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Hindley (Interesting Old News)

Published by Brian on Tuesday 26th July 2022

A mixed bag of Hindley news - A clergyman died and the verdict returned was "Died by the visitation of God", a cat lived to the ripe old age of 21 and more...

Market Street, Hindley, c1915. (Photo: Roger)
Market Street, Hindley, c1915. (Photo: Roger)


Illustrated London News 25 September 1847

SUDDEN DEATH OF A CLERGYMAN.

On Sunday last, an awfully sudden death occurred at the house of the Rev. Mr. Hill, of Hindley, near Wigan. The Rev. Mr. Barnsdale, M.A., of Wringley, was advertised to preach the annual charity sermon, being the first time for twenty years that he has visited the village. He preached the morning sermon and adjourned to dinner at the house of Mr. Hill. On sitting down to partake of it, he appeared perfectly composed; but after swallowing one or two mouthsful, he became very ill, sank back in his chair, and expired. An inquest has since been held on the body, and a verdict of "Died by the visitation of God" returned.




Leigh Chronicle and Weekly District Advertiser 29 December 1882

DEATH OF A HINDLEY MAN IN WALTON GAOL.

An inquest was held on Saturday at Walton Gaol by Mr. Clarke Aspinall, the coroner of Liverpool, on the body of Henry Wilson Hamer, forty-eight years of age, a labourer belonging to Hindley, near Wigan, who died on Friday at Walton Gaol, where he was undergoing sentence of twenty-one days for stealing a shawl at Wigan. On Tuesday he was complaining of being ill, and the doctor excused him from labour on the tread wheel. He was sent to the prison hospital on the following day, and was found dead in bed on Friday morning. The medical evidence showed that the man had died from natural causes, and a verdict in accordance with that testimony was returned.




Todmorden Advertiser and Hebden Bridge Newsletter 12 April 1889

SMALLPOX OUTBREAK NEAR WIGAN.

Smallpox has just broken out at a house in Argyle-street, Hindley, Wigan, and three persons, a brother and two sisters - are suffering from the disease. The former and one of the latter are reported to be in a serious state. The disease seems to have been brought into the township from Bolton, where it has had a deadly and extended stay. A short time ago a relative of the patients died in Bolton from an attack of smallpox, and the wife of the present male sufferer attended the funeral. Immediately on her return to Hindley her husband was seized with the disease, which subsequently affected the two sisters now suffering from it. The three persons affected are being attended by a practical nurse from Liverpool, and by Dr. Cronnell, of Hindley.




Morning Post 12 May 1890

SERIOUS MILL FIRE.

Marshbrook Cotton Spinning Mill ay Hindley, near Wigan, was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday evening. Smoke was seen issuing from the mill by some workmen who ere engaged in repairing the engines. An alarm was given, but the building being an old one the flames soon gained the mastery, and in half an hour the roof fell in carrying all the machinery with it to the ground floor. Some adjoining cottages were also injured. The damage is estimated at £36,000 but the mill and the contents were well insured.




Aberdeen Evening Express 22 August 1891

MARRIAGE OF A DWARF.

A remarkable marriage took place at Hindley, Wigan, and was witnessed by a large number of persons. The bridegroom, John Mackenzie, has become well known throughout Wigan and district from the fact that he is a dwarf, and in height is only between two and three feet. The blushing bride he led to the altar was Miss Gregory, who, although of small stature, stands head and shoulders above Mackenzie. It is stated that she is a member of a well-to-do Hindley family.




Liverpool Weekly Courier 18 August 1900

A CHILD KILLED BY A PONY.

A child named John Rowe, aged three, son of William Rowe, a blacksmith of Wigan-road, Hindley, near Wigan, was playing near two ponies some days ago on Ince Common, and suddenly fell to the ground. On investigation it was found he had been kicked over the left eye by one of the ponies. Medical attention was of no avail, and he succumbed to his injuries.




The Scotsman 02 June 1904

ALLEGED WIFE MURDER.

A man named Peter Turner, aged twenty-four, of Hindley, near Wigan, was remanded by Wigan County Bench yesterday on a charge of the wilful murder of his wife, Martha Turner (24), by striking her with a poker early on Sunday morning. The police stated the body was found on the floor unconscious with a wound on her head and the poker under her body. She died yesterday morning.




Dundee Evening Telegraph 24 September 1920

PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST'S VANITY.
Entered and Won Amateur Event.

John Jervis (37), of Platt Lane, Hindley, near Wigan, described as a professional racing cyclist, who was alleged to have competed in an amateur event, was fined £5 and £2 4s special costs at Stoke-on-Trent on a charge of obtaining by false pretences a gold albert, valued at 7 guineas, belonging to the Stoke Victoria Athletic Club.
The evidence was that the defendant had been refused permission to ride in amateur cycle races, but in the name of John Roberts he competed in the amateur sports meeting at Stoke, and won the gold albert.
The defence was that the defendant, out of sheer vanity, was anxious to show some Potteries friends that he could ride. His solicitor admitted the offence, but urged that the defendant had a spotless character, and that his reputation as a sportsman was now ruined.




Aberdeen Press and Journal 23 June 1925

A LIFE OF MISFORTUNE.

It was stated at an inquest at Hindley, Wigan, yesterday, on a six-year old boy that his sort life had been one chapter of accidents, including being nearly drowned, falls, being struck over the eye with a cricket ball, and falling from a wire rope on a football field. The last named proved fatal. A verdict of death from misadventure was returned.




Aberdeen Press and Journal 24 September 1929

RAILWAY GUARD'S THREAT.

On being sentenced to three months' hard labour for stealing three notes placed by Railway Detective Inspector Woodley in a bag in his van at Morecambe on September 20, Thomas Morgan, railway guard, of Back Bridge Street, Hindley, Wigan, shouted to his wife in the Lancaster Police Court - "I'll never come home any more. I'll commit suicide."




Dundee Evening Telegraph 12 May 1932

FILM STAR'S DOUBLE WINS 95th AUSTIN

A 23-year-old woman, who strikingly resembles Jean Harlow, the platinum blonde of the films, is the 95th winner in the competition in which an Austin saloon is offered daily for the best statement on the merits of Kensitas cigarettes.
She is Mrs Kathleen Alker, Grange Farm, Park Road, Hindley, Wigan.
Although she lives on a farm, she is a shop assistant. She thought out the winning message in the intervals between attending to customers, and in order that she should enter the competition, her husband gave her permission to smoke.
Her message runs:- "Earning medical approval by their less irritating qualities, Kensitas offers smokers freedom to inhale, impurities being eliminated by scientific treatment."




Shields Daily News 07 January 1933

DYING WOMAN'S LAST WISH
Wireless Appeal to Sister

A pathetic story of a dying woman's wish to be reunited to her sister whom she has not seen or heard of for thirty years lies behind a wireless SOS issued last night.
Mrs Mary Hoggerty lies dying of valvular disease of the heart at her home in Longton Street, Hindley, Wigan, and her last wish is to see her sister, Mrs Margaret Harris whom she last heard of in Liverpool 30 years ago.
"My mother and her sister used to live in Liverpool and it was there that they somehow drifted apart," Mrs Hoggerty's son said to-day. "There was no quarrel and we haven't heard from my aunt for 30 years. We believe she may be in Worcester where her husband's mother was once in business."
"Eighteen months ago my mother began to be troubled with her heart and now the doctor says he cannot do anything more for her. A fortnight ago she expressed a wish to see her sister and she is constantly asking for her."




Aberdeen Press and Journal 05 September 1938

Sammy, claimed to have been the oldest cat in England, owned by Mrs. Griffiths, of Hall Lane, Hindley, near Wigan, Lancs., has died at the age of twenty-one.



Shields Daily News 28 July 1939

MAN, 9 YEARS WITHOUT A JOB
FOUND DEAD IN PIT OF WATER

For nine long years Samuel Robinson, aged 36, a labourer, of Castle Hill, Hindley, Wigan, was without work.
Although he spent most his time in a club he was a non-smoker and teetotaller. Troubled by his long spell of unemployment he became depressed.
A few days ago his body was found in a pit of water. He had blindfolded himself with a handkerchief, the ends of which were gripped in his teeth.
This story was told at the inquest at Ince, Wigan, today, and the Coroner, Mr. R. W. Brighouse, commented: "Fancy being unemployed for nine years. No wonder he was depressed and no wonder he took his life."
The Coroner, who read a note in which Robinson said goodbye to his wife and three children, recorded a verdict of suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed.

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