What They Mean-Famous People That Bore the Name-The Name in History, Literature, Etc.
By Henry W. Fischer
[Welland Telegraph, 5 January 1912]
MOLLY
“Molly” is the only colloquial substitute for the more dignified Mary that good taste will tolerate. Others, like Mamie and Mame, are seldom heard outside the most intimate circles, and good literature scorns them.
“Molly” on the other hand figures prominently in the domain of crime as in that of letters. At the same time it is frequently applied in a derisive sense.
Two of the world’s famous lyric poets owe some of the happiest hours of their lives to girls named Molly: Shelley and Burger.
The latter, whose famous ballad, “Leonore” offered Walter Scott his first opportunity as a literary artist, conceived a passion for “Molly,” when he led to the altar her sister, his first wife. The infatuation yielded both man and woman untold miseries that the literary world might gain some jewels of poetry, whose every word meant a heart-ache.
When, after years of unhappiness, Burger finally married his “Molly;” death robbed him of his treasure in a few months’ time.
Like Burger’s, so Shelley’s love for “Molly,” Mary Goodwin, broke his wife’s heart, but they had at least the happiness of living in peace for eight years, when in the end their love culminated in the long-wished for marriage.
Daniel Defoe’s Moll Flanders is no work of imagination, but the biography of a real person.
Molly was a contemporary of the second Charles and did time in Virginia, then a penal colony. An outcast and a thief for more than two decades, married five times, she ultimately grew rich and died full of years and honors. She was, perhaps, the handsomest woman of a period famous for beauties, such as Neil Gwynn, Lucy Waters, Mrs. Middleton and La Belle Stuart, and so were most of the other famous Mollys noted for fair looks and sprightliness.
Molly Carlson, known as “the German princess,” was hanged at Tyburn. Molly Firth, alias Molly Cutpurse, was a bold thief in the reign of Charles I. She escaped the other Moll’s fate by bribing the Newgate jailer.
What They Mean-Famous People That Bore the Name-The Name in History, Literature, Etc.
By Henry W. Fischer
[Welland Telegraph, 2 January 1912]
MARY
Mary is the Hebrew form of the Greek name Miriam, variously translated “Rebellion” or “Full of Bitterness,” the exact meaning, however remaining in dispute.
Modern writers, particularly the American and English, claim authority for translating Mary as “The Exalted One,” which seems acceptable in view of the fact that so many famous women were named Mary by royal parents.
In religion, chief of all is the Virgin Mary, who was of the tribe of Judah and of the royal lineage of David.
Mary Chatsworth, immortalized in Bryon’s poem, “The Dream,” was the poet’s first love. Highland Mary was the youthful love of Burns, and the subject of his famous songs, “Will You Go to the Indies, My Mary?” “Ye Banks and Braes o’ Bonnie Doon” and “Thou Lingering Star.”
English Queens bearing this name are Mary I., sometimes called “Bloody Mary,” Mary of Modena, the Queen of James the second, and Mary II., who jointly ruled England with King William, III.
The first of the Scottish royal Marys was Mary of Guise, the wife of James the Fifth and mother of the famous Mary Stuart, the “Mary Queen of Scots” of romance and history.
In France there was Marie Therese, wife of the Grand Monarque, Marie Lescuinska, the consort of Louis XV, Marie Antoinette and Marie Louise, the second wife of the great Napoleon.
Marie Theresa was Empress of Austria and the mother of Joseph II, the last to rule as Emperor of the Western Romans.
Marie Sophia, last Queen of Naples, now keeps a lace store in Paris.
What They Mean-Famous People That Bore the Name-The Name in History, Literature, Etc.
By Henry W. Fischer
[Welland Telegraph, 19 April 1912]
BARBARA
Barbara is the feminine of a Greek word denoting “stranger,” which was bodily adopted by the Romans.
The first known Barbara was a native of Asia Minor, and the reputation of being “barbarian” became attached to her when she lived at Heliopolis, Egypt.
American starwort is Barbara’s emblem and “Welcome” her sentiment.
St. Barbara, the daughter of a Roman noble, was beheaded by her own cruel parent when he found out that she had become a Christian. Her name day is December 4.
Among the miracles ascribed to St. Barbara are “conversations with Christ.” It is also reported that she was carried to heaven by angels.
St. Barbara is the only saint pictured with such modern warlike implements as cannons, this owing to the fact that in Europe the artillerists regard her as their patron. She is also the patron of miners, and in Germany and France little children pray to her for protection during thunder storms.
Barbara Villiers was the maiden name of the famous beauty of the court of Charles II, both during the king’s exile and while in power. She was imperious, bold, dazzling and scornful, often insolent, and made the king ridiculous by her relations to the stage, yet she was created Duchess of Cleveland and vastly enriched by the merry monarch.
“Barbara Allen’s Cruelty” is one of the very old English ballads found in Percy’s “Reliques.” A most pleasing Barbara is that of Charles Dickens’ “Old Curiosity Shop.” “The Slavery,” tidy, demure and exceedingly pretty, catches a good husband in the end.
“Lady Babbie” in “The Little Minister,” helped to increase Maude Adams fame. “Lady Bab” is an amusing character in the comedy, “High Life Below Stairs.”
[Welland Telegraph, 19 April 1912]
Patrick Carroll, aged six, and Frederick Henry Carroll, aged four, who have just come across the Atlantic , unaccompanied, and have started for Calgary with their father, who met them at St. John’s N.B. They were put on board the Lake Manitoba, on the other side with their directions sewn to the linings of their overcoats.
*There was a photograph in the newspaper but in very bad condition. The ship is reported to have arrived on 29 March 1912 from Liverpool England.
[Welland Telegraph, 5 January 1912]
It is nearly forty-five years ago that W.H. Eckhardt founded the musical instrument business now known as W.H. Eckhardt & Son, The Star Music Store. During that time, nearly half a century, Mr. Eckhardt has built up a magnificent business in the Niagara district and has made a host of friends. It is interesting to note that between James and Ontario Streets, on St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, there is only one other firm founded at that time, still doing business. Of the integrity and straight business dealings of W.H. Eckhardt, the following letter speaks for itself:
| Toronto, Ont. Dec. 29, 1911
W.H. Eckhardt, Esq., St. Catharines, Ont.:
Dear Sir,-We regret to learn that you have definitely decided to retire from the piano business.
You have certainly represented the Heintzman Piano in St. Catharines for a great many years, in fact, in looking over our books we find that you are now the oldest dealer in Heintzman pianos throughout the whole Dominion of Canada, having been our representative in that district for close on forty-five years, and we are pleased to say that we cannot point to a single instance where there has been any dissatisfaction in our business relations during his long term of years and regret very much indeed to learn of your determination to retire from business, but are very pleased to learn that after long years of struggle you able to retire and be comfortable for the balance of your days and hope you will be spared to enjoy your well-earned rest from business life.
Yours respectfully,
Heintzman & Co., Limited
Geo. C. Heintzman, Pres. |
Dime Novels Turned Frank Neureuther’s Mind.
[Welland Telegraph, 19 April 1912]
His mind partly turned by excessive reading of dime novels and continuous dwelling on criminal scenes in moving picture plays, a young boy named Frank Neureuther, aged seventeen, attempted to carry out some of the depredations of the dime novel and motion picture characters.
Neureuther was employed at the home of W.F. Haist on Hellems Avenue to do some papering. He took a gold watch valued at forty dollars, and a large quantity of other jewelry and money from the residence of Mr. Haist. Strange to say the valuables were not missed until after the Chief of Police had arrested the boy.
The prisoner gave the above mentioned reasons as the cause of his downfall. Magistrate Burgar allowed him to go on suspended sentence. The jewelry has been returned.
[Welland Telegraph, 19 April 1912]
A sad death occurred at the hospital on Tuesday afternoon when Mrs. J.F. Cutler passed away following an operation which had been performed the day previous. She was thirty-seven years of age.
Mrs. Cutler is mourned by a sorrowing husband and three little children. She is also survived by her mother, Mrs. Lennox, and three brothers, who reside at Westfield, N.Y.
The funeral will take place today with services at her late residence, conducted by the Rev. Mr. Hagar. Interment will be made in the Fonthill cemetery.
Died: 16 April1912
-Paul West in New York World
[Welland Telegraph, 31 May 1912]
TEN little SUFFRAGETTES, arrayed in battle line.
One saw a “Bargain Sale,” and then there were but nine.
NINE little SUFFRAGETTES, in a fighting state.
One lost her servant girl, and then there were but eight.
EIGHT little SUFFRAGETTES, by angry fervor driven.
One went to manicure’s, and then there were but seven.
SEVEN little SUFFRAGETTES, armed with stones and bricks.
One had matinee seats, and then there were but six.
SIX little SUFFRAGETTES, determined still to strive.
One’s new gown did not come home, and then there were but five.
FIVE little SUFFRAGETTES, parading as to war.
One’s shoes began to pinch, and then there were but four.
FOUR little SUFFRAGETTES, still craving to be free.
One found a milliner’s, and then there were but three.
THREE little SUFFRAGETTES, resolved to see it through.
One got an auto car, and then there were but two.
TWO little SUFFRAGETTES, their mission yet undone.
One couldn’t hook her waist, and then there were but one.
ONE little SUFFRAGETTE, still answering to the call.
She got married, and then there were none at all!
[People’s Press, 24 September 1912]
A sad death occurred early yesterday morning, when Thos. O’Keefe, Crowland street, passed away after some months of ill health. Deceased was formerly assistant roadmaster on the M.C.R. And for some time had been conducting a shoe business on Muir street. He was 33 year of age. A widow and three young children-two daughters and a son-survive. Interment will be made at Dunnville.
Large Estate Subject of Controversy and Hearing Will be Made in the Courts
[Welland Telegraph, 16 January 1912]
Claiming that the will filed in the Surrogate Court as that of his late father, Geo. Hanna, was either not executed by him or that he was not in a sound state of mind when he prepared it, Wm. Hanna, one of the sons of the deceased, has, through his attorney, J.F. Gross, entered a caveat against the testament, and the action will shortly be tried before the local Surrogate Judge, when the executors will be asked to prove the will.
Geo. Hanna died on Christmas Day last year and left the following will by which he bequeathed his property.
“This is the last will and testament of me, George Hanna, of the town of Welland, and province of Ontario, gentleman, made this twenty-first day of October, A.D. 1911.
1-I revoke all former wills or other testamentary disposition made by me at any time heretofore, and declare this only to be and contain my last will and testament.
2-I direct all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid and satisfied by my executors hereinafter named, as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
3-I give, devise and bequeath unto my son, Geo. Alpha Hanna, all my real and personal estate, subject to the payment of the following legacies:
(a) One hundred dollars to my daughter, Maria Tufts.
(b) Five hundred dollars to my son, Wm. Hanna.
(c) Five hundred dollars to my daughter-in-law, Mary Hanna.
(d) Fifty dollars to my step-daughter, Ann Jane Bell.
(e) All the said sums to be paid within a year after my decease.
4-The rest and residue of my estate I give, devise and bequeath unto my son, Geo. A. Hanna.
5-I nominate and appoint J.G. Demare and G.W. Sutherland, both of the town of Welland to be executors of this, my last will.”
In witness, whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year first above written
His
George X Hanna
“Mark”
The name of H.W. Macoomb as attorney is appended to the will as it was drawn by him. His name, together with that of Mrs. W.E. Anger, also appears as witnesses.
J.F. Gross, attorney for Mr. Hanna, stated on Friday that the late Geo. Hanna was reputed to be worth about $30,000 when he died.
“Wm. Hanna is protesting to have the will proved,” he stated.
The section will come up within a short while, but the Judge has not yet fixed a date for hearing of the testimony.
At the time of his death deceased was living with his son, George A. to whom the bulk of the property has been left.
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