I remember when nobody owned an automobile in Treasure Beach. It was extremely difficult to travel in and out of Pedro. We were indeed isolated, but many people managed to get out of the area, and travel to foreign lands such as USA and Central American countries, and much later to UK and Canada.
Prior to and including the 1950's there were no buses, taxies, or other form of public transportation available to Pedro people. I am going to relate a story here that will give the young among us an idea of how difficult it was to get around.
My brother Dr Emersom James as a teenager was an exceptionally bright student and he was sent off to Cornwall College in Montego Bay. That was great news but this is how how he travelled there. He had to get to the railway station in Maggotty to catch the once daily train from Kingston that arrived there around 3:00 PM. He walked all the way there, a journey that took him all night and well into the next day. His luggage was loaded onto a donkey and Noel Hamilton (RIP) accompanied him on the way. He was instructed to travel in his school uniform so he dressed from home in shorts pants and knee socks and as he complained later , his legs were on fire. The reverse happened at the end of several school terms. But sometimes he got lucky.
The father of one of his fellow students was the principal of Parrottee School and owned a car.He drove them to Parottee and instructed my brother to walk the rest of the way, and he had to.

In the mid 1940's I remember vividly my first buggy ride to Black River. There was a passeneger carrying buggy service available to us, but we had to walk up to the Police Station, because the owner would not venture down the old Station Hill road, it was too steep and hard on the horses. Th buggy was comfortable and the horses looked very regal and Mr Bernard was good buggy chauffer so I enjoyed the ride People went to Black River to see the doctor, dentist, do big shopping, go to court, visit a hospitalized patient,and had to be prepared to spend the entire day in town. The buggy left very early in the morning and returned quite late as well.

Things improved slowly, Mr Victor Mair of Newel bought a motor car and used it as a taxi. One could get a message to him, that his services were needed at a specific date for whatever reason one was travelling. He needed to know and schedule his time accordingly.He also needed to know where his fare lived, so he could come to pick them up.

I had a better time and easier transportation when I was ready to be sent away to High School in Kingston. By then, market trucks were operating out of the area, and I could get a ride on the back of the truck all the way to Kingston. I too had to travel in uniform and it was very uncomfortable sitting on a wooden plank dangling my legs betweem live goats, pigs and chicken, and crocus bags full of farm produce
On one such journey, the truck couldnt make it up Spur Tree Hill, so to lighten it all the able bodied people had to get off and follow the truck slowly up Man Bumpy. When the truck picked up speed everyone ran as fast as possible and jumped back on, I was slower than most, and as I laboured to catch up an old lady yelled at me.. " hurry up mi son. laud have mercy, as soon as them get little size , we clap boots pon them and them cant run no more". I thought she was very funny.Market trucks left around 6:00PM and arrived next morning around sun up.

Another method of transport arrived in Treasure Beach (not Pedro anymore), when Mr Alvin James started to operate the MILK TRUCK which was a God send to the area of south St Elizabeth. Its daily run to a railway station gave me and other students at scholl outside the area an means of getting to the trains. By the time I was out of school the family started a bus service to other parts of the island . Taxis arrived in roves and Pedro joined the rest of the world.

The story I mentioned about my brother prompted me to ad this little tribute to him. He had been dead now 12 years and I miss him. He accomplished much in his life and served many Jamaicans who need medical services. After he graduated from High School he was granted a Island Medical Scolarship to study in England. He got an excellent medical training at Guy's Hospital Medical School. He died at age 77 years. May he rest in peace.

Your vivid recollections are greatly appreciated Raymond. These are treasures. Thank you very much.

I like reading these old stories my dad your cousin would tell us about the market truck too.I think my grandmother your aunt travel on it to market also.oh how I miss those stories from my dad,love and miss you papa RIP.

I heard stories about people traveling to kingston on Lyn-eve truck ,dont know what year it was.

I am curious to know how the Pedro Keys were discovered? How did all these different Bays came about?

What vivid recollections Mr. James! Keep dem coming i really enjoy your postings.

Wonderful memories, love to hear how things in TB were in those days.

Please excuse the few errors in the script. I am a hunt and peck typist. Thank you

You did a fantastic job Mr.James! Ever thought about writing a book, memoirs of TB? It would be a seller. Keep up the good work.

This is such a warm story, almost a tear jerker. Agree with TBite about writing a book then perhaps a movie should be made. Thanks and God bless.