Item
Standard
Feb 1, 1840
St. Andrews Literary and Scientific Club. A lecture will be delivered on Monday Evening next by Dr. Gove on the influence of Chemistry as a science.
Standard
June 28, 1848
We are informed that several of the Emigrants have been discharged from Hospital Island and O'Neill's farm, during the present week. Dr. McStay remains on the Island where he has been stationed for some time, for the purpose of attending the sick. We are happy to learn that he continues to enjoy good health.
We regret to state that Mr. Boyd Emigration Officer, and Dr. Gove continue very ill of fever. The only physician now in town, Dr. E. Bayard, has his hands full, and we regret to state, that he is now confined to his room.
Standard
April 28/1858
New Buildings
On Friday last, the frames of three new buildings were raised, two on Water Street on the "burnt district"—one of them a large two story frame for a store, owned by Mr. Jas. Boyd, the other for a smaller store adjoining Bradford's Hotel, and owned by Mr. John Breen; Mr. Edward Stinson owns the third frame which is intended for a Swiss Cottage and is situated on Harriet Street near the old hay scales.
Mr. Bradley is also preparing to erect a building for a store and swelling, at the corner of Water and William Streets, which for size, proportion and architectural design will be an ornament to the town. Dr. Gove is also erecting a private dwelling House at the corner of Montague and Princess Royal streets, on the block on which the Court House stands.
Several new wharves are also in, course of erection; and we may safely add theswe indications of prosperity were long and patiently looked for. Such events may appear small in themselves, but they involve no inconsiderable expenditure of money; and we feel it is no less a pleasure than a duty to chronicle such events.
Standard
Oct 11/1865
Ref. to death by asphyxiation at Bradford Hotel. Gove performed inquest.
Drunkenness blamed.
Standard
June 26/1872
S. T. Gove places ad to let Dr. Tupper's residence, called "Bellevue," for several years.
Standard
May 9, 1877
Fire. On Monday about 1 am, the house occupied by Capt. William Waycott, known as the "old lighthouse," owned by the heirs of the later Peter Smith at Indian Point, was discovered in flames, and such was the rapidity with which they spread, that the inmates had barely time to leave the building, not saving anything but the clothes they brought out. The engines were promptly at the scene of conflagration, but the building was so dry and the fire had made such headway, that it was consumed. Capt. Waycott lost all his charts, marine instruments, clothing and furniture. It is supposed that the fire originated from a defective chimney.
Terrible Accident
On Friday last, about one o'clock, George Stewart, a colored man, who resides on the Commons, was repairing a horse collar, was seized with a fit, and fell among the embers of the fire left after cooking dinner. There were only two small children in the house at the time, who attempted to drag the poor man out of the fire place, which they partially accomplished, but finding they could not get him out, they started for the shore where his father was at work, and while on their way, met a son of Mr. James Dougherty, and having informed him of the accident, he started at once for the house, and pulled the poor man away from the fireplace, not however before his face had been fearfully burned, the lower part of his right ear actually roasted and his right eye destroyed. The unfortunate man was some time before he showed signs of consciousness, and when able asked for water; his mouth was so dreadfully swollen that it was difficult for him to drink. Dr. Gove having been sent for, dressed the wounds, and ordered the suffering man to the Alms House. Little hopes are entertained of his recovery.
St. Croix Courier
May 10/1877
Terrible Accident—A Man Roasted Alive
George Stewart, a colored man who resides a short distance out of the Town of St. Andrews, while in a fit on Saturday last, fell off the chair on which he was seated headlong into the fire. There was no one in the house at the time besides Stewart except a girl of some six years, a niece of his. She ran out and called her brothers and sisters, who were at play in a field a short way off. They came in and with their united strength (they were all children) were unable to drag him from the fire, on which he lay roasting. One of the children ran for help, and had to go about half a mile to the shore where some men were at work. When they entered the house, they found Stewart lying on the fire, head close to the back of the chimney and clothes burning. They speedily removed him and tore the burning shirt off him. Young Dougherty went at once into town for medical aid. Dr. Samuel T. Gove, and Dr. Harry Gove promptly repaired to the sense of the accident, and administered what remedies were necessary at the moment. The house in which Stewart lived in was a mere hovel, presenting a scene of squalid misery, and was not a proper place in which to take care of the man. The Doctor ordered his removal to the Poor House, on reaching which a thorough examination was made and all that could be done to alleviate the suffering of the patient was attended to. Fortunately, he was unconscious. His person presented a sickening appearance. The right arm from the wrist to the neck was literally roasted, the right side from the lower rib upwards, and extending from near the back bone to the right breast was almost as bad, the fingers of the left hand were burned, the fore finger dreadfully so, his right ear was burned off, also all the hair from his hear, the scalp and flesh on the forehead were literally charred, right eye destroyed, and right cheek roasted. It is not possible for him to recover. Sunday he was conscious, complaining of the pain to his shoulder; his head and arm had swollen very much, and the swelling was increasing.
Pilot
Jan 16/1879
Execution of Thomas Dowd
The Charlotte County New River Tragedy has at last been finally disposed of, by the execution of Thomas Dowd; and the sentence for the incarceration of Mrs. Ward in the Provincial Penitentiary for several years.
The Tragic Drama
Tuesday morning, the 14th day of January opened up the tragic drama of the Execution of the unfortunate Thomas Dowd. The High Sheriff, with his usual desire to carry out the duties of his official position with strict fidelity to the injunctions, the letter and the spirit of the law, took every necessary and available precaution to fulfill the stern demands of the death-sentence in accordance with the law.
The grounds adjacent to the Jail were guarded by a posse of men, in order to keep hundreds of would-be spectators from witnessing the dread spectacle of the hanging of a fellow creature. The High Sheriff, in keeping with his duty, admitted the members of the press, and a certain number of others, to whom it is his prerogative to give admission—all others, were excluded.
The Hour.
Fixed for the execution, was 8 o'clock in the morning; and long before that hour, the streets of St. Andrews presented an unusually life-like scene. People hurrying to and fro, as tho' stirred into action by some powerful agency—it was "Dowd is to be hung!"
His Appearance
At about 17 minutes past 8 o'clock, Thomas Dowd came downstairs preceded by the Rev. Father Doyle, Parish Priest, of SG. The condemned man, wore dark pants and vest, with white shirt and no coat. He walked through the hall and out of the back door to the stand where he was to die, bearing a lighted candle in candlestick, in his hand. The Reverend Clergyman walking by his side and bearing a crucifix.
Scene at the Gallows
On coming to the plank-stand both Father Doyle and Dowd kneeled on its outer edge with their backs to the spectators, facing the jail windows. The priest, with open book, reading the solemn prayers and services—Dowd, the meanwhile, "crossing" himself, according to the religious usage of the Roman Catholic Church, and, when the Rev. Father held the crucifix to his (Dowd's) lips, he kissed reverently, five times, in accordance with the number of the "five bleeding wounds" which Jesus received for sinner! This was a most affecting scene! And, as if to heighten it, Mrs. Wards, his fellow-prisoner, was seen standing at a basement window, near the back-door, gazing at Dowd, and weeping bitterly!
Final Preparations
On the priest, and Dowd, rising from their knees—the priest whispered a few words to him, and then retired a few paces; when the jailer, Mr. Mark Hall, placed him under the end of the long plank in which was fixed an iron ring; and into which the rope was secured with the fatal "knot" prepared. The jailer now secured his arms and feet, with leather straps when the unfortunate man, with almost a deathly gaze, looked upon the few, but solemn faces of his fellow-creatures there before him for the last time.
He Speaks
The last words of Thomas Dowd. "I am much obliged to the Sheriff; and Mr. Hall, and his family. They have showed me every kindness; and gratified my every wish. I feel every kindly feeling to the people of St. Andrews. I wish you all well. God bless you all."
The Fatal Knot
Immediately, following Dowd's dying expressions, the jailer passed the rope over his head, fixed the "knot" in its place; and, adjusted the black cap on his head, covering face and eyes!
In a Moment
The rope secured inside an upper window of the jail, was cut; and, Dowd, was jerked upwards some three feet from the platform—when, to all appearance—
Death was instantaneous. A slight twitching of the body, principally between the shoulders, was nearly all that was perceptible; and, the impression generally was, that, the unfortunate Dowd, suffered the extreme penalty of the law, with but little more than momentary suffering.
The arrangements made by the Sheriff were admirable; and, all the persons acting under his directions, performed their respective duties, properly and well.
Taking down the Corpse
After the lapse of about 15 minutes, the body was lowered—and Dr. Gove felt the wrist; and opening the shirt bosoms (outside and inside shirts) laid his ear against the left breast for a few seconds; also, lifted the cap from the face, and looking upon the features pronounced him "dead."
Thus expiated, Thomas Dowd, his crime of murder; and, as far as human expiation goes, justice is satisfied. And, it is only merciful to hope, that the manifest sincere repentance of Dowd, was accepted by the God of infinite mercy, and that, although' the body has been consigned to a deep, dark grave, the "spirit has returned to the God who gave it."
May the sad, awful death-drama, enacted in St. Andrews, on this the 14th day of January, A. D. 1879, be a serious and salutary warning to all young men and boys, to shun the ways of evil; and to live soberly and righteously—the only safety from Sin, and its awful consequence.
Removal of the Body
Shortly after the execution, the body being deposited in the Coffin, it was conveyed to the C. C. Church where a requiem high mass was performed—and the remains subsequently interred in the Catholic Cemetery.
Additional Remarks
By direction of the Sheriff, a guard of twelve men, under Capt. E. S. Polleys, in uniform; armed with muskets and fixed bayonets, were detailed around the jail grounds, to keep them from intrusion by spectators. The people, however, were remarkably orderly and the utmost decorum prevailed.
Some 40 persons had gained access to the roof of the Hospital which stands in close proximity to the jail, overlooking the "Yard" where Dowd was hung; and, they had every facility to witness the operations.
The coffin was on the ground but concealed from the sight of him who was so soon to be its occupant. Previous to the execution, Mrs. Hall, the Jailer's wife, on visiting Dowd, said—"Tommy, I hope you are prepared—you, are about to pay a debt we'll have to pay sooner or later." (Mrs. Hall was weeping.) He replied—"Yes, but do not fret, it is nothing—goodbye, God bless you! I hope we will meet in Heaven."
Just before 8 o'clock, Dowd signed a petition, witnessed by Father Doyle, to the Governor General, praying for the further commutation of Mrs. Ward's sentence of seven years in the Provincial penitentiary; as she was entirely innocent of any participation in the murder, or the knowledge of it. If this be so, and who would dare question the authenticity of a dying man's confession—then, this Mrs. Ward, with all her manifest faults, should be permitted to go out again in the world—Free—but, bearing with her, the intolerable stigma of having her name so closely associated with the murder of her husband, must ever cause her to feel, like Cain, that her punishment is greater than she can bear.
We are glad that this, New River Tragedy is over. May the Press of Charlotte County, never gain have such a record to publish to the World. Again, we express hope that the awful doom of Dowd will prove a salutary warning to old and young to shun the road that leads to vice and run.
Pilot
Jan 23/1879
Kennedy's Hotel burns to the ground.
On Wednesday afternoon, 15th inst. the Town Bell rang out the exciting peal of Fire! It was only the work of a few minutes before the Fire Companies, Nos. 1 and 2, were at the Engine House, and away on the run down along Water Street toward Kennedy's Hotel. Capt. McKinney of No. 1 and Capt. Magee of No. 2, with their men, were now on the scene of action. Kennedy's Hotel was on fire! That was enough. Officers and men of both companies worked as firemen do. The firemen of St. Andrews are determined, zealous, and full of pluck—that is the record. As evening closed around them the intense cold of the day increased in intensity; and notwithstanding all was done that human effort could do under the circumstances—the Hotel succumbed to the fiery conqueror; and heaps of ashes and smoking debris were all that remained to tell the story of the conflagration. Capt. Magee with a few others remained with his engine, until the Morning Star shone out like a bright diamond among its firmamental sisters—when weary and cold, the gallant fellows retired to their homes. In connection with the burning of the Hotel, the following accidents occurred. Joseph Shaw, fireman, No. 1 Company, fell from a ladder and was so seriously injured that he and to be taken home. James Heenan, Mariner, received so much injury from a falling chimney that he was taken to the Marine Hospital, and Capt. John S. Magee had both feet so badly frozen that Dr. Gove had to be sent for the render medical aid. The Hotel was insured for $5,000 and the furniture for $1500—but no money consideration can compensate for all the inconvenience, expense, trouble and distress consequent of being burned out of house and home in mid-winter, especially with a large family. It is expected that Mr. Kennedy will be encouraged to re-build a new and bigger hotel on the Clark lot opposite the Market Square, as such an establishment would prove an acquisition to the town and profitable to the proprietor.
Beacon
May 15, 1890
An Alleged Lunatic
A "party by the name of Johnson"—John Johnson is the name he gives—was taken out of the Lansdowne House on Tuesday and placed in jail on suspicion of being a lunatic. When landlord Pendleton went to his room that morning, he found Johnson on the floor in "undress uniform," driving horses with the bed quilts, and having a jolly time all to himself. After going to jail, Dr. S. T. Gove made an examination of the man and concluded that he had better remain in confinement for a period until the Scott Act Rum had worked out of his system a little. Sheriff Stuart found in his pockets a tin whistle, six cents, a lot of crackers and cheese, and a cake of soap, which goes to show that in the matter of cleanliness his mind was sounder than a good many sane people we might name. Johnson says he belongs to Pictou. If crazy he is a very harmless lunatic.
Beacon
Feb. 4/1892
The Oldest Physician
Dr. S. T. Gove of St. Andrews, talks with the Beacon
Dr. Samuel Gove, of St. Andrews, is without doubt the oldest practicing physician in New Brunswick
On Friday last the Beacon surprised Dr. Gove in his study and drew from him a few facts relative to his life history.
Dr. Gove is a native of Gagetown, Queen's Co., having seen the light of day there in 1813. His father came to this Province from New Hampshire after the Revolution and settled at Gagetown, where he married a daughter of Samuel Tilley, who took an active part in the American Revolution as a royalist. He landed at Saint John in 1783 and served on the first petit jury ever established in the province, under the grandfather of Sir John Allen.
One of Dr. Gove's ancestors on his father's side was in the pioneer force attached to the 8000 troops that were ordered to be levied in Massachusetts for the siege of Louisburg in 1748. He assisted in the building of a road across this morass on which to haul the heavy siege guns and when the British fleet broke the chain across the harbor and captured the town, the contingent from Portsmouth, N. H. of which he was a member, dismounted the silver bell of the cathedral, and it was taken t Portsmouth, where it is now hanging in the belfry of St. John's Episcopal church. This bell had been blessed by the Archbishop of Paris.
The subject of this sketch removed with his family to Saint John when three or four years old, and took up his residence in the suburbs, which is now almost in the heart of the city. He has a vivid recollection of many events in the history of Saint John. He can remember visiting the smoldering remains of the military barracks on Fort Howe, and can clearly recollect hearing the 9 o'clock gun being fired from the fort while lying in his bed. After the fire, the military were quartered in the "Red Store" at Rankine's wharf, remaining there until the Lower cove barracks were built for their reception. The doctor remembers the two last gentlemen in Saint John who wore Hessian boots, with tassels on them. These were a man named Bonsall, and the father of Mr. Beverley Robinson, a tall, stately gentleman.
Dr. Gove was one of the first pupils of the Madras School, which was then situated on King Square. Among his early schoolfellows he distinctly remembers Mr. Thomas E. Millidge, Mr. John R. Marshall, ex-chief of police, and the late Canon Scovil. General Smythe, who had been aide-de-camp to Wellington at the battle of Waterloo frequently, opened the school. He would ride up on horseback, and leaving his horse in charge of an orderly, would enter the room. He would seat himself at the organ, and after playing and singing "Old Hundred," would open the school. The General, by the way, was regarded as one of the best musicians in the army. Brunswick Smythe, his son, was also the doctor, thinks, a pupil of this school. He remembers having seen one or two persons in the pillory on King Square and has also witnessed the whipping of criminals on the Square. The whipping post was on the corner of the square, about opposite the present site of the Dufferin hotel. He has seen the schoolboys turn sick on witnessing one of these public whippings.
The first Sunday school that he attended was in Trinity church, of which, he thinks Mr. Byles was then rector. Two of the lots of land on which Trinity church now stands were given for that purpose by the grandfather of Mr. William Whitlock, of St. Andrews. Dr. Gove's grandfather owned two lots on the corner of King St., which were sold for a hogshead of rum. In those days such a sale excited no comment, as money was scarce, and it was quite common to barter in that way.
Dr. Gove began his medical studies with the late Dr. Cooke. He then attended Guy's hospital, London, Sir Astley Cooper being at that time consulting surgeon. In 1833 he graduated at the Royal College of Surgeons.
On returning to New Brunswick, he settled for a short time at Sussex, where he took unto himself a life partner, who is now living, though in poor health. From Sussex he removed to Gagetown, and while there saw the troops go through on sleds to Canada to quell the Papineau rebellion. In 39 he came to St. Andrews.
Asked in what state he found St. Andrews when he first came here, he said that he found a population of 3000 in the town proper, several square-rigged loading in the harbour, and several new ships on the stocks. The principal merchants were Jas. Rait, Allanshaw and McMaster, and the Wilsons. The West India trade of the pot, owing to the English government having thrown open West India ports to the United States, had even then begun to decline.
Ever since 1939 the doctor has been practicing here and very successfully, too. He is now the oldest practicing physician on the register. During his medical experience he has seen the rise and fall of one whole generation.
In public matters, he has taken quite a prominent pat. He was a director of the Charlotte County bank until the day it closed its doors. He was a Class A stockholder and director in the English railway, until the final transfer to the English stockholders. He has reason to believe that he is now the only survivor of the first railway board in Canada and can boast of having seen the first mile of railway in Canada and the first locomotive that ran over it. For thirty-five years he has been a coroner in Charlotte County. Since 1849 he has had charge of the Marine hospital and the quarantine affairs of the port. When the "Star" arrived here in 1947, with nine-tenths of her two hundred or more passengers sick of fever, they were placed on Quarantine Island, where between 75 and 100 of them died. Dr. Gove, Dr. Edwin Bayard and Commissioner Boyd were stricken down with the typhus at the same time, but they recovered.
The Doctor related an incident which occurred during he dark days of the Charlotte County bank, and which may even yet have an interest for some people. The bank had been carrying a pretty heavy load, and had got in debt to the bank of New Brunswick to the extent of about 8,000 pounds and they were pressing them for it very hard. The board, in order to re-establish their credit, determined upon paying the amount, and Dr. Gove was selected to carry the specie to Saint John. He started on his mission early one evening, with a pair of horse, the late Cornaby Morris, with a brace of heavy horse-pistols, accompanying him. At that time the road between St. Andrews and Saint John was infested by runaway sailors and fugitives from justice, who were trying to get to the American lines, and precautions of this kind were quite necessary. It was about breakfast time when he drove up to the residence of Mr. Thomas Millidge, who was then president of the Bank of New Brunswick. It was with fear and trembling that the had gone on his errand on account of the position the Bank of New Brunswick had taken in pressing them, but he found his old schoolfellow, Mr. Millidge, equal to the occasion, and the business was got through with very pleasantly.
Dr. Gove is still in good health and is as smart on foot as many men half his years. He attributes this fact to the disuse of rum and tobacco.
Beacon
Feb 22, 1894
A little Indian child, ten months old, living at Indian Point, crawled up alongside a fire of shaving during the absence of her mother, on Monday morning, and was horribly burned about the neck, face, body and arms. Dr. Harry Gove did what he could to relive the little sufferer.
Beacon
March 14/1895
Sensation at the Alms House
Consternation prevailed among the household at the Alms House, on Thursday morning last. About 2 o'clock the keeper, Mr. Kerr, heard sounds proceeding from the room in which Morris O'Brien was an inmate, but as such were of common occurrence, he paid little heed to them. A short while afterwards the crash of broken glass awoke the silent echoes, and groans were heard from some one outside the house. Mr. Kerr hastened out and found O'Brien lying on the snow in a half-dazed sate, having thrown himself out of the window of this room on the second story. The poor old man's mind had been wandering and, in his delusion, trying to escape from fancied captors, he leaped through the window. He was taken into the house, and Dr. Gove sent for. He was unable to find any serious injury, though it was evident that the old man had sustained a severe physical shock.
Beacon
April 29, 1897
Death of Dr. S. T. Gove
Dr. Samuel Tilley Gove, the oldest practising physician in the province, and one of the oldest residents of St. Andrews, breathed his last on Thursday morning last. Though the deceased gentleman had been in poor health for a year or more, he had of late been about the streets, and there were general remarks about his improved condition. But this improvement was not of long duration, for about a fortnight ago he was compelled to take to his room. He greadually grew worse, and about 11 o'clock on Thursday mornign quietly fell asleep.
Dr. S. T. Gove was a son of the late Jeremiah Gove, of Gagetown, and the only brother of Collector Gove, of the St. Andrews Customs House. Born at Gagetown, Queen's Co., in the year 1813, he removed to Saint John with his father and family four years later. His preliminary education he obtained at the Madras school, St. John. After finishing his education, and taking a course at Guy's Hospital, he entered the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, London, when Sir Astley Cooper presided over that famed institution. He obtained his medical degree from that college in 1833, and from that date to within a few months ago was in active practice. He first practised in Gagetown, afterwads at Sussex and St. George, and about the year 1839 came to St. Andrews, where he has since reMained.
During the 58 years he resided here, he held many positions of public trust and discharged them all faithfully and creditably. He took a leading part in the movemen to unite At. Andrews with Quebec by rail and was the last surviving director in Class A block of the St. Anrews and Quebec Railway company. During ht eexistence of the Charlote County Bank at. St. Andrews he was one of the leading dirctors. On one occasionm he told the writer that he was entrusted with a large sum of money to take to Saint John to liquidate engagements aqt the Bank of New Brunswick, when the late Tomas E. Milledge, of St. John, was a presiding director. He rode all the way fo Saint John by horse, accompanied by a guard. During the time of the Irish famine, when styphus fever was carrying off scores of immigrants at. St. Andrews, he performed a herculean work amongst the sicki. He was the first physician to prescribe milk in cases of fever, and the correctness of his judgment in this matter was amply proven by the ready manner with which the medical profession followed his lead. He had charge of the quarantine station in St. Andrews at the period referred to. He was also surgeon of the troops during the Fenian Raid. When Confederation was entered into, he made an inspection of the marine hospitals of New Brunswick for the government and submitted an exhaustive report theron. He also filled for mjany years the positons of Coroner, Jail physician, physician of Alms House and Marine Hospital, and chairman of the Charlotte County Board of Health. At the time of his death, he was meteorological observer for the port of St. Andrews. He was closedl identified with Free Masonry the greater part of his life, having been made a Mason in Edinburgh when he was 21 years old. He was the last charter member of St. Marks' Lodge, F and A. M. of St. Andrews.
His wife (who was a Miss Fairweather, of Sussex) survives him, also one son, Dr. Harry Gove. Mrs. Gove has been an invalid for many years and is now in a very critical conditon of health.
His funeral took place on Sunday afternoon and was held under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity. The Arbutus brrought down a large delegation fo the brethren from St. Stephen, including Grandmaster Whitlock, Henry Graham, R. W. Whitlock, C. C. Whitlock, Walter Inches,. R. W. Grimmer, W. S. A. Douglass, James Vroom, E. G. Vroom, George J. Clarke, M. E. McGowan, C. O. Barker, Jas McKenzie, A. I. Teed, Fred L. Ham, John C. Henry, S. Wheelock. The visitors united with the members of the St. Marks' Lodge, making quite a long procession of the order. The outside friends of the deceased made the cortege nearly a uarter of a mile in length. The body was first taken to All Saints Church, where Reve. Canon Ketchum conducted an impressive service, the choir rendering "Art Thou Weary," "Lead Kindly Light," "Forever with the Lord," and the Nuc Dkimittis. At the grave a short service was conducted byCanon Ketchum, after which the burial rite of the Masonic body were performed in an effective manner by Grand Master Whitlock. James Clinch led the singing at the grave with his cornet. Many person swere at the cemetery to witness the last rites over th departed.
The deceased in his will names his son, Dr. Harry Gove, James A. Shirley and T. R. Wren as his executors. He leave an estate valued at about $15,000.
Beacon
Aug 26/1897
John Conley, the victim of last week's railway accident, is still at the Alms House, where he is receiving daily attention from Drs Gove and O'Neill.