The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1879-02-02
THR EVICTION AT DowTH.

THR EVICTION AT DowTH.
The Drogheda correspondent of the FrsenaaR,
writing January 4sh. says:
At long last, and not outstanding the many
efforts of priests and hsople, the Dowtb evic
tion has taken place, and Mr.. Thom as Eloook
has been turned ont of the house and property
where for forty years he and his family had
resided. To day the law took it's course, and
another chapter is added to the bead roll of
evictiops connected with the land laws OF Ire
land. At early dawn this day the sIgus of
the drama about to be enacted were display ed.
Bodies of armed police passed through the
town on route to the scene of action, aud the
wondering people were not long in guessing
the cause of the hasty arrival and departure of
these armed men. the day was bitterly GOLD,
and the crisp frost lay heavily on road and field.
The air was keen aud nipping, and sharp
| wind blew from the northwest. After setting
| out from Droghed0 for the place of eviction at
| Dowth, some I've miles distant, pas,ed n
large body of armed police marching in the
same direction.
| armed pottcs were drawn up on the roadway
| and resting on their arma. Inside Mr.. Eicook's
yard, fronting the dwelliughouse, was another
body OF police. In fact, there were as many
armed police present as would have guarded
the Khyber Pass. The police were drafted
from nearly all citations in Meath, and were
of Nayap, and RaleiGh, Of S'aue, the Hon. Cap
taiu Plunkett, R r., being present in chief
co nmaRd. large crowd of the people of the
district were present, but their demesnour
and entirely at variance with the frightened
ideas Of those who imagined that there VI ould
be riot and bloodshed, and therefore had the
large army of police on the ground. The sub
sheriff of Meath, Mr. Harcourt Lightburue,
was. As matter of course. present with large
following of "his meu." Mr. Elcock, who is in
q very sickly state, was attended on that
morning by his ply siciau, DR.. Kelly, of Drog.
beda, aad he gave directions, owing to the
serious nature of Mr.. Eloock's illne ess, lat his
spirituai adviser, the Rsv. p. Cailary, P p. of
SbOQlu m hA
Keliy) feared that the excitement attending &
toe eviction might exercise fatal feet on his
patient, who might therefore require the last
rites of his Church from his priest. According
ly Father Callary remained, and with him his
curate, the Rev. Mr. Woods. At half-past
twelve O'clock the sheriff formally demanded
possession, ard then his bAiliffs set briskly to
work in order TO remove the farBitRra feom
the dwelling house. Chairs, tables, presses,
sofas, beds, bedding, mirrors, clocks, pictures
the Christmas holly and ivy being yet
wreathed about them-every article which the
house contained-Were carried out by the
bAiliffs and piled in heaps on the roadside. The
police and the people calmly looked on during
all the time. A little dog, which Sat beside
, the door during the removal of the furniture,
Whined and cried 30 IL the poor brute with his
good old master was being broken up for ever,
The fires in the kitchen and pArlor were then
pot out and quenched, aud 1t only rematned to
houses were stored hay, ooEn, turnips. potatoes,
cattle, aud large bales of wool, Mr.. Elcock, in
addition to his agricultural pursuits, being
the request Of Father Caliary and Mr.. G.
II. Kirk, M, p, the sheriff consented to delay
taking possession of the outt fl oes, as they
could not be cleared out in one day until
Monday, 18Th inst, on which day At twelve
O'Clock IL was solemnly agreed upon by these
! gentlemen aud by Mr.. Eloock that peaceable
: possession OF them would be given mp to ths
| sheriff by Mr.. Elooek, everything meantime tC
be removed by him of the land and premises
The closing scene waS then enacted % Mr.. Ell