The Sun. — 1847-08-10 (London, England)

ALARMING RIOT NEAR OTLEY.—PooI feast, which commenced on Monday, was this year signalised by a disturbance of a rather alarming character. The neighbourhood, it appears, is inundated with the " navvies" employed on the Leeds and Thirsk railway, now in the course of construction, and on Monday evening a young man named William Mounsey, of Otley, went with his dulcimer to the Half Moon Inn, where a number of these semi-barbarians were assembled for the purpose of having a dance. Mounsey played a while to their measured steps; but not receiving adequate remuneration for his services, he left the house and went to the White Hart Inn. There meeting with a fiddler, he played in conjunction with him to a select party of villagers, among whom were Messrs. Thomas Bray, Milthorp, &c. At a late hour, the house was attacked by a number of these " navvies," who had come to demand back their musician! Their demand was refused; and a scud e ensuing, several of the dancing parties were severely treated. Mr. Bray escaped under a bed, but being discovered was dragged forth in a brutal manner. The constable with the assistance of several of the dancers, attempted to clear the house, and this was effected, but not before several of them had suffered rough treatment from the "navvies," Mr. Milthorp narrowly escaping strangulation. While this was going on Mr. Ackerby, the landlord, rather injudiciously fired some small shot out of the window, hitting but not injuring some of the riotous gang. The door being fastened the rioters insisted on the constable taking the landlord into custody. First throwing a stone through the panel of the door, the rioters broke it open with a crowbar; and then, after breaking doors and windows in all directions, they ransacked the house in search of h landlord, whom they threatened to murder,wb.uerteMz_. Ackerby had retreated into the spirit vault, _ baffiZ was locked in by his servants. The rioters being in their search, went into the lairythaendboweelollsori wherewilk, they amused themselves by dashing bread, meat, &c., upon tbextflool.,eaknedrb)tf, under their feet. At last r_ sansePrivmangt, tfheeamrf a released house, he buried hurting for his master's safety,, eleased him from his confinement, and, rushingb of to not far distant. He was purself in anew stack yrelate, the enraged " navvies " although they passed sued, but, wonderful failed to discover his hiding-place, within a yard of the spot.. The landlady had a narrow One of the villains attempted to plunge a knife escape• into her breast, but the deadly weapon slipping on one iside, passed through the sleeve of her dress, slightly grazing her arm. Two of the parties who were so roughly treated, have since been confined to their beds from the injuries received. We are glad to find that four of the ruffians were secured; their names are Smith, Walker, Valentine, and Thorp. They were brought up at Otley the following day, heavily ironed, and being and assault, before F. Bilham, Esq., on the charge of riot assault, were by him committed to take their trial at the next Wakefield sessions. Seven of the gang made their escape, and have not yet been apprehended.— Halif ux Guardian.