2Oth June 1941
DEATH OF FORMER MACE BEARER OF PONTEFRACT

An intimate association with the public life of Pontefract over a long period has been closed by the death on Monday, of Mr. John Francis Baxter of Love Lane, Pontefract, who was 65 years of age. He was a native of Whitley Bridge and a son of Mr. Abraham Baxter. Both were engaged in the construction of the Pontefract Town Hall, and from 1895 to 1918, Mr. Abraham Baxter held the office of Mace Bearer and Town Hall caretaker. His son carried out the duties of Mace Bearer after 1918, although he was not officially appointed until February, 1924. Mr. Baxter accompanied the Mayors of the Borough on all ceremonial occasions and outstanding among many memories he cherished, were the visit of the Princess Royal to open the extension to the Pontefract General Infirmary in 1925; and his attendance at York in 1936 at the celebrating of the centenary of Local Government. More than 40 years of Mr. Baxter's life were spent in the precincts of the Town Hall, which in those days was the centre of local administrative life. He was also responsible in collaboration with Mr. W. McGowan, for bringing many entertainments to Pontefract before the advent of cinema and the opening of the Alexandra Theatre in 1908.

Mr. Baxter leaves a widow, two sons and a daughter. The funeral was to take place at the Pontefract Cemetery yesterday, Thursday.

1941 INDEX