At this distressing period of our history, men, women, and children, in a state of absolute starvation, were seen daily dragging a light waggon through our streets, asking for alms of loaves of bread and victuals for their famishing families, shewing the dire disasters that had visited our old town and locality. To make matters worse, seventeen shops, ranging from St. Edmund’s to St. Thomas’s Churches, were “to let” at this unhappy time.
Our active and exciteable neighbour, Mr. Samuel Cook, was still bent upon enlightening the people in something, which eventually did not fill their bellies, but caused some of the incautious to be sent to jail for seditious speaking and rioting. This time he secured the services of that Arch Infidel from Leeds (the hot-bed of Chartism) to lecture at Tipton, on a Sunday, “On the Curse of an Aristocracy, the Rights of the People, and Primitive Christianity.” The drum and fife band, with Mr. Cook and the lecturer at its head, led many foolish men and youths on the broad road to infidelity and lawlessness.
“THE PEOPLE, THEIR RIGHTS, AND LIBERTIES, THEIR DUTIES AND THEIR INTERESTS.”
On Sunday, August the 13th, 1848, TWO LECTURES will be delivered in the open air, Waterloo Street, Tipton, by Mr. JOSEPH BARKER, of Wortley, near Leeds.
Afternoon Subject.—“The Curse of an Aristocracy, and the need of a Democracy.” Evening Subject.—“Primitive Christianity, True Religion, &c.” The lecture in the afternoon to commence at Three o’clock, and the one in the evening at six. Go ye men and women in your Tens and Hundreds and Thousands, and hear Mr. Barker on the above important subjects.
SAMUEL COOK.
1848. August. The St. Edmund’s National School Foundation Stone was laid by Lady Ward, of Himley. The Right Honourable Lord Ward subscribed £100 to the Building Fund and gave the land, the remainder of the money was raised by public subscription. This flourishing school has been of immense value to the poorer classes of the inhabitants, having turned out some very clever boys and girls.
Died, September 6th, 1848, Mr. John L. Wood, Grocer, High Street. Aged 40 years.
BRAVO!
THREE CHEERS AND ONE CHEER MORE FOR THE NAIL MASTERS.