The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1880-02-06
EVICTION IN FAMINE TIME.

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EVICTION IN FAMINE TIME.
The Women Of KnockrickurH Dcfyinl
Bayonets anil 1SuJrcs to reach a Proccs,
iSerUer.
An exciting encounter occurred between
the people aud the con stabulary, at a place
called Knockrickard, near Clarcmorris,
County Mayo. On Frid,y 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 field, from whchshe had to
make his way to the nearest sonstabulary
barrack for clothes. In consideration of
this outrage the authorities determined to
make an effort to serve the remainder of
the processes on Saturday. All the availa-
bic police were concentrated at Ballyylass.
the nearest police barracks. Langley had
been provided with copies Of the stolen pro-
ccsscs and accompanied the police At the
Village Of Curry the police were put through
series OF man9uvrcs, even to examining
their rifles and pouches by the, sub inspcc.
tors in charge, (Mr. Il. S. McSheehy, r.. NJ.
was in command Of the whole party,) and
set forward for kuockrickard They had
not gone more than hundred yards before
Langley discovered that all the processes
except one had been taken from his pocket
constable was sent back to inquire about
the missing documents, but his inquiries
were met with mingled cheering, laughter
and groans. Langlcy's story about the
theft is regarded with suspicion, and it is
stated that the only process he retained after
destroying, as IS thought, the others, was
for Il man who had been his bitter enemy
for years. At Curry the crowd which fol
lowed the police numbered about three
hundred men, women and boys, but before
Crcgawn was reached it had increased until
there could not have been less than three
hundred women and about the same mum
Der Of men and boys. 1t was at this place
that the constabulary met with the first
serious opposition. a small body of thirty
five or forty men had been sent forward in
advance Of the main body, but they were
kept at bay by about four hundred women,
who stood on the road leading to Knock
rickard and refused to let them pass
The arrival of the main body of police
was received with groans and shouts Of
defiance, aud cries of "Whcrc is Langley ?"
The process server having been discovered
in the midst of the police all the women
made an indiscriminatc charge with the
view OF securing him and his precious bur
den. n scene of the widest confusion
cnsucd. The sub inspectors drew their swords
and rushed into the midst of the women
most of whom were barefootci and bare
headed. A young woman named Mary
Fahy received terrible cash on the back
of the hand. Another woman was wounded
by bayonct thrust in the arm, while sew
cral were knocked down, tramplcd upon,
their faces blackcncd and their garments
torn. Most Of the constabulary behaved
manfully under the circumstances, but a
few exhibited cruel savagcry which was
shocking to behold, thrusting at the breasts
Of the women with the butt 'nds Of their
rifles. The charge to capture Langley was
rcpulscd and the resident magistrate re-
monstratcd with the women. ave have a
duty to perform" he said, 'and thought it
be disagreeablc, yet we still must do sit"
The men in the meantime stood motionlcss,
looking on and melting the women to re.
sistanco. A voice from the crowd cried,
1--WE don't want to do anything to the po-
lice at all" Another person said, EVERY
policeman had Il mother like us, and they
ought not to be doing the dirty work they
are at to-day" \ third man exclaimed
LET them stand or fire and we will do the
same" Mr.. McShcchy, the resident mag
istrate, then said, "Rctirc, now, and let us
do our duty. should be sorry to see Il
hair of your heads hurt" y voice shouted,
eve are starving we want something to
eat, and here is what we are getting"
After some further alteration the magis.
tratc ordered the women to be removed. \
scene then followed which almost battles dcs.
cription Many of the constabulary dragged
the women by the hnir, threw them on the
ground, and one young stripping actually
struck with the butt end of his rifle a poor
old woman. Several more received cuts Oh
their hands and heads, and one girl named
Bridget McGorn received deep wound
on the check. a man named Carroll was
wour rdcd in the hand At last the women
were removed, the double line of police was
formed, and Langley posted the notice Oh
the door. The police then left for their
several stations.
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