Georgetown Stories: 1869-1890 ‘9

weighed ten ounces and was the growth of one stalk. He says there is a great prospect of a good crop of potatoes this year.” (Patriot, July 11,

1878, copied from the King’s County Advertiser.)

Politics in Georgetown

“Georgetown has a very lobster -like way of managing its political affairs. It elects its representatives first, then W. Sanderson orders the electors to meet at the Town Hall to direct the members as to what policy they are to adopt. From the reticence of the Advertiser in its report of the meeting, we were led to infer that it was decided that Messers McDonald and Gordon are Grits. if this is so it will be in keeping with the shilly—shallying course pursued by Mr. Gordon during the last year or so and his future career will be watched with much

interest.” (Communicated to the Patriot, April 24, 1879)

Georgetown Votes for Temp_erance Act

The Dominion Temperance Act (often called the Scott Act) passed the Dominion Parliament in 1876, but it had to be ratified by the provinces to become effective locally. Prince Edward Island voted for it overwhelmingly in 1879. The King’s County tally was 1076 for and 59 against the Act. Georgetown approved it 85 to 2. (Patriot, May 1879)

King’s County Exhibition—1879

Among the Georgetown and vicinity winners at the exhibition were James McConnell for his carrots and melons and Archibald MacDonald for cabbage. Mrs. Joseph Allen, Boughton Island, had the best 2 lbs of shallots, but Charles R. Aitken won the overall onion prize. The best crock of butter was presented by Sarah Campbell. The Weatherbies won for their wooden plough and for their ingenious threshing machine but the best constructed cart (with sides) was John Haggart’s. Peter Ross axe and his collection of edged and pointed tool won. Charles Cripps, Georgetown, took prizes for boots and John Cooper for harness. F. G. Bovyer of the Royalty took prizes for sheep and cattle.. The best pair of home—made blankets were those of Mrs. Thomas Howlett while the

winning rug was that of S. MacAulay. William Allen’s presentation of mackerel won first in that category. Abbie Cogswell’s needlework won as did Aaron Cogswell’s leather work. A special display at the exhibition was of six Island-made bricks, samples of those being used in the construction of the Catholic Church in St. Peter’s Bay. The editor of the Patriot noted that “We did not observe a single drunken man in Georgetown on Exhibition Day.” (Semi—Weekly Patriot, Oct. 4, 1879)

Exports from the Port of Georgetown, 1879

“The total value of the exports from the port of Georgetown for the year ending Dec. 31, 1879 was $232, 575. They consisted in part of 178,884 bushels of oats, 63,291 bushels of potatoes; 2535 bushels of turnips, 982 bushels of barley, 53, 500 feet of deal, 35 head of horned cattle, 6 horses, 98 sheep, 24 pigs, 35,200 lbs of pork, 53,000 lbs of beef, 2500 lbs of mutton, 220 boxes of canned meat, 712 boxes of canned poultry, 5275 boxes of lobster, 1068 barrels of mackerel, 100 boxes of boneless fish, 40 boxes of codfish and 50 drums of hake.” (Patriot. Jan., 1880)

The Northern Light, Jan. 1880

“The Advertiser reports that Georgetown harbour is open up to St. Andrew’s Point and that the Northern Light has kept her track open to the railway wharf so far.” (Patriot, Jan. 10, 1880 “The Northern Light made the trip from Pictou to Georgetown with passengers and mail on Tuesday during the thick of the worst snow

storm we have had this winter.” (Patriot, Jan. 15, 1880)

Rev. John Mackinnon Honoured

“The ladies of the Cardigan section of Rev. John Mackinnon’s congregation, Georgetown, have presented him with a very superior Fur Coat as a special recognition of his services in the cause of temperance in that part of the county.” Rev. Mackinnon also regularly delivered educational lectures open to the public. A March lecture scheduled for

Georgetown was on “Mythology.” (Patriot,

Feb. 14, 1880)