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June 1902
CONCLUSION OF THE WAR
Peace Terms Accepted
The following dispatch was issued from the War Office
at five o’clock on Sunday afternoon:–
Lord Kitchener to the Secretary of State for War,
Sunday, 10.25 am
The terms of peace were signed at half-past eleven
o’clock last night.
SCENE AT ASHTON PARISH CHURCH
The scene at Ashton Parish Church on Sunday evening
on receipt of the news of peace was one which it
was a pleasure to witness. Those who happened to
be present at the service, and were the spectators
of the striking episode describe it as being extremely
pathetic in its tenderness, and though hearts were
overjoyed, there was scarcely an eye but was moistened
by a tear.
The scene was indeed dramatic. A tender chord was
struck when, just as the offertory was being taken,
after the sermon by the Rector (Rev G A PUGH), his
Worship the Mayor (Councillor J B POWNALL), entered
the sacred edifice and walked along the aisle to
the communal rail. There was an instinctive feeling
among the members of the congregation that something
unusual had happened. By a strange coincidence,
the anthem for the evening service was “Give
peace in our time O Lord,” and the hymn before
the sermon was a hymn for peace, whilst the subject
of the sermon was “Brotherly love,” and
during the sermon, the Rector said he hoped before
another day had passed peace would be proclaimed.
When the Mayor appeared before the communal rail
there was a feeling of suppressed excitement amongst
the worshippers who watched his movements with the
greatest concern. Having communicated the welcome
news to the rector, the latter announced at once
that he had authority for saying that peace was
proclaimed at five o’clock that afternoon.
He asked them to sing the Te Deum, and then announced
that there would a thanksgiving service at the Parish
Church on Sunday morning following. The choir and
congregation then joined most heartily in singing
the Te Deum, and after the blessing the National
Anthem was sung, Mr Charles MOODY singing the solo,
whilst Mr G F WRIGLEY accompanied at the organ.
Before the congregation left, the church bells were
pealing and the flag was proudly flying from the
church tower. We understand that the Mayor made
arrangements a few weeks ago with the ringers at
the Parish Church to assemble on short notice when
the news of peace was received, and owing to this
arrangement the bells of St Michael’s tower
rang out within a few minutes of the result being
made known in Ashton. This, coupled with the hoisting
of the flag, caused large crowds to collect at the
Parish Church, and on the dispersal of the congregation
after the evening service the news spread like wildfire
that peace had been declared.
On Monday morning the Mayor sent a request to all
schoolmasters in the town with his compliments and
requested them to give the school children a holiday.
Needless to say the request was at once complied
with, the scholars becoming frantic with glee, and
one policeman who conveyed the Mayor’s request
was bombarded with hats and caps and other articles.
The cotton mills, workshops, and other places of
business were closed, and Ashton had the appearance
of a general holiday. Stamford-street and other
public thoroughfares were gaily decorated with Union
Jacks and bunting and flags were hoisted on the
public and other buildings, and everybody seemed
in “Mafficking” mood.
GOLDEN WEDDING PARTY AT
WATERLOO
On Saturday evening, May 31st, a most enjoyable
party was held in the Christ Church schools to celebrate
the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr and
Mrs Aaron WILLIAMSON. The guests began to arrive
at 6.30, and by 7 o’clock there would be upwards
of 90 persons present, consisting of relatives,
friends, Sunday school teachers &c. Immediately
after these had offered their congratulations to
Mr and Mrs WILLIAMSON, a dance was announced, all
the younger members of the company entering into
this form of amusement with great zest. The pianist
was Mr J GASKELL, whose task was no light one, for
the ball was kept rolling until 11 o’clock,
when the party dispersed.
The large schoolroom had been tastefully decorated
by willing hands in connection with the Sunday school;
the infant room, where refreshments were dispensed,
presented a very pleasing and attractive appearance.
A balloon ascent should have taken place in honour
of the occasion, but unfortunately, owing to the
rough wind, the balloon came to grief immediately
it had cleared the playground wall.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the presentation
of a pair of chairs to the host and hostess from
Messrs HARROP, furnishers. In making the presentation
the Rev F H BARROWS, vicar of the parish, in well-chosen
words, referred to the happy event which was being
celebrated; it was an uncommon event, only a few
persons being spared to spend so many happy years
together. It was particularly pleasurable on this
occasion because from his long connection with the
day school, Sunday school, and public affairs, Mr
WILLIAMSON might be said to have taught and influenced,
in one way or another, the whole of those present.
His life had been a singularly conscientious and
single-minded one. You always knew where to find
him, and that in any duty he undertook he could
be relied upon to carry it out to the best of his
ability in a straightforward, determined manner.
It was this characteristic which had made him such
a steadying influence in the village of Waterloo.
You felt that he was pre-eminently one of those
not likely to be drawn aside by merely temporary
outbursts of feeling and opinion. The secret of
the respect in which Mr WILLIAMSON was held might
be briefly described in the words of the Bible:
“The hoary head is a crown of glory to God,
if it be found in the way of righteousness.”
But it was impossible to think of Mr WILLIAMSON,
apart from his wife. We who know them both, feel
we can only unite them together, in describing the
worth and influence of each. On behalf of the teachers
I shall shortly ask them to accept these two handsome
chairs as a small indication of the esteem and affection
in which they are held, in the hope that they may
enjoy, while sitting in them, the repose and comfort
of the remaining years of their honourable and useful
lives, adding to this the prayer in one of our hymns,
“Grant to life’s day a calm, unclouded
ending; an eve untouched by shadows of decay.”
Mr WILLIAMSON, in acknowledging the gifts, depreciated
the eulogistic language which had been used with
respect to him. If he deserved it he would indeed
be a “gem” – a remark which was received
with continued applause. He could not claim to be
even a part of what had been described. He had lived
among them for 39 years, indeed prior to the foundation
of the Christ Church School. But his heart was too
full to express suitably on behalf of his wife and
himself the warm thanks they both felt for this
most kind expression of the feelings towards them
of their friends and neighbours.
WATERLOO AND BARDSLEY
ACCIDENT. – On Monday a little girl named
Maud NEWTON, of Oldham-road, Waterloo, was playing
with other children in putting matches on the electric
car metals, and in endeavouring to get out of the
way of the traffic she was knocked down and run
over by a trap. Her shoulder was slightly bruised,
otherwise she was none the worse for her experience.
PIGEON SHOOTING. – Twenty four shares
were registered in the handicap sweepstakes promoted
by the landlord of the Sportsman’s Arms, Fitton
Hill, Bardsley, on Saturday afternoon, and the shooting
took place at the enclosed grounds attached to the
inn. There was a numerous company present. The sum
of 30s was given, and the entrance fee was 5s; to
shoot at four birds each on the usual conditions.
The birds were good ones, and being helped by a
strong wind many got away, only three of the shooters,
namely, WOOD, WALKER, and MOSTON, killing up, and
they divided the pool. Jack SCHOFIELD was referee.
SINGULAR DEATH AT ASHTON
Information was received at Ashton Police Station
on Wednesday of the death of Nancy Ann DABBS, aged
33 years, wife of James Edward DABBS, spinner, of
23 Holden-street, Botany, Ashton, which took place
at 7.30 that morning. Deceased had been troubled
with bronchitis and heart disease for the last eight
years, and had been attended by Drs BLEASDALE and
CORNS, the last time being by Dr BLEASDALE on January
30th last. On Wednesday morning at 5.30 her husband
went to his work, leaving her sitting on a chair,
as she was unable to go to bed on account of her
breathing. Later in the day she became worse and
suddenly expired in her chair.
AN ASHTON BARMAN’S
ADVENTURE IN A CAB
A Hyde Grocer’s “Spree” and its Results
At Preston, on Monday, Mr WILSON, acting Under-Sheriff,
and a jury sat to assess damages in a case remitted
from the High Court, in which Ernest E REVILL, barman,
Katherine-street, Ashton, sought to recover damages
from Frederick ASHWORTH, grocer, Hyde, for assault
and false pretences.
Plaintiff’s case, put forward by Mr WILKINSON,
barrister, who was instructed by Mr J BRADBURY,
solicitor, Ashton, was that on the night of January
20th, 1901, defendant called at the Brunswick Hotel,
Ashton-under-Lyne, in company with three other men,
whom he treated to drink. Regarding the latter as
suspicious characters, and as defendant had had
some drink and said he had £40 in his possession,
the landlord sent him home in a cab, in company
with plaintiff and another man named WALKER.
Defendant remained asleep until the cab arrived
opposite Hyde Town Hall, and then, upon being awakened,
he jumped outside and struck plaintiff a violent
blow on the eye, and commenced shouting “Murder!
Police! They are robbing me!” Plaintiff and
WALKER were taken into custody and dragged to the
police station, being brought before the magistrates
the following morning. Defendant went into the witness
box and gave evidence against them, with the result
that they were remanded until the 24th, but on that
occasion defendant failed to appear, and the charge
against was further adjourned for a week, a writ
being issued for the defendant.
Bail was allowed. The defendant’s whereabouts
could not be discovered, and on 31st they were discharged.
The case was fully reported in all the newspapers,
(and Yesterdays!) and in consequence plaintiff had
since been unable to obtain any regular employment,
and he had suffered in many other ways. Mr WILKINSON
asked the jury to award the plaintiff substantial
damages, as there could be no justification for
the defendant’s remarkable conduct.
Plaintiff gave evidence, and, cross-examined by
Mr H BOSTOCK, solicitor, of Hyde, who appeared for
the defendant, ASHWORTH admitted that defendant
was drunk on the night in question, and that he
signed a paper promising not to bring subsequent
proceedings if defendant withdrew the charge in
the police station. He, however, signed the paper
on the understanding that defendant should withdraw
the charge, apologise, pay costs, and pay him one
sovereign.
Mr BOSTOCK addressed the jury on behalf of the defendant,
and said that the whole affair was a drunken spree,
in which plaintiff himself had participated. He
asked the jury not to award excessive damages as
defendant had only limited means. The jury assessed
the damages at £25, and judgement was entered
for this amount.
CHARLESTOWN SCHOOL BANNER
“Albion Congregational Magazine” says:–
On Sunday, May 18th, there was a packed assembly
at Charlestown, when the new Banner was unfurled.
The Banner which is of woven silk, is one of which
the School may be well proud. The cost is about
£40, and this sum has been raised with great
willingness – one old scholar now in Russia
contributing £5.
Mr HOOPER opened the service, and gave an appropriate
address on the words, “in the name of our God
we will set up our banners.” He then called
upon Mr Wm SABINE (Superintendent), who has been
connected with the School for over 40 years, to
give an address and “unfurl the Banner.”
Mr SABINE outlined the history of the School, and
interestingly contrasted their “first poor
calico banner with the magnificent one of to-day.”
A band was present to help with the singing; throughout
the service was memorable. We hope earnestly the
day will mark another period in the growth and efficiency
of Charlestown School.
HOOLEY HILL & AUDENSHAW
BREACH OF THE PEACE.– On Wednesday, at
the Ashton County Police Court, Sarah REECE pleaded
guilty to committing a breach of the peace at Audenshaw
on May 18th, and was bound over in 40s to keep the
peace for three months.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.– On Wednesday,
at the Ashton County Police Court, Matthew WRIGHT
was summoned for being drunk and disorderly at Audenshaw,
and making use of bad language.– Defendant’s
wife appeared and pleaded guilty, and a fine of
5s for costs was imposed.
DRUNK ON LICENSED PREMISES.– A charge
of being drunk on licensed premises at Audenshaw
was preferred against John HOLLINGWORTH at the Ashton
County Police Court on Wednesday.– Defendant
did not appear in person, but sent a representative,
who pleaded guilty, and a fine of 10s was imposed.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.– Daniel THORNTON
and Thos. CHARNLEY were before the Ashton county
justices on Wednesday, charged with being drunk
and disorderly at Audenshaw on May 18th. Defendants
pleaded not guilty.– Constable SHOESMITH stated
that at 20 minutes to three on the Sunday afternoon
in question, he saw both defendants badly drunk
and using bad language in Audenshaw-road.–
Defendants admitted having had some drink, and each
was fined 5s for costs.
HE TOOK A SHORT CUT.– A youth, named
Stephen HUBBARD, was summoned by James HIGGINBOTTOM
at the Ashton County Police Court on Wednesday for
1s damage to a pasture field by trespass on May
21st.– Defendant admitted trespassing, and
said he did so in order to take a short cut to the
mill, as he was frightened of being locked out.–
The Magistrates’ Clerk: The short cut will
cost you more than if you had been locked out.–
Mr HIGGINBOTTOM said it was a question of keeping
out of his field and to stop them from making a
road across, that he had entered the prosecution.–
Defendant was fined 5s for costs.
JUVENILE THIEVES AT ASHTON
A Painful Case
At the Ashton Borough Police Court, on Monday, two
girls attired in straw hats and blouses, named Elizabeth
JACKSON and Rose Ann SMITH, aged 16, were in the
dock charged (1) with stealing one shawl and one
skirt, the property of Mary Ellen WILD, on the 28th
May; (2) one suit of clothes, the property of William
Thos CHADWICK, on the 27th May; and (3) stealing
one pair of boots, the property of the Cash Boot
Company. The following evidence was given:
George Albert RICH said: I am the manager for Mr
Thos CHADWICK, pawnbroker, 4 George-street, Ashton.
The boy’s suit of clothes are his property.
I saw them safe at six o’clock on the 27th
ult, and missed them half an hour afterwards. They
were worth 10s 11d.– Mary Ellen WILD, pawnbroker,
Katherine-street, said: The prisoners placed the
suit of clothes in pledge with me on the 28th ult.
I had previously been notified that a suit of clothes
had been stolen. Soon after the prisoners had left
I missed the shawl and skirt worth 4s 11d.–
John HARE said he was manager to the Cash Boot Company.
The boots produced were the property of his employers
and were worth 3s 11d. He did not miss them until
the police returned them.
Constable FERNLEY said he received the prisoners
into custody at 1.50 on the 28th. He brought them
to the Town Hall and there charged them with stealing
the boots, shawl and skirt. To each offence they
replied, “No, sir.” – The prisoners
were charged in the usual manner, and pleaded not
guilty to stealing the articles. They said a woman
gave them the goods to pledge.
The Clerk informed the bench that these same two
girls were before the court on the 12th May, charged
with stealing a skirt, the property of Maria TURNER,
and they each pleaded guilty. On that occasion the
magistrates could also have convicted them of stealing
a pair of boots, the property of Messrs STEAD and
SIMPSON, the same class of offences made against
them that morning. They were also charged with stealing
two blouses and they pleaded guilty. But the magistrates’
view that the prisoners were there for the first
time, although there were many other cases against
them, bound them over to be of good behaviour for
six months to come up for judgement if called upon.
It was not one month ago, and here they were there
again, with the previous judgement hanging over
them.
Mrs SMITH said on the last occasion she took her
home, but she ran away from home with the other
girl. JACKSON had no proper home.– The Clerk:
Don’t you think some want of attention from
you has caused your girl to get into trouble? –
Mrs SMITH said she had never set her a bad example.–
The Clerk thought if more attention were paid at
home to these children, and sometimes a little more
punishment administered, there would be fewer of
these cases before the court.
In reply to the Bench, JACKSON said she came from
Stockport.– Mr PARK asked Mrs FIELDING, the
court missionary, if she knew anything of the girls.
She replied in the negative as they came from Stockport.–
Mrs SMITH said JACKSON was homeless, and she could
not keep her away from her house.– Mr PARK
said they were drifting into crime, and probably
upon the streets, if something were not done for
them.– SMITH’s aunt appealed to the Bench
to give the girl another chance, and she would take
her to Mossley and get her into a mill with her.
The Mayor characterised it as a very painful case,
and it was aggravated by the fact that the prisoners
were there a month ago. It seemed they had started
a career of crime, and unless they were stopped
now there was no knowing what would become of them.
They did not like to send them to prison, but would
give them an opportunity of mending their manners.
The police and Mrs FIELDING would look after the
prisoner JACKSON, keep an eye upon her, and if she
did anything wrong she would be brought up again,
and probably sent to prison. The prisoner SMITH
would be allowed to go with her aunt, and the case
would be adjourned for six weeks. He warned them
to be good girls in the meantime, and then probably
they would not hear anything more of the present
charge, but if they repeated their present conduct
they would be brought up for judgement.
WASTING WATER AT ASHTON
At the Borough Police Court, on Monday, Esther MIRFIELD
was summoned for wasting water on the 22nd May.–
Mr F W BROMLEY, Town Clerk, prosecuted on behalf
of the Ashton, Stalybridge and Dukinfield Joint
Waterworks Committee, instructed by Mr W H ROTHWELL,
secretary, and said the defendant was summoned for
wasting water by swilling her flags. She was seen
by an employee of the Committee to throw four buckets
of water on the flags.
He must press the case. It was a very serious matter
for the Joint Committee. They were in a very awkward
position. As he said last week, the condition of
the reservoirs was worse to-day than it was 12 months
ago. The dry season was coming on, and apparently
they were going to be face to face with a water
famine, and he must ask their Worships to aid the
Committee in stopping this silly practice of swilling
flags. They would much rather prevent this practice
than bring people to court, and the irony of the
whole matter was that these people generally wasted
water when it was raining.– Defendant pleaded
guilty.
The next case was against Mrs Mary Jane KNOWLES.
She pleaded not guilty.– Alfred GARSIDE said
he was a water-man in the employ of the Joint Committee.
On the 22nd May he was in Henrietta-street, and
saw the defendant swilling the flags in front of
her house. He saw two empty buckets at the door,
and the defendant went to fetch some more water
and threw it from the doorstep on to the flags.
He was certain it was clean water.
Defendant said she had been away from her home for
three weeks, and on her return she washed the windows.
She only used one bucket of water and threw the
remainder on the stones under the windows, and wiped
the step with it. There were two buckets used for
washing the windows with a brush, but not for swilling.
Mr BROMLEY: Do you mean to say you need two buckets
full for washing your windows? Yes, washing the
windows, the sills, and step too. It was raining
very heavily as you know on that Thursday. –
Witness GARSIDE said that the defendant was scrubbing
the flags with a hard brush when he first saw her.
He did not see any water used for washing the windows.
After the magistrates had consulted, the Mayor said
in the case of MIRFIELD she would be fined 2s 6d
and costs. With regard to the second case they would
give the defendant the benefit of the doubt and
dismiss the case. The Bench wanted it to go forth
that unless this waste of water by swilling was
stopped the penalties would be very much increased.
They desired to support the Waterworks Committee
in preventing this wilful waste of water, and unless
people would recognise the fact that there might
be a water famine they would have to be seriously
dealt with.
GALLANT RESCUE FROM DROWNING
AT STALYBRIDGE
Much consternation was caused in the vicinity of
the Guide Post Inn, corner of Huddersfield-road,
Stalybridge, on Saturday afternoon, when it became
known that a little boy named Sydney HARROP, of
No 2 Nail-street, Dukinfield, had fallen into the
Leeds and Huddersfield Canal, which runs close by.
An alarm was raised, a crowd quickly assembled,
and one of the number, J L WATERS, of Birch Grove,
Ashton, jumped into the water and gallantly rescued
the little fellow, who had already sunk twice.
In an exhausted state HARROP was carried into Mr
Douglas SIMISTER’s Guide Post Inn, where Mrs
SIMISTER promptly stripped him and wrapped him in
warm blankets. Stimulants were applied, and later
on the boy left for home little the worse for his
immersion. Great praise is due to WATERS for his
humane conduct. It transpired that, along with other
boys, he had been trying to cross the lock gates
when he slipped and fell into the canal.
A GRINDER DROWNED AT ASHTON
PARK
A mysterious occurrence is reported in connection
with the Stamford Park Fishing Lake. According to
the statement of a boy named Wright WILDE, aged
13 years, residing at 5 Waterloo-street, Dukinfield,
who was walking round the boating lake in company
with his brother and sister about 1.30 on Monday
afternoon, a man was seen struggling in the water
and waving his hat about eight yards from the bottom
end of the fishing lake, which is the deepest end.
Although the man waved his hat he did not call for
any assistance, and sank once after rising to the
surface. The boy Wright ran to the boathouse and
obtained the assistance of Jos BOBBINGTON, boatman,
employed at the lake, who went in a boat to the
spot indicated, and succeeded in recovering the
body, life then being extinct. The body was removed
by means of the horse ambulance to the Ashton Town
Hall, and was identified as Thomas KILROY, grinder
in a cotton mill, aged 45, residing at 44 Caroline-street,
Stalybridge.
OPENING OF NEW ORGAN AT
ST STEPHEN’S, AUDENSHAW
A large congregation gathered in St Stephen’s
Church, Audenshaw, on Thursday evening, when the
dedication of the new organ took place. The service
commenced with the hymn “All people that on
earth do dwell,” which was sung with great
impressiveness. Special Psalms (the 149th and 150th)
were taken to suitable chants, and the sermon preached
by the Rev. T. L. SALE, M.A., Rector of St Mary’s,
Crumpsall, on Psalm 51, verse 15, “O Lord,
open Thou our lips, and our mouths shall show forth
Thy praise,” was an eloquent discourse.
The organ was built by Messrs Alex. YOUNG and Sons,
Manchester. |
