Letter from M. M. Buckley
[Welland Tribune, 1 April 1898]
Editor Welland Tribune :
I send you the Santa Cruz Daily Sentinel of March 17th. There is a letter in it from San Diego about Southern California; I wish you would insert it in the TRIBUNE, it will give the readers of the
TRIBUNE a better account of Southern California as it is at present than I can. The young men of
Canada will do better stopping in their own country; they can do better and make more money raising fruit in Niagara or Welland county than they can here. I don’t see any opening of any kind here for a young man either with money or without. All kinds of fruit growing is overdone, and fruit is getting cheaper and cheaper every year, so the grower scarcely gets anything for it. The freight, boxing, packing, commission, etc., eat up all the profits. I heard of one man who had nine tons of raisins last fall ; he hauled them to the packers, they put them up in boxes and sent them east ; he got his statement a few weeks since and they brought him in debt to them $14. The boxes, packing, freight, hauling, commissions &c. came to $14 dollars more than the fruit sold for, I also heard of a man sending 80 boxes of peaches to a commission house at San Francisco. They returned him 50 cents for the 80 boxes; the expenses took all the rest; you hear of lots of such cases. It is a standing joke in California that the only way to make a fruit farm pay is to sell it to a green Englishman just out. They get from one to five thousand dollars down and then they are sure to get the farm back in two or three years. Property of all kinds is almost unsaleable here at any price. I heard one land agent say he had not sold a lot in the last five years. The taxes are fearful here in Santa Cruz. They are $3.65 on $100. The Santa Cruz “Surf” of the
19th said:–
“Transcontinental railway rates continue to be cut lower and lower, as the fight between competing lines grows in bitterness. But there is little to come west for. Our factories are mostly closed, our building is at a standstill, our agriculturalists have all they can do to make ends meet, and our state county and city taxation is almost confiscation. They assess everything you have got here in this state, furniture, pianos, pictures, notes mortgages, fruit trees if they are over five years old, hens if you have more than twelve.”
The Sentinel of this morning says: “Who can engage in this manufacturing in California in competition with the East or Europe? Who can successfully raise wheat on the high priced and high taxed land of California, in competition with cheap land and lower taxes of every other state in the union, and the Dominion of Canada? Who can afford to make any kind of an investment in a city like Santa Cruz, where the axes are $3.65 on the $100, all that real estate ought to net, absolute confiscation in nine-tenths of the cities of the Union.
I have not met one Englishman or one Canadian out here, that are better off than they were at home, and most of them would like to return if they could sell out at almost any price. I heard of one Englishman that has spent over $15,000 on a fruit farm, besides a five years labor, and he is offering the whole of it for $5,000 and can’t get it.
This is a beautiful country to live in, if you have the income to keep it up, but no country for any other kind of people at present.
M. M. BUCKLEY,
Santa Cruz, March 22, 1898.
//aj
[People’s Press, 13 December 1898]
We regret to have to chronicle in our present issue the demise of Mrs. P Crotty, of Clark Hill, which took place on the 1 st. inst., in her 57 th year. Mrs. Crotty was married at the age of seventeen and leaves her husband and 11 children to mourn the loss of a devoted wife and a fond mother, whose life’s work had been devoted to their service. She was indeed, the ideal of a noble Christian woman, and was highly esteemed and respected by all who shared the pleasure of her acquaintance. There was a profusion of flowers presented by friends and relatives, including some beautiful pieces sent by Mr. Smith and family of Buffalo, who recently purchased the Clark Hill property. The funeral obsequies were performed on the morning of the 5 th of December, the following gentlemen acting as pallbearers :– Roderick Cameron, James Quillinan, George Steele, Patrick McGrail, Chas. Inglis and M. Casey. At 9:45 the remains, escorted by a large number of friends and relatives, were borne from the residence to the Church where our Lady of Peace, at Falls View, where High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Dionysius Best of the Carmelite Monastery, who spoke in a most feeling and sympathetic manner of the virtues and strong faith of the deceased. Mrs. Crotty leaves besides her husband eleven children, viz :– John and Henry, of Parkersburg, West, Va., Michael, of Manington, West, Va., Joseph, of Niagara Falls, N. Y. May, of Washington, D. C. ; Mrs. Lynch, of Port Robinson, Ont. ; Ms. Mahaney, of Allegbany, Pa.
Annie, of Buffalo, N. Y., Maggie, Tessie and Beatrice at home. The TRIBUNE desires to add its heartfelt sympathy to that of the general public for the sorrowing relatives.
//aj
Thorold News
[Welland Tribune, 25 November 1898]
It is our sad duty this week to record the death of Wm. McGuire, a well-known and highly esteemed resident of Thorold township, who died at his home, Quaker Bridge, on Tuesday morning, of heart trouble. He was a native of Ireland, having been born in that country in 1823, and hs trade was that of a mechanic. He was a first class carpenter and followed his trade until about eight years ago, when he retired to his farm at Quaker Bridge. Deceased leaves a widow and six children:-William of South Chicago, John of Johnstown, Pa., Joseph of Welland. Mrs. Price Howell of West Branch, Michigan, Mrs. Fred McCann, Quaker Bridge, and Mrs. J.T. Ward, Welland. Samuel, another son, died in Welland in June last. The funeral was held on Thursday morning, to the R.C. church, Father Trayling officiating. The pall-bearers were Messrs. Dowd, Ross, Ball, Gainer, Misener and Reuter. Requiescat in pace.
Fonthill News
[Welland Tribune, 16 December 1898]
One of Fonthill’s oldest and most widely known and highly respected residents, George Robertshaw passed to the life hereafter yesterday, Thursday morning, in the 73rd year of his age. Although Mr. Robertshaw had been unwell for a long time, the final messenger came abruptly, and the sudden death cast a deep feeling of gloom and regret over this community. A widow, one son, Fred, in Los Angeles, Cal., and one daughter, Mrs. Stuart Davidson of Fonthill, survive to mourn the loss a kind husband and father. Deceased was a fervent and faithful member of the Anglican church; and for many years he filled the position of high constable of the county of Welland. In politics he was a consistent Liberal from principle. He was the soul of honor, a good citizen and a good man, whose demise will leave a palpable void in the community. The funeral will be held tomorrow (Saturday) from the house at 2 p.m., thence to Holy Trinity church; interment at Fonthill cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 22 April 1898]
Wellandport News
Leonard Heaslip died on Monday this week and was buried on Wednesday. He was about his work ploughing on Friday last, but had a slight paralytic stoke in the evening, but was able to be around on Saturday. On Monday morning he died. He was born and always lived on the same farm on which he died. He was a staunch Conservative and a good neighbor. He leaves one daughter, Mrs. Baldwin, who lives with him, his wife having died some years ago.
[Welland Tribune, 22 April 1898]
A telegram from O. E.Kipka, Fostoria, Ohio, to Welland friends announces the death of his wife, Millie Kemp, on the afternoon of Saturday last, April 16th. Mrs. Kipka was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Kemp, formerly of this county. Mrs. Kemp may be better known to some old friends by her maiden name, Lydia Tewsley. Mrs. Kipka, of whose demise particulars are not yet to hand, leaves a bereaved husband and two small children. She had many friends in Welland, Pelham and elsewhere in the county, who will sincerely mourn her early demise. The funeral took place on Tuesday, interment at Fostoria.
LATE MRS. KIPKA
[Welland Tribune, 29 April, 1898]
Last week the Tribune noted the death of Millie,, wife of O.E. Kipka, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Kemp, at Fostoria, O. In this connection the following from the Fostoria Democrat of Wednesday last week will be of interest:-The funeral of Mrs. O.E. Kipka yesterday afternoon, was very largely attended. The floral tributes spoke in silent words the high esteem in which the deceased was held by all. Detroit Hive No. 45, L.O.T.M., of which the deceased was a member, had charge of the services at the cemetery.
Thorold Township
[Welland Tribune, 29 July 1898]
On Monday evening, 18th inst., Catharine Spencer, relict of the late Adam Spencer, in her eighty-second year, passed peacefully to her home beyond, where she has been for many years longing to go. She gave her heart to God early in life and in younger days was very active both in spiritual and temporal things. As age advanced ill-health forced her to live in retirement.
She was born in Thorold township, Welland county, and at the age of eighteen was married. She and her companion spent several years traveling, he being a preacher in the Society of Friends. Her home was made pleasant for everybody. About forty years ago they moved to Oxford county, where she has since resided.
Her beloved partner crossed the river of death nine years ago, and since then she has been patiently waiting the Master’s call.
Three sons-Jacob G., who lives in Dakota; Henry, who lives in Assiniboia; and James Harvey, who lives in Denver, Col., and one daughter, Phoebe A. Rock, with whom she made her home, are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother.
Deceased was a sister to Jacob and John Gainer of Thorold township.
Crowland News
[Welland Tribune, 4 March 1898]
YOKOM-Mary Doan, relict of the late Jacob L. Yokom, passed peacefully from this life, at her residence in South Walsingham, early on Sabbath morning, Feb. 20th, 1898, in 74th year.
The deceased was born in the township of Crowland, county of Welland, Ont., and on Feb. 21st, 1844, was united in marriage to her late husband and settled in the township of Pelham. Twenty-four years ago they removed to South Walsingham, Norfolk county, where they made a comfortable home, living happily together until June 22n, 1891, when death removed the husband and father. Mrs. Yokom was a life-long member of the Methodist church, having belonged to the M.E. church before the Union. Though for many years afflicted by asthma, she continued to be the head and counsellor of the home, and her departure, after a brief illness, of little more than a week, came as a great loss upon those who for years had known her as friend and mother.
After a short service at the house on Tuesday. Feb. 22d, her remains were carried to the cemetery and laid to rest by the side of him with whom for so long she had traveled life’s journey. After the burial the mourners and friends repaired to the church in Walsingham Centre where a suitable sermon from 2nd Cor., 5, I was preached by her pastor, Rev. Geo. W. Johnson.
Five sons and two daughter survive her. Two sons remained at home to comfort her declining years, the rest being married and removed to homes of their own.
During her last illness her testimony was given in praise of Him who had always been to her a faithful friend. Those who knew her well speak of her as a good woman, as especial friend to the poor. We trust her loss is her infinite and eternal gain.
[Welland Tribune, 29 April 1898]
Annie, wife of Harry bridges and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Casper Ramey of this town, Welland, died at her home at Los Angeles, Calif. On Friday last. The deceased was a great favorite with a large circle of friends her before her removal to California, (about 12 years ago), all of whom will be sincerely sorry to learn of her death. Burial took place at Los Angeles. Miss Chloe Ramey was with her sister during her illness the past three months and until the end.
[Welland Tribune, 28 January 1898]
In the death of Chester Demare at Port Dalhousie on Sunday last, passed away one who was intimately associated with the early history of the town of Welland-one of the last remaining links between the present and the period of settlement and building up of this section.
Mr. Demare was a native of the United States, settling here during the canal-building period. For a time he was foreman for Eli Meade, a well-known contractor, and afterward and for many years had charge of the carpenter work on his section of the Welland canal. He was a skilled and competent master-workman, and possessed an unsullied reputation for honor and integrity. Truly his word was as good as his bond. For many years he lived in the house on what is now occupied as a market clerk’s office and butcher shop. His wife, a daughter of the late Lewis Buchner, Crowland, predeceased him years ago. Of their children two sons survive: Jacob G. Demare, canal foreman, Port Dalhousie; and Elisha Demare of St. Thomas, Ont. Mr. Demare’s last years were passed at the residence of his son at Port Dalhousie, where he enjoyed every care and attention. The cause of death was cancer-rare in one so advanced in years-his age being 82 years. For the last few months he was a great sufferer that that most distressing and relentless of all human ills. The funeral was private.
Subscribe..
