note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

Halifax Disaster Record Office
Chronicle Building
Halifax, N. S.

Story of Captain Heffler, Needham St.
Personal Testimony of Captain Heffler of the Customs Ship "Violletta G".
Taken December 20, 1917.

December 6th, he left his wife and home, and went to his boat which was at the King's Wharf. He heard the explosion; thought it was a warship; and ordered his engineer to move his ship out that they might try to save life. Steamed up to Dock Yard; then he saw his own house on Needham St. in flames. He ran his boat into Pier 5, followed the track to North St., then, as the fire rendered Campbell Road impassable, he went up North St., along Gottingen St., and down Young St. to Needham St. At the corner, he met his son's dog, a magnificent Scotch Collie, which was very attached to his wife. It was in a state of great excitement. Captain Heffler saw his house in ashes. His daughter, Mrs. Wilson was in a vacant lot opposite. "Mother ai'nt there" she shouted; and his little boy cried "Ma ran down Gottingen St." This put Captain Heffler off the trail. He believed she had escaped. Night and day, he and his son searched for her until Sunday December 9th, when he found her body, absolutely unscarred, at Snow's. Meanwhile the dog refused to stir from the ruins, and it was under the spot in which he had lain that the remains of Mrs. Heffler had been discovered.
(Testimony thoroughly reliable)
J. H. Mitchell.