Continuing some interesting stories you may not have heard about which took place in Blantyre during the mid 1890’s. Next is the story of the death of John Gallocher.
John Gallocher was a labourer who lived at 98 Glasgow Road, Greenside (in Burnbank). He lived at this address with work colleague John Campbell. In Summer 1895, Mr Gallocher had gained employment working for Blantyre builder, Mr Semple constructing new tenements along Auchinraith Road, Blantyre.
On 8th August 1895, whilst on the building site, Gallocher was wheeling a barrow up a gangway, when suddenly a large stone fell off the load, hitting between his knee and shin. Lifting the stone back on to the barrow, Gallocher showed his leg to his colleague and thankfully there was only a scratch. Nobody thought anything else about it and the men resumed work indeed doing so until a week later around the 14th.
On this date, Gallocher complained of pains in his jaw, neck and head. A doctor was called and Gallocher remained off work until 17th. Doctor Wilson was told of the earlier scratch and witnessed it almost healed. However, it raised suspicion that something else was going on. The doctor concluded that Gallocher was suffering from ‘lock jaw’ through blood poisoning. His condition worsening, on 18th Gallocher was taken to Glasgow Western Infirmary but died on 21st a few days later. He was a single man, had otherwise been healthy and was only 21 years of age.
On Tuesday 10th September 1895, before Sheriff Davidson and a Jury, the case was heard at a fatal accident inquiry at Hamilton Sheriff Court. Mr Robert Wilson procurator fiscal conducted the inquiry. Solicitor WB Thomson acted for Mr Semple. The Jury found unanimously that death had taken place from the slight injury scratch to Mr Gallocher’s leg, which had poisoned his blood.
It’s thought the Auchinriath Road tenements John Gallocher was helping construct were the Buggy Buildings and adjacent buildings. (pictured). All now gone. The story is a good reminder of the dangers of construction sites, even more so in those times of little health and safety.
On Social Media, the following comments were received on Facebook:
Margaret Stewart I had relatives who lived in the buggy building. My parents lived in James place. I think it was attached to the buggy buildings. We moved from there to Devondale Ave , the newly built coatshill scheme when I was about 2or 3 yrs old .
Catherine McLachlan Anne ODonnell Vanstone mums auntie Lizzie lived in the buggie building I’m sure.
Mary Kane My family stayed at 39 Auchinrath Road which later became 53 Auchinraith Road (McCabe and Lyden). Was this the Buggy Buildings?
Mary Sitters Mary Kane you talkin about oor Mama?
Mary Kane Mary Sitters Absolutely. Your Mama’s parents Mary Jane McVey and John Lyden. On your Mama’s marriage certificate to William Scott, her address is given as 53 Auchinraith Road in 1932 aged 18. My mum was living at the same address and would have been 6 years old at that time. She was born in 1926 the youngest of 7. I imagine it was a close with different flats on each landing. But they would have all known each other for sure living so close together. My granny Alice McCabe (McVey) was your granny’s sister. Interestingly my mum was still living at that address when she married my dad in 1947. So I’m not sure when that building was pulled down. You will have to forgive me but I’m obsessed with the genealogy of our family. I will try and attach a photo of my mum taken outside the building, I would think about maybe 1934/35. We have a lot to talk about when I see you.
Mary Sitters Mary Kane can’t wait to spend time with you.
Jeemo Lisboa Mary Kane I was born in 53 auchinraith road on 12/1/58… amazing coming across this….My Mother was Agnes Hamill who’s parents lived at 19 Elm St… Building still standing late 60s…
Mary Kane Jeemo Lisboa Thank you so much for your comment. That is great information. I just wasn’t sure how long the building stood. My mum left in 1947 when she got married and I know her father and elder sister left to move to Holmswood Avenue but I’m not sure when that was. I can’t believe the building was still there in late 60s. We used to go to Blantyre when we lived in East Kilbride to visit my grandfather right up until he died in 1967. What a shame. I would loved to have seen it. Thanks again for all this information. Good old fb!!
Jeemo Lisboa Mary Kane Yeah my mum and dad moved to Kincardine as my dad got a job with house at newly opened power station…We visited at weekends to my grandparents in Elm St…Ma maw used to always show me ma birthplace. Deffo still there 65/66…Was 53 a 4 in a block…I was born down stairs house..
Mary Kane Jeemo Lisboa Thank you again. Amazing that building was still there. I was young in the 60s so didn’t really think about family history. Oh to go back and see it. I’m not sure what 53 looked like. I know there were lots of my relations living there. Different families but related. The only thing I have is a photo of my mum that is supposed to be taken outside no 53. I’ll post it again to see if it looks familiar. This was taken about 1934/35.8
Betty McLean Love the photo lived in Beech Place looking over at the buggy building.
Carol King And no nhs when even being jagged by a thorn could kill you
Theresa Higgins We’re was buggy building is it the tall building in pictures?
Blantyre Project Yes, 3 storey. Next to it, lower in 2 storeys is James’s Place.
Etta Morrison Looks a lot longer here than the way I remember it.. first photo I’ve seen of the buggy building.
Brian Charlton Why is it called the Buggy building ?
Blantyre Project Brian It is said that the nickname “Buggy Building” was given to that particular tenement in Auchinraith Road as the timber rafters and flooring joists were obtained from the old Village buildings that were laying derelict at the Blantyre Mills. This meant that the timber rafters put into the building, already were over a century old or possibly more. People commented at the time of construction that the old timbers were infested with woodworm (bugs) and the building name stuck as “the Buggy Building”. This obviously had an impact on the life of the building itself, for although it lasted to well after the Second World War there were many complaints. Families who lived there included the McIvors and the Dobsons.
Brian Weaver It’s not only a good reminder of the danger of construction sites, it’s a good reminder of how far medicine has come since then. Lockjaw is now more commonly known as tetanus and vaccination has saved many of our generation from the dreadful death that poor John Gallocher would have suffered.
Caroline Johnstone Poor man