ge

Christopher's Folly’ Building Is Recalled

_By NEIL A. MATHESON “ Provincial-Farm Editor.

“CHRISTOPHER’S FOLLY” was the name neighbors pare the boat Capt. Christopher LePage, Rustico built in

backyard a long way from the sea, some 76 years ago. But the Captain knew what he was doing.

The interesting story—it was written by Captain LePage's son,’ Garfield—has been passed on to me thanks to Mrs. Roy Bruce, North River who is Garfield's: daughter, and Harold L. Smith, City is a nephew of the builder. ‘The only . son living now is James L. LePage: Hunter River. who was not born at the time the ship was built. Bradford, a one-time Lieutenant-Governor of P.E.J. was another. The ship was the Clara May; named after his two daughters—May died in

— is the “his

ere tory as told by Garfield, prior to death: In. the fall of 1889 my father, who operated a large farm

and store at Rustico, decided to extend his business, with the

two older sons who took over the operation ef

ae

help of his Ete a ear! ter of 1890 plans were made for the build- ing of the eighty-ton schooner. It took courage and fore-. sight; although my father was a man of indomitable cour-

age’ and strong will power he had never learned his trade _

“gs” a ship’s” carpenter; but noe doubt’ had been around ship

yards in his younger days. Arriving home from school one day, my brother Elisha

and I were surprised to see the model and molds of a vessel being shaped. Then we realized that some thing was going to happen. :

» Now at that time the material for ship building in and around Rustico was very scarce, and had to be procured at a place called Springton—twelve miles distant. For forty dollars you procured the cutting rights of fifty acres of good hardwood; cutting any tree you wished in order to get the pieces and shapes needed:- :

Road Long, Weather Stormy ,

. THE OWNER of the wood lot, a grand old Scotch. man,

: (but not scotch with his wood) whose name I have forgotten, ~ would tell the men when a tree lodged in the. falling to cut down the tree it was lodged on, not sparing his own wood.

. At the beginning of 1890 the work of cutting and hauling began. The winter was cold and stormy and the road long and hilly so it meant leaving home before daylight and some-

‘times breaking the roads. After cutting their loads it would be after dark when they arrived home. By the middle of -: March the well sheltered yard of the old home, one half-mile from the river where she-was built; had taken on_a. lively_ap- pearance with logs of all shapes and size -

In the early spring her keel was laid, set on blocks four feet from the ground to allow the men to work under her. Three men, my father, Frank and Mosey Doiron, worked en her all summer;: they shaped and bolted the timbers to-

— gether and to the keel. It was. that she remain an the stocks in order that the timbers dry out and be ready for-vlanking. - 8 = *

Tobacco Spits Help

BEFORE THE planking could be done the timbers had to be smoothed off by a process called “dubbing”. Often times I got quite a kick out of watching Archie, the dubber, spif™ tobacco juice on the timbers then cutting it off with his

_adze thus_using his tobacco juice for a guide.

In the early fall the planks arrived. To Rouge Doiron and his two, sons, Peter and. Jo; thus having “Big Joe” and “Little Joe’. The father, Big Joe, was a man weighing around two hundred and seventy-five pounds with red whisk- ers and a big red. face: He was a jolly old fellow who kept us_entertained the long winter nights telling stories of which he was a past master. After supper he would straddle a chair, arms under chin, with pipe in mouth and we knew then

show was on”. Some of the stories sounded very good

boy of my age. One of which I still remember ‘‘Sunday

to-day Comeau’’, in which he protrayed the life of a young boy who was always getting into trouble on the Lord’s Day and being reminded by an unseen voise saying: ‘‘It is Sunday to-day Comeau"’

When bed time arrived he would lead the parade te the sleeping quarters which were upstairs over the back kitchen reached by steps to a small hatchway in which we always expected to get stuck. :

. Peter, the son, was a great workman and°but for him the work w6uld not have gone on as well. “Big Joe” and “Little ‘Joe’’ spent a lot of time wrangling. ‘Little Joe’’ having to be told many times: ‘Mind yourself, “Little Joe’’, I'm your fadder’’. % :

Task Was Long And Tedious

THE WORK of planking was a long and tedious job as the planks had to be steamed and clamped into their place while still hot, and-fastened with iron pins and wood trunnels.

Next came thé caulking and I can still see Leong, the eaulker, spinning the okum and driving it into the seams with the caulking iron and mallet. The sound of it still rings fn my ears. . 3

“Ten _men were now working on her and with the farnily | this made seventeen in all. The cooking was quite a chore and I often wonder how my dear mother, even with help, could have overseen it all. ; ~By~ the-last- of March--after- her. bottom had- received-a-- eoat of copper paint she was ready for -the ‘Launching’. ‘ Hardwood runners with greased skids underneath was placed ‘ on either side of her and the building blocks were knocked . out from under her. ae ‘se

The power for hauling consisted of double and triple blocks on each runner with teams of horses on the falls... The hauling took six days and went on very smoothly until the second last day when the descent became greater and she started on her own power, running off the skids-and into the mud. It caused quite an excitement-as a large crowd had gathered to watch the launching. I remember quite well one man, Andrew Billy ‘Martin, with his arms against her bow’ trying to to stop her. :

Craft Was Finally Afloat —-

. ea the uct nica ited ek tee oe Gan

{ce and the next su

afloat. Now the deck rail eabin and fore-castle had to be

al eet te eee eee ee tae aa . long, Ss al

in a now called Norboro—1I8

outlay at that time. ©

Maiden Trip-Coal 50 Cents A To

ON DOMINION DAY 1891, with a crew of four men, she left the Bridge at Rusticoville. The day was fine with. a brisk north wind causing her to beat to the harbor giving the country side the chance to judge her working qualities and call her a success. Next morning she was off on_her maiden trip. Her sailing schedule was to Sydney, Glace Bay, Pictou and Port Hood for coal. (Incidentally, at that time some kinds of coal could be bought at ‘he mines for fifty cents a ton.) To the Miramichi and New Castle for lumber, . ‘to Port Daniel for lime stone. She also had a couple of trips each spring and fall to Halifax and Sydney with farm produce. ;

At that time eight large schooners were sailing out of the port of Rustico and with the large wumber of fishing boats Rustico Harbor was a bustling sight.

In the fall of 1899 while on her way home from Hiali- fax my father, who had been captain of her all this time, not wishing to take the chance of staying on the rocky coast made port for Jeddor. While beating into the harbor she mistayed, (mot obeying her helm) and the mighty roll [Cie a ee her bottom was completely worn out. :

This was the end of the once beautiful: schooner ‘‘Clara May”’. j

Gone are_the ships and the men who manned them and today the port of Rustico is peaceful and quiet. The -sturdy

— fishermen with their slick, noiseless motor boats“g6 in |

.tario made no comment. Pre- |no

and out, scarcely noticed bringing from the deep a goodly

livelihood. .

nalistic federalism” and disre- KEEN gard of the British North Amer- (Continued from Page 1)

‘jica Act.

Mr. Johnson wants Ottawa to stand by, the proposals {n any |phase out all revenues from in ease. leome and estate taxes im. Que-

“Just like medicare,” he said, |bec and a major share of cor-

“Here today and “gone tomor- |poration taxes from the tow.” ince. Premier John Robarts of On-|. The Ottawa proposals indica’ further reduction of federal mier Danie] Johnson of Quebec |revenues from these fields.

said little, but he had already |WANTS REPORT STUDIED toasted Mr. Sharp for “pater-| Both Premier Du Roblin of

Ht \

Lt. Roy Clark and Fireman T. I. Knox of the Sherwood Fire Dept. were selected to

ers workshop in St. John, N.B. Sept 15th to 17th inclusive.

GOING OV

attend the three tay fire fight- «

Eq

x

Shown’ above going over the three day program with the fire chief prior to their de- parture are (FROM THE LEFT) T. I. Knox, Chief Car-

ER PROGRAM

Also attending this third an- nual conference from the Char- lottetown -area are Captains L. Gillespie. B. Hennessey and H. Crockett of the- Char- lottetown Fire Dept.

, |

intrique and with the ravishing- | ; ly beautiful Sophia Lorn, a se- |

ductive Arabian espionage | t . jagent. = | qt é

By FRANK WEEKS . The main highway leading

Miscouche {fs condition Rev. Gerald Steele stated last night at a meeting of Alberton and West Prince Board of Trade. Chairman of the board’s transportation commit- tee Rev. Steele also voiced dis- satisfaction over the discontinu- ing of ferry.services during the recent strike.

It was approved that the board support the P.E.I. Government and other organizations in their efforts to prevent any future in- terruptions in ferry services to the mainland.

board continue to press for an all weather highway, a bridge

"jand - causeway ‘from McNally’s

Point to Gordons Wharf provid- ing a sécond highway to western Prince County.

RADIO LINK

A discussion was held te- garding a radio link with the tourist. information booth at Reads Corner and also having a representative rom western Prince located in the booth next year.

look for western Liberal seats when there’s a deal like this?”

from western Prince’ County te | ’ in a deplorable | *

It was also approved that the |

michael and Lt. R. Clark.

FATHER STEELE ~ Appreciation was expressed to the staff of the Western Hospital

for printing a large amount of

tourist information brochures for the board. The President, Harold Phillips

‘/expressed thanks to all who had

helped make this year’s Aquatic

He conceded that Saskatch- ewan is enjoying prosperity but | said he needs guarantees of help in years when crops could | be ‘poor and revenues would | drop.- ;

* He was not fully satisfied. with the transition payments prom- ised .Saskatchewan for five years to ease its. loss of all equalization: payments under the new formula. ees Manitoba and Alberta Premier E.-C. Manning, want. negotiations to new five-year tax agreements shelved for a year or-.so. Mr. Roblin would use ‘the time to reconsider priorities and ponder a@ royal commission report 0 the tax system. ‘ * Mr. Manning would have the two levels of government com- bine to fight inflationary pres- sures and conduct tax negotia- tions less hurriedly.

The Atlantic delegations urged revisions in grants and adjust- ment formulas and New Bruns- wick suggested a labor tax to attract industry to areas of un-

jemployment. .

Only Prince Edward Island expressed keen disapointment. The equalization formula would give the province only about $200,000 more a year. Premier Ross Thatcher of Sas- katchewan, a Liberal, said: “Why should I go out and

DEATHS

MacLEOD — At. Kensington, Sept. 14, 1966, John A. MacLeod, age 8 years. Remains resting at the Davison Funeral Home until Friday, then to Long River Presbyterian Church where fu- neral service will be held at 2.00 p.m. Interment Geddie Memor- ial cemetery,

MacKENZIE— At Melville, Wed- nesday, September 14, William Murdock MacKenzie in his 83rd year. Resting at the Gillis Funeral Home: Funeral Friday from St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Belfast with service commencing at 2 p.m. Interment in Belfast cemetery.

JENKINS. — At. the P.E.1. Hos- pital, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 1966, W. Lawson Jenkins of Vernon in his 72nd year. Resting at the MacLean Funeral Home. ..until. noon today, Sept. 15, then to Trinity United Church for funer- al service commencing at 2 p.m. Interment~ in Vernon River cemetery.

munity Hospital, O’Leary~ on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1966, Mrs. Harry MacWilliams, RN, of 0’- Leary in her 43rd year. Resting at Jelley’s Funeral Home until Friday morning at 11 o'clock then to O'Leary United Church for se: at 2 o’clock. Inter- ment’ in’ Bloomfield United Church cem . Visiting hours

2 to 4 and 7 te

Day a success.

Vapour Lights: Are Approved

Six mercury vapour lights are to be installed in Alberton and paving is to he laid on Elder Street were two projects ap- proved by Alberton Town Coun- _cil at_a_ meeting. Tuesday. night “with Major Leard presiding and all councillors were present.

Five of the lights are to be installed on Main street lead- ing to the Sacred Heart Church and one will be located at the corner of Popular and. Albion

pital. Bills amounting te $636.30 were ordered paid.

A by-law was approved re- quiring all vehicles, including

a head light and a rear reflect- or. The police report listed two cases under the Highway Traffic Act, ten under the Liquor Con- trol Act and three break and enter. ;

6 \Catelli Food Co. reported

jelected to prepare a statement and a budget for 1967. '

Board Of Trade Speaker /Deplores Main Highway

Support was also given to’ the P.E.1. Village Commissioners project to clean up car bédies in P.E.I. i ' Charles Thibert, fieldman. for that the cucumber acreage :n Prince County was a success ard that his company were -pléased with the resuits..to-date.

Douglas Hardy was appointed chairman of the agriculture .com- mittee replacing Andrew Wells who has moved to Charlottetown and Frank Weeks was appoint- ed to promote a small business administration course.

Harvey Hutt, Rev. Gerald Steele and C.R- Leard were financial

Island News Page | Western and Central Districts |The Guardian, Charlottetown, Thur., Sept. 15, 1966. 3

Peck And Loren Appearing Here

Two of Hollywood's hottest

ry Mancini has written the back- box office draws, Gregory Peck |ground music, and the -title tune and Sophia. Loren, are the fea-|has already made its appear- tured-players in the latest -spy-jance on the pop charts: spoof eomedy thriller ‘Arabes- Te que’, opening a three day run 1° at Confederation Centre: Thea- Y f M

| en ; caught-up ina middle eastern |

tre this evening at 8.30.

Peck plays an American pro- fessor of archeology at Oxford University who innocently gets

FORTUNE

Continued. from page. t°

is most unusual.

Plowing judges are David Peacock, P.E.I. departinens. of agriculture, and Raynall Mac- Neill, president of the Prince County Plowing match—he's this year’s Prince County champion, a title he also took a year ago. IN LIVESTOCK CLASSES

Robert Rossiter and Harold Lewis, St. Peter’s Bay had the champion male Ayrshire, with E. Lund and Sons, Bethel show- ing the reserve. The champion- ship oppositions’ were reversed in the standing for the champ- jon Ayrshire female.

‘ George Phelan, Morell show- pace eerie eee ee ee ear ae

shared: pitehing- duties — fer - the Kinsmen. :

MacNeil paced Y’s Men to their win with a two-run homer, while Andy Walker had two dou- bles. for the losers. Steve Kelly and Howie Connolly also had doubles for Kinsmen.

A large crowd of fans were on hand te watch the deciding game.

Members of the winning team

It-seems- the-profesor-is select- edoto solve a crytopgram hidden in a group of hieroglyphics, un- aware that two groups of agents are after the information. As in all good thrillers there are the “good” guys’ and the ‘“‘bad guys’, and Peck’s problem is to figure out which is which, and- which group Miss Loren repre- sents, Along the way he also tries to prevent himself

Trophy

SUMMERSIDE — The 14-year-

presented to Y's Men at Queen Elizabeth Park here .ast night by little league commissioner Tim MacQuigan. +

old Henry Wedge trophy was |

are: Coach Tilmon Landry, Pplayers-= es, Wayne Doyle; Leslie» MacDonald; Chris

Chaisson, Vince Landry, Steph- en Walmsley, Brian Williams, Kenny MacNeil, Doug MacLean, Chris Gaudet, Danny Landry, Paul Richards, and Gregory “Diggey’’ MacDonald.

Kinsmen 030 0 — 7 Y's Men 150 Mx _— 18 D. Rolf, 8. Kelly and S. Kelly, iD. Rolf, K. MacNeil and D. Mae- Lean...

The Y's Men were victorious -

from getting killed in a varie 7 y over Kinsmen, 13-7, to win the

of situations by a variety of in- genious methods.

It's one of those plots that | moves around a lot, with techni- colour sequences filmed in Tra- falgar Square, The British Mu- seum, London Zoo, Regent's Park and a clutch of other fam- ous British ‘tourist attractions.

Miss Loren's “physical ‘assets offer plenty of reason for the ‘male audience to plunk down \ticket money, but with this film jshe also will probably attract a jsizeable female audience with |her $150,000 wardrobe of special- ily designed Christian Dior clothes. The outfit includes four- teen changes and fifty pairs of shoes, which is. some gilding for the Italian-lily,

The film has attracted favor- able notices from most of |

gue championship, three games

the opening two games, but Kins- men came back—to knot the ser- ies and force a deciding game. Kenny MacNeil went. the dis- tance for the win and struck out eight, while battery mates,

— WESTERN FUNERALS

funeral for Gilbert Gallant was held Wednesday, Sept. 14, from the Compton Funeral Home to St. Paul's Church, Summerside, where ‘Requiem High Mass was celebrated at.9 a.m. by Rev. Pierre Arsenault, who also offi- ciated at. the interment in the Church~cemetery. Msgr. J.P.E. O’Hanley was seated in the sanc- tuary. Pallbearers were Leroy Gallant, Edwin Gallant, Glorite

major reviewers including -Life magazine, who termed it ‘“‘film- making at its marvellous best’’; Newsweek said it was “enrich- ed with stylish zest and bounti- ful wit’; .and “the New York Times described the climactic

Summerside little baseball ‘lea- |

to two. Y’s Men grabbed wins tp }

Steve Kelly and Derek Rolf

| GALLANT FUNERAL — The |

chase scene a8 one ‘‘that should |Gallant, Jerry Sheen, William | make chase buffs swoon." Sherry, and Theophane De | Courcey.

: Progressive

DISTRICT

|

and the stranghtest furrow. ‘This |

Primrose, straightest

champ!

He also had the reserve grand | champion.

Mr. Pheian also had the junior | female champion and the re serve champion, among other rosettes.

Scotch Shorthorn ring was furn- ished by Frank —Hendrickén, Peake's Station.

PLOWING RESULTS

Boys or girls, under 16 years— wl. Arthur MacKay, Strathcona, best plowing; 2. George Mill, Annandale;.-3. Merill MacLeod, Forest Hil, straightest furrow, best ‘crown, best finish.

Gang Plow, Senior — 1. True- love Taylor, Upton;* 2. Allison

the straightest furrow best crown and best finish. : Tractor-Hydraulic Plew — The Reid and MacKenzie prize — 1. George Campbell, Primrose; 2. Vernon Yorston, Launching; . 3. Kenneth Johnston, Poplar Point; Campbell had best . fur- row, best crown and best finish. 2-Sod Tractor 1. Edwin Mills, Bay Fortune, best crown, best finish; 2. Wendell MacLeod, Forest Hill, straightest furrow; '3. Dan MacGinnis,. St. Peters.

Tray-= furrow, best crown, best finish; 2. Al-

Yorston, Launching.

DAM LOSES WATER

The reservoir behind the Vaal Dam,. South Africa, loses 250, 000,000 gallons of water a day in summertime by evaporation.

Conservative

MEETING

Ist District Kings County _

___ Thursday, Sept. 15th Zn

8.30 p.m.

ST. JAMES

UNITED CHURCH HALL, SOURIS

I] Guest Speakers: Walter R- Shaw and Melvin McQuaid, M.P.

Each Poll Committee is

requested to have five

voting delegates in attendance.

All

stk

streets. near the Western Hos- |

bicycles, to be equipped with-

BRIEFS

MacWILLIAMS — At the Com-|

appeared before Magistrate R.S. Hinton, QC, in Town police court yesterday.

MINOR ACCIDENT | The Summerside Town Police reported a minor accident at the wharf in, Summerside.

day morning at 11.45 and result-

Volkswagen,

also of Bedeque...

wharf and the driver did not

$75.

PEPS UP ICES

HAMPSTEAD, England (CP) —A London ice-cream manu- facturer has applied for a li- quor licence so he can sell whisky - flavored ice cream. Manager Alex Mansi said, “If we get the licence we shall sell about’ 40 different kinds of ice

cream—but those with a punch wvill ge only to adults.” (

$100 FINE Arthur Rogerson of Summer-: side was assessed $100 and costs | or seven days in jail when he |

Summerside |

The accident occurred Tues-.

see the parked Volkswagen car. | Estimated damage was set al @

Al

ST. PETER'S ROAD

This Week Hillside CONTINUE TO

’ a % R | : |

WESTERN

Three time Oscar winner Hen-

te

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