Joseph Hindle Eyewitness Account

Place: Bolton
Role: Injured,Spectator
Occupation: Weaver

Saw the cavalry encircle the hustings. He was wounded in the right arm and stooped under the horse to avoid further injury. The unidentified cavalry man then cut an old man with grey hair, over the head.

Account

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Joseph Hindle sworn: examined by Mr. Evans.

Q. You are a weaver at Little Bolton, I believe?

A. Yes.

Q. Was you present at the meeting at Manchester on the 16th. August?

A. Yes.

Q. What part of the field was you at?

A. On the north side, by the Windmill public house, the further side from the Windmill.

Q. What did the meeting consist of?

A. Men, women, and children.

Q. What hour did you arrive at the field?

A. Twelve o'clock, or a little before that.

Q. Was the meeting peaceable?

A. Yes.

Q. Did you see the Manchester Yeomanry enter the field?

A. Yes.

Q. State what you saw them do.

A. The last time I saw them was by a wall; it was the first time I was in Manchester. It was by a wall nearly opposite Mr. Buxton's house, and they came down there; when they had got near the hustings they began to form a circle.

Q. What did they do then?

A. They started to begin to cut.

Q. Did any thing occur to you?

A. Yes, I was wounded in my right arm.

Q. By whom was you wounded?

A. I could not identify the person.

Q. Was it one of the yeomanry?

A. Yes.

Q. What did you do then?

A. I was striving to make my-escape but could not, owing to the press of the people that were before me. To keep the blow from me, I stooped under the horses; and they cut an old man with a grey head over the head, and the blood spouted over my breast.

Q. Did you see any thing more?

A. After they had cut as long as they well could, they drew back to let us go.

Q. You went away?

A. Yes.

Q. Did you see any stones thrown at the cavalry?

A. No; they could not stoop to throw stones until the ground was cleared.

Q; Did you see any resistance made to the cavalry?

A. No.

Cross-examined by Mr. Serjeant Cross.

Q You went from Bolton that day?

A. Yes.

Q. That is about ten or twelve miles from Manchester?

A. Yes.

Q. How did you happen to go?

A. A few of us was standing in front of the door, and I wished to go to Manchester to see the Hunt meeting; and I had a sister-in-law at Manchester I wished to see too.

Q. How many were there of your party?

A. There were four of us, and we overtook six or seven.

Q. Then it was by mere accident you went, you had no intention of going before?

A. I had no intention of going, it was too far.

Q. Was that the first meeting you had been at?

A. Yes.

Q. Of any kind?

A. Yes.

Q. How far do you live from a place called Cockey Moor?

A. Four miles.

Q. Were you ever at any meeting there?

A. No.