A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1906
EDUCATION IN 1906
In January the Board of Education wrote to the Featherstone Education
Sub-committee saying it was reported North Featherstone National School
was in an unsatisfactory condition and the committee must investigate
the matter.
The West Riding County Council wrote to say sub-committees could enter into agreements for the repair and tuning of pianos providing the cost did not exceed 2s 9d. Such trivialities caused grumbles from the local education committees so the WRCC decided to hold a conference to discuss the powers and duties of district sub-committees and invite them all to send comments and representatives. Peter Darlington thought it was a waste of time but it was agreed to send Major Shaw and Alfred Higgins.
A woman and her 14 years old son attended the local meeting because she wanted to send him to work. The attendance officer said he had the required attendance for four years but he was a day short for the fifth. The clerk said the authority would not grant the leaving if he was a day short, but it was decided to send a resolution to Wakefield saying the committee had decided to give the boy the odd day.
The Revd Rogers said he had a letter from Wakefield saying Purston National School would be closed by the Featherstone committee if certain alterations were not carried out. The committee said no such resolution had been passed.
The girls of North Featherstone Lane Evening School were entertained to supper by Miss J S Alexander, their teacher. They surprised her by presenting her with a leather writing case.
The West Riding County Council wrote to say sub-committees could enter into agreements for the repair and tuning of pianos providing the cost did not exceed 2s 9d. Such trivialities caused grumbles from the local education committees so the WRCC decided to hold a conference to discuss the powers and duties of district sub-committees and invite them all to send comments and representatives. Peter Darlington thought it was a waste of time but it was agreed to send Major Shaw and Alfred Higgins.
A woman and her 14 years old son attended the local meeting because she wanted to send him to work. The attendance officer said he had the required attendance for four years but he was a day short for the fifth. The clerk said the authority would not grant the leaving if he was a day short, but it was decided to send a resolution to Wakefield saying the committee had decided to give the boy the odd day.
The Revd Rogers said he had a letter from Wakefield saying Purston National School would be closed by the Featherstone committee if certain alterations were not carried out. The committee said no such resolution had been passed.
The girls of North Featherstone Lane Evening School were entertained to supper by Miss J S Alexander, their teacher. They surprised her by presenting her with a leather writing case.
In April Major Shaw was elected chairman for a second year. At the
same meeting it was announced North Featherstone Lane School was closed
because of an outbreak of measles. Two months later Purston National
School was closed because of diphtheria. Dr Buncle said the whole school
had been sprayed and all desks and floors scrubbed with disinfectant.
Mr Stebbing reported satisfactory repairs had been carried out to
North Featherstone National School, but Messrs Makin and Murphy were
given the task of inspecting both national schools and reporting back.
This was no disrespect to Mr Stebbing but had to be done as a matter of
form for the West Riding Education Authority. The Board of Education
report on Mr Stebbing's school said the teachers were very good but
because there had been changes in the staff some work was behind. There
were also complaints about structural defects. The chairman said these
had now been put right.
The Makin/Murphy report was satisfactory for Purston School but said
much remained to be done at North Featherstone. Mr Makin thought the
proper remedy was a new school, and Mr Makin suggested the county
architect should be asked to make a report. Mr Darlington did not like
the idea of a new school costing about £3,000. The best thing would be
to put everything into a satisfactory condition at as small an expense
as possible. Mr Stebbing said Mr Makin had drawn rather a dark picture
of the state of affairs. In keeping the school on he was only doing so
for the sake of the ratepayers, who if they wanted to spend the money
could have a new school. In the end the matter was delayed to let the
school managers discuss the pros and cons.
Thirteen year old pupils were still reluctant to attend school and a
West Riding report was critical of the situation at Featherstone. The
committee said parents of such children would not send them regularly
unless proceedings were taken, and Mr Boffy, the attendance officer, was
doing all he could. The clerk was told to take whatever action was
necessary.
In October the WRCC told the Featherstone Education Sub-committee a new school was required north of the railway and recommended it be built alongside the two already in Gordon Street. This was considered by the local committee in November. Major Shaw, the chairman, said it was a serious matter. At the end of September the number of pupils attending schools below the station was 1,687, but the accommodation was only for 1,600 pupils. Above the station there were 981 pupils and there were extra places at North Featherstone National School for another 81.
In October the WRCC told the Featherstone Education Sub-committee a new school was required north of the railway and recommended it be built alongside the two already in Gordon Street. This was considered by the local committee in November. Major Shaw, the chairman, said it was a serious matter. At the end of September the number of pupils attending schools below the station was 1,687, but the accommodation was only for 1,600 pupils. Above the station there were 981 pupils and there were extra places at North Featherstone National School for another 81.
He suggested a school for 300 boys be built in Gordon Street and all
pupils living above the station but going to Regent Street or George
Street should be transferred to schools above the station. The number of
pupils living below the station was 1,401, so if these schools were
limited to such pupils there would be surplus accommodation of 205
places. All those north of the railway should go to North Featherstone
National School, North Featherstone Lane School (Gordon Street), or the
proposed new school. This would give 110 spare places in those schools.
It had been suggested the difficulty could be overcome by adding a
classroom to the Girls' School in Regent Street at a cost of £1,000, but
he favoured the larger scheme which would cost about £3,500. The
question was asked as to how the cost would be allocated, and the clerk
said half would be drawn from the local rates and half from the county
rates.
The committee agreed in principle with a new school and a deputation would be sent to discuss it with the WRCC but there was then much criticism from local people who didn't fancy seeing their rate bills go up to help to pay for it.
The committee agreed in principle with a new school and a deputation would be sent to discuss it with the WRCC but there was then much criticism from local people who didn't fancy seeing their rate bills go up to help to pay for it.
By the time the deputation went they were well aware of the local
feeling and Major Shaw reported to the next committee meeting they had
pointed out to the WRCC that great care should be taken in putting a
heavy rate on Featherstone, as it was most unlikely there would be any
great increase in the population. As to the coal output, which was
Featherstone's only industry, it had reached its possible output, and in
fact in a few years there would be a considerable falling off. Thus if a
school was built to last 60 years it would be a white elephant on the
hands of the ratepayers in 10 or 15 years if the population fell.
The deputation proposed a good iron building would meet the
requirements and when it was no longer needed it could be sold for the
benefit of the ratepayers. The West Riding Authority would not accept
this and said they had only one standard for schools. The cost per head
would be £10 to £12 and they preferred an infants' school to a boys'
school.
Major Shaw said "It is understood that after your committee left, the West Riding Education Authority passed their own scheme and voted a large sum of money some £4,500 for the new school for us to pay. I propose we ask the Government Inspector to come down and report, and that if need be we appeal to the Board of Education".
Major Shaw said "It is understood that after your committee left, the West Riding Education Authority passed their own scheme and voted a large sum of money some £4,500 for the new school for us to pay. I propose we ask the Government Inspector to come down and report, and that if need be we appeal to the Board of Education".
At the next council meeting Major Shaw gave details of the proposed
new school. He said the Featherstone rates would go up and Ackton Hall
Colliery would soon be paying less to Featherstone Council as their
workings would be under the Hemsworth area. The council agreed
unanimously to put in an objection to the Board of Education about the county council scheme. The next month the council and the education sub-committee agreed to form a joint committee to oppose the new school.
People living in vans and paying no rates had long been a problem for
the council. In March they summonsed Christopher Johnson, Edward
Armitage and Charles Jones for not erecting buildings properly as
required by the buildings byelaws.
Charles Lowden for the council told the court the buildings
complained of were vans which were located in Gledhill's field - a piece
of land practically abutting Station Lane. The vans had been there
since last December, people living in some of them and carrying on
business in others, while the whole place, because there were no proper
sanitary provisions, was in a filthy state with ashes, excrement, fowl
dung and slops thrown onto the ground everywhere. As to water, the
defendants practically stole it, and as regards WC's they sometimes used
those of the neighbours, and also the neighbouring ashpits. One of the
dwellers was a miner and another was a photographer. Not only was the
place a nuisance, but it was not fair persons living in these vans
should, without paying rent or rates, compete with those who did. He
contended although these vans were on wheels they were on the ground for
people to live in and thus were buildings. The penalty on conviction
was £5 with 40s a day if the offence was continued after notice had been
served.
Mr Freeman, the council's sanitary inspector, said each defendant had two vans. Armitage and his wife slept in one, Jones and his wife and three children slept in another, Johnson and his wife and two children slept in a third, and another adult and four children in a fourth. There was no sanitary convenience or water. Mr Rothera, the surveyor, said all reasonable efforts had been made to get the defendants to move but without success.
Harold Kemp, for the defence, said there was no legal decision which clearly showed vans of this kind were buildings within the meaning of the Act. These vans were intended for locomotion and not to be permanent. The defendants were simply staying at Featherstone for a time until the season came round for visiting feasts etc.
The chairman said they had to decide if staying four months in one place made them permanent and noted one man was a miner. Mr Kemp said he worked in the pits for three months and then went travelling. Mr Lowden said he made Featherstone his Riviera. The chairman replied this is the first time I have heard of Featherstone as a place of resort.
In spite of further arguments by Mr Kemp the Bench decided the vans were buildings, but as the council did not wish to be vindictive the owners were fined 15s each and were given one week to remove them, failing which they would be fined 20s for each week they remained.
The Express commented "The Featherstone Urban Council are to be congratulated on the attitude they have assumed in regard to people living in vans within the council's jurisdiction. However estimable the people who occupy such places as sleeping and living rooms may be the public health must not be allowed to suffer. That there was a distinct nuisance, which could not fail to become a danger to health, no-one who has seen the collection of vans in their environment could doubt for a moment; and whilst there may be a few residents of Featherstone who sympathise with the defendants the great majority of the townsfolk will, we should hope, agree that the council have done the right thing, in a generous spirit, and have at last shown in no uncertain way that they will not again tolerate disorder and nuisance in their midst - to say nothing of the unfairness involved to those who pay rent and rates - but will insist on cleanliness and decency everywhere".
Mr Freeman, the council's sanitary inspector, said each defendant had two vans. Armitage and his wife slept in one, Jones and his wife and three children slept in another, Johnson and his wife and two children slept in a third, and another adult and four children in a fourth. There was no sanitary convenience or water. Mr Rothera, the surveyor, said all reasonable efforts had been made to get the defendants to move but without success.
Harold Kemp, for the defence, said there was no legal decision which clearly showed vans of this kind were buildings within the meaning of the Act. These vans were intended for locomotion and not to be permanent. The defendants were simply staying at Featherstone for a time until the season came round for visiting feasts etc.
The chairman said they had to decide if staying four months in one place made them permanent and noted one man was a miner. Mr Kemp said he worked in the pits for three months and then went travelling. Mr Lowden said he made Featherstone his Riviera. The chairman replied this is the first time I have heard of Featherstone as a place of resort.
In spite of further arguments by Mr Kemp the Bench decided the vans were buildings, but as the council did not wish to be vindictive the owners were fined 15s each and were given one week to remove them, failing which they would be fined 20s for each week they remained.
The Express commented "The Featherstone Urban Council are to be congratulated on the attitude they have assumed in regard to people living in vans within the council's jurisdiction. However estimable the people who occupy such places as sleeping and living rooms may be the public health must not be allowed to suffer. That there was a distinct nuisance, which could not fail to become a danger to health, no-one who has seen the collection of vans in their environment could doubt for a moment; and whilst there may be a few residents of Featherstone who sympathise with the defendants the great majority of the townsfolk will, we should hope, agree that the council have done the right thing, in a generous spirit, and have at last shown in no uncertain way that they will not again tolerate disorder and nuisance in their midst - to say nothing of the unfairness involved to those who pay rent and rates - but will insist on cleanliness and decency everywhere".
HANGED AT WAKEFIELD JAIL
Harry Walters of Sheffield, but said to be well known in Featherstone, was
put in the dock at the West Riding Assizes in Leeds in March charged
with the murder of Sarah Ann McConnell. Mr J Strachan, for the
prosecution, said at 4pm on 23 December 1905 sounds of a quarrel were
heard from the room where the couple lived. At 4.30pm McConnell was seen
drawing water from the tap outside. Later a Mrs Bradshaw called but
Walters said McConnell was out but would soon be back. Then a little
girl called Osborne went to the house and saw Walters leaning
over the woman's feet. She was on the hearthrug practically naked and
there was a pool of blood on the floor. At a quarter to six Walters
accosted a policeman at West Bar Green and said "I have been out
drinking and I went home and found my wife laid on her back with no
clothes on and blood coming from her, and I don't know how it happened,
so I thought it my place to come and report it to you". The police
surgeon described the very extensive injuries to the body.
Harry Walters said he first met Sarah McConnell in Wakefield about
three months prior to December 23. He was generally on good terms with
her. During the last fortnight she took to drink. On the afternoon in
question he returned home and found the door shut. He went in and found
McConnell laid on her back. He went close and lifted her head. He got
blood on his clothes when he lifted the body.
The jury only took 30 minutes to find him guilty of murder and added a
recommendation to mercy on the grounds of his drunk and incapable
condition. Mr Justice Walton put on the black cap and sentenced Harry
Walters to death by hanging. Later the Home Secretary said he failed to
find sufficient grounds to interfere with the course of the law.
On the morning of April 10 Harry Walters aged 38 was the first
murderer to be hanged at Wakefield Jail. Before his time the usual place
was Armley Jail.
In the meantime the company's solicitor had given an undertaking the council would not be prejudiced by not lodging a petition against the Bill. The council wanted the bridge to be 30 feet wide and the railway company proposed 25 feet. In April the Council received a letter saying a six feet wide footbridge would be built at Church Fields but the Halfpenny Lane bridge would be 25 feet wide.
The reasons for the Bill were not given but it was almost certainly to lay an extra line or lines to get wagons in and out of Ackton Hall Colliery and may have been brought about by the crash last December. Neither bridge was built because the railway company decided to go the other way and they asked the council for permission to enlarge the bridge near Snydale Colliery so extra tracks could be laid.
By September the Ackton Hall Colliery sidings had been extended to the bridge and the bridge was being widened. To deal with the extra points and signalling a larger signal box was built at Featherstone Station, as shown below on this postcard.
A BRIDGE ON HALFPENNY LANE?
Featherstone Council and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company
always seemed to be at odds with each other, and things were not
improved when in February the council got to know of a parliamentary
Bill by the company which included a bridge over the railway at
the Halfpenny Lane crossing. The company hadn't bothered to tell the council of their intentions.
The possibility of making Halfpenny Lane into a proper road had been talked about for years and the Express was
still campaigning for a subway at the crossing. At their next meeting
the council decided to oppose the Bill unless a bridge was built at the
present site of the crossing. The railway company wanted to build it
much nearer Tanshelf.
A deputation from the council met the company's representatives and were told their objections could be met without the council objecting to the Bill. A
subway or footbridge would be built at Church Fields crossing (near the
cricket field) and the bridge could be angled at Halfpenny Lane so
there were no sharp turns in the road. The railway company's engineer
had pointed out the bridge could not be a safe construction on the line
of the present road. The Middle Lane crossing could not be considered as
it was not part of the Bill.In the meantime the company's solicitor had given an undertaking the council would not be prejudiced by not lodging a petition against the Bill. The council wanted the bridge to be 30 feet wide and the railway company proposed 25 feet. In April the Council received a letter saying a six feet wide footbridge would be built at Church Fields but the Halfpenny Lane bridge would be 25 feet wide.
The reasons for the Bill were not given but it was almost certainly to lay an extra line or lines to get wagons in and out of Ackton Hall Colliery and may have been brought about by the crash last December. Neither bridge was built because the railway company decided to go the other way and they asked the council for permission to enlarge the bridge near Snydale Colliery so extra tracks could be laid.
By September the Ackton Hall Colliery sidings had been extended to the bridge and the bridge was being widened. To deal with the extra points and signalling a larger signal box was built at Featherstone Station, as shown below on this postcard.
SENT TO THE WORKHOUSE
At a Pontefract Board of Guardians meeting in May Mr Earnshaw, a Featherstone guardian, asked
why a miner called Williamson had been sent to the workhouse infirmary
by the relieving officer, Mr Long. He replied the man was destitute and
was not getting proper attention. He had had his right shoulder blade
fractured and was brought in, seeming almost to be dying, on the
recommendation of Dr Moxon.
Mr Earnshaw said the man had happened an accident on April 5 and was
taken to Pontefract Dispensary and was discharged on April 21. He could
not be destitute because he was entitled to accident pay at the pit. The
worse thing about the matter was the man being brought afterwards to
the workhouse and no inquest was held on his death. It was possible
someone had lost compensation money through this. The certificate was
the man died through pneumonia but he did not think so. He thought the
cause of death was the accident. Now possibly the guardians would have
the dependents coming upon them. Why was there no inquest?
The chairman said that point would rest with the medical men. Mr Long's duty was clear; he must relieve the destitute, and the doctor recommended the man's admission. The clerk said whether or not an inquest was held was for the coroner to decide, and the chairman commented the coroner must have got a death certificate that satisfied him.
Mr Earnshaw said there was no chance of getting compensation on that certificate, but the meeting must have decided it was now fait accompli and the matter was dropped.
The chairman said that point would rest with the medical men. Mr Long's duty was clear; he must relieve the destitute, and the doctor recommended the man's admission. The clerk said whether or not an inquest was held was for the coroner to decide, and the chairman commented the coroner must have got a death certificate that satisfied him.
Mr Earnshaw said there was no chance of getting compensation on that certificate, but the meeting must have decided it was now fait accompli and the matter was dropped.
MARY AND THE RING
Note: This article was in the original Featherstone Chronicle and the women's surnames were omitted to avoid giving offence.
In August Jim Holmes of Hemsworth came to Featherstone Feast and he ended up in Pontefract Court accusing
a woman of stealing his ring. He said he was approached by a woman
called Mary who asked him to treat her on the swings. He refused but she
persisted so he gave in. When they got off he lit a cigarette and Mary
noticed the gold ring on his finger and pulled it off. He asked for the
ring back but she refused and set off up Featherstone Lane. He followed
her and on seeing two constables gave her in to custody.
PC Wright said when Holmes complained to him he took Mary to Purston
lock-up. PC Thurlwell said Mary was searched by a female searcher but
the ring was not found. On being charged Mary said she had thrown it
away. PC Thurlwell and Mr Holmes went to the place where she was
arrested and found the ring in the gutter.
Mary told the Bench she met Holmes in the feast ground and he took her
on the swings. After this while talking to her and two other women he
offered it to a married woman called Margaret and said "If you are not
married I will marry you with this". he then changed his mind and
slipped it on Mary's finger. She refused to give it back because she
thought it was one of those common rings bought at a feast.
Margaret said she was introduced to Holmes by Mary who then went on
the swings. Afterwards Holmes asked her if she was married and if not he
would marry her with the ring. She did not think the ring was worth
anything.
Another married woman called Beatrice corroborated the evidence of the
other two women and said the ring was only taken as a joke and she did
not think it was worth anything.
Mr Lowden, for the prosecution, said while he asked for a conviction
he did not press the charge unduly. The Bench decided Mary did take the
ring and fined her 30s or one month in jail.
Fourteen
miners from Featherstone, Purston and Streethouse were fined for gaming
with cards at the recreation ground. Four police constables had watched
through binoculars before moving in to arrest the gamblers.
Mary Elizabeth Welch and Sarah Ann Kennedy were summonsed for stealing a shirt valued at 2s 11d and selling it to Matilda Roberts for 1s. It was the property of Arthur Daniels and all three lived at Dobson's lodging house. They had all been drinking, and the two women said Daniels had told them to sell the shirt to buy more beer. Daniels told the court they had taken the shirt without his permission. A witness, David Welch, described himself as an artist. When asked to explain he said he was a sign writer, decorator and pavement artist. He said he had heard Daniels tell the women to sell the shirt, and the case was dismissed.
Over 1,000 tickets were sold at Ackton Hall Colliery for the second annual Featherstone and District Flower, Vegetable and Athletic Show. There were about 2,000 people present altogether.
At the Convalescent Fund musical festival the chairman, Major Shaw, said patients had been sent to Southport, Askern, Scarborough and Stourbridge. The secretary, Matthew Hutton, said some patients had to be refused because of the lack of funds, and Dr Steven regretted the big drop in cash raised by the hotel boxes.
The second Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Cub sports were held on the club's newly laid out sports ground.
SEPTEMBER John Hudson of Duke Street went to his outside toilet and found Paul Revell aged 62 of Market Street hanging there. He cut him down and sent for Dr Thomas who pronounced him dead. At the inquest it was said Revell had suffered from heart disease and had told his son he had not long to live. A letter found on him addressed to Tommy Sides said, "Dear friend, all seems dark and dreary for me. I am going blinder every day, almost, as feeble as a child, no prospect whatever of gaining a livelihood, so why should I wish to live. Dark despair stares me in the face and no wonder my mind is completely gone. I am as mad as a hatter. Even now I see old comrades beckoning me to come to them. Pity me, not blame me, as I have run my race. I hope you will have every prosperity in life. Love to all of you. Forgive all my imperfections and pity me and forget me, Old Pauly's cough is cured. Crazy Pauly". The jury decided it was suicide while of unsound mind.
The council were told Mr Holiday had agreed new gas pipes could be laid as required in Masham's Square and not necessarily in the same place as the old pipes, and the old pipes could be left in the ground. The gas company had agreed to reduce prices from 3s 10d to 3s 7d per 1,000 cubic feet for ordinary meter consumption, and from 3s 4d to 3s 3d for public lamps.
Dr Buncle reported six more cases of diphtheria. Cr Shaw suggested the diphtheria had been brought into the district by a teacher from Driffield who had come to Purston School and had infected some of the other teachers.
Thomas Marshall and Herbert Wood were summonsed for causing an obstruction by fighting in Granville Street at midnight. Two constables told the court it took five minutes to separate them. Herbert Wood said Thomas Marshall and another man agreed to race from lamppost to lamppost for 3s 6d a side with himself as referee. When they set off they began to catch hold of one another and he called out no race. In trying to stop the race he fell to the ground and he was on the ground when the police came. Thomas Marshall's sister said no blows were struck, they were only reeling and cuddling one another. Herbert Wood was fined 11s and Thomas Marshall 9s.
Bertha Atkinson age nine of Featherstone Lane often went to stay with her uncle and aunt Godber at Huddersfield until they went to New Zealand two years ago. They kept in touch and missed Bertha so much they asked if she could go and live with them. The parents agreed and took Bertha to London and saw her off on the steamship Athenic. Among the presents she took with her from her schoolmates were 23 handkerchiefs, 15 books, an inkstand, hand mirror, ring, workbox, silver thimble, bracelet, pearls, cushion, sunshade, pinafores, cross, pendant and a pencil case.
The United Methodist Free Church in North Featherstone Lane was built in 1902. An extension was now required and because of the lack of money a bricklayer and joiner were set on and the male members did the rest of the work themselves. The extension was opened by Revd W Redfearn of Leeds. Mr Hobbs, the secretary, said they had raised £61 towards the cost of £170 for the extension and they still owed £360 of the cost of £400 for the original building.
OCTOBER A new organ had been installed at Featherstone Parish Church at a cost of £224. Mr Carnegie had offered to pay half the cost when the other half was raised.
Mr Freeman, the sanitary inspector, left and Mr J Sagar of Brighouse was appointed in his place at a salary of £104 plus a bicycle. He was allowed £3 for removal expenses. Cr Makin said they must be very careful about expenditure because they depended on the collieries and if they stopped working it would be very serious.
Annie Taylor was in court accused of attempting to commit suicide by throwing herself in a pool of water in Kimberley Street. The police offered no evidence and she was handed over to the care of her husband.
It was actually a reservoir that Annie threw herself in as is shown on
this 1905 map. It is also on an 1890 map before Kimberley Street was
built. The reason for it is unknown. It seems too far from Featherstone
Main Colliery to be part of that.
Theophilus Spillbury was sent to prison for one month for stealing a glass valued at 5d from the Jubilee Hotel. Thomas Johnson, the landlord, said he saw Spillbury take a pint glass from the counter but he could not get it in his hip pocket so he took a smaller glass instead. There were eight previous convictions.
NOVEMBER There were three cases of lead poisoning on Dr Buncle's monthly report but he said this was an inaccurate entry by his assistant. There was no lead poisoning in Featherstone because he had always insisted on tin lined service water pipes.
James Bryan was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly. He claimed PC Helliwell would not leave him alone. If he got a drop to drink at all he was followed about. Supt Hollis said it is becoming fashionable in Featherstone to say the police are dogging people about.
Alf Hanson of no fixed abode was sent to prison for 14 days for begging in Featherstone.
The county council told Featherstone Council it proposed to experiment with Tarmac on the road near the council offices. A letter was received from the tramway company in which they said they were going to ask for an extension to the time limit to lay tracks from Pontefract to Featherstone. The council decided to take no action.
Featherstone Parish Church was reopened after being shut for three weeks to enable a new heating system to be installed.
Charlotte Dodson of no fixed abode was sent to prison for one month for soliciting prostitution in Featherstone.
DECEMBER John Waller JP, guardian of the poor for Purston, gave 2s 6d each to about 20 aged people on assistance and five pounds of meat each to deserving persons not on assistance.
THE ROVERS AND THE NU CUP
The Northern Union Challenge Cup Competition was open to all clubs in
the Northern Union but the junior clubs such as Featherstone Rovers were
expected to provide easy opposition for the senior clubs. In the 1906
competition the Rovers were drawn against Woolley Colliery in the
qualifying round and clobbered them 61-2. Otley were next in the
preliminary round and these tougher opponents were beaten 8-5. This
meant the Rovers were in the first round proper to join the senior
clubs.
They were fortunate to avoid the big boys in the draw and got another
junior club, Brookland Rovers, at home. One thousand spectators turned
up to see the Rovers into the second round with a 16-5 win. Once again
the Rovers were drawn at home, this time against Widnes, and that should
have been the end of their cup run.
A crowd of 3,000 packed the ground to see the following locals take
the field: J Alexander, Will Hoyle, C Evans, J Robshaw, Will Horne, A
Pawson, George Kellett, T Foster, Joe Debney, Herbert Wood, Walter
Walker, S J Banks, George Randall, George Mottram, and E Shaw. They
proceeded to produce the best ever display by a junior club against a
senior club by winning 23-2.
The Rovers luck in the draw ran out and they had to go to Keighley for the third round. The Express commented:
"Featherstone Rovers covered themselves with glory in the NU Cup,
completely outclassing Widnes to progress to the last eight. They were
drawn at Keighley. The Keighley club sent a large white banner saying
"Are we downhearted? Never!". Rovers proposed to attach it to the engine
carrying them to Keighley. The same team that defeated Widnes was
chosen. At half-time Rovers were losing 0-3 (due to over enthusiasm). In
the second half the game became a rough house and Rovers could not
score against the senior club".
The final score remained the same and the Rovers dream of a place in the semi-finals was over.
1906 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY The Featherstone Fire Brigade was formed and the first members
were Joe and Albert Swift, Walter Conlins, Tom Harrison, W H Parker, E F
Gough, Herbert Jaques, C W Haikins, Allen Hewitt, John Roberts, William
Flint and George Hutton. The surveyor was instructed to prepare a room
for the firemen and a tower for drying hoses.
Seven Featherstone schoolboys were in court for stealing rings,
broaches, pocket knives, canes, cigarettes and chocolate from a van in
the feast ground used for storage belonging to Edward Brogden, a dealer
in Station Lane. Other children gave evidence they had been given some
of the goods. Two were found not guilty, three were bound over, one was
to receive six strokes of the birch, and one was sent to an industrial
school at York until he was 16 because he was out of parental control.
The police evidence was he was out all hours.
At the council meeting Roslyn Holiday gave permission for gas mains to
be laid in Featherstone Square. The council had agreed to erect street
gas lamps there. The council agreed to write to the railway company
saying the council did not thank them for putting up a cowshed at the
station for the protection of passengers. Roslyn Holiday had suggested a
site near the Assembly Rooms for a free library but Major Shaw thought a
Mechanics' Institute would be more appropriate.
The Society for the Prosecution of Offenders held their annual dinner.
It was said the number of prosecutions was falling which showed the
society was having an effect.
Lord Masham died aged 91 and was replaced by his eldest son. This did
not affect Featherstone as the local estates had been taken over by his
younger son the Hon J C Lister. Mr Holiday said he would ask Mr Lister
about a site for a library. Christ Church, Oxford, had replied to a council request saying they could not give a site for a library.
MARCH Police Sergeant Thurlwell was summonsed for having his chimney on
fire. Arthur Knowles had called the attention of PC Boyes to sparks and
flames from the chimney. The sergeant said his little boy had thrown
paper on to the fire but the chimney was not on fire. He was fined 14s
6d and two other Featherstone men were fined 8s 6d for the same offence.
Thirty-six pony drivers at Ackton Hall Colliery were presented with clocks, pictures and other items for showing kindness to their ponies.
John Greenoff was charged with being drunk in the Jubilee Hotel. Two policemen said they had followed him into the hotel and pointed out to the landlord his drunken condition so he was ordered out. In court he denied he was drunk and said he hadn't had a drink for months and had just returned from Leeds Infirmary. He pulled two bottle of coloured liquid out of his pocket in an attempt to prove it. The case was adjourned for a week to give him a chance to produce evidence about his trip to Leeds but he couldn't so he was fined 12s 6d.
The West Riding County Council were proposing to maintain the main roads in Featherstone themselves instead of paying Featherstone Council to do it. Cr Darlington said this would throw local men out of employment. What were the council to do with their men and officials? It was agreed to ask county councillor Major Shaw to take the matter up.
The Coronation and Featherstone Working Men's Clubs agreed to set up a series of matches of whist, billiards and dominoes.
Dodson Dodds was in court for not paying maintenance to his wife who had a separation order and now lived in Doncaster. he had been ordered to pay 5s a week but had paid nothing for six weeks. He said he had not given her any money because he had none and if he had he would not give her any. He was sent to prison for one month.
An inquest was held on John Thomas Scaife of Knottingley who was seen to fall from a platform at Ackton Hall Colliery coke works. He died shortly afterwards. Dr Steven said death was due to heart disease.
Walter Appleton of Tanshelf was fined £2 or one month for boarding a train while it was in motion. He ran from the subway at Featherstone Station and opened a door of a train which had set off for Pontefract.
On promising to leave the district at once, a charge of begging at Featherstone against Thomas Flanagan, a labourer of no fixed abode, was dismissed.
The council elections turned out as follows:
Ackton and Snydale Ward Thomas Beach, Ackton Lodge, mining engineer 270
(Two required) Joe Walker, Snydale Villa, gentleman 217
Thomas Garrity, Glencoe Villa, miner 100
North Ward Roslyn Holiday, Featherstone Hall, colliery agent 570
Sam Wilkes Mason, Featherstone Road, checkweighman 198
South Ward Edward Edwards, Station Lane, deputy 206
Hezekiah Baker, Arundel Street, miner 86
Purston Ward John Reginald Shaw, Purston Hall, major 446
(Two required) James Maxwell, White House, clothier 319
Edward Hough, Ackworth Road, miner 120
Matthew Andrews, draper, was in court for non-payment of 1s 9d, the education portion for the poor rate. He said he objected for sectarian reasons. He was ordered to pay or spend seven days in prison. He said "This time last year it was only two days in default. Why is it seven this time". The chairman replied "Because I say so".
APRIL Nine houses in Mafeking Street were sold to Mr Wright of Methley for £990. The rent of each was £13 13s a year.
The boys band from the Port of Hull Society's Sailors' Orphans Houses paraded the streets and gave a concert in the Assembly Rooms. They collected about £25.
The Council gave six months notice to the National Telephone Company to terminate the agreement. Cr Earnshaw said they ought to be able to get a public telephone office for less than the £25 a year charged by the NTC. Cr Maxwell was elected chairman.
An inquest was held on John Turner aged 18 who fell on the rails in Featherstone Main Colliery and was run over by tubs. He died four days later in Pontefract Infirmary. The jury decided it was accidental death.
MAY William Masters of no fixed abode was seen by PC D'Arcy to go into the Railway Hotel and offer cards with racing tips on them for 3d each. When asked to show his peddler's licence he said he hadn't got one. In court the first witness said he didn't buy a card because he could not afford it. The case was dismissed.
Thomas Walker of no fixed abode was sent to prison for 14 days for begging in Featherstone.
JUNE Albert Saul was summonsed for flying a kite in the street. Supt Hollis said the summons had been issued as a warning because there had been complaints from drivers of horses which had been frightened. He was let off on payment of costs.
The council approved plans sent in by Mr A Sutton for 18 houses in Gordon Street. An estimate of £150 was approved for extensions to the fire brigade's building. Major Shaw offered a site in Green Lane for a library, and an approach was made to Mr Carnegie, the well-known philanthropist, to see if he would make a grant towards the cost. He offered to contribute £3,500.
Mr and Mrs Sides had been to Tadcaster on his motorcycle and sidecar. On their return they were accompanied by Mr Lacy of Tadcaster on his bicycle and they gave him a pull where it was convenient. On a bend Mr Sides told Mr Lacy to let go but he didn't hear. In order to avoid running him down Mr Sides had to take a wide sweep and he ran into the bank at the other side of the road. They all ended up in the road and were shaken but not seriously injured.
An inquest was held on Ralph Marvell aged 45 who lodged with Charles William Cookson in Fawbert's Yard, Station Lane. Mr Cookson said Mr Marvell drank a great deal but always at home. Mr Marvell had told him he was going to fetch some cough mixture and then he (Mr Marvell) went to bed at 10.30pm. Mr Cookson heard him coughing several times during the night. About 5am the next morning he went into the room to see if his children were alright and to put out the light left there for them. Mr Marvell was dead and he sent for Dr Finch.
The doctor said he had treated Mr Marvell three or four years ago for gastritis brought on by alcohol. A post mortem showed death was due to the general diseased condition of the heart and this was accelerated by the deceased's alcoholic habits. The verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence.
JULY About 700 surface men, officials and friends went on an Ackton Hall Colliery outing to Bridlington and Scarborough.
An Ackton Hall Colliery shunting engine was pushing a long line of wagons into the sidings which ended at Halfpenny Lane. Because of the bend the driver could not see the end of the train and before he stopped he had pushed two wagons into the lane. No one was hurt.
Dr Finch played for the tradesmen against the Police at cricket in aid of the West Riding Police orphanage and the Featherstone Convalescent Fund. He got a duck, but £21 was raised to be shared by the two organisations.
The council considered the firemen were now ready to fight fires and notice was given to terminate the agreement with Ackton Hall Colliery and they were thanked for all the assistance they had given in the past. It was decided to buy uniforms for the firemen at a cost of £14. Cr Shaw said if the firemen were not properly equipped they would not have much pride in the brigade.
AUGUST A treat for 300 old folk was provided in the grounds of Purston Hall by Mrs J R Shaw. Tea was provided in a marquee and the women were given a box of candles and the men a pipe, tobacco and matches. Purston Hall, covered with ivy, is shown below. A photo from the Featherstone Heritage Group.
Thirty-six pony drivers at Ackton Hall Colliery were presented with clocks, pictures and other items for showing kindness to their ponies.
John Greenoff was charged with being drunk in the Jubilee Hotel. Two policemen said they had followed him into the hotel and pointed out to the landlord his drunken condition so he was ordered out. In court he denied he was drunk and said he hadn't had a drink for months and had just returned from Leeds Infirmary. He pulled two bottle of coloured liquid out of his pocket in an attempt to prove it. The case was adjourned for a week to give him a chance to produce evidence about his trip to Leeds but he couldn't so he was fined 12s 6d.
The West Riding County Council were proposing to maintain the main roads in Featherstone themselves instead of paying Featherstone Council to do it. Cr Darlington said this would throw local men out of employment. What were the council to do with their men and officials? It was agreed to ask county councillor Major Shaw to take the matter up.
The Coronation and Featherstone Working Men's Clubs agreed to set up a series of matches of whist, billiards and dominoes.
Dodson Dodds was in court for not paying maintenance to his wife who had a separation order and now lived in Doncaster. he had been ordered to pay 5s a week but had paid nothing for six weeks. He said he had not given her any money because he had none and if he had he would not give her any. He was sent to prison for one month.
An inquest was held on John Thomas Scaife of Knottingley who was seen to fall from a platform at Ackton Hall Colliery coke works. He died shortly afterwards. Dr Steven said death was due to heart disease.
Walter Appleton of Tanshelf was fined £2 or one month for boarding a train while it was in motion. He ran from the subway at Featherstone Station and opened a door of a train which had set off for Pontefract.
On promising to leave the district at once, a charge of begging at Featherstone against Thomas Flanagan, a labourer of no fixed abode, was dismissed.
The council elections turned out as follows:
Ackton and Snydale Ward Thomas Beach, Ackton Lodge, mining engineer 270
(Two required) Joe Walker, Snydale Villa, gentleman 217
Thomas Garrity, Glencoe Villa, miner 100
North Ward Roslyn Holiday, Featherstone Hall, colliery agent 570
Sam Wilkes Mason, Featherstone Road, checkweighman 198
South Ward Edward Edwards, Station Lane, deputy 206
Hezekiah Baker, Arundel Street, miner 86
Purston Ward John Reginald Shaw, Purston Hall, major 446
(Two required) James Maxwell, White House, clothier 319
Edward Hough, Ackworth Road, miner 120
Matthew Andrews, draper, was in court for non-payment of 1s 9d, the education portion for the poor rate. He said he objected for sectarian reasons. He was ordered to pay or spend seven days in prison. He said "This time last year it was only two days in default. Why is it seven this time". The chairman replied "Because I say so".
APRIL Nine houses in Mafeking Street were sold to Mr Wright of Methley for £990. The rent of each was £13 13s a year.
The boys band from the Port of Hull Society's Sailors' Orphans Houses paraded the streets and gave a concert in the Assembly Rooms. They collected about £25.
The Council gave six months notice to the National Telephone Company to terminate the agreement. Cr Earnshaw said they ought to be able to get a public telephone office for less than the £25 a year charged by the NTC. Cr Maxwell was elected chairman.
An inquest was held on John Turner aged 18 who fell on the rails in Featherstone Main Colliery and was run over by tubs. He died four days later in Pontefract Infirmary. The jury decided it was accidental death.
MAY William Masters of no fixed abode was seen by PC D'Arcy to go into the Railway Hotel and offer cards with racing tips on them for 3d each. When asked to show his peddler's licence he said he hadn't got one. In court the first witness said he didn't buy a card because he could not afford it. The case was dismissed.
Thomas Walker of no fixed abode was sent to prison for 14 days for begging in Featherstone.
JUNE Albert Saul was summonsed for flying a kite in the street. Supt Hollis said the summons had been issued as a warning because there had been complaints from drivers of horses which had been frightened. He was let off on payment of costs.
The council approved plans sent in by Mr A Sutton for 18 houses in Gordon Street. An estimate of £150 was approved for extensions to the fire brigade's building. Major Shaw offered a site in Green Lane for a library, and an approach was made to Mr Carnegie, the well-known philanthropist, to see if he would make a grant towards the cost. He offered to contribute £3,500.
Mr and Mrs Sides had been to Tadcaster on his motorcycle and sidecar. On their return they were accompanied by Mr Lacy of Tadcaster on his bicycle and they gave him a pull where it was convenient. On a bend Mr Sides told Mr Lacy to let go but he didn't hear. In order to avoid running him down Mr Sides had to take a wide sweep and he ran into the bank at the other side of the road. They all ended up in the road and were shaken but not seriously injured.
An inquest was held on Ralph Marvell aged 45 who lodged with Charles William Cookson in Fawbert's Yard, Station Lane. Mr Cookson said Mr Marvell drank a great deal but always at home. Mr Marvell had told him he was going to fetch some cough mixture and then he (Mr Marvell) went to bed at 10.30pm. Mr Cookson heard him coughing several times during the night. About 5am the next morning he went into the room to see if his children were alright and to put out the light left there for them. Mr Marvell was dead and he sent for Dr Finch.
The doctor said he had treated Mr Marvell three or four years ago for gastritis brought on by alcohol. A post mortem showed death was due to the general diseased condition of the heart and this was accelerated by the deceased's alcoholic habits. The verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence.
JULY About 700 surface men, officials and friends went on an Ackton Hall Colliery outing to Bridlington and Scarborough.
An Ackton Hall Colliery shunting engine was pushing a long line of wagons into the sidings which ended at Halfpenny Lane. Because of the bend the driver could not see the end of the train and before he stopped he had pushed two wagons into the lane. No one was hurt.
Dr Finch played for the tradesmen against the Police at cricket in aid of the West Riding Police orphanage and the Featherstone Convalescent Fund. He got a duck, but £21 was raised to be shared by the two organisations.
The council considered the firemen were now ready to fight fires and notice was given to terminate the agreement with Ackton Hall Colliery and they were thanked for all the assistance they had given in the past. It was decided to buy uniforms for the firemen at a cost of £14. Cr Shaw said if the firemen were not properly equipped they would not have much pride in the brigade.
AUGUST A treat for 300 old folk was provided in the grounds of Purston Hall by Mrs J R Shaw. Tea was provided in a marquee and the women were given a box of candles and the men a pipe, tobacco and matches. Purston Hall, covered with ivy, is shown below. A photo from the Featherstone Heritage Group.
Mary Elizabeth Welch and Sarah Ann Kennedy were summonsed for stealing a shirt valued at 2s 11d and selling it to Matilda Roberts for 1s. It was the property of Arthur Daniels and all three lived at Dobson's lodging house. They had all been drinking, and the two women said Daniels had told them to sell the shirt to buy more beer. Daniels told the court they had taken the shirt without his permission. A witness, David Welch, described himself as an artist. When asked to explain he said he was a sign writer, decorator and pavement artist. He said he had heard Daniels tell the women to sell the shirt, and the case was dismissed.
Over 1,000 tickets were sold at Ackton Hall Colliery for the second annual Featherstone and District Flower, Vegetable and Athletic Show. There were about 2,000 people present altogether.
At the Convalescent Fund musical festival the chairman, Major Shaw, said patients had been sent to Southport, Askern, Scarborough and Stourbridge. The secretary, Matthew Hutton, said some patients had to be refused because of the lack of funds, and Dr Steven regretted the big drop in cash raised by the hotel boxes.
The second Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Cub sports were held on the club's newly laid out sports ground.
SEPTEMBER John Hudson of Duke Street went to his outside toilet and found Paul Revell aged 62 of Market Street hanging there. He cut him down and sent for Dr Thomas who pronounced him dead. At the inquest it was said Revell had suffered from heart disease and had told his son he had not long to live. A letter found on him addressed to Tommy Sides said, "Dear friend, all seems dark and dreary for me. I am going blinder every day, almost, as feeble as a child, no prospect whatever of gaining a livelihood, so why should I wish to live. Dark despair stares me in the face and no wonder my mind is completely gone. I am as mad as a hatter. Even now I see old comrades beckoning me to come to them. Pity me, not blame me, as I have run my race. I hope you will have every prosperity in life. Love to all of you. Forgive all my imperfections and pity me and forget me, Old Pauly's cough is cured. Crazy Pauly". The jury decided it was suicide while of unsound mind.
The council were told Mr Holiday had agreed new gas pipes could be laid as required in Masham's Square and not necessarily in the same place as the old pipes, and the old pipes could be left in the ground. The gas company had agreed to reduce prices from 3s 10d to 3s 7d per 1,000 cubic feet for ordinary meter consumption, and from 3s 4d to 3s 3d for public lamps.
Dr Buncle reported six more cases of diphtheria. Cr Shaw suggested the diphtheria had been brought into the district by a teacher from Driffield who had come to Purston School and had infected some of the other teachers.
Thomas Marshall and Herbert Wood were summonsed for causing an obstruction by fighting in Granville Street at midnight. Two constables told the court it took five minutes to separate them. Herbert Wood said Thomas Marshall and another man agreed to race from lamppost to lamppost for 3s 6d a side with himself as referee. When they set off they began to catch hold of one another and he called out no race. In trying to stop the race he fell to the ground and he was on the ground when the police came. Thomas Marshall's sister said no blows were struck, they were only reeling and cuddling one another. Herbert Wood was fined 11s and Thomas Marshall 9s.
Bertha Atkinson age nine of Featherstone Lane often went to stay with her uncle and aunt Godber at Huddersfield until they went to New Zealand two years ago. They kept in touch and missed Bertha so much they asked if she could go and live with them. The parents agreed and took Bertha to London and saw her off on the steamship Athenic. Among the presents she took with her from her schoolmates were 23 handkerchiefs, 15 books, an inkstand, hand mirror, ring, workbox, silver thimble, bracelet, pearls, cushion, sunshade, pinafores, cross, pendant and a pencil case.
The United Methodist Free Church in North Featherstone Lane was built in 1902. An extension was now required and because of the lack of money a bricklayer and joiner were set on and the male members did the rest of the work themselves. The extension was opened by Revd W Redfearn of Leeds. Mr Hobbs, the secretary, said they had raised £61 towards the cost of £170 for the extension and they still owed £360 of the cost of £400 for the original building.
OCTOBER A new organ had been installed at Featherstone Parish Church at a cost of £224. Mr Carnegie had offered to pay half the cost when the other half was raised.
Mr Freeman, the sanitary inspector, left and Mr J Sagar of Brighouse was appointed in his place at a salary of £104 plus a bicycle. He was allowed £3 for removal expenses. Cr Makin said they must be very careful about expenditure because they depended on the collieries and if they stopped working it would be very serious.
Annie Taylor was in court accused of attempting to commit suicide by throwing herself in a pool of water in Kimberley Street. The police offered no evidence and she was handed over to the care of her husband.
Theophilus Spillbury was sent to prison for one month for stealing a glass valued at 5d from the Jubilee Hotel. Thomas Johnson, the landlord, said he saw Spillbury take a pint glass from the counter but he could not get it in his hip pocket so he took a smaller glass instead. There were eight previous convictions.
NOVEMBER There were three cases of lead poisoning on Dr Buncle's monthly report but he said this was an inaccurate entry by his assistant. There was no lead poisoning in Featherstone because he had always insisted on tin lined service water pipes.
James Bryan was fined 10s for being drunk and disorderly. He claimed PC Helliwell would not leave him alone. If he got a drop to drink at all he was followed about. Supt Hollis said it is becoming fashionable in Featherstone to say the police are dogging people about.
Alf Hanson of no fixed abode was sent to prison for 14 days for begging in Featherstone.
The county council told Featherstone Council it proposed to experiment with Tarmac on the road near the council offices. A letter was received from the tramway company in which they said they were going to ask for an extension to the time limit to lay tracks from Pontefract to Featherstone. The council decided to take no action.
Featherstone Parish Church was reopened after being shut for three weeks to enable a new heating system to be installed.
Charlotte Dodson of no fixed abode was sent to prison for one month for soliciting prostitution in Featherstone.
DECEMBER John Waller JP, guardian of the poor for Purston, gave 2s 6d each to about 20 aged people on assistance and five pounds of meat each to deserving persons not on assistance.