1891 Cottagers' Garden Society Show
From Lacey Green History
This event is listed in Social Snapshots up to 1899 inc
The following report is taken from The Bucks Free Press, Wycombe, Maidenhead and Marlow Journal, Etc :-
Three Men Killed by Lightening and Others Injured. Article found by Dennis Claydon
The first show in connection with the Lacey Green Cottagers' Garden Society, which was held at Grymsdyke (by kind permission of the President, John Forrest Esq.), will probably be remembered by everyone in the village and neighbourhood for many years to come, for it was the occasion of a fearful fatality, which brought the proceedings to an abrupt conclusion. This was the death of three men by lightning, and the injury of three others.
The weather in the morning had been wet and gloomy, but as mid-day approached the sky gradually cleared and for a time the weather was bright. This lasted until about three o'clock when the sky became heavy with gathering clouds. Shortly after this time rain fell, but not heavily.
A cricket match had been arranged and one innings had been completed, but besides the cricketers there were comparatively few people in the grounds. When the rain came on some obtained shelter by standing under a tree near a bee tent, whilst others stood near watching the preparations for a bee lecture. As they were standing thus a vivid flash of lightening was seen to pass in the direction of the tree. A terrific thunder clap followed. A number of the persons standing there were felled to the ground, and when others ran up to them, they found three were dead and three others were insensible. This caused consternation among those present, and after the unfortunate victims of the deadly fluid had been carried away, a consultation was held and it was decided to abandon the enterprise, and to give the prizes at some other time.
Of the three men whose lives were thus brought to such an unexpected termination, George Adams, sen.,was the oldest. He leaves a widow and six children to lament his loss. He was a labourer in the employ of Mr. Poulton, and was generally termed "The Sunday morning postman" he having delivered the letters at Mr Forrest's and at other residences on Sunday morning for some years. He was a member of the Committee.
Mr. John Eggleton, who had taken an active interest in the Society and whose name appeared on the schedule as its treasurer was another victim. Mr. Eggleton was a single man. He was highly respected and looked up to, a Guardian of the Wycombe Union, and a very useful man in many local capacities. He lived at Wardrobes Farm, Loosley Row.
Henry Bowler, of Speen, was the third victim. He was a single man, and was the son of Mr. John Bowler of Speen.
Of the three men injured one was Mr. Henry Baldwin, who had come down to lecture on "Bees and beekeeping" from the British Beekeepers Association. The others were Mr. Thomas Ward, single man, of Speen, and Mr. Ernest Ward, of Hampden. Their injuries were considered to be most serious, and as quickly as possible medical aid was secured.
The unforeseen event cast a gloom over the whole village. The report of the Inquest that was held following this event is printed below the show results at the bottom of the page.
THE SHOW. There is very little to say in respect to the show itself. As the first show the exhibits must be termed successful. The schedule comprised 47 classes, and these had attracted 150 entries. The vegetables were particularly well represented, the potatoes and peas especially producing some fine exhibits. Fruit was also well represented, whilst garden and cut flowers, though not bringing a large number of entries, yet produced some fine specimens. The classes of honey brought some good samples, and the lace and bead work were well done.
The exhibits were displayed in a large tent, and proved to be a very interesting collection. The management was in every way excellent, and every credit is due to the Secretary Mr. R Harman, who worked very hard in order to bring the enterprise to a successful issue, and to the Committee. It was anticipated that a thousand people would have attended the Show had the weather been more favourable, and that the show would have been successful in every way, but the sad occurrence happening as it did at a time when there were but comparatively few in the grounds and the decision to close the show necessarily caused a considerable loss. We are informed that there is sufficient money in hand to relieve the Committee and managers from responsibility. The judges of the vegetables and fruit classes were Messrs. T. H. Mason (gardener to Mr. McNorton of Surrey), and Mr. A. Ayres (gardener to the Rev. John Graves of Bradenham).
THE PRIZE LIST for VEGETABLES :-
Best kept and cropped Kitchen Garden------------------------1, Jabez Smith; 2, Fred Rixon; 3, Simeon Smith; Extra, W. Plumridge
Best collection of Vegetables--------------------------------------1, G. Floyd; 2, W. Plumridge; 3, G. Smith
Best collection of Potatoes, 9 each of 4 varieties------------1, J. Williams; 2, E. Rixon; 3, F. Rixon
Best collection of Kidney Potatoes, 9 each of 3 varieties--1, S. Smith; 2, J. Saunders; 3, W. Turner
Best 12 Potatoes of one Variety----------------------------------1, T. Redrup; 2, J. Williams; 3, T. Hickman
Best bundle of Rhubarb of 5 sticks------------------------------1, T. Hickman; 2, T. Redrup; 3, H. Janes
Best dish of Peas of 40 pods--------------------------------------1, S. Smith; 2, G. Adams; 3. F. Floyd
Best dish of Broad Beans of 20 pods---------------------------1, F. Turner; 2, T. Redrup; 3. F. Currell
Best 3 Cabbages-----------------------------------------------------1, F. Currell; 2, W. Brown; 3. G. Adams
Best 9 Carrots---------------------------------------------------------1, T. Redrup; 2, F. Currell; 3. J. Smith
Best 12 Onions spring sown---------------------------------------1, W. Plumridge; 2, F. Floyd; 3, G. Adams
Best 12 Shallots------------------------------------------------------1, E. Thorne; 2, S. Hickman; 3, G. Adams
Best single Cabbage------------------------------------------------1, J. Smith; 2, C. Clark; 3, W. Turner
Best single Cauliflower----------------------------------------------1, J. Williams.
Best 5 Turnips---------------------------------------------------------1, F. Rixon; 2, F. Turner; 3, J. Williams
Best single Red Cabbage------------------------------------------1, G. Adams sen.; 2 G. Floyd.
Best bunch of Parsley-----------------------------------------------1, F. Floyd; 2, J. Claydon; 3, S. Smith
Best 3 heads of Celery----------------------------------------------1, J. Smith; 2, G. Floyd; 3, S. Smith
Best 3 Cabbage Lettuces------------------------------------------1, S. Smith; 2, T. Redrup.
Best 2 Cos Lettuce---------------------------------------------------1, W. Turner; 2, S. Hickman.
THE PRIZE LIST for FRUIT
Best 3 separate varieties of Fruit, each dish of 1lb---------1, T. Redrup; 2, B. Janes; 3, J. Williams; Extra, W. Turner
Best dish of Gooseberries of 1lb----------------------------------1, R. Stevens; 2, W. Plumridge; 3, W. Turner; Extra, Geo. Adams
Best dish of Black Currants of 1 lb--------------------------------1, W. Turner; 2, B. Janes; 3, H. Janes
Best dish of Red Currants of 1 lb----------------------------------1, B. Janes; 2, T. Redrup; 3, F. Rixon
THE PRIZE LIST for FlOWER GARDEN
Best filled and kept Flower Garden-------------------------------1, G. Floyd; 2, R. Stevens; 3, W. Brown; Extra, G. Timms
Best Window Garden-------------------------------------------------1, J. Saunders; 2, G. Floyd; 3, R. Stevens; Extra, G. Dormer
Best 6 pots of Flowers distinct varieties-------------------------1, C. Clarke; 2, G. Dormer; 3, G. Floyd
Best 3 pots of Geraniums-------------------------------------------1, J. Ginger; 2, G. Baker; 3, D. Ward
Best single pot of Geraniums---------------------------------------1, J. Saunders; 2, B. Darvill; 3, J. Ginger
Best single pot of Fuchsia-------------------------------------------1, G. Dormer; 2, G. Timms: 3, C. Clark
Best single pot of Musk----------------------------------------------1, K. Gomme; 2, G. Adams sen.; 3 G. Adams jnr.
THE PRIZE LIST for CUT FLOWERS
Dahlias 4 varieties----------------------------------------------------1, W. Brown
THE PRIZE LIST for HONEY
For the best six 1lb sections----------------------------------------Equal 1, W. Gibbons and E Anderson; 3, J Claydon
Best six 1lb bottles----------------------------------------------------1, E Anderson; 2, J. Claydon
THE PRIZE LIST for LACE
Old Bucks Pillow Lace Edging over 2 inches wide------------1, Mrs M Lacey, Loosley Row
Old Bucks Edgings under 2 inches wide-------------------------1, Mrs J Bowler; 2 Mrs E Tomkins; 3 Mrs E. Turner; h.c., Mrs R Gibbons, Mrs J Currell, Mrs A Floyd A special prize of 5 shillings will be given by Mrs Forrest for the best piece of Old Bucks Lace, consisting either of Handkerchief Borders, Edgings, Insertions, & etc.
THE PRIZE LIST for BEAD WORK
Bead Work of any kind in black or colours-----------------------1, Mrs Burrows; 2, Daisy Burrows; 3, Lizzie Williams; Extra, Mrs George, Amy Hickman, Elizabeth Davies
THE INQUEST. The inquest took place shortly after four o’clock in the servants hall at Grymsdyke on Tuesday afternoon.
The Coroner for the District, Mr G. Fell, presided, and the jury were as follows ; -- Messrs. George Stratton (who was chosen as foreman), William Poulton, Peter Floyd, R Harmen, G Dormer, J Kirby, W Turner, Free Chilton, W Plumridge, R Stevens and G. Timms. Having been sworn the jury proceeded to view the bodies which had been placed in a room in the outbuildings. The features of the face were not distorted in any way. Adam’s face was discoloured, as was Bowler’s neck. The latter’s left hand also bore evidence of the electric fluid having passed over it, being slightly scorched. Mr. Eggleton’s hair was scorched at the crown and in the direction of the spine, and Bowler’s and Adams’ hair was similarly, though less distinctly injured. Apart from these things , their appearance was perfectly natural.
Some of the jury also visited the cherry tree under which the fatality happened. The tree was a good-sized one but there were no signs of anything unusual having taken place.
Witness Statements. Having reassembled in the hall, the following evidence was added ; --
George Eggleton said “I have seen the body lying in another room and I recognise it as that of my brother John Eggleton. He was a farmer and was thirty-four years of age on the 11th of this month. He lived at Wardrobes Farm”
Mary Ann Adams said “I have not seen the body. My husband’s Christian name was George Adams. He was 42 years of age and was a farm labourer”.
John Bowler said “I am the father of of Henry Bowler. I have seen the body. It is that of my son who was in his twenty-third year. He was a benchman (a chairmaker)”.
John Forrest said “I live at Grymsdyke, Lacey Green. There was a fete in my grounds yesterday , at which John Eggleton, George Adams and Henry Bowler were present. I did not see the accident. John Eggleton came to me from the tent to my smoking house. He gave me his bag and pipe, mentioning that there was money in the bag for distribution afterwards. He said it was safer in my house than it would be in the tent. He went away with me and as it was raining at the time, he put on his mackintosh. He left me and went to see what the score was. The next thing that I heard of him was that he had met with an accident and I went down to the cherry tree and found him dead. On the opposite side of the tree was the body of George Adams. He was dead.
The Foreman asked---“Then they were not all on the same side of the tree?”
John Forrest replied ---“They were not then. People were holding them up”. “I heard the thunder and saw the flash. They were simultaneous, and seemed to come from the direction of Bledlow. Mr Eggleton locked the bag which he gave to me , and which I now produce.
George Cheshire said: “I was present yesterday at the fete at Grymsdyke. About three o’clock I was standing near the bee tent, in a straight direction with the cherry tree. A gentleman came out of the bee tent and went straight to the tree. I kept an eye on him and when he had got some distance I thought he knelt down. I looked through the netting of the tent, and about fifteen yards away I saw something open like a ball of fire, about twenty inches from the ground. The flame seemed to be about twenty inches in extent. As the fire opened it went like a flash. It seemed to open and seemed knock them all down under the tree. I saw them all fall this side of the tree. I heard the report directly after. I believe they were on the ground when the report came. It seemed to be as loud as a cannon going off. I saw the bodies afterwards, and I knew the persons that had been killed. I don’t think either of them breathed after they fell. I had not heard any thunder earlier. I am not very deaf. I did not see Bowler until they were about to move his body. I heard no further thunder. As far as I could see the lightening did not hurt the tree.”
The Foreman asked --- “Can you tell the Jury how many persons were knocked down?”
George Cheshire replied ….”I could not say. It seemed to knock all of them down”
The Foreman asked …”You know they were all on one side?”
George Cheshire replied … “Yes, it was on the side near the bee tent.”
Henry Septimus Bott said ---“I am a surgeon practising in Risborough. I was sent for yesterday to see the people injured by lightning. I found John Eggleton, Henry Bowler and George Adams dead. I have made a superficial examination of their bodies, with the result that I found marks of burns upon them, so as leave no doubt their deaths were caused by lightening.
The Foreman asked – “Is it right that the fluid came out through Mr Eggleton’s watch?”
Henry Septimus Bott replied---“No. His stockings were burnt and his watched was singed.”
No More Needed --- There were several other witnesses present, waiting to be called, but the Jury expressed themselves satisfied as to the cause of death. One of these witnesses was Thomas Ward, one of the three men that had been injured.
PC Thorn produced the hats the deceased persons were wearing at the time. That worn by Mr. Eggleton was a white cricket cap with light-coloured stripes. The seams of the outside material were torn apart at the back, but the lining was uninjured. Bowler’s cricketing cap was roughly torn apart from the edge to the centre, whilst Adam’s hat, a soft felt one, was scorched and had a small round hole in the crown, and the lining was injured. One of the Jurers said all the caps smelt strongly of burning.
The Coroner, in addressing the Jury, said he thought that it was a very painful to have to come there on such a melancholy errand as that. It seemed an awful dispensation of Providence that these poor things had been struck down in the way they had in the bright summer time, but it was God’s will that it should be so, and they must bow to it. It was their melancholy duty to inquire into the cause of death, and the cause of death was a palpable one. There were not only the witnesses they had had before them, but there were others struck down by the lightening which was seen by all around. There was no doubt that the death of the three persons had been caused by the electric fluid , and he thought that their only verdict could be that death was caused by a visitation from God, as it did seem so when people were killed by lightening.
Mr. Stratton said thought the verdict should be “killed by lightening”
The Coroner said that would be a proper verdict, but thought “Visitation by God” most suitable
Several Jurers thought the verdict should be “killed by lightening” and this was recorded.
Mr G Eggleton gave his fee to the widow of Adams as did also the Jurers.