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).
Jack Sheppardism by a Ribbon Man
On Thursday last a man of rather respectable appearance, who gave his name John Hoursgood, was brought before the magistrates at our town court, charged with having the previous Tuesday, sundry rolls of ribbons, from the shop of Mr. Charles Llewellin, draper, of this town.
It appeared that Hoursgood had entered the shop, in company with a woman, who asked to see some bonnet ribbons, and appearing difficult to be pleased, the assistant placed two boxes on the counter at the same time, for her selection. Whilst the female customer was endeavouring exclusively to engage the attention of the shopman, over one drawer, the accused was rapidly transferring a portion of the contents of the other to his pockets, and being caught by a sudden turn of the assistant's eye, in the act of abstraction, he started out of the shop at a racing pace, pursued with steeple chase spirit by the shopman, who cleared the counter in gallant style, and set off after the runaway with a loud cry of "stop thief," in the exciting spirit of which several enterprising young men joined, and the fugitive was "run into," as fox-hunters say, at the corner of Mr. Master's liquor shop, near the bridge.
Being searched, twelve pieces of ribbon (upwards of 170 yards), were found on his person, and well distributed in various pockets. These and other concomitant facts having been proved, the magistrates committed him for trial at the next Quarter Sessions, and he was conveyed to the lock-up house, where, as it appears, he was left to his own resources, without any policeman's eye upon his actions; for in about an hour after committal, whilst the Bench was engaged in the investigation of another case, it was announced with an electric effect upon the municipal guards, that...
the prisoner had broken his prison, and was seen "cutting across the fields like a two-year old."
Then there was rushing to and fro in the hot haste, brief recriminations, and breathless enquiries in many quarters, but the nimble Jack Shepherd had, at least for the time, made good his escape. It is stated by a young sailor, then in the same cell with the fugitive, on a charge of wilful damage, that the man forced open locks, bolts, and bars, "like winking;" that he asked him to come along with him into the fresh air, but that he (the sailor) refused, saying he should get into greater scrape by breaking out of the "bilboes' [shackles].
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 26th April, 1845
A Stranger's Visit
The famous General Tom Thumb, who is, as our readers must be aware, the smallest man in the world, and has appeared in all the principal courts of Europe, intends paying a visit to this town. He will be at the Town Hall to-night, and his stay bfinar necessarily a short one, those who have a desire to see this little marvel will do well to lose no time in paying their visit. The General is now in his 21st year, and is only 31 inches in height, and weighs 25 pounds.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 4th July 1857
'1845 Stow Fair'
We do not remember seeing so numerous, and indeed, so well-conducted and well-dressed an influx of pleasure-seekers to Newport, as on this occasion, while the brilliancy of the day brought nearly the whole population of the town out of doors for relaxation. The time-hallowed scene of Stow fair, was, of course, the quarter to which the thousands directed their steps but it was soon ascertained that, in consequence of encouraging offers on the part of the proprietors of the fine Newport Cattle Market, several of the peripatetic Thespians and purveyors of wonders, had attempted a Stow fair in Newport town ! hence a capacious field adjoining Caira, liberally let out by Mr. Davies, commanding the most enchanting views, and, perhaps, one of the most delightful situations in the Kingdom for a pleasure fair presented but few wonderful exhibitions and the animadversious (sic) and complaints against "monopoly," foul, instead of fair, play, and of the absurd attempt of making a "Bartlemy business" of an annual enjoyment for the people, to which the green fields, the extensive views, and the pure air, gave so great a vest, were heard on every side. The great Mountjoy Market is no doubt the proper place for the sale of cattle, but the beautiful Stow will continue, and properly so, the pleasure Fair.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 17th May, 1845
An Attempted Highway Robbery
A serious occurrence in the Turpin line took place on Tuesday morning, at about 3 o'clock, a.m. It appears that Mr. Clark, the well-known butcher, and landlord of the New Inn, on Tuesday morning had been doing business rather largely at the Caerleon monthly market, where he was doubtless sell in the possession of money.
At the close of the day's transactions, he returned to the inn where he "put up," where it seems the attractions of cheerful society induced him to defer the hour of parting, like Tam O'Shanter, till he would face even Kirk Alloway; but on his homeward course he encountered something much more dangerous than bogles.
He mounted his horse, a very spirited animal, about half-past two o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, and when near the garden lane leading to Langstone Court, two fellows, who it is supposed had been lying in wait for his return, rushed upon him; one ruffian laying hold of the bridle, and the other discharging a gun or pistol; but whether with the intention of intimidation or murder, Mr. Clarke knows not.
The horse reared and fell, by which the fellow lost hold of the rein, and the animal immediately springing upon his legs again, dashed onwards with great speed leaving the highwaymen disappointed of their expected booty!
Mr. Clark, who arrived safely at home, in a very short time after this very serious adventure; describes the two robbers as tall, and well dressed in dark clothes. The active superintendant of police is making due inquiries.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 15th March, 1845
Malpas — Robbery by a Farm Servant
Henry Blackwood, aged 22, was charged with stealing a pair of boots and a pair of stockings, the property of Mr. John Jones, farmer, in the parish of Malpas. Mr. Somerset was counsel for the prosecution. The prisoner was servant with prosecutor. Early on the morning of the 19th July, he was observed leaving the house and shortly after, prosecutor found that his boots, a pair of stockings, a small cheese, and the dog, had been stolen. Prosecutor therefore followed, on the Pontypool-road, and found the prisoner, from whose feet the constable took the boots in question. Prisoner now said his master had given him a pair of boots, and his mistress had given him a pair of stockings.
The prosecutor, recalled, said the boots found on the prisoner, were not those which had been given to him. John Boundy, constable at Malpas, proved apprehending prisoner, and taking from his feet the boots now produced, which prosecutor here identified. Prisoner said he had put on the boots by mistake, believing them to be the pair his master had given him. Guilty. Two months' hard labour.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 5th August, 1853
More Family Jars
Mary Ann Lane was charged with wilfully breaking the window of John Pring. Defendant is the sister of complainant's wife, and a quarrel arose between them. She came to Pring's house on Saturday evening, and said she came to have a row. She shortly afterwards took up a stone and dashed it through the window. John Pring and Isaac Pring were then placed at the bar charged with assaulting Mary Pring.
The quarrel was an intricate one, but the result appeared to be that all parties concerned received black eyes.
After a lengthened investigation, the Bench dismissed the charge against Isaac Pring; fined John Pring 20s. and costs, or in default a month's hard labour, and Mary Ann Lane 4s. and costs.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 4th July, 1857
'Leaving Horse Unprotected'
Ebenezer Williams was charged with leaving his horse and cart unprotected in Stow-hill, and fined 20s., or 14 days' imprisonment.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 4th July, 1857
'Stealing 9 Glasses'
Fanny Knight and Mary Ann Parker, prostitutes were charged with stealing nine drinking glasses, the property Mr. F. A. Townshond, of the Mitre Inn, High-street. Sentenced to 7 day's imprisonment.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 21st November, 1868
Dietary at the Schools
At an 1871 council meeting...
The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Morris, the medical officer for the schools, calling attention to the departure from the dietary table, by substituting cocoa for milk. He explained how this had arisen.
Only one cow was kept at the schools, and as that did not yield sufficient milk, the master had used cocoa.
An order was made some time ago to purchase a second cow, and until that had been done the master should have bought milk enough to meet the requirements of the school. An order made that a cow be bought on the next market-day at Newport, and that milk be purchased in the meantime.
— Western Mail, 4th September, 1871
Member discussion