January 30th 1904

Walter Maxim, a labourer of Bower Hall, Pentlow, has experienced much trouble lately, losing five children from death in a very short period, ranging from six years to twenty six. Maxim is in receipt of low wages only.A few friends have started a subscription for him.

February 6th 1904

A man named Halls was working at Foxearth Mill with other men removing ruins left by a fire sometime ago, he was pulling down a wooden partion when the whole lot came down, covering Halls up completely, he was extricated with no bones broken.

March 19th 1904

At an inquest on recluse John Perry aged 52 years of Playles Yard, Cross Street, Sudbury, the coroner heard Sgt Reeve say he found deceased on the floor of his house and that his body was very much disfigured by the cats he kept in the house his nose and his cheeks had been eaten away by the animals, he could not find any food in the house which was filthy and verminous. Heart failure.

August 13th 1904

An inquest was held at Cavendish on Samuel Stanley Smith, aged 8 years who was run over by a train on Wednesday afternoon.
P.C.Kent "There is a crossing known as Pentlow Mill crossing and was used by children a lot especially during th summer months as they bathed in the river nearby".
Isaac Pigg, a porter, said on looking down the line towards Haverhill he saw a little boy in front of an approaching train standing on the line and he saw it knock him down. Accidental death.

September 24th 1904

Mr Johnson who lives in Poole Street, Cavendish, looked out of his window in the early morning and noticed flames behind the house opposite his. He proceeded to the spot and found a fowl house and sheds alight, they belong to P.C.Kent, he roused the constable and they extinguished the flames and got the fowls out but two buildings were destroyed. The fire was caused by a chimney sweep laying soot out which was still alight, several thatched houses nearby would have been in danger if not for Mr Johnson's discovery.

December 3rd 1904

On Tuesday night at 10 p.m. a fire broke out at Mr Charles Twinn's farm at School Barn farm, Pentlow. By some means at present unknown some straw stacks caught light and were completely destroyed in addition to a tumbril and ladders standing nearby. Efforts to save the property were unsuccessful.

December 31st 1904

The following story is culled from the Weekly Telegraph which tells the story of a retriever dog. Some years ago this incident occurred at Long Melford, the shooter was standing under a fence when he saw a French partridge fly straight to a fence, he was about to fire when the bird dropped into a ditch opposite where he was standing, he immediately sent the dog after it about a hundred yards away, it returned with some feathers in its mouth he sent it in again telling the dog to fetch, it returned carrying an old kettle minus its handle with the partridge peeping out. No doubt the bird ran into the kettle to escape but owing to its small aperture the dog was unable to get the bird out, the dog thinking it best to bring the lot rather than disappoint its master. This was witnessed by several gentlemen in the party and the bird was in no way injured.

January 7th 1905

Just before Christmas a young Pentlow lady named Plumb the daughter of Mr J.D.Plumb met with an accident which proved fatal.
She was in service in London and was engaged in something before a fire when her clothes caught light and before help came was severely burnt.
She was conveyed to hospital but after lingering for a day or two she succumbed to her injuries. Deceased was getting married on Boxing Day.

January 21st 1905

A man named George Mansfield in the employ of Mr George Offord of Belchamp Otten had a narrow escape from losing his hand whilst engaged in circular saw work. His hand slipped from the wood which he was pushing and he came in contact with the saw, leaving his hand much lacerated.

February 11th 1905

At Long Melford licencing sessions the chairman said to a Glemsford licence holder" I see there are eleven places in Glemsford, its nearly enough" the licencee said " could do with one or two more" (laughter).

March 11th 1905

The sudden death of Mr Thomas Eagle at 54 years of Wood Barn, Belchamp St Pauls is reported. He was the eldest son of Mr Alfred Eagle of Moorhouse Farm Boxted. He lived with Mr George Chickall at Shearing Place until he took Wood Barn. Mr Eagle was prominent in the hunting field and many a good fox was found in 12 acres and Mashey Wood, he was devoted to the sport and will be missed by many. Much sympathy is felt for his wife and twin brother Mr W.H.Eagle of Pauls Hall.

September 30th 1905

A serious accident occured to a lady called Mrs Whitwell of Clare as she was riding in company of her husband down a steep hill between Foxearth and Cavendish. The lady either lost control of the machine or the brakes did not work causing her to run up the bank and threw her onto her head. Dr Waring was sent for and found her unconcious and in a serious condition bleeding from the ear and nose, she was removed to her residence in Clare and is in a serious condition.

October 21st 1905

There was an inquest at Place Farm, Liston, into the circumstances surrounding the the death George Howard aged 55 years a coachman of Long Melford. He had suffered from an illness for about a fortnight and was last seen by witnesses at 6-45 am on the 10th, the body was found in the flood gate hole at Liston Mill last week. A curious coincidence was that 23 years exactly ago deceased tried to commit suicide by drowning, he was coachman to Mr William Ward of Melford.
P.C.Rogers of Foxearth said there were no marks of violence on the body or clothes disarranged. Found drowned.

December 23rd 1905

On Saturday morning there was a fire at the Drug Works near Melford belonging to Stafford Allen an Sons. The fire wasoriginated by a parafinn lamp in the drying room. Melford Fire Brigade were quickly on the scene and succeeded in subduing the outbreak. Two rooms with their contents were completely burnt down. The considerable damage was covered by insurance.

January 27th 1906

Robert Bunnet aged 57 years a signalman at Long Melford station was found lying insensible in his signal box at Melford station last Wednesday afternoon. He passed away last week.

January 27th 1906

Owing to the great noise caused by the crowd hammering on the corrugated iron surrounding the football ground at Sudbury when United scored the winning goal in the final of the Charity Cup, a horse attached to a van which was standing in the street outside the ground was startled and moved forward, throwing one of the occupants, Mr Linton of Church street onto the ground. He was watching the game over the canvas.

March 17th 1906

At Sudbury County Court, Alice Hynard of Foxearth sued Minnie Maldon of the Bull Hotel, Sudbury, for eight shillings in lieu of wages. His Honour questioned the plaintiff who denied being saucy to her mistress. Mrs Mauldon said that owing to her unclean habits she gave her one months wages in full. Judgement for defendant.

August 7th 1906

An inquest was held at Foxearth on the body of a six month old child found dead in bed by its mother Mrs W.Taylor, wife of a labourer on Friday morning. The child who was in delicate health went to bed on Thursday night with the mother and accompanied by an aunt. On awakening in the morning Mrs Taylor was horrified to find it dead, At the inquest the jury was composed of the Rev J.W.Pressey, C.Lambert (foreman), A.V.C.Lambert, Piper, Leggot, Arbon, Evans, Maxim, Wright, Smith and Ince, Mrs Taylor said she went to bed at 12 o'clock and suckled the baby between one and two, it seemed to be in usual health, when she awoke at seven she was horrified to find it dead, she woke her sister in law who slept with her and sent for Dr Waring. Maggie Taylor, deceased's Aunt gave similar evidence and said the child was sickly from birth. Dr Waring said the infant was lying on its right side in bed and it appeared it died of asphyxiation due to the face being pressed into its mothers breasts. The coroner adverted on the reprehensible practice of the child sleeping with its mother and hoped legislation would be able to affect some good in prevention of this practice. Accidental death from suffocation.

June 2nd 1906

While some boys were playing in some old buildings near Glemsford station, one was climbing on some tottering rafters and there espied four half crowns lying on a beam. News of his find soon spread and a large number of boys were soon searching every nook and cranny but were unrewarded. The old buildings were left some years ago after a fire.

July 9th 1906

In consequence of a daring robbery at Shelford, Cambridgeshire, some information was given to the police and the robbers were traced to old Foxearth Mill near the railway station at Glemsford at a place where there were two travelling vans, these were searched by the Essex police without success. The local police were suspicious of some old buildings and sheds, they were rewarded by Inspector Wapling and P.C.Gowing coming upon goods in an old loft above some stables. The Essex police were in charge of the vans but while Suffolk police were searching, two men named Gaskin and Grey escaped. The men have so far eluded police.

June 16th 1906

A fire broke out in a haystack at Hopkins farm, Belchamp Walter, the property of Mr George Chickall of Belchamp St Pauls. The stacks were destroyed, it is thought children were responsible.
August 18th Francis Bartrum pleaded guilty to driving a cart without lights at Ashen. P.C.Lindsay said he defendant on the Ovington-Clare road with a man lying on the floor of the cart drunk and swearing, Def endant said it was not his cart but he taking a drunken man home.
Fined 1s with 4s costs.

September 15th 1906

There was a sale of hay at Stettles Farm Belchamp Otten, Charles Boardman having been instructed by the Earl of Wilton who has let the farm. There was a large attendance of buyers from London and district, three large stacks of 1906 hay made £ 52,£ 62 and £ 58.
Immediately after the sale Mr Boardman sold a large stack of hay at Hobarts Farm for £ 43 to Mr Whitlock of Yeldham, it averaged £ 3 a ton.

June 22nd 1907

On Monday a little girl from Cavendish named Wells was returning from Cambridge to Cavendish by train, apparently she was unable to get the door open at Cavendish and failed to draw attention, after a struggle between Cavendish and Glemsford the door opened and the girl jumped out. She was seen by Mr Prentice who was driving along the road and he took her home, Dr Ritchie found a broken finger and a hurt ankle.

August 3rd 1907

Stanley Edward Brand a farmer from Pentlow was summoned for causing two pigs to be moved from Essex to Suffolk without a licence on 25th of July. Percy Chambers a labourer of Pentlow was summoned for moving the pigs. Mr Brand said he obtained a licence from Essex police and that would have been all that was required. Inspector Reeve said that licence was to move pigs across the highway in Essex only.
Case dismissed on payment of costs of 6s and 4s.

September 28th 1907

A boy named Walter Firbank from Glemsford was charged with a quantity of wood valued 6d. The wood was stolen from Foxearth Mill the property of William Scott Albon of Churchgate, Glemsford. Defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four strokes of the birch rod.

March 21st 1908

John King a labourer of Sudbury was charged with stealing turnip tops from Broomhill field Brundon. Mr Cecil Whittome of Brundon Hall said he chased defendant across the Bulmer road into Dog Pit and caught him. The bench said that defendant had such a bad record that they must give him one months hard labour.

July 4th 1908

On Thursday afternoon the children of Blacklands School, Cavendish, were taken for their outing, at two o'clock with thirty parents, teachers and friends they started off in four waggons lent by Mr S.Garrett, C.Goodchild and G.Miller for a meadow five miles distant at Belchamp Otten. A good selection of prizes were competed for in running, jumping, etc. A tea, picnic fashion was taken with over a hundred sitting down to a excellent meal. Sports, scrambling, tug of war, etc, were kept up until dusk when the children were mustered ready for home. Three cheers were given for Mr Graham, head master, for the gentlemen who lent the waggons and for Mr J.Brand who lent the meadow.

July 4th 1908

After men engaged in repairing fabric in Clare church left off work a large number of bats were caught by using nets, a total was 207 destroyed.

July 18th 1908

Eyston Hall an Estate at Belchamp Walter, which was for sale by auction at Sudbury, comprising of 197 acres 3 roods 17 poles and a country residence was withdrawn at £ 4-400.

August 29th 1908

Nonsuch Meadow, Sudbury, was the scene of a lamb and sheep sale by Boardman and Oliver. There was a good show of sheep and lambs, 300 up on last year. There was a useful lot from Mr M.M.Blacker of Goldingham Hall, Bulmer, which made 36s. 20 lambs from the Exors of the late Mr J.Turpin made 29s. Mr Whittome from Brundon Hall had one lot make 28s and another made 25s.

October 3rd 1908

Fowes Farm, Belchamp Otten was the scene of a destructive fire on Sunday night. The farm is owned by Mrs Thistlewood and is in excess of 500 acres extent. The farm buildings were very extensive with nothing to check the flames and they spread rapidly and fiercely the reflection of the flames being seen from a long distance.
Building after building became involved and were burnt out, only a barn and a shed remained. Great Yeldham fire brigade arrived and took precautions to prevent the fire spreading to the farmhouse, there was no livestock in the buildings but some corn and cart harness belonging to the sub-tenant Mr Abbot were destroyed, the origin of the fire is unknown.

November 7th 1908

Mr Brewster of the Stores, Cavendish, was driving home from Sudbury to Cavendish when he met a motor car at the top of a hill at Pentlow on a nasty corner. The motor car belonged to the occupant of Lyston Hall. Mr Brewster's horse refused to pass the car and ran up the bank overturning the trap, no-one was injured and Mr Brewster continued his journey.

January 9th 1909

Walter Brown, Henry Firbank, Charles Watkinson and Frederick Slater, labourers of Glemsford were summoned for doing malicious damage to some sanitary pipes at Cavendish the property of Mr William Stubley a farmer of Cavendish. William Stubley said defendants came to my house and Brown inquired whether my son was in, I replied that I was here and Brown said something about shooting a dog. I said I knew nothing about that and defendant said " come outside and have it out".
The defendants went down the road and were joined by some more young men, there were some pipes in the field beside a water course and defendants threw some large stones at them and cracked three of them.
Brown on oath said he went to see prosecutrix about a dog that had been shot and Stubley had shut the door in his face. Case dismissed.

July 31st 1909

At Cavendish on Saturday some boys were playing with a wheel barrow, one of the lads named Johnson tied a piece of string to the wheel of the barrow and the other end to his finger, he gave the wheel a spin which tightened the cord and cut the top of finger off completely to the top joint. The lad is going on well.

September 11th 1909

Mr George Graham of Cavendish has the honour of being the only referee from Suffolk or Norfolk to have been placed on the official list as a linesman for the Football Association. He has already had one appointment as linesman in the Aston Villa v Woolwich Arsenal on Wednesday and has received another notification for the Woolwich Arsenal v Chelsea game.

October 28th 1909

On Friday morning, two horses drawing a plough came dashing round the corner at Water Lane, Cavendish, from Blacklands Farm at a furious rate, as they went up the street several people tried to stop them but failed. The plough was bouncing along behind the horses, they eventually slackened speed opposite Mr Clarke's shop and were brought to a halt. They started from Kimsons Farm, nearly two miles away being frightened by a furniture van and ran past their own stable, only one had a cut foot and the plough was broken up. They belonged to Mr C.S.Goodchild.

June 4th 1910

At Belchamp District Council the surveyor said the new bridge at West Mill had been opened to traffic on May 10th when a traction engine passed over it. There was an application by Stafford Allen to convey a heavy boiler over it weighing sixteen tons. It was decided that Stafford Allen would do so at their own risk.

August 20th 1910

At an inquest on Samuel Brett aged 66 a labourer of Bunkers Hill, Cavendish, it was stated that Mrs Brett the wife of the deceased had found his body in a pond in Hill Barn Meadow. Witness said her husband used to go to the meadow as there was a colt there. Suicide.
September 3rd 1910. Frank Cornish, Walter Denny and George Nunn, labourers of Lawshall were summoned by Horace Jackson a milkman of Liston for having assaulted him at Long Melford. Complainant said he was employed by Mr A.V.C.Lambert of Liston and part of his duties was to convey milk in cans to Sudbury station on Sunday evenings. He was returning with his wife and children on the day in question, on passing Brundon Lane a waggonette was partly blocking the road and a man on a bicycle was with them, he tried to pass them but could not for a while, the man on the bicycle made a foul expression. The waggonette passed him near Rodbridge corner and witness and witness called to the man on a bicycle who had made the foul expression asking why he had called him such names, seven men got out of the waggonette and attacked him, he had to go to the doctor for a cut face and bruises. Emma Jackson corroborated her husbands evidence. Denny pleaded guilty and was fined £ 1 and £ 1 costs.
The other defendants were dismissed. The chairman said it was the most cowardly attack before the bench for some time, four men attacking one.

September 21st 1910

At Haverhill sheep sale, rams from the Exors of Mr C.S.Ewer of Foxearth were found new homes in Huntingdonshire at an average of nearly £ 4-2s 6d, the price of £ 5 was twice given for lambs sired by Foxearth Persimmon.

November 26th 1910

Joseph Oakley an 18 year old labourer of Long Melford was summoned by Lieut Lacy Scott of Bury St Edmunds, Adjutant of the 5th Battalion, Territorials, Suffolk Reg., for absenting himself from the annual training camp. To pay £ 1-3s with 5s 6d costs.

December 3rd 1910

An inquest was held on the death of Albert Jeffries of Deptford who died as a result of injuries received while building the new bridge at Rodbridge. Charles Jeffries, deceased's brother said he and deceased were employed by Messrs Holloway Bros.of London and were working at Rodbridge where a new bridge was being built. On Tuesday afternoon they were driving a pile by a mechanical pile driver, whilst moving the 2 ton " monkey" the wire caught on the second platform, deceased said " I will soon clear it", he went up and cleared it, as it was going clear it hit him on the shoulder and flung him in the air, as he was coming down he hit his head on the driver. Henry Furness who is lodging at the White Horse, Long Melford, said he was foreman and as far as he knew the machine had no defects. Accidental Death.

December 10th 1910

Newton road chalk pits was the scene of a sad accident on Friday when Charles Felton aged 30 years was buried under a landslide. The pit is about 60 feet deep and Felton was on the lowest level, he was filling empty baskets when part of the high cliff about 40 foot above him fell and buried the poor chap. Mr P.Jordan, owner of the pit was summoned immediately and a large gang of men with shovels and picks were soon at work, when darkness fell lanterns were used. On Saturday morning work was abandoned owing to the danger of other falls.
Digging was resumed on Monday at 4 p m and deceased's skep was found, work was carried on by lamp light till his body was found. The body was conveyed to the Mauldon Grey on a police stretcher. It was estimated that 100 ton of chalk fell on him. Accidental Death. A sad feature of this accident is that Felton's own father was killed in a fall of earth in a pit in the town about 26 years ago.