Volume 1, Number 44

Welcome to another issue of The Newport Cornucopia where we dig through the newspapers archives for interesting news articles and adverts. All articles are posted verbatim and most headlines are original (headlines in quotes are my own).

'Newport Camera Club: Lantern Exhibition'

AN INTERESTING ENTERTAINMENT

The Newport Camera Club announce an unusual and highly interesting entertainment to be given at the Town-hall on Thursday evening next, when there will be a lantern exhibition of views in the wonderful Yosemite Valley, together with scenes in other parts of America and views of local scenery.

Mr E.H. Watts, F.R.G.S., the President of the Society, has consented to act as hon. lanternist, and the large number of pictures which have been placed at the disposal of the Society from California and elsewhere, will render the exhibition a thoroughly enoyable entertainment.

— South Wales Argus, 30th November, 1892 (Subscription Required)

'Devon Place Lighting'

It was resolved to place a lamp in front of the houses in the borough. Mr. Moore at the same time promising that another should be erected facing the houses at the other end. An opinion was expressed that there ought to be a lamp at the top of the road from the Gold Tops Villas to Devon-place, but several members observed that the proper time to entertain that matter was when an application came before them.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, 13th October, 1860

Fossett's Grand Circus

A good programme is again provided at Fossett's Circus. More changes have been made from last week, and we are now introduced to Miss Harriet Chapman, whose performance on the telephone wire is a daring a graceful one. Mons. Findlow gives an exhibition of his great powers as a jocket act rider, and in this respect Master T. Fossett is a shining juvenile light. Miss J. Powell was well received in her bar act, which fairly brought down the house. Funny Harry's "Clown Justice" was a very laughable item.

Mr J. Fossett introduced "Wenlock," a highly educated horse, and considerable amusement is obtained from a grand riding competition, in which £6 is offered to the one who rides round the arena 12 times standing up on horseback, £3 for six times, £1 for three times, and purse of silver to the one making the best attempt. The successful competitors will ride off on Saturday evening for a silver medal and free admission.

A daring performance is that of Darlino in a den of four magnificent lions. There were a number of other features, and the exhibition is one of a highly deserving character.

— South Wales Argus, 30th November, 1892 (Subscription Required)

Charge of Stealing a Sack

Thomas Smith was charged on remand with stealing a new sack, which had been found upon him, and for which he could not reasonably account. Inspector Sheppard said that he could not get sufficient evidence to convict the prisoner, and the Bench therefore discharged him.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, 30th October, 1869

The Old Grudge

Robert Capper, a cattle dealer, of Christchurch, brother to the defendant who was ccnvicted of a most brutal assault on Prudence Coomer, by the Borough Bench on Friday, was charged with assaulting Mr. James Young, a farmer, of Christchurch.

Complainant stated that on Monday he met the defendant on Liswerry bridge, and accosted him with "Good morning." Asked where he was off to, and he said he was going to see after Charley at Newport, who was in custody. He added,

"If it had not been for you, you ——— old scamp, he would not have been there."

Prisoner then threatened to give him the vilest beating he ever had with the ash stick in his hand. Told him that he ought to be ashamed of himself so to threaten a decrepit old man like he was. Defendant came to the tail end of his gig, and attempted to pull him off. Complainant did his best to protect himself, and struck defendant with a whip. Defendant said, shaking his stick, "You shall have it some time or other."

James Morgan was summoned at the instance of defendant. He was in the trap with complainant, and saw the whole proceeding. From the witness's evidence it appeared that there was fault on both sides. The Bench bound defendant over to keep the peace for six months, and to pay costs.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, 30th October, 1869

Stealing Bread

Margaret Campbell, a most violent Irish woman, was charged with stealing a loaf from the bake-house of Mr. Venn, of Reform-buildings. It appeared that she was in the habit of baking at the complainant's bake-house, and on the day in question she went to fetch her own four loaves and then clandestinely slipped a fifth loaf, belonging to another party, into her apron, and walked off.

The son of the prosecutor saw her take the loaf, but at the time presumed that it was her own. Prisoner was given in charge of P.C. Langtrey, and then her husband interfered and threatened to split the head of the officer and also of the prosecutor. There were some doubt surrounding the case, and the Bench gave the prisoner the benefit of it.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, 30th October, 1869

Monument to the Late Sir Charles Morgan

On Monday last, a meeting of the committee took placc at the Town Hall; on which occasion. Joseph Bailey, Esq.. M P Samuel Homfray, Esq.; and other gentlemen came to inspect the models and design. The model submitted by "Val Y. Gallo" appeared to be the general favourite and on taking the sense of the committee, it was unanimously adopted it consists of a sitting figure of the venerable Baronet—a striking likeness, on a tasteful pedestal, the sides of which are decorated with agricultural emblems, in alto relievo. It is the production of Mr. Thomas, a gentleman of the Principality.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, 26th December, 1846

'The Beefeaters of Pill'

The beef eaters of Pill have been amply cared for by that excellent caterer, Mr. Roe. butcher, of that place; who has offered to their inspection and appetites, the big heifer, and the prime Devon heifer, purchased from Mr. Wm. Keene. or Goldcliff-the theme of much admiration; as were also the fine mountain wethers, purchased of the same grazier, which were said to be equal to the finest venison. With a just discrimination, the good folks of Pillgwenlly have given Mr. Roe a capital Christimas box, by almost wholly clearing his shambles of the above fine stock.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, 26th December, 1846

'To Let: Coldra Farm'

To let in 1879 was Coldra Farm which has long since disappeared. It would have been located at the top entrance to the Celtic Manor Resort just off Catsash Road.

The Waits

The quiet of these long nights before Christmas has been occasionally agreeably broken by the "concord of sweet sounds" produced by the Newport Waits, who delight the sense of listeners with soft airs on the old harp of Wallia and the violin.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, 26th December, 1846

'Royal Oak Hill: Then and Now'

'The Park Machine'

Located on the edge of Tredegar Park on Park Junction was the Park Machine which was used for weighing trains passing through on the way to Newport. An article in the Monmouthshire Merlin on the 14th April, 1849 title 'Experimental Trips on the Tram Road' described one trip by a train with 55 trams of coal which ran through Park Junction onto Courtybella Junction and ending at George Street.

There's a building remaining in the area which looks out-of-place compared to the surrounding properties and does look like it's in the same location as the building circled in the OS map above.

Mad Dogs

At a council meeting in April 1861.

Mr. Knapp drew attention to the fact that several dogs supposed to be mad were at large in the streets. Only a few days previously a child had died from hydrophobia [rabies]; and the public should be protected from the dangerous animals which, of all descriptions, roamed about the streets in large numbers. 

— Monmouthshire Merlin, 13th April, 1861