Welcome to a new weekly newsletter featuring a whole cornucopia of interesting, strange, and quirky things about Newport’s past. Using archives of newspapers such as the South Wales Argus, South Wales Weekly Argus, the Western Mail and The Cardiff Times, the newsletter will uncover a range of articles, adverts, facts, council meetings and interesting and funny crimes.
Man Tries to Light a Cabbage Leaf
The sudden heat we have experienced during the last couple of days is being held responsible for a lot of queer actions. The other evening a belated cyclist was seen on the Cardiff Road vainly endeavouring to light his pipe. He had managed to climb a lamp-post and was poking something against the gas jet, but this something absolutely refused to coney a light from the gas to the bowl of fragrant. A friend of mine, after being an interested observer of the performance for some minutes, approached and offered the cyclist a match, and to his great surprise and amusement, found that the wheelman had been trying to ignite a cabbage leaf. And he put it all down to the sun.
— Source: South Wales Weekly Argus, Saturday, 2nd June, 1894
The Idlers in the Reading Room
Among the visitor’s reports was one from Mr W.N. Johns with regard to the Dock Street reading room. Many persons appeared to use it as a place in which to kill time. He suggested that additional stands for newspapers should be provided, and that the titles of the existing stands be revised. He further urged the desirability of a change of the objects in the Museum lent but he South Kensington Museum. With regard to the idlers in the reading room, it was felt that nothing could be done, though it was mentioned that some men appeared to come there “to sleep it off,” but the question of the newspaper stands was referred to the chairman and Mr. Johns to deal with.
— Source: South Wales Argus, Wednesday, 7th June, 1893
Foot Race on Marshes Road
An exciting foot race between Captain F. O’Donaghue and a well-known character named John Bull, for £20 a side, came off on the Marshes Road on Monday afternoon. The captain, who it will be remembered played with the Monmouthshire twenty-two against the “eleven” at the great cricket match, in September last, cam over from Bristol expressly for this match with the Newport pedestrian, and, if he deems it an honour, he returns victorious. The race was over a distance of 150 yards, and was won easily by O’Donaghue. John Bull, or as he is better known, Bully, is a character frequently figuring in the unenviable positions, and is well, but not favourably, known to the police. We imagine the gallant captain must have felt highly honoured in having been allowed to enter the lists with so distinguished a competitor.
— Source: The Cardiff Times, Saturday, 27th November, 1858
Servants Wanted
Willing Lad Wanted
The Court of his Majesty's Justices of Sewers
Stealing an Umbrella
James Boyle, was charged with stealing an umbrella, value 2s. 6d., the property of Edward Jenkins, landlord of the Victory beer house, King’s Parade. Committed for 14 days with hard labour.
— Source: The Cardiff Times, Saturday, 12th February, 1859
A Pugilistic Bark Woman
Ellen Parry, a woman who works at the bark yards, was summoned at the instance of Dennis Leary for an assault. It appeared that on the 6th of June last, the defendant in company with some fifteen other bark women entered the beer house kept by the complainant, when he attempted to put her out, and in doing so got roughly handled and kicked about he shins. The affair appeared to have originated in a fight between complainant and a man whom he kicked while on the ground, and that the defendant interfered to prevent his kicking him. Case dismissed with costs.
— Source: The Cardiff Times, Saturday 27th November, 1858
Sheep Stealing
Stephen Tooze was charged with stealing a sheep, the property of Mr. Rennie, on the 15th instant. James Frederick, bailiff to the prosecutor, said on the 14th instant he counted a flock of 29 sheep in a field near the barracks, and on the following day lie missed one (an ewe). On making a search he found a skin by the hedge, which he identified. It had been taken off in a clumsy manner there were portions of fat adhering to it, and the held was attached. It was worth about 24s. Had no doubt that the skin belonged to a sheep the property of the prosecutor.
Superintendent Huxtable said from information received he apprehended the prisoner at his residence in Dolphin-street. He directed Inspector Williams and Curtis, the detective, to search the house. In a pan they found several pieces of mutton cut up and salted. They also found part of a shoulder cooked, and other portions of a sheep. The whole of the meat found was in a mangled condition, as if torn asunder while hot. In a flour bag in the room a quantity of mutton suet was found, and in another part a handkerchief, which had the appearance of having been used to carry the mutton in. The boots produced were in the room. There were seven rows of nails in each. Handed them over to Sergeant Beswick. Two dogs were also found in the room.
Charged the prisoner with stealing a sheep near the barracks, and he replied "I did not steal it." Witness said "perhaps you'll tell me who you bought it of." The answer was "I neither stole nor bought it." Had seen the pieces of meat put together and fitted to the skin, and believed that the meat found in the prisoner's room once belonged to that skin. The detective corroborated his chief, and two butchers gave it as their strong conviction that the pieces of mutton had once been enclosed by the skin.
Sergeant Beswick had tracked two men and a dog from the field where the sheep was stolen, and found boot marks exactly corresponding with the prisoner's boots. The prisoner was committed for trial at the next sessions. The Bench complimented Mr. Huxtable and the other officers for their activity.
— Source: The Cardiff Times, Saturday 30th October, 1858
Gas Cooking Exhibition
Under the auspices of the Newport Gas Company and Messrs John Wright and Co. of Birmingham and London, an exhibition of gas stoves, lamps &c, was opened at the Tredegar Hall, Newport, on Tuesday afternoon [4th May, 1897] by the Mayor. His Worship was accompanied on the platform by Dr Garrod Thomas, Mr T Canning and Mr T H Hazell.
In his opening remarks, the MAYOR said that when Mr Canning invited him to take part in the opening of the exhibition he was very pleased to consent, because he had tried gas cooking in his home, and he thought he was a very good example of what gas cooking could do for humanity (Laughter). Those who took up the use of gas stoves would he was certain, become convinced of their superiority over coal fires. There was a great future before gas, and he was sure the Newport Gas Co would be able to cater for the needs of all who resorted to the use of gas stoves, &c, in their homes. Those who were at present using gas stoves were well satisfied with them, and were not likely to ever to the old and more expensive order of thing. (Applause)
Dr Garrod Thomas, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Mayor for opening the exhibition, said they were so accustomed to the great advance of science that they ceased to be surprised at the startling results achieved by gas in its various branches. Economy was more efficiently practised by the use of gas for cooking purposes than by the ordinary coal fires, and it was to the advantage of the nation to have the consumption of gas increased in a town as much as possible. (Applause)
Mr T Canning, in seconding the resolution, said the popularity of cooking by gas was on the increase. The proposition was carried with acclamation and the Mayor briefly replied.
Miss S Thwaites, first-class diplomer (sic) of the Liverpool School of Cookery, followed with a demonstration of cookery with the aid of a gas stove. These demonstrations will be given every afternoon at three o’clock and every evening at 7:30 during the time the exhibition is open.
The exhibition includes a large number of gas stoves of all sizes. Special attention is directed to the new asbestos condensing stove, which does not require any flue. The cost of using the stoves range from the very low charge of 1s 6d per quarter, while for fixing a uniform charge of 5s is made. No fewer than 150,000 of Messrs Wright’s Eureka stoves are in use daily. The Newport Gas Co have an attractive display of lamps, &c. These include a new departure in hall lamps, new designs in pendants, and a new feature in globes. There is also a display of new fittings, lamp shades, &c, &c, together with penny-in-the-slot and shilling-in-the-slot meters. These were added to today by a prepared meter with glass front and sides showing the working of the apparatus. Ladies will find much to interest them in the exhibition and will also learn many useful hints by attending Miss Thwaites’ cookery lectures.
—Source: South Wales Argus, Wednesday, 5th May, 1897
A similar exhibition took place the previous year.
Near a Chapel: An Amusing Applicant
John Bohannah Yendoll, licensed victualler Llanhilleth Hotel, Llanhilleth, applied for a license to sell by retail all intoxicating liquors, to be consumed on or off the premises at 45 Malpas Road (now unlicensed) [location of present day Crindau Constitutional Club]. Alternative applications were for a license to sell by retail beer, cider, and perry “on” or “off”, or for an “off license”. — Mr Daniel (instructed by Mr J Moxon), in making the application, observed that practically the whole of the increase in the population during the last three or four years had taken place in front of Mr Yendell’s premises. If the application was granted it would give accommodation to the people living in the Crindau and Barrack Hill districts. The premises were in every way suitable for a full-licensed house, and if the license was granted it would be a great convenience to the men at the works. — Applicant said if the license was granted the license of the Flag and Castle, Castle Street, would be surrendered. He had agreed with Messrs. Roger’s, Limited, brewers, of Bristol, to purchase the house, if the certificate was given.
Mr Corner: Is the chapel next door?
Witness: There is a garden between it. (Laughter)
— Is there a Sunday school there?
— I have not been in it. (Laughter)
— Do you know there is a church opposite?
— I remember the old farmhouse on the hill. (Renewed laughter).
Colonel Lyne: How much are you going to give for the house?
— £3,500 if the license is granted.
— If there is no license what will the property be worth?
— From £1,800 to £2,000
— Mr F R Bates, architect, said he had designed and superintended the erection of 200 houses in the neighbourhood. There had been between 20 and 30 applications for building plots near the house.
— By Mr Corner: He considered on fully licensed house necessary to the needs of the district.
— Mr Linton, architect (Linton and Barker) said the house was built for a public house.
All applications refused.
— Source: South Wales Argus, Saturday, 3rd September, 1898
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