The Cellardyke Echo – 12/10/2016

1826

The inadequate supply of fish in the Edinburgh Market has long been a subject of general complaint …… For a great portion of the year the Newhaven fishermen are engaged with the herring fishery, during all which interval our markets are entirely destitute of white fish…… The plan by which Edinburgh is at present supplied with fish is defective in every particular. The fish are brought from a great distance, being generally purchased by the Newhaven fishermen from the boats of Cellardyke, Anstruther, Dunbar and Eyemouth, They are either brought to market by water or they are carried on the backs of women exposed to the weather, and to many other casualties, no attention being given during this process to anything like cleanliness….

1828

The body of a man supposed to be one of the unfortunate crew of the boat from Cellardyke that lately upset, was found on the beach at St Skeoch, near Boddin, on Monday.

1829

The Commissioners for the Herring Fishery are anxiously seeking to extend the interests of that important branch of national commerce and have just contracted for improving the fishing harbour at Cellardyke.

1832

Cholera – In Cellardyke, we understand the disease prevails to a considerable extent. The malady appears now to have established itself generally throughout the country

1841

Alexander Jack, Fisherman of Cellardyke was placed at the Bar, accused of assaulting his uncle James Watson, senior, late of Dundee, now residing in Cellardyke, to the effusion of his blood. Jack pleaded not guilty as libelled, and sentenced him to pay a fine of £4 sterling, or three weeks imprisonment in Kirkcaldy jail –  fine paid.

1847

Marriages – At Anstruther on 5th isn’t, by the Rev. Mr Craig. Mr Robert Fowler, to Jessie, youngest daughter of Mr David Deas, Cellardyke.

1849

Among the victims of that fatal disease which now rages throughout the length and breadth of our land cutting off old and young in its merciless career, was one woman living in Cellardyke, with whose end a melancholy and repulsive incident is connected, which we are about to relate. It seems from careful industry, she had, by selling fish ( for she was a fishmonger) or by some other means unknown, realised the enormous sum of 3157 9s, while she passed in the neighbourhood as a poor miserable wretch, having scarcely wherewithal to satiate her stomach with the meanest food. Accordingly, when she and her son were seized with the disease, no person would look near them, except the Doctor, who was in duty bound to do so; and she anticipating that her end was approaching, gave him the key of the lock where in the treasure was safely secured, and told him that he might prescribe anything in the shape of medicines he chose however expensive, as she would see it paid if she lived, and if she died he might know where to find payment. Being so assured, he ordered wine and other restoratives, which so acted upon the frames of her and her son, that a cessation of the disease was the consequence and the medical man declared them in a state of recovery, and he afterwards visited but seldom and far between. Her son being stronger than her was soon able to run about; and he being an insane creature, did not mind his mother, but ran wildly about at his leisure. She, poor woman, not being able rise and take nourishment herself, and having no person to give it to her, is said to have actually died of want. But this is not all, so long as her riches were unknown in the world, she had no friend or relative upon the earth, but as soon as it became generally known that she had left such a sum behind her, her relatives crowded about her corpse in abundance, like vultures, seeking for a portion of the glittering treasure, inasmuch as they knew that her son could not inherit it, being an illegitimate child… Such is the way the world goes…

Cholera – Since our last the ravages of this disease has generally somewhat abated its fury, except in one family, which has had four of its members snatched from out the circles. There have been eight cases in all since our last, five of which have been fatal. It is an interesting fact, and on worth being recorded, as showing that cleanliness is the principle and only remedy for fortifying a town against the ravages of this blighting epidemic, and, moreover, its truthfulness has been clearly and fully exemplified in Cellardyke.  …. Except in the case of Robert Davidson, of whom his children were cut off. The house of that family, which had four of its members devoured by the strong hand of death is just a nest of filth and dirt, where plagues and pestilences revel in their proper element, and exercise their potent and withering influences with the most fearful effect.

Since the 6th September when it first broke out here until the 6th October a period of thirty days 53 cases, 23 recoveries and 39 deaths, making one death each day…

David Watson, a fisherman in Cellardyke was charged with culpably, wickedly and recklessly throwing a quantity of boiling or burning tar upon the persons of Thomas Bella and David Wood, each about nine years of age, and both residing in Cellardyke, whereby they were seriously injured in their persons. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to pay a fine of 31, or undergo twenty days imprisonment.

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