January
In January 1902 another child was burnt to death at Denaby and a Brewers drayman was killed at Conisborough
Mr Godfrey Walker held a lantern lecture, songs and dance for his employees and Mr Gibbs received a presentation from his barmen at the “Drum”
Conisborough Council debate using explosives to excavate graves in the cemetery
The courts hear cases of domestic disagreement, Colliery prosecution and the usual cases of drunks and abusive language
A glassworker sues the Denaby Main colliery company for negligent driving and a miner is prosecuted for stealing a gold scarf pin after a struggle
“Little Tim” faces charges of manslaughter and a Denaby miner charges of unlawful wounding against his wife
United win through to the Montagu cup final and become hot favourite
February
Letters are received from Soldiers at the Boer War front in February 1902
The Conisbrough co-operative Society agreed a dividend of 12 ½ %
A Denaby miner received a severe wound to the head
and another a dislocated thigh
Amongst the court cases as the usual drunk and disorderly and colliery prosecutions
also non-paying travellers and parents whose children are missing school
After one Conisborough disturbance, two men are jailed and the wife of one fined
Some jewellery was stolen from the postmaster’s wife
and a 14 year old servant dealt with under the first offenders act
March
In March 1902 there was a serious accident at Denaby Main, leaving a miner in a critical state at the Montagu
The Council debate a bill for repairing a water barrel in the cemetery, the state of the church footpath, and the water question
Amongst the cases heard by the courts, was a sensational shooting case at Conisborough involving a man with a ferret and double barrelled shotgun, and there’s a ferocious dog that’s creating havoc
The usual mining offences were for cruelty to Pit ponies and setting sprags too far apart
Then there’s more drunk and disorderly’s
United have good wins at Thornhill and against Barnsley Reserve and win the Montagu Cup !
April
The Easter weekend brought the crowds to Conisborough in April 1902 with a fatality on the River Don on Good Friday and youths from Wombwell were severely censored after a “silly lark”
In a terrible accident at Denaby Main, a 30 year old former policeman is crushed by a boiler
A new Baptist mission is to be built at Denaby Main and we recall the history of the movement there
A engine tenter is summoned and fined for again falling asleep at work and miners for going up an incline work where Corves were running
A new rifle range is established in the quarry at the top of the Crags
United have more wins against Wath and Thornhill
May
In May 1902 a Denaby soldier writes from the Boer campaign
there’s an outbreak of trouble at the collieries over the “Bag Dirt” payment, extra dirt needing removal for access to the Coal,
Councillor is “a Confounded Liar” over carts in Brook Square
We visit Whitsuntide festivities, the parades & Drum & Fife Band
Amongst the court cases are the usual drunk and disorderly and colliery prosecutions, also youths prosecuted for “Bounce Ball,” an assault over a pig, slate damage, the theft of sacking and “Lord Nelson” is summoned at Conisborough and the Denaby shooting case results in a custodial sentence
The Mexborough Cricket League is one of the most important organisations in South Yorkshire
June
The “Bag Dirt” question disagreement rumbled on in June 1902
land between Station Road and low Road was purchased by Mr Caleb Kilner
Colliery company provides a generous gift of a new Institute between Tickhill Street and Rossington Street,
with billiard tables, library, lavatory accommodation and six slipper baths
A Denaby celebrity is sent to prison and a deserter remanded waiting an escort
Among the other court cases are a women’s quarrel and writing on the wall, there’s also horse cases, straying and a cart without a light
Denaby United are admitted to the Midland League and we have the Mexborough cricket league results and table
July
In July 1902 the “Bag Dirt” Strike began
As the anger of the men meant withdrawal without notice
From which they would suffer in the following months
Mass Meetings of the Miners were held and Collection Cards issued
Mr W H Chambers was interviewed and made his case
And the disputed price list became the centre of events
Marconigrams provide short and sometimes quirky news clips
The courts hear the usual Two D cases, colliery prosecutions,
Assaults at Conisborough & Denaby and a Claim against the Brick Manufacturers
August
The “Bag Dirt” Strike reaches its ninth week as August 1902 ends
There are more meetings with Mr Chambers and descriptive detail of a meeting of Miner’s Wives
We feature a copy of the disputed 1890 price list and the 1895 agreement between Colliery & Men
The collieries make their maintenance and new Engine House
Bread and Soup are distributed to families and children, whilst Sick and Dividing Societies close down
Soldiers are return from South Africa and Coronation Day passes without much celebration
Many miners are summoned and fined for strike without notice and assaults against the police and ‘black legs’ appear
We feature the table and all the results from the Mexborough Cricket League
September
In September 1902 a Denaby man fell nto a quarry and a husband and wife die within a few hours of each other
The Bag dirt strike continues with a letter from WH Chambers & more miners are summoned for leaving work a week early
The miners hold another meeting & issue a proposed price list
An account of camp life at Conisborough Cliffs & a woman at the School Board meeting
The courts hear numerous cases from the area, including a Denaby bookmaker sent to prison, squabble between married women at Denaby, broken windows at a Denaby black sheep’s house, thefts of coal and fruit, animal cruelty & the usual drunks
United beat Barnsley reserves in their first home match
October
A horse bolted along the railway in October 1902 and there’s a sad case of destitution when a Denaby wife goes to the Doncaster work house
The Bag dirt strike has now entered the fifth month with a mass and stormy meeting of the miners
Conisbrough Parish Council debate blasting at the cemetery, Fire Brigade uniforms and the rate collector’s salary
More miners are summoned at the Doncaster courts and a Denaby collector is in trouble
There is extensive thefts of turnips and stolen apples, abusive and obscene language and fighting
United recruit Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper and finish the month in mid table
