Orange-Catholic Riot.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 193, 8 September 1888, Page 3

Orange-Catholic Riot.

London, July 9. A collision between Orangemen and Catholics took place in Manchester yesterday afternoon. The members of several prominent Orange lodges in the city gathered near the Royal Infirmary for the purpose of proceeding to St. Mark's Church, in Holla-d-street, where a special service was announced to be held. The members, to the number of about 120, were wearing the usual regalia, ard when the procession had been formed they proceeded to Ancoats, in which district the church is situated. Passing along Canalstreet, a narrow thoroughfare populated chiefly by Irish Roman Catholics, they met with determined opposition. A band of men rushed from a yard, armed with hatchets, knives, pokers, and bottles, and made a desperate onslaught on the processionists. Being utterly taken by surprise and overwhelmed by superior numbers, the Orangemen made a feeble resistance, and as they ran along the street they were knocked down with hatchets and pokers, and bottles thrown by infuriated women. Two of their number — Joseph Walmsley, Bradford, and Daniel Ritchie, and Pend'eton—were badly injured, and others received serious scalp and body wounds. The regalia was torn from them, and but for the timely arrival of 30 policemen, who had been telephoned for, the aflray would have had a fatal termination. The weapons with which the assaulting party were armed placed the Orangemen almost at their mercy, and they were knocked down as they attempted to get out of the street. The riot, however, was quickly quelled on the arrival of the police, and the ringleaders were taken into custody. A large number of the Orangemen were taken to the Ancoats Hospital, and although many ghastly wourd had been inflicted, it is not anticipated that any fatal result will ensue. Up to last night the police were busy arresting prominent members of the aggressive faction, who had evidently organised the attack for several hours before the Orangemen arrived at the scene of their ambush,