Bobby Troughton and the Kendal Otter Hounds

By George Stewart, Jean Gidman and Ron Black

Born into poverty in 1835 Bobby played truant from school to follow the local pack of hounds. On leaving school he worked as a waller, like his father before him, and then stone mason before taking on building projects in and around Kendal. By 1884 had had become landlord of the Hyena Inn and although the founding date of the Kendal Otter Hounds is not known it was around this time that Bobby purchased three otter hounds and started a 'scratch' pack. He continued otter hunting to great acclaim, until retiring 14 years before his death in 1912. His other great interest was cock fighting which brought him to court at least once! All these exploits are recorded in this book.

The town in which he lived has for the most part forgotten him or is indifferent. The local museum has no display and had never heard of him when Ron Black visited recently, despite the probability of his first and last hunt being from the bonded warehouse he built on the banks of the river Kent only yards away. He deserves better; perhaps this book will help.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gone2Ground Books
• Release date: Nov 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310237928

George Stewart

My name is George A. Stewart, I am 43 years old, I worked 12 years as a store manager for Burger King Restaurant, a truly dead end job. Just like most jobs in the market today I used to put in plenty of hours that unfortunately, did not translate into money. I understand that everyone has bad days at work; for me it was not an ordinary occasional dissatisfaction but a genuine mismatch. Working for long hours and under constant stress was taking a toll on my health and to make matters worse I was earning $36,500 per year, which was barely enough to feed myself, my wife and three children. Most of the time, I felt like I was dangling from a cliff. My turning point was the day I met a certain customer in my restaurant who seemed to be doing very well despite the hard economic times the whole country was going through. After a little chitchat, I found out he was a freight broker and that he was earning a decent living while working a few hours. At that point I did not know anything about freight brokerage or that a profession like that even existed. I therefore decided to do some research about it and the more I learnt, the more my interest grew and within a matter of weeks I was completely hooked up. Before I knew it, I took time off work to begin my training in freight brokerage.

Book preview

Bobby Troughton and the Kendal Otter Hounds

And there is no candidate for his mantle

by George Stewart, Jean Gidman & Ron Black

Gone2Ground Books

Smashwords Edition

Licence Notes

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Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.

Copyright 2013 George Stewart, Jean Gidman and Ron Black

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Conclusion

Endnotes

Other Publications and Links

* * *

Foreword

‘Bobby’ Troughton, a legendary figure whose name may have been lost in the dusty archives, had it not been for the authors bringing to life a 19th century Kendal and their everyday ‘goings on’.

This collection of records from court appearances to gallant rescues gives an insight into the character, humour and struggles of a man who left a legacy in the town of Kendal in his construction work, as well as his passion of otter hunting and establishing one of the foremost hunting packs in the otter hound world.

This book gives vivid accounts of those meets in Cumberland and Westmorland and further. It is dear that Bobby Troughton earned the utmost respect of those around him for his flair as a successful and talented huntsman, turning out an effective pack of hounds in the ‘best of order’. The history of the Kendal pack from its beginnings through to the establishing of the Kendal & District pack may not have happened without Bobby Troughton’s burning desire as a youngster to hunt otters.

With that our heritage of sporting pastimes would have been sorely reduced and indeed the preservation of one of our oldest British breeds, the otter hound, may have been in doubt. A legendary figure indeed.

Pam Marston-Pollock, Chairman

The Otterhound Club UK

November 2012

* * *

Preface

The local studies section at Kendal Library is an intimate space; there is not much room to work in. Besides microfiche machines, shelving laden with books and files, there are a few filing cabinets. This means that when you’re working in there you are in close proximity to the person sitting beside you. In early 2012, I began chatting to the guy sitting beside me, the conversation eventually turned to why we were there. I mentioned hunting. I’ve written a book, said my new-found friend, on Bobby Troughton. He disappeared for a moment and returned with a homemade book and handed it over. I read for a while. It was good.

Any chance of a copy? I asked.

No, he replied, this is the only one, but you can photocopy it.

That photocopy serves as the basis for this book; it has been much added to mostly by my friend George Stewart who, I suspect, has probably read every book and periodical in the library and has a mind best described as photographic. Another friend, Jean Gidman, contributed the family history section and edited this work. David Mason has kindly donated the photograph on the front cover. All the profits from this book will go to cancer research.

However, this book is a testimony to the research skills of George Stewart to whom it is dedicated.

* * *

Introduction

This book attempts to tell the story of Robert ‘Bobby’ Troughton 1835 - 1912 using material written at the time. All spelling, grammar, etc. is as recorded from the reference source which is given below the piece. Bobby was a remarkable man. In a time of poverty and hardship, he achieved fame but not perhaps great fortune, leaving a legacy of the buildings and bridges he built which are still visible in Kendal today. The town in which he lived has for the most part forgotten him or is indifferent. The local museum has no display and had never heard of him when I visited, despite the probability of his first and last hunt being from the bonded warehouse he built on the banks of the river Kent only yards away. He deserves better; perhaps this book will help. Whilst the majority of it is presented in a chronological order of date, occasionally there is a deviation in the interests of clarity.

Disclaimer

The newspaper reports in this book are copied from microfiche material of original sources. Whilst care has been taken to preserve the original spelling, punctuation, etc., on occasion, due to poor quality source material, there may be slight errors.

* * *

Top

CHAPTER ONE

Bobby was born in a part of Kendal known as Fell Side in 1835. Kendal has a long history of commerce and industry but by the time of his birth the canal, which had been dug from Lancaster, was dying and to be replaced by the railway which passed Kendal on its way north about two miles distant from the town. A branch line was built which had a station at Kendal (subsequently Bobby’s building firm were to erect part of it); it was intended that the branch line would go through the heart of the lakes but due to vigorous campaigning by the poet Wordsworth the line stopped at Windermere.

Fell Side holds a special place in the heart of Kendalians and many are the stories, myths and legends surrounding the place. Basically it was a very poor area; the occupants had a mixture of occupations, where they had work at all, the main one being weaving which was subject to market prices. In an area of overcrowded housing disease was a common occurrence and during Bobby’s childhood at least one outbreak of cholera occurred. In the background loomed the workhouse, the destination of many who were poor, ill or destitute. There is no doubt it was greatly feared due to the conditions inside.

For many men the appeal of the military was a way out of their poverty, a man was clothed, fed and paid; however he might also be wounded or maimed which meant discharge from the service and a return to the poverty he had sought to leave behind, unable to work with the workhouse waiting. For those who did not leave and fell on hard times there was always the comfort to be found in alcohol and there were several houses where drink could be obtained which for a time would blot out the misery of one’s life. One public house, The Hyena, plays a part in our story and more on this later.

Bobby’s father, also Robert Troughton, was a ‘waller’ and in that he was among his fellows in that part of Kendal. Bobby was the fifth of eight children born to Robert and his wife Hannah, or Anne, Thornburrow. The youngest child, Margaret, was born only eleven days before her father died, giving her mother the unenviable task of registering both the death of her husband and the birth of her daughter on the same day. Robert Troughton appears to have been not afraid to get involved in local arguments as a report of 1838 shows when he appeared as a witness:-

Tuesday, April 17th 1838

Before the Mayor and Thom Proudfoot Esq.

ASSAULT BY A POLICE OFFICER - Police Constable Armstrong was charged upon information and complaint of one Christopher Troughton, waller, with assault and unlawfully beating him on Saturday last.

Armstrong denied the charge and laid a counter Informative against Troughton to the same effect, and Troughton pleaded not guilty.

Mr Wardle, attorney, appeared for Troughton and stated the case, which was substantially this. On Saturday last, about one o'clock in the afternoon, Armstrong and Troughton met near the Black Swan public house at the top of All Hallows Lane, and after an interchange of ‘compliments’, the policeman said to Troughton, thou’s a d....d leer, and struck him a violent blow on the face with his fist. Troughton started back for the purpose of taking off his coat to fight his antagonist, but before this could be accomplished, Armstrong took the hand cuffs, he carried and struck him in so brutal a manner on the head with them that the manacles were broken.

All this was done in the presence of many witnesses who were near at the time. The parties were separated, but shortly after met again, and Armstrong insisted upon bringing Troughton to the lock-up, he was accordingly one could there that got out on bail. Mr Wardle called the following witnesses.

John Strong, blacksmith, being sworn, stated that he was standing at his shop door when the parties met, but not nearly enough to hear what past between them. He observed Armstrong strike Troughton first with his fist and then repeatedly on the head with the handcuffs. Troughton tried to pull off his jacket and Armstrong pushed him backwards on the cart which was passing, and a woman came and pulled Troughton away. They met again, when Armstrong insisted upon Troughton’s going with him, and desired witness to assist in hand cuffing him. Troughton then consented to go with the constable without handcuffs. Witness did not know that either of them were in liquor - could not say they were drunk - they might have got drink for what he knew. Witness had no quarrel with Armstrong.

Armstrong to witness - Did you see him strike me over t’ head?

Witness - I did not.

Armstrong - But he did, he blackguarded me many a time - ever since the gamblers were taken.

Robert Troughton, Waller, being sworn, deposed to the same effect as the former witness, but said he was not present when the parties met for the second time. He had no quarrel with Armstrong whom he had known for about 30 years.

James Dent was sworn. He is servant to Messers Hudson and Nicholson, and was passing down Hallow Lane with a horse and cart, when he observed Armstrong strike Troughton with his fist and then with the handcuffs. Troughton was next shoved against witness’s cart, and had he not checked the horse would have been in considerable danger. Observered Troughton strike at Armstrong but not first. A woman came and pulled Troughton away, when Armstrong struck at her.

George Mackereth, another witness, corroborated the statements given by the others.

The handcuffs were now produced, with the part broken off in the affray, but they had been repaired since Saturday.

Troughton’s hat was also shown with the Crown knocked out and several holes in the statements. Troughton then showed the injuries on the back of his head.

To a question put by the magistrates, Armstrong replied that the handcuffs had been broken on Friday, and had been repaired on Monday.

The Mayor asked him, how he should have done had he required them during Saturday and Sunday, to which no satisfactory answer was given.

The court then cleared, and after a few minutes consultation the parties were recalled.

The Mayor spoke of the seriousness of the charge against Armstrong, which he observed had been proven. You, said his worship, "might have killed this man by using the handcuffs as you did.

Had Troughton assaulted you, it was the duty not to have used violence but to have preferred a charge against him. As it is you are clearly unfit for your situation.

Armstrong was then sentenced to pay a fine of 20 shillings and 11 shillings costs within a week or be imprisoned in the house of correction for 27 days, and the mayor added, that if he had not had a family sentence would not have been so lenient.

The charge against Troughton was dismissed.

Westmorland Gazette 21st of April 1838

Bobby was for a few years in the National School, and whilst there he showed a taste for outdoor sports, following some hounds which were then used for otter hunting, and risking many a hiding for playing truant. His father had died when he was quite a small boy and he made up his mind that when he grew up to be a man, he would maintain his interest in otter hunting. When he left school he became a mortar carrier.

According to the 1851 Census Bobby was living with his sister, Mary, and her husband, John Gibson, in Fell Side when he was a mason’s apprentice.

However Bobby was not above getting into trouble himself.

Town Hall - Monday

(Before the Mayor, J. G, Ireland and J. J. Wilson, Esquires)

Robert Troughton, a lad of about 18, in the employ of Mr Richard Medcalf, was charged with throwing a quantity of rubbish from the second storey of one of the houses now building in Branthwaite Brow. The Rev. Mr Hawkes stated he witnessed the act, and that a passenger at the time narrowly escaped receiving the rubbish upon her, the consequences of which might have deduced. The defendant quite seemed to enjoy the mischief, and laughed at the remonstrances. Mr Hall added that he did not wish to press the charge, if the defendant was sorry for his fault. - Defendant was accordingly discharged, upon payment of 5s expenses.

Westmorland Gazette 22nd October 1853

Subsequently he became a builder, and took on contracts for buildings on his own account. He was very unfortunate with one at Millriggs, in Kentmere. In times of heavy rain, the land there was badly flooded, and Bobby contracted to widen and deepen the river. It proved a much tougher job than had been anticipated there being a tremendous amount of rock to get out. The price was so low that he lost heavily on the contract and he could not finish the work. At the same time (1874) he had contracts on the Bonded Warehouse (now a DIY Centre) and the railway Goods Station.

He married Sarah Thompson on 16 June 1860 and in the 1861 Census was living in Fell Side and was now a ‘waller’.

In 1864 Bobby became caught up in a cockfighting incident.

The ‘sport’ of cockfighting had been banned in England in 1835 but ‘mains’ continued especially in the South Lakes/North Lancashire area. During his lifetime Bobby attended many illegal meets and was a true devotee of the ‘sport’. However there was the ongoing risk of arrest and prosecution.

COCKFIGHTERS SURPRISED - On Monday morning last, it had been arranged that there should be a series of cockfights in the neighbourhood of Crook or Underbarrow. During the Sunday, information was given to Mr. Superintendent Hibberd, of the County Police, who with a party of men was on the alert at an early hour the next morning in the locality in question and came upon the cockfighters about a mile from Cunswick hall. They immediately ran off upon seeing the police. One however was secured with a cock in his possession, nearly dead from fighting. In a short while they returned and determined to continue the contest, thinking only one officer could be committed. There were 14 cocks in separate bags, ready trimmed for fighting. The Superintendent to prevent further cruelty took possession of the cocks and conveyed them to this town, telling the owners they should have them upon application at his office. The alleged owners of the cocks are James Dixon of Kendal, brush maker and William Wilkinson of Lyth, labourer. There were between 200 and 300 persons present. Those engaged in the affair will be summoned before the county magistrates on Saturday next.

Westmorland Gazette 21st May 1864

Among those arrested was Bobby.

TOWNHALL, KENDAL

SATURDAY 28TH May 1864

(Before W. Wilson Esq., chairman and G. E. Wilson, W. H. Wakefield, F. A. Argles, John Harrison and A. Shepherd, Esq.)

(J. Wakefield and E. Harrison came in after the case was opened, and Mr. Clarke objected to their taking part in it.)

John McIver and John Wright were charged with being drunk and riotous on the previous evening, and sentenced to be imprisoned in the House of Correction for 7 days.

THE CASE OF COCKFIGHTING

William Wilkinson, James Dixon, Joseph Harrison and Robert Troughton, were charged by Mr. Superintendent Hibberd, under the Act for the preventing of cruelty to animals, the two former with fighting cocks already mutilated and maimed and the two latter with aiding and abetting them.

Mr. Clarke of Lancaster appeared for the defendants. Mr Hibberd stated the case, the leading particulars of which have already been set before our readers. On the morning of Whit Monday, in consequence of information he received, he went with two of his staff to Cunswick Wood, at an early hour, and found about 200 people assembled in a hollow between two hillocks. After waiting concealed for a time he saw two cocks meet and immediately heard a cheer and saw a cap thrown up, and then he ran towards the crowd. He saw the two cocks which had been the cause of the cheer. The people all ran away, but afterwards some of them returned. Witness went up to some bags which were tied to sticks in the ground, and found that each bag contained a cock, clipped etc, as is usual for fighting. He saw Wilkinson with a cock in his arms, and took it from him. It was bleeding, and in a dying state, and had steel spurs on. He asked the defendant his name, and he said he was well known, his name was Wilkinson; but he added - let me put it (the cock) out of its misery. He (the superintendent) said, Very well, and defendant then took out a knife and put it through the bird’s neck and killed it. Dixon then came up and said - we are well catched, and we may as well go on with the fight, they can do no more with us if we finish it.

He (the witness) then said - I shall take possession of the cocks that are in the bags, the defendant Dixon swore that he should not do so, for they could only commit an offence if they stuck to the cocks and went on with the fight, and that 12 of the cocks were his. Troughton then came up and got hold of two of them and said they were his. Harrison said witness had no right to take the cocks and they were fools if they allowed him to do so, and if they were all of his mind the police should not go home with the whole bones. Witness then took the cocks away to the station.

He afterwards saw Wilkinson in Allhallows Lane, and told him he might have his cocks back by calling to identify them,