Results for ‘General Events’
The John C. Pringle Helpless on Lake Michigan
[Welland Tribune, 12 November 1897]
Detroit, Mich., Nov.9- A special to the news from sand Beach, Mich., says:
With her rudder gone and a northwest gale blowing forty miles an hour, the steamer John C. Pringle is drifting down the lake at the mercy of the waves. The steamer, with three barges in tow, bound down, was noticed outside the harbor this morning flying signals of distress. The tug, Boynton, with the life savers, went to her assistance. The tug got a line to the disabled steamer, but each time it parted. The sea then became so heavy that the Boynton was forced to give it up. The life savers were staying with the Pringle. The barges were apparently all right and have sailed on down the lake. The Pringle and tow are lumber laden.
The Pringle is a wooden steamer of 474 tons burden, built in Detroit in 1880, is 173 feet in length and rates “A 2.” She is owned by G. Reisterer of Tonawanda, N.Y.
The wind has shifted to the northwest, and the tug will make another attempt to take the steamer in tow.
[Welland Tribune, 31 November 1947]
Forty years of service to God and the community are being celebrated by The Salvation Army in Welland. How could the Army celebrate without having the first of the series of meetings on the street corner? It was on the street corner, the Salvation Army was born. It was there, William Booth as a young man left the church because he saw the multitudes of the unchurched, uncared for. Godless crowds, to whom no one was ministering Saturday night true to tradition and conviction, the local salvationists, under the leadership of Major Frank Tilley, once again proclaimed the truths of the Gospel to the passing shoppers on the street.
The Saturday night indoor service was conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Acton who is the divisional commander of a large section of Ontario, with headquarters in Hamilton. It was a meeting of praise and reminiscence. Several of the older Salvationists recalled other days, some days of success and victory, other days of disappointment and a struggle against poverty and persecution. Several young converts gave testimony to the fact of a new birth in their lives. Colonel Action spoke of the experiences of Christ in Gethsemane, of His willingness that his Father’s will be done, and urged the Salvationists to let His will be done in them.
Sunday morning bright and early, the Salvationists were at the Welland County General hospital to celebrate their anniversary in service to the suffering. Colonel Action conducted the “swearing” in of three young people and three adults as soldiers of the Salvation Army. For 40 years the message of the Salvation Army in Welland has been salvation through the cross of Christ.
Letters were read from citizens who have formerly been in command of the Welland Corps, and the Citadel band assisted with music. The Welland Corps, under the leadership of Major and Mrs. Frank Tilley has made considerable advances.
[Welland Tribune, 30 January 1940]
Ottawa, Jan.30-The St. Lawrence seaway project under discussion at Ottawa has been planned to provide a channel of 27-foot depth from Montreal to the head of the Great Lakes. This would enable vessels to be laden to the 25-foot mark or possibly 26 feet.
At present the rock excavation in the Welland Canal for the most part is down to 27 feet but the earth excavation not more than 25 feet. Upper lakes have been deepened to 27 feet in rock excavation and 25 feet in earth on the downward channels and to 22 feet on up bound channels.
Shoals have been removed from the Thousand Islands section so that boats of 25-foot draught could operate. Canals of such depth between Prescott and Montreal remain to be built.
The proposed division of the Ogoki waters now flowing into James Bay into Lake Superior would add something to the present depth figures which of course fluctuate with the rise and fall of the water levels.
PART 1
Over time I have driven often across the old iron O’Reilly’s Bridge and canoed on the waterway that once was an important transportation route for early settlers. As an historical feature of the Welland River, I failed to acknowledge to myself that the bridge would disappear with time and be replaced by a modern, concrete structure. In my research I have read about so many old buildings disappearing from the landscape and wondered what the towns would have looked like in earlier days. Vintage postcards are an excellent way to view how life was. In the old newspapers there is references to O’Reilly’s Bridge and the community of people living nearby. Squire John B. O’Reilly farmed the land and it is documented that Pelham children used the bridge to reach their school.
Here is a sample of an event, 16 January 1909, documented in the Welland Tribune by One Who Knows, a correspondent for the early newspaper.
O’REILLY’S BRIDGE
Farewell and Oyster Supper
On Friday evening, Jan. 22nd, an oyster supper was held at the spacious home of Mr. and Mrs. R.A Phillips, who are about leaving the vicinity, having rented their farm to Mr. W.W. Dilts of Welland.
Although the night was dark and the roads bad, a large number of neighbors and friends were present to bid adieu to the inmates of the home, who have always been noted for generosity a kind hospitality.
The success of the evening was largely due to the untiring efforts of Mr. C. McCollum and Captain Hunter, who were the chief promoters of the very pleasant affair. After the oysters and other good things were disposed of, social chat and games, combined with selections on the piano, were enjoyed till the “wee sma hours,” when all wended their way homeward, after wishing Robbie and his family bon voyage in their future abode.
Mr. Phillips, we understand, intends moving on a fruit farm near St. Catharines.
O’REILLYS BRIDGE
[Welland Tribune, 29 January 1909]
Mrs. George Dochstader, who has been very ill, is improving.
Mr. and Mrs. Lounsberry of Canboro are visiting their son, P. Lounsberry.
Marcena Criegar, who insured his foot some time ago, is able to use it now.
The revival meetings, we are informed, have been postponed on account of the roads until next Monday evening.
We are glad to welcome Mr. Irwin and family, who are moving from Lindsay this week, to our neighborhood.
Miss Mable Woodwork of Binbrook arrived on Tuesday to spend several weeks with her sister, Mrs. Robert Murphy.
[Report of the oyster supper sent in by this correspondent has been published in a previous issue.-Ed.]
N.S. and T. Car Hits Back End of Automobile at Lincoln Crossing
NEAR MIDNIGHT
[Welland Tribune, 27 January 1940]
As a result of a rail crossing collision between a car being driven east along Lincoln street west at 11.15 last night and a south-bound trolley operated by Motorman Alfred Clup of St. Catharines, four persons were injured and brought to the Welland County General hospital. Three were detained.
The injured were Miss Marion Flick, 18, of Oakland avenue, concussion and shock; Edward Richardson, 22, of Mill street, deep cut over left eye and shock; Thomas Blackwell, 29, of Wilton avenue, fracture to the right collar bone and shock; Sydney Bretell, 50 Cohoe street, driver of the automobile, cut over the left eye and shock. Bretell was able to go home following treatment to his left eye.
According to the report of the mishap given to Constable George Hatton by Motorman Culp, the trolley had just left the Welland N.S and T. station, and was proceeding south. Approaching the Lincoln street crossing, Mr. Clup said he blew the warning whistle. The driver of the car appeared to slow up and then speed toward the crossing, he said. The auto didn’t clear the crossing in time to avoid a crash and the trolley struck the automobile at the left read side where Miss Flick was seated.
According to the police accident report, Sydney Brettel stated that he failed to either see the trolley or hear its whistle until too late to avoid the mishap. He further stated that by stepping on the gas he avoided a more serious accident.
The left rear wheel, left door and windows of the automobile were smashed, according to police.
ICE JAM REDUCES IT TO A WHISPER-ENTIRE FLOW MAY BE CUT OFF
[Welland Tribune, 18 January 1940]
Niagara Falls, N.Y., Jan.18-An ice jam in the Upper Niagara River reduced the roar of Niagara Falls to a hoarse whisper today.
Tracey Levee, chief of the Niagara Reservation Police, estimated the flow over the American Falls had been reduced 60 percent, while the Bridal Veil Falls were slowed to a trickle.
Meanwhile the ice bridge over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls extended from the foot of that cataract to a point just below the site of the “Honeymoon” Bridge, destroyed by ice in January 1938.
Rivermen predicted that if near zero temperatures and the run of Lake Erie ice continues, the entire flow over the Falls may be cut off. This occurred in the winter of 1936, when it was possible for a brief period to walk across the brink of the American Falls from the mainland to Goat Island.
[Evening Tribune, 31 October 1964]
|
Photo by Cec Mitchell
WELLAND HIGH’S Tim Bedard (22) became the galloping ghost in yesterday afternoon’s SOSSA football game against Pelham District High School at Welland. In the above photo Bedard is enroute to a 49-yard touchdown. His other long run of the day was a 70-yard TD jaunt in the initial quarter. making an unsuccessful bid to head off Bedard in the above play, is Pelham’s Larry Rosnuk (14). |
 |
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Photograph “Price Cemetery”
[Welland Tribune, 1 October 1985]
A highlight of the Welland Historical Society meeting held recently at the Museum was the celebration of the birthday of an honorary member, Mrs. Mabel Brown, with a decorated cake and candles.
President George Chipman thanked everyone who participated in the arrangements for the Fenian Raid Tour and picnic; the Rose Festival Quilt raffle and the Celebrity dinner at Julio’s.
A donation to the Museum for hygrometers and dehumidifiers was approved by the Society, as well as brochures in French and English for a walking tour of downtown Welland.
In researching the name of Denistoun Street, Cecil Dyson came up with origin of three other streets as well, all named after members of the Bald Family. He obtained his information at the Welland Public Library in Rice’s History of Welland County and Thorold Township Cenennial year book, he presented a short outline of the Bald family.
A Scotsman, Thomas Bald immigrated to this country in 1784 and settled on the Bald homestead on the Welland River across from the old County Hospital, now Riverside Terrace Apartments.
His son David married Hannah E. Cook of Cook’s Mills who was the first woman teacher in Welland County.
The Balds had a farm in the vicinity of Bald Street and Willliam Bald lived in and possibly built the Presbyterian Manse on Bald Street which gave Bald Street its name.
David Bald had three children, James who J.C. Bald School on Thorold Road named after him; Catherine was remembered by Catherine Street and David Denistoun whose name was given to Denistoun Street.
Denistoun has played an important part in Welland’s history.
In the very early years, there was a dock at the north end of Denistoun on the Welland River and the Bald family owned scows on the River.
It was the home of the Welland County Fairgrounds from 1857 to 1974. The Methodist Episcopal Church and burial grounds was established in 1865 across from the Welland High School and the high school was built in 1879. Also the Electric Steel and metals was built in 1913 with two original Heroult’s electric steel melting furnaces and which produced many thousands of 16 and 18 pound shrapnel shells for the Allies during the First World War.
Harold Fox spoke on the life of David Price who is recorded as being the first white settler in Welland and that an Indian settlement was located at the corner of Jane Street (Now Maple Avenue) and Fraser Street at that time.
He quoted from a copy of the Remanences of John Price and his father David of Welland, written for the Buffalo Express by B.B. Babcock and published in the The Tribune May 14, 1897.
David was born about 1750 in the valley of the Mohawk River near Wellsville, New York.
During an Indian uprising he was taken prisoner by a tribe of Seneca Indians and held seven years.
After his release he was an employee of the Commandant of the military post at Oswego until the close of the war. He then moved to Niagara in New York State and later to Fort George where he worked as interpreter, clerk and storekeeper in the department of Indian Affairs, August 20, 1800 at St. Mark’s Church at Niagara-on-the Lake, he married Margaret Gonder. In 1812 David moved his family to 200 acres of land along the Chippewa Creek, a place known only as Seven Mile Stake.
David’s son John tells of being born in a log house on the south bank of Chippewa Creek, the same location that the Niagara Regional Youth Home is situated on West Main Street. His death occurred Feb. 26, 1841 and his remains were buried in the Methodist Episcopal Church cemetery on Denistoun Street. Hazel Sauer and Emily Laing were in charge of social arrangements for the meeting.
[Welland Telegraph, 16 July 1907]
Tremendous Crowd in Welland on July 2th—An Address of Welcome by Mayor Crow—Monster
Orange Procession—Speeches by Leading Orangemen, Evan E. Fraser, M.P.P., W.M. German, M.P., Frank Lalor, M.P., and Others—Sports of the Day
THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE IN HISTORY
William Prince of Orange landed at Carrickfergus on the 14th of June, 1690. All Ulster rose to receive him and the soldiers took heart once more. Ten days later he started south at the head of 36,000 men. When William’s army approached Dundalk, James fell back upon Ardee; and the former still pressing southwards, the latter continued his retreat, until the pursuer was brought to a halt on the morning of the 30th of June. The English and Irish armies at last looked each other in the face across the now historic waters of the Boyne. The day passed in an exchange of shots across the river, from one of which William well-nigh lost his life, for it grazed his shoulder.
The morning of the first of July broke fair and a little after sunrise the English army advanced in three divisions to the attack. William at the head of the left wing, consisting entirely of cavalry made for a difficult and dangerous crossing in the lower river. The conflict raged hotly for a short space at the southern exit of the ford. Schromberg dashed impetuously into the river. The arrival of William at once decided the doubtful struggle. “Men of Inniskillen, what will you do for me?” was his inspiring question to the sorely pressed Protestants of Ulster; and drawing his sword with an arm yet stiff from the wound of the previous morning he led his Dutch guards and Inniskilleners against the still unbroken centre. The defeat of the Irish army soon became a rout, and their retreat a flight. James, who had watched the _ against him was making the battle from the hill of Donore till it best of his way to Dublin. His army was now a broken and confused mass of fugitives. The Battle of Boyne was won.
EXCERPT: The 12th July celebration held in Welland on Friday was a magnet that drew more people within the city walls than was ever here before. It is probable that the visitors numbered seven or eight thousand. The character of this immense concourse was one that did credit to the order of Orangemen. It was a sober, orderly, well-dressed representation of good Canadianism.
The crowd was so big that it was rather more than Welland could conveniently swallow. Truth to tell Welland on its ordinary days is crowded to the attic. The advent of the special trains and boats in a figurative way hung out the Standing Room Sign- only sign all over the place.
The town was astir early in the morning and people rose to see a fair day after twenty-four hours of rain. Flags were flying and streamers fluttered in the wind. In the middle of the forenoon the Grand Trunk specials came in from Niagara Falls and Dunnville. Then towards noon the Hamilton contingent arrived on the T.H. and B., and the Hagerville people on a special M.C.R.R. The Buffalo Street bridge at noon. But this crowd that came by train and boat was largely supplemented by the immense numbers that drove in from the country. When the whistles blew for noon the sidewalks were covered with people, and the street with vehicles. Welland never saw anything like it before.
Noon brought with it the great responsibility of feeding the people, a stupendous task. The hotels did everything within their power. The ladies of the Methodist Church fed hundreds with a special dinner served in the basement of the church. The ladies of the Presbyterian Church had a tent on the canal side and here a thousand were given dinner. The doors of a thousand homes were thrown open but even at that it is not unlikely that many went without dinner.
[Welland Tribune March 13 1947]
Car licence trick is worked by bandits who scoop up $2,500
Smithville, Ont. March 13- A bank robbery that almost misfired and which was partially fortified by the timely appearance of a Caistor centre farmer netted five armed bandits approximately $2,500 yesterday afternoon where they held up the Royal Bank here.
The five men, four of them wearing white handkerchiefs on their faces, the fifth wearing dark glasses, entered the bank a few moments before closing time. According to a witness they announced it was a holdup and “just swarmed over the counter. Front and back.”
Earl Wait, the farmer, parked his automobile across the street from the bank and, unaware of the holdup, attempted to enter the building. The bandit keeping watch saw him approach and as he(the farmer) was about to open the door, the man ordered him inside.
Wait realized what was taking place and dashed down the steps from the bank. He scraped his hand as he stumbled but kept running and shouting that the bank was being held up. The bandit on guard took deliberate aim and fired a shot in the direction of the fleeting ma. He missed.
At the sound of the shot, one of the man who was scooping up the money in the teller’s cage said: “let’s get the hell out of here.”
The men. a witness said, filed out of the bank almost leisurely. An accomplice, the sixth of the bandits, was at the wheel of a large automobile in front of the bank and the men scrambled into the vehicle and they drove away. As they did a Smithville woman took the licence number of the car.
Coincidently, three bank inspectors were visiting the building and they with three bank employes were forced to lie on the floor while the bandits gathered their loot. Jean Voll, ledger keeper, was the only woman employe in the bank and declared she was “pretty nervous” at the time.
The bandit car followed Main street and disappeared on No. 20 highway as police threw up a road blockade south of Stoney Creek.
Ingenious License Dodge
Kitchener, March 13-Ontario car thieves are obtaining proper license plates for their booty in an ingenious way which police are trying to circumvent, it was learned here today.
“In fact the man who thought out the scheme is a minor genius,” said a police officer who described the process.
Bandits who held up the Royal Bank at Smithville, Ont. Yesterday made their getaway with $2,500. were said today to have used a stolen car, with regularly-issued plates.
The method, to which police are now wise, entails first of all stealing a new car. Then a false bill of sale is made out, taken to the provincial license issuer who registers the car and turns over the plates.
Three cases of such false registration in February have come to light and two of the cars have been recovered. The third is currently in use by the Smithville quintet, Witnesses took down the number of their car and investigation showed the license to have been issued at New Hamburg to a “Frank Malone. R.R. No. 1, Elmira” was issued plates in Kitchener last Feb 11 but the car was recovered in Ottawa two weeks later.
A car recovered recently in Toronto had been similarly registered at Guelph by a “Mr Taylor of R.R. No. 1 Breslau.”
If the thieves stay clear of the law after registering their car the trick is difficult to detect under present regulations.
Subscribe..
