Item
St. Croix Courier
Jan 14/1915
Switzerland of Canada
Rev. Dr. Hutchison of Saint John to Address Women's Canadian Club
(on Rockies—early influence of CPR)
Beacon
Feb 4/1915
St. Andrews in Poetry
by A. Wylie Mahon
A little volume of poems, "Rosemary and Rue," by Mrs. Estelle Hollister Wilson, of Montreal, has just been published, which reveals the tender hold which St. Andrews has upon those who summer there. Mrs. and Mrs. J. T. Wilson were amongst the first guests to register at the Algonquin when the hotel was opened more than twenty years ago. Many sad breaks have been made in the charmed circle which fellowshipped there in those happy days when mind and heart meant more than money. Amongst the number who have crossed the bar is Mr. Wilson, who was greatly beloved by those who knew him best. Since Mr. Wilson's death Mrs. Wilson has continued to make the Algonquin her summer home, attracted thither by her love for St. Andrews and by the sweet memories of the happy summers pent there before the sad break in the tenderest of all earth's ties. Readers of the Beacon have long since learned to look, as the summer season drew to an end, for a sweet little poem, with tender touches of sadness in it, from the pen of "E. H. W." which being interpreted meant Estelle Hollister Wilson. In "Rosemary and Rue" we meet again with some of these beautiful lyrics. The little poem, "St. Andrews by the Sea" is full of local color, and is worthy of a place beside Pauline Johnson's poem on the same attractive subject. Poem and others follow.
Pauline Johnson (1861-1913)
From: "Flint and Feather" (1912)
Low Tide at St. Andrews (New Brunswick)
The long red flats stretch open to the sky,
Breathing their moisture on the August air.
The seaweeds cling with flesh-like fingers where
The rocks give shelter that the sands deny ;
And wrapped in all her summer harmonies
St. Andrews sleeps beside her sleeping seas.
The far-off shores swim blue and indistinct,
Like half-lost memories of some old dream.
The listless waves that catch each sunny gleam
Are idling up the waterways land-linked,
And, yellowing along the harbour's breast,
The light is leaping shoreward from the west.
And naked-footed children, tripping down,
Light with young laughter, daily come at eve
To gather dulse and sea clams and then heave
Their loads, returning laden to the town,
Leaving a strange grey silence when they go,—
The silence of the sands when tides are low.
"Passing Through .. From Town Hall to Opera House"
by Patricia Belier
originally published in The Officers' Quarterly v. 11, n. 3, Summer 1995, p. 10-12
Starting in 1901, Pauline Johnson no longer travelled alone, having formed a partnership with fellow-performer Walter McRaye. In his memoir Pauline Johnson and Her Friends (1946), he mentions her many visits to St. Andrews, New Brunswick, where she was the guest of Kate (Mrs. Hayter) Reed and where she composed her poem "Low Tide at St. Andrews." Mr. Reed was a former Indian Commissioner who became Manager-in-Chief of the C.P.R. hotels, including The Algonquin in St. Andrews, which his wife decorated. The Reeds eventually built a delightful home beside the hotel and called it Pansy Patch.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 4/1915
CPR Bridge over the St. Croix Dynamited by German Officer
Got a Fool Notion in his head that, in some way, he was advancing the Cause of Germany and came from New York with Plans of Bridge in his pocket—was arrested in Vanceboro and it may be impossible to secure his extradition. (details—claimed to be German officer, by the name of Van Horn
Highway Improvement
Road Movement is Growing
Question of Public Highways Now Involves Nation as Whole—Values of Farm property Enhanced
Many of the southern and western states have made remarkable progress within the past two or three years in the enactment of laws which provide for the extension of their highway systems, and of the construction and care of improved roads. The new conditions arising from the development of automobile traffic have enlarged the question of public highways from one of purely local consideration to an economic principle involving not only the entire commonwealth, but the nation as a whole.
When the traffic consisted of wagons drawn by oxen, or mules, or horses, open roads to the nearest railroad station or boat landing were all that was required. The fact that even such roads were not well built, nor kept in repairs, was due to a variety of causes, writes Robert P. Hooper, in Farm Home. Each particular locality had an explanation purely local, to account for the conditions. But as a rule, these explanations did not explain, even to the satisfaction o those making them.
The fact still remained that nearly or quite 90 per cent of the farmers of the country were keeping themselves poor by reason of the excessive cost of marketing their products. These products could be hauled only at seasons when everybody had to haul. This resulted in temporarily overworked railway service, congested markets, and low prices.
The older and wealthier states saw the point first, and began giving aid to counties and towns in building improved roads, so that produce could be marketed at any time in the year. The result was almost electrical in its effect. Thousands of farms which, because of their relative unprofitableness under a bad road system, had been practically abandoned, became productive again. The general values of farm property were enormously enhanced. This was accomplished by the building of a few town and county roads purely for local purposes.
Then the automobile became a factor in the road question, and the road problem became widened and enlarged. With vehicles, which would cover 100 or 200 miles a day, the conditions in each county rapidly became known to the people in adjoining counties, and a broader comprehension of the whole highway question was inevitable in a country were intelligence predominates. (next few issues have articles of mechanics of road improvement, and social benefits of good roads)
Beacon
Feb 11/1915
22 cattle on Sir William Van Horne's stock farm were killed last week by order of the Government Veterinary Department, as being infected with tuberculosis.
Beacon
Feb 18/1915
Chamcook Sardine Factory to Start Again
A party of seven composed of the following gentlemen: E. F. Pitman and H. M. Hare, Boston; J. Spencer Smith, Tenalfy, New York; M. I. Palson and W. C. Palson, Gloucester, Mass.; T. E. Libby, Vinalhaven, Maine, and J. J. Piper, Townsend, Mass, representing the Lane-Libby Fisheries Co., of Boston, Mass., who have acquired control of the Canadian Sardine Company's plant at Chamcook, arrived here on Saturday last to make an inspection of the mammoth works at Chamcook. Plans are now being prepared for a freezing, canning and general fish business similar to that now in operation by the Lane-Libby Co., in Portland, Maine, and in Gloucester, Mass. The Company is composed of practical men of long experience in the fish business, and they are certain to make of their new acquisition at Chamcook an industry that will prove of great benefit to St. Andrews and to Charlotte County at large.
The members of the party returned to their homes by Monday night's train. We hope soon to be able to record that the Chamcook plant, which has been idle or so long has resumed operations.
Beacon
Feb 25/1915
David Copperfield in seven reels being shown at Andraeleo Hall. Also, popular serial "Dollie of the Dailies" will be shown, also the "Hearst-Selig New Pictorial" which is always good. Ad this issue.
Bowling at Stinson's popular. Algonquins, Tipperaries, Montreals, Damfinos.
Beacon
March 4/1915
Miss Ellen Terry Improving Rapidly
New York, Feb. 24. Miss Ellen Terry, the actress, 67 years old, who underwent an operation yesterday for the removal of a cataract from her right eye, was reported to be improving rapidly today, and it is expected that she would be able to leave the hospital in two weeks.
Beacon
March 11/1915
Sardines Plentiful
Connors Bros., Black's Harbor, resumed the packing of sardines on March 1st. Some very good catches are being made. One day recently the firm took forty hogsheads of the fish, paying $5 per hogshead. this firm have also been looking into the question of supplying pit props for the British market. They find tonnage scarce, and the price of props is hardly high enough on the other side to encourage shipping. –Globe, March 5.
Beacon
March 25, 1915
Mr. W. J. McQuoid has recently purchased a McLaughlin seven passenger vehicle.
St. Croix Courier
April 1/1915
Maine Road Book
Present indications are that Maine, as well as all of the summer resort sections of New England, is to have one of the greatest seasons in its history so far as tourist travel is concerned. Even at the present time inquiries are being received from every section of the country by the touring information bureau of the Maine Automobile Association at 12 Monument Square, Portland, and the Maine hotels report the heaviest bookings in their history. In many houses every room is taken from July and August. So great has been the inquiry for road literature about Maine that the Maine Automobile Association is taking every effort to issue its annual book several weeks earlier than in previous years. An attempt will be made to have the book ready for distribution in Aril and it is hoped that this may be done.
The 1915 edition will contain over 35 percent more matter than any previous volume. It will have in the neighbourhood of one hundred complete routes not printed in 1914 and this year it will cover all of Aroostook county and every section of the state not represented in any of the previous editions. Many of the standard routes which last year were given in one direction only, have this year been reversed. The scope of the book has also been greatly enlarged and this year will include a number of routes in New Brunswick as well as the route between Quebec and Maine; New Hampshire is completely covered as well as parts of Massachusetts.
It will have a digest of the new laws of interest to automobilists and good roads advocates passed at the present session of the Maine legislature which ends in about two weeks, together with the new game laws, new fire prevention laws and everything else of interest to the motorist traveling in Maine.
One of the most noteworthy features of the 1915 edition will be the fact that it will have flexible, waterproof, leather binding and the paper will be slightly tinted so that the matter in ink may be easily read in bright sunshine without affecting the eyes.
Beacon
April 1/1915
New Algonquin Hotel Nearing Completion
The new Algonquin Hotel, which has been erected on the site of the building partially destroyed by the fire on April 11 last, is fast approaching completion, inside and outside.
The new Hotel is a six-storied structure of reinforced concrete throughout, only two wings of the former building having been so constructed, and has terra partitions and a roof of red slates from quarries in Wales. A large veranda, which commands a magnificent view, extends along the entire office floor; and from the main entrance along the front to the northern wing is a second veranda to which access is gained from the second floor. The grounds at the rear of the building are to be terraced, but those at the front remain as before.
The Hotel is fitted throughout with electric light, hot-water heating apparatus, electric elevators, and a telephone system connected with all the rooms.
Each guest room, of which there are 220, is fitted with extra-large clothes closets, running water, and bath and closet connexion arranged to serve two adjoining rooms. Besides the guest rooms there is sleeping accommodation for 250 employees, which is also provided with lavatories, baths, etc.
On the office floor are situated the main office, news stand, telegraph office, telephone exchange, ticket and information bureau, manager's office, ladies' reception room, gentlemen's smoking room, ladies' drawing room of large size with a retiring room connected, manicure parlor, barber shop, and coat and chick room; and from the main lounge room, which adjoins the office, there are three stairways, besides the elevators.
The main dining room, which is also situated on the office floor, is 112 1/192 feet by 49 1/192 feet, and has a magnificent view from every part of it. Besides this there is a private dining room, an officers' dining room, and one for nurses and children.
The kitchen, which is being finished in white enamel, is probably the most interesting feature of the Hotel. It is conveniently arranged, and is fitted with all those modern appliances which the present-day chef requires, and which only an expert could describe. It is stated that there is no better equipped hotel kitchen in Canada than this one.
The gentlemen's lounge room, which is on the floor below the office, and near the entrance, is a most attractive room, with tile floor, open fireplace, and all the fittings necessary for comfort.
The basement contains the bakery, ice-cream freezing room, two main refrigerator plants, steward's office, general storeroom, baggage room, wine room, coal bunkers, and the entrance to the tunnel leading to the laundry nearby.
The finish of the entire Hotel is plain and bright. The carpeting on the office floor is to be green; on the second floor brown, on the third green, and on the fourth brown.
Great care was taken in the reconstruction to render the Hotel fireproof, and the metal fire-doors which cut off the different wings and stairways are held by fusible links which, in the event of fire, would melt should the temperature be raised to 100 degrees or over, and thus close the doors automatically.
The lavatories, bathrooms and shower baths on each floor are fitted with the very latest equipments. The shower baths have an arrangement that prevents the water from becoming too hot.
Mr. A. Allerton, the genial and accomplished Manager, who has been daily watching the work of rebuilding, is look forward to a very busy season, which opens on June 15 next; and already 200 guests are booked, who will occupy 144 of the rooms.
With such a magnificent Hotel, the property of our great transportation Company, the Canadian Pacific Railway, which is undoubtedly the best summer hostelry in America, accommodation will be provided for a portion of the ever increasing number of people who are attracted to St. Andrews in the summer months by its healthful climate, its beautiful situation and magnificent scenery, its famous golf links, its unrivalled facilities for yachting (Passamaquoddy Bay being almost completely land-locked seaward, thereby excluding the heavy ocean swell), its bathing, its delightful drives and good roads, and its thousand-and-one charms which endear it to the natives of the town and surrounding country and to all who have ever visited it.
The coming summer is likely to see even a larger influx of visitors to St. Andrews than usual in the past, in view of the war in Europe which will prevent from going there so many thousands of Americans and Canadians who must go somewhere for the summer. St. Andrews will welcome them all; and all who come will be delighted
Andraeleo Hall the King St. Theater. H. W. Chase Proprietor. Mary Pickford as Cinderella playing. A children's film.
Beacon
April /1915
Death in Saint John of Donald Armstrong, aged fifteen, son of R. E. Armstrong. Details.
Mr. Armstrong lived at 211 Queen St. Death March 26, aged fifteen. Two brothers, Fraser, C. E., superintendent of water mains, and Edwin, of the Bank of Nova Scotia staff. Sister Mrs. R. W. Churchill, wife of Lieutenant Churchill, of Halifax, NS. Delegation from St. Andrews attended.
Beacon
April 2, 1915
Quo Vadis Coming
Quo Vadis, the world's greatest motion picture, in eight reels, will be presented at the Andraeleo for two nights during next week. Dodgers announcing dates will be distributed early in the week. Not less than half a million dollars was expended, and two years of arduous toil to complete this wonderful production. The scenes were laid in Italy, and the play covers the entire period from the crucifixion of Christ to the death of Nero. The scenes of the burning of Rome are too spectacular and thrilling to relate. This is the same photoplay which played to over thirty thousand people at P. F. Keith's Hippodrome in New York City.
Beacon
April 15/1915
A grand ball was held in Merriman's hall on Easter Monday under the management of Marvin Williams.
Beacon
April 22/1915
Sir William Van Horne came in on Saturday's train in his private car "Saskatchewan" and got off at the Bar Road. He returned to Montreal by the evening's train, after looking over his interests on Minister's Island.
From the Montreal Herald:
Nature has done much for St. Andrews, New Brunswick. No prettier place can be found on the Atlantic Coast, for a summer holiday. Here are two of the best golf courses in America. Here, also, the visitor finds a delightful bathing beach, excellent boating, numerous tennis courts and croquet lawns, an electric lighted bowling green, charming drives, good fresh and saltwater fishing, pleasant society, and many other attractions. The golf links at Joe's Point, over-looking Passamaquoddy Bay, are unrivalled in North America. They are under the skillful care of John Peacock, a well-known professional trained in the Royal and Ancient game at St. Andrews, in Scotland. The C. P. R. has just completed the reconstruction of the Algonquin Hotel, which is now one of the most attractive hotels in Canada. It will be opened for service on June 15th. and many well-known Montrealers have made reservations here for their vacations.
Beacon
April 29/1915
St. Andrews by the Sea
The drive along the Bar Road at St. Andrews by the Sea to Minister's Island presents the novelty once experienced by the Children of Israel that of going through a passage in the sea which had fallen back on either side. This drive takes one through the bed of the ocean twenty feet below sea level at high water. Add to these attractions the invigorating sea breezes, the golf course, the bathing beach at Katie's Cove, the delightful society at the Algonquin Hotel, and you understand why St. Andrews is the perfect summer resort.—Montreal Herald
Wheat Growing on Minister's Island
On Friday last Mr. sharp, overseer of Sir William Van Horne's farm on Minister's Island, had three acres sown with wheat. the field on which it was sown had a crop of mangels last year and was consequently in good shape for grain. the high price wheat is now commanding influenced Mr. Sharp in this departure from the usual practice. The wheat, however, is not intended for milling purposes, but for feeding poultry. The seed was sown at the rate of two bushels to the acre; and use was made of formalin to prevent smut. The rainy weather prevailing recently should give the wheat a good start. There are twelve acres in all sown in grain on Sir William's farm this year.
Beacon
May 6/1915
From Journal of Commerce: new casino has "three modern bowling alleys" and "a splendid billiard auditorium adapted to the social functions on the season and dancing every evening to the music of a fine orchestra. The Algonquin re-opens on June 15, and the prospects for a busy season this summer are excellent. Reservations should be made at once."
Beacon
May 13/1915
Town Council: orders red lamp globes for the light at public landing. $200 toward erection of retaining wall at Indian Point. Light Committee requested to investigate better service. Proposed improvements for Indian Point, including pavilion, for excursion parties.
Sir William Van Horne's Ayrshire Cattle
A new herd of 12 pure-bred Ayrshires was secured last week for Sir William Van Horne's farm on Minister's Island. Mr. Sharp purchased the herd from the famous Ness farm in Huntington, Quebec. The cattle are not expected to arrive before three weeks, as they are all to undergo the tuberculin test; and some of them had been entered for competition at Ormiston previous to their sale. The bull "White Heather" is very well known in Ayrshire circles, having won the first prize at the Toronto exhibition. When last shown, "White Heather" was second to a bull owned by Mr. Ness's brother. Both bulls will again be in the some class at Ormiston, and it will be interesting to see if a new set of judges will uphold or reverse the previous decision.
Beacon
May 27/1915
Sir William Van Horne. 72 years old. Bio.
The Dutch have played an important part in the history of the world, and nowhere have they left more indelible traces of their industry than on this continent. Hollanders have been prominent in the political, industrial and transportation history of the United States; New York and Pennsylvania owe much of their progress to the men who crossed over from Holland and settled in those states, while Dutch capital has found its way into many great American enterprises.
At one time Dutchmen got "stung." They had invested in the bonds of certain railroads in the North-western States, but the roads fell on evil days, and interest was not forthcoming. They sold out their holdings and for many years absolutely refused to have anything to do with American railroad securities. It took another Dutchman to restore confidence in railroad securities.
Sir William Van Horne, former president of the CPR, was the man who did the trick. That prefix "Van" to his name was worth millions to the CPR during the struggling period of its existence. It meant the purchase of CPR stock by the people of Holland. Sir William was born at Joliet, Illinois, in 1843, so that he is seventh-two years of age. He was educated at the local schools and entered railway service as a lad of fourteen. The ticker was the means by which he started to climb the long ladder. This young telegraph operator of fourteen was possessed of a good constitution, a healthy ambition, and had been blessed with a good home training. Steadily year by year he climbed from one position to another. Young Van Horne, was not particular what he did as long as he was given a chance to make good. From being a mere telegraph operator he became a train dispatcher, then superintendent of telegraphs, then a general superintendent, then general manager of a road and finally president of a small railroad in the United States.
In his day he served a half dozen or more railroads, using every possible opportunity to inform himself in regard to railroad management and to make himself an indispensable factor.
In 1882 the CPR railway secured him from the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, and made him general manager of their embryonic line. In those days he was pretty much the whole operating staff, as well as seeing that the road was constructed within the stipulated time. He became president of the road in 1888, a position he retained for eleven years, when he resigned the presidency and became chairman of the board of directors. This position again he resigned in 1910, but remained a director of the company.
To merely chronicle the activities of Sir William Van Horne in connexion with the CPR does not by any means exhaust the account of the man's life and work. He is one of the most versatile men in the country. As an art critic he is probably without a peer in the land, while as a painter he would have taken a high place among the masters, had he turned his attention to it early in life. Sir William Van Horne is able to draw more than his salary. His home is one of the most interesting places in Montreal. Valuable painting, sketches, curios from every part of the universe, and valuable books are but a few of the outward evidences of this man's versatility and cosmopolitan nature.
His activities are by no means confined to the CPR. At a time when most people are thinking of retiring from life, Sir William rode on horseback from end to end of the Island of Cuba in order to locate the best site for a railway, secured concessions and built and now operates a great railway system in that island. He is equally interested in the manufacture of paper, and as head of the Laurentide Paper Company has done much to further that industry. He is a director of a score or more companies, is a farmer of no mean ability, and is probably prouder of his achievements in raising thoroughbred stock and n getting an abnormally high yield per acre from his farm than he is of the fact that he was formerly president of the CPR.
Sir William has always been bigger than the position he occupied, and has never been dominated wither by his work, or by his surroundings. He does not believe that wealth should be the hallmark of greatness, nor that we should have an aristocracy whose only claim in wealth and social position. He believes rather in an aristocracy where brains and culture take first place. In this respect Sir William has practised what he preaches. Denied in early life the advantages of a liberal education, he made the most of every opportunity which came to him. He read widely and wisely, studied men and movements, profited by his experiences and imbibed knowledge at every opportunity. Sir William's advance in life was not due to any outside influence, pull or wealth. He made his own way, and while doling so made himself a big man, mentally and physically.
Today Sir William Van Horne is seventy-two years old. He still possesses the imagination, the force and the virility of a man in the prime of life. He has kept young by having a diversity of interest, by making himself bigger than the mere job which occupied him for the moment. When the history of Canada comes to be written a generation hence, a large place will be given to the Dutchman who restored the confidence of the good people of Holland in railroads on this continent.—The Journal of Commerce.
Beautify the Town. A number of maple and elm trees have recently been planted on the west side of the road leading from the Town to the Golf Club House. The idea originated with Mrs. Hayter Reed, who is an enthusiast in beautifying the town, and who personally superintended the planting of these trees. She received contributions of trees from Mr. Robert Gill and Mr. C. Ballantyne. It is earnestly to be hoped that this excellent example will be followed by other public-spirited citizens, till every street in Town become a beautiful avenue.
St. Croix Courier
June 10/1915
The cottages at Campobello, where several distinguished Americans, including Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt, spend the summer, and those on the North Perry shore where a flourishing colony of wealthy people is being established, are being placed in readiness for the season, which commences in a few days.
Beacon
June 10/1915
Opening of the Algonquin
Tuesday next, June 15, will be a "red letter" day for St. Andrews, for on that day the Algonquin Hotel, which has risen, Phoenix-like, from its ashes, opens its doors once more to receive its patrons. Not only does this Hotel mean much to the Town in bringing here a large number of well-to-do visitors, but during the months when it is open the Canadian Pacific Railway provides a service of two trains a day. When the Hotel shuts its doors in September, and until it reopens in June, the townspeople have to content themselves with one train a day. The whole community is treated by the C. P. R. as an adjunct to the Hotel, and the citizens,—willingly in some cases, most unwillingly for the most part,—acquiesce in the conditions forced upon them. But if a better train service throughout the year is to be obtained, the citizens must unite, and by their united efforts compel the C. P. R. to treat St. Andrews with at least as much consideration as it does St. Stephen.
With a system of water works installed (which it must have before St. Andrews can make any progress whatever), and a good train service throughout the year, the old Shiretown would recover all its pristine activity and importance, the old cellars would be surmounted by flourishing places of business, and the vacant lots would have built thereon homes for a largely-increased population. To accomplish this it only necessary for the citizens to cooperate, and to display a spirit of enterprise which is now, unfortunately, dormant.
St. Croix Courier
June 17/1915
Several autos came to St. Andrews on Sunday from St. Stephen, including W. F. Todd's, Harry Wall's, Thomas Toal's. Michael O'Donnell's and Thompson McNeill's. Each car had a goodly number of passengers, all of them enjoying a ride without dust. The Algonquin Hotel opened Tuesday the 15th. We will now have two trains a day. (cottages—Rosemount, Covenhoven, Hillcrest—opening as usual)
Beacon
June 17/1915
A fine herd of Ayrshire cattle recently arrived at Covenhoven. these will be a valuable addition to Sir William Van Horne's already fine stock.
St. Croix Courier
June 24/1915
Owners of motorboats and motor cars, who come to St. Andrews, in future, will find that a long-needed convenience has been supplied by Joseph Handy, in the form of a gasoline reservoir and patent adjustable, automatic, self-registering pump, for dispersing gasoline. The location is particularly convenient for all classes of patrons, being at the Market Square within a few feet of the public wharf and Kennedy's hotel. Mr. Handy has also fitted a commodious garage, facing on the public square, where automobiles can be cared for and housed for visitors while in town.
Beacon
July 1, 1915
Sir William Van Horne and Mr. R. B. Van Horne, with his wife and family, arrived on Monday, and are in residence at Covenhoven. Lady Van Horne has been here for nearly two weeks.
Beacon
July 8/1915
Johnson's "Down South" comedy "Cotton Blossoms" was performed on Wednesday evening in Merriman's Hall. Summer tourists mentioned.
Beacon
June 14/1915
J. F. Worrell has removed his office to his house on Montague Street, the former residence of Harry Gove.
Beacon
June 24/1915
Mr. Joseph Handy has supplied a much-needed convenience in the form of a gasoline reservoir and patent, adjustable, automatic, self-registering pump, for dispensing gasoline." On Market Square near wharf and Kennedy's. For boats and cars. "Mr. Handy has also fitted up a commodious Garage facing on Public Square where automobiles can be cared for and housed for visitors while in town."
St. Croix Courier
July 1/1915
The Algonquin Hotel is being largely patronized and guests are arriving on each train and steamer.
Beacon
July 1/1915
Board of Trade petitioning residents to ask Mayor and Council to call a vote on the question of providing "an adequate system of water works. This is the most pressing need of the town, the lack of a good supply of water being a very heavy handicap to the progress of the place."
Beacon
July 15/1915
Town Council undertakes to ascertain cost of a water supply.
Inn still receiving guests.
G. King Greenlaw, Mayor.
Beacon
July 15/1915
Catch of Sardines
Local sardine fishermen are enjoying an early catch, and several owners of weirs along the shore beyond Partridge Island have secured good returns in the past ten days. One weir is reported to have caught $1,200 worth of sardines since the season opened.
Weir owners farther down the coast are also doing well, and Herb McLean, at Letete, is said to have disposed of a three-weeks' catch at $8,000.
The new Chamcook sardine factory is now ready for operating, but sardines are scarce in the vicinity. A new canning plant has been installed at Chamcook. It is expected that Chamcook will employ 150 workmen when in operation.
The sardines caught here are being sold at Eastport buyers, and the price is steady at $1. fishermen at Black's Harbor are securing a fair catch, and the demand is good at $8.—telegraph, July 9.
St. Croix Courier
July 22/1915
Four autos with twenty occupants came through from Montreal on Friday and remained a few days in town guests at Kennedy's hotel, and of Mr. and Mrs. J. Handy.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 5/1915
The Tyn-y-Coed at Campobello has been completely torn down and removed, and the same can soon be said of its companion hotel, the former beautiful Tyn-y-Maes, on which workmen, under the direction of John J. Alexander, are now busy. Most of the lumber has already been sold for the construction of several new houses at Campobello and on Deer Island. Soon the only building left on the grounds will be the casino which contains the bowling alleys. It is understood that these, too, will shortly be sold.
St. Andrews Beacon
Aug 5/1915
On Friday evening last the Bell Boys of the Algonquin Hotel have a dance in the Andraeleo Hall. A large number attended, and a most enjoyable time was spent by all. Music of a high class, rendered by the Algonquin Orchestra, was greatly appreciated. During intermission refreshments were served at Ira Stinson's, after which dancing was resumed, and the "Home Sweet Home Waltz" was not reached until two o'clock.
Campobello
The opening ball in connection with the Inn hotel was held in the Inn Hall on Tuesday evening of last week. A very large crowd was in attendance, numbers from neighbouring places, as well as those from the Island, being included.
Lubec Herald
August 18/1915
The employees of the American Land Company held their annual picnic at the Tyn-y-Coed (Inn?) Friday. Rain interfered considerably with arrangements, but those who came succeeded in getting a chowder made and enjoyed themselves in spite of the downpour.
St. Andrews Beacon
Aug 19/1915
Social Life of St. Andrews
We print in another part of this issue an account of the Patriotic Entertainment given in the Andraeleo Hall on Wednesday evening of last week, the proceeds of which were handed to the local branch of the Red Cross Society. The entertainment was projected, arranged and carried out by the summer residents of the town, though much assistance was given by the President of the local Society, Mrs. G. H. Stickney, and other members. The entertainment was probably the best ever given in St. Andrews, and the large Hall was filled to its utmost capacity by delighted and enthusiastic audience. Too much praise cannot be given to Lady Tait for the genius and untiring energy she displayed in promoting the entertainment and in making it the great success it was.
Perhaps the not least pleasing feature of the event was the bringing together on this occasion the summer visitors and the townspeople. It has been a matter of comment in the past there is very little community of feeling and interest between the temporary and permanent residents; and that purely local entertainments are never patronized by cottagers and hotel guests. The Red Cross entertainment ought to be a forerunner of the closer association of visitors with the people of the Town, and a participation in their social life and amusements. A more intimate acquaintance would undoubtedly prove to be a source of mutual satisfaction to visitors and townspeople alike.
Concert at Andraeleo Hall in aid of Red Cross Society. An "Allied Nations Tableau" in the second part, with countries represented in significant attitudes by various ladies. Eg. Italy by Miss Ethel Forgan, Ireland by Miss. M. Shaughnessy, and France by Miss Winnifred Tait.
Algonquin orchestra was there: "certainly deserve a warm note of thanks for the way they accompanied all the songs, dances and marches, and the splendid music they rendered at the opening of the first and second parts of the programme."
"The entertainment was projected, arranged and carried out by the summer residents of the Town, though much assistance was given by the President of the local society, Mrs. G. H. Stickney, and other members."
Patriotic Entertainment for the Red Cross Society of St. Andrews
The Andraeleo Hall was filled to overflowing with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience, Wednesday evening, August 11, to witness a most artistic and brilliant concert, in aid of the Red Cross Society of St. Andrews
The "Dance of the Roses" to Mendelssohn's "Spring Song" was most gracefully and artistically performed by the following young ladies: Constance Hope, Ethel Gratz, Dolly Thompson, Swen and Audrey Hampson, Norma and Gladys Rogers. These young ladies were surprised by a visit from a beautiful butterfly, little Miss Muriel Dreyer, who gracefully danced in their midst and finally led them away. These were followed by "Canada," (Miss Marjorie Burke) and her Provinces, who marched to the stirring music of "The Maple Leaf", then posed at the back of the stage to form a strong defence for a group of "Merry Harvesters," little girls of nine and ten years of age, Jean Ganong, Dorothy Lamont, Geraldine Smith, Molly Lawford, Emma Odell, Marion O'Hara, Ethel Joseph, Jean Maxwell, Mabel Elliott, and Hope McMahon, in brilliant and fantastic costumes, carrying racks decorated with scarlet poppies and bunches of wheat. These little ladies danced a stirring country dance, and their bright colors contrasted beautifully with the graceful Kate Greenaway frocks, and rose garlands of the Rose Dance. An interesting group in the Harvester's Dance was the tiny Sunflower, Miss Ruth Anderson, and the Hollyhock, Miss Rosemary Platt; and their big Bumblebees, Masters Wilmot Platt and Darcy Doherty. This little quartet, ages five and six years, gracefully fluttered between the Harvesters, and deserve particular mention, it being their first public appearance. Miss Muriel Dreyer also gave a solo dance in this Court, dancing the Spanish Dance most artistically. The first part of the programme closed with the striking Tableaux of "Canada surrounded by her Provinces" and "Harvesters."
The notable features of the second part of the programme were the Allied Nations Tableaux: these were living pictures most beautifully posed and elaborately costumed:
Serbia—Miss Isabel Adam
Russia—Miss R. Hanson
France—Miss Winnifred Tait
Belgium—Miss Helen Thompson
Japan—Miss A. Southam
Italy—Miss Ethel Forgan
Scotland—Miss M. Forgan
Ireland—Miss Ms. Shaughnessy
Britannia—Mrs. J. Coulson
These were all so perfect that words of praise could not express adequately the appreciation of the audience; however, one word for poor little Belgium, she won every heart and her dejected attitude made all feel that "all we do is not enough." These Allies grouped around the regal figure of Britannia, with Plenty and Prosperity, the Misses A. and M. Tunstall Smith on either side, and the Angel of Peace, Miss Anna Mitchell, of St. Andrews, hovering above, formed an impressive tableau as a finale.
The young boys of the Army, Messrs. Henry and Evan Gill, Blythe Maxwell, Harold Hampson, Charles Ballantyne, Lovell Thompson, Francis Seward, and George McBean; and the Navy, Edwin Ganong, Francis Gill, James Ballantyne, Henry Markey, David Anderson Brian Doherty, George Guthrie and Tom Odell, deserve great praise for the soldierly way in which they marched through their figures, making all fee how well they could do their part if they were men old enough to stand for their Country. During their march they were interrupted by little Miss Dreyer, who danced herself into the hearts of the audience in the Fisher's Hornpipe.
Other tableaux were . . . "What we Have We Hold," which was simply splendid for it is very rare for a real living English bulldog to be seen standing on the good Old Flag before such an enthusiastic audience. During this tableau, Mister Evan Gill pleased the audience with a short military recitation in a most pleasing and distinct manner. Then followed "The Crown of Glory, "Master Henry Gill as a wounded and dying soldier with the Angel of Peace, Miss Mitchell, bending over him. This brought all over, to the Front with "our" dear boys, and one may be sure many a prayer went up for them, and eyes were dimmed. . . . The grand finale tableau Britannia surrounded by her Provinces, Army, Navy and Allied Nations, gave to St. Andrews a scene it never saw before, and may never see again. It was majestic, and thrilled every heart.
The Orchestra of the Algonquin Hotel, assisted by Mrs. R. A. Stuart, Jr., of St. Andrews, certainly deserve a warm vote of thanks for the way they accompanied all the songs, dances and marches, and the splendid music they rendered at the opening of the first and second parts of the programme.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 19/1915
The entertainment in Andraeleo hall on Wednesday evening last, under the patronage of Lady Shaughnessy, Mrs. Arthurs and Lady Tait, was a great success, the proceeds amounting to $600.00, which is to be used for Red Cross purposes. The programme consisted of tableaux, vocal solos, flag drills and dancing by Miss Muriel Dryer of Montreal. The soloists were Miss Forgan, Miss Burke, Miss Cassidy, Miss Carrie Gillmor and Miss Laura Wilson, Mrs. R. A Stuart, jr. accompanist. The Algonquin orchestra furnished music during the evening.
Beacon
Aug 19/1915
Unsightly Streets—In a recent issue called attention to the unsightly condition of some of the streets. These are, principally, Water Street and the lower end of the cross streets joining it. The most unsightly place of all is the Post Office corner. The pernicious habit prevails of scattering about old newspapers, postal wrappers, peanut shells, fruit peelings etc., and it is now high time that some steps should be taken by the Town authorities to put a stop to it. If there is no Town by-law relating to this particular offence, one should be passed and rigidly enforced. If one or two offenders were arrested, convicted and fined, the habit would soon cease.
Beacon
Aug 26/1915
Sir William Van Horne
A bulletin issued at the Royal Victoria Hospital at ten o'clock this morning stated that Sir William Van Horne, who was operated on in that institution early this morning, had "recovered from the aesthetic, is resting and free from pain." Sir William, who is former president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, had been indifferent health for the past few days and was removed early this morning from his residence on Sherbrooke street west, to the Royal Victoria Hospital. It was decided that an immediate operation was necessary, and this was performed by Dr. George E. Armstrong and Dr. W. F. Hamilton. The operation revealed the fact that the patient was suffering from an abdominal abscess.
Early reports from the hospital this morning indicated that Sir William had stood the operation well. Montreal Herald, Aug.23.
According to information received in St. Andrews upon Tuesday evening, Sir William is progressing favorably. (He left for Montreal from St. Andrews the previous month)
Beacon
Sept 2/1915
10 Commandments for summer vacationers.
Special meeting of Council to discuss water supply.
The Inn, which has been open during the summer months, closed for the season last week.
Hon C. J. Bonaparte, of Baltimore, Md., who has been a guest at the Algonquin for several weeks, left by train on Monday night for Dixville Notch, NH, where he will remain some time at "the Balsams."
Beacon
Sept 9/1915
F. W. and S. Mason of St. Andrews and their three mattresses: "Algonquin—upholstered spring mattress, "The Mattress that makes St. Andrews Famous."
The summer not a prosperous one, owing to bad weather.
The proprietor of the Inn held what might be termed the closing ball in The Inn hall on Wednesday evening.
Beacon
Sept 16/1915
The Algonquin Hotel—The Algonquin Hotel closed its doors t guest on Tuesday, after the most successful season in its history. Large as the hotel is, it has not been able to accommodate all the people who have mad application for rooms so it is not at all unlikely that an enlargement will have to be made in the near future.
Sir William Van Horne
In the death of Sir William Van Horne, the Dominion has lost one of its most distinguished citizens, and the Town of St. Andrews its greatest benefactor and friend. The vote of condolence passed at the special meeting of the Town Council on Monday is no mere form of words but is the sincere expression of the regret of the whole community for the loss of a man who was ever held in the highest esteem, and of their heartfelt sympathy with Lady Van Horne, and the other members of the family in their great bereavement. The flags on public and private buildings in the town were flown at half-mast for three days.
Obituary
Sir William Van Horne
Montreal, Sept. 12
Sir William Van Horne, formerly president of the CPR, and one of the best-known financiers in America, died in the Royal Victoria Hospital Montreal, yesterday afternoon. He was operated upon for abdominal abscess on August 23, and was supposed to be on the way to recovery until three days before his death, when an unfavorable change in his condition suddenly took place, and the end came at 2:30. He is survived by his widow, a son, P. B. Van Horne, and a daughter, Miss A. Van Horne.
Sir William Van Horne's career is well known. He came from old Dutch stock and was born in Will County, Illinois, Feb. 3, 1841. At the age of thirteen he entered the service of the Illinois Central Railway as a telegrapher at Chicago. Subsequently he served the Michigan Central in various capacities.
From 1866 to 1872, he was connected with the Chicago and Alton Railway as train dispatcher, superintendent of the St. Louis, Kansas and Northern Railway. In 1874 he became general manager of the Southern Minnesota Line, being president of the company from December 1877 to December 1879. From October 1878 until December 1879, he was also superintendent of the Chicago and Alton Railway.
In 1880 Mr. Van Horne, as he was then, became general superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, and remained in this position for two years. It was in 1882 that Mr. Van Horne, joined the CPR as manager, and it was in 1885, under his direction, that the last spike was driven in that road at Eagle Pass by Lord Strathcona, then Sir Donald Smith.
In 1884 the manger was made vice-president, and on August 7, 1888, he was appointed president of the CPR. He held this position until 1899, when he became chairman of the board of directors. He retired from this position in 1910. He was created an honorary K. C. M. G. by Queen Victoria in May, 1894.
His business interests covered a wide range and were extended beyond Canada. He was largely interested in the railway development of Cuba. His Canadian interests, aside from the CPR, were chiefly concerned with the pulp and paper industry, but he was keenly interested in the effort to establish a big sardine industry in the maritime provinces.
Sir William Van Horne was a man of many parts. He could easily have won distinction as an architect, an engineer, a writer or as an artist. He was remarkably well informed on subjects usually considered remote from the railroad world. He devoted a great deal of his leisure to historical research and perused many valuable records in this respect.
He was above everything else an admirer of the artistic and the beautiful. He has left a remarkable collection of painting, including a large number of vary valuable masterpieces.
Council endeavouring to get more favourable terms on water supply from CPR.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 16/1915
New Brunswick to have an expert Road Engineer
Gleaner—New Brunswick is to have a road engineer, an expert with scientific knowledge who will take charge of and direct all work of importance on the highways of the province. It is known that the Provincial Government has come that decision and a temporary appointment to the position was announced following the meeting of the Executive Council this morning. The appointment of an official to take charge of the work on the roads has been under consideration by the Government for some time and the policy met with the approval of the Union of New Brunswick Municipalities, which at its last convention passed a resolution commending such a proposition and urging that an appointment be made at once. John L. Feeney of this city is the selection of the Government of the new position, his name having been mentioned in the same connection when the creation of such a position was first discussed some time ago. He had valued experience as a city engineer in Western Canada several years ago, until he contracted fever and was forced to return home. He is now in the service of the
dominion Public Works department, but lately while on his vacation has been taking charge of some permanent work on highways at Saint John. He graduated from the engineering school at the University of New Brunswick is 1910.
Beacon
Sept 23/1915
Funeral of Sir William Van Horne. Details.
Surrounded by the beloved members of his family, as well as by hundreds of representative business men with whom he had sat on railway boards, banks and great industrial corporations, the body of Sir William Van Horne, one of the great leaders of this Dominion, embarked on its last railway journey this morning, when, following a brief funeral service at his residence, at 513 Sherbrooke Street West, Sir William's coffin was taken to the Windsor station, and placed on a special train, which left for Joliette, Illinois, where the great railway builder will be buried tomorrow in the family vault.
It was the desire of Sir William Van Horne, that he should be buried near the place of his birth, and it was according to that wish that a special train steamed out of the Windsor station at half-last eleven o'clock, bearing all that remained of the man who has played so important a part in the building of that and many other railroads.
The funeral service at the residence was clothed in the genuine simplicity that has always characterized the actions of Sir William. The body lay in a large room fronting on Stanley Street, and around it were placed the scores of floral tributes that came from all parts of Canada and from many parts of the United States. From half-past nine o'clock on, the mourners filed past the bier. the representatives of royalty, of governments, railway corporations, banks and enterprises representing the various activities of Canadian life, all crossed the threshold of the chamber, paying by their very presence a reverential tribute to the man with whom the majority have been associated for many years.
Outside the house, the crowds who could not gain admittance stood bareheaded. Traffic along Sherbrooke Street was suspended. All along the route to the railway station, people stood three and four deep on the sidewalk, and as the coffin passed by, all bowed their heads in solemnity. Behind the hearse walked Sir William's son, his brother and his favorite grandson, a little fellow of about nine years. Then came a long row of citizens. When the first carriages had proceeded down Stanley Street and had reached the corner of St. Catherine Street, all the mourners had not left the residence, such was the manifestation of public appreciation of what the loss of Sir William Van Horne meant to Canada.
The floral tributes filled three carriages. the most prominent was a Cuban palm tree, made from red roses. It stood six feet high, and at the base were the words "Cuban Railway." Place in almost an obscure position was a pathetic looking pillow of white roses. Few who passed it by with a passing glance knew that is was from the old widow Lady Van Horne. It represented all the love of a lifelong comradeship.
. . . .
A tremendous crowd had gathered at Windsor Station to catch a glimpse of the funeral procession. Among the thousands who stood hat in hand were many old employees of the CPR, who were associated with Sir William in the early days of that great railway. In the depot itself, many of these employees stood, and as the bier was heeled through the gates to the waiting train, many reflections of early days were brought to memory.
The special train consisted of three coaches, one of the them was Sir William's own private car "Saskatchewan," on which he has travelled in many parts of the continent. the engine, 2213, was draped in black. . . .
The CPR was represented at the funeral of its former President by the following directors:—Mr. Richard B. Angus, Sir Herbert S. Holt, Mr. Charles R. Hosmer, Senator Robert Mackay, Mr. Wilmot D. Matthews, Toronto; Mr. Augustus M. Nanton, Winnipeg; Sir Edmund B. Osler, M. P. Toronto; Mr. J. K. L. Ross.
The CPR officials attending were: Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, President; George Bury, vice-president; L. G. Ogden, vice-president; G. M. Bosworth, vice-president; E. W. Beatty, vice-president and general counsel; Grant Hall, vice-president, and general manager Western Lines, Winnipeg; J. S. Dennis, assistant to the president; James Manson, assistant to vice-president, W. R. Baker, secretary and assistant to president; E. Alexander, assistant secretary, H. C. Oswald, assistant secretary; H. E. Suckling, treasurer; F. J. Miller, assistant treasurer; J. Doig, paymaster . . . .
Special to the Montreal Herald
Chicago, Il. Sept. 16. Two thousand pioneer residents of Joliet and Will County yesterday greeted the arrival of the body of Sir William Van Horne, who fifty-seven years ago as a telegraph messenger boys in Joliet, began his spectacular career as a railroad builder.
In the funeral car, which was the last of three coaches on a special train, the body arrived in Joliet at 10:45 o'clock. In the funeral party from Montreal, Sir William's Canadian home, were his son, Richard. B. Van Horne, and the latter's wife, his brother, Augustus C. Van Horne, of Joliet, who was present at Sir William's death in Canada, and E. W. Lynch, former secretary of the railroad magnate.
The funeral procession proceeded from the Joliet Union station to Oakwood cemetery, where the body was buried in the Van Horne family lot, near the graves of Sir William's father and mother, in compliance with a dying request of the millionaire railroader. Three large truck loads of floral offerings from railroad officials throughout the United States and Canada, followed the long line of automobiles to the cemetery, where a eulogy to Sir William was delivered by the R. A. H. Laing, former pastor of the Joliet Universalist Church, and an old friend of the railroad man. Neither Lady Van Horne, nor her daughter Adaline were able to accompany the body to La Joliet. The daughter's name on a simple card was pinned to a huge wreath of lilies on the casket. Acting and honorary pallbearers were selected among the sons of old residents who knew Sir William.
An Appreciation
Mr. R. E. Armstrong during a long residence in St. Andrews, had many opportunities of meeting Sir William Van Horne. His duties as a journalist and his official duties as Mayor of St. Andrews brought him into intimate relationship with the distinguished Canadian, who made his summer home on Minister's Island and was a frequent summer and winter visitor to St. Andrews. The tribute Mr. Armstrong today pays Sir William is not the ordinary expression of appreciation for one who had done big things in a big way, but is rather a sincere personal tribute of appreciation from one who frequently got closer to the great man than did those in more intimate relationship with him, and had unusual opportunities to learn his views and opinions on important questions of transportation, trade, politics, arts, literature, etc. St. Andrews will miss Sir William and will long cherish recollections of his visits, of his interest in the welfare of the community and of his plans for its future—-plans which included years of work in developing and beautifying his own beautiful property.—St. John Globe, Sept. 14.
The Late Sir William Van Horne. An Appreciation
R. E. Armstrong
To the Editor of the Globe.
Sir:—As one who for over twenty years enjoyed the very great privilege of an intimate, personal acquaintance with Sir William Van Horne, will you permit me to pay a brief tribute of regard to his memory.
It was in the early 90's that Sir William Van Horne paid his first visit to St. Andrews. He went there at the suggestion of Mr. F. W. Cram, one of the promoters of the St. Andrews Land Company, who was desirous of securing his personal interest in the place. The first visit was fruitless. The weather was bad, the place did not look as attractive as it had been pictured to him, and he declined to take hold. Another visit was arranged. This time it was typical St. Andrews weather. The sun shone on a glorious picture of bay and river and island. Sir William was enchanted with the scene and surrendered at once. Without loss of time he purchased from Mr. Marshall Andrews the western end of Minister's Island, and began the erection of a summer home. It was a rough, barren spot when Sir William took hold of it, but he recognized its possibilities, and before long he made it one of the most attractive and beautiful localities in Canada. He built a magnificent summer home of natural sandstone, erected mammoth barns, greenhouses and vineries, laid out a splendid road system, planted fruit trees and flowers, and then invited the public to come and share with him the enjoyment of Nature's beautiful gifts. Thousands of visitors from all parts of the North American continent took advantage of this offer, and the fame of his beautiful grounds became known from ocean to ocean.
Sir William took a keen personal delight in the development of his summer property. He liked to have men working around him. He loved his splendid Clydesdale horses, his well-bred cattle, his beautiful bowers and grounds. It was the keenest satisfaction to him to know that the public appreciated the beautiful things in Nature that he had provided as much for their delectation as for his own.
Personally, Sir William Van Horne was one of the most versatile of men. Indeed, it is doubtful if there exists in Canada today one who possesses the varied natural talents and the genius which Sir William Van Horne possessed in such a marked degree. He was an empire-builder of the most pronounced type; his great mind contemplated stupendous things in railroad development; he was one of the best artists in Canada, his painting possessing artistic qualities of the highest order; he could talk art, literature, agriculture, political and financial economy, and talk them well and intelligently. There was scarcely a subject that he was not familiar with. He was s royal entertainer, and during the years that the resided in St. Andrews many distinguished people enjoyed his almost boundless hospitality.
To those who did not know him well, Sir William Van Horne presented a somewhat gruff exterior, but behind this brusqueness there beat a warm and tender heart, a heart intensely human. His domestic relations were singularly happy. He loved children and was never happier than when in their company. To see him romp and play with his favorite grandson was a most delightful sight.
Sir William Van Horne dabbled a little in politics, but he had no personal liking for the game. He was fond of saying that the only time he ever made a political speech in his life was during the late Federal campaign, when reciprocity with the United States was the chief issue. This he relentlessly opposed. He was somewhat disappointed with some of the subsequent turns and twists in party politics and did not hesitate to give expression to his feelings.
Sir William Van Horne manifested a deep interest in the material future of St. Andrews, and was ever ready to extend assistance and advice when called upon. The financial assistance which he extended toward the erection of the mammoth sardine works at Chamcook was as much for the purpose of benefiting the locality and the local fishermen as for his own enrichment. It was a matter of deepest regret to him that his hopes in this respect had not been fulfilled in their entirety.
Canada and the British Empire are the poorer today for the death of Sir William Van Horne. He filled a large place in Canadian and Imperial affairs, and he filled it well. The work of his hands is indelibly stamped upon the face of Canada from one end to the other. Knowing him and his work as well as I do, I feel confident that nowhere will he be more greatly missed and nowhere will be more sincerely mourned than at the little town of St. Andrews, where for over twenty years he made his summer home, and where he was esteemed by rich and poor alike. The heartiest sympathy will go out of Lady Van Horne, to his son and daughter, and to the others members of his bereaved family.
Copy of telegram From Mr. R. B. Van Horne
Montreal, Sept. 13, 1915
To G. K. Greenlaw, Mayor
St. Andrews, New Brunswick
Lady Van Horne, family and I send our sincere thanks to you and the Aldermen of St. Andrews for the kind sympathy and sentiments expressed in your message on the occasion of our great loss.
(signed) R. B. Van Horne
Beacon
Oct 7, 1915
Mr. R. B. Van Horne left last Saturday evening for Montreal, where he will remain a few days before returning to St. Andrews.
Beacon
Oct 14/1915
Merriman family vacated their cottage recently.
Mr. Cleveland Mitchell went by today's boat to New York, where he will be employed for the coming winter.
Beacon
Nov 4/1915
Lady Van Horne, Miss Van Horne, and Mrs. R. B. Van Horne left on Saturday for Montreal, where they will spend the winter.
Sir William Van Horne's Recreations.
By Rev. A Wylie Mahon
Someone has said that we never know our great men till we see them at play, till we watch them throw off the vexing cares of business and allow themselves to be themselves. Now that Sir William Van Horne has gone from us, we like to think of him, not so much as phenomenally successful business man, who possessed, as few have done the Midas touch, who saw visions an dreamed dreams of Canada's future greatness, and who did not a little to realize his own dreams; but we like to think of him as he revealed himself when far from the madding crowd he enjoyed his happy and beautiful home at Covenhoven, St. Andrews.
Sir William discovered St. Andrews as a summer resort about twenty-five years ago. He was the pioneer of the interesting Montreal colony that followed his lead, that included Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, Mr. Charles R. Hosmer, Senator Robert MacKay, Mr. William Hope, Mr. Donald MacMaster, Mr. Edward Maxwell and many others. Sir William was universally acknowledged as the beloved chief of the Montreal clan, and this distinction gave him a great deal of pleasure. Whenever a member of the Montreal clan built a summer home for himself in that charming resort Sir William showed his appreciation by painting a large picture, usually of his favorite bare birches, which was placed over the mantel of the new home, and was treasured by the happy recipient as nothing else in the house was.
Sir William loved art, and would certainly have made s success as an artist, if is life had not been so completely absorbed in other things. Nothing pleased him better than to take his friends, who had any love for such things in their souls, to his studio and exhibit the work he had done and interpret the work he was doing.
He used to tell about a glorious sight which he once witnessed on the Western plains. Not far from Regina he saw in the sky a celestial city, with domes and turrets, flashing with light as diamonds, and like to burnished gold, and tinged with all loveliest hues. It was vision splendid, which could never be forgotten. When asked if he had ever attempted to paint this glorious mirage of the plains, he shook his head as if the suggestion were a profane one.
Sir William had travelled so extensively, and had so marvellous a power of absorbing everything of interest which he came into contact with, and a still more marvellous power of reciting dramatically his impressions, that the was a charming entertainer. Once at a luncheon party in his St. Andrews's home the subject of spiritualism came up, and the wizard of finance told in the most amusing way of how a friend had one night prevailed upon him to go to a spiritualistic séance, and how his unbelief, or he thought it might have been his food, so crippled the spirits that there was nothing doing. One of the spirits had made a musical reputation for herself. Before the lights were turned down, Sir William had seen a little musical box on a stool in one corner near where he sat. As the light went out he reached out a took possession of the box. The spirits had no music in the souls that night.
To see Sir William at play with his little grandson, who enjoyed nothing more than to get astraddle his grandfather's neck, and holding him by the ears make a horse of him, was a revelation of the child-heart which he had preserved through all the stress and strain, of a marvellously active and successful career. Like Henry Ward Beecher he was an eternal boy. Scenes like this remind us of Sir John Macdonald's love for children, of how he liked to romp with them as if he were the biggest child of them all, of how a friend in Kingston found him one day, with his silk hat pushed back on his head, down on the sidewalk playing marbles with some small boys.
During the last general election, Sir William, who was at the time enjoying himself at his St. Andrews summer home, took some part in the game of politics, in addition to his other recreations. At Sir Robert Borden's great meeting in that town Sir William was prevailed upon to take the platform. His speech that day was like a series of proposition in Euclid, so much so that a gentleman in the audience kept saying, in an undertone, after each point made "Quod erat demonstrandum." He stated his case with such spasmodic brevity and convincing persuasiveness that, like the contentious student who listened unwillingly to his professor demonstration of the first proposition of Euclid, the person opposed to Sir William's views was compelled to confess that "he had nothing to reply." The game of politics was not to Sir William's liking, and we are safe in saying that he got very little amusement out of his recreations on the political platform.
Sir William's passionate love for flowers led him to create in the spacious grounds surrounding his beautiful summer home one of the finest gardens in Canada. In order that they might share with the public the pleasure of seeing his flowers he had driveways constructed all thorough the grounds, where summer people could be seen at almost any hour of the day driving or strolling about on foot enjoying the rare beauty of the place. When the town churches held their summer bazaars, Sir William's gardens supplied many of the beautiful flowers which adorned the flower booths. The flowers were furnished with the same generous hand; it mattered not what the denominational connexion of the church might be. There was no religious bigotry about anything human or horticultural at Covenhoven. Sir William was also greatly interested in the cultivation of fruit. He erected large vineries where tropical fruits of all kinds were cultivated most successfully. It is said that Burbank himself, could not produce a larger or choicer strain of strawberry than the gardens of Covenhoven furnished. It was Dr. William Butler, who lived 300 years ago, who said that doubtless God could have made a better fruit than the strawberry, but doubtless he never did. A better strain than Sir William's gardens produced there might have been, but doubtless there never was, as many of his friends had good reason to know, for he distributed them with a generosity which knew ho bounds.
In no part of Canada will Sir William's death be felt more keenly than in St. Andrews by the Sea, which he loved well enough to spend a large fortune in making Covenhoven one of the most beautiful spots in Canada. Lady Van Horne, who is beloved by all who know her for her sweet and gentle personality, and Miss Van Horne, who has inherited in no small degree her father's genius, were devoted to Sir William in a loving way seldom witnessed in this imperfect world. At home and amongst his summer friends, Sir William was a lovable man, who took great delight in doing kind deeds, in doing what Abraham Lincoln suggested, in pulling up thorns and thistles and planting roses in a social as well as a literal sense.
—Toronto Daily News, Oct. 27
Beacon
Nov 11/1915
St. Andrews Waterworks. Article on lack of progress in securing water. "The prime essential, either in a household or in any manufacturing industry, is an abundant supply of good water. Several abortive attempts have been made to establish industries in the town, but they have invariably resulted in failure through the lack of sufficient quantity of good water. The Town is lighted with paraffin lamps, and there is no prospect of electric light until there is a supply of water to permit the establishing of an electrical generating station. The vacant lots in the Town make their silent and pathetic appeal for persons to build thereon; but the first inquiry of a prospective builder is—"Where is the water supply?" We are all looking forward to the time when St. Andrews will once more be a port of importance, but how can ships, under present conditions, get a supply of fresh water in the Town?"
Sidewalks of town in bad shape. Details. Culverts choked with leaves, etc.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 14/1915
Sir Charles Tupper
Last of the Fathers of Confederations has Passed Away
Beacon
Nov 25/1915
The Van Horne Farm at East Selkirk.
Sixteen years ago, the late Sir William Van Horne, then president of the CPR was coming westward with a party of eastern financiers. Sir William had just previously purchased an estate at East Selkirk, and as the train rushed along toward Winnipeg, all eyes were on the lookout for Sir William's "Farm." But the financiers were disappointed. What they thought was to be a most up-to-date estate with every indication of prosperity—abundant crops, verdant pastures filled with sleek cattle and swine and sheep, and barns bursting with hay and granaries with wheat; was nothing but a stretch of broad acres of black poplar, Manitoba maple and cottonwood, and a thicket of undergrowth so heavy that it made a veritable blanket.
"What is this?" they asked in wonderment. "We thought you said you had a farm out here?"
"I have," was the simple answer. "You do not realize that at the bottom of that wood lies the richest soil out of doors!"
"What, that's nothing but a black poplar swamp. We're afraid you have been deceived, Sir William."
"The rich humus-filled soil lying under that thicket, will raise forty bushels of wheat to the acre," answered Sir William, and just two years later, the same party of financiers passed this "poplar swamp" and saw fields of waving wheat that yielded 45 bushels to the acre.
Any visitor at the Van Horne estate today will see what the eastern capitalists looked for in vain on their first visit to the West. They will see an up-to-date estate with every indication of prosperity—abundant crops, verdant pastures, filled with sleek cattle and swine and sheep—barns bursting with hay, and granaries with wheat and oat and barley. And they will see many more interesting things.
Sir William's purpose, in locating his estate where he did, is best told in his own words, recorded at the farm some year ago. He said:
"I commenced acquiring this land in 1899, and within eight or nine years I had gathered together about 4,000 acres, in a strip of about seven miles along the railway, with a frontage of about a mile and a half along the Red River. My purpose in buying the land, was to make a high-class farm, the highest possible, both for general farming purposes and the raising of livestock, and particularly the breeding of high-class Shorthorn cattle. I had long had a desire to do this, and on looking over the property at East Selkirk, I decided that it was the best piece of land in the Northwest. It seemed to be peculiarly adapted for such a purpose by this frontage on the river and the general character of the soil, the magnificent shelter afforded by the wooded patches, the good timber that existed upon it, and in fact everything that is so sought for in a farm of this character, I found here. After the acquisition of the property, I proceeded immediately with its development, putting up rather expensive buildings about the centre of it, brushing the land and clearing away the timber, grading, building fences, making roads and all the other work necessary. I made the outer two miles along the railway into grain field, as I wanted to have a fitting introduction to the West after the long journey across the Lake Superior district, so that passengers arriving on trains and expecting to find something of a garden in the Red River Valley would not be disappointed."
And it was so that this wonderful estate was built up. Sir William had a broad vision and a great faith, and it profited him immeasurably.
East Selkirk is in itself a historic spot. On the Van Horne property, close to the buildings is located the first limestone quarry in the West, and from it came the material for building some of the very first buildings in Winnipeg. It is also the home of the first roundhouse west of Kenora.
The farm holds enough to interest even a casual visitor for a whole day. The Red River, with its massive embankment of foliage and background of tree growth is full of charm. The woods themselves are second to none in the province. Skirting the ferry road on either side are huge elms such as one might see in far-off New England, and ash, maple, white birch, basswood and poplar trees fill in the lower spaces, while the branches of all are festooned with wild hops. The underbrush is composed of elegant wild ferns, strawberry plants, wild plum trees, Saskatoon and raspberry bushes, hawthorn and wild cranberry. And over the sturdy elm trunks is a beautiful growth of bright green moss, setting off the fall coloring is a very satisfying manner.
Shorthorns, Yorkshires, Clydesdales, Shropshires and Dutch Belted Cattle comprise the livestock. there are some splendid young bulls and heifers in the Shorthorn barns, nearly all sired by Shenley Adonis (imp.), the senior stock bull. The junior stock bull is an excellent quality, thrifty appearing youngster possessing great promise. The descendants of Shenley Adonis need make no apologies for being in the Shorthorn records. They all follow their sire in general conformation, and nearly every individual shows some outstanding points of merit. The Dutch Belted cattle were purchased more "to amuse the passengers on passing trains" than for any other purpose, but they supply the milk for home use.
The sheep are nearly all grades, but high-class grades, and the herd is headed by a performer in the Shropshire rings.
One might say a great deal about the hogs. They are the large white Yorkshire, all well developed for their age, well balanced and sturdily put together. Every individual shows strong character and splendid quality.
The horses are grades, with the exception of a high-class home-bred stallion, aged four years, a son of Lord Ardwell, an imported stallion of great quality that made a big name for the Van Horne stud.
The buildings are most modern and convenient. There is a Shorthorn stable, a horse barn, a piggery, a granary, a straw covered sheep shed, a blacksmith shop., fully equipped, a milk house and all the other outbuildings necessary. One feature of the buildings that compels admiration, is the profuse amount of sunshine and light that is admitted, and the manner in which the stables are ventilated and cleaned.
Wild land is used almost exclusively, although it is the plan, in breaking up the land, to sow timothy and clover following the first brushing. This is allowed to be pastured for two or three years previous to the ploughing. The stony sections are also down to clover, and the stock is placed on the aftermath, with makes a splendid fall pasture. The wild land pastures are abundantly supplied with water in the shape of natural springs in Cook's Creek bottom. The west pastures front on the river, where water is always available. The work of clearing these lands is done by Galicians by the acre, and if there is any indispositions on the part of the men to work, their places can be quite easily filled by the Galician women, who work for a dollar a day and board themselves.
Mr. J. R. Oastler, the manager of the farm, states that the crops this year are turning out excellently. On a field of seven hundred acres the wheat has yielded at the rate of 40 bushels to the acre. Threshing is in progress at the present time, though the recent snowstorm held up the work very badly. The root crop, consisting mainly of turnips, is all harvested and in the cellar. No silage was cut this year. the stock is kept on pasture until too cold to remain out overnight. For winter feeding, cereals are used as concentrates, clover and timothy as roughage, and roots for succulence.—The Nor'-West Farmer.
Mr. G. D. Grimmer spent a few days of last week here, in the interest of the auction which was being held. The auction consisted of the sale of the furniture of the Tyn-y-coed and Tyn-y-maes hotels which have recently been disposed of. The articles for sale were in good condition, and met with ready purchasers, many of the neighbours from adjacent places being present.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 2/1915
The Campobello Land Corporation which some years ago took over the holdings of the original promoting corporation, has gone out of business and the title of the property has been taken over by F. H. Grimmer of St. Andrews, who is said to represent the interests which held the island before the transfer, the mortgage held by the latter having never been redeemed. The furniture and fittings of the Tyn-y-Maes and Tyn-y-Coed, both of which have been torn down, were sold at auction at the Inn [so Inn not torn down] Thursday afternoon by the local bailiff, or deputy Sheriff. —Sentinel
Beacon (f9822)
Dec 16/1915
Town Council has been occupying itself with trivialities and routine matters, rather than the vital question of a water works.