The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-03-21 00:00:00

ARREST OP MITIRPRY AND DES-
TRUCTION OF HIS TENT.

On Tuesday morning, se Mr. Murphy could
Lot gut grugUit U 4 Mount Pieeiaut, Mochtiale, in
the Midst ut the WWI, upon which to croct his
hut, ha set out for Crolliteyth.bW Cunneen, on
the oulsklrte el lbs town. A number of navvies
%ages the Creation el Murphy bad his agent,
Cherie tel., began Is greet the .Moe, and, al•
though heavy showers fell. it Ifeinkelly lose
With the rapidity at a mushroom. and In the
ill., there was every indicetion that Murphy
weaid be able to hold forth within its walls that
evening. But the freeholders round the co
Lon feeling indiguant that the teat should be
metal without their clement, held a meeting,

'and decided that it should be at once removed.
Mr. .T. Bn tterworth, J.P., Mr. IL T. Heape, J.P.,
anl Mr. Entwistle, accompanied by their legal
adviser, Mr. Jackson, repaired to the common,
where they found George Cole in possession of
the tent. Mr. Jackson informed the agent that
by erecting the tent they had trespassed, and
ordered it to be taken off the ground at once.
Mr. Cole replied that he would not remove it
until he had orders from the Lord of the Manor
to do so. Mr. Jackson explained that the free.
holders round the common had control over it,
and again pressed him to remove the tent. Mr.
Cole refused. Mr. Superintendent Pickering
and Captain Davies, who were on the spot, were
then consulted, and a sergeant was despatched
for about 40 police-officers. The tent at that
time lint all the framework up, and the sides
boarled, but the canvas top had not been put on.
When the officers arrived the camp was levelled
to the ground without much ceremony. 200 or
800 persons collected to witness the scene, and
some cheered heartily. About an hour after.
%V rim Mr. Murphy called at the Borough Police
o lice, wishing to receive an explanation. A
warrant Was awaiting him there for causing to.
fuultuous gatherings in the town, and he was
! taken into custody and imprisoned in the lock. .
up, situated at Mount Pleasant, in the midst of
the Iriah population. The news of Murphy's
arrest created immense excitement. The streets
were crowded, especially in the vicinity of the ,
police station and of Cronkeyshaw. At the W-
I ter place one of Mr. Murphy's brethren deli-
' 'tared an address on freedom of speech. It
being St. Patrick's Day, tea-parties were given
In the Catholic schools, and the result was a
marked absence of Irishmen from the crowds.
The county police arrived in the town to assist
the borough force. About half-past eight an
angry crowd made their way into St. Ann-street
and attacked St. John's Catholic Chapel. The
Irish turned out into the street, and firearms
were discharged, end litontm exchanged on both
sides. Tho bell of the chapel was rung to sum-
mon defenders. A body Of pollee marched into
the street, and the attacking party then re.
treated. About ten o'clook the excitement in
the town appeared to cool down, and the streets
assumed a quieter aspect. So far as could be
aaoertained, no person was seriously injured, and
no property damaged to any groat oxtont.—Moo •
, Aeon,. Examiner,