Five
lives were lost in an automobile accident that occurred on the line of
the T. H. & B. Railway near Ancaster Saturday afternoon, about
12:20 when the express from Brantford struck automobile 19627,
driven by J. W. Heaton of St. Catharines.
Mrs. Heaton, wife
of J. W. Heaton; Mr. and Mrs. Martin [sic] Peach of Port Rowan, cousins of
Jos. Peach, John street, Simcoe, and their two sons, Alan, aged twelve
years and Ray, aged ten, were the victims of the terrible affair.
Mr. Heaton
escaped with a broken leg and bad shaking up.
Mrs. Heaton and
Mr. and Mrs. Peach were killed instantly. Alan Peach died before the
train which struck the auto reached the city, and Ray Peach died at
the City Hospital, Hamilton, Saturday night, without having regained
consciousness.
The train was in
charge of Conductor Chester Sheppard, 19 Augusta street, Hamilton;
with Engineer Daniel Edwards and Fireman G. E. McGregor in the cab of
the engine.
The scene of the
accident is on the Ancaster road a short distance south of where it
branches from the Dundas road, and is a particularly bad crossing, the
view of the tracks being obscured by a hedge.
Mr. Heaton, who
is a wood and coal dealer at St. Catharines, and party, were driving
from Brantford to Port Rowan, and he drove on the track as the train
approached the crossing.
The front part of
the motor car was caught, and it was dragged a considerable distance,
before the train could be brought to a standstill, the occupants being
thrown in all directions, and three being killed outright.
The enginemen
state that they did not see the auto until the train was on top of it,
and had no chance to avoid the accident.
Alex. English,
driver of the motor patrol wagon, stated that he noticed while the
bodies were being taken from the scene of the accident that the
automatic signal bell at the crossing was ringing constantly, the
train being still there when the police arrived.
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Port Rowan. Aug.
31. -- Last Saturday the usual work-a-day life of this village was
disturbed by the sad news that a terrible accident had occurred and
that one of our most highly respected citizens, Mr. and Mrs. Charles [sic]
[Peach] and their two promising young sons, Allen [sic] aged 13
[sic], and Ray aged 11 [sic], the whole family, had been killed
in a collision between an automobile in which they were riding, and an
express train on the T. H. & B. Ry. near Ancaster that day.
The news spread
through the village like an electric shock, bringing tears to the eyes
of many.
The family had
been visiting relatives in Welland and St. Catharines, and were
returning to their home with Mr. and Mrs. J. Heaton of St. Catharines
in their car, who were also coming to Port Rowan to visit relatives,
when the accident occurred, in which Mrs. Heaton also lost her life
and Mr. Heaton received serious injuries, among them being a broken
leg.
Mr. Peach was the
youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peach. He was 37 years
old, and was born in this village., where he always lived. His
occupation was that of clerk in a general store, and his integrity was
such that he enjoyed the unlimited confidence of his employers, and
was highly respected by everyone.
He was a member
of the A. F. & A. M. and the A. O. U. W. He leaves one brother
William, of Port Rowan, and one sister, Fanny, Mrs. Frank Smith of St.
Thomas, to mourn his loss; together with a large number of relatives
in this village and vicinity.
Mrs. Peach
(Carrie), was a daughter of the late John and Mrs. Secord. She was
born in Charlotteville and was 3[6] years old at the time of her
death. She was a woman of sterling character, a kind friend, a loving
wife and an affectionate mother to her two bright and promising sons.
Besides a heartbroken mother, she is survived by one sister, Kitty,
Mrs. Neiderauer of Welland.
The remains
arrived on the mid-day train from Hamilton on Monday, and were taken
to the fine new residence just completed and which they had so
recently left so full of life and hope. The cortege from the train to
the home was watched by a large number of sympathizing friends.
The funeral was
held from the house on Tuesday, and was very largely attended and was
probably the most solemn occasion ever witnessed in this village.
Interment took
place in the Newkirk cemetery, St.
Williams, on Tuesday, where all that remained mortally of what so
recently was a happy and prosperous family was laid at rest. The Rev.
D. J. Rowland officiated.
The late Mrs.
Heaton, who was killed in the accident at Ancaster last week, was
quite well known here, Mrs. Nowry, her daughter, with her family, have
lived in the village for some time, and her brother W. A. Bailey, is
one of the most enterprising business men. A sister, Mrs. Lewis
Snooks, is also a resident of the village. A widowed mother and a
brother live in Forestville; and Mrs. Byron McDonald of Houghton, and
Mrs. Delorme McDonald of Ever View, and Mrs. T. Jones of Houghton, are
sisters.
Mr. Heaton and
the bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community upon sad
loss, and a sympathetic hope is entertained that Mr. Heaton may fully
recover from his injuries.
