Results for ‘General Events’
[People’s Press, 18 April 1905]
The electric railway surveyors reached here last week, struck a pile in Port Colborne to connect with the Toronto and Niagara railway. The line comes up the canal, leaving it at the new road in front of Wm. McGinnis’ house, coming up that road to East Main St., thence up Mellanby avenue about 60 rods and cuts across R.H. Appleyard’s to the east bank of the canal which it follows to Port Colborne. Another line was surveyed going west along Main street and up Victoria street to Port Colborne.
Frederick Haney and Chas. Hagendorn Killed.
David Ireland Injured
Frederick Haney, dead
Charles Hagendorn, dead
David Ireland, hands terribly mutilated and otherwise injured
[Welland Tribune, 23 June 1905]
Wild excitement prevailed in Port Colborne on Tuesday night, when an explosion, with fearful results, occurred on the steam drill, Pulvertizer, one of Contractor Hogan’s submarine drilling machines. About 7.15 o’clock a loud and ominous report rang out from the drills which were working near the breakwater. The expert ear knew that something unusual had happened.
The explosion had taken place above the water! That meant that men were injured, if not killed.
Men and women hurried toward the pier to look lakeward.
Then the drills and tugs began blowing their whistles- a cry of distress-and many thought the drill must be sinking as the ominous sounds came in over the water.
Women who had husbands and sons on the drills ran frantically here and there in an endeavor to learn just what had happened.
They had not long to wait for in a few minutes two tugs were seen heading toward the harbor under full steam. By this time hundreds had gathered along the shore and the anxiety and subdued excitement was intense. The Hector was the first tug, and as soon as the captain had his boat within hailing distance, the message was heard: “Telephone for the doctors to meet the tugs.”
The spectators now knew that the accident was serious enough, and physicians were summoned to meet the boats.
A HEART-RENDING SCENE
Behind the Hector came the tug Mitchell, and on her decks the scene was one not soon to be forgotten.
Motionless on the deck lay the mangled form of Chas.Hagendorn. He was instantly killed by the explosion.
Between two men, came the tug who were supporting him and bathing his face, reclined Frederick Haney, pallid and in great pain, but conscious. His body was frightfully torn, and as soon as the doctor saw his condition, he said nothing could prolong his life beyond a few hours. Blood was streaming from terrible wounds in his neck, chest and abdomen. He was beyond medical aid, and at nine o’clock death relieved him from his awful suffering.
The third victim was David Ireland, who has charge of blasting, and who is an expert with dynamite. One hand was almost entirely tore off and the other mutilated. But, with nerves of steel, Ireland stepped from the tug, and with two companions beside him, walked to his home, half a block away.
TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
Mr. Ireland’s wounds were dressed as carefully as possible, but as an operation had to be performed on his hands, and as he was cut and burned about the body and legs as well, it was deemed wise to send him to the hospital; at Buffalo. Preparations were quickly made and in a short time the tug C.E. Armstrong was headed toward that city with Mr. Ireland resting on a cot on the deck with Dr. Hutton, Mr. Marrigan and other friends of the injured man. He was taken to the general hospital, Buffalo, where an operation was performed at three o’clock in the morning. The stub of the thumb and first finger only remain on the left hand, and the thumb and side of the right hand is gone. The operation lasted an hour and three-quarters. Mr. Ireland was fortunate to escape with his life.
HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
Precisely how the accident happened is not known at this writing (Wednesday) except by Mr.Ireland, who is in the hospital and so far as we can learn has made no positive statement. Those best qualified to judge believe that a charge was put down in the hole and failed to work, so a small charge
was put down to explode it. This failed to leave the charger at the bottom, and when the charger was
pulled up , the “popper” came up with it unoticed by the opeartors. When the word was given to apply the
electric spark the charge of dynamite was exploded right beside the men on the dock of the boat.
EXPLOSION IN THE CHARGER
It is certain that the explosion took place in the charger, an iron pipe about two inches in diameter. The charger was bursted and flying pieces of buried themselves in the woodwork of the boat in many places, one striking the beam of the far side of the drill boat. Flying pieces of this infliced severe wounds on the dead men. Of course the cause of the accident, as descibed above, is merely surmised for no evidence has yet been given by those immediately concerned.
INJURIES ON THE DEAD MEN
Hagendorn received a charge through the right side of his jaw leaving a gaping wound; a charge through his heart and a large gaping wound in his abdomen on the rigth side driving his watch inside of his body, besides muerous smaller wounds. He was instatnly killed.
Haney received a large wound on the right side of his neck, a wound over the heart crushng in the ribs, a gaping wound in the abdomen from which the bowels protruded besides many smaller injuries.
Mr. Ireland was blown into the lake by the explosion and was_________.
Dan Slade and Fred Seuss were working with the three men above mentioned, but esaped without a scratch.
THE INQUEST
Dr. Hutton ordered an inquest and Wednesday morning empanelled the following jury-Harry Dunlap, J.E. Lynden, W.M. McKay, D. Armstrong, F.D. Noble, Wm. Reeb, Chas. Fares, F.K. Brown, J.H. Smith, J.R. Tuck, W.J. Saurin, and T.J. O’Neil. They drove to Humberstone to view the remains and went out to the drill on the tug Mitchell to see the condition there Then they went to the town hall where an adjourment was made until Wednesday, July 5, at 7 p.m., when it is hoped Mr. Ireland will be present to give evidence.
FREDERICK HANEY
Illegible———home of his brother-in-law, John Houser at Humberstone. He was a son of the late Dr. and Mrs. F.M. Haney, who died in 1897 and 1903 respectively. He was in the 29th year of his age and unmarried. He was born in Humberstone and lived there all his life with the exception of a couple of years spent in British Col_. He had only_on the drill since Thursday last week, his debut at the business. Poor fellow, he was to have been married on Wednesday next. Truly in the midst of life we are in death. He is survied by one brother, Thos., in Woodstock and three sisters-Mrs. J. Houser of Humberstone, Mrs. W.A. Schooley of Buffalo and Mrs. Chas. Armstong of Port Colborne. He was a member of Beacon Lodge, I.O.O.F and of the I.L.M. & T.A. The funeral was held yesterday aftrnoon at 2.30 p.m. under the auspices of Beacon Lodge. Rev. A.C. Mackintosh conducted services at the house, and intement was made in Overholt’s cemetery.
CHARLES HAGENDORN
Was about 28 years of age. He had no near relatives in this country except some uncles in Buffalo who ____. He had been in America 15 years, of which the last six were spent in this village. A father, sister and brother in Germany survive. This was his second season on the drill. The body was taken to Ellsworth’s undertaking rooms and later to Wm. Rother’s at Humberstone from where the funeral took place at 10 a.m. yesterday. Rev. A.C. Macintosh conducted service at the house, and intement was in Overholt’s cemetery. He was also a member of the I.L.M. and T.A. who looked after the funeral.
The drill was not injured to any extent, although some pasrts look as if they had been the target for a charge of shrapnel.
Outside of the relatives of the dead and injured, no one feels the accidnet more keenly than Contractor Hogan. It is the first accident that has occurred in the explosive department during the five years drilling here, and it is an undoubted truism that “familiarity breeds contempt.” Deadly dynamite sticks were handled without thought of danger, and it is not to be wondered at if the men failed to use extreme caution at all times. Although so far as we know, there was no lack of caution in this case.
[People’s Press, 23 May 1905]
The poor old Cuba! Nothing but the hardest kind of luck has pursued her so far this season, and the breaking of the gates of lock 21 capped the climax. Captain Monpetit’s many friends express great sympathy for him in his series of troubles. He is looked upon as a good careful “skipper,” and it is difficult to account for such a small steamer carrying away the gates of one of the large locks. The break was repaired and locking resumed at 4.30 Thursday afternoon. The Merchants’ Line of Montreal, who own the Cuba, will have to face a large bill of damages. The damage to the canal will cost the Merchants’ Company in the neighborhood of $2,000 and $200 damage to farms.
[Welland Tribune, 9 June 1897]
Joseph A. Nash who some years ago ran the village shoe shop Ridgeville, visited the scenes of his youth last Sunday astride a bike, being the guest of Town Clerk Crow. Joe is now foeman in a big shoe establishment in Buffalo. He says it is 22 years since he was last in Pelham, and he finds many, many changes.
The telephone office at North Pelham was closed a few weeks ago owing to the small receipts from that agency, and now employees of the company are removing that part of the line to connect Pelham Centre with Fenwick. It is said that Brown Bros. nursey is arranging also for telephone connection.
[Welland Tribune, 10 October 1897]
Port Huron, Oct.8-The steamer E.B. Hale foundered in Lake Huron yesterday afternoon. Her crew, who were all picked up by the steamer Nebraska, landed here this morning. The Hale was bound from Lorain, Ohio, to Milwaukee, with steel billets. Half-way across Saginaw Bay she encountered a southwest gale. The breaking of a steel pipe left the vessel helpless in the trough of the sea. Finally she filled and sank. The Nebraska attempted to tow the helpless boat, but the tow lines parted. The Hale was owned by M.A. Bradley of Cleveland, was valued at $30,000 and was uninsured.
STEAMER OUTHWAITE CARRIED AWAY THE GATES OF LOCK 7,
AND THERE WAS A BIG OVERFLOW
[Welland Tribune, 28 May 1897]
St. Catharines, May 21-About six o’clock this morning the propeller Outhwaite of Cleveland, Capt. Burke up bound, light, under a full head of steam, forced the gates of lock 7. The level above the lock, extending a distance of a mile and a quarter, emptied the flood of water with irresistible force on the steamer, nearly capsizing her and forcing her back to lock 6, overflowing the banks of the canal, tearing deep washouts in the embankments and flooding the adjourning lands, uprooting trees, felling fences an causing great loss.
The gates of the damaged lock were carried about 500 feet from their position. Gas lamps were overturned and gas mains exposed and twisted. Tom Nihan is said to have had 17 acres of oats washed out by the deluge and many other owners of adjacent properties will suffer by the flood.
David Leith, a lockman, had a narrow escape, having climbed a lamp-post to escape being drowned. He was hurled with the lamp-post over the embankment and carried a considerable distance into an adjoining field.
Michael Driscoll, another canal employee, tried to escape by getting on a fence but he, too was washed away, but escaped with a dunking.
This is the most serious accident which has occurred since the canal has been built, and will entail heavy expenditure on the part of the government.
It is understood that the Outhwaite’s owners will give bonds and that the boat will be allowed to proceed on her homeward journey in a few days, when the canal is freed from its blockade.
A large force of men are at work on the repairs necessary to renew navigation, but as the west wing of lock 2 is damaged, in many places seriously impaired embankments in many places seriously impaired, it will be some time before all repairs are completed.
Quite an excitement occurred among these residing near the canal, many being under the impression that the banks had entirely broken away, and that they would be ruined by having their orchards torn up and buildings destroyed. At present it is possible to closely estimate the cost of repairs, but it is said that $25,000 will have to be spent during this year to replace the canal in its former condition.
[Welland Tribune, 22 January 1909]
W.B. Chambers has the following contracts: Plumbing in two new houses for John Goodwillie on State street, plumbing in J.H. Burgar’s new house, Avenue Place; plumbing in A. Fritz’s residence on Franklin street. Mr. Chambers has secured a first-class plumber from the city, and will, in addition will give all work his supervision, ensuring absolute supervision. Shop North Main street.
The Welland Realty Company has sold for O.H. Garner a lot on Garner avenue to Ernest Hearst and Stephen J. White who will erect a house at once, for sale or rent.
The Bell Telephone Company is about to publish a new issue of the official telephone directory, and all orders for changes in firms names or street addresses of orders for new phones will have to be given in at once to Ross C. Douglass, local manager, to ensure publication in the new issue.
Mr. George Wells of Welland and Rev. John Crawford of Niagara Falls are said to prominent applicants for the position of collecter of canal tolls, etc., made vacant by the death of S.J. Sidey.
[Welland Tribune, 22 January 1909]
The burning of the note covering the last debt on Central Methodist church and also the note constituting the last debt on the new organ were matters of great jubilation at the church last Friday night. The proceedings opened with a sumptuous supper, after which the fire scene was enacted, and a program of bright speeches, fine music, etc., followed. The crowd was large and a silver collection mounted to $10.
[People’s Press, 22 August 1905]
An exciting yachting accident happened off this harbor a week ago Saturday night. A gasoline yacht bound from New York City to Erie was running for Port Colborne harbor on account of coming storm, when she struck a reef off Fairview Farm (Frank Shisler) at 12 o’clock at night. Three men were on the boat, two running it and one asleep. When the yacht struck the reef a small boat was launched, but upset in four feet of water, nearly half a mile out, and one of the men waded ashore on the reef. He woke Mr. Shisler, who drove to town and sent the tug Armstrong to the assistance of the yacht. The yacht had been got off in the meantime, but was helpless, as her shoe was bent up against her propeller. She was towed to Port Colborne, where one of the Contractor Hogan’s derricks lifted her out of the water for repairs. She remained in port all day Sunday, the crew spending the day searching for oars, anchor and pocket-book of money, which were lost in the lake, but without success. The pocket-book was said to have contained $180 and some valuable jewelry. The party had no money left but some small change. The yacht was 44 feet long, and two of the crew named Tismuth, claimed to be the owners. The lake was very calm or the boat would have dashed to pieces.
[Welland Tribune, 13 July 1907]
Mrs. Collins and Miss Laura Hooker, two representatives of the Japanese booth for the Trip Around the Earth in three days, on Thursday morning, afternoon and night will serve ice cream and sodas at the Welland Pharmacy. The proceeds to go towards the booth. Mr. Collins has very kindly and generously given gratis not only his parlors, but his delightful creams.
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