Manchester Evening News – Saturday 07 April 1877
The Strike at Denaby Main Colliery.
Yesterday special court was held at the Rotherham Town Hall, for the purpose of hearing 122 charges which had been preferred by Henry Walters, an underground manager, against a number of men and women for intimidating at Denaby Main, on March 20th and 21st.
The charges arose out of the recent strike Main Collery.
It will be remembered that about three months ago, in consequence of the depressed state of trade, the Denaby Main Colliery Company found it necessary to commence arrangements for closing a portion of their works, and that at the beginning of February they did so, and sold a number of horses for which they had no use. When the movement for a reduction of 6 1/2 per cent, in miners’ wages was made by the coal owners, the Denaby Main Co. gave their men notice for a similar reduction, which was accepted after an understanding had been come to in reference to some matters of detail. The company were still unable to find employment for the whole of their late employes, and they gave the preference to those with wives and families, without taking into consideration the question of unionist or non-unionist. This led to a series of minor annoyances, and ultimately to a riot which took place the days named. Since then matters have been amicably arranged, and the dispute itself is settled.
Mr. F. Parker Rhodes appeared on behalf of the owners of the colliery; and Mr. Clegg, of Sheffield, for the defendants.
The magistrates present were Messrs. G. W. Chambers and H. Jubb. Tbe summonses were divided into four batches of 47,14,42, and 14 respectively.
47 summonses were heard first- Mr. Rhodes said the charges were laid under the section of the Conspiracy and the Protection of Property Act, and the 47 defendants were summoned for unlawfully, wrongfully, and without legal authority following George Wilson, Isaac Gregory, John Goulding, Joseph Urwin, and others a disorderly manner through a certain street or road at Denaby on the 20th March.
Police-constable G. Midgley said that about two o’clock on the day question he was on the road leading from the colliery to the new buildings. He saw the men who had taken the places of those on strike leave the colliery, and also large crowd of persons on the road opposite what was called ” Pit Row.” The crowd shouted and yelled, but they allowed the workmen to pass through them. They then followed the workman, shouting “Don’t let ’em go.” The tumult lasted about two hours, and he was the only policeman there.
Isaac Gregory had worked at the Denaby Main Colliery for two years. On the day question he was struck over the ear with piece of brick.
Several other witnesses were examined, after which the further hearing of the case was adjourned until to-day.