Saturday 2 February 1901

On Sunday last as Mrs, GIBSON, Alexandra Road, King, had almost completed dressing for church, she suddenly fell forward, and in the endeavour to pick her up it was found she was dead. An inquest was held on Monday afternoon when a verdict was given that death was due to failure of the heart’s action.

FATAL POST CART ACCIDENT – TWO LADIES KILLED
A telegram from Umtata dated Monday says: The particulars of the accident by a post cart are as follows: A cart containing several sisters of Convent here, [Pilgrims] of a Convent at Kokstad, and other passengers, was capsized between [Tilsa] and Tsolo, on the night of Thursday, owing to boulders in the road.
Sisters [BACHMANN] and Kate WALTHER (the latter aged 11), who were sitting on the back seat, were thrown violently out and fell on their heads, their necks being broken, death being instantaneous.
No others were injured but there were some marvellous escapes. It is extraordinary that the two victims had postponed the journey seven times only to go on that fateful day. It is exclaimed that the cart being new with stiff springs contributed to the accident, but it is generally believed that as the driver was new to the work he took the wrong road. Carts were sent out to convey the bodies to town and burial took place on Saturday afternoon at Convent Farm near here.
[Transcriber’s note: The death certificate for the 11-year-old says that her full name was Henrietta Wilhelmina Katherine WALTHER]

Tuesday 5 February 1901

MARRIED in St.Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral, on Monday February 4th, by the Rev. Father Owens, T.J. FITZPATRICK, eldest son of Mr. T.J. FITZPATRICK of Cork, Ireland, to Ethel, eldest daughter of Mr. Chas. DETTMER of this city.

DIED at Grahamstown, 4th Feb 1901, Kathleen Frances, infant daughter of Herbert G. and Fanny M. NELSON, aged 7 months and 12 days.

A PRETTY WEDDING
FITZPATRICK – DETTMER
St.Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral was yesterday afternoon the scene of a very pretty wedding when Miss Ethel DETTMER, eldest daughter of Mr. Chas. DETTMER of this city, was joined in the bonds of holy matrimony to Mr. T.J. FITZPATRICK of the telegraph department, Kingwilliamstown, eldest son of Mr. T.J. FITZPATRICK, Cork, Ireland. The nuptial knot was tied by the Rev. Father OWENS. The bride looked charming, dressed in a cream silk dress, trimmed with chiffon, and the orthodox wreath and veil. The dress was the handiwork of Miss N. WATSON. Miss Florence DETTMER, sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid, and was dressed in a pretty cream nunsveiling dress trimmed with satin, with a white leghorn hat trimmed with ostrich tips and chiffon.
Mr. A.E. WESSON duly acted as best man, and the bride was given away by her father. Mr. A. LAMB officiated at the organ and played the Wedding March on the entry and also a Bridal March on the exit of the bridal party. After the ceremony the party adjourned to Messrs. HEPBURN and JAMES’s to be photographed, and from there to the bride’s residence, where the usual toasts were proposed and the presents, which were many, viewed. Many congratulatory telegrams were received from friends. The happy pair left by the evening train for Queenstown, where they will spend their honeymoon. May all happiness and success attend them.

We very much regret to hear that Mr. Watts TROLLIP, brother to Mrs. Henry LAWRANCE of this City, has been wounded in an engagement near Vryburg. Further details are not yet obtainable, but we trust the wound will not prove [severe].

Thursday 7 February 1901

BIRTH at Grahamstown on February 5th 1901, the wife of F.W. WILLOWS of a daughter.

DIED at Bathurst, Feb 5th 1901, Mabel Eliza LARSEN, aged 14 years and 14 days, daughter of W.J. LARSEN, Port Alfred.
The parents desire to thank Mrs. DORSLEY, the Rev. and Mrs. HEATHCOTE and other friends for their kindness during their dear child’s illness.

Tuesday 12 February 1901

STIRK – WILSON
Married at Durban, 31st Jan 1901 by the Rev. W. Tees, Sidney Southey, youngest son of C.J. STIRK Esq. of Grahamstown, to Alice Maud, second daughter of D.M. WILSON Esq. of Johannesburg.

FIELD – TILBROOK
Married in Christ Church on Saturday 9th, by the Rev. M. Norton, Sydney W., only son of the late Mr. W.J. FIELD of London, England, to Maud Caroline, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Thos TILBROOK, of Suffolk, England.

At Malmesbury, the only son of Dr. NIEUWOUDT, who was about twelve years of age, was shot by a little playmate of between five and seven years.

Thursday 14 February 1901

FATAL SHOOTING ACCIDENT
On Friday Feb 8th, at Darling, Ernest NIEUWOUDT, aged 12, son of the local physician, came from school, bringing two playmates with him to the house. The youngest of his two playmates went into the passage, where he unfortunately saw a gun belonging to young NIEUWOUDT, with which he was guarding the trees when at home. This young playmate, thinking it unloaded, began handling it, with the result that the gun went off, the charge penetrating the heart of young NIEUWOUDT, causing instantaneous death.

THE LATE MR. JUSTICE SMITH – A MEMOIR AND APPRECIATION
It is our sad duty to record the death of the Hon. Mr. Justice SMITH, which took place at his residence, The Oaks, Rondebosch, on Sunday last, after being an invalid for some years past. Judge SMITH’s judicial career in the E.D. Court here extended over a period of many years, and he was highly respected by all who had dealings with him, for his urbanity and upright judgements.
As a citizen Judge SMITH took an active interest in every public matter other than political. In the question of education no man ever took a deeper interest, and at a time when education was at its lowest ebb in Grahamstown, when the managers of denominational schools refused to accept the Government grant for a Public School, he set to work and got a list of guarantors and started the present Public School, with the late Rev. R. TEMPLETON as headmaster, the result of which speaks for itself in the spacious buildings in Beaufort Street, which are shortly to be added to in the form of a Girls’ High School. The starting of this school revived the work of education in town, and gave a stimulus to the other schools, out of which have grown the large and important institutions now gracing the city. Judge SMITH was chairman of the Public School from its start to the time when he was called from the E.D. Court here to the Supreme Court in Capetown, but even after his removal to the Metropolis, Judge SMITH took a lively interest in the school, and encouraged and assisted it in every way. The Cadet Corps received his full favour and much attention, and the Cadet Shooting Medal was captured by each of his sons, the one winning the magnificent silver cup, which had to be won three years in succession, and thus becoming the proud possessor. An amount of money (£200) was collected to give the honoured Judge a testimonial, but he gave the money to the Public School, so that the interest could be used as a bursary, which is known today (as) the “Smith Bursary”.
Just before the Gaika Galeka War, Sir Bartle FRERE visited town, and the generous Judge placed his own house on West Hill at the disposal of the Governor. Shortly after this the Zulu War broke out, and one Sunday the news was received of the battle of Isandlwana. On the Monday Judge SMITH called a public meeting in the Albany Hall, which was crowded with an enthusiastic audience. The object of the meeting was to raise a Mounted Company of Volunteers to go to the front. Those who could not go provided the necessities for others to go, and Judge SMITH started the ball rolling by giving a horse, saddle and bridle, and all the equipment for a man to go to the front. Through the Judge’s influence 100 mounted men left on Friday for the source of the trouble, and he saw that they all had what was necessary; they also took one gun with them.
The Public Library also received its share of attention from Mr. Justice SMITH, and on the return of the 100 men from the front he wound up all accounts, and when the equipments were sold he secured the proceeds, which formed the nucleus of a fund to purchase the buildings in which the A.B.C. Bank is now for the Library, and the rent of which now materially aids their expenses. He was chairman of the Committee for many years, and devoted much time and energy to the work. In recognition of his services several friends contributed [....], and purchased the fine oil painting portrait of him which now graces the Reading Room of the Library.
Another institution which received the generous Judge’s attention was the Albany General Hospital, on the committee of which he held the position of Chairman until he left for Capetown, and devoted much attention to its interests. The Botanical Gardens received also much care and thought from him, and like all things he undertook it was done thoroughly. Mr. Justice SMITH was one of the founders of the Eastern Districts Rifle Association, which had its birth in 1877, and up to his regretted death he was President and Treasurer of the Association. He always took an active part until failing health and eyesight put a stop to his competing at the targets three or four years ago, though nevertheless he was present at each meeting.
Judge SMITH, in a very quiet and unostentatious way, devoted a deal of time and money to the general improvements of the town, and was a friend to everyone. Nowhere will his death be regretted more than in Grahamstown, where there are so many landmarks of his generosity. To the bereaved widow and family we tender our sincerest sympathies in their severe loss and trouble.

Saturday 16 February 1901

DEANE – BATCHELDER
On Tuesday the 22nd inst at the Church of St.Michael and All Angels, West Retford, England, by the Rev. Canon Charles GRAY, Rector, William DEANE, Organist of St.George’s Cathedral, Grahamstown, S. Africa, to Emily Grace Alice, only child of the late Thomas H. BATCHELDER, Organist of St.Swithin’s, East Retford.

A CHORAL WEDDING
DEANE – BATCHELDER
The marriage of Mr. W. DEANE with Miss Grace BATCHELDER took place on Tuesday last (22nd Jan) at 2:30pm in the presence of numerous friends and others who filled the church. Mr. DEANE is organist of the Cathedral, Grahamstown, South Africa (says the Retford Times) where he also holds several other musical appointments, and is the eldest son of the late Mr. J.H. DEANE, well known some years ago in musical circles in London. Miss BATCHELDER is the only child of the late Mr. T.H. BATCHELDER, of West Retford, who was the talented organist of East Retford Church many years ago, and conductor of the then flourishing choral societies of Retford, and whose early death caused great regret to those with whom he was associated. Miss BATCHELDER, after a successful course of study, as Norfolk scholar at the Royal College of Music, London, has had an interesting and successful career during the last few years in South Africa, and also in the Transvaal, as a concert pianist. The bride was married from West Retford Rectory, where she has lately been visiting her oldest friends, Canon and Miss GRAY. She was conducted the altar by Mr. WILMSHURST (her father’s oldest friend in Retford) and was given away by Miss GRAY. The bridesmaids were the Misses Adelaide and Ann ONSELEY, daughters of the late Mr. Gore ONSELEY of the Bengal Civil Service, and cousins of the late Professor Sir F. Gore ONSELEY, of Oxford, and the bridegroom, in the unavoidable absence of his brother, was attended by the Rev. W.C. RIDDING as best man. The bride wore an ivory white satin gown, trimmed with gathered chiffon and orange blossom; she carried a bouquet of jonquils, with long trails of asparagus fern, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids wore dresses of turquoise blue velvet, with picture hats to match. Their gold bangles and bouquets and trails of white flowers were also the gift of the bridegroom. The choral service was rendered by the choir of the church under the able direction of the organist, Mr. Hamilton WHITE, who played a Pastorale (H. WHITE) and the bridal music from “Lohengrin” (Wagner) before the service, and Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” as the wedding party left the church, which was tastefully adorned with plants etc. lent by Mrs. Watkin HOMFRAY. A covered awning was erected in the churchyard. After the ceremony the Rev. Canon and Miss GRAY held a reception at the Rectory, after which Mr. and Mrs. DEANE left for London, on the way to Paris and Vienna. The bride’s travelling dress was a coat and skirt of navy blue serge, trimmed with satin and lace, with hat to match. The presents were many and beautiful, and many friends were present.

EASTERN DISTRICTS COURT
Before Sir Jacob D. BARRY JP and Mr. Justice SOLOMON
Thursday Feb 14th
HARPUR v HARPUR
Mr. KING (instructed by Wright and Stapleton Smith) for the plaintiff, Mr. BLAINE (instructed by Messrs. Bell and Hutton) for the defendant.
In this case the plaintiff asked for a decree of judicial separation on the ground of cruelty by the defendant and especially on the 18th January 1901, when he had also used abusive and insulting language towards her.
The defendant, in his plea, denied the allegations of cruelty, but stated he consented to a separation, as life together was insupportable. He, however, claimed to have the custody of the minor daughter, averring that the plaintiff was an unfit person to have it, on the ground, as defendant alleged, of her being unduly intimate with one Albert Edward NELSON.
[The report of this case continues for three and a half columns of the newspaper, with many witness statements etc.]
Judgement was accordingly entered for the plaintiff for £235 16s 4d, each party to pay its own costs.
[Transcriber’s note: NAAIRS cites the case of Charlotte HARPUR (born KEMP) versus Lawrence HARPUR]

Tuesday 19 February 1901

DIED at Pretoria on Feb 5th 1901, Maggie Isabel (VAN DER VYVER), the beloved wife of H.F. MARITZ, late of Grahamstown, aged 32 years and 2months.
Her end was peace.

A SAD FATALITY
A few days ago a very mysterious and regrettable occurrence took place at Heath’s Hotel, Johannesburg. Among those living there was Lieut. the Hon. Hugh ROBERTSON of the 14th Hussars, a fine young fellow of [.....]. He retired to rest apparently in good health and spirits, but in the morning he was discovered in Pritchard-street, in front of the hotel, dressed in his pyjamas, and severely injured about the head and body as the result of a fall. He was removed to the Hospital, where after a few hours he succumbed to concussion of the brain.
Enquiry showed that either to escape the heat or in a fit of somnambulism he had taken his blankets out on to the verandah, and accidentally fallen over the railing.
In fairness to the memory of the deceased, and as the public are too prone to jump to wrong conclusions in such matters, it should be added that the deceased was perfectly sober at the time of the mishap.

THE REV. JAMES FISH
It is with the deepest regret and pain that we (Methodist Cape Journal) have to inform our readers that there is every reason to fear that the Rev. James FISH, after his prolonged sufferings, has met with a sad fate. After the removal of his arm the local results proved satisfactory, but the shock to the system led to the [b......ling] of his brain, and for two or three weeks he was in an extremely restless condition, and it was with difficulty his movements in the hospital at East London could be controlled.
Arrangements had just been completed by his son to take him to Grahamstown, when on Tuesday January 29th Mr. FISH suddenly disappeared from the hospital, and the most searching enquiry has failed to discover his whereabouts. Whether he wandered away into the bush or took some other direction it is impossible to say, and intense sympathy must be felt for his son in the grave anxiety through which he has been called to pass. We understand that Mr. FISH expressed a keen desire to return to the Western Province, and it is possible he may have started on the journey in one of his more restless moments.

We much regret to hear that Mrs. SLATER, wife of Mr. Edward Thornhill SLATER, formerly of this city, has died of fever at Lorenzo Marques.

Saturday 23 February 1901

KILLED BY LIGHTNING
During a [storm] in the vicinity of [.....], a hut occupied by a ganger named TALBOT was struck by lightning. In the hut were three of Mr. TALBOT’s children, a girl of about 18 years and two young lads. The unfortunate girl was killed outright and the two boys injured, one seriously.
[Transcriber’s note: This notice was very difficult to read, but the Cape Death Notice shows that the girl was almost certainly Sophia Matilda TALBOTT, aged 14.]

Mr. R. Cuthbert MULLINS, of Guy’s Hospital, arrived by the last mail from England, and will take up work in the Yeomanry Hospital at Pretoria. Dr. MULLINS is a Grahamstown man, an old Andrean, and an old Oxford Blue, and a brother of Major C. MULLINS of the Imperial Light Horse, who did so well at Elandslaagte and was wounded at the relief of Mafeking.

Tuesday 26 February 1901

BIRTH at Aberystwyth, Wales, on the 25th Jan, the wife of W. RUTHVEN-HALL of a daughter.

BIRTH on Feb 26th at West Hill, the wife of G.L. FOSTER of Capetown of a daughter.

DIED at Grahamstown on Sunday 24th inst, our little darling Percival Joseph (Percy), infant son of P. and M. O’CONNOR, aged 8 months and 22 days. R.I.P.

STRANGE TRAM FATALITY
A sad accident occurred in King Street, Port Elizabeth, on Saturday night by which Mr. Michael HOGAN of South Beach Terrace, in the employ of the Harbour Board, lost his life. It appears that at about a quarter to nine Mr. HOGAN was stepping off the tram, which was proceeding very slowly, when his foot slipped and he fell heavily on his head and elbow. He rose from the ground and walked a distance of half a mile to a friend’s house, where he explained his accident, stating that his arm was very painful. Dr. BUTLER was sent for, and on his arrival the doctor recommended Mr. HOGAN to go to the Hospital. Mr. HOGAN then said he felt drowsy and became unconscious. He was removed to the hospital about 11pm but never regained consciousness, passing away soon after noon on Sunday.

Thursday 28 February 1901

PLAGUE STILL SPREADING
Capetown, Monday (Reuters):
The Colonial Medical Officer states that all measures are being undertaken to combat the epidemic. The number of cases today are 31, including six Europeans, and the number of deaths six, including one European. Two cases are reported in the city today.

Two youths, DE WET and ECKARD, who escaped from the College Boarding School at Graaffreinet, joined a commando at Doornberg, near Bethesda. It is reported that on their way up they stole two horses to facilitate their journey.

On Monday Mr. Charles LAWRENCE, until recently in the employ of the C.G. Railways, committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver at Chesterfield House, East London, where he lodged. Deceased unhappily was addicted to drink.

Lieutenant GORDON, a popular officer in the I.L.R., met with an unfortunate accident at Du Preez’s Drift, Potchefstroom. He shot himself accidentally through the leg, which has in consequence been amputated.

At Victoria Road on Sunday Trooper Dan O’LEARY, T.M.I., was killed by lightning. He was a promising young man who had gone through the thickest of the campaign unscathed, and his loss is keenly felt by his fellow soldiers. The flash of lightning by which he was instantaneously killed also injured a number of other men.