DEATH OF MR. FRANCES HERBERT STILLMAN
EDITOR OF THE “N.W.N.”
Fifty-three years of journalistic life
A NOTABLE NEWBURIAN
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Mr. F.H. Stillman, which occurred on Sunday night at his residence, “Oakleigh”, Craven-road, in his 69th year. Mr. Stillman had been in failing health since the commencement of the year. Following a stay at Bournemouth for recuperation, he was advised to go into the Newbury District Hospital for an operation. This was in the early part of June. The operation was successfully performed, and there was every hope that Mr. Stillman would make a good recovery, for his subsequent progress was satisfactory. Since leaving the hospital, he came down to the “Newbury Weekly News” Office on several occasions, it being his hope gradually to resume his editorial duties. The last occasion was on the Friday prior to the Bank Holiday. It was then apparent that he was far from well. Returning home, he took to his bed. His condition gradually became worse, and the end came peacefully just after 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Francis Herbert Stillman, or Frank Stillman, as he was happily known in the town, was a Newburian born and bred. His epitaph may be aptly summed up in one short sentence. He had an inherent love for, and pride in, his native town and gave it a life-long service. He was the eldest son of Arthur Septimus Stillman, who held the office of verger at the Newbury Parish Church. His grandfather was Parish Clerk and Apparator to the Bishop of the Diocese, and it is noteworthy that the office of Parish Clerk at Newbury has been held by a member of the Stillman family for 101 years. The family dates its connection with Newbury back to the year 1739 when Mr. Stillman’s great-great grandfather, whose name was Shute Stillman, a cordwainer by trade, came and settled here upon his marriage to a Newbury girl.
Frank Stillman upon leaving school, came as an apprentice in the year 1876 to the printing office of the late Mr. Blacket of 34 Northbrook-street. “The Newbury Weekly News” had then been started some nine years. He was an industrious lad and determining to become a reporter, he set upon teaching himself shorthand. His determination may be gauged from the fact that, going upon a holiday to some relatives who lived near by the New Forest, he spent his whole time with his shorthand book. His ambition was soon satisfied for shortly afterwards he started as a reporter on the “Newbury Weekly News” under the guidance of its first editor and joint founder, the late Mr. T.W. Turner. He had a natural aptitude for journalistic work; a few, easy, descriptive style, combined with the accuracy in detail, so that he could weave an interesting story out of the most unpromising and intricate material, not overlooking a single point or overweighting with unnecessary matter.
He had distinctly a style of his own, which raised the “Newbury Weekly News” above the common ruck of country papers. His career as a journalist was steady and progressive, due in no small way to his qualities of reliability in action and soundness in judgement. He stated on the “N.W.N.” and an apprentice, climbing the various steps up the ladder as junior reporter, chief reporter, and sub-editor, so that it was only natural that he should become Editor and Managing Director upon the death of Mr. T.W. Turner, in 1924. Life on a newspaper is a strenuous and wearing business, and it falls to the lot of few to celebrate their journalistic jubilee, but this Mr. Stillman did in 1926, the occasion being one of much rejoicing and congratulations from his colleagues.
Perhaps he will be best remembered as “Tatler”. It was in 1889 that he started the “Chit-Chat” column in the “N.W.N.”. That was the period of long verbatim reports. People were apt to judge the value of a report by measuring it with a foot rule. Some do still. Length, rather than conciseness and clarity, was the prevailing standard. Frank Stillman may be said to have introduced the new journalism in these parts. But whilst he got away from the old, stodgy style, there was nothing of the present-day “stunt” methods in his writings, which have done such a great dis-service to the credibility of the newspaper Press of this country. His “Chit-Chat” notes were a weekly causerie of local life. Week in, week out, for at least 50 weeks per year from some forty years, he has delighted his readers with is comments on local doings, always to the point, generally in a happy vein, though sometimes critical. This was no easy task for one man, and it was wonderful how he retained his freshness and vitality to the end. His “Chit-Chat” notes in the files of the “N.W.N.” will remain a standing memorial to his ability and to his industry.
Journalists, as a rule, are not over-popular with their fellow men, especially in a small country town. From the nature of their work they are bound to be occasionally treading on people’s corns. But there was no more popular journalist than Frank Stillman. He was a lovable man, for he possessed the great quality of trying to see the other man’s point of view. Venom was entirely alien to his nature, and if he could soften a blow he would always do so. Sympathy rather than sensation was the touchstone which he always unerringly applied. His loss to the “N.W.N.” cannot be measured, for there was no man in the district with a deeper fount of local knowledge, whilst his judgement was invariably sound and his advice sage.
The life of a working journalist is essentially a busy one. People who see them about here and there, at meetings, functions and festivities, often do not appreciate that their work only really begins when they return to the office to prepare their records. Of necessity they burn a good deal of midnight oil. Yet in spite of a life of incessant activity, Mr. Stillman has made time to turn his hand to a great deal of public work on behalf of his town and fellow men. As has already been stated in this short appreciation, pre-eminently he was a Newburian, and the whole of his efforts were directed towards what he considered to be for the progress and welfare of the town. His best place of work was on behalf of the old people at the Newbury Poor Law Institution. He always termed it as “No. 99”. Close upon 40 years ago, when the Newbury Board of Guardians decided to abolish beer from the inmates fare on Christmas Day, he appealed in his “Chit-Chat” notes for contributions to provide the old people with tea and tobacco. The appeal caught the imagination of the public and from that time onwards all through the long period he had not the slightest difficulty in raising the necessary funds. He used to make it a boast that the never asked anyone personally for a subscription. It was not so much the fund as the homely way he administered it that made it so welcome. He was regarded with the greatest affection by the old people at No. 99, who looked forward yearly to his coming. When they heard of his passing, they asked to be allowed to put their pennies together to get some flowers to send to his grave.
If there was one wreath which “Tatler” would have prised above all others it was the one from the “Old People at No. 99”. The duties he imposed upon himself in connection with this fund were really self-sacrificing. For close upon 40 years he never spent a single Christmas Day with his family. From 11 o’clock in the morning until midnight and after he would be at the Institution, going round the wards distribution tea and tobacco to the old and infirm, and sweets and toys to the young, smoking a clay pipe with the old men, having a cup of tea with the old ladies, making a point of chatting to every single person and joining in their festivities and games. No single fund in Newbury has had such a conscientious almoner. No wonder the old people there feel that they have lost a real friend.
He was one of the young men which the Guildhall Club in its early days produced, fitted and trained for public life. The Club was the outcome of the St. Nicholas Debating Society, which used to meet in the old Parish Room, in those days situated up a back alley opposite the Post Office, by the side of what was then Mr. Higgs’ shop. It was in 1886 that the club was started in the back room, which overlooks the river, of the Guildhall Coffee House, taking its name from this. It was not until 1890 that it emigrated to its present premises.
Frank Stillman was one of the founders and an original member of the committee. He was its first librarian, and built up a library which was at one time the best in Newbury. He remained an active member until his death and was regarded as “the Father of the Club”. For a long time the Club was the hub of the activity of the young life of the town. Its cycling club swimming club, photographic circle and dramatic society all provided healthy recreation, but it did more than this. Its debating society provided a real training ground for young men in the art of public speaking. The photographic exhibitions which it promoted in the old Town Hall were pioneers and among the best in the country. During the winter evenings it ran a course of lectures and concerts, at which such eminent scientists as Sir Robert Ball, the Rev. J.M. Bason, and such celebrated singers as Madame Antoinette Stirling and Madame Belle Cole appeared. In the arrangements for all these activities, Mr. Stillman took a leading part. He was essentially a young man’s man right to the end.
It is impossible to go into details of all Mr. Stillman’s public work. One matter which may be forgotten by many was the stand he took on behalf of the West’s Kin in 1906, when the Board of Education was promoting a new Scheme for the administration of the Gifts of John and Frances West in connection with Christ’s Hospital. By this action he succeeded in getting the scheme favourable amended on behalf of the Kin in Newbury. His work on behalf of the National Deposit Friendly Society was also notable. He was one of the oldest members of this society, having completed 50 years of membership. His association with the society dates back the period of its founder, the late Cannon Portal. He was a past President of the Berks and Hants Division, and was Editor of the Society’s magazine, “The Depositor”. For the society, he attended conferences all over the country, being responsible for their official reports. His intimate knowledge of Friendly Society work led to his being chosen as a member of the County National Insurance Committee and also Chairman of the Newbury Pensions Committee. Then he was largely instrumental in the start of the Newbury Hospital Saturday Fund, which has raised over £20,000 for the Newbury District Hospital. He was appointed a representative of the Fun on the Committee of the Newbury District Hospital. His work on this committee was among the most congenial of the duties he undertook, and his advice was also valued by his fellow members. He had a great admiration for the Hospital and the value of the publicity he rendered it by his pen in the columns of the “N.W.N.” can hardly be estimated.
There are few people who appreciated the variety and extent of his public services. When the local Yeomanry returned from the South African War, it was Mr. Stillman, in conjunction with Mr. E.J. Forster, who raised a fund for welcoming them home. There was a big ceremony at the Corn Exchange, at which Lord Dundonald spoke of the men, as well as being entertained, were each presented with a silver watch. He was instructor in shorthand at the Technical Institute for 32 years, retiring in 1922, and was also official shorthand writer to the Newbury Quarter Sessions and the Newbury Bankruptcy Court. During his busy life, he also somehow found time for a good deal of writing, in addition to that from his pen which appeared in this journal. His “History of Newbury during the Victorian Era” is a well-written, readable publication, full of incidents and facts which are little known, and which is a valuable contribution to the records of the town.
Mr. Stillman married a daughter of the late Mr. Henry Smith, who for many years carried on the business of carriage trimmer and harness maker in Bartholomew-street. Mrs. Stillman survives him, with four sons and one daughter. The sons are all doing well. Stanley is managing a wholesale stationers’ business in Sydney, New South Wales; Percy is a schoolmaster at Maidstone, Cecil is County Architect for the Suffolk County Council, while Harold is at the Ordnance Depot at Didcot. The loss to the community by Mr. Stillman’s death is such a heavy one that one can appreciate in a small way what it means to the family, for he was the most devoted of husbands and the kindest of fathers.
(Hugh Turner : Director)
The Chamber of Trade’s Appreciation
We have received the following appreciation signed by Mr. Walter H. Bentley (chairman), Mr. C. Gordon Talbot and Mr. George Howard (hon. Secretaries) on behalf of the Newbury Chamber of Trade:
“In expressing our sympathy with you in the loss which your Firm has sustained in the death of Mr. F.H. Stillman, we would like also to place on record our thankfulness for the services which he rendered to the Town, and to the Chamber of Trade. “Tatler” is a name which has come to be appreciated throughout Newbury and the neighbourhood. Not only in his journalistic capacity but in many unobtrusive ways did “Tatler” endear himself to those with whom he came in contact. He was connected with the Chamber of Trade from its inception, served helpfully upon the Executive Council, ably acquitted himself as Chairman and honourably filled the position of President. His frequent notes in the columns of the “The Newbury Weekly News” of Chamber of Trade activities were a source of the greatest help. Valuable as these services were, however, his loss will yet more keenly be felt by those who came to count him as a personal friend and who thus realized the breadth and kindliness of his character.”
The Funeral
There was a very large attendance at the funeral, which took place yesterday (Wednesday), the service in Newbury Parish Church being conducted by the Rector (Rv. L.R. Majendie), who also officiated at the graveside in the Newtown-road Cemetery. Included in those present were the Mayor and Members of the Corporation, representatives of the Institute of Journalists, Newbury District Hospital, the Chamber of Trade, the Guildhall Club, the Ministry of Labour, business establishments in the town, almspeople, inmates from the Poor Law Institution, as well as the whole staff of Messrs. Blacket Turner and Co. Ltd., which included his colleagues on the “Newbury Weekly News”. The hymns sung were “The day Thou gavest” and “Abide with me”. The choir was in attendance, and Mr. Russell Wade, who was at the organ, place “O rest in the Lord” as the congregation was assembling, and, after the family mourners had left he rendered the Dead March in “Saul”. There was a beautiful lot of wreaths, that from the Mayor and Corporation being inscribed “A token of sincere regard for an old friend and one who did much for the welfare of his native town”. There was one from the inmates of Number Ninety-nine, “In loving memory of our very dear friend, “Tatler””.
The family mourners were Mrs. Stillman (widow), Mr. Percy Stillman, Mr. Cecil Stillman, Mr. Harold Stillman (sons), Miss Dorothy Stillman (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Will Stillman (brother and sister-in-law), Mrs. K. Smith (sister), Mr. Ted Stillman (cousin), Miss Winnie Timms.
There then follows a list of other attending and sending floral tributes.
“Tatler”
In affectionate Remembrance
His book of life is closed, ere we had willed
For with a sudden pang of sharp regret,
We would insist there were some pages yet
That could be filled.
Yet e’en as one might read, and reading, find
Rich treasures that within his heart he keeps.
So shall this life, though he who lived it sleeps
Be kept in mind.
Another book for memory’s library,
And as we turn its pages o’er and o’er,
Our hearts shall be reminded, more and more,
How loved was he!
Margaret Scruton
THE PASSING OF “TATLER”
“Tatler”, the founder of this column who wrote weekly for forty years on the wit and wisdom, doings and sayings, jokes and sorrows of Newbury, has gone to his long rest. He passed peacefully away on Sunday like a tired child going to sleep. It was a fitting end to one whose mind was always free from guile, and who preferred to keep silent if he could not speak good. During the forty years he wrote “Chit-Chat” he never wittingly allowed anything to appear that would hurt anybody’s feelings, and he carried that ideal with him when he occupied the Editorial chair.
A HOPE NOT FULLFILLED
A fortnight ago we were hoping that it would not be long before we should see him back at his old desk, with his pipe in his lips and his pen in his hand. But it was not to be. A sudden collapse occurred on Friday, August 2nd, from which he never really rallied and he was gone. We shall miss his boundless good nature, his helpful ways and his quaint humour. It is a sad staff on this Wednesday night when we have seen our old Chief laid to his grave. Words and ideas do not come easily. We, in this office, in company with thousands of readers whom he has entertained for years, realise that we have lost a real friend.
INTERESTING REMINISCENCES
A journalist in the course of a career stretching over such a lengthened period as half-a-century, comes into touch with many well-known men. The following are some of those whose utterances “Tatler” has reported at one time or another: The Prince of Wales, learned lawyers such as the late Mr. Justice Hawkins, the late Sir Marshall Hall, Sir Edward Clarke and Lord Reading. Statesmen and Cabinet Ministers include the late Lord Salisbury, the 4th Earl of Carnarvon, Lord Everleigh, the Earl of Oxford, Lord Morley, Lord Haldane, Mr. Lloyd George, Lord Younger and Lord Long. These are only a few who names come readily to mind.
Then there were eminent scientists like Oliver Lodge and Sir Robert Ball, and novelists such as Madame Sarah Grand and Mr. Jerome K. Jerome. Every journalist should keep a diary, though very few do. It would be a live and interesting document, for even country journalists get to know a great deal of the inside of affairs which never appears in print.
Also – He married Sarah Elizabeth Smith in 1884 and they had 6 children: Frank Stanley (b. 1887), Percival H (b. 1889, Leslie F (b. 1890 d. 1890), Dorothy Ethel (b. 1892), Cecil George (b. 1895) and Harold Bruce (b. 1897). In his will he left £2,874 16s. 2d to his wife.
NWN 15/08/1929
Mrs P p. 108 LN16
Buried 14/08/1929 from 94 Craven Road
Bk.. 1917 p. 138 No. 10703
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