1900
David Ross, fish hawker, Cellardyke, was charged with having on Saturday, 16th instant, in the lodging house in Card’s Wynd, occupied by Mrs Mayes, committed a breach of the peace by cursing and swearing, making a great noise, and challenging one of the male lodgers to fight. He pled guilty. The Fiscal said the police heard the noise another street while on duty, and on going to Card’s Wynd they saw a large crowd outside the lodging house. On going inside the lodging-house accused was found with Lis coat of, challenging one of the male lodgers to fight. He was cautioned and warned to leave. Accused—l sold them a few fish that week, and I went up there to see about it. L am in the wrong. I haD some drink in me, and when I have drink I am rather quarrelsome, but when sober nobody can say I interfere with them. I hope you will be lenient. The Provost—You have 8 previous convictions against you. You say you had drink, but that is no excuse, and the community is not to suffer because you take drink. You will be fined 15S or 14 days. I hope that as this conviction makes the ninth in your case, yon will try and reform and not come back here again.
William Smith, cabinetmaker, was charged with having on Saturday, 2nd instant, at the same place as the last, assaulted a plasterer belonging to Cellardyke, by striking him a blow on the mouth, cutting his upper lip to the effusion of blood, and also committing a breach of the peace. He pled guilty. The Fiscal said this young man was also before the Magistrates along with the last accused a month ago. His conduct on this occasion was of a similar nature to the last, and he also behaved in a very disorderly manner. He also was the worse of liquor. The Provost reprimanded the accused, and fined him 10s 6d or 10 days imprisonment. He hoped he would make this his last appearance at that Court. Fine paid.
1901
Sudden Death.—On returning home from church on Sunday afternoon, Mr Andrew Ireland, Cellardyke, suddenly expired. He was in his 88th year. He was joiner to trade, and had been in business for more than 60 years in Cellardyke.
1903
STEAM CAPSTAN and PROPELLOR FOR FISHING BOATS. We have much pleasure in calling attention to MACDONALD’S IMPROVED STEAM CAPSTAN, and to their New and Highly Satisfactory PORTABLE PROPELLOR for FISHING BOATS. The Propellors, which can be fitted into any boat, have surpassed all expectations, and are capable of driving a boat at six knots without interfering with her as a sailing craft. We shall be glad to give particulars to interested parties regarding this most important invention to Fishermen. AGENTS– JOHN MARTIN & CO., CELLARDYKE:
Bailie Williamson presided at a Police Court on Saturday when three cases of defaulting children were brought up at the instance of the School Board, Mr Watson prosecuting. The mothers in two of the cases appeared, and explained their husbands, Michael Doig, and Alexander Gourlay, were away in Shetland at the fishing. Mr Watson explained that the School Board were very much annoyed by the children of fishermen at this season of the year leaving the school, and they were determined to put a stop to the practice. As the fathers in these three cases were away, and had not got the summons, he must carry out his instructions and ask for a warrant in the usual way. He had no desire to put the warrants in force until the men came home Mrs Doig said she did not think there was any harm in taking away her child when the examination was over, and when she was to be sent to school at Fraserburgh. Mr Watson said the irregular attendance was previous to the 15th instant. He had nothing to do with Mrs Doig’s intention as to the future. The girl had only made 20 out of a possible 42 attendances for the month. Bailie Williamson granted the warrants in all the three cases, and warned the parents that they must keep their children in regular attendance all the year round until. the vacations. It was a loss to the community not to do so. Mr Watson said the School Board wished it distinctly made known that no child can be taken away from school before 14 years of age.
On the occasion of Mr Williamson’s funeral last Saturday, the bells in Chalmers Memorial Church, Anstruther, and in Cellardyke Town Hall were tolled for an hour, while on the different public buildings, and on the liners in the harbours, the flags were flying half-mast. (Stephen Williamson ex MP for the area who had also invested in many fishing boats, partially paid for Cellardyke Town hall, Chalmers Church and the Waid Tower)
It was decided to ask the Postmaster-General to extend the telephone lines to the district, and to have exchanges in Cellardyke and St Monans.
A SATURDAY NIGHT BRAWL. —Before all the Magistrates on Saturday. William Stophina Carrol, lodging house keeper, and Robert Keith, carter, Cellardyke, were charged with having on Saturday night, the 13th instant, in High Street, committed a breach of the peace, by using foul and disgusting language, quarrelling with each other, whereby a large crowd was collected. Both pled guilty. The Fiscal said the scene was a most disgraceful one. For about 20 minutes the men used disgusting language to each other, and the police had ultimately to separate them. As they were both under the influence of drink. He knew nothing about Carrol’s history, but Keith had a bad record from 1892 on to February last when he was sentenced at Cupar to 30 days. Carrol said Keith was the aggressor, and Keith said he had nothing to say for himself. Carrol was fined 10s or 7 days, and Keith 20s or 14 days, the Magistrates stating that they were determined to put down these Saturday night brawls.
KEEPING A DOG WITHOUT A LICENSE. —At a J.P. Court in Anstruther on Saturday morning, David Pattie, carter, Cellardyke, was charged with having on 20th March last, kept a dog without taking out a license. Accused pled guilty, but wished to know why, when he took out the license, he got a letter asking for payment of 2s 6d extra The Supervisor of Inland Revenue explained, that his Commissioners offered the respondent the privilege of a compromise penalty of 2s 6d on condition that he took out the license.
Yesterday MR Miller launched boat 70 feet length for Skipper Brodie Cellardyke
1904
The news came to hand yesterday of the death of Mr George Fowler, late of Cellardyke, at Evansville, America. Mr Fowler was for many years a very successful fishermen, and gave up the fishing a good number of years ago going out, with some of the other members of his family to his son, who has built up a very prosperous business in America. Mr Fowler was in his 80th year, and many friends in Cellardyke will learn with regret of his demise. He was a man of a very quiet disposition, and always held in great respect.