welland jail 1892-413

MILLINERY OPENING

[Welland Telegraph, 8 April 1892]

The fashionable millinery rooms next door to the Imperial bank were opened on Wednesday by Mrs. Johnson with an entirely new stock. The premises have been thoroughly renovated since the fire and everything looks new. Mrs. Johnson says that her sales have already far exceeded any previous years at similar openings. She asks all her old customers, as well as new ones, to give her an early call and inspect her well selected choice of all the latest fashionable millinery goods.

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING

[Welland Tribune, 5 August 1892]

The Methodist Sunday school excursion, picnicked and enjoyed themselves generally at Grimsby park yesterday. Although the rain in the morning interfered with the attendance the day proved favorable afterward and all who went had a good time.

ANOTHER FIRE

The Fire Fiend Still Pursueth the Crysler Family

Millinery Shop Wrecked by Fire and Water

[Welland Tribune, 19 February 1892]

              At 5 o’clock last Sunday morning, fire broke out in the millinery shop of Mrs. John A. Crysler, next to Imperial bank, Muir street, Welland. Mrs. Crysler was awakened by the smoke and ran out and alarmed mine host Seigelhurst of the Commerial. Chris. loaded his cannon and fired a royal salute with great gusto frightening the neighbors out of their wits. The bell rang out a fiery peal, and the firemen had the water pouring on the flames before the fire had made much headway and squelched it quickly. The building was damaged to the extent of a couple of hundred dollars, probably. What stock there was in the place was ruined by fire and water and smoke, and is a total loss. Mrs. Crysler estimated the loss on stock and furniture at from $1500 to $2000, of which there is an insurance of $1000, payable to Reid, Taylor & Bain of Toronto, as their interest appears. Messrs. Swayze & Son issued the policies on stock. The building was insured to fully cover all losses, by policies issued by McCollum & Son, St. Catharines. Adjusters were at work yesterday, but their verdict as to amount of loss could not be obtained.

             Fire, has been a singularly persisted visitor to the Chrysler properties, they having previously had losses at Fonthill and Fort Erie.

WAS IT AN EARTHQUAKE?

[Welland Tribune, 25 November 1892]

             On Thursday forenoon last week a shock as of an explosion was distinctly felt over portions of this county. At this (TRIBUNE) office, Welland, the shock was felt by all in the building, the plate glass giving an alarming jolt. From Fort Erie to Sherkston the shock was still greater. Windows rattled, houses shook and a distinct sound was heard. It was believed at first that there had been an explosion in the gas field, but inquiry by telegraph to Sherkston and Ridgeway put this theory at rest. At Sherkston the noise was that of a distant explosion of nitro-glycerine. Inquiries fail to reveal any source of such trouble and the conclusion is that an earthquake or that something gave way in the bowels of the earth-possibly owing to the extraction of the natural gas from the earth-as the shock was most apparent along the gas field. Nature abhors a vacuum, and if the gas is taken away from a large space in the earth’s interior it would seem almost a necessity that something should tumble into its place. What affect the wholesale reduction of gas inflation in the interior may have upon the world’s surface it would be decidedly unwise to prognosticate.

SHALL WELLAND HAVE IT?

[Welland Tribune, 25 November 1892]

Odell Type-Writer Factory to be Located in Canada

The Promoters Visit Our Town-A Proposition will be Laid Before Council

Bonus and Exemptions Asked.

             The Messrs. Odell of Chicago, proprietors of the Odell type-writer, a low-priced and practical machine, were in town yesterday looking over our advantages and seeking for encouragement in starting a factory for the manufacture of their machines for the Canadian trade. They were accompanied by M.S. Bradt of Niagara Falls (a former citizen of our town), who is also interested in the project, and who believes there is money in it.

             A number of our citizens met these gentlemen at the Windsor house during the afternoon, where the merits of the machine were shown, and an idea given of what inducement would be expected.

             The Odell Type-Writer company will ask a bonus of $1,000 a year for ten years, free water and exemption from taxation.

             Their plant and building will cost between $10,000 and $15,000; they agree to employ about twenty-five hands, and will produce from $75,000 to $100,000 worth of machines a year. They say there is no doubt about there being ample market for them in the Dominion.

             Only two or three of these twenty-five men would be imported skilled mechanics-the balance would be employed from our midst.

             The building proposed to be used is Bradt’s rink.

             The matter will probably be in definite shape to come before council at its meeting on Monday night, when we will be able to speak more intelligently on the scheme.

GOOD-BYE CHARLEY

[Welland Tribune, 2 December 1892]

Charles Trimble, formerly a partner with W.G. Somerville as agents for the Massey-Harris Co., is about to remove to Dunnville. Charley is a universal favorite here, and his late partner felt that he could not see him leave the town in which he had so long resided, without tendering him a fitting farewell. The happy event took place on Tuesday night at the Welland House in the shape of a complimentary supper. It was a representative gathering, and the guest of the evening might well feel proud of the many good and sincere expressions that fell from the lips of those present. It was 10 p.m. when W.M. German, chairman-in-chief pulled the bell that signaled the attack upon the good things. And let us say, right here, that as caterers Mr. and Mrs. Vanderburgh cannot be too highly praised. The banquet table was a bright and tempting sight, and the menu first class and neatly served. Opening with a full course of roast fowl and the various meats, the bill of fare satisfied the most exacting epicure to the very end. The supper was an elegant one in every way, and reflects great credit on the taste and skill of the host and hostess. On the right of Mr. German sat the guest, Charles Trimble; on the left Messrs. Henning and Somerville, the former general agent and the latter local agent for the Massey-Harris Co., whose name and fame as binder manufacturers are known over the civilized globe-and many parts that are not civilized. Dr. Glasgow occupied the vice-chair. Among those present were ex-M.P.s, ex mayors and would be mayors, aldermen, merchants, lawyers, doctors, insurance men, newspapermen, a world’s fair representative, farmers and business men generally.

We will not attempt to give even a resume of the speeches. The various toasts were heartily honored and responded to with a will, songs slipping in nicely between heats. The chairman led off with an expression of deep regret that Welland was about to lose an honest and upright citizen and a good business man and devoutly hoped that prosperity would follow Mr. Trimble to his new home-Dunnville. Almost every person present spoke, and the universal sentiment was that of regret that Mr. Trimble was about to say good-bye to our town. Mr. Henning complimented Messrs. Somerville & Trimble upon the good work they had done for his firm-and said no other town in Ontario excelled Welland’s record for sales of machines. Mr. Somerville spoke of the years the firm had existed, and said not a harsh word had marred their business connection. He regretted Mr. Trimble’s departure and would be glad if some day circumstances called him back again. And so the ball went around. Mr. Trimble replied to the avalanche of kind words in a brief speech, in which he thanked the company for the honor conferred upon him, hoped ever to deserve it, and trusted it would be his lot to meet many people from the good town of Welland in future. The gathering dispersed after midnight-and thus ended one of those merry social reunions, the pleasure of which lives long in the memories of those present.

FIRST FIRE OF 1892

McMurray’s Store Burned-Best’s Meat Market Damaged-Narrow Escape

             Welland, Feb 6-At 5 o’clock this morning the cry of fire rang through the streets, and those earliest on the scene found P. McMurray’s stove store, Main st., all ablaze in the west end. The alarm was quickly given, and the firemen responded with very effective work. McMurray’s building was joined on the east by Best’s butcher shop, both light frame buildings, and before the streams from the waterworks began to play the first building was one solid mass of flame and Best’s was partly on fire. If both these got going in earnest, the postoffice (next to Best’s) was in imminent danger. At this point, however, the hose which had been laid from the nearest hydrant began to writhe, and in an instant a solid stream was doing good work-then another, and still another. The force of water was terrific, and when the branchman occasionally missed his mark the column would shoot into the dense smoke and cinders far above the highest surrounding buildings. For fifteen minutes it was a stubborn fight between the firemen and their foe as to which would claim the Best building. The Merritt boys worked like heroes, and Mr. Best also did good service in directing matters on the roof of his shops. Slowly but surely the red flames gave place to hissing streams and rolling clouds of smoke, and the fire was subdued. The only building burned was that in which the fire started, and the firemen may well be proud of the saving of Best’s, which was on fire time and time again.

             During the progress of the fire, Firemen George Wells came near losing his life. While at work on the roof of the butcher shop, he slipped on the icy shingles and shot down the decline toward the burning pile, lodging between the two buildings. Almost suffocated by smoke he called instantly for help whenever he could get breath, and finally Al. Douglas and Wm. Hawkins succeeded in throwing him the end of a small lawn hose and pulling him out of his frightful position. It was a close call.

             The origin of the fire cannot be accounted for. Mr. McMurray was awakened by his wife and ran to the fire in hopes of saving his books. He succeeded in getting open the front door, but the heat was too much for any human being to stand, and everything was abandoned to the flames. Not a solitary article was saved without damage. Stock was taken about a week previous, and the total loss is estimated at $3,000; on which there is $500 insurance on building, in the Royal Canadian; $200 on the tools and $1,300 on the stock in the Caledonia.

             Mr. McMurray opened business again at once, in the Lounsbury block, and will push business as usual in spite of the misfortune which has come upon him.

             Mr. Best’s roof and ceiling is riddled with holes and the plaster water-soaked, but his stock was not injured to any great extent. His loss is fully covered by insurance.

             Agent Jno. F. Hill had issued all the above policies.

             Without the waterworks the fire would certainly have been doubly disastrous. Too much praise cannot be given our waterworks system and the work of our fire company. If the steamer had been our only means of protection, the fire could not have been checked where it was.

             Later-The claims have been adjusted and insurance paid as follows:-To P. McMurray, on stock, tools and building, $1900; to W.J. Best, damage on building, $75.

Welland Tribune

12 February 1892

Fire: 6 February 1892