Fires, Part 2

Beacon
Aug. 29/1889
Water system needed. See photocopy and below.
"The most pressing need that St. Andrews has at the present moment is an improved water system. The time has arrived we think when such should be provided, no matter what it costs. The present old-fashioned system of obtaining the supply from wells is dangerous to health, and offers but a very limited protection in the case of fire. Besides, it seriously retards the progress of the place. We may boast of the healthfulness of our town, but while its inhabitants are compelled to obtain their water for domestic purposes from wells that have been in use for one hundred years almost, the boat appears an empty one. The adoption of a system of water works would remove, to a very material extent, danger form fire and danger from epidemics. It would tend to the development of the place, by encouraging outsiders to come in and build; it would enhance the value of property and reduce insurance premiums, without adding much to our present taxes. The fire wardens, on whose shoulders, we believe, rests the responsibility, should proceed in this matter at once. The coming winter will probably be a quiet one, so that if the work was entered upon now, it would furnish remunerative employment to many men who would otherwise be idle."

Beacon
Sept 19/1889
The water problem is no nearer a solution this week than it was last. The fire Wardens do not appear to have taken any action on the Chamcook Company’s latest offer, and no advance has been made by their own committee in the direction of water. They have corresponded with several artesian well operators, but their figures are away beyond what the committee had anticipated. It looks now as if the experiment of boring will be done by hand. Whatever is to be done should be done quickly

An Improved Water System
The discussion of this important topic in the Beacon, leads me to offer a few remarks upon the subject. While publishing the Standard for nearly half a century, and since my retirement from that office, I have endeavoured to promote the welfare and prosperity of St. Andrews to the best of my ability, and believe, that in some measure, those efforts were productive of benefit; I still feel anxious to do all in my humble way to forward its interests. I thoroughly agree with the Beacon in its advocacy for having a pure and abundant supply of water; and read with attention the clear, concise and to my view reasonable proposition of Mr. R. S. Gardiner, V. P. of the Chamcook Water Co. on the matter.
            It has been admitted that a purer or better spring of water is not within the limits of the town than on my own premises; but I am not so selfish as not to be willing to be taxed for abundant supply of that element for my fellow townsmen, and believe that a majority of its inhabitants will cheerfully submit to a moderate increase of taxation for that purpose. There is not a community in the province with so moderate a rate of tax as St. Andrews, and it behoves its property holders to foster any movement on the part of the Land Co. or others to improve the town. The large expenditure of capital by the Land Company, and the success which has crowned their efforts, are a guarantee of their desire to make this vicinity widely known and appreciated. That there are some impure wells in their own, located in low ground and not over tidy back yards, will not be denied, which in some cases have been productive of fatal consequences, and which should be filled dup.
            It matters not who furnished a supply of water for house ore or fire purposes, whether the townspeople or the Chamcook Water Co. An ample supply can be had within the town plot from the ridge commonly known as the Barrack hill, by boring through the rock, in other words artesian wells not much over one hundred feet in depth, and at a moderate coast, as the piping for conveyance to all parts of the town would be on an inclined plant, steep enough not be require pumping apparatus. The wells on the hillside are seldom ten feet in depth, and furnish a supply of water even in the driest months; this I know from actual experience of forty years.
            Like other communities, it has men of brains, enterprise and pluck but unfortunately do not possess the necessary funds to carry out the good work whole those who have means, lack public spirit and will not invest. The fact is as I recently expressed it, we require an infusion of new blood and capital; a quantum of American push, speculative a progressive spirit, a whole souled interest in the town. The bugbear of taxation is worn out; every city and town in the Dominion tax themselves for improvements, and they must do so, or remain in the cold shades of neglect and decay, which its people I believe will not permit. I comply with your request, and have written over my own signature, as I am neither “ashamed or afraid to discuss the subject in public point.’—A. W. Smith

Beacon
Oct 3/1889
Interest in a water system has flagged since the rainy season has filled up all the wells.
Algonquin bears now occupy a shed on the public wharf.

Beacon
Nov 14/1889
The Water Question
Boston, Sept 16
W. D. Forster, Esq.
My dear Sir, Just before leaving St. Andrews, I promised to send you for your own information, figures and facts upon the cost, etc., of a water system. My time has so largely been occupied in my legitimate business, that until now I have had no opportunity of complying with that promise.
            Based upon the estimates of hydraulic engineers, the cost of construction of water works for St. Andrews—by a system of bored wells—would be $43,000.  This covers cost of boring four wells to an average depth of 120 feet. Stand pipe to contain 150,000 gallons, 30 fire hydrants, steam pump and fixtures, an 8 inch supply pipe on one of the streets running from NW to SE, six inch pipes on the other streets laterally, and four inch pipes upon certain of the streets transversely. Bonds issued to the amounts of the cost at 5 percent would amount to an annual expense of $2,150, to which add the annual cost of maintenance, such as superintendence, Engineer, labor, fuel, would be $2,500 more, making a total of annual expense $4650, which the tax-payers must pay. On the other hand the Chamcook Water Co. stands ready to put in the water system, upon the town through its Fire Wardens, making a contract with the Co. for 30 hydrants at a total annual cost of $1500.
            It may, in answer to this, be asserted that under a water system owned by the town, the cost of water to private users would be much less than under the Water Company ownership. Reference to “Whipples” Water Supply for 1888-9, which gives the figures for over 500 water systems in Canada and the United States, does not bear out such an assertion. Fredericton, NB, for instance: with a population of 7000, expended $109,000, has a bonded water debt of $100,000 at 5 percent interest, has 9 miles of piping (SA would have about 6 ½), ye the average charge to users for water is about the same as the Chamcook Water Co. proposes. New Glasgow, NS, 5000 population, with 8 ½ miles of piping, expended $65,000 and has a bonded debt of $68,000 at 4 ½ percent, and charges much above Chamcook Water Co. figures. Truro, NS, with 6 miles of pipe, has expended $43,000, has a bonded debt of like amount at 5 ½ percent, and charges private users a fraction less than Water Co. proposition. The same general condition prevails in nearly all small places where the municipality has put in the works; the exceptions being those towns so situated that the water supply is brought from lakes, ponds or streams, at an elevation above the town, rendering unnecessary the steam pump, stand pipe or reservoir; but as such a condition does not exist at St. Andrews, comparison with these exceptional cases is valueless.
            It may be said by those representing the town: “We don’t propose to put in the complete system; therefore the cost, bonded debt or interest, will not be as great as the figures above given.” Very well; the proposed contract of the Water Co. only compels the fire-board to immediately locate 12 hydrants at a cost of $50.00 each per annum, equal to $600.00, and in any event the rental of fire hydrants only commences when each hydrant is ready for service. Besides, the suggested answer is unfair to the taxpayers. A partial system may give Mr. Odell, Mr. Magee and yourself a water supply, while Mr. Lamb or Mr. Smith, by reason of living on the hill, will be without it. Yet all rive gentlemen would be taxed pro rata to provide a water system. If the own put sin the water, it will at the same time put a bonded debt upon the tax payers, that will be a lasting burden and unless the whole system at an approximate cost of $43,000 will be provided, the town’s needs will only be partially me for the time being and the further expenditure must come sooner or later, while it must not be forgotten that the principal amount which the bonds would represent finally becomes due, and must be paid. I understand that it has been suggested to bore several artesian wells, from which though people may carry their drinking water. Such an idea is merely throwing money away, because it does not in an effective way, meet the needs of the future which I believe St. Andrews has.
            Furthermore, I cannot see how St. Andrews can undertake the raising of money for the purpose, upon bonds, until incorporation of the town can be had, and it is not necessary for me to dwell upon that as an event of the near future. The whole situation summed up seems to me to be this: a corporation stands ready to put in the water system upon the basis of a contract with the town, whereby the maximum cost to the town when completed will be $1500 per year. Rather than accept this it is proposed by citizens, that the town shall bond itself for say $43,000, bind itself to pay annual interest upon that debt of say $2150, together with such further as long as may be a deficit between water sold and expenses of operation. If the gentlemen interested in the latter plan, proposed investing their own money as a business operation, that would be one thing, but to place upon the town a large interest bearing debt, when it is not necessary, should be opposed by very tax-payer, upon grounds of self-protection.
Yours truly,
Robert S. Gardiner.

Beacon
April 24, 1890
Gone to Blazes
St. Andrews Sardine Factory Disappears in Smoke
A fire with a very mysterious origin
The St. Andrews sardine factory, which started last summer with fair prospects of success, disappeared about four o’clock on Monday morning in a huge pillar of fire. The factory was located in the shed on the steamboat wharf. This building was erected about ten years ago by Messr. Merrit and Sons, of Houlton, Maine, who used it for three or four years as a warehouse for the storage of potatoes. Their lease expired in a month or two, and the building would have then become the property of Mr. Robert Ross, upon whose land it stood. How did the fire originate? That is one of the things “no fellow can understand,” for there had been no fire in the building for several months. Landlord Herbert, of the Argyll hotel, says that he looked outside of the window of his house about three o’clock, and there as then no sign of fire. Brakeman Stinson, who lives about midway between the Argyll and the wharf, was aroused a few minutes after 3 o’clock by the shouting of Mr. Wm. Storr, who had turned out early to make some repairs on the NBR locomotive, and his attention was attracted by the fire, as he was about passing Mr. Stinson’s house. Looking out, Mr. Stinson saw columns of flame pouring out of he windows of the factory. He hurried out, and in company with Mr. M McMonagle, who had also been awakened by the noise, hastened to the engine room. Mr. Stinson rang the alarm, while Mr. McMonagle endeavoured to get into the room where the hand engines were. The firemen quickly responded to the summons, and reached the engine to the fire. No 1 engine, Capt. Wm. Burton, arrived first, No 2. Capt Wm Whitlock, reaching the fire shortly afterwards.
            Tide was pretty low, and the flames were rising in massive sheets from the burning structure, scattering clouds of sparks for many yards around. Seeing that there was no chance of saving he building or its contents, the firemen turned their attention to saving the wharf from destruction. In this they were successful, although the fabric was pretty badly scorched. Fire Wardens Burton and Stickney were on hand and directed the movements of the firemen.           
            In addition to the Sardine Company’s plant, they had a large quantity of manufactured sardines in cases, as well as a great many empty cases. Stetson, Cutler and Co, also had their ice tools stored in the building. Everything was burned up. The Sardine Company had $2500 insurance in the Western office, but they estimate that their loss will exceed this sum by several hundred dollars. There was no insurance on the ice tools. They were worth probably $120. It is not known whether the building was insured or not.
            The firemen left the scene of the fire about 8 o’clock, but were called out again at one o’clock, the wind having fanned some of the smouldering sparks into life, thus endangering the safety of the wharf.
            Mr. James L. Thompson, of the Frontier St. Stephen Company, came down from Calais on Tuesday to repair the damaged wharf. Schr. Lugano, which loaded ice alongside the building that was burned, only moved away on Sunday. She was riding anchor in the harbor when the building was . . .
           
Beacon
Oct 30/1890
Water Works
The Water Company, in August 1889, made a proposition to the town on which to base the commencement of the work; which proposition, stated briefly, required a pledge from St. Andrews to pay $600 per year for ten years, for twelve fire hydrants on Water street, between the railway station and Harriet street, and the addition of $50 per year for each hydrant up to 18 additional, elsewhere than on Water Street, no charge against the town to begin until water for use is turned on to each hydrant. Not only has this proposition never been considered by the board of Fire Wardens, but it is stated that the official to whom it was delivered has never placed it before the board. We believe it to be the duty of the Fire Wardens to take this matter up, and it need, be, submit it to the vote of the rate-payers. . . . The fear of additional taxation seems to be the greatest obstacle in the way of water works, but it should be remembered that it will increase the amount of taxable property, and there light ten burden on the town.

Beacon
Nov 13/1890
Fires Last Week
Two Mysterious Fires occur within a few hours of each other.
“It never rains but it pours” is an adage that has once again been verified. On Friday night about five o’clock, consternation was caused in town by the sudden appearance of flame in the outskirts. At first it was thought that it has the Alms House that had caught fire, but in a few minutes all doubts on this point were set at rest, as the fire was found to be in John Doherty’s barn on the Bar Road. The building contained about three tons of hay, a mowing machine and some other articles. Everything was burned. it is not known how the fire occurred. The barn and contents were insured in the Lancashire office for $400.
            Between 12 and 1 o’clock the next morning the townspeople were alarmed by the wild clanging of the fire bell. As no blaze could be seen many thought it was a false alarm, but as it continued to peal they turned out to find the firemen industriously at work trying to smother a fire in the one-storey wooden building on King St., owned by Capt. Green, and occupied by W. D. McKay as a photograph saloon. As the ire had made little headway, and was easily reached, it was soon subdued. Mr. McKay got out the most of his furniture and effects before they were destroyed. There was no insurance on the building. There is a belief that the fire was of an incendiary origin.

Beacon
July 30/1891
An inmate of the Alms House, named McCann, let fall a spark from his pipe the other day and set fire to his bedclothes. The fire was noticed before it had done any serious damage. Steps have been taken by the Commissioners to prevent the recurrence of such an accident.

Beacon
March 24/1892
The Lessons of the late Fire
In the present depressed state of business in St. Andrews [tourism not felt to have done a whole lot for business] the destruction of the Argyll hotel cannot be regarded by sensible people in any other light than as a serious loss to the town. Yet the people of the town have nobody to blame for the disaster but themselves. A little water, judiciously applied, cold easily have subdued the flames before they had obtained control of the building, but hat waster was not be had, and so the building was destroyed. Even had there been an abundance of water at hand, at is extremely doubtful if it could have been used to advantage by the antiquated fire extinguishing apparatus which the town possesses. The fault does not lie wit the firemen. They did all that was possible for men to do to get the heavy machines to the fire promptly., but the task was almost exhausting one, and they were not to blame if they had to stop for a minute or two for rest. The time that was thus consumed decided the fate of the building. The lessons to be taken from this fire are obvious, first, that ht own needs a better water service, secondly that it needs a better apparatus for the extinguishment of fire than it now possesses. We have pointed this out before, and the disaster of Sunday but emphasizes our former arguments. Of course, if the people of St. Andrews have made up their minds that they will let their own drift out of existence, then there is no necessity for such changes as we suggest, but if the have not lost faith completely, and are anxious that the place should grow and prosper, then the sooner they abandon their penny wise, pound foolish policy for a more progressive one the better.

Argyll Hotel Burned. St. Andrews Pioneer Summer Hotel Reduced to Ashes
A Defective Flue the Cause. Water Gives Out and the Crowd Watches the Building Burn. Most of Furniture Saved. Insurance. Brief History of the Argyll.
The Argyll Hotel—The Pioneer summer hotel of St. Andrews—was reduced from a stately structure to a pile of smouldering ashes, on Sunday evening last.
            After the closing of the hotel season, last year, Mrs. Herbert, widow of the former proprietor, went to the United States for the winter months, leaving the house in charge of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Williamson. They were careful people, and everything went well about the house until Sunday last.
            About 1 o’clock on that day a fire was lighted in the gentlemen’s parlor, a large room on the ground floor to the right of the main entrance. The fire was kept alive in the fireplace all the afternoon, without anything occurring to arouse the suspicions of the inmates of the house. As Mrs. Williamson sat down to tea, in one of the rooms a short distance from where the fire was burning, she heard a noise as if two doors had slammed together. Going out to ascertain the cause she smelt a strong smell of smoke. There was a little smoke visible in the gentlemen’s parlor, but nothing of any consequence. Going upstairs to the second floor, she threw open the doors of the ladies parlor, (which was located just over the other parlor) and a thick cloud of smoke thrust itself in her face. Thoroughly alarmed,, she seized a dinner bell, and ran to the residence of MR. Thomas Armstrong, about 200 yards distant. As quickly as possible, a general alarm was given.
            After alarming the neighbors, Mrs. Williamson flew back to the hotel, and running upstairs again, groped her way through the blinding smoke in the ladies’ parlor to obtain possession of a box belonging to her which contained some valuable papers. She found the box, and when she was coming out of the room, the flames were making themselves manifest through the hall floor on the second flat.
            Although the firemen made a quick response to the alarm, it took them almost twenty minutes to drag the lumbering old machines honored by the name of fire engines, to the scene of the fire. When they got there, there was no water to be had nearer than in a well across the track, alongside the railway tank, and in another in the rear of the Company’s cottage. what seemed an hour was consumed in getting connections made. By this time, the fire,--which might have been stayed if water had been got on it in reasonable time,--was burning fiercely, alongside the chimney on the three floors, and the blinding smoke made it almost impossible for the men to live inside. They stayed and fought the flames for about half an hour, when the water gave out, and they were reluctantly compelled to give up the struggle.
            In the meantime, scores of willing hands in various parts of the house were engaged in removing the furniture. All the furniture on the lower floor was taken out. On the second floor, with the exception of two or three rooms, which were so full of smoke that nobody could stay in them a minute, nearly all the rooms were emptied of their contents. Some furniture was also taken out of the fourth floor, the men working in the rooms until the approaching fire compelled them to lower themselves to the ground by means of ropes. there were fourteen rooms in the second floor of the ell, over the dining hall and billiard room, and they were all divested of their contents before the flames took possession. The upper floor of the ell did not fare so well, very few things being rescued. An organ belonging to one of the last season’s guests, was taken out in a slightly damaged state, but the hotel piano was almost ruined before a rescue was effected.
            When the firemen deserted the building, the southern portion of it was a mass of fiercely burning flames. There was a strong north west wind blowing, which, while helping to feed the fire, also retarded its progress in the northern half of the building. But inch-by-inch, it increased its fiery grasp, until at eight o’clock the entire building was in a seething roaring flame. It was a magnificent sight, but the majority of the spectators were too full of regret at the destruction of the house to appreciate the grandeur of the scene before them. the front chimney, which had no doubt been the cause of the conflagration fell about 8:30 o’clock, the bricks being scattered far out amongst the crowed. No one was injured, though some people had very narrow escapes. All the other chimneys, with the exception of one leading from the dining room, fell as the woodwork was burned away from them. The latter maintained its erect attitude until the following morning, when it was thrown down to prevent its descending on the heads of those standing about.
            It was after midnight before the fire had exhausted itself. After that time all that was standing of the once handsome Argyle hotel were the chimney above mentioned, two or three other pieces of brick-work, and an outhouse, which had been attached to the main building by a covered passage-way, familiarly termed “the bridge of sighs.” This bridge was burned, but the small building was unscathed. The barn and its contents escaped.
            There was very little insurance on building or contents. The Western and British America had policies on the building for $6,000, which just covered outstanding mortgages. On the furniture, most of which was saved in a damaged state, there was an insurance of $1,000 in the North British and Mercantile office. The total lost is estimated at about $15,000.
            The furniture, which was removed from the hotel, was left out all night in the fields, a guard being placed over it by the insurance agents. The Land Company’s cottage in the Park was in imminent danger of destruction, but by careful watching its destruction was prevented. John Rooney had his head injured by a chair being thrown upon it from a third storey.
            History of the Argyll. It is over twenty years since the erection of the Argyll hotel was first mooted in St. Andrews. A bonus of $10,000 to assist in its erection was granted by the town, and only last year was the last assessment on that amount made. In March, 1872, the erection of the building was entered upon. When almost completed, work was suspended, and for several years nothing was done to it. Then it was put up at a Sheriff’s sale, and was bid in by the late Hon. B. R. Stevenson, the Late Hon. Robert Robinson and Harris Hatch, Esq. These gentlemen placed the building in condition for occupation, and a lease of it was taken by Capt. W. H. Herbert, who had been running the Grand Falls Hotel. On the 24th of May, 1881, the hotel was first thrown open of the public. Capt Herbert was lessee of the building up to within a few years ago, when he purchased the property. he ran the hotel up to the date of his death last year, (1891), and since then it has been in his wife’s name, she being assisted by Mr. Robert S. Gardiner, vice-president of the St. Andrews Land Company. The house was open all last season and would have been opened this season, had it not been destroyed.
            Of the 399 ratepayers on property and income, in the town of St. Andrews, who, on August the 10th, 1871, voted to assess the town for a bonus of $10,000 in aid of the St. Andrews hotel Co., 194 are dead, 81 have moved away, and 124 are still residents in the town. The vote was taken by Justice J. S. Magee and George F. Stickney.
            The illustration of the hotel, which is shown in this paper, is not a truthful one. this shows the hotel as it would have been if the original plans had been carried out, but they never were. The right wing, over which the American flag floats so gaily in the cut, was never built, though the wall was erected. The ell, which extended back from the central part of the house a distance of 150 feet or more, cannot, of course be seen in picture, though it was the most important part of the hotel. The building was substantially built, and was one of the largest summer hotels in the lower provinces.  It had a capacity for 150 guests. The dining hall was a magnificent room, and had no equal in New Brunswick. (this would include the Algonquin)

Beacon
March 31/1892
The Argyll Fire
Mrs. Herbert, who came here last week to look after her interests in connection with the last fire, finished up her business and returned to Boston by Saturday’s train. She has no plans formed for the future. To the Beacon she stated that she would like to resume hotel keeping in Sa, but there was no building suited to her requirements. She has stored her furniture and effects that were saved from the fire, and will await the return of Mr. Robert S. Gardiner, from Japan, before deciding what future course to adopt. Hrs. Herbert has requested the Beacon to extend her hearty thanks to the people of St. Andrews for the exertions which they made to save her property during her absence. She feels under a deep debt of gratitude to them.

Beacon
Aug 16/1894
Was it Incendiarism?
Mrs. Brixton, (is this a mis-spelling of Brickson, mother of Caddy Norris? in 1903 the CPR purchased the Brixton property to enlarge the golf course) the colored woman who resides on the outskirts of town, is without her barn. She also mourns its contents, consisting of about fourteen tons of hay, a calf, several geese and hens, a wagon belonging to a neighbor, Mr. Ray, a number of agricultural implements, two stoves, a trunk containing her winter clothing and a variety of other things that she could ill afford to lose. All these disappeared, when her barn disappeared in smoke on Thursday morning last.
            She stated to the Beacon that she believed the barn was set on fire, because she smelled paraffin very strong when the fire was burning. She said no fire was apparent when she first got up in the morning. About eight o’clock, she had occasion to going to the rear of the barn when she noticed several boards off and fire burning inside. She alarmed the lads around the house and then made an effort to save the contents of the building. The horse and cow had previously been let out. She threw open the barn door, and seized hold of Mr. Ray’s wagon to pull it out, but a great wave of fire swept over her, and the wheel catching on a projecting piece of woods, she was obliged to abandon it and flee for her life. Her hair was singed in the effort and her hands and shoulder also burned.
            Help came from a neighboring farm, but the barn could not be saved. The house caught fire, and one end of it was badly charred before the flames could be extinguished. Mrs. Brixon’s loss is a very heavy one. She did not have a cent of insurance. She say she has no reason to suspect any one.

Beacon
March 26/1903
The question of town incorporation has been forcing itself to the front in St. Andrews for some time. The present system of municipal government by means of the county council meeting once in annual session is altogether too slow for a community that haw any pretensions. If we hope to make any progress as a community, or it we are at all eager to assist the CPR in its plans to advance the interest of the place, we must put ourselves in a position to do business and do it promptly. There may not at the present moment be any commercial movement in sight to justify the acceptance of incorporation, but it is not the part of business prudence to wait for such movement. They must be anticipated, so that when they do come people will be in a position to grapple with them intelligently and expeditiously.  The medieval system of government that has prevailed in St. Andrews since it was ca community must give place to something more modern, if we would be regarded as in the race of progress. We are fond of boasting of our town, but outside of what our forefathers and Nature have done for us, what have we to boast about? We are utter stranger to the ordinary comforts of modern existence. We have no lights, no water system, no police, our sewerage system, if it can be called a system, is very inadequate. So also is our fire system. Our forefathers bequeathed us a splendid street system. They likewise bequeathed us some excellent wharves. What have we done to improve the talent that have been left in tour care? The wharves that were left to us as a legacy have been allowed to fall into disrepair; some of them have disappeared altogether. Had it not been for governmental assistance from time to time there would not now be a public wharf at the port. Our streets are in a fair state of preservation, yet they are not what they should be. This is the condition that prevails. And surely it is a condition that w should seek by all legitimate means to get away from. Incorporation seems to furnish us with the only means by which we can improve our situation. It does not follow that incorporation will add to the expense of the own, though public improvements, if they are entered into, will cost money; incorporation will enable the people of the town to do their own business. If they see an opportunity for expansion they can take advantage of it. Composed as it would be of men interested in the welfare of the place, the town corporation could be trusted not to don anything hastily or rashly, or anything that would involve expenditure beyond that means of the town to pay. Their meetings would be open to the public, and hey would be in close ouch with public sentiment at all times. They could not move along an inch beyond what public sentiment would support them in; so that the body of increased taxation is one that need not be feared very much. Beside, sunder our present system there are financial leaks that might be stopped if we were incorporated.

Beacon
Dec 31/1903
Santa Claus In Danger
Santa Claus had a hot time in the Baptist church on Saturday evening last. The children of the Sunday school, with their teachers and parents had gathered together for a little Christmas entertainment. A pleasing programme of song and recitations was carried out. Then Santa Claus (Mr. Theodore Holmes) with fur coat and trailing beard made his appearance, and proceeded to distribute gifts from a Christmas tree. He was assisted by some of the older children. Suddenly one of the candles on the Christmas tree brushed up against the tissue paper ornaments. At once there was a blaze. Santa Claus made a dash for the burning paper and his beard caught fire. Others rushed in and the burning ornaments were quickly pulled down. Little damage was done, but for a moment here was some excitement.

Beacon
Feb 4/1904
Angus Kennedy Dead
Well-Known Hotel-Keeper Dies after a Few Days Illness
The death of Angus Kennedy, proprietor of Kennedy’s hotel, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, after an illness of a few days, was a great shock to his family and fellow townsfolk. Though showing the weight of his years of late yet his general health was excellent up until about a week ago when he contracted a cold. Pneumonia was threatened but by securing prompt medical attention the attack was averted. He returned to his duties and on Saturday night last again took to his bed with what appeared to be an attack of indigestion. On Sunday, his heart became affected; on Monday morning syncope followed, which continued, with the exception of a brief interval, up to his death.
            Mr. Kennedy was born in Glengarry, Ontario, in 1832, his direct line of parentage coming from the colonists of the late Bishop McDonald, who was a cousin of his mother’s and who settled in that part some years previous. The late John Sanfield McDonald’s mother was a sister to deceased’s father and their nearly life in Canada was closely linked together. Mr. Kennedy came to the lower provinces in the capacity of a railroad contractor about 47 years ago. He took a sub-contract for the construction of a section of the NB and C Railway and it was then that he was first introduce to St. Andrews. Subsequently he engaged in the sleeper business out of this port. His first experience as an inn-keeper was in the location now occupied by Miss O’Neill’s millinery store. From there he removed to larger premises near the railway station. After several years occupancy of that site his hotel was destroyed by fire. He then removed up town to the American House, which stood on the vacant lot opposite the post office. While there he purchased the site upon which the present hotel stands and began the work of building. Before removing his family to the new premises he lived for a time in the brick dwelling now occupied by Registrar Hibbard. For over twenty years Kennedy’s Hotel has stood on its present site, the enterprising proprietor year by year enlarging and improving his building and hotel equipment until it is now one of the best appointed hotels in the lower provinces. He was never content to stand still. Forward was his motto as a hotel proprietor all through life. IN 1856 he married Miss Margaret MacDougall, of Glengarry County. Their wedded life was a happy one. Eleven children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. Six daughter and three sons are still living. His eldest daughter, Catherine, is wife of Mr. James Dalton, of the journal staff of the House of Commons, Ottawa; Annie is the wife of Mr. J. E. Cunningham, of Boston; Amelia is a professional nurse in Philadelphia; Jennie as at home; Mamie is the wife of Mr. John Twohey, of Pearcefield, New York,, and the youngest, Julia, has entered upon the life of a religious in Montreal. His sons are Dr. Charles E. Kennedy, of the dental firm of Maloney and Kennedy; Archie of Medford, Mass., and frank who was partner with his father in the hotel business. He is also survived by hone brother, Daniel Kennedy, and one sister, Mrs. Buchan, of Owen Sound, Ontario. Physically Mr. Kennedy was a man of powerful build and in his younger days won renown in feats of strength. He was person ally very popular as a hotel man. Kind of heart, genial of manner, and particularly fond of a joke, he had many warm friends. He had a great fund of anecdote at his disposal, chiefly relating to humorous incidents that occurred during his life in St. Andrews. He was delightful story-teller and while his stories were seasoned with pungent twit and biting sarcasm at times, they were never unclean. He had no sympathy with those who used unclean language or who failed in their respect to womankind. He was a devout Catholic and was always attentive to his religious duties. He was one of the most progressive businessmen of the place and his death will create a void in the business life of the town that it will be hard to fill.

Beacon
Nov 26, 1908
Town Home In Danger
Saved From Burning by Aged Inmate
But for the prompt action of Siah Craig, an aged inmate of the Town Home, Saint Andrews might have been deprived of this very valuable institution on Friday morning last. About 8 o’clock, when Mrs. McCullough, wife of the care-taker, was in the barn feeding her poultry, she was surprised to hear lusty cries of “fire” proceeding from the dwelling. She hastened inside and found the mess-room filled with smoke and flames. Several articles of clothing belonging to Angelo, one of the inmates, were burning fiercely and a new quilt which Mrs. McCullough had about finished for the Home, was also burning briskly. She seized the burning clothing and thrust it into the stove before it had a chance to set fire to the wood-work. The fire sis supposed to have originated from a pipe that the aged Angelo had been smoking. He was unable to give a connected account of the affair himself. Mr. Craig discovered the faire and lost no time in making an outcry.
[looks like the Poor House has had a name change]

Beacon
May 19/1910
Water System
In the boring of the test well at Hume’s Hill the people of St. Andrews have made the beginning of a water system for the town. The flow secured, it is true, is scarcely sufficient for town purposes, but there can be little doubt that an ample supply can be obtained by drilling a little deeper. This will be a subject for the new council to take up.
            The town needs a water system, as does every town with any pretensions toward progress. There are but two sources of supply available to us. One is at Chamcook Lake, the other is from an artesian well. The C. P. R. having abandoned consideration of Chamcook connection, because of an ample supply of artesian water for their hotel and cottages, the town is likewise compelled to drop the consideration of a supply from this quarter. Of itself the Town cannot afford to bring water from Chamcook and it is even doubtful whether it could afford to pay the two-thirds cost of construction which the C. P. R. people thought was a fair proportion for them to pay. But at all events, the Chamcook connection is out of the question. The only other alternative is a supply from an artesian source. This is the reason why a majority of the people of the town and of the town council voted in favor of having an experimental test well. One great advantage of the well at Hume’s Hill is that the water can be brought in by gravitation to any part of the town.
            Now that a beginning has been made, the matter will have to be pushed through to a determination of one kind or another. We believe that the Council would be justified in appropriating a sufficient sum to sink the present well to a depth of at least 500 feet. Then, if the supply was appreciably increased, the council might proceed to enquire as to the cheapest method of conveying the water to the town. The engineer’s estimate of piping the town and providing hydrants [40] was $60,000. This contemplated pipes on several of the cross streets as well as on all the other streets. There might be a saving made in this particular. The subject is one that requires careful and cautious consideration, having in view the necessities of the town and the capabilities of the people to bear further financial obligations.
            In this connection, we have been told by one who is in a position to know that it will not be long, unless a water system is procured, before the town will be called upon to expend a lot of money in repairing or renewing the fire tanks. This would furnish a reason why the subject of a public water system should be kept to the front.

Beacon
May 19/1910
Editorial on water question: CPR has abandoned Chamcook plans. Town would have had to pay 2/3rds of cost of construction anyway. Yet Hume well at present scarcely sufficient for town needs. See photocopy. Town cannot afford Chamcook line on its own.

Beacon
May 25/1911
Chamcook Lake Water
Now connected with Algonquin Hotel
A very important event in the history of St. Andrews occurred on /Saturday last, when the last pipe in the water works system was laid at Chamcook Lake and the waters of this beautiful lake were of for the first time brought within immediate reach of the town.
            The construction of this water works system was begun last Fall by the CPR, the contract with Messrs. Joseph McVay and Son, of St. Stephen, requiring it to be completed during the present month. Mr. Hugh Lumsden, an engineer of large experience, planned and carried out the work. The primary object of this system was to provide an abundant supply of good, pure, water for the Algonquin hotel and cottages, and to give connection with the town, in case a satisfactory arrangement can be entered into. It is hoped and expected that this will be done.
            An analysis of the water, which was made before the work was begun, shows it to be of remarkable purity and softness. It is absolutely free from bacteria and is about as perfect a drinking water as can be procured anywhere.
            The pipe enters Chamcook Lake at his south-western extremity, a few rods north of the track. An eight inch pipe follows the course of the track for 8,500 feet, and then by the aid of a 40 h. p. gasoline engine is forced up the hill, a distance of something like 7,900 feet, through Senator MacKay’s woods (crossing the Saint John road a few rods north of the Catholic cemetery) to a concrete reservoir on the top of the hill overlooking the town. This reservoir has a capacity of 250,000 gallons. Provision has been made for its enlargement should the Town make a permanent contract with the Company. From the reservoir the water is brought in by gravitation in a 12 inch main, following the highway almost the entire distance. A 10 inch pipe, 1100 feet long, carried the water to the hotel. The entire distance traversed by the pipes is about 23,250 feet.

Fire in American house. James McDowell’s house adjoining.

Beacon
June 22/1911
Hydrants for fire protection will be erected in front of the Algonquin hotel.

St. Croix Courier
July 25/1912
An accident occurred on Sunday night to the lighting plant on Sir Thomas Shaughnessy’s grounds. The explosions were very heavy, causing 14 windows in Tipperary to be destroyed. None of the family were injured except in the way of fright. A number of bell boys from the Algonquin, who assisted in staying the flames, were more or less burned and bruised. Sir Thomas was not here at the time and the family are now at the hotel, comfortably quartered. The gas house was soon reduced to ashes and a merciful rain, helped prevent the fire from spreading to the home or adjacent cottages.

Beacon
July 25/1912
“Tipperary” in Eruption
Sir Thomas Shaughnessy’s gas House Takes Fire
Old Fort Tipperary which has been silent for many, many years, broke loose on Sunday night and for a few minutes started the townsfolk and summer visitors with the rumpus it made. It happened this way. Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, whose beautiful summer home is within the ramparts of the old fort, has a gasp-house located about 60 feet from his house. On Sunday night, the supply of gas in the house running short, the butler went out to the gas-house to turn on a little more of the illuminant. He lit a match upon entering and then turned what he thought was the proper valve. Evidently it was the wrong one, for in an instant the place was a sheet of flame. As quickly as possible an alarm was sent in. Then the explosion of the gas-tanks began, their thunderous detonations waking the still echoes of the night for miles around. The noise of the explosions caused great commotion. Those who did no know where the fire was though the some dynamite store-house was burning.
Fortunately, a sprinkle of rain was falling at the time, other wise the shower of sparks which fell on the roof of the dwelling house would soon have brought about its destruction. The gas house was totally destroyed before water connection could be obtained with the hydrant at the hotel.
            During the early part of the fire, Mr. Gidman, Sir Thomas’s coachman, had one arm injured by the fire. Mr. William Allerton, the Algonquin hotel steward, was also slightly injured. Laurence Cluff, a bell-boy at the Algonquin had his face and hands burned by the explosion. Carl Leonard another bell-boy, belonging to Boston, was thrown down and severely injured about the shoulder. Messrs. Struther and Fisher, two other members of the Algonquin staff, sustained slight burns. Neither Sir Thomas nor his sons were at home, but the lady members of the house, though a little started at first by the deafening explosions bore up bravely. Mrs. Fred. Shaughnessy succumbed after reaching the Algonquin, but she soon recovered.

Beacon
Sept 26/1912
Reminiscences of Old St. Andrews
(Written by the late R. Melville Jack and Read Before the Canadian Literature Club, St. Andrews)
. . . Then there was a broom factory, where Joe Handy’s place is, opposite Kennedy’s hotel and aback of that a racquet court. In those days the market wharf had shops and stores its entire length, but a great fire carried them off.

Beacon
Sept 11/1913
The experience of last Wednesday night, when a large portion of the town was threatened with sparks from a fire on the hill in the rear of the town, has abundantly demonstrated the necessity for a better water service than we now possess. St. Andrews has so far been singularly fortunate in the matter of fires but no one can tell when a situation will arise that will produce direful disaster. We want to get busy on the water question and at once.

Courier
April 16/1914
Algonquin Hotel burned to the Ground
Property Valued at Three Quarters of a Million Dollars. Made Spectacular Blaze at St. Andrews on Saturday
If it had not been for the concrete additions which were made in recent years there would be nothing left of the stately Algonquin Hotel today but a heap of smouldering ruins. Every atom of wood work about the great building, including the central section, the roofs of the concrete wings, the wooden stairways and partitions, etc., was completely destroyed in the fire which began at noon on Saturday and raged throughout the afternoon.
            The fire originated from a charcoal spark which had gone beneath the shingles on the northeast concrete wing, whilst some repairs were being made by workmen. Smouldering on the tarred paper it worked its way to the woodwork while the men were at dinner, and a great conflagration was the result.
            The water supply which had been turned off for the winter had not been restored, so that there was little to fight the fire with except buckets. In less than an hour after the fire started, fanned by a westerly gale, the flames had eaten through to the four story central section of wood. Being highly inflammable it burned with great fierceness, the sparks being carried miles away. Some of them even set fire to the grass alongside Sir William Van Horne's summer home on Minister's Island. George Chase's farm building a mile away were fired by these wind blown sparks, but the fire was speedily extinguished. Half an hour after the flames had taken hold of the wooden section it was completely destroyed together with the board verandas in front.
            Then the fire penetrated the western concrete wing which was built two years ago. Everything of an inflammable nature in its five storeys was burned. It was feared that the explosion of the ammonia tanks near the refrigerator would result in possible accident to human life, but happily this did not occur. The fire burned in this section like a great furnace for several hours. It was a spectacular conflagration, and had it occurred at night would have been seen for many miles.
            Construction men say that the concrete wings have suffered little damage, and that they can be used again when the hotel is being restored. There were many beautiful summer cottages within the fire zone, but with the exception of No. 1 Algonquin cottage, which stood immediately the north of the hotel, all the cottages were saved. The summer cottage of George B. Hopkins of New York, which was separated from the hotel by only the width of the street, was on fire several times, but the firemen by desperate efforts succeeded in saving it. Had it burned, the summer houses of Mr. Gill, of Ottawa, Mr. Southam, of Ottawa, Mr. Douglas Seeley, of Montreal, Prof. Smith, of Cambridge, and possibly the summer residence of Sir Thomas Shaughnessy would have been destroyed.
            Nearly all the interior furnishings on the lower floor of the hotel were taken out before the fire reached it and were safely removed to the casino, but with this exception little of the contents of the hotel were saved. Manager Allerton was away at the time having gone to Boston on Friday night to engage his help for the season. It is the prevailing belief that while the destruction of the hotel has been a great loss to the town, it will lead to the construction of a more modern and more beautiful hotel.
            The Algonquin hotel was opened in 1889 with Mr. F. A. Jones, of St. John, as its first manager. Since then it has been enlarged and improved, the C. P .R. having spent nearly a quarter of a million upon it in making additions and in supplying it with modern equipment. The entire value of the hotel and furnishings was about three quarters of a million. It had accommodations for over 400 guests. Many enquiries for rooms had been received this year and a successful season was anticipated. It is understood that the property was well insured.

?????
St. Andrews, N.B. April 13
            The Algonquin, a large summer hotel here, owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, was destroyed with contents by fore [sic] Saturday at a loss of $500,000. The structure had been renovated recently, and was nearly ready for the opening in June. It contained 275 rooms with elaborate fittings.
            Starting on the shingle roof of the old part of the building, from a spark from a charcoal fire used in repairing the roof, and flames were quickly fanned beyond control by a high wind. There was practically no firefighting apparatus available, and in a short time all that remained standing was the concrete walls. A nearby cottage, also owned by the railroad company, was burned.
            The portion of the building which represented the original hotel was composed entirely of wood. It was five storeys in height with a wooden tower and lookout in the centre. This section burned with great fierceness, the sparks being carried miles away. Some of them even set fire to the grass alongside Sir William Van Horne's summer home on Ministers Island.
            The hotel first opened in 1889, with Mr. F. A. Jones of St. John, as manager. A few years later it passed into the hands of the C. P. R., who have spent at least a quarter of a million dollars improving it.
            The two new concrete wings had been built within the last couple of years, and the furnishings throughout were unusually elaborate for a seaside hotel, and was a favorite resort from the New England States and New York. Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the C. P. R., Sir William Van Horne, Mr. C. R. Hosmer and Mr. Percy Cowans, of Montreal, beside several others, have private summer cottages here.
            Manager Allerton was in Boston engaging help for the coming season when the fire occurred. Mr. N. S. Dunlop, head of the C. P. R. insurance department, has arrived here to look into the loss.

Beacon (f9822)
March 18/1916
Ratepayers and the Water Question
Being deeply interested in the question of a water supply for the town of St. Andrews, I most respectfully submit the following arguments, thinking that the publication of the same might to a slight degree assist in the campaign which you have been so ably carrying on in your valuable paper during the past months in reference to this vital issue.
            Along with the majority of ratepayers I have at times criticized the Town Council for their apparent negligence in this matter. Of course any man accepting an election as counsellor must expect a certain amount of adverse criticism, and such criticism if intelligent is no doubt not only valuable but necessary in order that the business of the town be carried on with the best results. However, the trouble is that we as ratepayers do not know what the Council is doing because we do not attend its meetings. I myself attended their last meeting and must confess that I learned more of the water question than I had learned during the past two years by hearing it discussed on the street, and by reading the reports (necessarily brief) of the work of the Council which have been published in your paper from month to month. The Council invited questions from the ratepayers present; such were asked and gladly and satisfactorily answered.
            Now, if we as ratepayers could be brought to feel that the councillors are doing their best in this matter, and to realize how little thanks they get for the work they do, surely we would arouse ourselves to the necessity of action. The present Council are, I think unanimously in favor of the installation of a water system. Let us return them to office that they may “finish their work.” And let us start such an agitation on this question that every man, woman and child in the old town will be heard discussing it, and awaken such an interest that when the day of voting comes every man will be found at the poll ready to express his opinion.
            Now for some arguments for and against. Out of all the discussion that I have heard on this question the only argument that I have heard against it, is that our taxes would be increased to such an extent that we would be unable to meet them. This idea however is far from right. The taxes of necessity would for a few years be higher but not to such an extent as some would suppose. If the system were installed and the water supply paid for by the year, and not one house in town took water, all the extra annual expenditure could be borne by an increase in the taxes of only about two-thirds. That is, if a man’s tax at present is $12.00 per annum, under these extreme conditions it would only be increased to $20.00. But if the system were put in, it would only be a few years till comparatively every house in town would take water. A man would be ashamed to be seen on the street carrying a pail of water. When the telephone system was installed only a very few homes felt that they could afford the luxury, but now nearly every house is supplied. It is regarded as a necessity. So would it be with water. Thus this direct revenue would greatly minimize the additional tax. In fact after we should get some industries, which are sure to come as soon as water comes, and are sure not to come until water does come, to help bear the assessment of the town, this added assistance together with the revenue above referred to would probably do away with any additional tax whatsoever. Therefore in a few years we would reap all the benefits of the water system without it being the slightest burden.
            Now as to some of the benefits or arguments in favour of installing a water system. In the first place it is bound to bring industries as already stated. The natural conditions and advantages of this location for almost any industry could not be beaten the world over. Industries would mean steady employment for the young men and women now constantly growing up and leaving the town in search of a means of livelihood. Industries would mean greater population, more money in circulation, more business for the stores, the hotels, the private boarding houses; better salaries for the clerks, better salaries for the school teachers and ministers, and more money in the pockets of every enterprising citizen directly or indirectly.
            A water supply would guard the health of the townspeople. We never have had any serious outbreak of an epidemic here, but we must not fool ourselves with the thought that such a calamity might never come. Cleanliness is the foe of disease, and to have cleanliness we need water and water in abundance. When we pause to think of the cesspools that have been put in during the past ten years, and of the closets that have been connected with the old sewers which open above high water mark and poison the surrounding neighborhood with their filth, and which even cause discomfort in cellars and at street corners come distance from their mouth, do we not marvel that the community has not been overrun with typhoid or some such epidemic?
            Then there is the protection from fire that a water system would afford; and this protection would greatly reduce insurance rates. When the Algonquin Hotel burned about two years ago, had the wind been blowing as strongly from the north as it did blow from the south-west, there would have now been no need of any discussion of the present water question. The town would have been burned to the last house. But shall we simply thank Providence and depend entirely on Him for future protection? “God helps them who help themselves;” let us rather therefore make use of the talent (natural conditions) that He has given us, and make our town not one of the loveliest, but the loveliest, the healthiest, and the happiest spot on earth.
            And again we must understand that a great part of the $60,000 or whatever the system might cost for installation, would be spent right here in town. Our own working people would have a fine season’s work at good wages, and all the outside help would of necessity spend a great part of their earnings here for board, clothing, recreation, etc.
            Did space permit we might elaborate on many other although perhaps less important advantages to be derived from the installation of a water system. Just to mention a few: we should have no twenty minutes pumping first thing after breakfast, no inconvenience to suffer of being without soft water two or three times a year, no breaking of ice in the hogshead down cellar in the winter time, no difficulty in keeping our streets free from dust, and our lawn and garden in fine shape, no trouble in having a skating rink or a curling rink. By purchasing a small water motor we could run small machinery such as washing machines, sewing machines, lathes, etc. etc.
            In conclusion, Mr. Editor, I would respectfully suggest that you open your columns for general discussion, and invite other ratepayers to publish their ideas. I personally feel such an interest in the matter that I should like to be one of ten (or more) ratepayers to guarantee to pay a water tax of $100 per year for five years, if by so doing it would increase the probability of our having the system installed.
            We have at length after all these years come to the point where it is possible to get a water system installed, opportunity now knocks, shall we vote “yes” and invite prosperity and beauty, health and happiness? Or shall we vote “no” and invite disease and sorrow, retrogression and poverty?
            Thanking you in advance Mr. Editor for the space of which I fear I have occupied too much, I am
            Most respectfully,
            Ratepayer
            St. Andrews, NB
            March 11th, 1916.

St. Croix Courier
March 30/1933
Do You Recall these Names in St. Andrews?
Memories of Person and Events Familiar to Shiretown Residents 75 Years Ago Revived
Sir,
. . . I recall the fire of 1856, which destroyed the row of buildings on the south side of the market square, an some 14 years later, the burning of the old Town Hall and the Pheasant Hotel stables.

St. Croix Courier
Sept 3/1936
Shire town Items
Town Buys Historic Bill
A three-day auction sale was held last week at the residence of the late David Clark. There was a fine collection of old mahogany furniture and old-fashioned dishes, most of which brought good prices. The original copy of a memorandum of the sale and removal of the old Coffee House from Penobscot to St. Andrews in 1783 was bid on by the Mayor for the town. This interesting old building was unfortunately destroyed in the disastrous fire of 1930.

St. Croix Courier
Sept 21/1939
Shiretown Items—The Old Town Bell. What a kitchen is without a clock, St. Andrews is without the told town bell. Citizens have become so accustomed to its regular ringing that the day passes very unsatisfactorily without it. it is not that one any longer depends upon it for calls to labour or refreshment, but just because it is an old custom one certainly does miss it. The wooden wheel to which the bell-rope was attached had rotted out after many years of service and broke down one day lat week. A new wheel is being made by Nelson Pye, who also made the one which is being replaced. The present bell is the second one of the town, and was made by the McShane Bell Foundry of Baltimore, Md. It was bought by Mr. Foster for $144.50 and was hung on the 17th of December, 1879. It weighs 426 lb s. The bell-ringers from that time on were Michael Cloney, King Coole, Sandy Donald, David Keezer, William Campbell, Daniel Byrne, John S. Magee, Fred Craig, and Herbert Greenlaw, the present ringer who has rung the old bell for twenty-nine years. The minutes of the Town Council show that for two or three weeks during the summer of 1904 the ringing of the town bell was discontinued owing to the serious illness of a guest at Kennedy’s Hotel. The bell of the Anglican Church rang out the customary calls and was to serve as a fire-alarm as well, but fortunately was not needed in that capacity. In the old days the bell was rung at 6 o’clock to end the days’ work, instead of at 5 o’clock as now. One of the ringers of those old but not forgotten days caused quite a commotion one bleak November night. He rang the bell as usual at six o’clock after which he went home to lie down for a nap. He awoke at 5 to 7, and because of the darkness thought he had slept the night through. He rushed down and rang the bell again for 7 o’clock, but before he got away from the premises had the whole fire department there inquiring where the fire was!

St. Croix Courier
October 19, 1939
Shiretown Items
Principal Makes Discovery
Last week being fire prevention week, appropriate talks and exercises were held at the schools. For the benefit of visiting officials a fire drill, in which the schools by constant practice have become proficient, was carried out. The principal also thought it would be nice to demonstrate the quickest methods of for extinguishing a blaze. A bon-fire was built in the yard, and when burning briskly one of the extinguishers was brought out and found to be empty. A second was tried with like result. The third one appeared to be empty also but on being given a vigorous shake it exploded, fortunately without any serious casualties. Next a can of never fail, sure death powder was dumped on the blaze. It had the effect which might be expected from a wet log. The fire sputtered momentarily then for a few minutes hissed in a sing-song meditative sort of way. Directly however it was burning as briskly and merrily as ever, but could not withstand the final and good old-fashioned treatment of two or three buckets of water. A story is told of a man caught on a camping trip with matches that would not light. Preparing for a similar trip on the following year he was determined that the unfortunate experience should not be repeated. Consequently before packing his box of matches he scratched each one to make sure it was a good one. Perhaps some similar expedient might be adopted in regard to he apparatus for fire prevention at the schools!

Dec 28/1939
St. Andrews Community Arena Destroyed by Fire On Christmas Night. Photo. Erected 1932. Debt only just paid off. Origin of fire unknown. Bill O’Neill conceived the project and carried it through to completion.

St. Croix Courier
March 13/1941
Shiretown Items
Old Firm Keeps Modern
The H. O’Neill grocery store and meat market has just completed 118 years of public service, having been established here early in 1823. The store was first located in the building now occupied by George McKay. It was later moved to a building at the head of market wharf, situated on the site of the present post office. This building was destroyed by fire about 1875 and the store moved temporarily to the Lorimer building. In 1877 the buildings now occupied were moved from the Gove lot near the depot. The following paragraphs are copied from the “Canadian Grocer:” “The basic merchandising factor at the H. O’Neill grocery store in St. Andrews, NB, is the 118 years of activity of the store. It was established in 1823. Although one of the oldest grocery stores in the world, this business is not living wholly in the past, as illustrated by installation of a modernly equipped fountain and offering a special service in soft drinks, sodas, ice cream, light lunches. The installation was made to capitalize on the annual influx of people each summer season from various parts of Canada and United States. St. Andrews is a leading summer resort and located right on the US border, the Bay of Fundy junction with the mother Atlantic, and the St. Croix River mouth, the latter being the international boundary line. For farmers, livestock raisers, poultrymen, there is feed service. All types of foods, tonics, disinfectants and remedies for cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, poultry, foxes, are carried here. The higher priced items are offered for the wealthy summer residents from Montreal, ‘Toronto, Boston, New York, Washington, Chicago, etc. These prevail not only for human beings but for domestic animals and birds. Some of the families have occupied their own estates in the St. Andrews area for over half a century, and have stock farms as a hobby. An effort is made to blend modernity with antiquity at this general food store, and without sacrificing the atmosphere of old age. Three and four generations have continued in rotation as customers of this store and this involved not only the wealthy summer rusticator, but the fishing and agricultural families of the mainland as well as the near-by island of Deer Island and Campobello.”

St. Croix Courier
Jan 8/1942
Old County Grammar School Has Graduate in Hundreds
[this would be a Worrell item, cf. the photos from Bob Clarke above]
St. Andrews, Jan 5.
Pictured above is the old Charlotte County Grammar School, whose hundreds of graduates or their descendants are scattered all over the North American continent and may even be found in lesser numbers in far-away parts of the world. It was erected in 1818 and was originally a square building with hip roof. Because of an increasing enrolment it became necessary at a later period to enlarge the building. An addition was built and the roof changed to the form shown in the picture.
            To make way for the present modern cement structure known as the Prince Arthur School, the old building was removed in 1910 to a nearby lot. It was later purchased and removed to the waterfront to be used as a warehouse where it was destroyed in the disastrous fire of 1930. With its interesting history and all its fond memories and associations, it surely deserved a better fate.

St. Croix Courier
March 12, 1942
Shiretown Items
Some Local History
When a reader writes a long letter—twenty closely written pages of ordinary sized “notepaper—and begins it “Just as soon as the Courier comes I turn to the Shiretown Items”, when he states that he is old enough to clearly remember the Saxby Gale (1869), when he tells of many interesting personal experiences during his boyhood and youth spent here; and when he says that although he has covered a lot of ground since leaving St. Andrews he has never found a place that he liked as well as the old home town, it seems that his letter should have public recognition. The wrier was W. F. McStay, now living in Moncton. I have never known nor met this old friend of St. Andrews as he left here before I came in 1889, but if he ever visits here I hope he will look me up. He says he had a letter recently from William Brown, another native son probably remembered by the older folks before my time. Mr. Brown’s father was Collector of Customs here and Thomas Stinson whom we younger fellows can well remember as a customs officer began work with him. Mr. McStay was living at the corner of Princess Royal and Carleton streets at the time of the big gale. He says every shade tree in town was uprooted and flattened to the ground. He was much interested in the picture of Fort Tipperary, appearing recently in the Courier, and remembers the band that used to practise there. He says there were 400 soldiers stationed there at one time and his grandfather Dr. McStay was the army doctor. He as a vivid recollection of wonderful coasting on Kirk Hill, of wharves lined with ships, loading or unloading; of sham fights the solders used to have; of marching to the cemetery and back on a soft day in winter with a new pair of shoes which were ruined. He remembers Harold Stickney’s father, who also just have been musician as the writers claims he could swear by note. The old armoury, destroyed by fire, had a wonderful bell. It could be heard, in St. Stephen when the wind was blowing upriver. After the fire the bell was melted down and everybody in town had a ring made from it, cast by Mike McMonagle at his foundry. (I wonder if anybody in town has one of those old rings!) Mr. McStay speaks of Jim Handy, organizer of fox hunts on Minister’s Island; of the launching of the Annie P. Odell; of single scull races between Bob Brown and Harry Jones in their fifty-foot racing shells. Mr. McStay worked in the machine shop here and recalls the names of some more of the old wood-burner locomotives, the “Shamrock,” the “thistle,” the “Rose” and the “Manners Sutton.” He remembers the old river boats including the Belle Brown. When the weather was thick Eber Polleys was engaged to stand on the wharf and blow bugle-calls in answer to the steamer’s whistle so she could find her way in. . . . Mr. McStay tells of an interesting local incident connected with the so-called “Trent Affair,” of 1861 as told to him by his father who was an eyewitness. The people of St. Andrews had known nothing of this affair which nearly caused war between United States and Great Britain and were much surprised when a British troop ship steamed in to the harbour. Several hundred soldiers were put ashore and formed on at Gove’s hall near the depot headed by a military band. They marched to the head of the town, then down again with fixed bayonets, the band playing and the soldiers singing, “We’ll grease our bayonets on the Rebels ‘way down in Dixie.” Then they boarded the train with the local inhabitants none the wiser,; but after a few days they were back again, boarded their ship and sailed away never to return. The Trent affair, thanks to wise heads, had been settled amicably.

St. Croix Courier
May 28/1942
St. Andrews Scene About 1860
(By J. F. W.)
The above is a copy made by A. Shirley of an old photo taken in St. Andrews about 1860. The building in the centre was used for various purposes and was referred to under various names. The whole of the first floor was used as a market house, while the upper story did service as a town hall, court-house and armoury. Two unfortunates, negro brother and sister, were hanged from the beam connecting the pillars, somewhere about 1870, for the crime of infanticide. The large square building to the left will be recognized as Paul’s hall, which is still standing. The smaller building to the right, probably burned along with the centre building, was used as a fire engine house. The gaol, I am told, was directly behind the centre building.
            Unfortunately I cannot name in order the brave men and true who posed for this photo in their snappy uniforms, but following is a list of names copied from the pay-roll of this Militia in 1866 which probably includes all in the picture:
            Henry Whitlock, John J. Jones, Andrew Lamb, James McDonald, John McMullin, John Breen, John K. Stinson, E. A. Street, Gregory Burns, William Mills, Albert Day, Arthur Baxter, F. Boyd, Charles Butler, Robert Clark, James Dougherty, Robert Coe, David Eggleton, Edward Elliott, Edward Flewelling, Allan Gow, Rueben Haddock, J. O’Hare, Robert Lawson, Hugh McMullin, Jason Haddock, Thomas McGrath, Michael McDonald, Pat McVay, Douglas Pelton, Reuben McCurdy,, J. I. Street, Joseph Shaw, Angus Stinson, George Stinson, James Stinson, John McCurdy, George Williams, William Wiley, John Wren, William Wren, K. Campbell, Samuel Barber, William Gibson, William Sharkey, James Gibson, Ben Johnson, Robert Elliott, George Gibson, James McGill, John Dolley.

St. Croix Courier
July 16, 1942
Shiretown Items
Our Pet Peeve
Confusion
An unadvertised air-raid warning last Friday evening about 9:30 took everybody unawares and of course they all did exactly the wrong thing. Everyone who was not already on the street got there as quickly as possible and made for the business section to find out where the fire was. One bomb would have been sufficient to destroy practically the entire population. The error was due to the fact that the signal adopted for air-raids is exactly the same as has been used for bad fires. A change should be made so people will not again be misled. Why not return to the old town bell for fire alarms for the duration?

St. Croix Courier
October 22/1942
Shiretown Items
Hockey Prospects Poor
Ten years ago this month work was begun on the first covered rink here. Every fine day tha Fall from fifty to a hundred men and boys worked there, with such enthusiasm that, as one small boys expressed it, “a fellow dare not sit down for a minute or somebody would nail his pants to the seat.” The first great arch was completed, slowly and painstakingly raised and anchored in place. As the second arch was being raised by pulleys attached to the first the anchoring stays parted and down came both arches with a crash. The veteran Frank Gilman, who was in charge, only smiled and said we must start over again. The huge building was completed and ready for skating during he Christmas holidays. It furnished recreation and pleasure for young and old for exactly seven years and was burned down by a fire of mysterious origin on Christmas night, 1939. The present structure, with a steel roof, was started early the next spring but the war has interfered with its intended purpose. It is now used as a barracks and training room for the local reserves and in all probability will see no skating or hockey till the war is over.

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
May 11, 1944
Shiretown Items
At the regular meeting of Kowanis Club last week the speaker was F. L. Mallory, a member of the club, who gave an interesting sketch of town affairs from the time of incorporation in 1903 till the year 1907. Prior to the holding of a plebiscite othe boundaries of the town were fized by Sheriff R. A. Stuart. As laid out at that time they cincluded Minister’s Island and the Van Horne estate. However at the request of Sir William the island was left outside except for school purposes. Of the first board of aldermen elected A. B. O’Neill is the only one still living. When the first s chool board was appointed A. B. O’Neill was one fo the members and has served cotinually every since, a fine record of over forty years of public service. I his inaugural address Mayor snodgreass expressed the hope that sewers might e installed in th town. It was not until 1912 however that after nine years of discussion for an against, bonds were issued and a partial system of sewers laid. The first town clerk, E. B. Polleys, was paid $50 a year. The first marshal, Robert Worrell, [probably father of Fred Worrell, I know his name was Robert] received $200 per annum, providing that he collected that much in fines under the Scott Act—no fines, no salary! First boar dof assessors were J. A. Shirley, T. A. Hartt, D. C. Rollins, J. S. Magee bell ringer, and F. H. Grimmer, town treasurer at $00 a year. In the summer of 1904 the ringin fo the town bell was discontinued for three weeks owing to the illness of a guest at Kennedy’s hotel. During this period the bell of the Anglical church was substituted and four tiems each day its soft musical tones could be heard calling the workmen to labour and refreshment, and from refreshment to labour again. The question of field rivers, pound and pound-keeper was always a live one in those days and occupied much of the time fo the council. The grass along the street sides was more succulent at that time, being uncontaninated by the dust from passing cars. It was permited nd was customary to tether cows along the stret to kee the herbage cropped short, but frequently cattle which had been insecurely tied would be found wandering about the streets or regaling themsvles in someone’s garden. Off to the pound they were taken and $1.00 paid for their release. Part of this fine went to the field river and part to the pound keeper and it has been said that cows securely tied on the street side at night were often found in the pound next morning! (who could blame those poorly paid town officials if they did raise the odd dollar surreptitiously when a full quart of the finest Holland gin, good for an all night session, could be purchased for 60 cents?) On Sept 4th, 1904, one of the hand fire engines, manned by two dozen of the ablest men in town, was taken to Calais to compete in the firemen’s sports and made afine showing against the more modern equipment of the border towns. A young Chinaman, who had been taken along as mascot, caused some stir when the immigration officer got wind of it. He was smuggled safely across the river in a small boat and spent a lonesome and unhappy day in St. Stephenm, where he was later picke dup by the returning firemen. In January, 1905, a public meeting was held to discuss the possibility of establishing an Electric Light Plant bu tnothing came of it. In 1905 the assessemnt for school purpose was $2500. The question of rent from “the Commons”, a knotty problem since the towns’ incorporation was at length adjusted to the satisfaction of both town and parish. A proposal to extend the town limites to include the whole prish was discussed but turned donw. In 1906 a granite concern made overtures to the town with regard to establishing a plant here, but their conditions, a free site, a cash bonus of $3000 and exemption from taxation for a period of years wer not acceptalbe to the council. In 1907 the CPR made a proposal for an Electric Light plant but nothing came of it. The question of a deep sea wharf came up almost annually. In a word the recrods show that those former councils had the best interests of St. Andrews at heart and the seeds that they sowed in those infertile years have since produced tanglble results.

St. Croix Courier
July 20/1944
Shiretown Items—Other Fires and Other Matters (History of St. Andrews fires)
The recent, disastrous fire at the ship yard has started old-times discussing other bad fires we have had here. A mistake we all make is our failure during our youth to keep a record of all important local events. it is so satisfying in later years to be able to produce day and ate with accompanying evidence sufficient to settle all arguments. All group pictures, especially school pictures, should have the date and the names of the pupils written on the back. I saw a school picture recently, taken about forty years ago, and the only person I could definitely identify was Caddie Norris. In a recent discussion of the date of the Argyle hotel fire one man who was born in 1894 said he remembered quite definitely seeing the fire. Personally I was sure it occurred in the spring of 1891 or ’92. But Bert Rigby could recall the exact date, March 25, 1892, as he started for Boston next day, a lad of nineteen, leaving home for the first time to make his own way in the world—an important event to him and easily remembered. There was a sardine factory burned at the head of the steamboat wharf about 1892, and another on what is now called Doon’s wharf, sometimes in the nineties. Does any reader recall the dates of those fires? And to go back still farther there was a bad fire near the site of the recently destroyed ship yard about 1850. Could any old-timer furnish the date of that one? Ship building was booming here at the time and there was also a nice industry in making ropes. The “Rope-walk”,” as it was called, was a long low building extending from the head of what is now known as the DeWolfe wharf, diagonally across the lot where the present office of the Vaughn Co. is located up to Water street, where afterwards was erected the large building known as the “Gove” building, built at the time the railway was started here, in 1852. A ship was being built at about the same place from which the recent ones have been launched and caught fire from a ot of tar which boiled over near at hand. Very little fire fighting equipment was available in those days and the ship, almost ready for launching, was completely destroyed. The “Rope-Walk” also caught and was burned to the ground, and as the last burning embers were extinguished, so perished another thriving industry. It just seems that St. Andrews, though ideally located with he best of water and rail connections to all points, was not intended to be an industrial centre. The Railway Machine Shop, located at the site of the present Y was burned once and rebuilt. it was afterwards torn down and removed to McAdam, a more central location. Anyone remember the dates of those events? As to our recent loss, it is understood that unless further contracts are arranged beyond the three ships in view, the company will not rebuild. Her is an opportunity for our county member to prove that he has some influence at Ottawa. St. Andrews is a lovely spot in which to live—ideal climate and beautiful scenery. But these may be considered our luxuries. For the bare necessities of life, food, fuel and clothing, we need some hard cash and this indispensable requirement, the “sine qua non” of our existence, Nature fails to provide. Shall we be like Mr. Micawber, just sit back and wait for “something to turn up,” or shall we through our Town Councils and County Board of Trade exert some pressure on the power that be and try to restore this industry which for a few years has brought prosperity to this small community and has been of definite benefit in our county as a whole?

St. Croix Courier
May 3/1945
Shiretown Items
The Aqueduct (Details of old aqueduct discovered.)
A reader has furnished me with the following interesting information about the water system which existed here a hundred or more years ago. Appended here is a copy of the Act pass on march 8, 1830, which my good friend copied from “Acts of the General Assembly, 1786-1838,” one of the interesting old books in her library. She also states that an aqueduct of wood, which evidently was installed at a later period when the machine shop was built here, extended from a well on the Andrew Lamb property at the head of King and Princess Royal streets to the railway machine shop which was located just south or south-east of the station. This wooden pipeline crossed Augustus street near Montague and the wood was still sound when the street was opened there about 20 years ago. The John Aymar who is mentioned in the Act, was a block and spar maker who had a shop at the corner of Water and Frederick streets (SA Directory 1865-66), and who lived in the house now occupied by Robert Stinson and family at the corner of Princess Royal and Montague Streets. Many the evening I spent as a youngster coasting on what we called “Marr’s” (or Meagher’s) hill without knowing or caring the origin of the name. The first, and unaccented syllable of the name “Aymar” had been dropped by the boys of that period and the name thus abbreviated or corrupted, although perhaps Mr. Aymar had not been dead for more than 20 years.
            “Cap. XVIII Acts General Assembly 1786-1838
            “An Act to grant John Aymar the privilege of supplying the Town of St. Andrews with water by pipes. Passed March 1830.
            “Whereas the conveyance of water by pipes to the several houses in the town plot of St. Andrews would be highly beneficial to the public, and is a measure universally desired; and John Aymar, an inhabitant of the said Town, is desirous to obtain the privilege of supplying the same by pipes as aforesaid:
            “Be it enacted by the President, Council and Assembly, that the privilege of carrying water ot the houses of the inhabitants of St. Andrews in pipes, through the several streets thereof, be and the same is herby granted to John Aymar, so long as he shall keep the same in operation and good repair. Provided always tha the said John Aymar, shall at his own coasts and charge, and without unnecessary delay, repair and make good any and every injury or damage thereby one to said streets or any part thereof.
            “And be it further enacted that the said John Aymar shall make and keep in good repair proper openings and (plugs to be used only in case of fire) in all such places where his pipes extend, as the Firewards of the Town of St. Andrews may direct or approve. the said Firewards to be accountable for the actual expense thereof.
            “And be it further enacted that if the said John Aymar should neglect so to make and adjust proper plugs on the requisition of the said Firewards, that it should be lawful for them, the said Firewards, to cause the same to be done and completed accordingly.
            “And be it further enacted that this Act shall continue and be in force for the term of fifteen years, and no longer.”

St. Croix Courier
May 1/1947
Shiretown Items—Old Fire-Engine (When gin flowed as fast as water from the old hand pumpers in St. Andrews.)
One of the old hand pumper fire engines has been sitting on the square in front of the town hall for a week or two. One day I asked an old fellow who I am sure has attended hundred of fires to tell me which engine it was, No. 1 or No. 2. “I don’t know” said he, “there was always so much gin at the fires in those days that I never knew which engine I belonged to or which one I was pumping on. I generally picked the one where the bottles seemed to be circulating the fastest.” Where that liquor came from at any hour of the night, and in such quantities, was always a mystery to the younger men of the company. there was always a race and a money prize between the two engines for first water but before the hose could be run out the gin would have circulated a couple of time and every man on the pumper would be feeling as if he, single-handed, could pump that water over the moon. The old engine is quite a curio now and will be greater in years to come. It is to be cleaned, sand-papered and varnished and kept under cover for future generations to marvel at. It is made from mahogany inlaid with walnut and is really a fine piece of work.

St. Croix Courier
March 18/1948
Shiretown Items: Lobster Factory
Sure enough, as I had hoped, Owen Rigby remembered when lobsters were packed here and says that the plant was situated about where Fraser Keay’s warehouse now stands. It was near the head of Clinch’s wharf, long since disappeared. An extension of the railroad ran up along the shore-line as far as this wharf, and although the rails had been taken up,, many of the buttresses were still standing in 1889. I got some further information from Herb Greenlaw on this subject. He says that the lobster plant at the head of Clinch’s wharf was run by George Young, a Saint John man who boarded with William Little in a house, no longer there, situated next to that in which Mr. Atkinson now lives. I can remember the house well and also Mr. Little who was a railway engineer in the wood burning days. I have his copy of “Rules of Railroading.” Mr. Greenlaw says that W. D. Hartt also packed lobsters in the factory, originally built to pack sardines, and located on what was then called the “Long Wharf.” River steamboats landed at this wharf in those days. Many now living can remember this old factory. It was burned one day about noon, a bright sunny day, around 65 years ago [1883]. The wharf was then bought by Gardner and Doon who put up buildings and handled fresh fish there for many years. The last remains of it went out to sea in a bad storm just a few years ago. W. D. Hartt also packed clams in the old building. The factory at the head of Clinch’s wharf was destroyed by fire about 1880 along with Whitlock’s livery stable situated back of the “American House” now the St. Andrews bakery. Wm. Little was the father of Mrs. Wm. Burton, matron of Chipman hospital for many years and who was buried here last week.

St. Croix Courier
June 15/1950
Shiretown Items: Narrow Escape (description of fire of 1930 and buildings destroyed)
On June 4, 1930 occurred one of the worst fires in the history of St. Andrews when several building were destroyed including the historic Charlotte Country Grammar School, which at time was being used as a warehouse near the waterfront; the old Coffee House, which was brought here from Castine, Maine, during the American revolution; and the Edwin Odell dry goods store which was built of brick. The N. B. Liquor Control store was badly gutted and the stock of fine liquors sadly depleted. One June 10, 1950, almost 20 years later, a similar or worse disaster was narrowly avoided. In the late afternoon a faint odor of wood smoke was noticed by persons around the public square.  They were curious but not alarmed. Suddenly, during the early evening, while Harold Greenlaw and Mrs. Greenlaw were sitting on their balcony overlooking the harbor, they noticed the north-west wall on Keay’s smaller warehouse burst into flame. Two or three minutes later, when the siren sounded a huge volume of black smoke was reaching skyward and drifting over the town. There was a strong south-west wind a the time, making conditions perilous. The three saving factors of the situation were that the disaster occurred at a time when plenty of help was immediately available, the tide was high to provide plenty of water, and the larger adjoining warehouse was clad with steel. In less than an hour the fire was total extinguished and the hundreds of apprehensive citizens returned to their homes feeling that the Fates are not always unkind. The supposed causes of the fire are mere speculation, theories and conjectures without sufficient evidence. It seemed to have started under the building near the wall to burn through the floor and get into a stock of tar-paper and like combustibles.

St. Croix Courier
Aug 24/1950
Shiretown Items: Water Situation Serious
The water supply system of St. Andrews is no longer adequate at the peak of the summer season. Last year during the month of August it was difficult to keep the reservoir filled above the danger point and at time during the present month the danger point has been reached. Several time, had a fire occurred, there was little water except what was in the pipes. In order to build up a supply it has been necessary at times to shut off the town. This contingency has given us a jolt and made us realize the value of this commodity which we have learned to use so freely. Having heard the Town Council criticized for not having taken some action before the situation became serious, I went to the town office and read over the contract between the Town and the Hotel Company, suppliers of the water. there is a clause in the contract which gives the company authority, without consulting the town, to increase their equipment at any time the daily supply to the town has passed 80,000 gallons and to increase the rates to a figure that will give them 8 percent on their required outlay. Even in winter the town is now using over 80,000 gallons daily and much more during summer months. The daily average for last December was 87,000 gallons. When the system was installed the water flowed by gravity from Chamcook Lake to the pumping station. Later the Company installed a force pump at the lake and also added an electric motor at the pumping station, absorbing the costs themselves without raising the rates to the Town as they were entitled to do. I have been told on good authority that several methods of improving the supply system are being considered by the Company and that the plan which appears most feasible will be adopted and carried out this Fall. One plan which we head and which we hope has been abandoned was to drill a number of artesian wells on the hill where the reservoir is located. The water from such source, even if adequate in supply, would probably be hard and brackish and would ruin the fine water we now have if the two were mixed. About 40 years ago, before the present system was installed, a test well was sunk on this hill with the plan for a town water system in view. The results proved unfavorable and the idea was abandoned. The plan likely to be adopted to remedy the present situation is to lay a larger main from the lake to the pumping station and install more powerful pumps. This will mean a considerable expense to the Company and a substantial increase in water rates to the Town but present conditions seem to warrant the measure.

St. Croix Courier
Nov 15/1951
News Notes: Tannery Fire. Pottery shop, well known St. Andrews business, in old tannery building on Pagan St. destroyed by fire. Owned by George Jervis of Hartford, Conn.

St. Croix Courier
April 24/1952
News Notes: Fire at Chamcook, which used to be called St. Andrews North or Norway.
Old ell at rear of brick building formerly owned by Edwin Conley razed; likewise ice house belonging to Commodore. “This old frame of a building was a landmark and a certain amount of tradition has been connected with it. Situated only 3 feet away from another building of similar size at the rear of the Ross property, the two buildings formed a narrow corridor known to the old timers as “The Dardanelles.” It was through this friendly sheltering passage that many an old-timer would go when he felt the need of a stimulant from a dispensary located at the far end of the passage. Those were the horse and buggy days that are no more. Nearly all those old-timers have disappeared, and now “The Dardanelles” has disappeared too.”
            Quoddy Coal enlarging office on Water Street and installing new plate glass window and entrance. “The old plate glass frame which has been removed is probably the last of its kind on the front street. IT was the type which could be cornered with shutters in days gone by.”

Courier
Aug 11, 1960
County Landmark Flattened by Flames in Chamcook area. Rossmount Inn charred as Hundreds see Fire. Details

St. Croix Courier
April 13/1961
New Combined Town Hall / Fire Station Studied for St. Andrews.

St. Croix Courier
June 13/1963
Lady Dunn Trade School St. Andrews to open Sept. Photo. 325 students. 1 million dollars, of which 75 percent federal, 25 percent provincial. Lady Dunn gives annually 1,000 Lady Dunn Scholarship, has given new fire truck and made possible new sewage system.

St. Croix Courier
July 7/1966
St. Andrews Vetoes Town Hall Proposal (combination town hall fire department)

St. Croix Courier
Aug 24/1967
Fire Station at St. Andrews opened by Lady Beaverbrook. Donates second fire engine.

St. Croix Courier
Oct 15/1993
Blockhouse, gutted by fire in August, to be restored. Earl Caughey dies Sept 27. 87 years old. Provincial court judge 1963; County court judge 1971. Queen’s Bench 1979, retired 1981.