21 September 1901
COLLIER'S
CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION
At the Oldham County Court, on Thursday, Walter
TAYLOR, of Waterloo, was the applicant in a claim
for compensation from the Chamber Colliery Company
Limited, for injuries received in an accident
at the company's Wood Park Colliery, Bardsley.
Mr Richard SMITH, barrister, was for the applicant,
and Mr ELLIS, of Wigan, was for the respondent
company.
The applicant had lost the tip of
a finger and had another crushed on the right
hand. A question of law was raised which affected
the question of the average wage. The applicant,
owing to a previous accident at the same place,
had been away 13 weeks, and the respondents had
paid him during that period only 15s 7d per week,
that being one half his average wage. The respondents
contended that during that period the applicant
was in their employ at 15s 7d per week, while
the applicant submitted that the absence from
work terminated that period of service, and his
return to work was the beginning of a new service.
His Honour held with the applicant
on this point and gave judgement for the applicant
for £5, with costs on the scale of £10 to £20.
DEATH OF MR HEDLEY WRIGLEY
OF ASHTON
We record with regret the demise of Mr Hedley
WRIGLEY, of Dean-street West, who passed away peacefully
on Thursday evening, after having suffered with
patience an illness lasting about two years. He
was from the commencement of his working life connected
with Messrs Gartside's Brookside Brewery, being
employed in the office. He gained the confidence
and esteem of his employers, and rose to a post
of considerable responsibility, which he filled
with credit.
In his youth, he was passionately
fond of athletic pursuits. He was one of the founders
of the old Audenshaw Rugby Football Club, and
playing half-back (and frequently three-quarter
back) was one of the most prolific scorers for
his side. Goal-kicking from a "placed"
ball seemed to be to him a special gift. For several
years before football career closed he played
for the Ashton Rugby Football Club, and was highly
esteemed by his colleagues.
About two years ago he was stricken
with spinal trouble, which brought about almost
total paralysis. His friends at the Guidebridge
Conservative Club purchased a batch chair for
him, in which he was able to get about in the
open air on fine days. At one time it was thought
his condition was showing signs of improvement.
The hope was not to be realised, however, and
he gradually sank and died as stated, aged 38
years.
He leaves a widow and three young
children to mourn his loss, for whom there is
the sympathy of a wide circle of sorrowing friends
of the deceased. Mr WRIGLEY was, as previously
indicated, a Conservative in politics ò one of
the thinking, loyal supporters of the cause; a
lover of England. He served some years on the
committee of the Guidebridge Conservative Club,
and by the members of this institution he was
held in the highest respect, his genial presence
being ever welcome. Genial in manner he remained
even in his sore affliction and trial.
EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR AT
ARDWICK
A House Deliberately Fired ò Man Rushes Into The
Flames
Early on Monday morning the Fairfield-street
Fire Brigade were called to an extraordinary outbreak
in King-street, off Chancery-lane, Ardwick. At 53
King-street, lived a man named William FOX, who
worked as a labourer at Chesters' Brewery, and his
wife and father-in-law, a man about 65 years of
age, named RUSHTON, who followed no employment.
On Saturday FOX was away with fellow workmen on
a picnic from the brewery, and returned between
ten and eleven o'clock. His wife and her father
were then in the house, and it is supposed they
were asleep. The house is an ordinary cottage, with
front room, kitchen and a small scullery on the
ground floor. The place is said to have been very
well furnished for a house of this description.
At about one o'clock in the morning
FOX gathered together the bulk of the articles
downstairs and piled them up in the kitchen. He
barricaded the back door with a heavy piece of
timber, and then fired the pile of furniture.
Then he left the house, closing the door behind
him, and gave the alarm. The fire brigade turned
out with all possible despatch, and on reaching
the place, which is rather difficult to get at,
found the back portion of the house blazing furiously.
The man and woman succeeded in getting out of
the house, FOX assisting his wife to escape through
the window of the front room, whilst the older
man made his exit over the backyard wall.
The brigade made great efforts to
check the flames, but the water poured upon them
seemed for some time to have little effect, and
when the fire was burning most furiously, FOX
shouted: "I might as well die with the êêê
lot," and rushed into the building. Police-Sergeant
ASHER followed him, and pulled him out of the
flames, but FOX repeated the attempt, but was
rescued by the Sergeant and Constable HAGUE (C198),
both of whom were badly burned. FOX sustained
serious injury to the arms, face, and neck, his
hands were badly cut by his breaking the windows.
He and the officers went to the police station,
where their injuries were attended to. FOX was
in such a state that it was deemed advisable to
detain him as an inmate, and this morning he was
reported to be "very poorly." Both the
officers are off duty.
The fire lasted about an hour, and
practically gutted the back portion of the premises.
The greatest damage was, of course, done in the
kitchen, and here every scrap of woodwork was
destroyed. The window frame was burned away, and
the flames penetrated through the ceiling into
the bedrooms above, the beams being almost burnt
through. The scullery also suffered and the staircase
was almost destroyed, offering to-day a very doubtful
method of reaching the upper rooms. Nothing remains
in the front room but a few books and ornaments,
one chair, and the shattered remains of a piano.
It is said that Mrs FOX and her
father had been drinking heavily for four or five
weeks, and that FOX previously threatened to burn
the place, although he is said to have been a
fairly temperate man. Should he recover from his
injuries it is very likely that he will be charged
with arson. Mrs FOX and her father, after escaping
from the house, found temporary refuge with neighbours,
but next morning left for Bradford (Manchester).
The affair has naturally created a sensation in
the district, and police officers are on duty
to prevent curious people entering the house.
THE SUDDEN DEATH AT ASHTON
Adjourned Inquiry
The adjourned inquiry into the cause of death
of Mary Ann KIELEY, wife of Edward KIELEY, waiter,
Crompton's Yard, off Pitt-street, Ashton, was held
on Thursday afternoon, at the Nelson Tavern. The
inquest was adjourned on September 11th, and a post-mortem
examination ordered to be made in consequence of
a rumour as to a disagreement between the husband
and deceased, which, the coroner said, was going
about.
Dr TWOMEY deposed to having attended
the deceased about eight months ago for an ulcerated
leg. He had made a post-mortem examination. Deceased
was a sufferer from Bright's disease, and the
cause of death was syncope and failure of the
heart's action, accelerated by chronic alcoholism.
Externally there were a few superficial scratches
on the face, and a slight contusion underneath
the right ear, but none of them of any importance,
and quite insignificant.
Edward KIELY, husband of the deceased,
said his wife had been ailing on and off for 14
years through drink and neglect. She had been
in the infirmary for a weak heart and bad legs,
and was discharged from there in a dropsical state.
The last four years she had taken heavily to drink.
About three weeks ago she had a very heavy drinking
bout, and witness got a Mrs LEECH to look after
her and to clean the house. Deceased got up again
and recommenced drinking.
Witness was at home on the Sunday,
the day before her death, for about an hour, his
wife being then sitting on the sofa drunk. When
he returned home at night his daughter was sitting
by the sofa on which her mother was lying. Witness
told the daughter to go to bed, and she did so,
and witness, seeing that his wife was drunk, did
not speak to her, but lay down on the bed beside
her with his clothes on. His wife wakened him
next morning, and appeared somewhat lively.
He got up at 6.15 am, and went to
work. He returned home to dinner at 1.30, and
found his wife lying drunk on the sofa, and snoring
very heavily. He was disgusted, and did not stay
more than twenty minutes in the house, just long
enough for his daughter to serve his dinner. Shortly
before seven o'clock in the evening, a woman came
to him and told him to hurry up home. He did so,
and on arrival found his wife dead on the sofa.
He had had no words with his wife that week-end,
but they had quarrelled hundreds of times. On
the Friday night he had told her to get away,
and gave her a push.
Bridget LEECH, a neighbour, deposed
to having looked after deceased, whom she described
as being a sufferer from bad legs and addicted
to drink. Witness never saw her and her husband
quarrel. The husband was a very quiet man. The
jury returned a verdict of death from natural
causes.
MEMORIAL TO A LOCAL SOLDIER
Unveiling Tablet at Bardsley
The parish church of Bardsley was crowded on
Sunday afternoon on the occasion of the unveiling
of a mural tablet in the interior of the church
in memory of Private Samuel TAYLOR. Of the 3rd V.H.
Manchester Regiment, who died at Germiston, South
Africa, on March 19th 1901.
Private TAYLOR was a parishioner,
and formerly attended the church and Sunday school,
and was well known and a general favourite in
the district. He was one of the first draft of
volunteers from the Manchester Regiment to be
despatched to the seat of war, and in March last,
just before he would, in the ordinary course,
have been returning home ò in fact preparations
were going on for his public welcome home ò he
was struck down with enteric fever and died. A
local subscription was soon started, the result
of which was the erection of the tablet unveiled
on Sunday by Mr E LEES of Parkbridge. It is of
white marble on a ground of black marble, and
bears the inscription: "This tablet was erected
by public subscription in memory of Private Samuel
TAYLOR, of the 1st V B Manchester Regiment, who
died whilst serving his Queen and country at Germiston,
in South Africa, March 19th 1901, in his 31st
year; lay hold on eternal life."
WATER! WATER! WATER!
Where Art Thou?
Sir,ò Let us hope this will not be our cry.
I suppose Stalybridge was once mainly supplied from
the following spots, viz: ò Spring-street, Pump-street,
Waterloo, Walmersley-street ò formerly Spout-street
ò about the corner of Cross Leech-street and Mason-street,
and I believe, Quarry-street, Set-street also; a
trough of spring opposite Souracre Tavern, farther
towards Sunacre, a well at Black Rock, near the
railway bridge, near Wear Mill, and Scout Rocks,
Spring-grove.
If all the above could again be
brought into use they, or most of them, might
be of great service in case of need. I think three
great reserves could easily be made and supplied,
say at or above the house of the late Mrs J F
KNOTT, supplied by Spout Brook, Luzley, and Higher
Heyrod; at Crows-I'th'-Wood, or Spring Grove,
all these good spring water (for drinking). The
supply at the top of Queen-street and Waterloo
was very plentiful at one time. For instance the
reservoir supplied the old bowling green and two
old mills in Queen-street. If not all drinking
water, could they not be used to great advantage
for mills and sanitary purposes, and thus save
our drinking water?
Perhaps some other abler person
than I may suggest the means of bringing these
into use again or some other sources. But I think
it is time we began to set our house in order.ò
Thanking you for your valuable space, I beg to
remain, yours faithfully.
John PLATT
Hill Crest, Stalybridge, September 19, 1901
ASHTON BOROUGH POLICE COURT
STEALING A POCKET HANDKERCHIEF ò James
MARSDEN, a travelling showman's labourer, was in
the dock charged with stealing a pocket handkerchief
under the following circumstances:ò Rebecca BERTENSHAW
said: I am the wife of John BERTENSHAW, signalman,
and reside at 245 Moorside-street, Droylsden. At
5.15 pm on the 12th I was at Charlestown Station
waiting for a train to Droylsden. I sat on one of
the seats near the refreshment room. I saw the prisoner
come and sit down next to me. I had used my handkerchief
and put it back in my pocket.
Shortly afterwards I put my hand
to my pocket and found the prisoner's hand in
my pocket. I said "What are you doing with
your hand in my pocket? Take it out." He
said "It's all right." I said "Never
mind all right, take it out." He did so and
I then missed my handkerchief. When I found his
hand in my pocket he had hold of my purse. I afterwards
found my handkerchief under the seat upon which
prisoner sat.ò Prisoner admitted having the handkerchief.
He had a drop of drink.ò In reply to the Bench,
Inspector LATHAM said he knew nothing against
the prisoner. There had been a number of pockets
picked lately, and these cases were difficult
to get at.ò The Bench committed the prisoner to
gaol for seven days.
THROWING STONES — James
COOPER and William DONNELLY, boys, were summoned
for throwing stones in Oldham-road on the 5th
inst. Constable STOREY said the defendants were
throwing stones at one another across the road
to the danger of passengers.ò Fined 5s 6d each
for costs.
ALLEGED THREATS — Sarah
RYAN was summoned for making threats towards Esther
CHURM on the 7th. She pleaded not guilty.ò Complainant
said the defendant broke her door open and she
had to go into a neighbour's for protection.ò
The Bench did not consider a case had been made
out, and dismissed the information.
DISCHARGING FIREWORKS IN THE
STREET — A youth named George WILLIAMS
was summoned for discharging fireworks in Portland-street
on the 6th. He pleaded not guilty.ò Constable
FURNISS stated that at 8.20 pm he caught the defendant
discharging fireworks.ò Defendant denied firing
it and said he picked it up.ò As it was his first
appearance he was discharged with a caution.
A FORGIVING WIFE —Mary
Ellen LITTLEWOOD summoned her husband, John Robert
LITTLEWOOD, for assault. Defendant did not appear.ò
Complainant came forward and said she did not
wish to go on with the case.ò The Clerk: How is
that? He has given over drinking.ò And if he starts
again you will come here again, I suppose, for
another free summons. You had better come round
and pay for this summons.ò Case withdrawn.
ALLEGED THEFT OF A DOG —
Charles MITCHELL was charged with stealing a dog
belonging to Dr COOKE, JP ò Mr J B POWNALL, who
appeared to prosecute, said with permission of
the bench he desired to withdraw the case. Since
the proceedings had been initiated inquiries had
been made, and they were satisfied the defendant
had no intention of stealing the dog. He was a
man of respectability, and Dr COOKE desired to
withdraw the summons and pay the costs.ò Granted.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY —
Harry SHORT was charged with being drunk and disorderly
in Old-street on the 4th. He did not appear, and
the case having been proved a fine of 20s and
costs or one month was imposed. He had been up
four times.ò William SHELMERDINE was fined 5s
6d and costs for being drunk in Oldham-road on
the 14th. He had been up eight times.ò Joseph
HOPKINS was fined 5s 6d for costs for being drunk
and disorderly in Stockport-road on the 14th.
It was his first offence and the Chairman told
him that had it been "simple drunk"
they would have let him off.
DRUNK AND ASSAULTING THE POLICE
— A young man named William Henry BOND,
who conducted himself in a most eccentric manner
in the dock, was charged with being drunk and
disorderly in Wellington-road, and with assaulting
Constable BRATT whilst in the execution of his
duty. He pleaded not guilty.ò Constable BRATT
stated that at 6.40 on Saturday night his attention
was called to the defendant by a woman who said
there was a madman creating a disturbance in Old-street.
He went there and saw the defendant with a big
stick in his hand rushing at people, and he knocked
several down. He took him into custody, and when
in Wellington-street, defendant threw him to the
ground, bruised his arm, and digged into his body
with his feet.ò Inspector said defendant had been
up 11 times, thrice this year.ò The Bench fined
him 10s and costs for being drunk and disorderly,
or 14 days, and 20s and costs, or one month for
the assault.ò Defendant: That is six weeks. I've
got to do it now.ò He was conveyed to the cells
dancing a jig.
AN INCORRIGIBLE DIPOSMANIAC —
An old woman, poorly clad, named Mary WYKE, was
charged with being drunk in Howard's-court on
the 8th. Constable DIXON stated that at 3.15 he
found the defendant in a helpless state of drunkenness.
He took her home on the police ambulance, and
reported her.ò The Clerk: You are here again Mary.
Immediately you get your money every quarter you
spend it in drink. We have tried all ways to reform
you. Mrs FIELDING (the court missionary) has spoken
to you.ò Mrs FIELDING: She says she will go to
a home if it can be arranged, but there is no
home she can be sent to under the Inebriates'
Act. She has been once in London.ò The Clerk:
No one knows more about her than I do. There are
places where the interest upon her money would
keep her. She has been once, but came out, and
started to be worse than before.ò Defendant: I
want to get back to London.ò The Clerk: You want
to get back anywhere out of here, I have no doubt.ò
The Chairman: You have told us many pitiful tales
before now, but you will be fined 5s and costs,
and you will then not have so much for drink.
A MINISTER AND OLDHAM WAKES
Preaching on Sunday evening at the Methodist
New Connexion Chapel, in Oldham, the Rev Henry HOPE
took for his subject, the Wakes. The diversions
of the Tommy field fair ground were mostly innocent
and amusing, and if there were some of them which
devout people could not find diverting, they must
remember that there were things which the irreligious
might enjoy without doing any harm. People will
have amusement, and he thought religious people
had foolishly and unnecessarily denounced amusements
of some kinds.
If the churches tabooed manly sports
and exercises it would create a perverted Christianity.
Why should a man be accused of a lack of Christianity
or high moral character because he was addicted
to athletic sports or liked to look at a ludicrous
show sometimes? After pointing out how everything
about the showground suggested the things which
were transient, Mr HOPE said the wealthy and wise
people of Oldham had turned their backs on the
wakes shows and had gone in their thousands to
Torquay, Blackpool, and Douglas, leaving some
of us poverty-stricken people at home.
DUKINFIELD
Councillor Joseph BARDSLEY is an ardent Protestant
Churchman, and on Tuesday night he presided over
the first public meeting of the newly-formed Ashton
Churchmen's Protestant Association. He made a speech
thoroughly condemning those clergymen of the Church
of England who introduced Popish accessories into
the services and who were teaching Romish practices
in an insidious manner. He appealed to the Evangelical
and Protestant Churchmen of the district to combine
in condemnation of Romeward ceremonials.
THE MURPHY BROTHERS AGAIN —James
MURPHY and Alfred MURPHY, of Dukinfield, were
in the dock charged with being drunk and disorderly
on the 14th inst. Constable DISTON said the defendants
were fighting, with a large crowd around them.
He dispersed them in Cavendish-street, but they
went to the bottom of Mill-lane and started again.ò
The Clerk: Resumed hostilities.ò Inspector LUDLUM
read a list of previous convictions against the
defendants.ò Fined 10s and costs or fourteen days
each.
WORKPEOPLE'S TRIP —
On Saturday Mr James HARGREAVES, Grove House,
Sandy-lane, treated his workpeople to a free outing
at Belle View Gardens. They were conveyed, to
the number of fourteen, to their destination in
wagonettes &c, and on arriving a splendid
knife and fork tea awaited them. The good things
provided very speedily disappeared, and then the
party dispersed to see the various attractions
of those famous and popular grounds ò not, however,
before according a hearty vote of thanks to their
employer for this repeated display of kindly generosity
and thoughtfulness.
SUPPOSED SUICIDE OF A DUKINFIELD
COLLIER
On Tuesday Samuel Henry NADIN, of 21 Leech-street,
Dukinfield, put an end to his existence in a most
determined manner. About twelve months ago he received
certain injuries at Hurst Nook Colliery which incapacitated
him from work ever since. This had rendered him
despondent. About 8.30 on Tuesday morning his wife
saw him in bed. He was then apparently asleep, and
she did not disturb him. About 12.30 she went upstairs
again and found him hanging by means of a rope attached
to the bedpost. His knees were on the chamber floor
and his head a foot higher, and it was apparent
that he had strangled himself. Dr CLARKE was called
in, and pronounced life extinct. 
