Archive for August, 2011
County Town a Mecca for Dead Beats
As Much Division Court Business in Welland as in Niagara Falls and the Rest of the County
[Welland Telegraph, 3 June 1910]
The annual report of the Inspector of Division Court is just to hand; and the Telegraph is forced to conclude after reading it that Welland is the favorite roost for the man who can not pay and the dead beat who will not pay.
There are six Division Courts in the county; Welland had 588 suits. The other five put together, and this includes Niagara Falls, mark you, had only 589. The claims made in the Welland court, moreover, totalled almost as much as the total claims of the other five. There were sixty-three judgment summonses in Welland and only fifty-eight in all the others put together. Twenty-five debtors in the six courts were ordered to be committed, and fifteen of those were from Welland.
To quote the phrase of an ex-Wellander, “the bonds of pecuniary obligation lie lightly in Welland.”
The following is taken from the report:
- Welland-J.C. Nixon, bailiff; J.M. Livingstone, clerk.
- Marshville-John Haymes, bailiff; Jos. Henderson, clerk.
- Ridgeway-John R. Huffman, bailiff; Jos. Clark, clerk.
- Niagara Falls-James Jones, bailiff; J.G. Cadham, clerk.
- Thorold-R.C. Higgins, bailiff; D.J.C. Munro, clerk.
- Port Colborne-Henry Leslie, bailiff; Jas. E. Neff, clerk.
Number of suits entered
- 588
- 35
- 147
- 343
- 27
- 37
Amount of claims
- $19,302
- 1,576
- 5,606
- 12,995
- 857
- 1,140
Judgment Summonses Issued
- 63
- 6
- 16
- 31
- 3
- 2
Judgment debtors ordered to be committed
- 15
- 1
- 2
- 6
- 1
- 0
The number of debtors actually jailed, however, was only two, and both of these came from Welland.
Return of emoluments-
Clerks-
- $1294
- 89
- 295
- 873
- 66
- 76
Bailiffs-
- $701
- 125
- 347
- 653
[Welland Telegraph, 14 June 1910]
Many readers of this paper will be pleased to learn of the success of Miss S. Carolyn Blanchard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Blanchard, Merritt Street, who is hereafter to be known as Doctor Blanchard, for she has recently graduated from the College of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo. Since graduating, Doctor Blanchard has been notified of having successfully passed the Missouri State Board examination and is now fully licensed to practice.
Our readers will recall an interesting interview with Doctor Blanchard published in these columns shortly after the San Francisco earthquake in which she suffered some unusually exciting experiences. She was at that time attending a college of Osteopathy; but her course was interrupted by the disaster which devastated the city. Later she took up her studies at Kirksville where the founder of the science, Dr. A.T. Still, continues to preside over the institution. The diplomas are all signed by the aged founder of the cult and this year, the graduating class numbered 175.
Dr. Blanchard, who is spending a brief holiday at her home here, at the request of the Telegraph, gave the following explanation of the science of Osteopathy.
“The human body is a magnificent mechanism created by a master mechanic, each part lying in such relation to other parts that there is exact anatomical fitting. Any disturbance of these relations results in less perfect functioning.
Violence, tightened ligaments, contracted muscles, caused by cold draughts, or toxins in the system are among the causes of such disturbance. The human machine is so contracted that it runs itself, requires no engineer-given pure air, food, exercise and a proper environment. It will even adjust itself up to a certain point. But when too long continued or too great abuse of its laws is persisted in, disease results.
The Osteopathic physician after his three or four years of hard work in the class room, and in clinics, knows the workings of the human body, much in the same manner as an engineer is familiar with his locomotive. He has learned the natural method of restoring equilibrium. He looks carefully into causes which lead to the symptoms, regulating environment when necessary and skillfully adjusts disordered mechanisms.
The Osteopathic physician with his mechanics understands how to rebuild and restore the broken down digestive mechanism, to tone up the nervous system, to rehabilitate the organs of assimilation, elimination and locomotion. All this is done without the use of drugs, for the true Osteopathic doctor gives no medicine.”
[See related article: WOMAN’S STORY OF DISASTER]
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 27 July 1922]
Welland is a young city.
“Quite obvious,” most citizens will rejoin.
Yet why do we call the city young? When will it be old? Is the municipality to be in its youth, while the brick of its factories and public buildings reflect the recent touches of the workmen? Is it to be known as old, when these same buildings are darkened with age and weather beaten by the passages of time? Shall we say that London, Paris and Rome are old; that New York, Chicago and Montreal are middle aged; and that such places as Brantford, Niagara Falls, Chatham and Welland are young?
Rather an interesting way to determine the age of a city is suggested in that last issue of the Christian Guardian, where Arthur Barner deals with old age and human beings. He says:
“Old age is a psychological, rather than a physical matter. The division is made in words, “Your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.” If we can extend the period of vision until we cross the river, we shall never really grow old. The forward look keeps people young, in spite of physical ailment and weight of years.”
What Mr. Barner says of men may well be applied to cities. Welland is not young merely because a few years have passed since its incorporation. It is in its youth because its citizens are planning for the future, because those who are at present guiding its destiny see visions of a larger, more useful community. Just so long as the future generations keep a vision of something better before them, so long will the city stay youthful and vigorous.
May we never grow old!
[Welland Telegraph, 3 March 1876]
Welland, Feb. 29
Pursuant to call of the President (Charley) a special meeting of the great Dog Convention of the town of Welland met in Dog alley, this a.m.
Present-The President; Uno, Secretary; Little Joe, Delegate; Ponto Skip, Towser, Prin, Bravo, Fred, Rover, Dr. Fly, Roger, Jim and Constable Sport.
On the reading of the minutes of the last meeting the Secretary displayed great nervousness. Little Joe shook his head, making the jewelry on his neck rattle, so as to attract attention from all. Lawyer Jimmy commenced rubbing his paws, evidently thinking there was fun ahead, which would bring grist to his mill.
A great pow-wow ensued, consequent on the astounding discovery that the Secretary had willfully altered the minutes to suit his political proclivities. At this juncture a wail of discontent arose, and Uno was summarily ejected from the convention, and was last seen entering the doorway at the head of the rickety stairs at the rear of that two storey brick block, which contains that great ear of Juggernaut, with his caudal appendage closely pressed to his nether extremities, and as he closed the door behind him a howl arose from the convention which bore unmistakable proof that his conduct received the entire disapproval of its members.
Ponto was the appointed Secretary pro tem.
Lawyer Jim then seconded the platform, and said that all present were aware of the scandalous action taken by the late Secretary, and in moving for the appointment of a new one, he would simply draw attention to the evidence adduced at the last meeting from Ponto, Prin, Bravo and Fred, and for the information of those who were not present at the last meeting, he would read over the said evidence. He then proceeded in a clear distinct voice to read over the testimony of the above canines, commenting thereon as he went along. He summarized the whole by stating that all agreed that it was some kind of a workshop where they were enticed into by offers of cake, &c., but at times they were summarily dragged in by boys, (without any hair on their face) while the man with the dark hair was invariably present (bow-ow). The difficulty seemed to be to locate the exact spot where these dastardly acts had been committed, and to definitely describe the perpetrators. He had, since the last meeting been busy, with the aid of the evidence then adduced, endeavoring to ascertain the name of the shop where these cowardly acts were committed, and on enquiry had found there was only one such establishment in that neighborhood, and there has been only one there for over fourteen months, and hence the question was to his mind, satisfactorily solved (bow-ow). The late Secretary had willfully and maliciously misconstrued the evidence and has laid the fault at the door of the wrong party, and restitution should be immediately made (bow-ow). He was sorry to hear that the man with the dark hair had left the town, and he had heard through his (the speaker’s) master that a Government situation had been bestowed on him that he May Govern the customs to better advantage than he did those rascally set of imps in his employ here. He had also heard it said that this dark haired man had a partner-a boy, apparently some 16 or 18 years of age, who was, no doubt, one of those alluded to by Prin in his evidence, (bow-ow). The speaker concluded his remarks amid uproarious cheers, by moving that Ponto be appointed Secretary in place of Uno who had been expelled.
Dr. Fly, in seconding the motion, said he corroborated all that his learned brother of the bar had said, and would add that he considered any establishment what would allow tin pans to be attached to a canine’s extremity should receive the severe censure of the community. The guilt was, beyond doubt, fastened now on the proper party. The evidence was straightforward enough. There had only been one establishment of the kind in that neighborhood, and in fact, on that side of the street for over fourteen months and that was proof positive. And further, the dark haired man and the boy 16 or 18 years of age correspond well with the description given of the occupants of that one-horsed establishment, (bow-ow). He was happy to hear that they had made arrangements to leave the premises, and felt sure that after that convention would not be further troubled. The venerable doctor, who by the by, lost one of his feet in a battle for liberty, then resumed his position.
The motion was then put and carried.
Rodger, a new member of the convention who, though young, stood some six inches above any of the rest, then asked permission to address a few words. He said that on Monday last being called down to the Court House on business from his residence near the North School House, he was decoyed by a young man 16 or 18 years of age, who wore a light overcoat, up a flight of stairs in a two story brick building. As he was going up he heard a bell ringing violently on the street and a boy calling out loudly, something about an auction sale. Well, I was led through a doorway into just such a shop as has been described her today, where, a lot of type was lying around and soon a cord was attached to my narrative so tightly that I ran from his cruel grasp and bounded through the back door, which was open, and down the steps and thinking he was after me, I ran through Dog Alley and made for home. On my arrival there I found it was not he who was following me but a tin can daubed with, what my master said it was, printer’s ink was attached to the cord so as to strike my heels as I ran.
At this juncture the manifestation to lynch or tear the boy to pieces was so great that Constable Sport had his scierice taxed to the utmost while a vote was passed with authorizing each member present to bite that beardless boy of the Tribune.
The president then stated that this notorious practice would now be put a stop to, by reason of the guilty parties moving from the vicinity, he did not see the necessity of having such an organization, and would; therefore, on the dismissal of his meeting destroy the constitution by law and charter.
The members then dispersed leaving instructions with the Secretary to hand a copy of the proceedings to the Telegraph for publication.
Ponto
Secretary
INTERESTING NOTES AND COMMENT ON AN EARLY WELLAND COUNTY PAPER
THE “ACORN” PUBLISHED AT FONTHILL
[Welland Telegraph, 3 May 1910]
The Telegraph was shown an interesting paper by C.W. Price on Friday. The paper, which was published in Fonthill, was called the “Acorn”. It is believed to be the first paper published in the County of Welland. The first issue appeared from the office of publication in Fonthill in 1855 on August 10th.
There is a rival in the field, however, for first place, and that was the Fonthill Herald. Some say that the Herald was the first paper published.
At that time there were no papers in Welland, which was at that time called Merrittsville. Fonthill was much larger than Merrittsville, and as a consequence it was the centre of the county, and that is why the Acorn was founded there.
Its lease of life was very short, however, as it was only published six months. Mr. Price has every paper issued bound in a book.
The Acorn’s sub-heading was very suggestive but unfortunately it did not live to carry its policy out. The sub-heading referred to is, “The Acorn-Big Oaks from Little Acorns Grow.” In politics it was Independent. Politics were very seldom referred to in its editorials.
The Acorn was owned by and published by Hosmer L. Stone and D. Hobson. After three months in partnership Mr.Hobson sold his interests to Mr. Stone.
The size of the paper was about eight by twelve inches. It comprised of two sheets each of three columns –there being twelve columns in all. The terms as printed on the first page were two pence currency per number. It was a very neatly printed paper and would put the papers of nowadays to shame in that regard. It contained correspondence from Port Colborne, Port Robinson and Merrittsville.
The paper was printed in the office of the Herald. This was in a concert hall near the present block owned by Mrs. Stone and was burned down twenty years ago. The block was three storeys high and the village of Fonthill at that time was much larger than it is now is.
Several items are taken from the quaint old paper by The Telegraph. They will be found below and are very interesting.
Narrow Escape-A little girl about four years old, daughter of Dilly Coleman of Port Robinson, while playing in front of a well fell in. A colored man, standing near, immediately descended into the well and saved the child from drowning.
A marriage notice reads as follows: Married-On August 10th, 1855 at the residence of the bride’s father in the township of Pelham, by the Rev. J.R. Lavelle, Mr. J. H. Berston, tobacconist to Miss Lucilla D. Haines.
The paper was published on Friday.
Riceville, which is now Upper Fonthill, is also mentioned in the Acorn’s columns. The first Pelham post office was situated at Riceville. John S. Price was postmaster.
A paragraph regarding Townsend, the noted murderer, who killed several people in this province, and who after a trial lasting four months at Welland, was allowed to go free, also appears.
The St. Catharines Post is also referred to in an editorial.
The following interesting note is also taken from its columns.
Lecture-Wm. Lyon McKenzie is expected to deliver a lecture in the concert hall, October 4th, 1855, on the subject of dissolution of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada.
Despatches of Old Country news from steamers arriving in New York appear regularly in its columns and a scare heading is featured once in a while. As a whole it was a very interesting little sheet.
A notice of the first Pelham cattle show appears. It was held at Riceville. Prohibition was advocated in its columns.
Other interesting items gleamed from its columns by our reporter are:
Serious Accident at Merrittsville- On Wednesday at Merrittsville a platform at the side of Mr. Bald’s new house, upon which several carpenters were working, fell to the ground, injuring the men.
Drowned- Near Hellemsport, a sailor fell overboard and was drowned in the canal.
Fire- On Monday evening a barn belonging to Peter Price near the Chippawa creek was burned to the ground.
Married- At St. Catharines, on 30th November, by the Rev. A.L. Atkinson, Lorenzo D. Raymond to Mary Jane Cochrane.
The Acorn was not without its troubles with subscribers, however. The following is a very crude letter received from Merrittsville.
|
Merrittsville, 12 Nov., ‘55
Mr. Editor:
Sir,- I am happy to observe in your last issue of the Acorn that the last quarter is up, please omit sending the Dwarf Nut to me as swine feed is plenty with us in those parts, the year; no more.
but Remain yours
Cincerely!
true as you live
Joseph P. Brown
|
The Acorn replied to the above letter with great eloquence of nearby a column in length. The editor, even in this time of trouble, displayed a great deal of humor.
That the Mechanics Institute of Fonthill is a very old institution is evidenced by the following from the Acorn:
Mechanics Institute- According to notice, the annual meeting of the Institute was held on Monday, 3rd December. The attendance was exceedingly good. Officers were elected as follows:
John Frazer, Esq., M.D., M.P.P. –Pres.
Isaac P. Willson-1st Vice-Pres.
John Gore- 2nd Vice-Pres.
D.D’Everardo-Secretary
John B. Oxley-Treasurer
Gibson Gray-Librarian
J.S. Price, D. Kinsman, J.H. Burston, Henry Jiles and A Dinsmore were elected Associate Directors.
Pelham Municipal Council for 1856-Dr. Frazer, J. Scholfield, Lewis Willson, Parmer Buchner, Peter Beckett.
In February the editor made the announcement that he would have to suspend publication for some time. Later he announced he would again publish the paper on a much larger scale. We are informed that he did this and that until 1863 he published a very successful paper. In 1863 he again suspended publication.
Mr. Price also showed The Telegraph several issues of the Welland People’s Press of 1862 and 1863, published by A. Dinsmore.
[Welland Telegraph, 3 March 1876]
Yesterday a rather interesting trial was held here before Justice Daniel Willson. John Dunigan and Abraham Hendershot, Messrs. Alex. Griffith, Jos. McCallum, J.V. Strawn and Wm. Buchner were arraigned on a charge of furious driving on our public streets on Tuesday last. Joseph McMurray bid the information. Mr. Griffith was the first one called up for trial. Considerable evidence was adduced, the bulk of which went to show that the above mentioned gentlemen were out examining their horses and were driving at the rate of about eight miles an hour. Five witnesses were heard for the prosecution and six for the defence. As the fact of furious driving was not established, the case was dismissed. As the same evidence applied to all the parties, the whole of the cases were thus disposed of. Attorney Gilchriese appeared on behalf of the prosecution and A. Williams, Esq., for the defendant. Who pays the costs?
We have here a copy of the minutes of Welland County Council of nearly sixty years ago. They reveal two points of great interest. (1) The councillors sat in those days from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (2) Owing to the county treasury being depleted, the warden paid accounts out of his own pocket.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 23 March 1922]
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 1865
The members of the County Council assembled today at the Court House and at Seven o’clock p.m. were called to order by the Warden, Edward Lee, Esq., when the following representatives answered to their names: M. Betts, Reeve of Welland, M. Climenhage, Reeve of Bertie, R. Coulter, Reeve of Thorold Township, N. Forsyth, Reeve of Fort Erie, Geo. Whiteman, Reeve of Humberstone, Thos. Greenwood, deputy Reeve, do., James Henderson, Reeve of Crowland, W. James, Reeve of Thorold Village, W. Kennedy, deputy Reeve of Pelham, John Pew, Reeve of Stamford, N. Willick, Reeve of Willoughby.
Absent Members: A.H. Biggar, Reeve of Clifton, Jos. Garner, Reeve of Pelham, Geo. Graham, deputy Reeve of Bertie, S. Haney, deputy Reeve of Thorold Township, J.C. Kirkpatrick, Reeve of Chippawa, W. Russell, deputy Reeve of Stamford.
Warden’s Address
The Warden, addressing the Council, said he had deemed this the most favorable time to summon the Council to consider the municipal business of the County, and to close up as far as possible, the business of the year. He was not aware of any matters of great importance that would engage their attention, but if any should present itself, he would bring such under their notice. The Council, had, at the June Session, ordered an audit of the accounts from 1st January to the time Mr. Thompson vacated the Treasurer’s office. While he, the Warden, did not think it necessary to have such an audit, he considered it his duty to carry out the instructions of the Council. The audit had been made, and the report would be laid before the Council, and from which it would be seen that the statement did not agree with his settlement with the late Treasurer. Mr. Thompson has paid back to the County the sum of $246, paid himself for the report made by Gavin Robertson on the books of the County, as well as $200 paid himself as salary, not authorized by the Council. When the present Treasurer, Mr. McGlashan entered upon the duties of his office, he found but $102 in the Treasury and had the unpleasant fact staring him in the face, of debentures nearly due, interest maturing and accounts amounting to $500 for the liquidation of all of which he had no funds. Under the circumstances, he, the Warden, had assumed the responsibility of supplying such funds as were absolutely necessary to meet pressing demands. At one time, he had borrowed $5000; at another $5000, and on a third occasion he had himself advanced $300 to be repaid on the 1st January next, and at a rate of six per cent, (hear, hear) which he trusted would meet the approbation of the Council. In compliance with another resolution of the Council, a sale of County lands was held at Port Colborne on the 24th of October last, and which, while not well attended, not much sold, had realized good prices, exceeding the appraisement of the committee on County Lands. He was happy to inform the Council that during no year since 1855 had there been a greater quantity of Count Lands sold, than during the present one, and the prices also were in excess of those received hitherto. (Hear). The quantity sold was 1971 acres, realizing $10,739-(Hear, hear) of which upwards of $2000 had been paid into the Treasury on the first installment. Much credit was due the County Clerk for the interest and good management he had evinced in the matter of the Lands. The Warden submitted a proposal from a Mr. Perry of Dunnville to forfeit the sum of $416.20 paid on 50 acres of County Lands, if the County would take back the land, as he was unable to redeem it. Mr. Dilly Coleman has written him, the Warden, asking for time in the payment of his arrears on County lands. He, the Warden, would earnestly recommend the payment of another investment on the amount due the government for the County Lands. The receipts from those lands would next year, exceed $3000, and he suggested the passing of a resolution authorizing the County Treasurer to pay as much as he could afford towards the liquidation of the original purchase. Since the last meeting of the Council he had received the resignation of the Rev. Charles Walker as Local Superintendent of Schools for the Township of Thorold. The School Act provides that in case of vacancy in these offices the Warden shall make new appointments. With the view of affording satisfaction in a nomination, he had consulted the Reeve of the Township who had recommended Mr. Issac P. Willson, who was accordingly appointed. The Warden then laid on the table a number of papers, among which were a circular from the Chief Superintendent of Education relative to the new Grammar School Act; a communication from the County Council of Simcoe, asking cooperation in urging upon the Legislature the adoption of the principle of free grants of public lands to actual settlers as being the only true one for a new country; a communication from the Council of the County of York on the subject of renewal of the Reciprocity Treaty. The Warden concluded by submitting a report from the County Clerk relative to the Bonds of Mr. McGlashan which had been all duly executed, and regretted the absence of so many Councillors, several of whom had been detained through illness.
Application for Extension of Time
Mr. James submitted a petition from the collector of Thorold village praying for an extension of time to the 25th of January in the collection of the taxes of that village.
Mr. Forsyth was under the impression that the local councils had in their own hands the power asked for.
Mr. James read from the U.C. Consolidated Statutes page 672, Cap. 55, 22nd Vic, Section 104, to show that the local council had not the power to extend the time.
Mr. Henderson desired to know if the council of Thorold would pay the interest on monies not paid as its apportionment to the County, if any such had remained unpaid since the 14th of the month.
Mr. James said certainly. We ask no relief from the County, but merely time to collect, by which we shall avoid the disagreeable duty of distraining the goods of the people who were unable to pay up to the present time.
Mr. D. D’Everardo, Clerk of the Council being asked for his opinion said that in a late case between the corporation of Kingston vs. Stevens, the Court held that so long as the poll remained in the hands of the Collector, that officer continued to be invested with all the powers vested in him.
The prayer of the petition was finally granted on motion to Mr. James seconded by Mr. Forsyth.
Hours of Meeting
On motion of Mr. Forsyth, seconded by Mr. James, the sessional hours during the present session were determined upon as follows: Meet at 9 a.m.; adjourn at 12.30 p.m., meet again at 2 p.m.; adjourn at 6 p.m.; meet again at 7 and adjourn at 9 p.m.
The hour of adjournment having arrived, the Warden left the chair.
Seemed Unmoved as He Mounted Scaffold at Hamilton Yesterday Morning
KILLED WELLAND WOMAN
Spiritual Adviser Said Barty Repeatedly Asked God for Assistance
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 13 January 1927]
John Barty was hanged at the Hamilton jail yesterday morning for murdering Mrs. Nancy Cook of Welland by hitting her over the head with a hammer last summer. The prisoner dropped through the trap at 7.22 and twelve minutes later was pronounced dead. Arthur Ellis was the hangman.
Barty was roused about 5.30 to prepare for his death. His last moments, which were described by Envoy McDougall of the Salvation Army, were evidently devoid of any terror or nervousness. He took his last hours as calmly as if he were settling down before the fireplace for an evening’s smoke.
Gave Some Confidence
“I was there for an hour and a half before his death,” Mr. McDougall said. “He did not make any reference to the crime he was alleged to have committed, but he did tell me several things which did have a bearing on his past life, and as his confessor, he asked me to keep them to myself.”
“Was he at all perturbed?” queried the reporter.
“Not in the least,” said the envoy. “Quite the contrary, it was really astonishing. I never before saw anybody face death the way he did.”
“Did he eat a good breakfast?”
Ate a Good Breakfast
“With the exception of some bread crusts he ate everything that was put before him. He drank everything they gave him to drink. And during the time I was with him, over and over again he asked God for his grace and help. He continuously affirmed his faith in the Lord.”
A Silent Crowd
Meanwhile as Barty was with his spiritual advisor, the jurors and officials and representatives of the press were gathering in the front rooms of the jail. They sat around and talked quietly-there was a noticeable absence of the laughter that usually characterizes the occasion when a group of men get together. The jail governor stood at the door and admitted the men as they came, scrutinizing each letter or pass as it was handed to him. Outside a crowd of the curious gathered, evidently believing that the hanging was going to be visible from the street. Or perhaps some morbid motive impelled them to hover around the place where death was whetting his scythe. The motor cars, the street cars and the wagons all slowed up, and the occupants craned their necks at the jail, which was unusually illuminated for that hour of the morning.
Into Death Chamber
Finally the hour for the hanging drew near, and the whole gathering followed single file out into the jail across the jail yard and finally into the death house itself.
Freshly whitewashed, the place was as spick and span as if some more happy event was going to take place there. The scaffold was in the southeast corner and was some dozen or more steps above the level of the floor. On top, quite a floor space was provided around the trap. The whole room was illuminated only by two electric lights bunched together. These lighted up the scaffold very well, but the distance from the light at the far end gave rise to queer shadows when a figure silhouetted itself against the bulbs. It was like some fantastic grotto at times in the dimly lit far end.
An Ominous Sight
The scaffold itself had been white-washed and a brand new rope hung ominously from the support to the floor, with a formidable big knot leaving a large loop below it. On the noose itself was hung the black hood.
The gathering stood around in the cold air, shivering and waiting with gruesome anticipation. There was some attempt at conversation, but it was rather feeble.
Finally, somebody peered out the door and said, “Here they come!” Into the chamber he would never leave alive walked Barty. He was handcuffed, and was guarded by turnkeys. With him were the deputy sheriff, the governor and Hangman Arthur Ellis.
Mounted Scaffold
With a slow step and impassive eye he walked slowly on, his hands handcuffed behind his back. He had on a rugged blue shirt, and an old pair of trousers. He looked neither right nor left, but kept on walking. Slowly he mounted the scaffold. It proved too much for one man, and he left hurriedly.
They stood around in a little semi-circle with Barty in the centre. Ellis quickly slipped the black cap over his head, and adjusted the noose in proper place, the noose holding the cap snug and tight.
Called for Prayer
The Hangman Ellis took charge. He waved the others back, walked over to the levers, and said: “Chaplain, say the Lord’s prayer.”
“Our Father, “commenced Envoy McDougall, “which art in”____
The hangman jerked the lever and Barty dropped from sight.
The drop was 7 feet 2 inches.
The death cell was then cleared, and the gathering filed slowly out. Some tried to go underneath and see the dying man’s convulsions, but the governor would not even admit the jail surgeon at the moment.
Just as Usual
The onlookers walked slowly across the jail yard as the first feeble rays of day began to throw its wan light over the sky. Outside a freight train rang its bell and somebody across the street laughed. Crunch, crunch went the feet on the frozen ground till they got into the jail once more. Envoy McDougall slipped quietly away, but the jurors were gathered into a room by Coroner Rennie, who did not witness the hanging.
They were told by Dr. Rennie that they were assembled to determine how and by what means Barty came to his death. They filed out and came back soberly after having seen Barty’s dead body.
Hangman Appeared
The Sheriff Regan, Governor Lalond, Turnkeys Thomas John Hickmott and Thomas Ready all gave testimony, and Ellis came in. He is small and quite elderly man, wears thick glasses and has watery blue eyes. He wears a wing collar and a black bow tie, his suit being made of dark grey stuff. He testified that the prisoner was now dead.
Doctors Testified
Dr. Roberts, M.H.O., was also brought in. He testified that Barty had died from a broken neck.
“From hanging?”
“Yes.”
Dr. Deadman, who examined the body, also testified that he had died of a broken neck from hanging.
The gathering then broke up. The juryman agreed to give their fees to the police benefit fund. Meanwhile, those outside the jail could see the black flag slowly waving in the sluggish breeze. The Big Sisters, on behalf of the relatives of the family, have claimed the body, it is stated.
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