Item

Beacon

Jan 4, 1894

Concerning St. Andrews

Saint Andrews is the Shiretown of Charlotte County, in the Province of New Brunswick, delightfully situated on a peninsula in Passamaquoddy Bay. It is s a terminal point for the CPR and is utilized by them largely as a coal port, and as a shipping point for Aroostook and northern Maine. It has a splendid harbour—the finest on the Atlantic coast—almost completely land-locked and affording shelter for the whole British navy. Can be entered by two channels from the Bay of Fundy—via Head Harbor and St. Croix River, or via Latete Passage. Nearest Canadian port to Montreal, open all the year round. Has prompt connection with Boston and New York steamers at Eastport, twelve miles distant, and with the island of Deer, Campobello and Grand Manan; daily rail connection, with all points East and West. Lies contiguous to the finest fishing grounds on the Atlantic—cod, haddock, pollock, mackerel and herring being the principal sea fish. Landlocked salmon and trout abound in the lakes and streams adjacent to the town; such game as deer, partridges, black duck and snipe may be shot in proper season. There is a fine agricultural district surrounding. The town is laid out in squares, with broad, tree-bordered avenues, charming driveways, romantic beaches, etc. Has first class schools, five churches, (Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Roman Catholic); also, Mason, Knights of Pythias, Forester, A. O. U. W. and temperance societies. Fast developing as a summer resort, largely on account of its absolute immunity from Hay Fever, its picturesque location, and healthy, salt-laden atmosphere. It is a paradise for artists. The famous Algonquin Hotel is located at St. Andrews. It is also the summer home of W. C. Van Horne, President of the CPR; Sir Leonard Tilley, ex-Lt. Governor, George, Innes, Jr., the famous artists of Montclair, NJ; Robert S. Gardiner, of Boston; J. Emory Hoar, of Brookline, Mass, and many others. Sir Donald Smith, General Manager Shaughnessy of the CPR, and a number of other capitalists of Canada and the US, have purchased land with the intention of building summer cottages thereon in the near future. Nearest New Brunswick town: St. Stephen, 20 miles distant, and enterprising town of 5000 inhabitants, reached by land or water; St. George, 22 miles distant, a red granite manufacturing own, located alongside the romantic Magaguadavic Falls, delightful scenery intervening.

At the close of 1893 there remained on the registry books, St. Andrews, 150 vessels, of 3,486 tons, as against 134 vessels, of 3,394 tons, in 1892. [modest increase]

During December, 43 carloads of turnips were billed from St. Andrews station for Boston. The revenue received by the railway from these footed up to over $1570, which was nearly $300 in excess of the same month in 1892; and over $760 in excess of 1891. During the past week there have been sixteen cars of turnips sent out from here.

Rural Cemetery Burial

Eliza Cole Stewart

Age 69

Widow of George Stewart

Reserved Lot in B

Jan 18, 1894

Beacon
Jan 25, 1894
Died at her residence King Street, St. Andrews, Jan 16, 1894, Mrs. Eliza Stewart age 69 years.  (She would have been the wife of George Stewart, of the disastrous fire of 1877)

Beacon

Feb 1/1894

The Algonquin Hotel company have abundant faith in the future of St. Andrews as summer resort, otherwise they would not be contemplating such a large and costly addition to the hotel. Now, if the CPR would show the same enterprising spirit, and carry out their designs on the Osburn property, St. Andrews would be able to boast of two of the best summer hotels on the coast. Canadian capitalists ought to be willing to do as much to build up a first-class summer resort in Canada as American capitalists.

The Bangor and Aroostook railway, under the management of F. W. Cram, is now running regular trains. F. P. Barnard, the agent at Houlton, sends the Beacon a copy of the first folder issued by the road, with an intimation that we travel by that route in future. The longest way round is not always the shortest way home.

Robert S. Gardiner, of Boston and family, were at Marseilles, France, last week, on their return from Japan. They will have circled the world when they reach Boston.

A Bigger Algonquin

The Summer Hotel to have a large addition to made to it.

"In time of peace prepare for war." This is the motto of the Algonquin Hotel company. When the hotel closed last season there were indefinite statements made concerning an annex that would be built before the season of 1894 opened, but as time slipped by and nothing more was heard concerning it, many lapsed in the belief that it was only another unfulfilled prophecy. But such is not be the case, for at a meeting held in Boston last week, at which F. Howard Grimmer, their representative here, was summoned to attend, the matter was fully discussed, and it was determined, as soon as the weather permitted, to begin the work of building the annex, so that a portion of it at least would be ready for use during the coming season.

The question of details has been left to the architect, Mr. Murch, who is expected down here in a few days, but the idea that found favor with the Company was the erection of a wing on the western side of the hotel, to run down as far as the street line below, or immediately opposite the residence of G. F. Hibbard, Esq. The whole floor space, on the level of the present dining hall, will be used as the main dining hall of the hotel, and the present one will be utilized as a dining room for children and their nurses—something that this been very much needed. Then, it is expected that the new wing will give them between thirty and forty more sleeping rooms, which is another important consideration.

Beacon

Feb 8, 1894

St. Croix Rejoices

Over free Bridges at St. Stephen and Milltown

Article.

Beacon

Feb 15, 1894

Another Wharf to be Erected

B. F. DeWolfe, managing owner of the steamer "Arbutus," has secured from Mr. Charles M. Gove, his wharf privilege to the north of the present steamboat wharf, and proposes to begin as soon as the weather will permit, the erection of a wharf there, for the use of the "Arbutus" and any other vessel that may require it. This is one of the best wharf sites in the inner harbor. The purchase price was $500.

The new wharf will be about 300 feet long, and will have a face of about 60 feet. There will be a landing stage at the end for the steamer. As the local government have shown a disposition to aid public works of this nature, they will doubtless be willing to some to the aid of Mr. DeWolfe, whose energy and enterprise certainly entitle him to practical sympathy at their hands.

Beacon

Feb 22, 1894

Fighting the Snow Drifts

The Lot of a Railroad Man far From Being a Happy One

No gladiator of ancient days ever fought a sterner fight than the railway men have been fighting with the snow drifts and the boreal blast during the last few months.

One of the toughest battles was wages at this end of the route on Friday last, when the men had to contest their way through drifts twelve feet and more high, and varying in length from twenty feet to a quarter of a mile.

The St. Andrews train, due to leave at 7 o'clock, started away from the station a few minutes after the appointed hour. There was a plough ahead of the engine, and but one car behind, yet six hours were consumed before the train was able to reach Katy's Cove bridge, not two miles from the depot.

A representative of the Beacon paid a visit to the train at noon. The train crew had just succeeded in fighting their way through Heanan's cut, where the snow was about fifteen feet deep, and the engine had backed up to the yard to take in a fresh supply of water.

While the engine was being refreshed, the weary shovellers were feasting on bread and cheese and "hard tack" in the car behind, cracking jokes and wondering where the next stop was to be made. The fireman had not such an easy time as he was covered with smoke and snow and grime, and was thrusting great shovels of coal into the seething furnace, until the steam gauge was dancing like a thing of life, and every bolt and seam in the boiler was straining with the terrible pressure.

The tanks having been filled, the veteran conductor, Bart Donaghue, who has waged many a battle with the element during his thirty and odd years railroad experience, gave the word to "go ahead." Engineer Logan pulled the throttle wide open, while his assistant, Will Davis, kept piling the coal into the greedy furnace. The great machine, although handicapped by the ponderous plough in front, gave a leap forward, and swaying and rocking, from side to side like an intoxicated being, dashed toward the next drift at the rate of sixty miles an hour almost. There was probably three quarters of a mile of clean track between the two drifts. Over this the engine few a whirlwind gait.

In an instant almost the plough struck the drift, and in the same instant inky darkness enveloped the train. On board the panting engine not an object was to be seen, not a word was spoken. Nothing could be heard but the throbbing of the struggling machine, and the swish of the snow as it flew past in a blinding tempest. The engineer clutched the lever with a grip of desperation, not knowing whether the next instant he would be plunging to his death or whether he would be brought to standstill in the snowy depths.

In the car behind, every man was on the alert. "Will she go through?" queried an anxious one. "No, she can't do it," was the almost sad reply.

For a second or two not a word was spoken. The engine kept thrashing and pounding along, and the snow rose in great clouds all around her. Her speed slackened for a moment, and as if sympathizing with the machine in her gallant struggle, the spirits of the men began to flag. But it was only for a moment, for in a twinkling the speed increased, the golden sunlight shed a flood of light around the snow enveloped train, and everyone knew that another victory had been won. The engagement was a short one, but it was thrilling while it lasted and sent the blood coursing through one's veins at race-horse speed.

After getting clear of the drifts between St. Andrews and Chamcook, little difficulty was experienced the remainder of the way to Watt Junction. The junction was reached at 5 pm, almost simultaneously with the arrival of a" double header" and plough from St. Stephen.

It was three o'clock on Saturday morning before the St. Andrews train got back to the depot here.

On Saturday, in consequence of the snow blockade, the St. Andrews engine had to run into St. Stephen. Within a couple of miles of St. Stephen, she got stuck in a snowdrift, and while pounding her way through sustained some damage. It was 2:30 Sunday morning before St. Stephen was reached, and 11 o'clock the same forenoon when she ran in here with her passengers.

A little Indian child, ten months old, living at Indian Point, crawled up alongside a fire of shaving during the absence of her mother, on Monday morning, and was horribly burned about the neck, face, body and arms. Dr. Harry Gove did what he could to relieve the little sufferer.

Beacon
Feb 22/1894

The Algonquin Wing

When Completed St. Andrews will have a Magnificent Summer Hotel

Among the wearied passengers by Sunday morning's train was architect Nourse, of Boston, who had left "The Hub" on Thursday, and who had been wrestling with snow drifts and blocked trains from that time until his arrival here. On Monday, with Mr. Grimmer, the Hotel company's agent here, Mr. Nourse inspected the Algonquin Hotel, and the surrounding ground, with a view to preparing plans for the proposed addition to the hotel. The new wing, it is expected, will cover an area of 60 x 45 feet, and will run up to the height of the present structure. It will be placed on the western end of the building. On the level of the present dining hall (which will be used hereafter as a dining room for children and nurses) will be the main banquet hall. It will occupy all the floor of the wing. Beneath it, on the same level as the present billiard hall, will be a children's playroom and sixteen rooms for the help. The depression at the western extremity of the new wing will also admit of another story, which will contain four or more rooms for the help. On the floor above the dining hall, twenty-eight additional rooms for guests will be provided. The piazza will be extended, so as to embrace the annex. If these plans are carried into effect . . . the Algonquin will be the best equipped summer hotel east of Bar Harbour

Beacon

March 1, 1894

The CPR

The London Times thinks It Unwise to Take over the I.C.R.

It believes that the self-interest of the road will prevent Canada, in any way, suffering from a monopoly. However, the writer thinks it might be unwise for the Company to press the proposal to take over the Intercolonial Railway from Saint John to Halifax as a part of the proposed fast Atlantic service. It is suggested instead that there should be some "compromise" in order to enable the Company to forge an effective link across the Atlantic.

The CPR could make no better "compromise" than to select St. Andrews as the port of entrance for their fast steamers. It is the nearest to Montreal, and as a natural harbor is not excelled by any other on the Atlantic coast.

Beacon

March 8/1894

The fast Atlantic steamship service,—Mr. Van Horne intimated to the Beacon,—is a dead letter so far as the CPR is concerned. The government could not see its way clear to accepting the CPR's proposition, and the people were opposed to handing over the ICR, and so the matter fell through. Mr. Van Horne remarked that Mr. Huddart, the Australian, who has taken hold of the scheme, is an enterprising man, but he thinks he will find it an almost impossible task to raise the necessary capital to float the scheme.

Mr. Van Horne in Town

President Van Horne, of the CPR accompanied by Mr. Ross, contractor, of Montreal, Supt. Timmerman, Major H. H. McLean and Mr. Van Horne's private secretary, arrived by special train from Saint John on Tuesday at noon. To the Beacon, Mr. Van Horne stated that he came down to look after his summer home on Minister's Island. It was his intention, he said, to make an addition to it this Spring, as he had found his quarters a little cramped last season. He will add four or five more rooms, and will also make arrangements for the erection of a bowling alley and a place for other in-door amusements. A deviation will be made in the road to his house, so as to avoid climbing the steep hill on the Island. Mr. Van Horne says his family are eager to get back to St. Andrews, and they will probably come here early in June. Asked as to whether the Company had matured any plans with respect to the Osburn property, he said they had not.

Arthur Hill Gillmor

The Oldest Liberal Member from the maritime Provinces

Article

The CPR will get their supply of coal from the Joggins mines this year. Just how it will be brought over, has not yet been decided.

Horace Nicholas tells the Beacon that there is an impression abroad that he was the Indian who was supposed to have broken into Miss Haynen's house a few weeks ago. He says he is not guilty—-that he would die before he would do such a thing.

Rural Cemetery Burial

Harris Hatch, Recorder

Age 83

Lot 86A

March 14, 1894

Sudden Death of Harris Hatch, Esq.

Harris Hatch, Esq., ex-registrar of deeds and wills, was suddenly ill while on his way to church on Sunday morning and fell to the ground. He sat out the service, after which he was removed to his home, where he died on Monday afternoon. The deceased was in his 83rd year. He was the only surviving son of the late Colonel Hatch, and succeeded his father in the office of registrar of deeds of Charlotte County. After a lifetime spent here, failing health compelled him to resign, and a little over a year ago Mr. George F. Hibbard was appointed in his stead. Mr. Hatch was twice married but leaves no issue. His first wife was a Miss Campbell. His second wife, who survives him, and who is in declining years, is a sister of the late Admiral Shortland. Mr. Hatch's funeral took place yesterday afternoon, and was attended by a large number of people, leaving no doubt as to the feeling of respect entertained for the deceased in the community

The ocean steamer wharves at Portland, Maine, are under the control of the Grand Trunk railway. On Thursday last a number of horses for shipment to England were taken to Portland by the CPR, and the Grand Trunk refused the cars passage through the yard to the wharf, because they had not come over their line. The shipper finally chartered a steamer and put the horses on board the Labrador from the seaward side.

Real Estate Valuations

Van Horne 8,000

Algonquin Hotel Company 18000

Henry O'Neill 7,000

Leonard Tilley 6000

[Van Horne's valuation has gone up considerably since the last one; cf. Van Horne's letter of complaint to Grimmer June 14, 1894—New Brunswick Museum papers F29-22]

Beacon

March 22, 1894

DeWolfe's wharf scheme will not be carried out this year.

Enormous amount of business being done on B and A railway transporting freight.

Quarrying to begin at Gibson, Stuart and Hanson's black granite quarry at Bocabec.

The Coal Business

There is good reason to believe that the coal business which the CPR does at this port will increase rather than diminish this summer.

Divisional Superintendent Stewart, who came to St. Andrews on Friday last to make arrangements for the opening of the coal season, told the Beacon that about 30,000 tons of Joggins coal would be landed through the port of St. Andrews this year. This, he says, is a much larger amount than they had at first figured upon. Mr. Stewart says the railway people are fairly well pleased with the landing arrangements here, and that they find this much cheaper port than Saint John. The only complaint he makes concerning St. Andrews is with respect to loading the coal from the dump. This has proved more expensive than was expected, partly owing to the fact that he coal has become frozen and is hard to get out.

St. Andrews as a Port

There was a time in the history of St. Andrews, and most people here can recollect it, when a large and remunerative business was done in the shipping of sleepers to the United States market. With the opening up of the railway between this province and the republic, the sleeper trade was gradually diverted into another channel, and now nearly all the sleepers sent from this province to the US are forwarded by rail. Potatoes from Aroostook County, Maine, were also shipped through this port at one time in large qualities, but not one finds its way here now, all shipments being made by car. For several years past, this port has been utilized as a landing place for phosphate for the upper counties in Maine, but there is grave reason to fear that, unless more prompt facilities are provided here for handling the cargoes as they offer, the railways will also take this business away from us. Already the B and A road, we understand, are bidding for it, and unless a determined effort is made here, they will very likely get the lion's share of it. There is another reason that should impel the people of St. Andrews to make a move to secure better port facilities. If the free lumber clauses of the Wilson bill should carry in the US there is no doubt that many small mills will be set in operation along the line of the CPR in York, Carleton, Victoria and Madawaska counties, and an outlet will be needed on the coast for the product of these mills. St. Andrews is the port best fitted by nature to handle this lumber, but in order to do so successfully, we must have suitable wharves. One wharf with rail connection is not enough, for vessels will not charter to come here if they have to run the risk of waiting several days for a berth. We have been told of one mill owner in Carleton County, who says that he will utilize the port of St. Andrews if he can get the proper facilities, and no doubt there are many others.

And what holds true of lumber will also apply with equal force to agricultural produce going from this province to the United States. Besides this possible business, we have the surety of a large portion of the CPR coal traffic. The consumption of coal is gradually increasing on the railway, and wit the advantageous position of St. Andrews,—other things being equal—the business to be done at this port in coal should also increase in the same ratio. It seems to us that the time is opportune for our people to make a further effort to improve the port. The provincial government grant, which was made some time ago, no doubt still holds good, and as the Dominion government are making appropriations for wharves at places that do not need them one-half so badly as we do here (at Gardner's Creek, St. John, for example) they might be induced to reconsider their former decision and do something for us. The effort is worth making anyway.

Beacon

March 29, 1894

CPR coal business

Supt. Timmerman talks with the Beacon

Coal will be Landed here

The CPR people have given the contract to supply that road with 70,000 tons of coal this year to the Joggins Mines company. The coal is all to be landed here, but it is not generally known what means will be adopted to bring it to Saint John. The Cumberland Coal Company have been bringing the coal here in their barges. The Joggins company have none. It is said that the Joggins coal will be given to the CPR cheaper than the Springhill produce, which costs about $3,50 per ton, hauled to Saint John. It is said that after the Cumberland Company barges have brought 8,000 more tons of coal here, the contract between the Cumberland Company and the CPR will expire—Saint John Telegraph

In order to ascertain how much of truth there was in the above paragraph, the Beacon sought an interview with Mr. H. P. Timmerman, Superintendent of the Atlantic Division, at Saint John on Saturday. Mr. Timmerman very courteously outlined the CPR plans for the approaching season, so far as the coal business is concerned. He stated that he annual consumption of coal on this division of the CPR was about 70,000 tons, or in the neighborhood of 6,000 tons per month. This year Joggins company have received the contract for supplying the road. Instead of all the coal being landed at Saint John, as the Telegraph says, one half will be forwarded to St. Andrews. Mr. Timmerman says that he finds it pays to divide the coal supply between the two places. The coal will probably be shipped in schooners, the Joggins Company having no barges.

While the CPR has nothing to complain about in the way Mr. McMonagle handles the coal at the wharf at St. Andrews, Mr. Timmerman says that disappointing result have followed from storing the coal here. He says that the railway people would like to give employment to the laborers here, but they don't seem to want work, and now the road has been forced to bring in men from outside to assist in taking the coal from the dump. So unsatisfactory is this condition of affairs that no coal will be dumped here in future, but it will be carried through by cars as fast as they can furnish them.

Beacon

March 29/1894

The Algonquin Hotel

Applications for rooms pouring at a Rapid Rate

So far as the Algonquin Hotel is concerned, there is every reason to look forward to it being the best season that it has ever experienced. Never in the history of the hotel, writes the Secretary-Treasurer to the Beacon, have there been so many applications at such an early date as there are at the present time. With respect to the addition to the hotel, it will not be positively known when work will begin until the return of Mr. R. S. Gardiner, who is now on the Continent. Mr. Gardiner is expected home about the 15th of April. Plans have been made, and an estimate on the same is looked for before many days. "One thing is sure," says the Secretary, "we have got to have an addition to take care of the people as we ought."

Beacon

April 5/1894

Concerning the Port of St. Andrews

The latest rumor in Aroostook is that a fast line of steamers between St. Andrews and Boston, which the CPR is said to have in view with a view to competing with the Bangor and Aroostook freight.—Bangor news.

This paragraph is a little ambiguous in its terms, but the meaning it evidently intends to convey is that the CPR propose putting a fast steamer between St. Andrews and Boston in order to complete with the B and A road for Aroostook freight. We have no means of knowing what the plans of the CPR hared in this respect, but of the feasibility of the reported scheme we have not the slightest doubt. The fact that these rumors are being pushed forward so persistently ought to show conclusively that the advantages of St. Andrews as a port, and particularly as a port for Aroostook County, in Maine and for the western counties of the Province, are being recognized by outsiders. It ought to incite our people to work all the harder to have the port placed in shape for business. The sooner the facilities for business are provided here, the sooner business will come, and the sooner will the people of St. Andrews escape from the slough of despond into which they appear to have fallen.

Workmen for Mr. Van Horne's summer residence arrived this week. A team of farm horses are also expected this week from Montreal.

The phosphate schooner Elwood Burton, from Boston, discharged 4,000 barrels here in less than 17 hours. McMonagle's steam hoisting engine was used. It is to be doubted if in a larger port she would have received any more prompt despatch.

During the spring, 30,085 barrels and 14,599 bags of phosphate for Aroostook County have arrived at the ort of St. Andrews, and been shipped to destination by rail. A cargo of Maine granite, to be shipped to Springfield, Mass, and a boat-load of Eastport sardines for Detroit, Michigan, also arrived here. Our American cousins find the CPR very convenient at times.

The Bocabec black granite quarry is turning out splendid stone. Shanties for the workmen are being erected, logs for the wharf are being rafted, and everything about the quarry indicates progress. The quarrying operations are witnessed with a good deal of interest by the Bocabec people, who little dreamed a year ago that such a forbidding looking mountain should prove so valuable. The firm have booked several orders for stone already.

Beacon

April 12, 1894

It is estimated that the total turnip crop in this section last season will run close to 75,000 barrels. In the neighborhood of 50,000 barrels have been shipped by Messrs. Hartt and Greenlaw. The principle other shippers are B. F. DeWolfe, G. D. Grimmer and Frank Mowatt. Probably 10,000 barrels still remain in the farmer's cellars. The biggest crop was raised by Martin Greenlaw, of Bayside who pulled 1015 barrels. Alexander Russell, of Bayside, got over 500 barrels off 1 ¼ acres.

Beacon

April 19/1894

Now that summer is upon us, it is sincerely to be hoped that the CPR will take some steps towards utilizing the Osburn property, which it acquired some time ago. As Mr. Van Horne remarked to the Beacon at the time the sale was consummated, 'One summer hotel will not make a summer resort,' We have one magnificent summer hotel here, the 'Algonquin,' but there is a very large and important class of people who feel that its rates are a little too expensive for them. If the CPR were to fix up the Osburn place, as they had it in their mind to do, there is no doubt that this class could be accommodated, and in such a way as to make it profitable for the railway and the town.

It is admitted by everyone who has studied the conditions and advantages of the port, that St. Andrews has great possibilities before it, but it seems to be a difficult matter to hasten the realization of these possibilities. There are several reasons for this, but the chief reason appears to be that the people of the town are not wealthy enough to provide the required facilities, and the railway authorities are afraid to do anything for fear of arousing the animosity of competing ports. With this dilemma before us, the governments were some time ago asked to lend a helping hand. The local government responded by placing to our credit an appropriation of $20,000, which was distributed over a period of 20 years. The Dominion government, who were petitioned at the same time, replied that nothing could be done by them, as they could not appropriate money to erect wharves at points not touched by the government railway. Since then they have granted wharf subsidies to several ports far distant from their railway lines. In the hope that the Dominion Government may be induced to reconsider their decision with respect to this port, another memorial has been sent to Ottawa renewing the request of two years ago. The memorialists have pointed out that not only will the people of St. Andrews be benefited by the providing of port facilities, but the lumbermen and farmers and all those having interests in the western section of the province will be benefited by having a cheap and direct port provided for them, whereat they may ship the products of their mills, their mines, their farms and the forests, and receive inward freight for them. To demonstrate that this is no empty statement, supporting petitions have been sent forward from York, Carleton, and Victoria counties. The outcome of this latter request will be awaited with considerable anxiety.

A Bustling Inland Town

St. Andrews Recognized as the Seaport of Woodstock

. . . A talk with several prominent men of the Board of Trade convinced the Beacon that Woodstockers are thoroughly alive to the fact that St. Andrews is their chief seaport, and that the time is not far distant when it will be utilized by them for bringing in their coal, pig iron and other necessary articles of consumption, and taking away the products of the farms, mills, foundries gypsum quarries. . . .

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

The first coal vessel to arrive from Joggins this season was the W. R. Huntley, Capt. Howard. She arrived on Wednesday with 300 tons of the new contract coal.

The appearance of the Rose Standish at St. Andrews proclaims the fact that connection between this port and Boston by steamer is once more established. (Only summer connection with Eastport, then)

Van Horne's farm horses arrived last week. Rapid progress is being made on the addition to his summer residence. Mr. Van Horne is expected here this week, to decide upon further improvements to his property.

Beacon

May 3/1894

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

Summer Suggestions

"How Can the Summer Resort Interest of Maine be Promoted?" was the title of an address delivered before the Maine state Board of Trade by F. E. Boothby, General Passenger and ticket Agent of the Maine Central Railroad. A copy of the address in pamphlet form has reached the Beacon, and we have found it very instructive as well as interesting reading. Mr. Boothby in opening his address referred to the rapid growth of the summer resort "industry" in Maine during the last twenty-five years which, he maintained, was due very largely to the opening up of railways and the continually increasing conveniences in the methods of travelling. He gave a number of suggestions as to how the summer resort interests should be promoted. He laid great stress upon good hotels, as every guest who is well treated becomes a walking advertisement. He would preserve old relics and historical landmarks, perpetuate Indian names in the nomenclature of their hotels; point out as among the chief attractions of Maine its tidiness and what had been done by village improvement societies, frame sound laws for the preservation of fish and game and the forests, and in other ways aid nature in its work of beautifying. The main thing was for the people to pull together and help one another. The newspapers, he stated, could give very material aid, and while dwelling on this point he remarked: "I like very much the plan of papers like the Portland Sunday Telegram, the Bar Harbour Maine Coast Cottager, the St. Andrews Beacon, and others keeping something set up and displayed each issue, thus affording many copies of advertising material sure to strike the eye of parties interested and eventually do good." Mr. Boothby speaks by the book having had a long experience with summer resorts and the people who frequent them. His suggestions will apply equally as well to Canadian summer retreats as to those of Maine. An association, composed of the leading railroad officials of New England and proprietors of summer resorts, has been formed, whose object is to maintain an office in New York and other cities, to send out and also give verbal information of the wonderful scenic beauties and resources of New England as a summer resort, and otherwise boom that locality. We observe some familiar names among the promoters of this excellent organization. Dana J. Flanders is president, and George L. Connor is vice-president, and among the board of managers are D. J. Flanders, George, L. Connor. F. E. Boothby, and A. D. S. Bell. We cannot see why St. Andrews should not reap a benefit from this organization.

The wailing of an infant alarmed the inmates of Mr. Treadwell's house on Sunday morning about 6:30 am. Mrs. Treadwell made investigations and found that some one had left a little girl baby in the outside porch. The child was poorly clad and was half perished from cold. It was taken into the house, fed, and afterwards handed over to the tender mercies of the colored woman who keeps the "baby farm" in connection with the Alms House. The child appeared to be three or four months old. The fact that the child wore clothing similar to that on two other foundlings that are now at the "Farm" would seem to indicate that someone has accepted the contract to keep up the infantile population of St. Andrews Alms House.

President Van Horne has started on his Pacific coast tour. He will be absent about a month.

A Hopeful View

Supt. Timmerman Hints at Increased Business for St. Andrews

Superintendent Timmerman extended the hospitalities of his private car to the Beacon on Wednesday last. The object of Mr. Timmerman's visit to St. Andrews was to inspect the improvements that are to be made on the Van Horne property. He was well pleased with the progress that has been made on the additions to Mr. Van Horne's summer mansion, and says it is probable that the family will move down to St. Andrews next month.

Mr. Timmerman stated that the CPR had made arrangements for taking over the Tobique railway and operating it. This road is twenty-six miles long, and connects with the famous Tobique plaster rock. The country through which the line runs is very rich and is fully equal in fertility to the famed Aroostook County in Maine. Its forest wealth is also very great, so that the chances for remunerative business are really excellent. Mr. Timmerman says that there is an almost inexhaustible supply of plaster which is adapted for fertilizing as well as building purposes. As the new tariff of the US will admit the plaster freed in its rough state, it is expected that large shipments of the product will be made to that country. These shipments, says Mr. Timmerman, can be made more cheaply through the port of St. Andrews than through any other port. The companies who control the product, he says, recognize this fact. Should the free lumber and free agricultural schedules remain untouched by the US legislation, Mr. Timmerman had no doubt that in the near future large shipments of the product of the forest and the farm would also be shipped through here.

Mr. Timmerman talked in very hopeful vein of the improved prospects of the port of St. Andrews and expressed the hope that the government would aid the people to develop it.

Beacon

May 10/1894

The Country Editor

The woes of the weekly newspaper publisher, or "country editor," as the daily papers sarcastically terms, him, form the theme of a readable sketch by "Octave Thanet" in the May Scribner. "Octave Thanet," who is known in private life as Miss Alice French, is a lady of charming manner, and gifted and observing withal. When at home her address is Davenport, Iowa. On one occasion she visited St. Andrews, and so pleased was she with the manner in which the Beacon championed the "cause of the place, that she became a yearly subscriber. Whether she has drawn any inspiration for her article from reading the pages of the Beacon we know not, but she certainly appears to possess an intimate knowledge of the trials and tribulations that the editorial flesh on a weekly paper is heir to. For the weekly editor has troubles that the city writer wots not of. The idea the city man possesses that life with the "country editor" is one perpetual holiday exists only in his imagination. The successful "country editor" has to have an "all-roundedness" about him that is not required of the toiler on the daily press. He must be acquainted with every department of his profession, and be a combination of editor, reporter, printer, proof-reader, pressman, engineer, financier, circulation-boomer and "devil," all in one. When the city writer sends his "copy" to the printer that is the last he sees of it until it appears in print, but not so with the "country editor"; he has to follow it through all of its stages. Frequently he has to "set up" the matter himself, and frequently he has to 'grind" the press himself. He is expected to be able to indite editorials equal to any of the gild-edged writers on the city press. His "locals" must be written up spicily, and when he descends to humor he must supply something equal to the best that Mark Twain or Bill Nye has produced. Being brought into closer contact with his readers than the city writer, he has to be more circumspect in his writings, otherwise he will be in perpetual hot water. If he says a good word for the "Grits," his Tory subscribers, who are thin-skinned, at once elevate their spinal columns and intimate that they will stop their paper and withdraw their advertising, and if he should err in the opposite direction, a like disaster is threatened by his "Grit" readers. If he keeps on the even tenor of his way and does not allow these trifles to disturb his serenity, he is accused of being too blamed independent for his own good. He is expected to publish all the local news of the neighborhood, but Heaven help him if he should tread on anybody's corns in so doing. If a leading citizen misbehaves, the editor is expected to overlook his offence or deal lightly with his "eccentricities," but if some poor devil, who has not a groat nor a friend in the world, commits a misdemeanor he must be "lashed" within an inch of his life. If John Brown gets drunk and destroys his neighbour's property, the fact must be written up in such a way that none of the aforesaid Brown's friends will take offence. If the opposite should happen there is a vacuum on the subscription list at once. If Bill Smith breaks into a store and steals everything he can lay his hands on, the editor will be blamed by Bill's friends if he takes any notice of the fact, and if he fails to do so, a score of others will be after him. The editor is expected to expose all the humbugs, denounce all the wrong-doers, hold up to public view all misdemeanants, censure all public officials who fail to do their sworn duty, do all the "dirty work" of the community , subscribe to every scheme of benevolence, be patient with all the cranks who daily assail him, fight for the community in season and out of season, and all this for the honor of it, a few shekels in advertising. and $1 a year.

Yet there is a bright side to the "country editor's" life. Perhaps "Octave Thanet" will write it up in her own charming manner. If not, we may do so ourselves on some future occasion.

Beacon

May 17/1894

A magnificent moose head, which will adorn the great hall of Mr. Van Horne's summer residence, Minister's Island, came down from Saint John this week. It was mounted by J. H. Carnall.

Mrs. Bignall, the aged colored woman, was knocked down and run over on Saturday by one of G. D. Grimmer's teams, driven by a lad named McCurdy. She escaped without serious injury.

The bathing season at the pond, Indian Point, was successfully opened last week, by two youthful maidens, who went out in a canoe and who were in such a hurry to take a bath that they did not wait to divest themselves of any of their clothing. The wardrobe of a neighboring friend was exhausted in finding dry suits short enough to cover them.

Five-pound salmon being caught in Chamcook lake.

A young and valuable horse belonging to E. Andrews, Minister's Island, broke away from Miss Bessie Andrews on Thursday last, alongside the island bar, and after upsetting the wagon, plunged into the water to swim to his home. He lost his reckoning, and getting into deep water was drowned. William McQuoid, who is employed at Mr. Van Horne's place, Minister's Island, lost a horse the same day from lockjaw.

The publisher of the Beacon would esteem it a great favor if any of his Canadian subscribers would send him photographs of local scenes to be reproduced in the Canadian Art portfolio, which is now running in connection with this paper. Charlotte County scenes are particular desired.

Business depression in US has taken toll on CPR.

Beacon

May 24/1894

The Van Horne Cottage

Improvements that have been made around the grounds this spring.

A merry whirl of a mile or two over a picturesque, tree-fringed country road; a push across an ocean-perfumed beach, on which great flocks of sea and land birds were gathered at their morning feast of mussels and clams, and the Beacon representative found himself and his wheel at the foot of the hill leading to the summit of Minister's Island, on which Mr. Van Horne, President of the CPR, has his handsome summer residence.

It was a beautiful May morning, and nature was in one of her most charming moods. Gentle zephyrs were wafted over the silvery bosom of St. Andrews Bay, and the lapping of the waves along the sandy beaches made a music that was most entrancing. All around was a bewitching prospect embracing sea and island, mountain and valley, green pastures and fields over which the ploughman had but recently made his mark. About and above all this could be heard the songs of nature's little choristers, rejoicing that the bonds of winter had once more been rent asunder. It was a scene fit to stir the poetry within the most prosaic soul.

But it was not to gather inspiration for a verse on "gentle Spring" that the Beacon was abroad, but to inspect the improvements that Mr. Van Horne is adding to his summer home. During the past few months great changes have taken place in the vicinity of the Van Horne cottage. An annex, connected by a covered lattice-work verandah, has been erected in the rear of the main building. This is designed as servants' quarters. There are found living rooms in the annexes, besides a laundry, with concrete floor and bricked walls. The main building has undergone no changes and is just as it was abandoned last Fall. the large kitchen range is polished and can be ready for business at a minute's notice, the cupboards are full of waiting dishes, and the great hall and the sleeping rooms need only the "touch of a vanished hand" to make them as inviting as before.

The head gardener, Mr. William McQuoid, for whom a near little cottage, embowered among the trees, has recently been erected, has had a busy season around the grounds. He has ploughed and harrowed and picked stones off a large piece of land to the north and west of the cottage and has laid it out in beds. Asparagus, cucumbers, radishes, parsnips, cabbages, lettuce, celery, and a great deal of other "garden sass" have been planted in these beds, or are awaiting transplanting from the "hot-beds" alongside. Another patch of ground nearby has been sown with oats and a bountiful crop is looked for. A large circle of ground in front of the cottage and another plot in the rear are reserved for flowering plants. Then, a tennis-court has been rolled a short distance away, and seeded down with lawn-grass, which is forcing its way along. A stately flag staff has been erected alongside the cottage, from which the Canadian flag will be floated to the breeze just as soon as the family have entered into possession of their summer habitation. E. L. Andrews has the contract for a long stretch of cedar and wire fencing around the grounds, which is designed more as a protection for a buck thorn hedge that is to be planted than "a thing of beauty."

Several men are employed in garden work, but all the carpenters have taken their departure. In a few days the plumbers will be here to make the connections which were cut last fall, and the telegraph men are also expected to arrive to put the telephone and telegraph lines in shape. The action of the tides upon the cable across the bar has rendered it useless, and a new cable will either have to be laid or a better method devised for stretching the wire across. It is expected that the Van Horne family will move into their summer home about the latter part of next month.

Mr. Van Horne, president of the CPR, and party have started on their return trip from the coast. It is still uncertain whether the party will reach Montreal by the twenty-fourth or the twenty-seventh.

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

Beacon

May 31/1894

Among the birthday honors bestowed by Queen Victoria was that of Knight of St. Michael and St. George, which was given by President Van Horne, of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Mr. Van Horne is an American by birth, but has been so actively identified with the furtherance of gigantic schemes in Canada that many have lost sight of that fact, and have come to regard him as to the manor born. Sir William is not a man to lose his head under such circumstances. He will bear his honors manfully and worthily. Hail Sir William!

Van Horne knighted. Details on rise from nothing.

No better example can be found of what pluck and energy, coupled with a good business head, can do, than is afforded by the case of Mr. Van Horne, who has recently been knighted by the Queen of England. Sir William Van Horne was born in Illinois in 1843. He had no special privileges over other lads, except the possession of unconquerable pluck and ambition. Early in life he mastered the science of telegraphy and became an operator on the Illinois Central Road. He rose from one position to another until in 1882 he was general superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway. Then it was that he came to the notice of the men who were projecting the CPR. They offered him a dazzling salary to come to Canada, and to apply his energies to the construction and completion of Canada's great trans-continental line. He came, he saw, and by prodigious exertions he conquered. In four years from the date he took hold of the road, the last spike was driven at Vancouver. In that brief space of time he had leaped across the western prairie, and conquered difficulties among the mountain tops of the Rockies that seemed at first insurmountable. Not content with this mighty feat, he has also been instrumental in opening up connection with China and Japan, and distant Australia's isle. Still he is not satisfied, for his ambition leads him to desire an improved steam service for the Atlantic ocean. And who that knows his unyielding character and determination can doubt that his latest desire will go unsatisfied.

A more beknighted town than St. Andrews does not exist in the Lower Provinces. We have now three knights on our tax list,—Sir Leonard Tilley, Sir Donald Smith, and last though not least, Sir William Van Horne!

The St. Croix. And a glimpse of the Picturesque Scenery Around It.

Excerpts from Henry D. Young's book, "Towards the Sunrise," concerning Charlotte Country. Get photocopy.

Van Horne and the Telegraph Boy.

An amusing incident in which President Van Horne and a check boy in the employ of the CPR Telegraph Department figured, took placed, in the Company's office, in Victoria one evening last week, says the Montreal Star. The railway magnate entered the office to send off an important message and as there were several customers sending messages at the time, he quietly waited his turn. As soon as they had finished their business, he handed his message to the boy, who carefully counted the words. In the corner Mr. Van Horne had written "D. H.," and when the boy saw this he seemed puzzled for a moment or two, but quietly asked: "Will you please show me your pass, as I have to put the number on the message?"

A look of astonishment passed over the president's face which soon gave place to a smile. In reply he asked the lad how old he was. "Fourteen years old, sir," was the quick reply. "And how long have you been in the company's employ?" was asked. "About four months, sir," the boy replied with a somewhat puzzled look. "Well, my lad," said Mr. Van Horne, putting his hand in his pocket, and pullout a $5 bill, which he gave to the boy, "you are the smartest boy I have ever seen, and some day you will be president of the CPR. Send that message as soon as possible, and never mind the number of my pass, as I haven't seen it this year. But it will be all right."

Mr. Van Horne with a smile then left the office, while the boy didn't seem able to realize the situation at all, and when told by one of the operator, who had quietly enjoyed the scene, that he had been talking to the President of the CPR, his amazement may be imagined.

Emory Hoar has arrived from Brookline, Mass.