Year: 2016

1888

by
bell-lands-mainstreet

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

In 1888 George E. McDonald came to Dartmouth as lineman and agent of the Bell Telephone Co., and set up the Exchange in his residence at 19 Edward Street. There were then some 30 telephones in use, including one at the Town Hall and another at Chief of Police McKenzie’s house above the lock-up.

The latter instrument was mostly to receive fire calls. This innovation marked a great improvement over the established practice of messengers running on foot or galloping on horseback long distances whenever an alarm had to be sounded. Even after the fire-bell rang, disastrous delays often occurred because of the roundabout arrangements employed in moving the fire engine.

One night in February, for instance, Williams’ two-storey boat-shop was burnt to the ground. The building stood at the foot of Church Street which location is almost within shouting distance of the Engine House, and within pumping distance of the salt water. But the firemen were helpless because the engine was late. Investigation later revealed that the driver who raced to Greene’s stables near the foot of Quarrell Street, could not find the key to the harness room. Then the harness got tangled. Icy street conditions caused more delay. As a consequence, citizens began to murmur and to agitate that the Town should maintain its own horses near the Engine House.

The Council made a slight move in this respect by purchasing George Turnbull’s watering-cart for $35, but they still hired a horse and driver from Greene’s. The rate was $3 per day. The cart was filled with salt water from a tank on Moseley’s wharf, and also with fresh water supplied by the Starr Company from their stream.

The new Halifax and Dartmouth Steam Ferry Company seemed to be prospering. In 1888 they declared a dividend of 8%, and shortened the hours of their employees by engaging a third crew In that year also they acquired the first two-laned ferry. This was the paddle-wheeler “Dartmouth” built by the Burrell Johnson Company in Yarmouth at a cost of $30,000. Alongside the small one-laned ferries, this boat was a floating palace with her steam-heated electric-lighted cabins, commodious lanes for vehicles and a spacious upper deck. She became the popular steamer for picnics.

The first industrial establishment in Halifax or Dartmouth to be equipped with a private telegraph line was the Dartmouth Rope-works. In 1888 they had their office connected with wire by running a spur line from the vicinity of the foot of Jamieson street. One of the lady clerks did the telegraphing. Telephones were sometimes noisy and hence the telegraph was considered safer, especially in transmitting code words.

That summer the Ropeworks laid out George Street, and erected thereon nine identical houses known as the “Nine Sisters”. (The front design of some of these has since been altered.) John T. Walker was the Contractor, and George Mosher his foreman. The Company also laid out John Street, and Pelzant Street was to follow. They were taken over by the Town within the next few years.

Later in 1888 John T. Walker built “Glenwood” on the former Bell property (now 22 Main Street), for Warden James Simmonds. In the same neighborhood John R. Graham, the Dartmouth butcher, built the house on what was once part of Christian Bartlin’s grant, and is now the Creelman property at No. 5 Braemar Drive. A Halifax newspaper’s comment in describing the location of these new dwellings said that “they are on sites which some 25 years ago were occupied by the wigwams of [the Mi’kmaq].”

Also in 1888 Contractor A. G. Gates erected for Charles A. Robson the large dwelling at the southwest corner of Queen and Dundas Streets. Miss Ross had “Morven” cottage built at 46 Dahlia Street. Mrs. Thomas Creighton purchased the house previously built and occupied by Andrew Shiels at 114 Ochterloney Street. H. C. Walker, junior, put in Dartmouth’s first plate-glass window at his haberdashery store on the location of the Harbor Cafe. W. H. Greene leased from the Ferry the dwelling and stables vacated by W. H. Isnor who was moving his livery business to Halifax.

1887

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

Up to 1886 the Dartmouth civic year closed on April 30th. From 1887 onward it was changed to coincide with the calendar year ending on December 31st, and the Town elections were held on the first Tuesday of February instead of the first Tuesday of May as heretofore. In the February election of 1887 the first woman ever to poll a vote in Nova Scotia, voted at the Ward II polling booth in the Town Hall. Unfortunately the name of the lady is not preserved in local records but the candidates for Councillor that day were A. C. Johnston and H. C. Walker.

The usual winter activities of Dartmouth centred around the lakes and the new skating rink. That season the Chebucto Club played a series of hockey matches with the Wanderers A.A.C., whose home rink was the Halifax Exhibition building on the present location of All Saints’ Cathedral. In February a grand carnival was held in the electrically lighted Dartmouth rink where some 200 skaters in unique and comic costumes attracted another 800 spectators. At Montreal, Jack Warner (who lived at the northeast corner of King and Church Streets) made quite an impression upon ice-racing enthusiasts. In a three-mile contest against Hugh McCormack of St. John, and speedy Frank Dowd of Montreal, Warner was in the lead when fouled by one of his opponents. The report of the Montreal Herald classed Jack Warner as “one of the foremost amateur skaters in Canada.”

The members of the Chebuctos, who for the past year had been grubbing out the rocks and scraggy growth of that portion of Dartmouth Common (now the Arrows’ baseball park), formally opened their grounds in June. The newly-levelled field was encircled with a quarter-mile cinder track and the whole area was surrounded with a high board fence. The home-plate for baseball was in the same position as now in use. West of that point about 50 yards, stood a small club-house. The entrance gates fronted Wyse Road almost in a direct line easterly from the present first base position.

The Chebuctos promoted baseball, lacrosse, cricket, quoits, tennis, football and field sports. This Club held the first road race hereabouts on a Wednesday afternoon in October when Louis A. McKenna won a six-mile contest from Dartmouth to Mrs. Walker’s at Salmon River House in Preston (now Merrick’s). H. D. Creighton was second. On the Saturday following, these two athletes entered among a large field of contestants in a 10-mile road race from the Willow Tree in Halifax to Bedford. Again McKenna won, with Creighton second. When they returned home that evening, both boys were welcomed by an enthusiastic and hurrahing crowd who paraded them in a carriage through Dartmouth streets in an impromptu torchlight procession, with speech-making at corners.

Our summer recreations favored the water. Over 1,000 people were ferried to Lawlor’s Island on a perfect August day where St. Peter’s picnic netted $700 in aid of their proposed new church. The Knockabout Club held their second annual regatta at the lake. The Halifax County Exhibition was held at the Rink in October. That autumn the Salvation Army commenced the erection of their Hall on Portland Street. The Starr Manufacturing Company were building cars for the railway near a siding at the Hamilton field. Harry Watt was foreman. John N. McElmon set up a steam-driven lumber mill at the foot of Canal Street. In this year also liquor licences were abolished, and open bars no longer existed.

There were two disastrous foundry fires in 1887. Mumford’s forge works on the present location of Lambert Mason’s plant was burned down causing a loss of $15,000. No insurance. In December a midnight blaze destroyed Symonds’ Foundry, and threw 35 hands out of employment. The loss was,estimated at $40,000.

The first school banks in Canada originated in Dartmouth that autumn largely through the suggestion and efforts of Town Clerk Elliot. From weekly deposits of one cent and upward, over $1,400 was saved by the scholars in the first year of trial. Later on other centres throughout the Dominion adopted this system.

Nathaniel Russell, ex-Magistrate and one of the prominent leaders in the public life of Dartmouth, died in August. Formerly a staunch supporter of Hon. J. W. Johnston, he later became a strong anti-Confederate. Mr. Russell was a pillar of Grace Methodist Church.

See also the Town of Dartmouth’s Annual Report for 1887:

Annual Report 1887

1886

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

The first passenger service from Dartmouth’s new railway station, commenced on January 6th, 1886. E. M. Walker sent the first lot of freight. Connection was made at Halifax with inward and outward trains. The skating rink continued to be the centre of winter activity with hockey games, carnivals and skating contests. The Chebuctos, Mutuals and Knockabouts were the leading clubs. At Pictou in March, Henry Crowell of Dartmouth won the five-mile professional skating championship of America by defeating Hugh McCormack of St. John. Crowell’s victory was publicized in American sporting journals. This gave Dartmouth much publicity.

The first move towards procuring women’s suffrage in Nova Scotia was taken by the Town of Dartmouth in 1886 when they got an Act through the Provincial Legislature extending to female ratepayers the right to vote at municipal elections. It was effective the following year. Our 1873 Act of Incorporation stated that the privilege of voting was granted to “every male ratepayer.” In other words, widows and spinsters owning property within the Town had no voice in the election of the Town Council. Evidently it was then an unheard of thing for women to be associated with polling booths. In thus extending the franchise to females, Dartmouth led all other Nova Scotia towns and even the capital City of Halifax.

The 70-year-old Steamboat Company sold out in 1886 to a new concern styled the Halifax and Dartmouth Steam Ferry Company. George E. VanBuskirk was chosen Secretary. Many shareholders of the original Company retained their holdings in the new one.

Dalhousie College Governors who were vacating their building on the Grand Parade at Halifax, were offered a 50-acre site free from taxes, if they would locate the College in Dartmouth.

Dartmouth schools held their first Arbor Day in May, when pupils planted some 30 shade-trees around their school buildings. (Probably the sole survivors are the old trees outside the Service Centre.)

Local merchants formed a fund, and engaged livery-stable keeper George Turnbull to operate a one-horse watering-cart in order to alleviate the summer dust nuisance on downtown streets.

Premier Fielding’s Liberal government was returned to power at a Provincial election in June, although Dartmouth gave a majority for the Conservatives. Ex-Warden John Y. Payzarit ran for the latter party, and led the poll in our town.

At the Halifax Firemen’s summer tournament, the Dartmouth department had some unique floats in the torchlight procession. Our fire-fighters defeated teams from seven other Maritime centres in the 300-yard hose-reel race, and George Handley captured second place in two sprinting contests. They won $130, which amount helped defray expenses.

The Knockabout Club held their regatta at First Lake in August,with the following results: Single flat race, G. D. Wilson; Four-oared race, Dustan-Fairbanks crew; Canoe race, MacKay and Dustan; Tub race, K. Fairbanks; Keel-boat race, G. D. Wilson and W. J. Forbes; Hurry-scurry, MacKay and Dustan: (H. R. Walker’s diary calls this “the annual regatta”, indicating it was not the first one. Further search should be made for earlier records of regattas.)

John McKay was in the United States and rowing well. In a single-scull race at Boston he defeated all comers, including such crack oarsmen as Plaisted, Ten Eyck, Hosmer, Conley and nine other contestants. (The McKay family then lived at 13 Prince Street.)

The beautiful golden gates, still hanging at the entrance to Point Pleasant Park in Halifax, were manufactured at the Starr Works that year. The gates were the gift of Sir William Young, and the Dartmouth design was the best in a nation-wide competition.

W. H. Greene moved from John Skerry’s old Inn, and erected a stable for 30 horses, and a four-storey residence and office for his livery, coal, wood and trucking business at the present location of the Metropolitan Stores on Commercial St. H. H. Harrison built a house at the northwest corner of Burton’s Hill.

Dominick Farrell sold for $3,500 his house and land at north east corner of King and Portland Streets to Dr. Thomas Milsom.

The upper Canal bridge was built that year and Ochterloney Street restored to its present shape. The route used for the previous 25 years over Bridge Street was now abandoned.

See also the Town of Dartmouth’s Annual Report for 1886:

Annual Report 1886

1885

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

In the winter of 1885, Dartmouth’s new rink attracted enthusiastic crowds to witness our first indoor hockey matches, and to participate in skating carnivals. The management put on three separate carnivals because the cold weather provided ice almost to the end of March.

The steel drawbridge was swung into place, and in March the first locomotive crossed to Dartmouth and steamed down as far as Black Rock. In October the first trainload of sugar went out from Woodside Refinery consigned to Vancouver by an all – Canadian route.

The Riel Rebellion broke out and caused some little excitement, especially when 30 Dartmouth men left for the Northwest in April. The available list of these volunteers included Captain B. A. Weston, Sergeant Wm. Fluke, Piper John “Jock” Patterson; Privates George Chapman, William Chapman, Samuel Chapman, John Meaden, Frank Clark, Starr Hill, Henry Romans, Benjamin Isnor, Edward Griffin, William Leadley, John Conrod, John Hunt, Charles Waterfield, Stewart Gentles, Edward Busby, David Johnston Jr., W. H. Walker, William C. Bishop and James Shrum. Others enlisted for service but were later discharged when hostilities ceased in June.

Dartmouth’s two large schools were now overcrowded. Little children from as far south as Woodside area were obliged to travel the long distance to Park School because Central School taught only higher grades. In the spring of 1885, a primary class for boys was started in the Town Hall, under Miss Bessie Hume.

Meanwhile a lot of land on the Burton estate was purchased for $600, and two-roomed wooden Hawthorne School constructed by John T. Walker. It was called “Ward One School”, and opened in November. Judge James deeded a strip of his field for a street to lead thither from Cole Harbor Road. He named it for his wife who was Harriet Hawthorn. But somebody tagged the letter “e” to the end of the word, and gave us the present misspelling.

More accommodation was obtained by abolishing the high school department at Central, and sending the students to the County Academy at Halifax. The Town also opened another class under Miss Mary Fletcher in the old Dustan house at ‘‘Woodside”, pending the erection of a combined church and school, adjoining “Woodside” on the east, which was being financed by the Sugar Refinery. In later years this building was moved near the plant.

1884

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

In 1884, Dartmouth along with other centres adopted Standard Time of the 60th meridian. Timepieces were advanced 14 minutes before noon on March 1st. Louis D. Robinson resigned as Principal of Schools, and was succeeded by H. S. Congdon. William Mac-Kenzie became Chief of the two-man police force, in place of Robert Lehan.

Construction of the railway bridge at the Narrows began that spring. M. J. Hogan of Quebec was the contractor for the timber and trestle work. The Starr Manufacturing Company under the supervision of John Forbes, made the 200-foot swinging drawbridge. Duncan Waddell did the stone work. One of his divers, Edward Whebby, recently returned from Honolulu, was the first casualty. After working in 20 fathoms of water, he complained of being unwell and died within a few hours.

On Dartmouth side, the first sod for the railway was turned at Stairs’ wharf on July 1st. Hundreds of navvies and scores of teams were employed as the work progressed. By September they were evidently in the vicinity of the Mill Cove, for a report of that date said that the cutting down of the banks revealed the presence of human bones. At one place a coffin was unearthed with a cannon ball on top. Nothing remained inside but the skull and some mouldering bones, a heavy gold ring and a few coins. One was an Irish penny dated 1781. To the south of Old Ferry wharf, were found two skeletons, one skull measuring 26 inches, and the large thigh bones showed that there were giants in those days. The other skull had the teeth nearly intact, one being filled with gold.

Bones are being turned out in every direction to the eastward of the town-plot, which was known as the plague graveyard when the [Mi’kmaq] died in large numbers owing to the scurvy being brought among them by the French, and also by the deaths of French discoverers who died there in hundreds previous to the settlement of Halifax, said the report.

1883

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

Ex-Councilor John F. Stairs of “Northbrook” became Warden of Dartmouth in May of 1883. In July he was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as one of the Conservative representatives for Halifax County. Never before nor since has a Dartmouth resident performed such a dual function.

After twenty years of earnest effort on the part of George G. Dustan, construction of the Woodside Refinery was commenced that year. The cornerstone was laid on July 3rd by Mrs. Dustan at the northeast corner of the building. Granite from the Northwest Arm was used in the foundation with the addition of large flagstones from the Beaver Bank quarries of Duncan Waddell. Contractor S. M. Brookfield had about 170 men on the job.

On the main highway, Refinery officials were planning the erection of rows of “Company houses” similar to the project at the Ropeworks. A few hundred yards to the north, a large reservoir was being built, but the main water supply was drawn through pipes from Maynard’s Lake. There was also considerable activity evident in the present North Woodside section where more lots bordering the forested roadside were being staked-off for dwellings.

Dartmouth Councilors met with the Minister of Railways in June when both parties signed an agreement regarding the Town’s $4,000 annual subsidy in return for railway extension into Dartmouth. Engineers surveyed an overland line from Bedford, but eventually decided on a railway bridge route across the Narrows.

In August a four-page weekly called the “Dartmouth Times” with headquarters in George Craig’s building, was commenced by James A. Halliday. This newspaper lasted nearly two years, and has recorded in its columns valuable local history of that period.

For instance the early issues tell us that by 1883 there were two telephone cables from Halifax, and that on June 1st of that year a “Central” office was set up in the livery stable office and residence of William H. Isnor on the present location of the Nova Scotia Light & Power Company at Commercial Street. At that time the following places in Dartmouth had telephones installed:

Oland’s Brewery, Ropeworks, John F. Stairs’ residence near Ropeworks, Symonds’ Foundry, Starr Mfg. Co., Mott’s Factory, Mount Hope Asylum and the Sugar Refinery. All these were in direct communication with the Bell Telephone system at Halifax.

1882

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

In the winter of 1882 the dreaded smallpox made its appearance in the home of ex-Councillor Maurice Downey. One of his sons and a maid named Catherine O’Neil unexpectedly contracted the disease. Both died.

Despite the fact that the Federal Government was now extending railway tracks from North Street to Cornwallis Street, and buying up Halifax waterfront property for a grain elevator and piers at Deep Water, Dartmouth people persisted in their efforts to obtain railway connection. At an expense of $101.24 they sent Warden John Y. Payzant and Councillor Benjamin Russell to Ottawa for another attempt. Upon their return these delegates reported that there was no prospect whatever of any government assistance in the matter.

Backward weather that April recalled to old residents the hard winter of 1816-1817 when Bedford Basin froze so solidly that the ice was passable for heavy sleighs until the 15th of that month. Traffic over the Eastern Passage continued until the 25th, they said.

Other items in newspapers of 1882 record the destruction by fire in April of Mumford’s Machine Shop, north of the “Barracks”. About the same time a monster whale made its appearance near Dartmouth ferry wharf. Some 20 feet of the mammal showed above water.

Early in 1882 a number of local artisans, mostly shipwrights, left here for Honolulu to work at building a marine railway. They were engaged for a year by Horace Crandall, who formerly lived in Dartmouth at 37 King Street. The men were Edward Whebby (diver), James Durant, Allan McDonald, Dougald Walsh, Matthew Brennan, Joseph Williams, Alfred Kuhn, Harry Pheener, George Black, John Debaie. Wages were $50 a month and $1 a day for board.

James G. Foster resigned as Town Magistrate and was succeeded by Benjamin Russell. Salary $400. There was a noticeable improvement evident in the order and peace of the town, which condition was attributed to the fact that there were only nine tavern licenses issued in 1882 compared with a high of 19 in the year 1879. The number of court cases tried in 1882 was 99, compared with 234 cases in 1878.

John P. Mott petitioned the Council to grade the sidewalk fronting his “Hazelhurst,, property on Eastern Passage Road where he intended to lay a plank sidewalk.

Contractor John T. Walker built a four-room addition to Central School that year at a cost of $1,200. He also constructed the Peter Douglass’ house on Windmill Road, and Christ Church rectory in the shelter of the cliff on Wentworth Street.

A granite street-crossing was laid from Jennett’s crockery-ware store on Portland Street to the Post Office corner directly opposite. School teacher C. E. McKenzie resigned his position, and was succeeded by Harris S. Congdon of Port Williams. The school enrolment was now 745. Dartmouth Agricultural Society held their second annual Exhibition at the Reform Club Hall in September. John E. Leadley advertised for sale the stock and plant of Dartmouth Foundry in Mill Cove, known as Leadley and Cobb’s.

1881

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

The hopes of our citizens for a branch railway were greatly stimulated early in 1881 when information came from Ottawa that lengthy correspondence between Sir Charles Tupper, the Minister of Railways, and Sir Hugh Allan had been tabled in the House of Commons. The letters revealed that the Allan Line had proposed to the Government that if the latter extended the Intercolonial railway from Windsor Junction and erected the necessary terminus and depot at Dartmouth, then the Allan Line would spend about $250,000 on our side of the harbor. The Company agreed to construct a grain elevator and build wharves suitable for large shipping traffic if the Government would guarantee the Allan Line a certain percentage of ocean freight carried by the railway to and from this port, together with a 20-year contract for the English mails.

The Town Council alerted themselves to this opportunity and at once delegated John F. Stairs and W. S. Symonds to interview Sir Charles Tupper at Ottawa in behalf of the Allan Line project Upon their return the delegates reported at a town meeting that Sir Charles had asked what aid Dartmouth would give in the way of providing terminal facilities. They further reported that Railway Manager Pottinger was not favorable to the plan. At Montreal Sir Hugh Allan told Mr. Symonds that there was not sufficient space available an Halifax waterfront, and if his Company spent any money in this port, it would be on Dartmouth side.

The Dartmouth meeting thereupon passed a resolution in favor of making a grant of land or of money to the value of $25,000 for railway purposes. At a subsequent meeting of ratepayers in April, a standing offer of $4,000 per year for 20 years was made available to any Government or any Company who would build a railway line from Windsor Junction to Dartmouth.

Dartmouth lost its School Principal in January when Alexander McKay resigned to accept a position at the Halifax County Academy. L. D. Robinson was appointed as Mr. McKay’s successor. The Town Council paid a tribute to the latter’s long and progressive service. He was then about 38 years of age.

The first known instance of high-priced blackmail in Dartmouth happened early in 1881 when an unsigned letter written in pencil, and postmarked at Halifax, Friday, January 21st, reached the local Post Office, then located at the southwest corner of Portland and King Streets. It was addressed to John P. Mott, the wealthy manufacturer, and read as follows:

I am in urgent need of six hundred dollars which I must have before Tuesday or I will be ruined and as I have an old grudge against you an know you to have plenty I am forced to demand it of you and if you ignore the proposition that I am about to make or place it in the hands of Detectives I will shoot you dead before the expiration of a month. Just as sure as you are born I will do it get six $600.00 hundred dollars in gold pieces and bring it over in the eight o’clock boat on Monday night next and take it in the smoking room and put it behind the door on the floor do not tell anyone about it or have anyone watching or by the earth that is under me I swear you will repent it, roll it up well in some old rags and shove it well in the corner and mind no one sees you put it there.

Mr. Mott subsequently showed the letter to the Halifax Chief of Police, and as a result Detective Power was put on the case. It was decided to follow the instructions in the blackmailer’s letter except that copper coins should be enclosed in the package of money instead of the specified gold pieces. (The one-cent coin was then about as large as a 25-cent piece of today.)

On the appointed Monday night as John P. Mott was approaching the steamboat wharf at Dartmouth, he noticed a rather well-dressed stranger who seemed to be following him at a distance.

He then boarded the boat and entered the smoking-cabin where the only occupant was an unkempt drunken-looking fellow with a ragged potato sack by his side, slumped sleepily over a seat in a darkened corner near the door. In the designated spot near the middle of the steamer, Mr. Mott deposited the package, and continued through to the far end of the boat. At Halifax he proceeded uptown. The well-dressed stranger also disembarked, but after a few minutes went back on board for the return trip.

When the steamer docked at Dartmouth, the stranger lagged behind the few other passengers nearly up to the ferry gates. Then all at once he retraced his steps, and headed straight back to the hiding place in the smoking-cabin where he quickly scooped up the money package.

He had just gotten outside the exit door when the drunken-looking fellow in the corner sprang into action and grasped the culprit by the shoulder. It was Detective Nicholas Power!

The prisoner gave his occupation as that of a seaman. Court records reveal that he was later acquitted of any charge.

John Cleverdon’s old mine pit was re-opened that spring. Much of the quartz and rock excavation heaped upon the ground 40 years previously had since been used to bed the swampy street near the Common. However from the remaining pieces in the vicinity, several rich specimens of gold were now being extracted. (The swampy street was probably the level section of Park Ave.)

Prominent Dartmouth men headed by Councillor John Markle then eagerly staked out claims, fenced-in the surrounding area, and had the Cleverdon shaft mined to a depth of 100 feet. Evidently their hopes and their prospects soon petered out, for they abandoned the undertaking in July. The shaft was then partly refilled and converted into a public well for fire and domestic purposes.

Dartmouth experienced a bad smallpox scare that summer. In June a Chezzetcook man named Richard living on Pine Street contracted the disease, it was said, from handling discarded mattresses and wearing clothing which occasionally drifted ashore probably from ships at the quarantine grounds in the harbor.

In less than 24 hours the Board of Health had John T. Walker erect a temporary hospital on the Common Field whither the sick man and his family were removed. Soon the wife and children were

stricken. Then another case broke out near First Lake. This patient was a man who had previously lived in the Pine Street house. Richard did not improve and died within a week. The others gradually recovered, however, and by the end of August were able to return home to Chezzetcook. The expense of this short-lived epidemic amounted to about $800.

In October 1881 Halifax harbor was spanned over the surface. The spanning was done with a rope, but it marked the beginnings of the first bridge. Railway engineers who made the experiment, had been provided with a lengthy rope by John F. Stairs, Manager of Dartmouth Ropeworks. The line was stretched from shore to shore across the Narrows in the vicinity of Tufts’ Cove.

Construction work in 1881 included a two-storey bowling alley and billiard hall for George Craig adjoining his premises on Water Street. A three-storey tinsmith shop and stove store was erected for John Ritchie & Co., at the southeast corner of Dundas and Portland Streets.

George Misener made the first piano in Dartmouth at his woodworking plant opposite the school on Quarrell St. The first telephone cable was laid across the Narrows to Dartmouth. John T. Walker erected for E. M. Walker a new residence at the southwest corner of Edward and Ochterloney Streets. It was equipped with modern electric bells, and cost about $4,000.

1880

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

The Court of Quarter Sessions was abolished in 1879, and the administration of rural affairs was taken over by a County Council which first convened in January 1880. James L. Griffin, of Preston Road* was the first elected representative for District 30, and John G. Bissett was elected in District 31.

The first telephones in Dartmouth were installed between 1879-1880 at the Ropeworks and at Mott’s Factory. The wires were attached to telegraph poles from Halifax through Bedford and Waverley. From there to Dartmouth it is thought that new polon were erected, and some tree trunks were used. By May of 1880; four new subscribers had been listed, viz., Oland’s Brewery, Symonds’ Foundry, Marine Slip and Starr Manufactory,

The first Board of Health in Dartmouth was established in January 1880 when the Government empowered the Town Council to act in that capacity. The necessity for such an organization arose from an epidemic of typhoid among the poor. Already the disease had caused five deaths in colored families at the “Barracks” where menacing sanitary conditions existed. For instance, slop water used to be thrown out upon the ground, as it was no doubt thrown upon other areas which drained into public and private wells throughout the town.

The spread of the fever now occasioned considerable alarm, and emphasized the need of an improved water supply. During the previous summer, the Water Committee of the Town Council had expensive surveys made of a route from Lake Lamont, and had obtained estimates as to costs of pipe and hydrants. This information was submitted to a special meeting of ratepayers in February along with a resolution that the construction of a water and sewerage system be commenced.

It will be remembered that the Water Act of 1876 authorized an expenditure of $33,000 for such a system. Bonds had since been sold to the value of $8,000, and $6,300 of this amount was already disbursed. But a water system would involve the borrowing of much more money than the sum previously authorized. At the ratepayers meeting therefore, the majority of those present expressed their unwillingness to assume any further financial burden at that time, and voted for a postponement of the project.

Canada’s Governor-General, who was the Marquis of Lorne, made an unofficial visit to Dartmouth on February 3rd. In company with Lieutenant-Governor Archibald, His Excellency went through the Starr Works where he was presented with pairs of skates for Princess Louise and for himself. The party next visited

*At that time Squire Griffin was still conducting the Inn at the northwest angle of Governor Street and 7 Highway. The old house was destroyed by fire in 1956, the Ropewalk where they witnessed the making of a coil of manilla. Finally they drove down to Oland’s Brewery, inspected the premises, tasted the beer, and returned to Halifax.

That winter was a lucky one for local icemen. Our lakes yielded a steady supply of exceptional quality, whereas the ice crop in the New England States was a failure. The firms of Glendenning, Chittick Carter, Hutchinson, Lawlor and Waddell stacked their ice-houses to the rafters with the heavy crystal cubes; and even filled vacant buildings near the harbor shore. Glendennings had an additional ice-house at Maynard’s Lake, and another one just south of Campbell’s yard on the waterfront.

During the summer and autumn it was a common sight to see schooners and square-riggers being loaded with ice on both sides of Campbell’s wharf and at Lawlor’s wharf next north. Cargoes were usually destined for large American ports. As the season progressed, the price advanced from $4 to $7 a ton in New York. The Dartmouth crop was about 20,000 tons.

W. P. Chisholm resigned from the teaching staff that term and was succeeded by L. D. Robinson of Aylesford. The $50 a year lease held by the Town on St. Peter’s 40-year old school house was given up, and Miss O’Toole’s pupils absorbed into the larger schools. No provision was made for Miss O’Toole.

At school closing in July the leaders in order of merit in Mr. McKay’s class were Gilbert Dolliver, Annie Hume, Alfred Seccombe, Alexander Morrison, Martha Chisholm, Gilbert Troop.

Leaders in Mr. Chisholm’s department were Katie Power, William Gentles, Joseph Weeks, Jessie Shute. In Miss Findlay’s room were Bertie Payzant, Walter Forbes, and Nellie Hurley.

The bathing beach at Sandy Cove opened in July, and attracted hundreds every fine day. A steam launch ran from the Market Wharf in Halifax conveying patrons for 15 cents return fare, plus the use of a bathing house. Ladies and children only were admitted on the premises during the morning hours. For the remainder of the day, it was open to the public.

The Reform Club Hall, known to later generations as the Royal Theatre, and the largest auditorium in town for some years, was built in 1880 on the location of Harry Webber’s present house at 75 King Street. Edward Gorman was the contractor. On the eastern side of Windmill Road northward from Henry Street, John T. Walker erected three large houses for Councillor John Oland, Conrad Oland and their brother-in-law, John Jago.

Properties up for sale that year included the Esdaile house; Hoyne’s Hotel, then being operated by Mr. Morell; the Octagon House, built by Gavin Holliday of the Starr Factory; John Forbes’ “Lakeside” (now Beechmount Apartments), which had a 300 gallon rain-water tank in the attic; and the Porto Bello Hotel with acres of land and outbuildings which went for $2,013.

The eleven-month mystery surrounding the fate of Hugh Greene, who disappeared the previous autumn, was solved in September 1880. Two boys wandering along an abandoned road near Grand Lake found the skeletal remains of his body in a sitting position against a tree trunk, as if the old gentleman had fallen asleep. Identification was proved by a watch and chain found in his clothing.

1879

by

From The Story of Dartmouth, by John P. Martin:

Although the exodus of young people seeking work in the United States continued, and there were several houses for sale or let in 1879, yet the industrial situation seemed to be improving.

The annual output of the Starr Factory was about 40,000 pairs of skates and many of these were shipped to the United States and to Europe. Of late years German competition was beginning to threaten their sales. About this time they commenced the manufacture of shovels, and the firm continually submitted tenders on government bridge-building projects. Among local jobs completed by the Starr Factory in 1879 was the making and setting-up of iron vaults and doors for the new Merchants Bank at Halifax. (Now Royal Bank.)

Aggressive Dartmouthians kept up their agitation for a railway that spring. There was talk in the air that the Allan line might build piers in Dartmouth if railroad connections were made available. At a public meeting held in April 1879, resolutions were passed memorializing the Dominion Government on the subject of building a branch line from Windsor Junction. About that time also, steps were taken to beautify the town when the Council encouraged the planting of shade-trees by abating taxes on property so ornamented. The tax rate was $1.05 compared with a 75 cent rate in the first year of incorporation. The estimate expeditures for the municipal year beginning May 1st, was $16,882. An amount was to be asked for the purchase of Lake Loon, and $200 was voted to build a school-house for [black] children. J. G. Foster became Town Magistrate.

Perhaps the biggest construction job that year was the $1,990 contract for a new Baptist Church on King Street built by Rhodes Curry and Co. of Amherst. This Gothic-style edifice occupied the site of the original Church which was then removed to the rear to be used for Sunday School classes.

About the same time, the lofty three-storey structure at the southwest corner of Portland and Prince Street was built for Mrs. Isabelle Lawlor. (This is now Chisling’s corner.)

The present Lesbirel building on Commercial Street was erected for George Craig, the barber-photographer, by Contractor John T. Walker, also in 1879. This soon became the leading tonsorial parlor in town and was patronized by leading citizens. Mr. Craig possessed considerable talent and ambition. As a young man he worked regularly as a factory hand in the Ropeworks, and employed his nightly leisure learning the barbering trade. Barber shops then kept open evenings, and also on Sunday mornings to serve Saturday midnight shop-workers.

Safety razors were 40 years away. The danger and difficulty of manipulating straight-edge razors did not encourage the majority of males to practise the fine art of shaving, with the result that many a man made frequent visits to his chosen barber-shop where his private shaving-mug was held in readiness. Shaves were seven cents. Most adults grew moustaches, sometimes sideburns. A haircut on Saturday night was generally taboo, even though long waits were of little consequence. Spending an hour or so in a group where everybody knew one another was an entertainment in itself, especially with a punster like George Craig steering the conversation.

The masculine privacy of 19th century barber-shops was seldom violated by the presence of women. Occasionally of an afternoon, some fond mother whose young hopeful needed a haircut, might be seen herding the little fellow past the customary row of spittoons to a distant seat where both were isolated from the men-folk, over whom an awed silence would generally descend.

The unsolved mystery of Dr. John McDonald, was brought again to public attention in 1879 when a human skull was found underground in the cellar-kitchen of the house where the Doctor once lived on Blockhouse Hill. For a time the incident aroused considerable excitement among older residents who now felt there was sufficient proof that Dr. McDonald had been murdered in that house. At the ensuing inquest, however, a former occupant, Mrs. Mary Loner declared that the skull had been given her by the widow of Dr. John Slayter, and that she had hidden it in the ground some years previously. Dr. W. H. Weeks also stated that he recognized the skull as the one belonging to Dr. Slayter, and it was supposed to be the head of one of the “Saladin” pirates who were hanged in 1844.

In October, Dartmouth had another mystery on its hands. Hugh Greene well-known resident and former inn-keeper at Skerry’s Corner was listed as missing. His family organized search-parties to scour the woods for some days until tidings came that the old man had eaten dinner at Nichols Hotel at Grand Lake on the 18th. More parties continued the search in that area, and only abandoned their attempts when it was felt that Mr. Greene must have frozen to death or been drowned.

County Magistrate Andrew Shiels, best known as “Albyn,” died in his 88th year at his residence 114 Ochterloney Street in November. His first blacksmith shop was set up near the ferry wharf in Halifax. In the volume of Albyn’s poetry available at the Provincial Archives, appear the following lines deploring the fact that the sacrifices of early settlers are not better remembered:

Lo! even in Quakertown, the fiendish raid Is quite forgotten that the Micmacs made;

And all the legends which it once could boast Have, with itself in Dartmouth, long been lost!

Nor is there any vestige left that says,

Where stood the Blockhouse in the former days.

By 1879 several telephones had been installed in business houses and offices of Halifax. The first telephone line in Dartmouth was a private wire strung that autumn from the residence of John P. Mott at Hazelhurst to one of his factory buildings about 150 yards southward.

In the shipbuilding line, Eben Moseley built a 32-ton schooner called the “Mora.” Alexander Forsyth acquired the grocery establishment in the new shop and residence at the present 85 Commercial Street which had been previously erected by E. L. Coleman. The latter lost the property in a Sheriff’s sale. At the northeast corner of Pine and Ochterloney Streets, an unoccupied house belonging to Alexander Richard was destroyed by fire.

Dartmouth deaths in 1879 included Olivia, 28 years, wife of John Greene, Portland Street jeweler; Anne 61, wife of David Falconer at “Greenvale”; Charlotte, wife of S. P. Fairbanks, Eastern Passage Road (Woodside); Mary Ann 24, wife of Peter O’Hearn, Halifax schoolteacher; Charlotte Donig, 53, wife of John Mansfield; Mary 92, widow of James Collins, Portland Street; Elizabeth 78, widow of Michael Waddell, Blockhouse Hill; Barbara 69, widow of John Jackson; Louise 70, widow and second wife of ex-Premier James W. Johnston, died at residence of her stepson at “Sunnyside”; Stephen Faulkner 66, Dundas Street; Francis Young 67, shipbuilder; Sackville McKay 73, Ochterloney Street; Daniel Sullivan 52, Austenville; Jeremiah Donovan 79; Henry Monohan 39, Porto Bello Road at Port Wallace.

Page 5 of 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 … 15