January
As the aftermath of the Christmas Day Fire at the Colliery gripped the neighbourhood
The compelling story of the 11 men entombed underground was told in thrilling detail
as the importance of their actions and escape entered Mining Folklore
The importance of the Relief fund is emphasised
and the Infant School holds a Concert in Aid of the Children of the unemployed miners
A miner gets into trouble and gaol after begging for money at Doncaster
and a dishonest lodger gets 6 months hard labour for stealing a watch and trousers
A rag and bone gatherer gets a month for a brutal assault on his housekeeper
and young glassblowers create a fracas outside Kilners
February
In February 1888 there was the important matter of a Doncaster by election with the Liberals and Unionists in opposition
Then there was the libel court case everyone was talking about over the Goat Sausages, between a new butcher in Conisborough and the Mexborough & Swinton Times
Denaby Main Colliery are back to work after a month shut down, through the disastrous Christmas Day fire
and in just over a week a miner is in a critical state after a fall of coal
In court there were cases of assault, with one man caught after a year and two young girls for stealing 6d of coal
Then there’s the story of the cat, its mistress and a mouse !
March
In March 1888 we have a fascinating article about Caleb Kilner and the Glass Bottle Works at Conisborough
and another notable, W.H. Chambers is the subject of a presentation at Denaby Cricket Club
There is another fatal accident at Denaby Main and through this an article on ‘The Dangers of Mining’
The weather prevented the usual Easter mulitudes in Conisborough and at the Castle
And ‘Ivanhoe’ relates in the Conisborough notes about the Weather, Boycotts, Vicars Rebuke and Promenade amongst others
More theft cases come to court and there’s a new invention – an Automatic Barrel Tilter
April
Remember the story of the Woman who forbade the bans ?
The former policeman who was brought in from the fields to get married ?
Well in April 188 we hear the latest episode of this incredulous story !
As he deserts his wife to go back to his former girlfriend
And another case of desertion sees the absent husband lose two thirds of his wages
There’s a mass meeting of miners to discuss the new Mines Act and Ambulance classes are progressing well
Conisborough Notes from ‘Ivanhoe’ tell of Good Friday and Easter, Smallpox in the village, A new mine near Conisborough, a Kilner’s dinner and a School Concert
Then there’s Denaby Main cricket and Conisborough Star and Town Football
May
In May 1888 there was a major disagreement between two Denaby families
and they sorted it out by a series of fights, the first lasting 26 rounds
The rights to mine under the Cadeby and Sprotbrough estates have been granted and work is to begin in the field known as Cadeby “Rattles”– The beginning of Cadeby Main Colliery, Although there are regrets at spoiling the beautiful Denaby countryside
We are given a picture of the events at the Castle at Whitsuntide and at the Cricket Club Concert – with videos included
The courts hear the usual cases of Colliery rule breakers, Neighbourly violent quarrels, gambling and breaking windows
And there’s also a Policeman sued over a suit of clothes and the difficulties of a cyclists lamp in windy weather
Denaby Main win three cricket matches and bowling ace Smith takes 21 wickets in the three games
June
In June 1888 Conisborough was invaded by the Linnaean Botanical Society, with over 1,000 people collecting plants, nettles for beer and indulging in the hostelries
Conisbrough Railway Station was acclaimed as the best station between Doncaster and Manchester and their employees played their part in a pig hunt
There was a serious Trap Accident after horse bolted and the Gas Company cuts costs and declares a dividend
The Foresters hold their procession and there’s talk of forming a Concertina Band
The case for wilful damage at the quarry reached conclusion and Conisborough’s ace trundler, Smith, is invited to Bramall Lane
July
In July 1888 The proprietors of the Brick and Tile Works treat their workers to a day out in Scarborough, including a sumptuous dinner and tea at the Grand Hotel
Ivanhoe bemoans the wet summer and tells us of the second billiard table and hopes for a brass band
The Courts hear cases of Trespassing and wilful damage
A teetotaller summoned for drunkenness,
The story of a Colliers Top Coat and a smoky engine – his sixth conviction !
A Smith produces more phenomenal performances for Denaby and Mexborough
August
In August 1888 two rival butchers hit the headlines, as their antics turned to fighting, giving amusement to the locals and a 10 shilling fine each for their troubles
A three year old miner’s son is saved from drowning and a miner is chased by a crowd of people and declared a lunatic, apparently suffering from the effect of sunstroke in India
There are more cases of men ill treating their wifes with a fine and maintenance order to deter them
A traction engine owner is brought to court for the sixth time charged again with ‘using a locomotive that didn’t consume its own smoke.’
An ‘old man’ is fined for damaging grass and two youths for damaging as many as 40 windows at Denaby school
September
In September 1888 there was news about the Doncaster Races with new Station buildings to prevent last year’s catastrophe
There was another fatality at Denaby Main leaving a widow and three children without a provider and homeless
The miners meet and are ready for action to retrieve their 10%
Henry Baker’s strange conduct is in the news and a case of adulterated milk and damage to a fence
and Conisborough Town are having a bad time at football
October
In October 1888 there were Pit Sinking operations at Conisborough and an Explosive Licence was gained for proposed new works
A new Urban District Council was proposed to replace the Parish Council and Miners were demanding back a 10% deducted by the masters
There was an error with a grave dug too small; In court, cases about damage to fences, the Castle and Coal stealing
Also a court case where a woman who had invited friends to see folk returning from the Doncaster Leger day races was abused by a Conisborough shoemaker
And a list of local gossip about:
the school board, Mr Newell’s theatre, Post office trouble, Conisborough’s new cricket professional, how rain is needed, the stench from the river, the new Baptist chapel, water supply and the Station Hotel concert
Access to Stories
November
In November 1888 a Mass Meeting of Denaby miners were given the good news that the owners had conceded the 10% advance
There was further good news of a new Conisborough railway and a Powder Manufactory – the Flameless explosive Company
The fourth annual chrysanthemum show was held at the church school and there were floods and gales in the Mexborough area
There was the usual cases of drunkenness and a Conisborough divorce case and a Conisborough glass blower was in court for his children’s school attendance
Then the peculiar story of an headless corpse near the Conisbrough tunnel
December
In December 1888 a servant girl and a young man were almost drowned, when the Ferry Boat was swept away by a flooded Don
and there is a serious accident when the surveyor falls through the floor whilst inspecting the erection of buildings at Conisborough
An invention, considered simplicity itself by abolishing fish plates and bolts is called “The Acme Tramway”
The Conisbrough United Brass Band held a concert, we include videos of the songs sung and there is a Board School Concert by the children there
A special licence to celebrate the Conservative victory on the school premises, was denied by the courts and a cannonball is found in one of the local gardens
Incendiarism is suspected as more stack fires occur and a 12 year old boy receives six strokes with the birch rod after his mother sent him to get some coal