25 YEARS AGO

BRITAIN'S postal service was thrown into chaos today as many districts were hit by a complete walk-out. In the Bolton area officials of the Union of Post Office Workers claimed 100 per cent support for the strike call, both among postmen and day staff at the telephone exchange. But thousands of "hello" girls throughout the rest of the country defied their union and went to work as usual. 50 YEARS AGO

A READER calls attention to an incident that happened in Bolton in 1872, and which is recounted in "The Romance of Madame Tussaud's". A certain colour sergeant in the American Army, with the intention of proving the strength of the friendship of Englishmen towards the USA, made a wager of 100 dollars that he could carry the Stars and Stripes the length of England without it ever being insulted, indeed, that everywhere it would be heartily welcomed.

He started his pilgrimage from Sark Bridge on the Scottish border, and "his progress was a continuous ovation". At Bolton, the flag-bearer was given a pair of clogs and a live turtle dove to take back to the American President, and was carried along Bradshawgate by an applauding crowd.

The Bolton Evening News of November 14th, 1872, states that "there was more handshaking than we have ever seen bestowed on any person. If the bearer is rewarded all along his journey as he was at Farnworth, his pockets will be filled." 125 YEARS AGO

LAST evening a beautiful tea and coffee service, in solid silver, was presented to Richard Haddock, Esq., of Westhoughton, as a testimonial of the esteemed regard in which he is held by his friends and fellow parishioners, and also as an acknowledgement of his handsome gift of a peal of eight bells to the church of St Bartholomew, in that township. TURKISH, Russian, and Vapour Baths, for Rheumatism and Colds; Sulphur and Mercurial Baths for Cutaneous Affections. Most comfortable Warm or Cold Water Baths. Shoesmiths Bath Establishment is acknowledged to be second to none in the provinces for comfort and efficiency. - Baths, Bridge-street, Bolton. - Advt.

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