Today we only have one fair in Knighton, usually held around the middle of May. In years past there used to be two fairs held, one in May and another in October. The fair  that comes to town now was owned and run by the Hill family. Back in the day there were several different families that brought their fairs to Knighton. These fairs used to be held on the recreation ground next to the old school, in the field next to the Workhouse and Nelson square. One such fair family that came were the Gotthiemer family, owned by Jacob Gotthiemer, their pitch was always in Nelson square. The fairs back then used to draw thousands from far and wide. Special trains were put on by the London and North Western Railway to bring people from all parts of  the country, the last train leaving at midnight to take the visitors home.

 

Jacob Gotthiemer was born in Inowraolaw in the State of Berlin. (Inowrolaw has belonged to Prussia and Germany over the years, it returned to Poland after the first world war.) on 10th May 1845. When he arrived in this country is not known.  The first record that can be found for him in Britain is the 1851 census, where he is with his brother Aaron at Waterloo Street, Ironbridge, Madeley, Shropshire. Aaron was a licensed lodging house keeper and married to Ann. Jacob lived with them and was a brickyard labourer aged 17.

 

Jacob married Sarah Ann Cooke in Sheinton, Shropshire on  4th January 1870. Jacob was 24 and Sarah 20. Jacobs profession at marriage was as a photographer.

 

He next appears on the 1871 census where he is a photographer living with Sarah in a Caravan, in Gelligason, Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire.

 

By 1881 he has moved to Lion Yard, Upper Pool, Forden, Montgomeryshire, he is now a travelling photographer.

 

Later in the 1880's Jacob became the owner of a travelling shooting gallery.

 

In 1891 Jacob and Sarah are living at Market Street, Wombridge, Wellington, Shropshire, Jacob is a Travelling Showman.

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Radnor Express - 5th October 1899

KNIGHTON.

A Slight Mishap.--What may have been attended with results disastrous to life and limb occurred on Monday evening, in Nelson Square, where is temporarily located the itinerant panorama of Mr J. Gothiemer, Roundabout Proprietor. Monday being fair day, an event which a remote period carries with it the qualifying adjective of pleasure, was as usual an occasion for the influx of a number of visitors into the town from the surrounding country, composed in the majority of sons of the soil, anxious to give vent to rejoicing over temporary relaxation from labour, has held them fast since the previous May. These attractions were naturally in much demand, and as a consequence good business was done, all going well until about 6-30 in the evening, when from an unknown cause, a structure to which was attached half a dozen swing boats, fell over, at a time when each was laden with its precious freight, but luckily in its descent came in contact with the gable end of an adjacent house, and was there held in check, although in rather an unbecoming position, It is conjectured that the plugs holding the apparatus in its former position gave way owing to the recent heavy rain percolating the earth, into which they were driven an assumption which will find support considering the almost incessant oscillation of the boats up to the time of the " smash up." Fortunately no one was injured, the occupants escaping none the worse for an ariel descent contrary to their expectations, beyond a slight shaking, and "Mary Jane," perhaps, evincing a curiosity as to the cause of such an unceremonious ending to their enjoyment. The framework and the brass rods to which the boats were suspended were damaged to some extent.

 

In 1893 Jacob was a hobby-horse proprietor.

 

Radnor Express - 18th January 1900

The Clerk read a letter from Mr. J. B. Shephard, proprietor of steam horses, etc., offering £2 for the use of the square (where Mr. Gotthiemer stood last May), for one week.

                The Chairman: Has Mr. Gotthiemer made and application?

                The Surveyor: Not to me; but it is very likely he will. He paid 30s. for the permission last year.

                Mr. Allcock:  I think we ought to acquaint Mr. Gotthiemer that the square is to be tendered for.

                Mr. James: Yes; that is only fair to him. We had Mr. Gotthiemer when we had no one else.

                After some further conversation, it was agreed that both Mr. Gotthiemer and Mr. Shephard should be invited to send in tenders for the use of the square.

 

1901 sees Jacob and Sarah living in a Travelling Caravan at the Smithfield Market in Llangollen, Corwen, Denbighshire. He is now a Roundabout proprietor.

 

Radnor Express - 20th February 1902

Roundabouts at the May and October Fairs.

A letter was read from Mr. J Gotthiemer, asking the council to allow him the use of Nelson Square in which to erect his roundabouts at the May and October fairs, and also asking for a reduction in the present rent, considering the expense he was put to in attending Knighton.

                The surveyor said the ground had  been secured by the present applicant at £3 for each fair.

                Mr. Allcock: But  we take into consideration that the present applicant has been coming for so many years.

                Mr. Lote: Yes, I think that was it. We have had more in time past.

                Mr. Roberts, who proposed that the ground be let to Mr. Gotthiemer, said that a few years ago he got into hot water over the matter, but whatever he did at that time was from a pure and good motive, his idea being to conscientiously discharge his duties for the benefit of the ratepayers generally. Mr. Gotthiemer came to Knighton and took up the worst position in the town in his own interests. He had some friends up there, and he went and assisted them and the others all round, but he (Mr. Roberts) believed honestly and truly that he suffered financially through being stuck in that position. He proposed that the applicant have the ground for both fairs, and that they allow him a reduction of £1. Mr. Roberts added that his object was to encourage Mr. Gotthiemer to come to Knighton, and to encourage the people to flock through the town as they had done in the past.

                Mr. E Tudge seconded the proposition, which the Council unanimously approved.

 

Radnor Express - 8th October 1903

Michaelmas Fair. - This fair was held on Thursday and Friday. The weather, although not of the  best, did not prevent a large number of visitors coming to the town. Mr. J Gotthiemer, as usual, provided amusements with his steam roundabouts, erected in Nelson square, and which received good patronage.

 

Radnor Express - 17th October 1901

Awful Occurrence at Knighton

CRUSHED TO DEATH BENEATH A SWING BOAT WAGON.

 

A terrible accident occurred at Knighton on Monday, the 7th inst. About 2.30 p.m. a large and heavily laden van, containing steam horses and swing boats, belonging to Mr. J. Gottheimer & sons, of Wellington (who had been located is Nelson Square over the fair week) was being drawn down Broad street by two hones hired for the occasion from Mr Crowe, of Bucknell.  On passing down the steep street near Mr Wainwright's shop, although the basks were tightly fixed, the wheels skidded across the road, and the shaft horse began to kick and plunge. Both horses then started to trot, and one of Mr. Gottheimer's men was knocked down, but although injured, managed to get clear of the wagon. Mr. Edward Monnington, who was standing just below, on the pavement, pluckily rushed across the street and caught the cart mare by the reins as the horses passed at a trot. At an instant he was seen to fell in a sitting position in front of the front wheel, which passed over his body up to the shoulder. He was seen to give one roll over, and then the slipper and hind wheel passed over his back. The horrified spectators drew him out and laid him on the pavement, but he only groaned once, and immediately died.

                Dr Griffiths was immediately present, but it was too late, nothing more could have been done.

                The deceased, who has resided all his life in Knighton, was about 50 years of age, and was a rabbit catcher. He was a quiet, straightforward man, and was generally respected. The fearful manner in which he met his death while trying to do a kind action, has sent a feeling of great distress throughout the town. His wife and son were helpless witnesses of his awful death.

 

THE INQUEST.

 

                The inquest was held at the police-court, Knighton, on Tuesday evening, before Mr. Fred L. Green, coroner for East Radnorshire. The following were sworn on the jury, Messrs A. H. Wainwright (foreman), W. B. Stedman (ironmonger), Joseph Blower (chemist), John Owen (ironmonger), W. W. Turnell (Swan Hotel), J. J. Abley (parish clerk), George Apperley (inn-keeper), George Legge (Horse and Jockey), Charles Evans (tailor), John Holl (inn-keeper), Henry T. Jones (butcher), Samuel Beaumont (labourer) and John Bell (draper).

                The Coroner and jury having viewed the body, the following evidence was taken.

                William Monnington said: I am a son of the deceased, Edward Monnington, and am a labourer. I identify the body of my father, who was a rabbit catcher.: he was 52 years old. I was with him in the street yesterday, but only saw him about one minute before the accident. That was in Broad street. I did not myself see the actual accident, but saw my father laying between the two wheels of the wagon. Both the wheels did not go over him, the hind one "skidded" beside him.

By Inspector Jones: I was behind the van when it happened.

                Continuing, witness said: My father seemed to give only one breath after I came up. I had been with him for about an hour and a half during the day. He was quite sober. He might have had two pints of beer all day long. I could not say exactly when the accident occurred, but it would be about three o'clock.

                The Foreman said the jury had no questions to ask this witness.

                Mr. David Lewis said: I am the inspector for the Knighton Urban Council. I was in Broad street yesterday, at about ten minutes to three, and followed the two vans belonging to Gottheimer out of West street to the top of Broad street, where they made a halt to apply the brakes. After applying them the front van was taken down the street by Gottheimer's man (Picking), and a lad from Bucknell, whom I don't know. I told the Waggoner of the hind van to stop at the top until the first van had got to the bottom of the street. While I was telling him, I observed the wagon in front was going fast down Broad street, and I saw Gottheimer's man tumble over. By that time the boy let go of the leading horse. When the van was nearly opposite to Mr Bowen's shop, Mr Monnington (the deceased) rushed out off the pavement to seize hold of the shaft horse, which, however, he failed to do, and fell down. As soon as he fell he seemed to turn himself round, and the fore wheel went across his chest, in a slanting direction. The hind wheel did not pass over him. When the wagon had passed, Mr Chas. Still and myself ran forward and opened his collar and waistcoat. We traced where the wheel had passed, but the skin was not broken. Dr Griffiths then came up and pronounced him to be dead. It was not three minutes after the wheel had gone over him.

                The Coroner: How many horses were attached to the wagon?—Two.

                The Coroner: Did they appear to be properly harnessed? —0h, yes.

And there were two men?---Yes. Gottheimer's man and boy.

                The Coroner: Yes. That would be sufficient. A man to each horse. You say the brakes were all right.

                Witness: The hind wheel had the brake on and a "slipper" applied. I saw it applied at the top of the bank, myself.

                The Coroner: Do you think the man was in any way to blame?

                Witness: I don't think the man in charge could be in any way to blame. He did his best till he was knocked down, and then, of course he was useless. Everything was in good order.

                The Coroner: How was that man knocked down?

                Witness: The horse was swerving towards the pavement. He fell in nearly the same way as Monnington did, and had a very narrow escape himself.

                The Coroner: How near were you to deceased when he was knocked down ?—About fifteen yards.

                The Coroner: Is it your opinion that the van overpowered the horse, and that was the cause of the accident ?—Yes.

                By the Foreman: Do you think the wagon was overloaded? — It had the ordinary load.

                There has been an accident there before? Yes. The only thing I should like to suggest would be that drivers should take the other side of the street, nearer the George steps at that spot.

                The Foreman: The slip and brake were both on and right when the accident occurred ?

                Witness: Yes. They were Mr. Crowe's  timber horses drawing the vans.

                Was the first horse inclined to bolt ?—No. He would get a little restive because the back horse was kicking.

                Is it usual to take off the front horse going down a bank like that ?—They had such tackle on; but our Broad street is especially hard and slippery just at that place.

                Mr. Blower: Would it not have been better for them to have gone round Victoria road?

                Witness: They generally manage to find their way up there when they come in.

                The Coroner: Perhaps the horses were not used to this work. Do you wish to hear any ether evidence, gentlemen? You have heard that the deceased ran out to try to stop the horses, and there is no doubt as to what he died from, and that was an accident.

                After consultation, the Foreman said they should like to hear the evidence of the wagoner.

                Frederick Picking, said: I am a driver for Mr Gottheimer, and live at Oaken Gates. I am accustomed to having charge of the hones with Gottheimer's vans sometimes, not always. Yesterday I was in charge of one of the vans with two horses attached. I started from the top of the street in Nelson Square, where we have been during the fair, and came down to the top of the hill in Broad street, I stopped there, and I put the slipper and brake right myself. I told the other Waggoner to look after the living caravan, which was behind, and I would look after the front one. I started along, and when I had got five or six yards down the hill, something caught the shaft mare in the breeching, and she started to run away. I held her as much as ever I could, but the chain horse knocked me down in the gutter, and I rolled over. I had a very narrow escape of being killed myself. The bush of the wheel caught my finger, and I was knocked out till I got to the bottom of the hill. The slipper and brake were left on till I afterwards took them off. I did not see Monnington knocked down. The horses were strange to me. I had nothing to complain of in the horses.

                Mr H. T. Jones (the coroner): Was there any bellyband on the shaft horse ? Witness: I can't say, I did not harness the horses.

                The Coroner: Was it not your duty to see the harness was right ?

                Witness: Yes, It was in a way, but I was so engaged in going down hill. If there was a bellyband it was a piece of rope. I don't know now. I was that shocked. There are no bellybands to our shafts, those that hire the horses bring them with them.

                Mr John Hall (juror): Are there any hooks on the shafts that a bellyband would fit on ?

                Witness - Yes. On all our shafts. The wagoner harnessed the horses.

                The Coroner: Is Mr. Gottheeimer here ?

                Inspector Jones: No, sir.

                The Coroner, in summing up, said: It seems from the evidence that this poor man ran out voluntarily from the pavement where he was standing in perfect safety, to try and do a kind action in stopping these horses - therefore the question of negligence does not come into the matter. It also seems that every precaution had been taken in putting on the brakes and the horses seem to have been properly harnessed. Mr. David Lewis says he saw no brakes applied, and explains the facts of the horses running off. Picking says something caught the shaft horse, and caused her to run away, but Mr. Lewis says they were not running away. Anyway it is quite clear that this poor man met with his death by pure accident.

The jury then consulted, and  the foreman announced that they returned a unanimous verdict of "accidental death. " He added that the jury would like to warn Mr. Gottheimer that, in future, he should unchain the first horse, and let one horse bring the load down Broad street, as it is so very steep at that spot, and this is not the first accident that has happened to his vans there.

The funeral of the deceased took place in the Knighton cemetery on Wednesday afternoon amid every token of respect and sympathy. The service was performed by the Rev. Victor Lewis, M.A., who is in charge of the parish.

 

Radnor Express - 26th May 1904

May Fair. - Three days of glorious fine weather contributed to the pleasure of the visitors to the May fair, who flocked here in thousands. There were the usual fair "attractions," located in the fields adjoining the Workhouse and Schools. Nelson square has not the claims it hitherto possessed through the failure of the roundabout proprietor, or substitute to put in an appearance. On Wednesday, the second day of the fair, shop keepers and holiday seekers experienced some discomfort from clouds of dust hurled about by high winds, and the question was again asked "Where is the Urban Council's water cart?"

 

Radnor Express - 16th March 1905

Markets Committee. - The minutes of a meeting of the Market's committee were read in reference to the letting of Nelson-square at May and October fairs to Mr. Gotthiemer, the roundabout

proprietor, who generally had the ground, and who had again applied for it, and, further, as to an application for permission to exhibit implements on the street. The committee recommended that Mr. Gotthiemer be allowed the use of the ground at the May and October fairs at £2 for each fair, his stay not to exceed one week on each occasion, and in the event of him failing to turn up at the May fair, he was to be debarred from the October fair.

                The Cerk read a letter from the applicant on these terms, and stating that he intended to occupy the ground  at  both fairs.

                The committee did not recommend the granting of the application in respect to the exhibition of implements.

                The minutes were confirmed, and the clerk was instructed to inform the police that if implements were placed on the street it would be against the wishes of the council, who accepted no responsibility in the matter.

 

According to the National Archives Jacob was naturalised in 1910.

 

Naturalisation Certificate: Jacob Gotthiemer. From Germany. Resident in Dawley, Shropshire. Certificate A19171 issued 15 June 1910.

 

In 1911 he and Sarah are living at 28 Finger Road, Dawley Magna, Shropshire,

 

Jacob and Sarah didn't have any children.

 

It is said that Jacob gave up the fair life around 1914.

 

Sarah died at 18 Wrekin road, Wellington, on 30th March 1927, she left an estate worth £ 4372 15s. 10d. which in todays' money would be worth £ 276,780.69

 

Later in the year, after Sarah's death, Jacob married Julia Brown in Madeley, Shropshire.

 

Jacob died at 18, Shrewsbury road, Shifnal on 8th May 1928 just 2 days shy of his 83rd birthday. He died leaving an estate worth £ 3678 3s. 3d. which in todays' money would be worth £ 232,813.37

 

Julia, Jacob's second wife died at 15, High Street, Dawley on 26th April 1940. She left an estate worth £ 3967 7s. 7d. which in todays' money would be worth £ 251,119.66