Echoes of our past NEWS ........ 11th May 1861

 

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

What was in the local news this weekend in 1861?

MAIN NEWS –

*Courageous death –

William E Hull a porter at the Midland Railway Station at Derby was being hailed a hero after an incident in which William lost his life whilst trying to save that of another.

On Friday 3^rd May a passenger named George Walker of Wooton near Ashbourne foolishly ran and jumped onto the step of one of the carriages of the 7.50pm North Staffordshire train.  The train was in motion at the time and had just commenced leaving the station. 

George had run to the step and attempted to open one of the doors to gain access to the train, but the doors were locked as the previous passenger’s had use the adjacent doors to alight from the train. 

Because William was familiar with this system and had seen George’s actions he knew that it would be impossible to gain entry and thus realised that George was in danger.  William immediately got hold of George and tried to pull him back to safety on the platform.

Tragically for William he lost his footing and fell onto the tracks, six of the carriages ran over his body.  The passengers were said to have been “horror struck at what they had witnessed and screamed loudly”.

An inquest was held and a verdict of accidental death was recorded.  William was described as a “steady man” and had worked for Midland Trains for two years.

George Walker was severely reprimanded for his actions which had been the trigger for this sad event.  He was summoned to appear before the County Magistrates for having infringed “one of the company’s bye-laws”

OTHER ITEMS –

*Incident at West Staveley Colliery –

Two men named David Band and Mr Key were killed as they carried out repairs to the maintenance system at the colliery.  They had nearly completed the work and only had one more part to attend. 

David Band left a wife and four children, Mr Key a wife and two children.

The men were interred on Wednesday 8^th May and a great attendance was noted; both masters and workmen stood side by side to remember the men who were “greatly respected”.

The inquest into the deaths was held at the Wellington Hotel, Staveley and a verdict of accidental death was reached.

*Accidental poisoning at Buxton –

The Kings Head Hotel at Buxton run by Mr Richard Stubbs was at the centre of controversy after Mr Higginbottom of Whaley Bridge and some other friends of his called on the public house.

Mr Higginbottom asked for a bottle of brandy and a bottle of soda water.  After drinking the liquids he became very sick and was vomiting.  Some of the other men with him also experienced the same affects after partaking in the beverages.

The surgeon Mr Flint was called for and he gave the men some medicine to prevent them for being sick further.  The liquids were taken for analysis and the soda water was found to contain “a quantity of corrosive sublimate”. 

It was thought that the bottle had been used to store other liquids before the soda water was poured into it.  The previous liquid was said to have caused the poisoning.

All of the men were fit and well after their symptoms had passed.

*Chesterfield May Fair –

This year’s fair was a success even though the weather was not kind; rain and hail and “a keen driving wind” had put a dampener on the occasion but luckily at lunch time it settled.

The town was full of people all out to have a good day; entertainment was the order of the day.  The market was full of cattle, horses, sheep and pigs were all being shown in their pens but sales were not that good this year. 

MARRIAGES –

*Mr Sampson Oakes to Ann Hodkin at Chesterfield Parish Church on Monday 6^th May

DEATHS –

*Militia man funeral –

The funeral of militia man Henry Pearce took place last Saturday 4^th May at the town cemetery.  He had died the day earlier.

There was a large attendance and Henry was laid to rest after his coffin had been carried by his fellow militia men to the sound of the band playing “Dead March in Saul”.  Prayers were said afterwards and to commemorate Henry’s militia service three volleys of the guns were sounded over the grave.

*John Turner of Canal Wharf aged 33 years

*George Holmes at Chesterfield aged 63 years

SPORT –

*Cricket –

Two schools were head to head this week in a game of cricket; St Marys School against Mr Bowker’s School.  The game was played at the grounds of St Mary’s School who benefited from the familiar territory to win the match.

AND FINALLY…

*”Extraordinary lamb hog” –

We have read in previous NEWS of spectacular animals being shown off to the locals of
Chesterfield in the shop windows of salesmen.  This week was Mr Robert Kirk’s chance; he was to exhibit a lamb hog which weighed in at 130lbs.  The hog was only 13 months old and had been bred and fed by a local man named Mr Matthew Scorer of Scarcliff.