Celebrating Our Heritage / G. E. Dawson's History
G. E. Dawson’s History
George Eliot Dawson was a coal miner, raconteur, and an historian. He took great pride in the town of Westville and wanted to preserve its past. He has left us a legacy of notes on the evolution of the town from its very beginning. His notes are filled with his keen concern for detail and sprinkled with glimpse of his clever wit. In the following pages we reprint with permission from his family notes from those he wrote for Centennial Year, 1967, and some remarks contained in an interview of 1981.
Discovery of Coal – 1865
The Great Seam was discovered by John Campbell in 1865. He went to Halifax to peddle his find, but in vain. Among the sagacious Halifax money men of that day, only Hon. Benjamin Weir and Judge Jackson, U.S. Consul, had faith, and each took a quarter interest in Mr. Campbell’s holdings. Later Mr. Weir became discouraged and sold his interests to Shan Morse for 37 pound sterling. Mr. Campbell went to Montreal and succeeded in interesting Mr. Drummond, son-in-law of Mr. Redpath, a sugar refiner, also the House of Molson, and others, who organized the original Intercolonial Coal Mining Company with a capital of $500,000
The president was G.A. Drummond of Montreal, who was chairman of the inauguration ball held in the Masonic Hall, Pictou, on Thursday evening October 1, 1868, to celebrate the opening of the Drummond colliery. It was a grand affair. Mr. Dunn, who was manager, invited Mr. Glendenning, president of the Acadia Coal Company of New York, James Hudson, general manager of the G.N.A., Jesse Hoyt, general manager of the Acadia Coal Company, and John Rutherford, chief inspector of mines and later G.N.A. manager, and many other coal tycoons, who came to give a friendly welcome to the Intercolonial Company.
This company entered the county so quietly its presence in general was hardly known in the province.
They completed a seven-mile railway line to Middle River. It was formally opened October 1, 1868. The Drummond pier was built in rainbow shape. The channel at this point was 350 feet. It was 750 feet long and 30 feet wide wit deck 60 feet above low tide. It could load five ships at one time and could handle 1,500 tons per day. The pier was built at a cost of $35,000, which was a lot of money in those days.
Mine Explosion – 1873
There was a terrible explosion on May 13, 1873. Fifty-nine men lost their lives. The first manager, James Dunn, lost his life in this explosion. Names are as follows: John Bounce, John Dunn, Phillip Dunn, George Byrnie, John Campbell, Colin Christholm, Robert Dunbar, James Dunn, John Ellis, Thomas Glenright, Abram Guy, Samuel Hale, John McElvie, Hugh McGillivray, David McNeil, John McNeil, James McPherson, James Ramsey, James Richardson, Angus Smith, John Thoslott, Henry Truman, Archibald Cameron, Kenneth Cameron, James Cummings, Matthew Doyle, William Elliott, Duncan Holliday, Timothy Howitt, Edward Jones, Matthew Manning, D. McDonald, Duncan McRae, John McKitchie, Nicholas O’Brien, Alexander Purves, Jr., John Sinclair, Donald Shaw, John Fraser Taylor. Injured were John Burnett (fatally), George Stewart (fatally), John Dunstan, Patrick O’Brien and several others.
The
Drummond Mine, particulars lost to history
Boiler Explosion – 1914
There was another bad boiler explosion in April 1914, when six men were killed.
The Drummond Slope – 1910
The Drummond slope was one of the longest in the world with a continuous haul. The slope was 9,200 feet long in 1910. The company employed 1,000 men – 700 in the mine and 300 on the surface. The largest number of tons hoisted in one year was 413,000 tons – that was in 1910. Malcolm Blue was manager. The engine drivers were John D. MacKenzie, John Hayman, Jack Rice, George E. Dawson and J.W. Russell. The ropes on these winding engines were 1 ¼ inches and over 9,000 feet long.
First Railway and Locomotives – 1868
The Company’s first railway went down over Bear Brook and joined I.C.R. near the County Home at Riverton. This was torn up in 1868, when the present Drummond sidings were built around 1910.
Results
of the 1914 boiler explosion
The Company had a number of coke ovens and made excellent quality coke. They also had one for the manufacture of fire brick from local fire clay. This plant was funning full blast for a number of years.
James Floyd was mechanical superintendent and under Charles Fergie, and succeeded him as general manager.
The Company built a large number of miners’ houses near the mine. It was called the Drummond Square. Between 75 and 80 families lived there. Rent was $2.50 a month.
Wages paid for a ten-hour for labor were $1 and for boys, 50¢.
The mine opened in 1866 and in 1867 shipped its first coal on its own railway out to Riverton where it joined the I.C.R. This road was built in 1867 and it was torn up in 1868.
The first locomotive engines were “Mary Ann” and “Grasshopper” No. 3 an old Grand Trunk Railway engine, “Henry Budden,” “James P. Cleghorn.” There were several other engines after these.
Henry Thompson Purchases Mine – 1967
The Drummond continued to be the main stay of the town until about 1967 when the Company decided to close the mine or sell out.
The picture looked pretty bad until ex-local boy, Mr. Henry R. Thompson, stepped in and bought the mine. Mr. Thompson, like the writer, had worked for a number of years for the company and much credit is due to him for investing his money so his former fellow workers might continue in employment. I understand just over a hundred men are employed from three to five days a week. I hope the day will come when the old seam can be recovered and Westville come back to prosperity better than ever.
First Citizens – 1850
The first citizens were mostly Lowland Scots from around Coatbridge. These people came out in the early 1850’s and settled at Albion Mines and Cow Bay, now Port Morion. They consisted of Roys, Johnstones, Wilsons, Grays, Hendersons, McNeil's, Morrison's, McPherson's, and Patterson's. Later arrivals were Wrights, MacEwans, Hales and others.
Water Supply – 1895
As the town grew there was a great and urgent need for water, and while nearly every family had a well, still the water supply was poor. Water sold for a cent a bucket and was measured very carefully. Old-timers will remember the old water vendors: Hugh Matheson, Charles Stewart, Malcolm MacNeil and others. The need for water was in large part responsible for the citizens taking a vote of incorporation. George E. Munro was first Mayor, and $60,000 was passed for the purpose of installing a water system.
Early Transportation – 1887
Prior to 1887 when the first passenger trains ran on the Pictou Branch, the only way to leave town was by horse and buggy or on foot. As a result many livery stables were run by Danny Robertson, Arch MacQuarrie, Jim MacCoull, Tom Roy, and Jack Stewart. Freight from Stellarton was hauled by James Andrew Marshall and the mails by Dougald MacIntosh. A parcel and passenger express run every weekday to New Glasgow by John Cameron, Irving Street, father of D.W. Cameron.
The home of
Charles and Beatrice Hicks on Maple Street
,
built in 1909.
William
MacQuarrie had a store across from the old Town Hall on
Church Street. This photo, taken sometime
in the late '30s or early '40s, shows the sled that was used
to deliver groceries in the winter.
Early Businessmen – Doctors
Old-time merchants were George E. Munro, James MacLeod, Thomas J. Gray, John A. MacDonald, Norman Gunn, Duncan Balfour, James Roy & Sons, James Johnstone, Alex MacKenzie, J.H. Oliver, A.R. Munro, Robert MacDonald, Crockett Bros., Hugh MacGregor, A.V. Sutherland, MacDonald and Matheson, R.A. MacDonald, D. Rod MacDonald, Murdock MacKay, Dan W. MacDonald, Alex Graham, Andrew Murray, James D. Munro, H.A. MacQuarrie, James Sutherland, Hugh MacLean, Fred Cameron, Brown & Sangster, Michael Muir, W.A. Reid and R. Fraser.
Old-time barbers were Charles Sullivan, Sr. Charles Sullivan, Jr., Charles Allen, William Morgan, Andrew Brown, Jessie Harris, D.J. Murray, Robert A. Murray, Jeff Thompson, Isaac MacIntosh, Angus Ross, Gordon Marshall, Mert Fraser, Charles Murray, J.L. Johnston, A. MacEachern and John Muir.
Doctors were Jones, Sutherland, Moore, Linton, J.C. MacDonald, Irvin, Bruce and others in later years.
Westville Press – 1894
About 1894 “The Westville Press” was published by Thomas O’Brien. The plant was published by Thomas O’Brien. The plant was destroyed by fire about 1898. The “Free Lance” was founded by Robbie Albert MacDonald and was sold by him to John R. Duff. He in turn sold to Dan McQuaid and he sold to J.W. Sutherland who ran it for many years as well as attending to his duties in the Drummond Office. This plant was later moved to the New Glasgow Evening News offices. It was a distinct loss to the town of Westville, but was dictated by economic conditions.
An old
sketch of the stately Geo. E. Munro building on the left.
The Peak of Prosperity – 1910
In my opinion the year 1910 was the peak of prosperity in the town of Westville.
Sport Notables
Noted always for sport, some will remember the old-time cricketers; John Johnstone, Cookie Johnstone, James Thompson, Sandy Wilson, William Maxwell, Michael Muir, William Gray, Murdock Gray, Jim MacNeil, C. Roy, R.S. Steele and many others.
In later years Westville produced many baseball greats, including John and Burns Dunbar, Bill and Andy Richardson, Cubby Oliver, Dan Macmillan, Jack Darroch and a host of others. In its time Westville also had lacrosse, football and hockey teams.
People of Westville – Traits
Nowhere in Canada can you find a more patient, friendly or homeloving people than in the town of Westville. It has always been unfortunate that so many boys and girls have had to leave Westville to seek opportunity abroad. One can travel from Atlantic to Pacific and will always run across former Westville boys and girls.
Early Hotels
At one time the town had two large and prosperous hotels. The Dufferin later called the Arlington, run by Billy McDonald and Cookie Johnstone, and the Westville House run for years by William Johnstone and his son Jim. Today the site of the Hotel Dufferin is occupied by Wright’s garage; the Westville House by Harris’ store.
The Westville House was built by Mr. Dan Munro and run by him for a number of years, when it was taken over by Johnstone, who ran it for many years.
The Dufferin was built about 1887 by William McDonald and operated by him until his death. It was patronized largely by commercial trade and the many concert companies on the road. Many will remember Sero Lemon, Price Webber, Wilmot Young, Humpty Dumpty, Uncle Tom’s Cabin and dozens of other shows that played the Orange Hall. The hotel was taken over by James (Cookie) Johnstone and operated by him until his death in 1911. It was later operated by Tom Gorman and others, and after a fire in the 20’s was torn down. Westville has not had a hotel since.
Early Bicycles
A few old-timers will remember the old bicycles with a front wheel about 5 feet in diameter, and a very small wheel behind. One was owned by Mr. F.H.S. Calnek of the Acadia Office and the other two by clerks in the Union Store. One of them was in use for many years after the safety bike came into use, and was driven by John R. Duff. The first safety bikes in town were owned by George E. Munro, John Lloyd and Dr. Moore. They had solid tires but after a year bought the first pneumatic-tired bikes and for a decade bikes were popular. In fact, two bicycle liveries did a thriving business.
Celebrated Natives
Westville has had many
native sons of which she can be proud. These are men who
have reached the top in their chosen professions. Among
them are one Supreme Court Judge, many lawyers, doctors,
clergymen, accountants, engineers, mining experts of all
kinds, soldiers, and last but not least, newspaper editors.
The
Dufferin Hotel, circa 1900. (Photograph Collection,
Public Archives of Nova Scotia)
An Interview with George Dawson
Mr. George Elliot Dawson was a loyal, prominent citizen of Westville for many years. He was the author of various articles about the town and one of the first dedicated historians. Much of his work dealt with the mining history of the town.
George Dawson was born in Plymouth, Pictou County, at Viewfield Farm, owned by his parents. His people came from Durham, England, and his father’s mother was the sister of Sir George Eliot, who was the largest coal owner in the world at one time.
The story of the life of this remarkable Westville citizen begins in 1897 when Dawson arrived in the town and enrolled in the local Drummond School. The children did their work on their slates, sitting in the old-style desks with only a stove in the middle of the room for heat.
The new Victoria School then replaced the old Drummond School, which was closed, but later became the clubhouse for the Westville Athletic Association until it was burned a few years later by a group of young boys.
Dawson was a very talented athlete, sporting an impressive record of achievements. He was the only man in Pictou County Hall of Fame who was captain of a championship hockey team; played on a championship football team, cricket team and baseball team. No one in the county had ever done this before. His secret was that he was small and very quick.
One of the greatest days of his life was the occasion of his induction into the Nova Scotia Hall of Fame. He told the people that he was very honoured and recited the following poem;
It is nice to receive
In times like these
When homes are torn apart
This gift of hospitality
Is food for an aching heart.
Dawson’s superb athletic ability was clearly demonstrated one day when a few friends asked him to play baseball after work. Although he had not played the game in two months, he had the longest hit of his entire life that day off a pitch from one of the greatest pitchers in the Maritimes, Jimmy George of Springhill. With a man on first, two outs and two strikes, Dawson hit the ball out of the park and clear over the trees. The pitcher yelled a few choice words at his remarkable feat. When Dawson was a member of the team he played shortstop, second base, third base and outfield. He once played a whole season with only one error.
His home was a showplace for his many trophies and medals won over the years. Although Dawson was well-known as an athlete, he was also recognized for his other interests.
He was the proud owner of a prize poultry flock which he exhibited throughout the province. He was a leader in the poultry business and its organization of producers. He traveled to Ottawa; London, England, Rome and Cleveland Ohio, as a delegate for poultry congresses.
Dawson was also an accomplished gardener who won many prizes for his beautiful plants. For nearly 30 years he was chairman of the monument grounds and donated countless numbers of plants to the area. He also served on the Westville Town Council for many years and was Warden of St. Bees’ Anglican Church. In addition to his personal achievements and community involvement, Dawson worked for 57 years in the Drummond Mine and the Albion Mine (in Stellarton) where he operated a hoist.
In Stellarton, he hoisted the last rake of coal in that town which marked an end to 159 years of mining. One day, after returning home form working at the Drummond where he operated the number four engine, Dawson learned that the boilers had exploded and promptly exclaimed he was the luckiest man in Canada.
When Dawson was a young boy, there was a division in the town which existed mostly among the young people. He recalled many fights on Saturday nights because boys from the lower end of town crossed the tracks and entered the upper end. At the time, Archie Nicholson was the only policeman in town; and probably one very busy policeman.
Dawson also recalled a time when many people took a great interest in the community, especially the Lodges. The Sons of England Lodge had a memorial service every year and afterwards would decorate the graves in Westville.
In Dawson’s long lifetime, many changes in society took place, such as when women were given the right to vote in 1919. But, there was one change for which he was truly thankful.
“One of the greatest bills…God bless the men and women who were given the brains to form it, was the old age security,” he said.
Dawson reflected on the new welfare state that was emerging throughout the country. He Said, “Turn the coin over and you will see complacency with greed had crept into our lives, into our communities and our nation…God help the children that are coming up.”
Dawson also believed that “the greatest sin in the world was neglect. Neglect your home, neglect your community, neglect your god and you lose everything.” On a somewhat brighter note, he said, “There’re three great things to live for; a faith to live by, a purpose to live for, a person to live with.”
Dawson had a profound philosophy of life: “The great clock of life is wound up but once. There’s no man or woman ever been able to tell just when those hands may stop. It may be late, it may be early, but now is the only time we own – right now. So let us all live, love, toil at will for tomorrow those hands might be still.”
Dawson and his wife, Lucy (Hale) Dawson, both lived long lives. On the day of the interview, September 3, 1981, he was up on the ladder fixing the water spout, and, why not? He was only 94 years young and his wife was 90. What, then, is the recipe for a long healthy life? Well, in the words of Dawson himself. “Good physical exercise, good clean food, good rest, contentment and no liquor, no cigarettes, live a good normal life and see that you have enjoyment that will keep you away from worry. Worry put more people in the grave than all the wars ever thought about.”
Dawson was a major contributor to the heritage of Westville and he was proud just to be a good citizen and serve the town as best he could.
Mr. and
Mrs. George E. Dawson