The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-01-04
SURRENDERED AFTER A HARD FIGHT.
An Eviction Scene on an Estate In
County Donegal.
BouIanger to the Electors OF the De-
partment of the Seine.
He Challenges Republicans to Exam
Inc His Republic anIsn.

LONDON, Jan. 3.-The eviction campaign
on the Olphert estates, Falcarragh, county
Donegal. commenced this afternoon. Opera
tions had been delayed by the action Of the
peasants in breaking down the bridges. and
n other ways impeding the march Of troops
and the police, 200 strong. forming the evict-
ing army. The poor fellows worked hard
and zealously, but the resources of the crowd
OF evictors finally prevailed, and the forces
reached the doomed district exasperated by
delays and hardships, and only too ready to
take vengeance on the people. They did not
do much harm to-day, but it is doubtful
whether the work will be completed without
bloodshed.
An attack was made on the house of Pat
rick ODonnell, a blacksmith. Patrick kept
the eyictors so busy all day that they were
unable to move against any other Of the ten
ants. The house had been prepared in a
most ingenious fashion for defense. The
doorways and lower windows had been built
up and l0opholes made on three sides. The
garrison, consisting of ten sturdy peasants,
were provided with provisions. for week,
and with heaps OF stones, pitchf0rks, and
similar weapons. A big crowd of peasants
had assembled TO see the fun, and among the
spectators were Fathers McFaden and Steph-
ems, both Of whom have recently suffered
imprisonment for the cause. Amid roar Of
defiance from the spectators and the garri-
tions. The soldiers and part Of the police
surrounded the house with fixed bayonets,
An attempt was made to make hole in the
gable, but the besiegers were soon beaten
back, many with broken heads, and for full
hour the defenders keptup a fierce fussillade
of stones and other missiles, the spectators
all the while cheering franticaily.
The police and bailitfS returned the v0lleys
of stones, and some of the former more
than once were. prevented from firing their
rifles only by orders OF the magistrates. The
bailiffs res0rted TO various expedients to
escape the fusilade. A cart was pushed
against the house, but was quickly rennered
untenable, and shields were improvised out
Of mattresses nailed to poles.
At length magistrate ordered the police
70 take the house by assault. Sergt. Nc
Comb calamity led the f0rlorn hope, and
mounted ladder leading to the front win
dow. He was thrust back with pitchfOrks,
and received wounds in the face and legs,
and was finally dashed to the. ground by
the magistrate. The sacred blood Of a po-
liceman had been shed. The riot act was
read in twinkling and the troops were or
dered to fire. The soldiers did not relish the
order. Many Of them had with difficulty re-
little band fighting for their homes. They
therefore loaded very slowly, and the pause
was taken advantage of by Father Stephens
to advise the defenders that, having vindi-
Gated their MANHOOD and given the greatest
amount Of trouble to the evictors, they
might now very well yield to the superior
force.
The priests advice was taken without
question, and Patrick O'D0nnell and his
friends descended by means of the ladder
and surrendered themselves amid the enthu-
siastic cheers OF the onlookers. They will,
of course, be sent to prison, but they have
the comfort Of knowing that If the evictors
proceed as today at the rate Of one eviction
daily. it will take months to complete them,
and that long before then public opinion in
England will compel the government to with
In the scandalous work Of collecting impos-
sible rents for an unjust and tyrannical
landlord.