“Settlers were flocking into the country, and the business of the little town was improving every month. But there was no municipal law; no provision for the survey of the streets or improvement of roads; no adequate fire protection; no water system, the water supply being in the hands of the men who hauled it up from the Red river in barrels set on ox carts. Worst of all, there were no proper school facilities. Moreover, the town was split into four centres, each of which was jealous of the others. There were the following contestants for the golden milestone around which the coming city should revolve: (1) Fort Garry, which had wealth and seniority in its favor and was the centre of the powerful Hudson’s Bay company influence; (2) the straggling village in which Mr. Ashdown had built his store and which was now enjoying a building boom; (3) Point Douglas, favored by a group of active speculators and land agents, and (4) St. John’s, the old ecclesiastical centre, dear to the many because of sentimental ties.” - Obituary of James H. Ashdown, Manitoba Free Press, April 7, 1924
