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Minniehaha, a boat used to haul Barite from the mines to the trains.
1910
Scotsville, Nova Scotia

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This article was taken from a scrapbook compiled in Boston, Mass. The Minniehaha sailed the Lake in the late 1800's.

THE FIRST SAILING OF THE MINNIEHAHA

A most noteworthy event took place in the quiet vicinity yesterday when the Minniehaha ploughed, for the first time the beautiful waters of Lake Ainslie. While the bay and harbor, creeks and nooks of Cape Breton, in virtue of their position and commercial relation with the rest of the world were frequented from early years by the sail and steam of foreign countries, the crystal waters of Lake Ainslie were destined to remain blank until her own enterprising sons should honor and decorate her unrivaled charms with such floating facilities and our less picturesque inlets so long and so luxuriously enjoyed. The industrious tillers of her soil have long and patiently awaited and anxiously watched for this eventful day. It is not surprising,
therefore, that the Minniehaha yesterday received along the line such hearty greetings and loud salutations. The flying of flags, the firing of guns and the waving of handkerchiefs by her cottagers were expressions of congratulations as well as indicators of welcome. Amidst such rejoicing this neat yacht shot our from Argyle wharf and steamed down east side of Scotsville where we were piloted by Mr.. Mac Farlane through the narrow, but deep and winding river of Margaree to Scotsville bridge which was covered with the surrounding people, who, in response to her whistle, came to give the Minniehaha a cheerful reception. From thence, we steered along the beautiful pro------ shores ----------- and to Loch Ban, Strathlorne where we took bearings for Argyle, our point of starting, thus closing a circuit of about 40 miles, which in fact was all that pleasant associates, delightful ride and charming scenery could make. Among the serious thoughts of the occasion would naturally suggest, to a reflective mind was the fact that of all our forefathers, who first settled here and with hard and rustic toil left us such verdant skills only one has been spared to see a steam boat on the lake and one is the venerable and much respected Mr. Mc Gregor, father of the Rev. Donald Mc Gregor, and the late lamented Murdock Mc Gregor, a student for the ministry, who died before completion of his college years. From such reflections one can see the truth of Byron's lines.
".......! On whose arbitrary wing
The varying hours must flag or fly,
Whose hardy winter, fleeting spring
But drag or drive us on to dye"

Returning from those melancholy sidelines into which we have unconsciously drifted, let me hit my text on the head- The first trip of the Minniehaha on Lake Ainslie was a rich and joyous feast of ..... fat things. Needless to say, that both gratitude and congratulations are justly due the McMillan Bros. For this enterprise, which will be a benefit to our business men, a support to the traveling public and a source of pleasure to tourists that come to enjoy the various sports and ...... scenery of Lake Ainslie.
Yours truly,
(Author missing from newspaper article)