250 YEARS AGO:

MONDAY last some workmen were sent to repair an old house near Worcester where they found a large quantity of fleas. A consultation was held on how they should destroy them and, at length, it was resolved to suffocate them with smoke.

Accordingly the workmen procured some straw, but too large a quantity and, when setting it on fire, it soon communicated to the thatch and the house was burnt to the ground. An effectual method of destroying fleas?

􀁥 An inquest was held at Hartlebury by coroner Gregory Watkins into the death of James Southall, a boy about 11 years of age and the son of a reputable farmer in the area. It appeared that as the deceased was leading a horse from Upper to Lower Mitton to be shoed, he had injudiciously fastened the end of the halter with a running noose about his arm, and something frightening the horse, the animal pulled the boy down and dragged him several hundred yards, whereby he was instantly killed.

200 YEARS AGO:

YESTERDAY an inquest was taken by Mr Hill, coroner, at Inkberrow, on the body of Emma Turberfield, widow, aged 25, who died suddenly on Sunday under suspicious circumstances. After a minute investigation of the evidence by the jury, assisted by an eminent surgeon, it appeared that there was a rupture of the brain and, in consequence, a verdict was given of: died by the visitation of God.

150 YEARS AGO:

ON Saturday afternoon, between two and three o’clock, a boy aged about 10 years named Henry Burton fell over the front of a cart at the corner of St Swithin’s Street, but before the vehicle could be stopped, the wheel had passed on to the chest of the child. The unfortunate lad was picked up by PC Clements who, with assistance, carried him to the Royal Infirmary. On examination, it was found that no bones were broken but that he had sustained some internal injuries. He is going on favourably.

􀁥 Trade on the Severn. We are glad to find that the traffic on our river at Worcester, not withstanding the competition from the new railways, continues as good as it ever has been. The subject was referred to at the Bridge Trustees’ meeting the other day when it was remarked that the tonnage on the Severn is this year larger than heretofore. To meet the increase, Messrs Danks, Venn and Sanders have recently put on the river two powerful screw steam tugs.

These, in addition to those already plying, make a steam float of seven vessels on the Severn between Gloucester and Worcester and Stourport and, of course, enable the river traffic to be carried on with greater regularity.

100 YEARS AGO:

BURGLARS again paid a visit to Worcester last night.

Shops in different parts of the city were broken into and goods were taken. The crimes seem to have been perpetrated by men skilled in the work.

One of the shops was that of Messrs Lucking and Co, opticians in Broad Street, from which was stolen several binoculars, gold spectacle cases and other goods to the value of £40. La Bon Marche, the drapery bazaar kept by Mrs J Willoughby in The Tything, was entered by thieves using a jemmy on two back doors. They emptied the till of its contents, with the exception of a farthing which they left behind.