150 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (24th - 30th OCTOBER 1872)
This week's stories include the debate over an illuminated church clock, the curious Water Street break-in by an undressed man, the scandalous language in Watery Lane that led to a head-butt, the boy setting off fireworks in Liverpool Road that got himself on fire and why publicans moaning about their lost pre-breakfast trade was the acme of nonsense.
In my book 'The Hidden History of St Helens Vol 1', I chart the career of Bridget Kildare, who during her lifetime had at least 207 convictions. Her offences were mainly drunkenness, sleeping rough or indecency – which often meant prostitution in order to pay for drink or lodgings.
Bridget was barely able to sample any fresh air before the revolving prison door welcomed her back inside. On October 24th the 25-year-old "notorious character" appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions charged with disorderly conduct in Liverpool Road. Bridget had only being released from prison on the previous day and she was returned to Kirkdale Gaol for a further month.
The annual council elections were set for November 1st, although some seats were going to be uncontested. However, what marked this election as special was that it would be the first vote to employ the secret ballot. Previously the way everyone voted was a public record and people were often bribed with alcohol and sometimes intimidated into voting for a particular candidate.
On the 26th the St Helens Newspaper published an article with the headline "The Process of Voting By Ballot", for those confused by the new system. With the electorate being very small, the polls then only opened at 9am and closed at 4pm.
The big issue in the letters columns of the Newspaper at the moment concerned the merits of an illuminated church clock. There had been calls for such a clock on the parish church tower for some time, as much of St Helens was in darkness at night, making it difficult to see the hands of the existing clock. As watches were expensive items, many people did not own a timepiece or wish to carry one on them.
Colliery boss and councillor James Radley (pictured above) had offered to donate a gas-powered clock to the church but there was the question of its running costs. Who would pay the bill for the gas used, along with the clock's maintenance costs, with the Town Council divided over whether they or the church should pay? This week this letter on the subject from someone adopting the pseudonym Luminiere was published in the Newspaper:
"Sir – If Mr. Radley give a new clock to the Church-street Church, what has that to do with the St. Helens Town Council? If that church's authorities like to accept the new clock, why should the ratepayers of St. Helens be called upon to interfere in the matter? Why? Why should the Council be called upon to illuminate and repair it any more than any other part of the structure? It is said that the clock would be of public utility. Do the advocates of the illuminated clock then admit that the rest of the building is not of public utility?"
Mr Luminiere also wondered about the need for such a clock, pointing out that there were public clocks already on the market hall and main post office and he felt few people in the town would be able to see its hands on the church tower whether the clock was illuminated or not: "A walk round the town has taught me that for such practical purposes it would be distinguishable from very few [streets] indeed. Nor must the fact be lost sight of that no amount of St. Helens Gas could so illuminate the intended clock as to make it discernible for more than a few yards through the murky atmosphere of St Helens."
It was common for someone to bring a summons against a person that had annoyed them in some way – without appreciating that in court their own behaviour would be put under the microscope. The Newspaper described how Mary Kynaston had this week accused Thomas Wright of head-butting her while she was passing his house – which appeared to have been in Watery Lane in Sutton. She claimed that she still bore traces of some of the bruises that she had suffered in the attack.
However, Mrs Kynaston failed to mention that she had used what was referred to as "very foul and abusive language" towards members of Thomas Wright's family. A young man named Derby was called as a witness and stated that Mrs Kynaston had employed "scandalous language" and assaulted Mr Wright when he remonstrated with her. The case was subsequently dismissed leaving Mrs Kynaston looking rather foolish and having wasted the cost of a summons.
The Newspaper also told how Edward Proctor had been charged with breaking into a house in Water Street in St Helens – but he claimed that he didn't know why or how! A domestic servant had woken to find Proctor in her room in an undressed state and so started screaming. That brought her mistress, a Mrs Parr, to the room and she alerted the police.
Proctor said he had got very drunk on the day in question and had found his way into the house by some means not known to him. The man had a good work record and was currently in the employment of David Gamble. He had apparently not attempted to flee when the police were called and so, perhaps, had thought he had entered his own home. If that was the case, it was a very bad mistake as Proctor was sent to person for two months.
Three boys called Denis Hayes, John Wilcock and Peter Brennan (who appeared to be aged 10 or 11) also appeared in court this week charged with setting off fireworks in Liverpool Road. A constable said that when he had "laid hold" of John Wilcock he found that the boy was on fire! No reported injury occurred to the lad who claimed in court that he had not been setting off fireworks but had simply had a squib thrown at him that set his clothes alight. Superintendent James Ludlam, the boss of St Helens police, said he did not want to punish the lads but the offence was becoming so common that something had to be done. The three boys were given a warning by the Bench and then let off.
There were a couple of adverts in the St Helens Newspaper promoting classes that might appeal to those with an artistic bent. An evening art class was starting in November at the Commercial School in Hardshaw Street in St Helens. This would teach freehand, geometrical, perspective and model drawing, elementary design and drawing from nature. The fee was two shillings per month.
Or you could learn to tinkle the ivories as James Gabriel of Tontine Street was reopening as a "teacher of the organ, pianoforte and singing". If you didn’t have a "pianoforte", Mr Gabriel could sell you one. And if you already had a piano, he could tune it for you – at a price of course! In addition, if you threw a party Mr Gabriel could come and play for you. So an all-round service was on offer.
The new Licensing Law meant that drinking houses could no longer open before 7am and some publicans in St Helens were grumbling about lost income. However, in a long article the Newspaper reckoned the landlords had little in reality to moan about, writing their criticism was the "acme of nonsense" and adding: "There is no trade worth the naming carried on in this borough, in the public houses, before breakfast time. Three-fourths of the ale houses do not open before seven in the morning.
"We put the question to a licensed victualler of considerable experience in St. Helens, and his reply was this: “There is no business done before seven o’clock in this town. I have been open as early as five, wasting gas during the winter mornings, without taking as much money as would pay for the light. Only two, or perhaps, three houses, have any custom before seven o’clock, and even in those cases it is only trifling. I never open now before seven, because I know I would have no income any earlier.”"
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the novelty of voting in secret elections in St Helens, the casual attitude to explosive gas down a coal mine, the fireworks in a Newton court and the assault on a policeman's whiskers in Market Street.
In my book 'The Hidden History of St Helens Vol 1', I chart the career of Bridget Kildare, who during her lifetime had at least 207 convictions. Her offences were mainly drunkenness, sleeping rough or indecency – which often meant prostitution in order to pay for drink or lodgings.
Bridget was barely able to sample any fresh air before the revolving prison door welcomed her back inside. On October 24th the 25-year-old "notorious character" appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions charged with disorderly conduct in Liverpool Road. Bridget had only being released from prison on the previous day and she was returned to Kirkdale Gaol for a further month.
The annual council elections were set for November 1st, although some seats were going to be uncontested. However, what marked this election as special was that it would be the first vote to employ the secret ballot. Previously the way everyone voted was a public record and people were often bribed with alcohol and sometimes intimidated into voting for a particular candidate.
On the 26th the St Helens Newspaper published an article with the headline "The Process of Voting By Ballot", for those confused by the new system. With the electorate being very small, the polls then only opened at 9am and closed at 4pm.
The big issue in the letters columns of the Newspaper at the moment concerned the merits of an illuminated church clock. There had been calls for such a clock on the parish church tower for some time, as much of St Helens was in darkness at night, making it difficult to see the hands of the existing clock. As watches were expensive items, many people did not own a timepiece or wish to carry one on them.
"Sir – If Mr. Radley give a new clock to the Church-street Church, what has that to do with the St. Helens Town Council? If that church's authorities like to accept the new clock, why should the ratepayers of St. Helens be called upon to interfere in the matter? Why? Why should the Council be called upon to illuminate and repair it any more than any other part of the structure? It is said that the clock would be of public utility. Do the advocates of the illuminated clock then admit that the rest of the building is not of public utility?"
Mr Luminiere also wondered about the need for such a clock, pointing out that there were public clocks already on the market hall and main post office and he felt few people in the town would be able to see its hands on the church tower whether the clock was illuminated or not: "A walk round the town has taught me that for such practical purposes it would be distinguishable from very few [streets] indeed. Nor must the fact be lost sight of that no amount of St. Helens Gas could so illuminate the intended clock as to make it discernible for more than a few yards through the murky atmosphere of St Helens."
It was common for someone to bring a summons against a person that had annoyed them in some way – without appreciating that in court their own behaviour would be put under the microscope. The Newspaper described how Mary Kynaston had this week accused Thomas Wright of head-butting her while she was passing his house – which appeared to have been in Watery Lane in Sutton. She claimed that she still bore traces of some of the bruises that she had suffered in the attack.
However, Mrs Kynaston failed to mention that she had used what was referred to as "very foul and abusive language" towards members of Thomas Wright's family. A young man named Derby was called as a witness and stated that Mrs Kynaston had employed "scandalous language" and assaulted Mr Wright when he remonstrated with her. The case was subsequently dismissed leaving Mrs Kynaston looking rather foolish and having wasted the cost of a summons.
The Newspaper also told how Edward Proctor had been charged with breaking into a house in Water Street in St Helens – but he claimed that he didn't know why or how! A domestic servant had woken to find Proctor in her room in an undressed state and so started screaming. That brought her mistress, a Mrs Parr, to the room and she alerted the police.
Proctor said he had got very drunk on the day in question and had found his way into the house by some means not known to him. The man had a good work record and was currently in the employment of David Gamble. He had apparently not attempted to flee when the police were called and so, perhaps, had thought he had entered his own home. If that was the case, it was a very bad mistake as Proctor was sent to person for two months.
Three boys called Denis Hayes, John Wilcock and Peter Brennan (who appeared to be aged 10 or 11) also appeared in court this week charged with setting off fireworks in Liverpool Road. A constable said that when he had "laid hold" of John Wilcock he found that the boy was on fire! No reported injury occurred to the lad who claimed in court that he had not been setting off fireworks but had simply had a squib thrown at him that set his clothes alight. Superintendent James Ludlam, the boss of St Helens police, said he did not want to punish the lads but the offence was becoming so common that something had to be done. The three boys were given a warning by the Bench and then let off.
There were a couple of adverts in the St Helens Newspaper promoting classes that might appeal to those with an artistic bent. An evening art class was starting in November at the Commercial School in Hardshaw Street in St Helens. This would teach freehand, geometrical, perspective and model drawing, elementary design and drawing from nature. The fee was two shillings per month.
Or you could learn to tinkle the ivories as James Gabriel of Tontine Street was reopening as a "teacher of the organ, pianoforte and singing". If you didn’t have a "pianoforte", Mr Gabriel could sell you one. And if you already had a piano, he could tune it for you – at a price of course! In addition, if you threw a party Mr Gabriel could come and play for you. So an all-round service was on offer.
The new Licensing Law meant that drinking houses could no longer open before 7am and some publicans in St Helens were grumbling about lost income. However, in a long article the Newspaper reckoned the landlords had little in reality to moan about, writing their criticism was the "acme of nonsense" and adding: "There is no trade worth the naming carried on in this borough, in the public houses, before breakfast time. Three-fourths of the ale houses do not open before seven in the morning.
"We put the question to a licensed victualler of considerable experience in St. Helens, and his reply was this: “There is no business done before seven o’clock in this town. I have been open as early as five, wasting gas during the winter mornings, without taking as much money as would pay for the light. Only two, or perhaps, three houses, have any custom before seven o’clock, and even in those cases it is only trifling. I never open now before seven, because I know I would have no income any earlier.”"
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the novelty of voting in secret elections in St Helens, the casual attitude to explosive gas down a coal mine, the fireworks in a Newton court and the assault on a policeman's whiskers in Market Street.
This week's stories include the debate over an illuminated church clock, the curious Water Street break-in by an undressed man, the scandalous language in Watery Lane that led to a head-butt, the boy setting off fireworks in Liverpool Road that got himself on fire and why publicans moaning about their lost pre-breakfast trade was the acme of nonsense.
In my book 'The Hidden History of St Helens Vol 1', I chart the career of Bridget Kildare, who during her lifetime had at least 207 convictions.
Her offences were mainly drunkenness, sleeping rough or indecency – which often meant prostitution in order to pay for drink or lodgings.
Bridget was barely able to sample any fresh air before the revolving prison door welcomed her back inside.
On October 24th the 25-year-old "notorious character" appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions charged with disorderly conduct in Liverpool Road.
Bridget had only being released from prison on the previous day and she was returned to Kirkdale Gaol for a further month.
The annual council elections were set for November 1st, although some seats were going to be uncontested.
However, what marked this election as special was that it would be the first vote to employ the secret ballot.
Previously the way everyone voted was a public record and people were often bribed with alcohol and sometimes intimidated into voting for a particular candidate.
On the 26th the St Helens Newspaper published an article with the headline "The Process of Voting By Ballot", for those confused by the new system.
With the electorate being very small, the polls then only opened at 9am and closed at 4pm.
The big issue in the letters columns of the Newspaper at the moment concerned the merits of an illuminated church clock.
There had been calls for such a clock on the parish church tower for some time, as much of St Helens was in darkness at night, making it difficult to see the hands of the existing clock.
As watches were expensive items, many people did not own a timepiece or wish to carry one on them.
Colliery boss and councillor James Radley (pictured above) had offered to donate a gas-powered clock to the church but there was the question of its running costs.
Who would pay the bill for the gas used, along with the clock's maintenance costs, with the Town Council divided over whether they or the church should pay?
This week this letter on the subject from someone adopting the pseudonym Luminiere was published in the Newspaper:
"Sir – If Mr. Radley give a new clock to the Church-street Church, what has that to do with the St. Helens Town Council?
"If that church's authorities like to accept the new clock, why should the ratepayers of St. Helens be called upon to interfere in the matter? Why?
"Why should the Council be called upon to illuminate and repair it any more than any other part of the structure? It is said that the clock would be of public utility.
"Do the advocates of the illuminated clock then admit that the rest of the building is not of public utility?"
Mr Luminiere also wondered about the need for such a clock, pointing out that there were public clocks already on the market hall and main post office and he felt few people in the town would be able to see its hands on the church tower whether the clock was illuminated or not:
"A walk round the town has taught me that for such practical purposes it would be distinguishable from very few [streets] indeed.
"Nor must the fact be lost sight of that no amount of St. Helens Gas could so illuminate the intended clock as to make it discernible for more than a few yards through the murky atmosphere of St Helens."
It was common for someone to bring a summons against a person that had annoyed them in some way – without appreciating that in court their own behaviour would be put under the microscope.
The Newspaper described how Mary Kynaston had this week accused Thomas Wright of head-butting her while she was passing his house – which appeared to have been in Watery Lane in Sutton.
She claimed that she still bore traces of some of the bruises that she had suffered in the attack.
However, Mrs Kynaston failed to mention that she had used what was referred to as "very foul and abusive language" towards members of Thomas Wright's family.
A young man named Derby was called as a witness and stated that Mrs Kynaston had employed "scandalous language" and assaulted Mr Wright when he remonstrated with her.
The case was subsequently dismissed leaving Mrs Kynaston looking rather foolish and having wasted the cost of a summons.
The Newspaper also told how Edward Proctor had been charged with breaking into a house in Water Street in St Helens – but he claimed that he didn't know why or how!
A domestic servant had woken to find Proctor in her room in an undressed state and so started screaming. That brought her mistress, a Mrs Parr, to the room and she alerted the police.
Proctor said he had got very drunk on the day in question and had found his way into the house by some means not known to him.
The man had a good work record and was currently in the employment of David Gamble.
He had apparently not attempted to flee when the police were called and so, perhaps, had thought he had entered his own home.
If that was the case, it was a very bad mistake as Proctor was sent to person for two months.
Three boys called Denis Hayes, John Wilcock and Peter Brennan (who appeared to be aged 10 or 11) also appeared in court this week charged with setting off fireworks in Liverpool Road.
A constable said that when he had "laid hold" of John Wilcock he found that the boy was on fire!
No reported injury occurred to the lad who claimed in court that he had not been setting off fireworks but had simply had a squib thrown at him that set his clothes alight.
Superintendent James Ludlam, the boss of St Helens police, said he did not want to punish the lads but the offence was becoming so common that something had to be done. The three boys were given a warning by the Bench and then let off.
There were a couple of adverts in the St Helens Newspaper promoting classes that might appeal to those with an artistic bent.
An evening art class was starting in November at the Commercial School in Hardshaw Street in St Helens.
This would teach freehand, geometrical, perspective and model drawing, elementary design and drawing from nature. The fee was two shillings per month.
Or you could learn to tinkle the ivories as James Gabriel of Tontine Street was reopening as a "teacher of the organ, pianoforte and singing".
If you didn’t have a "pianoforte", Mr Gabriel could sell you one. And if you already had a piano, he could tune it for you – at a price of course!
In addition, if you threw a party Mr Gabriel could come and play for you. So an all-round service was on offer.
The new Licensing Law meant that drinking houses could no longer open before 7am and some publicans in St Helens were grumbling about lost income.
However, in a long article the Newspaper reckoned the landlords had little in reality to moan about, writing their criticism was the "acme of nonsense" and adding:
"There is no trade worth the naming carried on in this borough, in the public houses, before breakfast time. Three-fourths of the ale houses do not open before seven in the morning.
"We put the question to a licensed victualler of considerable experience in St. Helens, and his reply was this:
"“There is no business done before seven o’clock in this town. I have been open as early as five, wasting gas during the winter mornings, without taking as much money as would pay for the light. Only two, or perhaps, three houses, have any custom before seven o’clock, and even in those cases it is only trifling. I never open now before seven, because I know I would have no income any earlier.”"
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the novelty of voting in secret elections in St Helens, the casual attitude to explosive gas down a coal mine, the fireworks in a Newton court and the assault on a policeman's whiskers in Market Street.
In my book 'The Hidden History of St Helens Vol 1', I chart the career of Bridget Kildare, who during her lifetime had at least 207 convictions.
Her offences were mainly drunkenness, sleeping rough or indecency – which often meant prostitution in order to pay for drink or lodgings.
Bridget was barely able to sample any fresh air before the revolving prison door welcomed her back inside.
On October 24th the 25-year-old "notorious character" appeared in St Helens Petty Sessions charged with disorderly conduct in Liverpool Road.
Bridget had only being released from prison on the previous day and she was returned to Kirkdale Gaol for a further month.
The annual council elections were set for November 1st, although some seats were going to be uncontested.
However, what marked this election as special was that it would be the first vote to employ the secret ballot.
Previously the way everyone voted was a public record and people were often bribed with alcohol and sometimes intimidated into voting for a particular candidate.
On the 26th the St Helens Newspaper published an article with the headline "The Process of Voting By Ballot", for those confused by the new system.
With the electorate being very small, the polls then only opened at 9am and closed at 4pm.
The big issue in the letters columns of the Newspaper at the moment concerned the merits of an illuminated church clock.
There had been calls for such a clock on the parish church tower for some time, as much of St Helens was in darkness at night, making it difficult to see the hands of the existing clock.
As watches were expensive items, many people did not own a timepiece or wish to carry one on them.
Who would pay the bill for the gas used, along with the clock's maintenance costs, with the Town Council divided over whether they or the church should pay?
This week this letter on the subject from someone adopting the pseudonym Luminiere was published in the Newspaper:
"Sir – If Mr. Radley give a new clock to the Church-street Church, what has that to do with the St. Helens Town Council?
"If that church's authorities like to accept the new clock, why should the ratepayers of St. Helens be called upon to interfere in the matter? Why?
"Why should the Council be called upon to illuminate and repair it any more than any other part of the structure? It is said that the clock would be of public utility.
"Do the advocates of the illuminated clock then admit that the rest of the building is not of public utility?"
Mr Luminiere also wondered about the need for such a clock, pointing out that there were public clocks already on the market hall and main post office and he felt few people in the town would be able to see its hands on the church tower whether the clock was illuminated or not:
"A walk round the town has taught me that for such practical purposes it would be distinguishable from very few [streets] indeed.
"Nor must the fact be lost sight of that no amount of St. Helens Gas could so illuminate the intended clock as to make it discernible for more than a few yards through the murky atmosphere of St Helens."
It was common for someone to bring a summons against a person that had annoyed them in some way – without appreciating that in court their own behaviour would be put under the microscope.
The Newspaper described how Mary Kynaston had this week accused Thomas Wright of head-butting her while she was passing his house – which appeared to have been in Watery Lane in Sutton.
She claimed that she still bore traces of some of the bruises that she had suffered in the attack.
However, Mrs Kynaston failed to mention that she had used what was referred to as "very foul and abusive language" towards members of Thomas Wright's family.
A young man named Derby was called as a witness and stated that Mrs Kynaston had employed "scandalous language" and assaulted Mr Wright when he remonstrated with her.
The case was subsequently dismissed leaving Mrs Kynaston looking rather foolish and having wasted the cost of a summons.
The Newspaper also told how Edward Proctor had been charged with breaking into a house in Water Street in St Helens – but he claimed that he didn't know why or how!
A domestic servant had woken to find Proctor in her room in an undressed state and so started screaming. That brought her mistress, a Mrs Parr, to the room and she alerted the police.
Proctor said he had got very drunk on the day in question and had found his way into the house by some means not known to him.
The man had a good work record and was currently in the employment of David Gamble.
He had apparently not attempted to flee when the police were called and so, perhaps, had thought he had entered his own home.
If that was the case, it was a very bad mistake as Proctor was sent to person for two months.
Three boys called Denis Hayes, John Wilcock and Peter Brennan (who appeared to be aged 10 or 11) also appeared in court this week charged with setting off fireworks in Liverpool Road.
A constable said that when he had "laid hold" of John Wilcock he found that the boy was on fire!
No reported injury occurred to the lad who claimed in court that he had not been setting off fireworks but had simply had a squib thrown at him that set his clothes alight.
Superintendent James Ludlam, the boss of St Helens police, said he did not want to punish the lads but the offence was becoming so common that something had to be done. The three boys were given a warning by the Bench and then let off.
There were a couple of adverts in the St Helens Newspaper promoting classes that might appeal to those with an artistic bent.
An evening art class was starting in November at the Commercial School in Hardshaw Street in St Helens.
This would teach freehand, geometrical, perspective and model drawing, elementary design and drawing from nature. The fee was two shillings per month.
Or you could learn to tinkle the ivories as James Gabriel of Tontine Street was reopening as a "teacher of the organ, pianoforte and singing".
If you didn’t have a "pianoforte", Mr Gabriel could sell you one. And if you already had a piano, he could tune it for you – at a price of course!
In addition, if you threw a party Mr Gabriel could come and play for you. So an all-round service was on offer.
The new Licensing Law meant that drinking houses could no longer open before 7am and some publicans in St Helens were grumbling about lost income.
However, in a long article the Newspaper reckoned the landlords had little in reality to moan about, writing their criticism was the "acme of nonsense" and adding:
"There is no trade worth the naming carried on in this borough, in the public houses, before breakfast time. Three-fourths of the ale houses do not open before seven in the morning.
"We put the question to a licensed victualler of considerable experience in St. Helens, and his reply was this:
"“There is no business done before seven o’clock in this town. I have been open as early as five, wasting gas during the winter mornings, without taking as much money as would pay for the light. Only two, or perhaps, three houses, have any custom before seven o’clock, and even in those cases it is only trifling. I never open now before seven, because I know I would have no income any earlier.”"
St Helens Newspaper courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next week's stories will include the novelty of voting in secret elections in St Helens, the casual attitude to explosive gas down a coal mine, the fireworks in a Newton court and the assault on a policeman's whiskers in Market Street.