DEATH OF DAVID CAMPBELL OF MARSHVILLE
[Welland Tribune, 15 July 1898]
The township of Wainfleet and county of Welland has lost one of its best known and most highly respected residents in the death of David Campbell of Marshville, who departed this life yesterday, July 14th, in the 72d year of his age. Mr. Campbell was in his usual health up to May 21, when he caught a severe cold, terminating in lung disease and death.
He had been a resident of Marshville about 30 years, previous to that living in Thorold township. He leaves a widow, daughter of late Andrew Hansel of Thorold township, and two sons and six daughters, viz: Mrs. W.L. Felker of St. Anns, Mrs. J. Stewart of Thorold, Mrs. T. Phelps of Wainfleet, Mrs. M.W. Bridgman of Fort William and Mrs. W.C. Braun and Mrs. E.E. Misener of Wainfleet. The sons are B.A. and Angus of Wainfleet.
Deceased was a Conservative in politics and in religion a member of the Church of England. He held the highest esteem of all who knew him, and by his unvarying courtesy and hospitality enjoyed the warm friendship of a very wide circle, who will deeply regret their loss in his demise.
The funeral will be held on Saturday from his late residence at 2 o’clock p.m. Service at Christ church, Marshville, interment at Morgan’s Point cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 10 June 1898]
Aaron Page of Thorold township, died at his late residence near Fonthill, on Wednesday afternoon, at the advanced age of 75 years. Deceased was one of the oldest residents of the county, and a man thoroughly loved and esteemed by all who knew him, for his unfailing affability, hospitality and sterling integrity. He was of the Society of Friends religious faith, and an intense Liberal in politics. So earnest a Liberal was he that he was familiarly called “Grit Aaron,” to distinguish him from another Aaron Page who lived in the neighborhood. For about fourteen years he has been a sufferer from liver complaint and dyspepsia, and for several years past has been a confirmed invalid, to whom death came as a welcome relief. He leaves a widow; no family. The funeral will take place today (Friday) from his late residence at 2 p.m., interment in burying grounds of the Quaker meeting house.
SUDDEN DEATH OF LEVI L. SWAYZE
Coroner’s Inquest-Death-From Apoplexy
[Welland Tribune, 27 May 1898]
Levi L. Swayze, one of the oldest residents of the county of Welland, was found dead in his bed on Sunday morning last, at his residence near the Beaverdams, Thorold township. Although deceased was able to be around, and in fact on the day before his death had been to St. Catharines with a load of produce, he had not been well of late, and his extreme age of 83 years had rendered his death not to be unexpected at any time. Unfortunately, the deceased had of late talked a good deal about family troubles. Whether these were altogether the vagaries of a second childhood or had some foundation in fact we cannot say, but the result in view of his sudden death was that an inquest was deemed advisable, if not in the interests of justice, at least to clear certain persons from unfounded imputations and suspicion that otherwise might crop up.
THE INQUEST
Coroner Cumines was therefore notified and after consultation with the county attorney and inquest was held on Tuesday, at residence of deceased, with the following jurors: J.N. Pitts, foreman; Samuel Page, Jonathan L. Page, Albert Learn, John McDonald, Thomas Smylie, Warren Moore, Nicholas Ecker, Charles Clarke, Wm. Jenter, Thomas A. Clarke, Peter H. Damude, Harmon Clark, Edward Harman, R.W. Moore, Albert Merithew, F.M. Page.
Dr. Emmett’s preliminary evidence was of course indefinite. He had been called on the finding of deceased dead in bed on Sunday morning. Rigor mortis had become fully established, shewing deceased died some hours previous, probably in the night. There had been no vomiting, and appearance and position of body indicated death from apoplexy, but this could only be definitely ascertained by a post mortem examination.
A post mortem examination was accordingly ordered to be held, the following evidence being taken in the meantime, which will shew why an inquest had been considered necessary.
Leslie V. Garner, sworn, saith “I am a constable and reside at Welland. A week ago yesterday (Monday) or Tuesday, the 16 inst., Mr. Levi Swayze, the deceased, in company with John Law, called upon me in Welland and Mr. Swayze asked me if I would come down to his place. I asked what he wanted me to come down for. He told me he had some trouble with this daughter that lives with him and that she was concealing his personal property away from him so that he could not get at it and that his solicitor (Mr. German) had told him to take an officer to his home and have the officer demand of his daughter his valuables and his papers, that she had concealed, and that if she would not give them up he was to enter into the room and take them away from her; also in company of Mr. Law I was to take a valuation of his personal and real property, and he would give me a power of attorney to dispose of it as soon as I could by auction. He said his reasons for doing so were that he had trouble with his daughter, and she would not give him the necessary victuals nor would not cook for him; also when he went to go in the room that she had locked she hit with a club. I was to come down a week from that day, that would be yesterday, the 23rd, and when I came down he would show me the club she hit him with. He said he was afraid to live with her; most of the conversation was in the presence of Mr. Law. This conversation took place in front of Mr. German’s office.
Mr. Swayze told me he was eighty-three years old; he seemed very smart.
John Laws, sworn, saith “I am a farmer; reside in Thorold township. Miss Swayze sent word to me that her father was dead. A soon as I came home, I came over, about six o’clock in the evening of last Sunday, and I asked about the death of her father. She said she got her breakfast; she did not call him; she looked into the room and thought he was sleeping, so she would leave him. About the time to get dinner she called him three times and he made no answer and she went in the room and shook his head. Then she thought there was something wrong and she went to the other side of the bed and found he was dead and cold. She said she thought it was about 1 o’clock in the afternoon. It was shortly after one she sent for me. I was at Mr. German’s office with Mr. Swayze.
That was on Tuesday of last week, the 17th inst., He was to employ Mr. Garner to come out and and take possession of his property. I have heard Mr. Garner’s evidence read and it is correct. I was working the place for Mr. Swayze. Several times Mr. Swayze came over and complained of her, and wanted me to go to Welland with him, as the way things were going he could not stand it, as his daughter was locking things away from him. I have heard his daughter scolding him. I have heard loud talking whilst passing by, and it seemed like jangling. I did not want to hear the conversation. Both Mr. Swayze and his daughter said they did not along well together.
Benjamin Seborn, sworn, saith; I am a farmer, reside in Thorold township, adjoining lot west of Mr. Swayze’s. I saw Mr. Swayze last Saturday, 21st, at St. Catharines market. He was in apparently good health. I have known Mr. Swayze a long time. He told me he had not been used well, both by his wife and his daughter, Jessie. He complained since his wife’s death he not been treated well. Mr. Swayze said, “if anything happened to me, come over.” I lent Mr. Swayze a little money; he said he wanted it in anytime of a course of a week; he got his money and gave his note, and he was going to pay the undertaker (he got $150)-that was three or four weeks ago. I heard of Mr. Swayze’s death when I was in Welland. The money I gave Mr. Sawyze was large bills, $5 and $10; there might have been some small bills among them. Mr. Swayze stated to me that his wife and daughter had given him poison on a piece of beef, and they said if he can stand that he can stand anything (that was after he had eaten it); he did not say when it was he volunteered the statement. He said everything is in my name and I am going to keep it. The meat made him throw up.
Nelson Theal: I am a farmer. I reside in Grantham. I was here last Saturday evening about five o’clock. Mr. Swayze was then quite smart. He complained that he was not feeling very well. Had a pain commencing on the right side of his chest; he went to barn with me and helped me with some oats I bought from him; then he came back and I talked with him for a few minutes and I went home. I did not pay him then for the oats. I have heard him complain of not being well treated by his daughter.
Dr. Emmett recalled: I opened the skull of the deceased and took out the brain, found a large quantity of blood in the right side of the brain, caused from the rupture of a blood vessel; in my estimation this was the cause of death. That would mean death from apoplexy.
The jury accordingly brought in a verdict that Levi Swayze came to his death by apoplexy caused by the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain.
Deceased was a descendent of an old U.E. Loyalist family; his grandfather, Israel Swayze, one of the pioneer settlers of this section, having come from the United States about the close of the Revolutionary war, and settling on 400 acres of land granted to him, for his attachment to the British crown. In early life he took an active part in militia affairs, and was a prominent resident of the county generally. His wife died a few weeks ago; his daughter and three sons survive.
[Welland Tribune, 27 May 1898]
- A rather curious event happened in Crowland a week ago. Mrs. Schroeder has been helpless with paralysis for nearly a year, and has been nursed by her niece until lately, when a professional nurse from Buffalo was engaged. The nurse was not suited with her surroundings, but did not wish to leave until other help was obtained. On Friday night a grave was neatly dug in Mrs. Schroeder’s garden. Not only has it frightened Mrs. Schroeder, but it has aroused the fears of the neighborhood, some thinking that a murder was contemplated.
SUDDEN DEATH
[Welland Tribune, 23 December 1898]
A terribly sudden death occurred in Crowland township yesterday, Dec. 22nd. Mrs. James W. Vanalstine had been subject to Bright’s disease, but for some time past was so well that she had discontinued treatment. Yesterday morning she arose in her usual health, and was about her household duties when, about 10 o’clock, she was taken ill and in less that half-an-hour she was a corpse. Dr. Glasgow was called, but Mrs. V. was dead before he arrived. His opinion is that the immediate cause of death was heart failure, caused by the kidney ailment. Deceased was 53 years of age. She was a native of Crowland, maiden name Cole. A husband and family of children survive to mourn their irreparable loss.
Died: 22 December 1898
[ Welland Tribune 1898]
Wellandport, lying in the midst of a good farming section. Yet without the impetus that railroads give a place, is steadily on the move forward. While we have had no spasmodic business boom, yet what there has been was of moment to the place.
Overholt’s Mill
The new roller process flour mill erected this spring by John Overholt, has been a solid addition to our village. It certainly brings a large amount of trade to the village. And thoroughly appreciates the patriotic spirit of the townspeople in subscribing a cash bonus towards the erection of the mill. Its capacity is fifty barrels per day.
Wm. Stewart’s Cheese Box Factory
This is another of the industries of the village , employing several hands a large portion of the year. Mr. Stewart very kindly showed the Tribune representative around the factory and explained the process of the making of a cheese box , which is very interesting indeed to the uninitiated. The boxes are made here right from the rough logs , which are rafted down to the mill in the Welland river , windlassed up, put through a splitter, which cuts the elm logs up like strips of paper, about one eighth inch thick. These are in turn cut in proper lengths , steamed , placed on a shaper , the bottoms put in, a band around, passed on to the heading department, and are ready for shipment. Birch and poplar is used for the covers and elm for the round part. As there is a large demand for these boxes.
Other lines
George Stewart carries an extensive blacksmithing and carriage making establishment in the west end of the village and enjoys a large patronage.
The general stores of M.H. Prentiss, Dilly C. Holmes, J.R. Goring and W. Misener are well kept and good representative departmental business places., where a line of everything is the greatest good to the community. Other kinds of business are pretty well represented. Geo. Beatty also has a good wagon shop. P.W. Emrick sells watches and clocks—new ones—and has an ambulance for the disabled ones. He is a good business man and has an increasing patronage.
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