Radcliffe and the Law

[Coquet]

The following clipping dated March 24 1849 - From I think the Colliery Guardian:


RADCLIFFE COLLIERY STRIKE.---The Police of Alnwick, accompanied by Noble the local policeman, proceeded last week to Radcliffe Colliery Pithouses, to put in force a dozen warrants for the arrest of the refractory pitmen who have struck work. They captured two, and would have taken Henry Rogers also, but, he took refuge up in the attic where he defended himself with a loaded gun and a large stick, which he threatened to use against the first person who attempted to take him. One of the owners suggested the propriety of smoking him out, but this was not done, as it was thought the ends of justice might be answered and the men convinced of their error by the example of the two already taken. On Monday last, these men, Ronald Thompson and Henry Redhead, were brought before the Justices at Alnwick, and their case fully gone into ; the Justices found them guilty, but at the entreaty of Mr. Busby, who seemed to plead the cause of the men as much as the owners, they were to be set at liberty provided they would promise to return to their work. After a night's confinement they have the required promise, but, it is needless to say they never kept it. Warrants are still out for the other men, and a general clearance from the cottages will be made next week.