Mrs G. B. Brown and family wish to convey their sincere appreciation to Beamsville friends and acquaintances for their deep sympathy and great kindness in their late sad bereavement.
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Church Announcements
(Baptist Church)
Mr. Audrey L. Brown, of Toronto, will occupy the puplit at the Baptist Church next Lord's Day morning and
evening.
A Shocking Tragedy
Rev. G. B. Brown, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Loses His Life at Jordan Harbor
Thursday, August 6, 1908
Seldom in the history of this community have the people received so rude a shock as on Thursday
afternoon last, when word reached town that Rev. G. B. Brown, pastor of Beamsville Baptist church,
had been drowned at Jordan Harbor.
Last Wednesday Mr. Brown sent his announcements for Sunday services to this office, but before
the Sunday had arrived his remains had been laid at rest in the quiet little Delmer cemetery, near Waterford.
The tragedy occurred about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, near the close of one of the most
enjoyable and most largely attended annual S. S. picnics in the history of the church. 
Previous to the day of the picnic, and all through that day, Mr. Brown seemed to be worrying over the
welfare of the children, and frequently expressing the hope that no accident would occur to mar the day’s
outing.  Little did anyone think that it would be his tragic death which would cast a gloom over
those assembled and over the entire countryside.  It was hard to comprehend the disaster,
and as the tidings were spread broadcast a feeling of extreme sadness filled the hearts of the people of the community.
Although pastor of Beamsville church less than one year, the late Mr. Brown was doing a
splendid work in his field here.  Whatever he undertook to do, he did with all his might. 
He was always ready to lend a helping hand in any good work, and he was beloved by his own congregation,
as well as by others of all creeds.  During the past summer, he was mainly instrumental in
organizing a baseball club here.  He took an active part in promoting the Dominion Day
sports.  In the committee work in connection with the Old Boys’ and Old Girls’ Reunion, he
was a leading spirit, and his own enthusiasm helped largely to enthuse others. 
His will be a place hard to fill in this community, both in and out of church work, and his
tragic death and the circumstances surrounding it, will never be forgotten, especially by those who
were eyewitnesses of the event.
The Tragedy
The day’s outing had been a particularly happy one, and about four o’clock Mr. Brown and a number
of others went in bathing in the channel, between the harbor and the lake. 
The water is about 20 feet deep at this point, and although the width is not more than 200 feet,
the undercurrents are said to be somewhat treacherous.  The bathers had crossed over to the
west side, and after a time had decided to go back and dress.  Mr. Bert McEnteer was a little
in advance of Mr. Brown, when the latter called to him not to leave him, as he was feeling tired. 
Mr. McEnteer waited and when Mr. Brown reached him, told him to put his hand on this shoulder, and he
would help him across.  Mr. Brown put one hand on each of his shoulders, and being a very
muscular and powerfully built man, pulled McEnteer under.  Calls for help were then heard by
those on shore, and thy just had tome to turn about when Mr. Brown slipped away form McEnteer,
(who by this time was also nearly exhausted) and silently sunk beneath the surface, and death must
have been instantaneous, due it thought to heartfailure.  Mr. Curtis Howse and others lost no
time in diving for the body, but it was not located until in the water over half an hour, when
grappling lines brought it to the surface.  Dr. Lawrason, Mrs. O’Neil, trained nurses, and others
of experience commenced the work of recuscitation, working hard for an hour or more, but without
result.  Needless to say the calamity was a genuine shock to those who had spend the day with
the deceased, who was ever the life of the group with which he happened to be associated, to see his
lifeless form, where but a short time before all had been life and happiness.
Mrs. Brown and Miss Brown, widow and daughter of the deceased, were in attendance at the
picnic.  Besides them there are tow sons, one studying for the Baptist ministry, and the other
engaged in mercantile pursuits in Detroit.  The former was at Grimsby Park at the time of the
tragedy, and the latter reached here on Friday morning.  The heartfelt sympathy goes out to
them in their bereavement.  (Continued on Page 8).
A very impressive memorial service was held in the Baptist church on Sunday morning.  The
edifice was taxed to it utmost capacity to hold those in attendance.  Rev. Dr. Thomas late of
Jarvis St. Baptist Church, Toronto, conducted the service, assisted by Rev. Mr. Johnston, late
of the Grimsby Baptist church, and Revs. J. Truax and Dr. Macintyre of the local Methodist and
Presbyterian churches.  The Methodist choir rendered several appropriate selections throughout
the service, and all the speakers referred in feeling terms to the loss of Rev. Mr. Brown. 
The essence of their remarks are embodied in one of the quotations of Dr. Thomas, "He was a good minister
of Jesus Christ."  This is all-inclusive, embracing as it does true manliness and Christian citizenship.
The pall-bearers were the Deacons of the Baptist church, viz; Messrs. C. E. Riggins, J. Fawell,
R. Cruikshank, L. Moyer, Edw. Boughner, and Supt. E. J. Amiss, of the S. S. 
They accompanied the remains to Brownsville, with the exception of Messrs. Fawell and Cruikshank, who
returned from Hamilton, their places being taken by Reeve D. Davis and Coun. James D. Bennett. 
Interment took place on Saturday evening about 6:30. 
The remains were met by a large concourse of old friends of the deceased pastor, who viewed the body at
the grave side.
At the close of the service on Saturday, a large number of those present passed up the aisle and viewed the remains.
Out of respect to the memory of their beloved pastor, there were no services in the Baptist church on Sunday.
Among the many beautiful floral tokens laid upon the casket were:
Crescent – Mr. and Mrs. Bolton.
Pillow – Family.
Cross – Trustee Board Methodist church.
Wreath – Baptist B. Y. P. U. and Sunday School.
Maltese Cross – Home Circle.
Cross – Mr. and Mrs. J. Prudhomme.
Heart – Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Prudhomme.
Wreath – Beamsville Baseball Club.
Wreath – Clinton Agricultural Society.
Anchor – Baptist Church and Mission Circle.
Spray of Roses and Palms.