IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (19th - 25th SEPTEMBER 1922)
This week's stories include the mother and daughter con artists, a serious accident occurs in the building of a Prescot cinema, the disagreement over the location of the Victoria Square war memorial, an improvement in the St Helens economy and the unemployed men accused of hogging the old men's hut in Queens Park.
We begin on the 19th when the inquest into the mysterious death of Dennis Rearden of Gorsey Lane was held at St Helens Town Hall. The 53-year-old worker at Clock Face Colliery (pictured above) had died several months after being struck on the head by a large stone that had suddenly dropped on him while working underground. However, Dr Taylor stated that he had conducted a post-mortem and that death was through organic disease of brain tissue and ruled out any connection with the accident.
On the 20th at a meeting of the St Helens Highways Committee, councillors ruminated over the exact location of the war memorial that was planned for Victoria Square. The architects had imagined that it would be sited near the Gamble Institute but some felt the memorial should instead be installed at the square's opposite end. Their argument was that the Gamble would tend to dwarf the memorial if it was sited at its front.
And the alternative location would create an impression of greater height, with a better view provided from both ends of Corporation Street – as well as from Cotham Street, Bickerstaffe Street and Hardshaw Street. It was expected that the next Town Council meeting would rule on the matter.
During the afternoon of the 20th, a serious accident occurred in Eccleston Street in Prescot during the construction of a new cinema. William Orrell, Charles Binns and James Dixon were all from St Helens and were undertaking plastering work inside the building on scaffolding supported by poles. Suddenly, one of the poles broke in two and the scaffolding collapsed. The three men fell 20 to 25 feet and were reported as having been severely injured.
The 11th annual report of the St Helens Crippled and Invalid Children's Aid Society was released this week and revealed that 143 youngsters had received assistance during the past financial year.
There have been countless drownings over the years in the various open waters in St Helens. It was common for bodies to be fished out many days – or even weeks – after the individual had been last seen. However, the inquest into the mysterious death of Betsy Tickle was told that her body had been found in the ornamental pond at Victoria Park only 15 minutes after the 78-year-old had left home.
Betsy lived in Dentons Green Lane and since the death of her husband a year earlier had complained of pains in her stomach and head. Her doctor did not appear to think that anything serious was wrong and advised Mrs Tickle to get plenty of exercise. Apart from her health, Betsy was said to have been in a good financial position and had no known worries. And so her family were shocked by her death which seemed unlikely to have been an accident.
PC Cust said he had examined the place where the body had been found and the water had been only three feet deep and protected by a wire fence. The constable said in his opinion it would have been impossible to fall into the water accidentally during the daytime. However, the coroner felt there was a possibility that Mrs Tickle might have climbed over the wire and accidentally drowned and so recorded an open verdict.
It was reported this week that there were signs of improvements in the economic situation within the St Helens district. The demand for coal and sheet glass was considered brisk and the unemployment figure of 4,059 for August had revealed a drop of 1,258 claimants on the July figure. However, the annual accounts of the St Helens Borough Treasurer were also issued this week and revealed a massive rise in wages paid to Corporation employees. In 1914 the wage bill had been £137,835 but by 1922 it had risen to £467,880. Much of the increase was through council workers demanding more wages due to high inflation during the war.
A curious tale was told in court in Prescot on the 19th when a mother and daughter were charged with obtained money, food and lodgings by false pretences. 52-year-old Margaret Latham and 25-year-old Margaret Brookin had turned up at Hilda Wilson's home in Scotchbarn Lane in Prescot and spun her a yarn. The pair claimed that Mrs Brookin had been left houses in a will and they asked to borrow cash from Mrs Wilson so a solicitor could be consulted. The couple also enjoyed the woman's hospitality for four days on the basis of this false story.
The mother and daughter had also moved in with a Mrs Webb in St Helens and elicited sympathy from her with an even stranger tale. Mrs Brookin claimed her "sweetheart" had recently died at a lawn tennis tournament, although whether that had supposedly been while playing or watching was not made clear. Mrs Webb had agreed for this man's body to be stored at her house pending the funeral – but, unsurprisingly, the fictional corpse never arrived!
Bogus bankbooks claiming deposits of over £1,100 were found in Margaret Brookin’s possession. The couple appear to have used these fakes to impress their victims, although the young woman denied that. Mrs Brookin instead told the police that she had concocted the bankbooks to impress her Thatto Heath boyfriend with "high-flown notions". The mother was bound over for six months and the daughter sent to Walton Prison for fourteen days.
You know how youths are sometimes accused of chasing young kids off facilities designed for children? Well, on the 20th at the council’s Parks Committee meeting, a complaint was made that the same thing was happening in an old man's hut in the Queens Recreation Ground – but in reverse.
Most parks in St Helens had what was referred to as an "old man's hut". They were of basic construction and only accommodated about 20 persons but were places where the retired elderly could meet up and talk. However, at the Queens Recreation Ground (or Queens Park as it is known today), the younger unemployed men were taking over the hut and the old men could not get a look in.
After discussing what to do, the committee decided that a notice would be put up in the hut informing users that the facility was exclusively for old men – although just how you define an old man was not specified. The Chairman of the committee, Alderman Henry Peet, commented how some men are old at 40, and other men are young at 60. Although he made it clear that 40-year-olds would not be welcome! The Parks Committee also decided to allow boys not over sixteen to play football in Thatto Heath Park and the Queens Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoons during the winter.
The retailer calling itself the Palatine Arcade opened in Church Street on the 22nd. It was operated on department store lines, describing itself as a "market within a shop" and "the store St. Helens has waited for". Their advert also said: "You will be assured of every attention, civility and above all perfect freedom to walk round the various departments without any obligation to buy."
A two-day sale of work in aid of St Thomas Church in Westfield Street was opened on the 22nd at the church school in Peter Street. The vicar, Rev. John Glendenning, told those gathered that they needed to raise £300 to pay their debts caused by the high prices of materials.
The horrible chemical industries had for some years been drifting away from St Helens, with some firms relocating to Widnes as it was nearer the Mersey. On the 22nd the Runcorn Weekly News commented how the alkali trade had now largely gone from St Helens – but had left behind a mess: "I observe, as others who visit St. Helens must have observed, what desolation now marks the sites of its once famous chemical works. Derelict towers, roofless buildings, rusty ironwork, brokendown boilers and machinery are silent testimony to a departed trade."
What the writer failed to mention was the mountains of chemical waste – such as the so-called "Kimmicks" or "Chemics" – that along with coal slag heaps then pockmarked the town. Dilapidated buildings can, of course, be knocked down without too much difficulty but it took fifty more years for those waste heaps to be removed.
And finally, Thomas Durkin from Johnson Street in Parr was fined 20 shillings in the Police Court on the 23rd after being convicted of drunkenness. He was another individual emboldened by drink who made big threats against the police at night – which in the cold light of day in court must have sounded rather silly. A policeman had seen the miner leaving the Soldiers Club in Parr Street in a very drunken state and so spoke to him. His friends attempted to take Durkin home but he shouted: "You are not going to take me home. I am not afraid of the police. The first man who tries to lock me up, his dead body will be beside me, even if he is the Chief Constable."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include a child's sudden death at a Blackbrook industrial school, the first Labour Party mayor is elected in St Helens and the bagpipe-playing Scotsman unlawfully wearing the uniform of the Black Watch in St Helens.
On the 20th at a meeting of the St Helens Highways Committee, councillors ruminated over the exact location of the war memorial that was planned for Victoria Square. The architects had imagined that it would be sited near the Gamble Institute but some felt the memorial should instead be installed at the square's opposite end. Their argument was that the Gamble would tend to dwarf the memorial if it was sited at its front.
And the alternative location would create an impression of greater height, with a better view provided from both ends of Corporation Street – as well as from Cotham Street, Bickerstaffe Street and Hardshaw Street. It was expected that the next Town Council meeting would rule on the matter.
During the afternoon of the 20th, a serious accident occurred in Eccleston Street in Prescot during the construction of a new cinema. William Orrell, Charles Binns and James Dixon were all from St Helens and were undertaking plastering work inside the building on scaffolding supported by poles. Suddenly, one of the poles broke in two and the scaffolding collapsed. The three men fell 20 to 25 feet and were reported as having been severely injured.
The 11th annual report of the St Helens Crippled and Invalid Children's Aid Society was released this week and revealed that 143 youngsters had received assistance during the past financial year.
There have been countless drownings over the years in the various open waters in St Helens. It was common for bodies to be fished out many days – or even weeks – after the individual had been last seen. However, the inquest into the mysterious death of Betsy Tickle was told that her body had been found in the ornamental pond at Victoria Park only 15 minutes after the 78-year-old had left home.
Betsy lived in Dentons Green Lane and since the death of her husband a year earlier had complained of pains in her stomach and head. Her doctor did not appear to think that anything serious was wrong and advised Mrs Tickle to get plenty of exercise. Apart from her health, Betsy was said to have been in a good financial position and had no known worries. And so her family were shocked by her death which seemed unlikely to have been an accident.
PC Cust said he had examined the place where the body had been found and the water had been only three feet deep and protected by a wire fence. The constable said in his opinion it would have been impossible to fall into the water accidentally during the daytime. However, the coroner felt there was a possibility that Mrs Tickle might have climbed over the wire and accidentally drowned and so recorded an open verdict.
It was reported this week that there were signs of improvements in the economic situation within the St Helens district. The demand for coal and sheet glass was considered brisk and the unemployment figure of 4,059 for August had revealed a drop of 1,258 claimants on the July figure. However, the annual accounts of the St Helens Borough Treasurer were also issued this week and revealed a massive rise in wages paid to Corporation employees. In 1914 the wage bill had been £137,835 but by 1922 it had risen to £467,880. Much of the increase was through council workers demanding more wages due to high inflation during the war.
A curious tale was told in court in Prescot on the 19th when a mother and daughter were charged with obtained money, food and lodgings by false pretences. 52-year-old Margaret Latham and 25-year-old Margaret Brookin had turned up at Hilda Wilson's home in Scotchbarn Lane in Prescot and spun her a yarn. The pair claimed that Mrs Brookin had been left houses in a will and they asked to borrow cash from Mrs Wilson so a solicitor could be consulted. The couple also enjoyed the woman's hospitality for four days on the basis of this false story.
The mother and daughter had also moved in with a Mrs Webb in St Helens and elicited sympathy from her with an even stranger tale. Mrs Brookin claimed her "sweetheart" had recently died at a lawn tennis tournament, although whether that had supposedly been while playing or watching was not made clear. Mrs Webb had agreed for this man's body to be stored at her house pending the funeral – but, unsurprisingly, the fictional corpse never arrived!
Bogus bankbooks claiming deposits of over £1,100 were found in Margaret Brookin’s possession. The couple appear to have used these fakes to impress their victims, although the young woman denied that. Mrs Brookin instead told the police that she had concocted the bankbooks to impress her Thatto Heath boyfriend with "high-flown notions". The mother was bound over for six months and the daughter sent to Walton Prison for fourteen days.
You know how youths are sometimes accused of chasing young kids off facilities designed for children? Well, on the 20th at the council’s Parks Committee meeting, a complaint was made that the same thing was happening in an old man's hut in the Queens Recreation Ground – but in reverse.
Most parks in St Helens had what was referred to as an "old man's hut". They were of basic construction and only accommodated about 20 persons but were places where the retired elderly could meet up and talk. However, at the Queens Recreation Ground (or Queens Park as it is known today), the younger unemployed men were taking over the hut and the old men could not get a look in.
After discussing what to do, the committee decided that a notice would be put up in the hut informing users that the facility was exclusively for old men – although just how you define an old man was not specified. The Chairman of the committee, Alderman Henry Peet, commented how some men are old at 40, and other men are young at 60. Although he made it clear that 40-year-olds would not be welcome! The Parks Committee also decided to allow boys not over sixteen to play football in Thatto Heath Park and the Queens Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoons during the winter.
The retailer calling itself the Palatine Arcade opened in Church Street on the 22nd. It was operated on department store lines, describing itself as a "market within a shop" and "the store St. Helens has waited for". Their advert also said: "You will be assured of every attention, civility and above all perfect freedom to walk round the various departments without any obligation to buy."
A two-day sale of work in aid of St Thomas Church in Westfield Street was opened on the 22nd at the church school in Peter Street. The vicar, Rev. John Glendenning, told those gathered that they needed to raise £300 to pay their debts caused by the high prices of materials.
The horrible chemical industries had for some years been drifting away from St Helens, with some firms relocating to Widnes as it was nearer the Mersey. On the 22nd the Runcorn Weekly News commented how the alkali trade had now largely gone from St Helens – but had left behind a mess: "I observe, as others who visit St. Helens must have observed, what desolation now marks the sites of its once famous chemical works. Derelict towers, roofless buildings, rusty ironwork, brokendown boilers and machinery are silent testimony to a departed trade."
What the writer failed to mention was the mountains of chemical waste – such as the so-called "Kimmicks" or "Chemics" – that along with coal slag heaps then pockmarked the town. Dilapidated buildings can, of course, be knocked down without too much difficulty but it took fifty more years for those waste heaps to be removed.
And finally, Thomas Durkin from Johnson Street in Parr was fined 20 shillings in the Police Court on the 23rd after being convicted of drunkenness. He was another individual emboldened by drink who made big threats against the police at night – which in the cold light of day in court must have sounded rather silly. A policeman had seen the miner leaving the Soldiers Club in Parr Street in a very drunken state and so spoke to him. His friends attempted to take Durkin home but he shouted: "You are not going to take me home. I am not afraid of the police. The first man who tries to lock me up, his dead body will be beside me, even if he is the Chief Constable."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include a child's sudden death at a Blackbrook industrial school, the first Labour Party mayor is elected in St Helens and the bagpipe-playing Scotsman unlawfully wearing the uniform of the Black Watch in St Helens.
This week's stories include the mother and daughter con artists, a serious accident occurs in the building of a Prescot cinema, the disagreement over the location of the Victoria Square war memorial, an improvement in the St Helens economy and the unemployed men accused of hogging the old men's hut in Queens Park.
We begin on the 19th when the inquest into the mysterious death of Dennis Rearden of Gorsey Lane was held at St Helens Town Hall.
The 53-year-old worker at Clock Face Colliery (pictured above) had died several months after being struck on the head by a large stone that had suddenly dropped on him while working underground.
However, Dr Taylor stated that he had conducted a post-mortem and that death was through organic disease of brain tissue and ruled out any connection with the accident.
On the 20th at a meeting of the St Helens Highways Committee, councillors ruminated over the exact location of the war memorial that was planned for Victoria Square.
The architects had imagined that it would be sited near the Gamble Institute but some felt the memorial should instead be installed at the square's opposite end.
Their argument was that the Gamble would tend to dwarf the memorial if it was sited at its front.
And the alternative location would create an impression of greater height, with a better view provided from both ends of Corporation Street – as well as from Cotham Street, Bickerstaffe Street and Hardshaw Street.
It was expected that the next Town Council meeting would rule on the matter.
During the afternoon of the 20th, a serious accident occurred in Eccleston Street in Prescot during the construction of a new cinema.
William Orrell, Charles Binns and James Dixon were all from St Helens and were undertaking plastering work inside the building on scaffolding supported by poles.
Suddenly, one of the poles broke in two and the scaffolding collapsed. The three men fell 20 to 25 feet and were reported as having been severely injured.
The 11th annual report of the St Helens Crippled and Invalid Children's Aid Society was released this week and revealed that 143 youngsters had received assistance during the past financial year.
There have been countless drownings over the years in the various open waters in St Helens.
It was common for bodies to be fished out many days – or even weeks – after the individual had been last seen.
However, the inquest into the mysterious death of Betsy Tickle was told that her body had been found in the ornamental pond at Victoria Park only 15 minutes after the 78-year-old had left home.
Betsy lived in Dentons Green Lane and since the death of her husband a year earlier had complained of pains in her stomach and head.
Her doctor did not appear to think that anything serious was wrong and advised Mrs Tickle to get plenty of exercise.
Apart from her health, Betsy was said to have been in a good financial position and had no known worries.
And so her family were shocked by her death which seemed unlikely to have been an accident.
PC Cust said he had examined the place where the body had been found and the water had been only three feet deep and protected by a wire fence.
The constable said in his opinion it would have been impossible to fall into the water accidentally during the daytime.
However, the coroner felt there was a possibility that Mrs Tickle might have climbed over the wire and accidentally drowned and so recorded an open verdict.
It was reported this week that there were signs of improvements in the economic situation within the St Helens district.
The demand for coal and sheet glass was considered brisk and the unemployment figure of 4,059 for August had revealed a drop of 1,258 claimants on the July figure.
However, the annual accounts of the St Helens Borough Treasurer were also issued this week and revealed a massive rise in wages paid to Corporation employees.
In 1914 the wage bill had been £137,835 but by 1922 it had risen to £467,880. Much of the increase was through council workers demanding more wages due to high inflation during the war.
A curious tale was told in court in Prescot on the 19th when a mother and daughter were charged with obtained money, food and lodgings by false pretences.
52-year-old Margaret Latham and 25-year-old Margaret Brookin had turned up at Hilda Wilson's home in Scotchbarn Lane in Prescot and spun her a yarn.
The pair claimed that Mrs Brookin had been left houses in a will and they asked to borrow cash from Mrs Wilson so a solicitor could be consulted.
The couple also enjoyed the woman's hospitality for four days on the basis of this false story.
The mother and daughter had also moved in with a Mrs Webb in St Helens and elicited sympathy from her with an even stranger tale.
Mrs Brookin claimed her "sweetheart" had recently died at a lawn tennis tournament, although whether that had supposedly been while playing or watching was not made clear.
Mrs Webb had agreed for this man's body to be stored at her house pending the funeral – but, unsurprisingly, the fictional corpse never arrived!
Bogus bankbooks claiming deposits of over £1,100 were found in Margaret Brookin’s possession.
The couple appear to have used these fakes to impress their victims, although the young woman denied that.
Mrs Brookin instead told the police that she had concocted the bankbooks to impress her Thatto Heath boyfriend with "high-flown notions".
The mother was bound over for six months and the daughter sent to Walton Prison for fourteen days.
You know how youths are sometimes accused of chasing young kids off facilities designed for children?
Well, on the 20th at the council’s Parks Committee meeting, a complaint was made that the same thing was happening in an old man's hut in the Queens Recreation Ground – but in reverse.
Most parks in St Helens had what was referred to as an "old man's hut". They were of basic construction and only accommodated about 20 persons but were places where the retired elderly could meet up and talk.
However, at the Queens Recreation Ground (or Queens Park as it is known today), the younger unemployed men were taking over the hut and the old men could not get a look in.
After discussing what to do, the committee decided that a notice would be put up in the hut informing users that the facility was exclusively for old men – although just how you define an old man was not specified.
The Chairman of the committee, Alderman Henry Peet, commented how some men are old at 40, and other men are young at 60. Although he made it clear that 40-year-olds would not be welcome!
The Parks Committee also decided to allow boys not over sixteen to play football in Thatto Heath Park and the Queens Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoons during the winter.
The retailer calling itself the Palatine Arcade opened in Church Street on the 22nd. It was operated on department store lines, describing itself as a "market within a shop" and "the store St. Helens has waited for". Their advert also said:
"You will be assured of every attention, civility and above all perfect freedom to walk round the various departments without any obligation to buy."
A two-day sale of work in aid of St Thomas Church in Westfield Street was opened on the 22nd at the church school in Peter Street.
The vicar, Rev. John Glendenning, told those gathered that they needed to raise £300 to pay their debts caused by the high prices of materials.
The horrible chemical industries had for some years been drifting away from St Helens, with some firms relocating to Widnes as it was nearer the Mersey.
On the 22nd the Runcorn Weekly News commented how the alkali trade had now largely gone from St Helens – but had left behind a mess:
"I observe, as others who visit St. Helens must have observed, what desolation now marks the sites of its once famous chemical works. Derelict towers, roofless buildings, rusty ironwork, brokendown boilers and machinery are silent testimony to a departed trade."
What the writer failed to mention was the mountains of chemical waste – such as the so-called "Kimmicks" or "Chemics" – that along with coal slag heaps then pockmarked the town.
Dilapidated buildings can, of course, be knocked down without too much difficulty but it took fifty more years for those waste heaps to be removed.
And finally, Thomas Durkin from Johnson Street in Parr was fined 20 shillings in the Police Court on the 23rd after being convicted of drunkenness.
He was another individual emboldened by drink who made big threats against the police at night – which in the cold light of day in court must have sounded rather silly.
A policeman had seen the miner leaving the Soldiers Club in Parr Street in a very drunken state and so spoke to him. His friends attempted to take Durkin home but he shouted:
"You are not going to take me home. I am not afraid of the police. The first man who tries to lock me up, his dead body will be beside me, even if he is the Chief Constable."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include a child's sudden death at a Blackbrook industrial school, the first Labour Party mayor is elected in St Helens and the bagpipe-playing Scotsman unlawfully wearing the uniform of the Black Watch in St Helens.
The 53-year-old worker at Clock Face Colliery (pictured above) had died several months after being struck on the head by a large stone that had suddenly dropped on him while working underground.
However, Dr Taylor stated that he had conducted a post-mortem and that death was through organic disease of brain tissue and ruled out any connection with the accident.
On the 20th at a meeting of the St Helens Highways Committee, councillors ruminated over the exact location of the war memorial that was planned for Victoria Square.
The architects had imagined that it would be sited near the Gamble Institute but some felt the memorial should instead be installed at the square's opposite end.
Their argument was that the Gamble would tend to dwarf the memorial if it was sited at its front.
And the alternative location would create an impression of greater height, with a better view provided from both ends of Corporation Street – as well as from Cotham Street, Bickerstaffe Street and Hardshaw Street.
It was expected that the next Town Council meeting would rule on the matter.
During the afternoon of the 20th, a serious accident occurred in Eccleston Street in Prescot during the construction of a new cinema.
William Orrell, Charles Binns and James Dixon were all from St Helens and were undertaking plastering work inside the building on scaffolding supported by poles.
Suddenly, one of the poles broke in two and the scaffolding collapsed. The three men fell 20 to 25 feet and were reported as having been severely injured.
The 11th annual report of the St Helens Crippled and Invalid Children's Aid Society was released this week and revealed that 143 youngsters had received assistance during the past financial year.
There have been countless drownings over the years in the various open waters in St Helens.
It was common for bodies to be fished out many days – or even weeks – after the individual had been last seen.
However, the inquest into the mysterious death of Betsy Tickle was told that her body had been found in the ornamental pond at Victoria Park only 15 minutes after the 78-year-old had left home.
Betsy lived in Dentons Green Lane and since the death of her husband a year earlier had complained of pains in her stomach and head.
Her doctor did not appear to think that anything serious was wrong and advised Mrs Tickle to get plenty of exercise.
Apart from her health, Betsy was said to have been in a good financial position and had no known worries.
And so her family were shocked by her death which seemed unlikely to have been an accident.
PC Cust said he had examined the place where the body had been found and the water had been only three feet deep and protected by a wire fence.
The constable said in his opinion it would have been impossible to fall into the water accidentally during the daytime.
However, the coroner felt there was a possibility that Mrs Tickle might have climbed over the wire and accidentally drowned and so recorded an open verdict.
It was reported this week that there were signs of improvements in the economic situation within the St Helens district.
The demand for coal and sheet glass was considered brisk and the unemployment figure of 4,059 for August had revealed a drop of 1,258 claimants on the July figure.
However, the annual accounts of the St Helens Borough Treasurer were also issued this week and revealed a massive rise in wages paid to Corporation employees.
In 1914 the wage bill had been £137,835 but by 1922 it had risen to £467,880. Much of the increase was through council workers demanding more wages due to high inflation during the war.
A curious tale was told in court in Prescot on the 19th when a mother and daughter were charged with obtained money, food and lodgings by false pretences.
52-year-old Margaret Latham and 25-year-old Margaret Brookin had turned up at Hilda Wilson's home in Scotchbarn Lane in Prescot and spun her a yarn.
The pair claimed that Mrs Brookin had been left houses in a will and they asked to borrow cash from Mrs Wilson so a solicitor could be consulted.
The couple also enjoyed the woman's hospitality for four days on the basis of this false story.
The mother and daughter had also moved in with a Mrs Webb in St Helens and elicited sympathy from her with an even stranger tale.
Mrs Brookin claimed her "sweetheart" had recently died at a lawn tennis tournament, although whether that had supposedly been while playing or watching was not made clear.
Mrs Webb had agreed for this man's body to be stored at her house pending the funeral – but, unsurprisingly, the fictional corpse never arrived!
Bogus bankbooks claiming deposits of over £1,100 were found in Margaret Brookin’s possession.
The couple appear to have used these fakes to impress their victims, although the young woman denied that.
Mrs Brookin instead told the police that she had concocted the bankbooks to impress her Thatto Heath boyfriend with "high-flown notions".
The mother was bound over for six months and the daughter sent to Walton Prison for fourteen days.
You know how youths are sometimes accused of chasing young kids off facilities designed for children?
Well, on the 20th at the council’s Parks Committee meeting, a complaint was made that the same thing was happening in an old man's hut in the Queens Recreation Ground – but in reverse.
Most parks in St Helens had what was referred to as an "old man's hut". They were of basic construction and only accommodated about 20 persons but were places where the retired elderly could meet up and talk.
However, at the Queens Recreation Ground (or Queens Park as it is known today), the younger unemployed men were taking over the hut and the old men could not get a look in.
After discussing what to do, the committee decided that a notice would be put up in the hut informing users that the facility was exclusively for old men – although just how you define an old man was not specified.
The Chairman of the committee, Alderman Henry Peet, commented how some men are old at 40, and other men are young at 60. Although he made it clear that 40-year-olds would not be welcome!
The Parks Committee also decided to allow boys not over sixteen to play football in Thatto Heath Park and the Queens Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoons during the winter.
The retailer calling itself the Palatine Arcade opened in Church Street on the 22nd. It was operated on department store lines, describing itself as a "market within a shop" and "the store St. Helens has waited for". Their advert also said:
"You will be assured of every attention, civility and above all perfect freedom to walk round the various departments without any obligation to buy."
A two-day sale of work in aid of St Thomas Church in Westfield Street was opened on the 22nd at the church school in Peter Street.
The vicar, Rev. John Glendenning, told those gathered that they needed to raise £300 to pay their debts caused by the high prices of materials.
The horrible chemical industries had for some years been drifting away from St Helens, with some firms relocating to Widnes as it was nearer the Mersey.
On the 22nd the Runcorn Weekly News commented how the alkali trade had now largely gone from St Helens – but had left behind a mess:
"I observe, as others who visit St. Helens must have observed, what desolation now marks the sites of its once famous chemical works. Derelict towers, roofless buildings, rusty ironwork, brokendown boilers and machinery are silent testimony to a departed trade."
What the writer failed to mention was the mountains of chemical waste – such as the so-called "Kimmicks" or "Chemics" – that along with coal slag heaps then pockmarked the town.
Dilapidated buildings can, of course, be knocked down without too much difficulty but it took fifty more years for those waste heaps to be removed.
And finally, Thomas Durkin from Johnson Street in Parr was fined 20 shillings in the Police Court on the 23rd after being convicted of drunkenness.
He was another individual emboldened by drink who made big threats against the police at night – which in the cold light of day in court must have sounded rather silly.
A policeman had seen the miner leaving the Soldiers Club in Parr Street in a very drunken state and so spoke to him. His friends attempted to take Durkin home but he shouted:
"You are not going to take me home. I am not afraid of the police. The first man who tries to lock me up, his dead body will be beside me, even if he is the Chief Constable."
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include a child's sudden death at a Blackbrook industrial school, the first Labour Party mayor is elected in St Helens and the bagpipe-playing Scotsman unlawfully wearing the uniform of the Black Watch in St Helens.