Showing 47 results

Newspaper article on the drowning of George G. Atkinson
Newmarket Era Banner
January 27, 1933
p4 c3

Funeral memorial card for Phoebe A. Harman, wife of Arthur Mousley.

"The brutal murder of Robert McKay, young RCAF veteran and his wife, Gloria, on Monday evening [August 1, 1949] of last week, has aroused the people of this province as few such tragedies have ever done before and the setting for this crime appears to be definitely established in the Bradford area..."

Describes the events leading up to Mr. and Mrs. McKay's murder. The two were shot to death and found in Toronto. The killer, Stanley Buckowski, was found in Los Angeles as a serial robber and murderer, where he was charged and executed in 1952 by gas chamber. He was never charged for the McKays murder, though admitted to the crime and of another murder of RCAF veteran, Alfred Edward Layng, in Toronto on July 30, 1949.

"Life ended suddenly on Monday afternoon for a 12-year-old Holland Marsh girl who went swimming in the Holland River. Betty Lowder, R.R.2, Newmarket, was swimming under the bridge at the intersection of No. 3 Concession and the Graham sideroad with her brothers and sisters, when she submerged in the middle of the murky river in about eight feet of water. There were no adults present..."

"Charges of neglect have been laid against the mother of the 12-year-old girl who drowned in the Holland River on Monday, August 5, according to the Executive Director of the York Region Children's Aid Society, Donald Van Camp.
Eleanor Lowder, mother of Betty Lowder, the girl who drowned, has been charged under Section 40 part (1) of the Child Welfare Act which makes it an offense for anyone to leave a child unattended for an unreasonable length of time without proper supervision. Under the provisions of the act the maximum fine the court is able to impose in such a case is $200 and a maximum one year prison term.
Hearings on the charge will take place in camera on September 3 in Newmarket family court.
The surviving five Lowder children are in the care and custody of the Children's Aid Society, according to Van Camp. After the accident one of the children was in the care of relatives, according to him, but now all are with the society.
Any inquest into the drowning will have to wait until the charges have been taken care of by the courts, according to Dr. Robert Seaver, who is acting as coroner in the case.
"Its all up in the air right now," said Doctor Seaver, "any charges will take precedent. Until some of these things are straightened out," he said referring to the charges, "we can't go ahead." He is also waiting on further details on the accident to become available from the police and the autopsy report.
The possibility of an inquest will still be up in the air, according to Dr. Seaver, until it is decided if some particular aspect of Betty Lowder's death has to be "...brought out."
The police will only be acting as witnesses and assisting the Children's Aid Society in this case according to Deputy Chief Robert Hood of the York Regional Police. Police could have laid the charge against Mrs. Lowder, but they deferred to the Children's Aid Society in the case.
The drowning was the first case in which Bradford firemen were called to the Marsh area which recently switched to Newmarket for its fire protection. The Bradford department's answering of the call raises the question of the $800 charge which King Township is supposed to pay when the Bradford department enters King.
When asked about the fee and whether it will be charged, Bradford mayor Joe Magani replied, "If someone is drowning and we coulz be of some assistance, I don't think its a matter of dollars and cents."

Cairn reads: "Sir William Osler, Baronet, was born here on July 12, 1849 - A Great Physician - Erected by the Medical Historical Club of Toronto"

"On May 27th, 1857, the Town of Bradford was incorporated. Next Sunday, May 27th, Bradford will launch a year of Sesquicentennial celebrations, with a Re-enactment, Proclamation and Sesquicentennial Flag-raising, 3 p.m. outside the Bradford West Gwillimbury Council Chambers on Holland St. East.
There will be a proclamation by the Mayor, greetings from the County, Province and Federal government - and a brief (and humorous) re-enactment of the incorporation, by the award-winning Bradford District High School Drama Club.
Then watch as the flag is raised, and enjoy a slice of Sesquicentennial cake.
Organizers are looking for participants for a Sesquicentennial Parade to take place at 3 p.m. on August 19th, following the same route as the Santa Claus Parade. The theme: 'Bradford Through the Ages'.
Anyone with antique farm equipment, classic or antique cars; representatives of Minor League sports, and hockey alumni of Bradford's historic teams (The Blues, Vasey Jrs., etc); choirs and bands - in fact, any community group, business or organization is invited to participate in this historic event.
The Town is looking for nominations for Parade Marshal; residents can nominate anyone for the honorary position. There will also be a contest for Junior Marshal."

"Last Sunday, May 27th, the town of Bradford launched 14 months of celebration, marking the 150th year since its incorporation.
In fact, the "actual receiving of Royal Assent incorporating the village of Bradford... was done on May 27th, 1857 by Queen Victoria," said Bradford Sesquicentennial Committee Chair Del Crake, "ten years prior to Confederation." ..."

"Bradford, Jan. 21 - Tragedy struck deep in a Bradford family shortly after midnight, Saturday, when Frank W. Stephenson, 32-year-old baker, shot and killed his sleeping wife and then sent a rifle bullet crashing into his own brain..."

An obituary of William John Watson who died on the 28th of February, 1951 --only about 3 months earlier than his daughter Karolyn Watson. Husband to Ida Banting.