Friday 1 September 1899

DIED at the Albany Hospital, Grahamstown, on the 30th August, John L. BRITT, the beloved husband of Louie [sic] BRITT.
Mrs. BRITT wishes to express her thanks to Dr. DRURY, the nurses, and many kind friends.

DIED at her residence, Prince Alfred Street, on Friday September 1st 1899, Miriam, widow of the late Wm. WEDDERBURN, in her 70th year.
The funeral of the above will leave her late residence at 3:30 on Sunday afternoon. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.
A. WILL
Undertaker

It is our sad duty today to record the death of Mrs. WEDDERBURN, widow of the late Mr. William WEDDERBURN, well known in this City, and mother of our esteemed fellow citizen, Mr. Geo. B. WEDDERBURN, Secretary to the S.A. Industrial & Arts Exhibition 1898-99. Mrs. WEDDERBURN, who was 69 years of age, and who has long been ailing, departed peacefully at about 10am today. The funeral will take place on Sunday at 3:30 o’clock.

A few days ago there died at the Grahamstown Asylum Advocate Anthony MULLER, who was at one time one of the most brilliant members of the Pretoria Bar, and was for some years legal reporter for The Press. Mr. MULLER was a self made man in every sense of the word, and such was his energy that overwork unhinged his mind, and about two years ago his detention in the Grahamstown Asylum was found to be necessary. There he remained until a few days ago, when he passed away.

Saturday 2 September 1899

On Sunday evening, at Capetown, the Rev. David SMITH, once headmaster of Gill College, Somerset East, died in his 89th year. He was born in Scotland, and came to the Colony in 1863

Monday 4 September 1899

MARRIAGE OF REV. P.B. SIMEON
Last Thursday morning the Rev. Mr. P.B. SIMEON, well known for some years in Grahamstown as “Father” SIMEON, was married to Miss Lucy Ann WOODCOCK, daughter of the late Mr. Justice J.W. WOODCOCK of the Bombay Civil Service. The ceremony was performed by the Archbishop of Capetown in Claremont Church, and the Holy Sacrament was subsequently administered by the Archbishop, assisted by the Rev. M.H.M. WOOD (the Archbishop’s Chaplain). The bride had arrived only the day previous from England, per the Union Co. R.M.S. Moor. The Rev. C. ENGLEHEART, of Robben Island, and cousin of the bride, was the “best man”, and the bride was given away by Major TAMPLIN Q.C. M.L.A. The Rev. and Mrs. Hampden JONES entertained the company at breakfast in the Rectory. The newly married couple left on a brief visit to Simonstown. The Rev. P.B. SIMEON is a son of the late Capt. SIMEON, Her Majesty’s 73rd Regiment, and grandson of Sir Richard Godin SIMEON Bart. of Swainston, Isle of White [sic, should be Wight]. Mr. SIMEON’s many Grahamstown friends will unite in good wishes for a union which we understand to have been first contemplated many years ago. From what we have heard of the bride, Mrs. SIMEON will be a very valuable acquisition to Fort Beaufort, of which place her husband is Rector and also Rural Dean.

PANIC AT THE RAND
Johannesburg, Saturday. (Reuter’s Wire to daily Journal)
There is a regular panic in town and all who cannot leave are making preparations for the eventualities of war.

We (Bedford Enterprise) regret to report the sad news received on Tuesday evening of the death of Mr. E.J. PAINTER of Fort Beaufort.
[See issue of 7 September]

We (Midland News) regret to report the death of Mrs. COLLETT, the eldest daughter of Dr. KANNEMEYER, which occurred on Friday at Burghersdorp. We extend our sympathy to the parents of the deceased and to her husband, Mr. F.S. COLLETT, the respected editor of our contemporary at Burghersdorp.

Tuesday 5 September 1899

LATE MRS. WILLIAM WEDDERBURN – FUNERAL ON SUNDAY
The funeral of the late Mrs, William WEDDERBURN took place on Sunday afternoon, leaving her late residence at 3:45. Messrs. George WEDDERBURN and John WEDDERBURN were the chief mourners, followed by the deceased’s two grandchildren, Masters Graham WEDDERBURN and Samuel CAWOOD. Messrs. John DOLD, Horace DOLD, Lorimer DOLD, Jabez SOUTH, Henry HILL and T. SURMON were the Pall Bearers.
A large number followed the deceased lady to her last resting place. The coffin was of polished oak mounted with brass. The Rev. A.T. RHODES went through the service at the house and the Rev. M.J. LETCHER officiated at the grave. Mr. A. WILL conducted the funeral and gave every satisfaction.

MESSRS. H. FITCHAT & CO. – EXTENSION OF BUSINESS
One of our representatives, at the invitation of the well-known firm of H. FITCHAT & Co, had a walk round the fine premises in Bathurst St, and was much impressed by what he saw. Our courteous cicerone was Mr. BLAKE, who was able to point out many things which otherwise might have slipped our notice. To begin with, a splendid large building has just been erected, rising Phoenix-like from the ruins of the old Noah’s Ark, and this together with the well-known “Albany House” forms a block of business premises any firm may well be proud of. We entered Albany House first of all, which is entirely devoted to drapery, outfitting, fancy goods &c, the grocery department being located in the new edifice.
All the departments in the house are on one floor, a great advantage, and as you enter the main entrance there you have it all at a glance laid out before you; the Manchester Department, the Fancy Goods, the Outfitting, and the Dress Departments, all piled up with brand new stock and looking very attractive, with the Show Room close at hand, under the skilful direction of Mrs. MELLOR, a lady who transplanted from London to South African soil, has special taste in mantles, capes, costumes and everything in that line so dear to the ladies. At the [rere] of the Showroom is a cosy little trying-on room, which is very convenient and private.
One thing that strikes you is the splendid light in all departments, and this the firm has evidently made a feature of.
Leaving this dazzling Show-room we traversed a new department, where carpets and crockerware are displayed in great profusion. From here we ascended to the first floor, which is devoted to the wholesale business, and stepping across we left Albany House and entered the new buildings above the Grocery Store, a grand hall of huge dimensions. Downstairs all is bustle with the weighing out of the “necessaries of life”, the packing of parcels and scurrying of purchasers. Very new, very clean and very wholesome looked this store, and we are sure the business enterprise of H. FITCHAT & Co will not go unrewarded.

Thursday 7 September 1899

ESCAPED IN DISGUISE – MR. WEBB’S ADVENTURES
SITUATION VERY STRAINED – RIFLE ONLY SOLUTION
Queenstown, Wednesday: (Reuter’s Wire to Daily Journal)
Mr. Clem WEBB arrived here today, having escaped from Johannesburg in disguise. He left the town as a Doctor, with a Hospital Nurse, and drove to Viljoen’s Drift, where he changed his garb to that of an Aged Clergyman. He was carefully scrutinised by the detectives but was not recognised. He describes the situation as very strained, and the rifle is the only solution.

RAND FUGITIVES
Durban, Wednesday: (Reuter’s Wire to Daily Journal)
The Inchanga has arrived from Delagoa Bay with a large number of passengers, mostly women and children from the Transvaal. Large crowds continue to assemble in Durban station nightly to witness the arrival of passengers from Johannesburg. Last night the authorities closed the station against all except those having business inside.

Mr. E.J. PAINTER of Fort Beaufort writes to the Bedford Enterprise denying the soft impeachment that he is a corpse. Our contemporary last week had a most touching obituary notice. Mr. PAINTER says: “Notwithstanding that the notice was somewhat premature, I greatly appreciate and feel very grateful for all the nice things you were good enough to say about me, although I am naturally too modest to unreservedly admit their correctness. I trust that I may without being deemed presumptuous, be permitted to express the sincere hope that when my time comes to ‘shuffle off this mortal coil’ your very appreciative and rather flattering words may be endorsed by the ‘large circle of friends’ to whom you refer, and whose good opinion I esteem very highly indeed, even while here below.”

Saturday 9 September 1899

BIRTH on Sept. 8th at Welbedacht, near Oudtshoorn, the wife of Walter THOMAS of a son.

Wednesday 13 September 1899

Mr. C.T. JONES, formerly M.L.A. for Port Elizabeth, died at his residence, Wynberg, on Sunday.

At Port Elizabeth a man named PETERS, who was sentenced for being drunk, expired shortly after sentence in the police cell.

Friday 15 September 1899

Many old residents of Cradock have returned from the Rand and will remain during the crisis.

Commissioner M.H. ROBINSON, who, as our Special Correspondent at Capetown tells us, is gazetted to command the Colonial Forces in Griqualand West and Bechuanaland, with the local rank of Lieut-Colonel, was in command of the Cape Mounted Police in No.11 District. He is spoken of as the best man for the position that could have been selected. He is a smart soldier and served with distinction in the Gaika War of 1880-81 as a captain in NESBITT’s Light Horse, besides being in the Colonial Wars.

Saturday 16 September 1899

FATALITY AT POTCHEFSTROOM
A man named ASWEGEN, residing at the lower end of Potchefstroom, was killed by a gun shot. His death is supposed to have been accidental. Full particulars are not yet to hand.

Sergt. KNIGHT of the 2nd Royal Berkshire Regiment died of enteric fever at Kingwilliamstown on Sunday, and was interred with military honours on Monday.

The latest arrivals at the Railway Hotel from the Rand are Mrs. Louis WEBBER, Mrs. BLAKE and family, Messrs. HARMER, STARK, GLOVER, who have all proceeded to Port Alfred.

Among the latest arrivals from the Rand are Mrs. W.V. MORKEL, Mrs. P.C. HAW and her mother Mrs. TOWERT, Mr. H.H. AMM, senior partner of Messrs. P. AMM and Sons, Mr. H.E. SHERRY of Messrs. SHERRY and STEWART, the Misses SHEFFIELD, daughters of Mr. Thomas SHEFFIELD, manging director of the Argus Company, together with the children of Mr. George SHEFFIELD.

Monday 18 September 1899

Among the latest arrivals from the Rand are Mr. PACKMAN, of the Geldenhuis Deep Gold Mine, and Mr. A.E. HEWSON of Messrs. Hewson Bros. of Jeppestown.

Tuesday 19 September 1899

A SAD FATALITY
On Friday last a boy aged twelve, son of Mr. Jan RIDLINGHUIS of Welbedacht, met his death in a distressing accident. The lad was leading his father’s horse to water when the animal bolted, dragging the boy with it, and causing injuries which resulted in instantaneous death.

J.J. NEL, a farmer residing near Riverton, Griqualand West, was out on his farm on Wednesday night spring-hare shooting with a friend, when he received the contents of his companion’s gun full in the back. Thirty-seven shot have been extracted, and NEL is progressing favourably. The affair was a pure accident.

Wednesday 20 September 1899

A GRUESOME ACCIDENT
HEARSE DRIVER’S ADVENTURE – COFFIN THROWN OUT
The death occurred on Friday morning at the Sanitorium, at the early age of 28 years, of Mrs. J.R. PENNEFATHER, Greytown, Natal. The body was taken from the city on Saturday morning about 10 o’clock, in a conveyance drawn by four horses, for Greytown, and (writes a Greytown correspondent) I am sorry to say that there was an accident on the road and the coffin got somewhat damaged. It appears that the Public Works Department are building a new bridge at the Umvoti River, and the traffic at present passes at the side of the bridge, through the river. The driver of the conveyance, not being aware of this, and it being a dark and rainy night, drove into the bridge, and it is quite a miracle that the whole turn-out escaped falling into the river. This would have happened had it not been for a Mr. ANDERSON, who happened to be close by, and heard the approach of the conveyance. From what I have been told there was not a single light on the bridge to warn anyone of the danger. As it was, the driver was thrown out of the conveyance and had both legs badly bruised.

Friday 22 September 1899

Mr. OLVER arrived here from the Rand this morning and is staying at Wood’s Hotel.

Mr. [MAR…], manager of the Simmer and Jack Mine, arrived here yesterday from the Rand.

Mr. and Mrs. BOWDON arrived from the Rand yesterday and are staying in town for a short period.

Mr. and Mrs. G.W. GOUGH and family arrived here by the 2 o’clock train yesterday from the Rand.

Mr. Adv, HILL is expected by the 2 o’clock train today from the Rand. He will also stay at Wood’s Hotel.

Mr. DAHL is expected to arrive from the Rand by the midday train today and he will stay at Wood’s Hotel.

Mr KIRBY, manager of the Randfontein Mine, and 5 children arrived here yesterday from the Rand, and his five children have gone on to Salem.

A plumber named BROWN was drowned in Durban Bay on Sunday. His boat capsized in deep water in the town channel. There were four men in it, and three swam to another boat, but BROWN was not seen again. The unfortunate man had only been married a few months.

Another boating accident happened at Durban on Sunday. Four men went out in the Bay in the yacht Vixen, and as a young man named EDWARDS was climbing the mast to unwrap the flag, the craft capsized and the occupants were thrown into the water. Three men were rescued by bluejackets from the gunship Tartar and the water police, but EDWARDS, who knocked his head in dropping from the mast, was stunned and sank. He leaves a widow and two children.
[Transcriber’s note: The Durban Death Register lists him as Walter R. EDWARDS, also a plumber, aged 31.]

Saturday 23 September 1899

DUNCAN – LEPPAN
On Wednesday 20th inst, at Shenfield, the residence of the father of the bride, Susie, second daughter of C.J. LEPPAN Esq. to David Bolton DUNCAN, younger son of Capt. R. DUNCAN, Forest gate, London, England.
[Transcriber’s note: The marriage register shows the bride’s full name as Susan Keen Rowles LEPPAN.]

A CHARMING WEDDING
DUNCAN – LEPPAN
A most charming wedding took place on Wednesday morning last at Shenfield, the residence of Mr. C.J. LEPPAN, near Grahamstown, when Miss Susie LEPPAN, daughter of C.J. LEPPAN Esq, was joined in the bonds of Holy Matrimony to D.B. DUNCAN Esq. of Port Elizabeth. The sacred ceremony was conducted by the Rev. A.T. RHODES, who went out for the purpose. The only visitors were immediate relations.
The bride was dressed in a charming costume of cream satin merve trimmed with chiffon, pearls and orange blossoms with a court train, and the orthodox wreath and veil completed the outfit. The two sisters of the bride made charming bridesmaids. Mr. J.R. LEPPAN very ably acted as best man.
The presents were both numerous and costly and many telegrams were received from distant friends. The happy couple left during the afternoon for the Zuurberg, where the honeymoon will be spent, and may all happiness and success attend them.

SUICIDE AT LADYSMITH
A mysterious death has taken place at Ladysmith railway station. Henry BRADFORD, a wagon examiner at the railway station there, and occupying one of the rooms adjacent to the station, was found dead in bed early on Tuesday morning. There is little doubt that the deceased committed suicide. In his hand was a revolver, and his head was considerably shattered. He had not been seen since Saturday. In consequence of an offensive odour arising from the room, suspicions were aroused, and consequently the door was burst open. Deceased was of eccentric habits, and a very reserved man.
[Transcriber’s note: A repeat notice the following day adds: “Deceased had been eccentric of late, usually on Sunday mornings when he would spend time in training his favourite dog to become a soldier. Presumably the war scare had unhinged the man’s mind.”]

Tuesday 26 September 1899

Mr. George W. QUIN, Attorney, and family have left Johannesburg for Capetown.

Major E.J. CARROLL, the officer commanding the Kaffrarian Rifles and an East Londoner of about twenty years’ standing, has died after a long illness. He Major was an extremely popular man, and is genuinely missed by Volunteers and others throughout the town and district.

Wednesday 27 September 1899

CRUSHED TO DEATH – A TERRIBLE FATALITY
A SENTRY KILLED BETWEEN THE BUFFERS DIES AT THE HOSPITAL
A terribly sad and fatal accident occurred at the Railway Station at about 6:15 this morning, and the list of railway-yard casualties has had another victim added to its long columns. What makes this occurrence doubly sad is that the sufferer was one of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, our local garrison, who are favourites with all classes of the community from the Major down to the Drummer-boy, and that the poor fellow on the eve of leaving to fight the right of the British Empire, met his death. How the sad mishap came about is scarcely certain. There are many different and harrowing versions. An eyewitness, however, states that the soldier, Private NORTH (lately Corporal) of B Company, was in the act of being relieved from sentry-go over the loaded trucks, and attempted to pass between a truck that was standing still and one that was being shunted. The buffer of the live truck caught him in the small of the back and threw him forward, the buffer of the other truck hitting the pit of his stomach, and the impact being very great. The poor fellow was literally caught like a nut between the crackers, and the awful silent force of the crushing, and the agonising screams from the victim, were in themselves a warning that the accident must terminate fatally. The other sentry, we are told, was also caught by the truck on the shoulder and hurled aside, escaping unhurt. How the poor lad, for he was little more, could have been so careless is a mystery, but one of his comrades explains that in England the buffers of the trucks are on each side and not in the middle as in this Colony, and Pte. NORTH must have made a spring into the middle, thinking in that awful moment of the state of things in England. However this may be, we hope this will be a terrible warning to all others, both military and civilians, of the care necessary in working with that most familiar and dangerous creation of modern times, the railway train.
The injured man was tenderly lifted up by a party of comrades who were working at the station, and taken direct to the Military Hospital, from whence, however, he was at once removed to the Albany General Hospital, the Military Hospital having handed over all their patients owing to the detachment being ordered to the Border. The Medical Staff Corps, that honourable and noble band of workers, did all they could to alleviate their patient’s sufferings, and prolong his life, but without avail, for as they crossed the threshold of the Albany General Hospital a sigh passed from the sufferer’s lips and he was gone. There were no external injuries, all the hurts being of an internal nature.
Deceased’s regimental number was 4442.

Thursday 28 September 1899

A MILITARY FUNERAL – PRIVATE RAYMOND NORTH
Yesterday afternoon the mortal remains of Private Raymond NORTH, B Co., Royal Berkshire Regiment, who met his death at the Railway Station under most distressing circumstances, as reported in our last issue, were committed to their last resting-place, the Anglican Burying Ground in a spot sacred to the memory of many more of his comrades in arms. The deceased was born in the parish of Edington [sic, should be Headington], near the town of Oxford, and on the 15th August 1895 enlisted at the depot of Reading. He was only 23 years of age and had served 4 years and one month of his time. He was a great favourite in the Regiment, and his death will also be keenly felt by his many civilian friends in town. We are told that he bore an excellent character.
The funeral procession, in which many of his comrades followed, left the Albany General Hospital at 4 o’clock. The streets were thronged with an immense crowd of sympathising and curious citizens.
The Band of the First City Volunteers under Bandmaster GILDER very kindly turned out and played, to the slow and measured tread of the troops, the “Dead March in Saul”, Schubert’s “Funeral March” and other impressive selections for the occasion. The Royal Berkshire Drums and Fifes, owing to the instruments being already packed, could not put in an appearance.
At the graveside the burial service, according to the ritual of the Church of England, was most impressively rendered by the Rev. D HURST-JONES. The band played “When our Heads are bowed with Woe”, and the firing party, under Sergt. RUDDLE, fired three volleys over the grave. The funeral arrangements were as usual very satisfactorily carried out by Mr. A. WILL and his efficient staff.

Saturday 30 September 1899

TOWN IN WILD EXCITEMENT – BURGHERS LEFT FOR VOLKSRUST
Pretoria, Friday: (Reuter’s Wire to daily Journal)
The town is in a state of wild excitement owing to the despatch of a further lot of Burghers who go to the border. The Railway Station presents a lively sight. The artillery are busy loading up big guns for Volksrust, and large quantities of ammunition, forage and provisions are also being despatched. Large quantities of armed burghers are [riding] about the streets waiting for orders to entrain. A large body of men leaves at 7pm for Volksrust. The war office is working night and day, making all arrangements. The Telegraph Office is overloaded with work, and there is great delay on the wires consequently. A German Corps, 300 strong, leaves today for Volksrust.