FROM this newspaper 100 years ago.- Mr Coroner Proud held an inquiry at the Hospital on Wednesday on the body of Patrick Prior, who died on Monday afternoon as the result of an accident sustained whilst following his employment at the Darlington Forge. Mr Waldy, of Messrs Yeomen and Waldy, represented the Forge company. Charles Prior, a brother of the deceased, said Patrick was 54 years of age and had been employed as labourer at the Darlington Forge. Witness saw his brother at the hospital after the accident, who told him that his foot had slipped, with the result that one of the wagons cut it off. George Kirby, a shingler at the forge, said that on June 24, at about half-past seven at night, deceased was working near him assisting to pull a wagon down the railway. Deceased was at the side, and slipping apparently caught his foot in the wheel, and in consequence was badly crushed. His boot was forced off, witness had the wagon stopped but found deceased fast, and the men had to pull the wagon back to extricate him ... Patrick later died after two operations to his leg - one of which involved the amputation of his foot.

From this newspaper 50 years ago.- Mr J W Tallentire said he had been told there was no lard in the country, but he found that multiple firms were getting on allocation from somewhere. Mr. Pickering moved and Mr. Tallentire seconded, that the matter should be brought to the notice of the N E council of Grocers' Association to investigate. Regarding complaints made by the association of fishy bacon, a letter was read from Mr W Herman Kent who said in cases where grocers suspected fishy smells due to over-feeding with fish meal, they should complain immediately to their regional bacon distributing officer.

From this newspaper 25 years ago.- Moth trap operators are wanted in North Yorkshire and County Durham. Nationwide experiments are being conducted to check on what species are increasing and which ones are harming crops. There are more than 200 traps operated voluntarily throughout the country, but the North-East has none. The Rothamstead Experiment Station at Harpenden has contacted Mr Cliff Thornton, curator of the Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough, to ask if he can help to end the shortage. He said on Thursday that operators need not be experts, although obviously it would help if they were keen naturalists. The centre would provide all the equipment.