Mexborough and Swinton Times, March 5, 1910
Death of Mr. F. Handley, Conisboro’.
Sequel to a Doncaster Street Accident.
Sketch of Mr. Handley’s Career.
His Connection with Mexboro’.
We regret to announce the death, which occurred at the Doncaster Royal Infirmary on Saturday, Mr Francis Handley, of Conisbrough. The deceased gentleman, who was a retired engineer well-known in the musical world met with a serious accident on Saturday week, being knocked down by a horse which was careering madly one of Doncaster’s busiest thoroughfare.
Injuries of sources and character were inflicted. Once in a moribund condition to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where he died as stated
The Inquest.
At the Guild Hall, Doncaster, the Borough Coroner (Mr. A. H. Toney) on Monday sat to inquire into the circumstances. The Coroner said that deceased formerly_ resided at 1, Albany Terrace, Conisboro, and was a retired engineer and a widower, 74 years of age. Mr. Handley left Conisboro’ on Saturday, the 19th inst. to come to Doncaster and travelled by the two o’clock train. He proceeded to the market, and was then in his usual state of health; at 3-30 he was upon the road near the front of the Corn Exchange, when a horse came galloping from the direction of High Fisher, and past the Corn Exchange and thence into Sunny Bar.
Without any warning the deceased was knocked down and pitched right over, with the result that he was seriously injured. He was almost immediately removed to the Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where. despite every attention, he passed away at 3 o’clock is the afternoon of Saturday last, probably from the injuries sustained by being knocked down by the horse. The animal belonged to Mr. John Constantine of Park Road, who however had reported to the police, earlier in the day, that the horse was missing from the stable. How it got out could not be ascertained. It had been let loose and was not in charge of anybody, so that they were not in a position to charge anyone.
Never In Better Health
Mr. William B. Wells, Albany Terrace, North Cliff. Conisboro’, said that Mr. Handley had resided with him for about 8 years, and was his father-in-law. When he left Conisboro’ on Feb. 19th, deceased was in perfectly good health, and remarked to witness that he never felt better in his life.
A message was sent to witness, and he at once proceeded to the Infirmary, where, upon inquiring how the accident had occurred, deceased told him that he did not know. For an old man he had a splendid physique. On the following Tuesday Mr. Handley appeared to be very much better and seemed disposed to enter into conversation, but although witness did not encourage it, he answered several questions. He did not know where to go to find a man so healthy-looking for his age.
P.c. Elsey said that shortly after three o’clock on the 19th of Feb, he was on duty opposite the Corn Exchange. He heard some people shouting, when, upon turning round, he saw a horse running -along at a furious rate in the direction of Sunny Bar. The animal was without harness. When he got up to where Mr. Handley was lying he saw that he was badly cut about the head and was bleeding. He was quite unconscious.
The Injuries.
Dr. Willey, house surgeon, stated that the deceased was received between three and four o’clock on February 19th. Upon examining him he found that he was just regaining consciousness, and that he had a large contused ‘wound on the right side of the forehead, another on the left side, together with an abrasion, and had received some injury to the nose. There were symptoms of a fracture of the anterior base of the skull. On the left side the ribs were fractured, also the collar-bone. He had a number of bruises above the left hip and upon the right hand.
When admitted he was suffering from bronchitis, which became worse during the week, until he collapsed rather suddenly on Saturday last. The immediate cause of death was heart failure, due to shock and injuries received. Mr. Handley knew nothing about the accident. It was probable that he had concussion of the brain, and during the week was more or less unconscious. In his opinion the deceased had been flung forward with considerable violence.
A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.
Early Life
The late Mr. F. Handley was born in the year 1836 at a little village near Pontefract.
He commenced life as an engine winder at a small colliery behind Wakefield prison, but as the remuneration was not satisfactory, he decided to try his luck in the Barnsley district. Accordingly, he came to Worsbro’ Dale, where he worked for Mr. Joseph. 3fitelell at Edmunds Main. While at this colliery, a terrible explosion took place and 59 lives were lost. Mr. Handley being on duty as winder at the time. Leaving that ill-fated pit, he proceeded to Swaithe Main, and to the Old Oaks in 1864.
Drew First Coal At Deinaby.
The year 1866 found him at Denaby Mann, whore he had the distinction of drawing the first coal. He remained there till 1885 when he became the boniface of an hotel in Lissington. near Lincoln. After a residence there of four years, he removed to Askern where the kept the south Parade Baths, and where he lost his wife.
We next find him residing with his daughter, and son-in-law (Mr and Mrs W.B.Wells), Conisbrough for eight years up to his accident.
Mr Handley was the oldest member of the Engineers Association (now the Engine and Motor Men’s Association). Had he lived two months longer he would have celebrated the golden jubilee of his entrance to the society. In October last, when the Jubilee dinner was held in Barnsley, Mr Handley, who was an honoured guest, was congratulated upon his long connection with the organisation.
Oldest member is Mr George Hindley, Swinton, who has been member 40 years, and the friend for 60 years of Mr Handley.
Musician
Mr Handley will be remembered in the Mexborough district mainly on account of his abilities as a musician. He was a musical man in every sense of the term, everyone, he was in demand both the church choir’s and at social gatherings.
At Worsbrough Dale he was a member of the church choir, while his connection with Mexborough choirs is well known. He resided in Mexborough all the years he worked at Denaby Main, and was organist at the Old Primitive Methodist Chapel.
After many year’s service there, he took up a similar position at the Wesleyan Church, where for a long time he and Mr Tiptaft played on alternative Sunday.
In addition Mr Handley was a fine alto singer, for years he attended all the anniversaries in the district. While he was at Lissington his musical abilities were discovered by the octogenarian vicar, who insisted on him joining the choir.
At Askern he was also in the church choir, and when he came to Conisbrough he joined the Baptist Church Choir, leaving two years ago. Music was his hobby and while at Mexborough he kept a music shop in Church Street. Afterwards he managed Mr Meacock’s shop for several years.
A Glee Party
At Askern, he was a member of a Glee party, and Glee singing appealed to him most strongly. He and a Mr Scott and Mr Moulson formed a Glee party, and their United ages total 210 years.
For one of his years he was wonderfully Roberts, and was at all times extremely moderate man. His death will be regretted by all but the pleasure of knowing him. No more genial soul existed. It was ever in a good humour, and his company on. One struggles, a son of Mr Handley brought his weight into play. Even in the infirmary during the last days of his life is good humour did not desert him, and hospital staff retain pleasant recollections of the Conisbrough patient. He told any amount of interesting stories, it was more the way told the story than the actual happenings in it, that his hearers was enjoying.
In Conisbrough, during his comparatively short residence there, no one was more highly respected and his jovial presence will be much missed. There are indeed few men of his type. He was one of nature’s nobleman, and was never happy only when doing someone a good turn.
The Funeral
It was Mr Handley’s wish that a choral service should procede is interment, and so a full choral service was held at Askern Church just before the burial on Tuesday.
He was buried in the same grave as his wife in accordance with his request.
A Sad Home Coming
a sad feature of the cases that Mr F Handley Wells, grandson of the deceased, is on his way home from New Zealand by the White Star line steamship, “Afric.” He is expected to reach home by March 15. The news of his grandfather’s death, will come as a sad surprise to him