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Carried Down Stream in Wagon Box in Thursday’s Turbulent Waters of Ganaraska
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Mr. Chas. Yates, 60 years old, a much respected citizen of Canton lost his life on Thursday afternoon when he was carried down the flood waters of the Ganaraska River.
The unfortunate man left home about two o’clock to go to a neighbours on business. He visited Jim Austin’s, leaving there about four o’clock and proceeding in a southerly direction. When he came to Fred Hawkins bridge, which has been closed for some time, he left the road (as shown by his wheel tracks) and attempted to ford the stream which at that time was very high. Evidently finding it unsafe to proceed further, because of the depth and swiftness of the stream, he tried to turn around and the wagon box which was floating was carried off with him in it.
On the return of the horses a search was made for the missing man but owing to violence of the waters and the darkness the body was not located until 8 o’clock next morning.
The subsiding waters left him on a gravel shore about half a mile below where he entered the stream. He had evidently clung to the box until it grounded as it was only twenty-five feet down the stream from where he lay. His hat lay about midway between the wagon box and himself. The exact location is directly in the rear of Fred Austin’s home about half a mile up the creek from the new cement bridge on the Welcome-Dale road.
Coroner Dr. A.G. Aldrich viewed the body and deemed an inquest unnecessary.
Say Horses Ran Away
In conversation with several residents of the Canton district on Friday, we find that there is considerable speculation regarding the cause of the fatal accident.
It appears that on leaving Mr. James Austin’s farm, Mr. Yates had driven north to the Fourth Concession road, and then went in the direction of Canton. About midway between Austin’s lane and the Hawkin’s sideroad, the wheel tracks showed that the team had shied at something and began to gallop. This was evident from the fact that the tracks waved from side to side on the road, and the impressions of the horses hoofs were so deep as to indicate that they were traveling at a terrific pace.
Upon reaching Hawkins’ side road the horses evidently were beyond control, and turned south towards the bridge, instead of proceeding along the Concession road up Canton hill. Reaching the bridge, the fences having been washed away, they turned into the pasture field and into the creek.
The gentlemen to whom we were speaking, knowing the Yates’ team as they do, declare they would not have entered the stream unless greatly excited, as a horse instinctively fears the water. Once in the depths of the creek, the chill of the water brought them to their senses, and the struggled back to the bank. Had Mr. Yates been able to grasp the reins, the fatal drowning might have been averted. The fact that he did not do so, adds to the strength of the opinion that he had lost control of the animals before the plunge.
Mr. Yates resided on the fifth concession of Hope, and had he been proceeding home, would have taken the road up Canton Hill and through the village.
The Weekly Guide
Port Hope, Ontario
Friday, March 27, 1925
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