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Queenstown Free Press

Queenstown Free Press 1886 4 October - December

Tuesday, October 12, 1886

DEATH OF DABULAMANZI,
The shooting of Dabulamanzi is likely to lead to serious complications. The Boers in the Zululand Reserve have a peculiar idea of furthering the ends of justice, and do not act with the diplomacy expected of civilized nations. DABULAMANZI may have been guilty of horse stealing, or he may not, but in any case he should have been brought to trial; although we doubt the right of any Dutch filibustering tribunal before which he could have been arranged. It is on a par with previously reported actions of these men to find that they shot him in cold blood, although they had the courtesy to ask the deceased man to turn his head from them first. We hear since that the murderers are to be given up to justice.

The Cape papers announce the death of Mr. W.H. GIDDY on Wednesday last. Mr. GIDDY was one of the first residents of Queen's Town when the village was laid out in 1853, holding the position of Clerk of to the Civil Commissioneer Mr. W.G.B. SHEPSTONE. Afterwards he became clerk of the Peace for Victoria East to which this Division was attached and only paid periodical visits during circuit. The late Mr. GIDDY rose rapidly in the Civil Service, being at one time Treasurer-General of the Diamond Fields, but had retired on a pension. He married a daughter of the late Rev W SHEPSTONE, and has many relatives and friends in this district.

Terrible Bathing Fatality.
(Condensed from the Port Elizabeth papers)
One of the saddest events that has taken place of late has been the drowning of four young ladies whilst bathing at Port Elizabeth last week. Between 9 and 10 o'clock on Saturday morning nine girls from the Collegate School there went to bathe in charge of the First Assistant. A south-west wind had prevailed on the previous day, and, although the sea was not very rough, there was a strong current, which is generally the case after a south-west wind. There was nothing to cause a suspicion of any danger, and the bathing party were told to keep to the right, that is to the south of the Bathing House, where there is a firm sandy bottom and the current is less felt. Nine merry girls in health and good spirits, full of life and glee, leapt lightly from the steps of the Bathing House, and were soon in the height of their enjoyment, now buffeting the waves, and anon dashing eash other in the briny sea. After playing for a while, eight of them "joined hands," and, venturing further out, forgot the strict injuction to "keep to the right," and presently got to the left, and north ward, of the Bathing House. Here a big sea struck them, and swept them into a part of the beach from which the sand had been scooped out and which was deeper than it appeared. What followed is scarcely known. Shrieks rent the air, and the one girl, who had not ventured in with the rest, gained the bathing house breathless, and told those in charge that the others were drowning. Of course the greatest excitement prevailed. The bathing house keeper, Mr CARSWELL, was sent for, and was soon on the spot. In the meantime the attention of a number of workmen on the beach had been drawn to the struggling girl, and they rushed to the sea side. Mr James SEARLE was one of the first who flung off coat and vest, made for the drowning girls, and brought one on shore. Five others were also rescued from the waves, but two of them were past recovery. Miss Marianne BURGER was dead. Miss Johanna VAN ZYL was removed in a cab to the Hospital by Dr. CONSIDINE, but she died on the way thither. The scene on the beach was most heart-rending. By this time Drs. ENSOR and CONSIDENE had arrived, and were soon joined by Drs. EDWARDS, STROUD, GALPIN, and GIBBS, who immediately attended to the rescued girls. Some were taken to the upper floor of the Union Boating Company's store, where Mr SEARLE had promptly provided mattresses, blankets, hot water, and brandy. Mrs PHILIPS, of the Criterion, and Mrs W A PHILIPS, from Grahamstown, rendered all the help they could. There were many willing hands. Mr William HUME was present and rendered such assistance as he could. Mr YATES, the mate of the Jorawur, was also very active. There were also Messrs McILWRAITH, O'CONNOR, MESSINA, and many others, whose names we cannot give. When it was thought safe to move the four girls who had been resuscitated, they were taken in cabs to the College. What a sad sight for the Lady Principal, who was well nigh heart-broken? The sufferers were at once placed in charge of Dr. ENSOR, who attended to them most sedulously during the day, and until their recovery was assured. The following is the list of names of those who died, and of those who were saved:-
Miss Marian BURGER; dead.
" Johanna VAN ZYL; dead.
" Kitty THEUNISSEN; missing.
" Gertuded MEADWAY; missing.
" NIEKERK. Resuscitated.
" MEADWAY. Resuscitated.
" VAN ZYL. Resuscitated.
" EDWARDS. Resuscitated.

The death is announced of Mr. Henry BLAINE, at his residence, Surbiton, England. He was formerly a leading merchant in Grahamstown. Mr. BLAINE married a daughter of the Rev. William SHAW. Captain BLAINE, of the C.M.R., and Advocate BLAINE are sons of the deceased gentleman.

WEDDING.
Mr. C.E.S. BESTALL was united in the bounds of holy matrimony on 4th Oct. To Miss Minnie BARRABLE, second daughter of Mr. D.S. BARRABLE, one of our oldest residents. The wedding which was planned to be very quiet took place at 2.30 p.m. in Wesley Church. The Rev. J. Smith
SPENCER being the officiating clergyman...

Friday, October 15, 1886

Many who knew him at Hilton, Whittlesea, and Hilton, will hear with deep regret of the death of Mr. Onslow E. WAKEFORD, which occurred on the 3rd of September last, at Uxbridge, England. Mr. WAKEFORD was for many years an attached member of the Wesleyan Society, an earnest and sincere Christian, and a useful layman in the Church to which he belonged.

Tuesday, October 22, 1886

BIRTH,- At Queenstown, on October 16th, the wife of B. HARTLEY of a daughter.

Tuesday, October 26, 1886

DIED,- At Umtata, on the 9th October, 1886, William Patrick KENNELLY, aged 54 years and 5 months, formerly of Askeaton. N'Dwana.

BIRTH,- On the 25th instant, the wife of Sir Drummond M. DUNBAR, of a daughter.

Friday, October 29, 1886

We regret to hear of the death of Mrs. Arthur DUGMORE at Dordrecht on Monday last. Only a few weeks since the family paid a visit to Queenstown, Mrs. D. Being in the best of health and spirits. She leaves her husband, a family of four small children, and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn their loss. We tender our sympathies to the bereaved family.

OBITUARY.- The death is announced of Mr. John Liphot HATTON, the well-known composer, in his 78th year. Mr. HATTON was born at Liverpool when he received his early education. In music he was entirely self-taught. He went to London at the age of 23, and soon established a reputation as a composer. We understand Mr. HATTON, of Diep River, is a nephew of the deceased gentleman.

Tuesday, November 2, 1886

THE LATE MR. J. EDKINS.
On Sunday morning last a telegram was received announcing the rather sudden death of Mr. J. EDKINS, of Grahamstown. His two sons, Messrs. T. And D. EDKINS, left by train on Sunday night for King William's Town, and would go on to Grahamstown on Monday, The deceased gentleman was among the founders of Queenstown, being one of the original inhabitants to whem erven were granted in 1853, No. 56, on which Mr. GARDNER's store is built, being so allotted. He afterwards became possessed of other valuable property, and for many years took an active part in the local government of the town, holding the position of Municipal Commissioner up to the time of his leaving. He then settled in Grahamstown, first at Oatlands, and afterwards near Fort England, leading a quiet, Christian life, loving and beloved by all who knew him. Mr. EDKINS leaves a widow, many sons and daughters, and a large circle of friends to mourn their irreparable loss. To all of them we
tender the public condolence and sympathy in their sad and sudden bereavement.

Tuesday, November 9, 1886

On the 24th November Mr. JONES will sell the property in the Insolvent estate of J.P. THOMAS.

Friday, November 12, 1886

MARRIEd,- On November 10th, at the Congregational Church, Queenstown, by the Rev. J.P. RITCHIE, John Percy FARRAR, formerly of Bedford, England, to Mary, eldest daughter of Frederick BESWICK, Principal of the High School Queenstown.

Tuesday, November 23, 1886

BIRTH,- At Glen Adelaide, Lady Frere, on Sunday, the 14th, noon, the wife of Mr. G.A. FINCHAM, of a daughter.

BIRTH,- At Queenstown on Friday, 12th inst., the wife of Mr A. BEAMISH of a daughter.

Friday, November 26, 1886

DIED,- At Xalanga, on Tuesday, 16th Nov., 1886, Sarah Elizabeth, beloved wife of C.H. UPTON (eldest daughter of I.C. PARKER, aged 21 years.

Tuesday, December 7, 1886

BIRTH,- At Imvani, on the 24th Nov., the wife of Mr. Joe H. BARNES, of a son.

DIED,- At St. Mark's, on the 29th ult., Fred Henry, infant son of John and Alice GILCHRIST, aged 18 months and 26 days. The bereaved parents take this opportunity of thanking all friends for the kindness and sympathy shown to them in their affiiction.

SUICIDE.- The news of a sad case of suicide comes to hand from Lichtenburg. A man named C. HOOYER, who had formerly been clerk to the Landdrost at the place, had but lately returned to Lichtenburg from Lydenburg, where he had held a similar appointment, but lost it through drink. It appears that the poor fellow had been drinking liquor freely, resulting in delirium tremens, and when in that state had gone to the dam of a farm near the town, divested himself of all his clothing, and with a knife borrowed from a Kafir herding goats near by, inflicted upon himself such injuries as resuted in his death three hours afterwards.

Friday, December 24, 1886

MARRIED on the 14th December, 1886, at the residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. A. GRANT, Rector of Queen's Town, Charles RIDCHARDSON, junior., of "Good Hope" farm, Kaffraria, to Mary Louisa, fifth daughter of Mr. Wm. MILLER, of the farm "Newstead,", district Queen's Town.

MARRIED,- At St. Michael's Church, Queenstown, on the 22nd instant, by the Rev. Alexander GRANT, Alfred P. HILLIER, B.A., M.D., C.M. of East London, to Mary Ethel BROWN, eldest daughter of Mr. F.B. BROWN, of Queenstown.

 

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