Page 10 - Wilfred Creighton & the Expropriations: Clearing Land for the National Park, 1936

ISSUE : Issue 69

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1995/8/1

Wilfred Creighton (right) around 1938. With Marcellin AuCoin, he is holding an Acadian hooked rug from Cheticamp, purchased by C. J. Burchell, Canadian High Commissioner in Australia, for his office. Price: $100.00. agreed, we paid him in full, and he took a 10-acre lot on Cheticamp Island, maybe 20, it doesn't matter--he took land there. (His old home) wasn't far from the shore, (so) he moved the house out to the shore WERE PROUD TO SHARE... Scottish and Acadian Festivals Hiking trails, picnic and camping parks Museums and heritage The warmest waters north of the Carolinas! Cottage crafts and works of art The Cape Breton highlands National Park Fresh and salt water fishing Horse racing, canoeing, and other sports Fine accommodations, gift shops Restaurants Wildlife The Sunset Side of Cape Breton "f- Requests for Visitor's Guide, brochures, and general information may be made to: Inverness County Department of Recreation/Tourism P.O. Box 179, Port Hood, N.S. BOE 2W0 (902)787-2274 and he tied empty fish barrels all around it and pushed it out in the water and towed it down up Cheticamp Harbour. And last time I was in Cheticamp--the house was standing out on Cheticamp Island. We settled with him after I got the farmer and the architect in. Smiling Angus MacLeod (was the farmer) from South Bar (in Cape Breton County), an old Highlander, Gaelic- speaking. I wasn't there. Smith Maclver, the lawyer, was there and he was with Smil? ing Angus and they decided to go and call on this fellow. And Smith wouldn't go near the house, the man had been cross at him. Well, Smiling Angus said he'd call on him. So he went and knocked at the door and a man came, opened a crack, "Who in the hell are you?" "Oh, I am a farmer like your? self." The fellow opened the door, "Come on in, I thought you were another damn lawyer like Maclver." So they got along fine there. They went to three houses that day. There was one house they went to and the lawyer and the farmer asked to see the cellar. The architect (M. R. Chappell) wanted to see the foundation and so on. The architect went down, the man and his wife followed him down. The architect said, "This is a well built house. You don't see many houses this well built now-a-days." And he admired the foundation and the floor joists. Oh, it was a beautiful house. There was jam and pickles in the shelf and the farmer went over and got a bottle of jam. And that was beautiful jam and beautiful pickles--he wished his wife could make jam and pickles as good as that. The farmer's wife was all smiles. Look, they went away, everything was lovely. Then they went and called in (at another) house. He was grumpy sitting out on his front door step, and he had a Jersey cow tethered in the front yard. So the farmer immediately started admiring the cow, so LeBlanc got up and came over and they went over beside the cow. It was a nice Jersey lORMAWAY INN'''N's SINCE 192&K;: The first choice for fine food and lodging on the Cabot Trail The Normaway is proud to be able to share a part of Cape Breton's culture. Enjoy traditional music, nightly films, a choice selection of Cape Breton books & records. Concerts/ceilidhs/dances in The Bam Fridays (spring/fall); Wednesdays (summer) You don't have to be a guest of the Inn to enjoy a Normaway evening. Dinner served from 6 to 9 p.m., June 15 to October 15. Reservations suggested. THE NORMAWAY INN 902-248-2987 or 1-800-565-9463 P.O.Boxl42,Mar2ai

Cape Breton's Magazine