[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.
[Welland Tribune March 12, 1947]
Expect new memorial hospital will benefit from gov’t policy
The announcement yesterday of Provincial Treasurer Frost of a new policy in grants to hospitals of the province both for maintenance and construction is being received with enthusiasm in Port Colborne in view of the plans already approved for a 50-bed memorial hospital to be constructed in Lakeview Park.
Capt. R. Scott Misener, chairman of the board of directors of the hospital fund, was out of town today and could not be reached for comment. But the announcement of the provincial treasurer made in his budget speech yesterday was being generally acclaimed in the town, especially by those who have been active in the raising of over $250,000 for the proposed Port Colborne Memorial hospital.
Hon. Mr. Frost’s announcement indicated that up to $1,000 per bed for both private and public ward beds was available for construction of hospitals in the smaller communities and rural areas which on the basis of the 50-bed plans for Port Colborne Memorial hospital might mean a grant when construction is started of up to $50,000.
Any grant which will be made under the new plans announced by Mr. Frost will aid the Port Colborne hospital.
Construction Costs Up
Capt. Misener, in accepting a check for $3,000 from the Port Colborne Lions club recently, stated that tenders received thus far for construction of Port Colborne’s memorial hospital indicated the cost of construction would be well in excess of the original estimates and that additional funds to the more than $250,000 already collected would be required.
The new grants for hospital also provide a new departure in payments for maintenance which will be based on the number of public ward beds. In the past the provincial grant has been for indigent patients and not on the basis of the number of beds.
[Welland Tribune February 8, 1947]
Truck, Car Sideswiped, Auto Hots Tree, But No One Suffers Injury
Three automobile-train accidents occurred in Port Colborne Thursday and all were blamed on the blinding snow. Considerable damage was done to cars and a truck involved, but no one was injured.
Thursday afternoon a truck owned by Corey Electric and driven by Earl Cuff was travelling on King street at the Maple Leaf crossing and the driver failed to see a T.H.&B train approaching. The train sideswiped the light truck doing damage estimated at between $200 and $300.
Clarence Beck, driving on Kent street, failed to see a C.N.R. train approaching at the spur crossing until too late to stop his car. He jumped from the car as it reached the crossing and the car travelled over the crossing and into a tree, but was missed by the train.
Edward Beauchamp, 67 Cross St., Port Colborne, was driving at the Welland street crossing about 9 o’clock Thursday night and failed in the snowstorm to notice a C.N.R. train approaching. Less than $50 damage was done to his car.
[Welland Tribune March 4, 1947]
A Pere Marquette freight train last night smashed into an Imperial Oil tank truck, stuck in the snow over a New York Central Railway crossing on Highway 3A between Chamber’s Corners and Beckett’s Bridge, shoving the truck into a ditch. It was the second of two traffic accidents in the Welland area attributed to yesterday’s snowstorm.
The truck driven by Don Crosby of R.R. 2 Welland, was returning from Dunnville when it got stuck in snow over the crossing, with front wheels jammed between the rails. When Crosby saw the train approaching he ran down the tracks in an attempt to flag it down. The freight slowed up but was unable to stop in time to avoid the truck. Badly damaged it was hurled into the ditch. The truck contained 200 gallons of gasoline, but there was no explosion. The accident occurred at 3.10 p.m.
The train, proceeding west, was in charge of Conductor C. Watson and Engineer L. Fyle. Provincial Constables Reg. Bass and Frank Bromfield investigated.
Earlier in the day, an auto driven by John Cameron, Toronto, struck three school children, walking on Highway 3A on their way home from school near Singer’s Corner. The three Henry Lamay 16, is under observation at the Welland County General hospital for a bump on the head. The other two children, whose names were unavailable were taken to their homes..
The driver told police who investigated that due to snow flurries visibility was poor and he did not see the children on the highway until he was too close to be able to avoid them.
NO FIRE OR EXPLOSION WHEN LOCOMOTIVE HITS OIL TRUCK
[Welland Tribune March 4, 1947]
A Pere Marquette freight train last night smashed into an Imperial Oil tank truck, stuck in the snow over a New York Central Railway crossing on Highway 3A between Chamber’s Corners and Beckett’s Bridge, shoving the truck into a ditch. It was the second of two traffic accidents in the Welland area attributed to yesterday’s snowstorm.
The truck driven by Don Crosby of R.R. 2 Welland, was returning from Dunnville when it got stuck in snow over the crossing, with front wheels jammed between the rails. When Crosby saw the train approaching he ran down the tracks in an attempt to flag it down. The freight slowed up but was unable to stop in time to avoid the truck. Badly damaged it was hurled into the ditch. The truck contained 200 gallons of gasoline, but there was no explosion. The accident occurred at 3.10 p.m.
The train, proceeding west, was in charge of Conductor C. Watson and Engineer L. Fyle. Provincial Constables Reg. Bass and Frank Bromfield investigated.
Earlier in the day, an auto driven by John Cameron, Toronto, struck three school children, walking on Highway 3A on their way home from school near Singer’s Corner. The three Henry Lamay 16, is under observation at the Welland County General hospital for a bump on the head. The other two children, whose names were unavailable were taken to their homes..
The driver told police who investigated that due to snow flurries visibility was poor and he did not see the children on the highway until he was too close to be able to avoid them.
[Welland Tribune, 26 May 1979]
William Hamilton Merritt, builder of the Welland Canal 150 years ago, visited the Town of Pelham Tuesday to sign the guest book and visit two local schools to explain the circumstances surrounding the canal construction to students. When signing the guest book, supervised by Ald. Mary Lamb, Mr. Merritt wondered how a modern contraption like a ballpoint pen could be called a pen and could write, for he did not have to dip it into an inkwell and no ink flowed from it. He was afraid the thing would smudge the book. But it didn’t. Mr. Merritt is played by actor-playwright Dave MacKenzie of Ridgeville
[Welland Tribune February 7, 1947]
At Stoney Creek, Ontario, on February 19, 1897, the first Women’s Institute in the world came into being in Squires’ Hall, with Mrs. E.D. Smith, the wife of E.D. Smith of Winona, now Senator Smith, being elected as the first president. On February 19, 1947, at Stoney Creek, the Mother Institute will hold its golden anniverary celebration and on that occasion, Mrs. G.D. Conant, daughter of the first President, Mrs. Smith, will be the guest speaker. Among the honoured guests on this occasion will be the charter members of the first Women’s Institute in the world along with officers of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada and of Ontario. Since their inception at Stoney Creek fifty years ago, Women’s Institutes have spread all over Canada and into many other countries, with an international organization known as the Associated Countrywomen of the world as the co-ordinating body binding them all together in service to the rural communities.
[Welland Tribune January 28, 1947]
Proprietors of the Majestic Grill East Main street, have purchased the building occupied by Loblaws Groceteria Limited, situated on the south side of East Main street. The former owner was Mrs. Blake Booth of Aqueduct street. Loblaws Groceteria Ltd. will later this year move to new quarters on East Main street.
The manager, Chris Dimitroff, would not reveal the purchase price but he told the Tribune that renovations and the work of re-fashioning the former groceteria into what he stated would be one of the most modern and up to date restaurants in this part of the Niagara peninsula would cost between $20,000 and $25,000. He was unable to state when the work would be completed because of the uncertain state of building operations. The new restaurant, he said, would seat approximately 100 persons at a time. And the upper floor will be devoted to catering to wedding and other parties and groups. It is the intention to maintain the present grill on the north side of the street.
The owners of the Majestic Grill are Chris Dimitroff, William Tallis and Harry Lombro, and it is expected that John Tallis also of Welland will become a fourth partner within the next few months.
The present owners purchased the goodwill of the present restaurant from G. Gettas in 1937, and the name of the establishment was then changed from “The Appolo Restaurant” to “Majestic Grill.”
[DATE UNKNOWN]
At the recent meeting of Welland Historical Society, the origin of the name of Hagar Street was given by Wes Laing. He received information on the Hagar family from *Alice Hagar, a descendent of the family and a retired librarian of the University of Wisconsin.
Jonathan Hagar II and Azubah (Hopkins) Hagar, his wife, settled near Beaverdams between 1792 and 1800. Jonathan died from wounds in the war of 1812-14. They had 13 children, one of whom was Jonathon Hagar III, born 1809 and died 1879. He married Jemina Carpenter and they are listed in the history of Central United Church, Welland as early pioneer members when it was a Methodist church. They had six children, the eldest son Franklin Metcalf Hagar, was an early Welland businessman who owned a lumber business and is believed to have run an ice and coal business as well. His first wife, Clara Evelyn Fell, was the mother of his three children, she died at the age of thirty. He then married Anna Brooks. Franklin died in 1905 (14 September) and Miss Hagar believes Hagar Street was named after him as many Welland streets bear the name of early businessmen.
She is a descendant of Ward Hagar IV, Franklin’s brother, who farmed family lands at the north end of “the Island” near Quaker Road. The families that farmed on the Island were removed to the mainland to make way for the Welland Canal.
George Chipman introduced the guest speaker Dennis Teakle a graduate in advertising of the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. He was freelance illustrator before accepting a teaching position in Prescott where he taught art for four years. During this period he and his wife became interested in auctions and in due time he left his teaching profession for his increasing interest in antiques and opened a business on Lake-of-Bays, Muskoka. That was 16 years ago. Now a very accomplished antique dealer, he and his wife own and operate a shop in the centre of Fonthill dealing in country furniture and accessories. He brought with him many interesting and unusual items, stoneware, a glass fly catcher, three canes (one of amber glass by the Port Colborne Glass Factory, one with a snake coiled around it from the Welland County and a Prince Edward Island cane with an ivory eternal knot for a handle), a Redware Dog Bank made in Paris, hand forged iron trivet and meat cork from Ridgeway made from about 1830, Tiger Maple and Rosewood picture frames from the 1840 era and 1804 children’s books.
The audience participation in identifying some of the exhibits was enjoyed by all. Dr. al Purdon thanked Mr. Teakle for his splendid presentation.
President Shirley Jones chaired the business meeting. Cecil Dyson gave a report of the Regional Historical Society meeting. Mac Swackhammer, Curator of the Museum, announced that “Christmas with Culture” will be held Sunday, December 7th from 1-5 p.m. at the Museum, and members were reminded of the Christmas Dinner to be held Tuesday, December 9th at Wesley United Church.
*Alice Hagar was the daughter of Joseph Ward and Flossie Hagar (6 June 1917-10 April 2002).She graduated from Welland High School and was employed by the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.
Thomas Clark
[Date Unknown]
*Mary Luska’s is one of those special spots I remember with great fondness. Truly miss her store.
During this holiday season many homes in Welland are decorated both inside and out to celebrate the Christmas holidays.
Mary Luska, owner of Mary Luska Interiors, has made elaborate changes to her home at 165 Edgar Street in Welland.
Virtually all the rooms in this historic house have been decorated to give a warm feeling of the Christmas spirit.
All of the decorations have been designed by Mrs. Luska and placed throughout the house so that each room brings out a warm and open atmosphere and allows one to share the meaning of Christmas and appreciate their surroundings.
The Luska home has a unique history which dates back to 1796. The land on which the home is now situated was part of a large tract of land granted to Captain Thomas Welch on June 22, 1796 by King George III.
In July, 1870, James H. Price bought 30 acres of the original tract and farmed and lived on that land. Henry W. Macoomb, father of former Welland mayor, Gabriel J. Macoomb, at the time related that when he was a boy, he and some of this friends went on sleigh-ride parties to the Price Home, now the Luska home.
In 1913, Plan Number 50 of the north-west area of the town of Welland, entitled the Parkway Heights Plan was registered in the Welland County Registry Office. The lands shown on the plan which now include the home owned by Edward and Mary Luska which was the Price farm-house, also created Price Avenue, Lillias Street, Edgar Street and other thoroughfares named in honor of the members of the Price family.
In the fall of 1986 the former Price farm-house was remodelled by Edward and Mary Luska to a beautifully created residence.
In the holiday period the once historic home reflects its past to give the viewer a look into the past and present of many Christmas season.
[Welland Tribune, 29 March 1984]
An important milestone in Welland’s education history was reached in the mid-1920s with the start of bilingual education in the city. In 1926, there were 150 French speaking pupils attending classes at a private school connected with Sacred Heart Church. The school board, after receiving approval from the education ministry, initiated classes in French and in 1932, classes were offered in a building which became known as Coronation School.
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