Often, an old newspaper will ignite my curiosity as I tunnel through history. This rabbit hole started with a local Saint John news story from 1888 about William, a young man who is known as the city’s “own snake charmer”. Join me below as we walk through the garden and see where life takes him over the next decade after his front page feature.1
Want to flip and turn back time? Check out the previous page to learn more about our Saint John snake charmer
A Saint John History Mystery – Vol. 3, No. 1, Pt. 2
Part Two: The Flowers
The Beginning of the Saint John Horticultural Association
One of my favourite signs of summer in Saint John, New Brunswick, is the return of the bandstand’s wooden benches, the bright city-tended flower beds, and the steady splashing of the fountain in King’s Square.
I was surprised to learn that this uptown gathering place didn’t always have the picturesque character it has today. In 1893, the community’s desire to beautify the city with plants and trees inspired the creation of the Saint John Horticultural Association.2
Photo by author, King Square, Saint John, New Brunswick, 2026.
That first year was a busy one for the association. Once officially incorporated, the Association’s first project was to revamp King and Queen Squares. William’s father, Donald, was brought on to superintend the flower beds. Within about a month, he had coordinated the work and cultivated the grounds, transforming both parks into inviting spaces. As the Association was new and had limited funds, most of the plants, bulbs, trees, and shrubs were provided by the community. People across the city donated money, their time, and skills. William helped prepare drawings and plans for the squares. Donald, a florist and gardener, donated enough plants to fill one-eighth of King’s Square. Even local painter Mr McGowan made sixteen “Keep off the grass” signs. At the annual meeting, grounds committee chair Mr Joseph Allison acknowledged the generosity of everyone who helped.3
Source: Progress (Saint John, New Brunswick), June 3, 1893, p. 4. New Brunswick Historical Newspapers Project, UNB Archives & Special Collections.4
Source: Author’s collection.16
The Association’s passion for beautification nurtured what newspapers described as a city-wide “fad for flowers” 4. That summer, noticeably more flowers were being bought and sold at the market. Front yards started to bloom with new roses, berry bushes, and trees 5. By the end of the first year, the Saint John Horticultural Association started a “gardening craze”, welcomed seventy members, beautified King and Queen Square, and began planning its first flower exhibition for the following year.6
Fun fact: The Saint John Horticultural Association would later help develop the Public Gardens and Rockwood Park.8
Photo by author, City of Saint John Coat of Arms, Saint John City Market, New Brunswick
Source: The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick), August 30, 1897, p. 3. Newspapers.com.10
The city’s love for flowers continued to flourish, with the Horticultural Association’s annual flower shows keeping the momentum going7. In 1897, the organization held the largest flower show Saint John had seen to date. The Daily Telegraph reported that “the most fashionable people of the city almost filled the aisles between the floral exhibits” on opening night in early September. A live band set the pace as people visited the tables, enjoying ice cream while admiring the colourful floral displays9. One of the stars of the show was a display William created for Mr. Joseph Allison. He carefully arranged small plants into the city coat of arms. The Daily Telegraph wrote that it looked “as though being painted by an artist,”10.
Nearby tables overflowed with cut flowers, sweet peas, ferns, and all sorts of other arrangements. Donald impressed the judges with his displays. His blooming fuchsias, geraniums, and other plants earned him first place in more than fifteen categories, including the largest collection of plants exhibited by a single exhibitor. The first day ended with an indoor parade featuring bicycles beautifully covered in flowers. 10
Source: The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick), September 14, 1894, p. 3. Newspapers.com.7
A Passion for Plants
In the years after his front-page snake escapades, William’s life took root in gardening and landscaping. Even though the 1888 article described him as a “snake charmer,” I couldn’t find any other references suggesting he ever worked in a circus or another animal-related field. After years working alongside his dad, William gravitated towards a similar creative career as a gardener for Mr. Joseph Allison at his home on Princess Street^11^. His employer co-owned Manchester, Robertson, Allison Limited, known as MRA, a huge department store on King Street where Brunswick Square is now.12
Source: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, P210\2976.17
Photo by author, Former home of Mr. Allison on Princess Street, Saint John, photographed in 2026.
Mr. Allison’s wealth was evident throughout the gardens and conservatory with international plants and intricate ecosystems. Frogs hopped around streams, and pools were home to tortoises and fish. One of the four hot houses was filled with fragrant roses. I imagine William found it an exciting place to work, tending the banana tree and other exotic plants. At this green utopia, he continued to have opportunities to showcase his artistic talent. Three years after crafting the city’s crest from plants, William designed the British coat of arms. He fashioned the lion from red leafy alternantheras and the unicorn from the same plant in yellow. Echeveria bordered the 12 by 7 foot scene, which was carefully angled so that those strolling by could enjoy the beauty.
Source: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, P225\587.18
Photo by author, Alternanthera and Echeveria at the Halifax Public Gardens, photographed in 2026. A modern example of species used by William McIntosh in his horticultural designs.
Fifteen years later, Mr Allison’s home on Princess Street had a new owner. The Salvation Army purchased the property, and it became the Evangeline Hospital for about half a century. Now, when you walk by, it looks like a multi-apartment building13. A decorative reminder of Mr Allison’s affinity for coats of arms still remains. At the very top of the building, you can see the Allison family crest with the motto “vincet veritas”(Truth prevails).14 & 15
In his early thirties, our “successful snake charmer” 1 was making newspaper headlines as an accomplished landscaper. After years of working and learning alongside his father, Donald, William was flourishing on his own. Will this fruitful career continue? Or would his curiosity and interest in animals and nature branch out in a new direction?
Photo by author, Allison coat of arms on Mr. Allison’s former home on Princess Street, Saint John, photographed in 2026.
Check back soon to time-travel together into the final chapter of William’s life
History Mysteries explores the people, places, and events of Saint John and other places in the Maritimes’ past through newspapers, maps, photographs, city directories, and other historical records. While every effort is made to verify information through multiple sources, some historical details remain open to interpretation as new evidence comes to light.
Research Note: Historical records (Newspapers, directories, death certificates, headstones and other records) varied in the spelling of the surname MacIntosh and McIntosh. For example, many newspapers used McIntosh; Donald’s death certificate listed McIntosh, while William’s was MacIntosh and the family headstone was MacIntosh.
Sources
1Progress (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1888) “OUR OWN SNAKE-CHARMER” 1, no. 19, September 08, 1888: [1]. New Brunswick Historical Newspapers Project, accessed July 02, 2026, https://newspapers.lib.unb.ca/serials/155/issues/22468/pages/162689.
2The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1893) “To Beautify St. John.” Home Affairs. March 4, 1893. Page 3. Newspapers.com, accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal-saint-john-horticultur/204545992/
3The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1894) “Horticultural Society.” “Annual Meeting Held on Wednesday.” February 8, 1894. Page 1. Newspapers.com, accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal-horticultural-society/204987301/
4Progress (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1893). June 3, 1893. Page 4. New Brunswick Historical Newspapers Project, accessed July 16, 2026. https://newspapers.lib.unb.ca/serials/155/issues/22758/pages/166049?highlight=horticultural%20%20
5The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1893) “Interest in Horticulture.” June 3, 1893. Page 3. Newspapers.com, accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal-interest-in-horticultu/204987343/
6The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1893) “Prizes for Window Gardening.” Advertisement. May 17, 1893. Page 2. Newspapers.com, accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal-flower-show-prizes/204546051
7The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1894) “Horticultural Exhibition.” Advertisement. September 14, 1894. Page 3. Newspapers.com, accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal-horticultural-exhibiti/204546099
8Saint John Public Gardens. “A Rich History.” About. Accessed July 16, 2026. https://saintjohnpublicgardens.ca/about
9The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1897) “A Bower of Beauty.” “The Annual Flower Show – Competitors and Prizes.” September 2, 1897. Page 3. Newspapers.com, accessed July 17, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal-the-annual-flower-show/204546186
10The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1897) “Something Worth Seeing.” August 30, 1897. Page 3. Newspapers.com, accessed July 16, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal-something-worth-seeing/204546231
11The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1900) “Flags of Flowers.” July 13, 1900. Page 8. Newspapers.com, accessed July 20, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-journal-flags-of-flowers/204546269
12Council of Archives New Brunswick. “Manchester Robertson Allison Limited (Saint John, N.B.).” ArchivesCANB (Authority Record). Accessed July 20, 2026. https://search.canbarchives.ca/manchester-robertson-allison-limited-saint-john-n-b
13McAlpine’s Saint John City Directory for 1894-95. Saint John, New Brunswick: McAlpine Publishing Co., 1894. Page 548. Canadiana. Accessed July 20, 2026. https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.8_00231_24/520
14The Saint John Times Globe (Saint John, New Brunswick: 1988) “Evangeline Home Marks Final Chapter in Colorful History.” July 14, 1988. Page 38. Newspapers.com, accessed July 20, 2026. https://www.newspapers.com/article/saint-john-times-globe-evangeline-home/204546338
15House of Names. “Alison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms.” Accessed July 22, 2026. https://www.houseofnames.com/ca/alison-family-crest
162PGB “View in King Square, St. John, N.B.” Postcard. Valentine-Black Co., Ltd., Toronto, Canada; printed in Great Britain. Postmarked 1936. Author’s collection.
178PGB Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. Isaac Erb fonds. “Manchester Robertson Allison Ltd. King St. stores.” P210\2976. September 1909. https://archives.gnb.ca/en-ca/collections/details?level=5&key=723142
18Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. Department of Tourism, Promotions and Marketing Branch photographs. “Coat of arms, County Court House.” P225\587. Old reference no. S-G-1. Saint John, Saint John County. https://archives.gnb.ca/en-ca/collections/details?level=5&key=522348