subscriptions to its maintenance may be taken at an average of 5d. weekly, or an aggregate of £208 weekly, amounting to £10,400 a year. The average rate of wages at present paid, will be from 16s. to 21s. weekly to each man. During the past three years the wages of the men have been reduced (as a necessary consequence of the reductions in the price of coal), by from 12 to 25 per cent. During the same period the price of coals has been reduced as much as 2s. 6d. to 3s. per ton, and coal has probably never been sold at so low a price for the last thirty years. But there has been an upward tendency during the last month; and we believe that the greater part, in some cases the whole, of the reductions in wages of the past three years have been given up, and wages advanced to an approximation at least to their former level. This of course involves an advance in the price of coal, and we believe that during December the advance made varied from 5d. to 10d. per ton. Still the agitation is to be kept up, of course for the peculiar advantage of the paid agitators, “the committee,” &c. If we are correctly informed, one of the most active of these agitators is Mr. David Swallow, of Ashton. We have already noticed the tactics of these agitators. Daring the past year many collieries have been on strike;  one, in particular, for the long period of 35 weeks; the object being to weaken individual employers, and to coerce them-by the double injury attending the stoppage of underground works. and the loss of their customers, who, of course, must go to collieries at work for their supply of coal into yielding to their demands for higher wages. In this way a it becomes scarcely possible for any individual concern especially a comparatively small one, to resist the demands of, a formidable combination of ten thousand men. In turn, one coal proprietor after another, is thus compelled to yield to terms, however extravagant, rather than have his pits a ruined by being closed, and his business taken from him by competitors in trade. The obvious remedy for this state of things would be an extensive counter-combination among the colliery owners, something like that which promises to be so successful a amongst the employers of operative engineers, &c. But to this sort of union there are several great and serious obstacles, arising from the peculiar nature of the coal trade, and the circumstances of individual proprietors, which prevent them from recognising in all its extent that unity of interest which assuredly does exist. Sooner or later, however, the system a now pursued by the men must compel the masters to make common cause against these demands for higher wages; or the result must be utter ruin to the masters, or men, or in r all probability to both. It may be asked why the men do not resort to a general a turn-out. The answer is, that this would not suit the paid agitators; for a general strike would lead to some decisive I measure in a very short time, and then the trade of agitation e would be at an end, By the present policy of keeping up a e partial strike, and paying wages to a comparatively few turn8outs, the agitators succeed in maintaining a certain degree of  excitement amongst the men generally; while they have an e excuse for collecting funds, and otherwise maintaining constant employment for themselves-the great point with them, of course-in the trade of agitation. Under these circumstances, we are not surprised to be told, that they declare they do not intend to have a general turn-out until their funds are very largely increased. We are assured by I some who well know the condition of the working colliers, that they were probably never better off than at present ; for, though their wages (16s, to 21s, weekly) are nominally lower than at former periods, owing to the cheapness both of food and clothing, they command a greater amount of these necessaries of life than at any former times. – In one point of view, the course taken by ten thousand men in one manufacturing district, under the guidance of a few interested agitators, may become of great public and even e national importance, If this large body of men were to combine in one general strike, and thus stop all the collieries of the district, the stocks would be rapidly exhausted and in a very few days all the cotton mills and other works of the district must be closed, for want of fuel to supply steam power. The present state of things, therefore, although it may seem an insignificant strike, that involves only some 180 men and boys, is perilous, in as much as it may involve ultimate results fraught with evils so extensive as those to which we have alluded.

Saturday,  Dec. 18, 1852

Publication: Preston Chronicle

IMPORTANT MEETING OF COAL MINERS

On Monday last, a public meeting of the coal miners of the Wigan district was held in the large room at the Unicorn Inn, for the purpose “of considering what steps ought to be taken in order to better the condition of the working miners in this district; and as there has been a general advance in the price of coal in South Lancashire, and a corresponding advance of wages in the other dIstricts, to discuss the question of a general statement for an advance of wages in this district.”-Mr. Andrew Flemming, on being called upon to preside, regretted those indolent manner in which the colliers came to this meeting. It appeared to him that they would rather be straggling about the streets or sitting in beer-shops, than assembling in public meetings to protect the rights of their labour. Two attempts had been made that day to form a meeting, and everything had been done that could he done to get them to come together and organise themselves for their mutual benefit; but all the exertions that had been used seemed of no avail, for even now he thought the meeting was a failure, and it proved to demonstration that the coal miners of the Wigan district were not inclined to elevate their position in society. Therefore, as anything he might add would not have the effect of stimulating them to promote that object, he should call upon Joseph Parkinson to move the first resolution, which he would read to the meeting :-” Resolved, that past experience teaches us, that without a perfect understanding and co-operation among the men justice will never be done to them by their employers; this meeting, therefore, pledges itself to promote an organisation amongst the men as speedily as possible.”-Mr. Joseph Parkinson, after a brief exordium, moved the resolution, and Mr. Robert Blackledge seconded it.-Mr. A. Fellow, in supporting the resolution, spoke of the ignorance and indolence that prevailed amongst the coal miners generally. They had not the common instinct of the – bee, for she collected her store and laid it up for a rainy day; but they recklessly lavished their store away, unmindful of their future. The bees hoarded together for their mutual benefit; but the coal miners, instead of organising, were split into sections to promote each other’s downfall. He exhorted them, if they wished to raise themselves in the stale of society, to get a little more intellectual knowledge by establishing evening schools, and to learn their alphabet, instead of wasting the chief portion of their leisure hours at the public houses and beer-shops; and not only to become thoughtful, but prayerful men. He concluded an able address by supporting the resolution.-Mr. Wm. Dixon, once the Chartist candidate for the representation of Wigan, and now a respectable agent in the town, addressed the meeting considerable length in support of the resolution. He took a retrospective view of the position’ of the miners in this district for the last twelve years, and referred to what took place in 1841. At that time he was amongst them and advocated their cause, and they got an advance of wages; but how long did they keep it ?-not, he believed, more than six months. And how did they lose it? Why by their own stupidity and ignorant proceedings. The masters offered them a trifling bounty to get an extra quantity, and they turned to their work with all their might and filled whole fields with coals, which rendered them powerless of opposition. Their wages were again reduced, and they had been going to the had ever since : for he was informed that their average wages at the present time only amounted to half-a. crown a day; was that true ?-(Several voices, “Yes;” “Not so much”) Well, they had no occasion to blame either the government or the masters for that, for the blame was in themselves; but, like the waggoner calling upon Hercules to help him out of the mud, they were always crying out for help, instead of putting their own shoulders to -the wheel. He seas sorry to hear they had become disorganised, and had lost the confidence of each other; but that was their own fault, for they had admitted enemies into their camp, who bud destroyed that confidence, and until it was restored they could have no hope of redemption. They mush get knowledge and become intellectual minded men, and by their own exertions raise themselves in the scale of society; and when they had done so, and begun to respect themselves, other people would respect them, but not till then. He might as well perhaps call their attention to one of their ignorant displays when he was with them before; some of them must recollect the circumstance. They at that time came to the conclusion that they would strike for an advance of wages, and they did strike, before they ever asked the masters whether they would give them ass advance or not. Could anything be more inconsistent or ridiculous? -.-to strike against a thing they had never applied for; but he hoped their sufferings on that occasion had taught them some experience, for he was an enemy to strikes, as they were unproductive of good. It had been said that ” Dixon was come to town again” but he could assure them that he was not come to spread discord between them and their employers. Their interests were mutual, and if he could be of any service iso promoting the welfare of both, they might calculate on his assistance at all favourable opportunities .-(Applause.)-The resolution was put from the chair and carried unanimously. After some further proceedings it was arranged that a delegate meeting should place in the evening, at which meeting the following circular was agreed to:-

  “To the owners of  ……. Colliery..-

It is with reluctance we, the miners in your employ, have to appeal to you on the present occasion; but a sense of duty towards ourselves, our wives and families, necessitates us to do so, in consequence of the prices paid us for our labour being inadequate to the work we perform and knowing our trade or calling to be in a healthy condition, and feeling assured that the community at large, In order that they may obtain the article at a price much below its value, have no desire that  we should be remunerated with prices which are commensurate with the dangers and toils we are subjected to –  knowing that this is the case, and knowing by experience our social and domestic privations, we have unanimously come to the conclusion to claim a nearer approximation to an equivalent for the duties we have to perform: 

And in fourteen days from the above date we shall be expected to be paid according to the annexed rate viz. twopence in the shilling. 

Yours most earnestly, yet respectfully 

THE MINERS IN YOUR EMPLOY. 

Saturday,  May 7, 1853

Publication: Preston Chronicle 

MEETING OF MINERS.-

A public meeting of the miners and other inhabitants of Wigan was held in the large room at the Commercial Hall, on Monday last, for the purpose of adopting a petition to parliament to draw the attention of, the legislature to the late explosion at the Arley Mine Pit, Ince Hall colliery, and to the awful loss of life in the coal mines generally, and praying that a sufficient number of inspectors and sub-inspectors of coal mines be appointed, so that all the mines can be thoroughly inspected at short intervals by properly qualified persons; also that some plan of education may be established in the collieries similar to that of the factory school system. It was announced in the placards that the Rev. Benjamin Powell would take the chair, if health permitted; and on the opening of the meeting a letter was read from the rev. gentleman regretting his inability to attend from indisposition, and the Rev. Mr. Nelson was solicited to preside over the meeting. The Chairman regretted that he could remain with them only for a short time; but, as he had always been an advocate for the religious and moral improvement of the working classes, he had, in the absence of Mr. Powell, consented to take the chair, although unprepared to perform that duty. If their proceedings were tempered with reason, be had no hesitation in saying that he should at any future opportunity be at their service, not only with his advice, but also with both his pen and his pocket.-(Cheers.)-Mr. David Swallow read a petition to the House of Commons embodying the subjects mentioned above, and moved that it be adopted and engrossed, and signed by the chairman on behalf of the meeting. He proceeded at length to show the absolute necessity of the colliers making ‘a decided effort to raise themselves in the scale of society, by calling for the adoption of the measures contained in the petition; for he felt confident that if they would put their own shoulders to the wheel, not only the legislature, but the public would assist them in obtaining that protection which they stood in need of for the better preservation of their lives when at work in the mines. He produced statistics from the inspectors’ returns, showing the startling fact that from 1850 to 1852 there had been 2,123 lives sacrificed in the coal mines of Great Britain by fire damp alone.-Mr. Pickard seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.-The Chairman, in vacating the chair, said he felt sorry to leave them, for the respectable character of the meeting, together with the temperate manner in which Mr. Swallow had delivered his address, was to him (the Chairman) a source of great pleasure. He urged them to go on and prosper, and he would go with them heart and soul.-After a few brief observations from Mr. Pickard and other speakers, the proceedings terminated.

Saturday,  Oct. 29, 1853

Publication: The Standard 

MINERS’ RIOT AT WIGAN 

Saturday Morning. Last, night there was a riotous assemblage of miners at Wigan. The lights were put out, and many windows were broken. Troops were sent for, and arrived at one o’clock this morning. All quiet.Wednesday,  Nov. 2, 1853

Publication : Morning Post

October 31st 1853

FEARFUL RIOT AT WIGAN. THE MILITARY SENT FOR FROM PRESTON.

 A riot of a fearful character took place in Wigan on Friday night, and during its continuance a great amount of damage was done to property in various parts of the town. For more than four hours a mob held complete possession of the place, and the inhabitants had to submit tamely to see their windows broken, and furniture injured or destroyed. Friday is the market day in Wigan, and the centre of the town is then much thronged ; but on Friday last the Marketplace and adjoining streets were more crowded than usual, owing to the autumn cattle fair being held, according to charter, and a large number of colliers and factory operatives on strike loitering about. At four o’clock in the afternoon the adjourned meeting of the coal proprietors of the district was held at the Royal Hotel, Market-place, Mr. Peace,  general manager of the collieries belonging to the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, in the chair. There was a large I attendance of masters, and the meeting lasted about an hour.  By the time it terminated, several hundred colliers had assembled in front of the hotel, and when they saw, by some of the coal proprietors leaving the house, that the meeting ‘ was over, they manifested great anxiety to learn the result. They appear to have indulged a hope that the masters, if they did not agree to give them the advance of 2d. to the shilling (16. per cent.) which they struck to obtain, would have compromised the dispute by consenting to give an advance of Id. to the shilling (8 per cent.). When, however, they learned that the masters had only decided to throw open their pits for the men to go to work in them at the same prices they came out at, and that this was coupled with the condition that if the men did not return to work in large numbers the pits should be again closed at the end of a fortnight, they seemed much disappointed, and showed an uneasy feeling. As intimation of the result passed from one to another the excitement increased, and soon the crowd began to hoot gentlemen who came out of the hotel, or cheer them derisively. This took place between a quarter and half-past five, and was continued for an hour. Four police officers were on duty near, and endeavoured to prevail upon the  crowd to disperse, bat without avail. About half-past six o’clock five or six gentlemen came out of the hotel together, and passed through the crowd, and went along the Market-place into Wallgate, and they were followed by the mob, who hooted, cheered, and jostled them. Two of them (who are said to be strangers, and not colliery masters, as supposed) took refuge in the shop of Mr. Charles Johnson, watchmaker, but a stone was quickly thrown at the window, and a sheet of plate glass broken. They then went into the Dog and Partridge, a public-house close to the church gates, and only a few doors from Mr. Johnson’s, and were followed by Mr. Peace, jun., son of the chairman of the meeting. The crowd hooted and jeered, and also broke windows, but the gentlemen escaped by a side door and through the churchyard. The chief constable of the borough came with his small force— six or seven— and endeavoured to persuade the mob to disperse quietly, but they, finding that the objects of their displeasure had escaped, turned upon the police, and began to pelt them with oyster shells. Macadam stones, &c. Finding that the presence of the police only tended to excite the crowd the more, the chief constable gave orders to his officers to go back to the police-office, and they accordingly fell in and marched off, amidst the cheers of the mob, who followed them. The chief constable, who brought up the rear, was much pelted with missiles, but none of them hurt him seriously. When the police got back to the station, information of what was going on was sent to the mayor (N. Eckersley, Esq.), who was soon there. Mr. Cook and Mr. Byrom, two of the borough magistrates, were also sent for. The two latter gentlemen, being unconnected with either strike, went into the Market-place, with the view to prevail upon the mob to disperse; but meanwhile the rioters had begun to break lamps and put the lights out, and as the magistrates got near them a cry was raised, ” Let’s go to the Eagle” (Royal Hotel). Cabbages, potatoes, &c, were seized from the market stalls and hurled at the windows of that house, and then the stalls themselves were broken to form bludgeons. Mr. Cook and Mr. Byrom being unable to effect any good, returned to the police-station and informed the mayor of what was going on. All the shops in the Market-place were shut up by this time (a quarter-past seven). His worship, the chief constable, nine policemen, and about 20 special constables, then went to the spot ; but the stones and other missiles were flying so thickly that all the special constables, and a few of the policemen, disappeared ; and somebody seized a fellow in the act of throwing at the windows, and two or three officers foolishly marched off with him to the station. The mayor, chief constable, and two policemen, were left to cope with a mob now consisting of about 1,000 persons. Mr. Alderman W. Marsden, who stood beside’ the mayor, was struck down, and his left eye severely cut by a bludgeon which was probably intended for his worship. At length the mayor, and the few officers who supported him, left the spot were they had stood a severe pelting, and went back to the police Station. His worship immediately left there and hurried to the station of the London and Northwestern Railway, from which he despatched at a quarter past eight a messenger by special engine to Preston for the military, and at half-past he transmitted a message by electric telegraph to the commanding officer of the troops stationed in Fulwood barracks, which are three miles from the Preston station, to hasten the movements of the troops. After demolishing the windows of the Royal Hotel, the mob broke a number of windows in Millgate, including those of the police-office. They then recommenced putting out the lamps and breaking them as much as possible, even to wrenching the pipes. As each light was put out a cheer was raised, and on they went to the Market-place, through that, down Wallgate. Not only did they seek to put the town in darkness by destroying the lamps, but even the upper windows of the shopkeepers and innkeepers which were lighted up were broken. The windows of the Town-hall, Moothall, Post-office, Clarence and Victoria Hotels, Board of Health offices, and many houses, were broken, and in some places frames and shutters were smashed. The Market-place and Wallgate were reduced to a I state of complete darkness, and the cheering of the mob, and falling of glass, terrified the inhabitants. Not a police officer was to be seen. A little before 9 o’clock, the mob returned to the Royal Hotel. The rioters now consisted of about 500 persons, principally lads and young men, with a sprinkling of girls and young women, and there appeared to be more factory operatives than colliers amongst them, though a great number of the latter stood looking on. The second attack on the hotel was more violent than the first. They entered the lower rooms, broke the mirrors, picture frames, drinking ” glasses, and some furniture, stole liquors, and attempted to set fire to a curtain. Again they went through the Marketplace and down Wallgate, breaking lamps and windows.  The house of Mr. J. T. Fitzadam, iron merchant, was damaged, but a more savage attack was made, at the instigation of women, on the house of his neighbour, Mr. J. Taylor, of the firm of Messrs, Thomas, Taylor, and Brothers, cotton-spinners. Next they went to Mr. Esplin’s large jewellery and watch shop, and broke several panels of the I shutters, but before they had time to smash the plate-glass windows, and enter, a train passed over the railway bridge which spans Wallgate, about fifty yards below the shop, and there was a cry of ” The soldiers are coming.” It was aa ordinary passenger train, and, this being speedily discovered, then recommenced their work of devastation ; but they did not return to Mr. Esplin’s. A little below the railway bridge they detained tbe mail cart a few minutes, but did not damage the bags. In Queen-street, which they next passed through, they did great damage to the windows and frames of six or eight good houses. The house of Mr Johnson, cotton-spinner, Chapel-lane, was then visited • but of their approach Mr. Johnson had had intimation, and he and his family took refuge in the factory premises, which are divided from his house by a large garden. The rioters quickly made a wreck of doors and windows, and then entered the two parlours, which are on the ground floor, at the front. A finger organ and piano were broken to pieces, mirrors, chairs, picture frames, and other moveable articles smashed, and very great havoc committed. Not content with this, some of the fellows got table-cloths, umbrellas, &c, together, and, taking the fire from the grate, placed it to them in the middle of one of the rooms, and then, after damaging a conservatory and other things in the garden, left the place, probably under the belief it would be burned down ; but, as soon as they were gone, Mr. Johnson and a few men put out the bonfire. From this house they went to that of Mr. Tipping, cotton spinner, and destroyed the lower windows of his house, counting-house, and warehouse, but did not enter. The Bridge Inn, Chapel-lane, was similarly served. Returning, they attacked a provision shop at the corner of Chapel-lane and Darlington-street, kept by a Mr. J. Wright. Its windows were smashed, an entrance into it effected, and its contents damaged or stolen. The mob next went up King- street, and broke some of the windows of the house of Messrs. Eccles, cotton-spinners; and a portion of rioters went to the mill of Messrs. J. Woods and Co., cotton-spinners and manufacturers, Warrington-lane, where the lower windows and window frames were destroyed. A third attack was made upon the Royal Hotel between half-past 10 and 11, and it was left a perfect wreck as far as the lower rooms were concerned. The floors were literally covered with paving stones, potatoes, cabbages, blocks of wood torn from the market stalls, 71b. and 141b. weights, nay, even scales and beams, which had been taken out of the market and  hurled through the windows. Two mahogany tables were | broken, and used to smash the large vestibule door or screen; : chairs were destroyed, and a chandelier wrenched from the ceiling, and much more havoc committed. The next point of attack was the shop of Mr. Collison, pawnbroker, Standishgate, where windows, frames, and shutters were broken. Mr. Collison begged of them to desist, and threw a sovereign out of bis chamber window. The lights of the street lamps having been put out, and the darkness being great, a waggish fellow desired Mr. Collison to let them have a candle to see if the coin was a good o_e. They continued their way up Standishgate (a different route from any before taken), and along Wigan-lane, as far as the shop of Mr. Liptrot, provision dealer and grocer, which they entered and sacked, breaking even the counters. Most of the contents of the shop were stolen. The mob then returned towards the centre of the town. This would be about half past 11 o’clock. All this time the mayor, Mr. Cook, Mr. Part, magistrates’ clerk, and a number of other gentlemen, were at the station* anxiously awaiting the arrival of the military. We have said the telegraphic message for troops was transmitted to Preston at half-past eight. That message was delivered at Fulwood barracks, which are three miles from the town, at nine o’clock, and yet it was upwards of two hours before the troops got to Preston station. Again and again inquiries were made by telegraph, ” Have the soldiers started yet?” and as often the answer was to the effect that the train was in readiness.but the troops had aot arrived at the station. It was nearly 10 minutes past 11 when two companies (150 rank and file) of  the 34th Regiment of Infantry (under the command of Capt. j Wilt, Lieut. Westhead.and Ensigns Lawrence and Byrom,) i got to the station; and when information of this was received  at the Wigan station it was a great relief to the authorities.  The troops reached Wigan at 20 minutes to 12. The police, accompanied by Mr. Acton and Mr. Cook, borough magistrates, then marched up Wallgate, through the Market place, and up Standishgate, closely followed by the mayor ‘ and military. The streets were soon empty, and when the rioters (who were returning from Mr. Liptrot’s) were met in the last-mentioned street, they were a very small body, and j quickly fled. Five were caught— two young men and three lads —and taken to the police station. In their possession was found a quantity of tea, sugar, biscuits, stones, &c. Three of them are Irish, and only one or two are turn-outs. After marching through the principal streets of the town the military went to the Moot-hall and Town-hall, the town being then in a very peaceable state, and the streets deserted. Since Friday night there has not been the slightest disturbance, but the military are still kept in town. The present police force consists of a chief constable, a sergeant, and nine men, but one is on the sick list. Since the strikes began ia the town, their night duty has been very heavy, and when the riots commenced, only six could be obtained. The magistrates held a meeting on the 12th inst., and ordered 300 summonses for special constables to be got ready for any emergency, and on Friday, 50 men were sworn in as special constables, but they proved to be of no service whatever. It may be here stated that some of the colliers have been on strike for six, and others for seven weeks, and one portion of the mills have been closed four, and the rest five weeks. All the mills in Wigan still remain closed; and three mills in Hindley (three miles from the town), in which 1,160 hands were employed, were stopped on Saturday, the 22d inst. The number of persons on strike in Wigan and vicinity is about 7,500 factory operatives, and 4,500 colliers and drawers—l2,000. The population of the borough of Wigan at the last census was 32,000, and of the district over which the strikes extend, from 60,000 to 70,000. The magistrates met on Saturday afternoon, and issued the following notice:—”Notice! Borough of Wigan. ln consequence of the riotous proceedings by which this town was disgraced last night, the mayor and magistrates require all persons to leave the streets each evening so soon as their lawful business is ended. And all persons found loitering in the streets will be deemed disorderly, and liable to apprehension. The authorities are prepared promptly to suppress any attempt to create a disturbance.” __ The mayor and magistrates held another meeting on Saturday night at ten o’clock, to consult as to the best means of preventing any fresh outbreak.

Publication: Daily News 

SECOND RIOT AT WIGAN.  SEVEN PERSONS SHOT (FROM OUR LOCAL CORRESPONDENT.) d; WIGAN. TUESDAY, 

The affair here last night was of a rather more serious nature than might be inferred from the brief telegraphic account in the Daily News this morning. Eight or nine persons have been shot, and one, it is feared, may or have been fatally injured. Yesterday morning the coalowners, true to their resolution of Friday, threw open their works to any of the turnouts who might be disposed to resume labour at the old prices. The colliers held a numerous meeting at the Lane Ends, Aspull, at which they came to a resolution not to return to work on the terms offered. In the meantime the Welsh colliers, brought by Mr. Peace. agent to the Earl of Balcarres, to supplant the turnouts, and who have been lodged at the works of Earl Balcarres, at the Sawmills at  Haigh, nearly two miles east of the centre of Wigan, ever since their arrival, were sounded by the managers of the colliery, as to their intention of working. A portion of them signified their intention of taking the situations offered them, and descended the mines. About 24 expressed fears of violence and at their own request were sent back to the principality, by railway, at once. The turnout colliers were very indignant when they learnt of that the ” knobsticks,” as they term them, had gone to work, and threatened revenge. These threats were uttered without much concealment, and towards evening it was rumoured in Wigan that the night would not pass over without vengeance being wreaked on some of the parties concerned. One report was that the turn-outs intended to attack the coal mine in which the Welshmen were at work, and fill it up-or, at least, so far to throw down earth as to make it a grave for the obnoxious men. A second report was that they would attack these men at the saw-mills whilst in bed at night; and a third was that an assault would be made on the house of Mr. Peace himself, at Haigh, near the seat of Lord Balcarres. Mr. Peace resides a mile and a quarter from the saw-mills, and it was well known that both his house and the saw-mills were prepared for such an eventuality, and that Haigh Hall had also been put in a very complete state of defence. Notwithstanding these rumours, people in Wigan were very incredulous, and pointed significantly to the soldiers as a means of security. So things remained up to about half-past five yesterday evening, when the report in the Daily News of to-day, giving an account of the proceedings before the magistrates, was despacted. The darkness so patiently waited for by the colliers as a cover to their movements, and so much feared by the inhabitants, was then fast settling over the face or the earth. Immediately afterwards a mob of 300 to 400 colliers, mostly youths of 18 or 20 years of age, marched ;through the town with fifes and drum, and the importance a attached by the authorities to this movement was immediately made manifest by the hurry and bustle which suceeded in the disposition of the police and military. The bugle of the 34th infantry sounded through the streets, and the soldiers being hastily mustered, were placed under arms at the Public Hall. The borough police were assembled in the same building, the magistrates were in consultation, f and messengers on foot and horseback were seen hurrying r to and fro. The colliers, who had marched through the town so merrily with their music, had taken the road towards the saw-mills, but the most prevalent rumour as to their designs was that this was a ruse, and that the real point of attack was Mr. Peace’s house. I was anxious to see what these misguided men would really do, but it was seven o’clock before reliable information could be obtained-the authorities being apparently as much distracted between contending rumours up to that time as the public. Unacquainted with the road to Springs-bridge, which is a bridge over the canal close to the saw-mills, at Haigh, I tried the hotels for a horse or a vehicle; but terror had seized the public mind, and the landlords were unwilling, as they expressed it, ” to trust either animal or vehicle, for love or money, among them colliers.” The next best thing was to get a guide. The proposition was regarded as little less than madness; for the road was said to be not only dark and difficult, but blocked up with riotous and disorderly people. In proof of this at one of the hotels I was taken to a horseman who had just made the passage – a servant of Lord Balcarres -who had been despatched by Mr. Peace with a message to the authorities of Wigan for military aid. This man said the road would be dangerous, and it appeared that he had received several blows on one leg as he rode to Wigan, one of which has slightly lamed him. A guide was at length obtained, however, and we got off, by way of Millgate, on the.right track. We soon learnt that the military had 20 minutes’ start of us, and various reports were flitting about as to a collision having taken place. Some said the military had fired upon the people already, and killed several; others said it was the Welsh knobsticks who had been ” blazing away” at them. We began to meet large groups of colliers coming back from the saw-mills, some of whom, on being questioned, scowled angrily, and said there had been nothing at all. The road was as black as the night, was very uneven and the huge blasting fires lighted up on the coal-pit banks on either side the way cast a glare which was almost blinding. Now and then at an angle or curve of the road, the flickering lights would suddenly half reveal a group of colliers coming hastily from behind a hedge, having apparently been taking a short cut across the fields. Most of them had been running and were out of breath. These were the men who most strenuously and uncourteously denied that there had been any disturbance. Taken unexpectedly with the question they stammered unintelligibly for a moment, as if an accusing witness were suddenly confronting them, before giving a direct denial; and there is probably little doubt that many of them had been actual rioters. Arriving on the Springs-bridge, which is at a considerable elevation above the canal, a singular scene presented itself. The saw mills are on the left hand side of the road, on the further bank of the canal. What are cabled the saw mills are in fact the works generally of the sawyers, carpenters, and other artisans employed to prepare timber, waggons, ironwork, and other materials for the extensive colliery of the Earl of Balcarres. Mr. Peace, the manager has his offices there, and transacts his principal business at the- works. The canal forms the left boundary of the premises, and substantial buildings of stone enclose it on the right and further side. As you enter it from the front, a temporary wooden fence, six or seven feet high, has been run up to complete the enclosure on that side, in which is a wooden door. A pile of warehousing across the centre of the premises, with a gateway in the middle, divides them into two spacious yards, the first about 100, and the second nearly 200 yards in length, varying in width from a few yards at the entrance to 100 yards along the greater portion of the place. We could not distinguish these outlines in the gloom of night, when- we reached Springs-bridge ; a huge blazing fire, in the nearer yard, threw everything around into deeper shade, and the spectator had to look steadily down from the battlements. of the bridge for some moments before he could distinguish the line of the canal underneath. There was no rioting going on now,- but the light of the fire partly revealed to view a long file of infantry drawn up under arms. A good number of persons were leaning on the battlement of the bridge looking at them, and: a sullen voice- near us was heard to mutter to his companion, ” It would be easy work to pick one or ‘two of those devils off from: here I” Suddenly the word: of command was given by Captain Wilt, and the steady tramp of the soldiers in motion was heard. We found that they were retracing: their steps to Wigan, and afterwards they passed over the bridge, followed now and then by a  cry of disapprobation, but those who raised the  cry hastily slunk info obscurity under the shadow of buildings or hedges. What was most surprising to a stranger was the hardihood with which people who stood on the bridge and acknowledged they had been there during the evening denied that there bad been any attacks on the premises and-that there had been any shooting- and that anyone had received any injury aud We learnt, however with some difficulty that there could be no doubt at least one man had been shot, and that he had been either killed or so seriously injured as to be unable to walk , having been borne away on the shoulders of others. Some accounts were that two had been so borne away, that others were wounded. 

This morning more  reliable information is at hand. It appears that yesterday (Monday) morning a note was received at the Sawmills that two meetings of operative colliers were to take place – one at Wigan , the other at Aspull, and after this one party were to attack the knob sticks at the sawmills and the other were to find work for the authorities and military at Wigan. . Inspector Gillott, wilh six men of the Bolton division of the county police was sent for from Aspull to augment the small defensive force of  workmen at the sawmills , and stationed them in the outer yard  About six o’clock in the evening a noise wa heard of a greater number of men coming from the direction of Wigan and it was soon found that they were armed with heavy sticks and stones. The mob was about 350 in  number . On reaching  the front gates of the sawmills, it appeared evident that  they had expected to meet a larges reinforcement of colliers from Aspull and Blacknod. One of the leaders said that their promised allies were “‘ soft __”  and dared not join them. They passed on towards Aspull but finding no reinforcements they held a short consultation, wheeled about and attacked the sawmills by trying to force the gates of the outer yard They struck the gates with stone, and pieces of wood, and threw stones at the police inside. Unable to force it, the word  was given to scale the boarding but irnmediately they placed their hands on the top of this fence, the police struck them and beat them off. Mr Peace was there with four of his men and they and ten police fought resolutely. The besiegers seemed equally determined and several had to be struck heavily on the head lacerating the scalp, before they could be dropped. After maintaining this point of defence for about a quarter of an hour, however numbers prevailed. Many of the rioters got to a part of the wooden fence commanding the position of the defenders at the gate in flank and rear and one of their huge missiles (which were bricks and stones) knocked a policeman down

and rendered him for a few moments senseless. A party of the assailants were heard working steadily to open a passage through the fence by tearing of some of the boards and this they effected. The police sergeant steadily refused to use firearms, but said his men should stand at the gates as long as they could hold them.

Mr Peace seeing their danger for the mob were maddened by resistance, and yelled and uttered dreadful threats hitting the party inside frequently with stones – now advised that they should withdraw to the inner yard where they would be able to keep their assailants at bay more effectually  until the assistance of soldiery was at hand  which had already been sent for. Immediately upon this retreat the mob burst into the vard in great numbers, and it was taken possession of by between 200 and 300 men, mostly active young colliers.  

A large fire was burning in the centre, and this they overturned, and commenced kicking and knocking .about to the serious danger of the surrounding property.  The police force held the door-way between the two yards and  Mr. Peace and his men took up a position in the warehouses, of’ which these gates form the centre  and the windows of which commanded the spot where the rioters were now assembled. One of the men in the warehouse now fired his gun at them through the window having first broken tho glass with it’s muzzle; and this this struck them with a momentary panic, in which they retreated to near the outer gate. Some of the  leaders here  called out to their companions that they were “‘ soft ,”‘ if they were frightened at that, and the were rallied, and again advanced about 70 yards towards the inner yard. Here four more guns were discharged at them from the warehouse which evidently took effect, and led to a precipitate and general retreat. The mob immediately evacuated the premises, and Sergeant Gillott with his men now left by a back entrance, and by a short circuit gained the main road, where he found the rioters dispersing towards Wigan. Mr. Superintendent Scott soonI afterwards arrived with cutlasses for the police, and now took charge of them himself. In about half an hour afterwards the military arrived from Wigan, consisting of 150 men, under Captain Wilt, with whom were Mr. Jas. Acton, magistrate ; and the Hon. Col. Lindsay ant the Hon. Colin Lindsay, sons of Lord Balcarres, arrived from Haigh Hall. They remained some time on the premises, and ultimately a body of 30 soldiers wets left to protect the place, under L’ent. Brown Westhead. The police force also still remain in charge. The police sergeant states that he subsequently learnt that several of the rioters were wounded, one man being shot in the leg, another through the arm and hand, and one in the face ; but nothing more has been heard respecting them. They were heard. to say, it going away, that the man shot ia the hand eat the ons who overturned the fire. But from a better source of information than this we are able to state the exact effect of the shots fired. A collier, who there is reason to believe was present, says that the first shot fired wounded two, striking one in the arm and the other in the breast. The next discharge of four (but I as he supposed only three) guns, also took signal effect. He says that  either six or seven were shot, one in the thigh (shattering the bone it was feared, for this man could not walk afterwards and had to be carried away), and others in various parts of the body. In the whole there were eight or nine shot. This man states (giving the facts very reluctantly for fear of incriminating himself on the one hand with the authorities, and from a desire not to disclose anything to injure others) that they parted with their band of music at Scholes, or the way from Wigan ; that in fact they drove them away, not choosing that the musicians should know what was further intended to be done. There was no further disturbance during the night, nor up to our report leaving; but there is great doubt if another attempt will not be made in some quarter. About a quarter-past 2 this morning the military were reinforced by a troop of the 1st Royal Dragoons, under Captain Ainslie, from Manchester, who have taken up their quarters at the Royal Hotel, having left Manchester at half-past 10 on Monday night. 

Thursday,  Nov. 3, 1853

Publication: Morning Post 

THE RIOTS AT WIGAN.,STATE OF THE TOWN ON MONDAY. (From the Liverpool Courier of yesterday.) 

In consequence of the excitement caused by the late riotous outbreaks in Wigan, we, on Monday, despatched a reporter there to gather all the facts. It appears that since the emeute on Friday night the town has been in a very unsettled state. The authorities on Saturday issued a notice warning all idle persons to be in-doors after dark ; but as no efficient means were used to enforce this admonition, of course very little notice was taken of it. When there are so many thousands of ” idle people,” it would require a rather large body of police to make them all go home. The half yearly cattle fair is on this week, too, and being attended by the usual accessaries, it alone attracts crowds to the streets. The introduction of a number of Welsh colliers, on Friday, by Mr. Peace, the agent for the Earl of Balcarres, at his lordship’s pits at Haigh, tended very much to irritate many of the colliers, and they revenged themselves by attacking their residences. During Monday, large numbers of persons were loitering about the streets, particularly in the neighbourhood of the Market-place, but no breach of the peace was attempted, probably owing to the presence of the military that arrived from Preston on Friday night. About five o’clock in the evening, however, a party of between 200 and 300 persons, chiefly young men and lads, and having others besides colliers amongst them, assembled in some of the lower parts of the town, and passed through the marketplace,’preceded by a band of fifes and drums. After marching through the principal streets, past the scene of the riot on Friday night, they went into Scholes, a district of the town chiefly inhabited by the turn-out colliers and mill operatives. The mayor, fearing a disturbance, ordered the troops at the public hall under arms, and got the police ready. Before they started out, however, information came that Mr. Acton, one of the magistrates, had succeeded in inducing the band to stop playing, and that the mob had dispersed. Under these circumstances the authorities decided on remaining where they were for the present Shortly after this, Mr. Peace’s servant-man came galloping into town to say that the mob had attacked the ” Saw-mills” at Haigh, the name of the place where the ” Welsh knobsticks were located. A body of military, consisting of 120 rank and file, were immediately despatched there, under the command of Capt. Wilt, and accompanied by a magistrate. It appears that after Mr. Acton succeeded in stopping the band playing in the Scholes, the mob re-assembled, and proceeded at once to Haigh, to attack the ” Saw-mills.” The Saw-mills” is a long low building at Haigh, where waggons and other plant for carrying on the business of the Earl of Balcarres’ mines are manufactured. In this there were about 120 of the Welsh colliers lodged, who were brought over by Mr. Peace on Thursday. The Welshmen were introduced unknown to the Wigan men. They were brought up from Liverpool by the North Union line, then shunted at ” The Springs” branch, and taken right away to the ” Saw mills ” which lie just within the township of Haigh, and is about two miles from Wigan Market-place, and a Quarter of a mile beyond the boundary of the borough. The mob made their appearance here at six o’clock, to the number of about 390 men and boys, armed with sticks, and shouting. Mr. Peace, with about half-a-dozen men, and Inspector Gillet, with the officers from the police force, stationed themselves at the gate to prevent the mob from coming through. After a short fight the former returned into the building, and the mob advanced up the enclosed yard, and commenced by upsetting a moveable grate which had a fire burning in it at the time. The party within the building being provided with fire-arms, a shot was fired on the besiegers, who thereupon ran back to the gate. They soon rallied, and advanced again, coming close up to the mill this time. Two shots were now fired, and two of the mob were wounded — one in the arms and face, and the other in the legs. Finding a warmer reception than they anticipated, the whole body ran away together. The wounded men were conveyed away, and it has not yet been discovered who they are. The military did not arrive till eight o’clock, when all was quiet. Fifty soldiers, with Mr. Acton, were left at the. mill ; the rest came back to Wigan. Two of the Earl of Balcarres’s sons (the Hon. Col. Lindsay, M.P. for Wigan, and the Hon. C. Lindsay), with Superintendent Scott, of the county constabulary, and a body of police, armed with cutlasses, also went to the scene of the disturbance, but no further attack was made ; the authorities, fearing that another riot might be got up in the town, despatched a telegraphic message, at eight o’clock, to Preston for soldiers, and shortly after ten o’clock two more companies of the 34th Regiment arrived, under the command of Captain Maywell. A telegraphic message was also sent to Manchester about the same time, and Assistant Adjutant Colonel Taylor at once took measures for despatching a troop of cavalry, which arrived in Wigan about two o’clock yesterday (Tuesday) morning, and were quartered at the Royal Hotel. The infantry are located at the Public Hall and the Grammar School. There are altogether in the town four companies of infantry and one of cavalry. Between 11 and 12 o’clock at night a “row” commenced in the town, a mob of about 100 persons, who were assembled in the Market-place, diverting themselves by a general fight. The mayor and several of the magistrates, accompanied by Superintendent Simm, with a force of 20 police and special constables, marched to the spot. Upon their approach the crowd quickly dispersed, but three of them were taken into custody. No further disturbance took place daring the night. Yesterday, the streets cf Wigan had a melancholy appearance. Thousands of idlers crowded the thoroughfares, especially in the vicinity of the Market-place, for besides the  anxiety of the previous outbreaks, there was the excitement  of the municipal election, which was going on. The houses in the neighbourhood of the Royal Hotel bear sad evidences of the rage of the voters. Broken windows were to be seen in every direction, and the lower part of the hotel itself seemed almost demolished. Several of the rooms were filled with wrecks of broken furniture, and window frames there were none, neither at the back or front. The collier and mill operatives were mixed together, and the least excitement in any part of the crowd near the Market-place caused a general rush to the spot. The voting at the Town-hall, however, was not interrupted, and the authorities did not anticipate any further outbreak, the presence of so large a military force having apparently overawed those who felt inclined to commit any outrage. The damage done on Friday is estimated variously at from £2,000. to £3,000, but no certain estimate can yet be made. Our reporter made inquiries respecting the progress of the colliers’ disputes, and for this purpose visited the head-quarters of the men, at their committee-room. At most of the collieries the ” day labourers” are still the only hands at work, and the quantity of coal ” got” is consequently small. There seems some chance of the dispute being speedily brought to a close. Already the men are beginning to give way, and instead of adhering to their original demand of 2d. in the shilling, they are now willing to accept half that amount, namely, a penny advance on every shilling they earn. Yesterday, delegates from each of the pits were appointed to wait upon the masters, to try and effect such an arrangement. The masters, however, believe that they can now get the men back upon their own terms. The following is said to be a copy of the bills circulated throughout North Wales by Mr. Peace, as agent to the Earl of Balcarres, for the purpose of procuring hands in place of the ” turn-outs”: — ” To miners, strong active labourers, and boys— Constant employment for one year at the following rates of wages : — For miners, colliers, or persons who have been accustomed to work underground, such as sinking or driving levels, &c, 3s. 6d to 4s 6d. per eight hours’ labour; labourers, 3s. to 3s. 6d.j boys, ls. 6d. to 2s. Fortnightly payments. Cash payment once a week if required. Expenses paid to those who may be engaged at the following places— George Inn, Holywell, Friday, 21st inst ; Cross Keys, Llanyefaic, Thursday, 20th ; Eagle Inn, Carnarvon, Saturday, 22d.— October 16, 1853.” It is said to be in consequence of the introduction of miners obtained by this means that the rioting first commenced. The committee of the Miners’ Association stated to our reporter that they disclaimed all connection with the late riotous proceedings, and that they had done all in their power to prevent them. They assert that they originated with a parcel of boys, or the more discontented of the miners who will not be bound by their committee. They also throw a great deal of the blame on the mill operatives. It was stated that the spinners’ committee wished to have an interview with the miners’ committee, yesterday morning, in order to  arrange for a monster meeting of the two bodies, to be held on Amberswood Common to-morrow (Thursday), at which the notorious Chartist orator, Ernest Jones, was to be one of the principal speakers, but that the latter would have nothing to do with such a proposition, on account of the excited state of the people. If the statement is correct, the course taken by the miners’ committee certainly reflects credit on them, out whether their cause is a just one in the main is quite another thing ; for whether their policy is outrageous or a peaceable one the public mind cannot disconnect from itself the fact, that the late deplorable riots have their origin in the recent strike, another proof, if any more were wanting, of the folly and evil of all strikes. Up to the time of our reporter leaving Wigan the town was quiet ; and as arrangements were made that, in case of any further outbreak occurring, news would be immediately transmitted to our office, we may presume that it is still in the same state, no news to the contrary having arrived up to the hour of our going to press.

Saturday,  Nov. 5, 1853

Publication: Manchester Times

SERIOUS RIOTS AT WIGAN. – THE MILITARY-CALLED OUT.-THE MOB FIRED UPON BY ARMED WATCHMEN

As stated in a third edition of Saturdays Examiner’ and Times, riots of a most disgraceful character took place on Friday evening among the factory and colliery operative on strike at Wigan, which resulted in the destruction of a good deal of property, but it is satisfactory to say that no lives were sacrificed. 

Friday is the market-day in Wigan and the centre of the town is then much thronged; but on Friday last, the Market place  and adjoining streets were more crowded than usual,  owing to the charter fair or the sale of cattle being held, and of the a large number of people who are on strike loitering about. At four o’clock in the afternoon the adjourned meeting of the coal proprietors of the district was held at the Royal Hotel (Eagle and Child). Mr. Peace general manager of the collieries belonging to the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres being in the chair. There was a large attendance of masters, and the meeting lasted about an hour. By the time it terminated several hundred colliers assembled in front of the hotel; and when they saw, men by some of the proprietors leaving the house, that the meeting was over they manifested great anxiety to learn the result. They had indulged in a hope that the masters, if they did not give them the two pence in the shilling, or Itis 101/2 per cent advance which they had struck for, would have this compromised the dispute consenting to give an advance of one penny to the shilling or 81/4 per cent. When however, they learned that the masters had only decided to throw open the the pits for the men to go to work in them at the prices they came out at, and that even this was coupled with a condition that if a large number of the men did not resume work the pits should he closed at the end of a fortnight, they showed a very disappointed and uneasy feeling. As information of the result of the meeting passed from one to another, the excitement increased, and soon they began to leave hoot the gentlemen who came ‘out of the hotel, or cheer derisively. This was from a quarter to half-past five o’clock, and was continued for an hour. Four police officers were on duty near the hotel, and endeavoured to prevail upon the crowd to disperse, but without avail. About a quarter-past six o’clock, five or six gentlemen came out of (the hotel together, and passed through the Market Place, towards WalIgate, and the mob followed and jostled them, thinking, perhaps, they were colliery masters. Two of them (who appear to have been cattle dealers and strangers) took refuge in the shop of Mr. Charles Johnson, watchmaker, but a stone was quickly thrown at tile window, and broke a plate-glass pane. They then went into the Dog and Partridge, a public house close to the church gates, and about four doors from Mr. Johnson’s, and were followed by Mr. Peace, jun. whose father is very obnoxious to the men. Here the crowd hooted and cheered, and also broke the windows. The chief constable of the borough brought all his available force (seven or eight men) to the spot, and endeavoured as best to persuade the mob to disperse, and Mr. Cook, one of the the borough magistrates, also came up and reasoned with some of the men. Thinking the presence of his men obnoxious, Mr. Sims, the chief constable, prepared to withdraw them, but, he was assailed with insulting. remarks as he led away much his men, and an attempt was made to throw  him down. On reaching the police-office, the chief constable then despatched, a message to Mr. Nathaniel Eckersley, the mayor, who arrived at the police-office in a short time. Mr. Cook, draper, and Mr. Thomas Byrom, grocer, who are. magistrates for the borough, were also sent for, and a consultation took place upon their arrival, which ended  the two latter gentlemen going to the Royal Hotel, with the view of addressing the people and advising them to disperse quietly. They arrived there just as the mob, now about 1,000 shot strong, returned from the front of Mr. Johnson’s shop and some from the Dog and Partridge (evidently much disappointed at having missed the men whom they chased into the shop).It soon became evident that an attack upon the Royal Hotel was meditated, and the two magistrates, believing no time und should be lost, returned to the mayor to concert measures of a more vigorous character. 

When Mr. Cook and Mr. Byrom left the police-office (thinking that, as they were unconnected with either the factory operatives’ or the colliers’ strikes, they might prevail upon the crowd to disperse) they went to the Royal Hotel, one and found that the mob had commenced taking the vegetables from the market-atalls, and throwing theme at the the windows of the houses. The mayor, chief constable, nine officers (the whole force), and about twenty special constables came up immediately afterwards, but a general attack on the the ,windows of the hotel was then going on, and stalls were being broken up for bludgeons. The volley of missiles wa thick and heavy, and all the special constables and some of the the regular officers disappeared. One man was caught in the act of hurling a missile at the windows, and two or three policemen were foolish enough to march to the police-office with him. At last only the mayor, chief constable, and two police-officers were left to face a crowd which had increased to about 1,000 persons, and Ald. W. Marsden, who stood by the side of his worship, was knocked down, and his left eye very severely cut by a bludgeon, which was probably aimed at the mayor. Finding he was quite unable to check the riot with the two or three officers at his command, the mayor then ordered them back to the police-station. This was a few minutes before eight. The windows of the hotel were the, almost completely destroyed, and the gentlemen in it wereobliged to make their escape secretly by the back. The mayor next went to the station of the London and North- Western Railway, and at a quarter-past eight despatched a messenger by special engine to Preston for troops. At half past eight hie sent a telegraphic dispatch to the commanding officer at Fulwood Barracks.

After the attack on the Royal Hotel, the mob committed some damage in Millgate, amongst other things, breaking the windows of the police-office. They next went through the Market Place, breaking the windows where they saw the lights and demolishing the gas-lamps, so as to reduce the town to a state of darkness. As each light was extinguished, and at each fall of glass, there was a general cheer. 

Some of the windows of the Town Hall and of the Moot Hall were broken, and also those of several taverns, and over some shops. The lower front windows of the Victoria and Clarence Hotels suffered severely.

 At nine o’clock, a second attack, more violent than the first, was made upon the Royal Hotel, both back and front.  It was entered the mirrors, frames of engravings, and furniture were broken, liquor was taken by force, end an attempt was made to set fire to the window curtains.  The mob proceeded by way of Queen-street to Chapel Lane, where Mr. William Johnson, ‘cotton-spinner, resides and on the way demolished the windows of six houses on one side of Queen-street and three on the other, all good residences. Mr. Johnson had received intimation that his house would be attacked, and he and his family left  it, and went into the factory premises divided from it by a large garden. The rioters go together table-cloths, umbrellas and other articles, and set them on fire in the middle of one of the parlours, and then left the house, thinking it would soon be in flames. Much damage was done to the conservatory in the garden and other things out of doors. When they had gone, the fire they had lighted was put out by Mr. Johnson, assisted by a few men. The damage done in this house is about £500.  

From Mr. Johnson’s the rioters went to the housed of Mr. W,. Topping, another master spinner, and destroyed the windows of his house, counting-house, and warehouse. They and next visited the Bridge Inn, Chapel Lane, and served it similarly. A third attack, was made upon the Royal Hotel,  between half-past ten and eleven, and it was left a perfect wreck. The next point of attack was the shop of Mr. Collison, pawnbroker-, Standishgate, where the windows, window frames, and shutters were broken, Mr. Collison begged of them to desist, and threw them a sovereign.

We will now return to the station, where the mayor; Mr. Cook, Mr. Part, magistrates’ cleric, and several gentlemen, with the police , were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the military front Preston. We have said that the telegraphic message for troops was transmitted to that town at half past eight o’clock. That message was delivered at Fulwood Barracks, three miles from the town, at nine o’clock,and yet two more hours elapsed before the troops were at the Preston station. Again and again inquiries were made by telegraph, “Have the soldiers started yet ?” and are as often the answer was to the effect that the train was inreadiness, but the troops lied not reached the station. It was at a few minutes past eleven when two companies, 150 rank and file, of the 34th Regiment of Infantry, under the command of Captain Wilt, Lieut. Westhead, and Ensigns Lawrence and Byron got into town. The troops reached Wigan at twenty minutes to twelve. The police, accompanied by Mr. Acton and Mr. Cook, borough magistrates, then marched up Wallgate, through Market Place, end up Standishgate, followed by the mayor and military. The rioters (reduced in numbers very much from a fear that the military were coming) 

Were seen returnimig from Mr. Liptrot’s shop, and five of them, three lads and two young men, were seized and taken to the police station. In their possesion was found a quantity of sugar, tea, biscuits, stones, etc.

 On Saturday morning, the town resumed much of its any usual appearance. There was not throughout the whole that day the slightest attempt to commit a disturbance, and the horse was held as if little or nothing had occurred.

The magistrates held a meeting on Saturday afternoon, at the office of Mr. Part, solicitor, their clerk ; and it was attended by Messrs. N. Eckersley (mayor), J. Acton, T. Taylor, E. Evans, T. H . Eccles, and R. Bevan, and T. Byrom.  They agreed to issue a notice, of which the following is a  copy, and which was soon afterwards printed and posted NOTICE BOROUGH OF WIGAN.-IN consequence of the riotous procesdings by which this town was disgraced last night, the the mayor and magistrates require all persons to leave the streets each evening as soon at their lawful business is ended.  And all persons found loitering in the streets will be deemed disorderly, and liable to apprehension. The authorities are prepared pronptly  to suppress any attempt to create a disturbance, By order. Wigan, October 29th, 1953  

The mayor and magistrates held another meeting at ten o’clock on Saturday night, to consult as to the best means to to be adopted to prevent any fresh outbreak. The town continued quiet up to Monday. The pleasure fair was attended as usual, but the purchasers were mostly country people.  

The magistrates assembled on Monday at the Town Hall, ho to hear the examinations of the prisoners taken in the disturbace on Friday night. The names of the prisoners brought up were Richard Clayton, Richard Birchall, John Hughes, John Lacy, John Baker, and Richard Norris.- Edward Biroball, in charge of the police-office said that all the prisoners, except Norris, were brought to the police-office up on Friday night On searching Baker, he found his pockets filled with loose tea and biscuits-The prisoners were reprimanded to Wednesday. 

RIOT AT HAIGH ON MONDAY NIGHT. 

During Saturday night and Sunday, everything continued quiet in the town of Wigan; but on Sunday morning, about of one o’clock, fifty men or more, with their faces blackened went to some houses at Blackrod, tenanted by labourers who have been getting coals out of the pits of Lord Crawford and Balcarres, and broke tile windows of five houses, but did not at that time do any further damage. The place is three miles,or 31/2 miles distant from the town, on the road to Bolton.

Monday being the fairday, the streets were much thronged, and there were many people lounging about all day. In the of course of Monday afternoon, the mayor and magistrates  received information that an attack was intended to be made by the turnonts, upon the sawmills and workshops of the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, which are situated about two miles from the Market Place of Wigan, a little way beyond the boundary of town borough. The general manager of of Lord Crawford’s collieries, on Thursday last brought 114 Welshmen (and with them two woman, we believe), from some place in North Wales, to do the work which the turnouts had refused to do. They came up from Liverpool by the North- Union branch of the London and NorthWestern Railway, and their train being brought over a branch line for coal traffic, from the North Union line to New Springs, the Welshmen were safety conveyed thither and lodged in the workshops of sawmills as quietly as possible. There they remained from Thursday,’ and are still there, it not having, been ‘thought prudent to bring them out they have, in fact, undergone a kind of siege.

It soon became known to the turnouts that these a I Welshmen had arrived, and the irritation this caused greatly increased the excitement already existing. ‘Some of the colliers had been heard to swear they would have the Welshmen’s blood that night.’ About five’ o’clock on Monday afternoon, a juvenile fife band paraded the streets and went from,Wigan Market Place up to Scholes, a district containing about twelve thousand people almost entirely of colliers or factory operatives, who are now both on strike. Through Scholes lies the road to New Springs and then farther on to Blackrod the collieries of the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres extend out to the last named place. The mayor of Wigan, Mr. Eckersley hearing of-this fifing and procession, conceived it probable that this either was the signal for a riot or -might occasion one, in the in the very excitable state of the population, and he desired that the. soldiers, who were quartered in the Public Hall, at the,bottom of King Street (to the number of some 220 men, rank and file, of the 34th infantry Regiment, under the command of Captain Wilt), might be got under arms, and ready for any demand upon their services. at the same time, ordered’ the polie to be concentrated, and to prepare for action. The little band-of ‘fife Players, however objectionable at such a time, was not, of course, the object of all of this preparation, except as there was ‘some cause and just cause, as the event proved to regard it as tile precursor of something more serious. Almost immediately after authorities at the Public Hall had been informed, that Mr. Joseph Acton, county magistrate, had met the band in Scholes, and induced them to go to their homes before the military troops had had time to lay down their arms, a messenger came on horseback from Mr. Peace, ‘to state that a mob was attacking the sawmills at New Springs. The soldiers then to leaving thirty of ‘them to take charge of the Public Hall and of th town, were marched away to the place, accompanied by  Mr.Acton. We must now describe what had happened at New Springs, in the meantime, to call for these substantial succours. About six o’clock in the evening, a mob of some three or four hundred men and boys, carrying large sticks and stones in their hands, and comjng from Scholes and from the direction of ‘Wigan, appeared before the premises at New Springs and crossing the bridge over the canal, regularly invested the  place There is a large yard between the sawmill and the turnpike road leading from Wigan to Blackrod. One side of the yard is bounded by the canal and on the side bounded by the Turnpike road there is a wooden barrier and gate, perhaps six or seven feet in height. Besides Mr. Peace, and six armed watchmen.

 employed by him, who were in the yard,  the place was defended by Inspector Gillott and ten men of the county constabulary. The Welshmen who were in the workshops were kept snug during the whole affair; and very properly so, for their appearance would have probably exasperated the assailants more than anything.. The party within keptthe gates of the yard shut, and for some time resisted all attempts to enter ; but the mob threw stones upon them, over the fence, some. of them very large stones but, we believe, none of the defenders of the place were way much hurt. At length, however, they were compelled to retire to cover, and went into the sawmills. The mob then burst open the gates, and went up the yard to the building, a distance of fifty or sixty yards. They found in the yard a large iron moveable grate containing a fire, which they upset and scattered the burning coals about. We do not know what the rioters might have gone on to do, if they had not received a shock which they little expected. A shot was fired upon them, by someone in Mr Peace’s party from the mill. We are informed that the. guns used were only loaded with a small shot, not with bullets. This caused the rioters to retreat in some confusion as far as the gate; but there were cries from those behind of “Cheer up, go out,”-and the leaders cried, ” Come on:” They rallied, and a second time came quite close up to the building. The party within, the watchmen under Mr, Peace, received them with four more shots, which took such effect that the whole body of rioters retreated again, and went towards Wigan. The military, with Mr. Acton, arrived at the place about a quarter of an hour after this had occurred. The people within the building, when they fired the second time, saw one man fall, who was lifted by his comrades, taking hold~of his arms, and carried away; none of the rioters were left on the ground. It is thought that four or five of them were touched by the shot. We have heard of a young men getting at bdes some small shot in his face and hands; but of course the cases wounded are kept very secret by their friends, for fear of the consequences. It is understood that the police have succeeded’ in detecting two persons, who were brought to their homes wounded, on Monday night; ‘but the -only thing certainly known is, that nobody was killed, nor, it is probable that anybody was very dangerously injured. Soon after these things,Superintendent Scott, of the Bolton division of the county constabulary brought some cutlassees, with which the Police officers on duty at New Springs were furnished. Other detachments of the county police were stationed about Aspull, Blackrod and elsewhere. Mr. Acton with soldiers, remained at the sawmills; the Hon. Col Lindsay, M.P. for Wigan, and the Hon. Colin Lindsay, sons of the Earl of Crawford & Balcarres, and magistrates for the county, came there together with Alderman Mayhew, his lordship’s solicitor and  some of these gentlemen remained all there all night at the place however everything was quiet after the arrival of the military scarcely a man was to he seen in the neighbourhood around. About the time of the attack on Now Springs, it was observed by the special constables and others, who were employed by authorities to keep a look-out on the state of the district, that throughout Scholes, and away up the road towards New Springs, there were groups of four or five colliers at  every 100 yards or so-as if in order to telegraph to one another the approach of the soldiers, or any movement on the part of the authorities. After the affair was over, at seven or eight o’clock, Scholes continued to be in a. very excited state; the population there turned out into the streets; and it is very probable, that riotous proceedings would have taken place there, if the seventy soldiers sent back to Wigan from the sawmills, had not passed through Scholes on their way;  of their ‘aspect imposed on the inhabitant a certain respect; and by nine o’clock, or half past nine, the streets in that quarter were silent. The Mayor had continued meanwhile his precautionary arrangements. Soon after eight o’clock he telegraphed to Preston for two additional companies of  the 34th Regiment, stationed at Fulwood Barracks. They arrived at Wigan about ten o’clock; and let us observe, they arrived more promptly than they did on Friday night, when they were telegraphed at half past eight, the mob being in possession of the town, and they did not get to Wigan until twenty minutes to twelve o’clock. The reinforcements of Monday night came under the command of Captain Maxwell. -The mayor also telegraphed to Manchester, for a troop of cavalry from the Hulme barracks. A reply was sent by Colonel Taylor, the assistant adjutant-general, saying that the troop would start from Hulme at half-past ten, and reach Wigan at two o’clock in the morning. They did, accordingly, arrive before two o’clock, to the number of thiirty-five troopers, rank and file, of the 1st Royal Dragoons, with two sergeants, at arms under the command of Captain Ainslie; they ware quartered in a large room at the Royal Hotel. Nothing else of any consequence, disturbed the peace of the town during Monday night; except that, between eleven and twelve o’clock, information was received by by the magistrates, who stayed at the Public Hall, in King-street, that a crowd of persons was assembling in Waligate, nearly opposite the post-office. The Mayor, with Mr. H. Waters and Mr. Evans, borough magistrates, and Mr. Part, the magistrates’ clerk, took the borough police-officers end and went thither, charging all persons they met to assist in keeping the peace. The street however, was quite cleared by the time they got to Wallgate, and there was no more to alarm the town afterwards. The mayor issued the following placard:- 

NOT1CE AND CAUTION.- Notice is hereby gIven, that in consequence  of the riotous proceedings and felonious acts which have been recently committed in Wigan and the neighbourhood 1 Her Majesties justices of’ the peace, acting in and for the borough of  Wigan, and the surrounding district of the county of Lancaster, deem it necessary for the preservation of the peace to prevail and they have determined to prevent and disperse all processions and meetings and assemblies  in numbers. All persons, therefore, are warned and cautioned against attending or taking part in any such proceeedings; and till persons who shall, after the publicationof this notice and caution, attend or take part to any such processions, or public meetings, or large assemblies, will be apprehended and dealt with accordingly -By order lst November.

The magistrates have also issued a notice, ordering that all the stalls in the fair shall be cleared away before midnight. The town is still in a very unsettled and uneasy  state. Beside the affray at New Springs, in Blackrod and Scholes also parties of the turn-outs heave encountered and beaten those who they stigmatise as “knobsticks.”‘ The most trivial accident in the streets is enough to cause an excited crowd to be formed, and the general feeling is one of much satisfaction. – The smaller class of shopkeepers have lost the advantages of the fair, to which they usually look forward. There is hardly any business done in the town of its any kind; and people seem to be afraid of further outrages; hole while the damaged windows, &c which were attacked on the Friday, still remind the townsfolk of the disgraceful scenes of that night. At a place called Bickershaw, three miles and a half from Wigan on the road to Leigh, where above 150 colliers, two thirds of those in the employ of Messrs. Ackers, T. Whitley, and Co. resumed work on Monday at the old prices it was feared that they would be exposed to insult and ill-usage from those remaining on strike 

The county police, however, under the management of Mr Fowler superintendent of the Leigh division, have strengthened ;.themselves, and occupy in sufficient force most of the places liable to be disturbed.

We must not forget the Welshmen, who remain at New Springs, except about twenty of them who became dissatisfied or alarmed on Monday, so that Mr. Peace thought it more prudent to dismiss them, and pay their fare to Liverpool. Eighty or more of theWelsh miners are still retained at Haigh Colliery, and are certainly entitled us to to protection from the unjust and lawless violence of the turn-outs. cents The borough was in a more tranquil state during Tuesday night and Wednesday than it has been since Friday, but some fears were entertained on Tuesday night that the houses of Mr. Peace, at Haigh, and of Mr. Gilroy (manager pa. of the Orrell Colliery, belonging to W. H. Branecker and Co.) would be attacked during the night. These are outside the borough, and some of the county police, having been posted in convenient positions near, were instructed to communicate with the military at Wigan if any attempts were made office upon them. Well mounted messengers passed between these places and Wigan during the night, from time to a time conveying information to the mayor and magistrates;  all passed off well. The colliers at the colliery of Messrs. Jonathan Blundell and Co. Pemberton, to the number of 100, and those of Messrs. Ackers, Whitley, and Co. at the Bickers Lane Colliery, Abram, to the number of 150 (about two-thirds of the whole), have resumed work at last prices, and the turn-outs, indignant at their conduct, who threatened on Tuesday night to go to the latter place and destroy the engine-house; but they were probably deterred by hearing of the reinforcements of military arriving in the neighbourhood. There are now 280 rank and file of the Bolton. 34th Regiment of Infantry at Wigan (including fifty at the nged, sawmills), under the command of Captain Wilt; a troop :n the of the Ist Royal Dragoons, under Captain Ainslie, a troop of the Lancashire Hussars; a troop of Yeomanry made Cavalry, raised by Sir John Gerard, Bart. of Ashton the le-Willows, the latter stationed at the residence of Mr. F. Gerard, Aspull. There have been some threats made by colliers to burn down and destroy the houses  of master colliers resident in country places by throwing hand-grenades, or combustibles, through the windows; but from there has been no attempt of the kind as yet. A pistol was fired at a messenger from the sawmills belonging to Lord  Balcarres as be entered Wigan on horseback, on Monday fortnight, with despatches to the mayor, but the charge did not take effect; and one attack was made on Sunday morning, by line men with blackened faces, on the cottages of some labourers tither of Lord Balcarres, at Blackrod, who had accepted work as colliers, and the whole of these persons  windows were destroyed. These are the only outrages apart from the riots of Friday and Monday nights. It is now pretty certain that the colliers are reduced to great extremities. About a hundred of them went through the streets of Wigan on Wednesday morning, some of them begging from the shopkeepers, while others were yoked to a cart and drew it along with them for the contributions. Some of the shopkeepers whose windows were broken on Friday night treated them unceremoniously,; -but 18 or 20 loaves had been given by an early hour, and a good quantity of potatoes. No doubt the fears of some prompted them as much as the charity of  others. Some of the colliers wounded by the firing of the servants of Lord Balcarres at the sawmills, on Monday night,  have ventured abroad, and it is probable that no attempt will be made to apprehend them, since, if taken, it would be  difficult to identify them as aetual participatorsin the riot,  though their wounds might be an awkward fact against  them to be accounted for. They were fired upon ‘with swan-shot ‘from fowling pieces, and, probably most of them are little injured. The population of Wigan is  32,000, but the parish has 70,000, inhabitants; and it A D is proposed permanently to strengthen the present policeforce, if possible, by an arrangement with the county constabulary. The six youths taken at the close of the riots on Friday night, and remanded on Monday, were again brought before the magistrates on Wednesday; but the evidence only seriously affected one, a boy named Baker, whose pockets were found stuffed with stones And the plunder of Liptrot’s provision shop, from which provisions of the value of £60 had been taken. This prisoner was committed for trial on a charge’ of felony. Lacy and Hughes were remanded until Monday week. Birobell was called upon to give security to keep the peace, and Clayton and Norris were discharged. After leaving the court, the mayor and magistrates had a meeting at the public hall. It was unanimously resolved that the intimidation by colliers consequent upon their begging in such numbers in the streets should be stopped. The Lancashire Hussars having taken up a position at the sawmills on Wednesday night, it was resolved to proceed thither, and consult with those concerned as to the withdrawal of the military.  On Wednesday, it was announced that the hands of Mr. V W. Bashall,of Farington, near Preston, on going in Preston on Wednesday evening for their weekly pay,,found there a were no funds. On their return, they resolved at once to t D withdraw Irom the union, and intimated to their employer that they were ready and anxious to go in upon the old terms. 

Mr. Bashall declined to give any positive acceptance of their offer until the next meeting of masters on the 7th; but ‘it is thought probable that the men will be enabled to resume work before that time. The condition of their employment was their agreeing to sign a declaration of their total withdrawal from the colliers’ union. Under the direction of the chief constable and Captain Shepperd, about 80 county constables have been”brought into the small towns around Wigan. The men are armed with cutlasses, and, as they keep up a constant patrol, they will tend to prevent the sudden concentration of any mob of rioters upon a selected spot in the outskirts.

Date: Saturday,  Nov. 5, 1853

Publication: Daily News (London, England)

Issue: 2328

THE STRIKES, THE STATE OF WIGAN. (FROM OUR LOCAL CORRESPONDENT.) 

WIGAN, FRIDAY,  Nov. 4. 

We are by no means assured of the continuance of peace, though a partial cessation of hostilities for a day or two has taken place. Messrs. Blundell and Sons’ colliers at Pemberton, who went to work on Wednesday Morning, have again turned out. They descended the shaft again yesterday morning, but after holding a meeting in the mine determined to renew the strike. It appears that the company had agreed to give them the average price of a certain circuit round Wigan, but the colliers complained that the baskets were larger than those of the other masters by which they were paid. Desirous of coming to terms, it is said that Messrs. Blundell were willing to make an allowance which would strike an equitable balance on this head; but the trades delegates decided that it should not be taken, and so the turnout was renewed. It is said the delegates have acted entirely upon a misconception of the terms, and that this second strike is owing entirely to their stupidity on a matter of calculation. The colliers of the Hosier Hall Company, about eighty in number, resumed work yesterday, on the old terms, and the men at Messrs. Darlington and Co.’s mines went to Mr. Darlington yesterday morning and offered to resume work, at an advance of id. in the shilling (instead of 2d.), but that gentleman declined the offer. Several outrages were committed in the neighbourhood of Wigan on Wednesday night. One was at Aspull, where the cottages of some of the “knobsticks” were attacked and the windows were broken. Another was at the Moss Hall Colliery, Ince, where a quantity of powder was placed in an engine house belonging to one of the mines, with the view of blowing it up. An explosion took place, but fortunately none of the machinery was destroyed. One of the walls and roof of the building were blown away, but the damage will not exceed 10. This was between seven and eight o’clock. A fusee, such as colliers use, was found in the ruins, but no clue by which the perpetrator of the offence may be traced has yet been discovered. Last night a report was made to the magistrates at the Public Hall about 11 o’clock, that a body of men had gone to attack the house of Mr. James Darlington, Ince Green Lane, the report having originated with some colliers who were assembling in a body at Scholes, but after the police and military had been turned out it was found to be a false alarm. The colliers’ begging carts have been stopped, as was expected. A large body of colliers with two carts proceeded through the streets of Wigan yesterday morning, and another last night, drawn by men, was seen in Pemberton. The fears of the people wonderfully stimulated their charity, loaves, ham, potatoes, cheese, and other provisions were easily extorted ; but at length Mr. Simms, the chief constable, despatched officers to them requiring that they should desist from this species of intimidation. The colliers questioned the right of the police, or of the mayor, to interfere with them, and talked of holding a public meeting to discuss the question; but after a little discussion they thought it wise to withdraw. Deprived of these means of support it is feared that they will reimburse themselves by a more lawless system of plunder. The colliers are far more daring and reckless than the factory operatives on strike, and have committed robberies, already in the country where property was unprotected. Potato-fields have been dug up, and gardens have been stripped of their vegetables. Large parties go about the fields with dogs, and conduct poaching operations in such preserves as there are, in the most open manner. Captain Woodford, of the county constabulary, has a force of 73 men on the Ince side of Wigan, and of 11 at Standish. The greater part of these, under Superintendent Fowler, are stationed in seven different positions 23 at Pemberton, 17 at Rose Bridge, 8 at Abram, 7 at Mr. Peace’s, Haigh, 11 at the Saw Mills, and 10 at Standish. The factory owners were to have held a meeting this afternoon at the Victoria Hotel, Wigan, but fearing to excite a feeling among the operatives like that occasioned by the master colliers’ meeting last Friday, they have postponed it. In fact, no useful result could flow from such a meeting, either here or at Preston. The coal mines of Wigan supply fuel to the factories both of Preston and Wigan, and the factory owners could not resume work if they were willing until the colliers go .in. In fact, there are more difficulties attendant upon a resumption of labour than most people imagine. Unless the colliery owners at Wigan resist this second demand for an advance (for a rise of 16per cent. was given in May last), the strike will extend throughout the whole district. The colliers are well organised, and their present arrangement is that so soon as the masters at Wigan yield, the coal fields working at Clifton, Pendlebury, and Bolton (on which the factories at Manchester, Bolton, Bury, and Radcliffe, mainly depend), shall be brought to a stand, unless a similar advance be given. A victory achieved there, the Collieries at Ashton, Oldham, and Poynton (supplying the immense industry of the towns south and east of Manchester), are to be stopped unless the advance is given. The great hope of the masters lies in defeating the conspiracy at .Wigan, and it is not improbable they will yet succeed; for it appears that the colliers in the coal fields we .have last named have not supported those of Wigan on strike so well as was promised, and the disgust created amongst the half-starved and suffering turnouts arising Ifrom this cause is expected to do more to put an end to the struggle than anything else. If the factory masters agreed 3 to give their hands ten per cent. advance to-morrow, a coal agent tells me, they would also have to give an advance .of 40 to 50 per cent. for their coal, and tÛŸhe two advances together would be a serious item. He says that an advance of 100 per cent. to the people of Preston on coal has already taken place through the strikes of the colliers and other circumstances since the early part of the year. There are some large collieries here, and those of the Ince Hall Company, Messrs. Blundell, the Earl of Balcarres, Kirkless Hall, and Pearson’s, run their own locomotives over the railways to Preston and Liverpool, besides having canal carriage to Liverpool. Preston is 16 miles distant, and is a ,very large consumer. Manchester, a much larger consumer, though only 23 miles distant, does not take one fifth of the coal which Preston does from this neighbourhood, owing to the heavy charges of the railway companies, who thus shut out the Wigan collieries to some extent from com(petition with the colliers at Pendlebury, Oldham, Poynton, and other places nearer Manchester. A circular signed Timothy Coop was issued yesterday, convening a meeting of gentlemen last night at the Public Hall ” for the purpose of taking into consideration the present distress of the thousands that are rambling about our streets in destitution, and to take such measures as shall be deemed expedient for its -removal ” but it appears Mr. Coop had not obtained leave from the authorities to use the room, which is occupied by the military, and consequently no meeting took place.

Date: Thursday,  Nov. 10, 1853

Publication: Bradford Observer

There has been no renewal of the outrages at Wigan. The colliers, it is tolerably evident, are reduced to great extremities. About a hundred of them went through the streets of Wigan on Wednesday morning, some of them begging from the shop keepers, while others were yoked to a cart and drew it along with them for the contributions. Some of the shopkeepers whose windows were broken treated them unceremoniously ; but 18 or 20 loaves had been given by an early hour, and a good quantity of potatoes. No doubt the fears of some prompted them as much as the charity of others. Some of the colliers wounded by the firing of the servants of Lord Balcarres at the sawmills have ventured abroad, and it is probable that no attempt will be made to apprehend them, since, if taken, it would be difficult to identify them as actual participators in the riot, though their wounds might be an awkward fact against them to be accounted for. The six youths taken at the close of the riots, and remanded on Monday week, were again brought before the magistrates on Wednesday ; but the evidence only seriously affected one, a boy named Baker, whose pockets were found stuffed with stones and the plunder of Liptrot’s provision shop, from which provisions of the value of £60. had been taken. The prisoner was committed for trial on a charge of felony. Two others, named Hughes and Lacy, were remanded until Monday, with the understanding that they would then be committed. Two of the prisoners were discharged, and another was called upon to find securities to keep the peace. The mayor and magistrates have resolved that the intimidation by colliers consequent upon their begging in such numbers in the streets should be stopped. Friday was the last day for receiving claims for compensation from parties whose property was injured to an amount not exceeding £30 For the recovery of a greater amount parties will have to bring an action at law. It is believed that the amount of damage done to property in the borough will not be near so much as has been stated. It is not likely to exceed £400 altogether The colliers of Messrs. Blundell and Sons, who resumed work on Wednesday, after a consultation with some of their trades’ delegates on Thursday, again quitted the mines, owing to some misconception on the part of the delegates of the real terms offered.  As a set-off against this defection, the men at the Hosier Hall Company have resumed work on the old terms. Messrs. Darlington and Co.’s men offered to go in if half the demand first made could be conceded, or a penny in the shilling ; but this was declined, and Wigan was on Thursday night thrown into a state of consternation, and the military called to arms, by a report that the men had attacked Mr. Darlington’s house and attempted to destroy it. The alarm proved to be unfounded. On Wednesday night Borne colliers attempted to destroy the engine-house at Moss Hall Colliery to prevent other operatives working the mines and for this purpose they placed a quantity of powder in the building and exploded it by means of a fusee such as miners use in blasting coat The wall and roof were Mown off, but the machinery was not damaged, and the loss will not exceed 4.10 On the same night a number of colliers attacked the cottages of some “knobsticks” at Aspull, and broke the windows. Great complaints are also made of robberies in the country places round Wigan, the colliers attacking potato fields in the night aad digging up large patches, and robbing gardens of any other vegetables they can pounce upou. The inhabitants of such places dare not offer resistance to such numbers if they discover them in tbe act.,The master cotton-spinners and manufacturers were to have met on Thursday at Wigan, but taking a lesson from the expe-,rience of toe master colliers, they postponed the meeting. In fact, they can do nothing, for if they agreed to give their operatives the advance they cannot resume work without fueL The whole of the mills at Wigan and Preston are dependent on the large collieries closed at Wigan, and if the coal-masters were to open their mines at the advance demanded by the colliers, the master-manufacturers would have to give 40 to 50 per cent, extra for their coal in addition to the 10 per “cent on the wages of their operatives. Again, supposing the master colliers at Wigan succumbed, the scene of the strike would only be shifted, the colliers having made an arrangement , so soon as toe masters at Wigan yield, to strike next at Clifton, Bolton, and Pendlebury — the coal districts on which part of the mills of Manchester and those of the towns north of Manchester depend for a supply ; and, successful at these collieries, the Ashton, Oldham, and Poynton collieries, east and south of Manchester, would strike. There is therefore but little hope of % settlement of the strikes at present. A meeting of the magistrates took place at toe town Hall on Monday morning, when it was resolved, in accordance with a recommendation from Lord Palmerston, to summon 500 special constables from the list of ten pound householders ; or, if the number cannot be made up from that list, the deficiency is to be supplied from other classes, at the discretion of the special constables. It was also resolved to recommend to the Watch Committee, at its next meeting, a considerable increase in the police force of the borough.,The Preston- Strike. — The prospects of an arrangement of this depute appear as remote as ever. The following resolution was agreed to at the meeting of the Masters’ Association on Friday : —,” That this meeting, on its rising, do adjourn to Thursday, the lst of December next, but that the committee be requested to call a meeting at an earlier period if they are of opinion that it will be conducive to the settlement of the question on the basis of the foregoing resolution ; provided also they are satisfied that the general body of operatives are prepared to emancipate themselves from the dictation of parties who have an interest in prolonging the unfortunate dispute between the employers and the employed.,” That whereas an advance of wages was offered to the operatives of Preston and the neighbourhood on the 19th day of August last, which offer was dictated more by a desire to preserve the harmony and general good feeling than then prevailed in the town than by anything in the state of trade warranting such advance, and whereas the same has not been generally accepted by the operatives through the interference of the same mischievous and irresponsible parties who have been the cause of all the distress brought upon the town ; and whereas the prospects of the trade have materially altered for the worse :,” It is therefore the unanimous opinion of this meeting, that whenever the time shall arrive for the reopening of the mills, the rate of wages shall be the same as was paid on or before the lst of March last, subject, however, to such alterations as may be recommended by the committee in particular cases.”,The unemployed weaver, held a meeting on Monday morning. It was announced that the amount received on Sunday by the committee exceeded £2000, being about £300 more than had been obtained in any previous week. A resolution was passed, which, in reply to the decision of the employers not to re-open their mills except the 10 per cent, be given up. declared the unalterable resolve of the operatives not to accept such terms, but to maintain inviolate their demands. Another resolution, moved and seconded by two women, was also carried, declaring ” That the married portion of the females in this town do not intend to go to work again until their husbands are fully and fairly remunerated for their labour.”,Termination or the Fustian Dyers’ Strike at Manchester. — We are at last in a condition to announce the termination of this long protracted strike, which has lasted for over 17 weeks. Since Monday, the men on strike have been offering themselves at the different works in large numbers, withdrawing their demand for an advance of wages, and agreeing to consider 10| hours of overtime as a day’s work, instead of seven hours as previously. The places of the great bulk of the men have been long ago filled up, in consequence of which, the masters have been under the necessity of rejecting the proffered services of their old, and, we fear, of late sorely ” pinched ” and distressed hands ; for since the unfortunate strike began in the first week of August, the master dyers have engaged and trained some 100 new hands (mostly Irish labourers), who are now doing the work abandoned by those to whom it legitimately belonged. In consequence of this filling up of the establishments, not above 400 of the 1,600 men who have been on strike will get employment at the different dyeworks, leaving 1,300 old hands, viz dressers, dyers, and finishers, to find some other employment. The recitals of the sufferings which many of them have undergone ate distressing to hear. — Manchester Examiner.

Friday,  Nov. 11, 1853

Publication: Chelmsford Chronicle

THE RIOTS AT WIGAN.,On Wednesday se’nnight some colliers attempted to destroy the engine-house at Moss-hall Colliery to prevent other operatives working the mines, and for this purpose they placed a quantity of powder in the building and exploded it by means of a fusee such as miners use in blasting coal. The wall and roof were blown off, but tho machinery was not damaged, and the loss will not exceed £10. On the same night a number of colliers attacked the cottages of some ” knobsticks” at Aspull, and broke the windows. Great complaints are also made of robberies in the country places round Wigan, the colliers attacking potato fields in the night and digging up large patches, and robbing gardens of any other vegetables they can pounce upon. The inhabitants of such places daro not offer resistance to such numbers if they discover them in the fact. They also go about openly with dogs in the day to poach. One gentleman, who remonstrated with a party of this kind, was threatened with a broken head, The system of begging practised by large bodies of colliers drawing carts along with them to receive the contributions of the intimidated shopkeepers was resumed on Thursday morning, when tho authorities of Wigan warned them to desist. The colliers demurred to the authority of the mayor in such a matter, and threatened a public meeting to discuss it, but, nevertheless, withdrew their carts. Captain Woodford has a large body of county constabulary in the villages around Wigan, and the military still continue their occupation of the borough.

Saturday,  Nov. 19, 1853

Publication: York Herald (York, England)

Issue: 4230

THE STRIKES

Although many of the colliers have resumed their employment at Wigan, we regret to have to state that tbe mills at that place, and also at Preston Burnley, Baeup, snd Bury, are still closed, and that there is no prospect, at present, of any arrangement which might lead to the resumption of business. The number of manufactories in the cotton trade in Lancashire now closed, is estimated at upwards of two hundred, and the decrease of production is supposed to be equal to nearly one-sixth of the whole. The stocks of goods on hand are, however, very large, and it is supposed that were a termination of tbe strike to take place to-morrow, the manufacturers, nnder existing circumstances, would only run their machinery three days per week. This ill-judged strike therefore, must recoil fearfully on the heads of the artisans themselves, who have been so ignorant and so short-sighted as to perpetrate it. Surely, the operative population will now become convinced that wages are regulated solely by demand and supply. When the demand for bands exceeds the supply, wages rise, by a natural law, as infallible as that which determines a rise of the mercury in the barometer. Reason points out, and facts confirm the induction, that all artificial interferences with the regular action of the labor market, whilst they seriously injure the employer, are still more disastrous to tbe employed. We are ready to admit, that, nnder certain circumstances, combinations of workmen may be perfectly justifiable; but in the present instance, with provisions daily advancing in price, and with the prospect of a Continental war, suspending commerce, and checking the demand for our manufactures, the strike is perfectly suicidal. The manner in which it is carried out, is likewise fraught with tyranny and injustice. Not satisfied with the exercise of their own right to withhold their labor, the artisans who strike, assume the power of interfering with the right which others possess, of exercising their discretion upon the same point. They even offer personal violence, and, by threats and intimidation, compel others, who are willing .to labor at their calling, at the rate of wages then paid, to desert their work, and, against their own will, to add themselves to the members of the discontented party. More glaring acts of tyranny and despotism, by one set of men over their fellow-workmen, could not bo conceived. The Lancashire operatives are, in reality, seeking, by most unjustifiable means, to effect that which may be considered impossible. Then again, they place their confidence in, and are influenced by, certain mischievous demagogues, who, being too idle to work, have found agitation a more profitable trade. The facts that the demand for goods is declining, and the manufacturer likely to carry on an unprofitable business, ought, alone, to have prevented them from commencing a struggle, wherein the consequences of procrastination tell so fearfully against them and their families, and leave their employers comparatively unharmed. When the strike is over, as it soon may be, the deluded men will then have to deplore the loss of wages, which they will, probably, never be able to regain, as well as sufferings and deprivations, the painful consequences of which they may experience more or less, to the termination of their lives.

Monday,  Dec. 19, 1853

Publication: Morning Post (London, England)

Issue: 24959

The Factory Operatives’ Strike at Wigan.

From all we can learn, it appears that most of the cotton spinners and manufacturers will open their mill gates on Monday morning, and should anything like the number of hands they require present themselves, they will then start their engines. In several mills the machinery is being got into working order. It is, however, generally believed in Wigan that the number of hands who will present themselves on Monday morning will be too small to warrant a start, except, indeed, in tbe case of one or two concerns. The only hands who struck work were those of the card and blowing rooms (these bringing ail the other departments to a stand), and this class of operatives show as determined a spirit now as at the commencement of the struggle. Some of them have got work elsewhere, and others have left town to seek charitable aid ; and as the allowance of those who remain in Wigan has been much increased during the past week as compared with preceding weeks, it is thought by many, who are competent to form an opinion, that very few of the carders and rovers will present themselves at the mill gates at the time appointed, and that, consequently, the masters will be in no better position to start their mills next Monday than they were a week previously.— Manchester Guardian. 

The Colliers’ Strike at Wigan.— There is no longer any doubt that this protracted dispute is virtually terminated . All the men on strike at Coppull Colliery, near Chorley, have returned to work at the old rate of wages; and on Thursday morning, 28 more of the men belonging to Walthew House Colliery, Pemberton, again went down the pit. There now only remain on strike about 70 of the men employed at Walthew House, and 30 of those employed at Gidlow and Swinley Colliery, Wigan. The adjourned meeting of coal proprietors and their representatives, was held on Thursday morning-, at the Royal Hotel ; Mr. W. Peace, general manager of tho collieries of the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres in the chair. The meeting did not last an hour, the following resolutions being unanimously agreed to : — “That in consequence of the continued disposition of the men at the collieries, still on partial strike, to resume work at the old rate of wages, the resolution passed at the last meeting be confirmed and adhered to, and that this meeting stand adjourned to this day fortnight, at the same place, at eleven o’clock.”— The meaning of the resolution is, that the employers will not close their pits as they threatened to do if a partial strike was persevered in by the men ; but will continue to supply Messrs. Brancker and Co., and the executors of the late J. Rylands, with coal and cannel to enable them to supply their customers. — Manchester Guardian.

Friday,  Dec. 31, 1853

Publication: Lancaster Gazetter (Lancaster, England)

Issue: 3482

PRESTON  No change can yet be reported in the position of the contending parties. The returns, show that the number of unemployed hands relieved last week was 15,781 ; previous week, 16,502; increase, 279. Tbe amount paid to the hands last week was £2931 12s. ; previous week, .£2,908 7s. 3d. ; increase, £.30 4s. __. To this sum must be added £274 19s. 1d., the expenses incident to the conduct of the agitation. The total expenditure of the week amounts to £3,213 ls ld. The working expenses, exclusive of relief, are about five per cent, on the sum collected. The operative spinners had a meeting in the Temperance hall, on Friday night, when after a series of speeches, the annexed resolution was adopted :— ‘-That we, the operative spinners and winders of Preston do still resolve to have our just and equitable demands before we resume work.” A general meeting of the unemployed was convened in the Orchard on Saturday Cheers having been given for Blackburn, Stockport and their allies, and for the ten per cent the proceedings concluded at four o’clock, with a vote of thanks to the chairman. The cardroom hands held a meeting in the Temperance Hall, and after several delegates had addressed them, pledged themselves to persevere in their struggle. 

WIGAN. Though the mills at Wigan and Hindley were re-opened on Monday, the strike of factory operatives is far from being at an end,The total number of mill hands in Wigan is about 5000 and in Hindley 1,160; and the number who went on Monday was only 633 in Wigan, and 15 at Hindley. At three mills in this town no hands presented themselves, and the machinery was therefore obliged to be stopped and the gas lights put out. At another mill there were four hands, at another five, at another -seven, and so on In the Later part of the day Messrs. Jas. Eckersley and Sons had 240 operatives a work being scarcely a fourth of  the usual complement -and the executors of the late Mr. Ryland- 150 are rather more than a third: these two mills were the best manned. At one mill, at Hindey two persons went to work; at another  six and at a third seven. There are now about 1.000 persons at work in the Wigan factory five of which are still closed for want of hands, but none at Hindley.-There was a meeting of the masters’ association at the Victoria Hotel, Wallgate, on Friday, Mr. William Johnson in the chair. They were in deliberation no more than an hour and a half. The proceedings were conducted privately, but we understand it was agreed that they should continue to maintain their present attitude, and that the meeting should stand adjourned to that day fortnight, with an understanding that, should circumstances require it, any three members might call a meeting of the association in the interval. During the week the town has been in a state of considerable excitement, particularly the lower parts of Wallgate and the streets adjoining, the largest mill  being situated in that neighbourhood. When the hands who have gone into the mills were returning from work, they were hooted and shouted at by large crowds of persons. On Tuesday night there were about four thousand persons collected in that part of the town referred to, which bore every appearance of a riot. The police and fire brigade were three hours in clearing the streets. On Wednesday a “caution” to persons thus assembling. &_., signed by the Mayor was posted on the wills of the town, out Tuesday night’s proceedings were repeated, and it was quite as much as police, fire brigade, and a number of special constables could do for three hours to prevent large groups from forming. The people, when driven from the main street, would collect at the corners of bye streets, and there keep op their hooting, yelling., and whistling. Since Wednesday matters have assumed a much less serious aspect. Several persons have been apprehended on suspicion of intimidating the hands at work, and of being concerned in the disturbances; hut the evidence in every case was very slight, and all have been discharged with a reprimand except a girl, who has been bound over to keep the peace. On Monday nearly I000 of the operatives yet on strike held a meeting in the area of the commercial hall, and it was unanimously resolved that they would not return to work without in advance of ten per cent.. and that if the advance was not conceded by New Year’s Day, then twenty per cent should he demanded. A similar meeting was held in the same place on Wednesday afternoon. The income of the ” Amalgamated Committee” of Factory Operatives  during the past week amounted to £60 8s 6d ; £28 11s. l1d. of which came from Liverpool and £8 from Manchester. On Tuesday the thirty rank and file of the 34th Regiment of infantry left Wigan for Preston. There yet remains one company of this regiment, sixtv rank and file.