| Title: | Moffat, Charles to , 1854-1902 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6395 |
| Collection | New Brunswick Letters |
| File | newbrunswick/30 |
| Year | 1854-1902 |
| Sender | Moffat, Charles |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | carpenter |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | unknown |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | unknown |
| Relationship | unknown |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 6236 |
| Genre | excerpts from diary |
| Note | |
| Transcript | ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM THE DIARY OF CHARLES MOFFATT, SENIOR In a paper dealing with the life of Lemuel Allen Wilmot I have already quoted considerably from the diary of Mr. Charles Moffatt. The present paper is composed of items of news which have become history and incidents and happenings in the daily life of the city which may be of interest to the general public, especially to those whose ancestors have lived here for several generations. Mr. Moffatt was a carpenter by trade, a gardener by nature and desire and a voluminous reader. His reading in his spare time took him all over the world in imagination, from Polar expeditions to the islands of the southern seas and he read history from Jewish Antiquities by Flavius Josephus down through the years and all the standard authors of his day. He obtained many of his books from a man or store called “The Bookman” who seems to have carried on a lending library as well as dealing in new and second hand books. Occasionally he records paying ‘The Bookman” several shillings. He also bought books from Francis Beverly, the proprietor of the “Olive Branch Book Store.” Francis Beverly was I believe, the father of the late Misses Beverly. His store was several doors above the corner of Queen and St. John streets. I have an old photograph of the lower end of Queen street which shows his sign quite plainly. Mrs. Medley and Mrs. Alexander also lent Mr. Moffatt many books which judging by the titles must have had a strong ecclesiastical flavour. Some of the facts which Mr. Moffatt records will have to be very much condensed, some of them quoted verbatim and in some place information from other sources many be added. Many Buildings For over thirty years Mr. Moffatt worked for James Agneau, a Boss Carpenter who took contracts and built many substantial buildings around the town, many of them of brick. He built the McMurray building on the corner of Wilmot’s Alley, the Rutter building on the corner of Queen Hotel Alley, the McPherson building in the middle of the block above York street, the Wilmot Parsonage and a house on Carleton street with a bake-oven in it for Alexander Burchill. The changes of ownership during the intervening years make it difficult to identify many of his buildings. Boss Agneau lived at the lower end of Charlotte street next above the Babbitt homestead. He had a workshop near his house large enough for his crew of men to work in during the winter. A workshop was a necessity in the days before there were woodworking factories for so much of the work had to be done by hand. Boss Agneau’s crew of men worked all one summer on the Shives cottage. Shives was an earlier owner of Morrison’s Mill and the Shives cottage must have been the Morrison house or another one on the same site as Mr. Moffatt tells about John Ryan and his sons building a stone fence all along in front of the buildings. It was in the year 1854. Agneau was also building a house for Mr. Whelpley the same summer. Much Shop-Work One gets a very good idea of the job it was to build a house. In the earlier years of the diary there were no factories. When Mr. Agneau got a big contract his crew of men had to work sometimes two months in the shop before the actual work of putting up the frame began. Doors and window sashes had to be made by hand, boards had to be planed for the doors and the door and window frames, for floors and for casings, planks had to be ripped up with a ripping saw for moldings, stair rails and elbows had to be worked our by hand and the balusters and newel posts had to be turned on a foot-lathe and it was all slow work. The sills for the house and in the earlier days all the rest of the frame had to be hewed with a broad axe. In one place Mr. Moffatt tells of John Fowler hewing a frame on Charlotte street in front of Agneau’s house. Some men were very clever with a broad axe and could hew to a line and others made a bad job of the work. He wrote very disgustedly of one man’s hewing. He said that Fleming hewed “like a Honson from Kiseway, they lined the sill out with a logging chain and hewed it with a thunder-bolt.” Anyone who has examined a tree that has been struck by lightening would know how smooth that would be. Contract at Gagetown Mr. Moffatt gives a very detailed account of the building of one house in 1855 for a man named Gilbert, at Grimross Neck near Gagetown. Grimross was the old name for Gagetown. The crew worked in the shop a couple of months beforehand. Agneau took two of the men and went down on the steamboat Anna Augusta to look over the place build a camp for the men to live in and to see if he could find someone to move an old house that stood on the site where the new house was to be erected. Mr. Moffatt does not say where the frame was hewed but it was probably on the spot for they built a coach house, made over one barn and built one new one as well as the house. 2- From the Diary “June 5th. 1855. The Boss, McIntosh, Williams, Fannen and Lincoln were taking boards out of the river a little above the Tank House all the morning. This afternoon they were at Shives Mill rafting deals and boards for Gilbert’s. I took my tool chest down to the shop on a wheel-barrow and put some of my tools in it, then I was fixing a snowcanoe belonging to Enoch Bradley. I went up to Joseph Gaynor’s store and got some tar and pitch and calked the leaks, launched the craft and put abroad forty-two bunches of clapboards.” “June 9th. Fowler and Williams are making a raft of scantlings at Carman’s Mill below the Nashwaak. Boss got a scow from Jewett at the mouth of the Nashwaak and he, Tom Fowler, Williams and myself took the said scow from the lower Tank House up to R.R. Winter’s wharf and took on twenty casks of lime and brought it down to the Tank House.” By Raft to Grimross “June 13th. We got the raft under way from Shives Mill with all our luggage on board by six o’clock and after we had drifted half way down to Carman’s Mill the Boss Ordered three of us to take Enoch Bradley’s dugout across to the mill and get the raft of scantling which was to go down. McIntosh, Fannane and myself started in the dugout to get the raft and meet the large raft as it passed. The scantling was stuck in the mud and bushes along the shore and after tugging and pulling and pushing we were too late, for the big raft passed. At last we got started but neither McIntosh nor I could scull. We paddled for dear life but the raft did just as it pleased and we were fast drifting into the boom. But the men on a tug belonging to the Boom Co. took pity on us and hooked on and in a short time tugged us clear of the boom. The big raft hung up along shore waiting for us, so we caught up and tailed on about dark and we proceeded on our voyage during the night. Next day we passed Peet’s Hole about eleven P.M. and anchored to a raft below the mouth of Gagetown Creek. We had something to eat and then pulled up anchor and were away and the 3000 brick and the 3 casks of lime and the woodboat went on its way. Some of the men took Bradley’s scow out to meet the steamboat St. John from Fredericton on which the Boss was bringing the doors, sashes and provisions. We got everything safely landed at the King’s Head Tavern, but the provisions which we took back to camp with us in the scow. Next day we took the large scow and the small one down to the tavern and loaded them up with bricks, lime, sashes and doors and got them safe back to the Neck without any more accidents than one man falling overboard and two broken panes of glass.” Lease for a Cottage And so the story goes on and on. Mr. Moffatt calls the house a cottage but there were ten windows in the kitchen ell and he tells of dormer windows, two verandas, glass doors, brick hearths, a brick oven, three chimneys and stained glass lights in the back hall door so I guess it was quite a house. Mr. Moffatt left Gagetown on Sat. Sept. 22nd for home with Mr. Block. On Monday morning he got up early and bought two kegs of Nails, 10 dwt and 12 dwt from S.A. Akerly and put them aboard the Anna Augusta and paid one shilling freight then he got a barrel of biscuit, fifteen pounds of sugar and half a quintal of codfish from Spafford Barker and put them aboard the boat for Boss Agneau. A.N. Block out on board some barrels of plaster, an oven face and a valise containing John Maxwell’s cricket regimentals so he could play in a return match with the St. John cricket club. Mr. Moffatt was beginning to build his own house. The frame had evidently been put up while he had been away and he hired a man and went to work boarding in and shingling. He had bought the land from Mrs. Twining, formerly Miss Isabella Odell. He paid sixty pounds for a lot 56 feet wide by 166 feet deep near the corner of George and Church streets. It seems a pretty big price to pay for a piece of pasture land that size in 1855. (To Be Continued) “Sept. 27th.1855. By telegraph this day arrived the news of the fall of Sebastopol. There was a torch-light procession, firing of guns and pistols and all kinds of fire-works from sky rockets to squibs. Swizeltown Band was out. Such a night as few in Fredericton have witnessed. What was laughed at to-night had it happened a few days ago would have been a job for Mr. Brannen the gaoler. There would have been more fun had the night been fine, as it was there was plenty of deviltry cut up.” Official Celebration “Tuesday Oct. 2nd was the official celebration of the fall of Sebastopol. Mr. Moffatt writes “This morning was ushered in by the firing of cannon, small arms and everything that could make a noise. At eleven o’clock a procession moved off headed by a boat on wheels called the Sweborg. In the stern sat old Wm Morgan as Commodore, Charles Brannen as midshipman, Job Aikins, shoemaker, was coxswain and the crew consisted of Chas. Stewart, Alex Brown, Dick Payne and several others. Next came a troop of horsemen as the British and their Allies also a specimen of all the troops engaged in the reduction of Sabastopol. Robert Atherton turned out as a Russian foot soldier, then came a lot of Cossacks in any kind of rig the fancy of each individual could suggest, with artilery of horse. Next came the Polymorphians, a ragged regiment for sure. The Free Masons followed by the boys of the National and Grammer Schools finished the procession. After marching through the principal streets they dispersed and formed up again after dinner and went the rounds again and then broke up except the boat crew. They had a woodboat anchored off the House of Assembly to represent the Russian fleet. They got the boat into the water and it pulled around the woodboat several times but got beat off. At length they boarded her in the smoke, His Worship Mayor Needham acted as Commodore for the time. He looked like a great green frog as he sweltered in his Fagabalaugh Fire Dress. John Neill was one of the crew and I never will forget how he jumped and capered around like a Comanche Indian. It all passed off well considering the lot of killed and wounded but Needham took them up to Issac Brown’s and bought them all to life again by the application of a little brandy. After this there were the usual sports, races for men and boys, hurdle and sack races, hop, skip and jump, wheel-barrow race for boys, canoe races for Indians and squaws, a tug of war, a horse race and last of all climbing a greased pole for hat and pants. In the evening was a torch-light procession headed by the Sweborg. It marched to Government House and down around Gas Alley to Waterloo Row to His Worship’s. Then the bonfire was lit and a few rockets were sent up but the balloon was a failure. This is the first time I walked with old No. 3 (evidently a hose company belonging to the fire station on Sunbury Street) having joined it about three weeks before.” (Sebastopol fell on Sept. 8th and the word got here on Spet. 27th, and that was before the Atlantic Cable.) “May 9th. 1856, Steamer J.D. Pearce blew up on her way to Grand Falls. Two or three hands are missing.” Central Bank Robbery “July 1st, 1857. The Central Bank was robbed of a large amount of gold and silver. No clue to the robbers. July 12th. Three men were brought here from St, John on suspician. They were put in prison to await the sitting of the court.” “Sept. 2nd. i1857. As I came up from work tonight the smell of rotten potatoes was very strong. The rot has been visible on the leaves and stems for some time back but as yet the root has escaped except for an odd plant here and there.” “Jan. 7th. 1858. Went down to No.3 Engine House to-night to put the engine on runners. Team, Captain Burke, Vice Capt. Richey, James and Alex Burchill, Tom Essington, Lemuel Weeks, Enoch O. Bradley Engineer and Charles Moffatt.” “April 27th. 1860. The new wheelbarrow steamboat Tobique arrived tonight.” Prince of Wales Visit “August 4th. 1860. We dressed up a little after dinner and went down to the steamboat landing and took our station at the end of the wharf where the steps lead up over the bank and stood there until six o’clock. Then the steamboat Forest Queen arrived at the wharf amidst the din of cannon, bells and cheers and there stepped on shore His Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of Wales and party. The prince bowed to the people as he crossed the wharf and walked up the steps covered with an old carpet brought from the House of Assembly. He then got into a coach prepared for him and drove under the arches, the first one at Chipman and Gaynor’s corner, one at Fisher’s corner (York Street) and one near Government House and no more was seen of him that day. All three arches were surmounted by crowns and on the curve of the first and largest was the word ‘Welcome’ and two words on the curve of each small one The words were ‘Ich Dien’ or ‘I Serve’.” at the Cathedral “August 5th. We went to the vestry door of the Cathedral at ten o’clock as given out by the Bishop. A crowd of people were waiting and when the clock struck ten they rushed at the entrance so that scarcely any one could get in, although there were several constables in attendance, Then came Major Carter with some soldiers. He asked Mr. Charles Medley if he could be of any service. I could not hear the answer but Major Carter gave the word ‘Forward’ to his men. They formed up face to face a few feet apart forming a passage. The crowd soon filled this up by surging forward. Such a scene I never beheld at the door of a house of worship. I got into my usual seat and still they flocked in through the vestry door so that many had to sit in the aisles on benches. After sitting for an hour the Prince and his suite came in by the large entrance followed by a large crowd of all denominations. They all stood up in and on the pews to get a look at his Royal Highness. The Bishop preached a beautiful sermon on the responsibility of every man for the deeds done in the body whether King or clown. Lord forgive me if thought more of the Prince of Wales than I did of the Prince of Peace more At Odell Park 2 – From Diaries of “Monday, August 6th. 1860. After dinner we went up to the Park about two o’clock. Thousands were gathered at that early hour for half past three was the hour appointed for His Royal Highness to make his appearance on the grounds. We got a seat under the trees and boiled even in the shade. I had to get a drink of water from the fountain in a broken bottle and it was a hard job to get it bad and all as it was. At last came the Prince Escorted by volunteers and cavalry, With Major Wilmot at their head and the different squads of rifles from Woodstock, Richmond, Douglas, Gagetown, Sheffield and Fredericton with the St. John and Fredericton Artillery The fountain began to play, and the children on the stage to sing, the people to shout and to push for a sight of the heir apparent who after a few minutes returned to Government House amid the yells of the people for there was no unanimous cheer. Thus ended the program in the park. We got to bed about twelve o’clock when the ball was about to commence. “August 8th. I was awakened by the firing of cannon as a farewell to the prince. It was too late to see him again but I got up and dressed.” (According to hearsay the fountain was rather a fizzle. The water was brought from a spring out on the hill through bored wooden logs. Before the important day arrived to turn on the water one of the logs cracked and began leaking.) Morrison’s Mill Fire “Aug. 19th. 1860. Between Eleven and twelve o’clock an alarm of fire was given. It was the mill formerly owned by Shives but had been sold to Morrison. By the time I got down the rafters were falling in and the trimming shed was nearly gone. All the engines in town were on the ground as soon as they could get there but all they could do was to keep the lumber and other buildings from burning for the mill was a heap of ashes in a short time. We of No. 3 company got no dinner till after four o’clock and then we left the engine with the mill crew all night.” Physicians, “Sept. 4th. 60. Dr Toldervey killed today but his horse taking fright. He was thrown against a fence post in Mrs. Phair’s fence.” “Sept. 17th. ’60. Dr. Ward began practicing in Fredericton today. Boss Agneau’s youngest child was very sick today with convulsions and he sent for Dr. Dow, the Yankee horse doctor.” (I have heard a good deal about Dr. Dow but never heard him called that before.) Prince Alfred’s Visit “May 31st. ’61. Went down to the steamboat landing to see Prince Alfred land. Saw the little great man. Some of the Rifles and part of the Mason’s Band turned out in his honour. There was a torch-light procession in the evening with Mayor Beek in front on a large grey horse.” “June 6th. ’61. Only John Allen was elected of our four Tory candidates, the other three, Dow, Hatheway and Fisher were defeated. Robert Rossborough lost five pounds to Marvin Hartt on the election Governor Gordon “Oct. 20th. ’61. Got to the wharf in time to see the new Governor’s coach drive away and that is all the crowd of people saw who had lingered there all the afternoon. The Rifles, Cavalry and Artillery in attendance.” (This was Governor Gordon.) “Dec. 2nd. ’61. The Central Bank refused payment for the second time to-day.” Another Big Fire “August 9th. ’62. Another big fire, corner of King and Regent sts. Broderick’s brick house on the corner, a blacksmith shop on Kings street, the ball and skittle alley and billiard saloon in Barker House Alley, owned by the widow Whelpley and a barn torn down.Put our hose up in the tower to drip, helped by Tracy, Neville and Bradley.” “July 5th. ’63. Hauled five wheelbarrow laods of clay from the frog-pond to fill up a hole in my garden.” (The frog-pond was probably connected with the first brook which ran just back of Charlotte street and of which Mr. Moffatt often writes.) New Surface Sewers In the summer of 1863 the surface sewers had to be dug up over most of the town to be repaired. They were made of pine deal and from Mr. Moffatt’s a description they were in a bad condition, rotten planks had to be taken out and replaced by new ones. A contractor threw up the job. Robert Baxter was road-master and Mr. Moffatt worked under him examining the planks and replacing them and a dozen men did the digging. It was very dangerous work for the sand caved in on the men and nearly buried them occasionally. He has a time getting deal the right dimentions. He finally got some from Bradbury’s pile at Scott’s Mill and some from Boss Agneau. Scott’s Mill was on the river bank between Westmorland and Northumberland streets. He started on June 15th. Making what he call vertical trunks for the street corners. They were three feet four inches long and one foot five inches square with a grating on the top end. The men who did the digging quit work often for they were afraid they would be buried alive. Working on Drains “July 22nd. ’63. Eleven hands working, sides caving in as bad as ever. The contractor got caught so they had to dig him out, the sand came over his hips. Nearly got my own legs broken. Got the pipe covered to the armourer’s and the drain filled to the guard house. Got 1500 feet of pine plank and Virtue hauled and piled them under the big willow at the Barracks gate.” (Carleton street) By August 1st. they had got out Carleton street as far as Johnston’s corner and connected with the Brunswick street sewer at the Graveyard gate, by Aug. 7th. The trunks were put down at each corner. “Fixed a new gate at Ed Wilmot’s corner and one at St. Ann’s”, these two are familiar and so is Dibblee’s but where are Doran’s corner, Carman’s corner, Witham’s, Richard’s, Kirby’s, Essington’s, Connely’s and the corner of John A. Street’s garden. On Saint John Street “Aug. 19th. ’63. Got another big load of plank and had them hauled to Chipman’s corner and had them piled under the big willow. (Boat Club) Started at St. John street at the river and had to put in new sides as far as we went. At the King street crossing the Woodstock stage came nearer being swamped in the new clay on top of the sewer. So did the St. Stephen stage. By Sat. Sept. 5th he was as far as the bridge in Fannan’s Settlement. It sounded as far away as Flanagan Road or Doaks Settlement but it was on St. John street back of Charlotte. They worked the rest of the summer and fall at the job and had some to finish the next year. To Be Continued “Sept. 15th’ 63. There was a row last night up at the cattle-show grounds between circus-men and citizens. They ran one of the Circus waggons out Westmorland street and over the wharf at Thomas Pickard’s landing.” “Oct. 4th. 1864. Exhibition opened today, people coming in from Woodstock and St. John in carriages and omnibuses and everything is bustle and confusion. Deforest the Pedestrain “Oct. 6th. 64. Deforest the Pedestrain began his match against time at 1 P.M. today to walk one hundred miles from the head to the foot of Charlotte street in twenty-four hours. I saw him at 11:30 P.M. apparently still going strong. Oct. 7th. Deforest finished his hundred miles at a quarter to twelve. A.M. He shuffled a good deal in his walk the last heat or length of the street. He also put his cane to the ground this morning for support instead of flourishing it as he did yesterday. He is said to be a mill-man from St. John.” “Jan. 3rd. 1865. After tea took out No. 3 engine to fill a skating rink on the green between Block’s and Cadwalader’s. Company, A.N. Block Marshall Richey, Ed. Lincoln, George Babbitt, John Dougherty, Hugh Block, W. Murrey and Chas. Moffatt.” Politics “Feb. 24th. ’65. Have done little or nothing this day but run after the politicians and hear their speeches. Nomination was in front of the Court House and the speeches were in Exhibition Buildiing. Fisher spoke first, Hatheway next, then Allen and Dow fourth. Street came next but did not speak long as it was getting dark. Needham and Fraser will speak before election day.” Burial of “Heather Bell” “June 8th. ’65. Steamer Heather Bell caught fire at 4 A.M. at the wharf. Her bow and stern warps burned, so she drifted from the wharf at Regent Street across the river and rather up stream. She was owned by Lunt and Weston and said not to be insured.” Against Confederation “March, 2nd. ’65. I was at the election. Four against Confederation elected, Fraser, Hatheway, Allen and Needham. Fisher and Dow defeated.” Another Election “Nov, 6th. ’65. I went up town to another election. Chief Justice Carter resigned his office and John C. Allen was elevated to the bench which left a vacancy in the House of Assembly. The candidates were John Pickard against Confederation and the Hon. Charles Fisher for it. The returns surprised everybody for Fisher was returned with a majority of 780 votes. Bribery was practiced on both sides. A barrel of flour was no price for a vote. Both sides were flush with money. The Orangemen stuck together for once.” Brayley House Stables Burned “April 15th. ’66. Fire to-night. Caught in the Brayley House stables. Nine horses were burned to death. Five were owned by George Atherton and four by Dr. Hiram Dow. Clark’s shoe-factory and several sheds were burned before it could be got under control.” Still another Election In consequences of difficulties with the Governor, In April 1866 the Government resigned and on June 1st. went back to the people. Fisher, Thompson, Dow and Beckwith for Confederation and Fraser, Needham and Brown against. The candidates for confederation were elected. Opening of Railway “Nov. 6th. ’67. Tom Fowler and I went out to see the first sod of the Fredericton Junction Railway lifted in Rose Valley. Sheriff Temple cut the sod, Mrs. W.H. Needham put it on the barrow and Colonel Harding wheeled it over the run, to use a navy expression. There was a universal titter which swelled to laughter when the gallant solider started like a beefeater or Walker the two-penny postman. It was really a treat. Then the cannon roared, boys cheered and threw their caps, horses pranced and the crowd broke up. Those who had to go to work at one o’clock startled for home regardless of the speeches by Mayor Needham and some of the notables. The Proceedings opened with a prayer by the Rev. John M. Brook but though I was near enough I could not understand much of what he said.” “July 23rd. 1868. Judge Wilmot sworn in Governor of New Brunswick.” “Sept. 24th. ’68 Cricket Match between Fredericton and Halifax.” Prince Arthur Patrick “Sept. 8th. 1869. Prince Arthur Patrick visited Fredericton. Came up river in the steamboat Rothesay and landed at Sherman’s or Gaynor’s wharf amid the booming of guns and the cheering of the crowd. He was taken to Government House in Governor Wilmot’s carriage. There was a torch-light procession in the evening.” The Saxby Gale “Oct. 4th. ’69. I just got home in time to escape the gale. Rain began to fall and the wind to blow hard and it soon reached hurricane proportions. Our old pine fell with a great crash but did not hit the house, only the fence. The storm was very bad in some spots. As we went out to Cameron’s on Maryland Road the next morning trees were down in all directions, some were broken off and some were torn up by the roots. It is said the gale was foretold by a man named Saxby. In some places great swathes of trees were blown down for long distances.” Earthquake He also mentions the earthquake which came shortly after the Saxby Gale. “Oct. 22nd. It came about a quarter to six in the morning and lasted about fifteen seconds. It sounded like one of those peals of thunder which resemble the firing of cannon and small arms mingled together but it passed under ground instead of over head. Its effects were shown on the Cathedral and Methodist Church with chipped plaster and tumbled brick. Some of the brick cased houses were cracked from the top to the bottom. A crack was opened in a road on the Nashwaak wide enough for a wagon wheel to go down to the hub Loyalist Graveyard “July 19th. ’71. Working at Elmcroft today. Robert Winter painting on the second floor. After we had eaten lunch we went down to the old Loyalist Graveyard to see holes dug in the ground by persons looking for money, so it is supposed. There were some holes outside the fence beside ‘The Sister Elms’ on the flats, twice in twelve years. We looked at an old gravestone set at the head of a grave and could read the date plainly, 1785 but the rest of the inscription we could not read.” More 2 – From the Diary “June 9th. ’73. Volunteers left tonight for Fort Garry.” Great preparation for the reception of the Governor General. “August 22nd. ’73. The Governor General (Lord Dufferin) and Lady attended church at the Cathedral on Sunday and on Monday an excursion was arranged by the Government on the New Brunswick Railway and a dinner was held for the visitors.” “Oct. 7th ’73. Exhibitions opened today. Strangers can scarcely find shelter. The hotels are all crowded. New Fire Engine “Nov. 25th ’74. The new fire engine Fredericton, was tested this afternoon. Some say she will throw water over the spire of the Wesleyan Meeting House but that’s all bosh. At all events the fuss she kicked up was enough for two locomotives and the smoke was dismal Wood’s Stable Burned “Mar. 18th. ’75. Capt. Wood’s Stable burned. The stable was in the rear of Treadwell Smith’s dwelling on Queen St. (House Harvey’s Studio is in) Five horses were burned. Three belonged to Capt Wood, one to Chas.Davis and one was owned by Isaac McCausland. Two fireengines and three hand-engines were at it.” Work at Elmcroft Starting on April 10th ’75. Boss Agneau’s crew of men worked all summer and on into the winter at Elmcroft, the residence of Mr. H.G.C. Ketchum. They remodeled the house, built fences, sheds, a greenhouse, a forcing-house and other works too numerous to mention and did not finish till January. I remember seeing Mr. Ketchum demonstrating his ship-railway with a model at an exhibition. It worked well in minature but whether it would have carried large ships across the Isthmus of Chignecto no one will ever know. “Aug 4th, ’75. A batch of Volunteers started today for Manitoba. Great Calico Ball “Feb 23rd. /76. The Great Calico Ball in the Exhibition Building for the benefit of the poor comes off tonight. They will suffer for tonight bids fair to be a rasper.” “Feb. 24th. 11 P.M. A very cold night. Many house-plants got nipped last night but this night will try them still further. The Calico Ball was not a success. The ladies danced in their furs and the gents in their beavers. The refreshments were rather cold for comfort. Capt. Lee was acting as master of ceremonies and he was so drunk that he could not see through a ladder and several other gents were a little elevated. Phoenix Square Fire “March 8th. Pretty bad fire last night. McCausland’s brick building on the corner of Phoenix Square destroyed.” “Sept. 23rd. /76. Old Mrs. Bailey was buried today, aged 107 years. Mrs. Medley and Mrs. Judge Weldon walked as chief morners and six other females two and two next. This is the first time I have seen females on foot at a funeral in this country.” Great Saint John Fire “June 21st/77. Great fire in St. John. Relief sent to them this evening in the shape of food. All the neighbours gave with a few exceptions.” Aug. 10th./77. Great doings tonight at Mayor Fenety’s. He is entertaining the Members of the Canadian Press. The band is thumping and all of my people are out to see and hear what is going on.” D. Banks McKenzie “Dec. 15th./77. Great torch light procession of temperance men tonight led on and marshaled by D. Banks McKenzie. He was an officer in the United States Navy in the war between North and South and comes from Maine.” (There has been a great temperance upheaval in the province. Temperance Lodges had been started all over, Divisions of the Sons of Temperance, Royal Templars and Orange Temperance Lodges The Soldiers Barracks was converted into a Reform Club and that name was painted in large letters clear across the front. A window in the middle of the front was made into a door, with a double set of steps up to it. The Temperance orginizations had committee rooms and club rooms in it. Public opinion demanded and passed temperance legislation in the form of the Scott Act. The license system which had existed, was abolished in any county which had a majority vote against it. Liquor sellers were fined and put in jail gaol which made them very wrathful.) Vote for water-works “Feb. 28th./82 It is said the vote for water-works carried very well. If they give us better water or as good as we have in the back of town it will be all right. They talk about Heron’s la Lake over the river as a supply, others say in Gornish or Garden Creek. The last two places would give pretty good water. The first place is a bog hole, it does not look much like a lake or at least that was my impression when I saw it thirty odd years ago. At one time there was talk of bring water from Mill Creek or Tower Lake, another bog hole which the wise man discovered and named it after its great discoverer, Wm. Tower City Counciller. I suppose Oromocto Lake will be the next place.” Baptist Church Burned “March 9th./82. The Calvinist Baptist Church burned between eight and nine o’clock this evening. It was a good thing for the people living near that there was a coat of snow over everything.” Other Fires “Mar. 29th./82. Worked some making a narrow how out of an old one I found down at the Payne place, occupied when burned by Jim Blizzard, alias Corncake. H.G.C. Ketchum bought the land and added it to Elmcro |
