[Welland Tribune, 18 December 1891]
LATE MRS. JACOB CROW-The late Mrs. Jacob Crow, after lying in a critical condition for over a week, the result of a second stroke of paralysis, passed peacefully into rest on Saturday evening last. Mrs. Crow was the daughter of Hugh and Anna Wilson of the township of Saltfleet, Co., Wentworth. She was born May 5, 1825, and was the youngest of a family of thirteen children of whom three still survive: Mrs. Marcia Bridgman of Smithville, John Wilson of Oakville and Henry R. of Winona. She was the second wife of Mr. Jacob Crow to whom she married July 25th, 1855. From that date Mr. and Mrs. Crow resided on a farm in Pelham until 1874 when they moved to Welland. A bereaved husband, three sons, and stepchildren are left to mourn their great and irreparable loss. The funeral took place on Tuesday and was largely attended by many sincere mourners. Interment at Dawdy’s, Pelham. Services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Emory of the Methodist church, of which body Mrs. Crow had been a loyal and devoted member for over forty years. Her life was a peculiarly loving and lovable one, her end was sweet peace, and her memory will long remain green and fragrant in the minds of all who enjoyed her companionship.
HARRIET CROW
[Welland Telegraph, 18 December 1891]
Mrs. Jacob Crow, of Welland, after an illness of some eight days from the effect of paralysis which affected her right side and deprived her of the power of speech, died on Saturday evening last. In the spring she suffered a similar attack, but had recovered almost immediately before the second visitation. The remains were interred at Dawdy’s burying ground on Tuesday, the Revd’s V.H. Emory and F. McCuaig officiating.
A Faith of a Sailor-A Grand Christmas Gift
T. DeWitt Talmage
[Welland Telegraph, 25 December 1891]
I never like a Christmas season to pass without telling to someone a thrilling incident which happened at my house just eight year ago this coming Christmas. Perhaps I have told it to you, but I think not. A child from a neighbor’s house came in to say her father was dead. It was only three doors off, and, I think, in two minutes we were there. There lay the old Christmas sea captain, his face upturned toward the window as though he had suddenly seen the headlands, and with an illuminated countenance as though he were just going into harbor. The fact was he had already got through the “Narrows.” In the adjoining room were the Christmas presents awaiting for his distribution. Long, ago, one night when he had narrowly escaped with his ship from being run down by a great ocean steamer, he had made his peace with God, and a kinder neighbor than Captain Pendelton you would not find this side of heaven.
He had often talked to me of the goodness of God, and especially of a time when he was about to go into New York harbor with his ship from Liverpool, and he was suddenly impressed that he ought to put back to sea. Under the protest of the crew and under their very threat he put back to sea, fearing at the same time he was losing his mind, for it did seem so unreasonable that when they could get into harbor that night they should put back to sea. But they put to sea, and Captain Pendleton said to his mate, “You call me at ten o’clock to-night.” At twelve o’clock at night the captain was aroused and said: “What does this mean? I thought I told you to call me at ten o’clock and here it is twelve.” “Why,” said the young mate, “I did call you at ten o’clock , and you got up, looked around and told me to keep right on this same course for two hours, and then to call you at twelve o’clock.” Said the captain, “Is it possible? I have no remembrance of that.” At twelve o’clock the captain went on deck, and through the rift of the cloud of the moonlight fell upon the sea and showed him a shipwreck with one hundred passengers. He helped them off. Had he been any earlier or any later at that point of the sea he would have been of no service to those drowning people. On board the captain’s vessel, they began to band together as to what they should pay for the rescue, and what they should pay for the provisions. “Ah,” says the captain, “my lads, you can’t pay me anything: all I have on board is yours; I feel too greatly honored of God in having saved you to take any pay. Just like him.
Oh, that the old sea captain‘s God might be my God and yours. Amid the stormy seas of life may we have always someone as tenderly take care of us as the captain took care of the drowning crew and the passengers. And may we come into the harbor with as little physical pain and with as bright a hope as he had; and if it should happen to be a Christmas morning, when the presents are being distributed, and we are celebrating the birth of Him who came to save our shipwreck world, all the better, for what grander, brighter Christmas present could we have than Heaven?
[Welland Telegraph, 17 April 1891]
Division Court Inspector Dickey, of Toronto, was here yesterday and made a final investigation of the charges preferred against the court clerk, G.L. Hobson, by his political enemies. The inspector dismissed every charge as frivolous and expressed satisfaction with Mr. Hobson’s management of the office. Mr. German was present on behalf of the charges, but offered no evidence to sustain them.
[Welland Telegraph, 10 April 1891]
Many people in the county of Welland, heard with regret the tidings of Mrs. C.F. Dunbar’s death, at Buffalo last Friday, (4 April 1891). Deceased was a resident of Port Colborne for some years, and was born near Fonthill, her maiden name being Harris. Mr. Dunbar was her second husband, she having been previously married to a gentleman named Burston, by whom she leaves one daughter. Three other children by her second husband survive to mourn the loss of a loving and tender-hearted mother. The funeral took place at Buffalo, on Tuesday, and was attended by Mr. W.L. Beatty and wife, Mrs. L. D. Raymond, Mrs. Young, Mr. A. Griffith and Mr. John D. Dowd of this place.
[Welland Telegraph, 24 April 1891]
It is always a sad task to chronicle the death of any one but more especially does it seem so when called on to do so of a young man who in the prime of life is called to that home from whence none returneth. On Saturday last Jerome W. Jeffrey, who was so well-known and respected by every one in Welland, died in his beautiful home in Buffalo, after a comparatively short illness, in the presence of his wife and friends. Only a few days ago the deceased went to New York for the purpose of making some large purchases, and while there contracted a cold which caused his hasty return home, but the dreadful disease of typhoid fever and pneumonia had taken such a hold on him that the doctor’s skill and good nursing failed to do anything for him, and within a few days of his return he passed away, leaving a loving wife and a child 3 years of age, as well as brothers and sisters to mourn his sad death. The deceased joined the firm of Lyman & Jeffrey, chemists and druggists of Buffalo, about 14 years ago, after a few years he sold his interest to Mr. Lyman and went to Bradford, Penn., where he embarked in the oil business under the firm name of Jeffrey Bros., which business he carried on up to his death, although after a short time he was obliged to leave Bradford on account of his health and returned to Buffalo, where he purchased half interest in his old partner’s business. Last summer he purchased the other half, thus becoming sole proprietor. The business being a large one, he sent for this brother, Charley, who was at home in Welland to join him, giving him a third interest in the business, and who will no doubt make arrangements to continue the same.
The Body Found at Lewiston was That of Cora Farthing.
SHE PLANNED HER OWN SUICIDE-HER PARENTS HEARTBROKEN OVER THE AFFAIR
[Welland Telegraph, 14 August 1891]
The body of the unfortunate girl which was found in Niagara River near Lewiston was positively identified on Monday as that of Miss Cora Farthing, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Farthing of No. 454 West Ferry street.
That she committed suicide and had carefully planned it, is not now questioned. For over a year she had worked in an office and endeavored to earn her own living, although it was not necessary for her to do this, her parents being abundantly able to support her and care for her. She was a most ambitious girl and always strived to get along as well as possible. During the past year she had lived with a family at No. 191 North Division street. When she left the house last Wednesday, she simply told them she was going away, and would be gone for a few days. Before going, however, she carefully packed her effects. In a satchel where some of them were placed she left a note directed to her parents. The note stated that she had been disappointed, was despondent, and was going to leave them forever. She said there was nothing of any kind of an unpleasant nature existing between herself and her parents or brothers and sisters, bade all good-bye, and signed her name.
This was on Wednesday last of week, and her parents did not know that she had left the city until Saturday morning, when they at once instituted an investigation and reported the matter to the police. The story of the finding of a body at Lewiston caused Supt. Morgenstern to refer them to the description of the girl and advised them to visit that place and see if the body was that of their daughter.
Every new description which was received led them to more firmly believe that it might be her, and Monday morning Mr. Farthing, her father, and two or three of the intimate friends of the family went to Lewiston, and at once identified the body as that of the missing girl. The remains were surrendered by the coroner and were taken to Buffalo that night.
Miss Farthing is said to have been a very pretty girl and one who always made herself attractive to those about her. Those who know the family say that her home was pleasant, and no one can account for her actions. Her parents especially claim that they cannot advance the slightest reason why she should have caused them so much sorrow and anguish. The family physician says that she had been in poor health for nearly a year and a half, and that she suffered from nervous attacks, frequently being prostrated by them. It is supposed that these worried her more of late and fearing that they might become a chronic trouble with her, she decided to end her life.
Her parents are nearly heart-broken over the affair. All Monday evening neighbors and friends were calling to express their sympathy and to endeavor to comfort them.
(Buffalo Express)
[Welland Telegraph, 11 December 1891]
The famous old American hotel, near the foot of ferry street, was the scene of a marriage out of the ordinary on Wednesday.
James Horn, the landord, was dozing in his arm-chair on Wednesday afternoon when Frederick Burger, a six-foot Canadian, made his appearance and asked: “Can I bring a gal in here?”
“Certainly. What do you want to do with her?”
“Git married, by Gosh,” and the room shook with laughter.
“All right,” said Horn; “bring in your gal.”
She came. She was hardly half the size of her future lord and master and showed signs of travel over muddy roads. They were shown to the sitting room and the Rev. L.B. VanDyke, the Episcopal minister, was sent for.
When the messenger had departed Horn asked his visitor if he had enough to pay the minister, as he thought it would cost at least $3 to tie the knot. The man had already spent about half a dollar in entertaining his intended with refreshments from the bar and said that he had but a dollar left.
“Why,” said he, “that’s the reason I came over here, as I can get married cheaper here than on the other side. We’ve walked for twenty miles up in the country. I want to get married cheap. “
The landlord appreciated the situation and agreed to see him through.
Ralph Courter and Mrs. Peck, the housekeeper, were pressed in to serve as witnesses and the knot securely tied, Mr. Horn giving the bride away. She gave him her name as Mary Jane Harkins and her age as eighteen years.
As it was the first wedding which had taken place in the house since the time the beaux and belles of the village of Black Rock used to make it headquarters fifty years ago, Landlord Horn decided to celebrate, and a wedding feast was prepared to which about a dozen sat down. The couple left in the early evening to trudge back their twenty miles.
[Welland Telegraph, 30 October 1891]
The late Judge Lawder, of St. Catharines, used to relate the word spoken to him by General Scott-his intimate friend and visitor, who commanded the American army of 5,000 at Lundy’s Lane. That “they (the Americans) got the worst of the battle, and so were forced to retreat,” leaving their dead to be disposed of by the British. They concluded to retire, having held council of war of officers at early dawn of July 26, under a tree near Forsythe’s house, Falls View. It was early on the same day that they crossed the Chippawa and burnt down the old bridge.
[Welland Telegraph, 23 January 1891]
About three months ago Wm. Carpenter was drowned at Buffalo, and on Sunday last his widow succumbed to typhoid pneumonia, leaving a family of five children-four sons and one daughter, the oldest being a son of 20 years of age. The remains were brought to Welland on Monday evening, and the funeral took place on Tuesday from the residence of Mr. Jas. O.Brien, to the R.C. Cemetery. Much sympathy is felt for the sorrowing family, who in so short a time were bereft of both parents, leaving a family of five children-four sons and one daughter, the oldest being a son of 20 years of age. The remains were brought to Welland on Monday evening, and the funeral took place on Tuesday from the residence of Mr. Jas. O.Brien, to the R.C. Cemetery. Much sympathy is felt for the sorrowing family, who in so short a time were bereft of both parents.
[Welland Tribune, 23 January 1891]
Mrs. Wm. Carpenter, widow of the late Wm. Carpenter who was drowned at Buffalo last year, died in that city on Sunday last of fever, probably brought about by a low state of health from grief at the loss of her late husband. Mrs. Carpenter was formerly Miss Kate Coyle, for many years a respected resident of Welland. The body was interred at Welland on Tuesday. By her death five children, ages ranging from about five to twenty, are left orphans.
Subscribe..
