Present Post Office in the home of Fausta Stetson, 1985.

In the early 1900s, several mainland weekly and monthly newspapers and magazines were circulated on the Island. These were mainly farm publications like: The Family Herald, The Canadian Countryman and The Weekly Star. Mr. George Deacon of Freetown was agent for all of these publications and he travelled throughout the province selling subscriptions.

A GLIMPSE OF 1896 What was life like in Freetown before the turn of the century? A brief glimpse is found in the pages of The Patron of Industry, a weekly Island newspaper published from 30 January 1896 to 12 November 1896.

In late January, the farmers were busy getting in their firewood. The winter had been mild to date and a lack of ice on the rivers was threatening the years’ supply of mussel mud. A meeting of the Bedeque branch of the Farmers’ and Dairymen’s Association was held at the Lower Freetown Hall on Friday, 24 January. This meeting was chaired by the President, William G. Taylor and discussed the pros and cons of the Government Stock Farm and problems in the dairy industry.

On 3 February, several Freetown residents attended and participated in the annual social of the Forest Home Division of Sons of Temperance. James Jardine chaired the meeting and introduced Freetown participants: Miss Janie Taylor, Messrs. Charles Beairsto and James Lewis, Miss Beairsto, Miss Carrie Campbell, Miss Carrie Jardine, John D. Campbell and Mr. Craig. This meeting ended by singing the National Anthem. During the meeting it was announced that Mr. Charles Beairsto was holding a meeting at the Summerfield Hall on Thursday, 6 February to organize a singing class.

A snowstorm during the week of 17 February blocked the roads making travelling difficult. The local merchants, Albert Craig and Charles Taylor, were reported doing a good business in mid-February. Onslow McCaull was under the care of Dr. Sutherland of Bedeque for an inflammation ofthe lung. William Crosby returned to Freetown from Colorado after an absence ofsix years. Albert Campbell lost a good cow, several sheep and a promising “Lucky Lad” colt in early February. The Upper Freetown School was progressing well under the management of the teacher, Mr. Hensley Stavert.

Community social evenings were very popular during this era. A social evening was held in the Lower Freetown Hall in February with David Rogers acting as the master of ceremonies. The following program was performed:

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