As temperatures soared recently on 19th July 2022 under blue skies, I was reminded of a story which took place on 19th July 1905, some 117 years ago to the exact day. It concerned another warm, sunny summers’ day when two local lads had broken into the orchards at Blantyre ferme and were helping themselves […]
Blantyre has unfortunately always been occasionally burdened with stories of theft or burglary from homes. In 1905, it was no different, though one particular case stands out that year, where the victim was a woman and the choice of location for this theft was rather unusual, with the thief getting more than he bargained for. […]
In 1905, the practice of stone throwing amongst boys, was commonplace. Throwing stones for combined fun and mischief was the norm. But sometimes it caused unnecessary pain and annoyance to others and in a few isolated cases, this could be quite serious. As was the following case: One dark evening in October 1905, Robert Simme […]
It was said in December 1905, that Blantyre had, in one particular four year old boy, the youngest detective in Lanarkshire. However, this story starts with somebody else. John McCann, a brusher from Stonefield, Blantyre took advantage of the situation when a vanman left his vehicle in Low Blantyre. John decided to remove a parcel […]
Mary Jane Thomson was a brass picker who used to live at Dixon’s Rows, Blantyre. In the middle of March 1907, she found herself in Hamilton Sheriff Court, charged with stealing a pair of ladies shoes from the Stonefield Masonic Hall. Her excuse was that on 1st March that year, when she attended a dance […]
A by-law which exists today, is the legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar with an ID tag. Accepted by most people in Scotland these days, this concept was fairly new in 1907. When the by-law was introduced, it actually caused some problems and issues for pet owners and one of the stories which […]
Not since the Blantyre riots of February 1887, had there been a more serious incident of rioting and disorder in Blantyre than the disruptive events which occurred on Saturday 25th May 1907. This is the little known story of riots on Glasgow Road and police attempts to regain order. It started when the Hibernian R.C […]