The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-03-14 00:00:00

iIARRIAGE OF W. H. FOSTER, ESQ., M.Y.

ringing was of a first-class character, and gave
great satisfaction. A number of flags floated from
several windows, and cannons were heard booming
in all directions during the day. On Monday the
whole of the inmates of the workhouse were treated
to roast beef, plum-pudding, and one pint of good
ale, by Mr. W. 0. Foster, on the occasion of his
son's marriage.
On Monday, all the cottagers on the estate in the
parishes of Stockton, Worth.ld, and Astley Abbotte,
were regaled with dinner in a large marquee, at
Norton. The little s illage had assumed an entirely
sit fete appearance. Flags were displayed from a
considerable number of houses and had also been
fixed in trees in many gardens. There were like-
wise a number of mottoes displayed at various
houses, expressing good wishes towards the bride
and bridegroom. The day was of a most unfavour-
able character, hot it (lid not appear to interfere
with the enjoyment of the people. Through the
kinelnesa of Mr. Foster, several tents had been
°meted by Mr. Andrews, of Shrewesbury, on land
near the centre of the village, and in the largestof
these, at two o'clock. about 400 persons sat down
to dinner. Mr. W, 0. Roster had given a most
excellent ox, which wae well served up by Mr. and
Mrs. Burroughs, of the hundred house. Af.er
, ample justice had been done to the beef, there
two an addition° plum pudding, the whole being
weehel down by plentiful libations of ale. Mr. J.
W. Bete eccupied the chair, he being the oldest
tenant on the estate; Mr. A. Warrall was in the
vice-chair, and among those who took a prominent
part in the proceedings were Messrs. Wyley, Sing,
Nock, Brown, Smith, Summers, Bradley, Cherring-
ton, Mapp, Penzer, Roberts, and Price. A number
of ladies graced the proceedings with their pre-
sence. At the conclusion of the repast, the Chair-
man gave "The geeen," and Mr. Sing proposed
"The Bishop and Clergy," coupled with the name
of the Rev. George Whitmore. The Rev. B. J.
Patrick responded on behalf of Mr. Whitmore, and
remarked that he hoped that they would all see
that the clergy were not only their ministers, but
their friends—(hear, hear, and applause). The
Chairman then gave "Bride aml Bridegroom." Ex-
pressing the p:easure he felt at the event which
had called them together that afternoon, he re-
marked that that event wrs one deeply interesting
both to themselves and to their families. He was
sure they all loved and respected their present
landlord. hoped Mr. Foster would be long spared
to occupy that position—(applatiee). But they
must look to the time when in the natural course
of events, Mr. Ilenry Foster would be landlord
over their eltildren: and the marriage concerned.
therefore not ouly themselves, but their families
also. He had wryly reason to think that Mr.
Henry Foster would be as good a man as his
father was—(applause).—The toast was then
drunk with hearty cheers.—Mr. Warrall proposed
"Mr. and Mrs. W. 0. Foster." Ile remarked tutu
he was sure they had the interests of the tenantry,
the eottagers, and the labourers at heart—The
toast having been warmly drunk, Mr. Wyley, as
Mr. Foster's agent, responded. He said he was
sure if Mr. Foster hail been prow:2' ,t would have
given him much gratification to see ha tenants
and labourers assembled together under one teem-
mon roof—(applause)—for he believed no ma
took more pleasure than Mr. Fester did in seeing
good feeling existing between high and low, rich
and poor—(applause). Mr. Foster had always
depended more upon deeds than words; and he
(SI r. Wyley) would therefore only: thank
the company for the kind manner in which they
they had received that toast —Mr. Charles Nock
proposed "The Labourers on th. 3 Apley estate—
str. S. Williams responded and proposed the
health of Sr. Wyley.—The toast was drunk with
much heartiness.—ln responding, Mr. Wyley said
it had given him great pleasure ti assist in gettine
up, and also to attend that banquet. It wee, he
thought, a very pleasant sight when the tenant
farmers and their labourers sat down together at
dinner, for it indicated a good feeling existing
between them; and certainly it was of the greatest
importance that there should be unanimity be-
tween capital and labour. In the present day,
however, it was not often that such unanimity was
found. The labourer sometimes thought himself
ill-used by his master, and a most distressing state
of things occaisoually ensued. He was happy to
say there was no strikes and no 'difficulties ou the
estates, and this was through the good feeling
existing between labourer, tenant farmer, land-
lord, and agent, all being willing to "row together
in the same boat." It rested with the workpeople
whether this state of things should continue, and
from what he saw he thought it would continue
for many years to come—(applause).—Br. Sum-
mers proposed "the Chairman, remarking that he
was gentleman who desired the welfare of all
working men.—The Chairman responded, and
endorsed Mr. Wyley's remarks as to the thorough
good feeling existing between employer and em
ployed. The last toast, "The Ladies,' was pro
posed by Mr. Wyley, and responded to by Mr.
Penzer, and the proeredings then ended. The
band of the Bridgenorth volunteers was in atten
dance under the Superintendence of Mr. Cover,
and played selections of music during the aftet-
noon. Further music was given in the earlier
part of the day by the ringing of the bells at 'took-
ton Church. shortly after the imnelusion 0: the
dinner, the tables were relaid, and the wives and
teniale frieude of the villegers were provided with
an excellent tea, the arrangements for which had
had been made by the same eeminittee of tenant
rimmed. The company numbered about ethe and
their wants were promptly supplied by a large
staff of ready waiters, the wives and daughters of
the tenant farmers having volunteered their set-
eiees. Various games were indulged in during
the afternoon and evening in ;he dela in which
the tents were 'ret I. Tee arrangetneets for the
dey's proceedings had been admirably made, atu“
reflected great credit on all emeerne 1. A itail wa
held lathe evening, in a marque which had been
__ .

boarded and deeorated for the occa,i, et. About
' 200 ladies and gens lessen were pe sent. The
Bridgmorth Rifle Band MlSin atteni.ance.
At Kingswitutord on Monday, morning, the men
ind youths employed on the estate, about 900 in
number, met at the estate office, Shut End, and
formed themselves into a procession, accompanied
by the brass bands of the Shut End Works, King-
swinford Rifle Corps, Gornal Wood and Woodside.
At the head of the procession were Mr. F. Cook-
son, principal agent, Mr. Addenbroke, cashier, am;
Mr. D. Rogers, mine agent. They proceeded
through the various parts of the parish taking
Pensnett, Shut End, Summerhill, Wall Heath, and
Kingswinford in their way. Yard by yard the num-
ber of sightseers increased, until by the time the
procession reached Kingswinford Parish Church
there was a perfect block, through which the band
and procession had to force their way. The old-
fashooed, but partially restored church was soon
tilled, it having been arranged that the vicar (the
Rev. Henry Downing) should conduct a short ser-
vice, and afterwards address the tnen. After the
service the procession re-formed and proceeded to
the Cross Inn, where men and youths were dispersed
to the differeint public houses where they were to
dine, and there were no less than fifteen of these,
and at each the firm had provided a liberal dinner-
At the Cross Inn Mr. Cookson presided, and he was
supporf ed by the Rev. H. Downing, Rev. 0. H.
It •14 len. Mr. John Bird ( Messrs. Chance's manager).
Dr. Benjamin Wood,..alr. E. Penser. Mr. J. Thom-
son (surgeon to the colliery), Mr. J. E. Adden-
;,,,ok, Mr. A. Addenbrook, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Z.
Cartwright; Ac., Ac. After the usual loyal anti
partriotie toasts, the the Chairman proposed" The
heath of the Bride and Bridegroom." In doing as
he mid the young Bridegroom started in life with
prospects, and he wits likely to continue
to shed lustre on the family name, for he was a
good son, and the son of a good father. If one
thing could add to their happiness it was the know-
ledge that at that moment, his employes were enjoy-
ing, themselves. He therefore 'ailed upon them to
.Irink the toast in a bumper. The toast was then
drank with musical honours. The health of Mr.
W. G. Foster and Family' was then proposed by
Mr. W. Mebberley, one of the workmen and cordi-
ally received. Mr. Cookson, in responding, spoke
of the interest which Mr. koster Mt in his men,
and praised the workmen tr h-Ar skill and care
in there work. B si's.dears it had be-
-ome us Ito say that there were no accidents at
Shut Ead—(here, here, and ia.ughter).
Mr. George Dunn, one of the workmen, then pro-
posed the health of " Mr. Cookson, the principal
agent"—( loud applause). The toast was drunk
with musical honours.

The marriav o Mr. W. 11. Foster, M.P. for
Brio,;caorth, cutest FOII of W. 0. Foster, Esq., ti
Apici Park, to Miss Pakenham Mahon, eldest
daughter of Mr. Pakenhain Mahon, os Stokes.
t mu House, It mcommon. Ireland was solemnised
on Saturday last, at St. Peters Church, Eatou-
square, Loudon. A large number of relatives and
friends assembled on the occasion. The bride
entered the church with her father, accompanied
by her seven bridesmaids to the alter, where the
bridegroom awaited her. The bride's dress was of
white satin, with deep flounce, a garniture of oil
Spanish point, a wreath of orange blossoms, a veil
Lisle...if to the hair by three diamond stars; the
jew..1,3 worn were a, diamonttnecklace and earrings,
and a spleudid bracelet set with diamonds, stir.
roam led with a wreath of shamrocks in emeralds.
The ve.ierable Archdeacon Bathurst perl'ormed
the reremoney. The bridesmaids were Miss Fester,
. .

fula Miss Julia Foster (sisters of the bridegroom),
t m; Misses Florence and Maud Pakoulmin Mahon
:,.rs to the bride), the Hon. Constance Plunkett,
Mi.s Dal, and Miss Lees. Their dresses were et
p ,ie h!ne silk sad muslin, trimmed with lace; the
b,iiiimrs of blue tale, with veils and bunches ut
nieces. Each bridesmaid wore a gold locket,
so h desigp in pale coral, mounted in diamonds
nil peAris, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr.
Arduir Pryor acted as best man, Amongst the
milt:my at the clinch who afterwards
_ . . . .

tot tot the dejesser at 7. Grosvenor tti,Tr.detTs.,--were
the Earl of Longford, General and Lady Jane
Tay!or, Lord Dun,any and Hod. Countess Mil-
k.l t, Lady Isabella Schuster, Earl Bathurst,
..t:d :sod Islay Katherine and Miss Luaus
Irk, n tteralll and Lady Dalton Fitzgerald,
Iti :ma Lady Musgrove, Mr. and Miss
ft!:, tied ,1 st Lady Cotehrane and
tt • Mt: ,os ett..hrone, Colonel and Mrs. .1131'Vey
,• w 1 M. Randodith, Mr. Mrs.

,
• I I..,iter, Captain J imFo,ter, Mr.
. I •1,..11..tr Vaudeleur, Mr. and Mrs. Stopford
I, Sir John Cml.oy,
.ttlierley, Mr. Evelyn
• ..i!v.rley, Mrs. aud
. Coot°, Mr. Wiliiam
Mr. and 3lrs.
' . r 4. Willa Sandford. Mr.,
, -es Thistlethwayte, Archdeacon
11,t04 Tolor, Mr. Fni,nk
r. Jea!:in..n, Mr. J. Ward, Mr. S.
• • (; i"., wedding presents

. . Bridgenorth
..1 liy ringiago meery
• • . 8 . • ...L.A.., Church,
• . . , • Siflee th
of six
• : , ty adding a
t.....ti.er ut IV I ich weighM
•
• .•, • .. E that. The etwitilig of
••• I 6..euud I.ell„ wail the hanging a
rt: entr.istc.l. to Messrs. Warner and
the work hoirig completed tinder
II lVfl OI Air. Boz,we'.l. their foreman.
p ,:a gritnilTre triples. eun,isting
' ••••if i• 1 11,1,1 and

S

Mar: iti.S

Air it. John-

. .
'• '; ;1& J. Buffery,
LIWI I 1., air. H. J..thmon. Ken. After.
1Y rang 604 Steadman's triples. The

Other toasts—including the healths of Mr. F. Ad-
denbrok e and Mr. Byers—followed, after Mr. Cook-
son, in a feeling speech, had responded There were
some very beantiful banners in the procession no-
tably one showing Mr. W. H. Foster's crest and
coat of Inns, and, anoth•T aith the inscription
" Long life and happiness to Mr. and Yrs. W. IL
Foster.-

As early as nine o'clock the Pariah Chnreh bells
Aug out a merry peal, and notwithstanding the un-
propitious state of the weather, the inhabitants
seemed actuated by one desire, namely, to show
their respect for the foster family, and their desire
to join in the general prayer of the workmen em.
pl..yed by the arm, and wish " Long life and hap-
piness to Mr. and Mrs. W. It. Fostes."
At Stourbridge about 54.10 of men engaged at the
work:, sat down to dinner at the Vine and MI
~tel,, and various inane in the neighbourhood; and
;he cbief odieers and clerks dined together at the
Talb,,r Hotel, where a sumptuous repast was provided
for hem be the worthy host.
At the Vine Hotel the chair was taken by vit..
William'oillward, chief engineer at the works at the
works at Sturbridge, and tho yiee-chair by NI r. J.
L.,N4 ~th. ex,tellent dinner was pro.
Tided, ,on•isting of good substantial old English
fare, mil after the cloth had been removed,

THE STOURRAIDGE OBSERVER.
The Chairman, in opening the business of the THE DASTARDLY ATTEMPT TO UPSET
r-eeing, said he had been in the employ of the firm TRAINS NEAR STOURBRIDGE.
of Bradley and Co.. for 53 years. He went to Lon-
don some years back, on business for the firm, and
whilst there he enquired what kind of iron was used
in the shipbuilding at the London Docks, and found
it was that of Bradley and Company. He went from
London to Africa, and found that the same iron was
A I there. He had been back in England for 35
ears, and during the whole of that time John Brad-
ley and Co.'s iron still maintained an unrivalled
superiority over that of all competitors—(applause).
Mr. Lowe (the vice-chairman) next addressed those
present, and in doing so, said it was well known that
the "Foster Family" in the iron trade, was a house-
hold word. The iron of their manufacture was
sought after by those requiring a first-class article
everywhere, as being superior to that of any other
maker. Amid all the conflicts and disputes in trade,
there was no firm which had lived like theirs.
They had had a mat many strikes, but no one had
ever dared to dispute the quality or make of Mr. Fos-
ter's iron. He rejoieeilin the marriage of Mr. W. H.
Foster, as he was the heir-apparent who would hand
down the name of Foster to future generations; and
he hoped that he would live to are his offspring grow
Up around him, and do still greater honour to that
, name. He (the speaker) did not know whether his
wife WU very handsome or beautiful, as he had not
seen her; lint he most certainly hoped she would be
happy. A good old king <MCP said children were "an
heritage of the Lord," and happy was he who had
his quiver full of them. He did not know what a
quiver fall was, but he hoped that Mr. Fostor would
have A sufficient number to hand down the name of
Foster to many generations. He did not wish the
name of Foster simply to live, but to exist for ages
to come, enjoying the same fame, wealth and power
they at present possessed, for ages to come—(pro-
longed cheering).
Mr. J. Allsopp, sen., then proposed a vote of thanks
coupled with wishes for success, to Mr. William
Henry Foster. In doing, so, be alluded to the happy
and unhappy marriages that had taken place; but he
never thought any maniages so successful as those
conntracted between persons of from twenty-five to
thirty years of ago; cud as the present was one of
that description there was every prospect that it
would be in every way a happy one. He had hail
great pleasure in proposing the above toast; which
was enthusiastically responded to by all present.

At the Stourbridge Police Court, On Thursday
a young fellow belonging to the neighbourhood
of Stourbridge, was charged, before Mr. R. L.
Freer, with a nefarious attempt to upset two
trains on the Great Western Railway at Amble-
cote, near stourbridge, on the 28th January. It
will be remembered that on the evening in ques-
tion eight iron chairs were placed on the down
line and two on the up line at Amblecote, and
trains—one passenger and one luggage—on both
set of rails, but almost miraculously escaped un-
injured, the drivers of both engines reporting
that they were severely shaken at that point.
The Groat Western Railway Company immedi-
ately issued circulars, offering a reward of .E5O
for the discovery of the guilty persons, and on
Tuesday evening the prisoner was apprehended
by sergeant Richards, of the staffordshire police
at Bristol, he having received information which
led him to believe that the prisoner, who was in
the neighbourhood that evening, was the offender
As soon as Denning saw Richards, with another
officer, he said, " I know who you are ; you are
two policatnen coma:to take me, I know what you
want me for. I should have come and given my.
self up, but I had not safficinnt money to come
back with." The sergeant then told him he
held a warrant to apprehend him for placing
iron chaits on the line, to which the prisoner
made no reply.— These facts were deposed to
by witnesses, and the magistrate remanded the
prisoner for a week for the production of further
evidence.

,
Mr. Ilicklin, of Beaniy Bank, then proposed the
Health of Mr. Orazehrook, of Clout, the managing
director." In proposing this least, he said be did not
believe that if Mr. Foster had scoured the country
round he would not have found a better managing
director than the gentleman whose health he had
proposed. He was a gentleman who was over ready
to help the distressed and the poor, in every case
where there woo a necessity for assistance—(loud
applause).
Mr. Hipwood next gave the health of Mr. Thomas
llnghes, whom he described as a manager in every
way equal to the important position he occupied. For
years he had been a manager that would not be op-
posed by any one, and in the slackest of times he
had always provided bread and cheese for the work-
men—(great cheering).
Several other toasts were proposed and responded
to, and a convivial evening was spent.
Similar scenes were being enacted at several other
inns in the town, and there was great rejoicing
throughout the district. Flags and banners were
displayed at most of the hostelries, and near to the
Queen's Head, Beauty Bank, a quantity of festoons
were suspended across the road, bearing the device,
" Success to the Foster Family." The children at
Wollaston Schools, which were erected by Mr. IV. 0.
Foster, have been entertained, and it was aaranged
for the Shropshire people to hold their festivities on
Tuesday last. The agents and clerks have presented
..r. Foster with a splendid hall clock, suitably in-
;:ribed, and the other employes are also subscribing
towards some tangible expression of goodwill towards
their young master, which will take place in a few
weeks. During the whole of Saturday and Monday,
the bells from many church steeples rung merry peals
in honour of the auspicious event. Khmers were
also given in various other parts of the district.
On Tuesday dinners were given at the various inns
at Bridgnorth, at the expense of Mr. W. 0. Foster,
to the tenants of the lesser houses, and altogether
about 700 were entertained. The wife of each ten.
ant had presented to her by Mrs. W. H. Foster a
pound packet of tea, and similar gifts were made to
widows who were not tenants. In the evening there
was a public banquet at the Agricultural Hall.