Chapter 13

In the thirties and forties were two decades with a totally different economic picture. This saw hard times like we have never seen before and hope that we will never see again. The country was in the throes of a depression. Men from Richibucto rode the rails in search of work but none could be found. These men returned home with despair and sadness. About all that moved then was the flour mill operated by Phileos Comeau (built in the early twenties by Basil Johnson which was where Ferarri Apartments are today) and a few struggling retail merchants. «picture»

The one ray of sunshine in those days was Fred MacDougall's Ice Cream Parlor. Fred in those days had shown silent movies with his daughter Thelma played the music while he hand cranked the old films. Now he got up at 4:00 a.m. to make his home made ice cream and he was the town's watch maker. His Ice Cream Parlor was on the same site where the Pine Theater operated from Oct. 2nd, 1950 to 1985. Ah, those good old days at the Pine and the old Victory when the first movies were Dakota. The Yearling and Stagecoach to Denver. Next to MacDougall's was Nick Mazerolle's 2nd tin shop. Fred MacDougall's was where anyone could always find a friendly face and a kind word. «picture»