Runaway
On Friday afternoon considerable alarm, but fortunately very little damage, was occasioned by the headlong career, through the heart of the town, of a horse and van. It appears that the driver of the horse, which belonged to Mr. H. W. Chapman, box manufacturer, was unloading goods at a factory near the Midland Station, and whilst he had entered the factory for a moment something startled the animal. It started at a rapid pace along the High-street, people scattering in all directions, and drivers of vehicles drawing quickly aside. When near the “Argus” Office the wheels of the van came in contact with the back of a trap, and two men were thrown out into the road, one alighting on his head, but both fortunately escaping without serious injury. A few yards further along, a trap belonging to Mr. Warren, butcher, was drawn out of the way, but someone attempted to stop the runaway, which caused it to swerve, the wheels catching the trap and throwing the pony clean out of the shafts on to the road. It proved, however, to be none the worse for the mishap. The horse safely rounded the turn into High-street South, and continued for some two miles along the Bedford-road, when it was stopped by Messrs. C. Robinson and Jackson, who had followed on bicycles. The animal was then driven back, apparently little the worse for its run.

A New Company, H. W. Chapman Ltd., has been registered with a capital of £25.000 in £10 shares (500 preference), to take over the business of a cardboard box manufacturer, etc., carried on by H. W. Chapman at Wellingborough, Rushden, and London. The subscribers are:- Ordinary shares: H. W. Chapman, D. D. Chisholm, T. J. Morgan, J. T. Lewis, Wellingborough; H. Simmonds, Kettering; F. J. White, Queen-street, Rushden; F. J. Burford, Wellingborough. Minimum cash subscription £500. The number of directors is not to be fewer than three nor more than five; the first are H. W. Chapman, J. T. Lewis, H. Simmonds, F. J. White, and F. J. Burford. Qualification £200.

Alarming Accident - Motor in a Rushden Front Garden
A very alarming accident occurred about noon on Tuesday, when a motor lorry, belonging to Mr. H. W. Chapman, box manufacturer, Rushden, dashed into a wall in Portland-road, Rushden.

The vehicle was being driven up Portland-road, and when taking the curve near the top, and approaching Cromwell road, the steering gear broke and the lorry became unmanageable. The driver turned off the engine, but the heavy vehicle swerved round to the left, mounted the causeway, and dashed into the front garden of No. 59. The railing and the wall were knocked down, but the machine stopped within a foot of the front window. Mechanics were quickly on the spot, and in a very short time spare wheels had been secured and fixed, so that the motor could continue its journey.

Rushden Echo, 4^th July 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins

Box-Makers’ Outing—The Rushden and district staffs and employees of the firms Messrs. H W Chapman Ltd., and Messrs. Seddon and Arlidge Ltd., (both cardboard box makers), had their annual outings on Monday, choosing Wembley for the venue. The Rushden parties left Rushden by the 8.27a.m. train, and they were joined at Wellingborough by a large contingent from Wellingborough and other towns. A number of saloon coaches comprised part of the train which carried the parties right into the exhibition. The company split up into small groups to visit the various places, etc., as much as possible. Fortune favoured those who had not previously seen members of the Royal family, a visit to Wembley also being paid on Monday by her Majesty Queen Mary, the Prince of Wales, and a member of a foreign Royal household. The trippers were able to get their own direct snapshots of the Royal personages. Lunch was served to the box-makers in the “Non-Stop Rail Cafe” and tea in a room in the Stadium. The Rushden party arrived home about 1a.m. on Tuesday.