FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS
IMPRESSIVE SCENES
THE VILLAGE IN MOURNING
Whaley Bridge has experienced some sad days in the past, and the whole village has gone into mourning over some lamentable catastrophes in which respected residents have been suddenly launched out of time into eternity, but no sadder day was ever known in the history of the place than Monday, when the mortal remains of the three unfortunate men who met their deaths in such an awful manner on Thursday , were laid in their last resting place in the graveyard adjoining the Fernilee Wesleyan Chapel. Mr Richard Walker was a very quiet, unassuming man, but universally respected. For many years and up to the time of his death he was the groundsman for the Whaley Bridge Cricket Club, and in this capacity was known to all frequenters of the ground. He was also a member of the Spring Bank Chapel, and a most devout worshipper there; in fact, only on the Tuesday before his death he attended a service and took a very fervent and active part. The two other young men, or youths, had not attained the age at which they could take any particularly active part in the corporate life of the village or any of its institutions. Samuel Walker was connected with the football club, and both he and Harry Woolley were much respected and esteemed by all who knew them.
In view of this and the tragic circumstances under which they met their deaths, and which had created a profound sensation, it was only fitting that Monday should be observed as a day of universal mourning. All along the route by which the cortege went the shutters of tradesmen were closed and the blinds of the cottage windows were drawn. The leaves on the trees, nipped by the previous night's frost, fell in showers to the ground as if to join in the expression of sorrow and to add to the gloom of the occasion the sun was partially hidden by the mist. The atmosphere was very chilly, and combined with the emotions produced by the sight of the cortege approaching half-a-mile in length, many had white, sad looking faces and felt an eerie creeping sensation.
A large and sympathetic crowd assembled on Bings Knowl, where all three of the deceased men resided. Arrangements had been made for all the funerals to take place at the same time and for the interment to be in the same graveyard. Service was conducted at the house of Richard and Samuel Walker by Messrs Wm Wright and Chas Turnock, and at the house of Harry Woolley by Messrs W. Wright and Jos. Knowles. Many were moved to tears as the three coffins were borne from the respective houses and reverently placed in the funeral cars with glass sides. All along the Old Turns-Road little knots of people gathered. And a large crowd awaited the cortege on arriving at Buxton-road, and also at the junction of the roads at Horwich End. Business was practically at a standstill, and tradesmen assembled to pay their last tribute of respect. Instinctively as the mourners came in view heads were bared in the presence of sorrow stricken relatives, and if public expressions of sympathy could do anything to assuage their grief, then Whaley Bridge people did all that possibly could be done in that direction. All the distance of two miles to the Fernilee Wesleyan Chapel there were the same expressions of deep sympathy, and a crowd of between two and three hundred assembled near the chapel.
At the head of the procession marched sixty-five colliers from the Gisborne Pit where all the deceased were employed. These included Wesley Harvey (under-manager), J. Oscroft, G. Rhodes, F. Stones, James Wain, Jos. Turner, Geo. Morris, Herbert Jodrell, Benj. Hill, F. Ford, J. Ashmore, H. Ashmore, Jno. Ashmore, Charles Bagshaw, Herbert Dranfield, Stephen Jodrell, Michael Heerey, Fred Williamson, Geo. Turnock, Jos. Vere, A. Jodrell, Jno. Dranfield, Frost, Jno. Fox, Jno. Hill, Hall and Bagshaw.
Then came the hearse containing the remains of Mr Richard Walker alongside of which walked Messrs J.M. Kinder, Charles Turnock, Thomas Wild, Jos. Knowles, Geo. Pierce and Enoch Shatwell, representing Spring Bank Baptist Church and who also acted as bearers.
Next was the hearse with the remains of Samuel Moseley Walker and alongside this were Messrs Leonard Kinder, Robert Ward, Jno. Walker, Richard Walker, Jos. Barnes and Reuben Clayton, representing Spring Bank Sunday School, and also acting as bearers.
Following were four coaches containing the private mourners: These were:-
First coach: Mrs Walker, Miss Mary Ann Walker, Miss Jane Walker, Miss Harriet Walker, Mr Richard Walker, Mr Joe Walker, Mrs Moseley.
Second coach: Mr and Mrs Walter Jodrell, Mr and Mrs Shatwell, Mr and Mrs Matthew Barber.
Third coach: Mrs and Mrs Jno. Walker, Mrs Hill, Mr and Mrs Dawson, Mr Tom Moseley.
Fourth coach: Mr and Mrs Jno. Goddard, Mr and Mrs A. Goddard, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Wm Southern and Mrs Wild.
About fifty friends and representatives of institutions came next on foot. Many were people attached to the Spring Bank Chapel, including Mr Jno. Trickett (superintendent of the Sunday school), Mr J. Fox, Mr J. Barnes, Mr &and Mrs W. Jones, Mr James Potts, secretary of the Whaley Bridge Cricket Club represented that institution, and Mr J. Wesley Lomas, the Sons of Temperance, with which Samuel Walker was identified.
The hearse containing the remains of Harry Woolley followed. Alongside walked Messrs W Bennett, E. Bennett, J.R. Bennett and W. Mycock, cousins of the deceased, who were bearers.
The mourners who were conveyed in coaches were: Mrs Woolley, Mr Arthur Woolley, Mr Raymond Woolley, Mr Charles Woolley, Mr Samuel Woolley, Mr Fred Woolley, Miss Bertha Woolley, Mrs Raymond Woolley, Mr and Mrs Paul Woolley, Mr Samuel Woolley, Mr and Mrs Frank Bennett, Mr and Mrs Wilmot, Mr Charles Pountain, the Misses Pountain, and Mr and Mrs Albert Taylor.
So great was the crowd which had assembled at the chapel that the doors had to be kept locked until the mourners had taken their seats. These practically filled the little edifice and some two or three hundred people were unable to gain admittance. The remains of Mr Richard Walker were placed on the right side of the rostrum, those of Samuel Walker on the left, whilst the coffin containing all that was mortal of Harry Woolley was placed in front. The service was of a most simple character, and deeply impressive in its very simplicity. It was conducted by the Rev. J.H. Pawlyn, superintendent minister of the Whaley Bridge Wesleyan Circuit. The scene of three coffins, containing the remains of one man in the very prime of life, and of two youths who had not attained their twentieth year, and who had been so suddenly called off the stage of action, of relatives whose grief was too deep for words, was one never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it.
As the minister read the words of the beautiful burial service there was not a dry eye in the place. Strong men were shaken with sobs as the words "O grave, where is thy victory, O death, where is thy sting", were pronounced over relative, comrade or friend, and the almost hysterical weeping of the women was heartrending. A beautiful prayer for comfort for the bereaved was offered by the minister and sympathy with it was frequently expressed by interjections in all parts of the building.
At the conclusion of the service the Rev. J.H. Pawlyn said he could not let the occasion to pass without saying a few words to them, though it was somewhat difficult to control one's feelings under the circumstances in which they were met. They were met under the cloud of a great sorrow and to pay their last respects to friends who were so painfully and under such circumstances called away on Thursday night. One might almost call it a tragic death. The idea of death probably would not enter into their thoughts, but rather be furthest from them. They were not even working: they were spectators of the work, as he understood it, of the re-opening of a disused coal pit. Yet suddenly, without a moment's warning, should he say by the will of God, they were called away into the presence of their Master, so that literally speaking in the midst of life they were in death. They did not put their bodies in their last resting place, the grave, without hope. The elder of the three, whose mortal remains were before them, though not personally known to him (the speaker) was a godly man, who, he was told, only two days before his tragic death prayed at a meeting in connection with the little church with which he was identified, prayed only as a man until many of those present were moved to tears. Therefore, they knew, to use an old Methodist expression, to such as he "Sudden death is sudden glory." The bereaved families had their deepest sympathy, and he would ask for their prayers if that was necessary. He would ask for their prayers for the bereaved widow deprived at once of her husband and of a son; for the widowed mother who had been bereft of a son, and for all the members of the bereaved families that they might be comforted and sustained in this dark hour, and under this heavy blow. And let them make this occasion one of admonition to themselves. Let them see the necessity of being prepared for death, for "we know not the day or the hour in which the Son of Man cometh." There was a great deal of truth in what one had said, that, "Men think all other mortal but themselves." But there was no reason why death might not come as unexpectedly and as suddenly to themselves as to others, and for some it might be even already at the door. He was quite sure a very deep impression had been made upon the minds of many in the neighbourhood of Whaley Bridge.
He had heard of one case, where a person on the scene of the accident, and who, he believed, helped to release the bodies from what had been a living entombment, who, when he got home, sat down by the fireside, burst into tears, and said to his wife, "Lass, lass, it's best to be ready." Let that lesson be impressed upon the mind of each one of them. He hoped this conviction would be wrought in the minds of many who were present that afternoon. If this terrible visitation drew out their hearts to God, and righteousness, to resolve to live for Heaven, then their brothers would not have laid down their lives in vain.
Amen.
Out in the chilly atmosphere, on the bleak hillside, the remains were reverently borne. The graves were alongside each other, and a large and sympathetic crowd had gathered around. The committal prayers were impressively given by the Rev. J.H. Pawlyn, amid a scene of great solemnity. As the minister concluded the last sad rites the friends from Spring Bank sang "In the sweet bye-and-bye" a favourite hymn of Mr Richard Walker's, which visibly moved the vast crowd. The sun was sinking beneath the mist on the western hills, like a fiery red ball, dusk was perceptibly falling, and this, combined with the bleakness of the situation, the chilliness of the air, the reverential attitude of bare-headed men and weeping women, made the scene one of extreme impressiveness.
Included in those assembled outside the chapel was Captain Edward Hall.
Two most appropriate verses, of which the meaning was truly felt, were printed upon the memorial card of Richard and Samuel Walker:
Day by day, the Voice saith "Come,
Enter thine eternal Home."
Asking not if we can spare
These dear souls it summons there.
Had He asked us, well we know
We should cry "O, spare this blow."
Yes, with streaming tears should pray,
"Lord, we love them - let them stay."
Appropriate too, were the lines on the card for Harry Woolley:
Farewell, kind mother, sisters, and brothers dear;
You little thought my time had been so near.
Grieve not for me, for grief is all in vain,
I hope in Heaven we all shall meet again.
In the midst of life we are in death. Prepare to meet thy God.
There were many beautiful floral tributes, including the following, upon the grave of father and son:
Harp, in loving memory from the family.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from the family.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from the committee and members of the Whaley Bridge Cricket Club.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from his cousins and family.
Wreath, with heartfelt sympathy from Miriam.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from his sister Sarah.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from Cousin Samuel and Allen's family.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from Brother John and family.
Wreath, with deepest regret from his dear friends George and Arthur.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from his old companion T. Taylor.
Anchor, with deepest sympathy from the Football Club.
There was also an artificial wreath from the Colliery, bearing the inscription, "A token of respect and sympathy for Richard Walker and his son Samuel Walker, from their fellow workmates at Whaley Bridge Colliery.
Upon the grave of Harry Woolley were the following:-
Harp, with deepest sympathy from A. Woolley.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from Mr & Mrs Walker.
Harp, with deepest sympathy from dear friends at Whaley Bridge.
Wreath, with deepest sympathy from Raymond and Frances Woolley.
Cross, from C.F. Woolley, Wrenwood, Kersal, Manchester.
There were several other tributes to which no cards were attached.
At the home of the deceased was an artificial wreath as "A token of respect and sympathy for Harry Woolley, from his workmates at Whaley Bridge Colliery.
Messrs Williamson, of Whaley Bridge, satisfactorily carried out the funeral arrangements.
