South Yorkshire Times, August 4th 1933

The “Ethel” Spirit

Wombwell Girls Not Afraid Of Adventure

Two Examples

Is there a town in Britain that has turned out as many high-spirited women as Wombwell? A few weeks ago, we told the world how a Wombwell girl of 27 had braved the rigours of the Arctic for three years upon work of moral uplift and mercy.

That was Miss Ethel Ablett, a Salvation Army captain (daughter of Mr. R. Ablett), who spent her childhood and grew up, waxing in wisdom and womanly virtues, in a little cottage occupied by her father in Wombwell Wood. Now we hear of another Wombwell girt who, finding that life in her native town held little or no prospect, went out to the United States, and is now holding down a good job. She is Miss Ethel Briggs, formerly of Darfield. There are many other Wombwell girls of the same type. They are a fine example to a rising generation too prone to the fatalistic idea that life is empty, and that all the big things have already been accomplished. Their names should be mentioned and their stories told in every girls’ school in the district.

We have had many interesting letters from Miss Briggs since she went abroad. They all breathe of happy self-reliance and cheerfulness. She looks upon life as a thing that is “real and earnest.” She was prepared to take a risk, and has reaped reward in a life full of sunshine and happiness. She is at present in a situation with a German family who treat her generously and allow her the same freedom as is expected by members of the household. She has just had an interesting tour in Canada and the Northern States.

Miss Briggs writes: “Old friends who read your paper will perhaps be interested to know that I have just completed a journey through the States by car to Winnipeg, where I am staying for a month’s vacation before returning by another route. In the course of a wonderful trip, I went from Philadelphia to Buffalo, and made a two-night’s stop to see the Niagara Falls in their varying shades and moods. The spectacle was the most enchanting I have ever cast eyes upon. It was magnificent and fascinating. To see the great columns of water reflecting the shafts of bright sunlight made one stand speechless. I accomplished the whole of the journey alone, driving my own car, and never had a dull moment. The scenery all the while was gorgeous. On several occasions I travelled during the night under the enchanting moonlight, and thoroughly enjoyed the cool of the evening after a hot day.”

Impressions Of World’s Fair

“My next drive was to Cleveland, Ohio (a very pretty town), and then on to Chicago, where I visited the World’s Fair. I must say a word about that, although one really has to see it to realise its splendour and magnitude. You try to imagine what a vast amount of money must have been spent upon it. The arrangement of it took four years, and you can walk round for two weeks and not see anything like the whole of it. I intend to visit the fair again on my trip down to the States in August. “In the course of my journey I talked with many thoughtful people, all of whom spoke hopefully of better times coming.

But, alas! at Winnipeg I found the farming people brooding over a unhappy visitation. Many of the crops had been just eaten away by swarms of grasshoppers of most unusual size. ln the gardens, too, they had wrought havoc—onions, carrots, potatoes, and even lovely beds of flowers, being devastated. The farmers seemed very discouraged. In the garden of the house where I stayed you could not walk without stepping on them. It is very distressing to see all the labour of these industrious people simply wasted. They do not expect to get anything for the money and work they have expended this year.

Where “Times” Was Useful

“I am able to enjoy this six weeks’ tour because the lady to whom I am companion has embarked upon a cruise to the “Land of the Midnight Sun.” We were all very interested to read the articles relating to the experiences of Miss Ablett. The details she gave were very useful to my lady, as they helped her to choose suitable baggage for Reykjavik and other Icelandic centres. She is also visiting Russia, Sweden, Norway and France. In the course of my trip, I shall cover about two thousand miles, and my friends will be glad to know that I am having a great time and feeling very fit.” Miss Briggs is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Briggs, 15, Coronation Street, Darfield, and one of seven sisters.

One of the sisters is Mrs. Mabel Adams, 11, Myrtle Road. Wombwell. Formerly employed as a bakeress in Wombwell, she went out to Canada four years ago. Her original intention was to go on to Saskatoon. but falling sick at Winnipeg she was treated in a lady’s hostel, where she afterwards remained as a member of the staff for two and a half years. It was through an aunt, a Barnsley woman who emigrated 36 years ago, that she secured her present position at Wildwood, New Jersey.