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[Welland Tribune, 22 January 1909]
The burning of the note covering the last debt on Central Methodist church and also the note constituting the last debt on the new organ were matters of great jubilation at the church last Friday night. The proceedings opened with a sumptuous supper, after which the fire scene was enacted, and a program of bright speeches, fine music, etc., followed. The crowd was large and a silver collection mounted to $10.
PART 1
Over time I have driven often across the old iron O’Reilly’s Bridge and canoed on the waterway that once was an important transportation route for early settlers. As an historical feature of the Welland River, I failed to acknowledge to myself that the bridge would disappear with time and be replaced by a modern, concrete structure. In my research I have read about so many old buildings disappearing from the landscape and wondered what the towns would have looked like in earlier days. Vintage postcards are an excellent way to view how life was. In the old newspapers there is references to O’Reilly’s Bridge and the community of people living nearby. Squire John B. O’Reilly farmed the land and it is documented that Pelham children used the bridge to reach their school.
Here is a sample of an event, 16 January 1909, documented in the Welland Tribune by One Who Knows, a correspondent for the early newspaper.
O’REILLY’S BRIDGE
Farewell and Oyster Supper
On Friday evening, Jan. 22nd, an oyster supper was held at the spacious home of Mr. and Mrs. R.A Phillips, who are about leaving the vicinity, having rented their farm to Mr. W.W. Dilts of Welland.
Although the night was dark and the roads bad, a large number of neighbors and friends were present to bid adieu to the inmates of the home, who have always been noted for generosity a kind hospitality.
The success of the evening was largely due to the untiring efforts of Mr. C. McCollum and Captain Hunter, who were the chief promoters of the very pleasant affair. After the oysters and other good things were disposed of, social chat and games, combined with selections on the piano, were enjoyed till the “wee sma hours,” when all wended their way homeward, after wishing Robbie and his family bon voyage in their future abode.
Mr. Phillips, we understand, intends moving on a fruit farm near St. Catharines.
O’REILLYS BRIDGE
[Welland Tribune, 29 January 1909]
Mrs. George Dochstader, who has been very ill, is improving.
Mr. and Mrs. Lounsberry of Canboro are visiting their son, P. Lounsberry.
Marcena Criegar, who insured his foot some time ago, is able to use it now.
The revival meetings, we are informed, have been postponed on account of the roads until next Monday evening.
We are glad to welcome Mr. Irwin and family, who are moving from Lindsay this week, to our neighborhood.
Miss Mable Woodwork of Binbrook arrived on Tuesday to spend several weeks with her sister, Mrs. Robert Murphy.
[Report of the oyster supper sent in by this correspondent has been published in a previous issue.-Ed.]
[Welland Tribune, 8 January 1909]
Our village enters on the new year with the brightest prospects. 1908 was a good year, and the trail of prosperity is seen everywhere. The open winter has shortened the season of waiting, and the spring activity will soon be here. The Fonthill nurseries have leased Miss Damude’s land along the car track. They are also renting her tenant house (made vacant by the removal of Mr. John F. Davis) and also a barn. They intend to have there a teamster and a span of their fine horses.
[Welland Tribune, 29 January 1909]
Wednesday, February 3rd, will mark the 25th anniversary of Mr. Fred Kinsmen’s proprietorship for his business at Fonthill. It was on Feb. 3rd, 1862, that the late Danson Kinsman retired from business and his son Fred took charge. During all these years the business has been most successful, and the volume of business done has increased with every year, as only a business can which is conducted on sound business principles. During the past twenty years Mr. H.G Self has been connected with the business.
[Welland Tribune, 29 January 1909]
The Tribune is pleased to welcome to our town Mr. F.B. Gourlay, son of Mr. S.P. Gourlay of St. Catharines who will shortly open a business on East Main street. Mr. Gourlay, who is by no means a stranger to Welland, has closed arrangements with Messrs. Goodsir & Waite for the immediate occupancy of their recently vacant store, and in a few days will have it stocked with material for the carrying on of plumbing and heating and gas business and we trust that this enterprise will meet with much success, which, with the name of “Gourlay”, therewith associated, and the facilities for good work, which is always assured, will no doubt result in a flourishing business being acquired.
Of late years a considerable part of the plumbing and heating of some of the larger institutions of Welland have been done by Mr. S. P. Goulay, and of which work “our” Mr. Gourlay was in charge; the quality of material used and the character of the work done are substantial testimonials of reliability and thoroughness.
Mr. Gourlay will make a good citizen and is encouraged by the present progressive condition of Welland. He says, “I am making Welland my home, and want to see it grow still further, will do my share in that respect, and want to grow with it.” That’s the sentiment we like. Let us all continue to work for a greater Welland.
J.J. HAFFEY ELECTED CHAIRMAN
[Welland Tribune, 22 January 1909]
The question of increased school accommodations was briefly discussed.
Mr. Flower said the present fourth ward school will not accommodate all the 1st and 2nd book pupils in that ward. Second book pupils have been taken to central school twice, and still the school is overcrowded. A two-room school will serve ward 4 and the central, he thought, could serve ward 3.
The buildings and grounds committee was instructed to report on enlargement of fourth ward school.
Mr. Haffey reported that it would cost about $5 a week to have kindergarten pupils transported from the fourth ward to central school. It was suggested that it would be about as cheap to open up a west side kindergarten with an afternoon session, so that one teacher would handle both classes, and that this would be much more satisfactory. The kindergarten is so large it will have to be divided anyway.
The committee was also asked to report on this matter.
EXAM PAPERS
Principal Flower asked for the addition of a duplicator to the equipment for printing examination papers. He recommended a Rotary Meostyle which would print from manuscript.
The supply committee was instructed to purchase same.
Board adjourned at 10 o’clock.
Serious Time for Lack of Water
[People’s Press, 19 January 1909]
Niagara Falls, Ont., Jan.17-Fire almost destroyed two residences here this morning and great difficulty was experienced in putting out the flames owing to the lack of water. Fire commenced in the house of Mr. Dobran and spread to the Sheppard residence next door. The fire was caused by Dobran applying a lighted torch to the water pipes, thinking they were frozen. Owing to the quantity of ice in the river there has been no water supply in this city from 7 o’clock last night to 12 o’clock today. The firemen fought the flames with pails of snow, and water was procured from a creek nearby by cutting through the ice with hatchets. Eventually the fire engine was sent up to the creek and the hose inserted under the ice and suction applied. The two houses were destroyed. The damage is estimated at $4,000.
[Welland Tribune, 8 January 1909]
Wellandport, Jan 7-Walter Wilson, who resides ¾ mile north of Wellandport, had the misfortune, at eleven o’clock this morning to have his barn and shed burned.
The barn was valued at $1,000-contents valued from $600 to $700. All the livestock was saved, but considerable damage was done to the grain, hay and seed. Loss estimated at from $1600 to $1700, only partially covered by insurance.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Terrible Railway Accident
[People’s Press, 19 January 1909]
KILLED
W. Wilson
Mrs. W. Wilson
George Teeter
Mrs. George Teeter
Gordon Nelson
SERIOUSLY INJURED
Lottie Teeter
Grimsby, Jan.17- A merry load of Grimsby people left here on Friday night, laughing and singing gaily, for a run and a night’s enjoyment at Winona. Everything was as merry as a marriage bell at Winona. At an early hour on Saturday morning, the return was made and at about three o’clock the party was crossing the Grand Trunk tracks immediately east of the station here when the flyer from Toronto and Hamilton for Buffalo and the west, rushed along at between fifty and sixty miles an hour. As it does not stop between Hamilton and St. Catharines, it struck the sleigh load of happy people with terrific force. The result of awful impact was that Mr. and Mrs. W. Wilson and Mr. George Teeter were instantly killed, and Mrs. Geo. Teeter was so terribly injured that she died very shortly after.
Mr. Gordon Nelson was terribly injured and was taken to Hamilton hospital, where he died at noon on Saturday, and Lottie Teeter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Teeter, who are both dead, is at her home here, also severely injured, but the doctors hope she may recover. The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Teeter, who was in her mother’s arms, escaped in a most miraculous manner, with only a few minor bruises.
Opened On Saturday
[People’s Press, 19 January 1909]
On Saturday morning M.C.R. gent J.D. Payne threw up the wicket at the brand new station and sold the first ticket.
An Italian was the purchaser.
He purchased a ticket for Niagara Falls.
The station is as up-to-date as the other was behind. The floors are hardwood, the ceiling is oak. It is heated with steam and electric light bulbs strung from handsome designs dispel the darkness.
There will be seating accommodation for 28 in the gentleman’s waiting room and smoking room, and there is room for twenty in the ladies’ department. There are two fine laboratories. The ticket office is a fine roomy affair, and the baggage room is also arranged with a view to the convenience of patrons.
The cost was about $10,000.