Alexander Gerrie

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-204024

Notes:

Drowned in the Conestogo River - A young man named Alexander Gerrie was drowned in the Conestogo River, on Tuesday last, while returning homeward on horseback from the Waterloo market. While crossing the bridge over the river, the planks gave way to one side, by which both horse and rider were precipitated into the swift-running stream below. The horse made his way to shore, but the rider was carried down by the rapid current and drowned. The body had not been recovered at last accounts, and is supposed to have been carried into the Grand River. Deceased had effected the sale of a horse previous to his death, and had a considerable sum of money upon his person.

The Hamilton Evening Times - Apr. 14, 1866 p. 3.

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GERRIE - On Tuesday last, while Alexander Gerrie, servant to Mrs. Reid, Woolwich, was returning from the Waterloo fair where he was sent to sell a horse, on crossing the bridge on the Conestogo River which has been in a very bad condition for some time, the horse he was riding shied at a hole in the planking and jumped to one side where the sleepers of the bridge were out of their place, in consequence of which the planks tipped and both man and horse were precipitated into the river which was unfortunately much swollen from the thaw. The accident was observed by a boy about 13 years old who ran into the river to try to reach poor Gerrie with a pole, but was unable to do so from the depth of the water. The horse reached the shore, but Mr. Gerrie was unfortunately drowned. The body had not been found up to Saturday last.

Hamilton Spectator April 16, 1866