The Dumfries Book of Days E-Book

David Carroll

• Herausgeber: The History Press
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Serie: Book of Days
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 396

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

Taking you through the year day by day, The Dumfries Book of Days contains quirky, eccentric, amusing and important events and facts from different periods in the history of the town. Ideal for dipping into, this addictive little book will keep you entertained and informed. Featuring hundreds of snippets of information gleaned from the vaults of Dumfries's archives and covering the social, criminal, political, religious, industrial, military and sporting history of the town, it will delight residents and visitors alike.

Leseprobe

THE

DUMFRIES

BOOK

OF

DAYS

DAVID CARROLL

For Willow

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It would not have been possible to compile this book without drawing extensively on our local newspapers, past and present, including the Dumfries and Galloway Courier, the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald, the Dumfries Weekly Journal and the Dumfries Times. I am particularly grateful to Kenny Barr, editor of the Dumfries and Galloway Standard, for allowing me to include material published in that newspaper. Idiosyncrasies of sentence construction, punctuation, spelling, capital letters etc. contained in the original texts have been preserved here wherever these do not compromise meaning or understanding.

Note: The formerly two separate burghs of Dumfries and Maxwelltown were only amalgamated in 1929. For the purposes of this book, however, I have treated them as a single entity throughout.

First published in 2014

The History Press

The Mill, Brimscombe Port

Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2QG

www.thehistorypress.co.uk

This ebook edition first published in 2014

All rights reserved

© David Carroll, 2014

The right of David Carroll to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

978 0 7509 5541 6

Original typesetting by The History Press

CONTENTS

January

January 1st

January 2nd

January 3rd

January 4th

January 5th

January 6th

January 7th

January 8th

January 9th

January 10th

January 11th

January 12th

January 13th

January 14th

January 15th

January 16th

January 17th

January 18th

January 19th

January 20th

January 21st

January 22nd

January 23rd

January 24th

January 25th

January 26th

January 27th

January 28th

January 29th

January 30th

January 31st

February

February 1st

February 2nd

February 3rd

February 4th

February 5th

February 6th

February 7th

February 8th

February 9th

February 10th

February 11th

February 12th

February 13th

February 14th

February 15th

February 16th

February 17th

February 18th

February 19th

February 20th

February 21st

February 22nd

February 23rd

February 24th

February 25th

February 26th

February 27th

February 28th

February 29th

March

March 1st

March 2nd

March 3rd

March 4th

March 5th

March 6th

March 7th

March 8th

March 9th

March 10th

March 11th

March 12th

March 13th

March 14th

March 15th

March 16th

March 17th

March 18th

March 19th

March 20th

March 21st

March 22nd

March 23rd

March 24th

March 25th

March 26th

March 27th

March 28th

March 29th

March 30th

March 31st

April

April 1st

April 2nd

April 3rd

April 4th

April 5th

April 6th

April 7th

April 8th

April 9th

April 10th

April 11th

April 12th

April 13th

April 14th

April 15th

April 16th

April 17th

April 18th

April 19th

April 20th

April 21st

April 22nd

April 23rd

April 24th

April 25th

April 26th

April 27th

April 28th

April 29th

April 30th

May

May 1st

May 2nd

May 3rd

May 4th

May 5th

May 6th

May 7th

May 8th

May 9th

May 10th

May 11th

May 12th

May 13th

May 14th

May 15th

May 16th

May 17th

May 18th

May 19th

May 20th

May 21st

May 22nd

May 23rd

May 24th

May 25th

May 26th

May 27th

May 28th

May 29th

May 30th

May 31st

June

June 1st

June 2nd

June 3rd

June 4th

June 5th

June 6th

June 7th

June 8th

June 9th

June 10th

June 11th

June 12th

June 13th

June 14th

June 15th

June 16th

June 17th

June 18th

June 19th

June 20th

June 21st

June 22nd

June 23rd

June 24th

June 25th

June 26th

June 27th

June 28th

June 29th

June 30th

July

July 1st

July 2nd

July 3rd

July 4th

July 5th

July 6th

July 7th

July 8th

July 9th

July 10th

July 11th

July 12th

July 13th

July 14th

July 15th

July 16th

July 17th

July 18th

July 19th

July 20th

July 21st

July 22nd

July 23rd

July 24th

July 25th

July 26th

July 27th

July 28th

July 29th

July 30th

July 31st

August

August 1st

August 2nd

August 3rd

August 4th

August 5th

August 6th

August 7th

August 8th

August 9th

August 10th

August 11th

August 12th

August 13th

August 14th

August 15th

August 16th

August 17th

August 18th

August 19th

August 20th

August 21st

August 22nd

August 23rd

August 24th

August 25th

August 26th

August 27th

August 28th

August 29th

August 30th

August 31st

September

September 1st

September 2nd

September 3rd

September 4th

September 5th

September 6th

September 7th

September 8th

September 9th

September 10th

September 11th

September 12th

September 13th

September 14th

September 15th

September 16th

September 17th

September 18th

September 19th

September 20th

September 21st

September 22nd

September 23rd

September 24th

September 25th

September 26th

September 27th

September 28th

September 29th

September 30th

October

October 1st

October 2nd

October 3rd

October 4th

October 5th

October 6th

October 7th

October 8th

October 9th

October 10th

October 11th

October 12th

October 13th

October 14th

October 15th

October 16th

October 17th

October 18th

October 19th

October 20th

October 21st

October 22nd

October 23rd

October 24th

October 25th

October 26th

October 27th

October 28th

October 29th

October 30th

October 31st

November

November 1st

November 2nd

November 3rd

November 4th

November 5th

November 6th

November 7th

November 8th

November 9th

November 10th

November 11th

November 12th

November 13th

November 14th

November 15th

November 16th

November 17th

November 18th

November 19th

November 20th

November 21st

November 22nd

November 23rd

November 24th

November 25th

November 26th

November 27th

November 28th

November 29th

November 30th

December

December 1st

December 2nd

December 3rd

December 4th

December 5th

December 6th

December 7th

December 8th

December 9th

December 10th

December 11th

December 12th

December 13th

December 14th

December 15th

December 16th

December 17th

December 18th

December 19th

December 20th

December 21st

December 22nd

December 23rd

December 24th

December 25th

December 26th

December 27th

December 28th

December 29th

December 30th

December 31st

JANUARY 1ST

1649: ‘Total abstinencey was by no means insisted upon by the [Kirk] Session, but they earnestly strove to prevent the immoderate use of intoxicating drinks, and to abolish or check all social practices which encouraged rioting and carousing … On this day, the following resolution was minuted: “The Sessioune, resenting the great dishonour done to the Lord by sundry persons in the burgh not only abusing the creatures to excess of riot thro’ drinking healths, but likewise in the height of their cups do calle for the drummer to beat the drum to them at every health, do henceforth discharge the drummer to answer any persone whatever in such ungodly demands under the paine of inflicting upon him the sharpest measure of kirk discipline, and extruding him from his place withal.”’ (McDowall, William, History of Dumfries (2nd Edn., 1873))

1805: On this day, The Dumfries Weekly Journal informed its readers of ‘New Malt, East Kent and Worcester Hops, also a quantity of October brewed Ale and bottled porter, fit for immediate use; all of which are of the very best quality. Apply to James McNeil, Baker and Brewer, Dumfries.’

JANUARY 2ND

1810: On this day, a notice appeared: ‘John Crosbie, merchant, St. David’s Street, takes the present opportunity of informing the Public, that it has been the practice of a great many for some time past, in not paying the dues that are liable to be paid at the Three Ports of this place, viz. Townhead, Lochmabengate and Kirkgate. – It is therefore particularly requested, that all Goods exported or imported at any of the said Three Ports, such as spirits, wine, oil, tar, iron, butter and cheese, and all corded packs, and other merchandise, together with all kinds of grain, potatoes, roots and fruits, must be paid to the person who collects at any of the said Three Ports; and no exemption whatever shall any pretend in taking grain to the Town’s Mills, which are as liable to pay as shipping the same, or bringing it to market.

J.C. is willing to contract with gentlemen, farmers, carriers and others, by the year, for all custom which they are liable to pay at the said Three Ports, together with the Weigh-house dues for butter, cheese, fish &c. – Tickets will be given to each who agrees to the same. – John Crosbie, Merchant.’ (Dumfries Weekly Journal)

JANUARY 3RD

1872: On this day, the Dumfries and Galloway Standard reported the New Year festivities at the town’s Poorhouse: ‘A most abundant and well-cooked dinner of roast beef, roast mutton, and plum pudding was served, to which the inmates present did ample justice. Nearly a dozen aged and frail persons, who were unable to be downstairs, were served in their rooms. The manner in which the dinner was cooked and served reflected the highest credit on Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, the indefatigable master and matron of the Poorhouse. Each adult was then served with a quantity of tea and sugar; the men in addition receiving some tobacco, and the children each a small book and some confections.’

The party was also in full swing at Muirhead’s Hospital, where ‘the old men and women, together with the boys who are cared for in this institution, sat down to a well-furnished table on Monday at two o’clock … beer being supplied to the old people by Mr. Napier, Brewer.’ Meanwhile, at the Industrial School ‘the inmates had their usual New Year’s dinner, provided by a number of friends. About seventy of the children assembled at noon in the dining-room [and] partook of a very substantial repast.’

JANUARY 4TH

1825: On this day, the following announcement appeared in the Dumfries Weekly Journal: ‘The Public are respectfully informed that the old “Robert Burns” Coach, to be driven through by one coachman, will start from the Dumfries and Galloway Hotel, Dumfries, every lawful night – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at four o’clock precisely in the afternoon; on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at half-past five; and from Mr. Donald’s “King’s Arms Inn”, Carlisle, every lawful night at four o’clock.

By this arrangement, passengers who arrive in Carlisle by the Whitehaven and Newcastle coaches can be forwarded soon after their arrival, and thus obviate the delay and expense of remaining all night in Carlisle. To passengers wishing to travel to Glasgow or Edinburgh, this coach will afford a great accommodation, as they will have the advantage of a night’s rest at Dumfries, and will be forwarded from thence at eight o’clock the next morning; whereas by remaining in Carlisle all night, they must be under the unpleasant necessity of rising at three o’clock, which, in a cold winter morning, is not so agreeable as being snugly accommodated with a warm bed till seven o’clock, with plenty of time for an excellent breakfast.’

JANUARY 5TH

1830: On this day, the Dumfries Weekly Journal reported that ‘on the forenoon of Sunday last, a young man who had been imprisoned … upon a charge of poaching, made his escape in the following curious and somewhat extraordinary manner. When he and four other prisoners were let out of their cells to attend divine worship in the chapel attached to the jail, he contrived to elude the observation of the turnkey, and having got on the top of a dunghill placed against a wall in the yard, he excavated the lime from various parts of the wall, which served him as a ladder, and having got upon the top of the wall, which is nearly 20 feet high, he dropped into Buccleuch Street and fled. Provost Frazer, as soon as he was informed what had happened, sent an express to Langholm, the place of the prisoner’s nativity, to which it was supposed he had gone. At 10 o’clock the prisoner was apprehended in the streets of that place. He was immediately handcuffed and, being kept in custody during the dead hours of the night, he was afterwards placed in a cart, attended by two officers, who arrived with him here in the afternoon, and again placed him in jail.’

JANUARY 6TH

1909: On this day, the Dumfries and Galloway Standard reported that ‘old age pensions were paid for the first time at Dumfries Post Office on Saturday, and there was a steady stream of callers all forenoon. Army pensions were payable on the same day, and in consequence the Post Office officials, upon whom the duty of paying the pensions fell, had a busy time. The work was increased by a considerable number of the pensioners not being able, owing to frailty, to sign their name … A good many were so feeble that they had to be assisted forward to the counter, and others who were unable to walk to the Post Office had their pension paid to friends, who acted as agents for them. All were evidently grateful for the pension, and the officer who handed over the money was rewarded by a cheery “thank ye, sir.” On Saturday, pensions were paid at the General Post Office to 111 persons … Up to yesterday, 136 had received pensions at the head office, and there were paid at the town sub-offices the following: Queen Street, 18; St. Michael Street, 20; Milldamhead, 25 – altogether 199. The total number of pensioners in Dumfries and Maxwelltown is 221.’

JANUARY 7TH

1950: On this day, the Dumfries and Galloway Standard recorded that ‘the report submitted to the Town Council at its last meeting on housing progress (or lack of it) in Dumfries since the war makes sad reading. Since 1944 … only 270 permanent houses have been completed along with 304 temporary and other houses. That is an average of 54 permanent houses each year, which cannot be regarded with the smallest degree of satisfaction. Every Councillor knows that when it is learned that a Council house is about to be let, there are scores of applicants. We know of one case where a house was let in Lincluden to a family whose name had been on the waiting-list for fourteen years. Even before the war, when the building of houses was not beset with so many difficulties as now, the demand for houses greatly exceeded the supply, and since that time two new factories have been established in the neighbourhood.

The Council is really not to blame for what is a truly lamentable state of matters. It was the Government who bungled the business of housing so dreadfully that protests have been and are being made all over the county.’

JANUARY 8TH

1781: On this day, the following warning appeared in the Dumfries Weekly Journal: ‘The Magistrates and Council considering that … there have been many chimneys within this borough on fire, many of which have greatly alarmed and frightened the inhabitants, and others threatened ruin either to the tenement to which the chimneys belonged, or to the neighbouring tenements; and all of which have been occasioned by not … keeping such chimneys sufficiently clean; to prevent which, in time coming, it is enacted and ordained by the Magistrates and Council, that hereafter if any chimney within this borough be set on fire purposely, or take fire accidentally, so as the flame burns out at the top, the possessor or occupier of the tenement, lodging room or apartment, to which such chimney belongs shall forfeit and pay the sum of FIVE SHILLINGS to the Town Treasurer.

The Magistrates and Council prohibit any persons from throwing out any ashes, the fire in which has not been quite extinguished; from keeping peats or any other kind of firing near any fireplace; from carrying live coals from one house to another, without they be duly covered; from carrying lighted candles without a lanthorn, into any barn, stable, storehouse or outhouse, where there are combustibles.’

JANUARY 9TH

1845: On this day, it was reported that ‘the Dumfries Soup Kitchen, which was opened on Saturday last, is again in full operation, and will continue ministering to the wants of all and sundry, but particularly the industrious deserving, suddenly thrown out of employment, so long as the Managers consider such an application of the public bounty alike merciful and desirable. At a Meeting of the Committee held on Friday last, arrangements were formed for the most careful supervision on the part of the Distributors, prudence gathered from experience, in the numerous Purchases made, and economy the most rigid in every department, so as to render the Charity the medium of the greatest possible amount of public benefit. Since the storm set in on the 4th current, numerous Labourers have been necessarily thrown idle; hence the necessity of commencing operations nearly a fortnight earlier than usual; but the Committee will watch the course of the weather, in connection with the certainty or prospect of outdoor Labour, and thus economise the Fund placed at their disposal, so as to render any Balance remaining equally efficient in its applications on future occasions.’ (Dumfriesshire and Galloway Herald and Register)

JANUARY 10TH

1833: On this day, it was reported that ‘… while walking along Irish Street on Friday last, near to the brewery of Mr. Corson, we were much surprised to see a horse yoked to a cart dart from Mr. Corson’s entry, clear the corner, gallop along Irish Street and Buccleuch Street, past the Post Office where the animal was stopped. What renders the occurrence more singular still is, that the farm servant in charge of the horse, when he found him breaking off, seized him by the nostril with one hand and the loose rein with the other, and bravely hung on and brought the animal up by his own strength alone. The servant had incautiously taken off the blinders, for the purpose of feeding the horse; a practice which has led to numberless serious accidents, and cannot be too severely reprobated.’ (Dumfries Times)

1837: On this day, ‘some half-a-dozen gentlemen met at the house of Mr. David Beveridge, and originated the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Total Abstinence Society. Mr. Broom, its first president, Mr. Beveridge, Mr. John McIntosh, Mr. David Halliday, Mr. William Gregan, and Mr. William F. Johnstone, were among its earliest and most active members. There were no fewer than 1,500 names on its roll in January 1838, and at one time the number reached at least 2,000.’ (McDowall, William, History of Dumfries (2nd Edn., 1873))

JANUARY 11TH

1881: On this day, it was reported that ‘after the dog show in Dumfries had concluded on Saturday, the highly-commended Pomeranean dog, “Di”, belonging to Miss M. J. Payne of Castle Douglas, was taken to the railway station, but at the entrance it slipped its collar, and made off along the Annan Road. After “taking a thocht”, the animal wheeled … and reached home between three and four o’clock on Sunday morning. He had never travelled the road before.’ (Dumfries and Galloway Courier)

1899: On this day, the following letter was printed in the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald: ‘Dear Sir – As an old Dumfries boy, I take the liberty of sending you our local paper, the “Rhodesian Times”, giving a full report of our Caledonian banquet held last St. Andrew’s Night … one of the best I have ever attended in Africa. This is saying a good deal for Salisbury … and certainly reflects great credit on the Salisbury Caledonian Society. We have a great number of Scotsmen here – about 200 – and, strange to say, I am the only Dumfries boy among the lot. This is rather peculiar when one remembers that both Cape Colony and the Transvaal are simply alive with Dumfriesians.’

JANUARY 12TH

The following items appeared in the Dumfries and Galloway Courier on this day:

1813: It was reported that ‘the young woman whom we formerly noticed as having been severely scorched at the Old Crown Inn, after languishing for some time died at the infirmary. Before her death, she was delivered of a living infant, whose mortal existence, however, terminated in the short period of twelve hours, the mother having only been in the sixth month of her pregnancy.’

1813: An article which reported that ‘the cook in a family in this town had one of her fingers torn fairly off, by the machinery of a jack which she had just been winding up. We are happy to hear that she seems to have suffered little inconvenience from this shocking accident.’

1875: ‘Distribution of Coals to the Poor – On Friday and Saturday last, fifty tons of coals were distributed to the necessitous poor of Dumfries. The coals were purchased from the Crocket Charity, being the interest of a sum of money left by the late Mr. Crocket to be applied for behoof of the poor. Other distributions from the same fund will be made on an early day. Three trucks of coals have been ordered for the poor of Maxwelltown, to be paid for by the voluntary subscriptions of the Coal Fund.’

JANUARY 13TH

1779: On this day, ‘at Dumfries, in a General Meeting of the Commissioners of Supply for the county of Dumfries, called by their Convener: the meeting, taking into their most serious consideration the late Act of Parliament for relieving Papists in England, from the penalties and disabilities enacted by the statute of King William, and that it has been proposed to bring in a Bill of the same tendency for Scotland; and being justly alarmed at the dreadful consequences of the further increase of so intolerant and oppressive a religion, which has so often endangered our liberties, civil and religious; they think themselves called upon to oppose such extension, and the more, as the statutes at present in force against Papists in Scotland appear much milder than those lately repealed in England, and have very seldom been carried into execution, and never with rigour. With this the Meeting are not dissatisfied, being utterly averse to persecution for matters of private opinion; but they cannot approve of the repeal of these statutes, which they consider as a wise precaution against the dangers so uniformly flowing from the political principles of that sect, and the horrid attempts of its Priests and followers. – Thos. Goldie, Clerk.’ (Dumfries Weekly Journal)

JANUARY 14TH

1933: On this day, the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald railed against a plan to alter one of the town’s most distinctive buildings: ‘We join emphatically in the protest against the proposal to break down part of the fabric of the Midsteeple for the purposes of a showroom for the burgh Electricity Department. This is a sheer outrage, excusable on no ground whatever … To break into the fabric in order to insert what is called a “modern front” for a showroom would be to destroy irretrievably the characteristic lines and design of the building and to render it an intolerable offence alike to the historic and artistic eye. For Dumfriesians everywhere the Midsteeple stands as the centre and symbol of many cherished associations, and they will deeply resent such tampering with it as is proposed. The Midsteeple has stood as we know it for about 230 years, and it does seem an act of impertinence as well as vandalism … If the Committee must have a showroom and “modern front”, let them look elsewhere for it and leave the Midsteeple alone. We hope the community will put a stop to this projected vandalism.’

JANUARY 15TH

On this day, the following items appeared in the Dumfries Weekly Journal:

1778: ‘At the New Assembly Room, Dumfries, Mr. Dinwiddie will give a lecture on Experimental Philosophy. The various properties of Air will be demonstrated by a large collection of the most useful and entertaining experiments on the Air-Pump, Condensing Engine, Barometer, Wind-Gun &c. These experiments will not be repeated this season.’

1799: The Second Corps of Royal Dumfries Volunteers were inspected by Colonel Auriel, of the Oxfordshire Dragoons, agreeable to the orders of the War Office, when they went through their various manouevres and firings much to the satisfaction of the Colonel.’

1799: ‘The “Motley”, under Captain Cunningham, is arrived at the foot of our river, from Gottenburg, with a cargo of iron and deals for Mr. James Crosbie of this town. This vessel has had a tedious passage, and was almost taken by a French privateer.’

1845: A sale of ‘Guano, by Auction was announced. The fine Brig “Columbine”, daily expected in the Nith, will be brought as near to Dumfries as the depth of the water will permit, and her Cargo, which is of the finest quality, will be delivered from the ship’s side, thus affording the purchasers the highest possible guarantee of the perfect purity of the article.’

JANUARY 16TH

1810: On this day, ‘the Council received from the County Commissioners copies of a bill prepared by them and the Commissioners of the Stewartry, for improving the navigation of the river, and the police regulations of the burgh. Hitherto the Council had been the Neptunes of the Nith; and now these other bodies desired, by virtue of a new legislative trident, to acquire dominion over its waters and also sought to intermeddle with the internal affairs of the town. The Provost, Mr. Robert Jackson, was not of a temper to tolerate such assumptions; and in resisting them he was backed by nearly all the Councillors. A conference was brought about … but as the county authorities stood out for “the bill and the whole bill”, those of the town … prepared a bill of their own based on their existing Tonnage, Ale-Duty, and Police Act, passed in 1787, and which had almost run its course.

Both parties made preparations for a Parliamentary campaign, but no real battle ensued. A technical flaw in the burghal measure having endangered its success, its promoters were induced to withdraw it …’ (A later modified bill was subsequently introduced.) (McDowall, William, History of Dumfries (2nd Edn., 1873))

JANUARY 17TH

1826: On this day, the following report appeared in the Dumfries and Galloway Courier: ‘Yesterday morning, the body of a new-born male infant was discovered by a boy of this town, lying in the river opposite the Moat, and was carried to the Council Chamber for dissection. It was full grown, and appeared to be alive. No marks of violence were upon the body. It is probable that its unnatural mother had effected its murder upon the night of Saturday, for, in the course of Sunday, several boys, while strolling along the river, perceived a small white object at the place where it was found; but supposing it to be only a drowned cat, they passed it without any attention.’

1826: Also on this day, the same newspaper noted that, ‘The “Jessy” of Dumfries is again afloat. This will remind many of our readers of the unfortunate destruction by fire, off Whitehaven, a few months ago, of the Brig “Jessy” of this port, on her voyage to America, with a valuable cargo – an event which certainly called forth more of the public sympathy and regret than anything of the kind we ever witnessed. It now gives us unqualified pleasure to understand that our enterprising townsmen, Messrs. John and George Thomson, have launched at Le Etang, a very fine vessel, which, in compliment to Mr. John Thomson and his family, has been again named the “Jessy of Dumfries”.’

JANUARY 18TH

1865: On this day, the following report appeared in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard: ‘On a recent market-day, a huge Galloway bull, that was being driven to one of the Dumfries auction-marts from a distant part of the Stewartry, made some strange detours before it reached its journey’s end. At the door of the Maxwelltown Provision Store in Galloway Street, the animal stopped for a moment, and … strode boldly in, to the no small dismay of those who had charge of the premises. Receiving anything but a cordial welcome, the beast retired quietly, and then popped its black shaggy head into the next door, “going thither”, people said, “to get its portrait taken”; for, true enough, it was in the direct way of entering Mr. Forsyth’s photographic establishment. The intruding monster was in the midst of glass cases filled with portraits, and other fragile objects, and a toss or two of its head, a single caper with its heels, would have spread destruction all around. However, before it had leisure to make itself familiar with the many strange articles that met its view, it experienced a violent tugging at the tail, and backed out as if it had been trained to such a retrograde motion.’

JANUARY 19TH

1813: On this day, it was announced that ‘there will be an Assembly on Thursday for the Benefit of such poor distressed families as receive no parochial relief. As the Rev. Drs. Scot and Duncan have agreed to make a distribution of the proceeds arising from the Charity Ball, among the different necessitous objects that are within their knowledge, it is hoped that the Humane of the town will come forward on this occasion, whether they are able to attend in person or not.’ (Dumfries Weekly Journal)

1875: On this day, it was reported that ‘the Nith has been heavily flooded, and very few of the gravid salmon collected below the Caul have been able to get over that obstacle … But a number must have got up, as we hear they are swarming in the upper reaches of the river. Large crowds of people daily assemble to watch the movements of the fish, but nothing has been done as yet to facilitate their upward progress. A very slight indentation in the ridge of the Caul near the steps would be sufficient, but after the recent heavy outlay by the town on the repair of that structure, the Council are not likely to initiate the required improvement.’ (Dumfries and Galloway Courier)

JANUARY 20TH

1663: On this day, ‘the Councill admitted Mr. Matthew Richmond to be schoolmaster of this burgh and precentor of the church and clerk to the Session, during their pleasure, who is to have from the town one hundred pounds Scots money of pension yearly, and to have the benefit of quarter wages, as was peyed to Mr. William M’Jore, and to have the benefit of proclamations, baptisms, and burialls, and Candlemas nixt to be his entrie to the said offices.’

Richmond had been obliged to sign what was described as an ‘offensive oath of allegiance’. This referred to an Act passed by King Charles II in 1661, ‘requiring all magistrates, councillors, ministers, and other persons of trust to take an oath of allegiance to himself’. For some reason, Matthew Richmond was dismissed from the school and expelled from the burgh within a year or so, although he did receive some small compensation when ‘the counsell having taken to consideration the petitioune of Mr. Matthew Richmond they appoynt the thesaurer to give unto him as a gratuity seeing he is now put from the scooll and is to remove from this place the soume of Twenty five punds Scotts…’ (Mackie, Charles, (Ed.), Dumfries and Galloway Notes and Queries (1913))

JANUARY 21ST

1846: On this day, this report appeared in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard: ‘A few days ago, we had the pleasure of seeing a new kind of glass, invented by our talented townsman, Mr. W.C. Aitken. It is a metallic glass, and can have any colour imparted to it. It also has the great advantage of being as little liable to fracture as metal itself. Mr. Aitken … lately constructed a bedstead of this material for the celebrated liliputian, General Tom Thumb, and intends, we understand, to employ it in the manufacture of still bulkier articles of furniture. We lately saw in this town a pair of brackets for looping up curtains designed and made by Mr. Aitken, and ornamented with flowers of this new glass. They are true to nature in colour and design, and are therefore immensely in advance of the old eyesore patterns. The press has already praised Mr. Aitken highly for his improvements in the art of moulding, and the Art Union of London sums up his merits in this well-earned compliment: “Thus, in lieu of an object in no way pleasing, we have an object beautiful and refreshing, an adornment to our rooms, perpetually repaying its cost by giving us pleasure. The merit of this design belongs to Mr. Aitken.”’

JANUARY 22ND

1828: On this day, the Dumfries Weekly Journal reported recent severe disruption to road transport, following heavy snowfalls: ‘The London Mail was two-and-a-half hours late, and the Edinburgh Mail Coach stuck in the snow on this side of Noblehouse, when the guard took to horseback until he reached Crook, from whence he and the mail-bags were forwarded in a post-chaise, and reached Dumfries about a quarter-past nine instead of half-past three. The Portpatrick Mail was delayed five hours, viz. from four till nine, waiting upon the Edinburgh Mail, and although it did not arrive till a quarter of an hour after the despatch of the Port Mail, Mr. Fraser the mail contractor, with great alacrity, sent off a person on horseback to stop her, which he did about the five mile stone, and the bags were forwarded by another person on horseback as soon as they could be got ready. The Glasgow Mail Coach did not reach Dumfries till a quarter past ten, with six horses, being nearly five hours beyond her usual time. On Friday, the Edinburgh Mail did not reach Dumfries till half-past five, and the Portpatrick Mail … was despatched immediately afterwards. Since then they have arrived tolerably regularly, though perhaps a little later than usual.’

JANUARY 23RD

1839: On this day, the Dumfries Times reported that as Dumfries had recently been visited by a hurricane, the town council had convened a special meeting to consider ‘the general devastation of the Town’s property, especially the damage done to the New and Old Churches, Midsteeple and milns. The Provost suggested that a thorough survey should be obtained of the state of the whole of the public buildings and Council property, and a detailed report obtained therefrom, not by any tradesman connected with the Council, who might be suspected to have some interest in the matter, but by a neutral qualified person.

Mr. Crombie said he thought the proposal a proper one, and necessary in so extreme a case; for certainly he had never seen the Old Steeple, Burgh Buildings, the town property, and town generally, in half so dilapidated a state. The steeple of the Old Church, however, he did not think so dangerous, as he knew from its peculiar construction, and being bound with iron, that it was not likely to fall. Still, he thought it ought to be taken down and rebuilt, but this could only be done by the proper erection of a sufficient scaffold; and this ought not to be attempted till the good weather in May or June.’

JANUARY 24TH

1900: On this day, the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald reported the following mysterious death: ‘Yesterday afternoon, between four and five o’clock, a young man was observed to stagger and fall in English Street … He was immediately assisted into the harness-room of Mr. Irving’s posting establishment, but despite the application of restoratives, he expired in a few minutes. The unfortunate young man, who was a stranger in the town, had been residing for the last fortnight with Mrs. Dooley in English Street, to whom, however, he never mentioned his connections further than a remark that his parents were English. He seemed to have no occupation, and was not in search of work, but spent his time in wandering about the town and neighbourhood. Yesterday forenoon he went out as usual about 11 o’clock, and had been seen several times during the day about Queensberry Square, where he had exhibited to some young fellows an empty unlabelled poison bottle, which, however, was not found in his possession after his tragic death. He was well-dressed, wearing a dark grey tweed jacket with brownish tweed trousers, and being tidily attired he seemed in no pecuniary difficulties.’

JANUARY 25TH

1859: On this day, Dumfries celebrated the centenary of Robert Burns’s birth, and the day was marked by ‘a series of fetes and banquets such as was never seen before in the burgh or the Border-land – or, rather we should say, in North Britain – and wherever the sons of Scotia congregate, throughout the world … Little did those Dumfries gentry who deliberately gave Burns the cold shoulder, on a memorable autumnal evening in 1794, suppose that, sixty-five years afterwards … the streets down which they proudly passed would be trophied with garlands, and eloquent with sweet sounds, in honour of the man whom they affected to despise. The old burgh florid with decorations natural and artistic; a great outdoor demonstration, addressed by Mr. Washington Wilkes; a magnificent procession; two dinners – one in the Assembly Rooms, presided over by Dr. W.A.F. Browne, the other in the Nithsdale Mills, where about a thousand persons assembled – Mr. Mundell of Bogrie in the chair – Mr. John Hamilton, of the ‘Morning Star’, giving in eloquent terms the ‘immortal memory’; these were the chief, but not by any means the sole features of the centenary celebration in Dumfries. It was in every respect worthy of the town where Burns lived and breathed his last, and where his ashes lie.’ (McDowall, William, History of Dumfries (2nd Edn., 1873))

JANUARY 26TH

1779: On this day, it was reported that ‘the Magistrates and Council of Dumfries have resolved to let the Cleaning of the Streets, and Dung arising therefrom, for one year after Candlemas next. The town at present pays six pounds yearly to the persons employed, besides furnishing besoms, and allowing them the whole profit of the Dung, which must be considerable; but as there has been much reason to complain that the streets have not been properly cleaned, they wish to enter into a new bargain with any one, two, or more persons, who will undertake the same, and engage to keep them properly clean. Any person or persons who are willing to undertake this business may give in their proposals to the Town Chamberlain immediately.’ (Dumfries Weekly Journal)

1916: Also on this day, the Dumfries and Galloway Standard printed the following stern wartime warning: ‘It must be clearly understood that the recent removal of the Restrictions on Hay does not in any way release any individual from such Agreement or Contract as may have been entered into with any of the Purchasing Officers; neither does it give any such individual the right to use, remove, sell, or otherwise dispose of Hay, which by virtue of the Contract entered into will become the property of H.M. Government.’

JANUARY 27TH

1778: On this day, the following stirring call to arms was printed in the Dumfries Weekly Journal: ‘If there are any clever young men, whose bosoms glow with military ardour, and wish to serve their King and Country, they will find an opportunity to exercise their talents, by just now enlisting with Mr. Heron of Heron (a Justice of the Peace), to serve in a new corps that is to be levied, to assist His Majesty in punishing his rebellious subjects in America, and to prevent their native Country from losing any part of the dominions belonging to it, or from forfeiting any part of the honour that Great Britain so justly acquired in the last War; which was entered into chiefly in the defence of these ungrateful colonies, who are now bidding defiance to the laws which reared, and the arms which formerly protected them. Such ingratitude deserves the severest punishment; and it is hoped there are among us young men of sufficient spirit to assist in giving that punishment.

To such, Mr. Heron hereby offers Ten Guineas of Bounty-Money, with other gratifications usually given to soldiers. God Save King George.’

JANUARY 28TH

1641: On this day, the Kirk Session passed an edict, under the terms of which ‘… every gentleman absent from church was made liable to a fine of thirty shillings for each day’s absence; a burgess committing the same offence had to pay twelve shillings, and a servant five. All the Incorporated Trades had seats assigned to them in the gallery of the parish church; and three years before the … resolution was adopted, the Session, taking into account the absenteeism of which many were guilty, “especially wrights and masons”, intimated that they must be more punctual in their attendance on peril of losing their sittings.’ (McDowall, William, History of Dumfries (2nd Edn., 1873))

1806: ‘J. Beverley begs leave to return his grateful acknowledgements to his Friends, for the liberal encouragement he has met with since he commenced business at the “George Inn”; and now informs them that in future he will charge only ONE SHILLING a mile for Posting, in place of ONE SHILLING AND THREE PENCE, the usual charge in the country. J.B. assures those who may honour him with their support, that they shall have excellent accommodation, and that good Horses, comfortable Chaises, and careful Drivers will at all times be ready on the shortest notice.’ (Dumfries Weekly Journal)

JANUARY 29TH

1834: On this day, ‘a case came before the Weekly Committee of the Infirmary … which the Magistrates would do well to give heed to. We allude to a man from Kelton, a lunatic and deaf and dumb (a more terrible combination of calamities can hardly be contemplated), who was admitted to the asylum on Saturday … This most miserable of God’s creatures was found by one of the Infirmary Surgeons a few days ago (in the middle of January recollect), in a cell in the town gaol naked, the straw on which he lay, or kennelled rather, saturated with filth, and the door of the worse than pig-stye full of chinks and holes through which every wind of heaven sifted … The poor outcast of humanity, of whose condition we speak with pain and, we add, with shame, to think that in 1834 and in a Christian town, such a tale should remain to be told, wears God’s image and may inherit God’s grace. Even amidst all the burden and down-pressing of those afflictions with which Heaven has afflicted him, the immortal spark still glimmers through, though dimly. He has received the elements of education, and can communicate by writing his wild wants and wishes.’ (Dumfries Times)

JANUARY 30TH

1915: On this day, the Dumfries and Galloway Standard noted that ‘… Mr Edward Compton [eminent actor-manager and father of Whisky Galore author Compton Mackenzie] is paying a visit to the Queen of the South after a lapse of six or seven years. For this dramatic treat we have to thank an enterprising management, who must have experienced a pleasing satisfaction at the support which the public have accorded the venture. The value attached to such an opportunity of witnessing the highest dramatic art cannot be overestimated. In Mr Compton, we have a worthy follower of the highest traditions of the British stage, one whose art is on the highest level, and whose choice of plays favours the classical rather than the modern, and who for many years has delighted audiences all over the country. It is to be regretted that Dumfries has not had a larger share of him, but one likes to think that another seven years will not be allowed to elapse before Mr Compton returns to us.

The piece staged on Thursday night was Lord Lytton’s conspiracy play, Richelieu, in the title role of which Mr Compton was seen for the first time in Dumfries.’

JANUARY 31ST

1838: On this day, the following ‘Lonely Hearts’ notice appeared in the Dumfries and Galloway Courier: ‘A Wife Wanted – a Gentleman of Middle Age, and residing not 100 miles from Dumfries … takes this method of expressing his wishes to the fair ladies of Dumfries and its vicinity. He possesses a good Fortune – his face and figure are unexceptionable. Letters addressed J.F., Post Office, Dumfries, will meet with immediate attention. Strict secrecy will be observed. N.B. None need apply who do not possess a good temper, face and figure. Fortune no object. Letters to be post paid.’

He certainly received at least one application for the vacant post. It was couched in humorous verse and appeared in the same newspaper a few weeks later. Here is a flavour of it:

’Tis said that my temper is equable, fine,

Some people indeed have termed it divine …

My figure is handsome, proportioned and neat,

But my gowns must be worn right down to my feet,

For what a misfortune, but no fault of mine,

Both a club and a crook in my left foot combine …

Now your quality third, a beautiful face,

I must say that my own a Countess might grace.

(Mackie, Charles, (Ed.), Dumfries and Galloway Notes and Queries (1913))

FEBRUARY 1ST

1841: On this day, the Dumfries Times