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Queenstown Free Press

Transcribed by Sunelia Heath from the original newspapers held at the Queenstown Museum

Queenstown Free Press 1862

Tuesday, January 6, 1862

Mrs. CLARKE, wife of Mr. Joseph CLARKE, died suddenly yesterday morning.

MELANCHOLY DEATH – A SAD OCCCURRENCE TOOK PLACE AT Tylden on Wednesday last, the 31st December. From what we can learn from a Hottentot who was on the opposite side, it appears that during the afternoon Mr W.E. RANDALL left his hotel (situated a short distance from the river) and proceeded down the bank, and was shortly after seen by the boy floating down the stream, whether he slipped and fell in is not known. The river was so swollen and made such a roar that the boy could neither cross or shout loud enough to be heard at the hotel. The deceased was not missed for two hours after, as being lately afflicted in his mind, and often wandering when talking. He had been in the habit of retiring to a small room to sleep during the afternoon. As soon as it was known that a body had floated down the river, and deceased had not been seen for some time, immediate search was made for him without avail. Then parties were dispatched down the river to see if the body could be found to ascertain who it was. After a fruitless search all night, and part of the next day, the body was discovered 14 miles below theplace, and brought into Queenstown for burial. The funeral took place on the 3rd inst. The Rev W.C. HOLDEN conducted the service.

[No other papers for 1862]

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Queenstown Free Press 1863 1 January - March

Tuesday January 13, 1863

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

A SHOCKING MURDER.- On Friday afternoon December 26, a shocking murder was committed in this city. Several seamen belonging to foreign vessels now in Table Bay were assembled at a canteen in Longstreet, where some quarrel arose between them; and one of the party, a Spaniard, named Manuel SABINGO, belonging to the Spanish transport Orea, deliberately drew a stiletto which he had upon his person, and stabbed a Swedish or Danish ship-carpenter named TARRSON. The wounded man rushed into the street, and fell down. Dr DYER was in the neighbourhood, and immediately proceeded to the spot, where he found thewounded man in a dying state; he had received two mortal stabs – one in the breast and another in the side, which in a few minutes proved fatal. The police were promptly on the spot, and apprehended the murderer, who is now in custody; he had upon his person the weapon with which the crime was committed. They also found another Swede or Dane, who had been wounded by the same person, lying in the house where the party had been.

FATAL ACCIDENT. – On the 2nd January, a party of pleasure seekers hired an omnibus from Mr W MOORE, for the purpose of enjoying a day in the country. On returning, in passing the Palbcom Bridge, at Newlands, the bus was accidentally driven too near the edge of the bridge, and the wheels passing over the outside, nearly cause and upset, and precipitated, one man and four children into the water, the whole of the party (some 15 in number) might havebneen upset, were it not that the hand-rails on the bridge prevented the omnibus from turning over. One youth, named Peter HICKMAN, 12 years of age, was mortally injured, and died in ten minutes afterwards; and a man named Henry SMITH received a dangerous fracture on the skull. Dr BOWS was immediately in attendance on the poor sufferers, as the accident occurred close to his residence, and rendered every assistance in his power and Mr George KENT also showed great kindnessto them in getting a cart to forward the party, with the body of the deceased, to town, last evening.

BIRTH, at Queenstown, on the 8th January, 1863, the wife of Mr. Walter J.BRADFIELD, of a daughter.

MARRIED at Whittlesea on Thursday the 8th inst., by the Rev. W.C. HOLDEN, Wesleyan Minister, Patrick, eldest son of D. McGILLEWIE, Esq., Manager of theCentral Bank of Scotland, Pitlochry, Perthshire, to Emily, second daughter of Samuel LOXTON, Esq., J.P. of Tylden Prk, district of Queenstown.

DIED, at Dordrecht, on the 27th inst., Edith Augusta, daughter of Mr and Mrs John WEBSTER, aged 21 months.

Tuesday January 27, 1863

GENERAL INTELLLIGENCE

DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT AND MILLIONARE,- Mr R.A. ZEEDERBERG, senr., died at the Paarl lastweek, at the very advanced age of ninety-one years, his remains were conveyed to town and interred in the Lutheran burying ground on Friday afternoon. Mr ZEEDEBERG arrived in the colony considerably more than half a century ago. For many years he toiled hard to amass a fortune; and ultimately by increasing application and integrity, raised himself to a foremost position amongst the wealthiest capitalists and most respected inhabitants of the colony. He is supposed to have left property to the value of about £1,000,000.

BIRTH at Dordrecht on the 25th January, the wife of P.J. MARAIS, Esq., of adaughter.

DIED at Gretna on Sunday last the 25th instant, by a stroke from lightning, Charles LINTON, Esq, of Gretna, in the division of Queenstown. Deeply regretted by a large circle of relatives and friends.

Tuesday February 3, 1863

LOCAL NEWS

A young farmer, named ANNONDALE, was thrown from his horse on Saturday week, taken up insensible, and died without speaking the following day.

Tuesday February 10, 1963

BIRTH at Queenstown on the 31st January 1863, the wife of Mr Matthew HALE, of a son.

Tuesday February 24, 1863

DIED at Queenstown on Tuesday 17th February, 1863 – Florence Stoddart, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. HAM.

Tuesday March 3, 1863

LOCAL NEWS

We regret to hear of the sudden death of Mr A.B. PENNY. Deceased had been ailing some time of late. On Sunday last he was reclining on the bed, Mrs PENNY hearing him cough went into the room, and he seemed to recover and lie quite still for a few seconds, when with one convulsive throb the spirit took its everlasting flight. Assistance was immediately rendered but life was extinct.

CANCER – A most difficult operation by cutting cancer from the breast of a Mrs. VAN DER BANK was performed by Drs. KRANZ and FULLS this morning. Mrs. VAN DER BANK had been for the last 8 months under treatment of the various doctors at King William’s Town, and pronounced incurable. This morning the two gentlemen above named put the patient under the influence of chloroform, and removed about 7lb of flesh from the breast and arm... [paper cut off]

DIED, at Queenstown, the 1st March, 1863, Aunjer Brock PENNY, aged 48. Deeply regretted by his wife, and a large circle of relatives and friends.

Tuesday March 10, 1863

LAST WEEK NEWS reached town of the death, by drowning, of Mr. Theodore ORPEN, in theOrange River, near Hope Town. The following detailed particulars are supplied by the Colesberg paper: “You will, I am sure, be startled and sorry to hear the poor Theodore ORPEN is no more. About two hours after the post left (on Thursday last) he was drowned in theOrange River. His hobby proved his end. That boat, over which he laboured so long, upset in the middle of the stream, and he, BEHN, and CLEMENTS were cast into the water, which was running with tremendous force, the river being full. The boat upset above Lilienfield’s Pont, CLEMENTS, being able to swim, helped ORPEN to climb on to the boat, as she lay upside down in the river. She was then carried with the current to the drift, CLEMENTS asked ORPEN to get off and he and BEHN would swim with him to the bank, but he would not trust himself with them. In a few minutes the boat washed in among the rocks and sank, CLEMENTS then again tried to save ORPEN, but could not, the current being too strong. BEHN was fortunate enough to get to the side just by the Klip Kraal, and CLEMENTS, who had remained with ORPEN, some yards lower. Had BEHN have had twenty yards further to swim he would have gone also. He was picked up quite exhausted, and conveyed home in a cart and put to bed. CLEMENTS, was also quiet done up.”

Tuesday March 17, 1863

DIED at Vlakfontein, on Friday, the 13th March, Matilda Rhodes, beloved daughter of Mr and Mrs John ECKLEY – aged 2 years, 4 months, and 13 days.

DIED, near Whittlesea, on Sunday 8th March, 1863, Louis LENTZ, late Captain in the German Legion, aged 36 years, leaving a widow and 3 children to deplore their loss.

Tuesday March 24, 1863

BIRTH at Queenstown on the 20th of March – the wife of Mr. H. DAMPIER of a Son.

Tuesday March 31, 1863

DIED, from the accidental capsize of the wagon on Grey Town Hill on Tuesday evening, 24th instant, Mary Ann (eldest daughter of the late Mr J. STAPLES) the beloved wife of Mr. Edmund WEBSTER, in the 29th year of her age, deeply regretted by her husband, three young children, and a numerous circle of relatives and friends. ALSO, At thesame time, Alfred Earnest, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Edmund WEBSTER, aged two years and one month.

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Queenstown Free Press 1863 2 April - June

Tuesday April 21, 1863

MARRIED on the 15th instant, in the Wesleyan Chapel, Queenstown, by the Rev W.C. HOLDEN, - Mr. William Thomas HARTLEY, to Martha Louisa, eldest daughter of Mr. Philip PENNY, of “Blaauw Krantz,” division of Queen’s Town. – No Cards.

Tuesday April 28, 1863

BIRTH, at Queenstown on the 9th Instant, - Mr. E.T. STUBBS of a Daughter.

BIRTH, at Queenstown, on the 21st inst., Mrs Chas. BROWN of Daughter.

BIRTH, at Dordrecht, on the 23d April, Mrs. Horace HUTCHONS of a Daughter.

MARRIED, on the 8th of April, 1863, in the Wesleyan Chapel, Queenstown, by the Revd. W.C. HOLDEN, John Vanderkemp DOYLE to Sarah PRESTON, the adopted daughterof the late Mr A.B. PENNY, of Queenstown.

DIED, at Queenstown, on the 24th April, Matilda Grace, the Wife of Mr H.L.DAMPIER, aged 24 years.

Tuesday May 12, 1863

LOCAL NEWS

STRANGE OCCURRENCE.- A young man named Adrien LANGEFOOL residing in the Washbank met his death last Sunday week under very distressing circumstances. It appears he went to look after the stock during the day, but not returning in the Evening his father became alarmed, and next morning early with some of his neighbours started to search for him. The search without any result until 10a.m., when the father came in sight of the corpse of his son, which had evidently rolled off a krantz. On inspection the body was found to have received a bullet wound in the back which had passed through the chest. The gun was found stuck in a bush a little distance off. What is most surprising there is no sign of any powder on his clothes. This leads to the suspicion that his death had been caused by foul play. The police were immediately on the spot and have taken the matter in hand.

Tuesday June 2, 1963

DIED, after a brief illness, on Sunday the 31st of May, 1863, Mr. John Henry COLEMAN, son of W. COLEMAN, Esq. Merchant of Smithfield, aged 19 years and 8 months.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

A VERY SUDDEN DEATH occurred on Monday 25th May. A Mr. MOORCROFT, who was into the muster on that day, left the same evening for his home on the Winterberg. Arriving at Mr McDONALD’s and feeling unwell, he stayed there for the night. His friends stayed up with him until midnight, and not noticing anything particularly wrong, retired. The next morning deceased was found in a death-like stupor, in which he remained for two days and then expired. We hear that medical aid was sent for but did not arrive. There certainly was great neglect somewhere, and we think the public ought to be made acquainted as to who were in the wrong.

Tuesday June 9, 1863

DIED on the 2nd inst, William Cecil, third son of the Revd F.Y. ST. LEGER, aged1? year and 8 months.

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

OBITUARY.-We regret to record the death of Mr T.S.M KNIGHT, artist, who died a few day sago, at Phillipolis, after an illness of 20 hours. Mr KNIGHT was in indifferent health when he arrived in this State, some two years since, but had improved very much, and was comparatively well, in health and spirits, immediately before the attack which terminated his existence. Mr.KNIGHT was an intelligent person and very generally esteemed in the Free State. The Mr KNIGHT here mentioned formerly resided at Whittlesea.

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Queenstown Free Press 1863 3 July - September

Tuesday July 7, 1863

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

THE FUNERALof the late R.J. JONES, Esq., took place on the 21st June, and was attended by a very large concourse of people anxious to show their respect for the memory of one of the oldest and most esteemed of their fellow-colonists. The volunteers were also called out to attend the funeral of the deceased gentleman, whose eldest son is the Commandant of the Rifle Corps, and nearly all the members of whose family have been leading supporters of thevolunteering movement throughout.

Tuesday July 14, 1863

TRANSKEIAN INTELLIGENCE

DEATH OF THE PARAMOUNT CHIEFS – FAKU & FUBU (Kaffrarian News Correspondent) The twooldest chiefs in Kaffirland are no longer numbered with the living. FUBU the chief of a tribe of the Amatembus, died a week or two back at the age of about 130 years! No doubt he is well-known to every Colonist. FAKU the Paramount Chief of the Pondo tribe, and also of a ripe age, died the other day. The death of the latter, says our correspondent, will most probably cause a war between the tribes in and about theTerritory of the Transkei that is between the sons of FAKU, DAMAS and ANOKELA, who both claim the successorship to FAKU...

Tuesday July 21, 1863

LOCAL NEWS

SUDDEN DEATH of Mr. MEYEREN, Baker of this town. It appears that Mr MEYEREN was returning from Port Elizabeth, in a cart, on reaching Deep River, by some means, he was thrown out of the cart and received severe injuries, which has since resulted in his death. Deceased was buried on Sunday afternoon last. Great excitement was caused when the report of his death first came into town, in consequence of it being said that he had been killed by Kaffirs.

Tuesday July 28, 1863

DIED at Queenstown on 24th instant – Ethel Amelia, the beloved child of Frederick and Amelia BROWN. Aged nine months.

Tuesday August 25, 1863

BIRTH, at Queenstown, on Saturday 22nd August 1863, the wife of M.W.J. NETTTLETON, of a Son.

Tuesday September 15, 1863

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

A man named John BRITON, at Simon’s Town, died suddenly a few days ago, with all the symptoms of poisoning by strychnine. His stomach has been forwarded to Mr SCHMIETERLOEW for analysis, but the result is not ye tknown. The man’s wife has been arrested on suspicion; and the acting Clerk of the Peace is now engaged in inquiring into the case and collecting further evidence.

Tuesday September 22, 1863

BIRTH on the 17th instant at the Parsonage, Mrs. F. ST. LEGER of a Daughter.

Tuesday September 29 1863

BIRTH, at the farm “Drummond” near Whittlesea, on the 26th September, 1863,the wife of Mr D.W. McDONALD, of a son.

MURDER WILL OUT. Confession of one of the murderers of Mr Thomas KIDWELL.
Although it has been known for some weeks past that one of the murderers of the late Mr Thomas KIDWELL had given himself up and made a confession, we refrained from giving publicity to the fact in the hope that his accomplices in the murder might have been apprehended before the confession was made public. Now, however, that we see the subject, noticed by some of our contemporary’s, we think that too much publicity cannot be given to the matter in the hope that the other accused parties, READ and SHEPHERD, may be apprehended and brought to justice. It will be in the recollection of many of our readers that four years ago last month as, Mr. KIDWELL was returning from Bedford (whither he had taken his wife to be confined) to his farm, distant only a few hours ride, he was most fouly murdered. Mr KIDWELL left a wife and sixchildren. Suspicion at the time rested entirely on the natives of Bedford, who were known to be very restless. It has now come out that the murder was committed by three Europeans named SHEPHERD, READ, and BADRICK. The latter, after keeping the secret four long years, tormented and worried with nigh unto death, has at last made confession of the crime. We hear that some time prior to his giving himself up he was in continued dread of being apprehended. He had engaged himself to a farmer in this district, who on being told his name was John BADRICK , remarked to him it was a very bad name and he did not like his looks. Leaving shortly after for Queen’s Town the prisoner thought he had gone for assistance to apprehend him, and his feelings were so worked up that he confessed soon after his employers return. He was conveyed to Queen’ Town, the District Surgeon giving it as his opinion that he was not in his right mind, but suffering from Delerims, he was kept quiet and attended to until released form medical aid when he made the statement given below. The prisoner has a most forbidding look as though afraid to enter into conversation, large whiskers, sallow complexion, and sunken eyes as if some deep grief had settled upon him. At Queenstown, this 25th day of Sept. 1863, appeared before me, Charles Duncan GRIFFITH Esq., Resident Magistrate for Queenstown,JohnBADRICK, who after being duly cautioned that he is not obliged to make any statement that may criminate himself, and that what he may say may be used in evidence against him, makes the following statement:-“I have come to surrender myself as being guilty of murder, in having been concerned in the murder of Mr KIDWELL near Bedford, about four years ago. At the time of the murder, I was in Bedford with two other men named “READ” and “SHEPHERD”, we had been drinking togethe rat Mr KITCHEN’s canteen, this was on the same day that Mr KIDWELL was murdered, we all three left Bedford together on the afternoon of that day, and went along the footpath towards Baviaans River, and when we got on to the neck, we all three sat down and had some more brandy to drink, which we had brought with us. Sometime after dark a person came along the footpath on horseback, he spoke to us, and asked us for a light for his pipe, and dismounted from his horse. I think it was SHEPHERD who gave him a light, the other man named READ asked him (KIDWELL) he addressed him by name, if he intended to pay him some money which he owed him. KIDWELL said he was mistaken as he owed no money to him; with that READ struck him a blow on the head with a stick, and we all then commenced to fight one with the other. MR KIDWELL then fell down and I struck him a blow on the head with a stick, and he said “my God you have killed me” he laid quite still for abou tfive minutes, and then we found he was quite dead, we then took his body and carried it some distance from the footpath and laid it down, we then said amongs tourselves that we must get away out of this – we took the road to Dagga Boers Neck, and remained there that night, the next morning I separated from READ and SHEPHERD, they said they would take the road to the Free State, and I took the road to the Tarka, and have been working in the colony ever since. I have not seen or heard of READ or SHEPERD since I parted with them at Dagga Boers’ Neck. I cannot say for certain whether SHEPHERD struck Mr KIDWELL or not, but I am quite certain that READ struck him the first blow. I had never seen Mr KIDWELL before this murder took place, it was not an arranged plan to go to this neck and wait for Mr KIDWELL, not a word was said to me about it by the other two men. I do not recollect ever leaving Bedford, I was so much under influence of drink at the time. The description for SHEPHERD as far as I can recollect is as follows: Rather stout made, with light hair and whiskers, fair complexion, and about 5 feet 7 inches in height. The description for READ was as follows: Also stout made, and rather shorter than SEHPERD, with dark hair and beard, darkcomplexion, both these men I think were sailors. I think SHEPERD was called Jack and READ Jim, amongst themselves, but I only met them for the first time on the day we committed the murder, I may be mistaken. JohnBADRICK." Witnesses John HEMMING, Alex PETRIE. Taken befor eme and in the presence of the above witnesses, at Queenstown, this 25thSeptember, 1863. Charles D.GRIFITH. Resident Magistrate.
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Queenstown Free Press 1863 4 October - December

Tuesday October 13, 1863

BIRTH at Queenstown on the 11th instant, the wife of Mr. H. ZIMMERMAUN of a son.

DEPARTED this life on Sunday night the 4th instant, Fanny Emily, aged thirty days, infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H.J. BAILIE, of Vaal Krantz.

Tuesday October 20, 1863

BIRTH, at Newcastle, near Whittlesea, on Monday, 12th October, 1863, the wifeof Mr. W.H. WEBSTER, of a daughter.

Tuesday November 24, 1863

DIED at Queenstown on the 17th inst., Robert Alfonso, youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. John WEBSTER, aged 7 months and 4 days.

LOCAL NEWS

SUDDEN DEATH - A son of old TOOISE, one of the Lesseyton head men, broke a blood vessel while attending public worship in the Native Wesleyan chapel on Sunday last, and within a quarter of an hour afterwards died. The deceased, like many of his companions, had long been suffering from consumption. It is astonishing how many kaffirs die from this dread disease.

Tuesday December 1, 1863

MARRIED, on the 5th Nov. 1863, at East London, British Kaffraria, by the Reverend James ROWE, M.A. Military Chaplain, assisted by the Reverend William WALLIS, - James Murray GRANT, Esquire, Lieutenant 85th King’s Light Infantry, eldest son of Major James GRANT, late of the 3rd Light Dragoons, and grandson of the late Major James Murray GRANT, 3rd Foot Guards, to Matilda Jane, youngest daughter of the late William McDowal lFYNN, Esquire, J.P. Transvaal Resident.

Tuesday December 8, 1863

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

SUICIDE.
We regret to hear that Mr R. LAURIE, of Fort Beaufort, terminated his existence on Monday last, by cutting his throat while in a state of mental aberration.

SUICIDE IN THE CLANWILLLIAM DISTRICT.
The Volksblaad states that a Mr D SMITH, residing at Platburg, Oliphants River, in the district of Clanwilliam, committed suicide on Monday, the 15th inst., by hanging himself to a beam in the hall of the house. No positive reason is given for the melancholy deed, but it is said that his wife had been living for some days with her brother-in-law, Mr A VAN ZYL, at Middelpost, as she was not sure of her life. With his wife the unfortunate man leaves a family of young children.

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