110 A HISTORY OF LONGRIDGE. [Chap. 4. 



As a medical practitioner, tlie late Dr. Eccles was held in deservedly 

 higli esteem by all the country side. 



Hakry Eccles. 



One of his ,«ons, Mr. Harry Eccles, was a very witty character ; and one 

 rather good tale of his, which I have heard my father often relate, may 

 be repeated here. " One morning as the train was going to Preston, 

 the engine left the line, just below the Stone Bridge Tunnel, and, of 

 course, came to a sudden standstill. At once Harry put his head out 

 of the window, and shouted to the guard, ' I say, Jim, this is a queer 

 place to land passengers at,' a remark which was received with 

 uproarious laughter." 



Another good story was told by Mr. H. Eccles at a dinner of the 

 Longridge Agricultural Society. Replying to the toast of the " Town 

 and Trade of Longridge," he concluded a humorous speech by saying : 

 " If Longridge had another pump it would be a seaport ! " 



Dr. Edmund Eccles. 

 The present genial doctor, the late doctor's third son, is known for 

 miles around as a clear-headed, clever, and experienced physician, and 

 deservedly enjoys a large practice. He has lived a quiet, unosten- 

 tatious life, being a great friend to the poor, by whom " Edmund " is 

 loved and respected. Ho has endeavoured to improve the sanitary 

 condition of Longridge by his recommendation of the dry-earth 

 system. He has lived a hard life, being exposed to all weather, and 

 taking very few holidays. He is as good a sample of the better class 

 of the old school of doctors as can be met with ; but he does not forget 

 to keep up with all the latest improvements in medical and surgical 

 science. 



William Prestwich. 



WUliam Prestwich, the late Sexton and Clerk of Longridge Parish 

 Church, was another noted man in Longridge. He came from 

 Chowbent in 1832, and established himself as a nail maker (Longridge 

 being noted at that time for nailniaking). As a stead}' young man, 

 he was appointed Clerk and Sexton in Mr. Pigot's time, in 1844, and 

 held these offices imtil his death, in 1885. Forty years ago, when he 

 was about 38 years of age, he became one of the most notorious 



