Mrs. S. H.
Harding Killed
in Leap from Automobile
Mrs. S. H. Harding, wife of
the editor of the Port Rowan News, was almost instantly
killed near Forestville last Friday afternoon, when she dislocated
her neck after jumping from a moving automobile.
The Reformer's Port
Rowan correspondent writes:
The death of Mrs. S. H. Harding, which occurred so suddenly on the
hill near Forestville, last Friday afternoon has cast a feeling of
profound sorrow over the village.
One hour before the accident
happened, Mrs. Harding was working in her flower garden, when she
agreed to go for a motor drive with Mrs. W. N. Buck and Mrs. O. R.
Rockafeller.
They were returning home
when the car stalled on the Forestville hill. Mrs. Rockerfeller, who
was driving had full control was backing the car against the
embankment on the side of the road, when both Mrs. Harding and Mrs.
Buck jumped. Mrs. Harding's neck was dislocated in the fall and Mrs.
Buck received minor injuries.
Mrs. Harding, before her
marriage was Miss Esther Abbott, a daughter of of the late John
Abbott, at one time editor of the Simcoe British Canadian.
Mrs. Harding was born in Simcoe and was 64 years old at the time of
her death. When quite young, her parents moved to St. Mary's,
Ontario, where she met Mr. Harding.
Their only son, Lieut. A. H.
Harding was killed in France. His name appears on the bronze tablet
in St. John's Church.
Besides her husband, Mrs.
Harding is survived by one brother, Dr. Frank Abbott of Sterling,
Michigan, and one sister, Mrs. M. Kerr of St. Thomas.
The Rev. Mr. Eddy of Winons is a first cousin.
In addition to those
mentioned, many relatives of the family were present at the funeral
on Monday, including Rev. Phillip Harding, R. Harding of London and
Mrs. E. Hill of Burford, nee Mollie Haywood, an adopted daughter.
Mr. and Mrs. Harding settled
in Port Rowan 20 years ago and purchased the press that at one time
printed the now historic Spirit of the Age, owned and
published by the late Colonel James Ryan.
Mr. Harding started to
publish The News and Mrs. Harding's active assistance
contributed in no small part to the success of the venture.
During the war she worked
for every patriotic effort and she was actively connected with all
work in St. John's Church.
Rev. H. Smith, rector of St.
John's Church, officiated both at her late residence and at the
grave. Interment took place in Bay View Cemetery.
As a result of Mrs.
Harding's death The Port Rowan News will not go to press this
week.
