THE MILLS The building of the Mills played a big part in the settling of the new land, which advanced steadily as the Mills catered to the needs of the people. These needs comprised shelter, food and clothing. The Saw Mill provided the shelter; the Grist Mill, the food; and the Carding Mill, the clothing. Many of the Mills pro¬ vided all three services. HOWATTfS MILLS In the middle 1800's, James Howatt operated Mills in Crapaud , known as Howattfs Mills. These consisted of Saw and Carding Mills, also a grist mill in which the finest grade of flour was ground. Bradford Howatt, younger son of James, succeeded his father, and carried on the business until about 1900, when he sold to Charles Leard, and moved with his family to Brudenell where he followed the same line of business. The Howatt Mills became the Leard Mills , operated by Charles Leard, one of eight Leard Brothers, who with their father, George Leard at Westmoreland , operated seven mills throughout the Island. For over half a century, and through three generations, Leardfs Mills, which consisted of saw, grist, shingle, and carding mills, were a contributing factor in the development of this area. Following a fire in 1953, which completely destroyed the saw mill and its equipment, the remaining mills and mill site were sold to Elmer MacDonald . This mill was in operation for a number of years, but was eventually sold. The old mill was burned by vandals on Halloween night 1990. 11