1901

1901 Jan 12th
CROWLE. Ceased to Bray.
Master Hill, of the White Hart Hotel, Crowle, had the misfortune to lose his pet donkey on Wednesday last, it having wandered into another stable, where it was kicked to death by one of the horses. “Gone but not forgotten.”

1901 Mar 16th
COURSING AT ELSHAM
On Friday last, 3 local dogs secured honours at the above annual coursing meeting. In the Tenants’ Stake, the first prize was cleverly won by Mr Oldfield’s (Althorpe) ‘Trent Water’; the second prize by Mr W Isle’s (Crowle) ‘Bit o’ Steel’; and the third prize by Mr W Brunyee’s (Eastoft) ‘Cronje’. The prizes amounted to £21.

1901 Mar 23rd
EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION
The undersigned tradespeople have agreed to close their business premises every Thursday at one o’clock: Messrs J B Whitehead, M Beacock, A J Jennings, J Turner, P Cranidge, H Anderson, Mrs W Anderson, and Mrs. Spedding.

1901 July 13th
YOUTH DROWNED NEAR CROWLE
On Sunday morning, a sad bathing fatality occurred in the Keadby and Stainforth Canal, about 250 yards from Godnow Bridge. It appears that a youth named Richard John Seymour whose father is a signalman at Godnow Bridge, went to bathe in the Soft-dyke, which is a few yards away from the canal, about noon on Sunday. He went alone, but was seen to cross over from the Soft-dyke to the canal, and enter the water. He swam once across, and turned to come back again. However, he only succeeded in getting half way across, and then was seen to sink, cramp being evidently the cause. He never rose again, and dragging operations were at once commenced. The body was recovered about four hours after the accident, by Inspector Peach, who was assisted by willing helpers, the canal being lined with people who had got news of the accident. From information gathered, it appears the same youth had been rescued from drowning on two previous occasions.

On the Monday, at the White Hart Hotel, Crowle, an inquest was held before Mr Iverson, junr. (deputy coroner), the following being the jury:- Messrs H Hodgson (foreman), W R Pacey, W Pickering, Geo. Peck, T H Horobin, T Balding, Jas. Marritt, Jos. Sharp, W Sharp, H Johnson, F Pidd, and R H Wood.

Evidence was given as follows:-

John Seymour said: I am a signalman on the Great Central Railway, and live at Crowle. The body the jury have seen is that of my son, Richard John Seymour, 19 years of age. He was a labourer. I saw him alive last on Sunday about 11.30 a.m. I spoke to him. He did not say what he was going to do. I met him between Crowle and Godnow Bridge as I was coming home from work. He was with two or three more young men. Two were named Parkin. He could not swim.

Reubin Price said: I am 16 years of age. I go out working with my mother. We live at Crowle. On Sunday morning, I was going fishing with my cousin. We took a rod and line. My cousin was fishing on Godnow Bridge, but caught nothing. I saw Seymour go down the bank and look into the Soft-dyke, and then he came back to the Canal and took his clothes off and went into the water. I saw him in the middle swimming about. He was going round and round, as if he were struggling. I shouted for my cousin to bring a pole. There was no one near him when he went into the Canal. I shouted to him and asked him if he was drowning, but he did not speak.

Joseph Dodsworth said: I am a blacksmith living at Crowle. On Sunday morning I went to the Canal bank to fish, and I stopped with the father of the deceased till about 11 a.m., and then I went on the towing-path, and saw the deceased come on to the bridge about 11.30. he stopped a few minutes on the path. I next saw him stripping on the bankside, about 400 yards from the bridge. I saw him swimming about, and he swam to the other side against the railway. He was dabbling in the water, and I thought he was playing about. He did not get any further, and I saw him go down. There were some boys who shouted, and I ran and got a boat hook, but when I got to the spot there was no sign of him. I can swim a little. I did not go into the water. I came to Crowle to inform the father and the police. The body was found about 4 p.m.

The verdict returned was that the deceased came to his death accidentally and by misfortune, and not otherwise.

1901 July 27th
JOTTINGS
Lovers of flowers should take a walk up to the cemetery and look through Mr Tune’s conservatory, and view the many varieties of geraniums and fuchsias of nearly every shade and colour. The bloom on the geraniums are as large round as a basin, and the drops of the fuchsias are very beautiful. He has also some good roses. Mr Tune deserves the thanks of the whole town for the time and skill displayed in having the Cemetery so beautiful all the spring and summer. It has been a great garden conservatory of narcissus, daffodils, pinks, and other flowers, and must have cost Mr Tune much time and money.

1901 Nov 2nd
AMCOTTS – VISIT OF THE BELTON BLACK COONS
The popularity of this local troupe of artistes was fully demonstrated on Wednesday evening, when the schoolroom was crowded to excess with a most enthusiastic audience. Mr W A Ross, of the Poplars, Belton, was responsible for their presence that evening, he having kindly promised to provide an entertainment, to aid a fund which is to be used for giving the Church Choir boys a trip to Blackpool in the summer. The troupe gladly consented to assist, and the results are such that the summer trip is already guaranteed. The programme was one which catered for all tastes, and by the hearty applause accorded to each performer, proved that the items were of a “taking” order.

The first half was given in the old-fashioned style, all the troupe taking part; and the second half was full of variety, sustained by individual effort. The troupe was augmented by a string band, consisting of piano (Mrs Standring and Mrs Carpenter), violin (Mr Davidson), and flute (Mr Carpenter). The funny men of the crowd were Messrs W A Ross, C H Wright, J Leggott, and T Leggott, and well did they sustain their parts. The jokes were to a great extent “new,” and the local “hits” were smart and amusing. The audience was kept in a state of high humour from beginning to end. Mr Ross proved a host in himself, and was in rare good form. The able interlocutor was Mr Standring who was quite “at home” when quick repartee was needed. A pleasing feature of the troupe was the excellent singing of the 8 boys, who were really an acquisition, and “made” the choruses. The solos were well rendered, the singing of the veteran Mr M E Cranidge being worthy of mention.

In the second half the principal artistes were Mrs Carpenter, Mr Ross, Mr C H Wright, Mr Carpenter, and Mr Beecroft, and they were really the “cream” of the troupe, in pleasing style. Mr Beecroft sang, “He never saw his mother any more.” This was followed by Mr C H Wright, giving in true racy style that stirring recitation entitled “The Kissing Cup.” For this he received a well-earned encore. “Relics of Eliza,” from Mr Ross, was truly mirth provoking, and he was redemanded. Mr and Mrs Carpenter also received an ovation for their admirable rendering of the duet “Money matters,” whilst Mr Ross, in his original stump speech, was a perfect “knock out.” The way he handled his subject, “Man versus Woman,” proved at once that he possessed a thorough grasp of the various “points” enumerated. The last song of the evening was in character, and given by Mr Carpenter. It appealed to the rustic portion of the audience, for it was called “How did you leave the pigs, Sammy.”

“God save the King” concluded a most enjoyable evening. The rector, the Rev. C G Maturin, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Ross and the troupe, which were accorded. Mr Ross responded and mentioned the pleasure it had given them to come and assist so good a cause. The troupe and friends were then entertained to supper by Mr and Mrs Fritchley, of Standard House, a kindness which was greatly appreciated by all. Mr Fritchley has proved a friend indeed, for to his labours is the success of the event due. He kindly undertook the arrangements, which he carried out in a most praiseworthy manner. Before leaving Standard House, Mr Carpenter moved and Mr Standring seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs, and the misses Fritchley, for their generous hospitality and great kindness.

The following was the “ring” programme:- Opening Chorus – “We all have a very bad cold.”
Comic Song – “My brother Joe”….. Mr W A Ross.
Song – “Not so bad for me”….. Mr E A Carpenter.
Song – “When you and I were young, Maggie” …..Mr C H Beecroft.
Comic Song – “T’other side of the stars” Mr J Leggott.
Song – “De broken Banjo”….. Mr T Leggott.
Comic Song – “They’re all fine girls”….. Mr Ross.
Song – “Norine Mavourneen”….. Mr M E Cranidge.
Chorus – “King Edward’s Black Hussars.”