THE BECK BULLETIN

Number 42 December 1, 2005

A CONTINUING INTEREST IN POLITICS

By Callum Beck (1.4.3B.7.3.3.)

In my PhD research I have accidentally stumbled upon several newspaper references to the original Vere Beck, our original forefather. The first references occurred in a very heated political time on PEI. The source for this information is a news report in the Islander newspaper of Aug 27, 1847, and two letters in the same paper (Sept 24, 1847 and Jan 7, 1848) by John Dalziel.
First, some background. The representative for 3rd Kings was John LeLacheur, a colourful, opinionated, no nonsense guy. He was an ardent supporter of land reform, and also of then Lieutenant Governor Henry Vere Huntley. LeLacheur had narrowly beaten Dalziel in a violent election in Murray Harbour in August of 1846. Dalziel protested it but lost by a 12-8 vote in the House in February of 1847.
In August of 1847 two meetings were held in the Murray Harbour area to support a petition to oust Huntley as governor. "At the first, held at White Sands, the late representative for the district, Vere Beck, Esquire, took the chair." LeLacheur spoke against the petition but all except him ended up voting in favour of it. At this meeting Dalziel accused LeLacheur of missing an opportunity to get the local proprietors to lower the rent, because of his bull headed, uncompromising approach to taking (escheating) the land from the Proprietors and giving it to the farmers. The two local proprietors (Smith and Peters) had promised, in the presence of Dalziel and Beck, to lower the rents, especially considering the potato blight and rust on the wheat and barley. LeLacheur feigned forgetfulness but "Mr. Beck reminded him that he could not have forgotten . . . because we told him on both occasions - when his reply was, that if the land was not going to be escheated they would not make any such offer." Dalziel concluded by saying "I trust he [LeLacheur] will not doubt his [Beck's] veracity."
In a second letter of January 7, 1848, Dalziel says a John Fraser of Belfast called on LeLacheur in Charlottetown. This happened sometime between 1841 and the spring of 1847 but, for reasons I will not go in to, my best guess is it is just prior to the riot at the by-election in Belfast of Mar 1,1847, when hundreds of Scottish Protestants and Irish Catholics clubbed each other for hours and at least three were killed. Dalziel then notes that "when Mr. Beck and I came to dinner" John Fraser and he were in conversation respecting the bill proposed in 1841 by Alexander MacLean, the member from Belfast, to prevent people from carrying sticks at elections (it lost in Council). Sticks were then used to encourage people of the wrong political persuasion to either not vote or to vote properly, a canvassing tactic most would probably frown on today. Fraser was not sure what to do at the next election and LeLacheur said: "I will tell you what to do; when you get home, tell all the Scotch in Belfast to arm themselves with sticks, and not allow one of the Irish to come near the Hustings in the next Election!" Dalziel and Beck discouraged Fraser from this path and Fraser agreed. Then LeLacheur went into another room and before some other people, oddly enough, started to abuse the Scots, in "unmeasured terms." "Mr. Beck also heard every word." Both men were quite indignant and went into the room and rebuked LeLacheur.
We see in this story that Vere continued to be active behind the scenes in politics, being good friends with at least two of the three most popular politicians in his riding. He was a community leader, evidenced not only by his position as chair and title of Esquire, but also the mediating role he played between farmer and landowner. Finally, he seemed to be highly regarded in the community, especially in regards to his honesty.

NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF UPEI

Ron Annear (1.11.6,4.1.4.) has been named director of athletics for the University of Prince Edward Island. He had been acting director for the past 18 months, but was confirmed in the position on Nov. 22, 2005. He becomes the first Islander to head the department, and said he is looking forward with anticipation to leading the department for the next three-and-a-half years. His appointment runs to April 30, 2009.
Vianne Timmons, vice-president of academic development and responsible for athletics, said Ron has shown tremendous leadership as the head of the department.
“We have seen significant improvements in our sports facilities and he is doing an excellent job of repositioning our athletics programs,” said Timmons in a release. “I look forward to continuing our working relationship over the next three and a half years.”
Ron has a long association with UPEI, beginning as a student athlete in the 1980s and graduating in 1988 with a bachelor of business administration degree. A native of Montague, Ron’s sports career took off in 1982 when he was drafted by the Verdun Junior Canadiens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He spent a year on a full hockey scholarship at the US International University in San Diego before being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1984. Two years later he returned to Charlottetown and enrolled at UPEI. He played with the hockey Panthers and the team won the Atlantic University championship two years in a row.
Since then he has been involved with the Department of Athletics, and has worked in many capacities there.

MONTAGUE HOTEL CLOSING ITS DOORS

The Marina Inn on the Montague waterfront is about to be turned into a seniors’ housing complex. It will close on Dec. 18 and will be taken over by new owners who intend to turn the operation into a community care facility.
The move comes as a shock to business and tourism operators in Montague. The facility provided 52 high-end rooms serving eastern PEI.
“We will lose all kinds of opportunities in this town without the hotel,” Debbie Beck, (1.4.3A.3.4.3.) owner of Montague Computer and a former president of the local chamber of commerce told Steve Sharratt of The Guardian. I’m very concerned for business and I’m very frustrated at the lack of co-operation from the town on this.”
The owner of the hotel, George Matheson, told The Guardian earlier that he had become totally frustrated over the lack of co-operation he received from the town over the past year to improve the area around his hotel. It’s front entrance opens out onto a vacant lot overgrown with hay and with an abandoned building on it. He said he had received many indications that the town would improve the landscape of the area but nothing happened., and now he’s had enough.
Debbie said the closure is really going to affect the business community which is already suffering enough. She said the effects will be felt by restaurants, retail stores and service stations.

MAJOR TOURIST PROJECT COMPLETED

Residents of Murray Harbour are looking forward to more visitors dropping in next year. This follows completion of an ambitious tourist development in the village. It’s located at the site of the former train station in Murray Harbour, which opened in 1905 and was the end of the line of the Island’s railway to the east.
It features an interpretive centre in a replica of the former roundhouse as well as a new look-out to view the South River and the harbour area. The Confederation Trail has been extended to the bank of the river to allow access for hikers and cyclists.
Representatives of three levels of government attended the opening ceremony. The local member of Parliament, Lawrence MacAulay, represented the federal government; Premier Pat Binns represented the province, and Faye Fraser, chair of the Village Council represented Murray Harbour. Other representatives included Barrie Harris, (1.4.6.5,4.1.) chair of the Murray Harbour Waterfront Development Committee, and Wayne Harris, (1.4.6.5,3.1.) the vice-chair.
There was local entertainment, with refreshments provided by the Murray Harbour Drama Club.

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE IN HOLLAND

By Peter Murdoch (1.6A.4,6.1,1.1,)

Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen of the Canadian Forces along with their families, local dignitaries, townspeople and school children gathered at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery to pay tribute to those who fell during the liberation of Holland.
The landscape surrounding the Dutch town of Groesbeek is one of gentle slopes and woodlands. But this peaceful countryside once played a part in one of the last great offensives of WWII, Operation Veritable.
The 1st Canadian Army was tasked to advance from the Nijmegen salient southeastwards to the Rhineland and clear the corridor between the Maas and Rhine rivers. The offensive was launched on February 8th but progress was not easy; mud and flooded ground hampered the advance, and at times troops floundered through water three feet deep. The advance continued, despite fierce enemy resistance, until March 10th when the enemy blew up the Wesel bridges and withdrew to the east bank of the Rhine. Many of the Canadian soldiers who perished in the Rhineland battles now rest in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. The Canadian Government wanted to have servicemen who were killed on enemy soil given a final resting place on friendly territory.
As I stood on the windswept hill and watched the children lay flowers in tribute to those who liberated their country 60 years ago, I hoped that future generations would never have to pay the terrible price that those who lie here had paid.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them."

BOWERS BURNING UP THE JUNIOR A LEAGUE

Justin Bowers (1.4.6.5,10,1,2.) of Fredericton, N.B., is showing them how its done in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. Justin is the captain of the Woodstock Subway Slammers and has led the league in scoring since the season began.
Through the weekend of November 26, 27th, Justin had 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points in 28 games. He leads Jordan Knox of the Summerside Western Capitals by six in the points race. Justin also leads the League in goals scored with 30 to 24 by Knox.
The Subway Slammers are tied with Summerside for the lead in league standings with 41 points.

DANNY RETURNS TO PEI.

Danny Stewart (1.4.6.5,1.2A, 2.1.) of Murray Harbour had hoped to move up to the East Coast Hockey League but things just didn’t work out. He had been acquired by the PEI Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the spring and said he was happy to be returning to his home province. But in September he decided to try out for the Long Beach Ice Dogs and packed his bags for California. Danny was released by the Ice Dogs on October 18 after giving it his best shot. He said there were no openings, as there were too many players with contracts to begin with. The Rocket management contacted him and he joined the team on October 21. Since then he has been centering the first line and racking up points at a good clip. After 15 games with the team Danny has three goals and 16 assists for 19 points. That puts him in fourth spot among team scorers even though he missed the first 12 games of the season. The team itself though is struggling with nine wins and 18 losses and ranks 17th out of 18 teams.

ADOPTION

Sharon (Beck) (1.4.6.6.1.1,) and Drew Foley of California have adopted a baby girl. She is of Mexican ancestry and is named Lucia Tara Foley. Lucia was born on August 31, which happens to be Drew’s birthday too. And there is a second coincidence connected to the adoption. Sharon and Drew learned that they were going to be able to adopt Lucia on October 10, exactly one year after Drew's mother died.
Sharon describes Lucia as very calm and content. “She already sleeps about seven hours a night which is quite rare for a baby of her age. We are very thrilled to have her!”
The Foleys have another daughter, eight-year-old Dana. She has already made a number of visits to P.E.I. and there’s no doubt that Lucia will be a regular visitor in the future.

BIRTHS

Myrna (Beck) (1.11.8.3.3,) and John Robar would like to announce the birth of their first grand daughter, Hailey Jayne Nichols, on April 21, 2004 at the Rocky View General Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. Hailey's proud parents are Jayne (1.11.8.3.3,1,) and Jared Nichols. Jared is a native of Regina, Sask, and both he and Jayne are design engineers. They live in Calgary and work for Fluor Canada Ltd., a company that designs and builds oil and chemical refineries.
Myrna and John have retired to their cottage beside the LaHave River in a community called Upper LaHave, N.S. For John, this was a matter of returning home. The Robars were among the Founding Families of Lunenburg 250 years ago. For Myrna it’s a strong reminder of home. She grew up in Montague, P.E.I., and she says the LaHave is beautiful and reminds her of the Montague River. Myrna and John lived in Dartmouth since 1971, but sold their house last July.
Another change in Myrna and John's family is that their son, Peter Robar (1.11.8.3.3,2.) has moved to Calgary, Alberta where he is working as a Systems Analyst for Telus Communications.

DEATHS

JORGENSEN: Andrea Marie (Clements) Jorgensen (1.4.1,3.4.2,5,) of Lower Sackville, N.S., died at the Halifax Infirmary on Saturday, October 22, 2005. She was 36.
She is survived by her husband, Tony, and a daughter, Yohanna. She was the daughter of Enid (Penny) and the late William Clements of Murray Harbour. She is also survived by four brothers: Danny (Rhonda Lynn) of Montague, Hal (Tammy) of Murray Harbour, Kent (Elizabeth) of High Bank, and Wade (Janet) of Gays Road.
The funeral was held from Ferguson’s Funeral Home Chapel on October 25, with interment in the Murray Harbour Cemetery.
MATHESON: Heather (Gosbee) Matheson (1.4.1,10,1A.3,) of Moncton, N.B., died at the QE II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax on November 22, 2005 while awaiting a kidney and liver transplant. She was 54, and the daughter of the late William and Jean (MacLeod) Gosbee of Beach Point. Heather was a registered nurse and worked at the Moncton Hospital. She enjoyed quilting, being outdoors, and spending time at the family cottage, but she most enjoyed walks on the beach at Cape Tormentine with her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband Ian, her children Kimberley (Devon) Kearns, Edmonton, and Tim, (Shenoa) Moncton; a sister, Ida (Barry) Ross, Scarborough, Ont.; brothers, Lester (Barbara) of Beach Point, James (Beverly) of Murray River, and a step-brother, David (Peggy) MacLean of Halifax, N.S. Heather was pre-deceased by a brother, Dennis.
The funeral service was held at the Murray Harbour Church of Christ, on Saturday, Nov. 26th. followed by interment in the Murray Harbour Cemetery.
STEWART: Florence “Pearl” (MacPhee) Stewart (1.4.4,7,5,) died at the Dr. John Gillis Memorial Lodge in Eldon, P.E.I., on Wednesday, November 2, 2005. She was 87 and the widow of Douglas Stewart of Wood Islands.
She is survived by three sons: Eric (Carole) of Charlottetown, Murdock (Nancy) of Ottawa, and Douglas (Helen) of Victoria Cross, P.E.I. as well as 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Edith Harvey, her brother Leon MacPhee, and sisters Jeanette MacMillan, Mary Harris, and Lizzie Brehaut.
The funeral service was held November 5 at the Wood Islands Presbyterian Church with interment in the Wood Islands Cemetery.
STEWART: Fenton George Stewart of Lower Montague died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown on October 19, 2005. He was 55 years old. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine (White) (1.4.6.7,2.3,) and three children: Tammy of Dartmouth, N.S., Troy (Belinda) of Lower Montague and Jason (Sarah Jane Clory) also of Lower Montague and two grandchildren. He was the son of Aletha (Alchorn) and the late Harry Stewart. The funeral was held from Ferguson’s Funeral Home Chapel in Montague on Sunday, October 23rd. Cremation took place following the service. .

AN OUTSTANDING YEAR AT THE TRACK

Maple Leaf Noble is now the only undefeated two-year-old stakes colt in North America. The trotter finished the racing season with a win in the Lady Slipper Final at the Charlottetown Driving Park in early November. This was the 15th consecutive win for Maple Leaf Noble, who has earned almost $50,000 over the season.
The horse is owned, trained and driven by Ralph Annear (1.11.6,4.1.) of Montague, and his grandson, 12-year-old Jack Panting. Jack loves to be around the horses and works with them in the stable, even though it aggravates his asthma.
Hal Hennessey in his Horse Talk column in The Eastern Graphic says in his opinion the Horse of the Year Honours should definitely go to Maple Leaf Noble. However, he fears it won’t work out that way. As he explains it, the choice is made by the readers of the Atlantic Post Calls, and is more of a popularity contest than a true measure of the horse’s performance. In order to guarantee fairness, Hennessey argues the award should be based on a point system.

PROBLEMS WITH THE MONTAGUE WATER SUPPLY

Coliform bacteria have been found in the town water system and steps are being taken to deal with it. Two separate tests were taken in late October resulting in coliform counts of seven and 22. Dr. Lamont Sweet, the Chief Provincial Health Officer, said this does not indicate a major health problem but action is required to deal with it.
The Town immediately began chlorination, but made no announcement of the problems, not even to the town councillors. Mayor Richard Collins was out of town, and the deputy mayor, John MacFarlane, said he wasn’t aware that there was a problem with the water supply.
Councillor Rick Beck (1.11.8.3.4.1.) took the unusual step of writing to The Eastern Graphic about it.
In a letter to the Editor, he said, “I didn’t get as much as a phone call from the town hall when coliform was found in the water supply. Everyone at town hall is so nervous about talking to the press they thought the problem would just go away, and no one would ask any questions." He added that town residents quickly detected the taste and started asking what was going on. “A simple press release from the town would have nipped the problem in the bud,” he said in urging that the councillors be kept informed so they could answer questions from the public.

The Vere Beck Family Home Page

The Marfleet Home Page

We're always looking for news of Beck family members. If you know of any significant events drop me a line with the information.
imunn@accesswave.ca

That's it for this edition .. please share it with relatives who aren't on line. The next edition will be out on February 1st. In the meantime, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.