Cape Breton's Magazine

Tom Doucette and Leona Dunphy Tom Doucette: They (had) moved to Ingonish (from New Waterford), with the intention of moving to the Clyburn. Well, of course the Depression had just been on a year. And my mother and father came down in April. And the old homestead was still standing in the Clyburn (Valley). And "the night we left Sydney to come down on the Aspy to Ingonish, there was a heck of a thunder-and-lightning storm. And when we arrived the next day--it was a nice day, beautiful day. We arrived on the Aspy. All their furniture, old Capt. Peters stored it in the Aspy shed. And we walked up to my Uncle Jim Doucette's, who had the house across from where the Mountie police head? quarters is now. We stayed there for a couple of hours. And then we walked over to the Clyburn, and walked up through what was then just a bush road, all grown over. And we got there, in the evening. And we found the house had burned down the night before in a thunder- and-lightning storm. And there were just smouldering timbers left. So we spent the night in the ferns--my father made a lean- to. That was my mother, my father, and 5 . children. The youngest was about 3 1/2. And in the morning we got up, and.... I might get emotional.... So an3rway, if you can imagine: a small boy waking up to a paradise. The river's there; but the house is gone. So old Jimmy Donovan--that's Sa? die's grandfather--came up looking for a cow, and he saw some smoke. So he came over. And he took us down to the mouth of the Clyburn where he had a cabin. And we spent about a month there. And then my fa? ther rented Simon Brewer's house (in Ingonish). Anyway, we moved in there. It was all ald? ers. My father cleared it out, and I think he was paying $5 a month rent for it, at that time. There was no money in Ingonish-- that was Depression days. The plaster mines had closed a year and a half before. And they cleared the land, and about two acres. And he did some gardening there--he was a good gardener--potatoes and stuff. And he bought a fishing boat. Which didn't work out. But I mean, he always traded potatoes and cabbage for fish. And he had his pen? sion, and I guess at that time you'd say we were about the most well-off, in Ingonish. But anyway, a year and a half later they decided to build (the log cabin Leona spoke of) up on the Clyburn--him and Simon Brewer and a couple of other fellows. Cut down the Museum of Cape Breton Heritage Northeast Margaree on the Catxjt Trail Inverness Co., Cape Breton, N. 8. OPEN 9 TO 6 DAILY Wayne Weatherbee, Director SHOULD YOU PRE-ARRANGE • ?01 FUNERAL? Today, more than ever before, people are thinking and doing something about the future. Among those concerns for the future is the matter of their plans for their funeral. Sydney Memorial Chapel Ltd. respectfully suggests that it is a good idea to visit your Funeral Director, and together talk these matters over quietly and calmly. He can help you with information as to the different services and their costs, and then he will confirm your arrangements in writing so that your family will know what you want. St'cCnei' ?tetnoriat Chapel LtcC. 49 Weiton Street, St'cCnet' A Non-Denominational Funeral Chapel 539-0500