Item
Pilot
Jan 1/1880
Praise for National Policy. "We trust that St. Andrews will occupy a respectable position as a manufacturing town, so that its population may be largely increased, and the many advantages which it undoubtedly possesses fully developed and utilized."
Gov. Gen. did not visit St. Andrews in '79.
Argyll Hotel will be finished by New Brunswick and C Railway Co. Hope for future of St. Andrews as watering place. and below.
"We are happy to be able to congratulate our readers upon the fact that the differences between the New Brunswick and Canada Railway Company and our town, have been for the present at least, brought to a satisfactory termination, one condition of the settlement being that the Railway Company are to finish the New Hotel, and this part of the agreement has already been nearly completed. It is with equal pleasure that we record the fact that the Megantic Railway is once more beginning to excite public attention and is likely at no very distant day to be completed, so that St. Andrews will have direct communication with Montreal by a much shorter route than any other deep sea winter port in Canada.
It will thus be seen that the beginning of the New Year is auspicious with hope for St. Andrews, and for the country around it. Its unrivalled advantages as a watering place, will now, thanks to the completion of the New Hotel, by fully utilized, and we expect to see it become as fashionable a resort for the people of the Dominion generally as Cacouna now is to the people of Quebec; Portland, Me. to the Ontarians, or Long Beach to those of the United States.
And when the Megantic Railway is finished, in addition to the goods traffic, the grain and the cattle that will come over the line from the far West to St. Andrews for shipment to Europe, we may expect to see hundreds of summer visitors from Quebec and Montreal who want to get a sight of the real sea in place of the spurious imitations, which their present fashionable watering places affords."
Pilot
Jan 15, 1880
We are informed that he accounts of the Commissioners of the Alms House of this town and Parish will prove most satisfactory to the Rate payers. The expenditure for the year was $1660; this includes the maintenance of the Alms House and the disbursements for outdoor relief. The receipts for the year amounted to $1,467, which makes the expenditure exceed the income by $192 to meet which there are uncollected taxes for the year amounting to $272. The net income of the Farm, after contributing to the support of the inmates of the Alms House, is about $200. Great credit is due to Mr. Thomas Inlay, for the skill and judgement displayed by him in the working of the farm, and of the faithful service he rendered to the Commissioners.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 25/1880
Summer Resort: Effort to attract vacationers at Mount Desert to Passamaquoddy Bay should secure special Boston-Eastport steamship connection with International Steamship company. Argyll praised.
Pilot
March 23, 1880
The schooner H. V. Crandall is loading ice at Chamcook for New York, on owners account. They expect to ship 5,000 tons. The schooner is owned by Mr. Robert Ross and others. The facilities for shipping ice from Chamcook Lake cannot be surpassed. [it seems to be that on the town map for 1878 Ross is shown as owning the Beach Cottage property]
Pilot
April 4, 1880
Chamcook lake presents just now a very busy scene, Mr. Robert Ross having a number of men engaged there on cutting ice for shipment, and besides Mr. Ross, an association of Bangor gents associated under the title of the Chamcook Ice Company has a large number of persons employed getting out ice and storing in houses now being erected on the eastern side of Chamcook harbor. They are carrying on operations night and day and hope to get out ten thousand tons of the crystallized water. All the latest appliances for the purpose are being used under the superintendency of Mr. Buxton a very energetic and active gentleman. They are getting out from four to five hundred tons a day. Mr. Mitchell another member of the firm is superintending the erection of the icehouse and the storing of the ice. Had they not been unduly delayed by the detention of lumber on the N. B. and C. R. R., most of the quantity of ice mentioned would have been stored. The ice on Chamcook Lake is very pure, solid and of exceptional quality. In these operations on the lake about 75 men and 35 teams are employed.
Pilot
May 6, 1880
John G. Lorimer, Esq. has of his own accord resigned the agency of the Bay Pilot, which we regret but trust that from time to time its columns will be enriched with contributions from his pen. New Editor C. F. Howe
St. Croix Courier
May 13/1880
A sign in Railroad business. (McAdam very busy. As many as 7 separate trains may be seen there any one time. 5 per day. Used by New Brunswick and C, and Saint John and Maine Railroads.'
Standard
May 19/1880
Mr. Mallory has added to his stock of vehicles, two handsome new carriages, a double and a single one, which are much admired, and were built in this county by Messrs DeWolfe and Co., of St. Stephen.
Standard
May 19/1880
It is believed that a much larger influx of visitors will wend their way to the vicinity of the St. Croix this season than in previous years, and in anticipation of this influx, the hotels are being fitted for their reception. We also announced that the New Hotel, recently finished by the Railway Company, is being partly furnished, and suitable persons engaged to conduct it for the present year. The Hon. F. A. Pike was here on Monday last, had the rooms measured for carpets, and was making other arrangements for its occupancy. Would it not be a good idea to build a few bathing houses at the short a short distance from the hotel; the way of which would be made directly through the sylvan shades of that rural pathway formerly known as "lover's lane."
St. Croix Courier
May 30/1880
WD Hartt's (of St. Andrews) new sardine factory in Robbinston in full operation. 30 hands employed.
A new beverage: Kakoa is a pleasant nutritious and very palatable substitute for tea and coffee. It is nutritious and wholesome, devoid of those properties so injurious to the nervous system. We have tried it and cordially recommend it. Sold by A. DeWolfe. (editorial infomercial)
(No change in International Steamship schedule since Oct. 1879: Portland and Boston from Eastport, twice a week.)
Pilot
June 3/1880
St. Andrews as a Summer Resort
[C. F. Howe]
While reading in our American exchanges of the great suffering caused by the warm weather in different sections of the United States, one cannot help thinking how fortunately situated are the people of St. Andrews compared with those in other places not far distant; while they suffer from extreme heat, we, owing to the situation of our town, enjoy a climate so delicious, that it is no wonder strangers who visit our town, envy us the possession of the invigorating air we so lightly value. As many persons are now thinking of selecting some cool spot in which to spend the summer months, we offer no excuse for calling their attention to St. Andrews and laying before them an epitome of the pleasures that may be enjoyed here.
In the first place, the town is situated on a narrow neck of land or promontory, jutting out into Passamaquoddy Bay, the water washing it on both sides; from almost every point on the hill in the rear of the town, commanding views may be had of scenery; all round the shores are fine gravely beaches, with unsurpassed chances for sea bathing in water cool and placid, but not cold as the water is at most of the bathing places on the seaboard of North America, for the natural breakwater formed by Deer Island and other islands adjacent, keep out the extremely cold waters of the Atlantic and protect the Bay from the effects of heavy swells caused by sudden storms arising in the ocean, that so frequently whelm and engulph the unsuspecting bathers, at many other places.
Secondly, we offer air pure and invigorating, with a total absence of extreme heat, for the atmosphere surrounding our town is kept deliciously cool by the winds which blow over the Atlantic. Thirdly, our town is reveling in sunshine when other places are wrapped in fog. Fourthly, we can offer pleasant drives, over good roads, and through scenery of varied character.
Were we to dilate upon all the advantages possessed by our town, and the attractions if offer to the tourist, the artist, and the seekers after health and pleasure, it would occupy more space than we can spare on this occasion, but we shall continue the subject in another issue.
Fire at railway yard. Two Indians, John Nicholas and Newell Soctoma, especially helpful in combating the blaze.
St. Croix Courier
June 3/1880
Rambles in and around St. Andrews. (subtopics: The town, Chamcook Mountain, Panoramic Beauty, Wooing, The Argyll House, A Pleasant Summer Retreat, Nature's Sanatoriums)
Mr. Angus Kennedy has bought and paid for the Pheasant lot on which Clarke's hotel formerly stood and intends to build a summer hotel on it during the summer.
Pilot June 10/1880
The Park Hotel, Saint John
Owing to the popularity the Park hotel has attained under the management of Mr. F. A. Jones, it has been found necessary to secure more room by adding to the lower flat the space on the eastern side of the old entry, hitherto occupied as store. The room thus gained has been finished in first-class style, the floor laid in hard pine, the walls wainscoted in ash, and a new plate glass front put in; half will be used as a reception room, in which will be situated a handsomely fitted office, together with a cozy private office for Mr. Jones.
Standard
June 9/1880
Summer visitors have commenced to arrive, and are enjoying the pure air, sea-bathing, pleasant drives, and riding on horseback. Those pleasant citizens the hotel keepers, have had their houses painted and papered, the larders well stocked, and other arrangements for the reception of guests. The livery stables have a number of new carriages and horses.
Standard
June 16/1880
Start made on Provincial Building, Fredericton. We omitted to notice the sale of one of the most central and valuable properties in St. Andrews, fronting the Market Square, and familiarly known as the Railroad Hotel lot—where Edward Pheasant for many years kept his hotel, and latterly owned by the late Michael Clark, whose executor disposed of it at private sale to Mr. Angus Kennedy, for $450.00, being $50.00 advance on the price offered at auction. It is said that the present owner purposes erecting a large hotel of modern style, the front to be on a line with Water Street.
(It seems as though Kennedy's business picked up after the destruction of the Railroad Hotel)
St. Croix Courier
June 17/1880
International Steamship schedule: 2 steamers leaving Eastport for Portland and Boston M/W/F. Steamers New York and City of Portland. Steamer Sir Charles Houghton will connect with Calais as usual.
Pilot
June 24, 1880
Confirmation
St. Andrews R. C. Church, in this town, was on Sunday morning the scene of a very interesting ceremony, one calculated to impress the participants therein with feelings of pleasurable devotion. Seventy nine candidates, thirty two of whom were girls and forty seven boys and young men, in which were included a number of both sexes, representatives of the Aborigines of this continent, members of the Milicete tribe of Indians, were presented by the Rev. E. Doyle, to His Lordship the Rev. J. Sweeney, D. d., Bishop of St. John, for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Standard
July 14/1880
St. Andrews to be ocean terminus for Canadian Railways. .
It affords us much pleasure to record for the benefit of St. Andrews, whose interests we have so long labored to promote—unrewarded—that its Port is to be adopted as at least one of the Ocean Terminus' for the great network of Canadian Railways and possibly the first, its being the nearest. The commercial success of the country demands an outlet at the most available and suitable locality, with an open deep-sea harbor at all seasons, and in as direct a line as possible. Within a few days some great and important changes have taken place in the proprietary of some railways; it is currently reported and credited that the Grand Trunk has gobbled up the New Brunswick Railway, (and perhaps other lines). That the New Brunswick Railway is to be run up to connect with the Grand Trunk near Quebec, and last but not least, that St. Andrews is to be the ocean terminus. This movement may be a stroke of policy on the part of the G. T. R. Company to supplant the Megantic Railway company, whom it is averred have the same object in view—both companies have their engineer's report on its adaptability. We have on several occasions and at some length, shown the advantages of St. Andrews harbor as an ocean terminus for railways, and perhaps may someday receive an acknowledgment of our services to promote the interests of the place, in the shape of a "leather medal." We have the satisfaction, however, of knowing that we have performed our duty as a journalist and claim the right to express it. A short time will solve the question of this Port being made a terminus.
The guests at Kennedy's Hotel are all from Saint John or St. Stephen and area. One person from Boston, one from Woodstock.
Morrison's Hotel also mentioned. Windsor House. 75 visitors in town stopping at private residences.
LG: The Hon. Robert Duncan Wilmot (1809-1891) Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Appointed 11 February 1880 at age 71 until 11 November 1885.
[last issue of Standard]
Standard
July 21/1880
A Retrospect
It is rapidly approaching a half century since the Standard was first issued. At that time St. Andrews carried on a large trade with great Britain, and the West Indies, the Port owning upwards of eleven thousand tons of shipping, carrying ton timber to Great Britain, and boards, shingles, house frames and cattle, to the West Indies, and return cargoes dry goods, iron, coal, salt and ships fittings from Britain, and rum sugar, molasses, mahogany and tropical fruit from the West Indies.
Her merchants were men of capacity, enterprise and energy—one of them owning forty sail of vessels, among them ships, barques and brigs; only one small vessel, a schooner was registered here, it being the port of registry and entry for this County. There are no such merchants now as Scott, Rait, Wilson, Allanshaw and McMaster, Ker, Douglass and Campbell, Scott and Jack, Wyer, Babcock and Son, and others. At that period the C. C. Bank was doing a large business and was the only money institution in the province with the exception of the Bank of New Brunswick at St. John. Business was brisk, money abundant, no lack of employment. The trade of St. Andrews was second only to that of St. John, indeed in commercial standing it was almost on a par.
At that time, the Standard was ushered into the world and was welcomed by its contemporaries the Saint John Courier, Observer, City Gazette, Watchman, Chronicle, and Colonist, all which papers have long since been discontinued, and their proprietors have gone the way of all flesh, the Standard alone is left; a perusal of its files would furnish a history of the County for the last fifty years. In its prospectus it was announced that the
Standard will be conducted on liberal principles. The affairs of New Brunswick demand peculiar attention and will be discussed with firmness and fairness. The vindication of liberty will not be allowed to degenerate into licentiousness; but an undaunted maintenance of political rights will be carried the whole length allowed by the constitution.
How we have adhered to those principles we leave our readers to judge.
It has ever been our aim to advocate the interests of the town and province to the best of our ability, and were instrumental in past years of advancing the prosperity and commercial status of St. Andrews by urging the formation of a company to build and purchase vessels for the carrying trade of the port, which were afterwards known as "Company vessels," the building of the steam mill which gave employment to a large number of men, in the manufacture of lumber. And last but not least, as stated in our edition last week, the Standard was the first and for some time the sole newspaper which advocated the construction of railways in the British Provinces, and ultimately succeeded in its efforts, resulting in the formation of the St. Andrews and Quebec Railroad Company which commenced the first section of the line to Woodstock, which was afterwards completed to that place by the N. B. and C. Railway company. It also lent its aid to establish branches to the main line, and railways in all parts of the Province, and other enterprises to develop its resources and increase its prosperity. It also maintained and defended the people's justice.
In politics it had decided views and supported new government which it believed administered the affairs of the Province for its welfare. It studiously avoided attacks on private character and invariably treated those with whom it differed with respect, always discussing questions on their merits, and eliminating unpleasant and disrespectful remarks to those with those views it did not coincide.
It is a pleasure to be able to record that when our contemporaries differed with us, they treated us with marked respect, for which we felt grateful. During our half century of editorial life, we would have been more than mortal, had we not committed errors, knowing well that perfection is not attainable on earth; the errors were those of the head, not the heart. But "to err is human, to forgive divine." When alluding to the Press, we knew no party; and from a lengthened experience, we assert that the people of New Brunswick have just reason to be proud of their Press, which for enterprise, ability and sturdy independence is not surpassed. It is probably that in the large cities of the United States and Canada, with dense populations, and enormous wealth and business, they may possess journals of greater circulation and wealth; but for ability, tact, and journalism the Provincial Press is their equal.
To conclude—in a lengthy review of the "Past and Present," and wishing our readers "a very happy new year" it was added, "we do not know what is in the womb of futurity, it may, or may not be, the last time we will have the privilege through these columns of extending our annual greeting." It was our endeavor "to swallow a sun beam" that we might look at the bright side of the picture. Well, we did so, but—we cannot say that word, which calls up memories dear to us, and our readers will pardon the omission.
Pilot
Sept 16/1880
Sir John A. MacDonald and other Canadian government commissioners have been successful in a financial arrangement for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, which was concluded this afternoon. The contract is taken jointly by a banking firm in London, a French financial association and a firm of financiers in New York. The contracting parties will receive from the Canadian government a certain number of millions sterling in cash or its equivalent, to be provided by issue of Canadian government bonds not backed, however, by imperial guarantee, and a certain number of millions of acres of land. In consideration of these grants the contracting parties undertake to form a company to be called the Pacific Railway Company, which shall construct and work the line in perpetuity. The government furthermore gives to the contracting parties in addition to the surveys already made, the whole of the line thus far built,. The cost of these items is put at between five and six millions sterling.
Pilot
Sept 30/1880
Bathing Houses
Most of our visitors have departed for their homes, and the few that remain seldom now take a bath in our clear waters, as the weather has become rather cool for that health-giving exercise, which was so freely, and may we not add beneficially, enjoyed by our visitors; the waters of the Bay while refreshing and invigorating, are so landlocked as to be warmer than the open sea, so that invalids would take a bath without fear of the circulation of their blood being affected. We suggest through the Pilot, that some of our enterprising townsmen should erect bathing houses at retired points around the shore, such as in the cove between the town and Joe's Point, and in the vicinity of the O'Neill farm, these places being suitable for the purpose, the beach smooth, and without too heavy surf. The venture, we believe, would prove remunerative for a small outlay of capital, besides being an attraction to visitors.
Pilot
Oct 7/1880
Mr. Angus Kennedy has commenced operation with a view to the erection of a Hotel on that well known site on the Market Square in this town on which the Clark Hotel formerly stood. We believe it is Mr. Kennedy's intention to erect a first-class building three stories high and covering rather more ground space than the former building did. The erection is to be of wood; the frame will be raised and boarded in before the snow flies.
Oct 21/1880
Syndicate formed of Hill, Stephen, Angus, Kennedy and Smith to complete remainder of trans-Canada railway line
St. Croix Courier
Nov 4/1880
Editor praises increasingly popular invention of telephonic communication and recommends that it be established between St. Stephen, Calais and Milltown. Grand Southern Railroad under construction.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 25/1880
Obituary
By the death of Mr. Robert Townshend, at Chamcook, on Sunday last, one of the old landmarks of the town and parish of St. Andrews has passed away. The father of the deceased, who was a shipwright, came to Saint John , New Brunswick, from England about sixty three years ago, where he went to work at his trade,; he sent home for his wife and family with whom, shortly after they arrived, he went to Indian island, Charlotte county, where he built himself a residence and engaged in shipbuilding, From Indian island he removed to St. Andrews, and established a shipyard at the Point, and built a residence now standing on the corner of Water and Ernest Streets. [vacant yard Salty Towers; see 1878 map] the deceased, Robert Townshend, got a contract to finish a vessel on the stocks at Chamcook, this led to his taking contracts to build ships for the late John Wilson, Esquire. He associated with himself, his brother John, who under the firm of Robert and John Townshend, carried on an extensive shipbuilding operations at Chamcook for a number of years, principally under contract for Mr. Wilson. They bought themselves farms and built residences and settled down at Chamcook, in which they have resided for forty years, and where Mr. John Townshend still lives. The deceased. Mr. R. Townshend was held in high estimation by his friends and neighbors, was a man of fine social qualities, genial and kindhearted. An aged widow, two sons and two daughters survive him.
Mr. Herbert of the Grand Falls Hotel will open the Argyll next spring. "With suitable accommodations St. Andrews should attract a large number of visitors from the Dominions and United States during the summer season."
St. Croix Courier
Dec 2/1880
St. Andrews—Write It Up. p. 2. (becoming more widely known, but not yet widely known; history of Mount Desert—popular since 1870.)
St. Croix Courier
Dec 9/1880
Interest in Cotton Mill in St. Stephen growing
Pilot
Dec 2, 1880
An outrageous act, and one that must meet with the unqualified reprobation of every right-thinking individual in this town, was recently perpetrated by some villain, who is atrocious enough to commit any vile act, provided he could only escape detection. We refer to the tampering with No. 2 Fire engine, by stuffing canvas into the suction pipe, which in case a fire had taken place before its discovery, might have led to the most disastrous results, perhaps even the destruction of the greater portion of the town. The effect of this dastardly act would have been the prevention of the engine working had necessity required it. The discovery was made by one of the members of No. 2 company, who casually dropped into the engine house, and as his custom on such occasions, critically examined the engine, to see if in working order. The fire wards if not wholly recreant to their duty, should institute a searching investigation, and if necessary, offer a liberal reward for the discovery of the perpetrator of the foul act.
The town of St. Andrews has got two fire companies who would be a credit to any town; the men as a rule turn out promptly to the call of duty, and work willingly to subdue any fire that unfortunately occurs, and this without fee or reward, other than remission of road tax that does not average a dollar per man per year. It is not therefore unreasonable to ask that through no cheese-paring economy, they be left without the means to work when required to do so, through the act of some scoundrel as in the case in point. That such false economy is being practiced cannot be denied in the face of the fact that to save the expense of proper locks to replace those broken on the engine house doors some months since, the doors were left open, so that evil designing persons can have access to their engines and apparatus at pleasure. The locks originally on the doors were totally unsuited for the purpose, not being strong enough, but because these locks were broken no reason exists why new and efficient locks should not be procured for the protection of such valuable property as are our fire engines. There is no necessity at any time for any individual to force the engine house doors open, as keys could be left at half a dozen of houses within a stone's throw of the engine house, where they could be got by night or day. With keys thus left, and others in the hands of the officers of the respective companies, no delay in getting access to the fire apparatus need ever occur. Such arrangements being made, any person found forcing the doors should be severally punished. In order that all persons may be fully warned, a notice board should be securely placed between the engine house doors, on which should be painted a standing offer of a reward for such information as would lead to the conviction of any person maliciously forcing open the doors, or tampering with the locks, or in any way injuring the property of the fire dept. also stating where keys of the engine houses may be found.
Pilot
Dec 2, 1880
Mr. James Starkey is going into the woods with a crew of men to get out the frame for a hundred- and fifty-ton schooner he is going to build at the point. She will be owned by a company.
Pilot
Dec 16/1880
St. Andrews—Write It Up
The St. Croix Courier, from time to time has done its share towards placing St. Andrews in a favorable light before the public, and so has the writer as correspondent of the Telegraph, Watchman Courier and other papers, previous to his assumptions of the editorial management of the Bay Pilot, and since then he has lost no opportunity to lay before its readers, glowing and truthful descriptions of the town and its surroundings. But something more is required, a publication in some way that will reach the class of people who are looking for new fields in which to spend their summer holidays. We can think of none more suitable than that suggested by the Courier - an illustrated article in some of the great American Monthly Magazines, or the Canadian Illustrated News—Mr. Taylor, photographic artist, of F'ton, has a number of views of St. Andrews and its surroundings; also Mr. John H. Hall, photographer of St. Andrews from which selections could be made as copy for engraving, and then Edward Jack, esq., of F'ton, who is thoroughly conversant with all the points of interest in and near St. Andrews and has at his command a fund of old traditions and Indian legends, might be induced to supply the latter press, which as he is a native of the Shiretown, a descendant of one of the old and most respected families—would to him be a labor of love. To get the cuts required for illustration money must be provided. By whom? That's the question! We think the gentlemen who own and control the Argyll Hotel, which will, barring accident, be thrown open to the public early next season under the management of the lessee, Capt. Herbert, should at least take the initiative in this matter by signifying their willingness to subscribe; then a meeting of prominent property holders and businessmen might be called and the matter talked over, which would, we think result in a subscription list being state and thus the necessary funds would be secured.
Pilot
Dec 22/1880
Rancorous debates over the newly introduced CPR contract. Details. Nothing yet on Van Horne.
Much in the news generally about the great Northwest—settlement and the railway, inextricably intertwined.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 23/1880
The Town of St. Andrews. (Bay Pilot takes up Courier's recommendation of Dec. 2.)
Last spike on Grand Southern Railway, connecting western and eastern section, laid Tuesday. (Dec 21.) p. 2. Long column.