Saturday 2 March 1901

MARRIED at Holy Trinity Church, Capetown, on 20th February1901, by Rev. G. Litchfield M.A., Benjamin Clifford, third son of Mr. E.B.C. HOOLE, to Alice May, youngest daughter of M. R.J. BARCLAY, of Capetown.

A SAD ACCIDENT
The Colesberg Advertiser says that Intelligence Officer LE GROS went out on Friday last on a very sad errand. Thomas SIMPSON was wounded on the previous Sunday at Hamelfontein, and crept away into the hills. On Tuesday a native herd reported to his master, Mr. J.A. VAN DER VALT, of Matjesfontein, that a sick soldier was lying in the veld, and Mr. VAN DER WALT immediately put the horses to his spider and fetched him to his house, where he showed him much kindness and did all he could for him. On Thursday the wounded man asked for writing materials. On a sheet of paper he wrote in a fine, scholarly hand his name and number, and the corps to which he belonged. Beneath these he wrote “Mother’s address” – an address in Wales. The he commenced a letter, - “Dear Mother, I was wounded on Sunday and here I am lying ___”. He might, if he had been able, have written another word – “dying”. But the effort must have been cut short by a failure of his powers, for the letter ends there. Mr. LE GROS buried the poor body, as many a soldier is buried, on the wide African veld, coffinless and without a requiem. The unfinished letter will probably find its way to the poor old mother far away in Wales, long after the news of his death has reached her, and at the sight of it the fountain of her tears will be opened afresh.

Tuesday 5 March 1901

KILLED IN ACTION on 22nd Feb, near Kroonstad, Alfred Leo WHITFIELD, aged 40.

DIED at Grahamstown on March 5th 1901, Ann, relict of the late James MOORE, in her 83rd year.
The Funeral of the above will leave her late residence, Cross-street, tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 4 o’clock Friends respectfully invited to attend.
A. WILL
Undertaker

Thursday 7 March 1901

MARRIED at Grahamstown on Tuesday March 5th 1901, by the Rev. J. Martin Dower, Paul DENHAM of Johannesburg to Alice Rebecca, second daughter of G.W. ARMSTRONG Esq, of Port Alfred.

DIED at Indwe on March 6th 1901, after a short illness, Clarence Wingfield MINGAY, second son of the late Mr. W. MINGAY, aged 28 years.

DEATH OF A MISSIONARY
Rev. W. EDWARDS, the well-known missionary, has died at Stellenbosch.

Saturday 9 March 1901

BIRTH at Grahamstown, March 8th, the wife of the late Clarence Wingfield MINGAY of a son.

DIED at Signal Kop, March 7th 1901, Durban, youngest son of the late S.B. SHAW of Salem. Aged 18 years.
“Deeply beloved”

FATAL HEART FAILURE
The threatened attack on Somerset East on Sunday led to a very sad occurrence. Mr. J.C. LOW, one of the masters of the Gill College School, and an enthusiastic member of the Town Guard, was proceeding to his post in the trenches on horseback, when the unwonted excitement affected his heart, which was always weak, and he had to turn back. He was taken to a friend’s house and carefully tended, but never recovered, and died peacefully early Monday morning.

Eddie COOPER, who was captured at the Warm Baths, taken to Pietersburg, and sentenced to be shot, has been retried and sentenced to imprisonment for five years. Barend VORSTER, that incarnate fiend, who sentenced COOPER, and who would readily have executed the sentence, was informed that he would be held responsible if anything happened to COOPER. This made him pause in putting into effect the bitter feelings he bears towards the British subjects and all who have British sympathies. Sentimentality spent on animals of this description is a sheer waste of good feeling; their intelligence is of the order that causes them to confuse good nature with weakness, and the consequence is that their followers and dupes have to pay the penalty. Had it not been for an old friend of ex Chief Justice KOTZE, who held authority superior to that of Barend VORSTER, and intervened when he heard what had happened, there is no doubt that the sentence would have been carried into execution.

Tuesday 12 March 1901

OBITUARY
We deeply regret to record the death, at the early age of 18 years, of Durban, the youngest son of Mrs. G.B. SHAW [sic] of African Street, in this city. The deceased was a general favourite with all who knew him, his quiet and genial disposition gaining for him the good will of all with whom he came in contact. He spent his early days in Salem, where his father, the late Mr. G.B. SHAW, for many years conducted a successful school. About four years ago he came to Grahamstown to live, and for a considerable time he was employed in the Journal Stationery Stores, where he won the sincerest respect and entire good will of all. Afterwards he left and went to Johannesburg, where he remained until the war broke out. Since then he has been with Mr. GARDNER on his farm Signal Kop, Carlisle Bridge. He always appeared to enjoy good health, but about a fortnight ago he was taken sick, and on Thursday last passed away. We offer our sincerest sympathies to his sorrowing relatives in their untimely bereavement.
[Transcriber’s note: There is a mistake in the initials of his father, who was Samuel Best SHAW]

NOTICE TO CITIZENS
We are requested to state upon authority that orders have been issued that all able-bodied men who have not joined any of the Defence Forces now being formed or those already in existence, will be confined to their houses after 7pm, and other restrictions will probably be put on them. The prohibition to be out after 7pm applies to women and children also.

MURDER OF A SOLDIER
A private in the King’s Royal Rifles, named Harry PLUMTREE, was assaulted in a low part of Maritzburg on Saturday night. From the statement made it appears that PLUMTREE was sitting in the open air with a woman drinking, when someone came up behind and struck him on the head, it is thought with a beer bottle. PLUMTREE was taken to the hospital, where he died on Sunday from severe injury to the brain through fracture of the skull. The woman alleges that she also was struck. A man names JONES has been arrested.

Thursday 14 March 1901

BIRTH at Cross-street, Grahamstown, March 14th, the wife of Clarence M. WEBBER of a son.

FIRST CITY CASUALTY
The following casualty is reported: Private Thomas GREY, 1st City (Grahamstown) Volunteers, shot by sentry (since dead), Cradock, March 6th.

Saturday 16 March 1901

ILLNESS OF AN EDITOR
We regret to hear that Mr. W. WARDEN, editor of the Cathcart Chronicle, is lying seriously ill at that place.

FATAL ACCIDENT
At Klipdam on Thursday a Dutch lad named Jan Jacobus COETZEE was in charge of an ox wagon riding water for his father. He had just left the well at [Holpag] when he arose from his seat to whip up the oxen. A front wheel struck a boulder, and the poor lad was thrown forward, striking the disselboom, and a wheel of the wagon passed over his chest, death being almost instantaneous.

DEATH OF MR. WHITFIELD
Alfred L. WHITFIELD, a well-known farmer of Kroonstad, organised locally a force of scouts, consisting of well-known residents, and sons of farmers, named the Kroonstad Scouts, and came in contact with a body of the enemy at Boschpoort, where he was struck in the right breast, the bullet passing out between the shoulders. The Rev. O. CARNY conducted the funeral.

Tuesday 19 March 1901

A SERIOUS ACCIDENT
We are sorry to learn that Capt. PIGOTT of the D.M.P. had a serious accident on Saturday. It appears that Mr. PIGOTT was standing at the door of a [.....] truck in the small hours of the morning, it being intensely dark; he somehow missed his footing and fell from the truck, striking his head on the ground. He was brought up to town and taken to the hospital unconscious. We hope to hear of his speedy recovery.

A LIGHT SENTENCE
In the Johannesburg Military Tribunal on March 4 a young Dutchman named Tjaart VAN DER WALT, employed as a ganger on the I.M.R. construction works, pleaded not guilty to having, at Roodepoort Nek, (1) used traitorous and disloyal words regarding Her late Majesty the Queen, and (2) used language calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. The evidence showed that on the news of the death of the Queen reaching the construction camp at Roodepoort, the accused stood in the centre of the enclosure and commenced shouting in a loud voice the most disgusting and unprintable expressions regarding the deceased Sovereign, and kept singing these for some time. He was sentenced to the very light penalty of a year’s imprisonment with hard labour.

We learn on enquiry that Capt. PIGOTT, though weak, is as well as can be expected.

FUNERAL OF MR. ERNEST TRELOAR
Of the Town Guard Cycle Section
Yesterday morning the Cyclist Section of the Town Guard laid in his last resting-place Private TRELOAR, one of their number. The deceased was taken ill a day or two before the guard was called out on active service, and was subsequently taken to the Hospital, where he died on Saturday. The funeral left the Hospital at 10 o’clock on Monday morning under the supervision of Mr. A. WILL. The chief mourners were Messrs. MANN and RAE. Deceased (who was a refugee) was in the former’s employ for some six months. In a cab following were Mr. and Mrs. TRELOAR, the former a brother of the deceased. The pall-bearers were Capt. C.G. MILES, Lieut. M. STIRK, Sergt. C.H. ROBERTS and Corpl. T. CLARK; there were also 16 cyclists following. Had it not been for the short notice, there is no doubt that there would have been a full muster. On arrival at the Wesleyan Cemetery the cortege was met by the Rev. J. Martin DOWER, who impressively read the funeral service. The coffin was black and bore the following inscription:
Ernest TRELOAR
Died March 16th 1901
Aged 25 years.
Our sympathies are extended to the bereaved relatives.

5 MEN SHOT BY BOERS
The D.F. Advertiser’s Klerksdorp correspondent forwards particulars regarding the execution by the Boers of five men near Wolmaranstad on February 22nd. The men were R. MACLACHLAN, J.R. BOYD, J. MATHYS, J.D.P. THENISSON [sic] and H. AHRENS, the last the father-in-law of R. MACLACHLAN, who brought the news of the affair to Klerksdorp. These men were condemned to death some two months ago at Wolmaranstad by a Boer court, but it was never expected the sentence would be carried out. BOYD was a British subject, his crime being that having been arrested on some charge and sentenced, he sent a letter to the British to that effect, the letter falling into the hands of the Boer Commandant, who considered it proof that the man was a spy. These men were taken out on the veld and shot by men of DE LA REY’s Commando. BOYD, who showed some signs of animation when he fell into his grave, had a bullet put through his head as he lay at the bottom of the grave. The remainder were killed with the first volley. Mrs. MACLACHLAN had the bodies disinterred two days later, and placed in coffins and properly and reverently buried. Three other men, named SAVAGE, W. ASHONS and C.J. THEUNISSON, lie under sentence of death. SAVAGE, who is a Free State burgher, is a connection by marriage of Bishop BONSFIELD of Pretoria.
[Transcriber’s note: Despite the impression given by the above, this marriage certificate suggests that it was J.P.D. THEUNISSEN who was the father-in-law of Robert MACLACHLAN]

Thursday 21 March 1901

A WITNESS MURDERED
The Government has offered £250 for information which will lead to the arrest of one Jan STAFELBERG, lately of Waterkloof, charged with the murder of the native witness Salmo ROOI, alias KURK, in the case of PLESSIS and others, charged with high treason.

THRASHED AND EXPELLED
Young ECKARD, who escaped from the Graaff-Reinet College some time ago and joined KRITZINGER’s Commando, as already stated in this paper, was brought to town last week by his uncle “Corney” ECKARD. This morning (says the Advertiser) he was thrashed in the presence of the College boys and expelled.

Tuesday 26 March 1901

KILLED IN ACTION at Buffel’s Kloof, Baviaan’s River, Captain John RENNIE of Bedford Mounted Rifles, on 14th March 1901, aged 56 years and 8 months.

DIED at Grahamstown on March 25 1901, Archibald LAPPAN, in his 71st year.
The funeral of the above will leave his late residence, New-st., this (Tuesday) afternoon at 4 o’clock. Friends respectfully invited.
A. WILL
Undertaker

DEATH OF MR. ARCHIBALD LAPPAN
It is with deep regret that we chronicle the death of Mr. Archibald LAPPAN in the early hours of yesterday morning. Mr. LAPPAN was born near Belfast, north of Ireland, and sailed for the Cape Colony on St.Patrick’s Day 1860, in the John Masterman. He was for some years with the late Rev. Jno. EDWARDS on his farm in the Bedford District, and subsequently moved to near Port Elizabeth, where he held the position of Manager on Mr. HUDSON’s farm. Mr. LAPPAN was also for some time in Kingwilliamstown as a Produce-dealer where he carried on a successful business. He finally settled in Grahamstown, where he was universally known and respected, as the proprietor of the “Welcome Inn” Hotel of New Street. Mr. LAPPAN held a licence for nearly 30 years, with credit to himself, and was always known as a good and honourable citizen. His was an energetic and healthy life up to the day he was taken ill, which by a curious coincidence happened to be on St.Patrick’s Day, and besides his Hotel, ran one farm in this district and let two others, while he owned much property in this city. In former days he was a great supporter of sport, and was a well-known figure at all race meetings. His many friends here will miss him sadly, and the loss to his family – his widow and five daughters and four sons living, will be irreparable. We can only tender our sincerest sympathies with them in their affliction. The funeral will take place at 4pm today.

KILLED IN ACTION at Oorlogs Poort, near Schoombie, on Sunday the 24th inst, Lieut. Clifford A. TURPIN of Marshall’s Horse, in his 27th year.

Lieut. Cliff TURPIN, the sad news of whose death in action we publish today, was the youngest son of Rev. W.H. TURPIN of this City, and as brave a young Colonist as ever fought for his country. He was an old Andrean, and was especially mentioned in despatches for bravery at Elandslaagte while serving in the famous Imperial Light Horse, when he carried out his officer, Colonel CHISHOLME, under heavy fire. We feel the deepest sympathy with the bereaved parents in the loss of their gallant son.

Saturday 30 March 1901

DEATH OF MR. ST.LEGER
“Journal” Special – Capetown, Thursday
Mr. F.Y. ST.LEGER, M.L.A. for Capetown, who founded and was for many years editor of the Cape Times, died this morning.