The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-02-14
EVICTION IN FAMINE TINE.
A Thrilling Spectacle
The Women Of Knockricksrd Defying
Bayonets and Sabres to Reach
Process Server.

Dublin correspondence London Standard.
An exciting encounter has occurred be-
tween the people and the constabulary at 9
place called Knockrickard, near ClaremOrris
County Mayo. On Friday process server
named Langley was severely handled by
the people and his processes taken from him
and destroyed. He was stripped and left
nude in a field, from which b.. had to make
his way to the nearest constabulary barrack
for clothes. In consideration OF this out
rage the authorities determined to make an
effort to serve the remainder of the processes
on Saturday. All the available police
were concentrated at Ballyglass, the
nearest police barrack. Langley had
been provided with copies OF the stolen pro-
ceSses and accompanied the police. At the
village of Curry the police were put through
a series of maneuyres, even to examining
their rifles and pouches by the sub-inspectors
in command of the whole party, and set
forward for knockrickard. They had not
gone more than hundred yards before
Langley discovered that all the processes
except one had been taken from his pocket.
A constable was sent back to inquire about
the missing documents, but hls inqui-
ries were met with mingled cheering,
laughter and groans. Langiey's story
about the theft is regarded with suspi-
cion, and it is stated that the only
process he retained after destroying, as is
thought, the other, was for a man who had
been his bitter enemy for years. At Curry
the crowd which followed the police mum.
bered about 800 men, women and boys, but
before Cregawn was reached it had increased
until there could not have been less than 800
women and about the same number Of men
and boys. 1t was at this place that the con-
stabulary met with the first serious Opposi.
ton. A small body of 95 or 40 men had been
sent in advance Of the main body, but they
were kept at bay by about 400 women, who
stood on the road leading to Knockrickard
and refused to let them pass.
The arrival Of the main body of the police
was received with groans and shouts Of de-
fiance, and cries OF Where is langley"
The process server having been discovered
in the midst of the police, all the women
made an indiscrininste charge with the
view Of securing him and his precious bur-
den. A scene Of the widest confusion en-
sued. The sub-inspectors drew their swords
and rushed into the midst of the women,
headed. A young woman named Mary
Fahy received terrible cash on the back OF
the hand. Another woman was wuonded
by bayonet thrust in the arm, while sever
al were knocked down, trampled upon, their
faces blackened and their garments torn.
Most of the constabulary behaved manfully
under the circumstances, but 3 few
exhibited q cruel savsgery which was shock
ing to behold, thrusting at the brea.ts of the
women with the but ends of their rifles. The
charge to capture Langley WAS repulsed, and
and the resident magistrate demonstrated
with the women. ave have duty to per-
FORM" he said, land though it be disagreeable
We still must do it." The
men in the mean time stood
motionless looking on and MEETING
the women 10 resistance. A voice from the |
crowd cried, I'VE don't want TO do anything
to the police at ALL Another person said "Ev- |
cry policeman had mother like us, and they
ought not TO be doing the dirty work they |
are at to-day" A third exclaimed, "Let |
them stand or FIRE. and We will do the same'
Mr. McSheehy, the resident magistrate then |
said. Retire, now, and let US do our duty. ] |
should be sorry to see hair of your heads |
hurt" A voice shouted, 1--WE are starving;
we want something to eat, and here is what |
we are getting"
Again the anger of the women, fierce be- !
yond belief, was on the point of bursting |
upon the police in a second charge, when the |
two sub-inspectors rushed past the first rank |
with sabres drawn, one Of them shouting, |
Ill drive it TO your heart" turning the |
point and actually touching with it the lips |
of the woman addressed The men could |
no longer control themselves, and rushed |
past the women, and confronting the con. |
stabulary, shouted, "Put up your swords; we
have but one life TO lose, and we are now |
on the point of it. Better die now
than hereafter of hunger" The police, |
however, continued their march, the women |
every now and again making a rush for
Langley. At village called Oula they |
drew several carts across the road |
to impede the progress of the |
constabulary. At length Knockrickard was
reached and halt was made before the door
of house to be served. 1t was matched
cabin with no windows. The women con-
gregated round the door, effectually barring
them to allow Langley to do his duty by
posting the ejectment on the door. Several
voices: "No, never; we will die first; they
may kill us if they wish, but we will never
let him do it." Several male voices then
said: "If they kill We, others will be killed
too" Mr.. McSheehy said: 81 sympathize
with you, if I had property would not do
such thing"
After some further alteration the magis-
trate ordered the women to be removed. a
scene then followed which almo.t battles
description. Many of the constabulary
dragged the women by the hair, threw them
on the ground, and one young stripping &C
tually struck with the butt end of his rife
poor old woman. Several more received
cuts on their hands and heads, ard one girl
named Bridget McGorn received deep
wound on the cheek. A man named Car
roll was wounded in the hand. At last the
women were removed, the double line of
police was formed, and Langley posted the
notice on the door. The police then left for
their several stations.
AARON BURR