[Welland Tribune, 24 February 1905]
John Westwood, who resided on a farm in the south side of town near the M.C.R., died on Tuesday night after an illness of seven or eight months of Bright’s disease and dropsy. Deceased, who was 51 years of age, was a native of St. George, where he lived most of his life. He moved to Toronto, and about eight years ago to Welland, where he bought J.D. Gunn’s farm. A short time ago he sold the property to W.J. McCoppen. A widow and one daughter, Maud, (the latter employed in Buffalo) survive. The remains were shipped to St. George on Wednesday for interment.
Died: 21 February 1905
Charles A. Cole, of the Wabash killed at Welland
[Simcoe Reformer, November 17, 1905]
Mr. Charles A. Cole of St. Thomas Conductor of the Wabash railway was instantly killed at Welland Monday night at 7 o’clock.
Mr. Cole was in charge of a west bound freight. Engineer J. King, fireman McGow, The train was approaching the ‘D’ rail at Welland when the engine left the rails and toppled over in the ditch. Conductor Cole was riding on the engine and when it was derailed, he jumped, but to the wrong side and the engine toppled over on him. The engineer and fireman jumped from the other side of the engine and escaped injury.
The steam derrick and auxiliary crew from Niagara Falls cleared up the wreck. Traffic was delayed for some hours.
The body of the unfortunate Conductor was taken to Welland and was brought west on No. 13 Wabash Express on Tuesday.
It is alleged that the accident was caused by the signal being given the train to go on, and that the signal was changed to hold them there, thus opening the ‘D’ switch and derailing the engine.
Conductor Cole was a general favorite with all his fellow employees and held in the highest regard. The statement of an official of the Wabash was that he was one of the best men on the road. The deceased was between 35 and 40 years of age and came from Buffalo where he was employed on the Erie Railway, four or five years ago. He leaves a wife and children, the youngest four days old.
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