"KING OF THE COSTERS."

Evening Star, Issue 12882, 3 August 1906, Page 11

"KING OF THE COSTERS."

Very imposing was the funeral of Jock Hewetfc, the " King of .the Costers," who died on April 21 at his homo at Streatham, leaving a fortune of £20,000; The long procession, which started from S'.reatham at noon, and passed through the Brixton, Newington Butts. Walworth, Old Kent road, and Whitechapel coster markets, did not reach Bow Cemetery until three o'clock. Costers who had known "Jock" personally and those who had only known him by name bared their heads as the procession pissed through the markets. Many ot them wore black scarves or crape bands on their arms. The hearse, drawn by four horses with wonderful trappings, was smothered with masses of costly wreaths, an enormous harp-shaped design attracting great attention. Behind the hearse were six mourning carriages, drawn by plumed horses Following tho principal procession were several hundred costers with their women relations in brakes, barrows, and pony-traps.. The coster-girls wore enormotis black ostrich feathers on their hats. At Bow Cemetery hundreds of memorial cards were distributed among the large crowd. The procession into the cemetery was headed by a mourner carrying upon his head .an enormous tray covered with black ostrich plumes.