Disgraceful Conduct of a Rural Policeman,
At Walton-le-Dale
DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF A RURAL POLICEMAN,
AT WALTON-LE-DALE-On the evening of the 5th of November, a number of persons were, as “in days of other years,” and according to the old established and much cherished custom, enjoying themselves round a “bonfire,” at Walton-le-Dale, when they were rudely and violently pounced upon by one of the blue visaged tribe, who, by the aid of his truncheon, dispersed them in all directions. We understand that at the time the attack of the busy and officious-intruder was made, the assemblage of “gunpowder plot” celebrators was as peaceable and as tranquil as the most fastidious of the inhabitants could desire, and when one of them, a most respectable man, the clerk of Walton Church, gently remonstrated with the odious assailant, he was, without further parley, seized, taken into custody, and conveyed into durance vile. The charge against the person thus so shamefully outraged, was heard before John Cunliffe, Esq., on Saturday last, at Messrs. Pilkington and Walker’s office, when the case was dismissed on payment of costs. We are assured by one of the most respectable inhabitants of Walton, that the conduct of the police, on this occasion, was, in an extreme degree, violent, insulting, and disgraceful. When an ancient custom, however objectionable, is ordered to be discontinued by the authorities, due notice ought to be given, and parties should not be thus suddenly and savagely pounced upon. In the instance before us the fable of the hawk and the sparrow was illustrated to the life, as not a syllable of public notice had been issued.
PRESTON, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1840.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 1840
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207419026/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=2&xid=6f8aaff4
~
