Stay in your servant's job or face a year's jail

Pages from the Past From the back issues of the Westmeath Independent 1860 - 150 Years Ago Stay in your servant's job or face a year's jail The Westmeath Independent in late January 1860 reported on a court case which took place at Athlone Petty Sessions, involving an employer who claimed his servant had left her job without seeing out her contract. Martin Hynes told the court that Bridget McDermott had been engaged as a general servant at £2 per year wage. She had lived with him for seven weeks and then left his employment. The defendant denied the claim and said the hiring was done week to week. She considered herself at liberty to leave at the conclusion of any week. "Further evidence was given by the plaintiff to bear out his statement and that it was the offer of £4 10s a year by another party that induced the defendant to leave." The magistrates recommended the defendant return to her post or take the alternative of completing a year in the county jail. The paper commented: "The defendant very reluctantly followed the advice of the court." "Arrah, sure that's all I want" - successful litigant Verbatim reports of council meetings and other events were often part of the staple diet of local papers. In January 1860, the Westmeath Independent offered the following verbatim report on an amusing court case. "Thomas Fallon was summonsed by Margaret Benson for the trespass of his four cows upon her turnips. The defendant did not appear. Court - Prove your case. Who found the cows on your turnips? Complainant - Sure I did myself, alanna - who else do you think? Court - How often did you find them there? Complainant - Sure I did forty times. Court - Did you drive them home to his house and demand the cost of trespass? Complainant - Bedad I did. Court - And what did he say? Complainant - Oh, he said very little, yer Honor. Court - Well, what was it? Complainant - That I might go to ... Court - Well, that will do. Complainant - But it won't do me. Court - You have got your decree. Complainant - Where is it? Court - You will get your decree from the clerk for 4s and 1s 6d costs? Complainant - Arrah, sure that's all I want." 1910 - 100 Years Ago Thawing ice sparked gallantry and cowardice In late January 1910, Athlone, much as it was in recent weeks, was hit by a prolonged cold spell which served to freeze rivers and lakes in the region. The ice lured many young children into dangerous leisure pursuits as the Westmeath Independent reported in 1910. "It is but becoming to look for gallantry in a soldier and a very gallant act was performed by Lt McDonald of the local garrison, on Sunday last. A sweeping thaw had set in and a number of young children who ventured out on the thin ice were submerged in sex or seven feet of water. The incident happened to the rear of the old Heaton's Mills (close to where the current Millbank housing estate is), where a crowd of people were skating on the ice covering flood waters from the River Shannon. "The act of Mr McDonald, who swam to their assistance, and received valuable help from two other gentlemen, Mr O'Brien of the National Bank, and Mr. P. Curley, mill operative, is a pleasing contrast to the despicable cowardice of very many others who were present and so soon as they recognised the danger, hurried off." The paper said, to these three only out of a crowd of about 300, was the credit due. We cannot imagine how anyone claiming manhood, or imbued with the instincts of humanity, could act in such a fashion where the lives of six or seven little children were in imminent peril. All the more honour to those who saw no danger but that to the little ones, and rescued them from it." Curley was injured in the rescue and was laid up for some weeks. 1960 - 50 Years Ago Mad cow mystery in Moate Westmeath County Committee of Agriculture heard 50 years ago this week that cattle went "mad" and started to eat the gates at a farm near Moate, which had received a special manure treatment. George Allen said the incident had began seven years previously and wondered what had happened to a promised report in connection with the various "grassland experiments" carried out on the farm. The meeting heard that manure was placed on the farm, on the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture, after which the cattle acted peculiarly. They had not thrived and their hair had turned white. The farmer concerned eventually had to acquire other land for the grazing of his livestock. Mr Allen queried if the case had ever been solved and asked for a full report at the next meeting. Snowcream Dairies a thriving concern Just before Christmas 2009, a new book on the history of Snowcream Dairies in Moate was published. Strangely, 50 years ago this week, the growth and development of the same company was being feted at its annual dinner dance, which was held in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. The meeting heard from local senator Gerry L'Estrange that if Ireland was ever to solve the problems of emigration and unemployment it could only be done by the development of industries from which the raw materials came from the land of Ireland. The meeting heard the company had been invited to Moate following the proposal of two locals Joe Stones and George Smith. The company's managing director John J. Elworth said it was necessary for producers, distributors and consumers to join forces to ensure a quality product.