The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-13 00:00:00

THE LATE RIOTS AT ASHTON.

Up to Tuesday night all was quiet at Ashton, but fears
were entertained that the disturbances might be renewed

at Stalybridge or Dukinfield. A procession attempted to
leave Ashton for Stalybridge, but it was dispersed by the

constabulary.
The scene in the streets at Ashton twenty-four hours
previously was of a very violent character, and it was
found necessary to call in the aid of the military. Shortly
before seven o'clock the English element assembled in
Henry-square, and marched direct to Charles-street and
Hill-street, better known as Reyner-row, and commenced
sacking the houses in that locality, which are princi-
pally inhabited by the lower class of the Irish people.
The rioters met with little or no opposition, and in a
very short time every house in the row was forcibly en-
tered, the window frames and doors were smashed to
atoms, and the furniture andbedding were hurled into the
street, where they were burnt. Tables, chairs, sofas, plc-
tures, chimney glasses, ornaments, carpets—all were
thrown into one heterogeneous mass and consumed by the
flames. Information of the work of devastation was
conveyed to the Town Hall, and, in the absence of the
mayor, Mr. Hugh Mason, Mr. James ICenworthy, and
other magistrates were speedily on the spot. Itwas found
Ohat the rioters had received a considerable accession
of numbers from Stalybridge, armed with the most
formidable weapons, and it was determined at once
to have recourse to military aid. Accordingly, a mes-
senger was despatched to the Ashton barracks, where the
troops had been confined, under arms, the whole of the
day. In the course of a quarter of an hour a troop of the
6th Inniskilling Dragoons arrived at the double trot, and
charged the mob, who fled in all directions, merely to
meet again and renew their work of destruction when
an opportunity afforded. The arrival of the dragoons
was speedily followed by two companies of the 70th
Foot, the whole being under the command of Colonel
Cowper. The soldiers were heartily cheered by the
mob, but no sooner had they cleared one street than
the rioters returned by another route and resumed their
dastardly work until again interrupted by the soldiery.
This state of things did not, however, last very long, for
the specials were so disposed of that the mob were kept
continually on the move, and those who possessed dangerous
weapons were disarmed. The military were set at liberty
about eleven o'clock, and the special constables, with the
exception of No. 1 Company, were also dismissed to their
homes. The mayor and other magistrates remained
at the Town Hall until two o'clock on Tuesday morn-
ing, and everything being then reported . quiet, the
whole of the specials were dismissed, as also were the
members of the county constabulary, who had remained
on duty up to that time. A meeting of the magistrates
was held during the night, at which the mayor suggested
that a committee, consisting of the whole of the magistrates,
should be appointed, for the purpose of inquiry into the
necessities of the poor people who have been rendered home-
less, and to make temporary provision for their wants. The
appeal was promptly responded to by the magistrates
present. The town was patrolled throughout the night,
but no further disturbance occurred. The authorities
entertain a fear that they have only seen the beginning of a
fearful struggle. During the rioting on Monday night a
respectable woman, the. wife of Mark Bradbury, of 59,
Park-street, was trampled to death by the crowd. The
unfortunate woman had gone lo the end of the street,
about twenty yards from her own door, when the rioters
made a sudden rush from Hill-street, pursued by the police,
and in the confusion which prevailed Mrs. Bradbury was
knocked down and literally trampled to death. When
picked up her breast was found quite black with foot-
prints. Dr. Nowell was speedily in attendance, but life
was extinct. The deceased was 67 years of age, and was
much respected by her neighbours. St. Ann's Catholic
Chapel was again attacked on Monday night, but the police
prevented them from doing any damage beyond breaking
the few window-panes that remained.
When the rioters in Reyner-row found that they were
overpowered, the cry was raised, "To Stalybridge,"
whither a large body of them at once proceeded, followed
by the borough police to the boundary at Cock Brook.
Here they were met by the Stalybridge force, strengthened
by a large body of special constables. The mob, seeing
the preparations that. were being made to receive them,
turned off at Reyner's mill, the object being to get
to their destination by Bayly's new road. In this they
were partially successful, reaching Lee's-row, Bridge-
street, which is thickly populated by Irish of the lowest
class. The houses of the poor people were attacked, and
the work of destruction speedily commenced ; but this had
not continued long before the constables arrived on the
scene, and charged the rioters in capital style, driving
most of them into the River Tame. A section of the mob
succeeded in reuniting themselves in Caroline-street, where
they were again charged and dispersed. A. number :
arrests were made.