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Added July 17 2007:From Eileen Truesdell.Sept 17, 1880 Daily British Whig Page 2 WHO IS HE! ----------------- Probably a suicide -- A Strange Proceeding Anyway To the editor of the British Whig SIR -- Last Monday morning about 9 o'clock your correspondent saw a man rowing along the north shore of the channel between Howe Island and Pittsburg, just opposite Kelly's Landing. When the skiff came opposite Prospect Point it suddenly turned out towards the channel, and on gaining midway between the shores, a young man, bareheaded, with light grey pants, white shirt, and black tie, stood up and looked all around him, then sat down and allowed the skiff to drift for awhile. and again stood up. After looking around the second time, and seeing my boat crossing him, he sat down and rowed towards Gananoque. Nothing more was heard of it until Wednesday when a report came that a skiff had been beached at Clarke's Point. Your correspondent rowed down and found at Clarke's Point, a small light green skiff, outrigged, with a high back seat, a small piece of tarpaulin in the bottom and the name "H Cummingham, builder, Kingston. Your correspondent then saw Mr. Clarke and learned from him, that on Monday morning he saw the skiff going past his place, the man bareheaded and rowing fast. About two minutes after he looked up and about the centre of the channel here very wide, he saw the skiff empty. He at once rowed out and secured it, but saw nothing of the man and as the water was very rough he could not make any search for him. In the bottom of the boat were two polished cedar spoon oars, nearly new, and a coat and hat. The coat is a common shooting jacket, three pockets on the outside and in one of them one cent and a match. The material is light grey, lined with black except the sleeves which are lined with white, and through the tweed there is a pale purple thread. The maker's name "Jas. D. Anderson, Montreal." The hat is a straw one, the edge bound with black ribbon, a black band, and lined inside with leather on which there is written in ink E. G. the rest of the name being very dim, but looking like Regan or Ryman., or perhaps Hyman, and underneath the name Bothwell or some such word for except the letters E. G. all else is very dim, the hat is nearly new and the size 7 1/8. Mr. Clarke says the man was undoubtedly drowned, and he reported the case to the local magistrate on Howe Island. The skiff, sculls, coat, and hat are in Mr. Clarke's possession and I have sent you this note to you thinking perhaps the publicity thus given may help in exciting enquiry and thus clear up the mystery. Yours very truly, S. W. From Eileen Truesdell. Kingston Sept. 17th 1880 The boat picked up is evidently that of Col. Strange, the loss of which was reported two days ago. The missing man must in that case have gone from Kingston. Newspaper clipping. Believe to have been in the Kingston Whig about 1917 Submitted by Jeannette Woodman WOLFE ISLAND BEAT TAMWORTH Weird Game Yesterday at Napanee Ended up in Score of 14-13---Island Team Now Meets 4th Hussars In one of the strangest games this season in this district, Wolfe Island disposed of Tamworth yesterday in the final game between these two teams to decide which will go into the intermediate O.B.A.A. finals and the island emerged victorious by a score of 14-13. It was a slugging bee from the start to the finish and the two teams showed no mercy to the pitchers, each team gathering in eighteen hits. The game was won and lost half a dozen times and the excitement reached its peak when, in the eight inning, Tamworth after trailing for awhile, gathered in five runs and jumped into the lead. It looked mighty bad for Wolfe Island just then but they gathered in four runs in their half of the eighth and made the score thirteen to ten in their favor. Tamworth kept up the fireworks in their half of the ninth, tied up the score making it 13 all. The Island had to take their last “raps” in the ninth and LaRush put over the necessary runs when he hit with Woodman on. Larush featured with another home run when he sent the ball far over the centre field track. It was a beautiful smash and an easy homer for the Island’s short stop. He clouted the ball much farther in the seventh inning but the wary center fielder for Tamworth was waiting for him and he only got three bases on it. Despite the big score there was some snappy ball played at times and Tamworth pulled a nice double play in the seventh inning when Little hit a liner to Kellar who threw Steblin at third for an easy double just when things seemed the brightest for Wolfe Island to score. The Island made a pretty play in the fifth inning when they caught Wells at the plate. The ball was thrown from Kyle to Kiell and then to Spoor. The relays were perfect and Wells was easily nailed at the plate. Goodfriend and Kellar did the twirling for their respective teams, each being touched for eighteen safeties. Kellar led in strikeouts, having seven to Goodfriends five. There were few bags stolen in yesterday’s game but the Island team showed more life on the bases, which accounts in a large measure for their victory. Larush was the outstanding star for the Island team hitting safely four times out of six at bat, one of his drives being the homer and another a three bagger. Steblin held the same batting record and played well in the field. Kiel played a nice game at second and Spoor held up his pitcher in good style. Billy Little enjoyed an off day and was not up to his usual good form. Kellar in the box for Tamworth worked like a Trojan and turned in some nice pitching. Miller at first played a better game then usual, while Alexander at short was in the game all the time, his hitting being a feature. There was nothing sensational about the game outside of the changing of the tide of battle so often, which is getting quite common in ball games. There was a large delegation on hand, the Napanee people showing in no uncertain terms that their sympathies lay with Tamworth, As a result of the win yesterday the Island will now meet the 4th Hussars in the next round for the intermediate O.B.A.A. playoff. This series should be a hot one from the start. The box scores of yesterday’s game tells the story as follows Wolfe Island A B. R. H. P. O. A. E. Larush, ss………6 4 4 2 2 3 Steblin, 3b………6 3 4 2 1 0 Spoor, c…………5 2 4 7 2 0 Little,……………5 0 1 11 0 2 Kiell, 2b…………. 5 1 3 4 1 Horne, lf…………5 0 1 0 0 0 Mcdonald, rf……1 0 0 0 1 0 Goodfriend, p…..5 1 1 0 4 0 Woodman, cf-rf...5 3 1 1 0 0 xKyle, cf……….4 0 1 1 2 0 Totals…………...47 14 18 27 16 6 x—replaced Mcdonald in the 4th inning. Tamworth A B. R. H. P. O. A. E. Ehert, c………….6 1 0 5 3 0 Kellar, p………... 6 2 5 1 2 0 Alexander, ss……6 2 4 2 1 0 Letch, 2b………. .5 2 3 4 4 1 Harrison, rf……. 6 2 2 0 0 0 Miller, 1b…….6 4 0 1 10 0 1 Galbraith, 3b…….5 1 2 0 2 1 Wells, cf………..4 1 1 2 0 1 Woodhouse, lf….3 0 0 1 0 0. The Following From AM BENSON The Daily Whig – June 24, 1902 Supposed to be drowned Father and son started for Wolfe Island In a Skiff, But Never Reached There – Searching For The Boat – Family Knew Nothing About It It is generally supposed that Hiram Marlow and his son George, of Wolfe Island, have been drowned, as they have been missing for three days. On Saturday afternoon, father and son rented a skiff at Bowman’s Bridge boat house, and started to row to the island to spend Sunday, being employed at the stone crusher of Alexander Tait, near Kingston Mills. There was a stiff wind blowing off the shore, but the skiff was a good sized one and well able to ride the waves. Mr Bowman watched the men until they were safely abreast Garden Island, and was satisfied they would have no trouble in reaching the Wolfe Island ferry. Yesterday afternoon as the boat had not been returned, Mr Bowman made inquiries, and found that the men had not been home, the family knowing nothing about them, no doubt thinking they had remained at the Mills. This morning a searching party went down the island shore, looking for the skiff. It is feared the men were upset, and drowned. The father was for years mate on the steamer Pierrepont. A wife and one son are at home, a daughter is in Watertown NY. Up till three o'clock this afternoon, no trace has been found of the boat. Mr Bowman would not give the men a sail as he considered the weather too rough for its use. The skiff was one of the largest to be had. William Card, Wolfe Island, thinks the men may have gone down to Hickory Island, where they had friends. However, they would have turned up ere this if that were the case. Mr Marlow told Mr Bowman he would be back on Sunday afternoon. Dr McCarthy and ?, Wolfe Island, standing on the hill, in the village on Saturday evening about seven o'clock, saw the two men in the skiff, off Ferguson's point. The waves were running high, and for an instant the craft disappeared, but soon arose again. They watched the boat until it was dusk, but supposed that the men would easily land safely. The Daily British Whig, Saturday June 28, 1902 Evidences of Drowning Wolfe Island June 27, Much sympathy has been extended to the bereaved Mrs. Hiram Marlow and family, as it is almost a certainty that her husband and son were drowned while crossing from Kingston in a small boat. A coat, which belonged to one of them, was picked up on the head of Howe Island, also a bag of clothes on Brophy’s point. No trace of James Kelly’s body has yet been found. It was rumored that William Bolton’s daughter had been drowned; we are glad to learn it was a false report. Hardly a season passes that some drowning fatality does not occur in this vicinity. A strawberry festival and concert under the auspices of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will be held next week. The forty hours devotion was held in the Church of the Sacred Heart this week. Workmen are busily engaged at the erection of Rev Father Spratt’s new presbytery. Rev Mr. Dibb, New York, formerly pastor of Trinity church, Mrs. Hanley and daughter, Miss Nellie, have spent the week visiting. Mrs. Edward Briceland, Bernard Staley, of Ottawa university, returned home yesterday for his vacation. Mrs. James, Buffalo, NY is the guest of her mother. Mrs. O’Reilly spent the week with Mrs. James Coyle. The Daily British Whig, Wednesday April 14, 1909 Wolfe Island News – The Island Theatrical Company’s concert and Dance Wolfe Island, April 13 – The Wolfe Island Theatrical Company had a successful concert and dance on Monday evening. There was a large attendance. Mrs. E Pryner had the performance in charge. There were eighty couple present at the dance. D Cosgrove, LH Card, Dr A Spankie, Miss E Pyke, Miss Nellie Briggs, Miss E Spoor, W Cummings, E Crawford, William Davis, and Richard David did fine acting. Crosby’s orchestra supplied music. W Mills and T O’Connor favored the audience with a couple of songs between acts. Capt J Kenny, Edward Sevell and Albert Keys left on Tuesday for Port Arthur. The sailors in the village are gradually disappearing. Quite a number have secured places with the Calvin Company. Robert Barry, fireman on the steamer Wolfe Islander, met with a severe accident on Sunday morning. He missed his footing and fell into the fire holes cutting the back of his head. W T O’Connor , of Toronto, and Orol Briceland, Watertown, NY spent Sunday at E Bricelands. The farmers throughout the island are engaged in seeding. The ground is in fine shape this spring and everything looks bright for a prosperous year. Frederick Whitmarsh, teacher at Arden, spent Easter holidays at home. Miss Sadie McArdle is visiting with her mother. Allen McLaren, proprietor of one of the village summer resorts had the honor of having the first naphtha launch out on the river here. Herbert Leakey, carpenter at the village, has secured a good position in Kingston with Mr. McFarlane, contractor. William and Richard Russell have left for Buffalo where they will sail this season. Miss Hazel LaRush who has been sick is improving. “Down in Main” will be represented by the Wolfe Island Dramatic company a week form this Friday in Cape Vincent. DJ Cosgrove, the manager, is sparing no pains to make it a success. The Daily British Whig -Wolfe Island News The Summer Resorts Are Beginning to be Busy Wolfe Island, June 1 1909 – Master Hubert Davis, who got hurt by an explosion a week ago while men were blasting in front of Mr. Cattanach’s house, to erect a new lawn fence, is gaining nicely. Henry Card has taken over the livery business of his father and has moved into the old homestead. William Raneous, who was a partner, has moved to the foot of the Island, Mrs. F Crimmons, of Watertown, is visiting friends here. Miss Wafer, of Toronto was home for May 24th. A fair meeting was held on Wednesday evening and all the members were present. The prizes for thoroughbred stock were classified. Thomas Conley, of Cold Springs, is putting a new dwelling roof on his dwelling. Louis Doyle has been engaged as assistant cheese maker at Cold Springs factory. Mrs. (Capt) G Horne and Mrs. Raneous, Sr, have gone to Hot Springs to try that as a rheumatism cure. Miss Lizzie O’Brien, of the village, spent a week with her aunt, Mrs. John O’Brien. The fishery inspector from Belleville put in an appearance here, last week, along the shores. A popular young lady of the front road and the eldest daughter of one of the island’s most prominent families will leave her happy home, in the middle of June to join a fine young man of the lower end of the village. Mrs. Higgins of Bath, was the guest of Mrs. William Briceland for a week The Island boys are going to make it pretty hot for some of the surrounding baseball teams as they have five different teams formed on the island this spring. Mrs. William Kingsley and Master Edward Conroy, who were ill, have recovered. The forty hours devotion will take place at the village on the 15th and 16th of June. Miss Emily Jerome, of Cape Vincent, spent a week with her aunt, Mrs. Wilburn, of the village. The summer resorts are filling up now. The island is getting more popular every season for cottages. The Daily British Whig, Wednesday, April 7, 1915 Wolfe Island News Temperance Society Organized by Father McNeil Fire at Hiram Davis House – Two Young Island couples Are to Be Married Shortly Wolfe Island April 6, - The steamer Wolfe Islander reached the Island dock on Friday, April 2, for the first time this season, although she has been running for over a week, landing in the ice half a mile from the wharf, and as a result of it travel was very light, people not wanting to venture on ice. On Saturday she carried a record crowd to market, the principal commodities being butter and eggs. Last year she did not reach the island wharf until April 15th. On Sunday evening the steamer made a special trip to the city for a dance held in the C.M.B.A. Hall. The supporters of the Wolfe Island hockey team gave the dance, to the club for its recent winning of the Edwards trophy. A record was in attendance. On Sunday last a temperance society was organized in the Sacred Heart church by Rev Father McNeil, and it is said that over one hundred and fifty signatures were placed on the register. The above is affiliated with the Temperance Society of the United States of America. The island organization has at its head as president a very worthy man in the person of James McAlister Sr. It is stated that the several other churches in the village are taking up the temperance cause. On Sunday the banns were published of William Bolton and Miss Maggie O’Brien, both of whom are very popular and have a large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson gave a shower dance last night in honor of the bride and groom select. The banns were also published of Miss A Garrah, Howe Island, and Richard O‘Shea, son of Capt O’Shea. Dr Francis O’Reilly, will shortly leave for the front as a dresser in one of the hospitals. Edwin Staley, son of Archibald Staley, leaves next week for Saskatchewan. Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Staley are visiting friends in Cleveland, NY. Mrs. James McDonagh, Perth and Mrs. M Gray, Ferguson’s Falls, were called to the bedside of their mother, Mrs. Ternice Murphy, who is seriously ill. Mrs. Thomas Greenwood, who has been very ill, is much improved. The condition of Mrs. P Kelly remains very much the same. Word was received here last week of the death of Patrick Walsh, Philadelphia. Death was caused by hardening of the arteries. Deceased was well known on the island, where he lived for many years. Romain Mosier, who has bought the OG Grant property, has so transformed it that it will scarcely be known. It is his intention to build two houses thereon. On Saturday evening what might have proved a very serious conflagration occurred when fire broke out in the back end of the house owned by Hiram Davis, with the wind blowing a gale from the north-east. Had it gained headway it would have swept, that side of the street, but the valiant efforts of the bucket brigade were successful in putting the fire out before it had gained headway. Mr. Davis feels very grateful to those who worked so hard to extinguish the flames. Clare Cummins and C Kenny have started a poultry farm on Brophy’s point. Contractor Leakey is engaged building a barn for Alexander Livingston. Henry Hinckley has very much improved his residence in the village by the addition of a portico. The Kingston Whig Standard – October 10, 1936 page 5 Howe Island – Word has been received here from New York that Miss Mae Beseau’s condition is quite satisfactory. After collapsing a couple of weeks ago at her home here. Miss Beseau temporarily resigned her position in No 3 school, and underwent a serious operation in New York city. Her family has been informed that she is now well on the road to recovery. The prize winners at the successful euchre held at the home of Mrs. Mat Cox were: Ladies first, Miss Helen Gibson: second, Mrs. Isreal Garah; gentlemen’s first, Bill White; second, Earl Prior; door prize, Wilfred Foley. Mat Cox left Sunday to spend a couple of weeks with relatives in Lowville and Utica NY. Cecil McReynolds is visiting with friends here after being employed during the summer season on the steamer “Kingston”. Fred Vincent, Gananoque, spent Sunday at the home of William White. Frank Norris was a recent visitor with relatives in Gananoque. The Misses Edna and Ursula Driscoll spent last week-end at the home of their parents here. Mr. and Mrs. Pat Kane have returned home after spending a few days with friends in Chaumont, NY. Stanley Beseau and family of Kingston were recent visitors at the home of the Beseau family here. Louis Beaubien, Landsdowne, spent a short time at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Beaubien, early this week. Jerome Garrah, Gananoque, spent last week-end at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Simpson. Mrs. Ted Prior and family spent the past week with the formers sister Mrs. Sam Taggart Wolfe Island. Bertha McRae has returned to her home on Wolfe Island, after spending the past four months here. Kingston Whig Standard November 1, 1936 page 5 Weight of snow caved in roof Howe Island – serious damage was done to a barn owned by Julius Lachance in the snow storm of last week. The weight of snow caused the roof to cave in. The barn had been used for the past few years only for the housing of cattle in winter and contained no hay or other crops. Fortunately there were no cattle in the barn at the time. Kingston Whig Standard – November 11, 1936 page 5 Shower Given for Howe Island Girl Howe Island – A miscellaneous shower was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Driscoll, in honor of Miss Marie Beaubien, whose marriage to Patrick Norris took place on Saturday, Miss Beaubien was the recipient of a large number of beautiful gifts. During the evening several tables of euchre were in play, while in another part of the house the young people enjoyed dancing. After several games of euchre the prizes were awarded to Mrs. PJ Lachance, Earl Prior and Mrs. John Macdonald. Mrs. PJ Lachance President of the Howe Island, CWL presented Miss Beaubien, on behalf of the CWL with a set of dishes. Lunch was afterwards served and the remainder of the evening was spent dancing. The Kingston Whig Standard -November 14, 1936 page 2 Howe Island Wants Road to Nokomis Lodge Opened Up A petition from the ratepayers of the township of Howe Island to have the road from Highway No 2 to the Howe Island crossing opposite Nokomis Lodge re-opened was read at the Wednesday afternoon session of the Frontenac county Council by Councilor Peter LaChance. The petition was said to have been signed by virtually every ratepayer on the Island. The petition read as follows:” We the undersigned reeve, councilors, and taxpayers of the Township of Howe Island, hereby respectfully, petition the Council of the County of Frontenac to take steps to have the road leading from Highway No 2 to the ferry at Nokomis Lodge re-opened. We feel that a grave injustice has been done in having the highway closed to the people of Howe Island. We further petition the council of the County of Frontenac to see that the above mentioned highway is hereafter listed as a county roadway”. On motion of Councilors W R Aylesworth of Kingston Township and Harold Thompson of Oso, the petition was referred to the Good Roads Committee. Kingston Whig Standard – Dec 2, 1936 page 6 Wolfe Island Shower A very pleasant surprise miscellaneous shower was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Keogh, Wolfe Island, on Saturday evening when a number of friends gathered in honor of their twenty fifth wedding anniversary. The evening was spent in card playing and dancing in charge of Miss Ida Kiell and Miss Bernice Berry. Dancing was enjoyed until 11:30 when Mr. and Mrs. Keogh were seated at a table in the living room where Miss Reta Eves placed a wedding cake and Miss Kiell and Miss Berry carried in a basket of handsome gifts, which were opened by Mr. and Mrs. Keogh, who thanked their many friends for their lovely gifts. Tickets were then drawn for supper couples and a lucky number ticket was won by Mrs. George Woodman and Mr. Jack Halliday. Refreshments were served by the Misses Ida Kiell. Bernice Berry, Reta Eves and Mr. Charles Woodman. Before departing the guests joined in singing “For they are Jolly Good Fellows” and wished Mr. and Mrs. Keogh many more years of happy married life. Kingston Whig Standard –December 9, 1936 page 3 another article Dec 9, 1936 page 4 re 2nd meeting William Horne Gives Outline of Ferry Plan Tells What He Is Willing To Do If Given Franchise by the Township of Wolfe Island A public meeting is to be held at Wolfe Island on Thursday night for the purpose of giving the ratepayers Of the Township of Wolfe Island an opportunity of thoroughly discussing the proposition of William Horne of Wolfe Island to establish an international ferry service between Capt Vincent, NY and Kingston via Wolfe Island. Already representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, realizing what such a service would mean to Kingston and to the Island as well have conferred with members of the Wolfe Island Township Council. As a result of these conferences the public meeting for tomorrow night was arranged. …In return for a franchise from the Township of Wolfe Island to operate his boat as a ferry between Marysville Wolfe Island and Kingston. Mr. Horne has stated that he will place in service the boat now owned by him and make it more suitable for the proposed run by equipping it with new engines and fitting it with cabins. He will supply a more frequent service to and from the mainland than that now given by the Wolfe Islander and will commence that service as early in the Spring as the Wolfe Islander can and continue as late in the season as the Wolfe Islander is able to do. He is prepared to agree further that the passenger and freight rates to the people of the Island will be no higher than charged by the Township of Wolfe Island at the present time. He is also agreeable to operate special trips for sick calls and other emergencies as is now done by the Wolfe Islander, at the same rates now paid the Wolfe Islander…. The Kingston Whig Standard Friday December 11, 1936 – long article Island Meeting Favors Granting Ferry Franchise By Law Being Prepared – Islanders Will Vote on Matter at Municipal Election in January The taxpayers of Wolfe Island crowded the Marysville Town Hall last night at the public meeting called by the Township council for discussion of the appeal from Mr. Horne and his associates to take over the present ferry service given by the Wolfe Islander…. Speakers C L Boyd, director of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, Timothy O’Shea, Reeve Wiggins, John O’Shea etc The Kingston Whig Standard Saturday Dec 12, 1936 page 3 Howe Island Man Badly Injured Dick Pickett Suffered Amputation of One of his Toes Howe Island – A very serious accident occurred a few days ago when Dick Pickett suffered a painful injury in his left foot. While pulling on the cable on his ferry boat his foot slipped on the icy deck and he became entangled with the crankshaft of the motor. Several bones were broken and one toe almost completely severed. He was rushed to the Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, and under went a painful operation. One toe was amputated and his foot placed in a cast. It is expected that the cast will have to be worn for several weeks. The Kingston Whig Standard December 22, 1936 page 10 Wolfe Island Ladies Hold Successful Bazaar Wolfe Island – The bazaar held in the Town Hall under the auspices of the ladies of St Andrew’s United church was largely attended. A successful euchre party was held in St Margaret’s Hall under the auspices of Trinity Church AYPA. The prizes were won by Mrs. Nellie Bolton, ladies first: Arthur Baker, gentleman’s first: and Joseph Gauslin consolation. The Hockey club is busy getting their rink in readiness for the skating this season. Leo Picard and William Crawford left this week to spend the winter at their homes in Woodstock. Mrs. Howard Tarrant who has been seriously ill is slightly improving. Capt Ezra LaRush, who has been seriously ill, is improving. George Kenney and Raymond Flynn have returned to spend the winter at their homes after sailing on the SS Keybell. Herman Staley has left to spend the winter in Florida. Miss Cecelia Maloney, teacher at SS No 1 has returned from the Hotel Dieu Hospital where she underwent a successful operation. Oliver Gott Sr is ill at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James Casey. Mrs. Matthew Flynn who has been under the doctor’s care is much better. The pupils of SS No 6 presented a splendid Christmas Concert in St Margareta Hall, under the direction of the teacher Miss Wyona Horne. The Kingston Whig Standard, December 30 1936 page 3 Howe Island Man Punctures Hand Ira Garrah Rushed to Hospital When cut by Knife- Priors hold Reunion Howe Island – Ira Garrah suffered painful injuries when he made a deep gash in his hand with a knife. The sharp pointed blade entered the palm and went through to the skin on the back of the hand. He was rushed to Gananoque where the wound was treated by Dr E S Bird. Miss Ann Gibbons spent Christmas with relatives in Acton, Ont. Rev Father Callahan motored to Read on Christmas Day and spent a short time with his parents there. Miss Ann MacDonald and Miss Margaret McCarthy are spending the holidays at their homes here. Both attend the Kingston Business college. Gerrard Guindon spent a few days recently with relatives in Gananoque. Miss Frances Hamilton and Miss Nellie Scott, teachers in Nos 1 and 3 schools, are spending the holidays at their homes in Elgin and Gananoque, respectfully. Miss Edna Foley, Kingston, is home for the holidays. Nelson White has returned to the island after spending several weeks with relatives in Gananoque. A reunion was held recently at the Prior home. Mr. and Mrs. Jed McCarty and two daughters, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Miss Kathleen Prior, Flint, Mich, Mr. and Mrs. Len Prior, Detroit, Mich, and John Prior of Kingston, Ont, arrived Thursday last and spent Christmas at the home of Mrs. John Prior sr. The Kingston Whig Standard Dec 31, 1936 page 4 The Wolfe Island Ferry – Whig article re Mr. Grant Pyke’s letter appearing in same paper opposing the new ferry service. Letter to Editor – The Wolfe Island Ferry Service – by Grant Pyke paper July 23, 1913 At Central, Wolfe Island Central, Wolfe Island, July 23 - Miss Gussie Murphy, Oak Point, has returned home from Kingston after spending the past two weeks. Miss Cecelia Lafleur and brother, Peter John, of Chicago, are visiting their mother, at Petersville. Miss Maggie O'Brien, Big Bay left Saturday for a two weeks visit with relatives in Tweed. Mrs Arthur Henderson was called to the bed side of her mother at Gananoque, who is seriously ill. Misses Nina Murphy and Stella Hogan were guests of Miss Clara Hogan recently, Stewart Hogan and sister Miss Mabel, spent Sunday on Front Road,. Hazel Baker is spending her vacation at "Boxen Harbor". Mrs Joseph McDonnell, Chicago, called on friends here recently. Mrs David Mahoney and children, "Jackie" and Alexander, were visiting relatives in Rosiere, for a few days. Vincent McDonald, Watertown, was the guest of his parents here. J Murphy and R Henderson, Kingston spent Sunday at Jeremiah Murphy's. July 31, 1913 HAD VERY NARROW ESCAPE Willliam Fawcett in a Serious Accident at Wolfe Island. William Fawcett, one of the best known residents of Wolfe Island, and a former president of the Frontenac cheese board, had a very narrow escape from death, as the result of an accident on his farm. He was engaged in haulling in hay into his barn when the horses made a move as if to run away. He ran out of the barn to catch them and just as he was in the act of running out one of the blacks gave way and the rope on the hay fork flew up catching him and throwing him quite a distance. In falling he narrowly escaped being thrown against a stone pile. He is doing as well as can be expected. June 13, 1913 Mrs Willliam Dignam of Wolfe Island had to be taken to the Hotel Dieu, Thursday evening. She was brought to the city by William Gillespie on his motor boat. June 12, 1913 Wolfe Island Briefs - The lawn social held at Allan McLaren's Monday evening was a decided success. The boat was chartered for the occasion and brought quite a number from the city. There were seventy five couples present. Crosby and O'Connor's orchestra furnished music for dancing. Braden Orr is building a new barn and cow stable. The village baseball team went to Cape Vincent on Sunday afternoon and trimmed the Cape boys to the tune of 21 to 7. Hugh Morrison has left for Southern California. William Cummins has returned from Phildaelphia NY after a brief visit with relatives. The reeve is to be complimented on having the roads graded in the village. John Briceland has painted and renovated the Island hotel which gives it a neat appearnace and is now ready for the travelling public. Melville Watts did the work. He is quite an artist with the brush. James Kingsley, wife and little daughter, Mary, Boston, are rusticating on the seventh concession for the summer. James Brown lost a valuable cow last week. James Couley, who has been undergoing treatment in the ? doing nicely and will shortly leave for his home. H Leaky, contractor is building a dwelling house for Henry Halliday. July 16, 1913 Simcoe Island Notes Simcoe Island July 12 - Famrers are cutting hay and the crops are satisfactory. George Sudds has purchased a new gasoline engine for his motor boat, the "Anna". Miss Anna Sudds has been ill a slight attack of with appendicitis. MIss Mae? Berry, is visiting her grandmother Mrs (Capt) C Daryeau, Kingston. Mrs R Ellerbeck and son, Douglas, Glenvale, are visiting her sister Mrs S Barry. Miss Eva Sudds spending the week with her parents at Channel Grove. Mrs Snider and grandson, of Hillsdale, are spending the summer months at the island. June 18, 1913 A LAWN SOCIAL HELD By the Methodist People of Wolfe Island The lawn social given by the members of the Methodist church at Wolfe Island, on Thuesday evening , proved a grand success. At 7:30 o'clock the steamer Wolfe Islander left the city wharf, carrying a large number of people who attended the event. The steamer returned at 11:30 o'clock. The different booths arranged on the grounds were kept busy all evening. Those in charge of the ice cream table were : Mrs George Keyes, Mrs H Bustard, Mrs M Wiggins, Mrs Card, Miss Laura Keyes, Miss Luella Orr, Miss Eva Bustard, Miss M H LeSaga, Miss Daisy Maxwell, Mrs Willilam Mosier and George Rattray. The table arranged by Mrs John Cleary is deserving of special mention. All the articles, consisting of cake ice cream and homemade candies, were made by herself and her two nieces the Misses Langon. John Cleary and William Mosier looked after the fruit stand. Much credit is due to Mr Cleary who was chairman of all committees. Rev A W Stewart, pastor of the church, left nothing undone to make the evening a success. Music was furnished by the city Salvation Army band. Rev T W Neal acted as chaiman and the following progamme was given: Son, Miss Woodman, address Rev John Webster, Kingston; solo, Miss Forence Valleau, Kingston; recitation, Miss Mavell, Kingsotn; address, Rev A Bareham, of Trinity Anglican church, Wolfe Island, solo, Miss Florence Valleau; addres, Rev Mr Mcleod, Wolfe Island. The accompaniests were Miss Lillie Woodman and Miss Sexsmith. The Daily British Whig August 14, 1923 Wolfe Island Dahlias Blooming in Florida An interesting letter from a Whig Reader at Avon Park , Florida An item in the Whig a few days ago, which had reference ot the beautiful dahlias in bloom at the CPR station lawn , attracted the attention of a Whig reader in the person of Kate Bruyiere, of Ayon Park, Florida. In a letter to the Whig the Whig reader says. " Talking of Dahlias, I wish you could see our good Canadian dalias which have been blooming constantly since March 14th. The talest one measures six feet, four inches. It has nine branches, each one has a number of flowers and buds of yellow color. The bulbs come from Mrs James Donnelly, Wolfe Island On and were in the ground all winter. "Needless to say that I read the dear old Whig with great delight each time it comes to a lonesome Canadian in this stange land." added the writer. Aug 15, 1923 Wolfe Island Barn struck by lightning The hay destroyed - Mrs Sydney Ley was stunned by the Bolt. A barn and horse stable on Wolfe Island were badly gutted by fire, as a result of being struck by lightning, about 5:30 pm on Tuesday. Willliam Reynor is the owner of the property, and Sydney Ley is the tenant. The barn was filled with the seasons crop of hay, and it was destroyed. Luckily all the stock, consisting of twelve head, were saved. The farm machinery was also saved. The hay made a big blaze and the fire was buring till 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning. The crop of oats had not yet been put into the barn, so this too was saved. Water was secured from a well on the farm to fight the fire, but this went dry after two hours pumping. Mrs Ley was engaged in milking in the barn, when the bolt of lightning struck the buildings and she was badly stunned, but escaped serious injury. Mr Raynor carried some insurance on the buildings but Mr Ley had no insurance on the stock. The Daily British Whig Wed Aug 15, 1923 - Wolfe Island News Richard Russell Injured - Hook Penetrated his arm. Wolfe Island, Aug 11 - Richard Russell had the misfortune to slide out of a hay mow onto a hook placed in the hay. The hook penetrated his arm tearing a bad gash in it. Mack Kenney and wife have gone to Watertown NY. Mack having secured a lucrative position there. Miss Aylmer Dunphy, Kingston is the guest of Mrs John Briceland. Thomas O'Shea and wife, Buffalo NY are visiting relatives here. Mrs Mick White, Rochester NY who has spent a couple of weeks visiting relatives here, has returned home. A number of farmers are drilling for water. Some have been successful and others have not. Miss G McGlynn has returned home from Rochester NY. Mrs N Mosier and her daughter, Freda, Syracuse NY spent a few days visiting relatives here. The farmers are done haying and are very busy harvesting their grain crop. Edward Briceland, Kingston who spent the past two weeks with his grandparents here, has returned home. Adrian Ryan, Rochester NY who spent a week with his parents here, has returned home. James Kingsley, Boston is visiting relatives here. Mary Mackie Watertown NY has returned home after spending two weeks visiting relatives here. Ben Hanlon, Watertown, spent a few days here visitng relatives. Dr Victor Kingsley, Boston is visitng here. Mr and Mrs Leadford, Toronto, spent a couple of weeks at H D Hinckley's. Aberdeen Taylor, Detroit NY spent a few days visiting relatives here. The Daily British Whig Aug 31, 1923 Serious Injuries to boy on Wolfe Island He was thrown from Rig and Wheel Went over his head Wolfe Island Aug 20 - Monty son of James Stevenson, a youth of about sixteen, was driving to the cheese factory yesterday when the horse bacame unmanageable, throwing the boy to the ground. The wheels of the waggon ran over his head cutting him severely. A doctor was summonnded and he was removed to the hospital, where his wounds were dressed. The Alter Society has a very successffull dance in the parish hall last night. William McDonald was the winner of the settee donated by Fred Reid, City. Miss Irene Hulton held the lucky number on the silver tray donated by Smith Bros, city. Howard McReady and Mr and Mrs John McDonald attended the funeral yesterday, in Watertown, NY of the late William McRae who has been in poor health for several months. Deceased was a son of Andrew McRae, who was a former islander. Mr and Mrs Frederick Staley and Mr and Mrs Leonard McDonald motored to Toronto yesterday to spend a few days at the exhibition. Mr and Mrs J Evans, Moscow were the guests over the weekend of Mr and Mrs James OReilly. Mr and Mrs John Murphy, township of Kingston, were recent visitors to the island. Mr and Mrs Elmer, Kingston spent the week end with Mr and Mrs John Laughlin. Daniel McGlynn is at present in Rochester, NY where he has secured a luctative positon. All the open air platforms where dancing was conducted during the summer months have closed for the season. James Hulton's legion of friends are pleased to learn that he is recovering nicely from his recent accident. A considerable quantitly of chestnut coal arrived here this week on Gant Pyke's scow. It is being sold for $14.50 per ton at the boat. The Daily British Whig Sept 8, 1923 An excitng incident In the Harbor When sailing Yacht got into trouble An exiting incident occurred in the harbor near the Wolfe Island ferry wharf about 4 oclock on friday afternoon when a sailing vessel got into trouble offshore owing to the heavy sees. The occupants of the small vessel, which was about twenty-five feet in length, included two men and a woman, the latter being greatly frightened. The small craft was badly disabled. After hearing cries for help, Capt Sudds of the schooner Granger, and two members of his crew, Joseph O'Neill and James Purtell, attempted to rescue the party, but their motorboat became unmanageable and the rescurers were blown north of the causeway. The unfortunate members of the sailing craft crew were finallly landed safely on shore through the efforts of Capt Mitchell of the schooner Burt Barnes. The disabled yacht is now moored below the causeway and it is expected that she will have to undergo repairs before she will be seaworthy again. The Daily British Whg Sept 18, 1923 Wolfe Island Fairs School Exhibition a good one - Big Fair next week Wolfe Island Sept 17 - The annual school fair was held on the fair grounds and the high standard of the children in past years was fully borne out in their exhibition this year. The usual routine of sports was put on. The attendance of adults was above the ordinary... The township fair takes place next week... Thomas Friend, one of our poplular merchants, has had a radio insstalled recently. On the night of the Dempsey and Firpo fight he bulletined the results, giving each round, which was greatly appreciated by an anxious crowd. The wedding of a popular young couple takes place on Wednesday in the persons of Miss Ruby McDonald and James Brown. Frank Anderson, formerly of the Royal Bank of the island, but later of Toronto, has been renewing his former acquaintance on the island. Charles Baker has returned to the Grand Seminary in Montreal to resume his studies. A Higgins, Gananoque, is visiing his aunt, Mrs McDonald. Leo Ryan spent the past week in Syracuse NY. Harold Sharpe, Bath, was the guest over the week-end of Mr and Mrs WIlliam Horne. Mr Collins of Boston has been visiting his cousin John Flynn. Upon his return he will be accompanied by Miss Hannah Flynn and her niece, Miss McDonald, who will make a short visit in the above city. Mr and Mrs Edward Kelly and son Mark will shortly move to Watertown to reside. Miss Hazel Baker, NY has been the guest of her mother for the past couple of weeks. Felix Quigley, Chicago is here on a visit with his relatives. Miss T Grant has been visiting her cousin, Mrs McAdoo, Pittsburg. Miss Jennie McCarty, Rochester NY has been the guest for the past couple of weeks of her sister Mrs Archibald Staley. The Daily British Whig Sept 26, 1923 The Wolfe Island Fair Three horse Races and Baseball Match on Wednesday Afternoon The annual fair of Wolfe Island Agricultural Society was officially opened on Tuesday afternoon. The many exhibitors spent the day getting things in fine order for the second day of the show which is really the big day at the fair. The president and directors expect that the exhibits will be larger this year than last. The exhibit of roots and vegtables was considered very good when one takes into consideration the very dry weather which prevailed during the summer months. Residents of Cape Vincent were eligible to exhibit in all the classes. It has been arranged that three good horse races will take place on Wednesday as well as a baseball game between two Kingston teams. The list of officers is as follows: President George Friend; 1st vice president William Allum; 2nd vice president T Moran, secretary and treasurer George A Rattray. Directors R Walker, Edward Briceland, T Rodgers, Thomas Connelly, Dexter Keill, R McReady, Dave Watts; W McAdoo, W G Woodman. Auditors W G Woodman, Edward Briceland. Committee for races - Oliver Hawkins. A Hough and William Haley. Superintendents General superintendent William Haley; horses, Red Walker; agriculture, Dexter Keill; sheep and swine, William Allum ; cattle, Edward Briceland; poultry, William McAdoo, dairy producc, Thomas Connelly. The Dailly British Whig Sept 27, 1923 At Wolfe Island Fair The Wolfe Island baseball team defeats Tanners - Results of Horse races. The president and directors of the Wolfe Island Agricultural Society were favored with ideal weather.... George Rattray, secretary treasurer of the show when speaking to the Whig representative, stated that the exhibition this year was not as well attended as in past years, but the exhibits he thought were far in excess of any. The cattle exhibition was larger than usual... exhibitors of cattle: William McAdoo, Oscar Fawcett, Duff Cosgrove, William Allison, Thomas Greenland. .. The following showed horses George McDonald, John Briceland, Edward Briceland, Farnk Fawcett, Robert White... Ladies had a number of articles on display: Mrs R McCready, Mrs Robert Coyle, Mrs Robert Horne, Mrs Earl Grimshaw, Mrs G Keyes, Mrs Rodney Pyke, and Miss Edna McFadden... The exhibit of plants was very fine Edward Briceland, Mrs McCready and Mrs Earl Grimshaw were among the exhibitors.. CC Friendship and John Heaton did the judging of vegetables. The dairy and baking exhibit was very good.and Mrs Alex Smith and Mrs Steve Knight were the judges. The Daily British Whig Oct 5, 1923 Wolfe Island Tidings Light Potato Crop - Farmers installing Lightning rods Wolfe Island Oct 2 - Joseph O'Brien, Kingston, is visiting relatives here. The farmers are digging potatioes and report a light crop. Karl Laughlin, Watertown NY spent a few days here on business. James Brown Jr and bride, have returned home after an extended honeymoon trip throught the prinicpal cities in the United States. Rodney Pyke is moving onto the farm vacated by Roy Rattary at the foot of the Island. Thomas Moran held a very successful sale of farm stock and implements on Wednesday afternoon. Everything was sold at good prices. Mr Moran will leave shortly for Buffalo with his family, where they intend to reside. Mrs D Larush spent a few days with relatives in Toronto and Buffalo. Samuel Conley Jr and wife, Kingston, spent the week end with the formers parents. M E Laturney spent a few days here last week visitng relatives. The parishioners of the Catholic church are cleaning up the old grave yeard. Rev Father Kiernan is having his house painted and decorated. Jack Briceland's is the brush. Mrs James Brown Jr has gone to the Hotel Dieu to undergo treatment. Bert Watts will till the soil on Jospeh Laughlin's farm next season. S Lay has taken up his residence in Mrs Dinbourne's house in the village. A number of farmers are installing lightning rods on their bars. The Daily British Whig Oct 25, 1923 Commission at Wolfe Island The Swigart commission held a hearing at the town hall, Wolfe Island, on Thursday afternoon for the purpose of gettng the testimony of all residents of the island regarding the residence there of Sarah Davis. Ambrose Shea presided, and Francis King, Canadian counsel for the trustees of the Swagart estate, appeared in the interest of the defendants. There is great interest in the case among the residents of the island. 26 Aug 1869 (film missing words where ? entered) Wolfe Island Canal - A new danger threatens the navigation of this great work. On Tuesday morning steamer Waterton was behind he? considerably in her arrival from Cape Vincent. The delay was occasioned by the passage of the Wolfe Island Canal having become obstructed by a dense drift of floating vegetaion matter know as "floating bog" large quantieties of which had to be removed to open up a passage for the vessal. Oct 3, 1906 Grain and Weather Good Wolfe Island Oct 1 - Both the grain and the weather have turned out well. The hay pressing fever is raging here. There are no less than nine presses at work, the most ever known here at one time. There certainly must be a chance for hay to go up as there are three different buyers. The telephone company have their line complete across the island, and are going to work on the foot of the island here. There are fifty boxes to be set in here. Mrs James Coyle, Mrs E Dignon and Miss Flynn have returned form Rochester , where they attended the funeral of their sister, Mrs T Coyle. Mrs Edward House, Brownville, is spending a couple of weeks at home with her brother, Frank Connelly, who is ill with fever. His many friends wish him a speedy recovery. Miss Teresa Spoor, Toronto, is spending a couple of weeks at home. There have been two very successful dances at the head of the Island lately. There is talk of a couple of weddings shortly. M McArdle is attending college in the city. Richard Card and wife have left to take up residence in Watertown NY. Miss Sadie McArdle is attending th Normal school, Ottawa. Miss Jessie Vanness has left with her friend MIss McRae, for Watertown, and will spend a couple pf months there, Jas Kingsley returned recently from Ottawa. Edward Kelly has rented Patrick Hawkins farm for the comming year. Michael Johnston is going to rent his farm and leave for an American city. Oct 20, 1906 Will Make things lively Wolfe Island, Oct 18 - Pressed hay has been leaving the island at the rate of one hundred tons per day. Today a large barge form Montreal, with a capacity of five hundred tons, is being loaded at the island dock. Duncan McRae has started to buy hay and it is expected that he will make it lively for the other dealers, as Duncan is well known and has the confidence of the people. He is offering $8 per ton, an advance of nearly $1 per ton over the present buyers. If hay continues to leave the island at the present rate, it will be a scarce commodity before spring. Many farmers are hauling oats; thirty two cents is the price being paid. Today men from the city made the connection between Cape Vincent and the island on the Bell Telephone line, Workmen are erecting the poles to the foot of the island. They have their camps on Mr Connolly's farm at the Cold Spring. The remains of Miss Lillian Healy, who died in Buffalo, were intered here this week. She was formerly of the Island and sister of Willliam Healy, to whom sympathy is extended. The death of Mr Taggarts youngest daughter occurred yesterday; her funeral will take place tomorrow. Mrs Rodney Moore who recently underwent an operation in the Hotel Dieu has so far recovered that she is expected home this week. Mrs Michael Flood and her brother, Charles Ryan arrived home on Monday, from Philadelphia where they spent two weeks with relatives. The banns were published, last Sunday, of Miss Mary Hawkins and Edward Kelly. The sisters of the House of Providence are seeking charity on the island. When the news reached here of the crash in the Ontario Bank it caused quite a flutter of excitement among depositors on the island. The two hotels in the village have been newly paainted. Wilmar Boyd has moved to the village and Hiram Davis has moved in his stead. Edward Cuff of Watertown has disposed of his farm to John McGlynn. A Kingston dealer had a cargo of coal dellivered here last week. It was quickly disposed of. Another load will shortly arrive. The British Whig February 3, 1888 Feb 1, Diphtheria still prevails at the foot of the Island, Mrs A Joslin, an estimable lady, being the latest victim to the malignant disease. Great care should be exercised against the spread of the disease to other parts of the island, especially the village. The case of the "resurrectionists" has been settled and the "ghastly ghouls" are free to breath Canadian ozone. Daniel McRae, of Detroit, made a short but welcome visit to his home last week. Although no "chute" has been erected, tobogganing is much enjoyed on the incline at the school hill, though one lady in her first (and last) descent, entrusted herself to an inexperienced young man, and does not look back with feelings of delight. The young man, who is "prop" of the only real "tobog", enjoys quite a monopoly, but a joint stock company is being formed to procure another. Miss Dolly Morrison, Kingston was the guest of Miss Dawson on Sunday. A party drove to the residence of D Grant on Friday evening and enjoyed a pleasant time till the early hour, but it was quite airily coming home and the mercury went down to an old maid's age in the "bottle." Thomas O'Shea was married on Tuesday to Miss Maggie Mackay, a popular young lady. Those who attended the leap year party on Garden Island speak in glowing terms of it. The menu was worthy of Delmonicoe's. The British Whig February 8, 1888 Record of Successful Canadians Toledo, Ohio, Feb 4 (To the Editor) The Weekly Whig has had a notice of B N Davis, B.A., graduate of Queens university, as conducting a business college in Toledo, succeeding admirably, having in January, 1882, assumed the principalship with a daily attendance of 45; the enrollment for 1882 was 150, and for 1887 nearly 600. I wish to correct as follows: B.N. Davis is studying law in Toronto, and M H Davis, son of John Davis, formerly of Wolfe Island, is the proprietor of the Toledo business college. He is pretty generally known in Kingston and Ernestown, and is a graduate (A.B.) of Albert college, Belleville, Ont, and of Eastman business college, Poughkeepsie, NY. He has been there five years, commencing the school when it was down low, and now has a college of high standing with about 300 students in daily attendance, with graduates holding positions of trust and responsibility in Toledo and surrounding country. We have been visiting with Mr Davis a part of the winter and know whereof we speak. I was a resident of Loughboro and Earnestown for over 40 years and long a subscriber for the Whig. I am thankful that I now have it to read here in Toledo, and learn many things about my old associates of former, years. My residence is now Granby Centre, a suburb of Fulton, Oswego county, NY and we will be pleased to see any of our old friends of Loughboro,Kingston or Earnesttown at any time. Asa Phillips. The British Whig July 17 1888 Entrance Examination - Those who have successfully written in it at the Sydenham High School - The following are the successful condidates at the recent examination for admision to Sydenham high school, .. Maggie Doctem ss No 7 Wolfe Island Annie Macdonald SS # 7 Wolfe Island Maria Pickett SS # 3 Howe Island The British Whig July 13, 1888 District Certificates The following are the successful candidates at the recent examinations at Sydenham and Arden for teachers district third class certificates Agnes MIchea Wofle Island The British Whig July 12 1888 Races at Cape Vincent The Canadians down the Americans -A challenge will now be accepted A most interesting race occurred at Cape Vincent between the American and Canadian oarsmen on the 4th of July. The Canadians were G Grimshaw, W Horn, T Horn. The Americans were from Clayton whom we did not know.....William Horn (1) rowed the Minnie, G Grimshaw, (2) rowed the Maud of Cape Vincent and both were made and owned by W Smith of Cape Vincent, recently from Canada. The American friends seemed to sympathise with their American friends on being defeated... Added Jan 23 2007:Submitted by AM BensonJanuary 28, 1874 Council of Howe Island Jan 19 - The Council elect met at noon. Present - the Reeve, Councillors Quinn, Milton, Cox and Prior. After subscribing to the necessary decirations the Reeve took the chair, and called the Council to order. The minutes of last meeting were read and adoped. The Reeve according to the virtue of his office, appointed Angus McDonald to be auditor for the current year. Moved by Mr Prior, and seconded by Mr Milton, that John Bailie be the second auditor. Moved in amendment by Mr Cox, and seconded by Mr Quinn, that John Graham be the second auditor. The amendment was carried. Moved by Mr Cox, and seconded by Mr Prior, that Mrs McCarty be granted the sum of six dollars as relief. Carried. Resolved, that a committee composed of Messrs, Cox, Quinn and Prior be appointed to give out a job to repair Rush Bog Bridge, on the 28th inst, at 2 o;clock pm. Moved by Mr Quinn, and seconded by Mr Cox, that the expenses of nominations and election by $5.00. Moved by Mr Cox, and seconded by Mr Prior, that by law No 13 for appoiinting township officers for the current year be read three times and passed. Carried. Moved by Mr Prior, and seconded by Mr Cox that Patrick Dillon be appointed License Inspector for the current year. Carried. The Council adjourned till the 18th of February, at 1 o'clock. Submitted by AM Benson February 26, 1874 Township of Howe Island Minutes of the Council The Council met at 1 o'clock pm. All the members were present. The munutes of the last meeting were read and adopted. Moved by Mr Quinn, seconded by Mr Cox, that the Auditor's report be received and adopted. Carried. The bill for stationery and postage for 1873 $1.91, ordered to be paid. Resolved, That Paul Somers be the Assessor for the current year. Moved by Mr Cox, seconded by Mr Quinn, that the Auditor be paid $3 for the current year. Carried. Moved by Mr Milton, seconded by Mr Prior, that the sum of $50 be laid out on each of the roads leading to Pittsburgh and Leeds from Howe Island. Moved in amendment by Mr Cox, seconded by Mr Quinn, that the sum of $70 be laid out on the Leeds road, and $30 on the Pittsburg road, leading from the island. The amendment was lost and the resolution carried. Resolved that the following be appointed Fence Viewors, Path Masters, and Pound Keepers for the current year: Fence Viewers - John Foley, Thos Norris and John Graham Path Masters Jas Elder, No 1, Jas Redfern No 2, A McDonald 3, John Gullagh 4, Jas Driscoll 5, Joseph White 6 Pound Keepers - Geo Bailee No 1, Smith Clixby 2, Thos Somers 3, M Kane, sr 4. Moved by Mr Cox, and seconded by Mr Quinn, that the Reeve and Mr Milton be appointed as a committee to sell a job on the orad leading from the River to the Macademized Road in Pittsburg, and meet the Pittsburgh Council and see what help or assistance would they give towards said road. Carried. Also that the different committees are hereby empowered to see after the arrangements of their respective ferry scows. The Council then adjourned till the 25th of May to meet for the Court of Revision. Michael Melville Tp Clerk Submitted by AM Benson May 11, 1874 The Presentation to Father Murray We have incidentally alluded to the presentation made to the Rev Father Murray, of Wolfe Island, by his congregartion, who esteem their pastor very highly, and with every occasion so to do, since he unites the prime qualities of energy, spiritual care and social goodness. The occasion for this expression of good will by the people was the pastor's departure for Rome on the Pilgrimage. The address and reply we are now favoured with: To the Rev E H Murray, Parish Priest of Wolfe Island Rev Sir, With feelings of more than ordinary sorrow we learn that you are about to leave us for an indefinate period, and that your ministrations here mut at least for a time cease. We cannot permit the opportunity to pass without expressing our earnest appreciation of your untiring efforts in furthering the interests of our holy church, and your zeal in aiding us in that matierial.That you have nobly done your duty is abundantly testified. The beautiful structure in which we now adore the one true and holly God will stand unto future ages a proud monument of what the faithful priest, aided by a loving people, may accomplish; that significant ediface, raised to the honor of the Most High, conceived and by you carried through to completion, has been the crowning act of your faithful ministry. We are fully sensible of the great privations you have undergone in perfecting your back labor; we realize the harships you have endured in consumating this great work; and while your every act was done soley for the honor of God, and from no incentive of worldly praise, yet to you it must be pleasing to feel that those for whom you have labored so assiduously are not insensible of your many sacrifices, but hold in grateful rememberence your arduous toils in their interest. Fully recognizing the act of Catholic faith which impels you to join in the pilgrimage to Rome, we pray you to convey to our most holy father our earnest sympathy with him in the great trials he has suffered in defending that sacred patrimony confired to his trust and most earnestly ask you to invoke for us his choicest blessings that we may preserve in the good work to the end. We implore you to remember us when offering up the holy sacrifice, and though time and distance intervene, rest assured our humble prayers will be offered for your safety and early return. In bidding you adieu we beg you to accept the acompanying as a slight souvenir valued by you not for its intrinsic worth, but rather the spirit which prompts the offering. Signed on behalf of the congregation of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Wolfe Island Thos Dawson, Archibald Staley, John Baker, P McAvoy, T Briceland D McRae. Gentlemen, You, no doubt, have remarked, in looking over newspapers, accounts of addresses to this or that person. They are very common at the present day. Generally you will find that the person to whom the address is made will be said to be taken by surprise, however difficult it may be to understand where the surprise comes from. I need not then tell you that your coming here today is no matter of surprise to me; but with truth I may say that I am astonished at this handsome purse you make me on this occasion of my voyage to Rome. Not to be surprised at such generosity on your part would, indeed, be something strange. No one knows better than I the many sacrifices you have made during the last two years. The purchase of the most beautiful property on Wolfe Island, with its charming grove, now in its full beauty with the full clothing of spring around it; the little "Church of our Blessed Lady" sweetly reposing in the shade of its large elms; the notes of the bell in its tower calling for the prayer of the "Angelus." Why, every stone in that Church, every tree in this grove, beauty there is of nature and of art about it, speak of the generosity and energy of the people of this Island, and of their zeal for whatever tends to the glory of the Church Catholic. To have built your Church and to have located her in such a lovely spot, was indeed, something. Every passer by those grounds can praise you for this choice selection. But, allow me to make use of this opportunity to tell your neighbors that you have done more than build your Church. This Church and all the grounds about it are this day free of the demands of any man. It is in a special sense, God's own property, His own Temple, purchased for Him by the hard labor and scanty earnings of His livng children of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Thus gentlemen, you have purchased and paid for one of most beautiful sites in the country, you have raised there a handsome church and from its tower you have suspended those chimes that are to "ring abroad devotional call". All this was begun and completed within twelve months. This is surely something, someting in which you may take the highest pride; for, after God, all has been done by yourselves, as the many days work in the fall and winter of 1872 and 1873 can attest, as also by the pile of receipts now filed to your credit to the sum of eleven thousand dollars. Remembering all this done by you, gentlemen. I had no idea that you intended presenting me with such a large bank note. I am much surprised, and accept from me, gentleman, my very sincere thanks. You ask me to remember you during our separation and especially when in the City of the Popes, Rest assurred you shall not be forgotten, if any time I might forget Wolfe Island and its good people, certainly on this long voyage I cannot leave you out of my memory. I am going to Rome as one on an ordinary voyage to that city, not merely to look upon its wonders not mearly to see and be bleased by the sainted and aged prisoner of the Vatican. I am going in company with about one hundred Catholics from the United States and Canada, we are going in the character of pilgrims; to visit those places which Heaven has in a special manner sanctified, to linger aorund there for a while, to gather some good and salutary thoughts to carry away and keep during the remiander of life. In doing this, we are but copying an example written on the page of history from the third century down to the present day. There.is however, in this pilgrimage a new feature which adds much to its beauty; this is the priest pilgrimage in and from America. It is from America to Rome. We are going there in person, as children, to do what little in consoling our Father in His affliction. We are going, as men, to make a new protest in the face of Europe and of the whole world against the injustice perpetrated upon the meekest, the best and the most truly annointed of kings. We are going, as Christians, to kneel at the tomb of the Apostles and in the Seven Vasillicas of the eternal city in supplication to Heaven for the triumph of the Church. We are going, as Americans Catholics to prove to our Pope and King that though the broad Atlantic wave separates us from him, our hearts are as full of love for him as if we were living within the walls of his own city or under the shadow of the Vatican; to tell him that we have undertaken this long journey across the seas to hehold him of whom we have heard so much of sorrow and of suffering, to look upon him with our own eyes, to kneel for that most consoling blessing of his, to tell him that we sympathize with him and that we grieve for him in his imprisonment. Yes, to tell hom that, if needs be, we are ready, some of us, to draw the sword for his cause; some of us to go and perform on the battle field the works of mercy. This is the spirt with which the pigrims are setting out from the shores of the American Continent on the16th of May,. Though away from you, gentlemen, my thoughts will frequently come back to hover around you and your homes. You ask for my prayers. I fear they are too unworthy; but I am a priest and this I can do. In this fact there is much consolation. In this "mememto" at holy mass I will lay yours and your children's souls on the altars of the Holy City. In return, remember me when in this little church of our blessed lady. And now, thanking you for this gift and your live for me, good bye; and may the blessing of God be about you and your houses. Submitted by AM Benson April 4, 1874 Wesleyan Church, Amherst Island Mr John Ferguson sends some facts in connection with the flourishing church, which we condense: The Island has formerly attached to the Bath Wesleyan Circuit, and was a burden to the clergymen of the circuit until in 1872, by the strong urging of the Rev G R Sanderson, chairman of the district, a missionary preacher was appointed there. The Wesleyan community then was small, but it is increasing and from the first has been supporting the missionary and other charges. Within one year it raised $840 for a new church, which as already reported was dedicated in November last by the Rev Mr Sanderson. It is a fine edifice, 23 x 40 feet, with spire. The interior is well furnished. The first meeting was held on Jan'y 30th last, (Mr D Fowler presiding and Rev Messars Chalmers, Kines and LIdstone making addresses,) and an amount to cover the total cost of the building and land was subscribed in the open meeting. The members have also secured an organette, through Mr Jas Purdy. Last month there was a very successful series of special meetings at the church. The Rev Dr Taylor has promised the congregation a lecture on behalf of the organ fund. The Amherst Island church is one of the most active in the province. Submitted by AM Benson The Daily Whig July 4, 1898 - A Bright Flower Plucked Death visited the home of James Norris, Ottawa house, yesterday and carried away Richard Michael, his infant son. The bright little boy, four and one half months old, was taken sick on Saturday morning, and pneumonia in severe form settling in, quickly carried him away. The body of the child was buried at Howe Island today. Mr and Mrs Norris have the sympathies of many friends. Submitted by AM Benson The Daily Whig July 6, 1898 To Spend his days at Cork, Dennis Mahoney, Wolfe Island, after fifty one years residence in Canada -forty nine on Wolfe Island. Leaves on Friday for Cork to reside. Mr Mahoney is well known and highly esteemed. He has no enemies, is a man of tender sympathetic nature and one who never owed a man a dollar that was not promptly met. He says he wants to leave Canada without a regret and any person to whom he ever spoke hastily or wrongly he asks forgiveness and would gladly shake them by the hand. Mr Mahoney leaves eight children in Frontenac and New York state all in comfortable circumstances. Submitted by AM Benson The Daily Whig July 14, 1898 Allen, July 11 -Farmers in this locality are busy at their haying. The grain crop is looking good. J McDonald, St LAwrence, has been engaged as helper in the Gilt Edge cheese factory for the remainder of the season. Miss E Belair visiting her uncle, J McDonald, returned to her home in Kingston on Sunday.PIcnics are held daily at Long Island Park. Submitted by AM Benson The Daily Whig July 15, 1898 Dr W L Goodwin and family and G M Macdonnell and family, are summering on Wolfe Island. Submitted by AM Benson The Daily Whig July 28, 1898 Allen, July 25..E Payne and F Woodman have purchased new binders. Quite a number from here attended the pilgrimage to St Anne de Beaupre on July 18th. Visitors: Miss Joe Mahoney, Rochester, is visiting her borther, J Mahoney; Miss Cecilia LaFleur, Chicago, is home on a visit to her parents; she intends leaving on Friday for Chicago. Mrs F McAvoy, Watertown is visiting her mother, Mrs T McDonell. W H Kivell, Kingston, is visiting at John Hogan's. Submitted by AM Benson The Daily Whig Aug 11, 1898 Allen , Aug 9 -the weather still continues dry. Farmers are mostlly through harvesting. Louis McDonald left Monday for Prescott, where he has secured a position. The Foresters picnic at Long Island park on Monday was a great success. Several American sportsmen are spending the summer here. Misses Katie and Nellie Langon, Buffalo, NY are visiting their grandmother, Mrs T McDonell. Mrs P Grant Marysville, is visiting at her fathers Alexander coteur. Miss Helena Driscoll and sister, Miss Mildred, Trenton, are visiting at John Hogans. The several schools in this locality will open on Tuesday. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig Jan 2, 1889 School Promotions – The Candidates Passed Into the Sydenham School – The District Certificates The following candidates passed the recent examination at Sydenham for third class district certificates of qualification as public school teachers: Lily Healey, Wolfe Island. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig Jan 2, 1889 Incidents of the Day S J Kirkpatrick has a contract to supply the GTR company with stone from his quarry on Wolfe Island. About 100 men will get it out. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig Jan 12, 1889 He Declines to Act Wolfe Island, Jan 3 – (To the Editor) I see by your issue of January 3rd my name appears as one of the committee appointed at the Scott act convention, held at Cataraqui a few days ago, to assist in sustaining the act in April next. As far as true temperance principles are concerned there is where I am always to be found, but until I see more sincerity in the ranks of the so called temperance people I certainly decline to take any part whatever in the contest. Thomas Hogan. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig January 25, 1889 Wolfe Island Jan 23 – We welcome the snow and the prospect of an ice bridge to Kingston. Who can say but some day the minds of engineers may be wrestling with no less a problem than that of constructing a bridge like that triumph of genius, the Victoria bridge, Montreal, to connect us with a transformed and metropolitan center, once “old fossil” Kingston, deceased, on one side and our neighbours (or perhaps brethren) on the other, while our lively isle is transmogrified into a suburban paradise for two great cities. Judging by the remarks of one gentleman on nomination day, anent our ferry, he deemed this or some similar destiny to be ours Eh, George! – Men have been at work for a week repairing damage done to the telegraph lines by the recent storm. A tenement house owned by J Coyle, jr., and occupied by Patrick Troy, was damaged by fire. The house was one of the oldest in the village. A Hand engine and several extinguishers should be purchased by our council and a volunteer fire company formed in the village for service in cases of fire. Escaping well in the past is no guarantee of immunity in the future. Mrs Matthew Flynn won a handsome mat at a recent drawing here for a charitable object. The ball in McLaren’s hall, under the auspices of the new council, was despite inclement weather largely attended by the youth and beauty of the island. Mr D McRae was master of ceremonies; patron saints, James Horne and R Moore. John Davis, popular captain of the invincible island base ball team, was recently united with Miss Maggie Sanderson. The open weather has been very favourable for operations in the quarry recently opened here and large quantities of fine stone are ready for shipment. The presence of so many men in the village is a great boom to store keepers, others besides making more market for the produce of farmers. Nearly every other house in the village has been transformed into a boarding establishment. Miss Toner takes the seat vacated in No 4 school by John McManus. His absence will be regretted in social, literary, baseball circles. E Eccles is also missed, he having gone to Los Angelos, Cal, to engage with his grandfather in raising raisins. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig January 29, 1889 The very latest news Of a local and General Character Just as We go to press William Cummings of Wolfe Island has been in goal for the past six years. He is idiotic, and his case has been reported all these years, and though, many transfers have been made to the governmental institutions, he still remains here. When he entered the goal he was quite wild and fearful of the approach of man, but by kindness and patience his alarm was overcome. Now he is quite docile and able to do little chores about the institution. But to consort with criminals is not the proper thing. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig February 13, 1889 Letters to the editor – Scott Act on the Island Wolfe Island, Feb 9- (To the Editor); I notice in you issue a discussion by the county council concerning the Scott Act. I was very much surprised at some of the remarks made by our island representatives, Messrs Horne and Moore. The former said that the temperance people of the island did not patronize the temperance houses. I do not see how we can patronize what we have not got. There is not an hotel on the island owned by a man in favour of temperance. They would procure licenses if they could. Mr Horne stated that he knew strong supporters of temperance who would not help support a temperance house but would sneak away and put their horses in some out of the way place. Now I consider those remarks, to say the least, ungenerous and unjust. Some of his most ardent supporters were pronounced temperance men, and worked to elect him; and to represent those people to the county council as pernurious, mean, sneaking men, too stingy to pay their way, is certainly not the treatment they expected to receive at his hands. I think the temperance people patronize hotels just as well as the liquor men, although they do not patronize the bars. I know of several temperance men, also some not in favour of temperance, who have stables of their own at the village; and would they not be foolish to put their horses in the hotel stables and leave their own stables empty? I doubt very much whether Mr Horne or Mr Moore would be quite so liberal. Mr Moore said hotel men could not live on wind. Neither can the farmer, mechanic, merchant or doctor. But they can live by their labours. If the hotel keepers cannot live on the patronage they receive there are plenty of pursuits in which they might engage. I am certain they could succeed if they worked as hard as they have been working for the repeal of the Scott act. I am sure also that if there was a temperance house owned and run by a temperance man, one whom the temperance people would have confidence in, it would be well patronized by the temperance people. Elmer Woodman. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig February 15, 1889 A Thriving Island Village Situated on the shore of a beautiful and picturesque bay of the St Lawrence, at Wolfe Island, is the delightful village of Marysville. In summer it is the resort of many pleasure seekers form distant places; in winter its charms are not all faded and gone for being sheltered from fierce storms it reposes in cozy comfort. The surroundings betoken thrift and happiness. The visitor encounters smiles of kindness and contentment. At the eastern edge of the village is a quarry. On a space of about two acres are about 100 men employed in quarrying and shaping huge blocks of stone, some weighing from five to eight tons. A visit to Marysville and the quarries will amply repay the visitor. COM. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig Feb 15, 1889 Wolfe Island – Feb 11 – The crossing is very unsatisfactory. On Saturday a horse and sleigh with a load of groceries went through the ice, resulting in the ruin of about $30 worth of sugar and some damage to other articles. Patrick O’Rielly was married to Miss O’Brien of Loughboro, recently. His friends await his return to extend warm felicitations. Miss Alice McDonald was married here to Mr James, of Buffalo, also a short time ago. From grave to gay is a short flight, for there seems to be a pall of sickness, sorrow and death over our midst. Submitted by AM Benson The British Whig Feb 23, 1889 Wolfe Island Feb 19 – Kingston snowshoers frequently enliven the village and hotel tables. “Teams wanted to draw stone from the quarry to Kingston”, say an advertisement posted around, but at the rates offered few will be secured. Since Monday’s storm the crossing on the ice is again tedious and unpleasant, owing to slush, though not unsafe for ordinary traffic. Mrs Langan, mother of the late Daniel Langan, captain of the ill fated schr Fitzgerald, lost some years ago with all hands, is very ill. Capt Maurice Langan arrived from Chicago on Monday. Many regret to hear of the demise of Francis Lalond Sr, who for many years kept a blacksmith shop on the corner now owned by T S Bennett. The old shop is gone and so now its former occupant. Mr Bennett has erected at the village a large windmill costing over $600 for grinding, sawing and furnishing water. Thomas Keys is also grinding by steam power on his premises. Owing to the bad crossing to Kingston local trade has been benefited much this winter as well as by the opening of the quarry. A boarding house keeper in lower town had some difficulty with a lodger on Saturday; result – damaged optic. The driver of the Cape stage recently “shipped” at Kingston what he supposed to be two members of the “fair, frail sex,” but on unloading at the Cape found his cargo to consist of two well developed specimens of the genius mamalia or man. Explanation looked for. Added Nov 23 2006:Submitted by Eileen TruesdellGananoque Reporter August 25, 1949 Reunion of members of the Pickett family was held on Sunday. Those present were, Rev. Father Pickett, Elgin; Sister Mary Fidelma, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan; Sister Helen, Toronto; Mrs. E. Shneberger, & Miss Loretta Pickett, of Flint, Michigan, Mrs. Gerald O’Shea, Arthur and Richard, Kingston; John, Howe Island; another sister Mrs. Jerry Murphy of Kingston, was unable to attend, due to illness. Submitted by Eileen Truesdell Gananoque Reporter August 25, 1949 Joseph and Wilfred Garrah, sons of Ira Garrah, have returned home, from Hotel Dieu Hospital. They were seriously injured last week, when the team ran away, throwing them, off the wagon. Submitted by Eileen Truesdell Gananoque Reporter Nov 13, 1897 Last Tuesday, about noon, Leon Rushford, of Howe Island, barn was struck on the south side, near the church. Three horses were killed. John Leakey, who works for Rushford, was dazed by the flash when the plaster was knocked off the ceiling of the house. Submitted by Eileen Truesdell Gananoque Reporter June 18, 1881 Howe Island has a population of 395 and 8021 acres Submitted by Eileen Truesdell Gananoque Reporter Dec 30, 1926 On Dec 21st, a gloom was cast over the community, when it was learned that Miss Nellie Cadue, one of Howe Island’s most respected residents had passed away. Although in poor health for some time her condition was not regarded as serious, and her sudden death came as a shock to her family and many friends. Miss Cadue was born in Gananoque and came to Howe Island in her early girlhood, where she has since resided. The numerous spiritual offerings and messages of sympathy received testify to the esteem, in which she was held. She leaves to morn her loss, her Mother, four brothers and two sisters, James, Kingston; Joseph, Alexandria Bay; Thomas, Ilion, NY; and Daniel at home. Mrs. David Abeles of New York City and Mrs. John Clarke, of Gananoque. The funeral took place from her Mother’s residence to St. Philomena’s Church, where a requiem high mass was chanted by Rev. A. J. Hanley. Acting as pallbearers were, Joseph Welsh, Patrick Quinn, Clarence Quinn, William White, Robert Simpson, Patrick LaChance. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Standard June 3, 1911 Wolfe Island News – Grant Pyke Purchases a Motor Boat and a Hay Scow Wolfe Island, June 1 – Mr Peo, Cape Vincent, has completed a thirty seven horse power motor boat for Grant Pyke. He has also had erected for him a flat-bottomed scow capable of carrying in the neighborhood of eighty tons of pressed hay. The estimated cost of the two is about $3,000. Mr Cramer has purchased from Captain Robertson a motor boat. Mr Stewart, of New York is a guest at the Briceland Hotel. Mr McAusland and family, of Pittsburg, Pa., will be here next week to spend the summer. Among the arrivals from Kingston last week who opened up their homes were Mr and Mrs H Tandy, Dr and Mrs Sparks, Mr and Mrs Bartels. Several others are expected this week. Malcolm McDonald is erecting a new cottage for A E Ellis, architect, of Kingston. Mr and Mrs Jenkins, of Glenburnie, are visiting at E Payne’s. Mrs Turpin, Kingston is the guest of her mother, Mrs Lafleur. John Laughlin spent last week in Watertown NY, visiting relatives. Michael Doyle is visiting relatives at Rosiere NY. Mrs George Baker is leaving next week to join her husband Dr Baker, Toronto. Mrs O Reilly, is the guest of Mrs Frank Briceland. Peter Keegan is seriously ill in Watertown, NY. It is whispered that the Island will lose one of its winsome young girls early next month. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Standard June 8, 1911 Wolfe Island News Wolfe Island, June 7 – The picnic at Hiram Joslin’s on Wednesday, was a decided success. There were two baseball games between the Pastimes, of the head, and Sand Bay team across the river, and the foot, and the winning team was to play off. The proceeds are to go to the ball team. Robert MacKie and Lloyd Card are in Toronto as delegates for the Chosen Friends. Edward Payne is on the sick list. James McDonald had the misfortune to lose the first joint of his thumb, while loading hay with a set of palls. The baseball game on Saturday between the foot and the village was won by the village team. George Stewart, of New York, was umpire. Mr Stewart for New York on Wednesday after spending five weeks at the island house. Adam Birch and party, of Rochester, were here with their autos, and made a flying visit to Alexander Docteur’s. James Russell, has just returned from Albany, NY where he spent a week with his sister. George Turner and Hugh Horne are in Toronto on a business trip. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Standard Allen, June 10, 1895 – Dr Spankie, PSL visited the several schools in this vicinity last week and was well pleased with their progress. Since the recent heavy rain the crops in this district are looking fine. Mrs Buckley, an old and respected resident, passed away on Thursday after a very short illness. Quite a gloom was cast over this vicinity last week, the death of Mrs DH McDonald, having been ill only a week. She leaves a husband and six children to mourn. D McLaren has improved his house by applying a fresh coat of paint. Mrs T McDonald, who has been very ill, has improved. Thomas Quigley intends leaving for Chicago on Monday. The several teachers in this vicinity attended the convention. Messrs D Moran and Thos Hogan, Jr are visiting at Long Island Park. Visitors: Mrs D Mcdonald and her daughter, Ogdensburg, at A McDonald’s, Miss F McRae, Three Mile Bay, at D McDonald’s. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Standard June 6, 1895 Wolfe Island Notes Marysville, June 5 – Two heavy rain storms here on Monday evening – the heaviest fall of rain that has been felt here for years. Mrs Nixon and Mrs Gambol, of this village, have gone on a trip through the western states. Rev G S White, of the Methodist church, retires. Many of the villagers will be sorry to lose Rev White from their midst. Men are working at the English church tower. It is being arranged for a new bell. A cheese box manufacturing industry has lately been started in the village. Marshal Armstrong has returned to the island, after visiting his old home. The boys will shortly organize a base ball team, then the Kingston clubs will catch it. Several new buggies have arrived here lately. Many of the summer visitors to this place are making their appearances. Miss Kate England, of Williamsville, is visiting friends in the village. Some hay left here for Mr Going last week. Many Kingstonians paid the village a flying visit on Sunday last. Added Sept 19 2006:Submitted by George HalladayJefferson County Journal Tuesday, July 9, 1901 Wolfe Island The steam barge Alberta of Cape Vincent, owned by Captain Hinckley of that village, is ashore in Little Marsh, about three miles east of the Stony Point light, and is a total wreck. The barge was driven ashore by the heavy seas that swept the lake Sunday and went aground, where she was soon pounded to a wreck by the waves. Her crew, consisting of Captain G. W. Pyke, Engineer Samuel Bourdon, George Warren, deck hand, and Alberta Hare, cook, were safely landed and taken to Henderson Harbor. The barge had left Oswego at 8:30 Sunday morning and was on her way to Cape Vincent. —The steam barge, Alberta, laden with coal for Sackets from Oswego, sank Sunday off Little Marsh during the big wind storm. Particulars have not been received, but it is thought that the crew was saved. Submitted by George Halladay Oswego Palladium - Times August 22, 1938 WOLF ISLAND FARM OF CAPTAIN PYKE DAMAGED BY FIRE Well Known Marine Man Was In Port Here When News Came. Farm buildings and property of Captain Grant Pyke located on Wolf Island were damaged by fire to tha extent of about $25,000 Sunday morning according to the information received at Oswego. Captain Pyke, master of the tug Salvage Prince, arrived in port about 5 o'clock Sunday morning and received the news of his loss a short time later. Information came in a telephone message from his son, George Pyke, graduate of Ottawa Agricultural College. Fire broke out about 1 o'clock Sunday morning. Captain Pyke learned. It started in the pighouse from a cause unknown and spread rapidly, first to the dairy bam and then to other farm buildings. The pighouse, 200 by 250 feet, was destroyed together with 600 thoroughbred stock. The farm crew of 25 men employed by Capt. Pyke and his son managed to halt the fire In the dairy barn and to save adjacent structures. The house of the workmen, the Pyke residence and several other buildings were damaged but slightly and, besides a stallion, 200 bushels of barley and wheat recently harvested, tools and farm machinery were saved. Thirty horses and seventy -five head of cattle were pastured and safe from the flames. The farm is 1200 acres in area on Wolf Island, opposite Cape Vincent on the Canadian side. Estimated value of buildings, $40,000, built three years ago; insurance $6,000. Wolf Island is 20 miles long and seven miles wide. Captain William Bryan of the steamer Adrian Iselin, arriving in port Sunday, reported that the reflection from the fire was visible for miles In Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence river. Captain Pyke in the Salvage Prince, with barges Hilda and Anarco, In tow, cleared Monday noon from the D. L. & W. terminal with soft coal for Morrisburg, Ont. He will probably visit Wolf Island before making a return trip to Oswego. Captain Pyke and the Salvage Prince are well known along Lake Ontario, particularly at this port and Canadian ports. The tug has frequently been used in rescuing craft in storms, also in salvaging operations and in Ice-breaking. Captain Pyke is usually the last to clear from this port in the fall. Submitted by George Halladay WATERTOWN HERALD SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28,1903 Epidemic Feared. Cape Vincent, Nov. 27,— A horse belonging to Henry Chavoustie was taken sick here one day last week and died before reaching home. Several horses have died in this vicinity recently and it is feared that the epidemic which has been so fatal on Wolfe Island has reached here. Submitted by George Halladay Watertown Daily Times August 24, 1870 A picnic fishing excursion came off Saturday last, and was participated in by the citizens of St. Lawrence and vicinity generally. The party met at A. D. Percy's, who generously provided stabling and feed for the horses. Eben Joslin, the agreeable gentleman and skillful sailor, was acting commander, giving the participants a fine sail and landing them on the foot of Long Island. Old and young were present, and all were in the most exuberant spirits. A fine lot of bass, pickerel, & c, were caught—Father Dillon and lady catching fully their share. A sumptuous repast was prepared by the fair ones of the party. Some of the scaly tribe, taken then and there, were served up, and what with a strong cup of tea, white bread, cakes, pies, & c, and a keen appetite to assist, everyone succeeded in eating with a relish not often enjoyed. No distinction was allowed in making invitations on account of condition—caste being held in contempt by the democratic people of St Lawrence. Cares relaxed, wrinkles disappeared, and everyone seemed younger and happier for the occasion. M. B. L. Submitted by George Halladay Watertown Daily Times MONDAY, JULY 9, 1883 About 25 years ago an old man named Lifonteze died on Ferguson Point, Wolfe Island, and left his farm, some 160 acres, to his grandchild, who was then not over a year old. The child was taken to this side and did not return for a number of years, during which time, it is said, some of the land was occupied. T. L. Snook, of Kingston, has been retained to secure a removal of the occupants, and Saturday he took the first step in that direction. Young Lifonteze is now living on the Napanee road, on the other side of Kingston. Submitted by AM Benson The Daily Whig, Newspaper articles Paper dated June 19, 1905, The Bishop's visit, To Wolfe Island Parish- Presentation to Rector Bishop Mills, accompanied by Canon Starr, as chaplain, made his annual visitation to Wolfe Island parish on June 15th. An early start was made for Christ Church, for a celebration of the holy communion. The bishop was celebrant, Canon Starr epistodar, and the rector gospeller. The bishop's text was Isaiah lv, I. The fine sermon was listened to with great attention. After the service Miss Annie Gillespie read an address to the rector, Rev. J W Forster from the congregation, expressing regret that he had resigned and heartfelt sorrow at the loss the parish will sustain. He had endeared himself not only as a teacher of the Gospel of Christ, but by kindness in times of sickness and trouble. The situation of the rectory exposed to the winds in winter having affected Mrs Forster's health, they prayed that God may bless her with renewed health and strength. He was assured of leaving many warm friends in the church, and bearing away the respect and esteem of the entire community. The address was signed on behalf of the congregation by George Gillespie, Henry Halliday, (wardens) Archie Berry, RC Irvine. Mr Forster thanked the people heartily. The church was decorated with flowers. Miss Berry, Allen postoffice, entertained the bishop and clergy at dinner. A pleasant drive brought the clergy back to Marysville, where Mrs W. Card entertained them and Mrs Forster at tea. Trinity church was profusely decorated. Even song was at 7:30 pm. The rector read the lesson. The bishop again preached to a well filled church. His text was St John's Gospel xiv, 6. The musical part of the service was well tendered. The Calvin company's kindness was again manifest in sending a steamer to take the Garden Island people to the service and the bishop back to Kingston. Simcoe Island was well represented. Submitted by AM Benson Kingst WHig Standard Paper Sept 5, 1912 Wolfe Island council Sept 2, Municpal council met at 10 a.m. members all present. Minutes last meeting confirmed: steamboat accounts paid: James Crawford 1 month captain $50; John McEwen, 1 month engineer $70; James Davis, 31 days mate $41.34, washing boiler $1.00, $42.34, R Bustard 31 days fireman $36.17, washing boiler $1, $37.17: Geo Rattary, 31 days purser, $46.50; John Crawford, 31 days, deck hand $25.84, washing boiler $1, $26.84; Wm Armstrong, 31 days, deck hand $25.84, washing boiler $1, $26.84: Mrs Henderson, 31 days, cook $20.67, Wm Watts, 1 day $1: Geo Rattary, 796 meals $95.52: Geo Rattary, telephone $1.25, T Nicholson, ice for July $5.60; McKelvey & Birch, acct $28.68: S Angie & Co, gang planks, $11.16. Resolved that Hiram Davis be appointed collector. Township accounts paid: Miss Matier, charity to Norris $6; DJ Dawson, postage on voters lists, $2.31; Jas Swift & co cartage on tile $2.99; Frontenac Lumber Co plank for Sand Bay bridge $7.18; John Spoor, assessor, $50.00; S Anglin & co amt of acct $86.90; T Gallivan on quarrying stone $125; Wolfe Island Fair Ass grant $25.00; W J Allinson, lumber for road $10.16. Resolved that a by-law be passed to raise money necessary for county, township and school purposes. Council adjourned to the first Monday in Oct at 10am. Submitted by AM Benson Kingst WHig Standard Sept 5. 1912. CONDITON IS SERIOUS Victims of Shooting Accident at Wolfe Island Doctors Have Been Unable to Locate Shot- Using X-Ray at the Hotel Dieu – It is Believed. However, That Young Men Will Recover. Frank Baker and William Kiell, the Wolfe Island young men, who figured in the shooting accident on the island, on Wednesday, are still confined to the Hotel Dieu. Their condition is quite serious. The doctors have been busy with the X-ray but have been unable to locate the shot which they received. From what can be learned of the unfortunate affair it appears that a number of the young men of the village planned to give the newly-married couple “the time of their lives”. However, the plan did not pan out as they had expected. It is indeed a miracle that other members of the party were not hurt. Although in a serious condition hopes are entertained for their recovery. The shooting caused quite a sensation on the island, where the parties implicated are so well-known. Submitted by AM Benson Kingst WHig Standard Sept 9, 1912 page 6 – Wolfe Island News Wolfe Island, Sept 7 – Richard Moore went to Guelph as delegate in the interests of the A.O.U.W.. Henry Hall, Edward Horne and Oscar Fawcett attended the Toronto Exhibition. Ace Hough sold a valuable horse to Charles Hall. Mrs James Mackay, Watertown, NY and her daughter, Maggie, are visiting their parents here. Frances McAvoy, Rochester, who has been visiting relatives here for the past month, has returned home. John Pyke, Montreal, spent a few days visiting his parents here. Albert Cummings spent a few days in Watertown visiting relatives. John Kingsley spent a few days visiting the Toronto fair. James Hennessey Watertown, spent a few days visiting relatives here. A prominent young farmer will shortly wed one of Watertown’s fairest young ladies. The banns of marriage are published between “Fergie” Doyle and Miss Hattie McLaren. Benjamin Hanlin, Watertown, spent a few days visiting friends here. Submitted by AM Benson Kingst WHig Standard Sept 13, 1912 News of Neighbors Allen, Wolfe Island, Sept 10 – The wet weather of the past few days has delayed the farmers with their harvest. A number from here attended a party at Marysville on Monday evening. Miss Myrtle Esford is visiting friends in Kingston. Arthur Minihen, of Chicago, is visiting his grandmother, Mrs P Lafleur. Submitted by AM Benson Kingst WHig Standard Sept 13, 1912 Special Prizes offered For Wolfe Island Fair – Farmers Fear For Crops Wolfe Island, Sept 12 – Great preparations are being made for the township fair, which takes place next week. Weather permitting. It will out-class all former events. Several special prizes are being offered by citizens that will tend to bring out good exhibits. The recent wet weather has been a great hindrance to the farmers in saving the crops and it is the general opinion that the grain will not be fit for anything only feeding purposes, as in every case it is growing in the stook. Another wedding is slated for next week to take place in Watertown NY. The contracting parties being Jeremiah Green and Miss Eva Hennessy of the former place. Several of our young men have returned to t heir studies in the city, among the number being A Grant, H. Staley, A Ryan, B Cummings, S Ryan and Nelson Keys. Great credit is due to School inspector Dr Spankie for the energy he has put forth in securing a continuation class in the village school for pupils who have passed the entrance. He has been endeavoring for some time past to secure the above class for pupils and thanks to his efforts; they are realized. A nominal fee of $1 per month is being charged. James Berry and bride have returned home from their honeymoon trip. J Kingsley, Boston is visiting with his parents. Miss Jessie Cooper has returned home after spending a month visiting with friends in Picton and Toronto. William Laughlin left yesterday for Watertown, NY to attend the home-coming of his brother in law, who has been touring Europe. Submitted by Julia Sexsmith Boak Richmond BC From scrapbook of Martha (Mattie) Arabella Burrows (Mrs. Charles Garret Sexsmith) A JOLLY YACHTING PARTY. Last evening about 8 o’clock a party of 27 excursionists arrived in town on the steam yacht Lorilie and for a short time made things hum. They have been out since the 19th inst. cruising up the Rideau as far as Ottawa where they spent Sunday. On the 20th they gave a concert at Merrickville to a full house, and returning from Ottawa they reached Newboro ahead of the Rideau Belle. Leaving that port yesterday morning they came to Brockville via Kingston. Our correspondent, with a friend, had the pleasure of spending a few hours on board the yacht last night and he says a jollier crowd he never met. They were untiring in their efforts to entertain their visitors. Those living in the vicinity of the C.P.R. dock might have heard with pleasure, or otherwise just as they chose, the sound of merry, happy voices ringing through the air accompanied by several musical instruments of which there seems to be no lack, as there is an organ, violin, clarionette, flute, guitar and two auto harps on board. Judging from this we would be inclined to term them “a jolly musical party”. “Shylock”, the leader of the musical part of the program performed his duties in a manner that would almost warrant our recommending him for some higher position than that which he holds at present. They left this morning for the Burg, where they purpose spending the day and then continuing their journey to Kingston through the Thousand Islands. The following is a list of those onboard : Mr. and Mrs. Sherlock, Kingston; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Wilson, Newburg; Mrs. Clarke, Smith’s Falls; Miss A. Shields, Smith’s Falls; Miss Burns, Almonte; Miss Edgar, Owen Sound; Miss Ludgsdin and Miss Hattie Henderson, Toronto; Miss Stickney, Newburg; Mrs. Geo. Thompson, Newburg; Miss Jennie Hope, Newburg; Miss Hitchcock, Wolfe Island; Miss Burrows, Napanee, Miss Rhoda Greenwood, Kingston; Miss Bertha Greenwood, Kingston; Miss Lily White, Kingston; Miss Dunlap, Kingston; Mr. W. J. B. White, Kingston; Mr. Alex Ross, Kingston; Dr. Burns, Smith’s Falls; Mr. T. McAllister, Smith’s Falls; Mr. John Francis, Pakenham; Mr. Chas. Meikle, Lachute; Mr. Jack Meikle, Smith’s Falls; Mr. Sills, Napanee. The Lorlie is a new boat built last season at Kingston for the Folgers, and has never before been seen down this way. She resembles considerably the ferry steamer Chaffey. Miss Burrows, Napanee; is Martha Arabella Burrows daughter of Frederick Burrows and Lucinda Barrett. She kept a scrap book scrap book from 1879 to 1950. Unfortunately she did not record the dates of any of the clippings. She is named for her two grandmothers, Martha Potts Burrows and Arabella Davis Barrett. Arabella "Grandma" Barrett was half sister to the Hitchcock children. Miss Hitchcock, Wolfe Island; (my guess, she's Cora Louise Hitchcock) would be Martha's "second half-cousin?!". Added June 29 2006:Paper dated Jan 23, 1873Wolfe Island Tea – Meeting It Was a Pleasing Affair and Was largely Attended The C.M.B.A. ball, Wolfe Island, was crowded to its utmost Friday evening in response to the announcements of the managers of the Presbyterian church that the annual tea-meeting would be held there. The refreshments were good, the programme lengthy and varied, the audience pleased and the promoters satisfied, so that all round an enjoyable evening was spent. It is estimated that fully four hundred persons were present. Dr Spankie presided, and good order prevailed. The financial object in view is the re-seating of the kirk. A large number from Garden Island attended. The pastor, Rev. G R Land, is popular not only with his own congregation but with members of all the different churches, as is testified by the large audiences that have always greeted him on this and all former occasions. The following programme was rendered: Chairman’s address; chorus, choir recitation, Mable Armstrong; duet Misses Lewers; recitation, Miss Horne, instrumental, Miss Dean and Messrs Kiel and Pearce; address, Mr Sinclair; duet Mrs Dix and Miss Holmes, recitation, Miss Jack; chorus, choir; instrumental Miss Dean and Messrs Keil and Pearce; address Mr Miller; duet, Mrs Dix and Miss Holmes; cornet solo Mr Pearce; the sunflower girls, twelve little girls; chorus, choir recitation, Miss Jack, solo Miss Holmes, address Rev Mr Bradley; solo Miss Lewis; chorus choir national anthem all. Paper dated Oct 27, 1917 Parish of Wolfe Island Wolfe Island Oct 26- The Thanksgiving services held recently in Trinity and Christ Churches Wolfe Island, were well attended. Both churches were beautifully decorated with flowers and fruit, giving evidence of thankful hearts. The children’s service at Trinity last Sunday was inspiring. The children marched from the rectory to the church led by a bright and appropriate banner and sung the hymns most heartily. The members of Wolfe Island Branch of the Woman’s Auxiliary met at the house of Mrs R Bullis, honorary-president of the branch and presented Mrs David Pyke the vice-president with a handsome copy of the church service. Mrs Thomas Fawcett, in the absence of the secretary, Miss Walker, read an address expressing regret at Mrs Pyke’s removal from the parish, with a hope that at least sometimes she may be able to attend the W A meetings and also wishing her health and happiness in her new surroundings. The cemetery grounds have been improved somewhat by the removal of weeds and general cleaning up. The ladies Aid of this parish have just had the vestibule floor of Trinity church laid with tile of an attractive design. Nov 27, 1917 Allen, Wolfe Island Nov 24 – Farmers are ploughing and pressing hay. H Esford has moved from his farm here to Kingston where he will reside in future. The party of Mr C Henderson’s on Friday evening was much enjoyed. Mrs James Hogan, Sr is visiting her daughter at Larkin’s Station. Ira Payne, Marysville, has rented J Mcdonald’s farm for the coming year. Mrs P Hogan is visiting friends in Cape Vincent NY. Mr and Mrs Frank Tracey, Larkin’s Station spent a few days with Mrs Jas Hogan. A number from here attended a euchre party held in the C.M.B.A. hall, Marysville, on Friday evening. Nov 30, 1917 St Lawrence, Wolfe Island Nov 27 – The recent cold spell has left the roads in a very bad condition. A number of the young people are practicing for a concert in No 13 school. An enjoyable time was spent at the home of George Woodman last Friday evening. Dancing and games were indulged in till the early hours of the morning. R Larush landed a lead of coal here from the city last Thursday. W G Woodman has purchased a large quantity of hay in the neighborhood lately. School is progressing favorably under the management of Miss Nellie Goodfriend. G V “Allarie has installed a new grist mill. Quite a number of the young men were exempted on t he Island. Frank Briceland shipped a large quantity of cattle from here last week. Paper dated Dec 24, 1917 Frank Briceland is a Candidate for the Reeveship Wolfe Island News Dec 21 – The municipal pot is beginning to boil. Frank Briceland has announced himself as a candidate for the reeveship. The heavy snow storms have blocked the roads and impeded traffic. “Jack” Crawford has returned home after a successful season sailing out of Montdreal. H C Hogan and family have taken up residence in Dr McCarthy’s house on Main street. The farmers are keeping more sows this year than they have in a long time. Miss Kate Conley has returned home after visiting friends in Brownville, NY. The agricultural meeting was held in the township hall on Friday evening. A very fair crowd was present. Mr Harkness subject was the eradication of weeds and weed seeds. A great many points were gained from the speaker. Mr Stonehouse spoke at length on greater production. He urged the farmers to raise more hogs and grain, and raise all the heifer calves from the dairy herd. He claimed the farmers could do their bit at home, by aiding in greater production. The boys in the trenches had to be fed and to do this every effort should be made. A concert was held in the C.M.B.A. hall on Tuesday evening and it was a decided success. The children took their part in a manner that was a credit to the school master, DJ Cosgrove. The concert was in aid of the new Catholic church and $70 was realized. Paper dated Dec 26, 1918 The Islands Perplexities When the Ice on the Harbor is Very Frail Wolfe Island, Dec 21 – During the past week the islanders have been somewhat isolated. While the crossing was quite safe on Monday and Tuesday of last, the weather turning mild weakened the crossing and made traveling with horses very dangerous and only the brave and those with very light horses attempted it. The disadvantage in ? ? the Island was very perceptible on Thursday morning, when farmers from the different quarters of the island drove to the village with their produce, composed largely of turkeys, for the Christmas market. The condition of t he ice prevented them from reaching the city. Frank Boreland, who is called the farmers friend, was quickly on the scene and bought at thirty cents per pound several tons of turkey. J Weir also purchased a large quantity at the same price. Mr Briceland was buying for the Montreal market. He experienced great difficulty in getting them to the city on Friday, having to push a light sleigh with a barrel or two of turkeys on top. Ice punts were used in conveying some over. Some thrilling tales can be told by his men in their narrow escape on their return home after dark. On Friday afternoon an anxious crowd awaited the advent of the steamer Islander. Many were of the opinion that their was nothing to prevent her breaking her way through. However, her captain, who always uses good judgment, decided to make an attempt, and at one o’clock made a start, going out with great difficulty about a quarter of a mile. Before going that distance her master decided that it was utter impossibility to go any further with great injury to his boat, and he resolved to return to her old landing place at the foot of Clarence street, where she now remains. Capt Mcdonald since taking over the command of his boat has always proved himself to be a very prudent commander, and under all circumstances courteous and cblidging to the traveling public. The same can be said of the entire crew. The weather turning cold on Friday night made the crossing fairly good on Saturday, and as a result Messrs, Card and McDermott had a busy day conveying passengers to and from the city at the nominal fee of fifty cents. The men have always proved themselves to be the right men in the right place, Cape Vincent is open from shore to shore. Dec 28, 1917 St Lawrence, Wolfe Island Dec 22 – A successful concert was held in No 13, school on the 21st inst and much credit is to be given to Miss Woods, the teacher, for the splendid work of the pupils. Miss Nellie Goodfriend is spending Christmas week at her home on Howe Island. Mrs John O’Brien is visiting at Railton, William Joslin, of St Lawrence NY is home for Christmas. Frank Hogan, of Central, has been pressing hay in the neighborhood. A number of the young people are taking advantage of the good skating. Submitted by Eileen Truesdell Printed from www.thewhig.com web site Saturday, June 03, 2006 - © 2006 The Kingston Whig-Standard Island fatality a mystery By Michael Lea Saturday, June 03, 2006 - 07:00 Local News - Ontario Provincial Police divers will be going into the water off Howe Island this morning to retrieve the body of a man whose car slid into the river next to the township-operated ferry at the east end of the island late yesterday afternoon. “Right now we have one vehicle, with one occupant that is still in the vehicle at this time,” said investigating officer Const. Patrick Dussault. “It is a male, but we don’t have the identity of that person yet.” He said they also did not yet know the make or model of the car. No one else was in the car when it went off the road leading to the three-vehicle ferry, police said. Const. Dussault said it knocked down a small sign next to the ferry house, went down a small, rocky embankment and disappeared below the water about 30 feet from the shore. Nothing of the car could be seen from the shoreline. He said there was no apparent reason why the car went off the road. The divers will remove the body this morning and then police will remove the car. Two OPP marine units and a Canadian Coast Guard Zodiac were also on the scene, but there was little they could do. The ferry was shut down for the night and a Gananoque town police cruiser was stationed at the top of the road leading to the vessel, sending cars to the county-operated ferry at the other end of the island. Submitted by Eileen Truesdell Kingston Whig Standard I do not have the exact year, but Ann Cadue was 88 and she died at age 94 in 1935. Gananoque Lady Claims Honors Though 88 years of Age Buys New Car and License Gananoque, Sept 27 _ Mrs. Joseph Cadue, is probably the oldest owner of an automobile in this locality, if not in Canada. Mrs. Cadue, a resident of Howe Island, is eighty-eight years of age, yet yesterday she became the owner of a new automobile, having purchased it from Webb Motor Sales. It is not likely she will drive the car herself, but she had the Ontario license for the car made out in her own name. Submitted by Eileen Truesdell Gananoque Reporter Wednesday June 7, 2006 75 years ago 1931 On June 1, Grandma Cadue, of Howe Island celebrated her 90th birthday. Over 120 pieces of birthday cake were served to friends who called to offer congratulations. Submitted by AM Benson Nov 17, 1923 Pays 40 cents a Pound For Wolfe Island Turkeys for US Thanksgiving Wolfe Island, Nov 17 - Mack McLaren is buying turkeys for the American Thanksgiving markets, the purchase price being forty cents a pound. A chicken supper and dance was held in the CMBA Hall on Tuesday evening under the auspices of the Women's League of the Sacred church. There were fifty couples in attendance. The ladies are to be congratualted on the success of this evening. Mrs James Brown was removed to the Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston in Reid's ambulance. Frank Briceland shipped a boatload of cattle from here on Friday to Kingston. Morey Spoor and family have gone to Rochester, NY to reside. Martin O'Brien has gone to Watertown NY where he has secured a lucrative position. Raymond Cough Watertown NY spent a couple of days here visitng relatives. David Walker and Clarence Davis motored from Buffalo to visit their parents here. William O'Connor, Toronto spent a few days here the guest of E Briceland. Captain James Kenney spent a few days with his family here. Frank Baker and wife, Detroit NY spent a few days here visitng relatives. Tupper Mosier went to Watertown, NY on Monday with a truck load of E Kelley's household effects. Mrs William Loughjlin, Watertown NY spent a few days here visiting relatives. Submitted by AM Benson Nov 27, 1923 Dr Spankie Re-Elected Reeve of Wolfe Island Dr William Spankie was re-elected by acclamation as reeve of the township of Wolfe Island at municipal nominations held on Monday. The following were nominated as councillors: Stewart Armstrong, Daniel O'Shea, Samuel Taggart, John Weir, John Flynn and Charles Gillespie. Added May 23 2006:Submitted by AM BensonPaper dated Nov 28, 1903 Got a Fine Farm Romaine Mosier, Wolfe Island, recently returned from New Ontario, where he went to locate a veteran’s land claim, says he would not take the land remaining that is open to veterans, all the good land is taken up. However, he took up a settler’s claim, and says he has as fine a farm as can be found anywhere. Veterans are not wanted in that district, as the settlers look upon them as speculators. What is desired is a class of settlers to take up land at once and help build up the country. Submitted by AM Benson Paper dated November 28, 1903 Wolfe Island Notes A Wedding Celebrated – Off For The Old Country Wolfe Island – Nov 26 – Rev Father Spratt will lave for Bermuda on Monday, where he goes in the hope of recuperating his failing health. The ladies of the parish presented him with a purse of $250, accompanied with an address. On Wednesday afternoon, William Keys was joined in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Lena Henderson. The bride, who is one of the Island’s fairest young ladies looked charming in a suit of blue. Dinner was served at six o’clock, covers being laid for thirty-five guests, at the residence of the bride’s mother. Some beautiful presents were received by the bride. Miss Lena Hennessy, formerly of the island was married in Watertown last week. Mrs John Laughem has arrived from Montreal, after a pleasant week visiting relatives. Frank Briceland has disposed of another carload of cattle in Toronto. Peter Ward, Watertown, was on the island last week purchasing turkeys for Thanksgiving market. A concert will be given in the CMBA hall on the 2nd, by the Glee Club of Queen’s University, Kingston. The concert will be under the guiding hand of Rev KC McLeod. Daniel Grant’s host of friends are pleased to note the improvement that has taken place since he underwent the recent operation.. Master O’Connell has returned home from Hotel Dieu, where he was successfully operated on. Thomas Allison will shortly leave for the old country, where he will spend the winter among friends. Romani Mosier has arrived home from New Ontario. He tells some thrilling tales. We are glad to note that Duncan McRae promises to be a candidate for mayor in Dawson City. As Duncan is a hustler in elections, his rival will find he is an opponent that will be hard to over throw. May success attend him. The ladies auxiliary met at the residence of Mrs Robert Boyd on Wednesday afternoon. Edward Briceland is getting the material on the ground to erect a commodious drive shed. Submitted by AM Benson Dec 5, 1903 Wolfe Island Concerts Wolfe Island, Dec 4 – The concert in the CMBA hall on Tuesday evening last, by the Glee Club, of Queen’s was greeted by a crowded house. The late boat from the city was well patronized about one hundred and fifty took advantage of the pleasant trip across water. The concert consisted of solos and choice selections on the mandolin and guitar and it was brought to a close by a few well chosen words by Rev K C McLeod victor Kingsley was one of the young students attending the grand seminary at Ottawa that was destroyed by fire on Thursday. Miss Hinkley entertained the members of the Ladies Auxiliary at her residence on Wednesday. The concert in No 1 schoolhouse on Friday night was largely attended all those who took part did exceedingly well. A number besides the pupils took part in dialogues and rendered solos which added greatly to the night’s amusement. Miss O’Rilley, teacher, was in charge of the programme. Two young ladies of Woods Fair had the pleasure of remaining on the island by missing the boat the night of the concert. Submitted by AM Benson Dec 10, 1903 Wolfe Island council Nov 30 – Members all present. The reeve presented a letter from the Betram Engine Works, Toronto, confirming agreement entered into on November 2nd for the construction of a steam ferryboat. Voted for work on roads: Jerem Murphy, $5.25; Elmer Woodman, $3.65; William Taggart $2; Michael Doyle, $2.50; George Keys, Frank Thrusell, John Keys $2; James Lyons $3; C Pyke, $2; William Briceland, $4.40; Allan Davis, $1; Michael Ryan, $4; James Brown, $2; Harry Davis, $2; G McRae, $2; Thomas Flynn, $7; Max Greenwood, $4; James Murphy, $6; Thomas Rogers, $3; John Quigley, $6; William Keys, $2; William Card, $12.50; Patrick Griffin, $2; Edward Briceland, $6. Also voted: W. L. Allinson, plank for road, $80.63, W.F. Nickle, House of Industry for Mrs Orser, $51; The Calvin Co., building Simcoe scow, $128.32; Thomas Fawcett, James Russell, Victor Sudds, Michael Ryan and Thomas Flynn, $20 each as councilors; D J Dawson, salary as clerk, $62.50; C Cummins, treasurer $60; James Davis, constable, $25; R Card caretaker $18; Thomas Fawcett, R Moore and D J Dawson, $3 each for selecting jurors; D J Dawson stationery and postage, $4.50; Mrs T Ryan nails for road, $4.08; Thomas Keys; nails for road, $1.54; Michael Troy, grant to Long Point Road, $15; William Card, on salary as commissioner, $40, D Taggart, taking care of Simcoe scow, $10; R J Spoor, freight on binder to Simcoe, $2.50; John McCaul, boarding C Norris, $6; Mrs Eccles, boarding S Eccles, $6. On motion of James Russell, seconded by M Ryan, by law for approving of a contract for the purchase of a ferryboat tendered for by the Bertram Engine Works company and authorizing the execution of the same by the municipality was passed. Resolved that a by law be passed appointing John Hogan poundkepper, instead of John O’Brien and engaging James Davis for lighting village street lamps at $25 per annum. Adjourned to December 15th. Submitted by AM Benson Dec 23, 1903 Held Closing Exercises The pupils of public school, No 4 Wolfe Island, held their Christmas closing exercises in he school house, Monday evening. There was a large gathering of parents and friends of the pupils, who gave a creditable concert, being highly trained by Miss Allen. Tuesday the pupils of separate school, No 4 Wolfe Island gave their closing entertainment, a delightful programme being presented, reflecting much credit upon the capable teacher, Miss Chatterton. Submitted by AM Benson Dec 23, 1903 REACHED THE CAPE After going through Seven Miles of Ice When Capt. Allen gets instructions to take a boat to a given point, he generally carries out orders. Yesterday he was placed aboard the steamer Pierrepont and signals were given him to proceed to Cape Vincent. Many a captain would have turned back when he reached the field of ice near the foot of Wolfe Island, but not so with the old veteran. Up against the ice he sent the old steel-hull gunboat which attacked the barrier to the United States port. When the Pierrepont couldn’t break through by pushing, she began to climb over and according to Engineer Kelly she simply hurdled the ice, which was from three to nine inches thick. After traveling for five hours, and forcing a passage through seven miles of ice, the Pierrepont reached the Cape with her passengers and freight at three o’clock. She left on the return trip at half past three o’clock and reached the city at twenty minutes to eight o’clock. It was decidedly difficult to make her way through the ice in the dark. At one point it took her over an hour to run half a mile. She brought over quite a few passengers and much freight. The islanders were eagerly awaiting her arrival here to reach home, as they were deprived of the usual three o’clock trip. Owing to the snowstorm this morning, the steamer Pierrepont did not venture out, even to the islands, at which it would have been impossible to land. The trip to the Cape was cancelled, as it would have been dangerous to send small boats across the United States channel. Submitted by AM Benson Dec 23, 1903 70.000 Paid Out To Wolfe Island Dairymen- after twenty years. Wolfe Island, Dec 19 – Present prospects indicate a lively time in municipal elections. The rumors are that the present council with one exception, will again be candidates, and it is claimed by many of the ratepayers that they have strong claim to the seats. We understand from a reliable source that a meeting was held in a leading hotel in the city of Kingston on Thursday, for the purpose of selecting candidates to oppose the present council, claiming that much extravagance existed in township affairs during the past year. We are pleased to note that the rumor that went abroad that the council would be unable to get a landing at the foot of Clarence Street is untrue. At a meeting of the city council, held this week it was decided to offer the Wolfe Islanders the privilege of erecting a wharf at the foot of Clarence Street, twenty by seventy feet. Silver Spring Cheese factory held its annual meeting last Tuesday. All the old officers were re-appointed. They claim to have had a very successful season, having disposed of $17,500 worth of cheese. The money realized from the different factories in the township amounted to a trifle over $70,000, from the cheese industry alone to say nothing about the hogs that are raised from the whey taken from the factories. And to form an ideas of the amount of grain that is also raised we might say that Simcoe Island alone shipped 18,000 bushels of oats to Kingston this fall. Farmers must certainly be prospering. The steamer Pierrepont encountered some very rough weather last week; we were one day without any mail. We understand there are four applicants for the captaincy of our new ferry. Rev Mr Forster is to be congratulated upon the recent improvements he has added to Trinity church, the latest being the addition of a new fence around the cemetery. The above gentleman is held in high esteem by all classes. Word has been received from Rev Fr Spratt since he arrived in Bermuda. At the time of writing he was feeling much improved. Michael Flood is now installed in his new house as caretaker of the cemetery. He promises to be a very efficient man for the position. James Davis has been engaged by council to light the village lamps. Turkeys are a scarce commodity on the island, all the available ones being picked up by United States buyers. It is stated that a young man in the village will wed an island lady next Wednesday. Mr Fitzgerald has been re-engaged in Silver Spring cheese factory. We are glad to note that James Crofford, the genial moulder of iron, after a short illness is again able to be at his post. Dr McCarthy is also recovering from his recent illness. Herbert Leakey has brought home from the city his colt, which has been in training all summer. It is a beauty and promises to be speedy. William Bolton and family have moved into their village residence after being absent all summer. Mrs James McDonald, taken suddenly ill, is much improved. Edward Murphy, Calgary, is home on a visit to his mother; he will shortly return. Word has been received by the Johnston brothers from their brother, Jim, who left home about twenty years ago, and has never been heard from since. He writes from Seattle, Washington Territory, stating that he would visit the scene of his boyhood days this winter. Mr Allum left last week for England to spend the winter. The late John Noy’s daughters held an auction sale last week, and disposed of all their farm stock and implements. As yet they have not disposed of their farm. They will take up residence in the city. Submitted by AM Benson Dec 31, 1903 Island Topics Allen, Wolfe Island, Dec 30 – The ice in the canal is in excellent condition for travel. A teacher has not yet been engaged for next year. Hurbert Digmenn and John McDonald, Chicago, are spending Christmas at their homes in this vicinity, Louis McDonald returned home last week from Cornwall. J Quigley’s new drive house is about completed. A number of young men have purchased new cutters. Ada McRae, St Lawrence is visiting Gertie McDonald, Clara Hogan is visiting friends in Marysville. Mrs P Quigley returned home from Kingston on Tuesday. Charlie Docteur, Rocherster NY is spending a couple of weeks at his home in this section. Submitted by AM Benson Jan 5, 1904 Howe Island incidents Howe Island, Jan 1 – The ice is in splendid shape and the islanders can cross to the main land at any time. Mrs Donoghue has recovered from her recent illness. D McDonald is here from Cleveland. O J Goodfriend is a proud man; it’s a boy. Schools will open on January 4th, the same teachers again wielding the birch. R Simpson has returned from Cushendall. Mrs J Beaubien and two children are visiting the former’s mother at Garden Island, Visitors; F Misses Annie and Mamie Norris, Kingston, at Mr Simpson’s; Mr Lindsay and Mr Marshall at L Beaubien’s, Miss G Lachance, teacher, at her mother’s; Miss E Prior is homefrom the K.B.C.. Mr White is about to move to Gananoque. M McCarthy has moved to his new home. Submitted by AM Benson Jan 11, 1904 A Sudden Death On Wolfe Island – Many schools without teachers Wolfe Island Jan 8- The entire community were shocked to hear of the very sudden death of Mrs James O’Brien, which took place at the residence of George Morgan, on Tuesday morning, where she and family had gone to attend a station that was held by the Rev Father Castie. She was in the act of making a Christmas offering when she was stricken down, and lived but a short time, never regaining consciousness. The deceased was highly respected and of a very charitable nature, always willing to lend a helping hand wherever her services were required. A husband and seven children are left to mourn her untimely end. The sympathy of one and all is extended to the bereaved ones in their sad affliction. The funeral took place on Friday morning and despite the early hour at which it was held, it was one of the largest conducted on the island. The funeral of one of our oldest and most respected citizens took place on New Year’s day, in the person of Patrick Moran. His sister, Mrs Johnston, and brother, John Moran, Stratford, Ont, were here to attend his funeral; also his daughter, Mrs Michael White, Rochester, NY. The deceased’s brother and sister left for their respective homes yesterday. William Loughlin is rapidly recovering from the recent operation he underwent. Mrs Frank Walker’s condition is rapidly improving. Since the advent of the ice a daily procession of rag and bone peddlers can be seen approaching our shores at the rising of the sun, where they remain until the setting of the same, gathering their motley load of merchandise. It is stated that it is thirty years since a horse crossed to Kingston on ice in December, which event occurred on the 31st of December. The road between the island and Kingston has been bushed out and is now in a fine condition for travel. The road has also been bushed between Cape Vincent and Point Alexander. Schools have all been re-opened with the exception of those which have been unable to secure the services of a pedagogue, and there are quite a number of them. Miss Allen, Kingston, again assumes control in the village public school, with the able assistance of Mrs John Horne, who will teach the junior classes. Dr Staley is spending holidays with his parents. Miss Jennie McCarthy and Mrs James McCarthy left for Rochester NY last week, the former to enter as a nurse in training, the latter to enter as an assistant. Customs officer Georhegan is installed at the point. We learn that Father Spratt’s condition is steadily improving. Submitted by AM Benson Paper dated July 14, 1921 Howe Island July 12- Practically all the crops and fruits in this vicinity are dying due to the drought. Haying is the order of the day and the report is that the hay is very thin. Schools have closed for the holidays and the teachers and pupils are enjoying a much needed rest. The entrance candidates are awaiting anxiously the results. Miss Nora Prior, Flint, Mich is home for a two months’ vacation. Mrs F C Brown, Watertown NY has returned after spending a month with relatives here. Mrs P Quinn and R Foley have returned from Watertown where they were visiting their mother, Mrs John Foley who has been on the sick list. The band concert, which was to have been held on Monday night, was postponed until a future date. Another social was held last Thursday night with a bigger attendance than before. These socials have become very popular due to the excellent music and size and condition of the platform. We hope we may have many more such pleasant evenings. Submitted by AM Benson July 28, 1921 St Lawrence July 26 – The rain of Monday night and Tuesday was greatly appreciated as the gardens and other crops were greatly in need of it. Haying and harvesting are the order of the day. The hay crop is light. Frank Ellery, who has been in the Hotel Dieu with blood poisoning for the past two weeks, is able to be out again. Mrs Weston, who has been spending the past two weeks at C Gillespie’s has returned to her home at Cataraqui. Mr and Mrs B Smith, Watertown, NY spent last week at D Bamford’s. H Bernard and daughter, Vera, Napanee, spent last week at J Niles. Mrs E Breakey, Rochester, NY is visiting friends here. The Misses Louise and Lottie Dixon, Depauville, NY are visiting their Aunt, Mrs R Bamford. Mrs J Davis, Kingston, spent last week at S Woodman’s. Mrs Anthony and son, Watertown NY are spending a few days with Mr and Mrs Niles. Mrs L Patric Ashland? Is visiting at W Gillespies. Rev Card and family, Marysville spent Sunday at W Ranous. Mr and Mrs R Bullis spent Sunday at W Gillespies. Submitted by AM Benson August 1, 1921 Howe Island Delighted Over Pupils Success – Variety Shower for a Coming Bride. Howe Island July 30 – Howe Island has a good right to be proud of her schools and teachers when six out of nine of the candidates passed the recent high school entrance examination. Only two of these pupils were over twelve years, the rest being in their twelfth year. Much credit is due pupils, parents and teachers. Haying and harvesting are about completed. The report is a very light crop. Much rain is needed to bring along the fruits and garden produce. Mr and Mrs Cabasino and Mrs Flannigan, New York City, are visiting at Mrs P Welsh’s. Mr and Mrs John Foley, Watertown, NY have come to spend the summer months here. Miss Laura Prior returned from visiting friends in Watertown, accompanied by Miss Nolan. Mr and Mrs Sauve, Kingston are spending a few weeks with their daughter, Mrs J Beaubien. The variety shower for the bride of next week, given at the home of P Leavis, was very largely attended. Many and useful were the gifts received. Much amusement was caused by reading of the verses attached to the different articles. Dancing was indulged in until the wee small hours of the morning. Ice cream and lemonade were dispensed and at midnight a sumptuous supper was served. Added May 10 2006:From Janet JonesOrangeville Banner dated 15-Jul-1915 Page 7, Column 4 Death of Mrs. John Newton. - Another of the pioneers of this section has passed away in the person of Mrs. John Newton, at the age of 71 years. Deceased had been in poor health for some time and the end came on Saturday, last, July 3rd. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place to Mulmur Methodist Church burying ground, service being held in the church, conducted by Rev. Geo. E. Coulter. Deceased was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Hill and was born on Amherst Island, Ont., in 1844, and came to this section with her parents when she was about nine years old. In 1863 she became the wife of John Newton, who had settled a year previously on lot 4, con. 3, Mulmur, which at that time was all bush and here she resided continuously up to the time of her demise. In addition to the bereaved husband the following family survive: -- Thomas Newton, Rosetown, Sask.; Mrs. W. J. Gilroy, Earnscliffe; W. J. and Benjamin at home; S. J., Violet Hill; R. E., Bow City, Alta.; and Mrs. D. Leflar, Melfort, Sask. The sorrowing ones have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in the bereavement that has befallen them. -- Economist. From George Halladay The Watertown Daily Times September 22, 1883 HO FOR THE FERRY REMINISCENCES OF THE KINGSTON AND CAPE VINCENT LINE OF BOATS The first ferry says the Kingston Whig in an article on it's local ferries was established by Alijah Putman, the founder of Fort Putman and it extended from Cape Vincent across the Big Bay to Wolfe Island. About 1809, the second ferry was started from Gravelly Point to Hinckley's Point of the same island. Eber Kelsey ferried from the American side for many years and Samuel Hinckley for the other. For 10 years Peter Sternberg controlled a ferry from Carlton Island to Wolfe Island. Row boats and scows were used until 1847, when a small steamer called the Farmer made trips to and from Kingston, being governed by the demands of freight and passengers as to the frequency of her trips. The year after the railroad was completed to Cape Vincent, the Wolfe Island canal was cut by a stock company, in which the railroad and the city of Kingston were interested as well as private individuals. The Steamer, Lady of the Lake, was used as a ferry boat by the Cape Vincent and Rome R. R. during 1852, while the John Counter was being built especially for the route. The steamer John Counter was owned and managed by the aforesaid stock company and designed to run through the canal, but was found too large. She was used, however during the fall of 1853 and the spring of 1854, making the trip around the head of the island until sold to parties in Montreal. The steamer Star took the place of the John Counter during the rest of the season. George W. Creighton was Captain of both steamers. In 1855 the steamer, Sir Charles Napier, formerly owned by the American Lake and Steamboat Company was purchased by G. W. Creighton and commanded by him until the spring of 1858 when Messrs. Kingborn and Hinckley organized a company, putting the steamer Pierrepont on the line and following her at a later date with the steamer Watertown. In 1878, Messrs. Poiger Bros. and Mr. Nickle purchased these steamers, Captain Hinckley still retaining his interest. From George Halladay The Lowville Journal Republican August 8, 1929 WET CANADA BECKONS General Electric Interests Considering Abandoning Association Island as Summer Camp. While report that the General Electric interests were considering abandoning Association island as a summer camp has been denied, rumor persists that the company is seeking a larger location, and one possibly in Canadian Waters. It is said that Association Island has become too small for the large gatherings held there and heavy damage done by high water to the two golf courses on the island, as well as a damaged shore line is said to have caused discussion of a new camp site. There has been report that the company might purchase a location on Wolfe Island in Canadian waters. The statement that 200 acres of land on Wolfe Island has been bought by the Western Electric and the General Electric companies has been denied, however. From George Halladay The Lowville Journal Republican January 21, 1863 The Canadian papers are indignant over the arrest of an American deserter, on Wolf Island, by Capt. Haddock of Watertown. He was found in bed and compelled to march. The subject is before the Provincial authorities. From George Halladay The Watertown Herald Saturday, November 13, 1915 Reeve Resents Rife Rumors Rumors have been rife recently that caverns had been constructed on Wolfe Island for the purpose of storing supplies for German sympathizers. Dr. Spankie, reeve of the island, says there is no foundation for the rumor. He says that he has been over every foot of the island and there is nothing of that nature in that peaceful municipality - Cape Vincent Eagle. From George Halladay The Watertown Herald SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1908. PYKE LANDED IN JAIL. Man Accused of Larceny Arrested at Cape Vincent. A desire to visit American soil got John Pyke of Wolfe Island, Ont., in trouble and eventually landed him in the county jail. Pyke has been wanted by the officials in this section for some time, but while he remained in Canadian waters he was safe. Some one took a fast launch owned by Dr. Denny of this city from its boathouse at Cape Vincent five years ago. Later on the boat was found, stripped of engine and ornamentation and Pyke, with others was arrested. He was indicted but he jumped the bail of $750 and has since been at liberty in Canada. The "Verna," a fast boat, came into Cape Vincent. Deputy Sheriff Simard happened to be working in his boathouse and took a look at the boat. He saw Pyke on board. The officer immediately got busy and landed Pyke after a hard fight. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES OCTOBER 7, 1908 PYKE FORFEITS MAN CHARGED WITH LARCENY FAILS TO APPEAR IN COURT COUNTY GETS TOTAL 0F $2,250 Wolf Island Man is Charged with Looting Of Denny's Boat Two years Ago, and This is the Second Time He Has Forfeited His Bond. Bail in the sum of $1,500 given by John Pyke of Wolfe Island to assure his appearance here to stand trial on a charge of grand larceny 2d degree, was this morning declared forfeited, by County Judge Edgar C. Emerson. In 1906 Pyke forfeited a bond amounting to $750 given on a similar charge thus making $2,250 which the county has realised from him. The crime with which Pyke is charged was committed in the summer of 1906 during which time a number of power boats at Cape Vincent were robbed of batteries, tools, etc, among the boats looted being the one owned by Dr F. P. Denny of this city. This craft was taken under the cover of darkness to Button Bay and completely dismantled and when found was minus of nearly everything of value. Suspicion was in some way directed toward Pyke and soon after, on a Sunday afternoon, he was arrested but was liberated by his father and brother furnishing bail in the sum of $750. When the grand Jury met In the fall of 1906 he did not appear and the bond was declared forfeited. On May 24, last Pyke appeared at Cape Vincent and was arrested by Deputy Sheriff Antoine H. Simard. He was let out on bail to appear before county court, Oct 5. When court convened Monday, Pyke's attorney. J. W. Cornair of Cape Vincent, announced that he had been unable to get over to Wolf Island to confer with his client and asked that more time be given before bail be declared forfeited. Judge Emerson waited until today but Pyke did not appear, and bail was forfeited. John Pyke is about 22 years of age and is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs George Pyke of Wolf Island. Pyke made a cash deposit of $1,500. with the county clerk as bail when he was arrested the last time, and that is now forfeited. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN HERALD. SATURDAY, DEC. 1, 1906. Story of Shipwreck Small credence is given the story told by three men who claimed to be on the way from Chaumont to Oswego They said that they had been employed as deck hands on the schooner Eliza Fisher, owned at Toronto and bound for that port from Oswego with a cargo of coal, and which they claim went ashore at the head of Wolfe Island Tuesday morning. According to the men the schooner lost her foremast when well out on the lake and drifted down until she went ashore. They claimed to have had narrow escapes in leaving the wreck, could not undertake to account for the others of the crew, and professed to have lost their clothing and money in getting off. One who has long been familiar with lake navigation says that a schooner known as the Eliza Fisher was broken up several years ago. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN HERALD SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1896. Tore His Arm Off. A terrible accident occurred at the farm of John M. Horne, Wolfe Island, Tuesday afternoon. A threshing machine was at work in the barn, and Mr. Horne was attending to the machinery, when the belt that runs the fanning mill of the separator came off. The wheel by which the belt is worked is situated between two other, and Mr. Horne, in attempting to replace the belt, had his hand caught in it and drawn up to where it is twisted, to facilitate the running. The arm was wrenched off a few inches above the elbow, and so great was the laceration that, when Drs. Cowan and Spankie arrived they decided that amputation a short distance from the shoulder was necessary, The operation was successfully performed, and the patient is doing nicely. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN HERALD. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1887 The schooner Two Brothers, owned by Capt. Tom Crawford, of Wolfe Island ran on a pier at Dexter last Saturday and sunk in the harbor a few minutes later. The cargo was timber for Hon. H. Binniager. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN HERALD. SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1891. He Seized his Child About four years ago a marriage took place in this city, whereby Edward Moore of West Bangor, Franklin County, was united to Miss Alta Greene of this city, for a life which the many friends of the contracting parties hoped would be better for this union. But it seems to have been one of those many instances when this matrimonial alliance is entered into without a serious trial of the affection. For after a few months, the young husband's roving disposition asserted itself and he went off into many schemes which brought trouble to the heart of the wife and drove the bloom from her cheeks. About a year after the marriage, a little boy was born to them and for some time, it was thought that he would be a tie to bind the wayward father to his home. But after a little, Moore went back to his old ways and this life became so intolerable to his young wife that she was obliged to resort to legal means to sever the marriage bonds. The result was that the mother was given charge of the child, though the father was allowed to see him twice a week. On Wednesday of last week, taking advantage of the privilege, he enticed the child to walk with him in the yard. When outside the door, he caught him in his arms, ran with him to a waiting carriage and drove rapidly off. The mother at once notified the officers, who started in pursuit but no trace of them was found till the next morning when Denny, Moore's accomplice, was arrested in this city. When brought up for examination, he promised to tell all he knew concerning the case, if he should be released, for he thought by this time that Moore was beyond all danger. It seems that they drove directly to Millens Bay, where there was a friend who was willing to keep the fugitive over night. The next morning a boat man rowed him across to Wolfe island, where he found a hiding place for a few days. Here officer Witt arrested him late Saturday night and a Kingston detective, who was present, induced him to return to this city, without the trouble of ex tradition papers. The child was again placed in the hands of his happy mother and Moore was consigned to the jail. On Monday morning, he was arraigned before the recorder, and pleaded not guilty to the charge of kidnapping. Hiram Wilbur, his counsel, asked for an adjournment of the case till June 3d, at which time he expects Judge Taylor of Malone to aid in his defence. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN HERALD SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1891 How It Is Done. The following from the Kingston Whig throws additional light upon the smuggling of Chinese across the St. Lawrence river into this country : There are eight Chinamen in the city ready for transhipment to the United States. They will be driven to a farm in Pittsburgh by a citizen. They will be smuggled from the Canadian shore across Wolfe Island to Jefferson County, when they will be piloted into the interior. It is said that detectives are in league, and this is the reason only one Chinaman in every hundred is caught. If the United States government will pay handsomely they can get Canadians to give pointers as to the movements of the Celestials. From George Halladay THE OSWEGO DAILY PALLADIUM Wednesday, May 11. 1921 DISCUSS BRIDGE FROM KINGSTON Tentative plan is for Bridge to Extend from Kingston, to Wolfe Island, to Carleton Island and to New York Shore. A new international bridge connecting Canada and the United States through spans from Kingston to Wolfe Island, Wolfe island to Carleton Island and from Carleton Island to the New York State boundary near Cape Vincent, is soon to engage the earnest consideration of Canada and the United States, says an article in the Kingston Whig. The bridge would be designed to carry the heaviest traffic in modern schemes of transportation. The Whig declares that the project is not a myth but has already been taken up by exporters and some American industrial concerns which are vitally interested in Ontario's raw materials. The matter will have to be decided finally by agreement between the governments of Canada and the United States. The three bridges would be between three and four miles long if the spans were constructed between the shortest distances. From Kingston to Wolfe Island the nearest distance is about two and a half miles. If the Canadian end of the bridge however, touched the Ontario shore a few miles North of Kingston it could be connected with the head of the island and the span would be about a mile long. Wolfe Island and Carleton Island are separated by about a mile and a half of water, and a bridge between Carleton Island and the New York mainland would be about a mile long. The bridge has been declared to be the one great necessary connecting link that will open up the development of Ontario's mineral and lumber wealth and secure the readiest market for Canadian products, says The Whig. Canadian railways will find in this Kingston-New York bridge the solution not only of the traffic congestion at Niagara, Windsor, Sarnia and Montreal, but they are going to divert the trans-continental passenger traffic of the eastern States from the American Pacific lines to the Canadian routes, because the distance through Kingston is about 400 miles shorter, which is a most important factor," says The Whig. "This is due to the position of the Great Lakes, which make the Canadian route preferable, as nearly two days are saved going to Winnipeg alone. But the same considerations that bring to the Canadian railways a heavy passenger traffic through Kingston over the international bridge will also make them the heaviest freight carriers, for freight demands the shortest and most direct haul. Freight charges for the transportation of raw materials are frequently the determining factors in manufacturing industries. They constitute a first cost, and when by reason of distance, materials become inaccessible the industries upon which whole cities and towns depend simply die out. This is a situation that is facing a large population of the eastern States and hundreds of millions of capital are involved. Canada must, during the next fifty years, supply the needed raw material, and that material must pass through Kingston, which is the key to the whole secret of cheap transportation and the gateway through which Ontario's mineral and forest wealth must pass in the future. The Whig says that if the erection of the Quebec bridge was justified by the necessarily limited traffic, then the enormous international traffic that will inevitably develop make the erection of the Kingston-New York bridge an urgent necessity. The Quebec bridge will never carry in a year the volume of traffic that must pass over the Kingston-New York bridge in a summer month, it says. From George Halladay THE OSWEGO DAILY PALLADIUM August 17, 1921 RECORD SWIM OFF WOLFE ISLAND. Mr. Lancaster Finished Long Swim In Fine Form. KINGSTON, Ont.. Aug. 17—Mr. Lancaster, of Wolfe Island, made a record trip in two hours and ? minutes. He took a dive off the dock at Wolfe Island, and swimming, took boat channel to Garden Island and without touching a dock or standing swam around Goose Island and to Wolfe Island dock, a distance about five miles. Mr. Lancaster finished in fine condition, while his ? throughout was quite strong. He is being warmly congratulated on his feat. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES May 16, 1916 GOT LICENSE, NOW WEDDING IS OFF YOUNG LOVER FINDS COURSE OF LOVE TROUBLED BOY'S FATHER OBJECTED TO IT After License Was Procured He Comes From Wolfe Island and Now Prospective Bridegroom's Relatives Say Wedding Will Not Take Place. Cupid ran up against another obstacle today and the marriage of Bert McDermott of 122 Highland avenue and Miss Edna Wiltsie of 22 Paddock Arcade has been indefinitely postponed. Present prospects are that young McDermott has squandered a dollar for a marriage license which he will have no occasion to use, and the marriage license law does not provide that goods can be exchanged or the money refunded. Young McDermott came to this city from Wolfe Island some time ago and made his home with his brother and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Edward McDermott, who at present room at 122 Highland avenue, with Mrs. Helen Fairman. He worked at the munitions plant of the Brake Company, where the Wiltsie girl was also employed. It is said that young McDermott was engaged to a girl on Wolfe Island when he came to Watertown. McDermott and the Wiltsie girl procured a marriage license at the city clerk's office Monday afternoon and announced that Rev. Charles T. Holcombe, pastor of the Bethany Methodist Episcopal church would marry them. McDermott's brother and sister- in-law were opposed to the match and the boy's father, Patrick McDermott was informed. When the marriage license was procured the girl gave her age as 17 years and her mother, Mrs. Ida Wiltsie signed the licence, giving her permission. McDermott gave his age as 22 years, but it is said that he is but 18 years old and gave his age falsely in order to secure the license. The boy's father and his daughter came from Wolfe Island, this morning, and went to the Fairman home. Young McDermott, who works nights, was asleep and did not know when his father called. It is said that the father took the marriage license and declared that he would make the boy return to Wolfe Island with him. Mrs. Edward McDermott would not talk about the case today other than to say that "The marriage will not take place." No statement as to why the marriage would not take place was given except that "the McDermotts are bitterly opposed to the match." The Wiltsie girl could not be located today, as it was said that she had returned to her farm home at Evans Mills with her mother. From George Halladay The Oswego Daily Times Tuesday January 26, 1875 Kingston Grain Elevator Burned. KINGSTON, Ont., Jan. 25. Radford & Barstow's elevator, on Wolfe Island, containing several thousand bushels of grain was destroyed by fire last night. It was insured. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. JULY 24. 1901 Man, Wife and Child Drown YOUNG LADY ON WOLFE ISLAND SOLE WITNESS OF TRAGIC EVENT Says She Saw Three Unknown Persons Sink in St Lawrence River by Upsetting of Boat Kingston Whig: Late on Monday afternoon a Barriefield young lady, visiting near the foot of Wolfe island, witnessed a tragic drowning incident out in the middle of the river. A man, his wife and child were in a punt, crossing from the Canadian side towards the United States shore when the boat upset. All three were precipitated into the water. The man sank immediately, but the woman came up twice, before finally sinking in the depths. The last time she came up, she held her child high over her head; then both disappeared. The young lady alone witnessed the drowning. No one yet knows who the parties are, although it is said they do not belong to Wolfe Island, but must have been residents in the vicinity of Clayton. From George Halladay The Oswego Daily Times November 6, 1877 Marine News. —We learn by a special dispatch that the schooner Snow Bird put into Sodus Point yesterday, having lost her jibboom and bowsprit. —The schooner Florida, of Quebec, ran back into Port Colborne, Saturday morning, from Gull Island, where she lost both anchors. —The schooner Gold Hunter is ashore in the Straits of Mackinaw. —The authorities at Ottawa were asked on Saturday to grant a permit to a Detroit tug to work at the barge Swallow, ashore at Port Stanley but the Canadians respectfully declined. —The Kingston News gives the following particulars relative to disasters during the gale Saturday: —The schrs. Alma with coal, and Eliza White, light, ran aground while making Port Hope harbor yesterday morning. The former seems to be all right, but the masts of the latter went by the board soon after she struck. The schr, Suffell is ashore at Adolphustown, and the O. S. Storrs loaded with 9,000 bushels of barley is ashore there also. A steambarge is reported to be ashore at Port Stanley. —In the harbor the schooner West Wind is ashore off Point Frederick, with her main boom, capstan, &c., broken, and her sails torn. The schooner Ocean Wave ran ashore off Ferguson's Point, in the river, and has her canvas badly damaged. The schooner Prince Alfred ran back from Thirty Mile Point, with the loss of her mainsail, and the Ontario, of Goderich, came into harbor with her jibs blown away. —Four vessels are reported to be ashore on the head of Wolfe Island, but their names were unknown. Quite a number of vessels were observed this morning lying off Wolfe Island, sheltered from the gale. Nine vessels were anchored off four Mile Point, last night and yesterday, owing to the danger. The schooner Annie Minnes dragged her anchor into Macpherson's dock, and the Eliza Quinlan did the same to the Kingston Foundry dock. We believe these were unhurt. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1909 WANT CANAL REOPENED Over 2.000 Wolfe Island Residents Sign Petition. Kingston, Nov. 11.—One of the questions which will be considered by the marine department next week will be the reopening of the Wolfe Island canal A monster petition with the signatures of over 2,000 residents of Wolfe Island and Kingston appended, will be presented to the parliament. From George Halladay The Oswego Daily Times June 4, 1888 A Marine Reminiscence. In 1857 or 1858 the schr. Tornado was wrecked at the head of Wolfe Island and all hands-lost. The event, so it was said, was one of startling significance and attended by much mourning. But sometime after considerable excitement was created by the announcement in the papers that, all the persons on board the Tornado had not been drowned, that among the number was a stowaway, who after the storm, climbed out of his resting place, plunged into the lake, swam to Wolfe Island, and was saved. Many people did not believe the story. Where's the boy? He was in Kingston today — Capt. Mat Cummings' of the propeller Monteagle. He hails from Oswego. Kingston Whig. From George Halladay The Oswego Daily Palladium AUGUST 11, 1917 Other Wrecks Recalled Belleville, Ont., Aug. 11, The nearest approach in this vicinity to the disaster which occurred Wednesday morning in the sinking of the schooner George B. Marsh, happened a little over ten years ago when the schooner Jessie Breck was sunk near Nine Mile Point in a storm somewhat similar to that of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The Breck was loaded with timber and was headed for the upper lakes when one of her hatches gave way and she commenced to take water rapidly. She went down quickly and the entire crew of ten, including Captain Maskie and his two brothers, of Wolfe Island, were drowned. The Breck was owned by Luther Breck, Captain Booth and Captain Maloney, of this city. Old mariners in recalling the disaster stated that it was the only one in recent years to occur in the vicinity, and the death of Captain Maskie and his brothers was greatly mourned in the city where they were very well known. From George Halladay The Oswego Palladium June 7, 1889 Testing Limestone KINGSTON, Ont., June 7 - An exhaustive test of stone was made at the Locomotive works yesterday, as to the resisting power of Kingston and Wolfe Island limestones. The Kingston stone was fractured with a pressure of 36, 000 lbs., while the Wolfe Island stood all the pressure the machine could supply (53,200 lbs., ) without visible effect. Two inch cubes were placed under the pressure. The Kingston stone was fractured under a weight of 5,000 lbs., and ground into powder under a force of 14,000 lbs The Wolfe Island cube was fractured under a power of 41,000 lbs., and burst with the weight of 50,000 lbs., making a noise like a cannon and flying from under the machine The resistance was equal to 11,250 lbs., to the square inch. From George Halladay THE WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES, June 30, 1904 Want Wolfe Island Canal Deepened Kingston Freeman : Howard S. Folger, CF. GilderSleeve, Capt. Gaskin and Ald. King of this city, went to Ottawa last week and waited on the minister of marine and asked him to have the Wolfe Island canal deepened so as to allow steamers to pass through to Cape Vincent there by cutting the route to the American channel by half and making the distance only ten miles between Kingston and Cape Vincent. The deputation was introduced by Hon. William Harty and Hon. Mr. Emerson promised that he would look into the matter as soon as possible. Now that the dredge is doing work around Kingston harbour it would be an excellent idea to get her to do some of the canal work during the summer. From George Halladay The Ogdensburg News October, 6,1898. A Gananoque widow is suing a Wolfe Island man for breach of promise. The plaintiff has four children and the defendant 11. As the latter earns $1.25 a day, the widow's chances of getting heavy, damages appear rather slim. From George Halladay On The St. Lawrence and Clayton Independent Friday, December 12, 1890 Dr. Buchanan assisted by Dr. Mcllemoyle, of Clayton, removed a cancerous breast from Mrs. Josling, of Wolfe Island, last week. She is making a very rapid recovery and we hope it may continue. From George Halladay The Watertown Daily Times February 10, 1915 SCORES HACKETT IN ROLE OF MACBETH EVENING SUN CRITIC SEVERE ON THE ACTOR "WADED BEYOND HIS DEPTH" Critic Declares He Was One of the Worst Macbeths the New York Stage Has Ever Seen. James K. Hackett, as Macbeth, has opened the Shakespeare tercentenary celebration In New York at the Criterion theatre, but, according to the dramatic critic of the New York Evening Sun, the actor "waded" beyond his depth. He was one of the worst Macbeths the New York stage has ever seen, says the critic. Mr. Hackett is well known in the Thousand Island region. He was born on Wolfe Island and a few years ago be became a millionaire, being left the property of a wealthy relative. He has a summer home near Clayton and visits it every summer. During the winter seasons he has for a great number of years acted and this season he appears, with Viola Allen as a co-star in Macbeth. Portions of the Evening Sun's criticism follow: Would Hackett master "Macbeth" or would Shakespeare's great tragedy dwarf this veteran actor? That was the question. Amicus Plato, sed magis amica Veritas. Dear to the heart is the tercentenary celebration, but dearer is truth. "Macbeth" came out victor and Hackett was completely vanquished. But to return the metaphor. Miss Allen also went out beyond her depth. But she proved in this, drama a better swimmer in the Thespian Sea than Hackett. She always found terra firma again in time to escape permanent submersion. Neither Mr. Hackett nor Miss Allen overacted. In fact, they chiefly scored in what they did not do. Hackett was easy and natural and refused to become really worked up during the greater part of the play. In fact he had a subdued, uneventful sleep-walking manner most of the time. It did seem as though he never would wake up. Only once did he make a palpable hit in the whole tragedy and that was in the final scene when he adopted for a brief moment his romantic style of acting in his duel with Macduff. He was our old friend Hackett again. It was a cheering sight. But the rest of the time he lacked dignity and distinction and was one of the worst Macbeths the New York stage has seen: Miss Allen was more successful, for she at least measured technically up to the part of Lady Macbeth. But, like Hackett, she failed to cast any spell over the audience. One felt a polite, historic interest in their interpretation of two of Shakespeare's most famous characters, but that was all. The best part of the performance, if one may make a bull, was Joseph Urban's scenery. It was always more than adequate and in several instances beautiful. The banquet scene was particularly effective. Undoubtedly the Urban scenery was the finest setting for "Macbeth" that has been seen here. If some wag had shouted "Author!" last night it is Mr. Urban who should have responded. Not the least pleasant feature of last night's performance was the welcoming back to the stage of two such favorites as Miss Allen and Mr. Hackett. Last evening also marked the beginning of Mr. Hackett's tenancy of the Criterion theatre. As to the contribution that Mr. Hackett and Miss Allen and their company in "Macbeth" have made to the tercentenary, one has only to recollect that the celebration is in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare's death to realise its appropriateness. From George Halladay The Watertown Daily Times November 15, 1883 HUMANITY REWARDED MICHAEL TROY, OF WOLFE ISLAND, TO BE REWARDED FOR HIS GREAT BRAVERY The department of marine of Canada has decided to present Michael Troy, of Wolfe Island, a silver watch in recognition of his humane and praiseworthy exertions in saving life in Lake Ontario. Mr. Troy lives on Wolfe Island, not far from Long Point, and within eight years has saved twelve lives. In the fall of 1873 he went out in a fearful gale and picked up two men who were lying helpless in the bottom of a boat. They had been towing behind a steamer and had broken loose and drifted away. They had been two days without food when rescued. In August, 1890, four American tourists were fishing near Long Point and were overtaken by a squall, which upset their boats and nearly drowned the men. Mr Troy transported his boat across the point in a wagon, launched her in a boiling surf, and finally got them to land. On another and more recent occasion, in a heavy storm of wind and rain, the little steamer Edith Sewall, with three men on board, foundered. owing to the cargo shifting and vessel rolled over. The men clung to the bottom. Mr. Troy saw them by aid of his glass, and going to their rescue successfully landed them in an exhausted condition. One of them, a lad, remained in an unconscious state for a couple of hours. From George Halladay The Watertown Daily Times April 10, 1896 MARINE NEWS News Picked Up at the Docks, along the Rivers and Lakes Improvements are being made on the barge Scotia, Wolfe Island. Armstrong's dock, Wolfe Island, is being extended 100 feet into deeper water. The Traveler, now being built at Garden Island, will be ready to launch when the ice goes out. This tug promises to be one of the best on the river. From George Halladay The Watertown Daily Times May 3, 1901 Canadian Cheese Markets Hinckley's cheese factory, Wolfe Island, has been thoroughly remodelled under the supervision of President Briceland and is now one of the best in the district. The Montreal Gazette of May 2 says of cheese - The market is quiet, as there are few new fodder white goods to trade in, while colored cheese does not appear to be wanted at any price The first owing to their temporary scarcity are firmer at 8 3/4c, to 9c, and the latter nominal at the same range. The Picton board opened for the season May 1. The sales were 283 white cheese at 8.5 - ? cents. From George Halladay The Lowville Journal Republican November 9, 1911 The Difference. There are two brothers, one living on Wolfe Island, the county of Frontenac, and one in New York State, just across the St. Lawrence river. The brother who lives on Wolfe Island when on his way to deliver milk at his own cheese factory, can see his brother going to an American factory. When the Canadian sells milk at 80 cents per 100 pounds to the Wolfe Island factory, his brother gets $1. Added April 26 2006:From Eileen TruesdellGananoque Reporter March 10, 1888 Howe Island The horse races arranged by three enterprising young men, of Howe Island, T. Chancey, P. Lewis, W. Cassidy; took place Monday, witnessed by three hundred spectators , including many from Gananoque, Kingston and Pittsburg. Starters were, John Foley, Joseph Quinn, Angus MacDonald. Judges were, M. Kane, Joseph L. Lachance, John A. Wilson. Colts Race; Five starters Clark's, Prince took 1st; Cassidy's, Maggie, 2nd; Leavis, Dan Lambert, 3rd; Cox's, Barry, 4th; Clark's, Dan Lambert, secured 1st in Free For All, Cassidy;s Shoe Fly, 2nd; Kane's Black Dick, 3rd; in both races. The best out of three decided the winner. From Eileen Truesdell Sept 17, 1880 Daily British Whig Page 2 Howe Island Happenings 1880 WHO IS HE! ------------------- Probably a suicide -- A Strange Proceeding Anyway ------------------- To the Editor of the British Whig SIR- Last Monday morning about 9 o'clock your correspondent saw a man rowing along the north shore of the channel between Howe Island and Pittsburg, just opposite Kelly's Landing. When the skiff came opposite Prospect Point it suddenly turned out towards the centre of the channel, and on gaining midway between the shores, a young man, bareheaded, with light grey pants, white shirt and black tie, stood up and looked all around him, then sat down and allowed the skiff to drift for awhile, and again stood up. After looking around a second time, and seeing my boat crossing him, he sat down and rowed away towards Gananoque. Nothing more was heard of it until Wednesday when a report came that a skiff had been beached at Clarke's Point. Your correspondent rowed down and found at Clarke's Point, a small light green skiff, outrigged , with a high back seat, a small piece of tarpulin in the bottom and the name "H. Cunningham, builder, Kingston." Your correspondent then saw Mr. Clarke, and learned from him that on Monday morning he saw the skiff going past his place, the man bareheaded and rowing fast. About two minutes after he looked up and about the centre of the channel here very wide, he saw the skiff empty. He at once rowed out and secured it, but saw nothing of the man and as the water was very rough he could not make any search for him. In the bottom of the boat were two polished cedar spoon oars, nearly new, and a coat and hat. The coat is a common shooting jacket, three pockets on the outside and in one of them one cent and a match. The material is light grey, lined with black except the sleeves which are lined with white, and through the tweed there is a pale purple thread. The maker's name "Jas. D. Anderson, Montreal." The hat is a straw one, the edge bound with black ribbon, a black band, and lined inside with leather on which there is written in ink "E. G. " The rest of the name being very dim, but looks like Regan, or Ryman, or perhaps Hyman, and underneath the name "Bothwell" or some such word for except the letters E. G. all else is very dim, the hat is nearly new, and the size 7 1/8. Mr. Clarke says the man was undoubtedly drowned, and he reported the case to the local magistrate on Howe Island. The skiff, sculls, coat and hat are in Mr. Clarke's possession, and I have sent this note to you thinking that perhaps the publicity thus given may help in exciting enquiry and thus clear up the mystery, Yours very truly,S. W. From Eileen Truesdell Kingston Sept 17, 1880 The boat picked up is evidently that of Col. Strange, the loss of which was reported two days ago. The missing man in that case have gone from Kingston. Added April 4 2006:Submitted by Brian JohnsonKingston Whig Standard Dec 24, 2005 Open Sleigh - Thin Ice A Wolfe Island Christmas Story: Dec. 25, 1955 Sleigh Sinks meeting Ferry “No one panicked while they were floundering in the water and scrambling for firm ice. Mothers held their children aloft while passengers and crew from the Salvage Prince raced on to the ice with ropes, life preservers and gang planks to drag the victims on board.” “Christmas Day Near Tragedy” Kingston Whig Standard, December 27, 1955 From a distance, the holiday scene was a perfect setting for a Courier and Ives painting. A full sleigh pulled by a single horse and framed by a low, setting sun with a sweeping snow blowing across an ice covered bay was as close to a country Christmas from a bygone era as you could get. On board, everyone sat close together, several of the ladies seated on butter boxes padded with blankets facing backwards. On the higher seats, facing forward, children were holding toys on the laps of parents, covered tightly by blankets. Those facing forward watched and listened as the boat approached the edge of the ice, breaking the outer floes. Sparky, the chestnut brown gelding pulling the sleigh in a steady trot over the slippery surface, perked his ears forward at the noise but never missed a beat as he drew his precious cargo ever closer toward the edge of the ice. Had he known, Sparky probably would have turned quickly around, back to the village and solid ground. Sparky had less than a minute to live. . . . . . . . . Fifty years ago, the year 1955 saw record breaking temperatures throughout eastern Ontario. The week before Christmas thermometers continued to drop until bottoming out at minus 25 degrees Celsius. For Wolfe Islanders, this meant that the navigation season was drawing to a close and ferry service to Kingston would soon be over. Back then, the ferry Wolfe Islander would push her way into the bay of Wolfe Island until the ice got so thick she could only get in about half way. Stopped and held fast in the ice, the crew would then drop her ramp onto the ice, reducing the angle with several planks for the waiting sleighs and vehicles. This would continue until the entire river would freeze, forcing the ferry to tie up. Islanders would then be on their own to walk, sleigh or drive across the three miles of ice to get to the mainland. Every year it was hoped the ferry would run at least until after Christmas. It usually did, but this year was the exception. Freezing temperatures contributed to a mechanical breakdown three days before Christmas. Backing around the dock at Marysville, the Wolfe Islander ran into heavy ice, bending her rudder shaft into her propeller. Helpless, she had to wait for the Pyke Salvage tugs Newfie Queen and Salvage Prince to tow her to Kingston. Out of commission until spring, vehicle ferry service to Wolfe Island was now over. Barrett Bay on Wolfe Island quickly froze over as did Kingston harbour but the main channel was still open water. Islander ‘Buck’ Mullin started ferrying people across in his ice-boat the Saucy Sally, a small plywood vessel equipped with steel runners powered by a high mounted six cylinder Studebaker engine with an airplane propeller in back. Wolfe Island reeve John Keyes also pressed into service the tug Salvage Prince which would make two trips a day until freeze up. Christmas Day dawned bright, clear and exceptionally cold. Down at the Kingston waterfront at the foot of Brock street, people huddled close together watching the tug Salvage Prince, black smoke pouring out of her funnel, framed by ‘sea-smoke’ and bright sunlight, as she cut her way into Kingston harbour through heavier than usual chunks of broken ice. As the tug came alongside the end of the pier, Lieut. Darell Small, his wife Fern and their four children climbed carefully aboard. This would be an adventure, riding over to Wolfe Island in a tugboat, instead of the ferry. With a clanging of bells, the crew threw off the mooring lines as the captain rang for ‘Full Ahead’ and the open water. Shortly after, slowing down, the Salvage Prince entered the ice of Barrett Bay until finally coming to a stop. “We debarked on the ice via a ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ plank,” remembered Darell Small. “We walked, slithered and crawled over rippled ice with a stiff breeze at our backs. Baby Leslie, four months old, was on a box sled.” Loaded with passengers returning to Kingston, Captain George Bates backed his tug out into the open channel and headed for town. Sometime in the late afternoon, mainlanders started looking at their watches. Dinner over, the afternoon sun was casting long shadows over snow covered fields. “After the Christmas festivities, we were faced with returning over the ice with our gifts and full stomachs,” said Darell Small. “Fortunately, Gary LaRush was on hand with a horse and sleigh so we gladly paid for a ride, rather than struggle against the wind.” From every direction, families arrived in the village and headed down to the shoreline beside Antoine ‘Tiner” LaRush’s house. Walking down onto the ice, the children became excited at seeing the horse and sleigh, the big seats with folded blankets waiting for them. One blanket in particular was fur lined which was good because it was starting to get bitter cold, as the sun got lower. “What a beautiful horse,” said one of the children. “What’s his name, mister?” “Sparky,” said Gary LaRush, “want to pet him?” “Sure. Gee, I wish I had some sugar.” Climbing into the sleigh, Jim and Mrs Murphy with their three girls, Donna, four, Arlie, three and Eldeen, two, were near the front. Next, Darell and Fern Small in the left front corner with their three children, Carol, ten, and Holly, two who sat at the rear and baby Leslie who was four months old in her mother’s arms. Darell jr. decided to stay with Grandma Fawcett on the island. Next in was Mrs. Mae Pyke, Fern’s aunt, who, at 71 was a veteran of many ice crossings over the years. Louis and Ella Kane climbed in next beside Mrs. Herman and Wilhelmena Van Stern. Last in were George and Mrs. Spafford. Climbing onto the back and standing on the runners was young Bobby Macdonald who was on his way to Napanee to see his girlfriend Doris. Climbing aboard, Gary LaRush braced his feet and picked up the reins. “Gi’dapp there,” he said, with a slight slap of the reins. Sparky shouldered the load with a slight jerk and then settled into a steady trot out onto the ice covered bay. One by one, those left on shore started back home walking up the road to their cars. Two men, Kaye Fawcett and Clifton Fargo standing by the dock, were catching up on local news as they watched the sleigh as it gathered speed out onto the bay. Turning to go up the road, Kaye glanced out once more at the sleigh. “Oh my God..,” he said. Both men started running out onto the ice. Ringing the telegraph to ‘Slow Ahead’ Captain George Bates felt the Salvage Prince enter the ice floes of Barrett Bay. Slowing down he rang for ‘Stop’ as he came into more solid ice. Glancing out the pilothouse window he watched the approaching sleigh just off the port bow. He then noticed a dangerous lead starting to ‘wet up’ directly ahead of the sleigh. Down below in the cabin, Islander John O’Shea looked out a porthole as the sleigh was pulling up. “Put your coat on, Joan,” he said to his wife, “the sleigh is here.” Glancing out again, eye level with the porthole, he saw nothing. The sleigh was gone. Pulling up to the tug, Gary LaRush felt a sickening lurch on the right side of the sleigh as the runner broke through. Standing up, Gary slapped the reins hard down, and pulled to the right, “HI’YAH, GIT UP THERE…, HEE’YAH,” he yelled. Sparky, ears back and eyes wide with fright, started leaping ahead, pulling the sleigh free. Aboard the sleigh, children started crying with the violent jerks as the sleigh lifted up, and then broke clean through, sinking fast by the stern. Jumping clear, LaRush raced ahead to the frightened horse to release him, but it was too late. Feeling Sparky’s front hooves scrape his chest, LaRush could only stare as horse and sleigh went quickly to the bottom. Captain George Bates threw open the pilothouse door of the tug and was on the main deck almost instantly. “EVERYONE…SIT STILL…” he commanded. “DON’T ANYONE PANIC!” Crew members leapt into action, including young Eddy Bates, 14, who was first over the side, helping his dad and the crew pull out a large gangway across the ice. In the ice cold water now, people struggled to stay up, holding floes of ice and lifejackets which were quickly thrown. “Fern and Baby were clinging to the folded edge of a lifejacket,” said Darrel Small. “I was swimming amongst the chopped ice. Soon I had two baby girls floating in ample snowsuits, one in each hand. I’m not an expert swimmer, so I did the best I could and treaded water until someone took them off my hands.” Crew members with Gary LaRush and Bobby Macdonald lay across the ice pulling people to safety. “Aunt Mae was heroic,” remembered Fern Small. “She grabbed Mrs. Van Stern by the scruff and hauled her to safety.” In the confusion of staying afloat, mother and baby became separated. “I thought she was gone,” Fern said. “Young Eddy Bates spotted the baby floating on the fur lined blanket,” remembered John O’Shea. Grabbing a long pike pole, Bates hauled baby Leslie, gurgling happily, on to firm ice. “Give me the baby, quickly,” yelled engineer Pat Casey. Taking Leslie down below into the tug’s engine room, Casey laid the four month old on the rocker arms of the engine while he undressed her, tearing open his own shirt and laying her against his own skin. Outside, still struggling in the water, Fern and Darell Small were the last to be rescued. “I’m tired, I’m done,” remembered Darell as he went down, under the surface. “As I did, I can still see Fern’s hand as she reached down, grabbed my crew-cut and lifted me.” As Fern was pulled from the water, the men struggled to get Darell out. They couldn’t get a grip and he went down again. Throwing a rope, Darell came up spitting water near the ice edge. Pulling carefully, six men hauled him out onto the ice, finding his legs hopelessly tangled in one of the blankets. “Once clear of the blanket, I got to my feet and made a quick move through the engine room of the tug to the far rail,” he said. “Here I made one quick wretch and divested myself of all the Christmas Cheer and mince pie.” With record-breaking speed, Captain Bates raced for Kingston where waiting ambulances took Mrs. Small, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Van Stern and Mrs Herman along with the children to Kingston General Hospital. Only the baby remained but was home a few hours later, joining her family. On her experience, Mae Pyke remarked, “Well, I’ve been swimming on Christmas Day, at last.” Later, after recovering his coat, Lieut. Darell Small recovered his 8mm Movie camera. Relating his experience to his boss, he remembers Major Hall’s firm ‘reprimand’: “Darell! You mean you had a movie camera, with all that excitement and you didn’t take any pictures?!” Brian Johnson Wolfe Islander III captain and President of the brand new Wolfe Island Historical Society Submitted by Brian Johnson The Great Gale of '75 Kingston Whig Standard Nov 12, 2005 Remembering the “Big Fitz Storm” and Wolfe Island’s own Upper Canada, the little ferry that could! November 10, 1975: 30 years ago “I am very concerned with the welfare of the steamer Edmund Fitzgerald. He was right in front of us… He was taking on a small amount of water and none of the upbound ships have passed him. I can see no lights as before and I don’t have him on radar. I just hope he didn’t take a nose dive.” Captain Bernie Cooper of the SS Arthur M. Anderson to Soo Control Lake Superior 19:40 hrs. November 10, 1975 The captain of the Upper Canada ferry was seen wringing out his socks when spray flooded the floor of the wheelhouse. It was the only ferry in service during the storm… “Storm Blows the Area off its Feet” The Whig Standard, November 11, 1975 Thirty years ago (today, Nov. 10, 1975) a very worried lake captain reluctantly picked up the mike attached to his marine radio and with a glance to his mates, expressed his fears out loud to the coast guard station at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. All afternoon, rolling hard in the heavy seas, the two big American freighters Arthur M. Anderson and Edmund Fitzgerald hugged the north Canadian shore of Lake Superior trying to seek shelter in a tumultuous storm of confused seas and blinding snow. The Edmund Fitzgerald, running ahead, had lost both radar scanners sometime earlier and had asked the Anderson for help in plotting her course and position. She had also developed a bad list which had really concerned her captain, Ernest McSorley. Now, standing up and trying to steady himself to the violent motion of his own ship, Captain Bernie Cooper strained his eyes through his pilothouse windows then walked carefully back to his radar set adjusting the gain, praying for a target. “She’s got to be there,” he said out loud to his mates. “Dear God… she has to be!” At about the same time, and about seven hundred miles or three lakes down, the captain of the Wolfe Island ferry Upper Canada braced himself against the pilothouse door and lifted one soggy foot over the sill followed by the other. Soaked from his knees down, Captain Wayne Eves was also drenched from the waist up. The small pilothouse windows, tightly closed, did little to keep Lake Ontario out, in fact, Captain Eves was sure a good portion of it was still sloshing about almost knee deep in the small confined space he shared with his mate, Dick Kingsley. Tied to the Kingston dock at the end of Brock Street the small ferry was still pitching a little at the bow, tugging on her lines, waiting for her next trip across. Looking down on the car deck, Wayne called down to his engineer, “Hey Johnny, have you got a drill?” The car deck too, was ankle deep with water still running hard out of the scuppers. Several cars, especially those parked up in the bow, also had water pouring out of every nook and cranny that it had managed to seep into as their wide-eyed and white-knuckled drivers drove carefully off, one actually making the sign of the cross on himself as he crossed over the ramp. Taking off his shoes, Wayne stuck them up on a shelf in the wheelhouse and, rolling up his pants, pulled off his socks, wrung them out and stuck them inside his damp shoes. “At one point, somewhere around seven o’clock, the weather got really nasty,” he remembered. “I was steering well above the Kingston Shipyard heading out of the harbour when the waves started breaking over the starboard bow sending heavy spray clear over the wheelhouse!” Sailing the Great Lakes since he was fifteen years old, Captain Eves couldn’t remember the last time the lake got so violent. Up on Division Street, a frantic mother listened as the howling wind blew garbage cans, papers and anything else not nailed down across her front lawn. Even the trees bent, bowed and swayed in a crazy dance with one another as the wind shrieked higher and higher. Not knowing what else to do, Mrs. Holland picked up her phone and dialled the Kingston Police. “My son Steve,” she began, trying to calm down, “is on Wolfe Island. I mean, I hope he’s on Wolfe Island. He and two friends went over to go duck hunting last night, somewhere on Big Bay. They were supposed to come home at noon… it’s now half past seven…” . . . . . . . . It was as if Mother Nature unleashed a pack of howling banshees… Truck blown off freeway… Power is off for four hours… Buses collide… Farm animals were killed, one ferry broke down, a bus shelter overturned and trees were uprooted… Ontario Hydro crews were working on five households, three on hard-hit Wolfe Island… Mild, summer like weather continued into the second weekend of November in 1975. Saturday’s Whig Standard pictured a couple enjoying a tranquil afternoon in their canoe paddling along the Lake Ontario shoreline just outside the harbour limits. On Sunday evening, November 9, three teenage boys had made up their mind to try their luck at duck hunting off the south shore of Wolfe Island, as the predicted weather called for cloudy skies with some wind. “Perfect duck hunting weather,” Harry Heikkila recalled. One of the boys, 19 year old Richard Vaugn had already called in sick for his job on Monday morning so he could join his two buddies on this great outdoor adventure. “We’re going to get a good storm,” he said, loading his stuff into the car. Steve Holland, also 19, was the third. Catching the ten o’clock boat from town, the trio made their way over to Carpenter Point where they would camp out and get an early start. By morning, dark, ominous clouds were rolling in from the lake as the boys set out their decoys. “Around noon it got bad,” Harry Heikkila said. “You could see the front coming in. I was in a canoe about a hundred feet off shore.” About four miles away, on the north side of Wolfe Island, Captain Lewis Kiell was having his own problems with the older ferry Wolfe Islander. Giving her all she had, it took several minutes for the huge bow to swing out into the open channel into the ever increasing seaway rapidly building up. Both ferries were using the winter dock at Dawson Point on the island because the dock in the village was now modified, awaiting the arrival of the new Wolfe Islander III which would depart any day now from the builders yard in Port Arthur on Lake Superior. Swinging the telegraph handle to full ahead, Captain Kiell called down to the engine room for more power, knowing full well what would happen if the bow of the ferry started to fall off the wind. It had happened to him just a few years ago, finally coming to anchor at the foot of the island in a moderate gale, and before that, in 1950, to Captain Joe Sisty, when everyone thought she had gone down. Rolling heavily, the Wolfe Islander finally made it safely into Kingston harbour after more than an hour. By now the wind had increased, with the seas building anywhere from six to eight feet. A spokesman for the Kingston Weather Office said there were no records kept of wind velocity, but that the peak wind was only 13 miles below hurricane velocity of 75 mph. Captain Kiell decided to tie the Wolfe Islander up for the remainder of the storm at Brock Street. It was decided that Captain Eves would continue service with the Upper Canada into the sheltered dock in the village as she could manoeuvre into position using her twin engines to advantage. Deckhand Eric Ahrenkiel left the Wolfe Islander and joined the Upper Canada to assist. It was now about six o’clock in the evening. “Coming alongside in the village, we had one chance to get a line on,” remembered mate Dick Kingsley. “If we missed, we’d have gone aground. And if one of her engines failed for any reason while we were crossing, well…” “The danger was stirring up the fuel tank,” engineer John O’Shea said. “If the fuel filters became clogged, then we’d have problems.” By now, the power was out on Wolfe Island. Captain Eves was landing his ship by radar, spotlight and sheer guts. Then Larry Staley showed up with his loaded cattle truck. Unable to persuade him to wait until morning, the truck was loaded aboard, the wheels were chocked and the brakes were set. Backing out, Wayne swung hard to starboard and set out for Kingston. Clearing the bay at Garden Island Wayne directed his searchlight out into the blackness to check sea conditions. “The wind was pulling the tops right off the waves in spindrifts,” he said. “I was aiming somewhere up near Portsmouth harbour so I could turn quick about halfway across trying to keep the rolling to a minimum. Honestly, it was as rough as any seaway I’ve ever been in.” Down below on the car deck, Larry and his ‘girls’ were hanging on to anything their hands and hooves could cling to. White knuckled, Staley kept his foot jammed on the brakes as the huge truck skidded across the deck, banging into one post then the other, as the ‘girls’ bawled their protests in unison all the way across. Just south, duck hunters Heikkila, Vaugn and Holland were in trouble. By now, their decoys were all over the bay and probably the eastern half of Lake Ontario. Trying to recover their decoys, the boys almost became disoriented in the darkness with the heavy rain and wind. Harry, up to his neck in the rapidly rising water, decided to strike out for nearby Mud Island which seemed closer. Wolfe Island had all but disappeared in the darkness. “Richard couldn’t swim so he stayed with the canoe,” Holland recalled. “We lost sight of the shoreline so we headed to Mud Island. Gus Brown had a small cottage and they let us in. Later, about one in the morning a rescue helicopter was overhead with a bright light shining down on the cabin. There was a guy being lowered by a wire. ‘Need any help’ he said and I said ‘no, we’re okay’ and they left.” Captain Wayne Eves and the crew of the Upper Canada got through the night without any further incident. Morning finally came lighting the roadways with fallen trees and downed power lines almost everywhere. Three soggy boys drove onto the ferry embarrassed but happy to have come through their ordeal. Local radio stations throughout the Great Lakes were reporting their damages to their respective cities and towns with almost the same stories of power failures and minor accidents. By mid morning one particular story was making headlines. A fully loaded ore carrier was reported missing up on Lake Superior. By day’s end it was almost certain that the SS Edmund Fitzgerald with all 29 of her crew had perished in the storm. By early December, a twin stacked barge-like vessel appeared on Lake Superior approaching the area of Whitefish Bay. The brand new Wolfe Islander III was headed downbound for Lake Ontario to begin her life as Wolfe Island’s newest and by far largest ferry. Searching for survivors of the Edmund Fitzgerald had all but ceased by now. It had been confirmed that the freighter had gone down with all hands. Her position on the bottom of Lake Superior just outside the sheltered area of Whitefish Bay was also known. I asked Captain Leon Fawcett who was a deckhand on the trip if anyone looked over the side as they went over the area. “No,” he replied, “I don’t think anyone did. We just quietly went on our way.” Thirty years later, her sudden disappearance from the radar set of the Arthur M Anderson still remains a mystery. Brian Johnson Captain Wolfe Islander III Submitted by Brian Johnson Kingston Whig Standard January 14, 2005 Missing - The Wolfe Islander The Day the Wolfe Islander Disappeared …after four hours of continuous searching bleak coves and small inlets, both groups were almost ready to announce that the vessel had gone down. The Canadian side revealed nothing more than empty shoreline. Wolfe Islander Rides Out Wild Storm Whig-Standard, January 14, 1950 The faith a captain puts into his ship must be absolute. It doesn’t matter if the voyage is a Trans Atlantic crossing lasting several weeks or a Great Lakes trip taking several days. Even a ferry trip from Wolfe Island to Kingston, a shipmaster never takes the weather or sea condition for granted. Fifty five years ago this week, Captain Sebastian ‘Joe’ Sisty, master of the ferry Wolfe Islander, was well aware of that risk. “I had no choice but to put to open water,” said Captain Joseph Sisty, skipper of the ferry boat. “It was either take a chance or see the Islander batter herself to death against the concrete dock in port.” . . . . . . . Friday night, January 13, 1950, tied to the pier on Wolfe Island, the ferry Wolfe Islander tugged uneasily on her lines. Inside the wheelhouse, Captain Joe Sisty stretched to the top of his toes and tapped the glass of the barometer which was mounted above the left window. What he saw worried him and he tapped the glass again. It had never been this low. Sliding the window down he called to the mate, “Double the lines, Harold. We’re in for a blow.” Pulling the window back up, he walked over to the polished brass telegraph and rang ‘Finished with Engines’ to Elmer Kane, waiting for the signal below. Satisfied, Joe locked the door to the wheelhouse remembering the rhyme from navigation school: “When the wind shifts against the sun, trust it not for back it will run. First rise after very low, indicates a stronger blow.” Saturday morning dawned a bright red with all the tell-tale signs of an impending gale. As he made his way down the dock, holding his cap to his head, Captain Sisty realized the ramp cables had slackened in the night as he heard both of them slamming back and forth as the big ferry rocked to and fro at her berth. Timing himself, he jumped aboard and made his way across the rocking deck to the engine room. Down below, Chief Engineer George Woodman had the generator running and was climbing the ladder when he met the skipper at the door. “How’s it lookin’ Joe? Pretty rough eh?” “Yeah,” the captain replied, “but she’s beating herself hard against the dock, George. I’d feel better if she were layin’ to, in Kingston.” Shortly after, the rest of the crew made their way aboard and went to their stations. Deckhands Tom Doyle and Jim Duncan were told by mate Harold Cosgrove to tie everything down. Walking back to the galley, which was back aft in the fantail, Captain Sisty told Mrs. Bullis who was ship’s cook, to lock everything in the cupboards or put it on the deck. It was going to be a very rough trip for crew and passengers alike. Under Ragged, low flying clouds, today’s vicious gale churned waters of Kingston harbour into creatures of froth and fury. Along the waterfront deep, heavy rollers hurled themselves against docks and other installations like tireless battering rams. “I’ve never seen her blow up like this before,” declared Lyall Dougan from the pilot dock at the foot of West Street. “The waves out front here are plenty big. Must be 15 or 20 feet high anyway. I’ve been on this job for 12 years and never saw her like this before!” Grasping the telegraph handle, Captain Joe Sisty rang for ‘Full Astern’ to spring the Wolfe Islander off the pier. Churning water, the big ferry was reluctant to move for almost two full minutes as the wind held her fast to the dock. Finally, her huge, flared bow started to swing clear as Joe quickly applied the wheel to port as he swung the telegraph handle to ‘Full Ahead’. As she left the pier Joe gave her a couple more spokes to port to compensate the ever growing leeway as she moved ahead. Gently at first, the Islander began to rock in a steady rhythm. The tops of whitecaps on the harbour were picked off by the high wind and sent scudding over the water and at Whiskey Island off Fort Henry the waves were going completely over and swamping the island from sight. Breakers striking the end of Cedar Island were driving 75 and 100 feet inland when the wind picked them off. City fire trucks were standing at the alert outside fire stations in case of emergency… As she approached the foot of Garden Island, the Wolfe Islander was already carrying ten degrees of port wheel on her rudder. The wind by now was deafening, even in the enclosed wheelhouse. The captain and mate said nothing to each other as they looked out beyond the sanctuary of the bay, at the huge rollers waiting for them. Inside the passenger saloon on the second deck seventeen year old Jean Niles leaned up on one knee and peered outside. “Oh, we’re in for it now,” she said, to no one in particular. Her father Howard was down below playing euchre with the crew. Just behind Jean sat Maggie Gillow who was nervously talking with Mrs. Sisty, the captain’s wife. Both women were going to town for a leisurely afternoon of shopping, one already regretting her decision. Back up in the wheelhouse, Captain Joe Sisty looked out at the huge seas waiting to test him and his ship. Gripping the spokes of the wheel, mate Harold Cosgrove placed his feet apart preparing himself for the rolling they were about to take. At eleven o’clock the Kingston Yacht Club was taking a terrific pounding from 25 to 30 foot waves which swept completely over the dock. The flared bow of the ferry Wolfe Islander had cleared the foot of Garden Island by now and was meeting the gale fine on her port side. Joe Sisty had been her master now for two years and knew his ship well. He knew her abilities in drifting ice, heavy ice and just about anything the lake could do to date. Gauging the waves from trough to crest, they had to be as big as any he had ever encountered off the Atlantic coast or the Gulf of Mexico. Even as captain of the Keystone freighter Trenora trading on the upper Great Lakes he had certainly experienced wind, even gusting as high as this, which he estimated must be somewhere near 90 miles per hour, but these seas were tremendous. Slowly, the bow began to climb, swinging slightly to the right. Then, just as quick, she rolled steeply to the left, shipping tons of water over her port rail. “Hold her up, Harold. Two more points into the wind.” “That’s all she’s got, Joe. She’s hard over!” Grabbing the telegraph handle, Joe Sisty swung it back to ‘Stop’ then again to ‘Full Ahead’. Down below George Woodman and Elmer Kane, hearing the bells, knew exactly what the captain wanted and began nursing more power from the ship’s 400 hp Enterprise engine. Gripping the telegraph, George also swung the handle through a 90 degree arc and back again, indicating he got the message. One deck above, in the passenger saloon, the women hung onto the seats, hearing the bells when there shouldn’t be any, preparing themselves for the wild ride. “She’s falling off, Joe,” the mate yelled, holding the wheel hard to port while holding the door handle with his left hand to steady himself. Sisty had to make a decision. “Ease her. Let her come around.” Both men wrestled with the wheel as the ferry wallowed between the waves. “Hard to starboard.” Slowly, and rolling hard, the Wolfe Islander swung her bow to the right, her foremast drawing crazy arcs in the sky against the far shoreline as she headed downriver. The ferry was now at the mercy of the screaming wind and wild, turbulent waves. Gales of near cyclonic force which blew in from the southwest over the lake caused an estimated $250,000 damage to city property and industrial plants, blew the Wolfe Islander off her course and down the St. Lawrence. At press time today there was no information as to the number of passengers aboard the ferry boat. When last seen, the Wolfe Islander was reported speeding past Howe Island, approximately 15 miles from Kingston… And then she was gone. All throughout the city and area, telephone and telegraph lines were down. Roofs of buildings were gone as shingles flew everywhere in the wind. The Drive-In screen blew over on Bath Road and, on Wolfe Island, Alan MacAdoo’s barn blew down as well as the end of George Pyke’s new barn. …reporters and photographers scoured the mainland shore for some sight of the ship… Radio station CKLC, while reporting on the heavily damaged areas of the city, reported the missing ferry and those aboard had all been lost, or believed lost. Aboard the ‘doomed’ ferry, Captain Sisty and Mate Cosgrove were relieved at the wheel by passengers Louis Kane and Leon Halliday. Seeking shelter behind Brophy’s Point, Sisty quickly changed his mind as he saw the breakers in the shallow water. He had one chance for the ship’s safety and headed for Quebec Head, the foot of Wolfe Island. She must be doing twenty knots, the captain thought, watching the shore of Wolfe Island speed by. Reaching the end of the island and shelter, Howard Abbott and Pat Doyle joined the mate and deckhands high on the bow as both anchors splashed into the muddy bottom. After five tries, both anchors finally took hold. Aboard, in the galley, Eva Abbott and Mrs Marlowe joined the women in preparing meals for everyone while bread man Louis Kane donated the cakes and pies from his truck. …at four o’clock, Whig-Standard reporters 2 ½ miles west of Clayton N.Y. picked her up by powerful binoculars… all that was left to do was tell the outside world that the Wolfe Islander and her passengers and crew were safe. Brian Johnson, Captain Wolfe Islander III From George Halladay Hunterdon County Democrat, Hunterdon County, New Jersey November 18, 1884, Forty-Seventh Volume, No. 14 Thomas Horne, R. Rattray, H. Watts and W. Hamilton, of Wolfe Island, were drowned on Wednesday night, it is supposed, by the swamping of their boat while crossing from Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island. From George Halladay Grave robbing Watertown-Herald-1887 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1887 The body of the late Miss Louise Del mar was stolen from her grave on Wolfe Island recently. Suspicion points to the Kingston medical college, Much indignation is manifest over the announcement. Perhaps, under the new act, the government paid for this "unidentified" body. From George Halladay Watertown-Herald-1886 AUGUST 7, 1886 The grave of John Fargo, who was buried on Wolfe island was robbed, the skeleton was taken away and the casket smashed. From George Halladay Suicide Watertown-Herald-1890 August 23 1890 Mrs. Wm. Bates, daughter of E. Joslin, of "Wolfe Island, committed suicide at her father's house last Saturday, While the family were out milking she took two spoonfuls of Palis green, and when they returned to the house she told them what she had done. From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES JULY 24, 1913. Brownville. July 24.—Miss Mary Conley of Wolf Island is visiting her sister, Mrs. Charles Greenwood. From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. AUG. 16, 1916 Brownville, Aug. 16, - Misses Ines and Nora Greenwood of Wolf Island are visiting their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Greenwood. From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES May 10, 1922 Brownville, May 10—Frank, John and Thomas Greenwood of Wolfe Island have been in town a few days called here by the death of their brother, the late C. Greenwood. From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES June 17, 1915 Brownville. June 17, - Mr. and Mrs Raymond Greenwood of Wolfe Island are on their wedding tour. They are the guests of Mr and Mrs. Charles Greenwood. From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES Sept. 21, 1912 Brownville, Sept. 21, - Miss Nora Greenwood, of Wolf Island, is visiting her aunt Mrs. Charles Greenwood, on Organ Street. http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton Historical Photos/Newspapers/Watertown Times/Watertown NY Daily Times 1915.pdf/Newspaper Watertown NY Daily Times 1915 - 1037.pdf From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES June 28,1915 Brownville. June 28,—Ira Greenwood, who has been visiting Mr. and Mrs. Charles Greenwood, has returned to Syracuse. From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES April 14, 1914 Brownville, April 14, - Mrs. Charles Greenwood has returned from an extended visit with friends In Syracuse. From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES December 24, 1924 Mrs. Margaret Greenwood, widow of Charles Greenwood. Body arrived in this city, this morning to be taken to Brownville. Interment Brownville. Watertown Daily Times From George Halladay WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES April 17, 1922 Brownville, April 16,—Mr Ira and Roy Greenwood of Syracuse, visited their father, C. Greenwood, who is seriously ill. Added March 17 2006:Dailey British WhigJuly 13, 1923 Page 2 Column 3 Copied by Elizabeth Agnes Oakley Submitted by Eileen Truesdell There is Always a Way to Overcome Trouble Took Wagon to Pieces To Get it Over To Howe Island "Nessisbily is the mother of invention" - The truth of the old saying was manifested in the case of the Driscoll brothers of Howe Island. The ferry was out of commission and they found they were up against a snag, after purchasing a new wagon. However they were determined that the wagon was going over., so they took the wagon to pieces this way they made three trips over to the island, in a punt. At the Island they up the wagon together again. Submitted by AM Benson June 11, 1907 An Extra Mil Service for the Summer Wolfe Island, June 1 - The islanders will have an extra mail service. Starting June 15th it will leave the island at 9:15, and return 11:30 am. The present service at 1 and 5:30 pm will continue. Michael Flood was chosen by the Catholic Foresters to represent them at their convention in Chatham. He left on Monday for that place. William Mosier is very ill at present. Miss Florence Whitney, of the city is visiting Mrs James Coyle. Mrs George Todd was on the sick list last week. Dr Spankie is enjoying the balmy breezes of the St Lawrence in his new yacht. Thomas McGuire was visiting Frank Greenwood, on Saturday. Miss Kate Connolly is visiting her sister Mrs Edward House, Watertown NY. There was what might have been a serious runaway at Wolfe Island cheese factory on Monday morning when James Duff was driving one of his spirited horses. The vehicle was smashed but the owner escaped with slight bruises. There will be a dance on the night of the 25th in CMBA hall after the races. Miss Beatrice Halliday is visiting relatives in the city. The summer boarders have started to come this week. Albert Doctor was home on a visit from Watertown, NY. Collin Marlow has his new house erected. John McGlynn has started to clapboard his house and will have it all painted. Frederick Staley is building an addition to his house. Born to Mr and Mrs Mac Greenwood a daughter. Submitted by AM Benson June 10, 1907 -Wolfe Island News Wolfe Island June 10 - The hay crop promises to be a very short one. Dealers are paying $13 per ton for any hay that is left, in the hands of the farmer. A picnic was held in Conley's Grove on Friday, and despite the chilly atmosphere there was a large crowd in attendance.. Congratulations are extended to Patrick McGlynn as he has lately been appointed fishery overseer. Foreigners in the future will have to apply to him for license to fish. Miss Mary Ryan has left for New York to take a course in training in one of the hospitals. Mr and Mrs Sydney Wood, Sydenham, were visiting their daughter, Mrs John Horne, last week. The Misses Hennessy, Watertown, who have been visiting here for the past week, left for their home on Friday. Submitted by AM Benson July 11, 1907 At Allen, Wolfe Island July 10 - Albert Docteur, Watertown, NY is home for the summer. Miss Gertie McDonald is visiting friends in Watertown, NY. Miss G Rattray and brother, Allan, who have been visiting friends in this section (D.H. McDonald), returned to their home in Clayton on Monday. After an illness of one year James F. Murphy, a young man of estimable character, passed away at the home of his sister, Mrs James McDonagh, Perth. His remains arrived at his home Thursday. His funeral which was largely attended, took place on Saturday morning to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Marysville, where a requiem mass was sung by his cousin Rev Father O'Reilly. Deceased is survived by a mother, five sisters and three brothers. Submitted by AM Benson July 18, 1907 Howe Island clever Pupils The five pupils which Miss Kane, a popular teacher, sent up for the recent entrance examinations on Wolfe Island, were successful. One of the pupils was only ten years of age, and only one of the other four was past the age of twelve. Their ages prove their great ability and tact in the art of learning. May they always have such success when they are attending high school July 13, 1907 - Frontenac Pupils Who passed Entrance Examinations The results of the entrance examinations in Frontenac county show that 131 candidates were successful out of 222 who tried. Jessie Maitland, of Brewers Mills, takes first place, with 572 marks out of a possible 650... Following is the complete list of the successful candidates in alphabetical order: Allinson, John, Wolfe Island Beleau, Annie, Howe Island Cooper, Jessie, Wolfe Island Cummins, Eulalie, Wolfe Island Friend, Harold, Wolfe Island Goodfriend, Nellie, Howe Island Kyle, George, Wolfe Island Loughlin, Edna, Wolfe Island Melville, Edmond, Howe Island Morgan, Lily, Wolfe Island O'Reilly, James, Wolfe Island Phelix, Mabel, Garden Island Staley, Edwin J, Wolfe Island Wafer, Mamie, Wolfe Island Waller, Mabel, Wolfe Island. Submitted by AM Benson July 11, 1907 Not Snake Island Gage Island is Simcoe Island The Lighthouse Ordered Built in 1803 was at the Place commonly known as Nine Mile Point. Last week the Toronto Telegam in referring to the establishment of a lighthouse on "Isle au Foret" or Gage Island, near Kingston, concluded that Snake Island was likely the spot. This assumption is not correct, however. A Whig representative made a search in the Frontenac county registry office, regarding the title of Gage Island and found the island to be none other than Simcoe Island, and that the place where the lighthouse was ordered was the well-known Nine Mile Point. This fact was very clear on a perusal of a couple of the documents. The first entry on Registrar Thompson's books concerning Gage Island, was made in 1829, when the crown granted the island to Hon C W Grant and Julia Leslie, reserving five acres for a lighthouse. In 1864, a plan came into force calling the island Simcoe Island, which name the island was known by before 1829. In a deed of 1833, conveying the island, the following appears in the land description: "Reserving from the same, five acres at the southwesterly end of said island, at a place commonly called Nine Mile Point, for the purpose of erecting a lighthouse thereon, the said five acres to be chosen and laid out by commissioners appointed to erect said lighthouse under an act of the provincial parliament passed in the third year of the reign of King William IV." This is the lighthouse that was ordered built in 1803 "upon Isle Forest, situate about three leagues from the town of Kingston, in the Midland district". The place commonly known as Nine Mile Point, where the lighthouse stands, is just six and three quarter miles above Kingston. Snake Island is where the Four Mile Point light is situated. Added March 2 2006:1947Submitted by Jeannette WoodmanClick here for image The Kingston Whig Standard July 31, 1947 Large Crowd At Picnic On Island Chicken dinner Is Highlight Ideal Weather prevailed for the annual picnic under the auspices of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Wolfe Island, Wednesday afternoon and evening. Rev. J.S. Ryan, parish priest, was general convener. It was the first picnic to be held at the church since Father Ryan, a native of Wolfe Island, was appointed to the island church. Chief feature of the picnic was a chicken dinner, which was served in the spacious grounds under the direction of the women of the parish. Dinner was served from about 4 to 9 p.m. There was an abundant supply of chicken, homemade cooking etc. The serving was divided into five groups, under the direction of Mrs. Frank Yott, Mrs. John Taggart, Mrs. Frank Hogan, Miss Rita Doyle and Mrs. Vincent Greenwood. The following men collected tickets for the dinner: Timothy O’Shea, James O’Reilly, James Hawkins, Charles Cosgrove, William Whitmarsh, Edward Hawkins and Norman Greenwood. * * * The Following assisted at the booths: Hot dogs, Mrs. L. Mosier, Mrs. W. Bolton, Mrs. G. Whitmarsh and Clair Cummings; soft drinks, L Doyle, A. Sexsmith L. Cain; ice cream, A. Baker, L. Hogan, Percy Mongomery; games, J. D. Cosgrove, G. Hogan, J. Briceland, L. Mosier, M. Cosgrove, W. Cosgrove, T. O’shea and Harold LaRush; fish pond, Mrs. L. Hogan, Mrs. M. McDonald; tickets at the gate: M. Greenwood, Thomas Hogan, John Lacey, R. Conley, R. McKenna, J. McAllister, N. Greenwood, John Johnson, H. Staley, George O’Brien, Thomas Lyon, B. Greenwood, Wilfred Hawkins, R. Bolton, M. McRae; dance, J. S. Briceland, Arthur Baker; dance floor, Harold McLaren, Leonard Mosier, Vincent Greenwood, Terry Melley; sevens up, J. Briceland, G. Hogan, Michael Cosgrove, Charles Myles; bingo, Tim O’Shea, Harold LaRush, Ross White, Edward Riley; ball game, J. d. Cosgrove, Leonard Mosier; sports committee, Wilfred Hawkins, Norman Hogan, Howard Kyle, Francis Lawlor. Two ball games were played during the afternoon. A girls’ softball game between the Village and the Foot team, resulted in a win for the Village by 24 to 10. The teams were as follows: Village—Dorothy Flynn, c; M. Patterson, ss; J. LaRush, 2b; D. Cosgrove, p; M. McDonald, cf; T. Morrison, 3b; E. Wharrie, lf; M. Lacey, rf; E. Hough 1b Foot—L. Mosier, c; J. Murphy, p; Z Alarie, 2b; A Woodman, cf; B Murphy, ss; J Niles, 1b; I Kiell, 3b; M. Manion, rf; A Niles, lf. Umpire at plate, Charles Martin; on the bases, Harold Radley. The hardball games between Morrison’s Tigers and McDonald’s Ground Hogs resulted in a win for the Morrison team by a score of 23 to 18. Morrison’s Tigers—G Hogan, 3b; W. Horne, p; N. Hogan, 2b; R. LaRush, ss; E Flynn, 1b; L Kiel, c; F. Greenwood, cf; C. Murphy, rf; K. Murphy, lf. Mcdonald’s Ground Hogs—F. Lawlor, p; G. Hulton, rf; M. Hulton, 1b; C. Fargo, 1f; H. McDonald, 3b; V. McDonald, 2b; D. McDonald, cf; L. McDonald, c; J. McDonald, ss. Umpire at the plate, R. Carr; umpire on the bases, J G. Stephens. One of those who attended the picnic was Arthur Henderson, owner of Gilt Edge cheese factory, who during his 66 years as a resident of Wolfe Island has attended 62 picnics. “ I could not attend the other four,” said Mr Henderson, “as they did not hold picnics those years.” J. D. Bamford who will celebrate his 80th birthday on Nov. 20, was probably the oldest man on the ground. He has been a regular visitor at these picnics. Dancing was held in the evening, music being provided by Brown’s orchestra of Kingston. The motorship Wolfe Islander made special trips to carry large numbers of visitors to and from the Island. Added Feb. 15 2006:From Janet JonesOrangeville Banner 25-Feb-1915 Page 1, Column 3 Messrs. Ben. Hill and Ed. Creary of Stanton, left last week on a trip to Kingston and Amherst Island. From AM Benson Kingst Whig Feb 13, 1905 Pleasant Birthday party Wolfe Island Feb 8-The minicipal council held a meeting on MOnday; very little buisness was transacted. We understand they had a communication from the Folger company, offering their dock as a landing place for the steamer Fawcett for the sum of one hundred dollars a year. It is also stated that W Dunnigan of the O K house has opened a list and will raise the amount necessary to pay Folgers, and give a free deck to islanders. In the meantime the ratepayers are quietly waiting to see what the outcome of it will be with the council. Mr Armstrong Sr died yesterday after a lingering illness; deceased was in his eightieth year. His funeral will take place to-morrow. Charles Lavis and Mrs Philip Ryan were on Howe Island, last week, attending the funeral of their father Simon Lavis, who was only ill a few days. Thomas Rodgers, who has been seriously ill with typhoid pneumonia, is recovering. An oyster supper was held at Arthur Laughlin's last week, in honor of hs eighty fourth birthday. Mr and Mrs James Hennessy, Petre Ward and wife and Mrs Thomas Briceland Watertown, were present to add to the joyous occassion, and many of the old gentleman's friends were also in attendance. Among the number were several of his great grandchildren. Card playing and other games were indulged in until near midnight, when a sumptous repast was parteken of after which the party dispersed wishing that he might live to see the century mark. Mrs William MOrris Minneapolis, left for her home last week. Frank Gray spent a few days last week ont he island, prior to his departure for Montana. Spafford Joy, New Ontario, is spending a few days ont he island. It is rumored that Mrs Robert Payne will buy the grocery store on the corner from Mrs Marlow. Mrs William Cameron, Wolfe Island, died very suddenly last night. From AM Benson Kingst Whig Feb 23, 1905 Wolfe Island Budget The council held a special meeting on the 15th, for the purpose of engaging a captain and purser for the steamer Fawcett. There were three applications for master, Capts Crawford, Scott and Winborne Kingston. Capt Crawford was engaged at a salary of $600 per annum. There were four applications for purser, Lloyd Card, James Dawson, George O'Brien and Gregory Keegan; the latter was engaged at $30 per month. A message was received here on the 13th stating that Mrs William Glasgow (formerly Miss Laura Boyd) daughter of Jacob Boyd, had died in Winnipeg. As her friends had received a letter from her the previous week and she was in good health at the time the news of her death was a great shock to them. We regret to hear of the death of Delos Grimshaw, Kingston, formerly of the island. Deceased conducted an extensive business with the farmers on the island in the hay trade. The many friends of R J Spoor are glad to learn that he is recovering from a serious attack of pneumonia. Mrs Thomas Briceland, Sr is also ill. Gilbert Sluman, who has been seriously ill in Watertown, is slightly improved. Dexter HInckley and wife have been visiting for a few days at Earl Ryan's Elginburg. Mr and Mrs James McDonald have been visiting for two weeks in Watertown. Miss Jessie Vanness is the guest of Mrs John Robertson Watertown. Mrs Peter McDonald and family, Rosiere NY who have spent the past week with her mother, will return home today. Joseph Lanegan and family Cape Vincent spent a few days this week at Mr McLaren's. Mrs Thomas Barry and daughter, Muskegon Mich arrived here last week. The will spend the remainder of the winter with Mrs Barry's mother. Her daughter will go to the convent in Kingston to complete her training. She has had a daughter there for the past six years receiving an education. Gregory Keegan has purchased the corner grocery from Mrs Marlow; he takes possession on March 2nd. Theodore Briggs has disposed of his farm on Simcoe Island to Horatio Sudds. ... It is reported that Thomas Posieu and Miss Rebecca Cassels are to be married on Tuesday evening. The remains of Mrs William Glasgow arrived yesterday and were conveyed to her father's residence, from whence the funeral will take kplace on Tuesday to Cataraqui cemetery. From AM Benson Kingst Whig March 2, 1905 Wolfe Island News Wolfe Island, Feb 27 - The little four year old son of George Islin, Cape Vincent, died here at its grandfather's H Davis, on Thursday last. The funeral took place from here on Friday to the Cape, where the remains were placed in the vault. Quite a large number from here attended the grand assembly, given by the Hibernaians in the City hall on last Wednesday night and was highly pleased with the affair. Word was received here from Buffalo of the death of Thomas Briceland, who was killed by a train. He was a cousin of Mr Griffin, of this place. McLaren's hall is getting a very popular resort for the Snowshoe Club of the city. They held a grand entertainment there on last Friday night. There was a suprise party held at the residence of G Turner on last Friday night. Mr Wiggins, of New York is spending a week at E Griffins. J Briceland of Glenburnie, spent Sunday with his mother, who is very ill. James O'Neil Cape Vincent, spent Sunday here. From AM Benson Kingst Whig Jan 23, 1905 Wolfe Island Wafts Wolfe Island, Jan 10 - This winter so far has surpassed anything in previous years for snow storms and disagreeable weather; the roads are almost impassable. The island certainly upholds its good name for parties, last Monday night, was good proof, for that, it being one of the worst storms this winter. There was fifty couple assembled in the CMBA hall. Crosby and O'Connor's orchestra furnished excellent music. The refreshments were also very find. Henry Duff formerly of the island, and now employed in Wise's machine shop at Watertown, had a couple of fingers taken off while at work on a machine last week. MJ Haley, Buffalo, NY is visiting his brother here. Robert Boyd who left here a couple of years ago and has since been in Winnipeg, is home on a visit. Miss Mamie Bolton, daughter of a prominent contractor of the village will take charge of No 9 school this year. Mrs Hiram Davis is visiting her daughter. Mrs C Launderville, Buffalo, NY. Mr Webber and F Briceland, shipped a couple of carloads of cattle from here on Saturday to the American side. F Fitzgerald and wife Cape Vincent, are spending a few days at H D Hinkley's. Miss Annie O'Shea has lately returned form Watertown. F Constance, Cape Vincent, purchased a fine horse here last week. P McDermott's little girl, very sick, is recovering nicely. From AM Benson Kingst Whig Jan 26, 1905 Island News - Ice bad for travelling - pleasant at home Wolfe Island, Jan 23 - During the past week travel on the ice has been almost impossible, owing to the water rising and causing slush. As an evidence of it several loads of hay are scattered upon the ice. Today the condition is slightly better. Mrs William Fawcett gave an "AT Home" to her many friends on Wednesday evening. The house was comfortably filled; dancing and other amusements were indulged in until midnight when the guests repaired to the spacious dining room where a sumptuous repast was partaken of, after which dancing was again indulged in until the small hours of the morning, when the party dispersed all with the opinion that the host and hostess were able entertainers. A party was held on Monday evening at Wilmer Boyd's. Mr and Mrs John Ryan, Roscre, NY are spending a few days among relatives. John Greenwood and wife are visiting in Watertown. Miss Culhion, Kingston, is a guest of Mrs John Laughlin. Mrs Willie Mills, Cape Vincent, visited her mother yesterday. Mr and Mrs Herbert Leakey returned home yesterday afternoon after a short visit to Watertown. NY. John Wilcox, Three Mile Bay, is a guest of Miss Jessie Vanness. Mr Weber shipped a large drove of calves yesterday tot he American market. Mrs James Lyons is ill with pneumonia. Mrs Patrick Quigley, who has been seriously ill, is somewhat better. MR Armstrong Sr is rapidly improving. Charlie Woodman's son who had his hand mangled in a cream separator, and has been receiving medical treatment in the village, returned home on Friday. Mrs Thomas Coyle, Rochester NY formerly of the Island, is seriously ill. Martin Kane has rented a farm at Three Mile Bay and will take possession first of March. We understand there are several applications for master of the steamer Fawcett. As the captain of the past year has proved to be a very efficient and trustworthy man, it is to be hoped that he will be re-engaged. We trust for the remainder of the winter that the harbor master will not allow citizens to dump snow in the vicinity of the slips where islanders have to travel. From AM Benson Kingst Whig Feb 2, 1905 Howe Island Council Jan 29 - On motion, Rochefort McCarty, a by-law confirming appointments was passed; for auditors, P Kane and E Lachance; health officer, A McDonald; medical health officer, Dr Bird, Resolved. Foley-McCarty that L Rochefort make arrangement to open road accross the island. Adjourns until February 10th. From AM Benson Kingst Whig Feb 9, 1905 Won a Set of Harness Wolfe Island Feb 3- The Wolfe Island Cheese factory held its annual meeting of the directors last monday night at the residence of D H Hinkley. The business of the past year was taken up, and everything was found satisfactory. Their former maker, HC Hogan had met with the best of success in the past year, and he is re-engaged for the coming season. There was a van load from here attended the Garden Island ball on the 25th. Thomas Rodgers many friends are pleased to hear that he is recovering from a severe attack of pneumonia. Miss Nettie Davis has left to visit her sister, Mrs S Staley, Cleveland, NY. Quite a number form here attended the Cape Vincent CMBA ball on the 31st, where there was a hundred and twenty-eight couple. They reported an excellent time. Messrs Weber and Briceland brought through here to-day one hundred and fifty head of cattle that they had bought in back townships for shipping to the American markets. The sailors ball that took place here last Wednesday night, was one of the greatest events of the season so far. It was well attended from the city and Howe Island. Prof Crosby's string band was in attendance and furnished excellent music. The committee certainly are deserving of great credit for the able manner in which they conducted the great affair; they also furnished an excellent supper. We extend our sympathy to Mrs Philip Ryan and John Lavis in their great loss, the death of their father, whose funeral took place last Thursday morning at Howe Island. He was one of the island's highly esteemed farmers. Mrs H D HInkley has just returned from the American side, where she has spent a week visiting her daughter. Miss Allie Lyons, Watertown, NY is home on a visit. E Weaver will shortly move to Rosiere, where he will take charge of a farm. Leopold Spoor, who had the lottery on a set of single harness, held the drawing on Wednesday evening. James Bell was the lucky man. Added Feb. 10 2006:Submitted by Jeannette WoodmanNOTE: This is an article that appeared in the Kingston Whig Standard. The date is not on it but it was in the spring, probably 1946. Picture is taken from the river side of the garage with the Hawkins house seen on the left. Second picture was taken from the ferry boat 
Click on photos for larger versions. Dangerous Marysville Fire is Brought Under Control Fire this morning destroyed a garage owned by Arnold Hawkins of Wolfe Island, and for a time threatened the rest of the village of Marysville. Total damage was estimated at between $6,000 and $8,ooo. Every available man in the village and the surrounding district joined the fight to save the houses and stores adjoining the burning garage. They used milk cans, buckets, pails, kettles, stirrup pumps and every dish that would carry water. Motor trucks were used to haul milk cans of water from the wharf. The Kingston Fire Department, taken to the scene by a speedy trip of the Wolfe Islander, laid 250 feet of hose from the river to the scene of the fire. *** A House adjoining the garage, and in which Mr. Hawkins and his mother lived, was badly scorched. Upstairs windows were shattered by the heat. Neighbors removed most of the furniture. The fire is believed to have started in an engine at the rear of the garage. Its cause has not been determined. Fanned by a strong wind, the flames seemed at one time about to spread to the frame buildings across the street. It was then that the call was sent to the Kingston Fire Department. Charles Saunders, assistant chief, with four men and the Seagrave pumper, answered the call. Members of the department paid tribute to the efforts of the islanders’ bucket brigade. They said it was the first time they could remember Kingston Fire Department responding to a call on Wolfe Island. First reports, that the fire had already spread, proved erroneous. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Nov 11, 1840 - INFORMATION WANTED of John Ryan, who left Wolf Island near Kingston UC on the fifth day of October last, and has not been heard of since; any person that could give information of him by writing to his troubled mother, Bridget Ryan, will confer a great favour. Direct to the care of Mr James Meagher, Kingston, 4 Nov 1940. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig March 16, 1842 - The subscriber is prepared to attend to all orders for the building or repairing of Row or Sail Boats at his former residence near Ferguson's Point, Wolfe Island, opposite Kingston. All orders left with Mr Richard Scobell will be punctually attended to. William H Smithers, Ferguson's Point, 1st November, 1841 Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig April 23, 1842- New Commission of the Peace. The following is a list of Magistrates for the Midland District as contained in the new commission. (Commission dated 5th April 1842 - Richard Hitching Amherst Island, The following are the newly appointed magistrates -Angus Cameron Wolfe Island, Thomas Scott Amherst Island. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Wed Aug 16, 1842 Midland District Council - By Mr Cameron, the petition of Hugh McDonald and others, of Wolfe Island, praying the continuance of a road formerly granted, extending from the cold spring to the foot of the island. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Aug 17, 1842 - By Mr Cameron, the petition of R McDonald and 16 others, of Wolfe Island, praying for a road between lots 3 and 4 in 9th concession on to the corner of 12th concession. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Jan 18, 1843 - Sheriffs Sale - To be sold at Dawson's Bay, Wolfe Island on Wednesday the 25th inst, a quantity of Square Timber, and one Cow, at the suit of James Fraser, against Angus Kennedy, by virtue of an Execution issued out of Her Majesty's District Court. Alex McDole Bailiff January 17, 1843 Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Jan 18, 1843 - Notice All Persons indebted to the Estate of the late Archibald Hitchcock, of Wolfe Island, are requested to make payment to Mary Hitchcock, and all who may have claims against said Estate to have them presented for adjustment. Mary Hitchcock Administratrix Wm Randall Michael Baker Executors, Wolfe Island Jan 16, 1843. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig April 8, 1843 In the Township of Wolfe Island, a Road sixty-six feet wide, commencing at the Cold Springs, at a post planted between Lots 3 and 4 in the 9th Concession, North of the Base Line, thence along the limit between said Lots North 60 degrees East through the 10th and 11th to the 12 Concession, thence South, 30 degrees East, 30 chains to the limit between Lots 2 and 3, thence North 60 degrees East along said limit to the 14th Concession; thence South, 60 degrees East until it intersects the road laid out from the foot of the Island. That as soon as the By-Law shall take effect, it shall be lawful for the Overseers of Highways in the various Divisions in which the above roads are ?to apply Statute labor for the opening and making thereof. Samuel McGowan District Clerk. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig May 6, 1843 Notice. At a Meeting of the stakeholders of the boat FARMER, owned by inhabitants of Wolfe Island it was Resolved, that whereas said boat is now valued at 325 pounds, and the Stockholders being desirous of selling a part of their interest in said boat to persons in Kingston - the Stockholders hereby authorise the Managing Committee appointed at last meeting, to dispose of Stock to the amount of 150 pounds to be divided into One Hundred shares, at One Pound Ten Shillings each. Five Shillings to be paid in hand, and the remainder in five annual instalments, all persons desirous of taking stock in said boat will find a list at Mr Richard Smith's Inn, opposite the British American Hotel, John Lambert, John Horne, Colman Hinkley, Michael Baker, Thomas Sluman May 3, 1843. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Jan 24, 1867, County Council - The County Council, which was adjourned at noon on Tuesday, the legal time for the first meeting, until yesterday afternoon met in the Court House at three o'clock, the full number, with one exception of the Reeves and Deputies being present. When the roll was called, the following answered to their names: Garden Island - D. D. Calvin Wolfe Island - A Dawson, Reeve; Jas Eccles, Deputy Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Nov 7, 1900 - Wolfe Island Topics Marysville, Nov 6 - Some auction sales have been held hereabouts lately. The pupils of the public school are preparing for a concert. Mr Wiggin's friends deeply regret his severe sickness following so closely upon the loss of his home by fire. Our council met yesterday. St Lawrence - Three farms have recently changed hands here. Edward Rattray sold his place to Mrs James Michael; W Burnham sold out to Robert Ranous and Frank Woodman sold part of his farm to Robert Reid. Miss E Rattray had the misforturen lately of facturing a bone of her wrist. R McFadden has recovered from a brief but severe attack of inflammation. D Brakey's many friends are sorry to learn of his serious illness.The large apple crop is almost all gathered in. Visitors Mrs Barney, Kingston, at W McFadden's; Mr and Mrs Davis, Wisconsin at A Barry's; the MIsses Dixon and brother, Watertown, NY at W G Woodman's. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Nov 24, 1900 -A Wolfe Islander Dead Wolfe Island, Nov 19- The many friends of Robert White, formerly of Wofle Island, were grieved to learn of his death in Rochester. Rumor says one of our separate school teachers is shortly to take unto herself a partner for life. William Henderson and family have removed to Williamsville; he will be much missed. Our village shoemaker John Bain, by industry and honest dealing, has earned for himself a large trade. Tax collector Robert Payne is on his rounds. Our commissioners, Messrs, Spoor and Mosier, are attending the last session of the county council for the year 1900. The question now before the people is who are to be the candidates for the county again. John Briceland has taken the contract of painting William Laird's house. Mr Wiggins, confined in the general hospital, has returned to his home much improved, and speaks highly of the treatment he received while there. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Jan 5, 1901 - Among The Islanders Allen, Wolfe Island, Jan 4 - The several schools in this district opened on Wednesday, Jan 3rd; with a very good attendance. D.C. McDonald left Saturday to spend a month with friends in Cornwall. A number of young folks attended a New Year's ball at the CMBA Hall, Marysville, on Wednesday evening. Minnie O'Brien is visiting at Marysville. Christmas passed quietly. D H McDonald has returned from an extended visit to friends in Bay City Mich. Malcolm McDonald has secured the contract of building the new separate school. Rev Fr Spratt passed through Wednesday on his way to James O'Brien's, where he held a station there for the people in that part of his mission. Bella McDonald, visiting friends in Watertown, NY, returned home last week. The annual school meeting was largely attended, James Murphy is visiting friends in Perth. A Large number of people from here attended midnight mass at Roman Catholic church Marysville, on New Year's eve. Visitors: E Bedour and Miss M Bedour, Bedford at A McDonald's; C Docteur, Cape Vincent, at Alex Docteur's. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig Jan 7, 1901 Wolfe Island Topics Wolfe Island Dec 31 - Messrs Spoor and Mosier, county councillors, were returned by acclamation. Our township nomination passed off on Monday with the usual cross-firing. The principal topic was the Sydenham high school question; the reeve claiming that the township; by the decision of Judge Price, was legally out of said school. The candidates for reeve are Job Watts, Thomas Fawcett and John Spoor. For councillor, William Woodman, Stewart Armstrong, Thomas Flynn, Thomas Bush, William Grimshaw and Lucius Kiel. Several young people were entertained by Miss Cuffs on Christmas evening, and speak highly of the hospitality they received. Leonard Haley, of Ottawa college, and Mr Austin, Queen's are spending holidays with their parents. William Comer sprained his ankle last Sunday. A dance and card party was held at the residence of James Conley for his daughters, Misses Katie and Louise, who are spending holidays with their parents and will shortly resume their studies at the K B C. Mr and Mrs Robert Boyd spent Christmas at Carleton Place. Charles Vanness is enjoying his Christmas holidays with his friend. Prof Stone Wiggins, Ottawa, has been visiting his brother, who has been very ill. Mrs Patrick Quigley is on a fair way to recovery. Miss Maggie Mackey, seriously ill for two months, was removed to the Hotel Dieu hospital. The many friends of Capt Crawford are pleased to learn that the very serious operation that he underwent proved successful. Rev Father Spratt said midnight mass on New Year's eve. The community is grieved to hear the sad news of the death of John Johnson, which took place at El Paso, Texas, he having gone there in September for the benefit of his health. Submitted by AM Benson Kingston Whig May 3, 1937 Kingston Girl Graduates Fifteen Kingston young ladies were among those who graduated from Queen's University this year, receiving their Bachelor of Arts degree. Miss Phoebe A Weir - is the daughter of Mr and Mrs John Weir of Kingston. She was born on Wolfe Island, where she attended S S No 4. Miss Weir has been living in Kingston for the past ten years, and after attending Kingston Colegiate Institute entered Queen's University. Miss Weir is now in the Patholigy Department of the Richardson Laboratory, Queen's University. Submitted by AM Benson Transcribed by Dean Snider Kingston Whig 1939 Leaders Among Women A Series of Sketches of Interesting Women who Are Active in Women's Movements or who are Doing Other Notable Work MRS MARY WISEMAN SEE A venerable and charming lady who lives in Gananoque is Mrs. Mary Wiseman See. Mrs. See, who is in her eighty-third year, was born on Howe Island and has lived in Gananoque most of her life, where she is well known and beloved for her kindly interest in charitable work. She is a life long member of the Episcopal Church. Her husband predeceased her several years ago, but during his life they were the owners of Tremont Park, a famous summer resort of the 1,000 islands for American tourists, which is situated just opposite Gananoque. Mrs. See has a daughter, Mrs. Walter Begg of Toronto, and a son, Mr. Charles A. See, who is well known i the United States as head of the See's Candy Shops, Incorporated, with general offices and studios in Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. See resides in Beverly Hills, Cal. The picture of his mother appears on all the candy boxes used by the firm and so a dear old Canadian lady brings greetings into many American homes. Another daughter, Miss B.M. See, a nurse, graduated from Danville, N.Y., hospital, has been prominent in the American nursing profession for a number of years. It was Miss See's privilege to travel and act as personal medical nurse to Miss Maude Adams the famous actress for a period of four years. Miss See retired recently from the nursing profession to take care of her mother with whom she now lives in Gananoque. Submitted by Wilf Garrah Transcribed by Dean Snider Kingston WHig Standard 2006 Historical Society formed on wolfe Island: Caught up in the wonderful stories about Wolfe Island and its facinating history, Vicki Stewart, a relatively new resident, decided that a Historical Society for the Island would be a good thing. To that end, up went the posters with date and time for an inaugural meeting at the General Wolfe Hotel, And wouldn't you know it, people came, they also interested in island history. An exutive was formed and plans for the future were discussed. Named to the executive: Captain Brian Johnson, President: Vice President, Hendry Connell: Secretary, Vicki Stewart: Treasurer, Brian MacDonald. Theresa Broeders, John O'Shea as well as Norma Kelly and Donna Ivy, new Marysville residents, also attended the meeting. The proposed mission of the society is to"protect, promote and preserve the heritage of Wolfe Island and all that embraces". Immediate areas of interest include genealogy of island families and general island history. Ms. Stewart noted that 2009 marks the 250th Anniversary of the death of General James Wolfe at Quebec and could provide an ideal opportunity for Wolfe Island to celebrate his life. The W.I. Historical society meets in January, date to be announced. for further information contact Vicki Stewart at 385-2934 |
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Copyright (©) 2000-2006 Jennifer Hoeltzel Wylie. All rights reserved.
Send comments or suggestions regarding this site to the webmaster:
Jen Wylie nee Hoeltzel