Huddersfield Chronicle (07/Jan/1871) – Golcar: Lost in a Fog

GOLCAR.

Lost in a Fog.

On Tuesday night a flock-dealer, from Ley Moor, Golcar, found himself in a ludicrous position, and which has caused considerable amusement to numbers of his friends and neighbours. It seems he visited Huddersfield that day on business, and bad imbibed to an extent that towards night he became somewhat muddled. Remaining in town till the last train had left Huddersfield, he started off to walk home, and managed very well till Chapel Hill was reached ; but here the fog (in his head) was so thick that, instead of continuing on Manchester Road, he took the more easy one, and descended Chapel Hill, continuing on through Lockwood and Dungeon, nor did he discover his mistake until rudely brought to his recollection during the small hours of the morning, by discovering that instead of being, as he imagined, at Golcar, he was actually in the Big Valley, and going to Netherton. Chagrined, he retraced his steps, and ultimately reached home, the fog having by that time become much less dense than when he left Huddersfield.

Huddersfield Chronicle (21/May/1870) – Capture of a Runaway Snake

Capture of a Runaway Snake.

On Sunday morning two boys called at the Borough Police Station, and informed Inspector Townend that they had seen a snake crawling down Cross Queen Street — a narrow thoroughfare at the rear of the Gymnasium Hall and the Theatre Royal, and extending, from Bull and Mouth Street, near the Police Station, to Queen Street. Inspector Townend, upon the “information received,” sallied from the office, and, near the Fire Brigade Station, in the narrow street alluded to already, espied the reptile, which would be about one yard long. The Inspector, not knowing whether it was of a venemous or docile order, felt somewhat perplexed, and contemplated the “apprehension” of the monster with bated breath. While the Inspector occupied himself with devising means for the successful capture of the stranger, who was now in jeopardy of being “brought up” under the Vagrant Act, for “wandering abroad without any visible means of subsistence, and not giving a good account of himself,” the snake kept crawling onwards, to the evident amusement and gratification of the bystanders, and the Inspector was loathe to lay hands upon it, or take it into his custody. Mr. C.P. Hobkirk, however, happened to be passing, and went to the assistance of the Inspector, who, with unusual willingness, resigned his charge into other hands. Mr. Hobkirk took possession of the snake, and preserved it in the ordinary way. On Tuesday morning Mr. Withers, head constable, received a note from Mr. W.E. Thomas, stating that, in autumn last, a snake escaped from its box at the Naturalist Society’s exhibition, held in the Gymnasium Hall, and it was never found. If the snake captured on Sunday morning is that which escaped in autumn, it would be difficult to trace the ground over which, with its slow locomotion it has traversed ; and naturalists will be curious to know the kind of food upon which it has subsisted in the meantime.

Huddersfield Chronicle (10/Jul/1869) – Opening of the Branch Line of Railway to Meltham

MELTHAM.

Opening of the Branch Line of Railway to Meltham.

After innumerable predictions, the opening of the Meltham Branch Railway is an accomplished fact. On Monday morning the line was opened for passenger traffic, and although no public demonstration took place, the inhabitants of the valley were highly delighted with the event. The first train consisting of engine, tender, and eleven carriages — with a large number of passengers left Huddersfield station — for Meltham. The engine was under the care of Mr. McConkey, who was accompanied on the engine by Mr. Normanton, the assistant superintendent of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company ; Mr. Thornton, superintendent of the locomotive department ; Mr. Goldstraw, the contractors’ engineer ; Mr. Thompson, the Huddersfield station master ; and other officials. As the train moved from the platform fog signals were fired. At Lockwood about a score of passengers were taken up, and fog signals were fired as the train left the station. At Netherton a large number of persons congregated and welcomed the arrival of the tram with hearty cheers. Flags were flying at the station and across the line, and a large number of fog signals were discharged. Hundreds of the inhabitants flocked into the train, the first ticket issued being obtained by Mr. James Wrigley, who has taken a lively interest in the construction of the line from its commencement. At Healey House station flags were hoisted and signals fired. At Meltham thousands of persons lined the side of the cutting above the station, and in various ways demonstrated the pleasure they felt at the opening of the line, which had already been productive of great benefit to them by a reduction in the price of coal by at least 3s. 6d. per ton. On the arrival of the train a large number of fog signals were discharged. The first ticket issued at this station was to Master Walker, son of the station master. During the whole of the day the trains were well filled with passengers, and ample provision made for their comfort and entertainment at the Rose and Crown, the Swan, Victoria, and other inns in the town. The line, although a short length, has been very expensive in its construction owing to the many difficulties which beset the contractors, Messrs. Barnes and Beckett. The first sod was lifted by Charles Brook, Esq., of Enderby, on the 4th of April, 1864, and Monday being the fifth day of July, the line has occupied five years, three months, and one day in its construction. The difficult portions of the undertaking were at Dungeon Wood and Netherton tunnel. From the junction at the Lockwood viaduct to Meltham is a distance of three miles and a half, and the gradients are very heavy. On leaving the main line at the above junction the gradient is one in 100; at Dungeon Wood to Butternab it is one in 60 ; at Netherton it is one in 95; and from Healey House it is one in 120. The line is level at all the stations. The line passes through picturesque scenery, the Netherton valley being one of the finest for miles round, and presents a fine opening for the erection of villa residences. Emerging from the Butternab tunnel, a magnificent gorge is opened out on the right hand side, which, for beauty and variety of foliage, can scarcely be equalled in this part of the country. Leaving Netherton station, a fine, extensive panorama is opened to view. The picturesque valley, the beautiful silk mills of Messrs. Charles Brook and Sons, overtopped by the extensive thread works of Messrs. Jonas Brook and Brothers, flanked by the Spink Mires Mills, with the pretty church of St. James and the parsonage in the centre, and the extensive view of pasture, wood, and moorland forms a picture rarely met with, and this will be much enhanced when the Convalescent Home is erected. There is little doubt but that the Meltham line will prove a great attraction for pic-nic parties to Harden Moss, the Isle of Skye, and other places in the locality.


1869.07.10 Opening of the Branch Line of Railway to Meltham - Huddersfield Chronicle 10 July 1869

Huddersfield Chronicle (29/May/1869) – Meltham: Inspection of the Branch Line of Railway

MELTHAM.

Inspection of the Branch Line of Railway.

The long anticipated inspection of the branch line from Huddersfield to Meltham has at length taken place, but with what result remains to be seen ; nor will that result be known until after the inspector (Col. Yalland) has made his report to the Board of Trade. The inspection took place on Wednesday, and at 12 minutes past two o’clock a special train, consisting of engine, tender, and three carriages, one a first-class and the others second-class, containing the Government Inspector (Captain Binstead), a number of the directors of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, their engineers, the contractors, and others left the Huddersfield Station. Arriving at the Dungeon Wood junction, a second engine was attached, and with the additional weight the numerous bridges on the line were tested as to their capabilities of sustaining the weight intended to be sent over them. Every part of the line was minutely inspected, and the company did not return to Huddersfield till a quarter-past six in the evening.

The Engineer (13/Jul/1860) – Notes from the Northern and Eastern Counties

Notes from the Northern and Eastern Counties

A scheme is proposed for the construction of a branch line from the Lockwood station of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway to Meltham (near Huddersfield), the site of the extensive cotton mills of Messrs. James Brook and Brothers.

Huddersfield Chronicle (06/Aug/1859) – Magistrates in Petty Sessions

Magistrates in Petty Sessions.

A Midnight Rambler.

Ann Elder, a gipsy looking woman, was brought up charged with wandering abroad at Almondbury, and behaving in a lewd manner. The policeman on duty in that locality, about eleven o’clock on Tuesday night heard a female scream in a field, and on going to the spot he saw seven men and the prisoner there ; he also found an apron belonging to her on the ground. At one o’clock the next morning he found her laid under a hedge two field lengths from where he first saw her, and two men were laid with her. The magistrates enquired why he had not brought the men as well ? to which he replied they made their escape. Magistrate — Then why not let the woman escape also ? On promising to return to Dewsbury and not come here again she was discharged.

A Boniface in Trouble.

Mr. Joseph Smithson, innkeeper, of York, was charged with being drunk tho previous Tuesday. Superintendent Priday stated that he found the defendant lying on the flags near the Railway station, in St. George’s Square, in a helpless state of drunkenness, and took charge of him till sober. Ho was fined 5s. and costs.

A Pitiable Spectacle.

Mary Shaw, a poor half-witted creature, was brought up by Police Constable Lumb, charged with being drunk. The officer stated that the previous evening he had his attention called to her, when she was lying saturated with the rain that had fallen, in Dungeon Wood, and was quite drunk. On reaching the lock-up and being searched, a bottle of gin, half a bottle of brandy, and some money was found upon her. She was evidently insane, and Police Inspector Haworth requested the bench to remand her, in order to make enquiries after her friends, but the court would not accede to the request except by the answer, “She is fined 5s. and the expenses.” The inspector again urged, but the magistrate replied, “We have nothing more to do with it : she is fined 5s.”

Huddersfield Chronicle (12/Jul/1851) – Assault Upon the Postmaster

ASSAULT UPON THE POSTMASTER.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE.

The Guildhall, on Tuesday last, about noon, presented a scene of excitement which strangely contrasted with its customary quietude, and the routine order of its general proceedings. In the course of the morning Mr. William Moore, postmaster, was observed in communication with the bench, and in the course of half an hour afterwards, about noon, and during the proceeding of the general business, Mr. Joseph Gaunt, the landlord of the Queen Hotel, Market Street, was brought into court in the custody of the police, by virtue of a warrant, charging him, “that he, on the 8th inst., between the hours of eleven and twelve in the forenoon, did unlawfully assault and beat William Moore.” Mr. Gaunt was accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. William Sykes, of Milnesbridge, his son and daughter, and a number of friends. Mr. Sykes, on behalf of the defendant, immediately made application for an adjournment on the ground that there had not been time to prepare the defence, and an adjournment was understood to be granted for a week. In the meantime Mr. Moore entered the court, in a very excited state, — his face scratched and disfigured, his shirt front torn, his breast exposed, and carrying in his hands a two-pronged hay-fork. He pressed forward to the front of the bench, and standing before Mr. Gaunt, placed the fork on one end upon the table, with the prongs uppermost, at the same time drawing the attention of the magistrates to it as the implement with which he had been attacked. The defendant immediately seized it, and with great violence endeavoured to wrest it from Mr. Moore’s grasp, to the imminent danger of those behind. Not succeeding, in the excitement of the moment, he raised his hand to strike, when, by the directions of the bench, the police interfered, and removed him.

The confusion in the court during this brief interval baffles description. In the eagerness of the crowd present at the time to see the struggle there was a general rush in the direction of the bench, and the court presented at this juncture a scene of excitement and confusion of a most unusual character.

The defendant having been removed by the officers of the court, something like order was again obtained, and Mr. Sykes renewed the application, which had been so extraordinarily interrupted, and wished to know what amount of bail would be required. The bench peremptorily refused to grant bail, and ordered the defendant to be kept in custody during the adjournment, and the Clerk suggested that the depositions should be taken, in order that the case might go to a higher tribunal. Under these circumstances Mr. Sykes claimed to have the case heard at once, and after an excited and desultory discussion, the application was granted.

The depositions having been taken, the case was heard, in the course of an hour or two afterwards, – before Joseph Armitage and B. N. R Batty, Esqs., the defendant being charged with a violent assault upon William Moore, with intent to do the said William Moore some grievous bodily injury. Joseph Brook, Esq., was present on the bench, but took no part in the proceedings.

Mr. William Moore said, this day about half-past eleven o’clock, I was giving instructions to a mason to make certain alterations at the King’s Head Inn, when I was suddenly accosted by Joseph Gaunt, who was about 15 yards distant, calling out “Moore, have you permitted these people to retail in yon place, — by G—d I’ll kill you.” He hastily came up to me, uttering threats, with a hay-fork in his hand. All that I said was, “Mr. Gaunt, I have nothing to say to you.” He then became extremely violent, and flourished the hayfork in an alarming manner Luckily the mason seized hold of the fork, and with the assistance of one or two others wrenched it from him. He then fell upon me violently with his fists, swearing at the time he would kill me, and stating I should not be able to do so and so again. I kept him at bay as well as I could, nevertheless he tore my mouth and otherwise marred me on the face, tore my shirt, and in fact behaved in a most violent, outrageous, and insane manner, uttering the most violent threats the whole time. Several persons then came around us, amongst whom were his son and his daughter, and he then pulled off his coat in an attitude of defiance to me, declaring he would kill me, and that I should never be in a state to use anybody as I had used him. During the scuffle I said I would send for Mr. Brook. He replied, “Send for him,” using some kind of a threat which I cannot remember. I sent for the police, but, before they arrived his friends had taken him away. I immediately went to the Magistrates’ Office for a warrant. When Mr. Gaunt was brought into the court I was there with a fork in my hand : he made a violent snatch at the fork with intent to take it from me, and he would have done so but for the policeman. From the threats that Mr. Gaunt has used towards me I dare not go after my ordinary business : I consider my life in danger. I have an occupation which leads me into contact with him, as the workmen are working in a room over his stable and in his stable.

Cross-examined by Mr. Sykes :— I was engaged by Mr. Brook as agent for the works in Market Street. The Queen Hotel, however, formed a separate work. I at one time advertised the Queen to be let for Mr. Brook. I had several applicants, and Mr. Gaunt was one of them. I made an agreement as to the letting of the Queen to Mr. Gaunt. At the time I let him these premises there was a tap-room attached to them. There was not an understanding that there should be no taproom at the King’s Head, but it was understood that the King’s Head should be given up. The cellar under the King’s Head is not opened as a beer house : they do not sell beer. They sell porter: that comes under the beer license. There has been a fresh license obtained for that property, or rather a continuance of the old license. It was not distinctly understood that there was to be nothing of that kind at the King’s Head when Mr. Gaunt took the Queen. It was not understood that it should not be let for the sale of beer : it was understood that the King’s Head should be given up as a public house. At the time Mr. Gaunt took these premises he also took a number of stables. There has been some dispute about those stables. There has been some dispute whether they are in Mr. Gaunt’s take or not. At half-past eleven o’clock this morning I was in the yard at the King’s Head. I was standing about in the centre of the arch that leads towards the stables, which is about four or five yards from one part of the stables in dispute. I was not near Mr. Gaunt’s premises at the time. The first time I saw Mr. Gaunt he was near the further steps, in a line with the mouth of the passage. There are some steps leading up into a warehouse that is part occupied and part unoccupied, but they do not lead to Mr. Gaunt’s stables. Mr. Gaunt has stables in two parts, — stables that do not in right belong to him, and stables that do. The steps are against the wall of the stables that belong to him. I was about 14 or 15 yards from this spot. I did not see Mr. Gaunt come out of the stable, but I heard his voice. When I first saw him he was at the end next to the stable. He went into the stable, and came out with a fork. He bad not a fork in his hand at first. He flourished the fork, but did not strike me. The only damage I received was what is observable on my face and my shirt front. He did not strike me with the fork.

By the Bench :— He told me he would kill me with the fork.

John Dyson said: I am a mason, I was working in the King’s Head yard, which attaches to the yard of the Queen’s Hotel, of which Mr. Gaunt is the landlord. Both places belong to Mr. Brook. About twelve o’clock this morning I saw Mr. Gaunt come towards Mr. Moore. Mr. Gaunt had a fork in his hand. He said, “Moore, have you given these persons license to sell retail.” He said he would stab him for it. He pointed the fork at him, and made a lunge towards him. I ran and catched hold of the fork from behind Mr. Gaunt, and took it from him, and gave it to one of the labourers to take away. Mr. Gaunt had then aimed to have gone up to Mr. Moore with his fists, but I held him bock. I did not see Mr. Moore use any provocation to Mr. Gaunt.

Joseph North said, I am a joiner, and am working at the King’s Head. Some one said there is a fight, and I immediately ran out. I saw Mr. Moore and Mr. Gaunt scuffling together. I parted them and stood betwixt them. Mr. Gaunt said, “Stand back, joiner: I will learn that devil to behave better. He’s robbed me of £200.” I said to Mr. Gaunt, “Now, Mr. Gaunt, I will not let you touch Mr. Moore.” Mr. Gaunt then pulled off his coat, and said, “Where is that fork?” and then went into the stable, apparently to find it. He came out of the stable again, and wanted to push me on one side, that he might get at Mr. Moore. I said, “Mr. Gaunt, it’s foolishness.” From the violent threats Mr. Gaunt made use of I consider Mr. Moore was in great danger. I heard Mr. Moore say, “Go for Mr. Brook.” Mr. Gaunt replied, “I’d do the same to Mr. Brook.”

Joseph Brier, inspector of the borough police said, this afternoon, about half-past one o’clock, I was in the Guildhall. I saw Mr. Gaunt brought into the court in custody. Almost immediately afterwards Mr. Moore came, having a short fork in hi6 hand. As soon as Mr. Gaunt saw it, he seized it in a violent manner, and wrenched it from Mr. Moore. He brought the prongs of the fork over his left shoulder, as if he was going to strike Mr. Moore. This was in view of the four magistrates on the bench. [Joseph Armitage, B. N. R Batty, Joseph Starkey, and George Armitage, Esqs.] He asked Mr. Moore what business he had to bring that fork there. From the manner in which the fork was wrenched, parties standing behind Mr. Gaunt were in very great danger. It is almost a miracle it did not go into some of them. I seized the fork which I now produce. Other parties assisted me in laying hold of Mr. Gaunt. I took him out of court by order of the magistrates.

This closed the case for the prosecution.

Mr. William Sykes, on rising to address the bench, said, — May it please your worships, in the first place I shall specify the particular charge we are brought here to meet. I find from the warrant that my client is charged “that he did unlawfully assault and beat the said complainant.” I believe your worships’ clerk, in opening, stated that my client was charged with an assault with intent I apprehend, however, your worships, that the warrant itself will at once upset anything of that kind. We are merely brought here for having unlawfully assaulted and beat the complainant, and not, as some of your worships seem to have an idea, as stated by your clerk, to be examined on a charge which must be referred for decision to a higher tribunal. I shall now, therefore, proceed to the facts of the case. Your worships will have observed, from my line of cross-examination, that there has been some dispute between Mr. Brook and Mr. Gaunt, and, with all respect to Mr. Brook, a gentleman whom I highly esteem, it will be my duty in the present case to comment upon the agreement under which Mr. Gaunt entered the Queen Hotel. Mr. Gaunt, I am informed, was highly respected during his residence at Armley, near Leeds, and I can speak individually as to his character since he came to this town, as a quiet, peaceable man. Now, gentlemen, Mr. Gaunt comes into this town, and becomes the tenant of extensive premises, wholly unintroduced, and has a connection to obtain. Attached to these premises is a tap, upon which he has to depend for a great part of his custom. At the time he took these premises it was understood that the King’s Head was to be given up, and that there was to be no beerhouse or porter cellars, or anything of the kind, retained. Mr. Gaunt has succeeded in obtaining a good and respectable connection, but he now finds that some one, I believe Mr. Moore, has opened a beerhouse under the King’s Head. In addition to this, there has also been a dispute about some stables. I submit these circumstances to your worships in palliation, for I am instructed to admit the assault, and I think your worships will concur with me that they were calculated to excite dissatisfaction in the mind of Mr. Gaunt. There may be means used in the irritation of the moment which the individual using them would afterwards regret, and I am authorised by Mr. Gaunt to make every apology for what has occurred. Now, as to the evidence Mr. Gaunt informs me that at the time Mr. Moore came into the yard he was in one of the stables, attending to his duty, and came out with the fork in his hand, and he denies altogether that he went into the stable specially for the fork, as Mr. Moore has sworn. He heard Mr. Moore, and he came out, irritated with the fact that the beerhouse had just been opened; and without premeditation, or intention to injure Mr. Moore, he did flourish the fork in his face. One of the witnesses says he laid hold of the fork, after which Mr. Gaunt went up to Mr. Moore with his fists, but was prevented from striking him. Mr. Moore says, he struck him, and appears here with his face scratched and his shirt torn. Undoubtedly, gentlemen, there has been a dispute, but Mr. Gaunt, whilst acting upon the impulse of the moment, had no intention of injuring Mr. Moore, nor did he, according to the statement of one of the complainant’s witnesses. Mr. Moore seized him, and thereupon a struggle took place, but it never assumed a more serious character than a common assault, and why depositions should have been taken in writing I do not understand. I now come to the scene which occurred in this court, and justice to myself demands that I should remark upon it. I was called from my dinner at a moment’s notice, and appeared here in company with my client to make the usual application for the adjournment. In the meantime, Mr. Moore enters the court, places himself directly in front of Mr. Gaunt, and holds up to the court a hay-fork, to convey the impression that he had been attacked by this instrument. I ask your worships whether this was likely to allay the irritation so recently excited ! My client, however, very improperly seized this fork with some violence, a struggle ensued, and amidst great confusion Mr. Gaunt was removed by the officers of the court. Immediately, I was asked by Mr. Laycock if I was going to defend a man like that ? Gentlemen, you must be aware that my duty was to see that my client obtained justice at your hands, and it was also my duty to adopt such a course for that purpose as appeared to me best. And when, after this occurrence, you refused to grant me an adjournment on bail, I felt myself bound, notwithstanding the disadvantages under which I laboured, to claim an immediate hearing. In conclusion, I am desired by Mr. Gaunt to beg your pardon for what has occurred, and I think, your worships, when you look at all the circumstances of the case, and consider the respectability of Mr. Gaunt, you will concur with me that the depositions have been uselessly taken, and that you will not, for one moment, think of severing the defendant from his family, and incarcerating him in prison, to await a trial at another tribunal, for a paltry assault like this. Fine Mr. Gaunt, if you think proper; and if Mr. Moore, — the valiant Mr. Moore (laughter) is so afraid of his life that he dare not go about the streets, bind Mr. Gaunt over in sureties of peace. The case, your worships, is in your hands.

The Chairman :— We are satisfied Mr. Gaunt that you have committed a violent assault upon Mr. Moore, and for the offence we shall fine you in the penalty of £5. Further, Mr. Moore swears he goes in danger of his life, and we shall, therefore, call upon you to give sureties of peace, yourself in £50, and two others in £25 each.

The fine was immediately paid, and responsible sureties having been sworn, the parties left the court with their respective friends.


Huddersfield Chronicle 12 July 1851

Bradford Observer (16/Nov/1843) – Branch Railway

HUDDERSFIELD.

Branch Railway.

We are given to understand that is now definitively arranged to have a branch railway from this town to join the Leeds and Manchester Line at Cooper Bridge, and that the work will be commenced forthwith. In one point of view, the intended line will be hailed with satisfaction, as it will entirely do away with the almost intolerable nuisance which is felt by the public in consequence of the present unregulated omnibus system ; but, on the other hand, it is feared the speculation will be anything but a profitable one, the distance being only three and a half miles.

Northern Star (12/Jan/1839) – The Storm: Huddersfield

The Storm.

Huddersfield.

On Sunday night and Monday this town and neighbourhood suffered severely from the tremendous hurricane by which the chimney of Brodley Mill was blown down on the body of the building, crushing the roof and floors and severely damaging the machinery it is supposed to above £1,000. Also the chimney of Messrs. Eastwood, of Folly Hall, but no serious damage done. Also the chimney of Mr. Crossley, of Lindley, which fell upon one corner of the mill, and seriously damaging it. The long chimneys of Messrs. Frost and Moody, of Clegg Lane, were all blown down upon the dyehouses, doing a great deal of injury to the materials. The lead was blown from the roof with some of the slates off the Chapel Hill Chapel, and numerous chimneys in almost every part of the town and neighbourhood. The new Parish Church did not escape ; hay and corn stakes were strewn in all directions, and some entirely lost. The Bath Hotel at Lockwood, has suffered very much from the fall of the chimneys breaking the roof and damaging a great deal of furniture and bedding.