Salem, Oct. 15- J.V. Henderson and family of Scarboro Bluffs spent the holiday at their old home.
Mrs. R. Henderson is on the sick list.
Theo. Metler and family spent Sunday with Mrs. Moiseley of Fenwick.
Miss Dorothy Misener of Smithvolle visited Mr. and Mrs. C. Misener.
Mrs Osburn of Woodstock and Mr. And Mrs. Fred Strong of Brantford spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Wiley.
Mrs. C. Bailey attended the W.M.S. rally at Fonthill last week.
Miss Elsie Hayward of Toronto visited her brother T. Hayward.
Miss Simpson of Bridgeburg, Mr. Mustard of the Electric signal, Miss Marion, George Chambers and Jack Hayward of Fenwick visited Mr. And Mrs. Cecil Chambers on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. T. Hayward, Mrs. E. Cosby, Miss Hayward and friends of Toronto visited Mr. and Mrs A. Stirtsinger of Chantler on Sunday.
Russel Nunn and family of Hamilton, also Mr. and Mrs. Solon Chambers of London spent Sunday and Monday with Mr. and Mrs. Asa Chambers and Mr. and Mrs Wilson Chambers.
Mrs. C. Harris and son, Mrs. Holmes and daughter and Mr. Teel and family spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. C. Strawn.
Salem, Oct. 8- Mrs. A. Misener of Perry has returned home very much improved after a month’s stay with her parents, Mr. And Mrs H. Brown.
Mrs. Hodgkins and Miss Edna Misener are staying with Mrs. Misener of Perry.
Mr. and Mrs. C. Bailey and friends attended Caledonia fair.
Mrs. Cynthia Durk is visiting friends at Tonawanda.
Miss Dorothy and Jack Misener of Smithville, also Miss Ethel Misener, called on Mr. And Mrs. C Bailey on Sunday.
J. Foss and family of Niagara Falls, called on his sister, Mrs. E. Cosby, on Saturday.
A. Stirtsinger and family of Chantler visited Mrs. E. Cosby, also Mr. and Mrs. T. Hayward on Sunday.
Mrs. John Chambers and Miss Effie Chambers called on Mr. And Mrs Cecil Chambers and his mother.
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Chambers and son, Garth, and Mrs. J.Chambers called on Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, also Roy Chambers, Sunday afternoon.
Miss Violet Elsie and friend motored to Port Colborne on Sunday afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brown of Welland visited Mr. And Mrs. H. Brown on Sunday.
Salem, March 17-A three-act play, “Ready-Made Family.” will be presented in Salem United church on Wednesday, March 19.
Mr. and Mrs Fred Fraser of St. Catharines were Sunday supper guests of Mr. And Mrs Asa Chambers.
Mrs. Charlie Bailey visited last week with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. And Mrs. Carmen Bailey of Welland.
Mrs. F. Henderson and children spent last Monday with Mrs. Henderson’s father at Fonthill.
Mr. and Mrs. Asa Chambers spent Thursday with the latter’s parents Mr. and Mrs. E. Crow and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hippwell.
Mrs. C.E. Strawn spent Wednesday with her cousin, Mrs. Blake Ostrosser, who has been ill.
There was a large attendance at the Salem Baby Band afternoon tea held at the home of Mrs. George Metler. Miss Harris was guest speaker. The children enjoyed a “fish pond.”
Salem, Feb 19-The Young People of Salem and Forks Road conducted the service at Forks Road and Salem United church at Salem on Sunday; Leo Robins took the leading part, James Fan lead in prayer, Marie Farr read the scripture lesson and A. Campbell spoke on the week he spent with Boys’ Parliament in London. The Young People were in choir. This Sunday; Sunday school at 11a.m.; church at noon.
Mr. and Mrs Earl Strawn of Welland were supper guests of the former’s parents Mr. and Mrs C.F. Strawn.
Little Barbara Anne Willford attended a birthday party of her cousin Karen Willford in Welland on Friday afternoon.
There was a large attendance at a social evening of Salem United church W.A. held at the home of Mr. and Mrs Asa Chambers on Wednesday evening.
Misses Venita and Jacqueline Gent were hostesses to the C.G.I.T on Thursday, after a delicious supper the meeting was called to order by the president, Venita Gent, Marie Farr read the scripture lesson. Joan Hewitt read from the study book. The girls made plans for the mother and daughter banquet to be held in March.
The World Day of Prayer at Salem United church will be on Friday at 2 p.m.
The Salem Baby Band are holding an afternoon tea and children’s fish pond at the home of Mrs. George Metler on March 12. All members of the W.A. and W.M.S., as well as ladies of the community are invited.
[Welland Tribune March 11, 1947]
Boyle, March 11-A miscellaneous shower was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Horne on Friday evening in honor of their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. And Mrs Bill McPherson (Jean Horne) a recent bride and groom. Progressive crokinole was played and prizes were awarded to Bill McPherson, William E. Heaslip, Mrs James Ebeling and Mike Kazar. Many useful gifts were received by the happy couple and the bride expressed their thanks to their friends. The rooms were tastefully decorated with pink and white streamers and the bride’s and bridesmaid’s bouquets were beautiful in their vases.
Refreshments were served by Mrs. Horne assisted by her daughter Lillian, Mrs. Gordon J. Robins, Mrs Cyrus Misener and Mrs. W.J. Anderson.
The shower was arranged by the member of the Women’s Association of Bethel United church.
Mr. and Mrs Amos Beamer spent Tuesday at Welland.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon J. Robins and daughter, Shirley spent Wednesday at St Catharines.
Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Anderson accompanied by Mrs. Leonard E. Cocks, Ralph and Howard Cocks, Mrs. W. Brooks and Miss Mary Lampman, Fenwick, spent Friday at Welland.
All-Day Quilting
The Women’s Association of Bethel United church held an all-day quilting at the home of Mrs. Jack Pearl on Wednesday, February 26. A pot luck dinner was enjoyed at noon. Those attending were Mrs. William Cutler, Mrs William E. Heaslip, Mrs Gordon J. Robins, Mrs Blake Robins, Mrs Amos Beamer, Mrs Cecil Gracey, and Mrs. W,J. Anderson.
Mrs Herbert Gracey and infant daughter have returned to their home here from Dunville Memorial Hospital.
Peter Boyuk and Norman Gracey spent Wednesday evening with Mr. And Mrs W.J. Anderson.
The Women’s Association of Bethel United church will meet at the home of Mrs. Leonard E. Cocks, Fenwick on March 19 at 2 p.m.
Mr. and Mrs W.J. Anderson spent Thursday at Smithville.
By Robert J. Foley
[Welland Tribune, 13 April 1992]
The spring of 1825 brought new life to the Irish laborers who worked in the deep cut. The ankle deep mud was better than the bitter cold of the winter for those shovelling their way to the Chippawa. The teamsters cursed the muck, however, as their horses strained to keep the heavy wagons moving.
There were sections where the muck had to be carried to the top by hand. Men with hundred-pound sacks on their shoulders struggled up the slippery slope to load wagons that would get bogged down in the bottom. Many a man lost his footing and tumbled back to the mud below. If her were lucky he lifted the sack to his shoulder and started again, but many were injured, losing their jobs. There was no such thing as workers’ compensation to feed the sick and injured. No work, no pay was the cruel reality that they faced each day.
The canal was divided into 35 sections. Each section had a foreman. Fifteen laborers and six teams of horses. Some of the laborers worked with picks to loosen the earth while the others loaded the wagons with shovels.
John Phalen wiped the perspiration from his eyes that ran down from his hairline despite the cool temperatures. He leaned on his shovel for a moment while the foreman inspected the rock that impeded the work.
Phalen knew that if he were caught resting he would get a tongue lashing. The pain in his side that had kept him in agony for weeks was under control thanks to another laborer with knowledge of such things.
Phalen was suffering from a rupture, but the fellow had been able to fix him up with a crude truss that gave him some relief. He had to keep working for the sake of his wife who was expecting a baby any day. With two other children to feed, he could not afford to lose any time.
The foreman came away from the large boulder muttering about delays. The rock would have to be blasted with gunpowder.
“Phalen, get the drill, we’ll have to blast this one. Larkin, go and draw the explosives.”
Phalen shuddered as he pulled out a hand drill from one of the wagons. Blasting rock was always a tricky business. Just last week Frank Murphy, who lived tow shanties down from him had been blown to bits when the charge had gone up in his face. He had been the one to take the news to his wife.
The men took turns to drill a deep hole that would shatter the rock into manageable pieces for loading onto the wagons. This did not mean a respite for the others, however, as the foreman, constantly aware of the deadline for completing his section, drove them on, digging around and beyond the offending morsel of granite.
Finally the hole was pronounced deep enough and the crew was ordered up to the top out of harm’s way. The only man to be left below was to be Patty Larkin to set and light the charge. Phalen could see the glassy look in Larkin’s eyes. He had taken on too many sips from the “water” boy’s bucket and was half drunk. In his condition he stood a good chance of going up with the rock. Before he could think, he heard himself say, “Let me do that Patty, you get up top with the others.”
Phalen turned away from the look of relief on Larkin’s face. He began to place the charge carefully in the hole trying not to think of Murphy’s crumpled body lying in the mud. He lit the fuse and ran for the slope climbing for his life. Half way up the pain struck him like an axe and he slipped. For a moment he couldn’t move. He was sliding back down toward the bottom. The men at the top must have sensed a problem for despite the danger, several heads popped over the edge and began to call to him. “Hurry, John, hurry.”
Phalen struggled to reach the lip of the ditch in spite of the pain. As he neared the top, several hands grabbed him and pulled him over just as the thundering explosion shattered the air.
Phalen lay on his back gasping for air. The pain in his side was only a dull throb now. The foreman stood over him. “Are you all right, Phalen?”
“I’m fine, just slipped that’s all,” he lied.
“Well then, get off your back and start loading up that mess you made down there,” he said, a rare smile on his face. Maybe the foreman was human after all.
The backbreaking work of excavating the deep cut was carried out under conditions that we would be unable to comprehend. The cut was an average of 44-feet deep in the 1 ¾ mile stretch between Allanburg and Port Robinson.
In July, 1826, a newspaper advertisement offered wages of $10-$13 a month and boasted that only three deaths had occurred in the previous month. Single men could rent a room at a boarding house for $1.50 per week. This amounted to half their pay. A man with a team was paid a few dollars more. The men with families built shanty towns along the route picking up and moving as the work progressed.
Because of the lack of safe drinking water the “water boys,” that moved up and down the line carried buckets of raw whiskey. This thirst quencher was ladled out in tin dippers. As a result of this, accidents and violence were common place.
Disease was another problem facing the workers. Bad water and poor sanitation bred cholera, dysentry and a myriad of other maladies that killed the men and their families by the hundreds.
The Welland Canal was not built by the merchants, bankers and investors. It became reality by the sweat, blood and lives of thousands of men, mostly Irish immigrants seeking a better life for themselves and their families in a vibrant young country that was to become Canada.
[Welland Tribune October 9, 1943]
Boyle, Oct 9.- A group of relatives and friends gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emery Gee of Gainsboro on Sunday, October 3rd, in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. The bride of 50 years ago was Miss Ella Heaslip, daughter of Mr. and Mrs James W. Heaslip and was attended by her sister Alice who passed away a number of years ago. The groom was attended by Archie Beamer of Fenwick who was present on Sunday for the celebration. Included among the guests was their eldest daughter Mrs Ethel Howell of Hamilton and her daughter, Mrs. Edward Barry, and two children. Richard and Jane also of Hamilton, and two sons, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Gee and daughters Misses Julia and Dorothy Gee of Highway 20 and Mr. and Mrs Charles Gee of Wellandport and a granddaughter, Miss Edith Williams, also Mrs Gee’s sister, Mrs. Geneva Ness of Niagara Falls, N.Y. Mrs Ricker and friends from the Falls, Mr. and Mrs William Dilts and Mr. and Mrs Edmund Beamer of Welland, Miss Jessie Beamer of Fenwick, Lucien Moore of Highway 20, and Mr and Mrs Amos Beamer and son Wray.
Many beautiful gifts and bouquets were received by the happy couple as well as a number of cards from friends who were unable to be present. Among the gifts was a three tier wedding cake, also the bride’s cake.
The rooms were prettily decorated with gold and white streamers and wedding bells, and autumn leaves and flowers. The tables were laid with white cloths and prettily decorated and centred with the wedding cake. Dinner was served at noon and again at 6 p.m.
Four guests were present who attended the wedding 50 years ago namely Archie Beamer of Fenwick, Edmund Beamer, Mrs. William Dilts of Welland, and Mrs Geneva Ness of Niagara Falls N.Y.
Their eldest son Emery Gee, now in Toronto, and their second daughter, Mrs. George Barry(Flossie) at Hamilton, were unable to be present on Sunday. The youngest daughter Mrs. Norman Williams (Edith) passed away a number of years ago. Their grandson, Alfred Williams, is with the R.C.A.F. overseas.
Friends in this vicinity wish Mr. And Mrs. Gee many more years of wedded bliss.
Personals
Cpl. John W. Bossert of Camp Blanding, Fla. and Mrs. Bossert and daughter Beverley Anne of Stevensville called on the former’s uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs. Paul A, Comfort and family on Friday.
Thomas Gracey and John Hill spent Monday at Smithville
Mr. and Mrs. Amos Beamer and son Wray were Sunday guests of the latter’s uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs Robert Carter at Attercliffe.
Mr. and Mrs James Hill and sons Cameron and Murray hill and daughters Misses Leila and Marian Hill were Sunday guests of the former’s brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs Gordon Robins and family at Niagara Falls. Other guests included the latter’s son and daughter-in-law, Mr and Mrs Edwin Robins and daughter Bonnie.
John Hill called on friends in Welland on Tuesday..
Rev. George I. Comfort of Dunnville is spending a few days with his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs Paul A, Comfort and family.
Mtr. and Mrs Roy Overholt and Mr. and Mrs Amos Beamer and son Wray attended the chicken supper at Silverdale United church on Tuesday evening.
The official board of the Wellandport circuit met at the parsonage at Wellandport on Tuesday evening.
Relatives from Locport, N.Y. were Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs Camerson Reece and Mr. and Mrs Charles Gee at Wellandport.
Miss Audrey Ulman is a patient at St. Catharines General hospital. Her many friends wish her a speedy recovery.
Mr. and Mrs Pail A. Comfort and daughter Elizabeth and sons George and David were Wednesday guests of the former’s parents, Rev. Geo J. Comfort and Mrs. Comfort and son John at Dunnville.
Mrs. Henry Ulman visited her daughter Miss Audrey Ulman at St, Catharines General hospital on Saturday.
Mrs Ethel Howell and daughter Mrs. Edward Barry and children Richard and Jane of Hamilton spent the weekend with the former’s parent’s Mr. and Mrs Emery Gee and Miss Edith Williams.
Mr and Mrs Charles Gee of Wellandport and Mr. and Mrs Roy Overholt spent Wednesday at Hamilton.
[Welland Tribune March 29, 1947]
Dexter D’Everardo has his eccentricities but he left his mark
Dexter D’Everardo, first clerk of the county of Welland. Mystery man and eccentric, was the subject of an after dinner speech given by Louis Blake Duff at the luncheon of the Welland County Municipal Association in the Hotel Reeta yesterday.
“We had clerks at one time in Welland,” said Mr. Duff in opening his address.
Born in Paris in 1918, D’Everardo had much to do with the founding of Welland county. Together with a delegation of reeves he went to Quebec City, at that time the seat of government, and “came back with the bacon.” The county of Welland was carved out of Lincoln, and D’Everardo became the first clerk.
The first issue faced by the county was the location of the county seat. Port Robinson had a claim, so did Cook’s Mills. D’Everardo wanted Fonthill. “The wise guys in Welland grabbed the bacon while the others were arguing.” said Mr. Duff.
The decision did not, faze Mr. D’Everardo. He conducted his office in Fonthill and later when he became registrar, and then clerk of the surrogate court he continued to carry out the duties of his offices in Fonthill, on the site of what is now the Imperial Bank corner.
Document Proves Hoax
Mr. Duff commented a sensation was created when the building was torn down many years later, a sealed box being found adjacent to the chimney which contained a document purporting to be the early history of Fonthill, which spoke slightingly of some of the early residents. It was later discovered the document was a hoax.
D’Everardo first taught school at the foot of Patterson’s Hill, and later became superintendent of schools in Welland county, actually an inspector, in days when school hours were 8 to 5, and Saturday was just another day.
Later he organized the first nursery in Fonthill, and was responsible for the planting of many of the tree-lined avenues of the Fonthill today.
He built himself a beautiful residence which was remarkable for one feature-it had a gymnasium. Mr D’Everardo was a fanatic on physical culture. His bedroom had no windows because he believed the night air to be injurious. He carried his own bread to dinners, no one, he maintained, knew how to bake healthful bread except his wife.
He went to St. John’s church in Thorold and was in his pew on the dot every Sunday, but as soon as the services began he walked out.
Every year he had a New Year’s party to which he elite of the county were invited, and which was the social event of the year. Each year, exactly on the stroke of 12, he would announce that the hour of his retirement had come and that he was going to bed, but invited his guests to continue to enjoy themselves.
He died in Welland in 1891, according to Mr. Duff, “one of the oddest, most colorful men ever to appear on the scene in this county.”
Founded Fonthill
D’Everardo was the founder pf the village of Fonthill, naming it after a town in Wiltshire, England, built by another eccentric.
Straying from his subject somewhat, Mr. Duff made a reference to the eminence of land that is part of the Lookout Point Golf and Country Club which, he said, offers “one of the most charming views in all Canada.” He recalled that it was the scene at one time of a meteorological station, and that following the Napoleonic wars, was picked as the site for a fort by a commission appointed by the Duke of Wellington to make a study of the military defences of Canada. The fort, however was never built.
The reason, stated Mr. Duff, was the Rush-Bagot Treaty, under which it was agreed that Canada and the United States would have a de-militarized border, without forts and without gunboats on the Great Lakes. Good will replaced force in the relationship of the two countries.
County Treasurer, R.P. Barrick introduced the speaker, and County Warden George F. Broadley moved vote of thanks.
At the afternoon session of the association, the county officials passed a resolution appointing Mr. Duff an associate member in appreciation for his services as speaker at luncheons for a number of years.
[Welland Tribune December 31, 1943]
Had been a resident of the village for 26 years
Fonthill, Dec. 31- The death of William John Stubbings occurred at his home in Fonthill on Wednesday. The late Mr Stubbings was born in Middlesex, England, coming to this country 32 years ago, first settling in Guelph and then coming to Welland, and then to Fonthill 26 years ago. He had been in ill health for some time.
Besides his widow, Emily Stubbings, he is survived by four sons, Jack in the village, Ernest with the 10th Battery Royal Canadian Artillery now overseas, Robert, who is training in the signal corps at Vancouver and Fred, and one daughter Hazel both at home; also two sisters, Mrs. W. Hart and Miss Harriett Stubbings of Guelph, and two brothers, Frank of Charlton Station and Fredrick of England.
The funeral was held from his late home today to Holy Trinity church of which deceased was a faithful member. Rev. E,N. Clarke officiated with interment in the Fonthill cemetery.
[Welland Tribune December 31, 1943]
The funeral of the late Henry H. Malyn, whose death occurred at Welland County General hospital Wednesday afternoon in his 51st year was held from the Dell and Merton funeral chapel, 50 Clarence street, Port Colborne, this afternoon to Overholt’s cemetery. Rev. J.F. Schutt conducted the service. The pallbearers were six members of the Canadian Legion and Canadian Corps Association.
The late Mr. Malyn was a native of England and had resided in Canada for the past 28 years. He had resided with Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kramer in Humberstone township for the past six years and for two years had been employed at Electro Metallurgical Co., He was a member of St Peter’s Lutheran church, Humberstone, and was a veteran of the First Great War.
Surviving is a sister, Miss Minnie Malyn, Buffalo, N.Y.
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