100 years ago

A body of nomadic people figured in an incident at Fairmuir, Dundee. A mixed company of men and women, numbering about seven, the tinkers assembled on a piece of vacant ground. They had been to the city and brought back a “bottle” which they consumed. Two ladies in the party had an argument as to their respective abilities in the art of sword-dancing. A practical test was arranged, but the fair damsels ultimately came to a fighting attitude. After mutual hair-pulling and scratching, they were separated.