Alexander "Slick" Rhynes

Interview

Thompson, Reg "Dutch"

Rhynes, Alexander "Slick"

In this interview, Dutch Thompson sits down with Alexander “Slick” Rhynes, born on April 5, 1925. Slick Rhynes was a prominent bootlegger who operated on Prince Edward Island. In this interview, Rhynes talks about his close friend and mentor Wellington Macneill, providing an inside look into the logistics of farming, bootlegging and the trade industry on PEI throughout the mid to late 1900s. In addition, Slick discusses the gradual expansion and development of the city of Charlottetown throughout his life.

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SIDE A 00:00:00–00:00:41 Rhynes speaks about the origin of his nickname "Slick", and details that he was born in 1925. | SIDE A 00:00:42-– 00:02:00 How Rhynes first met Wellington Macniell with his father Alexander Sr. Rhynes and mentions their mutual love for drinking Highland Queen (whiskey). | SIDE A 00:02:01-– 00:04:15 Rhynes speaks about how he started working for Wellington MacNeill at the Buntain and Bell Wharf; shipping vegetables, hay, cattle, beef; and talks about the logistics of the Rhynes family farm. | SIDE A 00:04:16— 00:05:39 A story about Wellington Macniell and Andie Maclean regarding Rhynes and where he would source food for the pigs on the farm. | SIDE A 00:05:40—00:07:03 Discussion about restaurants that would provide food to feed the farm, including "Towers," "Whites," "New England Cafe," and the cost of pork. | SIDE A 00:07:04—00:08:41 00:11:53 Rhynes discusses his time working at Horns Motors, his relationship with school and shares stories involving the Gates Mill Pond, giving mention to Fredrick "Fred" Gates and the Gates family. | SIDE A 8:38– Mentions of the Gates family farm, run by Artie Gates and the eels in the Gates Mill Pond | SIDE A 9:45–11:45 Agnes tells a story involving eels fished from the Gates Mill Pond | SIDE A 00:11:46--00:13:52 Discussions about the Upton Airport detailing how his father used to transport the passengers by horse and cart through the condition of Bill's Hill and giving mention to the duo who would fly the plane at the time Pilot Carl Burke and Jr. Jones of Longworth Avenue | SIDE A 00:13:53–00:17:33 Rhynes talks about the successes of Wellington MacNeill's businesses, giving mention to his vast connections for shipping, including Newfoundland; Sydney, NS; the Magdalen Islands, QC and many other unnamed locations. Rhynes also discusses Wellington MacNeill's financial success and his generosity. | SIDE A 00:17:34–00:18:50: Rhynes talks about learning to drive, Bob MacKinnins on Great George Road and Wellington MacNiell running for office. | SIDE A 00:18:51–00:19:56 Mentions Walter Weeks, who farmed and sold out of Hunter River. Discussions regarding the Wharf, including logistics, schedule and individuals he both hired and sold to including Bill Colliere(?), Bob Connolly, Collins Woods. | SIDE A 00:19:57--00:23:03 Wellington Macneill started working at six years old after his father's death; Rhynes talks about handling western horses with Parker Horne. | SIDE A 00:23:04–00:26:59 Talks about Wellington Macneill regarding his white foxes, financial ideologies, and son Alfred Macneill. | SIDE A 00:27:00–00:29:25 Discussion about Wellington Macneill regarding his intelligence, modesty, and tobacco habits. |SIDE A 00:29:26--00:31:01 Talks about Paoli's Wharf and local lumber yards, mentioning Simon Paoli's, then MacDonald and Ross. | SIDE A 00:31:02–00:34:40 Discussion about Wellington Macneill's passing and where he was buried. | SIDE A 00:34:41–00:36:00 Story about Lloyd Gates and Bobbi Gates joining the Air Force. | SIDE A 00:36:01–00:40:09 Talks about the evolution of Charlottetown, mentioning the liquor store "Oak Tree Place," the travelling circus, K-Mart, Pickard's Farm and the Inman's Dairy Farm. | SIDE A 00:40:10–00:45:15 Rhynes talks about bootlegging rum, moonshine; Brent McGinnis, Allan McGinnis, Patricia "Patty" Curley (Hood,) Eileen Curley (nee Walsh,)Dr. Jenkins, Duncan Macphail. Ritchie MacKinnon of Tracadie | SIDE A 00:45:16--00:47:40 The RCMP, and their response to bootleggers/ rum-runners on PEI; Police officers: Peter Jay, Shaun Norman Hayes, Alvin Shaw, and Charlie Poolie. | SIDE A 00:47:41–00:50:28 How Rhynes made moonshine with molasses, white and brown sugar, yeast, water; Sleepy Hollow. | SIDE A 00:50:29–00:50:54 Rhynes got caught by the RCMP and stayed in the 1911 Jail. | SIDE B 00:50:55–00:54:10 Discussions about Chiefs of Police A. Birtwhistle and C.W. MacArthur. | SIDE B 00:54:11-00:57:20 Slick talks about his family's origin: his mother, Barbara (Lawson) and father, Alexander Sr. Rhynes and their immigration from Aberdeen, Scotland and Peeblesshire, Scotland. | SIDE B 00:57:21–01:02:24 Slick talks about hiding rum from the police: Tea Hill, Beach Grove Wellington Gay, Wellington Macneil, Clovey and Andy Perry, bootlegging rum. | SIDE B 01:02:25–01:02:53 Slick talks about his bootlegging practices regarding drinking. | SIDE B 01:02:54–01:07:20 Audio drops (distortion) | SIDE B 01:07:20–01:12:25 Discussions about the use of equipment on the farm, including horses, cars and tractors; Samuel "Sam" Stewart, Allison Stewart. | SIDE B 01:12:26–01:15:49 Talks about Christmas growing up; presents, stalkings, apples, oranges, | SIDE B 01:15:50–01:19:38 Slick talks about growing and selling wheat, barley, potatoes and oats.