Mexborough and Swinton Times, December 19, 1902
Women’s Trouble at Denaby
On Monday there was a women’s ‘meeting’ at Denaby, at which some funny remarks were made by several ladies, and there was a good attendance of ladies, thanks to the assistant of the Mexboro’ town crier, who had been engaged.
After the meeting the ladies proceeded in a body to a spot near the Denaby pit, and as those men who were still working at the underground fire, left the pit they were hooted by the women, and it is said that one of the workers lost control over himself so far as to strike and cowardly kick one of the women, and as a result had to face “the music,” and he was found with another person pummeling away in the sludge, but the police prevented any further trouble by their timely intervention.
On Tuesday the women again congregated to meet the so-called “black legs,” this time at the Cadeby pit, and as the men appeared they were hooted, but a strong body of police were present, and nothing untoward beyond the hooting occurred. The women made straight for the Denaby pit directly they had finished at the Cadeby pit, and they repeated their “performance”.
One of the workers was evidently greatly perturbed, and unwisely took off his coat, vest, and cap, and wanted to fight, and there were plenty of people near by who would willingly have complied with the foolish request, but for the presence of the police, and it is perhaps as well he was allowed to proceed without any acceptance to his challenge. A strong body of police has been brought to Denaby, but it is to be hoped they will not be troubled, and that the fight may be carried on in an honourable fashion, and soon be concluded, although it really seems like hoping against fate.