Rotherham Statutes
November 1838
This celebrated holiday was yesterday thronged to such an extent never before witnessed. Besides the thousands that Sheffield poured down by railway, omnibus, and Waterloo conveyances, the latter of which, we are told, are endeavouring to eke out their crazy existence by the low fare of 3d. each; every road to Rotherham was lived with "lads and lasses" anxious to get a sight of the far famed railway.
The show people seem to have been quite awake to the new state of things, for the College Yard, their usual situation, was found far too small to contain them, and Jesus Gate, High Street, Wellgate, Little Churchyard, and West Gate, were a moving mass of people.
Wombwell's Menagerie passed through this place on Saturday evening: the large caravan, containing the elephants, excited much interest, it being the largest ever seen here, and drawn by twelve horses. So ponderous is the machine, that its progress was stopped when it arrived at the archway by which the North Midland line crosses the turnpike, and was obliged to turn and go back to Tinsley, and by way of Canklow to Rotherham. Mr. Wombwell fixed his exhibition in a field at the head of the Beast Market, in the Crofts.
At these Statutes there were a great many suspicious characters in attendance, as usual, but the police kept a very strict look out upon them, and no very serious thefts were committed.
Mr. May, surgeon, had his silk handkerchief taken out of his pocket while standing with a friend in the High Street, by a young lad named John Sanderson, aged about 14 years. He was apprehended, and the article found upon him. The Magistrates were then sitting at the Town Hall, and there being another charge against the lad, he was taken before J. B. Bosville, Esq., and committed to take his trial at the ensuing sessions. Four other suspected persons were apprehended in the course of the day, and were committed by John Fullerton, Esq., to the House of Correction.
