Alfred Whitfield

Alfred William Whitfield born to John and Elizabeth Whitfield in the state of Illinois in 1859.  Alfred had two brothers Frank E, and Charles J. Whitfield, also of Illinois.  Alfred at some point is his life relocated to Ohio and in 1898 married a young woman by the name of Etta G Shisler.  Etta was the daughter of Samuel and Hannah Wollam Shisler of Ohio.  Alfred was a telegrapher in Sandusky County Ohio.  I can only imagine the stories he sent and received across the wires.  Alfred and Etta had but one child; Lena G Whitfield, 1899!  After a time, the family fell apart and Alfred relocated to Columbus Ohio and this is where we find his final resting place in the Union Cemetery.
telegrapher in northwest

I have written about Alfred's brother Frank, so if you are curious, please follow the label suggestions or enter Whitfield in the search box top left corner of this blog window.

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Case of the missing N

Louis Grothmann

Or is it Grothman, Grotman, Grathman?  This question is not a cause of the family, but rather those that are trying to understand, translate accents and write down what they think is correct.  As of yesterday, I thought the previous four mention names were going to be the only spelling variation I would need to watch for as I searched historical data for Grothmann.  But no, it turns out another variation has popped up; Groveman!

My Grothmann line starts in Prussia around 1860 when Louis Otto Grothmann and his wife Rosalie Hedtke Grothmann started their journey to Chicago and their American life.  Louis was a professional musician of some kind, but I've not been able to find what he played or where.  After coming to America, Louis started being known as Lewis and Grothmann lost the second N, thus Lewis Grothman came to be.  So, while chasing this name, I needed to be aware of the case of the missing N.


Louis and Rosalie were both born in Prussia.  Louis in 1836 and Rosalie in 1846. Leaving Hamburg, they traveled across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the steamship Kepler and arriving in New York  25 October 1864.

Kepler manifest 1864

They were heading for Ohio according to the ships manifest.  What was waiting for them in Ohio? A question that may never get answered. By the taking of US census of 1870,  Louis, Rosalie and two relatively newborns (Elsie and Otto) were recorded in Chicago Illinois.   Louis and Rosalie had eight children together; Anna, Elsie b. 1865, Otto b. 1867, Emma b. 1869, Emily b. 1876, Amelia b. 1877, Frederick and Louis b. 1879.  Of these children I have been able to find four mentioned in history beyond the birth.

Elsie Minnie Grothmann was born in 1865 and appears to be Louis and Rosalie's first born.  She grew up in Chicago and spends most of her life in the big city.  In 1885 at the age of 20, Elsie marries a Frank E Whitfield also of Chicago.  You will notice that the marriage license has Elsie as Else Grotmann at the age of 19.  Frank is a Street Car operator in the big city. Elsie and Frank have only one child;  Grace Rosalie Whitfield, who can read more about by following the link.  Elsie remarries to a Orrin P Talley in December 1921.  This marriage

is not long live as Orrin passes away in November 1923.  Both Frank and Orrin are resting in same plot in the Oakwoods Cemetery Chicago Illinois.  To this date, 1/13/2013, I have not found Elsie death or resting place.

Update:  Elsie Grothmann Whitfield moved to Tacoma Washington after the death of her second husband.  Tacoma is where her daughter lived at the time. Elsie passes away 2 Nov 1934.  Her final resting place is still unknown, since she was cremated, my guess she rests with her daughter.

Otto Grothman was born December 1867 in Chicago.  At the age of 24, Otto marries a Wilhelmina Dudde, 13 August 1892.  Otto and Minnie have two children; Otto and Minnie.  No, that's wasn't a typo. Otto (the younger) was born 1893 and Minnie in 1894  Otto (the elder) passes away in 19 November 1895.  Otto (the younger) working as a bookkeeper, marries Anna Tennyson of Norweigan decent on 18 Jun 1921.  The Chicago marriage register confirms the marriage, but nowhere can the be couple be found in census records, until yesterday as  I was searching for the surname of Tennyson in Chicago, which disclosed the newest variation of Grothmann as Groveman.  Otto and Anna are living with Anna's parent's in Chicago and were numerated in the 1930 US census.  The census recorded age, years married and employment as matching data to what was known about Otto Grothman, so I have accepted this Otto Groveman as the same person.

Becker girls

Emma Grothman was born 1869 in Chicago.  At the age of 21 Emma marries a Joseph Becker of Chicago. This couple has four daughters Hazel b. 1891. Edna b. 1893,  Rose b. 1895 and Carrie b. 1900.

Emily F Grothman was born December 1876 in Chicago.  In May 1899 she marries Louis Dediemar of Kenosha Wisconsin.  By the spring of 1901 Emily has passed on due Phthisis Pulmonalis, which is tuberculosis. Louis and Emily had no children  prior to her passing.

UPDATE: A cousin of Louis DeDiemar shared the resting place for Emily;  Green Ridge Cemetery Kenosha, Wisconsin. I have created a FindaGrave Memorial with a photo of the headstone. I hope you take a moment to view.

That begins us back to the beginning of our story as we end with a few more details about Louis and Rosalie. Louis Otto Grothman passes away in 1891 at home, 6732 Michigan Ave, Chicago.  After Louis' death Rosalie remarries in April 1894 to a August Fenske.  The Fenske's relocates to Kenosha Wisconson.  Rosalie passes away in 1915 at the age of  69.

Grothman family circa 1882

From the back to front is; Elsie, Otto, Emma, Anna and Emily. Sitting is Rosalie and Louis Grothmann.  To date I haven't found anything for Anna other than this photo.  

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Cross in the fold

As I went through my mother's belonging after her death 2001, I found boxes of old family pictures and letters wasting away in an old leaky and smelly outbuilding .  Many of the pictures were without full name or names at all. The letters had names of which I was somewhat familiar and others not! So, it was slow going trying to figure out who was who and how they connected to me or me them.  In one envelope, a letter from my great aunt Adelaide Herrick Roberts of Florida to my mother who lived in NE Minnesota.  There was no date on the letter itself, but the envelope was post marked in the 1960's.

In the folds of the letter was a cross.  A cross my great grandmother Mary Clement Kennedy Herrick wore and carried in her purse for many a year.  I have no idea how old the cross might be, but I am going to guess near a hundred years.  The cross was send as a keepsake but was to be returned if not wanted.  My aunt Adelaide has since passed on too and I have no current with any of her children, so the cross and the letter stays with me for now.

Mary Clement Kennedy, daughter of Michael and Margaret Walsh Kennedy, Freeport Illinois.  Mary was born in 1869 Freeport Illinois and was laid to rest in Tampa Florida 1947.

Elizabeth A Watters Reynolds

 Elizabeth was the first born of James Watters and Sarah Jane Dingle Watters in year of 1868.  James is of Cornwall England, and a miner.  Sarah is of St Mary's River Nova Scotia.  Sarah is the daughter of a fisherman, Thomas and Margaret Leigh Dingle. According to the 1900 US Census, Elizabeth migrated to the US from Nova Scotia  with a son, James W Reynolds and I assume then husband George Henry Reynolds in the year 1889.  I say assume because I can't find any data about George Henry Reynolds before  1889 and nothing after 1892.  I have no idea where George came from or got off too, but he was in the picture for two children after James.  In the following couple of years, George and Elizabeth gives birth to George Henry Reynolds (II) and Flossie Jane Reynolds.  Both George (II) and Flossie's birth are registered in the city of Woburn Massachusetts.

Marriage Certificate

In 1907 Elizabeth remarries to a James McArdle of Lowell Massachusetts. In the 1910 US Census Elizabeth, George (II) and Flossie are living the McArdle house of Lowell MA.   George (II) marries twice, first to a Margaret Hodge of Lowell MA and then Edith Ruby Heaney also of Lowell.  Flossie (Florence) married a William Kershaw of Lowell MA

Obituary

In 1919 Elizabeth passes away at her daughters home in Lowell MA.  Elizabeth rest in the Edson/Westlawn Cemetery, Lowell Massachusetts. The bearers were sons James W Reynolds and George H Reynolds (II) and brother James L. Watters.

Today, 17 Feb 2014, while seeking other records for other relatives, I bumped into a record that I had not see previously;  Massachusetts Standard Death Certificate; issued 1919.

Death Certificate

The name on the above record is Hannah E McArdle, which is really Elizabeth A Waters Reynolds McArdle.  My grandmother used her given name of Elizabeth and middle name Anna at different times. Well, apparently she used Hannah too.  The above record has her parents as James Waters and Sarah Lee, which is not totally accurate as Sarah was a Dingle.  Sarah's mother was a Lee or Leigh depending of the record you look at.  This is an understandable error as the informant for the Death Certificate is James McArdle.

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Early morning visit

A earlier visit brought it's end! 

Round about 4am Gandalf goes off on something in the darkness of the per morning light, which was more shadow and dark places than light. Not long after the standard warning barks, Gandalf's voice changed to something more serious. This was my signal to check things out. I slipped into some clothes, found the flash-lite, the .22 and exited the house. The sound of the door closing behind me brought Gandalf to my side, where upon he guided me to coop where something moved in the darkness. I could hear it rustling about the front part of the coop looking for a way into the chicken. Getting a bit closer, the smell hit me first then the scurrying skunk came waddling out the front of the coop. We escorted the skunk a safe distance away from the area, where upon it turned around and was heading back... Gandalf barked, I yelled and the .22 ended it all. So goes the Pepe this night!

Upon the night air

In the wee hours of the morning, Gandalf goes off on something in the field to the south. The urgency is his voice sets Gurl off, who is lying on the floor next to the bed. Damn she is loud! With both dogs barking I figured I best check things out. The clock read 1:30 am as I rolled out of bed heading for the front door. I didn't get but a step or two when I learn what the alarm was about ... Pepe Le Pew had entered the domain of Gandalf the White. The air was full of the scent of da skunk, to which gave me I little desire to go outside. But, after checking the cams that watch the coop, I saw Pepe roaming around trying to get in. Gandalf no worse the wear followed me to the coop with flashlite and .22 in hand. Can you image an old fat man wandering around in the wee hours chasing a skunk about the yard and trying to stay clear of the spray. Pepe the wiser headed for the woods. I returned to the house to watch the cams for awhile. No further evidence, so off to bed again... Not a hour later Gandalf and Gurl are alarmed and the aroma of Pepe was again in the air. I wasn't able to catch up to Pepe this night. So, I wish him a good night with warning not to return. Come morning Gandalf had a slight hint of a new cologne; Ode de Pepe Le Pew!

Things about my dad!

I don't have a good recall of my childhood, just bits and pieces here and there.  What I remember most about my dad was three or four things he would say.

If! If! If! Frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their arse.  I remember telling my girl this when they started playing THE WHAT IF GAME.

Two blind men came out to fight, back to back they faced each other.... the story goes on from there.

Righty tighty, lefty loosey!  Still use this one!

Don't let the bed bugs bite, but if they do you know what to do?   Bite them back!

SOTEBS was always the gift one was getting if asked.  SOTEBS for all I know this was my dads creation. It's an acronym for Shit on the End of a broom Stick.  I know it doesn't fit totally.

SOS was a food he seem to enjoy... Shit on a Shingle is what it stood for.  You may know as Creamed Chipped Beef over mashed taters, rice, scrabbled eggs!

He hated oil that would settle on top of spaghetti mac that was still in the pot.  So much so, he would start yelling at mom.  I have found myself sounding like my dad all to often.  I hate it!

But mostly I remember trips to the woodshed were a 2x4 was used.   I can't tell you how many times I've woke up during my life seeing that board crashing down on me.  I hated him for years, but come to realize, he was doing what he knew right or wrong.  I carried that hatred inside me for years and years and to this day I  will not bow down, even if you have a board in your hand.  I know the hatred and anger within, messed with my life in so many a ways and I regret many things I can't correct.  But, I love my family and friends and I try very hard to stand up for those that are beaten down and need a hand up.  I will take that board for you if I can, I will protect you if I can.  I will...........................................................

Murder in Racine

While doing some genealogy research, I came across a murder story in Racine Wisconsin.  Captain John Crangle seem to be ill of health and attacked his wife.  

Captain John was a Lake Michigan boat captain and was well known all about the lake.  John came from Ireland and quickly took to the way of the big waters of the Great Lakes.

Julia Crangle, Captain John's wife survived her wounds that came about her from this attack.  Julia too from Ireland and started life as Julia Nolan. Not only did Julia survive these wounds, she survived the bearing of 13 children.  This is one strong person!  This is one strong woman!

One of the strangest parts of this story was, Captain John just a bit earlier the same day was speaking with others about town.  So, what happened to cause such a thing and to come to such an end?

The following article is the whole story as told by the Racine Daily Journal, 20 July 1894.  I broke the story into parts for ease and the retelling of the story.  In beginning, we learned about the Terrible Deed! Now, the rest of the story.....

Part One... The community!  John was at the cigar store talking about steamers and reading the local newspaper.

Part Two.. The son's story of what happened. Charles is the tenth child and is about 16 years old.

Part three... Julia's injuries.  She is so lucky!

Part four.... Julia survives her wounds.  She does not share the reason for the argument!

Part five.... The Caption shoots himself

Part six.... The daughters are notified. Maggle who I think is Margaret the older is about 19 and Julia was 16 years of age.

Part seven.... Captain was in Ill health... was this the cause?

Part eight.... Thirty years in Racine WI with a bad temp at home.   Of the thirteen children I know the names of eleven.

Part 9...  The Children

Part 10... The scene was visit by thousands.  

This is such a sad event in the time of this family when at mid morning life stops and life ends.  Why am I re-posting this story, well there is a connect back to mine.. Katherine, child number 6, was married to my great uncle John Kennedy.  And while researching the union between John and Kate this story of tragedy was revealed to me.

This story was first posted in the Racine Daily  Journal, 20 July 1894, one year prior to Kate's marriage to John. By the year 1900 Kate too is widowed by an unknown reason.

Gandalf the White

Today, we set out today to pickup a new member for the Prairie Home Hobby farm, a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD).  We took off at 9 this morning for a 120 mile trip into the Dakotas.  Doesn't that just sound like some old western.  We pressed the Explorer into a westerly direction, passing through East Grand Forks MN and Grand Forks ND, toward Devils Lake.  Now, I haven't been out this way since 1983 when I  was stationed at the US Grand Forks AFB and was then sent to Alaska.  I just didn't have the reason to go west into the Dakotas after that.  Well, today we made the venture west to a little town call Doyon.   Upon reaching the farm of Bob and Marte, we were greeted by a pretty little girl that was dressed up in winter clothing with only her eyes and nose exposed to the raw wind on the Dakota cold.  Marte was at work, but Bob was there to show us the pups and the parent dogs.  Bob and Marte's farm is called the Tangled Tree farm.  There is a story there, but not now.  Bob whistled out towards the horses and yelled "Come here"!  Pretty soon a big white dog showed itself and stood in place long enough for another round of whistles and come here.  The old boy come running in a slow gait to where we stood.  There was a temporary cattle fencing blocking the dogs full approach.  I asked Bob if it was OK to greet the dog and was given the OK.  Bob spoke to the dog by name.. Gandalf its OK!.  Gandalf the White is the registered name for this impressive male LGD.  I swear Gandalf was near big enough to saddle.  He was a very well behaved dog and very much loved the attention.  So much so, he made his way around the house to an opening in the fence and then came over to me.  I let the old boy smell my hand for a bit before starting to pet him... he ate it up.    Met the pups mom and immediately decided to get a male pup if any.  Don't get me wrong, the female was a great looking dog, but loved the size of Gandalf.  Bob gave me a bit of a tour around his farm while we watched the pups play bout the stead.

The Tangled Tree farm is built on a ridge running north and south, in the Dakota prairie pothole lands, just east of Devils Lake.  The farm stead is sheltered from the west winds by the ridge and a shelter belt of trees.  They have a good population of goats of a few variety, horses, cattle, chickens, turkey, cats and Maremma, the LGDs!  In building the Tangled Tree farm, Bob and Marte rescued an old farm house that Devils Lake was about to swallow by the expansion of Devil Lake.  The house was originally built in 1905. Nice rescue! I must say that Bob was a very pleasant man and we enjoyed out time chatting with him.

Without getting into a big history lesson, the Maremma is a distant Italian relative to the Great Pyrenees sheep dog. The name is pronounced as Mare like a female horse and Emma like a girls name.  If you are interested in learning more about the Maremma LGD, please follow this link.

While we moved about the stead, I kept my eyes on the pups activities.  All the females pups and all but one male pup stayed close to the activity of the visitors.  The one male I was watching was out on patrol with dad, who had returned to the pasture with the horses.  Next thing I knew, the pup was checking out a coop not far from where we stood.  His dad continue his path towards the horses.  Bob noticed I was watching the pup and gave it a call.  It responded almost immediately and was then selected as the new member of the Prairie Home Hobby farm.  We loved the name of Gandalf the White so much we asked if Bob mind if we too used the name. Bob had no troubles with that idea at all.   And so, Gandalf was placed into the Explorer.  Gandalf the White was so exhausted by his exploits, he slept most of the way home in the backseat.

In the days to come... I will be posting updates about Gandalf on our blogs, so stay turned!

Attention Coyotes!

Maremma pup

We have decided on a Maremma to guard our flock and farm!  Yes, a Maremma!  So, the question is; What is a Maremma?  First the name its pronounced as is Mare Emma.  A Maremma is a Livestock Guard Dog (LGD) from the same ancestral blood line of the Great Pyrenees.   For centuries it was bred and used to guard sheep in Italy.  

Once we decided on looking for a LGD, the Pyrenees was the one that first came to mind.  However, hours of research later, I've learned that there are many breeds out there from different countries that all have the same ancestor; Great Pyrenees, Maremma, and the Akbash.  If you are interested in learning more about LGD, here is a good site; Livestock Guardian Dogs.  Then, it wasn't until I came across a breeder to the west of here about 125 miles, that I start reading more about the Maremma's.  The Maremma is a little smaller than the Pyrenees, but still near a 100lbs. They also doesn't seem to have the roaming tendencies of the Pyrenees. And will guard all critters that on the farm, including its humans.

So, on Jan 7th 2012, after traveling west towards Devil Lakes ND and returning home, I will announced to the local coyotes, coons, skunks and neighbors dogs that a Maremma is the new sheriff in town.  Sure, it will take months of growth and training to get the pup ready, but why wait to start spending the word.

And this is what the Coyote, Coon, Skunk, Dog or burglar is going to meeting if misdeeds are on their minds.

Both images are borrowed from the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America.

Looking for Alice

John Johnson, Alice and Margaret Russell
James Johnson
1935

Alice was a bit of a wonder to me for some time now.  Well, actually  less than a year ago I came across the death certificate for a cousin; William Dingle Watters¹ that stated his wife to be a Alice Russell. Keep in mind, I am just finding out about the Watters family branch, so I didn't know much about William or the rest of his family.  But, now I have conflicting information, for I thought William was married to Margaret Howard, of which I had information about.  So, the solving mystery of Alice had to be discovered and adding to the tree.

First a little about Alice. She is the twin daughter of Calder Russell and Margaret Kingan.  The Russells are from Scotland prior to relocating to Nova Scotia in the 1800's because of all the available mines and the lure of a better life.  Alice and her twin Margaret were born in the mining town of Drummond Mines now called Westville in Jan 1909.   The photograph is of the twins at the age of 26 and two men are brothers; John and James Johnson which was taken in 1935 at  Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia.  In 1933, Alice marries a Athol Stewart of Trenton, Nova Scotia. Then something happens to Athol, which I know not, for Alice remarries my cousin William Watters in 1939.  To the best of my knowledge to date, Alice had no children from either marriage.

In searching for more information about Alice, I've discovered a few records about her birth and made contact with Alice's first cousin Myrtle².   The first document is Alice's birth certificate in which I found Calder's employment of great interest; a Stableman.  Also, the comment of Twin was very important latter in adding Margaret's passing to Alice's ancestry tree.  The second document is my discover was a sign declaration by John (brother) to Alice's birth and middle name; Savage.
I find these bits and piece very interesting, along with being very important in piecing family information back together some 80 or more latter.  Not to mention thousand of miles of separation and lack of initial family information in the first place.

With all this information in hand, I still didn't know what happened to Alice after William's death.  Somewhere along the line I found a tidbit of information that Alice may had died in the Winnipeg, but that turn out false.  Then, just this past week I came across an old post on one of the many genealogy forums which had some information about Alice.  The presented information wasn't much, but it was enough for me to try the associated email.  The post was dated 2007, so what is the possibility that the email was still be used.  I sent an email to the address and less than an hour, Myrtle replied.   Through our conversations, Myrtle confirmed that Alice passed away in Westville and is resting in the same plot with William; Brookside Cemetery, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, though the marker doesn't have Alice's passing³.  The headstone marking her passing is to be found in the Auburn Cemetery Westville, NS.

Watters
Alice S Russell
Jan 1909- Dec 1967
Wife of
William D Watters

1  William Dingle Watters parents were James L Watters and Margaret McNulty.  I mention this because there are more than one William Dingle Watters in the family tree.
2   Myrtle supplied the pictures of the four siblings, the headstone for Alice.
3  Myrtle will be, if not already, be adding Alice's passing to the Watters headstone in the Brookside Cemetery.

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Marabilito Murder

The Marabilito Murder Case

  Sometime in the early evening of June 25th, 1917, at Evansville an Italian coal miner was brutally murdered as he sat with his head down and asleep at his kitchen table.  The perpetrator of this brutal crime were the wife of the victim and her lover.

  The victim, Peter Marabilito¹, and his wife had come to Stellarton, where he obtained work as a coal miner.  Being new Canadians they were unable to speak English very well and kept to themselves.  The were able to obtain a Company house at Evansville.  When another Italian by the name of Natali Salvatori Carrari arrived in Stellarton and went to work in the cola mines, it was natural for he and the Marabilito's to become  friends.  It wasn't long before Carrari left his boarding house to lodge with his new friends.

  This arrangement worked well for awhile, but before long Mrs Marabilito and Carrari found themselves alone in the house when he and Mr. Marabilito were on opposite shifts.  It wasn't long before an adulterous relationship developed between the two.  As this relationship progressed the lovers began to plot the demise of Mr. Marabilito, whom they now viewed as an obstacle to their future plans.

  On the afternoon of his death, Peter, who had worked the day shift returned to his home and found his wife and Carrari waiting for him with a couple of bottles.  They all sat down and had supper and then finished off the two bottles of wine.  Through a combination of a hard day's work, the meal and the wine, Peter fell asleep at the table.  At this point Carrari picked up a meat cleaver and struck Peter in the head, he struck several blows ensuring that the deed was done.  It was still light outside and the lovers' plan had been to dispose of the body in a pit hole at the rear of the property, in the woods.

  They were not able to move the body until after dark so they moved it to a cubbyhole under the stairway.  This cubbyhole had a small trap door in the floor and was used by the Marabilito;s to kill and clean chickens.  The viscera and feathers would be allowed to fall into the cellar where it would be consumed by rats.

 When darkness came the two removed Peter's body from its hiding place and started to carry it to the pit hole.  They were startled by the sounds of a house in a nearby pasture and believing that someone was coming they dropped the body and fled to the house.  For some unknown reason they never returned to complete the job of hiding the body.

  The following morning, June 26th, a passerby discovered the body where it had been dropped and Chief of Police James L Watters was summoned.  Upon being told that a body had been found and it appeared that a murder had been committed Chief Watters sent word to the Sheriff J. S. Harris at Pictou and asked him to meet him at Evansville.

  Together the two officer went to the scene.  It was immediately obvious to them that the victim had been murdered and that the murder had taken place somewhere other than where the body was now laying.  The officers upon examining the body more closely found what appeared to be small white chicken feathers adhering to his clothing.  They made notes of everything that they had found and after the was identified by a neighbour, they went to the Marabilito homto deliver the sad news to Mrs Marabilito.

  When Mrs. Marabilito answered their knock and they delivered the news of her husband's death, the officers were struck with her extreme nervousness and apparent lack of emotion at receiving such disturbing news.  The officers did not linger long at the house and left after a short time telling her that hey would be back later.

  Chief Watters and Sheriff Harris returned to the location where the body had been found and began to examine the area more closely.  They soon found a trail of small white feathers leading away from the scene.  Their suspicions aroused, they followed this trail of feathers carefully and it led them right to the back door of the Marabilito house.  The offices conferred briefly and then entered the house for the second time and confronted Ms. Marabilito and Natali Carrari who was also present this time.  The two were separated and short time Mrs Marabilito broke down and confessed to murdering her husband with Carrari.  A short time after being informed of Mrs. Marabilito's confession, Carrari also confessed.  The two were arrested and taken to the Lock-up where they were incarcerated.  They were eventually taken before the Magistrate who remanded them into the custody to await a trail in Supreme Court at Pictou.

  It was discovered later that Mrs. Marabilito was pregnant and she died in her cell in the Pictou jail from complications of the pregnancy.

  At dawn on January 30th, 1918, Natali Salvatori Carrari was taken from his cell in the County jail to an enclosed court yard where the gallows had been prepared.  He was met on the gallows by "John Ellis" a pseudonym used by all the official hangmen in Canada, the rope was placed round his neck and the trap was sprung.  Natali Salvatori Carrari had paid with this life for the murder of his fellow countryman "Peter Marabilito."

The legal execution marked the last time that anyone was to pay with their life for a crime in Pictou County.

1. Name correction; Marablito, Pietro

The information presented here is from the book; The Stellarton Police Department 1889-1989, One Hundred Years of Service and Protection.  By George Megeney

Police Chief

by George Megeney

Chief James L. Watters son of James Watters and Sarah J. Dingle Watters, started his police career in Westville Nova Scotia as an officer in the early 1900's Then he was promoted to the office of Police Chief in Westville.  Around 1915, Chief Watters was offered the Chief of Police position in Stellarton, in which he accepted.  In the early 1920's moves onto the city on Mahone Bay NS, where he held the office of Chief of Police  for about a year.
 
The following is extracted from the book in the image to the left.   In 1915 Mayor W.C. MacDonald was again conducting the town's business.  He and the Council  appointed the Mr. M.A. Patterson to be Stipendiary Magistrate.   The census that year showed the town's population was 4,970.  In April of the year the Council located an experienced Police Office who was willing to accept the position of Chief of Police.  He was the James L. Watters, a former Chief of Police in Westville.  Chief Edward Fraser willingly submitted his resignation and stated that he was relieved.  He said that his nature was not that of a policeman and he had found it difficult to carry out some duties that were required from time to time. He was thanked by the Mayor and Council for his efforts and loyalty during his short tenure.

James L. Watters was born in Westville in 1869¹. He went to school there and married Margaret McNulty.  They had five children, one daughter and four sons².  He started his police career in his native Westville where he became Chief of Police.  In 1915 when an opportunity came up for a police job in Stellarton he readily accepted and moved his family to Stellarton.  He remained in Stellarton as Chief of Police for many years until accepting an offer from the Town of Mahone Bay, to become their Chief of Police.

  In May of 1922, James renders his resignation to the Stipendiary Magistrate in Stellarton and takes the Chief of Police position in Mahone Bay, a fair distance away.  He remained in Mahone Bay for near a year, where he decide to moves his family back Stellarton..  Upon returned home and secured employment in the Acadia Coal company's machine shop, where he remained until retirement.  He maintained a life long interest in Police work but after leaving Mahone bay was never tempted to get actively involved again.  However, succeeding Chiefs of Police called upon him for advice up until the time of his death at age 74.  Chief Watters had been involved in many interesting cases during his career, however the most widely reported case which was jointly investigated by him and Sheriff J. S. Harris was the Marabilito murder case³.

The Stipendiary Magistrate expressed regret at the resignation of Chief Watters, stating that the Court had lost the service of a very capable Officer, who was well versed in the law.  He also praised Mrs Watters for having rendered a valuable for having rendered a valuable service as matron of the lock-up and noted that her kindness, tender sympathy and strong personality would be missed.

1.  The birth registry for James states his birth was Goldenville NS and the year was 1869.
2.  The children were;  Ellen R Watters, James G Watters, William D Watters, Harry T Watters, Hugh M Watters.
3. The Marabilito Murder will be told in a separate post.

The information presented here is from the book; The Stellarton Police Department 1889-1989, One Hundred Years of Service and Protection.  By George Megeney

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Lost in Battle



War Cenotaph

This family has had many members that served their country's military over the years; Reynolds, Herricks, Watters and others.  But none that I knew of, until now, lost their life in combat.  Today, I found a small record stating the loss of Warren A Watters, the son of William Dingle Watters and Margaret Howard Watters of Stellarton Nova Scotia.  The battle or the place where Warren fell is unknown, but that's not important now.  Warren serviced prior to the 1945 defending his country.  However, he wasn't alone.  Warren's two brothers; James H Watters and William D Watters also served during the same period of time and both were wounded.

William's middle initial is not J, but rather D. 
These images can be seen at the War Cenotaph and on a link for Warren Watters that follows the monuments engravings. 









After I starting writing this post I was able to find the final resting place of Warren Watters.  He rests in a cemetery in Italy; Montecchio War Cemetery.

Sgt James H Watters, Sgt Warren A Watters and Private William D Watters!  All members of the West Nova Scotia Regiment RCIC.  I stand at attention and salute you for your service and life while protecting Canada and its allies. 

THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD, AS WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD,

AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM, NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN,

AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, AND IN THE MORNING,

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Update:  Received today, 3/7/2015 an image for Warren's Headstone

Could it be?



Chas. Newbury; James G. Watters; Malcolm McGregor (Trainer);
Wm. E. Fraser; Howard McIntosh; Neil McLean;
and Alf. Hughes

 This picture is of the Rescue Team at the reopening of the Allan Shaft after the explosion of December 20th, 1914. The Reopening commenced March 31st, 1915 and finished April 18th, 1915.  I understand that two miners were lost in the explosion.  The type of mining that was going on here was Coal, dark dirty stuff.

Take note of the second individual on the left side.. James G Watters.  We have a James G Watters our tree, but I don't think this is he, for in 1915 James G would be only 22. And this man looks older than that.  There is a James L Watters that is 45 year in our tree, could it be he.  After all, James L was a miner in Stellarton.  I really don't know, but thought it interesting enough to share.  Trish you should like this picture of its steampunk qualities of this picture.




Picture is from the Stellarton Mining Museum and used with permission.  http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/

The Watters are Gathering

The Watters line of my tree continues to grow.  Today, I found Margaret Louisa Watters in Lowell Massachusetts.  While doing some generic searching for any Watters records with a mother of Dingle, I am came across Maggie L Waters getting married in 1894, January 17th to be exact in the town of Stoneham MA.  So, upon looking closer at the record I found a young woman at the age of 20, born in Nova Scotia and her parents are James Watters and Sarah J Dingle.  So, that was enough for me to believe this young woman was my great aunt Margaret.  Now, If know this story, you know that Maggie's sister; Elizabeth Anna Watters Reynolds was living in Woburn MA at this same time.  By the 1910 US Census, Maggie and Elizabeth are both living in Lowell and only a mile away from each other.

OK, I hear you asking. And if you are not asking, you should be!!  Who did Margaret marry?  Well, that would be a John F Osborn of Rockland Maine and he be an Irish lad.  John and Maggie had a number of child and like many families, a few don't make it past birth.  In the 1910 US Census, the family includes; John and Maggie, Anna Jane, George Raymond, Norman Goldsworth, John J Osborn.  Looking at the names of Maggie's child there are a few repeating names here.  For example; Anna Jane Osborn, I would be willing to bet, she was named after her aunt Elizabeth Anna Watters and her grandmother Sarah Jane Dingle. Just a guess mind ya!  Also, Norman Goldsworth has an uncle that carries the Goldsworth middle name.  Where Goldsworth stem, I do not know.  I'll have too look into it sometime.

Now, we have our family in 1894 and 1910, where are they in 1900.  Nothing is popping up, so back to the generic search of using just last names of Watter and Osborn and place Massachusetts.  Bang! A hit on a record with the surname recorded as Orsborn. Yes, another error!   Looking into this record, the given names were all correct with what I have and the place is of Stoneham, also Maggie was of Nova Scotia.  OK, this is them.. Oh wait look what else I find, but a brother of Maggie's staying in the house as a boarder.  This would be John Watters, which was a mystery to me, other than a birth date.  I wasn't sure he lived past his childhood, but here he is living in Stoneham and working as a steam shovel operator. 

By the time Maggie's family reach 1910, two more children were born, but didn't make it passed age one; Margaret and Howard C Osborn.  I mention them here to bring the family back together again and in one place.  Instead of the bits and piece of data that are just waiting for a family to belong to once again.  Chuid eile i síocháin

Encounter after dark....a short story!

As the sun sets, a feeling of worry and fear creeps down the middle of your back. A coyote howls and then a scream! The night becomes silent and you're on full alert, feeling and listen to every movement. A branch snaps in the not too far off distance...another snap and then another! ...its getting closer.

The sounds of each foot step is now noticeable, but still a fair piece off. You have time to sneak away, but no! No, you want to see what made the coyote scream and silent the night, so you slipping under a bush to watch the darkness and to listen! ...its getting closer.

The sky is now dark and you can't see much past a few feet in any direction! A grunt!  SNAP! Another branch breaks! You quickly get out of the bush and stand quietly on the small path you had been walking. You want to run, but you can't stop wanting to know. Again, the grunting started, and again and again.. Then silence! Nothing is moving! Another grunt and now drumming of some kind comes to your attention. As you listen, the hair on the back of you neck stands straight up! ...its getting closer!

The grunting and soft drumming continues. Suddenly, you remember that you have a flashlight in your pack. You quickly gain access to the light only to find it low on battery power. After a few minutes of cussing, you get the light to work, but the beam isn't strong enough to cut through the darkness that has swallowed the landscape around you. ...it's getting closer!

You are froze in place and dare not move as the grunting and drumming continues to move closer. You shine the dim light right and left to no avail for you can only see but few feet at best. Is it a bear? You've heard plenty of them before moving about. They are mostly quiet but some can grunt plenty. The hairs that were standing on the back of you neck is now joined by the hairs on your arm and back! ...it's getting closer!

You've talked yourself into the fact that this thing that moves in the dark is a bear...you know you can't out run or climb this animal, so standing your ground is the only option. Your mind begins to wander about all the bears you have encountered in your travels through the woods... most give ground if the option is there, some just don't care and charge. You attention is brought back by another grunt. The drumming has started again, but its hard to hear. ...its coming!

Grunt, grunt, grunt, and more soft drumming.... this is no bear, none that you are familiar with anyways. Why is it still there? Why hasn't it charged or backed down. A thought comes to you from a memory of a situation you once had!  You start looking hard up into the trees, but can't see but a few feet due the failing batteries. And since you hadn't heard any whining or bawling, the thought of cubs near by fades. Again you start wondering what else this could be if not a bear. A few more grunts come to your ears, there different this time. A bit of impatience is heard in the grunting!  ...its coming!

You heard the grunt again and realized that sound wasn't coming from afar but rather at you feet. A hard lump has formed in your throat and you try as you might, you can't get it to go down. Slowly you scan you dim flash light on the ground in front of you, not knowing what you will find. At first you don't see a thing, but as you stretch your arm down in front of you, the shape of a large round animal appears right in front of your boots. What the hell! A....a... porkerpine is grunting at your boots and patting his feet on the ground. It was like he was telling you to get out of the way! So you do just that!  Stepping off the trail, the porker waddles slowly down the trail into the darkness with not as much as a look or even a nod of the head to say thanks or good night!

Michigan Ave

1918 Birth Certificate

My cousin Laura asked about a recent post; Where was our grand/greatgrand mother, Grace Whitfield Herrick,  living at the time of her fathers death in 1919?  Well, at the time my best guess was plain ole Illinois, which was based off of census reports for the family.  But, now I have a solid answer for Laura......

I just located the birth certificate for Grace Francis Herrick, first born of Grace and George Herrick.  The address listed for Grace Whitfield Herrick was 6732 Michigan Ave, the same as her father, Frank Whitfield at death.  So, Grace Whitfield Herrick was living with her parents at the time of death or shortly before.

Now that I got you attention, a few things to note from the certificate.  George was not at home at the time of Grace Herricks birth.  He was at  Fisk University, Nashville Tennessee.  He is a Lieutenant, which I am guessing was while he was in the Army.  However, none of his military records that reflects a duty station in Tennessee.  Also, note that his birth place is reported as Port Arthur Washington.  For whatever the reason, he listed a few different places of birth in Washington, but we know he was born in Illinois, and more than likely his mother's birth place of Freeport.  In the 1900 US Census, its reported that George was 8 and born in Illinois.  George's middle name was Francis, like his dad, not Frank.  But, I can see why one would say Frank instead. 

I am only guess here, but I bet these are photo's of the 6732 Michigan Ave houses backyard;  Backyard, Hanging on for dear life, and Give Daddy a kiss.  Now, as I reread these post and consider what I just learned on the Grace's birth certificate,  the Kiss for Daddy is because daddy (George) is away with the Army.

Please see my other post about George Herrick and Frank Whitfield.  And by all means consider following this blog by clicking JOIN THIS SITE to the right and please do leave a comment.