GLENBUCK MEMORIES

Extracts from James Taylor's book

Cairntable Echoes

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NEW WATER SUPPLY AT GLENBUCK, 1910

Glenbuck village has suffered severely for years from an inadequate supply of water. In summer and dry weather "The Spoot" was the scene of many an assembly of housewives, and where the news of the district was thrashed out on many a well-contested battle of tongues, but that has now passed away.

About ten years ago the County authorities appointed a Committee to deal with the matter, but they found them selves confronted with many difficulties, the most formidable being the small district, the area and valuation being so small that it was prohibitive for the purpose of having a good scheme. Last year the village was in starvation of water, the population was less owing to the closing of some of the pits, and thus increased the difficulty of taxation. The Committee did not lose heart, and approached Mr Charles Howatson of Glenbuck, who, after discussing various details and arriving at a satisfactory result, generously agreed to let the County Council have a supply from springs on the Hareshaw Hill on his land, the only condition being that he should be allowed to take a supply from his house and one or two tenants, from the tank to be erected. This cleared the way of the Committee considerably, and they were further very generously helped by Mr J. G. A. Baird of Muirkirk and Messrs Wm. Baird & Co., Ltd., through Mr Robert Angus of Ladykirk allowing their house to be included in the Rating District, though each of them had formerly provided supplies for themselves. The area for rating was thus increased and the burden lightened for those in the village proper and on the Cairntable side.

On Friday last (28th April) the Engineer, Mr Eaglesham, Ayr, with Mr Young (Contractor), Muirkirk, along with Mr Howatson of Glenbuck and Mr John Kerr, Convener of the Committee, visited Glenbuck, and, after seeing that the work was all in order, turned on the water, which is of excellent quality and in abundant supply.

By September, however, all was not well with the water in Glenbuck, as the report in the September 22 issue explains:

Water(?) Supply

In response to several notices posted throughout the village, a very largely attended meeting of ratepayers was held in the Public Hall on Wednesday evening last. According to the notice, the business was "to take steps to see about the water supply being seen into." 

Mr William Hastie, sen., presided, and introduced the business, stating that they were all aware of what was the cause of the meeting. He then spoke of the new water supply and the very bad water that was passing through the pipes. They felt something must be done to remedy the evil. There was no doubt they would have to pay the price of good water, and that was what they were not getting. He then called for an expression of opinion from those present. The expressions that found vent were few, spouters being scarce, but, like the parrot they thumped away at the thinking. It was ultimately decided that a public petition be got up drawing the attention of the authorities to the state of the water, that same to be presented to the Parish Council at their first meeting. The petition had already been got up, and signed by almost every ratepayer in the district. It is felt that the mixture may be quite wholesome, and meat and drink combined, but the inhabitants would prefer them separately.

Council Meeting

At a meeting of the Sub-Committee on 7th October, Mr Angus reported that he, along with Mr Kerr, had accompanied the Engineer every the Glenbuck water supply, and having discussed the matter with the Engineer, he expected that, with the carrying out of a few simple suggestions, all complaints about the state of the water would be remedied, and they had authorised the Engineer to get the work done.

AN ECHO OF THE PAST

The curtain has finally been rung down on the grim tragedy which was enacted on a Glenbuck byway in the spring of 1908, by the suicide of the culprit in Perth Prison on 13th November, 1912, Thomas Bone, Jr., was sentenced to death in the High Court held in Glasgow for the murder of his wife at Glenbuck, but a respite was granted on the eve of the day set aside for his execution. Bone was undergoing confinement during His Majesty's pleasure in Perth Penitentiary, and, it appears, had been giving considerable trouble to the wardens for some time, latterly being regarded as a dangerous lunatic. Although closely watched, he took advantage of the 15 minutes' absence of the warder, and committed suicide in his quarters by hanging himself with a bedsheet, which he tied tightly round his neck and attached to a peg in the wall. It is understood that the body was still warm when the warder returned, but life was extinct.

TOM BONE Glenbuck's Champion Quoiter

The Quoiting Champion of the World

The sons of Glenbuck have won fame in many spheres; but in the realm of sport, considering the population, the village is perhaps without rival in the production of men who have reached the high water mark.

It is our sad duty to-day (November 30th, 1916) to refer to the death of an illustrious native, one of the brightest lights the quoiting world has ever known, viz.: Mr Thomas Bone, the undisputed Champion of Great Britain, which sad event took place in his native village on Tuesday of last week. Tommy was a miner to trade, and several years ago he received an injury to one of his eyes while at work, losing the sight of it. He never seemed to fully recover from the accident, and for a about a year he has been an invalid, the end coming as above stated, much to the regret of all who knew him.

Tom Bone was born in Glenbuck 48 years ago, and has always resided there. He came into the limelight in the quoiting circles when he was twenty years of age, playing his first stake match in 1888 at Cumnock with the renowned James McMurdo, and won by 61 - 42. Since that time he has always been in the fore in the realm of quoiting, and he had few if any equals, having defeated all who came before him. He first won the Scottish Championship from Watters of Lochgelly in 1889, at Glasgow, defeating the Fife man by 61- 58. Watters was undoubtedly his most notable opponent, and many an historic battle they had. In other Championship matches he played with Andrew Connel of Darvel, Robert Kirkwood of Banknock, and the present Champion of Scotland (the title having been relinquished by the subject of this sketch owing to ill-health) - Richard McBride of Galston, meeting the latter in four big matches, winning three times and losing once, this at East Calder, by 61 - 58. One of the most historical matches ever played in Scotland was that for the Championship of Great Britain, between Tom Bone and James Hood of Liverpool, the English Champion, the match taking place at Motherwell about eight years ago. In such deadly form did the Glenbuck marvel play that day that the English Champion was seldom allowed an opportunity to score, and the Englishman was defeated by 61 - 27. Bone also held the record for the Ballochmyle Silver Quoit, having won it no fewer than 14 times - a record which in all probability will never be equaled. His name is also engraved on the Howard-de-Walden Cup no less than six times. In tournament play he was peerless, and has competed at all the principal events. In the premier quoiting tournament of Scotland, held annually at Darvel, he competed for four medals, which must be won twice before becoming one's own property. Of these he won two outright, and on the last occasion he competed he beat his opponent, Robertson, by 15 shots to nil in the final. His last appearance in the ring was with John Durney at Barrmill in an exhibition game, fully a year ago, but as Tom was far from well, and had the sight of but one eye he was unable to do himself justice, and this proved to be his last game.

Many an exciting game of practice has been seen at Glen-buck, firstly between Tom and his brother James, who now resides in Motherwell, where Tom was a great favourite, and latterly with Matt. Park, now with the colours. James especially was very little behind Tom in ability. Tom was unmarried, and resided with his sister in Glenbuck.

STORM

Glenbuck was visited by a very severe thunderstorm on Tuesday afternoon (24th June, 1914). A torrential rain, accompanied by hailstones of solid ice and as large as marbles, soon made the burns overflow their banks, especially the one that flows past the school. The culvert was unable to take away the water, which swept down the Store Brae, tearing up the road, the debris forming a bank at the foot of the brae. The water then made its way towards Old School Row, Office Row, and Jubilee Row, and some of the houses there were flooded. This happened just as the miners were arriving home from work, and they at once led the water into the Public Park. At several parts the road was washed away to a depth of three feet. The children coming out of the school had to be carried over the water, which was fully eighteen inches deep. On the other side of the village the road was also flooded, but not to such an extent. Several landslides occurred on the Douglas Road and on the Hareshaw Hill. On a part of the road at Parishholm, near the Dam, about thirty yards of the fence was forced into the middle of the road by a slip on which there were some young trees. Considerable devastation has also been done by flooding in the approach to Glenbuck House, while on Glenbuck Estate, as well as the adjoining farm of Monkshead, all the sheep bridges have been washed away. With the latter farm vehicle traffic has been completely suspended, even parties on foot having to take to the fields. The Douglas Water overflowed its banks and ran into Glespin Pit. Ten men were entombed thereby, but fortunately all were got out in safety after some trying experiences. It was the most severe storm that has visited the district within living memory. Muirkirk completely escaped the storm.

NEW STORE MANAGER AT GLENBUCK, 1934

Mr Logie Davidson, head salesman with Messrs Currie, New Cumnock, has been appointed manager of Glenbuck Co-operative Society in succession to Mr A. V. Hazle, who has resigned to take over the Royal Arms Bar.It is interesting to note that Mr Davidson, a Glenbuck native, started his working career in the Store, and was in fact the first boy to be employed by the Society.

MINING (1916)

Glespin Pit closed some time ago, and the plant came under the auctioneer's hammer quite lately, the landscape being quite changed about the little village. The lessees of the neighbouring colliery at Carmacoup, the Kinnox Colliery Co. Ltd., have now taken a lease of the minerals under the lands of East and West Glespin, and have also bought over the workmen's houses at Glespin, to the number of fully forty. No time has been lost in getting to work on the new fields, and coal is now being produced. A considerable number of the Glespin miners are now employed there, and it also affords another open door for Muirkirk district men.

GLENBUCK (1916)

The other day the door of a shop in Glenbuck which had gathered round it memorable associations for the younger people of Glenbuck finally closed—at least under the old regime. We refer to the shop known as Leezie Milliken's. A year or two ago Leezie went the way of all flesh, and her successor has now hurriedly sold off. What the feelings of the myriads of young people who frequented the shop in years gone by for ginger pop, ice-cream, or hot peas, according to the season—aye, for anything, including a crack and some sport—what the feelings of those who frequented it in its palmy days would have been to have viewed the now empty establishment we leave themselves to imagine. It must have caused something akin to a shock, for it was the rendezvous of the youth and beauty of the place—the local Westminster, and the headquarters of all the Football Associations. With the demise of Leezie, however, it gradually lost its charm, and the house was subject to the same vagaries as affect at least all small concerns—amongst them the personality of the proprietor, for Leezie was of the happy-go-lucky type, and, while the butt of many a joke, she could give and take. Truly, the old order changeth

THE "NEW" RAILWAY, 1918

What was termed the "new" railway when it was laid between ten and twenty years ago, by the Caledonian Railway Company, linking up the existing railway from Lesmahagow to Gallawhistle Pit, Glenbuck, with that at Muirkirk, it is now approaching probably its last phase. The railway was completed, but was never opened for traffic. Some years ago the rails were lifted. These are being re-laid by contractors for the purpose of dismantling the bridges and removing the iron girders from the several inconsiderably viaducts which spans the glens at Crossflatt, Ponesk, and Glenbuck, for, it is said, use in France.

A RARE OCCURRENCE (1918)

During the holiday week (July), while Mr Richard Bone, Ladybank, Glenbuck, was taking a walk alongside Ponesk Burn, he was surprised at coming suddenly upon a mother otter with her two young ones. They were on the grass at the side of the burn busily engaged in devouring an eel. When the mother espied Mr Bone she showed true maternal instinct, and showed fight, but the intruder proved the stronger, and all three were dispatched. Mr Bone carried them home and had them skinned. Otters have been observed in the district before, but none have been secured.

OF GLENBUCK

On 24th January 1918, at his residence at Glenbuck House, Mr Charles Howatson breathed his last. Mr Howatson, who had reached the ripe old age of 86 years, and was a well-known and striking personality in the district, and had been visibly failing of late, although he was still able to attend to business, and walk about the house, till Monday of last week, when he had a paralytic seizure, from which he succumbed on the Thursday following.

Mr Howatson was born in 1832, in the Parish of Auchinleck, and came of an old and honourable farming stock. He was the eldest son of the late Wm. Howatson of Cronberry, who died in 1882, and who was the second son of Charles Howatson of Craigdarroch and Cronberry. His mother was a daughter of George Samson of Rigg, Auchinleck, and his father's mother was eldest daughter of John Reid of Duncanziemere and Cronberry. With such an array of farming sires it can be of little marvel that Mr Howatson had from the first been strongly attracted by similar pursuits.

For long, however, the main business of his life lay in a different sphere. At the age of 15 he entered the offices of Messrs Wm. Baird & Co., ironmasters, Gartsherrie, and eight years later, when that firm acquired Muirkirk Ironworks, he was appointed to organise and manage the new concern. Previously these works had proved a comparative failure, but under the new management they made a fresh start, and have since had a history of uninterrupted success. While manager of the works, Mr Howatson took a personal interest in the men under his charge, encouraging temperance and thrift, stopping the sale of liquor at the Company's Store, and paying a bonus to the workmen who were abstainers. He retired from the management of the works in 1870.

Meanwhile Mr Howatson had found leisure and opportunity to indulge in other pursuits. In 1863 he was offered, and accepted, a lease of the farm of Crossflatt at a rent of ten shillings for each ewe and hogg kept on it during summer, and which farm he latterly fell heir to. Mr Howatson had also acquired the Dornel Estate, and in 1865 had taken the farms upon it into his own hand, and afterwards adding it to Hall, Glenmuir, Auchinlongford, Tardoes, as well as Duncanziemere, which had belonged to his great grandfather. In 1872 he purchased Glenbuck Estate, and in 1879 Glenbuck House was built, the present handsome edifice replacing the farmhouse which was once the only residence on the Estate. On the occasion of his leaving Daldorch House in 1880, to take up residence in his new home, Mr Howatson was entertained to a public dinner in Catrine. In recent years Mr Howatson also added the neighbouring farm of Monkshead to his estate.

On his acquiring the Glenbuck Estate, Mr Howatson opened up the minerals, and for a time the gascoal produced was in active demand. These were worked for many years by the Cairntable Gas Coal Co. Now they are leased to and being worked by the Burnbank Coal Co. But it was as a breeder of blackface sheep that Mr Howatson stood out pre-eminently. When he first got possession of Crossflatt he began, by draining and liming, to improve the quality and quantity of the herbage. Then he proceeded to vastly improve the flock of blackfaces itself, which, when he acquired it, was of no more than secondary quality. His object was to produce a highly-bred strain of blackface sheep of the type best suited for the climate and pasture. In this Mr Howatson was entirely successful, and among other advantages the lambs on Crossflatt came to be woolled all over with so thick a natural coat that the severest weather had no effect on them, while from 1864 to 1875 the average weight of fleece increased from 3¼ to 5½ lbs., and in 1888 it was 6½ lbs., or fully a third more than the average weight of blackface fleeces on similar land in general. With the purchase of Glenbuck estate Mr Howatson's opportunities of improving the blackface sheep increased, the estate having been famous for these 100 years before. The Glenbuck estate was also greatly improved by Mr Howatson. Draining and liming were carried on upon the land, replacing most of the old bleak heath with a sweet greensward of natural grasses and clover, while plantations were made on exposed parts, which afforded much needed shelter for the stock. Mr Howatson raised the Glenbuck flock to a National reputation, and at the annual shows of the Highland and Agricultural Society (the premier Scottish Show) he made a record of winning the blue ribbon twelve times in succession with shearling rams—a record that will most probably stand. In 1909 Mr Howatson was waited on and presented with a solid silver salver, candelabra, &c., from the principal breeders of blackface sheep in Scotland, England, Ireland, and the Colonies, in recognition of the interest which he had taken in improving the breed during a period of nearly half a century. In 1903 Mr Howatson let the farm of Crossflatt, the stock going with it, since which the fame of the flock has been worthily upheld by Mr Clark, the lessee. Although Mr Howatson has long retired from bringing forward shearlings for show and sale, that the flock is still very much to the fore is proved by the fact that Glenbuck lambs always fetch high prices, and only last autumn one of the flock brought the highest price ever paid for a blackface lamb.

The late Laird was of a genial and homely disposition, and in his day took a great interest in the work of the Commission of the Peace, the County Council, the Parochial Board, and the School Board, while he also founded the Glenbuck Bursary to assist the local students at the Universities. In 1882 he took the chief part in establishing the existing quoad sacra Parish Church at Glenbuck, while his interest in the local Covenanters is shown by his erection of a fine obelisk in Muirkirk Cemetery to their memory. Mr Howatson also came prominently before the public in 1892 when he was adopted Unionist candidate for South Ayrshire, but on that occasion his health broke down, since which he never ventured to enter the political arena.

Mr Howatson is survived by his widow, a son, and two daughters. The funeral took place to Auchinleck Cemetery, where there was a large concourse of mourner.

MINING TRAGEDY

An explosion at Haig Pit, Whitehaven, on 5th September,1922, claimed the lives of 39 miners. Mr James Strickland, recently manager at Grasshill Colliery, and now in charge of the nearby Ladysmith Pit, was hurriedly called by telephone on the morning of the explosion, and took an active part in the rescue operations.

Mr JOE MUIR

American newspapers to hand refer to the fact that "Joe Muir, one of the best known of Wheatland County's pioneer residents this week acquired 1,600 additional acres of land in the Hepley district, at a cost of 24,000 dollars (roughly £5,000). This makes a total of 12,000 acres of the finest ranch land in the State now owned by Mr Muir, who is one of the State's leading sheepmen." Also "Jeremiah Williams and Co., of Boston, Mass., were the successful bidders for the 38,000 lb. wool clip of Joe Muir, one of the big sheepmen of the district, paying 60½ cents per pound for the whole lot. Representatives of four firms bid upon the clip, three turning in the same bid. The successful bidder was decided by the flipping of a coin, with chance decreeing in favour of Williams Co. Mr Muir's clip is a very choice long staple wool."

It will be interesting to our readers to learn that the Joe Muir referred to above is the eldest son of the late Mr David Muir, sub-postmaster at Glenbuck, and of Mrs Muir, still residing there, and a brother of the local motor boss, so that he is an Ayrshire man, and, to be still more definite—a Glenbuck man. Mr Muir left his native village about 37 years ago (1882), when quite a lad, previous to which he was employed on farms in the district. He left home with the greatest asset a child can inherit, viz., a sound constitution, and the valuable asset of robust health, but with very little in the way of worldly gear. On arrival in the States he was employed as a shepherd in Montana, and in time got a little sheep ranch of his own, since which, through grit and energy he has risen to be the owner of one of the biggest ranches in the States, as exemplified by the fact that he raised 5,000 this season. Mr Muir visited his homeland about 26 years ago. He is a widower.

Rev. C. A. MacKENZIE BRINGS HIS BRIDE