Reminiscences of Rotherham
by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevMr. John Garnett’s death, after being editor and proprietor for the short space of six years, was a great loss to the town and district. A. man of sterling integrity and sound judgment, fearless and determined,of a kindly disposition endearing him to all with whom he came in contact.
I have occasion to remember him with gratitude, having on several occasions benefited by his friendly guidance and advice. Mr. Geo. Whitehead, who had for some years been on the staff, succeeded to the editorial chair. During his reign no illustrations were allowed to appear with an advertisement, a restrict on which I, along with others, had occasion to resent. His sudden death whilst returning from the Baptist Church in Westgate on Mayor’s Sunday is still one of my vivid and sorrowful remembrances. I was not only on very intimate terms with him, we lived next door to each other when we were both newly married, but I happened to be Mayor at the time, and had only just reached home after the service, when the sad news was brought to me by the present editor, who at that time was a member of the reporting staff of the Advertiser.
An advertisement that proves Woolworth’s great emporiums of cheapness are not new formerly appeared in the Advertiser’s columns. I recently came across this and think it worth repeating in these days of high prices:
'The Wonderful Penny', and what a shilling can buy at Humphrey ‘s, 27, Old Haymarket.
1 Hair net 1d., 1 lady’s linen collar 1d.
12 Best linen buttons 1d., 6 tape needles 1d.
2 Reels sewing cotton 1d., 150 solid head pins 1d.
12 Strong boot laces 1d., 8 silk boot laces 1d.
1 Silk watch guard 1d., 12 vest needles 1d.
96 hooks and eyes1d., 1 square of perfumed soap 1d.
Total: 302 articles for Is.
Compare these prices of 1863 with those of to-day. The dozen boot late- and the silk watch guard must have attracted many buyers.
A RIVAL PAPER
Success in business usually brings in competitors. and the Rotherham and Masbro’ Advertiser, found a rival in the early seventies. Mr. George Eskholme, manager at the Rotherham Brass Works and prominent teetotaler, originated a Conservative paper named the Rotherham Guardian. He appointed as its Editor Mr. Wightman, a temperance lecturer, who had on several occasions addressed public meetings in the town. After running this new supplicant for support some months, it was disposed of, Mr. Wilfred Badger, a young solicitor practising in the town, being the unfortunate buyer. A costly law suit followed, the case being tried at Warwick. My father was called as a witness to give evidence as to the value of the buildings in which the paper was printed. In the short space of two years the publication of the paper ceased.ODDFELLOWS
Having decided to join a friendly society, what was more natural than my selection of the Loyal Covenant Lodge of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, of which my father was one of the founders? Initiated in 1876 and appointed elective secretary during my first year, I was never out of office until I achieved the highest position the district had to offer. Five years after joining the Order I was appointed Provincial Grand Master. The aspirations of the district in the seventies led to great endeavours being made to secure the presence of the Annual Moveable Committee in Rotherham. Efforts were made to enable the delegates attending the next A.M.C. at Exeter to present a case sufficiently attractive to secure a favourable vote. » next