[People’s Press, 3 October 1905]
A very pretty wedding was celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 27th, 1905, at half after eight at Grace Episcopal church on Niagara street, Buffalo, when Miss Mary McCann was united in marriage to Mr. Milton Ellsworth Thompson, by Rev. Nathan Stanton. The ceremony was witnessed by fifty guests, among them being friends from New York, Toronto and Welland
The wedding march was rendered by Miss Semmer.
The bride wore white silk crepe de chene over taffeta and carried bride roses. Miss Alice McCann, sister of the bride, wore white point d’esprit over taffeta and carried pink roses. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr. Edward McCann, who was also best man. The ushers were Mr. Hugh McCann and Mr. Edward Walden.
The groom presented the bride with a handsome necklace set with amethysts and pearls, he also presented the bridesmaid with a necklace set with pearls, and rubies, and to the ushers and best man, scarf pins.
After the wedding supper was served at 19 Perkins Place.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have gone to Ithaca, New York and Boston and will be at home after Nov.1 at Ridgway, Pa.
1833-27 September 1905
[People’s Press, 3 October 1905]
Burr Plato, the venerable patriarch of the colored settlement in this city, died in a Buffalo hospital on Wednesday night, at the age of 72 years. He had been ill for some time of an incurable malady and his demise was not unexpected. Deceased was born in slavery in Virginia and ran away in the early fifties with four companions and travelled by the Underground Railroad to Canada. He was then about 22 years of age. Of the five he was the last survivor. Young Plato became a member of the colony of escaped colony at the then village of Drummondville and sought work as a farm hand in Stamford and Thorold townships. Older residents remember how he use to work in the fields all day and tend limekilns at night. By this means and constant saving he gathered enough money to enable him to attend classes in winter and he soon learned to read and write. He showed unusual mental power for a man of his origin and was known as a successful man in all business transactions. Hr bought horses and a carriage and for many years plied the calling of Hackman on the river bank, being seen often this summer at his old vocation. In the bad old days he was sometimes called “The only honest Hackman around Niagara Falls.” Fifteen years ago he was nominated and elected to the council of the village of Niagara Falls, now the south end of the city, and for several years he served as a district representative of the people. Since his death, the flag at the city__________of his civic service. In politics he was a stalwart Liberal. He was a member of the old colored Masonic lodge, Victoria No.2, which existed here until a few years ago under special dispensation from the grand lodge of England. He was an earnest Christian, a faithful attendant at church and a constant student aof the Scriptures and there are few men who can claim more real credit at the end of their life’s work than Burr Plato. Forty years ago he married Mary Berry, who, with three sons and four daughters survive him. The sons are Jerry, Henry and John, the four daughters, Hattie, Hannah, Cassie and Clara. Several members of the family are dead. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon at half-past one o’clock from the family home on Stanley street to Drummond Hill cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 21 July 1905]
St. Catharines, July18-A 15-year old boy, Stanley McNulty, son of John McNulty, owner of the Mansion House at Merritton , was drowned in lock 14, old canal, this afternoon about 4.30. The boy was in swimming in the lock and suddenly disappeared from sight. All efforts to find the body up to 7 this evening have been unavailing.
[Welland Tribune March 31, 1905]
On Wednesday afternoon a lineman in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company, named Daniel McKinnon, who boarded at Mr Nolan’s on St Clair avenue, who instantly killed while stringing wires on Ferry street, near the big Brundage bar.
The unfortunate man came in contact with a live wire ad received the full voltage.
He has been in the employ of the company for almost 2 years and was a fine specimen of manhood The body was taken to Morse & Sons undertaking establishment.
[Welland Tribune May 26, 1905]
Died at his residence in Wainfleet May 3td 1905, Alex’r Young sr., in his 84th year. Born in Haddingtonshire, Scotland in the year 1821. In 1846 he emigrated to Canada. After living five years in Brant and Lincoln he settled in Wainfleet in 1851. By industry ad prudence he transformed the wilderness into one of the many fine farms to be found in this township. It is to such men as he that our country is inhabited for the many comforts that surround us today.These pioneers laid the foundations of our country’s prosperity a d are entitled to our gratitude and regard. He was a man of sterling integrity and uprightness of character. In politics he was a staunch Liberal. In religion a Presbyterian. He will be long missed and remembered in that community.
Five sons and five daughters survive him.
Richard Williams Lights a Coal Fire in an Iron Pot
[Welland Tribune, 14 April 1905]
Thorold-April 11-Richard Williams, an old resident of Thorold committed suicide last night by inhaling coal gas.
When parting with William McDonald on the previous day, deceased asked him to call at his house the following afternoon. Mr. McDonald accordingly stopped at Mr. Williams’ and on entering noticed a very strong odor of gas. Not seeing deceased, he went to his bedroom, where he found him sitting in a rocker fully dressed, but dead. Investigation showed that it was evidently a case of suicide, planned with a good deal of care. The coal heater had been filled recently, the dampers closed and the stove doors left open, allowing the gas to escape into the room. Pillows had been placed at the bottom of the door and all apertures closed by which the gas might escape into the open air. An iron pot of charcoal had also been suspended from the ceiling and hung at his head. This had been lighted and the fumes from it inhaled.
A large butcher knife, newly sharpened was fond nearby, which would have been used, it is thought, to commit the deed, if the other means had not been effective.
Beside the dead man were found two letters, one addressed to a sister, and the other to a well-known resident of town.
Coroner Lemon decided that an inquest was unnecessary.
Richard C. Williams was about sixty years of age, and was a skillful carpenter. He had been a resident of Thorold for many years, and for a long time had been employed in the basket factory owned by his brother, George H. Williams. He was very popular among the employees. For some months, however, he had been out of employment, and this, together with other matters of a private nature, it is thought, brought on a fit of despondency, which terminated so sadly and fatally on Monday night. Mrs. Williams has been to England for some months having gone there for her health. A brother, Mr. George H. Williams and two sisters, Mrs. B. Ball and Mrs. John McDonagh reside in Thorold.
GORED BY A BULL
Matthew Parker of Crowland Township Perhaps Fatally Injured by a Bull on Sunday Evening
[People’s Press, 22 August 1905]
Four ribs on left side, fractured teeth knocked out, severe injury to mouth, right leg pierced by horn just grazing the main artery in the thigh, clavicle dislocated, scapula torn loose from muscles, severe bruises to spine and other parts, is the summary of the injuries sustained to Matthew Parke, who resides a half mile beyond the T.H. & B. bridge, on the river road west of Welland, on Sunday, and who lies at this time in a very critical condition, but who has good chance of recovery even at the advanced age of 78 years, if inflammation does not set in. It was about seven o’clock in the evening when the casualty occurred. Parker was bringing in his cattle, and when about 500 yards from home this bull turned upon him and committed the injury. The cows went home alright but Mr. Parker’s son, becoming uneasy regarding the non-appearance of his father, went out in search and found him lying face down on the ground, covered with mud and blood from head to foot, and his clothing torn to rags. He was taken to his home and, although conscious, has been unable to tell just what happened. Considerable blood lies on the ground at the place Mr. Parker lay, and the ground all around is torn up with the horns of the angry bull. The fracture of the rib was caused by being stamped upon, and the bruises by the bull’s head, while the gore in the leg was the work of a horn, as Mr. Parker had been warned time and time again by the neighbors and by his family, but considered he could manage the bull. Dr. Burgar was called and the injury attended to. The bull is four years old.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF MATTHEW PARKER’S LIFE
[People’s Press, 13 October 1905]
Matthew Parker was born at Biddystone in Wiltshire, England, on the 7th day of July 1833. While quite young he was taught by his father and elder brother the trade of basket and sieve making, which occupation he followed until early manhood. At the age of eighteen, he united in marriage with Miss Livonia Masten; the issue from this marriage was three children: William of Hamilton, Ont., Emma of Jackson, Mich., and Charlie of Detroit, Mich. Shortly after the birth of her youngest child, the tender mother and loving wife was claimed by death.
For his second wife Mr. Parker married Mrs. Ann Bartlett, a widow with two sons, one of whom resides in England yet. To this marriage was born two daughters and two sons, namely Bertha (Mrs. John Bradley} of Arcadia, Mich; Alice {Mrs. E. Chantler) of Pelham, Ont., Harry of Centralia, Wash.; and Fred of Welland. All were born in Welland.
For some years Mr. Parker contemplated going abroad, but was undecided where would be the best place to go. Australia or America. Finally he decided on the latter, and on the 12th day of May 1869, with his whole family, Mr. Parker arrived in Welland, and for the first time in his life he began farming, which occupation he has followed ever since; and in the same house that he slept his first night in Canada there he slept his last on the 7th day of October 1905.
HORACE WESTIN GRAYBIEL
[People’s Press, 4 July 1905]
A sad death occurred at Niagara Falls on Wednesday last when Hodge Graybiel, formerly of this township, died suddenly from the effect of injuries sustained while at his work in the power house. Deceased had about recovered from the injuries above referred to and resumed work when he was seized with hemorrhage of the spleen, causing death in a short time. He was the son of Elisha Graybiel of this township and had been working at Niagara Falls about six years. Five years ago he married Winnifred Sherk of Sherkston who survives. The body was brought to the home of his father here, from where the funeral took place to Morgan’s church on Sunday and interment was made in Morgan’s Point cemetery. Deceased was an Oddfellow and the members of Beacon lodge, Port Colborne, attended the funeral. The pall-bearers were his three brothers-Omer, Charles and Harry Graybiel and brother-in-law, Wilmer Sherk. Deceased was widely known and highly esteemed, and his untimely demise will be deeply regretted by many.
[People’s Press, 26 September 1905]
Another of the pioneers of South Cayuga passed away on Thursday Sept. 7th, in the person of Mrs. G.F. Windecker, at the advanced age of 84 years. Death was due to old age. Mrs. Windecker was born in England in 1812, and came to Canada with her parents when she was six years old. She first settled in Brantford, but when about twenty years of age, she married Mr. George Windecker, and came to live with him in North Cayuga, in the present locality of the family. She and her husband lived there ever since, until Mr. Windecker died about seven years ago. A large family blessed the union-five boys and five girls: Mrs. Thos. Smedley of Fort Erie; Mrs. Geo. Gifford and Mrs. Jas. Topp of South Cayuga; George Windecker of Dunnville; Robert Windecker of Alberta; Mrs. D. Bradt; Reuben Windecker, Mrs. Benj. Topp, Peter Windecker and Herbert Windecker, all of North Cayuga. The funeral took place on Saturday to the Windecker church and cemetery.
[Welland Tribune, 21 April 1905]
On Wednesday, April 12th, a very pretty function took place at the residence of Mr. T.E. Reeb at “Limestone City”, the occasion being the wedding of J. Frederick Reeb, of the township of Wainfleet, a prosperous young man, a a general favorite among his many friends, to Miss Jennie Bullock, one of Dunnville’s most beautiful young women.
Precisely at two o’clock in the afternoon the Rev. J.C. Stevenson, pastor of the Methodist church, Dunnville, took his position before an evergreen arch, when the bridal couple entered and took their position in under a white bell, which was hung in the centre of the arch, while Miss Lorena Reeb played the wedding march. Roy Zavitz assisted the groom and Miss Nellie Reeb was maid of honor. The bride was attired in a beautiful white silk dress and carried a white roses, while the bridesmaid also wore a white dress and carried pink roses.
After the beautiful service was over, the guests, after congratulating the newly made man and wife enjoyed themselves by partaking of the sumptuous dinner which was served at about four o’clock. All guests were united in saying that they witnessed a very fine ceremony, and they themselves having a splendid time.
The groom’s gift to the bride was a fine mahogany parlor suit and a gold bracelet. To the maid of honor a gold broach with diamond setting, and to the best man a pair of gold cuff links. …………
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