Girl died in railwaywagon collision

Fatal accident on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. On Thursday morning an accident occurred near the goods’ station at Stockton on a branch of the Stockton and Darlington Railway across Bridge Road, which resulted in the death of a girl named Mary Ann Smith.

From this newspaper 100 years ago

About ten o’clock on Thursday morning, two waggons laden with bricks were driven as far as this road by an engine which left them at the point, having acquired sufficient momentum to carry them to their destination, a short distance further. A man jumped on one of the waggons and applied the break, but as they were passing a siding leading to a coal-staith, it was discovered that the switches were open.

The waggons rushed into the siding and collided with about six empty coal waggons. Just before the collision took place, the deceased was standing on one side of the empty waggons and upon hearing a shout, ran round the end nearest the coal-staith. The waggons overtook her, and she was crushed in a very shocking manner. The poor girl lingered until three o’clock in the afternoon, when she breathed her last. After the accident, the railway employee removed the deceased to the house of her parents, who reside in Cottage Row.

She was the daughter of Mr Thomas Smith, mariner, and was 15 years of age.

From this newspaper 100 years ago.

The time is near when the spring sowing of grain is at hand. There is only one week of February left, and experience proves that the earlier the seed is got in (provided the land is in proper condition) the stronger the straw is, and more likely to give a good return.

The spring of 1913 saw a corn-sowing season extending over nearly three months, from early March to the end of May. The result was seen in the late sown crops, where the straw was soft and flabby, the yield of grain being disappointing. Apparently, at the present moment, the land appears likely to be got into good condition.

From this newspaper 50 years ago

The greatest drawback to early sowing is the enormous increase of rooks in some parts of the country. Given a fine week when March comes in the drill will be hard at work. If this should be followed by a week of soft weather the crows will attack the grain in thousands. Instances are innumerable where the whole of the seed has been taken up for up to six yards. What must be the feelings of the farmer whose crops have newly appeared above the ground? He knows that notwithstanding all his efforts his land cannot possibly produce the crops he had a right to expect.

From this newspaper 50 years ago.

The assembly of the £100,000 fittings in the new £34,000 Northallerton Telephone Exchange is making good progress and by the end of the year subscribers in Northallerton will be on S.T.D. (Subscriber Trunk Dialling).

It will be “goodbye” to the Hello girls and the present staff of 82 will be reduced by half. This should cause no hardship as the introduction of automation has been anticipated for some time and there has been a rundown in permanent staff. In fact, most of the present difficulties which some subscribers grumble about may be due to unfamiliarity with the exchange, for reliefs are brought in from Middlesbrough, Whitby and Bishop Auckland.

From this newspaper 50 years ago

Technicians are fitting up the new exchange which contains miles of wiring and masses of relays, transistors, translators and all the odds and ends which go to automation. It is being completed under contract, and under GPO supervision by Mr E A Clark, executive engineer on construction for the Middlesbrough GPO area.

Mr W Wagstaff, telecommunications superintendent, and Mr A Snowden, clerk of works. Following the introduction of S.T.D. Northallerton subscribers will be able to dial to almost any part of the country. The exchange provides for the existing 1,360 subscribers and for a growth to 1,900.