David Douglas

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/261883264
• Interesting: life story, accident
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-114652
• Occupation: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ch. of England
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Misfortune: Sep 1883; killed by train

Notes:

Died, In North Dumfries, on Tuesday, 25th inst., at half past 9 o'clock, a.m., David Douglas, Aged 81 Years. Funeral, On Wednesday afternoon, 26th inst., at 3 o'clock, from the residence of his Brother, (Wm. Douglas), 11th Con. North Dumfries, to Cedar Creek Cemetery, Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend. North Dumfries, Sept. 25th, 1883

Funeral Card of David Douglas 25 Sep 1883

______________________

Killed on the Railway
Sad End of an Old Resident of the Township

We regret this week to be called upon to record the sad death of Mr. David Douglas, a very old resident of the Township of Dumfries, which occurred on the line of the Credit Valley Railway about half-past 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning last. The circumstances attending the death of Mr. Douglass are to a certain extent a matter of conjecture; but his mind has been unhinged for many years, and it is supposed that he was walking or standing on the track, and notwithstanding the warnings of the engineer, refused to leave it in time to save his life. With certainty it is known that on the morning in question he walked across the farm towards the railway trace - which it seems he was almost daily in the habit of doing - and that on this occasion he was followed by his brother, Mr. Wm. Douglass. While proceeding on his way, the latter heard the engineer on the express going west, leaving Galt at 9: 16, give an alarm whistle, and afterwards bring his train to a stand. When William reached the line, however, the train had gone on the Dumfries station, and when he reached there he found that a man had been killed, and on viewing the body recognized it as that of his brother David. The accident took place between the farms of Mr. Cavers and Mr. Scott, and the hat of the unfortunate man was afterwards picked up near Mr. Scott's gate. From the appearance of the body, it would not appear that the wheels had passed over it, but rather that the victim had been struck while standing on the track. Several of his limbs were broken, but as we have heard it they were not crushed.

Mr. Wm. Douglass and Mr. James E. Douglass at once came to Galt and notified Dr. Vardon, corner, of the occurrence, but on learning the particulars that gentleman decided that it was not necessary to hold an inquest. The deceased was 81 years of age, and, as we have said before, had been of unsound mind for many years. It is just possible that his malady that day might have led him to believe that he could stop the train by work of command, for the was given to the hallucination that he was possessed of immense powers, and that in testing it he lost his life.

Galt Reporter Sep 28 1883 pg 1

David — Helen. Helen was born 1796, , England; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

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• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-38525