October 13, 1881
Loss of the Schooner Llewellyn – On Friday, Sept 30, [1881] writes our Randon correspondent – the schr. Llewellyn, left St. John’s for home. She had her usual crew and some passengers. All went on well ‘till they reached the North side of Trinity Bay when, unfortunately, they ran on the Shag Rock, near Ireland’s Eye, and in less than ten minutes the schooner was completely under water. The passengers and crew – nine altogether – escaped with their lives and nothing more. The night was very dark and a stiff breeze blowing. The schooner was hired by William Cooper & Sons, of North West Arm, Random, who lost their winter’s fit-out, which they had just bought. Perhaps the saddest part of the affair is in connection with the Rev. James Lumsden, Methodist Minister, who had only arrived from England by the last home boat, and was on his way to the Random Mission.
He lost everything he had, and barely escaped without either a hat or a boot. He is now left nearly destitute of clothing. To him the loss is considerable, not only with regard to clothing; for he had a splendid collection of books, many of them being present from friends when leaving home. He had also a number of other presents. Few, upon the commencement of their missionary career in Newfoundland have met with such a disheartening incident. The unfortunate affair has elicited the unmistakable sympathy of the people. Mrs. Toope and others in Ireland’s Eye treated the shipwrecked men with great consideration, and did their utmost to assist them in reaching their homes. The schooner was insured, but the poor man who owned her has lost heavily, as he had a large quantity of fishing gear on board at the time.
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February 10, 1882
Rambling Notes from Random
We have to thank a “Rambler,” under the date of January 13th for the subjoined paragraphs of interest:-
Dear Sir – The winter has been very eager in its work around these regions, but not more eager than the families are who have come here for a winter’s work. The chief topic is “Railway Sleepers” and the natives true to their instincts are getting them out of the woods for a more trifle, while others realize the profit.
Christmas passed off joyously. At Northern Bight the school children had a Christmas Tree which all enjoyed (not the tree but the things on it) and the tea provided for them. In Shoal Harbour, the Rev. Lewis delivered a lecture on “Before and After”. The topic discussed I concerued the “before and after” of marriage – love, courtship, getting married, home life thrift, cleanliness, godliness, and true success. The lecture was both instructive and amusing.
At Northern Bight there was much excitement the other day. The Methodist people went like a mighty army to wage war upon the trees of the forest; result – an excellent frame for a parsonage. The very same day the Shoal Harbour Methodist commenced a war which lasted three days; results – splendid lumber for their new church. Special services were held in Northern Bight and Shoal Harbour at the beginning of the New Year with cheering results.
There is much forecasting as to where the Railway will come out in these arms.
The postal authorities are determined we shall not have any notification in either getting or sending letters and newspapers. It is shameful the way things are managed. The telegraph wires pass right along here and though 40 from Trinity we cannot get a station in any part of Random. Perhaps we will when the Government fellows are looking for votes.
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January 14, 1888
Drownings
Three men drowned – by the arrival of a boat from Random, we learn that a sad drowning accident occurred at that place on Friday night last, resulting in the death of three men. It seems that two men, named respectively, Richard Gooby and Wm. Gregg left their homes on the above mentioned day to put another man, (whose name we have not ascertained) (illegible) South West Arm of Random, and nothing has since been heard of them, except that the boat has been picked up so that it is only too certain that the poor fellows have met a watery grave. – Trinity Record
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February 2, 1889
By Telegraph – (Special to the Sun) – Beaver Cove, February 1st. Three men belonging to Northern Bight, Trinity Bay, were deer shooting and were surrounded by a company of deer. Reuben Martin altered his position unknown to the others. One man fired and missed the deer. The bullet hit Martin above the knees, passing through both legs, but breaking no bones; the wounded man is doing well.
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February 6, 1892
SAD NEWS FROM HEART’S EASE
Writing under date of the 2nd inst. [February 1892], a Heart’s Ease correspondent says – “A very melancholy accident occurred here on Wednesday last, 30th ult. Two young girls name respectively Mary Ann Peddle, aged 13 years, and Julia Jacobs aged 12 years, while skating on the salt water ice, broke through a short distance from the shore, the latter falling on the former and keeping her from breathing over the surface. People ran from all quarters and succeeded in rescuing Julia Jacobs before the vital spark had fled, but poor little Mary Ann, having disappeared beneath the surface, was not recovered in time to save her life. After considerable exertion the body was borne to the shore. The rescued girl rapidly regaining strength and will soon be all right again. The people did everything in their power, but they had to beat through the slob, which was too thin to walk upon and yet too strong to get a boat through. The mother of the deal girl is in a condition of great prostration. I may have mention that this unfortunate woman’s poor relief was stopped some three years ago. She had two sons from whom she received some help; but one of them died last year of la grippe and the other is on his death-bed. I sincerely hope our kind-hearted and sympathising government will take her case into favorable consideration and render such help as they, in their wisdom may deem proper. – Trinity Record, Jan. 16.
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Saturday, July 4, 1889
Shoal Harbour, June 29
Prospects continue to brighten, and it seems that we are going to have a return of good times of days gone by. At present there’s a splendid sign of fish at the mouth of Random Sound and at South West Arm. Shaw Brothers have two hundred quintals ashore already, and Martin trapped seven quintals yesterday. Hook and line men are at their best, and the work goes on with something like the enthusiasm displayed by our forefathers. All the people in this vicinity anticipate one of the best voyages known for many years.
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Transcribed by Wanda Garrett and Lester Green, September 2014
Updated Wanda Garrett, August 2015 and January 2016
These transcriptions may contain human errors. As always, confirm these as you would any other source material.