Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
25 AUGUST 1896

ROW AT THE BRAES

Mrs. Scott, Kirkgate Street, Saltcoats, was convicting of assaulting Mrs. Nicol and Mrs Corbett at the home of Mrs.Nicol in The Braes, and was fined 7s 6d, or 7 days.

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GLASGOW HERALD
26 AUGUST 1977

MISSING GIRL (14) MAY BE HIDING SAY POLICE

Police searching for a 14-year-old Ayrshire girl who disappeared more than a week ago said yesterday that they believe she may be hiding in or near her home down of Irvine…..Four other people have disappeared within a few-mile radius of Irvine within the past 18 months, but do not believe the cases are connected.

SANDY DAVIDSON, aged three, was last seen playing with his dog near his home at St.Kilda Bank on 13 April last year.

SEAN McNAMARA, aged 8, and ANDREW LOW, aged 6, were next to disappear. They were last seen playing on Stevenston beach on July 30 last year.

On October 9 last year there was the disappearance of PATRICIA BLACK, a 22 year old factory worker from Saltcoats. She was last seen standing at a bus stop in Irvine. Her handbag weighted down with stones, was later recovered from the River Irvine.

Although the police suspect foul place in this case no body was ever found.

[MANBEAR]

GLASGOW HERALD
12 JANUARY 1909

HOUSEBREAKING AT SALTCOATS

At Kilmarnock Sheriff Court yesterday – before Sheriff Mackenzie – JAMES BROWN, miner, Magnesia House; WILLIAM KENNEDY, miner, Raise Street; and ROBERT WYLLIE, Wellpark Road, all of Saltcoats, were charged with having on the 5th or 6th instant broken into a licensed grocer’s shop in Saltcoats, and stolen seven bottles of whisky, one bottle of brandy, two part rolls of tobacco, and 6s 10d in money.

Accused all pled guilty.

From the evidence it appeared that access to the shop had been obtained by a skylight window, the glass of which was broken, and that subsequently the accused had been drinking together from the stolen bottles.

They were convicted, and Kennedy, who had previous convictions recorded against him, was sentenced to 21 days’ imprisonment, while Brown and Wyllie were each sent to prison for 10 days.

My grandmother was born in magnesia house her mother was a domestic servent on 15 February at 1 30 am also her mum also died in June 1909 in magnesia house whe my gran was sent to the brown family in Belfast until she was 16 then returned to Saltcoats,I believe that the James brown mentioned was my grans step grandfather brother

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CASUALTY OF WAR
27 AUGUST 1917

Killed in action, Sergeant WILLIAM WYLIE, 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of William Wylie, Saltcoats.

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CASUALTY OF WAR
28 AUGUST 1917

Killed in action, Private STEPHEN HILL, (20), 13th Battalion Royal Scots – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Mr. Stephen and Mrs. Isabella Hill, 44 Christie Gardens, Saltcoats.

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GLASGOW HERALD
28 AUGUST 1928

SALTCOATS QUATER-CENTENARY

Prizes won in the various competitions held in connection with Saltcoats Quater-Centenary celebrations were presented last night in the Pavilion, Saltcoats, where an entertainment was given by members of the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Players Club, the Ardrossan, Saltcoats, and Stevenston Choral Society, the Male Voice Choir, and the Scotch Broth Entertainers.

Provost Kerr presided.

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GLASGOW HERALD
29 AUGUST 1910

BATHER DROWNED AT SALTCOATS

A sad bathing accident occurred on Saturday morning at West Beach, Saltcoats, which resulted in the death of ROBERT McNEE, aged 17, a clerk in the Greenock Gas Office, who resided with his parents in Watt Street, Greenock.

He had gone into the water on the west shore, and the sea being rough, it is supposed that he was carried beyond his depth. He shouted for assistance, and a companion, who was bathing along with him, caught his arm and tried to pull him out, but McNee sank and was drowned.

The body was recovered half an hour later.

McNee had been spending his holidays with some friends in Saltcoats.

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GLASGOW HERALD
30 AUGUST 1912

SALTCOATS FLOWER SHOW

At the annual flower show in the Town Hall yesterday the entries were greater than usual.

Notwithstanding the heavy rainfall exhibits were staged in good conditions and the display in all sections was excellent.

The exhibition table of plants by Mr. John Gunson, Saltcoats; the roses by Mr. Gemmell, Kilwinning; and Messrs Thomas Smith and Son, Stranraer; and the begonias by Mr. Ferguson, Saltcoats, were greatly admired.

Fruit and vegetables were well represented.

Mr. William Ferguson was granted a first class certificate for a seedling begonia named Mrs. William Ferguson.

A band supplied music during the exhibition.

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CASUALTY OF WAR
31 AUGUST 1917

Died in hospital, Private HUGH BROWN WALLACE, Royal Army Medical Corps – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Archibald and Elizabeth Wallace, 54 Caledonia Road, Saltcoats.

The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald subsequently reported:-

“As announced last week, the death occurred in a military hospital at the front after a short illness of Private HUGH B. WALLACE, second son of Mr. Archibald Wallace, printer and stationer, Saltcoats.

The sad event, which took place on 31 August, occasioned widespread regret, as Private Wallace was well-known and highly respected both in our district and in Girvan and neighbourhood.

Trained to the stationery trade, he for several years occupied an important place in this department of his father’s business, and about twelve years ago he acquired the printing and stationery business of Mr. McMorran in Girvan. In this new sphere his proved commercial capacity, his enterprise, and his excellent personal qualities soon manifested themselves in a very successful development of the concern, and over eight years ago, he extended his interests by starting a local weekly newspaper, the “Carrick Herald.”

From the outset this publication was admirably conducted and it quickly established itself as a very popular journal in the town and district, and has maintained its deserved popularity ever since.

At the outbreak of the war, Private Wallace, in spite of his business responsibilities felt it was his duty to give to his country the more direct help of service in the field, and he patriotically offered himself for enlistment in the Army. He was rejected on physical grounds, however, and on several later occasion his offer of service met with the same result.

At length in January last he was accepted for service with the R.A.M.C. and, after spending the intervening period at a home training station, he went abroad in April and was attached to a military hospital.

On the last occasion on which he was home, he was in excellent health and spirits, and the latest letter received from him was bright and cheery. The news of his sudden illness, and shortly afterwards his death, came, therefore, with all the greater shock.

While in Saltcoats he was for a time joint secretary of the Literary Society, and in Girvan he was also associated with the debating club there.


Everyone who knew Hugh Wallace will have warm recollections of his likeable disposition and fine qualities and the sympathy of all will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace and the family.

Word has been received that the burial took place on 3rd September with full military honours. The service was conducted by Major Campbell, Senior Presbyterian Chaplain with the Forces for the district, and the lesson was read by the Rev. Mr. Hatten, C.F.

There were three wreaths – one each from the officers, the men, and the nurses.

Numerous warm testimonies have been received from comrades and others who worked with him as to the high personal regard in which he was held.”

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GLASGOW HERALD
1 SEPTEMBER 1854

TO INNKEEPERS AND OTHERS
DESIRABLE PROPERTY IN SALTCOATS FOR SALE
AT THE LOW UPSET PRICE OF £600 TO INSURE A SALE

There will be exposed for Sale, by Public Roup, within the King’s Arms Inn, Irvine, on Tuesday 19th day of September next, at One o’clock p.m., in virtue of the powers contained in a Bond of Disposition in Security.

The Saracen’s Head Inn, Saltcoats, contains five parlours, eight bed rooms, bar, kitchen, and scullery, with ample cellarage, &c., all in excellent order and well adapted for carrying on an extensive business.

The court behind has ample coach houses and sheds, with stabling for twenty-four horses, besides hay lofts, large ball room, and other offices connected; along with the garden ground at Kyleshill, Saltcoats, enclosed with a good stone and lime wall, well suited for building purposes or otherwise; all as at present occupied by Mr. Alexander Campbell, Vintner.

The above properties are situated close to the sea shore, and command an extensive view of the Firth of Clyde, coast of Ayrshire, Arran, &c., and are within two minutes’ walk of the railway station and harbour of Saltcoats.

The burdens are moderate.

For further particulars apply to Messrs King & Barbour, Writers, Kilwinning and Saltcoats, who will show the title deeds, and articles and conditions of Roup.

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GLASGOW HERALD
2 SEPTEMBER 1912

A CHILD’S DEATH AT SALTCOATS

Annie McBride, aged eight, residing with her grandfather, Samuel McBride, labourer, 82 Canal Street, Saltcoats, was left in the house on Friday evening along with her cousin, a boy of 13, and when lifting a kettle off the fire on to the hearth her clothes caught fire.

The lad ran for assistance, and when the neighbours came into the house they found the child in flames and dreadfully burned.

Doctor Davidson attended to her, but she died the same night.

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GLASGOW HERALD
3 SEPTEMBER 1908

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN SALTCOATS MAN

At Douglas, Isle of Man, early yesterday morning Mr. ROBERT McKIRDY, a well-known Saltcoats gentleman, died after a few days’ illness.

He was in indifferent health, and, accompanied by his wife, went to Douglas in the hope that his health would improve. While there he took a shock and never recovered.

He was formerly a member of Saltcoats Town Council and Irvine District Water Board, a prominent member of the local masonic lodge, and a strong supporter of the Shepherds’ Friendly Society.

He leaves a grown up family.