Carlisle Journal, 30 Dec 1815 - Local News (1)
Petra Mitchinson
Saturday 30 Dec 1815 (p. 3, col. 1-4)
We have repeatedly called the public attention to a subject which very much concerns the interests of this city. We allude to the very confined and in every respect inconvenient state of the cattle market, which, since the commencement of building the bridges over the Eden, are any thing but suitable for that purpose. This we urged in the very strongest terms, and took the liberty of pointing out means to obviate the inconvenience by establishing a new cattle market on some plot of ground, adjoining the city, belonging to the corporation. We are sorry to state, however, that no notice was taken of our humble suggestion; and that, in consequence, cattle markets have been established in the neighbourhood, through lack of accommodation here. It is unnecessary to state how highly injurious to the inhabitants of the city in general, and particularly to the proprietors of houses, the innkeepers, shopkeepers, &c. of Rickergate, this is: nor is it difficult to conceive, that the plan upon which the bridge was designed (if indeed there ever was a plan) would very materially conduce to the ruin of our market; since the cattle coming upon the stand would not be able to get to it without either leaping over the battlement or proceeding along the whole long line of it, and entering by Rickergate; and even this could not be effected in floods without swimming the cattle, and of course compelling dealers and purchasers to swim likewise,—a very comfortable exercise indeed.—This prospective and prior causes have no doubt deeply operated in the minds of gentlemen, who have it in contemplation to establish a new cattle market at Longtown, some particulars of which may be seen under our Agricultural head.
A liberal collection was made on Sunday last, at the chapel of the Rev. A. HENDERSON, A. M. for the relief of the suffering Protestants in France.
The Quarterly Meeting of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge will be at the Town Hall, in this city, on Friday the 12th Jan. next.—See Adv.
The Anniversary Meeting of the Wigton Branch Bible Society will be held there on Monday week.—See Adv.
The first Carlisle Winter Assembly will be held on the 11th day of January next.—See Adv.
William JOHNSTON, shoemaker, aged 18, was yesterday committed to our gaol, on a charge of breaking into the shop of Mr. BONNELL, druggist, on Monday last, and taking away the contents of the till. On Mr. B. entering the shop at the time with a candle, the thief escaped, but was afterwards apprehended.—He confessed having taken money to the amount of £3, 9s.
A person of the name of DOUGLAS has been committed to our goal [sic] on a charge of sheep stealing.—He was brought from Whitehaven on Wednesday last: he admits having killed a sheep by throwing a stone at it, and also his taking the same home and dressing it.
The weather, during the former part of the week, was variable, alternately frost and thaw. Toward the conclusion of the week a considerable quantity of rain fell, so that yesterday evening the Caldew overflowed its banks, covering the holm lands, and flooding many parts of Caldewgate. When our paper was put to press, the water was rapidly increasing; and it is believed that the river Eden will also occasion a deluge.—This latter river, from the greater distance of its source, and running more upon a level, rises more gradually than the Caldew.
Since writing the above,—we have just heard, that Caldewgate is flooded in several parts three feet, and as far up as the diverging of the road to Wigton, Burgh, &c.—the inhabitants busily employed in damming up their doors to prevent the intrusion of the watery visitant. We are sorry to add, that a drowned horse, saddled and bridled, has come down the Caldew; and there is too much reason to fear that its rider has been overwhelmed in the impetuous torrent.
A short time since a countryman called at a druggist's in Carlisle, requesting two ounces of salt-petre, which was accordingly served him.—The rustic was departing with his purchase, when it immediately struck the master of the shop to question him to what use he was going to apply the salt-petre? "Salt-petre," said the other, "it was salts I wanted—though I did call it salt-petre by mistake." It is unnecessary to add, that the mistake was rectified, through the very commendable apprehension of the druggist.—We mention this circumstance merely to shew how very cautious both buyers and sellers should be in the disposal of active medicines; had the salt-petre been administered instead of the salts, it is probable enough the unhappy patient would have paid the forfeit of the blunder with his life.
On the 16th inst. as a young man, of the name of W. WINTER, was proceeding from Alston to his father's farm at Harewood Head (with a horse laden with provisions for the use of the family), he perished in a storm of snow on a height called Yadmoss.—His loss is lamented by all who knew him.
On Christmas day a girl, about 9 or 10 years of age, daughter of a bread-dealer, at Eamont-bridge, of the name of SMITH, was so shockingly burnt, in consequence of her clothes taking fire, as to leave but faint hopes of her recovery.
We are sorry to have to announce the death of Abraham SIBSON, Esq. merchant in Whitehaven, who had the misfortune to fall into the quay on Christmas day. His body was found on Tuesday.—Also of Mr. Thomas GIBSON, son Capt. GIBSON, of Harrington, who was drowned by falling into the quay on the evening of Monday last,—his body was found on Wednesday morning.
[to be continued]