The Curiosities of Dudley and the Black Country, From 1800 to 1860 / Also an Account of the Trials and Sufferings of Dud Dudley, with His Mettallum Martis: Etc.

by C. F. G. Clark

BOROUGH ELECTION.

The death of Mr. Benbow necessitated another Parliamentary Election in this borough, and as very little time was given (only eleven days) for the burgesses to look around for a new member, that short time was very adroitly occupied by the Castle wire-pullers in trimming and burnishing up the rather raw and unsettled political ideas of a perfect stranger to Dudley, in the person of Sir Stafford H. Northcote, Bart., of the Pynes, near Exeter. This gentleman, of great ability and good lineage and descent, was brought out from the Priory, for our acceptance, as a Liberal-Conservative, with the hope that a candidate untried (for Sir Stafford had not been in Parliament before), who had some tincture of Liberalism in his composition, might be made to suit all factions in the Borough, and save the tumult and annoyance of another contested election. This ruse would not go down with the Radical electors, for it was thought that it was high time the Himley incubus should be thrown down, once and for ever. To accomplish this intention, our old townsman, Mr. Samuel Cook, with Mr. Wm. Insull, and other Chartists, again prevailed upon Mr. James Baldwin, of Birmingham, to become their champion, upon not quite such an extravagant platform as he had appeared before us in 1852. Sir Stafford Northcote spoke both eloquently and reasonably at his various meetings, and it soon became evident that he would be the next member for Dudley. Mr. Baldwin, on the other hand, with all the bluster his friends could ventilate in his favour, had to fight a forlorn hope, for Dudley was not yet ripe for his politics; Chartism had lately received a most sensible check, and people were beginning to look with alarm at the uncertain end the Charter would lead them to. Besides all this, there was a strong belief that Sir Stafford was not the young politician to be put into “leading strings” by anyone, for he was an independent man, and had an inflexible will of his own, which subsequent events brought out into strong relief.

On March 9th, 1855, this Dudley Election had to be gone through, although Mr. Baldwin and his admirers had virtually “caved in.” Close of the poll:—

Sir Stafford Northcote (Liberal Conservative)	346
Mr. James Baldwin (Radical)	3
	——
Majority	343

TO THE ELECTORS OF DUDLEY.

Gentlemen,

It is impossible for me to suppress a feeling of pride in regarding the position in which you have placed me. This feeling, however, gives place to one of gratitude to those who have so generously placed confidence in me, and to a sense of the high responsibility which your votes have imposed upon me.

I am not fond of making professions, and it has been one great drawback to the pleasure I have had in making myself known to you, that I have been obliged, as a stranger, to hold more of the language of self-recommendation than I could have wished. I trust that, under God’s blessing, I may be able so to do my duty towards you that, whenever I may have occasion to ask a renewal of your confidence, I may be able to point to my actions as affording a mere satisfactory test of my inclination and ability to serve you than words can do.

I thank you heartily for the kind reception I have met with, for the courtesy which has been shewn to me even by those who differ from me in opinion, and for the final mark of your confidence which now calls for my warm acknowledgments. I have but one favour more to ask. It is, that you will use my services as freely as I now place them at the disposal of you all.

I remain, Gentlemen,

Your obliged and faithful Servant,

STAFFORD H. NORTHCOTE.

Dudley, March 9th, 1855.

Died, March 13th, 1855, Mr. James Jesson, of Victoria Terrace, a man of isolated and penurious habits, but he left a noble evidence of his good will to the town at his death, by bequeathing £10,000 to endow “Alms Houses,” a school known as “Jesson’s School and Charity.” Aged 76 years.

March 21st, 1855. This day was observed as a public day of prayer and fasting for the success of our glorious soldiers and sailors in the Crimean War.

May 13th, 1855. A dreadful murder was committed this morning at the “Sailor’s Return” public house, Kateshill, Dudley, by one John Meadows, who deliberately shot his sweetheart, because he was jealous of her; the poor girl died instantly.

May 17th, 1855. Married, Miss Elizabeth Bourn, step-daughter of Mr. F. Pigott, Railway Contractor, of this town, at St. Edmund’s Church, to Mr. Elliott, Manufacturer, Birmingham. Great pomp and ceremony was observed on this occasion, there being nine carriages in attendance at the wedding.

A sad sequel happened at the Railway Station as the bridal party started on their honeymoon. A collision betwixt two trains took place, by which numbers of passengers were severely shaken and bruised, and Mr. Thos. Fehr, Spirit Merchant, Market Place, was maimed for life.

May 28th, 29th, 30th, 1855. A series of fetes took place on the Castle grounds this Whitsuntide, under the management and for the benefit of Mr. Alfred Bunn, of the Opera House, London. Upwards of 20,000 people came to see the “sights,” and it was said that Mr. Bunn cleared £500 by this affair, but he forgot to leave any token of his liberality to our local charities.

Died, July 14th, 1855, Mr. Bagott, Tailor and Draper, High Street. Aged 70 years.

Died, July 27th, 1855, Mr. Joseph Haden, of Dixon’s Green. This gentleman had much to do with the building of St. Thomas’s New Church in 1816.

August 4th, 1855. Hanged at Worcester this morning John Meadows, for the brutal and unfeeling murder of his sweetheart, Ann Mason, at Kateshill, in May last.

September 9th, 1855. Great rejoicings all over the land at the news: “The Russians evacuated Sebastopol after two days’ desperate bombardment by both sea and land by the Allied Forces; they blew up their magazines, sunk their ships, and set fire to the town previous to leaving it, and then they retired to the North side of the Harbour.” Glorious news for Old England!

Died, November 2nd, 1855, Mr. Thos. Guest, junr., Grocer, Market Place. Aged 42 years.

Died, January 24th, 1856, Mr. Josiah C. Cook, Ironmonger, High Street. Mr. Cook was a prominent Freemason in his time, and was universally respected as a friend and neighbour. His remains were followed to the grave, as a mark of fraternity and respect, by many of the leading Freemasons of the district.