'Newport First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories
[ Contents ] [ Acknowledgements ] [ Preface ] [ Postscript ] [ Chronology ]
[ 1800 - 29 ] [ 1830 - 39 ] [ 1840 - 49 ] [ 1850 - 59 ] [ 1860 - 69 ] [ 1870 - 79 ] [ 1880 - 89 ] [ 1890 - 99 ]
[ 1860 ] [ 1861 ] [ 1862 ] [ 1863 ] [ 1864 ] [ 1865 ] [ 1866 ] [ 1867 ] [ 1868 ] [ 1869 ]

Newport Past
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1860

Merlin. 29th January, 1860
Christmas In Newport

The most uncompromising advocate for things as they used to be must have been content with the weather, which was intensely cold, while snow lay on every side. People, however, a large proportion of whom were evidently from the country, thronged the streets on Christmas Day and probably enjoyed their cosy fireside in the evening all the better. The various places of worship were well filled. On the Mill Pond and elsewhere, skaters and sliders have had ample opportunity for displaying their agility, indulging in a healthful agreeable and exhilarating pastime.

On Christmas Day at the Workhouse, the poor of the Union were regaled with roast beef and plum pudding, the result of a subscription raised for the purpose. The Master and the Matron did all within their power towards the comfort of the inmates on the occasion. In the evening a very nicely decorated Christmas tree was introduced, from the branches of which were suspended little articles of use and interest, which were distributed to the poor inmates, who were much pleased with the manner in which the Master and Matron had endeavoured to amuse them.


N.G. 30th January, 1860
Police court

John Jenkins, Keeper of a brothel in George Street, was charged under the Bye-Laws with leaving a trap-door of a cellar open to the danger of the public. P.C. Pyne said that on Thursday night, about half past twelve, he was called to the spot and found that a man had fallen down, and was bleeding very much. Witness examined the trap and found no bolt or fastening of any kind and that he was told the door was regularly used as a way in and out of the house of ill-fame. He noticed that there were steps to go down. Defendant was fined twenty shillings including costs.


N.G. 11th March, 1860
Sunday Night House Robbery

The house of Mr. Cowbourne, St. Woolos Road, was entered on Sunday evening last and the following property carried away: 38 sovereigns, one five pound Bank of England note, one dozen silver teaspoons, some five shilling pieces (George III), and a number of other coins. Nothing else in the house was disturbed, excepting the box in which the property was deposited. Due to the vigilant superintence of the police, we are happy to say that the house robbery now recorded is the only one which has been committed in Newport during the present winter.


N.G. 24th March, 1860
An Undignified Situation for a Judge

On Monday morning, as Judge Herbert was on his way to Newport to open the County Court, he was obliged to proceed from beyond Little Mill to Pontypool, in a coal truck, the engine having proved defective and unable to proceed with the carriages which were in the rear.


N.G. 19th May, 1860
Fortunate Escape of a Child

On Friday, the nursemaid of the family of Mr. George Thomas, who resides near St. Woolos, was taking one of the children for an airing in one of those blessed perambulators, when, desirous of a chat with a friend in a house on Stow Hill, she left the carriage and its precious contents on the pavement of the highway, without putting on the drag, and while she was in the house, off went the perambulator at a terrific pace, down the steep pavement, which just there, is perhaps 15 feet above the road. A scavenger, at work on the roads, saw the descending carriage, and running to a point to which it seemed to incline, and where it would tumble over the precipice, he arrived just in time to break the fall of the carriage and child therein.


N.G. 30th June, 1860
The Wool Fair

Newport's annual Wool Fair was held at the Cattle Market on Saturday last. A very large quantity was pitched, and exceeding that of any previous year, a fact which must prove very, gratifying to those who exerted themselves in the establishment of the fair and are anxious for its success.


Star of Gwent. 14th July, 1860
Furious Driving

A man in the employ of Messrs Honey and Rogers of Pill gas charged under the following circumstances. P.C. Francis deposed that on Monday evening last defendant was asleep in a cart near Castletown. He woke him up and found that he was drunk and had not the slightest control over his horse. The horse was trotting at the rate of seven miles an hour. He was fined ten shillings and costs of one pound eleven and sixpence or fourteen days.


N.G. 6th October, 1860
The Streets of Newport

Sir,

Being an inhabitant of the town, and living in the vicinity of Caroline Street, I would state that I have suffered much from the mud of our Newport Streets, and think it is now quite time that the matter should he taken up. Caroline Street and Dumfries Place are badly affected, and I could name a number of other dirty streets. In Baneswell, for instance, there is St. Mary Street, Jones Street, East Street, and numerous others. I think, as I have said, the matter ought to he taken up if it is only for the health of the public, besides the convenience of foot passengers.

I beg to remain, Sir,

A Townsman


Merlin. 10th October, 1860
Gift Of Cannon To Lord Raglan

Two Russian guns, each mounted on a four wheel carriage, have been presented to Lord Raglan as a memento of the great Russian War in which his brave and noble father was engaged. They have lately been forwarded through Newport to the Estate at Raglan, which a grateful nation has recently bestowed on the family. They are to be mounted in a conspicuous place.


N.G. 10th November, 1860
The Fifth of November

The anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot still keeps its hold upon the public mind, though we imagine no good reason could be shown why it should he perpetuated in a manner so flagrantly annoying to good citizens, and highly dangerous to the safety of property. On Monday evening last, the fifth of November, the juveniles gave abundant evidence they had not forgotten their annual past-time, even before darkness set in, and as the evening became more advanced, children of a larger growth took part in the celebration. Some score or two of tar barrels were consumed in various quarters of the town, three or four of these blazing toys being, time after time, drawn through the crowded streets together.

The space in front of the Westgate Hotel was as usual the centre of the nuisance. A fire ball was thrown through the upstairs window of No.2 Commercial Street, where the Museum has just opened. The foreman of the New Bank Buildings, named Morris, while looking after the safety of the erection in his charge, observed the course of the fiery missile, and without taking time to descend by a ladder, jumped to the ground at great risk, and made his way across the road and rushed upstairs. It was most fortunate that timely assistance was thus rendered as the result would probably have been serious. The attention of the Police was almost instantly directed to the spot, but by the time they arrived, the fire had been extinguished. During the commotion a man who ought to have been better employed, threw a large squib at the Chief Superintendent of Police and split up his hat.


Merlin. 10th November, 1860
Newport Town Council

Constable Gurney was reported for drunkeness on Sunday morning while on duty. Superintendent Huxtable said the man had been on trial for four months. Generally speaking his conduct was good. The constable was called in and expressed his regret. Some conversation then took place; his dismissal being ultimately ordered.


Merlin. 10th November, 1860
Police Court

Thomas Edwards was charged with being disorderly on Saturday night in Market Street and causing a crowd of persons to assemble. P.C. Winmill said defendant and his wife were quarrelling, and making use of very bad language at half past eleven o'clock. He refused to go home saying it was not 12 o'clock. He is a painter by trade, but keeps a brothel in George Street. The defendant denied the offence and accused the police of making a false charge against him. He said the row originated in the Trout and was continued in the street. Mr. David Harrhy who was in Court was requested by the Magistrates, to state what he knew of the matter, such a flat contradiction being given to the statement of the constable. Mr. Harrhy said every Saturday night there were disturbances in the locality; and upon this occasion he was induced to go there. There was much confusion, and although he could not speak positively to the defendant, the most prominent was taken into custody, and that he was using awful language to a woman. The policeman said he was the individual referred to and that he even struck his wife down after he was apprehended. Defendant was fined five shillings and costs or to be imprisoned for fourteen days.


Merlin. 10th November, 1860
Assault

Henry Reynolds appeared before the Police Court on a summons for assaulting Maria Paske of Canal Parade. She stated that she asked him for the rent of his apartment, when he pushed the door against her and "broke the key in her bowels". His statement was that when she was abusing him in his own home, he told her to go away and merely put his "fingers across her nose". Fined five shillings.


Merlin. 6th December, 1860
St. Woolos Ringers

Who is there within range of the pleasing strains distributed far and wide from the tower of old St. Woolos, every Monday evening, would object to the ringers receiving some remuneration for their trouble and the pleasure they afford to others? The ringers, we believe, are paid nothing for their services, but rely solely upon the liberality of the public at Christmas. Well that festive season is close at hand, and we trust the bell- ringers' efforts are appreciated, they certainly deserve it.


Merlin. 15th December, 1860
Police Court

Thomas Percy appeared to a summons for taking an illegal toll from William Morgan. Complainant deposed that his cart and two horses, passed on the 5th November, to Church Farm Henllys, through the Marshes Gate. Four sacks of thrashed wheat were being conveyed, upon which he claimed exemption, as it was intended for seed; he had previously passed through three Turnpike Gates without charge. The grain had since been sown at Henllys. Defendant admitted taking the toll but pleaded that the wheat was not legally exempt. Defendant was convicted in the amount of toll taken and costs.


Merlin. 15th December, 1860
Sir Charles Morgan's Statue

The removal of the late Sir Charles Morgan's statue to make room for the elegant new office and bank in High Street, has produced one good effect, the statue now looks respectable where it appears at the summit of Park Place, the fairest eminence and the finest panorama that we possess in the town. It is surrounded by a square of tastefully designed palisades, and the whole of the little park in its front is being encircled by a low wall and railings, and will immediately be planted with shrubs. This delightful spot will hereafter, and not long hence, become quite an oasis in our not too elegantly built town.


Star of Gwent. 15th December, 1860
Frightful Accident

On Thursday morning last a frightful accident befell George Clarke the son of Mr. John Clark, Corn Merchant of 66 High Street. The lad who is about ten years of age was playing with some other children in the store loft of Messrs Williams and Evans. They were on the top storey and it appears that the unfortunate lad fell right down a distance of 35 feet through the trap doors; the way by which the grain is brought up. He was immediately conveyed home in a cab and Dr. Christie has been most assiduous in his attendance upon him since. We understand that the skull has been fractured in two places, the brain actually protruding at the base. At first there were no hopes for his life but under judicious medical treatment he is this (Friday) morning in a state of consciousness and there are slight expectations of his recovery.


N.G. 22nd December, 1860
Attempted Suicide

On Saturday morning last Mr. Clouter attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat. He went into the back yard of the Bull Inn, Stow Hill, and while there, a servant of the house hearing a fall, went out, and found Mr. Clouter with a gash in his throat and in the act of inflicting a second. With great presence of mind she rushed forward and prevented any further injury. Medical assistance was promptly rendered, and there is hope of the unfortunate man's recovery.


Star of Gwent. 29th December, 1860
Accident to son of Mr. John Clarke

In our impression of 15th inst. we announced the lamentable accident which had befallen the son of Mr. John Clarke by which he suffered a fracture of the skull in two places. Dr. Christie has been most assiduous in. his attendance upon him since, and for the last few days he has been slightly conscious. The unfortunate lad however, is still in a very precarious condition, one side being completely paralysed and there are but faint hopes of his recovery. Since writing the above we have been informed that the poor lad is dead.

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'Newport First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories
[ Contents ] [ Acknowledgements ] [ Preface ] [ Postscript ] [ Chronology ]
[ 1800 - 29 ] [ 1830 - 39 ] [ 1840 - 49 ] [ 1850 - 59 ] [ 1860 - 69 ] [ 1870 - 79 ] [ 1880 - 89 ] [ 1890 - 99 ]
[ 1860 ] [ 1861 ] [ 1862 ] [ 1863 ] [ 1864 ] [ 1865 ] [ 1866 ] [ 1867 ] [ 1868 ] [ 1869 ]

Newport Past
[ Picture Gallery ] [Home Page ]