Second woollen mill fire in six weeks leaves most of shed gutted

125 Years Ago - 1890
From the monthly circular issued by the Stone Cutter’s Association of North America, we learn of the death of Mr S Butterfield, formerly of Ilkley. The event is chronicled in the following terms: “Denver, Colorado, Jan 6th. 1890. I have another death to report, Samuel Butterfield died suddenly, on New Year’s night, from lung trouble. He was enjoying himself among the boys around Christmas, never dreaming that death, the grim monster, was so near. Mr Butterfield was 37 and left Ilkley about nine years ago.
Accident at Newlay Station - Mr Malcolm, the Borough Coroner, held an inquest on Wednesday, on the body of James Henry Cowgill, 12, son of James Cowgill, of Town Street, Horsforth. The boy, who had by some means got on the railway line on Tuesday, was run over and instantly killed by a wagon, which was being shunted. The jury retuned a verdict of  accidental death.
100 Years Ago - 1915
In the early hours of Tuesday Yeadon was the scene of another destructive mill fire – the second within six weeks – a large portion of Crompton shed being completely gutted, and damage done which has been roughly estimated at between £3,000 and £4,000. Crompton Shed, as probably most of our readers are aware, is a woollen manufactory, situated in Cemetery Road, and closely adjacent to that popular and widely-known skating resort, Yeadon Dam. 
Widespread sympathy will be felt throughout the district with Mr and Mrs Ernest Dobson, of 95 Ashland Terrace, Ilkley, in the loss of their son, Pte Norman Dobson, of the 2nd Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. They have learnt during the week that he was killed in action on February 24. Pte Dobson was the eldest son, not yet 19 years of age. His letters home have always been marked with touching references to his home life and even in his last letter, on February 18, when he said he was in the best of health, he repeated his oft-expressed hope that God would bring him home safely.
75 Years Ago - 1940
Tributes to the gallant stand which Finland has made and statements concerning the great need still existing for assistance, were made by Mrs Arthur Hill, of Denton Park, when she spoke during the course of a bridge drive and “bring-and-buy” sale arranged by Miss M E Scott, and a committee of Ilkley Ladies in the Blue Bird Cafe yesterday. 
Mrs Hill said it was a tragedy to think that brave little Finland had been obliged to surrender after her terrific struggle. Finland had won glory which would never perish, and her deeds would be remembered in the minds of men down the ages.
We have so rapidly become accustomed to the calling up, at short intervals, of the classes of young men for national service that we tend to underrate the success of the new method. Last Saturday, for instance, 324,000 men of the 24 class, with some of the 20s, registered themselves cheerfully and are now awaiting the call. In this way the Army is receiving large reinforcements regularly, and is able to arrange for their equipment, housing and training without strain or stress. It is satisfactory to know that the recruits prove to be of a high standard, although the medical inspection is severe, and that the percentage of alleged “conscientious objectors” continues to be insignificant. 
50 Years Ago – 1965
So we have reached the end of the line so far as passenger service is concerned from some of our local railway stations, among them Otley, Pool and Arthington. It is announced that they will be closed for passenger traffic from Monday, March 22. So far as Otley is concerned the news caused hardly a ripple of interest, let alone excitement. What a difference from the junkettings and rejoicings of a century ago when the stations were opened.
Tables and chairs which formerly furnished Otley Council Chamber are among surplus furniture which the council are to be recommended to offer for sale. Among the furniture were nine large armchairs, a coat and hat stand and two tables, a desk and a fireplace.
25 Years Ago – 1990
There was an excellent attendance for the first Lent study night on the subject of women priests, at St Margaret’s in Ilkley.
Members of the St John’s Church Mother’s Union heard an address from Mrs June Flowers, who was a doctor’s wife in Bangladesh. She talked of the poverty in the area, where her husband worked in a mission hospital, and the problems the missionary families had to contend with.