Looking back to the Rasen Mail of 1910 ...

However, a relatively minor report can also give a greater view of social history.

These short pieces from the Market Rasen Mail of 120 years ago do just that, with mention of police officers, the cottage hospital and the promise of a new chapel.

Market Rasen Mail, April 16, 1910

An epileptic seaman – Considerable stir was occasioned in Queen Street about six o’clock on Wednesday night by an incident which, to many of those attracted to the scene, looked as though it would end fatally.

About half-past five a man fell down on the footpath near the Post Office. He lay for some few minutes before anyone went to his assistance, and then a doctor was sent for.

Upon Dr Pank’s arrival, by which time quite a crowd had forgathered, some of whom were rendering the man what assistance they could, he found the unfortunate man to be in an epileptic fit.

After being attended to, he was placed on a stretcher, which had been obtained by the Police from the Cottage Hospital, and conveyed by Inspector Cook and P.c. Rudkin to the Vagrant Wards, where he received further medical attention.

He recovered consciousness shortly after eight o’clock, but it was not until late the next day that he was able to leave.

It appears that he is a seaman on one of the Wilson liners, and that he was to have joined his boat early on Thursday morning.

He had been to Hull and was returning to Grimsby, but he got into the wrong train at New Holland, and it was not until well on his journey that he discovered his mistake.

He arrived at Market Rasen by the 4-40 p.m. and was intending to return by the 8-59 the same evening.

Market Rasen Mail, April 23, 1910

Middle Rasen

Sale of “The Brown Cow”. – We understand that the well-known beerhouse at Middle Rasen “The Brown Cow”, which was offered by auction recently by Messrs Mawer and Cooper, has now been sold to the Wesleyan Methodists, and that a very satisfactory price has been obtained.

The site is an ideal one for a Wesleyan Chapel, and the trustees are to be congratulated upon having obtained such a grand situation for their contemplated new chapel.

It is not the first time that a public-house has given way to a place of worship.