Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
6 MARCH 1875

MARSHALL v THE ARDROSSAN SCHOOL BOARD

The Sheriff has decided this case in favour of the pursuer on both issues, with expenses.

On the first, which is for a balance of salary due at Whitsunday, 1873, the Sheriff says:-

The pursuer was the parish schoolmaster of the district when the Education Act of 1872 came into operation. He was thus entitled, under the 55th section of the Act, to have all the privileges and emoluments reserved – that is to say, the School Board could not pay him at any lower rate than he had previously received.

The question is from what date the defenders are to be held liable for payment of the pursuer’s salary; whether from the date of their own appointment, the 6th April, 1873, or from Whitsunday, 1873, up to which latter date the defenders say they told the pursuer to continue collecting the fees and drawing the heritors’ salary for his own behoof.

The pursuer accounted to the defenders for £83 3s 11d of fees, heritors’ salary, &c., in that half-year, which leaves a balance, now claimed, to make up the £88 – the half yearly salary fixed by the defenders. They state they have not received this balance of £4 16s 1d. But it is manifest the pursuer must have satisfied the defenders that his whole emoluments were equal to £88 in the half-year when they fixed his salary at £176; being the lowest scale at which they could pay him under the Act; and therefore it is thought they ought to make good the deficiency.

On the second conclusion of £17 as rent of a dwelling-house for the half-year ending at Martinmass, 1874, instead of £12 offered by the defenders, it appears the schoolhouse was burned down, and the pursuer voluntarily agreed with the defenders in 1873 to give up the dwelling-house he occupied for school purposes, and accept £24 to provide himself with another dwelling-house.

Marshall afterwards found he could not get a suitable house under £34, and wrote to the board, saying they would either have to give him that rent. Or his old dwelling-house back. No answer was made to his letter, and Marshall occupied the dearer-rented house, and claimed the £17.

The Sheriff on this point says:-

By the 54th section of the Education Act the pursuer was entitled to continue in the possession of his dwelling-house, and the defenders were bound to maintain it while the pursuer remained in office as teacher. He gave the defenders timeous notice on the 7th March that he could not continue the temporary arrangement by which he had ceased to occupy it longer than Whitsunday, 1874, and therefore the Sheriff Substitute thinks the defenders are bound to pay the £17 claimed for the half-year ending Martinmass last.

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GLASGOW HERALD
8 MARCH 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE

HAMILTON: Killed in action, on 17 February, GEORGE BURNS HAMILTON, Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division, youngest son of the late Elizabeth Eaglesome and William Hamilton, Armorel, Saltcoats.

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GLASGOW HERALD
9 MARCH 1937

PROPOSED SCHOOL SITE AT SALTCOATS

At a meeting of Saltcoats Town Council consideration was given to a letter from Ayrshire Education Committee relating to the proposed purchase from Saltcoats Town of a field at the corner of the High Road and the road leading to Springvale Hospital on which to erect two buildings, a school to accommodate post-primary pupils at a cost of £38,000 and a junior instruction centre for unemployed boys and girls at a cost of £8,500.

At a previous meeting it was stated that the Department of Health had questioned the suitability of this site for a school.

The Council last night agreed that in all the circumstances the Council do not agree to sell the field.

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GLASGOW HERALD
13 MARCH 1877

THE BUILDING TRADE

Amid very general dulness, it is satisfactory to know that the building trade continues somewhat brisk.

Mr. Blackley is completing two villas on the shore.

In Eglinton Street, three cottages have been erected by Messrs W. & J. Miller, joiners, and two of these are already sold, though not quite finished, and the only unoccupied feu on the street has just been taken off by Mr. Armour, joiner.

There is a prospect of the ground along the shore, from the end of Windmill Street to the road leading from Eglinton Place, being feued and named Winton Circus.

In Raise Street, Mr. Boyd Miller has erected a block of comfortable dwelling-houses for working men, for which there is a great demand, while in the same neighbourhood Mr. James Cuthbertson has built a factory for weaving operations, and has now commenced a dwelling-house.

At the junction of Windmill Street and Dockhead Street, Mr. Alexander Hamilton has commenced the erection of a large block of shops and dwelling-houses, which will form an immense improvement, and add considerably to the architectural beauty of the locality.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 MARCH 1939

SALTCOATS COUNCIL TO BUY LAND FOR HOUSING

Saltcoats Town Council last night decided, subject to the sanction of the Department of Health to purchase two fields extending over eight acres north of the high road for housing development.

The price to be paid is £165 per acre.

If this ground is purchased the Council will have approximately 18 acres ready for houses.

The burgh surveyor estimates that this ground will accommodate 250 houses. At present the housing requirements are estimated to be 600 houses.

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GLASGOW HERALD
15 MARCH 1917

MORE LAND FOR FOOD PRODUCTION

At a meeting of Saltcoats Town Council the Surveyor reported that the whole of the Council’s land on the Stevenston side of Guthrie Road had been taken up for the production of vegetable produce.

It was remitted to the Surveyor to make inquiries regarding other available ground.

In various parts of the town land which has been lying idle has been converted into potato plots.

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July 1, 1916

Andrew Barclay Armour, a private with the 17th (Service) Bn (Third Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry, died on the Western Front today. Born in Saltcoats, he lived in the town but enlisted in Glasgow and entered the theatre of war on November 22, 1915. The 21-year-old son of Andrew Barclay Armour and Maggie Hamilton Armour, 58 Hamilton Street, Saltcoats, he was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial and Saltcoats War Memorial.

GLASGOW HERALD
19 MARCH 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE

ARMOUR: Officially reported missing since 1 July 1916, now presumed killed, Private ANDREW B. ARMOUR, H.L.I., younger son of the late A. B. Armour, and Mrs. Armour, Hamilton Street, Saltcoats.

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GLASGOW HERALD
20 MARCH 1861

AN AYRSHIRE FAGAN

A fellow answering in some respects very closely to Dickens’ celebrated Jew, Fagan, is at presently comfortably quartered in the prison of Ayr. His name is FRANK REID, and the spot favoured with his enterprising spirit was the small town of Saltcoats, where he kept a large store.

It had long been suspected that Frank had dealings with queer characters; but he was cunning enough to ward off detection, favoured by the facilities afforded by his business.

A few weeks ago, however, he took it into his head to become a bankrupt, and his creditors took personal security by lodging him in the prison of Ayr.

Then facts began to ooze out, which – in the hands of Mr. R. K. Barbour, judicial factor on the estate; Mr. Gross, the Procurator-Fiscal; and the county police – have led to discoveries of the most astounding nature.

In his own house, and in the dwellings of known accomplices – of whom he had a large number – property to the value of nearly £1,000 was discovered, a great proportion of which is known, to be stolen.

It consists of gold and silver watches, silver spoons, blankets, silks, prints, muffs, &c., &c.

We believe the Fiscal’s office at Kilmarnock, where the property is lying, presents the appearance of a flourishing warehouse.

Several skull-crackers were also found in his store, no doubt useful articles in the business.

In Reid’s own house a press was discovered built in the chimney, in which was found a quantity of spoons and other articles.

One of his accomplices, named TAYLOR, was found, according to his own statement, very ill in bed, but being aided out of his helpless condition, a gold and two silver watches were found beneath where he was lying.

In another house, a woman of his acquaintance was found nursing with great solicitude a sick infant, ten months old; but on examination, a bag was found clung to the child’s back, containing money to the amount of £142.

It is supposed that he had in all 40 accomplices, male and female, acting under his direction in Saltcoats.

Several of the watches and other articles of property have been identified as belonging to parties resident in the neighbourhood of Saltcoats.

It is believed that all Reid’s doings have not yet come to light. A charge of forgery is being investigated; as also a charge of being accessory to an attempt to scuttle the brig ELIZA, chartered by him for the conveyance of delf ware.

A story is also current of an attempt he made to dispose of a party who came from a distance to dun him for money, by taking him to a house of ill-fame, and consigning him to the care of some female associates, with orders to drug him, and fleece him of all his money and papers.

The females failed to obey orders and were threatened with vengeance, but have retaliated by communicating the story to the police.

But apart from these rumours, this is the most important discovery of stolen property that has been made in the county within our remembrance.

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EVENING TIMES
22 MARCH 1957

POSTMAN TO STAND FOR COUNCIL

A postman, an I.C.I. employee, and a teacher at Ardrossan Academy have been chosen by Saltcoats Moderate Association to stand as town councillors at the May Municipal elections.

The postman, Mr. J. Barrowman, is chairman of the association. Mr. A. Rait is an I.C.I. employee and Mr. Reid a teacher.

The three retiring Labour councillors are Provost J. Reid, Treasurer R. Lambie, and Councillor C. Martin, and if the Moderates can capture one seat they will regain control of the council.

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GLASGOW HERALD
23 MARCH 1883

SALTCOATS – THE BURGH QUESTION

The movement originated a few weeks ago for the formation of the town into a burgh has now taken definite shape.

A petition has been presented to the Sheriff to define the boundaries, and intimation of it has been ordered to be made by advertisement. This is only a preliminary step. The adoption of the Act has to be decided on at a meeting of the householders afterwards.

The feeling, so far as can be gathered, appears to be pretty generally in favour of the movement.

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GLASGOW HERALD
25 MARCH 1931

HOTEL
ADVERT

WESTFIELD. Saltcoats’s premier hotel, beautifully situated facing sea; terms, 9s per day; garage – ‘Phone Saltcoats 234.

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GLASGOW HERALD
20 MARCH 1861

AN AYRSHIRE FAGAN

A fellow answering in some respects very closely to Dickens’ celebrated Jew, Fagan, is at presently comfortably quartered in the prison of Ayr. His name is FRANK REID, and the spot favoured with his enterprising spirit was the small town of Saltcoats, where he kept a large store.

It had long been suspected that Frank had dealings with queer characters; but he was cunning enough to ward off detection, favoured by the facilities afforded by his business.

A few weeks ago, however, he took it into his head to become a bankrupt, and his creditors took personal security by lodging him in the prison of Ayr.

Then facts began to ooze out, which – in the hands of Mr. R. K. Barbour, judicial factor on the estate; Mr. Gross, the Procurator-Fiscal; and the county police – have led to discoveries of the most astounding nature.

In his own house, and in the dwellings of known accomplices – of whom he had a large number – property to the value of nearly £1,000 was discovered, a great proportion of which is known, to be stolen.

It consists of gold and silver watches, silver spoons, blankets, silks, prints, muffs, &c., &c.

We believe the Fiscal’s office at Kilmarnock, where the property is lying, presents the appearance of a flourishing warehouse.

Several skull-crackers were also found in his store, no doubt useful articles in the business.

In Reid’s own house a press was discovered built in the chimney, in which was found a quantity of spoons and other articles.

One of his accomplices, named TAYLOR, was found, according to his own statement, very ill in bed, but being aided out of his helpless condition, a gold and two silver watches were found beneath where he was lying.

In another house, a woman of his acquaintance was found nursing with great solicitude a sick infant, ten months old; but on examination, a bag was found clung to the child’s back, containing money to the amount of £142.

It is supposed that he had in all 40 accomplices, male and female, acting under his direction in Saltcoats.

Several of the watches and other articles of property have been identified as belonging to parties resident in the neighbourhood of Saltcoats.

It is believed that all Reid’s doings have not yet come to light. A charge of forgery is being investigated; as also a charge of being accessory to an attempt to scuttle the brig ELIZA, chartered by him for the conveyance of delf ware.

A story is also current of an attempt he made to dispose of a party who came from a distance to dun him for money, by taking him to a house of ill-fame, and consigning him to the care of some female associates, with orders to drug him, and fleece him of all his money and papers.

The females failed to obey orders and were threatened with vengeance, but have retaliated by communicating the story to the police.

But apart from these rumours, this is the most important discovery of stolen property that has been made in the county within our remembrance.

GLASGOW HERALD
26 MARCH 1861

THE AYRSHIRE FAGAN

With reference to the liabilities of FRANK REID, the Ayrshire Fagan, the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, says:-

The interest in this now notorious bankruptcy shifts from the discoveries of every sort of conceivable articles by the police officers, to an estimate of the extent of liabilities as revealed at the meeting of creditors on Tuesday last.

As anticipated the excitement was very great, and the number of claims lodged that day exceeded in amount and character anything that the public could possibly have supposed.

There were no fewer than eighty bills laid on the table, and the told liabilities were estimated at the gross sum of £4911.

Two other claims have been lodged with the trustee since Tuesday, which increase the amount of the liabilities to a total of £6000.

Two claims amount fully to £3000; six claims are from £100 to £800; six claims are from £50 to £100; eight claims are from £20 to £50; and fourteen claims are for sums under £20.

It is supposed that these liabilities will probably be reduced £2000.

William Murray, Panbrae, Saltcoats, a sort of general merchant, lodged five bills of £200 each, of which Frank is the acceptor, which are sure to be disputed; and a number of other claims we are informed will also be questioned.

Two of the claims are for law expenses incurred by Frank – one amounting to the handsome sum of £82 10s 5d; the other to £63 1s 8d.

The sederunt was a very lengthened one – a considerable time being taken up in noting the several claims, and afterwards in electing a trustee.

The total claims to vote amounted to £3386, of which £273 19s 10d voted that Mr. James Campbell, Saltcoats, should have the appointment, and £3052 19s 10½d for Mr. Robert King, Beith, who is accordingly trustee upon the estate.

Messrs William Aitken, Saltcoats; Lewis Fullerton, Ardrossan; and John Jackson, Ardrossan, were named commissioners.

Mr. William Aitken acted as chairman, and John Sturrock, Esquire, writer, Kilmarnock, officiated as clerk, and took the minutes of sederunt.

Two weeks ago, in noticing this case, we alluded to a charge that would probably be made against Frank of his being concerned in scuttling the brig ELIZA, whilst on her passage from Ardrossan to Londonderry, having on board crates of china and delf-ware, which had been insured by him for £610. How the charge may be brought home to him, or whether the Procurator-Fiscal may attempt to do so, we are unable to say, but there is no longer a doubt that the attempt was made, and the vessel only saved by being run ashore.

The party or parties concerned in it had torn off the ceiling of the hold, and bored between two timbers with an inch and a quarter auger. A broom shaft was inserted into the hole, and not water was made until five o’clock on Saturday morning.

On the entrance of the brig into Londonderry Lough she was boarded by a pilot, and as she was now beginning to settle fast down, he run her ashore. The hole was discovered, and on being stopped, the brig was safely taken to Londonderry.

The crew were – DONALD McNICOL, Arran, master; JOHN HILL, Dumfries; CHARLES HOSIE, Ardrossan; and HUGH BROWN, Saltcoats, as supercargo.