Robin Longbottom examines how a court case sparked a large mob gathering in the town, which saw troops drafted in and arrests made

ON the afternoon of Tuesday, November 2, 1852, a large mob of more than a thousand blockaded Robert Aked’s book and printers’ shop in Low Street, Keighley.

Apart from constant hooting and jeering, there was no violence, as the actions of the mob were not aimed at Aked, or his family, who lived above the shop.

The mob's fury was directed against William Busfield Ferrand and his gamekeeper, William Johnson (also known as Daniel). They had fled into the shop for safety whilst on their way from the magistrates court in North Street to the railway station. William Busfield Ferrand was a prominent local figure; he lived at Harden Grange, later renamed St Ives, near Bingley, and owned a large estate. He was a controversial figure and already disliked by working men in the town for his part in suppressing the local Chartist movement.

Just over three weeks prior to their flight towards the station, Ferrand’s gamekeeper, Johnson, had been feeding pheasants in Marley Wood, near Keighley, when he spotted poachers. However, before he had time to apprehend any of them, he was jumped upon from behind, beaten with a stick, tied up and left face down on the ground. He was eventually rescued by a local farmer, taken to Harden Grange and then later to Keighley, where a doctor treated his wounds. Ferrand’s response to the attack was to post a reward offering £10 to anyone who could identify the poachers. Eventually three men – Mark Noble, William Hudson and William Townsend – were apprehended and brought before the magistrates.

Before the case was heard, large numbers of people gathered outside the courthouse, and such was the clamour to get in that a fence at the entrance was flattened and hundreds had to remain outside in the street. The prisoners were eventually brought into the dock and despite constant disturbance, the case proceeded. Johnson gave his evidence and although the defendants provided alibis, the matter was referred to the next quarter sessions. Bail was granted but the mob, incensed by the decision to prosecute the accused, was intent upon vengeance. It was in these circumstances that Ferrand and Johnson were forced to take refuge in the shop.

During the afternoon three magistrates, supported by the local police force, attempted to placate the mob and get them to go home, but to no avail. In desperation one of the magistrates read the Riot Act, which required the public to disperse or face dispersal by force. When the declamation had no effect, a lad was sneaked out of the shop with instructions to send a telegram to the barracks at Bradford requesting assistance from the troops.

At 9.30 that evening, 140 infantrymen marched up Low Street from Keighley station. Despite their arrival the mob showed no signs of dispersing. The troops and police therefore arrested about 30 men and lads, after which they were able to escort Ferrand and Johnson to the railway station and safety. The unrest continued into the following day and 40 troops, under the command of a lieutenant, remained in the town to support the police. However, no further arrests were made and of those arrested the previous night all were released apart from five who were subsequently bound over to keep the peace.

The case against Mark Noble, William Hudson and William Townsend was heard on December 23. During cross examination, gamekeeper Johnson had to admit that he did not get a good look at any of the men who attacked him. This, together with alibis provided by the accused, resulted in the acquittal of all three men – no doubt to the jubilation of their supporters in Keighley.