welland hospital 1909-533

STEAMBOAT CO. GETS $2200.

Amount Awarded Welland Steamboat Co.

[Welland Tribune, 5 February 1909]

The Welland Steamboat Co. brought action against the Ontario & Quebec Navigation Co., for damages for failing to supply a certificate as per agreement, to allow plaintiff Co. to use the steamer Niagara for passenger traffic on the lakes. The action was tried at St. Catharines recently when a verdict was given for the Welland Co., and the matter referred to Judge Carman to fix amount of damages. After hearing evidence Judge Carman has given his decision, awarding the Welland Co. the sum of $2200 damages, which, of course, carries costs.

A WILD SCHEME

Proposition to Raise Water in Welland River

[Welland Tribune, 5 February 1909]

J.C. Gardner, civil engineer of Niagara Falls, Ont., proposes to give a deep waterway to Chippawa by raising the water of the Welland river ten feet to lake level, instead of dredging the channel deeper, doing away with the aqueduct at Welland. This he proposes to accomplish by building a dam across the river about 1 ½ miles west of Chippawa.

Mr. Gardner is evidently speaking with a very superficial knowledge of the subject. He says:

“One disadvantage of such a dam might be the flooding of land above the same, but in this case it is a negligible matter for at no point are the banks of the Welland river lower than Lake Erie level.”

In Welland town alone the damages would amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The large and costly Riverside Mills would be put out of business, and a large part of Ward 3 flooded, including Cutler’s factory, etc. As the river is a dead level at low water for 20 miles west of Welland, similar flooding would occur in places all the way west as far as Caistor.

Lake level, it should be taken into consideration, does not mean any definite depth, as the height of water in the lake, and in that portion of the canal which is at lake level, varies from four to five feet, according to the wind mainly. If the  river were connected with the canal, as Mr. Gardner proposes, the same variation would occur in the river, and Mr. Gardner’s “ten feet” would sometimes be very much more than that, and it is the maximum that would have to be provided against.

As it is now, at times of high water in the river, the water has run across the street and sidewalk just south of the south end of the river bridge here.

MORE CHRISTMAS HINTS

[Welland Tribune, 17 December 1909]

FOR HIM A  Moore’s Non-Leakable Fountain Pen, Inkstand for his desk, Box of Stationery, Bible, Padded Poets, Set of Shakespeare in Leather, Ring, Scarf Pin, Cuff Buttons, Watch Fob or Chain.

FOR HER A Moore’s Non-Leakable Fountain Pen, Desk Calendar, Fancy Blotter, Art Calendar, Poets, Box of Xmas Stationery, Beauty Pins, Brooch, Neck Chain, Locket.

FOR THE BOY Gun, Drum, Trumpet, Magic Lantern, Knife, Mouth Organ, Mechanical Toys, Electric Motor, Hot Air or Steam Engine, Games, Alger Book, Picture Book, Boy’s Own Annual, Chums’ Annual, Blackie’s Annual, Box of Stationery, Fountain Pen.

FOR THE GIRL Doll, Doll Carriage and Hammock, Cradle, Stove, Doll Furniture, Picture Book, Elsie Books, Fairy Tales, Girl’s Own Annual, Chatterbox, Toys, Games, Beauty Pins, Locket, Neck Chain.

FOR ANYONE We have a large and excellent assortment of “Christmasy” things. Would call special attention to our Local View Calendars and Christy, Fisher & Brilian Calendars at 15¢ each, two for 25¢. They are lovely and going fast.

S.D. DUNN
BOOKSELLER & STATIONER

OPERA HOUSE BLOCK, WELLAND

CRESOTE GAS EXPLODED

Narrow Escape of Cutler’s Mill, Welland

[People’s Press, 21 September 1909]

On Saturday an explosion occurred in Cutler’s Planing Mills on North Main street. The explosion was caused by a workman lighting a match to find which of two barrels contained black paint and which creosote, it being dark where these were stored. The flames came into contact with the gas from the cresote and the gas caught fire. The mill hands rushed in to put out the fire with water. Tabor Putman threw a rubber cover over the barrel and it fell partially down into the barrel and caught fire around the edge. Mr. Putman got his hands burned. The fire was extinguished with little damage done.

NEW MARKET CROWDED

[People’s Press, 21 September 1909]

The Welland market on Saturday was the largest on record. The new market square was not only filled with teams on all four sides, but a line of teams was on Young street as well. A number of farmers told a Press reporter that it was wonderful where all the produce went to that was brought into this town. On the market there was everything that, either in its natural state, or after it had been charmed by the cook, would appeal to the appetites of the many buyers who were continually coming and going taking away with them well-filled baskets. The crowded stall of the market on Saturday emphasizes the need of a wide walk  across the centre of the square, although perhaps the building of this could be delayed until next spring. The market at Welland is certainly different from what it was three years ago, and shows that factories not only benefit the town, but the surrounding country as well.

SPLENDID NEW SCHOOL OPENED IN GARDEN WARD

[Welland Telegraph, 21 September 1909]

The improved school building in the Garden Ward  is now completed, and The Telegraph is very glad to congratulate the School Board on the excellent manner in which they have met the needs of the Garden Ward with a school building that seems really everything that could be desired.

A representative of this paper paid a visit to the school yesterday and found Miss Ball and Miss Morin busily engaged with large classes. The rooms are so bright and attractive and so well designed that School going in the Garden Ward ought to be very healthful and pleasant.

Miss Ball is conducting a graded school in what was the room formerly occupied by Miss Forster. On the roll here are sixty names with an attendance of 45 to 48. Miss Morin teaches junior second half a day and senior the other half.  Most of these academicians come from over the waters of the canal, and they have quite a long march of it.

Miss Morin is occupying the south room of the new wing and tomorrow Miss O’Halloran opens the corresponding room on the north.

Splendidly lighted and ventilated class rooms are not only the only asset of the new school. The outside appearance is attractive; there is ample basement accommodations, commodious hat and clock rooms, and convenient lobbies.

The ratepayers will probably be well satisfied with the expenditure in the North Ward.

SHOULD WELLAND HAVE A CARNEGIE LIBRARY?

[Welland Telegraph, 21 September 1909]

             A large number of urban municipalities in Canada have availed themselves of the Carnegie Library fund. Out of the fund handsome public buildings have been erected and excellent libraries maintained.

             Alderman John Goodwin makes the suggestion that the Town of Welland ought to take advantage of the liberality of the Master of Skibo, and indeed, why not?

             The present accommodation at the Town Hall in not too ample and will shortly be required for a department of the municipality. The day will surely come when the town will have to provide a site and building for a library. Why not provide the site and have Mr. Carnegie supply the building?

             The matter is one worthy of the attention of the Library Board and should receive from them their endorsation.

THE PLEASURES OF SOLITUDE

[People’s Press, 23 March 1909]

              Last year there was called to the pulpit of a church in a certain New England town an elderly clergyman whose dry and unengaging method appealed so little to his congregation that, in due time, many transferred their allegiance to another church where a more entertaining preacher held forth.

             Among those remaining true to the old church, says Harper’s Weekly, was a Miss Hill, an elderly spinster, who had once coyly confessed that never had she had a love affair.

             One Sunday, upon her return to her home, the house of her married brother, she was asked whether attendance had been large at church that morning.

             Miss Hill blushed. “Dear me, no.” replied she. “Brother, there were so few in the congregation this morning that every time the minister said, “Dearly Beloved,” I was as embarrassed as though I were receiving a proposal.”

A SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLAR FIRE

Welland Roller Rink and Whalley Stables Burned

Other Losses-Narrow Escape from Great Disaster

             The losses:

            Welland had a destructive fire and a close call to a great disaster on Wednesday last. The fire was in the very centre of the town and, had the wind been sweeping from the west or southwest, as has been the case nearly all spring, nothing could have saved the row of frame buildings on Main street at least as far as Opera Hall, and it is entirely improbable that the conflagration would have been kept crossing the street.

             Wm. Jarvis first saw the fire. It was about 2:35 o’clock. Mr. Jarvis has a clothes pressing and cleaning establishment upstairs in the rear of the Brennan block. His windows were within a few feet of the barn and he noticed a spark drop down from the mow to the floor. He immediately rushed around the corner to the town hall and gave the alarm.

             The fire, as to be expected in a large open frame barn, leapt from mow to roof, and from side to side with lightening-like rapidity, and as soon as the alarm was given, any person looking out did not need to be directed to the scene of the conflagration. The dense clouds of black smoke pouring out from the burning hay and building indicated the scene of disaster.

            The Ward 1 hose cart, drawn by one of Minor’s busses, was on the scene in four minutes, and two minutes later, two streams of water were available, and the reels from the other wards quickly followed. Wherever the fire could be got at, was quickly drowned out, but unfortunately the heat, smoke and surrounding buildings hampered the firemen’s operations greatly, and the barn is almost a total loss, except the ground flooring and foundations. The barn was built by the late T.F. Brown, formerly proprietor of the City Hotel (now the Whalley House) and cost over $2,000 in the days of cheap building, being a very large and substantially built structure. It would take at least $3,000 to rebuild it the same now. It was insured for only $750-in the Waterloo Mutual Co.

THE RINK

            The burning of the rink was in a sense accidental. The building was metal plated top and sides. Its north end was about seven feet distant from the burned barn. Whilst that end was watched closely, fire broke out in the far south end of the building about 300 feet away, and got under good headway before alarm given. It is supposed the fire entered the rink either through the heating of the metal plates or through cracks caused by their being warped by the heat, catching on the bunting, which was strung from end to end of the building and thus carried by the bunting by the slight north breeze to the extreme southern end of the building, where it broke out fiercely. The bunting seems to have ignited the fire all along the roof, and, considering the size of the building, its open construction and all circumstances, it was impossible to save it. The roof soon commenced falling in from the south end, too, and rendered it extremely dangerous to go in or very near the walls, as sometimes the metal sheets slid off, so there was no telling where they would strike.

            The metal roofing and sheeting, however, whilst it acted a screen to keep out the water, also, shut in the flames and heat, and kept the fire from spreading. Had the rink roof been a shingle roof, it seems certain the fire would have crossed Division street, to Dr. Colbeck’s house, and thence endangered many other buildings.

            Robert Young, manager of the roller rink, says when he went inside the building, the fire had just started at the north end-the end next to the burning barn. Others came in and the fire, already having a start, made rapid headway, every time the door was opened giving it more draft. Mr. Young was going to try to put out the fire, but he saw there was no use. The bunting was ablaze and the fire swept along it with lightening rapidity to the front of the building where the flames broke out. The rink piano was just got out in time, and the 300 pairs of roller skates were saved by being thrown out the front window. There were 1700 yards of bunting in the rink, all burned.

            The rink was owned by Mr. Alex Griffiths, and had a hardwood floor for roller skating. It cost about, $5,000 dollars, and with the exception of the annex on the east side, is practically destroyed. There no insurance on the building. Besides being used as a place for amusement and games, the rink was very convenient for large gatherings, and it will be greatly missed; as we understand it will not likely be rebuilt.

BUILDERS L & S CO.

            The annex on the east side of the rink; also, owned by Mr. Griffiths, was saved. It was occupied by the Welland Lumber and Supply Company (Messrs. Hickey and Lavellee) as an office and wareroom, and contained a large stock of paints, sash and other building materials. None of this stock was burned, but the loss by water and removal will, it is estimated, amount to over $1,000. Insured in the Guardian and Phoenix companies.

VALUABLE HORSE BURNED

            A valuable LeVerau Hackney belonging to Harve Dawdy was burned in the stable. Several attempts to rescue the animal were made, but all in vain. The smoke was too dense, and the horse too much frightened of the flames. Mr. Dawdy bought the horse from Dr. Hutton last summer for $200. It was a very fine animal and he had refused $250 for it the day before the fire.

            A horse belonging to George Stouth of Crowland was in the barn when the fire broke out. Whether it was loosened by someone or not, is not known, but it ran out and down the street, with a light rig attached. It was temporarily caught at the bridge, but after quite a circus performance tore loose, from bridle and rig and made for home. It was uninjured, but the bridle was broken.

            A cow was also tethered in the barn, but she was brought out by the hostler.

DANGER TO OTHER BUILDINGS

            There was very grave danger to other buildings. Dr. Weller’s barn had a narrow escape. Fortunately it was a fire-proof building. When the flames shot out over the front of the barn it got so awfully hot at the rear of the Brennan block that the fire proof shutters were closed. When the fire was raging fiercely at the front of the rink, Dr. Colbeck was standing upon the roof of his residence protecting his property with a garden hose.

NOTES

            The fire was a hard one to fight.

            The Imperial Bank used their bank hose to advantage.

            The Whalley House barn contained about $40 worth of hay and $10 worth of straw.

            So much water was used that the walk on Muir street was flooded a couple on inches deep.

            A telephone pole belonging to the Falls Power Co. caught fire and the insulation was burned off the wires.

            Firemen Will Stapf and Charles Rice and a number of others had a narrow escape from being caught by the rink roof suddenly falling in.

            The Welland Electric Co., fearing danger to their own wires, took liberty of cutting six 2200 voltage wires belong to the Falls Power Co.

            The Cordage Co.’s fire department came down, unlimbered in fine shape and rendered very acceptable service. They are a well-drilled and very efficient corps.

            There were eight streams of water playing on the fire at one time. This is the greatest ever. One line of hose was furnished by the Cordage Fire Department. East Main street was a net work of hose.

            Scores of hands assisted in removing the paints, oils, roofing, window sash, doors etc. of the Builders’ Lumber and Supply Co. from the rink building. One can of paint got too hot and burst in the hands of its rescuer. He was plastered.

            The low water pressure was criticized by some, who probably were not aware that eight streams of water were being thrown. Considering this, the pressure was very fair. Had it been necessary to reach a higher altitude with the water, some of the streams would have been discontinued, which would have given greater force to the others.

            The cause of the fire is unknown. As there were no stoves or lanterns being used in the barn at the time, and there is no reason to apprehend incendiarism, the most reasonable supposition is that fire was accidentally started by a smoker from cigar, pipe or matches, but of course this is only conjecture.

HOW THE HOSE WAS LAID

            The Welland firemen had water on the fire within five or six minutes of the time the alarm rang out. Fire Chief Stapf was telephoned to at Beatty’s immediately and got to the scene as fast as his legs could carry him. The three hose carts were already there; and the Chief attached the nozzle to one of No.61’s lines and that was the first stream playing upon the fire. Altogether there were eight streams at one time. The Welland fire company had six, the Cordage fire company had one, and the Imperial Bank boys were there with their bank hose. Two lines from No. 1 were attached to the hydrant in front of the Ross Co.’s store and were playing on the barn. No.2’s lines, attached to the Commercial House hydrant were playing one upon the barn and one on the rink. No. 3 had one line connected with Griffiths’ hydrant on Division, the water being thrown inside the rink, while the other was on Cooper’s mill hydrant, the water being directed against the barn. The Cordage line was attached to the hydrant on Division street, the water being thrown against the front of the rink. The Welland fire company had 2500 feet of hose-all that was available. The Cordage, 400 feet. Chief Stapf wishes to thank the Cordage fire company for coming to the assistance in answer to his call for aid.

ACCIDENTS

            Billy Brittin and Frank Boyle were raising some of the metal roofing of the rink so that the water could be thrown on the fire. Frank Boyle received a severe cut across three fingers of the right hand from a piece of the metal. The wound which required seven stitches was dressed by Dr. Colbeck and Garner. Brittin’s thumb was also cut.

HERB BOYLE’S ADVENTURE

            Herb Boyle, one of the firemen, had an adventure which he would not care to repeat. He came very nearly being suffocated or burned to death, and no one would have been the wiser until all was over. Immediately after the fire was discovered, those who were nearby rushed in to render first aid. Among these was Herb Boyle. The smoke and flames were increasing with every minute, when someone said there was a horse back in the barn and that he couldn’t get to it for the smoke. Herb grabbed a horse blanket and made his way to the rear of the barn. The horse was in the farthest stall. Herb reached it and got inside. The horse shied over into one corner where Herb threw the blanket over him, the horse stepped on his foot and ran to the other side of the stall. In the meantime the flames were getting fiercer and the smoke became so dense in the stall, Herb could not find the horse. Suddenly his knees gave way and he fell down. He couldn’t see the stall door, but he crawled along the wall of the stall and at last came to it. He was all right when he got out into the open air, and fought the fire to a finish. The horse was owned by Harve Dawdy and was burned in its stall.

 Welland Tribune

21 May 1909

Fire: 19 May 1909