Mishap in South Street

Wagon mishap

The date of this picture showing a heavily laden wagon overturned and the horse in distress is uncertain but it was probably taken circa 1920 by Ashby Swift whose studio was close by on the other side of the road in South Street and would have been alerted by the commotion. The farm wagon was owned by W P Bird of Pasture Hill Farm and the bearded man with his hands on the shaft is Sam Futer, wagon maker, who lived at Auster Lodge.

We may therefore assume that the cart had recently been made or repaired and was on a test run when the horse collapsed, perhaps under the load it was carrying or even through a fault in its construction.

The cottage behind stands on the east side of South Street and the railings that can be seen on the left, erected in 1869, are still there lining the pavement along the Bourne Eau.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

William Ward, aged 61 years, who is in the employ of Mr Peasgood, of Langtoft, was run over by a wagon of which he was in charge on the 26th ult. When near to the Bourne station, the horses attached to the vehicle were startled by the whistle of an engine and plunging forward, knocked the poor old man down and the wheels passed over his chest. He was taken to the Union House [workhouse] and his injuries were attended to by Dr Burdwood, who found several ribs broken besides other injuries. The man's condition is dangerous. - news report from the Stamford Mercury, Friday 3rd February 1882.

Return to South Street in past times

Go to:     Main Index    Villages Index