Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 30 December 1881
Local Chronology for 1881
January
1. Mr. Henry Clarke, of Swinton, accidentally drowned at Carbrook.
4. Local Government Board Inquiry at Wath, re-establishment of Local Board. Conisboro’ Wesleyan Sunday School annual tea.
6. A “scene” at the Mexboro’ Local Board meeting anent Merburgians. Annual meeting Mexboro’ Mechanics’ Institute.
10. Library and Reading room opened at Denaby.
14. Publication of the annual reports of the Mexboro’ and Wath Medical Officers.
15. Public Reading-room opened at Bolton-on-Dearne. Barnburgh Parochial tea.
17. Annual meeting of the Mexboro’ Cricket Club. Gas explosion at Messrs. Johnson’s premises, Wath. Presentations to Messrs. Ramsden and Dothman, of Kilnhurst. Inauguration of the Wombwell and District Liberal Association.
21. The local trade reviewed.
24. Wath Quadrille Class Annual Ball.
26. The “sliding scale” adopted at Manvers Main Colliery.
28. The Denaby Main strike ceased and the men returned to work.
February
1. Annual meeting at Mexboro’ on behalf of Wesleyan Foreign Missions.
3. Additional waiting rooms at Mexboro’ railway station granted.
4. Lengthy correspondence between the Rector of Barnburgh and Mr. Murphy, of Swinton, published.
6. Conisboro’ Primitive Methodist Chapel Anniversary.
7. General meeting of the Mexboro’ and District Water Company; a dividend of 5 per cent. agreed to. A Mexboro’ Boatman (John White) accidentally drowned at Conisboro’.
9. The Mexboro’ Quadrille Class closing ball.
11. Presentation to Sergeant Stringer, late of Swinton.
15. A series of miners’ meetings held in the district on the wage question.
22. Military Concert at Mexboro’. A Mexboro’ man, named James Heyes, accidentally killed by the fall of a crane at Wath. Annual soirée at Christ Church, Parkgate.
25. A pony-driver, named Thos. Darnall, accidentally killed by a corve at Denaby Colliery. Mr. Frith addressed a meeting of miners at Swinton on the Miners’ Union.
March
1. Bazaar at Mexboro’ on behalf of a new Mechanics’ Institute.
5. Local Government Inquiry at Swinton re-proposed Sewage Scheme.
11. Presentation to Mr. Thos. Barron, of Mexboro’. The liquidation of the Rawmarsh and Parkgate Building Society agreed to.
14. First match in connection with the Mexboro’ and District Angling Association.
16. Stormy meeting of Swinton Local Board on Market Question.
22. Rawmarsh Local Board Election.
24. Mexboro’ School Board Election. Presentation to Arthur Bramhall, of Wath, for gallantry.
27. Swinton Local Board Election averted by the withdrawal of Messrs. Adamson and Shaw.
28. Annual meeting of the Mexboro’ Rowing Club. Swinton Parish Church annual tea.
April
1. Swinton Local Board Election; Congratulatory dinner.
4. Roman-terrace Sunday School Anniversary.
7. Mexboro’ Local Board Election.
7. Mr. Waddington resigns his position of chairman to the Board.
9. Presentation to the Rev. W. M. H. Church and Miss Church by the inhabitants of Mickleton on the occasion of their leaving that village.
13. A child named Henrietta Sellars, accidentally drowned at Kilnhurst.
17. A “Scene” with the Salvation Army at Denaby. Wesleyan Chapel Sunday School Anniversary.
18. United Methodist Free Church Bazaar, Parkgate.
19. Vestry meeting at Mexboro’. Five men injured by an accident at Wath Main Colliery.
20. Annual meeting of Mexboro’ Local Board.
24. Swinton Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary.
25. Government examination of the Mexboro’ Congregational School.
28. Performance of the “Messiah” at Mexboro’.
29. The census returns for the district published. A child, named Spragge, drowned accidentally at Mexboro’.
May
1. Mexboro’ Wesleyan Sunday School Anniversary. The Vicar of Wath referred to an extraordinary letter he had received.
3. “Effigy” of a man, named Simpson, burnt at Swinton.
4. Annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Mexboro’ and District Sunday School Union.
8. Anniversary services at Swinton Congregational Church; ditto at Mexboro’ Congregational Church.
13. Explosion of benzoline at Mexboro’; a young woman, named Lawson, killed. Half-yearly rent dinner at Thrybergh Hall.
15. Wath Wesleyan Chapel Anniversary.
16. Presentation to Mr. George Smith, of Roman-terrace. The body of a young woman, named Peace, found in the river; at the inquest a verdict of “found drowned” was returned.
17. A woman, named Watson, of “The Common,” Mexboro’, attempted to commit suicide.
21. Narrow escape from drowning of a girl named Golding, at Swinton.
29. Mexboro’ Primitive Methodist Sunday School Anniversary.
30. Suicide of a young woman, named Margaret Wheatley, at Conisboro’.
June
1. A girl, named Preston, narrowly escaped drowning at Kilnhurst. Annual meeting of the Conisboro’ Gas Company. At a meeting of the Mexboro’ Local Board, the Rate Collector tendered his resignation.
3. Presentation to Miss Milnes on leaving the Mexboro’ Primitive Methodist School, where she had been assistant-mistress.
4. A man, named Scarborough, died at Conisboro’ from the effects of hydrophobia.
6. Whitsuntide festivities in Mexboro’ and district. Sports at Thrybergh.
11. Adjourned meeting in connection with the Swinton sewage scheme.
14. Foundation stone of new Board School laid at Upper Haugh.
15. Election of officers by the Mexboro’ Conservative Association.
17. Death of the Rev. J. Boyd, of West Melton.
18. Mexboro’ “Feast.”
20. Government Inquiry at Swinton concerning the churchyard there.
24. Fire at the Carr House Colliery.
27. Rifle Volunteer Competition at Wath. Extraordinary proceedings by the Denaby Main Colliery pony-drivers.