STEPHEN DICKINS. 207 



by all who knew anything of this most excellent public 

 servant. 



From the Staffordshire Advertiser, February 8th, 

 1896: 



DEATH OF HUNTSMAN DICKINS. 



Sincere regret has been caused among the members of the North Stafford- 

 shire Hunt by the news of the unexpected death of the popular huntsman, 

 Stephen Dickins, whicli occurred at his residence near the kennels, at Trentham, 

 on Tuesday morning. Dickins was last out with the hounds at a meet at 

 the Loggerheads on Monday, the 27th ult., and was then suffering from a chill 

 contracted on the previous Saturday, when the meet was at Blackbrook, in cold, 

 wet weather. He kept with the hounds until his unfavourable symptoms were 

 aggravated, and then reluctantly yielded to persuasion and left the field. On 

 reaching home his condition became worse, and pneumonia eventually set in. He 

 was attended by Dr. M'Aldowie, of Stoke, and subsequently Dr. Aididge was 

 called in ; but despite medical attention and careful nursing, Dickins succumbed 

 to the malady on Tuesday morning. The deceased was the heau ideal of a 

 huntsman, in which vocation he was practically reared. His father for many 

 years had charge of the Atherstone Hounds, and young Dickins served his time 

 as a lad in the kennels of Mr. Selby Lowndes, of the Vale of Aylesbury Hunt. He 

 tlien went to the Atherstone, under Captain Anstruther Thomson, and whipped- 

 in under his father, afterwards succeeding the elder Dickins as huntsman. 

 He had charge of the Atherstone pack for one season, and then transferred his 

 services to the North Stafford twenty-five or twenty-six years ago, when Colonel 

 Nugent was the Master. His connection with this Hunt lasted until his death, 

 and during that long period he gave complete satisfaction to the officials and 

 members. Under his superintendence the pack has been gradually imjjroved, 

 and, invariably being put in the field in the pink of condition, the hounds have 

 gained a capital reputation. Of Dickins's capabilities as a huntsman the 

 members had a high opinion, and by his attention and devotion to the interests 

 of the Hunt tbj deceased had made himself a highly valued servant. He was 

 an intrepid and clever horseman, and his genial disposition made him a general 

 favourite among the frequenters of the meets. The deceased, who was fifty-four 

 years of age, leaves a widow and eight children. One of his sons is second whip 

 of the Hunt. The funeral took place at Trentham yesterday afternoon, the 

 service being conducted by the Rev. E. V. Pigott, vicar. Amongst those 

 attending were the Duke of Sutherland (Master of the Hunt), Lord Henry 

 Grosvenor, Sir M. M. Buller, Sir George Chetwode, Mr. R. N. Wood and Mr. A. 

 Simpson (joint secretaries), ]\Ir. A. W. Leedham, Mr. H. Ker Colvile, Captain 

 Stamer, the Rev. F. C. Staraer, the Rev. P. E. Mainwaring, Mr. P. H. Rawson, 

 Mr. E. J. W. AVood, Mr. W. W. Dobson, Captain Feilden, Mr. W. Thompson, 

 Mr. T. Cartlich, Mr. A. Boote, Mr. C. W. Clifford, Mr. F. J. Mather, Mr. I'.laijg, 

 jun., Mr. W. E. Bowers, Mr. C. E. Challinor, Mr. W. Mould, Mr. T. Slater, Dr. 

 J. S. Walker, Mr. J. Coe, Mr. W. B. Hargraves, Mr. J. Q. Lamb, and Mr. G. 

 Swift. There were many beautiful wreaths, including one from the noble 

 Master and members of the Hunt, inscribed " In memory of many hunting days 

 and faithful services." Other floral tributes of esteem were sent by the Duchess 

 of Sutherland, Colonel Bulkeley, Mr. W. W. Dobson, Mr. C. \l. A. Birch, Mr. H. 

 R. Corbet (Master of the South Cheshire Hunt), ]Miss Davenport, jNIr. A. Simpson, 

 Mr. J. W. Philips, Mr. E. J. W. Wood, INIr. and ]\Irs. Colvile, iMr. A. Boote, and 

 the servants on the estate. 



