Spurgeon Jeffery killed at St. Louis October 1938

The Summerside Guardian and Prince County Chronicle

October 24, 1938 - Page 7

FATAL ACCIDENT -   A sad accident occurred at St. Louis on Friday afternoon about 5 o’clock resulting in the death of Mr. J. Spurgeon Jeffery of Alma, who was struck by the capstan of the machine used for hauling buildings.  Mr. Jeffery received such severe injuries to his head that he died about 11 o’clock that same evening.  Mr. Jeffery who is known all over the province as a contractor for moving buildings, was on a job at St. Louis moving a dwelling house when something went wrong with the machinery and Mr. Jeffery was struck such a blow on the head with the capsan that he was rendered unconscious.  The men who were working with him called Dr. J.A. Johnson of Tignish; Dr. R.H. Kennedy of Alberton was also called, but it was found that little could be done for him, and he was taken to his home, where he died without regaining consciousness.  The cause of death was a fracture at the base of the skull.  An inquest was not considered necessary.  Mr. Jeffery was a progressive farmer and had one of the best farms in the district of Alma.  He had operated a house moving outfit for many years and had moved many buildings all over the province.  One of the buildings moved by him was the Roman Catholic Church at Souris.  He was a member of the Anglican Church and an excellent citizen, and his death is a distinct loss to the community.  He was 75 years of age and leaves his wife formerly Miss Dorcas Collicutt of Lot 7, one son, George, and one daughter Eva; also a brother Rev. George A. Jeffery of Summerside, to all of whom much sympathy is extended in their sad bereavement.  The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon from his late residence to Holy Trinity Church at Alma, Rev. Wm. J. Phillips officiated at the service.  –S

Info cf. http://islandnewspapers.ca/islandora/object/guardian%3A19381024-007?solr[query]=Jeffery&solr[params][defType]=dismax&solr[params][facet]=true&solr[params][facet.mincount]=0&solr[params][facet.limit]=20&solr[params][facet.field][0]=PARENT_century_s&solr[params][facet.field][1]=PARENT_decade_s&solr[params][facet.field][2]=PARENT_year_s&solr[params][facet.field][3]=PARENT_month_s&solr[params][qt]=standard&solr[params][facet.date][0]=PARENT_dateIssued_dt&solr[params][f.PARENT_dateIssued_dt.facet.date.start]=NOW/YEAR-120YEARS&solr[params][f.PARENT_dateIssued_dt.facet.date.end]=NOW&solr[params][f.PARENT_dateIssued_dt.facet.date.gap]=%2B1YEAR&solr[params][f.PARENT_dateIssued_dt.facet.mincount]=0&solr[params][facet.date.start]=NOW/YEAR-20YEARS&solr[params][facet.date.end]=NOW&solr[params][facet.date.gap]=%2B1YEAR&solr[params][fq][0]=PARENT_decade_s%3A%221930%22&solr[params][qf]=OCR_t%5E10.0

Hayes Paving Co., Alma

        

Above: Hayes Paving Co. - note Alma Baptist Church on the left in Background.

Photo cf. Donna Barbour MacPhee Collection

            Hayes Paving Co. began operations in Alma around 1956 with the building of a work yard which had crushing machines, an asphalt plant, workshops, stockpiles, etc.  This was located on the Western Road where the Cheese Factory Road meets the western Road next to the railroad tracks.  
            Stanford and Gertrude McNeill leased the land to Hayes Paving Co. - this farmland once belonged to Pat MacIntyre - the farmhouse and buildings were located where George MacNeill's house is today.

            The plant was situated to take advantage of rail transportation to bring in tar and gravel.   Hayes had their own rail siding, number D68A – the public siding was a few hundred feet northward by Centerline Road and numbered D68B.

            Many local and nearby men worked at Hayes Paving Co. – to name a few: Keith Bowness (night watchman), Ralph Costain, Ernie Currie, Ralph Duggan, Isaac Dunbar, Clarence Dunn, Wilfred Dunn, Ken Graham, Irving Henderson, Sandy MacLean, Lem MacLellan, Stanford McNeill, Earl Matthews, Jimmy Rix.  

            When Hayes moved in the parishioners of the Alma Baptist Church thought the plant too close to the church - the plant produced alot of dust and pollution.   

            When the old Alma train flag station was closed it was sold to Archie Dunbar who later sold it to Hayes who used it as a shortage shed ( see earlier blogpost http://almalauretta.blogspot.ca/2012/03/hi-construction-in-alma-leveled-in.html ).

            Hayes Paving Co. was sold to H.I. Construction in the early 1990's – it was operated by the Dawson family of Crapaud who carried on road construction here.   In peak season the operation employed near 30 people.   In the spring of 2013 H.I. Construction closed and sold to local interests.  

Changes in 2013

     In 2013 three life-long residents of Alma, elders of the community, moved to nearby towns = Willie & Wanda Dunbar; Wilbert & Verna Jeffery; and Barbara Rayner.

     Willie was born, raised (with three brothers) and spent most of his life on the family farm on the Dunbar Road - living there for more than 70 years.  Willie farmed here along with driving the school bus.  Willie and Wanda sold the house and barns in the summer of 2013 and moved to O'Leary.

     Wilbert was brought up in Lauretta on a family farm with seven siblings.  Shortly after marrying Verna they bought David & Bessie Jeffery's farm the summer of 1963 following David's death.  It's at the corner of Centerline and Dunbar Roads.  Wilbert and Verna lived here 50 years raising seven children. They moved to Alberton in May 2013 - now renting the farm as a Holiday House.  

     Barbara was born, raised and spent her life here on the family farm at Alma corner - having lived there for more than 70 years.  She was an only child.  Barbara and John farmed as well, Barbara taught school and John drove the school bus - they raised three children.  Following John's death she moved to Alberton, having tenants in the house for the winter.

Centerline Rd. trees support St. Simon St. Jude roof - 1856

    When St. Simon St. Jude Catholic Church commenced construction in 1856, the priest came to the Centerline Road in Alma to select the largest trees for the churches 12 interior columns - these were likely old growth pine trees.

 Above: St. Simon St. Jude interior.  Image cf. www.googleimages.com

Below: Excerpt from Parish Brochure 2002

Joseph/Isaac/Willie Dunbar Homestead

     The following information comes from Historic Places website.

Information cf.
http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=9811&pid=0

DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE

The Orchard Brook Farm is a 120 acre property which has been in the Dunbar family since 1896. It includes a centre gable style farmhouse, a large rectangular barn, a former carriage house, and other outbuildings. It is located about eight kilometres north of Alberton in the rural community of Alma. The registration includes the house, barn, and former carriage house.

HERITAGE VALUE

The farm is valued for its association with the Dunbar family; for its remaining house and outbuildings; and for its contribution to the rural community of Alma.

Joseph Dunbar purchased 120 acres of woodland in Alma in the 1880s. By 1891, he had constructed the current barn and by 1896, the current house was built all from lumber harvested on the property. The former carriage house was erected in 1915. It was later used as a grainery, wood shed, and for farm machinery storage.

Dunbar operated a mixed farm consisting of dairy cows, pigs, sheep, and horses. Grain was grown in neighbouring fields and an orchard was established on the property. He was active in beginning the Farmers' Institute in the area and had a strong interest in the co-operative movement. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene and services were often held in the house and accomodation was provided to ministers before the church became established in the community.

By 1935, his son, Isaac Dunbar began operating the farm. In the 1950s, the farm was the scene of community gatherings where local musicians would perform. One of these was Isaac's son, who operated the farm since 1980.

In 1998, when the province was celebrating its 125th year in Confederation, the farm was given the title "Century Farm". It has also earned local heritage awards.

The centre gable style house has some modern changes, such as vinyl siding, but it retains other original elements such as the eave returns and verandah with turned posts and fretwork decoration. The large barn and former carriage house are typical of vernacular structures built on PEI. They feature an array of two-over-two windows.

With its long history in the community, the Orchard Brook Farm continues to be a reminder of the strong agricultural roots of the area.

Letter from Geo. Jeffery to brother Spurgeon Jeffery - 1923

[ Letter from George A. Jeffery (Christ Church minister) to his brother, John Spurgeon Jeffery, Alma ]

                                                   New London, Iowa, U.S.A. - January 27, 1923

My dear brother Spurgeon and family.

     Doubtless, you will be wondering what has become of us…

     When I made you the short visit last May it was my intention to make a longer visit with you in the fall.  However, I could not do so.  My work was of such a nature that it kept me at the helm all the time.  I had a very successful summer in the evangelistic field.  I did not finish until the 5th of Nov.  As it was looking wintry, Mrs. and I. thought we had

better make tracks for a warmer, and less stormy zone.  My last meeting was about 20 miles from St. John,  Mrs. J. was with me there, so we decided to pull up at once without a return visit to P.E.I.  Mrs. J. very frequently speak of the lovely visit she had with you all…

   ...Is Stephen still at David's or did David sell the old home.  If he has not, I somehow think he will before many years.  I presume his wife would rather live in Nova Scotia. As she would be among her own people.

     When I was there last May, I walked over the old farm, and somehow it impressed me that the land is poor, possibly I was mistaken.  My, how the whole country around seemed to have changed.  As I walked over the old place, a thought like this came to me.  When shall I walk over this ground again?  Oh, who knows the future?

   ...The first stormy day set down and write me.  I want to know how the boys all are.  Where they are, and what they are doing…

     Hoping this will find its way to you over all the snow drifts and banks.

Yours lovingly, George

     Above: Jeffery Homestead, standing beside old barn, looking to the back fields running alongside the Dunbar Road.  Willie Dunbar's farm is to  the far left.

John Ross *Jack* Donald Obituary

1923-2013

     Peacefully at the Western Hospital, Alberton, on Friday, August 23, 2013, with his loving family by his side, of John Ross (Jack) Donald, beloved husband of Marion Sophie (nee Barbour) Donald of 494 Marchbank Road, Montrose, P.E.I., age 90 years. 

      Born at Alma, P.E.I., on June 1, 1923, he was the son of the late Wallace Earl and Annie Isabel (nee Cole) Donald. 

     Loving father to Darrell (Tracey) Donald of Montrose, and Della (Dennis) Rix of St. Lawrence. Cherished grandfather of Taylor Donald and Sophie, Jenna and Jake Rix. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Wanda Matthews, Grace Donald, Betty Donald, Carol Donald and Mary Beth Donald. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews. 

    He was predeceased by siblings, Rae Donald, Leigh Donald, Isabel Weeks, Verna Donald, Jean Turner, James Donald and Wallace (Bill) Donald.

     Resting at the Rooney Funeral Home, Alberton. Visiting hours Monday, August 27th, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral on Tuesday afternoon from the Gordon Memorial United Church, Alberton, for funeral service at 2:00 p.m., Rev. Lynn McKinnon officiating. Interment to take place at Montrose United Church Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy memorials to the Montrose United Church Restoration Fund or to the Western Hospital Equipment Fund would be gratefully appreciated.