[Welland Tribune February 27, 1940]
Switch Engine Conductor Trapped Under Train
Hamilton, Feb. 27- Storm conditions were blamed today for the second railway fatality within eight days when A,N, Clavel, 36, Hamilton conductor of a Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo switch engine crew, slipped in the Forest avenue yards, fell under a moving train and was killed. A fine snow caused slippery conditions.
The last car was said to have passed over his legs, death resulting as police were rushing him to the General hospital. Born at Montreal, Clavel had resided here for 23 years. He is survived by his widow and four children. Dr. Leeming Carr, coroner is investigating.
James G Lord 63, a Canadian National Railways car repairman, was killed Feb. 19 during the season’s worst blizzard when he walked into the path of a backing switch engine.
[Welland Tribune January 31, 1940]
Instantly Killed When Newly-Laid Rail Springs-Second Workman Hurt
Thorold, Ont., Jan 31-William Ivansuik, 33-year-old workman at the Beaver Wood Fibre Company plant, was instantly killed and a second workman William Mowry suffered a broken collarbone and other injuries today in an accident that occurred while the two men were laying railway track. They were engaged in construction of connecting spur to main line track in the company yards when the accident occurred. Hoist and coal car passing the connection on the mail line caused the newly-laid rail to spring, hurling the two men to the ground.
Company officials are unable to account for the accident.
FARMHOUSE TWO MILES NORTH OF FONTHILL BURNED TO THE GROUND
[Welland Tribune, 24 February 1940]
Fonthill, Feb. 24-Believed to have been caused by a defective or overheated chimney the farm home of Alfred Misener, two miles north of Fonthill was burned to the ground on Friday afternoon. The loss was estimated at $2,500 partly insured.
The Fonthill fire brigade answered the alarm, but the blaze had gained considerable headway before their arrival, and without water the firemen were unable to render a great deal of assistance.
The blaze was discovered by a member of the family and the furniture in the lower part of the house was saved.
[Welland Tribune, 30 January 1940]
Ottawa, Jan.30-The St. Lawrence seaway project under discussion at Ottawa has been planned to provide a channel of 27-foot depth from Montreal to the head of the Great Lakes. This would enable vessels to be laden to the 25-foot mark or possibly 26 feet.
At present the rock excavation in the Welland Canal for the most part is down to 27 feet but the earth excavation not more than 25 feet. Upper lakes have been deepened to 27 feet in rock excavation and 25 feet in earth on the downward channels and to 22 feet on up bound channels.
Shoals have been removed from the Thousand Islands section so that boats of 25-foot draught could operate. Canals of such depth between Prescott and Montreal remain to be built.
The proposed division of the Ogoki waters now flowing into James Bay into Lake Superior would add something to the present depth figures which of course fluctuate with the rise and fall of the water levels.
BUILDING TO BE USED AS CAR WRECKING SHOP BY NEW OWNER-MEET IN RENOVATED CHAMBER
[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 9 March 1940]
The old packing house on Seventh street, which reverted to Crowland township several years ago for back taxes was taken over by Stanley Reid, when the township council accepted an offer of $2,000 for the property. The original cost of the building was $40,000.
From the time that the packing plant business, founded by a group headed by the late Frank Ahman, went into bankruptcy the building deteriorated rapidly and will require a considerable expenditure for repairs. The new owner will use the building for a car wrecking establishment.
The township council had for several years made attempts to dispose of the building without success, although last year machinery in the plant was sold. In accepting the offer of Mr. Reid, which included only the land on which the building stands, the view that it would be preferable to dispose of the property and collect taxes than to let the building deteriorate further. Not included in the purchase price was land to the east on which stand some garage buildings, and land to the west for which the council had on past occasions received offers as building lots.
IN RENOVATED QUARTERS
The council met last night in the newly decorated chambers which has been vastly improved in appearance by the laying of a green and red linoleum, and the whole effect is modernistic in tone and highly effective from a decorative stand point. Venetian blinds on the large front windows of the building adds to the effect. Council members commented most favorably on the improved appearance of the chamber, which is also used as a courtroom. The redecorations extend to the clerk’s office and the office of the police chief. Cost of the work was approximately $500.
Council appointed C.R. Hagey, Fort Erie as township engineer, replacing J.R. Scott, who had advised council that his duties as county engineer prevented him for accepting any other commissions. The newly appointed engineer will begin his duties next week in connection with the proposed watermain and sewer on Wallace avenue north. Two more lots were sold on the street at last night’s meeting to bring to 15 the number of prospective homes to be built on the street this summer.
Coun il accepted the tender of Angelo Addario for supplying crushed stone from the township-leased stone quarry in Humberstone. Mr. Addario’s tender was $1.17 per yard delivered on township roads. Tenders for other materials were opened. But action was deferred.
Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune
9 March 1940
Modest Beginning To be Made With Prospects Of Enlarging.
ON BURGAR STREET
[Welland Tribune, 16 March 1940]
The establishment in Welland of a shoe manufacturing concern was announced today by T.J. Darby, K.C., of behalf the Welland Shoe Co., formed recently to manufacture children’s shoes and sandals. The new industry is the first of its kind to late in the city.
The company was formed by Steve Krnjaich and Joseph Yeszam of Humberstone, both of whom have considerable experience in the manufacture of shoes, and were until recently connected with the Erie Shoe Co., of Humberstone. The latter is a co-operative enterprise promoted by Mr. Krnjaich which in a year’s time has grown from a concern employing eight persons to the employing 35 at the present time.
The Welland Shoe Company recently completed the purchase from the Griffiths Estate of a brick warehouse at 198 Burgar street, which was formerly occupied by National Grocers, and it is expected that full operations will begin by the first of April. Machinery is now being installed.
The factory will begin operations with 10 employees, but according to Mr. Krnjaich a considerably greater number will be employed when operations are fully under way. The building is sufficiently large to house machinery to occupy 100 employees. Including a basement and two floors, the structure is 80 feet long by 40 feet wide.
The firm has orders available at the present time. Mr. Krnjaich was optimistic concerning future expansion. “With the present demand of shoes, particularly for the export market, I anticipate that it will not be long before we will have to increase our staff,” he said.
Mr. Krnjaich has had 30 year of experience in the show business, first in Jugoslavia whence he came to Canada 12 years ago and later at Humberstone. His partner, Mr. Yeszam has been connected with the industry for 12 years
Newest Addition Will Be In Corrugated Steel; Lean-to Planned
READY IN MARCH
[Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 1 February 1940]
Foundation pillars have already been laid for the erection of a new corrugated steel sheeting warehouse and lean-to on East Main street for Atlas Steels Limited, according to plant officials. The new building will be completed toward the end of March, and will cost approximately $18,000. It will be on similar lines to the rolling mills for which a building permit was issued in December to the value of $14, 675.
Standard Steel Construction Company Limited of Port Robinson will have the contract. The building will have a frontage on East Main street of 100 feet with a depth of 157 feet, it was learned.
This is to be a storage building and will not involve any additions to the payroll, The Tribune was informed. The warehouse will be 80 feet frontage, with a depth of 157 feet, and the lean-to will have a frontage of 20 feet and a depth of 157 feet.
N.S. and T. Car Hits Back End of Automobile at Lincoln Crossing
NEAR MIDNIGHT
[Welland Tribune, 27 January 1940]
As a result of a rail crossing collision between a car being driven east along Lincoln street west at 11.15 last night and a south-bound trolley operated by Motorman Alfred Clup of St. Catharines, four persons were injured and brought to the Welland County General hospital. Three were detained.
The injured were Miss Marion Flick, 18, of Oakland avenue, concussion and shock; Edward Richardson, 22, of Mill street, deep cut over left eye and shock; Thomas Blackwell, 29, of Wilton avenue, fracture to the right collar bone and shock; Sydney Bretell, 50 Cohoe street, driver of the automobile, cut over the left eye and shock. Bretell was able to go home following treatment to his left eye.
According to the report of the mishap given to Constable George Hatton by Motorman Culp, the trolley had just left the Welland N.S and T. station, and was proceeding south. Approaching the Lincoln street crossing, Mr. Clup said he blew the warning whistle. The driver of the car appeared to slow up and then speed toward the crossing, he said. The auto didn’t clear the crossing in time to avoid a crash and the trolley struck the automobile at the left read side where Miss Flick was seated.
According to the police accident report, Sydney Brettel stated that he failed to either see the trolley or hear its whistle until too late to avoid the mishap. He further stated that by stepping on the gas he avoided a more serious accident.
The left rear wheel, left door and windows of the automobile were smashed, according to police.
ICE JAM REDUCES IT TO A WHISPER-ENTIRE FLOW MAY BE CUT OFF
[Welland Tribune, 18 January 1940]
Niagara Falls, N.Y., Jan.18-An ice jam in the Upper Niagara River reduced the roar of Niagara Falls to a hoarse whisper today.
Tracey Levee, chief of the Niagara Reservation Police, estimated the flow over the American Falls had been reduced 60 percent, while the Bridal Veil Falls were slowed to a trickle.
Meanwhile the ice bridge over the Canadian Horseshoe Falls extended from the foot of that cataract to a point just below the site of the “Honeymoon” Bridge, destroyed by ice in January 1938.
Rivermen predicted that if near zero temperatures and the run of Lake Erie ice continues, the entire flow over the Falls may be cut off. This occurred in the winter of 1936, when it was possible for a brief period to walk across the brink of the American Falls from the mainland to Goat Island.
124 MORE WERE IN USE THAN IN 1938, COMPANY REPORT REVEALS
[Welland Tribune, 19 February 1940]
R.D. Hughes, manager of the bell Telephone Company in Welland, has handed to The Tribune a statistical report which shows that an increase of 124 was recorded in the number of telephones in the city in 1929 compared to that of the previous year. The total number in use was 2,277 in 1938 and 2,401 in 1939.
Mr. Hughes sated that if as some authorities contended, the number of telephones in a community formed an excellent barometer of general business, than it would seem that Welland was continuing to progress from this standpoint.
Continuing, Mr. Hughes stated that offices supervised from Welland showed a net gain in the number of telephones of 284, divided as follows: Welland, 124; Port Colborne, 118; Ridgeville, 22; Smithville, 4; Wainfleet, 14; Wellandport, 2. This entire territory, he added, now had a total of 5,293 telephones in service.
Mr. Hughes showed The Tribune the Bell Telephone Company’s annual report for Ontario and Quebec, recording a total of 785,455 bell telephones in use in these two provinces at the end of the year. The records showed a net gain of 20,000 telephones compared with a net gain of 18,804 the previous year. During the year the company paid out $16,928, 825 in wages to its 9,711 employees, 5-825 in wages to its 9,711 employees, 5,008 of whom are women.
The report notes that the number of telephones recorded for 1939 is “an all- time high for Ontario and Quebec.”
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