Item

Atlantic Advocate

January, 1977

Art and Van Horne

Elizabeth Hiscott

Canadians have another change to see and preserve an historic art treasure, to honor a . . . to develop this county and to show whether or not they believe . . . who dare to be different and who accomplish what other fear to attempt deserve to be remembered.

            Sir William Van Horne, industrial tycoon and driving force behind the creation of one of the world's greatest transportation systems, the CPR, was also a painter. And he left at least fifteen oil on canvas works which are for sale as a unit by the Robert Manuge Art Gallery in Halifax.

            These paintings were purchased through an American art dealer from Norman Langdon, who bought the Van Horne summer home on Minister's Island, St. Andrews. They vary in quality and a few a more historically than artistically significant. But most are academically good, aesthetically compelling and superb in composition. A couple are magnificent in their portrayal of the natural world.

            The paintings, restored by artist Dusan Kadlec of Purcell's Cove Road, Halifax County, are valued at more than $200,000. Mr. Manuge hopes they will remain in Canada, preferably in New Brunswick where Van Horne lived and painted, or perhaps in offices of the CPR.

            But Manuge is an art dealer and he "will sell to the first party who comes up with the money." He has done what he can to interest Canadians—the federal and New Brunswick governments and others—and now he awaits results.

            Last fall a special exhibition of the paintings was held at the Manuge Gallery followed by a reception at the Halifax Club. The guest speaker, Pierre Berton, read biographical notes on Van Horne, taken from the book "The Life and Work of Sir William Cornelius Van Horne," written by Walter Vaughan. Berton had written of the American born railway baron in his books "The National Dream" and "The Last Spike."

            Some first general reactions to the painting, observed among the hundreds of reception guests, were those of surprise that the painter of such beautiful pictures was self-taught; and wonder at the fact that Van Horne had, while supervising the construction of the 5,000-mile-long railway, managed to find time and energy to paint.

            But Van Horne was a European renaissance type of man who seemed to live each day as if it were the beginning of a new era of achievement. Besides being a railway baron and artist, he was many things—autocrat, honest man who deplored inefficiency and lack of courage, passionate lover of nature, practical joker, knowledgeable art collector, amateur geologist, plant and animal breeder, architectural designer and much more—a genius with unbounded energy.

            In his paintings of landscapes and seascapes depicting Canadian scenes from New Brunswick to the Rockies, his creative use of light, shade and color produced effects not unlike those seen in the work of French impressionists. Dominant colors are greens, reds, orange, rust, gold and rose. Those in the seascapes are mostly cool blue, dark green, white and stormy grey.

            His perspective is so true and forms so realistic that if one stands in front of "Autumn Woods and Fields," it seems possible to step onto that overgrown path and walk beneath the soft foliage of the trees. These painting are the works of a man who knew nature's physical forms, colors and character intimately.

            The most captivating picture is a 48 by 34 inch painting of Mount Cheops in the Canadian Rockies, the bare rock peak of which evokes the memory of its namesake, the largest of the great pyramids on the Nile. This picture is magnificent, with swirling grey mist enveloping shadowy spruce trees beneath the majestic mountain, which is touched on one side with creamy sunlight and on the other with blue shade. It is a picture of contrasts light and dark, diffuse and sharp, warm and cool, material and ethereal—and, in total composition, powerful—a good symbol of Van Horne, the man.

            The names of paintings such as "Path Around the Cliff," "Passamaquoddy Bay," "Okanogan Valley," "Foothills of the Rockies," and "Covenhoven Birches," are those of some of the places which served as escapes for a lover of nature whose ears were too often assailed by the clang of steel on steel and the clamor of a colonial society pushing its way into the future.

            Some of the paintings which range in size from 17 by 24 inches to 38 by 66 inches, and which date from 1898 to 1910, are signed with the initials "WCVH," while a few are signed backwards—"enroh nav."

            According to his biographer, Walter Vaughan, Van Horne's art hobby began at the age of three when he found a piece of slate in a creek near his home in Illinois. With it he drew pictures of children and animals, and, when it ran out, his father sharpened a piece of lead pipe to a drawing point. With that he decorated the white-washed walls of their home. Later, in school, his pastime was caricaturing friends and teachers.

            As a boy he practised art by copying illustrations from magazines. At thirteen he staged a show, for neighbors, of panoramic view of London drawn on the back of a roll of wallpaper. With the roll mounted on wheels an attached to a hand crank he was able to gradually unwind his show, describing the scenes as they passed.

            At fourteen his formal schooling ended when he quite after being severely punished for caricaturing the principal. That year he was also fired from his job as telegrapher with the Illinois Central Railway Company for carrying out a practical joke. He had run a wire form the office to an appropriately placed steel plate in the yard and watched through the window as people who stepped upon it received a shock. The last person shocked was the superintendent who fired him. He later held, with different companies, a series of jobs ranging from telegrapher to superintendent of a railway branch line at the age of twenty-eight. He became known for his ability to put a dying railway business back in a paying position in a short time.

            After he came to Canada in 1881, he did most of his painting at night by candlelight. Vaughan wrote that the artist, Percy Woodcock, who sometimes shared Van Horne's studio with him, noted that Van Horne painted as birds sing, naturally and enjoyably. "It was a form of relief to his creative faculties that were continually seeking an outlet. In his studio his railway work was put entirely behind him."

            Vaughan also noted that "Van Horne was a man who could lose himself for a long interval in silent contemplation in a charming landscape, who would rouse a companion from sleep on his railway car, "Saskatchewan," to look at a beautiful lake or a hill bathed in moonlight.

            As Van Horne travelled extensively in many countries he collected works of most of the world's greatest painters. Though he had samples of every school of art, he admired most he Dutch and Spanish masters. He also collected pottery (mostly Japanese). After establishing the CP steamship service to the Orient he received many gifts of pottery from officials and friends in that country.

            He collected a fine library of books on art and artists and became one of the most knowledgeable art collectors in the world. Said Vaughan: "Art for him was more than passion; it was a necessity."

            In the late 1880s, Van Horne bought the greater part of Minister's Island in Passamaquoddy Bay, where he built a spacious, self-designed summer home with a gallery for his art. His 600-acre property, which he landscaped himself, was accessible only twice day at low tide as the water covered the road the rest of the time. Friends moved into the area and St. Andrews became a summer resort.

            In 1890 he bought a grey stone house fronting on Sherbrooke St. in Montreal in which he built a splendid gallery. That historic house was torn down not long ago.

            It was in 1895 that Van Horne accepted British knighthood which he had twice refused in the previous five years. And it seems that Canadian memories were always short. As early as 1915, George T. Blackstock of Toronto, who was a friend and counsellor to Van Horne from 1885 to 1892, wrote that Canadians today have no realization of the work he did or of what they owe him. "He was a Napoleonic master of men and the fertility of his genius and resource were boundless, as were the skill and force with which he brought his conceptions to realization."

            Dusan Kadlec, after restoring the paintings, commented that, though the works vary in quality, the best are superb. "They were done by a very artistically learned man, a great man, and it is a pity that we have so few of them." Kadlec was moved by the scope of the man's vision. "He had an inner quality. . . . He looked at things in a special way and interpreted what he saw in a powerful manner. . and he was a genius in composition." He added that Van Horne had a great deal of knowledge in the use of oil paint and he varnished his paintings properly which resulted in retention of the freshness of the colors.

            In regard to the Van Horne Paintings he offers for sale, Robert Manuge said: "I don't think such a rare treasure, created by a great Canadian, is available for purchase anywhere else. This is not a suit of his clothes or a hat; this is a remarkable achievement in excellence by a world-renowned figure whose zeal matched that of any of the French Impressionists. Manuge, 51, a "country boy" from South Brook, Cumberland, County, became a sophisticated blazer of new trails for Nova Scotia. When he was executive vice-president of Nova Scotia's Industrial Estates Limited, he was the key figure in the transactions which ended with Michelin Tire Company investing $100 million in the province. He is a self-confessed autocrat with the courage to stand behind his own convictions.

            Recently he turned his twenty-year hobby of art collecting into a full-time business. He had obtained many fine works of art while travelling through other countries on business and today owns painting worth about a million dollars. They adorn every available wall space in his elegant Halifax home—from the rec-room to the bedrooms and even in the bathroom.

            He has donated many paintings to Nova Scotia—to the government and to art, educational and other institutions. One of his main goals in life is to convince Nova Scotians that they should collect art. He has been successful to some degree as he can name several industrialists and financiers whom, he says, he inspired to build private collections. He hopes that these paintings will eventually be bequeathed to Nova Scotia. Manuge, who enjoyed drawing in elementary school and loved walking alone among the trees near his home, felt a deprivation of art in his early life. When, at twenty-six he went to work in Montreal, near the Museum of Art, and became friends with artists such as Lismer, Jackson, Varley and Harris, he found these Canadian artists "lonesome and ignored." "It was not just my exposure, in Montreal, to original art and artists, but to our great French culture that inspired my interest in art," he said in an interview. "I was stimulated by the French people who, as a whole, seemed to be as concerned with the arts as with the basic requirements of life such as food, clothing and lodging. They were concerned with all forms of art—visual and performing—and coupled with their interest in the arts was their joy de vivre.

            He added that Nova Scotians have not been exposed enough to original art and asked, "what might our boys and girls achieve if they were?" Speaking as an art collector and dealer but also like a very successful entrepreneur remembering post achievements, he said: "It pains me today that so many people in art and in business are so willing to accept mediocrity to 'not rock the boat' . . . creative entrepreneurs are not being allowed to emerge . . and too many people are willing to accept excuses."

            When he was a member of the board of the Nova Scotia Art Gallery, Manuge began a campaign to retain for Nova Scotia the work of art "The Painted Room" in Karsdale, Annapolis County. But the art went to Ottawa. Manuge resigned from the board. And today the Nova Scotia government is trying to get this art back.

            Perhaps the New Brunswick government may follow a similar scenario in future if they allow the Van Horne paintings to be bought by someone outside the province. Perhaps the greatest need Van Horne once saw in Canada may still exits. Commenting on a political issue in a letter to a friend, he said: "What this country needs more than anything else is a fool-killer."

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Historical Value of Island

Known Prehistory Coming . . .?

1977

While the historical value of Minister's Island is well established with the existence of CPR builder Sir William Van Horne's estate and other small settlements, the implications of its pre-historic significance are just recently being realized, provincial archaeologist Chris Turnbull says.

            Ancient house foundations and a nearby mass burial site on the south shore of the 500 acre island shed light on the culture and lifestyles of a past civilization there, and also relate to pre-historic finds in other parts of North America, he said in an interview.

            The mass grave, which has evidence of containing three to 12 people, is believed to date back as far as 500 BC. The only other ancient graves found so far in the province are on the Augustine site in the Miramichi Basin.

            The house foundations are believed to date back to 500-1000 AD, and they are the only evidence of ancient dwelling foundations existing in New Brunswick.

            The sites are unique in themselves, Turnbull said, but they are also valuable because of their relationship to other finds. The sites were first studied in 1962 by Richard Pearson from the National Museum, but reports exist that indicate Dr. Baird from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, first discovered them in 1869. Field work conducted by Dr. David Sanger in 1970 unearthed the finds and he has been studying and analyzing the evidence there.

            As the analysis continues, the significance of the site is starting to be appreciated more, Turnbull said. With the increasing interest in the potential and value of the sites, he expects excavations on the island to resume soon in an attempt to uncover further and more detailed information on the civilization. Human bones, preserved . . . by the shell structure of the island soil, and artefacts like stone knives and crude utensils indicate a lot about the ancient culture, Turnbull said. The house foundations are sunk into the ground, a fact archaeologists are somewhat at a loss to fully explain. Was it a practical measure designed to provide extra warmth and protection from the elements in the cold winter months, or simply a style of the times—a per-historic version of the split-level?           

            The answer is not yet known but Turnbull says he doubt they were sunk for warmth since house remnants discovered in cold and barren parts of Labrador do not have the lowered foundations.

            Bones of immature deer and ducks that would be on the island only during the winter months suggest that the inhabitants, possibly Passamaquoddy Indians, lived there year-round. It is believed the Indians went on hunting expeditions in small groups and used the dwelling as a base. Such finds as moose and beaver shows the people's dependence on these animals for food.

            The design of the mass grave is believed to have been a . . . ceremonial burial site, seems to have a strong connection with the Augustinian burial mound near the Red Barn? Reserve in the Miramichi Basin, Turnbull said. This fact has special significance, because finds in the two sites show a most different culture in every aspect except for the similarity in the way they buried their dead. Both the Minister's Island grave and the Augustine grave, which contain evidence of about 20 persons have close relationship with burial bounds as far away as the Ohio Valley.

            Ancient graves in the Ohio Valley are more elaborate than the two in this province, and they date even further back in time, probably to 1000 BC. Despite certain differences, there is a definite connection, Turnbull maintains.

            The significance of their similarities and contrasts are not yet clear. "Are we just seeing part of a spectrum?" he asked. That is just one more question archaeologists have to contend with. But he said the relationship indicates that a greater amount of communication and travel existed in North American at that time than is generally believed.

            The Atlantic region is "one of the last areas of North America to be explored seriously" by archaeologists, Turnbull said. Therefore, it is probably there is much more to be found here.

Telegraph Journal

March 3, 1977

Important Canadian Auction

At Covenhoven

The Lavish Summer Residence of the Late Railroad Pioneer Sir William Van Horne

On Minister's Island

St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada

An exhibition of all items to be sold will be held on Thursday March 10th with the first Auction Session March 12 and the Second Session March 13th, 1977

Upon arrival in St. Andrews, you will follow posted Auction signs to a designated parking station. Here you will board a bus to be driven to this scenic and historic Island, crossing the floor of the ocean at low tide to Covenhoven.

            The auction will include many valuable items as well as memorabilia for the collector. It could be described as rare, unique, magnificent, historic and interesting. Certainly, a one in a lifetime event. It gives me great pleasure to personally recommend it.

            You will find many items from Sir William's private collection as well as furnishings depicting a Dutch heritage. Sir William, a painter himself, made close friends with artists around the world. Two examples of seascapes by William Hope R. C.A. and John Hammond R. C.A. will be among the varied works of art to be auctioned. There are oils, water colours, engravings, etchings and prints by other Canadian artists as well as a modern mural "the Last Spike" oil on canvas; an original Early Burgundian style cupboard dated 1642 heads the list of furniture, it's truly artistry in wood elaborately carved, a collection of oriental pottery as collected by Sir William; many Model Ships from his collection; a rare mahogany Pool Table with a scoreboard, it's a period piece of furniture, framed rules custom designed over head lights and all other accessories made in London c. 1890; mounted Canadian elk and buffalo heads as well as a Bleacher Bench covered with oriental Saddle Bags, all these from the Pool Room; a Steinway baby grand piano with a unique player attachment; an antique Grandfather Tall Case clock; other Mantel Clocks; Captain's Chairs; tiffany Type lamps, two chamber sets, one in Minton; Noted Books including "History of Nations" by Henry Cabot Lodge; all firedogs from the many fireplaces, brass and copper, including a large very old Syrup Kettle; Sleighs; two special carriages, a three-seater and a Boston made Landau Coach; a marine shipper's desk; sea chests and marine items; lantern; bells; book cases; secretaries stands; tables; a set of elaborately figural carved chairs; an early maple rope bed circa 1830; a pair of Victorian brass beds circa 1890; lots of wicker ware; topographical maps; oriental rugs, original Van Horne's, Primitives; a rare Queen Anne Windsor chair.

This sale will also include modern office furniture and an IBM selectric typewriter and appliances.

A catalogue is available giving complete details regarding the three-day event. The price is 2.00. Write or phone for a copy. Reserve bids may be placed.

Important timetable for the three days—please read carefully.

Thursday March 10th—Exhibition preview. Buses will start leaving at approx. 8:15 am through 'til 10:30 am. The last bus off the island before the incoming tide will be approx. 12 noon. The first evening bus will leave for the island at approx. 6:30 pm and the last bus off will be at approx. 11:30 pm. This will allow a morning and evening viewing.

The Public Auction Saturday March 12th—the last bus will leave for the island at approx. 2 pm. Sale time is 1 pm.

The Public Auction Sunday March 13th—the last bus will leave for the island at approx. 2:30 pm. Sale time is 2:00 pm.

Please remember "Time and Tide Waits for No Man." This sale by order of the present owner, Mr. Norman Langdon.

R. L. Bond, Auctioneer

Hampton, New Brunswick

Note: Accommodation may be found in Saint John, St. Andrews, St. Stephen or Pennfield. Also Calais Maine all within easy driving distance of St. Andrews. Car rentals available in most centres.

Gleaner

March 10, 1977

St. Andrews Gives Up on Minister's Island

Town council here decided Wednesday "not to do anything militant or against the law" to protest the selling of items from a home on nearby Minister's Island, once owned by Sir William Van Horne, builder of the CPR, Mayor John Boone says.

            Boone said in an interview following a council meeting that he was disappointed by the council decision, a reversal of determination expressed at meeting here Monday to block the sale.

            The mayor said he would personally take a picket sign to meet buyers going across the bar, "but it looks like I'll be there alone."

            Earlier he said he wanted the bar blocked off Thursday during an exhibition of the items to be sold and again on Saturday and Sunday when the auction is to take place. He said following the meeting that he would not block the bar now because he does not have the backing of council. Townspeople gave verbal encouragement to the fight to block the sale, he said, but he did not expect others to join him in the protest.

            Boone said council would place letters in buses that are to shuttle buyers back and forth for the sale asking that those who purchase Van Horne items loan them permanently to the island if it is bought by the New Brunswick government. Dr. George MacBeath, deputy director of historical resources for the New Brunswick government, said in an interview Wednesday that the province was "in a delicate stage of negotiations" concerning purchase of the property and he would not comment further.

            He also said the province would be represented at the auction but he would not say how many items it was interested in buying or how much it was prepared to spend. He deplored extensive news coverage of the sale because "it will drive up the price."

            Auctioneer Russell Bond said the mayor's dispute with the provincial government was due to a communication failure of the government because the province did intend to buy all the Van Horne artefacts it wanted. He said not all the 725 pieces to be auctioned were connected with Van Horne and not all were of historical significance.

            Bond also said the province would buy the island and now was negotiating for the best-possible price.

            Owner Norman Langdon, a United States businessman who bought the island in 1970 from a financially troubled US corporation, said he has subdivided the island and was looking for buyers for all of it.

            The US corporation had bought the 500-acre island from the Van Horne estate in the late 1950's and attempted during the 1960s to turn it into a luxurious private club.

            In 1965 and 1967 the corporation fell behind in payments to the New Brunswick government—holder of the mortgage on the island—and the property was twice advertised for sale. Both times the payments were made before a sale was negotiated.

            Boone said people here had been pressing for government acquisition of the island for the past 25 years and "why they didn't foreclose on the mortgage at that time is beyond me."

            Bill Clarke, 72, retired chief gardener for the Van Horne's and the subsequent corporate owners of the island, said it has deteriorated since the Van Horne family left it in the 1930's, about 15 years after Sir William's death.

Courier?

March 11, 1977

Owner of Van Horne Residence: Would only Demolish as Last Resort

Present owner Norman Langdon says he would only have the former summer residence of the late Sir William Van Horne on Minister's Island here demolished "as a last resort." "That decision has not been made at all," the American businessman said in an interview Thursday night during an exhibition of the contents of the building which go on the auction block Saturday and Sunday.

            Mr. Langdon's statements were in contrast to those made earlier by St. Andrews Mayor E. John Boone. Mr. Boone claims that Mr. Langdon, who owns most of Minister's Island and the 20 buildings on it, would have the main house demolished as soon as its contents are sold. Van Horne, the builder of the CPR, had the buildings rebuilt early in the century and they are regarded by man as historical monuments.

            Although Mr. Langdon said that tearing down the main structure—a 28-room sandstone and wood mansion—"is a possibility," the decision to do so would not be until "sometime down the road in the future."

            That alternative would arise only if "some other arrangements could not be made," Mr. Langdon, 43, added. The businessman has had the property subdivided but has met with little success in selling the land parcels. He says, one of the main purposes of holding the auction, is to attract people as groups who would be interested in buying the island wholesale. Mr. Boone, who has been pressing he province to purchase the property and restore it as a historical site and tourist attraction, says he will start raising cash in eight or 10 days if the province does not move to acquire the property.

            The 37-year-old store owner and commercial fisherman said he would use $3,000 or $4,000 of his own money to finance a cross-Canada trip to solicit funds through television appearances and talks to universities and service clubs. He would also approach school children if necessary. "I don't think I'd have any problem raising the money."

            Once the property was obtained, he said it could be operated in a number of ways—possibly by turning it over to the provincial government.

            Mr. Boone said his telephone rang all day Thursday with people calling from all parts of Canada and from Maine to express support for his fight to save the island for public use. Mr. Boone said Mr. Langdon told him the buildings would be demolished for economic reasons.

            Mr. Langdon had put a new roof on Covenhoven, the main house, and it and other buildings were in good shape, Boone said.

            Mr. Boone said he was around the bar . . . while potential buyers travelled across Thursday for a preview exhibition of items to be auctioned. Auctioneer Russell Bond said about 350 people went to the exhibition during the first low tide and more were expected late in the day when the tide dropped again allowing buses to get back and forth.

            The mayor did not picket buses carrying the potential buyers who attended the preview but he said he would be on a picket line Saturday and Sunday. Several children and three or four adults from this town of 1,650 had promised to join the picket line, he said, but they would not attempt to block traffic on the bar or interfere with the sale. He had earlier urged town council to block access to the bar in an attempt to prevent the sale but council voted Wednesday to take no militant action.

Courier

March 9/1977

Van Horne Auction this Weekend. Landmark May be Lost.

Furnishings to be auctioned off and owner of Island, Norman Langdon of Ellsworth will tear down house. Hatfield says money to purchase house not available at provincial level. (get details)

Telegraph Journal

March 14, 1977

Steve Belding

A private antique collector from Toronto who paid the highest price for a single item at an action of furnishings from the summer home once owned by Sir William Van Horne, said Sunday that he had made an "arrangement" with the provincial government to keep the piece in New Brunswick. Michael McPherson paid $10,500 for an eight-foot, intricately carved, 17th century cupboard at the sale on Minister's Island. "I am not at liberty to say what kind of arrangement I've made with the province. I didn't make any profit on the deal. The cupboard is now in the government's hands," Mr. McPherson said.

            He said he had feared the cupboard along with other pieces at the auction might be bought by buyers from outside Canada and New Brunswick in particular. ". . . I was trying to protect these things. I feel very sorry . . . letting them go. I hope New Brunswick will buy the . . . and set it up as a national historic monument," he said. He said he was "not out to make any financial gain" and would negotiate further with the province to turn over most of the other . . . purchased. He said he had spent about $30,000 at the auction. "I saw them destroy a beautiful old home in Montreal not too long ago and I could see the same thing happening here. I've long admired Sir William Van Horne. We have to protect the things that are important to our heritage."

            Norman Langdon, the 43-year-old American who purchased the estate, which rests on Minister's Island here, in 1971, confirmed Mr. McPherson's arrangement with the province on the cupboard. "I understand the government now owns the cupboard. I believe it's true."

            Richard Phillips, a specialist with the provincial historical Resources Administration, would neither confirm nor deny the deal. Mr. Phillips was in charge of bidding on behalf of the Province Sunday. A total of 725 items were auctioned off during the two-day sale here. About 300 serious bidders took part in the event. Hundreds of other curiosity seekers also shuttled back and forth across to the pastoral 500-acre island.

            Interference from protestors who wished to prevent the auction of furnishings from the summer home once owned by Sir William Van Horne didn't prevent a successful sale, auctioneer Russell Bond said. As many as 12 picketers were beside the road leading to Minister's Island Saturday and Mayor E. John Boone of St. Andrews and one youth met early buses carrying prospective buyers to the island home Sunday. They were protesting the sale of the items and were critical of the government for not buying the island and the mansion and its contents to preserve them for the province.

            The protestors carried signs but didn't interfere with the traffic on either day of the two-day sale. Mr. Bond said opponents of the sale had ripped down posters and filled buses which travelled over a sand bar that at low tide gives access to the nearby island, with people who took up space meant to be used by buyers.

            The buses could get to the island for a two-to-three-hour period twice daily. Private cars weren't allowed to use the route because of private one-land roads on the island and a problem with mud and parking.

            Other major items sold, in addition to the cupboard bought by Mr. McPherson and sold to the province, were a seascape by painter William Hope of St. Andrews for $4,200, a painting of boats in Saint John Harbour by John Hammond for $4,500 and a pool table bought by the province for $2,700.

            The province also bought a Jacobean dining room ensemble for $2,160, a Turkish rug for $1,000 and a Windsor chair for $1,000, in addition to many other items.

            Mr. Langdon refused to say how much the sale brought in but observers who kept a rough tally estimated the sale brought in between $50,000 and $60,000 each day.

            Mr. Bond was critical of the people of St. Andrews for not being represented at the bidding on major items. Miss Alice Caughey, a long-time resident of the town had not had the opportunity to raise money for some of the items, particularly the Renaissance cupboard, some paintings by Van Horne and some of the rugs. She said no attempt was made because the town was told the province would purchase those items.

            Mr. Langdon, who was not present Saturday, but returned on Sunday out of "curiosity," said the most significant thing about the auction was the exposure it had attracted across the country. Many of the bidders on hand were from other eastern Canadian provinces and the US. "You couldn't buy all the publicity," he said.

            The result is, Mr. Langdon said, that people and groups are now more interested and aware of Minister's Island than ever before. He said two groups expressed an interest in purchasing the whole island Sunday. "I don't take any serious until they show me the money and the contract," Mr. Langdon said. However he added, it would only take serious "third party" involved to drive the price of the island up. "What's to prevent the island from going to somebody else? If you want something you have to go out and get it."

Telegraph Journal

March 14, 1977

"I Have $25 . . . Who'll Make it $30?"

Amidst the low din of conversation in the crowded, stuffy drawing room, the amplified voice of auctioneer Russell Bond scarcely took a break.

            Sitting on a bar chair which was parked on a table at the front of the room, the slight, grey-haired and balding man didn't let up on his techniques of goading the bidders to their maximum efforts. "And now ladies and gentlemen, we have a unique brace back window chair," Mr. Bond would say as his assistants displayed the antiques in the crowd before him. "Circa 1900. A reproduction and very expensive. Probably (constructed of) maple . . . Are you there at $25?" . . .

            Antique furniture, paintings, sketches, artefacts of all kinds went on the auction block. Most of them were sold for under $100, many in the hundreds of dollars range and a few in the thousands of dollars range. The most sought-after items were those left over from the Van Horne era. These were marked with an asterisk in the 725-item catalogue. The auction was unique because once you were there you couldn't leave. The only accessible route to the island is across and sand bar during low tide. The auction on both days began when the tide was nearly in. It drew to a close as the bar was clearing again.

            Bidders in attendance included many antique dealers from all over Eastern Canada, a few from the United States, representatives of the province's Historical Resources Administration and individual collectors. Dealers interviewed felt the object objects were going pretty well at retail prices. J. R. Plester, an antique dealer from London, ON, said the prices were too high for him to make a profit by buying and reselling. Besides the purchase price, Mr. Plester would have the added expense of shipping what he bought back to Ontario.

            "I bid on a number of things," he said in an interview as the auction was in progress. It's too expensive unless you are a collector."

            Another antique dealer, Sandra Thorne, the owner of Fenwick's House on Antiques in Sussex, said, "It's a good auction. I don't think anybody is paying too much for anything."

            She said there was a fair amount of politicking in progress among the bidders. "You'll find that at any auction where things of historical value are on the block." A case in point of this "politicking" involves the purchase by Syd Maskey of Rothesay. Mr. Maskey had the highest bid of $4,200 for an oil painting by William Hope, which was the top price on Saturday. Bidding started at $2,000 before Mr. Maskey, a general contractor, salted away the painting with his offer.

            A little later, Mr. Maskey said a number of people had approached him with the information that Historical Resources Administration representatives were "upset" at him for bidding against them on the painting. An HRA group attended the auction to buy historical objects for the provincial government.

            Mr. Maskey said if he had known he was bidding against the HRA, "I would have thought twice about it (upping the price)." However, he was disturbed at the fact that nobody knew for certain what bidding numbers the HRA was using. "I think they should identify themselves. How do we know he is not an American businessman? What is he (the HRA bidder) afraid of?"

            One of the bidding numbers held by an HRA employee was 10X on Saturday, including an expensive Jacobean dining set. 10X paid $610 for an extension dining table, $1,050 for a set of eight carved oak chairs and $500 for a carved oak sideboard. Although auctioned off as three separate items, all were included in the same ensemble descending from the Van Horne estate.

            Richard Philips was the holder of Bidding Card 10X.

            Mr. Philips said he was an employee of the HRA and was bidding on behalf of the government. Referring to the way the government representatives were bidding Saturday, Mr. Philips said in an interview Sunday, "The secrecy wasn't accomplishing anything for us."

            He said Charles Fo St. Stephen, the curator for the King's Landing historical site near Fredericton, headed the government delegation Saturday. But Mr. Philips headed the government representatives Sunday. He said there were two other assisting him.

            Mr. Philips declined to say what the government bidders' budget was. He said he was operating under "suggested limits on each item and a basis for changing that (limit) was based on a criterion established by our superiors." He did not elaborate.

            Mr. Maskey said that these kinds of proceedings were not uncommon at auctions and was generally not alarmed.

            One of the individual collectors in attendance was Richard Hire of St. Stephen. "The sale is a great opportunity to pick up items at more than a respectable figure," he said. "I follow them as a hobby."

            Mr. Hire, whose purchases included antique toy truck and a cavalry resourt, said the bidding was at the "peak retail price" of what you would pay for the items in a shop."

Telegraph Journal

March 10? 1977

Government Urged: Purchase Minister's Island

Leland McGaw (PC Charlotte West) urged the government Wednesday to purchase Minister's Island

Mr. McGaw said the property, which contains the estate of Sir William Van Horne, construction boss of the CPR, "is now available, and I cannot too strongly recommend to the government that it be purchased, restored to its former condition, and developed as an historic site under provincial control."

            "Anyone who has seen this property would agree that this is well worth doing, both from the point of view of preserving our heritage and attracting tourists."

            Education Minister Charles Gallagher said outside the House Wednesday that his department, which included the historical resources administration, was "very interested" in the island but would not say whether a purchase was being considered."

            Mr. McGaw devoted much of his speech to discussion of the fishing industry . . .

Gleaner

March 9, 1977

Van Horne Home Goes to Auction

The entire contents of a 50-room summer home on nearby Minister's Island formerly owned by Sir William Van Horne is to go on the auction block during the weekend, auctioneer Russell Bond of Hampton says.

            Bond said an exhibition of the articles, about 60 percent owned by the railway builder, will be on display in buildings on the 500-acre island Thursday. Potential buyers and the public will be allowed on the privately owned island for the exhibition.

            The exhibition was to give buyers a chance to preview the items on sale and to try to cut down on visits to the island from curious people who had no intention of buying while the sale is under way, he said.

            Inquiries had been received from potential buyers in eastern Canada, New England and New York, Bond said, and at least 200 from outside the province were expected. The New Brunswick government and the New Brunswick Museum were also expected to be represented at the sale. He said 725 items would be sold including 25 or 30 etchings and about 20 model ships. Van Horne . . . owned the entire island and used it as his summer home. The property remained in Van Horne family hands after Sir William's death in 1915 and was sold to a United States syndicate in the early 1930s [sic].

            Bond says it was allowed to deteriorate while owned by the syndicate until it was purchased by United States businessman Norman Langdon in 1970. Langdon said in an interview that he pumped a considerable amount of money into restoration of the property and he now hoped to sell it all.

            The island . . . has been subdivided, he said and the main purpose of the weekend sale was to attract attention of potential buyers for the island. He would not estimate the value of the pieces to be auctioned.

T. Journal

March 12, 1977

Town Council Against Sale

The town council here opposes the auction of 725 items from the former property of Sir William Van Horne . . . . Council voted Tuesday to make a meaningful protest if the government of New Brunswick does not intervene before the sale, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. The council wants the estate on the 500-acre island preserved as a national historic site, deputy mayor Mary Saunders said.

Gleaner

March 12 1977

"Plenty of Backing" Says Boone

Mayor E. John Boone says he will have "plenty of backing" if the Nb government does not step in and purchase Minister's Island here.

            "You would think I am exaggerating if I told you how many calls I've received in the past two days," Mayor Boone said in an interview Friday.

            "If the province let us down, but I don't believe they will, I have the names of several people who will offer support," he said. Calls for assistance in saving the former summer residence and contents of the late Sir William Van Horne on Minister's Island, Mayor Boone said, have come from all parts of Canada and the United States.

            An auction sale of the contents of the mansion that dominates the island is slated for today and Sunday. Mr. Boone has been pressing the province to purchase the property and restore it as an historical site and tourist attraction. In the legislature Friday Education Minister Charles Gallagher repeated that the province was very interested in the auction. However, he would not say whether representatives of his department would be at the auction. The mayor said he would be on a picket line protesting the auction today and Sunday. "We're not going to make a big fuss though. We don't want to jeopardize any possible move by the government to purchase the island."

            He said he and four other adults, along with several school children, would man the picket line, handing out letters of protest signed by himself and members of the St. Andrews town council.

Courier

March 16/1977

Two Canadians buy Minister's Island. Toronto Art Collector Michael McPherson and Antigonish Radiologist Alexander George.

Courier

March 16, 1977

Langdon Eager To Sell

"I don't think the auction will make any difference in the provincial government's attitude toward buying the island," said Norman Langdon in an interview on Tuesday. Mr. Langdon has been owner of Minister's Island since 1974.

            "I've spent three and a half years of my life on this island and I can get as enthused about Van Horne as anyone, but I've finally reached the conclusion that I'm not in the museum business."

            Mr. Langdon said that since he has been in residence in the house he has allowed many curiosity seekers to tour the place. However, the expense and effort of keeping the house in constantly perfect condition proved to be overwhelming. Two and a half years ago, Mr. Langdon was approached by the provincial government who wanted to purchase the Island. Since then, Mr. Langdon said he has had a number of talks with the government and they have never lived up to the timetables they set up. "But somebody told me that government never acts 'til it's too late. Now I don't believe anything until I see the bucks on the table."

            In July, Mr. Langdon spoke with Premier Hatfield concerning the ways the government could go about purchasing the Island. There are three people besides Norman Langdon who own portions of the Island. They all got together and zoned the land, creating a large green area of most of the fields, which is to be used jointly by all the owners as recreational land. According to the zoning, it is impossible for any commercial enterprises to be on the Island. It can be used only for private residential use.

            If the provincial government buys, it will have to buy Mr. Langdon's share for his asking price which is rumoured to be $1.3 million. Then the government will have to negotiate for the other three plots. Mr. Langdon felt the other owners would be willing to sell for the right price. He mentioned that those owners are still in love with their pieces of land and not eager to give them up.

            When Mr. Langdon bough the former William Cornelius Van Horne summer home, the roof leaked and water had been dripping on valuable rugs and prints for some time. Fixing the roof was the first job he had to do on the big house, and he has been working on the house and other buildings around the estate for virtually all the three-and-one-half years.

            When Mr. Langdon was asked about the Van Horne paintings which are now owned by a Halifax collector, he said that he approached the New Brunswick Museum about purchasing the collection. The Museum was not interested in buying the paintings.

            "If there is any way I can be of assistance in helping the government do what they want to do, I am available. I will not stand in the way," he added.

            "The longer they wait, the more it's going to cost." When asked the cost of the island he said, "Because of my involvement with interested parties, I cannot break confidences and discuss price."

            When Mr. Langdon first bought the island, he bought it with the intention of eventually selling for a profit. Then he went through a period of loving the place so much that he didn't want to sell. "I'm the biggest dreamer of them all, but I've decided I have to sell it now."

Courier

March 16, 1977

Council Backed Off

An emergency meeting of the St. Andrews town Council was held Wednesday night to decide what action the council would take regarding the weekend auction of furnishings from the former William Van Horne estate on Minister's Island.

            The council concluded the only action it was collectively willing to take was to distribute leaflets to people going over to the Island on Saturday and Sunday to purchase objects from the estate.           

            At the Wednesday meeting, council members learned that it was inadvisable for them to take a more militant approach to stopping the auction. There had originally been talk of putting a culvert in the Bar Road on Saturday, thus blocking people from getting to the auction.

            Council learned that representatives from Historical Resources would be present at the auction to bid on the items offered for sale that actually had been possessions of Van Horne and his family. According to Historical Resources, only ten percent of the items for sale are of significant historical value. It was suggested that council offer Historical Resources monetary aid toward the purchase of the Van Horne furnishing in case Historical Resources representatives found their budget depleted before important items came up for bid. However, this proposal was defeated.

            At the regular Monday night council meeting, Mayor Boone was directed by council to call government and foundation officials concerning the auction and the possibilities of stopping it. Mayor Boone reported, "I was pleased that I got return calls from everyone except Premier Hatfield." However, Mr. Boone did hear from Win Hackett, executive secretary to the premier. Mr. Hackett said that the province is actively pursuing the possibility of purchasing the island.

            According to Mr. Boone, Pierre Berton was willing to have his name used in relation to any stand the town might take toward the blockage of the sale of artefacts from the Van Horne house. Mayor Boone said, "I'm disappointed about council's attitude. If we find in 10 days or so that the government has been bullshitting us and is not prepared to buy the island, then we should become militant. Government has been dillydallying around at all levels, and we are dillydallying around now. Here is a founder of confederation and this council is doing nothing. This province is being torn apart, North against South, and this is a man who put the country together. What are we doing?"

            The leaflet handed to people on their way to the auction on Saturday and Sunday stated: "The Mayor and Council of the Town of St. Andrews wish to record their distress that appropriate arrangements have not been yet made to secure for the people of Canada a fitting national monument to Sir William Van Horne, one of the builders of the Canadian Nation. In the meantime, we would encourage prospective purchasers of Van Horne memorabilia to agree to pledge their purchase on a permanent basis to this historic site. We hope that such expressions of support for a National monument will further encourage higher levels of government to actively pursue the wishes of so many people at the local and national level."

Gleaner

March 12, 1977

Editorial?

Action Needed

Today there is a tremendous emphasis on preserving our heritage with the view to establishing our roots. No doubt the successful television version of Alex Haley's "Roots" has aided the cause of those who wish to maintain a museum of the past for contemporary generations. "Roots," however, has only been an aid, for historical groups and heritage societies have always been active.

            In the light of New Brunswick's historical past and the efforts that numerous individuals have made to restructuring it, citizens can be surprised and perhaps shocked that the provincial government has not moved to purchase the summer residence of the late Sir William Van Horne on Minister's Island. William Van Horne was one of Canada's distinguished pioneers. Many may quibble with his character or his personality, nevertheless, his New Brunswick residence should become a public building. In fact, the whole property could well serve as a resort area. Now that the effects, many of which were extremely valuable have been disposed of, surely the government can see the wisdom in purchase of the property.

            It is true government officials had the opportunity to purchase the complete premises "for a song" years ago. At a much higher price, it is still a bargain today. The current administration has spent countless millions on industries which leave no tangible symbol except vacated buildings. To purchase the Van Horne property and establish it a public summer resort would be clear evidence of concrete action by the present government. Not only that, but a nominal tourist fee would also enable the property to return money to the public coffers. How about it? Is anyone listening in the halls of government?

Courier

March 16, 1977

Two Canadians Buy Minister's Island

New Brunswick Keeps Some Items

At the Van Horne estate auction this past weekend, the provincial government through the Department of Historical Resources purchased most of the items of historical importance.

            An oak Spanish cupboard built in 1642, was purchased by a Toronto dealer and later handed over to the provincial government. The dealer, Michael McPherson, paid $10,500 for the item.

            In pre-auction speculation on Saturday, a representative from Historical Resources felt that the whole auction would bring $50,000, no more. However, by the end of the auction Sunday the total figure was closer to $100,000. He calculated that less than 10 percent of the items had been there in Van Horne's day. The same Historical Resources representative said that the pool table, one of the items the government successfully bid on, would either go for a song or for a pile of money.

            No one knew who was in the crowd and how much money they were willing to spend. The government paid $2,700 for the pool table and they probably consider it a steal.

            A painting by William Hope was also purchased by the government for $4,200. Hope was a protégé of Sir William. The studio on the town side of the bar leading to the island was built by Van Horne to accommodate his artist friend, Hope.

            The provincial government also purchased a painting by John Hammond, the Jacobean dining room ensemble, a Turkish rug, Windsor chair and other items. Most of the oriental rugs in the house had been purchased before the sale by a private party.

            Three hundred people attended the auction, a large number of them from New Brunswick. Others attending travelled from Texas, Georgia, Halifax, Toronto, and Montreal. The event was highly publicized in the media.

New Brunswick Decision This Week—Boone

Courier? 1977

A decision by the province on the purchase of Minister's Island here should be known by the "end of the week," says Mayor E. John Boone of St. Andrews

            Mayor Boone said in an interview that a government official had assured him a decision would be made at the end of this week at the latest. He declined to name the official. . . . An auction of artefacts from the Horne era contained in the 28-room mansion that dominate the island estate, took place Saturday and Sunday. American businessman Norman Langdon currently owns most of the island property. Mayor Boone and St. Andrews town council opposed the auction. The mayor and about one dozen other persons manned a demonstration group on the weekend that carried placards and handed out a prepared statement opposing the auction.

            The statement, signed by the mayor and members of the town council, expressed concern that arrangement to purchase the island turn it into a national monument had not been made. It encouraged prospective buyers of Van Horne memorabilia to agree to pledge that they will subsequently loan their purchases on a permanent basis "for this historic site."

            Mayor Boone had planned to blockade the auction but changed his mind last week, when the government said it would look into purchasing the island for historical reasons. He said the low key demonstration was in line with a government request to "keep it down." He said the government was in a very delicate stage of negotiations with Mr. Langdon," in discussing purchasing the 500 acre estate."

            He said it was "meaningful" that government had responded to the wishes of the town. Support for the mayor's cause came in from throughout North America. "You would think I was exaggerating if I told how much support I've received," he said. He had said last week that he would look into purchasing the estate with public support and restore it an national historic monument. Now it appears the government may be in, he said. "We await the government decision on buying the island," Mr. Boone said.

Telegraph Journal

March ? 1977

Former Gardener—Favors Government Purchase of Island

Steve Belding, Staff Writer

Nobody feels any more strongly that Minister's Island here should be purchased by the provincial government and renovated into a historical site than W. J. (Bill) Clarke. But he's a little dubious about the fuss the town of St. Andrews has been kicking up about the matter lately. "I think it's a little late," the 72-year-old former head gardener of Minister's Island said in an interview. "They should have done it quite a few years ago."

Mr. Clarke was referring specifically to a demonstration by a group of citizens opposing a public auction on the 500 acre island last weekend and outcries against it last week by the town council of St. Andrews.

A talkative, friendly man, Mr. Clarke was at the scene of the auction in a drawing room of the main mansion of the former summer estate of national figure Sir William Van Horne. He watched as one antique and artefact after another went on the auction block—items that he'd been close to in the past and which had been part of the distinct character of the rambling, Dutch-flavoured structure which is called Covenhoven.

Again he was not overly saddened by the spectacle. Last weekend's sale was only the final in series of sales which has seen Minister's Island stripped of its once grand personality. "Most of the stuff has long since gone."

            The Clarke family has quite a tradition of its own on the island. Bill's father Harry became its head gardener in 1898. When his father died in 1931, Bill took over the job which he maintained until 1974. Then he had a heart attack and was forced to withdraw at least partially from the scene. Bill grew up on the island. He was one of nine children in the family, which lived in a six-bedroom, one-level house on the western shore of the island. When he became head gardener, he raised his own family for four in the same house. When the former owners of the island fell into precarious financial straits about 12 years ago, he said, he decided to move because of the uncertainty. But he didn't go far away. Today, Mr. Clarke's own house in on the Bar Road just up the road from the natural causeway which connects Minister's Island to the mainland when the tide is out.

            The interior contents of the buildings on Minister's Island are no longer present. Gone are the fine gardens, flower beds, lily pond, the well-groomed paths along the shore and through the woods, and the glass vineries which he remembers so vividly. "At one time we had seven different vineries in one house and six in another," Mr. Clarke says.

            Five buildings have also been torn down.

            When the island was still in the Van Horne estate, Mr. Clarke said, he had a crew of seven in the warm months and three in the winter. There was another separate crew to look after the farm. Upwards of 20 people would be employed to maintain the estate during peak times he said. "During Van Horne's time, the place was well-kept. The place was polluted with people (tourists)," Mr. Clarke said. "We used to meet all kinds of people."

            The Van Horne era, were the good years which have passed, however.

            Sir William bought the island around the turn of the century, about 15 years after he spearheaded the building of he CPR. He purchased it from the estate of Rev. Samuel Andrews, the first minister in St. Andrews. Mr. Andrews had been given a grant to the property in 1786 and gave the island its name. The property stayed in the Van Horne estate until the late 1950's when it was bought by a Untied States corporation which soon fell into financial difficulty. Then there were not enough funds to properly maintain the grounds and the farm, Mr. Clarke said.

            In 1965 and 1967, the corporation fell behind in payments to the New Brunswick government which held the mortgage on the island. Twice the property was advertised for sale, but both times the payments were made before a sale was negotiated. Norman Langdon, who currently owns most of the island, purchased it from the corporation in late 1971. When the future of the island became uncertain, Mr. Clarke said, the former employees began to clear out. Before long, there were only himself and his sons left to work on the island and its condition was allowed to deteriorate. "It (Minister's Island) was left to the mercy of the world," Mr. Clarke says. "Then the government asked me to look after it."

            Mr. Clarke maintains a high respect for Mr. Langdon who has done extensive renovation to Covenhoven. "That's a whole lot more than any of the others did."

Although officially, Mr. Clarke is no longer the gardener at Minister's Island, he still keeps his hand in. Wherever Mr. Langdon or his young gardener Wade Veinotte have any questions, "they come to me," Mr. Clarke says.

Mr. Langdon currently has the island up for sale again. And there has been a public outcry from St. Andrews for the provincial government to buy it. Protestors against the auction, have also requested successful bidders to loan their purchases to the back to the former Van Horne estate should it be bought by the government and restore it as a historical site and a tourist attraction. "They should give it to the people," Mr. Clarke says.

Island Now Historic Site

March 30? 1977

The New Brunswick government declared the former summer residence of Sir William Van Horne a protected historic site Wednesday, but one of the new owners of Minister's Island says the government may be too late.

            Dr. Alexander George of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, said Wednesday most of the island's artefacts are long gone, carted off by the estimated 300 persons who attended a weekend auction. He said the only artefacts of real value that he had purchased, a set of chests dating from 1782, had already been offered to the government. The rest was shipped off the island just after last weekend's auction, he said, and are now in Antigonish.

            Education Minister Charles Gallagher said in the legislature Wednesday the government's declaration prohibits the owners of the Island near St. Andrews from excavating on the island or removing "any historical or anthropological object" without a permit. The Minister's announcement followed the sale of the 500 acre island and 24 room home of Van Horne, the builder of the CPR, earlier this week by Norman Langdon, a Maine businessman, to Dr. George and a Toronto mining contractor, Mike McPherson.

            Dr. George told The Times the government's surprise declaration Wednesday amounts to "little more than expropriation" but that he and his partner will "talk with the government."

            He said they wouldn't enter the talks with "a chip on our shoulder" but that they would expect a "pretty good explanation" of the move from the government.

            George said he is not resigned to selling the island to New Brunswick. "I never give upon anything," but if the legislation proved to be something that "restricts our utilization of the property, then it's not much use to us."

            He said the attitude of both himself and his partner will depend on what directions the negotiations wit the government take. "We'll talk first and see what happens."

            However, if the government decided to take the property, "They will be obliged to compensate us for what we paid for it." George declined to say what the purchase price was.

            Describing the island as a "very beautiful piece of property," George said he and McPherson bought the island in "good faith" and were surprised by the government's sudden "aggressive" move. "We're not that enthusiastic about it." They had planned to make it a working farm.

            The government had five or six years to negotiate the sale of the property, he said and now they suddenly turn around in two or three days. Gallagher said Wednesday the sale of the property surprised the government because it had been negotiating with Langdon for several weeks for the island's purchase. The province, he noted, had bought "a significant portion" of the home's artefacts during the auction. . . .

Barometer

March 9, 1978

Guy Pothier

Van Horne: Builder, hero, artist

Until just a few years ago the name of Sir William Van Horne was unknown to all but railway buffs and students of 19th century history.

            The nationalism of the last decade has brought a great number of Canadian historical figures out of obscurity, one of them Van Horne, chief engineer, builder and later president of the CPR. We are, of course, indebted to Pierre Berton for reintroducing us to this true giant from our past.

            Any reader of Berton will know that Van Horne was a man of many parts: railway engineer, construction boss, transportation executive, promoter of utilities and high technology industries, gourmet, drinker, prestidigitator, card player, connoisseur, art patron and painter.  

            Van Horne was clearly a man of immense practical skill, organizational ability, physical dexterity, energy curiosity and resource. He seemed to combine the roles of cavalryman, field commander, military engineer and supply officer. But his closes associates were the leading figures of Montreal finance around the turn of the century.         

            He worked with George Stephen and Lord Strathcona on the CPR. Towards the end of his life, he knew and advised those rising young Maritimers, James Dunn and Max Aitken, later Lord Beaverbrook. He was not, however, much interested in pure finance or speculation. He became disdainful of politicians. And he remained indifferent to larger intellectual matters. His interests were in projects requiring technical knowledge and organizational skill.

            There were two things that Van Horne did supremely well. Each by itself would make him a significant figure in Canadian history, worthy of study and emulation. Though they appear disparate at first sight, they reflect the same personality. One, by now very well known, was the building and operation of railways. The other, known only to specialists, was Van Horne's role as art collector, patron and painter.

            Scholars have acknowledged Van Horne's importance in the history of Canadian painting, but it is an aspect of his career that has never been fully investigated, documented or chronicled. One man, at least, is trying to dispel this ignorance. Robert Manuge, the Halifax art dealer, not only believes that Van Horne was an important collector and patron, he is prepared to make high claims for Van Horne as a painter. He offers tangible evidence of his convictions. He has just acquired 21 of these paintings from an American dealer, Victor Beal, who in turn bought them from the owner of the Van Horne summer house on Minister's Island, off the New Brunswick coast. Manuge is anxious to ensure the preservation of the paintings as a group for public display somewhere in Canada. By buying the paintings himself, Manuge has at least temporarily interrupted their passage from dealer to dealer, and prevented their possible dispersal into various private and public collections. He wants the Canadian government to acquire them.

            Manuge speaks about Van Horne with a sense of mission and obviously relishes his role as rescuer of an historically important group of Canadian paintings. To him, Van Horne is a great national figure, "a hero Canadians from all parts of the country can share."

            It disturbs him both that we don't celebrate our historical figures and that we have so few truly national heroes. "Even Laurier and Macdonald, if you mention them to some people, they will still say, "Oh, he's just a Liberal, he's just a Conservative!"

            This man of deep regional loyalties wants to establish and promote truly national heroes. And Van Horne, aside from all his other accomplishments, does stand outside political battles and regional squabbling. But Manuge is frustrated that the Van Horne story is not more widely known, and that governments have remained indifferent to the fate of his paintings.

            Even the briefest glimpse at these paintings, temporarily hanging in the City Club in downtown Halifax, confirms Van Horne's claims to serious consideration as a painter. Most of the canvases are large, several feet in either dimension. Almost all are landscapes and, with one exception they depict Canadian scenes. There are not portraits, still life's or genre paintings. There is one cartoon and one or two pencil sketches.

            While their range of genre or subject seems limited, Van Horne's paintings have considerable variety in style, technique, and influence. They show great technical accomplishment and powers of assimilation rather than a distinctive, powerful artistic personality. Among his chief influences were the Canadian painters whose work he commissioned for the CPR, and whom he took along with him on his inspection tours of the systems

            His paintings are fully thought out, carefully drafted and finely executed. His mastery of line and color is remarkable. What seems most striking and original in his painting, however, is his feeling for natural objects and phenomena. They show careful, sensitive renditions of foliage, terrain, water and sky, but not animals or people. They also reveal an attention to color, shape and texture that inevitably recalls the impressionists.

            Just as Van Horne sometimes seems on the brink of impressionism, so does he anticipate a fresh, unstereotyped attitude towards the Canadian landscape. His paintings do not go to extremes. They are neither overly domesticated nor marked by an excessively titanic view of nature. They suggest a view of nature at once untamed and virginal.

            As a collector, Van Horne was pre-eminent. Russell Harper, the author of the standard work Painting in Canada, states flatly that Van Horne recognized the promise of James Wilson Morrice, the early 20th century Montreal painter who, uniquely among Canadians of the period, made a secure place for himself in the enormously rich Paris art world of that time.

            Even as late as 1910, Van Horne maintained his interest in contemporary developments in the arts. He was apparently the one Montreal collector willing to acquire post-impressionists. He also possessed a highly important collection of Japanese and Chinese porcelain. His notes and sketches of this collection are held in the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, but under the most restricted circulation.    

             Robert Manuge himself owns about 85 pieces from this collection. One detail about Van Horne's porcelains tells something about his virtuosity and dispatch. When he made sketches of his pieces, he set himself a time limit of 20 minutes. The display of his drafting talents recalls the famous story of the evening when he stayed up overnight at his summer home to surprise his awakening guests with a painting of the moonlit scene they had so admired the night before.

            William Van Horne offers an almost unparalled example of intelligent, informed connoisseurship and practice of the arts by a man of action, a precursor of Winston Churchill. Both in his professional career and his most consuming avocation, the US born Van Horne appears as the prototypical Canadian figure. Legend and anecdote suggest a blunt, swashbuckling American frontiersman and tycoon. The actual achievement shows an organized, energetic figure, a builder and administrator who pursed his enthusiasm for art with systematic zeal and fine discernment. Finally, he is revealed as an enormously gifted, highly sensitive painter.

Telegraph Journal

March 22, 1977

Van Horne Lives Again as You Stroll His Island

Alistair Cameron

Editor's Note: Van Horne and his summer home on Minister's Island, St. Andrews, have been much in the news in recent days because of the sale of the house and its contents. The following is an account of the property by Alistair Cameron, who with his wife resided in the Gardener's Cottage from April 1973 until may 1975. A retired postmaster of Woodstock, Nb, Mr. Cameron wrote this account during those two years.

(sentimental voyage)

March 23, 1977

Auction clears Van Horne estate of priceless artefacts but province claims Mansion

The province of New Brunswick has declared Minister's Island near St. Andrews to be a protected site under the Historic Sites Protection Act.

            Charles Gallagher, the minister for historical resources, said this step was taken to ensure the preservation of the Island as a unique part of the heritage of New Brunswickers.

            "With known occupation of the Island beginning around 750 BC, continuing through the pre-Loyalist periods, the Van Horne era and up to the present, Minister's Island represents a significant element of our heritage."

            A senior official of the historical resources administration had been carrying out negations with the Island's major owner, Norman Langdon . . . province. "I am therefore both surprised and disappointed that Minister's Island was sold to a third party. It is however the Government's intention to negotiations, in good faith, for the purchase of the Island from the new owners."

            Protected status under the Historic Sites Protection Act, means that "No person shall excavate or alter in any way a protected site or remove or cause to be removed therefrom any historical or anthropological object unless he is the holder of a permit." In order to apply for a permit, the applicant must first publish notice of his intentions in two consecutive issues of the Royal Gazette. . . .

St. Croix Courier

March, 1977

Michael O'Rourke, a representative with Historical Resources, said on Monday that people who bought items at the Minister's Island auction are free to pick up their possessions. The fact that the buildings on Minister's Island were declared historical sites under the Historic Sites protection Act will not prevent people from obtaining their possessions. When asked why the Government declared the Island an Historic site last Tuesday, Mr. O'Rourke commented that the provincial government had been negotiating in good faith with Mr. Langdon toward purchasing the Island when on Monday afternoon Historic Resources learned a portion of the land had been sold to Michael McPherson and Dr. George. Confusion resulted from the sale and in order to protect the Island, it was immediately declared an Historic site.

            The declaration means that no alterations may be made to the buildings by the new owners without permission of the Department of Historic Resources. The province is actively negotiating with the new owners of the land to purchase it. If it is bought by the government, it will be under the jurisdiction of Historic Resources with possible involvement by other government departments.

March 22, 1977

Rev. Charles J. Mersereau

Bath, New Brunswick

(the man said by Clarke to have bought the big carpet)

Sir,

More and more one becomes convinced that the government is the enemy of the people. There are so many betrayals. One such betrayal took place in 1959.

            At that time the Van Horne Property on Minister's Island was offered for sale for $50,000. The province of New Brunswick had the opportunity of purchasing it for practically nothing. The government leaders deliberately ignored the opportunity.

            The 500 acre island included the main mansion with 28 rooms and twenty other buildings—stables, barns, boat-houses, three dwelling houses, greenhouses, a hunting chalet, a conservatory, the historic Andrews' stone house (dated 1786), residence of the first Anglican minister, a stone tower overlooking the sea, a swimming pool cut out of the solid coastal rock, bathing houses and an air strip. The main barn alone had cost $50,000 and had been newly roofed.

            Included with the buildings were all the furnishings even to the silver, the linen and the dishes. The fabulous oriental rugs, fitted to each room were imported from the orient via Canadian Pacific steamships. Sir William's collection of oil . . . are now valued at $300,000 and are the property of an art collector in Halifax. Among the outstanding features of the Main Mansion are the two pillars on each side of the fireplace in the main drawing room. They came from an early Renaissance baldachin. Sir William outbid the German Kaiser at the auction at which they were sold.

            The landscaping of the gardens would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the scenic roads all around the island which provide vistas of breath-taking beauty would cost further hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Island could have become Canada's most beautiful provincial park.

            In 1959 five American businessmen from Ohio, decided to purchase the property through a Real Estate Agent, Mr. Charles Van Horne, MP of Campbellton (no relative of the Island's owners). At this junction, I telephoned the owner, Mrs. Ann (Van Horne) Beattie in Montreal, and asked her if she could postpone the sale until I informed the provincial government. She said the Royal Trust company would allow her only a three-day delay, and when I telephoned the trust officer Mr. Louis Roy, in Montreal, he confirmed this postponement of three days.

            I immediately telephoned the Premier, Hon. Hugh John Flemming, and described the urgency of an immediate decision. He held a session with the cabinet and the treasury board on the next day, and then informed me of their negative verdict. Even the Charlotte County member of the Cabinet voted against the purchase saying he considered this a business venture for private enterprise only. At that time an expenditure of $300,000 was being invested in the Oak Bay causeway Park. Such a small feature compared to the Minister's Island.

            I now come to the scandalous part of the affair. The Province of New Brunswick provided the $50,000 loan to the Ohio businessmen enabling them to negotiate the purchase! New Brunswick financially backed their mortgage! Four years ago the Royal Gazette documented their reimbursement of this amount, when these men resold the property to Norman Langdon, the present owner.

            I sympathize with Mayor Boone of St. Andrews in his efforts to have the province purchase the Island and its furnishings. It is unfortunate that in 1959 there were so few public-spirited citizens such as he in St. Andrews. There was no concerted effort to protect the sale at that time. St. Andrews was lethargic and allowed this magnificent property to go out of local hands. The town fathers of that period had a project of their own to further the picnic site at the upper end of town. This minute effort was allowed to distract them from the much worthier project of Minister's Island.

            St. Andrews has missed many such opportunities including the million-dollar offer of Lady Davis to develop Chamcook Mountain and it surrounding lakes as a memorial Park in honor of her husband. Another lost opportunity was Mrs. Eidlitz's generous offer to donate her estate for a much greater development than the present Sunbury Shores. The town miffed it on these two occasions.

            The province spent two million dollars or more to purchase and renovate the Algonquin Hotel. What is the hotel in comparison with the magnificent Minister's Island? Really, peanuts. Ten million dollars was spent on King's landing, and this project does not compare with the already established Minister's Island, with its unsurpassable beauty, and its already operable buildings!

            The recent auction sale saw one cabinet alone sell for $10,500. The one piece represents one fifth of the entire cost of Minister's Island in 1959. What fools we were to have allowed the politicians "to sell us down the river" in 1959. They did not then seem to care that the citizens of New Brunswick were losing a priceless historical heritage.

Telegraph Journal

April 1, 1977

Talks Scheduled to Resume Tuesday

Dr. Alexander George of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, one of the current owners of Minister's Island near St. Andrews, says he and his partner should know sometime today whether it will be worth their while to meet with provincial government officials next week to negotiate the sale of the 500-acre island.

            A meeting has been lined up between the two parties Tuesday in Fredericton. Dr. Alexander, a 51-year-old radiologist, said in an interview Thursday, there'll be no point in attending the meeting personally "unless something definite" can be arranged out of the session.

            In a surprise move two weeks ago, Dr. Alexander and Michael McPherson of Toronto purchased most of the island from its former owner Norman Langdon following an auction of the contents of the main residence of the estate, which was formerly owned by national figure Sir William Van Horne.

            The government had previously been negotiating with Mr. Langdon for the purchase of the property, which is regarded to have historical significance in view of its connection to Van Horne who was instrumental in the construction of the CPR.

            When Dr. Alexander and Mr. McPherson bought the island, the provincial government immediately approached them about selling it. The government has also declared the property as protected historic sites to insure against any further sale.

            Dr. Alexander said he and Mr. McPherson, a former business partner, own the land jointly and are represented by the same lawyer in their dealing with the provincial government. Just who is to represent New Brunswick at the Tuesday meeting is of great concern to the current owners. "We're not going to go there and sit and talk to somebody who can't make any decisions," Dr. Alexander said.

            The deal with Mr. Langdon was finalized March 14—the day after the auction. Two days later, Dr. Alexander said, he and his partner met with a provincial government . . . Dr. Alexander said as for Tuesday he hopes the situation is "clarified as far as what the details are and what we're talking about."

            "We're very interested in knowing if this is a ploy or whether they (the government) have some specific plans. If they don't have any plans for the island, maybe this is some game. We're not too sure."

            The government has never directly stated to the current owners that it is seriously interested in buying the island and developing it as a historical site and tourist attraction, Dr. Alexander said.

            Lawyers of both parties are mulling over the technicalities of the property and jockeying the position of each side, Dr. Alexander said. He said his lawyer should be able to indicate today whether the Tuesday meeting would be worth the expense of travelling for both him and Mr. McPherson.

            Meanwhile, Dr. George MacBeath of Fredericton, the deputy head of the Historical Resources Administration, said in an interview Thursday he thought the government had made it quite clear to the present owners that it was sincerely interested in buying the island. He also denied that the official who previously met with the two owners didn't have any authority to make decisions. "That's not so," Mr. MacBeath said. "The person had all the necessary authority."

            Dr. Alexander would not divulge their asking price for the island—" little more than we paid for it," he said.

            How much did they pay for it?

            "Considerably more than the government was willing to offer."

            Neither of the current owners went to the auction with the preconceived idea of buying the island, Dr. Alexander said. It just "happened."

            "We were attracted to it because it was a valuable piece of land."

            The co-owner said they were willing to sell the entire island or portions of it. Dr. Alexander said he didn't feel the . . .

Island Talks to Go Ahead

April? 1977

The Antigonish radiologist who is part-owner of Minister's Island, near St. Andrews, says he and his partner will abide by legal advice they received Friday and attend a meeting with provincial government officials next week to discuss the sale of the pastoral 500-acre package of land.

            "The lawyer phoned and said he had made arrangement," Dr Alexander George, 51, said in an interview Friday. "We hope for a fruitful meeting. The government claims it wants to have a fruitful relationship." In statements he made Thursday Dr. George had been dubious about attending the session. He had said he doubted the government's sincerity in its bid to purchase the island, which is regarded to have historical significance. The session is to get under way at 2 pm in Fredericton. . . . A Toronto based law firm representing Dr. George and Michael McPherson, a Toronto mining contractor, who purchased the island jointly on March 14 from an American businessman, has been in communication with a lawyer representing the province about the proposed sale, Dr. George said. He said the lawyers cleared up a few points Friday and their counsel "advised us to attend the meeting."

Telegraph Journal

Island Deal Near?

April 6? 1977

One of the owners of Minister's Island, near St. Andrews, said he and his partner expect word sometime today on an "exciting proposal" that was made Tuesday to the provincial government involving a sale of all or a portion of the 500-acre island. "They're quite interested" in the proposal, Dr. Alexander George of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, said in an interview Tuesday after meeting with government officials. . . . The meeting between the government and the owners was set up last week. Dr. George wouldn't say who personally represented the province. He said they were members of the provincial Historical Resources Administration which comes under the jurisdiction of the department of education. . . .

Telegraph Journal

April 7? 1977

Government Attitude Annoys Island Owner

Provincial government officials did not respond Wednesday to three proposals made by the co-owners of Minister's Island involving the sale of all or part of the island, Michael McPherson of Toronto, one of the owners, said Wednesday.

            Mr. McPherson said in an interview the next three or four days could be "critical" if the government wants to buy the land because the co-owners are considering other offers relating to the sale of the island. Mr. McPherson said the proposals were made at a meeting held here Tuesday. He said a government negotiator told the men he would try to get the proposals before the provincial cabinet at their regular meeting held Wednesday. However, by late Wednesday afternoon, Mr. McPherson said neither co-owner Dr. Alexander George, an Antigonish, NS radiologist, or himself had heard anything from the government.

            A spokesman for the Historical Resources Administration, the government agency that sent a representative to the meeting, declined to comment on whether the proposals were considered by cabinet. Mr. McPherson, a mining contractor, said one of the proposals would have involved the sale of the entire 500-acre island to the government. That proposal would have given the government control over the former summer residence of Sir William Van Horne, the man who was responsible for the construction of the CPR.

            The men proposed a second offer that would have allowed the government to buy the home and 100 acres of land.

            The third proposal, which Mr. McPherson said he personally favored, would have involved the sale of 63 percent of the land to the government. If that proposal was accepted, the government would have become the owner of about 335 acres of land.

            Mr. McPherson declined to provide details about the financial arrangements involving the three proposals. "I will say that one proposal would have cost the government far less than we paid for the island," he said. "We made one offer that I don't see how the government could afford to turn down."

            Mr. McPherson criticized the government negotiator. "We didn't know his facts about the island," Mr. McPherson said. "He looked at the proposals but made no counter offers."

            Meanwhile, Mr. McPherson said he is considering several other offers related to the use of the island but he declined to elaborate on the matter except to say that one offer originated from outside Canada. However, Mr. McPherson said he is restricted in what activities can take place on the island because the government expropriated it as an historic site meaning, among other things, that no development can take place there.

            "I don't think they (government officials) really want the island," he said.

            Mr. McPherson said he is very upset about the government's attitude. Mr. McPherson said he was heading to Toronto last night. "I won't be coming back here to discuss the matter with government officials unless they come up with a serious proposal," he said. "They (government officials) will have to come to me if they have a proposal to make but I'm not holding my breath."

Globe and Mail

April 9, 1977

Government is Blackmailing Us, Owner of Van Horne Island Says

Toronto art collector Michael McPherson, part owner of Minister's Island, says the New Brunswick government "is blackmailing us in a sense" to try to get the island for very little money. The province has been under public pressure to buy the island, former summer home of CPR railway builder Sir William Van Horne. However, "I don't think the government wants the island," Mr. McPherson said.

            After McPherson and Antigonish radiologist Alexander George bought the island for an estimate $1 million from former owner Norman Langdon, a realtor from Ellsworth, Maine, the province put the island under the Historical Protections Act.

            This meant that the new owners could not change anything on the island without the consent of Historical Resources Minister Charles Gallagher. Mr. McPherson said this is unconstitutional and that he is investigation the possibility of legally challenging the legislation. He and Dr. George went to Fredericton earlier this week, at the Government's request, to negotiate sale of the island to the province. But Mr. McPherson said they were unable to see Mr. Gallagher or to reach him by telephone. They dealt instead with a lawyer and research and development director Michael O'Rourke.

            The owners presented three proposals to the government men, but received no counter proposal, Mr. McPherson said. "I think they want to offer less than $1 million for the whole thing. Wed be lucky to break even." Earlier, the Government offered the former owner about $500,000 for the island. Mr. Langdon paid about $400,000 for the island and spent about $300,000 for repairs to Covenhoven, the Van Horne mansion.

            In 1963, the New Brunswick government could have bought the island for $81,000.

            Mr. O'Rourke refused to comment on the province's possible purchase of Ministers Island. But he said he would be responding to the owners' proposals sometime next week.

            Mr. McPherson said offers to buy the island have been received from at least two private developers, and if the New Brunswick government wants to respond, it will have to do so by next Tuesday. He said that any further meetings with Government will have to be held in Toronto. Mr. McPherson also said that the New Brunswick government spent about $50,000 on items it said were part of the Van Horne collection, sold by auction in March.

Telegraph Journal

April 11, 1977

Sir, Most Canadians deplore our lack of national fervor. We careless tear down monuments which we could revere. We relegate to oblivion any heroes which we could emulate. But things are changing. Canadians are demanding that their heritage no longer be destroyed and that the exploits of our early citizens be recounted with pride. The main residence of Sir William Van Horne on Sherbrooke St. in Montreal was torn down earlier in this decade. However, as evidence that times have changed, the 50-room summer home of Canada's railway builder on Minister's Island near St. Andrews, New Brunswick, is back, in Canadian hands. And it will not be demolished. The 500-acre island, only accessible by a quarter-mile sandbar at low tide three hours per day, will become a shrine to our national dream of a transcontinental nation. Not only should we preserve monuments to our collective strivings and growing pains as a nation, but we should be constantly seeking to unearth the stories of heroes and heroines which our lack of nationalism has buried . . . [important point]

—John Lang, District School Supervisor, Lecturer in a course in Canadian history in which Ann Brennan is a student, Perth-Andover, New Brunswick