Mexborough and Swinton Times September 9, 1998
it is with the deepest sympathy that I have to record the death of one of our Conisborough publicans – Mr Richard Crowcroft, of the Three Horse Shoes.
It appears that the deceased had been in failing health for some considerable time, but once his illness was rapidly assuming a serious aspect his death, on Friday night last came rather suddenly. For Mr Crowcroft was a blunt, honest, straightforward John Bull, kind of gentlemen. A more generous or kind out a man could not be found in all Conisborough, and many of the instances I have heard of his generosity. He was always willing to assist the poor and needy, and he will be sadly missed in this village. Great sympathy is expressed with the widow and family in their sad bereavement.
Poor Darley! I was sorry indeed to hear of our mail cart drivers very determined suicide in the river last week. It does seem strange that such a trivial offence as rumour says he was guilty of should have preyed something on his mind so as to cause him to commit this rash act. Great sympathy is expressed on all sides with a poor widow lady who was left with several small children. It was a kindly act of the juryman at the inquest to present the whole widow with their fees. If what I hear is true this is really a genuine case of practical sympathy.
The deceased was interred at Conisborough cemetery on Monday last, the body being followed to the grave by a large number of mourners.
I am very sorry to hear that owing to bad health Mr Thomas Stacey is compelled to resign his position as a member of our School Board. This will not necessitate another election, as the Board has power to fill the vacancy. As to who the new member will be, I think they cannot be two opinions. In whatever way you look at it, Mr John Gillott is undoubtedly the greatest right to that position. He was one of the 8 to allow themselves to be nominated, but as only seven were required he very generously withdrew his nomination rather than to put the parish to the expense of a contested election I hope Mr Gillott will be unanimously elected.
There is always something cropping up in Conisborough to cause a 10 days talk. The very latest is the appearance of a ghost. This ghost I am told, can be heard but not seen at the house of Mr Frank Ogley, farmer, Hilltop, every night. From what I hear it appears that the inmates are startled every night just about midnight by the most unearthly noises, but nothing is to be seen.
Now I don’t know whether Mr Ogley and the other residents of Hill Top are so superstitious as to believe in ghosts, my opinion is that if the locate the place from whence these noises come, and then engage a Mason, and have a thorough examination, they would find this ghostly visitant to be nothing but a load of rats. I know from experience that a number of rats can make the most hideous noises in the night.
This week been the occasion of the annual September races at Doncaster as, as is the usual custom, been a general holiday in Conisborough and Denaby the Denaby and Cadeby pits worked on Monday and Tuesday, and then set down for the remainder of the week. Many people in this district take the opportunity of this general holiday to spend a week at the seaside. I hear there was a good number book from Conisborough station on Saturday morning last, most of them going to Blackpool and the Isle of Man.
Conisborough has been visited this last week by the usual ‘talent’ on their way to and from Doncaster. The gardens and orchards on the road have been robbed as usual. This kind of thing is now look for each year.
Goodbye cricket. As soon as September sets in cricketers can pack up their flannels for the winter. Should any cricket club have any engagements to fulfil in September I know they will have hard work to scramble a team together. Last Saturday Denaby Main cricketers were due to play at Rawmarsh and Conisborough started off to Tickhill with only half the team. I think most Conisborough and Denaby cricketers had better packup their tackle for this season.