[Thorold Post, 6 September 1895]
Still another of the old landmarks was removed on Monday in the person of Thos. Bell Sr. who had lived at Thorold for forty-five years. He was a native of Ireland, being born in the county of Fermanagh in 1828. For thirty years he conducted a cooperage business, being the only one to continue of the many who years ago found it a lucrative calling. He left a widow (his third wife) and a family of grown-up children, part of which are married and settled at different points, also a bachelor brother, Walter, who for ten years has been a member of the household. Deceased was a member of the Methodist church, and was a man of upright character, who faithfully discharged all the responsibilities of life. The funeral was held yesterday, the remains being interred at St. Catharines.
[Welland Tribune, 9 August 1895]
On Tuesday last at 10.15 p.m., James H. Price, one of Welland’s foremost citizens passed quietly to rest. He had been a long sufferer, and since February last almost constantly confined to the house. The cause of death was heart failure.
The Welland county history contains the following regarding the deceased:
“J.H. Price was born in Thorold township, November 16th, 1819. He is a son of Aaron and Charlotte (Buckbee) Price and grandson of Elisha and Martha (Woodruff) Price, who carried on a large sugar plantation in the West Indies for a number of years, said plantation having been acquired by the great-grandfather of our subject whilst acting as master of one of his vessels trading with one of those islands. The ancestors of Mr. Price were of Welsh origin. The grandfather came to Canada shortly after the American revolutionary war, as a U.E. Loyalist, bringing with him his son Aaron, who was born near the city of New York, and settled in the county of Norfolk. The father of our subject removed to this county about 1800, and purchased property near the town of Welland. He was engaged in the war of 1812, but from his knowledge as a mechanic was transferred to the department to construct vessels for the transportation of supplies. He died near Welland in 1846. Mr. Price, the subject of this sketch, was brought up to farm life, receiving his education at the common schools and at a school of higher grade kept by one Welford. He married, June 13th, 1844, Adelaide H., a daughter of Lewis and Susan (Hull) Wilson, and granddaughter of Major Hull. Mr. Price took part in the suppression of the rebellion of 1837, and at the time of the Trent affair was commissioned lieutenant of a Welland company, and afterwards captain of the Wainfleet militia.
He was elected to the town council of Welland for four years, the two later years of his service holding the position of reeve. He has also held the office of treasurer of the high school board since 1880. Mr. Price was appointed to the magistracy of the county of Welland in 1856, and has held the position for the last 39 years with credit to himself and benefit to the citizens generally. He has for the last 20 years been one of the most prominent and useful members of the county agricultural society, each year filling either the office of president or that of treasurer.”
The funeral took place from the family residence, fourth ward, yesterday, service being conducted at the house at 2 p.m., by Rev. Dr. Johnstone of Holy Trinity church. The attendance at the ceremony was very large and representative, and included many from various parts of the county-a gratifying mark of the esteem in which Mr. Price was held in the county where he was born and had lived for three quarters of a century. In his death Welland losses an honest, upright, active man and a good citizen. The community mourns with those bereaved.
The pall-bearers were-Messrs. J.H. Burgar, D. McEwing, S. Lamont, John Phelps, George Carl and E. Shotwell. The town council attended in a body.
[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.
BLACK-CHRISTIAN
[Welland Tribune, 11 January 1895]
Married, at Morrisburg, Ont., on Dec. 31st, 1894, by Rev. W. Timberlake, Mr. Samuel G. Black, of Trenton to Miss Charlotte Christian, formerly of Welland but now of Morrisburg. After the ceremony the bridal party returned to the residence of the bride’s mother, Union street, Morrisburg, where a beautiful tea was prepared and heartily partaken of and enjoyed by all the guests. Afterwards the young couple took the train for the west amidst showers of rice and happy wishes for their future from the many young friends who escorted them to the station.
[Welland Tribune, 11 January 1895]
Great sympathy is expressed for Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kelsey, Shotwell street, who Sunday last lost their only child by death-Annie Catherine, a bright little girl baby of five months. The little one was only ill about a week, death being the result of an ailment of the bowels. The funeral took place on Tuesday to Dawdy’s burying ground, Pelham, the church service being performed by Rev. Mr. Dobson at Welland, and the ceremony at the grave by William Wetherald.
(For the Welland Tribune)
Ontario, California, Feb. 25, 1895
[Welland Tribune, 8 March 1895]
Mr. Editor-I saw in your issue of the 15th inst, that myself and my son, Wm. Hill, were going to return home at once to Canada, which was a mistake, as we do not, so far as we know at present, expect to return until about the last of April or the first of May, and perhaps not then.
We came here expecting to spend the winter in a fine, warm and healthy climate, but have been greatly mistaken. We arrived in the city of Los Angeles on the first day of December last-remained there the greater part of December and January, and I never put in two months of more disagreeable and unhealthy weather in Canada. Although not freezing, it was cold, damp and rainy the greater part of that time, and quite unfit for any person to go out of the house without the protection of gloves, overcoat, overshoes and an umbrella, and the streets were as muddy as I ever saw in the town of Welland; and no stranger has any business there without a full purse, for which he is likely to be held up on the street at any time and his little boodle taken from him, although we have had no such misfortune. We came to Ontario, California, the 9th inst., where we are now. It is a most delightful place. It rained for the first four days, but as soon as the weather cleared up the roads and streets were dry. The streets are well shaded with trees, beautiful hedges surround every plot of land for miles around, and at an elevation of over 1200 feet above sea level. Now, with respect to friend Ward, whom we have not seen for the last two weeks, I hear he is still on the upper shelf. He has now got the reputation of being one of the greatest Nimrods (self excepted) of any dead shot in Southern California. I assure you it was very amusing to me, while on our hunting expeditions, and passing over our hunting grounds to see him going along with his gun at his shoulder and a dead bead drawn on the game before he could see it, and through the swiftness of his intended victims they are clearly out of harm’s way before he sends his deadly lead after them, but not into them, as he intended to do.
It was quite true, as previously reported in his letter, he downed some game, but he failed to say it had been previously crippled by some other sportsman; it is also true he did bring to the ground a great bird which, upon investigation, proved to be a turkey buzzard. These great birds are protected by imposing a fine of $50 upon any person who kills one of them. The object in protecting them is that they devour great quantities of all kinds of animals that die on the plains and roadsides, of which we have seen hundreds. We saw great flocks of these large birds hovering over animals not yet dead, ready to devour them- and when some distance from Friend Ward I saw a great flock following after him, I suppose counting on a good square meal; I at once saw the danger he was in and hastened to assist him. He also saw his only chance of escape was to shoot the leader, which he did; it was a clear case of self defence to save his own life and he was acquitted. I am enjoying myself at present-not fishing in the Welland river, but by by hunting and bringing to grief all game that crosses my path, such as rabbits, badgers, gophers, coyotes, deer, squirrels, and grizzlies, but more squirrels than bears. We have been pleased by meeting our friend, Mr. George Hansler, who is great hustler in a hoss deal and other business. We have also met friend Alex. McGlashan, who is also a great hustler at taking it easy.
John Hill
[Welland Tribune, 18 January 1895]
The fourteenth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Hays was celebrated on Friday evening last by a surprise party of friends calling upon them-including guests from Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Stevensville. About twenty-five sat down to an oyster supper, and enjoyment was supreme until well into the night, when all departed with the wish that Mr. and Mrs. Hays might be blessed with continued health and prosperity.
Married: 12 January 1882 (Ontario Marriage Registration)
Spouse: Florence Jones
INDUSTRIAL HOME
[Welland Tribune, 8 February 1895]
Benjamin Franklin Ellinwood died here at 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7th. He was one of the first arrivals at the home, in 1888. He was 71 years old. Number now in the home, 53.
AN OLD RESIDENTER-On Wednesday last Frank Ellinwood died in the Industrial home, and his remains will be interred at Brown’s cemetery, Pelham, to-day. The deceased was at one time proprietor of the woollen mills North Main street, and quite a well-known citizen thirty years ago. His wife died many years ago; the remainder of his family reside in the west.
Died: 6 February 1895
[Welland Tribune, 26 April 1895]
Yesterday forenoon Walter Clendennan, an old resident of this town, met with a serious and perhaps fatal accident. As he was teaming brick between Welland and Port Colborne the front board of the wagon broke and he fell forward under the horses’ feet, and was terribly kicked in the face. His jaw was broken of both sides, face otherwise hurt, also shoulder injured. Dr. Howell, who was called, thinks recovery doubtful. An effort is being made to have the sufferer removed to St. Catharines hospital for treatment, for which there are no conveniences at his residence.
[Welland Tribune, 26 July 1895]
Just as Sunday last was ushered in a lovely and precious girl-life passed away. Nina Evelyn Beatty, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Beatty, crossed the silent river that separates from the Better Land. The suddenness of the blow was appalling to the parents and a shock to the community. On the previous Tuesday Nina was in almost perfect health, although some slight complaint of feeling unwell had been made at times. On Wednesday, however, illness came sharp and severe. Appendicitis of the most acute nature had developed, and in defiance of the best skill, and the most devoted and loving care, death could not be stayed. Sympathy was extended to the bereaved ones on every hand and floral tokens from relatives, friends and playmates were tendered as a mark of the love in which the little sufferer was held. Nina was a great favorite, and the family are not alone in their sorrow. On Tuesday afternoon a large concourse of citizens assembled at the funeral. The door of the home had no crepe-simply a pure white wreath. In a pure white casket, buried in flowers, lay the remains-and as youth and old age looked upon the childish face many a sympathetic tear betrayed the affection for the departed. County Clerk Cooper acted as funeral director; the pallbearers were Robert Harcourt, John Lowe, Norman Somerville, Hugh Rose, Mac Cumines and Roy Schooley. A brief funeral service was conducted by Rev. Mr. McCuaig of the Presbyterian church, and the choir sang two hymns, one that touching piece “Bringing in the Sheaves” –the casket lid was dropped and the cortege moved away, bearing Nina’s mortal remains to that beautiful home of rest on the hill-Fonthill cemetery.
Died: 21 July 1895
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