WILLIAM DORE
THE LATE MR. WILLIAM DORE.
Great regret was experienced on the receipt of the news that Mr. William Dore had died suddenly at Leamington on Friday. He and Mrs. Dore had gone on a visit to their son, and purposed returning on Friday by the one o'clock train. Between seven and eight that same morning, Mr. Dore was sitting up in bed, and was talking to his wife about their prospective journey, when he complained of a severe pain in his chest, and falling back on the bed he immediately expired. A doctor was called in, and certifying that death was caused by syncope, the result of a diseased heart, no inquest was rendered necessary.
He had been in his usual health, attending the Wesleyan Chapel at Leamington, and had had talks with some of his old friends, one of whom went to the station to wish him good-bye, only to learn of his sudden death. Mr. Dore did not live long to enjoy his retirement from business It was only at Midsummer that be left the shop in Bartholomew-street, where he and his wife had traded so many years, and retired to the rest and seclusion of West-street.
Mr. Dore was one of the oldest tradesmen in Newbury, having been in business for forty-five years. He was a member of a good old family, three generations of which flourished as basketmakers, their business premises being those now occupied by Mr. Griffin, on Newbury Bridge. They had extensive rod-beds in Northcroft-lane, which the late Mr. Dore cultivated as a garden.
He was a typical representative of the old race of townsmen. Plain of speech, and of unconscious humour, he was quite a character. He was a regular attendant at auction sales, and was keen at making a bargain. His store-room was a veritable "old curiosity shop," the collection including many an antique piece of furniture, some old oil paintings, a few bits of ancient china and a miscellaneous variety of articles which only the collector can approximately value.
Of the other branch of the business, presided over by Mrs. Dore, something has been said not long since. It is certainly to be regretted that Mr. Dore's retirement should have terminated so suddenly and sorrowfully. But he exceeded the allotted age of man, being in his 74th year. He had lived a quiet unostentatious life, and had gained the respect and esteem of his neighbours, who gathered around the graveside on Tuesday, and united in placing a floral offering on his coffin.
The body was conveyed by train from Leamington, arriving at Newbury at 1.16. From thence it was conveyed to the Cemetery, where the interment took place, the funeral service being conducted by the Rev. A. Shipham, superintendent of Newbury Wesleyan Circuit.
The mourners were : Mrs. Dore (the widow), Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dore, Mrs. Rowling and Mrs. Dunn (daughters), and Mr B. Dore, grandson, in the absence of his father, Mr. B. M. Dore, who was unable to attend.
Amongst the friends present were: Mr. William Stillman, Mr. Thomas Stillman and Misses Stillman, Mr. and Miss Mortimer, Mr. L. Cleeves, Mr E. Sims. Mr. Hannibal Hill, Mr. Charles Webb, Mrs. Beale, Mrs. John Stillman, Miss Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Davis, etc.
Wreaths were sent from his old friends and neighbours in Bartholomew-street, one from friends at Leamington, Mr. and Mrs. Freebody, and from members of the family.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs . Beale and Leete. |
