The strike of 1832
This strike was to prove, that when tensions run high, murder can be committed.
Among the collieries on strike was
that of Hetton. A strong force of police officers had been drafted from London,
assisted by a detachment of the queen's bays. those who refused to join the
combined workmen were given arms for their own protection.
The strikers and families with their furniture were
shown at the door in the presence of the authorities and no resistance was
offered. As the evening drew near there were signs that the peace was about to
be broken. Many of the union men had assembled in a large group, several of the
group were armed, and several shots were fired.
One man who was still bound (had
signed the bond) was found dead the following morning, his name was Errington.
on the following Monday morning the coroner Mr T.C. Maynard arrived and a jury
having been summoned, immediately proceeded with the inquest, and an
investigation which lasted ten days, a verdict of wilful murder was returned
against George Strong and John Turnbull, John Moore and Luke Hutton were found
as accessories of the fact. The men were committed to Durham Gaol escorted by
the cavalry.
(As yet I cannot find any information on the outcome of these
men)
There was a great deal of unrest in the village, and several more arrests were made, even miners standing in a group were arrested and locked up in the colliery stables. After a while peace returned to the village and the police moved onto Friar's Goose collieries Newcastle.