Off to Malagash Salt Mine

     In 1939 Stephen Kinch, son of Martin & Theresa (Walsh) Kinch of Alma, and Harold Jeffery, son of Louis & Annie Jane (Cannon) Jeffery of Lauretta, left their homes on their bicycles, off to find work in the Malagash Salt Mine in Malagash, Nova Scotia - they traveled the whole distance on their bikes.  According to MapQuest, on today's roads, that's a distance of 262 miles from Alma to Malagash. 
     Harold was 18-years-old in June 1939 that year - he worked in the mines for 2-1/2 years.  Expecting to be called to serve in WWII, he left Malagash and came back to Lauretta to wait for the call.  He was in the army for 3-1/2 years - training in western Canada and did not serve overseas. 
     Martin also went on to fight in WWII.

Above: a bicycle similar to those sold in the 1930's

cf. Google Images.
http://www.autogallery.org.ru/adler.htm

     The Malagash Salt Mine was the first rock salt mine in Canada.  It opened in 1918 and closed in 1959.

Above: Malagash Salt Mine c.1930s

cf. http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/histoires_de_chez_nous-community_memories/pm_v2.php?lg=English&ex=00000308&fl=0&id=exhibit_home