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'£ >* .«•>' PUBLISHED ON THE OCCASION OF
&f)e f ubt'lee of tfje purgj| :l 18904940 •
"MM&m^M^^ >. FORTUNE
A HOUSEHOLD NAME FOR SEVENTY YEARS
SUPPLIED THE NEEDS OF COWDENBEATH FOR THREE GENERATIONS
tw**± In the Front
for 68 Years
i.STAm.ismn is 7 s
Gent.*s Tailors •:- HIGH -STREET
LAD1ES" SELF-TAILORED COATS & COSTUMES SUITS CUT AND MADE ON THE PREMISES LARGE VARIETY OF READY-TO-WEAR COATS UNSURPASSED * MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP SUITS AND GOWNS
DRESSMAKING DEPARTMENT WITH REPUTATION Iliis is the outside of (Jowden heath's most Modern Hotel
You are invited -to see the inside
Only the Best Supplied
Proprietor ROBERT LOW
Established 1897
SPECIALISTS
IN
Furniture , Hardware, Radio and Cycles
High Street and Stenhouse Street FOULFORD ARMS
COWDENBEATH'S
ORIGINAL . . PUBLIC-HOUSE
Established over 70 Years Ago
STILL A POPULAR HOME FROM HOME
OUR JUBILEE Alexander Muir
1890. ESTABLISHED Stfnlicr aufc
A. GREIG & SON (Confectioner
Furnishing Ironmongers 317-319 HIGH STREET High Street COWDENBEATH
We still hold a large Stock of Goods not subject to The Finn with the good Purchase Tax. \
Your inquiries and orders will be esteemed reputation for. (Entering \ Telephone : Only the Best can No. 2135 Cowdenbeath
Produce the Best SYDNEY BINNING and the Best can he had
from PLUMBING. HEATING AM) SANITARY ENGINEERS JAMES WOOD « SON ELECTRIC LIGHT FITTING
/inkers ;tn The "Fountain" that THIS IS THE DAY OF SPECIALISTS never goes dry . . . vn; siMiciAi.isi: in LADIES' and THE CHILDREN'S GOODS Fountain Bar • Large Selection of Broad Street CHILPRUFE Mrs MARY SNADDON J. CONDIE Proprietrix 241 HIGH STREET BULK BUYING SHARPS FOR SERVICE YOU'LL GET MEANS IT Our 30 assistants at our Cowdenbeath CHEAPER and Kirkcaldy shops you will find are CHEAPER SELLING homely, courteous and willing. They HERE will do their utmost to make your shopping a real pleasure. You can also be assured that your money will buy more at SHARPS. Particularly this is true more than ever to-day because the extent of our suppliers covers the British Isles affording us unlimited scope in securing Stocks at Correct Prices. 'Phone COWDENBEATH 2 112 THE KEEN DRAPERS J. & R. SHARP & CO. "THE KEEN DRAPERS'' HIGH STREET .(At station), COWDENBEATH And at 290 HIGH STREET (Port Brae end). KIRKCALDY Our Stocks are varied and consist of Men's Wear. including Dress Wear & Working Garb: Moleskins. Dungarees. etc.; Ladies' Wear; Children's Wear; Infant's Garments; Household Goods; Smallwares. etc.. etc.. all at Keenest Prices and in Great Variety Our advice to our Customers is BUY TO-DAY as Stocks are selling fast and are SHARPS SHOP only replaced with great difficulty, coupled with the fact that Prices are still rising. HAVE SHARPS For a sovereign we will give you to-day ALWAYS 40 - worth of goods. SHILLINGS For £1 you will receive 20/- worth of REASONABLY goods, but shortly for £1 you will only receive according to to-day's value, approx- PRICED SAVE imately 10/- worth of goods. BUY NOW AND SAVE STOCKS ! r WALLPAPERS PAINTS ENAMELS VARNISHES Go To It FERGUSON PAINTS THEY KEEP ON KEEPING ON THE FIRM WITH GOOD MATERIALS AND SOUND CRAFTSMANSHIP Alex. Ferguson & Son PAINTERS AND DECORATOKS Phone 2103 210 High Street, Cowdenbeath " Where Granny did her Shopping. 1 Yes! We have been serving our fellow townsfolk since the founding of the Burgh. We trust to merit the continued support offuture generations and hope when the Centenary comes to he able to say not only Granny but six or seven generations of satisfied Customers hare dealt with us. ULLAN' CHNTRAL STOkIN S M 18 STATION ROAD DRAMA COMEDY ARCADE CINEMA COWDENBEATH Monday to Friday (incl.) continuous from 5.45 p.m. Saturday, Two Houses, at 6 and 8.30 p.m. Always something New and Entertaining at THE ARCADE INTEREST TRAVEL After Years A. Westwater Fifty STILL THE SAME FIRM Athletic Outfitter Hardware and China Merchant Commercial Hotel HIGH STREET * STILL THE SAME NAMI- The Firm with a seventy years' Alexander Campbell reputation for sterling worth and efficient service History of Cowdenbeath BY ROBERT HOLMAN Pl.'ULISMEn ON tiii: OCCASION Ol- THE JUBILEE OF THE BURG 1890- 1940 IH NTCUMI.INI:: I. II. MACK 1 1: Ov:' CO.. I.TIV 19 4 1. Cowdenbeath from North-West. 0- \Vo History Cowdenbeath »> 11 ] of Preface by PROVOST YOUNG " I have been privileged to sec an advance copy of the H-' ]tory of Cowdenbeath." While I was looking forioard with interest to lea Like the rest of the inhabitants. I had no idea that Cowdenbeath had such an interesthig history, and. as Provost of the town with many years' experience in municipal work. I must congratulate the pioneers on their splendid work which laid the foundations of the excellent town we have to-day and of which we have just cause to be proud. The life of Cowdenbeath from the formation of the Burgh 50 years ago has been one of steady progress. I am quite sure that a large number of these books will find their way across the Atlantic and to all parts of the world w)iere Cowdenbeath natives have made their homes, and to those I send tlie greetings of tfie town on tiie historic occasion of f/ic Jubilee of the Burgh. Like the rest of you. I deeply deplore the circumstances which have prevented us from celebrating the Jubilee of the BurgJi in the Difliiiici befitting such an occasion, but my message to-day is one of encouragement and strong hopes that soon the War will be over and, in celebrating our national victory, we may still have an opportunity to carry out our local Jubilee celebrations. May tliat be very soon- JOHN YOUNG. Cowdenbeath, April 1941. Provost. k History of Cowdenbeath AUTHOR'S NOTE Now that the History of Cowdenbeath is an accomplished fact, I wish to express the great pleasure I have experienced while collecting the material for this work. On reviewing it, I have only one regret to voice. I would have liked, had I been permitted to have dealt with, individually, many more of the outstanding characters of the village and town whom I have been privileged to meet in my lifetime—nearly all spent in Cowdenbeath. These include the different Provosts of the town, includ- ing the " Big-hearted Geordie Penman," Jimmy Murray the barber (the local poet) and all the others who have helped to brighten the town. I feel also I should have specially referred to the outstanding personality of Mr George Terris, who surprisingly found the time outside of his multifarious duties to do so much good anonymously for the community. Outside of the list of men in public life I have always been impressed with the many modest personalities lying in Beath Churchyard whose lives could easily be associated with the beautiful passages in Gray's " Elegy." I just mention one I can easily picture in my mind—an old white-haired lady, long before the introduction of district nurses, who went about the town nursing the poor and needy sick. Her only call to her self-imposed duty was the knowledge that some poor person was sick and needed nursing and attention, and her only reward was the knowledge that she had done something to relieve pain and to stretch out the hand of sympathy in this practical manner. I have met this dear old lady at all hours of the night and in all weathers, and I have on many occasions raised my hat to her as she passed me on her errands of mercy. Her name—Mrs Hunter, Union Street. This dear old lady and others I met years ago were the remnants of a beautiful trait found in Cowdenbeath in its mining village days. It was very pronounced in the " miners' raws," and of which a writer has written truly : — " In cases of sickness, death, or accident, the latter in a mining com- munity, coming upon them at a moment's notice, a sympathetic neighbour is a friend indeed, and it is to her the afflicted one goes for sympathy in the full knowledge that she will not be denied. Should one be sick the other will send her daughter or go herself to ' tidy up her hoose/ make the meals, and attend to the general comforts of both her and her family. In time of mourning and sadness she also mourns, and is a great comfort in an afflic- tion, her kindly words and tactful disposition opening out a means of relief to the bereaved. " In time of rejoicing— a birth, marriage, or a christening—a next door neighbour is of great assistance, and enters the spirit of the event as much as the woman herself. Her household effects and her labours are given with a spirit of ' neeborliness ' knowing well that such services will also be returned in her time of need." In closing I wish to thank all those ladies and gentlemen who have placed necessary information at my disposal, and I feel I must mention the Rev. G. P. McWilliam and those officials of the Town Council and Parish Council who have so unsparingly given me their assistance. it "! )•' >H I.* 13 p History of Cowdenbeath VISIT OF QUEEN VICTORIA Her Impressions words which mean Queen Victoria passed rived from two old birches," and this interpre- WHENthrough Cowdenbeath on "valley of has been accepted to the extent her way to Balmoral, just tation birch tree finds a place in the before the introduction of that the of Beath Secondary School. the railway service, she did badge Another conjecture is that the word appear to be favourably impressed not " " an estate, and this is the village and its beath means by the appearance of that so many be sur- strengthened by the fact surroundings. One can scarcely neighbourhood end beauti- place names in the prised that the change from the Steven- Forth area in " beath," such as Meiklebeath. ful surroundings of the River Halbeath. and country sonsbeath, Leuchatsbeath, to the marshland and moorland names should Swintonsbeath. Certainly, the of the West Fife mining area give of Swinton, Stevenson and Meikle have created such an impression. were owners sur- the impression that these In these bleak and unpromising small estates which bore their names, the village of Cowdenbeath of roundings be assumed that Cowden- out of the midst of and it may was situated, but, small estate owned by untiring efforts ot beath was once a H: these, it has, by the " elected repre- a man named Gowden" its inhabitants and their to its present state 01 sentatives, arisen EARLY DAYS. prosperity and importance. Although, mis- the ordinary course of events, in did Cowdenbeath come into have been made and many laud- How takes In Blaeus Map of Fife, pub- frustrated by reason of existence ? able schemes is marked it lished in 1654, Cowdenbeath inexperience and lack of foresight " Beth." It can therefore be chronicled that much good has as Cowden must be granted that there was a place accomplished and many note- taken for been at that date, but the prob- to a successful of that name worthy schemes carried earlier ability is that it existed at a much issue. extent period. This is borne out to some mistakes in by the many geographical ' DERIVATION OF COWDENBEATH. of the map. For instance, ».large sheet at the foot of Hjum as to the origin of water is shown Opinion is divided as several hills It is a Beath, which appeal's the word "Cowdenbeath." time of the was de- named Hills of Bath. At the common belief that the word t'£, yi?X&£t~:> -'U^-- &*+? A -o., u/, r 14 History of Cowdenbeath Reformation, and the Protestant activi- site has been handed down verbally ties which preceded it, a conventicle was through the generations. ,. held on Hill of Beath, so that it can be taken for granted that there was only Early Britons one hill, not several as seen in Blaeus map, and this conventicle was held in the reign of Henry VIII. of England, who HISTORICAL FINDS. reigned from 1509 to 1547. It is quite possible, however, that the sheet of But there were inhabitants here be- water at Hill of Beath may be meant for fore the Roman Conquest, as proved by the small pond we have always known the burial urns found on Cowdenbeath as the Bleachfield Pond, and the "river" golf course in 1928. There were shown on the map may refer to the in all five such urns, all of which had small burn that leads from it to Loch- been buried so near the surface that gelly Loch. If this is so, it only streng- each one had been broken at the top by thens the contention that the map was a plough-share. They were in such a badly drawn, as Bleachfield Pond does condition, however, that two of them at not lie at the base of the Hill of Beath, were re-made and are now Cowden- beath after being on exhibition in a nor has it the dimensions of a loch, and the size of the small burn that flows museum in Glasgow and Kensington in London. from it past the new sewage works is Museum much exaggerated. A church is shown According to two Archaeologists. Mr at Lumphinnans situated near the River Ludovic Mann, of Glasgow, and Mr Ore at about the vicinity of No. XL Lacaille, of London, they relate to Colliery. The River Tay is named Tay a period before the Roman Age. Fluvius, but it was called the River Tay Mr Mann stated that they were long before 1654. From these and other the burial urns of a race who indications in the map, it is thought that entered Scotland from the North at a Blaeus, who was a Dutchman, must have time when the only habitable grounds reprinted his map from a much earlier were highlands. They lived at different one. places for several years before migrating When the actual name of Cowden- Southwards, and at each place they v beath came into being is not known, but made a cemetery, always of the same shape, a round piece of ground it is thought it originated when turnpike sym- roads were first made and that it marked metrical in shape and fifteen yards from the spot of an inn and later of a toll- any point on the outside to the highest house erected in the seventeenth point in the centre. This measurement century. was tested by Mr Mann and was found to be correct. He further explained that ROMAN CAMP. the body was cremated on a fire of wood and what was left of the bones was Who the earliest inhabitants were is a placed in the urn and covered with a very hard auestion to answer. Accord- Dart of dried goatskin before it was " buried. urns clay, ing to Fife : Pictorial and Historical." The were made of " a battle was fought here in ancient and before they hardened in the sun's times between the Caledonians and the rays they were ornamented by placing Romans, in which the latter were driven dried grass in a pattern round the top. from the field. The site of a Roman When the clav was hard the dried grass Camn has been traced at a short distance was removed. A stone hammer, with to the North-West of the Parish of indentations for the fingers, fashioned Beath." It is generallv considered that to represent a human head, was also that refers to the old golf course on found nearby. Dr J. H. Veitch, of Cow- Leuchatsbeath, though that can hardly denbeath, was an interested spectator on he described as North-West. It could the occasion of the visit of Mr Mann and be more appropriately described as Mr Lacaille. North-East, although there is a common The following year Mr Lacaille. in his belief that at one time Beath stretched address to the Archaeological Society, much further East, and in that case the stated that the find had been one of the description would be correct. The story most interesting archaeological discover- of Leuchatsbeath being a Roman Camp ies in recent years. T History of Cowdenbeath 15 the relics. This is a photograph of some of or copper article had been buried with On the left and right are two shards bones in an urn, and the presence of or sepulchral urns often described as the pitchstone an " interesting Urns- The one on the left con- the Arran Cinerary travel in the bones of a female indication of commerce or tained the cremated pitch- late Bronze Age, for although and a young person, while the one on stone implements have already been the right contained the cremated bones noted from the Eastern Counties of Scot- of a large person, probably a male. In of land this is the first recorded example this urn was found a small fragment locality North of the Forth." secondarily worked olive coloured Arran from a box pitch stone, seen on the top of the COWDENBEATH AN INN AND CHURCH. the bones found in containing some of In a very early Gazeteer Cowdenbeath urn on the the urns. In front of the disposed of with two words, and hammer head was right is the quartz they were: " See Lochgelly." The only of a human fashioned into the shape information in that was that Lochgelly than head. . , , importance , ^ must have had more experts, includ- Various archaeological Cowdenbeath at one time, which, in a from Poland ing a Professor of History way, brings out some of the truth of the Keith, F.R.S., Hon. and Sir Arthur old couplet which runs something like of the great import- F.S.A.. Scot., speak this: — find. ance of the "Lochgelly was Lochgelly when of History states that The Professor Cowdenbeath was a pup, relates to the Neolithic the cemetery will be Lochgelly when 3000 years B.C. to Lochgelly Age which was from petered up." opinion that the Cowdenbeath is 1800 B.C., and is of the hammer head was an idol of some holy The word "petered" is inserted here that period, and of great his- man" of sake, and Cowdenbeath Others maintain that for politeness' torical value. Lochgelly boast in the cemetery will never admit the there are indications that Lochgelly had Bronze Age, such as that last line. How long was in use in the embracing Cowden- crust on a frag- the great honour of the presence of green local some brass beath in the matter of giving it a ment of bone indicates that a — r 16 History of Cowdenbeath of habitation is only a matter of conjecture, top of the Hill, the crater an exfmct of the but, in the next edition of the Gazeteer, volcano, associated with many con- Cowdenbeath had a space all to itself. Rev. Jacob Primmer's Protestant last and be- Certainly it was not long, for it only venticles at the end of the stated that Cowdenbeath possessed a ginning of the present century. It was dignitaries hotel and a church. Not much, but still well known that the church of the military, to it gives something to go on with. First had the support meetings, and on that of all, there was a church, although not suppress such in an appear- the village, so that it must have been occasion the military put in How- Kirk of Beath, which not only was the ance in the midst of the service. to one only church for Cowdenbeath but for ever, the military, according gumption the whole of Beath Parish. statement recorded, had more than the church dignitaries and the ser- vice was allowed to go on without molestation. By this time, the Stewarts or Morays, who own a great deal of the land in Beath, had settled down at Donibristle. The first to come was Sir James Stuart, a direct descendant of Robert, Duke of Albany, who obtained a charter confer- ring upon him the lands and barony of Beath in 1545. The next year his son, James, was appointed one of the Canons of Inch Colme, and in 1590 his son, Henry, followed him. He was the younger brother of the Bonnie Earl of Moray, who was murdered on the lawn of Donibristle House and who, according to the song written about him, " was too guid to dee." The Bonnie Earl had suc- ceeded to the title by his wife, the eldest daughter of the Regent Moray. The Charter which gave to Sir James Beath Church Stewart the Barony of Beath is actually dated 1543, and was conferred on him for a very large sum in connection with repair of the monastery lately Beath Church is of great antiquity. the from England We have information that the first Beath burned by the enemies Kelty, the Church was built in the Thirteenth Cen- the lands belonging to Baith, Craigbeath, occupied by John tury on or near the site of the present lands of occupied by John Church, which was built at a later date, Orrock. Kir Baith. Bathillocks, Hilltoun, but very little is known about Church Drummond, (which later became Shiels), affairs until the Reformation years- Schelis and Nethertown. Actually twenty years previous to the Eastertoun, Mourtoun thereof, Reformation the leaders in that move- Coalheughlandis, with the coals Bererage. and Mill of r ment met at Beath Church to discuss occupied by John mill lands and multures the spread of Protestantism. Beath with Before the Reformation. In the Seventeenth Century the Re- thereof." Dunfermline, and in formers were still carrying on, and it is Beath was under was appointed recorded that a great gathering of Pro- 1574 Alexander Steven at a stipend of £16 per testants was held on Hill of Beath— Redaire of Beath prominent reformers meeting that was attended by people year. One of the in this district at that time was the Rev. from all over Fife. It is known that the lived an adventurous speakers that day included two famous John Durie, who the Pro- men—Rev. John Blackadder, the ejected life in carrying out his fight for In 1573 he was translated minister of Traquair, and the Rev. John testant faith. was imprisoned for Dickson, who was removed from his to Edinburgh, and making an attack on the Royal family. charge at Rutherglen. The meeting was admonished, he was banished held in the well-known hollow at the Though History of Cowdenbeath 17 from the city- The people demanded his time. However, while the original return, and he had a triumphal entry to buildings of Aberdour and Dalgety still Edinburgh as a result. His connection stand, the Church of Beath fell into sixteenth with Cowdenbeath is that he had a pen- ruins in the middle of the following sion of " sixty six pundes thirteen shill- century, and we are told that, other ings and fourpence " on the surety of the Reformation, while all and rents in the Parish of Beath. This pen- churches in Fife had been planted neglected sion was granted by Robert Pitcairn, grew, poor Kirk of Beath was the Commendator of Dunfermline. and lay desolate. TERRIBLE RECORD. PIONEER MINERS. We are told that, on Sunday, instead minister or, as he Why a Dunfermline Commendator of meeting to hear the " and old could give away these sureties on Beath was called, pastoure," young the "Lorde's Daye" lands was something hard to understand assembled and made mirth. At these meet- until a charter was found, granted in one of profane " '" " appeared, and 1572 in connection with a " coal-heuch ings a pyper sometimes " Sautin " on the by the Commendator of Dunfermline so strong a hold had that went as far as to dance Abbey to Sir William Douglas of Loch people many only so, but the Leven. The monks of Dunfermline and play football. Not " fell out and wounded were pioneer miners, as is well known, men sometimes neglected, and worked on outcrop seams in Pitten- one another." The church was a result, are told that the crieff Glen away back in the thirteenth and, as we pre-reformation church became century. Not only so, but it is very original and became a interesting to know from the charter in frequented by nomads question that they had as well for many shelter for sheep. years drawn coal from a mine at Kelty. PRESENT CHURCH ERECTED. UNCHARTED MINE AT KELTY. Tli is is a terrible record for the early Cowdenbeath people, but here Kelty coal Several years ago an uncharted came to the rescue, and we find that a mine was discovered at Kelty in the Mr Alexander Colville, belonging to Brick- vicinity of the present Blairadam Blair at Kelty, became tired of such work. It was found by workmen who scenes of debauchery and drinking in were digging for clay for the brickwork excess on the Sunday, and when he was at a depth of about 20 feet. They came " stirred by the Lord " he convened a across a narrow roadway about 3 feet meeting atKelty to consider the rebuild- broad and 3 feet high, along which it was ing of 'Kirk of 'Beath. He found this in quite apparent the coal was carried very difficult, as the people in the Parish the dark, the person carrying the coal were so poor; but he found many being guided by a ledge of coal left for farmers, however, who gave the use of that purpose on the left hand side, so horses and carts free for the carting of that while he or she (probably a he, if stones from neighbouring quarries and the coal was worked by the monks) others who gave their labours to the carried the coal with his right hand and Committee, so that in a few months the directed himself with his left. The reconstructed building was opened. Then shaft of that pit, if there was a .vertical there was a great revival, and so many shaft, was never discovered. In all people came from far and near, even probability it was only an incline and " out of every citie." that there was diffi- course, emerged at the surface and, of culty in providing a preaching place for was filled in during the course of time. the pastor- Thus we have that much to thank Kelty for. FIRST BEATH KIRK. History Church The date of the first Beath Church is of also that of Aberdour and Dalgety Rorr or Churches, as the charters were granted At this time the Rev. John .by the Bishop of Dunkeld at the same Row of Carnock, mentioned in thft \ 18 History of Cowdenbeutli records of the Kirk Session of Beath, minister until 1870, and in his place took a great interest in Beath Church came the Rev. A. C. McPhail, who was and had Beath created a separate minister for six years. The Rev. John ecclesiastical Parish, disjoined from Sinclair was the next minister, and he Aberdour and Dalgety in 1643. But the preached until his death in 1915. He Rev. Robert Bruce, minister of Aber- was followed by the Rev. A. J. S. Dickie, dour, Dalgety and Beath, was not too who was translated to Cambuslang in enthusiastic, for though he had neg- 1928. The Rev. Mr Marshall was only lected Beath very badly, he refused to minister for a year, and in 1929 came the surrender any of the endowments con- present minister, the Rev. G. P. nected with Beath. We find him in 1646 McWilliam. applying to the Estates of Parliament for the ratification of the document of 1637, placing him in charge of the three kirks and entitling him to constant stipend, teinds, fruits, rents and emoluments. He was successful, but the people of the Parish rose to the occasion and raised £1500 to provide a stipend for the minister, the Rev. Mr Smith of Culross. We sometimes wonder if the holding of a bazaar, whist drive and dance, raffle tickets or football sweepstakes (seeing that they played football on Sunday pre- viously) were the means of getting that £1500, for we read that the population of the Parish of Beath in 1801 was only 613, and only rose by 116 in the next twenty years. It is feared that further records of the Church have been lost, until a minute book of Beath Kirk Session commences in 1691. It begins with the ordination of the Rev. Alex- ander Steedman on 9th June, 1691. In the second minute, that of a meeting held the same month, the names of Rev. Dr Fergusson, Beath Churcli. David Dewar, Lassodie, John Stevenson of Stevensonsbeath, and Hutton of BEATH KTRK SESSION AND RELIEF OK POOR. Hilton appear. This is very interesting, as it associates the well-known Laird The Kirk Session of Beath did more Dewar with Lassodie and also gives an than look after the interests of the indication of how Stevensonsbeath, a church—they looked after the poor of part of Cowdenbeath, got its name. It the Parish and paid out poor relief prior is very unfortunate that the writing and to the passing of the Poor Law Act of spelling of the session clerk in these days 1845- From the records, it is very appar- is so difficult to decipher that much ent that the payments to the poor only valuable information is lost. provided for a bare sustenance, a matter However, in a later book we can trace of a few shillings per week in some the ministers of the church from 1798. cases and less in others. In that year the minister, the Rev. James Reid, died on 24th March, a gentleman THE BERRY BEQUEST. who left behind him some interesting information about the church. The Rev. Another very interesting book in the James Hutton followed on 16th August, possession of Beath Kirk Session is the 1799, and he died in 1811, and the Rev. Minute Book of the Berry Bequest, a Thomas Millar was ordained in 1812. fund to which many of the successful The next minister was the famous Dr natives of Cowdenbeath have been in- Fergusson, who was ordained in 1815, debted for the education that fitted them and who was minister of the church for their present positions. There is a until 1866. The Rev. Mr Hogg was pathetic touch in the pretty story' of the History o/ Cowdenbeuth 19 r foundation of that Bequest, which is not and removed by means of a trestle hoist, generally known. Heading between the the rope going through the stone and lines of the legal phraseology in a will fastened on the under side, and it re- that constitutes the Bequest, it is mained there until the danger of learned that a certain Francis Berry and "snatching" was past. The two "safes" his wife, Jean Currie of Moss-side, Cow- have disappeared, but the fiat stone is denbeath, had a son, John Berry, who still to be seen near the church. In was a student of divinity. He was their addition to the above precautions, the only son, and their hearts were set on graves were guarded by armed farm his becoming a great preacher; but that workers, who kept watch for several was denied them by his untimely death. nights at the churchyard. Just before his death he recommended " his parents to set aside part of what KIRK ROAU AND KIGHT OK WAYS. they were possessed " as a fund for edu- Parish. The cating certain poor of the The fact that Beath Church supplied this request parents willingly acceded to a very large area v/as responsible for the of their son, and on the death of many "kirke roads" coming into exist- Be- survivor of them in 1828 the Berry ence, roads that form rights-of-way to- poor quest came into existence. Many day; but several have been lost. One children were given free education at such road was from Lassodie, and Cowdenbeath School and Kelty School entered upon the Old Perth Road about fees were at Cantsdam, and when school a hundred yards North of the Church. abolished other children received fees Another was from Lumphinnans direc- High for their education in Dunfermline tion right through the present Public assistance School and, in some cases, Park of Cowdenbeath. That has been University. to be educated at Edinburgh lost .for want of being used. Another The money for the Bequest came from kirk road from Aberdour Parish crossed property feu-duties and rents of house Broad Street at the old Bleachficld. Part Street and in Lochgelly, where Francis of that road is used to-day, although the bene- Berrv Street are named after slightly altered, at Moss-side Colliery. factors. The last meeting of the Berry Another right-of-way brought about by in Loch- Bequest Committee was held being a kirk road was thought to be that gelly on 1st March, 1885. and after from Fordell. and took the track of the in date the administration was placed Fordell Colliery railway from the centre Board and, the hands of Beath School of the village to the site of the Alice Pit (Scot- after the passing of the Education and joined the Moss-side right-of-way Fife Education land) Act 1918. to the in Broad Street. Committee. One tombstone—that of the Aitken family of Loch-head—points to the DAYS OF BURKE AND HARK. existence of a kirk road from that farm over a mile to the East of Cowdenbeath, and that may have been the right-of- connection with the days of Burke In way that passed Foul ford Pit. known as who robbed newly mede and Hare, the Fair Helen, graves of the bodies interred and took them to Edinburgh, Beath Churchyard has been spoken of as one of the places THOUGHTS OK THE POOR. to visited, and precautions were taken prevent body-snatching. For many In connection with that tombstone years what were taken to be two iron there is a very interesting story. This old coffins without lids dug up from the stone is a large flat one immediately to church vard lay near the old hearse the South of the Church. One of the house " These were not coffins, but were persons buried there was a Miss Aitken old-time " safes," and were of different of Lochhead, who ordered that a coffin invest- size, and one was placed over the hundred pounds be set aside for body- to hinder the work of the ment and the interest from the money snatchers. Another preventative was was to be taken to keep the grave neat on top walls the placing of a large flat stone and tidy, to keep the church and was very to of the grave. This stone gates in repair, and the rest was be heavy and was placed on the grave given annually to the five poorest per- History of Cowdenbeath 20 part of the mainder of the interest on the money sons in the Parish. The first carried now invested in war loans, after the instructions is being faithfully grave has been attended to, is given to there is no need for the second out, but in the Parish maintenance of the walls the five poorest persons part, as the persons of the There are always a number of and gates is now the responsibility claim to be the poorest in the County Council. The last part, too, is who lay Parish," states the Rev. G. P. McWilluim. being carried out, and each year the re- Inn and Old Toll Cowdenbeath 50 Years Ago, showing many o\ by a water wheel, and that the Inn men- driven There is no doubt farmers used to gel men- description of Cow- the smaller tioned in the brief his mill. On the death was the Cow- threshing done at denbeath in the Gazeteer the widow earned on. did not of Mr Brunton. denbeath Inn. That building popular hostess m the it She was a very where it does to-day. ot :i> always stand and was familiarly spoken of the road where village, was on the other side McLean and later as Eezie brun- Messrs Dicks Co-opei- Eezie taken the premises of her death, the hotel was stand, and previ- ton. On ative Institutions now McLean, her son. He George Bickerton. over bv Charles ously owned by Mr his.son, Mr \V.lum establishment at was followed by There was a posting was killed in Frame on acquired by Cow- McLean, who the rear, which was Armistice was signed m it the day that the denbeath Coal Company. Limited, and was old building ' was certainly an Hall, on the opposite side inns that stood Brunton's one of the many similar built by Mr Brimlou. and of the street, was main turnpike roads, Cowdei - on the side of subsequently acquired by one occasion it was and is recorded that on Society. It w^ " it horses when beath Co-operative scene of the changing of public moot m« the Balmoial. Brunton's Hall that the Queen Victoria coached to village into a ButjJ> was built by decided to form the on its present site, When the now The Inn. widow ™ 24th November 1890. Mr McLean, on whose death his Queensferry to .who also turnpike road from married Mr John Brunton the Innfiamjii the few Perth was constructed, owned Thistleford Farm; one of Before this timt\ threshing mill much in importance. fanner* to own his own History of Cowdenbeath 21 the road to Perth did not pass through It is true to state that great poverty was Cowdenbeath, but passed through Hill prevalent, and an old lady of Cowden- of Beath, Kelty and Maryburgh, where beath, who died many years ago, said it took a sharp turn, and thence to the that at this time poverty was so rampant Parenwell Bridge. It can, then, be that a large marrow bone was used on gathered that Cowdenbeath was made successive days to make soup in cottar much more important when the new houses. She got this information from North Road was made and passed along her aged mother, who resided for many before Broad Street and High Street, long be- v years at Kirk of Beath. This was fore Perth Road, as a street, was the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. thought of- The demand for the repeal of these Laws was taken up at Lochgelly, where ' VILLAGE OF CROFTS. a large procession was formed to come to Cowdenbeath. In the front was a aloft a There is every reason to believe that very large loaf carried by promi- " .Cowdenbeath was at one time only an nent citizen of Lochgelly. agricultural district, with numerous crofts and small farms. Besides Thistle- IRON ORE DISCOVERED. ford Farm, there were the farms of White Threshes, where D.C.I, restaurant The population of the Parish doubled itself ten years from 1252 is now situated; another was in Union in the next — in High Street to 2390—and the chief reason was the . Street; another was where the New Picture House now discovery of rich beds of iron ore at stands; and another where Armstrong's Cowdenbeath. joiner workshop is situated; another, called McNaught's Dairy, in Foulford PROSPERITY BEGINS. Road; another in the vicinity of Bowling Green Street, and another called Cow- About 1850 the Oakley Iron Company, denbeath Farm near the site of what is who had blast furnaces at Oakley, came now No. 7 Pit, where hunting dogs were on the scene- Shafts for iron ore were bred. sunk in the vicinity of the old Foulford for Little is known about Cowdenbeath in Washer. It was in the mining ore / the early days, but from the rapid de- that the discoveries of the coal seams crease in the population at the close of were made, and pits were sunk at every the eighteenth century it may be corner of the town. Prior to this, coal at Fordell for over a assumed that it was then one of Scot- had been mined land's slowly decaying villages. century, but the discovery of the coal seams at the depth they were found A DESERTED VILLAGE. came as a pleasant surprise, considering the dip in the coal strata at Fordell, and In 1790 a statement was made that the it was thought that at Cowdenbeath the population of Beath Parish had de- seams would be at such a depth as to be creased considerably within the orcvi- almost unworkable, but it was found " ous twentv years. This was not due to that the much condemned hitches," anv " epidemical distemper," for the instead of being a drawback had proved people were very healthy, but because a blessing, for the disturbance of the the coal seams to of the practice of laying out so much metals had thrown up level. ore ground in grass, by which means the a much higher Iron became farmers carried on their labours with less valuable because of the large quan- fewer hands than formerly. However tities found in Sweden, and coal gradu- an increase took place between 1821 and ally took its place. 1831 because of the additional number COAL PIONEER. of men employed at the collieries. Dur- AN EARLY ing the previous hundred years the copulation of the Jparish had increased One of the earliest pioneers in the coal a industry in this district was a John from 450 to 8296. ( This increase, to very large measure, referred particu- Syme of Cartmore (then known as Kirk- of coal moor), but little is known of him or his ^- larlv to Kelty. where the digging ventures. pits on the coal heughs had been carried on Small were opened out Cowdenbeath. at many places. There were two in the before it was started at L^Mj^i 22 History of Cowdenbeath vicinity of Jubilee Park, which were blocking all means of escape. The sunk only to the upper seams, and the alarm spread, and a rescue party braved " coal was disposed of by a " hutch way the dangerous task of trying to rescue to two different points in High Street their fellow-workers. They, too, were and carted to the various customers or trapped. A second rescue party was to the docks at Burntisland. Oakley formed from the hundreds of volun- Iron Company became a Coal Company teers, and they had just sent word to and their houses, which were on both the surface that they had come across sides of Broad Street near High Street some of the men originally trapped became homes for coal miners instead of when, all at once, there was another iron ore miners. By the time No 3 Pit surge of the moss, and they, too were was sunk, behind the present Labour cut off. The work of rescue went on, Exchange, the North British Railway and although some men were rescued, Company had come to the village and eight men lost their lives. Four of carried the coal for export to Burnt- these—George Hutchison, Alexander island and Methil. Smith, William Forsyth and D. Camp- bell—had been originally entombed, MOSS MORRAN DISASTER. while the other four were members of the first rescue party—William Hynd. One serious mining disaster falls to James McDonald, Thomas Rattray (a be recorded in the history of Cowden- member of Cowdenbeath Town Council) beath. It occurred in 1901 outside the and Andrew Paterson. Burgh boundary, when eight men lost In recognition of their bravery, in- their lives. scribed gold watches were presented by A number of men were working in a the Proprietors of the Daily Telegraph section of No. 12 Pit, Donibristle Col- to Messrs John Sneddon. John Jones and liery, at a considerable distance from Robert Law. Gifts of a hundred pounds the pit bottom, and their task was to each were given by Mr Andrew Car- make an outlet to the surface. When negie to these three men and also to Mr they were working about fifteen yards James Dick. and. in addition, all four from the surface they broke through were the recipients of a diploma and a into a bed of moss and peat. They were medal of the Grand Priory Order of the trapped by the thousands of tons of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in liquid moss that surged in upon them. England. fc Robert Law. Richardson. <$ KG History of Cowdenbeath 23 the roll was called, who were found missing ? Four of the original party of volunteers. This action portrays the true miner. Who in their class would not have done likewise?" NAME OF COWDENBEATH DECIDED. At the time when the coal trade started its boom. Cowdenbeath was divided into a few districts named after the various farms. One part was called Cowdenbeath, after the farm near the present No. 7 Pit. Another part was called White Threshes, called after the farm just on the Burgh Boundary on the Burntisland Road not far from the pre- sent Labour Club Rooms and Hall, better known locally as The Ritz. Another part was called Foulford. after the Foulford Estate, acquired later by the Cowdenbeath Coal Company, who took over the Forth Coal Company, known before as the Oakley Coal Com- Sheddon John pany. This district was in the vicinity of Union Street, and some distance to the East Foulford Pit was sunk. This men, only ex-Baihe Of these four pit was not very far from the original is the Law of Sheddon is alive. Law Foulford Pit which previously belonged Jones was a well- football fame, and to Lochgelly Coal Company and which Eighteen others re- known evangelist. later was used as an auxiliary shaft, for suitably inscribed. ceived a gold medal the new pit. There were, however, two the incident, A local author, referring to other districts—Kirkford. in the vicinity li Studies of the writes in Character of Cross Keys on the Old Perth Road, ":— In the forma- Miners of West Fife " and Moss-side, named after the farm character the environ- tion of a person's there. In consequence of the steady in- influence. This ment exerts a powerful crease in the population, caused by this the life of fact is strongly emphasised in development, the village was now family- His labour the miner and his assuming the proportions of a town, and his is of a perilous nature, and though it was felt by the inhabitants that the be apt to be speech and manner may time had come when the various dis- the qualities that pro- rough and ready, tricts should be under one name. conspicuous. A duce heroes are often A public meeting was called for this feature is the willing- very praiseworthy purpose, and, according to the late Mi- will risk his ness with which* a miner Archibald Hodge and the late Provost saving the life of a life in the hope of Marshall, the choice narrowed down to unfortunate fellow-workman. In such two names—Cowdenbeath and White Morran, Donibristle. disasters as Moss Threshes—and the former was the ulti- Beath, there was no need and at Hill of mate decision. Later, in 1890. when the to risk their lives to call for volunteers question of a name arose again at the unfortunate men to try and save the proposed formation of the village into in the former instance, when" especially a burgh, two names were mentioned chasm in a treacherous bog a yawning this time—Cowdenbeath and Foulford ' Abandon hope 1 was the only entrance. and again Cowdenbeath was decider in- — here ' seemed to be all ye who enter upon. scribed round that veritable gate of notwithstanding the fact death. Yet, FIFE COAL COMPANY ARRIVES. that experience taught them the great being worked very exten- risk volunteers vied with each other to Coal was surprise r effort to rescue the impris- sively at this time, and no wa make a last Cowdenbeath oned men. And when all was over and created when, in 1896. the r 24 History of Cowdenbeath Coal Company was merged into the Fife Place, Bridge Street and Burnside Place Coal Company. An older Coal Company —were employed by Lochgelly Iron and to be taken over by the Fife Coal Com- Coal Company, who owned the Raith pany was that of Donibristle, owned by Colliery nearby. It was the need for the Naysmith family of Donibristle, and housing accommodation for their work- this colliery, although it provided work men that was responsible for the Com- for the inhabitants of the village of pany building the houses that formed Donibristle, also provided work for a Arthur Place and Arthur Street. The large number who resided at Cowden- houses in Thistle Street mostly belonged beath. During this time most of the to a gentleman named Haliey, which miners who resided in the South side of was responsible for the street being Cowdenbeath—in Arthur Street, Arthur originally called Halley's Row. Photograph of veteran miners taken in 1896 at the merging of Cowdenbeath Coal Company with Fife Coal Company. Back Row— Jot- Walker. James Philip. John Hunter. Peter Dry lie. William Bi-\ ciUlnc. Front Row—John Cameron, James Mcnzies. James McGuirc. Walter Muirheail. John Miller. John Fnnl. new pit has been sunk, the minors' More Prosperity houses have been thrown down any old way near the pit. But this was not so YEARS OF THE BIG PEYS. at Cowdenbeath, on account of the fact that the village lined very important About seventy years ago the village main roadways. Vacant spaces in High became more prosperous. Much of this Street began to be filled up and extra increased prosperity was due to the houses were built in Union Street (Gar- Franco-Prussian War, which brought diner's Land) and Halley's Row. By about a great demand for coal. Miners, 1870, Cowdenbeath had begun to be in the days of the "big wages" often re- recognised as a centre, but it was a long ferred to by veterans of the coal mines, time before the inhabitants got over the had more money than they ever had, habit of looking upon Dunfermline as and not a few invested their extra their shopping centre. money in house property. Every Saturday the wives used to go It has often been said that, when a to the Old Station (then the only one) History of Cowdenbeath 25 and ask " a ticket for the toon," and the clerk knew well that " toon " meant Dunfermline. Shops, however, started to spring up, mostly owned by natives of the village. Seventy Years Ago OLD LADY DESCRIBES HIGH STREET. An old Cowdenbeath lady, who was born near the site of the present Town House, recalls the general lay out of High Street, the only principal street in 1870. Opposite her birthplace was the Diamond Row, so called because of the small diamond shaped slates on the roof. Foulford Street did not then exist, and two houses had to be knocked down to make the entrance when that street was formed. At the North end of High Street there was a licensed grocer's shop owned by Mr Robert Crawford, and there was nothing Mr A. Cavipbell further North with the exception of Mr brother had a baker shop almost next Ewan's property at Cressy Burn. Fur- door. Above the shop lived a well- ther down, at the present Co-operative known Cowdenbeath family by the Fruit Shop, was a little row of houses name of Penman. Mr Penman was a known locally as " Clapperbum." Mr prominent mining man, and was em- Kinninmonth had a shop here, and next ployed in sinking local pits. He spent door to it was Mr Wilson's tailor shop. his last days in the Station Hotel. Pitten- Not far away was the house of Mr weem. Further South stood the Com- Kinnell, who was for many years the mercial Hotel, owned in these days by street scavenger, whose wife, Betty, was Mr Sneddon, who sold the hotel to Mr a very industrious body and reared Alexander Campbell, senior. In Union "braw" pigs. It was also here that John Street the principal parties were Mr McArthur had the first butcher's shop. James Paul, the father of Councillor Nearby was the smith, Mr Lindsay, John Paul, who came from Kelty; fur- whose daughters had a baby linen shop ther down was a small dairy owned by for many years. relatives of Mr Gardiner, who built Gardiner's Hall; further INVENTED MOTOR CAR. down there was the grocer's shop of Mr John Car- michael. who used to know his custo- Mr Lindsay was succeeded by Robert mers as "the wife wi'.the white shawl" Cook, who in the early nineties took a or "the wife wi' the red hat"' and such great interest in the possibility of a titles were entered in his business book. motor car. He always maintained he Not far away was a house belonging to could make a car on rubber tyres to go the Davidson family, who later removed at a speed of at least twenty miles per to Union Street, when the different hour, but his great difficulty was the families occupied all of Davidson's law then existing that a man with a red Buildings. flag had to walk in front of any ' Beyond the railway bridge were mechanically driven vehicle. several small buildings owned by Mr Shand, and on that site was built the WELL KNOWN FAMILIES- present Gothenburg Public House. These small buildings were used for Miss Murray had the Foulford Arms, housing stores during the building of previously owned by Mr Christie, whose the Cowdenbeath to Perth railway. 26 History of Cowdenbeath Next door was the building for many to get a cart load of " draff " for his years' associated with the name of Mr cows from Auchtertool or the Grange Peter Mcintosh, one of Cowdenbeath's Distillery, as he had to pass this toll- early tailors, while nearby was the pro- house and also the tollhouse at Beverkae perty of Mr Glass, a painter. John was on the road, both going and coming. the son-in-law of the late Mr James Mrs Wilson, of Foulford Road, who Kirk, contractor, and while he never died many years ago, used to relate that charge of entered public life he was one of the relatives of hers used to be in town's strongest critics on social affairs. the Cowdenbeath Tollhouse, and that a horse In this vicinity was the photographer's certain young farmer with a good studio belonging to Mr Burt. This used to jump over the gate. This toll- building served a double purpose at one house became the barber's shop of a Murray. time, as it was here that the members local personality, Jimmy of of the Baptist Church met during the The first property at the South end time their church in Chapel Street was High Street was Thomson's buildings, Post beine erected. Mr Gardener from Dun- which accommodated the first as post- fermline ? ic bad a studio here, but the Office, with Mr A. Thomson best known was Mr Andrew Roxburgh, master. who was another very severe critic of the actions of the Town Council about EARLY POSTAL FACILITIES. the beginning of the present century. The Pollock family settled down on Previous to this, the letters for Cow- Loch- the North side of the level crossing. denbeath were delivered from The most outstanding member of the gelly Post Office by a postman named family was the mother, who for many John Malcolm,. who used to wait until a letters years carried on business in second-hand certain time before he collected with him furniture. She had several sons who from the village to take back round was a carried on business—one as a barber, to Lochgelly. His daily from another a painter, and one was a long one, extending all the way all Cowden- builder, while a daughter (Mrs Greig) Luchgelly. and included and the sur- was widely known as the proprietrix beath and Lumphinnans of a temperance hotel and caterer at rounding farm houses. nearly all the local "balls" and public GOT POST OFFICE. functions. Then there was the collierv HOW COWDENBEATH level crossing, with green fields beyond. there was a strong Then there was nothing until the col- As the village grew for a post office at Cowden- offices were reached, and then demand liery demand was came Gardiner's property and Gardin- beath, and the reply to the this could not be granted until a er's Hall, of which more later. Meikle's that of mail was despatched licensed grocer's shop came next. Here certain amount Cowdenbeath. The amount of Mr James Fortune (later Bailie Fortune) from required to get the post office served his apprenticeship before he took business established was stated in the official over the shop in the North End of the Then a subterfuge town. Meikle's shoo was later taken correspondence. the Post Office over by Archibald Hodge, who was an was resorted to to satisfy during a test week. The underground manager in No. 3 Pit. The authorities business went up by a very original Cowdenbeath Inn adjoined amount of extent within the next few weeks, these premises, but had been converted large the Post Office authorities were into dwelling-houses, which were after- and office was justified, wards taken over by Mr George Bicker- satisfied that a post Archie Thomson was appointed ton and converted into a tailor's and and If the Post Office authori- draper's shop. Cowdenbeath Coal Com- Postmaster. ties that time had placed a censorship pany's works, shops and stables adjoined of letters sent out from Cowden- and then came Cowdenbeath Station. on the beath they would have received a shock, On the other side of High Street was as many of the envelopes contained only the Cowdenbeath Inn and the old toll- used blotting paper and some This was one of the latest in pieces of house. nothing more collecting tolls. of the parcels contained the country to stop Many Cowdenbeath Mr McArthur, the butcher, used to re- than firewood. people during the test 'weeks suddenly late that it used to cost him eightpence History of Cowdenbeath 27 remembered receiving letters to which medicines, which they gave to the they had not replied, and— many were in miners and their families. the following lines : " Dear , Just a few lines to let you know we are POPULATION DOUBLED. trying our best to get a Post Office at Cowdenbeath." After all, the outlay After 1870 the population, which was was worth the extra stamps, and Cow- then 1,500, continued to increase rapidly, denbeath got a Post Office sooner than and actually doubled in the next twenty they otherwise would have done: Mr years. During this period wages of Thomson's father was a shopkeeper miners fell to about an average of 3/- who, after a short time at the Australian per day, but gradually improved until Gold Mines, returned and became the they reached the much discussed basic country postman, his round being the rate of 4/- in 1888. delivery of letters to the various farms. Eight houses of the Oakley Raws in UNEMPLOYMENT UNKNOWN. this vicinity were later demolished to make way for the new Co-operative There was always plenty of work and Store building erected in 1891. One of unemployment was unknown. Gradu- the four small houses near Paul Place ally, the town took a form and shape was occupied by the parents of Mr not so much by the making of new Andrew Wilson, who subsequently streets as the filling up of the gaps in became Provost of the Burgh. The;*e the existing streets. A few houses were two small houses on the South side appeared on either side of Foulford " of the level crossing called the High Road near the quarry. There is a story Blocks " although they were single to the effect that a father and sons storey in height. The Masonic Arms of started to build a house there on a Mon- to-day was The Vaults public-housa, day morning and had it practically owned by John Nicol. Further on to ready for occupation by the end of the the North resided the well-known Rbllo week. Stones for the house were taken family, a daughter of which family from Foulford Quarry. Building was married James Laing, who became very cheap, but sites in High Street second Provost of the town. Then came became more valuable as the demand the Diamond Row already mentioned, for business premises increased. where the Blarney family resided. One of the sons, Thomas, became one of the COWDENBEATH CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. most prominent social workers in the County of Fife and was Provost of the Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society Burgh. were amongst the first to foresee the advantage of erecting modern business BIRTHPLACE OF SIR HECTOR HETHERINGTON. premises. Dunfermline Co-operative Society had a branch at Cowdenbeath, It will be noticed in this description but a few co-operative enthusiasts of High Street seventy years ago that thought that the time had come to have there were no banks and no chemists' an independent store in Cowdenbeath, or watchmakers' shops. The first and negotiations were entered into with chemist's shop was opened as a branch Dunfermline Co-operative Society to shop by Mr Dow of Kinross, and the take over their branch, and in 1875 first manager was Mr Hetherington, one Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society was of whose sons is Sir Hector Hethering- established in that property now belong- ton. Principal of Glasgow University, ing to the firm of Peter Brand, Limited. and who was born in a house in Broad The first President was one of a well- Street. known Cowdenbeath family, Mr There were two doctors in the town. William Davidson, and Mr Alexander Dr Mungall and Dr Nelson, and patients Birrell was the first salesman. In 1878 had to go to Lochgelly for medicine. Mr William Paxton was appointed head Simple remedies, such as castor oil, grocery salesman. He was a personality Epsom salts, etc.. could be obtained from in the town, and much of the success " the numerous " wee shops in the town. of the Society at that time was due to The doctors, too, always had supplies his untiring service. The Society pros- of these simple remedies and other pered, and at the end of 1890 it was . Cowdenbeath 28 History of considered that larger premises were two employees received a gold watch necessary to cope with increased from the firm on completing 50 years' business and, accordingly, new buildings service. were erected on the other side of the Previous to this. Mr George Bickerton the town street in 1892. The opening ceremony had opened a draper s shop in Mr Davidson Mr Cowan was performed by Provost Henry Mun- on the site of the original Old Inn, and gall. further down Mr Gardiner carried on a Since that time, however, the Co-op- draper's business, which was augmented erative Society gradually prospered, and to-day it is one of the largest Co-oper- ative Societies in the country. FIFTY YEARS' SERVICE. In 1873 the late Mr John Forrest opened a small tailor's shop at the North end of the town on the site of a wood store presently owned by Mr J. B. Armstrong. Later he removed to the present premises in High Street, where business is still carried on by members of his family. Old John was a person- ality in the town, and he was the proud possessor of the first tricycle in the district. It is a remarkable fact that two employees each served fifty years with the firm. One was David Young. Davie was a personality in the town, and he had a very pleasant disposition and was a great favourite. Many are the stories related about Davie Young. The other employee was Mr John Cowan, who is still alive. Each of these David Young History of Cowdenbeath 29 " The Busy Bees." They were Alex- ander, Tom and Walter, men who did a great service in the musical and religious life of the town. By the end of the century, vacant sites in the High Street were being bought up at high prices and, in many instances, private dwellings were taken down and shops took their place. Not a little of the de- mand for shop accommodation was caused by the revelation in 1896 that there was a deficit of £6453 in the Co-op- I erative Society, and it was not until June 1898 that the confidence of the members was restored, but by this time the private shop owners had had an oppor- Mr Simpson tunity of establishing themselves. by his country trade. In 1892 Messrs Until 1890 the social services had William Low & Co. opened their branch been looked after by the Fife County shop in the town in a shop later taken Council through Beath Parochial Board over by the Cowdenbeath Co-operative and the Heritors of Beath, but the rapid Society, and the first manager was Mr increase of the population demanded a James Stormonth, took great who a much better state of affairs than interest in the social life of the town as existed. a member of the Golf Club and the Reading Room at the Level Crossing. DRUNK EVERY NIGHT. C This was followed by the ] opening of winter night. a branch of Dick's Co-operative Society. One Augustine Birreli. Limited, in Gardiner's property across then Member for West Fife, had occasion to to the street. The number of shops rapidly come his constituency with legal increased. Mr Barclay opened a shop his agent. He came in a in High Street, which was later taken cab. and in High Street lie asked his agent over by Mr D. O. Duff from Dunferm- what place they wore in. On being told it was line. Before this, Mr J. A. R. Finlay. a Cowdenbeath, lie remarked that if native of Kinross, had opened a tailors- he stayed in a place like that he would get drunk every shop next door. Mr Finlay also took .' night. If great interest in public affairs. He was Cowdenbeath appeared so bad to him through the windows of a a very keen sportsman—golf in the cab. summer and curling in the winter. By what about the position of the inhabit- ants had to feel their this time, Mr Archibald Gieig had who way through opened an ironmonger's shop near the muddy streets in the dark. The side- level crossing, while one of the early walks were only marked off from the grocer's shops was a branch of street by the kerb and channel, and Alexander's from Kirkintilloch. Long were even in a worse condition than the before the close of the Nineteenth cen- main roads. tury there were shops of every kind in " the town and the trek to " the toon MUD AND STOOR. for messages became a thing of the past. There were two seasons in the year, Mr T. Yule had also opened a chemist's one when there was mud and the other " shop, and Mr J. Moodie Brown had when there was stoor." It was not a established a watchmaker's business in rare thing to see a foot passenger leave High Street. The town had always a behind him or her a shoe on 'the side- good service of newsagents from the walk and had to hop back to retrieve days of " Hairry " Younger in School it or wait until some kindly disposed Street and Mr James Westwater in person retrieved it. Broad Street. Shops and houses, churches and halls, One of the early grocer's shops in the were lit by paraffin lamps, and moon- early 'nineties was that owned by the light came as a welcome blessing, for at Beveridge Brothers, known locally as other times the primitive lighting only Cowdenbeath r 30 History of well-known character made the darkness visible. It was a Will Fyffe, the pays a visit to the town stay-at-home village to a very large comedian, often the friendships he made in his extent, for there was no train from to renew Among those friends Dunfermline after nine o'clock. boyhood days. stand out Mr and Mrs Alexander Camp- Commercial Hotel. PENNY READINGS, ADMISSION 6d. bell of the The inhabitants had to cater for their own amusement for a long time after the formation of the Burgh. In the 'seventies and 'eighties Gardiner's Hall proved an attraction for a few. The hall, situated behind the present shop occupied by Harrison, Tailors, was a very small building erected by Mr Gardiner, a draper, but it had to be large enough for the annual " balls," and not only did the small building accommo- date the dancers, but provided room for the fiddler and even a small place set aside for refreshments. Then on Satur- day nights the hall was used for the weekly "Penny Readings," when local singers and concert parties from Dun- fermline supplied the programme. The price of admission to the Penny Readings was sixpence. There were several men who took turns to act as chairman, including the Rev. Mr Hogg, his successor, the Rev. A. C. McPhail of Beath Church, the Rev. Mr Johnman Bailie Duncan. and the Rev. Mr Anderson of the Free Church, the first church in the town EARLY CINEMA. situated in Factory Road. On one The last portable theatre at the North occasion a local comedian was singing End was a cinema belonging to Mr John a song about Noah when the chairman, he Slora, whose sons now own the Arcade a minister, intervened, saying that In the days long before the Noah too much to allow him Cinema. respected " stage at a Talkies," Mr Slora had his own to be the subject of a comic song such as the galloping of horses, concert over which he presided. Among effects, strong wind, or thunder, which were those who took part in. the Readings a supplied from the side very dramatic- were different members of the Davidson ally by Mr Slora, who later rose to the family, Mr George Terris, Miss Paul and of Bailie of the town. Mr Slora Mr John Beattie. Later, Mr John position was the gentleman who brought the Brunton built Brunton's Hall, and the cinema to stay at Cowdenbeath. In town had visits from travelling concert 1892 the Co-operative Hall was built, and theatrical companies. Among these after that the Arcade Hall was were Maggie Morton's Concert Com- and soon Yearly concerts were organ- Company, ^ with erected. pany and Rushbury's headmaster '* Mr Andrew Lindsay, evergreen Alone in London." ised by the Cowdenbeath School, the Choral Union, Periodically a " Geggy " or portable Cowdenbeath Minstrels and the Reading theatre came to the North End of the months. Room. . . had a run of several , Town and the North British Pierce and Bolton, In the late 'eighties Among these were lay son, Railway Company commenced to J. Bell, and lastly, J. Fyffe, whose but down the Perth Railway and Cowden- Will, often figured as an actor, beath had a large increase of workmen always in the laughable farce which the navvy type, and this introduced concluded each night's entertainment. of the "model" lodging-houses into the The prices of admission were threepence town and the " navvy " remained where and sixpence. " — History of Cowdenbeath 31 there was plenty of work for them in panions knew that Mungall • Mr had \.f the development of the town. The rail- coaxed him over. way was completed .in 1889, and the memorial stone in the bridge over High Street was laid with Masonic honours in April of that year by Mr Archibald Hodge. That stone is to be seen to-day, and though it is in a prominent place in the bridge, very few know of its exist- ence. A few years later the branch railway from Cowdenbeath to Kirkcaldy was made. It took several years to complete, and it provided work for the navvies who had made Cowdenbeath their headquarters. BEATH PAROCHIAL BOARD. By this time, however, Cowdenbeath had been formed into a Burgh. In the Autumn of 1890 Beath Parochial Board, who looked after such things as water and a few minor services in the town, had been perturbed about the lack of social services in the village, which had now a population of over three thousand. They met in the house of Mr John McArthur, butcher. They met in his best room, and not only did John give them the room, but generally at the close of each meeting he supplied the refreshments that gave the meetings a social atmosphere. Among those who met there were Mr Mungall, Mr Barclay. John McArthur. Mr Fortune, Mr Paul. Mr Laing and Mr Innes. John himself did not take part John had no wish for public life, and in these meetings as he knew his own though he allowed his name to go weakness, that of being a " contar forward as a candidate at the first man, and he might have interrupted the election ho took every opportunity to business too often. However, his con- advise the electors to vote for better trariness was merely superficial, for he men than he was. It was not surpris- was known to have a very kindly and ing, therefore, that he was not returned generous nature though always looked as successful. Neither was the non- upon by those who knew him to be return of Mr Archibald Hodge a sur- very strict in discipline and an upholder prise. The latter made very few public of respect to the older generation and speeches, but one is handed down as h those in authority. typical example of the man. It was an The members of the Board resolved election address and was as follows: that the time had come to form Cowden- " Well, if ye pit me in I'll be pleased, beath into a Burgh. John immediately but if ye dinna want me and dinna pit I opposed the proposal. Of course, no one me in I'll be better pleased." was surprised at his opposition, for which he later gave reasons, but when PETITION FOR TOWN COUNCIL. the petition to be presented to the Sheriff asking for the change over to a There was little difficulty in getting town council was posted in the colliery the Town Council formed. The petition office window, John's name was first on was first heard by the Sheriff at Cupar the list of petitioners. He was chaffed and then at Cowdenbeath (which name about his change of front, but his com- had been chosen in preference to Foul- History oj Cowdenbeath ford), and was proved to be a " populous with the advertisements calling the place with more than seven hundred meeting were produced. The fust inhabitants." Then in Brunton's Hall election took place in Brunton's Hall on 24th November, 1890, in the presence and there were twenty-two candidates, of Sheriff Gillespie it was agreed to and the successful ones were:—Henry form the Town Council with nine mem- Mungall, 244; James Laing, 204; Andrew bers. Michael Reilly testified that he Wilson, 177; Robert Ferguson. 171; had delivered the bills calling the meet- James Innes, 158; Charles Barclay. 143; ing, and copies of the "Dunfermline David Anderson, 139; James Fortune. Press" and "Dunfermline Journal" 136; and John Paul, 129. First Town ComtciL TOWN COUNCIL FORMED. The Council met for the first time on 15th January 1891, and after they appointed Mr Mungall as Provost. Messrs James Laing and James Fortune as Bailies. Mr George Terris was appointed Clerk and the meeting was adjourned. PROVOSTS AND TERMS OF OFFICE. Mr Mungall continued to be Provost of the Burgh until 1902. Mr Mungall was followed by the following gentle- men as Provosts: — Mr James Laing 1902-1905. Mr Andrew Wilson 1905-1908. Mr Charles Barclay 1908-1911. Mr Robert Marshall 1911-1914, Mr David Keir ... 1914-1917. Mr George Penman 1917-1920. Mr James Russell 1920-1927. Mr Thomas Blarney 1927-1930. Mr John King 1930-1933. Mr D. E. Walker 1933-1936.. Dr J. B. Primmer... 1936-1939. George Terris. Mr John Young 1939- History of Cowdenbeath 33 HONOURS TO GO ROUND. David Keir for many years conducted a successful boot and shoe business in the In the early years of his membership Burgh. Mr George Penman was origin- of the Council, a motion was submitted ally a miner and subsequently became by Mr David Keir and carried, to the the proprietor of the Masonic Arms effect that municipal honours should go public-house, where he conducted a round, and it will be seen that, after large business for many years. Mr Mr Mungall, no Provost, with the ex- James Russell was a miner and took a ception of Mr James Russell—who held great interest in everything concerned office for seven years—occupied the with the welfare of the mining com- chair for more than three years. munity. He was a lifelong abstainer and took an active and keen interest in COWDENBEATH PROVOSTS. temperance work throughout his life. Mi- Thomas Blamev was also a miner. For Provost Marshall. Provost Keir. The Provosts were drawn from all some time he was chairman of the Fife, classes of the community. Mr Henry Clackmannan and Kinross Miners' Mungall was chairman of the Cowden- Union, and from his early years has beath Coal Company and afterwards of taken a very active interest in industrial the Fife Coal Company, and was largely and social matters. He has been Con- responsible for the initial development vener of the Public Health Committee of the coalfield in the West of Fife. Mr of Fife County Council since the passing James Laing was originally a colliery of the Local Government (Scotland) surface worker and subsequently con- Act 1929. Mr John King was a eheck- ducted a grocer's business in High weighman and was for many years Street. Mr Andrew Wilson was a suc- chairman of the Board of Management cessful builder and contractor, and was of Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society, responsible for the erection of a very and did much for the success of that large number of buildings in the Burgh Society. Mr David E. Walker is a and neighbourhood. Mr Charles Barclay fruiterer and confectioner, and has con- carried on a successful joiner's business ducted a successful business in the in the Burgh. Mr John Marshall was Burgh for many years. Dr John B. originally a railway signalman and Primmer conducted a large medical afterwards became Secretary of Cow- practice in the Burgh since 1902, and denbeath Co-operative Society. .Mr retired from active practice in 1939. Dr ( 34 History of Cowdenbeath Provost King. Provost Russell. was given £2 per year, with a special Primmer is a son of the Rev. Jacob" financial inducement to get prosecutions Primmer of Townhill, whose Con- in connection with the Sanitary Laws. venticles were so well known through- The fines for the month of April 1891 out the country during the end of last amounted to £4:5/-. century. Provost Young was originally The Commissioners appointed a scav- connected with the farming industry, enger, but discovering that they could but since he came to Cowdenbeath many not hire a horse and cart for the whole years ago has been associated in a num- week they hired them for two days in ber of in the Burgh. business enterprises each week. The first meeting of the Town Council They ^were a very observant body. v/as held in Thomson's Hall, which was For instance, they reported a Police on the site of the present Co-operative Officer—very likely the only one to the Society's premises in High Street. — Chief Constable for neglect" of duty, and graciously recommended, when the RATES THREEPENCE PER POUND- Chief Constable had found him guilty, The first business was the discussion that nothing further be done. Then about assessments to pay for the cost of they had to call upon their Sanitary In- the election and other estimated expen- spector to tell him that they expected diture for the current half-year. The periodical reports for the sum they were assessment agreed upon was 3d in the £. paying him. They then agreed to tell as this was expected to bring the sum of proprietors to remove the "filth" from £90. the front of their houses and told house- Mr Terris was also appointed Col- holders that they must not throw lector with a commission of 3fc%, and "filthy" water on the street. Mr Fortune was appointed Honorary The newly formed Town Council were Treasurer. At a later meeting the salary not long in being aware of the tremen- of the Town Clerk with his many other dous task they had taken in hand to put duties was fixed at £15 per year. the village into " a decent state of " repair to bring it up to the standard TOWN POO BAH. one naturally expects from a burgh. They were faced with the very poor The Council must have been finan- housing conditions and the almost lack cially minded, for they right away en- of social services. Being a purely quired about a Police Court and what mining village, the houses were to a cases could be tried there. First they very large extent built in *' miners' had to get a Fiscal, and they got the raws," and a very large number of the services of that very handy man, the inhabitants of to-day need not be re- school janitor, Campbell Halkett, who minded of the very poor facilities for took on this work along with his many comfort they provided. In most other duties. Later, the Council got Mr instances they were of the " but and Halkett to take on the position of Sani- ben " order, with one door- In many tary Inspector as well. For this job he instances, too, they had stone floors w History of Cowdenbeath 35 which, in the present days, makes one miner lying in his coffin had to be almost shudder at the thought of it. removed from a bed at night to allow The only outside sanitary convenience the inmates the use of the bed. While was a dry " closet," which served for this state of affairs not only existed at several families. There was no coal Cowdenbeath but in every mining dis- house, and the coal had to be placed trict in Fife, it gives an indication of below one of the kitchen beds, and room what Cowdenbeath Town Council had had to be left for the small keg of gun to face. powder—the only explosive used in con- One regrettable feature was that it nection with the miners work, and was understood that this was the con- which he had to purchase from his ditions set down for the miners, and scanty earnings. Water had to be drawn anything more comfortable would be from the street well and stored in two looked upon as revolutionary and un- pails in a recess in the wall between the heard of. This idea seemed to possess outside and inside doors—a very con- the members of the Town Council in venient place for the cats and dogs to these days, and several years after- satiate their thirst. There was very wards, when the first Labour Coun- little incentive for cleanliness. A bath- cillor was returned to the Council by room was unthought of, and in below co-option, he made a motion that the a bed reposed the family wash tub, Coal Company be forced to install a which was brought out daily after " the water closet to each four tenants in their men " had their dinner, and there, in the property in High Street. The Provost, middle of the kitchen floor, the miners who was chairman of the Company, got washed themselves to their own discom- very annoyed over the proposal. He fort and that of the whole household. stated that that would ruin the CoaL The mess that was the result of the daily Company and, after all, it would be such wash had to be cleaned up, and then a waste of good water. His expression followed the laying out to dry in front of that opinion no doubt went a long of the kitchen fire of the miners' wet way towards the result of the vote, clothes, so that they would be in a con- which was that two voted in favour of dition to wear for the next day's work the motion. When that Councillor One can very well understand the lack retired at the end of the next year he of comforts under these conditions if was defeated and graced the bottom of there were more than one miner in the the poll. The ca' canny policy was house, and especially if they were on having its effect in these days- different shifts. The children of the By this time, however, the private miners were brought up under these builder was making his presence felt in conditions, and one cannot be surprised the town, and many *' taen " houses had to hear that many of the miners sought water closets introduced. Baths, how- the comfort of the local public-house ever, were only confined to a few lucky when their scanty pays afforded this families, and it was not until the adop- way of forgetting their troubles. On the tion of the Town Council Housing other side of the domestic affairs, one Schemes that a bath was not considered must have had great sympathy with the a luxury. miners' wives, especially when one Another problem that faced them was takes into consideration that miners' the sewage question. When they took families generally averaged five, and office there were no sewage works at all. there were very often ten and over. The drains emptied themselves into the Conditions were bad under normal cir- stream that runs through the centre of cumstances, which meant that in a the town and eventually enters Loch miner's but and ben there had to be four Gelly beds, and the family were fortunate if This state of affaire could not last no bed in the house had to accommodate forever, for they were continually more than two. One can well imagine reminded by Board of Health and what happened when sickness invaded other interested parties, especially the the home or, worse still, when a fatal ground proprietors on the banks of the accident brought grief and mourning stream. They put off the evil day for into the house. The present generation many years, until at last they had no must feel horrified to be told on very alternative but take the matter in hand. many occasions the dead body of a Sewage works had to be put down and, 36 History of Cotodenbeath on the assurance of a well-known area had to take their water, and this mining man (a member of the Town provided domestic duties for the Council), that the place they had younger members of the families. tackled the selected was a safe site, the plant was Beath Parochial Board by pipes laid down. Changes in the officials of question of a water supply from a the Coal Company were effected a short throughout the main streets and a time afterwards, and the verbal assur- source in the present Public Park, building ances that the coal would never be water house was erected—a There wrought below that site proved worth- that is now used as a tool house. at which a less The plant began to break up from was an opening ceremony, present, when, the effect of underground workings few men still alive were that they there, and soon the Town Council were they remember, it was stated sufficient for their left with the relics of their costly plant. had got a supply Alas! did not even prove This was a great blow to the com- needs that sufficient for the needs of the village munity, as while the sewage works were during the life-time of the Parochial a complete wreck, the Council were still Board, and in 1887 the present Roscobie paying interest on borrowed capital and acquired and a reservoir laid repaying instalments on the loan of the site was there, when it was again thought principal amount, and did so until out the village was provided for for all recently, and the sewage again had to time- be diverted in its crude state to Loch- took office in gelly Loch. They simply could not face When the Town Council doubt that the additional expenditure for new 1890 there was no need to was sup- sewage works, and, despite the constant statement, and surplus water Beath. reminders and claims for damages, they plied to the village of Hill of did the population again put off the evil day until several However, so rapidly end of the years ago, when the present new plant increase that, before the necessary to was laid down. This time they made no century, it was found Roscobie. This mistake about the safety of the site, enlarge the reservoir at again the bought out the coal underneath. was completed in 1901, and but Cowdenbeath They then very wisely took other pre- forecast was made that all time. cautions, including the laying down of had enough water for to be wrong, for a plant that could deal with double the Again that proved years had elapsed when the sewage that passes through it, and thus not many again, and the sup- provided for any large increase in the water scarcity arose augmented population. As the plant was to last ply from Roscobie had to be from Dalbeath Pit. for many years, the Town Council were by water taken helpful, the determined to have the very latest, and Though this supply was water was very hard and unsuitable for it was only after visiting the very latest the housewives types that they decided to adopt the most washing purposes, and one period of recent—that of the activated sludge complained bitterly. At recorded that Dr principle which had then been intro- acute scarcity it is Medical Officer of duced in Scotland and was only in oper- Craig, who was then actually used a bottle of ation at one place and had been proved Health, had morning to wash his face. to be a great success. Work was com- lemonade one of the problem came in menced as soon as possible, and the The solution the Town Council plant was opened in October 1932. sight when, in 1911, purchased from Dunfermline District Council their A BURNING QUESTION. Committee of Fife County limited right to take water from Loch Council then sot A few years after the formation of the Glow. The Town \ for the complete Town Council a new problem arose, negotiations on foot the water rights in namely, the question of a domestic control by them of negotiations were water supply, which was brought about the Loch, but these over several years. In 1918 by the rapid increase of the population. orotracted promoted a Pro- Long before the burgh was formed, the Town Council secure complete con- the only water supply was from springs. visional Order to Loch. This was One such spring was at the North End trol of the water in the opposed by landowners in the of the High Street, and it was from this strongly Loch and by mill owners. spring that the inhabitants over a large vicinity of the History of Cowdenbeath 37 on the banks of the River Leven. The know that several schemes were delayed Town Council, under the able guidance as long as possible. These included the the erec- of Mr R. T. Milne, Town Clerk, put up a building of a slaughterhouse, very strong case and were in every way tion of new Council Chambers, street and pave- successful in carrying through the making, general road repair Order. Since that time there has been ment laying. The last-mentioned came an abundant supply of water, and there as a great boon, and there is no doubt enhanced the popu- is sufficient reserve in the Loch to meet that this greatly as a centre, and with all demands likely to arise for larity of Cowdenbeath the benefit. By many years to come. the shopkeepers reaped this time the ratepayers had fully real- ised that the early years following the formation of a Burgh were years of great outlay, but here at Cowdenbeath there was the redeeming feature that the town was growing by leaps and bounds and the increased rental kept taxation within reasonable bounds. Encouraged by this, the Town Council commenced to make up leaway in the .matters that were behind in the way of social services. Cowdenbeath jo Years Ago CHICAGO OF FIFE. Mr Milne. A great deal of progress was made in the Nineties, during which time Bailie Laing at a public meeting referred to There were other questions to be the town as the Chicago of Fife, so tackled that meant large outlays and rapidly was it extending. Streets must borrowing of large sums. There was have great lv improved, too, for he stated the lighting of the town. Previous to that the Hiqh Street was beginning to the formation of the Burgh the High resemble Princes Street, Edinburgh. Street was lit by a few paraffin lamps, This caused a great laugh in the hall which were provided, equipped and Still in time. High Street was put right maintained by voluntary means, princi- with granolithic pavement. More pal being the financial returns from the visitors began to arrive in the town from Penny Readings. This fund was admin- the country to have the pleasure of istered by a small committee of whom walking on our pavement, which was Mr Hodge was secretary, treasurer and something of a treat. superviser. Then Cowdenbeath Gas Company was CHURCHES ERECTED. formed, of which more is told later in this history of the Burgh, and Cowden- Two other churches came into exist- beath Town Council were quite pleased enco_thc Guthrie Church in High to allow that body to light their main Street and the Cairns U.P. Church in later a streets. When it is remembered that the Church Street. A few years population of the Burgh when it was Chapel of Ease was erected in Natal formed was only approximately 3000, Place. This church was constituted as and when the principal election cry was a Quod Sacra Church, and is now the " Economy," one is not surprised to West Parish Church. 38 History of Cowdenbeath n West Parish Church. Raith Arms (Mr Goidie MORE COAL PITS. (Mr Mitchell), Kerr, who later became a Town Coun- Vaults, owned for a long With the sinking of Mossbeath Pit, cillor), and The Mr Nicol, were taken over by houses began to appear in Broad Street, time by Penman, who subsequently Moss-side Road, Chapel Street and Park Mr George Provost of the Burgh. He Avenue, and the population rose to over became extended the premises and ten thousand. The Raith Pits continued greatly called them the Masonic Arms. At every to send out large supplies of coal, as did Licensing Court there were continual the "evergreen" No. 7 Pit in the centre heated arguments between Dunfermline of the Burgh. The Gordon Pit was sunk, and ministers of religion for and and Foulford Pit output was supple- lawyers licences. Mr A. Shand got a mented by the sinking of No. 9 Pit. against the licence for the present Gothenburg pre- and many were refused. I RISE IN LICENSED PREMISES. mises, STREET LIGHTING. With the rapid rise in the population, and the growing popularity of Cowden- The lighting of the town was still in a beath as a centre, there was a great rush backward state. Paraffin lamps were for public-house premises. The Old Inn for coal gas, then followed, IK was soon joined by the Commercial discarded carbide gas, which was sold at a pro* Hotel (Mr A. Campbell), the Crown hibitive price. The first to try gas was Hotel (Mr T. Bernard), Foulford Arms History of Cowdenbeath 39 Mr Alexander, a grocer in High Street, HOUSING SCHEME DISCUSSED IN 1914. who fitted up a small plant in his back- Just before the commencement of the shop, and thus lit up his own shop and Great War in 1914 the Town Council a street which he placed on the lamp had a scheme for the building of muni- edge of the pavement. Matters in the cipal houses which was strongly spon- of lighting got worse when a small way sored by Bailie Blarney, but the War privately-owned gas plant at the rear of put an end to the project for the time High Street was the scene of an explo- being. In 1919, however, the Council sion. The present Cowdenbeath Gas commenced to tackle the housing prob- took the matter in hand, Company and lem, and they have now erected 720 new they have ever since looked after the houses and have plans in hand for the gas for the town. manufacture of erection of several hundreds more. The Town Council missed a grand chance at that time to take over that FUTURE FOR THE TOWN. plant. It is stated on good authority There is a future for Cowdenbeath, that at a Council Meeting a proposal to and that is because it has become the buy the privately-owned gas plant was centre of the mining industry of West rejected, in the belief that the Police Fife. Commissioners would eventually get the The Fife Coal Company helped con- plant for nothing. However, Cowden- siderably when they made Cowdenbeath beath Gas Company carried on, and the their headquarters, providing employ- chance was lost. ment for several hundred additional Later, Cowdenbeath Town Council workers. put down an electric lighting plant of their own for street lighting purposes, and when Provost Mungall pulled down a switch, saying, " let there be light," the dismal street lighting was a thing of the past. NEW STREETS FOLLOW PROSPERITY. With the twentieth century the popu- lation increased, and Stenhouse Street took shape with many other side streets. Foulford School and Beath R.C. Primary were erected. At the same time there also sprung up a large number of other churches of the Plymouth Brethren type known as Church of God. Church of Christ, Close Brethren, Open Brethren, etc., who occupied various halls in the town, and they all exist to this day. OVERCROWDING. Mr J. Paton, Workshops Manager. The Town Council were faced with many other problems- The rising popu- lation demanded much in the way of improvement of social and other ser- vices. In 1911, when the population was at its highest, overcrowding had for some years been presenting the Council with a serious problem. Some idea of the extent of overcrowding mav be realised when it is stated that the Town Council have erected more than 720 new houses, it is estimated that thre«-tM» four hundred more are still requh/ed. and that the population is now 4bout 2000 less than it was about thirty*years ago. Winners of Summer League. — 40 History of Cowdenbeath Interior View of Central Workshop It is also an educational centre, having critical period and there are bright days within its boundaries Beath Secondary ahead. ' The time must come when the School, the Fife Mining School and town will receive its rightful share of Beath R.C. High School, which last the heavy industries, which the coal serves the whole of Fife. Had the town industry of the district justifies, and been able to have induced the Fife which the Government have to a very Miners' Union to have made Cowden- large extent, if not altogether, neglected beath their headquarters it would cer- or withheld. With the abolition of tainly have strengthened the strong overcrowding and the gradual reduction claim of Cowdenbeath to be the hub of the burden of loans, we will have a of the West Fife coal trade. town which will stand as a monument DARK DAYS. to our legislators and our private citizens, who have sacrificed so much Cowdenbeath, like other towns, has for its prosperity. had its critical periods. The black period of the Great War had just passed NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS. when the mining counties were upset by Up to the end of last century the industrial dispute commencing with the Council Chambers had been in Waverley prolonged miners' strike of 1921. Cow- Rooms in School Street, but in 1902 the denbeath, being the centre of the West present spacious premises in High Street Fife mining industry, was soon in the were opened, throes of the struggle. The beginning of the struggle was associated with Among the public and private bodies regreattable scenes in the town, no and organisations which have carried doubt exaggerated as they were carried on social and other work in the Burgh, to different parts of the country, and mention may be made of the follow- then followed month of privation when ing: many families lost their savings which BEATH PARISH COUNCIL. of this dispute were still having their took them years to collect. The result In parochial affairs Beath Parish of this dispute was still having its effect Council has always played a prominent on the municipal life of the town when part in the history of Cowdenbeath. along came the protracted strike of 1926. After the passing of the Poor Law Act and the inhabitants, most of whom are the relief of the poor was entrusted to miners, had to undergo another long the Parochial Board, and in October spell of endurance that considerably 1845 we find Mr John Curror of Nether- hampered the work of the Town Coun- town was appointed the first Inspector of cil. These unfortunate industrial dis- Poor for the Parish of Beath at a salary civic life of of £7 per that he to dis- H putes seriously affected the annum. For had the town, as it did the whole of the tribute relief to the poor of the Parish coal industry of the country, but and keep a correct account of all sums Cowdenbeath has passed through its paid and disbursed by him. He had an- History of Cowdenbeath 41 extra £2 per year as collector of assess- set down, and on many occasions they ments. It was fortunate that there exceeded them, and there were repeat- were no buses in these days or he would edly threats to surcharge the members. have been out of pocket in travelling This threat did not strike fear into the expenses in connection with these hearts of the members and they success- duties. He only performed these duties fully defied the supervising Authority. for one year, however, as he died in Beath Parish Council came into prom- 1846, and his son, Peter Curror, was inence as being one of the most liberal appointed to take up his father's work. Parish Councils in Scotland in the At the end of another year, however, treatment of the poor. The Parochial Mr Thomas Scott, who was Parochial Board and the Parish Councils arc now Schoolmaster at Cantsdam, Kelty, was relics of the past and their functions appointed to the position. Mr Scott was are performed by the Public Assistance also appointed Registrar of Births, Committee of the County Council. Marriages and Deaths. In 1857 the was given position of Inspector of Poor 'Education to Mr James Brand, a teacher in Cow- denbeath Colliery School. That gentle- man must have been held in high TWO SCHOOLS. esteem in the Parish for we find that In the early days of Cowdenbeath when he left to take up the position of there were two schools set up by the Inspector of Poor at Abbotshall, Kirk- Colliery owners. One was that belong- caldy, in 1865, there was a special ing to "the Lochgelly Iron & Coal Com- reference to his good work in the pany, and was specially erected for the Minutes. It refers to his efficiency as education of the children of their work- Inspector of Poor and to his courteous men employed at Raith Colliery. That " treatment to that class of people who school was "made by the taking away of will be ever with us." There were three walls between two of the five houses in candidates for the vacant position. One School Row. situated just outside the was Mr James Terris, father of the late present Burgh boundary. In this Town Clerk and Parish Clerk, and he building Mr Geddes looked after the received more votes than the other two education of the boys, and in an extra candidates combined. The salary was room erected at the rear Miss Syme. now £30 per annum. With the new from Lochgelly. looked after the educa- appointment there was a change not tion of the" girls. Miss Syme had often enjoyed by the Cowdenbeath poor, for the assistance of her sister from Lm-h- they now" had to travel to Oak field. gelly. and though only the three R's. Kelty. to get their relief. An old were supposed to be taught, the unpaid Cowdenbeath lady, who died quite services of the younger Miss Syme were recently, related how she had to walk often used to teach the young girls sow- for 3/6 per there and back every week ing. The other school for the Cowden- week which she received after her beath children was situated in Broad husband had been killed in a colliery Street, almost exactly opposite the accident at Cowdenbeath. present Broad Street School. This. too. Other Inspectors of Poor since then consisted of two houses, a but-and-ben. have been Mr George Terris, Mr James made into one. Here the teacher was Terris. his son, and the present in office. Mr David Dundas Brown, and no doubt Mr Alexander Baxter. the school was commenced by the As a Parish Council Beath has had :. Oakley Iron & Coal Company, though hectic career. From the days of very the schools were known respectively as meagre allowances to the poor there was the Raith School and Cowdenbeath a gradual inclination to pay much School. better rates. The standard rates laidv down by the supervising Authority were KDUCATION 1/2 PER WEEK. never high enough to please the mem- bers of the Parochial Board and the The schools were not confined to the Parish Council, and there was always children of colliery workers, as children trouble between the Council and the of other workers "and of the few shop- supervising Authority. The Council owners wore admitted to either school, allowances were never below the scales but every Monday morning each one in 42 History of Cowdenbeath this category had to bring along one the school, was appointed headmaster. shilling and twopence. Quite a number When Miss Syme took over the Infant of the oldest persons in the town got Department of the new school she had their education in one of these two also over a hundred pupils under her schools. charge. She had, as assistant, Miss Watters, with Miss Cooper as sewing BROAD STREET SCHOOL. mistress. A few months later Miss Annie Penman was appointed as an This state of affairs existed until 1876 assistant. The first School Exhibition when the newly appointed School Board was held in 1876, and among the relics took over the education of the children treasured by a Cowdenbeath old lady is and were responsible for the erection of a book won as a prize for sewing and the first part of the present Broad Street cutting out a shape. Miss Syme retired School. A year previous to the change in June, 1903, and her successor, Miss over Mr Geddes had left the Raith Jude, commenced duties, but not as a School, and Mr John Craigie, a certifi- headmistress in charge of an infant cated teacher, succeeded him, and came school but headmistress of the infant to the new school with his pupils on department under Mr Lindsay. Other February 14th, 1876. The infant depart- headmistresses who have been in the men under Miss Syme came as a school are Miss Jamieson, Miss Menzies separate school and remained a separate and the present Miss Forbes. A teacher school until the retirement of Miss with a very long record of service, now Syme in 1903. At the same time, the retired, is Miss Currall. children from the Cowdenbeath School Foulford School was erected to cope there is went to the new building, but with the large increase in the school to' their no record of what happened population, and this was followed soon teacher, Mr David Dundas Brown. On afterwards by the R.C. Primary School. opened there the day the school was The passing of the Education Act, 1910. were two members of the School Board was responsible for the erection of Beath present, Dr Mungall, a colliery doctor, Secondary School aad, before the war, Mungall, after- and his brother, Henry there was a demand for a school at next wards Provost of the Burgh. The Moss-side, but the building was delayed a school day the school was examined by until after the end of the war. The Wilson. In inspector, Mr Hugh Mr erection of the R.C. High School came Craigie's department the assistant was Mr McDougal, while there were three pupil teachers, John Miller, James Paul and Christina Danks. The pupils appeared to number 121 and were taught in two rooms. John Miller was the son of Mr Miller, the builder, and James Paul was the son of the late Mr John Paul, plasterer. In April of the next year Mr Craigie received the appointment of Government Inspector of Schools, and the new headmaster was Mr Andrew Lindsay, who had been assistant to Mr Scott of the Parochial School at Cantsdam. Mr Lindsay re- tired in 1911, having completed thirty- four years as headmaster. The number of scholars when he retired was over 1400 and the school had been twice enlarged. It was enlarged again after a disastrous fire of 1929, when nearly all the school was destroyed, giving the school mottp, " Little by little," a double meaning. Mr Allan was headmaster until 1913, when the present head- master, Mr Wm. M. Fortune, a pupil of Jenny Lee ' History of Cowdenbeath 43 manager's certificate at the age of 26. He was manager at Allenton Colliery, and then came to Fife to be the manager of Cardenden Colliery. It was then he had his first acquaintance with the Fife Mining School, Cowdenbeath, which, at the time, only occupied two rooms in Broad Street School. Still anxious for more learning, he attended Dunfermline High School, where he gained his Higher Leaving Certificate, and then he took courses at the Heriot-Watt College and Edinburgh University. During this time he con- tinued as a teacher at the Fife Mining School, a student during the day and a teacher in the evening. At last he ) realised his great ambition when he became Principal of the Fife Mining School. Pressing for more accommoda- i* tion, he got the school transferred to Mr J. M. Masterton, a prominent educa- tionist and Secretary of the Earl Haig Fund.Committee. later, and the conversion of Moss-side School into a post-qualifying centre for girls was made a few years ago. FREE BOOKS INTRODUCED. Previous to the abolition of Beath School Board in 1919 that Board aroused considerable local and national interest by the adoption of the principle of " free books" in 1911. and later they com- mended a school for " backward Dr Parker children, known as a Special School, in 1916. The schools in the area are now the basement of Beath Secondary under the control of the Education Com- School. Still he was not satisfied, and mittee of Fife County Council. During again putting forward the claims of the the School Board days a prominent school he was successful in having the chairman was Mr James Terns of present commodious school erected. Dullomuir, Blairadam, and commemor- Mine ventilation was his pet subject, ation tablets to his memory are in because he fully realised the great Beath Secondary School and the Public danger to miners employed in mines School at Kolty. \r wheVe different kinds of gases are FIFE MINING SCHOOL AND DR PARKER. encountered. He studied this subject • i rigorously and when he had mastered it The Fife Mining School, which stands is he submitted a thesis to the University of on Broad Street and Moss-side Road, Principal Edinburgh and was awarded the Degree a monument to the work of Doctor of Science. This, as can be Joseph Parker, D.Sc. Born of humble of seen, is not a mere empty title, because parents in the West of Scotland, he left work the subject was closely allied to his the day school at 12 years of age to work, but Mr Parker set little import- in the mines, but later he commenced while ance on the designation of Doctor. He to study at Hamillon Academy greatest reward the working during the day, and overcom- looked upon as his his colliery knowledge that he had done something ing all obstacles he gained Cowdenbeath 44 History of in the interest of that huge body of men who take their lives in their hands when they go to work in a coal mine, and whose service to the community and the country he keenly appreciated. A very large number of his pupils occupy prominent positions in the mining world to-day. During the Great War the strong appeal for the training of girls and young women as munition workers found a ready response in Principal Parker, and after months of sweeping aside the obstructions of officialdom he collected as much machinery as would enable him to make a start. With no thought of monetary reward he com- menced the training of the girls, who gradually were fully trained and were accepted in munition works all over the country. He also turned his attention to the formation of a company of the Mech- anical Transport Section of the Army Service Corps. He got his recruits from John W. Beveridge his students, and after borrowing and to work to buying old cars he set system for the removal of injured the driving and instruct the students in miners. The lighting of the public repair of motor cars. ambulance was by means of batteries, and at He was again very successful, which were so heavy that there was trained men last a complete company of always a danger of the vehicle getting the military author- were accepted by out of control on the Halbeath Hill, and the headquarters ities and were sent to the route taken to and from Dunferm- in London. line Hospital was by Dhuloch. This he was always As a mining lecturer vehicle served for eighteen years. Mi- His passing in in great demand. David Arthur was first secretary of the October 1939 was a great loss to the Ambulance Waggon Association formed community. on the presentation of the waggon, and WAGGON Mr James Inncs. who followed him in AMBULANCE that capacity nine years later, served for ASSOCIATION. twelve years. The first motor ambul- ance waggon was presented to the Asso- One public body which has performed ciation after the War. It came as a gift very useful work to the community is Ex-Service Men. each of whom Cowdenbeath Ambulance Waggon Asso- from the the sum of five shillings to In the early days of coal could direct ciation. they liked from the accumu- mining one very regrettable feature was any object profits of the war canteen fund. absence of a suitable vehicle for the lated the gentleman prepared sheets for of the sick and injured. This A local transport and was responsible for them was particularly so on the occasion of a signature signed by the Ex-Service Men, miner being injured at work, when a being their respective five shillings the only means of having him asking that cart was a fund for the home, rough travelling being should be given to conveyed ambulance. The forma a very small extent purchase of the only mitigated to was made by Principal straw. Ihis state of affairs presentation by a layer of Fife Mining the Cow- Joseph Parker of the came to an end in 1903 when the and it was accepted by denbeath Public House Society Limited School, secretary. Mr John Beveridge presented the town with a horse-drawn present machine outlived its usefulness and ambulance. About this time also the This another was purchased at the cost of Fife Coal Company introduced a better History oi Cowdenbeath 45 £546, of which cost the Miners' Welfare something get some Fund contributed £250. The should be done to work of form of and n the lighting of the main street, ambulance waggon has greatly a local committee was formed to see to increased since the days of the horse- it. They decided on a scheme of con- drawn vehicle. In the last year of that certs which were called Penny Readings vehicle 55 cases were attended to, 4 of and were held in the original Colliery which were taken to Edinburgh Infirm- School in Broad Street. The result of ary. During the last financial year 1346 those weekly concerts was that a small cases were attended to, and there were number of lamps were obtained and 187 journeys to Edinburgh. As the work these kept lighted, except on moonlight increased so also has the income nights. increased and, while the income in 1915 The Cowdenbeath Gas Company, was £86 : 15 : 0. last year it was Limited, was formed and registered on £862 : 9 : 3. 7th August, 1891, the objects being:— The present secretary, Mr J. " W. To supply the town of Cowdenbeath Beveridge, has held that post since 1921, with Oil Gas, or other illuminant for and during his long term of office he has lighting or other purposes; to purchase performed a faithful service to the town. the Oil Gas Works there, and plant, The duties of the office have been pipes, etc., belonging to William numerous and at times very trying, but Alexander, merchant, Cowdenbeath, and he has unflinchingly carried on, earning to extend and develop the same, as may the appreciation and esteem of the town be found expedient, and generally to and the often silent thanks of a large carry on the businesses of Gas Manu- section of the community who were facture and Merchants in all depart- unfortunate enough to require the use ments in the said town or elsewhere." of the ambulance. Like his Committee, The Oil Gasworks purchased from he has always observed a progressive William Alexander were situated at the policy which has exceeded the hopes of i , bottom of the present Burgh Road, and the founders. the new Company extended the plant Two other persons deserve words of and main pipes and commenced a gratitude for their part in the work of supply of Gas. the Ambulance Waggon Association: Mi- John Boswell was the first Chairman, Archibald Hodge, treasurer for twenty and George Terris. Clerk to the then years, and Miss Hodge, treasurer for Police Commissioners, was appointed nine years. Miss Hodge was persuaded Secretary. to accept an illuminated address on her The story of the Company during the retiral, and Mr Hodge unwillingly first ten years was one of faith, hope accepted a piece of silver plate, suitably and tragedy. inscribed. Oil Gas was manufactured, and in The Association now own their own 1894 the Cowdenbeath Police Commis- garage, board room and office. sioners had 12 street lamps in High Street, which were supplied at a price COWDENBEATH GAS COMPANY. of 10/3d per lamp per year. LIMITED. The Gas Manager received 12/- per week for his labour, later increased to There are two of the social services 15/- per week. of the town which impress as being of . It was a part-time job, as the records very satisfactory standard, namely, show that the Police Commissioners lighting and the water supply. In con- complained about his working at night nection with the former the history of and " on the Lord's Day," whereby he i street lighting has been remarkable. was considered not capable of attending Before the formation of the Burgh, and to his work for them. for the first few years after, street light- About 1896 the Company became ing was of a primitive nature and, in agents for incandescent gas burners, and fact, when it was introduced it was their first order was for three dozen carried out on a voluntary basis, and the burners and one dozen spare mantles. village had to depend on the musical Costs of production and difficulties abilities and generosity of a few persons with the plant became serious with the to provide the lamps and keep them price of gas at 12/- per. 1000 cubic feet. burning. It was gradually felt that About June 1898 the Company became 46 History of Cowdenbeath interested in the manufacture of Acetylene Gas in preference to Oil Gas, and it was decided upon the advice given that this new gas would enable them to regain stability and the plant was installed. For a while it was a great success as a light and was referred to as the " light par excellence " and " the Queen of Lights." It was found, however, that the gas was costing 15/- per 1000 cubic feet to make, and out of twenty thousand feet made they lost ten thousand feet. Difficulties with the supplies of calcium developed, and after failure of the gas supply for two days the derelict I Oil Gas Plant was again brought into use. Troubles continued, complaints about price and quality were common, and a report and plans were obtained from Hubert Pooley, Gas Manager, Dunferm- line, with the object of putting down a not develop coal gas plant. This did Mr Scott. because of the lack of further capital. Suggestions were made that the Police The price of gas, the facilities offered Commissioners might take over the by the Company in providing free ser- business in June, 1899, but no action vices, the introduction of the penny slot was taken. meter, and cooking appliances on easy In 1900, George Terris, Secretary of hire terms, afforded every householder the Company, wrote to himself as Clerk the benefits of gas for lighting, cooking to the Police Commissioners (now called and heating. The result of this popular the Town Council) offering the Council development was successful and pro- the whole plant and rights for £500, but gress was rapid. no action was taken. In 1904 the inhabitants of Kelty made On 20th August, 1900, an explosion a request for the Cowdenbeath Gas gas and fire destroyed the plant, which was Company, Limited, to extend a insured for £100, and the sum of £96 supply to Kelty district, but this pro- was accepted in settlement. posal was not proceeded with, and The Town Council were again asked ultimately Kelty interests formed a Gas to take over the business, and pending Company and erected works of their their consideration, other people who own. had greater confidence in the success of In 1906 the Lumphinnans Public- a gas supply in the town became House Society, Limited, decided to pro- interested, purchased the shares of the vide street lighting in Lumphinnans Company and set about to develop the village, as one form of their social business. betterment schemes, and the Gas Com- The new Directors, headed by James pany laid main pipes through the Hutton, gas meter manufacturer, Edin- village. burgh, decided to manufacture coal gas The lamps were operated by a patent and erect a complete new gasworks on apparatus from the Gasworks for install- a site at the east end of Elgin Road and several years, this being the first lay new pipes throughout the town. ation of its kind in Scotland. They appointed Mr J. B. Scott their In 1910 the Company extended its new Engineer and Manager early in supply to the householders in Crossgates R 1901, the erection of the new works was and Fordell districts. proceeded with and a supply of gas was During 1914 a high pressure supply i once more made available to the town pipe was extended from Crossgates to v early in December, 1901. Aberdour. i History of Cowdenbeath 47 Just previous to the Great War On the death of Mr George Terris he Cowdenbeath Town Council made' i was succeeded by his son, Mr James A. strong bid to acquire the Gas under- Terris, as secretary until his retirement taking. They adopted the Gas Supply in 1931. Act, but during the. War the Council Mr James Hutton, chairman, died in were not allowed to borrow money for 1923, and to his courage, guidance and the purpose, and this Order operated for foresight the Company owes much of several years afterwards. By this time its success. the price of the undertaking had risen He was succeeded by the present to a prohibitive price. chairman, Mr J. Miller Thomson. In the meantime, as stated previously, In passing it might not be out of place introduced electric to record that one progressive spirit in the Town Council lighting for their streets, and despite 'i< the Town Council, speaking at a public to function in the Burgh, suggested that great inconvenience through damage their cables underground workings, the town should now extend its bound- by improved the system until aries to include Aberdour, now that the gradually Gas Company had paved the way. now the street lighting is among the best in the country. Up to this time the progressive development of the Company had been a rapid and had exceeded the expecta- tions of the Directors when they set out in 1900. During 1920-21, by arrangement with the Fife Coal Company, Limited, the as* Gas Company installed a Gas Supply to all their houses in Lumphinnans, Kirk- ford, Hill of Beath, and within the Burgh, much to the benefit of the occupants. Progress has been maintained during the intervening years, notwithstanding the introduction of electricity as a com- petitor. The Housing Schemes developed by the Town Council and County Council have been provided with a gas supply and, to meet the increasing demands, the Company's manufacturing plant has been extended from time to time, and they possess an up-to-date works cap- able of meeting greatly increased demands. It may be of interest to state that the Gas Company are one of the largest ratepayers in the Burgh, paying a sum equal to approximately 10% of the Burgh rates. died and was t In 1919 Mr J. B. Scott Mr McAughey, First Burgh Foreman succeeded by his eldest son, Mr Jas. J. Scott, who is the present Engineer, CHURCHES AND OTHER RELIGIOUS BODIES. Manager and Secretary. Much of the success of the Company The first church, Kirk of Beath, though was due to the energy and enterprise it is not actually in the Burgh, has of Mr J. B. Scott. He was one of the already been dealt with. As the village foremost gas engineers of his day, and grew, there were naturally a number of his work for the Gas Industry in Scot- " seceeders," and there was a demand for land was appreciated and recognised by a church to suit their faith. The first the industry. church then was the Free Church, built 48 History of Cowdenbeath in 1862 in Factory Road, and the build- offers from other churches he remained ing is now used as a blacksmith's shop. in Cowdenbeath for very many years Mr Johnmann, a young man, was the before he accepted a call to Gateshead. first to be put in charge of the congre- He was succeeded in order by the Rev. gation, and he was followed after a few J. J. Munro, the Rev. Alex. Stewart, the years by the Rev. Andrew Anderson. It Rev. J. Salmond and the Rev. R. Douglas was not a wealthy congregation by any Potter. -means, and the minister and the con- gregation had often a difficult task to get as much money as give the minister little more than a bare existence. There was no manse for some time, but later the congregation erected the present manse in Broad Street. The next minister was the Rev. James Muir, and during his ministry the present Guthrie Free Church was erected in High Street. Soon afterwards the present Cairns U.P. Church was built in Church Street, and some time later the Baptist Church in Chapel Street. The ministers of all the churches were very popular, and the services and bible classes and Sunday schools were very well attended. In the Guthrie Church, Mr Muir was followed in order by the Rev. Thomas Mitchell, the Rev. J. G. Dawson Scott, the Rev. John Wood, the Rev. Thomas Weir, the Rev. George Baird and the Rev. Dr G. B. Burnet. Rev. J. J. Munro. The Rev. J. Munro was the first minis- ter of the Baptist Church. Ho was followed by the Rev. — HendtM-son. who was followed by the Rev. J. Bennet. under whose ministry the Church was considerably extended. He was followed in order by the Rev. J. B. Frame, the Rev. T. J. Harvey. Rev. A. McKenzie. Rev. J. E. Watson. Rev. E. II. Grant, Rev. James Duff. Rev. Thomas McCIure and the Rev. F. Morris Carpenter. Beath Church at Kirk of Beath always remained a favourite, especially among the older people of the Parish. For many years the Rev. John Sinclair was a prominent personage in the religious Mr Gilmour. life of the town, and while he upheld the dignity of his profession, he im- i nature and the The Rev. Mr Gilmour was first minis- parted into it the lovable beautiful traits one likes to associ- ter of the Cairns U.P. Church, and other although he received many tempting ate with such a calling. .* 49 History of Cowdenbeath number of the members Following the formation of the Burgh considerable of the opinion that Mr Aitken there arose a desire on the part of a were carry on as minister of the new number of the members of Beath would but when they went to the Church congregation to have a place of church, forenoon service they found the church worship inside the town, and this took locked. Mr Aitken addressed them practical shape when, in 1894, a petition door the door, and stated that he could do was drawn up to have a Chapel of Ease at nothing as far as that service was con- erected at Cowdenbeath. The matter them to come back by the Presbyteries cerned, but he asked was taken up jointly the in the afternoon. Again they found of Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy, and church door locked, but they took the eventually at a meeting held at Cowden- matter into their own hands and forced beath in July 1894 it was decided to an entrance, and Mr Aitken preached to build a church. The following trustees church. were appointed : —Mr D. O. Duff, Mr A. a crowded in the church Dick, Mr Andrew Wilson, Mr Sydney He never preached R he accep- Binning and Mr Millar, Auchtertool, again, and shortly afterwards charge in -the West of and the church was designed to serve ted a call to a Cowdenbeath and Little Raith. The Scotland. Henderson was after- Rev. Mr Sinclair of Beath and the Rev. The Rev. John inducted as first Mr Stevenson of Auchtertool were ap- wards appointed and pointed Joint Conveners of the Commit- tee in charge of the matter- Rev. J. Muir Before this, a mission was being carried on in Brunton's Hall, the pulpit supply of which was under the direction of of the Rev. Mr Sinclair. At the time the completion of the new church in 1897, the Rev. J. Aitken was in charge after of the mission. The first Sunday the church was completed was a memor- Rev. J. W. Emslie. able one in the history of the church. A I 50 History of Cowdenbeath minister of the charge. He was suc- ceeded in order by the Rev. Jas. Francis, the Rev. Robert Muir, the Rev. John Emslie, the Rev. John McMorland, the Rev. A. McKenzie, the Rev. T. McAus- lane and the present minister, the Rev. R. H. Porter. There is no Episcopalian Church in the Burgh, but there are several Episco- palians who attend St Finian's Episco- palian Church in Lumphinnans Road. The Salvation Army, whose hall is at the corner of Stenhouse Street and Hall Street, has been in the Burgh ever since its formation, and they have carried on in good times and bad their work among the poor classes of the town. Mr McCaig. he paid a visit and was the guest of Bailie Blarney. . Many years ago two evangelistic com- panies of different creeds used to meet every night at the junction of High Street and Broad Street and, at about twenty-five yards apart, told their audi- ences how they should be converted according to their respective creeds. The two companies gradually drew nearer each other, and this resulted in a com- petition of lung power between the dif- ferent orators. One night the audiences got mixed up and a number of heated debates ensued between the opposing Rev. R. H. Porter evangelists. Matters looked very bad until the Salvation Army, who used to PRINCIPAL OF BAPTIST CHURCH. meet close by and were waiting to start their meeting, entered the " arena," and A prominent church dignitary associ- the Captain implored all parties to stop " give the game ated with Cowdenbeath passed away a their squabble and not crowd greatly year ago in the person of the Rev. Archi- away." This the large have had bald McCaig, the Principal of the Baptist enjoyed, and the appeal must Church College in London. Mr McCaig its effect, for both parties never returned thereafter got was one of a few enthusiasts who were and the Salvation Army responsible for the beginning of the the pitch to themselves. and the Baptist Church at Cowdenbeath. While The Union of the Free Church Presbyterian Church into the at Cowdenbeath, he married Miss United was accepted very Orrock, sister of Mr James Orrock, who United Free Church in Cowdenbeath, but the subse- was for many years a carting contractor quietly of the Church of Scotland in the town. After leaving Cowden- quent Union Church was not beath, he always kept up a close con- and the United Free number of the nection with the town which he knew accepted so quietly. A ago objectors formed themselves into what so well as a village, and a few years History of Cowdenbeath 51 was at first known as the United Free Continuing Church, which has now re- verted to the United Free Church of Scotland, and its members now worship in Wardlaw Street in a building which was previously a stable. There is also a church in Perth Road originally provided by the Home Mission Committee of the United Free Church, to serve the needs of Lumphinnans and the surrounding district. The first minister of this church was the Rev. Angus Macdonald, whose ministry ex- tended from 1902 to 1937. Mr Macdon- ald was succeeded by the present minis- ter, the Rev. Alexander Hutchison. The Roman Catholic Church in Sten- house Street was erected in 1921, largely by the efforts of Father O'Brien, who was the priest then in charge. Before the erection of this church the services were held in the Roman Catholic Primary School in Stenhouse Street. J. Holman Associated with this church there may Mr W. be specially mentioned the names of Father Mclntyre, Father O'Brien, Father Green, Father McQuire (now a bishop) and Father Kenny. In addition to the above churches, there are several smaller places of public worship for meetings of inhabitants who hold different beli^ Among them may be mentioned the Church of Christ and the Christian Union in Broad Street, the Church of God in Bridge Street, with other meeting places in Natal Place and Victoria Rooms, High Street, and the Spiritualist Association in Waverley Rooms, School Street. There is also a Gospel Mission in Union Street presided over by Mr Streets, through whose efforts a modern building was erected in 1938. TEMPERANCE. In the early nineties when public- house and hotel accommodation was greatly extended, temperance work Rev, James Barclay flourished, and there were three Good Templar Lodges. There was the original Robertson, Mr T. Lodge, The Anchor of Hope, in which Barclay), Mr F. J. Miss Mary Tulloch and Miss there were three enthusiasts—the late McAughey, These lodges met weekly, Provost Russell, Provost Blarney and Mr Mary Laing. Wales). and a large number of men now in W. J. Holman (now resident in lessons in public Next followed the Gordon Lodge, in public life owe their the debates held in lodge a leading spirit was Mr Ferguson. speaking to which that Waverley Lodge, m rooms. It is a strange coincidence The third was the when which prominent members were Mr these lodges only nourished strong, James Barclay (now the Rev. James public-house trade was also very — 52 History of Cowdenbeath and with the reduction in the consump- reached prominence in one section of tion of intoxicants the Good Templar sport, and that, as is generally known, Lodges gradually went out of existence. is football. In this sport there is only The Rechabites and Sons of Temperance one competition from which they have have still carried on, owing to some never brought distinction to the town extent to the fact that they are Friendly and that is the Scottish Cup, for in one Societies and distribute sick and other season they finished up with a worthy benefits. position in .the First Division of the League table. Honours in the Scottish YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN Cup have always evaded them, and ASSOCIATION. sportsmen as they are, bad luck and misfortune has attributed to their failure The Y.M.C.A. was first started at Cow- on at least two occasions. In 1880 there denbeath approximately fifty years ago. were at least two junior teams in the The members were not numerically village — Cowdenbeath Rangers and strong, but they were enthusiastic, Cowdenbeath Thistle while a third was though they did not have the same — in existence for a few years at a later opportunities for activities as the date: Moss Rovers. The original team Y.M.C.A. affords to-day. They met was the Rangers, and their origin makes every Sunday morning in a room in very interesting reading. In the Cowdenbeath Public School when, after seventies, three families came to reside opening with prayer and a hymn or at Cowdenbeath from Ayrshire • psalm, a member gave a "paper" on an Dougarys, Pollocks and Fergusons and interesting and generally topical sub- — have remained there ever since. In one ject. The membership numbered about family especially, that of Pollock, there a dozen, and the meeting always finished was a number of sons who were keen in time for the members to go to their football players, and of these sons two respective churches at a quarter past were very clever on the ball. It is a eleven. The leading members were strange feature that all these teams Miss Masterton, sister of Mr Masterton, nourished in the South end of the late of Foulford School; Miss Roe, Miss village. The Thistle played near Thistle Currall, sewing mistress in Cowdenbeath Street and the Moss Rovers played near School; Mr Tern Beveridge and his the Moss Houses, and the Rangers brother Walter, and Mr Joseph Holman, played in the Jubilee Park. now in charge of Foyers Church, Inver- ness. For a long time the Y.M.C.A. lay dormant until it was revived about twenty years ago, when the Association acquired a billiard saloon and house in No. 7 Pit' Road. They were quite suc- cessful in their various activities till these were cut short by the outbreak of the war, when their premises were taken over for a First-aid Post. They are now occupying temporary rooms in High Street. The members set to and not only made these rooms suitable for their meeting place but have also installed there a canteen for members of the Forces. Sport EARLY STRUGGLES. FOOTBALL. Though Cowdenbeath was once re- ferred to—and quite correctly—as a town of sportsmen, they have only Mrs Pollock. History of CowderJbeath 53 By this time there were several senior minds to do better the next year, and teams in the county, including the were successful in winning the County strong-going Lassodie and Burntisland, Cup, and two of their victories were Raith Rovers, Kelty and Lochgelly against the very strong Burntisland Athletic (which became Lochgelly Club and their keen rivals, Dunfermline United). It was thus apparent that Cow- denbeath, to get a place in the football of the county, had to follow suit, and a combination of the Thistle and Rangers brought this about. It was thus possible to get together such players as Paterson (goalkeeper), J. Dougary, J. Drummond (backs), Bob Law and Lee (half-backs), and the following forwards: John and James Pollock, the Geddes brothers, Gray, and the Lister brothers. There were many reserve players, and the sec- retary was John Miller, a miner, who occupied that position for at least three years before the secretarial work was taken over by John Bolton, son of the Cowdenbeath Stationmaster, who now lives in retirement in Dunfermline. A junior team was formed a few years later called St Leonards, and they played on a pitch in Moss-side Road near the present Guthrie Church manse. This club provided several outstanding players for Cowdenbeath. The new senior team soon made a Dauid Pollock. Club, whom they defeated in the final by two goals to nothing. The Club set their minds then on bigger things, and two years later were in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, but, alas! at Cambuslang they went out of the competition. PLAYERS PAW TO PLAY. The want of finances was a serious drawback to the struggling club. The weekly wages of the team could not be blamed for that, as they not only played for nothing but they actually paid so much a week as members of the members, • I club. They were the playing but there were others who also were paying and non-playing members. 1 James Pollock. MORE MISFORTUNES. playing in a cup tie some name for themselves, as we find two Often when there was a later won the Fife Cup after distance from Cowdenbeath years they money participating in the final of the Fife struggle to raise the necessary Miller. Consolation Cup. They made up their to buy the railway tickets. John — 54 Hiswry of Cowdenbeath the secretary, on one occasion when the custody of the Fife Cup. These seasons team had to go to Renton, could not raise were 1888-89, 1889-90, and 1890-91. the amount and, as had been his custom, A Cowdenbeath veteran who was a appealed to the stationmaster to get the faithful supporter, Davie Pollock, tickets without immediate payment, but brother of the two wingers, states that he got a refusal. There was a hurried in his opinion the team who really visit to Mr Charles McLean of the Old brought and kept the Fife Cup in Cow- Inn, but he reminded Mr Miller that denbeath were : —Paterson ; Dougary they had not cleared off the last loan and Drummond; Law and Lee, Fitz- and there was nothing doing. The train patrick, James Pollock, Cook, A. Geddes, was coming in and the disconsolate team Robert Geddes and John Pollock. were about to leave the station when Paterson was afterwards the station the stationmaster relented, and off they lorryman, Dougary was killed in a min- set for Renton. They were again to be ing accident, Drummond was one of disappointed, for, after their dinner in three football brothers, the others being Glasgow, they were informed that the George and Tom; Bob Law was one of Scottish Cup tie was off as the pitch was the heroes of the Donibristle Disaster, unplayable. However, they engaged a and John Pollock died a few years ago brake with the hope that they would yet in Wales, where he became a brilliant get the tie played, but it was definitely bowler. off and they had their journey for Before the Club removed to the North nothing. End Park there were other notables in Mr David Pollock, referred to in this the Cowdenbeath team, and one cannot article on football, was also one of the forget such prominent players as Willie original members of Cowdenbeath Cowan, the iron man, as left back; and Angling Club. Davie Hughes, who rightly is still looked Old Coivdenbeath Football Team. Left to right, back row— H. Geddes, Dow, Hynd, Savage, Law and Thom- son. Front row—Beveridge, Hughes, A. Geddes. Graham and A. Todd. Sitting—Weir and Penman. fife cup champions. upon as the best exponent of football that ever the county has produced. Disappointed in the Scottish Cun, they Cowan died a few months ago at Cow- again set out to be at least champions denbeath, but Davie Hughes had a tragic of Fife, and we find them for three years death when he was found suffocated at in succession winning and retaining the the Alice Pit near Cowdenbeath, History of Cowdenbeath 55 MORE FIFE SUCCESS—SCOTTISH FAILURES. Their continued success in the Fife Cup made them turn their eyes again to the Scottish Cup, and in the same year, 1890-91 they had another strong bid, but though they reached the sixth round they went down at Paisley by the decisive score of eight goals to two. For several years Cowdenbeath Club did nothing outstanding, but in 1894 they again came to the front, and though they had only fair success in the Scottish and Qualifying Cups, they had a really good team in: —Lindsay; Allan and Wood; Paton, Stewart and Nicol; Dryburgh, Collins, Johnstone, Beveridge and Mercer. By 1901 other players had joined the team, and this photograph, taken at that time, shows the players to have been as givn on photograph on previous page. In the team published, there are several missing, such as the Pollocks, J. Mr A. R Dick. Dougary. John Drummond, Lee, Fitz- patrick and Cook. PROFESSIONALISM COMES ALONG. Their play was Cowdenbeath's un- doing to a certain extent, for already professionalism had entered into the game, and Cowdenbeath lost a number of their stars. At this stage the village postie. Christie, had become secretary, and he signed on two Hearts players- Philip and Pringle. Philip for several years afterwards had a billiard saloon in the town. Taking advantage of the bidding for good players. Cowdenbeath commenced to be a training school for football players, and many who trained at the North End and later at Central Park were transferred at big transfer fees. TUF. GREAT WAR. The Great War in the meantime came along and interfered with their success as League champions. By this time Sandy Paterson had come on the scene as a manager. Sandy was a Hill of Mr W. G. Hodge. Beath man with varied experiences as a player and manager of Hearts of Beath, many years devoted his energies and ability rais- and it was under his management that outstanding business to the the team gained their promotion to the ing of the standard of the game at Cow- First Division of the Scottish League. denbeath. Under his chairmanship the He had the necessary support from Mr club flourished, and he became a promi- A- R. Dick, a gentleman who had for nent figure not only in Fife football but r 56 History of Cowdenbeath among the Scottish legislators. The raised Dunfermline to the First League game was taken to Central Park, and as well. Cowdenbeath carried on in the with the erection of the large and com- First Division for a number of years, but modious stand and enclosure became were again relegated in 1933-34. After one of the finest equipped and appointed a few years in the Second Dipision, a they in Scotland. The war passed, and Cow- bold bid was made in 1939, when denbeath set their plans to secure won the Second Division Championship Scottish Cup honours. In the first year with a record pointage, and Walls as scoring after the war they were on a fair way centre established a record in Hodge for this honour. goals. By this time Mr William In 1921 a new Second Division was had been appointed President. Bill formed, with relegation and promotion. never posed as an authority on the finer the all the By this time several stars were in points of football, but he was team, including Adam Scott Duncan time out to do his very best for the (now manager of Ipswich Town), Dick team. Little, J. R. Smith, Dodds of Celtic fame, Again the war had interfered with and Bobby Tait. the Club just after gaining success, but players In season 1923-24 more good there is no doubt that, after hostilities were picked up to play along with stars. cease, the sporting instinct of the town In the former class were Bill Murray will again rise and football will again and Hooky Leonard. Bill is now man- nourish. of Sunderland Club and Leonard ager Of all the players born and bred in but brilliant career while it had a hectic the town, the most outstanding has Cowdenbeath Club gained pro- lasted. been "Ally" Venters. motion, being second to St Johnstone. Scott Duncan was induced to take over the manager's position, as Sandy Pater- son had gone to Dunfermline, where he Adam Scott Duncan, a prominent Mr John McDougall of Cowdenbeath, the Great War, and Rangers' player who became manager who was disabled in its who reached the final one-artned of Cowdenbeath Football Club in of players' Scottish Championship. He is days of prosperity and is now manager to * at present captain of Kinghorn Golf of "Ipswich Town. He is married well-known Cowdenbeath lady. Club. History r of Cowdenbeath 57 GOLF. . BOWLING. Golf followed, when the principal Bowling is definitely one of the sports men interested who played on the first that has come to stay. Cowdenbeath course of Leuchatsbeath were Dr Bowling Club have a green at Bowling Naismith, John Bolton, John A. R. Green Street, and there is another green Finlay, Andrew Lindsay and James at the rear of the Miners' Welfare Insti- Stormonth. The game obtained a very tute in Broad Street. strong footing after the new course was laid down by Cowdenbeath Public- House Society at the North end of the town. CURLING. Curling was also a favourite sport, and prominent players were Archie Hodge. Jimmy Orrock, Andrew Wilson, John Paul, Charlie Barclay, John Finlay, etc. A common challenge was that of Jimmy Orrock that he would play Archie Hodge for a bag o 1 meal. CRICKET. Cricket followed in due course with enthusiasts like Sydney Binning, the Beattie brothers, Sandy Rankine, David Adams, Geordie Syme, Willie Syme and Sandy Stevenson. Mr G. S. Eastwood, a county cricketer Mr John Ford Sydney Bin?ti7ig. (Cowdenbeath centenarian) 58 History of Coivdcnbeath Mr Hohnan (Chairman of Public-House Society) COWDENBEATH PUBLIC-HOUSE Miss Alexander, a gold medal vocalist SOCIETY, LIMITED. This Society, which was formed in 1901. became the owners of the public- house premises situated at the corner of High Street and Station Road. Between 1901 and 1925 they gave away in grants for social an*d charitable purposes the sum of £18.931, of which £4,380 was towards the cost of a District Nurse, £7.016 for a Public Park, and £3,379 for the Golf Course, laid out and opened in 1910 by Tom Ball and Ben Sayers. I Lieut. W. K. Barclay, founder of Cowdenbeath Rifle Club' and original officer of Cowdenbeath Territorials, a Mr R. Black victim of last war. (Promoter of Old Folk's Treat) History of Coxodenbeath 59 Early days of motoring. Cowdenbeath Councillors' Day Out. Provost Penman, Councillor H, Kelso, Provost Wilson and Provost Barclay. Mr Excans (a veteran violin maker) Mr W. M. Crooks (A.R.P. Deputy Area Controller) History of Cowdenbeath Coii;de?ibeat/i Bowling Green veterans at play Mr C. C. Reid Provost Barclay (General Manager, Fife Coal Co.) History of Cowdenbeath Mr Westwater (veteran newsagent and first member of Cairns Church) 152 History of Cowdenbeath Personalities Mr W. M. Watson. he endured and the inconveniences he " tholed." He could quite easily have A Cowdenbeath minister who had left mastered the studies that would have the town before Mr Watson hud been made him in time a qualified colliery elected Member of Parliament for Dun- manager, but such a prospect was not fermline Burghs stated that he well to his liking. His experiences and his remembered a young man coming up favourite books pointed out to him a Hi;;h Street of Cowdenbeath with far more satisfying way of doing his several volumes under his arm, and best for his fellow-men by improving tha~ inquiry might have shown that the* their working and social conditions. It" authors were such men as Rus'kin, was in this direction that he set his com- pass. He was a practical psychologist and social reformer for, after gaining ;.; large amount of knowledge, he associ- ated himself with the small band of socialist workers in the town who, like him. devoted their energies to the rais- ing of the standard of the working classes. That small coterie was not a popular one and he, like the rest, had often to bear the hard and unjust criticism of those whom they were out to help. Many a strong man would have replied to that criticism and ostracism by taking less interest in the affairs of those whom they strove to serve, but he and the others were made of sterner stuff and continued to do what they had set out to do. Their work bore fruit and socialism became something Mr W. M. Watson, M.P. real. Labour took an active interest in municipal and Parliamentary affairs, and it is to the credit of the large num- Carlyle, Adam Smith or Karl Marx. To ber of those changed their those who know William Watson best who had politics to that of labour that they chose that must appeal to them as his best pen one who done so much spade work portrait. One feels that he has been had in the past as their Parliamentary repre- the victim of politics, and, while no one sentative. Into the maelstrom of can gainsay that he has served his con- politics went Willie Watson. He has stituency faithfully and well, the strong been an ideal Member of Parliament, probability . is that if he had been especially in his work behind the allowed to carry on his studies, his scenes. has never let his private friends and the country at large would He affairs interfere with the interests of his have been better off to-day. constituents, and this to such an extent Willie Watson was a student of that his private life scarcely exists. No psychology and the social conditions of in trouble needing advice or the times, and his great ambition was one and assistance is ever turned away, and no that he would be able to benefit the bar of politics or creed is allowed. working classes of the country with whose interests he was so closely allied. One feels, however, that Willie Wat- Himself a member of a miner's family, son's life of usefulness has been by his experience underground he hampered rather than helped by his gained an inside knowledge of the uotitical life and that he would have common lot of the coal miner, whose been truer to himself and his friends of value and worth to the country have the working classes had he worked from never been properly recognised. This the outside rather than the inside of experience was worth all the privations Parliament. This is the day of — a History of Cowdenbeatli 63 specialists, and there is a strong' belief Three years later she became Chairman h that had h-; not been thrust into Parlia- of that body, which position she held ment the labour world and the world until the Education Act of 1918 came in general would to-day have had in Mr into force. By this time she had made Watson an international authority on her presence felt in educational affairs 1 world affair:;. as she was the prime mover of the free In conclusion, a fitting tribute to Mr books scheme which was introduced in Watson is contained in the following the Parish of Beath, and later through- lines by Mr J. C. Welsh, the Miners' out Fife. She continued her activities Poet:— as a member of Fife Education Com- "As const lint us the ocean tide, as loyal a > mittee and served on that body until the sun; 1930. If I coii'd pick fair Virtue's sides, Will She was elected a member of Cow- Watson would be one. denbeath Town Council in 1936, and lot- And virtue would not blush to own this four years she has represented the member of her team, Burgh on Fife County Council. Too good to push himself alone, too honest For twenty-two years she has been x to be mean." member of the Board of Management of Cowdenbeath Co-operative Society— Mrs E. Watson. record for a lady—and has been Presi- In compiling the history of Cowden- dent of the Co-operative Women's Guild beath a place must be set aside for a for Scotland for four years. For four- lady who has been prominent in the teen years she has been associated with social life of the town, Mrs W. M. the Cowdenbeath Nursing Association, Watson. and has been a hard worker on the War The wives of many Members of Par- Pensions Committee from 1915 till the liament are known only because of the present time. She was one of the lead- fact that, they are so, but this is not the ing persons in the W.V.S.. one of three case with Mrs Watson, who is quite as selected for Scotland, and is now acting in connection with the Price of Goods Act for East and South of Scotland, and for the Food Control Committee for the same area. She was closely associated with the I.L.P. until the split when the Labour Party left that body. Mrs Watson has had various honours conferred on her, including that of Justice of the Peace, and O.B.E. after the last War. Mrs Watson does not parade these honours. An official of the Education Authority who is acquainted with her work on public bodies writes as follows: " When I want to draw a mental picture of Mrs Watson under the best conditions I recall a picture of her in the Special School at Cowdenbeath. Mrs Watson. She was responsible for this school being brought into existence, a school popular and well known in the town for the education of* backward children. and community as her husband and As a teacher, she was well aware of the where her name is truly a household tragic fate of backward children. word. Teachers could not afford to set the pace Brought up in Cowdenbeath, she of education of a class on the ability of became first a pupil and later a teacher the slowest pupil. They were simply in Cowdenbeath Public School, where left behind and neglected, and when she gained an experience that was they did leave school it was not because valuable to her when she became a they had reached a satisfactory educa- member of Beath School Board in 1911. tional standard but that they had F 64 History of Cowdenbeath reached the leaving age. Thus, she It was only natural, therefore, when the often saw the tragedy of a child of sinking was completed that he should twelve to fourteen years of age, accord- be appointed as "Gaffer" of the Pit. ing to the leaving age, being thrust into Under his capable management the pit the world with a mental age of between proved to be a successful venture and to seven and nine years, with not the a large extent contributed to the success slightest chance of competing for posi- of Cowdenbeath Coal Company. He tions in life that required a small worked hard in the interests of his amount of education. This set her employers, and it is related that on one thinking, and, mainly through her occasion when in a hurry to get down efforts, the Special School came into the pit, instead of waiting for the cage existence at Cowdenbeath. There, each child is taught according to his or her ability. Patience is expended on them, and the educational results have been extraordinary. One pupil I know rose to be manager of a grocer's shop, and others are now filling positions they otherwise would not have had the slightest chance of securing but for the Special School. Mrs Watson had first to break down the prejudice of the School Board and, worse and more annoying, the prejudice of the parents who were out against their children ' going to a daft ' school. Many a one would have replied to such undeserved opposition by simply giving them their own way because of their lack of appreciation, but not Mrs Watson. She knew she was right and she has won out, but I often wonder if she will ever receive the proper appreciation which she deserves. i( The picture I referred to is of her in the Special School at Cowdenbeath, Mr Hodge. standing amongst the boys and girls all slid down the cage rope. so happy in her presence. These child- to go down, he very considerate of the ren got their chance in life from Mrs He was always especially of the older Watson, and cherished letters from them men under him. spent the best part of and memories of their laughing faces is men who had coal mine, and as long one reward of her labours which sho their lives in the *' able to go down the pit will always cherish. as they were and do some sort of work he allowed In these days of Mr Archibald Hodge. them to carry on. oncost work, 'whether down the pit or Of all the early inhabitants of Cow- on the surface, a man's authority to denbeath the greatest all-round person- work was the getting of a shovel from ality was undoubtedly Mr Archibald the gaffer. Archie gave the old men Hodge, who had a large share in the each a shovel, and though he did not development and shaping of the town. look for more work than they were able Archie came, as a boy. with his parents to do, and some did very little, they from Kelty. After school Archie found dare not discard their shovel if he was employment in the coal mines, and his around, and the mere fact that an old work was of such a satisfactory nature man had his shovel was sufficient that he became an underground official. indication that he was earning his As the coal industry prospered the time wages. On the other hand, he expected came for the sinking of another shaft, the general worker to earn the wages and Archie became responsible for the paid him. Some time later he took oyer sinking of the well-known No. 3 Pit. the licensed grocer's business belonging — i History of Cowdenbeath 65 " to James Meikle in High Street, and wi' the alterations? with the help of his two daughters, " Yes." Jenny and Maggie, that business pros- " An' hoo are ye gaun to pey it back?" pered. Eventually, he left the manage- " We cannot guarantee, but we are ment of the shop to his elder daughter, hoping for the best." but he was never far away from the "Weel, weel," said Erchie, "if ye premises. He was a man of very few think it." With that he turned and left words and of a gruff exterior. He was the deputation, who thought that was anything but sociable in conversation, the end of the matter so far as he was but those who really knew him found concerned, but not so, for in two that this, abrupt manner of conversation minutes' time he returned with the sum was a very effective, cloak for his highly required to make the alterations. generous nature and for his abhorrence " How will we pay you back? " they of anything that was not straight or said. genuine. " Jist hoo ye like, and ye needna Take another side of his character. bother aboot ony interest on the money. He always paid his way by meeting I'll just tak' the siller when you hae it accounts as early as possible and never tae gie me." a keen bowler and -a liked to be asked for money, so that one Archie was day when a commercial traveller pre- keener curler, and was first President of Bowling Club. was sented his bill with a tone of " payment Cowdenbeath He wanted now " Erchie said nothing, but treasurer of the Cowdenbeath Ambul- Association for several went into his office and returned with ance Waggon retired the the money. The traveller signed the years, and when he Com- appreciation account, adding "Paid with thanks," mittee showed their of his with but Erchie was not having that. "Na. services by presenting him a piece of silver, but instead of thanking them na," man, just you write doon there " in the usual manner he gave them a ' Paid wi' cash.' severe scolding for daring to spend their Here is a story which is retailed money on him. at the risk of arousing the displeasure All they got was " Ye had nae r of the family, but it is told in an effort business daeing that and I'm no wanting to illustrate his true character and to that," and the present was not taken remove any erroneous misconception out of the packing that night. from the minds of those who did not Still the silver plate, suitably in- know him. The premises of the old scribed, will long be cherished by the Cowdenbeath Reading Room, the use of family in memory of their father who which had been given to the community did so much for Cowdenbeath. by Cowdenbeath Coal Company free of Just a closing story. Erchie never rent and taxes and with free coal and liked to have his photograph taken, but light, became too small and the Com- one day he allowed this to be done to mittee were anxious to enlarge the please his family. When he saw the building and provide a games room and result his sole comment was: " Weel, it improve the lending library and reading may be a guid likeness, but it's a sorry room accommodation. Plans were pre- picter." pared, and the cost was estimated to be in the region of a thousand pounds. Mr Thomas Blarney. The Committee had less than one hundred pounds in hand. The matter Prominent among all public men in was discussed in all its aspects. Cowdenbeath stands out one man, Mi- Eventually, two men were appointed to Thomas Blarney. It will be a difficult interview Erchie Hodge. The interview matter to catalogue all the different ended something like this: bodies with which Mr Blarney has been "Do ye ken what ye are thinking connected at one time or another, but it aboot? is sufficient to say that he has devoted a to the interests " Do ye ken the property is no yours lifetime of the com- and the Fife Coal Company can turn munity. " ye oot at a meenut's notice? Mr Blarney, whose parents came from " Yes, we have considered that." Cornwall, was born in one of.the houses " And do ye still want to cairry on known as "Diamond Row" in High - 66 History of Coiudenbeath Street. Mr Blarney's father lost his life intimate knowledge of the Education in the pit, and his mother was left to Acts helped him greatly as a member of bring up a young family on her own Beath School Board and Chairman of exertions. • This has given Mr Blarney Beath School Management Committee, an education that he would otherwise and later of Fife Education Committee have missed, an education that has been and Fife County Council. applied to the benefit of the town and In Town Council administration he its inhabitants. studied the work of the different de- An American millionaire once said to partments, but in one department he the writer that he had a great ambition has excelled himself, that of housing and to be a journalist and an author, but he town planning, and, as Convener of the suffered from one drawback to that i ambition, and that was his wealth. This is true to a very large extent, and the people of Cowdenbeath should be thankful that Mr Blarney was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. One Cowdenbeath man who has been a life- long friend of Mr Blarney has stated that he has been one of the most mis- understood men in public life. One reason given for this is that Mr Blarney has always refused to be confined in his public work by the restrictions of party politics. He judges each question entirely on its merits and its possible effect on the community, and his support or criticism is based only on that principle. Over forty years ago he was an active member of the Anchor of Hope Good Templar Lodge and here learned the rules of public debate. He then allied himself to the Baptist Church and has remained a faithful member. For some time he kept out of politics until the claims of the working people of the Mr Haklane. country gained his "sympathy and. seeing in the Labour Party an oppor- Few persons have risen to prominence tunity to improve the conditions of his in music or literature with, perhaps, the fellow-workmen, he joined that Party. exception of Mr J. H. Haldane, the well- As a member, he believed with the other known Brass Band Conductor, whose members that their purpose could best teaching has won honours for several be served by representation on local bands. public bodies, and it was no surprise when he was among the first to stand Housing Committee he is in his right election for office. Success attended his place. In critical debates his intimate nominations, and soon he was a member knowledge of all legislation affecting of four bodies:—Beath School Board, housing has surprised even his nearest Cowdenbeath Town Council and Fife friends. When convinced that he is County Council. Having secured such a right he refuses to budge, and though large share of public confidence, he he has often accepted with grace the fashioned his public work to merit it. majority ruling against him, he often He studied all the laws and legislation found himself in the position of being " which governed those different bodies, able to say afterwards I told you so,'' and to-day he is looked upon as an but refrained. He is at present Con- authority on all matters pertaining to vener of the A.R.P. Committee of the- Local Government. Town Council and Convener of the This was first of all apparent in Public Health Committee of the County educational administration, and his Council. 67 History, of Cowdenbeath % *Jz ;*• ,Nn Wa > „ ? His golden rule seems to be:—" Do v_ unto others as you would that they should do unto you," while his life's work might well be fashioned around the motto: " Honesty is the best policy, but we should not be honest because it it is is the best policy, but because right." Private Oliver. Jack Jones, hero oj Moss Morran Disaster. Corporal Young. The Fight for Freedom Safety in Mines Cowdenbeath did not show a lack of Despite Government legislation, a re- patriotism during the Great War nor is grettable feature of the coal industry pre- she doing so on the occasion of the has been the number of accidents that son? sent war. A large number of her took place, a large percentage of which made the supreme sacrifice in the last were fatal, and the number increased war_as the names inscribed on the War with the introduction of machinery and Memorial on the North End Hill gives the speeding up of coal production. testimony. At the time of writing, Several years ago, however, the Fife although quite a number of Cowden- Coal Company commenced a greater beath natives have been made prisoners safety campaign, and it has proved to be France, of war after the capitulation of a great success in the reduction in the lives only a very few have given their number of accidents. A safety engineer in this great struggle for freedom and was appointed—Dr Williamson—who democracy. devotes all his time and energy to schemes whereby the accidents in mines will be reduced to a minimum. Each colliery has its safety committee, who hold regular meetings when the acci- Mr McKelvie, R.A.F. dents are reported in detail, so that such accidents can be prevented. Safety articles of clothing have been introduced and are in general use. History of Cowdenbeath Safety classes for boys are being held, with the result that when a boy com- mences work he is fully aware of all the dangers that are to. be met with during the course of his employment. 1 Since the inception of these classes, approximately three thousand safety certificates have been issued. Besides these safety classes for boys there are also classes for adults, and it is highly significant that the employees are co- operating with the management in all the various schemes that are accomplish- ing so much. The success attained is now last year generally recognised, and . Captain H. Cruikshanks, Minister of Mines, paid a visit to Cowdenbeath to get the latest information about the greater safety campaign. Mine Rescue Station Visit of Captain Cruikshanks. Mr Stevenson. 'V-'-^>i-' /_ jm. •*, >S The Fife, Kinross and Clackmannan Coalowners' Association Mine Rescue Station is in Stenhouse Street, Cowden- beath. In this building a very large number of men have been trained in mine rescue work. A gentleman closely associated with this building is the late Mr David Stevenson. He took a very prominent interest in ambulance train- Presentation of Certificates. ing and rescue work in mines, and he was the unanimous choice for the posi- in this tion of Superintendent. Following his Among the many photographs death the appointment of a successor book are several for the use of which Messrs Given naturally fell on his son .Alexander we are indebted to & Proprietors Stevenson, who was his father's" first Paton (Cowdenbeath), the Advertiser, the assistant and who performed such out- of the Coiodenbeath. West standing work in recent mine disasters Proprietors of the Dunfermline & Cowdenbeath Co-oper- in Scotland, notably Redding, Bowhill, Fife Journal, and and Valleyfield. ative Society. 69 History of Cowdenbeath Reid. W. Ewing i.. Mrs Watson. Dr W. M] 70 History of Cowdenbeath n Champion First-aiders from No. 7 Pit, Cowdenbeath. Left to right—Sitting—W. Ferguson (capt.K W. Reid (manager). W, E. S. Peach (agent). A. Prentice (under-maanger). Standing—David Fernie, W. Spittal, A. Bain. T. Bonnar, u"d J. Davidson. Raising Cowdenbeath Championship Flag 1939 FTF History of Cowdenbeath 71 1 Veteran Miners at Play. Bowling Clubhouse. 72 History of Cowdenbeath Rescue Station, Y.M.C.A. Gathering at Central Park. I. .?, W.REEKIE « SONS OF <®ualtt]t> $robuct£ COWDENBEATH CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES. Under present conditions we may not be able to give you the Variety your Tea Table demands. But In our Scone Craft, we can, as for the past 25 years, satisfy the discrimination of the public for a Girdle Scone made by Craftsmen = from the very Finest Materials. ? Let not your Table be without them. ONE PENNY Each. Travel in Com fort If it is a question of Costs no more . . FURNITURE LARGE FLEET OF LUXURY SALOONS ALWAYS AVAILABLE // is only commonsense to visit Efficient Service Department > nM uii«i,uii«..i >iii«aiiiii« CONNER'S MI Beath Motor Co. 64 High Street Phone : Cowdenbeath 2270 Cardenden 242 THE STORE WITH A THOUSAND SURPRISES Messrs Peter Brand Limited The House that Value Built Drapers Milliners Ladies' Childrens' and I Gentlemen's Outfitters 407-409 HIGH ST., COWDENBEATH THE OWNERSHIP OF A HOME CREATES A DEGREE OF PERSONAL PRIDE AND EFFORT AND THAT DETERMINATION TO CARRY OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP. ~ RICHARD STREET SOLE PARTNER : HARRY STREET consult BUILDING CONTRACTOR tel. 2151 34 EAST PARK STREET COWDENBEATH ADVICE COSTS YOU NOTHING AND MAY SAVE YOU A LOT H : Still Playing the Game RAITH ARMS BOBBY TAIT Suited Cowdenbeath Football Public for many years INN He now SUITS the General Public Bridge Street Has enjoyed a popularity for R. C.Tait&Son over forty years for Service and Ladies' and Gent.'s Tailors Quality still being maintained 56 Stenhouse Street l • ) Pay Us a Call— - You will not regret it Walker Bros. Lumphinnans General Haulage Contractors public - HOUSE Moss^side Road (Late Lumphinnans Goth) Proprietor - ANDREW DICK Our Motto for Sixty Years Everything of the Best AT YOUR SERVICE Every Comfort Guaranteed /l Cordial Welcome is assured m to all Cowdenbeath People when they visit BOB DUNCAN AT Qyeen's Hotel, INVERKEITHING Late of OLD INN Cowdenbeath's Original Hotel JOHN LAW, PERTHROAO Stocks the Best G. Ferguson FRUITS, CONFECTIONS And Specialises in TAILOR FLOWERS, WREATHS, SPRAYS, CROSSES. And WEDDING BOUQUETS HIGH STREET Always at Hand! A knowledge of Cowdenbeath PETER WATT Tailoring Requirements gained NEWSAGENT. STATIONER, TOBACCONIST from close on fifty years' and GENERAL PRINTER experience is at your service NORTH END Specialist in Plastic Paint Work Largest Selection of Wallpaper in District Leylands' Paints -- Sole Stockists Estimates for all Classes of Decorations Telephones: Cowdenbeath 3112 Dunfermline 293 House Address: ST. JOHN'S, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, phone 120 GAS HAS SERVED -»><^S- This community with ever increasing satisfaction, utility and convenience itJil FOR 50 YEARS BE UP-TO-DATE WITH GAS ! LET GAS BE YOUR SERVANT It is unrivalled in the field of Lighting, Our SHOW ROOMS in HIGH STREET Heating, Cooking, Water Heating contain the Latest and Best Appliances i> Wash Boiler and Heating Processes for your inspection, and all can be for Commercial and Industrial Purposes. obtained on very reasonable terms. s. COWDENBEATH GAS COMPANY, Ltd. J WE UNDERTAKE TO GIVE SATISFACTION IN uahej WORKMANSHIP LADIES' If KIR STYLIST * * * All Branches of Halrdressing 1 J. B. ARMSTRONG and Beauty Culture carried JOINER AND UNDERTAKER I out by Skilled Operators HIGH STREET ffl ffl a i • • • Day and Night Service 7J2 t^f-riali7 Telephone 2254 Cowdenbeath Phone 2224 CROWN HOTEL After 73 Years still the MOST POPULAR HOTEL INA FERGUSON, Proprietrix Phone 2165 The Name of . REMOVALS I MR IE lias been a household word Anything Any Where for ovtr seventy years at COWDENBEATH Any Time Best Service at Lowest Prices To-day it is associated with all classes of FURNITURE LOVET RAINE NEW and SECOND-HAND NORTH END 225 HIGH STREET Telephone 2180 Cowdenbeath ! ! ^ 50 Years CO-OPERATIVE PROGRESS HAS BEEN AS OUTSTANDING AS MUNICIPAL ADVANCEMENT When Burgh Formed. To-day. Annual Trade £14,000 £327,438 Share Capital £39,000 £106,282 Total Assets £5, 1 00 £157,574 In addition Valuable Social Service has been rendered to the Community. Cowdenbeath Go-operative Society, Lid Bi Electric Light ! IF IT IS A QUESTION OF MEALS at u Served at a Moderate Price Reasonable Price \ \ ! J. with under the Best Conditions Expert Workmanship ! ! the ANSWER is Have your House Wired now before restrictions make it impossible . . Central Eetftaurant A. McFarlane Knuck HIGH STREET (F.C.G.I. l:l«rt. E..,f.) 209 High Street COWDENBEATH JOHN ROBERTSON, Proprietor. Phone 3105