This non-change in population is in contrast to the statistics for P.E.I. as a whole. In 1891 the population of the Island

to reach 109,088. increased by only 197 people over the previous decade,,\(42) But by 1901 it had fallen to 105, 257; (45) and by 1911 fallen again to 93,222. (44) In fact, Kinkora was enjoying a spurt of economic

prosperity in the first decade of the twentieth century. This

much was implied in the letter reprinted from 1904; and is confirmed

.R‘.’

by these items selected from news reports from Kinkora.'i

May 20, 1904: Messrs T.A. McIver and Hugh McIver, agents fro Deering machinery are doing a rushing business in disc harrows and seeders.

Messrs. Michael Farmer and George Kelly sold draft

horses for handsome sums.

June 15, 1904: The supply of milk to Kinkora cheese

factory increased this year; Kinkora cheese is on a

standard with that in Island factories;

There has been considerable produce changing hands

at Kinkora this week.

June 28, 1904: Mr. T. A. McIver has erected a large

kitchen, wagon house, warehouse and barn.

Mr. Ambrose Monaghan is enlarging his store house for

his shakers, cleaners and threshers.

Mr. James Duffy (Shamrock) is enlarging his barn.

September 21, 1904: Kinkora cheese wins first prize

in Halifax; cheesemaker at Kinkora is Leo Hughes. (45)

The Irish Catholic voters at Kinkora and surrounding villages

had established a tradition of voting for the Progressive Conservative Party since 1870; yet they never had one of "their own" as a candidate. Shortly after the celebrations for Dr. Murphy in 1893 they requested the Party to select angrish- Catholic Candidate for the Fourth District of Prince County, and suggested they had a ready and willing candidate; (46) he was Michael H. McCabe from Middleton. (47) He sought election in December, 1893, as Councillor; and won easily in Kinkora and

Newton, against his opponent Alex Laird; ‘ he lost the District

vote-by only 31 votes. (48)