Results for ‘CRIMES’
Five Stevensville Youths Fined For Having Guns and Revolvers
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 10 March 1921]
Provincial Officer Gurnett had five young citizens of Stevensville on the carpet before Magistrate Goodwin, in Welland Police Court, on Tuesday morning for having rifles and revolvers in their possession, without a permit. All five pleaded guilty to the offence, not knowing that a permit was necessary. One of these revolvers was encased in a holster and was compete with a buckle to fasten to a belt, and as Officer Gurnett explained it “looked too much like Jesse James style for young boys to be carrying around.”
The father of two of the boys could not see why the officer had to pick on his family, when probably every house in Stevensville had one or more guns. The magistrate explained that the law now requires that the owner of a rifle or gun must have a permit to have same in his possession, and that the Provincial officer must make a start somewhere. Each of the boys were fined $5 and costs apiece which amounted to $9.50. One of the boys who had two charges against him was fined the five dollars on one charge, and allowed to go on a suspended sentence on the other.
We are going to take this opportunity of advising both the residents of the rural communities and the citizens of Welland, that if they have in their possession a rifle or a revolver, the best thing they can do is to get a permit to own one immediately. Residents of the rural community had better see Provincial Officer Gurnett and parties in the city can obtain the necessary permit from Magistrate Goodwin.
Two Pedlars from Toronto cease Business in Welland
[Welland Telegraph, 14 November 1911]
Two men who were peddling the wares of a Toronto Aluminum Company on the streets on Friday, without a license, were apprehended by Officer Tattersall and taken to the police office.
The men were ordered to stop immediately and to secure a license if they wished to continue. As the license is from one to three hundred dollars, quite naturally no license was taken out.
It is understood that the men have complained to the headquarters of their company and that action will be taken in an attempt to quash the bylaw.
[Welland Tribune, 28 May 1897]
Arrival- Laura Petrie, insane-sent in by P.M. Logan of Niagara Falls
The jail officials thought they had had bad cases of insanity before, but that of Mrs. Petrie is one of the most difficult that has ever come under their jurisdiction. The woman weighs nearly 250 lbs and is phenomenally strong. It took three men to bring her to prison, and it takes that number to handle her here. It is to be regretted that such cases as hers should be placed in an institution devoted to criminals, and the law is surely defective that sends her here. In England and the United States persons charged with insanity are, we believe, examined at once by a doctor and taken direct to the asylum. Some such systems as this should be inaugurated in Canada. These people are not criminals, and besides that, there are no facilities in jails for treating such charges. This is the fourth commitment for insanity recently, and if they continue as frequently, better accommodations will be needed to be provided for their care while remaining here for transfer.
[People’s Press, 16 January 1912]
Liquor is strictly prohibited on the Welland skating rink premises. Expulsion by the arm of the law hereafter for those who violate.
Keep off the Ice
Spectators going on the skating surface in case of scraps or mixups during hockey matches, are liable to arrest. By order,
MASON & MURDOCH
Managers Welland Skating Rink
54-05
Rainham Man Tries to “Make Up” With the Wrong Girl and Police Get Him
[Welland Telegraph, 30 August 1910]
Thinking that it was his former sweetheart with whom he had a falling-out, and thinking it would be a good time to “make up” again, Charles Bider, a former Rainham township man, but now a resident of Welland, followed a young lady of Welland (who didn’t happen to be his long lost love) around the streets on Saturday night and entreated her to come back.
“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault,” he assured her.
But the lady paid no attention to Bider until his attentions became too annoying. Then she called the police, who took the man in custody.
He was under the influence of fire-water at the time.
In police court, Magistrate Burgar fined him $5 and costs-$11.60 in all. The magistrate said he did not believe whiskey agreed with the man.
[Welland Tribune, 14 August 1903]
Edwin Burke, one of the most filthy and ragged looking specimens that has struck town in a long time, got awfully drunk and profane on the street Wednesday night. When Chief Forde placed him under arrest there was a perfect flood of probably the worst language heard on the streets of Welland in years. The chief was also called by every abusive phrase a thoroughbred bum could call him. Burke was locked up and his rantings could be heard on the street for a long time afterward. When he appeared before the magistrate yesterday morning he was meek as a lamb and his tongue was just as free in dispensing blessings on the magistrate and the chief as it had been in forming oaths the night before. He claimed a great history, was an English army pensioner, served ten years in India, got a sunstroke there, was a poor weak old man with only one leg. He was going from Buffalo to Toronto where he would go to the poor house, but stopped off to see Jailer Coulson and the boys. He spent a winter in jail here five years ago. Many were the prayers he uttered that the magistrate and chief and their children might be blessed in this world and rewarded in the next and three times he knelt to pray. He undoubtedly has a tongue that few men are blessed with. He is evidently a professional beggar, and had money in every pocket. He was made to pay his own way to Toronto and to pay for the breakfast given him.
[People’s Press, 12 March 1912]
Over Thursday night Patrick Loughran of Thorold slumbered in confinement beneath the town hall. Patrick is a shamrock from the old sod and though he has reached the rather mature age of 93 years has not finished sowing his wild oats. He was conducted to the police station on Thursday evening in quite an ory eyed condition.
On Friday liberty was given back to him when he promised to return immediately to Thorold with the chief of police of that town who was in Welland. This is his first experience inside the bars, claims the Irishman.
He is the oldest man ever confined in Welland police cells.
[Welland Tribune, 26 September 1912]
Mrs. Sparks, formerly of Welland and Port Colborne, was arrested Tuesday night by Chief Laing and Inspector Gunton of Toronto at Sherkston. Along with her a man named Everingham was arrested, and held as a witness. In police court yesterday she was charged with “unlawfully keeping a bawdy house” and leading a dissolute and depraved life. She pleaded not guilty, emphatically denying the charge. Everingham’s evidence was taken, flatly contradicting her statements. A young man named Albert Burton of Sherkston, who is now in jail, will also be a witness for the prosecution. The case was adjourned for a week and Mrs. Sparks was sent to jail on remand.
Her four children, who were absolutely neglected, were taken in charge by the Children’s Aid Society and sent to a shelter.
Mrs. Sparks’ husband has parted from her and is now employed about Welland. She is about 40 year of age and far from attractive.
William Fix Got Tired Wheeling Cinders and Walked Off
Was In For a Six Month Term for Desertion from the Canal Guard
[Welland Telegraph, 22 August 1916]
William Fix, aged 23, a soldier sentenced by Magistrate Fraser of Niagara Falls, to serve six months for desertion, made his escape from Welland County jail and is still at large.
The manner of his escape was simplicity itself. A. Miller, assistant turnkey, had the men engaged in wheeling cinders from the yard, out the east gate (next the registry office), and dumping the barrows in the back yard next the river. Mr. Miller stood on the outside of the gateway so that the man with the barrow was always in his view.
At about a quarter past three Fix was going out with a load when Mr. Miller stepped inside to see how many loads were yet to be taken. On his return a minute afterward Fix was gone-though he left the wheelbarrow.
He was seen by a passerby running down the river road and was last reported at Hutton’s bush. He wore the regulation prison garb.
Fix is the third prisoner to make his escape from the county jail this year. Two got away last year.
The prisoner is a married man and his wife lives in St. Catharines. He was a member of the canal guard at Niagara Falls and deserted. Later he was found working on a farm in Humberstone.
[Welland Telegraph, 22 August 1916]
William Fix, a deserter from the Welland Canal Force, was sentenced at Niagara Falls on Thursday to six months in the Ontario Reformatory. He secured a five-day pass about the first of the month, but never returned. When located he was working on a farm near Humberstone. Fix formerly resided in St. Catharines.
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