IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (14th - 20th January 1919)
This week's stories include sibling bloodshed in Parr, the poor children's clog and stocking fund, a murderous outburst in Peckers Hill Road, the treatment of VD in St Helens, Rainford's plans for displaying German guns, the boys causing trouble on trams and the "perversity of human nature" at Ashtons Green Colliery.
We begin with the St Helens Chief Constable's annual report on his clog and stocking fund which was issued this week. Arthur Ellerington had launched the fund in 1912 to help the deprived children who were often seen on the streets of the town in bare feet. Many residents would send in a few shillings so that the police could provide boots and warm clothes for the destitute kids.
Ellerington stated that the scheme had so far helped over 5,800 youngsters through the issue of 4,730 pairs of clogs and 4,872 stockings. The most needy children had also been given jackets, vests, shirts, skirts, slippers, trousers, hats and underwear. The town's top policeman added that last year had been a challenging one through the high price of clothing and the increasing number of war widows with young children that needed assistance.
Twenty-three families that had been helped were also reported to the NSPCC for neglecting their children, as some parents preferred to spend their money on drink rather than clothe their kids.
What the St Helens Reporter described as a "murderous outburst" took place on the 15th when Peter Moyers attacked his wife Ellen and daughter Agnes at their Peckers Hill Road home. The 53-year-old collier struck them both around the head with a hammer and then attempted suicide by cutting his throat.
The newspaper described Moyers as "demented" and "deranged" and said his brutal assault had left his wife with a fractured skull, although his daughter's injuries were not serious.
Dr Joseph Cates gave his monthly report on the health of the town to an Education Committee meeting on the 15th. The St Helens Medical Officer said there had been 101 deaths from influenza in the five weeks ending January 4th. This was a slight increase on the previous month but the number of fatalities was small compared to the high death rate in some of the larger towns in England.
The committee also discussed a letter from the Local Government Board, which called for improvements in the treatment of venereal disease in St Helens. They specifically requested more VD clinics with the Health Committee presently only running two confidential evening sessions a week at a house in Claughton Street. It was also suggested that the Corporation appoint a Venereal Officer.
It's estimated that 1 in 20 British servicemen contracted VD while in France and Belgium, with some passing the debilitating disease onto their loved ones upon returning home. That's why one of the two weekly sessions was for women and children. The 'hidden plague' – as it was regularly called – had often been brushed under the carpet and not talked about. However the large number of sufferers meant that action had to be taken.
It wasn't just down coal mines where accidents happened; they would also occur on the surface. On the 17th Albert Seddon had his head decapitated at Ashtons Green Colliery after being knocked down by a locomotive. Edward Arnold had seen the 13-year-old from Gaskell Street crossing the line at the same time as an engine was travelling down it.
The man from Broad Oak Road told Albert's inquest at the Town Hall that he shouted a warning as the engine driver blew his whistle but it was to no avail. There was an overhead bridge but often people took the shorter, risky route over the line. This the coroner described as the "perversity of human nature ".
Saints played their first game at Knowsley Road in almost a year on the 18th when they took on St Helens Recs, losing 3 – 24. Poor attendances and most of their players being in the forces had led to them suspending the playing of matches until the war was over.
A chap called Wilson Nicholson gave a grand recital of Dickens' Christmas Carol at the Theatre Royal on the 19th. Although a December date would seem more appropriate, Christmas themed events did sometimes occur in January.
Panto week began in St Helens on the 20th at both the Hippodrome and the Theatre Royal. However there was little choice as both Corporation Street theatres plumped for 'Babes In The Wood', with twice-nightly performances over six days and a single additional matinee.
The St Helens Reporter described how a family disturbance in Parr had led to "bloodshed all over the furniture that the old folks had left behind." This was stated in a court case on the 20th when Jane Brown summoned her brothers William and Herbert Topping for assault.
Such disputes between families or neighbours invariably involved a cross-summons and predictably William Topping charged Jane's husband Joseph with assaulting him with a poker. The siblings' father was the tenant of a house in Derbyshire Hill Road and he had recently been taken into Whiston Workhouse after the death of his wife.
William Topping also lived in the house and he'd persuaded his sister to leave her home in Fleet Lane to act as his housekeeper. An argument began after Topping had decided to give his Dad's furniture away to other family members but told Jane she had to pay for their father's wringer.
The row turned violent with William and his brother Herbert attacking Jane and her husband. It was a right old melee with the two brothers striking their sister and throwing her out onto the street covered in blood. In court they all blamed each other but the magistrates took Jane's side and fined the two brothers, dismissing the case against Joseph Brown.
One of the things that boys liked to do a century ago was to jump onto the front or rear of the trams as they trundled round St Helens. It was a dangerous practice and there had been some injuries and deaths. Last May four-year-old William Corner from Powell Street in Sutton had died in St Helens Hospital after falling off a tram.
So on the 20th John Layde from City Road, Arthur Sumner from Heath Street, Patrick Donahew and John Evan (both from Parr Street) were fined £1 each in the Police Court for jumping onto moving trams. The Tramways Company said it was becoming a huge problem and the boys were getting bolder and bolder and there needed to be a deterrent. Lads were also abusing female conductresses and throwing mud at them.
Although there had been some strikes during the war, many workers put the national interest before improving their own rights. However things had changed since the signing of the armistice and the unions were now happy to impose their collective clout on the employers.
On the 20th the men at the Prescot Wire Works went on strike demanding higher overtime payments. Two months earlier they had persuaded the company to reduce their hours from 53 to 47 per week. However as part of the deal their bosses had reduced the rate of overtime payments, which had been paid at time and a half for night work and overtime. Now the near 4,000 workers wanted the old rate back and had downed tools until they got it.
Rainford Council held their monthly meeting on the 20th and discussed a disagreement between their chairman and the vicar of All Saints over the location of a war memorial. The vicar wanted it siting within his church. However Councillor John Boardman felt the Village Hall was a better place to honour those that had fallen in the war, particularly as the village ratepayers were effectively the owners of the building.
A discussion also took place about an official reception for Rainford POWs and all the other soldiers that had returned home from the front. The Chairman said the vicar was uneasy that nothing had so far been arranged. However Councillor Boardman argued that instead of entertaining them in batches, it would be much better to wait a while until all the soldiers were back and then give them a "good hearty do".
The council were hoping to be able to obtain a couple of big German guns, which, according to the Chairman, "would look well on each side of the flagstaff in front of the Village Hall." The delay would, he felt, allow time to obtain the guns and get them installed on permanent display. Although I expect many of the discharged soldiers would have had enough experience of guns on the battlefield and not want to see any more.
Councillor Boardman added that seeing the artillery would give the future youngsters of the village the opportunity to understand what had been done for them in the past, with so many local men having served in the war. The 65-year-old farmer appears to have forgotten what happened in St Helens last December. Four German field guns and a howitzer were exhibited in Victoria Square for what was supposed to have been six weeks.
However the captured German artillery had to be removed after a few days through the activities of children. Boys had treated the guns as playthings and according to the St Helens Reporter had created "pandemonium" and a "noisy nuisance" and had not allowed adults the opportunity of inspecting them.
Next week's stories will include the Parr woman who received a football in the face, a gruesome discovery is made on Eccleston Hill, there's a mysterious death at the Hardshaw Brook chemical works, the state of the town's roads and severe housing shortage are criticised, a Bold Heath woman is called a "complete nuisance" and a reception is held in the Town Hall for 100 prisoners of war.
We begin with the St Helens Chief Constable's annual report on his clog and stocking fund which was issued this week. Arthur Ellerington had launched the fund in 1912 to help the deprived children who were often seen on the streets of the town in bare feet. Many residents would send in a few shillings so that the police could provide boots and warm clothes for the destitute kids.
Ellerington stated that the scheme had so far helped over 5,800 youngsters through the issue of 4,730 pairs of clogs and 4,872 stockings. The most needy children had also been given jackets, vests, shirts, skirts, slippers, trousers, hats and underwear. The town's top policeman added that last year had been a challenging one through the high price of clothing and the increasing number of war widows with young children that needed assistance.
Twenty-three families that had been helped were also reported to the NSPCC for neglecting their children, as some parents preferred to spend their money on drink rather than clothe their kids.
What the St Helens Reporter described as a "murderous outburst" took place on the 15th when Peter Moyers attacked his wife Ellen and daughter Agnes at their Peckers Hill Road home. The 53-year-old collier struck them both around the head with a hammer and then attempted suicide by cutting his throat.
The newspaper described Moyers as "demented" and "deranged" and said his brutal assault had left his wife with a fractured skull, although his daughter's injuries were not serious.
Dr Joseph Cates gave his monthly report on the health of the town to an Education Committee meeting on the 15th. The St Helens Medical Officer said there had been 101 deaths from influenza in the five weeks ending January 4th. This was a slight increase on the previous month but the number of fatalities was small compared to the high death rate in some of the larger towns in England.
The committee also discussed a letter from the Local Government Board, which called for improvements in the treatment of venereal disease in St Helens. They specifically requested more VD clinics with the Health Committee presently only running two confidential evening sessions a week at a house in Claughton Street. It was also suggested that the Corporation appoint a Venereal Officer.
It's estimated that 1 in 20 British servicemen contracted VD while in France and Belgium, with some passing the debilitating disease onto their loved ones upon returning home. That's why one of the two weekly sessions was for women and children. The 'hidden plague' – as it was regularly called – had often been brushed under the carpet and not talked about. However the large number of sufferers meant that action had to be taken.
Ashtons Green Colliery in Parr was situated between Fleet Lane and Derbyshire Hill Road and closed in 1931
Ashtons Green Colliery was between Fleet Lane and Derbyshire Hill Road
Ashtons Green Colliery closed in 1931
The man from Broad Oak Road told Albert's inquest at the Town Hall that he shouted a warning as the engine driver blew his whistle but it was to no avail. There was an overhead bridge but often people took the shorter, risky route over the line. This the coroner described as the "perversity of human nature ".
Saints played their first game at Knowsley Road in almost a year on the 18th when they took on St Helens Recs, losing 3 – 24. Poor attendances and most of their players being in the forces had led to them suspending the playing of matches until the war was over.
A chap called Wilson Nicholson gave a grand recital of Dickens' Christmas Carol at the Theatre Royal on the 19th. Although a December date would seem more appropriate, Christmas themed events did sometimes occur in January.
Panto week began in St Helens on the 20th at both the Hippodrome and the Theatre Royal. However there was little choice as both Corporation Street theatres plumped for 'Babes In The Wood', with twice-nightly performances over six days and a single additional matinee.
The St Helens Reporter described how a family disturbance in Parr had led to "bloodshed all over the furniture that the old folks had left behind." This was stated in a court case on the 20th when Jane Brown summoned her brothers William and Herbert Topping for assault.
Such disputes between families or neighbours invariably involved a cross-summons and predictably William Topping charged Jane's husband Joseph with assaulting him with a poker. The siblings' father was the tenant of a house in Derbyshire Hill Road and he had recently been taken into Whiston Workhouse after the death of his wife.
William Topping also lived in the house and he'd persuaded his sister to leave her home in Fleet Lane to act as his housekeeper. An argument began after Topping had decided to give his Dad's furniture away to other family members but told Jane she had to pay for their father's wringer.
The row turned violent with William and his brother Herbert attacking Jane and her husband. It was a right old melee with the two brothers striking their sister and throwing her out onto the street covered in blood. In court they all blamed each other but the magistrates took Jane's side and fined the two brothers, dismissing the case against Joseph Brown.
One of the things that boys liked to do a century ago was to jump onto the front or rear of the trams as they trundled round St Helens. It was a dangerous practice and there had been some injuries and deaths. Last May four-year-old William Corner from Powell Street in Sutton had died in St Helens Hospital after falling off a tram.
So on the 20th John Layde from City Road, Arthur Sumner from Heath Street, Patrick Donahew and John Evan (both from Parr Street) were fined £1 each in the Police Court for jumping onto moving trams. The Tramways Company said it was becoming a huge problem and the boys were getting bolder and bolder and there needed to be a deterrent. Lads were also abusing female conductresses and throwing mud at them.
Although there had been some strikes during the war, many workers put the national interest before improving their own rights. However things had changed since the signing of the armistice and the unions were now happy to impose their collective clout on the employers.
On the 20th the men at the Prescot Wire Works went on strike demanding higher overtime payments. Two months earlier they had persuaded the company to reduce their hours from 53 to 47 per week. However as part of the deal their bosses had reduced the rate of overtime payments, which had been paid at time and a half for night work and overtime. Now the near 4,000 workers wanted the old rate back and had downed tools until they got it.
Left: All Saints Church in Rainford; Right: Rainford Village Hall and Urban District Council Offices
All Saints Church Rainford and Rainford Village Hall and Council Offices
All Saints Church, Church Road, Rainford
A discussion also took place about an official reception for Rainford POWs and all the other soldiers that had returned home from the front. The Chairman said the vicar was uneasy that nothing had so far been arranged. However Councillor Boardman argued that instead of entertaining them in batches, it would be much better to wait a while until all the soldiers were back and then give them a "good hearty do".
The council were hoping to be able to obtain a couple of big German guns, which, according to the Chairman, "would look well on each side of the flagstaff in front of the Village Hall." The delay would, he felt, allow time to obtain the guns and get them installed on permanent display. Although I expect many of the discharged soldiers would have had enough experience of guns on the battlefield and not want to see any more.
Councillor Boardman added that seeing the artillery would give the future youngsters of the village the opportunity to understand what had been done for them in the past, with so many local men having served in the war. The 65-year-old farmer appears to have forgotten what happened in St Helens last December. Four German field guns and a howitzer were exhibited in Victoria Square for what was supposed to have been six weeks.
However the captured German artillery had to be removed after a few days through the activities of children. Boys had treated the guns as playthings and according to the St Helens Reporter had created "pandemonium" and a "noisy nuisance" and had not allowed adults the opportunity of inspecting them.
Next week's stories will include the Parr woman who received a football in the face, a gruesome discovery is made on Eccleston Hill, there's a mysterious death at the Hardshaw Brook chemical works, the state of the town's roads and severe housing shortage are criticised, a Bold Heath woman is called a "complete nuisance" and a reception is held in the Town Hall for 100 prisoners of war.