ST. CATHARINES’ OLDEST RESIDENT, DEAD
Remembered the War of 1812 and the Rebellion of 1837
[People’s Press, 12 June 1900]
St. Catharines, Ont., June 8-Mrs. Abigail Waud, the oldest resident of the city, died here this morning. She was in her 93rd year, having been born at Fonthill, November 7, 1807. She was of U.E. Loyalists origin, her paternal grandfather, Robert Spencer, having fought in the revolutionary war as an officer on the British side. In the war of 1812 the homestead in Pelham was occupied several time by the British troops. Gen. Brock gave Mrs. Waud a gold dollar, which was long preserved as one of her treasures. She was an eye-witness of the fleeing of the Americans at Beaverdams when the Mohawk Indians rushed to attack them. She witnessed bloody scenes during the Mackenzie rebellion in 1837, and also the distressing events occasioned by the outbreak of malarial fever among the laborers employed on the construction of the first Welland canal when 600 perished from the disease. One son and two daughter survive her.
Port Colborne News
[People’s Press, 12 June 1900]
The community was shocked and saddened on Saturday last by the death of Miss Ida May, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Christmas. Though deceased had been ill for nine months previous to her death, she had been quite better of late and hopes of recovery were entertained. She was taken ill with what the doctor pronounced as lung trouble. On Saturday morning last at half-past ten o’clock, she passed peacefully away, and the loving watchers scarcely noticed the end. During her illness all was done that skilful and patient attendants could do, but without avail.
That dreaded disease consumption has claimed another life-that of a young and happy girl, a life full of promise, a life, the taking of which will an irreparable loss to all who knew her. Deceased, who was born in Port Colborne, was 23 years of age. Her life here has been a pure and useful one. Her vacancy among her numerous friends can never be taken. All who knew her loved her.
The body was laid in a beautiful white casket, resting and partly covered in a bed of white flowers, and attired in white-all reminding the sorrowing friends of the purity of the life of which this silent body was but an earthly prison.
The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at half-past one, from the late home of deceased to St. James’ church, where the service was held. The rector, Rev. A. Bonny, spoke with deep feeling of the sweet, simple, Christian life of deceased. The choir sang some appropriate hymns. The church was filled, and all who were present were allowed to view the body. The interment was in Grabiel’s cemetery. A large concourse of friends drove to the burying ground.
The following were the pallbearers: Harry Palmer, O. Gilles, Geo. Laing, Charles. Bradley, Wm. Cook and Jos. Hanham.
The bereaved family have the sympathy of everyone in their sad affliction.
[People’s Press, 12 June 1900]
H.N. Dell, an old and formerly a prominent resident of Crowland township, departed this life at his home near Welland on Thursday evening last, at the age of 70 years and seven months. (7 June 1900). Although Mr. Dell had been in ill-health for a long time, the end came suddenly as his illness was not considered immediately dangerous until the morning of the day of his death. His ailment was asthma, the immediate cause of death, however, being heart failure.
The Dell family, of which deceased was a member, was one of the most prominent pioneer families in this section. They were strong loyalists, the name often appearing in the annals of local history. Our subject, H.N. Dell, was born in Willoughby, and lived all his life in that township and Crowland, taking an active and prominent place in public matters until incapacitated by disease and advancing age. For some years he occupied the position of township councillor of Crowland. By occupation he was a builder, in politics a stalwart Liberal, and in religion a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist church.
A widow, one son-Frank Dell, Ridgeway-and two daughters-Mrs. W.B. Chambers and Mrs. Andrew Willson, survive to mourn their loss.
The funeral took place on Saturday, interment at Doan’s Ridge. A very large gathering of friends convened to pay the last tribute of respect to an old and faithful friend. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Russ.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dell and their two sons, Harry and Orley, attended the funeral of Mr. Dell’s father at Welland on Saturday.
[Welland Tribune, 6 July 1900]
Humberstone has lost another of its pioneer settlers in the person of Valentine Hopf, who, after suffering from a complication of diseases, died shortly after midnight on June 30, of valvular heart disease. Deceased was in his 80th year. He was born in Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, in 1820; emigrated to Canada in 1847 and settled in Humberstone. He was mail-carrier for the local postoffice for a number of years. He passed his declining years with his daughter, Mrs. Samuel Young. He is also survived by two step daughters, Mrs. Andrew Noxel and Mrs. John Wright. The funeral was held on Monday, July 2nd, at 1.30 p.m., from the residence of Samuel Young to St. Peter’s Lutheran church, Stonebridge, of which deceased was an active and highly respected member. The funeral services were conducted by the pastor of the church, Rev. Mr. Dorn. Interment took place in Lakeview Lutheran cemetery, east of Port Colborne. The pallbearers were: Charles Bauer, sr., Jacob Young, Jacob Miller, John Seitz, John Utz and Christian Wolfe. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Young desire to thank the friends and neighbors for their kindness during their affliction.
[Welland Tribune, 6 July 1900]
To the Welland Tribune:
The crops of South Dakota are only one quarter of a crop at present, and if it does not rain very soon there will be none at all; as it is, wheat will have to be harvested with a hauler.
Sunday we had a very heavy wind and thunder storm. Wanby, a small town 25 miles from Bradley, is in ruins now from the effects of a small cyclone; one child killed and several injured, was the latest report. I am well and enjoying good health. From one of the old Welland boys. Yours truly,
Lewis J. Brittin
Bradley, South Dakota
July 2, 1900
Interesting Letter from C.T. Krafft
Eagle River, Ont., 30 June 1900
[Welland Tribune, 6 July 1900]
Dear Sir-As I had so many requests from friends before leaving to be sure, and write them and tell of my journey and what kind of country the Rainy River and Thunder Bay districts are, I ask permission to trespass on your valuable space in the Tribune, knowing by so doing all can get the desired information at once. Thanking you in advance, I will proceed.
I left Stevensville May 16th per M.C.R., changed to C.P.R. at Welland, arrived in Toronto at 11.10 same day, had to lay over in Toronto till 5.40 p.m., to catch train for Owen Sound, arriving at the latter point at 12.50 a.m. Here I took in the town till 11 a.m.
Owen Sound is a busy place and finely situated with a good harbor, and everyone seems contented and busy.
At 11 o’clock I embarked on S.S. Alberta for Port Arthur. Passing up Lake Huron we passed several islands not mentioned in the geography. We arrived at the Soo the next morning at 9; the rapids here are grand but not navigable, so we go through the canal. A fine view of both the American and Canadian Soo can be had. Arrived at Port Arthur the next morning after leaving the Soo. Before coming in the harbor at Port Arthur, the sight that confronts a stranger is something long to be remembered. Great mountains rise out of the water seven miles from the harbor to a height of 1,400 feet, nearly perpendicular solid rock on either side, only a narrow channel, through which we pass.
Arriving at Port Arthur, one’s first impression is a tumble-down, rickety, half-built place, where no law or order exists, but on investigation one finds a town of 2,500 population, all making money and employment in the mines, the woods and construction work on the O.& R. R. Ry., also the P.A.D. and W. Ry. The former is constructed to a point 40 miles west of the town, the latter to the border crossing into Minnesota. Let me say here that my first impressions as to law and order were not far amiss, for the hotels, 12 in number, and 5 of these without a license, run night and day, Sundays included, without any interference; their front door is open always. How long would one of these houses keep open, and that, without license in Welland? This would be a good field for temperance people to do some work, or, better, perhaps, a good eastern license inspector.
Going on to Fort William we find a good town of 3500, good harbor, boats landing daily, and hundreds of men employed in unloading and loading cars. The C.P.R has three very fine elevators here, also a group of them a mile west; these are round and made of steel.
Going on west we pass several small places-Wabigoon, Dryden, (here is the government farm, and it looks to be quite a farming vicinity), Eagle River, (will say more about this latter place later on), till we reach Rat Portage, a fine place, but all you hear is gold; some very rich finds just south of the town lately.
Here we took a steamer down Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake to Rainy River, about 90 miles; now we go east down Rainy River some 80 miles to Fort Frances, a small place, some 300 population, but on account of the low water and the Rainy River railway not being completed the price of everything is out of sight. A merchant could make a fortune here if he could transport his goods, but for this there are no facilities at present. There are numerous well-tilled farms here, and thousands to acres to homestead; the land is easily cleared in places, other places plenty of good timber; but on account of the drought this season things are not looking favorable. There has not been any rain all summer to speak of, and this dry weather seems to be general throughout the whole west from Port Arthur to Winnipeg. I travelled through several townships around Fort Francis and north. I homesteaded 160 acres and bought another 160, in Burriss township. The land cannot be discounted for farming. The Government is building good roads where required, employing only settlers, thereby giving them an opportunity to earn some money till they get returns from their farms. Anyone wishing to engage in tilling the soil, here is the place to come.
Now I return to Port Arthur, and as they took a suspected case of smallpox out of the hotel I am stopping at, the place with all its occupants were quarantined for 14 days, 18 lodgers at the time. Passed the time reading, smoking, etc., there being no other cases being developed, we were liberated. Several patients have died here and at Fort William, but the disease is getting pretty well stamped out now.
I was about to return to Fort Francis, when I heard that the Indians, some 3,000 strong, had risen up against the whites there, and the settlers have asked for troops. The governor of Minnesota has promised to have troops there by Tuesday, but I understand the Canadian Government has taken no steps as yet. This changed my plans somewhat, so I accepted a position as operator with the C.P.R., and am working at Eagle River, 272 miles west of Fort William and 60 miles north of Fort Francis; this is a small place, as are all the places from Fort William to Rat Portage, but it is a very busy place as regards railroad work. Engines take water and coal here, and trains are made up here for both east and west. There is a staff here night and day. The scenery here is fine. A picturesque river runs 500 yards from the station, with a falls and rapids in it close by. There are lots of fish, and other game is plentiful and Indians galore. One of them brought in a bear yesterday. Blueberries are selling here 12 quarts for 25 cents and very plentiful. There is no farming land here, the soil is white clay and half stone. I think in time it will all turn into stone. Land can be had here from Government for 50 cents per acre; it is covered with a thick growth of small spruce, hemlock and poplar. It is the same kind of land nearly all the way along the C.P.R., from Fort William to Rat Portage, except Wabigoon and Dryden. The climate is very peculiar; in day time it is very hot, last Sunday 103 in the shade, while at night an overcoat is comfortable. Last night we had a white frost that touched tomatoes, beans and other tender plants.
Altogether it is a romantic, healthy place. Lots of work for laborers at good wages and plenty of land for the asking. I will close for this time, if I have not already taken up too much space.
Yours truly.
C.T. Krafft
[People’s Press, 23 October 1900]
Stowed here, with old treasures and dresses,
Queer bonnets, gay ribbons and lace
The rose that once decked her dark tresses,
The picture of her winsome face,
I found-queerly fashioned with buckle and bow,
With jewels to sparkle and glance-
The quaint little shoes that grandmother wore,
The night that she learned to dance.
Oh! Gay, was my Grandmother, surely,
That night, as her feet flew along
In time to the orchestra music,
Her heart keeping time with a song;
Oh! Trim was her form and light were her feet,
And proud of her shoes was she,
The vain little girl, dancing at her first ball,
-Grandmother that was to be.
Like stars were her eyes in the lamplight,
And full were her lips, rich and red,
She looked like a bird in the sunshine,
As through the gay measures she sped;
I wish I could see her, as that night she looked,
Some power would be the gift to me give,
For the old people say that when she was young,
My Grandmother looked like me.
Quaint shoes, I will aye keep them sacred,
My grandmother’s feet are but dust,
No music will rouse them to dancing.
She sleeps the sweet sleep of the just,
But still-as a vision-I see gliding by,
A figure in gossamer dressed,
It fades-I recall that with slim feet unshod,
My grandmother lies at rest.
GRANDMOTHER’S DANCING SHOES
[People’s Press, 23 October 1900]
Stowed here, with old treasures and dresses,
Queer bonnets, gay ribbons and lace
The rose that once decked her dark tresses,
The picture of her winsome face,
I found-queerly fashioned with buckle and bow,
With jewels to sparkle and glance-
The quaint little shoes that grandmother wore,
The night that she learned to dance.
Oh! Gay, was my Grandmother, surely,
That night, as her feet flew along
In time to the orchestra music,
Her heart keeping time with a song;
Oh! Trim was her form and light were her feet,
And proud of her shoes was she,
The vain little girl, dancing at her first ball,
-Grandmother that was to be.
Like stars were her eyes in the lamplight,
And full were her lips, rich and red,
She looked like a bird in the sunshine,
As through the gay measures she sped;
I wish I could see her, as that night she looked,
Some power would be the gift to me give,
For the old people say that when she was young,
My Grandmother looked like me.
Quaint shoes, I will aye keep them sacred,
My grandmother’s feet are but dust,
No music will rouse them to dancing.
She sleeps the sweet sleep of the just,
But still-as a vision-I see gliding by,
A figure in gossamer dressed,
It fades-I recall that with slim feet unshod,
My grandmother lies at rest.
[Welland Tribune, 27 April 1900]
Mrs. O.A. Webster (Lydia Maud, daughter of James Griffith, formerly of Welland, now of Grand Forks, Dakota), died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, on Sunday April 15th.
Mrs. Webster has been in poor health for some time, and with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Griffith, and her sister, Mrs. F. Cathro, went to Hot Springs last December for the benefit of her health. She did receive benefit for a time, and was about to return home when she was taken seriously ill, and died unexpectedly. The following particulars are taken from the Grand Forks Herald:-
“Deceased was born in Ontario 45 years ago, and came to Grand Forks in 1882. She was prominent in social and religious circles, and was a constituent or charter member of the local Baptist church. She leaves one son, Horace, aged six, and besides the relatives already mentioned, two sister, Mrs. L.H. Carter of Grand Forks, and Mrs. R. Weeks, now of California, and three brothers, Dr. A.R. Griffith of Montreal and R.B. and T.C. Griffith of this city. With the exception of children who died in infancy this is the first break in the Griffith family. The aged parents, the husband, the son other relatives of the deceased lady have the sincere sympathy of many who share with them their sorrow over the departure of a loved and honored friend.”
The body was taken to Grand Forks for burial. Mrs. Webster had many warm friends in Welland, and vicinity who will deeply deplore her demise.
Girl Shot Dead
[People’s Press. 25 September 1900]
A cold-blooded murder was committed in the village of Waterdown about 9.15 Sunday evening, when a young lady named Griffen of Dundas was shot by one of two men who are present unknown. Miss Griffen was riding in a buggy with a young man, George Arthur Pearson, a butcher, of Hamilton. When the shooting occurred the pair having been at Carlisle, were on their way to the city and were driving through Waterdown, when the two men in a rig drove up behind them. The two men drove past Mr. Pearson and Miss Griffen, and as they did so one of them deliberately pointed a revolver at the young man and woman and fired. Two cartridges were emptied from the revolver in rapid succession, and Miss Griffen fell from the rig dead. Her companion escaped injury. In the confusion that followed the terrible deed his horse, which was from a Hamilton livery, got away and was stopped at Anderson’s hotel, just beyond the city limits. Coroner McGregor of Waterdown was notified, and he arranged to hold an inquest. The city police were telephoned to and were informed that the horse the murders were driving was a tall animal. Efforts were at once made to capture the men. Acting Chief Prentice is busy on the case. At midnight the police were still in the dark as to the murderers or the motive of the crime. It was surmised that it was prompted by jealousy.
Pearson Confesses
Pearson, the young man who was with Miss Griffen, has confessed that he was himself her murderer.
Pearson said: “I kissed her good-by, then shot her dead, but the reason no one will ever know.”
Toronto Globe
[People’s Press 15 May 1900]
Niagara Falls Village, with all its hallowed associations, its historic connection with the stirring times of 1812-14, and its picturesque vicinage to Niagara’s mighty cataract claims a new brightness to its undimmed halo of imperishable glory. Six stalwart soldiers from the little village enrolled themselves under the Union Jack at England’s call for men, and are now on African soil fighting for their Queen and country. It is but fair to give equal prominence to these men among the many brave Canadians whose rise to the call of duty has been portrayed in The Globe’s war pictures. In today’s illustrated supplement their names and photos appear. Of the six, two are members of the 44th Battalion, and one is a lieutenant in the 2nd Dragoons, Welland troop.
G. Douglas Palmer of Lundy’s Lane, who enlisted in the Canadian Mounted Rifles and sailed on the Milwaukee, is a son of Capt. Palmer, in the Royal navy, and is a descendent on his mother’s side of the celebrated Black Douglas of Scottish history. Lieut. Palmer is a splendid horseman, of soldierly bearing, and a social favorite in the smart set at the Falls. In his letters home Lieut. Palmer writes enthusiastically of the glories of war, and sees nothing but the bright side of what must sometimes look a gloomy picture indeed.
Joseph J. Stokes of the village of Niagara Falls, aged 23, sailed with the Laurentian as orderly on the Brigade Division Staff, Royal Canadian Artillery. He enjoys the flattering distinction of being selected as orderly on the staff while in barracks at Kingston with D. Battery. Joe is an entertaining writer of camp life and scenes in South Africa, and has participated in some of the stirring scenes that have made the Canadians famous in the war.
Private Aleck Moore sailed on the Milwaukee with D Battery of the second Canadian contingent. He is a recruit from the 44th Battalion and a general favorite in the village of Niagara Falls. Private Moore is a typical sprig of Erin, born of Irish parents, and a rollicking, whole-souled good fellow. He is a tall, broad-chested and athletic young man of 28 years, and a credit to the old “hill of fire” in Lundy’s Lane. He was one of the first to enroll for the second contingent.
The youngest of the six volunteers for the second contingent to South Africa from Niagara Falls Village is Frederick Speck, aged 20, son of Alderman J.W. Speck. Fred is with D Battery, R.C.A., and sailed on the Milwaukee. He is robust for his years, and is an enthusiastic gunner. Private Speck has seen military life at Camp Niagara as a member of the 44th Battalion. His description of life on the South African veldts varies somewhat from the tented field pictures of old Niagara. He is a capital marksman and makes a fine soldier.
Herbert Edwards, one of the brave six who left the village of Niagara Falls to sail with the second Canadian contingent on the Milwaukee, is a son of Thomas Edwards of Lundy’s Lane, who served on H.M.S. devastation at the siege of Alexandria. “Like father, like son,” and the fire of war rekindled in the heart of the son the spirit of his warlike sire. Private Edwards is 23 years of age, and a young man of excellent parts. He is with D Battery.
The last of the Niagara Falls village boys to leave for South Africa was Private Archie Pay. He is 25 years of age, and was born in Grantham township, township of Lincoln. Private Pay was enrolled with D Battery, was taken ill while at Kingston, with typhoid fever, and his departure with the boys of D Battery was impossible. As soon as he recovered, however, he succeeded in securing a place with the troops enrolled to fill the gap of those slain in the first contingent, and sailed on the Monterey. His spirit is commendable, and many warm friends wish him safely through the campaign.
The welfare of these six young men is being anxiously looked after by many friends in the Niagara district. Their photos and the data for this sketch have been secured through the efforts of Joseph Forde, whose place of business in the village has been called the “war office” by reason of his enthusiastic patriotism and the numerous are relics he has collected.
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