DEATH OF GEORGE STALKER
Former Well-Known Merchant of Welland Passed Away After a Brief Illness-Was Born in Scotland and Came to Welland 55 years Ago
[Welland Telegraph, 26 February 1907]
George Stalker is dead. Another of Welland’s old and most highly esteemed citizens has passed over to the silent majority.
A Scotch Presbyterian and a man of sterling character, Mr. Stalker held the respect of the community. He came to Welland in the early days of the town. As a prominent merchant and for many years a member of the Council and Public School Board he took a deep interest in the growth and expansion of the place he chose for his home. Now, after years of waiting, when freed from the care of business, and about to see the town blossom into a thriving young city, he has been called away. He was a prominent member and trustee and an ex manager of the Presbyterian Church, and a member of Merritt Lodge, A.F & A.M.
The end came suddenly. A week ago Sunday when apparently in the best of health, he was taken ill with stricture of the bowel, but by the following Saturday he had so far recovered as to leave his bed. On Saturday evening he suffered a second attack from the effects of which he died about 6 o’clock Monday morning.
Mr. Stalker was born in Forest, Morayshire, Scotland, on the 26th day of May 1837, ans was thrown on his own resources at the early age of twelve years. When twenty years of age he came to Canada and after remaining in the Province of Quebec for four years he made his way to St. Catharines. For twelve years he worked at the milling trade in the Garden city. In 1874 Mr. Stalker engaged in the flour and feed business at Welland, in partnership with George Dalgety. A short time after the partnership was dissolved and the business was gradually merged into a general grocery and provision trade. For years, his store, corner West Main and Fraser Streets, was one of the best known in Welland. It was not until last spring that he retired from active business life.
In 1864 he married Charlotte Elvis, a native of Lincolnshire, England, who came to Canada with her parents when quite young. She, with three sons, George W, John A. and David Stalker, survives. One sister, who resides at Hopman, Scotland, also survives. Mr. Stalker was making preparations for a visit to his old home when so suddenly called away.
The funeral will take place on Wednesday at two o’clock at the Presbyterianism Church.
Died: 25 February 1907
Married: 1846
Fonthill Cemetery
26 May 1837-25 February 1907
Stricture of the Bowel
[Related TALE: CHARLOTTE ELVIS STALKER]
HOUSE FAMILY AND THE TELEGRAPH
Paper Sent to the Name of Peter House For 43 Years-Eight Members of the Family Now Subscribers-A Telegraph of The Early Days
[Welland Telegraph, 24 September 1907]
A copy of The Welland Telegraph, bearing the far-off date of July 4, 1867, has been given to us by Mrs. Peter House. It was sent from this office to Mr. House over forty years ago and he had been at that time, three years a subscriber, so for forty-three years until this very date The Telegraph has been a regular visitor at the House home, and though he, some few years ago, passed from the scene, the name on the label still remains unchanged and is still read by the life-long partner of his joys and sorrows.
The Telegraph is proud to relate another important fact in connection with this interesting matter. Eight members of Mr. House’s family are today subscribers on The Telegraph list. That is a record surely that has never been equalled.
The paper dated July 4, 1867 which now lies before the editor on his desk, was published, so the advertisements says, in Evans’ new brick block near the Court House. The subscription price was $1.50 if called for at the office or delivered through the mails, and $1.75 if delivered by carriers. “Subscriptions” says the advertisement “are payable invariably in advance,” and yet, strangely enough there is provisions for an extra charge of 50 cents a year if the subscription is not paid in advance. The publisher of The Telegraph way back in 1867 was Edward Rosenorn Dewhurst.
Advertisers
Among the business cards we find these:
George Baxter, barrister, Thorold and Welland
L.D. Raymond, barrister, Welland
T. Craig, barrister, Welland
J.C. Rykert, barrister, St. Catharines
McClive & Hamilton, barristers, St. Catharines
B.H. Lemon, M.D., Thorold
J.W. Schooley, M.D., Welland
Q. Johnstone, surveyor, Welland
Daniel Brooke, barrister, Welland
J. McGarry, M.D., Drummondville
F.C. Longnecker, dentist, Welland
Other advertisers are:
D’Everardo, Fonthill, money to loan
Geo. Gordon, British American Hotel, Chippawa
Joseph Vanderslip, hotel, Welland
S.N. Pattinson, Welland, auctioneer
John McWhinney, Ontario Hotel, Welland
Henry Fitch, Royal Exchange Hotel, Fort Erie
D. Fitch, Thorold, Livery stables
George Lampman, Welland, jeweler
Stamford Brewery, St. Davids
Willson Brooks, Bailiff
James McGlashen, assignee
Robert Hobson, sheriff
Hamilton Times
Bryant, Stratton & Co., Commerial College, Toronto
Samuel Hopkins, Port Colborne, dry goods
Lock’s Tailoring and Clothing House, Welland
Charles Treble, insurance agent, Fort Erie
Robert Harper, farm for sale
S.D. Woodruff, Superintendent of Welland Canal
Samuel Berriman, Stamford, grape wine for sale
Brydges & Co., Welland, liquors
Marshall’s Photograph Gallery, Welland
John England, Fonthill, photographer and jewelery
I.G. Carter, Port Colborne, dry goods
The New Ministry
A despatch from Ottawa gives the following personnel of the Confederate Ministry and the offices held by the several ministers:
Sir John A. Macdonald, Premier and Minister of Justice
Hon. A.T. Galt, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Hon. G.F. Cartier, Minister of Militia
Hon. A.J. Ferguson-Blair, President of the Council
Hon. Peter Mitchell, Minister of Marine and Fisheries
Hon. Alex. Campbell, Postmaster General
Hon. H.L. Langevin, Home Secretary
Hon. A.G. Archibald, Foreign Secretary
Hon. William McDougall, Minister of Public Works
Hon. J.C. Chapais, Minister of Agriculture
Hon. W.P. Howland, Minister of Internal Revenue
Hon. Mr. Tilley, Minister of Customs
Hon. Edward Kenney, Receiver General
It is said that Messrs. Galt, Howland and Tilley, Kenny and Campbell are to be constituted a treasury board.
An Estimate of George Brown
The most interesting thing in the paper is an estimate of George Brown by Thomas D’Arcy McGee. The letter was written by Mr. McGee to a gentleman in Peterboro and The Telegraph publishes it in full:
I see George Brown is making devoted love to you once despised Dogans, so that at long last, I suppose I may congratulate myself on what I had so often the last eight years despaired of -George’s conversation to common Christian civility and decency in his dealings with us. If a doubt lingers in my mind as to his sincerity now, it is not a doubt of old date, it arises from his conduct, speeches and swagger last session, on the one question you ever had before parliament, as a class, namely, the school question.
It was bad and foolish enough for Master George to oppose minority rights and guarantees at the Quebec conference as he did, and was beaten, but to make a boast in the debut of ‘66 that he had done so-to tear the motion paper out of Robert Bell’s hands, placed there by that minority in order to raise an unusual and unparliamentary ‘point of order’ objection against the motion-and still go to the same minority in ‘67, and ask them to tag on to his fall, or stump, is eminently characteristic of that modest speculator in petroleum and politics.
The truth is Brown is nothing if not an agitator, and there never was a mere agitator in history that grew up into a statesman.
He has no constitutional reading of any kind out of ordinary newspaper topics. Take him off one or two back topics and he is an extremely ill-informed man.
He cannot receive or balance more than one idea at a time, and that idea masters and goads him, like the single object in the eye of a shy horse; it gives him a certain access of animal force, but it utterly deprives him for the time being of all powers of self-control, of reflection and almost of reason itself.
I know his mental peculiarities well, and except as a bell-weather he is good for nothing.
I see he is still at his antedeluvian idea, an Upper Canada party, on his principles. No interest-no man east of the Coteau, is to be recognized as worthy of consideration, till Ontario is organized in sectional array, and Ontario can dictate terms, within, if not without.
Admirable unionist. True model of confederate statesman! It is this you inaugurate the new era, with the old tactics, the old war-cries, and the old madness.
Yet this is Brown patriotism and Brown Statesmanship. Ugh! It is sickening to think how such a bladder can find followers.”
Niagara Falls Extortions
Under the heading “Barnett Triumphant,” the following despatch from Ottawa is given:
The extortions formerly practiced on visitors at Niagara Falls, must now cease, as the Government has by exclusive lease to Thomas Barnett, given him exclusive control of the passage by the permanent stone railway and pathway to the Falls. The prices have been regulated as follows: One visitor may descend without a guide by paying 25 cents, with a guide and without a waterproof dress, 50 cents, with guide and waterproof dress under the Falls, $1. No guide permitted to descend the staircase unless furnished by Barnett, and he only shall furnish waterproof dresses. The guide must be of good character and be on hand at all times. The staircase erected by Saul Davis may be closed up or removed by Barnett without cost.
May Open Dressmaking Establishment in Cayuga-Cost of the Trial
[Welland Tribune, 26 April 1907]
Cayuga, April 23-Although it is but a few hours since she was acquitted of the charge of poisoning her husband, Henry Perkins, last Christmas day at Canfield, Mrs. Mattie Perkins has some plans for the future. The woman has in view a dressmaking establishment here in Cayuga, near the home of her aged father and mother. Mrs. Perkins told some of her friends here about the time of her arrest, that she had made about $500 with her needle.
The meeting last night between mother and daughter was a most affecting one. “I knew you were innocent, Mattie,” said her mother, giving her a warm welcome.
The expense of the trial to the county will probably total $4000. Of this the jury will receive $400; the constables $300; Dr. Arthur Jukes Johnson, Toronto, $230; Dr. Bruce Smith, Toronto, $163; Dr.. Bauer, Hamilton, $165; Dr. Kerr, Dunnville, $151; Dr. Arrell, Cayuga, $80; Dr. Snyder, Cayuga, $28.
The Ontario Government pays the fee of Mr. Frank Arnoldi, K.C., Toronto, the Crown counsel. The defence expenses will more than equal the sum paid out by the county. Mr. E.F. B. Johnston, K.C., it is understood received a fee of $2,500.
*Note: Mattie Perkins wed John Henry Brinker, 1 January 1912.
[Welland Tribune, 26 April 1907]
Cayuga, April 23-Mrs. Mattie Perkins is free. After a trial lasting a week, during which her life, her motives and the acts that aroused the suspicion that she had murdered her husband on Christmas Day by giving him a dose of strychnine were held up to the closest scrutiny, an impartial jury decided tonight that she is not guilty.
Two minutes after the jury filed into court at 11 o’clock tonight, Mr. Justice Mabee was out for a short walk, when he received the message that the jurors were ready to announce their verdict. “Have you agreed on your verdict?” asked Clerk MacDonald. “Not guilty,” came the ready response from Henry Marshall of Dunnville.
The prisoner did not realize for a minute what the verdict really meant to her, until her sister, Mrs. Romain Hyslip, whispered the good news that she would sleep in her old father’s home tonight. The jury was out four hours and thirty-five minutes.
A Humane View
The Judge addressed the woman as follows: “The jury after a very long and careful consideration of the case, have been able to take a humane and merciful view of the evidence adduced on behalf of the crown and yourself. Your counsel, Mr. Johnston, in his able and eloquent address to the jury today, pointed out that the real proof was known only to yourself and your Maker. For the sake of your peace of mind and your soul hereafter I trust the verdict is in truth and fact one of not guilty. You are discharged.”
Immediately the woman was surrounded by her relatives, including Mr. and Mrs. G.E. McArthur of Thorold, who have been staunch friends throughout, and escorted to the home of her father, Issac Curry, here.
Discharging the jury from further attendance, Mr. Justice Mabee on behalf of those concerned in this case, thanked them for their attendance. “This doubtless,” he said, “is a source of satisfaction to you, that you have been able to reach this conclusion. I am unable to say that I disagree with you. There are a complicated set of facts, and I am thankful that you were able to arrive at a verdict.”
Mr. Marshall, on behalf of the jury, petitioned for extra pay for night sessions. His Lordship thought he had the power to make the order.
Shook Hands with Jurors
Mr. E.F. B. Johnston, K.C. was not present when the verdict was announced having gone to Toronto. Mr. Gideon Grant, who waited over, said he had heard from sources since the conclusion that Henry Perkins had committed suicide. A paper just found in his pocket would leave no doubt about the matter. In connection with this story, Mr. Grant said he understood the jury had taken this view of the matter. He believed the crown was justified in taking action in the case. Mrs. Perkins, after the adjournment in the court, shook hands with all the jurors.
The last day of the trial opened with the continuation of medical evidence for the defence. The testimony of Dr. McKeown and Kayler was distinctly effective in buttressing that given on Monday which introduced a series of element of doubt as the cause of Perkins’ death.
Charged with Poisoning Husband
Prisoner Protests Her Innocence and and an Adjournment Taken till February 27
[Welland Tribune, 22 February 1907]
Cayuga, February 19-The investigation of Detective Greer in the Perkins poisoning case culminated today when Mrs. Mattie Perkins was arrested on a charge of murdering her late husband, Henry Perkins. The arrest was made by High Constable Farrell, assisted by Constable L_ at the home of Mrs. Perkins parents in Cayuga. The constables walked quietly up to Mr. Curry’s home and read their warrant. Mrs. Perkins took her arrest coolly, but protested her innocence. She kept the constables waiting fully half an hour while preparing to accompany them.
“This is an outrage,” she said. “I should have been notified to be prepared.” But the constables thought otherwise, employing themselves in searching the house. They confiscated a trunk, but do not consider it is the one required. When asked if she had brought a trunk from Canfield, she said, “Yes, but it’s for you to find it.”
When the cab drove up she entered quietly accompanied by her sister, Mrs. Hyslip, and was driven to the court house where the information was read by T.E. Cline, J.P.
The information ran: “That you Mrs. Mattie Perkins, of North Cayuga did on the 25th day of December murder your husband, Henry Perkins, of North Cayuga.
Crown Attorney Murphy then moved on behalf of the Crown that the preliminary hearing be postponed till February 27th and Mrs. Perkins was handed over to the jail authorities.
Protests Her Innocence
The prisoner looked somewhat flushed, but was quiet and self-possessed. She was dressed in black, with a veil. She went quietly to the jail but broke down when parting with her sister, and spent the afternoon crying and protesting her innocence. She said the constable told her she would be home at night, and that everyone had deceived her. Mrs. Curry, mother of the prisoner, took the arrest very hard.
The authorities believe that they have a strong case against the prisoner. Thos. McDonald of Canfield is said to have been given incriminating evidence, and letters written by the prisoner to Henry Perkins, brother, will be produced at the trial.
The prisoner refused the key of her home at Canfield to High Constable Farrell, but he obtained it from Mrs. Hyslip at the close of the examination.
Mrs. Hyslip gave the key reluctantly. “I would like to open the house myself,” she said.
“All right,” replied Farrell. “We can open it with an ax. Then she relinquished the key. Acting Sheriff Murphy, Detective Greer and High Constable Farrell immediately drove to Canfield to search the house.
Would Find Nothing
Mrs. Perkins protested they would find nothing and she is the most abused of women. The arrest could have taken place three weeks ago, but Detective Greer wished to verify every clue before taking action. The prisoner scarcely seems to realize the seriousness of the charge and appears quite confident of release.
The case is attracting great attention here, as it is just ten years since Mrs. Sternaman was arrested on a similar charge. High Constable Farrell states the Mrs. Sternaman was not nearly as self-possessed as Mrs. Perkins, but seemed to dread her trial. While never losing self-possession, Mrs. Perkins says her heart is weak and that she may never see trial.
The Case in Brief
Henry Perkins, a carpenter and farm owner, living at Canfield, Ontario, died on Christmas morning 1906 under circumstances which led the authorities to believe that poison was the cause of death. The body was exhumed, and at an inquest held January 22, the jury returned a verdict of poisoning by the administration of strychnine by parties unknown.
The theory that Perkins took strychnine with suicidal intent was scouted because shortly prior to his death he had wired to a friend in Welland to come to him at once. That looked as if he had something important to tell.
Questions put to the widow, Mrs. Perkins, elicited replies, refuting warmly any implied accusation against her. She had at the time of death objected strenuously to a post-mortem examination. Perkins had, moreover, drawn up a new will the night before his death, but the will had not been witnessed. On several days prior to his death the deceased had been severely distressed at intervals in much the same way as in his last illness, and it was the opinion of one doctor that strychnine in comparatively large doses had been administered on Sunday, the 23rd December and on Christmas morning. Perkins had quite a bit of property, and many assertions have been made that “another man” was the chief cause of the tragedy. All this will now be probed.
Toronto Globe
[People’s Press, 19 February 1907]
Hamilton, Feb. 17-It was reported here Saturday that an arrest in the Canfield case might take place by Monday because of a new development since Thursday. It is believed that an arrest will be made in few days in any event, because of a confession made to Detective Greer by one of those who was suspected of having had something to do with the matter, implicating another suspect.
Apparently Happy Relations Between Husband and Wife Foster This Supposition
Ralph Curry Maintains His Purchase of Strychnine Was to Destroy Rats
[Welland Tribune, 1 February 1907]
Cayuga, Jan 28-Mystery still surrounds the poisoning case at Canfield, and while a dark cloud of suspicion hovers over the affair many persons favor the theory of suicide. Mrs. Perkins considers herself a much abused woman. She has denied herself to reporters, but before doing so stated freely that the rumors regarding herself were the work of enemies.
“I do not know what people are trying to do to me,” she said, plaintively, “but I know who are doing it, and when all is cleared up, as it will be, they will be punished. I have lost everything,” she said, “there will be no will, no insurance, I have lost my husband and my support as well, and now people will not leave me alone.”
Mrs. McDonald of Canfield, neighbor of the Perkins family, speaks strongly of the apparently happy relations existing between Mr. and Mrs. Perkins.
“She used to come over here for water, Mrs. McDonald said, “and what more natural than she should run in for a chat. She used to bring over his letters and read them to me, and it was Henry and Mattie all the time. They were more like the letters of a lover than those of a man who had been married fifteen years. On Friday morning she came over crying with a letter, and said that Henry had had another of his attacks and was very bad. I tried to quiet her and said he often had them, but she seemed to feel pretty bad. I think it is an awful pity she always threw her letters in the fire, for if anything does come out of this fearful business they would have been very strong evidence for her.”
The theory of suicide is sustained by the words of the dying man to Mrs. McDonald on Christmas morning, when she was called in: “Mrs. McDonald, I am done for. This is the last of me,” and when she tried to comfort and cheer him by saying he had often had attacks before, he took very little notice of what she said. From whatever source he had derived the knowledge, he evidently thought his hour had come.
Not much importance is attached to the sensational report of the purchase of strychnine at a local drug store. The poison book of W.A. Quinsey, druggist, is not now locked in the safe of the crown attorney nor is it even now in the latter’s charge. The book is now in the hands of its owner. The signature attached to the purchase as it appears in the book is unmistakeably that of a man’s, and seemingly that of an untrained hand, and is no doubt that of Ralph Curry, the brother of Mrs. Perkins. Curry does not deny that he purchased the poison on the date mentioned in October last, but maintains that it was obtained solely for the destruction of rats, with which the cellar in the Curry dwelling was overrun. The strychnine was mixed with milk and placed where it could easily be obtained by the rodents. The family have not since been troubled with the pest. When the poison was purchased several other parties were in the drug store and Druggist Quinsey believes that Ralph Curry himself signed the poison book. It is not generally believed that this purchase had any connection with the case.
THE PERKINS INQUEST
Purchase of Strychnine at Cayuga Drug Store
Toronto World
[People’s Press, 29 January 1907]
Cayuga, Jan 22-”We find that Henry Perkins died by strychnine poisoning but by who we cannot say.”
Such was the verdict of Coroner Arrell’s jury given at the inquest today at Canfield, upon the death of Henry Perkins.
The town hall at Canfield was packed to the doors. The jury returned their verdict in fifteen minutes.
Four doctors present, when asked, after the evidence was in, for the cause of death, all swore that death was due directly to strychnine poisoning administered in large quantities.
Rumors of suicide are scouted from the fact that deceased had dictated a telegram to a friend a couple of hours before his death to come at once. William Spencer of Welland arrived too late.
Every Ten Years
In the county of Haldimand it is interesting to note that there have been ten year cycles of murder. Every ten years since 1850 there has been a murder trial at the Cayuga court house. First it was Herod who killed Calvert, then King and Blows, the highwaymen for the murder of Nelles, Locci, an Italian, for the murder of Mrs. Daly and her family followed by the sensational trial of Mrs. Sternaman for poisoning her husband.
TO EXHUME FATHER’S BODY
Suspicion at Canfield that the Elder Perkins also Died from Poison
[Welland Tribune, 25 January 1907]
Canfield Jan. 23: It is now stated that Crown Attorney Murphy has ordered the disinterment of John Perkins, father of the late Henry Perkins, who died some eighteen months ago, an aged gentleman very highly respected. The cause of death was diagnosed as cancer of the stomach. It is now surmised that the trouble was possibly the same as his son’s who was poisoned by strychnine on Christmas Day last.
Mrs. Mattie Perkins, the widow of Henry Perkins, who died at Canfield on Christmas of Strychnine poisoning is a grand-daughter of the late Robert Currie, the well-known soap manufacturer.
[PHOTO: People’s Press, 29 January 1907]
To Be Resumed January 18
[Welland Tribune, 11 January 1907]
The sudden and unexpected death of Henry Perkins, the carpenter working at Welland who went to his home at Canfield to spend Christmas and died there that day, and the opening of the inquest has already been reported in this paper.
The stomach of deceased was sent to Toronto for analysis and the inquest will be resumed on Jan. 18. The Hamilton spectator says that Dr. Bauer, who held the post mortem, told his reporter that his opinion was that Perkins’ death was due to organic causes.
Perkins was a well-to-do resident, owning a house and farm near Canfield where he had lived nearly all his life. He had a wife but no family. So far as known he had no enemies who would seek his life.
Subscribe..
