Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

9 articles on this Page

or-VOICE OF THE NIGHTINGALE.-BY…

MINISTERIAL FAINEANTS.

THE DUKE AND THE BAGMAN.

ON THE FORM OF SHIPS.

REBECCA RIOTS.

News
Cite
Share

REBECCA RIOTS. THE P 0 NT A R D'tr L A I S GATE. On Saturday the investigation into the charges against John Hughet, John Hugh, and David Jones, took place in the Committee-room of the House of Correction. We understood that the following Magistrate? were present: —Lord James Stuart, acting Lord-Lieutenant for this County, in the Chair; J. D. Llewelyn, C. H. Smith, J. D. Beriington, Griffith Llewellyn, and John Grove, Esqrs., Cols. Cameron and W.I.Jones, and the Rev. S. Davies. Reporters on behalf of three newspapers, including our own, attended, but were refused admittance by the Magis- trates. We saw the prisoners previous to their entering the room in which they were examined. The two wounded men, John Hughes and David Jones, appeared to be in good health, although the arm of the former had been severely shattered. The other prisoner, John Hugh, appeared dressed in an old flannel gown, with a kind ot straw honnet on his head, as he was when first apprehended. It was our intention to have given the examination in a second edition, hut that intention was defeated by the determina. tion of the Magistrates to hold a private examination. An application was made, on the same day, for permission to copy the depositions taken, which was also refused. How- ever, the latter request was granted on Monday, when the copy of the depositions were of no use for our publication of that week. We give, in this week's publication, the evi- dence of one of the witnesses, which includes, substantially everything stated by the other two. The first witness examined was Capt. Charles Frederick Napier, Chief Constable for this county, who deposed to the following enect :—In consequence of information re- ceived, I went, accompanied by Mr. Superintendent Peake, two sergeants, and four police-constables, to Pontardnlais, ill this county, on Wednesday last. We arrived at Pontar- dnlais village a little before one o'clock on the following morning. Just before we entered the village, I heard a noise, as if of a body of men on the other side of the river. I also heard horns blowing, and a great many guns fired off. I also heard a voice, like that of a woman, crying out— "Come, come, come;" and a voice like the mewing of cats. This noise appeared to me to proceed from the direction of the Red Lion Inn, which is at a short distance from the turnpike-gate. Immediately after this, I heard a voice crying out alond-" Gate!" and in a very short time after- wards I heard a noise, as if the gate was being destroyed. I then proceeded with my officers and men towards the gate, and on coming in full view, I observed a number of men mounted on horseback, and disguised. Some had white dresses on them, and others had bonnets. Most of them appeared to be dressed like women, with their faces black- ened. A portion of the men were dismounted, and in the act of breaking the gate and the toll-house. About three of them, who appeared to lead, were mounted, having their horses' heads facing the gate, and their backs towards me. At this time there was a continual firing of guns kept lip by the parties assembled. I immediately called on my men to fall in, and proceed towards the men who were on horseback, and who appeared to be taking the lead, and called upon them, as lond as I conld, to "Stop." I used the word Stop," three or four times. Upon coming up to them, one of the mounted men, who was disguised as a woman, turned round, and fired a pistol at me. I was close to him at the time. I moved on a few paces, and a volley was fired by the parties assembled in the direction of the police. I should say the volley was fired at us—that was the impression on my mind at the time. I then endea- voured to take the parties, the three mounted men in parti- cular, into custody. Myself and men met with considerable resistance from them and the other parties. The three men on horseback rode at ns, as if they intended to ride us down and get us out of the way. The three prisoners, John Hughes, David Jofies, and John Hugh, were among the parties assembled on the occasion, and we-e taken into custody, after a very considerable resistance on the part of David Jones and John Hughes. When taken into custody, John Hughes was dressed in what appeared to me to be a gown and a bonnet, having something stuck in it resembling a feather, and his face was blackened. The other two pri- soners were dressed in white. I had seen the prisoner, David Jones, with a stout stick in his hand, with which he aimed a blow at Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn, Esq., a Magis- trate, who had accompanied us, but whether the blow took effect or not I cannot state. After the pi.tui was dis- charged at me, and the volley fired at myself and men I fired at, and shot the horse on which the man was mounted who had fired his pistol at me and my men. We returned the fire, and a general skirmish ensued, during which a number of shots were fired on both sides, but in a short space of time the rioters were dispersed. Three of the horses ridden that night by some of the parties assembled were detained, and are now in my cnstody. After the parties had dispersed, I found that the turnpike-gate, with the exception of the posts, had been broken down and destroyed. The gate-honse was gutted, windows, window- frames, and door driven in, and a portion of the wall of the house pulled down. I found the marks of small-shot on the sash of one of the windows of the toll. house. I also found on the ground, near the toll-house, amongst the ruins of the gate, two sledge-hammeis, two crowbars, a pickaxe, and a number of sticks, which I directed my men to take pos- session of- R Cross-examined by John HughesTo the best of my belief, the prisoner, John Hughes, is the person who tired, the pistol at me. I believe him to be the man who took the most active part from the commencement of the affray, from his dress, and the appearance of his figure altogether. There was but one man completely covered with white that I saw, and that one was the prisoner, John Hughes. To the best ot. ny belief, the prisoner, John Hughes, is one of the three persons who rode at us. Cross-examined by David Jones :-The prisoner, David Jones, had on what appeared to me to h<. » white smock- frock. 1 did not observe his head dress. I saw him very violently resisting Mr. Lewis Llewelyn Dillwyn, the Ma- gistrate, and the police officers. He was struck several times upon th%head before be was taken. The depositions of Mr. Superintendent Peake and Police Sergeant Jenkins, were also taken, bat were as before stated very similar to the above evidence of the chief constabte —The prisoners were then remanded to Monday. MONDAY'S PROCEEDINGS.—This morning, the prisoners were brought np at the Townhall for public examination John Hughes appeared with his arm in a sling, David Jones with his bead bound np, and John Hughes in his gown and straw bonnet. Lord James Stuart, M.P., in the chair; Revs W. Hewson and S. Davies, Cols. W. 1. Jones and Cameron, J. D. Bernngton, John Grove, H. Lucas, T. Edw. Thomas, Esqrs., and J. H. Vivian. Esq., M.P. The first witness examined this morning was Mr. William Cox, the Governor of the Swansea House of Correction who gave evidence to the following efferet:-Tiie prisoners John Hughes, David Jones, and John Hugh, were delivered into my custody on Thursday morning last. It is customary to search prisoners when bright into the House of Cor- rection, consequently I searched the prisoners, commencing with John Hughes, who is wounded in the arm. A quantity of coarse gunpowder fell. from his clothes to the eroimd as I took them off.-[Handed in].-I then searched his pockets, and found a quantity of silver and other monev consisting ot ten half-crowns, twenty-four shillings, nine sixpences, one penny, four half pence, and a half-soverei^n • t°Jrd °f paper with somel,1ing written on it IU Welsh, a piece ot an old hymn-book, 21 copper percus- sion caps in a small bag. I then searched David Jones, and found a penknife ill his pocket. I did not search John Hugh, but I believe he had eightpence and a knife. Police Sergeant Wm. Jenkins examined, and produced a a gun:—On Thursday morning last this gun wasdeliveied me by police constable, Thomas Jones. It was then loaded with powder and shot, which I now produce. Police constable, Thomas Jones, sworn :—I reside in the parish of Llanguicke. I accompanied Captain Napier and tile police force to Pontardnlais on the night of Wednesday last. We arrived at Pontardnlais between twelve and one o'clock. We all proceeded to the turnpike-gate. When we were in sight of the gate, I saw a man on horseback on the Swansea side of the gate, close by the gate-house. There was a large crowd on the other side of the gate the majority of whom were on horseback. Tliry were diessed variously, some had white sheets over their bodies, and white straw hats on their heads, with their faces blackened. Some had fern stuck up between their hats and faces. I ran on through the crowd, and took a gnn from one man who was on horseback. The man made his escape I could not know him again. On the following morning I delivered the gUll to Sergeant W. Jenkins. It was then in the same state as when I took it from the man. Mr. Hngh Williams here intimated his wish to pnt a ques- tion to the witness. The Chairman :—The Magistrates have come to a decision that the gentlemen who attend on behalf of the prisoners are not to cross-examine the witnesses. Mr. Williams: -Might we suggest any questions to the Magistrates? Mr. T. Edw. Thomas:—Would not that be equivalent to a cross-examination ? Mr. Williams said that lie would not press the question as lie saw the feeling of the bench was against it. Colonel Cameron said, that a solicitor attended on behalf of the Crown, and as he did not ask questions it was not thought right to allow the gentlemen who defended the prisonei s to do so. The witness then proceeded—The hat of the man from whom I took the gun fell. He was dressed in a dirty white jacket, and as soon as I took the gun from him he galloped off. The first volley was fired by the mob on the other side of the gate. After the mob had dispersed, I saw John Hughes in custody at Pontardulais. On searching him I found in one of his pockets two powder flasks, each of them containing a quantity of gunpowder. They were nearly half full. I also fonnd on him a shot belt containing some shots, and 5s. wrapped and sealed up in a piece of paper and addressed Miss Rebecca or Mrs. Rebecca. I also foond two pieces of paper on which there was writing. I delivered the whole to Mr. Superintendent Peake.' I have nothing further to say. The prisoners declined asking the witness any questions. Mr. Superintendent Peake, of the Rural police force produced two powder flasks containing powder, and a shot uelt containing a quantity of shot, which had been delivered to him by police constable, Thomas Jones. He also deli- vered me two pieces of paper, continued witness, on which there was writing, on one in English, and on the other in Welsh, both of which I delivered to Captain Napier. I also produce a cap given me by Thomas Jones a white cloak or shirt coveted with blood, and a handkeicbief a white dress, a hat covered with canvass, a flannel blanket, part of a plaid cloak, three straw hats and a black one a piece of an apron, a shoe, two tin horns, and three bullock's horns, piece of dirty canvass, a broken powrier flask, two large sledges, two hammers, and a cliff, with which to break iron, two crow bars, one ot' which was an axle-tree made into a crow bar, one can, two sticks, one coat, with the sleeves turned, and a quantity of other clothing, all of which were delivered to me at the station-house, in the presence of Sergeant Jenkins and others. Captain Charles Frederick Napier examined:—1 received I from Mr. Superintendent Peake, a pocket containing five %billi ngs, two pieces of paper, on both of which there was writing. They were delivered me yesterday morning. Police-constable Peter Wright sworn I reside in the parish of Aberavon. I was on duty at Pontardulais on Wednesday night last, with Captain Napier and the other of the police force. [The first part of this witness's evi- dence was a mere repetition of what was stated bv former witnesses.] Near the gate there were two men on horseback, who appeared to be directing the others. One of those men I afterwards saw in Sergeant Jenkins's custody. He wa- the prisoner, John Hughes. He had a gun in his hand. I saw him fire towards the police. He was the first man I saw who fired. He was dressed in a large blanket. He had a bonnet on his head, about which was stuck a quantity of fern. His face was blackened. I kept my eye upon him. He fell, or got off his horse, and ran away with the horse with him. His gnn fell, which I immediately picked up. On the following morning I delivered the gun" to Mr. "11- perindent Peake. After the crowd were dispersed, I found the sledge by the toll-house, which I placed with the other articles which I found there. [The written pieces of paper were produced ] One was a Rebecca notice, vdiicli appeared in our last week's paper. Police constable W. R. Williams sworn:—I reside in Merthyr-Tydfil. I wasonduty at Pontardnlais on the night of Wednesday last, with Captain Napier, chief constable, and the rest of the Rural police force. I was behind Capt. Napier when I ariivedjit the gate. When onr men ran after the mob, I remained behind as I could not run, having met with an accident. I saw D-tvid Jones and another man coining out of the toll-house. The former struck me with the iron bar which has been produced by Mr. Superintendent Peake. My arm is now discoloured. I then cut him on the head with my catlass, on which he ran away, and Ser- geant George Jones appiehended him. I then picked up several horns and a powder flask, and several hats, &c., which have been produced. Police constable John Price of Llangafelach, sworn:—I was on duty at Pontardulais on Wednesday night last. There was an affray there. The first thine I saw was a man on horseback on this side of the gate. I took a man from his horse. That man was the prisoner, John Hughes. I gave him iti charge to Sergeant Jenkins I then took the prisoner, John Hugh, who has the broken arm. He was on horseback in the front of the mob. He had a white cloak over his boiy, with something white over his head, and a red handkerchief around his neck. He had a gnn and a tin horn in his hands. The gun was pointed towards ns when he discharged it. I was ten to fifteen yards fioin him when he fired. I am sure not more than twenty YAULS dis- tant. I took him into custody near the Pontarrinlais inn in five or eight minutes afterwards, the mob having left the gate. I atso apprehended John Hugh, and gave him into the custody ot Sergeant Jenkins. WM. Lewis sworn :—! am a shoemaker, and toll-eoltector at Pontardulais gate; I have been so fof the last twelve months. On last Wednesday night, I removed all my fur- niture out of the house, as I had been told that Rebecca wonld visit the gate that night. After having removed my goods, two gentlemen passed through the gate, and asked what was the blowing of horns for? Shortly afterwards, between twelve and one o'clock, when standing near my door, I observed a great number of persons on horseback, and others on foot, approaching the gate from the direction of the Red Lion Inn. I heard some shots fired. I then ran away, and went be iud the house, sbout sixty yards off. In about three quarters of an hour I returned to the gate- house, which was not in the same state as when I left it: I found the door broken, and a part of the pine-end of the house pulled down. The gate, with the exception of the posts, had been pulled down. I had not remained at the door until the crowd came sufficiently near to enable me to recognise any of them. Police-sergeant Geo. Jones sworn :—I was was on duty, with Capr. Napier and the police fo ce, at Pontardulais, on Wednesday night last- I heard great FIRINJ* of guns and blowing of horns. THE first thing: which particufariy at- tracted my attention was David Jones running out of the toll-bouse. I pursued him, and laid hold of him. A scuffle ensued, and he got from me. I again laid hold of him, and succeeded in keeping him in custody, and handcuffed him. He was then brought to Swansea. I picked up a crowbar and a hammer. It was inside the toll-house door. I also picked up a hammer, which was by one of the gate-posts. I delivered it to Mr. Superintendent Peake. The Chairman then requested Dr. Bird to examine the wounded prisoners, and ascertain if they were in a fit state to remain any longer in Court. After a panse, the Chairman told the prisoners that, had the two men who wete wounded been sufficiently recovered, they should remain in Court during the hearing of the case of the four Llanelly prisoners, but such not being the case, the three were remanded until Tuesday morning, His Lordship also informed the Press, that they werl at liberty to tak* copies of the depositions made before the Magistrates at their private sitting on the previous Satur- day and made some remarks upon the exaggerated and erroneous statements made in some of the London papeis, as well as in some papers published in this county, respect- ing the present disturbances. Lewis Davies, William Hughes, Thomas Williams, and Henry Rogers, the fonr prisoners who had been brought from Hanetty, were then placed at the bar. William Chambers, Jun., Esq., examined :—I am one of the Justices of the Peace for the county of Carmarthen. In consequence of information received, I proceeded from Llanelly, accompanied by Capt. Scott, of the 76th Regiment, and a body of soldiers, towards the neighbourhood of Pon- tardulais. We set out from Llanelly, which is six or seven miles distant from Pontardulais, at about ten o'clock. On our way, I saw a rocket exploded in the air, in the direction between Llanedi and Llanon. Before arriving at Gwilly bridge, which is three quarters of a mile distant from Pon- tardulais, I heard the blowing of horns. I noticed that one particular note was repeated several times. Immediately after the last note, the firing of arms was heard In the di- rection of Pontardulais bridge. Upon that, I requested Capt. Scott to load. I then advanced to Gwilly bridge, and having arrived there, being in advance of the men, I saw the prisoner, Lewis Davie*, coming from the direction of Pontardulais towards where I was. I immediately collared him, and observing him put something under the tail of his coat, or into his pocket, I put my hand under his coat, and pulled ota a woman's cap. He was dressed in his nsnal clothes. The bottom part of Jlis face was covered with something red, and the upper part blackened. I asked him where he had been. I forgot what reply he made, but he afterwards said, that he would be quiet, or would go with MEY or words to that effect. I then gave him into the charge ot Sergeant Gibbs. Up to this time I heard the discharge of forty or fifty guns. 1 then went, with the rest of the men, to the road leading from Pontardnlais to Hendy-bridge gate, imagining that an attack wonld be made on the latter gate, which I had gone out to protect. Finding them not arriving, I was surprised. I ALSO heard the galloping of horses on the Swansea road, while the sol- diers were hiding nnder the hedge. About the same time I heard the trampling of feet on the road leading from Hendy-bridge towards Pontardulais. One of the persons walking got on the gate, and pereeiving the soldiers, he ran back. They then pnrsned him, and overtook him at the bottom of the bill. He was the boy, Wm. Hugh. Hearing the boy cry out, I went up. He was dressed in women's I w 11 clothes-had a straw bonnet on his head, and his face was blackened. I then went towards Pontardulais, accompanied by Capt. Scott and the soldiers. On arriving at the bridge, the Dragoons from Swansea were coming np—we thought they would have charged ns, mistaking us for Reheccaites. We found the turnpike-gate and toll-board at that place destroyed, the interior of THE house injured, and the win- dows smashed. On returning, Hughes said he had had a horn, which had been thrown away, and that he would show me where it was. We went to the spot, and I found the born near the place where lie WAS taken. Sergeant Gibbs, of the 76th Regt., after stating that he was on duty on the night iu question, said-On standing, with three other soldiers, I saw two men, whom I stopped. I found them to be Thomas Williams and Henry Rogers. I apprehended them, and afterwards said that I would let them go if they wonld tell me where the others were. They were neither disguised nor armed. They seemed to be much frightened, because I came down to the charge, and threat. ened to run them through. I heard some men rnnning, who were pursued by our men. I apprehended the two prisoners, because I thought they were some of the party. When apprehended, they said that they had nothing to do with the gate, bnt only went to look on. The prisoner, Wm. Hughes, had a kind of apron and frock about him, and other garments, which I now produce. The Chairman informed Rogers and Williams, that they would be discharged from custody, as the evidence was not sufficiently clear to warrant their committal; still the Ma- gistrates were convinced that they were ont for no good purpose at that honr of the night. After some further suit- able admonition, both were discharged. Lewis Davies, and the boy Hugh, were remanded until Tuesday.. TUESDAY.—-This morning the three prisoners, John Hughes, David Jones, and John Hugh, were brought up at the Townhall, for final examination. The Clerk of the Magistrates read the charge against them. which was to the effect-that they, together with divers other evil-disposed persons, to the number of twelve or more, in the parish of Lttndito Tatybont, in this county, on the seventh of Sep- tember last, did unlawfully, riotously, and tumnltuously assemble together, and did then and there feloniously and unlawfully, and by force, begin to demolish and pull down the house of William Lewis, there situated. The usual caution having been administered, the prison- ers, by the advice of Mr. Hugh Williams, declined saying anything in self-defence. There was another charge against John Hughes, charging him with having, on the night in question, in the parish of Llandilo-Talybont, a certain pistol loaded with gunpowder and shot, which he held in his right hand at and against one Charles Frederick Napier, feloniously and unlawfully did shoot, with the intention feloniously, wilfully, and of malice aforethought, the said Charles Frederick Napier to kill and murder, and David Jones and John Hugh with having, on the same day and at the same place, been feloniously pre- sent, aiding, abetting, and assisting the said John Hughes the felony aforesaid to commit. The prisoners declined saying anything to this charge also. The charge against Lewis Davies and the boy, William Hugh, was, that they assembled in the same parish on the night in question, and a certain turnpike-gate there situated then and there did unlawfully and feloniously destroy. The Chairman then informed the prisoners that they stood committed for tnal at the next Assizes to be holden for this county, the first three prisoners for felony, and the two latter for misdemeanor. Mr. Hugh Williams applied for the admission to bail of the three parties committed on a charge of felony. The Chairman said, that after giving the subject the most serious consideration, the Magistrates had come to the deci- -ion not to admit those three prisoners to bail. Lewis Davies and the boy were admitted to bail. The former in 501. and two sureties in 1001. each, and the latter being a minor on two sureties entering into recognizances of 1001. each. The bail for Davieg, were Llewellyn Thomas and Wm. Richard, and for WOI. Hugh, his father, H. Hugh, and John Thomas, Penlan. Mr. Hugh Williams then applied to the nench for the return, for the purpose of his defence, to one of the prisoners of the sum of 31.14s. lOd. which had been taken from him and also of 5s. to the other prisoner; and also for the return of the horse on which one of the prisoners rode, which be- longed to his father, who was not cognizant of the unfortu- nate act. The Magistrates acceded to the reqnest relative to the 31. 14s. lOd. and the horse, but detained the 5s. as necessary to be produced in evidence. Colonel Cameron gave his reasons for his refusal, as an individual Magistrate, to admitgllie three parties, Hughes, Jones, and Hugh, to bail.-Soon afterwards the Bench rose.

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF RENOY…

M I S C E L LA N EO US.

COPPER OPE, COPPER OPE,

At«t:ket,.