Wednesday – John Coffey was brought up on warrant before Justice Baird, charged with obtaining groceries from Michael Dexhermer, Spring Street, under false pretenses. The prosecutor did not appear and the prisoner was therefore discharged. William Mulvaney, a tramp, was charged with drunkenness and committed for 45 days. Michael Desmond, butcher, Washington street, was charged by Mary A Cuddy, of Clinton Street, with having assaulted her. The defendant called upon the complainant for the settlement of an outstanding account, when an altercation ensued about something he had said about the complainant. Mrs. Cuddy alleges that Mr. Desmond struck her without provocation. The defendant was held in $500 bail to answer.
I have this list of birth and death certificates that I have been meaning to order for so long. I had started last year with part of the list, and just this week ordered some more. There will be at least another order to go.
I ordered the death certificates for Charles and Mary Ann Squelch and for Thomas Squelch. I have gone through them now and want to share what they tell me, and what they don’t. First to the negative. I was really hoping for more information on their birthday (for Charles) and parentage (Charles and Mary Ann), which sadly did not happen.
First in the list to talk about is Charles Squelch, who died 11 February 1904. He was an engine driver at the works, according to the list. Is this the Denbro Works in Soho? No idea. But that was certainly located near where Charles lived. His address is listed as 64 Wellhead Lane.
I google mapped the address, and there are no buildings on the site. The housing in the area, which looks like it was up around at the time when Charles and his wife Mary Ann lived there, is all row housing. The houses actually look like they might have been fairly new at the time, maybe less that 20 years old.
64 Wellhead Lane would be the plot on the corner of the street – Wellhead and Oscott Road.
Charles’ daughter Ada Davis was present at the death, and reported it for the death certificate. Her address is listed as 25 Aston Lane in Handsworth. This was the house she lived in with her husband Charles Samuel Davis.
Charles’ cause of death was chronic nephritis – which is a kidney infection.
A year later, Mary Ann Squelch (nee Smith), Charles’ wife died. She died in her home. Her cause of death as “senile decay.” Her rank or profession was widow of Charles Squelch. Long live the patriarchy. Her daughter Emily Fountaine was present at the death, and it is indicated that she lived with her mother.
Emily married William Fountaine, who was a Welshman. Family narrative said that for a time Emily and William lived with Ada Davis and family. This could have been after the death of Mary Ann Squelch. The Fountaine’s had three children, who were born in Handsworth (another bunch of certificates to get!). The emigrated to Australia. [See here for more about their daughter Gladys – https://gilliandr.wordpress.com/2023/05/22/wedding-of-gladys-jones-and-harry-higgins-toowoomba-1929/]
It should be noted that from the newspaper accounts Thomas was attacked on Christmas 1862, but he seems to have lingered 47 days according to the death certificate. He died in hospital, which is unusual for the period. Most people died at home.
The hospital he was at was the General Hospital in Birmingham. According to Wikipedia, it was located at this time on Hospital Street (I know, obvious). The hospital moved in 1897 to Steelhouse Lane, and the site became a bus depot, and is now the home of Centro House (Transport for Headquarters for West Midlands). According to the newspaper accounts Thomas Squelch lived on upper Hospital Street, so he was living near where he was taken for medical aid.
Because his death was manslaughter the person reporting it was a part of the court system, the coroner. Personal information is even less here than other death certificates because of the cause of his death. All that is said about the decedent is that he was 59, and a toolmaker.
New and attractive notions in fancy work and decorative knickknacks
Harlequin patchwork is a new thing, and far more artistic than the “crazy” patchwork that has had such a run. The foundation is a width of black satin, on to which every kind of device is applique, such as diamonds, octagons, squares, anchors, scrolls – in fact, any shape you like. These are first carefully cut out in paper and then the material, whatever it may be – silk, velvet, plush or brocade – is put over the paper, with the edges well and neatly turned in. The devices are tacked on to the satin quite carelessly, and then worked in any fancy stitch, like crazy patchwork. This harlequin patchwork, if properly treated, will make many pretty things.
Very pretty embroidery in colored silks and gold thread work is done on butcher blue linen. Ivory yellow linen furnishes one of the best backgrounds for fine embroidery either in silk or bullion threads.
A string bag of quaint design is of satin, blue and white stripes being sewn together to make the bag; all round it hange silver and copper bells, and it is suspended by cords.
One of the prettiest of new sachets is composed of white satin, folded to form two pockets inside, and merely bound round with cord. The decoration makes it noticeable. The background of satin on the front side is painted with graduated shades of warm brown, and on this are scattered a few sweet peas done in an artistic style.
Pare apples; core; place in casserole. Mix sugar, cinnamon, water, lemon juice; pour over apples. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees F). 45 minutes or until tender. Combine mincemeat with ½ cup syrup in casserole. Line pastry shell with ¾ cup mincemeat. Stuff apples with ¾ cup mincemeat; arrange in pastry shell. Fill spaces between apples with remaining mincemeat. Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees F) 20 minutes. Garnish with cherries.
Number D105 in our pattern records is a Royal Doulton composition which we specialize in as any Breakfast set, but which can be supplied in any number of pieces.
Therefore, either a Dinner, Breakfast or Tea Set can be procured in this design.
The Breakfast set of 70 pieces comprises:
12 – 5 in plates 12 – 7 in plates
12 – oatmeals 12 – cups and saucers
1 – 10 in dish 1 – 12 in dish
6 – egg cups 1 – covered muffin
$26.50 Nett
Octagonal in shape, with a blue and rose decoration, this design is most attractive
A send-off was given at the St Denis club last night to Mr AM Brodeur, of the firm Cuddy-Brodeur, who is to be married to Mrs Henri Laurier at St James Cathedral this morning. A gathering of seventy-five members of the club and friends from outside were present, including Sir Wilfrid Laurier. An artistic vase. Louis XIV style was presented to Mr Brodeur by Mr JA Beaudry, who expressed the good wishes of all those present. The recipient replied feelingly.
The health of the future Mrs Brodeur was proposed by Mr Achille Bergevin. Sir Wilfred Laurier responded.
The couple will be married this morning at St James Cathedral by His Grace Archbiship Bruchesi. Hon Mr Brodeur, who is a cousin of the groom, and Sir Wilfrid will attend the ceremony. The bride is the widow of Mr Henri Laurier, late brother of the Prime Minister.
Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette, 6 October 1932 page 6
“Elijah”
Philharmonic Society
Soloists sing finely
Mr Squelch in rare voice
The Toowoomba Philharmonic Society presented “Elijah” to a moderate audience at the Town Hall last night.
Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of Israel, flourished during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah (about 870 and 840 BC). His main effort was to save Israel from lapsing into heathenism and especially to thwart the efforts of Ahab and Jezebel to establish Baal-worship. The narrative of his life is full of human interest. His victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is one of the most dramatic stories in the Old Testament and the record of his despair and flight to Horeb, where he receives a revelation from God in a “still, small voice,” one of the most pathetic. The great figure of Elijah has been so impressed upon the imagination of the Jewish people that it is not all surprising that Mendelssohn chose the story of his life for one of his greatest works.
Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” is a monumental dramatic work, which makes heavy interpretive demands on performers. In this respect it is perhaps even more exacting than the “Messiah”. It is operatic in essence, and it is a matter of some surprise that it has not yet been written as pure opera.
Apart from the choral work there is unusual dramatic scope for the individual singers, and generally speaking the soloists at the Philharmonic Society’s concert last night rose to the occasion splendidly.
A Heavy Part
Mr AH Squelch, of the male voices undoubtedly gave the best interpretation. He sang with ease and certainty, and used his good voice to its best advantage. Mr Squelch has been showing fine singing form on concert platforms of late months, but he has never before done as well as he did last night. He sang a very heavy part and came through with honours. He showed rare interpretive skill and dramatic power. His enunciation too, was excellent.
Miss Lilian George and Miss Thelma Hatton did first-class work in the soprano solos. The clearness, ease, and flexibility of their voices were very pleasing.
The soloists in the minor parts, without exception, were good. Mr Gordon Fullerton, a newcomer to Toowoomba platforms, sang so well, particularly in his second recitative, “Night Falleth Round me,” that one hopes that he will be heard frequently in the future. He has a good baritone voice, though at times he strains somewhat.
Trios and Quartettes
The trios and quartettes – with the exception of the double quartette, “For he shall give his angels” were productive of some of the finest singing of the oratorio. The trio, “Lift thine eyes,” (Misses George and G Katting and Mrs G Quirk), and the quartette, “Cast thy burden” (Mrs Quirk, Miss Hatton, Messrs L Lockyer and F Chamberlin) were exceedingly well sung.
The work of the chorus was not, on the whole, up to the standard which the Society has set itself during the past two years. Possibly the magnitude of the task undertaken may account for it. There was a lack of ‘stability’ and un unevenness and uncertainty in some numbers which rather spoiled them. The chorus, however, did good work in “Baal, we cry to thee,” which grows more and more frenzied as it progresses, and they sang the delicately quiet “He watcheth over Israel” with sweetness and restraint.
The Philharmonic Orchestra deserves praise for its efficiency. “Elijah” teems with difficult, and at times almost gymnastic, work for the band, and they achieved really fine results last night.
Mr Stanley Hobson conducted with real efficiency, and deserves great credit for the successes achieved during the performance.
Gilliandr's Blog 
Decoration around the house, 1890
The Marion Star, 3 Feb 1890
Around the house
New and attractive notions in fancy work and decorative knickknacks
Harlequin patchwork is a new thing, and far more artistic than the “crazy” patchwork that has had such a run. The foundation is a width of black satin, on to which every kind of device is applique, such as diamonds, octagons, squares, anchors, scrolls – in fact, any shape you like. These are first carefully cut out in paper and then the material, whatever it may be – silk, velvet, plush or brocade – is put over the paper, with the edges well and neatly turned in. The devices are tacked on to the satin quite carelessly, and then worked in any fancy stitch, like crazy patchwork. This harlequin patchwork, if properly treated, will make many pretty things.
Very pretty embroidery in colored silks and gold thread work is done on butcher blue linen. Ivory yellow linen furnishes one of the best backgrounds for fine embroidery either in silk or bullion threads.
A string bag of quaint design is of satin, blue and white stripes being sewn together to make the bag; all round it hange silver and copper bells, and it is suspended by cords.
One of the prettiest of new sachets is composed of white satin, folded to form two pockets inside, and merely bound round with cord. The decoration makes it noticeable. The background of satin on the front side is painted with graduated shades of warm brown, and on this are scattered a few sweet peas done in an artistic style.
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