Tudhoe & Spennymoor Local History Society
In Jan 1900, 25 years after the sanitation discussion in the Northern Echo, there still seems need for improvement.
Spennymoor Urban District Council Medical officer’s report for end of 1899 and Durham County Council Health Committee’s meeting on 24th January 1900.
The Medical officer’s monthly report showed a birth rate of 44.4 per thousand per annum and a death rate of 20.8. There were six cases of zymotic disease, and 30 were reported under the Infectious Diseases Act, mostly scarlatina. Only one case of enteric fever was notified during the month. The doctor reported in detail on the incidence of this disease in 1899, showing that, between 11th September and 18th December 1899, 22 cases had been notified, six being fatal. The cases represented 14 houses, and were scattered over a wide area. The houses possessed conveniences, all but one, ashpit privies, no case having been reported from houses provided with water closets, and there was apparently no connection with the drinking water, which was supplied by the Weardale and Shildon Water Company, nor with the milk supply, which was from many sources.
The report went on to state:-In the Ferryhill and Tudhoe Wards I attribute the outbreak, in part at least, to the street-making work which has been done in these wards; although it must be noted at the same time that during the months of January, February and March cases occurred in Ridley’s Buildings, Post Office Street, Hume Street and Burnett Street (Ferryhill Ward), and in Bessemer Terrace, Weardale and Salvin Streets (Tudhoe Ward). In June the sewer was taken up in Parkin Street, behind the dwelling where the fatal case occurred, and from that time onwards to the present date street making operations have been in progress. This has necessitated the breaking up and removal of soil which, during a long course of years, had become impregnated with sewage and filth, and at the same time sewers which were found to be in a very bad state, both as regards construction and condition, were renewed. In Spennymoor Ward I can only attribute it to nuisances connected with the privy and open ashpit system still very largely in evidence.
In September last Dr Hill personally enquired into some of the cases that had occurred, and in several streets found either the yards dirty and badly paved or else badly constructed and insanitary out-offices. In Edward, Stratton and Jackson Streets especially these defects were noticeable, and the UDC should take active steps to have them removed.
At the quarterly meeting of Durham County Council on 24th January 1900 there was a discussion on the sanitary condition of the Bishop Auckland Urban District and the prevalence of enteric fever there.
Mr J J Dodd (County Councillor for Spennymoor) said he would like to call attention to the infant mortality rate, which had been during the past quarter 272 per 1,000 births in the county, while at Tow Law it reached the appalling total of 423 per 1,000 births. He queried if a leaflet on the management and feeding of babies had been issued.
He also said Attention should also be called to the question of infant insurance. There was not a baby born in the county that was not insured from birth, and even before birth. (Laughter). He did not wish to make a charge against the people, but they knew there was cruelty to children. He thought there should be legislation regulating the insurance of children.
John Wilson MP objected to Mr Dodds insinuating that the infant mortality was largely attributable to the cupidity of the parents. It was due to other causes, among which he instanced the state of the houses in which the people had to live in some of the colliery districts. He denied that the figures quoted by Mr Dodds proved that the people for the sake of a few pounds were so murderous as to take the lives of their children, and called upon Mr Dodds to prove his statement or withdraw it.
Mr Dodds said he carefully guarded himself against making a general charge against the people of the county. He merely wished to call attention to the question of infant mortality and that of infant insurance. He agreed that parental regard in the county was equal to what it was elsewhere.
The Chairman said he could not sympathise with any suggestion that the people in this county insured the lives of their children in order to get money by doing so, and he did not think Mr Dodds thought so. It was deplorable so many children died, but the reason for it was quite plain. He continued with an example about the water supply at Hawthorn Village.
Advertisement for Dodshon’s Tailors, 44 High Street, Spennymoor.
(5th Jan 1900 Durham County Advertiser)
Joseph Dodshon (b1834 Bishop Auckland) married Elizabeth Wilkinson (b1831 South Shields) in 1861 and they were living at 44 High Street, Spennymoor in 1871 with their four children, Thomas Wilkinson (b1862), Mary Elizabeth (b1863), Joseph Henry (b1868), and Frederick George (b1870), all born in Spennymoor.
In 1881/91 they live at Belle Vue Terrace with another son Ernest Wilkinson (b1873). All the family are working in the business.
Joseph Dodshon died in 1901 and his son Thomas Wilkinson Dodshon continued the business with his wife Jessie Varley and children, Mary Elizabeth (b1894), Jessie(b1897) , Charles Joseph (b1898) and Thomas Wilkinson (b1904).
In 1901 they live at 17 Clyde Terrace and in 1911 at 6 St Paul’s Gardens. Thomas dies in 1917 when they are living at 9 The Avenue, Durham. In 1921 Jessie and the family are living at 54 Crossgate, Durham where Mary is a music teacher, Charles works for a draper’s company in Sunderland and Thomas is an electrician for a company in Saddler Street, Durham.
Auckland Police Court At the Auckland Petty Sessions, today, John Kitto was bound over to keep the peace for threatening Sarah Williams at Spennymoor, and was also ordered to pay 8s for using bad language.
Charles Whiteman, innkeeper, of Middlestone Moor, was fined £2 for supplying boys under sixteen years of age with drink. Evidence was given that one boy, named Hogarth, aged 15, was served with five whiskies on Christmas Eve, and another boy named Fisher got a small whisky and a gill of beer.
Thomas Coulson was fined 7s for using bad language at Hunwick.
Richard Redshaw was fined 10s for driving without lights at Spennymoor.
Violence at Ferryhill – an Exemplary Penalty A sturdily-built and respectably-attired fellow named Mark Dobson was charged with being drunk at Ferryhill Station and assaulting N.E.R. police-officer Bell on Saturday night.
The case against defendant was that when refused a dog ticket by the booking clerk he created a disturbance that brought Bell upon the scene. The latter heard defendant using threatening language, and when he went up to him he turned round and struck the officer in the face, knocked him against a wall, and damaged his uniform. The assistance of PC Rounsley had to be called in before defendant was taken to Spennymoor and there locked up. The bench inflicted a fine of £5 and costs, or one month in default, the Chairman (Sir William Eden) stating they were determined to make an example in the case that a stop might be put to such sort of blackguardism and assaults upon the police. (8th Jan 1900 Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 9th Jan 1900 Northern Echo)
History of Spennymoor - Mr J.J. Dodd’s Re-Issue County Councillor J J Dodd, of West Hartlepool and Spennymoor, has just re-issued in a cheap edition his “History of the Urban District of Spennymoor, with occasional references to Kirk Merrington, Middlestone, Westerton, Byers Green, Page bank, Croxdale, and Ferryhill.” The edition before us, which is published at the small price of 2s, is a credit to both author and printer.
Mr Dodd writes in a very racy style, every page being interesting, whilst the illustration and letterpress, which is easy for the eye, are all that could be desired. Mr Dodd not only traces the history of Spennymoor itself which is only a modern town, but deals with the original parishes.
One very interesting chapter tells the story of “The Battle of Neville’s Cross”, near Durham, and another deals with the story of the murder at Brass’s Farm by Andrew Mills. Despite the fact that this cruel murder occurred in 1683, the story is well known, and is often revived by parents to their children. We are told in the volume before us that he was gibbeted near to Ferryhill.
Old time customs such as the “sword-dance” and “guising” or “mumming”, are fully explained. These customs which were so popular a few years ago, are fast dying out. The history of the formation of Tudhoe Ironworks by the Weardale Iron and Coal Co. Limited, which has recently been reconstructed, is told, as well as the history of the Merrington Lane Iron Works, started by Messrs Coulson, and known as “Dry Bread Works”, in consequence of the loss of time.
The sad explosion at Tudhoe Colliery on April 18th, 1882, with the number of its victims and the bravery of the explorers, is graphically told. The book is a veritable encyclopaedia for Spennymoor and the surrounding district. (11th Jan 1900 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
To read History of Spennymoor online click on the link Online copy in various formats.
Raines Coachbuilder - Butcher’s Cart For Sale, suitable for hawking; Flat Cart, suit bottler; and smart Handcart, suit grocer. For particulars apply Raine, Coachbuilder, Spennymoor. (15th Jan 1900 Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough)
Herbert Raine (b1868 Egglestone) was the son of John Raine (b1834) and Mary (b1836) who lived in Egglestone. In 1871/81 John was a lead smelter, in 1891 he was a mineral water manufacturer with his sons John and Thomas Gardner working with him. Herbert was a blacksmith.
In 1893 Herbert started a blacksmith business in Tudhoe Grange, in 1901 he is living at 20 King Street, Spennymoor with his sister Martha (b1875). He married Annie Wilson (b1879 Kirby in Cleveland) in 1901 and is advertising his business as “Shoeing & general smith, agricultural implement & machine repairer, builder's iron work, gates & palisading & wheelwright in general” (Kelly’s Directory 1902). In 1911 the family live at 27 Durham Road with four children, Arthur, Edith Mary, William and Annie Elizabeth.
In 1921 they are at 78 Durham Road with two more children Margery Ellen and Joan Etta. The business is at Low Grange Road, advertised as “Coachbuilders”, Herbert’s son Arthur is a carriage builder and wood worker. By 1967 they have moved into the Tower Coach Works, King Street, Spennymoor, which was originally the brewery which closed in 1902. They advertise as “Coach Builders & Engineers”. The business expanded as motor body builders for vans, lorries and buses and accident repairs. They produced mobile shops and brightly painted ice cream vans and were well known for their quality craftsmanship in Spennymoor.
In 1939 Herbert has retired and is living with Annie, Arthur, William and Margery at The Croft, North Close, Arthur and William are both managers at the works. Williams’ grandsons continued the business until they retired and it closed in 2001, the works were demolished in 2002/3.
Raine's Adverts from Spennymoor Town Council Official Guides - 1947 1967 1974 1982
Click on the link to view a list of items built by Raines.
Jobs and Oak Trees
Wanted, Strong LAD(16) for farm work, able to milk.-Apply, Welsh, Farmer, Mount Pleasant, Spennymoor. (18th Jan 1900 North Star Darlington)
TO TIMBER MERCHANTS and CABINET MAKERS-For Sale 40 Oak Trees, lying felled on the Whitworth Estate, Spennymoor. Conditions of purchase can be obtained on application to P. Stephens Esq. Whitworth Estates Office, Spennymoor, who will receive tenders up to 4th February, but does not bind himself to accept the highest or any tender. T Heron Whitworth Park, will point out the timber, which, though short, is of great age and remarkable hardness of grain. (20th Jan 1900 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Gardener wanted, good outdoor, quick, and industrious, attend to poultry; house and coals provided.-State wages, age, and all particulars, by letter. R Duncombe Shafto, Esq., Whitworth Hall, Spennymoor. (26th Jan 1900 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer)
Lecture at Spennymoor on The Transvaal Under the auspices of the Spennymoor Conservative Association a lecture was given in the Town Hall on Wednesday by Mr H S Neale on the Transvaal. Mr Percy Stephens JP presided, and said that everybody was concerned about the war in South Africa. Our soldiers were not only fighting a well armed enemy but they had the great difficulties of the country to contend against.
As a country we had had a rude awakening, and we had had to pay for our lack of knowledge. He was glad to know that the country was unanimous, and having put our hands to the plough we must see that the work was carried to a successful issue. In a crisis like the present it was a grand illustration of the loyalty of our colonies to see them ending their troops to the aid of the mother country. Liberals and Conservatives alike had sunk their private opinions in the endeavour it preserve the Empire. We had the greatest Empire that had ever existed in the world’s history. (Applause) It rested with ourselves whether we were going to remain the greatest Empire. As long as we had troops coming from all parts of the Empire we had nothing to fear. (Hear, hear)
Mr Neale then commences with his lecture, which he illustrated with numerous limelight views. The photos of Generals White, Baden-Powell, Buller, etc. were loudly cheered but those of Kruger and Joubert met with emphatic manifestations of disapprobation. In the course of the lecture Mr Neale said that Jameson had a greater excuse for his raid than Mr Kruger had in invading our territory.
The 10th Hussars had boasted before leaving England that they would be the first to enter Pretoria. This has unfortunately come too true. They had entered Pretoria as the first prisoners. Mr Neale concluded by reciting in a most effective manner Kipling’s poem “The Absent-minded Beggar”. There was a capital attendance, and a collection was taken in aid of the reservists’ fund, which amounted to £2 10s. On the motion of Dr Watkin, seconded by Mr W Green, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Neale for his lecture.
(19th Jan 1900 Northern Echo)
Auckland Police Court – Spennymoor Licensing Case Yesterday, at Bishop Auckland, Geo. Henderson, of Spennymoor, was charged with being found on licensed premises during prohibited hours.
Sergt. Newton stated that on the 7th inst, he observed a light in the window of the North-Eastern Hotel, and saw the defendant, along with the landlord of the house, with glasses before them. This was at 12.30am. He saw defendant pay for drinks once round.
For the defence evidence was adduced that the defendant had engaged a bed for the night, and what drink was supplied to him after eleven o’clock was not at any cost to himself. Cross-examined by Supt. Snaith defendant admitted that his own residence was only four hundred yards from the hostelry, and that he did not engage the bed until after eleven o’clock. The Bench imposed a fine of 20s and costs.
Hy. Titman, landlord of the house, was summoned for having kept open during prohibited hours. Mr Proud, who was entrusted with the defence, said the evidence was identical with that adduced. He added that the defendant had been in the house for 26 years, had hitherto borne a good character as a landlord, and suggested the case might be met by the payment of costs.
The Bench agreed to this course, the Chairman remarking that he hoped the landlord would take warning from the case. (23rd Jan 1900 Northern Echo)
Henry Titman was manager at The North-Eastern between 1899-1901.
Technical Instruction at Spennymoor Yesterday, a large audience was present in the Town Hall, Spennymoor, on the occasion of the distribution of certificates to the successful students in the recent Technical Instruction Examinations. Dr Anderson presided, and the certificates were presented by the Chairman of the Urban Council (Mr T Black, JP).
Mr Black congratulated the students on their success, and spoke of the great need of a Technical Institute for Spennymoor. He particularly noticed the great successes in the ambulance, mining and machine construction, and drawing classes.
After the presentation of the certificates a grand entertainment was held, presided over by Mr Chisholm (schoolmaster). Songs were contributed by Messrs Baines, Brown and Harrell, recitations by Mr Berriman and Master Brown. Miss Atkinson and Mr G W Rippon were accompanists. (24th Jan 1900 Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough)