GEORGE FREDERICK COULTHURST

[Welland Tribune, 5 January 1883]

With deep regret we record the death of one of our highly esteemed and promising young men of this town, that of GEORGE FREDERICK COULTHURST, who departed this life on Sunday, the 31^st ult, at 5.30 a.m., after an illness of nine days, at the age of 20 years, 9 months and 28 days, of spinal disease with malarial fever supervening. The Christ Church (Church of England) of which George was a member, was draped in mourning on Sunday and the members on entering the church for morning prayer were struck with awe to find that one, who was loved and respected by all, was dead. At the evening service in this church, the Rev. Canon Houston in his sermon referred in words the deep sympathy to the death of George, who brought tears to every eye; also kind words of sympathy were spoken of George in other churches; also at Dunnville, where he was known. The funeral of the deceased took place on Tuesday, the 2^nd inst., from his father’s residence. At the house the Rev. Canon Houston read the beautiful service of the English Church, and spoke feeling terms of the many good qualities and virtues of the deceased, and how, a year ago, New Year’s day, George was calling on his many friends, and this New Year’s day, was dead; and how his smiling face would be missed on the streets and in the church and Sunday school. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. The following lists the names of those who sent them. A beautiful pillow of white flowers with the words, “George,” in everlasting flowers, in the centre, from the church warden, John Murray, Ontario, Nellis, and the congregation of Christ Church, Niagara Falls, Ont., another very fine pillow with the word “George” in natural violets in the centre, from R. Skinner, Wm. Brennan, Geo. Phemister, _ Mullen, Chas. Barnfield, T.K. Wynn, W. Ward, W. Ward, A. Oatman, Susp. Bridge, N and M.C. MacFarland; a beautiful one from Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Leggett; a bouquet from Mr. Wilkins, of Rochester, N.Y.; a basket of flowers from Miss Ida Murray; a beautiful anchor from Mr. G. Rosli; a handsome five pointed star from Kate Elsheu and Hannah Gibbs, of Susp. Bridge, N.Y; a very pretty sickle from Misses Nellie, Aggie and Stella Skinner; a very fine wreath of ivy leaves with a calla lily in the center from Mrs. Sime, of Dunnville; a very fine and handsome anchor from his companions, Willie, Minnie and Mrs. Drew, with the words “Dear Georgie” in everlasting flowers on the cross part and anchor part of the anchor. The pall-bearers were R. Skinner, Frederick Rutherford, Wm. J. Drew, Wm. H. Brennan, Francis H. Williams and Thos. Douglass of Susp. Bridge, N.Y. The firemen and hook & ladder companies, of which George was an honorable member, attended the funeral and made a very fine appearance. The funeral was a very large one. His remains were interred in the Drummondville cemetery, there to remain until the new town cemetery is in order, then they will be removed to the new. The deceased leaves a father and mother, three sisters and three brothers to mourn the great loss. The chief mourners besides his family were Mrs. McDowell, Mr. Wilkinson, Rochester, and Mr. and Mrs. Richart, Buffalo, N.Y. The family have the sympathy of the whole community in their affliction.

A TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE GEORGE FREDERICK COULTHURST.

CHARLOTTE RICHARDS

[Welland Tribune, 9 February 1883]

CHARLOTTE RICHARDS, of Crowland, an insane woman, was removed from Welland gaol to Hamilton Asylum on Tuesday.

A BAD LOT

[Welland Tribune, 5 January 1883]

             An ugly-featured old hag named Kate Burch, widow, aged 84, but evidently a century old in sin and almost in looks, and the boss, named Wright, were brought before Mr. Hellems last Friday, the woman charged with drunkenness and prostitution, and the boss with being caught in her company in a state of primitive simplicity as regards garmenture. Kate was living with an old man named S. Dwight in the 4^th ward, who, it would seem is also a rather hard citizen. The boss plead Adam’s excuse that he did not eat of the forbidden fruit because the woman tempted him, and made an eloquent appeal to the sympathies of his fellow-men, the effect of which, however, was somewhat marred by an indiscreet allusion to the manner in which Justice Dennison, Toronto, did business. This being his first offence here, however, he was let off with $1 fine and a lecture, and given a week to collect the amount -$5.50 including costs. The woman, who is an old offender, and was also charged with having whilst costumed a la Eve, minus the fig leaf apron, danced a jig on a table for the amusement of an assembled company a few nights previous, was given three months in gaol without the option of a fine, with a notice that if she appeared before his worship here again he would certainly send her to the  Mercer Reformatory for the longest tern allowable. Dwight was cautioned to beware of his conduct in the future.