Tuesday, July 9, 1867

MELANCHOLY SUICIDE. – Rev. JOHNSON, Military Chaplain at ForBeaufort, committed suicide on Saturday night last by means of laudanum; he was under mental depression at the time on account of certain charges against him.

THE LATE MR. ASHBURNHAM. – The remains of the late Mr. W.A. ASHBURNHAM, whose lamented death was recorded in our Monday’s issue, were interred in the new cemetery yesterday morning, the funeral service being conducted by the Rev. A. BELL, Military Chaplain. The mournful cortege comprised the principal inhabitants of the town. – Gazette [Mr. ASHBURNHAM was, a few years ago, a resident of this town, having come to it in search of health. – Ed. F.B.]

THE REV. ARIE VOS. – The venerable missionary died at Worcester on the 4th ultimo, at midnight, very quietly, at the advanced age of 96½ years, probably in consequence of a fractured leg. On inspection it was found that the right leg was broken in the thigh, and there was no hope of recovery. On the 6th his remains were interred in the burial-ground of the Rhenish Missionary Society. Deceased was born 27th November 1805, laboured till 1837; and since that time lived on his pension. Therefore, he resided thirty-five years in Holland, thirty-two in the service, and twenty-nine and a half on pension. –P.E. Telegraph.

Friday, July 12, 1867

DORDRECHT. (From our own correspondent). FATAL ACCIDENT. A sad and fatal accident occurred here on Tuesdayevening. A respectably connected Dutch farmer, by name Petrus VAN HEERDEN, was on his way to his farm about 8 or 9o’clock in the evening, when about two hundred yards from the village, it appears his horse must have fallen, and thrown it’s unfortunate rider, who was found next morning quite dead. On examination several soress about the head and body raised suspicion that there had been foul play, but on further enquiry it turned out that the deceased had been fighting the day previous, and sustained those injuries during the affray. The field-cornet was immediately sent for, and he called in the services of Dr. FULSS, who decided that the deceased must have been intoxicated at the time of the accident, and that in consequence of the fall apoplexy ensued.

Friday, July 19, 1867

FOUND DEAD. – A man, MACAULAY, a wood cutter from the Transkeian country, was found dead in a stable in town yesterday morning. The deceased had been in Queenstown for several days, during which he had been before the Magistrate for the crime of drunkenness. He was seen in a canteen on the evening before his death. The District Surgeon made a post mortem examination, and we believe gives it as his opinion that the man died of exposure.

Friday, August 2, 1867

A FATAL LEAP – A melancholy occurrence is recorded in the Telegraph. The almost lifeless, and fearfully bruised and broken body of a soldier, named GREY, of the 86th Regiment, was discovered at the foot of the Valley near the base of the magazine, Port Elizabeth. The unfortunate man was at once conveyed by some of his comrades to the military hospital, where he lingered on speechless, unconscious, and in great agony, until the same evening, when he expired. It is conjectured that the unfortunate man, who had had some domestic differenced the previous evening, and taken a farewell of his only child, must have ascended to this particular spot, and in a paroxysm of despair leaped into the Valley beneath (a distance of some three hundred feet) where his body was found with legs, arms, and collar-bone broken, and the skull and face fearfully smashed.

Friday, August 23, 1867

MURDER AT DORDRECHT. – Some time ago our correspondent at Dordrecht mentioned the circumstance of a Dutch farmer having fallen from his horse at a short distance from the village, the dead body being found lying thenext morning by the road side. A postmortem was held on the body by Mr. FULLS, who pronounced death to have been caused by apoplexy. It having transpired that the deceased had been quarrelling previous to leaving the village, suspicion was aroused, and the Resident Magistrate of Aliwal, a day or two ago, paid a visit to Dordrecht, accompanied by the District Surgeon. The body has been exhumed and examined, but we have not yet heard the result. [refer Friday, 12 July 1867]

Tuesday, September 3, 1867

DORDRECHT. – Our correspondent, under date August 27,writes: - The Civil Commissioner held a Court here, and the depositions of thirty-five witnesses were taken, relative to the supposed murder of Piet VANHEERDEN. Nothing very suspicious could be gleaned. I believe the matter is to be submitted to the Attorney General, but I think it is quite certain he will not prosecute the prisoners.

MELANCHOLY AND FATAL ACCIDENT. Two Persons Drowned. On Monday afternoon last, Mr. P.H. ANDREWS, son of C. ANDREWS, Esq., of Port Elizabeth, late Magistrate’s Clerk here, and Mr. John LOOCK, a farmer residing at Oudeberg, intending going out to the farm of the latter. The rain during the whole of Sunday night and greater part of Monday had caused the river to rise, but not very much, as the water was only about three feet deep. Four horses were inspanned, but it was noticed that one horse was without a bridle. They drove down to Mr TALI’s shop, where Mr. LOOCK purchased 5 lbs. of coffee. While making this purchase Mr.ANDREWS drove away down by the Town-Hall, calling out to Mr. LOOCK that he would be back in five minutes. When he returned, it was close on 5 o’clock, and both Mr. TULI and Mr. SMITH his clerk,endeavoured to persuade them to postpone their trip until the following morning, stating that it would be dangerous to ascend Oudeberg with the roads in the state they must then be in after the rain; and that if they attempted it, they were sure to come to grief. They persisted, however, in going; but on reaching the drift at Ryneveld’s Pass, Mr. ANDREWS objected to cross the river, and got out of the cart. Mr. LOOCK, to shew him that there was not any danger, drove through the river and returned, when Mr.ANDREWS consented to proceed. He got into the cart, and they had reached the centre of the river, when one of the leaders stumbled, and the four horses came to a standstill. Mr. ANDREWS had got hold of the reins, and Mr. LOOCK began thrashing the wheelers, who ran against the leaders, and all the horses got excited. Mr. TULI’s boy Thomas, who had accompanied them at the solicitation of Mr. ANDREWS, though without the sanction of his employer, jumped out of the cart, and waded to the front horses to lead them out. Unfortunately, Mr. LOOCK again commenced to thrash the wheelers, and the four horses got entangled. By some means not clearly explained the cart capsized, and ANDREWS and LOOCK were seen to take hold of each other as they fell into the water. An alarm was raised, and a young man of the name of H. OLIVIER, we were told, was passing the water-mill on horseback, when he was informed by Mrs. ENSLIN that ANDREWS and LOOCK had been washed down theriver. He, with praiseworthy promptness, turned his horse's head and galloped to the drift at the bottom of Bird-street. Scarcely had he arrived there, before he saw one of the bodies advancing, when he immediately entered the river and placed his horse across the stream, so as to intercept thebody. In this he was successful, and drew the body to the bank of the river, when it was found to be that of Mr.LOOCK. In the meantime, medical assistance had been sent for, and Drs. MAASDORP and ALSBERG met the body opposite Mrs. MCLEA’s, into whose workshop it was taken but life was found to be extinct. The face of the corpse was much disfigured by coming in contact with the large stones with which the bed of the river at the part where the accident occurred is abundantly covered. The body of Mr. ANDREWS was not observed to pass the spot where Mr. LOOCK’s was taken out, and it seems probable that it must have passed prior to OLIVIER getting there, as a washerwoman who was at the drift in Church-street, reported that she had observed the body of a man passing there. The body of the cart was smashed to pieces, only the wheels,axle, springs, and pole, remaining. The traces of the leading horses were cut shortly after the accident occurred,which enabled them to get safely out of the river. One of the wheelers was drowned, and the other, though got out alive, was much cut and bruised. On Tuesday morning, a number of gentlemen went down the banks of the river in search of Mr. ANDREWS’s body. LATEST PARTICULARS.The search yesterday for the body of Mr. ANDREWS was unsuccessful, owing to there being too much water in the river. It is to be resumed to-day. An overcoat which Mr. ANDREWS had with him in the cart has been recovered, as also a whip. Mr. LOOCK’s life was insured in the Mutual for £1,000. – Graaff-Reinet Herald

Tuesday, September 10, 1867

DIED – at Queenstown, on the 1st instant, of Inflammationof the Lungs, - James Malcolm STEWART of the farm Douglas, near Queenstown, eldest son of the late James STEWART Esq. R.S A, of Alice – aged 49 years.

DEATH OF A TOWNSMAN. – We regret to announce that Mr. Thomas DYER died yesterday afternoon. Mr. DYER has not been long amongst us, but our short acquaintance of him made us admirehim much as a fine, manly fellow. He was liked by all who knew him, and much sympathy has been felt for him during his very painful illness.

Tuesday, September 17, 1867

MARRIED – at Adelaide on the 3rd instant, by the Rev. P. DAVIDSON – Alexander James, eldest son of the late Mr. Tos. R. KIDWELL, to Jane Wills, second daughter of Mr. Henry OSCHARD, of Adelaide. – No Cards.

SAD CASE – A poorman, named JONES, came into town last week from the Free State. He was in a semi – starved condition, and was found lying in a shed on Saturday night in a dying state. He was removed to the Gaol Hospital, where he died on the following morning.

MASONIC FUNERAL. – Mr. James Edward TYRREL, second officer of the American bark G.T. Kemp, who was stabbed at sea by one of the sailors, has since died after much suffering. The deceased was interred in Cape Town, with the usual Masonic honors, in accordance, we believe, with his dying request. He was a member of the Lodge No. 6, North Carolina, United States.

Tuesday, September 24, 1867