Malicious Mischief? Women’s Suffrage in Scotland

Front cover and minutes of a Secretary for Scotland file, 21^st October 1909. Handwritten on the front are the names, Adela Pankhurst, Laura Evans, Helen Russell or Archdale, Catherine Isabel Ida Vans Agnew or Corbett, and Maud Joachim. Minutes note that the prisoners were admitted to Dundee Prison on the 20^th October for ‘breach of peace’. All are refusing food.

Telegram to Albyn, London from the Prison Commission for Scotland, date stamped 21^st October 1909. Notes that the Governor of Dundee Prison has reported that five female prisoners, each sentenced for breach of peace, are refusing food.

Draft letter from the Secretary for Scotland to the Prison Commissioners stating that the five female prisoners in Dundee should be artificially fed unless medically certified unfit. No date.

Press cutting from the Scotsman, titled ‘Lively Scenes in Dundee Streets. Baton Charges by Police. Five Women and Two Men Arrested’, 20^th October 1909. The article describes suffragette protests during Mr Churchill’s visit to Dundee and Edinburgh, and the arrest of five women in Dundee.

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file, 23^rd October 1909. Notes that a report has been received from the Governor of Dundee prison stating that the five Suffragettes are still refusing to take food.

Post Office telegram from the Prison Commissioners to the Secretary for Scotland, date unclear. States, ‘Evans and Joachim will on the medical officers recommendation be fed today forcibly if necessary letter follows if proposed liberation is approved kindly telegraph commissioners. Prison Commissioners’.

Post Office telegram from the Prison Commissioners to the Secretary for Scotland, 23^rd October 1909, 11.29am. The Governor of Dundee prison reports that the five prisoners are still refusing food. Catherine Corbett, Helen Archdale and Adela Pankhurst to be liberated on 24^th October 1909.

Post Office telegram from the Prison Commissioners to the Secretary for Scotland, 23^rd October 1909, 12.30pm. Instructions to liberate the Dundee suffragettes have been telegraphed to the Governor, H.M. Prison Dundee.

Post Office telegram from the Prison Commissioners to the Secretary for Scotland, 23^rd October 1909, 2.48pm. Notes that the situation has not changed since yesterday and that there is ‘no change in any of [the] five women’.

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file, date stamped 25^th October 1909. Encloses reports by the Governor and Medical Officer of Dundee prison.

Press cutting from the Scotsman, 2^nd November 1909, titled ‘Forcible Feeding of Suffragists’. Reports on the discourse between Keir Hardie and the Secretary of State for the Home Office regarding the force feeding of Suffragette prisoners across Birmingham, Newcastle and Dundee. There is an added note to say this has been issued to the Clerk of Justiciary and the Clerk of Court.

Draft letter to the Clerk of Court, Police Court of Dundee and the Clerk of Justiciary, Edinburgh, regarding the liberation of five female prisoners on medical grounds. Lists the cases of Catherine I. I. Vans Agnew or Corbett, Laura Evans, Maud Joachim, Adela Pankhurst and Helen Russell or Archdale, as well as two cases unrelated to suffrage. Those of John Kelly, for vagrancy; and Margaret Stewart Mason, for theft. p1

Draft letter to the Clerk of Court, Police Court of Dundee and the Clerk of Justiciary, Edinburgh, regarding the liberation of five female prisoners on medical grounds. Lists the cases of Catherine I. I. Vans Agnew or Corbett, Laura Evans, Maud Joachim, Adela Pankhurst and Helen Russell or Archdale, as well as two cases unrelated to suffrage. Those of John Kelly, for vagrancy; and Margaret Stewart Mason, for theft. p2

Post Office telegram from D. Crombie, the Prison Commissioners to the Secretary for Scotland, 24^th October 1909. Reports that the five female prisoners have been liberated that afternoon.

Letter from D. Crombie, the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, to Mr Dodds, the Scottish Office, dated 23^rd October 1909. A transcription of the letter is available here.

Letter from D. Crombie, the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, to Mr Dodds, the Scottish Office, dated 23^rd October 1909. A transcription of the letter is available here.

Letter from D. Crombie, the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, to Mr Dodds, the Scottish Office, dated 23^rd October 1909. A transcription of the letter is available here.

Letter from D. Crombie, the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, to Mr Dodds, the Scottish Office, dated 23^rd October 1909. A transcription of the letter is available here.

Letter from the Prison Commissioners for Scotland to the Under Secretary for Scotland, 23^rd October 1909. Confirms that a telegram was sent to the Secretary for Scotland stating that the five female prisoners were refusing to take food, and that three would be liberated (Catherine Corbett, Helen Archdale and Adela Pankhurst), and two force-fed (Laura Evans and Maud Joachim).

Copy of a letter from J. Crowe, the Governor of Dundee prison to the Prison Commissioners, 22^nd October 1909. States that the five female prisoners received at Dundee on the previous day were refusing food and were weak. Attaches report by prisoner Medical Officer A. M. Stalker describing the condition of each of the women. p1

Copy of a letter from J. Crowe, the Governor of Dundee prison to the Prison Commissioners, 22^nd October 1909. States that the five female prisoners received at Dundee on the previous day were refusing food and were weak. Attaches report by prisoner Medical Officer A. M. Stalker describing the condition of each of the women. p2

Letter from the Deputy Town Clerk of Dundee, 3^rd November 1909 to the Under Secretary for Scotland confirming receipt of instructions to liberate the five Dundee prisoners. Confirms that this was carried out on the 24^th November 1909.

Letter from the Under Secretary for Scotland to the Justiciary Office, Edinburgh, 2^nd November 1909. Confirms receipt of letter giving instructions to remit the remainder of the sentences of the five female prisoners.

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file regarding prison communications, 21^st October 1909. The name of the suffragette prisoners Adela Pankhurst, Laura Evans, Helen Russell or Archdale, Catherine Agnew or Corbett and Maud Joachim are recorded. Notes on the front mention a telegram reporting that these prisoners are all refusing food and that the Governor’s report is enclosed.

Letter from Mr Dodds, the Scottish Office to Mr McHardy, dated 22^nd October 1909. A transcription of the letter is available here.

Letter from Mr Dodds, the Scottish Office to Mr McHardy, dated 22^nd October 1909. A transcription of the letter is available here.

Letter from the Under Secretary for Scotland to the Secretary for Scotland, 21^st October 1909. Forwarding message from the Prison Commissioners that the five female prisoners are refusing food.

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file, 22^nd October 1909 ‘Subject – Suffragettes and public meetings’. Notes that it includes a resolution from the Dundee Branch of the Independent Labour Party condemning the conduct of stewards towards a party of suffragettes at a public meeting in Abernethy; and encloses newspaper cuttings.

Draft letter to the Chief Constable of Perthshire, despatched 2^nd November 1909. Confirms the transmission of a letter dated 22^nd October from the Secretary of the Dundee Branch of the Independent Labour Party and relative enclosures. Asks the Chief Constable to provide observations.

Letter from Archibald Cameron, the Secretary for the Dundee branch of the Independent Labour Party, to Lord Pentland, the Secretary for Scotland, 22^nd October 1909. Complains about the treatment of Suffragettes by stewards at a public meeting.

Press cutting from the Dundee Advertiser, 18^th October 1909, titled ‘Kail through the reek – Suffragists’ Experiences at Abernethy. Uncouth Handling’. Describes the attempts of suffragettes Mrs Corbett, Mrs Archdale, Adela Pankhurst and Laura Evans to set up outside a public meeting featuring Mr Churchill. This includes a description of their arrival by motor car, the actions of the stewards, and the women being surrounded by a group of men that pushed the car away and did damage to the vehicle.

Press cutting from the Courier, 18^th October 1909, titled ‘Suffragettes are Attacked with Mud and Sods at Churchill’s Meeting. Rough Treatment by Hostile Crowd’. Describes the attempt by four suffragettes to speak in the vicinity of Mr Winston Churchill’s meeting at Ballomill, Abernethy. When the suffragettes approached by car they were surrounded by ‘about fifty stewards and a large crowd’ who proceeded to threaten the women and attack the car.

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file, 22^nd October 1909. The subject are the cases of Adela Pankhurst, Laura Evans, Helen Russell or Archdale, Maud Joachim and C. I. Van Agnew or Corbett. The file transmits a report by the Governor of Dundee Prison regarding these female prisoners.

Letter from the Prison Commission for Scotland to the Under Secretary for Scotland, 22^nd October 1909. Acknowledges the receipt of two Scottish Office telegrams regarding five female prisoners in Dundee prison. Forwards a further report by the Governor of Dundee Prison, 21^st October 1909.

Report from the Governor of Dundee Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 21^st October 1909. States that the prisoners have refused to eat and have refused to be released upon payment of fines.

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file and minutes, 25^th October 1909. The subjects are the female prisoners Adela Pankhurst, Laura Evans, Helen Russell or Archdale, Maud Joachim and C. I. I. Van Agnew or Corbett. Encloses a report by the Governor of Dundee Prison regarding the liberation of these prisoners, as well as reports by the Medical Officer and Dr Buist on each individual. p1

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file and minutes, 25^th October 1909. The subjects are the female prisoners Adela Pankhurst, Laura Evans, Helen Russell or Archdale, Maud Joachim and C. I. I. Van Agnew or Corbett. Encloses a report by the Governor of Dundee Prison regarding the liberation of these prisoners, as well as reports by the Medical Officer and Dr Buist on each individual. p2

Letter from D. Crombie, the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, to Gascoigne, 1^st February 1910. States that no more Suffragettes have been admitted to prison since the five female prisoners at Dundee and therefore they have not dealt with any cases of force feeding. p1

Letter from D. Crombie, the Prison Commissioners for Scotland, to Gascoigne, 1^st February 1910. States that no more Suffragettes have been admitted to prison since the five female prisoners at Dundee and therefore they have not dealt with any cases of force feeding. p2

Report detailing the various methods of force feeding and recommendations made by Dr Sunalley, the Medical Inspector who has dealt with several of the English cases. A full transcription is available here.

Report detailing the various methods of force feeding and recommendations made by Dr Sunalley, the Medical Inspector who has dealt with several of the English cases. A full transcription is available here.

Minutes of correspondence to the Scottish Office regarding issuing instructions to the prisons about force feeding, 20^th November – 1^st March 1910.

Report from Thomas R. Fraser to the Prison Commissioners, 15^th November 1909. Describes various methods and practices of force feeding. p1

Report from Thomas R. Fraser to the Prison Commissioners, 15^th November 1909. Describes various methods and practices of force feeding. p2

Report from Thomas R. Fraser to the Prison Commissioners, 15^th November 1909. Describes various methods and practices of force feeding. p3

Report from Thomas R. Fraser to the Prison Commissioners, 15^th November 1909. Describes various methods and practices of force feeding. p4

Press cuttings, one from the Glasgow Herald, 25^th October 1909, titled ‘The Suffragists. Dundee Prisoners Liberated’, and the Scotsman, 25^th October 1909, titled ‘Suffragists Released at Dundee. Success of “Hunger Strike”’. Both report on the release of the Dundee hunger strikers and the fact that force feeding was not employed.

Press cuttings from the Dundee Advertiser, 25^th October 1909, titled ‘National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies and Mr Churchill’, ‘No Forcible Feeding. End of Hunger Strike. Women Released from Dundee Jail’ and ‘Suffragettes Grateful. Great Triumph for Scotland’. The cuttings report on the release of the suffragettes on hunger strike from Dundee Prison and several suffragettes speaking at a meeting at Albert Square.

Letter from the Prison Commission for Scotland to the Under Secretary for Scotland, 25^th October 1909. Acknowledge receipt of the Secretary for Scotland’s telegram and confirms that five Dundee prisoners were liberated from prison that afternoon. A report will be posted tomorrow.

Letter from the Governor of Dundee prison to the Prison Commissioners, 24^th October 1909. Confirms that the five Dundee prisoners have been discharged and forwards medical reports for each of the prisoners.

Report by the Medical Officer of Dundee prison on Adela Pankhurst, 24^th October 1909, also signed by Dr Buist. The report recommends her liberation. A note from the Governor James Crowe states that the report was forwarded to the Prison Commissioners on 24^th October 1909.

Report by the Medical Officer of Dundee prison on Laura Evans, 24^th October 1909, also signed by Dr Buist. The report recommends her liberation. A note from the Governor James Crowe states that the report was forwarded to the Prison Commissioners on 24^th October 1909.

Report by the Medical Officer of Dundee prison on Helen Russell or Archdale, 24^th October 1909, also signed by Dr Buist. The report recommends her liberation. A note from the Governor James Crowe states that the report was forwarded to the Prison Commissioners on 24^th October 1909.

Report by the Medical Officer of Dundee prison on Catherine Isabel Ida Vans Agnew or Corbett, 24^th October 1909, also signed by Dr Buist. The report recommends her liberation. A note from the Governor James Crowe states that the report was forwarded to the Prison Commissioners on 24^th October 1909.

Report by the Medical Officer of Dundee prison on Maud Joachim, 24^th October 1909, also signed by Dr Buist. The report recommends her liberation. A note from the Governor James Crowe states that the report was forwarded to the Prison Commissioners on 24^th October 1909.

Extracts from the Medical Officer's Journal, Dundee Prison, 23^rd and 24^th October 1909. On the 23^rd October preparations were made to force feed Miss Evans and Miss Joachim but following further inspection this did not go ahead. The entry for the 24^th October states that upon examination it was decided that the five women should be liberated.

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file, 26^th October 1909. The subject is ‘women suffragists imprisoned at Dundee’. Includes the enclosure of a letter from the Men’s League for Women’s Suffrage expressing appreciation for the Secretary for Scotland’s actions allowing the release of the suffragist prisoners after four days incarceration.

LLetter from F. Morley Fletcher, the President, and W. W. Taylor, the Secretary of the Men’s League for Women’s Suffrage, Edinburgh, to Lord Pentland, the Secretary for Scotland, 26^th October 1909. Expresses appreciation for the release of five Dundee Suffragettes and for not proceeding with force feeding. p1

LLetter from F. Morley Fletcher, the President, and W. W. Taylor, the Secretary of the Men’s League for Women’s Suffrage, Edinburgh, to Lord Pentland, the Secretary for Scotland, 26^th October 1909. Expresses appreciation for the release of five Dundee Suffragettes and for not proceeding with force feeding. p2

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file, 4^th November 1909. The subject is a ‘political meeting at Abernethy’. The file encloses a letter from the Chief Constable for Perthshire and attached report detailing the incident at Abernethy. p1

Front cover of a Secretary for Scotland file, 4^th November 1909. The subject is a ‘political meeting at Abernethy’. The file encloses a letter from the Chief Constable for Perthshire and attached report detailing the incident at Abernethy. p2

Report from the Governor of Dundee Prison to the Prison Commissioners, 20^th October 1909. Lists the names of the five prisoners at Dundee Prison – Adela Pankhurst, Laura Evans, Helen Russell or Archdale, Catherine Isabel Ida Vans Agnew or Corbett and Maud Joachim – their crime and conviction, and that they were admitted to prison that day. Reports that they are refusing food and have been seen by the Medical Officer.

Letter from the Chief Constable for Perthshire to the Secretary for Scotland, 4^th November 1909. Acknowledges receipt of the Secretary for Scotland’s letter on the 2^nd, and forwards a report detailing the events of the Abernethy case.

Report by Superintendent P. Macfarlane to the Chief Constable, Perth County Police, 18^th October 1909. Provides a detailed report of the incident at a political meeting at Abernethy including a description of the actions of the suffragettes, the crowd, and the police. p1

Report by Superintendent P. Macfarlane to the Chief Constable, Perth County Police, 18^th October 1909. Provides a detailed report of the incident at a political meeting at Abernethy including a description of the actions of the suffragettes, the crowd, and the police. p2

Report by Superintendent P. Macfarlane to the Chief Constable, Perth County Police, 18^th October 1909. Provides a detailed report of the incident at a political meeting at Abernethy including a description of the actions of the suffragettes, the crowd, and the police. p3

Report by Superintendent P. Macfarlane to the Chief Constable, Perth County Police, 18^th October 1909. Provides a detailed report of the incident at a political meeting at Abernethy including a description of the actions of the suffragettes, the crowd, and the police. p4