Volume 1, Number 6

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. If you want to have each issue delivered to your inbox, why not subscribe for free.

W.H. Smith & Son

With the recent announcement of the closure of W.H. Smith in Newport, here's a look at some of the adverts when the shop occupied 35 High Street (current site of McDonald's).

Stealing Swedes

Honora McCowley and Mary Shean were charged with stealing 1 1/4 cwt of swedes from a field in the occupation of Mr Stratton of the Duffryn farm in the parish of Bassalleg. They were found guilty, and sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour.

— Western Mail, Tuesday 1st February, 1870

“Died by the visitation of God”

On Monday last, an inquest was held at our County Gaol, on the body of Henry Phillips, aged 45. The deceased was in custody for trial at the next assizes for the manslaughter of Joseph Baker, of Bedwellty, in the month of October last. Verdict — “Died by the visitation of God.”

— Monmouthshire Merlin, Saturday 20th January, 1838

Two Diminutive Urchins

Two diminutive urchins, said to be of a large number who are continually annoying and throwing stones at Thomas Ford, of pill, were given up to their parents, who were duly cautioned.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, Saturday 11th February, 1860

William Rees, was charged with stealing a game cock, belonging to James Stacey. The case appeared to be one of disputed ownership, and it was adjourned until Wednesday, for the attendance of Stacey.

…

William Rees, remanded from Monday, was discharged, no prosecutor appearing. The prisoner said the prosecutor had since told him to take the cock home.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, Saturday 11th February, 1860

‘A Wretched Looking Creature’

Jane Higgins, a wretched-looking creature, was charged with stealing a poplin dress, belonging to Ann Driscoll. Complainant, the wife of Michael Driscoll, living in Baneswell, stated that on Tuesday night, about eleven o’clock, she missed the dress from her bedroom. Prisoner had been there during the day, but denied that she had taken it when questioned on Wednesday morning. It was subsequently ascertained that prisoner had taken the dress to the Seven Stars beerhouse, canal Parade, kept by Daniel Haggerty, on Tuesday night, between ten and eleven o’clock, and left it with Mrs Haggerty, to whom she was in debt 1s 9d for beer. The money was not advanced on the dress. P.S. Curtis apprehended the prisoner, and to him the prisoner stated that she had picked up the dress outside of Mrs Driscoll’s door, and taken it to Mrs Haggerty. She did not know what she owed Mrs Haggerty, but she had a pint of beer that morning.

Mr Keswick: Does she like a beer?
Curtis: I think she does: she is a drunkard.

It was stated to the Bench that prisoner’s husband was a hard working man, and had four little children. The prisoner drank all his money, and the house was in a most miserable condition, there being no kind of furniture there and only rags and filth to sleep on. Prisoner was committed to Usk for three weeks.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, Saturday, 7th May, 1864

William Scandrett, butcher, Commercial Street, was charged with assaulting an old lady, named Ann Jones. Complainant, who was nearly blind, stated that while in Mr Eame’s eating house, on Monday night, defendant came in and spoke most insultingly of her father, mother and husband; he also called her vile names, took hold of her, tore her dress, and threatened to throw her across the street. Defendant explained that when he saw the complainant he asked her if she was not ashamed of her self for running away from the town with another woman’s husband. She said she was not, but became exasperated, and scratched his face. He did not strike her again. The Bench, on defendant’s own admission, fined him 10s and costs.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, Saturday 7th may, 1864

‘One of the Handsomest Smacks’

One of the handsomest smacks that we have had the pleasure to look upon lately, was launched on Wednesday evening last, from the shipyard of Messrs. Young and Co. The evening being so beautifully fine, the banks of the river and wharfs were crowded with spectators, who were highly gratified at the beautiful manner this child of the deep took to its element. One man dropped into the water, but was taken up with no further injury than a refreshing cold bath after the treat of the day. The vessel is the property of R Burton Esq., and is destined to sail as a market-boat between this place and Bristol, making an additional boat to that efficient line belong to the Bristol Packet Company.

— The Principality, Friday 5th May, 1848

Caerleon Fair

This fair was held on Monday last. The weather was very fine and the number of persons attending numerous. There were large quantities of Stock offered, but the buyers were few, and the prices ruled low. The please part of the after had as usual plenty of votaries. Blacklegs [swindlers] and their abettors were as thick as leaves in autumn, and some half-dozen or more had to pay for their pleasure freaks by a night’s asylum in the lock-up.

— The Principality, Friday 5th May, 1848

The Caerleon Leek

A leek, was gathered from a garden in Caerleon, a few days since, which measured 6½ inches in circumference. There are several now growing of nearly the same size. An enormous root of celery was some time since dug out of the same garden; it measured 40 inches in height, 16 in girth, and weighed upwards of nine pounds.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, Saturday, 3rd March, 1832

Letter from a Sexton about fees

The Newport Burial Board
We have been requested to insert the following letter, addressed to the Newport Burial Board:-

Gentleman — The reports which have appeared of late in the local papers, stating I am in the habit of receiving a large amount of fees for duties I do not perform, and complaining of the man employed in keeping the cemetery in order performing them for me, are as groundless and false they are uncalled for. I have spoken to him in the presence of a member of the Board, and he has no hesitation in positively asserting that he does not know what the worthy gentleman means; and in respect of my fees, I can only assure you, gentlemen, I have never received my proper dues since the formation of the Burial Board. The best thing I can suggest to you, gentlemen, is that you place the sole management of the consecrated portion in my own hands, which I am fully prepared to undertake, free of any charge, except the fees to which I am entitled. I think then the charges may be reduced to the same scale was first adopted, and give the bereaved the benefit of my services. Hoping, gentlemen, you will give this the consideration, and thus prevent all further unpleasantness.

I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
THE SEXTON

— Monmouthshire Merlin, Saturday 7th May, 1864

The King's Head Inn Ball

This town was enlivened on Tuesday, the 25th ult. by a ball and supper given by the bachelors of the place and neighbourhood, at the King's Head Inn. The circumstance of there not having been anything of this kind known in the town for manyyears, created an unusual excitement and bustle through-out all classes. The note of preparation during the short week allowed for this purpose sounded far and near, and it was evident to every observer that an extraordinary impetus had been given, as well to the spirits of the sons and daughters of pleasure, as to the energies of those children of broken promises, the tailors and milliners, et "id genus omme."

Pirouettes and ariettes were practising in every mansion…

For fifteen long years or more there had been no such affair as the expected assembly in Newport, and the extent of the preparations were proportioned to the novelty of the entertainment. Pirouettes and ariettes were practising in every mansion, and it was even whispered that some well-grown gentlemen were detected in Bath and Bristol, marshalling their limbs under the baton of a dancing-master, and drilling those feet, and bending those knees in the mazes of quadrille, which heretofore, like those of Coriolanus, had never "bent but in the stirrup." And now, for once, the graceful Terpsichore found herself, to her infinite astonishment, goddess of the idolatry of Newport.

The invitations were necessarily limited, with very few exceptions, to the immediate neighbourhood of the town; yet, notwithstanding this restriction, there assembled about 140 individuals of the highest respectability. Among the visiters may be mentioned, Sir Charles Morgan, Bart., Mr. and Mrs. Morgan of Ruperra, Col. Milman, Col. Lascelles and the Misses Las- celles, the Rev. Augustus Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, the Rev. J. Coles and Miss Coles, Mr. and Mrs. Picard, Rev. A. A. and Mrs. Isaacson, Mrs. Monkhouse, Crawshay Bailey, Esq., Capt. Baugh and Mr. Balck, of the 93d Highlanders, Mrs. Pro- thero and family, Mr. and Mrs. W. Brewer and family. Mr. Mrs. and Miss Powell of the Gaer, &c. &c.

The ball commenced with a country dance, led off by Sir Charles Morgan and Mrs. Powell of the Gaer. Quadrilles and waltzing followed. About twelve o'clock supper was served in three rooms, and afterwards dancing was resumed, and kept up with renewed spirit, Sir Chas. Morgan again taking his place among the lively group, shewing the pleasure he felt in the society of his neighbours and friends, and that, however years might accumulate on his head, the heart in his bosom was still young. The assembly unwillingly separated about six o'clock in the morning, and all have since testified to the unmixed pleasure they enjoyed on the occasion the Tredegar family and visitors particularly expressed their gratification, and avowed that they had never at any similar party experienced greater enjoyment. We hope, and it is the hope of all the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, that this ball will only be a prelude to many others during every season, and that Newport will at length be as distinguished for the sociability and liberality of the inhabitants, in their intercourse in cheerful and polite recreations, as it has long been for its improving and increasing commercial relations.

— Monmouthshire Merlin, Saturday, 5th February, 1831

Seen and Heard

[By Argus]

A Noisy and Cold Reference Library

The invariable rule of a reference library — indeed an absolute necessity if it is taken seriously and not as a mere place of amusement — is silence. At Newport there is a notice to the effect that silence should be observed. It is not.

May I suggest that if the officials set such an example the public are hardly likely to take serious heed of the admonitions to silence posted on the walls? With rasping tones sounding in one's ears it is no easy matter to work, and I take it that a reference library is a place for quiet work.

One other matter is worth commenting upon. On the night I was there the library was very cold, and no fire was lighted. It is not time that provision was made for the comfort of readers?

— South Wales Argus, Saturday 15th October, 1892

It's because the Maindee wells are closed

The milkmen of Newport have issued circulars to the "nobility and gentry" notifying that on and after such a date milk will rise to 4d a quart, "owing to the advance in price of hay, &c." Why the "&c"? What does it comprise? A friend stopped me in Commercial Street the other night and inquired, thinking I knew all about the subject. But I have not drunk milk for years; somewhere back in early times, and not in touch with the matter at all. With regret I admitted my want of knowledge, and then with a fiendish chuckle he observed "it's because the Maindee wells are closed."

— South Wales Argus, Saturday 8th October, 1892

Noisy Railway Shunters

Certain members of the Argus staff live near the Great Western Railway, and in the small hours any possible monotony which might arise in consequences of too great silence is removed by the regularity with which shunting operations are carried on.

On individual — he evidently suffers from insomnia — declares that the shunting goes on till five and twenty minutes past four and commences again at fie and twenty minutes to five. Probably he exaggerates. He says, too, that there is one engine driver who is evidently something of a musician, as he attempts to play "Love's Old, Sweet Song" on his engine whistle. That and "Over the Garden Wall" are his favourite melodies.

— South Wales Argus, Saturday 22nd October, 1892