[Welland Telegraph May 22, 1903]
A shocking accident occurred last Friday evening about 7.45 in the G.T.R. yards, when Charles Vince, a brakeman, lost his life by being crushed under the wheels of a tender. The fast freight, No. 85 was just making ready to start the run to the Tunnel. It was Chas. Vince’s duty to couple the engine to the cars. He was walking with his back to the engine, when the tender hit him and knocked him down across the rails.. The four wheels of the tender passed over him, killing him almost instantly. The fireman noticed the body of the prostrate brakeman, and the engine stopped before the huge driving wheels had come in contact with the fallen man. The crushed and mangled form was tenderly taken from under the wheels and laid on a stretcher in the station. Drs Wilson and Emes were hastily summoned, but it was useless.
Undertaker Butler removed the body to his rooms. The decease’s brother, Arthur Vince, a G.T.R engineer, came from York and the body was taken home to Sarnia, about 7.20 Saturday morning. Charles Vince was 48 years of age. He is survived by a wife and three children. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, and was a member of the I.O.F. and Masonic lodges. Deceased was very popular on the road, and was quiet, industrious and sober.
[Welland Telegraph October 29, 1903]
Brakeman McGillivray of Hamilton killed in rear end smash at Amigari
Another fatal smash occurred on the G.T,R. Early yesterday morning at the entrance to the north Amagari yards. It was a rear end collision. Both trains were east bound, and about six o’clock, when the accident happened, the first train was lying on the main line waiting to get into the yard. A new big mogul engine came crashing along with a heavy train, and jammed into the rear end of the first train.
The van and the last car on the train were smashed and caught fire. Brakeman Donald McGillivray, of the first train, was caught underneath, and was burned to a crisp before his remains were recovered. All the other men of the first train were off the train.
On the second train one man was injured, The engine was thrown across the track and badly wrecked. No other cars were damaged. The track is now clear.
McGillivray lived in Hamilton and leaves a wife and five children.
[Welland Tribune, 21 August 1903]
The firing on the Erie tug Silver Spray for poaching in Canadian waters turns out to have been a greatly exaggerated incident. Captain Dunn’s log has been received by the Minister of Marine, and in it the matter is treated as an ordinary occurrence of no great importance. The Petrel sighted the Silver Spray and gave chase. The Silver Spray turned and made straight for the Government cutter. When the former was almost up, the latter signalled for her to stop, but the tug rushed by at full speed. Captain Dunn fired a rifle across the Silver Spray’s bow, but it failed to bring her to. Thereupon, to quote from the log itself: ”I then fired direct at her with several rifles, but the tug kept on, and as she was as fast as the Petrel, there was nothing to do but lay to until she was out of sight, when we put in for Port Stanley.
This exhausts the details in the log. The department have asked for more information, and Captain Dunn will make an extended report.
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