Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-11-19
Bailiffs, Police, CrOw-Bar Brig
ade, Soldiers and "Emer-
gency Men" Act.
Door and Wall Battered Down,
House Wrecked, Inmates
Beaten and Elected.
CLAW AND ORDER" is INDICATED

eviction in Ireland, written by David
Shelby, M. P. 1t is an extract from one
of a series of papers contributed to the
Freeman's Journal, entitled Romance
of the Land War; Incidents and Expert
ences of the Plan of Campaign" and
refers to the Portumna clearances:
''The changing of the chapel bell
sounding an alarm which was but too
we'll understood, reused us from bed
early on the following morning. When
got to the streets strange feeling of
excitement and expectancy was every
where noticeable. A grave earnest ex-
preston was settled on every ones feat
ures, and fire, as if lit by bitter
thoughts, flashed from mems eyes with
peculiar resigned sullenness. The fever
ish gloom was as visible on the counte-
nances of the newspaper correspondents
as on those most Immediately affected.
Their natural feelings of compassion for
the oppressed became excited to rage as
their judgments were convinced that the
days proceedings had no sanction of
right or justice, and could be properly
stigmatized as outrageous cruelty aud
robbery.
The police permanently stationed at
Woodford at the time was force numer-
Gus enough to keep the peace Of fair
sized city. To assist at the enforcement
of the laws DEGREES of dispossession it
was greatly strengthened, while at Por-
tumna another force of police and a reg
iment of infantry were collected to escort
and guard the sheriff's bailiff and the
agents brigade of emergency men.
GAS the morning wore on groups of
people from every side could be seen
going toward the scene of the intended
evictions. About 10 O'Clock, my friends
and 1 set out also for the general trysting
ground. At this distance of time l cam
not recall the names of the tenants who
we're that day marked for victims. The
scene of the first sacrifice was down by
the Shannon's shore, the victim an evil
IDENTIFY good and thrifty husbandman.
The dwelling was long, well-thatched
building. Some of the farm buildings
we're slated The farm was well fenced,
trim, and in good state of cultivation
1t was, with others, approached by
long, narrow boreen, or lane. This, on
the occasion, was blocked at two or
three points by felled trees, to check and
retard the approach of the crowbar
brigade. The gate entering the farm
yard was fastened up in an elaborate
tangle of chains, iron bars, old cart
wheels and other lumber all held by
locks and rivets. The windows of the
dwelling were removed, and the spaces
filled with timber logs securely wedged
together. A thin blue column of smoke
rising straight in the still air to the bright
sky, indicated that the owner and his
family were in the house, awaiting the
coming of the invaders. A multitude o.
people were present, whose sympathy
with the self-imprisoned occupants was
manifested by encouraging cheers.
sin little time the blowing of horns
from neighboring elevations signalet
the approach of the evictors; and all un-
expectedly fleet of boats were also OBJ
served on the Shannon approaching from
Portumna. The enemy had divided hi
forces, and sent some by water and some
by road-a course which gave the pro
ceeding still greater appearance of war
its plots and stratagems, and deadly
purposes. The Office bailiffs were thu
bluejackets on that occasion, and thei
baggage, consisting of bedding, cooking
utensils and some personal belongings
was the freight which they brought will
them. They had, of course, strong
police escort to protect their person
from danger and molestation. The lane
forces consisted of the sheriff's bailiff
and their guard of police and military
and their implements consisted of tn
usual Jewellers tools-sledges, crowbars
hatchets, pickaxes, spades, shovels, rope
and ladders, supplemented on that occa
sion by an immense heavy beam, tire,
strong spars, and two powerful shil
chains. These were materials for tn,
battering-ram, to knock down the house
where any resistance was offered.
"The eviction brigade was the first OF
scene. But the removal of the fellet
trees from the boreen caused them SOM
delay and labor. At length they reached
the farm-yard gate. This, after an in
spection and some vain Juggling ant
hammering, was left undisturbed; ant
, spade, bar and pickaxe were vigorousl
, piled to make gap in the fence. At tn
various pauses and difficulties which re
tarded the evictors the multitude cheered
: That was accepted as a signal to the pc
lice officers to show what they we're ther
= for. How dare crowd of Galway pea
ants make any demonstration of the
pleaure at the difficulties with which II
b work of the despoiler was impededl
uaa rank sedition. rebellious conteml