses Burpee, chief engineer of the road, and was signed on behalf of the employees, by the leading officials of the road. Mr. Cram was deeply affected and made a very feeling reply.
Things that are Needed
Argyll Hotel
Aug 4, 1890
To the Editor of the Beacon
There are two very important adjuncts to a successful summer resort that are lacking in St. Andrews, and the lack of which militate against the success of the place. There is not a summer resort on the Atlantic coast, from Cape May to Eastport, that does not have at least one steam launch playing about its waters, and there is none at which the bathing facilities are kept to the minimum, except St. Andrews. These are more important than many realize and have a great bearing upon the success of the place.
Last year, the steam launch "Tourist" cleared from this port daily for SG, St. Stephen, and other nearby resorts, and was a source of great pleasure to hundreds who visited our place. This season the absence of such a craft is noticeable, and expressions of regret are heard on every hand. We are told that the "Tourist" was not a paying investment, and that the syndicate lost money running her. That is undoubtedly true, but did the gentlemen of the syndicate, to whom we were indebted for the pleasurable trips on the little steam yacht last year, stop to think before deciding not to have her this year, that the steamer was in a measure an advertisement for the place, an attraction that held people when they were once here, and through them caused others to come. Think for a moment of the embarrassment of the visitor of last summer who has induced friends to come here this year with the representation that there were numerous side trips to be had at merely nominal rates. They have of course found that he has been misrepresenting matters and naturally are dissatisfied.
It seems to me that the proprietors of the two largest hotels here could well afford to maintain a steam yacht here during the short season, and if there were any losses divide them. I doubt, however, if there would be any losses, providing, of course, that the management was a business one, and not like that of 1889. A summer resort must offer attractions other than those afforded by riding.
Now as to bathing. There are hundreds who come here annually for the sole purpose of enjoying sea bathing, and a slight effort at least, should be made to cater to their desire. At the present time there is a woeful lack of accommodations in this respect, and the fault should be remedied at once. It would pay some young enterprising man to construct several bath houses on the shore that skirts Indian Point Park, and let them, with suits, to the summer visitor who delights to have himself in the waters of the bay. There is an opening for the right man. The waters of the bay may be rather chilly for the comfort of the visitor from the south who has been accustomed to the warm waters of Nantasket, Nantucket, Narragansett Pier, Old Orchard and other similarly situated resorts, but it is none too warm for the northern visitors who have, perhaps, been accustomed to Murray Bay or some other chilly locality. They come here to bathe, and they should be given the opportunity.
St. Andrews is a charming resort in which to pass the summer months, as the hundreds who visit here are willing to testify, but the place will never be successful until more attractions are provided. It seems to me that a syndicate formed for the purpose of "booming" a summer resort had first better improve the natural advantages of the place and then provide attractive forms of pleasure.
—Herbert S. Fuller
Tennis court has been laid out at Argyll.
A Canadian Sardine Factory
At the present time Canada does not boast of a sardine factory, but the omission is soon to be supplied by Mr. W. T. Costigan, commission merchant of Montreal, who proposes establishing a factory at Campobello. He has leased from Messer's George R. Batson and Co. the building at Welchpool which they formerly used as a lobster factory, and has engaged as foreman Mr. Alexander McElwee, who managed the St. Andrews Sardine Company's business. It is expected that a good market will be found in Canada for the goods and as Mr. Costigan handled the St. Andrews company's packs, he probably knows how to reach it. Shipment will be made by rail from St. Andrews.
Gleaner
August 12/1890
Salmon season to close Friday 15th. "Already many of the American fishermen have closed their clubhouses and left for their homes. The season has been, on the whole, a good one, particularly along the Restigouche, and all the foreigners speak in the highest terms of our waters for fishing purposes.
Beacon
Aug. 14/1890
Wharf Improvements
We want to keep our people alive on this wharf question. Something will have to be done, and that promptly, to better our condition in this respect, else the port will be a serious loser. The management of the CPR have been enquiring as to our present port facilities for the discharging of coal, and the answer they have received has not been as favorable as it ought to have been. Everyone must feel that it is to our interest to get control of this coal business, and no reasonable effort should be spared to obtain it. We may rest assured that other things will follow in its wake. If the CPR find it advantageous to bring their coal by way of St. Andrews, they may find it equally advantageous to provide outward cargoes for the steamers they will employ in that business. And who can predict what else will follow?
Plain Talk
A little plain talk now and then can do no harm and may be the means of doing much good. We propose doing a little now, in what we conceive to be the interest of the public. We may possibly tread upon somebody's corns in the do doing; if so, they will have to stand from under. We presume that every permanent resident of St. Andrews is anxious that the town should become prosperous, and that it should take rank among the progressive towns of Canada. Nature has contributed liberally towards this end, a few individuals have also assisted, but as a community, what has been done? Practically nothing. The policy pursed by the people of St. Andrews for years past has been a waiting policy. Like Micawber, they have constantly been waiting for something to turn up. Instead of going to work in earnest themselves to help the town along they have been waiting for somebody else to do it for them and then grumbling because they did not do it fast enough to suit their ideas. The effect of this policy is to be seen on every hand.
What we would ask, has the community done wards building up St. Andrews as summer resort? Have any improvements been made other than those made by a few private individuals or corporations? Has anything been done to show that the people of the town are really and heartily in sympathy with the movement? All sensible people will concede that if the town is to prosper as a summer resort, a system of waterworks and sewerage is an absolute necessity. Has any move been made towards getting it? None whatever. When the matter was urged upon the attention of the people by the Beacon last year an apparent interest was awakened, but it soon died out, and nothing was done. Incorporation was suggested as a possible advantage; it has been warmly commended by everyone with progressive ideas, but yet the question is still in abeyance. The improvement of wharves and slips, the erection of bathing houses, and planting of shade trees, the establishing of a public library, are among other good and necessary things that have been advocated from time to time. Still, we are without them, and unless some outside philanthropists supply the town with them, we are likely to be without them for some time to come.
We know that there are people here who would like to see the town become something more than a resort for summer sojourners. No one can desire that more sincerely than we do ourselves, yet we recognize that if the town is ever to attain to anything more than it is at present, the people will have to bestir themselves. We can tell those who are withholding their sympathy and assistance from the scheme to make of St. Andrews a leading summer resort, that they are injuring the town in other directions very materially. The CPR, who now control the line running into St. Andrews, are interested in the success of the town as summer recreation ground. It is to their advantage to build up the town as such, for every tourist coming to it adds to their wealth either directly or indirectly. Whatever other hopes the people of this town may entertain with respect to its future are centered and grounded to a large degree in the same railway. It is to the CPR we look for the utilization of our splendid water privileges, to them we look for the realization of hopes long cherished. Looking at matter in this light, we would ask it is prudent for us to incur the displeasure of a corporation that can do such much for us, of good or ill? We, at least, do not think so, and so long as the Beacon is spared its voice will ever be raised against such a suicidal policy.
In concluding, we would again urge upon the people of this community the necessity of their doing something themselves towards lifting the town out of the antiquated groove it has been running in the last quarter of a century. Let them cast petty political and personal differences aside and join hands together for the common good. We are confident they will never regret it. Heaven helps those that help themselves is a saying that applies with as much force to communities as to individuals.
An Enraptured Tourist
To the editor of the Beacon,
Truly, St. Andrews is a charming place for a summer resort, and it does not require newspaper puffing to extol the beauties of the situation of the town. The peninsula is a bit of new and fresh country, with the large trees cut down for firewood. There are many fine fields of meadow hay and pretty woods of balsam and hemlock; across and through the fields and woods one can ramble at leisure breathing in the ozone of the sea air; and the smell of the wood ferns and wildflowers is delightful.
From the verandah of the Algonquin or looking out of anyone of the bedroom windows, the views towards all points of the compass are enchanting. From the top of the hill on the road leading out of the town, the view of water, of island, fields, woods and hills, is superb. Considering the size of the town and peninsula, the number of pretty short walks within one mile of the Algonquin Hotel is surprising, and all of them of easy distance for ladies and children and yet how many of the visitors take advantage of the exercise and find out the pretty spots of fields and woods? Then at the east and west ends of the town one can stroll for several miles along the beach at low tide, dry shod and smooth and easy walking, so few rocks or boulders are there, and the tide goes out so far that the beach at either side of the peninsula provides a pleasant morning's ramble and always a delightful breeze. It is true that no provision has been made for public bathing as to be found at seaside resorts along the Atlantic coast, but at high tide there are quite a number of secluded and favourable places within ten minutes' walk of the hotels were a dip can be indulged in.
During the week I have sojourned here I have explored the whole district within five miles of the Algonquin Hotel, in my walks and rambles between 9 am and 6 pm. I have walked at least five miles on the roads leading to St. Stephen, Saint John and Bocabec Bay and along cross and side roads besides. I say nothing of strolls through fields and woods. I have seen or met several visitors enjoying a pleasant drive, but of the hundreds of visitors sojourning here now, or who have visited St. Andrews within the past two months, how many of them have visited the various pretty spots about the peninsula? Visitors come to St. Andrews from all parts of Canada and US, travelling hundred and thousands of miles, to get away from the heat and dust of inland cities, during the dog days and yet how many men, of ordinary good health and possessing the ordinary amount of activity and energy, do you find idling and loafing away the hours and days simply to eat, drink and sleep, when by walks and rambles about the peninsula they could be storing up health for the long winter and renewing health by good long walks and at the same time see all the lovely scenery and pretty localities about St. Andrews. Every summer thousands of tourists and travellers go up to the top of Mount Washington because it is the correct or fashionable fad, but I can assure all visitors to St. Andrews, from a personal experience and the result of my walk last Saturday afternoon, that it is worth travelling a thousand miles to spend an hour on top of Chamcook Mountain. Although I could not find out any beaten track, I had no difficulty whatever in making my way up crossing a fence and entering the woods at random. Halfway up I was rather surprised to meet a cow when I was thinking the locality was favourable for Bruin! Coming down, I had only descended some twenty feet when I unexpectedly struck a well-worn path which I found brought me down a gentle slope; in fact, an active lad could easily run up hill all the way to the top of the mountain. Considering the number of visitors at all three hotels and the facility for reaching the top of Chamcook Mountain, I am more than surprised that the walk or excursion is not of a daily occurrence. The view all round is simply grand—a perfect panorama. I cannot too strongly encourage all visitors to make the ascent. I also walked last week to the first of the Chamcook lakes, and I intend to walk to the second one in a day or two. The first lake is a beautiful sheet of water and when fishing is good the day's outing must be glorious sport in such a pretty locality. Nature has done much for St. Andrews and the peninsula, but the residents of the town and the wives and daughters of farmers should cultivate a taste for flowers. True, a visitor does find flowers in the windows of many houses in the town, and about the doors of some farm houses, but gardens, flower beds and parterres of lovely flowers might be more popular, and when so much benefit and pleasure can be derived at such little expense, a few cents spent on flower seeds would make all homes cheerful.
Yours truly,
Tourist
August 11, 1890
General Manager Van Horne and Assistant Manager Shaughnessy, of the CPR, are taking a run over their newly acquired road, and are expected here before returning to Montreal.
"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.
Breda Terrace, which connects Champlain and St. Andre avenues, in the St. Andrews Land Company's new division of lots, near the Algonquin Hotel, is named after the treaty of Breda, by which the then existing difference between Great Britain and France were settled, and included the ceding of New Brunswick to the French. Being the connecting link of peace in history, it is fitting that it should now be one connecting link between the two avenues above mentioned.
Editorial exhorting the town to take the summer vacation business as seriously as the CPR has, and to create a decent "waterworks and sewerage." "We can tell those who are withholding their sympathy and assistance from the scheme to make of St. Andrews a leading summer resort, that they are injuring the town in other directions very materially. The CPR, who now own the line running into St. Andrews, are interested in the town as a summer recreation ground. It is to their advantage to build up the town as such, for every tourist coming to it adds to their wealth either directly or indirectly. Whatever other hopes the people of this town may entertain with respect to its future are centered and grounded to a large extent in the same railway. It is to the CPR we look for the utilization of our splendid water privileges, to them we look for the realization of hopes long cherished. . . . Is it prudent for us to incur the displeasure of a corporation that can do much for us, of good or ill? [wharf improvement, shade trees, public library, bathing houses, among necessities urged]
Herbert has erected bath house at Indian Point.
Tennis tournament at Tyn-y-coed
"Cocoaine [sic] caramels" is the new dish that the printer sprung upon the Algonquin guests at Saturday's dinner. We might explain for the benefit of those who are not acquainted with the dish that it is a species of nerve food, equally as good for hay fever people as for those who are not affected with the malady. Since its introduction there have been numerous enquiries among the guests for the recipe of "Carter's Cocoaine Caramels."
Seaside gossip
An Inkling of What is Going on Around and About Us
The editor of the Taunton, Mass., Gazette, who recently visited St. Andrews, writes to his journal as follows: —
I dropped into the Algonquin, the new and handsome hotel at St. Andrews, the other day, and met Best Field, there in all his glory as head clerk of the establishment. He welcomed me like a long-lost brother. He was surrounded by everything calculated to make man forget home and country, but the sight of a familiar face brought out the genuine Taunton spirit of welcome, and he offered up everything in his keeping upon the shrine of friendship. Truly there is no more charming place on the St. Croix River, or St. Andrews' Bay, than the Algonquin, and the new manager, Mr. Carter, a man of large experience, is apparently, thus early in the year, a great favorite with the summer saunterers. The Algonquin is perched on the highest point of land in the quaint old town of St. Andrews. Broad, very broad piazzas surround the house and from them the views are delightful and far-reaching. At the foot to the westward stretches the river of the St. Croix; to the south is the town lying along the basin. Beyond St. Andrews Bay and across the St. Croix can be seen the American shore as far as Devil's head to the north, and within six miles of Calais and as far as the Indian village to the south, or within six miles of Eastport. (The Indian village is the reservation of a portion of the remnants of the Passamaquoddy tribe.) To the south can also be seen Deer Island, a portion of the British possessions, and to the east is the mainland of New Brunswick cut up by rivers deep and winding, the shores densely wooded, the deep green waters of the bay sweeping along at the base of the fringe of trees. Swinging along to the north of the bay, on the east side of St. Andrews, is the Chamcook river, which sweeps by the bases of the Chamcook Mountains and is a formidable rival in its multiplicity of charms, to the pellucid Chamcook lake, lying between the mountains, the home of the landlocked salmon and speckled trout and the consequent delight of sportsmen.
Quite a large party from the Argyll chartered one of Haney and McQuoid's barges and were driven out to Chamcook lake last Saturday. Their enthusiasm was unbounded, and the chorus of Oh's and Ah's of delight over each new beauty in the ever-varying picture soon became a general chorus, the one undertone of regret expressed, being that there were no boats to be secured at the lake for a pleasant little row on its placid surface. Every individual member of the party, says one who was there, rather envied the fortunate possessor of the quaint and picturesque log-cottage in the pines, while the juveniles could scarcely be persuaded to leave that beautiful dolly-house. The driver won laurels for himself in his choice of roads, giving his delighted "bargees" such a variety of lovely views, as well as a drive right through the pine woods.
Article on footraces at annual picnic. Lola wins three-mile race, but not the others. Mentioned as having run in over 400 races. "Long, swinging stride" characteristic.
Beacon
Aug. 21/1890
The Canada Pacific
General Manager Van Horne Talks to the Beacon
Saint John to be the Eastern Terminus, St. Andrews may become a Coal Depot
The people of St. Andrews have been looking forward for some time to a visit from General manager Van Horne, and they have got it. The big railway manager came down from St. Stephen in a carriage, on Wednesday afternoon, bringing with him assistant manager Shaughnessy, General Superintendent Timmerman, Mr. White, M. P. for Pembroke, Ontario, and Messrs. McLean and Cross, of the Shore Line Railway. Superintendent McPeake, of the latter line, came here the same evening.
The party drove at once to the Algonquin, and after feasting their eyes on the picturesque beauties of the neighborhood as seen from the hotel tower, adjourned to the dining hall, where a grand spread was given them. After they had done ample justice to the toothsome viands and had arisen satisfied with themselves and with everything about them, the Beacon thought it a favorable opportunity for "striking" Manager Van Horne for an interview. He graciously assented, though the significant remark "I don't know anything," which accompanied the assent, rather dampened the interviewer's ardour.
"After parrying for an opening," as the fighting editor would say, the interviewer made bold to ask the CPR manager what his special interest was in going over the Shore Line, or if he had any special object. "There is not special object in it," replied Mr. Van Horne. "The fact is just this. Mr. Cross, who is a director of the Shore Line, is also interested in the Canada Pacific, and when he learned that we were going to St. Stephen he invited us to take the trip over his road. That's all there's to it."
"And the CPR has no present intention of acquiring the Shore Line?"
"None."
"Is there anything in the rumor that the CPR contemplates running a line of road from Mattawamkeag to tap the shore Line?"
"No. We have a lease of running privileges for fifty years from the Maine Central for that portion of road between Mattawamkeag and Vanceboro, and that we deem sufficient for present requirements."
"How do you like St. Andrews?"
"I am very much pleased, though I must confess I formed rather an unfavorable opinion of it when I was last here, a few weeks ago. The day was wet and gloomy, I was in a hurry, and I got rather a gloomy idea of the place. But after today I will take back all that I said against it. It is a beautiful place and should become a popular resort."
"Knowing how deeply interested the people of St. Andrews are in the matter I would ask you if the CPR has any intention of utilizing our water privileges either for the purpose of bringing in coal or for other purposes?"
"We will have a coal dock in Saint John, and we have been considering the advisability of splitting the business up and bringing a portion of it here. But I can't tell you anything about it yet. Mr. Timmerman is pushing enquiries now, and after he has completed them, we can tell better. However, I understand your wharf privileges are not very good. We will bring our coal from Cape Breton by steamer. They will need no return cargoes, as they will simply fill up with water ballast and start off again."
"Will Saint John get much freight business from the road?"
"That depends largely on the facilities they provide. I am afraid, however, that the long land haul will operate seriously against Saint John. Land carriage you know, is much more costly than water carriage, and this business is one that cannot carry a very heavy tax."
"You should bear in mind that the land haul by way of St. Andrews is much shorter than by way of Saint John," interjected the interviewer.
"The difference is not a great deal in a long haul and would not affect the cost very much. Besides, Saint John possesses advantages that St. Andrews does not have. That port is already made, and it is well known to the commercial world, while St. Andrews is not. You should also bear in mind that Boston and Portland give a much shorter land haul than either St. Andrews or Saint John."
"Provided a deep-water wharf was built here, would the Canadian Pacific utilize it?"
"Do you know," queried the General Manager in reply, "what amount of money it would cost to put a place like this in shape for a steamship business? It would cost at least half a million dollars to build docks, warehouses, yards, etc. And where is this to come from unless the business of the road is taxed for it? This business will not stand a tax, and we will have to go to the cheapest port."
"Will this bonding difficulty affect the road to any extent?"
"I have not heard anything about it except what was in the papers. They are constantly finding mares' nests. We don't let them bother us, and in the end, things work out all right. I don't think it will affect us much."
"Is it proposed to extend the line beyond Edmunston?"
"We have not thought of that. Besides we have very few interests up there."
"Don't you think that an all-Canadian line would be advantageous, in the event of trouble with the United States?"
"It's not an All-Canadian line we are after," replied Mr. Van Horne, smiling. "It is the short line. Those people (meaning the United States people) are not the kind of people to smash a dollar glass belonging to their neighbor, when they have a ten-dollar glass of their own exposed."
"Is the CPR interested in the Leary dock project."
"It is not interested in any way whatever. Mr. Leary is a purely private speculator."
"Is there any intention on the part of the CPR to remove the McAdam machine shops?"
"No, they are in the right place. It is a central point, the roads radiating from it in different directions. There will always have to be shops there. It would mean a difference of perhaps $50,000 a year in the working of the road to remove the shops from where they are now."
"Do you intend making any improvements or extensions at St. Stephen?"
"No. The fact is, everything is new to us, and we don't know what we may need. We will try, however, to do the best for all sections."
"Is it intended to continue to operate the New Brunswick Road under the old name?"
"We had at first intended to run it as an independent road, but it is likely that when the lease is perfected, which will be in about four weeks, the road will be operated as part of the Canada Pacific system."
At this juncture, the interviewer's stock of questions began to manifest evidence of exhaustion, seeing which the interviewed slipped away, and in an instant was so surrounded by friends as to prevent any possibility of the attack being renewed.
Manager Van Horne adjourned with his party to the cars at an early hour, and by daylight were speeding towards Fredericton, where they took a run over Mr. Gibson's railway to Chatham. It is rumoured that the Canada Pacific will purchase the line, but it is probable that they have no more intention of purchasing it they have purchasing the Shore Line.
Beacon
Aug 21, 1890
Railway Matters
There is not a great deal of comfort for the people of St. Andrews in the remarks which General Manager Van Horne of the CPR made to the Beacon last Wednesday evening, yet there is some consolation to be obtained from the thought that railway managers, as a rule, are not proverbial for their candour. That Saint John is to become the eastern terminus of the road would appear to be a certainty, but to what extent that port is to be utilized for the shipment of freight is not yet clear. We notice that an apparent effort is being made to get control of the Carleton Branch railway and on obtaining of that branch will probably depend to some degree the amount of business that Saint John will get. The passing allusion to Boston and Portland, while it may mean nothing, is to us rather significant, as showing that the tendency of the mind of the manager is towards carrying the traffic of the road to the cheapest port, irrespective of nationality.
If Mr. Van Horne speaks truly, and there is no particular reason why he should lie about it, the CPR has no intention of acquiring the Shore Line or of running a line from Mattawamkeag to connect with it. Doubtless, the Shore Line people would like to sell if they could get a good price for their property, but there is no immediate prospect of a sale being consummated. The proposed extension from Mattawamkeag appears to be wholly imaginary, though there can be little doubt that it would give a much more direct, and hence shorter line to Saint John than that the CPR now controls. But whether it would pay or not is a question that we cannot determine.
The making of a coal port of St. Andrews would, we feel, be a great benefit to the place, and would undoubtedly attract other and perhaps more remunerative business. But if we are to get this or any other boon from the railway, we have got to work for it and show that we esteem it. In discussing the matter with Superintendent Timmerman recently, he pointed out as an indication that the people of St. Andrews were indifferent, that the lessee of a certain wharf had prevented a steamship company doing business on it from making some needed repairs. Now, we do not know how far this may be true, but we maintain, that such a circumstance, if it occurred, should not be accepted as indicative of the sentiment of the community. The sentiment of this community, and we say it without fear of contradiction, is in favor of any project the CPR company may suggest that will help the own along. Unhappily, we are so situated here that there is no recognized medium, except the press, through which to give voice to the sentiments of the community, but we trust that the day is not far distant when this cause for complaint will be removed.
Both Tyn-y-coed and Tyn-y-maes well filled with summer sojourners.
St. Andrews, New Brunswick, where the new hotel, the Algonquin, is located, is apparently a most healthy place. The people live to a real old age, as it is seldom that one finds the death announced of a person under eighty. The postmaster has held his office sixty years. Gripsack.
General Greely, famous arctic explorer, in town for few days at Algonquin. Last here in 1874.
High water mark was reached at the two summer hotels on Saturday night. At the Algonquin the proprietor and the clerks were turned out of their rooms by the tremendous invasion of guests. The reading rooms, writing room and reception room were filled with cots, several guests were quartered outside, and between twelve and twenty applicants for rooms were compelled to shift for themselves. On Monday the pressure was slightly removed, but it is still dangerously near the high-water scratch.
"Fifteen hay-feverites are quartered at the Algonquin, and there is also a large number at the Argyll."
A 15-table session of progressive euchre held at Algonquin, everyone finely dressed.
"The hay fever people are dropping along. Those who came here for the first time, with their minds filled with doubts, have had their doubts removed by the many assurances they have received concerning the freedom of St. Andrews from this annoying malady."
Beacon
Aug. 28/1890
Mrs. Van Horne, wife of General Manger Van Horne, and her family, came down from Montreal in a private car on Monday, and are registered at the Algonquin.
Four hundred moonlighters came down from St. Stephen in the Rose Standish on Tuesday evening. They brought a band with them.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Coster and Mr. Arthur Coster, of Saint John, reached St. Andrews on Monday evening, the two former by tricycle and the latter on a safety wheel. They left St. George at 11 o'clock on that morning and took their time coming here. After spending a day at Kennedy's Hotel, they mounted their wheels and headed for St. Stephen. From the latter place they will take a run down the American side of the St. Croix as far as Eastport.
"I know of no medicine that will cure hay fever," remarked a doctor who is troubled that way, and who is now lodged beneath the Algonquin roof. "It can be relieved by a railroad ticket, but a permanent cure can only be obtained by a rope around the neck."
Better Bathing Facilities
The necessity for better bathing facilities has become so apparent here that the St. Andrews Land Company have determined upon carrying out their original plan of enclosing Katy's Cove and making of it a safe bathing pond. They have asked permission from the Minister of Marines to make a "closed sea" of the cove, and as the public interests would rather be advanced than injured by the contemplated changes, It is highly probable that the required permission will be granted. The scheme of the company is to sink two lines of piling across the cove on the inside of the railway track, and in front of these to erect a dam with a flood gate in the channel. The rocks that now crop up along the beach will be removed, and a large quantity of sand will be placed in the cove to make a good bottom and at the same time to give it the necessary depth. Four and a half feet will be the lowest depth. This will make the cove perfectly safe for bathing in, while imprisoning of the water will take the cold edge off a little, and thus contribute to its popularity.
Octave Thanet, a well-known descriptive writer, who contributes to such magazines as Scribner's, The Century, etc., is booked for the Algonquin.
Donkey party held (pin the tail)
Parlour filled to hear a celebrated "elocutionist" from Boston, Wadsworth Harris. Delivers "Casey at the Bat," "The Little Hero," "Aux Italian s," (with musical accompaniment) "On Calais Sands," etc.
"And still the hay fever people come jogging along. One gentleman from the west, who is a bad case, and who is invariably attacked on the 20th of August, even while visiting at the so-called hay fever resort, awaited the coming of the day with fear and trembling. The day made connection all right, but the fever did not, nor up to the present has it shown up. This gentleman visited St. Andrews for the first time this season. He had some doubts at first as to it being absolutely free from hay fever, but these doubts have vanished as the mist before the morning sun."
Beacon
Sept 4/1890
Writing Up Sa
Bishop Perry, of Iowa, Writes Entertainingly of the Town
Correspondence Davenport Democrat
At St. Andrews by the sea, New Brunswick, July 1890.
We are "in the cool," as our English and provincial friends describe it, and as we have had day by day telegrams, letters and papers, telling of the "heated term" at home we have felt as though we were specially favored at having found so comfortable, so cool, so cheap a seaside resort. Not "cheap" in any sense of inferiority or lack of comfort, care and excellent cuisine. Not "cheap" in offering second-rate service or poor accommodations such as the world with us implies. But in this "Blue-nose country," and under the cross of Sgt, which twines lovingly with the "stars and stripes" on every peak and from almost every house about us, prices are still moderate, inflation has not reached us, and one enjoys at the palatial "Algonquin," kept as few can keep an hotel by Mr. Charles V. Carter, of the Hotel Raymond fame in California tourist' memories, the very best of all things at the lowest possible rates, and there is more than full equivalent rendered for every penny paid. Under such management, and with sea and mountain, lake and brook, shade and sunshine, air intoxicating in its exhilaration, and the saltiest of salt sea baths, with beds luxurious , piazzas broad, every window with a view of sea and shore to offer, the Algonquin will not only sit as a queen on her towering height overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay, but she will rule among the summer seaside resort and be all the season through as crowded as she is today.
It is but a little short of three hundred years since Henry IV of France granted to Pierre du Ghast the Sieur De Monts the tracts of shore and inland extending from the present seat of Philadelphia to Quebec. The royal gift was called Acadie, a name said to be derived from a local aboriginal word. De Monts sailed from le Have de Grace in March or April 1604. The adventurers were, as were wont to be the case in those early days of attempted colonization and settlement, a motley crew of pressed vagabonds and criminals, gentlemen adventurers and soldiers, and an ill-assorted company of priests and Huguenot preachers. Between the latter the odium theologium was fierce and portentous all the voyage through. The first land seen was Cape La Have. Sailing to the southwest after a little delay, Cape Sable was rounded and the Bay of Fundy seen. On Saint John the Baptist's day, June 24, the site of the present city of Saint John and the noble river bearing the same name, were discovered. Later, penetrating through what is now euphemistically styled "Digby Gut" the Annapolis Basin was reached, and Port Royal fixed upon as a point of settlement and defence. Sailing to the west from St. Mary's Bay and the mouth of the Saint John, the "Wolves" were sighted and Grand Manan" and Campobello—we give them the name they bear today. Then the great discoverer in his
Algonquin recommended as having "the saltiest of salt sea baths" by Bishop Perry of Iowa.
New Brunswick Railway became local branch of the CPR on Aug. 27. It is known as the New Brunswick division of the CPR.
The sale of tickets at the St. Andrews railway station during the month of August amounted to $1500. This is far in excess of any previous month. There is not a Montreal ticket included in the above amount, all the Montreal people who came here during August have had return tickets.
Mrs. Van Horne, of Montreal, has been greatly pleased with St. Andrews during her stay here.
Seaside Gossip
An Inkling of What is Going on Around and About Us
Messrs. F. J. Lewis, R. S. Gardiner, and F. W. Cram returned on Saturday from their fishing trip to the head waters of the Miramichi. They killed about 500 fish during their week they were out. A great part of their catch they brought to St. Andrews with them.
Lady Tilley gave a picnic at Mr. Bleakney's farm on Friday last. About sixty guests were present. The return by moonlight was a very pleasant feature of the affair.
A candle party is the latest fad at the Algonquin. What in the name of Tophet is a candle party? If the Gripsack editor wants to play the game some night he can place a lighted taper on a table, get somebody to blindfold his eyes and give him a couple of sharp turns and then start him for the candle to blow it out. He is allowed three blows, after which his blinders will be removed. If there are any young ladies in the room, the "local attraction" will probably be so strong that when his eyes are opened, he will find that he has been trying to blow away the roses from the cheek of some of the aforesaid pretty girls, instead of blowing out the candle. That's where the fun comes in.
Writing up St. Andrews
Bishop Perry, of Iowa, Writes Entertainingly of this town.
Correspondence Davenport, Iowa, Democrat
. . . Refugee silver, china, furniture, pictures, abound in these quaint old homes, built a century ago. Sypher of New York—rightly named because of the cipher he adds to numerals on his prize lists-could well replenish his stock of real "antiques" if he could induce the St. Andrewsians families to part with these household goods, for "Chippendales" and tulip-backed chairs, and solid mahogany round tables, dressers, bureaus, escritoires, and bedsteads abound; and with them, the willow-blue china, the old Chelsea, the old-time cut glass, and all this sort of thing. these are the penates of the St. Andrews homes, and you are welcome everywhere, and once within the heavy oaken doors, the hospitality is profuse.
Dear old St. Andrews! Sleepy, slow, and yet so charming! The Algonquin rises on its proud eminence with the town, the waters, the distant hills, the open sea, the river, inlets, fisheries,—all at its feet. We go away regretfully. Rumor has it that no less a pen than that of Davenport's proudest boats,—Octave Thanet,—will ere this summer season is over, "write up" this virgin soil—this border-ground of the old French history and the modern seaside society story. We trust that this tale is true. There are characters here and the local coloring gat one's hand is of the best.
W. S. P.
New Brunswick Railway became CPR on Monday last.
John Hammond of Montreal guest at Kennedy's.
St. Andrews as Summer Resort
A. W. Smith article
Beacon
Sept 11/1890
Complimentary Dinner
Tendered to Judge Emory Speer of Georgia by the Guests of the Algonquin
Delightful as have been the numerous social gatherings at the Algonquin this season, there has been none which contributed more genuine pleasure to the participants than the complimentary dinner which the guest of the hotel tendered to his honor Judge Emory Speer, of Macon, Georgia, on Wednesday evening last, on the occasion of the forty-second anniversary of his birth.
A circumstance which invested the event with additional interest was the fact that it was a complete surprise to the Judge himself. He had come to St. Andrews to escape a periodical attack of hay fever and did not dream of being shown any more than the ordinary courtesies of a hotel. While in conversation with one of the guests on Wednesday morning, he casually remarked that on the day of forty-two years ago he had first seen the light of day. The thought of giving the Judge a surprise suggested itself to the mind of his companion. Communicating the idea to Manager Carter, and the guests of the house they instantly fell in with it. Mr. Carter, with that alacrity which characterizes all his movements, set to work to arrange matters, and in an hour or two everything was in train for the event. An elaborate menu, such as only the Algonquin can furnish, was arranged in the parlor, halls and dining room, by the aid of wild flowers, ferns, catkins, and the like, supplemented in the banquet hall by Japanese lanterns of the most unique design were instantly transformed as by a fairy hand. In one corner of the banquet chamber an embowered space was reserved for the orchestra, who discoursed during the evening some of their choicest selections. Manager Carter, although greatly restricted by the few hours left him for preparation, did not fail,
The conventional birthday cake is now speeding on its way to Georgia—a messenger of sweetness from the Judge to his household and friends far away. The guests, too mindful of the pleasures that come from giving as well as receiving, provided a simple and unique coffee urn (hereafter to be appropriately engraved) with a set of delicate and elegant after dinner China coffee cups and saucers, which will it is hoped bring frequent remembrances of the occasion to the judge, as the gift is utilized at his home in the distant south. These little tokens were placed in front of his plate at the table, beside a blooming bouquet of native domestic flowers.
The Judge had been advised that the Lt. Governor and Lady Tilley would dine with him but of any further honor that was to be done him he had not the slightest idea. At the appointed hour, 7 o'clock, the ample doors of the dining hall were thrown open, the orchestra played a stirring march, and to the inspiriting strains the guests entered the festive chamber. Sir Leonard Tilley, who escorted Miss Speer, was the first to enter. Then came the guest of the evening, on whose arm leaned Lady Tilley. They were succeeded by Mr. R. S. Gardiner, vice-president of the St. Andrews Land Company, and Mrs. Fay; Mr. E. F. Fay and Mr. Gardiner. Mr. and Mrs. Charles V. Carter and the other participants.
Judge Speer expressed surprise at the transformation the dining hall had undergone; he praised the taste which was displayed by the ornamentation of the room, but not until he had been assigned to the seat of honor and had glanced at the legend on the delicately printed menu cards did the true state of affairs dawn upon him. Then his surprise knew no bounds.
Here, too, a strange coincidence was discovered, —not the fearful thirteenth table of which so many have a dread, but, corresponding with the years of the judge's life, sat forty two grown persons, and the three graces were represented by three children who had been included in the invitation, the smaller children having dined an hour earlier.
The tables were arranged in three sides of a square, the open side being utilized for the center piece, which consisted of a huge vase filled with wildflowers, ferns, etc. the guests were disposed in the order shown on the accompanying plan.
1.1 Judge Speer
2 Sir Leonard Tilley
3 Miss Speer
4 Eugene F. Fay, Brookline, Mass
5 Mrs. R. S. Gardiner, Newton Mass
6 George Tiffany St. Logis, Mo
7 Miss Lunn, Montreal
8 Mrs. Dexter Tiffany, St. Louis, Mo
9 Miss Campbell, Montreal
10 Miss Meeker, NY
11 Fred. W. Meeker, NY
2.12 R. B. Van Horne, Montreal
13 Mrs. W. C. Van Horne, Montreal
3.14 Mrs. Hurd, Montreal
15 Mrs. Isaac Denby, Montclair, NJ
16 Mrs. C. F. Smith, Saint John
17 Mr. George Innes, Montclair, NJ
18 Mrs. George Innes, Montclair
19 F. J. Lewis, Washington, DC
20 Mrs. F. J. Lewis
21 Mrs. M. P. Lewis
22 Miss Lewis
23 Miss F. A. Hensecker, Montreal
24 Dr. G. B. Orr, Cincinnati
25 Mrs. Orr
26 Mrs. Hensecker, Montreal
27 Dexter Tiffany, St. Louis
4.28 Miss Addie Van Horne, Montreal
5.29 Miss H. M. Campbell
6.30 Miss Van Horne [Sir William's sister?]
7.31 Miss Hensecker
32 Mrs. Mercer, Newark, NJ
33 Dr. Mercer
34 G. Tileston Wells, NY
35 Charles G. Packer, Newark, NJ
36 Miss Dora Gardiner
37 Mrs. J. H. Merrill, Boston
38 J. E. Merrill, Boston
39 Mrs. Charles V. Carter
8.40 R. E. Armstrong
9.41 Mrs. E. F Fay, Brookline, Mass
42 Robert S. Gardiner, Newton, Mass
43 Lady Tilley
The menu, considering the short space of time in which there was to prepare it, did infinite credit to the Algonquin cuisine. The cards, too, were neatly printed, each one having four blank pages on which to record autographs. On Judge Speer's card the autographs of all the guests had been written, and after the dinner, the guests were kept busy for an hour or more writing their autographs on each other's menu cards. The following were the appetizing dished which Mr. Carter submitted:
Cream of chicken a la English
Consommé Prince Supreme
Baked Savannah Shad, Sauce Claret wine
Potato croquettes
Baked Devilled Crabs, Baltimore Style
Roast Young Turkey with Dressing, Cranberry sauce
Roast Tenderloin of Beef, stuffed with clams
Browned Sweet Potatoes
Lobster Croquets, Sauce Princess
Broiled Lamb Chops, with French peas
Timbales of Farina, vanilla sauce
New potatoes in cream
String beans, French peas, Mashed Turnips
Chicken on mayonnaise
Pickled Potatoes with Beets
Cabinet Pudding, Brandy Sauce
Green Annie Pie
Mince Pie
Coconut caramels
Angel cake
Dark cake
Citron cake
Orange ice cream
Grapes, pears, confectionary, layer raisins, figs, dates, edam cheese, Kennedy's Thin Water Crackers, coffee
When all the viands had been duly considered, Judge Speer arose, and in a brief, but very felicitous speech thanked the guests most cordially for the honor they had done him. He had not dreamt that he would be so highly favored on the forty-second anniversary of his birth, and the occurrence was one that he would always look back to with feelings of the deepest pleasure. In this beautiful and well-governed province, said he, that remorseless enemy Hay Fever, if it should come, would come to me in the guise of friend robbed of all its terrors. He spoke of the pleasure that he had experienced during his first visit to St. Andrews, and particularly that for the first time in nineteen years he was entirely free on his birthday from any symptoms of his remorseless enemy, hay fever. Continuing, he paid a well-deserved compliment to the place, to the Algonquin Hotel and its management, gave expression to the hope that he would meet many of those present another year, and then concluded by an appropriate quotation from one of the poets, which gracefully ended the happy address.
The Lieutenant Governor was equally happy and equally brief in his speech. He was glad to be present and do honor to such a distinguished gentleman as Judge Speer. He was pleased to be able to welcome the Judge to St. Andrews. Twenty-one years had he (Sir Leonard) been summering here, and he felt like a permanent resident. If as is said, Nature abhors a vacuum, equally is it true also that the climate of St. Andrews abhors hay fever. The two cannot exist together. Time and time again has this fact been demonstrated. Sir Leonard went to say that notwithstanding what was said by certain people in both countries, Canadians were desirous of living on terms of amity and peace with the people of the United States. He pointed out in a pleasant way the advantages St. Andrews has to offer to the American pleasure seeker and then brought his speech and the festivities to a close by congratulating Judge Speer on the attainment of his forty-second birthday.
The guest of the evening is the US district judge for Southern Georgia. While an ex-confederate soldier and a genuine Southern man in all of his sympathies, Judge Speer has been in the service of his state and of the National government almost without interruption since he was twenty-three years of age, a circumstance which speaks well for the breadth and sincerity of his devotion to his reunited country.
Kate Gannett Wells, whose summer home is at Campobello has written a novel entitled "Two Modern Women," in which the scenes are laid at Campobello and Boston, and in which questions of labor and capital as well as love and matrimony are discussed.
Mrs. Van Horne and her family returned to Montreal on Monday night in a special Pullman. They made quite a lengthened stay in St. Andrews and were so pleased that they propose returning next summer. We trust that they may.
Mr. George Innes, Jr., of Montclair, NJ, is looking about for a cottage for next season. He says that both he and his wife are charmed with St. Andrews.
Miss Alice French, of Davenport, Iowa, who, is perhaps, better known to the world by the nom de plume of Octave Thanet, has been a guest of the Algonquin for several days, and proposes to remain for a few days longer. Not only is she a gifted and pleasing writer, but she is also a fascinating woman, with whom to converse is a real delight. She is enraptured with St. Andrews, and it is probable that the locality may furnish material in the near future for her facile pen. After she has completed her visit here, Miss French will visit Saint John, Digby, Annapolis, Halifax and other points of interest in the lower provinces.
The "Rusticator" says of Mr. F. W. Cram that he "is a railroad man every inch. Quiet, unassuming, but fond of a joke and can give one as well. Easy in his ways, cool and collected, respected by his employees and universally like by the world. Sometimes the names of men become so allied with the business which they pursue as to make the avocation and cognomen inseparable. You cannot mention one without thinking at the same moment of the other. This is notably the case with Mr. Cram. He has climbed the ladder of fame round after round until the top of the ladder is reached. He has himself accomplished all this, he knew that his idea had in it the germ of success, he was slimly in advance of other in their ideas and stands today a practical railroad man in all and every respect. He is a man of his work honest and square in his dealing, a gentleman in every respect," —statements that we all know to be true.
"St. Andrews is destined to become one of the greatest hay fever resorts on the continent," said the husband of a lady who is a great sufferer from hay fever. "Even in the hay fever resorts in the mountains my wife has never been completely free from the malady, but in St. Andrews she has not had the slightest recurrence of the disease."
There was a jolly time at the Algonquin on Saturday night. Of course, the participants were not as numerous as during July, but they were just as eager for fun. And they had lots of it. The orchestra contributed some of their sweetest and most fascinating dance music, and for a time the floor was well patronized by light-footed dancers. Miss Orr, of Cincinnati, who is a very graceful dancer, favored the spectators with some Highland and fancy dances, and Master Van Horne went through "the fisher's hornpipe" very pleasingly. Then Mr. Denby set everybody laughing by two humorous recitations, and the laughter increased when she sprung a number of amusing charades upon the guests. But the most laughable feature of the whole entertainment, and one the sent everybody to bed with aching sides, was the "old Virginny" breakdown, by "Paul and Virginia." Mr. Fay made an excellent "Paul," and Mr. Carter as "Virginia" was mot bewitching. Their costumes were 'after the Oriental" a long way after, but they were so fantastic as to make everybody scram with laughter. The dancing was so good, too, that they we obliged to respond to a recall.
"How do I account for St. Andrews being free from hay fever? Well," said Dr. S. T. Gove, "I am inclined to attribute it to the fact that the sub-soil of St. Andrews is of a sandy character, that no surface water lingers upon it, and that therefore the air is free from those decaying substances which are present in the localities where the soil is clayed, and the impurities from above cannot readily percolate through it. Then of course the pure sea breezes which we get here are a great help. Some people are of the belief that the presence of the fir tree is responsible for this immunity from this annoying malady, but I am of the opinion that it is due to the soil."
"Octave Thanet" demonstrated to the Algonquin guests and a large number of townspeople on Monday night that her accomplishments do not end with her pen, and that there are other ways of handling "characters" than through the medium of ink and paper. On the evening referred to, she made her debut as an exhibitor of "wax figgers," and it is needless to add, with complete success. The "characters' which her magic wand produced were most laughable, among them being the summer boarder, the hay fever sufferer, John L. Sullivan, the laughing girl, the tennis player, Apollo, the dancer, the singing girl, the baseball player, etc. Mr. Denby, Misses Van Horne, Miss Speer, Miss Lewis, Miss Orr, Mr. Carter and Masters tiffany and Cox took part in the exhibition.
Beacon
Sept 18/1890
Mr. Ross's Death
The death of Mr. Robert Ross, which occurred on Thursday afternoon last, has removed from the community, one who for many years was closely identified with its business interests. A native of St. Andrews, he spent the whole of his seventy-one years of life here. At one time he owned quite extensively in vessels. He was also engaged in the building of vessels, for a period. Besides his vessel business, he was a large shipper of sleepers, lumber, etc., and carried on at the same time a ship chandlery store, giving employment to large numbers of men. Of late his health has been so poor that he was scarcely able to move about, yet almost up to the hour of his death he never gave up the control of his business. The deceased was a man of strong will, firm in his friendships and equally firm in his dislikes. His charity was unbounded, yet he never let his left hand know what his right hand was doing. He leaves behind him a widow, four sons and three daughters. His funeral took place on Saturday afternoon and was attended by a large number of people. The body was first taken to All Saints church, where Rev. Canon Ketchum read the service for the dead. It was then conveyed to its last resting place in the cemetery. [this would be our Robert Ross, who owned the beach cottage property]
The Short Line
When the Dominion exchequer was being drained of its thousands to assist in the completion of the CPR, there were many who were inclined to grumble, and who did grumble, at what they considered the criminal recklessness of the government in this matter. But their fears were quieted and their criticism to great degree silenced by the brilliant pictures which were dangled before their eyes of the wealth that was to flow to Canada upon the completion of this great national undertaking. The people of these lower provinces were to be particularly favoured. Their ports were to be filled with scores of ocean steamers seeking cargoes of golden grain from the West, tall elevators were to spring up like mushrooms, warehouses and docks would be erected, and wealth "like a river" was to flow into our coffers. In short, the era of happiness would dawn upon us when the last spike in the Short Line had been driven.
Well, the last spike has been driven home many months since, yet the commercial millennium has not yet brightened the horizon of our lives. The steamers have not reached us; not an elevator or warehouse has been erected; not a pound of golden grain has been brought to our shores for shipment. When will they come? Will they ever come? These are questions we would like to have answered. The railway managers, who in consideration of the vast amount of our money that has been used to aid them in the accomplishment of their scheme, might justly apply themselves to the answering of these questions show no disposition to do so. On the contrary they have practically intimated that unless everything is in apple-pie order for them at our ports they will have nothing to do with them. Surely this is not right. Surely we are entitled to a little more consideration than this at the hands of the railway managers.
We were told that their object in building the Short Line was to obtain an exit at the nearest Canadian port on the Atlantic. St. Andrews enjoys the distinction of being such a port and possesses all the natural qualifications that are necessary for a large steamship business, yet there appears to be no disposition on the part of the CPR managers to avail themselves of it. Even at Saint John, which is said to have been selected as the eastern terminus of the road, nothing has been done to show that he CPR intend to utilize it as a port of shipment.
Town commended for successful season, esp. Carter and Algonquin. "One thing has been pretty clearly demonstrated this season, and that is, that as a hay fever resort St. Andrews has no equal. We have had some very obstinate cases here this season, and absolute freedom from even the slightest return of the disease has been the result."
Beacon
Sept 24, 1890
The CPR and St. Andrews
Although the people of St. Andrews have given no outward sign that they desire their port to be utilized by the CPR, we must take it for granted that such a desire exists. But will the railroad utilize it? That is a question we cannot answer, but we think if the people of the town applied themselves to the subject with a little degree of spirit and animation, that they might possibly get an answer. Unfortunately, we are without any corporate body that might act as a mediator between the people and the railroad, hence whatever is done will have to be done through another medium. If we might be allowed to offer a suggestion, we would advise that a public meeting be called with by the parish councillors or by two or three prominent citizens, and that a committee be appointed to wait upon the heads of the railway personally, or to draw up a memorial, to be forwarded to them, laying before them in as strong terms as possible (and the facts will warrant the strongest terms) the advantages of the port, and pledging certain assistance in the way of building wharves or granting land on which to build, provided the railroad will utilize it. If this were done, we think it might be ascertained to what extent the railroad proposes to make use of the port. At all events it could do no harm. We hope that some united actions will be taken on this matter, and that at once.
Beacon
Oct 2/1890
Addition of 16 rooms to be made to Queen hotel, St. Stephen.
Rural Cemetery Burial
John Watson, Foundryman
Age 72
Lot 80A
Oct 8, 1890
Beacon
Oct. 9, 1890
Mr. John Watson, for many years a resident of St. Andrews, passed peacefully to his rest on Sunday evening last. Mr. Watson was a native of Scotland, and, with his brother Alexander did quite a large foundry business here at one time. He also owned largely in shipping. He has been out of business for well-nigh twenty years. The deceased was never married, his sister, Mrs. Charles E. Kennedy, keeping house for him. He was a man of quiet disposition and sterling integrity, -a firm believer in the maxim, "owe no man anything." When his brother Alexander died a number of years ago, he left with him a family of eight children to look after. He kept his trust faithfully, but as they grew up one by one was claimed by consumption until only one now survives. He is at present at sea.
Beacon
Oct 9/1890
Tale of Two Fortunes. How two St. Andrews boys gained their wealth.
Standard
June 8/1853
Montreal Sun
The writer of fiction had told no tale more extravagant than that connected with the personal history of Mr. James Treadwell, the quicksilver millionaire of California.
Twenty-five or thirty years ago, the Treadwell brothers, John and James, left their native place of St. Andrews determined to win fame or fortune, or both, in the far West. California was their goal, as it was the goal of many another New Brunswick lad. But it has remained for few New Brunswickers to acquire the immense fortunes that these two brothers are now possessed of.
When they left St. Andrews their sole wealth consisted in stout arms, brave hearts an ample stock of hard common sense, and an unconquerable determination to succeed in whatever line of business they should adopt. As both of them had had some experience with carpenter's tools before leaving home, it was not surprising to find them engaged in carpentry when they removed to California. After serving for a time as journey carpenters, they began to take contracts for the erection of buildings on their own account. At first, their contracts were small, but they gradually increased, and before long they were superintending the construction of some of the finest buildings which grace the streets of the city of the Golden State. The Lick observatory is among the buildings for which they were contractors.
They amassed considerable wealth by their industry, but it is doubtful if either of them would have been the possessors of so many millions if they had not sought riches in other directions. John—as many of the readers of the Beacon know—found his fabulous wealth among the gold hills of distant and forbidding Alaska. Going thither on a prospecting tour, he fell in with the owner of a gold claim, who was willing to sell out for a mere song. He bought the mine, secured the capital to develop it, and it is now producing more riches for its owners than any other gold mine in the world.
But the story of John Treadwell's fortune—interesting though it is—is commonplace when compared with the marvellously mysterious manner in which his brother James claims to have acquired his wealth. So marvellous is it, so out of harmony with what ordinary people term the natural order of things, that we doubt if many of the readers of this brief sketch will give credence to it. Even Mr. Treadwell's most intimate friends can scarcely credit the story. Yet as he is a man of truth, and has the wealth to show for it, they are compelled to conclude that "there must be something in" what he tells.
This is the story as we have gathered it from the lips of his friends from time to time:
Among Mr. Treadwell's friends in California there were none for whom he entertained a warmer regard than for a young married couple, whom, for reasons of our own, we will designate as Mr. and Mrs. B. The husband was a native of New Brunswick, a circumstance which will probably account in great measure for the warmness of the friendship existing between them. Husband and wife were ardent believers in spiritualism and were devotedly attached to each other. Mr. Treadwell had little faith in their spiritualistic beliefs and did not hesitate to make known his skepticism. But subsequent events caused a complete change in his opinions.
Some years ago, Mrs. B. became sick and died. But though removed from her husband in the flesh she held frequent communions with him in the spirit. During one of these communions, she expressed s desire to meet Mr. Treadwell, intimating that she had a communication of importance that she wished to make to him. After some coaxing from the husband of the departed woman, Mr. Treadwell consented to meet the spirit.
The form appeared to him at the hour and place indicated, and through the medium of the husband, informed Mr. Treadwell that if he sought in a certain quarter he would find a rich bed of quick silver. At first he had little faith in the communication, but when it was repeated twice afterwards he determined to investigate. He had little trouble in locating the spot of land where the spirit had indicated the quicksilver deposit lay. Excavations were begun, resulting in quicksilver being found in immense quantities. Mr. Treadwell pressed up the husband of the departed spirit to accept a share of his great riches, but he strenuously refused, declaring that he had ample to live upon until he should join his wife in the spirit world. A year ago death visited him, and his desires in this direction were realized. The mine still continues to be worked and is yielding fabulous wealth of its possessor.
This is the story. We give it as it has been given to us. Who will say after reading it that the old adage is not correct. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.
Another chapter in this strange career still remains to be written. It relates to the acquirement of a large coal area by Mr. Treadwell. The same supernatural agency which directed him in the procurement of the quicksilver is said to have dictated the purchase of the coal field. Even the amount for which it could be purchased was stated by the spirit. After receiving the communication. Mr. Treadwell hunted up the owner of the land and offered him the amount which the spirit had suggested. The man refused but agreed upon a certain price per acre. The property was surveyed, and strange to say, there was just a sufficient number of acres in it to bring he price up to the first offer. This coal area is now being developed. Several veins of the best coal have been struck, but mining for shipment will not be begun until the full extent of the deposit is known.
Beacon
Oct 9/1890
The Ross property, which fronts on the Algonquin Hotel, has recently been purchased, it is said, by the St. Andrews Land Company, the purchasing price being stated at $2000. (casino site)
Beacon
Oct 16, 1890
Wharf Business
We are glad to see an indication that the people of St. Andrews are awakening to the necessity of doing something themselves in the direction of providing better wharf facilities at this port. Such facilities are an absolute necessity if we would reap any benefit from our present railway connections. The CPR is desirous of utilizing this port as coal depot, and it behooves everyone who has an interest in the place to render them every possible assistance towards this end. We feel satisfied that if the coal business of the road was done here that other things would follow. The people of St. Andrews have been too long cherishing the delusion that in some mysterious way, without any labor on their part, this port would suddenly leap into prominence and become the leading Canadian port on the Atlantic coast. The picture that they have held before their imagination is an attractive one, but experience must surely have taught them that if there is to be an advancement they must throw off their coats themselves and work earnestly, unitedly and determinedly to secure it. If they do this, they may be able in some degree to realize their lifetime dream. If they do not work in the spirit that we have pointed out but let matter drift along as they have been doing, the sooner the services of the undertaker are called in the better. Men of enterprise will not remain in a community where the people are dead to their own interest and capitalists would avoid it as they would a plague sown city. We speak thus forcibly because we feel it our duty to do so. We are anxious that the fullest advantage should be taken of our splendid water privileges, and will do everything in our power to assist it.
We have good reason for believing that government assistance can be procured to aid this project if the people agitate for it and show that they are really anxious to get it, hence we think that they should go to work at once and leave no labor unperformed until their desires are accomplished.
October 16, 1890
Beacon
The Grand Trunk wants St. Andrews as a Winter Port
Aroostook people are now hoping to get a more direct communication with the outside market through the Grand Trunk railway, which it is said has already made some promises to them. This means very much. The Grand Trunk long controlled the freight business from the eastern provinces to the west, because it was a much shorter distance from Saint John via the New Brunswick and Maine central and Grand Trunk roads to Montreal or Chicago than it was via the Intercolonial railroad, up around the north of New Brunswick. When the CPR got is short line through Maine the business fell off to this road. The Grand Trunk wants to recover it, and knowing ones see in the extension of the Temiscouta road, which is controlled by the Grand Trunk, into Northern Maine, something more than a bid for local traffic. The latest rumor is that this road is to be extended down across the state to St. Andrews, New Brunswick, which will be made a winter port of the Grand Trunk. –Maine paper
It is understood that Minister's Island has been bonded for the sum of $20,000, some western people having fancied it as a site for summer cottages.
A Deep-Sea wharf—An Imperative Necessity
Is it not time that the people of this port made a powerful effort towards the erection of a deep sea wharf of sufficient capacity for ocean steamships to load and discharge at with a commodious storehouse, and thus offer facilities for a large shipping and commercial enterprise? Saint John and Halifax have been expending large sums of money, and making every effort to bring their ports into prominence and secure, if possible, the large business which the CPR will undoubtedly control, and have their harbor selected for its shipping terminus. St. Andrews must offer such facilities and inducements, to have its unrivalled harbor selected as a terminus by the CPR, company. The details to accomplish this much deserved object, I leave for others to develop; no time should be lost, this important matter requires prompt and will considered action, or the port may be left unnoticed. I have therefore written so fully on the subject, that I will not trespass on your space, but suggest that a strong and spirited effort be made, and feel that there is no such word as fail. I have an abiding faith in our harbor facilities.
A. W. smith
Beacon
Oct 23/1890
Seeking Salvation
What shall we do to be saved? To consider this momentous question, twenty or thirty representative citizens met on Friday night last. From the tenor of the speeches, it was evident that the people of St. Andrews and the Beacon are in perfect accord on one point, viz., that if this port is to receive any benefits from its present railroad connections, other than as a summer resort, we have got to make an effort to provide suitable facilities. Or in other words, we have got to help ourselves and be prepared to make personal sacrifices if necessary. The meeting decided that the hour had come for prompt and determined action. What this action will be depends largely upon the railway authorities and the people of this town. The scheme so far developed is to make an effort to raise $75,000, which would be offered to the CPR as a bonus, in case they would build a deep-water wharf, and provide the necessary warehouses and elevators for the shipment of grain. The citizens would be asked to allow themselves to be assessed $1250 for twenty years, and the Provincial and Dominion Government should be petitioned to grant a subsidy of $2500 each for a period of ten years. Should the railway be unwilling to accept the bonus upon these conditions, then an effort will be made to secure the erection of a suitable coal dock, in order that we may be able to obtain a small share at least of the business of the road.
If the railway should accept the original proposition, we cannot see how any reasonable man could withhold his assent from the proposed arrangement. As for the governments, they could not well refuse such a subsidy. The Provincial government has received pretty solid support from this County for years past, and the heads thereof would, doubtless, be glad of an opportunity to manifest their gratitude. Other motives might prompt the Dominion government to grant the needed assistance.
In a week or two a public meeting will be called to discuss the matter. In the meantime, the rate-payers can find no more profitable employment than in turning the subject over in their minds. It is one of vital importance to this community, and should be approached in a manly spirit, as befitting the descendants of those patriotic spirits who in days of yore did and dared so much for the welfare of St. Andrews. Other communities, with fewer natural advantages than we possess, are moving along triumphantly and prosperously. Yet we are in a measure standing still in a commercial sense. Why is this? Is it not because those other communities have utilized the few talents with which they were endowed, while we have buried our many talents in the earth? Let a man possess all the educational attainments possible, yet if he does not put them to proper use, his life will be the most miserable failure. And so with communities. If they have advantages, and do not make use of them, or induce other to do so, it is useless for them to expect to succeed. In those days . . .
So far as St. Andrews is concerned, we believe the progress of the community rests largely, if not altogether, in the hands of the people themselves. If they cannot themselves utilize the gifts which Nature has so liberally endowed them with, they should encourage others to do so. They should encourage strangers to come in and make their abode with them, for thereby they may be "entertaining angels unawares." Advertise the town, throw out inducements to capitalists and manufacturers to come in, give a cordial support to every new enterprise, work harmoniously together for the common good. This prescription we think, contains the essential ingredient for making a healthy town. A liberal dose of this medicine for say ten years ought to make every vein and artery throb with new life and vigor. Try it.
Up in the Aroostook
Some of the Aroostook papers are excelling themselves in the abuse they are heaping upon the CPR, and upon its representative, Mr. Timmerman. Why they should do so is not very clear, unless it is to create a feeling against the CPR in the hope that it will hasten the building of the contemplated Aroostook line. The CPR people, since taking over the New Brunswick line, have done their best to foster and assist the Aroostook trade, and instead of being abused are entitled to thanks. Aroostook shippers were never so well provided with cars to forward their shipments in as they were this year, the CPR being able to draw in a lot of their cars from distant points of their line. In addition to this a number of improvements have been made along the route. A handsome new passenger station has been erected at Houlton, and other station buildings in that section have been improved in many ways. We think that Aroostook people owe an apology to Mr. Timmerman for having abused him so shamefully, while he was trying to assist them and advance their interests.
Saint John and the CPR
One of the Saint John papers—we think it was the Globe—complained the other day that the store for the New Brunswick division of the CPR railway cars were now being purchased in Montreal instead of Saint John, and that in consequence Saint John would lose between $80,000 and $90,000 in trade. If this were a fact the Globe would have good cause for complaining, but we are assured, on what we consider undoubted authority, that such is not the case. Although the general storekeeper at Montreal has charge of the stores at this end of the line, and all stores are bought through him, yet the purchases are made in Saint John as before, and will continue so to be made. That it is to the advantage of the road to purchase supplies in Saint John is evident when it is considered that a great part of the material they buy is brought to Saint John over the CPR and the road is benefited by the freight received from it. If the same goods were bought in Montreal, they would have to be dead headed down and the line would not receive any advantage from them. This is one reason and a very good reason too, why Saint John will still continue to be purchasing center.
Saint John has lost nothing by its connection with the CPR. On the contrary, it has been a great gainer, and its gains will be augmented still more when the CPR has got possession of the Carleton branch line. It is useless for the Saint John people to expect the railway to make improvements until it has got hold of this branch line.
Owners of the shorefront in the vicinity of Katy's Cove have stated their willingness to give the CPR the right of way over their property free of charge, in case they would build a deep-water wharf here. That's a generous offer, and the CPR should avail themselves of it.
The First Sun
Movement in Aid of a Railway Wharf
Representative Citizens Agree that the Time has Come for Action
A number of representative citizens met in the hall over Mr. Frank Mowatt's store, on Friday evening last, for the purpose of considering what steps shall be taken towards securing the erection of a suitable railroad wharf at St. Andrews.
Among those present were Sheriff Stuart; Couns. Grimmer and Forster; Dr. S. T. Gove; Dr. Osburn, Messrs. A. W. Smith; W. E. Mallory; B. F. DeWolfe; F. A. Stevenson ; M. N. Cockburn; T. R. Wren; W. Snodgrass; James Stoop; T. N. Hartt; W. M. Magee; Thos. Grady; Frank Mowatt; Percy G. Hanson; W. D. Lorimer; E. A. Cockburn; Thos. Black; James Cummings and James Scallan.
Sheriff Stuart was appointed chairman, after which spirited addresses were delivered by Dr. Gove, Mr. Smith. Mr. F. A. Stevenson, the Councillors present, Judge Cockburn, Mr. Armstrong and others.
The meeting was unanimous of the opinion that the time had come for taking decided action towards the securing of a suitable wharf. One of the speakers intimated that a site for the wharf had been promised. Another outlined a feasible scheme, by which $75,000 could be raised. It was thought the Provincial and Dominion governments would, if asked, grant a subsidy of $2500 each for ten years, and the townspeople would tax themselves $1250 a year for twenty years for the same purpose. This sum would be given to the CPR as a bonus, provided they erected a wharf, grain elevator, warehouse and the necessary terminal facilities here. If they would not do this then to raise a sufficient sum to erect a coal dock.
It was resolved to call a public meeting to obtain the voice of the people on the subject, and a committee composed of R. E. Armstrong, W. D. Forster, G. D. Grimmer, M. N. Cockburn, F. A. Stevenson and W. Snodgrass was appointed to arrange for the meeting and to invite a number of representative men from the County to be present and deliver addresses.
The tone of the meeting was decidedly progressive.
Railroad Visitors
Mr. H. P. Timmerman, of the New Brunswick division of the CPR, Mr. E. Tiffin, freight agent and Mr. Moses Burpee, engineer, came in from St. Stephen by special on Wednesday last. They were inspecting the road, with a view to ascertaining what repairs were necessary. They inspected the bridge at Katy's Cove on Thursday morning.
During a brief conversation with Mr. Timmerman, he stated that the CPR had not given up the idea of utilizing St. Andrews as a coal depot in conjunction with Saint John. In the spring he proposed sending a few cargoes of coal here as an experiment. At the present time this railroad wharf, which is leased from the Steamboat Company, is out of repair. An effort has been made to have the necessary repairs made.
Mr. Timmerman says he is prepared to do all in his power to advance the interest of St. Andrews. He is satisfied that its railways can do much for it in the way of summer business, and also in the carriage of freight.
Mr. F. H. Grimmer now looks after the interests of the St. Andrews Land Company, the Chamcook Water Company and the Algonquin Hotel Company.
Hannay being commissioned to write a life of Sir Leonard Tilley.
Beacon
Oct 30/1890
Water Works
The Water Company, in August 1889, made a proposition to the town on which to base the commencement of the work; which proposition, stated briefly, required a pledge from St. Andrews to pay $600 per year for ten years, for twelve fire hydrants on Water Street, between the railway station and Harriet street, and the addition of $50 per year for each hydrant up to 18 additional, elsewhere than on Water Street, no charge against the town to begin until water for use is turned on to each hydrant. Not only has this proposition never been considered by the board of Fire Wardens, but it is stated that the official to whom it was delivered has never placed it before the board. We believe it to be the duty of the Fire Wardens to take this matter up, and it need, be, submit it to the vote of the rate-payers. . . . The fear of additional taxation seems to be the greatest obstacle in the way of water works, but it should be remembered that it will increase the amount of taxable property, and there lighten the burden on the town.
Railway Matters
From an authoritative source it is learned that Halifax has been decided upon as the Atlantic terminus of the CPR. This piece of information is at variance with statements made by President Van Horne to the Beacon representative during a recent interview, but, as we remarked at the time, railroad managers as a rule, are not proverbial for their candour, particularly to newspaper men. On the occasion referred to, Mr. Van Horne stated, without any apparent mental reservation, that Saint John was to be the terminal port, and since then we have been assured more than once that as soon as the CPR obtained possession of the Carleton Branch road, the alterations and improvements incident to a terminus would be pushed forward with all speed. Another statement made by President Van Horne to the Beacon was that he had grave doubts whether the long land haul to Saint John would not seriously operate against the success of Saint John as a terminus. The thought naturally arises that if the long land haul to Saint John would be too expensive, the haul to Halifax would be still more expensive, and would so increase the cost of carriage as to place that port entirely outside of the pale of consideration. But this by the way. There is no doubt that it will be a crushing disappointment to Saint John if Halifax is made the terminus of the road, but it may be that if the CPR acquires the Carleton Branch line some arrangement will be made by which Saint John will get a portion of the trade. So far as this port is concerned, the conviction grows upon us that it will play but little part as an ocean terminus, but it would be unmanly and unbusinesslike, we think for the people of St. Andrews to let the matter go for default. If, after a persistent and honest effort to have the advantages of our port recognized by the railway we should be unsuccessful, then let us turn to something else.
That the CPR is seriously contemplating making St. Andrews a coal port is true, and anything that our people can do towards assisting the road in this direction should be done willingly. As yet, however, no indication has been given that the road needs assistance. We observe that during a recent visit to Woodstock Superintendent Timmerman urged upon the enterprising merchants of that town the importance of making Woodstock a basis for coal supply. This is a good suggestion and is worth looking into by the Woodstock people. By utilizing St. Andrews as a port of discharge, which would undoubtedly be done if Mr. Timmerman's suggestion was carried out, the Woodstock merchants could get an unlimited supply of coal very promptly and cheaply, the road would be benefited by the increased traffic over a portion of the line which is not now used as much as it might be, and the port of St. Andrews would also reap some advantages. Thus, the resultant benefits from such an arrangement would . . .
The Shiretown Aroused
(Courier)
We are pleased to notice that St. Andrews is alive to the necessity that exists for some movement on the part of its people, if they expect to share in the benefits which must come to the Maritime Provinces as a result of the completion of the CPR. The movement which is outlined by our Shiretown correspondent in his notes this week seems thoroughly practical, and if followed up with persistence and energy, must be productive of good. Time and time again the CPR authorities have intimated that, if the people of any seaport desire help from the railway, they must first undertake to help themselves. That St. Andrews has advantages as a point of shipment possessed by no other port in the Maritime Provinces has been urged repeatedly by this paper and has been admitted by those who have studied the matter and are in a better position than the uninitiated to judge. All that is required is a proper effort to make these advantages available and to be in a position to hold out some inducement that may be sufficient to attract traffic. Once the trade is directed toward the port, it will flow freely, and with ever increasing vigor, without further effort on the part of its inhabitants.
It is eminently proper that other sections of the county should be requested to assist in the movement, for what will benefit St. Andrews in this particular must prove of benefit to us all. And we have no doubt that a generous response will be made by all who may be invited to assist. With united effort, there can be no reason to doubt that enough can be done to interest the railway authorities and to make St. Andrews a sharer, as it should be, in the profits arising from the enormous traffic, yet in its incipient stages, that will be carried over Canada's great trans-continental railway for shipment to land across the sea.
Agitating Still
(Fredericton Globe)
The Pluck and perseverance with which St. Andrews has held to the winter port question are worthy of a town of far greater pretensions. So much sphinx-like secrecy has enshrouded the intention of the CPR, that Saint John and Halifax have almost grown weary over their struggle for this supremacy, while Fredericton after the way in which Halifax receded from her demand for the Harvey Salisbury line, has lately remained as inactive as if the matter were a dead issue. People who watched the collapse of the big building lot boom in St. Andrews a short time ago might imagine that a quietus was then given to the ambition of her citizens. So far from such being the case the good people there are up in arms, determined that they shall either have the deep-water terminus of the great highway there, or else as a next best substitute, the erection of a suitable coal dock. Our enterprising contemporary, the Beacon, leads the movement to force matters to crisis, and has rallied around it some of the best men in the county of Charlotte. These will not flinch in the face of ordinary difficulties, but will undertake to raise $75,000 to be offered as a bonus to the CPR, in case a deep-water wharf be constructed there, and warehouses and elevators erected for the shipment of grain. It is proposed that to raise this sum the citizens shall assess themselves $1,250 annually for 20 years, and that a subsidy of $2,500 be secured every year for 20 years both from the dominion and provincial governments. Free shore privilege and land sufficient for terminal facilities will not be spared by the people, if there should be any likelihood of the proposition meeting with the favor of the railway company. If report be true the agitation has at last drawn out an intimation from headquarters that Halifax is to be the Atlantic terminus of the CPR. It is now too early to discuss the effect of such a resolution on the future of our own city, until the report may be confirmed. The fact must be admitted however, that as regards harbor advantages St. Andrews stands to the front, and if the energetic people who have striven to force the town ahead cannot command success, they deserve it. Should the intimation given prove correct, the public meeting which was to be held there shortly will likely give its attention to the matter of the coal dock.
Beacon
Nov 6, 1890
The Wharf Question
It has been decided to call a public meeting of the citizens of St. Andrews for tomorrow (Friday) night to discuss what steps shall be taken to secure the full utilization by the CPR of this port. As the matter is one of vital importance to the community it is to be hoped that the attendance will be as large as possible. The scheme submitted will be somewhat different from that outlined at the preliminary meeting. The people will simply be asked to affirm the desirability of having this port made an ocean terminus, and proceeding on the assumption that it would be utilized as such if the necessary wharves and appliances were here, they will be asked to appoint a committee to memorialize the railway authorities, setting forth the natural advantages of the port, and stating their willingness and anxiety to cooperate with the railway people in any direction they may indicate. We have no doubt that the ratepayers of the town will approach the matter in a broad-minded and patriotic spirit, and with a full determination to do what they consider best in the public interest.
Beacon
Nov 13/1890
Is Mars Inhabited?
The opinion recently advanced by that greatest of European astronomers, M. Camillie Flammarian, that the planet Mars is inhabited is certainly a startling if not an entirely new theory. The one discovery that has again made this theory prominent and the subject of much discussion is that of the huge parallel canals apparently 60 miles wide and 400 miles in length, that have been discovered on this planet. They are, it seems, of recent construction. It is supposed that they have been built by living creatures for some purpose not yet even guessed at. But is it not rather wild speculation to assume that these canals, or whatever they may be, have been built entirely by the inhabitants of Mars? Why not that they were originally depressions on the surface of that sphere, dating from the formation of the planet itself, and that the supposed the inhabitants connected them with the oceans, and thus filled them with water? This would be no difficult task, perhaps. The astronomers who have been consulted nearly all agree that it is possible that the planet Mars is inhabited. The planet itself is older than our earth, and it is not so large, its diameter being little more than one half that of the earth. It has an atmosphere (the most essential element for the maintenance of life), water and surfaces—in short, it is very like the earth in all discoverable respects.
Perhaps the most interesting fact about Mars that was learned previous to the canal discovery was that it seemed to have a climate much like our own, as shown principally by the enlargement of white patches near the poles during the martian winter, and the diminishing size of those patches during the Martial summer. These whitish appearances, it is supposed, are masses of snow, similar to the depths of snow that surround the poles of our earth. There has also been observed an increase in the extent of this white covering around one of the poles in 24 hours equal to the area of the Unite States, supposed to be the result of an exceptionally heavy snowstorm. The inclination of Mars and its other elements also seem to indicate that it has a climate very much resembling that of this planet.
The most important requisite is a telescope with which a close investigation of Mars can be made to ascertain information sufficiently accurate about the recently discovered canals, than which there are no objects on Mars more worthy of attentive study. This seems to be very possible at present, if one stops to consider how great has been the advance in the science of telescope making of late years. With the enormous lenses now being manufactured there is little doubt that some important discoveries about Mars will be made even before the celebration of the discovery of America by Columbus. Before the year 1900, perhaps, it will be ascertained whether there is life on the planet Mrs. And such discovery would not only be the greatest astronomical achievement ever made, but it must be confessed, would be one of the greatest discoveries ever made in any field of research.
There is one feature about the planet Mars which is of great interest and especially liable to make romantically inclined individuals feel discontented because they were not born there instead of her, provided other things be equal. Mars has two moons, which revolve in opposite directions, one moving some four times faster than the other. The nearer of these moons is 3000 miles from the surface of the planet. Moonlight evenings on Mars, therefore, are a regular celestial feature, allowing for the occasional possible storms that would hide these moons from the views of the mars people.
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 flames in the outskirts. At first it was thought that it was 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.
St. Andrews Speaks
The People All Want the Terminus Here
And pledge themselves to do all in their power to bring it Here
There was a large attendance of citizens at the public meeting held in Stevenson 's hall, on Friday evening last, to consider what steps should be taken to induce the CPR to utilize the port of St. Andrews as an ocean terminus. (Called to order by R. E. Armstrong, Chairman of the citizens committee)
. . . Resolved, that the residents and ratepayers of St. Andrews, in public meeting assembled, are of opinion that every legitimate means should be used to secure the utilization of this port for the purpose above mentioned, and at the same time would record their earnest desire an willingness to assist the railway by every means in their power in procuring and providing the erection of such wharves and appliances as may enable the road to do a terminal business at this port.
And further resolved, that a committee be appointed to memorialize the President and Directors of the CPR setting forth the advantages of the port, the earnest desire of the citizens that they should be utilized by the railway to the fullest extent, and respectfully requesting the railway authorities to inform the citizens as to the manner in which such aid would be desired or accepted.
Wanted—A Straight Answer
The public meeting of Friday night last demonstrated very clearly that the people of St. Andrews are a unit in desiring that the CPR should utilize this port to the fullest extent, and also that the committee struck the right chord in submitting the resolutions in the form in which they did. The unanimity with which the resolutions were accepted by the meting must have been a source of gratification to the members of the committee. Not a dissenting voice was raised against the chief resolution and not a change was suggested in it. We have little doubt from the tenor of the meeting that should the railway company show any disposition to make of this port a terminus the people of St. Andrews would strain every nerve to assist them. At all events, the matter has now been brought before the railway company, and . . . the offer which the townspeople . . . may not be as satisfactory as a . . . offer of money or land, yet it would be sufficient to draw a definite result of some kind from them. What we are seeking is a straight answer to . . . question. If the railway authorities have no intention of utilizing the port we want them to tell us at once, so that we may seek other channels of improvement, and waste no further time in pursuing what may be an ignis fatuus.
Canada for the Canadians
It is gradually beginning to dawn upon the minds of the people of the Maritime Provinces that the CPR is a business investment, and that its movement are guided solely and altogether by business motives, and not by any sentimental ideas. What is best for the shareholders of the railway is the subject that is uppermost in the minds of its managers, and not what is best for the country. A good many lower province people were led to believe that it was pure patriotism that prompted the notions of the railway corporation. Aspiring politicians have fostered this idea and have dangled before our eyes brilliant pictures of the wealth and happiness that were in store for us when the railway was completed to the Atlantic ocean, and an exit had been found for the golden grain that was being raised in such enormous quantities in Manitoba and the North-West. Many believe them and submitted with a smiling countenance to the extra taxation which the large drains upon the public treasury entailed. Of course, there were a few doubting Thomases, but these were promptly sat upon, and so, the grand work went on. At last, the two oceans were joined together by iron bands, and the great national undertaking was complete. Naturally we look for a fulfillment of the promises that have been made to us. But they are slow in coming and when the heads of the railway are pressed for reasons why reparations are not being made at our ports for shipping this North-West grain, as Assistant Manager Shaughnessy was in Saint John , we are told that little grain will be shipped, as it cost too much to haul it. Is it any wonder that such a statement as this should awaken a feeling of disappointment and discontent? There can be no doubt that the product of the North-West is being shipped, and where is it being shipped from? The bulk of it is finding its way to Boston and other American ports, simply because it pays the railway company better to take it there than to haul it the longer distance to a Canadian port. Is this fair to Canadians? Is it in keeping with the sentiment of Canada for the Canadians? We think not. It is more like Canada for the Americans. But we mistake the temper of the people of these lower provinces very much if they will tamely submit to being bled in order to build up the United States ports. And we will be grossly deceived in the Premier of this Dominion if he permits such a state of affairs to exist. If the railway company persist in utilizing American port and ignoring those of Canada a pressure will have to be brought to bear upon them to compel them to use Canadian ports. Otherwise, it needs no prophet to forecast what the result will be in the maritime provinces.
Beacon
Nov 20, 1890
The Duty of the Hour
The memorial from the citizens of St. Andrews to the president and directors of the CPR company has been forwarded. The document is couched in respectful terms, and sets forth briefly yet forcibly the advantages we claim for St. Andrews as a terminal port. . . . What the answer to this memorial will be can only be conjectured, but whether favorable for otherwise the people of St. Andrews should not lose sight of the fact that we must have a suitable wharf here where vessels of large tonnage can lie safely at. It is simply a waste of breath for us to talk of our port advantages until this want is supplied. . . . Our plain duty I the circumstances is to provide a wharf either by taxing ourselves for it, or by appealing to the governments for aid, or by both."
The city of Hamilton, ON, are considering the offer of a bonus of $100,000 to the CPR to induce that company to build their line through that town.
The Atlantic Terminus
There does not seem to be substantial ground for the statement in the St. Andrews Beacon of October 30 that Halifax has been decided upon as the Atlantic terminus of the CPR. So far as can be made out from what is published and from what seems to be indicated that railway has not changed its already declared policy in regard to an Atlantic terminus. Some years ago when Mr. Van Horne talked to a number of gentlemen belonging to this city at the Royal Hotel and advised them to make Saint John a free port, like Antwerp, he told them that the company of which he was the head was coming here to seek business, as well as to bring it; and he has since told other gentlemen interested in the trade of Saint John that the CPR has access to the sea at many points and that it will avail itself to the best advantage it can of all of these. Doubtless when the Beacon published its article it had information that Halifax was to be the winter port for the fast line of heavily subsidized steamers, but that, it must be remembered, is not a CPR undertaking. It is a project of the Dominion government, and the choice of the Halifax as the terminal port in winter Is not the act of the railway company, but of the government. Many considerations would influence the government in making this choice. One of them, undoubtedly, would be that Halifax is the Atlantic terminus of its own railway.—St. John Globe
The Beacon's information was that Halifax had been decided upon as the winter terminus of the CPR. This information reached us by letter from a source which we regarded at the time, and still regard, as thoroughly reliable. An effort to procure further information elicited from our correspondent the statement that he would soon be in a position to give the facts. He further remarked: —"It is a pity that the powers that be will not so far relieve the situation as to give publicity now, to what must very shortly ooze out in more or less garbled form."
Beacon
Nov 27/1890
The Street Lamp Fund
To the Editor of the Beacon,
Sir,—Some two years ago, Lady Tilley generously presented the town with streetlamps and posts, on condition that the inhabitants would supply gasoline and have them lighted, which for a time was done. The supply of fluid gave out, and a second subscription was taken up to purchase a further supply, but none was purchased. Can you inform others and myself who subscribed, what became of the money? Resident. This is a subject that the Beacon can shed no light on—Ed.
The CPR and St. Andrews
The reply which the CPR have made to the memorial of the people of St. Andrews is conclusive on one point at least. That this port need expect no special favors from the railroad over any other port which it enters. It must be evident to all that the railway company have no intention of making of St. Andrews a terminal port in the sense in which many had hoped for, and those persons, who have for years past been claiming to possess information that such was to be done were either misinformed, or have been willfully deluding the people. While in the main the railway company's communication is much more satisfactory thane the committee had hoped for, there are some points about it that are not as clear as they might be. For instance, the company say that they do not consider it within their province to provide harbor facilities anywhere, yet they will undertake to provide wharves, warehouses, etc., for taking care of all business that may be offered. Again, they say they cannot undertake to create business. Nor can the people of St. Andrews undertake to create business unless the harbor facilities are first provided. There is no use holding out inducements to ocean craft to come here to do business, if we have no wharves for them to do business at. If the railway will not provide these facilities beforehand, and the townspeople are really desirous of making the effort to attract trade, manifestly their first duty is to erect some kind of a wharf, relying upon the promise of the railway to extend it if the state of business should warrant it. (actual letter next page)
CPR shipping flour to Saint John out of Boston, not via short line.
Beacon
Nov 27, 1890
The C. P. R.' s Reply
To the Memorial from the People of St. Andrews
They will Provide Facilities for Business but they will not undertake to create business
Monday's mail brought a reply from the CPR to the memorial which was sent to them last week by the people of St. Andrews. The communication, which was received by R. E. Armstrong, chairman of the committee, was laid before the committee on Monday evening, and at their suggestion it is published for public information. It is as follows:
CPR
Office of the Secretary
Montreal, Nov. 22, 1890
Dear Sir,
In am instructed to acknowledge receipt of a communication dated the 18th inst., signed by yourself and other gentlemen, being a committee appointed in accordance with resolutions passed at a meeting of residents of St. Andrews, on the 7th instant, in relation to the construction of works necessary to make St. Andrews an ocean terminal port.
In reply I am directed to say that whilst the Directors of this Company will be happy to do all they consistently can towards building up the business of St. Andrews, they feel obliged to maintain a neutral position as between the various seaports reached by the Company's lines. They do not consider that it is within their province to provide harbor facilities anywhere, but only to make due provision for such traffic as may be offered for handling by the Company. They will undertake to provide in the way of wharves, warehouses, etc., for taking care of all business that may be offered at or for St. Andrews, but they cannot undertake to create the business. If St. Andrews possesses advantages for ocean shipping, as it doubtless does, it rests with the own to convince owners of ocean craft of the fact, and to hold out inducements to them to send their ships to that port.
It is the duty of the CPR to make as favorable rates of ocean freight in and out as are made to other ports similarly situated, and I am directed to say that that will be done. It is also the duty of the Railway Company to handle their traffic offering at that port efficiently and promptly, and that also will be done.
Special facilities are necessary for economical handling, but these are costly and cannot be provided without a reasonable probability of their being utilized, but the Railway Company is willing to bear the extra expense involved in handling the traffic without these special facilities until it is demonstrated that that they will be required.
I am, dear sir,
Your obedient servant,
C. Drinkwater, Secretary
Robert E. Armstrong, Esq.
St. Andrews, New Brunswick
Beacon
Dec 4, 1890
It is safe to say that no document ever awakened a greater degree of interest in St. Andrews than the communication from the CPR which was published in the Beacon of last week. While some people were disappointed that it did not contain a distinct promise to make an ocean terminus of this port, the general feeling was that on the whole the answer which the railway gave was as satisfactory as we could reasonably expect. Even the few who had endeavoured to thwart the committee's proposals and who had sneered at the meeting and at the memorial, were compelled to admit that the information which the committee received was well worth the effort that was put forth to obtain it, and amply justified the promoters of the movement in all that they had done. The document has been the principal theme of conversation about town during the past week. It is satisfactory to note that the feeling of the majority of the citizens is in favor of taking the advice of the railway and putting forth an effort to attract ocean craft here. The suggestion of the Beacon that a wharf of some kind should be built to start business with seems to be generally accepted as a good one. No time should be lost in pushing this matter to a conclusion. If the people are really in earnest, they should at once decide the amount that they are willing to expend themselves in the erection of the wharf. After that they can call in the assistance of the government, but in our opinion, it is little use to ask government aid if the people are not willing to expend something themselves. We have reason to believe that the local government will look very favorably upon such a request from St. Andrews, and in view of the national importance of the work we think that the Dominion government would not refuse to extend a certain amount of aid. With the amounts received from these three sources we ought surely to be able to build quite a respectable deep-water wharf.
In the meantime, it behooves us—as suggested by the railway—to do what we can towards convincing owners of ocean craft of the advantages that we possess here, and of the inducements we are prepared of hold out to them to send their vessels to this port. And this ought not e be a very difficult task. The town should at once authorize a committee to enter into correspondence with the various steamship companies doing business in Canada and point out to them the facilities that we have for carrying on an ocean trade. It would also be a good plan to incorporate the communication from the railway with such correspondence in order that the managers of the steamship lines might be assured of the friendly disposition of the railway towards the port. Then it is for the people to say what inducements they will make to bring vessels here, in the way of reducing port charge, or of making the port entirely free. If steamships companies can be assured the same rate per mile will be charged for freight to St. Andrews as to any other Canadian port, thus making the land carriage cheaper than to any other port in Canada, and the people of the town will consent to make the port free, we think there is a reasonable chance of St. Andrews being recognized by the ocean transportation companies. The effort is worth making.
Beacon
Dec 7, 1890
W. C. Van Horne, the president of the CPR was born in Illinois in February 1843. He entered the service of the Illinois Central Railway as telegraph operator at Chicago. He afterwards put in six years on the Joliet division of the Michigan Central. When he became of age he took service with the Chicago and Alton railway as train dispatcher, then as superintendent of telegraphs, and later as assistant superintendent of the railway. Mr. Van Horne, says a writer, is a living proof of the mendacity of that proverb about the rolling stone, for he has rolled around considerably and gathered "moss" all the time. In 1872 he became general superintendent of the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern railway. From Oct. 1874 till Oct. 1878, he was general manager of the Southern Minnesota line, being president from Dec 1877 to Dec, 1879; he was also general superintendent of the Chicago and Alton. In Jan.1880 he became general superintendent of the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul railway, a position he held for two years. In the meantime, his capacity and ability as a railway man became known in the west, and the projectors and capitalists of the CPR secured him as manager of that enterprise. He had not reached his goal yet however for his career knew no pause until in 1888 he became president of this the largest private corporation on earth.
Beacon
Dec 18/1890
Some Sound Advice
We commend the following letter to the people of St. Andrews, and we do so for two reasons, —firstly, because the advice which it contains is sound, and secondly, because it is a very clear manifestation of the warm interest which the writer takes in the town. We might explain that this communication was received some days, ago, but as it was marked "personal," we did not care to make it public until the writer's permission had been first obtained. In reply to a request to allow it to be published, the writer gives us permission to use it in any way that we see fit, and he further adds that "I marked it private because I feared that some of the good people of St. Andrews might think me presumptuous in some of my suggestions." We think that we speak the voice of the people of St. Andrews when we say that no suggestion would be considered presumptuous coming from the source from whence this one comes.
4 December 1890
Dear Sir,
Mr. Drinkwater sent me a week or two ago an official reply to your letter of the 13th November about terminal facilities at St. Andrews. I would like to add unofficially suggestions as to one or two matters that have occurred to me as of importance to your town.
It seems to me that the best way to make the advantages of such a place known to the world is to induce as many people as possible to come there even as pleasure seekers. I may illustrate my meaning by pointing to the experience of Vancouver, where hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested in real estate and buildings and a number of important manufacturing industries have been established over the past two years by people from a distance who happened to find that place while on pleasure trips and who had no thought before going there of any such investments. A majority of the finest buildings there were built by gentlemen from England, France and Japan and from different points in the United States, whose attention was attracted to the place in visiting or passing through it on pleasure trips. Of those who visit pleasure resorts a large proportion have large means and many are constantly on the lookout for promising investments. A good ideal has already been done towards making St. Andrews a popular place of resort, but a good deal more should be done and part of this should be done by the town and part by its people individually, and I have no doubt that those interested in the hotel will do their share, although I know nothing about their views. One of the first things necessary is to provide a suitable place for bathing. Without this St. Andrews must lack the chief attraction of a seaside resort, and it seems to be that the little bay, not very far from the hotel, which is enclosed by a railway, could at a very small expense be made to answer this purpose, but the more attractive it is made the better it will be.
Another important matter would be the general improvement of the town. It would take but little to make it a most attractive place, for its natural situation is very beautiful. The expense of keeping the streets clean and in good order would not be great and some means should be found for inducing every householder to keep his place, however humble it may be, in a neat and trim condition. Paint and whitewash will go far towards this and will cost little, and flowers cost nothing beyond a little care. If 50 or 100 householders could be lead off in this, I am sure it would work a complete change in the appearance of the town within two years, for everybody with any pride would have to follow. And the business places too should be given a wide-awake look, in fact everything suggesting that the town had "gone to seed" should be got rid of if visitors are to be attracted to it and think well of it. This company will do all that is necessary towards putting its own premises in proper order and will make every effort by advertising and otherwise to bring people there.
I trust that these suggestions will be received in the spirit in which they are given and that I will not be thought officious in having made them. If I had not come to feel a good deal of interest in the matter I should not have taken the trouble to say anything.
Yours truly,
W. C. Van Horne
Robert E. Armstrong, Esq.
St. Andrews, New Brunswick
WREN, FREDA RUDOLPH
Sex F
Date of Birth 1890 | 12 | 21 (Y-M-D)
Place ST. ANDREWS
County CHARLOTTE
Father WREN, THOMAS
Mother BRADFORD, ANNIE CATHERINE
Code 2-1-8-77
Microfilm F13365
WREN, FREDA RUDOLPH
Married BISHOP, GEORGE WILLIAM
Date 1927 | 06 | 11 (Y-M-D)
County CHARLOTTE
Parish ST. ANDREWS
Number 1329
Reference B4/1927
Microfilm F19691
WREN, THOMAS RUDOLPH
Sex M
Date 1931 | 05 | 28 (Y-M-D)
County CHARLOTTE
Registration 57582
Volume 057
Microfilm F18960