Historicaleigh - Trains in Elm Road!

May 22, 2017 by Carole Mulroney

It wasn't a building you would of expected to see in Elm Road, but in 1908, an old railway carriage was right there, inhabited by a family of 6.

An eviction notice had been served but William Hanvahan, an American/Irishman and his family stayed put.

The Town Surveyor, a local blacksmith and the police went to evict the family, but they had barricaded themselves in so the roof was removed and the family was taken away where they were then housed by a neighbour. The carriage was to be removed the next day but Hanvahan was there armed with a pitchfork.

Eventually he was overpowered and the building disposed of.

This article is by Carole Mulroney of Leigh Lives 
Website: www.leighlives.co.uk 
To read all of Carole's previous articles, please click the link here