IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 1 - 7 JANUARY 1924
This week's many stories include the Sutton Manor man accused of being an habitual criminal, the Park Road poker row, the bad state of the town's roads, the Haydock woman that died after falling down the stairs, a young man is killed in an electrical hoist at Pilks and the body of a new-born child is discovered on wasteland in Sutton.
Since 1877 the estate agent Sir Joseph B. Leach had organised free New Year's Day breakfasts for poor children in St Helens. Since the death of the treat's founder in 1917, his son Wilfred had taken over its organisation and this year 3,000 needy children were fed and entertained at a number of centres. The St Helens Reporter said it had been a "red-letter day for the kiddies" and as well as receiving food and enjoying some entertainment, each child had received a present of an apple and an orange.
After last week's Christmas circus, it was back to variety at the Hippodrome Theatre in Corporation Street. These were the acts performing twice nightly this week: The D’Ormondes ("In scientific nonsense – One of the cleverest and funniest cycling acts on the halls"); Scott Sanders ("Character comedian in his latest numbers and popular song success, ‘On the Road to Anywhere’"); Dick & Eddie ("Upside down - Sensational equilibristic novelty"); Billy Riley ("The famous English concertina soloist"); Eric Yorke and Simon Wery ("Popular tenor and eminent French pianist") and The Two Alberts ("Those boys in songs and dances").
Although people still have accidents in the home today, there were far more in the past. Many stairs weren't lit and had no bannisters or rails and were often uncarpeted. As a result falls tended to be bone-breakers. On the 2nd the inquest on Ellen Sims from Haydock was held. The 74-year-old had fallen down the stairs at her home and fractured her jaw and arm and injured her head. Mrs Sims probably would have survived today but the elderly had little resistance to shock and she passed away in hospital a few days later.
At the St Helens Council meeting on the 2nd the state of the town's streets was discussed after Cllr Fawcett had claimed that Edge Street in Thatto Heath was the worst road in the borough. The Reporter wrote: "The idea that Coun. Fawcett had discovered the worst street in the town aroused the keenest envy of many of the other members, who, one by one, and all with one accord, professed that his ward held the real honour of possessing the worst street in St. Helens."
The list included North Road, Jubits Lane, Rigby Street and Fleet Lane. And Cllr. O’Brien even went so far as to nominate every street in Sutton Manor as the worst, with the Reporter writing: "He also hinted darkly of Sutton Manor cutting itself adrift from St. Helens and throwing itself into the loving arms of Widnes." In response the Highways Committee chairman, Cllr. Ellison, said there was a great shortage of flaggers and pavers, and he also wondered where the money would come from to get all the town's roads into shape.
It was not uncommon for the police to have to carry a difficult person that they had arrested to the station. The Liverpool Echo wrote on the 4th: "At St. Helens, to-day, Fred Fisher, a labourer, was sent to prison for fourteen days for disorderly conduct, and for assaulting Detective-sergeant Latus, who found him drunk, begging and annoying passers-by. He became very violent and had to be carried to the lock-up."
William Gentry was the editor of the St Helens Reporter for nearly 50 years and after his death in 1954 it was revealed that he had also been the mysterious Uncle Ben who ran the paper's Children's Reporter column. Sometimes in the column Uncle Ben referred to having talked with the paper's editor – which must have been an interesting conversation! On the 4th he wrote:
"My Dear Boys and Girls, Let me thank very sincerely every member who has sent me New Year's greetings, either in the form of a nice card, or a charmingly written letter. These personal communications are among my most cherished possessions, and I consider myself exceedingly fortunate in having earned such good will from the warm-hearted boys and girls of St. Helens."
The paper also described how George Hawkins of Milton Street in Sutton Manor had appeared in a Prescot court charged with a series of thefts. These included a bicycle, silver watch, tomatoes and some pliers and they had been stolen from three places in Bold, Cronton and Widnes. The 50-year-old stoker was committed to take his trial at the Liverpool Assizes where on January 29th, as well as facing charges of burglary and theft, Hawkins was also charged with being an habitual criminal.
That was a curious charge, which, if found guilty, meant the man could be given several years "preventive detention". In 1910 Hawkins had served five years preventive detention after being convicted of being a habitual criminal. However, Hawkins insisted that since he had come out of prison he had led an honest life until his recent relapses.
But the prosecution argued that was irrelevant, as a man once deemed to be an habitual criminal must always be one in law. However, the judge told the jury: "One swallow does not make a summer, and one crime does not make a habit." He said they must consider all the circumstances but they could still find the man was a habitual criminal, although they were not bound to do so. The jury found Hawkins not guilty on that charge but on all the others for which he had pleaded guilty, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
The Reporter also described how family strife in Park Road had led to a court case in which William Molyneux was accused of assaulting his elderly uncle of the same name. This is what the latter had told the court: "Well, your worships, it's sixty-odd years since I was in a police court. The defendant is my nephew and he lies in bed until 12 o’clock every day, and because I told him to get up and look for some work he ups with the kettle off the fire and throws it at my sister.
"Then he threw a pint cup at me and afterwards he got hold of the poker and started whizzing that about. He threw it against the wall and it struck me at the back of the head. I wish your worships would make it so that he can't enter the house again. I pay the rent and taxes and I don't think as how I should be annoyed in this manner."
Mary Molyneux corroborated her brother's account and said that after the kettle had struck her, her shoulder went black and blue. The nephew – who had not worked for several years – strongly denied assaulting his uncle and when asked why he had thrown the poker against the wall, answered: "To show the state of my feelings. He is continually nagging me about work." William Molyneux Jnr was bound over for 12 months and the Bench advised him not to return to his uncle's house, telling the latter that he would be given police protection.
On the 5th some boys discovered the body of a new-born child on wasteland in Sutton and it was reported that an attempt had been made to bury the baby. It was rare for the police to trace the mother of such children, as their punishments were harsh and so the mothers covered their tracks. But later the police arrested a 27-year-old woman on a charge of concealment of birth but she was in such a serious condition that she had to be admitted to hospital. The Reporter said: "…the discovery has caused some sensation in the neighbourhood".
On the same day Joseph Lawrenson of Derby Square in Prescot was killed in an electrical hoist at Pilkington's glassworks. For the last three years the 20-year-old had been helping to take what were referred to as "bogeys of molten glass" from a tank to where the glass was rolled. But the hoist that conveyed them had jammed and while his workmate went for assistance, Lawrenson had ignored instructions to stay put and attempted to get out. However, he had got stuck and was found hanging out of the cage by his shoulders and died from a broken neck.
The so-called Crippled Children's Christmas Party took place on the 4th in the Parochial Hall. Holding the event ten days after December 25th would today be seen as rather late – but not so in the 1920s, when similar parties were often held in the first or even second week of January. After tea and the dishing out of presents by Father Christmas, a conjurer entertained the kids.
It was panto time at the Theatre Royal from the 7th with 'Puss In Boots' performed in "eight gorgeous scenes". There were five price bands for admission ranging from 4d to 1/8, with entertainment tax extra. Meanwhile, the Hippodrome from the 7th had a show called 'Hits', which featured (unfortunately) The Famous Swanee Minstrels.
They had travelled to St Helens from Glasgow where last week they had been billed as: "Two hours' entertainment by the ni***rs [my asterisks] introducing high-class comedy, bright, concerted, instrumental and other specialities, concluding with [a] screamingly, laughable sketch." Fortunately, the advert in the St Helens press omitted the N-word.
And finally, whist drives were incredibly popular in St Helens, with almost 200 said to have been held in the Town Hall in 1919. On the 7th what was advertised as "The Leap Year Super Whist Drive & Dance" was held at St Helens Town Hall in aid of funds for St Thomas of Canterbury RC Church in Windleshaw.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the high rate of infant mortality in St Helens, the family strife in Recreation Street, the worker crushed to death by a machine at Prescot and the neglected Sutton horse kept in two feet of filth.
Since 1877 the estate agent Sir Joseph B. Leach had organised free New Year's Day breakfasts for poor children in St Helens. Since the death of the treat's founder in 1917, his son Wilfred had taken over its organisation and this year 3,000 needy children were fed and entertained at a number of centres. The St Helens Reporter said it had been a "red-letter day for the kiddies" and as well as receiving food and enjoying some entertainment, each child had received a present of an apple and an orange.
After last week's Christmas circus, it was back to variety at the Hippodrome Theatre in Corporation Street. These were the acts performing twice nightly this week: The D’Ormondes ("In scientific nonsense – One of the cleverest and funniest cycling acts on the halls"); Scott Sanders ("Character comedian in his latest numbers and popular song success, ‘On the Road to Anywhere’"); Dick & Eddie ("Upside down - Sensational equilibristic novelty"); Billy Riley ("The famous English concertina soloist"); Eric Yorke and Simon Wery ("Popular tenor and eminent French pianist") and The Two Alberts ("Those boys in songs and dances").
Although people still have accidents in the home today, there were far more in the past. Many stairs weren't lit and had no bannisters or rails and were often uncarpeted. As a result falls tended to be bone-breakers. On the 2nd the inquest on Ellen Sims from Haydock was held. The 74-year-old had fallen down the stairs at her home and fractured her jaw and arm and injured her head. Mrs Sims probably would have survived today but the elderly had little resistance to shock and she passed away in hospital a few days later.
At the St Helens Council meeting on the 2nd the state of the town's streets was discussed after Cllr Fawcett had claimed that Edge Street in Thatto Heath was the worst road in the borough. The Reporter wrote: "The idea that Coun. Fawcett had discovered the worst street in the town aroused the keenest envy of many of the other members, who, one by one, and all with one accord, professed that his ward held the real honour of possessing the worst street in St. Helens."
The list included North Road, Jubits Lane, Rigby Street and Fleet Lane. And Cllr. O’Brien even went so far as to nominate every street in Sutton Manor as the worst, with the Reporter writing: "He also hinted darkly of Sutton Manor cutting itself adrift from St. Helens and throwing itself into the loving arms of Widnes." In response the Highways Committee chairman, Cllr. Ellison, said there was a great shortage of flaggers and pavers, and he also wondered where the money would come from to get all the town's roads into shape.
It was not uncommon for the police to have to carry a difficult person that they had arrested to the station. The Liverpool Echo wrote on the 4th: "At St. Helens, to-day, Fred Fisher, a labourer, was sent to prison for fourteen days for disorderly conduct, and for assaulting Detective-sergeant Latus, who found him drunk, begging and annoying passers-by. He became very violent and had to be carried to the lock-up."
William Gentry was the editor of the St Helens Reporter for nearly 50 years and after his death in 1954 it was revealed that he had also been the mysterious Uncle Ben who ran the paper's Children's Reporter column. Sometimes in the column Uncle Ben referred to having talked with the paper's editor – which must have been an interesting conversation! On the 4th he wrote:
"My Dear Boys and Girls, Let me thank very sincerely every member who has sent me New Year's greetings, either in the form of a nice card, or a charmingly written letter. These personal communications are among my most cherished possessions, and I consider myself exceedingly fortunate in having earned such good will from the warm-hearted boys and girls of St. Helens."
The paper also described how George Hawkins of Milton Street in Sutton Manor had appeared in a Prescot court charged with a series of thefts. These included a bicycle, silver watch, tomatoes and some pliers and they had been stolen from three places in Bold, Cronton and Widnes. The 50-year-old stoker was committed to take his trial at the Liverpool Assizes where on January 29th, as well as facing charges of burglary and theft, Hawkins was also charged with being an habitual criminal.
That was a curious charge, which, if found guilty, meant the man could be given several years "preventive detention". In 1910 Hawkins had served five years preventive detention after being convicted of being a habitual criminal. However, Hawkins insisted that since he had come out of prison he had led an honest life until his recent relapses.
But the prosecution argued that was irrelevant, as a man once deemed to be an habitual criminal must always be one in law. However, the judge told the jury: "One swallow does not make a summer, and one crime does not make a habit." He said they must consider all the circumstances but they could still find the man was a habitual criminal, although they were not bound to do so. The jury found Hawkins not guilty on that charge but on all the others for which he had pleaded guilty, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
The Reporter also described how family strife in Park Road had led to a court case in which William Molyneux was accused of assaulting his elderly uncle of the same name. This is what the latter had told the court: "Well, your worships, it's sixty-odd years since I was in a police court. The defendant is my nephew and he lies in bed until 12 o’clock every day, and because I told him to get up and look for some work he ups with the kettle off the fire and throws it at my sister.
"Then he threw a pint cup at me and afterwards he got hold of the poker and started whizzing that about. He threw it against the wall and it struck me at the back of the head. I wish your worships would make it so that he can't enter the house again. I pay the rent and taxes and I don't think as how I should be annoyed in this manner."
Mary Molyneux corroborated her brother's account and said that after the kettle had struck her, her shoulder went black and blue. The nephew – who had not worked for several years – strongly denied assaulting his uncle and when asked why he had thrown the poker against the wall, answered: "To show the state of my feelings. He is continually nagging me about work." William Molyneux Jnr was bound over for 12 months and the Bench advised him not to return to his uncle's house, telling the latter that he would be given police protection.
On the 5th some boys discovered the body of a new-born child on wasteland in Sutton and it was reported that an attempt had been made to bury the baby. It was rare for the police to trace the mother of such children, as their punishments were harsh and so the mothers covered their tracks. But later the police arrested a 27-year-old woman on a charge of concealment of birth but she was in such a serious condition that she had to be admitted to hospital. The Reporter said: "…the discovery has caused some sensation in the neighbourhood".
On the same day Joseph Lawrenson of Derby Square in Prescot was killed in an electrical hoist at Pilkington's glassworks. For the last three years the 20-year-old had been helping to take what were referred to as "bogeys of molten glass" from a tank to where the glass was rolled. But the hoist that conveyed them had jammed and while his workmate went for assistance, Lawrenson had ignored instructions to stay put and attempted to get out. However, he had got stuck and was found hanging out of the cage by his shoulders and died from a broken neck.
The so-called Crippled Children's Christmas Party took place on the 4th in the Parochial Hall. Holding the event ten days after December 25th would today be seen as rather late – but not so in the 1920s, when similar parties were often held in the first or even second week of January. After tea and the dishing out of presents by Father Christmas, a conjurer entertained the kids.
It was panto time at the Theatre Royal from the 7th with 'Puss In Boots' performed in "eight gorgeous scenes". There were five price bands for admission ranging from 4d to 1/8, with entertainment tax extra. Meanwhile, the Hippodrome from the 7th had a show called 'Hits', which featured (unfortunately) The Famous Swanee Minstrels.
They had travelled to St Helens from Glasgow where last week they had been billed as: "Two hours' entertainment by the ni***rs [my asterisks] introducing high-class comedy, bright, concerted, instrumental and other specialities, concluding with [a] screamingly, laughable sketch." Fortunately, the advert in the St Helens press omitted the N-word.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the high rate of infant mortality in St Helens, the family strife in Recreation Street, the worker crushed to death by a machine at Prescot and the neglected Sutton horse kept in two feet of filth.
This week's many stories include the New Year's Day breakfasts for poor children in St Helens, the Sutton Manor man who was accused of being an habitual criminal, the Park Road poker row over unemployment, the bad state of the town's roads, the Haydock woman that died after falling down the stairs, the difficult prisoner who had to be carried to the station, a young man is killed in an electrical hoist at Pilkingtons and the body of a new-born child is discovered on wasteland in Sutton.
Since 1877 the estate agent Sir Joseph B. Leach had organised free New Year's Day breakfasts for poor children in St Helens.
Since the death of the treat's founder in 1917, his son Wilfred had taken over its organisation and this year 3,000 needy children were fed and entertained at a number of centres.
The St Helens Reporter said it had been a "red-letter day for the kiddies" and as well as receiving food and enjoying some entertainment, each child had received a present of an apple and an orange.
After last week's Christmas circus, it was back to variety at the Hippodrome Theatre in Corporation Street. These were the acts performing twice nightly this week:
The D’Ormondes ("In scientific nonsense – One of the cleverest and funniest cycling acts on the halls"); Scott Sanders ("Character comedian in his latest numbers and popular song success, ‘On the Road to Anywhere’"); Dick & Eddie ("Upside down - Sensational equilibristic novelty"); Billy Riley ("The famous English concertina soloist"); Eric Yorke and Simon Wery ("Popular tenor and eminent French pianist") and The Two Alberts ("Those boys in songs and dances").
Although people still have accidents in the home today, there were far more in the past.
Many stairs weren't lit and had no bannisters or rails and were often uncarpeted. As a result falls tended to be bone-breakers.
On the 2nd the inquest on Ellen Sims from Haydock was held. The 74-year-old had fallen down the stairs at her home and fractured her jaw and arm and injured her head.
Mrs Sims probably would have survived today but the elderly had little resistance to shock and she passed away in hospital a few days later.
At the St Helens Council meeting on the 2nd the state of the town's streets was discussed after Cllr Fawcett had claimed that Edge Street in Thatto Heath was the worst road in the borough. The Reporter wrote:
"The idea that Coun. Fawcett had discovered the worst street in the town aroused the keenest envy of many of the other members, who, one by one, and all with one accord, professed that his ward held the real honour of possessing the worst street in St. Helens."
The list included North Road, Jubits Lane, Rigby Street and Fleet Lane. And Cllr. O’Brien even went so far as to nominate every street in Sutton Manor as the worst, with the Reporter writing:
"He also hinted darkly of Sutton Manor cutting itself adrift from St. Helens and throwing itself into the loving arms of Widnes."
In response the Highways Committee chairman, Cllr. Ellison, said there was a great shortage of flaggers and pavers, and he also wondered where the money would come from to get all the town's roads into shape.
It was not uncommon for the police to have to carry a difficult person that they'd arrested to the station. The Liverpool Echo wrote on the 4th:
"At St. Helens, to-day, Fred Fisher, a labourer, was sent to prison for fourteen days for disorderly conduct, and for assaulting Detective-sergeant Latus, who found him drunk, begging and annoying passers-by. He became very violent and had to be carried to the lock-up."
William Gentry was the editor of the St Helens Reporter for nearly 50 years and after his death in 1954 it was revealed that he had also been the mysterious Uncle Ben who ran the paper's Children's Reporter column.
Sometimes in the column, Uncle Ben referred to having talked with the paper's editor – which must have been an interesting conversation! On the 4th he wrote:
"My Dear Boys and Girls, Let me thank very sincerely every member who has sent me New Year's greetings, either in the form of a nice card, or a charmingly written letter.
"These personal communications are among my most cherished possessions, and I consider myself exceedingly fortunate in having earned such good will from the warm-hearted boys and girls of St. Helens."
The paper also described how George Hawkins of Milton Street in Sutton Manor had appeared in a Prescot court charged with a series of thefts.
These included a bicycle, silver watch, tomatoes and some pliers and they had been stolen from three places in Bold, Cronton and Widnes.
The 50-year-old stoker was committed to take his trial at the Liverpool Assizes where on January 29th, as well as facing charges of burglary and theft, Hawkins was also charged with being an habitual criminal.
That was a curious charge, which, if found guilty, meant the man could be given several years "preventive detention".
In 1910 Hawkins had served five years preventive detention after being convicted of being a habitual criminal.
However, Hawkins insisted that since he had come out of prison he had led an honest life until his recent relapses.
But the prosecution argued that was irrelevant, as a man once deemed to be an habitual criminal must always be one in law.
However, the judge told the jury: "One swallow does not make a summer, and one crime does not make a habit."
He said they must consider all the circumstances but they could still find the man was a habitual criminal, although they were not bound to do so.
The jury found Hawkins not guilty on that charge but on all the others for which he had pleaded guilty, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
The Reporter also described how family strife in Park Road had led to a court case in which William Molyneux was accused of assaulting his elderly uncle of the same name. This is what the latter had told the court:
"Well, your worships, it's sixty-odd years since I was in a police court. The defendant is my nephew and he lies in bed until 12 o’clock every day, and because I told him to get up and look for some work he ups with the kettle off the fire and throws it at my sister.
"Then he threw a pint cup at me and afterwards he got hold of the poker and started whizzing that about. He threw it against the wall and it struck me at the back of the head.
"I wish your worships would make it so that he can't enter the house again. I pay the rent and taxes and I don't think as how I should be annoyed in this manner."
Mary Molyneux corroborated her brother's account and said that after the kettle had struck her, her shoulder went black and blue.
The nephew – who had not worked for several years – strongly denied assaulting his uncle and when asked why he had thrown the poker against the wall, answered: "To show the state of my feelings. He is continually nagging me about work."
William Molyneux Jnr was bound over for 12 months and the Bench advised him not to return to his uncle's house, telling the latter that he would be given police protection.
On the 5th some boys discovered the body of a new-born child on wasteland in Sutton and it was reported that an attempt had been made to bury the baby.
It was rare for the police to trace the mother of such children, as their punishments were harsh and so the mothers covered their tracks.
But later the police arrested a 27-year-old woman on a charge of concealment of birth but she was in such a serious condition that she had to be admitted to hospital. The Reporter said: "…the discovery has caused some sensation in the neighbourhood".
On the same day Joseph Lawrenson of Derby Square in Prescot was killed in an electrical hoist at Pilkington's glassworks.
For the last three years the 20-year-old had been helping to take what were referred to as "bogeys of molten glass" from a tank to where the glass was rolled.
But the hoist that conveyed them had jammed and while his workmate went for assistance, Lawrenson had ignored instructions to stay put and attempted to get out.
However, he had got stuck and was found hanging out of the cage by his shoulders and died from a broken neck.
The so-called Crippled Children's Christmas Party took place on the 4th in the Parochial Hall.
Holding the event ten days after December 25th would today be seen as rather late – but not so in the 1920s, when similar parties were often held in the first or even second week of January.
After tea and the dishing out of presents by Father Christmas, a conjurer entertained the kids.
It was panto time at the Theatre Royal from the 7th with 'Puss In Boots' performed in "eight gorgeous scenes".
There were five price bands for admission ranging from 4d to 1/8, with entertainment tax extra.
Meanwhile, the Hippodrome from the 7th had a show called 'Hits', which featured (unfortunately) The Famous Swanee Minstrels.
They had travelled to St Helens from Glasgow where last week they had been billed as: "Two hours' entertainment by the ni***rs [my asterisks] introducing high-class comedy, bright, concerted, instrumental and other specialities, concluding with [a] screamingly, laughable sketch."
Fortunately, the advert in the St Helens press omitted the N-word.
And finally, whist drives were incredibly popular in St Helens, with almost 200 said to have been held in the Town Hall in 1919.
On the 7th what was advertised as "The Leap Year Super Whist Drive & Dance" was held at St Helens Town Hall in aid of funds for St Thomas of Canterbury RC Church in Windleshaw.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the high rate of infant mortality in St Helens, the family strife in Recreation Street, the worker crushed to death by a machine at Prescot and the neglected Sutton horse kept in two feet of filth.
Since 1877 the estate agent Sir Joseph B. Leach had organised free New Year's Day breakfasts for poor children in St Helens.
Since the death of the treat's founder in 1917, his son Wilfred had taken over its organisation and this year 3,000 needy children were fed and entertained at a number of centres.
The St Helens Reporter said it had been a "red-letter day for the kiddies" and as well as receiving food and enjoying some entertainment, each child had received a present of an apple and an orange.
After last week's Christmas circus, it was back to variety at the Hippodrome Theatre in Corporation Street. These were the acts performing twice nightly this week:
The D’Ormondes ("In scientific nonsense – One of the cleverest and funniest cycling acts on the halls"); Scott Sanders ("Character comedian in his latest numbers and popular song success, ‘On the Road to Anywhere’"); Dick & Eddie ("Upside down - Sensational equilibristic novelty"); Billy Riley ("The famous English concertina soloist"); Eric Yorke and Simon Wery ("Popular tenor and eminent French pianist") and The Two Alberts ("Those boys in songs and dances").
Although people still have accidents in the home today, there were far more in the past.
Many stairs weren't lit and had no bannisters or rails and were often uncarpeted. As a result falls tended to be bone-breakers.
On the 2nd the inquest on Ellen Sims from Haydock was held. The 74-year-old had fallen down the stairs at her home and fractured her jaw and arm and injured her head.
Mrs Sims probably would have survived today but the elderly had little resistance to shock and she passed away in hospital a few days later.
At the St Helens Council meeting on the 2nd the state of the town's streets was discussed after Cllr Fawcett had claimed that Edge Street in Thatto Heath was the worst road in the borough. The Reporter wrote:
"The idea that Coun. Fawcett had discovered the worst street in the town aroused the keenest envy of many of the other members, who, one by one, and all with one accord, professed that his ward held the real honour of possessing the worst street in St. Helens."
The list included North Road, Jubits Lane, Rigby Street and Fleet Lane. And Cllr. O’Brien even went so far as to nominate every street in Sutton Manor as the worst, with the Reporter writing:
"He also hinted darkly of Sutton Manor cutting itself adrift from St. Helens and throwing itself into the loving arms of Widnes."
In response the Highways Committee chairman, Cllr. Ellison, said there was a great shortage of flaggers and pavers, and he also wondered where the money would come from to get all the town's roads into shape.
It was not uncommon for the police to have to carry a difficult person that they'd arrested to the station. The Liverpool Echo wrote on the 4th:
"At St. Helens, to-day, Fred Fisher, a labourer, was sent to prison for fourteen days for disorderly conduct, and for assaulting Detective-sergeant Latus, who found him drunk, begging and annoying passers-by. He became very violent and had to be carried to the lock-up."
William Gentry was the editor of the St Helens Reporter for nearly 50 years and after his death in 1954 it was revealed that he had also been the mysterious Uncle Ben who ran the paper's Children's Reporter column.
Sometimes in the column, Uncle Ben referred to having talked with the paper's editor – which must have been an interesting conversation! On the 4th he wrote:
"My Dear Boys and Girls, Let me thank very sincerely every member who has sent me New Year's greetings, either in the form of a nice card, or a charmingly written letter.
"These personal communications are among my most cherished possessions, and I consider myself exceedingly fortunate in having earned such good will from the warm-hearted boys and girls of St. Helens."
The paper also described how George Hawkins of Milton Street in Sutton Manor had appeared in a Prescot court charged with a series of thefts.
These included a bicycle, silver watch, tomatoes and some pliers and they had been stolen from three places in Bold, Cronton and Widnes.
The 50-year-old stoker was committed to take his trial at the Liverpool Assizes where on January 29th, as well as facing charges of burglary and theft, Hawkins was also charged with being an habitual criminal.
That was a curious charge, which, if found guilty, meant the man could be given several years "preventive detention".
In 1910 Hawkins had served five years preventive detention after being convicted of being a habitual criminal.
However, Hawkins insisted that since he had come out of prison he had led an honest life until his recent relapses.
But the prosecution argued that was irrelevant, as a man once deemed to be an habitual criminal must always be one in law.
However, the judge told the jury: "One swallow does not make a summer, and one crime does not make a habit."
He said they must consider all the circumstances but they could still find the man was a habitual criminal, although they were not bound to do so.
The jury found Hawkins not guilty on that charge but on all the others for which he had pleaded guilty, he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
The Reporter also described how family strife in Park Road had led to a court case in which William Molyneux was accused of assaulting his elderly uncle of the same name. This is what the latter had told the court:
"Well, your worships, it's sixty-odd years since I was in a police court. The defendant is my nephew and he lies in bed until 12 o’clock every day, and because I told him to get up and look for some work he ups with the kettle off the fire and throws it at my sister.
"Then he threw a pint cup at me and afterwards he got hold of the poker and started whizzing that about. He threw it against the wall and it struck me at the back of the head.
"I wish your worships would make it so that he can't enter the house again. I pay the rent and taxes and I don't think as how I should be annoyed in this manner."
Mary Molyneux corroborated her brother's account and said that after the kettle had struck her, her shoulder went black and blue.
The nephew – who had not worked for several years – strongly denied assaulting his uncle and when asked why he had thrown the poker against the wall, answered: "To show the state of my feelings. He is continually nagging me about work."
William Molyneux Jnr was bound over for 12 months and the Bench advised him not to return to his uncle's house, telling the latter that he would be given police protection.
On the 5th some boys discovered the body of a new-born child on wasteland in Sutton and it was reported that an attempt had been made to bury the baby.
It was rare for the police to trace the mother of such children, as their punishments were harsh and so the mothers covered their tracks.
But later the police arrested a 27-year-old woman on a charge of concealment of birth but she was in such a serious condition that she had to be admitted to hospital. The Reporter said: "…the discovery has caused some sensation in the neighbourhood".
On the same day Joseph Lawrenson of Derby Square in Prescot was killed in an electrical hoist at Pilkington's glassworks.
For the last three years the 20-year-old had been helping to take what were referred to as "bogeys of molten glass" from a tank to where the glass was rolled.
But the hoist that conveyed them had jammed and while his workmate went for assistance, Lawrenson had ignored instructions to stay put and attempted to get out.
However, he had got stuck and was found hanging out of the cage by his shoulders and died from a broken neck.
The so-called Crippled Children's Christmas Party took place on the 4th in the Parochial Hall.
Holding the event ten days after December 25th would today be seen as rather late – but not so in the 1920s, when similar parties were often held in the first or even second week of January.
After tea and the dishing out of presents by Father Christmas, a conjurer entertained the kids.
It was panto time at the Theatre Royal from the 7th with 'Puss In Boots' performed in "eight gorgeous scenes".
There were five price bands for admission ranging from 4d to 1/8, with entertainment tax extra.
Meanwhile, the Hippodrome from the 7th had a show called 'Hits', which featured (unfortunately) The Famous Swanee Minstrels.
They had travelled to St Helens from Glasgow where last week they had been billed as: "Two hours' entertainment by the ni***rs [my asterisks] introducing high-class comedy, bright, concerted, instrumental and other specialities, concluding with [a] screamingly, laughable sketch."
Fortunately, the advert in the St Helens press omitted the N-word.
And finally, whist drives were incredibly popular in St Helens, with almost 200 said to have been held in the Town Hall in 1919.
On the 7th what was advertised as "The Leap Year Super Whist Drive & Dance" was held at St Helens Town Hall in aid of funds for St Thomas of Canterbury RC Church in Windleshaw.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include the high rate of infant mortality in St Helens, the family strife in Recreation Street, the worker crushed to death by a machine at Prescot and the neglected Sutton horse kept in two feet of filth.