Skegness Magazine

Outragettes?
We are given to understand that a communication was picked up in the Skegness railway station waiting-room on Saturday evening, conveying a warning that an attempt to blow up the station was meditated.

The missive, which was found by three newsboys—W. Loasby, T. Moore and H. Moore—bore the usual ” Votes for Women ” demand.

Until evidence to the contrary is forthcoming the missive is attributed to the ” Outragettes.”

The communication was handed to the station-master, Mr. Chambers, who communicated with the police and took steps to prevent the Company’s property being damaged.

Threat to blow up Skegness Clock Tower
It is also rumoured that the Clock Tower has been selected to receive attention at the hands—or tin canisters—of the militants, whilst further rumours have, we understand, led those in charge of the golf courses in the town to make preparation for safeguarding their properties.

Source: Skegness, Mablethorpe and Alford News, 23rd April, 1913.

Note: The Women’s Social and Political Union became known for its militant activity in its quest for Votes for Women. The militants were dubbed “Outragettes”, a corruption of “Suffragettes”, as they were known. Emmeline Pankhurst once said: “The condition of our sex is so deplorable that it is our duty to break the law in order to call attention to the reasons why we do.”

Photo: A British suffragette in 1908.