Saturday 1 July 1899

FATAL ACCIDENT
On Monday a white man named G. BEAMISH, employed at the Langlaagte Deep Mine, was severely scalded owing to the bursting of a valve at No. 4 [boiler]. The injured man was conveyed to the Hospital, where he died from the injuries sustained.
[Transcriber’s note: His Death Notice shows that he died on Tuesday 27 June.]

A sum of £250 has been collected by Capt. WINTER in aid of the widow of Mr. WILLIS, chief officer of the [illegible ship name], who died suddenly in Delagoa Bay, to which Sir Donald CURRIE added [£250] and promised to erect a tombstone on the grave of the deceased.

Tuesday 4 July 1899

It is with great regret that we have to record the death of Mr. Walter R. GREEN, who died yesterday at his residence in New Street. The deceased leaves a widow and children, to whom we tender our sincerest sympathies.

The Rev. Mr. ZUNCKEL, of Upper Tugela, celebrated his golden wedding on Thursday, and the feature of the day was the reading of a congratulatory cable from the German Emperor. Mr. ZUNCKEL’s son the same day celebrated his silver wedding.

Wednesday 5 July 1899

A very pretty wedding took place at Glenavon, Somerset East, on Wednesday the 28th ult., when Miss Katie CUMMING was married to Mr. Arthur WALKER of Kokstad.

We [regret to record] the death of Mr. C. HUMPHREY, at the age of 80 years. Mr. HUMPHREY, who died at East London on Monday, was for many years a respected resident of Port Elizabeth. A local preacher of the Wesleyan Church and a staunch advocate of total abstinence, Mr. HUMPHREY was greatly esteemed wherever he was known.

Thursday 6 July 1899

BIRTH at Grahamstown on July 6th 1899, the wife of Dr. S. SCHONLAND of a son.

On Wednesday in the neighbourhood of the Kloof, Capetown, two lads picked up a box of dynamite caps and experimented on them, with the result that one, Douglas LAWRIE, aged 12, had the top joints of three fingers of the right hand blown off, and the other, the son of Mr. R.N. MORTON, was badly injured about the face.

Friday 7 July 1899

BIRTH at Germiston, South African Republic, on June 28th, the wife of W. [….EAU] of a daughter.

BIRTH at Grahamstown on Sunday the 2nd July, the wife of J.J. KENT, of New Hope, of a daughter.

A sad accident occurred on the Geldenhuis Estate on Monday. It appears that a young man named ELDER, a native of Scotland, was employed in the battery, and by some inexplicable means got entangled in the machinery. His head was crushed, and death was instantaneous.

Saturday 8 July 1899

A young man named Louis BARRY, 17 years of age, died from fever at Stellenbosch on Wednesday. Much sickness is said to exist in the village.

Gert FREDERICKS, an overseer of the road party, belaboured his wife and aged father to death on last Saturday night with a pick handle, close to Bedford.

At the Earl’s Court (London) S. African Exhibition, a visitor accidentally left a copy of the Bloemfontein Express on the office table. Sergt. Geo. McHARDY, late R.A., who is in charge of the Court, opened the paper and found that it was in mourning for his own brother, Mr. Charles McHARDY, the editor, who had had come to an untimely end by falling down the Kimberley mine. This was the first intimation he received of his death.

At Heidelberg on Monday, Piet JACOBS, a well-known farmer, died of a cart accident. While he and a friend were driving, the horses bolted and capsized the cart, with the result that Mr. JACOBS received a nasty knock. Dr. O’REILY was called out and examined the patient. He asked him whether he felt pain, and Mr. JACOBS replied no. He felt a bit bruised, but nothing very bad. After the doctor returned home, he died. The doctor thinks that there must have been a minute puncture of the skull, and the blood must have oozed through into the brain. The deceased was forty-eight years of age.

Monday 10 July 1899

BEACH HOTEL, HUMEWOOD, PORT ELIZABETH
This beautiful Seaside Hotel has been redecorated and fitted throughout with incandescent light, one being fitted in every Bedroom. It is only 5 minutes by rail (fare 6d) by frequent trains to P.E., while in the evening a convenient and frequent service of Buses run free of charge to Hotel residents. Bus leaves Hotel 5:30, 7:30 and 10:30pm, returning from Town 6:30, 8:15 and 11pm.
Ladies’ Bath Huts on the Beach
Large Lofty Rooms
Tariff:
£10 10s per month. £3 3s per week. 10/6 per day.
Less than a fortnight charged at daily rate.
10 per cent reduction for bona-fide Commercials.

The death of Mr. Charles HUMPHREY, formerly a resident of these parts, occurred at East London last week. The deceased, who had attained a great age, was in his younger days a prominent member and preacher of the Wesleyan Church. He landed at Algoa Bay as a lad, and had therefore spent a long life in the Colony. In the earlier days of the settlement of this portion of the Eastern Province he was foremost as a Church worker amongst the farmers.

Tuesday 11 July 1899

MARRIED: PAGE – PANNELL
At St.George’s Cathedral this morning, by the Very Rev. Dean Holmes, Myrtle, eldest daughter of A.C. PAGE Esq. of Botha’s Hill, to John Richmond PANNELL, eldest son of James PANNELL Esq. of Glen Craig.

STRANGE FATALITY
A man named Karl SMIT, belonging to Pretoria, was found dead by the guard of the Netherlands train in a second class carriage on Wednesday, having been stabbed to the heart, and a post mortem revealed the fact that if it had been a [case] of suicide or murder the wound would not have been so clean as that inflicted by the small hunting knife found on the floor of the carriage. The view, therefore, is entertained that SMIT had taken out his knife to cut something or other, when the carriage suddenly oscillated and he was thrown onto the weapon, with the result that it penetrated his heart, causing instant death. All of the deceased’s hunting outfit, as well as his gold, was found intact.

Major W. Grayson BOYES, who retired from the Imperial Service in 1880, has died at Maritzburg.

The death is announced of Mr. Jesse SHAW, a resident of Fort Beaufort for over 40 years. As a chemist he succeeded in creating a good trade in certain proprietary medicines, prepared from South African herbs, the best known of which was his cure for snake bite. Of a kindly disposition, he was highly esteemed by the poorer classes, whom he generously assisted in time of sickness. He was a regular attendant of the Wesleyan Church, a generous giver, and an earnest worker, especially for temperance reform.

DEATH AT A HUNT
A SAD OCCURRENCE – AWFULLY SUDDEN FATALITY
Yesterday a hunt took place at the Coombes, in the vicinity of Clay Pits. Lower Albany, which had a most distressing and fatal termination. A large party of sportsmen, including several farmers, of whom Mr. Thos. BROOKSHAW, of these parts, was one, were out hunting. Mr. BROOKSHAW, his wife, two daughters and his son, went over in a waggon to the hunt, and we understand arrived after the hunting party had set out. They had something to eat, and Mr. BROOKSHAW and his son went on to catch up to the rest. When going up a rise the son remarked that his father did not look well, and persuaded him to sit down and rest while the son, Mr. George BROOKSHAW, went up to the top of the rise to see if he could see the party. Mr. Thos. BROOKSHAW sat down with his gun between his knees. When Mr. Geo. BROOKSHAW reached the top he saw the party and called out to his father, but receiving no answer he returned to his father, and was horrified to find him sitting on a stone, leaning his head on his hand, with his elbow on his knee, quite dead. Assistance was procured, and the body was brought up to town by wagon last night. An inquest is being held as we go to press. Mr. BROOKSHAW was 48 years of age and leaves a widow and six children to mourn their sad loss. Death is supposed to have been caused by failure of the heart's motion, as Mr. BROOKSHAW was known to be in weak health. He was a brother to Mr. J.G. BROOKSHAW of this City.

Wednesday 12 July 1899

The death of Miss Catherine AURET took place on Friday last at Graaffreinet at the age of 69. With her death another link with the past history of that town has been broken, for in March last the Jubilee celebration of the opening of the […], with which for many years her name had been [identified], took place in the same building where the […….] was opened in 1839.

Thursday 13 July 1899

Two interesting weddings took place at Cradock yesterday. The first ceremony took place at 11 o’clock, when Mr. Daniel VAN HEERDEN, son of Mr. Izaac VAN HEERDEN, ex M.L.A., was united to Miss VAN HEERDEN, daughter of Mr. J.M. VAN HEERDEN of Tarkastad. At two o’clock another large gathering assembled to witness the wedding of Attorney D.J. MICHAU with his cousin Miss Annie MICHAU, only daughter of the late Mr. Jno. MICHAU of Mulbury Grove. Mr. MICHAU is an old Cradock boy, son of the late Hon. W. MICHAU M.L.A., but his popularity is such that he will probably be known by his host of friends as “Bob” to the end of the chapter.

Friday 14 July 1899

DIED at Coombes Vale on the 10th July, Thomas BROOKSHAW, eldest son of the late Thomas BROOKSHAW, aged 48 years and 8 months
No more we see him in our midst,
No more his voice we hear,
God hath deemed fit to take away
The one we loved so dear.
“Thy will be done”.

Mr. Robert STROYAN has died at Victoria, Mashonaland. The deceased was one of the pioneers of Rhodesia, and an officer in the first Matabele War, and later on Chief of Police in Bulawayo. He had recently gone on a trading expedition to the farm of Mr. GODDARD, in the [Chihi] District, where he contracted a fatal attack of black water fever,

Two brothers named SHULDHAM, sons of Colonel SHULDHAM of the Inniskilling Dragoons, Durban, were bathing on the beach on Saturday evening. It was quite dark at the time, and after a while one brother heard the other calling for help. He swam out to find him, but failed, and the body has not yet been washed up. It is supposed he must have caught cramp. Deceased was [22] years of age, and a stranger to Durban.

Saturday 15 July 1899

A Mrs. GLUTZ has been murdered at the Navigation Colliery Company Mine, Maritzburg. It is said a native struck her over the head with an axe. No further details are to hand.

The inquest into the circumstances attending the death of Ernest Arthur FAULKNER, oof Pretoria, who lost his life through falling from a window of a Capetown hotel, ended in a verdict that death was due to delirium tremens, excited by a fall.

Tuesday 18 July 1899

BIRTH at Bathurst Street on the 15th inst, the wife of Williamson WHYTE of a daughter.

HOOLE – BARCLAY
Married at Trinity Church, Capetown, on 5th inst, by the Rev. G. Litchfield MA, James Cotterell, eldest son of Mr. E.B.C. HOOLE, of Grahamstown, to Ethel Mary, second daughter of Mr. R.J. BARCLAY, of Capetown.

ENTERIC FEVER
There are fifteen cases of enteric fever in the Kingwilliamstown military camp, two of the patients being women. Should another case occur, the commanding officer has decided to place the men under canvas on the veld, some distance from the camp. The cause of the fever is puzzling the medical officer, as there are no cases of enteric fever in town.

WAGON ACCIDENT
While proceeding from [Bar…] with a wagon load of poles weighing over 10,000 lbs, Mr. Fred HAYWARD’s driver, in attempting to turn the oxen, slipped on a stone and fell under the front wheel, which passed over his leg and snapped it. The oxen, thus deprived of their driver, drew the wagon towards the precipice, and the boy had barely sufficient time to roll away from the hind wheel when the wagon went over the cliff and scattered its load [50] feet below. After some delay (says the ….. Times) the boy was driven into Steytlerville, where the limb was successfully set and the patient is now doing well.

Mr. John EDMUNDS, of Durban Street, Uitenhage, died on Saturday after a long illness. Mr. EDMUNDS came to the Colony 52 years ago from Abergavenny, Wales, and for many years carried on business in Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth. As an up country trader he was well known throughout the Eastern Province and was highly respected for his straightforwardness and honest business dealings.

Wednesday 19 July 1899

The death is announced of Jacob, the well known old Hottentot “slave” of Mr. Pieter DE WAAL, of Langerwacht, Stellenbosch, at the age of 90. When emancipated he refused to leave his master, whom he served until is death. Jacob’s wife Lot was a fellow slave, and also elected to serve her old master until her death, at the age of 86. Both served on Mr. DE WAAL’s farm for 70 years.

Friday 21 July 1899

DIED at the Kasonga on the 20th July 1899, Garnet Villiers, aged 16, eldest son and dearly beloved child of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur BIDEN, who was accidentally shot fatally.
Service at St.Andrew’s College Chapel
The funeral will leave “Alvanley”, West Hill, at 11am on Saturday the 22nd July.
A. WILL
Undertaker.

FATAL SHOOTING IN KASONGA BUSH
DISTRESSINGLY SAD DETAILS – TWO GRAHAMSTOWN LADS
(By Special Wire from Own Correspondent)
Port Alfred, Friday 11.2am, received here at 11.17am
A sad and fatal shooting accident occurred at Kasonga yesterday morning by which young Garnet BIDEN, aged 16 years, lost his life.
The facts which I have been able to glean are as follows:- Two young Grahamstown lads, H. BLAINE and Garnet BIDEN, with a Kafir lad, went out as prearranged after bush-buck early in the morning. On arrival at the bush, the Kafir lad was told to stay outside the bush while the young huntsmen entered it in search of the shy quarry.
Not long afterwards, the Kafir boy says, he heard a shot fired, and almost immediately young BLAINE came running towards him, exclaiming “Oh, my gun went off and it has shot poor BIDEN!” He seemed in a terribly distracted state, and I am told he even tried to turn his weapon against himself, but was prevented.
Help was obtained, and everything done for the bright young lad, whose life so suddenly cut off, but everything was of no avail and he died shortly afterwards. Dr. JONES, District Surgeon of Port Alfred, was at once sent for, but life was extinct on his arrival.
An inquest was held by the Fieldcornet on the spot, and a verdict of Accidental Death given. The body was sent up to Grahamstown by this morning’s train. The affair has cast a gloom over the community, and much sympathy is felt for the parents of both lads, and all concerned.
[The fatal wound was, we learn right under the right ear. Deceased was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur BIDEN of this City – Ed., Journal]

[Transcriber’s note: The newspaper has clearly printed Kasonga but the Death Notice shows it should be Kasouga]

Sincere sympathy will be felt with Dr. VERMAAK, of Steynsburg, he being in receipt of a cable that his wife had been burned to death in her room while on a visit to some friends in Dublin. The deceased lady, who was only 32 years of age, had been married to the Doctor some eight years, and recently left Steynsburg on a visit to the Old Country.

Mr. C.R. LOUW, a butcher’s clerk, was knocked down by an engine while superintending the unloading of stock at Braamfontein Station. He was dragged along for some distance by the cow catcher, and when picked up was found to have received serious injury to the head. He was removed to the Netherlands Hospital in an unconscious condition.

Saturday 22 July 1899

BIRTH at Queenstown on July 19th, the wife of Mr. Wm. BOWES, of Lily Vale, of a son.

A FATAL ACCIDENT
On the 14th Mr. John ARMSTRONG, a farmer living on the farm Salisbury, which borders the Cathcart district, was returning from […..] and was sitting on the front of the wagon. The wind blew his hat off, and in trying to catch it he fell off the wagon. As he fell out [illegible line..] under one of the front wheels, which passed over his chest. His son asked “Are you hurt father?” and Mr. ARMSTRONG replied “No, I’m all right”, but died almost immediately. Mr. ARMSTRONG leaves a widow and a large family of children. Only a few weeks ago a Mr. ARMSTRONG, also a John ARMSTRONG, was jolted off a wagon and was killed in a very similar manner.

Monday 24 July 1899

AN EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT
On Wednesday the son of Mr. J.W. FISHER, a Government official in Heidelberg, fell and cut an artery in his thigh, through a bottle which he had in his pocket breaking. Doctors were promptly in attendance, but thee boy bled to death.

A FATAL ACCIDENT
On Wednesday afternoon a sad accident occurred in the vicinity of the Docks, Capetown, whereby a signalman and shunter in the employment of the Harbour Board lost his life. The unfortunate man, whose name was Henry THOMPSON, a European, was in the act of shifting points when he stumbled and fell in front of a light engine proceeding along the line. The cowcatcher struck him on the head, killing him instantaneously.

Mrs. Alleta Maria HANSMEYER died aa few days ago in Maritzburg at the age of 83 years. She was the relict of the late Joseph HANSMEYER, who died in 1885, one of the few remaining pioneers who first made Natal known to civilisation. With her husband she arrived in Natal in 1838, a few days after DINGAAN’s treacherous massacre of Dutch farmers. Her father, Mr. G.P. MARE, was killed while on his way to Natal, near Bethlehem O.F.S., where the spot is marked by a handsome monument made and erected by two of his grandsons.

Tuesday 25 July 1899

DIED on the 25th day of July 1899, at the residence of his father, George William, only son of Charles James and Margaret LEPPAN, of Shenfield, aged 16 years.

DEATH FROM TYPHOID – MASTER G.W. LEPPAN
It is our sad duty this morning to chronicle the death of Master George William LEPPAN, only son of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. LEPPAN of Shenfield. The news will come as a terrible shock to all who knew the bright and promising lad, who has often been seen in the Kingswood College 1st Rugby Football team, playing for his College.
How the fell disease – for typhoid was the cause of death – was contracted is inexplicable. All that is known with any certainty is that while the lad was home at his father’s farm for the holidays it was noticed that he seemed out of sorts. Not much importance was attached to this at first, but he gradually grew worse, and medical aid being hastily summoned, the ailment was pronounced to be typhoid fever. All that could be done was done, but death came at four am this morning, and the young life was cut off at the early age of 16 years and three months. We offer our sincerest sympathies to the bereaved relatives, and especially to the father and mother in their great grief, and we are sure that we are but voicing the feelings of all their many friends.
The funeral will take place at Shenfield tomorrow.

A DENTIST’S ACTION
At Port Elizabeth Mr. W. PIKE, a dentist, sued a Mrs. STIRK for the sum of £23 5s, being for services rendered in connection with the extraction of teeth and making a full case of dentures. The Magistrate decided that a matter of this kind could not come before the R.M.’s Court, as dentures were not goods provided, as alleged in the summons, but professional work. He stated that each party must pay their own costs.

Professor FOOT died on Friday in the Somerset Hospital, having only been removed to that institution, under medical advice, on the previous night. He had been Professor of English Literature at the South African College for many years, but retired a few months ago after a paralytic seizure, from which he never entirely recovered. He had reached the age of 53. Professor FOOT was the son of a Baptist minister, and was born in Devonshire, receiving his education at the Baptist College, Regent’s Park, London, and he took his degree as B.A. and L.L.B. of London University with great distinction, also winning a gold medal as a special prize in philosophy. Entering the Baptist Church, Mr. FOOT was called to a pastorate at Nottingham, but his health failed, and e was advised to come to South Africa. He accepted a call to the Baptist Church at Grahamstown and remained for several years, afterwards coming to Capetown as co-pastor with the Rev. W. THOMPSON at Caledon Square Congregational Church. On receiving the appointment to the chair of English Literature at the College, he resigned the church work.

Wednesday 26 July 1899

BIRTH at Grahamstown on the 24th July, the wife of James Hill POWIE of a daughter.

William Stuart WATSON, aged 10 years and 4 months, son of an employee of the Crown Deep, whilst playing with other boys was pushed amongst some machinery, which tore his body to pieces. On the remains being recovered young WATSON lived some two hours and then breathed his last.

Thursday 27 July 1899

DIED at Grahamstown, at the Grahamstown Asylum, on July 26th 1899, Richard Maxwell STONE, second son of the late James John Henry STONE, aged 52 years.

Friday 28 July 1899

DEATH OF MR. J. LAWRANCE
We regret to hear of the death last night of Mr. Joseph LAWRANCE, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Grahamstown. Mr. LAWRANCE was married twice. Of the first marriage, two of his sons, Messrs. Henry and Albert LAWRANCE, exceedingly well and favourably known, reside here and carry on business, while the third, Mr. A.E. Graham LAWRANCE, resides at Barberton. A full obituary notice will appear later.

Saturday 29 July 1899

DIED at Grahamstown on July 27 1899, Joseph LAWRANCE, aged 84 years and 6 months.
The funeral of the above will leave his late residence, Hill-street, at 3:30 on Sunday afternoon. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.
A. WILL
Undertaker

Best wishes and happy returns of the day to Mrs. Samuel CAWOOD, whose 84th birthday will be recorded tomorrow, 30th July. We have much pleasure in informing Mrs. CAWOOD’s numerous relations and friends throughout South Africa that she enjoys excellent health.

Monday 31 July 1899

FUNERAL OF MR. LAWRANCE – AN IMPOSING CEREMONY
The funeral of the late Mr. Joseph LAWRANCE took place yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock, moving from the family residence in Hill Street, There was a very large attendance of friends, relatives and the general public, and the funeral procession was of great length. The pall bearers were Messrs. A.B. SHAND, T.H. PARKER, W. [W…S], A.S. WHITNALL, […] DOLD and E.H. [C……]. The chief mourners were Mr. Henry LAWRANCE (and son Cecil), Albert LAWRANCE, Walter and John LAWRANCE (sons) and Dr. JONES of Port Alfred (son in law). The Freemasons were present to the number of about 40, deceased’s Lodge, the Albany Lodge, being well represented, while there were many visitors from St.Andrew’s, St.John’s and other Sister Lodges. Mr. A, WILL, who conducted the funeral obsequies, with admirable skill and taste, is himself a Freemason and wore the insignia. The coffin was a plain white one with silver plate, bearing the inscription “Joseph LAWRANCE, died July 28th 1899, aged 84 years and 6 months.”
Rev. J. PHILLIP, Rabbi of Port Elizabeth, conducted the Jewish rites at the Burial Ground, and a more imposing service in the open air we have rarely been present at. The discourse was most eloquent and appropriate. The cemetery was thronged, and as an evidence of the universal respect shown to the deceased, a large number of coloured people were present.
At the conclusion of the religious service, W.M. Bro. L. MILES (Albany Lodge) performed the solemn rites of the Freemasons, and each Brother deposited his Acacia Leaf on the coffin. Many beautiful wreaths and other floral tributes were also laid on the coffin.

Mr. H. ROBERTSON, son of Mr. ROBERTSON, ex M.L.A. for George, fell on Church-square, Pretoria on Thursday through breaking a blood vessel, and expired within a few minutes. Deceased was a most exemplar young man, well liked by his intimate friends, and his loss is greatly mourned. He was a cab proprietor in a good way of business.