Description Eastern Chronicle, 14 Nov 1904

Nature's gifts and human industry have accomplished much for this beautiful valley; and the observer passing this way is slow indeed if he fails to admire a prospect of thrift and comfort and restful beauty on every hand.  Robert McDonald, a disbanded soldier of the 76th Regiment, emigrated to Shelburne, N.S. in 1783, and four years later took up a large tract of land in this section of what was at that time known as the "East River of Merigomish."  He camped the first year of his arrival at the river near where his grandson, John McDonald, a respected gentleman of 87 years, now resides.  The first clearing he made on the summit of the highest hill in the neighborhood, that he might have, as he said, "a view of the sea."  Other immigrants from Scotland followed; the Walkers and Hatties, the Robertsons, McPhies and Murrays, etc. and some of the farms here about have been in successive family ownership for a hundred years and more.

"We of the present day do not realize and can but imperfectly imagine the situation of those brave pioneers, strangers in a vast wilderness in a foreign land; wild beasts and wilder Indians their only neighbors.

As in most of our rural sections, progress at Avondale in the way of improvements is necessarily slow, and it is always a pleasure to note special instances of private enterprise. 

Quite recently Mr. Hugh Walker erected a fine residence, and over the way Mr. A. McPhie and Mr. John Lunnan are occupying comfortable dwellings.

Near by and ever in sight looms the rugged form of "Robert's Mountain" like a grand sentinel seeming to say:  "See the winding river yonder?  I own that.  Those grassy slopes and fertile fields, yon western woodland - from southern forest all down to the sea- even the people, I own them.  I was here before they came, I am still here after they are gone.  Thou shalt not steal."   Yet the ties of kinship and the ambitions of life are stronger than decrees of mountains, and it was to notice the removal of useful citizens that I set out, although I find myself moralizing along different lines.   Just one year ago Mr. Alex. M. McDonald with his family removed to the United States.  And it seems lonely to see the premises of good "Deacon" McDonald vacant.  We hope, however, to welcome the present proprietor's return after a time, better off, even, for the temporary absence.

Dr. A. Ross, of Lower Barney's River has purchased Mr. George McDonald's property at Avondale, and now resides there.  The community is to be congratulated on having a trusted physician so centrally located.  Wishing our friend the doctor long years of usefulness in his profession, and abundant leisure withal to enjoy one of the most attractive home surroundings to be seen anywhere.