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welland schools 1897-552
DIAMOND JUBILEE SPOON
[Welland Tribune, 2 July 1897]
THE Ontario Silver Company of Humberstone has issued a unique and handsome Jubilee souvenir teaspoon. The bowl of the spoon has a finely engraved representation of the famous British battleship, the Camperdown, whilst the handle, which is gold plated, bears the inscription, “Diamond Jubilee. Sixty years prosperity to 360 Million People, 1837-1897.” The end of the handle is surmounted by a correct representation of the Queen, and the reverse of the handle represents Canadian emblems. It is all very handsome.
MISS GUILFORD’S VOW OF SILENCE
She Said She Wouldn’t Speak for Fifty Years, and Didn’t. And Now She Can’t Talk.
[Welland Tribune, 23 July 1897]
East Bluehill, Me., June 29- The people in the southern part of Hancock county are deeply interested in a peculiar malady which afflicts Miss Experience Guilford, an aged woman of this place, who has not uttered a word or any audible sound for fifty years. The original reason for Miss Guilford’s speechlessness was anger because she could not marry the man of her choice. When she was nineteen years old she fell in love with William Simson, the village schoolmaster. They were to be married on June 18, 1847. One of Miss Guilford’s rejected suitors told tales about the schoolmaster, and Miss Guilford’s parents stopped the wedding. Miss Guilford thereupon said:
“I swear I will not speak a word, though I live for fifty years, unless I marry this man.”
She kept her pledge. Her parents died, and she went to live with her married brother. When he died she made her home with her sister, and after her sister’s death she went to a camp in the woods and kept house for a brother, with whom she is now living. All this time she performed her share of the household work, and did not show any regret for having made the vow. When the fifty years of silence expired, ten days ago, she was visited by a large number of relatives and friends, who went to the camp for the purpose of being present when she was at liberty to speak. Soon after the midday meal Miss Guilford dressed herself in the garments which she had worn for half a century. At 2 o’clock she stood up before the people, smiled and opened her mouth to speak; but though she tried hard, and got red in the face in trying, she could not utter a sound. Her vocal muscles had become atrophied from long disuse and refused to work.
When Miss Guilford found that she could not speak, she sent to Bangor for a physician and took to her bed. The doctor gave no hope of recovery, but suggested that she be sent to a Boston hospital for treatment. As soon as Miss Guilford gets strong enough to take the journey she will make another effort to regain her speech. Her father left her a good sum of money at his death, which has been growing every year in a savings bank, so she is well able to obtain the treatment she requires.
STEVENSVILLE POSTOFFICE
[Welland Tribune, 14 May 1897]
In reference to two letters received, we would say that we are informed that the postoffice inspector will visit Stevensville in a few days to inquire into complaints and requests with reference to the postoffice here, and in the meantime we do not consider it advisable to publish anything about the matter, pro or con. The postal authorities-both Grit and Tory-have the reputation of treating matters in that department from a thoroughly business, non-partisan standpoint, and no doubt the action taken will be in the interest of justice and of the community at large.
TOWN BAND
[Welland Tribune, 14 May 1897]
NEGOTIATIONS are in progress for the revival of our town band. It would be a mistake to allow the band instruments to go from Welland to a smaller (but more liberal and enterprising place). Not many years ago our band accompanied the firemen to Niagara Falls; as the parade hour drew near the streets were filled with sightseers. From the balcony of the American hotel we had the pleasure of viewing company after company and band after band. At last a band in natty white coats and rattling off an inspiring air swung into Bridge street, and was received with a hearty cheer. A St. Louis gentleman who sat by us said, “There’s an American turnout, you bet,” joining heartily in the applause. It was Welland band and Welland firemen, and Wellanders were proud of ‘em.
TOWN BUSINESS
[Welland Tribune, 14 May 1897]
IMPROVED- The appearance of Mr. Roach’s Commercial hotel has been wonderfully improved by the introduction of fine new windows, both upstairs and down-a single pane of glass to each sash.
THE price of patent medicine has been reduced by more than 25 per cent in town since the new customs tariff came into effect.
A GOOD ORDER- Messrs. Beatty & Sons have received an order from Messrs. Hughes Bros. & Bangs, Buffalo, for seven large hoisting engines, to be used in Bertie quarries in getting out stone for the Buffalo breakwater. The staff at the shops now numbers thirty-five hands, and are working over-time.
BEATTY & SONS have rapidly increased their staff of workmen during the past few weeks.
THE JAIL- Four arrivals at jail for the week and six names on the roll yesterday. Of the three tramps charged with larceny of watch at Port Robinson, McCalle gets 4 months at the central and the other two were discharged…George Flemming was brought in by Constable Monahan for trespassing on the M.C.R.tracks, with a five day sentence-a slight punishment for the trouble ans expense necessary to land the man in jail. If such men as these were charged with vagrancy much longer terms could be given…Judge Fitzgerald has discharged (on suspended sentence) young Sharp of Thorold, who was convicted in connection with the McCleary & McLean robbery.
CHARLES W. JEFFREY, recently of Buffalo, is now located in Ottawa, the capital of Canada.
DON’T miss the opportunity to have your parlor or store photographed by your town photographer, who guarantees the work and is always on deck if the work is not satisfactory. The apparatus will be in town until the 24th of May inclusive (only), and you will not have another opportunity to be photographed after that time. Come early and avoid the rush.