The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-08-16 00:00:00

STOCKPORT.

On Wednesday morning the turn-outs of Ashton, Stayley,
Dukinfield, and Hyde, assembled at an early hour, at the
latter place, when it was determined to divide into two sec-
tions (one section went to Mellor Moor, Dinting, Glossop,
Tintwistle, and Broadbottom, while the other went to
Woodley, Apethorn, Cross Moor, Compstall, New Mills,
and Disley). All the cotton mills in the different routes were
stopped, without much opposition. The turn-outs occasion-
ally levied Contributions on the shopkeepers, and in some
instances, on the mill-owners. We understand they obtained
£2 from Mr. George Andrew, of Compstall; and a manu-
facturer at Broadbottom, hesitating to comply with their re-
quest, one of the party held before him, in a threatening
attitude, a dagger, but was compelled by others of the party
to put it up, and the manufacturer having given them a sove-
reign, they departed. This, we understand, was the only
outrage committed by this party on 'Wednesday. On their
return to Hyde, their plan of proceeding for the following day
was arranged, it being determined to visit Stockport, in all
their strength. The authorities of this town being ap-
prized of their intentions, early in the week, precautions were
adopted to preserve the peace of the borough. 800 or 900
special constables were sworn in, and, it being fully expected
that the turn-outs would make their appearance in Stock-
port on Thursday morning ; early on that morning the
Altrincham, Dunham Massey, and Tabley troops of Yeo-
manry Cavalrey arrived in town, and were joined by the
Stockport troop. The unionists commenced an irregular
march into Stockport to the number perhaps of 6000 or
8000 men and boys, most of whom were provided with large
sticks, which they kept waving over their heads. The first
mill they came to was Mr. Jesse Howard's, Newbridge-lane,
where they arrived about twelve o'clock. The mill was im-
mediately stopped at their demand, and the work people turned
out. From here they proceeded to Portwood, where all the
mills were shortly stopped ; the turn-outs levying contribu-
tions of bread at the various provision shops which they
found open. All the shops and public houses were immedi-
ately closed on their approach being known. Having left
Portwood, they proceeded over Lancashire bridge, and were
quickly spread in all the streets in the borough. Some of
the mills were entered unceremoniously by the mob, and the
hands compelled to leave so precipitately as not to be al-
lowed to put on their clothes. In several instances, where
any hesitation was evinced in stopping the mills portions of
the mob entered the premises, and pulled the fires from under
the boilers, which shortly brought the moving powea to a
stand still. Every engine in the town was shortly stopped;
and the hatters, moulders, calico-printers, tailors, and every
other trade were soon idle. About one o'clock, the hands
employed at Messrs. W. and J. Bradshaw's mill, St. Peter's
Gate, were returning to their work, when a crowd assembled
in front of the mill, and Mr. James Bradshaw, who stood in
the lodge, being requested to turn out the hands, he refused,
and expressed his determination to start the engine, when
three or four of the crowd immediately pressed in to compel
the hands to retire. Mr. Bradshaw immediately closed in
the door to detain them prisoners. A yell immediately ran
through the crowd, and the lodge door and windows were im-
mediately smashed in, the prisoners set at liberty, and Mr. J.
Bradshaw attacked and most inhumanly beaten; in fact. it
was with some difficulty he escaped with his life. During
this others of the mob ran through different rooms of the
mill, compelling such hands who had returned to make a
speedy exit. About two o'clock, the turn-outs began to as-
semble on Waterloo-road, where a cart was fixed, and a
meeting held.
During the meeting, a body of some thousands of the turn-
outs, who had not joined the meeting, proceeded to the new
union workhouse, Shaw Heath, and having forced an entrance,
immediately commenced to help themselves to bread and
money. No fewer than 672 seven-pound loaves were taken
away, and about £7 in copper. Information of this was
conveyed to the authorities, and they hastened to the spot
with the constables, yeomanry, and infantry, and captured
about forty of the parties. Information of the capture was
conveyed to the meeting on Waterloo-road, and a determi-
nation was expressed to go and rescue them at all hazards,
and a great portion of the meeting immediately set off upon
that errand, though contrary to the wish of the speakers, a
deputation from which went to consult the authorities, and
request the liberation of the prisoners. On the arrival of
the mob on Shaw Heath, they had a formidable appearance,
sticks were waved, and several were observed to be loading
pistols. The cavalry was formed, with drawn swords, ready
to make a charge, and the infantry and specials were drawn
ready for action. The mob, how-
ever, did not risk an attack.
On Friday morning, the mob went round the town to see
that all the mills were stopped. At the neighbouring places
of Norbury and P oynton, on Thursday, about a thousand of
the turn-outs assembled to turn out the colliers at these
places. The underlooker made some opposition, which was
quelled by knocking him down with a bludgeon and other-
wise ill-using him. They stopped the steam-engine by pull-
ing out the coals from under it; and on Friday all the men
left the pits. After visiting the factory of Mr. Greg, at
Bollington, and setting the men at liberty, they went to the
Spinner's Arms, where liquor was demanded and given to
them. They also forced their way into provision shops, and
helped themselves to what they wanted, and were very
abusive. On Saturday, the military was again called out in
front of Mr. Orrell's mill, to suppress a mob meeting there.