Georgetown Stories: 1933-35

Nathan Allen Skates

“Kings’ Pond, Boughton Island, is now in fine shape for skating and is being well—used frequently by the people of the community. On Sunday afternoon, among the skaters was Mr. Nathan Allen, who is now over seventy years of age. And can he skate? He made some of the younger skaters there look like they were sidetracked.” (Patriot. Jan. 26, I933)

Sister and Brother Act

“Some children got into a punt and the boat drifted into the harbour. The children called for help and Mrs. James Bridges (formerly Myrtle Yorston) who was near by, put down her baby on the shore and swan out and brought the group to safety.” (Guardian, July 15, 1933)

“Miss Helen Mooney of Souris who is visiting her sister Mrs. William Murphy, Georgetown, while swimming in the harbour Sunday afternoon got beyond her depth and was going down the second time when her plight was witnessed by Mr. Roy Yorston, who jumped off the wharf and went to Miss Mooney’s assistance and succeeded in bringing her safely to shore.” (Guardian, Aug. 18, 1933)

Coldest Winter in Memorv

“Friday night [Feb 9th], the temperature took a decided turn downward, going to sixteen degrees below zero. It stayed below all day and at the time of writing (Friday, 6 pm.) it is fifteen below. Even the oldest residents can recall no winter so severe and the question of fuel and feed is a problem. A few days ago there was a shortage of coal but the arrival of three carloads relieved the situation. And now four cars of hay have also arrived, two for Lower Montague and two for Georgetown. The exceptional frost has also made traveling to Boughton Island possible, the first for years, and some considerable hay is moving from there.” [The winter continued cold and stormy, making it difficult to dig graves. On Feb. 17th the mercury fell to 26 below zero and wells as much as 18 feet below the surface froze] (Patriot: Feb. 12, 21, 26, etc.)

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Peter Ross Sings

“For over fifty years, Peter Ross sang in the Presbyterian Church Choir. Even now. at age 84, he is seldom absent from his pew just in front of the pulpit and if the choir is not up to its full strength, his voice can often be heard above them. When asked about his unusual vigor and health [He had 20 children by his first wife and 5 by his second], he explained it by saying that he always looked upon the bright side of life for a ‘merry heart doeth good like medicine.’ Here is a story to illustrate. It was in the days when the Sunday School had its annual picnic every year up on the grounds of Woodbine Cottage (Dr. Kaye’s home) to the north of the town. They met at the church and then marched up singing as they went. It happened this particular year that the one who headed the procession was a man noted for his piety on Sunday and his severity during the week. Well, away they went. And he led the march as well as the singing. But when they came to the end of the hymn, Peter started up another. And the one he began was “See, the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on.’ It is many years since that happened but ever since, it has been as good as any doctor’s tonic to our genial blacksmith.” (film; Feb. 19, 1934)

Unexmcted Explosion

“Mr. Henry, our Water Street meat dealer, quite innocently created some disturbance on Monday when attempting to thaw the ice from his scales. He thought some gasoline would do the .work nicely, so poured two gallons around the platform and then set it on fire. This burned well and partly did the work. To complete the job he got two more gallons and tried repeating the performance. But this time, when the match was applied, it was followed by a fine explosion-- something more than those standing around expected and one got somewhat scorched. Others went through such stunts as would lead one to believe that a circus had struck town and that their acrobats were giving an initial performance.” (Patriot. Mar. 3, 1934)

Spring Roads in 1934

“Work on the streets has begun. Some days ago the tractor and machine came through from