3-028-628 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches from Ireland: Lancers clearing the street of Granard at the Longford Election, 1870. View of the main street of Granard, a small town in Longford County, on the polling-day of the election..., contested between Mr. Greville Nugent, the Ministerial candidate, and Captain King Harman, who professed what are called "Nationalist" sentiments, but who had the support of the Tories. Party spirit was indulged with characteristic vehemence; but the magistrates took care to have a large force of police and soldiers collected at all the polling-places, and regularly patrolling the streets...[with] a very large force to maintain order. It consisted of three troops of the 17th Lancers...; three companies of the 16th Regiment...and 250 constables, under a county inspector and four subinspectors...The police held each end of the main street during the whole day, and took away every man's shillelagh, stick, or bludgeon, which were at once broken up, chopped to pieces, or burnt. Several small fights, however, took place around the polling- booth, and the Lancers had to clear the street, but no great mischief was done...The election resulted in the return of Mr. Greville Nugent, by a majority of 300'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.