Page 67

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Full text: 66 THE DIARY OF ADOLPHUS GAETZ Sunday, 20th,—This afternoon the remains of the late Henry Ernst were consigned to their last resting place; a large number of people attended the funeral. Thursday, 31st,—During last night the Schooner "Morning Light" was burnt to the water's edge, what remained of her sunk to the bottom of the harbour where she was lying at anchor. She was owned by Valentine Westhefer, at the 2nd peninsula, and was ready to sail for Baltimore, having on board 900 barrells of Fish, all of which are lost. How she took fire remains a mystery; no fire having been used on board for the last week. November, 1861 Saturday, 9th,—This evening, Mr. J. H. Bent, Merchant of this town, with his Bride, arrived from Wolfville, where they were married on Tues- day last. Tuesday, 19th,—Died this evening at 7 O'clock, Catherine Frederica, widow of the late John Oxner, aged 89 years. Thursday, 21st,—Died this evening after an illness of only about two hours duration, Sophia Matilda, wife of John Young, master shipbuilder, aged 32 years. Tuesday, 26th,—A tragic scene took place this forenoon at the "Ovens" gold diggings. Some persons there had been amusing themselves firing at a Target with a revolver pistol which contained five charges; Mr. Traun- weiser of this place had the pistol in his hand, and supposing that all the charges had been fired out, called out to a friend of his, a Mr. James Mc- Donald, who was coming along the road, to clear the way or he would fire at him; to which McDonald immediately replied "fire away". Traunweiser pulled the trigger, and to the consternation of all around, McDonald fell dead, the ball having entered his head near the eye; the report of the pistol and the immediate death of McDonald caused quite a sensation among the bystanders; neither Traunweiser or any of the party had the least idea of another charge being in the pistol. Both parties were very respectable persons, and connected with the gold diggings. McDonald was from Pictou, where he has left a widow and other relatives to mourn their loss. Mc- Donald's remains were brought over to this town, from the gold diggings, this evening. Thursd. 28th,—The remains of McDonald were taken away to day and are being carried to Pictou for interment. December, 1861 Monday, 9th,—Up to this time the weather has been astonishingly mild, considering the season of the year; in my garden stands a Lilack Tree,