[The Waterford Star, August 16, 1917]
Percy Elsie, aged 16, driver for S.L. Lambert, and Frank Polland, aged 10, who was taking a ride with him, were killed Friday afternoon by Michigan Central passenger train, No. 37, which struck and demolished the lumber wagon on which they were riding.
The train, which was in charge of Conductor George Waite, was coming around the curve at Welland and Engineer William Meehan, 106 Forest avenue, St Thomas, saw that the signal was down, thus leaving the track clear for the train to cross the G.T.R. crossing. The engineer blew the whistle for the crossing and just after this was done, he saw the wagon crossing the track going from north to south with two boys sitting on it, with the larger boy in front driving, and the smaller boy in the rear. Both boys at the time were looking towards the west, with their backs towards the approaching train.
Mr. Meehan again blew the whistle and applied the emergency brakes. The boys turned and then jumped towards the west; the engineer said that if they had jumped towards the east, doubtless they would have escaped. The horse escaped uninjured. The train was going about 40 miles an hour when the boys were first seen and about 35 when they were struck. The train was brought to a standstill about 10 car lengths from the crossing on which the boys were hit. The crew ran back to the bodies and found that one of the boys had been killed out right and the other one died soon afterwards. Coroner Dr. McKenzie, of Port Colborne opened an inquest last night and it was adjourned until next Thursday.
Herb Swanton was the fireman on the train.
[People’s Press, 13 November 1917]
On Sunday morning, November 11th, Michael McAuliff, passed away at his residence, 93 Bald Street, Welland. He was in his 74th year. Deceased was born in Ireland and when a child of about three years came to America. The greater part of his life was spent in Welland but he also spent a number of years in the United States. He was in Brooklyn during the time of the American Civil War and served three years in the Grand Army of the Republic. He was also a contractor while he was in the States. He afterwards took contracts on the Welland canal. He was a member of the Weddell Dredging Company and also had contracts on the Murray canal near Trenton and all along the St. Lawrence river to Montreal.
He was also associated with the Manley Dredging Company, but not actively engaged. For the past seventeen years he has been retired from active work, though associated with many business activities. In much of the pioneer dredging he took a prominent part. He was a Governor of Montreal General Hospital. He also was interested in the founding of the Welland County Hospital and a charter member of the Welland Club. In religion he was a Roman Catholic and in politics a Liberal.
A wife and two sons, William and Francis, both of Welland, and one daughter, Margaret, also of Welland.
Funeral at St. Andrew’s church on Tuesday morning. Interment at St. Catharines.
Died: 11 November 1917
[Welland Tribune, 27 December 1917]
There is no servant of the public whose time is more fully occupied than is that of the newspaper editor. Even in his religion he has to abridge and usually he finds sufficient inspiration of righteousness in three portions of the Gospels, viz, the story of the Birth of Christ, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Crucifixion. In the first he sees the Hand of God presenting mankind with the richest gift even the Almighty can bestow, in the second he finds the highest moral guide with which the world has been blessed, and in the third he finds the consummation of all that awakens the noblest instinct of pity and piety of which the human breast is capable. Though the claims on his time may prevent him from attending service never so irregularly, yet is it with disappointment akin to sorrow when those claims deter him from worship on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Christmas day of the year 1917 was one of these sad days for a certain editor. An ailment of an excruciatingly painful nature, though we trust temporary, confined him to the house. This is his description of his experience:-
Those who have experienced the ailment by which I was attacked know that, in its extreme severity one’s physical and mental condition varies from feebleness to hysteria. The power of thinking clearly or writing accurately fails, continuity of ideas is broken and all occupation has to be cast aside for the one task of combating the pain.
At one time during the afternoon I stood in my bay window, gripping tightly the back of a chair. As this expenditure of energy somewhat alleviated my pain, there gradually came up a consciousness of being interested in the passers-by. This was the old newspaper instinct, prompting me to make copy out of what I saw through my window, as I was unable to go out and visit the usual sources of Christmas Day news.
I think it was the sight of children that most helped me to forget my pain. My own childhood was a hard one, though I knew it not then, for I was happy despite hardships. Is it unreasonable to believe that this happy unconsciousness of their wrongs is one of the blessings bestowed upon the children of the poor by the Babe that lay in the manger on that day, 1917 years ago, and who when He reached manhood said, :Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven?”
The children I saw from my window were poor, unusually ill-clad for Canadians. Each was carrying a small paper parcel, possibly food, possibly cheap presents they had received from some good charitable soul. The eldest of the bunch of five was not more than seven years of age. All were chattering and all had the air of anticipation of some festivity. A merry bunch of little ones on rejoicing bent.
A moment later a group of three came along. Two were almost babes, each holding the hand of an older child, a pale-faced, delicate girl, who walked between them. It was a case of a Little Mother and her little charge. Poverty and sorrow was depicted on the girl’s face, yet, was she proud of her responsibility, and of the faith and sense of safety the lesser one showed in their “big” sister, who was taking them into some new and wonderful country, perhaps a few hundred yards away from their home.
Meanwhile, going in another direction, a sturdy lad passed the three and they turned and looked solemnly after him. He was blowing discordant blasts from a five cent bugle and enjoying his achievement mightily. He crossed the road, so intent on the blowing of his bugle, he did not see an approaching auto, occupied by a heedless party of adult “joyriders.” The joy-riders in the the car gave no warning, but it chanced that the youngster paused for an instant to admire his instrument. In that instant the car dashed past the bugler at a great speed, and so closely that I held my breath with alarm. Was it the hand of the Babe in the manger that bade the boy pause and thus spared the life of a future soldier for some great service to his country in the years to come?
A stern elderly man was my next passer. He was probably seventy years of age, yet carried himself erect and walked with the step of a soldier. A veteran and an old one, surely. He was dressed to visit some brother veteran, to fight their battles over again, and there was that in his face which said, woe betide those who may dare to tell me the old brigade were not as heroic as the best man somewhere in France today!
A group of foreigners all talking aloud and at once went by. They seemed at a loss to realize what kind of country this is in which they are making their abode. A young couple, dressed in their best, was my next study. The young man was wheeling a perambulator, the occupant of which was well buried in a heap of shawls. There was no mistaking that it was a first born enroute to be proudly exhibited to grandmother.
So the procession proceeded, all intent on some kind of enjoyment of the most precious holiday of the year. Yet, though I watched and waited, no passerby displayed any token of being churchward bent. “Ah,” thought I, “here at last,” as I saw in the distance two figures which I took for Salvation Army men of the citadel. I watched the two figures apparently clad in red vests half hidden by black jackets till they neared my window. They were two skaters, both wearing red, decorated sweaters and carrying their skates across their shoulders. They were not seeking either church or citadel; they were heading for the ice-bound river. Yet, they were two well built, manly youths, with faces the picture of good health.
May it not be that by following their own inclination, and enjoying their good health, this pair were intuitively celebrating the Natal Day in a manner of which the Savior of mankind may approve, as He would surely approve of those little children all enjoying the happiness they best understood.
TO THE TELEGRAPH’S SPECIAL CITYHOOD NUMBER
A NUMBER WORTH KEEPING
[Welland Telegraph, 17 July 1917]
Hamilton Herald
A very handsome and interesting special number of the Welland Telegraph has been issued to celebrate the entrance of Welland into the sisterhood of cities. One of the best features of it is a historical sketch of the Welland canal. This and other historical matter of interest make the special Telegraph number worth keeping.
FIGURES A SURPRISE
St. Thomas Journal
The Welland Telegraph publishes a special edition on the occasion of the town being made a city. The paper contains much information about the rise and progress of the latest addition to the sisterhood of cities and gives evidence that it will be a creditable newspaper representative of Welland City. The Telegraph gives some statistics that may surprise some people. Take, for instance, the following example of the increase in the value of its manufacturing products:
| 1906 |
$150,000 |
| 1912 |
6,500,000 |
| 1915 |
13,285,495 |
| 1916 |
19,375,115 |
Total Industrial Pay Rolls For:
| 1906 |
$50,000 |
| 1912 |
1,300,000 |
| 1915 |
2,117,618 |
| 1916 |
3,610,336 |
These figures speak eloquently of Welland’s progress.
WELLAND’S CITYHOOD
Stratford Herald
Welland has put on the mantle of cityhood, and Louis Blake Duff, the energetic and capable publisher of The Telegraph, has spread himself nicely on the auspicious occasion. A 16-page issue of The Telegraph on July 3rd presented attractively the high points in the city’s history and the business interests which have produced a real live city. Coming on the golden jubilee date of Confederation, the Welland cityhood celebration had a distinctly patriotic tinge, and The Telegraph’s special number reflects this spirit effectively. Every phase of the Baby City’s expansion is outlined and illustrated, and the issue is worthy of the occasion. We presume the next step will be the changing of The Telegraph from a very creditable semi-weekly to a good daily. Here’s wishing Welland and The Telegraph continued growth and prosperity.
THE CITY OF WELLAND
Peterborough Examiner
Welland, the baby city of the Dominion, is warmly welcomed to the family circle of Canadian cities, of which she became one on July 2nd. The event was formally celebrated and synchronized with, and was a splendid contribution to the observance of the golden jubilee of Canadian union. It was besides a most significant feature; for the new city was, and is, a living and lively example of the great progress made by Canada in the past fifty years.
Not one of the least evidences of this progress emphasized last Monday, is the Welland Telegraph “whose special edition, to mark the inauguration of Welland as a city,” is in every way worthy of the event it signalizes, and of its reputation and record as a live and well conducted newspaper. The current interest in the special number consists in a graphic report of the inauguration proceedings as well as ample information about the present industrial per-eminence Welland holds amongst the minor cities of the Dominion, and of her almost magic growth as a manufacturing centre, represented by an increase in manufactured products from $150,000 in 1906 to $19,375,115 in 1916, and an increase in industrial pay-rolls in the same ten years from $50,000 to $3,610,336.
The special issue also gives interesting historical reminiscences, illustrated with photos of the early makers of Welland, so graphic as to be interesting to those who have lived through the interval between two striking epochs of its history, and two prominent features of eminence-mud in 1867 and manufactures in 1917. The Telegraph is to be congratulated upon its very creditable inauguration issue, and The Examiner hopes it may continue to share in the progress which the happy inception of Welland’s cityhood, its natural and provided facilities as a manufacturing centre, its splendid transportation conveniences, and the enterprising spirit of the citizens promise.
THE PARABLE OF WELLAND
Brockville Times
The attainment of full city status by the town of Welland, which was duly celebrated by the proud citizens of that new manufacturing centre of Dominion day, emphasizes what can be done by any progressive community possessing the two great assets of cheap power and the spirit of enterprise. The celebration number of the “Welland Telegraph” (a well edited, interesting and informative 16-page journal) shows that Welland now has both.
Having original advantages very similar to those enjoyed by Brockville in the matter of competitive transport agencies, favorable location in proximity to markets, etc., Welland was something of a “Sleepy Hollow” of the Niagara Peninsula until its live men awakened to the paramount importance of cheap power as an industrial community maker-decided to get cheap power-worked for cheap power and got cheap power. Now Welland not only has its required ten thousand population,but it has upwards of two score large manufacturing industries, with payrolls exceeding $3,000,000.00 per annum in the aggregate.
Stick-to-it-iveness, hustling, getting together and publicity did it. It always will.
Does anything more require to be said to point the moral for Brockville in the rise of Welland to prosperous civic status?
A METROPOLITAN SPORT
St. Catharines Standard
Welland is the only city in Ontario without a daily paper, but it has two pretentious semi-weeklies. The Telegraph put on a commendable metropolitan spurt last week by the issue of a bright historical illustrated birth- of a-city number which reflected the spirit that is going to make Welland continue to grow.
[See related TALE: TBD]
REV. G.K. BRADSHAW
[Welland Telegraph, 26 June 1917]
Rev. G.K. Bradshaw, pastor of the Methodist Church, preached his final sermon in the local church on Sunday and on Sunday next will take up his new work in Galt. At the close of the morning service he referred very briefly to his leave taking. He spoke feelingly of his high appreciation of the faithful help he had received in the work.
Mr. Bradshaw has made a name in Welland that will be remembered many years. He is a speaker of unusual power. His splendid support of all war time efforts has won him fast friends outside of his own congregation.
His successor in Welland in the Rev. W.H. Avison, M.A., B.D., who comes to Welland very highly spoken of.
All Welland unites in wishing Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw every success in their new home.
3 September 1893-9 July 1917
[Welland Telegraph, 13 July 1917]
WELLAND AVIATOR VICTIM AT CAMP BORDEN
High in the Clouds He was Caught in Monday’s Storm
Machine Crashed Down and Hit The Earth at Ypres Junction
Few war messages have brought to Welland greater shock than that which came from Camp Borden on Monday evening with the sad news that Clair Page had been killed.
Late in a bright and sunny afternoon there was a sudden hush, followed by a rush of wind and then the storm. High in the clouds in an aeroplane the young man met with some mishap, maybe losing control of his machine in the wind. Anyway it was seen to fall like a feather to the earth. Machine and aviator fell to earth about five miles from camp. The young man left the machine before it reached the ground and the body was found some distance from it.
Camp Borden Version
A despatch from Camp Borden gives this account of the accident:- “Lightening was probably responsible for the death of Cadet Page, of the Royal Flying corps, whose machine crashed down on a road near Ypres Junction during the electrical storm which broke over Camp Borden and vicinity last evening. It is surmised that the aviator was trying to get above the storm, when he was struck and instantly killed. He was alone in the machine at the time. Cadet Donellin, who was also flying alone, tried to make a landing in a turnip field, when his machine turned upside down on touching the ground. He is in the camp hospital with a compound multiple fracture of the right leg, and a badly lacerated chin. He may recover. A third machine, which was caught in the storm, managed to make a safe landing. The storm seemed to be somewhat of a cyclone, circling the camp, the centre of which escaped the full force of the lightning, although the rain poured down in torrents, accompanied by a strong wind.”
Showed Ability As An Aviator
Clair A. Page was about 24 years of age, and was born at Welland, where he resided until four years ago, when he went to Hamilton to accept a position with the Canadian Hart Wheels, Limited. He held the position of sales manager in that concern for the last two years, and at the beginning of the war joined the 13th regiment for training.
He later attended military school in Toronto, and obtained his commission as lieutenant in the infantry. After obtaining his commission, not being fortunate enough to obtain an appointment with one of the local regiments, their staffs of officers at that time being complete, he secured a position as supernumerary with the 164th battalion to obtain further training and served without renumeration.
There still being no opportunity for him to secure an appointment, he decided to join the aviation corps, and entered school in Toronto in March. Having passed his examinations at Camp Mohawk, he was just recently ordered to Camp Borden, where he showed exceptional ability as an aviator, considering that he has such a limited training.
Mourning Relatives
He is survived by his mother, who resides on Grove street, two sisters, Miss Daisy Page of Welland, and Mrs. H. Putman of Thorold, one half-sister, Mrs. Ball of Welland, and three half brothers, Alex and Frank of Hamilton and Charles of Buffalo. The remains were brought to Welland in the charge of Cadet Fred Reilly. The funeral service took place on Thursday afternoon, leaving the family home at 2.30 o’clock for the Methodist church. Interment was at Fonthill. The pall bearers were fellow members of the R.F.C.
Had Recently Joined the Royal Flying Corps
Premier Borden Cables His Condolences to The Stricken Family
[Welland Telegraph, 24 August 1917]
Deeply regret inform you Lieut. Leo Michener, engineers, officially reported accidently killed, August 2rd. Aeroplane accident. Place not stated.
The above telegram from Ottawa conveyed to Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Michener the news that they suspected from the mis-printed cable in the morning papers of Monday that their son had been killed. In the cable, as stated in Tuesday’s Telegraph, the name had been misspelled, but there was enough similarity as to awaken the gravest fears that the young Welland soldier was the person referred to.
No information is available, other than that the accident took place in the Eastern counties of England on Friday evening and that two officers lost their lives, Major Arthur Justin Ross and Leo. The machine in use was a biplane.
This casualty brings to Welland one of the severest shocks of the war for the young man was one of the best known Wellanders who have entered the service. A resident of Welland from mere boyhood he had spent practically his whole life here and was known to all the younger set, and had as well many fast friends among those older.
He joined the 44th regiment when a youth and saw some years in volunteer service. Shortly after the outbreak of hostilities he enlisted and went overseas with Col. Stewart’s battalion, serving at the front for many months in the capacity of signalling officer. Welland officers at the front reported at various times about his splendid work and his unfailing optimism. At one time he was officially reported killed when he was not even injured. Later, however, he was gassed and had to return to England. On his recovery he went into training for a lieutenant’s commission, but two months ago he joined the R.F.C.
He was a very likable boy and as true a son as ever left Welland. His parents certainly have the very deepest sympathy in the tremendous loss they have sustained. He leaves besides his parents, one sister Zella.
Mr. and Mrs. Michener are at present at Blayney, Simcoe county, where Mr. Michener has been recuperating from a long illness.
Mr. Michener has received the following message of condolence from Sir Robert Borden: “My colleagues and I send our deepest sympathy in the great bereavement you have sustained in the death of your gallant son.”
“I SHALL GO TO WEST WEARING
MY TWO STARS AND WITHOUT A TRACE OF BITTERESS”
[Welland Telegraph, 21 August 1917]
Lieut. Leo Michener, who was killed in a biplane accident in England on August 3rd., went overseas with the second contingent, as a member of the 19th battalion, under Col. McLaren. He was for many months a signalling officer on the Ypres salient. While on duty at Loos, he was reported to have died of wounds, though he was able to anticipate the official message with a cable message saying that he was well and unwounded. At Courcellete a year ago he was gassed and was returned to England. On being discharged from hospital, he entered training for a commission and was later commissioned as lieutenant to the Canadian Engineers. Early in the spring he was made a training officer in which capacity he served until his recent decision to join the Royal Air Squadron.
As to the kind of man he was, no better evidence could be deduced than the following extracts from these letters he sent home:
| “I was out to dinner one night last week with a General Lowry of the Indian Army, one of the finest men I have ever met, an English officer of the old school. He knew I was up for a commission and gave me the finest talk I have ever heard. Life to him and thousands like him is only a secondary consideration. Honor, the regiment and the Empire are first and last. I have met several of these officers since coming to England and I am beginning to get their point of view. I do not know what is going to be my end. I may get back to Canada and I may not, but if not and I go west along with so many of my pals, I’ll go with two stars on my shoulders and without a trace of bitterness, and these are some of the things I have learned from the friends I have made in the past fourteen months.” |
“Go west,” is a soldier’s term for death.
Writing under the head of the Royal Flying Corps., Wantage Hall, Reading, on June 26th, he said:-
| “You see I’m here at last, and jolly proud of myself for having managed it, and now with a bit of good luck, I should be flying my own machine by September and may possibly go to Egypt or Mesopotamia in the fall. It is all most thrillingly interesting, although by no means easy, and the chaps who are in, are every single one picked men. It is in truth the most glorious corps in the world, and we are very badly needed. I am to be a pilot, not an observer, thank goodness, which means that I will have my own machine to fly when I get my wings. Do write and say you are glad I am here, because it really is an honor to be considered good enough.” |
In another letter to a friend in Canada he was writing of his prospects of making his first solo flight.
“The danger,” he said, “is ever present and yet perhaps no more than ever, because our lives are guided by a greater Pilot than any in my glorious corps, and so long as He wills it, we shall live and no longer, and when my time comes, may I go as gallantly as dear old_. I think God loved him too much to let him stay.”
Letters of Condolence
Among many letters of condolence received by Mr. and Mrs. Michener, was the following from Rev. H.W. Avison, M.A., B.A., pastor of the Welland Methodist Church:-
| Our quarterly official board met the other evening and passed a resolution of sympathy for you in the loss of your son. It is a matter of deep regret to us that you have been called to go through such a trying experience. Your son has done valiant service in France, and it is a matter of regret that he fell in an accident. But he died in defence of our homes and our civilization and we are all indebted to him and you for Leo’s wonderful sacrifice. Please accept our sympathy and we pray that you both may be sustained in these trying days and in the lonely moments that may come. |
Memorial Service Extract
In the mourner’s pew sat the lad’s father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Michener, his sister, Zella, and his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer.
His parents are proud to say that they have no regrets about his life. He was one of a wonderful class of nine at the Y.M.C.A., all of whom went to the front and of whom five have paid the supreme penalty. Mr. Avison read extracts from some of Leo’s letters home and he concluded with this comment-
| “This is the greater love revealed in the life of this soldier. Will you follow the ideal!” |
IS THE DEAD AVIATOR LEO MICHENER?
Cable Tells of an Accident of Two Airmen
Slight Difference in the Name May Be an Error in Transmission and May Refer to Gallant Welland Lad
Two Airmen Killed
London, Aug. 5-Major Justin Ross of the Royal Engineers and Lieut. Leo Michener were killed in a biplane accident in the eastern counties Friday evening.
18 September 1894-2 August 1917
[Welland Telegraph, 9 August 1917]
The above cable, which appeared in the press of Monday morning, leads many to believe that the lieutenant referred to is Lieut. Leo Michener of Welland, though up to time of going to press, no message had been received here from overseas.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Michener, have been for the past three months at Blayney, Norfolk county, where Mr. Michener is recuperating from a long illness. Mr. Michener saw the item in the paper on Monday afternoon and immediately telephoned Welland to know if any official message had been received at the local telegraph offices.
Leo a short time ago joined the flying forces in England and was in training. The similarity of his name to the one printed in the cable leads one to suspect that the cable has a typographical error.
He went overseas early in the war with Col. Stewart’s battalion of Hamilton. He was unusually proficient as a signaller and served in that capacity in France for many months. At one time he was officially reported killed but on a cable being sent he replied that he was not even injured. Later, however, while on observation, he was injured and gassed, which necessitated his being sent to England. As soon as he was able he went into training for a commission as lieutenant which he secured. Two months ago he decided to join the flying forces.
He was for some years a member of the 44th battalion. Up to the time of his enlistment he was on the staff of the Provincial Hydro Electric Commission at Toronto.
An only son of Mr. and Mrs. Michener, it is to be hoped that further advices may allay the very grave fears that are at present entertained.
26 September 1895-10 April 1917
[Welland Telegraph, 17 April 1917]
Lieut. Col. B.J. McCormick and Mrs. McCormick were notified from Ottawa yesterday that their son, Captain McCormick (Military Cross), was officially reported missing on April 10. Capt. McCormick was in the third battalion. April 10 was a fateful day for Welland men, Capt. Ross, Lieutenant Gordon and Capt. McCormick all meeting disaster on that day. Capt. McCormick was a Welland High School boy. He completed his education at Culver Military Academy and was just graduated when the war broke out. He at once joined the Canadian militia and was for a time attached to the frontier guard. He went overseas as a lieutenant with the 76th battalion under Col. Belson. He was offered a post and promotion by Col McCormick in the 213th, but replied that he preferred to win his promotions in the field. In this ambition he was successful. He also won the Military Cross, an honor shared only by the late Lieut. Gordon Crow, of the men who have gone to the war front from here.
This smiling face is that of Capt. Arthur B. McCormick who has been reported missing since April 10th. He is one of the youngest Welland officers who got to the trenches, but he has made a fine record in active service, and won the Military Cross. That he may have been taken prisoner is a possibility, in view of the German claim of the capture of a considerable body. Arthur’s legion of friends hope he may yet return to us.
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