Update of the PAST NEWS........ 22nd February 1868

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*Assault on Arthur Wragg –

Arthur Wragg was the alleged victim in last week’s news, but there was an Arthur Wragg who had been in trouble with the police before, but not as the victim.  Was it the same Arthur?  I think it probably was as there is only one Arthur Wragg that I can find as being born in Chesterfield of the right age; He was born in 1845, the son of John and Ann Wragg who resided on Church Alley, under the shadow if the Crooked Spire.  Arthur had a younger brother named Reuben.

On 23^rd December 1866 Arthur Wragg was charged with having assaulted an old man named George Fidler.  George stated that he was walking to his home on Silk Mill Yard when he saw Arthur, who proceeded to follow him down the yard to his front door, where he knocked him down at his door way.  It was also alleged that this was the third time this had happened. 

Arthur accused George of being drunk and having fallen himself.  He stated that George would have hurt his back “by tumbling out of bed drunk”.    George did not have any witnesses to collaborate his accusations and Arthur stood his ground and denied the actions.  Arthur told how George was swearing at him that night and agreed that he had walked over to him, at which point George had fallen over his own door mat.  George’s wife had also appeared and was said to have followed her husband falling over the door mat, whilst in her nightie. 

George recalled a few nights earlier when Arthur had been throwing stones at his door.  When he had gone out to Arthur, he had received a stone thrown straight at him which had extinguished the candle that he held for light. 

Arthur the defendant did have witnesses to the events of the 23^rd December.  Margaret Collins told how George was “swearing and making a noise about 8 o’clock”.  She went on to tell how she went to the door to see what the commotion was about, she heard George say “you’re on again – I’ll spend £5 over you” to which Arthur replied that he didn’t have £5.  At this George fell over the mat, his wife came out and also fell over the mat.  The couple, she thought, were drunk.  Bridget Lester also backed up Arthur’s version of events confirming that he did not touch George.

The Bench decided that there was insufficient evidence to convict Arthur Wragg and George was made to pay the 2s 6d fine for expenses. 

Only 7 months on; in August 1866 Arthur Wragg a collier aged 20 years old was again in trouble for fighting in Silk Mill Yard.  He was found in the early hours of Sunday 2^nd August stripped and fighting with another man.  Police Superintendent Stevens found the men and sent them packing.  But only 15 minutes later the argument had started up again.  The Bench heard how there was some sort of disturbance most weekends in the yard and how Arthur was a “great blackguard and nuisance”.  Arthur was of course not happy with this title and argued that he had gone into a friend’s home to clean up his face upon which when he returned back out into the yard he was attacked again.

His reputation did not do him justice and on this occasion Arthur was found guilty and sentenced to pay either 10s and costs or do 14 days imprisonment – to which he replied “By _____ I’ll do the 14 days like a horse”.

Was this the same Arthur Wragg as appeared as a victim in 1868?  Did he have a knack of finding trouble as he frequented the streets of Chesterfield?  Arthur Wragg died on 11^th June 1887 at Victoria Street, Chesterfield.  He was aged 42 years old and unmarried.  He did not leave a will and so administration of his estate was given to his brother Reuben. 

As for John Sweeney, he was around the same age as Arthur, being born sometime around 1845 in Ireland.  In the 1871 census he was working as a labourer and lodging with Malechy Tracey a bricklayer’s labourer on Saltergate.  What became of him after this is not known – does anyone know his whereabouts afterwards?

 

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Echoes of our Past NEWS ........ 22nd February 1868

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was in the local news this weekend in 1868?

MAIN NEWS –

*Cowardly Assault –

The heading of this story continued “on an Englishman by Irish”. 

It appears that Arthur Wragg was attacked by an Irish man named John Sweeney and four other men.  The incident occurred on Packers Row when Arthur was approached by a man who was waiting for him at the top of Wheat Sheaf Yard.  This person asked out to Arthur “Am in English or Irish?” to which Arthur replied “you are an Irishman”.  At this the offender hit Arthur and the other men also joined in the attack.  One of the gang of Irish men hit Arthur with a knuckle duster and he suffered a gash over his right eye. 

The gang then fled and other by-stander's came to see what the disturbance was.  Arthur went off after his attackers up Church Lane.  He found John Sweeney and approached him stating “I believe you are one of the party”.  At this another fight broke out and others became involved. 

The Mayor concluded that he wished to bring an end to “mob assaults and street riots” and fined John Sweeney £1 and costs or 21 days imprisonment with hard labour.

OTHER ITEMS –

*Situations Vacant –

v  YOUTH aged 15 to 17 years of age.  Must be able to write a “good plain hand”.  Apply to Isaac Bower, Accountant, Low Pavement, Chesterfield.

v  GENERAL SERVANT for a small family.  Must be competent “plain cooking and general housework”.  Wages £10 to £11 per year.  Required – good character reference.  Apply Derbyshire Times Office.

v  APPRENTICE BLACKSMITH apply to Mr Mirfin at Wingerworth.

v  HIGGLERS apply to New Brampton Colliery, Ashgate Road Nr Chesterfield.

v  PLUMBER journeyman, first class.  “Regular employment and high wages given to a steady industrious workman”.  Apply Mr W Britt, Ironmonger, South Street, Chesterfield.

v  COOK & GENERAL SERVANT in the Country.  Also a HOUSEMAID to attend on 3 children “not young; must be good sewer”.  Apply to Derbyshire Times Office.

v  MAN as a GROOM to look after a cow, “one from the country preferred” Apply to “A.B Derbyshire Times Office”.

*Stealing glasses from public houses –

A “wretched looking woman” named Eliza Lavender was charged with stealing 3 tumbler glasses from the Grapes Inn on Glumangate.  John Garlick was the landlord of the Inn and he alleged that 3 glasses had been stolen.

Elsewhere in the town centre Caroline Ellis, daughter of John Ellis landlord of the Ring O’Bells Inn was offered 3 tumbler glasses for sale by Eliza Lavender.  Eliza had asked for 1s 4d, but Caroline had got a bargain at the 3 for 1s 2d. 

Eliza admitted her theft and she was sent to the House of Correction for 21 days.

*Ladies quarrelling –

Two neighbours named Louisa Murphy and Ellen Thaker were in court for quarrelling on 14^th February.  Ellen was alleged to have assaulted Louisa.  Both were neighbours on Beetwell Street and the children of the 2 ladies had been arguing that day.  Louisa went to speak to Ellen about the children’s quarrelling and Ellen was supposed to have thrown a stone at her.  She had continued to call Louisa “very bad names”.

Ellen was found guilty of causing a disturbance and she was asked to produce £10 surety that she would keep the peace for 6 calendar months.

*Lucky escape –

A fast goods train ran into a mineral train at Staveley Station on Tuesday 18^th February after the signal had been carried out incorrectly.  Luckily the guard on board the engine had just left his break to uncouple the engine.  He saw the fast goods train heading towards him and was able to make his escape. 

The incident occurred around 8am and the line was clocked until around 3pm that afternoon, causing great disturbances.

*Linacre Reservoir –

Complaints had been numerous after the quality of the water was brought into concern this week in 1868.  The colour had been of “serious discolouration”.  It emerged that the “new and upper reservoirs” at Linacre had been involved in some sort of disturbance and this had resulted in much mud and dirt entering the reservoirs. 

Linacre was rendered “unfit for use”, much to the outrage of the residents of Chesterfield who relied on this source of water.  The water pressure in the pipes had also been weak for the past times.  The water authority was kind enough to send out containers of clean water on carts to give temporary aid to the residents.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr Joseph Bacon to Jane Robinson, second daughter of Mr Edward Robinson.  Both lived at Clay Cross and were married at North Wingfield Parish Church on 16^th February

*Mr Edwin Allison to Miss Emma Lievesley both of Holywell Street at the Free Wesleyan Chapel on Elder Yard on 18^th February

DEATHS –

*Thomas Knighton aged 83 years, shopkeeper of New Tupton on 16^th February

*Mrs Mary Ann Simmons aged 45 years, widow on 13^th February

*Ellis Hawksley aged 9 years and 3 months, son of Mr Aaron Hawksley at South Wingfield on 11^th February

*Sarah Elliott aged 35 years, wife of Mr Henry Elliott a potter at Brampton on 18^th February

*John Renshaw aged 1 year and 5 months at Tupton on 18^th February

WEATHER –

The heavy rain which had been seen the last week had resulted in the River Derwent being at its highest level seen for many months.  There had been much flooding of the area. 

The fish in the River Wye were said to be in “good order now for the fly”.  These were the days when fishing was done to catch and kill the fish to eat.  The writer boasted killing “16lbs in about two hours” at Whatstandwell Bridge.  He did advise anyone who was fond of fishing in the cold weather to go prepared….. not with warm clothes, but to make sure that they took a good supply of “flies” so as not to have to make them up at the side of the river when the hands were cold.

AND FINALLY…

*Large Pig –

A “large pig” had been advertised on a Bryan advertisement.  This “celebrity pig” had it seems now been killed and stuffed.  The people of Chesterfield were invited to view the said pig at Mr Guest’s Horse and Jockey Inn on Newbold Moor.  They said that the pig was “enormous…. Those interested in pigs should certainly pay it a visit”.

 

Update of the PAST NEWS..........13th February 1875

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*Death of Bernard Dixon –

Bernard Dixon was recorded last week in the “Deaths” column, having died on 10^th February 1875 at Chesterfield aged just 35 years old.

Bernard was a provisions dealer and had a shop at 10 Burlington Street, Chesterfield.  It seems that he died suddenly and this death was not expected.  Only a few months earlier at Christmas, Bernard was advertising his wares; home cured hams, Wiltshire bacon and “monster cheeses”. 

As Bernard was a shop owner and dealer he had debts to his name and his creditors wasted no time in calling a meeting the day after his death to discuss his finances.  The meeting was held at the office of solicitor Mr Gee and it was decided that his Bernard’s business be put into liquidation.  He was stated as having liabilities of £806 and assets of £341.

As for the character of Bernard a public apology which he placed into the Derbyshire Times on 8^th April 1874 shows that he was a compassionate person.  Back in March 1874 he had accused an employee of stealing £200 from him.  The employee was named Edwin Taylor and Bernard had reported him to the police on 18^th March 1874 on a “false charge”.  Now however, Bernard was offering a public apology in his words “I am extremely sorry that I should have done such a wrong thing, and I am desirous of doing everything in my power to vindicate his character, and I further say that he may make whatever use he chooses of this apology”

Bernard was born in early 1841 into a large family; he was the son of John and Mary Dixon.  John was a farmer and the family lived at Brampton.  On the 1841 census Bernard was the youngest of 9 children ranging from Ann the eldest aged 19 years to Walter his next elder brother aged 2 years.  By 1851 Bernard is no longer the baby of the family; he now has 4 younger siblings, bringing the total children up to 13 at least.  The family address is Brampton Hall and his father is recorded as “landed proprietor and farmer of 13 acres, employing one labourer and boy”. 

Bernard is described as a grocer as early as 1861, aged 20 years old.  He never married and on his death his estate was put into administration.  I am not aware how much debt was recovered but it would appear that he may well have been better off than originally expected at the liquidation meeting the day after his death.  His administration left effects of under £200 to his mother Mary Ann Dixon.  His father John had died on 16^th December 1862; he was described as a “Gentleman” in the will.  His estate was under £3000.  His will was proved by John Clarke of Whittington County Gentleman and Herbert Dixon County Mercer and Draper and Walter Dixon Mercer and Draper, the sons of the executors.  Mary Ann was recorded as an “annuitant” on the 1871 census.  Mary’s maiden name was Clark, so the John Clark who proved the will was probably a brother or other relation of hers.

 

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*Tragic death –

 

The little girl who was scalded to death was Miriam Chambers.  She was born in 1873.  The obituary notice states the child was named “Mariance” but she is recorded in the civil registration indexes for both birth and death as Miriam.  The obituary also states that she was 1 year and 10 months old from Springwell.  She died on 6^th February 1875.



 

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Echoes of our Past NEWS..... 13th February 1875

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was in the local news this weekend in 1875?

MAIN NEWS –

*Valentine poem –

The following poem was alegedly found on the streets of Bakewell; sadly the person who penned this love poem lost his message of adoration somewhere along the ways in the village square at Bakewell.  It was addressed to “…………. The fat Cook at the ………… Hotel, Bakewell”.  The Derbyshire Times printed the poem, but were discreet enough to leave the cooks identity concealed, but I would imagine she had an inkling it was meant for her!  Romantic? I am not sure, take a read and see what you think!

Dear Cook, in love, I’m overdone,

Whilst thee I have been toasting,

For since thy kitchen love I won

In Cupid’s fire I’m roasting,

I’m dripping every hour away,

Consum’d in fierce desire;

While thy plump form remains so gay

My fat’s all in the fire.

Good joints of mutton, veal or beef,

To judge I’ll quickly learn;

If thou wilt give my heart relief,

We’ll make a joint concern.

Through heat and cold true lovers toil!

Chill’d when thy frowns I view;

At dinner I am in a broil,

At supper, in a stew.

Though run the gauntlet of each course,

Of ev’ry daunting tasting;

‘Twere well for better or for worse,

I lessons take in ……… basting.

If thou wilt be my Valentine,

Divided be our toast;

I’ll choose the joint on which we dine,

And thou shalt “rule the roast”

OTHER ITEMS –

*Overcrowded lodging house –

John Murphy ran a lodging house at Stonegravels; he was in trouble this week after the Newbold Local Board Inspector named Mr W Birch had called to view his home. 

It was found that on the upper floor a room of small dimensions contained 2 beds, but there were 5 lodgers in those beds and another arrived to use the room whilst Mr Birch was present.  This he worked out meant that each person only had 168 “cubit feet of air” instead of the required 300 feet.

In the downstairs area, where John lived with his wife and 4 children the room had one bed in the corner for them all to share.  This room was slightly larger than the one upstairs but it still equated to only 176 “cubit feet of air” per person.

The premises was also noted to be “one of the dirtiest” Mr Birch had ever seen.  John was ordered to pay 30s which included the court costs.  There is no mention that he was told to clean his premises up however, we would hope that this was the case though.

*Maintenance –

The Guardians of the Union Workhouse had brought a man named John Sims to court requesting maintenance payments for the care of his mother whilst she was resident in the workhouse.

John was a wagon builder who lived on Lordsmill Street.  His mother Ann Sims had been in the workhouse since 20^th June 1874.  John said that he was happy to contribute but he thought that his brother was also responsible for the payments and thus they should be shared together.  The Guardian replied that his brother only earnt around 13s per week and so this would be difficult for him.  John was not sympathetic, he replied that it was his brothers own fault as he refused to remain sober. 

John did not win his case and he was order to pay the sum of 3s per week for the upkeep of his mother in the workhouse.

(There is a possible death for an Ann Sims at Lordsmill Street on 3^rd April 1877, if this is the correct Ann then it looks as though John had his mother back to live with him and she may well not have ended her life in the workhouse).

*Tragic death –

A young girl of around 2 years old had been fetching hot water from boilers at Springwell nr Staveley.  Upon returning to her home she ran into one of the buckets which toppled over and spilt hot water onto her chest.  Sadly the little girl was too badly scalded and he died the next day.  Her first name is not given but her surname was Chambers.

*Veterinary Surgeons –

There were two practices advertising their services –

John Reynolds M.R.C.V.S.L. of 16 Saltergate had taken over the practice which had previously been run by Mr G Martin.  He would provide care to all types of animal from horses, cattle and domestic pets.  The establishment also had livery stables attached.

Samuel Rawlins had taken the helm at his fathers practice at 54 Holywell Street.  He was thanking his patrons for their continued support.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr Herbert Stead engineer to Miss Martha Parker of Staveley on 7^th February at Chesterfield

*Mr H N Forrest a watchmaker from Sheffield to Miss Kate Green of Brampton at St Thomas’s Church, Brampton on 7^th February

*Mr Robert Wright to Miss Hannah Houghton from Holymoorside also at St Thomas’s Church on 8^th February

*Mr H P Cragg to Miss Mary Elizabeth Fisher at Staveley Church on 8^th February

DEATHS –

*Harry Watson aged 2 years 4 months, only son of Henry Watson and Charlotte smith of Queen Street on 6^th February

*Sarah Newbold aged 15 years at Victoria Street on 8^th February

*Bernard Dixon aged 35 years on 10^th February

*Sarah Heath aged 37 years on 5^th February at Stonegravels

*Hannah Bottoms aged 18 years at South Street on 6^th February

 

*Hannah Harvey aged 6 years at Stonegravels on 6^th February

SPORT –

*Staveley V Dore –

A football game was played at the Recreation Ground at Staveley, with a large number of spectators.  The game was well fought by both teams and described as “very spirited”.  Staveley however took the lead and won by two goals to nil. 

The Staveley team was captained by Mr Jarvis and the umpires were Mr R Barlow and Mr T Gee.  Mr Taylor captained the Dore team.

AND FINALLY…

The Great Boot Emporium –

Tyler Brothers had a large advert advising the townspeople of their autumn and winter stock.  They sold boots and shoes which were coloured and could have rosettes or trimmings added.  Even shoes for balls and evening parties, Tyler’s sold a shoe for every occasion.  They even carried out repairs on shoes and boots.

Their shop was at 25 Market Place in the centre of Chesterfield but Tyler Brothers was actually a “chain store”.  They had another shop in Dronfield “opposite the railway station” and a further 12 shops around the country.

 

Update of the PAST NEWS.... 7th February 1857

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*The sewing machine –

 

 

An actual patent for a model of a sewing machine was first issued to English man named Thomas Saint in 1790.  He had developed the idea for use in sewing leather and canvas and it is not known whether an actual machine was ever built.  Thomas was a cabinet maker by trade and his skill was shown in the way he used his knowledge to design the sewing machine.

Over the next decade numerous sewing machines were built all around the world; Austrian tailor was able to produce an actual working machine in 1814.  In America Elias Howe was the first to patent a working machine in 1845 which caught the eye of Isaac Marritt Singer.  Back in England, many years later in 1874 a man named William Newton Wilson found the patent of Thomas’s machine and with slight amendments to the looper, he built his own machine. 

Over the years ahead the machine was adapted and improved until it became more able to undertake various different types of stitches including crochet and even stitching button holes.  Just a year earlier than the sewing machine was being shown to the locals of Chesterfield the four main companies who each manufactured sewing machine came together as one; the sewing machine combination was formed on 10^th March 1856.  The companies were Singer, Howe, Wheeler and Wilson and Grover and Baker.  The combination meant that the men would pool their patents as previously there had been much suing for stealing ideas.  From 1856 to 1877 any other manufacturer had to pay a fee of $15 per machine and obtain a licence.

To read more –

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewing_machine

http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/sewing_machine.htm

http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/123481

 

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*The happy couple –

 

Martha Manknell and Leonard Worrall married on 1^st February 1857 at the Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfield.

 

Leonard was born in Chesterfield in 1835, the son of Stephen and Mary Agnes Worrall who lived on Newbold Road.  Stephen was a watchman in 1851.  Leonard was baptised at St Marys and All Saints Parish Church in Chesterfield on 7^th March 1835.

 

At the young age of 16 years old Leonard obviously had artistic talent as on the 1851 census he was described as a “painter composition”.  By 1861 and after only 4 years of marriage Leonard and Martha have 4 children; Alfred aged 3 years, Mary E aged 2 years, William Joseph aged 1 year and baby Herbert Foster aged just 1 month at the time of the census.  The family live at Lievesley Yard off of Portland Street and Leonard is employed as a printer.

 

Move on 10 years to 1871 and Leonard and his family have moved away from Chesterfield to nearby Sheffield.  They are living at 3 Montfort Street at Brightside Bierlow and Leonard is employed as a printer compositor.  They have 3 more children; Alice aged 5 years, Leonard aged 1 year and Agnes a new-born at less than 1 month old. 

 

The family still live in Sheffield in 1881 at 45-47 Fitzalen Street at Brightside Bierlow.  May be the printing business was not earning a decent living, but now Leonard runs a grocery and provisions shop as well as being a printer compositor.

 

Leonard died on 28^th October 1890.  His address at the time was 31 and 33 Fitzalan Street and he was described as a “compositor and provision dealer”.  He left a personal estate of £181 7s 3d to his widow Martha.  Leonard was buried at Burngreave Cemetery on 2^nd November 1890, grave number 82, section P1 (1)

 

Martha remained running the grocers shop on Fitzalen Street until at least 1901.  In 1911 Martha has retired and is living with her widowed daughter Agnes at 56 Bressingham Road, West Brightside, Sheffield.  She died a few years later in 1914 aged 78 years old.

 

(1)http://www.sheffieldindexers.com/BurialIndex.html

 

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Echoes of our PAST NEWS..... 7th February 1857

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was in the local news this weekend in 1857?

MAIN NEWS –

*Funeral of Sergeant Warren –

Sergeant Warren was buried on Monday 2^nd February in the afternoon.  He was a member of the Chatsworth Rifles and his funeral took place at Trinity Church on Newbold Road.

The sombre scene was sent into turmoil when a “most disreputable mob” followed the procession.  The coffin was removed from the barracks to begin its final journey and already a mob of “roughs” had congregated outside of the gates.  As they waited they did not stand in dignified silence, no they took advantage of the weather and began throwing snowballs at each other and passers-by.  They were very vocal and caused much shock with their comments.

When eventually the funeral procession arrived at Trinity Church, the mob did not stop their riotous behaviour.  Even when the coffin was about to be lowered the snowballs continued to be thrown overhead.  The officiating Minister Mr Poole had to dodge the snowballs around his head and at one point stopped the service altogether.  He did try to talk to the men to ask them to cease their unwieldy behaviour, but to no avail.  A lady stood in a door way received a snow ball straight in the mouth. 

After the burial the band continued to play as the procession left the graveyard, at this point the mob began pelting them so violently with snowballs that they had to cease playing.  It was said that the police were in attendance but not in sufficient numbers to deal with the men.

The whole scene was labelled “disgraceful” “the most solemn sight a human being can witness – the consignment of a fellow creature to the dust – heartlessly profaned and turned into an occasion of mad rejoicing than of sorrow”

OTHER ITEMS –

*The first sewing machine in Chesterfield –

Mr Goodwin on Packers Row was a proud man when he introduced the inhabitants of Chesterfield to the sewing machine.  The first ever to be seen in Chesterfield, this really was a sign of industry and modernisation. 

The locals were demonstrated how the machine would aid the tailors with the “flagging” work and could be used in general use for all.  It was hailed as “extremely simple” to use, “all the labour it requires consisting in working a treddle with the foot, and shifting the cloth under a slide as fast as the needle pierces it”. 

The machine would enable an hour’s job to be completed in 5 minutes.  It was capable of all work, “except sewing on buttons”.  They predicted that in it would “completely supersede hand labour”.  Little did they know that in 2013 we have sewing machines that can sew on buttons, but hand sewing has still not been totally overthrown by the sewing machine.  What an invention though, the industrial revolution had landed well and truly on the everyday person in a little Midlands Town like Chesterfield.

*Snow causing hardship –

We have already heard that Chesterfield had been covered with a fair amount of snow this week in 1857 but how would it affect the locals? 

The stonemasons and quarrymen of Stanton near to Bakewell had been out of employ due to the weather since the first frost.  Times would be very difficult for them and so they called on W P Thornhill Esq M.P to ask if he would permit a day’s rabbiting on his land as they had been out of work for so long.  He reacted kindly and doubled their request to 2 days rabbiting and donated £5 to be shared between the men.

*Robbery at Matlock Bath –

On Saturday last thieves broke into the garden house of Colonel Leacroft of Tor House, Matlock Bath.  They stole 6 tame rabbits and a further rabbit that was the largest but “not exactly in marketable state” was left dead after the thieves maliciously killed it.

*Temperance Hotel –

Invitations were called to provide the contract for the building work of a Temperance Chapel at Stonegravels.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr J Thompson of White Banks, Hasland to Miss Elizabeth Barber of Chesterfield

*Mr Leonard Worrall a printer to Martha Manknell daughter of the late Mr Wm Manknell

*Mr Thomas Turner to Miss Elizabeth Marples on 20^th January at Dronfield

DEATHS –

*Mr Joshua Warren at Chesterfield, a sergeant with the Chatsworth Rifles aged 39 years

*Mrs Jane Hanstock wife of Peter, after a short illness aged 36 years

*Mary Barlow widow of Mr T Barlow on 3^rd February at Barlow

AND FINALLY…

If you had “questions on all events of life” this advert would have caught your eye -

Professor Lodoski of Charles Street, Hatton Garden, London was quite happy to answer any questions on “love, absent friends, losses, prospectus of the future”.  He had 26 years working as astronomer at the Court of Persia and so he would of course be able to answer any questions you may have had. 

All he required was details of your age and sex and 30 postage stamps.  I wonder if any Chesterfield residents contacted the mysterious man.

 

Update of the PAST NEWS.... 1st February 1890

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*Missing man –

 

It wasn’t until three months later in April that Charles’s body was found.  His particulars in the local Derbyshire Times are slightly different in that he was actually named Samuel Hartshorn /e.

The River Hipper and River Rother had been dragged many times by the County Police Force in an attempt to find him, but it wasn’t until Monday 21^st April 1890 that he was eventually found.  The gruesome discovery was made by a young chap named Arthur Rayner when he found Samuel floating on the top of the water near to Messrs Markham and Company’s Foundry.  It was around 8.30 am in the morning.  Arthur had at first thought that the body was a pile of rags, but on further investigation found it to be a decomposed body.

The body was in a terrible “most shocking and sickening” state, but pieces of clothing were identified as belonging to Samuel.  P C Oliver of the County Police recovered the body and removed it to a shed on the foundry of Messrs Markham and Company.

An inquest was held that same day in the evening at the Station Hotel at Chesterfield after the jury had undertaken the unenviable job of viewing the body Markham’s Foundry.  William Hartshorn the brother of Samuel confirmed that the body was that of Samuel.  He was able to be sure of this by its “stature, whiskers, clothes and boots”.  He also confirmed that Samuel was actually only 43 years old, not 64 as originally recorded.  He said that he left his home on Saturday 25^th January and had not been seen by him since that time.  A witness did see Samuel on his way to Chesterfield town centre at 3pm that afternoon.

Another witness named John Hartshorn also gave evidence and confirmed that it was the body of Samuel.  He last saw Samuel on Low Pavement and he was sober at this time, but he was fond of a drink on a Saturday night.  Samuel had been shopping and had purchased “some meat, herrings and oranges and sweets for the children”.

Thomas Gill an engine driver from Hasland had also seen Samuel of the night he went missing, at around 8pm – but he thought that he was “worse for beer”.  He saw him again later that evening at 11.30pm in a field in between Horns Bridge and the White Houses at Hasland.  Thomas spoke to Samuel and asked him if he was going to Hasland, to which he replied “I’m all right”.  At this Thomas took Samuel's arm to lead him home but Samuel refused to follow.  He was carrying a brown paper bag.

Arthur Rayner confirmed that on Monday he was employed at Messrs Markham and Company when he saw something floating in the river.  The point of the river was about 17ft.  He got a piece of long iron piping and moved the body to the edge of the river.

P C Oliver told how Samuel was not reported missing until 27^th January.  The night he went missing the rivers had flooded.  Over the next weeks many attempts at dragging the rivers were undertaken.  They handed bills out to passers-by with Samuel's description on, round about 1000 of them were distributed. 

The Coroner finalised the inquest by stating that it was impossible to ascertain how Samuel ended up in the water.  The verdict of “found drowned” was passed.  It was also noted that whilst they were searching for Samuel two other bodies were found in the same river.

Samuel was a married man; he married Clara Burton in Radford, Nottinghamshire in 1875.  On the 1881 census they are living at Charles Street, Grassmoor.  They have three young children; Leonard aged 5 years, Ellen aged 2 years and baby John aged 1 year old. 

One year on after the death of Samuel and Clara is still living on Charles Street, with her children; Leonard aged 15 years, John aged 11 years, Ann aged 9 years, Samuel aged 6 years, George aged 3 years and baby Naboth (who was named after Samuel’s father) .  Clara must have either been pregnant or had just given birth to this little boy at the time of Samuel’s disappearance and death.  Their daughter Ellen would now be around 11 / 12 years old.  She is not living with the family.  I have been unable to locate her on the 1891 census but by 1901 she is a housemaid for Louisa Sitwell and Gosden House in Shalford, Surrey.  The house is being cared for by a caretaker and 2 other staff in 1891 so it may well be that Ellen was working for the Sitwell family at that time and they may have been out of the country in 1891.

What about the two bodies found in the Rivers?

As for the body of the woman found when the police were originally looking for Samuel, I have not been able to find anymore mention of this case and of whom the woman was.

As mentioned at the inquest there were two bodies found.  I can find another article for a man named James Sanders Madin who had apparently been missing for a few weeks.  An earlier article told how James had gone missing on Saturday 22^nd February at about 7.30 and was not seen again.  He had taken the route across the Militia Fields towards Wharf Lane.  It was feared then that as it was such a foggy night he may have fallen into the River Rother.

His body was found on Sunday 2^nd March at around 2.55 whilst the River Rother was being dragged.  The inquest into his death was held at the St Helens Inn on Sheffield Road and it was heard how James was a 20 year old French polisher.  He lived with his brother John Madin at 1 Victoria Street.  James and John were the sons of Herbert Madin a painter who lived on Saltergate.