May 1913

Swat That Suffragette!

Pestilent Women Cause Alarm and Destruction in Dundee
Dundee Suffragettes are on the move again, and are planning more trouble and damage if one can judge from a number of letters which have been sent out, purporting to come from a traitor in the camp. The women keep their own counsel in mapping out their nefarious schemes and guard their secrets will, but evidently one of the chosen few has been appalled by the possible consequences of enthusiasm run riot, and has given the show away.Throughout Dundee a number of letters were circulated warning selected victims of what was intended. The addresses and text of the epistles were written in a disguised hand, and convey little by which it would trace the author. The words were printed, and much care had evidently been taken in the work, for each was a very neat piece of penmanship, the letters being small, but perfectly formed and uniform.

Included in the various objects of attack were certain Club billiard tables. To damage those would be a very daring achievement, considering that there are generally people about, but the Suffragettes are apparently capable of trying anything.

At least one tennis club has been threatened with the destruction to its courts, which so far have escaped the attention of the women in Dundee and a watch will have to be kept, for the “furies” fully mean to carry out their fell designs in this direction.

The most serious threat of all, however, was a scheme which would have been as despicable as it was daring. The warning in this case was directed at gentlemen connected with Dundee shipping affairs, but who has no direct interest in the class of boat which had been singled out for the attack. Accordingly he handed the letter to the proper quarters, and consulted Mr William High, who suggested that the matter be placed in the hands of the police. This was done and enquiries are being made by the authorities.

The letter was brief and to the point, and, like all the others unsigned. It stated that a raid was contemplated on the Dundee trawlers while in the harbour and added, further, that one of them was to be blown up. The writer stated that the warning was given in confidence, and advised the recipient not to speak about it, or to make any inquiry as to his (the writers) identity, but to be on guard for eventualities.

It would be a tolerably easy matter to get on board any of the trawlers when they are in dock, for it would not be a very difficult matter to evade the vigilance of the night watchman or police owning to the darkness in that part of town and the many means of hiding on every hand. Possibly the woman had that in view when they arranged the affair.

Tay Bridge Disaster Recalled

By Death of Diver Who Searched for Victims
A memorable Scottish disaster is recalled by the death at a ripe age of heroic, manly, old Harry Watts, of Sunderland, known to all and sundry in his native town “the diver”.

As a diver Harry was very prominently in the public eye when he was called upon to perform a perilous task, and a gruesome one – to search the railway carriages buried by a gust of wind into the river from the Tay Bridge. His job was highly unpleasant one, owing to the heavy tide, the muddy state of the river, and the mass of wreckage amidst which he had to work, and the diver nearly lost his life.

While he was entering a first-class carriage an obstruction tore a hole in his diving dress. He gave necessary signal, and was at once pulled up, but a great deal of water had got into his dress before he reached the surface. It was a narrow shave. But Watts was not the man to be daunted even by an experience of that sort. He was one of the bravest men in the profession he had adorned since infancy.

A Garden Fete

Will be held at
Ashcliff, Perth Road, Dundee
(By kind permission of Sir George and Lady Baxter)
On
Wednesday, 18th June 1913,
In aid of
St John’s (Cross) Parish Church
Bazaar particulars later.

Money, Shares, Investments

Dundee Harbour
The Trustees of the Harbour of Dundee are prepared to receive, at Whitsunday first, loans for a period of years, as may be arranged, bearing interest at the rate of 3½  per cent per annum.

Apply to: Harbour Clerk or Harbour Treasurer, Harbour Chambers, Dundee.

Blouse Exhibition

The display of ladies blouses –
In lawn, voile, silk, delain, ninon, “casement”, cambric – is unique
Both as regards style, quality, finish, price.
We extend a cordial invitation to view the stock.
Wm. Hunter & Co., Wellgate, Dundee.

Her Majesty’s Theatre

Mon, May 5th – last week of the season
Mr Geo Waters Co. in the farcical fantasy
“The Dust of Egypt”
From Aldwych Theatre, London
Box Office (Messrs Paterson) 10 to 5. Tel 795.

Dundee’s Champion

Chic Wallace Captures Featherweight Title
There can be now two ways of it – the amateur is making rapid strides in the matter of popularity. The face was again in evidence at the decision of the Scottish National Association’s finals last weekend, for accommodation was at a premium.

The featherweight title went to Dundee by the aid of Charles Wallace. How is it that the jute city cannot breed a few more men who could make their mark in the fistic world? The success of Wallace should go a long way towards popularising the sport in his native town. The lad showed infinite promise, being well made physically, and the carrier of a decent thump.

Wallace was all over Harry Walker from the first bell, precipitating a vicious mid-ring rally. Walker seemed as wild as a hawk, Wallace stood up, and at last put into play the blows he said months previously would win him the title. There were absolute straight rights and lefts to the face, holding the Springburn boy off, smashing him back, and making his blows wilder than ever. Wallace made many attempts to bring disaster to his opponent, but was frustrated only by the latter’s energy. The well-timed strategy of Wallace was one of the main features of the contest. Some of his blows appeared likely to effect the much-desired consummation. However it wasn’t to be, and he won easily on points. The bantam-weight bout was, according to my reckoning, the finest of a good night’s show.
“Chic” Wallace, who brought the Featherweight Championship to Dundee, is a Stobswell lad.

Bellman’s Budget

The attitude of Broughty Ferry regarding annexation is ludicrous. But is it also serious and it is with the latter aspect that I am most concerned. A feeling of soreness at defeat is natural and excusable, and I am not grudging them a reasonable time to get over that, but to take a stand and say definitely and determinedly, as they have done, that they are to challenge the decision of the House of Common’s Committee in the House of Lords is coming it too strong.
Unanimously their Town Council decided on Thursday night to carry the matter to the Lord’s. So there you are.

Elmgrove Sold

Elmgrove, West Ferry, the residence of the late Miss Jean Muir, has been purchased by Colonel Howard Hill, Dundee. The price paid is about £400, the feu-duty amounts to £55 and possession will be obtained at Whitsunday. When the house last changed hands the price was £1500.

Standing in its own grounds of two acres, and consisting of five bedrooms and three public rooms, the house has been in the market for private sale for some time.

Finnan Haddocks

Cut haddocks into suitable sizes, cook in as much milk as is necessary to cover them. When done, put fish on a hot dish and thicken the milk with a little flour, add pepper and a piece of butter, boil up this sauce and then pour over the haddocks. If liked a dust of grated cheese may be added and is considered to be an improvement by many. Mrs Harvey, Glasgow.