Born on St Patrick's Day: Happy 115th Mary

They say that its good luck to be Irish, and that the luckiest of all are those who are born on St Patrick's Day. No doubt this is what was said the day that my great grandmother was born. However, her life was not necessarily filled with the good luck that the superstition had predicted. As much as she had a hard life, her life was also an "ordinary" one of a young British immigrant to Canada. Despite that, the simple life she led in youth was filled with fun. She embrace the changing times, new found freedoms, and innovations. Its the heirlooms from that chapter of her life that fascinate me the most because they show aside to her that none of my relatives knew - a woman who was happy. So today, I am going to share the side of her that one of those heirlooms tells. I have a small black autograph book that was hers.  At almost 100 years old, the book binding has all but disintegrated yet the leather cover is in near pristine condition and the partially bound pages are al...
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The 1915 Niagara Trolley Accident: an Unofficial List of the Vicitims


I wrote a post many months ago about the 1915 Niagara Trolley accident and have published several updates since then. Part of my continued research into this disaster involved compiling a list of names of the victims as well as those who were involved. Like my previous post, this one is likely to undergo several updates as I continue to further my research into this topic. 

I first stumbled upon this disaster when I was researching one of my relatives. The entire event perplexed me. Like many things on that side of my family, the past was something that we just didnt talk about. I have since learned that this is an incredibly common trait in British families. The only reason that I made this discovery was because I have access to the ProQuest newspaper database. Hopefully this unofficial list will aid other researchers in learning their families role within this disaster. 

The disaster involved two Sunday school church groups - one from St John Presbyterian, and the other from the Wood Green Methodist. I have done my best to identify what church each person belonged to by highlighting their line in blue or green respectively. The following information was compiled using historic articles published in the Toronto Star and The Globe. 

It should be noted that there was conflicting information for some individuals pertaining to their age, exact address, spelling of their name, and extent of their injuries. In these cases, I used the most frequently reported age/spelling, and the most recent description of their injuries. Additionally, many of the women are listed under their husband's name (ie. Mrs J.G. Smith) as that is how they were identified in the newspapers. 

SurnameFirst NameAgeOccupationAddressConditionInjuredNotes
ArgyleDorothy43 Riverdale Aveinjuredlacerations on faceToronto Gen Hospital
ArmstrongHarold18Neville Park Blvdinjuredscalp woundToronto Gen Hospital
BageFWestminster Pub. Co.Confederation Life Buildingdead
BakerGordon747 Queen St EinjuredNot hospitalized
BartleyRev. T. E.Wood Green Church PastoruninjuredNot on wrecked trolley
BonneyDr. WalterDentist6 Hogarth Aveinjuredsmall cut on head
BramleyMaud106 Curzoninjuredscalp/face wound and fractured clavicalToronto Gen Hospital
BrimbecomMrs.38 Lewis Stinjuredsevere cuts
BrimbecomRichard12child38 Lewis Stuninjured
BrimbecomWilliam38 Lewis Stinjuredsevere cuts and bruises
BrimbecomWillie9child38 Lewis Stuninjured
BrownEthel29 McGee Stinjuredfractured legToronto Gen Hospital
ButcherMrs. E196 Carlaw Aveinjuredscalp/head woundToronto Gen Hospital
CaddyGeorge14child402 Wilton Ave
CaddyWilliam16child402 Wilton Ave
CameronElizabeth58 Caroline Aveinjuredhead and face injuryToronto Gen Hospital
CanterRose14child157 Carlaw Ave
CappsMrs.21 Danforth AveinjuredshockNot hospitalized
CaskieJohn264 Bain AveinjuredNot hospitalized
ChanterF.G157 Carlaw AveinjuredScalp woundNiagara Falls Hospital
ChanterFrank4child157 Carlaw Avedeadsuccumbed to injuries July 11
ChanterJackchild157 Carlaw Aveuninjured
ChanterMay157 Carlaw Aveinjured
ChanterMrs. F. G.157 Carlaw Aveinjuredbruised headNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
ChanterRosechild157 Carlaw Avedead
CoppsMrs. Geo.310 Danforth Aveinjuredshock; injured arm and bodyToronto Gen Hospital
CowlingDr. Thomas1 Grant StinjuredNot hospitalized
CrombieMiss. Elizb26Maid (Rev J Scott)406 Jones Avedead
DaneMrs. J. A.injuredNot hospitalized
DanielsAlfredchild493 Eastern Aveinjuredslightly scratched
DanielsBessiechild493 Eastern Aveinjuredslightly scratched
DanielsCharleschild493 Eastern Aveinjuredslightly scratched
DanielsMarychild493 Eastern Aveuninjured
DanielsMaudchild493 Eastern Aveuninjured
DanielsMrs. Geo. T.493 Eastern Aveinjuredcuts to head and handsNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
DaperFred14child27 Strange Stinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
DaviesJames29 First Aveslightly scratched
DaviesMelville29 First Aveinjuredhip and head injuriesNot hospitalized
DaviesMrs. J. M.29 First Aveinjuredhead injuryToronto Gen Hospital (Davey?)
DeanWinnifred14child54 McGee Stinjuredshock and bruises
De WitteCalvin71 Wilson Aveinjuredscalp woundToronto Gen Hospital
DeffrillMrs226 Niagara Stinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
DentNorman16child14 Bain Aveinjuredhead injury/unconscious
DevereuxHazel226 Niagara Stinjuredscalp woundToronto Gen Hospital
DorolesyGordon22 Montrose Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
DowlingMr.122 Munro Stinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
DysonElizabeth39 A Boston aveuninjuredSunday school teacher
DysonHarrychild39 A Boston aveuninjured
DysonMrs. Geo39 A Boston aveuninjuredNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured?); son (11); dau (16); trampled during exiting of car
EdwardsGeorge157 Carlaw Aveinjuredright knee and footnot in car; received injuries while aiding in rescue
FalconerCarlyle14child41 Saulter Stinjured
FolliottNelson150 Riverdale Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
GilybertLydiainjuredshock and scalp injury
GonelliGeorgeLogan Aveinjured
GooderhamBeatrice482 Pape Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
GoodwinBeatrice42 Pape Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
GrantF. C.20dead
GrantSidney W.50Advert Mgr - Westminster Pub84 Langley Avedead
GreggGladys3child39 A Boston aveuninjured
GreggInfantchild39 A Boston aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized; s/o William Gregg
GreggMrs. Wm.39 A Boston aveinjuredslightly scratched19 mo. child was uninjured
GreggWillie18 mochild39 A Boston aveuninjured
GreighAliceslightly scratched
GreighMrs.39 A Boston aveinjuredbruisedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
GriersonSadie240 Huron Stinjuredface/head severely cutNot hospitalized; also see Griesman
GrinnellAlfred30756 Logan Avedeaddbl jaw fracture (serious)Toronto Gen Hospital; died July 9
HaganGeorge518 Carlton Aveslightly scratched
HallAnnie14child856 Queen St Euninjured
HallBeatrice10child856 Queen St Euninjured
HallEmily12child856 Queen St Einjuredsprained wrist and shock
HallMiss.15 First Ave.injuredbadly shaken upNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
HallMrs162 First Avedeadbroken leg and shoulder; internal injuriesNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured); died July 9
HargraveHarold1851 Hogarth Aveinjuredsevere scalp injury; badly bruised faceNot hospitalized
HarrisGladys12 Woodgreen Plinjured
HarrisLizzie12 Woodgreen Plinjured
HarrisMrs12 Woodgreen Plinjured
HartHarry17child11 Morse Stinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
HartHarry15child11 Morse Stinjuredbadly torn scalpToronto Gen Hospital
HartJack12child11 Morse Stuninjured
HartMrs. J. Moore421 Broadview AvedeadDied on the boat
HartMrs. James11 Morse Stuninjured
HillMrs.353 Broadview AveinjuredshockNot hospitalized
HopkinRobin61 Hampton Aveslightly scratchedWas riding beside motorman and told to jump
JamesonMrs543 Broadview Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
JenningsCharles B.Accountant - Imperial Varnish Co.505 Broadview AvedeadWood Green Sunday school teacher
JenningsMrs. C. B.505 Broadview Aveinjuredslightly scratched
JenningsMrs. Maud505 Broadview Aveinjuredshock; head/shoulder injury (serious)Toronto Gen Hospital
KeatesDorothy7child250 Silver Birch Avedead
KeatesMrs.36 Saulter Stinjuredslightly scratched
KeatesMrs. Charles250 Silver Birch Aveinjuredbroken armNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured); son (21); dau (7)
KeatesWilliam4child250 Silver Birch Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
KeatsEvelynslightly scratched
KeatsMrs. Florence250 Silver Birch Aveinjuredinjured armNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
KeatsMrs. Irene226 Niagara Stinjuredslightly scratchedToronto Gen Hospital
LeslieW. J.142 Simpson Aveinjuredsevere head injury
LipmanDr. ADoctor287 Fairview Aveslight head injuryNot hospitalized
LittleAlbert12child105 Bolton Avedead
LittleFlorence105 Bolton Aveinjuredhead/face injuryToronto Gen Hospital
LockeR. P.159 Walmer Rduninjuredin car behind the wrecked one
MaddockFlorence102 Brooklyn Aveinjuredscalp woundToronto Gen Hospital
Mansfield(son)child13 Empire Aveuninjured
MansfieldUna13child13 Empire Aveuninjured
MatthewsWilliam O172 North Beaconsfield Aveinjuredscalp and right ankle injuryToronto Gen Hospital
McBrienMiss Lottie50 Caroline Aveinjuredscalp injuryToronto Gen Hospital
McBrienMiss Ruby50 Caroline Aveinjuredshoulder injuryToronto Gen Hospital
McWaltersCyril782 Logan Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
McWaltersSarah22782 Logan Aveinjuredcrushed footNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
McWaltersThora782 Logan Aveuninjured
MitchellWillie48 Sparkhallinjuredleg injuryToronto Gen Hospital
MottonAda8child60 Saulter Stuninjured
MottonJack2child60 Saulter Stuninjured
MottonMrs. Chas60 Saulter Stinjuredbadly cut
MuttonMrs. Charles60 Sullivan St
NattEd109 Brooklyn Aveuninjured
NewcombeAnnie91 McGee Stuninjured
NewcombeMay91 McGee Stuninjured
NewcombeMrs.91 McGee Stuninjured
NewtonAnna91 McGee Stinjuredslightly scratchedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
NewtonGladys14child91 McGee Stinjuredbroken legs and armStill in Niagara Falls Hospital a/o July 12
NewtonMayinjuredslightly scratchedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
NewtonMrs.injuredslightly scratched
NewtonMrs. Arthur91 McGee Stuninjured3 children
NourseMyrtle14child1 Neville Park Blvdinjuredhead injuriesToronto Gen Hospital
NurseOlive1 Neville Park Blvduninjured
NurseRoy1 Neville Park Blvduninjured
OrangeMrs.157 Carlaw Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured); guest of Mr. Chanter
OrrMrs. Mary8 First Aveinjuredbroken ribs (serious); face and scalp woundsToronto Gen Hospital
OwensMrs.157 Wilson Aveinjuredbroken armNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
OwensEthel13child41 McGee Stinjuredconfirned to bed
OwensEvelyn11child41 McGee Stinjuredbruises
PageAlice235 Logan Aveinjured
PartridgeHarold J29Wood Green Church Organist22 Garden Avedeadslightly scratchedDOA - was crushed by car
PartridgeMrs. Effie22 Garden Aveinjuredrib injuryNot hospitalized
PearsonMrs27 Westwood Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
RaynorHarold4child49 DeGrassiinjuredbruised head; 2 broken legsToronto Gen Hospital
RaynorJeanette14child49 DeGrassiinjuredankle injury; cuts and bruises
RaynorMary13child26 Degrassiinjured
RaynorRalph12child26 Degrassiinjuredscalp wound; fractured femurToronto Gen Hospital
RaynorSidney26 Degrassiinjured
RevoyStanley4 Woodgreen Plinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
RochesterIvy11child20 Empire Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
RothwellFred126 Morse Stinjured
RussellEarle237 Logan Aveinjuredbruised face; leg injury
SharpGeorge59 Simpson Aveinjuredright eye injuryToronto Gen Hospital; mother of Mrs. Jennings
SharpMrs. Geo59 Simpson Aveinjuredcur hand and fingersToronto Gen Hospital
ShepardEmma109 Glen Rose AveinjuredNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
SimmonsMrs. Harry229 Logan Aveinjuredslightly scratcheddau (12)
SimpsonMrs. FrankDentonia Park Farminjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
SloanCalvin JRoyal Bank Mgr24 Fairview Blvduninjured
SloanMrs421 Broadview Avedead
SloanMrs. Henry24 Fairview Blvddeadwidow
SmithMaryinjuredseriousnot expected to recover
SmithSarahinjuredlaccerated face and scalp; possibly fractured skullToronto Gen Hospital
StephensonAnniechild1-473 Danforth Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
StewartMargery522 Bolton Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
StewartMrs.22 Bolton Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
StiffEdna67 Eaton AveuninjuredWas in shock and slightly shaken but otherwise fine
StiffInfant3mochild67 Eaton Aveuninjured
SwiftE. J.631 Wilton Aveuninjured
SwiftHarry18631 Wilton Aveuninjured
SwiftKatherine16child631 Wilton Aveuninjured
SwiftLena19631 Wilton Aveuninjured
SwiftMable14child631 Wilton Aveinjuredbruises and sprains
SwiftMrs. E. J.631 Wilton Aveinjuredslightly scratched
SwiftMrs. FDentonia Park Farminjuredshock
SymondsCharles299 Logan Ave
SymondsLouise299 Logan Aveinjuredamputated legNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
SymondsMrs. E.299 Logan Aveinjuredcrushed headNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
SymondsCharlie1child299 Logan Ave
TomlinMargaret1831 DeGrassi stdead
VogueSamuel40dead
WaddellGeorgechild995 Queen St E
WaddellJames10child995 Queen St Einjuredbadly bruisedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
WaddellRosschild995 Queen St E
WainwrightFredchild70 Saulter Stinjuredunconscious (serious)Not hospitalized
WainwrightJohn70 Saulter Stinjuredbroken legToronto Gen Hospital
WainwrightMrs.70 Saulter Stinjuredbruised eye and legNot hospitalized
WaiteD. R.71 Wilton Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
WaltersG. L.47 Victor Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
WatsonRobertdeadWood Green sunday school teacher
WattCharlesreal estate agent7 Sandford Aveinjuredabdominal injury/fractured pelvisNiagara on the Lake Military Camp
WattEdith109 Brooklyn Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
WeatherRosa15childdead
WesherEmily14 Milan Stinjuredslight cuts
WestneyMrs. A6044 Bain Ave.deaddied before reaching hospital; was widowed
WigginsRita13child16 Avenue Rddead
WillisAlf13child196 Carlaw Aveinjuredfractured skullToronto Gen Hospital
WillisEdna196 Carlaw Aveinjuredhead injuriesToronto Gen Hospital; also see Willett
WillisKathleen196 Carlaw Aveuninjured
WillisLena6child196 Carlaw Aveinjuredhead injuries/unconsciousToronto Gen Hospital
WilsonFred73 Allen Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
WilsonRoy260 Bain Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized
WisnerHarry14 Milne Stinjuredslightly bruised and cut
WrenElsie11child11 Empire Aveinjuredbroken ankleNiagara Falls Hospital (seriously injured)
WrenJenniechild11 Empire Aveuninjured
YoungW. R.309 Riverdale AveuninjuredSt John's Organist
YuleBessie14 Hogarth Aveinjuredslightly scratchedNot hospitalized


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