[Welland Tribune, 12 March 1897]
We cannot resist quoting the following criticisms upon the historical works of well-known local authors, which appeared in a recent issue of the University Review:
“In the Annals of Niagara, by William Kirby, F.R.S.G. (Lundy’s Lane Historical society, 1896), the author of “Le Chien D’Or,” has done for his native place a delightful service. No other town in Ontario has so interesting a history as Niagara. Hither came the first French discoverers, and here were seen the rise and fall of the Great Fort and the assembly of Johnson’s forces. Niagara has been the capital of a new province, and seen an infant parliament meet to lay the foundations of a new state. It has been captured by an enemy and burnt with every accompaniment of barbarity, and later it has seen its commercial prosperity gradually fade away until it has become the quiet and attractive watering place of today. The story Mr. Kirby has well told, with much that is new, either from his own reminiscences or from those who have passed away.” University Review pp. 165-6.
“Capt. Cruikshank’s Documentary History is of very great value. The story of the struggle between the two branches of the Anglo-Saxon race on a frontier close to the barrier of unknown forests and before the era of the war correspondent, has never been told without bias. We may hope that before long such a history will be written and this book will be a great aid to the historians. Captain Cruikshank in tracing the military movement of the campaign of 1814 has departed from the method he has employed in his narratives of the more important engagements, and has given the story as it appears in the official despatches and orders, and in private letters from combatants on both sides. Most of this matter has been hitherto in MS. Only. The arrangement throughout is chronological and the reader therefore can follow easily the movements of the forces on both sides as they were directed day by day from headquarters. Captain Cruikshank carefully refrains from editorial comment and confines his attention to strict accuracy in transcription and arrangement. This sound and scholarly piece of historical work when completed will be of great service.”-University Review, p 81.
Harry Nablo, Formerly of Welland, Killed in Buffalo
[Welland Tribune, 12 March 1897]
Harry Nablo of No. 399 Baynes street, Buffalo, was killed on the New York Central crossing on Jewett avenue while on his way to work on Thursday morning last week.
Nablo was 26 years old and was employed at the Niagara Bicycle works on Jewett avenue. He left his home shortly after 6 o’clock in the morning.
When he reached the railroad crossing he stopped while a freight train passed and then stepped out onto the track. As he did so a Belt Line train from Tonawanda, which he had failed to see on account of the freight, struck him and hurled him into the air. Nablo’s head was crushed and his body mutilated.
Harry Nablo carried on a blacksmith shop in Welland a few years ago, in connection with A.A. Pegg, and previous to that lived in Dunnville. He leaves a widow-a lady to whom he was married since he went to Buffalo.
[Welland Tribune, 5 March 1897]
IN conversing with a high school teacher in another part of the county, Inspector Seath stated that Miss Harding, one of the members of Welland high school staff, gave promise of being one of the best high school teachers in the province. He was particularly pleased with her methods and style of teaching and predicted for her a bright future
[Welland Tribune, 5 March 1897]
Very Ill-An old engineer named Bartlett (or Barclay) who was sent up from Thorold, is all broken up, and it is doubtful if he will pull through. It is said that he once kept a jewelry store in either Dunnville or Caledonia.
[Welland Tribune, 5 March 1897]
Thomas Newbigging of Bridgeburg, an old and prominent resident of the county, died at that place on Monday last, at the advanced age of 87 years.
By the death of Mr. Newbigging this county has lost one of its oldest and most esteemed residents. He came to Canada from Glasgow, Scotland, I the year 1850, and settled on what has since become known as the Newbigging farm, fronting in the Niagara River, about one mile below International Bridge. This farm hs become of historic interest, from the fact that it was there, on the banks of Frenchman’s creek, that the Fenians first pitched their tents. About twenty years ago he retired from farming, selling to George Pearse of England, and removed to the village of Bridgeburg.
Mr.Newbigging was one of the oldest justices of the peace in Canada. He also over many years filled the position of division court clerk, resigning from that position only a few years ago, on account of failing health. He was a most painstaking and obliging official. He was a man of decided opinions and had that strength and force of character that is so characteristic of the Scotch. In religion he was a staunch Presbyterian, and the last public occasion on which we remember seeing him was when he laid the cornerstone of Knox Presbyterian church. In political affairs he always took an active interest and was a strong Reformer. He leaves a family of three sons-Thos. L. Newbigging of H.M. customs, Bridgeburg, William Newbigging of Buffalo and Joseph Newbigging of Owosso, Mich., also two daughters-Mrs. Owen of Bridgeburg and Mrs. Struthers of Galt. He leaves one grand-daughter, Mrs. James Brereton of Sandusky, Ohio.
[Welland Tribune, 5 March 1897]
On Sunday evening Mrs. Helen Duncan, relict of the late Sheriff George J. Duncan, died at her home in Welland. Deceased had not been in the best of health for many years, and since the death of her husband ten years ago had lived a very retired life. Her last illness, however, was of short duration, death from pneumonia following after an illness of almost ten days. Deceased was a daughter of the late George Biggar of Elora, Ont., and was married to Mr. Duncan in 1861. Two sons-George W. Duncan of Toronto, and Alfred Duncan of New York city-survive to mourn the death of a loving and devoted Christian mother, Miss Nellie Oliver, niece of deceased, was a constant and faithful attendant at the bedside of her aunt, with whom she had lived since childhood, and to her, too, the death is indeed a deep affliction. The remains were buried beside those of her husband in the family plot, Drummond Hill, Niagara Falls South, on Wednesday. Rev. F. McCuaig of the Presbyterian church (of which deceased was a member), conducted service at the house here and accompanied the body on the 9 o’clock G.T.R. train to the place of interment, where Rev. Mr. Wilson assisted in the brief burial service. Beautiful flowers rested on the casket, as tokens of love and sympathy from those near to her. Mrs. Duncan had been a member of Welland Home Circle for about twelve years, and her heirs will receive $2,000 from that noble order. The friends who mourn are consoled by the assurance that the departed one is enjoying that blessed relief promised for those who die in the Lord.
[Welland Tribune, 26 February 1897]
Word was received here on Friday last week of the death of John T. Boyle who died in the General hospital, Buffalo, on Thursday evening. The deceased has been patient sufferer for some time, having had a severe attack of lagrippe, from which he never fully recovered and which eventually turned into consumption. He was well known here having lived here all his life until about eight years ago. He belonged to the Welland canal field battery, and fought in the Fenian raid at Fort Erie. He was taken a prisoner with several others but escaped without any injuries. Deceased leaves four brothers and one sister, besides a host of friends to mourn his death. The remains were brought here on Saturday, Rev. Mr. Ramey conducting the funeral services in St. James’s church, interment at Overholt’s cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 26 February 1897]
After a comparatively short illness, Miss Isabella H. Carter died on Wednesday evening at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Jas. Tinlin. She died as she had lived-peacefully and quietly. She was the third child of Levi and Hannah Carter, and was born in Salem county, New Jersey, U.S.A., on March 8, 1818, and was therefore in her 79th year. Her life has been a long and unselfish one, having lived largely for the good of others. She rests from her labors, and her works do follow her. The funeral will take place from the house on Friday, at 1.30 p.m., where a short service will be conducted by her pastor, the Rev. J. M. Smith. A memorial sermon will be preached on Sunday morning in the Baptist church, from a text of her own choosing.
A VETERAN OF THE MACKENZIE REBELLION AND FENIAN RAID
[Welland Tribune, 12 March 1897]
Joseph Reavely, who departed this life at his residence in Stamford township on Monday last, was one of the oldest and best known residents of the county of Welland. He was born in the house where the late Thomas C. Street (for many years M.P. for his county) first saw light, opposite Street’s mills, near Niagara Falls, on the 13th day of March, 1816, and was therefore within five days of his 81st birthday at the time of his demise. His father, Thomas Reavely, was a native of Northumberland, England, who came to Canada in 1811; he erected a carding mill at Niagara Falls, the second establishment of the kind in the country.
Joseph Reavely was noted for his intense loyalty to Britain and British institutions. He was one of the yeomen militia who assisted in quelling the Mackenzie rebellion in 1837-8, serving with the Government forces at Chippawa, opposite Navy Island, when but a little over 20 years of age. In 1861, when there was a probability of war between England and the United States, he was one of the first to offer his services in defence of the Crown; at that time he was a lieutenant in the militia. As a member of the Welland canal field battery he went to the front in 1866 to assist in repelling the Fenian invaders. He was one of those who by ill-advised generalship was led into the trap at Fort Erie and were made prisoners by the Fenians at that place. He was a staunch Episcopalian, a member of St. Paul’s church, Port Robinson, for which he had repeatedly held the offices of warden and delegate to synod. He was also a prominent Orangeman, having held the office of county master; at the time of his death he was chaplain of the county lodge. He was one of the oldest justices of the peace in the county; a staunch temperance advocate, and in polities a lifelong Conservative.
At a very early age with the family he moved to the lot in the extreme southwest corner of the township of Stamford, which had been originally settled by his mother’s parents (Heaslip) in 1788. Here he lived all his life. He married Charlotte, daughter of Crowell Willson, one of the U.E. Loyalists who settled in this county. Of this union eight children were born, of whom six-four sons and two daughters-survive. Albert, the eldest son, who is a high school teacher; was in the service with this father at the time of the Fenian raid and won promotion. The other sons, Thomas S., of Thorold township; Edgar, of Marshville; and Ethelbert, of British Columbia. One of the daughters married Thos. Willson of Wainfleet, and the other married James Spencer of Elgin county. The widowed life-partner of deceased also survives to mourn.
The funeral on Thursday was very generally attended by the local community, as well as by many from a distance. The impressive ritual of the church which deceased loved so well was rendered by Rev. P.L. Spencer at St. Paul’s, Port Robinson, Rev. Dr. Johnstone acting as chaplain for the County of Orange lodge, the brethren attending in great numbers from all over the county. Interment took place in the burial grounds opposite. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in the county. One of the many lovable characteristics of Joseph Reavely was an inherent modesty that disclaimed all praise or laudation, in deference to which we withhold words that otherwise might most fitly and appropriately be said. His life speaks for itself in language more eloquent than words of ours could convey.
[Welland Tribune. 26 February 1897]
Levi Springer, aged 75, died at his home in Mouton on Sunday. He leaves a widow (mother of Mrs. Alex Cross of this village, and sister of Elias Augustine of Stonebridge), a son (Harvey) and a step-daughter. He was a brother of Aaron Springer, who lives east of town. The remains were interred at Forks Road on Tuesday, Rev. Mr. Sider conducting the funeral ceremony. Many friends and relatives from this section were present at the funeral.
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