Item
Beacon
Jan 14/1909
How Winnipeg Solved Its Water Problems. Wells. Details.
Beacon
Jan 21/1909
Much about the Grand Trunk Pacific in the news over the last few years. In this issue Armstrong considers the railway's need for an Atlantic port, and wonders if to avoid having St. Andrews chosen by a competitor, the CPR mightn't choose it first.
Much about the Intercolonial as well. Over the last few years the idea that it might compete for traffic with the CPR in Saint John.
Beacon
Feb 4/1909
Among the "ten greatest Canadians," two of them, Sir William Van Horne and Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, have their summer abiding places in St. Andrews. Thus we represent one fifth of the greatness of Canada. That is something, even if we haven't got the winter port.
Beacon
Feb 11/1909
Sir William Van Horne passed his 66th milestone on Wednesday last. His Canadian residence dates from 1881 when he joined the Canadian pacific. He has certainly "made good" during that time and deserves all the honors that have fallen to him.
Photo of town from Algonquin. Blurry. Bare north of Carleton.
Photo of Water Street.
Stately Summer Homes of St. Andrews by the Sea. C. R. Hosmer's Beautiful Summer Home almost completed.
The French order of architecture has been adhered to in the striking looking cottage belonging to Mr. C. R. Hosmer, of Montreal, which Mr. Wright McLaren is now putting the finishing touches on. It occupies a commanding position alongside of Sir Thomas Shaughnessy's residence, Fort Tipperary, and like his possesses an unexampled view.
The entrance on the west side is between massive pillars, of native sandstone. The first room is the large living room, which occupies almost the entire front of the house, being 17 x 44 feet. It has a massive fireplace almost opposite the ample doorway. Behind the living room is a hallway 6 feet in width, with a broad stairway on the lower side. The dining room 16 x 18 feet, morning room 13 x 18 feet, a large bedroom and a commodious bathroom occupy the remainder of the main floor. Two of these rooms open out onto a broad verandah in the rear. With the exception of the bathroom they are each supplied with a large fireplace. On the southern end of the building are located the kitchen, larder and butler's pantry. They are all rooms of good size.
On the second floor, in the main house, there are five large and airy bedrooms with splendid views, two of them having doors opening on to balconies, a dressing room, linen closet and three bathrooms. In the servant's quarters there are two bedrooms and a bathroom. The attic also contains two large servants' rooms, water tank, etc.
In the rear of the lot a small building has been erected for acetylene gas. The house has also been wired for electric lights.
The plans for this building were from the study of Messrs. E. and V. S. Maxwell, of Montreal. They have been more faithfully executed by Mr. Wright McLaren. He has the work well advanced, about the only interior work remaining to do being the placing of the door frames and doors and the laying of the hardwood floors.
Algonquin cottage 1 has had second story added—with three more bedrooms, and bathroom. French windows give on delightful view.
Beacon
Feb 18/1909
The Natural Winter Port of Canada
The town council of St. Andrews has issued a neat yet comprehensive booklet setting forth the natural advantages which the port possesses as one of the winter ports of Canada. In this booklet no invidious comparisons of other ports have been indulged in, except in so far as it has been necessary to make out a case for St. Andrews. No other port is maligned. And so far as we are capable of judging the assertions in the booklet have been put forward moderately, fairly and correctly. The statements made are backed up by opinions of practical seafaring men and by others who take a broad view of affairs. Attached to the booklet is an outline map indicating the approaches to the port from the Bay of Fundy. This booklet will be circulated throughout Canada. Already it is in the sanctum of almost every newspaper of prominence between Cape Breton and the Yukon. It will also be forwarded to members of parliament and boards of trade and to transportation companies doing business through Canadian ports. The object of this booklet is not to steal way business from other ports but to get for St. Andrews a share of the port business which must flow from the development of our Canadian west. We believe with the honor minister of Public Works that with the rapid strides Canada is making it will be but short time before the port of Saint John, even with the enormous expenditures that are being made upon it, will be unable to handle the traffic that will be thrust upon it in the winter season, and other ports will be absolutely necessary. These ports must be found on Canadian soil, and nowhere on Canadian can more convenient ports be found than exist in Charlotte County. With this fact in its mind, the town council of St. Andrews is making an appeal to the Canadian public to develop this port. The members base their appeal not on the ground alone that the port needs business but that Canada needs the port. Both national and commercial interest demand that the port that gives the shortest land haul and that can be equipped and maintained the most cheaply is the one that should be utilized. Canadian ports for Canadian business is an excellent motto with the proper sentimental ring about it, but when the balance of power has been shifted from the east to the west, as it will be before very long, this sentiment may not appeal to Canadians so strongly as it does now. The west may demand that its grain find an exit through more convenient ports on the US seaboard. When such a demand is made we can only hope to answer it by having as Atlantic outlets such ports as can best compete with Unite States ports both as to land an ocean carriage and cheapness. This is the reason why we conclude that Canada needs just such a port as St. Andrews is capable of being made.
A hog, weighing 559 lbs., was recently marketed from Covenhoven far, Minister's Island. The animal which was of the bacon type was purchased by the O'Neill Market.
Eastport Sentinel—The large new pier being built at Welchpool, Campobello, by the Canadian government, which was commenced some few weeks ago, is progressing finely, it being expected that it will be in readiness for use sometime during the coming spring and fully completed before the commencement of the summer travel.
Beacon
Feb 25/1909
St. Andrews Port Pamphlet
Opinions of Press
Opinions of Saint John Sun, Montreal Herald, Campbellton Graphic and Hamilton times thereon. Canadian Journal of Commerce also. Generally favourable, though of course Saint John prefers its own winter port.
St. John Sun—"As we read Mr. Armstrong's statement, supported by the opinions of others, living and dead, and look through his handsome pamphlet, we are apt to feel like the wedding guest who was arrested by the Mariner's glittering eye and attractive tale. But the fascination is speedily dispelled when we look out from the Globe office windows upon Saint John harbor and see the long rows of ocean steamers, for we have at once the clearest ocular demonstration of where the winter port really is."
If Sir William Had Reduced the Rates
A story which has a delicious piquancy and which is thoroughly characteristic of the man and the conditions of the time is told of Sir William Van Horne in the days when he was vice-president and general manager of the system. It was the days when no Railway Commission existed, but the reduction of freight rate was a burning question in the West. When Sir William went to Winnipeg on his annual tour of inspection the reporters were sent down to meet him to ask pointed questions about rates. When Sir William's train was about due in Winnipeg the eagle-eyed depot master noticed that an incoming train had dropped a dozen larger beer kegs from the express car onto the express platform near the station. The kegs were all right as to place, but unfortunately most disorderly as to appearance, three of them standing upright on their ends in an irregular line, while the other three were on their sides. Calling a porter the depot master gave a hasty order, and when the general manager's special steamed in those six kegs were drawn up as stiffly as a guard on honor.
The reporters fired off the question: "Sir William, why don't you reduce the freight rates on wheat?"
Sir William's answer this time was not rapid, but it was for the occasion conclusive. Leaning back, puffing gently at his cigar for a minute or two, and closing his magnificent and penetrating eyes, he began in a half reminiscent strain in this manner: "On the way up there was a washout on the line and we were detained some time at Gravel River. I am the general manager of the CPR. It is an important position. I like it. I hold it because I have the confidence of the directors of the company and I want to retain that confidence. Now if I were at this time to do any such foolish thing as to reduce the rate on wheat the directors would take me from my present post and make me station agent at Gravel River. Did you ever see Gravel River?"
Beacon
March 4/1909
St. Andrews. Newspaper Views with Respect to Port Pamphlet and Port Prospects
Other papers express their opinions. Details
Sir William Van Horne's Life Romance
Minneapolis Journal.—Washington, Feb. 12. George Hazard of Tacoma, Washington, who is in Washington looking after a pension claim, tells a good Lincoln story, and one which will be of especial interest to people who know Sir William Van Horne of the CPR and his wife.
Mr. Hazard was a boy in Illinois at the time of the Lincoln-Douglass debates. One of the debates had taken place in a town near Galesburg, and the Democrats had the better of it, massing their people and giving Douglass a royal welcome, while Lincoln was almost totally ignored. At the next stop it was determined that conditions should be reversed, and the friends of Lincoln organized for the purpose of giving him a welcome and reception that would outshine that given to Douglass a few days before. Every Republican for miles around came to town. Banners were hung across the streets, bands were engaged, and there were parades and all the other accompaniments of the political rally.
Among other things a company of young girls was collected from the surrounding towns, and it was their particular duty to receive Lincoln and see that the aesthetic features of this occasion were attended to. The young ladies were appropriately attired for the occasion, carried flowers, and one of their number read an address of welcome to Lincoln, to which he made a happy response. The news concerning the affair was broadcast over the country, and the one telegraph operator at the town in question had his hands full for hours, transmitting the story, the reception, and how it had succeeded the reception given in the other town to Douglass.
"The interesting part of this affair," says Mr. Hazard, who was in this particular town on that day in question, "is that the young girl who gave the address and the young man who sent the despatches are still living, and are now husband and wife. They are Sir William Van Horne and Mrs. Van Horne.
"I was going through to the Pacific coast a few years ago over the CPR, and the conductor came into the car where I was and said that the president of the road wanted to see me in his private car. I went forward and was soon engaged in conversation with Sir William and his wife.
"We lived again the day in Illinois in 1858, and at the close of the little visit, Mrs. Van Horne said to me: 'Mr. Hazard, I have never been as proud of my husband as I was on that particular day, which, of course, was before we had been married. I was not prouder of him when he was knighted by Queen Victoria than I was when he operated the telegraph key which gave to the world the story of the Lincoln reception in our little town.'"
Mr. Hazard carried an ounce of confederate lead in his thigh, and is a hopeless cripple, but he seems to renew his youth as well as his strength when he tells his story of Lincoln and of the man who is now the president of a great Canadian railway system, and of the woman who became his wife.
William Howard Taft
27th President of the United States (March 4, 1909 to March 3, 1913)
Nickname: None
Born: September 15, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Died: March 8, 1930, in Washington, D.C.
Beacon
March 4, 1909
Cairine MacKay, daughter of Robert MacKay, married to Norman Wilson. Details.
Beacon
March 11/1909
The CPR Wharf
We do not wish to arouse any false hope sin the breasts of St. Andrews people, but we cannot help but think that the tide which has been ebbing from the port for many years has at last turned and that we shall soon have that flood tide of prosperity for which our fathers have hoped, and for which we have struggled for so many weary years. The town council of St. Andrews has certainly lost no time in meeting the wishes of the CPR management with respect to this proposed pier. On Saturday morning, the railway company's communication was placed in the hands of the mayor, and that night at a special meeting, the Company's plans were approved, subject to ratification by the port authorities. To be sure, the wharf proposed is at present only designed for local traffic, but how easy it would be if occasion demanded it, for the Company to bridge the channel and get to St. Andrews Island, where they would have a mile or more of deep water front, without the expenditure of a single dollar for dredging. It is such self-evident facts as these that justify the agitation for the selection of St. Andrews as a Canadian winter port. Just think of it! A mile and more of deep water that would not require the expenditure of a single dollar for dredging, and six miles of more of such water extending up the St. Croix River toward St. Stephen.
St. Andrews people may well feel encouraged at the business outlook. With the CPR ready to erect a $20,000 wharf, the Dominion government willing to put up another at $18,000, and an electric light plant promised for the Algonquin Hotel and cottages, the prospect is a most pleasing one.
CPR to Build Wharf
Have Asked Council for Water Lots. Wharf to cost $20,000
A special meeting of the Town Council was held on Saturday night last to consider a communication from Supt. Downie, of the CPR, with respect to the construction of a wharf near the site of the present lighthouse wharf. Mr. Downie stated in his communication that the CPR intended to build a new wharf at the cost of about $20,000, at the foot of Patrick street, providing the town would make over the water lots intended to be covered by the structure. It was proposed to abandon the lighthouse wharf and build immediately to the north of it.
A blueprint of the proposed wharf showed it to be 200 feet long with a face at the end of 60 feet. It extended out 110 from the low water mark into the channel.
After a brief discussion it was moved by Ald. Armstrong seconded by Council Wren . . .
This resolution was unanimously adopted.
It was suggested by some of the aldermen that he Company be required to removed the abandoned wharf upon the completion of the new work, also that provision be made for a light at the end of the structure, but it was felt by the council that those points might well be left to port authorities to settle.
Armstrong now alderman
Manager Allerton officially informed that Algonquin and present cottages to be lighted by electricity this season by Superintendent Reid.
Beacon
March 18, 1909
Delegates from St. Andrews including Alderman Armstrong meet with Shaughnessy in Ottawa on port and other matters such as lights. Half hour meeting. Nothing definite committed to by Shaughnessy. Details.
Beacon
March 25/1909
St. Andrews to be detached from St. Stephen and designated a "Chief Port," April 11/1909. Various outports like Campobello, Lord's Cove, North Cove to be attached to St. Andrews. These ports had been taken from St. Andrews and attached to St. Stephen since 1897.
Summer Resort Outlook—-The outlook for the summer, from a tourist point of view, is very bright, and the Algonquin Hotel Company is taking hold of matters this season with a grasp that is most encouraging. The introduction of an electric lighting system, the enlargement of the hotel laundry, the additions and improvements that have been made to the cottages, the promise of other cottages in the near future and the increased enquiry for cottage and hotel accommodation, all point in the right direction. Sir Thomas Shaughnessy says that the Hotel Company is seriously considering an enlargement of the Algonquin Hotel on an extensive scale.
Beacon
April 1, 1909
One of the questions that the incoming town council will have to attend to will be the poor farm. As one of the assets of the town, it has been a most unremunerative one, so much so that the present Poor Farm committee of the council has decided to dispense with the services of the farm keeper and close up the County Home. There is only one inmate in it. Chargeable against the town and a comfortable boarding placed for him can be found. No further action will be taken in the premises until the new council has been chosen, when they will be free to act, either to reopen, the institution to keep it closed and lease the farm.
Mr. Hugh McQuoid had his neck seriously injured while operating a woodcutting machine on Minister's Island last Saturday.
The Public Wharf
A representative of Contractor Fawcett of Woodstock, who is to build the public wharf, was in town on Saturday making arrangements for the beginning of the work. The timber, owing to the difference in railway rates will be taken in to St. Stephen and rafted here.
Beacon
April 8/1909
Among the Cottages
The carpenters are pushing on the alterations on Mr. Robert Gill's cottage overlooking Katy's Cove. When completed and painted, the building will be greatly improved. Additions have been made at both ends of the dwelling. At the southern end, the addition will give room for a servants' dining hall, two larders, and two servants' bedrooms. In addition to the former bathroom, two others have been added. On the northern side, on the second floor there will be another bedroom with lookouts at five points. Beneath is a pillared verandah. The interior of the house has been improved in other respects. The carpenters began putting on the interior finish this week. The contract is being carried out by Mr. Wright McLaren, from Messrs. Maxwell's plans
Finishing touches on Hosmer's home.
Clibrig is being run as a farm. Pigs being raised there, etc.
Winter port business will be at least 500,000 ahead of last season.
St. Andrews gay with bunting over restoration of custom's status to St. Andrews
Beacon
April 15/1909
Sir William Van Horne came down from Montreal on Monday.
Annual Easter ball at Owen hall. Company preparing for busy summer.
Beacon
April 22/1909
Algonquin Improvements
Engineer Brown has been busy lately taking the engine and laundry machinery down preparatory to removing it to the new building. He has his work well advanced. The contract of the new laundry building has been awarded to C. E. Deakin of Montreal, who engages to have it ready for use when the hotel opens on June 19. The new building will be about 165 x 25 feet on the ground. Part of it will be two storeys in height and part one story. The lower floor will be supplied with the most up to date machinery. Upstairs here will be fourteen sleeping rooms for laundry help. The outside walls of the building will be of concrete. Mr. Jago, of the CPR staff, Montreal, is here in the interests of the building and will supervise its construction. Mr. Dietrich, of Montreal, is wiring the hotel for electric lights.
Excursion route between St. Andrews and St. George would be welcome
Van Horne Offer.
The Iron Age states that the order for 15,000 tons of rails for Sir William Van Horne's Cuba Railroad will likely go to a Canadian company. It is understood that the Dominion steel company has been negotiating for this order, but it has not as yet been placed.—Star
Beacon
April 29/1909
Sir William Van Horne, accompanied by Lady Van Horne and Miss Van Horne, sailed from Saint John on the Empress of Britain last Saturday.
There must be something radically wrong in the railway treatment of St. Andrews when a public contractor finds it cheaper to haul his logs to St. Stephen and raft them down river than to bring them direct to St. Andrews. Such treatment does not make for the upbuilding of the port.
Ground broken for new powerhouse at Algonquin. (It seems as though prior to this the hotel's equipment was inside the hotel itself. This would be powerhouse number one, then. Number two 1914—CPR photo. Number three 1929—the current building)
Campobello Improvements—Trafalgar Square! If you want to know where Trafalgar Square lies you need only go to Welchpool, Campobello, where you will find the "square" occupying a piece of land on the slope of the hill above the new wharf. The naming of this square with the improvements that are contemplated thereon, is part of a general scheme of improvement which the Campobello Corporation has in mind and which will be put into effect at once. Shade trees will be planted on the Square and in other places about Welchpool, so as to add to its attractiveness. The Corporation has lately purchased the Owen Batson store and intends fitting it up in first-class style of the Company's use and for public offices. It is understood that the Custom House and perhaps the Post Office will be tenanted in this building. The Corporation is getting the Inn in readiness for opening this summer gain. Nothing will be done this season with the Tyn-y-Coed.
The Town Fathers Take Action with Respect to Town Home
Details.
Beacon
May 6/1909
Wonderful Progress on the Grand Trunk Pacific. By autumn 1365 miles will have been completed.
Montreal Star after New York Board of Health warns of discouraging summer resort population by maintaining unsanitary facilities and Beacon uses article as plea for better sanitary conditions in St. Andrews—to protect rep. as healthful and beautiful place.
Alderman Armstrong moves town ask permission to sink test wells for new water supply. Cost of water from Chamcook Lake too high to be considered at present.
Contractor Deacon is pushing forward the construction of the powerhouse and laundry building. . . . A steam mixer for concrete arrived from Montreal last Thursday.
Beacon
May 13/1909
Van Horne Cuban Railroad
Mr. S. H. Ewing, of Montreal, tells the Star that Sir William Van Horne's Cuban railway is a great success. The road is 540 miles long, running from one end of Cuba to the other with a number of projected extensions. Sir William was building up the country and opening it up for the cultivation and production of sugar cane. He had constructed a large central factory and was now about to erect another. He found however that certain improvements were still needed to attract tourists to go over the route.
Sir William Van Horne has expressed surprise that so many Americans fail to see the commercial possibilities of Cuba. It has often been a matter of surprise to us that Sir William and his associates on the CPR have not long ere this recognized the commercial possibilities of St. Andrews.
From a summer resort standpoint, the prospect for St. Andrews was never brighter than it is at the present time. Manager Allerton of the Algonquin Hotel says that in the twenty years history of the hotel it has never had such large bookings as this season. There is a great demand for cottages as well.
The big boiler for the Algonquin powerhouse is being skidded through the town from the station to its future resting place.
Beacon
May 20/1909
At the Montreal Horse Show
Sir William Van Horne's box was occupied by Mrs. R. B. Van Horne, wearing a gray suit, Copenhagen blue hat. Mr. C. R. Hosmer's box was occupied by Miss Marjorie Heney, old rose satin gown and Tuscan hat, old rose trimmings.
The Water Question—On Tuesday night, the rate payers are to be asked to cast their votes for or against the by-law to authorize the Town Council to sink experimental test wells, with a vow to ascertaining whether a sufficient supply of good water for town use could be procured by this means and what the cost would be.
If there was a town improvement society in existence in St. Andrews, we would tender a suggestion that prizes of an appropriate character should be presented to the householders who keep their premises the neatest and to those who keep them the most disorderly. As a rule, the townsfolk are fairly neat, but there are some yards opening on the street that are in a most disgraceful condition, littered up with piles of wood, pieces of fencing, remnants of old wagons, manure heaps, old tin cans, straw, and goodness knows what not. In some instances, nuisances are so glaring as to call for action by the board of health.
Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Christie leave tonight for Ottawa, where they will attend the state ball. Mr. and Mrs. Christie will spend the coming summer at St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Toronto Mail (Cuddy's Mrs. Christie?)
Beacon
May 27/1909
Encounter with Bears
Two Bears at Kilburn Lake Show Fight.
Mr. Nason, a CPR trackman, had an exciting experience with bears near Kilburn's lake, a few days ago. Details. [is this the father of David Nason, who wrote "the Railways of New Brunswick"?]
Deep water Wharf Wanted
Owing to the absence of suitable facilities at this port, the shipping firm which was desirous of loading a large steamer here with spoolwood blocks for a British port, was compelled to go elsewhere. We understand that the subject was laid before the CPR freight authorities, but we have not learned what action if any, they have taken. . . . the new wharf, projected by the CPR, unless it is carried to deeper water than was at first proposed, will not improve the situation to a very great extent. Of course, it will enable the railway to do a much larger local or coastwise business, and in this respect it will be substantial acquisition to the port, but if a site could be secured that would give, say 30 feet of water at low tide, the railway would then be in a position to handle any and all kinds of ocean traffic.
The CPR has reduced the excessive freight rates from Woodstock to St. Andrews, which will enable Ald. Fawcett, who is building with the Dominion government the new wharf there, to freight his lumber from here direct instead of sending it to St. Stephen and rafting it from there to St. Andrews, which he has been doing cheaper than if he paid the original freight rate to St. Andrews. Woodstock press.
Piece by Adeline Van Horne on mushrooms in Montreal and St. Andrews.
In a gracefully written article on "Mushrooms" in the Women's Edition of the Montreal Witness, by Miss Adeline Van Horne, the following appears:—"On Mount Royal in June a soft yellow light crown mushroom is frequently found at the base of oak or pine or butternut trees. The cap is ovoid or conical, and deeply pitted resembling honeycomb. This is Morchella esculenta or the Mosel, a representative of the family Helvellaceae. It is esculent, has a delicious flavor and does not in the least resemble any poisonous or suspicious species. The Hypocreaceae in its Hyomyees is very remarkable, presenting a secondary fungus parasitic on one of the fleshy form. It often chooses a Lactarius of large size as host plant, which it transforms so as to make it almost unrecognizable. A quantity found growing in thick woods one summer near St. Andrews, New Brunswick, were of immense size, and looked at a little distance like pumpkins or fragments of pumpkins scattered over the ground."
Exchange opened this week by Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Holt
Beacon
June 3/1909
Algonquin Hotel Company will at once proceed with the erection of additional bathing houses at Katy's Cove. Two buildings containing 24 compartments will be put up by Mr. Leo Ross. The beach will also be sanded.
St. Andrews Progress—Supt. Downie of the CPR was in town Tuesday, accompanied by Dr. T. D. Walker, of Saint John. Both gentlemen expressed themselves well pleased with the progressive appearance of St. Andrews. Mr. Downie stated that the indications were that the town would see this season the biggest tourist travel in its history. He also stated that the new CPR wharf would probably be built upon the site of the present "lighthouse Wharf" so called.
St. Croix Courier
June 3/1909
The Campobello Land Company has purchased the lot of land opposite the Welch Pool Arms Hotel at that place together with the building recently occupied as a store, which they will refit and used as an office building to be used by the Post Office, the fisheries inspector, and the customs department of the island. Some work in the line of grading and road building is also being done.
Beacon
June 10/1909
Sir William Van Horne in England
The Canadian Mail of London devotes a page and a half to Sir William Van Horne, "The man who built the CPR." A full-length portrait of Sir William, in silken "topper," Prince Albert coat and "spats," adorns the article. The writer, W. J. Thorold, tells his story of the big Canadian in a most breezy fashion. Some extracts from it are appended:
The keen electric air of the American business life has quickened the youth of so many of the giants of modern Canada that it seems quite natural for Sir William Van Horne to have been born in Illinois. Indeed, the United States may very well go down to fame as having been the training ground for many good Canadians. Anyhow Van Horne was born on the American side of the Great Lakes of Canada, though now he owes his allegiance to His Majesty Edward VII, and is proud to serve under the British flag.
At the age of thirteen he shouldered the burdens of a family bereaved by the death of a most excellent father. The earnings of the lad were six dollars a month, and he ran messages for the Illinois Central Railroad, a company which commenced operating trains when he was eight years old, and which operates them very profitably to this day.
This was over fifty years ago, but who would think it! Although the hair has silvered, his figure is straight, his heart is young, and Sir William thrusts his epigrams and repartees at you with the joy of youth, and all under a top hat set down a little jauntily and cocked airily to one side—while he looks as fine and healthy and well-groomed as a blood-horse. Oh, he's a great boy, is Van Horne!
I met him—but how I met him is what I meant to tell at the very beginning. Van Horne had come to England—I knew that from the fourteen papers that butter my daily bread. They all said so, and therefore it was likely. So I phoned along to the CPR, and asked the voice at the other end if one could see the great man anywhere and and when.
"Perhaps," was the reply, "if you get up early. At half past eight he goes out buying pictures." "Good heavens," I thought, as I laid down the receiver. "Has someone passed that Daylight Saving Bill during the night?"
Then I recollected that this was none of your dear old English company directors who dribble in at half past twelve and toddle off the lunch at one. This was the man who finished a transcontinental railway five years ahead of contract time, five years that were saved to Canada by one man's sleepless energy. This was the veteran who goes to South America for a holiday and starts a new railway in a fit of absent-mindedness. This was the being who painted pictures in the small hours of the morning as a relaxation after sixteen hours of business.
It may be that the story of the way he joined the CPR is mythical. Sop, too, is the story of Helen of Troy. But they are both pretty. It was like this. The syndicate of businessmen who undertook to finish the job that the Government officials had messed, now known as the Canadian Pacific Railway, searched for Van Horne, who was then of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul. They found him in a quick lunch restaurant. By the time your Englishman would have sat down to afternoon tea, Van Horne had appointed his lieutenants, and Canada was moving. Under Van Horne the track was laid at a pace that still remains unequalled, reaching to as much as six miles a day. This rate of construction required 20,000 pounds in cast every twenty-four hours, and most of the present fortunes to shareholders little dream, how much they are indebted to a certain very unobtrusive man in London for helping to find these vast sums of Money. He has never been in the lime-light, never bothered about it, but it was Thomas Skinner who helped the President of the Bank of Montreal to find the millions.
I have a photograph beside me of the memorable scene in which the Hon. Donald A. Smith, now Lord Strathcona, is seen in the act of driving the last spike. Behind him stands Van Horne, with the square sort of hat he still affects, mingled in the crowd yet somehow dominating it, the least suggestion of a smile about his lips, a figure confident yet modest, a great man in a moment of triumph.
Van Horne was the man that made the CPR. And no wonder. Just think of his experience. He had been telegraph operator and a ticket agent. He had worked his way up through every grade, by merit and not by favor. He had seen the inside of every kind of railroad, the Illinois Central, the Michigan Central, the Chicago and Alton, the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern, the Southern Minnesota, and then the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul. He was not an engineer but had made a point of knowing more about engineering than most engineers have ever thought of. And on the top of all he had brain and courage and a capacity for infinite work. He was none of your dandy boys, but worked in his shirtsleeves, sleeping out in the open on a wet mattress on the prairies, living on pork and beans and hot coffee like the commonest labourer, being on the spot to see that things were done.
They were done and that's why Canadian Pacific stands at the price they do today. And that's why they are going higher still.
But this is wandering. I set out to tell you how I met him here in London, and got mixed up with that telephone message. Now you may think that that message was meant to choke me off, but these CPR men have often a curious and unexplained habit of telling the truth, so at the precise hour of 8:23 am, I called on Sir William at his hotel, and there he was, up and ready for anything, even an interview.
I wish I could put down every word he said. But it would be criminal to bring out a notebook when you are talking to such a delightful talker. You just listen, and chuckle, and afterwards recapitulate. Alas! The atmosphere is gone.
[Here follows a spicy report of Sir William's saying with respect to the CPR, the advantages Canada has to offer as a field for the English investor, the reasons why Canadian capitalists are investing in Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, and Chile, and the bright prospect for the Canadian West.]
The Sir William passed on to talk of his Island at St. Andrews in the Province of New Brunswick, which he says is to him the wisp of hay in the donkey's bridle—always leading him on. He is constantly looking forward to spending long leisure weeks at St. Andrews, but rarely gets there at all. The wisp of hay at St Andrews is a picturesque country home with a beautiful flower garden, every flower in which he knows. There he plants trees, and grows strawberries that have no equal in the world. It is an idyllic life that Sir William goes in for there, albeit more in imagination than in reality, a life indeed remote from the bear garden of the Stock Exchange in which so many have their only recreation. So remote, in fact, that as he painted his joys, I began to think he was a true Arcadian.
"But, Sir William," said I, "do you never at St. Andrews divert some little time away from the panting of your trees and strawberries and spend it cutting coupons?" The twinkle that so often lighten those marvellous eyes of his, and which for a time seemed to be dreaming itself away, returned and flashed upon me. "When on my island," he answered, "I do no business; and as to cutting coupons, the man who cuts coupons in this life is not the man who does useful things. The man who is valuable and wise is the man who buys common stock and makes it pay dividends."
A Busy Block
Matters are Hustling around the Big Summer Hotel
If every block of land in the town was the hive of industry that the block in the rear of the Algonquin Hotel has been the past few months, St. Andrews would be the busiest little town in America. Contractors, engineers, electricians, masons, carpenters, teamsters, laborers have been hustling about like beavers, striving to get the new concrete electric powerhouse and laundry in readiness for the opening of the hotel at the end of the month. They have had good weather and have made rapid progress, but there have been delays in the securing of help, so that the building is a few weeks behind. Probably by the first of July it will be ready for use. Machinists are now getting the big engine and bigger boilers and huge smokestack seventy feet in height, in place. When this has been done, the electricians will adjust their dynamos and wires and make connection with the hotel and cottages. Mr. Dietrich, electrical expert, who has had charge of this work, has got through wiring the hotel and is now at work on the Hopkins cottage.
Though the great concrete arch, which is to form the base for the big water tank, is well advanced, it is likely that the present old tank will be used. A little repairing will be necessary. Contractor Deakin, chief architect Painter, and Hotel Supt. Hayter Reed have been here the past week and they have expressed themselves greatly pleased with the advanced condition of affairs. Much of this is due to the "modern hustler;" Mr. Stewart, who has been looking after the contractor's interests. Supt. Jago, on behalf of the Hotel Company, has also been pushing matters along. They have been ably seconded by Mr. Chas. Horsnell.
Big schemes of hotel extensions, cottages and the like are in the air for next season, and it is probably that now that the C. P. R. have taken hold of the place in earnest it will make rapid progress as a summer resort.
Manager Allerton, of the Algonquin, is looking forward to the most successful season in the history of the hotel. The bookings for July and August have been larger than ever before and many applications for desirable rooms have been refused. It is this condition which has forced the Company to think of enlargements.
Beacon
June 17/1909
New CPR Wharf
Mr. Chapman of Woodstock, who is to build the new CPR wharf, arrived in town with his crew on Monday and will begin work at once. The new wharf sill be built on the site of the old one, and may extend out a little farther. It will be sixty feet wide, and will be built of piling, thoroughly braced. A steam pile driver will be employed.
Ballot for watering cart to be out and mailed in.
Golf course laid out in St. George. One already in St. Stephen.
Automobiles Unpopular at Summer Resorts.—At Bar Harbor report is to the effect that an unusually large number of the cottages at that place have been leased; indeed, a much larger number than ever before at this date in June. The Bar Harbor authorities exclude automobiles from the principal highways of the place, and this is said to be one of the prime causes in bringing about so many rentings. The summer residents of the place strongly favor automobile exclusion.—Globe. [A similar feeling prevails at St. Andrews, but is has not yet found any expression in exclusive legislation—Beacon]
The people of Campobello are feeling pleased over the new telephone line which is to run from Wilson's Beach to Welshpool, and thence to the narrows, where it will cross the water, and be connected with the system in Lubec. The line is put in by a company which has sold its shares on the Island principally, and as they are all taken the line will be put in operation as soon as possible. Lubec Herald.
Campobello Island
A Banner Season Looked for on this Beautiful Spot
One visiting Welshpool will not fail to mark the many radical and pleasing changes that are being made among the different possessions of the Campobello Corporation, Ltd., which hold more than the controlling part of this island property, which they purpose to make one of the leading summer resorts down east. Among the several improvements may be found those at the approach to Welshpool. The tearing down of old buildings on the wharves, the making of paths and gravel roadbeds, and a small park along with the New Government Wharf are among the most notable to be seen at first sight.
Leaving the approach to the island, and turning to the left one finds himself passing along a side street upon which front a number of very pretty and attractive cottages owned by the all-year residents, among which is the Batson House, recently fitted up by Albert Buchman, President of the Corporation and a resident of this city. At the end of this road is to be found the old Owen homestead, quaint in its architecture, and associated with my lord of the manor and dames and grand dames much in touch with the reign of George the Third of Great Britain.
It will be remembered that a year ago this Corporation took into control what was known as the Owen, now designated by them as "The Inn." This hotel was very much remodelled and equipped with all sorts of modern conveniences which go with the modern, up-to-date hotel life. The hotel was crowded to its capacity with an overflow last season; to meet the growing demand of western people who find a respite here from the cares of a busy business life from New York, Boston and elsewhere, the Corporation have now at work George Warren Mills and a larger number of men in remodelling this ancient landmark of this gem of the sea. The old chimneys have been torn down, and the interior altogether re-arranged to give suites of rooms with bathrooms for each. The several floors have been jacked up, and heavy posts and other forms of foundation have been emplaced. This change will increase the capacity of the "Inn" by fourteen rooms, to say nothing of the Batson House which will take care of the more transient element.
Evidently when the old Owen home was erected there must of necessity have been very heavy timber on the island for evidence of it is to be found in the framing and in the boarding of the same. Laths as we know them were not known then; thin boarding was partially split and nailed to the heavy studding to carry the heavy plastering. The plumbing of the house was altogether of the older form—lead everywhere.
The Corporation also are having an artesian well drilled by Thomas Kent of St. George on the hill just above the main wharf, beyond the Batson House. Here over ten thousand gallons are expected to be the capacity of the well, which will be forced into a pump above. This will take care of the hotel and hotel cottages and the village itself in the matter of pure water supply, both for home purpose, and for protection against fire.
The corporation are concentrating their schemes of development more particularly at Welshpool, while they are keeping in good repair the two hotels further down and doing everything within their power to make comfortable the cottages at Friar's Head. Without doubt this season will be a banner season, at Campobello, not only owing to the many endeavours of the present owners but also the fact of the happy cooperation with them of all the year residents to this happy end. Eastport Citizen. (seems to think Owen originally a home)
Sir William Van Horne and family have returned safely from their old country visit. While in Europe, whither he had gone solely for a pleasure trip, Sir William spent a large part of his time visiting the picture galleries of the different art centres. Speaking on this head, Sir William remarked to a reporter that a good deal had been heard of spurious paintings, being unloaded on American men of wealth at fabulous prices. This he considered in general contrary to facts, as the great majority of American purchasers were bringing to America very high class of pictures. The galleries on this side of the water compare very favorably indeed with those of Europe
St. Croix Courier
June 17/1909
Rise of Rail Chief. Sir Thomas Shaughnessy rules Great Transportation Affair. (Longish article on Career from Milwaukee paper. Never anything but an office clerk.)
Beacon
June 24/1909
An Island Park. Great Schemes Being worked out on Minister's Island.
Sir William Van Horne is spending thousands of dollars to make a park out of his island kingdom at Covenhoven. A drive way around the island has been laid out, which opens up great possibilities in this respect. For the most part it skirts the outer fringe of the island, opening up to the beholder as he drives along a fresh and beautiful prospect at every turn. Here and there little green spots are planned to delight and rest the eye. Nature has done much to assist Sir William in his schemes by providing beautiful shade trees. There are maples and beeches, and birches, and spruces, with trunks as big as barrels and with wide-spreading branches most symmetrically formed. Scattered here and the over the green sward these beautiful trees create a park-like effect.
But while Nature has been lavish with her tree fruits she has also been lavish with her rocks and boulders. Mile upon mile of rocks that have been dug up on the island in the laying out of roadways or in flitting the waste places for cultivation are formed into stone walls which will interpose barriers between the driveways and the pasture land. There will be between three and four miles of stone walls on the island. The boulders that have proved too large for making walls have been tumbled over the banks and will help to keep the seas from stealing away the little island. Little lakes, for ducks and geese, are being provided here and there along the forest roadway. Most of this work is being done on the northern half of the island.
The southern half, upon which lies Sir Williams' palatial summer home, has been beautified by the addition of flower beds, while a still greater attraction is to be found in his new vinery, which is the largest of its kind in Canada. Grapes, apricots and many other tropical fruits are springing into life, so that before long Sir William will be able to sit under his own vine and fig trees on Minister's Island, as he does on the other island—Cuba—with which he shares his affections and his dollars.
"A most gratifying feature of the improvements on Minister's Island lies in the fact that most of them have been designed to afford pleasure and gratification to the 'stranger and pilgrim' to St. Andrews. The new driveways, when completed, will be open to the public, as have been for years the driveway on the lower section of the island. It is a pleasure to know that this privilege has never been abused by either townsfolk or stranger, though the temptation to 'take just one apple' has been almost irresistible at times."
Sir William Van Horne and Sir Montague Allen are the Canadian directors of the International Banking Corporation, which will be the first banking concern in America to invade Japan.
Beacon
June 24/1909
The Summer Hotels. The Algonquin and the Inn open Once Again.
"Twenty years old today," remarked Manager Allerton at the Algonquin Hotel smilingly, on Monday last, "and the hotel is bigger and better and more prosperous than ever." For the twentieth time the Hotel unlocked its doors to the public and unfurled its banner to the breeze, on Saturday. There were no guests to serve on that day, but the Hotel was ready for them, from basement to roof. Since then guests have been dropping in, and before long the hotel will be crowded. The manager states that never before have there been in the history of the house so many bookings as this season. He says he has had to refuse dozens of applications. The interior of the hotel is looking very beautiful and very artistic this season, with its new carpets on the stairways—by the way there are 880 yards of pure Wilton on the stairs—and its other new furnishings. The green room, the red-room, the splendid dining hall, the palm room, every part of the house in fact, are as clean as wax. There is nothing to offend the eye or any other sense, but everything is attractive and fascinating.
The hotel has been wired for electric lights and these will be turned on about the first of July. The power station is well advanced, the engine, boilers and dynamos are in position, the big smokestack was put in place on Monday and in another ten days fire will be started and the lights turned on. In the meantime the old form of acetylene gas will be used. The old laundry is also being used
One external improvement to the Hotel is the fire escapes which have just been added. These were very necessary and should have been put on years ago.
The grounds about the hotel have been brightened up with flower beds and are looking very attractive.
The Algonquin staff will be composed of the following—A. Allerton, manager; Spencer Farmer, Chief Clerk; William Woods, Steward; Mrs. H. E. Banks, housekeeper; Jas. S. Hobbs, chef. Irving N. Linnell, Head Waiter. James H. Morrison, Head Porter. Lester Struthers, Head Bellman. Thomas R. Hogan, tonsorial artist. Lillian McEleney, parlor Maid. Miss Horsnell, Stenographer. Miss Eva Barton, News Clerk. Fred. Donald, telegraph Operator. Ira Brown, Engineer and electrician. August Suck and ladies, orchestra. The Algonquin cottages will be tenanted by the following Montreal people—Henry Josephs, Percy P. Cowans, H. S. Hold and f. W. Thompson.
The Inn near the Railway station has been open for several days and has had several guests among the first being Mr. and Mrs. Jas. E. Ganong and Prof. and Mrs. Ganong.
Beacon
July 1/1909
Cobb cottage going up near Algonquin
Beacon
July 8/1909
Ad for Algonquin—no list of amenities. Simply "now open for season of 1909"
Beacon
July 15/1909
Rapid progress being made on CPR wharf at lighthouse.
Caddy strike at Algonquin. Want 35 cents per round instead of 25 cents. Mercilessly broken by rushing in scabs and chief agitators banished for the season. "Thus the great caddy strike of 1909 came to an inglorious finish," remarks Armstrong, unsympathetically.
Beacon
July 22/1909
Scientific explanation for hay fever at last.
Algonquin Guests—Master Mortimer Davis and maid; Mrs. David; Master Davis; Misses Davis and Langmaid.
Some 16 cottages are now occupied at Campobello, including private houses rented to visitors. The Inn is also doing a good business, and is rapidly becoming a popular hostelry.—Lubec Herald.
The steamer "Viking" making sight-seeing trips to the islands regularly.
Beacon
July 22/1909
Algonquin Hotel to be Enlarged
St. John Standard—that the seacoast of New Brunswick is becoming more and more appreciated as a summer resort because of its refreshing sea breezes, its absence from intense heat and its beautiful scenery, is well illustrated by the fact that the CPR have decided to add two large wings to their splendid summer hotel at St. Andrews, the Algonquin, in order to provide for the increasing demand for rooms. Architects have already prepared the plans for these wings. They will be built of concrete and made fireproof. It is intended to make them more elaborate than the present accommodation. The building of these wings will necessitate a number of changes in the arrangement of the hotel. The wings will meet the main building the end in which parlor is now situated. This parlor will be done away with, a new office will take its place and a new parlor will be provided. It is planned to have the buildings ready next spring and when complete they'll about double the size of the present hotel.
The Hay Fever
The annual recurrence of hay fever conditions makes the summer season one of torture and distress to many. The medical Record tells us that it is more prevalent in the United States than in any other country, though it is prevalent in Canada. A hundred years ago it did not exist, or at least no mention made of it has come down to us. It has been recently proved that it is due to the pollen of certain grasses and plants. One investigator discovered twenty-five grasses and seven other plants that produce this malign effect upon sensitive subjects. This being so, it is singular that the malady is most prevalent in large cities, while the farmer who comes in constant contact with all sorts of pollen is practically immune. This suggests that like sea-sickness it affects those not habituated to the particular influences that produce it. But once acquired the trouble is not easily shaken off. Drugs do little good. A sea voyage is the surest relief, but it must be prolonged until the pollen flotation is over. Change of residence has resulted in benefit to many, but those places that have been favorites for this purpose, like the White Mountain region, have been spoiled by the cultivation of gardens. There is evidently no affinity between hay fever and the beauty of nature.
Beacon
July 29/1909
Edmund Holt has sold the Exchange hotel to L. G. Chase. The hotel was closed on Tuesday last and Mr. Holt has returned with his family to his farm on the Digdeguash.
The hotel and cottages at Campobello are at last filling with summer guests, the excessive heat of the larger cities hurrying people to the seashore resorts earlier than usual this season—sentinel.
Beacon
Aug 5/1909
Much about yachting these last few years.
Mr. R. B. Van Horne's Uvira is of racing stock, as her clean, symmetrical lines would indicate. She can reel off the knots in dizzy fashion when she is pushed into it as her owner likes to do. Capt. John O'Halloran is sailing master.
Town will drop investigation of drilling at Hume's hill pending the Land Company's investigation of water situation.
Beacon
Aug 12/1909
A domestic in Sir William Van Horne's summer home went out for an early morning bath last Friday. Her prolonged absence caused inquiries to be made. She was found in an unconscious state in the bath house, having been seized with illness while in the water. Medical treatment was summoned from town and she soon recovered.
Prof. Oastler and wife of Minister's Island, are receiving congratulations. It's a boy.
One of the most important questions before the people of St. Andrews is that of a dependable water supply. The future development of the town depends to a very large extent upon the solution that is reached. In the interview which Sir Thomas Shaughnessy gave to the representatives of the town last week he stated that he would feel compelled to withhold his consent from any farther hotel enlargement until the water question was determined beyond the shadow of a doubt. He did not say this for the purpose of influencing popular feeling in St. Andrews but for business reasons which must be potent to everybody who is acquainted with the situation here. Sir Thomas recognizes the fact that the St. Andrews people are not in a position to bring in a supply from Chamcook, but he hopes that when engineers have looked over the ground a way may be opened up whereby the water can be obtained at a cost that would be within reach.
Well drilling machine at Algonquin pounding the earth day and night, seeking for more water.
C. P. R. Engineers are making a survey from Chamcook Lake to St. Andrews in connection with the water plans.
Beacon
Aug 19, 1909
Sir William Van Horne gave testimony before the Grand Falls expropriation commission at Saint John last week. He said that the Grand Falls power site was good value for $1,000,000 and that by reason of its nearness to open ports (like St. Andrews) it was one of the best on the continent.
The Saint John papers seem to be in constant dread lest someone should steal the winter port from them. The other days when Sir William Van Horne visited Saint John, he was pounced upon by reporters of two newspapers who wanted to know whether the winter port business was to be taken from Saint John and given to L'Etang and St. Andrews. Sir William's reply was a diplomatic one. He could not speak for the CPR, but it was his view that Saint John would remain the winter port, but it cannot expect to be the only winter port. As the Dominion develops other ports must arise to care for the increased traffic that this development will bring about. That L'Etang and St. Andrews will both ultimately become winter ports of Canada, together with the port of Saint John, we have not the slightest doubt. Faith in the furor of the Dominion, faith in the great natural advantages of the ports we have mentioned, compel us to this view. . . . No amount of diplomacy can hide these facts. Sir William knows them, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy knows them, and what these two men know the CPR knows. When the time is fine and ripe the CPR will use the port. But it will also use Saint John, and we would hasten to assure our city brethren of the quill that they need lose to sleep on this point.
Beacon
Aug 26/1909
Campobello, we are pleased to state, is enjoying one of the best seasons in its history as a summer resort. All the cottages are occupied and the summer hotel is taxed to its utmost capacity.
The Campobello Island Corporation has secured control of the Lord and Wells properties on the island. The original holdings of these people amounted to 2100 acres, but they have been reduced somewhat by sales during recent years.
Beacon
Sept 2/1909
The summer tide of travel is on the ebb. At the flood it was the highest that St. Andrews has ever enjoyed.
Kennedy's had almost 300 more guests in August than in 1908.
Well at Algonquin down 550 feet without finding sufficient flow of water.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 9/1909
The members of the Algonquin orchestra, Miss Ames, pianist, Mr. Lake, cello, Mr. Scott, violinist, returned to Boston Monday.
Beacon
Sept 9/1909
St. Andrews Views Thro' Tourist Spectacles
Joseph Smith—not Elder Joseph Smith, of Mormondom, with a plurality of wives, but Joseph Smith of Newspaperdom, with a plurality of ideas in his well-ordered cranium—has been visiting St. Andrews and has written of his experiences in the Boston Traveller. Under the heading "A Voyage of Discovery—Last Leg," Mr. Smith thus soliloquizes with respect to St. Andrews:—
We have a friend who holds that no summer resort is worth a thought where a man cannot sit out on the verandah in his shirt sleeves, put his feet on the railing and yell baseball scores at his neighbour in the next house. You cannot indulge in anything quite as democratic as this at St. Andrews, but you can play golf to your heart's content; you can gad all over Passamaquoddy bay in a motor boat very close to nature, or you can fish off the wharf with a native, swap yarns about the war of 1812, or listen to the legends of the golden age of St. Andrews, when the patron Saint of the Democracy, T. Jefferson, laid his embargo and these waters were filled with smugglers.
Along back in those early days, when the people on either side of line made faces at each other, when the British Lion was called a yellow dog and the American Eagle a clucking hen, this town of St. Andrews was some pumpkins; it had a garrison of red coats and Fort Tipperary on the crest of the ridge; and, with its Old Dominion Loyalists, was as cocky and blood-thirsty as could be. Since those days the shouting has ceased, the ships have sailed away, the captains are on crutches or in the cemeteries. St. Andrews has become humanized and slumberous, and in the very middle of Fort Tipperary, surrounded by sodden ramparts, stands the summer home of the president of the C. P. R., and the old 32-pounder pointing across the St. Croix River is only a receptacle for the flotsam and jetsam children push down its black and harmless throat.
So passeth the glory of the World.
The people who summer in St. Andrews are not really up-to-date; they go there to rest and their conduct is calculated to make a self-respecting cad or bounder sick with disgust and disdain. It is true we were there only for a day or two, but in that time we never saw an automobile, we didn't see a single lady—or a married one—going in swimming with a diamond tiara and a brass band; no monkeys, French poodles or Russian princes were entertained during our stay, and a guest could get his meals without carrying a letter of introduction to the head waiter or surrendering his watch to the waiter. The most shocking and revolting thing about the Algonquin Hotel was the number of children around the place, and the parents, who appeared to be proud and fond of them. St. Andrews is cool and restful but dreadfully behind the times in real fashionable splurge and reverberation; why, they don't even have a sardine cannery or an effluvia there; the place is hopelessly slow.
St. Andrews is just now dreaming dreams of greatness when she will wake up to find fleets swinging in her tides, when the roar of her whistles and the rattle of her machinery will give every herring in her seas insomnia, and when she will have hustle, industry, wealth and happiness galore, where now she has only peace, plenty and a pleasant poverty. The C. P. R. has bought up all the waterfront and nailed down pretty near all the real estate in the region, and some fine morning Saint John, New Brunswick will be a reminiscence; Portland, Maine, will be only a summer resort, and St. Andrews will be a noisy, chesty, smoky, uncomfortable municipal bounder, brother to Chicago, Winnipeg and Seattle. We trust it won't be in our day.
It is understood that the St. Andrews Land Company. . . has determined upon obtaining the water for the enlarged Algonquin Hotel from Chamcook Lake. It is hoped that the cost of this work will not be so great that the town cannot participate in it and share the benefits arising therefrom. Twenty years ago, a proposition was made to the people of St. Andrews to supply them with Chamcook lake water. The proposition was turned down, as was also a proposition a year later by the same company to supply the town from artesian wells. Since that time many thousands of dollars have been spent by the hotel company and by private individuals in providing water for themselves, and still there is a very strong feeling that our present supply is inadequate and uncertain. That feeling recently found expression in the vote authorizing the sinking of test wells by the town council. The council was proceeding to carry out the wishes of the people in this respect when scarcity of water for hotel and cottage purposes compelled the Land Company to look towards Chamcook for a supply. In view of this fact the water committee of the council did not feel warranted in proceeding with their tests. The disposition of the Land Company at the present time is to share the cost with the own, so that the latter may get the use of the supply, making the cost as low as possible. All the expense of engineering survey and enquiry is being borne by the Company. When the company has completed its estimate of the cost of the system we will be in a better position to state as to whether the own will be able to join hands with Land Company in the enterprise. But whether the town does or not the Company will bring the water here for its own use, which in itself will be a great boon for the place.
Welshpool Saved. By Water System Recently Inaugurated. That Welshpool, Campobello's pretty summer resort, was saved from a very serious conflagration by the water system recently inaugurated by the Campobello Corporation, was the opinion expressed on Friday last by Mr. H. M. Merriman, the representative of the corporation who was in St. Andrews. Mr. Merriman stated that the afternoon before the fire had broken out in an out building on Mr. John Alexander's property. The well on the premises was soon exhausted in an effort to extinguish the fire. The flames continued to gain in strength and had assumed a very threatening aspect for the whole village when connection was made with the 5000-gallon reservoir recently established on the hill above by the Corporation. It was not long before the fire yielded to this stream. By wetting down other buildings in the vicinity the progress of the fire was completely stopped. Mr. Alexander lost two wagons, a sleigh, and a barrel of kerosene. The reservoir is supplied from an artesian well which was drilled a short time ago by Mr. Thomas cent.
Beacon
Sept 9, 1909
Harry Clarke, Sir William Van Horne's gardener, had the misfortune to lose a portion of one of his fingers on Friday last in the windmill machinery.
Beacon
Sept 16/1909
The Algonquin Hotel has closed its doors on Tuesday, after the most successful season in its history. In anticipation of greater business in the future, preparations are now being made by the C. P. R. Company for enlarging the hotel. Mr. Robert Clark, who had charge of the additions to the Hotel Frontenac, Quebec, arrived here last Thursday and is laying out the ground for the new wing which will be completed in time for next season. Mr. Clark will at once proceed with the erection of the foundation. The superstructure, the plans for which are not quite complete, will probably be built by tender. The addition will give the hotel 100 more rooms. The construction of these works will provide employment for a large number of men and teams.
Beacon
Sept 16/1909
D. R. Forgan, pres. National City Bank of Chicago, has purchased three lots near Algonquin for summer residence.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 16/1909
A merry party from St. Andrews, employees of the Algonquin, came up the river in a motorboat Tuesday evening, and spent several hours in town, departing about 1:00 am.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 23/1909
At the Fredericton fair, Sir William Van Horne carried off all the prizes for French-Canadian cattle and his stock was very favorably commented upon.
Men are in demand for the work of enlarging the Algonquin at St. Andrews. It is reported that the new building will cost $100,000 and that it will practically make the present building an annex to the main hotel.
Beacon
Oct 7/1909
The Jewish residents of St. Stephen and Calais have bought from W. L Grimmer the large house on Marks Street opposite the engine hall, which will be converted into a synagogue, a high school and a residence for the rabbi. At a service held Saturday, the day of the atonement, $520 was raised towards this object. Courier
Ground has been broken for an extensive addition to Sir William Van Horne's summer residence on Minister's Island. The addition is chiefly intended for a studio for Sir William. Charles Horsnell will do the stone-work, and Angus Rigby the carpenter work.
Charlotte County Exhibition
Excerpts:
Sir William exhibited a two-year old Clydesdale that was a very smooth looking article. . . . Sir William Van Horne's cattle exhibit bulked large. There was Sir Nicholas, the great belted bull, and a dozen or more belted cattle of various kinds and ages, including two little belted calves that arrived in time for the opening, also Sir William's handsome French Canadian cattle. . . . In cattle and dairy products, W. E. Armstrong, Waweig, took first prize for French Canadian bull. All the other first prizes in that class went to Sir William Van Horne, whose fine herd of Dutch belted cattle also took all the first prizes in its class.
Beacon
Oct 21/1909
The Poor Committee was empowered to continue the existing arrangement, with the keeper of the Town Home, Mr. McCullough, until April next, and to dispose of the farm crops to the best advantage.
Montreal Standard Oct. 9—"The new hotel will be called 'The Algonquin Hotel.'" Mistakes addition for whole thing. Wry title of Beacon excerpt: "Montreal Paper discovers Algonquin Hotel, St. Andrews."
Albert Denley has entered into a contract with Leo Ross to build a 22 by 29 foot addition to his livery stable.
No work in Council from St. Andrews land Co on its water decisions.
New Algonquin wing laid out.
T. R. Kent, Well-borer, last week cleaned out and tested the artesian well from the which the Algonquin Hotel has been procuring is supply lately. It yielded 1350 gallons per hour for a period of 36 hours.
Beacon
Oct 28/1909
Prompt Sir William
A good many years ago a prominent railway contractor was in Sir William Van Horne's office at the CPR headquarters at Montreal talking over some work that was in progress. The contractor and Sir William, says the Montreal Star, had a pretty lively discussion, and the former suddenly said: "Who is your chief engineer?" "I am the chief engineer," said Sir William. "Well," said the contractor, "you had better get another. You are going to have a bad accident, and the first thing you know you will be sent to jail."
Sir William punched a bell, and Mr. P. A. Peterson responded. "Peterson," said Sir William, "you have served us long and faithfully, and you are hereby appointed chief engineer of the CPR." Home Journal.
Mr. Durant, the sugar refinery promoter, was invited to come to St. Andrews by the town council to look over the business opportunities here. He came he saw, he went away persuaded that St. Andrews has commercial opportunities that are surpassed by few ports on the Atlantic. He told a Saint John reporter that St. Andrews has "The advantage over Saint John in the matter of harbor" and that he would have "to build abut a few feet out in the harbor (at St. Andrews) to make berths that would accommodate the largest vessels afloat."
This strong praise, coming from an outsider, but it is in accord with what we have been saying for years.
Beacon
Nov 4/1909
Halifax is getting busy. Sir Thomas Shaughnessy once remarked that Halifax was the proper winter port for mails and the passengers, but the freight port should be on the Bay of Fundy.
Lady and Miss Van Horne closed up Covenhoven and betook themselves to Montreal for the winter.
New Summer Dwelling—For F. W. Thompson. On site as old Bailey House. Architect W. and E. Maxwell.
Beacon
Nov 11/1909
Proposed Water System
Town Council Wants to Co-operate with C. P. R.
The town council met in special session on Friday night last when a communication was read from Sir Thomas Shaughnessy with respect to the proposed water system from Chamcook Lake. Sir Thomas outlined the water schemes his Company were considering, and stated that while they were designed for the Company's hotel and cottages, they might be made available for the Town, if it wished to join with the Company and bear a proportion of the expense. The Company's estimate of the cost of bringing the water by a 6 inch pipe, by gravity a distance of 11,500 feet, then pumping it through a 6 inch pipe to a 300,000 gallon reservoir on the hill and in the rear of the Hoar property, and from there into the Company's hotel and cottages through a 10 inch main, was in the vicinity of $80,000. This did not include land damages.
The Water Committee in submitting the communication, made the following recommendations:—
"Your committee, being of the opinion that an arrangement favorable to the town might be entered into with the C. P. R. by which the Town would agree to pay a certain proportion of the cost of bringing water from Chamcook lake to the limits of the town proper, and also a certain proportion of the cost of maintenance thereafter, the Town to assume the burden of distributing and maintaining the water within the confines of the town, or that an arrangement might be made by which for a stated yearly sum the Company would agree to deliver at the head of the Town a sufficient supply of water for town purposes—would recommend that he correspondence with the C. P. R. be continued with that object in view.
"Your Committee would further recommend that it be empowered to obtain an approximate estimate from some reliable engineer of the cost of furnishing the Town with the necessary pipes and plant to supply the town with water from the source above indicated."
The report was unanimously adopted, the members of council giving expression to the hope that the negotiations would result in providing the Town with an up-to-date water system.
Wreck of steamer Hestia off Grand Manan. Details.
Beacon
Nov 18/1909
Photo of new gate for cemetery of Church of St. Andrews.
St. Andrews has made a bid for the Saint John sugar refinery project.
Beacon
Nov 18/1909
Mrs. E. L. Andrews has good-sized tea party on Minister's Island. List of guests.
St. Andrews makes proposal for sugar refinery. Good article.
CPR interested
New CPR wharf used for first time for landing of a cargo of sardines. Substantial structure and a credit to the master foreman George Chapman.
Glenelg Dark Porphry Quarries. "The Best and Handsomest Monumental Stone on the Market." R. A Stuart and Son, St. Andrews
St. Croix Courier
November 25/1909
Wilson's Beach and Welshpool have been connected by a new telephone line.
The new CPR wharf was used last week for the first time for the loading of a cargo of sardines. It is a substantial structure and is creditable to the master foreman, George Chapman
A floor of mosaic tiling has been laid in the office of Kennedy's Hotel in St. Andrews by Robert Faloon. This is to be taken as further proof that the youthful proprietor of the excellent hotel "leaves no stone unturned" to maintain his position in the vanguard of the leading hostelries.
Beacon
Nov 25/1909
CPR wharf
The freight shed is in process or removal this week from the old CPR wharf to the new structure. The old wharf will be retopped and thoroughly repaired. This will give the railway two excellent wharves at this port.
CPR displaying a lot of activity about St. Andrews this fall.
Inn at Indian Point being repaired. New building for lighting plant; brick chimney for kitchen on outside of the ell, rustic fence of neat pattern will be put up on either side of the driveway and a variety of other changes.
Beacon
Dec 2/1909
Senator MacKay Leads
Pointing out that the control of Canadian companies is in very few hands, Moody's Magazine shows the directors who are at the elm in the big enterprise. Of the important concerns, Senator Mackay leads, for he is a director of 14 concerns, having total assets of $765,000,000. The list in part is as follows:
Mackay, R. 14 $765,000,000
Hosmer, C. R. 10 $667,000,000
Strathcona, Lord 9 $662,000,000
Shaughnessy, Sir T. 6 $620,000,000
Van Horne, Sir W. 12 $594,000,000
Meighen, R. 5 $481,000,000
Sir William Van Horne Denies he said Canada Should Chip In
Montreal Herald. Sir William Van Horne, Chairman of the CPR board, repudiated entirely, at his residence in Sherbrooke street this morning, the special despatch from Winnipeg, published in the Montreal Gazette of Saturday last, attributing to hi the statement that "it is time for Canada to chip in and give Great Britain the money to build up her navy."
Sir William has just returned in his private car Saskatchewan from a trip to his farm at Selkirk, Manitoba, and when asked if he cared to discuss western conditions after the trip he replied that his visit was purely private and he had nothing to say regarding conditions in the West which were pretty well known by everybody. So far as the statement with regard to the navy was concerned he had never expressed any opinion at all on the subject, and as he never interfered in political questions he had nothing to say on the subject.
Mr. Howard Rigby has bought from Mrs. Roosevelt, of New York, the handsome pleasure knock-about, "Barracouta," which has been her property of late. This craft was designed by Herreshoff, and is both speedy and comfortable. It is 42 feet overall, with a breadth of beam of 10 ½ feet. The vessel has three suits of the best of sails, with a racing spinnaker as big as a balloon, and extra rigging. Mr. Rigby will keep her at Campobello this winter. Next Spring he will bring her to St. Andrews and put an engine in her. She will be used for pleasure purposes. The "Barracouta" will be a creditable addition to the St. Andrews Yachting Club fleet.
Summer cottages
Mr. Wright McLaren has the Jeremiah Smith cottage well advanced toward completion. Last week the lumber for the F. W. Thompson cottage arrived and work on it is being rapidly pushed forward. Dr. D. R. Forgan, of Chicago, who recently purchased a building site near the Algonquin Hotel, has been corresponding with Mr. McLaren with a view to beginning the construction of a summer dwelling upon it next spring.
Beacon
Dec 9/1909
The Campobello Corporation are installing a new system of water works in Welshpool. Mains have been laid in the principal streets of the village and fire hydrants will be installed. There will be reservoir with a storage capacity of 100,000 gallons.
Mr. and Mrs. H. Morton Merriman took winter quarter this year in the old Owen Homestead, which was fitted up with modern conveniences and improvements. The refitted Owen homestead will be thrown open for living quarters as an annex to The Inn.
Beacon
Dec 16/1909
New Wharves
The CPR wharf at the lighthouse is now complete and the building crew has been dispersed. It is a splendid structure and reflects credit upon the foreman, Mr. George Chapman. A large part of the new wharf is taken up with a large warehouse.
The public wharf at the Market Square, built under contract with the Dominion government by Contractor Fawcett of Woodstock, is also complete. Like the wharf above mentioned it has been supplied with a movable slip for landing freight and passengers at all times of tide. Mr. Fawcett has worked hard to fulfill his contract and he has given the public a substantial wharf.
Santa in an auto! See Ad.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 16/1909
Welsh Pool to get a system of waterworks and hydrants for fire protection.
Prohibition in effect. Weekly WCTU columns