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.

 

 

 

Echoes of our past NEWS........11th January 1896

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

What was in the local news this weekend in 1896?

MAIN NEWS –

*Accident at Rowsley Station –

Acting porter Joseph William Burdekin aged 24 years was killed on Tuesday 7^th January 1896.  Joseph was the only son of Samuel Burdekin a quarryman and lived at Meadows Cottages in between Darley Dale and Rowsley.  Joseph had worked for the Midland Railway Company for several years being employed as a platelayer and had only 5 or 6 weeks ago been promoted to relieve a porter named Andrews whilst he was ill.

On the day in question just after 8 am the train from Millers Dale was approaching the platform at Rowsley when Joseph attempted to position himself at the other side of the line.  He must have run in front of the engine as it was stated that “when in front of the engine he lost all self-control”  He was knocked to the floor and his head “taken off below the ears”. 

The scene becomes even more gruesome as the Derbyshire Times goes on to tell that “the dismembered portion was collected in a bucket and the body removed to the third class waiting room……. Subsequently it was taken home about a mile away”.  Unfortunately as the incident had occurred at peak time, it was witnessed by a large number of people.  The scene of shear horror for the poor by-standers must have been most traumatic.

The inquest was held the following night in the waiting room at Rowsley Station – It was not recorded which class waiting room was used, but I would expect that it was  not the first class one.

Joseph’s father Samuel attended and confirmed that the body was that of his son.  He stated that Joseph had no physical defect of sight or hearing.

The Station Master, Thomas Pitt was called to give his version of events.  He had been with Joseph just minutes before the accident examining the milk delivery.  When the imminent arrival of the train was called Thomas had removed himself to the other side of the platform.  When the train was in between the north junction box and the platform he had shouted at the milk men “look out the train is coming”.  Joseph should have heard this call as he was with the milk men, but he moved to cross the line.  Thomas saw him and shouted “go back” and was of the opinion that Joseph was not aware that the train was only 10 – 20 yards away at this point.  In an instant he faltered not knowing whether to continue or go back, it was too late and the train struck him.  It was moving around 10 – 15 miles an hour at this time. 

Joseph was not required to be on the line at all.  He was supposed to be at the crossing to guard it.  Thomas thought however, that he was crossing the line to give him details of the milk delivery as he was carrying the paper in his hand.  In Thomas’s opinion he thought Joseph had followed the actions in order to “do what he thought was right”  he was described as “very steady, obliging and industrious”.

Next to the stand was the engine driver Arthur West.  He confirmed that the first he saw of Joseph was when he was in the “four-foot of the up line”.  The engine drivers mate had the whistle open full and Joseph should have heard them approach.  Arthur saw the danger and applied the break fully but it was too late, Joseph had been struck by the engine.

P.C . J Hutchinson of Rowsley confirmed that he had seen the body and that Joseph had also sustained a broken right arm in two places and possible broken back.

The Coroner summed up the incident and said no one was at fault.  He thought that the practice of porters crossing the lines was dangerous, but was aware that it was done regularly and they became blasé about the implications.  The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

OTHER ITEMS –

There were many incidents of family arguments and marital tribulations after the Christmas and New Year festivities were over –

*William John Barker was charged for deserting his wife, 16 year old Betsey Ann Barker of Shuttlewood.  William was described as “looked little more than a lad” at the court hearing.  Betsey told how they had been married on 17^th August in the Chesterfield Workhouse and had been living together until the Friday after Christmas Day. 

She accused William of being cruel to her, being in a drunken state on a daily basis and having removed all of the furniture and some of her clothing just prior to him actually leaving her.  The cruelty went as far as him throwing a paraffin lamp at her which set her alight. 

In his defence William said that Betsey never had his meals ready for him when he returned home – Betsey denied this. 

A witness named Hannah Lees told how on one occasion she had seen William turn Betsey out of the house.  The couple had one child who had died.

The Bench told the couple “to make it up”.  William was given an order to pay Betsey 7s 6d a week.

*Job Henstock of North Wingfield was summoned after he had threatened Mary Buttey on 27^th December.  Mary was his mother in law.  He had threatened to “chuck her downstairs and break every bone in her body”.

Job told how he had gone home about 10pm and had some supper after which he and his wife had begun arguing.  Mary was living with them and she came downstairs to see what was occurring, she threatened to “burst his door in”.  Matilda wife of Job said that the couple had only had a few words and her mother had come and “made a row outside their door”. 

The case was dismissed.

*Ellen Mansfield the wife of Robert Mansfield of Newbold Moor applied for a protection order.  She said that the marital home was hers and that her husband had left her the day after Christmas Day.  The order was granted.

*Bad language –

A case was dismissed as “trivial” after William Breeze was summoned for using threatening language to Charles Ogden on Whittington Moor on 28^th December.  William told how Ogden’s little boy swore and used bad language at him.  When he went to the house to complain the Ogden’s shut the door in his face. 

*Newbold District Council Meeting –

The committee met on Monday 6^th January.  The following items were discussed –

Plans for new houses –

Six to be built on Foljambe Road and six new cottages on Newbold Back Lane.

Health –

The Inspectors Report was read stating that only one case of Typhoid fever was reported in the month of December 1895.  This case was at Stonegravels and was “going on in a satisfactory manner”.  The cause of the fever was not traceable at this time.

The Medical Officers Report told that 33 deaths had occurred, which gave the area an annual average death rate of 22.1. 

There had been 60 births registered for the district, 35 boys and 25 girls. 

There had only been one death caused by Typhoid Fever.

Proposed Isolation Hospital –

The idea was to have a hospital for the areas of Chesterfield, Newbold, Whittington and Brampton.  The Rural District Council had the opinion that there should be a central hospital and then two smaller hospitals in the North and South of the area.  It was suggested that the central hospital be built where the small pox hospital stands.  The committee agreed with the larger scheme of a central hospital and 2 smaller emergency hospitals, staffed with “a nurse or two” who “could be despatched from Chesterfield one promptly if necessary”

MARRIAGES –

*Rev James Smith Curate at Brimington to Miss Ellen Josephine Greenshields at St Andrews the Great Church at Cambridge on 7^th January.  The bride wore a dress of cream bengaline with a demi train and a lace veil fastened with sprays of orange blossom.  She wore a pearl and diamond broach and carried a bouquet of white flowers. 

*Miss Hibbert eldest daughter of Mr T R Hibbert  married Mr Frank William Alton son of the late Mr John Russell Alton of Heague.  The marriage too place on Tuesday 7^th January at an early hour of 10am at Christ Church in Belper.

The marriage venue was a spectacular sight with Christmas decorations still on display and it was said that several hundred relatives and friends attended.  The bride wore a blue cloth traveling gown, trimmed with blue and old gold shot silk, a fawn hat with blue velvet trimmings and an osprey.  The bridesmaids wore grey with old rose and lace trimmings, beefeater hats decorated with old rose ribbon, ospreys and buckles.  After the luncheon the couple went off on honeymoon to London.

DEATHS –

*Mrs Alfra Hills, widow of the late Rev Thomas Hills, Vicar of Elmton.  The Rev had also previously been Vicar at many local Churches; St Thomas at Brampton, Clowne and Whittington.  He was buried in Bolsover churchyard.

Alfra had never fully recovered from her bout of influenza 4 years ago and she passed away on Sunday aged 85 years old.  She was also said to have been senile. 

The Hills were a very religious family and three sons were also Vicars; Rev George Hills at Curdridge, Southampton, Rev T C Hills at Bolsover and Rev Dr Hills at Ironville.

The life of Alfra was celebrated at the Ironville Parish Church 8am on Wednesday 8^th January.  The funeral cortege then proceeded to Bolsover Parish Church where Alfra was reunited with her husband Thomas. 

SPORT –

*Football suspensions –

A meeting was held at the Queens Head public house by the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Football Association to discuss several suspensions.

Stanfree club was banned from the association after not fulfilling their fixtures.  The following men were suspended until they had paid 2s 6d each toward fee and expenses – G Gregory, W Taylor, T Phillips, John Ashley, James Ashley, Sid Taylor, John Abel and Edmund Dukes.

Eckington Works were in trouble for using players who were members of other clubs.  One such man was Jack Bennet of Holbrook who was suspended for one month.

Eckington Town found their player, George Willis suspended after misconduct at a match against Renishaw.

C Smedley was charged as he had “played rough” during a match at Old Brampton.  He played for Newbold and was suspended for one month.

Two players named J Silvers and W Heppenstall who played for Poolsbrook United Reserves were suspended for one month for misconduct.

E Morris who played for Killamarsh Athletic was suspend for two months after he had refused to leave the pitch when the referee had instructed him to do so. 

AND FINALLY…

A man’s best friend, two dogs lost –

“lost in Chesterfield, black and tan terrier, on Tuesday night.  Whart on forehead – apply G Henshaw, Church Lane, Chesterfield”

“ten shillings rewards – lost Jan. 9^th a brown terrier bitch at Lea Bridge, a leather collar and two part labels on the dog.  Anyone restoring the same to Mr H Briddon, Matlock Bath, will receive the above reward”

 

Echoes of our past News...... 2nd November 1901

 

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

What was news in the local news this weekend in 1901?

MAIN NEWS –
 

*A model mining village –
 

Creswell village in Derbyshire was being hailed a great success “an up to date village”.  Its success was attributed to the coal trade and its need for more housing for the growing workforce at the mines.
 

Just seven years ago in 1894 Creswell was a tiny hamlet, with 30 – 40 houses and a population of less than 100.  In 1901 Creswell is now the home for 4000 persons.
 

Creswell Colliery was formed after Mr Emerson Bainbridge had opened Bolsover Colliery in 1894; the assumption being that Creswell would also have a coal seam, sinking operations began there in September 1894.  Coal turning was commenced in April 1897, 2 ½ years after digging had begun.
 

When it was seen that the coal mining would be a great success then it was necessary to build housing for the workers, land was obtained from the Duke of Portland and 280 two storied cottages were built over an area around 10 acres.  The cottages were special in that they were built in a double octagon shape, an inner and an outer “circle” of cottages.  Each cottage consisted of 5 or 6 rooms and had a back and front door, with an enclosed yard area.  Within the yard were enclosed ash pits and outhouses, the later being cleaned out at the night time between 10.30pm and 5am.
 

The centre of the inner circle was the home for the centre piece; an “artistically designed band stand” within the green.  Other attributes included a circular playground, shrubs and flowers and a number of rustic seats set out at intervals.  A cricket ground, said to be one of the best in the district was used by the Colliery Company during the cricket season.
 

Perhaps the most important place for the miners; a clubhouse was erected more recently in 1899, in between the colliery and the village (this may not have been the best place for the poor miners wives as the men would reach the beer house before they reached their homes).  The club was not free; the men would pay a small sum of 4s per year to use the many facilities that the club offered.  There was a reading room which contained daily / weekly papers, magazines, a billiard room, recreation room and the bar.  Above the building was a large lecture room where the Creswell Colliery Company would hold meetings.  The club boasted “admirably conducted” patrons, the Creswell miners were said not to follow the usual expectation of miners as being “given to drunkenness”.
 

Some men would take an allotment for 4s per year.  As for places of worship, there were three places available; The Church of St Mary Magdalene, the Wesleyan Chapel and new to be opened the following Thursday the U.M.F.C (United Methodist Free Chapel).
 

Schools were built jointly by the Colliery and the Duke of Portland and were well equipped.  The old school has been renovated and is now in use for the primary children.
 

OTHER ITEMS –
 

*Bigamy –
 

Henry Bombroffe of Chesterfield a “middle aged man” was charged with marrying Emily Dewick of Sheffield whilst his former wife was still alive. 

Emily Dewick was a widow living at 12 Court, 9 House, Penistone Road and she had married Henry at St Philip’s Church, Sheffield on 17^th December 1900.  Henry had deceived poor Emily and his son had also been involved in the con.  Both Henry and his son had stated that the wife had been dead 5 years.  They lodged with Emily for 6 months paying her 12s per week lodging money.  Unfortunately for Emily she “became in trouble by him four months before she married him”.
 

Witnesses were called to ascertain the facts regarding the first marriage of Henry.  A Mr John Wilson, accountant had been present at the marriage of Henry to Anne Wilson (his sister) on 19^th June 1882 at Ashover Parish Church.
 

Anne was still alive and was an inmate at the Mickleover Asylum near Derby.  It seems that the married lives of Ann and Henry were turbulent and she left to live back with her parents, but after a while and “new clothes” she again returned to Henry.
 

Detective Yates of Chesterfield confirmed that Henry stated he “did not know she was alive” when he was arrested.  Henry protested his innocence throughout.  Henry told how he lived at Chesterfield for 7 years after his wife had been sent to live in the asylum, and then he went to Leeds.  Two years on and his son had written to the asylum authorities and had received a reply stating that there was no one of the name “Anne Bombroffe”.  A friend at Chesterfield had told him that he had heard that she was dead. 

When asked why he had not made enquiry of his wife Henry replied “Well I have had a lot of trouble.  It is twelve years since she began to go out of her mind”.  On being asked to provide the letter, Henry no longer had it as he had lodged in Chesterfield, Leeds and Rotherham since it was received.
 

The trial was adjourned until the following Thursday.
 

*Football –
 

There was an appeal to the Council from the linesmen at Chesterfield for their views on the actions of the referee in last Saturdays game at Chesterfield.  The linesman Mr T Johnson of Brampton described the events which occurred when Chesterfield played Preston North End.

Mr Johnson said that the referee was “very faulty” during the game and especially towards the end.  At one point on of Chesterfield’s forwards was deliberately tripped when he was about 2 yards from the goal.  This should be a penalty for Chesterfield and both linesmen put up their hands to indicate this was the case, but the referee carried on with the game.  No penalty was given.
 

The Council decreed after consulting the rules that the linesmen were neutral and should alert the referee of any foul or rough play but that the referee is not “compelled to consult his linesmen when they hold up their flags”
 

The score had been Chesterfield 2 - Preston North End 0
 

*Sandwiches and ice cream -
 

Mrs Susannah Sykes charged her husband George Sykes a collier from Dronfield of having “thrashed her” during the past six months.  George said it had all started when Susannah had “miss-conducted” herself with another man.  Susannah said George worked and was earning 7s a day but he had given her nothing for the past week.  A female witness gave evidence to support Susannah’s statement.  George admitted he earned 6s 9d a day to which a woman shouted out “and spends it on sandwiches and ice cream”.  George was ordered to pay 12s a week.
 

MARRIAGES –
 

Lomas & Webster
 

Miss Mary Ellen Webster, daughter of George Webster, Monyash married Mr Walter Lomas, son of James Lomas of One Ash Grange at the Parish Church Monyash on Wednesday 30^th October.
 

The bride wore a blue grey satin dress, trimmed with white satin and buckles.  The only bridesmaid Miss Martha Webster (sister of Mary) wore a dress of blue cloth trimmed with white satin and buckles.  Both Mary and Martha wore white picture hats, trimmed with white satin, ostrich feathers, buckles and chiffon.
 

The bride was given away by her brother Mr Samuel Webster and the best man was Mr Samuel Lomas (brother of Walter).
 

The Clergyman was Rev G H May, Vicar of Monyash.  There were a large number of guests invited and they were entertained at Monyash Reading Room, the music provided from Messrs Allen of Flagg for dancing.
 

The happy couple received lots of presents including –
 

Household linen from the mother of the bride, copper tea kettle from the sister of the bride, toilet service from Mr Samuel Webster, counterpane from Miss Martha Ann Webster, plaques and enamelled teapot from Miss Bertha Webster, set of carvers from father of the bridegroom, many flower baskets and white table cloths.
 

DEATHS –

*Marion Agnes Hargreaves on 25^th October at 27 Fairfield Road, Chesterfield, 29 years old.

*Mary Crossland of Spital died on 26^th October aged 88 years, widow of the late John Crossland of Nether Padley, Grindleford Bridge.

*Rosana Spooner Taylor, wife of Emanuel Taylor aged 40 years died on 28^th October at Whittington Moor.  Interred at Newbold Church.

*John Saxton of Greenside, Hasland died 26^th October aged 60 years.

SPORT –

* Hockey -

Loughborough V Chesterfield

Last Saturday Chesterfield played away at Loughborough in their first fixture with the great Loughborough club, who had only been beat once in the last two seasons.  The first half was steady but only ten minutes into the second half Chesterfield’s Taylor scored their first point.  Royle secured the second Chesterfield point with Taylor again taking the final point.  The daylight was fading towards the end of the game and difficulty was found in following the ball.

The final score – Chesterfield 3 Loughborough 1

Chesterfield team –

J.Lowe, H E Edmunds, H G Marsden backs
J McLanachan. G J Edmunds, M Ferguson half backs
W McClure, Royle, H M Taylor, A Westlake, J H W Jendwine forwards

AND FINALLY…

Do you suffer with painful, smarting, nervous feet?

Then you need some Allen’s Foot-Ease.  Just shake the powder into your shoes and your feet will instantly feel revived.  The powder also claimed to take the sting out of corns and bunions, cures sweating and swollen feet.