Queenstown Free Press 1883 3 July - September
Tuesday, July 3, 1883
BIRTH,- At Queenstown, on Monday, the 25th instant, Mrs. E.A. HUMPHREYS of a Son.
BIRTH,- At Queenstown, on the 29th June, Mrs. S. MORUM of a Daughter.
DIED,- At Molteno, on Wednesday, the 27th June, after a short but painful illness, Sarah, the beloved wife of George VICE, aged 54 years and 4 month. Deeply lamented by her family and a large circle of friends.
DEATH- It is not a little singular (remarks the Star) that on the day following the death of Bishop COLENSO one of the oldest ministers in the Diocese, the Venerable and Rev. J. WALTON, Rector of Pinetown (father of Mr. J.B. WALTON, of our literary staff, and of the Hon. J.C. WALTON, M.L.C. for Newcastle), and a contemporary of the late Archdeacon LLOYD, was also taken to his last home, coast fever, it is said, having been the ultimate cause of his death. The rev. Gentleman was in the seventy-eighth year of his age, and his ministerial labours in England, the West Indies, and South Africa, extended over a period of fifty-four years. He was very much respected in Natal.
Friday, July 6, 1883
MARRIED,- At Whittlesea, on the 2nd instant, by the Rev. George WEAVER, William THOMPSON, of Ornithorynchus, to Emma Maria Ann, eldest daughter of George COOPER, Esq., of Whittlesea.
A SAD OCCURRENCE AT TOUW'S RIVER.- About three months back an engine driver named John VAUGHAN, about 45 years of age, employed on the Beaufort West Extension Railway, while suffering from an attack of delirium tremens succeeded, during the night time, in making his escape from the railway hospital at Touw's River Station, and was at the time almost in a state of nudity. On Thursday last the remains of the deceased, very much decomposed, were found on a mountain, and subsequently brought to Worcester for interment in the English burying ground. The deceased has left a widow and seven children residing in England. – Cape Times.
Tuesday, July 17, 1883
MARRIED,- At St. Augustine's, Griqualand East, on the 6th June, the Rev. F.J. ADKIN to Miss Louisa Tempest WATERS.
DEATH OF DR. RHIND.
We regret to announce the death of Dr RHIND which took place at his residence in Queenstown at half-past eight o'clock yesterday morning. He had been ill for some time and the sad event was not altogether unexpected. His practice in the district was very extensive and he endeared himself to all by his kindness and attention. The news of his demise will be received with general regret.
Friday, July 20, 1883
DIED,- At Queenstown, on the 16th July, John RHIND, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.S.,E. Aged 40 years.
Tuesday July 24, 1883
A CHILD SCALDED TO DEATH.- A sad accident occurred in the house of Mrs. McTAVISH, St. George's Street, on Friday afternoon. Her child, along with another little girl, was playing near the fireplace where the kettle was standing at the time filled with hot water. By some means or other they capsized it with the result that the contents were scattered all over them. The child of Mrs. McTAVISH was so severely scalded that it died on Saturday. It was five years of age. The other child was scalded on the legs and is in a fair way to recovery.
Friday, July 27, 1883
MARRIED,- By Special Licence, at Queenstown, on the 24th inst., by the Rev. S.P. Naudé, D.R.M., William Beachey HEAD, of "Karl's Rust," District of Queenstown, to Jean, eldest daughter of Samuel McCUNE, Esq., of Bedford and Karl's Rust, District of Queenstown.
MARRIED,- At Whittlesea, on the 25th July, by the Rev. George WEAVER, Caleb Benjamin BARNES, to Mary Susanah, second daughter of George and Eliza COOPER, of Whittlesea.
DIED,- At Macazana, on the 9th July, 1883, Douglas Stephen Alfred, eldest son of J.D. BARNES, of Kamastone, aged 25 years and 8 months.
DEATH OF A SETTLER OF 1820.- Mr LAKE, a venerable old settler of 1820. Died on Thursday at the North-End. He was for some time in business here as a cabinet maker, and was connected by marriage with Mr Joseph WILLIAMS of this town.- Telegraph.
FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT NEAR CATHCART.
ENGINE DRIVER KILLED – A PLATE LAYER FATALLY INJURED.
(Special Telegram.)
Cathcart, July 23rd.
A serious and fatal accident has just occurred on the line about two miles from Cathcart station. A truck had been used during the day at Queenstown end of station for taking up sleepers and rails just before 2.42 p.m. train from East London was due; the truck was sent back, but the break not answering, it rushed through the station at a furious pace. Several men were on it, who tried hard to stop it, but without avail. A ganger was standing at the side of the truck and was caught in the legs by the points and fell off. All the rest got off afterwards, except the platelayer. The truck, the pace of which had been accelerated down the incline, ran into the train below the bridge at Thorn River, just as it was rounding the corner. Driver FORBES was on the bogie in front of engine, oiling, when he was struck on the head, which was smashed in, and he was killed on the spot. Sleepers on truck broke in boiler of engine, causing iron bolts to spring, and the wood to be shattered into splinters, flying several yards in the air. Platelayer Richard POKE stuck to the truck to the last minute, he has two arms and one leg broken, besides a scalp wound. A fireman, named ROBERTSON, was wounded badly in the head, and has probably suffered internally. Guard HUNT, who was attending to mails at the time, got a bad knock or two on the head, but is otherwise injured. The passengers on the train were Mrs MITCHELL, Messrs James MCCABE, NEWMAN, HEPMER and DEAS, who were all uninjured. Engine and carriages very much broken, but line little damaged. It is expected that line will be cleared to-night. Arrangements were made from bringing relief engines from Toise River, and Queenstown. Dr HOLDING has seen the injured men. The firman's case not considered dangerous, but little hopes are held out for the platelayer.
Cathcart, July 24.
The traffic was resumed shortly before midnight. POKE, platelayer, died this morning. The fireman is progressing favourable. The heads of the department are here investigating the cause of the accident.
MELANCHOLY FATAL CART ACCIDENT.
The Humansdorp Re-Echo reports. – We regret to have to record a terrible accident which occurred to a highly respected famer of this district on Monday last. Mr Andries MEYER, of Klein Plaats, was in Humansdorp on the day mentioned, and whilst here he placed his cart at the disposal of a newly-married couple for a few days. The only car he could obtain to take him home in the evening was an old broken, rattle-trap thing, minus a splash board, in which he started about 4 p.m. In the cart with him where his eldest daughter and Miss HUDSON, together with a little boy, a relative of the last named lady. Another cart driven by J POTGIETER, of Leeuw Bosch, accompanied them. Mr MEYER, who was driving a pair of very spirited horses, was in front, and all went well until the top of the hell leading down to the mill at Orange Grove was reached when he gave his horses a cut with the whip. Upon this they gave a sudden plunge, which fairly pulled Mr MEYER, there being so splashboard, and it is conjectured that in the fall his foot became some way entangled between the wheel and the step of the cart. The horses thus being left to themselves, bolted at a terrible pace down the hill, dragging their unfortunate driver down the hill. Miss MEYER either fell or jumped out of the cart as soon as the horses bolted, and was picked up by Mr POTGIETER. She had sustained serious injury to the spine, besides being considerably bruised and shaken. Mr POTGIETER after placing Miss MEYER in his cart followed up the runaway horses, and came up to them at a spot about half a mile from the spot where poor Andries MEYER fell out. The horses after descending the hill crossed the river at the mill, and then made for an almost perpendicular embankment, up which they ascended and then turned off at a right angle into the road. Here also poor Andries became detached from the cart. He had been so terribly knocked about so as to be beyond recognition His skull was fractured and his jaw broken; one arm was broken and a leg in two places, and he was, besides, fearfully injured in other ways. He was still alive, and at once removed to the homestead of his uncle, Mr Corn. MEYER, close by, but expired an hour afterwards. Miss HUDSON sat in the cart with the child clasped in her arms the whole time, and had not the slightest idea Mr MEYER was being dragged along with the cart. The unfortunate deceased was a general favourite with all who knew him, and a member of one of the oldest and respected families in the district. He leaves a widow and eight little children, the eldest of whom was with him when the sad occurrence took place, is only about 14...
MURDER MOST FOUL.
A murder of a most singularly brutal nature is reported from Maritzburg, Natal. The following is an extract from the Witness' account of the horrible affair as published in that paper of the 14th inst. After congratulating the neighbourhood on the for the fortunate immunity it has enjoyed from the graver degrees of crime, our contemporary continues:- "Briefly stated, a young lady engaged in business in the city and residing in the immediate neighbourhood was yesterday evening most foully outraged and brutally murdered within sight of her home. Although there is not as yet proof positive that the crime was committed by a native, all the circumstances point in the direction. That it is probably the most revolting murder that has been perpetrated in this district will be realised with painful vividness.
"Miss Mary Helen MURPHY, the unfortunate young lady who met with so melancholy an end, would have attained her birthday this day week. She was the eldest daughter of Mr P MURPHY, farmer, who has a farm on the far side of the Camp Drift, Umsipdusu. She was engaged as dressmaker at Messrs GRIFFIN and CHAPMAN's, and was in the habit of walking home every night after business hours. On reaching the Camp Drift she would remain on the gaol side until a horse was sent for her, on which she would ride across. Last night, about half past 5 her mother saw her on the hill near the gaol, and soon afterwards crossed with the horse. Finding no trace of her daughter, she went as far as the gaol, and returned to her home to call the father and brothers. They shortly began to make search for her, and about 7.30 her brother found her in the ditch on the left hand side of the road, within less than two hundred yards of her own dwelling. Their horror may be imagined on finding the dead body of one who but a short time before had been seen walking towards her home. On the bank of the ditch there were signs of a considerable struggle having taken place, and further examination or the young girl revealed the fact that she had been fearfully outraged and strangled to death. While the brothers searched the neighbourhood the father rode to the police station with the information. It seems that for some time past the deceased young lady had been followed by a native in the employment of Dr GORDON, and had been warned of the risk she ran...
(A special telegram to the Natal Mercantile Advertiser (Durban) states:- "Murderer caught. He is one of Dr GORDON's Kafirs.")
Tuesday, July 31, 1883
MURDER OF JAMES CAREY,
THE IRISH INFORMER
(P.E. Telegraph.)
Seldom has Port Elizabeth presented a greater scene of excitement than it did on Monday afternoon on the arrival of the Donald Currie Mail boat the Melrose. That vessel arrived here shortly after one o'clock, and Captain ROSE immediately came ashore with the information that James CAREY, the informer at the recent trials in Ireland for the murder of Lord Frederick CAVENDISH and Mr BURKE, had been shot dead on board the Melrose on Sunday. CAREY, it was generally known had arrived in Capetown by CRMS Kinfauns Castle and had been recognised by several of the passengers. Or course, Cape Town was no place of residence for a man of his notoriety, and he found it desirable to shift his quarters. For this purpose he resolved to proceed further up coast, taking a passage by the Melrose in the name of POWER. By the same vessel were other passengers, among them a man named O'DONNEL. It is not yet ascertained, but will no doubt transpire in the course of the day what vessel O'DONNELL came out in; but it is understood that he arrived by the Kinfauns Castle. CAREY, it should be said, embarked by the name of POWER, and his wife and children were with him. At 3.45 on Sunday afternoon, while several passengers were sitting in the cabin amongst them CAREY and O'DONNELL, the latter suddenly drew a revolver and fired three shots at CAREY – two in the neck one in the back. He lived some five and twenty minutes only, but never spoke, O'DONNELL was at once secured and ironed...
Friday, August 10, 1883
DIED.- At Queenstown on the 6th instant, Garroline Matilda, infant daughter of G.C. and M.B. WOLFF, aged 2 months and 9 days.
Tuesday, August 14, 1883
DIED,- At Queenstown, August 8. 1883, Elizabeth Grace, beloved wife of Alfred MAYTHAM, aged 44 years. 19 days. Friends at a distance will please accept this notice.
WEDDING.- On Wednesday, the 8th August, a grand gathering of the friends and neighbours of Mr. James MARSHALL took place at his residence at Diep River, to celebrate the marriage of Miss Jane MARSHALL, the only daughter of Mr and Mrs MARSHALL, tow of the oldest residents in this district, to Mr. BOUCHER...
Suicide of a Police Contable at Kimberley.
A shocking suicide took place on Thursday afternoon at the Police Barracks. About three o'clock William YOUNG, a private in the Griqualand West Mounted Constabulary, was found lying dead in the saddle-room in a pool of blood, and under his right hand one of the Service six-chambered revolvers, one barrel of which had recently been discharged. No one had heard the report as the door was shut, and it was by Constable DUNCAN having occasion to go into the room for brushes that the tragical occurrence became known. The Resident Magistrate, Mr TRUTER, was at once sent for and a guard placed over the room. The medical evidence showed that the deceased must have placed the revolver between his teeth and fired, death being instantaneous. The saddest particular of the affair is that YOUNG was to have been married yesterday, and killed himself only five minutes before the ceremony was to have been celebrated. He had invited many of his comrades to a spread which was to follow the event, and the tables were even then ready for the festivities... – Independent.
Tuesday, August 21, 1883
BIRTH,- At Hilton, on the 13th inst., the wife of Rev. Geo WEAVER, of a son.
THE death is announced in the Natal papers of Mr CUMMING, who accompanied Dr SOMERVILLE in his Gospel mission through South Africa. He died at sea between Mauritius and Burmah.
SAD AFFAIR AT LADYSMITH.
A Ladysmith correspondent of a Natal contemporary writes under the date 9th instant: - A melancholy event occurred to day in Ladysmith, which has cast a gloom over the whole town, and is a special source of grief to many of our townspeople. A young lady by name Miss Mary WEBB, met her death a in somewhat mysterious and melancholy manner this morning. The deceased was about 24 years of age, and came out to this colony from England in November, 1880, in company with Mr and Mrs RANDLES, of this town, in the capacity of companion to Mrs RANDLES and has resided with the family in Ladysmith since that time. About fifteen months ago the deceased lady had a severe fever, which left her in a feeble state of health, and she appears never to have regained her former strength. She quite recently sustained a severe shock to the nervous system in the intelligence conveyed by late telegram from Europe of the untoward death of her brother, the late captain Matthew WEBB, the renowned champion swimmer who was drowned in a whirlpool near Niagara. The report of this sad affair, following on other domestic troubles, appears to have been too much for an already enfeebled mind and body, there can be no doubt it was the indirect cause of the circumstances connected with the death of the deceased young lady especially as it was known that her mind was more or less deranged. It appears the deceased was missed this morning at the usual hour of breakfast, and upon making enquiries of the servants of the house, Mrs RANDLES discovered she must have left the house, before or after daybreak, as the servants reported having found the house door as well as the deceased's bed room door open when they got up. The young lady's disappearance having been made known through the town enquiries and searches were instituted in every direction, and as she had many friends, great anxiety was shown to discover what had befallen her. J F BARTLETT, in searching along the waterfurrow observed what afterwards turned out to be the body of the deceased, in a deep pool, and went back to town for assistance to recover the body. He returned with Messrs RANDLES HASSARD and REYNOLDS, with appliances and recovered the body...
Tuesday, August 28, 1883
BIRTH,- At Bushman's Kop, O.F.S., on the 18th instant, the Wife of E. HAMER, Esq., of a Son.
DEATH OF DR. EVERITT.
It is with profound regret that we announce the death of Dr EVERITT, which took place at his residence in Tarkastad on Friday morning . The deceased gentleman was very highly respected in the locality in which he resided. He had many personal friends in Queenstown as well as in other parts of the colony... The cause was congestion of the lungs, and he had been confined to bed only for a few days. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was attended by about five or six hundred people – all classes of society in the district being represented...
IN MEMORIAM.
COMMANDATN DAVID DAVIES.
By Mr. J.M. STEVENSON.
One of the most respected members of society on the frontier of the Cape Colony died at his residence at Oaklands, division of King Williamstown, on 8th August, 1883, aged 78 years and three months... He leaves an amiable and thrifty widow, three sons, two daughters, and large circle of relatives and friends to deplore their irreparable loss.
Commandant DAVIES entered the army and joined the 90th Light Infantry Regiment when he was 16 years of age. He served with his regiment during its period of service in the Mediterranean, puttong down the Greek rebellion and Pirates or Brigands of the Islands. In one of his engagements he was wounded by a sabre cut on his head by one of the brigand chiefs, whom he captured with his own hands and took to the camp. Commandant DAVIES was a powerful swimmer, and when the ship, in which a large portion of his regiment was embarked, was wrecked off one of the then uninhabited islands of the Mediterranean sea, he swam to and from the island to the wreck and saved 21 lives, mostly ladies of the his regiment, the boats having been staved in, and he also brought from the wreck several barrels of food for their sustenance. Commandant DAVIES came from Ceylon to this colony with his regiment, of which he was adjutant, in 1846, ... – Mercury.
Tuesday, September 4, 1883
BIRTH,- At Queenstown, on the 26th August, at the residence of MRs. Wm BERRY, Ebden-street, the wife of Mr. J. HEARNS of a daughter.
Friday, September 14, 1883
BIRTH,- At Bolotwa, on the 9th September, the Wife of Henry KLETTE of a Son
BIRTH,- In Queenstown, on the 9th September, the Wife of T.A. TRENNERY, of a Daughter.
MARRIED,- At the Congregational Church, Queenstown, by Special Licence, Frederick George GOAD, third son of John GOAD, of Stonehouse, Plymouth, England, to Clara PELLOW, only daughter of the late Richard PELLOW, Bodmin, Cornwall.
Tuesday, September 18, 1883
SCHOCKING SUICIDE.- The East London Advertiser of last Friday reports – A most distressing case of suicide occurred here yesterday morning, a young man named COOPER having made away with his life by taking paussiac acid in goal. From all that is known it appears that the young man COOPER came out from England about two months ago as a recruit for the C.M.R, and was stationed at King Williamstown. Apparently dissatisfied with the life, he deserted a few days ago, and making his way to this port, took his passage to England. On Wednesday, as the tug was going out to the steamer, COOPER was arrested, brought ashore, and lodged in gaol here. Yesterday morning, on an examination of his cell he was found dead. On an examination a small phial was found hidden in his boot, which had contained prusiac acid, and a doctor's examination of the body showed that the deceased had died from the effects of a large dose of that poison. It is surmised that the deceased had insanely determined not to go back to his utyd or to remain in the colony, and in order to carry out that determination had procured the poison, secured it about his person, probably in his boot, until he should have an opportunity to carry out his purpose. It is said he was searched when taken to the gaol, but if so, it must have been done in a somewhat slovenly manner. COOPER was of good appearance, and gentlemanly adbress, and apparently about 25 years of age. The inquest will be held before the magistrate to-morrow morning.
Tuesday, September 25, 1883
BIRTH,- In Queenstown, on the 21st September, the wife of Herbert SHEPPERSON of a Son.
Friday, September 28, 1883
DIED,- At Fort Warden, Komgha, on the 20th September ,1883, George PHILLIPS, aged 67 years and 5 months leaving a family of ten children to mourn his loss.- Friends and Relatives kindly accept this notice.
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