Thanks to Dawn Farrer, Mr Farrer's niece
for the information on this page

WELL KNOWN TOWN EMPLOYEE
AND MANAGER OF THE CAMPBELLTON ELECTRIC SYSTEM
WAS ELECTROCUTED WHILE AT WORK ON FRIDAY !!

This is close to what the Headlines of the Newspapers
of the area read one day in 1934

Hiram George Vance Farrer
Born April 12/1873
Son of John and Elizabeth (Wellwood) Farrer, (both of Mill Branch
Kent County, NB) brother to Guy of Upsalquich,
Leslie of Campbellton, John (died 1933), Thomas (died 1913)and Mina B.
Farrer Duncan of Rouyn, Quebec, and Mrs Harry (Elizabeth) Purdy of Vancouver B.C.

He was also father of Charles Farrer and Edna who lived in New York
He is interred in the Rural Cemetery in Campbellton
The family had moved to Campbellton in 1877 and lived on Union st.

According to the Restigouche County marriage records
Hiram G.V. Farrer aged 24, living in Campbellton, born in Millbranch
Kent County NB, son of John Farrer and Elizabeth Wellwood, Anglican
Electrician, married Nov. 15/1899
Minnie Watson aged 21, living in Campbellton and born in Kent County, NB
daughter of Charles Watson and and Mary Millwood of Presbyterian faith
witnesses: Melone Cook and Jane Watson

CAMPBELLTON'S ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMPANY and MR. FARRER

Campbellton's Electric Lighting plant was put in place in 1900
The contract was given to Duncan and McLennan Machinists
Mr William Duncan hired Hiram Farrer to assist him
and after a year of great work, he was made manager of the plant
Under his managership the business increased to 250 horsepower
after beginning with 125 horsepower

The plant was then located on the Corner of Prince William
and King streets until the great fire of July 1910
when not even one single pole was left standing, the whole
system was destroyed by that fire

Mr Farrer losing no time following the fire, struck up a contract
with Richards Mill Co., for 900 poles, had the city cleaned
of all the wires laying around and sold them for junk

Christmas Eve, 1910, the little town was again lit up
thanks to the hard work of Mr Farrer and one of the small
engines which could be saved from the fire until the 500 horsepower
gas producing plant arrived from England. This new plant was
on Ritchie street, opposite Water Street

When the plant became too small for the demands of the city
Mr Farrer struck up a contract with the Lower(Southern)St Lawrence Power Co.,
(The Metis River development) in 1924 for hydro service of 1100 horsepower
By 1934 it was increased to 1400 horsepower

Shortly after this, the town decided to sell power outside the town
running a line West, up to Atholville and Flatlands, also putting a
distribution plant in Atholville, and lines were run East some 6 or 7 Miles
Followed was the installation of the transmission line from Matapedia
to Campbellton of course this work was all being done by Mr Farrer
over and above his managerial duties

Mr Farrer also installed the Campbellton Fire Alarm System

ELECTROCUTED WHILE IN DISCHARGE OF HIS DUTIES

One Friday afternoon while inspecting the wiring in the pump house
of the Imperial Oil Co. Bulk storage plant, Mr Farrer received a charge
of 550 volts leaving his body lifeless

Two co-employees, Robert Taylor and John Shalala were witnesses to this
sad event but could do nothing to help their boss. Dr. J.J. MacPherson
pronounced him dead upon his arrival at the scene

Dr Glen A. Mowatt, Coroner, impannelled a jury and the remains
were viewed at the A.A. Steves funeral parlor.
On the jury were:
S.P. McKenzie, foreman of the jury
A.H.Alexande
H.P. Doyle
George Vermette
James Louden
George St Onge
and Dr., J.A. Roy.
Barristers attending the court were:
J.Allan Leblanc, clerk of the peace
H.A. Carr, town solicitor
and representing Imperial Oil Ltd., H.F.G. Bridges.
H.A. Eagles was present as court constable

The verdict was returned after the jury deliberated for only a few minutes
DEATH ACCIDENTAL !!