A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1905
WHERE DID THE MONEY GO?
In April Emma Heald was in court charged by her husband George Heald
with stealing £9 10s 6d. Emma looked both ill and miserable as she stood
in the dock clutching the handrail for support.
Mr Clayton Smith, for the prosecution, said Mr Heald had lived
at his present address ever since they were married 16 years ago, and he
had been a hanger-on at Featherstone Main Colliery. For some years he
had been treasurer of a working men's club and he was also steward of
the sick fund of the lodge of the National Order of the Oddfellows which
met at the Railway Hotel. In this capacity he received many hundreds of
pounds which he kept locked in a drawer in his bedroom. He did not keep
a banking account because he frequently had to pay money out to sick
members on receipt of a doctor's certificate. In the same drawer in
another bag he kept his own money, and to give her access to this he
sometimes let his wife have the key of the drawer. The sick money was in
a bag with "Leatham,Tew and Co" on it, and his own money was in a
canvas bag.
On arriving home on April 4 he found the door locked and the key was handed to him by a neighbour, Mrs Littlewood, who said his wife had left the key as she had gone to the seaside. He noticed some things missing so he went straight to the drawer and although it was locked both bags had gone. There was £10 for the sick fund and £9 10s 6d of his own money. He still had his key so some other key must have been used to open the drawer.
The matter was reported to the police and the next day a warrant was taken out. Mrs Heald was arrested in Blyth, Northumberland, and brought back to Pontefract. She had 5s 6d in her possession when detained. At this point Mrs Heald, who had been allowed to sit down at the solicitor's table, fainted, She would have fallen but for Mr Lowden and the police grabbing her. After lying upon the floor for a few minutes she revived and was allowed to leave the courtroom.
Mr Clayton-Smith pointed out as far as Mr Heald's own money was concerned there was a distinction between money taken by a wife on deserting her husband, and money taken where there was no deserting.
Mr Heald said the sick fund money was in a paper bag and his wife did not know which money was his, which contradicted the previous evidence. The articles missing from the house were a small clock and similar small things.
Mr Lowden, for the defence, said there was no prima facie case to go to a jury. Mr Clayton-Smith consulted his client and said his client could not bring forward any direct evidence as to who took the money. Mr Lowden then asked for a dismissal.
The chairman said "It would be reasonable to suppose, the woman and the money having disappeared at practically the same time, that she had taken it. Still we have no proof before us that she went away with anybody or that she knew in which bag her husband's money was, and whether it was not all her husband's, and therefore we cannot possibly send the case to a jury, so the only thing will be to discharge the prisoner".
A large number of miners were present but they had to leave none the wiser as to where the sick fund money had gone.
On arriving home on April 4 he found the door locked and the key was handed to him by a neighbour, Mrs Littlewood, who said his wife had left the key as she had gone to the seaside. He noticed some things missing so he went straight to the drawer and although it was locked both bags had gone. There was £10 for the sick fund and £9 10s 6d of his own money. He still had his key so some other key must have been used to open the drawer.
The matter was reported to the police and the next day a warrant was taken out. Mrs Heald was arrested in Blyth, Northumberland, and brought back to Pontefract. She had 5s 6d in her possession when detained. At this point Mrs Heald, who had been allowed to sit down at the solicitor's table, fainted, She would have fallen but for Mr Lowden and the police grabbing her. After lying upon the floor for a few minutes she revived and was allowed to leave the courtroom.
Mr Clayton-Smith pointed out as far as Mr Heald's own money was concerned there was a distinction between money taken by a wife on deserting her husband, and money taken where there was no deserting.
Mr Heald said the sick fund money was in a paper bag and his wife did not know which money was his, which contradicted the previous evidence. The articles missing from the house were a small clock and similar small things.
Mr Lowden, for the defence, said there was no prima facie case to go to a jury. Mr Clayton-Smith consulted his client and said his client could not bring forward any direct evidence as to who took the money. Mr Lowden then asked for a dismissal.
The chairman said "It would be reasonable to suppose, the woman and the money having disappeared at practically the same time, that she had taken it. Still we have no proof before us that she went away with anybody or that she knew in which bag her husband's money was, and whether it was not all her husband's, and therefore we cannot possibly send the case to a jury, so the only thing will be to discharge the prisoner".
A large number of miners were present but they had to leave none the wiser as to where the sick fund money had gone.
THE NEW SEWAGE WORKS, A NEW SEWER AND FLOODING
Last December the loan was approved for the new sewage works and a
destructor. The council appointed Mr Rothera, the council surveyor, as
clerk of works. At the March council meeting it was said the
engineers for the scheme, Messrs G and F Hodson, had forwarded plans and
specifications to the prospective contractors and made decisions about
destructors, distributors and pumps on their own responsibility. The
clerk was instructed to write and say the council would not allow this
procedure.
There were 14 tenders for the works varying from £9,000 to £11,835.
The lowest was from George Clements of Featherstone and his bid was
accepted. He would have to provide a bond of £750.
In August the council had yet another letter from the West Riding
Rivers Board complaining about fouling of the River Went by sewage. The council replied it was because of the changeover at the sewage works and
this was going on as fast as possible.
The sanitary condition of Station Lane was in a mess so it was decided to ask the Local Government Board to give permission to begin at once on a new sewer for Station Lane and the side streets as far as Albert Street, and apply for a loan when estimates and plans were completed.
The difficulty was the Station Lane sewer couldn't cope with heavy rain and in such conditions the cellars became flooded with sewage. The council agreed to block the cellar drains and clean the cellars out. The LGB said they couldn't sanction a loan for the re-sewering, and if the council went ahead it was there own responsibility. The cost was estimated at £1,300.
The job had to be done with or without a loan, so the council accepted a tender of £867 from George Clements for part of the work. There were eight other tenders, the highest being £1,861.
A photo from the original Featherstone Local History Group.
EDUCATION IN 1905
The sanitary condition of Station Lane was in a mess so it was decided to ask the Local Government Board to give permission to begin at once on a new sewer for Station Lane and the side streets as far as Albert Street, and apply for a loan when estimates and plans were completed.
The difficulty was the Station Lane sewer couldn't cope with heavy rain and in such conditions the cellars became flooded with sewage. The council agreed to block the cellar drains and clean the cellars out. The LGB said they couldn't sanction a loan for the re-sewering, and if the council went ahead it was there own responsibility. The cost was estimated at £1,300.
The job had to be done with or without a loan, so the council accepted a tender of £867 from George Clements for part of the work. There were eight other tenders, the highest being £1,861.
EDUCATION IN 1905
In January the clerk told the education sub-committee something would
have to be done about poor school attendance which was now a serious
matter. Featherstone was now losing about £5 a day in grants
because of absenteeism. There were about 3,000 children on the books and
600 were absent every day - about the worst in Yorkshire. It was
decided to give the clerk (Mr Harris) a free hand to prosecute the worst
offenders.
The outcome was featured in an Express editorial as follows.
"A serious and uncommon situation had arisen on the question of
attendance at the elementary schools at Featherstone. The new local
education committee are endeavouring to improve the attendance, which is
very bad, the absence at present causing the ratepayers to lose
something like £40 a week by loss of grant. In many cases the practice
of parents is to inform the attendance officer that the children are
ill. "Where's your proof?" asks the attendance officer. "My committee
requires a doctor's certificate". This is too much trouble, apparently,
both for parents and the doctors, or perhaps it is the expense, as
medical men decline to give a certificate without payment. The committee
must do something of course, and in some cases they take out summonses.
Eleven of theses summonses were heard at Pontefract on Saturday. Then
see what happens. In ten of the eleven cases a medical man was called
who said that the children in question were
too unwell to attend school. Result, ten summonses dismissed - which
means that between them the parents and the medical men defeat the
committee for the time being. Something more should be heard of this
question."
At the next meeting Mr Murphy referred to the parents who had recently
been summonsed and said he was disappointed there had not been more
care in selecting them. Mr Harris said he and Mr Boffy, the attendance
officer, had exercised the utmost discretion in selecting which cases to
send to court. Mr Boffy was unable to get any information from the
doctors, and no person was able to give a reasonable excuse. In every
case a medical certificate was refused. The summonses were then issued
and in ten cases the doctors gave evidence. They were told by the
chairman of the Bench it was only reasonable for medical certificates to
be given to the attendance officer and they (the doctors) ought to have
given certificates to protect their patients. Since the court cases
there had been a large increase in attendances. The education sub-committee passed unanimously a proposal expressing satisfaction with
the action taken by the clerk.
Mr Stebbing refused to stand as chairman for the second year of the education sub-committee because the county council did not take much
notice of the committee. He said the North Featherstone School managers
had agreed to pay the caretaker £20 a year, and she had to find her own cleaning
materials. The WRCC said they must only pay £13. This would mean paying
her only 5s a week, and he would not attend the meetings while the county council were going on like this. Major Shaw was elected chairman.
At the September meeting it was said a member (not present) had told
parents they could keep children off for half a day, or if necessary for
a whole day. Parents were also under the impression the children could
leave when they were 13. Alfred Higgins said things were getting worse
and worse and they must do something about it or leave it alone. No
matter which part of the township was visited there were always
innumerable children playing about.
In spite of the poor attendance record there was overcrowding. The
Girls' School (Regent Street) had 406 on the books but only
accommodation for 350. The average attendance was 386. There were five
classrooms and two standards had to be taught in one room. It was agreed
to recommend a new classroom for 100 pupils although one member said
there was room at North Featherstone Lane School.
THE FEATHERSTONE FIRE BRIGADE
Up to 1905 Featherstone folk had to depend on neighbours giving a hand
with buckets of water for small fires. For bigger blazes Pontefract
fire engine had to be sent for. Before the telephone installation this
meant someone going to Pontefract, getting the church bells rung to
alert the firemen, and harnessing the horses which then pulled the
engine and hose cart to Featherstone. By the time they arrived all they
could do was stop the fire spreading to other properties.
With the rapid increase in population at the end of the last century
accidental fires became more frequent and the residents were no longer
prepared to wait for the Pontefract firemen. The council bought fire
hoses and relied on the good will of volunteers and the Ackton Hall
Colliery fire brigade, but in April decided it would have to have its
own brigade formed out of council workmen.
At the June council meeting it was said the cost of equipping
the brigade would be about £272 and tenders would be sought. A steam
buzzer to alert the firemen would cost about £7. The surveyor was told
to make arrangements for the proper working of the brigade and the age
limits of the firemen was fixed at from 25 years to 45. Messrs Shand,
Mason and Co and Merryweather and Co would be asked to tender for a new
fire engine. A new engine was recommended because it would only cost
about £50 more than a second-hand one. (The retirement age was later
raised to 55.)
Mr
Holiday was asked if the Ackton Hall Colliery brigade could attend
fires until the council's was ready. He replied the colliery brigade
would turn out if the council would pay £2 for the first hour and 1s per
man per hour after that, and insure the men at a cost of 3s 6d per man
per annum. This would be subject to one month's notice by either side.
The council accepted his offer.
At the gas and water committee meeting Mr Rothera, the
surveyor, reported on visits to the fire engine companies. They had both
quoted £130 for a new engine and £100 and £98 18s for a second-hand
one. He had inspected both second-hand engines and in spite of the
previous decision he now recommended the council to buy the second-hand
engine from Shand, Mason and Co which he considered the better of the
two, and the company had now said they would accept £95 for it.
Crs Earnshaw and Sides proposed the surveyor's recommendation
be accepted, Cr Gledhill moved they offer £85, and Cr Makin said they
shouldn't buy one at all at present. Crs Earnshaw and Sides voted in
favour of buying it and Crs Gledhill and Makin voted against. Cr Sides,
the chairman, gave his casting vote in favour. Mr Bailey's tender of £6
for a steam buzzer was accepted. The gas company agreed to erect it at
the gas works in Girnhill Lane where there was a constant supply of
steam.
The £95 fire engine was received in time for it to take part in the
Flower Show procession, and the council workmen were taken on an outing
to Bradford which included a visit to the City Fire Station where they
were treated to a rapid turnout by men and horses.
By the end of the year it had been agreed to test the fire buzzer at 1pm every Saturday and to ask Bullock and Sons for a price per hour for supplying horses to pull the engine. The firemen would drill once a month on Saturday afternoons and they would be paid 2s 4d per drill. For attendance at fires they would receive 2s 7d for the first hour, 1s 6d for the second and 1s 4d per hour after that.
By the end of the year it had been agreed to test the fire buzzer at 1pm every Saturday and to ask Bullock and Sons for a price per hour for supplying horses to pull the engine. The firemen would drill once a month on Saturday afternoons and they would be paid 2s 4d per drill. For attendance at fires they would receive 2s 7d for the first hour, 1s 6d for the second and 1s 4d per hour after that.
ANOTHER LEVEL CROSSING DEATH
An inquest was held in July into the death of Alice Wilby of
Nostell View. John Wilby, her husband, said his wife left on July 11 at
about ten minutes past five in the evening to go to Ackton. There had
been no quarrel or difference between them before she left.
John Lund of Pontefract said he was a railway number taker and was
attending to a goods train about 30 yards from the level crossing in
Middle Lane (between Wakefield Road and Green Lane) when he saw Mrs
Wilby running across the lines. She was hit by a train travelling
towards Wakefield and was carried about 60 yards up the line. He went to
her with a guard but she was dead.
In answer to questions he said he had finished taking the goods wagons numbers and was assisting in shunting and did not notice the approaching train. He did not know if anyone was in charge of the level crossing gate. If a long line of goods wagons was drawn up near the crossing it would be impossible for anyone to see the up train approaching from the side Mrs Wilby started to cross. A juror remarked if there had been a gatekeeper the woman would not have been killed.
Benjamin Benson of Sandal said he was driving the express train from Hull to Wakefield. He blew his whistle on passing Featherstone Station and sounded it longer than usual because there was a goods train coming from the opposite direction. He did not see the woman because he was at the other side of the cab. His mate saw her and blew the whistle again. His attention was called to the accident by his mate who said we have knocked someone down. He stopped the train as soon as he could and went back. Another juror said he would have been able to see the woman but for the goods train.
George Kilburn of Wakefield was the engine fireman and he confirmed what the driver had said. The train was almost on the crossing when he saw the woman who came from behind the goods train. She was in the middle of the lines when the train struck her. They were only doing about 22 miles per hour and if the goods train had not been there they would have seen the woman and been able to stop.
Mrs Annie Threadgold of the gatehouse at the crossing, said her duties were to look after the big gates and see no children got through the wicket gates onto the lines. She had to ring the signal box before the big gates could be opened. Adults, in her opinion, could look after themselves, but if she saw any danger she always warned persons. She was taking her children to bed at the time of the accident and did not see the deceased. She knew nothing of the accident until she saw the body carried away. The goods train had been a good time shunting and she heard the express whistle several times. She produced the instructions issued by the railway company which proved only the swing gates were mentioned and not the wicker gates.
In answer to questions he said he had finished taking the goods wagons numbers and was assisting in shunting and did not notice the approaching train. He did not know if anyone was in charge of the level crossing gate. If a long line of goods wagons was drawn up near the crossing it would be impossible for anyone to see the up train approaching from the side Mrs Wilby started to cross. A juror remarked if there had been a gatekeeper the woman would not have been killed.
Benjamin Benson of Sandal said he was driving the express train from Hull to Wakefield. He blew his whistle on passing Featherstone Station and sounded it longer than usual because there was a goods train coming from the opposite direction. He did not see the woman because he was at the other side of the cab. His mate saw her and blew the whistle again. His attention was called to the accident by his mate who said we have knocked someone down. He stopped the train as soon as he could and went back. Another juror said he would have been able to see the woman but for the goods train.
George Kilburn of Wakefield was the engine fireman and he confirmed what the driver had said. The train was almost on the crossing when he saw the woman who came from behind the goods train. She was in the middle of the lines when the train struck her. They were only doing about 22 miles per hour and if the goods train had not been there they would have seen the woman and been able to stop.
Mrs Annie Threadgold of the gatehouse at the crossing, said her duties were to look after the big gates and see no children got through the wicket gates onto the lines. She had to ring the signal box before the big gates could be opened. Adults, in her opinion, could look after themselves, but if she saw any danger she always warned persons. She was taking her children to bed at the time of the accident and did not see the deceased. She knew nothing of the accident until she saw the body carried away. The goods train had been a good time shunting and she heard the express whistle several times. She produced the instructions issued by the railway company which proved only the swing gates were mentioned and not the wicker gates.
The deputy coroner agreed the caretaker's instructions referred only
to the passage of heavy traffic through the big gates. He did not think
there was any intention of suicide and death appeared to be the result
of an accident.
A verdict of accidental death was returned with a rider to the effect there was culpable negligence on the part of the railway company, and representation should be made to the Board of Trade, insisting if a footbridge was not placed over the spot a man should be specially engaged to look after the gates.
The deputy coroner said he sincerely hoped something would be done to mitigate the danger. At a meeting of Featherstone Council two days later it was unanimously resolved to support the jury's rider.
A verdict of accidental death was returned with a rider to the effect there was culpable negligence on the part of the railway company, and representation should be made to the Board of Trade, insisting if a footbridge was not placed over the spot a man should be specially engaged to look after the gates.
The deputy coroner said he sincerely hoped something would be done to mitigate the danger. At a meeting of Featherstone Council two days later it was unanimously resolved to support the jury's rider.
A MIDNIGHT SMASH AND CHASE
George Minching, a Featherstone miner, was in court in September
accused of having wilfully damaged a window belonging to James Wilcox in
Freeman Row, Featherstone Lane.
PC Whittaker said there had been some trouble between the parties and
he was watching the house in Freeman Row. At a quarter to one in the
morning the defendant came along, and after standing in the middle of
the road for some minutes he walked up to the front door, then stood
back three or four yards, threw something at the front window and broke
it and then ran away.
He chased the defendant to Robbins Terrace, shone his light on
him and told him to stop, but he scaled a wall, went into the house of
George Southall and locked the door. He knocked on the door several
times but there was no answer. He went away and came back 20 minutes
later with PC Bowes and the door was then opened. Mr Southall called Mr
Minching down. Mr Wilcox said the damage was 2s 6d and the window had
been broken twice before.
Mr
Minching said he was in the Central Club until 11.15pm. He stood
talking outside until half-past with a friend, and then he went straight
home - a ten minutes walk. He had his supper, read the paper and went
to bed at midnight. The police arrived at one o'clock and he claimed PC
Bowes said "You're a bonny little 'un; you are a little man. If I'd been
two minutes sooner I would have put my staff about you".
Phyllis Southall confirmed this statement as to the time at her house and said she knew the time because she looked at her husband's watch. She had heard a noise and called her husband who looked round the house and he saw the children and Mr Minching, who slept in the same room, in bed.
Mr Southall gave similar evidence, and said he did not think Mr Minching could have gone out, done the damage and got back in bed in the time available. When asked if his watch was always going he replied "Well it is except when somebody else (the pawnbroker) has got it besides me".
Phyllis Southall confirmed this statement as to the time at her house and said she knew the time because she looked at her husband's watch. She had heard a noise and called her husband who looked round the house and he saw the children and Mr Minching, who slept in the same room, in bed.
Mr Southall gave similar evidence, and said he did not think Mr Minching could have gone out, done the damage and got back in bed in the time available. When asked if his watch was always going he replied "Well it is except when somebody else (the pawnbroker) has got it besides me".
James Johnson confirmed the time Mr Minching had left the club, and it
was proved his way home did not pass Mr Wilcox's house. However, the
magistrates believed the police version and Mr Minching was fined 10s,
17s costs and the damage.
THE FIRST FLOWER SHOW DINNER
The Featherstone and District Flower and Athletic Society held their
first annual dinner at the Railway Hotel in November. After the dinner,
provided by Mr C Umpleby, Cr Poppleton proposed a toast to the president
Roslyn Holiday. He said it was only such gentlemen as Mr Holiday who
could provide the men and money to make a concern like theirs a success.
He hoped Mr Holiday would remain many years among them.
Mr Holiday said if there was anything he could do to help he would be
only too pleased to do it. These shows were a great help in districts
like Featherstone where employers of labour could show a kindly spirit
to those living around them. Employers and employees mutually depended
upon one another, and societies such as this enabled the two to work
together for mutual benefit. This was one of the reasons why he
sympathised so heartily with it. Lord Masham had handed the colliery to
Mr J C Lister and that gentleman had said if anything special was
required, such as a cup, he would be pleased to give one.
The Express commented, the culture of flowers and vegetables in
a grimy district like Featherstone was remarkable, especially when one
heard so much about the influence of local muckstacks.
REVENGE NOT SO SWEET
Early in the year Joe Baddiley was sent to prison for two months for
assaulting Henry Jennings' wife Polly and her child. He was heard to vow
he would get his own back and see Jennings got nine months.
Joe Baddiley kept rabbits in his back yard and he claimed over a
period of time someone was visiting his rabbit hutch and stealing his
rabbits. Then one night at the end of October he sent for the police and
said he had heard a warning bell he had fixed in his bedroom and
connected to his rabbit hutch door so if the door was opened the bell
would ring. He claimed he had gone to the front door and he saw Henry
Jennings going into his own house. He had gone to Jennings' house and
listened at the door and he overheard a conversation in which they
decided to put the rabbits in the cellar.
PC Whittaker went to Jennings' house and knocked him up. Jennings came
down in his nightshirt, denied the offence, and allowed the constable
to search the house. The rabbits were found in the cellar, one in the
coal chute and one among the coal. Jennings was taken to Purston Police
Station where Baddiley charged him with stealing them. PC Thirlwell, who
knew of the animosity between the parties, was not satisfied with
Baddiley's statement and drew his attention to the serious charge he was
making. He made Baddiley sign the charge-sheet and told him he would be
responsible for Jennings' detention.
Joe Baddiley thought his revenge was complete, but in court a
neighbour, Joe Onions, said he was in the WC at the bottom of the yard
when he heard a scuffle and a scream like a rabbit's, and he immediately
heard Joe Baddiley, whose voice he knew well, say this is mine. His
wife, Elsie Ann Onions, said she was at the door of the house and heard
someone move Jennings' grate, and then heard Baddiley's voice say this
is mine. Mrs Jennings said she saw Baddiley leave the vicinity of their
coal grate an hour or two before the police arrived.
The outcome was Henry Jennings was set free and Joe Baddiley was sent
to the assizes accused of perjury. All the evidence was repeated and
prosecuting council said the action of Baddiley was a deliberate, wilful
attempt to swear away his neighbour's liberty because of what had
transpired previously.
At the beginning of the hearing Joe Baddiley had pleaded not guilty,
but at the close of the case for the prosecution, and after a hint from
judge Mr Justice Jelf, he withdrew his plea and admitted his guilt.
His Lordship said he had at last pleaded guilty to one of the worst
cases of perjury he had ever tried. If a man was guilty of perjury as
part of a scheme of downright persecution and fraud against another man
he did not think there could be a worse offence. He continued "A more
wicked attempt to blacken the character of two respectable people I have
never heard. Pleading guilty has certainly saved the prisoner three
months of punishment, but that punishment must be severe. Prisoner must
be imprisoned, with hard labour, for twelve months".
THE DEATH OF HENRY GLEDHILL
The Express reported the death of Henry Gledhill at the
end of November. Three weeks earlier he was out and about but took to
his bed complaining of a heart condition. Pneumonia set in and caused
his death.
He came to Featherstone in 1871 from Castleford and worked in Mr
Micklethwaite's shop at the bottom of Station Lane. He later commenced
his own business as a grocer and pawnbroker.
He was very popular with the working classes of Featherstone who
regarded him as the grandest man in all Featherstone. He would help a
deserving family in real distress and send them supplies. He would never
send any genuine working man away empty handed if asked for help. For
twenty years when asked to subscribe to any religious or philanthropic
cause he did so cheerfully and without exception. He had been a councillor for many years, a member of the old School Board and he was a
member of the education committee. He was only 59 when he died and his
estate was valued at £2,674 7s 6d.
1905 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY Noah Briscoe, a grocer, was in court accused of having unjust
scales. Mr T Wilkinson, a weights and measures inspector, said he found a
14lbs weight to be several ounces short. The scales were also untrue.
In defence it was said Mr Briscoe had moved to another shop the day
before and the weight and scales were damaged in the removal but he was
not aware of the fact. The chairman said the offence was a very serious
one and was owing to the grocer's carelessness. It was a funny thing
when scales were wrong they were always wrong against the purchaser. He
was fined £4 and costs.
At the council meeting Dr Buncle reported epidemics of influenza and
measles. The council complained last year about pipes for gas and water
for the new hospital at Ackton being in the same trench. The clerk to
the joint hospital committee wrote to say the water and gas pipes were a
foot apart in the trench and the gas pipe was higher so there was no
danger of contamination.
Cr Poppleton said it was time something was done about the dirt stack
nuisance at Ackton Hall Colliery. The health of the inhabitants near the
stack was being impaired and the people were on the point of leaving.
It was said if the nuisance had to be stopped one or two of the pit's
seams would have to close which would be
a great calamity, but the people had to be considered. In his opinion
the medical officer was not doing his duty in not pushing the matter
forward. Mr Holiday claimed the houses had been built too near the
stack. That was a lie. The stack had been brought up to the houses. The
Council decided to ask Mr Holiday to attend a council meeting or send a
representative.
This
1905 Ordnance Survey map shows the problem of the muckstack south of the railway lines.
Henrietta Street is worse because it is facing the stack. Mr Holiday
knew well the original rugby/cricket grounds were between the Square and
Henrietta Street so Cr Poppleton was right and Mr Holiday was wrong.
Charles Jones, a travelling stall proprietor, had a dolly stall in Station Lane. He packed the goods into a van at 11pm. One night the van was broken into and four dozen rings, four dozen broaches and three boxes of cigarettes were stolen, the value being 13s. PC Thurlwell later arrested three local lads and in court Alfred Morris, who had previous convictions, was sent to jail for 14 days, and Samuel Herrington and William Clay were bound over in the sum of £5.
At the annual meeting of the Featherstone Association for the Prosecution of Offenders the secretary, Mr Clayton-Smith, said another 37 people had joined in 1904 and there were now 120 members. A total of 92 people had been summonsed with 81 convictions. Ten had paid damages before the case came to court and one case was dismissed.
FEBRUARY The FAPO took Jesse Saunders, Joseph Schofield and Joseph Hames to court for causing damage to a wheat field at Purston Farm. Saunders was fined 15s plus 6d compensation, and the other two were fined 11s and 3d compensation.
In order to satisfy the Purston demand for allotments it was proposed by the council to have them in a field near the smallpox hospital in Little Lane. Dr Buncle objected saying no houses were allowed within 440 yards of a smallpox hospital yet these allotments would only be 40 yards away. The council decided not to go ahead.
Cr Maxwell proposed no public lavatories be built. He said they would cost up to £1,000 and should be put in public places but none were available. The cost would add 3d in the pound to the rates. Cr Murphy thought this cost was a great exaggeration. Cr Poppleton said there were no public lavatories in Pontefract so why should Featherstone have them. The voting was 4-4 and the chairman gave his casting vote against Cr Maxwell.
Major Shaw had written about the state of the station. He said the ladies' waiting room was unfit for any woman to go into, and there was insufficient accommodation for the large numbers of workmen who travelled from the station. The council decided to write to the railway company.
The Pontefract to Leeds mail van was being loaded in the station yard when there was an escape of steam from an engine which caused the two horses to bolt down Station Lane, PC Wright grabbed the reins of one horse and he was dragged 50 yards before being thrown into the causeway and injuring his head. The van knocked a lamppost down and the horses were eventually stopped by several men. PC Wright was attended to by Dr Steven and then assisted home.
Roslyn Holiday, the engineer at Ackton Hall Colliery, was appointed agent on the death of his father Alfred Holiday. The funeral service was held in the Gospel Hall and there were about 1,500 local people at the cemetery for the interment.
Herbert Shields had come from Malton to lodge in Featherstone two months ago and he worked on the railway as a lampman and points cleaner. One morning he was hit by an express train near Snydale Colliery and killed. At the inquest Harry Woodcock, a number taker at Snydale Colliery sidings, said he spoke to Mr Shields at 10.12am and he complained of a headache, asked for a drink of water and left. The express train went by three minutes later and shortly afterwards he received a phone call to say a man had been knocked down. He found Mr Shields dead between the rails.
Mr Speight, the engine driver, said he saw Mr Shields running as fast as he could along the hedge side. He sounded his whistle and Mr Shields looked round and dashed in front of the train. He had drawn the fireman's attention to the man's behaviour and they were both of the opinion he had deliberately placed himself in front of the engine.
The jury decided it was suicide during temporary insanity, and they gave their fees to the father who had come from Malton to attend.
MARCH An inquest was held on James Edward Bennett aged 46 who lived in Albert Street. He was a deputy at Featherstone Main Colliery and he was teaching Henry Butter of Pontefract how to take tubs up an incline when they heard some tubs running back down. Bennett pushed Butter out of the way but he could not escape himself and he was hit by the tubs and seriously injured. He was taken to Clayton Hospital where he died soon after. The verdict was accidentally knocked down by runaway tubs, through the clamp not being properly attached to the haulage rope.
The Purston Charity Committee decided John Naylor, the blacksmith on Pontefract Road, Purston, be asked to pay £10 a year rent as from next rent day. If he did not agree he would be given notice to quit.
APRIL The Council elections resulted as follows:
Ackton and Snydale Ward - Sam Mason 183, Thomas Beach 143.
Purston Ward - Henry Gledhill 371, Major Shaw 222.
South Ward - Sam Earnshaw 174, William Scholes 111, Edward Edwards 5.
North Ward - Peter Darlington 406, Frank Stebbing 368.
No reason was given for Edward Edwards low vote unless it was a misprint.
Sam Mason had two cars to take voters to the polling booth.
Charles Jones, a travelling stall proprietor, had a dolly stall in Station Lane. He packed the goods into a van at 11pm. One night the van was broken into and four dozen rings, four dozen broaches and three boxes of cigarettes were stolen, the value being 13s. PC Thurlwell later arrested three local lads and in court Alfred Morris, who had previous convictions, was sent to jail for 14 days, and Samuel Herrington and William Clay were bound over in the sum of £5.
At the annual meeting of the Featherstone Association for the Prosecution of Offenders the secretary, Mr Clayton-Smith, said another 37 people had joined in 1904 and there were now 120 members. A total of 92 people had been summonsed with 81 convictions. Ten had paid damages before the case came to court and one case was dismissed.
FEBRUARY The FAPO took Jesse Saunders, Joseph Schofield and Joseph Hames to court for causing damage to a wheat field at Purston Farm. Saunders was fined 15s plus 6d compensation, and the other two were fined 11s and 3d compensation.
In order to satisfy the Purston demand for allotments it was proposed by the council to have them in a field near the smallpox hospital in Little Lane. Dr Buncle objected saying no houses were allowed within 440 yards of a smallpox hospital yet these allotments would only be 40 yards away. The council decided not to go ahead.
Cr Maxwell proposed no public lavatories be built. He said they would cost up to £1,000 and should be put in public places but none were available. The cost would add 3d in the pound to the rates. Cr Murphy thought this cost was a great exaggeration. Cr Poppleton said there were no public lavatories in Pontefract so why should Featherstone have them. The voting was 4-4 and the chairman gave his casting vote against Cr Maxwell.
Major Shaw had written about the state of the station. He said the ladies' waiting room was unfit for any woman to go into, and there was insufficient accommodation for the large numbers of workmen who travelled from the station. The council decided to write to the railway company.
The Pontefract to Leeds mail van was being loaded in the station yard when there was an escape of steam from an engine which caused the two horses to bolt down Station Lane, PC Wright grabbed the reins of one horse and he was dragged 50 yards before being thrown into the causeway and injuring his head. The van knocked a lamppost down and the horses were eventually stopped by several men. PC Wright was attended to by Dr Steven and then assisted home.
Roslyn Holiday, the engineer at Ackton Hall Colliery, was appointed agent on the death of his father Alfred Holiday. The funeral service was held in the Gospel Hall and there were about 1,500 local people at the cemetery for the interment.
 |
| Alfred John Holiday. Photo - Brethren Archive. |
Herbert Shields had come from Malton to lodge in Featherstone two months ago and he worked on the railway as a lampman and points cleaner. One morning he was hit by an express train near Snydale Colliery and killed. At the inquest Harry Woodcock, a number taker at Snydale Colliery sidings, said he spoke to Mr Shields at 10.12am and he complained of a headache, asked for a drink of water and left. The express train went by three minutes later and shortly afterwards he received a phone call to say a man had been knocked down. He found Mr Shields dead between the rails.
Mr Speight, the engine driver, said he saw Mr Shields running as fast as he could along the hedge side. He sounded his whistle and Mr Shields looked round and dashed in front of the train. He had drawn the fireman's attention to the man's behaviour and they were both of the opinion he had deliberately placed himself in front of the engine.
The jury decided it was suicide during temporary insanity, and they gave their fees to the father who had come from Malton to attend.
MARCH An inquest was held on James Edward Bennett aged 46 who lived in Albert Street. He was a deputy at Featherstone Main Colliery and he was teaching Henry Butter of Pontefract how to take tubs up an incline when they heard some tubs running back down. Bennett pushed Butter out of the way but he could not escape himself and he was hit by the tubs and seriously injured. He was taken to Clayton Hospital where he died soon after. The verdict was accidentally knocked down by runaway tubs, through the clamp not being properly attached to the haulage rope.
The Purston Charity Committee decided John Naylor, the blacksmith on Pontefract Road, Purston, be asked to pay £10 a year rent as from next rent day. If he did not agree he would be given notice to quit.
APRIL The Council elections resulted as follows:
Ackton and Snydale Ward - Sam Mason 183, Thomas Beach 143.
Purston Ward - Henry Gledhill 371, Major Shaw 222.
South Ward - Sam Earnshaw 174, William Scholes 111, Edward Edwards 5.
North Ward - Peter Darlington 406, Frank Stebbing 368.
No reason was given for Edward Edwards low vote unless it was a misprint.
Sam Mason had two cars to take voters to the polling booth.
At the council meeting the gas company were taken to task for laying gas pipes down Post Office Road and not restoring the road to its previous condition. It was agreed the street lights would only be lit until April 30. Cr Gledhill proposed reducing the surveyor's salary by £40 but received no backing. The council decided to support the Education Bill (Provision of meals). Cr Murphy said many Featherstone children were sent to school without breakfast and this Bill, if passed, would make it law every child who was not properly fed would be fed at school and the parents would be charged for it.
A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, Cr Stebbing, who lost his seat at the election. He was replaced as chairman by Cr Walker.
MAY Joe Woodall, a private in the Royal Munster Fusiliers, had been living in Featherstone since March. He was arrested in Featherstone Square by an army pensioner, Edward Taylor, who thought he was a deserter. It turned out to be true and at Pontefract Court the Bench ordered Mr Taylor should be awarded £1 for making the arrest.
Mary Ann Bennett, the widow of James Edward Bennett, had been awarded £300 compensation. She applied for £50 to buy a fish shop but the judge did not agree. He said she should receive 10s a month for each of the five of her seven children who were too young to work and 10s a month for herself.
The county council threatened to take Ackton Hall Colliery to court over the stack nuisance, but Featherstone Council said some improvement had been made and the management had promised to make every effort to reduce it. The medical officer said the high death rate which concerned the county council was because of the measles epidemic and not the stack. Last year whooping cough had caused 20 deaths. South Featherstone Boys' and Infants' Schools had been closed because of it.
Messrs Hawkins and Co were refused permission to erect cheap dwelling houses by using corrugated iron. Another discussion was held on Fred Rothera's salary of £200 of which £40 was for the extra engineering work. The council voted 6-4 for leaving it as it was.
Walter
Simpson was fined 19s for taking matches down Featherstone Main
Colliery. The Bench accepted it was not a deliberate act.
James William Broadhead of Purston was fined £5 for recklessly driving his motorcycle through Selby and walkers had to scatter to avoid him.
Norman Crossland of Agbrigg was employed as a clerk in the booking
office at Featherstone Station. Pontefract Court was told at 7.30am on
the 2nd a parcel of tobacco for Maxwell and Jaques was delivered to the
station. At 8.30am a boy named Senior called for the box and later the
same morning a complaint was received from Mr Maxwell. Two days later
another booking clerk, George Turner, thought Mr Crossland's topcoat
looked bulky and he put his hand in the pocket and found a packet of
Golden Cloud cigarettes. He reported it to the stationmaster. Mr
Crossland admitted stealing one packet of cigarettes.
An unnamed reverend gentleman from Wakefield spoke as to the previous
good character of the defendant. Mr Plews, for the prosecution, said
several complaints had been received of petty thefts at Featherstone but
he would not say the defendant had committed them.
The chairman said the defendant was in a position of trust and had
broken that trust. It would be a long time before he could obtain a
similar position. He would be bound over for six months and have to pay
the costs.
Thomas Williams, watchman at Ackton Hall Colliery, told Pontefract Court he caught Alice Walley picking coal from the dirt tip. He said he saw her father standing at the railings watching her. The coal she had collected weighed 28lbs and was valued at 2d. Alice was bound over. Her father denied he knew she was coal picking, but the chairman said they had considered sending him to prison but would fine him 20s or one month.
JUNE A group of young men were playing pitch and toss for money in Clay Pit Lane, Purston. They were caught by Sergeant Thurlwell and PC's D'Arcy and Bardley and were all fined.
A man called Aveyard was interred in a vault under the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Leeds. The church was being demolished and any relative could claim a body and have it interred elsewhere, Leeds Corporation granting a fixed sum. The remains of Mr Aveyard were claimed by a nephew, Mr Collingwood of Rochdale, and were buried in Featherstone churchyard near the remains of other relatives of Mr Collingwood.
Dr Buncle reported to the council the sudden death of a typhoid victim at North Featherstone. He said all precautions were taken to prevent a spread of the disease including burial within the statutory 48 hours. There had been five deaths from measles and Purston School would remain closed.
John Jones age 39 of Dixon Street was admitted to Clayton Hospital suffering from a cut throat. He was out of work and had attempted suicide.
JULY Two trains took Featherstone Main workers and families to Liverpool on the annual trip. They returned in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The council decided the 4d a day taken off the workmen's wages last October would be put back on.
Mary Sorby made a fifth application at court to prove Robert Greenwood was the father of her child. On one occasion 16 witnesses were produced for both sides. Two of the applications were made at Sheffield where Mr Greenwood had lived for a while. She was again turned down.
Kate Bean of Featherstone was lodging with James Moorhouse of Conisborough. He sent her to pawn a suit but she didn't return. He reported the offence and she was arrested in Featherstone. In Doncaster Court the pawnbroker said he gave her 16s for the suit. Kate claimed she gave 9s to Mrs Moorhouse and pleaded guilty to stealing 7s. She was fined 30s or 14 days in jail.
AUGUST Cr Earnshaw told the council the recent storm caused water a foot deep to run into the back door of six houses at the bottom of Halton Street and out at the front. The surveyor was instructed to attend to it.
John Ridings of Featherstone was summonsed for not paying maintenance for his son in a Lancashire reformatory school. The arrears were £6 3s 8d and he had paid 16s in eight weeks. He paid 7s into court so the case was adjourned.
Matilda Roberts, a widow with three children, was charged with
attempted suicide by throwing herself in front of a train at
Featherstone Lane (Halfpenny Lane or Church Fields?) crossing. She was
handed over to her friends who promised to care for her.
Major and Mrs Shaw had been at Purston Hall for two years. For the second year in succession they entertained 125 people in receipt of Bailey's Charity to tea on the lawn. The visitors were also allowed to inspect the house and grounds. The men were given clay pipes and the women candy.
There was a parade from the Bradley Arms to the Rovers ground for the first annual flower show. In the parade were the brass band, and Featherstone and Pontefract fire brigades and engines. 1,000 spectators waited at the ground for the opening by Mr Holiday. George Mottram won the fire-drill competition and there were complaints because he wore football boots, but there was nothing in the rules about footwear.
SEPTEMBER George Briscoe, a Pontefract miner, refused to leave Featherstone Station after being told by the stationmaster, Rueben Bailey, the last train had gone. He put his foot in the gate to prevent it being locked and when Mr Bailey threatened to send for the police Mr Briscoe punched him in the face. In court he was fined 16s plus costs or one month in jail.
An inquest was held on Joseph Rudge, the one month old son of William Rudge. The child slept with his parents and was found dead in bed one morning. A post mortem showed the cause of death to be lobar pneumonia and the jury passed a verdict to that effect. Joseph Goodall, a boot dealer, did not turn up for jury service and the coroner fined him £1. When he eventually arrived he said he had been very busy and it had slipped his mind. Other jurors said he would not wilfully neglect to come so the coroner withdrew the fine.
Horace Lyman, Albert Lorriman and Sam Seabury, all pony drivers, were caught wrestling in Station Lane and were fined 7s 6d, 8s 6d and 11s 6d for obstructing the footpath. The police found other boys and youths playing football in Station Lane but they could only catch George Bell who was fined 8s 6d.
The council asked the gas company for a reduction in the gas price. It was said private persons paid 3s 10d per 1,000 cubic feet, described by some councillors as an abominable cost.
OCTOBER Albert Flockton of Castleford was killed by a fall of coal on his first shift at Featherstone Main Colliery. The jury decided it was accidental death.
The council's gas and water committee wanted to purchase six incandescent street gas lamps for a test. At the full council meeting Cr Maxwell said the old lamps could be made workable with the new light at a cost of 7s 6d each, so it was referred back to the committee. The gas company had refused the council's request to reduce the price of gas.
An inquest was held on Thomas Connor, one month old, who was found dead in bed at his home in Featherstone Square. Dr Steven said the death was from suffocation and the jury decided it was accidental.
Mrs Greenwood, wife of Mark Greenwood of Purston, received a letter from a firm of American solicitors telling her of a fortune of £12,000 if she could prove a relationship with a relative on her mother's side.
NOVEMBER The council decided to ask Wakefield Corporation to make a new contract for the supply of water with a minimum of 100,000 gallons per day and a maximum of 200,000 gallons.
The cage for the Haigh Moor Seam at Ackton Hall Colliery got stuck in the shaft and the men were played for a day until it was released.
About 300 people attended a meeting in the Assembly Rooms held for J Compton Rickett, the MP for Scarborough, who was the Liberal nominee for the Osgoldcross Constituency for the next election.
John Shaw's car, registration number A9978, was being driven by his
chauffeur Gilbert Emmerson. In it were Thomas George Hall, an engineer
of Green Lane Villas, and Harry Senior, an electrician of Malvern
Terrace. The chauffeur swerved to avoid a shying horse at Stourton and
the car hit a telegraph pole. All the occupants were thrown out but
no-one was badly injured.
Pricilla Asquith was fined 7s 6d for allowing a chimney to be on fire. She said it was caused by fireworks being let off in the chimney. Edith Peterfield was fined 10s for selling fireworks to a child under 13 years old.
An inquest was held on Mary Ellen Briscoe aged five months of Vicarage Lane who died suddenly. Dr Steven said death was due to convulsions and the jury decided it was natural causes.
DECEMBER There was an explosion at Wagner's butchers shop in Station Lane. There was a gas leak and a plumber was called to install new gas fittings. When he struck a match to test the new burner there was another explosion which blew down part of the ceiling. The leakage turned out not to be in the fittings but in the pipe which ran between the ceiling and the floor above.
Sarah Nelson of no fixed abode was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting PC D'Arcy. He was taking her from Featherstone Station to Pontefract, and when the train approached she threw herself to the ground and had to be got into a carriage with the help of a porter. It was policy not to use an empty compartment because sometimes serious charges were made against the police, but she refused to get into one where there were other people because she said they would stare at her. She was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly, or seven days in jail, and one month for the assault.
Florence Gough, a grocer, was fined 10s for selling ginger beer on a Sunday.
An inquest was held on Annie Heys aged four of George Street. She got up before her parents one Sunday morning with her nine years old brother. They were playing with the fire and her flannelette nightshirt was set alight. She died two days later and the jury decided it was death consequent on shock caused by burning.
George Bradley died at his son's house at Headingley. He was buried in North Featherstone churchyard.
The council decided not to fill the seat of Henry Gledhill who had died until the next election, and also that of Sam Mason who had been made bankrupt. A deputation had met Mr Holiday about the stack fires and he had told them he was doing his best to mitigate them.
An inquest was held on John Beach aged 34 of Granville Street. He was a hanger-on at Featherstone Main Colliery and was found dead at the bottom of the shaft after being hit by the cage. He was alone in the pit bottom and there was no evidence as to why he had gone to where he was found. He should have phoned the winder before going on to the sump boards. The jury decided it was accidental death.
The newly founded Featherstone and Purston Choral Society held their first concert in the Assembly Rooms. The musical director was Mr Hamilton Fearnley.
During shunting near the Middle Lane crossing the engine driver went too fast and hit the buffers. Eleven wagons were strewn across the main lines. Until they were cleared railway passengers had to leave a train on one side, walk past the smash and board a train at the other side.
An inquest was held on Charles Garforth aged 52, killed by a fall of coal at Ackton Hall Colliery. The verdict was accidental death.
Thomas Gerrard, a grocer in Victoria Street, and Eliza Hames, a shopkeeper in Green Lane, were charged with selling sweets on a Sunday. They were both fined 7s 6d
300 men at Featherstone Main Colliery were laid off while a new headgear was constructed. They were expected to be back at work in 12 days.
Pricilla Asquith was fined 7s 6d for allowing a chimney to be on fire. She said it was caused by fireworks being let off in the chimney. Edith Peterfield was fined 10s for selling fireworks to a child under 13 years old.
An inquest was held on Mary Ellen Briscoe aged five months of Vicarage Lane who died suddenly. Dr Steven said death was due to convulsions and the jury decided it was natural causes.
DECEMBER There was an explosion at Wagner's butchers shop in Station Lane. There was a gas leak and a plumber was called to install new gas fittings. When he struck a match to test the new burner there was another explosion which blew down part of the ceiling. The leakage turned out not to be in the fittings but in the pipe which ran between the ceiling and the floor above.
Sarah Nelson of no fixed abode was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting PC D'Arcy. He was taking her from Featherstone Station to Pontefract, and when the train approached she threw herself to the ground and had to be got into a carriage with the help of a porter. It was policy not to use an empty compartment because sometimes serious charges were made against the police, but she refused to get into one where there were other people because she said they would stare at her. She was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly, or seven days in jail, and one month for the assault.
Florence Gough, a grocer, was fined 10s for selling ginger beer on a Sunday.
An inquest was held on Annie Heys aged four of George Street. She got up before her parents one Sunday morning with her nine years old brother. They were playing with the fire and her flannelette nightshirt was set alight. She died two days later and the jury decided it was death consequent on shock caused by burning.
George Bradley died at his son's house at Headingley. He was buried in North Featherstone churchyard.
The council decided not to fill the seat of Henry Gledhill who had died until the next election, and also that of Sam Mason who had been made bankrupt. A deputation had met Mr Holiday about the stack fires and he had told them he was doing his best to mitigate them.
An inquest was held on John Beach aged 34 of Granville Street. He was a hanger-on at Featherstone Main Colliery and was found dead at the bottom of the shaft after being hit by the cage. He was alone in the pit bottom and there was no evidence as to why he had gone to where he was found. He should have phoned the winder before going on to the sump boards. The jury decided it was accidental death.
The newly founded Featherstone and Purston Choral Society held their first concert in the Assembly Rooms. The musical director was Mr Hamilton Fearnley.
During shunting near the Middle Lane crossing the engine driver went too fast and hit the buffers. Eleven wagons were strewn across the main lines. Until they were cleared railway passengers had to leave a train on one side, walk past the smash and board a train at the other side.
An inquest was held on Charles Garforth aged 52, killed by a fall of coal at Ackton Hall Colliery. The verdict was accidental death.
Thomas Gerrard, a grocer in Victoria Street, and Eliza Hames, a shopkeeper in Green Lane, were charged with selling sweets on a Sunday. They were both fined 7s 6d
300 men at Featherstone Main Colliery were laid off while a new headgear was constructed. They were expected to be back at work in 12 days.