[1] In 1875 it was understood that the owners of the shoddy mills in Batley intended to reduce the workers' wages.

On 13 February 1875 there was a crowd of 9,000 gathered to hear Ellis speak near Spinkwell Mills in Dewsbury.

[2] She was quoted in the local Huddersfield Examiner making the point that the owners could stand to reduce profits, but the workers could only choose not to eat if their wages were cut.

In mid February the mill owners upped the stakes, when they created a lock-out that put 25,000 people out-of-work.

In April, the Dewsbury, Batley, and Surrounding Districts Heavy Woollen Weavers’ Association was enrolling more men and women into the union.