38 SCRAPS OF LOCAL HISTORY. 



nationality as this convivial interloper, and was not to be thus 

 thwarted in the discharge of his duty, so he took up a piece of 

 dealend, and, pressing it as far under the obstructionist ns he 

 could, pried up so as partially at least to clear the vent, and 

 touched her off. Up went "Big Jock," but he afterwards changed 

 his mind and came down about ten feet out on the ice on the 

 river, surprised and motionless, and was even pronounced dead, 

 but aft-er a copious si^ontaneous emesis he was resusciated, much 

 to the satiftf action of the gunner and probably to his own. He 

 afterwards enjoyed the best of health and died only very lately. 



At this time only two members were representing the coiinty at 

 Fredericton, and great rivalry existed and bitter feeling between 

 the North side and South of the river. The former was represent- 

 ed in the person of Alex. Rankin of Douglastown, and the latter 

 by Joseph Cunard of Chatham. In 18^58 three candidates were in 

 the field — Wm. Cameron, a lawyer of Chatham ; J. Ambrose 

 Street, a lawyer of Newcastle, and Alex. Rankin of Doaglastown. 

 Street and Rankin were elected and sat till 1842, when John T. 

 Williston of Chatham. Registrar, of Deeds, and mill owner at, 

 Black Brook, entered into the contest, backed by the Cunjjrd 

 party. The election was fairly quiet (.only a few broken heads) . 

 Williston and Rankin were elected. Through Rankin's interest 

 and influence with the Government at Fredericton a scrutiny was 

 instituted, and Williston was unseated and the seat declared 

 vacant. In 1843 came the election to fill this vafancy. Street 

 and Williston were in the field, the former backed by Rankin, 

 and the latter by Cunard. This was the fighting election. 



The leading spirits at that time were Michael Dunn of Chatham 

 and John Hea of Chatham and other lesser lights. These were 

 the organizers. The polling was held at the shiretown, New- 

 castle, one day, at each other parish after that, and the grand 

 total was declared on the last or fourteenth day again at the 

 shiretown. This was always the programme at those times in 

 elections, but on this occasion the Rankin party were not only 

 forewarned but forearmed, as they had piles of stones placed at 

 convenient i3laces, covered with sods or grass, so as not to attract 

 attention, and a cable stretched on stakes, so as to divide the 

 courthouse entrance door, with the intention to have the Rankin 

 voters go in on one side of this dividing rope and the Cunard 



