SUFFRAGETTE WHIPS MR. CHURCHILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2704, 7 January 1910, Page 7

SUFFRAGETTE WHIPS MR. CHURCHILL.

STRUGGLE AT A RAILWAY STATION.

Mr. Churchill was subjected to a seri. ous outrage at Bristol Station last Saturday, (says the “Daily Mail” of Nov. 20), when a woman struck him across the head with a riding whip. His hat saved' him from injury, and by ouickness in seizing the woman’s arm and the whip he prevented repetition of the blow. The was so unexpected that the police were taken back. Violence had been looked for in Bristol and close precautions had been taken. Mr. Churchill arrived at 3 p.m., by a different train from that expected, and when, accompanied by Mrs. Churchill, lie stopped from his carriage, police in plain clothes, including London detectives surrounded the group. A BLOW ON THE HAT. Sir W. Howell Davies, his host, was introducing Air Churchill to his daughter and to Mr. Thomas Butler, president of the Anchor Society, which Air. Churchill was to address, when a tall, well-built, and well-dressed young woman suddeny dashed between the officers. Exclaiming. “Take that, you brute, you brute!” she struck Air. Churchill with a short, heavy-handled whin. The blow fell on his hat. As she raised the whip to strike again, Air. Churchill seized her right arm with one hand, wrested the whip from her, and pocketed it. Detective-Inspector Tanner seized her disengaged hand, another inspector held l her by the arm, and she was quickly removed from -the platform, shouting, “That is what you have got, and you will get more from British women,” and other remarks inaudible in the confusion. Air. Churchill looked pale, but assured his friends that ho was unhurt. He proceeded to the city without further molestation, and after the Colston banquet, in reply to an inquiry if he felt any ill-effects, said, smilingly, “Oh, no, I’m all right.” Asked lie would keep the whip, lie said, “Well, I’ve got it, anyway.” Not the Slightest mark was visible on his face. The woman at first refused her name, but it was found to be Theresa Garnett. Leeds, one/ of the “hunger strikers.” She was kept at the police station until midnight, when a friend found bail for her. The whip was what is known in sporting circles as a “cutting "whip.” It was about 2ft of pliant whip with a thong of knotted leather, the end being strands of scarlet silk. “I DID IT IN COLD BLOOD.” Aliss Garnett described the incident to a press representative at night. Fearing to be recognised at Bristol station, she took train to Bath, and joined the 2,24 train by Which Air. Churchill was first expected. Not finding him there she slipped into the waitroom. at Bristol till the 3 p.m. express arrived. “On its arrival I came out. I had the whip up the sleeve of my coat. I saw a crowd and recognised Air. Churchill. I had made up my -mind to give him a sound thrashing. I saw the detectives and others still around him, and I did not know how t-o get through. “I, however, made for him, and he saw me before I was on him. He looked straight at- me. I lifted my whip and rushed on him. Ho was prepared and, could see I was going to attack him, for he nut up his arm to ward off the blow. I aimed at his face, and the fall force of the whip came on his hat. I believe part of the blow touched his face. He struck at mo, and I tried to slash i him a second time in the face. “I really meant to have marked him. Tf tho men had been ‘sporty’ _ they would have let him and me have it out by ourselves. I deny tbat I was hysterical. I did it in cbld blood. I made up my. mind several days ago; it was ray.own idea.” ■ . ‘ V Charged at the local police court, Aliss Garnett refused to find sureties for her future good behavior, atid_ went to tho prison for a month, saying: “If ever I meet one of the Cabinet Alinisters again I hope I shall be able to do my business better than I did on Satur. day.” ■ . j