Mercer, Eric part 1. Interview about family connections to Western Union and Cable Avenue in Bay Roberts.

• Main Author: Wilson, Lisa
• Format: Audio
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Work; Cable Stations; Mercer; Eric; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/ich_avalon/id/4679

Western Union background; Senior staff brought to Bay Roberts; Father was an apprentice at age 14; Stayed until the depression 1930 when he was laid off; Bought car with severance pay and bought a car for a taxi; Returned to work for W.U. in 1940 when demand rose again due to WWII; Family lived in St. John’s but when returned to Bay Roberts in 1950; moved into #16; Family history-- older sister died after having twins leaving husband with 5 children; They all moved Cable Ave.; #16 kitchen too small; Family moved to #1 with large kitchen; 1964 $20.00 a month for rent; Oil and coal subsidized; Company maintained houses; 1966 company closed down; Sold Cable Ave. to 3 business men; Tenants rent increase to $100.00 per month; Mother’s pension inadequate; Selling house for $4,500.00 or full duplex for $8,000.00; Mercer purchased duplex; Story of damage to house; Sold to Mr. & Mrs. King; In 1989 sold #1 to Mr. Collins; Farming family did-- kept animals and grew vegetables; Delivered milk to Hambling family on Cable Ave.; Nature of gated community; Mercer’s father took many photos of Cable Ave development; Tennis player photo of taken by Robert Mercer; First mayor of Bay Roberts if 1953; Father was electrical technician; Story of his father telling the apprentices to not work so hard; Father hardworking and community-minded; Billiard table belonging to the Masonic Lodge; Layout of #16 as Mercer recalls it; Coal/oil stove; Description of home interior; Locations of fireplaces; Heating system.