LOUGHBOROUGH
THE TURN-OUT;- SEIZURES, &c.
Yesterday week, the working men of Loughborough, agreeably to
their resolution, passed at every meeting held in the previous week, turned out
in large numbers and paraded the town. Scarcely a single frame or twist machine
was at work; and as far as regards the framework knitters, and twist and warp
hands, the strike was a complete one; but very partial with respect to other
occupations. They went about nine in procession to the villages of Thorpe,
Sheepshead, and Belton, and found a great proportion of the hands out in those
places. Those at Sheepshead had gone to Hathern, Long Whatton, and Diseworth,
and infused the same spirit into the operatives there; or rather kindled to a
flame the spark of disaffection that existed in their minds. At Belton, the
inhabitants were frightened, and dispensed liberally of their provisions to the
people, already exhausted with a long walk under a burning sun. It does not
appear, however, that any violence was threatened to any man. Mr. C. Jarratt
here delivered an address of such a nature as has since induced the authorities
to grant a warrant for his apprehension.
At about five in the afternoon the Loughborough party came
back to the town attended by many from the villages. About 400 in all, came down
the Ashby-road. In the Market-place they formed a circle and sung, "We'll rally
around him." Mr. Jarratt again spoke, and Mr. G. Turner, sen., was called in the
cair. He exhorted the people to preserve the peace by all the means in their
power. Mr. Skevington then spoke for about twenty minutes, and delivered what
might be called a very moderate Chartist address. In it, however, he observed,
that he understood the magistrates of Leicester had prohibited public meetings,
which he hoped was not the case, as it would cause the people to resort to
midnight meetings, and then they might expect midnight assassinations and
conflagrations. He also read a string of resolutions, to the effect, that the
working men should all be requested to cease labour until the Charter were
obtained; that all who did not do so were enemies to their fellow men, and fit
subjects for slavery; that all should assist in preserving the public peace, and
hand over to the police any person found breaking it. Others related to the
means for obtaining subscriptions, and the distribution of them. The resolutions
were each, as he read them, proposed and seconded by some person in the crowd,
and then put and carried unanimously. Some interruption was created by Mr. J.
Coope, solicitor, and a fellow named "Charley Gilbert," but through the
exertions of the leading Chartists, Mr. Turner and Mr. Skevington in particular,
they escaped a good thrashing, and the meeting broke up peaceably. It was
adjourned until eight o'clock, but at that hour it was not resumed, because many
of the country Chartists had returned homewards, and it was rumoured that the
authorities would disperse any assembly.
After dar, a considerable number of persons congregated round
the gateway of the Plough Inn, and in groups in the Market place, but out of
those the majority were women and boys. For some reason or other, the riot act
was read out of the window of the magistrates' court, by C. M. Phillipps, Esq.,
who had arrived after the meeting had taken place. The Market-place was then
cleared by the constables and police, and afterwards the principal streets;
after which all remained perfectly quiet.
Saturday -- Examination of Mr. Skevington.
Early in the morning, the Chief Constable, Mr. Goodyer,
apprehended Mr. Skevington at his own house, upon the charge of using language
at the last night's meeting, tending to cause a riot and breach of the peace. At
about ten, C. M. Phillipps and E. Dawson, Esqrs., and the Rev. J. Dudley, took
their seats at the Bench, and the prisoner was brought up.
William Fielding, parish constable of Belgrave, stated that he
heard Skevington at the meeting, say that he understood the magistrates of
Leicester had put a stop to the meetings by day; but he hoped that it was not
true; that if they could not have meetings by day, they could have them by
midnight; then they might look after their property; then they might expect the
midnight incendiarism, for the people would not be satisfied until they had
their rights.
Cross-examined by Defendant - I have repeated word for word,
as nearly as I can recollect. Took the words not as a caution, but as a threat,
that such would be the result. Did not consider your language as calculated to
keep the peace, but on the contrary.
In his defence, Skevington put in the resolutions of the
meeting, as a proof that he was not likely to read over a resolution that the
peace should be kept, and another, that every person breading it should be
handed over to the police, and afterwards advise the people to commit a breach
of the peace. He then called Mr. George Turner, chairman of the
meeting.
This witness stated that he could not recollect anything being
said about midnight meetings. In fact, nothing was said about them he was sure,
for he was present the whole time. He never heard Skevington more careful in
what he said. The whole tenor of his discourse was peaceful, and he was very
anxious then some interruption occurred from some drunken men, who had come to
cause a disturbance, that no notice should be taken of them. He did not urge the
people to either incendiarism or assassination.
C. Jarratt and James Duffey (a Chartist lecturer) gave similar
testimony.
The Bench decided that Skevington should enter into his own
recognizance for £50, and find two securities for £24 ech, for his
good behaviour for six months. The bench gave him and hour to find the required
securities. Mr. Eveleigh, of the co-operative store, Loughborough, offered
himself for one, and Mr. Baker, of Hathern, for the second, but the bench would
not accept of him, and the hour expired before any other could be found. Mr.
Skevington then was told by the bench, that they should now require twenty-four
hours notice of bail, and that he stood committed to the County Gaol. Soon after
this, Mr. Pegg, sen., of Mill street, offered himself, and before leaving the
room for Leicester, Mr. Skevington gave the required notice. He was conveyed to
the barracks in a fly, guarded by a very strong body of police and constables,
and from thence to Leicester, escorted by a Lieutenant and eight dragoons, and
two policemen and the Chief Constable in and on the fly.
Twenty pensioners were, in the afternoon, despatched to
Sheepshead to awe the Chartists there. A procession of Chartists went up the
Ashby road, in the afternoon, but they went no further than the Thorpe-lane. The
night passed off peaceably.
Sunday
This morning the Chartists met in their room, and afterwards
went in procession to the Catholic Chapel. There were about 250 of them, waling
two abreat. They were headed by Duffy and Turner, both of whom are Catholics,
and by Jarratt. The Chief Constable imagining that an attack was contemplated
upon the cottage of Mr. E. Middleton, situated about three-quarters of a mile
out upon the Ashby-road, marched his whole force after them, policemen,
pensioners, and constables, but after seeing the Chartists quietly seated in the
chapel, he gave orders for their return. The priest chose the parable of the
prodigal son for his text, and attributed the distresses of the people to their
having forsaken the true church; and spoke of the Reformation as having, by
taking away the lands and wealth of the church, robbed the poor of a fund that
was always appropriated largely in relief of their distresses. The other chapels
and churches were comparatively deserted. At the Magistrates' Court, the
qualifications of Mr. Pegg, as a security for £25 for Mr. Skevington's
good behaviour were examined. He has some little property, but through having
had a large family he had been excused from paying his poor rates. For this
latter reason he was considered not a sufficient surety.
Monday.
The Chartists had a meeting in their room between six and
seven, and about 200 were present. On breaking up, a party of them went up
High-street, but were dispersed by the constables and police. At nine another
gathering took place in the room, and they resolved to have a procession through
the villages on the Leicester side of Loughborough. They started out of the
Unicorn-yard four abreast, and went up High-street, followed by the special
constables, who were headed by about a dozen policemen and locals. The
pensioners and recruiting officers followed. When the Chartists perceived they
were pursued they quickened their pace, but the police overtook them near the
Royal Oak, and though some made some show of resistance, by brandishing sticks,
yet on the police heading them, and seizing those who made this hostile
demonstration, not a blow was struck with any weapon, and the Chartists made
their escape in the best way they could, the police preventing any further
progress forwards and the constables backwards. The great body went down the
lane by Mr. Cartwright's house into Moira street, and so dispersed themselves.
Jarratt, whom the police wished to capture, escaped by getting over a wall. The
Chartists after this did not show themselves in a large body, but stood in the
public papers conversing in groups.
The magistrates, Messrs. Phillipps, Dawson and Dudley, took
their seats at the Bench at four o'clock, and the prisoners were brought up.
They were seven in number:-- Samuel Moseley, Mill-street, aged 31 ; Charles
James Fox, New-row, 23 ; "Jacky" Dennis, Court-yard, 58 ; Thomas Unwin, Market
street, 18; John Thompson, Dead-lane, 19; Robert Turner, Pinfold-gate, about 20
; and William Priestley, Wood-gate, 30. The last is a needle-maker; the rest we
believe are all framework-knitters.
The information exhibited by Superintendent Burdett charged
them with tumultuously assembling against the tenor of her Majesty's
proclamation. Burdett stated that he saw between 300 and 400 Chartists leave the
room in the Unicorn-yard, four abreast, and go up the Leicester-road. He
followed them with his whole force of policemen, pensioners, and constables, and
overtook them near the Royal Oak. Some persons, who appeared leaders, cried out,
"Open ! open ! and let the police in, and then close upon them !" and many of
the mob brandished sticks. Witness advanced with the police through an avenue
formed by the Chartists in obedience to this command, and ordered his men to
seize all who carried sticks, and in compliance with these orders six bludgeon
men were taken, and Moseley, who though not armed with a stick, yet appeared a
leader. The six were the prisoners before them. When an officer seized Moseley
he struck at him with his fist, and this was seen by witness. The crowd huzzned
when the police came up, and the greater part had sticks, which they brandished.
Witness saw Thompson trying to conceal a stick by the side of a door, and he
apprehended him immediately. Some of the sticks were of formidable nature ;
Priestley's in particular, it had lead run into the knob.
Daniel Smith (Policeman 28), said he saw Fox in the crowd
brandishing a stick. When he was apprehended, three slugs were found in his
pocket. All the prisoners had sticks brandishing. Fox did not struggle when
arrested. Heard the command given for the mob to open and close upon the
police.
Policeman 18 said he saw Turner with a stick brandishing. Saw
on of the prisoners strike, but could not tell who it was. The order for the
crowd to open and then close upon the police came from the general
mob.
In his defence, Moseley said he did not know that he struck at
the officer. He had one hand in his pocket at the time.
Fox denied brandishing his stick.
Dennis denied being connected with the mob, although
surrounded by them. He was going out to try to get a bit of bread, if he could,
any where.
Thomson said he had been on a visit to his sister, at
Nottingham, and slept at that town the last night; but on arriving in
Baxter-gate, at Loughborough, in the morning, he went to see what was the matter
in High-street, and was taken by the police because he has his walking stick in
his hand.
Unwin denied brandishing his stick, or being connected with a
mob; but affirmed that he was standing peaceably near the Bell Foundry when
taken.
Turner said he was not connected with the crowd, although
surrounded by them. He had been ill a long time, and used his stick to walk with
in consequence. Having been unable to do any work during his illness, he was
going up to his employer, Mr. Warner, who lives rather higher up the road than
where the crowd were stopped, in order to try to beg a little of him. His stick
was a thin one.
Priestley said he was going to Mountsorrel, to see his wife's
sister, and had arrived at the top of Moira-street, when he was taken into
custody by Mr. Sutton (tailor in High-street), and others. He owned the loaded
stick was his, but he had no other, and took it because he had a pain in his
back.
The bench decided that Mosley should pay a fine of £5 or
be imprisoned two months; and that he should enter into his own recognizance for
£20, and find two sureties for £10 each, to keep the peace for
twelve months. He could not pay the fine; and judging from his appearance, it is
very probable that he will not be able to find the sureties: so that it is
likely he will have to suffer fourteen months' imprisonment. Priestley and Fox
were ordered to enter each into his own recognizance for £10, and find two
sureties for £5 each, for their good behaviour for six month; and Turner,
Unwin, Thompson, and Dennis, were each ordered to enter into the same
recognizance, and find the same securities, for their good behaviour for three
months.
Priestley, Fox and Turner offered to give the sureties; the
others did not. The former were afterwards removed to the Loughborough House of
Detention under a strong escort of constables and police, and when this had been
effected, the others were removed in the same manner down to the Railway
Station, at eight o'clock in order to take them to Leicester by the train which
arrives at Loughborough, soon after that hour. Dennis, Unwin and Thompson, will
of course, be liberated when they can find the sureties, and pay the expences.
If they cannot effect these, they must lie in the Country Gaol for the three
months.
The bench also examined the qualifications o Wm. Renals,
grocer, Loughborough, who had on Sunday been offered as bail for Skevington, on
the bench refusing Pegg. Mr. Toone, solicitor, appeared on the part of
Skevington. Although Mr. Renals had the writings of freehold property to the
amount of £200 unencumbered, the Bench hesitated in taking his security,
and made enquiries as to his promptitude in paying his rates when called upon.
It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Jowett, the collector, that he always paid
before the end of the quarter. His bail was at last accepted. Mr. Everleigh,
grocer, is the other security. In the afternoon about 100 more special
constables were sworn in, the others being quite exhausted by their night and
day duty, and discounted because many equally able to do duty with themselves
were not called upon. The new body contained many who held Chartists principles,
and some who had Chartist cards of membership. Among the latter was Mr. Luke
Jimson, a respectable warp-lace manufacturer, who keeps a number of frames. He
was, after being sworn, objected to by Mr. Goodyer, who said he would not employ
him. Mr. Jimson was spoken to by Mr. Dawson upon the subject. Acknowledged
having taken out a Chartist card, and being nearly a Chartist in his opinions,
and also a Corn-law Repealer. Mr. Dawson hoped he did not consider the methods
at present taken by the Chartists were the proper ones to obtain their end. This
question was not directly answered by Mr. Jimson, but he said it was necessary
that something ought to be done by the government for the nation. He said the
government was one for which he term "stupid" was the lightest he could use in
speaking of it. He considered his character sufficiently established in
Loughborough by many years residence there; and should if called opon to act,
put down any attempt to create a breach of the peace. He, however, was not
desirous of taking the office. Mr. Dawson said it was not to be expected that
there could be much confidence in him when he held a Chartist card of
membership. The first thing he might have been called upon to do, would be to
arrest one of the Chartist speakers, and he would not hink anything wrong was
done by that speaker until he broke the peace. Mr. Goodyer repeated his
declaration of not allowing Mr. Jimson to act.
When the police and constableswere waiting for the train
coming in to take away the prisoners, a number of Chartists who had followed
them got upon the Railway Bridge and pelted them with stones. Specials were sent
to dislodge them, which they effected, but the mob ony went a short distance
further upon the road. After the train had started, and the constables were
returning, the mob again groaned and pelted. The constable perceived a youth
named William Taylor of Beehive-lane, in the act of throwing, pursued him
amongst the crowd, and succeeded in capturing him. He was lodged in the House of
Detention.
Tuesday.
The bench met at ten, the same magistrates being present. The
youth Taylor was examined and convicted of the offence. He denied throwing, but
it was clearly proved. He was fined £5 or two months imprisonment, and was
ordered to enter into his own recognizance for £10 and find two sureties
for £5 to keep the peace for six months. His father being a stockinger
with a large family, the money could not be raised, and he was
committed.
William Davenport, of Hathern, framework-knitter, was
charged with being with a riotous and tumultuous mob at Hathern, on Saturday,
and endeavouring to extort alms. John Gaze, of Normanton Hills, appeared to be
one of the leaders, and beckoned with his hand for them to keep in a line, and
the mob obeyed him. Samuel Charles, Mr. B's. shepherd, said he saw prisoner
walking alongside of the mob in Hathern. Afterwards a party of them came to beg,
but Mr. Buckley refused. They groaned, and some said, "let us take it!" One said
"He would as leave die there as go any further;" another said-"It will come to
that." They did not go in, but went on the Rempstone-road, saying they would
call again.
Davenport said he was at Normanton, but did not know of any
intimidation.
Ordered to find two sureties for £10 each, and himself
for £10 to keep the peace for six months.
Skevington was brought from Leicester, and having entered into
recognizances for £50 and his sureties for £25 each, was discharged.
The expences were £1 11s. 6d.
Securities being produced for Turner, Fox, and Priestley, they
were discharged. Expences, 8s 19d. each.
Several bodies of Specials on horseback went round the
country, and took ten Sheepshead frame work-knitters.
John Mee, aged 20; Josiah Hudson, 31; Thomas Hubbard, 24;
Thomas Hallam, 26; James Hickling, 30; Samuel Mason, 31; Josiah Unwin, 26; James
Bowler, 25; Thomas Mansfield, 43; William Grain, 25.
Mee was committed for three months; Grain, having apologised
was liberated; the others were committed for a month each.
Wednesday.
Davenport produced excellent sureties and was discharged.
Jarratt against whom there had been a warrant out. gave
himself up and was remanded till Thursday.
The authorities dismissed all the Specials but 20. There will
be still fourteen policemen, the local constables and the pensioners
besides.
PETTY SESSIONS, THURSDAY, AUG. 25.
Before C. M. Phillips, Esq., E. Dawson, Esq., and<
the Rev. J. Dudley.
EXAMINATION OF PRISONERS.
Charles Jarratt, of Loughborough, framework-knitter,
was charged with using language at Belton, of a tendency to create a breach of
the peace. The Rev. Mr. Blount, parish clergyman at Belton, stated that on
Friday (the 19th instant) he was leaving Belton to come to Loughborough, between
twelve and two o'clock, when he saw a considerable number of persons entering
the village from Sheepshead, and believing it not to be safe to be away from
home, he returned. He did not go into the Market-place for fifteen minutes, and
when he did go, there were perhaps two hundred present, but afterwards the
number were at least doubled, and the prisoner addressed the people. He did not
stay at the meeting but went home and listened through a window where he could
not see what person was speaking, but had good reason to suppose that person to
be the prisoner. He heard the person telling the people that at Loughborough
they had come to a resolution of doing no more work till the Charter was the law
of the land. He exhorted those about him to adopt the same resolution; toe keep
peace, law, and order, that they might not be laid hold of by the authorities;
then added- "But then you will say, 'how are we to live? My friends are you
afraid! I am not at all afraid! Are we in a land of scarcity? Are we in a land
where there is no mutton! Where there is no beef! Where there is no corn, and
oil, and wine? Are we not in a land where a bountiful Providence i providing a
beautiful harvest? I rely on the promises of scripture- 'They that wait upon the
Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good.'" Then he returned again to the
question - "but still you will say- 'how is this to be if we are not to work? I
reply as the man said- 'Go look you fool!" -and then stated that a man had been
asked that question, and his reply was- "Go look, you fool!" He then explained
that it meant- mind your business. "Mind you business - your business is to
stand still and not work." Witness too particular notice of what was said,
because he considered it might be useful to do so. The words were all connected
as related.
William Toone stated that he was at his mother's house- "the
George," about one on Friday, and saw the prisoner addressing the mob from the
side of the old elm tree. Witness looked out of a window about fifteen or twenty
yards distant from the prisoner. There were several hundreds present. Heard the
prisoner recommend the people to work no more until the Charter was the law of
the land, and request those who were of the same opinion to hold up their hands,
in compliance with which, all the hands in the meeting were held up. Heard him
say there was plenty of mutton, and plenty of beef, and (witness believed) a
plentiful hearvest. Heard him ask whether they would hand Feargus O'Connor, or
Skevington, or himself, (Jarratt.)
Mr. Blunt said he could swear that the same voice made use of
the expressions, "Would they let them hand Feargus O'Connor, or Skevington, or
Jarratt!" as had uttered those he had spoken of.
Mr. Moore, of Belton, stated that on theFriday at about
half-past one, a number of persons came to his house and asked for something to
eat and drink. He replied that he could not relieve them all, upon which they
said they would take something. (The bench here consulted whether another charge
should not be brought forwards, namely, that of being in company with a large
mob obtaining provisions by false pretences, and intimidatory language; but the
prisoner appeared so extremely penitent that the idea was afterwards
abandoned.)
In his defence, Jarratt said the whole business was
unpremeditated. He had no idea until the night previous of any strike, and when
going as usual to work between five and six on Friday morning, he was met in the
Market-place by two men who told him that he must not go to work; and he dare
not in consequence. After smoking his pipe with them in the Market-place, he
went to his workshop and found the other men resolved to strike. He attended a
meeting of working-men and they agreed to go over to Sheepshead, and he suffered
himself to be "overpersuaded" and went too. When at Sheepshead he wanted to
return, but he was dragged to Belton, and as they wanted some one to speak, he
did get up in the Market-place there, and did utter expressions nearly like
those sworn to by the clergyman; but he had no intention of causing the people
to beg or take, and when he saw the people begging, he was actually astonished,
because it has been agreed that the man who did either should be not considered
a Chartist. The people of Loughborough had often heard him use similar language
to that he used at Belton, and being used to it, took no notice because they
knew he meant nothing wrong; but at Belton unfortunately the people did not
understand him. He owned he had been led astray, and hoped he magistrates would
be as lenient with him as possible. He wished he had not gone at all; and
according to a promise he had made when walking by himself, and when he was not
aware of any warrant being out against him, he would never have anything to do
with such things any more; but would mind his own business, and let every other
man mind his.
[All this was uttered in a very humble manner, and accompanied
by very earnest gestures. Indeed we never saw any man present a more abject
appearance. Every other Loughborough Chartist will know that Jarratt has told
impudent falsehoods. Of all the addresses every delivered in the town by
Chartist speakers, his have been the most scandalous, both from their indelicacy
and disregard of the rights of property. And with regard to the strike, of which
he stated himself to be ignorant until the Thursday night when he heard it
agreed to at the Ward's end meeting, it is a fact, that it was advocated at
every meeting for a week previous and the question was put every night, and
carried unanimously, that the Loughborough operatives should follow the example
of those in Lancashire and cease working, and it is equally a fact that Jarratt
spoke in ts favour. Long ago he "wished that all men were in his mind, and they
would then work no more until they had made an alteration; and on Friday, at
Loughborough, he declared at the afternoon meeting that he would face the
bayonet, rather than go on as he had been going for many years, adding the most
solemn declarations that he would not return to work again, until the Chartist
demands had been granted. His defence has excited the disgust of both the
Chartists and their opponents.-REPORTER L.M.]
The bench gave him a lengthy admonition, and then ordered him
to enter into his own recognizance for £30, and find two sureties for
£15 each, to keep the peace for six months.
Mr. Dawson observed that when he contrasted the manner in
which Mr. Skevington left, when he had been released, and the present beheviour
of Jarratt, he could not help considering it a credit to the latter.
Mr. J. Penn, shoemaker, New Row, and Mr. J Jaques, grocer,
Rushes, became the sureties.
Thomas Payner of Sheepshead, was charged by William
Bradley, a famished looking man with putting his fist in his face and
challenging him to fight. Both parties appearing rather culpable, the bench
dismissed the case, and ordered the costs to be divided. The complainant said he
had no money and the bench replied that they would give him a week., and if
within that time it were not paid, they would send him to prison. Complainant
appeared quite overcome by the violence of his feelings, and sunk backwards. He
was prevented from hurting himself by a female who broke his fall, and he was
carried to a form, and aferwards down stairs, but it was nearly an hour before
he revived. The bench thought it was affected; but we understand he is subject
to such fits. If the defendant, who is a respectable person, has any feeling, he
will pay the whole of the expenses. He is landlord of the Crown.
Hugh Ratcliffe, of Hathern, was convicted in the
penalty of £5 or 3 months to hard labour for using a gate net for the
destruction of game in Bardon Park, on the 20th instant. He said he had been out
of work eight weeks and thought he would do less harm by catching a hare, than
by letting his family starve.
William Swift, of Sheepshead, was fined 20s. and costs
for brutally assaulting Joseph Bowley of that place.
William Ward, of Whitwick a collier, was committed for
3 months, to hard labour for using a gate net for destruction of game in Bardon
Park, on the 20th instant. He said he had been out of work eight weeks and
thought he would do less harm by catching a hare, than by letting his family
starve.
[The following had some typographical error last week, and we
re-publish it at the writer's request.
(To the Editor of the Leicestershire Mercury.)
Sir,- the Loughborough Board of Guardians under the sanction
of the Poor Law Commissioners, with the Rev. Mr. Powell, of Normanton, in the
chair, having unanimously agreed that Mr. B. W. Brown, the heir loom Apothecary
to the Wimeswold practice of Medicine - a gentleman of whom I would ask whether
he has had his diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons? - is a fit and
efficient surgeon to attend the Wimeswold and Leake districts, prevents my
making further remarks. I therefore take a last farewell of the aforesaid
Surgeon, wishing him every success in his novel mode of treatment of compound
fractured limbs by placing them instantly in iron splints ! ! (vide maggots in
the Leicestershire Mercury of last week), and leave the public to judge of the
very kind and humane treatment the poor of these extensive districts are likely
to receive at his hands! Sincerely hoping the next person he attacks in the
public journals will be able to give him a more sever lash than I
have.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
J. E. FOSBROOKE.
Wimeswold, Aug. 18, 1842.