Item
The Second World War in St. Andrews
St. Croix Courier
Nov 10/1938
Shire town Items—Twenty Years After. On Friday of this week twenty years will have passed since the signing of the Armistice to end the World War. To those of the generation which lived through the trying years of the war without active participation in it, perhaps the outstanding memory is that of the sense of joy and relief experienced when news came that the Armistice had been signed. To the men who fought and survived there will be a thousand poignant memories. But the younger generation growing up can recall nothing of those years. On this Day of Remembrance what may these young people be taught to remember? First of all that war to end war is a fallacy, that conflict is most easily avoided by tolerance and sympathetic understanding, and difficulties overcome by op-operation and unwavering determination. Let them be taught to remember forever the story of the Great War with its contrasts of folly and wisdom, its moments of black grief and exultant joy, its greed and self-denial, its extremes of degradation and glory, but that most particularly this story should be recalled to memory when men and women and boys and girls stand with heads bowed in silence on the day we now name Remembrance Day.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 24/1938
Edit: Refugees. Opening section of notable refugees of history, including Loyalists. “Persecuted by the Nazi regime in Germany, the Jews of our day constitute a problem so serious that story is now being given to some plan to resettle them in other parts of the world, and even a mass migration is possible. What plans the Canadian government may have to share in opening new homes for them we have not been told. Such migrations, however, are by no means loss for the countries to which the refugees come; in our own case, the admission of a proportion of those forced to abandon Europe may well lead to a great development of the natural resources which Canada undoubtedly possesses.
St. Croix Courier
March 23/1939
One week ago German invaded Czechoslovakia. Powerful editorials on the need for force against the German determination to rule Europe and the maniacs at the helm: Hitler, Goering and Goebbels.
St. Croix Courier
June 15/1939
King George and Queen Elizabeth in Fredericton. Photos.
St. Croix Courier
June 22/1939
Shiretown Items
Day to be Remembered
The pathway that is followed n the life of every individual is marked by many guide-posts, hours or evens that stand out in clear relief against the background of every day activities. To the people of St. Andrews and Charlotte county the memory of the hours and events of June 13th, 1939, will live forever. It was a day of great significance and deep emotion, and has left a picture in our hearts that the passage of time will never dim. It was an occasion the like of which may never be repeated in the lifetime of any individual having a part init. It was a day in which we had our share in these events of the past four weeks, which may go down in history as being among the greatest and most significant of all time. If there was any person in that vast throng who cold hear the booming of the guns in salute to His Majesty, who could hear those lusty and loyal cheers from eight thousand young throats, who could listen to the playing of “god Save the King,” and at length could see the actual features and person of our King and our Queen, without feeling a tightening in the throat and a moistening of the eyes, he must indeed have had a heart of stone. Although thousands of words have been written about this never-to-be-forgotten tour of their majesties,, and of the wonderful receptions accorded them by the Canadian and American people, no words have been found to adequately express what it has meant to the individual. The passage of such dynamic currents through our being and the experience of sensations and emotions akin to the religious or spiritual, cannot be described in mere words. God Save the King! God Bless the Queen!
St. Croix Courier
July 18, 1940
Shiretown Items
Inspiring Words
The following incident is a striking illustration of the power of the written word. The proprietor of one of the stores her came across the following inspiring exhortation in a magazine article. “Great Britain will win. Plant your feet firmly on the ground, Keep your head erect, and carry on!” the words were in fairly large type so he cut them out and pasted them on the window, so they might be read from the outside. A few minutes later, as he stood behind the counter some distance back from the window, he saw a neatly dressed stranger, an elderly gentleman with gray hair and neatly trimmed moustache, approaching the window to look over the articles on display. He stood somewhat stooped over with hands clasped behind his back. After a little he raised his eyes to the level of the clipping. He read it carefully, moving his lips the while. His hands dropped to his sides, his head and body came erect, he looked up then down the street, then turned and swung off with the stride of a soldier and the pride of an Englishman, as much as to say: “By the grace of God we’ll win, and I can still do my little bit.” Who he was we know not. The story behind the thoughts called up to his mind by the words he read is left to the imagination of the reader. Perhaps he had been through the last great war, or perhaps he has a son or a grandson I the present conflict. At any rate it is an incident to cause a tightening of the throat and a moistening of the eyes, and to cause one to say fervently: “Thank God, I am an Englishman!”
St. Croix Courier
Sept 5/1940
Shiretown Items
Inspiring
You may recall an item in this column a few weeks ago about a clipping pasted in a store window, “Great Britain will win this war” and so forth, and the effect it had on a gentleman who read it. The president of the Kiwanis, W. J. Rollins, though it would be a nice idea to have the inspiring words printed on a card to distribute among the business places round town. He got a few printed and distributed them and soon had requests for more. The matter soon got beyond his private purse so he asked the bluc to have more prepared. As each new batch was distributed more and more requests kept coming in. the cards may now be seen in every car on the street. They have been sent all over Canada and the United States, to Great Britain and even to Australia. The St. Stephen Kiwanis liked the idea and asked permission to have some printed. They have already distributed a thousand. The St. Andrews club has distributed thirteen hundred and are getting 500 more printed. The card is 8 x 6 inches in size, has the flags of Great Britain and Canada at the top and the words, “Great Britain will win this war, Obey orders from those in authority. Plant your feet firmly on the ground. Keep your head erect. Carry on!”
St. Croix Courier
Oct 24/1940
Shiretown Items
Raymond McQuoid left this week for Moncton where he will be in training as a pilot.
Edit: Good Tourist Season. Certainly here is a field worth cultivating, especially this year when the volume of travel fell far short of what had been expected.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 21/1940
Shiretown Items
One Cheering Thought
No doubt most persons living in Charlotte County have already visited Pennfield to look over the work being done there in preparation for an airport. It is surprising what machines and four or five hundred men can accomplish in so short a time. Those who visited the place just a few weeks ago, when the work was beginning , saw nothing but acres and acres of woods, which were being cut down, the stumps ploughed out and burned. Today there is a level field there extending miles in every direction, with some of the paved runways already completed, and gravel roads, on which dozens of trucks whiz by, running in all directions. Foundations, have been laid for four hangers, 240 x 185 feet, and the erection of other buildings is soon to begin. There is to be a church, a hospital and a school to accommodate 800 pilots. It is here our airmen will study navigation and receive other finishing touches to their course. One of the engineers on the job said without any doubt it was the finest location in Canada for an airport—perfectly level ground and splendid drainage. In digging wells they had to pass through 20 feet of gravel before coming to any surface moisture. In looking over this work, we are struck with the thought of what a boon it is to Charlotte County—giving employment to so many men, and indirectly making that whole section of the county more prosperous. But on second thought the real purpose of it all comes home to us, and one is caused to feel that every nail being driven there is figuratively a nail in Hitler’s coffin, and every sod turned is another shovelful over his grave.
St. Croix Courier
March 13/1941
Shiretown Items
Now Flying Solo
Raymond McQuoid, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry McQuoid, who left here in October to join the Air Force, is now flying solo. A letter to his father written on Feb. 23rd, says that up to that date he had 9 hrs. solo to his credit. If he learns to handle an aeroplane with the same skill he formerly showed with puck and hockey stick, it will require a clever marksman to bring him down. Raymond is now at a Flying School in British Columbia.
St. Croix Courier
May 15/1941
Air Navigation School At Pennfield Soon Ready for Use. Model town built since last fall is important link in Empire Air Training Scheme. Descriptions. Forty buildings on site.
St. Croix Courier
June 19, 1941
Shiretown items
A Family Trait
Noticing that a little boy seemed much interested in some work I was doing at the front of the lot the other day, I engaged him in conversation. In the course of our talk he disclosed that he was to have a birthday on June 16th, when he would be seven years old. He said he had eight sisters but not brothers. I suggested that it might be appropriate under the circumstances for me to contribute a small amount towards the celebration. His smile hinted that the idea met with his approval. I passed him ten cents, asking if he considered that a sufficiently generous donation. He smiled again and thanked me very kindly. As he pocketed the dime I asked how he intended to spend it. Imagine my surprise when he said he would buy five war-saving stamps with it ! My surprise however was not that his arithmetic might be a little faulty, or that he perhaps had some ingenious method of financing unknown to myself, but it was in the spirit behind his intention which prompted him to invest his money in the cause of his country rather than in a couple of ice-cream cones. It was that same spirit which took his daddy overseas in 1914. The little fellow’s name is Francis McCarthy. Many happy returns of the day Francis, and when you reach your twenty-first birthday may it be to go out into a world of peace, freedom and prosperity.
St. Croix Courier
July 24, 1941
Pennfield Air Base Opened with Little Ceremony
St. Croix Courier
Aug 14/1941
Senator Wilson speaks at Benefit Concert
Enjoyable Entertainment in Aid of Bombed-Out Children Given at Algonquin Casino
An enjoyable concert was presented in the Algonquin Casino at St. Andrews on Tuesday evening under the auspices of Passamaquoddy Chapter, I.O.D.E. in aid of the fund for crippled children in the bombed out areas of Britain, and was very well patronized.
In the course of the evening an address on the subject, “Service Behind the Lines,” was given by Senator Cairine Wilson.
Music was provided by the Algonquin orchestra, and the Chamcook Holiday guest Ranch sent in two of their best performers, the Lesters, who have toured Great Britain, the United States and Canada. Others taking part were Darrel McPherson of Milltown; the Misses Jean and Margaret Anning, Alice Thompson, Dorothy Johnson, Amy Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Pollack, Keith Thompson, and Mr. Kosman. The concert was directed by Mrs. Verne Whitmarr.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 4/1941
Boys from Pennfield to be on program for Xmas concert at Andraeleo Hall.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 29/1942
Shiretown Items
Friendship
The many friends of Pilot Officer Raymond McQuoid, who is with the Air Force in England, were pleased to hear his voice over the air one night last week. And what a thrill it must have been for his father and mother! The program was announced during the morning news broadcast and for an hour or two Mr. and Mrs. McQuoid were kept busy answering telephone calls by friends wanting to be sure they knew Raymond was going to speak. They even had calls from friends in St. Stephen. People are like that, aren’t they? It’s what helps to keep this world a happy one—even with its war and misery. Reception was good and Raymond’s voice came through as clear and distinct as if he had been in the next room.
Correction
In a recent item I stated that Wren’s Drug Store started in the Saunders building and that this building was burned about 1885. The business started in what is still known as the Saunders building, the one now occupied by J. W. Ross, and later moved to the building that was burned on the site where the Bank of Nova Scotia now is situated.
SA passes blackout test at 11:15. “At the close the new mobile canteen, presented to the town by Mrs. R. M. Redmond, was used for the first time to serve refreshments to the C. V. C. personnel.”
St. Croix Courier
Feb 12/1942
Part of Victory Loan drive to be held at Marina Theatre, where “Churchill’s Island” and “Heroes of the Atlantic” will be shown.
St. Croix Courier
May 14/1942
Shiretown Items
Salvage
“Any bones, any bottles, any rags today?” any appears or metals to give away? Save everything in the way of salvage. It will be collected every two weeks. Tie up papers and magazines securely and separately. The magazines, no matter how old, if clean and in fair condition, can be distributed to army camps as reading material for the boys. Save medicine bottles in cardboard carton. Rags may be tied securely in bundles. Make three separate bundles, one for woollens, one for white cottons, and one for colored cottons, silks, and other materials. Metals should be in a carton or sack. Bones should be kept in a metal container with a cover to avoid any disagreeable odour while waiting for the collector. The bones will be taken away and your container left to gather more. A cage is being built at the dump in which to keep the bones while they are being cleaned and prepared for shipment by rats and the weather. “Ever little bit, added to what we’ve got, makes just a little bit more.” So save your salvage and help beat Hitler.
St. Croix Courier
June 4, 1942
Shiretown Items
Wooden Wheels
The first motor vehicle in this vicinity to adopt wooden tires is the machine operated by Walter Stuart. I am unacquainted with the correct name for this conveyance, but it might be described as a baby motorcycle or a glorified “scooter.” Walter has been running a wooden tire for a couple of weeks and it has been giving good satisfaction. The tire was made by our local wheelwright, Nelson Pye.
St. Croix Courier
June 11/1942
R. A. F. Sergeant Armourer charged with Murder of Black’s Harbour Girl.
Battered, Unclothed Body of Bernice Connors Found Hidden Under Moss in Field
Murder Charge Laid in Black’s Harbour Police Court Yesterday by Staff Sergeant Davis, R.C.M.P. Heading Investigation
Sgt. Tom Roland Hutchings, an armourer of the Royal Air Force now stationed at the Pennfield Operational Training Unit, was charged with the murder of Bernice Connors when he was arraigned in police court at black’s Harbor late yesterday afternoon before Ellis A. Nason, stipendiary magistrate of the Parish of Pennfield. The charge was laid by Detective Staff Sergeant Frank W. Davis, R.C.M.P., who has been in charge of the investigation. Sgt. Hutchings, a native of England, is one of an R.A. F. group recently arrived in Canada. He was remanded without pleas until 10 am June 18.
A crime which for sheer brutality has no parallel in the modern history of Charlotte County was uncovered at Black’s Harbor on Sunday when the battered body of Bernice Connors, 19, was found in a field near the Deadman’s Harbour road victim of a field who beat her to death with a rock and then apparently fearful that she might survive, returned to cut a jagged slash across her throat. The attractive young woman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Edwin Connors, had been missing since Friday night but no alarm was felt until Sunday. A search had been underway that day only a short time when D. P. Guptill, chief of police at Black’s Harbor, found the practically naked body some 40 feet from the highway.
When she failed to return home from the dance her parents thought she had gone to the home of a friend or relative for a few days, as was sometimes her practice; and hence no alarm was given. One of the girls’ shoes found on the highway proved the clue which led to discovery of the crime. It was picked up by a resident of the district who took it home where his daughter identified it as belonging to Miss Connors, and subsequently the tried to get in touch with her to tell her of the find. In the attempt to locate her which followed it was soon established that she had not been seen since the dance on Friday night and the police were notified.
Leading the searchers on Sunday, Mr. Guptill went to the road where the shoe had been found and walking along it came upon its mate lying on the opposite side and a little distance away from where the first one had been picked up. The ground here showed signs of a scuffle. Looking about, Mr. Guptill noticed a slight mound in the field, which skirts the highway at that point. It was covered with moss. Walking to it and brushing aside some of the covering, the police found the body of the girl, naked except for a light garment thrown across her hips, and lying on her back with her eyes staring straight upward. Her hands were folded across her chest.
The body was discovered Sunday afternoon, more than 40 hours after Miss Connors was last seen alive. The back of the head was badly battered as though by a rock or some similar rough implement, and there was evidence of severe head injury. Her throat was also cut but since very little bleeding had occurred from that wound it was presumed that she was already dead when it was inflicted.
. . . Dr. Arnold Branch of Saint John, provincial pathologist, was also called to the scene on Monday and the body was removed to an undertaking parlor in St. George where he performed an autopsy. Nothing was disclosed of the results of this examination.
Mr. Mehan summoned a jury of Black’s Harbour men who viewed the body and the scene of the crime Monday morning and then adjourned the inquest until June 16.. Miss Connors attended the weekly dance held at the Community Hall at Black’s Harbor on Friday evening, and sometime between 10 pm and 1 am, when the dance broke up, she left the building and was not seen again. A bracelet identified as her was found on the road leading from the main highway to the Community Hall.
If the police knew anything about who her companions had been at the dance, or who she left the hall with, they maintained a strict silence. The spot where the body was found is in the opposite direction from that which she would have taken to her home, and is roughly a quarter of a mile from the Community Hall.
St. Croix Courier
July 30, 1942
Shiretown Items
A Howling Success
With three sirens shrieking at full blast and most of the small children of the town awakened from sleep in terror to add their screams to the general racket, the blackout at 10:15 on last Friday night may be said to have been a “howling” success. Some of us recalled the alarm created by the first siren ever heard in these pars. It was on a tug from Nova Scotia whose captain evidently had a sense of humour. The tug cruised into Bocabec Bay about dusk one summer’s evening and let go two or three ungodly howls. There was no other reason for doing so except to alarm the natives, and this no doubt was the object and probably afforded the captain considerable amusement. One fellow was out in the woods hunting for a cow that had strayed and at the terrifying sound, he immediately lost all interest in the cow and put for home. When he had recovered his breath after doing a mile or so at top speed he told a thrilling and hair-raising story of his narrow escape from an “injun devil.” He little thought that the family at home and some neighbors, who happened to be present had also heard the siren, but he believed the awful cries were in the woods a few yards from where he stood. Those who have been alone in the woods at night know how startling any unusual sound can be. The shriek of a bobcat or even the hoot of an owl near at hand, heard for the first time and unexpectedly, is enough to give a man the creeps. So it is little wonder tha tour friend William was deceived into believing tha the injun devil, famous in fireside stories of the old folks when he was a small boy, had once more gone on the prowl. In his imagination he could see the huge cat-like animal leaping from tree to tree as he ran and could hear the crashes in the branches overhead. The fact that those at home had also heard and been alarmed by the noise, as they stated after he had finished his tale, was not sufficient to convince him of the unreality of his terrible experience Even when the tug visited St. Andrews next day and howled in broad daylight, thus disclosing the source of the alarm, William was still reluctant to admit the possibility tha the had been deceived.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 13/1942
Shiretown Items
The Mercury Club
The following facts regarding the somewhat misunderstood Mercury Club have been obtained from the treasurer, A. Smith, and should dispel wrong impressions more or less prevalent about town in regard to this organization. The idea of the club originated with Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy and Hon. Mrs. Redmond, and they were responsible for its organization. But although they did, and are still doing, much work in connection with the club, they are not running it nor are they financing it as has been generally supposed. The club is managed entirely by an executive committee of five persons of which Miss Shaughnessy and Mrs. Redmond are active members. Besides this committee there is a larger advisory board selected from representatives of all the churches, lodges and other social organizations, in the town. There is a house committee of seven ladies, each member taking charge for one day a week. They in turn select helpers. The member in charge for the day is responsible for the serving of breakfast, making beds, looking after the linen and a general clearing up. Two members of this committee are appointed to purchase food supplies. The club is financed by personal donations, public benefits and by making a small charge (at the beginning of $1.25 but now $1.00) to the men of the service who stay for bed and breakfast.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings a transport bus brings men who are going to spend 48 hours at the Club, and also, if there is room, any others who wish to come for the evening only. On these nights a dance is held at the club free of charge. Girls are invited to attend, subject to the approval of the executive, and once invited are entitled to attend all dances run by the club. Games, such as table tennis, clock golf, darts, checkers, backgammon and chess are provided for the boys’ amusement. A writing room contains up-to-date magazines and books, radio, gramophone, and two pianos. Howard Pillow ahs placed his commodious motorboat at the disposal of these visiting boys, and every fine afternoon a party is taken for a sail down the bay. Other smaller boats are also available without cost for small trips and fishing parties. Twenty light-weight khaki suits for the boys to wear while visiting the club were donated by the T. Eaton Company. The boys pay a small charge for laundering the suits. All the laundry work of the club, which is considerable, is done at half-price by Mr. and Mrs. Hornsby, proprietors of the St. Andrews Laundry.
The total cost of renovating the building was $730. The total expenditures to date are about $2100, and the total receipts about $2000, not including the amount raised at the recent Fair, which is given in detail in the following item. Of this amount $1243 has been received from the guests, there having been a over one thousand boys made happy at the club since it opened late last winter.
The club has the approval of the commandant of the camp at Pennfield. He believes that if other towns in the county provided similar facilities for ht entertainment of the boys in the forces unpleasant incidents might be avoided. [murder of Bernice Connors?] As the selling of beer to the boys who visit the club is one of the features causing the most criticism, it is only fair to state the attitude of the management in the matter. They say that the great majority of the boys demand drinks and if something is not provided in a respectable way, afield is thus opened up for bootlegging. This has occurred in other communities in the county and trouble has resulted. No hard liquor is sold nor even allowed at the club, and beer is sold only in small bottles; each man is limited ot three bottles and it must be consumed in the main room. It cannot be taken upstairs nor off the premises. The beer is sold at cost.
Altogether it would seem that the Mercury Club, the only organization of its kind in Canada, is not only a fine thing for these hundreds of boys who are thousands of mils away from their homes, which perhaps many of them will never see again, but also for the town, and townspeople, and the small number of men and a great number of women who have given so generously of their time and labour to make and to keep it a success, are deserving of much greater credit than has so far been given them by the general public.
Card party and dance to be held at Casino August 15 at 9:00 for benefit of District Nurse Fund.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 20/1942
Shiretown Items
“I have met two interesting people from the Algonquin who now are making their home in Montreal. The gentleman escaped from Holland the day before the German invasion, and the lady, after many difficulties, got away from occupied France in Feb. 1941. They both like Canada but are looking forward to returning home after the war.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 14/1943
Shiretown Items
Another Improvement
A very generous and much appreciated gift has recently been received from Miss Olive Hosmer, a smooth-running a commodious Lincoln automobile which Miss Hosmer has used during the past few summers here, has been turned over to the fire department to be converted into an A. R. P. service wagon. A body is being constructed with angle iron and Douglas fir plywood, the work being done in a serviceable and attractive manner by Joseph Meers, caretaker at the fire hall. In the center is a place to carry the small pumpers; an attachment at the rear to trail the large pumper; neat enclosed compartments at the side to carry 3500 feet of hose. It is a job of which both the town and the donor may well be proud.
St. Croix Courier
January 28, 1943
Shiretown items
Potato-water Cocktail
I never thought I should live to see the day tht I would drink the water potatoes had been boiled in and like it. I had seen it recommended by several reliable dieticians and am always willing to try anything once. For many years I have eaten the skins of bakes potatoes for the delectable falvor and I have a friend who says he eats the skins of boiled potatoes. I have never tried that but I agree with thim that potatoes are ruined if peled bfore boiling. But next time ou boil potatoes pour the water off intoa bowl and set away to cool. Just before your next dinner pour a glass full and add alittle salt and you’ll have a cocktail tasting better than some and just as effective as many you obliged at times to drink out of politeness when visiting your friends. And if as they tell us it makes for better health, why, lets drink her down.
St. Croix Courier
April 8/1943
Shiretown Items
Reported “Missing”
Another St. Andrews boy is gone, word having been received by mr. and Mrs. Henry McQuoid that their son, Raymond is missing. Raymond was with air forces in England and has taken part in many raid over enemy occupied countries in Europe. He narrowly escaped being lost in the raid on Dieppe, getting gback to his base slightly wounded and with his machien badly shatterd. Raymond was a very popular boy here with both young and old, and was one fo the most brilliant players on the Senator hockey team. He has done excellent work in the service and was once mentioned in dispatches. If there was any possible means of getting out of this mess alive, Raymond could be depended upon to do it. At anyrate, every person in the community will continue to hope for the best until more definite word is received.
St. Croix Courier
April 15/1943
Word of the death of Raymond McQuoid
St. Croix Courier
June 17/1943
Shiretown Items
The Red Cross Dance held at the Algonquin Casino was a great success both socially and financially. [so Casino was opened for selected events between 1942 and 45]. After expenses amounting to over 40.00 were paid 180.00 was left which will prove a welcome addition to the Red Cross treasury, as the funds were getting low. Music was provided by a five-piece orchestra from R. A. F. Pennfield and the Casino was also secured at a very reasonable cost.
St. Croix Courier
July 1/1943
This is not Funny
Some “Smarties” from the Pennfield Air Force are again at large in planes, diving through our door yards and skimming about the town below the tree tops. If this low flying is an essential part of their training, why don’t the stick to the wide open spaces ratehr thatn to terrify women and children about town with their antics. If they are just trying to show how smart they are they fail in their purpose as no oneknows who they are. A better way would be to write a piece to th epaper stating how clever they are and sign their names. The public would gladly take their word for it ratehr than ask for proof. If their object is to be funny they must have a rather depravd sense of humour. One day recently a plane which had been diving about town for half an hour was reported to have crashed near a weir must outside the harbour. A motor boat wa xommandeered, and rushed to render first aid, but no place was found. Men at the weir said it took a dive at them and then sailed out throuth Latete.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 26/1943
Shiretown Items
Golf tournament for Red Cross
The Algonquin Golf Club held a tournament last week for the benefit of the Red Cross with receipts amounting to 40.00. The trophy donated by the Canadian Golf Assoc was won by R. R. McLernon, with a net score of 68. Dave Caughey and John O’Neill tied for second place at 69.
St. Croix Courier
November 11, 1943
Shiretown Items
Fuel Supply
He coal supply in St. Andrews has pretty well kept up with demand and users of this kind of fuel have little to compalin of. But for those who depend chiefly on wood for heir warmth the situation couldnot be muchworse. Some families have no fuel except pieces of drift wood they gatehr from the beach or afew armfuls from time to time that their good neighbors bring in from their own scent supply. The town Council has done everything possible in an attempt to ease the situation, but so far without mch results. They are willing to take any kind of wood from anybody who can supply it, and see that it is distributed to those in need, even if the town loses money in the transaction. No person in this community has ever suffered from cold or hunger. If they have not the bar necessiteis of life, nd no money to buy such, they are always suspplied in reasoanble quantities by the town. But this year money is of no value in the wood question. Wood simply can’t be bought at the price fixed by the W. P. T. B. Personally I have tried every place I could think of since las spring and all I have been able to get to date is one load of doty white birch nd one load of green softwood slabs! At the suggestion of a visitor I even went so far as to hold a stick of wood in my hand and wish on the New Moon, but alas! Without results. I wrote to a man who was said to have over one thousand cords of dry wood on hand. His reply was that he had the wood but the fuel controller had directed it all to St. Stephen and Milltown. To date none has been directed to St. Andrews. The wood now being cut by government employees should help some if they are able to delvier it this winter. Bu the sitation for next year doesn’t appear any brighter.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 20/1944
Shiretown Items—Margot Redmond
Some news of Margot Redmond should be of interest to St. Andrews folks. Margot has spent her summers here since she was a small child and now that her parents own a home in SA, where they spend the greater part of the year we feel justified in calling her a real St. Andrews girl. As all of us ordinary hard working folks who have the pleasure of knowing her personally can testify, here is a girl whom wealth and luxury have not spoiled. During recent years her chief joy has been to sail about the harbour, the river or the bay in her little boat, sometimes alone, but usually with a retired master mariner to serve as ballast or to offer occasional advice. When her country’s call came she volunteered for service with a Canadian Medial Corps. The night before sailing for England a rather mean-spirited burglar broke into her flat in Montreal and carried off practically everything she had planned to take with her. She got a complete new outfit in London and set sail again. Her ship was torpedoed in the Mediterranean and once more she lost everything, except the clothes in which she stood—her favorite slacks and tennis shoes. Was rescued by an American ship, to board which it was necessary to climb a fifty foot rope ladder with a high sea running. When the ship rolled the ladder with its occupant would swing out a dozen feet and come back with a thud. “No place for a lady!” do you say? No indeed, unless, as in this case the lady is an experienced sailor, a fine athlete and has plenty of physical courage. Margot is not permitted to say where she is now but has given the following hints in a recent letter to her parent. She is where they specialize, or did formerly, in multi-colored ice cream, and from her room she can look out over a bay, which next to Passamaquoddy, is the most beautiful stretch of water in the world. Margot is in the pink, but naturally longs for home and the uneventful life in St. Andrews. Her leisure moments, which are infrequent, owing to her multifarious duties, she devotes to the capture and destruction of fleas which are ever present in countless numbers in this once proud and beautiful city. Cheerio, Margot and a safe return!
St. Croix Courier
August 17, 1944
Shiretown items
Charlie
The many friends here of Motosuku Akagi, more familiarly known here as “Charlie the Jap” or “Motorcycle Charlie” have learned with thregret of his serious accident at Camp Utopia in which he was badly burned about the face and neck. He was using a blow torch and some gasoline near at hand caught fire. In trying to extinguish he blaze Charlie’s clothing caught and before the flame could be smothered by those who rushed to his assistance he became badly burned. Charlie is Canadian born and is one of the few good Japs. He had lived in St. Andrews for quite a number of years previous to the war, working as a motor mechanic at which trade he has few if any superiors, and jointed up at the beginning of the war. He spent a year at Camp Sussex and then went overseas where he stayed until about a year ago. Since that time he has been in service at Camp Utopia. He married a local girl, Mona Homan, and has two children. Mrs. Akagi is the granddaughter of the well known and well remembered Passamquoddy Indian, John Nicholas—hunter, trapper, guide and romancer.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 31/1944
Shiretown Items—Dickson-Kenwin
(“Glimpses of Life,” an entertainment at Casino sponsored by St. Andrews Women’s Canadian Club. Interesting performances by actor Dickson-Kenwin of London, England.)
“Glimpses of Life,” an entertainment sponsored by the St. Andrews Women’s Canadian Club and held at the Algonquin Casino, was well patronized and the proceeds are to be used for the benefit of the Charlotte county Children’s Aid Society. The program consisted of a selection of character studies by Dickson-Kenwin of London, England, who is completing a tour of Canada doing similar programs. This noted actor’s portrayal of such characters as Mathias, the fear-haunted burgomaster, Falstaff, Hamlet, and Cardinal Woolsey were as convincing examples of dramatic art as one might hope to see. To keep the audience in a receptive mood, and by way of displaying his versatility, the player interspersed a number of short humorous sketches. He also proved himself an adept at imitating various common sounds, such as planing and sawing wood—and the now almost forgotten one of drawing a cork. Without a doubt Dickson-Kenwin is an actor of the highest order and the Women of the Canadian Club are to be congratulated in bringing him here.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 18, 1945
Shiretown Items
A Christmas Story
Christmas stories generaly spear previous to the annual festival, but as this one is somewhat different from the usual variety it may fit in now just as well. Most of these stories relate to the Christmas spirit, but this one concerns Christmas spirits, usually called Christmas cheer. A gentlemen who lives some distance from the source of supply, after doing some errands about town on the day before Christmas, found that upon proceeding to make the most important purchaes of the day he had come away from home without his ration book. He trudge home and related his misfortune to his wife. She hustled around and got his coupons which he stuffed in a pocket and startd out again. Arriving at his destination he boldly gave his order and passed in his ration book. The clerk on looking over the book said he was sorry but it didn’t entitle him to any liquor. The customer declared he hadn’t bought anything all month and consequently must be entitled to what he called for. The clerk, evidently believing in the modern axiom that the customer is always wrong, then said: “It doesn’t matter what you’ve bought or haven’t bought, all I have to go by is the book and it doesn’t entitle you to any liquor.” The ruffled customer then expressed his opinion of government in general and clerk in particualr, emphasizing his remarks with some choice expressions picked up in France durign the first world war. The clerk, who was also in that scrap, came back with something just as good. He passed the book out to an interested garageman who, was waiting to be served and asked his opinion. After looking the book over the latter handed if back saying: “of course you are the boss here can do what you like but he would get service if he came to me—I think the book is all right.” The irate customer, thinking he detected a slight twinkle in the garageman’s eye, asked the clerk to give him his book. On close inspection it was found to be his book of gasoline coupons!
St. Croix Courier
May 17, 1945
Shiretown Items
Celebrating Victory
St. Andrews took two days off from regular labours to celebrate the victory in Europe. On Monday afternoon flags and streamers began to appear all over town as a signal of public rrejoicing. All through the night the old town bell rang out its joyful notes at frequent intervals and the fire siren sounded is mournful wails. Exurberant youths and oldsters with no less enthusiasm succeeded in keeping the twnspeople awake most of the night. On Tuesday morning a service of Thanksgiving held in the Anglican church was largely attended. In he afternoon a parade headd by tracy Johnston, our local comedian, in costume and with an effigy of Hitler dragging by the neck, made a circuit of the town. Tracy was followed by a band made up of represenatatives of at least three generations of bandsmen—boys in the vigor of youth, men in the prime of life, and old fellows with their bald heads and false teeth were in there blowing their heads off, mostly local talent, but one from Deer Island, one from St. Stepen and one from as far away as Boston. They made a big noise and besides the regular selectiosn of band music played “jam sessions” including everting from “Tipperary” to “How Dry I Am.” The band was followed by the veterans of the first World War—after them came the High School Cadets in uniform, next the girl Cuides and stringou tfor miles behind were gaily decorated cars containing civilians. After circualting about the town for an houre a halt wa made at the public square where hundred of people were assembled. The band played a few more selctions and Tracy after a suitably vitupertive address touched a match to the already much hanged Hitelr, and whetehr from the quality of oil which the assasin had used in saturating the body or from the vile and stinking life the victim had led, the fume arising from the effigy stank in a manner capable of affending the most hardened nostrils. After this exhibition a couple of hours were spent in holding foot races for the children. In the evening anoehr band concert and fireworks were enjhoyed, and then a dance lasting well beyond midnight. Wednesday was spent mostly in recuperating but in the evening the same conglomerate band played again for an hour, their program being interspersed with songs by the childrne. Altogether it was “a great two days” and long to be remembered.
St. Croix Courier
June 21/1945
Shiretown Items
Shiretown Items—Visits Old Home (History of William Knijff of Holland)
Having left Holland at the tender age of four years, Willem Knijff had little recollection of his native village of Lekerkirk (near Rotterdam) but it was a great and pleasant experience to visit those almost forgotten scenes of his childhood and look up some of his mother’s people. He found the home of one of his aunts and came upon her as she was working in the garden. He said: “Hello, there” in English. She raised her head, and repeated his greeting in Dutch. She advanced and carefully inspected this young man dressed in the uniform of corporal in the Netherlands Army and at length declared: “You must be Willem Knijff. Yes, I am sure you are little Willem.” No longer little, but now a strapping solder of 23 years old, [1922] Willem was overjoyed at the greeting, and spent several happy hours with his folks. Willem’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Knijff, came to Canada 19 years ago. They lived for a short time at Grand Manan, a little while at Bayside, then moved to St. Andrews where they have since made their home. Mr. Knijff fought in the Boer War against us and often refers jokingly to the vagaries of life which can induce one to establish a home among his hoe-time enemies and find that they are good people, friendly and lovable. Those who have read the history of the Boer War written by a Dutch soldier, know that their cause was just. They fought to preserve their homes and country and we fought for gold and diamonds. As Willem had been born in Holland and had never been naturalized as a Canadian citizen he got a call from the Netherlands Army early in the war. He began his training at the Dutch Military Depot in Stratford, ON, and completed it in “England. He was sent to India, then back to England, took part in the invasion with the American air-borne troops, was attached to British Commandos at the capture of Walcheren Island, returned to England to recover from an injury sustained there and was again in Holland at the final liberation. One day while on Walcheren Island, Willem was browsing around a village with a couple of Canadian soldier sand met a native who thought he could speak English. The boys listened to a rather fruitless and disjointed harangue about some place of interest they should visit and when their informant got through Willem spoke in Dutch, saying: “If you would peak in your own language I think we could understand better what you are talking about.” The native’s eyes stuck out as he replied in astonishment: “Can you boys speak Dutch?” “Sure” said Bill, “everybody in Canada can speak Dutch!”
St. Croix Courier
Oct 4, 1945
Shiretown Items
No Meat
There has been no meat in St. Andrews for over a week and it is surprising the small amoount of grumbling that is heard about it. The general attitude of the public towards he sitation sems to be that every man shoul dknow best how to run hiw own business, and if, regardless of the reason, he does not wish to sell meat, or any other articles for which thereis a demand, he is under no oblikgation to do so. There have been some kickers of course, and no doubt the dealers have been made aware of it. Any man who devotes his life to the service of the public, whether as storekeeper, a professional man, a politicisn, or in any othe capacity is sure from time to time to encounter criticism. There are some folks whose gretest joy in life is to find fault. Ther are many others so nice that we would work our heads off to please them. One of the true test of greatness is to be able to accept criticism with a smile and at least appear to be unaffected by it, whether we be a storekeepers, or the premier of Canada. Of course there is the odd case, where criticism becomes abuse, when a man is justifed and, in fact, defintely ads to his self-respect to tell the individual to get out of is place of busines sand never come back. The public, who are the real sufferers, do not fully understand either side of this meat situation. The autorities, on the one hand, who have access to all the facts regarding general suply and demand, shoul dknow best whetehr and to what extent, reationing is necessary, and on the other hand, the dealers, most of whom are grocers,, alone know the amount of humbug they have had to contend with during the . . . justified in going in protest of this added, and in their opinion, unnecessary imposition. Naturally, the public hopes for an early solution to the problems but in the meantime we shall continue to emulate the noted Bernard Shaw and subsist on vegetables, fish and cheese.
Soldiers Return
Our boys are beginning to get back, in greater numbers from overseas. Some to return recently are Allison McNichol, still on critches from a broken leg in Belgium; Burton McNichol, who has his skull fractured in Germany; Eddie Snell, who had a shot through his foot in Sicily; George Smith, who went swimming in the Dead Sea; Addison Dickson, who washed his face in the wines of Italy; Raymond bartlett and Alexander Bell, exploits unknown. There are perhaps otehrs that I haven’t seen or don’t recall at the moment; Richard Ross, Robert Storr, William Knijff and Herbie Henderson are on the way and are expected to reach home soon. As we welcome these boys with joy we need mut shed a tear for those who eill never return, those heroic dead who sleep not in their native land beneath the flag for which they fought and died, nor in the shadow of the solumn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows which they loved. They rest beneath the sea or in a foreign land where vine and fig-tree bloom. But beneath the same blue sky that we know, although alike ummindful of sushine or storm, the slumber on,. If ever again the earth shall run red with the blood of war it shall conern them not. In the midst of battles, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. May they rest in peace.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 31, 1946
Shiretown Items
A Bag of Sugar
During the summer a lady required a small amount of cement to have her cellar wall patched. There being none on hand in the stores a kind-hearted gentleman hearing of her need gave her five pounds from his own private stock. When she was leaving recently she came to his house and presented him with a bag of sugar. He inadvisedly boasted of the mater to some of his supposed friends. When they threatened to inform and instigate legal proceedings against him he began to protest that it really was only a small bag—not more than five pounds. This statement his friends apparently refused to believe and soon had him quite worried. He went one day to a hardware store to buy some nails. The dealer said that nails were very hadrd to get but thought he might locate some if the gentleman would make it worthwhile. He proposed an exchange of 20 pounds of sugar for the nails. The gentleman, who is not noted for his preciousity, which I think is the term aplied to fastidious refinement in speech, made a few unprintable remarks, and left withou the nails, more owrried than ever. If there by a any moral to this sotyr it is this: be cautious how you talk about your own affairs and alt least be sure never to exaggerate.