Rushden Man’s Brave Deed - Plucky Rescue of a Lad - Narrow Escapes
By the brave and commendable conduct of Mr. Lawrence Cox, of Rushden, a boy of about nine years of age has been saved from drowning in the River Nene, at the Wharf, Higham Ferrers, on Saturday.

At about 12.15 p.m. the boy in question, Fred Bettles, of Little-street, Rushden, was bathing in the Nene. Instead of entering the water to the bathing place, he crossed the bridge and got in exactly opposite the “Anchor.” The water is very shallow there for a few feet out, when there is a sheer drop of several feet. The lad was trying to swim, but finding the water too shallow he walked farther out, with the result that he slipped off the ledge into deep water.

Interviewed by a “Rushden Echo” representative, Mr. Cox said: “I was standing at the bathing place with my little boy, when I heard some boys screaming. I did not see the lad in the water, but someone said there was a boy drowning. I ran round the back of the ‘Anchor,’ over the bridge to the other side. I was told he had been down

Under Water Three Times
I jumped into the water without taking any of my clothes off, and when I got to the boy he was unconscious. I caught hold of his arm and then seized his head. I was very much out of breath with running and the exertion in the water, but with difficulty I got near the bank. I found I could touch the bottom and was just getting on my feet when I slipped. As luck would have it I fell towards the bank, otherwise it would have gone hard with us. The boy was pulled up the bank, and then I was able to get out myself. Previous to this I had not been in the water for nine years.”

Mrs. Middleton, of the “Anchor,” told our representative that she had no idea anyone was in the river until she saw a boy fetching her pole. She asked him what he wanted it for, and he said: “There is a boy in the river.” Mrs. Middleton called her son and he found Mr. Cox in the river supporting the boy. He took the lad from Mr. Cox, and by vigorous rubbing succeeded in bringing him round. He afterwards walked home. Mr. Cox is to be highly commended for his plucky act, happily so successful in life-saving.

Alarming Accident to Motor Cyclist - Between Higham Ferrers and Rushden - Machine Wrecked
An accident, probably the result of inexperience, occurred on Saturday last between Rushden and Higham Ferrers. Mr. Gates, wholesale fruiterer, Rushden, was driving a two-horse vehicle down the hill from Rushden to Higham and was on the proper side of the road. A motor-cycle with an empty side-car was coming up the hill, being driven by a lad of about 15 years of age, and a passenger, a man of about 35, was seated on the back of the cycle. The driver appeared to have but little control over the motor but was on the correct side of the road. The wheel of the side-car was running in the gutter and apparently caused some annoyance to the lad driving. By contriving a little, the driver was able to get the motor free of the gutter and he seemed to have gained complete control of his machine when it suddenly swerved across the road at right-angles immediately in front of Mr. Gates’s horses. Had the passenger been in the side-car instead of on the back of the cycle he would in all probability have been killed, as the horses leaped right over it, but he was thrown off the machine as it turned across the road. On the other hand, the balance of the machine might possibly have been preserved and no accident caused if the passenger had ridden in the car.

The front wheels of the horse-vehicle crushed the side car into little more than half its original dimensions. The driver was thrown right under the trolley, sustaining a nasty cut on the head, several bruises, and a bad shaking. With the assistance of some passers by, the driver and his companion, the latter of whom had escaped almost unhurt, were taken to a house close to, and the damaged motor was removed to Mr. D. Nicholson’s garage. The injured men were able to continue their journey by train.

It is said that the motor was the property of a Bedford firm of motor engineers but the motorists are not known. Mr. Gates was fortunately not hurt; one of his horses received a cut between its forelegs, but no damage was done to the vehicle.

Mr. Gates told a representative of the “Rushden Echo” that the motor was going at quite a moderate speed, but that the driver seemed too young and inexperienced, and that if the passenger had ridden in the side-car the lad might have had more control over the whole machine.

Rushden Gardener’s Accident - Falls on to Spiked Railings - Painful Injuries
A terribly painful accident happened to Mr. Jesse Glennister, 45, of Beaconsfield-terrace, on Monday, about 12.30 p.m. Mr. Glennister, who has been employed by Mr. Fred Corby for about six months as gardener, was standing on the top of a step ladder trimming an apple tree, when, owing to a bough breaking, he fell on to some spiked railings. Two of the spikes penetrated his thigh and the poor man was quite unable to free himself.

He shouted for help, and the cries were heard by Mr. Alfred Robinson, sen., and Mr. J. Maddock, both of whom happened to be passing at the time. They instantly ran to the aid of the agonised man and released him. Mr. A. Robinson, jun., and Mr. Geo. Ambridge, of the St. John Ambulance, went immediately for the Athletic Club wheel litter and fortunately saw Dr. Baker en route. They notified the doctor of the accident and he was soon on the scene. After a superficial examination it was found that no bones were broken but that there were two rather deep wounds caused by the spikes penetrating the flesh. There were also several bruises from the fall.

The doctor ordered Mr. Glennister’s removal at once to his home. The sufferer was taken on the litter and put to bed, and the wounds properly attended to. There had been a considerable loss of blood, but Mr. Glennister is now making good progress, considering the nature of the accident.

Motor ’Bus Accident
On Saturday night on the Wellingborough-road, near Rushden, one of the motor ’buses had a breakdown and was stranded at the side of the road for a considerable time, so that the passengers had to walk. Another ’bus came along and the driver pulled up to render any assistance possible. The conductor, Mr Frank Robinson, of Wellingborough-road, Rushden, alighted to make enquiries. Stepping up to speak to his own driver, he slipped, and, as the vehicle was then in motion, the hub of the rear wheel caught him and knocked him violently to the ground. Fortunately the wheel did not pass over him or he might have been killed. He was rendered unconscious, sustaining nasty cuts and bruises all over his body, but no bones were broken. The face of his watch was reduced to powder, his trousers torn, and some coins which were in a canvas bag were bent and battered. He was conveyed home and attended by Dr H S Baker who found the patient suffering from severe shock, but otherwise not in a serious condition. Mr Robinson, who has been a conductor for only a short time, is highly esteemed by his employers and many friends, all of whom wish him a speedy recovery. The unfortunate occurrence was purely accidental. We are told that Mr Robinson is making fair progress.

An Unfortunate Accident occurred on Sunday evening near Mr R Marriott’s house at Rushden, to an aged widow, Mrs Britten, of Chelveston, who for the past twelve months has been residing with her sister Mrs Harris, of Hayway. Mrs Britten had attended service at St peter’s Church and was on her way home, and when near Mr Marriott’s, while crossing the road, she slipped and fell, sustaining injury to the tendons of her right leg. She was at once conveyed to her sister’s by Mr R Chettle, and others who witnessed the accident, and Dr Baker was sent for and came at once. Mrs Britten, by reason of her advanced age is naturally suffering severely from the shock but is progressing as favourably as can be expected.

Startling Accident at Rushden — A Mass of Flames – Two people Injured
A serious accident occurred at 7, Grove-road, on Tuesday to Mrs C Minney, who was severely burned about the arms. Her daughter, Miss Violet Minney, in attempting to save her mother, also sustained injury, being badly burned on the right fore-arm.

It appears that Mrs Minney, who was just about to close some uppers, had in her hands a tin containing about a pint of thick solution. This she dropped when near the gas oven, which was alight, and the inflammable liquid ran underneath. Mrs Minney stooped down to pick up the solution and had some in her hands when that portion which had run under the over suddenly exploded. The force of the explosion knocked her backwards, and the solution which she had in her hands then ignited, and in a moment her arms were a mass of flames.

She screamed for her daughter who was sitting out doors, and Miss Minney, who at once ran to her mother’s assistance, saw an alarming sight, the rug and back door being in flames.

Mrs Minney ran into the yard and her daughter followed her, and tore off her mother’s apron, which was burning.

Miss Minney’s blouse then ignited, but Miss Elsie Ambridge, who resides next door, managed to stifle the flames with a wet cloth, but not before Miss Minney’s arm had been badly burned.

Mrs Ambridge efficiently rendered first-aid, applying oil to Mrs and Miss Minney’s burns, and later the injuries were dressed by Nurse Tipping and Mr Timpson, of the St John Ambulance Association. We are pleased to state that Mrs and Miss Minney are making satisfactory progress, although both are naturally suffering from shock.

Pistol Accident
An accident occurred opposite Messrs. Meadows and Rattley’s shop in the High Street on Tuesday morning to a soldier, who whilst examining a pistol, had the misfortune to discharge the weapon by some means or other, the bullet passing clean through the palm of his hand. The spent missile then struck another soldier, who was near, on the leg, but inflicted no wound. The wounded man was taken in Mr. Wheeler’s butcher’s shop, where he received first aid, the injury subsequently being dressed by Dr. Baker.

Cycle accident
On Tuesday evening as a young man named William Underwood, employed by the Irthlingborough Co-operative Society, was returning home on his bicycle to Rushden, he met with an accident. At the corner of Addington Road and High Street a motor car, driven by a lady, and containing two more occupants, came from the direction of Smith’s hill and in pulling up to enquire the way to Woodford, by some means came into collision with the cyclist. Underwood was thrown heavily from his cycle, and sustained a very bad cut over one of the eyes, which necessitated the use of stitches. His machine was also much damaged.

An accident occurred near the Victoria Hotel on Sunday evening to Mr. T. Myers of Beaconsfield Place. It appears that Mr. Myers, who is 76 years of age, owing to his walking stick slipping, fell heavily to the ground and it is feared dislocated his right hip. He was picked up by Inspector Osborne and conveyed to his home by two of the Rushden constables. Subsequently he was attended by Dr. Crew and on Wednesday morning owing to his leg and hip having become considerably swollen, the doctor advised his removal to the County Hospital. He was conveyed thither by 1st Class Sergt. Prigmore, (Rushden St. John’s Ambulance Association), who was assisted by Mr. G. Spriggs, Mr. Myer’s son-in-law.

An Accident occurred to a cyclist about 1p.m. on Wednesday, the victim being Miss Minney, of Wellingborough-road, Rushden, who whilst cycling down Skinners-hill had the misfortune to collide with a cart. Fortunately her injuries were confined to bruises, and assistance was rendered her by Special Constable W. L. Sargent, who happened to be passing at the time of the accident.

Accident—Miss Ada Reynolds, of 14, Washbrook-road, got her right thumb badly crushed whilst working a blocking machine at Messrs. Nurrish and Pallett’s factory on Monday.

Serious Accident—On Saturday afternoon Mr William George Tyler, who resides at 2, Spencer-road, Rushden, was in charge of a cart of manure belonging to Mr W Brown, dairyman and farmer, of Higham Ferrers, when the horse took fright in Commercial-street, Higham, and commenced to bolt. Mr Tyler made a plucky attempt to stop the animal by hanging on to its head, but in doing so he stumbled, and in a second the cart was over him. The wheel of the cart ran up the side of his back, smashing several bones, including some of his ribs. Mr Tyler was able to see a representative of the “Rushden Echo” on Wednesday and recount the incident, and said that in his opinion it was a lucky thing that the wheel did not go straight over his back or stomach. His injuries of course, are painful, but otherwise his condition leaves no great cause for anxiety.

Nasty Accident at Rushden – Collision of Motorist and Cyclist
Councillor T Swindall Injured
A nasty accident happened on Wednesday afternoon to Mr T Swindall, chairman of the Rushden Tribunal, and a member of Rushden Urban Council. Between three and four o’clock Mr Swindall was cycling down Church-street, and at the same time a commercial traveller was driving a motor car from the direction of Messrs William Claridge & Sons’ factory, and round by Mr Austin’s house into Church-street.

The motorist, in trying to avoid Mr Swindall, swerved on to the path near Mr Austin’s house, while, at the same time, Mr Swindall, in order to avoid running into a child who was on the road, unluckily turned towards the same pathway, with the result that a collision occurred.

At the same time another motor car was standing outside the shop of Mr J E Smith, another factor which made it more difficult for both motorist and cyclist. Mr Swindall was evidently caught by the starter or spring of the motor, and he was thrown off his machine with great force right on to the hood of the car. Mr Chas. Robinson, of Wellingborough-road, and Mr J R Clipson, of Oakley-road, at once assisted Mr Swindall to Dr Baker’s surgery, where the injuries were attended to. Mr Swindall sustained a cut on the left eye, and his left leg and thigh were bruised, besides which he was considerably shaken, and he has had to keep to his bed for a few days.

It should be added that Mr Swindall was conveyed home by the motorist, who states that this is the first accident he has had in 5,000 miles of travelling with this car. The radiator and lamp of the car were damaged, and Mr Swindall’s cycle also sustained damage. We understand that the motorist used his ordinary horn and also his emergency hooter.

Accident—On Wednesday, a horse and trap belonging to Mr Wyldes, of the Court Estate, was standing in charge of a lad in the High-street, when a motor ’bus came along. The horse took fright, and, in spite of the lad’s efforts to hold it, backed on to the pavement in front on the Northants Union Bank, and knocked down the standard gas lamp, which only missed the Bank windows by inches. Fortunately, no other damage was done.

An Accident happened on Saturday to a lad named Payne, when taking a truck of meat for Mr R A Wheeler, butcher. Payne was pulling the truck, and another boy was pushing it, when it got out of control in going down-hill, with the result that it knocked Payne down and ran over his leg.

Hand Amputated—We are sorry to report that Herbert Chettle, aged 12, son of Mr and Mrs Charles Chettle, of 83, Duck-street, who, as reported in the “Rushden Echo” recently, got his hand into a welt splitting machine, has had to undergo an operation for the amputation of the injured member. We understand that he is now progressing satisfactorily.

An Alarming Accident occurred on the Newton-road near the Court Estate turn on Saturday evening, when an elderly man named Charles Maddams was knocked down by a motor car and rendered unconscious, although fortunately no bones were broken. It appears that Mr H Staniland had been driven to Catworth on business by Mr C Bennett, and on the return journey, when between Mr J Harris’s house and the Court Estate turn, the occupants of the car noticed a man walking in the middle of the road about 30 yards to the front of them. The driver sounded his hooter twice, but Mr Maddams, who, we understand, is deaf, appeared bewildered, and turned into the track of the car, so that he was caught by the near side mudguard and thrown violently down. Mr Bennett pulled the car up within 15 yards, and returning to the spot with Mr Staniland, picked up Mr Maddams, who was unconscious and bleeding, and, putting him in the car, conveyed him to his lodgings at Mortimer’s Farm cottages. They then proceeded to Rushden and fetched Dr. Greenfield, who examined the man and found that he was severely bruised and cut about the body and face, but fortunately the skull was not fractured, although he was found to be suffering from slight concussion. He recovered consciousness whilst the doctor was attending him. Subsequently Mr Bennett and Mr Staniland notified the Rushden police of the occurrence. Inquiries on Sunday elicited the information that Mr Maddams was making satisfactory progress.

ACCIDENT—No little excitement was caused in Station-road on Wednesday afternoon when a heavily-loaded miller’s wagon got out of the driver’s control whilst being driven down the hill. Three horses were attached to the wagon, and whilst going down the hill the vehicle, owing to the gradient, although the driver attempted to check it by applying the brake, gathered too great a momentum for the horse in the shaft to check it with the result that the horse fell, also bringing down the rear horses. The poor animal in the shafts was pinned under the vehicle and some sacks of flour which rolled off, and a steam roller which was at work near by had to be requisitioned to pull the wagon off before the suffering animal could be extricated. The driver also had an alarming experience, as he ran a grave risk of being crushed under the heavy sacks of flour which commenced rolling off the wagon, but he managed to escape from his perilous position with the assistance of a Council employee, Mr. J. Madams, who held down the frightened and suffering horse whilst the driver got out. The shafts of the wagon were smashed and the horse hurt, but fortunately not so badly as had been at first feared. The value of the three animals which so narrowly escaped serious injury was £300.

Accident—Mr Munns, an elderly man, in the employ of Mr R Marriott, builder, while standing at the top of a ladder painting an outbuilding on the premises of Messrs Sanders and Sanders, Spencer-road, fell to the ground and was rendered unconscious. Men inside the factory heard the fall and hastened to his assistance. Mr L Sanders motored Mr Munns home, where he received medical attention. The injured man is suffering from shock, cuts, and bruises, and is making as much progress as can be expected.