Dunfermline News 100 Years Ago

Friday, 27 November 2015

Bankrupt merchant and musical recital

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 20 November 1915 issue)

Welcome all to my new blog post focussing on social history in Dunfermline 100 years ago!

Dunfermline Merchants Bankrupt

In Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Tuesday, Thomas Brown, sole partner of the firm of Hutchison and Brown, potato merchants, Grantsbank, Dunfermline was examined by Sherriff Umpherston in bankruptcy.

He lodged a statement of affairs and the usual oath was administered. He stated that the military took possession of his stores, he had no adequate means of carrying on his business, less interest in and in consequence failed. The statement lodged showed that book debts including a sum for army billets totalled £180. The total assets were £363 less preferable claim for rent and taxes £35 leaving for division £225 5s 1d. The liabilities cited consisting of trade debts amounted to £384 8s 5d showing a deficient of £95 2s 7d.

[The only building that now bears the name of Grantsbank in Dunfermline is a modern care home building].

Musical recital

A successful dramatic and musical recital was held in the hall of the UF Abbey Church on Wednesday evening and resulted in a contribution of about £9 being made to the fund for providing comforts for local men at the front. The programme included solos by Misses Taylor, J Hendry, M Penman, W Knight recitations by Private G S Sandilands, 2-9th HLI and Mr Tom Walters; selections by the Canmore Orchestra (leader Mr H Watson), cello solo by Lance-Corporal H R Child and part songs by a choir. Mr W Dickson acted as accompanist. The entertainment was greatly enjoyed.

Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.

Friday, 20 November 2015

Fire in High Valleyfield and Death in Donibristle

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 20 November 1915 issue)

Welcome all to my new blog post focussing on social history in Dunfermline 100 years ago!

A property destroyed by fire in High Valleyfield

Early on Thursday morning fire broke out in the coal cellar of a house in Abbey Crescent, High Valleyfield. The house was tenanted by John Philp. The fie took a firm grip of the boxes and other material in the coal cellar and notwithstanding the efforts at extinguishing by means of pailfuls of water it obtained masonry and before it was put out Philp's house and another adjoining were totally gutted. Most of the furniture was saved. The damage is established at between £300 and £400. It is believed that the fire originated from a piece of burning paper which a woman was using in order to enable her to collect some coal. The property belonged to the Fife Coal Company.

Donibristle - the late Mr Beath

Widespread regret has been caused by the announcement of the death of Mr Robert Beath who conducted a licensed grocer's establishment in Donibristle for 35 years and who only retired from business 18 months ago. Mr Beath took a keen interest in all public affairs and acted as Chairman of Aberdour School Board for several years. He had also a long period of service on the Parish Council and was on both these bodies at his death. He superintended the Sabbath school in Donibristle for nearly 30 years and would have celebrated his golden wedding in a fortnight. Some years ago Mr Beath was elected a JP for the county and up till his last illness he took an active part all the patriotic associations. He leaves a family of four sons and four daughters. He was 71 years of age.

Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.

Friday, 13 November 2015

An accident and an assault .....

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 13 November 1915 issue)

Welcome to the second instalment of my exploration of the 13 November 1915 issue.

The first article this week strikes me as very similar to what happens in the 21st century:

Tramway Accident Claim

In the Outer House of the Court of Session on Wednesday Lord Ormidale closed the record in an action at the instance of John Buchanan, Anchoria Cottage, Harrie Brae Park, Dunfermline against the Corporation of Glasgow for £250 damages in respect of personal injuries. On Thursday 5th August 1913 the pursuer, who was on holiday in Glasgow, boarded one of the defender's tramway cars at the Merkland Street car station. He was proceeding up the stair of the car, intending to take a seat on the upper platform when the car, he says, started suddenly and with such a violent jerk that, although he was grasping the stair rail with one hand, he was wrenched from his hold and thrown over the rail onto the street. The defenders deny fault and explain that while in the course of ascending the stair the pursuer lost his balance and fell backwards onto the street. They plead that the pursuer failed to take what was a customary precaution in the circumstances - namely a secure hold of the handrail provided or the purpose of safeguarding passengers ascending the stir while the car was moving. Issues were ordered for the trial of the action by jury.

[Harrie Brae Park is directly opposite where I live!].

Assault on a Warder

George Williams labourer was fined 7s 6d with the option of 5 days imprisonment for having assaulted Edward Meechan a warden in a Chapel Street common lodging house by striking him with his fist on the face to his effusion of blood. Accused said that Meechan had struck him on the head with a poker but the Prosecutor remarked there was no provocation.

Friday, 6 November 2015

A Dunfermline divorce and pithead mischief

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 13 November 1915 issue)

Unfortunately the issue dated 6 November 1915 has not survived so instead I will explore the 13 November 1915 issue over 2 weeks.

A Dunfermline Divorce Case

On Saturday an action for divorce by Mrs Jack, 34 Rolland Street, Dunfermline came before Lord Anderson who granted her decree against her husband with the custody of the child in marriage. The parties were married in June 1903. They took up house at Wishaw and afterwards at Dunfermline. Her husband was in a good position at Dunfermline and before the birth of the child his behaviour was all that could be desired. Afterwards, however, he remained out at night and when the child was three and a half years old he began to talk about going abroad. She was surprised as she knew no reason why he should leave the country. He went away in February 1911 stating that he was going to New Zealand to better himself. He also said he would make a home for her and her child. After beig in New Zealand for about six months he went to Melbourne, Australia. During the first 2 years he was away he never sent her anything for her support and after that he sent her £2 on 2 separate occasions. Her minister wrote to her husband in October 1914 but got no reply. She had written to her husband's employers in Melbuorne but no reply came back. After the summons in the action had been served on the defender in April of this year she had received two letters from her husband. He complained about her writing to his employers and said what was not true - that on two occasions he had sent her £5. In one of the letters he said he was coming home on 25th April. She had not heard from him nor in her knowledge had he come home.

Pithead Mischief

In Dunfermline Juvenile Court on Monday a Lumphinnans lad of 13 years of age admitted having on 25th inst on the red bing at No 1 Pit, Lumphinnans wantonly and maliciously caused two empty hutches to run down the hutch road in consequence of which one of them derailed and the other endangered another load and collided with hutches at the pithead. He was put on probation for 4 months.

[Some extra information! A hutch was a receptacle in which coals were conveyed from the pit face. Production commenced at Lumphinnans No 1 pit in 1852 and it closed in 1957. The average workforce was 182. The peak workforce was 202 and the peak year was 1951].

Friday, 30 October 2015

Thefts in Cowdenbeath and Rosyth

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 30 October 1915 issue)

Welcome to the next issue of Dunfermline 100 years ago. I apologise for the lack of a blog post last week. I had injured my shoulder and was giving it and the keyboard some much needed rest.

Anyway usual service will now resume ..............

Juvenile Offenders - Cowdenbeath Lad's Record

Sheriff Umpherston at Dunfermline on Monday had before him several lads for various offences - the most serious being theft by housebreaking.

James McDonagh (11) son of Stephen McDonagh, miner, 2 Mungal Street, Cowdenbeath admitted having (1) on 8th inst at the restaurant premises at 54 High Street, Cowdenbeath occupied by Guiseppi Ventura stolen 2s of money and at the premises ar Crosshill occupied by Galtine Campanile ice cream vendor, broken into the shop and stolen 20 packets of cigarettes and 3s of money; (2) on 13th inst at Foulford Farm stolen from a bothy an alarm clock (3) on 15th inst at the shop at 270 High Street, Cowdenbeath occupied by John Levine general dealer pretended to his daughter Diana Levine then in charge that he had been sent by her father and sister to get a woman's watch for a soldier who was waiting in the shop at 174 High Street also occupied by John Levine and thus induced Diana Levine to deliver to him a woman's watch which he appropriated to his own use and thus defrauded her of it and (4) on 18th inst at the premises at 264 High Street occupied by Millie Bolan licensed broker stole a purse. He admitted a previous conviction for theft in 1913.

The lad's father who was present said that so far as he could learn his son was guilty of all the charges.

The sheriff - you know your boy has been in trouble before. You have not been looking after him.

The parent replied that he had done his bit but the lad had got a little out of his control of late. He (the son) was not responsible for all his actions.

The fiscal - he must be an enterprising youth at his age and should be properly guided.

The sheriff said he would send the boy to a school where he would be looked after and where he would not be able to get beyond control.

Albert Hopping (13) son of James Hopping timberman and Charles Lawrey (11) son of Frederick Lawrey labourer Wood Street Rosyth Village admitted having at Rosyth School (1) between 18th and 20th September broken into the school with intent to steal therefrom (2) between 25th and 27th September broken into the school and stolen 4 keys (3) between 2nd and 4th October broken into the school and stolen from a lockfast desk eightpence of money and (4) on 10th October broken into the school with intent to steal.

They were put on probation for 4 months.

Friday, 16 October 2015

Price of Victory - Local Casualties - West Fife Heroes

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 16 October 1915 issue)

It struck me on looking through the local newspaper 100 years ago that there were increasing numbers of war casualties and this is what I have decided to highlight this week.

Price of Victory - Local Casualties - West Fife Heroes

The Brothers Robertson - A Church Tribute

In St Margaret's UF Church on Sunday the Rev John Sanderson made sympathetic references to the death of Private James Robertson son of Mr John Robertson, Reid Street. He pointed out that of five sons of Mr Robertson who were serving, 2 have been killed and another wounded. Private Robertson he said was a member of the choir of St Margaret's Church. He took a known interest in the work of the choir his place being seldom vacant either at the services or at practice. At the close of the service the 'Dead March' in 'Saul' was played by the organist Mr Wm Davidson the congregation meantime upstanding as a mark of reverence for the brave dead.

[St Margaret's United Free church opened in East Port, Dunfermline on 02 September 1827 with room for 970 people. The church was demolished in 1981 to make way for a new headquarters of the Dunfermline Building Society. The congregation had previously moved to a new church in the Touch area of Dunfermline in 1974 and the congregation of St Margarets, which is now part of the Church of Scotland, is still in that same building in Touch].

9th Black Watch Cricketer Wounded

Twelve Dunfermline men who enlisted in the 9th Black Watch together have suffered badly in the recent fighting. Nine have been wounded as yet nothing has been heard of the 3 others since the battle took place. Among the wounded is Private Robert Boyd the well-known Fife cricketer who appeared for many seasons with Fifeshire Club. He is at present lying in a French Hospital with a severe shrapnel wound in the right breast. His parents reside in Elgin Terrace.

Another member of the company is Private Peter Philip. He is at present in Edinburgh Infirmary and has been wounded in the legs and shoulder. After being wounded he had to crawl several miles to safety.

Private Henry Wilson of the same regiment who previous to the war resided in Nethertown is in an English hospital with a bullet wound in his hand. He was employed as a miner before enlisting.

Private Thomas MacDougall who enlisted at the same time is also in hospital slightly wounded. He was a rubber worker and when he enlisted resided in Dickson Stret.

Private Adamson of Forth Street is another of the unfortunate twelve. His wounds are also slight.

Friday, 9 October 2015

Harvest thanksgiving service, a funeral and races

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 9 October 1915 issue)

Cairneyhill

Harvest thanksgiving and flower service

The annual harvest thanksgiving and flower service was held in the church last Sunday. The Rev William Forbes preached from the text 'Except a corn of wheat fall onto the ground and die it abideth alone'. Suitable praise was led by the choir who also rendered several anthems. There was a large congregation. The gifts of flowers, fruit, eggs etc were afterwards sent to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital and have been gratefully acknowledged by the matron.

William Forbes was an Aberdeen man who was minister at Cairneyhill from 1895 until he died in Cairneyhill in 1943.

This is Cairneyhill church:

Linekilns and Charlestown

Funeral of the late Mr James Bryce

The remains of Mr James Bryce late collector of customs at Greenock were interred in Rosyth churchyard on Monday. The funeral was attended by many friends from Dunfermline and the villages of Limekilns and Charlestown. Mr Bryce was a native of the district. His father was beadle of Limekilns church. The early service of the boy with his father in ringing the church bell led him to remember his old church connection and when the belfry became so decayed he generously defrayed the cost. That was some years ago. The name of the generous friend was not made known at the time for the reason that he shunned publicity of good deeds. Mr Bryce began life in the Elgin Estates office and his training there served him well when he entered government service. He was unmarried.

[There is a connection between these first 2 articles in that Cairneyhill church and Limekilns church are now a linked charge. The Elgin estate is the large estate still belonging to the Bruce family with their house named Broomhall which still covers a large amount of ground to the south of Dunfermline].

Charlestown children entertained

Charlestown children had a joyful surprise on Friday. They were given a half day and informed that through the generosity of Lady Davis, London who is at present residing in the Elgin Hotel sports were to be provided for them. The weather was fortunately of the very best and the football ground presented an admired appearance. Lieutenant Davis who is on board one of H M Ships and is a son of Lady Davis came ashore and directed operations. He brought with him the ship's band who discoursed mused [?]. There were events for children of all ages and even adults had a share. The amusement creating items included the familiar old game of shipping the donkey's tail. The poor aniumal cleverly painted on canvas by the sailors had the tail pinned even in its eye. Another laugh producing game was the practice of the shying booth - the persons shied at including of course Kaiser Bill, Clown Prince and Von Turpe. Several of the men from the ship dressed in fancy costume further added to the hilarity of the sports. The following are the principal results:
Boys race (under 3) - 1 A Roxburgh, 2 O Thomson, 3 D Wood
Boys race (over 3) - 1 George Horn, 2 George Sinclair, 3 William Edwards
Girls race (under 3) - 1 Alice Westcott, 2 Alice Wilson, 3 Ina Roxburgh
Girls race (over 3) - 1 Grace Ferguson, 2 Ethel Phillip, 3 Jane Baxter
Shipping the donkey's tail ladies - 1 Miss Swan, 2 Mrs MacDonald
Shipping the donkey's tail girls - 1 Lizzie Simpson, 2 J Mann
Ladies race (over 21) - 1 Miss Mill, 2 Mrs McDonald, 3 Mrs Talbot
Lemonade and biscuit race boys - 1 John Fotheringham, 2 George Sinclair, 3 William McGregor
Lemonade and biscuit race girls - 1 Ina Thomson, 2 Ella Wood, 3 Eileen McMann.

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