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William Archibald Mitchell Pollock

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Birth	:	3 May 1855 Southampton Unitary Authority, Hampshire, England
Death	:	18 Sep 1899 Almonte, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
Burial	:	Auld Kirk Cemetery, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate	:	45.2120400, -76.2187300
Plot	:	Range B, Plot 384
Description	:	1899, Friday September 22, The Almonte Gazette front page A Shocking Accident Mr W.A.M. Pollock, Electrician, Caught by a Belt and Killed – A Distressing Affair. This town was stirred to its depths on Monday evening by a terrible accident that took place in the electric light station, by which Mr W.A.M. Pollock lost his life. That evening the lights around town were flickering greatly, which was caused by the slipping of a belt on a pulley in the wheel-house. Mr Pollock, one of the company's electricians, went into the wheel-house and endeavoured to keep the belt from slipping and... Read More	1899, Friday September 22, The Almonte Gazette front page A Shocking Accident Mr W.A.M. Pollock, Electrician, Caught by a Belt and Killed – A Distressing Affair. This town was stirred to its depths on Monday evening by a terrible accident that took place in the electric light station, by which Mr W.A.M. Pollock lost his life. That evening the lights around town were flickering greatly, which was caused by the slipping of a belt on a pulley in the wheel-house. Mr Pollock, one of the company's electricians, went into the wheel-house and endeavoured to keep the belt from slipping and the pulley from heating by rubbing powdered resin and water on the revolving pulley. This was being done while preparations were being made to stop the wheel and tighten the belt. Dr Metcalf, while in his office reading, noticed the light becoming dim, and took a walk over to electric light station, accompanied by his brother James, (one of the owner of the power) to see what was the matter. Going down into the wheel-house, they saw what was going on, and were there when the accident took place, a few minutes after they arrived. From them we learned that Mr Pollock was using both hands to rub the resin and water on the moving pulley, he standing in a narrow space at the end of the shaft. He had just remarked something to the effect that the damp weather had affected the belt, and was in the act of continuing the application of the water when his right arm was caught in the belt and he was whirled head foremost between the pulley and the bridge-tree. Mr Jas Metcalf, who was standing beside him, caught Mr Pollock by the shoulder, but the latter was pulled from his grasp and was carried halfway around the pulley and suspended head down, with his face touching the floor, being wedged in the narrow five-inch space between the pulley and the bridge-tree. Fortunately the water had been turned off from upstairs, and the wheel, running with its own momentum, was more easily stopped, otherwise the unfortunate man would have been killed outright. With the stoppage of the wheel all the lights went out. Dr Metcalf rushed upstairs and informed the staff that Mr Pollock had met with an accident, and was perhaps killed. He had all the local physicians "phoned for. They were on hand in short order. Meantime the victim of the accident was crying for help, and some time was lost in procuring a lantern and going to his aid. However, Dr Metcalf returned in the dark, and by feeling around ascertained that Mr Pollock's arm had been wrenched off at the elbow. The Doctor threw off his coat and vest, and, taking off his braces, tied them tightly around the stump of the arm, thus preventing an immediate fatality. As soon as lights and help were available an effort was made to extricate Mr Pollock from his vertical position, but it was a full hour ere that was accomplished, the bridge-tree having to be cut away and the shaft and pulley suspended by a block and tackle before the body could be removed. Willing hands carried the victim tenderly upstairs and to the door of the building, where he was made as comfortable as possible, and the physicians used every means in their power to relieve his suffering and sustain his vitality, in addition to attending to his wounds, which were numerous on different parts of the body. About 9.30 o'clock he was carried across the road to the residence of Mr W.P. Robertson, where he succumbed half-an-hour later, the shock being too much for his system. During the three hours that elapsed between the time of the accident and its fatal termination the victim retained full consciousness and was able to make his will and have some conversation with his near relatives. The visit of the three children and the parting with them was a pathetic scene. The late William A.M. Pollock was one of our bestknown citizens, and was of the genial type that wins many friends. His untimely death under such distressing circumstances is deplored on all sides. Mr Pollock was born in St Mary's Parish, Southhampton, England, and was 44 years of age. His wife died three months ago, He leaves three children ranging from five to fourteen years – Bessie, Maggie and Robert. He leaves two sisters – Mrs James Easton, of Glasgow, Scotland, and Mrs F.M. Dinwoodlie, of Campbellford, Ont – and one brother, Mr Robt Pollock, of this town, He had been working for the Almonte Electric Light Co. for thirteen years. He was a member of Almonte Lodge, A.O.U.W., and of Camp Bluebell, Sons of Scotland, Almonte, holding policies in those orders for $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. The funeral took place this (Thursday) afternoon from his late residence on Thomas street to the eighth line cemetery, and was a very large one. It was under the auspices of the Workmen, though the Sons of Scotland also turned out in a body. Both lodges sent fine floral emblems as a mark of sympathy. The religious service was conducted by Rev R.J. Hutcheon, M.A. pastor of St Andrew's church of which deceased was a member. Quite a number of Lanark friends including some members of the A.O.U.W. and S.O.S. drove down to be present at the obsequies.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Archibald Mitchell Pollock's memorial?
William Archibald Mitchell Pollock's memorial is located at: Auld Kirk Cemetery, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Canada.
When did William Archibald Mitchell Pollock death?
William Archibald Mitchell Pollock death on 18 Sep 1899 in Almonte, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the William Archibald Mitchell Pollock's memorial?
Latitude: 45.2120400
Longitude: -76.2187300

Family Members:

Spouse

Helen MacPherson Hall Pollack

(1858 - 1899)

Children

Janet Weir Pollack

(1889 - 1890)

Elizabeth Janet Pollock

(1894 - 1938)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Auld Kirk Cemetery
Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2120400, -76.2187300

2. Saint Pauls Anglican Church Cemetery
Almonte, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2173380, -76.2087260

3. Saint Marys Roman Catholic Cemetery
Almonte, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2119800, -76.1931000

4. Wesleyan Methodist Cemetery
Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2081040, -76.1889840

5. McDonald Cemetery
Almonte, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2564500, -76.2247840

6. Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery Old
Almonte, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2449920, -76.1645940

7. Fulton Burial Ground
Pakenham, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2446500, -76.3088060

8. Saint James Cemetery
Carleton Place, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1571400, -76.1472900

9. Clayton Methodist Cemetery
Clayton, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1845060, -76.3210730

10. Saint George's Anglican Cemetery
Union Hall, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1591600, -76.3027210

11. Baird Family Plot
Carleton Place, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1659683, -76.1214453

12. Robertson-Kellough Cemetery
Union Hall, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1537780, -76.3027740

13. Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery
Clayton, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2012630, -76.3414960

14. Clayton United Church Cemetery
Clayton, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1868740, -76.3380900

15. Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery
Beckwith, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1288890, -76.1716670

16. Morphy Family Burying Ground
Carleton Place, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1383090, -76.1465250

17. Cedar Hill Cemetery
Cedar Hill, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2797260, -76.3021820

18. Willis Family Cemetery
Carleton Place, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1317640, -76.1508170

19. Saint Peter Celestine Roman Catholic Cemetery
Pakenham, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.3010030, -76.2835560

20. St. Michael's Roman Catholic Cemetery
Corkery, Ottawa Municipality, Canada
Coordinate: 45.2828000, -76.1009100

21. United Cemeteries
Beckwith, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1410550, -76.0799730

22. Rosetta Cemetery
Rosetta, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.1194900, -76.3333300

23. Boyd's Methodist Cemetery
Boyds, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.0912450, -76.2522420

24. Saint John's Anglican Cemetery
Innisville, Lanark County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.0860977, -76.2448807