The death of Andre Proulx/Prue

Killarney

History

The sad death of Andre Proulx/Prue

Andre Proulx/Prue was the first husband of Julia Peladeau/Palado -- a daughter of Nancy Wapoose. Andre and Julia were married on 18 December 1860 at Blind River, Ontario. They lived for a time at Bruce Mines and together they had eight children. Andre died in 1873. Julia later married Henry Bateman and had seven more children with him. Several of these children (Proulx/Prue and Bateman) intermarried with Killarney families.

The following is an excerpt from a story that appeared in the Manitoulin Expositor of April 10th, 1886, under the title Strange Tales from the North Shore. It recounts the terrible deaths of a crew of loggers which included Andre.

"Death in the Camp

Some twelve years ago last fall, a party of seven lumbermen in the employ of Williams & Murray, of Blind River, left the latter place with a scow load of oats and general supplies which they were engaged to remove inland. The scow carried some ten tons, and the party worked it up the river for ten miles by the aid of sweeps.

They reached a camp on the river bank about night-fall, and fearing rain, piled the bags of oats in a single row with the butts against the back end of the building. Wearied with their labors, they lay down to sleep with their heads towards the bags, little thinking they were never to rise again. Piled as they were, the bags naturally inclined inwards and during the night the whole pile fell forward together, and remained on top of the weary sleepers. Owing to their recumbent position, the men were unable to rise, and all perished together as they lay, away from home, family, friends, and with no one to bear their last message to their loved ones.

Three or four days afterwards a man stopped at the camp, took from some provisions for his evening and morning meal, camped outside and remained till morning without suspecting that he was so close to the scene of a terrible tragedy, although he aftwerwards said that he thought once or twice he heard sounds as of breathing.

About a week after the men had lain down for their last sleep on earth, Mr. Murray, becoming alarmed for their safety, started out in his canoe and arrived at the camp near midnight. First striking a light, he commenced moving the bags, and discovered a sight the horror of which it is unnecessary to describe. Suffice it to say he went back and the story of what had happened soon became known.

The names of the men were: Corbier, two Buies, Proulx, Connor, and two other strangers, the last three being from Goderich. One of the men, Proulx, left a wife and eight children, for who benefit considerable relief was obtained by the generous exertions of Messrs. Gorrell, Murray and others. Such is the story of perhaps the greatest tragedy which over occurred in the Canadian lumber woods."

Home

Native

Nancy Wapoose Family



Killarney History
			The sad death of Andre Proulx/Prue


	Andre Proulx/Prue was the first husband of Julia Peladeau/Palado -- a daughter of Nancy Wapoose. Andre and Julia were married on 18 December 1860 at Blind River, Ontario. They lived for a time at Bruce Mines and together they had eight children. Andre died in 1873. Julia later married Henry Bateman and had seven more children with him. Several of these children (Proulx/Prue and Bateman) intermarried with Killarney families. The following is an excerpt from a story that appeared in the Manitoulin Expositor of April 10th, 1886, under the title Strange Tales from the North Shore. It recounts the terrible deaths of a crew of loggers which included Andre. "Death in the Camp Some twelve years ago last fall, a party of seven lumbermen in the employ of Williams & Murray, of Blind River, left the latter place with a scow load of oats and general supplies which they were engaged to remove inland. The scow carried some ten tons, and the party worked it up the river for ten miles by the aid of sweeps. They reached a camp on the river bank about night-fall, and fearing rain, piled the bags of oats in a single row with the butts against the back end of the building. Wearied with their labors, they lay down to sleep with their heads towards the bags, little thinking they were never to rise again. Piled as they were, the bags naturally inclined inwards and during the night the whole pile fell forward together, and remained on top of the weary sleepers. Owing to their recumbent position, the men were unable to rise, and all perished together as they lay, away from home, family, friends, and with no one to bear their last message to their loved ones. Three or four days afterwards a man stopped at the camp, took from some provisions for his evening and morning meal, camped outside and remained till morning without suspecting that he was so close to the scene of a terrible tragedy, although he aftwerwards said that he thought once or twice he heard sounds as of breathing. About a week after the men had lain down for their last sleep on earth, Mr. Murray, becoming alarmed for their safety, started out in his canoe and arrived at the camp near midnight. First striking a light, he commenced moving the bags, and discovered a sight the horror of which it is unnecessary to describe. Suffice it to say he went back and the story of what had happened soon became known. The names of the men were: Corbier, two Buies, Proulx, Connor, and two other strangers, the last three being from Goderich. One of the men, Proulx, left a wife and eight children, for who benefit considerable relief was obtained by the generous exertions of Messrs. Gorrell, Murray and others. Such is the story of perhaps the greatest tragedy which over occurred in the Canadian lumber woods."

		Home		Native	Nancy Wapoose Family