G11
History: Guides of Yarmouth
History: Guides of Yarmouth Alec Jeffrey
Alec Jeffery
Alec ran Birchdale for Selwyn Ring for several years. He guided for bird, and deer. After Selwyn sold Birchdale to an American, Alec ran Birchdale for them. The person who bought Birchdale was Spencer Harris. He was from New Jersey. Alec managed Birchdale for eleven years. His wife, Olive worked there for twelve years doing cooking, waiting on tables etc. Most of the guests were from the United States. Another guide at Birchdale was Bill Goodwin. He was born in Kemptville.
Alec was sixteen when he started working at Birchdale. One person that he guided was W.H.C. Schwartz who was the president of Maritime Life Association and Schwartz Spice Co. He also guided Fred Nauss.
There is a story told of a tame bear called Ben who would push the kitchen door open. Mrs. Jeffery started giving him bread and he became very tame. Eventually he started being a nuisance and he was sedated and moved twenty miles away but the next day he appeared back at Birchdale. After a time it was necessary to do away with him.
Return to menu
go to the next page