100 years ago

Baton charges in Elphin A serious conflict between police and people took place in Elphin on Sunday evening. A meeting of the United Irish League was summoned in connection with the anti-grazing agitation. Numerous contingents with bands and banners were in attendance. It may be remembered that it was in Elphin last year that the anti-ranching agitation was inaugurated, when over 8,000 acres of grazing land were boycotted and left on the landlords’ hands, the meadows on them being allowed to rot, and no farmer could be got to take them. The meeting on Sunday was summonsed to continue the agitation, and it was expected that there would be serious developments. A force of police was drafted into Elphin from an early hour on Sunday, and all the approaches to the town were held by the constabulary, and every grazing ranch had its quota to prevent drives taking place after the meeting. The crowd, led by four or five massed bands, proceeded to the residence of the agent, Mr. O’Connor, and hooting and groaning took place. The police, who were in charge of District Inspector Ryan, decided to interfere and the order to charge with batons was given. In a few minutes there was a scene of extraordinary confusion. The League bandsmen met the onslaught. The fifers used their fifes, the drummers their drumsticks and the sympathisers in the crowd hurled stones at the force. Then in good order the bandsmen withdrew bearing with them the remains of their drums and torn banners. The most serious injury was inflicted on a young man named Sharkey who was rendered unconscious by a baton blow. Some distance outside the town, as they were retreating, bearing with them their wounded comrades, but not as many as were out of action in the ranks of the police, three more League bands from Aughrim and Mantua came in view with a huge following, and joined their defeated comrades, and a howl went forth when they learned the position of affairs. They charged through the town and literally swept the police out of it, and captured the position lately held by them. Then they resumed the practice of drumming and groaning, and after parading the streets for hours, withdrew. A large number of arrest, it is stated will follow. Developments are expected in connection with the grazing lettings on the 1st May. Cattle drive at Smithill A cattle drive is reported to have taken place at Smithhill, near Elphin, on Sunday. Several hundred head of cattle were stampeded, and up to Tuesday only half had been discovered. A special meeting of the Mount Temple branch of the United Irish League was held on Sunday to take steps to defend nine members of the Committee on whom writs have been served at the instance of Edward Dolan, shopkeeper, Moate. Mr. E J Robbins, Co. C (and one of the defendants) presided, and upwards of 100 members were present. He intimated that steps had been already taken to enter a defence to the writs. A fund was opened and €182 11s subscribed on the spot, the meeting being of the opinion that €1,000 would be subscribed in two months. The King & Zam-Buk Hero ‘The heroism of pit workers has of late been well before the public. Hence the gratitude of Mr. Francis Chandler, of 108 Church Street, Jump, near Bransley, when Zam-Buk healed his terrible injuries in time to permit him to go before His Majesty the King and receive the first Miner’s VC for his heroism in the Joyland Silkstone Explosion is both topical and instructive. Complications from blood-poisoning were apparently only prevented by the timely use of this famous balm. ‘When I came out of hospital my hands and arms were very sore and tender,’ said Mr. Chandler in an interview with the Bransley Chronicle reporter. ‘Just about Xmas a friend of mine, who noticed how the pain was ‘pulling’ me, persuaded me to try some Zam-Buk, and she gave me a little out of her box; and this did me so much good that I got a box for myself. I applied the rich balm on the sore parts night and morning. The flesh was so very raw, tender and sore, that it was only after I had persevered with Zam Buk that the pain was lessened