October 1928
Sleeper Service from Dundee - L.M.S. Innovation
The LMS Railway Company inaugurated a 3rd class sleeping car service from Dundee on Monday, when a coach was attached to the 9.20 am train from the West Station to London Euston.
Accommodation is provided for 28 passengers, a good proportion of the berths being allocated to Dundee, the remainder being distributed among the various intermediate stations.
When not in use as sleeping berths the compartments are used as ordinary 3rd class carriages, the process of conversion occupying but a few seconds.
The upholstery is very comfortable, while special attention has been paid to avoiding draughts without affecting the ventilation system.
Folding steps attached to the side of the compartment can be used either as a means of reaching the upper berth or as a table.
Horse Bolts
A horse, the property of Robert Scott, milk salesman, 25 Lilybank Road, took fright while standing in the court at 63 Albert Street, but it was brought to a standstill by the off-side wheel striking a stone pillar. The whole outfit capsized. The horse was uninjured, but the body of the van was damaged.
Broughty's Branch Library - Opening Ceremony
It was intimated at a meeting of the Dundee Public Library Committee on Thursday - Mr A Malcolm in the chair - that the new library at Broughty Ferry would be officially opened on 24th October, 1928 by Mr J.C. Buist.
It was reported that the leak in the ceiling of the Lochee Branch had been rectified. Some time ago complaints were received that readers were being troubled by water dripping from the floor of the public wash-houses above.
The Albert Institute lectures are to be continued during the coming winter, and a sub-committee was appointed to draw up a syllabus.
Enveloped in Flames - Woman Severely Burned
A 76 year old Dundee woman, Lily Thomson, who resides at 11 West Port, lies in the Royal Infirmary in a very critical conditions as the result of severe burning injuries sustained in her house yesterday morning. Mrs Kerr, who occupies the house below, had her attention attracted by a noise on the floor, and on running upstairs, she found the old woman in her nightdress, which was enveloped in flames.
Stewart Lonie, another neighbour, also arrived, and, tearing off her burning nightdress, he wrapped his coat round the woman. Miss Thomson was able to explain that she saw a live cinder fall from the fireplace, and had risen from bed to put it back in the fire.
In doing so her nightdress had caught fire. She was removed to the Infirmary in the ambulance van, and is suffering from shock and burns, particularly to the legs.
Dundee Public Libraries
The new branch library and reading room at Queen Street, Broughty Ferry will be opened on Wednesday 24th October at 3 pm by J.C. Buist, Lord Provost High, Chairman Public Libraries Committee, in the Chair.
ALL CORDIALLY INVITED
Application forms for membership cards will be issued on and after Saturday, 20th October, an early application is required. Ratepayers, residenters, and those employed or at school within the city are are eligible for membership.
More Women than Men - City's Voting Strength
The register of voters for Dundee, which has been compiled by Mr A.H. MacFarlane, Registration Officer shows a total of local government electors of 73,862 an increase of 1,514.
Of this total 33,659 (45%) are men, and 40,203 (54%) women, the former having been increased by 778 and the latter by 736 since last year.
There are 81,658 Parliamentary Voters - an increase of 1,434. Of these 44,366 (54%) are men and 37,292 (45%) women, the respective increases being 676 and 758.
Washing Hairbrushes
Hairbrushes should be washed frequently, and the correct way to do this, so that the backs of the brushes are not damaged, is to fill a basin with cold water and add a little baking soda or ammonia. Tip the basin sufficiently to allow the brush to be swished up and down in the water without wetting the back. Rinse in clear water, shake vigourously, and stand on its side on the sill of an open window to dry. Never wash in hot water or allow to lie on the back when drying.
Signs of Christmas
Signs are not wanting that Christmas is in the offing. Outside a prominent city store this week could be seen stack upon stack of the ever-popular "crackers" while in nearly every shop window one sees placards exhorting us to order our Christmas goods now. Not a few messengers, too, are beginning to announce their arrival by ringing the door bell, so that the householder, will not be surprised at the "gift" time by this usually neglected duty.
Are you aware that
Stobsmuir was at one time a piece of barren land, and was about a mile and a half outside the burgh boundaries?
From time immemorial the town held fairs and markets upon it, levying tolls and customs upon goods and animals sold at them in aid of the town's funds. In that way the town acquired or claimed a right of property in the muir or of servitude over it. Disputes arose as to the proprietorship, and litigation was threatened.
An amicable arrangement was, however, reached, under which the muir was apportioned between the disputants, but it was not until about 80 years afterwards - in 1845 - that the town received a formal conveyance of it under a special Act of Parliament in 1831. The burgh boundaries were extended and the muir was thereafter within the bounds of the city.
It is surmised that the name "Stobs" may have been derived from the fact that a wooden (or "stob") cross stood on the site of the muir. The fair held there was known as Stobs Fair.
This fair gained an unenviable notoriety as a place where lawlessness was rampant; indeed, the chronicles of those days state - "This fair has always concluded with a list of broken heads, and too frequently with a list of killed and wounded".
A tragic event occurred at the fair in July 1809, when a pitched battle took place between a recruiting party of the 25th Regiment of Foot, then stationed in Dudhope Castle, and some artillery soldiers. The soldiers used swords and bayonets, and the populace stones.
A young man was struck so violently with a stone that, though he was able to go home, he expired the following morning. The soldiers did not escape scatheless, as two of them were carried from the field in a state of unconsciousness.
A melancholy tragedy occurred in 1824 when a band of infuriated men, armed with clubs and a hatchet, attacked a number of young masons. John Allan, one of the latter, was killed when his brother ran forward to see if he could be of assistance he was also knocked down. John Allan was buried in the Howff.
About 1830 the fair was removed to ground in Strathmartine Road, which came to be known as Fairmuir, and the carnival was continued until 1883, when the late Sir John Ogilvy of Inverquharity, Bart., generously gave over the fairmuir to Dundee to be used as a recreation park.
Noted Band's Visit to Dundee - Caird Hall Concert
The famous St Hilda's Bank is to pay its first visit to Dundee tomorrow, when it will appear in the Caird Hall. This combination possesses a record unequalled by any other brass band, as on five occasions it has won the world's championship, while it has also gained 90 first prizes, 12 challenge cups, and over 200 special prizes.
The band, which has been honoured by five command performances, is under the conductorship of Mr Hubert Bath, himself a well-known composer. After listening to this talented combination, hearers will be in a position to judge whether Sir Thomas Beecham's outburst on the decadence of music is justified.