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THE STORIES OF CARIBOU Photo Credits:

Front Cover: Pleasant Point, Carriboo Harbour, S.S. Canso, owned by Bernard Prest, From the Fred O. MacLeod Collection, permission given by Robert Murray.

Back Cover: Gullrock Lighthouse, Carriboo Island, c. 1914, from the Fred O. MacLeod Collection, permission given by Robert Murray.

Please note that any article in this book without a name of writer is the work of the editor, Olive Pastor.

•«<&^n »fw -i^asa.0^ 'San** GOVERNMENT HOUSE 1451 BARRINGTON STREET HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA B3J 1Z2

Dear Citizens of Caribou District Two:

The story of Caribou District Two is a "Readers Digest" of community, family and military histories of an area in Nova Scotia settled mainly by citizens of Scottish origin.

Anyone reading these stories is taken back in time to what life was like in our smaller communities when local dances, songs and Gaelic music provided fun for young and old alike.

It is a story of valour, courage, heartbreak and disaster during the war; of friends lost when a German U Boat torpedoed a tanker and a destroyer could not get near enough to pick up survivors because of the fire ring caused by the spilled oil; a story of courage and dedication displayed by the women of the Royal Canadian Naval Service, or WRENS, working at 'an Eastern Canadian port' for one dollar a day; a story of the Red Cross auxiliaries of District Two supplying the men and women under siege in England and at the front; a story of harvest excursions in August 1923 to Canada's western provinces, of uncovered Mic Mac Burial grounds, of ship building, and the Bounty built at Lunenburg and crewed by Pictou County men.

This book is truly a reference book of Nova Scotia's history. I am glad it has been compiled, for it has been said that, "those who do not understand history are condemned to repeat it". Some important lessons can be learned from our past if our present day society is not too disinterested in taking advantage of the knowledge it provides.

Yours sincerely.

Lloyd R. Crouse Lieutenant Governor Province of Nova Scotia THE PREMIER

M.IFAX, NOVA SCOTIA B3J 2T3

MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER

It is a sincere pleasure and honour for me to be included in this history of the community of Caribou District Two.

Having grown up and lived all my life not far from Caribou, I share your attachment to and appreciation for our local history, culture, countryside and people. To enshrine in this document the stories and music of our past will serve future generations well, and provide Pictonians, no matter where they live, with a permanent record of their home.

This book is a labour of love for all involved in its compilation. I am proud to make this small contribution.

Don W. Cameron

Printed on paper that ® contains recycled libre > : CA_ ADMINISTRATION 8UIL0ING PHONE: (902) 485-4311 C A-aOW STREET, PICTOU FAX: (902) 485-6475

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OFFICE OF CLERK-TREASURER P.O.BOX 910, PICTOU, N.S. BOK 1H0

September 22, 1992

Caribou District 2 Heritage Society c/o Olive Pastor R. R. 1 Pictou Pictou County, N. S. BOK 1H0 Dear Olive:

This is to congratulate and encourage the Caribou District 2 Heritage Society on your latest endeavor "Stories of Caribou", a book that is sure to be enjoyed in the present and future. Once again, best of luck. Yours truly,

Edward MacMaster Councillor, District # 2 EMACM/cmaci n3

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Canada 125 Reception at Government House Back row: 1-r, Olive Pastor, Margaret MacMaster Front row: 1-r, Mr. Alexander Colville, Their Honours, Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Lloyd Crouse This book is dedicated to the people of Carriboo District Two, their forebears and descendants. Caribou District Two Heritage Society Incorporated December, 1992

Membership 1992

President Margaret MacMaster Vice President Evelyn Boyles Secretary Betty Hopkins Treasurer Edward MacMaster

Olive Pastor Marian Langille George Baird Audrey MacLeod David Barnard V iolet Colquhoun Minnie Smith Olive Ferguson Joan Kclderman Fred Otter Vera Otter Anna MacKay Annie Bowron I lendrika Kelderman Lynn MacKay Uelly Gamble May MacKenzie Corey Lakenman Alice Baird Thclma Johnson Cover Story The S.S. Canso by Roy Prest

The S.S. Canso, as the name implies, was a steam powered deep sea tugboat, commissioned by the federal Department of Transport and registered in Ottawa, Canada. Her final resting place was on the shores of Caribou Harbour, where she was positioned and scrapped by Bernard Prest.

The S.S. Canso was constructed between 1915 and 1920 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. It is understood that her building plate and name are now in a museum in Yarmouth.

As mentioned, the Canso was a deep water tug in the 80 foot range, being built of riveted steel plates and powered by a triple expansion steam engine with condenser; the steam was produced by a 40 ton ± coal fired steam boiler. Her propeller or screw was a four blade, fixed pitch, cast iron unit which weighed approximately one and a half tons. Steering was done by heavy cables attached to an aft mounted rudder. No hydraulics were involved. Travel between the engine room and boiler room was via a small water tight door on the starboard side of the ship. Of course, this could be sealed by a screw type locking device in event of the ship taking water.

The Canso had a variety of jobs during her commission including moving barges, scows and dredges in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait. At the outbreak of World War II she was used to clear ice in Pictou Harbour. She stayed in the service of the D.O.T. until newer diesel powered craft replaced the aging steam powered ships. When she retired she was purchased by Gulf Services operated by Mickey Morrison and J.B. Ferguson. At the end of her long service she was purchased by Bernard Prest of Caribou and tied up at Caribou wharf for salvage. For one winter work was done at Caribou wharf to remove brass, copper, steel, etc. and the following fall (1964) she was towed to her final resting place by two fishing boats operated by the late Duncan MacKenzie and Billy Hislop. Soon after being disposited on the shores of Caribou Harbour a storm of unusual fury drove her high and dry on the spot where she stayed until her total dismantling.

Bernard Prest died in 1978 and Bert Livingstone finished the final salvage of the hull shortly after. The S.S. Canso had been well endowed with oak railings and teak doors and woodwork. Her memory lives on in a classic captain's table built from her teak by Roy Prest and several items produced by students at West Pictou District High School. Pictures of the grounded craft are available from Murray Photography in New Glasgow. Foreword

Carriboo District Two is one of seventeen districts in the county of PictOU. It is made up of a number of small communities including: Bay View, Braeshore, Cariboo, Central Cariboo, Carriboo Island, Carriboo River, Waterside, Three Brooks and Toney River. Settlement in this area took place relatively early with many of the families in the area today tracing their roots back to the original settlers.

The early settlers were bound to their land and cultivated it with care .ind devotion. Many endured harsh treatment before coming to North America and conditions of settlement were not easy. The land was densely wooded, the I Innate was unforgiving and the people were mainly very poor. Yet, they were ill sturdy stock and met the challenges of the new land with optimism that would carry the generations into the modern world.

Each community in the district developed along with the others, but each is different in subtle ways. Each community is unique yet, is interconnected to its neighbouring communities. In the early years, these little pockets of humanity were self sufficient with shipbuilders plying their trade, blacksmiths, saw and grist mills, and other businesses needed within the i (immunity. Over the years, the generations which followed the first settlers built on the firm foundation laid down by their Scottish forefathers. Today, new people have joined the old families and the communities continue to evolve, but many of the old values still remain.

With all this said, what follows is a collection of essays submitted by ilie members of all the communities in District Two. This is not an academic endeavour where every word is analysed, yet everything that is written is based in fact. This is more a story of a people from what they remember today and from what they have been told in the past. This is not a history but a i ombination of many aspects of these rural societies. To the critical, we apologize for our mistakes in advance. Our stories passed down through the oral tradition may be embellished a little, but the oral tradition in this area is quite accurate.

I congratulate the people of Carriboo District Two for their effort and interest in bringing their knowledge to the fore.

Olive Pastor Acknowledgements

To all those who have assisted in bringing this book about with their contributions, you are gratefully acknowledged. A special thank you is extended to Margaret MacMaster who gave so much of her time in making calls, writing essays and searching out topics that pertain to District Two.

Thank you to all those who supplied old photos and to the community members who helped select a title for this book. A thank you is due to Wayde Brown, Heritage Officer for the Department of Tourism and Culture for choosing the title from all the suggestions submitted.

Financial assistance from all sectors of the community is gratefully acknowledged. As well, recognition is given to the New Horizons Program for their assistance, however it is understood that the views expressed in the book are not necessarily those of the New Horizons Porgram.

Thank you to John Kclderman of Kwik Kopy Printing for his help in the printing process and to Elizabeth Ferguson for her efforts in proofreading.

The support of the senior citizens of Caribou District is greatly appreciated, without their memories and knowledge the book could not have been completed.

Lastly, recognition is extended to the members of the Caribou District Two Heritage Society for their great effort in bringing this book to print. Table of Contents

Military History 1

Community History 20

Craftsmen, Organizations and Groups 108

Industries and Businesses 153

Poems, Writings, Stories 180

Family Histories 212

Cemeteries 244

Recipes 250

Music, Dance and Sport 256

Folklore 271 MILITARY SERVICE Honor Roll

Dedicated to all those women and men who served in both the •vartime military and at peace time.

World War I John Dixon Cyril Clennett Anderson Harris Wilfred MacQuarrie Martin Munro Alexander S. Battist Fred Shea David MacDonald Peter Shea William Goodman Sgt. A.D. MacDonald George Clark Angus Johnson Arthur Grant George Sutherland Ralph Fraser Russell Cox Edward Bronson Sr. Watson Gray Daniel Campbell Chester Bronson Albert Bronson Nelson MacQuarrie Wilfred MacKenzie Albert MacKenzie Neil MacKenzie, Sr. John Robert Murray Victor MacLean John Walter Sutherland Duncan Logan Hugh Logan William Landry Sgt. A.J.R. MacKenzie Edward M. Falconer Albert Finlay MacLean Cpl. Kenneth H. Gray Cpl. Charles S. Battist Henry MacMaster (MM.) Archibald Cameron Joseph Farrell Harry Hingley

World War II Archibald Baird Herbert Landry Henry Baird Walter Langille Edward Baird Captain Geary R.N. George Baird Harold Hopkins Nell Irving Betty Hopkins George Sutherland Dr. Donald Webster Allie MacLeod Jane Webster World War II cont'd

Donald Murray George Wortman Ballem Grant Louis Prest Ernest English Charles Prest George English Allan MacLeod Lawrence MacDonald McCara Cameron Rennette McKelvie Barry Munro Lloyd Fraser Alexander Munro Jim Shaw (Merchant Marine) Fred Smith William Shaw Donald MacLean Jason Shaw Henry Davidson Joseph A. Ernst William Matheson Edward Bronson, Sr. George Cameron Edward Murray Bronson Neil MacKenzie, Jr. Earl MacLean Vincent Peters Smith MacLean John Langille Charles MacCarthy Samuel MacMaster Ethel MacKenzie Marten Peterson Morris Fraser Burns Falconer Reginald Fraser Wesley MacKay William MacKay (M.M.) Donald Grant Martin Porter Steven MacDougall Sadie Porter James Patterson Andrew Hislop Roy Robertson Douglas Graham Bernard LeBlanc Ian MacKenzie Courtney Walker Anderson Harris Harry Beer Gerald Beer G.K. Beer George Benson Harvey Bingley James Dewar Henry Davis Leonard Davis R.B. Fraser R.E. Fraser M.W. Fraser Frank Falconer Earl Fraser Georgina Fraser Harry Falconer G.M. Fraser Alden Grant Sam Hartling Dan Hansford Vernon Hartling Ernest Hansford Walter Landry James T. Johnson Raymond Legere Aime Legere W. MacDonald William Landry Jean MacKinnon Arthur E. MacDonald Edwin Ross D.A. MacLeod Roy Shea Roy Robertson Donald Blenkhorne Wilfred Shea Captain Leon Davey James Sterns Arthur McPhee John MacDougall Angus Falconer John MacFarlane George Herriott James A. Falconer Aubrey R. Johnson Allison Johnson Vorld War II cont'd

'ohn J. Johnson Willis Johnson Alfred Johnson William D. MacKay John A. MacLeod Albert Murdock Douglas MacDonald Ford MacDonald "ohn F. MacDonald Jr. Harris MacPhail ."ames R. Ross Albert H. Campbell Harold Clow D.M. English Arthur W. MacLaughlin W. Scaife James Sterns Joseph A. Scanlan Douglas Berringer Angus MacKaracher Harry Boates Edward M. Falconer James Page Lillian Cameron A.D. Grant Walter C. MacKenzie

Korea Henry Bronson Jackie Bronson Robert Bronson Benedict Fougere

United Nations Duncan MacKenzie Stewart LeBlanc Shirley Bronson, NATO Douglas Bronson, NATO Tim Clark Robert MacDonald

Peacetime Keith MacFarlane Margaret A. MacKenzie Toney Weber Judith Dobson Ian Priest Ralph MacKaracher Bruce Davey Grant Davey George J. English Gordon Clark Wayne MacDonald William J. MacDonald Gordon Landry John Mogensen Betty Bronson Arthur LeBlanc Bernadette LeBlanc

Wartime Reserve James Fraser Clyde Fraser George Nichol Blaine MacKeil Thomas Anderson Harry Langille Gerry Davidson Frank Peterson Charles Langille Ned Langille Lionel Langille Everett Turple Roy Robertson Roy Barkhouse Eh Corbett Lisby Corbett

Militia Charles MacLeod M.E. MacMaster Doug Corbett Fred LeBlanc Militia cont'd

John LeBlanc Alexander LeBlanc David MacKay

Arthur MacDonald, killed in action and buried in Holland.

Edward Baird was killed in action and is buried at Bergen-op-Zoom, th, Canadian cemetery in Holland.

Vincent Peters was killed in action and buried in France. A Brief History of the Bronson Family by E. Murray Bronson

The Bronsons are descendants of Hans Bronson and May MacKenzie :' Caribou Island. Hans Bronson came from Norway in the late 1800's on a p and while here met his future wife and decided to stay. Another rwegian named Peterson was with him and he also remained in the Pictou irea.

Generation The Bronson family was heavily represented in military service both n wartime and in the peacetime military. The following is a list of family members and when and where they served.

Edward MacKenzie Bronson served from 1915 to 1918 in World War I and again between 1939 and 1945 in World War II. He served with Canada's mny overseas.

Chester Bronson served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in World r II.

Albert Bronson served in World War II and was killed in Italy while • ith the Canadian army.

2nd Generation E. Murray Bronson served between 1940 and 1945 with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Holland md Germany. While overseas, Murray saw heavy action.

Henry M. Bronson served in World War II and with R.C.R.'s Korean Campaign, U.N. Henry was an excellent sniper and was prepared to join Canada's Crack Shooting Team for the Bisley Shoot.

Robert Bronson served as a paratrooper with the Princess Patricia's Light Infantry under the U.N. in the Korean Campaign.

John Bronson served under the United Nations as a Trooper in the Korean Campaign.

Betty Bronson served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Radar Technician on the "DEW LINE".

Shirley Bronson served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada and in Europe with NATO.

Douglas Bronson served with the Royal Canadian Air Force with NATO as an aerial photographer.

All the men in the family saw action except Douglas. George Baird, R.C.N. from Interview with Mr. Baird

Like many of the young men in the area, George Baird volunteered for military service in 1940. However, it was not until 1942 that he was actually called up to serve. He joined only for wartime duties and was trained in Halifax, served and then discharged in 1945. In the early part of his service he was a First Class Stoker, but rose to the rank of Petty Officer.

Baird served as a chief engineer on a tugboat named the "Melrose" and on a naval escort, "HMCS Lachine". The "Lachine" did the triangle run from Halifax to Saint John's and then to Boston or New York and return. In another deployment the ship went from Halifax to Bermuda to Rio de Janeiro. George served on the "St. Laurent" for an overseas trip but went back to the "Lachine".

The "Lachine" and the "St. Laurent" were both being used to guard convoys out of Halifax. They picked up a convoy in 1943 and had to pick up survivors when the ships were torpedoed. Mr. Baird remembers that a British ship the HMS "Polyanthis" and a Canadian ship the "St. Croix" were both torpedoed and his ship picked up many of the survivors from the British ship, but out of a ships company on the "St. Croix" of 120-140 men only one man survived.

The U-Boat threat was a reality for the ships and men who sailed the Atlantic during wartime. Mr. Baird remembers that a torpedo went right under the "Lachine" one night. The sound of the torpedo resembled the noise of a plane. He said he saw ship after ship sunk. In relating his experiences, George remembers the sad sights he saw such as the tanker that was torpedoed and the destroyer could not get near it to pick up survivors because of the fire ring that was caused by spilled oil. One man jumped and swam towards their ship, but when he surfaced he was still ten feet from the edge of the fire. He could not make it so was lost before the eyes of the Lachine's crew.

In recounting his war experiences, Baird sadly remembered that on one occasion a bunch of ships were lost. Norwegian ships were part of the convoy and they were unique in that they carried women on board. In the search for survivors the Lachine came upon a lifeboat and noticed that it had been machine gunned. As the Canadian ship grew nearer, they could see that the lifeboat had a lone occupant who appeared to have been trying to start the motor when the Germans opened fire. That occupant was a woman. Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service by Betty Hopkins (Struthers)

1992 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) or (WRENS). Early in 1942, three four of the Women's Royal Naval Service were brought to Canada from Great Britain to help train the first officers and petty officers in Canada. thin a few months general recruiting was initiated and by 1945 there were over seven thousand members of the WRCNS.

The training base for the women was located in Gait, Ontario at the -eform school that had been used by the Province of Ontario. I enlisted at HMCS Donnacona, the naval base in Montreal, in 1942. At this time, we were given a medical examination, an official number, were sworn in and made out a will. We were then told to wait for a call up.

In the first week of January 1943,1 was drafted to Gait along with a number of other girls. In Gait we received our uniforms, learned naval terminology and spent hours on the parade ground. At that time our members totalled one hundred girls from all over Canada. On April first, with about forty others, I was drafted to Halifax. We went by train and spent a short time, between trains, in Montreal. I telephoned my family, who lived in St. Bruno on the south shore. When I was asked where we were going the only answer I was allowed was, "to an eastern Canadian port".

We arrived in Halifax the next day and were trucked along with our gear to HMCS Stadacona. At Stad we lived in one of the large white buildings backing on Barrington Street. (It is still there.) Watchkeepers slept in a temporary building next door. For the first few months I was a messenger in the Signals Office at HMC Dockyard. Six months later the Naval Command Headquarters and the complete signals office were moved to the NSHQ building on the corner of Barrington and South Streets.

All the WRENS attached to the Signals Office were given a course in eoding, Morse, telegraphy, etc. At the end of the course we received our Signals Badges and were assigned to the new and very modern building. We received ten cents raise in pay as well. It was now a dollar a day. About thirty people worked each watch. This included men and women. We worked eight hour watches and changed every two weeks.

Every message that was sent in the North Atlantic area was sent through our office. We sent all orders to naval ships and convoys in our area. We were in touch with Boston, New York, and other places which I have forgotten. The codes were numerical and changed every day. Incoming signals had to be broken, typed and given to the duty officer as quickly as possible. Outgoing signals, coded and given to the telegraphists with equal speed. Many of the signals did not bring happy news. Ships in action, ships going down and later the casualty lists were all included in the signals. One casualty list gave the name of a telegraphist who had worked in the Signals Office with us. That message was pretty difficult to work with. The one thing

- 8- that we could never do was to talk about ships movements or any other information we learned every day on the job.

When we were off duty we had a good time. There were dances every night on the base or at the various canteens, the Legion and other places. There were movies on the base as well as in town. Wednesday was always a popular night to go to the theatre in Halifax. Wednesday was also the day that all naval personnel had to carry a gas mask in a canvas knapsack over the shoulder. The only way to escape being hit on the head in the theatre as sailors and WRENS squeezed into seats behind you was to "hit the floor". Civilians, if they were wise, stayed home on that night. We had to wear the masks for one hour between 11-12 noon on Wednesday. The sight of people trying to type and answer the telephone had to be seen to be believed.

Since we were Watchkeepers we often had quite a few hours off during the day. This was great. We explored Halifax, went on picnics in the summer and did other enjoyable things as well. Of course, there was the occasional route march or Victory March and chores around the base. I never regretted my years in the Navy and hope to attend the re-union which is to be held in Halifax this August.

* In 1946 Betty married Harry Hopkins, a sailor and after the war they lived in Montreal and then Dorval. Mr. Hopkins worked for CPR and when he retired they moved to Central Caribou in 1975 where they built their home. Wartime Poems by Christine MacKeil

Retribution

; very bomb, that bursts on London town, Per every little child, it crushes down; '. ~~ ill repay," saith the Lord, "I will repay." -_-.i so he shall - some day.

Per every home, where love and peace abound, : -Altered to dust, with loved ones, never found, I •* ill repay," saith the Lord, "I will repay." -_-J so he shall - some day.

trough the dark, and fear filled hours, I ~ e thought we have, one hope is ours, r;r "I will repay," saith the Lord, "I will repay." -s.i so he shall - some day.

In Canada

>. er here in Canada, The birds are flying high; le over in England The little Children die.

Over here in Canada, The summer air is sweet. I _t over there in London I cath stalks on every street.

er here in Canada, God grant that we may care, for those who suffer and endure, And help them - over there.

10- Wartime Poems by Christine MacKeil

They Gave Him Wings

They gave him wings, to span the skies of blue, They gave him wings, to fight for freedom too, As down the star-lit path, through endless space, He winged his birdlike way, with ease and grace, He knew that this was war, yet in his mind Were thoughts of home, and things he left behind.

Such simple lovely things, like autumn leaves, A maple covered hill, a summer breeze, The lighted fireside with his loved ones there, His sweet faced mother in her rocking chair Humming low a hymn tune that he knew, He saw the church at home, the family pew.

These are the things that he would fight to hold, Memories more precious far than gems or gold, This means so much for men like he, who dare To even face blunt death, if it be there, He'd give his life, nor ask the reason why, For men like he can love enough to die.

High Places

Up there among the clouds, Into the space of azure blue, His silver wings like a shimmering shroud, Go up and down, and through.

What are an airman's thoughts? How can we grounded mortals know, Who on this war-torn earth below, Are trying now to find, through smoky gloom, Some ray of hope, that Peace come soon.

Perhaps up there, within his mind, He sees the earth below; Instantly changed, renewed, defined. The smoke of battle gone, the once burned soil - Is green again, freshened and unspoiled, And man regardless of his race or creed, All living, serving, loving - In a richer, happier day, And in their hearts, the love of Christ Forever holding sway.

11 Wartime Poems by Christine MacKeil

Canada

Dh God look down on this fair land Thy gracious power on it expand; Help us to stand forever true; Give us Thy strength in all we do.

Make this our land, a place of peace; May brotherhood and love increase, Help us to send across the sea Beacons of light that all may see.

This Canada so free and broad Where honest ploughmen turn the sod; Where church bells ring, and children sing God bless our land; God bless our King.

Lads on a Train

Dear God, I do not know their names, The sailor boys in blue; I do not know from where they came, But God, I know you do.

Take care of them, the sea is cruel - They are so young and fair; They left the games, just out of school, Please keep them in your care.

All stranger boys just passing through, But they are dear to me; How much more precious, in your sight, Dear God, these boys must be.

So many boys, their names I'll never know; It matters not - for them I breathe a prayer. So God, when evening falls, once more, Please keep them in your care. Red Cross Auxiliaries of District #2 from the Pictou Advocate by Olive Pastor

During the years of World War One and World War Two, the Red Cross was active in supplying the men at the front and civilians under siege in England. The Pictou Red Cross Unit was no exception and the rural auxiliaries certainly did their share. District Two Caribou Island, Bay View, Toney River, Central Caribou, Waterside, Three Brooks and Caribou River contributed many items that would ease the suffering of our men at the front.

The following excerpts from the Red Cross notes in the Pictou Advocate indicate the commitment of the auxiliary units in District Two:

1916 December 28: Bay View Auxiliary, 2 suits of pyjamas, 5 hospital shirts, 10 pillow slips, 5 T bandages, 12 head bandages, 12 M.T. bandages, 2 prs. socks.

1916 December 28: Central Caribou, 1 doz. handkerchiefs each Miss Christy Sutherland, Mrs. J.R. Sutherland and Miss Minnie Sutherland. Central Caribou School $5.35 per Miss Goldie Talbot.

P.A., January 1,1916, p. 1

1944 Waterside Auxiliary, 2 large quilts, 3 prs. service socks, 1 pr. mitts Three Brooks, For yarn $26

Bay View and Central Caribou, 2 girls night dresses, 3 doz. handkerchiefs, 7 prs. bloomers, 2 prs. Seamen's socks, 6 prs. socks.

P.A., January 13, 1994, p. 4. P.A., February 10,1944, p. 4.

Bay View School students had an active Red Cross unit and during the war helped with War Saving Stamp Sales.

13- Victory Bonds 1918

One S50 Victory Bond will buy: 1,400 rifle cartridges 100 hand grenades 104 rifle grenades 50 pair soldiers socks or 10 gas masks or 10 pair soldiers boots or knives, forks, spoons Pay Canada's war bill for 4 1-3 seconds or one soldier for 40 days or buy 1,100 yards of adhesive tape.

If you buy a War Saving Stamp in 1919 for $4.00, in 1924 it will be worth S5.00.

Notes: Pictou Advocate, October 18, 1918, p. 2.

The price of some goods during World War I, 1918-19: Creamery Butter by the box/lb. .500 Cheese, 5 lbs. $1.50 Canned peas .170 Canned lobster, 1/2 lb. .300 Canned lobster, 1 lb. .500 Lard, 10 lbs. $3.50 Jam, 4 lb. tin .650

Notes: Pictou Advocate, February 28, 1919, p. 8.

14 War Correspondence from a published letter Margaret MacMaster

Three Brooks Boy Winner of The Military Medal

To Mrs. MacKenzie R.R. 2, Pictou

Dear Mrs. MacKenzie:

I have the honor to forward herewith Military Medal awarded by His Majesty the King to Pte. Neil MacKenzie.

The following is an extract from London Gazette, 30513, dated 13th March, 1918.

Throughout the operations against Passchendaele Ridge, Nov. 10 to 13th, 1917, and in the face of intense hostile shell fire, he conducted ammunition parties forward to the Battalions and in all cases reaching his destination with the ammunition. He at all times showed a total disregard for his own personal safety and set an example to all.

In forwarding this Decoration, I am to convey to you the congratulations of the Officer Commanding and Staff Officers of Military District No. 6.

Please acknowledge receipt of this medal.

Yours truly,

A.N. Borden, Lt. Col. A.A.G. Mil. District No. 6.

Notes: Taken from the Pictou Advocate print of the letter, March 4,1919.

15- Letter from Neil MacKenzie* of Three Brooks to his Mother, 1918

"Silver Lining of Victory"

:'.* '•:"•:••••

Somewhere in France February 17, 1918

Dear Mother:

Your letter rec'd last night, I was glad to get it. Sorry you were not feeling well and I hope you are much better. I am better and got over my cold alright. You were saying in a former letter that I believed in the One who is mighty to save, and He has kept me safe so long, when there was danger. That is so Mother dear, but we must not worry, He has the time set when we shall go, We shall wait for his will.

I was thinking the other night when I was alone and tired and had a long way to go. It was after midnight and dark, I could only see the grey path and that was all. As I stumbled over shell holes, and I came to a turn, I decided to sit down and rest awhile and I felt something round under my foot, I felt around with my hands and picked it up. It was shrapnel, the road was full of them. "Some place for a rest!", I thought, I shall move on, and as I walked away I thought of how many brave hearts had reached the end of their journey there.

As I walked on, I looked at the sky and saw a yellow light and heard a distant roar and "Bang" it exploded over the spot where I had rested minutes before. And like streaks of fire, I saw the hot shrapnel balls join the others on the road. I thought of your letter, "He is mighty to save".

I thought of how many weary footsteps I had taken since coming to France, What a long road it was and how many of these corners just gone by, I had passed in safety always. How this trail was long and hard in the Valley of Death.

16- I thought, Dear Mother, that the Great Beyond must be good, that there is something sweeter there than the best of this life in beyond the shadow. And will this world of pain, blood and tears become a cleaner, better world after all is done and when man shall meet man and say "Brother".

If it will, all this is not in vain, and the long trail will be a movement for a better world. It will also be a warning to those that seek power and might at the expense of the weak.

Last night I just came off a working party, was hungry, when oh! Maggies cake arrived. So I made some black tea and with two pals we finished the cake.

Well, it is drawing near three years, now that I have been under the guns, how long it seems. I wonder at night what another sunrise has in store, but ain't I lucky? I touch wood when I say it, not yet a wound and so many narrow escapes. I often think of the moth and the candle, as a rule they don't get away if they fly around long, but is it not what I joined up for, to do or die?

If it should last a few more years, we should never get away with our main object. To win the war and free the world.

It is clear and cold tonight. You would imagine someone was knocking at the door when the machine guns stutter out their call. They gave me the Military Medal for the Battle of Passchendaele Ridge and I was recommended for Vimy Ridge, so you see if I don't come back, Mother, you will have something to show you had a soldier son.

Sometime if I ever get home, I will tell you about these places of the sea of mud, the guns and the rain of shell out of the sky, of the noise, the pain and glory, overhung by the shadow of the death. I think maple trees will grow of their own accord over those places, and turn all yellow and gold in autumn, in memory of all the brave hearts that lay down in the mud and ceased to beat.

Don't worry over me, let us just leave it to HIM. He who knows best and we won't build any castles about my home coming. If I do, it will be a great day for us, if I don't, we shall meet again, anyhow it will come out alright.

I am glad Arthur Stiles is home and he has done his share.

About the Royal Flying Corps, I think, inside of a month I will be there. I had an interview with the General lately. He wished me luck and shook hands, he was very kind and nice and said I was leaving behind me one of the best units in the war, but was going to one as good.

He also said that I held the honor of the old, while I still was with the new, and to never forget the little red square I wear on my shoulder.

17- Write when you can, I feel the greatest battles of this war are yet to tome and this year of 1918 has the future of all mankind at stake and soon the earth and sky shall tremble, with the noise of battle, but through it all I see the silver lining of victory.

Your loving son,

Ned

'unedited.

Notes: Taken from a letter home published in the Pictou Advocate, Feb. 17,1918.

18- War Efforts by Civilians Caribou Island The Red Cross Unit by Charlotte McCarthy Vye The ladies on Caribou Island formed their unit of the Red Cross and between 1939 and 1945 knit mitts, scarves, socks and hats for the troops. The mitts were knit with a trigger finger open. These ladies also made quilts. It is believed that some were donated to the Red Cross and others raffled off and the money turned over to the Red Cross.

The ladies, which numbered about ten, met every week and had a meal and a meeting. They had elected officers and members and went to one anothers houses for the meeting. The ladies made a quilt a week when they worked. These quilts were used for shelters in England. Mrs. Falconer remembers that flour bags were used for the back of the quilt. When the ladies made up boxes for the troops the Falconers who owned a canning machine put in cans of butter.

Lobster Suppers: Another way that the Caribou Island group made money for the Red Cross was to hold lobster suppers. They held them all during the War and once after the war to cover the cost of power going into properties on the island from the road. All the suppers were held at Herbert McCarthy's in a big building on the property.

A dinner cost $1.00 and consisted of a lobster taken from the shell, potato salad, vegetables, homemade mayonnaise, bread and biscuits. Cream pie was served for dessert and the pies were made by Mrs. Herbert McCarthy. They were held around suppertime and people came from miles around to dine. Long tables with table cloths were set up with chairs and a person was assigned to supervise tables besides the waiter or waitress. If dishes got low they were replenished. The dinners and the Red Cross Club were highly successful and perhaps the busiest in the area.

19 COMMUNITY HISTORY

20 Central Caribou from the Pictou Advocate August 24, 1894 submitted by Michael MacMaster

All the American visitors are leaving this week for Boston. Undoubtedly there will be some sore hearts left behind.

A bear has made his appearance around Three Brooks lately and is committing some depredations. Now is a chance for some of our sportsmen.

The picnic held Wednesday afternoon by the young folks of Bay View near Spring Point was largely attended, and everybody had a rattling good time, which speaks well for the management. A dance at Mr. Johnstone's in the evening was the closing scene of a pleasant affair.

Driving on Sunday evening is frequently indulged in of late, and it is a wonder that some of our deacons and pious residents of this section don't set their foot down on it and have it stopped. Be careful Dan, as you are driving on the wrong road for a deaconship.

The horribles of Three Brooks were out one night last week, led by old Lorie with a truck of hay and the local sport surmounted on the saddle and decked in one of his ancestors' old beavers. It would have been all right if they hadn't frightened Mr. Finlay MacKenzie's horse, which ran away, but was caught before much damage was done.

21 Harvest Excursions

On August 3, 1923 in the Pictou Advocate a list of names were given for men who left for the Harvest Excursions to the west; they are as follows with a few added:

Caribou River Caribou Island Harry Hingley Fred W. Baird

Central Caribou Additions Alonzo Robertson Alfred MacMaster Angus Turple Samuel MacMaster John L. Turple Kenneth Hoops Ross MacDougall Murray Harris Herbert Priest Margaret MacKenzie Cecil Otter Bay View Neil MacKenzie Harry Johnson Jeff Otter Ray Johnson Doug Fraser Robert Talbot Fred Otter Harry Talbot Alexander Duff Jim Ross Gilbert MacKenzie Ross MacKenzie Klondike George Campbell William Sutherland Christine MacKenzie W.D. Grant John MacDougall Bell Hutchings Others J. Ross Clifford MacKenzie Irving Murray A.D. Grant John Robert Murray

99- Dwight and Debbie MacDonald House by Debbie MacDonald

The MacDonald house was originally on the Alexander MacKenzie property at Waterside. That property is now owned by the Department of Lands and Forest. Previous owners include: John MacKenzie, Gordon MacKenzie, Donald MacKenzie, Murray MacDonald and J.R. Donald. Dwight is the son of Murray MacDonald and Debbie comes from Massachusetts, U.S.A.

The MacDonalds bought the property in Central Caribou from Lawrence MacDonald. This property had a house on it at one time but was gone when the property sold, because of neglect it fell down. Before the war the property was owned by Anderson Harris.

This wonderful old home was bought by the Liberal Government from its last owner Dr. Donald to be used as part of a resort planned for Waterside in the early 1970's. It lay vacant and became vandalized all though the 70's. We tried to buy it, rent it or lease it from the government because it had belonged to Dwight's father before Dr. Donald owned it. In the fall of 1982 it came up for tender in the Pictou Advocate and we put a bid on it. It was to be removed from the property. We explained that it was owned by the family at one time and we'd like to restore it.

By the time we were notified it was ours, it was too late in the fall to pour a new foundation, so we asked for an extension until the spring of 1983. We made all the arrangements with the Government and got two estimates on the cost of the move. We bought insurance, had the power and telephone companies hired for the move. They had to lift the lines. This was scheduled for May, 1983 and then we found out that the road restrictions were still on. We had to get another extension, make the arrangements again and the house was in two parts onto the new foundation in June of 1983. It was a seven mile move from Waterside to Central Caribou with many problems along the way.

We moved into the house in October of 1983 with just the basics done, a new roof, windows, insulation, flue repair, wiring and have been renovating ever since.

-23- Reid Albert Martin

"I know, on paper, we won't be able to row it, suggested Gerry Leinert as he watched his senior eight pull away from the St. Catherines Rowing Club here the other evening. Over all we've got three youngsters and a first-year oarsman in the crew, the St. Catherines coach explained. And our stroke man is supposed to be too old to row. Then with one of those rare grins of his, Leinert turned to a group of bystanders and quipped: You'll have to admit it though. When the chips are down, they can move the boat. With that, he hopped into a coach boat and buzzed away up the Henley Course in pursuit of the crew which will carry Canada's colors into the eight-oared division of next week's Second World Rowing Championships at Bled, Yugoslavia."1

Reid Albert Martin of Bay View was the first-yearma n in this group.

Reid Albert Martin by Ronald Reid Reid Albert Martin was born on April 19, 1942 in Tatamagouche, Colchester County. Albert moved to Bay View, Pictou County with his grandfather Durning Reid at the age of two and one half years. He attended Bay View School and then at an early age left school to help his grandfather on the farm. Albert worked at many odd jobs around the neighbourhood and the countryside. One of these jobs was a lobster fisherman's helper. This job *ould help him later in his life to become selected to Canada's National Heavy Eight Rowing Team from St. Catherines, Ontario.

When the lobster season closed for the season, Albert moved to Ontario to work on construction and to live with his sister. Before long he became employed with General Motors. While living in St. Catherines, his residence was close to the lake where the St. Catherine's Rowing Team

-24- practiced. On many an evening Albert would watch these big men practice. It was then that he was approached by the coach and the conversation that followed told the story. Albert would work hard eight hours a day at the plant and then practice with the team each evening.

In his first (Junior) year, the six foot three inch Albert was successful in making the Heavy Eight Rowing Club. At the "Royal Canadian Henley Regatta" rowing with team mate Wayne Philbrick, the two men won this race and were selected to Canada's National Team in 1966.

The following year he was rowing with the senior club out of St. Catherines. The eight-oared crew won the North America Rowing Championship in Bled, Yugoslavia. Here they were World Silver Medalists.

Albert loved the sports of fishing and hunting and for this reason he went north to become a guide for the other outdoorsmen. It was here, in 1970, that Reid Albert Martin drown while riding the rapids. His remains were flown back to Nova Scotia where they rest in a small cemetery in Scotsburn.

Reid Albert Martin April 19,1942 - July 27,1970

Notes: 1. Taken from the St. Catherines Standard, St. Catherines Sports Rowing, A.l, 1967.

•25 History of the Ferguson Farm Bay View, Pictou, Nova Scotia by Jack and William Ferguson

The history of the Ferguson farm starts with the arrival of James Ferguson of Rogart, Scotland and his wife Isabella MacKay of Ascode More Clyne, Scotland who arrived on July 7, 1815. Deeds for this property show that Ferguson settled his property with William G. Cochrane in 1833 costing him £25. The farm has remained in the Ferguson name and today the sixth generation now lives on the farm. The present owners of the farm are Jack and William Ferguson.

During the 1930's, renovations were made to the home which included raising of the roof and enlargement of the basement to install a generator for electrical power. The family operation consisted of a few milking Guernsey cows, a team of horses, couple of sows, a few hens, a small apple orchard and vegetable garden for marketing. In order to clear additional land, a tractor (McCormick-Deering) was purchased.

In 1941, a milk route was established in Pictou. The milk was bottled by machine and cooled in tubs of water packed in ice. At this time, the demand for milk exceeded the supply. By hand, sixteen cows were milked. The customers were always pleased to see plenty of cream formed on the milk. It is quite different today, when milk with little butterfat is in demand.

In 1944, Messrs. Jim Baillie, a Pictou businessman and Jim Hooper, a farmer, built Onslow Lass Dairy in Pictou for the purpose of pasteurizing milk. The door to door milk delivery then ceased. In the process, Mr. Jim Baillie would not pay for milk by butterfat test.

In the fall of 1944, two milking machines were purchased by the Ferguson Farm and in the spring of 1945, Mr. James M. Ferguson accompanied by Mr. M.D. MacCharles, the Agricultural Representative for Pictou, went to Truro in search of Holstein cattle (black and white cattle with less butterfat). As a result, they brought back to the Ferguson farm two Holstein cows. These were the first Holstein cattle brought to Pictou County.

26- In 1948, the farmers purchased the shares of the Onslow Lass Dairy which was owned by Mr. Jim Baillie. Now the dairy was completely owned by the farmers.

A wooden silo was built for the storage of pea vines from Magee's Pea Factory in Pictou. In the year of 1949, the original main barn was demolished to make way for the construction of a new barn. The new barn was 92'x38' which provided for two rows of cows and an electric barn cleaner, the first in Pictou County.

During the 1950's, the hog industry was booming. Then the number of sows was increased to 25. Also, there were 400 laying hens with the eggs being sold to customers in Pictou and surrounding areas. In 1951, the second wooden silo (30'xl4') was built.

In the mid 1960's, a meat business began at the farm supplying customers in the Pictou stores. During the 1980's another brother, Harold took over the meat business establishing it on the farm property across from the main farm. In 1962, the Pea Factory in Pictou was sold to a firm on Prince Edward Island. As a result, there was no more pea vines and the two silos remained empty. Corn was then grown for silage.

In 1968, with the increase in the herd of cattle, the need for more storage resulted in a third wooden silo (40'x20') being built.

During the 1970's, the interest in hens and sows declined due to the progressive changes in the dairy industry. The Onslow Lass Dairy was sold to Scotsburn Co-op Services Ltd. The trend now was to go to bulk milk, rather than milk in cans. A bulk cooler was purchased so the milk would be picked up every second day by the Scotsburn Co-op. In 1975 a pipeline milking system, which allowed the milk to go directly into tanks, was installed.

To become more involved in the milk weighing system, we became members of the Holstein Association of Canada, and adopted the prefix "Bayferg". We then purchased registered Holstein cattle.

The other barn was remodelled and one of the wooden silos was replaced with a cement silo (60'x20').

In the spring of 1985, Jack and Kathleen Ferguson purchased the "Ross Farm" which adjoins the main farm.

In 1990, because of our breeding program, we were rewarded with an excellent holstein cow, Bayferg "Mock Rhonda", Rhonda is the first excellent holstein cow born and raised in Pictou County. In 1992, Rhonda was once again classified as excellent.

We are now milking fifty registered holstein cows with an average yearly production of 18,370 pounds per year. We have a fluid quota of 1,055 litres and marketing sharing quota of 6,078 kg.

- 27- This dairy farm is the only one remaining in the community of Bay View. In view of the Free Trade and GATT talks, the challenge to carry on in the dairy industry is much greater.

Jack and William Ferguson Owners of Bayferg Farm Bay View, Pictou, Nova Scotia

28 The Threshing Mill from information given by Margaret MacMaster and Margaret MacLeod Back in the days before farms became fully modernized and mechanized, people in the community co-operated with each other in getting their work done. The threshing mill was one such case of this co-operation. John Nichol of Three Brooks had a mill and Bob Murray of Waterside had a mill. They would travel from one farm to the next threshing. One day was usually allowed for the threshing on each farm. The grain would be harvested and in the barn ready to be processed. The mill was set up in the barn and the horses did their work outside. The horses were trained to work for the mill. The mill had four sides slightly slanted and one man would feed the mill and spouts would allow the processed grain to pour out into the bags. Usually about a dozen men worked during the threshing and the lady on the farm supplied the food. The meals were extremely good for the men. Margaret MacLeod remembers that her mother always had a roast of lamb. Dinner and supper were served and a refreshing drink supplied during the day. Margaret MacMaster remembers that her mother made raspberry vinegar for the men.

In the day before the threshing mill, the grain was threshed on the barn floor with the use of flails. Later, gasoline powered threshers replaced the horse powered machines.

The wood cutter was also to be foundgoin g from farm to farm cutting the wood for the residents. Also, there were building bees to construct houses and barn raisings.

In an interview with Ruth Munro, Harry Johnson told her that Alex Leslie had one of the first steam driven threshers in the Caribou area. This practice of co-operation extended up into very recent years when the combine could be seen travelling around the community from farm to farm.

29 Harry Johnson Information taken from an Interview with Harry Johnson by Ruth Munro

My father came to Little Carriboo Island and met my mother, who was the daughter of Sandy Munro. I was born in 1891 and we moved to the mainland in 1894 or 1895. Little Carriboo Island was also called Doctor's Island and Munro's Island after past owners of the Island. George Munro bought the island from Doctor Skinner and sold it to my grandfather in 1810.

While living in Caribou, I worked at the Burnham and Morrill Lobster Factory and at the Government Hatchery between 1923 and 1925. I then moved to the United States. After I came back I worked at all parts of the factory and then I went to work as a Government Inspector. I also worked for years as a road foreman and at the time of the Halifax Explosion I was in Halifax going to school so I drove a Medical Car for the victims of the explosion.

On the cleared farm on Little Carriboo Island, we grazed the cows and grew about everything we needed. There were three wells on the island and Sandy Munro and his wife are buried down at the point on the island.

Our dwelling house was down close to the little entrance. Donald Sutherland had one up across from Logans. Our house was burned by hunters and we tore down the barn and took the material to Caribou. The cut stone from the cellar we took over to use on the small house down from my grandfathers. Sometimes we lived in the house and sometimes we stayed with my grandfather.

30 The Micmac Burial Site by Olive Pastor

In 1955 Kenneth Hopps accidentally found an old Micmac burial ground on his property. He was digging drains for the house that he had recently built on the site when he dug up copper kettles and other artifacts. Excavation of the site was done by Hopps, his son Ralph and George Crawford, a teacher from Pictou. Russell Harper from the New Brunswick Museum examined the artifacts and wrote a report on his findings.

In 1956 a second burial pit was located and Mr. Harper with some other interested people undertook the dig. Dating of the burials was set at about the mid 1600's. The graves included French trade goods and Indian goods. There were no guns found in the graves which suggests that this burial site dates before the time that the French started trading firearms to the Indian.

Burial Pit #1 contained a fragmentary human long bone, a single incisor and a short jawbone from one person. The grave was divided into two sections. Section one contained the bones of only one human. The floor of the grave was covered with branches and twigs. Over this was birch bark sheathing which had daubs of red ochre. Five layers of pelts covered the bark. Three copper kettles turned upside down were added. Because of the copper salts given off by these kettles, goods were preserved.1

Burial Pit #2 was about four feet deep and six feet around. This grave contained the remains of four adults and one small child. This burial was done in layers and grave gifts were put at each level/ All bone fragments were given to the Federal Government for research and subsequent burial. Some artifacts were put on loan, but most items were displayed at the little museum in Braeshore.

Hopps built a museum shortly after the discovery. The first building was a wood structure and then later he erected a brick building to house the collection. However, he did not limit the collection to the Indian grave goods. There was a mixed collection of guns, rocks, swords, old household items and even a tortoise shell and a dugout canoe. Outside the building a large British cannon from Pictou's Battery Hill pointed out to the mouth of the harbour. The - 31 - .-nnon dated back to 1865. It was removed from Battery Hill when the hill as excavated during the war to make room for the shipyards.

Mr. and Mrs. Hopps ran the museum for nearly thirty years, but in 1984 they transferred the collection to the Nova Scotia museum. This meant end of the museum in Pictou and the artifacts were removed to Halifax. The Museum treated the removal as a rescue operation but did commend Hopps on his care of the artifacts. A permanent collection was to be iblished in Pictou after the artifacts were stabilized. To date nothing has been returned to Pictou and it is the opinion of this writer that it never will. tatever the case, the discovery was a significant find and contributed much to understanding the culture of the natives of this region.

Grave Goods: Scalps - There were four scalps. Three were trophy scalps. Two were Indian alps and two were from white people. Animal Teeth - There were beaver teeth and may have been used for necklaces. Porcupine Quills - Used for clothing decorations. Red Ochre - Clay with high iron content, mixed with water or grease, it could be used as paint. Ochre ranges from yellow to red in color. Feathers - Probably from bird offerings. Martin Skins - Small pieces and were probably put on ceremonial robes. 225 Iron Spear Points '.6 Iron Axes A 'row Tips Iron Sewing Awls Iron Fish Hooks Knives Swords - 5 single edged, 4 with leather scabbards. Spoons and Caulkers 1 Single Edge Sword Blade - Decorated and Well Preserved 1 Heavy Single Edge Sword Trade Beads - These were made of pottery and glass. Some were Venetian pottery and are very rare today. Woolen Blanket French Made Pottery Beaker Woven Grass Basket Medicine Bag made from Sweet Grass BullrushMats Leather Straps - These were probably tump lines. Leather Birchbark Dish String - Made from vegetable fibre. Wampum - Badly damaged. Food Offerings - Some kind of meat, beech and hazel nuts. Clothing Pieces 22 Copper Kettles - Some smashed and some intact. Wood from a Bow Bearskins Moose and Deerskins

-32- Kettles which were destroyed were done so on purpose in a ceremony called "killing the kettles". The Indian believed that anything that was broken was dead, therefore, by smashing the kettles, they thought they were killing them and releasing their spirits to the next world.-'

For further information on the burials see the report by Russell Harper called "Two Seventeenth Century MicMac Copper Kettle Burials".

Notes: 1. J. Russell Harper, Two Seventeenth Century MicMac "Copper Kettle" Burials, p. 2.

2. Ibid., p. 3.

3. Ibid., p. 12.

33 Burial Pit Layouts FIG.l

report by Russell Harper Burial Pit U2

z~^r the anthropological report by Russell Harper Burial Pit #2

DISTURBED TQPSOIL

FIG. 2

PART I (TTC

CHASHEO STIC STOMAS .., /$b\

^ASH LAYCRS

ropological report by Russell Harper Samuel Cole MacMaster A Master Boat Builder and Contributor to our Sea Heritage by Anne Boone*

Samuel Cole MacMaster of Waterside, Pictou Co., Nova Scotia was born on May 26,1903 at Waterside.

His father Duncan MacMaster came from Seafoam, Nova Scotia and was a farmer. His mother Catherine (Pope) MacMaster came from Prince Edward Island. Sam had two brothers Henry and Alfred, and a sister Elizabeth. He also had a half-sister Florence.

The family farm at Waterside overlooked the sea.

Sam was a very charismatic person, neat about his personal appearance, "good looking" and often wore a distinguished moustache. He was a bachelor all of his life. His sense of humor was sparked in the stories he told.

In the 1920's Sam and his "free spirit" travelled to Florida during the great land boom. He later travelled to New York and Ontario. Following the adventures of travelling, he returned to his native home of Pictou County. Perhaps living by the sea gave Sam the inspiration to build boats. So began the craft of building dories, or small row boats and larger boats for fishing and other purposes. (Other purposes meaning the Rum Running Trade)!!

Sam's boats were built to be fast and light in the water and able to avoid a "brush with the law" if need be. The Ocean Star was believed to be a boat that Sam built for himself to serve this purpose.

It is interesting to note that it was customary for Sam to name the boats he built.

The 1930's was a burst for boat building and for the fishing industry in the Northumberland Strait area. For Sam, who was becoming a fine boat builder, there certainly was no shortage of work.

-38- It is believed that the first diesel boat that fished in the Northumberland Strait was built by Sam and owned by a Danish man named S. Svendsen.

Early in the 1930's Pictou began holding Boat Races at its yearly Lobster Carnival.

It was also in the early 1930's that the Silver Bullet was built, by Sam for Laurence Johnson of Big Island, Nova Scotia.

The boat was constructed in a smaller boat house on the Johnson property. Wood for the boat was handpicked from Pictou County and was held together with specially treated brass nails. The length of the boat was an approximate 28' and had exceptional speed.

This boat came to be the big prize winner in the Pictou Lobster Carnival boat races. The speed of the Bullet made other boat owners envious of her, creating a bit of dislike towards the boat.

On one particular race at the Carnival, two of the competitors racing with the Bullet were intending to "sandwich" the Bullet during a race. However, because of her exceptional speed, she shot from the trap and the other two boats collided with each other. Long live the Silver Bullet!!

The local papers documented the races of the 30's and gave recognition to Sam for having the most prize winning boats entered in the races.

1934 - Silver Bullet first in 8 cylinder boat and 2 third prizes.

1935 - Ocean Star first in 4 cylinder race, then owned by Duncan Patterson of Toney River.

Last Chance first in 6 cylinder owned by Aubrey Johnson of Toney River.

Silver Bullet second in 8 cylinder, owned by Laurence Johnson of Big Island.

1936 - Silver Bullet first in 8 cylinder and free-for-all.

Last Chance third in 6 cylinder.

Silver Bullet owned by Laurence Johnson, Big Island. Ocean Star was owned by Duncan Patterson of Toney Island. Last Chance was owned by Aubrey Johnson, Toney River and Farewell owned by Alfred MacMaster, Bay View (Sam's brother). (Farewell meaning "to do good".) It was Laurence Johnson of Big Island who carried away permanent possession of the Silver Bullet's trophy.

-39- On or about 1940, Sam decided to go to Dartmouth to work in the Halifax shipyards as a mechanic. Employers respected Sam and found him to be an honest and hard working man.

When World War II began, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Airforce as a Sergeant, serving as a shipwright. Upon discharge from the services he once again returned to Pictou County.

Sam constructed a large boat house in Braeshore. (Presently the property of his niece Anne Boone.)

The boat house had a small living quarter area at one end for himself. There was no running water in the quarters, so he carried his water from a spring in the woods near by.

By 1950 Sam's craft of boat building and carpentry was becoming very reputable. He was also an excellent cabinet maker.

Sim Anderson of Braeshore hired Sam to build him a fishing boat and shortly after the "Be Sure" was built.

Sim fished this boat for many years in the Northumberland Strait.

During the 1970's, Maritime Packers used the boat and the employees of the plant fished the boat until it was put up for sale. Unable to sell the boat, the brass fittings were removed and the boat was given to Gordon Langille.

In 1975 George Baird Senior and family acquired the boat from Gordon. As George Baird Senior quotes "she was in relatively bad shape".

George Baird had always admired Sam's work and had a great respect for him, perhaps that is one reason why he had the insight to begin to restore the boat for sea travel again.

In 1985 Kent Bingley of Pictou purchased the boat from the Baird family, and continued restorative work on the "Be Sure" for pleasure sailing.

Kent fibre glassed the boat and added features that are necessary to have for modern day sailing.

Looking back this boat has served and survived the waters of the Northumberland Strait for many years. It too should be preserved for as long as time permits, as it is now the last of Sam's boats that is still seaworthy and another Living Legend!!

During 1951 Sam built a fishing boat 36' overall by 8'8" beam for Fred Magee Limited of Pictou, Nova Scotia. The construction of the boat began in October of 1951 and was to be completed by April of 1952. The cost of the boat for the company $800.00. Payment was made to same when the material was assembled one-half and the balance on the delivery of the boat.

-40- Among other boats that Sam built were, "Sharon G" for Walter Guilderson of Pictou, "Never Late" owned by Walter Langille, "Early Dawn" owned by Hal Hartling, Three Brooks and the "Eliza C" for the MacCarthy family.

In 1953, Sam decided to return to the United States settling in Cleveland, Ohio, where be began building and repairing motor launches used on the Great Lakes. For sixteen years he remained in the States. His reputation for his craftsmanship as a boat builder progressed and he joined a real estate development firm that had a large marina.

Sam was in charge of the marina and worked on as many as 400 ongoing boats, one of which was a yacht belonging to the famous comedian, Bob Hope. The Hope yacht had been burned to the waters edge, when brought to the marina. Sam worked on the restoration of this particular yacht.

Later Sam moved to Galveston, Texas working at different marinas.

Throughout the years of his life, he often revisited his native home and family members. He planned to install a new engine in the "Silver Bullet" and see her race once more at the end of his retirement years in 1969. However the final dream of racing a boat that he was very fond of did not come true. Due to a cancerous illness, Sam passed away in Galveston, Texas in April, 1969.

Samuel Cole MacMaster was laid to rest near his old family home in Waterside, April 29,1969.

Sam was a pioneer of the Northumberland Fisheries Industry and of the sea. His work in the United States on high classed pleasure craft was nothing short of excellence.

From his home in Pictou County, he created a style of boats that were very adaptive to the purposes for which they were used at sea. They were made to last and a fine example of his work is the "Silver Bullet" which is proudly displayed at the Northumberland Fisheries Museum at Pictou, Nova Scotia.

The "Be Sure" which belongs to Kent Bingley of Pictou, Nova Scotia is also another boat which is deserving of recognition of his work. Kent Bingley, the owner of the boat has preserved and kept it seaworthy. Sam prided himself when he worked on boats in the United States that were sixty and seventy years old.

He would be very proud today to know that the "Be Sure" still exists in such good condition.

41 Resting on the shores of Waterside, in an open grove lies a boat the "Early Dawn". This boat is a constant reminder of his work and a fishing era that is dimly passing.

It seems fitting that one of his boats should rest on the homeland shores.

Yes, Sam MacMaster was truly a master boat builder and a fine contributor to our sea heritage.

kunedited

The Silver Bullet

-42- Captain William Ross MacKay (1932-1990) His "Bounty" Experience Taken from Family Files

On October 26, 1960 the "Bounty" sailed from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia for Tahiti. The actual Captain of the ship was Captain Ellsworth Trask Coggins. However, it was not until twelve hours before sailing that the First Mate was chosen. At that particular time there was a shortage of crew with South Seas experience.

Ross MacKay was the choice for First Mate and was rushed to Halifax from Amherst. He had been at sea for eleven years and had wide experience in southern waters. Having crammed a six months final navigation course into three months, MacKay had just earned his papers and he won the confidence of Captain Coggins.1 MacKay's counterpart on the old "Bounty" was Fletcher Christian and Coggins counterpart was Captain Bligh.

The new "Bounty" was built by the Smith and Rhuland shipyard in Lunenburg for MGM's movie "Mutiny on the Bounty" that was to be filmed when the ship reached Tahiti. The "Bounty" was unique in that it was the first ship built by a movie company that was an exact replica of an original ship. The yard in Lunenburg was chosen because of their expertise in building wooden sailing ships. They had built the Bluenose forty years before. The ship was 118 feet, about 30 feet longer than the original. This was to accommodate diesel engines. She carried dummy guns and averaged 236 nautical miles a day, about double that of the first "Bounty".2

The crew assigned to the ship was all Canadian except for one member. The flag flown was the Canadian Ensign.3 The voyage from Lunenburg to Tahiti was approximately 7,000 miles and the trip came about 170 years after the original voyage. Tahiti was sighted on December 4, 1960, forty-two days after the trip had begun. During the filming the crew worked twelve hours a day, six days a week. Ross MacKay took part in the mutiny part of the film. In the movie Capital Bligh was played by Trevor Howard. The first mate (MacKay's position) was played by Marlon Brando.4 -43- It was interesting to note that when the ship passed through the Panama Canal, a worker hailed the ship and asked, "Where's the first mate?" Ross MacKay, the First Officer waved. The worker replied, "Hey, Fletcher Christian, the British have been looking for you for two hundred years."5 MacKay stayed with the ship until March 6 and then returned to Nova Scotia where he went back to his regular work with the Hydrographic Service. Other jobs held by MacKay previously included work on the Esso oil tankers, he commanded cruise ships in the Caribbean and worked for Gulf Oil at Point Tupper piloting tankers at that port.

It should be noted that while this article is about Ross MacKay, there were other Pictonians who sailed with the "Bounty". Hugh Hines from River John was a crew member and Captain Ralph Hemphill took over the position which MacKay held. Hemphill was on board when the ship was put on exhibit at different ports. He said that he sailed with her from Tahiti to Hawaii, to Victoria, British Columbia, Los Angeles, Seattle, up the eastern coast of the United States and across to England and France. The Bounty was then berthed at Oyster Bay, New York for a time. It was later decided to make St. Petersburg, Florida the home port for the Bounty.

Ross MacKay joined the Bounty crew for the final trip and served as the Captain. Before undertaking the voyage, MacKay become concerned about his control on the ship because the ship had a volunteer crew and he was committed to a delivery date by the company. As a result, the ships articles were signed in the presence of the Canadian Consul on June 8 at 3:00 p.m. The Bounty sailed on June 9. This trip was marked by problems. First the steering compass had to be replaced. Fire broke out in the chart room because of intense heat that was being produced. This left them dead in the water. Fog became a problem and they nearly collided with another much larger ship. Wind caused the unseasoned crew to come down with seasickness. Lastly, the bilge pumps failed. Most of these problems were caused by neglect when the ship was tied up in New York. The Bounty made Port Everglades on June 15 and here they took part in the TV series "Flipper". Finally, on June 19 the Bounty arrived at St. Petersburg.6

MacKay was drowned after leaving the Pictou Lobster Carnival in 1990. His son was with him but the son and the boat were never found.

Notes: 1. This information was taken from a newspaper article that is in the possession of the MacKay family. It is not known from which newspaper it is taken nor who the author of the article may have been. 2. "National Geographic", April, 1960, Vol. 12, No. 4, p. 438. 3. "Weekend Magazine", Vol. 11, No. 10, 1960, p. 29. 4. Ibid., p. 29. 5. "National Geographic", April, 1960, Vol. 12, No. 4, p. 441. 6. Personal report by the Chief Officer of the cruise from Oyster Bay to St. Petersburg. A Letter from Ernest and Hazel Falconer about Travelling to Caribou Island

In answer to your letter of February 15, 1974, I will endeavour to answer your inquiry of how residents of Caribou Island travelled and their struggle to get a permanent road to the mainland. The account of the early happenings are related from information passed down by older residents.

In the early years, in the summer, the crossings were done by small boats at various points and at low tide by horse and wagons. The wagons crossing at the place on the map as "Ford at Water". The ford was marked with poles driven into the mud, it was not straight across as they had to cross at part tide. When the water was deep they would sit on the back of the seat, put their feet on the wagon seat and hold their parcels on their knees. If they went to town and a storm came up, they often had to stay on the mainland until well past midnight to get across and sometimes had to stay all night. Bellow's Island, shown on the map, is still there although it is much smaller. There are still trees on it.

In the winter, they crossed on the ice, as the houses were all on the south side of the Island, near the shore. The road was not made fit for travel by horse and sleigh in the winter. This practice was in vogue until well into the 1930's. In the spring of the year when they were bringing the supplies by horse and wagon to the lobster factories on the Island, the horses would sometimes get stuck in the mud and they would have to pry them out with planks.

About 1880, the residents got a grant from the federal government to build a corduroy road by placing trees side by side on the ice. They piled stones on top of the trees to hold them in place. When the ice melted it broke through in spots first, the trees were upended and they had no road, but enough stayed that sand started to build up upon the mud.

After that, every four years, usually before an election, they received a grant and in the summer they piled more trees and brush on the same road head, putting large stones along the edges to hold the trees and brush in place and in the center they put mud to travel on. This method was not too successful as a storm would wash the stones off and some of the trees and brush would be upended. They would then have to cut off the upended trees and repair it as best they could in order to cross on it.

They then tried driving spiles where the sea was the heaviest, about twenty feet away from the breakwater to break the force of the sea. In a small storm, it worked very well as the waves dropped between the spiles and the breakwater. In a big storm, the waves were large enough that they landed on the breakwater causing a great deal of damage. After every storm the breakwater had to be cleared of debris and repaired. This continued for years. In 1921 or 1922, there was a small amount of crib work built, it was filled with stones with clay on top. The next year, the logs and planks were brought and the following year (1924) the crib work was built about 2/3 of the way across and was completed the next year. This breakwater was built of crib work with a ballast floor to hold the rocks, filled with rocks and then planked on top.

About 1947, the old crib work was dug out and a stone causeway was built. After the causeway was planked, the sand built up on the north side forming quite an area of beach, much of it is covered with beach grass, etc. At high tide there is still an expanse of water between the beach and Bellow's Island.

There were three ferries on Caribou Island. One was at the lighthouse end, one at the old Harris place (later owned by Ernest Falconer) and one at Rosses (MacLeod) before the breakwater was built. The one at Harrises was used even after the breakwater was built because of its demolition after storms. A Letter from William Colquhoun St. Thomas, 1884 from Violet Colquhoun*

1,1884

Dear Friends:

It is a sad story that I have to write to you. But as this is not our resting place, we all must go sooner or later and leave this world of care when we are called. So it was the case with poor Neill God in his mercy thought it fit to call him away from this world of trouble, to a better one above.

Neill was quite well on Thursday the 28th of November until about five o'clock in the afternoon when he said that he did not feel very well and went to bed. The Second mate and me was ashore in the boat after the captain and when we came back they told us that Neill was sick. The captain went to Neill and asked him how he felt and he said that he felt pretty bad, so the captain took him right ashore to the hospital, he had all the doctors in St. Thomas and one from a man-of-war that was laying in the harbour. They were all waiting on him, the doctors said that they did not think that there was anything very serious the matter with him.

He did not seem to be any worse all day Friday. But Friday night about 12 o'clock he took a very bad turn but it did not last long. After that he slept a little and when he woke he was pretty well and was pretty well into 11 o'clock. He took another turn and was in it unto two o'clock. After he got over it I asked him if he would like for to have the minister to come and see him and he said that he would, so I sent after the minister and in a few minutes he came and he read some tracts and talked a good deal to him about the Saviour and to leave all to him and to trust in him that he would, the minister promised, come again in the evening.

After the minister left, Neill asked me what I thought that he would get over it and I told him that if his time was up that he would die and if not that he would get all right. And he said to me that he was going to make his place with the Saviour and to have everything right. About five o'clock the minister came again and him and Neill prayed together and Neill told him to be sure to call again in the morning and he promised to do so. About seven o'clock he began to wonder in his mind. The doctors bled him about nine o'clock and after that he seemed a little better. He then wanted to turn on his right side and we turned him around and I set on the side of the bed with Neill's head resting in my arms when poor Neill fell asleep and died without a struggle. I was with him from the time that he took sick until he died. The captain was with him most of the time he could spare. There was four doctors attending on him. He never wanted for anything. If it was in my power to save him he would not have died. He had the best coffin that could be got in St. Thomas and the Nova Scotians in the harbour at the funeral. There was a

-47- large funeral, the minister was there and he was buried at five o'clock Sunday evening. The captain has a lock of his hair and some other keepsakes. And the number of the lot of the grave so that everyone can find it. I must draw this sad letter to a close. I can give you every information that you would like to know.

I remain your sincere friend,

William R. Colquhoun

* unedited

•48 A Letter from the Barquentine "Laura" written by Captain William Otter* 1884

J..W. and Mrs. Colquhoun: Sir and Madam: It is with very great regret that I have the painful duty of announcing to you the death of your son William Ross Colquhoun. I believe he was first ailing the day before leaving St. Thomas, but did not tell me. The next day after sailing he was vomiting but not much and allowed himself seasick. He was working aloft on Monday the third day when he fell so sick he laid down. I could not induce him to take medicine or anything at all in fact he treated the affair as lightly as possible and laughed at danger until Wednesday 10th when he yielded to my persuasions and tried to keep down nourishment. He had a severe attack of jaundice and liver disease and vomited everything swallowed. He was constantly attended never being alone and in spite of all the crew, he took what he pleased to take and nothing else. On Sunday last he was so much recovered he took gruel, wine and water and was able to walk and talked quite hopefully of going to Pennsylvania from Savannah. He refused to allow himself weak, but I was aware of his danger, but he only believed it for a while. At 2 AM Monday last he was delirious and took charge of his attendant, but was quiet when I spoke to him and at 10 minutes to 3 in the morning he took the first fit of vomiting for 20 hours and in 2 or 3 minutes he was dead. The crew were scared as you are aware that Neil Bailiff was killed by a sailor with a knife and the murderer also dies from fright. Another seaman put in the hospital died also. Poor William attended Neil faithfully and I often cautioned him if he felt anything out of common to tell me. He always allowed he was all rightbu t the men assert that he eat very little the week after Neil died. He felt too proud to give trouble. His clothes and things I will take care you get if of any use but some have to go overboard.

If it is any satisfaction to you, I can safely assert that he was a true and faithful friend to me and although I may be wrong I shall ever think he kept his ailing from me in spite of warning thinking I was in trouble enough over the others. He felt the loss of Neil far deeper than he allowed and although I had known he was sick before leaving St. Thomas he would not have gone ashore as to go ashore in the hospital. There is almost certain death anyway. I did my best and assure you that in looking back I can honestly say I did all I could to save him.

You have my cordial sympathy and for consolidation I fear you must turn at once to Heaven above as I am aware the blow is very severe. This is

-49 doubly so to me but poor Will is heavier far by being last an ever being to me faithfully and true. Trusting that you will excuse further particulars and believe me as being in no wise to blame. I beg to remain, As ever Yours Faithfully,

William Otter

*uncdited Letter from A. Colquhoun Alexander Bridge, Gallatin, Tennessee* 1865 from Violet Colquhoun

A. Colquhoun, In Stockade at Alexander Bridge, Gallatin, Tennessee

February 10th, 1865.

Dear Brother:

I embrace the present opportunity to let you know that I am quite well, hoping this may find you enjoying the same blessing. Your favor of Jan. 25,1 received yesterday in from which I see you are all enjoying good health.

Since I wrote to you before, I heard a considerable of Cannon Music, but I did not happen to be near enough to be under the necessity of dodging from their contents. On Nov. 30th their was a terrible fierce battle fought at Franklin Tenn. It was a very fine sunshining evening and we could hear the reports about every two seconds. Franklin is about 45 miles south of here and Nashville 20 miles. Near Nashville on Dec. 15th and 16th were fought the most decisive battle in the west. The Rebel Hood was completed routed with a loss of fifteen or twenty thousand. Some 60 cannon and a great many wagons. He is now in Alabama or Mississippi having been driven out of Tennessee. They are going to hold an election in Tennessee on Feb. 22 for the purpose of returning to the Union as they were before the war. The men that never rebelled take the lead in this election. All is quiet about here at present but we have a constant lookout. I hear every day of Guerilla depredations being committed in this State and Kentucky. The weather here in Nov. & Dec. was very disagreeable, rained half the time. January was more agreeable, cool without much rain. There is snow on the ground now and a person could have a sleigh ride, only there are no sleighs to be seen or found here. I taped some Maple trees a few days ago and they run well. The Authorities have been trying to negotiate Peace, but Jeff Davis wants the Independence of the South which the North cannot give - the war will go on.

I am very sorry to hear that you and old Wm. McDonald are likely to have some difficulty. It seems a very close settlement was aimed at between the two Normans and especially the old one, when after the property was sold, he still wanted or claimed that it belonged to him. The fact that you got a letter from a Lawyer, shows me that a friendly settlement could not be come at between you and the old man. As I think you aim at honesty and right with all men, I will tell you as well as I know, how to put yourself right. If you gave your note to young Norman you want to advertise in the Pictou Paper cautioning any person against buying it as this right of ownership of the property for which it was given was in dispute. If you are brought to court by old Norman your best witness to prove the property belonged to young

-51- Norman would be young Norman himself. Your first thing to do when in court ought to be to have old Norman give security to the court or judge for costs which ought to be £50 or £100 to be there to cover all costs. If old Norman was present on the day of sale and did not object to the sale he cannot claim a verdict for him by a jury. Your main point to prove will be that the property belonged to young Norman and that it was duly advertised. But if old Norman can prove it to be his property, your next immediate step will be to arrest young Norman for fraud and damages, such a fraud as that in Minnesota would send a man to penitenciary with a shaved head - But I trust that young Norman can prove himself the legal owner of the property. I was a Juryman last spring and I could see that the main thing in a lawsuit is to have your point clearly proved by good and reliable witnesses. It seems that the old man has undertaken to get off you by law what you could not give by your own will without law. I do not wish you to take any pattern by me but what I will not yield to a man without law, I will give him due credit for all he can gain by law. I could not pay anything for him to stop law after once begun. None. Consult with your friends on the decisive course. Mr. Falconer can direct you better than I can. If you need help I can help you. I don't want you to lose to the Normans.

A.C.

* unedited

-52- Obituary of Archibald Colquhoun The People's Press of Owatonna Steele County, Minnesota, Feb. 28* Supplied by Violet Colquhoun

"Hon. Archibald Colquhoun", one of the territorial pioneers of Steele County, died suddenly at his home on February 23 at 1:30 in the morning. Heart failure was the cause of his death. He enjoyed good health all his life and was up and around the house the day proceeding his death. Mr. Colquhoun had given up the activities of the farm work, retiring by reason of his advancing age.

The late Archibald Colquhoun was one of the prominent and honourable pioneers, always being public spirited and large hearted. In the early days his activities were always in line with the development of this section of the state.

Archibald Colquhoun was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia, September 2, 1835. His parents were John and Margaret (Peterson) Colquhoun. His father was a native of Argleshire, Scotland and his mother was also of Scottish descent. Mr. Colquhoun came to the United States when eighteen years of age and in November 1836 came to Steele County, Minnesota, taking up government land on section 24 in Summit township, where he remained until he proved up his land. He then went to Wisconsin, where he engaged in the lumber business five years. In 1862 Mr. Colquhoun returned to Steele County. In 1864 he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the service until the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Ft. Snelling in July 1865. He then returned to Steele County and in 1866 selected government land on section 30, Blooming Prairie township.

On account of his advancing years, Mr. Colquhoun gave up the active life of farming and about fifteen years ago and for a number of years lived in Owatonna, giving his children the advantages of receiving an education at Pillsbury Academy. Afterward he moved to Blooming Prairie and had given much of his time to looking after which he had rented. He was elected as chairman of the board of supervisors in the spring of 1872 serving until fall at which time he was elected to the state legislature. He was again elected representative in 1880 and served until 1882. Mr. Colquhoun always took an active part in all educational matters having been one of the school board for forty successive years.

Mr. Colquhoun was married to Miss Sarah Rafter of Minneapolis on October 3, 1866. Mr. Colquhoun was a member of the Presbyterian church and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was born in Toney River, Pictou County and was a student at Pictou Academy. He was the brother of the late John Colquhoun of Toney River and of the late Mrs. John MacLeod Sr. of Cariboo River and also of the late Mrs. David Sutherland, Earltown, an uncle of Mrs. John Murray, Waterside and Mrs. Archie Colquhoun, Toney River.

*unedited

-53- Christie MacDonald From Family Files and Newspaper Clippings

In 1803, Kenneth MacKenzie and his wife Isabella MacAskill, natives of Arsynt Rosshire, Scotland arrived in Pictou. Soon afterwards they moved to Waterside in District #2. They had three sons, Alexander, Murdock, and Neil. Christie MacDonald, the daughter of MacLean MacDonald was a descendant of this family. The MacDonald's ran an Inn in Pictou and at an early age Christie sang for the stage coach passengers who stopped at the Inn.

Henry White, an Inn visitor, heard the girl sing while on a visit to Pictou. On returning a few years later, he realized that Christie was very talented. He urged her parents to let her go to New York where she could take lessons. Permission was given and Christie was on her way to stardom. She travelled over Europe after becoming famous in the United States. Her sister Bella accompanied her on the tours.

In December, 1910, Christie starred in her first role, Victor Herbert's "Spring Maid". Later, he wrote "Sweethearts" for Christie, who performed the role in 1913. For ten years she took Broadway by storm. She was the feature singer in "The Hook of Holland". She starred in "Mexicana" and the "Mikado". Her last performance was in 1920 in "Florandori".

Christie married William Jefferson, but the marriage ended in divorce. Later, she married Henry L. Gillespie and finally retired from the stage. Gillespie died in 1929 and Christie then made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Christie Fanton of Westport, Conn. In all the years, in the United States, Christie MacDonald only returned to Pictou on one occasion.

Christie passed away at the age of 85 at Westport, but she is still remembered as the lyric soprano whose career spanned the years 1892 to 1920. It should be mentioned that in the early years of her career, Christie was helped by the teaching of John Stramberg of River John. She was also one of the first to sing on flat discs when they began to replace the cylinders.

On May 20-22, 1992, Coastline Theatre Society presented "Christie", a locally written musical which follows the life of Christie MacDonald from the carefree days in Pictou through her success on Broadway.

Notes: Information for this article came from "Pictou Advocate", Sherwood's Flashback, May 13, 1987, p. 6. From letters to the family, newspaper clippings from unknown newspapers and from the Brochure from the DeCoste Entertainment Centre.

54- Caribou, Cariboo or Carriboo By now most readers of this book will recognize that throughout the articles the name of our District is spelled in three different ways, Caribou, Cariboo and Carriboo. I believe that it was sometime in the late 1960's that it was officially named Caribou and this is the spelling one will see on maps, signs and documents today. However up until that time the other forms of the spelling were used. If one looks at the old Atlas of the area it is spelled Cariboo. On the map of the survey for William G. Cochrane of 1810 it is spelled Carriboo. In Patterson's History of Pictou County it is spelled Carriboo and in the old deeds and wills the Carriboo and Cariboo are used.

Nobody really knows where the area got its name but the most common explanations given is that Carriboo is named after the animal even though the spelling is different. Another explanation given is that there was a General Carriboo for whom it was named. The only definite thing about the origin of the name is that we need more research if we are to discover where the name came from and who was responsible for naming the area.

55 Waterside

The following are excerpts from a History of Waterside written by the students at Waterside School in 1934. The information was supplied by Marilyn MacKenzie.

Improvements to the Waterside School 1933-34

At the first of the term, we bought four lamps with money raised at a Christmas concert. We raised money by selling fudge. We used the money for hot lunches.

In April we held an entertainment and raised $9.50. We are using this money to buy curtains for the windows, several books for the library and other necessary articles.

Junior Red Cross

The Junior Red Cross was first organized in Waterside in 1929-30. Under the direction of the teacher, Miss Anna MacKenzie, it was given the name "Seagulls". There were 18 members.

It has been reorganized every year since then. At first, the meetings were held every Friday. Now they are held every second Friday. This year (1934) the officers are as follows: President - Ethel Otter, Vice-President - Fred Otter, Secretary/Treasurer - Delia MacKenzie, Convenor of Health Committee - Dorothy Otter.

Last year we sent a portfolio to Fyans Creek School. This year we received a very interesting one in return.

History of Waterside

The early settlers called this District Lower Caribou River. At last it was given the name Waterside.

It was not until sometime after the arrival of the "Hope", at Pictou in 1767, that any white people came to live in Waterside.

These early settlers gave this District the name Lower Caribou River.

MacLeods, Morrisons, and MacKays were the first Scottish settlers. Bones, Dobsons, from Ireland, were also early settlers in Waterside.

Some of the descendants of these settlers still live in Waterside.

56 The settlers had sheep and did much of the spinning and weaving. The principal social events were quilting bees, the sewing bees and the candy sprees. Later on, a singing class opened at Three Brooks by Mr. MacLeod. As there were many good singers in the surrounding districts, this class was considered a success.

For many years after the first settlers came to Waterside, they had no school. Some of the children attended the school at Three Brooks and Caribou River. Then Mr. Donald Morrison offered his old house for a school. Classes were held in this until a new school house was built. Mr. Donald McTavish being the teacher. This house stood near where the bridge crosses the river. One of the pupils who attended the school was Mrs. Mark Talbot of Pictou.

By the next autumn the new school was ready. The teacher's salary was $50.00 a term. Mr. Hugh Davidson was appointed secretary.

Miss Catherine Fraser was the first teacher to teach in the new school. Years later, the school was moved across the bridge to the other side of the river in the present lot. Later on, a new school house was built.

Jokes

Fred: Gerald, your chances of getting to the better world are mighty poor.

Gerald: Why?

Fred: You can't walk the straight and narrow with those feet.

Teacher: "If you face north, directly behind is south, on your right hand is east; on your left is west."

Seeing that Gordon was not paying attention she said sharply, Gordon what is on your left hand.

Gordon blushes and stammered, please its red ink and it won't come off.

Delia: What time is it, Ethel, my watch stopped.

Ethel: "12"

Delia: Oh, I thought it was more than that.

Ethel: It's never more than that. There are just 12, and then it starts at one again. -57- From the Poets Corner

Summer will soon be here with its lovely leaves and flowers And the children will be happy And will spend many happy hours.

Out in the field of clover Down among the woodland trees Fishing in the little brooks And hearing the hum of the bees.

And when the darkness gathers Then happily home they'll come To tell their stories to their mother After the Day is done.

by Dorothy Otter

Social Events

On October 31st, 1933, the pupils at Waterside School were entertained at the home of James MacDonald. Most of the pupils were dressed in funny costumes and masks. The evening was spent in playing games; bobbing for apples, after which pupils were treated with fudge and apples.

One afternoon during the winter when the skating was good, the teacher gave us a half-holiday and those who skate went down to the harbor and skated.

On December 19, a Christmas tree and concert was held in the Waterside Schoolhouse. The Christmas tree was well laden with gifts for all the children. After the programme, fudge was sold and the presents distributed by Santa Claus. He also gave the children chocolate bars which were sent to the children by Mr. Barnwell of Pictou.

Lunch was served and a program followed.

Program

1. Recitation - Welcome - Minnie Davidson 2. Son What's the Meaning - The Pupils 3. Dialogue - The Escaped Bear 4. Recitation - A Change in Time - Angus 5. Pantomime - Wanted a Wife 6. Recitation - A Christmas Wish - Clara 7. Drill - March of the Evergreen

- S8 - 8. Dialogue - Three O'Clock in the Morning 9. Song-Silent Night 10. Recitation - We Know - Ruth and Irene 11. Drill - Star Drill 12. Music 13. Tableau - A Christmas Spirit 14. Recitation - Six Times Nine - Alice Otter 15. Dance - Four Girls 16. Dialogue - Waterside News 17. Recitation - A Xmas Quiz - Francise 18. Dialogue - Ristus and Rastus 19. Song of the Evergreen - Pupils 20. Recitation - A Little Wish - Stanley 21. Dialogue - A Difference of Opinion 22. Acrostic and Closing Number.

Preparations were made to have a parents day on March 29.

Seagull Review, 1934.

The Tabernacle, Central Caribou

Near the end of the 1940's, a Pentecostal group established a Tabernacle in Central Caribou. Land was bought from John MacKeil, across the road from where John Langille's property is today.

A Mr. Rutheven served as minister for the church. Services may have been held by another minister, Mr. Pierce, as well. It is not known if he served as a Pentecostal minister or not.

The Tabernacle was well attended by this rural population and the Thanksgiving Service was quite memorable with the display of fruit and vegetables.

In later years, John Langille bought the property and ran a sawmill on the site. The building is no longer on the property.

59- Little Carriboo Island by Margaret MacMaster

DOCTOR ISLAND

, DOCTOR PT.

Description of the Carriboo Harbor:

"On the westward is the harbor of Carriboo, formed between the mainland and two islands, Big Carriboo Island and Little Carriboo Island. It has two chief entrances, one between the two islands, the other a narrower and deeper one, between the smaller entrance and the mainland."1

When the first settlers arrived, this was the only entrance, that is the deeper, smaller one. The other end was merely a sandy, marshy area where cranberries were harvested in season and cattle were moved back and forth between the two islands. The sea was gradually making its way through and at two or three places on the island where once hay was cut on the meadows, the land was now wearing away to make several smaller islands.2

This island was first a grant given to one Alexander Munro and contained 280 acres.3 A house and barns were built on the island, it was cleared and farmed. A family was raised here and the children were rowed to the mainland by dory to attend school when the weather was fit, no doubt crossing the ice in winter.

Around the year 1760, at the time the Micmacs were in undisputed control of all these regions around Pictou, they numbered in the thousands, and were at peace among themselves, an encounter took place with the Mohawk. Drunkenness was unknown and European diseases had not yet found their way amongst them. Though wars with the Mohawks were common, the Micmac regarded themselves the bravest and best of Indian nations.

When they learned that the Mohawk were about to attack them, the Micmac hid themselves on Little Cariboo Island. Between the mainland and the island the passage was narrow, not 200 yards wide. The Mohawk had detected the hiding place and mistakenly supposed that they could swim across by night and attack their enemies while they were asleep. The Mohawk did not know that the tide was as powerful as it was when on the ebb, and they were all swept away. In the morning, the returning tide brought back the dead bodies, each with a tomahawk tied to its head. Needless to say, great joy filled the Micmac when they sighted the dead foes and they held a great celebration.4

At the time of the arrival of the English settlers, the incident was still fresh in the memory of the Indians. James Harris mentioned that he had found two or three Tomahawks buried in the sand on the shores of Little Carriboo Island. The Micmac called the island "Tedookesit", meaning "Place of the Running to the Bushes". It came from the refuge that the Micmac took when the Mohawk were near.5 There are those who say that there is a spot on the island where a burying ground exists.

Early Owners

The Crown Grants for Little Carriboo Island were divided between Alexander Logan, James Skinner, Alexander Legertwood and Edward Mortimer. By 1879 the whole island belonged to Alexander Munro.

The late Harry and Ray Johnson, and Jo (Johnson) Priest, residents of Bay View were born on the island. They were the family of Alexander Munro's daughter. The family moved to Bay View about 1894 or 1895 to the property now owned by Dr. E. Skinner. There was also another house on the island and it is reported that John Langille was the last to be born on the island.

The Island Today

Little Carriboo Island is now nearly all wooded, but is a sanctuary for the osprey, eagles, and other sea birds. Foxes are born in dens here and deer seek refuge from the hunters. Clams are plentiful on the shore, but are now prohibited from being eaten because of pollution. Since the start of the ferry service to Prince Edward Island in the late 1930's, what is now known as the "Big Entrance" has been continuously dredged to keep the channel deep enough for the ferries to pass through. Very little attention was paid to the "Little Entrance" and now time and tide have caused it to fill in completely, now connecting the island to the mainland. The large sand bar allows easy access to all-terrain vehicles and trucks which rip and tear along the back shore.

A few years ago, a consortium wanted to buy the island and made plans to turn it into a huge vacation resort. This alarmed the residents of Carriboo and one man, Burton Langille, who was feeding the birds over there, was really worried. Anne Boone, a local lady, watched a story on TV about a conservation group in Toronto, The Nature Conservationists of Canada which buys islands and lands for preservation purposes. She called Mr. Langille who got in touch with this group. Mr. William Schwartz, a member of the group was sent from Halifax to review the situation. Following this review plans were made and an option was taken out with the island owners. The money for this project was privately donated and Mr. Schwartz had a difficult time gathering the funds. However, he did not give up and was able to raise the

-61- money through donors from Pictou County to buy land from John, Sandy and Paul Logan, as well as Ian Priest and the Nova Scotia Government.

In the future the island will be under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia to ensure that it will remain an historic site and a refuge for the birds and animals.

Notes:

1. Meechams, Historical Atlas of Pictou County, 1879, p. 1.

2. Ibid., p. 1

3. Ibid., p. 1

4. Rev. George Patterson, D.D., History of the County of Pictou. (Montreal, 1877), p. 33.

5. Ibid., p. 33

• 62- Little Carriboo Island, Saved by Anna MacKay We now own an island We've taken it away From all those who would abuse it We'll let nature have it's day. We'll seek to keep it just the same As created in God's way. So that birds and little animals Can enjoy it every day.

We can walk and talk among them; And watch the beauty grow We'll enjoy a bit of Heaven In this busy world below.

This was the Micmac's Island Until the white man came along And they farmed, raised cattle and fished And the years passed on and on.

When the wide entrance was deepened The change caused the little one to fill; Soon four-wheel drives, other trucks and what not Could roam the shores at will.

A lad liked to walk the Island And one day he found a dead bird. A beautiful eagle had been shot, He counted two bullet holes and then a third. He heard of the Canadian Conservancy And with them he got in touch A member came to visit the Island What he saw, he liked very much. This member worked very hard to raise money But it didn't take very long Until he bought the Isle from its owners, And that's what prompted this little song.

Now the eagles may nest The shore birds find a home And those that love nature On the Island may roam.

63 Hanging at the Beaches from Interview with Daniel MacCulloch, Blue Mountain In the spring of 1848, Neil McFadyan was tried at the court in Pictou for the murder of James Kerr. He was found guilty and taken to the Lazaretto Hospital Lot and hanged. As the story goes, McFadyan was in the company of James Kerr in the fall of 1847. Kerr became missing and in the spring when the church was holding a service, McFadyan offered Kerr's suit to a man so he could attend the service. People did not think much of this until later when a dog dragged the arm of a man out of the woods. (This was at Blue Mountain.) When the residents found the body, it was that of James Kerr. With mounting evidence against McFadyan, he was arrested, tried and convicted. In the History of Pictou County by George Patterson, it describes how when McFadyan arrived at the Beaches it was quite cold so he told his executioners that they may as well do the execution immediately. Presumably, this was because he didn't feel like getting too cold. This crime was committed for money, in fact for the sum of two dollars.

Another hanging that took place in the same site was that of John MacPhail. He brutally beat his wife to death with a pick handle while they were both drunk.

-64 Communications to Pictou Island Before the Telephone

It was not until 1921 that Pictou Island received its first telephone. Until that time communications took place by the use of straw torches. Leslie Simpson took care of the torch communication on the mainland and Duncan MacDonald on the Island. If there was grave illness on the mainland and an islander was required to come across, one torch was lit. Two torches meant that a death had taken place and to come to the mainland at once. The same code was used if an islander had to send the message.

Boxing Day Shooting Matches

On Boxing Day, Bernard Prest held target shooting with geese, turkeys or ducks as the prizes. The local men would pay a fee and shoot at the targets and the man who had the most points accumulated at the end of the day won the prizes. The targets were put up in the field close to the Charles Prest property. They were bulls eyes painted on cardboard. Henry MacMaster, Roy Prest, Thomas Anderson, Alfred MacMaster and Alexander Logan were regular attendees. Sometimes the location of the shoot was moved to another site. The Porters also played host to the event.

The Caribou Provincial Park

On July 2, 1959, the Caribou Provincial Park was officially opened. The Park was part of a five year plan designed to provide attractive campsites all over the Province of Nova Scotia. Judge Harvey A. Veniot, who was the local MLA at the time, was instrumental in having the park in the Caribou area. The Honourable R.C. Levy was on hand for the opening of the park and did the honors of cutting the ribbon.1

The Park at Caribou was one of the larger ones to be built in the province and originally, plans included having a wildlife park within the recreational area. However, the wildlife aspect was not developed, instead the picnic grounds and the beach area became the focal point in the park.

In 1992, the park has been in operation for thirty-three years. In the summer, local people and tourists use the beach area and campers fill the park. During the winter local residents cross country ski and walk in the park.

Notes: 1. "Pictou Advocate", July 2, 1959, p. 1.

65- Memories of the Factory by Edward Berringer*

There are a number of stories that go with the Berringers and the Factory in Caribou. A few are remembered:

It was common practice to white wash buildings every year at the factory complex. Boots, our dog, and Dad said it was the best four dollars he ever spent, was around the men working and one of the painters white washed Boots for no reason. Mom was so angry she was ready to kill.

On another occasion, a factory worker threw a bucket of water on me. Mom got a hold of him and told him that if I was bothering him for him to do it again. I started to use water pistols on the factory girls, I was about five or six years old, then some factory workers got water pistols and got me back.

One time Dad was cooking lobster and he said if I didn't stop what I was doing I would fall into the tub, a few seconds later, I did and the worker from the factory thought Dad could tell the future.

Many may not know that most of the factory workers were French from New Brunswick in most cases.

One of the workers came over and told Mom he was broke and had no money left from the lobster season work. But he had a pair of good $12.00 shoes, a good time and was happy.

When I went to the Cook Room of the factory to visit, there was never any problem with me being teased, but when I went to the factory the workers would sing "Bimbo, Bimbo where's your little girl-e-o?" I would turn red and leave.

There was a couple of times when the factory people saved my bacon after I did something wrong. Once, I lit a fire in sawdust on the hill above the highway and then I put it out. I knew that I had done wrong, so I asked if I could come in the house to play. Sometime later, a fire broke out and Mrs. Weatherby, the factory boss's wife, sent the workers to put it out. The memory of them running up the hill with brooms, sacks, and shovels is still vivid in my mind.

The Plant Manager use to come down in the winter and he would make tea in a china teapot with an electric element in it and he and I would drink it. One time Mom missed some bread she had bought, a double loaf, white and brown. The next day Mr. Weatherby said to Mom, she was smart to do that, I have given him her bread.

I got a BB gun and shot probably every window in the factory out. Mr. Weatherby said nothing, just replaced the badly broken windows.

-66 Needless to say, if the fires had gone farther or knowledge as to how the windows got broken been known, my bacon would have been fried good.

After two or three years, the factory was taken over by Broidy and Russell and became a place to buy lobsters and to feed fishermen, probably ending in the 1970's.

*unedited

67- Caribou Island from The History of Caribou Island by A.C.Harris (1910)

Matthew Harris, born 1731, built the first house on Caribou Island. This house was made of logs. The first frame house was built by James A. Harris in 1820 and the first stone house was built on Caribou Island in 1845 by George and John MacKenzie. James A. Harris built the first sawmill in Caribou River, but it was lost when the Philadelphia Grant was escheated in 1812.

The first school in Caribou Island was built in 1820. This building was made of logs. All the men in the community went to the woods, cut the logs and sawed the boards for the roof and for desks. The women gathered the moss to fill the cracks between the logs. The chimney was made of clay. In 1850 the first frame school was built and another was constructed around 1898.

The first lobster factory was built by Cornelius Dwyer in 1854. J.B. Hamblin built a factory in 1880. There was a grindstone quarry managed by Robert MacNeil of Little Harbor. Some shipbuilding was carried on around 1820.

Caribou Island was heavily wooded and in 1840 a fire swept over part of the island destroying a large amount of wood.

The home, now owned by Norman E. MacLean (the old MacLean home) was the site of the post office until rural delivery started.

For many years, people on the island had to walk to Waterside to use the telephone which was located in the post office at MacKenzies. The Waterside post office is now owned by Dwight MacDonald and he moved it to Central Caribou.

68 Caribou District 2

Councillors 1879 - 1992

Donald Fraser John L. Graham Hugh MacKenzie John MacKeil Alec Fraser Blaine MacKeil Robert W. Oliver Herbert F. Priest R.D. Ross Edward MacMaster D.M. Fraser W.S. Munro W.D. Grant

R.C.M.P. Officers

Young men in District 2 who became RCMP officers:

Alfred MacKeil Alfred MacMaster Henry MacKeil Jim Hislop Leonard MacMaster RCMP officers living in the District today: Sgt. Eugene Cole Const. Norman Hallett Wayne Canam (retired) Murray Cottell (deceased)

69- Copper Mining at Caribou River from Interviews with John Langille and Bella MacKenzie and the Department of Mines

Copper in the Caribou area is mentioned as early as 1828, when the General Mining Association was exploring for copper and other minerals. The Association held the mineral rights for all of Nova Scotia at that time. It was also, the first group to work with coal in the County. The records show that there were men working at the Caribou River copper site in 1866 and again in 1877.1

The old maps at the Department of Mines in Stellarton indicate that a drill hole was made at Caribou River to determine what rock was present and the minerals available. In 1890 in the Geological Survey of Canada annual report the Caribou River mine is mentioned.2 Howe's Mineralogical reports indicate that there is copper at the Caribou River site.3

Locally, community members remember that mining was taking place in the area. John Langille, remembers that a man named John Baird was working for the mine and that the copper was very rich. However, because there was no "big money" involved the operation folded. He says that the copper was removed and taken to the smelter at Pictou by horse and wagon. Later, it was shipped out of the country.

Bella MacKenzie adds that John Angus MacKenzie was working at the mine in 1916. She says that the mine was located between Caribou River and the Katie Lane Road. She remembers that coal was also extracted in the area at the west end of Caribou Island at Red Point. That is close to where the breakwater is today. This coal was removed by island people with shovels and was probably used by the blacksmiths.

Notes: 1. See Nova Scotia Department of Public Works and Mines, Copper in Nova Scotia, pamphlet #7, 1929, by J.P. Messervey.

2. The 1890 Geological Survey of Canada Annual Report, Vol. V., part 2, pp. 135p, 186 p.

3. Howe's Mineralogy of Nova Scotia Report, pp. 130, 135 and 138.

-70 The Government Lobster Hatchery at Bay View by Olive Prest Pastor

The Canadian Government Lobster Hatchery at Bay View was established in 1891. The area had been in the lobster business for a number of years with lobster factories attempting to can lobsters for the American markets. The eggs that were used at the hatchery were taken from the female lobsters that were brought to the factories. The work at the hatchery started on the first of May and finished on July fifteenth. In that time from one hundred million to one hundred and seventy-five million "fry" were hatched and distributed. The following description of the process was written in the Canadian Trade Review of 1900: "The eggs are taken to the hatchery where they are placed in glass hatchery jars; Five hundred thousand eggs are put in each jar, through which a stream of pure cold seawater, conducted through glass tubes constantly flows, keeping the eggs in constant motion. The water escaping from the top of the jar by a conical lip at the top. There are four hundred of these jars arranged on shelves, two tiers, and four in width."1

The baby lobsters that were hatched were kept in large troughs, but only for a few days because they would kill each other. They were then put in wooden barrels and taken by steamer to the fishing grounds. Once there, they were scattered in three to six fathoms of water by the use of small dippers. The fishermen believed that more lobsters were lost in the process then were hatched. This was especially so in a year that cod fish were plentiful. They fed on the "fry".

Whether the operation was a success or not, this hatchery was the largest in the world and the only one in Canada. There were a couple in the United States but they only hatched about twenty million eggs yearly.2

Local residents who worked in the hatchery included Harry Johnson, who worked from 1923 to 1925. According to George Baird, a Heighten man and a Langille man from River John also worked at the site. Alfred Ogden, a fishery officer from Bedford was superintendent from the time it opened and John MacKeil of Caribou worked there as well.

Notes: 1. The Canadian Trade Review, p. 69a, Vol. XXIX, no. 24, Montreal, Oct. 12,1900. 2. Ibid., p. 69a. -71- Charles H. Baird by George Baird

Charles Baird and Miss Glover

When Charles H. Baird passed away, his death not only marked the end of an era, as he was the last survivor of his generation on Caribou island, it also ended a living legend, as he was the inventor of the hauling gear or pot hauler as it was called.

Back in 1916, when Charlie became lightkeeper at Gull Rock Point, having been a fisherman at the west end of Caribou Island and in order to supplement his income which was about $30.00 a month, he decided to keep fishing.

Around this time lobster boats were twenty to twenty-five feet in length, all fishing was done within a mile of the shore and fishermen used anchored lines instead of the trawls or single traps that are used today.

A neighbour, Dan "Gull Rock" MacKenzie told Charlie of the lobsters that were to be had in the deep water west of Pictou Island. Charlie set out a line of traps and discovered good catches, but much heavy work was required to get them.

He decided that there must be an easier method than hauling them by hand.

He acquired a large fishing boat named the "Black Maria" and proceeded to outfit it with a hauling gear that would haul lines of traps.

Using sprocket gears from an old hay mower, bevel gears, clutch, chain, shafts, bearings and V type hauling head made by Pictou Foundry to his specifications, along with a three horsepower stationary engine from Acadia Gas Engines, originated the first trap hauler.

Though the years have brought many changes to the pot hauler, basically the machine remains the same. A real back saver.

-72- Sunday School by Olive Prest Pastor Information by Olive Ferguson and Margaret MacMaster Religion has always been a strong part of the lives of the people in District 2. In the early years, church services were held in the homes of community residents. As schools were built, they became the focal point for gatherings and church services and Sunday School classes were held in the schools.

In Bay View, John, William and Kate MacKay started the first Sunday School held at the school. At that time, Mrs. Logan and Pearl Johnson provided the organ music. Dr. Mina MacKenzie held Sunday School at her home in Three Brooks, this farm is now owned by Milton Nichol. Young and old attended her classes. Mrs. Gillis played the organ for these classes. Margaret MacMaster remembers the large picnic held at the farm at the end of the Sunday School year.

In later years, Margaret MacLeod held Sunday School classes at Bay View School. Many of the children in the area attended these classes. At this time, Olive Ferguson provided the organ music. Olive was always ready and willing to play for the functions at the school and many of us remember back to the concerts and other gatherings that were made brighter by hearing the music that suited the occasion.

Today, when we see our community halls in District 2, memories of not only school days are rekindled but also, our past Sunday School days are remembered. For many of us, this is where we learned our community values, religious values, our civic duties and our community loyalty beyond what we were taught at home by our parents.

73- The Cochrane Grant by Olive Pastor The lands that encompass the communities of Bay View, Braeshore, Caribou, Central Caribou, and Three Brooks are known as the Cochrane Grant. This is part of the original grant given to Alexander McNutt out of the Philadelphia Grant. The Town of Pictou and Pictou Island are included in this Grant which reads:

"Beginning at the cove on the east side of Pictou Harbour (near the mouth of the East River) and running south 47° east 550 chains thence south 1,040 chains (13 miles), thence west 872 (nearly 11 miles) thence north till it meets the innermost river of Pictou, thence bounded by said river and harbour of Pictou to first mentioned boundary. Also, one other piece beginning at a point bearing 33 east from the little island in the harbour of Pictou (this was Brown's Point) and running north to the seashore (near Roddicks in Cariboo), then to be bounded by the seashore and harbour of Pictou to the first mentioned boundary, including Pictou Island"1

It was known as the Irish Grant and was given to Alexander McNutt and others on the same date the other Grants for the area were given.

Nova Scotia land was granted at this time through the efforts put forth by persons in Philadelphia who believed that all the good land in the American Colonies was overstocked. Alexander McNutt, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, was one such individual who approached the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations.2 McNutt was an ambitious speculator but when he made no attempt to settie his land it was escheated in 1770.3

The Grant was now passed to Richard Williams on the 21st of January 1776. Williams was a Lieutenant in the 80th Regiment and was given land for his part in the taking of Louisbourg and Quebec.4 The conditions for settlement were the same as the other Grants. However, an additional clause was added which stated that:

"The grantee shall settle one person upon it for every 100 acres and the settlers to be introduced to be Protestants, from such parts of Europe as are not in His Majesty's Dominions, or such persons as have resided within his Dominions in America for two years, antecedent to the date of grant."5

This clause was used here to ensure that the British Isles would not be depopulated.

This grant passed on to Walter Patterson Esq., who was Governor of Prince Edward Island. The story behind this transfer from Williams to Patterson is that while out riding one day Williams met Patterson and Williams said:

-74- "I have a piece of land in Pictou, What will you give me for it?" "I'll give you this horse", Patterson replied. "Will you also give me saddle and bridle?" "Yes." "Then jump off."6

Patterson became owner of what became known as "The Horse and Saddle Grant". Patterson began to sell lots off the grant and laid out the Town of Pictou.

Later, because of the way the land was transferred many questions arose over the legality of the land transfers. In the meantime, Patterson got involved with the Messrs. Cochrane and because he absconded on a debt that he owed them, they took out a judgement on him and claimed the lands. The following is an advertisement placed in the "Royal Gazette and Nova Scotia Advertiser" on June 19, 1792:

Sales at Auction by Charles Hill On Wednesday the 1st of August next, at Mr. Gallagher's Tavern, at One O'Clock, P.M. Ten thousand acres of land at Pictou, the property of Governor Patterson, it is the very best Tract of Land in Nova Scotia, and the only place where a town can be built, in that great and growing settiement which is increasing, more rapidly than any other part of the Province. Any Gentleman wishing to purchase at Private Sale, will please apply to Messrs. Cochrane, who have full powers to sell. Halifax, 23d April 1792.7

Unfortunately, some of the land in the rural area was already settled by Scottish people who squatted on the land. Cochrane tried to dispossess them. The case was taken to court and the judge did not recognize the transfer known as the Horse and Saddle Grant. Some settlers paid Cochrane a small amount for their properties and others resisted, not acknowledging Cochrane's claim to the land.

Notes: 1. Rev. George Patterson. P.P.. History of the County of Pictou. (Montreal, 1877), p. 52. 2. Ibid., p. 55. 3. Ibid., p. 52. 4. Ibid., p. 152. 5. Ibid., p. 152. 6. Ibid., p. 53. 7. Frank H. Patterson, John Patterson. The Founder of Pictou Town. (Truro: Truro Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.), 1955, p. 20. 8. Rev. George Patterson, P.D., History of the County of Pictou. (Montreal, 1877), p. 52.

-75- From the Death Roll 1923, March 26 Obituary Supplied by Barbara Hartling Community Note by Margaret MacMaster

The late Mrs. John Sutherland, whose death took place on March 12 caused so much sorrow in the neighbourhood, was before her marriage, Barbara Roddick of West River. Her father owned one of the first grist mills in the county. Her sister Margaret, now Mrs. James Roddick, California survives her. Other members of the family now dead were Rev. George Ruddick, William Ruddick, West River, Mary, U.S.A., and Mrs. William Sutherland, Central Carriboo. Mrs. John Sutherland was a kind and good neighbour and well liked by all who knew her.

The funeral was held from the home of her daughter Mrs. John Hartling. It was largely attended and internment was in Central Carriboo Cemetery. Besides her son James W. who resided with her, she leaves four daughters Mrs. Frank Dixon, Pictou, Mrs. Joe MacFarlane, Carriboo Island, Mrs. John Hartling and Mrs. George Barkhouse, Central Carriboo.

Mrs. Sutherland lost her life in a fire in the home.

Because the community of Carriboo was in the process of raising funds for a new community hall, they had money available. After the fire destroyed the Sutherland house, the money was turned over to James, her son, and John Hartling and neighbours built the house for the son.

76 Names of Caribou Farms by Margaret MacMaster Sunny Mount - James Johnston place now owned by Dr. E.B. Skinner Hiddenhurst - John MacKeil farm Glencoe - W.A. MacDonald farm now owned by Cornelius Lakenman Point Pleasant Farm:- Simon MacKenzie farm now owned by Daniel Panting Five Trees - J.F. MacDonald's farm now owned by Hugh Hawke Oak Point - Jane Webster place Acadia Farm - Donald Fraser, now owned by the Fraser sisters, Caroline, Elizabeth and Margaret Spring Point - John Logan property Seaforth Manor David Lowden, now owned by A. Hugh MacDonald

The Homestead - William Sutherland farm, now owned by the MacMasters

Maple Grove - The Ferguson farm now called Bayferg Athol Farm - Greg Murray place, was the Eliza MacFarlane place Brae Burn - now Cove Spring, Fred Otter Gullrock Farm - Archibald Baird Indian Point Farm - Irene (Baird) Porter and Kenneth Porter Simmontal - Robertson Bros.

Maple Lane - The Jim Porter farm River Farm - The Kenneth MacKenzie property, now owned by Gus Swanson Hill Crest Farm - Fisher MacLennan

77 Leslie MacKenzie A Rural Mailman From Information Given by Betty Gamble

In 1942, Leslie MacKenzie became a farmer/mailman and delivered "Her Majesty's Daily Mail" for forty-two years. Other mailmen including: Brad Gordon, John Carroll, Route 1, Joseph Robertson and Martin Peterson served on the mail before Leslie, but he is best remembered by the present residents. During his years of service, Leslie was a punctual and dedicated servant.

Early each morning he sorted the mail and delivered it. He had a large canvas bag which had pockets for each residents mail. In the early days mail was delivered on Saturdays and Leslie took his children along with him. They would help roll the bag as each pocket was emptied. Before he purchased a car, Leslie delivered the mail by horse and wagon and in winter by horse and sleigh.

Betty remembers that they had an old horse named "Charlie". He was black with a white face. On one occasion, her father gave his wife, May and the two girls, Betty and Pat, the horse and buggy to go and visit their Aunt Mina. May was not holding the reins tight enough and the horse did what he thought was right, he stopped beside a mailbox. He did this several times. As Betty says, "I guess he didn't know that there was no mail delivery on Sunday".

When the car replaced the horse and wagon, delivery was much faster. However, in the rural areas snow and mud presented many problems, and sometimes Leslie wished he had his horse with him. Registered letters and parcels were delivered to the door. If a person was sick he also brought the mail to the house. Sometimes he visited and had a cup of tea.

On at least one occasion, Leslie played a major role in a "through the mail" romance. He even delivered the customs slip for the diamond engagement ring. He had little patience with the Customs Office that held items, especially if this was interfering with the romance.

People will remember Leslie for being more than a mailman, he was part of the community and a family man. He was a trustee of Bay View School. He and Anna MacKay organized the Bay View Garden and Poultry Club and he was a member of the 4-H Club and a Director of the Pictou Exhibition.

-78 Melville Church 1925 Caribou River by Olive Pastor

A country church with Gothic features in its windows and doorway. The roof is very steep and in front is a square tower. The outer walls are covered with shingles. Louvred openings are located at the top of the tower. A circular window has been built into the tower half way up. The sidewall has a row of three windows and the front has a centered doorway.

The cornerstone for this church was laid on July 15, 1924. Ministers from all points in the county were in attendance at the ceremony. Special guests for the day were Rev. Clarence MacKinnon of the Pine Hill College and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Canada.1 A box containing a picture of the Moderator and copies of the Pictou Advocate and the Evening News were placed in the Cornerstone.

The Caribou River Congregation was an old one dating back to 1850. It was at that time that the people met to discuss the construction of a church. The church built at that time resembled a small vernacular style house with a vestibule on an end wall. The funds for the work were raised by the people and over a number of years new articles were added. In 1875, lamps replaced candles, in 1889, collection plates were bought and in 1908 a platform was added for the choir.2

The first action taken to build another church came in 1923, this is the one that is still standing. While the congregation could have a new church, they had to keep the resolutions adopted at the time the first church was built. The resolution requested that worship would continue on the basis of the Westminister Confession.3 It should be noted that until 1893 communion was held in both English and Gaelic.

When union took place in 1925, Melville Church became part of the newly formed United Church of Canada. It remained as part of the United Church until 1950 at which time it was returned to the Presbyterian Church. In 1974, a decision was made to close the Caribou River Church and in 1979, the -79- building passed into private hands. The congregation had to now attend church in Toney River or in Pictou. The contents of the church were placed at the Burning Bush Museum at the First Church in Pictou. The pews were placed in the new chapel at MacLaren's Funeral Home. Recently, the church was opened again for services, this time to a Pentecostal congregation.

Notes: 1. Rev. Lloyd Murdock, Melville Presbyterian Church 1850-1975. p. 9.

2. Ibid, p. 6.

3. Ibid., p. 10.

-80- Convalescent Hospital 1849 Seacrest by Olive Pastor

A two and a half storey vernacular style structure with a steeply pitched gable roof and return eaves. A single brick chimney is placed off center on the west roof slope. Circular vents are situated on the endwalls close to the gable. There is a symmetrical three bay facade with an administrative doorway. Windows on the upper floor are all 6/6. On the lower floor they are all 9/6 in the main bloc. There is a total of 28 windows in the building. Outer doors are made of vertical boards. Shingles cover the outer walls and asphalt shingles cover the roof. The foundation is made of stone blocks. Floors in the cellar are dirt. Under the kitchen it appears that the cellar is 4' in height and under the main section about 2' in height.

The lower floor appears to have been the quarters used by the caretaker. It is divided into five rooms with a kitchen area added to the north wall. The front door does not allow access to this area, instead, stairs in the front hall go to the second floor. (A patient's entry area.) The back stairs, located in the hall at the lower level, are the only access to the upper rooms from within. These are behind a wooden door which could be locked or closed.

The upper floor has three single rooms on the west side, each opens into the central hallway. On the east side, one large ward runs the length of the building. It appears that at a later date a partition was added to the room making a small room at the north end. All interior walls are made of 6 inch boards covered with plaster. The bottom layer appears to be whitewashed with a red pigment (possibly pig's blood). Several layers of paint cover the whitewash. In the ward the paint is peeling, but in the other rooms it is in good condition.

Close to the top of the ten foot walls, stovepipe holes run from each room to the hall. Possibly, each room had stoves. Square hatches on the

81- ceiling slant have ropes for raising and lowering. These were likely used for ventilation for the upper floor. Above the wall, the ceiling slants about five feet towards a central flat ceiling giving a vaulted effect. Above the ceiling, an attic adds another approximate five feet. In all, the height is probably thirty feet

The fact that the Lazaretto and the Convalescent Hospitals were built indicates the seriousness of the smallpox problem in Pictou. According to Annie Barnwell, the Board of Health in Pictou decided that something had to be done because of the conditions.1 The following excerpts from the Eastern Chronicle between 1845 and 1852 show the circumstances in Pictou during those years with regard to the smallpox problem:

"Smallpox - "The Broque Perthshire", of this port, from Greenock, bound for Wallace, came to anchor yesterday off this harbor with the smallpox onboard and sent application up to the town for assistance. We are informed that one man has already died of the disease and that another is very ill."2

"At a special Sessions of ... Peace held in the court in Pictou on Friday the 19th day of November, instant the following order was made and is published by authority for the information of the Inhabitants of this county, of which all persons concerned are required to take notice thereof and govern themselves accordingly."

by Order of Sessions J. Skinner, C. Peace

"In consequence of the existence of the smallpox in Pictou and a special Sessions having been convened to consider the propriety of ordering a general vaccination of the inhabitants of this county ..."3

"The passengers are still on board the "Tongataboos", it having been found impossible to procure a house where they could be kept in safety. No case of smallpox has occurred among them as yet, and it is therefore hoped that the expiration of fourteen days from the time when they were last in contact with those labouring under the disease they will be discharged. The three sick men at the Lazaretto are doing well."4

Generally, it is accepted that the Convalescent Hospital was built at the same time as the Lazaretto. However, Dr. Kenneth Pryke has raised the question that this may not be accurate. He believes that the Convalescent Hospital may have been built as late as 1864. The deeds for this property show it being transferred to the Trustees of Public Property in 1848 for the sum of £50. It would be likely that they would build soon after the purchase. In 1873, the Trustees sold the property for $4,000.00.

According to Annie Barnwell, there was a request for money to build the smallpox hospital. Whether Pictou ever received the money is not known. -82- The trustees were in possession until 1873 at which time it passed on to the Crown and in 1913 the hospital passed to private ownership.

Today, the building is in danger of being demolished because of the efforts of vandals. Erosion of a steep bank is also adding to the danger of demolition.

Notes: 1. Annie Barnwell, The History of Hospitals in Pictou. pp. 4-5.

2. "Smallpox - The Broque Perthshire", Eastern Chronicle. 20 August 1845, p. 3.

3. "Special Sessions", Eastern Chronicle, 23 November 1852, p. 3.

4. "Tongataboos", Eastern Chronicle. 21 May 1852, p. 2.

The Lazaretto

-83 John MacLeod, A Special Young Man Toney River

John MacLeod, a resident of Toney River, has Down's Syndrome, but that has not stopped him from being a contributing member of our society. John works at the Shiretown Nursing Home in Pictou and has been on staff for approximately fifteen years. It was through the efforts of his parents Elaine and Aubrey MacLeod that John was educated and prepared to live a productive life. At first, they enrolled him in special classes in New Glasgow and when the classes for "Special Children" were started at West Pictou District High School they transferred him to that school.

At West Pictou, John met Sam Matheson who was to become his teacher and his coach for the Special Olympics of 1977. John went to Milwaukee as a member of the Canadian Special Olympic Team. He won the Bronze medal for the one hundred meter dash. He also took part in the shotput, swimming and the long jump.

John likes to travel, enjoys his job and is very helpful around home to his parents and to his grandparents. He cuts grass, hence his CB handle "Grass Cutter". He helps his father with the firewood business and helps in snow removal.

A Notable Deed by Min MacMillan

An incident worthy of heroic deed done by Miss Mary MacDonald and which cost her, her life. In early times men used to raft their logs down the Toney River and from there into Pictou. Early in the spring of 1867, a raft broken by the ice cakes was seen out in the Strait. Nobody was at hand to save the men aboard. Therefore, Mary MacDonald helped her brother Hector to launch a boat and rowed out and saved the men. Not long afterwards Miss MacDonald died from the effects of the cold and hardships of the trip.

84 Bessie Ruth Munro by Ian Munro

Bessie Ruth Munro was born at Waterside, Pictou County on August 12, 1903. She was the seventh oldest of fourteen children. She was the daughter of Simon and Libbie (Sutherland) MacKenzie. Ruth received her early education at the Waterside School, which was a four kilometer walk each way. She graduated from Pictou Academy and then journeyed to Toronto. There she attended and graduated from the Toronto Normal College with a teaching diploma.

Before going to Toronto to study, Ruth taught one year at the Three Brooks School. After graduating from Toronto Normal College, she taught at Jarvis Street School. This was one of the slum areas of downtown Toronto. After five years on Jarvis Street, she moved to rural Ontario and taught for five years at Granton. In both areas she made many life-long friends.

In 1934, Ruth returned home to marry Martin Renwick Munro. They lived in Three Brooks, only a few kilometers from her birth place. The Munro's had two children, Bruce and Ian. Ruth lived in Three Brooks for well over fifty years. In 1944, Ruth went back to teaching. She taught for four years at Central Caribou. In 1948 she went to teach in the Pictou School system.

While teaching in Pictou, she returned to further her education in Halifax and Antigonish. She attained the equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Francis Xavier University.

Ruth loved her Cariboo (Three Brooks) home and was involved in community life through the church. She was at various times, President of the Cariboo Unit of the United Church Women. She was a gracious giver and touched many hearts and souls in the Cariboo area.

Ruth was always proud of the fact that she was among the congregation in Toronto when the United Church was formed in 1925. She taught Sunday School for over fifty years. She was made a life member of the United Church Women, the Canadian Bible Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, and was active in many other local organizations.

In 1949, she helped to reorganize the Nova Scotia Teacher's Union. She worked tirelessly in the West Pictou area to make the West Pictou Local (now the Pictou Local) a driving force in the Nova Scotia Teacher's Union (an organization all teachers in the province can be proud of). She was a dedicated teacher to her students and to her profession. This is a fact that all her colleagues and hundreds of her former students can attest to.

On September 28, 1991, Ruth Munro passed away in her sleep at Edward Mortimer Place. She died the way she lived, quietly and wanting no recognition for her accomplishments. So the Cariboo area lost a native like so many others who lived and tried to make this world just a little bit better.

-85- The Price of Goods

1922 Oatmeal, 98 lbs. $3.90 Tea in bulk, by lb. .490 Flour, 98 lbs. $3.60

1 McLaughlin-Buick Truck $400.00 Ford Touring Car $565.00

Ladies oxfords $4.77

1 pair of working horses with collars and blankets wt. 200 each $200.00

Console model Victrola $145.00

Bloomers .850 Sugar, granulated, 10 lbs. .850

1945 Mens wool pants $3.25-6.50 Work boots (leather sole) $2.49 Fur coats $49.00 Simpsons - 3 pc. bedroom suite $119.00 Spring filled mattress $29.95 Wedding and engagement ring set $49.00

Aylmers tomato soup, 2 tins .190 Fluffo shortening, 1 lb. .190 Butter, 2 lbs. .850 Bacon, 1 lb. .230 Can milk .100 Sunkist oranges, 1 doz. .350

Dare you compare the above with prices in 1992?

Notes: "Pictou Advocate", 1922 and 1945 listed from random search.

-86- Central Caribou Mutual Telephone Co.

This telephone company started at the Liza MacFarlane property and covered the houses as far as Martin Munro's place. It cost residents about seventy-five dollars to buy a phone and a share in the company. Not everyone had a telephone. Each director of the company was expected to get a certain number of poles for the lines each year.

Harry Barnard served as the maintenance man for the company and Robert MacFarlane and Ross MacDougall were also involved with the operation of the company. There was no operator in the community, instead, the calls went through to the Pictou office. This company operated until sometime in the 1950's when it went to Maritime Telegraph and Telephone Company.

Bay View Mutual Telephone Co.

The Bay View Mutual Telephone Co. serviced Bay View and Braeshore area and stopped at the old MacFarlane property located between present day Prest's and Murray's. There were approximately 30 members of the company. It cost $65.00 to get hooked up and buy a telephone. Then there was a rate set for continued service. Calls outside the section were charged by Maritime Telegraph and Telephone Co. Calls to town cost 50 each. John MacKay acted as repairman and later turned the job over to Ray Johnson.

Information from the 1913-14 Journal are as follows: Subscribers Logan and Murdock Angus MacDonald John Logan John L. MacDonald William Munro William MacKay Robert Murray John Quinn William A. MacDonald Leslie A. Simpson Robert D. Ross

Expenses Maritime Tel and Tel $330.72 General Expenses $10.35 Labor (Lineman) $3.00 Equipment $2.20 Supplies .25

Trustees were in charge of getting poles for the telephone lines. In the 1957 report it shows that the price of poles was $1.25 each = $21.25 for 17 poles.

The telephones were the old fashioned crank type and everyone had a different ring. For example one party would have a ring of a long and a short, another may have two short rings.

87 My Favorite Teacher by Beth Henderson for Chatelaine Magazine It is not often that I feel compelled to rise up and answer the call, but after reading your invitation, I felt I had no choice. When it was asked if there was a memorable teacher in my past who had an effect on my life, my answer was Ruth Munro. This lady has influenced my life by mainly setting an example and living by it.

During our January church meeting held at Ruth's home, she shared a treasure with us that can be appreciated by everyone. In her bountiful Christmas mail, she had received a newspaper clipping from St. Mary's Journal, Argus, Ontario with a story about Rita Clatworthy. The significance of this article lies in the fact that she was a student of Ruth's, fifty-one years ago. This is an example of the steadfast respect shown this lady. Another great tribute was recently paid by our Pictou United Church to this retired teacher by dedicating the last stained glass window in her honour. It was given by her church unit, friends and family and depicts the scene of taking up the cross, which Ruth did all her life. As she did this as a teacher in both school and church, this dedication was fittingly rewarded.

Her strength of character and determination truly surfaced at an early age when she arrived in Toronto to attend Teacher's College. By age nineteen she made principal of Grades 7, 8, 9 and 10 in a Granton, Ontario school. From there she taught in the slums of Toronto during the school term but worked alongside her sister Anna to help educate their brothers and sisters. It had been an agreement in their family of fourteen that each would help with the education of the others.

Martin Munro, Ruth's intended, felt that twelve years was long enough to wait for his bride to be. On July 5th, they married, five days after returning home, Ruth chose this date to coincide with her parent's anniversary. Ruth resumed her teaching career after their two sons, Bruce and Ian grew a bit older. She travelled by horse to her first position in nearby Central Caribou. After teaching there for four years, she was asked to teach at Patterson Junior High School in Pictou. It was there, thirty years ago I was taught English by the best teacher ever. She was firman d strict, but dedicated. These were qualities that even a growing teenager knew deep down counted even if they outwardly complained. By having to use certain margins as guides in your scribbler, it all meant learning discipline and control in your work. Having to write lines for punishment made you aware of the rules that were to be followed Perhaps today, this mode of teaching is not acceptable; however, I feel we need to learn these strengths in order to successfully achieve our goals. Ruth continued to be an influence in my life by having sought me out to be part of her church group seven years after our first introduction. We both still faithfully attend the same unit. In connection with church, Ruth taught Sunday School for over fifty years in addition to serving in various other capacities. As years pass, stories come back to me about students saying that if it had not been for Ruth Munro tutoring them in her home, they would not be where they are today. She has had former students such as Mervin Gass, Granton, Ontario, who not only continues to write to her, but has visited on several occasions. When former students visit home, they make it a point to go to Three Brooks to visit Ruth. For example, it was important for a Seattle resident, John Roach, to have his wife Charlotta visit his very impressive teacher of thirty-two years ago.

Her teaching was not only for the children, but for adults as well. New Canadians were assisted in grasping the English language in Ruth's big kitchen. In fact, only a few years ago she was approached by the father of a former student to help in grammar. He had been advised that his business career could be hampered if he did not seek help. No one was refused. It was even like old times when Ruth taught in her own home at the time there was a problem with the teachers at the Three Brooks School.

Success in life is measured in many ways. The foregoing is my tribute to a lady who deserves to know my appreciation for the guidance she has given me by setting an example in my life. Now is the time to say it, not when it is too late.

Note: This tribute was given to Ruth through the Chatelaine magazine, and now that she is gone it is nice to know that she read the tribute which says so much and summed up what so many of us felt for this teacher.

-89 William MacKay Scotia Banner Farmer

The MacKay farm is one of the very old farms in Bay View. In 1808, the family left Kilbonah Strath in Sutherlandshire, Scotland and settled in Pictou County. They have remained on the original farm ever since. The MacKays have always been noted for being progressive agriculturalists in the County and in the Province.1

Like their fellow Scots, the MacKays had been driven from their land to the coast of Scotland during the Sutherlandshire eviction. Along with others, the MacKays formed a co-operative association, pooling their resources to enable one member of the association to come to Canada each year.2 Thus, William MacKay's great-grandfather came to Pictou.

It was the great-grandfather who owned the first grist mill in Scotland outside the dual families. When the mill was opened, the peasants considered this as a first step in their own emancipation and opened the mill with much ceremony. It is told that when the wheel made its first turn the buckets were filled with good Scotch whisky.3

William MacKay was no less aggressive than his forebearers. He believed that not enough emphasis was being put on farming as a career.4 He suggested that with modern farming methods, agricultural training, marketing boards and co-operative societies, young people could be enticed into farming for a living.

William was born in 1882 on the family farm and worked the land. He took courses from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College at Truro and in 1916 attended the college. It was during his time at school that he lost his eyesight and had to leave class. But as one of five thousand members of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, William believed that this handicap did not have to leave him dependant. Instead, he believed that blind people could be useful members of society.

Mr. MacKay practised what he believed and overcame his handicap. In fact, he did so well that he became Pictou County's Banner Farmer of 1936. This was fifteen years after he had lost his sight. The certificate he received was signed by the Honourable John A. MacDonald, the Minister of Agriculture and R.S. Smeltzer, President of the Nova Scotia Farmers Association. It was inscribed:

"This is to certify that William MacKay of Bay View, by reason of his success as a farmer, his general proficiency in the management of his farm and the quality of his farm, and the quality of his farm home; further, in recognition of the worthy part taken by himself and members of his household as residents of his community and citizens of this Province has been awarded this certificate, conferring upon him the status of Scotia Banner farmer for Pictou County, 1936."5

-90- Today, the MacKay farm is still occupied by descendants of the original settler. The family no longer farms the land, but it remains a very beautiful spot.

Notes: 1. "Pictou Advocate", November 26,1936.

2. Ibid., 1936.

3. Ibid., 1936.

4. Ibid., 1936.

5. Ibid., 1936.

91 French Warship in Cariboo River by Olive Pastor

After the siege of Louisbourg many of the French warships made a run for Quebec. Many of the first English settlers who came to Cariboo Island knew the story of the French Man-O-War that disappeared into Cariboo Harbor to escape the English. The crew took the ship up the harbor into Cariboo River past the fork in the river. Supposedly, they left the ship with the intention of returning for it at a future date.

As the story goes, Dr. Harris and his brother Matthew decided to search for the vessel. At the river they split up and each went up a different branch from the fork. One of them found the abandoned ship in a cove near the old George Morrison property. The cannons had been removed, possibly dumped in the harbor on the way up. However, the rigging was still intact.

The Harris brothers returned to their home to get equipment to haul the ship into open water. But in their absence, the Indians burned the ship to the water line. They later told the Harrises that the French had instructed them to burn the ship if the English found it.

People in the Cariboo area believe that this ship like many of the other French ships had gold on board. In fact, some time later, the land near the ship was disturbed, like something was dug out of the ground. A French ship was seen in the harbor; probably returning to get the ship or its cargo. Some early settlers are said to have found French coins. There also have been rumors for years of cannons laying at the bottom of Cariboo Harbor.

Notes: See History of the County of Pictou. by Rev. George Patterson, p. 43 for documentation about this French ship.

92- Forest Fires by Thelma Johnson

Not so many years ago, roads in this area were not the paved or graveled, wide affairs of today, with the woods cut well back from their boundaries; instead, what we had then were picturesque country lanes with the branches of trees meeting overhead. Lovely to look at as this may have been, it had the unfortunate side effect that a fire starting anywhere east of River John River had very little to slow its progress until it hit Pictou Harbor. Over the years there were many such fires with many causes and some whose origin will never be known. Some began with lightning strikes, others with careless camp fires or dropped cigarette butts, still others arose around "cottage industries" with the enterprising few running off their own refreshments from stills hidden deep in the woods which required large fires under their boilers and with the proprietors not always in the best of condition to practise spark control. Some few were also purposely set to disguise areas where trees were being cut illegally from Crown Land.

In July of 1849 a fire began near the River John Road and was swiftly carried down towards the shores of the Strait and easterly to Toney River. At this point in time, there were still many of the huge pitch pine trees found throughout the forest near Toney River, and the sap from them was the next best thing to kerosene. Once the fire reached these trees it raced forward faster than a horse could gallop. At Toney River, the main fire was joined by another smaller fire starting near the Little Toney River, and spread along the highway toward Pictou. Robert McKinnon and Norman McDonald lost houses, barns, and livestock; while J. Colquhoun and the Widow McLeod lost fencing and crops. A farm and blacksmith shop belonging to Alex Falkener and sons was also consumed and Alex was killed attempting to save his property. The fire burned itself out towards evening having proceeded along the road to Pictou doing little more damage than burning fences.

The above fire was on a Saturday, and the following Tuesday a smaller fire broke out along the Big Carriboo River caused by a campfire left by boys fishing. This fire burned a large stand of timber and a house belonging to Thomas Dickson, who had lost another small house in the previous fire.

In September of 1929, a fire broke out at Chester Holmes (present day Arnold MacKay's), and with a strong southwest wind behind it, headed for the south, burning part of an orchard owned by Moses Falconer and coming within 15 feet of his house before firefighters managed to turn it. In the evening, the wind did a complete turnabout and drove the fire back across the road until it reached the farms of Kenzie Falconer and Mrs. George Bickers, near the east end of Carmichael Road. Again, the fire was driven back by firefighters and eventually contained when it came up against cleared fields and the meadow. A bystander was heard to remark that it had started in three places, been caught in two, but got away in the third. When questioned further on what he knen about it, he stated that it had begun through a combination of whiskey and devilishness and refused to say more.

-93- During the 1930's, there were at least two fires which my mother can remember. Our farm is located in Toney Mills at the extreme southwest corner of Caribou District and mother was able to see the flames from the first such fire passing by to the east. She had been left home alone while the men had gone off to fight the fire and her job was to keep barrels, which had been placed in strategic spots around the fields, filled with water, in case the wind should shift and send the flames back in our direction. Burlap bags would be soaked in these barrels of water and used to beat out the flames. Fortunately, this fire passed well in the distance and managed to avoid all houses.

During the second fire in this period, my mother, her brothers, and cousins who were staying with them at the time, went to Mark Bowron's farm to help fight the firether e and keep it away from his grain fields. Mrs. Bowron was the soul of coolness, and as the fire raged around their fields, sat on the porch calmly preparing green beans for the next days dinner. Mother's cousin, Warren Finley, was a tall, thin, young man and after fighting the fire all day, his back was killing him from bending over to beat out the flames. He was hot, he was tired, and he was half-fried from the heat himself when Mark Bowron walked over and suddenly slammed him in the back with a wet burlap bag, knocking him headlong into the ashes. Warren picked himself up and made a few tactful comments, such as: "Are you trying to kill me, you @#%*?" Poor Mark had a hard time getting a word in edgewise to let him know that, after all, he WAS on fire. Luckily, this fire was also contained, so Warren's coat was one of the few casualties.

Better roads and improved fire fighting equipment notwithstanding, fires still cause major destruction along the shores of the Strait and, while the tourists are enjoying the hot, dry summers at the beach, those who live back in the woods still spend an uneasy time, keeping an eye to the skyline and sniffing the breeze for the telltale odor of smoke.

Names by Margaret MacMaster In an area where numerous families with the same last name exist side by side, confusion can occur when one mentions names. A custom that developed in Caribou, and probably followed the example set in Scotland was to refer to a person by some distinguishing word. Hence, we end up many times dropping the last name all together in informal conversation. Here are some examples:

Kenny "Sampson" MacKenzie John "Simon" MacKenzie "Deacon" John MacKenzie Neil's "Alex" MacKenzie Finlay "Rory" MacKenzie Henry (Millionaire) MacKenzie George "Dan" MacKenzie Jimmy "Vander" MacKenzie Kenny "Hector" MacKenzie John "Hugh" MacKenzie Johnnie "StOnehouse" MacKenze One group of MacKenzies had (Bann) behind their names, meaning the fair-haired MacKenzies. -94- The Last Barquentine by George Baird* It was during the last of May, 1936 around the twenty-seventh, I would guess, that the last vessel having sails extended on yards, suspended by the middle (square rigged), plied the Northumberland Strait. She was only square rigged on the fore-mast, the main and mizzen-masts were fore and aft or schooner rigged which made her a barquentine. At the time, I was fishing lobsters with my uncle "Jimmie" MacFarlane and as we headed for the fishing grounds we sighted a "rag powered vessel" making her way up the Strait. We thought it was just another schooner, which were still quite common at the time. She was not making very good time because only a light southerly breeze was blowing which hardly put a ripple on the water.

We did not pay too much attention to it as we set about hauling my uncle's gear, but as time passed and she drew nearer, we could clearly see that she was different, especially the sails on the fore-mast. Back in those days you could always tell when it was ten o'clock because it was at that time each day that the "S.S. Hochelaga" passed Gull Rock Point on her way to Charlottetown. The "Hochelaga" had just passed and we had just finished resetting a trawl, when the Skipper of the Barquentine, now abreast of us, signalled with a wave to come aboard.

We drew alongside, I threw a painter to a man on deck, and my uncle shut down the motor. We could now see she was flying a Portuguese flag. There were four men on deck and all could speak English quite fluently. They told us they were heading for New Brunswick, thence upriver, also to St. John's, Newfoundland before returning home.

They wanted to buy ten pounds of canner lobsters, which my uncle sold to them. Because the weight had to be guessed, they paid him one dollar Canadian currency to make up for any overweight. My uncle was getting between five and six cents per pound for canners from the packers at that time.

Though we only talked to them for a short time, they told us the barquentine was around thirty-five years old and had been owned by several shipping lines. They also said that they had tanks for domestic and washing water, but carried drinking water in kegs. Pens and coops on deck provided fresh meat and chicken which were slaughtered when needed. Lack of paint and patched sails told the story of tough voyages during the Depression years, but what amazed me was the large number of lines and blocks and tackles required to manipulate the square rigging, compared to the fore and aft rigging.

After a few minutes of talk we bade them adieu and went back to hauling my uncle's traps. My one regret is that we did not get the name of the vessel. Not too many of the fishermen on the shore noticed that she was not a schooner, but one fisherman, "Bob" Shaw told us a few days later it was a -95- barquentine and that he thought it could be a vessel from the Erikson Line. He also added that during the late twenties and early thirties, Erikson had purchased a large number of sailing vessels for next to nothing and had set up a line that travelled the world.

Since 1936 many sailing vessels have travelled the Northumberland Strait, but not in fifty years has another commercial barquentine graced our pleasant waters.

"unedited

•96- Our Language by Olive Pastor When the early Scottish settlers came to Canada most, especially from the Highlands, spoke Gaelic. This is evident in many of the documents found in church archives and Registry offices. In many cases, when applying for a minister, the one requirement was that he be able to speak Gaelic as well as English.

Two hundred years later the Gaelic Language in Nova Scotia is all but dead. There are many reasons why a people lose their language, acculturation is probably the most common reason. Whatever the case, there are very few Gaelic speakers left in the province. In recent years an attempt has been made to revive this beautiful language by dedicated Scots from both Cape Breton and mainland Nova Scotia.

The following are some pieces of Gaelic that may interest community members, especially those who remember the language which had been spoken in their own home years ago.

The Lord's Prayer Arn-Athair a ta air neamb, Gu naombaidear t'ainm, Thigeadb do rioghachd, Deanor do thoil air an talamb, mar a nithear air neamb. Tabhair dhuinn an diugh ar n-aran laitheil. Agus maith dhuinn ar fiachan, amhuil a mhaitheas sinne d'ar luchd-fia fiach. Agus na leig ann am buaireadh sinn: ach saor sinn o ole: oir is leatsa an rioghachd, agus an cumbachd, agus a ghloir, gu siorruidh Amen. The Clansman, February, 1989, p. 8

-97- Ho Ro Mo Nighean Bhoidheach Ho ro mo nighean donn bhoidheach, Ho ri mo nighean donn bhoidheach, Mo chaileag laghach bhoidheach, Cha phosainn ach thu. A nighean donn nam blath-shul, Gur trom a thug mi gradh dhuit; Tha t'iomhaigh, ghaol is t'ailleachd A ghnath 'tighinn fo m'uidh.

Cha cheil mi air an t-saoghal Gu bheil mo mhiann 's mo ghaol ort: 'S ged chaidh mi uait air faondradh Cha chaochail mo run.

Ach 'nuair a thig an samhradh bheir mise sgriob do'n ghleann ud, 'S gun toir mi learn do'n Ghalldachd Gu h-annsail am flur.

These are the words sung by the Gaelic class given in Trenton by Calvin Maclnnis.

Blessing at the Table Beannachdan, gu robh an tighearna, a thug dhuinn am biadh seo. Bitheasmaid toilichte agus taingeil air e son.

Blessing to the Lord who gives us this food. Let us be glad and thankful for it. Beannachd, a thighearna, am biadh seo do ar math, agus sinne anns 'ur sheirbheis, air sgath chriosda ...Amen.

Bless, Oh Lord, this food to our good, and us to thy service, for Christ's sake...Amen.

-98- Words and Phrases

Nollaig Chridheil Merry Christmas Ciamar a tha thu? How are you? (Informal) Tha gu math, tapadh leat. Fine, thank you. Madainn mhath? Good morning! A bheil ghaidlig agad? Do you speak Gaelic? 'Se do bheatha. You're welcome. Feasgar math. Good afternoon! Oidhche mhath. Good night! Gle mhath. Very good. Ciad Mile Failte. One Hundred Thousand Welcomes, dubh black ban fair skinned geal white duine man Sasunnach Englishman baile town sqoil school fuar cold eilean island beinn mountain loch loch eaglais church Calum Malcolm Seumas James Iain John Niall Neil Chan eil no tha yes taigh house Alasdair Alexander Mairi Mary gealach moon Domhnullach MacDonald clachan village an diugh today teth hot

-99 The Currie Lot by Beth Henderson Lilac bushes were mixed in with the other trees. The remnants of a road could be made out if you looked closely. When you ventured down this . bscure path, an area opened up which allowed you to feel that there once was a homestead there. Around a gnarled tangle of apple trees, you could see the depression where the cellar of an old home existed. This scene is not uncommon in Pictou County; however, this site held some historical significance. This was the "Currie Lot". I never knew why the name stayed with this 100 acre parcel of land located on the Old Post Road leading to River John in the Three Brooks area. Many owners existed before us. But there must have been some importance connected with the conveyance to John Currie on August 24, 1829 by William Cochrane.

It was only when Dr. Carrie Best, well known historian of the black population in Pictou County, contacted us did we learn the reason the name was retained. John Currie, farmer, was the first black man to own property in Pictou County.

-100- Jean Archibald, Playwright From Information Provided by Mary Fisher

Jean Archibald Hansl was a native of Toney River, but found fame on Broadway in New York. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Archibald who lived close to the Fisher property near the river. Miss Archibald graduated from Pictou Academy and attended Emmerson College in Boston in her desire to be an elocutionist. She returned to Canada and taught at the Ladies College in Halifax for two years. She then went to New York to try to go on the stage. It was here that she met a number of writers including Eugene O'Neill and became interested in writing.1

Her association with O'Neill's agent opened the door for her writing career. She told the agent that she would like to write a play and he encouraged her to do so. She took ten days and wrote "Call A Doctor". It took months of re-writing to perfect the play for the stage, but David Belasco liked it and bought the rights.2 It took three months to get the play into production and Miss Archibald worked as an understudy in all of Belasco's plays on Broadway until her own was corrected. Finally, in 1920, the play opened and ran for eight months. It is said that a good run for a play at that time was three months. Therefore, "Call A Doctor" must have been of great interest.

The leading character in "Call A Doctor" was a young woman who called herself a Doctor of Domestic Difficulties, D.D.D. This play introduced the idea of marriage counselling a decade before it came into practice. The play was a comedy and the Doctor a specialist in skeletons in family closets.3 There was an all star cast including: Philip Merivale, Janet Beecher, Charlotte Walker and others.

After "Call A Doctor", Jean Archibald wrote a one act play "Colette" for Francis Starr, one of David Belasco's stars. She also wrote a play that she sold outright. "Quicksands" was also a comedy drama written by Miss Archibald. This play was produced by Maude Fealy and company for David Belasco.4

An article in the Civic Pilot, a woman's magazine, explained that Jean Archibald's plays mark the same enjoyment she gets out of the funny situations she gets out of life. She is sweet, sympathetic and sincere, just as her plays are joyful and interesting.5 The article further says that as a Scottish Canadian from Nova Scotia, Archibald had been blessed with an abundance of Scotch humor.

In 1923, Jean Archibald returned to Pictou and was an honored guest at the Hector Celebration held in Pictou. During the height of her fame, Miss Archibald married a Mister Hansl, a lawyer for J.P. Morgan and Company While married, she did little writing. However, she did one successful radic play, "Not A Match in the House". After her husband's death in 1947, she spent much time with her son in California and Mexico. Like his mother, he adopted a writing career.

101 Notes: 1. 2. Ibid.,

3. Ibid.,

4. "The Pictou Advocate", 18 May, 1923, p. 8.

5. "Evening News", 4 April, 1924, p. 6. From an article in "Civic Pilot". New Jersey.

102 Trivia by Margaret MacMaster

1. Where was Castle Hill? 2. Who was a banner farmer in 1936 in Caribou? 3. What was the haunted house? 4. Where were the Mortimer Wells? 5. Who fired the boilers for many years at Burnham and Morrill's factory? 6. Name a man who ran from Waterside to Pictou to get a doctor. 7. Name the mailmen of Caribou back to the 1920's. 8. Where was the windmill located at Caribou? 9. What family on Caribou Island is related to "Stompin' Tom Connors"? 10. Name a family who was well known to Hank Snow. 11. Who owned the first car in Caribou? 12. Who owned the boat named "The Ghost"? 13. Who were the two girls from Caribou who were Queens at the Exhibition and Lobster Carnival? 14. Name the firemen of the year awards in Caribou. 15. Name the first ferry to Prince Edward Island and the Captain and the year. 16. Name one of the oldest people from the community living today. 17. Name the girl from Three Brooks who was in the Miss Teen Canada contest. 18. What was the brand name given to canned vegetables by Logans and Roberts? 19. What was the brand name given to Logans and Roberts lobster packs? 20. What was the name brand given to Magee's canned vegetables? 21. Give the name of the tugboat owned by Bernard Prest.

103 Trivia Answers I. Between Lauchie Shaws and the Tanner lot and Shaw's Corner on the Fraser side of the road. Z. William MacKay. 3. Seaforth Manor. On Caribou Island on the beach between Dan MacKays and the Lighthouse. 5. Simon MacKenzie. 6. Arthur Davidson. 7. Doris Snell, Betty MacKenzie Gamble, Leslie MacKenzie, Martin Peterson, Joe Robertson, Dougald MacDougall, John Carroll, Kiltie Murdock, Brad Gordon. 8. Peter MacKay's. 9. Welch family. 10. Feltmates. II. Henry MacKenzie, "The Millionaire". 12. Alexander Logan. 13. Caroline Fraser, Joan Robertson. 14. Frank MacFarlane, Collin Davidson, Ronnie Sutherland, Donnie Chaisson 15. M.V. Prince Nova, Captain J. Dicks, June 28,1941. 16. Arthur Grant. 17. Carta MacFarlane. 18. "Bungalow". 19. "Gullrock". 20. "Mephisto". 21. "S.S. Canso".

104- Gull Rock Lighthouse From an Interview with George Baird

The first lighthouse on Caribou Island was built on the northeast end at Gull Rock Point in 1868. Patterson, in his history of Pictou County describes it as a white revolving light, showing its greatest brilliancy every minute. It was 35 feet above high water and visible ten miles from a square white building.1 This lighthouse was in service until 1914 when it was replaced. It was moved to the Henry property and is now owned by Irene Baird Porter.

The new lighthouse was a four square style building with the light on top. Today, this lighthouse is owned by Archibald Baird who moved it about a half mile down the road. According to George Baird, all lights on Caribou Island were and are flashing lights. This means "keep off. A steady light means "come close". There is a reef off Gull Rock light. Very few vessels could come into Caribou Harbour until bell bouys were put in place. Traffic was probably very small schooners. Shipping kept between the flashing light on Pictou Island and the flashing light on Caribou Island. The channel is close to Caribou Island.

Charles Baird was the lighthouse keeper in the new lighthouse and this was the home in which George and his siblings were brought up. This lighthouse had a clockworks that required winding every hour and a half. It operated by kerosene and had a mantel in the center and a reflector which rotated around it. The keeper had to pump up the pressure in the tank when he wanted to light the lamp.

The clockworks was like an old grandfather's clock with a weight, b_ on a larger scale. Violet Colquhoun remembers that on one occasion when her mother was visiting at the lighthouse the rope used for winding broke. Tc keep the light going, the keeper and a neighbour turned the clockworks t; hand all night. At the end of the war the clockworks was replaced with one that was wound every three or four hours. The lightkeeper had to be up ai: night to do this.

-105- The light was ignited every night just as it was getting dark and extinguished every morning. Only once was the light late going on and this •vas because it had blown up and went on fire. This light was in operation until 1960, when it was replaced with an automatic light.

The foghorn was put into operation during the mid 1940's in a little building beside the lighthouse. It was driven by a diesel engine and had to be started on foggy days. In remembering the lighthouse, Mr. Baird says, on his mother's first trip to Caribou Island with her father, the lightkeeper, James MacFarlane, she counted about sixty-two schooners in the Strait. He remembers only two ships going aground on the reef, a sailboat, which was towed off and the Charles A. Dunning. The Dunning was the ferry on the Prince Edward Island crossing. Because the fog distorted the sound of the foghorn the ferry ended up aground.

Baird also remembers watching the Pictou Islanders coming across the Strait in iceboats in the winter. He said that it was a terrible trip. The wind swept up the Strait, there was open water and bad tides. Often the men had to trek up as far as Toney River and then work their way back down. If they could not reach Caribou, they would stay at the lighthouse.

The modern light is set on a cement foundation. It has little character compared to the two old lights. A modern bungalow was used to house the keeper, but that is now sold. It seems that Gull Rock lighthouse has become part of the impersonal system of the modern day.

Lightkeepcrs (from the present, back) Foster Welch Charles Baird Merkinson James MacFarlane Walter Richards Falconer Archibald Baird

Notes: 1. Rev. George Patterson, D.D., History of the County of Pictou. (Montreal, 1877), p. 14.

-106 The James Ross Apple Farm Bay View From Information Supplied by Gregg Ross

The orchard behind the house was started by the grandfather of Gregg Ross and the one known as the new orchard behind the barn was planted in the year of Gregg's birth and it began producing some ten years later. James Ross leased three other orchards in order to supply customer demands. During the summer months, he shipped apples to the Magdalene Islands as well as St. Pierre and Miquelon. On many occasions these five orchards had to be supplemented by truck loads of apples purchased in the Annapolis Valley and resold. The other business in which James Ross was involved was that of butchering and then he served as a sales representative.

The Ross farm now belongs to Jack and Kathleen Ferguson. The house on the property is the third to be built there and it dates back to 1896. The Ross family was one of the early families to live in the Bay View area. Robert Ross, a yeoman received the property in 1833, it then passed on to James and Alexander Ross and then to J. James Ross. In 1973 Frank Slater bought the farm and held until 1985 at which time Jack and Kathleen Ferguson purchased the property.

A Name is Given to Section 54 From an Interview with Patricia Ross Written by Jane Kelderman

Bay View is located two miles from the town of Pictou and three miles from the Prince Edward Island ferry terminal at Caribou. At one time Bay View was the whole area which is now known as Braeshore and Bay View. In the past it was only known as Section #54, polling District #2.

From the minutes that were kept of a community meeting of the "Farm and Home Beneficial Society" dated March 21, 1880, it is told how section #54 got its name.

The President of this society was W.A. MacKenzie and the Secretary was Mrs. Robert Ross. The 12 members who were present at the meeting of March 21, 1880 voted to name the section Bay View. The view of the Northumberland Strait and the Gulf of St. Lawrence could be seen in the community and helped them to make the decision.

-107- Doctors and Ministers of Carriboo Ira Sutherland, Doctor, Waterside John Sutherland, Doctor, Waterside Hector B. MacKay, Minister, Carriboo; Died 1912 Kenneth MacKenzie, Minister, Carriboo; Died 1904 George Roddick, Minister, Carriboo; Died 1910 Daniel MacKay, Minister, Carriboo; Addison, New York Murdock S. MacKay, B.A., Minister, Carriboo;Waweig, N.B. Alexander MacAulay, Minister, Carriboo; Vancouver, B.C. John A. Ferguson, M.D., Doctor, Bay View; L.I. Col. Hospital, New York Daniel Grant, M.D., Doctor, Carriboo; McGill University; Portland, Oregon Mary MacKenzie, Doctor, Waterside; Dalhousie, 1905 Jemima MacKenzie, Doctor, Waterside; Dalhousie, 1904 Kenneth MacKenzie, M.D., CM., Doctor, Carriboo; Dalhousie, 1903 W.C. Ross, Minister, Braeshore (Seaforth)1 Notes: 1. Taken from the old list of doctors and ministers in Pictonians at Home and Abroad, by Rev. J.P. MacPhie, M.A. (Boston, Pinkham Press, 1945)

Recent Doctors and Ministers Dr. Marguerite MacKay, Doctor, Braeshore Rev. Reginald Dunn, Minister, Braeshore Rev. Marion Patterson, Minister, Braeshore Dr. E. Skinner, Doctor, Bay View Rev. Fleming Holm, Minister Rev. Wesley Quinn, Minister Rev. Albert Henderson, Minister, Caribou River Rev. Bruce Munro, Minister, Three Brooks Dr. Donald Webster, Doctor, Braeshore Dr. Robert Cooper, Doctor, Bay View Jessie Fitch, Lay Preacher Jackie Colquhoun, Lay Preacher

108 CRAFTSMEN, ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS

- 109 The Caribou Tartan From Information Given by Elizabeth MacKenzie, Margaret MacMaster and From the Pictou Advocate

Elizabeth MacKenzie started weaving in 1948 after taking lessons from a French lady who was going around teaching people in the different communities. The class taught in Three Brooks was held at the home of Jack MacCarthy. The course consisted of eight lessons and when these were completed Mrs. MacKenzie got her first loom. It was small and she later traded it for a larger one purchased from Quebec. Over the years Elizabeth created woven bedspreads, placemats, and lap throws. At one time she made material that was later used to make a suit.

Mrs. MacKenzie has been a lifetime resident of the area. She was born at Waterside in 1905 and moved to Three Brooks in 1941 and lived there with her husband until last year when both moved to the Shiretown Nursing Home apartments. Elizabeth not only ran her home in Three Brooks but also, worked for forty years as a nurse. She trained at the Grace Maternity Hospital in Halifax and retired from the Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital in Pictou in 1971.

In 1982, Mrs. MacKenzie designed and wove what she named "The Caribou Tartan". What better way for an individual to honor her community? Each of the colors in the tartan represent a local phenomenon. Green is for the trees, white for the boats and the little white church, grey for the herring and the seagulls, blue for the brooks, harbors and the majestic rivers, red for the sunset, lobsters and the red fire trucks and black for the rocks and reefs around Caribou Island.

It was through the efforts of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Caribou and District Fire Department that an application was sent off to the Scottish Tartan Society, Incorporation Noble and Noblesse of Scotland, Inaugurated by the Lord Lyon King of Arms 1963. It is the register of all the publicly known tartans, basic copy of entry. This is to certify that the Caribou Tartan is

- 110 registered in the register. This is just a record and does not imply that this tartan has the approval of the Lord Lyon, clan chief, head of family, district authority in the Council of the Scottish Tartans Society.1 The plaques of the official certification of the tartan and the description of the tartan can be seen at the Caribou and District Firehall in Three Brooks.

While Mrs. MacKenzie is well recognized for her skill at weaving one must not overlook the other areas of her expertise. For years before she began weaving, Elizabeth was a skilled knitter and an excellent cook. The 2,721 ribbons that she received over the years in competitions at the Exhibitions attest to the skill in her workmanship.

Prize List (An Example of Prizes) Second Prize 1937 - Pictou North Colchester Exhibition for beans, jellies, cherries. First Prize - Woollen socks Special Prize - Best Weaving First Prize at the Atlantic Winter Fair 1965 - Mens socks, mitts, cardigan One ribbon states: Grand Champion Bedspread Competition - Pictou North Colchester Exhibition

Notes: 1. Taken from the official certificate of registration from the Scottish Tartan Society.

Ill- The Caribou Women's Institute by Corry Lakenman

ADELAIDE HUNTER HOODLESS HOMESTEAD ST. GEORGE, ONTARIO, CANADA

The first Women's Institute in the world was organized at Stoney Creek, Ontario on February 19, 1897 following an address by the late Mrs. Adelaide Hoodless. The portrait of Mrs. Hoodless is entitled "The Founder of the Women's Institute" and hangs today, in the reading room of MacDonald's Institute, Guelph, Ontario. The birthplace of Adelaide Hoodless, a modest farmhouse, is now the property of the Federated W.I. of Canada.

The first Women's Institute in Nova Scotia was organized in 1913 at Saltsprings in Pictou County. In 1930, country women around the world organized into the Associated Country Women of the World. Represented in this group are Women's Institute and Country Women's Groups from over sixty countries.

The Caribou Women's Institute celebrated their 25th Anniversary on February 26, 1992. Twenty-five years ago, a group of ladies came together including: Ella MacKinnon, Gertrude Beattie, Kay Fraser and May MacKenzie to have this organization organized in our neighbourhood. All the ladies in this area were invited and the response was tremendous.

The first official meeting was held at the home of the late Kay Fraser. Doctor Ellen MacLean, past president of the A.C.W.W. and Jennie Maclnnis past president of the F.W.I.C. were also in attendance and explained about the ways and means that this organization stands for.

Our motto is "for home and country". They made us realize that our families are the most precious part of our lives. Our community is important to us all and the beauty and freedom of Canada, our country are to enjoy. It was an informative night and twenty-five ladies joined the new organization.

Ellen MacLennan became our first President, Kay Fraser, the Vice- President, Jean Langille became the Secretary and Anna MacKay the Treasurer. -112- Through our convenors and guest speakers we share a wealth of information. We are able to teach each other worthwhile projects. We broaden our minds with news from our province and districts and also, with information from across Canada and other countries. We are able to attend workshops and our weekly bowling get together.

We participated in the rural Beautification Program, Sammy Seagull, a project for cleaner highways. We remember the sick and the neighbours who have lost a loved one by sending them cards. The provincial W.I.N.S. offers a $500.00 scholarship to students entering a post-secondary institution. One of the scholarships is a bursary for a mature student, someone who has been out of secondary school for five years or more. The remaining two are for a male student and a female student. In all three cases, the student must be a member of the W.I.N.S. or a relative.

The Caribou W.I. donates prize money towards the West Pictou District High School and the Pictou North Colchester Exhibition. We also, assist the Bay View Community Hall. The most important to us all is we share the friendship, especially when sorrow comes our way. We recite the beautiful prayer "Mary Stewart Collect":

Keep us O Lord from pettiness, let us be large in thought, word and deed, Let us be done with fault finding and leave off self seeking. May we put away all pretense and meet each other face to face, without self pity and without prejudice May we never be hasty in judgement and always generous, Teach us to put into action our better impulses, straight forward and unafraid. Let us take time for all things; make us grow calm, serene, and gentle. Grant that we may realize that it is the little things that create differences; that the big things of life we are one. And may we strive to touch and know the great human heart common to us all. And O Lord God, Let us not forget to be kind.

113 The Caribou Fire Department History of the Formation of the Department and the Board of Directors by Anne Boone

The formation of the Caribou District Fire Department began on December 17, 1985 at a ratepayers meeting held at Bay View Community Hall. The meeting was presided over by Edward MacMaster, Councillor for Caribou District #2 of Pictou County.

Community residents recognized the need for a fire department in their area. They were at that time being served by the Pictou and Scotsburn fire departments. There was also over 800 families in the Caribou District which extended from Pictou to Toney River.

An executive for the proposed fire department was formed at the meeting with Neil Weber of Braeshore appointed Chairman and Myrna Turple of Central Caribou as Secretary. Twelve Trustees or Board of Directors were also appointed: Ted Scanlan, Alan Jankov, Frank MacFarlane, Kenny MacDonald, Robin MacKelvie, Lyle MacCarthy, Bill MacKay, Burton Langille, Alfie Dalton, Andrew Marshall, Dan Panting and Doug Corbett.

On January 13, 1986 the Executive members and Trustees agreed that the formal name for the fire department would be the Caribou District Fire Department (C.D.F.D.). A Ways and Means Committee was also nominated at this meeting with Alan Jankov and Kenny MacDonald the committee members.

Pictou County Municipal Services assisted the Caribou Fire Department with grant monies to purchase land and to prepare the obtained site. A parcel of land consisting of four acres on the Three Brooks Road, about one kilometer west of Peterson's corner in Central Caribou was purchased from Jessie Tattrie in March of 1986.

On January 13, 1986, Myrna Turple of Central Caribou was appointed by the Board of Directors to organize a Ladies Auxiliary to the Caribou District Fire Department. A meeting was held at Bay View Community Hall on March 13, 1986. As a result of this meeting an executive committee for the auxiliary was formed. Those first appointed were as follows: Myrna Turple, President; Susan Hemmings, Vice-President; Anne Boone, Secretary; Jean MacDonald, Treasurer. A Ways and Means and Telephone Committee were formed at this time.

The Ladies Auxiliary continued to have monthly meetings on a rotating basis at the Bay View Community Hall and the Caribou River Hall until the completion of the fire department building. In November 1986, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Caribou District Fire Department had their first meeting in their hall with an enrolment of 64 members.

-114- The Ladies Auxiliary continues to support the fire department through fund raising endeavors. The Board of Directors to the C.D.F.D. gratefully acknowledges their assistance.

It was the voluntary spirit of the residents of Caribou District who worked together to formalize the plans and to build the C.D.F.D. that the fire department became a reality. Construction for the fire hall began in June of 1986 when over one hundred residents rallied in one way or another to complete the project. Leon Davey of Central Caribou was a volunteer supervisor for the hall.

Once the construction of the building was completed, the fire department was able to begin further fund raising events such as dances, concerts, receptions, hall rentals, dinners, coffee parties, etc. Monies were also raised through private donations and government grants. A calendar containing photographs of heritage homes and historic properties of Caribou District was produced by Olive Pastor and donated to the fire department. This project was very successful and was soon followed by a second printing of additional heritage homes and properties.

The Caribou District Fire Department continues to operate in a successful manner with assistance from community members who contribute to the department in different ways.

The Fire Department is very fortunate to have within its society an active twenty member Board of Directors including an Executive of Management Officers, a Ladies Auxiliary and most importantly a well trained group of fire fighting men who very freely and willingly dedicate their time to the act of fire protection.

115- Caribou District Fire Department Sod Turning, Fire Fighting Equipment and Fire Fighters by Ralph M. Hemmings, Chief, C.D.F.B.

Late in 1985 Caribou District ratepayers decided to form a fire department. After many months of planning and meetings, an official sod turning ceremony was held in the spring of 1986 by County Warden Hank Dunnewold, Municipal Councillor for District 2, Edward MacMaster and Building Supervisor, Captain Leon Davey. With the support and assistance of many volunteers, the concrete floor was poured and the Caribou District Fire Hall was erected.

Our first fire truck was a 1973 Dodge van, donated by Scotsburn Fire Department in January 1986. At that time Scotsburn purchased a new van and so decided to donate the old unit to C.D.F.D. The keys were handed over to the Secretary-Treasurer, Myrna Turple by Scotsburn Fire Chief, Keith Munsie.

Early in 1987, a 1985 used oil delivery truck was purchased locally. A truck committee was formed to plan to convert this truck to enable the transport and pumping of water. This required new piping, valves and a PTO pump. Later in 1987, C.D.F.D. purchased, from the Town of Amherst, a 1963 Chevrolet Viking pumper. This unit is a custom built Thiebault with a 625 IMP gallon midship pump. The tank capacity was increased to approximately 750 gallons. This is the first response unit to all incidents.

In 1990, C.D.F.D. took delivery of our first new truck, a 1989 GMC which has a tank capacity of 1,500 gallons. At that time, the van was sold to accommodate the larger trucks.

A list of forty possible firefighters was prepared with Bill MacKay as Chief and Ralph Hemmings as Deputy Chief. This group of 40 was reduced to 31 in March of 1987 and at the start up in January, 1988, C.D.F.D. had 27 firefighters.

116 Only a fireman knows how much personal time and energy is required to become and remain a firefighter. Not only are these men on call 24 hours a day, but the upkeep and maintenance of trucks and equipment, as well as working at the many functions, requires many hours of service. We are proud of our long service members.

We currently have 28 firefighters, of this number 12 men were with the department since the beginning. The following is a list of their names and current positions held: Donnie Chaisson Lieutenant Ralph Hemmings Chief Allan Jankov Robert Langille Lieutenant Frank MacFarlane Captain Bill MacKay Captain Peter MacKay Captain Edward MacMaster Dan Nichol David Nichol Alec Rankin Bruce Scanlan

One of the major aspects of firefighting is the many hours of training each and every fireman receives. In the beginning, we received our training at neighbouring fire departments such as Scotsburn, Abercrombie and Stellarton. The training was designed to enable each and every firefighter to explore all aspects of fire training such as: breathing apparatus, ladders, hose streams, pumps, and radios.

Another major area is communications. Pagers and truck radios were delivered late in the fall of 1987 and Eastern Business was contacted to provide 24 hour/day dispatch service.

Considerable time and investment was involved to bring Caribou District II Fire Department this far and everyone was proud to be part of it. We were ready for service!

Our first call was to the home of Walter MacKay, Central Caribou, at 10:10 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 1988. Two trucks and 21 men responded to handle the flu fire and remained on scene for 35 minutes. Minimal damage resulted due to the quick response and professionalism of all firefighters. A letter of gratitude and congratulations was received from Walter MacKay and was very much appreciated.

An official opening of the Caribou District Fire Hall was held on Sunday, October 2, 1988 and the ribbon was cut by local MLA Donald Mclnnis assisted by Edward MacMaster and Ralph Hemmings. It gave everyone an opportunity to view the fire hall and equipment and to meet the firemen and Ladies Auxiliary.

117 . In 1985 the idea of having our own fire department seemed a remote possibility. It did not take long to realize we made the right decision. Our firefighters have responded to over 100 fire calls since that first call in 1988. We are proud of the service we provide to residents of District II, as well as to calls for assistance from neighboring fire departments. We are constantly receiving training and are always looking to upgrade our equipment. We welcome visitors to our fire hall and are always happy to answer questions from residents of District II.

118 Carriboo Auxiliary to the Women's Association of Pictou United Church by Bonnie McTague

In all churches, hard working groups of ladies play a major part in all aspects of the work of the church and Pictou United is no exception. From 1925 until 1935 these dedicated women were known as the Ladies Aid. The name changed to the Women's Association from 1935 to 1962 and from that date to the present they have been known as the United Church Women or UCW for short.

Due to the large number of members in the Carriboo area and the difficulties of travelling to town to attend meetings, the Carriboo Auxiliary to the Women's Association of Pictou United Church was formed on July 23, 1946. The very first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Martin (Ruth) Munro, Three Brooks and the first President elected was Mrs. John (Tena) MacKeil. Other members of the first Executive were First and Second Vice- Presidents, Mrs. Ruth Munro and Miss Katie MacKay respectively with Mrs. Herbert (Jo) Priest serving as Secretary-Treasurer. Members who attended that first meeting in addition to the Executive: Mrs. Hilda Simpson, Mrs. Margaret MacMaster, Mrs. Elizabeth Hartling, Mrs. May Langille, Mrs. Jessie Langille, Mrs. Jessie Munro, Mrs. Isabel Munro, Mrs. Florence MacKeil, Mrs. Clara Nichol, Mrs. Margaret Shea, Mrs. Lena Hartling, Mrs. Lyle Robertson, Mrs. Flora MacDougall, Mrs. Sue Simpson, and Mrs. Maud Winmill. Members' names from subsequent early years were Mrs. Laura Barnard, Mrs. Margaret Davidson, Mrs. Tena Adamson, Mrs. Gertrude Beattie, Mrs. Orphie MacDonald, Mrs. Elsie Logan, Mrs. Margaret Murray, Mrs. Marjorie Robertson, Mrs. Lottie MacCarthy, Mrs. Margaret MacLean, Mrs. Mary MacCarthy, Mrs. Neil Langille, Mrs. Mary Bell MacLean, Mrs. Evelyn Prest and Mrs. Clary Henderson.

These ladies were industriously involved not only in worship and devotion services, but in sewing, knitting, quilting and many aspects of handcrafting items, preserving and baking. They were able fundraisers and could cater a delicious dinner at ease. Comfort and aid to the community was always forthcoming from the group when the need arose, which knew no denominational boundaries. This tradition still exists within the group today under the capable leadership of Mrs. Seibert (Eileen) Falconer of Three Brooks.

Known formally as UCW-Unit 4, it is still fondly referred to as the Carriboo Unit or the Country Unit. The friendship and fellowship amongst the ladies today as in the past is greatly treasured by all members.

Many will recall from the early years such things as "Boxes for Britain", clothing and food parcels sent regularly to a needy family in England. Often the maildriver would be recruited to round up the donations from all over the Carriboo area for these boxes. Baby layettes made for needy families Friendship Quilts, handmade dresses selling for $1.45 or a skirt for $1.15, an apron for .500 and a pair of warm mittens for .300 were made by the group. -119- Materials for these items would be purchased from Eatons, Steadmans or the Met store. In 1947, flannelette could be purchased for .250 per yard, a handmade quilt for $6.00, and lobster for a grand dinner at .180 per pound. Memories of Parcel Post Sales, the Fall Bazaar, Strawberry Festival Suppers and Pantry Sales at the Thompson and Sutherland Warehouse can still be recalled.

Funds raised by the group were used in community service, to maintain the Manse (ie. Refrigeration Fund), to help with Bible School, to help equip the church (ie. Gestetner purchase) and of course, the mission work abroad. Visits to sick and shut-ins, whether in homes or hospitals or institutions were all enjoyed by everyone.

Leadership duties of this group from Mrs. MacKeil, the firstPresiden t to Mrs. Falconer, the current leader have been carried out by: Mrs. James Robertson, Mrs. Gordon Beattie, Mrs. Leslie Simpson, Mrs. Alex Munro and Mrs. Martin Munro, but all members have been willing helpers as they endeavored to express their loyalty and devotion to Jesus Christ in this manner.

Unit-4 has grown and is flourishing in 1992 under the direction of Eileen Falconer and has forty to sixty working members.

-120- The 4-H Club in District 2

4-11 Pledge

I Pledge: *T* "My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service, My Health to better living, For My Club, My Community and my Country.

60th Anniversary

In 1984, Pictou County celebrated the 60th anniversary of the 4-H in the County. Charter members were honored and certificates were given to the charter members of the Mayflower Boys and Girls Swine Club which was the name of the club formed in 1924. Living members of the Swine Club at the time were: Margaret MacKeil, Anna MacKeil, James Dobson, Arnold MacDonald, James Ferguson, Alexander Fraser, May MacDonald, Bob MacDonald, Lizzie MacDonald, Gordon MacDonald and Fred MacKay. Other charter members were Lyla MacDonald, Roy MacDonald, McMillan Priest. Alfred Ernest and John Hooper.1

The Mayflower Boys and Girls Swine Club

The Mayflower Boys and Girls Swine Club was organized at Centra Cariboo on May 22, 1924. The club included Bay View, Three Brooks and Central Carriboo. This was the first Boys and Girls Club formed in the County. The Advisory Board which organized the club included: W.A. MacDonald of Bay View, A. MacG. Fraser of Central Caribou and Alexander Harris of Three Brooks.

Officers for the club were James Dobson as President, a young farmer who had served for a number of years on the Sheep Committee of the Pictou County Exhibition. Alexander Fraser was nominated and Arnold MacDonald served as secretary ?•

The use of local pigs was the norm for the club, but some member including James Dobson, James Ferguson, Gordon MacDonald and Arnolct MacDonald brought Yorkshire Pigs. These pigs are a good bacon type and with a competitive club, good stock was developed and shown at the exhibitions.

Calf Club

In 1926, a Calf Club was organized by Malcolm D. MacChan. Margaret MacKeil and Bob MacDonald went to the Amherst Winter Fair as i

-121- judging team, Eleanor Douglas from the Scotsburn Club made up the other member of the team. This club remained active into the 1940's; most of the members were also in the Swine Club.

Garden and Poultry Club

In 1928, a Garden and Poultry Club was organized by Mr. MacCharles. Mr. Roy MacDonald, won a trip to Regina as a member of a grain judging team; and in 1932, Blaine MacKeil went to the provincial exhibition as a poultry member. The parents were very instrumental in many ways. Many of the field days turned into summer picnics.

Bay View Garment Club

This Club was organized in 1930 by Miss Jean Munro, Home Economist, for the province. Miss Kay Gunn (later Mrs. Alton MacLean) helped for a number of years with the girls. Mr. and Mrs. James Ross were also leaders. Mrs. James Dobson, served for seven years and Mrs. Bernard Prest was also active as a leader. The Club flourished into the 50's. In 1941, the girls helped the Red Cross to make garments from bleached and dyed flour sacks for the war aid organizations.

122- Bay View Garden and Poultry Club

This Club was organized in 1955 by Mrs. Anna MacKay and Mr. Leslie MacKenzie. The Club had regular meetings and after a change of format several times, six years later the poultry was dropped. As the number in the garment club decreased, it joined the garden club and reorganized as the Project Club. Floriculture, forestry and self-determined projects were studied. John Lakenman went to the National Conference in 1969. Patsy MacKenzie and William Ferguson were Junior Farmer exchange delegates to Ontario. Judy Dobson was an exchange delegate to Newfoundland, but was unable to attend because of college entry. Tom Ferguson was a delegate in 1957 to National Conference in Toronto. In 1963, Peter MacKay was an Interprovincial delegate to Ontario. This was the first year the Royal Bank of Canada sponsored the trips.

In 1968, Peter MacKay became a Junior Leader and in 1970, Mrs. Carol MacKay (his wife) joined. Mrs. Lakenman in 1967 and Mrs. Kelderman in 1968 were also active leaders. Under their leadership, they had almost forty members. Crafts were being concentrated on that year in all respects.

Mrs. Anna MacKay and Mr. Leslie MacKenzie, after fifteen years of leadership, retired and were guests at the annual meeting with parents in attendance. A presentation of gifts was warmly received.

The Club continued and in 1978 Cindy Anderson was the winner of the silver tray and in 1979 the Club won the Most Community Minded Trophy, donated by the Bank of Nova Scotia.

The Club disbanded in 1979.

Square Dancing

The 4-H Club also participated in square dancing. The members formed a senior group and a junior group that danced at the different exhibitions in the province. Training usually took place at Bay View School for some time before entering competition.

In the junior group, girls wore black felt skirts with a red sash and a white blouse. The boys wore a white shirt with black pants and a ribbon tie. In the senior group, girls wore white blouses and printed skirts and the boys wore white shirts and dark pants.

123- or Group

Left to Right: Olive Prest, Bertus Kelderman, Judy Dobson, Henry MacKeil, .Ann MacMaster, Alfie Mackeil, Elizabeth Ferguson, David Logan Missing: Burton Langille

Senior Group

Left to Right: Ann Martin, Tom Ferguson, Betty MacKenzie, Ronnie Reid, Catherine MacMaster, Jack Ferguson, Catherine MacLean, Peter MacKay.

Later Group: John Kelderman Patsy MacKenzie William Ferguson Sally Langille John Lakenman Mary Alice MacMaster Murray Porter ? Mabel MacLean ?

Bay View/Braeshore Tractor Club

The Bay View/Braeshore Tractor Club was organized in 1965 at the farm of Mrs. Fred MacKay. The President was John Lakenman - Vice-President - Roy Prest; and Secretary-Treasurer was William Ferguson. The club reporter was John Kelderman.

- 124 Charter Members: Roy Prest, Eddie Lakenman, John Kelderman, Grant Benson, Bill MacKay, William Ferguson, John Lakenman, Harold Ferguson, Patsy MacKenzie, and Margaret Shaw. The leader was Mrs. Anna MacKay.

The Club met the first Tuesday of each month and was associated with the Garden Club. Wayne Fitzgerald - representative for New Holland Machinery Co. Ltd., came to a meeting and gave a talk and demonstration on safety with and care for machines. Members attended camp, had speeches at each meeting, a monthly lesson was prepared and a test given at the end of the years. Members went to the provincial tractor driving competitions.

In 1967, the Executive was: President - Bill MacKay, Vice-President - Patsy MacKenzie, Secretary-Treasurer - Grant Benson.

The club disbanded in 1968.3

Notes: 1. "Pictou Advocate", 1984.

2. "The Farmers Guide", Bovs and Girls Clubs. June 11, 1924.

3. The above articles have been taken from the written information supplied by leaders to be placed in the 4-H scrapbook.

- 125 4-H The Sewing Club: Oral History by Ina Dobson

The Club was started in 1951 and classes were held on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Bay View School. Embroidery and knitting were taught. Girls made aprons and potholders. As they progressed they made larger items.

The decision to start the classes was made by Mrs. Dobson as a community type club but, in later years the Club became known as the 4-H Sewing Club.

Each year after the end of classes, a closing day was held for the sewing to be displayed. This was done at the school and the sewing was attached to white sheets that covered the blackboards. Women came from Truro to judge the sewing. Some of the girls made scrapbooks as well as their sewing.

In later years, Patricia Ross taught the class from her house. Then Evelyn Prest took over the classes.

The sewing was put on display in the 4-H building at the Pictou Exhibition.

Besides the Sewing Club, a Garden Club and Poultry Club were organized in Bay View.

To make money for the Sewing Club, girls sold fudge. A Secretary- Treasurer looked after the money made and the weekly collection money. The material and thread was paid for from this money.

126 Pictou 4-H Club by Sandra Tucker

The reforming of the Bay View 4-H Club (renamed Pictou 4-H) occurred in November, 1988. The Club started with just seven members: Caroline Young, Mark Young, Jane Young, Tony Schell, Nadine Schell, Grant Tucker, and Clare Tucker. There were four leaders: Cathy Young - Rabbit Project (General Leader 1988-91), Marie Schell - Craft Project, Keith Tucker - Woodworking, and Sandra Tucker - Heritage Project. Meetings were held in the Leader's homes. After using the first year as a "Pilot Project" the Club was then opened up to young people in the area, which included the Town of Pictou and surrounding rural area.

Various projects have been offered over the past four years, which included Clover Buds (ages 7-9 years) and Outdoorsman. However, projects this year include: First Aid - Cathy Young, Calves - William Ferguson (General Leader 1991-92), Sandra Tucker - Photography, Eddie Lakenman - Woodworking (assisted by Keith Tucker), Jeanne Ferguson - Crafts. Two members are also in Dog Obedience, which is held at the County Level (leader Danny McDougal).

The present membership for 1992 are: * Angela Dunn Joey MacDonald Jenny Ferguson Timmy MacDonald David Gamble Melissa MacKaracher Allison Hallett Stephen MacKaracher Maria Henderson Katie MacKay Marie Kelderman, Club Secretary Clare Tucker, Vice President Derek Lakenman Stephanie Tucker Katrina Lakenman, President Heather West Lisa Lakenman Mark Young Kristine MacCarthy Peter Young, Club Treasurer * B lake Ferguson Robert Young Terri Ferguson

The members have been quite successful these past three years, with almost all members going forward to the Pictou/North Colchester Exhibition. Ultimately several going forward to the provincial 4-H Show in both Truro (1990) and Windsor (1991).

During 1991, the Club undertook three Rural Beautification Projects: (1) To clean up and remove rubbish from the beach, close by the Yacht Club. (2) To tidy up, plant trees and make a "Welcome" sign at the corner of the Bay View and Beaches Roads. (3) To clean up and tidy the grounds of the Bay View Community Hall. plant flowers, shrubs, etc.

- 127- In recognition of these efforts, the Club was awarded first place for the area, then first place (Youth Section) for the provincial competition, and :• awarded a plaque and money prize towards garden supplies.

Usually, the project meetings are still held at the leaders' homes, with the monthly "General Meeting" being held at the Bay View Community Hall, on either the first Monday or Tuesday in the month. Pictou 4-H is now completing its 4th year and hopes to continue with the same success it has previously experienced.

128- Braeshore School by Margaret MacLeod

For several years preceding 1948, the one room schoolhouse at Bay View was overcrowded. The ratepayers could not agree to add a second room and, finally, it was decided to build a new school, if permission could be obtained, to accommodate children who lived along the shore road area of the section of Bay View.

Permission having been granted, the new school was built on land which was given by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. Anderson. It was part of a large acreage, formerly a farm owned by them. The distance from Pictou Town was about four and a half miles. The land given measured 300 x 100 feet. It bordered the highway and the north end extended to the line fence which separated it from the MacKay farm.

School law in Nova Scotia required that with the building of a new school, boundaries for a new section must be determined and a new name be given to said section. The new school section #61 included all the properties along the Shore Road beginning with the property of James Sim Anderson and ending at the property of Dr. Donald Webster. The name chosen for the school section was Braeshore. The financing for building the school was accomplished by: (1) Cash donations from persons in both Bay View and Braeshore to the amount of $1,558.00. (2) Loans from the provincial School Building Fund totalling $3,100.00. (3) A short term bank loan of $500.00. (4) Some volunteer work helped to keep down cash expenditures.

To repay the principal and interest on the loan from the Nova Scotia government, a special school tax for capital expenditures was levied on each property. The amount to be repaid was amortized so that in ten years all would be paid.

-129- A little more than a year after the school opened, an additional piece was built to the south end thus providing space for a kitchenette and a vestibule. There was a door at the rear. A well was bored at the back of the school and water carried into the school in a bucket. Later, an electric pump was obtained and a tap and sink installed in the kitchenette.

A teacher, Miss Helena Latimer, was engaged to begin her duties for the term starting in the fall of 1948. Since the school was not yet ready for occupancy, school was held until Christmas in a cottage owned by and near the dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hislop.

A Home and School Association was soon formed and while the most pressing need seemed to be to raise money in order to buy necessary articles for the school room, the Home and School Association was and remained a unifying influence in the community, with the good of the children in mind.

Even the money raising events, besides being hard work, provided a pleasant social atmosphere. There were card parties, pantry sales, bring-and- buy sales and strawberry festivals.

The money raised was used to purchase a teacher's desk, a bookcase, a stepladder, saucepans, kettle, a two burner hot plate, dishes, cutlery for the pantry, a first aid box and eventually, a projector. Also, lumber was bought for a work counter in the kitchenette and lumber for a tilt for the playground. The tilt was built by Wilfred Anderson free of charge.

The Home and School members provided supplies for hot lunches for the children during the winter months. They bought various kinds of soups, beans, corn, spaghetti, cocoa and sugar. For a time cod liver oil capsules were supplied. They supplied treats at the Christmas concert and ice cream at the picnic at the close of school in June.

Trees and shrubs were bought and planted. One of the members supervised a "Garment Club" for the girls while another member taught the boys woodworking and woodburning.

One of the 4-H leaders of the Bay View/Braeshore 4-H asked the trustees for permission to hold some of the meetings in Braeshore School. Permission was readily granted.

At the beginning, maps were scarce and many other items were needed. The Municipal School Board provided the necessities and as the years went on other needs arose. We never did attain "perfection" as to "facilities" so called.

School was held for twenty-three terms under the instruction of fifteen teachers. Attendance dwindled for a while. In March of 1965, the trustees received notice that the school would be closed for the year 1965-66. A delegation of school trustees from both Bay View and Braeshore attended -130- the next meeting of the Municipal School Board and requested that Braeshore remain open.

When pupils were taken by bus to West Pictou Consolidated High School, then some of the younger children from Bay View came by bus to Braeshore and the enrolment figures went up. Some of the children came from families where the parents were employed locally, part of the year as at the lumbering site, fishing, farming. Some were visiting relatives. Well over one hundred children were served by Braeshore School.

As stated before, we never attained perfection but a good many of those who taught and I think, a good many of those who were pupils look back with some happy memories of time spent at a little school which was practically in the woods. No houses could be seen, but the good scent of spruce was in the air. The chickadees sang and when school was over for the day, the Canada jays glided silently down to pick up a choice crust.

Sunday School was held there from May until September for perhaps four or five years.

After consolidation, the Municipal School Board sold the land and building to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Veniot, who took up residence there.

Teachers 1948-49 Helena Latimer 1960-61 Linda MacLeod 1949-50 Elizabeth (Beth) Dewar 1961-62 Marjorie Freeman 1950-51 Marjorie MacKenzie 1962-63 Sandra Cameron Bronson 1951 -52 Marjorie MacKenzie 1963-64 Annie MacFarlane 1952-53 Frances Elliott Cameron 1964-65 Vema Murray 1953-54 Anne Murray 1965-66 Verna Murray 1954-55 Marguerite Baxter 1966-67 Vema Murray 1955-56 Marguerite Baxter 1967-68 Mary C. MacGillivray 1956-57 Mary Jane A. Dobson 1968-69 Mary C. MacGillivray 1957-58 Mary Jane A. Dobson 1969-70 Mary C. MacGillivray 1958-59 Joan Reid 1970-71 Bonnie Sutherland 1959-60 Joan Reid

131 The Three Brooks School From Interviews with Una Young and Marybelle MacLean

The Three Brooks School burned in the 1960's. It had been located on land which was donated by the Young Family. While this structure was old and probably dating back to the 1870's, it was the second school to service the community. The older one had been situated close to the junction of the Otter Road near Howard Usher's property. It is known that children were attending the second school by 1878. At that time the school was only one room but in the 1950's a new part was added to accommodate a growing population of children in the area. At first all grades from one to grade nine were taught in the one room, but with the addition, grades seven to nine were taught in the new classroom. The teacher of this part was also considered the principal.

After the Municipality decided to consolidate all the schools in Pictou County, this school was sold to private owners. The new owners used it as a storage building for machinery. Very early one morning the community woke up to find that the school had burned down through the night. All that remains of the property is the baseball field that was used by the children.

In remembering what her old school looked like, Marybelle said that there was an old pot belly stove close to the front of the room and the stovepipe ran the length of the room and up through the attic. They did this because the pipe kept the whole room warm. Some seats in the classroom could hold four children and others were double seats. Marybelle served as janitor for the school for four years. Mrs. Young said that many of the teachers boarded at the Young home while teaching in Three Brooks.

At first there was no water supply for the school so water was brought in jugs from the neighbouring homes. Oil lamps were put near each window of the classroom. Maps were kept at the front of the room and in the early years pupils used slates to write on. Hot lunches were supplied by local

132- families. It is believed that this school did not have a Home and School Association like other schools in the area. In the 1920's, a teacher made a salary of $300.00 a year and the community had three Trustees in charge of the school. To raise money for the school, dances and card parties were held. At the time that the new section was added, the trustees arranged with the bank to issue a bond which was held by Alex Logan, to raise construction funds. Bert Ray was hired to do the carpentry work.

Activities in the school were similar to those of other schools in rural Pictou County. Church services were held in the building, mostly by the Presbyterian ministers. Sunday School was taught during the summers. Mrs. MacLean remembers that Bill Grant held the Sunday School for two or three years. Christmas concerts were held each year with the teacher and students preparing for a couple of months before. Box socials were held on Valentine's Day. Picnics were held in June at the end of the school year. One winter a debating team was formed. Children were even baptized in the school.

Teachers Laura Munro 1920-21 Marie MacKinnon Mabel MacCallum 1921-22 Dorothy MacDonald Ruth Munro 1922-23 Amy Campbell Helen Irving 1923-24 Tina MacLellan Irene MacLean 1925-26 Olive Jardine Elizabeth Harris 1926-27 Margaret Sutherland Hughena Harris 1927-28 Mildred MacDonald Helen Irving 1928-29 Shirley Henderson Lilla Ross 1929-30 Marion Irving Mrs. Windmill 1950's onward: Helen Langille Annie MacFarlane Mabel Langille Agnes Langille Miriam Patterson Estelle Coulter Ella Forbes Early Teachers: Margaret MacDonald Phoebe Oakes Diane Vaughan Hazel MacKenzie Ella MacKenzie Catherine MacMillan

-133- Three Brooks Students, 1900

. eacher - Catherine MacMillan

:raC. Munro Remmick Munro Robert A. Grant Christina MacKenzie "alien MacKenzie Charles Stewart George Grant Margarita Stewart Eliza Grant Francis M. MacEwen Maggie Munro Logan Mabel Grant .•Mice E. Irving Annie E. Harris Alexander Harris Anderson Harris Anna Bell MacKenzie Etta May Murray Myrtle Murray John K. MacKenzie Frank Prentice Walter Prentice Mary E. Prentice Alexander Munro Ernest H. Davidson Murray MacEwen Jessie May Irving Lillian Grant Neil MacKenzie Donald Cameron Christy Bell Munro Anna J. Grant Barbara A. Grant John H. Beck

JJW^ ^^^^^^^W»v wjsE * *:1 ,..^1*^ -

Old Three Brooks School

-134 Central Carriboo School c. 1866 Central Carriboo Information Supplied by Amy Henry and John Langille and Alexander Priest

The Central Carriboo School was destroyed by fire on July 1, 1970. therefore, when children were sent back to school for the fall term the Central Carriboo pupils attended classes in accommodations at the Sir William Dawson School in Pictou. The country children were taught as a separate unit. but they socialized with the town students, forming friendships that lasted through the years. Mrs. K. Neill taught the children at Dawson. The following years these children were put in the new school at Lyons Brook. The old one room school had been slated for closure in June of 1971.

The building was probably erected about 1866 on land given : Donald Fraser. The building was a one storey structure with one room. Tr. front door was center placed and flanked by windows. Inside, a pot belly stove sat at the front of the room. Lamps were hung on the walls and the blackboards were made of slate. Maps which rolled like window blinds were hung around the room. In the early years, desks were homemade affairs, but, later the standard double desks used in most schools were installed. This school never had indoor plumbing but, according to Alexander Priest, a well was duf around 1947, oil heating was put in about 1946 and electricity about 1949. I the journal supplied by Mr. Langille, it was seen that the rate expected from taxpayers to support the school in 1942 was $420.00.

Each year the students held a Christmas concert and Mrs. Henry remembers that in 1914, box socials were held to raise money for the Belgium -135- Relief Fund. Sunday School was held in the school, the first was started by Mr. C.B. Robertson. The Church of England held church services on Sunday afternoons and in later years, the students held Red Cross meetings in the school.

Teachers who taught at the school usually boarded with community residents. After the school burned, the school land was turned over to the Central Carriboo Cemetery.

Central Carriboo School

136 From the Register of Central Carriboo School Section 53 1910

General prescriptions in the program of studies for the public schools of Nova Scotia. In all grades (common and high school) to which they are respectively applicable.

Physical Exercise and Military Drill Vocal Music Hygiene and Temperance Moral and Patriot Duties Good Manners Nature Study Spelling and Dictation Reading and Education English Writing Drawing Arithmetic Geography/History Manual Training

Note on Military Drill

Military drill is the latest result of the experience of generations of practical men in devising the most effective manner of training numbers of men to move in the most convenient order and under the fullest control. All teachers are required to make as practical an acquaintance as possible with the system of military drill at least as far as "Squad Drill" and to have pupils drilled to stand and move smartly.

Central Carriboo School Burned July 1, 1970

Central Carriboo School which housed forty pupils was burned to the ground on July 1. A passing motorist sounded the alarm at 5 p.m.

The fire lasted a long time because the floor was five inches thick - four layers of softwood and a layer of hardwood.

The hundred year old school had blackboards of real slate. Mrs. Amy Henry was teacher that year. The school was scheduled for closing in June, 1971.

Pictou Advocate, July 1, 1970, p. 1. -137 Central Carriboo School Student Register 1947

Esther A. Barnard John Pettipas Nina R. Humber James Shea Julia F. Smith Myrna Shea Frances J. MacKeil Elizabeth Benjamin Roberta A. Turple Alma MacDougall Eric J. Pettipas Edna Winters Loraine J. Pettipas Jean Winters Mary L. Smith Joan Winters Oakley R. Goodwin Bemadette LeBlanc Marie Humber William A. LeBlanc Mona Langille Marilyn A. Comeau A. Joan Robertson Janet A. Smith Stephen MacDougall Ian Priest 3emice Shea Raymond MacFarlane Elizabeth MacFarlane Geraldine Shea Lola Turple Keith Benjamin Althea B. Murray Ronald Pettipas Alexander R. Priest Larry Benjamin Sylvia Humber Lloyd Langille ."ean S. MacFarlane Jessie MacDougall

Central Carriboo School, Section 53 From School Journal

1910 Teacher, Mina Sutherland 36 students Trustees: Alex Talbot William Fraser James Sutherland Secretary: Alex Campbell 1929 Teacher, Isabel Muir 27 students Trustees: John K. Fraser Anderson Harris James Grant Secretary: Fraser Priest 1936 Teacher, Elizabeth Harris 30 students Trustees: Harry Barnard A. MacG. Fraser James Hartling Secretary: Herbert Priest 1941 Teacher, Dorothy M. Thompson 34 students Trustees: Herbert Priest Kenneth Langille Alex Fraser Secretary: James W. Campbell 1947 Teacher, Ruth Munro 41 students Secretary: Harry Barnard 138 Central Carriboo School, Section 53

Teachers Supplied by Amy Henry

Willow Creighton Ruby Creighton Laura Munro Bessie Anderson Henry? Munro Florence Annis Goldie Talbot Isabel Muir Hazel MacKenzie Mina Sutherland Ada Redmond Dorothy Thompson Lillian Cameron Elizabeth Harris Helen Thompson Pitts

Teachers Supplied by Alex Priest

Helen Monnick 1944-45 Ruth Munro 1945-49 Margaret M. Fraser, Ethel Oliver, Myrtle Lamb 1951-52 Catherine MacDonald 1949-50 Frances Cameron 1952-53

Teachers Supplied by Jean Langille

Marion Irving Gladys Dickson Miriam Patterson Laurena McCuUogh David MacKay Shirley Heighton Rita Cheverie Amy Henry Jo Priest

-139 Bay View School From the files of Margaret MacMaster Written by Olive Pastor

Bay View saw the beginning of classes in the year 1826. The first school was a log structure built on land that was then owned by Wilfred Anderson's ancestors. Later, the school was moved to the north end of the section where more students were living. The first teacher that came to the district came from Merigomish. Most teachers at the time were old Country Schoolmasters. They were paid by the parents and boarded in the homes. They were very strict and did not spare the strap when needed. For more severe crimes the strap was sometimes heated before being administered. The dunce hat with a horse tail hanging down the back was used to humiliate a student.

At one time two students, who did not like the schoolmaster, placed firebrands against the logs of the building causing it to burn down. After that, a second structure was built up near where the Pictou Lodge now sits. The first female teacher, Miss Mary MacDonald, arrived in 1854. Probably, by this time the third school and the one still standing was built near Leslie's Corner.

In the beginning books were quite limited in the classroom. The Bible was put to use, the Blue-Black Dictionary and the arithmetic book was used. Later, in 1842 the first geography used at Bay View was printed in Philadelphia. This geography may still be in the MacKay possession.

The present school is the one that was at Leslie's Corner. Probably around 1874, it was moved to the present site on land donated by the Ross family. The deed is dated 1874 and made out to the Commissioners of Schools. The building functioned as a place of learning from its time of contruction in c. 1850 until 1971 at which time it was turned over to the Municipality of Pictou County. At this point, children were removed from the community to attend the consolidated school at West Pictou.

- 140- The building is built in one of three school designs that were used in Pictou County by the School Board. The roof has a medium pitch, there is a three bay facade with a centered administrative doorway. Shingles cover the outer walls. The foundation is made of concrete and a brick chimney on the outer rear wall.

Inside the school has been remodelled a number of times. Most work in the past was donated by men and women who had children in school. The floor is made of hardwood which had to be sanded and varnished many times over the years. Wainscoating covered the lower part of the walls and blackboards were placed around the upper walls. Benches were built at the back of the room. Double desks of two sizes were anchored to the floor. Pictures on the walls were donated by the Ferguson family from Bermuda. The light fixtures were donated by Dr. John Ferguson. Other people donated their time and labor for maintenance to the building and the grounds. A telephone was installed and indoor toilets were welcome additions.

For many years hot lunches were supplied by the Home and School Association. A hot plate and a sink were put in the school. The pump was outside in the playground. A set of shelves was provided to house the book collection that was used by students for research and reading. A crank gramophone and an organ provided the music required for school functions. A picture of H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II hung at the front of the room.

A wood and coal furnace provided the heat for the school. A large register at the front of the room distributed the heat to the classroom. Children often stood over the register to keep warm and mitts were laid on top to dry. No doubt, in the early days a pot belly stove did the job that the furnace replaced.

The schoolyard was made up of a playground and a front lawn. In front were planted oak trees and close to the school is a purple lilac bush. Maple trees also graced the schoolyard. The play area had a ballfield, swings and a tilt. At one time a boarded in rink was built at the rear of the school for the children's skating pleasure.

Students at Bay View were active in the Junior Red Cross Program and it is indicated that in other works the children were active during the war years helping on War Saving Stamp sales. Public speaking was well represented by students. Each year a field day was held and there was always a school picnic in June.

Perhaps the most important event that took place, other than the lessons, was the Christmas concert. Students rehearsed for a couple of months for the concert. They set up the stage and hung the curtains under the supervision of the teacher. The program began with "O Canada" and ended with "God Save the Queen". There were carols, plays, skits, monologues, and Christmas songs. At intermission, the children sold fudge and at the end Santa arrived with gifts for all. This concert was very important to the children and it gave them a chance to dress up in new clothes and perform for their parents

- 141- and other guests. It was an event that everyone in the community attended and drew the people together in spirit as well as body.

On Valentine's Day, a box social was held. Girls decorated boxes and brought lunch in them. Boys bid on the boxes. The girl and the boy then sat together to eat the lunch. At Hallowe'en, children had a party and dressed up. Costumes were judged and games were played. The children bobbed for apples and ate candy. In the winter, skating parties were held on the outdoor pond or in the rink. Usually, a bean supper followed. On Sundays, Margaret MacLeod taught Sunday School and all Protestant children attended regardless of which church they attended.

The school was visited by the bookmobile, and children got books for fun reading. The National Film Board visited and the Health Nurse came a couple of times a year. The girls had the sewing club. Teachers usually boarded in the homes, especially in the early years.

Subjects taught in the school included: English, History, Math, Science, Civics, Geography, Art and French. In grade seven, students wrote their examination in the town school and in grade eight attended Patterson Junior High School and then on to Pictou Academy. In 1960, West Pictou District High was built and rural students went there after grade seven. Eventually, all rural students went to the consolidated school in Lyons Brook. The effect of the closure of the community based schools is being felt today, twenty years later. Some aspects of the move are positive, but for the most part it would probably be agreed that the removal of the children is negative and has hurt the rural communities.

Teachers

Pearl Maclnnis Ethel Waugh Elsie Harris Nan Muir Margaret F. Fraser Eileen MacKay Bertha Lowden Jean Munro Isabel MacNabb Evelyn Chapman Mrs. Murray Amy Campbell Eva Hadley James Conway Mabel Gunn Campbell Mary Sharpe Jenny Fraser 1938-39 Donelda Henderson 1939-40 Christine Reeves 1942-44 Marion Macintosh 1948-49 Georgina Stewart Cameron 1951 Lena Harris 1952-54 Francis Cameron 1954-58 Ethel Kelderman Jessie Johnson Miriam Patterson Carol MacKay Rita Heron

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foccyi* ¥cytcr?~& y>£ /?^ tctZ-^tj ^UL^*.- ; THIS INDENTURE maae tne 5th any oi October in uit vc: ol Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy-One. BETWEEN: THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF PICTOU, a body corporate, being an incorporated Municipality in the Province of Nova Scotia, hereinafter called the "Municipality." OF THE ONE PART

-AND-

Leslie MacKenzie, Kenneth Porter and Cor. Lakenman, Trustees of Bayview Community Club and their successors in office, hereinafter called the Grantees.

OF THE OTHER PART

WHEREAS the lands and premises hereinafter described were conveyed by John Ross to Charles Elliott, James Bayne, Andrew W. Herdman, James Meddell, James Creighton and Robert P. Grant, Commissioners of Schools for the Northern District of the County of Pictou and recorded in Book 66, Page 356, Registry of Deeds, Pictou, N.S. and by J. James and Patricia Ross to the Trustees of the Bayview School Section, recorded in Book 251, Page 73, Registry of Deeds, Pictou, N.S. AND WHEREAS the lands and premises have become vested in the Municipality under the provisions of the Municipal Act.

AND WHEREAS the Council of the Municipality at its July Session

resolved to sell the said lands and premises to the Grantees for the price

or sum of One Hundred and fifty Dollars ($150.00), the said lands being no

longer required for the use of the Municipality, or for the use of the

public, or for the use of the inhabitants of the Municipality. NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said Municipality for and in

consideration of the premises and of the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars

($150.00) of lawful money of Canada and other valuable considerations to the

said Municipality in hand well and truly paid by the said Grantees at or before the ensealing and delivery of THESE PRESENTS, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained, sold aliened, enfeoffed, released, remised, conveyed and confirmed and by These Presents doth grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff, release, remise, convey and confirm unto the said Grantees ALL that certain piece of land situate and being at Cariboo, i Lot 1- All that triangular tlot, piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being* Cariboo bounded and described as followsi Beginning it the forks or r.he road to the East of Ross Brook, thence Easterly along the old road i+5 yards, thence Northerly. 35 yards to a pine tree, thence *0 on3 the New Road <*5 yards, more or less to the place of beginning being the property deeded by John Ross to Charles Elliott, J*>nes Bayne, Andrew W. Herdman, Janes Meddell, James Creighton and Robert P. Grant, Commissioners of Schools for the Northern District of the County of Pictou, recorded In Book 66, Page 356, Registry of Deeds, Pictou, N.S.

^Lot 2- Beginning at a point on the North side line of the lands , of J. Jo^es Ross 150' distant from the point where the lands "of J. J^mes Ross and lands of the Bayview School Section and jthe lands of W. A. MacDonald Intersect and running along the : said North line of said J. J'mes Ross 150' to the said point ;of Intersection, thence Southerly along the East side line of glands of J. Janes Ross a distance of 150', thence In a Northwesterly fdirect)on 17^' more or less to the place of beginning, being the ^property deeded by J. James and Patricia Ross to the Trustees of Sthe Bayview School Section, recorded In Book 251i Page 73, Registry iot Deeds, Pictou, N.S.

Together with all and singular the buildings, easements,tenements hereditaments and appurt nances to the same belonging, or in any­ wise appertaining; with the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof, and all the estate, right, title, interest, claim, property and demand both at law and in equity of the said Municipality of, in, t« IT «ut of the same or any part thereof. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said lands and premises, with the appurtenances, and every part thereef, unto the said Grantees, their heirs and assigns, tottelr and their sole use, benefit and behoof forever. The Caribou Island School From Interview with Charlotte (MacCarthy) Vye

The old Caribou Island school, which now is located on the Gus Swanson property in Waterside, was built c. 1896. To raise funds to build the school, local community members held dances and sold refreshments. The men built the structure and the women made some things like curtains, etc. The structure was situated about 1/8 of a mile from the MacLean residence towards the lighthouse in a cleared area. In the old deeds the land was transferred to the Trustees of Schools and was called School Section 56.

The building had only one room like the many other schools in Pictou County but was much smaller than most. On the outside, the walls were shingled and painted white with green trim. Inside, there was a porch and then two doors entering into the classroom. The teachers desk was on a raised floor at the front of the room. Double seats were used for the children. In the center of the room a pot belly stove sat and it is said that if the children wanted a holiday, they would knock down the stovepipe. Oil lamps lined the sidewalk and an organ was placed in the school. Curtains were made for the windows and they were kept in repair by the MacCarthy family. Water had to be carried from the MacLean residence and tenders were put out for the job of starting the fire in the cold winter mornings.

The grades taught in the school were from grade one to eleven. There was probably around six families that sent their children to school and there was about 22 to 24 students. Like other schools in the county, this school had a Christmas concert which was the event of the year. The children performed on the raised floor and had a curtain like in a theatre. Those who were not performing on the stage sat in the front seats. A Christmas tree was put to the right of the stage. Candles were used to light the tree. Arbor Day was the time when the children cleaned the school and the yard.

Prayer meetings, church services and Sunday School were all held in the school. Sunday School was held for several years in the schoolhouse. Mr.

- 146- Herbert MacCarthy Sr. and others from the community organized and kept it going. Mr. MacCarthy also built and donated a lectern for the church services that were held in the school. This was graced with a velvet scarf which was designed and sewn by Mrs. H. MacCarthy. Mrs. Norman MacLean was the organist and led the signing. Ministers came from the United Church and from the Presbyterian Church, as student ministers, for the summer months. While the ministers were on the island, they stayed at the homes of island families.

Trustees were elected to see to the smooth running of the school and they would also be responsible for hiring the teacher. There was never any power in the schoolhouse and by 1965 the building was closed, probably because of the lack of students.

Teachers (from Hazel Falconer) Ada F. Redmond 1915 William F. Muir 1938-39 Hazel E. MacKenzie 1916 MildredJ.Wells 1940-41 Elizabeth A. Harris 1917 Rita A. Hersey 1942-43 Annie I. Robertson 1918 Elena J. Janosko 1944 Lillian A. Cameron 1919 Jean A. MacKenzie 1945-47 Annie I. Robertson 1920 Norma MacC. MacLean 1948 Elizabeth D. Harris 1923 Doreen L. Megeney 1949 Anna S.C. Fitzgerald 1924 Dora E. Sloan 1949 Anna Fitzgerald 1925 Hazel I. Falconer 1949 Ida MacLeod 1926 Thelma M. Bailey 1949 Ellen M. MacLeod 1927 Norma MacLean 1952 Bernice E. Johnson 1929 Daphine Falconer 1953 Elsie Sutherland 1929-31 Virginia I. Falconer 1953-54 Vera MacLean 1932 Daphine Falconer 1954-55 Elizabeth M. Chisholm 1933-34 Jean A. Battist 1955-58 Elizabeth B. Smith 1935 Marguerite MacCarthy 1958-59 Jennie A. Fraser 1935 Hazel I. Falconer 1958-59 Helen L. McArthur 1936 Florence W. McClary 1959-60 Amy R. Pye 1936 Francis Cameron 1960-61 Eva E. MacCabe 1937 Malcolm Jay 1960-61

Registers were missing for years 1921,1922,1928. The school was closed in years 1950 and 1951.

-147- Waterside School From Interviews with Florence MacMaster, Bella MacKenzie and Mina Patterson

The first school at Waterside was located down close to the Otter Road. The second building which is still standing was built in the 1870's. Deeds show that Kenneth MacKenzie transferred the land to the Trustees of Waterside School in 1880. The school was built close to the road and parallel to it. In 1927, the building was moved back and turned so the door was facing the road. The School Board had decided that this would allow the playground to be larger.

The school was a frame structure with only one small room. It was shingled on the outer walls. However, today, vinyl siding is used. Inside, the school had one pot belly stove for heat. Blackboards were placed on the walls around the room, but the children wrote on slates. Water had to be carried from springs at George D. MacKenzie's farm. Wood was supplied by community members. Kenneth MacKenzie put on the fires for many years. This was done early in the morning so the school would be warm when the children arrived.

In 1917, Florence MacMaster came to Caribou Island and taught at the Waterside school. She had about twelve students. She remembers that on the day World War I ended, Gordon MacKenzie came and told her and the children. After a short prayer, she dismissed class so the children could go home and celebrate the end of the war.

Mina Patterson writes that the children brought their lunches to school and they would make cocoa to drink. Bella MacKenzie remembers that like other schools in the area, this one played host to many Christmas concerts and that there were box socials on Valentine's Day. On Arbor Day, the children cleaned the school and the playground. Also, Presbyterian ministers and United Church ministers held church services on Sundays and prayer meetings on weekdays. Ministers would board at houses in the community. These ministers were students who came in the summer. Teachers also boarded at

- 148- houses in the community. Each family would take their turn boarding the teacher. In later years, teachers usually stayed at the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon MacKenzie or Mr. and Mrs. Duncan A. MacKay because they were close to the school.

The children had to walk about two and a half miles to and from school.

In 1971, the school was passed over to the Municipality of Pictou County and then it was sold to a private owner in the same year. The last teacher to teach in the school was Isabel MacKenzie, a former student and daughter of Gordon MacKenzie, and granddaughter of Kenneth MacKenzie, the original owner of the school land.

Teachers Mrs. Cameron Elizabeth Harris Florence MacKenzie Lena Harris Mary Sutherland Marion Fraser Lillian MacLean Margaret MacDonald Hazel MacKenzie Mary Fleming Flora MacDonald Ethel Oliver Isabel Munro McCara Cameron Florence MacMaster Marie Cameron Doris Baird Irene MacLean Ada Murray Marjorie MacKenzie Menah Campbell Annie Redmond Eleanor Heughan Marguerite Baxter Muade Windmill Jean Matheson Beatrice Clarke Margaret Murphy MacCarthy

-149 Excerpts from Carriboo River Lower School, Section 58 (Waterside School) Register Supplied by Fred Otter

Annual Meeting, September 30,1878 Minutes: The annual meeting of School Section No. 58 held here this evening for the purpose of transacting the business of the school for the ensuing year. Neil MacKenzie in the chair, John MacKenzie, Secretary. The minutes of the last meeting was read and sustained. It was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that John Stewart be appointed Trustee instead of James Weir, retiring. It was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that $80.00, eighty dollars be assessed for supporting the school for the ensuing year. Also moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Trustees of this Section be authorized to secure a suitable site for a new school house for this section.

November 31, 1878 Meeting: Moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the school site be located on the northwest side of Kenneth MacKenzie's house, about 60 roods from the center. It was moved by Kenneth MacKenzie, seconded by George Morrison that the school be built 21x52 and nine foot post. Moved, seconded and carried that Neil MacKenzie, James Weir and John MacKenzie be appointed to act with the Trustees in drawing a plan of building and a bill of scantling.

March 20, 1879 Minutes: Means of getting scantling for the new school, Mr. James Weir to furnish 2 sills 8x8 - 32 ft. and 321 ft., 8x8 to be landed on the school site on or before the July.

Neil MacKenzie, 4 plates 5x6, @$1.30 D. Morrison, 4 posts, 10 ft. 5x6, @$1.00 James Weir, 14 pieces, 10 ft. 4x5, $1.85 Alex MacLeod, 14 pieces, 10 ft. 4x5, $1.40 Neil MacKenzie, 6 pieces, 10 ft. 4x5, .800 James Weir, 8 pieces, 10 ft. 4x5, .990 Simon MacKenzie, 12 rafters, 14 ft. 4x6,4x4 at top, $1.90 Simon MacKenzie, 12 rafters, 14 ft. 4x6,4x4 at top, $1.90 James Weir, 12 collar beams, 15 ft. 4x5, $1.75 Kenneth MacKenzie, 4 pieces, 9.4x5.4 , $1.27 Neil MacKenzie, 12 pieces, 16 ft. 4x6, $2.25 Kenneth MacKenzie, 8 pieces, 6 ft. 4x5, .650

150 Valuation and Tax from Minutes 1867? Valuation Tax $ $ James Weir 880.00 5.53 Hugh Davidson 340.00 2.15 Kenneth MacKenzie 420.00 2.62 Widow Clark 530.00 3.40 Donald Murray 440.00 2.82 William Otter 220.00 1.40 Donald McTavish 358.00 2.25 Alex McTavish 150.00 .96 Simon MacKenzie 460.00 2.95 Kenneth MacKenzie 550.00 3.52 George MacKenzie 250.00 2.50 Alex MacLeod 100.00 .64 George Morrison 550.00 3.52 John MacKenzie 1,060.00 6.78 Neil MacKenzie 470.00 3.00 John Stewart 590.00 3.77 Donald Morrison 270.00 1.73 Hugh Morrison 280.00 1.80

Total 7,910.00 50.36

Assessment for the yearl879 was on $8,279.00, total taxes $140.74.

-151 Caribou River School From Information Supplied by Annie Bowron

Deeds to the Trustees of School Section #2 show land being transferred from Thomas Ross to the Trustees in 1885. It is not known at this point whether a school was erected on this site in 1885 or whether an existing school was moved to the property. Records show a school on a property closer to the Melville Church in 1879. There is information stating that Donald MacAulay, 1803-1897, was the first teacher in Caribou River and prior to having a school, held classes in the MacAulay home.

As with other schools in the district, this school was heated with a pot belly stove and lighted with oil lamps that hung in brackets along the walls. Originally, water was carried from the neighbouring homes. However, in later years a well was drilled. To raise money to drill the well, the community held card parties and dances.

Caribou River students entertained each December with a Christmas concert and observed Arbor Day by cleaning the school and grounds. On Sundays, Sunday School was held in the school. Sunday School teachers included: Mrs. Bowron, Mrs. John Grant and Rose Falconer. Once a month a minister came out from Pictou and held church on Sunday evening. At least one Baptism was performed at the school.

When the churches held a vote for union, this congregation voted to go with the United Church. In the summers, ministers went to the church, and in winter, services were held in the school because it was heated. A young peoples group was also formed and held in the school.

Teachers (Partial List, not in order) Laura Munro 1920's Amy Henry Marjorie MacKenzie Margaret Munro 1942-43 Margaret MacConnell Eileen Falconer Annie Bowron 1938-39 Hazel MacKenzie Kathleen MacFarlane Florence Johnson Shirley Henderson Alice MacMaster Ethel Johnson Heighton Ruth Langille Maude Windmill 1953-54 Marion Campbell David MacKay McCara Cameron? Bessie Ross Greta Elliott Jean MacDonald Doris Baird Marguerite Baxter

-152 INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES

153- History of Northumberland Ferries by Troy Cock M.V. Lord Selkirk M.V. Prince Nova

M.V. Confederation M.V. Prince Edward Northumberland Ferries Ltd. is the only ferry service linking Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. This service began in 1941. The idea of a ferry link was first conceived by the Honourable D.A. MacKinnon, the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island during his term in office from 1904 to 1910. However, it wasn't until 1935 when Finance Minister C.A. Dunning was invited to Charlottetown and given the "pitch" for the ferry link that the idea of the service was to become a reality. A group of Islanders formed a company and work started on the terminals.

The first vessel purchased was the M.V. Seaborn, from Massachusetts, U.S.A. for the sum of $80,000 in 1939. The ship was brought to Halifax to be converted to a ferry but did not make it into service. With the outbreak of World War II on September 3,1939, the newly purchased ship was requisitioned by the Admirality and went into service as a depot vessel at Halifax on December 6,1939.

It wasn't until 1941 that the M.V. Erie Isle was purchased from J. Earle MacQueen. She had been used for Great Lake cruises. This vessel was renamed the M.V. Prince Nova to emphasize the link between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. It was following a luncheon at Pictou Lodge attended by dignitaries that the first sailing left Caribou at 11 a.m., June 28, 1941 with Captain John Dicks in command. For the first five years, in spite of gasoline rationing and wartime conditions, traffic increased from 25,303 passengers in 1941 to 46,005 in 1945.

It was realized that additional ferry capacity was necessary. The S.S. Sankaty was purchased after it was released from Naval Service and renamed the S.S. Charles A. Dunning. In 1958, the M.V. Lord Selkirk replaced the first Prince Nova. In 1964, the new M.V. Prince Nova displaced the S.S. Charles

-154- A. Dunning. In 1973, the M.V. Prince Edward joined the service and in 1976 the fourth ferry, the M.V. Confederation was added.

The ferry service is seasonal, depending on weather conditions, more specifically ice conditions. None of the ferries on this service are equipped as icebreakers. High winds can also cause cancellations of some of the runs, especially in October and November. The service starts in May and ends during the month of December. Each crossing takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes to cover the fourteen miles across the Strait that separates the two provinces.

The Vessels

Prince Nova, formerly the Erie Isle, transported 14 vehicles and operated from 1941 to 1958. This ship was tied up at the wharf in Pictou in the year of the big wharf fire. She has been scrapped.

S.S. Charles A. Dunning, formerly the Sankaty, came to the service from the United States. She transported 25 vehicles and operated from 1946 until 1964. She sank while she was being towed to Sydney, Nova Scotia for scrap. Her hulk lies somewhere off East Point, Prince Edward Island.

M.V. Lord Selkirk is still in service and transports 60 vehicles and 300 passengers on each crossing. This ship was built at the Pictou shipyard in 1958. The cost was $3,600,000. The length of the ship is 256 feet and the beam 53 feet. This vessel replaced the first Prince Nova.

M.V. Prince Nova still in service transports 60 cars and 300 passengers. She was built in Pictou in 1964. The cost was $2,750,000. The length of the ship is 249 feet and the beam 55 feet, 1,770 gross tons.

M.V. Prince Edward, still in service, transports 60 vehicles and 300 passengers. She was built in Pictou in 1972 at a cost of $4,755,000. The length of the ship is 249 feet, the beam 55 feet, gross tons 1,766.

M.V. Confederation, still in service was taken on charter in 1976. She transports 60 vehicles and 300 passengers. This ship was built in 1972 in Halifax.

Included in the 60 vehicles, each ferry can carry a maximum of 18 trucks. The ships float in about 13 feet of water and each ship holds 12,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

Terminals

Improvements to both ferry terminals were carried out over the years. In 1974, construction began on a second dock at each terminal, Caribou and Wood Islands. The terminals have waiting rooms, restaurants, gift shops, tourist bureaus and ticket booths.

155 In 1991, the toll booth in Caribou was removed, now passengers buy tickets on the island side only. Construction is now underway on larger terminals and a new road leading from the wharf. This is to accommodate a new and much larger ferry.

Over the years much has been said about constructing a causeway across the Northumberland Strait, if this happens it is unknown what effect it will have on the ferry service to Caribou. Today, environmental impact studies are being carried out to find out what a causeway would do to the fish stocks and if it will alter ice flow in the Strait.*

Land Crew Ferrv Crew (cont'd) Toll Booth Operators 2nd Mate Waiting Room Attendants 4th Engineer Parking Lot Attendants 3rd Engineer Maintenance Personnel 2nd Engineer Shop Clerks

Ferrv Crew (Licensed) Unlicensed Captain Quartermaster Relieving Captain Bosun Chief Engineer Bosun-Mate 1st Mate Deckhand Assistant Cook Cook Head Waitress Junior Waitress Stewardess Steward Steward 1 Steward 2 \j ni Oiler I/V \M rMm^/ Wharfinger ^^m>^ FERRIES Nightwatchman

Note: Troy said that he took the initiative to do the project about the ferries because his Grandfather Aubrey MacLeod worked in the engine room for 27 years and his Grandmother Elaine MacLeod was employed for 18 years as a waiting room attendant.

Ships Captains

Charles McGuire Engaged to deliver M.V. Prince Nova to Pictou, Nova Scotia from Amherstburg, Ontario for $165.00 a month. John Dicks In command of the M.V. Prince Nova when she made the first sailing to open the service, from Caribou at 1100 hours, June 28, 1941. Edward Terfry Merriam -156 Murray Willigar Clifford Erickson James Asche Eric Holdway First Master of the M.V. Lord Selkirk, 1958. Lester White First Master of M.V. Prince Nova, 1964. Edward Baker Leon Davey Howard Hancock First Master of M.V. Confederation after she joined NFL, 1976. LeRoy White Malcolm MacLean Crew of Charles A. Dunning Daniel Panting David White William Harris George Chapman James Moffat Phillip Thomas LeMoyne White Clyde Stanley Barrie Harris Leonard MacDonald John Burck Ernest Pike Wilfred MacArthur James Gosbee Douglas Herring Winston Murchison

The list of Captains was supplied by Dan Panting of Northumberland Ferries Ltd. Pictures supplied by Dan Panting and Samuel MacLeod.

*This section was edited into Troy's essay as an update.

S.S. Sankaty

157- Caribou Ferry Terminal today

Prince Nova

SS Clmrles A. Dunning

Carriboo Wharf, Late 1930's Farewell to a Gracious Lady

Lynn (Prest) MacKay and Dan Panting securing the lines of the M.V. Lord Selkirk - last time, October, 1992.

It is said that our last trip in this world is one we make alone and so it was on October 13,1992 for an old friend of the people of Carriboo, the M.V. Lord Selkirk. After thirty-four years of faithful service with Northumberland Ferries Limited, she was retired. Like other old ladies she became too slow and was showing all the signs of her age. The time had come for her to stand down and to make way for the new and modern.

For those of us who watched her alone in the Strait on this day, it was an emotional experience, almost like saying goodbye to a family member or an old friend. After leaving Wood Islands, she approached but did not enter Carriboo Harbour. It was almost as if that entrance was closed to her. She saluted her sister ships and then quietly sailed away with the dignity of a Queen. She struck out towards Pictou Island and then proudly turned her bow into the wind to make her final run into the port of her birth, Pictou. With a few blasts of her horn she said goodbye to the faithful who silently waved their farewells from the shore. She sailed alone up Pictou Harbour without fanfare and quietly came to rest at the wharf to await her fate. Shortly afterwards, her name was removed and now her identity is gone.

For Caribonians, the M.V. Lord Selkirk will be remembered as our boat. She was the first built at Pictou by Pictou County and Caribou men for NFL, many from Caribou served as her crew and Caribou was her home base. She was the boat we chose to sail on on a windy day because she had a roll that rocked her gently while others hit the troughs with relish. Often we watched the newer boats pass the Selkirk in the Strait with a certain impatience reserved for the old and frail. But she made her trips and she had character.

Now she is gone and has joined other company ships, the Charles A. Dunning and the Prince Nova as part of the history of Northumberland Strait. Gone but remembered, farewell to a gracious lady!!

159- Sea Hawk From an Interview with Irene Berringer

The building that was to become known as the Sea Hawk was bought from Wes Roberts. It was a big building with just a counter and some stools. Berrmgers turned it into a restaurant and began by using their own dishes and some old silverware. A dance hall was built and an orchestra from Stellarton came to play at the dances. Often when Don Messer and his group were travelling and had to wait for boats, they would play. It was very difficult to police dances, trouble makers from town started fights. Many of the workers from the Pictou Lodge came to the dances at the Sea Hawk and many local people came to the restaurant to enjoy the rhubarb pie and fish chowder.

Irene remembers that she learned as she went along with the business. Later, they built the motel and dining room and at that time got many of the Montreal crowd. The dining room was open only on Sunday, except for motel guests.

Outside, Imperial Oil tanks were put on an island and employees served gas along with their other duties.

The whole building was eventually remodelled and about the time that Berrmgers were putting in the bar, Doug Berringer died. The business was then sold to Ben Fougere and later to make the parking lot and as part of the wharf expansion the Sea Hawk was torn down.

160 Caribou Island Tobacco Farming From Family Files In 1965, Charles E. MacCarthy decided to experiment with tobacco growing. He was an electrical contractor working out of New Glasgow, but also cultivated the land on what was once his father's farm on Caribou Island. MacCarthy started by planting 250 plants which were closely watched by the Department of Agriculture and large tobacco manufacturers from Ontario. After a two year period, it was found that the soil and climate on Caribou Island were ideal for cultivation of a tobacco crop.

Tobacco is a labor intensive crop and Mr. MacCarthy found this out very quickly. In the beginning sixteen acres were put under cultivation and that required the services of twelve people. This became a work opportunity for local teenage boys who wanted to make money for their upcoming school year. The first step in tobacco growing is to start the seeds in a hothouse. MacCarthy, therefore, had to build a greenhouse. The small plants are kept in the greenhouse until they are about seven to eight inches tall. They are then transplanted in the fields. After the seeds were planted, MacCarthy went about building two kilns. These buildings were 20x40 with a 10 foot post. Furnaces were used to blow hot air into the kiln for the curing process. 1 In the end there were four kilns.

One ounce of seed provides enough for twenty-eight acres making about 6,223 plants to an acre.2 At first, MacCarthy started with the sixteen acres but soon had to expand. Planting took place in May if conditions were favourable. The fields were large and sloped down towards the water's edge. The plants grew to about ten feet in height. This was quite a sight for local residents who always associated tobacco farming with the southern United States or Ontario. In fact, it was in the 1960's that it became the thing to do for the teenage boys to go to the tobacco fields in Ontario to make money.

After the actual planting took place, MacCarthy had to see that the blossoms were snipped. The blossoms took strength from the leaves. Constant attention was required in keeping the fields weeded. Suckering and oiling was also a continuous operation.^ Of course, other family members were on hand to shoulder the burden as well. Perhaps the one critical factor in tobacco growing is that it requires from 115 to 118 days that are frost free. Caribou Island was a good spot in that respect.

In harvesting, the first leaf picked is the one at the bottom of the plant. This leaf is called the sand leaf and is the one that produces the finest tobacco. Pickers then go back and pick the second and third leaves. The leaves are sewn onto a stick or lathe and put into the kiln. The kilns were large enough to accommodate 1,600 sticks. Curing took from seven to eight days. The temperature in the kiln was started out at 90° and increased gradually up to 165°.4 After curing, the leaves were softened and then they were ready for grading. The crop was then sold. In 1968, MacCarthy had 20,000 bales of tobacco leaf to be sent to Ontario buyers and in 1969, 32,000 bales were produced.^ What started out as an experiment ended in a lucrative business. -161- In reminiscing about her brother, Charlotte MacCarthy Vye remembers that he had the paycheques for employees in the tobacco business made up by his secretary at the electric company. The cheques came in brown envelopes and it was the dream of the children to get one of the envelopes. One of the little girls in the family complained that she wasn't earning any money. So, MacCarthy being sensitive to this problem created little jobs for her and her friends and like everyone else they got their brown envelopes.

Unfortunately, because of the sudden death of Mr. MacCarthy in 1971, the business was not continued. Mrs. MacCarthy believed that she would have enough to do to continue the electric business. Therefore, she sold the farm and the tobacco equipment. The house and one of the buildings still remains of that farm that was owned by MacCarthy's father Herbert MacCarthy.

Notes: 1. The Evening News, October 5, 1968, p. 15.

2. Ibid., p. 15.

3. Ibid., p. 15.

4. The Chronicle Herald, 1968, p. 2.

162 Kelderman Concrete Limited by Joan and Bert Kelderman

Established in Bay View, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, 1978.

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On June 9, 1973, Bert Kelderman (son of Joe and Hennie Kelderman) Bay View and Joan MacKenzie (daughter of Neil H. and Dorothy MacKenzie) Pictou were married. In Bert's home community - Bay View land was purchased from Fisher and Lloyd MacLennan on the Bay View Road and using lumber from this property and the property of Joe Kelderman, a white house with green gable ends was erected to become the home of Bert and Joan Kelderman.

In the year 1974, Bert started a business then known as Bert Kelderman Backhoe Services. This business was a hobby more or less because at this time, Bert was employed at Michelin Tire Canada at Granton and the backhoe service was a part-time job to create work for days off from Michelin Tire Plant.

With the purchase of a dump truck and flatbed trailer, the hobby business now was branching into general trucking and with the addition of trucking services the name of the business soon became known as Bert Kelderman Backhoe and General Trucking Services.

This business was a demanding business and in order to be of better service, Bert found it necessary to make the choice of working with his service full time, thus leaving the security of Michelin Tire. The trucking services grew to the extent that the truck and flatbed were even used to haul hay to Prince Edward Island to the local farmers who were suffering from a hot, dry summer. Long hours and hard work were devoted to this service and the business flourished.

When reading a construction magazine, the advertisement for a "concrete-mobile" created an interest. This piece of equipment is a truck with the mixing unit for mixing concrete installed on the truck. The unit would haul enough material, sand, gravel, cement and water to mix eight cubic yards of concrete at a time. The advantage of this unit was that the whole apparatus could be taken to any job site and the amount of concrete would be mixed and

-163- poured to complete the job. The amount of concrete would be measured by a meter and priced accordingly. This was a unique unit and there was only one other one like it in the Atlantic Provinces.

After making the purchase of this unit and having it installed on a Mack truck, a trip was made to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to take the equipment home to Bay View and thus the business of Kelderman Concrete Services was established along with the Backhoe and General Trucking Services. With this extension of services, the employment of another man was required. This employee did the backhoe service while Bert operated the concrete-mobile selling metered concrete for jobs large and small.

A truck tractor and dump trailer were purchased in order to haul the material, sand and gravel from Folly Lake. The concrete business was a one- man operation but work warranted the operation to expand.

In 1979, the concrete business grew rapidly. It was decided to sell the Backhoe Service. A Ready-Mix plant was purchased and set up in the backyard. The backyard now contained a 2 truck bay garage and 2 cement silos to hold Portland cement. Now offering concrete services only, the business now employed 6 men. Business from this backyard operation continued for six years and in 1984 was registered with the Province of Nova Scotia as Kelderman Concrete Limited.

Since the beginning of the concrete business, it was always the intention of the owners to locate to another place other than the backyard of a private residence. It was with this idea that plans were made to move the whole operation to a location close to the Pictou Rotary. Application and hearings were made to relocate to the Pictou Rotary. However, re-zoning in Pictou from residential to commercial property district could not be made. Therefore, the plans to move to the Town of Pictou were abandoned.

In the same year, 1984, the owners of Inter Supply Limited (a competitor) came to the owners of Kelderman Concrete to offer a proposal to sell certain assets of their ready-mix business located in New Glasgow. After consideration, Kelderman Concrete decided to purchase these assets, thus a move to New Glasgow was made as of December 1, 1984. The business now employed 12 men and is located on John Street, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.

Since 1984, to this date Kelderman is operating a viable business offering the delivery of ready mix concrete, sand, gravel and concrete pumping to the public. The ready-mix concrete plant does employ 14 people both full- time and part-time jobs with brokers hired to haul material from Glenholme and Folly Lake.

Because of the "good will" of those served, the foundation of any business success, it is Kelderman's intention to offer the public a quality product and service. Experiencing 14 years in business, the patronage of those serviced is certainly not taken for granted but very much appreciated by the owners, Bert and Joan Kelderman.

-164- Harold Ferguson, Livestock and Wholesale Meats from Harold Ferguson

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During the summer of 1987, Harold Ferguson built the abbatoir on his property. Previously, he butchered on the family farm across the road. He began butchering with his father, James Ferguson at an early age. After building his own home, he decided to plan on an abattoir beside it. In the fall of 1987, Harold began working in his own building. The abattoir is built to inspection standards, should the government demand them to be so.

The fall has been the busiest season. Farmers sell their livestock to customers for winter food. Harold does a large percentage of custom work for the county farmers. He also sells beef and pork for fresh hamburger to local restaurants and the general public. Every year seems to get busier.

165 Pictou Lodge From the Files of Anna MacKay and a Report by Patrick Ryan

In 1924, the Bungalow Camps Company, a group of local entrepreneurs, purchased land from John MacKay to build a lodge. The complex went under construction and much of the material, especially logs,were supplied by local woodlot owners of whom John MacKeil was the largest supplier. The site chosen for the lodge was close to the shore of the Northumberland Strait and next to a large pond that was the end result of a brook that ran some distance inland. Work on the buildings was done by local Pictou County carpenters and construction workers. Some of the men boarded at the MacKay farm and others were housed in a farm house which had bunks installed to accommodate a number of men at a time.

At first the lodge was named Wentworth Park Lodge but this venture ran into financial trouble and went into bankruptcy. In 1926, the establishment was sold to Canadian National Realties, the hotel part of Canadian National Railways. According to a report by Patrick Ryan concerning the lodge, it was remodelled on the style of Jasper Park Lodge in the Canadian Rockies.1 Perhaps another important fact to remember is that the rustic complex in a wooded area on Nova Scotia's coastline suited the tourism campaign of the time to promote the wilderness scene. The campaign was launched to attract American tourists who wanted to get away to a quiet and simpler life.

The buildings were made of logs and in the main complex which measured 90x106, there were a number of rooms, dining room, kitchen, offices, lobby and a large verandah. The verandah ran along the shore side of the building and had numerous windows where guests could view the sea while dining or having a drink. The furnishings were in keeping with the rustic atmosphere. Log cabins were built behind the main lodge building overlooking the pond.

After the purchase by CNR in 1926, the complex was greatly expanded and was renamed Pictou Lodge. The operation was seasonal, lasting only a couple of months in the summer, yet CNR turned in into a first class - 166- service.2 Over the years many prominent people have been guests at the establishment. Princess Juliana and her daughters stayed at the Lodge while they were here under allied protection during World War II. Other guests included British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, International Steel Magnate Sir Charles Gordon, CD. Howe, Clark Gable, and "Babe" Ruth.3 Recently, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and family stayed at the complex. A local resident remembers Babe Ruth who was a luncheon guest with a New Glasgow lawyer, D.C. Sinclair. Margaret MacMaster worked for the Sinclairs and served at the luncheon.

The Lodge was operated for thirty years by CNR, but was sold inl955 to A & T Hotel and in 1957 purchased by John Kersley who operated the Lodge until 1974. The complex fell into disrepair and was vacant until 1982 when Peter and Carol Van Westen bought the complex. They started restoration immediately. The Van Westens planned to make this a retirement home but soon turned the project into a restoration of the resort. Cottages were completed and the main lodge ready to be opened in 1986. Today, plans are again being made for more expansion of the site. At present, the Lodge has a total of 29 units encompassing 45 bedrooms. It has two meeting rooms which will accommodate 60 persons and the dining room will handle 200 guests ^

In a brochure, probably printed during the ownership by John Kersley the Lodge offered for entertainment archery, boating and canoeing, boating excursions, checkers, croquet court, horseshoe pitch, lawn croquet, motion pictures, swimming, table tennis, TV, etc. Dress was to be informal. In the dining room, meals could be given under the European or American plan.

In an old letter, a dinner and dance was given for the Lobster Carnival. It was to take place on Thursday, July 9, 1936 at the Lodge. Dinner was to be held at 11:30 p.m. at a cost of $1.25, if a person attended the dance only, the price was .750. The dinner was held in the Sun Room. An orchestra would play during dinner. All reservations would be given to the Head Waiter. This memo was that of John MacKay.

An earlier dinner and dance menu and program was for the 1st Battalion of the Pictou Highlanders for September 2, 1932. There was a list of those attending, the menu and the toast list. In more recent years, local residents use the Lodge for parties, family dinners and good dining along with the many guests that stay at the Lodge each summer. The Sunday Brunch has become a tradition in mis day for the Lodge.

Notes: 1. Patrick Ryan, History of Pictou Lodge Resort to 1981. Marketing Report prepared by the Ryan, p. 6. 2. "Pictou Lodge has Long and Colorful History", The Chronicle Herald. March 1, 1986, p. 35. 3. Patrick Ryan, p. 6. 4. Patrick Ryan, p. 5. Lobster Factories From an Interview with George Baird

West End Factory Employees

West End Factory, Caribou Island The lobster industry has been an important part of the economy of the communities in District Two for well over hundred years. A number of small factories dotted the coast of Northumberland Strait in Pictou County from River John to Lismore. In Caribou District as early as 1873, a man named Cornelius Dwyer tried unsuccessfully to can lobsters. In 1879 another attempt was made by a packer by the name of Morgan who also failed. Isaac Mathers bought his business and had no better luck. He sold the business to Burnham and Morrill of Portland, Maine. *

By the early 1900's, a number of factories were in operation on Caribou Island and in Caribou. The Atkins Factory which was a fairly large business, was located on Caribou Island on the property that is now occupied by Archibald Baird. Smith's Factory was built on the land that is now owned by Irene (Baird) Porter. It went out of business after the factory burned. Hayden's Factory which was in operation around the 1920's was located where Blue Heron Holdings is situated today. Later, Hayden moved his business across the harbour to the Barkhouse store. Eventually, Fred Magee bought Hayden's business.

Not far from Haydens on the MacKeil shore, a factory was operating under the management of Ray Johnson and other parties. This was probably around 1914 or 1915.* This was about the same time that George Barkhouse and Jim Ernst arrived in the area with their schooner to become involved in the lobster business. This factory was later absorbed into the Hayden business.

168- Another factory known as Mrs. Henry's Factory was built on the site that is now occupied by Irene (Baird) Porter. This business lasted only one or two seasons. A much larger operation known as the West End Factory was located on the west end of Caribou Island. It was the second one on that site, an earlier one owned by Frederick Baird ran for awhile before it. The West End Factory was one of eleven factories owned by Burnham and Morrill on the Northumberland Shore. ^

John Logan and Murdock ran a business in Caribou. When Murdock passed away, Wesley Roberts joined Logan forming the Logan/Roberts operation. They worked successfully until 1931 when Logan died. The firm then became known as Roberts Canneries Ltd. Roberts is credited with being the first company in Canada to use holding tanks to keep live lobster until processing. This firm was later taken over by Northumberland Co-operative Fisheries in the mid 1940's.3 It then became Maritime Packers.

The idea of raising lobster from the spawn dates back to the early 1890's when at Caribou, Burnham and Morrill opened a hatchery. But like many of the other new techniques being tested in the processing of lobsters this operation was not very successful. It is reported that the hatchery had heavy losses. In the attempts to can lobsters much of the meat was spoiled because of a poor sealing process. According to George Baird, lobsters were selling for three cents a pound in 1934. He also said that in the time of the old factories, fishermen were using sailboats to fish.

Another lobster business in the area was owned by Fred Magee, who came from New Brunswick. He bought the three factories on Pictou Island and took over the Hayden site in Central Caribou and the Burnham and Morrill factory in Caribou. Magee also packed peas and these were processed in the pea factory in Pictou. The trade name of the canned peas was "Mephisto" ^ In 1963, Patruel Ltd. bought the Magee business and later National Sea Foods Ltd. took over the operation.

Notes: 1. Roland H. Sherwood, Pictou Parade (Sackville), The Tribune Press, p. 62.

2. James M. Cameron, Pictou County's History (Kentville Publishing Co. Ltd.), Kentville, Nova Scotia, p. 129.

3. Ibid., p. 131.

4. Ibid., p. 131.

* This was the Carriboo Packing Co. of Scott Brown, Ray Johnson, John Hartling and George Barkhouse. They leased the land from John MacKeil in 1917.

169 Maritime Packers Limited From an Interview with Harold Russell and Written Documents The Company was formed in 1911 by Samuel Broidy.* He built a factory at River John and one at Toney River. Later, around 1921, the operation was moved to Caribou, near the Little Entrance. In the early years, Acadian French girls and men from New Brunswick were hired to work at the site. The women earned $20.00 per month and the men $30.00 per month. * The first cannery employed 20 each, men and women. By the time the company was sold in 1966, it employed 1,200 and 2,500 fishermen.^

William Broidy was the President of Maritime Packers Ltd. He had joined his father in the business in 1923. A brother and a sister were also involved and the three together held the controlling interest in the company. Mr. Broidy was with the company for forty-three years.

At first, Maritime Packers shipped live lobsters and at one time was the largest shipper of live lobsters in the world. Because the company needed market size lobsters for shipment and because McGee's factory next door needed canners, the two bought the respective sizes from each other.

Maritime Packers established canneries and fishing stations in strategic areas in the three Maritime Provinces and in Newfoundland and Quebec. The company lost many of its fishermen because of the Co-operative Movement started by Father Coady in Antigonish in the 1930's. This is why the company expanded to Newfoundland.3 A cannery was built and a live lobster pound constructed at each of the various bays along the coast. Collecting Smacks would gather the lobsters daily and bring them to the central storage area. From there the lobsters were taken by ship to Pictou for reshipment to the United States. The ships were fast diesel powered ex-rum runners which the company purchased after prohibition 4

In 1946, Maritime Packers built a factory and began processing frozen packs. The New England market was the final destination of most of the lobsters. In 1954, a tankhouse was built and the factory complex was enlarged. The site also had a cookhouse and bunkhouses. In 1955, a freezer was built in the Town of Pictou. This enabled as many as a quarter of a million lobsters to be stored. The company also had a fleet of trucks to move the lobsters to marker.

The company was sold to National Sea Products in 1966. Later, it was sold to Gullrock Seafoods Ltd. and then to Gulf Seafoods 1988 Ltd.

Notes: 1. "The Lobster Industry", The Hector Center Trust, 1980, p. 8. 2. Ibid., p. 8. 3. Ibid., p. 10. *Samuel Broidy was a Russian-Jew.

_ nn _ National Sea Products Ltd. From the Annual Information Form

Fishing Boats, Caribou Wharf

National Sea's corporate history began in 1899 with the founding of W.C. Smith and Company Ltd., a salt fish operation located in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. In 1926, Lunenburg Sea Products Ltd. was formed by the same group of shareholders, to diversify into fresh fish and cold storage.1 In 1938, the two companies joined. In 1945, Lunenburg Sea Products Ltd., Maritime National Fish Company Limited and others joined to form National Sea Products Ltd. The present company was formed by amalgamation of the related companies in 1967/•

National Sea Products Ltd. sells both directly and through distributors to North American retail stores, hotels, restaurants, etc. It markets the majority of its products under "HighLiner", "SeaFresh", and "Treasure Isle" trademarks.3 In the United States under "Booth", "Fisherboy", "HighLiner", and "Treasure Isle" ^

In 1966, National Sea Products bought out Paturel Ltd., (Paturel had bought out Magees in 1963) and Maritime Packers Ltd. This company continued the Cariboo operation under the management of Harold Russell, son of the Maritime Packers shareholders.

Gull Rock Seafoods Ltd.

By 1983, the Cariboo plant was once again sold, this time it was bought by Gull Rock Seafoods Ltd., owned by David Annis, Murray MacPherson and Donald MacKenzie. They operated it for about two years. They processed lobster in the individual plastic packages. As with the other plants before them, they processed cod, herring and crab.

- 171 - Gulf Seafoods 1988 Ltd.

Gull Rock Seafoods Ltd. sold the plant in 1985 to Gulf Seafoods 1988 Ltd. This firm is owned by Paul Blades of Cape Sable Island and is managed by Robert MacClure. The head office is at Halifax. Gulf Seafoods pack frozen cans of lobster and individual lobster in plastic packages (in brine). Most of their market is in the United States. There are approximately 75 to 100 plant workers. Their product is packed under the National Sea Products brand or "Sable" brand.

Notes: 1. "National Sea Products Limited, Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for 1989"., p. 3.

2. Ibid., p. 3.

3. Ibid., p. 3.

4. Ibid., p. 3.

Bay Head Fish Company C, 1917

Gulf Seafoods Ltd. Factory Work

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INTERIOR OF A LOBSTER FACTORY

I worked in the factory at Skinners Cove in 1934 for George Wrightman. During this time I only received $17.00 a month. My brother and I used to go fishing with our father alot and back then there were no haulers to haul the traps in with. Because of this, all traps were hauled by hand and this made the job much harder than what it is today. At this time, there were 14 traps to a line. The price of lobsters back then was only three to four cents a pound. One day my father had a thousand pounds of lobsters. If some of the fishermen today brought in a thousand pounds they would be making big money. It was real hard work being a fisherman then, as you would get up early in the morning and most of the time not get back into the wharf until two or three in the afternoon. Sometimes when the tide went out, you could go down to the shore and gather lobsters around the rocks.

In 1935,1 worked for Burnham and Morrill in Caribou. I had worked one year at the cookhouse and another in the factory. I made $30.00 a month. The girls that I worked with were from everywhere. Some came from Cape Beuld, New Brunswick. Believe it or not guys, but there was lice and camp itch. We would have to use a fine comb to comb our hair and also use sulphur and lard for the itch. When the fishermenwen t out to fish, their boats had to be white and they themselves would wear white mitts. Back then it would have been bad luck if a fisherman had a colored boat or any type of colored clothing.

-173- Old Businesses That are Closed Down

War Surplus Store Henry MacMaster War Surplus Store Bernard Prest Canteen Charles Prest Restaurant Irene Berringer Lobster Factory Wesley Roberts White Rose Gas Station Bernard Prest Canteen Mrs. Leslie Simpson Sawmill Allan MacLeod Dairy Bar Truman Straight Store Gilbert Shaw Store and Gas Pumps Flora MacDougall Sawmill Burton Langille Store Bernard and Evelyn Prest Sawmill and Carpentry Shop John Langille Store On the Katie Lane Road Shanty Restaurant Mr. and Mrs. Paris Sawmill Peter MacKay (listed in 1871 census) Sawmill Roderick MacKenzie (listed in 1871 census) Sawmill Nathan Styles (listed in 1871 census) Sawmill John Colquhoun Grist Mill Alfred Barry Sawmill Daniel MacDonald Grist Mil Daniel Stramberg Grist Mill Burton Langille, Central Caribou Sawmill Joe Morgan Businesses in the District Today by Edward MacMaster

Pictou Island Ferry Greg MacDonald North Nova Seafoods Jack and Paul Logan Car Repair and Painting Bill Pope Berry Farming and Construction Edward MacMaster Restaurant Ben and Bernice Fougere Boat Building James MacKeil Three Brooks Enterprises Alex and Joan Falconer Caribou Propeller and Welding Shop William MacMaster Kelderman Concrete Ltd. Bert and Joan Kelderman Boat Hauling Theodore Shaw Meat Business Harold Ferguson Backhoe and Trucking David MacKaracher Vegetable Farm Cornelius Lakenman BayFerg Dairy Farm Jack and William Ferguson Strawberry Farm Allan Jankov Asparagus Farm Frederick Maclnnis Beef Farm Fred Otter Rebuilders Doug Corbett Backhoe Tom MacKenzie Fish Buyer Berton Langille Car Dealership Jim Battist Dog Sales David Davis Pictou Lodge Peter and Carol Van Weston Ferguson's Bed and Breakfast Jack and Kathleen Ferguson Osprey Bed and Breakfast Greg MacNeil Bay View Wood and Metalcraft Keith Tucker Old Orchard Cabins Allan English Wilson Carpentry Joseph Wilson Gulf Seafoods 1988 Ltd. Backhoe and Excavating David West Harbour Light Trailer Court Cameron MacDonald Marine Electrical Services English Bert MacLean Construction and Realty Robert Watt Mill and Lumber Business Rynsoevers Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners Masonry Alfred Dalton Carpenter Shop/Cattle Farming Clinton MacKeil Gail's Electrolysis Caribou River Construction Caribou Fisheries Backhoe William Gillis Bulldozing/Construction/Beef Farming Gus Swanson Shiretown Paving Walter Smith Hector Welding Shop Richard Porter Construction Services Welding Shop Aulden Benson James MacLellan Repair Shop

175 Real Estate William Otter Ferry Terminal and Restaurant and Gift Shop Northumberland Cabinet and Woodworking Wilson's Autobody Three Brooks Glass and Cabinet Shop Sunrise Autobody Ronald Anderson Carpenter Shop Millwork D. MacKenzie Anderson Athol Farms (Beef Farm) Greg Murray Hay/Vegetables Peter MacKay Beef Farm Calvin MacCallum Dairy Farm Eric MacDonald Dairy Farm Elmer Buchanan Dairy Farm George A. Fisher Cattle Munro Langille Wood Business/Cattle Aubrey MacLeod Cattle James MacKay Cattle James Young Hay Mrs. James Dobson Christmas Tree Farm Seibert Falconer Christmas Tree Farm Donald Blenkhorne Mink Walter MacKay Dog Breeder Margaret MacKay Christmas Trees Edward MacMaster Bee Yards Edward MacMaster Bee Yards Douglas Czapalay Bee Yards Captain Dan Panting Bee Yards Alexander Langille Pheasant Breeder Lyle T. Pitt Beef Farmer Kenneth Porter Beef Farmer Captain Leonard MacDonald Beef Farmer Robert Johnson Dairy Farm Henry and Manton Battist Cattle George Falconer Cattle Robert Bowron Cattle Milton and Danny Nichol Cattle Farm Howard Usher Cattle Farm Austin Sutherland Cattle Melton MacDonald Cattle Rod Matheson Northumberland Ferries Ltd. Not based in Caribou but employs many from the area. Diesel Engines Gary Moses

Boat Builders, Past and Present

Samuel MacMaster Burton Langille Wilfred Anderson James MacKeil Kenneth Langille Henry MacMaster John Grant John Hartling

-176 Harbour Light Trailer Court and Campgrounds from Minnie Smith

Sam Smith began building the campground in 1959. It was surveyed, the building constructed and the pumphouse put in. He had the water pipe ready to lay when he was approached by his daughter, Eleanor and husband, Ronnie MacDonald saying that they would like to have the campgrounds. Sam and his wife, Minnie decided to give the new business to them. Later, the land across the road was also given to them to build a house. Unfortunately, it was shortly after this that Eleanor became ill and passed away. The campground is still owned by Ronnie, but his son Cameron manages the operation for him. Recently, Cameron and his wife Shelly bought the house and property from Ronnie. Minnie Smith lives in a mobile home on the side of this property overlooking the campground.

Originally, the farm belonged to the Lowden family and a monument is placed at the site in memory of that family.

At first the campgrounds encompassed only ten acres, but today it has been expanded on either side. There are over one hundred sites and many of the campers are permanent seasonal guests. At one time the road was built in such a way that it was only used by one property, but the Lowdens had it extended so it included the three properties which needed access to the beach for their ship building.

For many years, campers were able to visit the Micmac Museum, run by Kenneth Hopps, which was located just below the campsite.

The facilities include: a panoramic view, trailer hookups, tent sites, modern washrooms, showers, fireplaces, swimming at the beach, and many more attractions. In the summer the campgrounds is usually full with campers from all over the continent.

177- Murray Scott Porter

I was born in Pictou in July, 1950 and lived in Bay View until September, 1979 when I moved to Lyons Brook and then to Haliburton Road in Pictou in 1986. This is where I currently reside. I attended school at Bay View until grade seven and then went on to graduate from West Pictou District High in 1969. In September, 1979, I married the former Barbara Turner of Pictou and we have one son, Jonathan, age seven years.

While attending high school I worked part-time at Pictou IGA and with a partner purchased the business in May, 1977 under the name of our company M&E Holdings Ltd. In May, 1979 we purchased Lyons Brook Mini Mart, now known as Lyons Brook Foodtown. In February, 1981 we purchased the Fraser's grocery store on Denoon Street, Pictou, formerly known as the M&M and now known as East End Grocery. These businesses operate under the company name of Cas-Mur Enterprises Ltd.

At peak times we employ upwards of fifty people including full and part-time and seasonal workers. Other business interests include involvement in the Pictou Bowling Group, as well as, rental properties and some real estate development. What time is left for leisure is spent with my family, boating, cross country skiing, gardening and old cars and trucks.

Besides being involved in community and church organizations and committees, I am the Past Commodore of the Pictou Yacht Club and currently President of the Pictou Town Churches Opportunity Shop.

Comments: The future looks bright for Pictou and surrounding areas and there appears to be many opportunities on the horizon and hopefully I can contribute and be a part of it.

-178 John Roland MacDonald and Judith (Davey) MacDonald King Freight Lines Limited by Judith MacDonald

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John Roland MacDonald is the son of Gordon E. MacDonald and Vera (Zinck) MacDonald of Division Road, Pictou. He was born on February 4, 1944. The early years of his education took place at Bay View School and then later in the Town of Pictou and finally at West Pictou District High. Rollie married Judith Davey, daughter of Leon and Dorothy Davey and the couple had two children, David and Sueann. Judy is part owner in the trucking business with her husband. David helps with the business full time and is crew chief for the racing part of their lives.

In 1964, Rollie bought his first truck (dump truck) and by 1975 had expanded by adding a dozer and loader. In 1975, he formed a company called MacDonald's Excavating Ltd., expanding into the excavating business.

In 1985, the company name was changed to King Freight Lines Limited. By this time the business had become quite a large trucking company and he was still running the excavating business. The trucking part involves trucking in the Maritime Provinces, Ontario, Quebec and all states in the United States. The excavating part involves two dozers, one loader, an excavator, dump trucks and dump trailers.

King Freight Lines Limited runs 85 trailers, 45 tractors and employs approximately 50 people and is operated out of a terminal on the Harris Road owned by King Freight Lines.

Rollie started racing Oval Stock Car Racing in 1965. The first few years he raced at local tracks in Pictou County and expanded into tracks in the Maritime Provinces, Quebec and Maine.

In 1990, Rollie joined a racing circuit called ACT (American Canadian Tour) which involves races in the United States and Canada.

- 179- POEMS, WRITING AND STORIES

-180- The Trip to Carriboo by Christopher Johnston Sr. 1890

As I walked from town one morning In the early part of June, At peep of day the birds gave warning That it would be daylight soon.

And soon it grew a lively twitter Each bird seemed to do its best, And the morning was quite bitter For the wind it blew nor-west.

But the scene was very handsome Tender leaves all bathed with dew, And the sun was more than welcome On that road to Carriboo.

Here's something of no small matter When the sun it hove in view All the birds they ceased their clatter They had something else to do.

On I pegged quite tired of walking And in time I reached the shore, But oh, how the boat kept rocking As I settled to the oar.

For die wind it was increasing And worst of all was dead ahead Pulling hard without releasing Arriving home found all in bed.

181- In my shack its very pleasing Surrounded by the fairest green, We spend here the fishing season As happy as any King or Queen. And a fine place for the children Romping on the sandy shore, You could hear their voices ringing While the foaming breakers roar. Outside blows the north wind fearful Through the night loud roars the storm, In any shack the fire burns cheerful And tis cozy, snug and warm.

leo Carriboo Submitted by Michael MacMaster

From yonder cliff that throngs (?) the sky, Where scarce the daring Eagle flew - With transport wild, has rang'd my eye - Around the shores of Carriboo.

Encompase'd by the briny wave The Coast, romantic —(?) the view, And safe within, from Ocean's rave (?) - Were seen the glades of Carriboo.

The eye of pride may scornful pass, Nor heed the roses bath'd in dew, Nor deign to smile on yonder lass - That beauty leads to Carriboo.

Beneath the waving pines retreat, The joyous birds their themes pureuc (?), And o'er the hill of verdute (?) - Appear the flocks of Carriboo.

When sinks the sun beyond the mount - The Cottars meeting, a blithsome crew, And sparkling from Jamaica's fount - The cup gode round in Carriboo.

To yonder Town, the nest (?) of strife, How thankful would I bid Adieu, And Careless pass this fleeting life, Within the groves of Carriboo.

N.

This poem was taken from "The Colonial Patriot", Pictou, July, 1833. Poems by Christine MacKeil

Old Fashioned Love

We are old fashioned sweethearts In an old fashioned way - And we live in an old fashioned town. We drove in a wagon To the parson one day And got married, in an old fashioned way.

Chorus - Years have passed on With both laughter and tears Life had its trouble, courage and fears, But we had love, that was new every day Because we loved in an old fashioned way.

Memories live on so people say - They will grow sweeter day after day - If put to the test You will find it is best If you love in an old fashioned way.

Cheer

It takes a bit of sunshine To brighten up the day; A smile can often do it In a friendly sort of way.

A handshake or a hearty laugh, A helping hand along the way Can change a person's attitude, And drive the cares away.

Then before you really know it You've had a happy day. LuII-a-Bye Sleep, baby sleep... Your life is all before you.

You touch, you laugh, you cry, You hurt, you fear, you try, You learn, you can teach.

Perhaps someday you will reach the moon ...

Who knows? Sleep, baby, sleep. -184- The Secret of Carriboo by Francis W. Grant Wallace, Nova Scotia

There's a little wave-washed island in Scotia's northern strait, Not many miles from Pictou's briny door, Where the winds from off the ocean forever wax and wane, And the surf, unceasing, thunders on the shore; Where the seals in summer's halcyon days bask on the sun-swept sands, And the sea-birds scream against the heaven's blue, Where the mussels and the barnacles cling to the tide-cleft rocks ... 'Tis the island that is known as Carriboo.

Long years ago, as man counts time, ere Pictou had been born, And Nova Scotia still Acadie, When France held fast the new world and claimed it for her own In the name of Louis and the fleur-de-lis, And England strove to wrest this land with all her ships and men, And year by year the conflict fiercer grew, A ship of war, a frigate of four and twenty guns Cast anchor at the Isle of Carriboo.

Louis Fifteenth, the king of France, in seventeen fifty seven To pay the wage of troops across the sea, Sent from his coffers chests of gold to Louisbourg and Quebec, Safeguarded by the frigate St. Marie; The voyage was made to Louisbourg, the loyal soldiers paid, From distant homeland each received his due: Bound for Quebec, blown from her course, the frigate St. Marie Lay storm-bound close by lonely Carriboo.

At anchor swung the ship of war, swung slowly in the tide, But in the Captain's cabin 'neath the deck He said to them in whispers, We steal the gold this night, The St. Marie must never reach Quebec, And on the reef of Isle Orleans where angry rocks abound Though where in safety we may struggle through, I'll dash the ship, all will be lost and scattered in the sea, But wealth will wait for us on Carriboo.

Now when the guards were drugged with wine the treacherous villains filched The golden Louis from the iron-bound chest And placed within, to keep the weight, a block of worthless lead The wicked planning of the Captain's breast; A boat stole out at dead of night and silent as a wraith Sculled to the island's small and dark bayou,

-185- And by the struggling moonbeams, with spade and mattock, there They buried deep the gold on Carriboo.

But traitors' plans are never sure and traitors come to death, And ere the River Lawrence loomed in sight The ship of France was boarded by an English ship of war And France that day was vanquished in the fight: Dying at twilight on the deck the fallen Captain prayed, "O God forgive that I have not been true! But though my honour may be lost, the English shall not have French gold that hidden lies in Carriboo."

The years roll on - two hundred - since the frigate St. Marie Cast anchor at the lonely Scotian Isle, And though the searchers find no wealth, the tale is still oft told Along the northern coast for many a mile: The surf still thunders on the shore and little change is there, The ocean winds still sweep across the blue; They know - but keep their counsel well - and never divulge The secret of the gold on Carriboo.

186- The Caribou Bay Incident Author Unknown, 1976

Now this is the tale of a mighty ship Manned by a hearty crew Who came to grief one gloomy night In the Bay of Caribou In the Bay of Caribou.

They steamed up into the entrance small and headed up the Bay We'll celebrate when we reach the dock Cause nothing's in the way Cause nothing's in the way.

Skipper Earl he said with confidence We should with any luck Be soon tied up at Caribou wharf And then disaster struck And then disaster struck.

"My God! What's that?" cried English Bill Have we hit a UFO? (Unidentified floating object) Or gone ashore on Logan's flats On a rock that we don't know On a rock that we don't know.

Bill Hart while peering through the night said, "I'm crazy as a loon" Now damn me eyes I'd swear we've hit A bloody big pontoon A bloody big pontoon.

Earl Simpson, the skipper brave and bold A goodly pilot he Unfortunately was knocked out cold While on the wheel was he While on the wheel was he.

The skipper staggering to his feet Was taken all aback He couldn't see a bloody thing Cause both his eyes were black Cause both his eyes were black.

Oh, woe! cried Earl, the skipper bold I'm not the nervous type But we're bound to sink as sure as hell If we don't get clear this pipe If we don't get clear this pipe.

187 . No doubt at all, cried English Bill Grave peril round us lurks No doubt at all, cried Skipper Earl 'Tis the Department of Public Works 'Tis the Department of Public Works.

SOS was flashed toward the shore That finally someone saw And soon to rescue these poor souls Came Captain Cecil Shaw Came Captain Cecil Shaw.

Come all ye jolly sailor lads And lend an ear to me Don't trust the lights on floating rigs Or shipwrecked you might be Or shipwrecked you might be.

188 The Carriboo Rounds by John MacRae "Come all you Carribonians who carry lies about, Don't carry lies about me, I'm bad enough without You carry lies about me and make a dreadful fuss, While you are in the fault yourselves, Perhaps the very worst."

Now I'm going to tell you how the ball did advance, Four Carribonians got up to dance, The Fiddler he was willing and his arm it was strong, And they danced the rounds of Carriboo For four full hours long. The Auld Road Believed to Have Been Written by Jo Priest

There are scenes more often quoted There are spots more widely known There are places known to poets And by skillful artists shown But all spots dear in memory East or west where'er I roam Is the auld road down in Bay View Twixt the school house and my home.

Once it was a public highway And was travelled everyday But for hauling it was hilly So they cut another way Now its grown so very narrow That the branches almost meet And the moss and dead pine needles Make a carpet for your feet.

Thru the trees the sun comes peeping And the birds sing over head Every blossom speaks of nature Every fern o'er which we tread And the squirrel nibbling pine cones Nimbly leaps from bough to bough Sauces every passing wanderer Summers' here, he's happy now.

But the seasons change, and winter Covers everything with white Hill and valley pine and hemlock now present a wondrous sight Christmas trees there are aplenty Boughs for decorations too And the kiddies coast the long hill Till the Bay come in view.

This my memory fondly wanders Back to when I was a child To the auld road to the schoolhouse By the ferns and flowers wild Gone these days but not forgotten Still these scenes loom up in view And in fancy I would wonder Down the auld road in Bay View.

190 Rae's Lumberjacks by James Thompson

T'was the winter of nineteen forty, The winter we had no thaw, We hired with Warren Rae, The big logs for to saw.

The mill crew and the laggers, Slept in the same bunkhouse, You couldn't find a better crew, For we never had a louse.

Mrs. Bickers does the cooking there, I wouldn't tell a lie, She feeds us on the best of chuck, With lots of cake and pie.

Her husband, Harry Bickers, He works out in the mill, The way he throws the edgings out, Would give you quite a thrill.

Harry Haslam is our browman, He rolls down to the mill, It keeps him pretty busy, But he does it with a will.

Geordie Fraser is our canter, The sawyer he tries to please, The logs are mighty crooked, But he does it with great ease.

Frank Langille is our sawyer, He makes the old saw roar, He can run ten thousand through, And some days a whole lot more.

Vernie Langille is our tender-off, He shoves along the deal, Although the sparks go down his neck, You never hear him squeal.

Bert Rae he runs the edger, With all his might and main, It keeps him pretty busy, With that, and the sawdust chain.

191- Jim Rae he trims and tallies, And cuts the slabs galore, It's when he thinks he has enough, He has to cut some more.

Williard Thompson is our fireman, The tender of the steam, He burns up more old icy slabs, Then you could haul off with a team.

It's now we come to the tail of the mill, But not to the end of the tale, We find a chap that carries the deal, A man that is thin and frail.

His name is Jim Thompson, He is an old gran-dad, The way he lugs those big deal out, You know it is not bad.

That finishes up the mill crew Excepting our spare man, Warren Rae, our boss, He helps us all he can.

I'll tell you of our teamsters, The boys that haul the logs, Sometimes through deep old snow banks, Sometimes through muddy bogs.

Stanley Fraser is our teamster, A chap both big and strong, To make a trip to Redmond's brow, It does not take him long.

Blanche Heighton drives a splash team, The owner is Jim Rae, Blanche will not be with us long, He's getting married they say.

We have an expert snigger, His name is Richard Bain, His horse is getting mighty old, But he gets there just the same.

Rae MacKenzie drives a snigging team, He sniggs in to the mill, It doesn't take him very long, The old skids for to fill.

192 We have a bunch of choppers, They're men of great renown, They go out every morning, The tall spruce to cut down.

One is Chester Langille, On the job he likes to stay, There is another able back, His name is Bert MacKay.

There is Bill MacKenzie and Dan Sutherland, They make the big spruce shiver, They're young and single chaps, They hail from Toney River.

The boy that runs the deal truck, I'll mention in my tale, He hauls out to the station, Around the Sunrise Trail.

His name is Campbell Cameron, He's tall and handsome too, He's a slicker with the women, On the job he has two.

Jack Baillie is his helper, A very pleasant chap, But he never seems contented, Without a jane on his laps.

When all the boys get together, When the days work is done, The musicians get down their fiddles, And we have alot of fun.

They play all the latest tunes, The old tunes and the new, Well, I think I'll stop my writing, As its time that I was through.

193 - Easter, God's Love by Anna MacKay

As our Lord prayed there in the Garden, Soldiers came to take him away, To be tried before the High Priest and the Governor, For what was the Jewish Way.

The Disciples anxiously followed along, On the fringe of the crowd, They heard the soldiers accusing Jesus In voices most angry and loud.

Peter's heart grew sad and fearful And though he loved the Master dearly, When asked if he was a follower, He denied it very clearly.

Twice again that night Peter said, "This man I do not know." Then after the third time of denial, In the distance he heard a cock crow.

Peter's eyes filled with tears, as remembered, And he watched them lead Jesus away, To be tried before Pilate, the Governor, On that sad and fearful day.

But Pilate found no fault with Jesus; Three times he asked that they let Him go. The angry crowd refused to listen; No compassion for our Lord did they show.

Pilate and King Herod then decided That Jesus would be crucified; There on the hill called Golgotha, With a prisoner on either side.

He was clothed in a robe of purple, A crown of thorns placed on his Head. The soldiers accused and mocked Him, "Save yourself, they tauntingly said.

Jesus said, "Father forgive them," And there on the cross, He died, With cruel nails in His hands And the spear thrust in His side. His body was placed in a tomb A huge stone rolled to the door, "The End," his enemies thought; "We will hear of Him no more".

But this was not the ending; Jesus rose up from the grave And we are the Easter people; Whose lives He died to save.

Now He Reigns above in Heaven, His Holy Spirit here below It enables and it helps us In Faith, Hope and Love, to stronger grow. The Winding Toney by John MacRae

Of all Acadia's bonnie streams That flow into the sea I love the winding Toney best It has most charms for me. For there the friends I do love best In unity do dwell And one I love above them all My charming blue-eyed Belle.

I love that dark and winding stream Whose placid waters lave So softly down the meadows green That fringe the ocean wave. The spreading groves of spruce and pine Adorn the fairy scene And gently fan its sunny brows With boughs of evergreen.

I love sweet Toney's rolling banks Where grow so rich and fine The hazel bush, the mountain ash The balsam and the pine Where the poplar grey and birch so gay Unfold their fairy screen And tinge the waves which by them lave With glowing shades of green.

I oft resort to muse or sport Where Toney sweeps so free Across its bar of sparkling sand And rushes to the sea. To angle out the speckled trout Down by the river side Or wade among the slippery rocks For lobsters at low tide.

I love to see the stormy sea To watch its billows roar Wave after wave repelling wave Comes curling to the shore. The booming sail pressed by the gale Till bends the gallant spar The angry white caps mount the waves Engaging in the war. But change the scene as eve serene The troubled waves compose And luna bright, sewwt Queen of Night Her silvery light disclose. Then let me roam with her I love By oceans gleaming swell And breath so tenderly and true My love for blue-eyed Belle.

Where spreading farms impose their charms And gardens modelled neat Here mellow fields profusely yield The sheaves of yellow wheat. Its tidy walls display, Whose windows bright shed golden light At Phoebe's setting ray.

Here are the scenes, the hallowed scenes, I shall never forget The bridge, the crossroads, and the grove Where Belle I oft times met. And often hoped to meet again. When falls the evening dew You, little grove of willow trees, Will be our rendezvous.

When early summer softly breathes And spreads the leaves and flowers The warbling throng returns with song To cheer their native bowers. The fishes teem along the stream And dart and gleam and glide, In swarming schools they fill the pools Of Toney's winding tide.

In summer dry with grateful eyes Sweet Toney's banks all hail! They're well supplied on either side With springs that never fail. High bursting from some scaly rock Where trickling mosses cling Or low beneath some spreading bush With gurgling gush they spring. By mobs of wealth in search of health High pampered, puffed or pale Relinquish quite your goblets bright Of brandy, gin, and ale. And here come drink the cool clear cup And to your lips restore The cooling draught that vigor deals To sinew, nerve, and pore.

By Nobles bank how fair the scene Where deep the streamlets lave There the Little Toney winds To join its brother wave. In this sweet place in fond embrace. They peacefully repose, High sliding steeps close guard their sleep From every breath that blows.

This lovely spot I visit oft To hear the warbling throng Sweet chant the notes with mellow throats The robin leads the song. The trout leaps high to catch the fly And spreads its circles wide, The swallows dip and skim and skip Along the glossy tide.

Then up the stream pursue my theme And view the varied charm, Of rolling hill, ravine, and rill Along MacQuarrie's farm. Where the cherry tree and mulberry Their leafy boughs display, Whose blossoms white regale the sight The earliest in May.

The balsams green in groups are seen Around the Toney Mills The clustering pines their tassels wave High on the airy hills. The glassy pond reflects the grove Inverted in its wave, reflects Panoramic view Of summers blue concave.

The verdant hills beyond the Mills There leafy frills unfold And gaily spread their woven shade Where oft I musing strolled. Shades of my choice where not a voice

. IQS . Disturbs my reverie Save the squirrel and the woodpecker That taps the hemlock tree.

I love the Elbow's solitude And silent gloomy groves Where bear, and moose, and caribou Preambulate in droves. Embowering wood o'er hang the floods Where mink and otter play And squirrels strut in search of nuts Among the glittering spray.

Sweet Toney's course into its source I fain would follow still Ev'n to the sparkling fountain And the mountain's merry rill. Where from bright lakes among the brakes The sable current teems And dance they may through meadows gay To Toney's fairy stream.

I cannot dwell my Bonnie Belle Those scenes more to unfold Although my song is now so long The half remains untold. I cannot dwell my Bonnie Belle Is in the grove awaiting me Where bird and bee is song and glee - and love.

1QQ Firemen by J. Lynn MacKay

One single spark can start a blaze That takes our men from sleep. A chill runs through your body As life and death could meet.

Truck one is gone and two is out Then three is on its way. Some go from early evening Well into the following day.

It may be grass, a shed or barn Some creatures may be lost. But for our men they'd save a child No matter what the cost.

So when he rises to the sound of "Beeps" throughout the night. Pray to the Lord and hope the best Our men are all on site.

The above is a tribute to the Caribou District Fire Department. Untitled* by R.A.J. In the spring of '37 When the ice had left the shore And all the lobstermen came back To try their luck once more. With the latest kind of rigging For to catch that tasty fish To ship him up to Boston Where they think he's quite a dish. We had every kind of motor From a Ford to Cadalac True marines and big crude oilers For to run the Brodie smack.

Fancy boats with speed to travel Painted buoys traps and all And we even had a motor For to haul the old bull trawl.

We got the gear out early Everything is righti t seems We had lots of salted herring Brought up from the Madeleens.

We set them on the best of ground Of witch there's none to spare But when we went to haul them The lobster was not there. So we hunted him from Carribou Around to Sandy Cove Pictou Isle and Little Harbour And to Toney and above. We did not seem to find him In the lee of old Gull Rock And no doubt you will believe me All the packers got a shock.

But we kept the bull trawls mooving Tho with crabs the traps were full From the bell on Skinners reef To the rocks of Roaring Bull. It is not verry pleasant And you know just how you feele When you haul in fifteen fathom For one lousy old rock eel. So we rated it a failure And put the traps ashore And vowed that fishing lobsters You would see us never more.

And then we all got scattered And all got broke I fear And when the ice went out We all got back again next year.

* unedited Hats Off by Anna MacKay

Two young older girls got a bee in their bonnet, Now this isn't a ballad, not even a sonnet But have you ever seen a dog with a bone? How he worries and shakes it, won't leave it alone.

That was these gals, about this grand get-together Rain or shine forget about weather. Just call them all back by letter or phone Keep talking it up, leave no one alone.

'Twas way back last year that Margaret said, "We must have this celebration, before we're all dead". Marion said, "Yes, we better get hoppin', For we never know, when the Grim reaper's stoppin'."

So this is the way they started out, Now do you wonder what it was all about? 'Twas a homecoming to the old Bay View School Where many of us studied and acted the fool.

The Community Club and the WI Were willing to help, I can tell you why These two ladies would not let them forget They said we're having this party, the date is all set.

So, I say it's "Hats Off, to those ladies two Who would not give up, until they were through Calling and begging us all to come back To the old schoolhouse, for tea and a snack.

To greet old friends, and pause to remember Picnics in June, Christmas tree in December, Of the happy times we all spent here In this historic spot, we all hold dear.

They had help from many, both far and near If I mention names I'd miss someone I fear They tackled a job and they've seen it through I think they deserve a good clap, don't you?

-203 A Christmas Poem by Anna MacKay

Have we travelled too far this season From that little Bethlehem town? And have we forgotten the reason The Star of the East shone down.

To lead the three Kings to the stable With their gifts for the Holy One. They knew as did Mary, the Mother That this was God's only Son.

Have we been very much too busy To stop and remember why The songs of the heavenly choir Filled that faraway eastern sky?

We must stop and capture the wonder Of the gift that God gave to us all The blessed plan of redemption By the birth of the babe in the stall.

We will find the magic of Christmas In the beautiful carols we sing, And our hearts fill with glad rejoicing As we worship our Saviour and King.

Let our thoughts go back to the stable And that babe that was born in the stall, Then we'll feel the glory and wonder Of Jesus who died for us all.

-9.04 Cariboo Harbour by Doris MacMillan

Nestled between two arms of the Northumberland Strait lies Cariboo Harbour. To catch its changing moods, one would need to visit a number of times.

Visit with me on an afternoon in June, when it is dotted with fishing boats returning from the Gulf. The white gulls dip low and lift. The water reflects the blue of the sky. The ferry leaves its trail of foaming white caps, racing with one another to the shore. The darker blue of the waves, as they play around the reef, captures the harbour in one of its carefree moods.

Walk to the beach in the evening to catch the quiet beauty of the harbour. It is beautiful just at sunset, when the last rays of the north-going sun step along the stairs to the shore, or when the island is reflected in the mirror of the calm water. Listen to the waves gently tap the dory anchored close. Here even the bird calls are muted. A throbbing wonder fills the soul with the confirmation that it is God's world.

Come again with me in the autumn during a high wind storm. Then you will see a vicious, cruel, wild and uncontrollable harbour. Button your coat well for the wind off the water is biting. Feel the sting of the salt spray as it rises to strike an unseen enemy. See the seaweed and the waves. Pick up the broken oar and remember the line, "His control, stops at the shore!"

205 Adieu, The Winding Toney by John McRae Adieu, the winding Toney, a long, a fond adieu, The grand old scenes of Cape John shore I never more may view; I'm not able to get steam and my stream is getting dry, So I must to South Missouri my luck anew to try. Adieu, the winding Toney, thy banks of bonnie sheen, Where for a quarter of a century contented I have been And where had fortune favored me, I fain would live and die, But I must to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

Farewell die winding Toney, thy banks of bonnie sheen, My cottage home so cozy in the spruce grove on the hill: The dear birthplace of my children I will love it till I die, But I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

Farewell my loving neighbours, with you I'm grieved to part, Whom years of friendly intercourse have rooted to my heart; But there's a happy land where we'll all meet in the bye and bye. So I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

Farewell my social cronies with hearts in fond accord. Your friendly grasps, your merry jests around the festive board; Shall flourish green in memory's stream of the golden days gone by, When far off in Missouri my luck anew to try.

My blessing on my patrons, who never did report, That e'er I took a pound of their flour or ban or shorts; Now go to Jim McKay with your grain so clean and dry, For I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

Farewell ye grovelling growlers, with the sour suspicious look, You had your puny souls in the toll the miller took: I would rather serve the devil than to be miller fro such fry, So I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

Farewell to Pictou's great folks, the Primroses so proud McKinlays, Gordons, Crearers, the Frasers, the MacLeod; I felt honored when "well John", I got from you passing by, So I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

The millers and the farmers, 'till they're almost skin and bones, Are bled by merchants, lawyers, quacks and white cravated Drones; They bleed them, then despise them, as the spider does the fly, So I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

206 What is the Bishop's lawn sleeves, the lawyers gown and wig, Better than the leathernapron, or the miller's dust gray rig; 'Till my dusty hat is sacred as the clergyman's white tie, I'll go to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

An honest man is nobler, though he beg from door to door, Than the man who makes his thousands by grinding down the poor; While honest labour starves here, and barnicles feed high, I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

Farewell the noble yeomanry of Section 3, Who to the County Council Board have twice elected me; I thank you for the honour and with sorrow say good bye, For I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try.

Farewell my noble colleagues at the County Council Board, Your talents would do honour to the "Commons of the Lords"; But statesmen go a begging here demagogues rule high, I'm off to South Missouri my luck anew to try. Now come my darling Mary, with our seven bairnies dear, Along the course of empire, to the westward let us steer; Where the "Stars and Stripes" of equal rights shall o'er our children In "Liberal" Missouri our luck anew we'll try.

Toney River, November 9,1881.

207 Ode to the First Settlers From the History of Caribou Island by A.C. Harris (1910)

"What noble courage must their hearts have fired, How great the ardour which their souls inspired, Who leaving far beyond their native plain, Have sought a home beyond the western main, And brave the perils of the stormy seas, In search of wealth, of freedom and of ease, Oh, none can tell, but they who sadly share, The bosom's anguish and its wild despair, What dire distress awaits the hardy bands, That venture first on bleah and desert lands; How great the pain, the danger and the toil Which mark the first rude culture of the soil, When looking round, the lonely settler sees His home amid a wilderness of trees; How sinks his heart in those deep solitudes. Where not a voice upon his ear intrudes; Where solemn silence all the waste prevades, Heightening the horror of its gloomy shade, Save where the sturdy woodman's strokes resound, That strew the fallen forest on the ground."

Happy the Hunter by Larry MacMaster

"Happy the Hunter home from the hill." In pride and glory he flaunts his kill To those who would listen, he spins a tale How he levelled his gun on an old fence rail Smash-smash hear the red lead crash Through limbs and twigs to its mark And living goes silently just as it came Pumping its last in the fall mist and rain."

Happy the Hunters in this day and land With the time and money and their helping hand To go and search in the golden stands For their pride, for their glory, for superior man Where to look upon life there in the mist As only a thing to be struck with their fist The iron claw that reaches with all of its speed Fulfilling a wish and a dubious need. Rum Running Stories

Down at Lowden's Beach where the campsite sits today, late in the 1920's a boat of a well known rum runner broke down. The father and son aboard unloaded the kegs of booze and buried them in the sand. Two men who were in the field overlooking the water saw them and wondered what they were doing. After the two rum runners left the beach, the two went down to investigate. So they knew what was taking place. In the meantime the two rum runners started for home, they lived about two miles from the shore through the woods. They went to get the horse and dump cart. When they got back to the shore they loaded the cart and they headed for home. The man who lived closer to the shore got his home and safely hidden under the sawdust in the ice house. However, the other fellow met a man while he was heading to his house. He told the man what he had on board and gave him a drink. The man went back to town and told around that he had a drink from this rum runner. The Mounties came and arrested the rum runner and he was kept in jail for quite awhile. Most of the neighbours got some of the liquor and it is reported that it was an intoxicated fall along the beaches of Braeshore. Everyone stored their booze in their barns and they certainly gave their barn duties a lot of attention for awhile.

One rum runner ran out of gas while coming back from meeting his supply ship. He used rum to keep the engine going and landed in Cape Breton on a property owned by people with his family name. Probably distant cousins. They put him up for die night and in the morning he found his booze missing. They think the neighbours came in the night and took the haul.

The same rum runner was out in the Northumberland Strait with a buddy when they encountered the Phantom Ship. They decided to run towards it to see what the thing was that caused so many stories. They sailed to it and ran right through it. When they looked back it was past them. This made them believe that the so called Phantom Ship was just a gas that glowed on the water.

Rum runners were noted for their fast boats and fast cars. Some of the boat builders in the area became very skilled at making fast boats. One resident of the area remembers that they were warned as children to stay away from the roads because of the reckless driving. She also remembers her mother showing her the signal lights used by the runners and their suppliers.

In Cariboo River, rum was off loaded down the road from the Cariboo River school. A horse and wagon with some hay on it would go down the road

-209- to the beach to meet the boat. When the wagon returned, the stack of hay was much higher. It is believed that the rum was taken to a spot and hidden for a later pick up.

It is said that while a bulldozer was clearing land near a swamp in Caribou River, it dug up bottles or barrels of rum in the swamp. It is believed that the rum was hidden and either lost or forgotten. Rum Running Stories From an Interview with George Baird The men who were involved in the rum running business would use very fast fishing boats. They would run out to meet a schooner that would lay three miles off the coast. This trade continued all during the prohibition years in the province. The men who got the booze off the schooner would sell it to other men who would peddle the product. At least one rum runner in the area was in the business on a large enough scale that he supplied the hotels and other large establishments. In fact, his business extended into the Halifax market.

Baird remembers that by 1934 there were some pretty stiff fines for anyone caught rum running. He says that the runners could be quite bold in plying their trade. He remembers seeing a schooner at the little entrance in Caribou early one morning meeting the buyers. Much of the liquor was brought to this area from St. Pierre and Miquelon and some from Belgium. The rum was picked up down south. Once the kegs were brought ashore they were stored in the woods or in the hay in a barn.

Rum Running Stories As Related by Fred Otter Schooners running up the Strait had white sails but if there was a black one up front it indicated it was a runner.

A couple of guys use to keep their stash in Waterside, one time when they went to get their booze, they got terribly drunk and tried to attend a funeral of a local resident who had passed on. They had a terrible time making to and through the funeral.

On another occasion these two gave booze to a local resident who was staying with people in the neighbourhood. Once when he went down to have a drink the home owner went down and told him there was a man looking for him at home. The man went home to find that there was nobody looking for him at all. Upon his return to the site of the booze, he told the home owner that there was a man looking for him. The man asked who it was and he responded that it was the same man who had been looking for him. I guess they probably earned a drink by then.

211- FAMILY HISTORIES The Prest Family by Olive (Prest) Pastor

In 1932, Charles Prest, his wife Sylvia and their five children moved to Caribou from the Magdalene Islands. The property that was purchased was owned by Sim Anderson. Charles and his nephew, Louis Prest split the one hundred acre lot into two fifty acre lots. Charles took the west area and Louis the eastern part. Originally, the farm was lot 40 of the Cochrane Grant. Thomas MacKay received the land from Cochrane. He passed it on to his son Alexander MacKay. Alexander sold it to Duncan MacLellan. Upon MacLellans death the property passed to Margaret MacLellan through a sheriffs deed. She, in turn, sold the site to Sim Anderson.

The first Prest in Nova Scotia was Isaac Prest who was granted land in Halifax County. Most Prests live in the Mooseland area today and descend from Isaac. He came from Liverpool, England when he was only nine years old. He later married Hannah Hilchey and they had ten children. The Prests in Caribou descend from their son, William Richard who was married to Mary Davidson. Their son, John was the father of Charles Prest. John married Miranda Clark of the Magdalene Isalnds when he went there to fish. John and Miranda lived in various places including Prince Edward Island, the United States and Ontario. Miranda passed away some years before John and he lived his last years in Pictou.

After moving to Caribou, Charles farmed the land but later started a canteen and restaurant business at the ferry wharf. He and Sylvia ran the business until they retired. They sold the canteen to Clifford and Elizabeth MacKenzie, who ran it for a few years until the changes took place on the highway and the wharf. With the wharf expansion, the canteen had to be removed. Today the fisherman's wharf sits in the approximate area of the canteen site.

Charles and Sylvia are now both passed away, but their family remain in the area. Pansy, who married Ernest MacKay lives in the old home. Audrey, who married Samuel MacLeod lives on the northern section of the

-213- property with her son Charles on the same site. Bernard and his wife, Evelyn Ramsay bought the south section of the Prest property. Three of the children remain on the property. One daughter lives in Braeshore. Bernard Prest passed away in 1978 but his wife still lives at home. Lyma married Ivan Ross and lived in Malagash for a number of years, but now lives in Truro. Roy Prest was killed in a car accident in 1952.

Bernard Prest worked as a truck driver for Wesley Roberts in Caribou. He met his wife when she came to Caribou to work in the lobster factory. They also owned a "White Rose" gas station which was located on part of the Louis Prest property. Today that site is owned by Northumberland Ferries. For many years, Bernard worked at the Pictou Shipyards. He was not a person who wanted to be away from home very often, but instead, found many things to do at home. He liked to carve and did many carvings of birds and animals. Evelyn (Ramsay) Prest spent her early married years raising their family, but like many of the women in the area, she went out to work. She was employed by the provincial government and today is retired. Their daughter, Olive married Robert Pastor of Reading, Pennsylvania, she lived in the United States for some years but returned to Caribou after her husband died. They had no children. Roy married Cathy McMullin and they had one daughter, Katherine Ellen. Patricia has a son, David Prest. She married Gary Bellefontaine and they have a daughter, Rebecca. Lynn married William MacKay and they have a daughter, Melanie.

When the Prests arrived in Caribou there was an old vernacular style house on the property. They lived in it for awhile, but Bernard built a new home for his parents around 1944. That house still stands on the property and is occupied by Pansy MacKay. It is a one a half storey vernacular style house with a steep roof and a three bay facade. The foundation is made of concrete and the house has been renovated. The front verandahs were removed.

Bernard also built his first and second homes on the property. The first was a small four room structure which Evelyn and Bernard inhabited until 1960 when it was replaced with a larger one and a half storey home. This house is now owned by their son, Roy who is in the process of renovating and modernizing.

-214 The Maurice MacDonald Family Information Given by Orphy MacDonald and Family Members

Maurice MacDonald was born at Welsford, Nova Scotia in 1908. He attended Bigney School and later moved with his family to Westville. He met and married Orphy MacPhail in 1932. They were married in a Church of England in New Brunswick. Orphy was the daughter of Garfield MacPhail and Alice Prest. She was born in 1913. At first, Maurice and Orphy lived at Pictou but later moved to the Hartling Farm, originally the John MacKenzie place, in Central Caribou. This move took place in the early 1950's and they remained there for five years.

Maurice worked for Maritime Packers for thirty-eight years and while in their employ had his name assigned to a special lobster pack, known as the Maurice V. MacDonald Pack. This pack was packed with precision in a can, covered with a celluloid top, frozen and then shipped to the United States.

Maurice died in June, 1959. Orphy remained in Pictou where she ran a boarding house and a bakery out of her home. Later, she joined the Civil Service and worked at the Children's Training Center in Pictou. She is now retired and lives at the Shiretown Senior Citizens Apartments. Orphy is a Chartered Member of the Pictou Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

The MacDonald family follows: Charles Robert MacDonald married Leigh . They had three chldren, Maurice, Robert and Wayne. All three live at Surrey, British Columbia. Bob served with the Canadian Army and then moved back to Pictou where he opened a war surplus store. It was at this time that Leigh bcame terminally ill with cancer and passed away. In a very short time after her death, Bob died of a rare blood disease.

Murial Barbara Gale MacDonald, married Donald Ruthledge, a member of the Ruthledge Fuel Company family. They have two children, Steven and Lisa Ann. The Ruthledges live at Oakville, Ontario. Gale was at one time an Airline Hostess for Air Canada and today works at a university in Ontario.

Wayne Maurice MacDonald was born on February 8, 1940. He served as a Chief Engineer with the Canadian Navy for thirty years. He married Mildred Shaw of Braeshore. He is now retired from the Navy and works at a civilian job.

Winston Wurtle MacDonald was born on May 1, 1941. He married Trudy Mountain of Lome, Nova Scotia on September 4, 1965. They have three children, Kenneth born May 4, 1967, Karen born January 17, 1972, and Nancy born February 11,1975.

Winston joined the Royal Bank of Canada at Pictou in July, 1960. He worked at Pictou, Halifax, Sydney, Liverpool, Lunenburg, Wolfville, North Bay, Callendar, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, Nnan, and Winchester,

-215- Ontario. He is presently Manager of Agriculture Services, looking after credit lines for 150 farm/orchards in eastern Ontario. He and his family live at 39 vette Street, Blackburn Hamlet, a suburb of Ottawa.

Winston is Past Master of "The Builders Lodge #177, Ottawa" 1988- Masonic Lodge. He is the Past President of the Lions Club and is active on Executive Committees of numerous organizations.

Garfield Dewey MacDonald married Diane Brennan of Pictou. They e two children, Jill and Cathy. Dewey works at Michelin Tire Corp. at Granton, Nova Scotia.

Emma Lee MacDonald married James MacCormack and they have e children, Trudy, Tanya, and Tyson. Emma Lee is an RN and the Head Nurse in the Emergency Room at St. Martha's Hospital in Antigonish, Nova tia.

William (Bill) J. MacDonald was born on February 14, 1937 at Pictou. He attended elementary school at William Dawson School, junior high _t Patterson School and then high school at Pictou Academy. During his time ligh school he was President, both in the junior years and senior years, of :d Youth. He was Vice-President of the student body in his senior year .. a member of the student body and student government in the freshman, >ophomore and junior years.

Bill was also active in athletics and was captain of the rugby, basketball, hockey and track teams and served as skip on the curling team. During his time at Mt. Allison University he became President of the Allied Youth during his freshman and sophomore years. At Mt. Allison, Bill earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Major in Accounting and Economics and l Minor in Finance and Marketing. Later, at the University of Oregon, he obtained his Masters in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and has one J car studies toward a Ph.D.

It was while attending Mt. Allison Univesity that Bill met his future wife, Roslyn Yvonne Rogers. Roslyn graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. She is the daughter of Anna Mae Jolleymore and Rev. A. Allison Rogers. Mr. Rogers, originally from Bear River, Nova Scotia, came from a family with a long history of serving as ministers.

Today, Roslyn works as an Office Manager for Doctors Handclman and Peters who are retina surgeons.

Bill is now the Vice-President for Administrative Services at Portland Community College. He has also served as Dean of Instruction, Associate Dean of Instruction and was Department Chair for Physical Education, Recreation and Intramurals. While still in Canada he worked for the Canadian Federal Income Tax Department, served as an officer with the Canadian Air Force and worked at the Bank of Nova Scotia.

216 Paris Chanelle MacDonald

Paris Chanelle MacDonald is the daughter of William and Roslyn MacDonald. She was born on January 22, 1965 at Eugene, Oregon. During her years at school, Paris acted as the President of the class in her freshman, sophomore and freshman years. She was President of the Spanish Club and she was an honour graduate. In athletics, she was captain and choreographer of the dance team ("The Debutantes"). During the years 1980 through 1982 they placed in the state championships and won in the years 1982 and 1983.

Since 1987, Paris has worked as a model and actress. Her home is in New York City. She travels across the United States, Canada, Germany and Italy.

Paris has been a cover girl for BBW magazine, has modelled for Weight Watchers magazine and her most recent cover picture is on a Harlequin Romance novel by Emma Goldrick, "Smugglers Love".

-217 The Robertsons of Carriboo by Jean Bingley

Andrew S. Robertson and his wife Susan (Fleming) of Scotland, one son and six daughters arrived in Pictou County in 1841. He bought the land now known as the Mill Bank Farm and settled his family there. That property is now owned and lived on by Roland Smith.

Andrew S. Robertson donated a section of the farm to the Haliburton Cemetery. He is buried there along with a good many of his family. The plot is just inside the gate to the right.

Robertson was interested and active in church affairs. The Free Church Movement - from this the Knox Church and Prince Street Presbyterian merged as the First Presbyterian Church of Pictou. Andrew Robertson was an :r of this church for a period of years until his death in 1863.

Andrew Robertson was also a great politician and served as a Liberal ~.cmber for Nova Scotia 1847-1851. In 1868, his son James Andrew Robertson bought the farm in Carriboo. He was a school teacher and farmer. Be married Harriet Neville and they had two sons and one daughter. Catherine married Freeman Johnson of Bay View. They had one daughter, Pearl Johnson) Henderson who now resides at Shiretown Manor. A son, Andrew moved to New Glasgow. He was a carpenter and built many beautiful homes fccre. One street is made up of all his buildings and the street was named Robertson Street after the builder.

Joseph, the other son, remained on the farm and with his wife, Miriam Heughan) raised sixteen children. John Heughan, Miriam's father, lived in the house now owned by Frank Peterson.

James Andrew, grandson of Joseph and Miriam, now lives on the Robertson farm with his wife, Diane (MacDonald) and two children. Megan who is four years old and James Andrew who is two years old. He is the sixth -tcneration in the Robertson family to be named Andrew.

218 The Sutherland Family of Waterside by Margaret MacMaster Walter Sutherland was a carpenter who was born on Dalhousie Mountain in 1864. He married Bella Graham of Enfield at the Harmon Church at Millsville. They moved to Waterside in 1896 and to them was bom Mary C, John W., Ira, Francis and Alice, another died in infancy and they also had an adopted daughter, Isabel Graham. She was a niece as well.

The Sutherlands were a well educated family and well known. Mary taught for many years in Montreal. She had a Bachelor of Arts and travelled extensively. John Sutherland was a doctor and was overseas from 1914 to 1918. He studied science at McGill University after the war. He taught in Alberta. Dr. Ira was a medical doctor in Annapolis Royal. Francis was a Registered Nurse at the Royal Victoria in Montreal. Alice trained at the Victoria General and nursed there until retirement. She now lives in Bridgetown. Isabel was a teacher for over forty years. She taught at Pictou County, Colchester County and Halifax.

-219- MacKeil Family History by Margaret MacMaster Like so many Canadians, the presence of the MacKeils in Carriboo today is a result of that period of anarchy in the American colonies known as the War of Independence.

The first John MacKeil, (our great, great, great grandfather) came from sturdy Dutch stock, his great grandfather, having emigrated from Holland in 1663 to New York state. John married Martha Haight and had a large family. Three sons came to Canada when the war broke out, they preferred to be loyal to the Crown. The story of the ensuing years of terrorism found many family members on opposite sides of the conflict. One son, Joseph settled in St. John, New Brunswick in 1783 and married Anne Burtis and they raised nine children. Descending from this marriage came the many MacKeils who reside throughout New Brunswick and across the continent.

One son Nathaniel, who was our great, great grandfather was not .card of by John and Martha ever. He was their third son, but a member of the present MacKeil family discovered that Nathaniel was on a "Muster Roll" of Loyalists who landed in Halifax after the war, under Lord Montaque. They arrived in the garrison city of Halifax in 1783 in a cold December, about 200 of them, at the close of the war, and spent the winter there in hovels. They suffered greatly. In the spring they were sent to Guysboro. Many died during the winter, but the winter in Chebucto Bay was worse, only a remnant of the soldiers remained. Nathaniel hung on and later married Rebecca Merriam of Guysboro. Hearing of the prosperous town of Pictou, he moved there and purchased the lot now owned by Jim Gunning (50 acres) in Lyons Brook. The first son, Joseph was our great grandfather. Nathaniel and family moved to River John where he died at the age of ninety.

Joseph (their first son) married Elizabeth MacKenzie from Carriboo Island. As seemed to be the custom followed by all MacKeil men, they married Scottish women.

They crossed the harbour to Carriboo and built a log cabin near the shore, and at sometime later acquired the land from Cochrane. In the ensuing years, Joseph and Elizabeth raised twelve children. Later, as the cabin became crowded they built a frame house up farther from the shore. That house is still standing and now occupied by John MacKeil as a summer home and known as the "MacKeil Homestead".

The last son to be bom to them was our grandfather, Joseph MacKeil. On December 12, 1871, the farm was deeded over to Joseph. Joseph was bom in 1836 and was the father of John MacKeil. He married Mary Campbell of Central Caribou. Four children were born to them, John, Joseph, Mary and Anne. Mary married J.W. Otter and moved to Trenton, where her descendants the Otters and Martins now live. Ann married James Ernest of Lunenburg and had three sons, Alfred, Joseph and Lauchie. Joseph moved to Ontario. John married Christine MacKenzie of Three Brooks. They remained in Carriboo and raised five girls and two boys, Margaret, Anna, Doris, Blaine, Jessie, John and Jean. All are still alive except for Blaine. Blaine and his wife, Florence Rankin of Pictou Island have re-established the MacKeil name to an extent that it should carry on for some time. Four of their six sons have made their homes in Caribou and five have fathered sons. One other son lives in Newfoundland, one in Saskatchewan and a daughter in Pictou County.

From the union of John and Tina MacKeil, there are 95 living blood descendants. Three have passed on, Blaine MacKeil, Jessie MacMaster and Laurence MacMaster. The MacKeils carried on the tradition of farming, fishing and shipbuilding through the ages. They established boatyards in Loch Broom, Caribou, Pugwash and Hamilton, Ontario and this attests to the craftsmenship of the MacKeil men.

Note: With thanks to brother John MacKeil for researching the facts.

-221 The Dutch Who Came to Canada The Lakenman Family by Corry Lakenman

As early as 1609, the Dutch ship "Half jgfc " Moon", under Captain Henry Hudson, ,/•***' sailed Canadian waters as far as Hudson Bay in search of a northwest passage. It is not known if any of the Dutch members of his crew actually settled here. But when the United Empire Loyalists fled from the United States to Canada during and after the American Revolution, Netherlanders from the Hudson River Valley were # \<^_ among them. For their services and loyalty to the British Crown, they were rewarded with free grants of land. Many of these New World Dutchmen settled in Nova Scotia, the Saint John River Valley of New Brunswick and in r Canada. The town of Vanleek Hill, Ontario, for example, is named after :ce of these early settlers. Before the First World War, most Dutchmen settled on the prairies. rlice names like Edam, Amsterdam and Zeelandia in Saskatchewan, and andia, Alberta are reminders of their pioneer communities. After the id World War, many Dutchmen in all walks of life felt an urge to leave meir overcrowded country. Possibilities dwindled of immigrating to the east .r.iian colonies; until then the Netherland's main population outlet. A sincere crpreciation and often a close friendship had developed between the Dutch and men of the Canadian Armed Forces. It was natural that many who considered gration were looking towards Canada.

As Canada was still in a stage of transition from a largely agricultural community to an industrialized nation, the migration of many farm families only, was encouraged at first. An immigration scheme, known as the Netherlands Farm Families Movement" was worked out by the Netherlands and Canadian governments. On June 27, 1947, the first ship carrying Dutch farmers and their families arrived in Montreal. Since then thousands of farm families have come to Canada. Most have settled easily into die new lives due :o their agricultural knowledge and willingness to accept hard work.

A special group of the first post-war immigrants were war brides, who by their marriage bonds tied Dutch and Canadian families together. Recruiting ;n the Netherlands resulted in the immigration of over a hundred Dutch musicians with their families to fill openings in military bands in Canada.

After 1951, immigrants from Netherlands, included not only farmers, but significant numbers of people with business, professional, technical, and vocational trainings, as well as other specialized backgrounds. They found

-222- their way mainly to more populated areas, such as Southern Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Smaller numbers have made their homes in the other provinces.

One of the families who came to Canada was the Lakenman family. Cor and Corry Lakenman and their six week old baby arrived in Halifax in 1950. They settled on the farm of the late William MacDonald, Bay View, Pictou County. The ship, the "Volendam" was overcrowded, the trip was long and dreary, it took nine days to cross the Atlantic Ocean. It certainly was not a cruise ship and the uncertainty "where are we going?" did not make it a pleasure trip. Also the thought was still on our minds, will we ever see our parents and relatives again? But we had made up our minds to take that big step. After one year of marriage, we sold our home in Holland and sailed across the ocean to go into an uncertain future. We finally arrived in Halifax, the sun was shining, it looked good and our excitement grew. But then the waiting! Finally, our name was called, but what a disappointment! The train for Pictou already left Halifax. We had to wait until the next morning and they kept us overnight in Halifax. We finally arrived, the next day, in Pictou. It had taken us a long time and everything looked so different, the baby was crying and the biggest barrier was the English language. We were happy when we arrived at the Hooper farm. Percy Hooper, a bachelor, had agreed that we could stay there until we were able to go to the farm. Hennie and Joe Kelderman and their son, Bert came to Canada to work for Mr. Hooper and they welcomed us in their home.

From Hoopers, we moved to the MacDonald farm. Most Dutch people moved at least once after arrival. But until this day forty-two years later, we still live at the same place. Cor Lakenman had been looking forward to growing vegetables the way he did in Holland. He worked with his father and brothers on the family land. He grew up growing vegetables and gardening. That was his first love. He is a person who likes to read and learn and he kept reading about Canada, the country called "the land of opportunity". However, the lack of sales made it impossible to start the garden business and he had to look for a job. But jobs in those years were very scarce and through the years he had to work on several different kinds of projects. Finally, after six years he got a job at the local dairy, "Onslow Lass Dairy" and managed the business for several years. He then attended business college. We were pleased when he got a job at Michelin Tire Ltd. and worked there until his retirement. The love for gardening was still with him and through the years, he sold some fresh vegetables. The acreage grew bigger every year, and people realized how healthy vegetables are and finally we are able to sell more vegetables and to this day are going strong. With die help of his wife, Corry and their children, John, Eddie, Marion, Emily and Danny, the farm improved immensely. The children were always willing to help. The farm looks beautiful throughout the summer with flowers and the vegetable gardens all around our property. We had some very trying times, but with the love for one another and the help of friends and neighbours, we managed to carve out a full life for ourselves and our children.

-223- Elizabeth Ross Sutherland by Margaret MacMaster

Elizabeth Sutherland, affectionately known as "Aunt Bess" around the Pictou area, was bom at Bay View. Her grandfather, Andrew owned the farm now in possession of Jane Webster. Elizabeth was the daughter of William and Jessie (MacQuarrie) Sutherland and was bom in 1883. The family moved from the farm to the house at Coles Point when her father became the caretaker at the infectious diseases hospitals.

Besides Bessie, there were three brothers and two sisters, Andrew, ink, William, Christine (Buckley), and Mary (Heighton) in the family. She nd her siblings walked through the woods, about three miles, to Bay View School, taking their lunches of bannock and molasses and a botde of milk each day. Bessie often told how her mother cooked food for the patients at the hospital and would set it on a stone bench at the Lazaretto. That bench still can be seen at the hospital. She also explained how they grew a large garden at the site and how her parents would have to clean the hospitals with Gillets Lye after patients left or died at the Lazaretto.

When she was a young lady, Bessie left for Boston where she worked until she returned home in 1963 to retire. "Aunt Bess" was an active member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Pictou. She was a long time resident of the Munro Wing of Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital when she passed away at the age of one hundred and eight years of age.

224 The Porter Family by Martin Porter As of this date, May 2, 1992, all the children of James W.R. Porter and Margaret Anne (Munro) Porter are all alive and quite mobile with no more serious illnesses than besets most people in this age group.

I, Martin Porter as the oldest member of the family of nine, have been asked to collate some facts as a contribution to a local history being prepared in Bay View.

James W.R. Porter was bom and raised in Dalhousie Mountain, Nova Scotia on a farm of some 80 acres owned by his father James Porter (1826- 1894) and mother Jane (Arthur) Porter (1850-1935). Our grandmother, Jane lived with us in Bay View for several years in the 1930's but died in Westville at Luther Porter's and is buried at Four Mile Brook in Gladstone Cemetery.

Our mother, Margaret Anne (Munro) Porter was bom at Brookland, Pictou County on June 9, 1893 and later moved to Three Brooks, had an interesting and varied life and travelled across Canada from coast to coast many times. Jim Porter was a farmer, lumberman and a great lover of horses. He always owned a beautiful team of horses. Our great grandfather, James Porter and wife Elizabeth lived on Dalhousie Mountain. They came to Nova Scotia from Ireland (County Cork), and grandmother Porter's lineage goes back as far as 1620 to immigrants from the Netherlands.

James and Margaret Porter moved to Bay View in 1927 and lived the rest of their lives there and became valued members of the community. They had nine children who are now scattered all across Canada. Martin Henry Porter, July 1, 1918, joined the RCAF air crew 1941- 1945, now lives in London, Ontario. He worked as a licensed auto mechanic then took up the teaching profession and taught at Madoc and London Ontario Community College and high schools. He retired in 1985. He has three children.

Laura Evelyn was bom March 2, 1920. She remained in Pictou County all her life. She married Jim Cameron of Three Brooks who died by drowning at Waterside on June 13, . Laura worked at Michelin Tire Company for ten years and retired from there in 1985. She has thirteen children. Marion Annabella was bom on March 27, 1922 and lived in Caribou all her life. She married Harry Langille in July, 1940. They had four children. Marion worked at the Seahawke Restaurant for many years and at Michelin Tire Co. for fifteenyears , retiring in 1987.

-225- Sarah Christine (Sally) was born July 12, 1924 and moved to r.couver, British Columbia after the war. She married Chesley Babcock on ober 6, 1951. They had four children. Sally served in the RCAF in World r II for three years.

Kenneth Murray was born on July 15, 1926. He lived in Pictou County most of his life except for a few years in Brantford, Ontario. He rked most of his life at Atlantic Wholesalers, Pictou and New Glasgow and now a retired farmer. He and his wife, Violet Scott Parker had three children. They were divorced in 1980. Kenneth then married Irene Baird and now lives on Caribou Island.

Jessie Wilhelmina was born on June 5, 1928 and moved to British Columbia after World War II. She married Allan Coulter on July 9, 1949. They had four children and one adopted son.

James Wilbert was born on February 12, 1930 and moved to British Columbia where he married Vema Erikson in 1951. They had three children. He worked at Dairy land Dairy Company for many years. He retired in 1991 _r.J now lives at Dawson Creek, British Columbia.

Milton Alexander was born on January 25, 1932. He married Mary cDonald of Pictou. They had eight children. Milton worked for MacKinnon Industries (GM) for most of his married life in St. Catherines, Ontario. He will be retiring soon and moving back to Pictou.

Margaret Ruth (Peggy) was born on July 8,1935 and moved to British Columbia. She works for B.C. Telephone. She married Joseph Franklin on February 6, 1952. They had two sons.

This is the story of Jim and Maggie Porter and their family of nine children. Although Jim was stricken with rheumatic fever while working on road construction in Bay View, he lived for another eight years and died in February of 1941. Maggie lived until the age of 83. She kept her family going by working at Pictou Lodge and Bill and Kate MacKay's for many years. She also worked for Dr. and Mrs. Donald Webster in Montreal and Bay View. She married Ray Johnson on November 7, 1951. He died in Kentville in hospital on September 17, 1962.

The Porter family had their first family reunion in 1979 when brothers and sisters were all reunited for the first time in over forty years. They spent two weeks together and had many happy memories to take back to their homes. They still keep in close touch with one another.

226 The LeBlanc Family From an Interview with Mr. and Mrs. LeBlanc

Bernard LeBlanc was the son of Felix LeBlanc. His mother was originally from Arichat, but met and married Felix and lived in Pictou. Bernard married Marg Silver and at first they lived in the old house later owned by Daniel MacMaster in Bay View.

During the war Mr. LeBlanc spent six years in the army. He trained men for artillery at Lingan, Cape Breton. After leaving the service he and his family moved to the old Burton Langille property in Central Caribou. They bought the house and land from John MacFarlane (the lightkeeper) for $700.00.

After the war there was no work available, so people had to make out as best as they could. The LeBlancs decided to start a farm. They had 300 hens, pigs and gardens. To make money to supplement their farm produce, Bernard went to work shovelling gravel. Marg did a lot of the work on the farm, including canning the fruit.

After a few years, Bernard was lucky enough to get a job on the "Acadia", a survey ship. While he was away, Marg had to tend the farm. On his leaves at home, Bernard would cut the winter wood. Mrs. LeBlanc remembers that she would trade eggs with her neighbour, Flora MacDougall for milk.

The LeBlancs had seven children, Bemadette, Stewart, Arthur, Fred, John, Susanne and Sandy.

After Bernard left the "Acadia", he worked at the shipyards at Pictou for the next thirty-five years. He did different jobs while there.

Mr. LeBlanc never learned to speak French, but both of his parents spoke it as a first language. If the parents spoke French to the children, the children answered in English.

In reminiscing about the past, Mr. LeBlanc said that when he was a very young man he worked for J & J Yorston in their shipyard. The yard was located in Pictou at the wharf where the "Hector" replica is now being built. It was his job to make the trundles for the wooden ships. According to Bernard, a ship was taken up on the cradle and repaired. A plank which was bad would be removed, the trundles would be used to hold the new one in place. It would be rotated into a drilled hole until it wouldn't go any farther. It was cut off flush, then it would be split with a wedge put in the crack. This would prevent it from moving. The ships were usually sheathed with felt and this was covered with copper sheets.

Most of the ships were involved in the south seas trade which caused worm problems. Mr. LeBlanc remembers that the older men at the yard would

227 pull the copper nails out of the ship and throw them on the ground. He would around to collect them. Later, he would sell them for 10 a pound.

Mrs. LeBlanc remembers going to the Yorston Yard to collect wood chips to take home to bum. While there, she would watch the men corking the ships. They would put the felt in the cracks and then pound it in with big malls.

According to Mr. LeBlanc, most of the ships that came to the yard while he was there were either bargues or barquentines.

Today, the LeBlancs live a comfortable life in the little home that they renovated over the years. Unfortunately, Mr. LeBlanc is very deaf.

Note: Mr. LeBlanc passed away before completion of this book.

228- Florence MacMaster by Florence MacMaster Florence Anne (MacDonald) MacMaster was bom on July 2, 1900 and is today a very senior member of the Caribou area. However, for the last few years Florence has spent her time at the Shiretown Home for the elderly. Recendy, a club was formed in the home for those over 90 years and of course, Florence is one of the eighteen residents to have this distinction. Their pictures are framed and hang on the walls of the home.

Florence was the daughter of Angus MacDonald and Adelaine (MacFarlane) MacDonald. She was in the middle position of eleven children. The family lived on Pictou Island but when Florence matured, she married Henry MacMaster and moved to Caribou Island. Here she took on the job of teacher for the Waterside School. After a five year stay on Caribou Island, the MacMasters moved to Logan's Shore where Henry fished. They lived in an old house which still remains on the Logan property today. Later, they built a new house in Caribou and it was in this house that Florence lived for the next forty years. Henry passed away around 1974 and Florence remained for a few years and then sold the house to a nephew, Len MacMaster.

During the years in Caribou, Henry ran a war surplus store and Florence helped with the business along with Jim Elliott Florence remembers that she and Henry lived in Detroit for a short time while Henry worked there, but Florence visited the United States often with friends. While not working at the business, Florence was kept busy with her house and the large garden she made each year. They planted an orchard on the property consisting of apple, cherry and pear trees. As well, grape vines produced some good grapes. Florence was an avid participant in putting items in the exhibition. She remembers that she only won one red ribbon and that was for chocolate fudge that she entered in the Halifax Exhibition. She also entered lobsters and scallops canned, as well as beans and vegetables.

Florence spun yam and knit socks and mitts and made trap heads for the lobster traps. One winter she and Henry made a salmon net.

Florence was well thought of by her neighbours and the many people who visited her are testament to that. Those who were lucky enough to know when Florence did her baking would have a very good lunch when they visited.

Florence is always ready to say that her community was good to her and Florence was kind to her neighbours.

229- Samuel MacLeod From the MacLeod Files For forty-six years, Samuel MacLeod has been an employee of Northumberland Ferries. He joined the company when he was only eighteen . ars old. A native of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, he met and rried Audrey Prest and the couple settled on the northern half of the Prest farm where they still reside today. Audrey and Sam have three living children, Charles, Richard and Sylvia and one child who died in infancy. Likely within the next year or so, MacLeod will retire from the sea and spend his time in the large garden he makes every year.

The first ferries on the Wood Islands and Caribou run were the Prince Nova and the Charles A. Dunning. The Nova carried 14 cars and the Dunning 23. Sam was assigned to the Dunning and remained with her until she was toved from service. Over the years there has been a major increase in traffic these terminals and additional boats have been added and wharf facilities expanded. Northumberland Ferries is a privately owned company based in Charlottetown. The company employs about 300 people. About 60% of the enue for the company is supplied by the federal government and the rest is made up of ticket sales. In 1991, people are only required to buy their ticket when they leave the Island. This did away with the toll booth on the Caribou side.

After the Prince Edward joined the service in 1973, MacLeod joined die crew for that vessel and remains there today. He goes to other boats in the fall when the crews change to cover the two boats that run to the end of the season. Samuel is in charge of loading and unloading traffic and looks after much of the maintenance on the ship. It is said that he is well noted for his efficiency for getting into locked cars.

As the most senior employee on the ferry, MacLeod is a year round employee taking only his vacation time in the winter months. While the boats are tied up in Pictou he works from 8 to 5 supervising maintenance of the boats. His rate today is that of bosun, but in earlier years he worked in the wheelhouse. However, he never went for a higher ticket.

While Samuel MacLeod is the most senior member of the crew today, he was not the only MacLeod to serve with the company. His father, Malcolm MacLeod, worked as a wharfinger in Wood Islands for years. His brother, Donald has been on the boats at least 30 years. His daughter, Sylvia worked for nearly 20 years until she retired in 1991.

•230 Christine MacKay by Margaret MacMaster

Christine MacKay of Braeshore, Pictou County, received the Arthur D. Stairs Award of Merit from Lt. Governor H.P. MacKean at the Canadian Paraplegic Association's annual dinner held in Halifax in 1964. She was named the outstanding Paraplegic of the Year. Christine is the daughter of Fred and Anna MacKay of Braeshore and was born with a spinal defect, spinabifida; but with determination and spirit, she attended rural school until grade nine and then grades nine, ten, and eleven by correspondence. She then attended Pictou Academy for a commercial course. Christine spent time in the Children's Hospital in Halifax and also in the Rehabilitation Centre. She has written short stories, enjoys reading and is independently on her own. She has worked for thirty years as a secretary for the Department of National Defence. She is a member of the Board of the Canadian Paraplegic Association and serves as Secretary on the Board of Sailable, Nova Scotia. Christine is a prime example of how strength of spirit and determination can enable a disabled person to become economically independent and enjoy a fulfilled life.

She will tell you that whatever she has accomplished in life, she owes to the love and support of her parents and family and to the Canadian Paraplegic Association.

Christine believes, and I quote, "The first years of a disabled child's life are crucial. This is when the parents must not dispair, but give the love and encouragement necessary and believe that with faith in God and the benefit of modern technology, miracles can happen."

231 The Lowden Family by David Barnard

The first Lowden to come to Pictou County was William Lowden, -ho was bom in Dumfries, Scotland. Before coming to Pictou, William Lowden spent some time in Russia and arrived in the county in 1788. He was c shipbuilder. Along with him came his sons David, Robert, William, Thomas ir.d daugher, Elizabeth. It is believed that there was another daughter, who -jjTied an Admiral Collins and became Lady Collins.

The first ship built by the Lowdens, "The Harriet", was launched on er 25, 1798. She was 600 tons and was commanded by the son, David '. . Another vessel named the "Prince Edward" was also built at the Lowden smpyard. The first yard was located up the East River but then the operation I _s moved to where the old Custom house now stands. The home of David Lowden is at the Beaches at Braeshore. It is known as "Seaforth" and was r_ilt in 1803.

The house is located on a 93 acre estate and is built in the vernacular style with Gothic windows and dormer. The structure is made of cut stone and looks out over Pictou Harbour. Double chimneys at either end of me house service four fireplaces. This property is now owned by Hugh . Donald.* Two other properties were owned by the Lowdens in this area, that of Mrs. George MacKenzie and the property where the Harbour Light bailer Court is now located. David Lowden (2) lived here and he married Jane Murdock and they had a son, David (3). He married Elizabeth .Pherson of Pictou Landing. Two daughters were bom to this marriage, the -te Mrs. Cairns Henderson, Toney River and Laura Bell, the late Mrs. Harry Barnard, Central Caribou, who was my mother. I, David Lowden Barnard, -as also born on this property.

The fourth property owned by the Lowdens was opposite the golf :se in Pictou, on Fogo's Hill. This belonged to Henry Lowden who was the •.keeper. He married Ann Fogo and lived in what is known as "Tullochard" small white cottage). This property is now owned by Robert and Cathy tng.

Robert Lowden (1) afterwards lived at Merigomish, where cendants are buried in the cemetery by the Presbyterian Church. Other Lowdens moved to the Pugwash area. Jack Cunningham (auctioneer) showed me where the first Lowdens in Merigomish lived. Thomas Lowden married a Rachael Crowe from Truro, according to a newspaper clipping from the Pictou Advocate. William never married.

Little is known of the Collins' mentioned earlier, they may have been lost at sea or died of disease. Admiral Collins' spyglasses and Lady Collins' necklace were sent back to Pictou. Laura Campbell, David (3) first cousin who lived at the Beaches Road property (now owned by Edward MacLarcn) had the glasses and necklace and she gave them to the late Judge Frank

-232- Patterson of Truro. He gave them to me and I still have both. The necklace is the paste copy of the original jewels.

The Lowden grandfather clock which stands seven feet six inches was in later years my mothers and she passed it on to me. A framed picture of Lady Collins was also given to my mother who gave it to my brother, Frank of Dundas, Ontario.

Approximately in 1970, Lowdens came from the New England states whose ancestors they believed settled in the Pugwash area. Much credit for the Lowden history goes to Ronald Lowden of Naraberth, Pennsylvania. In tracing the family tree, it shows that he is my fourth cousin. Isabel (Mrs. Duncan MacMaster) of Bay View is a descendant. Her mother, the late Mrs. Roy (Margaret) Stewart, of New Glasgow was a descendant of Robert Lowden who settled in Merigomish. Philip and Betty still visit us frequently from the Pugwash side of the family.

In 1976,1 had the pleasure of visiting the Lowden Castle at Galston, Scotland. Unfortunately, it is now in ruins.

The first Lowden settlers are buried at Laural Hill Cemetery in Pictou, Nova Scotia. Allister Henderson and Margaret Schmitt are family of the late Bertha (Lowden) Henderson. Albert Henderson of Edmonton, Alberta is also a family member. Deceased are David Henderson of Cranbrook, British Columbia and Betty Downey of Moncton, New Brunswick.

Family of the late Laura Bell (Lowden) Barnard arc Alfred Frank Barnard of Dundas, Ontario, Elizabeth (Barnard) Gammon, Esther (Barnard) Beck of Lyons Brook and myself, David Lowden Barnard of Pictou.

A memorial to Captain William Lowden was unveiled on June 6, 1987 by Mrs. O.S. Cooke and her uncle, Samuel Stewart. It is located by the Harbour Light Trailer Park near Lowdcn's Beach.

*edited into the essay

233- The Dobson Family by Ina Dobson

George Dobson, his wife, Charlotte Quigley and son, James came to Canada in 1821 from Antrim, Ireland. They settled at Westville, Pictou County. James had been bom in 1818, so he was only three years old when die family moved to Canada. Another son was bom in 1830 and was named George. He was buried at Westville upon his death in 1833.

On April, 1835 George Dobson received deed to 100 acres of land in Cariboo from William George Cochrane. The price paid was £12 and 10 shillings. The deed was signed by Charles Twinning and witnessed by David and John Taylor.

At George Dobson's death in 1852, his only son, James inherited the farm. On December 30, 1848, James Dobson married Phoebe Priest of Cariboo. They had nine children, seven boys and two girls. In 1874, James Dobson on a trip to Westville suffered a fatal heart attack. His wife, Phoebe and their family carried on the farm.

In 1892, the farm was signed over to Caleb Dobson, one of the sons, for a small amount of cash ($5.00). On March 24, 1897, Caleb married Jane MacKenzie of Three Brooks and on August 11, 1900 their son, James was bom.

In 1908, Caleb bought the John Sutherland property of one hundred _:res for four hundred dollars. The two properties were joined. In 1937, Caleb Dobson deeded the property over to James Arthur Dobson, his son.

James Dobson married Ina Ward Dobson on February 1, 1936. Ina Ward came from Rockport, New Brunswick in 1932 to work at the Pictou hospital. She was a graduate of the Grace Maternity Hospital. Elizabeth MacKenzie recommended her to Miss MacQueen, the head nurse, in Pictou. Mrs. Dobson said that times were tough, but her father got the money together for nylons, uniform and train fare to Pictou. It amounted to $30.00. She .-. orked for three and a half years and then married. She returned to work in 1963 to the Pictou Hospital for ten years and then at the Children's Training Center.

James and Ina had two daughters, Jane born January 8, 1937 and Judith both October 21, 1945. Jane was a teacher and married Murray Turner of Moncton, New Brunswick. They had five children. Jane died in 1977 and is buried at Seaview Cemetery in Bay View alongside her father who passed away in December, 1989.

Judith married Jack Leith, a Major in the Canadian Military, from Ottawa. They have four children.

234- In February, 1986, James Dobson deeded the property to Judith and gave the Sutherland property to his grandson, Todd Turner. Since James' death, Mrs. Dobson has taken her sister Alice to live with her.

235 Our Move by Hcnnic Kelderman

"Moving to a new country and sailing on the Atlantic Ocean for eleven days, then seeing land on both sides of your ship is an experience that will stay with you ... always."

My husband and I were born in Holland, and married on May 9, 1945, right after World War II ended. Both of us were born and raised on a farm, and although my husband, Joe tried different jobs after we were married, it was farming he wanted to do for a living.

New Zealand and Canada were needing young farmers, so the brochures with beautiful scenery convinced us. Farms and large farmhouses •••ere always around. Most farms had a small house for a hired family, this was •.cry tempting for we lived in the same house as my family since were married. Our eldest son, Bertus (Bert) was now one and a half years old. In talking to an agent of "Holland-America Line" we were sold on the idea of immigration. We chose Ontario or Alberta. This would take from one to two years. We would have to work on a farm for a minimum wage of $45.00 a month for three years before we could buy our own place. While still at home we started English lessons right away, our teacher was a lady who had lived in England for three years. As it turned out we only had three lessons because on that Monday morning our agent called on us and offered us a place in Nova Scotia where another couple had cancelled. We were to be ready the following Friday. We made our final decision and for four days and nights worked on our passports, packed our belongings and said our good-byes.

On Friday morning, June 18, 1948 we rented a bus together with other immigrants, families and friends drove to Rotterdam, to board the "Tabinta". After eating our supper and hitting the Atlantic Ocean at the same time, we swore we would never eat sauerkraut and wieners again! We were seasick alot! We landed in Quebec, where we all boarded trains for our different destinations. We were the only family headed for Nova Scotia. We had been given a small piece of paper, on which was handwritten: J. Hooper, Pictou, Nova Scotia. Our train left Quebec at six in the evening and arrived in Pictou

-236- exactly a day later on June 30, 1948. Mr. Hooper, our boss, was at the station to meet us. We expected to drive many miles to some far away farm in the country, as the brochure had said. But to our pleasant surprise, we only drove ten minutes to the farm where we were going to live. A bachelor brother of Mr. Hooper was living in the main farmhouse and we were to live with Percy during our stay. They made us understand that they had expected us to speak English but later told us that it had been more fun helping us learn together. James Hooper was married and lived nearby. They had no children and fell in love with our son, Bertus. Unfortunately, soon the work would be left to Joe and Percy, after nine months our boss, James Hooper died of a heart attack. We stayed for two and a half years and our pay had gradually increased to $120.00 a month. We were expecting our second child and had already found a little farm we wanted to buy. We knew it was vacant, so we wrote our English letter to the Land Settlement Board in Truro for financial assistance. Percy sent away for a new Dutch couple and they arrived shortiy before we were to leave. We were allowed to bring $250.00 from Holland with us and had managed to save some. We borrowed $1,200.00 at 3% interest from the Land Setdement Board and bought ourselves a farm in Bay View from George Reid for $2,250.00. Our second son was born on March 27, 1951, and on April 14, that same year we moved into our new home. Joe kept working for the farmers around us and other different jobs. He also took care of our two cows, we had bought with the help of Percy Hooper. After five years in Canada, we became Canadian citizens. Later, we bought the farm next to us and started to grow some vegetables, raised hundreds of little pigs and expanded our dairy herd.

With alot of hard work, with the help of our boys and the kindness from Bay View community, we gradually made a good living. We have never regretted coming to Bay View, Nova Scotia.

237 The Peterson Family of Central Caribou by Margaret Archibald

Martin Peterson was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1874 and married Fanny Wright (born 1880) in Sussex, England in 1901. They migrated to Canada in 1908. Four children, were born in England and another eight were born after they came to Canada.

Martin Peterson worked in Halifax for the government and in 1914 when war broke, he joined the army and was stationed at Fort York Redoubt at Herring Cove. Mr. Peterson was a bandmaster and played for the military. In England, he had played for the opera and later was bandmaster in New Glasgow and Pictou and often played for the theatre.

After the war ended, the Petersons moved to Central Caribou to a farm, around 1918. The site where they lived became known as Peterson's Corner. Martin and his wife, Fanny lived there until their deaths in 1972 and 1973. The farm now belongs to their son, Frank Peterson.

Family Members

Malcolm (Deceased) Julia (Pictou) Victor (Deceased) Janet (St. Catherines) Gladys (Deceased) Frank (Central Caribou) Neville (Mississauga) Dorothy (Braeshore) Violet (Deceased) Florence (Braeshore) Margaret (Braeshore) Albert (Scarborough)

-238- The MacKenzies (Bann) by Mina Paterson Donald MacKenzie was bom in 1749 at Brackachy, Kilmorach, Inverness, Scotland. He married Mary Douglas, Scotland. They came to Pictou County, Nova Scotia, in 1815 and lived at Mount Pleasant where their remains are buried in the MacKenzie Cemetery. Their son, Donald MacKenzie, Scotland married Ann MacLean, Scodand and after they came to Pictou County, they bought land on Caribou Island. They owned the same farm as their grandson, Finlay MacKenzie lived on in later years. Their remains are buried in the Caribou Island Cemetery.

Donald and Ann MacKenzie's son, Simon married Ann Murray. Ann was a daughter of Hugh and Jane Murray. They and their five children came from Ross Shire, Cromarty, Scodand on the vessel "Lady Jane Grey" in 1841. Simon and Ann had twelve children and adopted two more - a boy and a girl. Simon and Ann lived at Waterside between the Sunrise Trail and the Otter Road. Of the twelve children and two adopted children, five died young; the adopted son, Frank was killed when working in a mine in Stellarton, Pictou County, Nova Scotia on February 6, 1909 at age twenty-three. The remainder of the family were:

Jane, who married William Henry. They had ten children and lived in St. John, New Brunswick. Daniel, who married Christina Henderson. They had two sons. They lived in Trenton, Pictou County, Nova Scotia and later moved to Alberta. Annie, who married Herbert Slade. They had three daughters, two died young. They lived near Boston, United States. Hughena, 1861-1927, worked in Boston and later married Philip Henry. He died in 1898. They had one daughter, Anna who was ten months old when her father died. Hughena and Anna returned to Caribou Island after Philip's death where Hughena operated a lobster factory until she returned to Boston for Ann to further her education. The lobster factory was on the harbour side of Caribou Island on the property known as Gull Rock. Before returning to Boston, Hughena sold the factory to George Smith who moved the building to the Strait side of the Island.

Simon married Libbie Sutherland, of Watervale, Pictou County, Nova Scotia. They had fourteen children. Simon and Libbie first lived in Trenton until they took over his father's farm in 1909. They bought the Weir property in Waterside. It is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Panting. Simon was a stationary engineer, a blacksmith, as well as a farmer. He worked for many years for Burnham and Morrill's lobster factory at Bay View. At one time it was the largest lobster factory in the world. He operated the retorts to cook the canned lobster meat. When Simon and Libbie lived at Trenton, he worked as a glass blower at the Trenton Glass Factory in Trenton.

-239- Mary was bom on September 12, 1867. She received her education at Waterside and the Pictou Academy and graduated from Dalhousie University, Halifax as a medical doctor in 1905. In the same year, Dr. Molly was appointed to Cownpore, India where she engaged in medical and Bible work for five years. She then took a post graduate course in ears, eyes, nose and throat diseases in London, England before returning to Canada. Dr. Molly married the Reverend Alonzo A. Smith, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in 1912 and they went to Verchoyle, Ontario where Rev. Smith took a ministerial charge and Dr. Molly was the medical doctor to do medical inspections in rural and urban schools in Ontario, working under the Women's Institute. She later worked as a Medical Inspector of School Children with the Department of Education, Ontario working in Gravenhurst, Granton, and Colbome, until she retired in 1935.

In 1937, Dr. Molly started a world tour leaving Halifax by boat. She crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the British Isles, then through the European countries to the Holy Land, India, China and Japan. She returned by boat in 1939 across the Pacific Ocean to Vancouver, British Columbia and then across Canada by train to Pictou. Here she resided until her death in 1955. Dr. Molly and her husband Rev. A.A. Smith are buried at Lome Street Cemetery, New Glasgow. They had no children.

Jemima was bom on August 18, 1872. She received her education at Waterside and the Pictou Academy. She taught school in different Pictou County communities before going to study medicine at Dalhousie University. She graduated in 1904 as a medical doctor. She became known as Dr. Mina.

In 1904, Dr. Mina was appointed under the Women's Union Missionary Society of America, New York, USA to medical work in Cownpore, India. Two years later she went to Fatepur, India where she was in full charge of a large hospital which she was largely instrumental in building. During World War I, the medical missionaries in India were called upon to help check the spread of cholera by giving innoculations and to care for military members and civilians. The Viceroy of India recommended Dr. Mina's valour to the British Monarch, His Gracious Majesty King George V, who was pleased to bestow upon Dr. Mina the Kaisar-I-Hind medal. This medal is the highest honour bestowed for public service in India. This was presented to Dr. Mina after the end of the war.

While in India, Dr. Mina legally adopted ten children and provided for many more. When she retired in India in 1939, she returned to Pictou and brought two of her adopted sons with her. They were four and six years of age at that time. Dr. Mina purchased a house in Pictou and set up a medical practice for the Town and surrounding areas. She and her two sons lived in the house until her death in January, 1957.

240- A few years after Dr. Mina retired to Pictou, Dalhousie University bestowed an Honourary Doctor of Laws Degree upon her in recognition of her many achievements.

Vina received her education at Waterside and Pictou Academy. She went to Boston and set up a tailoress shop where she designed clothes and had four seamstresses working for her. She married Clarence Malcolm and they had one child - Henry Malcolm. Clarence died when Henry was very young. Later, Vina married George Ross MacKenzie (Stonehouse MacKenzies) and they moved to Prince Rupert, British Columbia. They had one son, Murray MacKenzie.

-241 MacLennan Family of Bay View by Susan MacLennan Miller

J.R. Fisher MacLennan, a lumberman and farmer, and his wife, Ellen McCara), a former schoolteacher and their eight children moved to Bay View in October, 1946 from Millsville, which is a small community near the village of Scotsburn. They purchased the house and land in Bay View (the house being the only building left standing after a fire) from the estate of the late John Cameron and began fanning.

Fisher MacLennan was a descendant of Alexander MacLennan who ie from the Parish of Countin, Rosshire in the Highlands of Scotland, to . .car the land and settle near Millsville in the early 1800's.

In Bay View, the beautiful farm located on the north side of Pictou rbour, overlooking the Pictou Light, is presently owned by Lloyd, the eldest of Fisher and Ellen. Lloyd now raises Angus beef cattle.

Fisher and Ellen MacLennan had three sons and five daughters, Lloyd, a beef fanner, John, manager of the Scotsburn Hardware, now resides in Scotsburn and Fisher Jr. is branch manager at Scotsburn Co-op, also residing in Scotsburn. The daughters are: Marjorie (Jenkins) a graduate nurse of the Moncton City Hospital, now living in Scotsburn. Mary (Campbell) a former ooltcacher living in Tsawwasscn, British Columbia. Kathryn (McCulloch) a former secretary at Scotsburn Co-op also lives in Scotsburn. Julia (Hope) is a duate nurse of the Ottawa Civic Hospital and resides in Kars, Ontario. Susan (Miller) is a graduate of the Victoria General Hospital, now living in Halifax.

Four of the immediate family now have summer residences on the farm. Ellen and Fisher's seventeen grandchildren come from many parts of Canada and the United States to spend their holidays on the farm in Bay View, making hay and herding cattle, but with an added benefit of being able to go swimming and boating on the waters off the property.

Fisher MacLennan died on December 1, 1987. He was a Director of the Onslow Lass Dairy in Pictou and a Director of the Pictou-North Colchester Exhibition. His wife, Ellen died on June 26, 1986. They are buried adjacent to the family farm in SeaView Cemetery.

-242- The Otter Family by Jennie Scaife

Captain William Otter, bom in Lincoln, England owned a sailing ship known as a "Barque" (a three masted schooner). The name given the ship was the "Laura". He sailed from Liverpool, England with ports of call at Shanghai, China, San Francisco and then on to Halifax and Pictou in Nova Scotia. Here he loaded lumber for the return trip to England. In China, tea and spices were loaded. The tea was put in large square boxes which were lined with lead. Bills of laden for the Pictou area show that deal was shipped by Geoffrey McCall.

During one of his trips, Captain Otter met and married Jane Doull Fraser. They bought a property at Waterside in Pictou County from David MacCulloch in 1875. The old deed is now in the possession of Mrs. Scaife. From this union seven children were born: Mae, Daniel, John, Fred, Jeff, Alexander and Jennie. There was a large age gap between the children because Captain Otter only made it home every two years from his trading ventures. Mrs. Otter never accompanied him on his voyages because in those days it was considered very bad luck to have a woman on a ship.

In later years, on one of his voyages to England, Captain Otter took ill and passed away. He is buried at Lincoln Cathedral in his home town of Lincoln. It was in this church in his youth that he sang soprano in the boys choir. The Otter family remained at Waterside and the old home stayed in that name from 1875 to 1980.

Family Members Mae Otter married James Morrison and had two daughters, Ethel and Edith. Daniel Otter married Lena ?? of Brackton, Massachusetts and had two daughters, Florence and Mabel. John Otter married Mamie McKeil and had two children, Mary and Harold. Fred Otter married Eva Singer, Truro and had one son, Cecil. Jeff Otter did not many. Alexander Otter manied Minnie Graham, New Glasgow and had six children, Jennie, Margaret, Ethel, Fred, Dorothy, and Alyce. Jennie was never married.

Jane Doull Fraser's mother was a MacKenzie, the daughter of one of four brothers. Gordon MacKenzie, Waterside at the Post Office. House now owned by Dwight MacDonald. George Dan MacKenzie at the bridge in Waterside. John (Stonehouse) MacKenzie at Caribou Island. Neil MacKenzie at Haliburton Road. All descendants of the four brothers.

243- CEMETERIES

244 Caribou Island Cemetery Pictou County, Nova Scotia

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Headstone of James A. Harris died August 6,1860

Copied August, 1949 by Mrs. Jean Everham and Miss Virginia Everham of Port Huron, Michigan.

Bohn Janet wife of James A. Harris Davidson Annabel wife of John G. MacKenzie Fraser Margaret A. wife of Matthew S. Hanis Gillis Sarah wife of Hector Mclnnis Gray D.B. wife Mary J. Hanis (October 15,1860 - March 26, 1887) Harris Mary J. wife of D.B. Gray Matthew S. (October 3,1825 - September 26, 1905) wife Margaret A. Fraser (May 1,1832-April 1,1895) daughter Janet A. 15 years daughter Martha 3 years eldest son James A. d. February 27, 1878 20 years 10 months William F. wife Martha B. daughter Louise M. (November 3, 1890 - April 11,1894) James A. (Caribou Island) d. August 6,1860 84 years 5 months wife Janet Bohn d. November 16, 1855 69 years eldest daughter, Janet (October 14 ,1841 - September 7, 1849) James (May 29,1813 - January 11, 1893) wife Nancy McK. d. August 23, 1885 68 years James A. wife Bessie d. September 19,1881 21 years 6 months

245 Peter d. May 16,1876 60 years b. Invemesshire, Scodand wife Catherine Ross d. August 20,1886 70 years b. Sutherlandshire, Scodand Mclnnis Hector wife Sarah Gillis d. December 29,1885 27 years

MacKay George B. wife Isabella infant son d. 1882 4 months Donald (b West River) d. 1860 51 years

MacKenzie George wife Mary son John d. February 25,1851 (?) 5 year; daughter Helen d. July 16,1885 3 years Both bom in Nova Scotia. John d. April 29,1881 78 years wife Janet d. December 31,1883 65 years John G. 1860-1942 wife Annabel Davidson 1869-1914 G.R. wife Mary d. January 25,1886 27 years, 11 Kenneth wife Isabella son Charles d. May 5,1880 47 years daughter Mary d. 1910 66 years Alice J. 1839-1913 Donald 1810-1861 wife Margaret 1819-1906 daughter Annie 1859-1891 son William 1852-1918 son Daniel 1851-1930 Donald, Cariboo Island d. December 31, 1860 c. Pictou, West River Donald, Killmorach, Scotland [ d. December 12,1843 63 years Hector, Gairlok, Rosshire d. December 23,1852 87 years wife Betsey, Gairlock d. 1851 80 years daughter Nancy d. 1860 56 years MacLean John, (b. Isle of Rum, Scotland)d. January 1,1862 60 years John, (b. Isle of Rum) d. December 31,1861 60 years Elizabeth d. January 6,1901 99 years 7 months son Alex 63 years son Donald 28 years

. 0A& . Nancy 1834-1922 Margaret 1837-1920 Finlay d. March, 1903 62 years wife Margaret 1856-1920 son Simon d. July 15,1880 4 months Simon d. March 31,1887 90 years wife Eliza d. October 30, 1884 75 years Both bom Scotland.

McPherson John J., (Wood Islands, PED d. July 15,1881 22 years Charles 1872-1926 Margaret, wife of Finlay MacLean

Ross Catherine wife of Peter MacDonald

Original copy typed by Henry C. Ritchie, Februry, 1952.

247 Sea Crest Burial from H.C. Ritchie Copied 1951

This burial is located on the shore of Pictou Harbour north of Seaview Cemetery and near the Lazaretto.

Stalker, Alexander son of Archibald b. Isle of Mull d. on Barque "Tougaiaboo" of smallpox May, 1852 24 years

Other Cemeteries: Central Caribou Cemetery located in Central Caribou Seaview Cemetery located at Bay View St. James Anglican Church Cemetery located on the Division Road Haliburton Cemetery located on Sunrise Trail Caribou River Upper Cemetery located on the Battist Road Seaboard Cemetery located on the Sunrise Trail Waterside Cemetery located at Waterside

Seaview Cemetery

Once known as the Old Burying Ground. It is believed that there may have been a mass burial in this cemetery from the smallpox hospital for victims of the dreaded disease. The oldest headstone in the cemetery is dated 1813.

St. James Anglican Cemetery

The oldest stone in this cemetery dates back to 1866 for William Robley. It is listed on the stone that his is the first interment in the cemetery. He died December 8, 1866 at the age of 70 years. Also, on this stone is inscriptions for his wife, Catherine Fraser who died January 22, 1882 and his daughter, Catherine Fraser MacDonald who died 1955.

Haliburton Cemetery

This cemetery is located at Haliburton and is used by the United Church for burials. One gravestone at the site stands out from the others. It is a small statue of a clown and is inscribed:

George "Twitter" Johnson 1899-1962

To talk beneath the moon To sleep beneath the sun To live in a land of going to do and die with nothing done.

-248 Johnson was a clown who performed with Ringling Bros. Circus and with Barnum and Bailey. Note: See Fact and Fancy. Maritime Lore Book IV. R.D. Barton, Lansdowne Court, Riverview, New Brunswick. Waterside Cemetery This cemetery was established in 1810 on an original grant from the MacKenzie and Monison families. Some of the headstones are so old that the inscriptions can no longer be read.

Seaboard Cemetery This cemetery is located near the shore in Caribou River. The oldest stone in the cemetery is dated 1849 for Andrew Noble. Many of the people buried here were from Barvis Lewis Island, Scotland. Falconers, Munays and MacDonalds make up most of the burials. There are also many MacKenzies.

Caribou River Upper Cemetery An old cemetery with stones dating back to the early 1800's. There is a headstone of some interest belonging to one Alexander Patience who died in 1913 at the age of 34 years. He was a survivor of and saw active service in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny and possibly the Boer War. His obituary tells that he had medals from those campaigns for conspicious bravery.

It is believed that another gentleman buried at this site, William Bickers was also in the Crimean and Boer Wars. It is not indicated on his headstone or in his obituary, but local residents are sure that he served in both. He was bom in Suffolk, England so there was a good chance that he was involved.

Central Caribou Cemetery This cemetery was established in 1888. If one looks around the grounds, headstones for some of the early setders in the Central Caribou area can be seen including names like Priest, Dobson and Fraser.

249- RECIPES

250- Local and Scottish Recipes

Oatcakes

1/2 cup shortening 2 cups oatmeal 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. soda 1/2 cup sour milk 1 tsp. vanilla 2 cups flour 1 tsp. salt

Method: Cream shortening and sugar, add sour milk in which soda is dissolved. Add oatmeal, flour, vanilla and salt. Mix and then roll out to about 1/4 inch. Cut into squares. Put on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cook in hot oven (350°) until light brown on top.

Scotch Cakes

1 pound butter 1 cup icing sugar 1/2 cup com starch 3 cups flour 1 tsp. vanilla

Method: Cream ingredients together well. Drop by spoon on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325° for 15 minutes or until golden brown. You can put a small dab of frosting on top if desired.

White Bannock by Margaret MacMaster

3 cups white flour 1/4 tsp. soda 3 tbsp. sugar 3/4 tsp. salt 4 tbsp. shortening 1 beaten egg 5 tsp. baking powder 1 cup milk

Method: Add the egg to the milk. Mix dry ingredients. Add shortening and blend. Add the milk and egg and mix. Roll out to 1 1/2 inches or pat out. Do not handle too much. Mark the top of the dough into squares. Place on cookie sheet (ungreased). Bake at 375° until the top is light brown.

Wholewheat Bannock by Margaret MacMaster

1 1/2 cups wholewheat flour 4 tbsp. baking powder 1 1/2 cups white flour 3/4 tsp. salt 3 tbsp. sugar 1 egg beaten and added to milk 4 tbsp. shortening to make 1 cup

Method: Blend dry ingredients and shortening together. Add liquid. Roll dough out to 1 1/2 inches, mark off in squares and pick with a fork. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350° (moderate oven) until light brown on top.

-251- Raspberry Vinegar by Margaret MacMaster 2 quarts raspberries 1 quart vinegar Method: Let stand for 4 days, then strain through double thickness cheesecloth. Boil 20 minutes to each pint of juice. Add 1 pound of white sugar, boil 5 minutes. Pour into bottles (sterilized) and seal. Use 2 tablespoons juice to glass of ice water for refreshing drink. Often given to the men who worked in the fields.

Oatcakes by Margaret MacMaster

1/2 cup shortening 2 cups oatmeal 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. soda 1 egg pinch of salt 3 tbsp. cold water add enough flour to make dough stiff enough to roll out. Method: Mix all ingredients together, roll out. Cut in squares. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 6 to 8 minutes at 400°. Doughboys by Margaret MacMaster 1 cup flour 1 tsp. shortening 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt Method: Mix dry ingredients with shortening. Moisten with water to form a soft dough. Drop by tablespoon onto top of stew. Cover and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. Will be a light, fluffy ball. Bannock by Margaret MacMaster

2 cups flour 4 tbsp. shortening 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 cup milk 1/4 tsp. soda 1 egg beaten 1 tsp. sugar and add to milk

Method: Mix dry ingredients, add shortening and blend. Add wet ingredients and mix. Roll out to 1 1/2 inches or pat out, mark off in squares. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400° for 10 to 15 minutes.

-252- Scones 3 to 3 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup shortening or more 2 tbsp. sugar 1/2 cup raisins 3 tsp. baking powder milk (enough to wet mixture and it pinch of soda is easy to handle) pinch salt 1 egg yolk Method: Mix dry ingredients, add shortening and cut together. Put in raisins. Add milk and egg yolk, mix, roll out like biscuits. Cut with round cookie cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush top with egg white. Cook at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes.

Biscuits 2 cups flour 1/2 tsp. salt 4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 cup shortening 2 tbsp. sugar 1 egg beaten 2/3 cups milk Method: Blend shortening and dry ingredients until coarse crumbs are formed. Add egg and milk. Mix. Flatten to about 1 1/2 inches. Cut with small round cutter. Bake for 15 minutes at 450°.

Cooking Lobster In a large pot add water, bring to a boil and add coarse salt, enough to make it very salty. Add live lobsters and cook in boiling water for 20 minutes. The lobsters will be a bright red and claws will break off easily. Drain and let cool or eat hot.

Codfish Cakes Peel leftover boiled potatoes or cook new ones and peel. Cut into cubes, add boned flakeso f cod, chopped onion and salt and pepper. Mash all together, and then make into round cakes about 1/2 inch thick. Dredge with flour to allow a light coating. Put in a frying pan that has melted butter or shortening. Cook slowly until the onions are cooked and the cake a nice golden brown.

Herring and Blue Potatoes Clean hening, remove head and tail, cut into pieces. Place on top of unpeeled blue potatoes and boil until potatoes are cooked. Serve with raw chopped onion or pickles.

253- Bernard Prest's Mulligan Stew

Cut up vegetables, potatoes, carrots, onion, turnip and parsnips in about one inch portions. Cut strips of side bacon or pork chops into small cubes. Place in layers vegetables and meat in a pot. Add enough water to cover the vegetables. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer slowly. When this is about cooked add doughboys (dumplings) to top and cook covered until dumplings are done. They will be light and fluffy. The doughboys make the tew thick.

Old Time Scottish Hallowe'en Treat

1 pint whipping cream 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup oatmeal

Method: Whip cream until stiff, add sugar and oatmeal. Serve in small bowls with spoons. Good treat at a party for adults or children.

Cod Fish and Green Bacon

Soak cod fish in cold water overnight. Drain and place in pot of cold water, cover. Simmer until fish is tender and breaks apart easily. While fish is cooking, boil potatoes and chop up an onion, the onion will be eaten raw with the meal. Take side bacon (green bacon) and cut up into about 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces, fry in pan until very crisp. The fat from this is also served with the meal to be poured over the potatoes.

Serving Lobster

Remove tail from the body. Split and remove the lobster meat. Pull arms and claws away from the body, break the shell on the claw and then remove meat, break each knuckle and arm to remove meat. By taking the top shell off the body, the row, paste and legs are visible and can be eaten. Serve with melted butter.

Seafood Chowder

Saute chopped onion in a 1/2 cup of butter in a pot until the onion is tender. Add 1 can of baby clams and juice, a half pound of frozen haddock fillets, 1 pound of lobster meat. Simmer until the fish is cooked. Add salt and pepper while cooking. This can be stored for future use as is. When ready to serve add at least 1 pint of cream and milk mixture. Canned milk can be used as well. Cubed potatoes can also be added to the cooking mixture.

-254 Homemade Soap

Use grease (tallow or half tallow and half lard); one can of potash dissolved in one quart of water; two tablespoonfuls of borax; three tablespoonfuls of powdered ammonia; melt grease and cool, then mix ingredients, stir for ten minutes then mold in a box and cut before cold.

or

Boil down animal fat; add Gillets lye; stir, then place a cloth in a wooden box and pour the mixture in the box mold, cut before it gets too cold. Makes a very white wash.

Skin Softener and Freckle Remover

Warm buttermilk and wash face with the solution, this is good for a softener, good complexion and the removal of freckles. It will also whiten the skin.

-255 MUSIC, DANCE AND SPORTS

256- The Tug of War Team for Carriboo by Margaret MacMaster

The Tug of War team was organized in 1970 by Lawrence MacMaster and friends. They won many pulls from as far as New Brunswick and Antigonish at fall fairs. Lany pulled on the team in the year he was diagnosed with cancer. After his death, the family had a trophy set up which is awarded at carnivals and exhibitions. Gerald Sutherland was the coach for the team.

Members of the Team

Doug Corbett Bany MacDonald Joe Carbett William Ferguson Jack Ferguson Larry MacMaster Edward MacMaster Lany Sutherland Harold Ferguson Eric MacDonald Jim MacKeil Matten Battist Rankin MacKeil Amil Sutherland Clinton MacKeil Wayne Battist Lyle MacCarthy Andrew Lynch Duncan MacMaster Jamie Robertson Earl MacDonald Ted Shaw Philip Falconer

257 Lobster Boats Powered by Sail in 1905 by Elmer Hanis Boston, Massachusetts to the Pictou Advocate June 22, 1967

In a letter to the Pictou Advocate, Elmer Hanis sent a picture and gave a report of a race that took place in 1905 involving lobster boats from the Carriboo area. The original report was printed in the October issue, 1965 of National Main Coast Fisherman, Camden, Maine.

Boat number 2, the winner, was skippered by Bob Munay, Caribou River. The crew: Danny Bowron, Waterside; "Lonny" Hughen, Central Caribou; and her builder, William F. Hanis. As the boat neared the finish line the droll Danny Bowron remarked, "The eyes of the multitude are upon us." Number 24, was skippered by her owner, John Logan of Bay View. Number 25 was skippered by Hans Bronson, Caribou Island. There was a last Logan boat but I do not recall who sailed her. Number 16, smaller than the others, came from River John. Number 22 with a very large sail was built by a Mr. Trenholm, Wallace, Nova Scotia.

The sails used on the Logan boats and probably on some others were made by John Dix of Beaches Road. He had learned sail making in the U.S. Navy and was also a good boat builder, certain boats built by him being outstanding in races held by the Pictou Yacht Club of those days.

William F. Hanis, who built the Logan boats and various boats for others, was a good boatman. In the previous lobster boat race he had skippered the winning boat, one built by him.

258 District 2

Fiddlers

William MacKinnon Clifford Patterson Lauchie Shaw Murdock Adamson Gilbert Shaw Welwood Battist Danell Gamble Elroy Battist Joseph Morgan Martin Porter Munay Smith Kay Baird Jim Shaw George Dan MacKenzie Sandy (Neil) MacKenzie John Angus MacKenzie

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Pipers

Jack Ferguson Emily Lakenman Edward MacMaster Kara Logan Patsy MacKenzie Catherine MacMaster Greg Munay Sutherland Janice Porter

Highland Dancers Catherine MacMaster Phyllis MacDonald Brenda Fraser Dianne MacDonald Dorothy Fraser Joyce MacDonald

-259 Musicians This is a list of musicians who made music for the many functions at the halls and house parties. Harmony Trail Gerald Sutherland Frank Hanebury Allan and Gail Jankov Sarah Bronson Trevor Rafuse Gordon Robertson Florence MacKeil James MacKeil Billie Pope Dorte MacMaster Peter MacKay Carol MacKay Leslie Dunn Dave MacKenzie Dave English Rena Smith John Langille Bill Shaw Dorothy Otter Alice Otter Martin Peterson and Peterson Family

Dance Halls Caribou River - Located on the Swantee property Bay View - Located at the Bay View Corner at Emma Rankin's property Central Caribou - Located on the Arthur Grant property A temporary dance hall was erected on Caribou Island to hold dances in order to raise funds to build the school. Over the years dances were held in the schools throughout the District. Caribou - Seahawke.

-260- Old Time Dances From Information Supplied by Olive Ferguson, Jack Ferguson and Florence MacKeil

Dancing has always been a form of entertainment enjoyed by members of the community. One group of people who had many good times dancing included: Olive and Jim Ferguson, Bill and Ella MacKinnon, Clifford and Elizabeth MacKenzie, Arnold and Florence Munay, Aumrey and Pearl Moland, Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Grant and Eleanora and Herbert Blair.

These people would gather in the respective homes for an evening of dancing. Mr. and Mrs. Blair provided the music, violin and piano or in the absence of a piano, a guitar was used. Bill MacKinnon and A.D. Grant were the callers for the many different dances which ranged from the lancers to quadrilles. Mrs. Ferguson remembers that their group also danced on Prince Edward Island and in Cape Breton, as well as at the Pictou Exhibition.

The old time dances, as they are called, are often held today at showers and at anniversary parties, either at the community hall or at the fire hall. Jack and Kathleen Ferguson continue the old time dancing tradition by going to other communities to dances and also dancing with the Scottish Country Dance group. The old time dances as we know them are an adaptation of the Scottish Country Dances of years past and the steps are recognized in the dances today.

There are bands that travel from one community to another playing for the dances. Among these are: Harmony Trail with Lloyd Tattrie, Raymond and Marlene MacDonald and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Craig; Ron and Shirley MacDonald and John Henderson and his band. The Rankin Band with Florence MacKeil, Vernon and Isabel Rankin, Gordon Robertson, Willard Watters and Cathy Munay played for many years both in the community and outside. Florence MacKeil says that they played often at the Bay View School at dances, Scotsburn, Lyons Brook, River John, Plymouth, Little Harbour and Trenton.

The Rankins for the most part started their musical career at home on Pictou Island. Joan Rankin played the piano then and many of the times were held at the homes. The Rankin Band is now retired, but occasionally plays at the nursing home or at a special function.

The dancing and music playing in the communities certainly reflect the Scottish tradition and the willingness of the community residents to carry on the old ways. That the dances are enjoyable is an added benefit and it is recognized that on many occasions the bands donate their time to provide entertainment at many functions.

-261 Old Time Dance Steps from Olive Ferguson Caledonia Quadrille 1st Figure - Heads cross right hands, back with the left, balance and turn, ladies chain, half promenade, half right and left to places; sides the same. 2nd - First gent forward and back twice; balance to corners, turn comer lady into partners place, promenade; next gent the same, etc.

3rd - First lady and opposite gent forward and back twice, first couple down the center, return on the outside, balance to corners, turn partners, all forward and back, next two the same.

4th - First lady and opposite gent forward and stop, partners the same turn to places, ladies to the right and gents to the left, half around, promenade to places, next two the same. 5th - All balance and turn, grand right and left around, promenade to places, gents pass to the next lady on their right, balance and turn, promenade, continue around the set.

Saratoga Lancers 1st Figure - Head couple with right hand couples, forward and back, 4 bars; forward and turn opposite partners, 4 bars; cross over, 4 bars; back to places, balance to comers, 8 bars. Head couple with left hand couples, the same. Repeat.

2nd - All forward and back, hands joined; leave ladies in centre. Four gentlemen. Hands all round to places; all form basket; all round to places; forward and back, hands joined; forward, leave gentlemen in center. Four ladies hands all around to places; all form basket; all around to places. Repeat.

3rd - All forward and back, hands joined; forward and salute. Four ladies, ladies chain, crossing right hands in passing same back again to partners; all forward and back, hands joined; forward and salute. Four gentlemen, ladies chain, crossing left hands in passing same back again to partners. Repeat.

4th - Head couples to the right and salute right side couple; to the left side couple, taking lady of right side couple and leaving her with left side gentleman; turn partners to places; right and left and back. To left side couple and salute; to right side couple, returning ladies of side couples to their partners; turn partners to places, right and left and back. Side couples the same. Repeat.

-262 5th - All grand chain half round, salute; swing partners half round, and grand chain to places; first couple join hands and face outwards; third, fourth and second couples fall in column behind; all chassez across and march around in single file, ladies to the right, gentlemen forward and back; forward and turn partners to places. Repeat four times, each couple leading in turn; finish with grand chain.

-263 Old Time Dance Steps from Olive Ferguson

First Set Quadrilles

1st figure - Heads right and left, balance and turn, ladies chain on the heads, half promenade, half right and left to places, sides the same.

2nd - First lady and opposite gent forward and back; chassez right and left cross over, chassez right and left, cross back, balance and turn, next two the same.

3rd - First lady and opposite gent forward and back, cross over, left hand around right hand to partner; balance in line, change places, same back, two forward and back, forward and salute, forward by couples, half right and left to places, next two the same.

4th - Ladies chain on the heads, first couple forward and back; forward and leave the lady over, forward four, four hands half round, forward and back, half right and left to places; chain on heads, second couple same as before.

5th - All forward, heads promenade, chain on the heads; all forward, sides promenade, chain on the sides; repeat.

6th - All promenade, balance and turn, chain on the heads, head ladies cross over, gents over, forward by couples, half right and left to places and all forward.

Polka Quadrille

1st figure - First four half right and left, balance, turn, half right and left to places; first four polka; sides polka; sides the same.

2nd - First couple polka inside, grand right and left half round, all polka to places, next couple the same.

3rd - First two forward and back, forward and swing two hands around the place; first four polka, sides polka, next two the same, sides the same.

4th - All join hands, forward; pass the ladies to the right, all polka to places; repeat three times.

5th - First and second polka, second and third and fourth, fourth and first all polka around the hall.

•264- Waltz Quadrille

1st figure - Salute partners, heads balance, heads waltz; sides waltz; sides balance, sides waltz, heads waltz.

2nd - First couple waltz inside; grand chain half round, waltz to places; second couple the same.

3rd - Corners join with right partners with left hand ladies cross right hand and balance; all waltz.

4th - Heads to right, four hands round; grand chain all round, all waltz; heads lead to left, etc. All forward, pass the lady to the right, all waltz.

265 Hockey, The Carriboo Beginnings by Milton Nichol

The first team in Caniboo was organized in the early 50's. This team included: Donnie Smith, Gordon Robertson, Aulden Bensen, Billy MacDonald, Blaine MacKeil, Milton Nichol, Ivan MacFarlane, Alex Langille, Fred Baird, Ed Hansford?, Lloyd Langille, Milton Porter and Jackie Young.

The players had to be from the country. At that time there was no hockey in Pictou, but after the war the firemen decided to start the games. There was the Caniboo team, Scotch Hill, River John and later Abercrombie. When they started playing, players did not have uniforms and when Gordon Robertson played as goalie, he had straw as pads. They played for a trophy.

Caribou wore the Detroit colors, red with white stripes. Sacks Sarson and John "Brother" MacKenzie were referees. I remember at that time a player could get a two minute penalty for splashing a goalie from Sarson.

At first they played against all rural teams, but when they expanded the teams would take two players from town. Today, there is still a Caniboo team, but it is not made up of Caniboo players.

Back at that time everyone brought his own gear. Many had neither gear nor a uniform.

There was natural ice in the rink, therefore, the team did not get in many games. They never travelled out of Pictou.

Even before there was any organization in the hockey, the men in Caniboo were playing on Sunday afternoons at Caniboo Gut. Bernard Prest stayed in the nets when he was playing at this time. Other members playing were Alfred MacMaster, Roy Prest, Alexander Logan, Smith MacKenzie, Roy Barkhouse and Blaine MacKeil.

266 Hockey in Carriboo by William Ferguson

Over the years hockey has been very popular in Carriboo. Whenever the ice was in the West Pictou Community Rink on Water Street in Pictou, the hockey players could be found. Their hockey nights were always Wednesday and Saturday. Saturday nights were special because the fans came to support their teams and especially the younger boys with their dreams of someday playing on the team. At this time the younger boys learned their hockey skills on the ponds.

The league always was made up of four teams. Caniboo and River John were always there with great rivalry between each other. Other teams that competed over the years were Pictou Merchants, Scotsburn, Abercrombie, Claritone and Sobeys. In 1962-63 the league consisted of Caribou, River John, Lyons Brook and West Pictou District High School. Carriboo won the championship that year.

267 As the years passed someone came up with the idea of having a "little" Rural Hockey League. This would give the young country boys a chance to play in the rink. This league was set up in the late 1960's. The games were played on Sunday afternoons, just after the men's games. Caribou River and Bay View both had teams in this league in the early 1970's.

-268 In 1971-72 Caniboo had a team which competed in the Pictou Town Hockey League. The other teams were the Pictou Rink Rats, Scotsburn and Hindi Flyers.

In the middle 70's after the Hector Arena was built, coach Richie MacCarthy put together a strong team called "Carter Country" which won numerous championships.

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Back Row: Jimmy Matheson, Jimmie MacKeil, Nelson MacDonald, Ricky Fraser, Clinton MacKeil, Robert Bowron, Steve Crossman, Dave MacKeil, Rickie MacCarthy. Front Row: Larry Sutherland, Wilfred MacArthur, Eric MacDonald (goalie), Willie Ferguson, Larry MacDonald, Harold Ferguson, Gerry Shaw (trainer), Kevin Shaw (stick boy).

-269 In 1984, Gerald Sutherland coached the Caniboo Boys known as Clarence Purina Chow. This team played in a highly competitive league with Sandy's Inn, IGA and Colonial Beverage Room from New Glasgow.

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270 FOLKLORE

-271 Some Local Humour by Margaret MacMaster

Back in the old days, a meeting was held at Waterside School to discuss taxes and finances. The Secretary, Mr. Sutherland, read the donations out to the members: Mr. So and So $25.00 Mr. So and So $20.00 Mr. So and So $20.00 Mr. So and So $20.00

Total $85.00

When he read total $85.00, up jumps a resident saying, "Who is this man Total who is giving all this money?" Good boy Total!

Boss to Gilbert: I'll have to dock your pay. Gilbert: Why? Boss: You got your hair cut on company time. Gilbert: It grew on company time, didn't it? Boss: Not all, just half of it. Gilbert Well, I only got a half-cut.

At an old fashioned box social, ladies had nice baskets and sat with the lucky bidder for their baskets to eat. One lady had packed two cloth napkins in the basket. The fellow who had her basket grabbed the napkins and held them up saying, "Well, well, she even bought the didys here."

At a meeting in some locality nearby, a lot of men were chewing tobacco and spitting on the floor. Someone finally made the suggestion that they should obtain a cuspidor for the next meeting. Up jumped one member and said: "I nominate Mr. Sutherland and Mr. MacKenzie to act as cupidors for the next meeting".

When we were children there was no TV or radio so the community story teller was always welcome. One man used to come to our house and we would be mesmerized with his stories. I'll never forget the night he described, to my father, about the man whom he said was so thin that he looked like the skin of a nightmare stretched over a boot jack.

272 Old Remedies Used by the People of District 2 by Margaret MacMaster The following medicines were in every cupboard of the families in the past and some are used at the present time: syrup of squills - good for a sore throat castoria, cascara, castor oil, epsom salts - used for constipation and bowel troubles boracic acid - used for eye infections cornstarch - used for diaper rash oil of cloves - used for toothache sulphur and molasses - used as a spring tonic and to clean out the blood surprise soap and brown sugar and bread and milk poultices - used for boils mentholatum, goose grease, camphorated oil, mustard plasters - used for pneumonia and other lung troubles baking soda - used for gas in the stomach a hening put in a sock - wrapped around the neck was used for a sore throat and put on the soles of the feet to ease a high temperature Rundles linament, Minard's linament - used for sprains and rheumatism salt pork and kerosene - used to draw the poison from a rusty nail puncture onion juice - was poured into the ear to ease an earache stones heated and wrapped in towels - served the same as hot water bottles

CAUTION: While many of us have used these remedies, it is not recommended that readers try them because of possible complications that could occur.

-m . Herbal Cures (Indian) by Margaret MacMaster

Some of the following I know from my own experience and others were given to me by a friend in New Brunswick who got them from an Indian Chief in northern New Brunswick: For acne, cholosterol and spring tiredness or women going through the change of life take every evening for six days - 1/2 glass cold water, 1/4 tsp salt. Stir water and salt and add 2 tsp. flour, stir. If not cleared up, wait a week and try again. For arthritis relief, get cedar shoots in the fall, good green ones. Dry in the basement, don't let them get too brown. Crumble into a mixture of olive oil, wintergreen and cayenne pepper. Store for five days in a window. Massage into large joints for pain relief. For colds eat a glove of garlic. For tonsillitis and sore throat take four or five pods from the sumac (staghorn) tree and put in a quart of cold water. Steep and drain and then gargle with it. Do not swallow. For eczema - in the fall pick sweet fem, steep for four hours and rub on affected parts. For sinus problems use a bit of vinegar in a dish and warm it up. Close eyes and inhale. Take a breath of fresh air, inhale again. Gold thread is a little leaf found above the moss, it looks like a strawbeny leaf. You can use it dry, put it in the mouth and chew it. For cancers, deep infections, liver disease, M.S. and nervous disorders - Indians used ground hemlock and cedar in equal parts. 1.5 oz. hemlock 1.5 oz. cedar and boiled in 1.5 quarts of water and then simmered for four hours. Refrigerate, drink 1 oz. in the morning and another at night for six days, skip a day so your body does not build up a tolerance. Penny Royal is a small herb with pink flowers which grows along brooks. Ladies in old times steeped and drank it for menstrual cramps. For bowel problems, apple cider vinegar and honey. In an inch of hot water in a glass dissolve 2 tsp. honey and 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar. Fill the glass with warm water. Stir and drink when going to bed. For sore muscles, rheumatism, sprains and cuts or fly bites. Use tansy which grows around old basements. It looks like a whole lot of centers of daisies. Cut it around haying time, near the roots. Steep it, 5 stocks to 1 1/2 quarts of water in a pyrex dish. Simmer for 5 hours. Refrigerate, strain and bottle. Warm it up to use.

Note: Tansy grows around the old Barkhouse house.

CAUTION: These cures are not meant to be prepared or used by anyone who reads this article. It is not known how pure or effective they are and what side effects they cause.

274- Stories of the Supernatural

The Lady in White

As the story goes, one day as John and Christine MacKeil were driving home from town in their horse and buggy, they met the lady in white. The incident occurred close to Acadia Farm. The lady was walking or floating along the side of the road. When the MacKeils turned to talk to her, she disappeared.

The Devil's Hand

A story told around Caribou is about a house at Castle Hill that was known for its card parties. On one occasion whUe all the card players were around the table a cloven hand or hoof is said to have appeared at the table. Nobody is sure what happened, but many believe that the hand of the devil had entered the game.

The Coach of Life

In explaining the journey of life there are those who believe that on the day a person is bom a coach with six black horses starts to travel along with the person on the trip through life. As the person ages, the noise of the horses hoofbeats grow louder. On the day the person dies, the horses are rushing headlong towards his home. As the person passes on, the coach stops and the person rises and walks aboard the coach.

Ghosts of French Sailors on Caribou Island

Caribou Island residents have held the idea that the crew of a French frigate on its way to Quebec late in 1757, had taken off a large load of gold. The gold was destined to pay French forces in Quebec. Since the English had ships at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, the French decided to bury the gold on Caribou Island.1 In fact, the crew built a well of stone on the shore of the Island close to the Gullrock lighthouse.

For many years treasure seekers looked for the buried treasure, but nobody ever found it. As time went by the sea washed away the land and the sea came higher on the land finally covering the site of the well. To get rid of would be treasure hunters the Island people told a ghostly tale of French sailors moving around the beach at night. Supposedly, they could hear them digging the well. Further, on an Island where all spoke English, there was the tale of French being spoken as the sailors worked. 2

Notes: 1. Pictou Advocate, 20 February, 1931, p. 2. 2. Roland H. Sherwood, Out of the Past, Coastal Publishers, Truro, 1954, p. 64.

275 The Headless Guard

Another story told about the buried gold on Caribou Island is that a man was killed and put in the hole with the gold to guard it. On a moonlight night you will see this guard walking close to the trees on Gullrock Farm. He carries his head under his arm.

Tales of the Phantom Ship

One time Herbert MacCarthy Sr. saw the flames on the water which were supposed to be those of the Phantom Ship. He decided to row out to it, when he got to the flames he thought that they may have been from gases that burned on the water. This is one of many possible explanations about the burning ship of Northumberland Strait.

Mrs. Anna MacKay relates a story told to her by one of the MacKay men who lived on the farm in Braeshore. As it is told, the ship appears as a glowing light. It moves east and drifts a little faster than the tide. It is about 200 feet long and is visible for only a short time.

Another woman who lives in Caribou, says that she saw the ship when she was a child on Prince Edward Island. As she remembers it, the ship appeared for a short time and it looked like a square rigger on fire.

Early one evening Wesley Roberts saw the Phantom Ship and called Margaret and Alfred MacMaster up to the hill to see it. They watched the burning spectre move down the Strait in an easterly direction. They could see its rigging and mast on fire, they believed that it looked like a square rigged ship. Mrs. MacMaster said that it seemed to change shape and she wonders if it was just a figment of their imagination.

A gentleman in Caribou River is said to have seen the burning ship and he reported that he could see people on the deck running as if to escape the flames.

The Light at Skinner's Reef

There was a schooner coming to Pictou and the Captain was angry with a young crewman. He decided to get rid of the lad and sent him up into the rigging. When the boy reached the top, the Captain made the ship veer back and forth until the lad fell off and was drowned. It is said that for three weeks after the incident an eerie light hung over the spot.

-276- Spot on the Floor A story is told that upstairs in the house once owned by Kenneth Langille, a strange spot stains the floor. There are those who believe that it is blood of someone who was murdered in the house. However, a family member says that it is only red ochre.

The Headless Horseman Supposedly, there is a headless horseman who lurks around the brook up by Otters. At one time this was a popular spot for the men to water their horses. The reason why the tale exists is not known and I don't think the horseman has been seen in many years. Perhaps a reader will know the tale.

-277 Superstitions and Beliefs by Thelma Johnson

Many of the following superstitions are more or less universal; however, some were found only in our community, and a few only in our own family. If you went a mile down the road, you might find a completely different interpretation, but these are the ones we grew up with:

Weather Red sky at night, sailor's delight. (A fine day.) Red sky at morning, sailors take warning. (Stormy weather.) Mackerel skies and mares' tail. (Pinkish sky with wispy Make tall ships cany short sails. clouds meant high winds.) Fog on the hill, water for the mill. Fog in the hollow, a fine day to follow.

A new moon rising in the south meant the month would be warm. If the new moon came up to the north, the month would be cold. If the horns of the moon were pointing up, the month would be wet. If the horns of the moon pointed down, the month would be dry. Most other areas believe the exact opposite in the position of the horns, but our family said horns up, like a cup, meant the moon was full of water and it would fall out on us all month; horns down meant the water had fallen out, so it would be dry.

Thick skin on onions meant a cold, snowy winter. If white clover covers the ground in summer, snow will cover it all winter. Caterpillars with long, thick coats meant a cold winter. Lots of cones high on spruce trees foretold deep snow. Wasps' nests built high = lots of snow; wasps' nests built low = very little snow.

Love/Marriage/Children

To tell which direction your love would come from, light a match and hold it straight up by its extreme end. The direction in which the match bends as it bums is the direction in which your love lies.

Hold the stem of an apple in your hand and turn the apple with your other hand while reciting the alphabet. The letter at which the stem breaks off is your love's initial.

To find out if your love loves you, pull the petals off a daisy reciting, "He loves me, he loves me not", the line you are on with the last petal gives you your answer. Then pull apart the centre of the daisy and place the bits on your palm. Blow on the palm and the number of bits remaining is the number of children you will have.

Take a leaf of the plaintain plant and rip it in two crossways. The number of threads (plant veins) left hanging will be the number of children you will have; long ones = boys; short ones = girls.

278- If you try on someone else's wedding ring, you will marry someone with the same last name.

Death

New graves go into the cemetery in three's. If there is a burial in your cemetery, there will be two more within the month.

An owl hooting at night and not receiving an answer was bad luck. If you hear this seven nights in a row, on the seventh night you will die.

If you hear the sound of the "death watch" ( a ticking in the walls like a clock, probably made by some bug), there will be death in the family.

Before undertakers were available, corpses were laid out at home on boards stretched between banels. When these were not in use, they were stored in the attic. If you heard them creaking at night, there would be a death in the family soon.

General

Never turn over a new calendar leaf until the old month is through, you are racing towards your life's end if you turn up the new month before its time.

If you spill salt, some should be thrown over your left shoulder. This came from the belief that the devil is repelled by salt and when you spilled it you lost your protection and he would creep up behind you from the devil's direction, left. Throwing the salt would hit him in the eyes so he couldn't catch you.

Never kill a spider - this applies particularly if you are of Scottish descent, where spiders are extremely good luck. Killing one insures bad luck, and possibly, 40 days of rain.

Itchy nose means company coming.. This varies with the area, on the South Shore an itchy nose means you'll kiss a fool; in parts of Cape Breton it means you'll have a fight with someone.

Dropping cutlery also meant company coming. A knife meant a man, a fork was a woman, and a spoon a child. Accidently putting on an extra plate when setting the table also meant company.

Take the last item on a serving plate and you will be an old maid.

Accidentally taking something more while there was still some on your plate meant someone would be going hungry soon.

Two people take the wish bone from the Christmas turkey and pull it between them, when the bone breaks, the one having the longer piece will

-219 - have a wish come true. Place the longer piece above the door and the first man through the door at New Years will be your love.

For good luck, the first person through your door following New Years should be a dark haired man.

Accidentally putting on your socks inside out in the morning insures a lucky day. (Doing this on purpose does not work.)

A horseshoe placed above the door was originally meant to keep away witches, but later came to bring good luck. Placement of the shoe varies, some people nail it on with the ends pointed up to hold the good luck in; others point the ends down to pour good luck unto them.

Bubbles on top of newly poured tea represent money, you must catch them in your spoon and drink them down to obtain it.

Crows were also used to tell fortune as follows: One crow - sorrow Two crows - joy Three crows - a wedding Four crows - a boy Five crows - silver Six crows - gold Seven crows - a secret never to be told

I have also heard the last lines given as "Six crows - a letter; Seven - something better", and there arc versions where it goes on up to twelve crows.

280 Superstitions by Olive Pastor 1. Never coil a rope against the sun, always coil it clockwise. 2. Around the Caribou Fishing Community, years ago, a woman was not allowed in the fishing boat on the first day out because she would bring bad luck. 3. A part of a house was often left unfinished by the carpenter, this meant that nothing is perfect. 4. An unusual happening, such as a light in the sky hanging over a place could be a forerunner to some kind of disaster, bad luck or death.

5. If you play cards on Sunday, the devil will chase you all week.

6. If you cut your fingernails on Sunday, the devil will chase you all week. 7. If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck.

8. Break a minor, you will have seven years bad luck.

9. Find a four leaf clover, you will have good luck. 10. A rabbits paw canied about will bring good luck. 11. In olden days, if the undertaker called at a house on his way to pick up a corpse, it meant that the next death would be at the house he visited.

281 Toney River Treasure by Thelma Johnson

Everyone knows that Captain Kidd buried his treasure somewhere on die point where Little Toney River and Big Toney River meet and there are a number of holes in the bank to show where people have dug for it through the years without success. Less well known is the fact that treasure was actually found on the same farm where this land lies, but not on the river.

Around ninety years ago, Maggie MacLaren, then Maggie MacKinnon, was a small girl who went blueberry picking with her family. She became so engrossed with hunting benies that she wandered away from her companions and soon found herself alone on an unfamiliar part of the field. Finishing topping off her pail, she straightened up and a glittering in the long grass caught her eye. She ran to investigate and pushing back the grass, she found a large rusty pot filled with hundreds of gold coins.

Grabbing her bucket of bluebenies, the excited little girl ran across the field calling for her family. They came rushing to find her, fearing that she had hurt herself. At first none of them would believe her story, but seeing how upset she was, they decided that she must have seen something, so they accompanied her back to look for the pot of gold. Maggie led them to what she thought was the place she been, but hunt as they would, no gold was found.

Maggie died some years ago in her late seventies, still telling people about the gold she had found and wondering what became of it.

This story was told to me by my mother when I was still a teenager and it was twenty years later before I found out the end of the tale. Mentioning it to my aunt one evening, she laughed and said there was no mystery about it, and added the following:

After the family had gone that evening, an uncle who resided with them disappeared for a time after supper and told no one where he had been. The next morning he was up before anyone else and off to Pictou. When he returned he was driving a brand new caniage, drawn by an equally brand new horse. No one wanted to start trouble in the family, so they never questioned him as to where his sudden stock of money had come from, and not wanting to have everyone in the county digging up their fields, no further mention was made outside the family regarding any "imaginary" pots of gold.

282 Bibliography 9460/^ Barton, K.B.r~Fa;ct and Fancy, Maritime Lore Book IV. Rivervicw, New Brunswick. Cameron, James M., The Ships. Shipbuilders and Seamen of Pictou County. (The Casket Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.), Antigonish, 1990.

"Evening News", article on Jean Archibald, Playwright taken from the "Civic Pilot", New Jersey.

MacPhie, Rev. J.P., Pictonians at Home and Abroad. (Boston, Pinkham Press, 1944).

Munro, Ruth, Pictou Island. (The Advocate Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd.), Pictou, 1984.

Patterson, Rev. George, History of the County of Pictou. Montreal, (Dawson Bros., 1877).

"Pictou Advocate", Sherwood's Flashback, May 13, 1987.

"Register of Lower Carriboo River School", 1867-1870.

"Register of Central Carriboo School", 1910, 1932, 1936, 1941, 1947.

"Register of Central Carriboo School", 1917 to 1950's.

Sherwood, Roland H., Pictou Parade. (Sackville, New Brunswick, The Tribune Press, 1945).

Sherwood, Roland H., Out of the Past. Vignettes of Pictou County. Pictou, (The Pictou Advocate, 1954).

"The Lobster Industry", (Hector Center Trust, Pictou, 1980).

"The People's Press of Owatonna", Steele Co., Minnesota, Obituaries.

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