Thursday 1 September 1887

PASSED AWAY at the Oaks, Grahamstown, on the 30th August 1887, Isabella Bennett, the beloved wife of Charles H. HUNTLY.

Saturday 3 September 1887

FUNERAL
On Thursday morning the funeral of the late Mrs. HUNTLY took place, the Very Rev the Dean conducting the first portion of the service in the Cathedral, the Rev Canon SMITH officiating at the grave.

DROWNED IN THE GREY RESERVOIR
It is with much regret that we have to report that the body of Mr. Roger SHAW, who was missed from his home some days back, has been found in the Grey Reservoir. How the sad accident occurred there is of course nothing to show; but it is known that he was at the time in a very weak state and more or less wandering in mind. [see notice for 8 September]

SUICIDE
The correspondent of the Cape Mercury writes:- Sad news again. On the evening of the 15th a young trader, with every prospect of doing fairly well, committed the rash act of taking his own life. This suicide is Mr. E. PRIOR, of Nququ, Tembuland, who put the muzzle of his gun in his mouth and blew out his brains by pulling off the trigger with his toe. At present no reason is assigned for this act.

Tuesday 6 September 1887

BIRTH at Jansenville on the 28th August, Mrs. D.E. HOBSON Jun. of a daughter.

DIED at Grahamstown on September 5th, Walter Charles, eldest son of C.R. DUBBER, aged 11 years and 6 months
“Suffer little children to come unto Me.”

OBITUARY
It is our very sad duty to record the death of Mr. William ROBEY, which took place at Port Elizabeth on Friday last. Mr. ROBEY, who till a few years ago resided at Manley’s Flat, has for many months been in failing health. The sad news of his death caused little surprise among his large circle of friends and acquaintances.

OBITUARY
It is with much regret that we have to record the death of Mrs. Charles IMPEY, which occurred last night in Grahamstown. The deceased lady had been in ill health for two months past, and had only removed here from Port Alfred on Thursday last, since which her health had improved, but a sudden change for the worse took place early yesterday evening, which soon terminated fatally. We tender our sincere sympathy to the numerous relatives.

BIRTH at De Beers, Kimberley on the 5th September, the wife of C.E. GARDNER, chemist, of a son.

DIED at Grahamstown on the 5th inst, Mrs. Charles IMPEY.
The Funeral will move from the residence of Mr. Henry WOOD, Oatlands, at 8 o’clock precisely tomorrow morning. Friends are invited to attend.

Thursday 8 September 1887

THE LATE DROWNING CASE – INQUEST
An inquest on the body of the late Roger SHAW was held on the 6th inst before the Resident Magistrate.
William MOORE, the Waterman, deposed that on the 2nd he was informed by a small boy that a body was floating in the reservoir. He at once went to the spot and found that it was the body of Mr. Roger SHAW. He got the body to the bank and left it there until the coroner arrived. He also knew the deceased to be eccentric in his habits.
Albert FARREL, a boy of ten, deposed that he was at the Grey Reservoir on Friday gathering flowers, and saw a dead body in the water. This he reported to Mr. MOORE and at the gaol.
Wm. ARNOTT deposed: The deceased was my father-in-law, and boarded in my house. He disappeared about three weeks ago, about 15th August. From that time I did not see him again till I saw his body in the gaol hospital. For some time he had been a little out of his mind, at some times worse than others, but harmless. He had been in that condition for 12 or 15 months. I believe that being weak. He had fallen into the water and was drowned. He used to wander about. I know the Grey Reservoir to be a dangerous place. The water is very deep. A man falling in would have to be a good swimmer to get out, as he would have to swim from one end to the other.
Dr. FIGG, acting District Surgeon, produced his certificate of the post mortem examination, which was to the effect that death was caused by drowning, and that there was nothing to lead him to suppose that any violence had been used or that deceased had met his death from any other cause. The witness had attended him in his lifetime, and knew him to be of weak mind.
The verdict of the Coroner was as follows: I find that the deceased, Roger SHAW, was accidentally drowned in the Grey Reservoir. The Grey Reservoir when full is, in my opinion, a most dangerous place, and should be fenced in with a close and high paling. Its vicinity is a great place of resort for the citizens on account of the plantations surrounding it, and some precaution should be taken by the authorities to prevent accidents.
(Signed) John HEMMING, Coroner.

Saturday 10 September 1887

PASSED AWAY on Saturday 3rd Sept 1887, Albert Louis (Bertie), youngest son of J.W. GREEN of Balfour, aged 6 years and 8 months.

SHOCKING MURDER AND SUICIDE
From Port Elizabeth news has reached us of a terrible tragedy which is supposed to have occurred early yesterday morning, but of which few particulars are yet to hand. William MULES, a guard and night watchman on the Midland line, returned home to his house in Port Elizabeth early in the morning, and killed his wife with an axe, mutilating her in a frightful manner, and after the commission of this crime, shot himself with a revolver. It is believed that though the event occurred early yesterday, it was not known till evening, when information of it was telegraphed to the relations of the unfortunate victim in Grahamstown. William MULES, till about eighteen months ago, was in the District Police, and lived in Grahamstown.

Tuesday 13 September 1887

BIRTH at Grahamstown on Sept 11 1887, Mrs. T.F. HUTCHINSON of a daughter.

TERRIBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE
We extract from the Herald the following particulars of the dreadful tragedy which occurred in Port Elizabeth on Friday last.
William MULES, who till eighteen months ago had for some time been resident in Grahamstown, was employed as a guard on the Midland Railway. He had been ailing for some time, and had left his work on Thursday 8th inst, owing to indisposition. On the night of Thursday he was visited by some of his relations, who, however, saw nothing in his manner or conduct to excite suspicion. He was lying on the bed and complained of pains in his head. His wife, who had been out spending the evening with her sister and some friends, returned about 11 o’clock. On the following afternoon about 4 o’clock they were discovered, both dead, the woman with her skull fractured, and the man shot dead by a rifle discharged into his mouth. The evidence given at the inquest clearly shows that this terrible catastrophe took place about half past eight o’clock in the morning, but was not discovered till late in the afternoon. To the sorrowing relations we tender our sincere sympathy.
The inquest was held on Saturday last before Mr. T.E. WRIGHT, as coroner, when the following evidence was taken.
Inquest on the body of Fanny MULES, who was found lying dead in bed at No.9 Hill-street on the afternoon of the 9th September 1887.
Rachel Isabella MURRELL, sister of the deceased, deposed: On Thursday evening at 8 o’clock I was at my late sister’s house; her husband was then lying on the bed in the front room. My sister and I left the house together, and returned about 11 o’clock. I accompanied her to the door, but did not go in with her. I then went home, and saw no more of the deceased until about half past three in the afternoon of the 9th September 1887. I had expected the deceased to come to my house during the day, but she did not come. I sent my little sister, Jessie, to find out the cause at about 2:30pm. She returned to me and informed me that my sister’s house was locked, but that both the front bedroom and the sitting room windows were open, and that she had closed the bedroom window. I at once went to my deceased sister’s house and found the front door locked on the inside. I lifted up the sitting room window and got in through it. I went into the bedroom and discovered her lying in bed. I called to her, thinking she might be asleep, but received no answer. I then thought she must be dead, and I got frightened and went outside, going again through the sitting room window. I met a little girl and asked her to go and tell my husband that my sister was dead. I then went home, but shortly after returned and found my husband and my mother-in-law on the stoep. We all three went into the front bedroom, but I became so upset that I had to be taken out. I only saw my sister lying in bed, but did not touch her, nor did I notice any wounds on her. I thought she had died in her sleep, and that her husband had gone to work as usual. My sister and her husband always lived on terms of the utmost affection, and he always treated her well and kindly.
Frederick ENSOR MD deposed: On arrival at the house I found a policeman in charge, who opened the door of a bedroom. On entering the room I saw the body of a young woman in bed, covered by the bed clothes, lying on her right side. The deceased had the appearance of a delicate looking female, under 30 years of age, of refined, gentle-looking features, with light brown hair. She had on a night dress: the face was in no way distorted, and had the placid calm of sleep, the arms were crossed on the chest, the lower extremities drawn up in an attitude of repose. Part of the forehead and the whole of the upper part of the skull presented the appearance of having been driven in by some heavy blunt instrument. The contents of the skull were scattered on the curtain and pillow, which, with the sheet and bed, were saturated with blood. There were no other marks of violence about the body. To my mind it seemed evident that deceased had been assaulted in her sleep, and immediate death had been the result of three or four repeated blows by some heavy blunt instrument. The other side of the bed presented the appearance of having been laid on, and on the pillow lay an open book, a novel, with the title “A Life’s Atonement”. There was no heavy stick or axe or bar to be found, but on the dressing table I found the instrument now in Court, which I had not seen before. It seems a sort of iron boot mould, with which, most probably, the injuries were inflicted. (Signed) F. ENSOR, District Surgeon.
John Wharin MURRELL deposed that it had been reported to him that Mrs. MULES was dead, and that he went to the house and found that to be the case. He remembered seeing the Magistrate take from under the bed and iron instrument covered with blood, produced in Court.
Inquest on the body of William Marwood MULES.
Rachel Isabella MURRELL, the wife of the previous witness, deposed: On the afternoon of the 8th September 1887 I was at deceased’s house at about half past five. I asked him if he would cut my hair, and he said yes. He cut my hair. He told me did not feel at all well, and that he had a very violent pain in the back of his head. He was perfectly quiet, and spoke rationally. Of late the deceased has been in monetary difficulties, which preyed very much on his mind.
Frederick William ENSOR MD handed in the following original note: On opening the door of a room which was entered from the bedroom I saw the following: On the floor, lying on his left side, in a large pool of blood, was the body of a man dressed in a tweed suit, with stockings on, but no boots. The right side of his head had been blown away by a gunshot, and the contents of the skull dispersed about the wall and floor. On further examination I found the lower jaw fractured, and the left side of the face discoloured by the explosion stains. From the appearance of the parts, I should judge that the muzzle of the gun had been placed in the mouth, between the lips, and fired, with the result described. A rifle lay on the bed near the body. I hand into Court an open letter addressed to a gentleman in England. It contains one of the most pathetic stories I have ever read, and gives a clue to the sad events which have occurred. From the appearance of the bodies, and accompanying circumstances, I am of the opinion that the case revolves itself into one of homicidal mania, and suicide, when under the same insane condition. (Signed) F. ENSOR.
Patrick Oswald CONSIDINE, sworn, states: I knew the deceased, Mr. MULES, whom I have been attending for about eight months. I last saw the deceased on Thursday morning, 8th September 1887. He was complaining of severe pains in the head and of fits of giddiness. I told him his liver was out of order, and prescribed for him. He was very low-spirited, and talked about committing suicide: he said what with being hard worked, hard up and sick, it was enough to make a fellow kill himself. I told him he must never be such a coward as that. I told him it was only bile that was troubling him. He told me that he could not do his work as a guard on the railway. I told him not to go to work. I never saw him alive again. The deceased was always in a most excitable condition.
Douglas W.B. MILLER, a master baker, deposed: On Friday morning I was driving my bread cart, and when about five yards from deceased’s house I heard a peculiar thumping noise as if something had fallen on the floor. As I pulled up next door a man came to the door and looked [hardly] at me for a few seconds. I thought perhaps he wanted bread, but as I jumped off the cart he went inside and looked at me through the window. I was just serving Mrs. SIMPSON with bread when he again came to the door and looked at me. He then closed the door and went inside, and I saw nothing more of him. Justas I reached Mrs. SIMPSON’s door and was about to knock I heard the report of a gun. I have seen the deceased this morning, and recognise him as the man who came to the door and looked so hard at me.
John Wharin MURRELL deposed: The deceased was married to my wife’s sister. At 1pm on the 9th I was informed that she was dead, I at once went to the house and saw my sister-in-law lying dead. I at once searched for her husband and on entering the back bedroom I found him on the floor lying in a pool of blood, with his brains blown out. Beside him on the floor there lay the rifle now produced. He was dressed in a tweed suit, but was minus his boots. I at once locked both doors and went to the police station and reported the occurrence. I was present when the Magistrate came to investigate the matter. The deceased was a railway guard, he was also a member of Prince Alfred’s Volunteer Guard. I had last seen him alive at his house on Wednesday evening 7th September. He then seemed very ill, and had a wild look about the eyes. He seemed, however, in fair spirits, but he was evidently making an effort to appear so. He always struck me as being peculiar, and as if he had something weighing on his mind. The deceased and his wife lived on terms of affection, and he always treated his wife well and kindly. Within the last six months deceased had been in difficulties, which weighed terribly on his mind. Lately he has complained of a severe pain in the head, and an inability to put his thoughts together. It always struck me that deceased was suffering from mania.
The Court then adjourned.

The Funeral of the late Mr. and Mrs. MULES took place on Saturday afternoon at St.Mary’s cemetery, South-end. The relations of the unfortunate couple attended, and among a number of friends were several non-commissioned officers and privates of the P.A. Guard, of which Mr. MULES was a respected and popular member. The service was read over the body of Mrs. MULES by the Rev. Dr. WARGMAN. The sight of the two coffins lying in the same grave brought tears to the eyes of many of the mourners present. The father and mother were buried in the grave which contains the remains of their only child.
[Transcriber’s Note: Mrs. MULES was born Frances Sophia WALLIS, the daughter of Isabella BROOKS and granddaughter of 1820 settler Henry BROOKS of PIGOT’s Party. William Marwood MULES was born in Aden, the son of an officer in the Indian army of the same name.
Death Notices https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-D39Z-P?i=1646&cc=2517051&cat=331262 and https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-DS5L-S?i=1647&cc=2517051&cat=331262]

Thursday 15 September 1887

BIRTH, 14th September, the wife of William Pepperwell HUTTON of a son.

MATRIMONIAL
Yesterday morning at St.Bartholomew’s Church Dr. William Thompson HAMILTON was married to Miss Ellen Louisa COPELAND, second daughter of Mr. T.H. COPELAND of this City. The bride, who was attended by Miss Jannet HAMILTON, was given away by her father, Mr. Harry COPELAND acting as best man. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. William IMPEY in the presence of a number of the friends of both families. On the conclusion of the service, the happy couple started for Port Alfred. We wish them long life and happiness.

Saturday 17 September 1887

THE LATE MR. DRIVER
The Queenstown Free Press writes: The many friends of Mr. Arthur R. DRIVER will regret to hear of his death, which took place, after a painful illness of six weeks’ duration, at his farm near Queenstown on Friday Sept 9th. Deceased had been a great sufferer for the last year or so, and had only miraculously recovered from a severe illness some months before the second and fatal attack. Mr. DRIVER was well-known in connection with the late wars, he being captain commanding the native levies, the natives looking up to him as one of their chiefs. The funeral took place on Sunday from the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. A.D. WEBB, and the coffin was followed to the grave by a large number of sympathising friends anxious to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory. The Rev. S.P. NAUDE, an intimate friend of the deceased’s family, officiated at the grave.

FATAL GUN ACCIDENT
A Johannesburg telegram says: Mr. BECKER, Pretoria, was shot yesterday whilst shooting. Going across a hedge, both barrels went off, and he was killed on the spot.

Saturday 24 September 1887

OBITUARY
Mr. Philip POWELL of Falloden, Shrewsbury, Peddie District, died on the 13th inst, at the age of 71 years. He had been a widower about 18 months, his wife, Mrs. Frances POWELL, having died in 1886, and from that time Mr. POWELL also gradually declined in health. His death was an easy one; being seized with faintness he became unconscious, and so after about four hours passed away. Mr. POWELL was greatly respected in the Peddie district, and also in Grahamstown, where he was well known. He was a devoted Christian, a man of blameless life, and sustained many important offices in the Methodist Church, to which he had been united for upwards of 50 years, and his death will leave a gap in Peddie Methodism not easily to be supplied.

Tuesday 27 September 1887

MARRIED at Mafeking on Wednesday 21st Sept by the Rev. Appleby, Lorimer B. DOLD, third son of John DOLD, Grahamstown, to Emily FRANCIS, eldest daughter of Mr. Geo. FRANCIS of Mafeking.

Thursday 29 September 1887

WILL OF THE LATE MRS. C. IMPEY
The will (dated August 5th 1887) of Caroline IMPEY, a widow, who died at Albany Hospital, Grahamstown on September 5th 1887, was filed September 26th 1887 by the Resident Magistrate of Grahamstown. The testatrix bequeathed to George KING, of Bedford, the sum of £500 in trust to be paid by him in equal shares to Ivy Ivanthe, Norman Lyndsay Kay, Ethel Emily Kay and Maude Blanche, minor children of Lyndsay EDDIE, as they become of age. She bequeathed to William IMPEY, in trust, the sum of £500 to be paid to his minor children, Emma William Norton and Nolly, as they become of age or marry; to Johanna Cecilia HEYWORTH, £500; to John Percy HORN £500; to Mrs. GARD £25; to Mary Elizabeth IMPEY, her house linen; to Mrs. Henry WOOD, all her jewellery, china and pictures; and the residue of her estate to the Albany Hospital. She appointed Mr. Henry WOOD of Grahamstown the executor of her will.