Items from local newspapers can bring to life events of long
ago. During my research into the fisherfolk of Kincardineshire I
came across many such articles. The discovery of your distant ancestors
in this way is a thrill that you never forget. Suddenly its no
longer just a story - its part of your history. Check out the
following newspaper pages. Are your relatives mentioned?
Only one way to find out, start reading!
The Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, 1 April 1874
Man Trampled to Death by a Horse - On Wednesday afternoon, George
Brown, a labourer, about 60 years of age, and residing in West North
Street, met with an accident, which resulted fatally, under very
distressing circumstances. At that time a lorry, under the charge of
Robert Walker, was standing alongside a waggon at the Caledonian Railway
Goods Station, and was being loaded with alum. For convenience in
loading, the lorry was standing parallel with the line of rails, room
being left for waggons in their ordinary condition to pass clear of the
lorry. A train of ten waggons came along the line, and it is said that
Walker was warned, but did not move his lorry to prevent the possibility
of an accident taking place. When the last of the ten waggons came along
its folding door happened to be open, and it struck against the fore
part of the lorry, forcing it back, and dragging back the horse at the
same time. The end of the lorry struck Brown and knocked him down, and
the horse trampled on him, one of the hoofs striking him on the head,
and one of the caulkers of the shoe entered his skull. Drs Ogston and
Angus Fraser were soon in attendance, but the injuries proved fatal.
Wifebeater Punished - At Thursday's Police Court - Baillies Donald
and Graham on the bench - Alexander Donaldson, gardener, residing in
Hutcheon Street, was charged with beating his wife in a most unmerciful
manner on the previous night, and also with assaulting Police Constable
Leslie, who took him in charge. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. After
evidence had been led both charges were found clearly established. He
was sentenced to sixty days imprisonment, and also bound over in the sum
of £3 to keep the peace for six months, or be imprisoned for other
twenty days. A bail bond of 20s was also forfeited, which he had given
in February last.
Fire at Inverdee - About two o'clock on Friday morning fire was
discovered by one of the servant men to have broken out in the farm-steading
at Inverdee, Parish of Nigg. When seen the fire had a great hold, so
that it was found impossible to save the part of the steading where the
fire had originated. The cattle were all got safely out with the
exception of one calf, which was burned. There were three horses in the
stable, two of whom were got out, the third, however, a valuable animal,
perished. The barn, stable, and cartshed were completely gutted, but the
byres were saved. The loss to the tenant, Mr Jas Watt, who is not
insured, will be, including the value of the horse and thrashing-mill,
about £200. The value of the buildings is considerable. George Yule,
the servant, who first saw the fire, has lost his chest with nearly all
his clothing, a valuable watch, and a considerable sum of money.
Theft - On Saturday - before Sheriff Thomson - John Ross, labourer,
pled not guilty to stealing a pair of drawers and a quantity of cotton
rags between 1st February and 21st March, from the Stoneywood Paper
Works, belonging to Messrs Alex Pirie & Sons. John Shand, manager of
the works, deponed to Ross having been employed in the rag store between
the above dates, and identified the aforementioned articles as belonging
to the Messrs Pirie. Police Sergeant Findlay, deponed to having found the
articles in prisoner's possession, and that when apprehended he denied
ever having been employed about the works. Ellen Scott, millworker, with
whom prisoner cohabitated, testified to having received the drawers and
the rags to mend them from prisoner, and also acknowledged having taken
two of the pieces herself from the works. In cross-examining this
witness, Ross got rather excited, and charged her with stealing more
than she acknowledged, when he was interrupted by the Sheriff, who said
"That will do; you must have thirty days' hard labour."
A Disorderly Sweetheart - On Saturday, Arthur Bartlett, farm-servant
at Oldtown, Monquhitter, was charged, before Sheriff Comrie Thomson,
with raising a disturbance in a farmhouse on the 21st ult. He pleaded
guilty, and on being askedwhat he was doing there, he quietly answered
that he was seeing his sweetheart; a further investigation, however,
bringing out that he had taken up his quarters for the night, and had to be
turned out of bed. The Sheriff looked upon the case as a very bad one,
as instead of leaving the house when desired, he commenced to abuse the
folks in the house and use threatening language to them. He was fined
£2, failing payment, seven days' imprisonment.
