Billy Cormier was another cobbler. Billy's
shoe shop was were Lounsbury's car lot stands.
The first pool room was in back of the
LeBlanc Hotel. This was operated by Clovis Richard. Later Dasi Robichaud
opened a poolroom across from Forbe's Store (next to Batiste Cormier's)
later still Dan Robichaud operated from where Kent Drugs operates. This
building was also to become the first credit-union and co-op. However,
the first meetings of the co-op were held in the St. Pat's Church Hall.
John LeBlanc ran a tin smith shop for
O'Leary operations between the Kent Hotel and Mathiah Phinney's (now
part of Lounsbury's furniture). The drugstore was were Regis Losier
store (not owned by Mr. Losier). This located between the Library and
Lounsbry's furniture. Mr. Richard, the druggist was hired by Dr. Bourque.
This same building also became the first Government Liquor outlet in
1927. «picture»
The next drug store owned (Camille Bordage)
was were Leger Yards Goods store is today. (Prescriptions handled by
Dr. Arsenault). The telephone exchange
was on Pagon St. (Acadie St.) and later became Gilles V. Robichaud's
first home. Boat houses were on what is now Beau Rivage. The Kent Memorial
Hall (were the first plays and dances were presented). Was next to the
Presbyterian Church(now Baptist) on Acadie Street. The
first train station was 175 feet back of later one. It sat in the field
near where Laurentide's warehouse is.
Mr. Richard O'Leary brought lights to
town in 1901. The power plant was at York Point. By steam power it created
lights, electricity and fuel. The system was on sawdust. It had its
own tramway and loading docks.
Barrels were on top of the roof to prevent
fires. The first train station used the same roof type barrels also
as a fire precaution. O'Leary paid his night watchman $2 a night back
in those times.
These lights were only for the O'Leary
factory use. Electricity for all in Richibucto came on October 19th,
1917 when Bill Smith installed
two generators at the Kouchibuguac dam. This severed Kouchibuguac, St.
Louis de Kent, Richibucto, and Rexton. Before this Richibucto used the
old lamplighter. In 1920 this was taken over by the Electric Power Commission
the man in charge then was James Hill of Chatham and this power system
was used until 1952.
«picture» «picture»