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In 1854 it was decided to clear the Greenyards in Strathcarron.
The landlord was Alexander Munro, and rumour began to spread that he
intended to evict his tenants. When questioned directly by some of them,
he emphatically denied it and said no warrants would ever be applied
for in his name.
However,
two writs of eviction were attempted to be delivered to the people,
mostly women and children, but the Ross women stood steadfast.
The story the agents told their superiors was one of resistance against
heavy odds and riots. They made themselves look very noble by not wanting
to "oppose the females".
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On 31 March constables from Ross and Inverness set off to clear the
Greenyards. They were met by the women, who protested that their landlord
had given them assurances that they would not be cleared. The procurator
began to read aloud the Riot Act to the women. The women did not budge.
The police armed with truncheons, set about beating the Ross women.
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police struck with all their force", said eye witeness Donald
Ross, "...not only when knocking down, but after the females
were on the ground. They beat and kicked them while lying weltering
in their own blood. Such was the brutality with which this tragedy
was carried through, that more than 20 females were carried off
the field in blankets and litters, and the appearance they presented,
with their heads cut and bruised, their limbs mangled and their
clothes clotted with blood, was such as would horrify any savage."
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A woman of forty-seven,
the mother of seven children, was clubbed to death on the spot, and
women were kicked in the face with hob nailed boots, some later dying
from their injuries
David Munro, gave
the police the only serious resistance they had to face. He was attacked
by three constables, and struck on the head by the first, and then the
other two officers beat him to unconsciousness.
The police having done their intended work, burned down the houses,
took prisoners back to the Tain jail where they were charged with rioting
and disorderly behaviour!
Parliament did nothing
about it, although it was widely reported in the press. But much of
the Press made it clear they didn't believe the story, and the "Inverness
Courier" refused to carry the story at all! |
