BX October 15, 1929

Mount Pleasant Man Is Killed by Train – B.R. White, Prominent Salvation Army Head in this City, Died Instantly When the Wheels of the Tillsonburg-Hamilton C.N.R. Passenger Train Number 774 Struck Him at Coal-Chute Near the Depot About 9.20 o’clock This Morning – No Witness of Accident

Employed only yesterday morning as a workman at the C.N.R. roundhouse here, Bernard R. White, aged 48 of Mount Pleasant, was instantly killed this morning at 9.20 o’clock when he was struck and partially run over by the Tillsonburg-Hamilton passenger train number 774, as it was stopping at the coal-chute to refuel.  No person saw the accident, but Enoch Statham, yard foreman, living at 9 Dundas Street, saw the body roll from beneath the front wheel-trucks.  The wheels caught the body about the middle, badly pinching it, although little blood flowed from the wounds.  Dr. R.W. Digby, company physician was immediately summoned and stated that death must have been instantaneous.

According to the locomotive crew and Mr. Statham, as well as R.W. Hopper, conductor on the train, the latter standing about 50 feet in front of the engine as it slowed up to refuel, the unfortunate man must have darted out onto the tracks from behind the coal-chute without glancing to the west, from which direction the rain approached the chute.  The train was engineered by David Craig, while William Miers was fireman, and William Weir and A. Warrach, were brakemen, all being from Hamilton.

Inquest Is Called

Coroner Dr. R.L. Hutton who visited the scene of the accident soon after it happened, stated that an inquest would take place.  W.M. Charlton, K.C., would set no date for the hearing until the details of the accident were learned.

Mr. White was a regular employee of the Cockshutt Plow Company but had been laid off for stocktaking at that plant.  He had applied for work on the C.N.R. yesterday morning and had been assigned to the roundhouse.  He had been at work since 7 o’clock this morning.

Besides being well-known in this city and environs, he was a prominent figure in religious circles of the city, being a sergeant-major in the Salvation Army, and incidentally head local officer in charge.  Only last Sunday he had visited Toronto to attend the function for Genera; Higgins, of the Army and had expressed keen delight at the success of the venture.

Besides his wife, Gwendolyn, Mr. White is survived by one son, Wilfred, married and one daughter Gladys.  The family moved from this city to Mount Pleasant last spring and have since resided there.

Mr. White was also a prominent member of the Oddfellows’ order and a member of the Canton No. 3 of this city.

Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

BX October 16, 1929

Bernard R. White

The funeral of Bernard R. White, Mount Pleasant, whose death occurred yesterday, will be held tomorrow afternoon from the residence of his brother-in-law, John Ricketts, 74 Chatham Street, to the Salvation Army Citadel; where a public service will be held.  Interment will be in Farringdon cemetery.  Beside his immediate family here.  Mr. White is survived by three brothers and four sisters, John, William, Fred, Minnie and Rachel in England and Lily and Lizzie, Vancouver.

BX October 18, 1929

Bernard R. White

The funeral of Bernard R. White, took place yesterday afternoon from the residence of his brother-in-law, John Rickets, 74 Chatham Street, to the Salvation Army Citadel, and thence to Farringdon cemetery, for interment.  The services were in charge of Major H.C. Kendall, of Toronto, assisted by Adjutant Kettle and Rev. Simon Edwards.  A solo was sung by Mrs. Barclay and short testimonials were given by several members of the local corps.  The funeral procession was preceded by the Salvation Army Band, the funeral coach being followed by a very long procession and there were many flowers.  The Oddfellows’ service was conducted at Farringdon by fellow members of Gore Lodge, under F. Cox N.G., and J. Bond, chaplain.  The pallbearers were: W. Bissett, J. Davis and T. Brown, representing the Salvation Army and F. Hartely, G. Hand and B. Smith, representing Gore Lodge, I.O.O.F.