day, in February, I decided to take Cliff Matheson’s pony hitched in his little woodsleigh, to see how things were progressing. Little did I know what awaited me! Soon after my arrival, Walter was sent in haste for the doctor. Within minutes of my arrival, Lizzie presented us with a lovely healthy boy. My heart gave a thump and I prayed as never before for guidance. I tied the cord with a piece oftwine offa parcel. The instinct of my Grandmother Lewis came to my rescue. She had delivered some 2,000 babies and had 15 of her own. One never ceases to be amazed as one hears the cry ofeach new born babe, how so much love and devotion could be wrapped up in such a little bundle from Heaven.

As the years r011 by and our eyes grow dim Sweet memories gladden our every hour In the Hungry Thirties we learned to share The good and the bad, whatever the fare.

Submitted by Enid (Lewis) Thomas THE THIRTIES REMEMBERED My father, mother and I were living in New York City during the depression. My parents were among the lucky ones, my dad had ajob. He and my mother often told us about people who could not pay their rent and were dispossessed, their furniture and personal effects thrown on the sidewalk. They tell us too, about the men lining up for bread; four men abreast and as far back as three or four city blocks, to receive maybe the only meal they would have all day. Some of them fainting in the lines.

In 1934, my parents decided maybe the green fields of Prince Edward Island would be a lot better than the concrete sidewalks of New York. They crated their furniture and with the downpayment for a farm in their pockets they headed for home. Dad at the time was a young man of twenty—four years.

It was a hard life for my mother and father but I feel it would be as hard, if not harder, and maybe impossible for a young couple today.

We were very happy growing up in Freetown. There were no boys to help dad with the farm work so we girls learned to milk cows, stook grain, rogue potatoes and whatever had to be done on the farm. The whole family worked together as a unit. This is true of a great many farm families. Neighbours played a great part in the rural areas of those days. They helped each other any time the need arose. It was as if we had extended families.

I attended school in Freetown. Went to grades one to ten in a two roomed school. Then I went to Kens- ington High School for one year before going to Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown.

We have had good years and bad years on the farm, but I wouldn’t want to trade my life for any other.

What about the future? What lies ahead for the young men and women who wish to make farming

their life? Submitted by Phyllis Green

RACE HORSES Many fine race horses have been raised in Freetown. Freetown farmers have also bought, trained and

raced many good horses over the years. Among them was Albert Campbell Sr. Campbell loved a good horse and had many excellent ones including the standard bred “Gama”. He also raised “Ada Mae” who was sold

to a party in New York and became one of the fastest trotters in North America.

Johnny MaePhee lived with his father Duncan (code 49) and had a great hobby in raising and training race horses. He owned the horse “Keltie” who’s offspring turned out many excellent colts. Keltie’s most notable colt was “Parkwood”. Johnny sold this horse for $1200.00. He was shipped to the States where he was later

resold for the fabulous sum of$28,000. Johnny raised many other good horses but none to rival “Parkwood”. At the turn of the century names like “Parkside”, “Parklight” and “Parkwood” were well known in racing

circles.

When Mabon Stavert returned to Lower Freetown from California, he became the owner of the stud “Darkwood” who sired many colts in this area. Many of his offspring turned out to be good track horses but they never became as popular as the Parkside breed.

A descendent of Isaac Lidstone, Ray Lidstone, owned and raised many good standard bred horses including Lady Helena, Wait ’N’ See, Time Will Tell and Guy Ann. George Callbeck, one of Summersides’

top horsemen, purchased and raised some descendents of the Ann line and they fared well in the show ring and on the track.

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