ANOTHER INTERESTING POSTING FROM THE NOVA-SCOTIA LIST: "1833 Carried Body of Priest from Halifax to New Glasgow Iona, May 15, Research on the part of Rev. A. A. Johnston, Historian for the Diocese of Antigonish, has turned up an interesting item of the early history of Cape Breton Island and Victoria County. This has to do with Rev. Father Alexander MacDonald of Arisaig, Antigonish county, who died in Halifax on April 17, 1816. Father MacDonald was known to the Scottish pioneers as "An Sgart Mor" (the big priest) due to his stalwart build. Around this period - one hundred and fifty years ago - only one priest resided in Cape Breton Island. This was the Rev. Father Le Jamtel, stationed at Arichat, who ministered largely to the French and Indians. 'An Sagart Mor used to come from Arisaig to visit Scottish Catholic settlements in Cape Breton. Generally this journey would be on foot, and there would be no roads connecting the various settlement. It will be remembered that in 1816 Cape Breton Island was a separate province from the one on the mainland Nova Scotia. It was customary for the mainland government to summon clergymen and other leading inhabitants from different sections of the province to Halifax about once a year to advise the government on local conditions. It was while on this mission that the priest passed away suddenly in 1816. The time of year was noted, April, and as usual cold, and the Strait of Canso blocked by ice, with the same conditions prevailing outside - Cape Breton waters were jammed with drift ice. The government decided to bury the priest in Halifax, and to return the remains to Arisaig on a sloop or frigate when navigation became possible. Government records in Halifax reveal that the government was officially represented at the burial by the following gentlemen:' John Cameron, Edward Mortimer, (an illegible name), John G. Marshall, D. Harthorne Jr., William Kidston Jr., thomas G. Keegan, M.D., Rev. P. M. Mignault." The last name presumably that of a Catholic priest from one of the Acadian settlements. Father MacDonald's remains did not rest in Halifax very long. As soon as his flock in Arisaig learned of his death and burial they set out immediately for the capital. They appreciated the offer of the government to transfer the remains later at government expense, but that was too long to wait, and they were determined that his remains would rest in Arisaig as soon and as speedily as they could arrange it. They made the journey to the capital on foot. There was a road of sorts leading to New Glasgow, but from there to Halifax they tramped through deep snow and dense forest. Returning they carried thebody of their beloved "agart mor" on their shoulders until they again reached New Glasgow, where a delegation from home awaited them with a horse and sleigh to receive the body. The William Kidston Jr., mentioned above would very likely be the same who came to Baddeck in 1833 and located on what has since been known as Kidston's Island. We know that there were three generations of kidstons bearing the name William. Two of them are buried in Baddeck.