January
In January 1892 the Mexborough and Swinton Times published an Historical diary, detailing an event for each day of the year, mainly in the 19th century
We have published the full list and linked this to articles on our sites
There is also a South Yorkshire directory with information, of population, churches, schools in Conisborough and Denaby
The death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, (listed as a potential ‘Jack the Ripper’!) is met with local sympathy
A young servant girl attempts to commit suicide walking into the Mill Down and a Denaby miner is charged with breaking a man’s jaw
February
The dangers of Paraffin Lamps are warned after a woman is killed and her son injured by an explosion in February 1892
There is a detailed description of workings at Denaby Main Colliery, a full listing of Seams worked, including thickness of the coal deposits and the depth of each Seam
The cantata, “Jesus of Nazareth” was produced in the Denaby schoolroom
Denaby Main is going to be a Miner’s Paradise, claims the “Times” whilst the courts hear cases of wife assault, attempted suicide and fights at the Colliery
A young employee of Clarkson’ bakery is charged with stealing two teacakes valued at 2d (1p) and Conisborough are banned from the cup for playing two men from Horncastle
March
There was another strike looming in March 1892 with colliers giving notice of a week stoppage
The dangerous state of the roads at Denaby through their construction of houses by the colliery was debated by the highways board
The Conisborough vicar is leaving after a long residence and preparation for thousands of visitors on Good Friday are made
The courts hear colliery cases for breach of rules, cruelty to a pony & boy who stopped pit for a lark
Another boy steals a shilling (5p) of coal, is locked up, fined 20 shillings and told he was liable to 3 months imprisonment
Conisborough Football Club are disciplined for playing illegible players, matches suspended for a year and there are officials prohibited from any future management in football. The captain and one of the players were also suspended for 12 months
April
In April 1892 the “Times” asked again for Local Government and whether the doings of the Burial Board are that important to be reported
Comparisons are made to the local townships before and after the introduction of the mines and an extension to sell drink at the Station Inn for theatregoers is denied
A young boy is summoned for using a pick to dig coal and the case against ‘Salty’ Thompson for drunken behaviour is dismissed.
A miner assaults another Miner, but the case is for going into another part of the mine without permission
Once again there are numerous cases of assault, fighting and drunk and disorderly
May
In May 1892 there was a smallpox epidemic in Denaby, with concern over it spreading to Mexborough
The Vicar of Conisborough received a presentation on his departure from Conisborough for Ormsby
The numerous court cases reported included the usual drunkenness, gambling, school attendance, fighting and wife assault
and a “sensational unrehearsed performance”, after a visit to the Conisborough theatre
There was a case of furious driving in Doncaster by a Conisborough Councillor
And also a “sensational outrage” at nearby Kilnhurst
June
There was a sad death at Denaby Main Powder Works after a miner begins work there
We feature an article about the development of the railways at the Denaby and Cadeby collieries
There’s an update on the smallpox epidemic and the Kilnhurst outrage where the shopkeeper is committed for trial
Mexborough’s feast includes a description of the show featuring daring Martina Bartlett and the lion “Wallace”
Court cases include drunkenness, refusing to quit, gaming and unmuzzled dogs
there’s also a scene at the Conisborough theatre
and wilful damage to a hedge
July
In July 1892 there was an accident at Conisborough Station when a deaf boy’s arem is amputated.
The assistant manager at the Denaby Main met with a serious accident and Denaby miners participated in the demonstration at Wakefield
A new magazine is approved for the Explosives Company and the smallpox outbreak causes erection of an isolation hospital at Conisborough
The cases heard at Doncaster Court include the usual drunk and disorderly, also Boys throwing stones and damaging mowing grass
There’s also a theft by a housekeeper and from a horse slaughter
A father is summoned after his wife dies and his boy, despite thrashing, refuses to go to school
and a charwoman sells’s furniture on hire
August
A young girl is killed by a Hoist at the Glassworks in August 1892
The latest figures of the Hull traffic show that Denaby Main still leading the other collieries
The Mexborough Medical Officer’s report discusses smallpox in Denaby and whether vaccinations are helping the situation
About 40 rounds were fought it by two miners in a field near Harlington with the combatants stripped to the waist, bruised and knocked about
The court hears cases of a Peep through a Conisbrough window, cruelty to a pit pony, theft of bottles of beer, a watch and chain, and chickens
There’s a dastardly outrage near Mexborough, a scene on a wedding day at Conisborough and a young man, tired of life, commits suicide at Swinton
September
In September 1892 the new Cadeby pit is gaining momentum,
with 320 men employed and living in a 300 new houses at New Conisborough
There’s a new Junction line at Wrangbrook
and a new cemetery at Conisborough
A ratepayers meeting demands better gas lighting
and there’s a sacred concert at Denaby Main
The Court hears another strange story, more drunkenness and breaches of Mining Rules
and two cases of stolen clothing and watches
October
A filler meets his death at Denaby Main Colliery in October 1892
and there’s serious floods in the Don and Dearne valleys
There’s a brutal assault on a wife at Conisbrough
and a Street scene Conisbrough Common
A warrant is issued for a traction engine driver, who drove between sunset and midnight
There’s an altercation over a dirty dog
and damage is caused by a ferret
And an amusing claim over a table given as a wedding present
