GENERAL NEWS

[WellandTribune, 23 May 1890]

(Content: Bavaria, Capt. McCullogh, schooner Jessie Breck, Wolfe Island, Thomas, Joseph, Wm. Mackie, Maria Mackie, Donald McDonald, Mullen, Frank George, Frank Mahaffey, Isaac May, Solid Comfort, Cutler of Welland, Pepper, Dickinson & Suess)

Some two or three years ago the barge Bavaria went down the canal, and by accident paid her tug bill $10 short to Captain McCullogh. The Bavaria was lost with all hands, and in the cabin of the sunken ship was found a letter calling attention to the mistake and saying that the $10 would be paid…The other day the ill-fated schooner Breck went down and her master had over-paid Capt. McCullogh $1, and the crew of the Breck have found a watery grave.

LOSS OF THE JENNIE BRECK AND ALL ON BOARD-On Saturday last the schooner Jessie Breck capsized in a gale off Wolfe Island, Lake Ontario, and all the crew were lost. The boat was loaded with oak timber from Toledo. The names of the lost are Thomas, Joseph and Wm. Mackie, captain, mate and seaman of the vessel; Maria Mackie the cook, three brothers and a sister; Donald McDonald, William and John Mullen and Frank George. All lived on Wolfe Island except the last named, and sad to relate the accident took place within sight of the home of the Mackies.

FEARFUL ACCIDENT-An awful accident happened here on Wednesday evening. Mrs. Frank Mahaffey (widow) and her daughter are engaged as cooks on the barge Issac May, and while the boat was lying in the lock here, mother and daughter went ashore. They returned to the boat about 9 o’clock, and in the almost impenetrable darkness that surrounded this spot, Mrs. Mahaffey made a false step and fell between the boat and the lock wall. Aid was at hand instantly, and the lifeless body was recovered in about twenty minutes. The skull had been crushed in the fall and life was probably extinct before striking the water. The shrieks of the daughter, who witnessed the fatal affair, touched the stoutest hearts. Mrs. Mahaffey was forty-eight years of age and leaves two sons and two daughters, who have the heartfelt sympathy of our people in their terrible trial. The funeral will take place at 1 o’clock today (Friday).

The club house of Solid Comfort was given into the hands of the contractor this week. The building will cost $6000 when completed, and contractor Cutler of Welland has the carpenter work-a large contract. The painting, etc., has not been let yet…Cottage No. 11, for Mr. Pepper of Memphis, have been let to Messrs. Dickinson & Suess. These will cost about $900 each. The cottages must be completed in four weeks, and the club house by July 1^st.