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Chatham Merchants Taken In By Stranger

Article from The Commercial, 2 March 1915

A young man arrived in Chatham on Saturday, February 13th, and registered at the Adams House under the name of G. Elkin Andrews. He at once proceeded to get acquainted, and being of genial disposition and affable manner, this was soon accomplished. Apparently liking local conditions, he decided to remain in Chatham for some time and went in search of a suitable residence, giving the impression that he had plenty of means, and was anxious to improve his state of health.

After viewing several houses, Andrews finally leased the cottage on Wellington Street owned by Andrew Brown. His next move was to furnish the house on a lavish scale, purchasing the furniture, amounting to over $400, from the Lounsbury Co. A good supply of provisions, etc., was next procured, including an abundance of fruit, confectionery and other delicacies. Andrews was to take a $200 Victrola talking machine from a local dealer, and pending its arrival, got the loan of a smaller one and a number of records.

The new comer arranged with a local liveryman to take care of his horse, which was to arrive from Halifax in the course of a few days, and a splendid new box stall was built for the purpose. He also arranged for the purchase of a fine new sleigh from a local dealer, for which he agreed to settle when the horse arrived. The young man's mother was expected to arrive on Wednesday, and she was to pay all his bills.

The man engaged a boy to act as butler and general utility man. On Saturday evening, February 20th, and for several successive evenings, a number of boys between the ages of twelve and sixteen were royally entertained, music, fruit, and candy being the chief items on the programme. All went well for a few days. Mr. Andrews and his boy friends were enjoying life until the creditors began to think it was time payment was forthcoming. The stranger succeeded in postponing the climax by promising to make satisfactory arrangements in the near future. By Wednesday, having failed to do so, those interested showed uneasiness, and Andrews was given until four o'clock that afternoon to settle. In the meantime, their debtor left town, using the only means at his disposal — that of walking.

Chief Coughlan and Deputy Sheriff Irving were soon looking for the friendly stranger, and the former promptly located his quarry back of Nelson. He had walked from Chatham to Nelson, and taken to the old railway line at that place. The Chief took Andrews to Newcastle, where he now remains a guest at the County Jail. The only charge against him at present is that of debt, and unless some more serious charge is laid by some of those from whom he secured goods, he will likely soon be given his liberty.

This is not Andrews' first attempt to lead an easy life on nothing. He has visited Truro and Digby, in which towns his exploits and the results have been strikingly similar, with the exception of the arrest. The general opinion is that the young man is not altogether responsible for his actions. As a result of his brief stay in Chatham, several generous local merchants are exchanging words of sympathy, and vowing to beware of strangers in future.

Word was received here on Wednesday from Sackville that Andrews had visited there and enjoyed life for a few days at the expense of some merchants, who would now like a settlement. Chief Coughlan on Friday had a wire from Halifax asking that Andrews be held, as a W.H. Andrews was wanted there on a charge of burglary. Yesterday the Chief received a letter from Shepody Bay, Albert County, enquiring about Andrews, as he was wanted at that place on account of having overlooked payment of his board bill, horse hire, and other debts contracted while he was arranging to start a drug store.

The man is still in the County Jail, Newcastle.

Young man released

Article from The Commercial, 23 March 1915

The young man named Andrews who visited Chatham a short time ago and lived in luxury for a few days at the expense of local merchants, has been released from the County Jail, where he was placed after being arrested for debt. The local firms that supplied his house furnishings took back their goods, but Andrews' chocolates and groceries accounts still remain unsettled. Immediately upon being released from prison, Andrews went to the residence of a Newcastle minister. He was given his supper and found things in general so pleasant that he remained for the night, and left next day for other parts.

Has Newcastle An Airship Line?

Article from The Commercial, 9 February 1915

Not being content with its new highway bridge, its new county building, its new railway service, and various other new things, it would seem Newcastle has quietly established an airship service between Richibucto and the Quebec border. A Moncton paper says: Details of the reported sighting of an airship over Newcastle wireless at 4:30 Friday morning have come to hand. The aerial visitor made its presence known by the use of a search-light estimated to be about three times as powerful as that of an ordinary locomotive electric head-light. The flashing of this light was clearly seen from the I.C.R. dispatchers' office at Newcastle. The light came from the direction of Richibucto and passed north toward the Quebec border.

It was reported the airship was seen passing over Chatham. This is not true. Newcastle's managers have such a hatred for Chatham the ship's captain was instructed to take a westerly course from Napan, so that Chatham would be "cut out."

Caroline Daley's weekly history column provides readers a look back at the history our area through old newspaper articles.