August 1917

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

AUGUST, 1917,

Lieut.—Colonel Blacker, D.S. O, ,

Legion d' Honneur

A very distinguished honour has been conferred on

Lieutenant-Colonel Blacker: D. S.O., in his appointment

to the Croix d'Offcier in the Legion of Honour,

by the French Government. The Legion of Honour

was created in 1802 by Napoleon when First Consul,

with the view of specially marking exploits and

services in the Military and Civil Department.

Napoleon himself was the first grand master. The

Decoration is a star of five double rays, with wreath

of oak and laurel. On the obverse appears a female

head personifying France and the words " République

Francaise," on the reverse two Tricolors and the

motto " Honneur et Patrie." Within the order there

are five Degrees of Honour.

Memorial to the late Mr. George Calvert.

As a result of a public meeting held in Seagoe

School on Tuesday, July 24th, it has been decided

to place a Memorial Tablet in the Parish Church to

the memory of the late Mr. George Calvert.

Envelopes have been sent by post to the Parishioners,

and those who wish to subscribe should send their

subscriptions to their local collector or to Mr. W. R.

Atkinson, Eden Villa, not later than August 20th.

It is fitting that Mr. Calvert's name should be perpetuated

in a fitting way on the walls of the Church he

loved so well, and among a people whose affection he

had won by his sterling character and unassuming

kindliness.

The late Cpl. Robert Whiteside.

The following letter bears testimony to to the fine

soldierly character of Corporal Whiteside,whose death

in action last June has been greatly lamented by all

who knew him in this Parish.

July 3rd, 1917

16th R.I. Rifles (P)

Dear Mrs. Whiteside,—l have only just come back

to the Battalion and I cannot tell you how much it

hurt me to hear that your husband had been killed.

He was in my platoon from the time I first took it

over in Lurgan, and I never expect to meet a finer or

cleaner soldier in any way. The old platoon, which

I am so glad to see again, seems entirely changed

and different without him. Any time that I wanted

to have a man I could thoroughly trust he always

came along with me, and I always felt the better of

having him with me. I went with a party a few days

ago to put a cross on his grave, and I hope to be

able to send you a photo of it as soon as I can. If

there is anything I can do for you I wish you would

let me know.

Yours sincerely,

HARRY H. R. DOLLING.

The Late Mr. Malcolm Clow,

The death at Salonica of Mr Malcolm

deeply regretted, Though never robust in health he

determined to get to the fighting line, and joined the

French Red Cross Service, On a brief visit to

Salonica to see a dying friend he contracted

dysentry to which he succumbed, Mr Clow will be

sadly missed in Portadown, His great musical and

social gifts were generously placed at the disposal of

every good and worthy cause, Had he lived no

doubt he would have helped to encourage the culture

of music in our midst, Portadown is sadly lacking

in the art of Music. A combined organisation

amongst the National Schools of the Town to promote

vocal and instrumental music is greatly needed,

Mr Clow's fine musical taste, united as it was

with considerable dramatic power, was a valuable

asset in the social life of the town and neighbourhood,

His is another precious life laid down in the

cause of national Truth and Righteousness, The

sympathy of all our Parishioners will be extended to

Mr Clow and his family in their bereavement,

Letter from Rev. G, Bloomer.

Y.M.C.A„ c/o.o./C. No, 5 Railhead,

Supply Detachment, 1st Army,

B.E.F., France.

In the Field, June 80th

Dear Canon Archer,—When writing last I said

that next time I would describe the old chateau in

which I was then living. Well, as I am no longer

there, I suppose it would interest you more to know

where I am now. I have had two removes since I

last wrote to you. I was for a fortnight back in a

hut about seven miles from the line. I did not care

to go to it, and I requested that if possible I should

be sent back to nearer the line again as soon as

possible. I could not hope that that removal would

take place so soon. I had an easy fortnight—like a

holiday—and now I am back

AMONG THE GUNS AGAIN.

I am glad I had that fortnight, as all the time I was

among our Canadian cousins ; they are a fine lot of

chaps. I also had an opportunity of seeing what a

French industrial town of between 30,000 and 40,000

inhabitants is like. I will reserve my impressions

of it until a later date, At the end of the fortnight,

without any notice,

I WAS COLLECTED

and rushed up in a motor car to where I am now. I

don't know how long I shall be here, but if rumours

have any foundation it will not be many weeks. I

have enjoyed it thoroughly so far, From 8-30 a.m.

until 9 or 9-15 p.m. I am in a cellar. Our work, for

the sake of safety, has to be carried on underground.

The military authorities would not allow a hut to be

erected here. They do not allow us to lock up the

cellar at any time, as in case a heavy bombardment

commenced, it is to be open for the men to run into,

I am about half as far from the line as I was in the

first place. I have had several walks between this and

the trenches, but I have not got into the line yet.

From this forward it is a veritable No Man's Land

that is, it is without inhabitants and the land is

A WAR SWEPT WILDERNESS.

Road screens and barbed wire entanglements,

abound everywhere, and you never know when

a hidden gun may commence barking just beside you.

A great many of our heavier guns are behind us.

Yesterday I visited little British cemetery, just

where the communication trench starts, and I saw

about 30 graves of brave R.I.R. men who were killed

over two years ago. I did not recognise any of the

names. From that spot I could see over the German

lines and could be seen by them if they were on

the lookout. I walked down the communication

trench for about 200 yards. At that point I was less

than half a mile from the front line as the shell flies.

I had also an interesting experience later in the

evening. I

SAW A NUMBER OF FRITZ'S IRON FOUNDRIES " BURST

about three hundred yards away, and also a few

burst in the air.

I could hear the report of his gun,

and then in about two seconds I could hear the

scream of his shell going past, and then I could see

the smoke and hear the thunderous crash of the

explosion.

Another interesting thing about this place is that it

was for a time in the occupation of the Hun. When

coming in I passed over the bridge Where his hordes

were brought to a standstill. For a short time a greasy

Hun occupied the bed that is mine for the time being.

It is quite clean and very comfortable.

I appreciate the privilege of being here more and

more every day. The conditions of life, it is true,

are very far from homelike. One has to be prepared

to rough it, but Tommy hos much worse to put up

with. I have better health than ever I had before.

—Yours sincerely,

GEORGE BLOOMER.

Death of Mr. William Hamilton

We record with much regret the death on Wednesday,

July 25th, of Mr. William Hamilton, of Lower

Seagoe, at the advanced age of 88 years. Up to the

last he retained his characteristic keenness and vigour

of mind and his love for the study of the sacred

Scriptures. The Parish of Seagoe owes a deep debt

of gratitude to Mr, Hamilton for the services he

rendered in past days to Seagoe Sunday School as a

Teacher of the Senior Boys' Class, He was fond of

telling the story of his connection with the School.

When he came to reside in Lower Seagoe in 1855,

he was visited by the Rev. Capel Wolseley, then

Curate of the Parish. Mr. Wolseley asked him to

take a class in Seagoe Sunday School on the

following Sunday, which happened to be Easter Day,

1855. This he agreed to do, and from that day up to

Easter Day, 1905, a period of 50 years, be taught there

Sunday after Sunday without missing a single

day, His class was always large and interested in

its work, and in the course of the half century most

of the men of the Parish had come under his

instruction.

On Easter Day, 1880, when he had completed 25

years as a Sunday School Teacher his pupils marked

the occasion by presenting him with the following

happily-worded address—

Address to Mr. William Hamilton.

Beloved and Respected Teacher,—We, the scholars

of your class in connection with Seagoe Sunday

School, take the liberty of presenting you with this

small gift as a token of our esteem for your kindness

in coming from Sabbath to Sabbath to instruct us in

the precious truths of the Gospel. As a Teacher we

value and appreciate you for your extensive knowledge

of the Scriptures and the willingness with which

you have imparted that knowledge during the last

quarter of a century in the school, is worthy of our

best consideration, and makes manifest the deep

interest you have taken for the spiritual welfare of

those entrusted to your care and for the promotion

of Christ's Kingdom, and many who are now in far

off lands can call to remembrance the happy hours

spent under your tuition. We earnestly trust that

you may be long spared to come amongst us, and

that the Most High in His own good time may call

you home to an inheritance prepared for you from the

foundation of the world.

Signed on behalf Of Class.

CHARLES j. COLLINS,

CAPEL W. REID.

DAVID W. WALKER.

Seagoe, Easter, 1880,

The Funeral took place to Ballinagarrick, on

Friday last. The Rector present and the bell of

the Parish Church was tolled. A remarkable fact

connected with Mr. Hamilton's associations with

Seagoe was that he continued throughout his long

life a staunch and loyal Presbyterian, even though go

large part of his time and efforts were devoted to

the interests of Seagoe Sunday School.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Certificate for Gallantry.

Private Archibald Lyness, of Drumgor, has been

-awarded the following Certificate for gallantry, on

-which we heartily congratulate him—

No. 924 Rifleman Archibald Lyness, 16th Batt.

R. Irish Rifles (Pioneers) for gallantry in rescuing

wounded men on 1st and 2nd July from "No Man's

Land " at, Hamel under heavy fire.

2nd April, 1917.

Seagoe Parochial Schools.

The School Buildings are being thoroughly cleaned

and disinfected during the holidays, so as to ensure

the perfect health of the children attending them.

The classrooms are now thoroughly well lighted and

ventilated, and with the ample play grounds

surrounding the school, afford an ideal educational

centre for the children of the Parish.

Work will be resumed (D. V.) after the Summer

Vacation on Monday, August 13th, at 9-30 a.m.

Memorial Service.

A special Memorial Service was held in the Parish

Church on Sunday, July 1st, in memory of those

from Seagoe Parish who had fallen in the Great

Advance at Hamel on July 1st, 1916. The Rector

preached, and before the sermon read aloud from the

pulpit the names of those who had made the supreme

sacrifice. After the names had been read a verse of

National Anthem was sung.

Miss Carleton's Gift,

Portadown ought to feel very grateful to Miss

'Carleton for the splendid gift she has presented to the

town in giving her fine house in Church Street as a

centre for Children's Welfare Work.

Many infant lives are needlessly sacrificed on the altar of ignorance,

It might be thought that in an

enlightened and progressive community such as

Portadown the rate of Infant Mortality would be

low, but the figures are available in Dr. Coey

Biggar's recently published Reburns of Infant

Mortality in Ireland—

Rate of Mortality, per 1000 Births in Portadown from 1913 to 1915—

120 Males ; 83 Females,

Offertories for July,

Sunday—Mornings, £11 4 3

Evenings, 6 1 4

Week Days 0 5 0

£17 10 7

Special Collections included in above total—July

8th—Protestant Orphan Society, £5 6s 10d ;

Enniskillen Orphan Society, £4 Os Od.

ITEMS.

The top-stone of one of the pinnacles on the

tower of the Parish Church fell in front of the

Church door last week.

It seems to have been

loosened by the movement of the flag which flew from

the tower during the July holidays.

Mr. D. W. Murray, Rector's Churchwarden, has

in fulfilment of his duties as Church warden, spent a

considerable time in tidying up the Church grounds.

They are now neater than We have ever seen them

before. The hallowed acre around the Parish Church

should never be allowed to get into an untidy or

uncared for state.

We congratulate the Rural Council and its employees

on providing our Churchgoers with a fine

asphalted path along the road through Upper Seagoe.

We recommend our Parishioners to test it for themselves

every Sunday morning and evening and also

on Wednesday evenings.

The crops throughout the Parish are in fine condition.

The bounteous Giver of all has heard our

prayers, and blessed the efforts of His people so that

a possible time of scarcity has become a season of

plenty.

The Cuckoo and Corncrake are no longer heard,

but the weird cry of the Screech Owl breaks the silence

of the midnight hour.

There is quite plague of Bats this year in and

around Portadown. One resident has already killed

65 on his premises. The Owls are having a happy

time hunting down their prey.

Drumgor was very gay on the Twelfth, Great

crowds were present at Mrs, Wells' field where the

meeting was held,

Services have been held recently on several Sunday

evenings in Drumgor Church Hall,

Miss Lizzie Gracey, of Drumgor Lane, has been

appointed Principal of Tullygalley National School.

The Rev. W, T, Grey is taking duty at Kilbride

Church, Bray, County Wicklow. He will in the near

future pay Seagoe a visit. His many friends will

Rejoice to see him once again.

The Misses. Dawson have not yet been able to

return to South America owing to the menace of the

German submarmes.

We notice a great profusion of flowers everywhere

through the Parish.

In planting roses in front of

whitewashed cottage the tree should be trained on

slight wooden framework which can be moved

without injuring the tree, so as to whitewash the wall

behind it,

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

PARISH REGISTER for JULY, 1917.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in the Parish

Church on July 7th, 1917.

Wilson—Anne, daughter of Ralph and Anne Wilson, of Portadown,

Sponsors—Harriett Clughley, Annie Wilson.

Stevenson—Violet Elizabeth, daughter of George (Driver, R.F.A., late B.E.F., France) and

Elizabeth Stevenson, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Eveline Fox, Elizabeth Stevenson.

Rowan—Gladys, daughter of David and Sophia Rowan, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Sophia Rowan, Eveline Fox.

Ruddell—Alexander, son of Joseph and Mary Jane Ruddell, of Lower Seagoe.

Sponsors—Jane Ruddell, Mary Jane Ruddell.

Jennett—Robert, son of George and Caroline Jennett, of Breagh.

Sponsors—Sarah Abraham, Caroline Jennett.

Magee—Anne Jane, daughter of Joseph William and Emma Magee, of Kernan.

Sponsors—Anne Jane Patton, Emma Magee.

Received into the Congregation.

McDowell—Thomas Robert, son of William James and Anna Maria McDowell, of Levaghery.

Privately Baptized, 25th February, 1916.

Received into the Congregation 7th July, 1917.

Sponsors—Martha McDowell, Anna Maria McDowell.

Marriages.

Lynas and Preston—18th July, 1917, Alfred Miller Lynas, of Moyallon

to Ethel May Margaret Preston, of Edenderry.

Shanks and Anderson—19th July, 1917, Isaiah Shanks, of Kernon,

to Edith Anderson, of Balteagh.

Funeral

Major—July 29th, 1917, Anne Major, of Lower Seagoe, aged 27 years.

Best Wishes,

Four marriages of interest to Seagoe folk took place

last month. We offer the happy couples our best

wishes for their future happiness. Thomas England

has done good service in Seagoe Parish as Superintendent

of Seagoe Morning Sunday School, and as a

Member of the Choir. George Watson, of Railway

Street' has been for long a most regular member of

Edenderry Men's Bible Class. Isaiah Shanks, while

a member of the class, attended without missing a

Sunday for 8 years. Mrs. Lynas did useful work

as a Teacher in Edenderry Morning Sunday School.

In all these cases we believe that the steady Christian

effort of their earlier years will bear fruit in Godfearing homes.

Old Seagoe Notes.

The Bluestone Murder, 1781.—Since our last

issue appeared a Parishioner has supplied some

interesting and startling details regarding the Bluestone

Murder, which created such a sensation in this.

district 140 years ago. Our informant tells us that

the house in which the murder was committed was

situated almost opposite Lylo House, and the ruined

walls may still be seen on the roadside. The names

of the men who committed the murder were Saunders

Tollerton and his sons James and John. The

most extraordinary incident in connection with the

tragedy was the way in which the perpetrators were

discovered. The murder was committed on a Friday,

and that being Market Day in Lurgan, a man

named Dilworth, who lived near the Quarry in

Lisniskey, had gone to the market to make purchases.

As his return home was delayed, his wife, Molly

Dilworth, became anxious about him and determined

to go out along the road to meet him Darkness had

set in as she left her house. She walked over

Bocombra Hill and through Lylo. As she come near

Lylo House she saw a light in the window of

McNeilly's house. She noticed that a waistcoat with

sleeves had been drawn across the window, but the

vent in the back of the waistcoat enabled her to see

into the room. To her horror she saw the murder

actually being committed. At the time she said

nothing about it to anyone, but in course of time the

fact became known and she was one of the principal

witnesses at the Trial. The evidence at the Trial

showed that after the murder had been committed the

murderers hid the body in the skey or loft above the

door. Some Local Poet when writing of the tragedy

inserted in his song the words—

Three days and three nights on the skey he did

Till the ravens above him for vengeance did cry.

In dread of detection the murderers determined to get

rid of the body of their victim, so placing it in a sack

they carried it by night to Knock Bridge where they

threw it into the River Bann. But here again

witness was present who gave evidence against them.

The bed of the river under one of the arches of the

Bridge happened to be dry, and under it an old

woman happened to be sheltering. She heard the

splash of the body falling into the river, and told

some of her neighbours who informed the authorities

who were thus enabled to bring the murderers to

justice.

The Tragic Death of Bishop Hall, of Dromore, 1811.

—Dr. Hall, Provost of Trinity College,

Dublin, was consecrated to the Bishopric of Dromore„

on Sunday, 17th November, 1811, and died on

November 23rd, having been a Bishop for only six

days, The " News-Letter " of Saturday, November

23rd, 1811, records the tragic event as follows :---

" The learned and pious Bishop of Dromore departed

this life at 7 0'clock this morning (Saturday),

His Lordship succeeded the present Bishop of

Ossory as Provost in 1806, and having been appointed

by the Prince Regent to the vacant Bishopric of

Dromore, he was accordingly consecrated on Sunday

last. His Lordship was indisposed with a cold in

the early part of the week, and being seized with

typhus fever it ended in his dissolution in 5 days,"