The Lucan Murders

LATER HISTORY

[...] By 1873 the sons had all grown to manhood, and it was then admitted on all sides that a finer looking family did not live in Biddulph. They were all well-built, muscular men, with curly hair and well-cut features. In the year last mentioned the two elder boys engaged themselves with a man named McFee to drive an opposition stage from Exeter to London. They made many friends on the road by their accommodating and obliging manner, and when two years subsequently they got possession of the line themselves they were largely patronized and met with considerable success. But all the while they were at loggerheads with a competitor, and many are the disputes and fights reported to have occurred between the rival owners. Each party had their friends in the village, and by-and-bye nearly all the residents became involved on one side or the other. This was the commencement of the troubles that have made Lucan notorious throughout the Province. [...]