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It’s all too easy when searching through
old newspapers to get side-tracked by interesting stories! That’s my
excuse.
When recently searching through the Chorley Standard of 1868, I came
across the following two items,(both from the 1st August edition) which,
although different, paint small pictures of what life was like over 140
years ago.
1. Strange Proceedings in Botany
On Monday night two women, named Elizabeth Hatch and Jane Collins, were
charged before J. Rigby Esq., with assaulting Henry Grime and his
daughter Hannah Grime. They were ordered to find sureties.- On Wednesday
evening a great crowd assembled in Botany, and an effigy of Grime was
prepared, and it was taken to the top of Knowley, where it was burnt,
amid great excitement. On Thursday the crowd again assembled, with the
intention of “burying the ashes” for which purpose a large fish box had
been provided to receive the “remains”. The police, however, came upon
the scene and dispersed the excited crowd, taking a man named Jos.
Fishwick into custody for disorderly behaviour. He was brought before J.
Rigby ,Esq., yesterday and bound over to keep the peace
2. Letter to the Editor “Chorley
Workhouse”
Sir, Being near the workhouse on Sunday night a little before nine
o’clock, I heard a great noise, which I found was caused by a poor woman
seeking admittance. She knocked, and knocked---louder, and yet
louder—but all is vain. The woman was importunate, and sought aid of
stones, which she sent as friendly messengers through the windows, but
still in vain,-- another illustration of the proverb, “None so deaf as
those who will not hear.” The woman, of course, had to go away.
Now, Mr. Editor, how is it that the windows of the workhouse can be thus
assailed, and yet no notice taken of it? Yours, A Ratepayer.
No comment necessary!
John Harrison
April 2011 |
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