[Welland Tribune December 20, 1943]
One of Humberstone township’s oldest residents, Alfred L. Bartz, passed away at his late residence, Dain City, on Sunday, December 19, 1943, in his 82nd year. The late Mr. Bartz was for 11 years a foreman in a tannery in Pennsylvania, coming there in 1879 from Germany. He then moved to Dain City, where he has resided and followed the occupation of farming for 53 years. He was a member of First Lutheran church, Humberstone.
He is survived by his wife, Amelia Bartz. Mr. and Mrs Bartz celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 4, 1939. There are also three children, Charles of Humberstone village; Bernard of Rochester, N.Y. and one daughter, Mrs. Delmore of Rochester, N.Y.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday afternoon, December 22, at two p.m. from the late residence in Dain City to Overholt cemetery for interment.
[Welland Tribune November 1, 1943]
Fonthill Nov.1-The death of Albert E. Lawrence of Thorold township occurred at his home on Port Robinson road on Thursday morning after a short illness.
The late Mr. Lawrence was born in Pennsylvania but spent the greater part of his life in Thorold township. The only surviving relative is his wife, Alice Damude.
The funeral service was held from the Drake and Barron funeral chapel on Saturday afternoon with Rev. E.J. Whan officiating. Mrs. F. Benson sang a favorite hymn.
The bearers were Vernon Damude, Ronald Damude, Harley Damude, Hardy Damude, Howard Rouse and Carl McNeil. Interment was in Fonthill cemetery.
Funerals A.E. Lawrence
Funeral services for the late Albert E, Lawrence were held Saturday afternoon from the Drake and Barron parlors, Fonthill, on Saturday, October 30. Mr. Lawrence who died as the result of an accident which occurred two weeks previously, passed away on October 27, at his home.
Born in Pennsylvania on August 12, 1870, he came to Canada 46 years ago and was a mason by trade. For the past 30 years, however, he conducted his own farm. He was a member of the Welland County Agricultural Society for the past 45 years.
[Welland Tribune January 30, 1947]
The marriage of Miss Catharine Hippwell to Donald Cook took place at Fenwick United church parsonage on Saturday, Jan 25, with Rev. W.A. Dempsey officiating.
The bride was charming in a dusty rose suit with black accessories and a corsage of peach roses.
She was attended by Miss Betty Bessoy who wore black with corsage of pink carnations. The best man was a brother of the groom, Herman Cook.
For going away the bride donned a black coat trimmed with fur.
After a short honeymoon the young couple will take up residence in Welland.
[Welland Tribune November 27, 1943]
A setting of ferns and pink and white mums formed the background for a quiet ceremony this afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Edington, Wesr Main street, when June Louise, youngest daughter of Captain and Mrs. J.A. Cornett, Montreal, became the bride of Raymond Lennox Harper, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Harper, Riverside Drive. Rev. L.R. Ballantyne officiated.
The bride given in marriage by her brother, W.J. Cornett, Toronto, was lovely in a two-piece wool frock in peplum effect, with inserts of dubonnet chiffon velvet. She carried a colonial bouquet of Joanna Hill roses, white button mums and dubonnet pom-poms. Her only ornament was a single strand of pearls, the gift of the groom.
Her only attendant, Mrs. W.M. Edington, sister of the bride, wore a two-piece dusty rose wool frock and brown accessories. She carried a colonial bouquet of American beauty roses and pink and white mums.
W.M. Edington was groomsman. A reception for the immediate family followed, with Mrs. C.R. Harper receiving in a gold crepe frock with metallic trim. Her accessories were brown and she wore a corsage of gold and violet mums. The bride’s table was tastefully decorated with a hand-painted linen cloth, centred with a three-tier wedding cake, flanked by lighted pink tapers in crystal candlebra.
For travelling, the bride donned a two-piece bottle-green crepe dress under a beige beaver-trimmed coat. Her accessories were brown.
After a short trip to St, Thomas and the Simcoe district, the couple will make their home at 59 Maple avenue.
[Welland Tribune March 8, 1947]
Popular accountant had been ailing for several weeks
Richard Frederick Curtin passed away at his home, 57 Randolph street, early this morning, of a heart ailment following a siege of pneumonia. He was in his 54th year.
News of his death, following shortly after the demise of his son, Flight Lieutenant Lewis Curtin, as the result of an R.C.A.F. plane crash near Whitehorse, N.W.T. came as a shock to the community.
A competent public accountant and an informed financial adviser, Fred Curtin was a much respected and highly regarded resident of Welland, and scores of friends will mourn his passing.
A native of Montreal, Mr. Curtin came to Welland in 1916 as purchasing agent for Canadian Steel Foundries. In 1919, three years later he married Isobel Lewis, and made Welland his home.
He was a former city treasurer, holding that position from August 1929 until April, 1937, when he resigned to open his accounting office. Previous to his appointment as city treasurer, he had acted as city auditor for two years, and as assistant city treasurer for one year. As city treasurer he was credited with the building of a sinking fund which produced for the city a surplus of $100,000.
Deceased was an active member of many organizations. Prominent in Masonic circles, he was a member of Merritt Masonic lodge, a past chancellor of Horatio Lodge No.4, Knights of Pythias, and past president and secretary of the Past Chancellors Club, Knights of Pythias.
He was a charter member of the Lions Club, and a member of the Optimist Club, and of the Welland Anglers’ Club. He had been secretary-treasurer of the board of the Welland County General hospital and of Lookout Point Golf and Country Club, and during the war was in charge of salvage work undertaken by the Knights of Pythias for the Red Cross. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church where he was an auditor for many years.
He was an ardent fisherman and for many years was prominent in sports activities. He is remembered especially as being manager of a noted junior baseball club, the Welland Beavers, who entered the Ontario finals, and also his connection with a junior hockey team which was defeated in the Ontario semi-finals in the early twenties.
Left to mourn his passing are his widow, Mrs. Isobel Curtin; a daughter, Mrs. F.A. Kilgour (Mary); his mother, Mrs. R.F. Curtin; and a sister, Mrs. J.C. Matthews.
The remains are resting at the J.J. Patterson and Sons Funeral Residence, 19 Young street, for funeral services at 2.30 p.m. on Monday, March 10. Rev. A.D. Sutherland, minister of St Andrew’s church, will officiate and interment will be in Fonthill cemetery.
[Welland Tribune November 27, 1943]
Fenwick, Nov. 27-A quiet wedding was solemnized on Wednesday afternoon, Nov, 24, 1943, at the home of Rev. Stuart and Mrs Woods at Beamsville, when Viola Luellan, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Elmer Coon of Fenwick, was united in marriage to William Boucock of St. Catharines, son of Mrs. W.J. Boucock of that city, Rev. Stuart Woods officiating.
The bride was lovely in a street length gown of gold wool, trimmed with brown, with which she wore a smart brown coat and brown accessories, with corsage of sweetheart roses. Miss Leila Hill of Wellandport was bridesmaid, wearing a street length gown of wine brocaded sheer, with black coat and accessories and corsake of yellow chrysanthemums. Elmer Coon, brother of the bride, was groomsman.
A wedding luncheon for the bridal party and immediate family was served at the bride’s home following the ceremony, the beautifully decorated bride’s cake centering the table. The floral decorations were gold and lavender chrysanthemums.
The young couple left for Toronto and on their return will reside in St. Catharines.
Its August now with less daylight each day
And shortly for this good weather we’ll really pay
We’re in the eighth month the year is going fast
Yes it won’t be long until its all gone past
It was named after Augustus Caesar so what can we do
May no one ever say lets change that too
Leo is the Zodiac sign for some August folk
But most people feel the sign is a big joke
The Civic holiday is on August first this year
So it won’t be long the winter will be here
Blackberry blossoms I’ve seen are heavy once again
Which means lots of snow oh what a pain
For every fog in August in the winter there’s a snowy day
Lets all get out and try to keep it blown away
August brings the best bounty of the season
And to prepare for winter we have a good reason
Canning season is here lets can tomatoes and beans
Cucumbers and beets plus other vegetables we’ve seen
Harvest vegetables and fruit then put them away
Then in the winter no food I have no one can say
Two birth flowers of August are gladiolus and poppy
But they are soon gone and for awhile them we don’t see
Its almost over the season for light clothes
And just around the bend we’ll wear things unlike those
The birthstones of August are sardonyx spinel and peridot
For those with birthdays then if they know it or not
If it rains in August it rains honey and wine
Although that’s something I’ve never seen at any time
On August eleventh the sturgeon moon reaches its peak
It’s the last super moon of the year that I do speak
Called the sturgeon moon as they were caught in the great lakes
While some in Lake Champlain people also did take
Remember summer is gone there are cooler days ahead
So there may be mornings we wish to stay in bed
Winston E. Ralph
by Sheila Hird
[Welland Tribune]
In 1812 residents of Niagara were busy clearing land and settling into their new homesteads. The last thing on their mind was war.
Bur James Madison, the president of the States, quickly changed that when, to retaliate against Britain for blocking the States, he declared war on Canada on June 18, 1812.
The Americans underestimated Canada’s loyalty to Britain and thought the war would be a short one. General Widgery declared he would conquer Upper Canada in six weeks. Mr. Calhoun thought he was being ridiculous and that it would take no longer than a month. Henry Clay firmly stated he would never settle for a peace treaty that did not cede Canada to the States.
Much to everybody’s surprise the war dragged on for two and a half years and did not conclude as the Americans expected.
The war was mainly fought in battlefields in the Niagara peninsula, Queenston, Fort George, Stoney Creek, Beaver Dams and Lundy’s Lane are a few names among many.
QUEENSTON
The men from the Niagara region fought in the first regiment of the Lincoln Militia under the command of Captain James Servos. Most of these men were farmers who had fled from the States as United Empire Loyalists.
When General Brock arrived in the peninsula he positioned the majority of troops in the town of Queenston and the remaining troops on the summit of Queenston Heights.
The townspeople prepared for an American attack by burying their valuables or by taking them to friends who did not live in the battle zone.
In the early morning of October 13, 1812, the American forces gathered at Lewiston. The sound of cannon fire woke General Brock from his sleep. Captain john Ball, who had kept watch throughout the night, poured a volley on the approaching American boats. In return the enemy poured a heavy shot from Fort Niagara that set many of the houses and buildings on fire.
Although Brock and his aide-de-camp, McDonell, were quickly on the scene, the enemy beat them to the summit of the heights.
Brock, determined to take the heights, charged the enemy’s troop of 4,000 men with a troop times smaller. After uttering his last order “Push on York Volunteers” Brock was hit in the chest. Seconds later McDonell was also struck. Brock died that same day and McDonell the next.
Despite the causalities on the British side, the charge had succeeded in throwing the American troops into a state of confusion. When General Sheaffe arrived with the reinforcement troops the battle was quickly concluded. The Americans raised the white flag while more than 900 of their men were taken prisoner and sent to Queenston.
FORT GEORGE
The defeat of Queenston did not end the American offensive.
On April 27, 1813, General Dearbon and his troops settled into the undefended town of York. After setting fire to the government buildings, many private buildings, the library and the shipyard, the Americans evacuated the town
On May 27, the American troops, numbering about 6,000, arrived at Crook’s farm hidden from the British by a blanket of fog over the lake.
They opened fire on the British troops who numbered less than 1,500. General Vincent repulsed the enemy three times as they attempted to land at Fort George but he soon ran short of men and ammunition.
After spiking all the guns of the fort and destroying all the military paper, General Vincent ordered a retreat. After evacuating the fort, the troops took the River Road to Queenston and then marched on to Burlington Heights, leaving the Americans in charge of the peninsula.
STONEY CREEK
A few days after the British troops arrived at Burlington Heights, the Americans, under the command of Generals Winder and Chandler, set out in pursue them.
On June 6, the American troops stopped at Stoney Creek to spend the night. Vincent, eager to learn the strength of these troops, sent several of his soldiers dressed as civilians to sell butter and cheese to the enemy.
Vincent and his aides, Harvey and Murray, resolved that the only way to take such a large force was to attack by night.
Colonel Harvey with a small force, attacked the American camp before dawn. They were followed by several Indian troops and the rest of the militia numbering less than 800 men.
Although the Americans had almost four times as many men, they were soundly defeated. Generals Winder and Chandler were taken prisoner. The guns and supplies were confiscated and the whole camp gutted. The British were surprised that it took the Americans four days to reach Stoney Creek but only one day to return. The British troops were now able to advance to within four miles of Newark.
BEAVERDAMS
As the British retreated to Burlington Heights before the Stoney Creek battle, Vincent ordered all arms and ammunition be stored in John DeCew’s farm (near Beaverdams) in Thorold township.
Lieutenant Fitzgibbon and his troop of Green Tigers known as “Fitzgibbon’s Green Uns” guarded this depot. It was not long before the Americans received wind of this arms cache and busied themselves planning for a surprise attack.
The events that followed tell the famous story of Laura Secord.
The American soldiers preparing for the attack were billeting at the home of Peter and Laura Secord. One evening Laura overheard plans for an attack on the DeCew farm and made up her mind to embark on a twenty mile journey to warn Fitzgibbon.
One tale tells how Laura set out the following morning with a milk bucket over her arm and a cow by her side. Although this story may have some truth in it, it is generally believed that Laura used the excuse of her ailing brother to slip past the guards.
Fearing she might meet General Boestler’s men on the main road, Laura travelled by the Swamp Road. While hurrying along the road to avoid meeting the wolves and rattlesnakes that inhabited the area, Laura lost a shoe.
The second shoe was lost as Laura made a dangerous crossing of the Twelve Mile River. The flooding river had swept away the bridge and Laura was forced to cross the raging waters by crawling along the trunk of a fallen tree. Despite all these difficulties Laura arrived at the DeCew farm and gave her message to Fitzgibbon.
Preparations for an attack were begun immediately. The supplies were sunk in the DeCew pond and scouts were sent to find the enemy. A party of Indians under the command of Ducharme were then sent out to ambush the Americans.
As Boestler’s men marched along the Mountain Road past the farmhouses of the Browns, the Hanslers, the Metlers and the Hoovers, the Indians lay in the thickets waiting. They waited until the troops were past them before they opened fire on the rear and on the flanks.
At the point Fitzgibbon and his men appeared to reinforce the Indians. After a three hour battle the Americans surrendered. Thanks to Laura Secord the British won the day and the Battle of Beaverdams proved to be the turning point in the war.
NEWARK
As winter drew n near, the Americans occupying Newark realized they had to retreat before the ice and snow closed up the river.
On October 14, 1813, two companies of soldiers left Fort George at 1 p.m., armed with torches and lanterns.
They gave the 400 residents of Newark one hour’s warning before setting the town to flames. It took the soldiers less than half an hour to set the whole town ablaze. By the time the British arrived on the scene, the enemy had escaped and the only building left standing was Butler’s Barracks.
After the British retaliated, neither the Americans nor the British were eager to continue the war. Lengthily negotiations resulted n in a peace settlement in which both sides accepted the status quo. The treaty was signed in Ghent on Dec. 24, 1814.
[Welland Tribune March 7, 1947]
The funeral of Steve Faner, 6 Jones Alley, Crowland, who passed away at the Welland County General hospital on Thursday, March 6 in his 62nd year, will be held from the family residence at 9.30 a.m., Saturday, March 8 to the church of Our Lady of Hungary for Requiem Mass at 10a.m. Interment will be in Holy Cross cemetery.
[Welland Tribune March 5, 1947]
Crystal Beach, March 5- Rev. J.A. Gale, pastor of Memorial United church, Ridgeway, performed the ceremony uniting in marriage, Miss Ivy Hunt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Henry Hunt, of Ilford Essax, England and Kenneth Raymond Teal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Teal.
The bride wore a suit of blue wool with black accessories and corsage and pink and white carnations. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Martin of Ocean Park, California. The latter, sister of the bride, wore a black ensemble with aqua trim and corsage of mauve and pink carnations.
A reception was held at the home of the groom’s parents, Mrs. Teal wearing a frock of black with a corsage of red and white carnations.
Mr. and Mrs. Teal met while the groom was serving with the British Columbia Dragoons in London. The bride recently came to Canada by plane. They will reside in Crystal Beach.
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