William Hamilton Lowe

Seaforth Huron Expositor
April 25,1873

SAD ACCIDENT

A sad accident occurred at Clinton station, on Wednesday night, to a young man named William H. Lowe, at present on a visit here from British Columbia. On the evening in question Mr. Lowe was on his way to Goderich on the 9 o'clock train. On arriving at Clinton station, he came out of the car, in which he was riding, on to the platform, to speak to a friend, On the train starting, Mr. Lowe took hold of the railing of the car, and walked alongside the platform looking over his shoulder, still in conversation with his friend who was behind. While thus engaged, his feet came in contact with some baggage on the platform, over which he tripped and fell between the hind most car of the train and the platform, with both his arms stretched across the track. The wheels of the car passed over his arms, crushing and almost severing them. The unfortunate man was immediately removed to an adjoining hotel, and Drs. Coleman and Gouinlock, of Seaforth, both of whom are old friends, sent for. The Doctors, on arriving at Clinton, found it necessary to amputate both arms, one at the elbow and the other at the wrist. The patient also received other injuries about the head and face, but none of a very serious nature. Mr. Lowe is a native of Harpurbey, and himself and his family are well known to all old residents of this vicinity. He has resided in British Columbia for some time, and came to Seaforth a few weeks ago to visit his friends and dispose of some property he had here. It is said that he had completed all his business arrangements, and that he intended getting married in a few days to a young lady in Goderich and immediately afterwards returning to his home in British Columbia. Poor fellow, his prospects have been suddenly and sadly darkened.

 

Seaforth Huron Expositor
May 2,1873

THE LATE ACCIDENT AT CLINTON

Drs. Coleman and Gouinlook are regularly in attendance on Mr. Lowe, at Clinton. Although he is not yet by any means out of danger, strong hopes are entertained of his recovery. He has a remarkably strong constitution, which may enable him to survive the shock, and the terrible injuries he has received. We are glad to learn that everything human skill can do, to contribute to his comfort and aid in his recovery, is being done, both by his medical attendents and his nurses. The young lady, who was shortly to have been married to Mr. Lowe, immediately on hearing of the accident, came from Chicago, where she has lately been living, and has been in attendance upon him since her arrival.

 

 

Likely the Seaforth Huron Expositor
May1873

MARRIAGES

LONGHURST - McEWING - At Egmondville, on May 9, by Rev. Wm. Graham, Mr. Jesse Longhurst, of Stratford, to Miss Ellen McEwing, of Tuckersmith.

LOWE - SIMPSON - In Clinton, on May 8, by Rev. E. L. W. Elwood, rector of Goderich, William Hamilton Lowe, Esq., of British Columbia, to Isabella Jane Wansford, only daughter of the late Robert Simpson, Esq., of Goderich.

 

 

THE BRITISH COLONIST 1873
(Toronto Mail, May 17)

An Interesting Marriage

It was our painful duty, in a recent issue, to record a sad accident which occurred to Mr. W. H. Lowe, Collector of Customs at Osoyoos, on the southern boundary of British Columbia, when stepping on board the train at Clinton, Ont., on the night of the 23rd ultimo, resulting in the loss of his right hand and left arm above the elbow/ He was engaged to be married.

On receiving news of the terrible catastrophe, Miss Simpson (for such was the young lady's name) proved herself a courageous and true-hearted girl by at once flying to his assistance without without even delaying to pack a trunk, as the message reached her only a few minutes before the departure of an Eastern train. On her arrival at the scene she behaved most heroically, and at once undertook the duties of nurse-tender to the poor sufferer, in conjuction with the kind lady (Mrs. Rance) to whose house he had been conveyed on the night of the accident, and who had been in attendance on him night and day up to the time of the arrival of his intended. It is scarcely a matter of wonder the the invalid has made rapid progress towards recovery under such favorable circumstances, and on the 8th inst the marriage ceremony was performed at bedside, by the Rev. E. L. Elwood, Rector of Goderich, an old and esteemed friend of both families, in the presence of the mother of the bride and a few friends, who were much affected by the interesting scene.

 

 

Seaforth Huron Expositor
October 10,1873

PERSONAL - Mr. W. H. Lowe, who lost both arms at Clinton some time ago, has obtained a pair of artificial ones from New York, which will, in a measure, replace his loss. We understand that he soon leaves for British Columbia, where he holds a Government office. - New Era