I don’t remember exactly when I went to work at central, but it must have been between 1943 and 1946. 1 was hired to replace Florence (McDonald) Phillips after she was in an accident and broke her leg. She was riding in a horse and buggy with her father, Johnny Walter McDonald (Eigg Road) when they were hit by a car. When I was hired John J. McCormick came to our house and the matter was discussed over the kitchen table with myself and my father. The operator I rotated with was Isabel (McMeekin) Fraser. We worked alternate weeks.

I was very new on the job when Duncie Willie MacPherson called in and said, “Give me Joe”. John J. laughed when he heard my problem and told me that he wanted Joe Jedynak (the blacksmith).

One of my many happy memories was chatting with Duncan Alex (Big Angus) MacMillan. He lived diagonally across the road from the central office, but he was blind and found the time long. He would call central just for someone to talk to, but it was always pleasant to chat with him.

One subscriber I remember was called Massia. He only spoke French, and I didn’t know any. One day he called and gave the number, but in French, so this didn’t help me. Finally he said “Doctor the beast”. I said “Oh, you want Dr. Lanthier” (the veterinarian). He said “oui, oui, Dr. Lanthier” so the call was completed.

BACK TO AN INSIDE JOB