TO THE PEOPLE.
SAMUEL COOK
Having, by a shameless and impious placard, invited you to attend a meeting on Sunday evening next, to hear a discussion on the question of resistance to the law, and endeavour to TREPAN YOU INTO DISAFFECTION AND REBELLION, we think it our duty, as sincere friends to your welfare, to caution you against the BASE AND GODLESS DESIGNS OF SUCH INFIDEL MEN. Whatever they may tell you to the contrary, we know their object is to make you like themselves—DESPISERS OF THE COMMANDMENTS BOTH OF GOD AND MAN, and thus bring you into a condition for every wicked work. They will teach you to become a set of wretched infidels, like the FRENCH, and then make you their tools to aid them in getting up a REBELLION, AND FILLING OUR LAND WITH PLUNDER, SLAUGHTER, AND BLOOD.
Be assured this is the end they have in view.—Therefore, as you love YOURSELVES, YOUR FAMILIES, and YOUR GOD, AVOID THE COMPANY, AND GO NOT NEAR THE PLACE WHERE SUCH SABBATH-BREAKING FIREBRANDS ASSEMBLE.
Dudley, June 30, 1848.
Asiatic Cholera.—This much dreaded epidemic, which was now spreading with fearful rapidity in most of the large centres of industry and dense populations, had infected the towns of Bilston and Wolverhampton with great severity and loss of valuable life, and at last reached the town of Dudley, causing much fearful looking to a premature ending of all earthly things.
Our local Sanitary Authorities at once put in force all the powers the law then gave them, viz., “The Nuisance Removal and Disease Prevention Act of 1848.” Our back streets were kept cleaner, and free from refuse and stinking garbage; our ashpits were thoroughly inspected and cleansed; orders were issued for the absolute observance of much greater attention to both personal and household cleanliness and sobriety. The poorer victims were generally buried at night, in St. John’s and St. James’ Churchyards, and the “Cholera Black Waggon,” slowly and mournfully “picking up” and conveying its loaded freight of once bright and happy beings, both young and old to their unbidden, hurried, and mixed common grave, was a nightly sight not easily forgotten, and one sight quite sufficient for one lifetime to witness. “As drowning men,” it is said, “catch at straws,” so we, the denizens of then poor stricken down Dudley, were too glad to listen to any advice which might help to mitigate the fearful scourge in our midst. The Rev. J. B. Owen, M.A., of Bilston, at this particular juncture, came and lectured at our newly formed Mechanics’ Institute, “On Sanitary Improvement securing Good Health.” It need hardly be written that this lecture was densely crowded, as Mr. Owen was one of the God-fearing guardian angels and friends of all the awe-stricken inhabitants in Bilston, who was night and day to be seen aiding in the cause of our common humanity. It was afterwards known that upwards of 750 persons perished in Bilston of Asiatic Cholera. Up to this date the death rate had been observed principally amongst the really poor, indigent, delicate and sickly; the deaths amongst young children being very numerous also.
The once celebrated Dudley Races, held where the present railway station and railway line runs towards the Lime Kilns, down the New Tipton Road, were held the last time in July, 1848. The grand stand was backed up against the Castle grounds wall, and the race ground extended in an oblong course, running from the New Road to the Lime Kilns.
July 24th, 1848. The town was suddenly agitated this day, by the announcement of the failure of Messrs. Jno. and M. Williams and Co., Corn Millers, of this town; liabilities said to be £35,000.
The general trade of the town and district was now in a most deplorable state, and in the recollection of the old tradesmen it was never known to have been so bad. Added to the distress, the puddlers and colliers, &c., received notice for a reduction in wages of 10 per cent., which was equal to 6d. per day.