Echoes of our Past NEWS ......... 19th April 1902

 

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

What was in the local news this weekend in 1902?

MAIN NEWS –

*Jealous Irish Man –

James Wilson a 25 year old employee of Markham Colliery was in serious trouble this week after he had beaten his girlfriend causing a near fatal situation.  He was from Belfast, Ireland and had only been living in Arkwright Town for the past 2 weeks, staying at the home of Robert Dobson.  James had secured himself a job as a detailer at Markham Colliery. 

Robert Dobson had a young sister living nearby named Ada; she was staying with her brother in law Henry Dunn.  Ada was 19 years old and spent a lot of time visiting her brother, so she soon became on friendly terms with the young Irish man James.

On the Sunday night the pair had been out together and had not returned to Robert Dobson’s home until 2am the following morning.  Mrs Dobson was not very impressed with the late time the couple had kept, but James assured her that it was his entire fault and she must not blame Ada.  Ada was also staying at the house that night, as the couple parted James whispered to her that she must not forget what they had talked about that evening.

James had asked Ada to go off with him and leave Arkwright Town and her family; Ada did not want to go. 

The next evening as James was getting ready to go to work Henry Dunn called at the Dobson’s home and conversation got around to the wellbeing of Ada.  Henry thought that Ada should be returned to Yorkshire to her family.  At this James was furious and declared that he was not going to work that night, he asked Ada to go outside with him to talk but Ada refused.  The situation became more intense after Ada was sent on an errand for Mrs Dobson and James followed her, harassing her in the process.  So much so that Mrs Dobson asked him to leave the house.  He packed his belongings into a bundle and left, but before he went he gave out the chilling words of promise to the two ladies “I shall do for you both before 12 o’clock tonight”.

True to his word James returned later that night and wielded a poker at poor Ada striking her several times causing her great injury, Mrs Dobson ran for help and returned with Henry Dunn to find Ada slumped almost dead.  She did manage to awake and fell into the arms of Mrs Dobson.

A search was made for James but it wasn’t until the next day when he walked through Arkwright Town as bold as brass, on his way to Chesterfield.  He was apprehended and was to stand trial today for the attempted murder of Ada Dobson.

OTHER ITEMS –

*Cat custody –

A Persian cat was the centre of an agreement in-between Alfred Martin a shop keeper at Brampton and Emma Wall of Chester Street, each claiming to have ownership of the cat.

Emma was prosecuting Alfred after he allegedly sent our Bert Williams to steal the cat from her on 12^th April.

Alfred argued that the cat was his after he found it wandering on Newbold Road as a kitten and had taken it home for his wife to look after.  There had never been any advertisement for a missing kitten and so the Martin family assumed ownership.  Emma said that she owned the cat and Mrs Ann Marsh and Miss Burcher both agreed with her story. 

Bert Williams had been offered 3d if he managed to bring the cat back to Alfred, but on the day he had found it Alfred only paid out 1d.  Emma had been offered £2 for the cat on a previous occasion but had not wanted to part with it.

Sadly for Alfred the Bench agreed with Emma and custody was placed with her, Alfred was fined 2s 6d and costs. 

*Death of Blue Bell landlord, Bolsover –

Mr George Revill had passed away on Tuesday 15^th April after a long illness.  George was only 41 years of age. 

George had been a keen member of the local area being Urban Councillor until ill health caused him to resign a few months earlier.  He was a keen cricketer and was a member of the Town Cricket Club.  Eleven years ago George had left his position of foreman at Markham Colliery and taken over the running of the Blue Bell public house in Bolsover.  George leaves a widow and a large family.

*Education –

Many of the surrounding schools were advertising for next year’s intake –

v  Bakewell Grammar School, over 140 scholars – term starts 6^th May 1902

v  Chesterfield College for girls, temporarily at the holy Trinity Institute – 5^th May 1902

v  Belper Grammar School, established 1841, 3 vacancies for boarders – 6^th May 1902

v  Netherthorpe Grammar School, Staveley, specialising in science; chemical and physical laboratories, woodwork and cookery, boys and girls.  Tuition fees £1 13s 4d per term – 28^th April 1902

MARRIAGES –

*Reverend David Ross Fotheringham, so of Rev David Fotheringham J.P of Northumberland Park, Tottenham to Mildred Taylor daughter of George Taylor Esq of Welford House, Bakewell on 15^th April at All Saint’s Church, Bakewell

*Alfred McKay to Mary White daughter of Henry White on 16^th April at the Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfield

*A Savage to Harriett Gertrude Rhodes daughter of George Rhodes of New Tupton on 16^th April at St Lawrence’s Church, North Wingfield

*George Innes to Mary Newton on 16^th April at Chesterfield Parish Church

DEATHS –

*John Battersby aged 7 months son on 9^th April at Cresswell

*Mary Ann Andrews aged 3 months on 12^th April at Pinxton

*Edward Haywood aged 53 years on 10^th April at South Normanton

*Rebecca Haywood aged 38 years on 14^th April at South Normanton

*Mary Ellen Howe aged 35 years on 14^th April at Newbold

*William Rayner aged 13 years on 11^th April at Chesterfield

*Eliza Walker aged 60 years on 14^th April at Chesterfield

*Thomas Cooke aged 70 years on 11^th April at Speedwell, Staveley

*Ann Blanksby aged 23 years on 9^th April at Chesterfield

SPORT –

*Hockey –

It was the final game of the season for Chesterfield’s hockey team on Saturday.  The team travelled to Sheffield to play the game against the Riverdale Club and won 8 goals to 2.

Chesterfield could boast an eventful season after playing 21 matches they won 14, drew 3 and lost only 4.  They had scored 99 goals but only conceded 33. 

Well done Chesterfield hockey team.

AND FINALLY…

*2^nd Volunteer Derbyshire Regiment –

April had been a good month and the following men have joined the Derbyshire Regiment –

v  C company – William Haycock, Lewis Jones and Edward Wood

v  D Company – Joseph J Gregory

v  F Company – George Fletcher Needham, Cecil Hopkinson, William Ball and John Ellse

v  M Company – William Bennett, Sampson Bennett, Raymond Wooley, Arthur Maycock and Edward A Harvey

v  Cycle Company – Ernest Aveyard

Echoes of our Past NEWS.......19th March 1892

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

What was in the local news this weekend in 1892?

MAIN NEWS –

*St Patrick’s Day celebrations –

The Irish men and women of Chesterfield and the surrounding area all flocked into the town centre to celebrate their National Saint Day.  Those living out of the town arrived accompanied by brass bands playing.

Flags and banners were carried and the town was awash with an array of green ribbon and shamrocks proudly on display by all loyal Irish folk.  A large congregation attended High Mass at St Mary’s Church.  Afterwards a procession was formed through the streets of Chesterfield; at its helm was a “handsome banner”.

The celebrations followed on into the evening when a social gathering was held at the St Mary’s School entertained by Mr W Mountney's band.

OTHER ITEMS –

*Chesterfield Union Workhouse –

The fortnightly meeting was held and the following was discussed –

v  Purchase of extra land in order to make improvement’s at the workhouse.  A loan had been agreed by the Local Government to enable the purchase to go ahead, the letter of approval was read out.  The money could be either paid back in annual or half yearly instalments.  A man named Mr Jones was concerned that the current inhabitants of Chesterfield would be paying this debt, whereas in fact the improvements would actually benefit those of the future generations.  Was this fair? After deliberation by the board it was agreed that the money should be borrowed over the usual 30 years.

v  Applications had been received for the position of relieving officer at the Chesterfield Workhouse, which was currently a vacant position.  It was agreed that there would be a further meeting to discuss the applications further.

*Rent arrears –

Joseph Hardy a collier from Beighton was accused of owing rent to Edward Ward of the sum of £1.  Instead, however of paying the rent he removed goods from the property and left without warning.  The goods were said to have been valued around £5 and so Joseph was charged with "fraudulently removing goods to evade distress”.

In his defence Joseph stated that he had given the £1 rent to a lady who had called to the property and that he thought the matter was at a conclusion.  There were no witnesses to confirm that Joseph removed any goods from the property.

The Bench decided that Joseph had attempted to defraud Edward Ward and he was fined £2 and costs.

*School girl theft –

Amy Roberts and Susan Parker Dudley were in trouble after they had allegedly stolen an Ulster (cloak) from a child named Virginia Southwell at Newbold on 11^th March.  Virginia had taken the cloak to school but returned without it.  The cloak was worth 8s.

On further investigation it emerged that Susan Parker Dudley had pawned the cloak at P J Kelly’s pawnbrokers on Whittington Moor for the sum of 2s 11/2d.  The girls had then shared the money between them.

The parents of Amy and Sarah were very remorseful of their daughters having done such a terrible act and expressed their sorrow.  The girls were told that had they been older their actions would have led to imprisonment.

*Playing with fire –

On Sunday morning George Hayes allowed his children to go downstairs from their bedrooms to play.  Not long after George heard screams and he ran downstairs to find his little daughter Sarah on fire.  They managed to put the flames out but in consequence Sarah was very badly burnt.  She is still in a very serious condition and is suffering from shock.  Sarah was around 3 or 4 years old.

*Sudden death –

Mr George Slater a provisions dealer from High Street, Whittington has died suddenly after complaining of chest pains.  He had been in attendance at a meeting in Eckington on Saturday night.  George was aged 53 years old and a prominent member of the Methodist Church.  He followed the Liberal party in his political views.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr James Lowe to Sarah French at Dronfield on 14^th March

*Mr John Cooke Allison of Old Whittington to Elizabeth Whittaker at Ashover on 14^th March

*Samuel Buckless to Isabella Ingram at the Parish Church, Chesterfield on 14^th March

*Albert Cooper to Eliza Parkin at the Parish Church, Chesterfield on 14^th March

*George Harold Stephen Cooper to Elizabeth Brown at the Parish Church, Chesterfield on 13^th March

DEATHS –

*Minnie Goss aged 22 months at Hasland on 13^th March

*Sarah Marsh aged 79 years at Old Whittington on 12^th March

*Henry Phillips aged 61 years at Apperknowle on 12^th March

*Dora Ellen Pratt aged 4 months, daughter of William Pratt of Tibshelf on 12^th March

*Willie Hilton aged 15 months at Stonegravels on 11^th March

*Tom Anthony Rowe aged 35 years at Fritchley, Crich on 11^th March

*Mary Sanders aged 49 years at Chesterfield on 8^th March

SPORT –

*Chesterfield V Sheffield United –

Chesterfield Football Team was victorious after they won a match by 4 goals to 3 against Sheffield United.  The town had asked Sheffield United to attend and play a match, but it was commonly thought that “Chesterfield would not have a chance”.

The pitch at the Recreation Ground was described as “not conductive to good play, being very heavy and sticky”.  However the match was said to have been the best ever seen played on the ground.  Attendance was high and over two thousand fans were said to have paid at the gate.

Sheffield United won the toss and chose to play towards the entrance gates.  After only 4/5 minutes Chesterfield player Mitchell scored the first goal of the game, not happy at this United soon returned the goal and the game was now equalised.  Next to score for Chesterfield was Watson who scored from a flag kick.  United suffered an injury, after about 25 minutes pay H Lilley twisted his ankle and was taken off.

The teams were played as laid out –

Chesterfield

Goal

Trueman

Todd    Bannister

Davis    Vickers      Lacey

Holland    Roper    Hopkinson    Bennett    Mitchell

 

Watson    Duncan    Scott    Bairstow    Brooks

Hill    H.Needham    Stringer

H.E Lilley    Cain

J. W Lilley

Goal

Sheffield United

 

AND FINALLY…

Take care when opening bottles –

Ann Broadhurst of Clay Cross was admitted to Chesterfield Hospital after she severed an artery in the centre of her left palm.  She was opening a beer bottle at the time and she lost a lot of blood which made her very week.  She was however said to be progressing nicely.

Ann was 58 years old and the wife of a miner employed at the Clay Cross Colliery Company.

 

 

 

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?

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ X ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

 

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”.