Reasearched by Mike Belcher
3/4/1909    Cheslyn Hay Social Class
A grand wind up
What is generally known as the grand wind up of Cheslyn Hay Social Class took place on Thursday evening. A coffee supper was provided at which 200 partook of and thoroughly enjoyed the good things provided.
Afterwards a grand concert was held in the assembly room, presided over by the president Mr.Geo. Wooton. Miss.Alice Griffiths contributed soprano solos in a very pleasing style.  Mr.Arthur Wollaston was in fine style, and his baritone voice well suited the songs he rendered. Mr.J.Hardman, of Hednesford, was also in good form and his singing was greatly appreciated.  Miss Upton prettily played solos on the mandolin, and Mr.Rowland Massey very cleverly manipulated the flute.  The feature of the evening, however, was the entertainment provide by Mons Purchant, which was very mystifying. Mr.Laurence C.Hawkins was an able accompanist.  The gathering was one of the most enjoyable that had been held.

3/4/1909  A branch of the Progressive Thought and Social Service has been formed at Cheslyn Hay.  The first meeting was held on Tuesday evening at Park View, when there were present Messrs.W.H.Westwood, Alfred Thomas, E.J.Pearson, Fred Wooton, Sydney Whitehouse, William Price, W.Williams, J.Dutton, Harold Shorter, and O.Castello.  Mr.Alfred Thomas officiated as chairman and the officers for the ensuing year were elected. These were, Mr.W.H.Westwood, president, vice presidents Mr. W. Williams and Mr. E.J.Pearson; treasurer, Mr.Alfred Thomas, and reporting secretary Mr.E.J.Pearson.  A total of ten subscribing members were enrolled.  The next meeting was fixed to be held on April 27th when a paper is promised by Mr.W.H.Westwood on “Some thoughts on inspiration”.

3/4/1909  A platelayer named Eli Smith, residing at High Street, Cheslyn Hay, had a narrow escape on Thursday. It is stated that he was engaged in his usual avocation when by some means he was knocked down by a passing engine, and although his head was very badly bruised it was fortunate the result was not worse. He was at once taken to the surgery of Dr.Hosegood and received every attention. Several stitches were placed in the wounds and fortunately he is progressing favourably.

17/4/1909  Football
There was considerable excitement on Saturday when the local team brought home the first cup. Even those who do not understand the meaning of “crocks” so little are they acquainted with football, joined in the congratulations, but on Tuesday when the Penkridge Cup was brought home there was greater enthusiasm. There was a procession of about a dozen breaks and waggonettes containing devotees of football who had been to the town on the Penk and they were in jovial mood.  In the front of the first break was the coveted trophy and the cheers and remarks were of an elaborate character.  There was a good hour of it when the clubhouse – the Red Lion – was reached.

24/4/1909  The death of Mr.Allen removes a link with Cheslyn Hay. Mr.Allen had not perhaps reached the very great age that some have reached, but he had identified himself with the place, and was a useful citizen in the days of his health and strength.  He was the first chairman of the Parish Council and as such did much to mould the form it has assumed since.  Everybody did not agree with him of course, but all acknowledged his honesty and purpose.  At the time the present chairman was honorary clerk and two others only are now members of the Council, they are Mr.J.H.Whitehouse and Mr.W.Rogers.  If memory does not play one false, there have only been three chairmen of the Cheslyn Hay Parish Council, Mr.Allen and Mr.Horton, both of whom have passed away, and the present chairman.

1/5/1909  There is general satisfaction at the circumstance that the old National School is to be occupied.  By the use of the building the ratepayers will be saved a very large expenditure. It is to be fitted to accommodate the children of Cheslyn Hay and Saredon. Almost since the erection of Cheslyn Hay school Saredon children have been accommodated. Of late however the number of Saredon children has increased.

8/5/1909  An accident occurred at Station Street whereby John Mallow was somewhat seriously injured.  The injured man was driving past a lorry, when the horse took fright and in its effort to bolt it dragged the man from his seat and he fell to the ground.  He was picked up and conveyed to Sharford nearly opposite and Mr.W.J.Devereux rendered aid, and also Dr.Hosegood.  It was found that he was severely injured, and he was conveyed home in the carriage of Mr.J.Hawkins.

15/5/1909  Say, said a citizen of the Old Nation, aren’t they coming?  He was alluding to the number of navvies that visited Cheslyn Hay early in the week in search of work at the sewerage scheme.  There were very many and they asked where the sewerage works was.  Oh, said one chap, keep straight on and you will find the place.  There are enough men already to cut a canal from Cheslyn Hay to Liverpool.  The port on the Mersey did not, of course, stand before Cheslyn Hay.  The visitor, who did not quite appreciate the pleasantness of the Cheslyn Hay man, looked seriously, but really, you know a large gang of operators are at work. Somebody wrote some time ago that the man who digs a railway trench is called a navy-gator.  Oh, yes, the navvies are at work, and the sewage works will be completed.  Engineer Whitehead is “on the job” and both he and the contractor will see that the work is not long about.

15/5/1909   Law and Order
Neglecting a duty
School Attendance Officer Cliffe prosecuted in the following cases: John Skitt, of Cheslyn Hay, was summoned for not sending his child to school. The wife appeared. The child, Elsie May, had been absent on fourteen occasions. She said the child had been suffering from indisposition, but this was before Christmas. The absences were intermittent showing that the child had been having the usual half day off, which is against the law.  Fined 6d with 4s 6d costs. James Lockley was also summoned in the case of his daughter Violet.  In this case there had been no attendance, the officer said, and the judge expressed surprise. It was explained that the mother was dead and the father had a housekeeper who had left and the daughter kept house. Fined 5s and 4s 6d costs. It was suggested that very rarely was such a case reported.

5/6/1909  Salem Schools Cheslyn Hay
Children at the Lodge Farm
By the kind permission of Mr.T.A.Hawkins J.P. between six and seven hundred children connected with the Salem Schools, Cheslyn Hay, held their annual treat at the Lodge Farm, when Mr.George Wooton provided an excellent tea.  Various games were indulged in, and the capital Victoria Brass Band played selections of music.  A number also took advantage of the opportunity of viewing the beautiful scenery which can be observed from this spot, which just now looks splendid.  For years the treat has been held at this trysting place, and it is gratifying to observe that the custom of allowing the gathering at this pretty spot has been handed down from father to son, but this is not surprising when the interest that the Rural Council takes in Salem Sunday schools which is one of the largest in the district..

5/6/1909    Sad case of Suicide at Cheslyn Hay
Found drowned in the “open hole”
A tragic case of suicide took place at Cheslyn Hay, on Whit Monday.  William Jones, belonged to a family well-known and respected in the township, and he lived an industrious life.  As a result for a number of years he held a responsible position at the colliery, and practicing thrift he was enabled to make provision for a “rainy day” having invested his savings in the erection of property.
He was also an attendant at Salem church.  The circumstances will be gleaned from the enquiry which was held at the Talbot Inn, on Thursday morning, by Mr.W.Gough Allen (coroner).  Mr.G.Evans was foreman of the jury.
Harriet Jones said deceased was her husband and was 54 years of age.  He resided at The Dell, Tramway Road, Cheslyn Hay, and was employed at the colliery as a fireman.  He had been in ill health since November last.  Dr.Hosegood attended him, and saw him on May 27th.  He was suffering from a nervous breakdown, and he would say that he would not live till morning.  Her husband complained of having bad turns, but two day’s previous to his death he appeared better.  On Monday her husband would not partake of any dinner, and complained of indigestion.  He went down the garden and returned with an egg.  They made up their minds to go for a long walk, and she proceeded to get ready.  Witness called to deceased several times to come and fasten her blouse, but he did not come.  She went out about 3-40 and saw him sitting by a pool of water.  She went to him and he asked her to go and fetch his brother Alfred.  She said “You will not do anything will you?” and he replied “No”.  When she returned from fetching Alfred she saw her husbands head just above the water.  She asked Alfred to fetch a prop and shouted for help, and a number of people came.  The body was brought home at 6-30 the same day.  Some days deceased seemed very depressed, and fancied that he could not do his work properly.  He never threatened to take his life.  He could not swim.  His employer had not threatened to dismiss him, although he was told in November that there would be a change in his official position, but a good place was promised him.  Alfred Jones, living at High Street, Cheslyn Hay, said he was a miner.  Deceased was his brother.  On May 31st the widow came to him about 3-30.  She said “Will” wanted him.  As soon as he was dressed he followed Mrs.Jones down and saw the head of the deceased in the water.  He sent for assistance and a man who was a swimmer dived in.  He was not present when the body was recovered as he had to take the little son away.  He last saw his brother alive the night before going with his wife to chapel.  He spoke to him and he appeared very cheerful.  He had seen him mentally depressed but he never heard him threaten to take his own life.  Deceased told him he had had notice to change his position at work from one district to another, which slightly depressed him.  P.C.Cooper said he recovered the body about 6-15 from a pool known as the “Open Hole”.  The coroner briefly summed up and the jury without hesitation returned a verdict of “suicide while he was temporarily insane”.

12/6/1909    Law and Order
Within Close touch
Isaiah Pearson, Thomas Lockett, Samuel Newell, Albert Pearson, Henry Pearson, Frederick Bradbury, Sydney Potts, and Henry Russell, of Cheslyn Hay, were charged with playing “Nap” in a public place Viz. on a public path leading from Landywood Lane to Streets Lane, on Saturday May 20th.  The defendants protested that they were not guilty.  Officer Cooper said that he had received complaints and he and his colleague officer Carter mounted their cycles about 5-30, got within a short distance of the place and then went round the hedge so that they lay on the opposite side of the fence where the defendants were playing an interesting game of “Nap”.  They lay there watching the various phases of the game for half-an-hour.  Dawkins was the “Stag” (look out) and he occasionally left coterie and went to a style from which he could see a distance around so that he could give “the office”.  When it was thought that sufficient time was given to the parties and there had been plenty of bad language used, the officers jumped over the fence and collared a couple of the defendants, the others ran away. He knew them all however.  During the game the officers could have put their hands through the fence and grasped some of the players in the not very intellectual game.  The defendants protested they used no bad language, and one asserted it was a Saturday it was not as bad as playing on a Sunday.  Officer Carter corroborated.  Dawkins asserted that he did not play, but the officer said that he put his last halfpenny in the game and “Bang Went” seven pence.
The Probation Officer said that Dawkins had been under his observation for some time, but the order had nearly expired, he was sorry to see him in the company.  Cooper said that Dawkins had been pretty good until within a few weeks.  Defendants were advised to occupy their time in a more creditable manner and they were fined 1s 6d and costs 6s 6d.

12/6/1909    It is stated that Thomas Doughty died this week.  It will be remembered that he was conveyed to the asylum some months ago.  Many people outside Cheslyn Hay knew Thomas Doughty he was one of a Penkridge family.  At one time he kept the Hatherton Arms, and then he hawked oil and other goods, such as tin ware.  His old grey pony was almost an institution in the district.  Much sympathy was felt for him when it became necessary to remove him.
FORMERLY KEPT THE HATHERTON ARMS
Mrs.Glover, who formerly kept the Hatherton Arms, also passed away this week.  The deceased had reached a ripe old age.  She amassed a competency at the licensed premises and she owned several buildings in the township.

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