Reminiscences of Rotherham
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I can see now the broken-nosed and battered faced representatives of the prize-ring, challenging in vibrant tones the gaping crowd gathered before the sparring booth, which ran alongside the shooting galleries and swing boats. This belonged to Micky Bent, who made us believe he had at one time been one of England’s greatest pugilists, and had pitted his skill against Tom Sayers, Heenan, and other notable fighters of that period. At eleven o’clock Micky cleared out his audience, and the booth would be handed over to several young sparks,including amongst others, James Leadbeater, Elliott Kesteven, the Bentleys, and the Hirsts, who had contests amongst themselves, and on some occasions the professioaal boxers were challenged. There were at least two townsmen, Fred Bell and Jack Gillott, who could hold their own with Micky and his colleagues.Why the authorities tolerated obstruction of the thoroughfares by these shows I never could understand. The system acted injuriously on businesses of many tradesmen and helped the peripatetic vendors of immoral songs and other filthy trash to thrive. In a smaller degree similar conditions still prevail in Market street every Saturday and Monday.
M.S. AND L. RAILWAY
In 1871, when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway came to Rotherham, considerable alterations and changes were effected, the canal, which formerly ran past the Holmes Colliery and joined the river near the Rotherham Forge and Rolling Mills, being diverted at a point higher up the stream near the Bow Bridge, The passenger station. erected as a temporary building, found a home near the bridge in Masbro' street. Before the railway company decided on a site for their present structure, the Corporation and prominent tradesmen were consulted.
After discussing the one on which the temporary station stood, and the one on which the station now stands, the advocates for removal, led by a prominent alderman who owned a lot of old property near Square Yard, used his influence in persuading the company to adopt his views, although the concensus if opinion was that the town would be better served by the erection of a station near the Masbro’ Bridge.
THE SAND BED
Between Jail Bridge and the Rotherham Forge and Rolling Mills, formerly existed an island, which contained sand useful for building purposes. In the old days, a man named Humphrey claimed the exclusive right to remove this sand and sell it to builders. He was either father or uncle to Mr. Alfred Humphrey. who formerly carried on a large furnishing business in Bridgegate. Later, he handed over his rights to Mr. Edwin Thompson, the well-known boat proprietor, who, for the purpose of facilitating the transport of the sand to Millgate, constructed a light movable bridge of planks, supported on tressels resting in the river. These tressels were said to obstruct the flow of the water and were forcibly removed by men acting under instructions of the Rotherham Forge. who claimed to possess certain rights over the river.A good deal of excitement was aroused, the proceedings being witnessed by crowds of people. This right to the free flow of the stream arose again when the Corporation constructed Corporation street, reclaimed certain land, and removed the sand bed. As chair man of the committee, I had a hand in the negotiations, which nearly landed the town into a costly law suit. Fortunately, this was avoided. » next