Saturday 1 December 1900

BIRTH at Hill Street, Grahamstown, on the 24th Nov, the wife of J. Weir SMITH (Johannesburg) of a daughter.

DIED at Grahamstown 1st December 1900, Edward WELLINGS, in his 82nd year.

We regret to learn that Mr. John GATELY, known as “the father of East London”, is seriously ill.

Tuesday 4 December 1900

DIED at Kroonstad, O.R.C., on November 29th, Elizabeth HARVEY, wife of Job HARVEY Esq., aged 69 years.
“Asleep in Jesus”

KILLED at Roode Randt, O.R.C., Bert James WEBBER, of Remington’s Guides, aged 33 years and 6 months.
Mr. and Mrs. J. WEBBER and family thank all friends, far and near, for their warm expressions of sympathy.

CAPTAIN W.W. SIMPKINS, who was in his 82nd, died on Saturday last, after a long illness. Capt. SIMPKINS had been Quartermaster of the C.M.R., and he was well known in Grahamstown as Superintendent of Port Alfred [.....] Station, and later as inspector of the City Police. The funeral took place on Sunday from St.Bartholomew’s, being conducted by the Revs. C.H. PACKMAN and W.H. TURPIN. The Emergency Band supplied the necessary music, and the Kingswood Cadet Corps furnished the firing party. [Dr. A...NOLD], grandson of the deceased, was chief mourner, and amongst others present were Col. NESBITT, Major MARSHALL and Capt. GIRDLESTONE.
[Transcriber’s note: Death certificate shows name as William Wallace SIMKINS]

OBITUARY
MRS. ELIZABETH HARVEY
Mr. Harold HARVEY, resident at [Salem], has received a telegram conveying the sad news that his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth HARVEY, had died suddenly at Kroonstad, O.R. Colony.
Mrs. HARVEY was a daughter of the venerable old Settler of 1820, Mr. Richard GUSH, father of Mr. Joseph GUSH of Salem. Mr. Richard GUSH was a member of the Society of Friends, and was most highly respected by all who knew him. She was born at Salem in 1831, where she spent her childhood. She was married to Rev. Mr. THOMAS, a Wesleyan Missionary, who met with a tragical death at Clarksbury Mission Station, being killed by a body of Kafirs, who made an attack upon the place. Upon hearing them, Mr. THOMAS, in the dead of night, boldly walked into their midst to try and persuade them to return to their kraals, but he was immediately stabbed to death. In his body were found no less than [17] assegai wounds. Some time later she married Mr. Job HARVEY, who was a Magistrate at Smithfield, Orange Free State, where she spent many happy years. Latterly Mr. and Mrs. HARVEY have lived with their sons at [Smaldeel], near Kroonstad, where two of their sons had established a flourishing business. About six weeks ago, however, they all had two hours’ notice given them to quit farm, stores and house, and before they were out of sight they witnessed the destruction by fire and dynamite of everything left behind.
The anxiety and stress of the war during the past year, supplemented by the heartache and disappointment of the last few weeks, must have hastened her end. Mrs. HARVEY was among the most intelligent of women, a wise counsellor, a true and valued friend, and a loving parent. Her husband, Mr. Job HARVEY, is now left alone in his old age, but has the heartfelt sympathy of all who have the pleasure and honour of his acquaintance.

DROWNED
An artilleryman named Henry SNOWBALL was drowned on the Back Beach, Durham. He was swimming, and was carried off by the under current, his two companions just managing to escape the same fate.

Saturday 8 December 1900

PASSED AWAY at Carl’s Rust, Highlands, Cape Colony, on December 8th 1900, Thomas TILBROOK, aged 65.
English papers please copy.

DIED at her residence, Chestnut Grove, on the 26th Nov. 1900, Sarah SHONE, born GOLDSWAIN, aged 61 years, 6 months and 17 days, widow of the late John SHONE.

The death is announced of Mr. [Jan] VAN DER MERWE at Noodhalp, Springfield, Little Tugela, aged 87. Deceased was one of the 1837 voortrekkers.

Private THOMAS of the I.H.C. was killed at Mooi River, Natal, on Saturday, through a revolver accident. A private in the R.A.M.C. and THOMAS were practising when the revolver [burst], the ball entering the latter’s abdomen.

Tuesday 11 December 1900

BIRTH at Grahamstown on Dec [9th] 1900, the wife of T.F. HUTCHINSON of a son.

MEMORIAL SERVICE
On Sunday night a service was held in Trinity Church in memory of the late Sergt.-Major Bert J. WEBBER of Remington’s Scouts, who was so treacherously shot near Heilbron, Orange River Colony, a short while since. Mr. WEBBER, who was so well known and popular in town, was a good all-round sportsman. In cricket he shone as a wicketkeeper, and as a forward in football; in former years he was a member of the Old Grahamstown Club, and of late years he played for the Albany Club.
The service was held on the suggestion of the Sons of England, of which Society Mr. WEBBER had been elected to the office of Vice President. The pulpit was draped with the Union Jack, the flag that excites so many different emotions, joy, peace, and in a case like the present, sorrow. The flag fell over the communion table and on it was placed the symbolic bearing of the Sons of England, white and red roses, as well as other floral decorations. The members of the choir wore complimentary mourning.
The Rev. Martin DOWER conducted the most impressive service, and preached a splendid and touching sermon from “And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God”, Rev. 1,5 and 6. Having touched on the high destiny of man and the worth of the human soul in the eyes of God, the preacher then went on to show how, through self-control, self-government and self-conquest, man may become a King and Priest.
Towards the end of his sermon Mr. DOWER spoke of the valuable work the late Sgt.-Major WEBBER had rendered to the Guild and to the Church generally, he being ever ready to help, and also the minister mentioned his valuable services to the Sons of England. Mr. DOWER said that an ancient inscription on a Roman tomb to the effect that “he overcame himself in peace and his enemy in war” might be well applied to the late Sgt.-Major WEBBER, who, in the sense he had used the words, he believed was a King and Priest, though he had not known him personally but had heard much about him during the last week. The preacher went on to say that the deceased had won many friends through his unselfish nature, and on the battle-field he had won renown through his bravery, and at last gave his best, his life, for his Queen and country, and that all us fellow workers, friends and valiant soldiers would mourn his death and condole with the bereaved parents in their loss.
The hymns were all most appropriate, “Lead Kindly Light”, “Be Still My Soul”, Peace Perfect Peace” and “The Son of Man Goes Forth to War”. Miss TIDMARSH presided at the organ in a most able manner and as an [....] voluntary rendered Chopin’s “March Funebre” During the collection, which was taken before the sermon, “Oh Rest in the Lord” from “Elijah” was touchingly rendered by Mr. DOWNING. After the sermon Miss TIDMARSH performed that grand piece of music “The Dead March in Saul”, which greatly affected the congregation, a suppressed sigh running through the Church as the last notes died away, and scarcely an eye in the sacred building was dry. As the people left the Church “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” [....ed] from the organ.
Every available seat in the Church was occupied and chairs were even placed down the aisle. Among those present were a number of Marshall’s Horse, also representatives of Nesbitt’s Horse and of the First City. Everyone was visibly impressed, and felt deeply for the bereaved parents and family.

Thursday 13 December 1900

WEDDING AT QUEENSTOWN
TOWNSEND – COOK
Wesley Church, Queenstown, was the scene of a pleasing ceremony on Thursday the 6th inst, when Anna Gertrude, better known as “Gertie”, third daughter of the late Mr. John Thornhill COOK, so well known and respected amongst us in years gone by, was joined in the sacred bands of wedlock to Ernest William, oldest son of C. TOWNSND Esq., the esteemed Goods Superintendent of East London. The wedding was intended to be a very quiet one; but numerous friends wended their way to the Church at the appointed hour, to show their interest in the proceedings.
The Rev. P. TEARLE, an old friend of the family, was waiting to perform the ceremony, which being happily accomplished, the party returned to the residence of the bride’s mother, where the usual cheer awaited them. A beautiful array of presents was on view, tokens of attention from the large circle of friends of both. There were presents from the bridegroom’s father, mother and sister from East London; those with the ministers of the circuit, and the family partys now joined in speeches and congratulations, after which the young couple left by the evening train, sped by the parting wishes of their friends.

Saturday 15 December 1900

DIED on the 13th Dec. 1900, Redvers Baden BUNYARD, infant son of Charles and Leila BUNYARD.
“God’s will be done”.

DIED at the Albany General Hospital, Dec 12th 1900, Henry Tanswell HOWARD, in his 30th year, late of Wolverhampton, England.
Wolverhampton papers please copy.

DEATH OF MR. H.T. HOWARD
It is our sad duty to chronicle the death of Mr. Henry Tanswell HOWARD, late of Wolverhampton, England, which sad event took place at the Albany General Hospital on Wednesday last. Mr. HOWARD came to Grahamstown direct from Home, partly for the benefit of his heath and also to take advantage of the good openings which are likely to crop up after the expiration of the war, and had only been here about three weeks when he was taken suddenly ill, and after a short illness his promising career was cut in the end by death. He was the son of Mr. HOWARD, who holds a position as Chief Clerk on the Great Western Railway, and comes from a most respected family.
The funeral took place yesterday, and at the Anglican Cemetery a touching service was conducted by the Dean, who referred to the deceased in a pathetic way and said that had it not been for the presence of Messrs. Albert DAVIES and J. MARSH, Mr. HOWARD would have been quite alone at the end, but they were old friends, and had done everything in their power to pull him through, but the Giver and Taker of life had willed otherwise. The Dean also conducted the burial service at the graveside.
The deceased was in his 25th year, and leaves a father and mother and many sorrowing relatives and friends to mourn his loss, to all pf whom we extend our sincere condolence.

FUNERAL OF MISS AYLIFF
A letter from London dated Nov 22nd gives full details of the funeral of the late Miss AYLIFF of this City. We have been permitted to take extracts from it, as many friends will desire to learn some particulars.
“Miss AYLIFF was laid close to the grave of her late brother, Hon. Jonathan AYLIFF. Miss S.A. AYLIFF, by advice of the doctor, did not go to the funeral on Tuesday afternoon, but several of the relatives drove in the first coach, and next came Sir Wm. DUNN’s carriage, in which he drove with Colonel SCOTT, the representative of the Empress Eugenie, and others. Mr. GODLONTON, Mr. TRUDHOPE and Mr. CLAIRWOOD were together. Several joined at the cemetery: Mr. FLETCHER, Mr. Jas. HAY, Mr. SAVAGE, Sir Geo. CHUBB, Mr. LAMPLOUGH and others. Rev. Dinsdale YOUNG of Denbigh Road Chapel conducted the service. Such beautiful flowers were sent. The Empress sent a lovely wreath and so did Lady DUNN, consisting of white flowers, and over them “E.A.” in purple violets.”

Tuesday 18 December 1900

BURNT TO DEATH
Near Bredasdorp last week a daughter of Mr. WESSELS of Johannesburg was alone in the house, and had a fire lit in the grate for the purpose of making coffee. She had sent the servant and a little brother of Miss WESSELS to fetch water. While they were away she must have approached too near the fire, for as the servant and the child were returning they saw her rushing out of the house with all her clothes on fire. “Help me, I am burning!” she screamed, but the children were paralysed with fright, and every stitch of clothing was burnt off her body. Help came too late. She was carried into the house and died in terrible agony. Not an hour had elapsed from the time she lit the fire until she was dead.

Thursday 20 December 1900

PASSED AWAY at Colesberg on the 14th December 1900, Bertha, infant daughter of I.E. and T.D. TURNBULL, aged 4 months and 9 days.

DIED at the Frontier Hospital, Queenstown, on the 16th (after a short illness), Jarvis Reckless PALMER of Hangklip, aged 57 years and 9 months.

DIED at Grahamstown on Thursday Dec 20th 1900, Jessie Smailes TARR, beloved wife of H. TARR, of Trappe’s Valley, aged 36 years and 10 months.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our griefs and sins to bear:
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Saturday 22 December 1900

STOREY -OATES
Married at Glen Heath on 20th December 1900, by Rev, W. OATES (uncle to the bride), John STOREY of Kimberley to Ivy Amanda, second daughter of Mr. Henry OATES of Glen Heath, Martindale. No cards.

Saturday 29 December 1900

BIRTH at Port Alfred on the 24th inst, the wife of Cecil E. JONES M.R.C.S. L.R.C.P. of a daughter.

DIED at Bucklands on the 29th Dec 1900, Alfred BUCKLEY, aged 83 years, 7 months, 26 days.
Sweet rest for the weary.
The funeral of the abo will take place tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon at 4 o’clock, from the residence of Mr. KENT, Beaufort Street. All friends are invited to attend.
A. WILL, Undertaker.