The Glasgow Book of Days E-Book

Norman Ferguson

• Herausgeber: The History Press
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

Taking you through the year day by day, The Glasgow Book of Days contains a quirky, eccentric, amusing or important event or fact from different periods of history, many of which had a major impact on the religious and political history of Scotland as a whole. 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 Glasgow's archives, it will delight residents and visitors alike.

Leseprobe

THE

GLASGOW

BOOK

OF

DAYS

NORMAN FERGUSON

NOTE ON TEXT

For ease of reading some of the older material has been edited for punctuation or meaning. The author is responsible for any mistranscription of older material, or for any other errors.

First published in 2012

The History Press

The Mill, Brimscombe Port

Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2QG

www.thehistorypress.co.uk

This ebook edition first published in 2012

All rights reserved

© Norman Ferguson 2012

The right of Norman Ferguson to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyrights, 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.

EPUB 978 0 7524 8910 0

MOBI 978 0 7524 8909 4

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

1784: ‘Notice. The brewers in and about Glasgow having hitherto found much inconvenience from the practice of giving presents to their customers at New Year’s Day are therefore resolved to discontinue that practice in future.’ (Old Glasgow and its environs)

LATE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY: ‘Among the amusement of the lower classes in those days, perhaps the most reprehensible was the practice of shooting cocks at Govan on New Year’s Day. On the morning of that day the road to this village might have been seen crowded with idle boys and half tipsy operatives hurrying along armed with fowling pieces and guns of various forms and calibres in expectation of being able to bring home a cock to their dinner. The poor cock was tied to a stake and had no chance of escape. The price of a shot was one penny and whoever killed this noble bird received its carcass as the reward of his dexterity. On every New Year’s Day Govan was the resort of a blackguard half-drunken mob who in addition to cock shooting passed the day at throwing the cudgel for gingerbread cakes and the like sports while there was free scope for all manner of thimblerigging.’ (Glasgow: past and present)

JANUARY 2ND

1971: The New Year Old Firm game between Celtic and Rangers was drawing to a close at Ibrox Stadium. A crowd of around 75,000 had seen Celtic go ahead in the final minute. When fans started to make their way out, Rangers scored a dramatic equaliser to make it 1-1. On a stairway at the east end, a crush started. It was commonly thought that the accident was caused by fans trying to return back up the stairway, following the late Rangers goal, but the official enquiry stated the reason was that one or more of the fans had lost their footing. Sixty-six fans died and one hundred and forty-five were injured on Stairway thirteen. Of those who died, the youngest was eight years old, attending his first football match. Five boys from the Fife town of Markinch were also killed. Celtic manager Jock Stein, who had helped give assistance to the victims, said afterwards: “When human life is at stake, as it was after the barriers crashed, then bigotry and bitterness seem sordid little things. Fans of both sides will never forget this disaster.” It was the worst disaster in Scottish football and led to a major renovation of Ibrox to prevent it happening again. Legislation was subsequently brought in to ensure improved safety at football grounds.

JANUARY 3RD

1746: On this day, Jacobite forces under the Young Pretender, Charles Edward Stuart, left Glasgow, where they had spent time after retreating northwards from Derby. Many years later, a Dr Thom wrote of a witness’s recollections of the Highlanders being in the town:

‘I have conversed with only two other individuals who remembered anything personally concerning the affairs of 1745-6. One was Mr William Walker, who died, I think, in 1820. Well do I remember his taking me, in 1815, to a spot in the Saltmarket, two or three doors from my father’s shop, and mentioning that under the then piazza, close to where we were, he had stood and seen the rebel army pass up from the review on the Green. The Pretender rode at their head. He was pale and, in Mr. Walker’s apprehension, looked dejected. He said that he had a distinct recollection of Bonnie Prince Charlie after the lapse of 70 years. He saw the rebel forces, when they had reached the Cross, turn to the left, and march along the Trongate, on their way to Shawfield House, at the bottom of the present Glassford Street, then the residence and head-quarters of the Chevalier. Mr. Walker was then, he told me, about ten years of age.’

(Glasgow: past and present)

JANUARY 4TH

1640: George Anderson was the first printer in Glasgow. He printed the reports of the famous General Assembly held in 1638. The Town Council Records on this recorded his renumeration:

This said day ordains the tresaurer to pay to George Anderson, printer, one hundred pounds, in satisfaction to him, of the surplus he disbursed in transporting of his gear to the burgh, by the ten dollars he gave him of before to that effect and also in satisfaction to him of his previous service from Whitsunday in 1638 to Martinmas last.

(Town Council records)

1690: The freedom bestowed by the Revolution extended to the city of Glasgow. William and Mary, by their charter of this day, declared the town free and in the confirmation of this charter by act of parliament in 14 June 1690, it is inserted that they shall have power and privilege to elect their own magistrates, provost, baillies, and other officers within the burgh, as fully, and as freely, in all respects, as the city of Edinburgh, or any other royal burgh within the kingdom; and this freedom of election continues to this day. (The history of Glasgow)

JANUARY 5TH

1764: ‘To the lovers of real curiosities. The brother of the famous Mr Zucker is just come to town, and will perform at the White Hart, in the Gallowgate. He had the honour to perform his surprising feats of arts, with general approbation, before the Royal family, nobility, and gentry in London. He has brought with him the most amazing learned little horse from Courland, whose wonderful knowledge is not to be paralleled by any animal in this kingdom, or perhaps in the whole world. As a specimen of his abilities, we shall mention the following particulars: He makes a polite and curious compliment to the company; tells the value of anything which is shown to him; he plays at cards, and finds the place where the card is hid; shows by a watch the hour of the day, and understands arithmetic; he distinguishes ladies from gentlemen; he plays at dice and is always sure to win; he drinks the company’s health like a human person; his master borrows a piece of money of one of the company, and throws it on the floor; the horse takes it up, and returns it to the person that lent it.’ (Glasgow Journal)

JANUARY 6TH

1876: ‘Slander Case. The pursuer resides at 122 Cumberland Street, and he sues the defender, who is his nephew, for £1,000 in damages in respect of an alleged slander contained in a letter written by defender to pursuer. The allegation is that the defender called the pursuer “a low, sneaking fellow” and threatened to “kick him within an inch of his dishonoured life”. It is further alleged that the defender accused the pursuer of having been hired by an Australian Jew to bring home a woman of bad fame, whom he introduced to his family as a respectable lady, and that whenever the Jew’s purpose was served he had “dropped him (the pursuer) like a hot potato”.’ (Glasgow Herald)

1931: ‘Sentence of three month’s imprisonment was imposed at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Joan Williamson (19) who pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide. The Depute Fiscal remarked that the case, while distressing, was not uncommon nowadays. The girl, he said, started work in October last as a domestic servant in a house in Paisley. On December 16th she complained of feeling ill and her mistress had her sent home. Later a charwoman discovered the body of a child in a cupboard, and a post-mortem examination revealed that the child had been born alive and had been strangled.’ (Glasgow Herald)

JANUARY 7TH

1450: The University of Glasgow was founded by a papal bull issued on this day by Pope Nicholas V:

Amongst other blessings which mortal man is able in this transient life to obtain, it is to be reckoned that by assiduous study he may win the pearl of knowledge, which shows him the way to live well and happily, and by the preciousness thereof makes the man of learning far to surpass the unlearned, and opens the door for him clearly to understand the mysteries of the Universe, helps the ignorant, and raises to distinction those that were born in the lowest place. It was lately shown to us on behalf of James, the illustrious King of Scots, that the King, was very desirous that a university should be set up in Glasgow, as being a place of reknown and particularly well fitted therefore, where the air is mild, victuals are plentiful, and great store of other things pertaining to the use of man is found, to the end that there the Catholic faith may be spread, the simple instructed, equity in judgement upheld, reason flourish, the minds of men illuminated, and their understandings enlightened.

(University of Glasgow Archive Services)

JANUARY 8TH

1798: ‘Just arrived, and to be seen for a few days at the head of Miller Street, in four large broad-wheeled magnificent caravans, drawn by twenty horses, the largest assemblage of chosen Living Rarities that ever travelled this kingdom in the age of memory of man – consisting of a most stupendous Male Elephant, the largest ever seen in England. The sagacity and knowledge of this animal is absolutely beyond any thing that human imagination can possibly suggest. It will lie down and rise again at the word of command. Also, a real Bengal-striped Royal Male Tiger. The whole animal is streaked in this admirable manner, so as to appear to the distant beholder as if curiously covered with ribbons. A South American Vulture or Condor Minor, from the Brasils. Its wings, when extended, measure eight feet, and in a wild state will carry away a lamb with ease. A most beautiful Horned Horse. The wonderful Heifer with two heads. Four horns, four eyes, four ears and four nostrils, through each of which it breathes. One of the heads, together with the horns, represents that of a bull, the other, a cow. Is universally allowed to be the most astonishing phenomenon in nature. Admittance, one shilling each.’ (Glasgow Advertiser)

JANUARY 9TH

1801: This notice was printed in the Glasgow Advertiser on this day:

A Coal Work. Three miles east from Glasgow. To be sold, by roup, near the Exchange on Wednesday 19th February. That tack of coal, now wrought by the Eastmuir Coal Work Company, at Eastmuir near Shettleston. Along with the tack there will be sold, a good steam engine, two gins with ropes and tubs, several horses and cars and an excellent weighing machine. Also the benefit of a piece of land, with several brick houses and a stable, and counting house built thereon by the company. The exposers claim to the service of the colliers will be included in the sale. This field of coal consists of about 20 acres containing five workable seams and a part only of the upper seam has been wrought. Three pits have been sunk to this coal. Many superior advantages attend this work, among others the coal is of the best quality and the work is conveniently situated close to that spacious new road leading from Glasgow to Edinburgh, by Airdrie, whence there is scarcely any expense incurred in maintaining a rod to the Hill and from the quality of the coals this work has always had a great command of sale.

JANUARY 10TH

1787: A series of reports appeared in the Glasgow Mercury beginning on this date recounting a street robbery:

Late on Friday night a gentleman (Mr Wilsone) on his way home was knocked down by two fellows, at the west end of Argyle Street, and robbed of between six and seven pounds in notes and silver, with a case containing a number of surgeon’s instruments and other articles. Besides robbing him, they gave him several severe blows when lying on the ground. The case with the instruments was found in a stair-case in the Saltmarket, on Monday night but the robbers have not been discovered, though diligent search has been made for them.

A week later:

Friday last, Thomas Veitch, shoemaker, and John M’Aulay, stockingmaker, were apprehended on suspicion of knocking down and robbing Mr Charles Wilsone, surgeon. Mr Wilsone’s gloves were found upon one of them, and on the other, one of his small silver cases for holding matter for inoculating for the small-pox. Veitch is about 22 years of age, and was lately whipped out of the 63rd Regiment. M’Aulay is about 19 years old. It is said they belong to a gang of twenty.

16th April:

John M’Aulay and Thomas Veitch, are to be hanged on the 23rd of May next.

JANUARY 11TH

1781: In the Glasgow Mercury on this day, the following advertisement appeared:

By Permission. Just arrived in this City, and to be seen at Mr Heron’s, at the Bull, the surprising Irish Giant. Only twenty years old, yet measures eight feet high, who is allowed to be the most extraordinary man for size and proportion that ever appeared in Europe. Admission, 1s each. Hours of admittance, from eleven in the forenoon till three in the afternoon, and from four till nine o’clock at night. To continue one week only.

The giant seems to have been very well pleased with his reception in Glasgow, for, in the same newspaper a week later, we find the following intimation:

The Irish Giant presents his most respectful compliments to the ladies and gentlemen of Glasgow, and desires to inform them that (by permission) he intends to remain at his lodgings, at the Bull, one week from the date hereof.

(Old Glasgow and its environs)

JANUARY 12TH

1790: A now well-known area of the city was offered for sale in the Glasgow Mercury on this day:

Sale of land in Lanarkshire. To be sold, by auction, in the Tontine Tavern, on Wednesday, 27th January, 1790. The villa and lands of Kelvingrove, beautifully situated upon the banks of the river Kelvin, and perfectly retired, although within one mile of the city of Glasgow. The house, which overlooks the river, is built upon a very comfortable plan, containing a dining room, drawing room, eight bed rooms, two lumber rooms, a kitchen, larder, and three cellars under ground. The offices consist of a stable, with stalls for four horses, a cow house, milk house, chaise and cart house, a hay loft, pigeon house, poultry houses, all in the most complete order. The garden, (which, as well as the offices, is hid from the dwelling house by trees and shrubbery), is well stocked with fruit trees and small fruit, and is surrounded by a brick wall, and the whole of it is at present covered on both sides with a great variety of fruit trees of the best kinds. The lands of Kelvingrove and the grounds under lease for near half-a-mile are bounded by the river Kelvin, and being surrounded on all hands by beautiful landscapes, form such a situation as is rarely to be met with.

JANUARY 13TH

614: St Kentigern died on this day. He is also known as St Mungo, the name stemming from the Welsh language term Mwyn-gu (dear friend). It is said that his mother Thenew was cast from the top of Traprain Law in East Lothian when her father, the King of Lothian, discovered she was pregnant. She boarded a small boat which found land across the Forth at what is now Culross in Fife, where St Mungo was born. He lived a frugal and spiritual life and was a contemporary of St Columba. St Mungo set up a church on the site of what is now Glasgow Cathedral. It is believed he is buried within the cathedral. Mungo’s legacy is the city of Glasgow – his missionary work inspired a community to grow in the ‘dear green place’. His work also gave rise to Glasgow’s famous verse that inspired the city’s coat of arms, with each line referring to a miracle he reputedly performed:

Here is the bird that never flew. Here is the tree that never grew. Here is the bell that never rang. Here is the fish that never swam.

The city’s motto: ‘Let Glasgow flourish’ also derives from a sermon delivered by St Mungo.

JANUARY 14TH

1909: ‘Distress in Glasgow. Investigations Criticised. The Glasgow Distress Committee met yesterday in the City Chambers. A letter was read from Mr JT Howden on behalf of the Glasgow Unemployed Workers’ Committee, drawing attention to the number of applicants rejected, the reason given being “No dependants”. The printed regulations of the Local Government Board said that a preference might be given in certain circumstances and it appeared to them that the Distress Committee was interpreting “may” as “shall”. In many cases, men without dependants were in as bad a position as those with dependants. They therefore appealed to the committee to relax this interpretation so that at least a chance to live would be given their unfortunate brethren. They also asked them to give full effect to the principle to the right of every human being to earn his or her bread by honest work by passing all applicants and thus give even the so-called bad characters a chance of redemption.’ (Glasgow Herald)

JANUARY 15TH

1784: ‘By letters from Edinburgh, we are informed that Mr Breslaw closes his Exhibition there on Saturday next: and we are to assure the Public, that those Variety of New Entertainments will be displayed at Mr Heron’s great room in the Black Bull Inn, Glasgow, as follows: Several select pieces of Music; the First Violin by a foreign Young Lady, and Whistling the Notes by Sieur Arcalani. A variety of Deceptions, quite new, by Mr Breslaw, the particulars of which are expressed in the Bills. A Solo on the Violin by Miss Florella, who has had the honour lately of performing before their Majesties and the Royal Family and several Magical Card Deceptions by Sieur Andrea. The imitation of various Birds, by the New Venetian Rosignole, lately arrived from Naples. The whole to conclude with a New Invented Silver Cup, and more than Fifty other Deceptions too numerous to insert. The Room will be elegantly illuminated, warm, and commodiously prepared. Admittance two shillings each person. Any Person inclined to learn some deceptions, they may be taught in a few minutes, on reasonable terms, by applying to Mr Breslaw at the place above-mentioned.’ (Glasgow Mercury)

JANUARY 16TH

1872: ‘Yesterday at the Sheriff Small Debt Court, James Rhind Gibson, Elderslie Street, sued William Glover, Theatre Royal, for 2s 6d, being the balance of a week’s wage due. Charles Webb, who appeared for the defender, stated that the pursuer had been late in attending a rehearsal, and that, according to the rules of the Theatre, he was fined in the sum of 2s 6d. The pursuer denied ever having seen the rules and said it was an unusual thing to fine a principal actor. On the day in question he was late, by leave granted by Mr Webb. Mr Webb said he had given pursuer half an hour’s leave, but instead of appearing at the proper time, he was an hour late. The pursuer denied this statement, and said that he was in attendance half an hour after the others had been called and was therefore only half an hour late. The Sheriff was of opinion that certain rules must be observed and fines imposed for actors being late. He did not think that in the present case the fine was heavy but as there had been faults on both sides he would punish them both and decern for 1s 3d and half costs. (Laughter). Parties then left the bar apparently quite satisfied with the decision.’ (Glasgow Herald)

JANUARY 17TH

1928: On this day Matt McGinn was born in Ross Street, Calton. He was one of nine children and was sent to approved school when aged twelve. He received a trade union scholarship to attend Ruskin College in Oxford. He returned to Scotland and became a teacher. After a few years he left teaching to devote all his time to writing and performing, whether it was songs, books, poems or plays. He played a large part in the folk revival of the 1960s. As a prolific writer he is said to have written over a thousand songs, amongst them ‘Red Yo Yo’, ‘The Wee Kirkcudbright Centipede’, ‘If It Wasn’t For The Union’ and ‘Magic Shadow Show’. Matt McGinn had strong socialist beliefs which underpinned his view of the world, and when he died in 1977, his ashes were scattered over the grave of John MacLean – McGinn’s hero. He once was asked to sign a visitor’s book and seeing a name in the book of a member of the landed gentry decided to adopt the format. He signed it ‘McGinn of the Calton’.

JANUARY 18TH

1790: This advertisement was printed in the Glasgow Advertiser dated this day:

Mercantile Diligence. Between Glasgow and Greenock, to hold Three Passengers. At the particular desire of a number of Gentlemen, a new Diligence is now begun to run every lawful day, at eleven o’clock forenoon, from Colin MacFarlane’s Buck’s Head Inn and at the same hour, from Mr Gibson’s Rue End, Greenock. Tickets 6s, to be had at the Buck’s Head Inn and at William Cockburn’s Iron Rail Stair, Trongate. Parcels entered in the way-bill with the strictest attention, as well as carefully delivered at each place immediately on the arrival of the Diligence, a person being appointed for that purpose. The diligence to stop each day at Crosshill (where the company may dine if agreeable) and will also call at Mr Buchanan’s, Port Glasgow. Each passenger to be allowed one stone of luggage. NB – The proprietors will not be accountable for any parcel or package above One Guinea value.

JANUARY 19TH

1932: ‘Employment in 1931. Though there had been a slight improvement in employment during the early months of 1931, a further decline began in June which continued until the end of September, when the highest number of unemployment ever recorded in Great Britain was reached. The estimated number of insured work people in employment in Great Britain rose from 9,215,000 in January 1931 to 9,516,000 in May but after some fluctuation fell to 9,326,000 in September. By December however it had risen to 9,593,000 as compared with 9,475,000 in December of the previous year. There was substantial improvement in most of the textile industries and some improvement also in the clothing trades, and in iron and steel manufacturing (except pig iron). The industries mostly contributing to the increase in unemployment were building and public works contracting, coal mining, engineering, motor vehicle manufacture, shipbuilding, and the distributive trades. The average percentage rates during 1931 of unemployment among insured persons were 12.8 in London, 12.0 in the South East, and 26.6 in Scotland. The average in Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 21.3 per cent. Figures for those registered at Glasgow Job Exchanges in December: Men – 96,793; Women –17,531; Juveniles –6,124. Difference from November 4.6 per cent.’ (Glasgow Herald)

JANUARY 20TH

1883: ‘Terrible Explosions in Glasgow. Gasometer destroyed at Tradeston. Eleven persons injured. Shortly after ten o’clock, the inhabitants of Pollokshields and the neighbourhood were startled by an explosion the nature of which could not at the moment be surmised, although the impression instantaneously conveyed to the mind was that some terrible calamity had occurred. The air was first disturbed by a profound, concentrated shock, succeeded by a rumbling noise which continued for a second or two, and affected the nerves not less painfully. Glancing northward in the direction of the city it seemed as if a fire were raging in the neighbourhood of the harbour, scanning the sky to the east, the upward glow was seen to be much more vivid in that quarter, and with a sickening dread the mind reverted to Tradeston Gasworks. When the gas in dwelling houses became perceptibly lower, and for a little time appeared likely to go out altogether, there was no long any doubt as to the source of the disturbance.’ (Glasgow Herald)

The explosion was part of a bombing campaign orchestrated by Irish republicans, who also set off explosives at Buchanan Street station.

JANUARY 21ST

1919: ‘Glasgow Street Fighting. Unprecedented scenes of violence and bloodshed took place in Glasgow in connection with the present strike movement. A huge crowd had assembled in George Square to hear the reply on behalf of the Government to the request for intervention made through the Lord Provost. Owing to a section of the strikers persisting in refusing to allow the tramcars to proceed the police made a baton charge on the crowd, and this was later repeated. In the course of the struggle which occurred, William Gallacher, who had been addressing the crowd outside the City Chambers, and David Kirkwood, who had formed one of the deputation to the Lord Provost, were injured and were subsequently placed under arrest, and will, it is understood, be charged with inciting to riot. Other two men were also arrested. Owing to the serious aspect of affairs Sheriff Mackenzie, after consultation, proceeded to the front of the City Chambers for the purpose of reading the Riot Act. After representation, Gallacher and Kirkwood were allowed to address the crowd. They advised the crowd to leave for the Green, where further conflicts with the police took place.’ (Glasgow Herald)

JANUARY 22ND

1610: ‘George Smyth, winder of the prison clock, is bound to the town to wind up the tolbooth clock, for all the days of his lifetime, for the sum of twenty pounds yearly, during his thankful service. And suchlike obliges him to wind up the high kirk clock, and keep the same in working order, and visit there two days of the week.’ (Town records)

1726: ‘The Magistrates represented that they had met with the proprietors of the sugar houses, and had received in from them some proposals: That, upon the town’s exempting their servants from keeping of the town guard, they agree that the sugar boiler of each of their sugar houses, with their servants, shall be ready at all times when fire happens in the city, to give their best help and assistance, the town providing each sugar house with four slings, and stands and buckets, so that, upon the first occasion of fire, they shall come to the place with them filled with water.’ (Glasgow and its clubs)

1787: ‘A pickpocket being detected last week in the practice of his profession at Glasgow, was sentenced by the mob to lose an ear in the public marketplace, and the sentence was immediately carried into execution.’ (The Times)

JANUARY 23RD

1778: ‘On this day, about eleven o’clock, the adjutant of the Glasgow Volunteers arrived here and brought recruiting orders. In consequence of which, the magistrates and inhabitants, actuated by that zeal for the honour and prosperity of their country, which has on many former occasions distinguished this loyal city, eminently exerted themselves in promoting the present business. On Monday, at noon, the bells were set a ringing; the magistrates and town council, the deacons of the fourteen incorporated trades, and a great number of gentlemen, convened in the council chamber, from whence the following procession began:

1 The city sergeants to clear the way.

2 The magistrates.

3 The adjutant of the regiment.

4 The colours, borne by two young gentlemen, supported by other two with guns and fixed bayonets.

5 The sergeants of the regiment.

6 Two young gentlemen playing on fifes.

7 Two young gentlemen beating drums.

8 A gentleman playing on the bagpipes.

9 The members of the town council, the late deacon convener, the present convener and the deacons of the fourteen corporations.

10 The sovereign of the Cape Club, supported by two of the members.

11 A great number of gentlemen with cocades in their hats.’

(Glasgow Mercury)

JANUARY 24TH

1898: ‘The People’s Palace on Glasgow Green was formally opened on the afternoon of Saturday by the Right Hon the Earl of Rosebery. The ceremony took place in the winter garden, which was specially fitted up for the purpose. The entire extent of the spacious interior was provided with seats, giving accommodation for between 3,000 and 4,000 persons. The Lord Provost said: “In some cases the wheels of the municipal machine move slowly, and the structure in which we are now assembled is a case in point. This erection was first spoken of so far back as 1839 but not until 1895 was it possible to make a practicable beginning. As your Lordship knows, the building is situated in the manufacturing and industrial portion of Glasgow where the residenters are largely composed of the working classes. The corporation felt that while erecting handsome and commodious premises in the West End for the adequate housing of their treasures, they should not neglect the claims of the inhabitants of the East end to some consideration in the direction of affording them similar facilities for intellectual and artistic culture.’ (Glasgow Herald)

JANUARY 25TH

1612: ‘Richard Herbertson is accused of a most barbarous attack by him against James Watson, elder, flesher, and his son Jon Watson, in the house of Archibald Schelis, merchant, and on the next morning for striking James Watson’s great dog, most necessary and profitable for him, worth to him the sum of 40 pounds, and that upon the complaint made by James Watson and his son Jon, craving to be freed of his oppression, threats and attacks in future and to make James satisfactory recompense for his dog. The said Richard, personally present and accused, confessed the undeserved malicious striking of the dog. Thereafter Jon Watson gave his oath that he feared Herbertson for bodily harm and for his life. All things considered the provost, baillies, and council said that Richard is of dissolute life and disparate in himself and ordained the said Richard to be imprisoned until Monday next, and that day be placed in the stocks at the cross, and the dog to be laid before him and thereafter to be put in prison until he finds securities for the said J Watson, that he shall be harmless and uninjuring of him in body, goods, and possessions.’ (Memorabilia of the city of Glasgow)

JANUARY 26TH

1889: This letter appeared in the Glasgow Herald on this day:

Sir, Within the past few weeks, a considerable amount of publicity has been given to certain remarks made by an East End clergyman of our city to his congregation on the subject of coughing in church. While admitting that the rebuke of the reverend gentleman might have been couched in milder terms, I am inclined to take the opinion that it was not wholly uncalled for. Many of his brethren, I doubt not, feel as keenly on the matter as he does, but hesitate to express their objections in the open and fearless manner adopted by the minister of St Luke’s. That excessive coughing in church is objectionable, no one will deny. In the first place, it interferes with the comfort of the cougher’s fellow worshippers and prevents them giving close attention to the preacher. It also distracts the mind of the preachers, especially if he, as in the case of the above-named minister, delives his discourse without the aid of either notes or manuscript. One cougher sets a dozen a-going and so the epidemic spreads until it becomes almost universal. Of course I do not include persons suffering from severe colds as their good sense will teach them to remain at home. I am, etc. Respect.