Tuppie Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 1893. — This year there has been a great struggle between the Miners and Colliery Proprietors. Coal trade is shrinking considerably the master's desired a reduction in wages. The funds of the Colliers' Unions' in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, etc., being considerable, the Federated Miners came out in a body. The miners termed it a lock-out. It commenced on the 2, VIII mo., and lasted till 19th X mo. The men for the first four weeks of contest were against any coal being filled even that which the Masters' had on bank as stock. At Holbrook, near Killamarsh, disturbances commenced, the lock-outs stopping the men filling Railway trucks from the stock on bank. The office windows were broken, and attempts to injure property at the Colliery took place. Police being powerless against the assembled multitude. Soon followed riots in Yorkshire — Wath Main, Fetherstone, Hoyland, Silkstone, etc., etc. Lord Masham's colliery plant was wrecked. The authorities found it needful to send detachments of military to be posted over the disturbed districts, and at Acton Main, Featherstone, the officer thought it necessary to order his men to fire on the riotous mob. Several were shot and some died from the results. Some being shot a great distance from scene of the riot, the firing showing the dangerous character of the military rifle at a great distance. But to return to Woodhouse and Parish of Handsworth; the Woodhouse Gas Co. had a contract with the Nunnery Coal Co. for a supply from their Intake Colliery. A load was brought to the Works, when the man returned with empty cart, he was informed as he passed the George Inn if he brought any more they would be shot up in the street. The Directors then ordered from Thorncliffe. These came to the Junction and some four loads were brought up, when the lock-outs intimated if any more were brought up they would be shot up on the road: and so the leading up from Junction was discontinued. Law was set at difience and terrorism was ruler for a time. The Carters in Sheffield were threatened and some carts upset. The Government was roused. Military sent down to protect the law-abiding and quiet the unruly. There were sent to Woodhouse a number of extra police and on the llth of IXth mo. rumours were prevalent that soldiery were on their way to the village to prove to the riotous they must cease their lawlessness or pay the penalty. On the morning of the 12th a troop of Heavy Dragoons came into the village about 10 a.m., with Thos. W. Cadman, a West Riding magistrate, along with them, they came through Handsworth up Carr Lane, then up the village to the Cross and so up to the police station. Afterwards to Coalbrook farm where they were billited, no place being found for them in the village where they could be together, and the authorities would not permit of their being divided; 15 men and officers came on the 12th. During the night of the 12th or early on the 13th a further detachment of 10 came. On the 13th carters came from Sheffield to lead up the coals from the Station to Gas Works, and these tried to induce the lock-outs to return without fulfilling their contract. No one in Woodhouse dared do the work. But the Sheffield carters came on and with the exception of a great crowd of young lock-outs as onlookers the coals were brought up to the Works. Some venturesome spirits hinted at resistance, but better counsels prevailed. Further coal being required, the police came in force on the 20th lest disturbances should arise, but.I am glad to write it — quietness prevailed. For some days the Gas Works were guarded by extra police by night and day; as was also the house of the secretary, lest an attack should be made by the lawless mob. The Heavy Dragoons were replaced by the Irish Fusilliers and I learnt that the Fusilliers left Coalbrook on the 23rd of IXth mo. for Orgreave, where trouble appeared likely to arise. Although the Miners' Federation funds are used, the leaders declare for no surrender. The Masters’ demand a 25 per cent reduction from the 40 per cent advance given to the miners since the coal trade revived in 1890. This is how I read it in figures, if a miner was receiving £1 per week in 1890 before the rise, he is now receiving £1 8s. per week, and the masters demand is for 5s. off this amount, leaving the miner £1 3s. per week. The masters' say the fall in the selling price demands this reduction. In the X mo. before the miners went in coals in Sheffield went up to 22/6d. per ton, and difficult to procure at that price. Many works in Sheffield were closed for want of fuel. Earl Rosebery was the means of the settlement of the contention at last. The masters opening their pits at the old rates till a board of conciliation was formed and the matter settled more per¬manently. Some of the masters came to terms with their men before the general settlement, and reaped a golden harvest, purchasers begging to be supplied at almost fabu¬lous prices. The last two months of 1893 there was plenty of demand and prices for a time were high, the masters to some extent, reaping a profit to recoup them for the loss to their plant whilst standing. From Le Tall's Woodhouse. Tuppie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Tuppie - can I ask you to edit some paragraphs into your post please? empty lines make large blocks of text much easier to read on screen thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 was the woodhouse gas co the place down station road? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaner13 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 cheers for taking the time to write this Tuppie,really interesting read,yet another of my g grandfathers(wade) could have been involved or caught up in this, he worked along with his father and brothers at Holbrook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 gas co. cottages, station rd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuppie Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Hi Shaner and Strix. This is how it is written in the book. I scanned it in OCR. Why not copy and paste into a word document... Tuppie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I've read it I just know lots of people don't bother which would be a shame when you've taken the time and care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PopT Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks Tuppie for the excellent read. It's not everyone who can gain access to Le Talls book easily and you did everyone a great service going to the trouble in posting your forum. On reading your post it may encourage anyone who can add more personal family info to post. Good On Yer! PopT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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