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KILLED ON G.T.R.
[Welland Telegraph March 6, 1903]
James Durham Meets a tragic End on the Railroad Wednesday Evening
A sad and fatal accident occurred on Wednesday evening, when James Durham was killed on the G.T.R. tracks. The fatality occurred just north of the Welland depot and about 7 o’clock in the evening. The unfortunate man was struck by the engine, carried about 100 feet and hurled to one side of the track. Death was instantaneous.
James Durham, together with his son Teskey, and Alf Young and Herbert Reuter,had been in Mr Reuter’s bush all day getting out timber for a new house Mr Reuter intends building. About 6.30 they started for home down the track. Teskey and Alf Young walked ahead and James Durham and Mr Reuter walked behind. Both went along with their heads down. When just back of McAlpine’s brick house two south bound trains went through on the last track. The two men continued to walk on the west track, Mr Durham on the inside. Just as the second freight was passing the north bound passenger train ran the men down before they realized it was coming. Mr Reuter just stepped off in the nick of time, but Mr Durham was caught, and probably never knew what struck him.
When the trains passed the young men, who were ahead, ran back and the old man was found at the side of the track where he had been thrown. Medical aid was summoned, but it was useless for he was already dead. His left arm and right leg were broken and his head cut.
James Durham was one of the oldest residents of Welland and probably had seen more changes here than any other man. He was a son of Jos Durham, who was one of the first settlers of the northern part of Wainfleet township. Having once held much property just west of the town along the river. James is the last surviving member. He was 69 years of age and the father of two sons and four daughters, who are left to mourn his untimely loss. They are: Teskey, at home, Ernest, in Bay City; Mrs Ellis, Mrs John Dunlop and Mrs A.W. McAlpine, of this town, and Mrs John Marvin of Toronto.
Deceased was well and favorably known about town and was a good citizen. It was one of his boasts that he had never been under a doctor’s care or never take a spoonful of medicine.
The funeral will take place tomorrow from the late residence, Ross street, in the east end, and interment will be at Fonthill.
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