Days During 1889 – dannyhowell.net

Pistol Accident Near The Reservoir At Botany, Warminster

Thursday 1st August 1889

From the Warminster And West Wilts Herald, Saturday 3rd August 1889:

Pistol Accident Near The Reservoir At Botany

Serious Accident. On Thursday afternoon [1st August 1889] a serious accident occurred to a boy named Arthur Holloway, eleven years of age, living at the Common. It appears another lad named Marsh was engaged in scaring birds from a wheat field near the reservoir at Botany, Holloway being in his company. To assist him in his work, Marsh had an old pistol in his possession and had just loaded it with the usual powder and shot, when, by accident, the pistol was discharged, the shot entering Holloway’s side just below the heart, causing him to immediately fall to the ground. Some men who were at work in an adjoining field were immediately called, and obtained Mr. Payne’s cart and at once conveyed Holloway to the Hospital, where he lies in a very dangerous condition.

Easter Monday Bank Holiday In Warminster, 1889

From The Warminster Herald, Saturday 27th April 1889:

Bank Holiday In Warminster

On Monday, a promenade concert by the Town Band, and a fancy dress football match, by the Town Football Club, were held in a field in Portway, kindly lent by H.P. Jones, Esq.

The weather was everything that could be desired, and during the afternoon and evening, a great number of people witnessed the proceedings, danced to the strains of the band or indulged in “Three sticks a penny at Old Aunt Sally.”

The following is a list of those who took part in the football matches:-

Blues:
goal, Rowley (Chinese Lady);
backs, Wm. James (capt.) (Victoria), Wm. James (John Bull);
half-backs, Ferris (Jockey), Giles (Cowboy), Foreman (Jack The Ripper);
forwards, James (Muffin Man), Kemp (Mr. Winslow), Smethem (Soldier), Young (Clown).

Reds:
goal, Blackmore (Clown);
backs, Adlam (capt.) (Red Indian), Giles (Ally Sloper);
half-backs, Tanswell (Farmer Blunkett), Pressley (Black and White Man), James (Black and White Woman);
forwards, Hares (Mrs. Brown), Green (Chinese Man), Lanning (Sullivan), Bush (Miss Gainsbore), Luke (Dear Grandma);
Umpires, Mr. S. Day (Mr. Gladstone) and Mr. Gulliver (Lord Salisbury);
referee, Mr. Young (Buffalo Bill).

The first match began at 3.30, and resulted in a win for the “Blues,” by 7 goals to 5 for the Reds.

At 5.30 the second match was played, and was more evenly contested. At the end the game stood, Blues 4 goals, Reds, 3 goals.

The band programme was as follows:-
Grand March, “Star of the Brave”;
grand selection, “La fille de Rejoinend”, fantasia, “Salutation”;
grand selection, “The Bohemian Girl”,
quadrille, “Merrie Old England”,
valse, “Sweet Seventeen”,
grand march, “Reception.”

The proceedings terminated with a grand torch-light procession through the principal streets, which was witnessed by large crowds of people.

National Temperance Fete Practice

The Warminster & West Wilts Herald, Saturday 13th April 1889:

The Warminster contingent to take part in the Crystal Palace Choir on the occasion of this fete, held its first practice on Wednesday evening at the Lecture Hall, Common Close. Mr. A. Bartlett is the conductor, whilst Miss Toone kindly officiates as organist. A few more vacancies existing in the choir, the secretary (Mr. A. Peters) will be glad to receive names at the next practice on the 24th inst.

Annual Report Of The Wiltshire Reformatory, Warminster, 1889

Saturday 9th March 1889

Annual Report Of The Wiltshire Reformatory, Tascroft, Warminster

Wilts Reformatory. The annual report of this institution has just been issued. The committee state “they are again able to express a favourable opinion with regard to the work, the internal arrangements and discipline of the Institution. Indeed they believe the school was never in a better state of discipline than it is at present. They have, however, had two serious difficulties to contend with during the past twelve months. One arose from two outbreaks of scarlet fever – first in the early part of the year, and again in the autumn; and the other was caused by the trouble and anxiety connected with a change of superintendents. It is with regret that the committee have to report that one boy died from the fever, but owing to prompt and vigorous measures being taken, under medical advice, the disease was confined to a few cases on each occasion. Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Harold are the new resident superintendent and matron. Judging from the way in which the school so far has been managed, the committee consider that they have been fortunate in securing their services.

The following is the official report of the state of the school last summer:

“I have made my annual inspection to-day, and am glad to find the whole establishment in very good order and the boys; health quite restored. There was an outbreak of scarlet fever in April and May – six cases and one death. But the attack has passed away, and to-day the boys look well and thriving. I am pleased to find that good order has been well maintained throughout the year without much punishment. There has been indeed quite a minimum of punishment, and to-day the boys have exhibited nothing but commendable self-restraint and good behaviour. I find the whole place in good order externally. The farm looks well and the crops give promise of a fruitful yield. The dormitories were clean and comfortable. I went into the workshops and yards and found all going on steadily. I examined all the classes to-day in the schoolroom and found satisfactory progress and respectable proficiency: 19 in Standard V., 14 in Standard IV., 11 in Standard III., 14 in Standard II. – total 58. Good results and improving work. Boys very quiet and anxious to do well. School in good order to-day and attending to its special work with fidelity. (Signed) Henry Rogers, H.M., Inspector. July 24th, 1888.”

Thirty-nine boys left the school in 1885-86-87, and have just been reported upon. Of this number 31 are known to be doing very well. 1 is doubtful, 4 have been re-convicted, and 3 are unknown. On January 1st, 1888, there were in the school 59, on licence 5; total 64. Of these there were discharged during 1888 – to their friends 13, died 1. During 1888 there were admitted 20; there are on licence 9; leaving in the school December 31st, 1888, 61. These are from Wilts 24, Dorset 18, Salisbury 1, Reading 1, Southampton 2, Manchester 4, Bristol 1, Bath 6, Exeter 3, Somerset 1. These are employed when not in the schoolroom – As tailors 7, shoemakers 5, cooks 2, cleaners 4, the rest in field occupation on the farm, or in work for the neighbouring farmers, and in fagot-making.

The expenditure connected with the establishment is set down at £1867 15s.