[From Manx Quarterly, #28 1922]
The inhabitants of this Island have kept a very warm corner in their hearts for Lord Raglan — especially since he ceased to be Governor — and they will feel a real sense of shock and pain because of his late Excellency's death, which occurred in London on October 24th. He was 64 years old, and was thus short by six years of the allotted span of man's life, but those who know what his Lordship's health had been for several years now, and have marked how his fine, erect, soldierly figure had become stooped and shrunken, will not be surprised that he has not attained to an advanced age.
George Henry Fitzroy Somerset, third Baron Raglan, was born on September 18th, 1857. His grandfather, the first peer, and the famous commander of the British army engaged in the Crimean War, was the eighth son of the Duke of Beaufort, and on his mother's side the Lord Raglan who has just died was a grandson of the first Earl of Beauchamp. He succeeded to the title in 1884. He was educated at Eton and Sandhurst, and for six years was a page of honour to Queen Victoria. From the first he had a passion for the military profession, and to the end of his life his chiefest pride was to regard himself as a soldier. He entered the Grenadier Guards at the age of 19, and served through the Afghan War of 1879-1880 as an orderly officer, receiving commendatory mention in despatches. Subsequently he became Lieut.-Colonel of the Royal Monmouthshire Engineers (Militia), a force that was raised in the neighbourhood of his country seat, a house and estate which was presented to his grandfather by public subscription; shortly before the outbreak of the South African War he became Under-Secretary for War, under the present Lord Midleton (then the Hon. St. John Brodrick), and he held that office until his appointment to the Isle of Man in 1902; and for years he was president of the National Service League, the body which, under the guidance of the great Lord Roberts, sought to induce every young man in the country voluntarily to prepare himself for the duty of national defence. Readers will all remember how Lord Raglan was stirred into enthusiasm when the late world-devastating war took place, and how, in going up and down the Island urging recruiting, he once more found a cause that he was happy to spend himself for.
As already indicated, Lord Raglan became Lieut.-Governor of the Isle of Man in 1902, succeeding the late Lord Henniker. As he resigned on December 17th, 1918, it will be seen that he spent some sixteen years among the Manx people. It is idle to profess that this by no means inconsiderable portion of his career was a success. Lord Raglan cherished a deep-rooted conviction that the function of a Government was never to govern unless it could not avoid governing; let the citizens be protected against the invader and against internal disorder, and the material and moral welfare of the community could be left to the normal operation of natural laws. All meddling was likely to produce mischief, and to place undesirable powers in the hands of ill-educated or flatly ignorant amateur statesmen. Unhappily for him, he came into office just before the great Liberal triumph at the General Election of 1906. That huge political landslide gave new heart to the party in the Isle of Man which had been agitating for a greater share by the people's representatives in the government of this little country, and it also ushered in historic measures of social reform — Old Age Pensions and the like — for which an imitative demand soon arose in the Isle of Man. Lord Raglan's almost uncontrolled power enabled him effectively block what he considered injudicious measures, and the history of the last twenty years is one long record of struggles between the Governor and the representative Chamber, both in the matter of abstract political rights and privileges, and in the granting to an exasperated people of practical boons which they had seen enjoyed for years by their fellows living the other side of an eighty-mile channel. Despite Lord Raglan's great personal charm, everyone hailed the announcement of his resignation as the end of a wholly impossible situation. But no one could have been more lovable as a private individual. Lord Raglan was a manly man, and did not suffer impertinences; but he was intensely companionable. At social functions he was unequalled; no one could deliver complimentary speeches more gracefully and wittily and pithily. He was an ardent antiquarian, and one of his greatest happinesses in the Isle of Man was undoubtedly the study of the Island's ancient buildings and its archaeological treasures. He deserves well of the country for his restoration of that glorious old pile, Castle Rushen. In Monmouth and in the Isle of Man, he displayed a deep and intelligent interest in agriculture, and doubtless some of his thoroughgoing conservatism was due to the peculiar belief that taxation hits agriculture more severely than it hits any other industry. Although until he came to the Island, and for many years later,he had not become a Freemason, he found that the mysteries of that "craft" sorted with his particular genius, and he soon passed through the chairs of one of the Insular lodges and became a tower of strength to the newly-created Past Masters' Lodge, which is named after him.
Lord Raglan is survived by his wife, who is a daughter of the seventh Earl of Dessborough, and whose name will always be a veritable legend in the Island for those benevolent societies which are supposed to be the holy calling of leisured ladies. He has three sons, of whom the eldest, the Hon. Fitzroy Somerset, of course succeeds to the title; and three daughters, of whom one is married. The funeral took place at Llandenny, Monmouthshire.
At a sitting of the High Court held in Douglas, on Oct. 26th, Deemster Callow, before commencing the business, said: — Before we proceed with the business of the court, I think I ought to refer to the sad loss which the Island has sustained through the death of the late Lord Raglan. I don't propose to say anything about his Lordship's long connection with the Island as Governor. so far as his official work is concerned; that is a matter of history. We all know that he was actuated by the highest motives, that he did his work right well. But as to the man, I am sure that this Island will never have a more sincere friend than Lord Raglan. He knew the Island intimately, from the Point of Ayre to the Calf, he took the deepest interest in the Island's antiquities, its ancient constitution, its social life, and its agriculture. I believe this, that he deeply loved every Manxman. I have heard him say again and again how much he appreciated the Manx character, how thoroughly he enjoyed his residence in this little Island. Within the past three weeks I had the pleasure of meeting him, and he asked questions about everybody and everything connected with the Island, and he authorised me to give the kindest greetings to all his friends. By that he meant, I know, every man and woman in this Island. Although he had been taken from us as Governor, his death is an intense loss to his friends, and above all, knowing the family life of his Excellency, I know what frightful loss has befallen Lady Raglan end his children. I am quite sure our sympathy goes out to them in this time of trouble, and we hope the Lord God may be pleased to grant her Ladyship patience to hear her loss, and to remember what a long life she had of married happiness.
matter, so long as we are assured that these opinions are held sincerely, and I am sure we all believe that the late Lord Raglan was sincere in the opinion which he held, and that everything that he did was what he believed to be for the benefit of this Island. And so, I am sure we can look back upon This memory with affection, and we can remember not only what he did politically, but the great interest that he took in our antiquities, and if I may name one branch of his activities more than another, it is the particular interest that he took in the preservation o& the ancient remains and memorials of the past, which are so abundant in this Island, and not the least record of his term of office will be the work that he did at Castle Rushen — I thinly, too, that we should add an expression of deep sympathy we feel towards Lady Raglan and her family. She, as well as Lord Raglan, was untiring in her exertions for all that was for the happiness and prosperity of this Island. She made innumerable friends, and I don't suppose made a single enemy, and I am sure that the hearts of the whole Island will go out to her in the grievous loss which she has sustained.
The motion that a letter of sympathy be sent to Lady Raglan and her family, was carried in silence, the members standing.
As already indicated above, a memorial service was held in St. George's Church, Douglas, on Oct. 25th. The, body of the church was well-filled with people, and conspicuous among the gathering was a quite considerable detachment of the Insular Constabulary, headed by Supt. Faragher. Appropriate prayers were said by the Vicar (Rev. W. C. Jordan) and by the Rev. R. Wakeford, vicar of Onchan, and the lesson, Wisdom iii, 1-10-" But the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God," etc. — was read by the Ven. Archdeacon. The hymns, " Hark, my soul, it is the Lord," "Now the labourer's task is o'er," and " The King of Love my Shepherd is," were sung, the church choir being in attendance. Prior to the service, the organist, Mr G. J. Burto~nwood, played " But the Lord is mindful " and "O rest in the Lord" ('both by Mendelssohn), and at the close he played the Dead March in " Saul" (Handel). The service was brought to a close with the Benediction, pronounced by the Lord Bishop.
Died October 15th, 1921.
There passed away on October 14th, at Finch-road, Douglas, in her 91st year, Miss Jane Cubbon. She was the last of a large family, who, once lived in Strand-street, of whom Mr Stephen Cubbon will be the best remembered by some of our older readers. Stephen was caretaker at the old Iron Pier, which ran out from Broadway. Other sisters were Mrs Thompson, of Harrogate, and Mrs Thomas Hugh Clague, of Strand-street. Miss Jane Cubbon for many years carried on a successful ladies' small ware and fancy business in Strand-street, opposite Mr Philip Shimmin, the baker's, afterwards removing to Athol-street, next to the "Limited Bank," and then to Finch-road, where she died. She lead a great reputation in her best days as a needlewoman, and her shop was patronised by the best-known people of the Island. She has been little seen for some years, but retained all her faculties almost up to the last. During a long illness, she was attended by her niece, Miss Bessie Cubbon. The funeral took place on October 16th, at the Borough Cemetery, where the last kindly rites were conducted by the Rev. G. Osborne Gregory, of Victoria-street Wesleyan Church, which Miss Cubbon attended as long as she was able. The relatives and others who attended were Miss Bessie Cubbon (niece), Mr and Mrs Cubbon, Mr S. Pascoe. Messrs Alexander Robertson (Town Clerk), W. Quine, Moses Hampton, John Cain (late Police Inspector), S. K. Broadbent. W. Cannell, D. Corrin, W. Bridson, W. Clague, and Mr and Mrs W. Clucas, W. Bounds, and Mrs Dell.
Died November 14th, 1921.
The funeral took place on Nov. 28th at Lezayre Churchyard, of Mr John Robinson, of the reportorial staff of the " Ramsey Courier," who had died on Thursday, November, 24th, 1921. The deceased gentleman, who was 66 years paid, was a native of Cleckheaton, near Bradford, and a brother of his, who resides in that town, was present at the funeral. He came to this Isle of Man about 1886, to join the staff of the " Manx Sun." Later he entered the service of the "Mona's Herald," and, after an interval spent in London, he returned to the Island, and become a representative of the " Ramsey Courier." Again he left, and underwent a brief journalistic experience in Paris, and during the war he was yet again plunged into a busier life, that of the great manufacturing city of Bradford; but he had a passionate attachment to the Isle of Man that did not permit him to remain contented in any other place, and his last employment, as already, stated, was in the " Ramsey Courier." He was conscientious to the extreme, and thoroughly alert and enterprising, unwilling to admit himself baffled in the pursuit of any " story," and ever appreciative of thus possibilities of a " scoop "; he was likewise a man for whom this professional confreres and those members of the public with whom his duties brought him into contact could not fail to entertain a high regard.
From a long personal acquaintance with the deceased gentleman, and from the perusal of some manuscript memoirs which he has left, the writer is enabled to give the salient facts of a singularly varied and romantic career. At an age when most boys are still attending school, Mr Robinson had taught himself shorthand, and had obtained an appointment with the " Cleckheaton Guardian," a weekly paper published in his native town. Later on, he become district representative at Harrogate for the " Yorkshire Post," and in that capacity he followed Mr Gladstone by train from York to Darlington on the occasion of the great statesman's ten-minute speeches delivered from station platforms on his way from London to open the Midlothian campaign. Mr Robinson's career led him to Leeds, Birmingham — where he gave publicity w the facts concerning the celebrated Fenian factory for the production of explosives — Wiltshire, South Wales, Plymouth, Oldham, and thence to the Isle of Man. In 1900, disheartened by the loss of his savings through the Dumbell's Bank failure, he accepted a proposal to come to London and assist in the management of a magazine newly established in the interests of the friendly society movement. Unfortunately the venture failed, and he spent some years in work for one of the great London news agencies. Mr Robinson has left it on record that during his career, he reported the utterances of almost all the great politicians of his dory. Mr Lloyd George was not included in the list, but Mr Robinson had reminiscences of Goschen, Randolph Churchill, W. E. Forster, Disraeli, Chamberlain, Dilke, "Joe" Cowen, Lord Sainbury, Lord Lansdowne, Harcourt, Campbell-Bamnerman — he witnessed some of the proceedings connected with the struggles of the two last-named for the leadership of the Liberal Party — Haldane, Grey, Rosebery, Balfour, and so on ad libitum. Other famous figures whose utterances provided him with occupation, were the scientists Huxley and Darwin and Kelvin, the general Lord Methuen, and the suffragette Christabel Pankhurst. Frequently the took his seat in the Press Gallery, but he reported the statesmen much more often from outside Parliament than inside. Needless to say, he went through many a stormy election campaign; on one occasion he continued to take notes of a speech while clinging to a lamp-post ! He also had acquaintance with many of the nation's famous divines — Archbishop Temple, Dr. Parker, Hugh Price Hughes, Thomas Spurgeon, and the like — he had made paragraphs of the " spicy " passages of their weekly sermons, and had carried to his office the first tidings of their death. Murder trials were almost common incidents in his experience — the most went were those of Frederick R. Holt for the murder at St. Annes-on-Sea and 104 the yo'un'g ex-soldier who entered a bank and shot the manager dead, which events he reported on behalf of the " Bradford Argus " — and he had followed the scent in several sensational unpunished crimes. Four times he witnessed the dread ceremony of execution, the last occasion being one in which the sufferer, a woman who had poisoned her husband, fainted on the scaffold. He had helped to describe the funerals of Queen Victoria and of King Edward, the scenes connected with the coronations of King Edward and King George, had been on duty in London on " Mafeking Night," and had witnessed though merely as spectator in the company of a journalistic friend, a lively scene in the French Chamber of Deputies arising out of the Dreyfus affair. Several mining calamities, shipwrecks innumerable, a disastrous cotton strike, besides numerous instances of the lighter side of life, came within the orbit of his pen. Journalism when practised by " a rolling stone," as Mr Robinson was sometimes want to describe himself, does bring a man close to the centre of things.
Mt Robinson during his career in the Isle of Man was correspondent for many of the leading English newspapers, and on one occasion even executed an order for certain Now York journals of world-wide fame. He was very intimate with the late Mr A. E. Rothwell, for many years chief reporter and sub-editor of the Isle of Man Examiner, and whose lamented death occurred on January, 28th, 1920.
Died October 9th, 1921.
Douglas People will learn with regret of the death of the Rev Thomas Markwell, supernumerary Primitive Methodist minister, Which took place at his residence, "Thorncroft," Somerset-road, Douglas, on Sunday, October 9th. The deceased gentleman had been in indifferent health for same months, but it was only a few days ago that his last illness began. Mr Markwell entered the ministry in 1865, when he was 22 years of age, and he began reaching in Bradford.
His other circuits included Malton, Yorkshire, where he " travelled " on three separate occasions, and where he met the lady who is now his widow; Leeds,Keighley, Barrraford, Preston , Blackburn, Whitehaven, Swinton (Manchester), Barnsley, and Douglas. It is a great many years since he was stationed in Douglas; and at that time, of course, the leading church in the circuit was in Wellington-street., and not, as now, in Buck's-road. His recollections of Douglas were so pleasing, at all events, that he chose that town as his final abode, when he " sat down" thirteen years ago. Mr Markwell's preaching talents were not of the first order and they had not been improved by the education which is nowadays the privilege of students for the Primitive Methodist ministry: but, he was an industrious, tactful, sincere, and capable pastor and administrator, and he "wore well" in all his circuits. So long as health permitted, he gave assistance to the Douglas ministers during his retirement, and he was at one time ministerial secretary of the Isle of Man Free Church Council. The funeral took place ,on Oct. 13th, at Barnsley, where Mr Markwell was born, and where he laboured for his last active ministerial term. It is interesting to record that a minister now on the Island, the Rev R. Bolton, of Ramsey, and also the Rev Arthur Baxter, who. was recently stationed in Douglas, received their first recommendation far the ministry from Mr Markwell.
Died November 2nd. 1921.
The dearth of Mrs Ridge, the wife of Mr A. J. Ridge, of the Turrets,Ballaquane, Peel, took place on Wednesday, evening, November 2nd, at the age of 65. The deceased lady was much beloved by a large circle of relatives and friends in Douglas and Peel, and, indeed, all over the Island, and her death is greatly lamented. She caught a cold a few weeks ago, and pleurisy and congestion developed. These complaints were mastered, but recovered health did not set in, and an internal complaint was discovered, which defeated the best attention of Dr. Hampton and also of Dr. Pantin, who was called in to consult. Mrs Ridge was born in Peel, her father being the late Mr Mark Watterson, who was tenant of Knockaloe-beg, Patrick, which he farmed successfully for many years. On Mr Watterson's death, the family removed to Peel. Mrs Ridge was one of a family of eight, of whom only the youngest — George, of Bishop, California, U.S.A. — survives. She was married to Mr Ridge while he was headmaster of the Peel Wesleyan Day School, and lived in Peel until Mr Ridge want to Thomas street Wesleyan School in Douglas, and afterwards to schools under the Douglas School Board. Both she and her husband retained a strong affection for Peel, and on Mr Ridge's retirement in 1919, they went to reside in Peel, and resumed their old activities. Mrs Ridge was a devoted adherent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, an ardent temperance worker, and was keenly interested in all that concerned the moral and intellectual welfare of the community. She was intensely patriotic, and everything Manx appealed to '. She was a member of the W.M.A., and also of the Manx Society, and attended the Language Classes. She leaves three children, two sons, who reside in England, one of whom is married and one daughter, who lives in California, who is married to Mr Wilbur Basset, lawyer, of Los Angeles.
The funeral took place on Saturday Nov. 5th, and was largely attended. Amongst relatives and intimate friends were: Mr A. J. Ridge (husband); Mr Willie Ridge (son), Mr Arthur Ridge (son) ; Messes Thomas Clague, T. C. Moore, J. J. Joughin, C. R. Shimmin, M.H.K., W. K. Palmer, W. O. Quayle, H. Quayle, W. H Looney, D. W. Kee, J. Watterson, Thos Kelly, T Dodd, C H. Cowley, G. Cringle, S. K. Broadbent, T. Wattleworth, J. Crellin, W. Boyd, Edwyn Moore, Miss Faraker, Dr. Kelman, R. D. Gelling, P. Caine, W. Kneen, L. Quayle, E. T. Christian, C. Morrison, T. Corrin, P. Quirk, E. Corris, G. B. Kermode, M.H.K., S. Dalgleish, M.H.K. , R. Kneen, F. W. Flanagan, J. J. Boyd (Lhergydhoo), Mr James Clinton, Rev. J. Quayle Callister, and many others. The old Manx custom was observed of singing a hymn at the residence — " Jesu, Lover of my soul," being given in verses by the Rev. E. Douglas Jackson, B.A., superintendent of the Peel Wesleyan Circuit. The cortege then went to the Wesleyan Chapel, where a short service was conducted by Mr Jackson, who also performed, the committal rites at the graveside. Beautiful wreaths laid on the coffin in the Peel Cemetery, were, sent by Husband and Children, Mrs Moore and Miss Moore, Mr and Mrs T. C. Moore, The British Women's Temperance Association, Mrs Crellin (Sandhouse), all at Bank-house, (Isle of Man Bank, Peel), Mr and Mrs J. Joughin, Mr and Mrs R. F. Douglas, Mr and Mrs W. H. Looney, Mr W. I. Kennish (Douglas), Mr Christopher Shimmin, M.H.K., Children and Staff of Peel Schools (two), Miss Butterworth.
Died September 14th. 1921,
We have received a copy of " The Kansas City Times," containing an account of the death of Mr John Kennish, formerly a Judge of the Supreme Court in Kansas State, and formerly a member of the Kansas, Senate, which occurred suddenly on September 14th. Judge Kennish (says the journal above quoted, in a glowing eulogy of the deceased) was born on the Isle of Man, November 11th, 1857, and came with his parents to Missouri in childhood. After receiving a common school education he entered the State University at Columbia, Mo., and was a graduate of that institution. He was also a graduate of the University of Law School. He entered the practice of law in Holt County, Missouri, where he lived until Governor Herbert Hadley became Attorney-General of Missouri. Governor Hadley appointed Judge Kennish as his first assistant. Judge Kennish then moved to Jefferson City, where he lived until his retirement from the office of state insurance superintendent in 1909, at which time he formed a law partnership in Kansas City and moved here. The first office Judge Kennish held was prosecuting attorney of Holt County. That was followed by an election to the State Senate in 1892. He early distinguished himself in the Senate. In those days the railroad lobby had the Senate securely in its clutches. Kennish joined a band of faithful senators who refused to take orders from the lobby agents and put up a hard fight for the passage of a fellow-servant law and the regulation of railroads. Although he had the co-operation of many sturdy senatorial fighters, the lobby proved too strong. He kept up the fight for four years, and although he lost in the end, he inflicted blows that grew into great wounds and finally so crippled the lobby that it had to retreat. Doubtless, as a member of the State Senate Judge Kennish laid the foundation for his wide reputation for honesty and ability. During his legislative career, as corrupt a lobby as ever dominated any State held the Missouri legislature by the throat. Lawyer members of the Senate, as soon as elected, were offered lucrative appointments as attorneys for big public service corporations. These were the conditions that Kennish battled against. Every Missourian that recalls the 1893-95 sessions of the Senate will say that no man ever put up a harder fight for decency and honest legislation than did John Kennish of Holt. The corruptionists soon learned to fear him, and they learned that he was a power to be respected as well as feared. He was considered the ablest lawyer in the Senate. In 1910 he was appointed by Governor Hadley to the supreme bench to fill a vacancy made by the death of Judge James D. Fox. He served on the supreme bench three years. Three brothers, James Kennish, Thomas Kennish and Edward Kennish, of Holt County; and six sisters, Mrs Ellen Tyson, Mrs Jane Wrench and Miss Alice Kennish, of Holt County; Mrs Catherine Bissipp and Mrs Christine Kelly, of Colorado, and Mrs Margaret Allen, of California, also survive.
" A man absolutely loyal, above reproach in conduct and possessed of rare legal talent," said Francis M. Wilson, a receiver for the Kansas City Railways Company, in reference to Judge Kennish. " A Republican in politics, he had as many friends and admirers among the Democrats as among his own party. He was a man quiet and modest in manner; he never spoke basely or in ill-considered fashion."
" As an orator of quiet, logical and persuasive power, Judge Kennish had many of the qualities of the Irish statesman, Curran," Mr Wilson said. " Had politics so decreed, he would have made an able member of the supreme court of the United States. Judge Kennish was a man of clean mind and clean habits. He did not even smoke. He leaves small wealth. His legacy is an example of rugged honesty, of which the country is sadly in need today. It will not be easy to fill his place."
[fpc: A correspondent points out that Kennish was not a judge and senator of Kansas State but held those offices for the state of Missouri. The quoted obituary is correct. The error may have arisen as there are two Kansas Cities across from each other on the Missouri River. One is in Missouri, the other in Kansas. ]
Died October 23 rd, 1921.
The Rev. Isaiah Rostron, M.A., Vicar of St. Barnabas', Douglas, died at his vicarage on Sunday, Oct. 23rd. The deceased clergyman cams to Douglas four years ago, succeeding the Rev. H. F. Shenton, and he was then of an advanced age. The church is situated in a busy neighbourhood, and the work is undoubtedly exacting, and Mr Rostron's health gave way before he had been long in the town. He has courageously striven to fulfill his duties, but it has been evident for a considerable time that he was suffering, and the end will not come as a surprise. Mr Rostron was formerly a schoolmaster, and it was comparatively late in life that he entered the ministry, being ordained deacon in 1893 and priest in 1894. He had previously taken his degree at Dublin University. His first charge was the curacy of Christ Church, Everton, Liverpool, and he was afterwards at the churches of St. Augustine and St. Ambrose, still in Everton, and for many years he was chaplain of the Children's Homes in Fazakerley. A son of his, the Rev. S. Newell Rostron, M.A., had quite a distinguished academical career, and is now general secretary for the British and Foreign Bible Society.
A memorial service, conducted by the Rev. W. A. Rushworth, M.A., and attended by the Lord Bishop and clergy from all pasts of the diocese, was held in St. Barnabas' Church, in Thursday afternoon. The church was well-filled. Speaking from the pulpit, the Rev. W. C. Jordan, M.A., said it was twenty eight years ago since the Rev. Isaiah Rostron was ordained to the sacred ministry of the Church, but long ere that he had been labouring for the Master in the teaching profession. Only a year ago he received a beautiful tribute from some men at Blackburn, telling him that his teachings of thirty years ago still influenced their lives. Forty years ago he began a period of sixteen years' labour in one of the most thickly populated parishes in the diocese of Liverpool, His name was still remembered them, not only within the confines of the parish, but throughout the length and breadth of that vast diocese, as one who was tremendously keen in all that pertained to the welfare of young people and children. He was still remembered, too, as a fearless and undaunted Champion of the temperance cause. Upon coming to the Island, he found his work peculiarly difficult, and invested with very few encouraging features, but despite this, as his loyal but small congregation would bear witness, he never quailed or lost heart. There could be no more triumphant utterance than that which fell from the lips of Paul of Tarsus at the end of his life, " I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith." He (Mr Jordan) and everyone present would believe with the fullest Conviction, that the Rev. Isaiah Rostron, yea. even when standing in the presence of the Master of Man, would feel inspired to take on his own lips those words of the Apostle.
Died September 18th, 1921.
An artist of considerable reputation, a prolific and successful exhibitor, has just passed away in the person of Mr William Kneen, art master at Westminster School, London. Mr Kneen was born in the Isle of Man in 1862, being the fourth son of Mr John Kneen, farmer, of Guest, Lezayre, who was a cousin of the late Clerk of the Rolls, and of various other well-known Kneens resident in different parts of the Island. The family originally came out of Cammal, Michael. Two sisters of the gentleman now deceased, the Misses Kneen, live at Imperial-terrace, Onchan. He was educated in the Island and afterwards at the Manchester Grammar School, where he became assistant art master, Later, on the recommendation of Mr Walker, the High Master of Manchester Grammar School, Mr Keen went to Westminster School, where he was appointed art master. This Post he had held for 37 years. Mr Kneen exhibited usually at the new English Art Club, the International Society of Sculptors and Gravers, and the Goupil Gallery Saloon. He was the youngest of four brothers, who were well-known Rugby footballers in the early eighties.
The following is extracted from a recent issue, of " The Times " (London) : —
The news of the death of Mr William Kneen will cause deep regret, not only among past members of Westminster School, where Mr Kneen has served as art master for 37 years, but among a far wider circle of students and lovers of the London galleries, showed just those qualities which characterised the man — gentleness, modesty, alert imagination, and an aesthetic sense distinguished alike by its exactness and its tranquil power. It is, however, as one whose teaches has many schooI generations that Mr Kneen will be most missed. In the educational world, though there is no lack of art masters of first-rate ability, there was no one quite of his particular temperament and calibre. A well-qualified cu+itie to whose lot it fell recently to appraise his work wrote thus of him: —" He is a man of exceptionally wide artistic outlook and experience, coupled with very quick perceptions. He appreciates keenly the very subtle and delicate quality of young imaginative minds, and they might otherwise never have realised, and have so gained a source of satisfaction and delight. To those boys who have special ability, his guidance end counsel have been of inestimable value and of the greatest service. To get each boy to see and feel, and to express what most appeals to him in the way which gives him most satisfaction, may be said to be the aim which Mr Kneen has set himself."
As stated in our last issue, Mr Kneen was a native of the Isle of Man, and was well acquainted with the leading members of the Manx community in London. An exhibition of his paintings was reviewed in the Examiner a few months ago — , under the initials of Mr D. C. Christian, the Press correspondent of the London Manx society.
Died December, 1911.
The death is announced of Colonel Henry Watterson, former owner of the U.S. newspaper, the "Louisville Courier-Journal," and recognisedly the most influential journalist in America. It is many years since the present writer read a magazine, story describing a newspaper man's life in New York in which one of the characters remarks, "Of course, everyone cannot hope to become a Henry Watterson."
Col. Watterson was born in America 82 years ago, but his father was a native of Peel, and was a cousin of the father of the late Mr John Watterson, for many years schoolmaster at Patrick, and of the father of Miss Watterson, the well known Peel nurse. At the age of 21 he was running a newspaper, and he returned to the profession after having served in the Civil War. A correspondent to the " Daily Mail " writes of him : — " Col. Watterson was in a class by himself in the United States. No other man approached him in the vigour, force, and five of his editorial expressions. His ability, in advocacy or attack, to frame phrases that stuck in the public mind and went ringing from coast to coast, was striking and unique. Living most of his life in one of the smaller American cities, and editing a paper which of no time had more than a small circulation, the fact that through the power of his pen he had, before he reached middle age, made himself a national figure, and exerted an influence greater, perhaps, than any other writing man of his time in the United States, is eloquent testimony of his gifts and the force of this character. In the shaping of the policies as well as the selection of candidates of the Democratic Party Col,. Watterson played a considerable part for more than two generations."
Died November 94th. 1911.
The death occurred on November 24th, 1921, of the Reverend J. Kneen, retired Congregational minister. Mr Kneen, who was 59 years old, was the elder son of the late Mr Henry Kneen, of Parliament-street and Lezayre-road, Ramsey, and served his time as a draper with Messrs Cowin and Shimmin, and Mrs Archer and Evans, Douglas, before studying for the ministry at the Congregational Training College, Bristol. In 1886 he became the minister of the North Petherton Congregational Church, and, won general respect for his high character and faithful ministry during the eleven years he was there. In 1897, Mr Kneen, removed to the pastorate of a church in Loughborough, and later he became minister of the London-road Congregational Church, Derby. Here his health began to fail, and eventually he removed to Chard. His strength still waned, and hoping to improve in health he settled as pastor of the Church at Broadway, Worcestershire. After a year in his last church his health completely broke down, and about, two years ago he retired to Exeter. The funeral took place on Saturday, November 26th, (the first part of the service being conducted in the Southern-hay Congregational Church, Exeter, by the Moderator of the Province, the Rev. W. P. Powell, M.A., the Rev. George MacLuckie, B.A., and the Rev. P. Lansdown, of Leicester, who, as a, lifelong friend, delivered an impressive valedictory address. Several representatives of Mr Kneen's former churches attended the funeral. Mr Kneen leaves a widow and daughter to mourn his loss. Miss Gertrude Kneen had the distinction of winning; her B.A. degree at the early age of 21 years.
Died October 23rd, 1921.
Sensation was caused throughout the Island, on Oct. 23rd, when the news came that Mr Rudolf Demetrius Brailli of Ravenscliff, Douglas, and of Cardiff, had died the previous day at Cardiff. Since taking up residence in the Island four years ago, Mr Brailli has acquired extensive interests in various Manx business enterprises, and has become one of the outstanding figures in local commercial life, and his early and unexpected death may cause a certain amount of dislocation.
As his name implies, Mr Brailli was, on his father's side, of Italian blood. His grandfather emigrated from Dalmatia after the conquest of that country by Austria, and became an influential shipowner in Cardiff. His son, and in turn the subject of this memoir, carried on the tradition, and at the outbreak of war Mr Brailli possessed eight vessels, ranging from 5,200 tons to 2,600 tons. These ships were afterwards requisitioned for war service, and several were sunk. Mr Brailli's principal possession in the Isle of Man was the Knockaloe Alien Detention Camp, which he bought, lock, stock and barrel — farm and all — from the British Government for the sum of £60,000. The materials employed in the housing of over thirty thousand men are, of course, almost innumerable, and Mr Brailli has been steadily realising the assets, in the Island and elsewhere, and he has also, with the expert assistance of Mr R. J. Clague, of Douglas, been cultivating the farm. Some of the huts occupied by the aliens and by the guard at Knockaloe have been re-erected on various sites in the Island as bungalows. Mr Brailli carried on a general trading business under the style of The Insular Trading Company, with offices at 60 Athol-street, Douglas. He also bought the Castletown Golf Links Hotel, with the land adjoining, and as a result of his acquiring the property, the already beautiful hotel was extended and further modernised. He became a director of The Palace and Derby Castle, Ltd., and of the Douglas Steam Ferries, Ltd. He was a man of great business acumen and alertness, always immersed in the affairs of his businesses in the Isle of Man and elsewhere.
Mr Brailli was only 38 years of age. About a fortnight ago he left the Island on business, and he was then looking far from well; and it transpired later that he had contracted scarlet fever. After transacting business in various towns, his condition became serious, and he hastened to the home of his widowed mother in Cardiff. He was taken to a sanatorium in that city, and pneumonia set in and resulted in his death. He leaves two brothers, in business at Cardiff, and two sisters.
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Any comments, errors or omissions
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