James Bruce

1863 - 1913  (49 years)

• Name	James Bruce
  Born	23 Jun 1863	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 3]
  Christened	26 Jul 1863	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  Gender	Male
  FindAGrave	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/284439808
  Residence	1871	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	C. Presb.
  Occupation	1881	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Farmer Son
  Residence	1881	North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Evangelical Union
  Misfortune	1913	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	drowned
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-140871
  Died	7 Jun 1913	Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I140871	Generations
  Last Modified	17 Feb 2026

  
  

  Father	John Bruce,   b. 1823, , Scotland ,   d. 6 May 1894, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 71 years)
  Mother	Jane MacLean,   b. May 1841, , Scotland ,   d. 2 Mar 1903, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age ~ 61 years)
  Married	1 Jun 1860	, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4, 5, 6]
  Family ID	F34331	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  BODY IN DAM Galt Canoeist Made Gruesome Find in Grand River From Our Own Correspondent. Galt June 18.-Yesterday morning, shortly after 11 o'clock, in the dam on the Grand river, Charles Evans, a young canoeist, while paddling along the east side of the river, discovered the body of an unknown man about 30 feet from the shore in a standing posture. The authorities were at once notified, and the body removed to the morgue, where an inquest was opened last evening by Coroner Radford and adjourned until a later date. Judging by the condition of the body, it must have been in the water a week or ten days, as decomposition had set in. The body, which was standing erect, with the face resting on the water and the head visible, is that of a well-developed man about 35 years of age, 5 ft. 5½ inches tall, with the middle fingers of the right hand amputated at the first joint, while the right leg had been broken at one time between the ankle and knee. He had a heavy head of hair, which was turning grey, and a moustache. On the forehead and on the back of the head there was blood, but no deep wounds were to be seen. The man wore a heavy pair of tweed trousers, a black shirt, hellotrope tie, pink socks and a pair of lightweight shoes, about size 7, which were in good condition. There was nothing in his pockets to lead to identification, except a return ticket from Preston on the G., P. and H. street railway. It is thought that the body was washed down stream. A report that the body may be that of a Hespeler man who has been missing for some time has not been verified. The Hamilton Spectator, Fri, Jun 13, 1913 Page 27 ______________ VERDICT ON BRUCE BODY Galt. June 16.- From what we are able to judge, this man was either dead or unconscious before he was submerged by the water." This clause In the report of the autopsy performed by Drs. Dakin and Vardon on the body of James Bruce, taken from the Grand River last Thursday, forms the pivotal point on which the investigation being conducted by Coroner Radford turns. At the adjourned inquest this afternoon the doctors stated that this opinion was based on the fact that there was no water in the man's lungs or stomach, and that a depression on the top of his skull indicated a blow which had been of sufficient force to cause concussion of the brain. There was also a wound on the right temple which could have been inflicted in a similar way to that on top of the head. The Hamilton Spectator, Wed, Jun 18, 1913 Page 14 ______________ MAN'S DEATH STILL MYSTERY Body of Man Found in River at Galt is That of James Bruce of Mannheim (Special to News Record.) Galt, June 13-The inquest in the death of whose body water of the unknown man was found the Grand here yesterday, revealed identity of the man. He James Bruce of Mannheim. in the the was employed by Mr. Adam Lockie, of the River Road, south of Galt. The man was last heard of on Friday, when he left home with five dollars in his pocket for the horse show. His coat and hat were found on the river bank near the place where the body was found. No evidence regarding the actual death was submitted. The inquest was adjourned until five dollars in his pocket for the interesting evidence is promised, the nature of which the police will not disclose. The deceased had one brother, John, living near Ayr The funeral took place this afternoon to the Cedar Creek cemetery. There was a large attendance. The Berlin News Record, Fri, Jun 13, 1913 Page 1 _________ BODY IS IDENTIFIED. Victim In Galt Mystery Was About To Be Married. GALT, June 14. The body of the man found drowned in the Grand River Thursday was identified yesterday as that of James Bruce, employed as farmhand by Adam Lockie, West River road. He was last seen alive by his employer on Saturday morning, when he drew his wages and proceeded to Galt to attend the horse show. He was known as a respectable, industrious man, with large savings, and was on the eve of marriage to a young lady of this district. His brother. John, of North Dumfries discounts the idea of suicide, declaring there was no cause whatever for the man taking his own life. The coroner's jury adjourned til Monday night, and the police will continue an investigation along the lines of the theory of foul play. The Berlin News Record, Sat, Jun 14, 1913 Page 5 _________ Melvin Gerrard is Arrested With Dead Man's Watch in his Possession. Twenty Witnesses for Coroner's Inquest GALT, June 16.-Melvin, alias "Coon," Gerrard, was arrested Saturday night in connection with the mysterious death of James Bruce, the farmhand, whose body was found floating in the Grand River on Thursday. In his possession was a silver watch, which was identified as that carried by Bruce on his trip from the farm to Galt to attend the horse show. This was Saturday, 7th, the last day of the show, and the last time the unfortunate man was seen alive. Questioned as to where he got the dead man's timepiece, Gerrard told the police a story to the effect that he didn't claim it as his own, but was keeping it for another man. As yet Chief Gorman can obtain but little from him to throw light on the affair. Other arrests are pending, but action will depend to some extent on the proceedings before the coroner, which will be resumed this evening. Several men are under surveillance and due precautions have been taken to prevent any flitting. Chief Gorman, who is working night and day on the case, has had summonses issued to twenty witnesses and it is likely the inquest will last than more than one sitting. Dr. Radford. coroner, says he fully realizes the gravity of the case and will leave nothing undone to drag the truth to the light. Dr. Vardon and Dr. Dakin, who performed the autopsy, have their report prepared for the adjourned inquest. The nature of it is not disclosed. One wound particularly fractured the skull on the top, the other indented and cut the temple. That these two wounds were produced by the same instrument and could not have been caused by falling into the river is the opinion giver on the best authority. The same authority reasons out that the man must have either dead or insensible before being submerged. If medical testimony hears this out, there can be no possible doubt that the inoffensive farmer was cruelly done to death. The movements of Bruce have been traced carefully from the time he left the farm at 8 a.m. till 6 p.m., when he returned to town after visiting Preston. It is known that he had taken some liquor. Men who were in his company on the day he disappeared are known and will be called to give account at the inquest. On the river bank at the foot of Dayton street, Bruce's coat and hat were picked up by Jack Wilson of the Preston road, who put them on himself and wore them till he learned of the finding of the body and told his story. No suspicion attaches to Wilson. Chief Gorman, who declines to say much about the facts disclosed, remarked "It's a bad case anyway, and hinted that he believed he was on the track of the gang who whether indirectly or otherwise, were accountable for the tragedy. There will be a pretty straight story told to the coroner tonight." He says and out of it will come something to clear up the mystery. The Berlin News Record, Mon, Jun 16, 1913 Page 1 ___________ CORONER'S JURY BRINGS IN OPEN VERDICT ON THE JAMES BRUCE CASE ....all the evidence I have to present to you and I would ask you if you are satisfied with the evidence? This Is the case for the Crown. I would remind you of the oath you have taken to present no one for malice or ill will nor show any fear, favor or affection to anyone. You will arrive at a verdict not upon your own opinions but upon the evidence presented. The history of the case was quite plain. Bruce had got off the Street car at the C.P.R. drunk, with a bottle of whiskey in his possession and these men had taken him to this dangerous place just to drink whiskey. If culpable his negligence could be charged, I firmly believe they would be guilty for leaving him there. They took him there so the police would not get him. Better had the police got him. All the evidence cannot be believed. Someone is lying. I will now ask you to deliberate carefully and bring in a verdict, according to the evidence." The Court room was then cleared and the jury at 5.10 o'clock and remained out for fifty minutes when they brought in the following verdict. The Verdict. That in the opinion of the jury the deceased James Bruce came to his death from a severe blow or fall on the head and how produced there is no evidence to show. We also strongly censure the parties who led him to the river. A precedent was established at the quest by not allowing the jury to ask question of the witnesses although some appeared to .... The Berlin News Record, Thu, Jun 19, 1913 Page 1

  
  

• Sources

  [S205] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1881, North Div. 2 Page 65. [S575] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Galt - United Presbyterian. James Bruce Born 23 Jun 1863 Dumfries Parents John Bruce & Jane McLean baptized 26 Jul 1863 [S355] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1871, Div. 2, Pg. 76. [S5] Vit - - ON, Waterloo - 1858-1869 Marriage Register. John Bruce b. Scotland res: North Dumfries Age: 34 born abt 1826 father: James mother: Isabella Tenant married Jane McLean Age:: 19 born abt 1841 b. Scotland Spouse res: Galt father: John mother: Marg McFarlane married 1 Jun 1860 county: Waterloo [S1778] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1861, Div 7 Page 53. [S2042] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1891, Section 1 Page 20.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 23 Jun 1863 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Christened - 26 Jul 1863 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - C. Presb. - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Farmer Son - 1881 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Evangelical Union - 1881 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Misfortune - drowned - 1913 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - 7 Jun 1913 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth