IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (6th - 12th APRIL 1920)
This week's stories include the death of the hero of the Town Hall fire, plans for a big expansion of the electricity network in St Helens, the Irish woman who wanted a revolution at Fingerpost and the man found sleeping in the Post Office in Church Street.
It was common a century ago for people to carry candles or oil lamps up and down stairs. This led to some fatalities, as clothing or long hair and even beards were accidentally set ablaze. Carrying a light also meant that at least one hand could not be holding onto a bannister rail. On the 6th Ellen Kenyon from Milk Street died after falling down stairs and fracturing her skull. The 64-year-old was described as a healthy, energetic woman but had slipped from the top of the stairs while holding onto a lamp.
The council's Education Committee met on the 7th and decided to go ahead with the extension of Cowley Boys School and add a bathroom, dining room and clinic to Allanson Street School. The Cowley scheme had been reconsidered due to its cost, which was estimated at between £40,000 to £50,000 – around £2½ million in today's money.
On the same day John Pennington died at his home in Greenfield Road. The elderly builder had been considered a hero when the Town Hall caught fire in June 1913. The building was being renovated ready for the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in four weeks time when a blaze began on the top of the clock tower. Hoisting a heavy hose, John Pennington scaled the ladder to the tower and then dragged the hose through blazing timber and a shower of slates.
Standing on flimsy scaffolding, Mr Pennington then thrust the nozzle through the clock tower to direct water against the flames and confine the blaze to the tower. The St Helens Newspaper reported at the time that: "A terrific cheer went up from the huge crowd of onlookers at the sight of the grey-haired Mr. Pennington fighting back the fire." A public fund was opened in appreciation of Pennington's efforts and what was described as a handsome sum was presented to him.
Also on the 7th the increased consumption of electricity in St Helens was indicated by plans announced by the council's Electricity Committee to spend £27,000. This was the equivalent to about £1½ million in today's money and the cash would be invested in a big expansion of the electricity network in St Helens. The increased load in Pocket Nook necessitated the construction of a new sub-station and the existing sub-stations in Burtonhead Road, Sherdley Road and Sutton Road required upgrades to cope with a surge in demand.
However the use of electricity in St Helens was primarily by industry with only 6% of British homes connected in 1920. Electricity was expensive and keeping just five bulbs going for a day cost a week's wages for the average user.
The inquest on the death of Mary Rimmer was held on the 7th. The 31-year-old from Gladstone Street had died at the works of Wood and Co. in Ravenhead. Mary had previously been employed at the brick and tile works but during the war the firm had closed down. Wood and Co. had only reopened the day before Mary resumed her duties and she was allocated the task of feeding a mixing machine. However within hours of starting work Mary became entangled in the machinery and was crushed to death.
Such fatalities were common and were usually caused by insufficient training and poor protection against dangerous machines. The coroner enquired if the machine had a guard rail or other protection for workers and was told that it did not at the time of Mary's death. However at the suggestion of the factory inspector the work had now been done. That was little consolation to Mary's family but at least the woman who replaced her at the works should not have suffered the same fate.
Stealing from lodging houses was a fairly common crime. On the 8th Richard Haworth, alias Bert Allen, appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with stealing jewellery worth £10. The man had taken lodgings in Woodville Street and then scarpered with the jewellery without paying his board. Haworth was facing charges in five other towns after committing similar thefts and was given three months hard labour.
Before any work can be undertaken to a Church of England building or churchyard, a licence called a faculty has to be obtained. At the annual Sutton Parish Vestry meeting on the 8th applications for faculties for war memorials in St. Nicholas and All Saints churches were approved. These would now be considered at a sitting of Liverpool Consistory Court.
A century ago momentous events were taking place in Ireland as the Irish War of Independence entered its second year. The so-called "Black and Tan" constables had started supplementing the Royal Irish Constabulary, IRA prisoners were on hunger strike in Mountjoy Prison and the Home Rule Bill was beginning its passage through parliament. St Helens with its large Irish population would not be immune from these events, as a case in the Police Court showed.
James Westhead of South John Street and Thomas Jordan of Park Street were charged on the 9th with assaulting Margaret Rush of Bolton Street. The woman claimed that Jordan had accused her of being a police informer and then he and James Westhead had struck her several times on the head. Jordan told the Bench that the trouble had begun when a gang of Sinn Feiners had caused a disturbance in Fingerpost and he'd had to strike out to defend himself.
Two days later another row blew up and Mrs O’Brien, the mother of Margaret Rush, had shoved him and said she would go and bring her "tribe". Both women were armed with pokers and William Westhead claimed that Mrs O’Brien, Margaret Rush and others had called them "English swine". The man added that the group had stood clapping their hands and saying: "We have a revolution in Ireland, and we will have one at the Fingerpost." Westhead denied striking anybody, claiming the women that had given evidence had committed perjury. The magistrates decided to play safe and bind the two men over for six months.
Pilkingtons were planning to build a factory at Kirk Sandall near Doncaster and on the 10th plans for alterations to a hotel were approved. The premises would accommodate men engaged in preliminary work in connection with the proposed factory. However there was one condition. The Chief Constable of Doncaster insisted that no women were to be supplied with drink on the premises.
Two one-armed men appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 12th charged with begging. The police had seen Joseph Conwell and George Hammond approaching men in Ormskirk Street and saying: "Can you chaps spare us a copper for a night's lodgings, as we both lost arms in the war? We are very deserving cases." Both men were fined 7s 6d.
William Brown also appeared in court charged with being on enclosed premises. PC Spence had found the man at midnight lying on the floor of the lavatory in the Post Office in Church Street. The sailor of no fixed abode had climbed over a gate eight feet high to get into the building. When asked how he had managed to get over, Brown replied: "Do you think I flew over?"
The man said he had been refused a bed at three lodging houses and needed somewhere to sleep. Brown was remanded in police custody for a week. At the resumed hearing the police said they now felt his story was quite possibly true. Due to the time the man had spent in custody, they requested permission to withdraw the charge, which was granted.
The full name of the town's second theatre was the Theatre Royal & Opera House and from the 12th the up-market venue began a Grand Opera Season featuring the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company. They were founded in 1873 and still exist. The acts performing at the Hippodrome Theatre from the same day were the usual mix of comics, singers and novelty acts:
Fred Brezin ("The mirthful, mystical Anglo-French humoristic entertainer"); Matt Morley ("Comedian - that's all"); The Judge ("Vocal entertainer. Brother to the composer of ‘Tipperary’. Hear his latest."); The Michaeloff Trio ("Presenting a gorgeous feast for eye and ear"); Howard & Wyndham ("In a neat vocal and intricate dancing act") and Tom Fagan ("Does very wonderful things with cards, much to the mystification of the audience").
During the war Fred Brezin had organised thousands of concerts for the allied troops on the Continent and had recently been awarded a medal of gratitude by the French government.
Next week's stories will include the City Road woman who got a divorce from her abusive husband, the depravity of a Fleet Lane miner, chaos as Rainford Council chooses a new Chairman, a fracas between two supporters at a Saints match and the sad suicide of an ex-soldier in Rainhill Asylum.
It was common a century ago for people to carry candles or oil lamps up and down stairs. This led to some fatalities, as clothing or long hair and even beards were accidentally set ablaze. Carrying a light also meant that at least one hand could not be holding onto a bannister rail. On the 6th Ellen Kenyon from Milk Street died after falling down stairs and fracturing her skull. The 64-year-old was described as a healthy, energetic woman but had slipped from the top of the stairs while holding onto a lamp.
The council's Education Committee met on the 7th and decided to go ahead with the extension of Cowley Boys School and add a bathroom, dining room and clinic to Allanson Street School. The Cowley scheme had been reconsidered due to its cost, which was estimated at between £40,000 to £50,000 – around £2½ million in today's money.
Standing on flimsy scaffolding, Mr Pennington then thrust the nozzle through the clock tower to direct water against the flames and confine the blaze to the tower. The St Helens Newspaper reported at the time that: "A terrific cheer went up from the huge crowd of onlookers at the sight of the grey-haired Mr. Pennington fighting back the fire." A public fund was opened in appreciation of Pennington's efforts and what was described as a handsome sum was presented to him.
Also on the 7th the increased consumption of electricity in St Helens was indicated by plans announced by the council's Electricity Committee to spend £27,000. This was the equivalent to about £1½ million in today's money and the cash would be invested in a big expansion of the electricity network in St Helens. The increased load in Pocket Nook necessitated the construction of a new sub-station and the existing sub-stations in Burtonhead Road, Sherdley Road and Sutton Road required upgrades to cope with a surge in demand.
However the use of electricity in St Helens was primarily by industry with only 6% of British homes connected in 1920. Electricity was expensive and keeping just five bulbs going for a day cost a week's wages for the average user.
The inquest on the death of Mary Rimmer was held on the 7th. The 31-year-old from Gladstone Street had died at the works of Wood and Co. in Ravenhead. Mary had previously been employed at the brick and tile works but during the war the firm had closed down. Wood and Co. had only reopened the day before Mary resumed her duties and she was allocated the task of feeding a mixing machine. However within hours of starting work Mary became entangled in the machinery and was crushed to death.
Such fatalities were common and were usually caused by insufficient training and poor protection against dangerous machines. The coroner enquired if the machine had a guard rail or other protection for workers and was told that it did not at the time of Mary's death. However at the suggestion of the factory inspector the work had now been done. That was little consolation to Mary's family but at least the woman who replaced her at the works should not have suffered the same fate.
Stealing from lodging houses was a fairly common crime. On the 8th Richard Haworth, alias Bert Allen, appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with stealing jewellery worth £10. The man had taken lodgings in Woodville Street and then scarpered with the jewellery without paying his board. Haworth was facing charges in five other towns after committing similar thefts and was given three months hard labour.
Before any work can be undertaken to a Church of England building or churchyard, a licence called a faculty has to be obtained. At the annual Sutton Parish Vestry meeting on the 8th applications for faculties for war memorials in St. Nicholas and All Saints churches were approved. These would now be considered at a sitting of Liverpool Consistory Court.
A century ago momentous events were taking place in Ireland as the Irish War of Independence entered its second year. The so-called "Black and Tan" constables had started supplementing the Royal Irish Constabulary, IRA prisoners were on hunger strike in Mountjoy Prison and the Home Rule Bill was beginning its passage through parliament. St Helens with its large Irish population would not be immune from these events, as a case in the Police Court showed.
James Westhead of South John Street and Thomas Jordan of Park Street were charged on the 9th with assaulting Margaret Rush of Bolton Street. The woman claimed that Jordan had accused her of being a police informer and then he and James Westhead had struck her several times on the head. Jordan told the Bench that the trouble had begun when a gang of Sinn Feiners had caused a disturbance in Fingerpost and he'd had to strike out to defend himself.
Two days later another row blew up and Mrs O’Brien, the mother of Margaret Rush, had shoved him and said she would go and bring her "tribe". Both women were armed with pokers and William Westhead claimed that Mrs O’Brien, Margaret Rush and others had called them "English swine". The man added that the group had stood clapping their hands and saying: "We have a revolution in Ireland, and we will have one at the Fingerpost." Westhead denied striking anybody, claiming the women that had given evidence had committed perjury. The magistrates decided to play safe and bind the two men over for six months.
Pilkingtons were planning to build a factory at Kirk Sandall near Doncaster and on the 10th plans for alterations to a hotel were approved. The premises would accommodate men engaged in preliminary work in connection with the proposed factory. However there was one condition. The Chief Constable of Doncaster insisted that no women were to be supplied with drink on the premises.
Two one-armed men appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 12th charged with begging. The police had seen Joseph Conwell and George Hammond approaching men in Ormskirk Street and saying: "Can you chaps spare us a copper for a night's lodgings, as we both lost arms in the war? We are very deserving cases." Both men were fined 7s 6d.
The St Helens Post Office in Church Street before the burning down of the adjacent parish church
St Helens Post Office before the parish church burnt down
St Helens Post Office in Church Street
The man said he had been refused a bed at three lodging houses and needed somewhere to sleep. Brown was remanded in police custody for a week. At the resumed hearing the police said they now felt his story was quite possibly true. Due to the time the man had spent in custody, they requested permission to withdraw the charge, which was granted.
The full name of the town's second theatre was the Theatre Royal & Opera House and from the 12th the up-market venue began a Grand Opera Season featuring the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company. They were founded in 1873 and still exist. The acts performing at the Hippodrome Theatre from the same day were the usual mix of comics, singers and novelty acts:
Fred Brezin ("The mirthful, mystical Anglo-French humoristic entertainer"); Matt Morley ("Comedian - that's all"); The Judge ("Vocal entertainer. Brother to the composer of ‘Tipperary’. Hear his latest."); The Michaeloff Trio ("Presenting a gorgeous feast for eye and ear"); Howard & Wyndham ("In a neat vocal and intricate dancing act") and Tom Fagan ("Does very wonderful things with cards, much to the mystification of the audience").
During the war Fred Brezin had organised thousands of concerts for the allied troops on the Continent and had recently been awarded a medal of gratitude by the French government.
Next week's stories will include the City Road woman who got a divorce from her abusive husband, the depravity of a Fleet Lane miner, chaos as Rainford Council chooses a new Chairman, a fracas between two supporters at a Saints match and the sad suicide of an ex-soldier in Rainhill Asylum.
This week's stories include the death of the hero of the Town Hall fire, plans for a big expansion of the electricity network in St Helens, the Irish woman who wanted a revolution at Fingerpost and the man found sleeping in the Post Office in Church Street.
It was common a century ago for people to carry candles or oil lamps up and down stairs.
This led to some fatalities, as clothing or long hair and even beards were accidentally set ablaze.
Carrying a light also meant that at least one hand could not be holding onto a bannister rail.
On the 6th Ellen Kenyon from Milk Street died after falling down stairs and fracturing her skull.
The 64-year-old was described as a healthy, energetic woman but had slipped from the top of the stairs while holding onto a lamp.
The council's Education Committee met on the 7th and decided to go ahead with the extension of Cowley Boys School and add a bathroom, dining room and clinic to Allanson Street School.
The Cowley scheme had been reconsidered due to its cost, which was estimated at between £40,000 to £50,000 – around £2½ million in today's money.
On the same day John Pennington died at his home in Greenfield Road. The elderly builder had been considered a hero when the Town Hall caught fire in June 1913.
The building was being renovated ready for the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in four weeks time when a blaze began on the top of the clock tower.
Hoisting a heavy hose, John Pennington scaled the ladder to the tower and then dragged the hose through blazing timber and a shower of slates.
Standing on flimsy scaffolding, Mr Pennington then thrust the nozzle through the clock tower to direct water against the flames and confine the blaze to the tower.
The St Helens Newspaper reported at the time that: "A terrific cheer went up from the huge crowd of onlookers at the sight of the grey-haired Mr. Pennington fighting back the fire."
A public fund was opened in appreciation of Pennington's efforts and what was described as a handsome sum was presented to him.
Also on the 7th the increased consumption of electricity in St Helens was indicated by plans announced by the council's Electricity Committee to spend £27,000.
This was the equivalent to about £1½ million in today's money and the cash would be invested in a big expansion of the electricity network in St Helens.
The increased load in Pocket Nook necessitated the construction of a new sub-station.
And the existing sub-stations in Burtonhead Road, Sherdley Road and Sutton Road required upgrades to cope with a surge in demand.
However the use of electricity in St Helens was primarily by industry with only 6% of British homes connected in 1920.
Electricity was expensive and keeping just five bulbs going for a day cost a week's wages for the average user.
The inquest on the death of Mary Rimmer was held on the 7th.
The 31-year-old from Gladstone Street had died at the works of Wood and Co. in Ravenhead.
Mary had previously been employed at the brick and tile works but during the war the firm had closed down.
Wood and Co. had only reopened the day before Mary resumed her duties and she was allocated the task of feeding a mixing machine.
However within hours of starting work Mary became entangled in the machinery and was crushed to death.
Such fatalities were common and were usually caused by insufficient training and poor protection against dangerous machines.
The coroner enquired if the machine had a guard rail or other protection for workers and was told that it did not at the time of Mary's death.
However at the suggestion of the factory inspector the work had now been done.
That was little consolation to Mary's family but at least the woman who replaced her at the works should not have suffered the same fate.
Stealing from lodging houses was a fairly common crime.
On the 8th Richard Haworth, alias Bert Allen, appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with stealing jewellery worth £10.
The man had taken lodgings in Woodville Street and then scarpered with the jewellery without paying his board.
Haworth was facing charges in five other towns after committing similar thefts and was given three months hard labour.
Before any work can be undertaken to a Church of England building or churchyard, a licence called a faculty has to be obtained.
At the annual Sutton Parish Vestry meeting on the 8th applications for faculties for war memorials in St. Nicholas and All Saints churches were approved.
These would now be considered at a sitting of Liverpool Consistory Court.
A century ago momentous events were taking place in Ireland as the Irish War of Independence entered its second year.
The so-called "Black and Tan" constables had started supplementing the Royal Irish Constabulary, IRA prisoners were on hunger strike in Mountjoy Prison and the Home Rule Bill was beginning its passage through parliament.
St Helens with its large Irish population would not be immune from these events, as a case in the Police Court showed.
James Westhead of South John Street and Thomas Jordan of Park Street were charged on the 9th with assaulting Margaret Rush of Bolton Street.
The woman claimed that Jordan had accused her of being a police informer and then he and James Westhead had struck her several times on the head.
Jordan told the Bench that the trouble had begun when a gang of Sinn Feiners had caused a disturbance in Fingerpost and he'd had to strike out to defend himself.
Two days later another row blew up and Mrs O’Brien, the mother of Margaret Rush, had shoved him and said she would go and bring her "tribe".
Both women were armed with pokers and William Westhead claimed that Mrs O’Brien, Margaret Rush and others had called them "English swine".
The man added that the group had stood clapping their hands and saying: "We have a revolution in Ireland, and we will have one at the Fingerpost."
Westhead denied striking anybody, claiming the women that had given evidence had committed perjury.
The magistrates decided to play safe and bind the two men over for six months.
Pilkingtons were planning to build a factory at Kirk Sandall near Doncaster and on the 10th plans for alterations to a hotel were approved.
The premises would accommodate men engaged in preliminary work in connection with the proposed factory.
However there was one condition. The Chief Constable of Doncaster insisted that no women were to be supplied with drink on the premises.
Two one-armed men appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 12th charged with begging.
The police had seen Joseph Conwell and George Hammond approaching men in Ormskirk Street and saying:
"Can you chaps spare us a copper for a night's lodgings, as we both lost arms in the war? We are very deserving cases." Both men were fined 7s 6d.
William Brown also appeared in court charged with being on enclosed premises.
PC Spence had found the man at midnight lying on the floor of the lavatory in the Post Office in Church Street.
The sailor of no fixed abode had climbed over a gate eight feet high to get into the building.
When asked how he had managed to get over, Brown replied: "Do you think I flew over?"
The man said he had been refused a bed at three lodging houses and needed somewhere to sleep.
Brown was remanded in police custody for a week.
At the resumed hearing the police said they now felt his story was quite possibly true.
Due to the time the man had spent in custody, they requested permission to withdraw the charge, which was granted.
The full name of the town's second theatre was the Theatre Royal & Opera House and from the 12th the up-market venue began a Grand Opera Season featuring the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company.
They were founded in 1873 and still exist. The acts performing at the Hippodrome Theatre from the same day were the usual mix of comics, singers and novelty acts:
Fred Brezin ("The mirthful, mystical Anglo-French humoristic entertainer"); Matt Morley ("Comedian - that's all"); The Judge ("Vocal entertainer. Brother to the composer of ‘Tipperary’. Hear his latest."); The Michaeloff Trio ("Presenting a gorgeous feast for eye and ear"); Howard & Wyndham ("In a neat vocal and intricate dancing act") and Tom Fagan ("Does very wonderful things with cards, much to the mystification of the audience").
During the war Fred Brezin had organised thousands of concerts for the allied troops on the Continent and had recently been awarded a medal of gratitude by the French government.
Next week's stories will include the City Road woman who got a divorce from her abusive husband, the depravity of a Fleet Lane miner, chaos as Rainford Council chooses a new Chairman, a fracas between two supporters at a Saints match and the sad suicide of an ex-soldier in Rainhill Asylum.
It was common a century ago for people to carry candles or oil lamps up and down stairs.
This led to some fatalities, as clothing or long hair and even beards were accidentally set ablaze.
Carrying a light also meant that at least one hand could not be holding onto a bannister rail.
On the 6th Ellen Kenyon from Milk Street died after falling down stairs and fracturing her skull.
The 64-year-old was described as a healthy, energetic woman but had slipped from the top of the stairs while holding onto a lamp.
The council's Education Committee met on the 7th and decided to go ahead with the extension of Cowley Boys School and add a bathroom, dining room and clinic to Allanson Street School.
The Cowley scheme had been reconsidered due to its cost, which was estimated at between £40,000 to £50,000 – around £2½ million in today's money.
The building was being renovated ready for the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in four weeks time when a blaze began on the top of the clock tower.
Hoisting a heavy hose, John Pennington scaled the ladder to the tower and then dragged the hose through blazing timber and a shower of slates.
Standing on flimsy scaffolding, Mr Pennington then thrust the nozzle through the clock tower to direct water against the flames and confine the blaze to the tower.
The St Helens Newspaper reported at the time that: "A terrific cheer went up from the huge crowd of onlookers at the sight of the grey-haired Mr. Pennington fighting back the fire."
A public fund was opened in appreciation of Pennington's efforts and what was described as a handsome sum was presented to him.
Also on the 7th the increased consumption of electricity in St Helens was indicated by plans announced by the council's Electricity Committee to spend £27,000.
This was the equivalent to about £1½ million in today's money and the cash would be invested in a big expansion of the electricity network in St Helens.
The increased load in Pocket Nook necessitated the construction of a new sub-station.
And the existing sub-stations in Burtonhead Road, Sherdley Road and Sutton Road required upgrades to cope with a surge in demand.
However the use of electricity in St Helens was primarily by industry with only 6% of British homes connected in 1920.
Electricity was expensive and keeping just five bulbs going for a day cost a week's wages for the average user.
The inquest on the death of Mary Rimmer was held on the 7th.
The 31-year-old from Gladstone Street had died at the works of Wood and Co. in Ravenhead.
Mary had previously been employed at the brick and tile works but during the war the firm had closed down.
Wood and Co. had only reopened the day before Mary resumed her duties and she was allocated the task of feeding a mixing machine.
However within hours of starting work Mary became entangled in the machinery and was crushed to death.
Such fatalities were common and were usually caused by insufficient training and poor protection against dangerous machines.
The coroner enquired if the machine had a guard rail or other protection for workers and was told that it did not at the time of Mary's death.
However at the suggestion of the factory inspector the work had now been done.
That was little consolation to Mary's family but at least the woman who replaced her at the works should not have suffered the same fate.
Stealing from lodging houses was a fairly common crime.
On the 8th Richard Haworth, alias Bert Allen, appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with stealing jewellery worth £10.
The man had taken lodgings in Woodville Street and then scarpered with the jewellery without paying his board.
Haworth was facing charges in five other towns after committing similar thefts and was given three months hard labour.
Before any work can be undertaken to a Church of England building or churchyard, a licence called a faculty has to be obtained.
At the annual Sutton Parish Vestry meeting on the 8th applications for faculties for war memorials in St. Nicholas and All Saints churches were approved.
These would now be considered at a sitting of Liverpool Consistory Court.
A century ago momentous events were taking place in Ireland as the Irish War of Independence entered its second year.
The so-called "Black and Tan" constables had started supplementing the Royal Irish Constabulary, IRA prisoners were on hunger strike in Mountjoy Prison and the Home Rule Bill was beginning its passage through parliament.
St Helens with its large Irish population would not be immune from these events, as a case in the Police Court showed.
James Westhead of South John Street and Thomas Jordan of Park Street were charged on the 9th with assaulting Margaret Rush of Bolton Street.
The woman claimed that Jordan had accused her of being a police informer and then he and James Westhead had struck her several times on the head.
Jordan told the Bench that the trouble had begun when a gang of Sinn Feiners had caused a disturbance in Fingerpost and he'd had to strike out to defend himself.
Two days later another row blew up and Mrs O’Brien, the mother of Margaret Rush, had shoved him and said she would go and bring her "tribe".
Both women were armed with pokers and William Westhead claimed that Mrs O’Brien, Margaret Rush and others had called them "English swine".
The man added that the group had stood clapping their hands and saying: "We have a revolution in Ireland, and we will have one at the Fingerpost."
Westhead denied striking anybody, claiming the women that had given evidence had committed perjury.
The magistrates decided to play safe and bind the two men over for six months.
Pilkingtons were planning to build a factory at Kirk Sandall near Doncaster and on the 10th plans for alterations to a hotel were approved.
The premises would accommodate men engaged in preliminary work in connection with the proposed factory.
However there was one condition. The Chief Constable of Doncaster insisted that no women were to be supplied with drink on the premises.
Two one-armed men appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 12th charged with begging.
The police had seen Joseph Conwell and George Hammond approaching men in Ormskirk Street and saying:
"Can you chaps spare us a copper for a night's lodgings, as we both lost arms in the war? We are very deserving cases." Both men were fined 7s 6d.
The St Helens Post Office in Church Street before the burning down of the adjacent parish church
St Helens Post Office before the parish church burnt down
St Helens Post Office in Church Street
PC Spence had found the man at midnight lying on the floor of the lavatory in the Post Office in Church Street.
The sailor of no fixed abode had climbed over a gate eight feet high to get into the building.
When asked how he had managed to get over, Brown replied: "Do you think I flew over?"
The man said he had been refused a bed at three lodging houses and needed somewhere to sleep.
Brown was remanded in police custody for a week.
At the resumed hearing the police said they now felt his story was quite possibly true.
Due to the time the man had spent in custody, they requested permission to withdraw the charge, which was granted.
The full name of the town's second theatre was the Theatre Royal & Opera House and from the 12th the up-market venue began a Grand Opera Season featuring the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company.
They were founded in 1873 and still exist. The acts performing at the Hippodrome Theatre from the same day were the usual mix of comics, singers and novelty acts:
Fred Brezin ("The mirthful, mystical Anglo-French humoristic entertainer"); Matt Morley ("Comedian - that's all"); The Judge ("Vocal entertainer. Brother to the composer of ‘Tipperary’. Hear his latest."); The Michaeloff Trio ("Presenting a gorgeous feast for eye and ear"); Howard & Wyndham ("In a neat vocal and intricate dancing act") and Tom Fagan ("Does very wonderful things with cards, much to the mystification of the audience").
During the war Fred Brezin had organised thousands of concerts for the allied troops on the Continent and had recently been awarded a medal of gratitude by the French government.
Next week's stories will include the City Road woman who got a divorce from her abusive husband, the depravity of a Fleet Lane miner, chaos as Rainford Council chooses a new Chairman, a fracas between two supporters at a Saints match and the sad suicide of an ex-soldier in Rainhill Asylum.