25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, September 23, 1975

MOURNERS on their way to Farnworth Cemetery are being forced to wait under a by-pass bridge while vicars and undertakers sign the burial register in the back of a mini-van. Under local government reorganisation, Farnworth Cemetery office has been shut down, and vicars have to rendezvous with a council official under the bridge on the approach road to the burial ground. The Rev. Ernest Osman, vicar of St Peter's at Farnworth, said today 'Its an embarrassment and undignified.' He said the signing took place there to avoid getting the register wet if it is raining.

BOLTON'S Ken Jones became Britain's first national Monopoly champion in a close-fought two-hour contest at Grosvenor House, London, today.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, September 23, 1950

BOLTON gentleman (widower) would like to meet a lady of good address, genial companion, aged about 56 years - all details treated in confidence, to Box 16124.

This advertisement appeared in the Bolton Evening News this week. It brought into the box number some 200 replies from women in Bolton and district. The man who inserted the advertisement was Mr Harry Walton, 6, Avenue-st., Bolton, who, after his wife died, felt extremely lonely, and in need of a companion. When he received so many replies, Mr Walton felt some concern that there should be so many lonely people in the town who might need companionship and friendship.

As a result, Mr Walton feels that an association of club for lonely people might be formed in Bolton.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, September 23, 1875

SIX men were hanged on the 3rd inst. at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Eight men had been sentenced to death at the previous sitting of the Federal Court, but one was killed afterwards while attempting to escape, and the sentence of the other was commuted to imprisonment for life. John Whittingham killed a neighbour with whom he was riding in the country, and was caught by the murdered man's son while rifling the father's pockets. Daniel Evans, who was scarcely 21 years of age, had been a highwayman for three years, and murdered a man with whom he was travelling, after which he had the temerity to return to the settlement in the dead man's clothes. While being sentenced he laughed in the judge's face.

Edmund Campbell, a negro, in company with his brother, 14 years of age, and Frank Butler, murdered a man named Moss, with whom they were at variance. Butler and Campbell were both sentenced to death, but the former, in attempting to escape, was shot dead. James Moore was a professional horse thief, highwayman and murderer. Smoker, the Man Killer, a Cherokee, borrowed a man's gun and shot him with it, but was seen by some neighbours, who, although unable to stop the execution of the crime, gave evidence upon which its perpetrator was convicted.

S.W. Fooy, a quarter Cherokee, killed a man while they were travelling together, and his conviction was principally owing to this having in a weak moment confessed his crime to a woman he was intimate with, but who subsequently quarrelled with and betrayed him.