Results for ‘General Events’
Norman Rinker and Helen O’Neal Meet Death in Skating Outing on Monday
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 3 February 1921]
On Tuesday morning Chippawa Creek, just below Orchard Grove, revealed a grim tragedy. The bodies of Helen O’Neal, daughter of James S. O’Neal, one of the most prominent grocers in this city, and Norman Rinker an electrician from Detroit, who has been since Christmas visiting his parents were taken from the water.
About two o’clock on Monday afternoon, Norman Rinker called up the O’Neal home, asking Helen to go skating. They went to the lower creek. It is believed that the starting point was the foot of John Street., as the overcoat and shoes of the boy were found there. When darkness set in and Helen had not returned Mr. O.Neal became most anxious. Nothing could be done in the darkness, but at daybreak, her father, accompanied by P.S. Peacock started to search the ice for traces of the missing couple.
At a point, a few feet from where the bodies were found, Mr. O’Neal first discovered the cap and later, near the mouth of the hole, the young man’s left glove. The chief of police was at once notified and he in turn informed the Fire Department. The department was at work shortly after eight o’clock and under the supervision of Chief Stapf, a dozen of the company dragged for the bodies.
Immediately after the arrival of pike poles which was about ten o’clock the body of Helen O’Neal was recovered, just a little way from the shore and in about ten feet of water.
It was not until an hour and a half afterwards that the body of the Rinker boy was found, about ten feet from the place where the first body was recovered. This was only made possible by breaking the ice for some distance around, and dragging, from flat bottomed boats.
Norman Kennedy Rinker was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Rinker, 52 Randolph street. He was born in Pelham and was in his 24th year. The family moved to Welland fourteen years ago. He is survived by his parents and one brother, Edward E. Rinker of Niagara Falls, Ontario. The funeral will take place from the family home tomorrow afternoon and will be private.
Helen E. O’Neal, was well known and well liked in this community, having been born in Welland seventeen years ago, on September 23rd, 1903. Besides a grieving father, she is survived by one brother, John, at home and Mrs. William Boyd, in Georgia. The late Mrs. J.S. O’Neal, mother of Helen, predeceased her two years and three months ago.
Helen was an ardent member of the Fidele Class of the Methodist Sunday School, and also of the Methodist Church. The funeral was held this afternoon at 2.30. Interment was made at Fonthill.
A full measure of sympathy goes out to the homes that have been so sadly bereaved.
Both Were in The Water Half an Hour Before Being Rescued by Fire Department.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 3 February 1921]
What might have proven a great tragedy occurred on Monday afternoon in the Chippawa Creek, just below the pump house when Billy Frost, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Frost, of Major Street, aged 13, and May Parkerson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Parkerson, Orchard Grove, aged 11, broke through thin ice, falling into the icy water.
It appears that the boy and girl were out skating together, and upon nearing the pump house, where the creek is nearly always open, stumbled, breaking the ice and falling into the water. As Billy fell his feet going under him he called to the girl to fall on her stomach. Had the pair not done this they would probably have gone through a small hole and coming up in a different place, a rescue would have been almost impossible. There were several people around at the time and saw the two go into the water. Here they remained while attempts were being made to affect their rescue. After trying all manner of ways to pull them from this dangerous position, they were finally pulled out by the fire department, under the direction of F. Cutler and Roy Strawn, using a canoe borrowed from a neighboring boathouse, after they had been in the water for a half an hour. They were immediately carried into a nearby residence, and up to the present time are progressing nicely, although there is still a slight danger of the girl developing pneumonia.
Strong is the comment of the onlookers upon the way this thirteen year old boy attempted and succeeded to hold up the girl until assistance reached them. Not one instant did he lose presence of mind in this dangerous predicament. There should be some recognition made of the bravery displayed by him, and the case should come up in regard to receiving the Humane Society Medal.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 16 June 1921]
The Dawdy cemetery has been extended by about two acres toward the east. The old fence to the east has been removed and a new one put up on the new line. The cemetery is receiving good attention and looks greatly improved as compared with a few years ago.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 21 June 1921]
This past week end, two well-known Welland sports (who by the way are married), decided that they would go fishing. Whether the lure of the fish or whether they wanted a rest from household duties, was the cause of the trip, is not known, but anyway they proceeded to the vicinity of Orchard Grove, and actually had the nerve to borrow an expensive motor launch, which had a motor which could not be persuaded to mote. So the nervey ones pushed the craft into deep water and tied it to a tree and sat peacefully fishing. After feeding the fish with worms, one made a strike. An exciting battle then commenced. Who would win, fish or man? The fish refused to be landed and made a mad dash towards Chippewa. He pulled so hard that the cable holding the boat snapped. Heavens, they were at the mercy of the current. They had no oars about, only a lady, and she was helpless (with laughter). The fish travelled like a young tug, and unfortunately the fisherman’s line was a Woolworth’s special and it broke. After a terrible struggle they got their borrowed craft back toward shore, when the irate owner appeared and wanted to know “Whatn-hell they meant by taking his property. That did it after nearly loosing their valuable lives and then being accused of taking a motor boat on a pleasure trip was too much. A wordy battle then ensued the outcome being that the worthy pair put the boat back and returned home sadder but wiser men. They are figuring on offering the owner $5.00 for the launch and intend keeping it preserved as a memoir of their almost tragic end.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 21 June 1921]
At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Lookout Point Country Club Friday evening, it was decide to proceed with the construction of a complete eighteen hole golf course, as the wonderful site and prospects for membership justified it and even makes it desirable.
The opportunity to become a member is still open but it is the Board’s intention to have a limited membership and any who care to join should make application without delay.
Those who have not yet seen the property, which is now being developed under the direction of Walter E. Travis could not do better than take a spin out on these summer evenings. All Canada, we are sure, has no more beautiful pictures than this.
But It Was Only Half The Size of One Killed Near Same Spot 40 Years Ago.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 21 June 1921]
A large black snake was killed last Thursday evening by Mrs. Anna Atkins, on the old John Atkins estate in the township of Pelham.
Mrs. Atkins had just stepped outside of the back door, and she saw a long black object lying on the ground, which she took for a piece of wood. However she saw it move and then knew it was a snake. Picking up an axe she killed it. When the snake was measured, the length was found to be 5 feet, 7 inches long, and 4 inches in circumference.
There was a large snake killed in that neighborhood, 40 years ago. Mrs. Atkins brother killed one then, on the old Beckett property, which is adjacent to the Atkins property. It measured 11 feet.
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 23 June 1921]
The shade trees of this city are affected by worms, which will destroy them, and indeed many of them are now on the verge of destruction.
Upon consulting Frank Muirhead, superintendent of the park, we find it is most likely the worms called the borers which attack the body of slightly rotted trees Mr. Muirhead gives this advice:.
“A very good way to combat these borers is to white wash the trees with strong lime. Arsenic of lead is also very good, and thought it costs a little more it is more effective. The best ting to use on these borers is Paris Green, which is best and cheapest.”
We would advise the people of the city to do their best to combat the worms as it would be a shame to lose any of our shade trees.
Gottlob Schoeffel Died at Hospital Within an Hour of Accident
[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 18 January 1921]
Gottlob Schoeffel of Port Colborne, formerly a well-known farmer of Humberstone Township lost his life after being run over by an automobile driven by P.S. Peacock, on Friday evening.
The accident occurred at a few minutes past six o’clock. Mr. Peacock was driving south, on South Main, between Fifth and Sixth streets, and Mr. Schoeffel who was on foot was going north. Mr. Peacock stopped at once and took the injured man to the hospital where he died inside of an hour.
Mr. Schoeffel who was nearly eighty years of age could not hear well. He was very well off.
Dr. S.N. Davis has ordered an inquest and the evidence will be heard at the Crowland Police Station tonight at 8 o’clock.
[Welland Tribune, 27 August 1880]
The Welland Railway Company will this week have their entire roadway laid with steel rails, with the exception of a small section where the company will await the completion of bridges on the canal enlargement.
W.G. Somerville’s business quarters are now in the store lately occupied by Mr. Tench, next to Loesch’s Mansion House, where he will keep agricultural implements and also deal in flour and feed.
The mud holes along the south side of Main street are a great nuisance. Horses stand in them and splash the mud in all directions, soiling ladies’ dresses and making the sidewalks very dirty and disagreeable. Is there no remedy for this, even in midsummer?
By Middleton Dan
Western New York’s Greatest Newspaper
[Courier Express, 12 June 1982]
WHEN NIAGARA FALLS was “dewatered” in 1969, Herb Force, the photographer who has long waged a campaign to have the U.S. use his Bicentennial photo of fireworks at the Falls on a postage stamp-took a picture of the “face” that became visible at Prospect Point. That “face” was a tourist attraction until the Corps of Engineers turned on the water 167 days later.
The “face” was visible again briefly in 1970 when an ice jam blocked much of the flow over the falls, but it had not been seen again until this spring.
On May 14, Herb spotted the “face” and photographed it. Again, ice had jammed the brink, diverting water from the point.
Writes Herb of the event: “When will we see this “face” again? It could be many years. After this brief exposure of the “face,” I feel it should be one of the subjects for a se-tenant (an unsevered block of stamps which differ in design) Niagara Falls stamp. We have faces of famous people on stamps, Why not the face of the most photographed wonder of the world-Niagara Falls?”
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