CHILLING TRUE TALES OF OLD PRESTON Book 2

Softcover. Reprint. This further collection of chilling tales are every bit as real as the headline-making news of today. They are typical of those enacted in any of the Lancashire towns caught up in the Industrial Revolution. Under the heading of "Thievery, Knavery and Harlotry", 'The Preston Chronicle', in 1866, gave a fascinating insight into life in 19th-century Preston. Eloquent epithets graphically described the wickedness of working-class adults and children and compared them to savage barbarians. Labour was undoubtedly at the mercy of capital. The cotton factory operatives' lot of Preston was not a happy one. Coupled with inadequate industrial working practices, the workers were treated as nonentities - too ignorant to proclaim their own grievances. It is against such a background that this collection of fascinating true tales unfold. The cover illustration shows William Calcraft, official hangman for 45yrs. from the year 1829. His office also enabled him to flog with the "blood red cat" as depicted exercising his skill on one Bernard Kegan in 1871. Illus. + Maps and Bibliog. 111pp. trade size softcover. F. with no creasing to covers