OLIVE ADELE STERNAMAN

Mrs. Sternaman Wants a Divorce

[Welland Tribune, 19 January 1900]

On Friday afternoon of last week a lady and a youth came across on the dummy, and made inquiries as to where the squire lived. The lady proved to be Mrs. Olive Adele Sternaman, who won such notoriety a few years ago, when tried for the alleged poisoning of her husband. Thinking, as is often the case, that they were looking for a marriage license, the courteous conductor directed them to the place where one could be obtained. Judge of the surprise of the issuer when the lady asked for information as to how she could obtain a separation from her present husband. He asked her what brought her here. She stated that she was advised by Judge Murphy of Buffalo to start proceedings for a divorce in Canada, where she had been married. The issuer asked to see her marriage certificate. The certificate had been issued at Niagara Falls, Ont. The contracting parties were Frank Gutenberg and Olive Adele Sternaman. He looked at the lady before him, then back at the certificate, and was dumbfounded, for the moment before he asked: “Are you Mrs. Sternaman?” She smilingly replied, “Yes,” and a tear dropped from her eye. He remarked that she ought to be by this time fully prepared as to how to get through the world, as she had had experience enough. He then advised her to go to the P.M. He would certainly attend to her case and give her all information required, which he did. Mrs. Sternaman alleges that her present husband is a bigamist, with other wife and two children. She wanted a divorce, and to prosecute her husband as a bigamist. The P.M. made out the necessary papers. Mrs. Sternaman threatens to prosecute her husband.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF CHEAP LIVING

[Welland Tribune, 27 September 1878]

It is said there is enough substance thrown away and squandered in American families to keep the moderate French or English family; and although that is probably an exaggerated statement, there is a moral in it. The American marketer buys usually the best; it appears upon her table once, is sometimes warmed over for a second dish or for a breakfast, sometimes not, and Bridget does as she pleases with the fragments, either giving or throwing them away. An Englishwoman buys, let us say, a roasting piece of beef; she too buys the best, because as she will use it, it is the cheapest. The upper cut makes one day’s dinner handsomely; the under cut in thin slices, carved across instead of up and down, fried in butter, and served on mashed potatoes or on rice, garnishing the dish to make it seem like something choicer, and add to appetite, makes a second dinner; then the long end piece, which has remained untouched, makes an excellent stew with tomatoes or carrots and potato balls for a third dinner, being cooked and cooled so as to remove the grossness, and then warmed up again; the various fragments either make a pie, or hashed and spiced or curried answer for a fourth dinner, which will be pieced out, as one may say, by a rather daintier dessert than usual, as the case will be also with the fifth dinner-a soup of the bones that remain, made hearty with vegetables; and after all there is left a store of invaluable dripping. The American housewife in comfortable circumstances who should make five dinners for a moderate family from a roast of beef would until recently have considered herself a scrimping and shabby woman, and would fear being held by her neighbors, well-informed by the servants, as a niggardly skinflint. Now on the contrary she is inclined to look about and see if she cannot better instruction, and procure a sixth dish from the same source.

But there are various other ways in which the Englishwoman can give us lessons in economy. It is safe to say that nothing is wasted under her care. Even her stale beer is saved to rinse her bronzes in, to boil with other material and make her old plate look new, and to clean her soiled black silks; and the lemons, whose outer skin has been grated off, and whose juice has been squeezed out, if they are not laid aside to boil in any compound, are given to the cook to clean her saucepans. If she keeps fowl, every egg brought in is dated with a pencil, and those of an earlier date are used first; if there are any to be spared, she lays them by for winter provision by passing over them a camel’s hair pencil dipped in oil, which hermetically seals and preserves their contents; and where she uses only the whites in one dish, she contrives another in which she shall use the yolks. If the bread has become dry she does not immediately throw it to hens or dedicate it to a pudding; she dips the loaf in hot water and sets it in the oven, and finds it sufficiently fresh for family use. Nor does she often indulge in the doubtful luxury of baker’s bread, since she has learned that she hereby loses in bread just the weight of the water used in compounding it, besides running the risk of deleterious ingredients. And when the bread is really dried past refreshing, then it answers for stuffing, is grated for crumbs, or is soaked with milk and beaten eggs for puddings; none of it is thrown away. She is equally economical concerning the ham; when no more slices can be cut, there is still a quantity of dried meat upon it that that would seem to most of our housekeepers as something rather worthless. Not so to this good woman; it is dried a little further and then grated from the bone, and put away in jars to be taken out and seasoned on requirements for the enrichment of omelets, for spreading upon savory dishes of toast, which make a nice addition to breakfast or lunch, for stuffing olives, and making sandwiches, after which grating the bone serves to flavor soup. In the same way she grates her cheese that is too dry or near the rind using it afterwards as a relish, or as a dressing to macaroni or other substance. All bones, meanwhile, as well as the ham bone, are objects of care with her, or with the servants whom she has trained to her will, and are regularly boiled down to add the result to the stockpot for gravies and soups, by which means she procures the latter at almost no cost at all. Whenever she has a few slices of heterogeneous cold meats, she has countless palatable ways of using them-deviled, broiled in a batter, scalloped, minced in to croquets or mayonnaises.

NEWS ITEMS

[Welland Tribune, 27 September 1878]

Half of all who live die before seventeen. Only one person in ten thousand lives to be a hundred years old, and but one in a hundred reaches sixty. The married live longer than the single. Out of every thousand persons born, only ninety-five weddings take place. Lay your finger on your pulse, and know that at every stroke some immortal passes to his Maker; some fellow being crosses the river of death; and if we think of it, we may well wonder that it should be so long before our turn comes.

FOR ADVENTURE

-Partial Account

[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 1 February 1927]

But in the majority of cases it is the pure adventure, plus the considerable saving if successful, that is responsible for the act, in Mr. Etling’s opinion. In the case of fur coats, the women, usually boldly wear them, eliminating them entirely from their declarations, he said. When caught they usually make the plea that they thought wearing apparel was exempted.

When caught, Mr. Etling says, the offender usually pays at least twice as much for her article as its original cost. The government not only seizes the article, but, it the owner wants it back she must pay the current American price , plus a 100 percent fine. If she doesn’t want the article, she must pay the fine anyway, and the government keeps the article to sell at public auction.

Pearl necklaces, fur coats, large stocks of French perfumery and cosmetics, silk stockings, lingerie, watches and shawls are the articles most frequently smuggled by women, the report states. Sometimes an attempt is made to bring in large cartons of cigarettes. Very little smuggling is attempted by the poor, customs inspectors find. Tourist travellers in summer, school teachers, college students and the like usually declare everything, no matter how insignificant.

When accompanied by their husbands, women are more inclined to tell the truth, experience has proven to the customs men.

DECEW FALLS – A Beautiful Bit of Canadian Scenery

[Welland Tribune, 9 August 1895]

There are many lovely bits of scenery close at hand that are neglected by the seeker after nature’s charms. The other day a Welland party had the delight of a visit to Decew Falls. Upon reaching the brink of the first waterfall they were amazed at its weird, wild beauty. With one unbroken leap the pure water dashes over the cliff and sinks into the white foam far beneath, twists and twirls in and out among the rocks-a veritable rapids-and with another roar dashes from ledge to ledge down another series of waterfalls. Foaming, eddying, leaping, the water cuts its way out of sight down the ravine beneath the overhanging branches of the deep green leafed trees-on, on.

Immediately beneath the first fall, Mr. Morningstar’s enterprise has been the means of erecting a safe and convenient enclosed winding stairway; and it does not cost half a dollar to use it-only a dime. Down the serpentine passage the party wended its way, emerging at the bottom amid the cooling spray that rises from the boiling water at the base of the cliff.

From this point a pathway leads down the stream, starting just beneath the mountain of rock that overhangs the abyss, and gradually winding westward and downward till you reach the water’s edge beyond the second fall. Here is one of the grandest sights in this Canada of ours, and lovers of nature sit spellbound and watch the struggling waters as they speed on their crooked way; or turn the eye to the cliffs above and the little patch of blue sky that is visible through the branches of arching trees.

“Can it be possible that for twenty years I have lived within ten miles of this scene-one of nature’s masterpieces-and never visited it before?” said one. And that was the sentiment of all-that it was a neglected beauty spot.

Dear reader, have you even seen these falls? Then spend your first holiday there, that you may view it in all its grandeur, climb the ragged sides of the ravines and view the beauties to nature untouched by man.

A ST. PAUL STREET VETERAN

[Welland Telegraph, 5 January 1912]

It is nearly forty-five years ago that W.H. Eckhardt founded the musical instrument business now known as W.H. Eckhardt & Son, The Star Music Store. During that time, nearly half a century, Mr. Eckhardt has built up a magnificent business in the Niagara district and has made a host of friends. It is interesting to note that between James and Ontario Streets, on St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, there is only one other firm founded at that time, still doing business. Of the integrity and straight business dealings of W.H. Eckhardt, the following letter speaks for itself:

History of the Village of Wellandport

THE PRESBYTERIAN MANSE

[Welland Tribune, 7 September 1906]

property, consisting of ¼ acre of land with fine commodious dwelling and barn.

The purchaser will be required to search the title at his own expense.

All parties bidding on said property will be required to make a deposit of $50 with the first bid as a guarantee of good faith. The money will be refunded to any not being the purchaser. The balance of the purchase

money will be required from the purchaser within thirty days from the day of sale.

The highest or any bid not necessarily accepted.

For information apply to ABRAM ANGLE, Wellandport

Trustees: ABRAM ANGLE, THOMAS W. FREURE, A.J. DALRYMPLE

By Esther M. Holmes [The Welland Telegraph]

Wellandport is a post village, prettily situated on the north bank of the Welland River (also known as Chippawa Creek), in the township of Gainsboro, county of Lincoln, about twenty-fives miles from the mouth of the river; also the centre of the electoral county of Monck. Monck elects a member to the Legislative Assembly at Toronto, and all county conventions and nominations for members has been held here since Confederation, 1867.

First Settlers

The first settlers in this district were Vaughns, Henrys, Dils(sometimes spelled Dills, Dilce,Dilts) and Humphreys, in the years between 1795 and 1800. Between 1800 and 1812—Miseners, Heaslips, Robins and Hortons settled here. Most of these settlers passed to their new homes in canoes from the mouth of the Welland at Niagara River; it was the best highway in summer in canoes and boats, and in winter with sleighs on the  ice.

First Mills

The first mill was built in 1816, at what was then called The Narrows (now village of Wellandport), so named  from the narrow strip or ridge of land , only a few rods wide, where the Beaver Creek narrowly escapes uniting with the Welland River. In 1820 there was  a grist mill, saw mill and distillery situated at the west end  of the town, and a tannery about the centre of the town, the place where J.A. Ross’ barn now stands. The first general store was built here about this time, owned and operated by Mr. Humphrey. The supply of goods in the store was bought at Old Niagara and Buffalo, carried here by means of boats and sleighs on the river. In 1841  much timber and lumber was shipped from here. The saw mill, which stood where the grist  mill now stands, ran day and night, employing about twenty hands. There is a large grain storehouse here and  in early days large quantities of wheat  were bought here. I have Samuel Holmes wheat purchase book which states that in September , 1855 the price per bushel was thirteen shillings ($1.62c); by the 11^th of October the price was fifteen shillings six pence. This was the price paid  until late that fall. In the fall of 1856 the price paid was ten to eleven shillings, and in the fall of 1857, seven shillings and six pence, a very few loads were bought at eight shillings per bushel..

Schools of Early Days

The first schoolhouse in this neighborhood, attended by the children of the village, was built at Wm. Dils’ lane (property now owned by H.B. Brooks), about one mile west of the village. The first teacher of this log  school  was Wilson, alias Nappertandy. The second school was in a log building at the north end of the cemetery, a few hundred yards south of the village, on the bank of the Welland River, the teacher being Michael Brennan, an Irishman. The next school was a frame building built in the  village  on the present school lot. It is disputed  as to whether Michael Brennan or John Fairgrave, a Scotsman, was the first  teacher. In 1860 the first female teacher was employed  in Wellandport school, a Miss Miller, at a salary of $300 a year, and an attendance from seventy-five to eighty pupils. The trustees debated in respect to having a female teacher—the opinion  was that a woman could never control a school.One trustee said “Let us give her a trial; The British Empire is ruled by a woman , and cannot a woman rule a school?’ I am pleased to say this teacher, Mrs. Simes, is still living, and resides in Dunnville. The present school is the third one built on the grounds, and the present teacher a female, at a salary of  $725, and an attendance of about 55 to 60.

First Church was Methodist

The first church attended by the village people was built in 1835 on Leonard Heaslip’s farm, about one mile west of Wellandport. It was a Wesleyian Methodist.

The first church built in the village was the present Presbyterian Church, erected in 1868. Chairman of building committee, Alexander Makeague, secretary, Gavin Robinson , and the first trustees of the church were Jas. Rice, Alexander Youngs and Gavin Robinson; the first minister being the Rev. James Malcolm. The Methodist Church in the village was built in 1884; first minister was the Rev. Henry A. Cook. I will add as a matter of history that this church  was the first Methodist Church dedicated  in the Dominion of Canada after the union of all Methodist churches , namely—Wesleyian, Episcopal, Bible Christians.

First Postoffice

The people of this district, up to the time of 1841 went either to Smithville or St. Catharines for postal service. On October 5^th, 1841, a post office was opened here, and given the name of Wellandport, as many boats came on the Welland River at that time to bring in goods and carry out grain and lumber. Luke Cavers was postmaster, and held that position until July 30^th 1853. Samuel Holmes was then appointed and remained until 1874. when Dilly C. Coleman was appointed and remained until January 3^rd, 1899. At that time James R. Goring, the present postmaster, was appointed.

Cheap Whiskey

This was a very lively village from 1861 to 1865, having double the population it has now, many Americans coming here to avoid being  drafted in the army, as this was the time of the rebellion in the United States. Two or three large scows were built here during this period, to carry cord wood, stave bolts and such to Buffalo. They would carry two hundred and fifty cords of wood. The river is navigable here for boats drawing eight to nine feet of water. In 1851 Peter Sammons kept a general store here and had a license to sell liquor retail. The fee was twenty dollars, which went to the township. Whiskey was sold at 31c, rum, gin, and brandy at $1.50 per gallon. At that time there were four hotels in the village, and whiskey was sold  to the hotel-keepers at 25c per gallon. I have Peter Sammons day book giving these facts

The Bridges

The first bridge used to cross the Welland River here was built near the present grist mill. It was a float bridge constructed of pine logs. The road then was along the river bank. The second was a bent bridge on mud sills, a very low bridge, situated  where the present one now stands, but extending about three times the length. The third and fourth bridges were spile  bridges and the present iron and stone bridge was built in the summer  of 1883 by Thos Ray, contractor, the cost being about $10,000.

Monck county electoral  division Agricultural Society was established here in 1868, and has been kept up ever since. The first  president was George Secord, M.P.P., St Anns, and secretary , Dilly C. Coleman Wellandport. The first fair was held in 1870 and there has been a fall fair every year since, except for two or three years when it was called off on account of extreme wet weather.

Two Big Fires

On the morning of January 2^nd, 1882 , the village was nearly wiped out by fire, destroying about twenty buildings. The second very destructive fire was on the morning of August 24^th 1910, wiping out twelve buildings—not quite so many but more valuable buildings than in previous fire, this incurring heavier loss.

The Village Today

In this village four lodges or societies have been established, namely,–Masonic, Home Circle, Foresters and Chosen Friends. The town has  an abundant supply of natural gas, a very enterprising people, having cement sidewalks. The head office of the Dunnville , Wellandport abd Beamsville  Ellectric Railway  is situated here.. At present the town consists of two general stores, furniture and undertaking store, branch of the Sterling Bank, two churches Methodist and Presbyterian, two parties deal in agricultural implements, barber shop. One hotel (temperance), tailor shop, two butcher shops, Bell Telephone central  (open day and night , grist mill, two blacksmith shops, cheese-box factory, Masonic Hall and wheat storehouse. We have very good postal service here, three daily mails.

My father has known the village well since 1847, when raceway, flood gates and tannery vats could be seen. His father  settled near  the Narrows of Chippawa (this village) in 1830 and father got much information from Samuel G. Wiggins, who came here in 1822 aged about twelve years and lived here most of his time up to 1904, when he moved to Fort Erie.

THE “AT HOME”

[Welland Telegraph, 11 January 1889]

The “At Home” at the new Methodist Parsonage, on Friday evening last, was a grand success, the several large rooms being well filled by the members of the church, with a large sprinkling of friends from the other denominations in town who had assembled for the purpose of celebrating the completion of the house. A splendid programne consisting of vocal and instrumental music was provided, and several short impromptu speeches were made by several of the gentlemen who were present. The Rev. Mr. Brownell makes an excellent chairman, as he fills up all gaps, allows no lagging, and with a kind of magnetic influence, is able to induce almost everyone he asks to assist him, to come forward. He also has the faculty as well as his most estimable lady, in making every one feel at home, consequently an enjoyable evening was spent by all. The new parsonage is a neat brick, and is composed of nine good rooms. On the ground floor is a large square hall which is entered by the front or south door. In the hall is a winding staircase, which leads to the second floor. Both the dining room and front parlor open into the hall-an arch and folding doors dividing the latter room from the hall. There is also an arch between the two rooms being separated by a curtain. Another arch and folding doors divide the back parlor from the dining room. The arrangement of these rooms is very convenient and very complete, as the whole of the ground floor can be thrown as it were into one room. The several rooms are large and comfortable. The kitchen is off the dining room. There is a first-class cellar under the whole house. On the second floor are four bedrooms, bathroom and study, the latter being a cozy room at the head of the stairs facing the south. A good roomy hall runs down the centre with bedrooms on either side. The ladies of the church having undertaken to furnish the parsonage with new furniture have already laid out $250 in carpets, parlor and bedroom sets, & c. Their work is not yet complete and the entertainment the other evening was given for the purpose of helping to swell the furniture fund. The receipts amounted to $18. During the course of the evening, Rev. Mr. Brownell said he never worked with a more harmonious congregation, or with a more harmonious committee. All had the interests of the church at heart, and they did their duty nobly, earnestly and faithfully in assisting him in pushing the completion of the parsonage. There had been no jarring, nor no fault finding and he was proud to be in a position to say so.

TEN LITTLE SUFFRAGETTES

-Paul West in New York World

[Welland Telegraph, 31 May 1912]

TEN little SUFFRAGETTES, arrayed in battle line.

One saw a “Bargain Sale,” and then there were but nine.

NINE little SUFFRAGETTES, in a fighting state.

One lost her servant girl, and then there were but eight.

EIGHT little SUFFRAGETTES, by angry fervor driven.

One went to manicure’s, and then there were but seven.

SEVEN little SUFFRAGETTES, armed with stones and bricks.

One had matinee seats, and then there were but six.

SIX little SUFFRAGETTES, determined still to strive.

One’s new gown did not come home, and then there were but five.

FIVE little SUFFRAGETTES, parading as to war.

One’s shoes began to pinch, and then there were but four.

FOUR little SUFFRAGETTES, still craving to be free.

One found a milliner’s, and then there were but three.

THREE little SUFFRAGETTES, resolved to see it through.

One got an auto car, and then there were but two.

TWO little SUFFRAGETTES, their mission yet undone.

One couldn’t hook her waist, and then there were but one.

ONE little SUFFRAGETTE, still answering to the call.

She got married, and then there were none at all!

PASSING OF THE PIONEERS

[Owen Sound Sun Times]

[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 26 April 1921]

Every few days one reads with regret, and often with a sense of personal loss, of those who came in the early years to the town, or to some of the townships round about, and contributed through their lives to the making of the town a city, and the townships among the finest in the county or Province.

Of them, there appears often but a brief biographical note, giving little beyond a bare outline of a life bravely and worthily lived. It seems a pity that there should not be made and preserved in every municipality, at least a worthy sketch of such lives, in recognition of the contribution they made in their day to the general welfare of the community. Such a record would in the course of time furnish materials for historical sketches. They would be an incentive to the next generation to do as well or better than the previous one. They would develop civic consciousness and civic pride. They would help set a standard that no one would care to fall short of, and many would try to surpass. The rising generation would emulate the virtues and achievements of those who went before and blazed the way, and made it easier for those who came after to go further and do better, even, than they had been able to do.

When one thinks of the handicaps of the earlier days and how bravely and cheerfully the first and even the earlier settlers faced their tasks, and how heroically they stayed with it, one feels ashamed to grouch and whine when one has to deny one’s self this or that, and even sometimes to be content with a horse when one’s father or grandfather was thankful for-sometimes indeed proud of-a good yoke of oxen. There were compensations even in the earlier years. There were fewer diversions and distractions. More time was spent socially. Fewer books were read, but they were more carefully read. There were fewer religious services, but they were on the whole more highly prized. Clothing was plainer and coarser, but it wore longer, and one didn’t feel quite so embarrassed if he wasn’t able to buy a new suit or hat every year. It seems a pity, a shame that the stories of pioneer life should not be written, before all the pioneers have passed, with all the wealth of literary material they have stored in their memories of the past. Local papers, perhaps without exception, would be glad to publish any such sketches if brief, graphic and artistically true-real pen-pictures of real life.