John Taylor, 'Old Pepper', Lancaster

iBase ID

234102

Reference identifier

NLA20110708010

Title

John Taylor, 'Old Pepper', Lancaster

Place

Lancaster

Personal names

John Taylor

General notes

John Taylor Tobias Hadwin aka 'Old Bias') was one of a duo of buskers (along with  who entertained in front of Lancaster Town Hall.
From The Lancaster Guardian October 1934:
Notes which appeared in these columns last week concerning "Old Bias" and "Old Pepper," two characters immortal in the memory of those who came in to contact with them, caused many readers to wax eloquent reminiscences.
It was undoubtedly a topic of lively discussion during that week -end, but I am informed that "Old Pepper" never played the cornet, but another well-known musician (!) - if it was really a cornet that was played.
A Friend has kindly handed me a photograph of "Old Pepper" and I reproduce it here. "Old Pepper," I understand, had a "speaking" part in the entertainment provided by this trio, and liked to end the programme with a hymn before moving off to the next pitch.
Another friend tells me that "Old Bias" and Company were typical Dickensian characters - that the descriptive powers of the great novelist would have feasted on them. 
A "Guardian" reader, formerly resident in Lancaster, and now of Weymouth, has written to the Editor as follows:-
Sir, - In last week's "Town and Country Topics," by "John O' Gaunt," is reproduced a photograph of "Old Bias." A character associated with him was "Old Pepper," both of whom I well remember.  It is of great interest to me to read the reference made to the old characters. "Old Bias" died a year before "Old Pepper," as recorded in the accompanying lines written by me in February, 1907, and brought to light for the first time. - Yours, etc.,  SYDNEY A. JACKSON  "Edenhurst," Dorchester Road, Weymouth; October 15th, 1934.
THE PASSING OF A LANCASTER WORTHY.
FEBRUARY 7th, 1907.
Small boys called him "Pepper," this white-haired old man, whose figure was a saddened object of Life's dark side.  Recently, whilst singing on Castle Hill, he was asked to sing a carol.  Yes, he would give "The Herald Angels" another turn and then get along home. 
"He is Home, and yet he had
Grown weary of the life that held no charm.
For he alas, his need and poverty were met
By winter's cold and storm.
Poor as a mouse in sacred precincts dwell.
He struggled on life's fragile thread,
A crust of bread, a copper, were his daily dole.
A hovel for his bed.
Gone to a comrade, who 'passed on' a year ago.
The two, maybe, join hands in happiness.
Gone - the chill terrors of starvation, the dread of pitiless cold
He dwelt and lived upon.
No more shall we hear of Mary Blythe
And his long 'Good-bye' to her.
It was in Church Street, and the last, last time,
Sang he farewell to us, and her."
SYDNEY A. JACKSON

John Taylor Tobias Hadwin aka 'Old Bias') was one of a duo of buskers (along with who entertained in front of Lancaster Town Hall.
From The Lancaster Guardian October 1934:
Notes which appeared in these columns last week concerning "Old Bias" and "Old Pepper," two characters immortal in the memory of those who came in to contact with them, caused many readers to wax eloquent reminiscences.
It was undoubtedly a topic of lively discussion during that week -end, but I am informed that "Old Pepper" never played the cornet, but another well-known musician (!) - if it was really a cornet that was played.
A Friend has kindly handed me a photograph of "Old Pepper" and I reproduce it here. "Old Pepper," I understand, had a "speaking" part in the entertainment provided by this trio, and liked to end the programme with a hymn before moving off to the next pitch.
Another friend tells me that "Old Bias" and Company were typical Dickensian characters - that the descriptive powers of the great novelist would have feasted on them.
A "Guardian" reader, formerly resident in Lancaster, and now of Weymouth, has written to the Editor as follows:-
Sir, - In last week's "Town and Country Topics," by "John O' Gaunt," is reproduced a photograph of "Old Bias." A character associated with him was "Old Pepper," both of whom I well remember. It is of great interest to me to read the reference made to the old characters. "Old Bias" died a year before "Old Pepper," as recorded in the accompanying lines written by me in February, 1907, and brought to light for the first time. - Yours, etc., SYDNEY A. JACKSON "Edenhurst," Dorchester Road, Weymouth; October 15th, 1934.
THE PASSING OF A LANCASTER WORTHY.
FEBRUARY 7th, 1907.
Small boys called him "Pepper," this white-haired old man, whose figure was a saddened object of Life's dark side. Recently, whilst singing on Castle Hill, he was asked to sing a carol. Yes, he would give "The Herald Angels" another turn and then get along home.
"He is Home, and yet he had
Grown weary of the life that held no charm.
For he alas, his need and poverty were met
By winter's cold and storm.
Poor as a mouse in sacred precincts dwell.
He struggled on life's fragile thread,
A crust of bread, a copper, were his daily dole.
A hovel for his bed.
Gone to a comrade, who 'passed on' a year ago.
The two, maybe, join hands in happiness.
Gone - the chill terrors of starvation, the dread of pitiless cold
He dwelt and lived upon.
No more shall we hear of Mary Blythe
And his long 'Good-bye' to her.
It was in Church Street, and the last, last time,
Sang he farewell to us, and her."
SYDNEY A. JACKSON

Medium

Photographic print

Colour

Sepia

Original image size

Year of image

1904

Enter year in yyyy format

Locator

Mario Map link

Collection link

Tobias Hadwin aka 'Old Bias' on Red Rose Collections

Web link