Arthur Lightheart Recalls a Loose Load
Photo: Drawn kilns at the Downing-Bremner quarry
Unknown Date
Source: Donated by Don Wiseman, Beachville District Museum Reference Library
Audio: An interview with Arthur Lightheart, former employee, at his home
Duration: 58 seconds
In this audio clip, Lightheart describes a risky incident his brother and Fred Downing experienced going up a ramp with a load of stone to the top of the kiln. The interview was conducted by Charlie Reeves in 1975. Reeves was a farmer in Beachville with a great interest in local history and was influential in the establishment of the Beachville District Museum.
The image above depicts the drawn kilns at the Downing-Bremner quarry. A horse pulls a cart on a ramp that extends between two modest structures.
Arthur Lightheart: “I remember, one time, uh, Fred Downing and Bert, my brother Bert, they were going up the ramp, you know, on the…up to the top of the kiln with a load of stone, and…something burst on the harness, you know, and then the whole load of stone and everything backed right up and started to go towards the edge. There was no railing on to stop them going right over the edge you know. And, uh, finally, the old horse dug in his feet and his shoes and stopped the…himself from going over.”