The Glendon Iron Company (1870-1885)
(Research by Roger Wood 2020)
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29 June 1877 HENRY TAYLOR MANAGER
The Sheffield Daily Telegraph Friday June 29th 1877 Page 3
CHARGE OF INTIMIDATION AGAIST COLLIERS AT ILKESTON
At the Ilkeston Petty Session Yesterday
Before the Court:
Richard Goodwin Webster
William Calladine
Henry Ratcliffe
William Wheatley
Michael Fowkes
The miners on strike at the Mapperley Colliery near Ilkeston. Were all charged by G. Charles Thomas, miner of Ripley, with having on the 19th inst., unlawfully followed him, with others, in a disorderly manner through a certain Road.
Mr. Hextall, of Derby, appeared for the proprietors of the Mapperley Colliery, the Glendon Iron Company, and Mr. Cranch, of Nottingham, for the defendants.
On Saturday the 16th inst., Charles Thomas said he was engaged as a Stallman by Mr. Taylor the manager of the Glendon Iron Company. He went to work on Monday the 18th inst., leaving Ripley at four o’ clock in the morning. He left off work at ten minutes to four o’ clock in the afternoon and returned home to Ripley. As witness and others were leaving work a policeman advised them not to go home. Next morning, the 18th inst, they left Ripley to go to work at four o’ clock, the distance being about six miles. When within three –quarters of a mile of the colliery one of the defendants, William Calladine, met him and told him that he had better go back. His brother Arthur was with him, and was also going to work, and Calladine gave him the same advice. The defendant Webster then appeared, and also advised them to return home. Sixteen men came up together, and told them that if they continued at work they would either get wounded or their bones broken. They added that if they went forward to their work they would find a gang of men waiting for them, and that they would have “blood for supper.” Some of the men were armed with sticks and some with stones. Calladine and Webster joined the sixteen men who came up. Witness and his brother turned back, and went home, because they were frightened in consequence of what the men had said to them. They got to Ripley at ten o’ clock. About two o’ clock in the afternoon of the same day Mr. Taylor, the manager of the Mapperley Colliery, came with the police to Ripley, and witness and his brother returned with them to the colliery, meeting a number of men, including Webster, on the way. When they went home to Ripley the men, who were all strangers to him, accompanied them about three miles. Witness had been to work ever since Mr. Taylor brought him back from Ripley. Witness and his brother went to work on the Wednesday morning accompanied by six policemen. On the way they were met by a number of men, who called out “Bah”. The policemen told the men they had better go about their business.
Arthur Thomas, brother of Charles Thomas, gave corroborative evidence. Henry Taylor said he was manager for the Glendon Iron Company, and that the stallmen at Mapperley Colliery were out on strike. In consequence he engaged the Brothers Thomas on Saturday week as stallmen. On the following Tuesday morning he was from home. When he returned and learned what had taken place, he went to Ripley for the two, and brought them back, and they had since been living at his house. He had sent them every morning to work under an escort of policemen, and they had returned from it under the same escort. Each of the defendants were fined £10 and costs, the fine not to be enforced unless the company made another complaint against the defendants, or any of the other men who were on strike. – The costs amounted in all to £3 – 1s – 6d. and were paid.
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1879 Death
25th April 1879 Frederick Lawrence (24) Fall of Coal
Frederick Lawrence (1855-1879) of Horsley, Derbyshire.
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1885 Death
25th June 1885 Curtis Daniels (15) (Actual Age 13) killed fall of Coal
Although the official report said that Curtis was 15 years old when he died. His date of birth was registered in May 1872. So he was actually only aged 13 years old, when he died.
Curtis Daniels (1872-1885) lived at Dob Holes Lane, Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire. The fourth child of James Daniels (1836-1903) and Elizabeth Seal (1836-1916). Hey had 5 children Jack (aged 25), Joseph Seal (aged 23), Hannah (aged 24), Curtis (aged 13), Sidney (aged 7).
Young Curtis worked with his older brother Joseph at Mapperley Colliery.
The report into this accident resulted in the colliery being prosecuted for the contravention of the Coal Mines Act 1872.
The Court case was reported in:
The Nottingham Evening Post Friday July 24th 1885 Page
COLLIERY PROSECUTIONS AT ILKESTON
At Ilkeston petty sessions yesterday, before Mr. C. Schwind and Mr. W.E. Cox, William W. Evans, Stanley, was summoned by Thomas Evans, Government Inspector of Mines, Derby, “for that on the 25th and 26th of June last, at Mapperley Colliery, of which he was the manager, he failed to make the roof and sides of every travelling road in the mine secure. In contravention of the Coal Mines Regulation Act. 1872.”
Mr. Smith, of Derby, appeared for the prosecution: and Mr. Mole, Derby, defended.
Mr. Evans, Government Inspector, Mr. A. Stokes, assistant inspector of mines, where present during the hearing of the case.
In opening the case, Mr. Smith said he thought it would be proved that on the days mentioned the roof and sides of the travelling roads were not in a good condition. On the 25th June, as a boy named Daniels was bringing back some empty tubs to where the men were working, when a fall of roof occurred, and he was killed. The proper way of securing a road was by props on each side, with transverse bars, and if these means were adopted in most cases a road was rendered safe to travel. In this case props were put on one side of the roadway on the higher side, whilst on the lower side, where there was a dislocation or fault, no bars had been placed, and he contended that the Act had not been properly complied with by such omissions. There had recently been a fall in the roadway at which a workman was injured, and the manager had thus received a warning to put the place in a better and safer condition. The Home Office had had the matter referred to them, and they had instituted the present proceedings.
Evidence having been given by a witness named Hart as to the condition of the pit on the day of the accident, Mr. A. Stokes said that on June 26th he visited the roadway in question, when he found that the dislocated portion of the ground was 2.plainly visible. He thought that if the place where the accident had occurred had been properly propped, and barred, there would have been no fall. Mr. Mole, for the defence, contended that could be reasonably expected to have the pit made secure along the travelling roads. As to the fatal accident, the boy who was killed was acting contrary to orders at the time of the accident. For the defence, a number of officials were called, who spoke to there being every reasonable precaution taken against an accident.
The Bench held that the charges had been proved, and inflicted a penalty of £2-10s-0d and costs in each case.
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August 1st 1885 Dissolved Partnership
The London Gazette August 28th 1885 Page 4101
Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership lately subsisting between us the undersigned, Edward Knapp Fisher, George Edward Checkland, Millicent Checkland, George Griffiths Williams, and Edward Fisher, carrying on business as Ironmasters and Colliery Proprietors at Finedon, in the County of Northampton, Mapperley, in the County of Derby, Leicester, in the County of Leicester, and elsewhere, under the style or firm of the Glendon Iron Company, has been dissolved, by mutual consent, as from the 1st Day of August 1885. – As witness our hands this 21st day of August, 1885.
Edward Knapp Fisher. Edward Fisher.
George Edward Checkland. George Griffiths Williams.
Millicent Checkland.
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1887 Death
4th April 1887 William Frost (53) Explosion of Fire Damp
Accident reported:
The Nottingham Evening Post Thursday April 07th 1887 Page 4
The Derby Daily Telegraph Thursday April 07th 1887 Page 3
The Nottinghamshire Evening Guardian Friday April 08th 1887 Page 8
The Derby Daily Telegraph Saturday April 09th 1887 Page 3
Fatal Explosion in a Colliery at Mapperley
Last night an inquest was held at the White Hart Inn, Staveley, before Mr. W. H. Whiston, coroner, touching the death of William Frost, of Staveley. The evidence showed that deceased was a miner, and while at work at Mapperley Colliery on Tuesday, March 29th, an explosion of gas took place, by which he was burnt on the head and body. He was attended by Dr. Forshaw, of Smalley, but died on Monday from the injuries received. Evidence of identification having been given, the inquiry was adjourned for the attendance of the Government inspector of mines.
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The Derby Daily Telegraph Thursday December 1st 1887 Page 3
Smalley Colliery Accident
Accident to a miner. On Tuesday, while a miner named William Turner, 30, a married man, residing at Smalley, was following his employment at the Simon Field Colliery, he met with an accident. He was walking down an incline with his tram when he slipped, falling under the wheels, which ran over and injured his legs. On examination, however, it was found that no bones were broken.
William Turner lived at Smalley Green, Kyte’s Lane, Smalley with his wife Hannah Mary (Stafford) and daughter Charlotte (aged 1).
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1889 Death
05th January 1889 Henry Cotgrave (19) Run over by a wagon on the surface
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1890 Death
10th September 1890 Charles Harris (57) fell down shaft
Charles Harris (1833-1890) was born at Aston, Derbyshire he married Ann Eley (1834-1914) of Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire. They were married at St. Clement Church, Horsley in 1856. They had eight children George (aged 34), Charles (aged 32), John Thomas (aged 30), Elizabeth (aged 27), Edith (aged 25), Mary Ann (aged 22), Ellen (aged 20) and Francis aged (16).
The Derby Mercury published an account of the accident and the inquest report
The Derby Mercury Wednesday September 10th 1890 Page 7
SHOCKING FATAL ACCIDENT NEAR ILKESTON
About four o’ clock on Wednesday morning a shocking accident occurred at the colliery known as the Simon Field Colliery, belonging to the Glendon Iron Company, by which a man named Charles Harris, between 50 and 60 years of age, lost his life in a dreadful manner. The unfortunate man was engaged on the bank, and by some means the chair, truck and man were all precipitated to the bottom of the shaft. Efforts were made to get him out, and it was found he had been completely smashed to pieces. Deceased, who resided at Woodhouse Lane, Horsley Woodhouse, was married and leaves a family.
The Derby Mercury Wednesday September 10th 1890 Page 5
FALL DOWN A PIT SHAFT NEAR ILKESTON
An inquest was held at the Sitwell Arms, Horsley Woodhouse on Friday, touching the death of Charles Harris, 57 years, which was caused by falling down a pit shaft, known as the Simon Field Pit. – Mr A. H. Stokes, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Mines and Mr. Spencer, manager, watched the case.
George Harris, son of the deceased, stated that his father was a banksman at the pit. He had a fit three years ago, but not since. – John Wakelam said he worked with the deceased. He saw him about ten minutes past four on the morning of Wednesday. When witness got off the cage deceased stood on the bank waiting to see what witness wanted doing. Witness said he had come up the shaft for an air pipe, and deceased had better ring the cage back, as there was so much stuff in the place that the men were standing half their time. Deceased answered, “All right.” Witness saw him no more. Deceased duty was to pull the full trucks off the chair, and supply empties. – Mr. Stokes: How long were you away? – Witness replied, 20 minutes. He did not look at the cage. Not observing deceased, he went to the chair, and found a piece of board with the words chalked on “Send for Littlewood quick, and examine the shaft.” On doing so he found the body at the bottom in the sump in a mangled condition. The body was removed to deceased’s residence. – The Coroner, in summing up, said there was no evidence to show how deceased fell down the shaft. – The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death by falling down a pit shaft.”
Notes:
Charles Harris (1835-1890) was married to Ann Eley (1834-1914) living at Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire. They had eight children.
George Eley Harris (1856-1932) their eldest son gave evidence at the Inquest.
John Wakelam (1868-1937) formerly of Dudley, Worcestershire, left the colliery after the accident moving to Clay Cross.
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1891
Mr Rowland Gascoyne (Mining Surveyor)
Consulting Engineer Rowland Gascoyne born Notts. Greasley shown on 1891 census near Simonfield farm of the Ashton Moss Colliery, Ashton-Under-Lyne. The deepest coal pit in Great Britain. The depth from which coal is from 880 yards mined is from a shaft 950 yards. We are working coal ranging from 880 yards deep on the rise to 1045 yards deep on the dip side of the shaft.
Following his brief employment at Mapperley he moved to Johannesburg, South Africa. The Johannesburg Standard and Diggers’ News reported his appointment.
Mr. Rowland Gascoyne formerly assistant Manager and Surveyor at the Denby Main Colliery, has been engaged as manager of the Transvaal Coal Trust Company’s Collieries, the principal one of which is situated at a place called Brakpan. Mr. Gascoyne who was selected out of upwards of a hundred applicants, has arrived at Johannesburg. The Transvaal Coal Trust Company’s collieries are the most extensive of their kind in South Africa, and possess large reserves of unworked coal. Screening machinery of the most approved type is now practically ready for starting, and no effort on behalf of the Company is being spared to place the coal in the market in the best possible condition, and to maintain their position of pioneers of the coal mining industry in South Africa.
Rowland Gascoyne was a member of the Institution of Mining Engineers (1889-1890). He published many papers on the mining industry in Great Britain and South Africa. Becoming a Consulting Engineer, throughout the U.K. specialising in deep mining techniques.
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1891 Death
The Derby Mercury Wednesday February 18th 1891 Page 3
Heanor
Serious Accident to a Contractor
The Glendon Coal and Iron Company are sinking a new air shaft at the Mapperley Colliery, for which Joseph Sanders and Fred Smith are the contractors. The shaft diameter is 10 feet in diameter, and the men are working at a depth of about 310 yards which had not gone off, and he proceeded after the usual time to drill the hole out again when the shot ignited, inflicting upon him serious injuries. One of his eyes was clean blown out, and the other severely injured. The poor fellow was brought to the surface, and Mr. Walker, of Simon Field Farm, having provided a cart, he was removed to Ilkeston Cottage Hospital, where he now lies in a precarious condition.
Joseph Sanders later died in at the Cottage Hospital, Derbyshire.
John Parker Simon field farm 1852 born North Collingham Notts.
Wife Jane born Clifton Notts. 1854
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1903 Death
Nottingham Post Thursday February 26th 1903
George Edward Checkland Managing Director aged 57
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The London Gazette April 22, 1904. Page 2608
Re George Checkland, Deceased
Pursuant to the Act of Parliament, 22nd and 23rd Vic., cap 35, intituled “An Act to further amend the Law of Property, and to relieve Trustees.”
Notice is hereby given, that all creditors and other persons having any claims or demands against the estate of George Checkland, formerly of the County Borough of Leicester, but late of Hawkswick, near St. Albans, in the County of Hertford. Coal and Iron Master, deceased (who died on the 25th day of May, 1879, whose will was proved in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice on the 21st day of September, 1880, by Millicent Checkland, George Edward Checkland, and George Griffiths Williams, three of the executors therein named, power being reserved of making the like grant to John Lawford, the other executor named in the said will), are hereby required to send the particulars, in writing, of their claims or demands to us, the undersigned, the Solicitors for Samuel Thomas Bollard and William Henry Quarrell, the executors of the said George Edward Checkland, the last surviving executor of the said George Checkland, on or before the 28th day of May next, after which date the said executors will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased amongst the persons entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims and demands of which they shall then have had notice; and they will not be liable for the assets of the said deceased, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person or persons of whose claims or demands they shall not then have had notice.
- Dated this 20th day of April, 1904.
FREER, BLUNT, ROWLATT, and WINTERTON,
10, New-Street, Leicester, Solicitors for the said Executors.
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The London Gazette April 22, 1904. Page 2608
Re George Edward Checkland, Deceased
Pursuant to the Act of Parliament, 22nd and 23rd Vic., cap 35,
intituled “An Act to further amend the Law of Property, and to relieve Trustees.”
Notice is hereby given, that all creditors and other persons having any claims or demands against the estate of George Edward Checkland, late of Thurmaston Hall, in the County of Leicester Colliery Proprietor, deceased (who died on the 24th day of February, 1903 whose will was proved in the Leicester District Registry of the Probate Division of His Majesty’s Hugh Court of Justice on the 28th day of April, 1903, by Samuel Thomas Bollard and William Henry Quarrell, two of the executors therein named), are hereby required to send the particulars, in writing, of their claims or demands to us, the undersigned, the Solicitors for the said Samuel Thomas Bollard and William Henry Quarrell, on or before the 28th day May next, after which date the said executors will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased amongst the persons entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims and demands of which they shall then have had notice; and they will not be liable for the assets of the said deceased, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person or persons of whose claims or demands they shall not then have had notice.
-Dated this 20th day of April, 1904.
FREER, BLUNT, ROWLATT, and WINTERTON,
10, New-Street, Leicester, Solicitors for the said Executors.
