Reminiscences of Rotherham
by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevparishioners, Mr. Newton died after seven years’ splendid service. His private works and deeds in ministering to his people had endeared him to all, and his care for the welfare of the community had rendered his life so eminently useful that his death was universally lamented.
The funeral took place at Ullenhall, Warwickshire, a service being held in Rotherham Parish Church. The whole town mourned, and business ceased. Clergy from the surrounding districts, the Mayor and Corporation, the School Board, the Feoffees, the Weekly Board of the Rotherham Hospital, the Guardians, and Freemasons were represented, and a large contingent from the Friendly Societies, with Admiral Douglas representing Earl Fitawilliam, the students of the Independent College, members of the Liberal Association, etc., attended the service.
Reference to his death was made by every religious denomination and in most public places, in fact, everybody desired to express their grief at the loss the town had sustained.
PROJECTED NEW CHURCH
It is not generally known that the Rector of Whiston in the early eighties had in contemplation the erection of a new church. Plans and estimates, prepared by a well- known London architect, and lithographs of the building appeared in the Building News. The intention was to build the new church on a site between Moorgate and the Broom road, the cost to be in the region of £10,000. Unfortunately, the death of the Rev. Canon Howard, the prime mover, put a stop to the project.A DISAPPEARANCE
The year 1882 will be remembered for giving the town one of the profoundest sensations that surely ever occurred. The absconding of one of our prominent professional men, was one of those calamities which never fail to shake to its foundations local commercial confidence. I need not dwell on so painful an affair, except to say that the absconder was the senior partner in one of the most highly respected firms in South Yorkshire. At one time a member of the Town Council, his was one of the names submitted to the Lord Chancellor for appointment as a Justice of the Peace, but afterwards withdrawn at his own request. He was associated with every social and benevolent institution, and was a generous subscriber. Having recently erected for himself a mansion on the outskirts of the town, and married but a little over twelve months a beautiful and charming lady of good family, holding a foremost position in the town and county, his disappearance seemed incredible. Excitement ran high, and surprise and consternation were everywhere apparent.His effects were advertised to be sold by public auction, and crowds flocked to the house to view the furniture, more out of idle curiosity than perhaps anything else. In the main bedroom over the head of the bed in which the absconder had slept, the following motto was hung Let not your hearts be troubled. Unfortunately for the town and neighbourhood, financial disasters followed, with deficiencies amounting to many thousands of pounds. The year 1882 will be long remembered as a black year for Rotherham.
AMATEUR PARLIAMENT
In the early eighties (I believe 1882) an amateur Parliament, or a Parliamentary Debating Society, had become a 'sine qua non'. The Rev, W. H. Carr, BA. (Vicar of Kimberworth) accepted the office of speaker, discharging his duties with urbanity, impartiality and forbearance, which afforded great satisfaction, whilst that of the clerk of the house was bestowed on Mr. W G. Sutton. The Liberals, who were in a majority, were called upon to form a Government. The Cabinet selected consisted of the following gentlemen:First Lord of the Treasury, Rev. W. Blazeby, B.A.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. D. L. Winter.
ForeignSecretary, Mr. John Cox.
Home Secretary, Mr. R. H. Sharp.
Indian Secretary, Rev. B. Stubbs.
Secretary for War and Admiralty, Mr. Edwin Kelsey.
Secretary for Colonies, Rev. J.S.Morant, BA.
Secretary for Ireland, Mr. Henry Foster.
Attorney General, Mr. H. H. Hickmott.
Solicitor Generall, Mr. R.G. Thompson.
Postmaster General, Coun. W. H. Gummer.
President Board of Trade, Coun. I. Walker.
President Local Governmuent Board, Mr. A. 0. Hutchinson.
Chancellor Duchy of Lancaster, Mr.A. F. Morgan
Leader of the opposition, Mr. R. G. Barras.
The Government, defeated on the question of Local Option, a debate which was not without exciting scenes, resigned. Like all imitations, of the real thing, the life of the Amateurs was only a short one.
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