The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-11 00:00:00

Trade Outrages in Sheffield.

On the opening of the Court on Saturday morn-
ing, Mr. Wragg, manager to Messrs. Slack and
Co., saw manufacturers, said—Having a large order
for chaff -cutting knives (which appeared to be
ground by saw-grinders), some work was given out
to jobbing grinders, and for this some bands
and knives were taken. The affair was settled
in the usual way, by paying the demands of
" Mary Ann," and the things were/restored, all
except one chaff knife, which could not be found,
aild which was paid for, and in witness's book there
was an entry of 3s. received from Broadhead on ac-
count, of it. On a subsequent occasion bands were
rattened because work had not been given to the
jobbing grinders, that branch having amalgamated
with the society of which Broadhead was president
—an arraugement of which it did not appear that
the witness was aware. In June, 1866, witness en-
gaged a grinder named Fearnehough (the man
whose house was blown up in October last), and
engaged a room in Butcher's grinding wheel, which
was reputed to be secure against rattening.
To make doubly sure witness engaged a night
watchman. This was because Fearnehough was a
non-union man, and worked with his own tools,
which was against the rules of the union. Every-
body in the union gave Fearnehough a bad charac-
ter for drinking and neglecting his work, but witness
had employed him ever since, and found him an ex-
cellent workman, and not at all the character he was
represented to be. In July Thomas Smith, the
secretary to the sawmakers, went to witness's works,
and had an interview with the men, and on the fol-
lowing Saturday (July 14) all the sawmakers gave
a month's notice. The firm replaced them with non-
union men, six of whom were decoyed away by
offers from the union. The firm went on with the
rest. Thomas Smith, the union secretary, offered
to end the dispute on condition that the firm dis-
missed the men and took on the old ones. That
was declined, and early in November, a month after
Fearnehough's house had been blown up, they re-
ceived a letter by post threatening to blow them up
unless they dismissed the new and took back the
old men. He produced the letter. The firm took
no notice of the letter, and the threats were never
put in execution.
Jonathan Hazlewood, saw-grinder, gave evidence
of having received threatening letters eight or nine
years ago because he took and retained an apprentice
contrary to union principles.
Mr. James Davenport, grinding-wheel proprietor,
was the next witness, and gave evidence as to his
receiving a threatening letter to the effect that if
Hazlewood, who was grinding at his wheel, did not
get rid of his apprentice another visit would be paid
to the wheel. Shortly after the receipt of the letter
the wheel was entered, several bands were removed,
and damage was done to the doors and windows to
the amount of about £2. The bands were never
returned.

Mr. David Ward, of the firm of Messrs. Ward
and Payne,edge-tool and sheep-shear manufacturers,
next gave evidence. In 1864 he was desirous of
engaging a carving-tool forger, named Addis, who
was a London workman, and who at the Exhibition
of 1851 obtained the only prize that was offered for
edge-tools. As he was a non-unionist, Mr. Ward,
before completing an engagement with Addis, de-
sired him to see Reaney, the secretary of the
Forgers' Union,with respect to his being admitted a
member. The committee of the society were sit-
ting when Addis visited Reaney, and the former
offered to pay £l5 for the privilege of being admitted,
and then to pay the usual weekly contribution. His
offer, however, was not accepted, and the result
was that Mr. Ward was unable to engage Addis.
Some time afterwards, in consequence of some
orders depending upon Addis being engaged upon
them, he was taken into the employ of Messrs.
Ward and Payne, and after he had been working
some time, and had made several ineffectual at-
tempts to come to terms with the union, the -w hole
of the nuts belonging to 16 troughs, then being
used by Messrs. IVard and Payne, were removed,
and consequently, although he was then very busy,
none of his work could be proceeded with. Mr.
Ward sent to the secretary of the union. The re-
sult of the consultation ,vas that Mr. Ward had to
get rid of Addis. Moreover, Reaney said Mr. Ward
would have to pay £3O for the week his men had
been out of employ, and this demand also was com-
plied with. Mr. Ward afterwards set Addis up as
a small manufacturer, in order that he might do the
work which he required time for, and which none
other men in the trade could do so well:
Jas. Addis, a carving tool forger, confirmed these
statements, and gave evidence as to his being as-
saulted in a hotel. Before the assault the men said
to him, " How many trades union meetings have
we had through you '?" They locked hi;u in the
room and kicked him with their heavy boots, and he
had two severe wounds on the head. The whole of
the men were apprehended on a warrant, and three
of them were each fined £5 and costs, while Jepson,
the ringleader, for whom be interceded, was ordered
by the magistrates to pay £3 and costs. He had not
since been assaulted.
John Hague, member of the firm of Hague, Clegg,
and Co., saw, file, and machine knife manufacturers,
said that in May, 1863, their firm employed Fearne-
hough. He was not on the list of men sent to wit-
ness by Broadhead, and Broadhead said Fearne-
hough was not a member of the trade. Witness
:aid he would engage Fearnehough and take the
consequences. Since the blowing up of his house
Fearnehough had told witness that at that time
Broadhead offered him 53. to take away the bands.
While Fearnehough was working for witness, at the
Arundel wheel, witness was rattened. Witness em-
ployed Fearnehough till he was afraid to stay any
longer. A forger named Jas. Thomas told witness
that he heard a grinder—he thought named Shaw—
say—" 1 would blow the place up if they would give
the word." Upon this information a policeman was
at once sent for Thomas.
Thomas was brought into court, and examined in
reference to what he had heard Shaw say. He
stated that Shaw said there was a man who had
been toßroadhead several times to ask leave to blow
the place up where Fearnehough was working for
£5, but Broadhead would not sanction it. Fearne-
hough was not then working for Hague.
Charles Staniforth was the next witness called.
He said that he was employed by Hague, Clegg,
and Co. up to June last, and was there when Fearne-
hough left, helping to remove some tools. Shaw
did not tell witness he knew a man who would blow
up Fearnehough's house for £5, but Broadhead
would not sanction it. Neither did Thomas say so
—but Thomas did say it could be done. Witness
spoke to Shaw the week after Fearnehough left.
Shaw said, " Old Tom has gone to Butcher's, and
all's locked up there and you cannot get in." Wit-
ness was not in Sheffield at the time when Fearne-
bough was blown up ; he was at Manchester, nor
did he come to Sheffield till about October. Broad-
head came to his place a time or two, but all he
said was that " Tom had left," and they had fixed
on witness to fill his place. Fearnehough left .be-
cause his masters were dissatisfied.
Mr. 0 verend—You told me before he left because
he was not safe.
Witness—Yes, he was afraid of them rolling him
up—that is, rolling his bands up. Fearnehough
said to witness he would not pay any more as long
as Broadhead was secretary to the union. He would
see him at hell first. Witness told that to Broad-
head. After Fearnehough was blown up, they said
they would try to find it out, but he said they
would not.
Mr. 0 verend—Why did you say so?
Witness was very much pressed on this point,
but he said his chief reason was that lie did not
think they would, not even if they were to offer
£l,OOO. This was his opIM. • OD.
George Shaw, alias Putty Shaw, formerly em-
ployed by Fearnehough, said he was a member of
the union. Did not know if Fearnehough was in
arrear, nor was he aware that there was any dis-
pute between him and the union. Did not recol-
lect speaking toStainforth about Fearnehough not
paying his contributions. No person ever told him
he was disposed to do Fearnehough an injury. Never
knew of any one wanting to blow the place up. Did
not know who said he would do it for £5. Knew of
to blow up the place,
no application to Broadhead