Shortly after 10pm on the evening of Saturday 26th May 1894, two Blantyre men John McLay and John Davitt were apprehended by 2 police officers and High Blantyre residents were having ‘none of it!”
Constables Annand and Jack had arrested the two men rather heavy handedly and in front of a small group of people. Word spread quickly and the small group quickly became a large group including those witnessing the arrest struggle for themselves.
As they made their way down Main Street, stones were thrown by the crowd and one hit Constable Jack on the back of the head. Constable Rankin, of Hamilton was in the vicinity and came to the assistance of the outnumbered 2 Blantyre policemen. During the struggle, John Davitt escaped police clutches to a cheer from the ever increasing crowd following beside and behind.
A turn into Auchinraith Road as the officers struggled with John McLay who was resisting at every step. Their backs to the crowd who continued to shout and throw missiles. Being unable to cope with this crowd, the officers were left with no choice other than to seek refuge in Auchinraith Colliery (along with their prisoner McLay), unable to make it all the way to the Glasgow Road Police Station at Stonefield.
Messengers were dispatched for assistance from additional police officers who succeeded in dispersing the crowd at Auchinraith Colliery and arresting a further 2 men. Neil Ferns and James McGuire both miners belonging to Spittal Rows.
When they all got back to Stonefield Police Station, Dr Grant had to be fetched to attend to the policemen injuries including stitching a wound over 1.5 inches long.
On the following Monday, Patrick McLay a miner of Gardner’s Terrace, High Blantyre pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace and assaulting the 2 police officers Annand and Jack. The Fiscal noted the seriousness of the incident and that Constable Jack was off duty as a result of his injuries. The Fiscal also wanted to set an example. The Sheriff stated this had happened in a district currently seeing a rise in disorder and utmost trouble. McLay also had six previous arrests, so was sent to prison for 60 days.
Ferns and McGuire were charged with inciting the crowd. Ferns pled guilt, McGuire not guilty. However, it came to light that Ferns had been the person who had thrown the stone which caused the injury. He was also sentenced to 60 days imprisonment, something which left the prisoner shocked. McGuire got out on bail and Davitt who had escaped and caused the initial trouble, was never re-arrested.
Ai imagines the scene.
