Queenstown Free Press 1887 4 October - December
Tuesday October 4, 1887
DIED,- At Queenstown on Friday, September 30th, after a short illness, Louisa, the beloved wife of James LAMONT, aged 26 years, late of Woodside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Very deeply regretted.
Miss Emma Jane WORBOISE is dead. From the highest literary point of view, perhaps, there are few writers who have written so much and had such great popularity, whose influence has been less.
TOWN CRIER'S REPORTS.
GRAHAMSTOWN.
Birth: At Oatlands, on the 24th Sept., the wife of LARDNER-BURKE, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, of a Son.
The Grahamstown papers announced the marriage of Mr Lorimer B. DOLD to Emily FRANCIS at Mafeking.
Friday October 7, 1887
MARRIAGES.
FISHER-STILWELL.- At Lily Vale Church, near Queenstown, on 6th inst., by the Rev. J. Smith SPENCER. Arthur BENTLEY, youngest son of J. Thornhill FISHER, B.A., of Torquay, Devon, England,
to Emily, eldest daughter of A. STILWELL, Esq., Mountain Glen, District of Queen's Town.
Horrible Murder in Capetown.
(Cape Argus.)
A murder, uttended by circumstances of great atrocity, was committed in Keeromstreet yesterday morning, the victim being a coloured woman named Elizabeth HEYNES and the murderer her husband Charles. At an earlier hour in the morning HEYNES called at the police station, and made some trivial complaints to the Inspector regarding the conduct of his wife, whom he suspected of being unfaithful, but as he was somewhat disguised in liquor at the time, the Inspector recommended him to go home and get sober. Not very long afterwards a man named Benjamin MILLER presented himself at the police station, and reported that a woman had been stabbed at the house where he lived. The police authorities at once set about investigating the matter, and on entering the house, which faced Drop-street, a horrible and ghastly sight met their view. On a bed in one of the rooms they found the nude body of a woman, tied with both wrists to the foot of the bed, and left foot tied to the head. On examination, they found that the unfortunate woman had received a long and deep cut in the abdomen, from which the viscera protruded, and portions were lying on the floor a yard away from the bed. The room was in great disorder and covered in blood, the floor bearing the ensanguined foot-prints of the murderer, who after completing his cruel work, washed his hands, put on his boots, and proceeded to the Mountain View Hotel, in Long-street, where he was arrested. He at once admitted that he had killed his wife, and will be placed before the Resident Magistrate, for preliminary examination, at nine o'clock this morning. All day yesterday crowds of people, attracted by the morbid curiosity which animates many, hung about the neighbourhood of the house where the tragedy was committed.
DEATH OF MR. R. GRAHAM.
Mr. R. GRAHAM died yesterday (28th inst.) at his residence, the Mains, Wynberg, after a long illness. Mr GRAHAM had served for nearly thirty years in the Civil Service of the Colony when he was placed on the pension list in 1876. In 1852 he was appointed Civil Commissioner and Resident Magistrate of Albany, whenee he was promoted in 1864 to the position of Governor's Deputy in the then separate province of British Kaffraria After the annexation of British Kaffraria to the Colony he held the office of Collector of Customs. Mr GRAHAM was the son of Colonel GRAHAM, from whom GRAHAM's Town takes its name, and grandson of Mr Robert GRAHAM, of Fintrie, the "generous GRAHAM" whom BURNS loved as a friend and patron. The succession to the title of John GRAHAM of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, pertains to GRAHAM of Fintrie (in the direct line), and, on the reversal of the attainders, the title would probably have been restored to the father (or grandfather) of Mr GRAHAM upon petition to the Crown. It is sufficient, however, to inherit the strain of noble blood. To which the title can add nothing of dignity. The late Mr GRAHAM was a worthy representative of the family, one who bore the grand old name of gentleman without stain and without reproach. – Cape Times.
Tuesday October 11, 1887
BIRTH,- At Woodside, on the 4th of October, the wife of A. MAYTHAM of a son.
BIRTH,- At Lady Frere on the 5th inst., the wife of Mrs. J.J. KELLY of a son.
BIRTH,- At Queenstown on the 7th October, the wife of W.K. MAGER of a daughter.
TOWN CRIER'S REPORTS.
TRANSVAAL.
Mr. C. SELBY, lately of Capetown, died suddenly on 19th ulto.
Mr H.H. SOLOMON died last week in Pretoria. He was at one time Mayor of Port Elizabeth, and editor of the P.E. Observer.
Birth on 25th ulto, at Pretoria, the wife of Henry A. ROOME, of a son.
KING WILLIAM'S TOWN.
Captain Richard HOOD died on 2nd inst, aged 68. He had been ailing for some time past. HE was greatly respected in the town which he had made his home for so many years.
Friday October 14, 1887
NOTICE CREDITORS & DEBTORS.
Estate of the late John Dawbeney CLARKE, of Whittlesea, district Queenstown.
All persons having claims against the above-names estate are hereby called upon to lodge them with the undersigned on or before the 15th day of December next, and those indebted thereto are required to pay the amount due by them within the same period, failing which legal proceedings will be taken for the recovery thereof.
Dated at Whittlesea this 10th day of October, 1887.
Thos. E. CLARKE,
Executor Dative.
MARRIED.- McKENZIE-CROUCH.- October 12th, at the Congregational and Presbyterian Church, Queenstown, by the Rev. J.P. RITCHIE, Allen McKENZIE, of Molteno, to Hannah Dorothea, second daughter of Mr. E. CROUCH, J.P., of this town.
MARRIED- On Wednesday, October 12th, at Wesley Church, Queenstown, by the Revd. A.H. HODGES, Samuel SMITH of Queenstown, to Alice Mary HOWARD of Queenstown.
Mr. Jacobus Johannes MARAIS has called at our office, and requests that his daughter, Catharina Jacoba, if still alive, should communicate with him in Queen's Town. This daughter was first married to Mr. Hendrik VAN JAARSVELDT and afterwards to Mr. Piet BEZUIDENHOUT. Other papers please copy.
WEDDING.- The wedding of Mr. MARCHANT of Stellenbosch to Miss GROBBELAAR, daughter of Mr. C. GROBBELAAR of "Smit's River" in this district, took place in the Dutch Reformed Church on Wednesday last, the Rev. S.P. NAUDE officiating... The courtship which has had this happy termination was commenced during Miss GROBBELAAR's sojourn at the Hu?u not Seminary at Wellington where she received her education. It is rather unfair that one of the most charming of our Dutch ladies should be taken away to the west,but still gratifying to think that for beauty those in the west must come eastwards.
Mr SMITH of the Railway Department was married on the same morning to Miss Alice HOWARD at the Wesleyan Church, by the Rev. A.H. HODGES...
TOWN CRIER'S REPORTS.
KIMBERLEY.
The sudden death, while drinking a cup of tea, is announced of Mr W.W. PALEY, of the firm of PALEY & COGHLAN, the well-known Kimberley solicitors.
ALIWAL NORTH.
The death is announced of Mr G.C. DE WET, M.P., a well-known resident of Lady Grey.
A sad and fatal accident occurred at Greathead's Drift, on the Orange River, last Saturday evening. Messrs CORNELIUS and Albert DRY, two young farmers residing near the Drift, had swam across the river to the Free State side. On returning Albert managed to reach the bank, when he heard his brother cry out for help. He at once swam out to his assistance, and, being violently seized by the drowning man, both sank to the bottom. Albert, however, managed to extricate himself, and caught hold of his brother's foot, but. Either lost his presence of mind or became exhausted, and released his hold, barely succeeding in reaching shallow water. Some of the neighbours were quickly on the spot, and drags and dynamite were employed. It was not until last Wednesday morning, however, that the body of Cornelius DRY was found, some 250 years down the river from the Pont.- Northern Post.
GRAHAMSTOWN.
Dr FLIGG was married to Miss Maria BARON on the 8th.
NATAL.
Privates McKERR and McLEAN, the ringleaders in the late Military riot at Pietermaritzburg, have been sentenced to death; the other two have been handed over to the Military authorities to take their trial for murder. Private SCARLETT still to be heard.
Tuesday October 18, 1887
We regret to hear of the death of Dr. CUMMING at Kimberley on Monday of last week.
TOWN-CRIER'S REPORTS.
UMTATA.
The Umtata Herald learns from Mount Ayliff of a fatal accident. Corporal GODDARD, C.M.R, on Segt. PRATT's Blue Gown, was galloping round the race-course, and when going at racing speed Blue Gown unfortunately stumbled, and horse and rider came heavily to the ground. It was at first thought that GODDARD was not seriously injured; but next day he suddenly became worse and died about eleven o'clock. A post mortem examination showed that no bones were broken, but the deceased had sustained some severe internal injuries from which he died. The funeral was attended by the whole of No. 3 troop, and all the civilians in the place.
GRAHAMSTOWN.
Mr F.C. KOLLER of Fort Beaufort was married here last week to Miss Amy JENSEN.
Friday October 28, 1887
MARRIED.- HARTLEY-BAKER- By the Revd. T. CHAMBERLAIN, at St. Michael's Church, October 26th, 1887, Geo HARTLEY, eldest son of W. HARTLEY, Pendleton, England, to Catherine Elizabeth BAKER, second daughter of Richard BAKER, Queenstown.
TOWN-CRIER'S REPORTS.
GRAHAMSTOWN.
Married on 19th James PINNOCK to Mary Ann WILSON. On the 20th Leonard FRANK to Elizabeth Drana LAWRENCE.
The Penny Mail reports the death at Barberton on 7th inst. Of Selina, wife of J. WHEELDON, jr, and
daughter of the late William PARSONS.
Died on 17th inst, Ann LAKE, aged 76.
Tuesday November 1, 1887
BIRTH,- Sterkstroom, October 24th, the wife of C.E. VIALL of a daughter.
MARRIED.- HARTLEY-BAKER- By the Revd. T. CHAMBERLAIN, at St. Michael's Church, October 26th, 1887, Geo. HARTLEY, eldest son of W. HARTLEY, Pendleton, England, to Catherine Elizabeth BAKER, second daughter of Richard BAKER, Queenstown.
DEATH.- Mr. James KEDIAN died on Sunday last, and was buried on Sunday afternoon. The deceased had been a sufferer for years past from that fell disease, cancer, and death came as a happy release. He was widely known and respected an an upright man, faithful to his word, and anxious to do his duty.
THE MOSSEL BAY MURDER.
(Herald.)
A preliminary examination was held before the Resident Magistrate of Mossel Bay into the charge of murder laid against William MATFIELD for having on the 11th October last murdered Louisa DELBRIDGE, a child seven years old. The medical evidence, which is scarcely fit for publication, shows clearly enough that the child was violated and foully murdered. Her skull was battered by a large stone, and when the body was found the child had been dead some time. He had been seen about the place in the course of the afternoon by several persons who gave their evidence. One of the witnesses thus describes the finding of the body:-
John TAYLOR, sworn, stated: On Tuesday evening ,a few minutes past nine, William Matthews called on me, and asked for my stable lantern to look for Mr. DELBRIDGE's child. I proceeded with MATTHEWS and several others to search for the child. D. LOSPER and I searched about the watertank near the Girls' School. PHILIPS (who joined us in the road), LOSPER and I jumped over the Dutch Church Parsonage fence, and when I got about five yards from the fence I saw something white in the bushes lying on the ground. I went to it and found the missing child, as I thought, sleeping. I took it by the hand to wake it, but it was stiff and cold. On LOSPER coming up with the light I found the body dead. I gave the alarm, and when the constables came I left the body in charge of them. There was a crowd there in a short time. The stone now produced, covered with blood, was lying about three feet from the child's head. It weighs about 10lbs. There was no shawl over the child when I found her. The lower part of the body was uncovered. I know the prisoner. An assistant teacher saw the prisoner looking about the place. After the evidence of several other witnesses had been taken, the prisoner was remanded. A telegram in the Oudtshoorn Courant says that very important evidence has since been heard. Sela PRINS stated that she saw MATFIELD with DELBRIDGE's child near the spot shortly before the outrage was committed.
TOWN-CRIER'S REPORTS.
KING WILLIAMSTOWN.
Mr. And Mrs. PEINKE celebrated their golden wedding on Wednesday last. Their grand-childring number thirty-four. Mr.PEINKE bears his seventy-four years well, and anyone looking at his manly face and clearly marked features would scarcely note the march of Time, whilst his spouse does not exhibit any extraordinary sign of increasing years.
KIMBERLEY.
Mr. Gustave STAVENHAGEN, a well-known and popular member of the Beaconsfield community, died from congestion of the lungs, and was buried on last week, the funeral being a very large one. This makes the fourth funeral connected with the lately resuscitated Diamond Fields Horse.
Mr. P. MURTHA, one of the oldest residents on the Fields, died in the Kimberley Hospital at the age of 47.
Friday November 4, 1887
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
MOSSEL BAY.
The preliminary examination of the supposed murderer is now proceeding. The prisoner boot's exactly fit the imprints on the ground. Evidence was given on a previous attempt to decoy a child away. A native woman deposed to having seen the man leading the murdered girl away. He has
since been committed for trial.
UITENHAGE.
Mr. W.H. HAMMETT was found dead in his shop, Durban-street, on Sunday morning. The deceased was in apparent good health when last seen on Saturday evening. The Chronicle states that epilepsy was the cause of death.
Tuesday November 8, 1887
BIRTH,- At Queenstown, on the 3rd November, 1887, the wife of S.A. SOLE of a son.
TOWN-CRIER'S REPORTS.
KIMBERLEY.
Intelligence was received here last week that Mr. J.G. THOMPSON died at Bethlehem on Sunday last. Mr. THOMPSON was well known as one of the oldest diggers on the River diggings and in Kimberley Mine, and resided here till a few months ago.
TRANSVAAL.
A murder has taken place at Paardekraal, S.A. Republic. Two brothers named SMITH quarrelled over some milk, and one seized his gun and shot the other dead. The murderer was captured at Magaliesberg.
KOKSTAD.
Persons having claims against the estate of the late Herbert LOCKETT of Mount Frere must lodge them with W.L. DAVIES before 3rd December.
Friday November 11, 1887
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
CAPETOWN.
The Rev J. KNOBEL died suddenly from heart decease.
The man named Thomas Edward ANTHONY, who had his leg severely crushed in a cart accident while unloading granite at St. Mark's Church last week, has since died in the New Somerset Hospital.
The body of a man, identified as that of Edward ANDERSON, was found lying dead in the Scottish burial-ground, Somerset-road, early yesterday afternoon.
Tuesday November 15, 1887
DEATH OF UMQUIKELA.
UMQUIKELA, Paramount Chief of the Pond Nation died on Friday night the 28th 28th ult. At Great
Place at the age of 52. Mr. Donald STRACHAN who returned to Kokstad from Pondoland on Saturday morning reported that the old chief was dying when he left and that he could not last another 24 hours, and on Saturday afternoon news of his death was received which was subsequently confirmed by notification sent in by Josiah JENKINS to Fort Donald and forwarded on by the special C.M.R. messenger from that place. The cause of death is set down as congestion of the lungs, a conclusion arrived at from the fact that UMQUIKELA during his last illness complained of a burning pain in his chest, although in the absence of any qualified medical attendant to certify on the matter it might have been anything else, and probably was a complication of internal disorders produced, or considerably aggravated by the intemperate habits of the now deceased Chief. UMQUIKELA succeeded his father, FAKU, who died in 1867, and during the 20 years of his rule has shown but his own incapacity to govern his people and his inability to civilize them or raise them above the ignorance and superstitions savagery which reigns in Pondoland supreme at the present moment. The last symbol of authority in Pondoland has been removed by UMQUIKELA's death; no successor has been appointed, and after the period of mourning is past and the victims to witchcraft in causing the death have been murdered, we may expect to find the country plunged in civil war over the question of the succession. The Pondos, by the way it is observed, celebrate the period of mourning, which lasts a month, or even two, by shaving their heads and ceasing their usual avocations in buying and selling cattle, etc. The remaining sons who have any claim to exceed UMQUIKELA are four, namely SIGCAW, UMDIBANISO, OHAM, MASIPULA, and of these four SIGSAW will no doubt obtain a large amount of popular favour, as he has always lived with his father at the Great Place and is now in possession of the royal milk bag, a venerable article supposed to be possessed of properties an value conferring distinction on its keeper, a contemplation of which would hardly appeal with much force to the ordinary European mind. MASIPULA is the eldest and the most intelligent, but none of them have any education and it would be difficult to say which of them would be the most desirable as the new Chief...
Friday November 18, 1887
BIRTH,- At Empotolo on the 11th of November, the wife of Mr. S. MAYTHAM of a son.
Tuesday, November 22, 1887
Estate of the late Hendrik Jacobus LE ROEX, of Schietfontein, in the district of Queenstown.
All persons having claims against the abovenamed Estate are hereby called upon to lodge them with the undersigned on or before 14th day of January, 1888, and those indebted thereto are required to pay the amounts due by them within the same period failing which legal proceedings will be taken fo the recovery thereof.
Dated at Queenstown, this 5th day of November, 1887.
BELL & GOLDSCHMIDT,
Attorneys for the Executors Test.
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
GRAHAMSTOWN.
Mr. And Mrs. W.C. SMITH celebrated their golden-wedding on Saturday last. The interesting ceremony was celebrated at the house of their eldest son Mr. W.A. SMITH, J.P. and ex-Mayor of this city. Mr. SMITH's children, seven in number, are all alive, and upwards of thirty children and grandchildren were present at the Golden Wedding.
CAPETOWN.
Hendrick Justimus DE WET, since 1880 Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Assembly, died on the 14th inst. At his residence in Grave-street.
PORT ELIZABETH.
Mr. ATTREE? Of the Gamtoos River Ferry died here last week.
Friday November 25, 1887
INSOLVENT ESTATE.- November 28.- At Queenstown, in re Jacobus Adrian REYNDERS, of Sterkstroom, district of Queenstown, carpenter, second,
A Mrs. Mina STERNHAGEN advertises in the Government Gazette to the effect that if her husband who left her in 1871; and of whom she has not since heard, does not return to her at once she intends "to enter into matrimony in one calendar month from this date." Is this a legal means of evading the penalty attached to a bigamous marriage? It seems so, as the declaration in this case is made before a Resident Magistrate.
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
CAPETOWN.
Another centenarian, in the person of one Magdalena NORMAN, has just died here.
TRANSVAAL.
The nude body of a woman has been discovered in a tent in the neighbourhood of Johannesburg. It proved to be the corpse of a woman named Annie DU TOIT. There were marks of ill-usage about the body, but it appeared from the post-mortem examination that the woman had died from natural causes, accelerated by excessive drinking.
SMIT, who was charged before the Landdrost of Johannesburg with having shot his brother has been discharged. The State Attorney did not think there was evidence to show that the killing amounted to murder.
KINGWILLIAMSTOWN.
The death of Mr. J. CLARKE, father of Mr. J. CLARKE of this town, took place at Bedford last week, in his 70th yeas. He came to the Colony in 1849, and settled in Bedford in 1859, where he resided till he died. The funeral was largely attended.
EAST LONDON.
Mr. J. STENSON, manager of Mr. DREYFUS' business at Johannesburg, was married this month to Miss A.F. STANLEY, sister of Mrs, John VENN, of this town.
Tuesday November 29, 1887
FATAL CASUALTY.
The "Lucy's" Skipper Drowned.
(E.L. Dispatch)
We regret to have to report a lamentable accident which took place yesterday morning, by which Captain OVERKLIFT, the skipper of the dredger Lucy, lost his life. The dredger had been taken down to her place of working early in the morning, but having taken the ground there, was brought back to her moorings, after which Captain OVERKLIFFT went down to the spot in a dingy with a white man and two natives in order to take sounding. On getting down towards the bar, which was very smooth at the time, and whilst on a spot near the side, where there was but some five feet of water, the boat shipped a sea which half filled her, and on another sea following almost at once she suddenly sank. The white man gave the oars to the Captain, who it seems was unable to swim, and then he and the two natives made for the shore, and saved themselves without difficulty, though the European was wearing heavy seaboots. The unfortunate Captain appears to have lost his presence of mind, or at any rate to have been quite unable to help himself and he disappeared in the water. Three boats were started as soon as possible by Captain CLIFFORD, Port Captain, to search for the body, and the tug Trevose also went down. Dragging with a fishing net was resorted to, and at 11 o'clock the body was recovered by the lifeboat crew, and was removed to the office of the Harbour Works. The watch worn by Captain OVERKLIFFT had stopped at half-past six o'clock. We believe that Captain OVERKLIFFT was 52 years of age, and we understand that he leaves a widow and one son of about 15 years old, who are living in Rotterdam. An inquest will be held in due course.
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
KIMBERLEY.
On same night a man named OPIE went into one of the tunnels of the De Beer's Company. The roof of the tunnel fell in as a consequence of a charge of dynamite, and OPIE died shortly afterwards.
Friday December 2, 1887
BIRTH,- At Queenstown, on 24th November, the wife of Mr. J.E. McCOMB of a son.
News has reached us that Mrs. HOLMES of Molteno gave birth to three daughters one day this week. Mother and children are all doing well.
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
CAPETOWN.
The funeral of the Hon. J. MILLER, which took place on 21st, was largely attended...
KIMBERLEY.
The unfortunate man John McKENZIE, who was severely injured in the Dutoitspan Mine by a loaded truck falling upon him, has succumbed to his injuries.
Tuesday December 6, 1887
BIRTH,- On November 30th, at Penrose Cottage, Cala, the wife of E. Gilbert HALL of a daughter.
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
GRAHAMSTOWN.
Mrs BARNES, aged 82, died on 28th ulto.
BEDFORD.
An old unsolved mystery has been revived, and last week there was much excitement here in connection therewith. The theory of foul play has been started to account for the disappearance, some nine years since of a son of the Rev. Mr DAVIDSON, of Adelaide. The Magistrate held an inquiry but nothing material was elicited.
KING WILLIAMSTOWN.
Mrs BROWNLEE, wife of Mr James BROWNLEE, died on 29th ulto.
SWARTBOY, a Kafir herd in the employ of Mr Samuel DREDGE, of the Chalumna, met his death by lightning during a thunderstorm the other day. From Mr. DREDGE's evidence it appeared that the electric fluid made a hole in the hat the man was wearing, leaving charred marks on him from head to foot and causing instantaneous death.
Alleged Culpable Homicide.
(Cape Times.)
Mina MENTOR, a servant girl lately in the house of Mr W.M. GRIER, of Wynberg, has been brought up before the R.M. of Wynberg charged with the crime of culpable homicide, in causing the suffocation of her newly-born child. The prisoner's mistress had had for some time past suspicions of the condition of the girl, and at about a quarter-past two o'clock p.m. on the 8th November, the housemaid, Caroline ABRAMS, went to her mistress, and said she heard a strange noise in her bed-room, but could not make out what it was. On entering the room with a light Mrs. GRIER heard what sounded like a stifled cry from the chest of drawers. The accused was not in the room at the time, and Mrs. GRIER went to the chest of drawers and tried to pull open the bottom drawer, and, although she heard other stifled cries now and again, she could not pull it out far, as it stuck. She
sent for Dr. WRIGHT, who forced open the drawers, when he took out the bundle of clothes, which were partly the property of the accused, and found a newly-born infant wrapped in it. He did all he could to resuscitate the child, but after a few gasps for breath it died. The cause of death was suffocation. He was of opinion that the child would have lived had it not met with its death in this manner. He found the accused had recently been delivered of a child. The accused was committed for trial.
HORRIBLE FATALITY.
(Johannesburg Standard.)
Yuesday afternoon, the inhabitants were thrown into a state of horror and excitement, through a report that two white men had been found drowned in a well. The story turned out to be only too true. The well is situate behind Allardice's canteen, to whom it belonged, and Mrs. ALLARDICE on going to see how much water had accumulated from the rains, was horrified to find what seemed the portion of a human being, at the bottom. Mr. ERNST, late manager for the Capetown Gold Mining Agency, very promptly and pluckily lowered himself to prove the truth. His feelings, and those who watched him, may be readily imagined, when he hauled first one dead body and then another from the water. On being brought out of the well, it was at once seen that the men must have been in it for some days, as they were much decomposed. It was a ghastly spectacle, but one neverthless, which attracted a large concourse of people, in fact hundreds continued to come and go during the whole afternoon. The bodies were identified as those of Tom HUNT, a plasterer, and Tom WILLIAMS, a mason, both Englishmen. They were about 30 years of age unmarried. WILLIAMS has a brother in Johannesburg, who must have received a fearful shock when the news was communicated to him. It appears they had been boarding with a Mrs. LITTLE, whose house they left a week past yesterday, and have not since been seen, until found in the well. Mrs. LITTLE had thought the young men might have gone to Pretoria to work, although several friends thought otherwise, and were anxious as to what had become of them. The companions of the deceased, given them a splendid character, as being expert tradesmen, most respectable, and very much liked by other workmen in town. The inquest will take, place, we understand to-day. Whatever, the verdict may be, whether accidental death, or what some people have thought likely, foul play, it matters not, those wells must all be enclosed...
Friday December 9, 1887
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
TARKA.
Mr Jan HERSELMAN one of our leading Dutch farmers, resident for years at Groot Haasfontein, near Tarkastad, died in Tarkastad on Tuesday last, after a somewhat lingering illness.
CAPETOWN.
Untill the execution of HAYNES, on 29th of last month no execution had taken place in Capetown for eighteen years, the last being on 1st September, 1869, when two men hanged, their names
being Klaas VROLIJK and Christian JAGERS, who were sentenced to death on the 15th July, 1869.
KIMBERLEY.
The death of Mrs. Anthony GOLDSCHMIDT is announced.
DORDRECHT.
During the prevalence of a heavy thunderstorm on Friday week, Mrs. George McCALGAN was struck by lightning and killed on the spot, on the farm Snymanskraa, about twelve miles from Dordrecht. She was grinding coffee in an outhouse at the time, and a small child in the room was stunned by the shock, but afterwards recovered. Deceased had been blind for some time previous; and had it is said a presentiment that she would be killed by lightning. Just before the storm commenced she spoke about it, and gave directions in reference to her children in the event of her death.
TRAGIC OCCURRENCE.
(Frontier Guardian.)
An express messenger was sent to town early on Monday morning last by Mr. Jan NEL, F.C. of Montaguhill, East Westbank, acquainting the authorities that a somewhat mysterious affair had transpired on the previous Saturday at the farm Tauhill. The R.M. Mr. CAMPBELL, Dr. YAIR, and Inspector HUTCHONS Cape Police, visited the spot. They were met by Mr NEL, F.C., and it transpired from information supplied to Mr NEL by Jacob Hermanus Albertus VAN DEVENTER, of Roodenck, that a young unmarried white girl named Maria Christina VORSTER, aged 15 years and 22 days, daughter of the widow Gebrechta Susanna VORSTER, had been delivered of a child on the previous
Saturday night, which had been hurriedly buried shortly afterwards by Gert Willem OELFSE, who it was said had seduced the unfortunate girl. In reply to Mr CAMPBELL, no attempt at concealing the birth of the child was made by the widow VORSTER or her daughter, but they averred that Mr A BENZIES, an apothecary living in the neighbourhood, had assisted at the confinement, and that the child was born dead. The grave having been pointed out Mr CAMPBELL, Dr YAIR, and Inspector HUTCHONS proceeded to the spot. A post mortem was made by Dr YAIR upon the body of the child, which had been thrust into an old bag from which all the mealies had not been emptied, and the sight is said to have been a most sickening and revolting one. The medical examination proved that the child, a fully-developed nine-months boy, had been born dead; and although some of the friends and relatives of the girl, and even her own mother it is alleged, pretended they did not know of her situation until the confinement was about to take place, there was nothing to warrant further proceedings being taken; and here the whole matter would have ended, but for what subsequently followed. Whilst returning from the grave, about a third of a mile distant, the Magistrate and Doctor were met by M L. VORSTER, brother of the girl, who informed them that Gert Willem OELFSE, the father of the dead child, had hanged himself in the wagon house on the homestead. Proceeding immediately thither, they found the dead body, which had just been cut down by Alwyn VORSTER and Andries Nicolas OELSFE, father of the deceased. Dr YAIR pronounced life to have been extinct for an hour or more, and a post mortem showed that death must have resulted from strangulation, the neck not having been dislocated. Deceased appears to have gone about the deed in a most systematic manner. The wagon house had two rows of beams, one above the other. Standing upon a Scotch cart he seems to have clambered on to one of the lower beams and then affixed the reim (a short. Stout bullock-hide) to one of the topmost beams, placed the noose round his neck, and then slided gently off. He was about 33 years of age, a widower, having been married to Miss VORSTER, an elder sister of the unfortunate girl whom he seduced. His wife died some few years since, without issue; and his alleged immoral conduct with his wife's mother (the widow VORSTER herein alluded to) formed the subject of Church inquiry a short time since, when he was placed under Church censure.
Tuesday December 13, 1887
BIRTH- At Queenstown, Decbr. 8th, the wife of W.L. ARNOLD of "Lair" of a son.
DIED,- December 10th, at Blaauwkrantz, Queenstown, aged 24 years, Henry, youngest son of the late John HOLROYD, of Carlton Hill, Leeds.
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
TRANSVAAL.
The Star remarks – A man named UYS – perhaps an unworthy scion of the house of the famous Transvaal hero of that name – drank himself to death at an hotel between Johannesburg and Pretoria on Sunday or Monday last. He drank no less than four bottles of Cape brandy in one day. No wonder that he died from the effects of such a carouse.
Tuesday December 18, 1887
GRAHAMSTOWN.
Jafta SNEYMAN, who so brutally beat his reputed wife to death with pieces of firewood and other weapons in D? Row, some few months ago, was hanged within the precincts of the local gaol shortly before six o'clock yesterday morning; none but the priests who had ministered to the condemned man, the necessary officials and a posse of constables being present. KING was the executioner and he performed his gruesome task both expeditiously and well; death being instantaneous. SNEYMAN appeared quite calm and resigned, and showed no sign of trepidation at his impending and awful fate. The last execution took place at Grahamstown on the 7th Jan, 1884.
ADELAIDE.
About nine years ago, the Rev. Peter DAVIDSON, Presbyterian minister residing at Adelaide, lost a little son in a very mysterious manner. He had either wandered or or been decoyed away from his home, and though the whole country round had been repeatedly searched, no tidings of the missing boy could be, or ever had been, traced, from that date until very recently. The story now told is, that the child had been carried away, and actually murdered by Kafirs, for what reason is unknown. This statement is the substance of a confession made by the man who charges himself with the crime, and who, with a woman also associated with him in the murder, is now in custody. It is difficult to realize the motives for so horrible a crime on the person of a little child, yet if the man speaks the truth in his statement, the deed was deliberately done, and the body afterwards hid in a crevice of rocks in the vicinity of Adelaide. The peculiarity of the circumstances render them somewhat sensational, and the preliminary examination in the matter will be looked for with interest.- Mercury.
BURGHERSDORP.
The Gazette reports:- A lad of the name of BOTHMA is reported to have been killed on Monday last in the district of Aliwal North. He was in the house at the time.
PORT ELIZABETH.
On Wednesday morning last, at Trinity Church, Mr. Ewin CHRISTIAN, of Kragga-Kamma, son of Mr. H.B. CHRISTIAN of this town, to the youngest daughter of Mr. John A. HOLLAND. The bridesmaids were Miss JONES, Miss LOVEMORE, and three Misses PETTIT. The bridegroom found a best man in his brother, Mr. Owen CHRISTIAN.
Tuesday December 20, 1887
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
CAPETOWN.
The inquest into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Leon PARENT, the herbalist of Capetown, showed that death was the result of narcotic poisoning.
TRANSVAAL.
From the local papers we learn that a sad and fatal accident occurred at the claims of the Roseberry Gold Mining Company. A white man named DABLE, and a Kafir were drilling in the shaft 95 feet deep, when an explosion suddenly took place, supposed to have been caused by the drill striking an old charge, which had not been fired off. Both the unfortunate men were killed.
KIMBERLEY.
The well known young athlete, Mr. W.J. LING, of Kimberley, was married to Miss C.A. JACKSON, of De Beer's. The wedding which took place at St. Cyprian's Church, was very quiet, the ceremony being performed by the Ven. Archdeacon GAUL, only the relatives and intimate friends of the bride and bridegroom being present.
The body of a man named John BISSIT, of Riverton, has been found in a small kopje between that place and Hebron. There were several stabs, and the throat was cut, and it is supposed that a murder has been committed.
FREE STATE.
The oldest white resident of Thaba 'Nchu has passed away in the person of Mr John NELSON, who lived there upwards of 32 years. He was much respected by the whites and was looked upon as the Father of Thaba 'Nchu.
Miss Mimy HUTTON, the youngest daughter of Mr C.W. HUTTON of Bloemfontein, died last Saturday week.
Death reported of Mr. W. QUIN, first prospector of Tofelkep.
Mr M.L. PINCIES died in Bloemfontein on 13th inst,
WORCESTER.
A coloured man named John PHILANDER, was murdered on 7th inst at Hex River. Two prisoners were apprehended by Sergt. THACKER. No further particulars are known.
Friday December 23, 1887
BIRTH,- At Queenstown on the 12th December, 1887, the wife of W.J. MARSHALL of a son.
TOWN-CRIERS' REPORTS.
GRAHAMSTOWN.
In the Eastern Districs' Court on the 1st December, in the matter of EDDIE vs. EDDIE, the Court held at the plaintiff was entitled to his divorce.
TARKASTAD.
Mr John ROBINSON, of Notcliff Park, was buried last Sunday week with Masonic honours.
The Tarka Times reports the following fatal accident: As Mr. GROBELLAR of the Cradock district, was driving home from Elandt River, a large stone on the side of the road frightened the horses, and caused them to swerve round and jumped down a precipice on the other side of the road. Mr GROBELLAR, his wife, child and nurse were in the cart. Both Mr and Mrs GROBELLAR remained insensible for some time, when they recovered their senses, they found the horses standing quietly, the child was seriously injured, and died the next day.
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