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It was with feelings of consternation that the public of Rushden heard a report yesterday afternoon of the sudden decease of Mr. W.H. Wilkins, J.P., who has been for many years one of the most prominent and deeply respected men of the town. The report which came as a sudden shock to all and particularly to those who had seen Mr. Wilkins about the town during the morning apparently in the best of health, proved to be only too true.
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Mr. W.H. Wilkins J.P.
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Mr. Wilkins had been cycling with his niece, Miss Foskett, round Hinwick and Podington, and was returning home through Wymington. After walking up the hill known as Monk’s Hill, Mr. Wilkins and Miss Foskett re-mounted their machines and were riding towards Rushden when Miss Foskett, who was in front, heard the sound of a fall behind her and on looking round saw Mr. Wilkins on the ground. She went at once towards him, and Mr. S. Flavill, Prudential Assurance Superintendent, Rushden, who was cycling in the opposite direction, dismounted to render assistance. Mr. Wilkins was lying across his machine, and it was evident at once that he was in a very serious condition. Mr. Flavill picked him up but Mr. Wilkins died almost immediately.
The body of the deceased was at once removed to the cottage of Mr. Lewis at New Wymington, and information was conveyed to PC Barratt, of Podington. Miss Owen, daughter of Dr. Owen, was cycling near at the time, and she at once hurried over to Rushden and fetched her father, who arrived within a very few minutes. He, however, could only pronounce life to be extinct.
The sad event having occurred in the parish of Wymington, PC Barratt communicated with the Bedfordshire Coroner last night and an inquest will be held tomorrow at Wymington.
It is supposed that the cause of death was failure of the heart.
It had been Mr. Wilkins’s custom to have a nap after dinner, but yesterday contrary to his usual practice went out cycling instead. Near Hinwick he found it necessary to take a rest and it was evident that, although he still maintained his customary cheerfulness of spirit, he was not quite in as good form for cycling as usual. After the rest, however, he rode along well, and appeared to thoroughly enjoy the ride to Wymington. There seems to be little doubt that the ride, undertaken so soon after the mid-day meal, acted strongly on the deceased gentleman’s heart and that the exertion of wheeling his machine up the steep hill just outside Wymington proved fatal.
Some of Mr. Wilkins’s intimate friends now recall the fact that, although he seemed to become younger that ever in demeanour, his face had for some time worn a somewhat pinched expression.
The deceased gentleman was a native of London, his father having been in business in Kensington.
He was born in 1839, being thus 66 years of age at the time of his death.
At an early age he manifested great ability in clerical work and he eventually took up an important journalistic appointment in India. Prior to going out to India he had married Miss S. Foskett, daughter of the late Mr. Wm. Foskett, of Rushden. After residing in India for some years, during which time he amassed a competency, he returned to England and settled down in Rushden. From that time his keen insight, remarkable powers of organisation and exceptional business ability marked him out as one eminently fitted to fill public offices. Accordingly, we find him a prominent figure in the old Vestry meetings and an indefatigable worker on the old Local Board from its establishment. When the Local Board was superseded by the Urban Council, Mr.Wilkins became a member of the Council and occupied the chair with distinction. He was an indefatigable worker on the various committees and was also chosen, almost as a matter of course, for the position of overseer. He was also one of the earliest members of the old School Board at Rushden, and when that body was done away with by the operation of the last Education Act, Mr. Wilkins was chosen at once as one of the Urban Council representatives on the new District Education Sub-Committee
For a considerable time Mr. Wilkins was secretary to the Rushden and Higham Gas Company and though he relinquished that office he continued to render great assistance to the Company and had lately acted as auditor. He was also a member of the finance committee of the Park Road Baptist Church, where his business ability and keen grasp of figures made him almost indispensable.
About four years ago, Mr. Wilkins had the distinction, shared with Mr. Fred Knight, of being appointed by the Lord Chancellor, a Justice of the Peace, and he manifested in that office just that clear sightedness and courteous manner which had distinguished him in other public offices.
In politics, Mr.Wilkins was an ardent Liberal, and undoubtedly the Liberal Party in Rushden owe a great deal to his skill in organisation and his untiring efforts at an election, whether local or parliamentary, to ensure the return of the nominee of the party.
The deceased was a regular attendant at the Park Road Baptist Church, and took a leading part in the erection of that commodious place of worship.
In his private life the deceased gentleman was of a modest and unassuming disposition and the soul of courtesy. His married life, until it was interrupted by the sad death of Mrs. Wilkins in May of last year, is described by those privileged to know Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins as being idyllic, and there is no doubt that the severance of life’s partnership was a great shock to the deceased gentleman. He continued, however, to fill his various offices with conspicuous ability and he appeared to enjoy good health right up to yesterday afternoon, his death coming without warning. He was a man who, so to speak, carried his age wonderfully well, and a stranger would have littled guessed that he was approaching the age of three score years and ten.
Many of the poorer residents of the town, often sought his advice in their difficulties and that advice was always freely and candidly given, so that the deceased gentleman was regarded by some almost as the poor man’s lawyer. His loss will be keenly felt in the town and deep sympathy is felt in the town and deep sympathy is felt for the relatives.
Mr.Wilkins’s last public act was to attend the meeting of the Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday night. He was then quite in his usual health, and took part in various discussions.
Last night at a gathering in connection with the Rushden Ambulance Corps and the nursing Sisters, Mr. Paul Cave said that they all felt deeply moved at the sudden and tragic death of their friend, Mr. Wilkins. The deceased gentleman would be greatly missed, not only by his relatives but by the town generally.
Mr. John Claridge added a few words, and said it would be almost impossible to fill Mr. Wilkins’s place, both in public and private life.
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| This morning, at the Wellingborough Petty Sessions, Mr. N. P. Sharman said he had been very much shocked that morning, for he had only just heard that Mr. Wilkins, one of the magistrates on that Bench, had yesterday dropped from his bicycle and was found dead. He was sure the Bench would wish to express their deep sympathy with the friends of the deceased in their sudden bereavement. |
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The Rushden Echo, 22nd September 1905, transcribed by Gill Hollis
The Late Mr. W. H. Wilkins J.P.
Inquest and Funeral
The inquest into the death of Mr. W. H. Wilkins, J.P. of Rushden, was held at the New Inn, Wymington, at noon on Saturday by Mr. Whyley, deputy coroner for Bedfordshire.
Mr. G. S. Mason represented the family.
The body was lying at a cottage a mile from the place of inquest, and the Jury were absent some time for the purpose of viewing the body.
Dr. Owen said that on Thursday, about 4 p.m. he was called to Wymington, where he saw Mr. Wilkins lying dead in Mr. Lewis’s house. He had never attended deceased professionally. He examined the body, and found abrasions on the left cheek; but in his opinion death was due to heart failure. The neck was not broken. Mr. Wilkins had only
Recently Taken to Bicycle Riding.
Miss Sarah Foskett, niece of deceased, said that Mr. Wilkins and she went for a cycle ride to Hinwick and Podington. They left Rushden about 2.30 and were returning by way of Wymington at 3.45. When they got to the hill on the Rushden side they dismounted and walked up, but at the top got on the bicycles again. She went a little way in front, and after going a few yards heard the sound of a fall. Looking round, she saw her uncle lying on the ground across the bicycle. She went back at once, and raised his head, when two gentlemen who were passing came to her aid, and they removed the body to an adjoining cottage. Witness had lived with deceased 16 years, but had never heard him complain of heart trouble. He had seemed short of breath when riding, and
Always Walked Up Hills.
He only learned cycling in the spring of this year. When she raised his head he did not speak; she only heard a gurgling in his throat.
Samuel Flavell, assistant superintendent for the Prudential Assurance Co. at Rushden, said he was cycling towards Wymington when he met Miss Foskett and Mr. Wilkins just at the top of the hill at New Wymington. Almost directly he saw them the gentleman fell off; he appeared to suddenly fall forward to the ground, and the bicycle fell on top of him, with the handle bar across his neck. Witness and a companion (Mr. Lack) picked up the deceased, who did not speak, but only moaned and died in their arms. At first witness thought it was only a fainting fit, and he gave him a little water. No brandy was obtainable, as the village was so far off.
The coroner said it appeared clear that the cause of death was heart failure, no doubt due to the exertion of going up a long and steep hill.
The jury returned a verdict of “Death from natural causes.”
The Funeral
Immediately after the inquest on Saturday afternoon the body was conveyed to the deceased gentleman’s residence in High-street, Rushden, where a brief service was conducted by the Rev. W. F. Harris. Meanwhile, at the invitation of Mr. Clipson, J.P., chairman of the Urban Council, the members of public bodies and the various organisations with which Mr. Wilkins had been associated assembled at the Vestry Hall, and subsequently took up there places in the procession from the High-street to the cemetery. Among those who attended were:-
Urban Council: Messrs. Clipson (chairman), Swindall (vice-chairman), F. Knight, J.P., Ballard, Bazeley, Hornsby, J. Claridge, Skinner, Bates, Mantle, Dr. Morris (Medical Officer of Health), Mr. Ashdowne (treasurer), Mr. Madin (surveyor), Mr. Smith (assistant surveyor), Mr. J. B. Martin (sanitary inspector), Mr. Sargent (assistant overseer), Mr. Lack (assistant rate-collector).
Water Board: Messrs. George Denton (chairman), O. Parker, Palmer (Mayor of Higham Ferrers), Patenall, W. H. Simpson (clerk).
Gas Company: Messrs. E. Claridge (chairman), J. S. Mason, Spong, Paul Cave, Sanders, G. H. Groome, Jolley, Watson (engineer), Codgbrook, Chambers, and Drage (clerks).
School Managers and Officers: Messrs. J. T. Colson (chairman), B. Vorley, J. Noble, F. Corby, W. Chettle, G. Miller, Perkins, Sadler, and Brown.
Guardians and Charity Trustees: Messrs. Linnitt, Ladds, A. Gadsby, G. Skinner, and Tailby.
Officers of Baptist Church: Messrs. J. F. Knight, Cowley, Colson, and Jacobs.
Officer of Baptist Choir: Mr. Sargent and Mr. Clarke.
Liberal Association: Mr. Jowitt. Mr. G. H. Parkin (chairman) was unavoidably prevented from attending.
The chief mourners were Miss Foskett, niece; Mr. Adolphus Wilkins (Cambridge), Mr. Alfred Wilkins (Bromley), and Mr. Frederick Wilkins (Kennington), brothers; Mr. and Mrs. B. Browning (Plumstead), brother-in-law and sister-in-law; the Misses Foskett, sisters-in-law; Mrs. S. E. Foskett, sister-in-law; Miss Evelyn and Miss Jessie Wilkins (Kennington), nieces; Mr. G. S. Mason, solicitor; Dr. Owen. Medical assistant; Rev. W. F. Harris, and Nurse Griffiths.
Manifestations of deep regret were observable on every hand, and a large number of people – notwithstanding the short notice of the funeral – assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to the deceased. Among the company that assembled at the cemetery were Messrs. D. Darnell, Amos Cave, C. E. Knight, J. H. Richards, Bromage, C. E. Bayes, S. Parker, W. Clark J. Willmott, W. H. Darnell, W. Webb, Elstow, F. Vorley, Brown, S. Flavill, Cure, J. Mackness, Brightwell, Tailby, Puttman, Cross, J. A. Nicholls, C. Claridge, John Spencer, Payne, Bellamy, C. Green, S. Michell, J. Farey, Favell (Kettering), Turner, T. Browning, Northern, Wrighton, Abbott, H. Green, Crick, Lack, A. Wright, G. Selwood, F. White, Perkins, F. S. Knight, H. Clipson, R. Clipson, Mrs. Clipson, Mrs. John Claridge, Mrs. J. T. Tebbutt (of Three Rivers, Canada), and many others.
The committal sentences were read by the Rev. W. F. Harris, and the body of the deceased – who less than 48 hours before had been apparently in perfect health – was quietly lowered into a grave which had been lined with white wool, with sprays of flowers and foliage.
The coffin, of polished oak, bore the following inscription:
WILLIAM HENRY WILKINS,
BORN
Oct. 6, 1838,
Died
Sept. 14, 1905.
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Mortuary card
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The wreaths were:-
In loving memory, from sisters Pollie and Susie.
With Mr. and Mrs. F. Cave’s deepest sympathy, Ormidale, Rushden.
In kind remembrance, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Knight, Fairlawn.
From the members and officials of the Rushden Urban District Council and the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board, in remembrance and affectionate esteem.
With much sympathy, Mrs. Higgins.
With Mr. and Nurse Griffith’s love and sympathy.
With sincere sympathy, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Mason.
A token of respect and esteem from the teachers of the National Schools.
In affectionate remembrance, from Ben and Lizzie.
From the directors and officials of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers District Gas Company, a token of esteem and respect.
In affectionate remembrance, Mr. and Mrs. G. S. Mason.
In loving memory, from May and Sid.
To dear uncle, from his niece, S.
In memory of dear William, from brother Fred.
In loving memory of uncle, from Bessie, Omie, Fred, Jim, and little Doris.
Ministerial Tributes
Baptist Church
At Park-road Baptist Church on Sunday morning, Miss Elstow played “Now is Christ risen” prior to the service, “O rest in the Lord” during the offertory, and “But the Lord is mindful of His own” at the close.
The Rev. W. F. Harris at the close of the sermon said:-
In our service this morning comparatively little allusion has been made to the painfully sad and sudden event of Thursday last. With some effort I have preached upon the subject that was on my mind before it happened, and we have sung the hymns selected. This course has been followed for two reasons:
(1) Because I was absolutely sure it would be most in harmony with our departed friend’s wishes. To no one would any attempt at pulpit eulogy be more distasteful than to him.
(2) Because, in the presence of an event so sad, so sudden and startling, what demeanour is so befitting as that of the Psalmist when he said “I was dumb: I opened not my mouth because Thou didst it”?
And yet it has been present in all our thoughts, we have been conscious of
A Vacant Seat
which will be filled by a familiar form no more. It is impossible to pass by in utter silence. We cannot help saying, as Jonathan said of his friend, “Thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.” What was he to those who knew him best in his own immediate home circle it is not for us to attempt to dilate upon; it would but intensify the sense of sorrow at his loss. There the vacant seat is most conspicuous. There is also a vacant seat in this sanctuary, in the erection and in congregational affairs of which he was always so deeply interested, and in which, week by week, he rendered for us unstinted and unostentatious service. He will be missed greatly from this circle. In the council chamber, too, of this town seat will be vacant which he occupied so long and with such conspicuous ability, and just when such service as he could render was most needed. To the corporate and
Public Life of Rushden
he gave most efficient and entirely disinterested service. And to numbers of its inhabitants he was a friend in need and in a very true sense guide and philosopher. To his worth in these respects a striking though silent tribute was paid yesterday. To such a man – upright, conscientious, capable – this town and this congregation owe far more than they realise at present. The greatness of the loss only the lapse of time can make evident. Whilst we deplore it, and deeply sympathise with those who most acutely feel it, we desire to bow our heads and hearts in submission and say, “Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in Thy Sight.” All that was worthy in his example of uprightness, of generosity, and of service for others we desire should live and be emulated, and we pray that his removal from us, so unexpectedly and painfully sudden, may enforce the oft-repeated but oft-neglected words of Holy Scripture,” Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.”
Congregational Church
The Rev. M. E. Parkin, on Sunday morning, preached on the death of Moses – a subject which had been suggested to him by the sudden removal of Mr. Wilkins.
The life of Moses, he said, ended
1. In the midst of labour.
2. In the midst of earthly prospects.
3. In the midst of physical strength.
And these points applied with great force to the late Mr. Wilkins.
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