​Tragedy at Queen Street Bridge, Kincardine, in 1887

The Hollands men were millers by trade for many generations. The boys of the family were apprenticed to grandparents, uncles, cousins or neighbours, to learn the skills and responsibilities such a position entailed. Likely the eldest would take over his father’s post while younger sons, usually several, would seek work elsewhere.

The history of England tells us that mills, which had at first made cannonballs for fighting forces, progressed to turning the forests into lumber for the use of the rural population and the growing villages and towns. As the generations passed, lumber mills became grist mills, providing feed for farm animals and flour for the people.

Young men and their families were obliged to go wherever their knowledge could be put to use. My great-great-grandfather, James Hollands, and five brothers and sisters were born in West Hoathly, Sussex, but by 1830, his father, Henry, had established himself at Furnace Mill in Cowden, Kent, where five more children were born.

James and his wife, Mary Ann had four children while at the Old Mill in Cowden, then three at Bexhill, Sussex, and five more back in Cowden.

Three of James’ brothers found their way to Canada West by the 1860s and soon joined mills in Huron and Perth counties. In 1881, Clement, the youngest, and his family were on the way to Bruce County.

The “Bruce Reporter” tells us the rest of the story. Picture in your mind Kincardine in April, 1887.
 
A sad and fatal accident happened about seven o’clock, Saturday evening. Clement Hollands fell into the water at Baird and Thompson’s mill, was carried over the dam and his body disappeared at the bend of the river at Mr. McPherson’s orchard and has not since been recovered.

The deceased had for some time been employed at the above mill, but for a few days had been engaged with Mr. Richardson. Saturday evening, he was on his way home and when near the river, standing on the bridge, he observed Mr. Thompson’s son removing a plank from the dam so as to allow a greater bulk of water to escape.

Mr. Hollands noticed that the young man had difficulty in accomplishing his intention and went to his assistance. In using a crowbar to displace the plank, the deceased missed his aim and the weight of the crowbar pushed him forward into the water. In a moment, he was washed over the dam and the swift current carried him under the iron bridge and down the river.

G.W. Harris of the railway mail service was crossing the bridge at the time, and observing the accident, ran down the river’s bank to render assistance. When near the bend, he threw a plank to the unfortunate man in the water. Doubtless at this moment, he was powerless to help himself and the relief offered through the energy and presence of mind of Mr. Harris, could not be taken advantage of. The body in a moment disappeared and no trace of it has as yet been found.

Saturday night and Sunday, no efforts to drag the river or harbour could be made in consequence of the ice, but Monday, the jam having given away during the night, several men worked continuously but their efforts were fruitless.

If the body has been carried out into the lake, it may never be found. The rumour which has been general, that the unfortunate gentleman had between $1,000 and $1,500 in his pocket when he met his death, appears from inquiry to be incorrect.

The deceased formerly conducted a milling business at Ripley, Kintail and Bervie. He leaves a wife and three children. God pity the bereaved widow and fatherless.

The body of Hollands was recovered Wednesday last, a short distance from where he fell into the water. About $1,000 in bills was found in a belt around his body.



This picture of the area with the new bridge built in 1885 is from page 147, “A Pictorial History of Bruce County,” Bruce County Historical Society. See also page 85, “Kincardine: 1848-1984,” Reynolds, or “Sesquisentennial at Kincardine: 1848-1998,” page 11, and of course the John Scougall Collection at the Archives

Ruth Anne Hollands Robinson
August, 2021