50 years ago: Throwing light on Edison’s roots

A two-storey building in Tiverton owned by Gorham Elliott and Co., and two-thirds of the company’s wharf were swept to destruction by gale force winds. A gas tank on the wharf had been the fuel supply for local fishermen.

After finding little available for hobbyists in the area, Fred Abbott opened a shop in Conway next to the Co-op to provide material for model airplanes, boats and other crafts.

A.L. Robinson, transportation committee chairman on Digby Board of Trade, reviewed activities of the previous year and noted the board’s success in having CPR increase its ferry service to Saint John to twice daily. He added that the rates had recently climbed to eight dollars a person and $17.50 per car. A stateroom was $8.50.

The Courier noted that 80 area schoolteachers and supervisors had an annual payroll of almost $800,000. “Truly, teachers’ salaries are a far cry from those of 30 years ago.”

Digby Bantam Flyers skated to a 7-0 win over Clare, led by two-goal efforts from Robert Dugas and Randy Oliver.

Thieves broke into the art and craft store at the DAR station and stole $600 worth of jewelry. Owner Salvi Meir, who had opened the store the previous fall, had planned to bring his family from Pakistan when business picked up. ‘The Seven Dwarfs to the Rescue’ was playing at the Little Cinema. 50 years ago Feb. 12, 1959 - North American was marking National Electrical Week and celebrating the 112th birthday anniversary of Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the incandescent light bulb. In Digby, the inventor’s family connections were front-page material:

Edison’s father was born here in 1803, son of Samuel Edison who, with his father John, came to Digby from New Jersey at the close of the American Revolutionary War. The Edisons were one of the first Loyalist families in Digby, but all moved to Ontario in 1811 where they later allied themselves with William Lyon MacKenzie and his ill-fated rebellion. The Edisons fled to the U.S., where Thomas was born in 1847. That wasn’t the end of the Canadian connection since Thomas worked as a telegraph operator in Sarnia and Stratford, Ont., before his success as an inventor.

Westport ferryman Emmerson Titus narrowly escaped death after falling into Westport harbour. Wind muffled his cries for help but he was heard by Richard Thompson who threw him a cable from the new government wharf that was under construction. ‘Sing Boy Sing’, with stars Tommy Sands and Lili Gentle, was playing at the Capitol Theatre. 60 years ago Feb. 10, 1949 - When a gale threatened about 35 lobster and trawler boats sheltered at Victoria Beach, about 15 men living within two miles were called out to help save the boats. One boat was lost as was a lot of fishing tackle, but the rest were shifted behind the north wharf with its better protection. Ottawa had approved money for an extension to the wharf, but work had yet to begin.

Digby Board of Trade president W.L. Troop said the area needed new industry if it was to progress and set up a committee to seek answers.

Town merchants received a long-awaited shipment of margarine after many calls from those wanting a butter substitute. The ‘Margene’ brand product sold for 45 cents a pound.

Town council approved construction by Superline Oils of two 10,000-gallon storage tanks on the south end of Second Avenue.

Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer were starring in ‘Arch of Triumph’ at the Capitol Theatre.