Posts

The following are a few of the news items that appeared in the town’s newspaper of June 1911

ACCIDENT

On Wednesday, Simpson Calderwood a spindle machinist in the Caledonia Works, met with an accident at his work which resulted in the loss of his fingers.

BEITH FC

The annual general meeting of the club was held in the Masonic Hall on Tuesday evening last. Treasurers report, on the seasons workings, was submitted and adopted. The following officer bearers were thereafter appointed: President C B Ramsay, Vice-President James S Andersons and Thomas Brimer, Treasurer Walter Pattison, Financial Secretary Hugh B Dunlop, Match Secretary George McMillan, Committee – Messrs Burniston, Tacket, Miller, Walters, Lamb, Holmes, C Dunlop, Black and McInnes. The committee are at present in negotiation for a few players of experience, and with most of last season’s men available prospects are very bright of the getting together of a very strong eleven which should carry them far into all the various competitions. The committee has decided to revert to the colours which carried them so far in the competitions a season or two back, maroon jerseys. The annual general meeting of the Scottish reserve league falls to be held in Glasgow on Monday first when the constitution of the league will be decided on.

ALARMING DRIVING ACCIDENT

While the Misses Cochrane-Patrick of Ladyland House, Kilbirnie, were driving home in their waggonette from the Kerse Mission on Sunday night, the horse shied at a dog on the roadside and fell, overturning the machine at the same time.

Miss Harriet Cochrane-Patrick who was driving was thrown to the ground and a wheel of the waggonette passed over her right shoulder while her sister, Miss Cochrane-Patrick was pinned to the ground by the overturned machine lying on her breast. The coachman, William Benson, with great presence of mind, jumped from the back seat and held the horse down till the ladies were extricated from their perilous position by some people who witnessed the accident. Benson had his right hand severely injured.

The horse was badly injured and the waggonette was smashed. Mr Simpson of Langslie Farm, conveyed the ladies home in his machine and they were afterwards attended by Dr Milroy and Nurse Cooper, Kilbirnie. Miss Cochrane-Patrick was almost unconscious from bruises and shock and Miss Harriet Cochrane-Patrick was also bruised, but fortunately no bones were broken. Both ladies are very popular for their charitable work in the Kilbirnie and Beith districts.

From enquiry we learn that the Misses Cochrane-Patrick are progressing satisfactorily towards recovery and it is the general hope of the community that the ladies will soon be out and about again. They had intended leaving Ladyland on Tuesday for a short holiday in England, but of course that will be impossible now.

SOJOURN IN CANADA

After a sojourn in Canada of 30 years Mr John Freebairn, a native of Beith, is this week paying a visit to the scenes of his youth. He is accompanied by Mrs Freebairn, nee Agnes Turner and both are looking wonderfully well. They journeyed across in the Allen Liner Experian, and landed at the Broomielaw on Sunday after a remarkably fine voyage. Mr Freebairn who was an employee in the cabinet trade before leaving Beith  has been located at Pincher Creek, Alberta, all these years and in the farming industry has succeeded in building up a fine business. Mr and Mrs Freebairn were welcomed by a host of friends. They intend to take a long holiday.

EMIGRATION NOTES

Today, by the Allan Liner, Hisperian, the fastest of the fleet of Canadian steamers, there is another full complement of passengers. Among them are five from Beith. Robert Stewart, clerk, son of Mr Archibald Stewart, Thirdpark, Beith, with his newly wedded wife are making their departure for Winnigpeg, a honeymoon trip, although it is their intention to remain permanently in the dominion. Mr Thomas McClure, the youngest son of Mrs Mazzina McClure, Townhead, Beith, is bound for Toronto meantime, but later will move on to Souris, Manitoba, where he intends to pursue an agricultural vocation. Mr McClure is young and enthusiastic and of a temperament which is sure to find him many friends. He has two elder brothers in Canada. John is in Toronto and Robert in Vancouver.

Miss Maggie Lowrie, daughter of Mr John Lowrie, Bunswynd, Beith, is following her younger sister Mary, to Woolsley, Saskatchewan, where she has obtained a situation as a domestic servant. High wages are obtained by Scots girls for household duties and Miss Lowrie is the stamp of girl always welcomed out there. She takes the best wishes of a large circle of friends from whom she received many kindly momentos of their esteem and goodwill.

Mr Frank Wilkitis, furnaceman, a Pole from Glengarnock, who goes out to Montreal to win fortune and fame and to join a countryman who left a few weeks ago. He is a lusty fellow willing to work hard, and that spells success.

NOTEABLE BEITH NATIVE

Mr John Kennedy, who died at Tullibody lately, was a remarkable man, passed away in his 87^th year. Mr Kennedy was the son of Mr Kennedy who was the tenant of the Saracens Hotel, Beith, prior to the occupancy of the late William Wilson. That must be over 60 years ago, as only a few people here remember the old Inn Keeper, locally known as ‘Old Surprise.’ The deceased was a tanner in the works at the back of Main Street afterwards carried on by the late Thomas Hunter. His sister is the wife of Mr Robert Ramsay, of the Hide and Skin Market, Glasgow, also a native of Beith.

PUBLIC HOUSE BREAK-INS

Between Thursday night and Friday morning the Masonic Arms, Main Street, Beith, occupied by Mr Dunlop, was forcibly entered and 12 bottles of whisky and 2 bottles of rum carried off. Entrance had been effected by forcing a side door in the bar. The Victoria Tavern, Main Street, the property of occupied by Mr Glen, had also been visited, but in this case no booty was obtained.

The thieves had entered by a window in Bunswynd and made their way to the flat below, where an attempt was made to force the bar door. As they failed to gain entry the depredators had evidently then left the house and gone to Mr Dunlop’s with the result noted above. The police are making enquiries into the burglaries.

The Western Supplement of 24 June reports that Robert Dobie, baker and John Kirkwood, labourer, both of Beith, pleaded guilty to the above. The police had strong suspicions about the identity and they kept watch and found the two men near the old Bark Mill with the whisky in their possession. They were sentenced to 3 months imprisonment. They had been convicted of a similar offence two years before.

VETERAN RESERVE

Lieutenant A W Faulds, VD, of Knockbuckle, Beith, has been in communication with Captain E U Bradbridge, secretary of the Ayr County TF Association relative to the formation of a company of the Veteran Reserve in Beith. We are gratified to say that there is every probability of his efforts meeting with success. The Colonel has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Volunteer Movement since its inception in 1859.

There are many old volunteers in Beith who look back with pleasure on the years they served with the local company and it serves to show that their patriotism has in no way abated by the response many of them have made to the Colonel’s overtures. The Veteran Section is intended for older men. In it a man undertakes no liability to serve unless he volunteers on an emergency. He simply registers his name and is organised in a formation suitable to enable him to effectively perform useful duties in a national emergency.

ALARMING CYCLE ACCIDENT

On Saturday, a little after mid-day an accident occurred at the Cross of Beith which happily had not the serious results which at first sight seemed probable. The circumstances are that two cyclists named Alexander Wilson, a plumber with Mr James Stevenson, Wilson Street and James Hamilton, painter, employed by Mr Andrew Guy, Horseshoe, were proceeding in opposite directions when the collided violently with each other in front of the shop occupied by Mr Thomas Dickson, china merchant. Both were thrown to the ground and rendered unconscious by the violence of the shock. They were assisted by passers-by. Hamilton, who bleeding profusely from the head and nose, was carried into the offices of the Parish Council where he was given assistance, until the arrival of Dr Campbell. He recovered consciousness and was driven to his father’s house at Mossneuk. Wilson, meantime, had been carried into Messrs Kerr’s premises opposite and, after a little, he too regained his senses although he was in a rather dazed condition. He was later driven to Kilbirnie where he lives.

MOTOR SMASH NEAR BEITH

On Wednesday night, between 7 pm and 8 pm, a motor van belonging to the American Steam Laundry Company, Kilmarnock, while proceeding along the country road between Burnhouse and East Middleton on its way towards Lugton, through the steering gear going wrong, was overturned in a ditch. All 4 occupants were thrown out and two of them were seriously injured. Lord Eglinton was passing in his car at the time and his Lordship had the injured parties conveyd to Beith in his car. On arrival there Dr Stewart dressed their wounds.  The injured parties were treated for head and body injuries after which they were driven to Lugton and entrained for Kilmarnock.

YOUTH DIES

Jacob Wilson, aged 18 years, eldest son of James and Agnes Wilson, died on 18^th inst. At 19 The Cross Beith. The remains of the young lad were followed to the grave on Wednesday by members of the Salvation Army and each wore a white sleeve band as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased who had himself been a member of the corp. The coffin, covered with a white material, was carried from the lad’s home at The Cross to the cemetery by members of the Army. The unusual scene was witnessed by a large number of people.

CORONATION – BEITH CELEBRATIONS

In common with the whole of the British Empire, Beith on Thursday paid homage to King George. Unfortunately, the weather in the morning was far from promising, a strong south west wind prevailing. In view of the adverse weather the committee held back the demonstration until 1130 am when the procession started.

The town was gay with flags and bunting and some of the principle buildings were tastefully decorated with coloured cloth. Strings and flags were thrown across the street and altogether the townspeople testified their loyalty in no uncertain manner. Headed by the Beith Instrumental Band, playing tunes appropriate to the occasion, the procession left the mustering point at Mayfield, the cavalcade being led by the local troop of Yeomanry under the command of Sergeant Major Martin and the Territorials under the command of Captain Stewart. The military forces were followed by a rider bearing “The Bells,” the Freemasons, the Olive Branch Lodge of Free Gardeners, the Juvenile Oliver Branch of Free Gardeners, the St. Andrew’s Order of Free Gardeners, the Shepherds Society, Boys Scouts etc. They proceeded down Townhead and Eglinton Street and returned by Main Street, Mitchell Street, Cummock Street, Wilson Street and Kings Road, the procession reached the public park attended by a large crowd, despite the heavy rain.

The Territorials then fired a feu-de-joie. The band played the National Anthem amid the cheers. Due to heavy rain the proceedings in the public park terminated. Word had been conveyed to the children at Greenhills and Gateside that they would receive their treat at their respective schools. In the case of the town’s school children, they were entertained in the Academy.

At night several hundred people assembled on Fullwoodhead ground to witness the illuminations and the lighting of the bonfire. Mr Aitchison, delivered a few words appropriate to the occasion and asked Miss Lisa Marshall, daughter of Parish Councillor Marshall, to apply the match which the young lady did amid great cheering.

The following telegram was received by Mr Thomas Thorburn from His Majesty following receipt of congratulations wired from Beith. “OHMS Buckingham Palace, 4.10 pm received at 7.27 pm to Thomas Thorburn, Beith. I am commanded by the King and Queen to thank you and all who joined with you for the loyal sentiment to which your telegram gives expression.”

BARKIP

The village was en fait on Thursday with the Coronation rejoicing. The school children were regaled with cakes and tea. Each scholar was presented with a Coronation mug. Sports were held in the field behind the school. The children’s races and games were held first and thereafter a splendid programme of sports for adults was held. A feature of the proceedings was a race for men over 50. Several old racing veterans competed. There was also a special race for married women. The Glengarnock Pipe band rendered selections. The sports programme was in the capable charge of Mr James Paul (jun) assisted by a committee of ladies and gentlemen and was carried through in a very able manner.

EMIGRATION NOTES

The largest contingent which has left Beith on one day during the present season will sail with the Allen Liner Grampian today for Montreal. They are ten in number and their names are:- Mr John Neil, blacksmith with Mr Fife, New Street, Beith. He is the son of Mr John Neil, hostler of Townhead and is bound for British Columbia to live with an aunt. William Kincaid, french polisher, Townhead, whose destination is Toronto where he will join his sister Mrs Currie. Mrs McKee, Barkip, who with her three children Jenny, William and Mary, go to join her husband, Mr James McKee, a gardener at Perth, Ontario. Mr Francis Mcauley, cabinet machinist, Janefield Place, with his two daughters, Mary-Ann and Martha, who go to Toronto where a married daughter of Mr Mcauley is situated. Mr William Agnew, joiner, High Street, Lochwinnoch, is bound for Hamilton, Ontaria.

Related posts:

1. 14 June 1902
2. 21 June 1902
3. 7 June 1902