The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1884-06-07 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE JOHN VAUGHAN STATUE.  On Monday, at Middlesborough, Sir Joseph Pease, M.P., unveiled a bronze statue of the late Mr. John Vaughan. Thousands of persons assembled to witness the ceremony. Among those present were Lady Pease, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Pease, Mr. Henry Fell Pease, Mr. Isaac Wilson, M.P., Mr. Joseph Dodds, M.P., Colonel and Mrs. Sadler, Major Elwon, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Belk, Mr. Carl Bolckow and the Misses Bolckow, and the Mayors of Middlesborough, Stockton, and Darlington. Sir Joseph Pease, who was received with cheers, unveiled the statue, after which he delivered an address, in the course of which he said: It may be that what I am about to say is a matter of history to many, but it is a matter of almost recent memory to myself, that John Vaughan, with the firm of which he was so distinguished a partner had his troubles, his trials, and his difficulties, and if we erect a monument of this character to-day, it is to show to the generations to come that such difficulties are surmounted only by fortitude, by hard work, by patience, by perseverance. This is one of the'moral lessons which that statue is to teach the people of Middlesbrough to-day. In bringing this memoria before you the subscribers had more reasons than merely to commemorate the history of your own trade. Let me point for a moment to that history, for it is a most remarkable one in the lives of most of those here before me. The iron ore lay hid in those blue hills I can still see, though the houses nearly obstruct my view. The matter of merely picking up a piece at Skinningrove proved an important discovery. The ore was found by that man to exist stratified in huge quantities over countless thousands of acres. He brought it into manufacture, capital flowed into the district, labour was called for by capital, and thousands came to Cleveland with a more certain hope of the future than the thousands who have gone over to the gold fields of Australia, or to develop the silver mines of South America. The chemist, the mechanic, and the artisan have followed, and machinery and apparatus unknown to John Vaughan have come in the train of the discovery in which he took so remarkable and so early a part. While we see the results, we look back on the days that are past, and we almost wonder at the foresight of the man who built the foundation on which so many thousands that I see before me this day are now depending for their daily bread. But Ido not forget that Mr. Taughan's connection with this town has been also a municipal connection. In the early development of this borough he took that earnest and hearty interest which characterised all his work. You see before you to-day the statue of your third Mayor. More than that, I recall the fact that to John •V aughan, Henry Bolckow, Isaac Wilson, and Joseph Pease you are indebted for the improvement of the River Tees. Those four men made a harbour out of what was a small river trickling into the sea, and it will increasingly become a harbour for the mercantile marine of the world. Speaking of these things, I cannot forget that at this moment a considerable amount of distress exists in this district.. These are words easily said, but they mean a great • deal in many a cottage home, when bread is wanting and the comforts of life are decreasing, and when many an honest man has to go across the sea to earn the bread that he would be ready to work hard for at home. But if the career of John Vaughan means anything, it means that when in the midst of difficulties and trouble he worked heartily, and looked forward with hope to the future. He looked up to God for his blessing and took courage. In times like these you can feel that the foundation of your trade is a solid foundation, and that you are able to compete with the markets of the world. That should enable you at a time like this to take the lesson that it was intended by the committee and the subscribers to these statues should be taught, in erecting in your market-place the figures of the great men who are gone. I feel that my task is almost accomplished, but your task and the task of the people of Middlesborough is but begun. This statue will shortly be handed over to your municipality, and as you look at it and see the features of the founder of the great industry on which you live you will be reminded of his labours and of his great example. Mr. Carl Bolckow, the nephew of the late Mr. Bolckow, concurred in the sentiments expressed by Sir Joseph Pease. Mr. John Morley, who accompanied the late Mr. Vaughan on the memorable discovery of the rich seam of ironstone, gave an account of their search. The chairman then presented the statue to the town of Middlesbrough. The Mayor (Mr. Alderman T. Hugh Bell) gracefully acknowledged the gift, and cheers for Vaughan and Mr. Thomas Vaughan concluded the proceedings.  Mistress (to new cook) : "Now, Sarah, if you are strictly honest and economical, I will give you something extra per month." New cook: "Thank you, ma'am; I will think over it, and let you know in the evening." • It is said that Molique, though so long amongst us, used occasionally to make funny mistakes in his English, when excited. A story is told that °lnoue, occasion, finding that he had driven for some distance in a wrong direction, and being anxious to know where he was, he astonished the coachman by putting his head out of the window and shouting indignantly: "Who am I?"  EXTRAORDINARY SUICIDE IN ' VIENNA:. The Vienna correspondent of the Standarel, in a telegram dated Tuesday night, says: • . The suicide mania here culminated yesterday in a most horrible scene in the beautiful Stadt-park. An unfortunate wretch had deliberately concealed himself, and after stuffing all his clothes and pockets with paper soaked in petroleum, set himself on fire. When discovered he was ablaze from 'head to foot. He was taken to the hospital, where death speedily put him out of his misery. The body was, of course, utterly unrecognisable, and has not been identified.  The two days' holiday has added ten mowt. to the list of Vienna suicides, amongst them ;eing a widow of eighty-four, several girls and boys, and one, policeman.