[Welland Tribune, 1903]
A serious looking blaze broke out in the roof of the pattern warerooms at Messrs. M. Beatty and Sons’ iron works yesterday at 11 a.m. The pattern building is a two-storey frame structure just behind the blacksmith shop, and there is never any fire inside. About the time mentioned, one of the men noticed flames coming through the end of the building, and he quickly gave the alarm. The men about the shop soon had the hose cart, which is stored in another building out and a line of hose attached. In the meantime a general alarm had been given and the other hose carts from the first and third wards were soon on hand, with lots of willing workers. A gale of wind was blowing, and as the building contained very inflammable material and had a good start, it was generally thought it would turn out to be a serious one. But the quick action and good work of the men on the spot soon had the fire under control, although the flames under the shingles were stubborn for a time. The contents of the building, being all wooden patterns, were very valuable, and a number of these in the top floor were burned and some damaged by water. The loss is not heavy considering the value of the material amongst which the flames were, and it is covered by insurance. The cause of the fire is unknown.
John E. Cutler’s House Partially Burned
COUNTY CLERK COOPER SERIOUSLY INJURED
[Welland Tribune, 28 October 1892]
About seven o’clock on Tuesday evening John E. Cutler’s residence, ,corner Merritt and Shotwell streets, caught fire in the storage room, or garret, above the kitchen, and was damaged to the extent of three or four hundred dollars. The fire is supposed to have caught from the stove-pipe that passed through this attic room.
Mr. Cutler’s family were at tea at the time and the first intimation they had of the danger was the boisterous shouting of some boys outside. Mr. Cutler arose and opened the door. By this time the flames had burst through the roof, and the bright light warned him that the house was on fire. He ran to the barn for his garden hose, only to find that it had been lately put away for the winter in the very attic that was burning.
Neighbors were now on hand and the fire was vigorously attacked by the pail brigade, but the flames were too fierce for this to have much effect and had to be abandoned. In the meantime the contents of the house were being removed to adjoining house.
In quick time the hose cart No.2 was on the scene and water playing upon the fire. No. 1 cart followed, and it looked as if the fire would be soon under control.
Finally the water struck the root of the trouble, and almost instantly the fire was extinguished and the best part of the house saved. Had it been necessary to rely upon the firing up and getting there of the old fire engine, the house would have been burned to the ground.
The premises are insured sufficiently to cover all losses, and of course the place will be repaired at once.
During the progress of the fire County Clerk Cooper met with what may prove a very serious accident. The water had been shut off and the nozzle was lying on the floor, when all at once the water was turned on and the stream struck Mr. Cooper in the face with terrific force. The right eye-lid was badly bruised and the eye badly injured. Mr. Cooper was almost blinded and had to be assisted home. The physician could give no decided opinion at first, but expressed grave fears that the sight of the right eye might be permanently impaired.
FIRST BUILDING GENERAL HOSPITAL, NIAGARA FALLS, ONT.
Architect E.D. Pitt, 8/4/ 05
[Welland Tribune, 18 August 1905]
Above is an illustration of the central building of the proposed hospital to be built at Niagara Falls, Ont. The plans were made by Architect Pitt and approved by the Board, tenders for construction to be opened, Sept. 5th. The plans show a compact and severe building, consisting of basement well above ground, and three stories and attic, to front toward the north. The facade has two large outer gables and two smaller ones between, an arched porch with side steps, and balcony from second storey. Through the basement and each floor runs a corridor, with convenient apartments in front and rear. A front hall leads directly to the elevator. There is arrangement for twenty beds, and for all the necessary accommodations of a first class hospital. The estimated cost is $18,000.
[Welland Tribune, 22 May 1896]
The Hotel Lafayette, the new hotel erected at the upper bridge by Mr. Hawley, will be opened to the public on Monday next, Queen’s birthday, by that popular and genial landlord, Harry Williams. The new house looms up high above all surrounding buildings, giving a finer view of the Falls than that of any other hotel on the Canadian side. The interior has been fitted with costly brussels and axminster carpets, beautiful parlor suits, elegant oak bedroom furniture with brass and iron bedsteads-everything new and bright as a dollar, from the basement bar to the cool and airy garden that adorns the roof. Elevators run by water power carry guests to every floor. The basement is devoted to the bar, barber shop and lavatory; the first floor to office, dining rooms kitchen, etc., all of which are supplied with the most modern outfit that money can buy.
The upper rooms contain beautiful front parlors and forty-four bedrooms, with bath and toilet rooms on every floor. Rooms are nicely arranged for using singly or en suite. One great feature of the Lafayette is that mineral spring water, hot and cold is supplied to every room. No other water is used for any purpose about the house-except of course the water power to run the elevator. Guests will fully appreciate this feature, as it means much from a sanitary point of view. The Hotel Lafayette will be under the experienced personal supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Williams, and will rank among the leading hotels of this great watering place.
[Welland Tribune, 15 October 1897]
BUSINESS CHANGE-O.H. Garner has sold a portion of his business to E.P. Robins, town, who will take possession of part of the western section of the store on Monday next. Mr. Robins will put in new stock in the following lines: Newspapers and magazines, stationery, toys, wall paper and fancy goods; and in the meantime Mr. Garner will dispose of his present stock under these heads as rapidly as possible, to make room for Mr. Robins new goods. Mr. Garner will retain the bicycle department, all the agencies-such as express, telegraph, dyeing laundry, steamboat lines, etc. The American Express Company has now secured the right of using the T.H. & B., and goods will received from, or sent to, Montreal, Toronto, and other points at single rate instead of double. In connection with the business change, we trust and believe that Mr. Robins will receive the generous support of our citizens in his new venture.
THE McGlashan residence and grounds are for sale. It is a chance of a lifetime to secure a beautiful home at about half cost.
BROWN’S BROS contemplate fitting up their auxiliary power to run their flouring mill. The electric light company has already added supplementary power, and all will have to do the same sooner or later.
MISS Annie Foster has sold her property in the 4th ward to Mr. Tait, and has moved into Mrs. Philips house on West Main street.
THE RACEWAY-Mr. German has received a communication from the department of railways and canals, stating that the engineer had instructions to clean out the raceway. Mr. Thompson says the same thing and has only been waiting for a year past until the town puts in machinery to run the waterworks while the raceway is unwatered for the work to be done. Unless the town council does this at once so that the work can be done this fall, the probabilities are that the raceway will be completely closed all winter by ice, as it has shallowed so as to be only a few inches deep in places. Our waterworks service is in a critical condition. The council have been warned, and if they do not provide for the contingency at once the people will hold them responsible when the trouble comes.
SERIOUS MISHAP-The Brantford Expositor says: “Miss Minnie Scace (daughter of George Scace, formerly of Welland) who is employed at Gardiner’s cigar factory, met with quite a serious mishap. At 6 o’clock she was standing on the landing preparatory to leaving for home, when she was seized with a fainting fit, and fell headlong down the flight of stairs. She was picked up unconscious and carried to her home on Richmond street, when on examination Dr. Keene found that she has sustained a concussion of the spine. She will be laid up for some time, but many friends will hope for a speedy and complete recovery.
[Welland Tribune, 30 July 1897]
At 5.30 o’clock (yesterday) Thursday morning fire broke out in the John Roger’s barn, just in the rear of his house, on East Main street. The garden hose was put on and did good service in keeping the fire from spreading until the hose carts arrived, when the flames were at once subdued, but not until the building, which was a small frame one, was practically destroyed. All the contents, except about a ton of hay were saved. The horse, buggy, cutter, harness, bag of oats and other things were taken out. The fire started in the mow and must have been caused by tramps who probably slept there. The building was insured for $50; loss about $100.
[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.
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