Sligo Champion 26 January 1852
SNOW IN THE HIGHLANDS
The Keith correspondent of the Banffshire Journal (writing on Saturday last) reports: “Here we have a snow-storm unequalled for years. It snowed a good deal on Wednesday, but the storm proper came on yesterday afternoon. Since then till snow it has blown a perfect hurricane and it continues unabated. The drifting is grand, the wreaths being in many cases six or seven feet deep and level with the slates of the low houses. The footpath on the streets is in many places as high as the window sill. There have been no mails either from south or north yesterday or today. The Banff “dilly” is stuck up two miles out in the snow, having got ‘yird fast’ at Auchinhove in coming in last night. The passengers travelled up on foot. In old Keith several parties had to be dug out, their dwellings having been covered up with snow” The Speyside mail coach was upset near Rothes on its way to Fochabers. It is reported that a man perished in the snow near Huntly, and a woman in the district of Glass. Near Fraserburgh (Aberdeenshire) a vagrant was found on Friday morning lying among the snow, life extinct. He had evidently been smothered by the drift, as his mouth was filled with snow and sand. Other accounts convey the same information as to the districts in and around Aberdeenshire.
North China Herald 4 August 1905
The marriage between Ewen Allan, eldest son of Sir Ewen Cameron K.C.M.G., and Lady Cameron and Rachel Margaret, elder daughter of the late Alexander Geddes of Blairmore, Huntly, Aberdeenshire and of Mrs Geddes, will take place on July 22 in the Parish Church of Glass, Aberdeenshire
Manitoba Free Press September 7 1917
HANDSOME TABLET FOR GEDDES BROS.
Erected in the Parish Church at the Family Home in Aberdeenshire
The memory of two gallant Winnipeg men who have laid down their lives for their country and the freedom of humanity, is to be perpetuated by a beautiful tablet which was recently dedicated at the parish church at Glass, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The young men whose memory is to be thus honoured were Capt. John Geddes, of the Canadian Scottish of Canada and Lieut. Alexander Francis Geddes, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Both were engaged in business in Winnipeg when the war broke out and were among the first to offer for service overseas. Capt. John Geddes was killed in the second battle of Ypres in April 1915 and his brother fell at Givenchy in June of the same year.
The Edinburgh Bulletin states that the tablet, which was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer, of that city, has a centre of bronze with an outside border of Hoptonwood marble and is four feet by three. On the top is the Geddes coat\t-or-arms, at the foot the heart of love and crown of victory, on the left the Cameron Highlanders’ badge and maple leaves and on the right side the badge of the Royal Scots Fusiliers and thistle, all beautifully carved. Under the text on the bronze quoted in the inscription are representations of palms and laurel leaf. The inscription is as follows:
“To the glory of God and in honoured memory of two brothers, Capt. John Geddes, Canadian Scottish (Cameron Highlanders) of Canada, who fell near Langetnareke at the second battle of Ypres, April 25 1915 and Lieut. Alex. Francis Geddes, Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed in action near Givenchy, June 16 1915 aged 24.
“The beloved sons of Alexander Geddes, of Blairmore and Frances, his wife.
“He asked life of Thee and Thou gavest him, even length of days for ever and ever”
Referring to the career of the young men the Bulletin says:
“The elder brother, Captain John Geddes, like his late father, had spent much of his life in the United States and Canada. He was in business in Chicago for a number of years, and afterwards he went to Winnipeg where he served in the 79th Cameron Highlanders for seven years. When the war broke out he was one of the first to volunteer his services for the front. His regiment was affiliated with the Canadian Scottish and as a captain of the 16th battalion he was included amongst the earliest drafts from the colonies to be sent to England. He had succeeded on the death of his father to the beautiful estate of Blairmore, an estate which will remain as a monument of enterprise and liberal ownership for many years to come. At the coming of age celebrations, an event that was enthusiastically honoured, it is recalled that the young laird, admitting that he had been born in America, went on to recall that still “Glass is my home: I love Glass and its people, and well I may, for the many happy days I have spent here.”. Captain Geddes was s27 years of age and was survived by his widow and three young children.
Less than two months elapsed when the family was called upon to mourn the death in action of a second son, Lieut. Alex. Francis Geddes, attached to the 2nd battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, killed near Givenchy on June 16 1915. Lieut. Geddes earlier in this year had been wounded at the Alana and had only recently returned to the front. When war broke out he was connected with the Northumberland Fusiliers, in which regiment he was an officer when he was wounded. He received his education at Bilton, Grange, and Rugby. Prior to joining the army he was engaged in business in Winnipeg and British Columbia, but although he had spent much of his time abroad, he was well known in Glass and was a great favourite there.”
Winnipeg Free Press 20 July 1934
GUTHRIE-HALL
The wedding of Edith May, daughter of the late J.C. Hall and of Mrs Hall of Cornwall, Ont., to Mr Thomas Guthrie of Winnipeg, son of the Rev. and Mrs W.A. Guthrie of Glass, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, took place quietly Saturday, at half-past twelve o’clock noon, at the residence of the bride’s brother-in-law and sister. Professor and Mrs R.B. Summerby, Macdonald college, St Ann de Bellevue. Rev. Robert Hall of John street church, Belleville, Ont. Officiating. Only immediate relatives and intimate friends were present. The bride, who was given away by her brother Mr John G. Hall, wore a frock of periwinkle blue organza with white organdie hat and gloves and carried an old-fashioned nosegay of blue cornflowers and pink roses. Master Robbie Summerby, nephew of the bride, acted as page. Following the ceremony a reception was held. Later, Mr and Mrs Guthrie left on their wedding trip, the bride travelling in an ensemble in tones of brown with matching hat and accessories. On their return they will reside at 27 Dundurn Place, Winnipeg.