Reminiscences of Rotherham

A Retrospect of over 60 years

by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.

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Index

• Page 2 Introduction
• Page 4  Good Old Days, The Crofts, Joinery, Schooldays
• Page 6  Wesleyan Schools, Swimming
• Page 8 A Life Saved, Canal Diverted, The Eastons, Model Schoolmaster, School Site, Sunday School, The Wigfields
• Page 10 Two Brothers, Joseph Cox, Royal Wedding, Our Teachers
• Page 12 Binghams Academy, Mortar Boards, Grammar School
• Page 14 Ready Weapons, Boarding School, Grammar School
• Page 16 Boy Hirst, The Jackdaw
• Page 18 Handwriting, Old Tradesmen, Banks, High Street Shops
• Page 20  Lawyer Potter
• Page 22 The Badgers, Sammy Oldfield
• Page 24 Wigfields, Bottleneck
• Page 26  The Shambles, High Street, Masons Corner
• Page 28 Other Streets, Other Victorians
• Page 30 Comparisons, Old Rotherham
• Page 32 W. G. Grace Plays Cricket in Rotherham, Artisans Dwellings, Westgate as a Residential District, Boating on the Rother, The Construction of Main Street
• Page 34 Jail Bridge, Gates
• Page 36 Effingham Estate, Waits, The Yorkshire Dragoons
• Page 38 Riflemen, Rotherham's Open Markets, The Market Site
• Page 40  Markets and Fairs, Stattis
• Page 42  Micky Bent, The Sand Bed, M S and L Railway
• Page 44  The Circus, Entertainers
• Page 46 Phrenology, Educational
• Page 48 The Lighter Side, Concerts, Street Music
• Page 50 Old Coachmen, Motor and Carriages
• Page 52 Old Officials, Old Habits and Customs, Drunks
• Page 54  Stocks, Well known Residents
• Page 56  Jack Gillott, Charles Peace, Murder of John Whitaker. The Singing Preacher
• Page 58  Hallelujah Lasses
• Page 60  Sheffield Flood, Old Manufacturers
• Page 62  An Early Strike, Industries, Brass Industry
• Page 64  Effingham Brass Works, Nailmakers
• Page 66  Engineering, Beetson Glass Works , Flax Mill
• Page 68  Rabbit Hutch, Coronation Bridge
• Page 70  St.Georges Hall, Derby Butcher, High Bailiff, A Proud Butcher
• Page 72  Curious Characters, Other Characters
• Page 74  Rotherham Bob
• Page 76   Peacock
• Page 78  Tosh, Strange Meetings, John Brown and his Cello
• Page 80  A Diversion
• Page 82  Sam Bennett, Daring Escapade
• Page 84 College Yard, Interesting Recollections of Paddy Logan
• Page 86 Well Known Residents of Rotherham
• Page 88 The Charmian, An Accident
• Page 90 Baths, Blondin, Schools, Boston Park
• Page 92 The Rotherham and Masbro Advertiser
• Page 94 A Rival Paper,The Oddfellows
• Page 96 The Oddfellows
• Page 98 Rother Minstrels, Congregational Church
• Page 100 Sorrow, Three Pastors
• Page 102 All Saints
• Page 104 Projected New Church, A Disappearance, Amateur Parliament
• Page 106 Joe Chamberlain
• Page 108 Parliamentary Elections, Riots in 1865, Barbers Shop Wrecked
• Page 110 Riot Act Read, Press Comments, 1868 Election, Ballot Act
• Page 112 1880 Riots, Police Run Amok
• Page 114 Who to Blame, Trouble in 1885
• Page 116 Maltby Common, Unitarian Chapel, Rev. W. Blazeby
• Page 118  Feoffees, Charities and Doles
• Page 120 Athletic Sports
• Page 122 An Interesting Fixture
• Page 124 An Interesting Fixture
• Page 126 Man V Horse, Rotherham Race Meetings, Old Maltby
• Page 128 Bone Shaker, A Comical Sight, Cycling, A Surprise to Villagers
• Page 130 Cads on Castors, Cricket, New Sports Centre
• Page 132 Football - Lunar Rovers
• Page 134 The Wanderers and Others, Rotherham Town Football Club
• Page 136 Cock Rodgers Feat, Something to be Proud of, Misfortune
• Page 138 A Royal Patient
• Page 140 Temperance Ban Circumvented, Board of Health, Municipal Borough, The Charter
• Page 142 First Municipal Elections, First Councillors
• Page 144 Lays of the Corporation
• Page 146 Ye Lay Off Ye Golden Balls
• Page 148 Ye Lay Off Ye Golden Balls (continued)
• Page 150 Local Government, Qualifications of Public Representatives
• Page 152 The Influences of the Mayor, Disturbing Elements
• Page 154 The Municipal Races
• Page 156 The Municipal Races, continued
• Page 158 Services as Mayor, Pere et Fils
• Page 160 The Municipal Races, continued
• Page 162 Alderman Moorhouse, The Reaper, A Model Committee
• Page 164 A Stormy Petrel, Councillor Frederick Fell, Alderman Robert Marsh
• Page 166 Alderman Robert Marsh, Ward Meetings, Costly Elections
• Page 168 The Mayor's Chain, The Public Purse, The Mayor Maker
• Page 170 Borough Police, Ill Feeling, The Brewster Session of 1883
• Page 172  The Brewster Session of 1883
• Page 174 An Incensed Public, Sharp Practice
• Page 176 Other Wards, Exit Two Aldermen
• Page 178 Leading Speeches, Mistaken Zeal, Twelve Months Later
• Page 180 Golf Story, Municipal Golf, In Scotland
• Page 182 Lloyd George and Golf, Amusing Incidents, Protection Against Fire, Fire Buzzer
• Page 184 Protection Against Fire, Interesting Elections
• Page 186 A Pasture's Censure, A Laughable Incident
• Page 188 Bad Leadership, Rowdy Council Meetings, Kisses at a Shilling Each
• Page 190 A Majority of Three, An Election Episode
• Page 192 Mayor Making, 1885, The Mayor's Reply
• Page 194 Ill Feeling, Extraordinary Proceedings
• Page 196 Prominent men of Fifty Years Ago, Alderman George Neill
• Page 198 Alderman George Neill
• Page 200 Alderman J. C. Morgan
• Page 202 Alderman J. C. Morgan
• Page 204 Alderman Kelsey
• Page 206 Alderman W. H. Gummer
• Page 208 Mr. Richard Chrimes
• Page 210 John Guest, Mr. Geo. Eskholme
• Page 212 Alderman Geo. Clarke
• Page 214 Jubilee Mayor, Alderman C. J. Stoddart
• Page 216 The Death-Knell of Municipal Politics, The Tickling up Case
• Page 218 School Board
• Page 220 School Board
• Page 222 Defeat of Mr. Chambers, A Foolish Bet, Death of Rev. W. Law
• Page 224 Death of A. P. Hirst, Director of Education, Spurley Hey
• Page 226 A few Particulars Regarding Education
• Page 228 A Brilliant Member, 1871-1877
• Page 230 David Winter, Dan Mullins, Geo. Gummer
• Page 232 Lad Licked, Benjamin Sorsby
• Page 234 Wives of Public Men, The Coke Scandal,
• Page 236 Jack Pearce,
• Page 238 My First Vote
• Page 240 Angry Scenes, Jubillee Mayor's Resignation
• Page 242 Councillors 20s.each, Public Memory, Liberal Association
• Page 244 Old Liberals, Politics in the 70s
• Page 246 Benjamin Disraeli visits Rotherham
• Page 248 Man after my Own Heart, Politics in Municipal Elections, Franchise Bill, An Acrostic,Loving Cup, Redistribution
• Page 250 Old Whigs, Arthur Dyke Acland, Major Hoole,Row at Swinton
• Page 252 Home Sweet Home, Counting Votes, Reconciliation
• Page 254 Home Rule Split, Liberal Enthusiasm
• Page 256 A Politicians First Speech
• Page 258 Mr. Acland's Retirement, Something for Nothing, Political Humour
• Page 260 Local Option, Meanness
• Page 262 Conservatives, Canklow Colliery Disaster of 1891
• Page 264 A young Mayor, Relaxation
• Page 266 Satisfaction Expressed, Mayor is King
• Page 268 Duke of New York, After Six Years Service, Picnics
• Page 270 Good Speakers, Howlers
• Page 272 Free Library and Baths, Miners Demonstration, Serious Floods
• Page 274 Elected Mayor, County Councils
• Page 276 Something Attempted, Life Boat Saturday, Old People's Treat
• Page 278 An Eight Minutes Council Meeting, Important Events, South African War, Mafeking, Welcome Home
• Page 280 Death of Queen Victoria, Proclamation of Edward Vll
• Page 282 Quarter Sessions, Retirement of John Mason, Missed Opportunities
• Page 284 Town Improvements, Imperial Buildings
• Page 286 Main Street Post Office, Town Clerks
• Page 288 Town Clerks
• Page 290 Death of Mr. Hickmott, Rotherham Free Press
• Page 292 William Gates, Turkish Baths, Chief Constable John Pollard
• Page 294 Market Fire, Jabez Balfour, Gas Works
• Page 296 Rotherham Gas Works
• Page 298 A Strike at the Gas Works,
• Page 300 Sheffield versus Rotherham,
• Page 302 Jury Lists, Prisoners of War, Mayor elected in his Absence
• Page 304 Mayor and Football, Freedom of the Borough
• Page 306 Rotherham Ratepayers’ Association
• Page 308 Parliamentary Representation, Arthur Richardson, M.P.,
• Page 310 Commander Kenworthy, Lord Frederick Cavendish, An Improving Town
• Page 312 An Improving Town