1870
On Wednesday evening as Leslie Brown (Wilson) fisherman, Cellardyke was in the act of descending a stair in the East end of the town, he stumbled, probably in the darkness, and fell foremost to the bottom. When taken up he was found quite insensible, and in that condition taken home. Dr McArthur was soon in attendance, when the skull was found to be fractured, and other injuries of so serious a nature as to render his situation in the highest degree precarious.
Anstruther – After the fishing _ several of the crews having broken up on Wednesday afternoon, and the proceeds of the fishing having been divided, the usual scenes of drunkenness were commenced that night and continued on Thursday. No rows took place here on Wednesday night, but in Cellardyke several slight disturbances were observed, occasioned generally by some one attempting to get a friend, who had been partaking too freely, to go home quietly. On Thursday, a great many of the halfdealsmen left, both by coach and steamer. In the latter there would be nearly 100 of them, the most of them being worse of drink. A fight took place shortly before starting and the Police apprehended an Irishman who had been concerned in it. Immediately on the steamer leaving the quay, a regular melee took place between five or six halfdealsmen on board the steamer, and blows were freely exchanged. The Steamer, however kept on course and the fight lasted as long as she was in sight. Mr Kerr, the manager of the Steam Shipping Company, telegraphed to the superintendent of police at Leith to have a force of constables awaiting the arrival of the steamer, in order to be in readiness should anything have occurred on the voyage.
1872
The Good Templar Lodge of Cellardyke have, with an enlightened and exemplary regard for the benefit of the community, organised a special committee, whose avowed business it is to arrange for the instruction and amusement of its members, with the ulterior view of providing such approved means of popular entertainments as penny readings, lectures, concerts &c. This idea, so praiseworthy to those with whom it has originated, has also been adopted in the Anstruther lodge.
The Directors of the Anstruther and Cellardyke Gas Company in consideration of the advance on the price of coals have resolved to raise the price of gas from 6s 8d to 8s 4d the 1000ft. The high profits of this company have long led to much public dissatisfaction, and this step we hear, has induced some leading gentlemen to consider the possibility of starting a new concern, and taking the public feeling into account, such an idea may not be without some practical results.
1874
This season our East Fife Crews which are estimated at over 300 from St Monans to Cellardyke, which alone sends out about 170, have had their great rendezvous on the Buchan Coast , where as at Aberdeen they have met, it is gratifying to notice, with a higher average success than on any other season on record…
The Crew of a Cellardyke fishing boat, which arrived at Anstruther on Wednesday evening reported a narrow escape which four of their number had from drowning while on the voyage home. On arriving opposite the village of Cove , it became necessary for the crew, which consisted of Andrew Brown, the skipper, David Keay, James Thomson (whose wife was also on board) and two halfdealsmen from Skye – to hoist the mainsail, and while this was being done the mast suddenly broke over the middle and fell into the bottom of the boat. In its fall it knocked four of the crew into the sea, leaving Keay, who is an old man, and the woman, the sole occupants of the boat. Notwithstanding that his leg had been badly injured by the falling mast, Keay succeeded in getting one of the men in to the boat by throwing rope to the crew who were drifting away from the vessel, (his efforts at first were somewhat impeded by Mrs Thomson, whose frantic cries for her husband confused him) and with his assistance the others were ultimately saved, but not until they had become greatly exhausted by their efforts to keep above water., by fitting up a second mast the crew succeeded in reaching home in safety.
The Local fishermen’s season in the north has been very successful with the average over the Cellardyke Fleet £200, which would represent a total sum of £35 000
1875
Yesterday Afternoon a young man named James Imrie, residing at 34 James Street, Cellardyke, committed suicide by hanging himself in a stable. He was 24 years of age and for some time has been the sole support of his parents, no cause can be assigned for the rash act.
Pittenweem
A splendid modelled fishing boat, which has been built by Mr Fulton here, was launched from his building yard on Wednesday afternoon, this is the third boat that Mr Fulton has built since he commenced business here, all of which have been on a carvel principle, which is now being most approved of by the fishermen. The boat is one on which great amount of care has been bestowed, in modelling her for fast sailing. Several parties were anxious to acquire her, and she has been bought by Mr James Wilson Cellardyke. During the launch a rather serious accident happened, whereby one of our fishermen, named David Taylor, received severe injuries. While the boat was being drawn over the foreshore, one of the chains at the stern post gave way, owing to the heavy strain upon it. One of the ends of which struck Taylor under the chin, which felled him to the ground, whereby he sustained a severe fracture of the right arm and had to be taken home.
1876
A thinly attended meeting of the congregation of Kilrenny Parish Church was held the other evening, when the Rev Dr Christie referred to the necessity of a mission church being erected in Cellardyke in order to obviate the inconvenience felt in inclement weather by old and young persons residing there in consequence of the distance to Kilrenny..
1878
Kilrenny School board – The Chairman, Bailie Sharp reported a donation of £5 from Mr Fowler, which had been expended on illustrations for the Infant School. He also submitted the account for maps, and likewise a large terrestrial globe for the new school in Cellardyke. The teacher Mr Barbour who was present, next gave a list of conceived requirements, which as in the case of a clock and seats were granted, but others including play shed were referred. It was agreed to withdraw the female assistant from Kilrenny, to the Cellardyke School, and it was further resolved as in the case of Anstruther to collect fees in advance.
1879
A Chapter of Crime in the East Neuk
The Magistrates of Kilrenny held a burgh court yesterday when Alexander Ross and Margaret Boyd or Ross, his wife, were charged with a breach of the peace and assault (this seems to have been a neighbour’s row), at the complaint of Isabella Kinnear, residing in Upper Kilrenny. The couple pleaded not guilty, but being convicted on evidence were each fined the sum of 7s 6d – Walter Myles, carter, Cellardyke was committed on a similar charge, at the complaint of Mr Alexander Blyth, and being an aggravated nature, he was fined the sum of 15s. The Magistrates of East Anstruther held a court on the same day, when John Scott, Carter, Cellardyke was charged with furious driving, and also with using unseemly language to the Police Constables. He pleaded not guilty, when witnesses were called by the Fiscal. One of these John Elder, Carter, prevaricated so much (Elder had such a ‘treacherous memory’) that, by order, of the provost, he was taken into custody. The charge against Scott was found proven and he was sentenced to a fine of 24s or 14 days in Jail.
Robert Trail, carter Cellardyke, and William Collins brick maker, were charged with a breach of the peace, but the latter only appeared and was fined in the mitigated penalty of 7s 6d. Warrant was also granted for the apprehension of Trail, and also against Alexander Montidore, fisherman, who was called to answer a similar charge, his absence being explained by reason of him being at sea. Before rising from the bench the Magistrates ordered the old carter, John Elder, to be placed at the Bar, when after a pointed reprimand by the Provost, who dealt with the very serious nature of the offence which he had committed, was set at liberty.
For sale Prize Poultry – Silver Polands, cocks and hens, cockerels and pullets, all prize winners – cheap, also Lop eared Rabbits, 2 East Forth Street, Cellardyke.