1871
CELLARDYKE. Accident.- An accident that nearly terminated fatally took place at Pitcorthie Mineral Works on Thursday. One of the miners had advanced to the head of the rail with his truck, when it seems it was his duty to keep warning any other who might be following of their danger. Omitting to do this, one of his fellow workmen was following in the same direction dragging his truck behind him, when the empty truck descended upon him, crushing him against his own truck and injuring him in very serious manner, and the wonder is that he was not killed outright.
1872
Fishing Boats.- A pleasing illustration of the irrepressible spirit of enterprise which animates our hardy sons of the sea is to be seen in the active state of the boatbuilding trade the east of Fife. In all the building yards of the district – two of which are in Cellardyke, two in St Monance, and one in Anstruther – new boats are either in progress or have been contracted for, at a rate which may be indicated about 50s per foot of keel. The contracts do not show any increase in the size of the boats. Experience, fact, has decided this point, and the most, and, therefore, the best paying class of boats. are those which can be employed all the year round, especially during the Forth fishing, for which the larger craft are as unfitted seagoing yacht for a canal lighter. We observe, however, with pleasure, from the handsome boat just drawn out the building yard of Mr Miller, that our fishermen are beginning to appreciate the beam or ship laid deck in preference to the old-fashioned method of having the floor below the thwarts, by which the movements of the crew were of course encumbered by a corresponding degree. This, however, is only one of the manifold improvements which our enterprising fishermen, ever alive to the spirit of the time, have of late years introduced, and which have done so much to give unrivalled sea going fleet their present dashing and yacht-like appearance.
Alarming accident at Sawmill.—On Saturday last, while a fine lad about fourteen years of age, the son of Skipper William Moncrieff, was in the act of lifting some remnants of wood which he was about to use in the construction of his partan creels, near one of the revolving screws in the steam mills of Mr Cormack, his arm was caught by the deadly instrument, which, almost as instantaneous as a stroke of lightning, lacerated the limb in fearful manner: From the copious flow of blood, the most lively fears were excited, which were indescribably heightened by the anxious interval of about two hours before a surgeon could be obtained, but eventually Dr Macarthur dressed the wound, and the poor sufferer is doing as well as could be expected.
Miss Jessie Melville, pupil teacher the Infant School, Cellardyke, has just been presented with an elegant work box, as tribute of esteem for her many amiable qualities, and also in appreciation of the exemplary discharge of her duties, on the occasion of leaving for the Training College in Edinburgh.
“Bad Times.”—The tempestuous weather of the past fortnight has day after day kept the boats windbound in the harbour, or when they have ventured to sea the deceitful lull has been followed by a still more violent outburst of the storm, which has sometimes driven the crews back without casting their lines, and which in every case has vastly multiplied the fatigues and peril of their useful but arduous calling. Very little has consequently been earned at the fishing ; and as a natural result of bad times with our staple industries, the locality has been almost “like mill,” for, as old Paddy Brown was want to say, “A oor grist comes in at the pier heads.” We heard a curious comment on the times the other day: A worthy mother of Cellardyke, who belongs to the “real sea dogs,” as the genuine old fisher families were long ago called by the laird of Innergellie – the eccentric James Lumsdaine – was summoned away from her domestic duties by some still more pressing piscatorial employment outside, when a neighbour who chanced to come into the house cried, ” Oh, Annie, your bairn’s in the ash-hole eatin’ cinders.” Hoots, woman,” replied the ready-witted matron the moment, “the bairn maun jist suit itsel’ tae the times.” There also a good deal of home truth in the “crack at the corner” between two hoaryheaded boatskippers: “Man, Davie, if the folk divna turn gude noo-a-days, it’s no for ony want o’ soirees and tea meetings. Did you ever ken the like o’t They’re like tawtie roups, ane every nicht. Thae Good Templars will turn the world upside doon.” ” Tuts, Jack, a toom pouch mak’s a blate merchant, and Mr Poverty pairts company baith out and in the alehouse ; but for a’ the din and outcry and flytin’, maybe a better day is no sae far awa’, when neighbours will tak’ ‘ pint and gree.’ Auld e’en, Jack, like yours and mine, hae seen many changes.”
Good Templar Processions.—On Monday the. Union” Lodge of Anstruther, with a deputation from the Sister Lodge of Cellardyke, walked in procession with music and banners through both towns to Crail, when they were joined half-way along the road by the Good Templars of that burgh. After marching through the time-honoured streets the company assembled in the Town Hall, when an opportunity was given for rest after the long walk, which was rendered all the more fatiguing by the tempestuous state of the weather. The interval was further enlivened by the singing of hymns, and also by congratulatory addresses from Brother Peebles, the chief of the Crail Lodge, and Brother Beveridge, who presided over the Anstruther division, after which the company resumed their march homeward. As they were leaving the old town the procession was met by musical party playing on flutes, and attended with a drummer, whom Good Templar describes as “some well-dressed young man with very red eyes,” who excited no little remark by their spirited performance, and a “scene” also took place, in the course of which witty son of St Peter, from Cellardyke, in the ranks of the procession, was struck by a half tipsy ploughman, and no doubt it would have been better had some noisy anti-teetotallers taken the advice of discreet old grandmother, who counselled them ” to keep their breath to cool their brose,” but on the whole these trivial incidents have excited more public talk than they deserve, and we only mention them to correct any exaggeration that might appear calculated to throw discredit on the good name of royal Crail. The procession was still on the road when they were overtaken by the drenching showers, which gave such a disagreeable cast to the afternoon of New Year’s day; but notwithstanding, they were met on the way by their Cellardyke friends, who accompanied them to the Freemasons’ Hall, where a halt was made, and the company disbanded. In the course of the day the Juvenile Lodge marched through Anstruther and Cellardyke, and the interesting little regiment passed along under the charge of their respected general—Mr Andrew Wilkie, builder—they excited all sides the liveliest attention. About 200 Good Templar 3 took part in the demonstration to Crail and the juveniles would muster about 100; but unfortunately the stormy nature of the weather and the wet and miry condition of the roads very much interfered with the pleasure and success of the processions.
Grand Good Templar Demonstrations.- Saturday will long be a memorable day in the fishing towns of Fife on the occasion of one of the largest and most successful demonstrations ever celebrated in the East Neuk. Only last spring the Good Templar movement was as the thing of a distant land far as this district was concerned, but since that time five lodges have sprung into existence, in which about 900 are already enrolled. Full of the enthusiasm of their new crusade, the suggestion for grand public demonstration was no sooner ventilated than it was cordially embraced, and Saturday, as being best suited for the was accordingly set apart for the display. The Anstruther friends, however, were of opinion that the temptations of New Year’s day ought to be specially guarded against, and suggested a demonstration for Monday, but in this they were left, as it were, “out in the cold,” as the fishing element— which constitutes fully four-fifths of the organisation—adhered to the only day they could call their own, and unfortunately the lodges divided, though, as may be supposed, the eclat of the proceedings rest with the “naval brigade” of the temperance army. In Cellardyke the events of the day were opened by the sons and daughters of the “Guiding Star” mustering in Forth Street Hall from which, headed with music and with their streaming gaily in the breeze, they marched along the Braehead to the harbour, from which in imposing order of procession and with every door and window filled with eager onlookers, they proceeded through the principal thoroughfares leading into and out of Anstruther until coming to Pittenweem, where they were joined by the “Star of Hope” Lodge of that ancient burgh. Thus reinforced, the company marched on to St Monance, where in like manner they united with the lifeboat crew—that is, for the rescue of the lost and perishing drunkard—when the procession, which now consisted of fully five hundred, displayed as many as twenty-three flags or banners, and, escorted with the Anstruther and St Monance flute bands, marched through the streets-every house being deserted by its inmates as old and young flocked out to see the stirring spectacle. Having made the circuit of the brave little town, the procession wheeled to the east, sweeping with its living tide through picturesque Pittenweem on to “Maggie Lauder’s toon.” On reaching Cellardyke the procession halted, when the highly interesting and successful proceedings were brought to close. As showing the spirit of brotherhood that exists amongst the Templars as amongst the Freemasons, we may state that the Jersey smack, “Charlotte,” lying at Anstruther pier, was decked out with colours from truck to rail in honour of the order, with which some on board were also identified. The weather was dry, but the roads were in a miserable condition, though every face looked more cheerful and happy than another during the long walk.