Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

8 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

"The Gellygaer Riots.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

The Gellygaer Riots. TOWN-HALL, CARDIFF.—SATURDAY. (Before a full bench of the county magistrates.) Edmund David and Llewellyn Ltxoit were charged with having intimidated and used threatening language towards Lewis Lewis and others at the Gellygaer colliery, on the 9th Instant. Mr. Gvans conducted the case on the part of the prose- cution. Mr. Owen, attorney, of Monmouth, appeared for the defendants. John Lewis sworn: I live at Dowlais. Am a collier. I Dowlais with Lewis Lewis on Monday week to work on the works of Gellygaer, where he is also employed as agent to Mr. Powell. Mr. Lewis it was who put me on work. I as hired by Lewis Lewis, but had not settled as to wages. My place was outside the colliery. I was interrupted by a number of men and women on last Thursday week, who had assembled togethor. The women were in front. The Women interrupted me in my work. There were more men beside, standing in the rear. Some of them came forward with a parcel of young boys. Knew no other prisoner at that time. The women were standing on the arch, throwing atones down at the mouth of the level as the colliers entered. Some of the stones struck the parties. This had the effect of intimidating the body of colliers, and witness with them. Cross-examined by Mr. Owen W hat was done on the occasion was the act of the women. They were flinging Itones. He knew one of them personally. He heard the men shouting by way of encouragement. They were about forty yards in front of the houses, on the top of the level. The women were standing on the arch. Jenkin Thomas examined: Lives at Gellygaer, and Works at the colliery there, under Mr. Powell. Remembers Thursday week. He was on the field, returning from his Work, when he saw Llewellyn Lewis on the field, with a crowd of men. Witness went into the house of Lewis Lewis, passing through the crowd of people. When he got there Lewis Lewis went to talk to the people outside. lie came back in a short time to witness, and said they should go home, as he had but a half-hour to clear them out of his house, lest they should be killed, as every one was anxious for his life. He could not name any one in particular. He was afraid of them all; and was afraid of Lewellyn Lewis only as one of the gang who threatened. He was ap- prehensive he should be set upon and killed. He did not know the prisoner David. Lewis made no particular threat. These were his reasons for giving up his work. He Was particularly afraid when they had but a half hour to dear out of the premises, which Lewis, the contractor, told them they had only to remain. He accordingly left his Work, followed by a mob of men, and well recollected that the prisoners were among them. He recognised one man in the crowd who is not in custody. The crowd, while follow- ing, were threatening and throwing stones. The stones sometimes went past them. Witness is a Glamorganshire man, and recognised a great many men who worked at Gellygaer colliery before. He did not observe either of the prisoners threatening or obstructing John Lewis. Lewis Lewis sworn Stated that he had taken the working of the coal under Mr. Powell at Gellygaer, in this county. In consequence of the old colliers being unwilling to work he went to Merthyr, whence he brought fifteen new men down on Monday, the 8th inst. He had agreed with more than the fifteen who came down after. A crowd had filled the bridge. Wm. Thomas jumped forward towards him, and said he would drive his fist into his heart, and pull him in pieces. Witness did not see either of the other prisoners at the time. On the 9th inst. he saw the two prisoners, David and Llewellyn. Lewis brought in the mob on the field near his house. They were beating frying-pans and the mob were asking, in a threatening manner, why he brought strange men down. They also used threatening language towards Mr. Powell. Witness asked for time to lend back the men he had employed. He asked how much time they would give, and demanded two hours. Edmund David said, That was too much by half." He asked again how much time he should have, and Llewellyn Lewis laid three minutes; and others said that even that was too much. By means of entreaties to the mob, and par- ticularly Edmund David, witness got a half-hour, and David warranted that he should have it. David gave his promise after having gone round the mob. One of the parties pulled out his watch and said, with an oath, here is your time." Witness then went to the house, and told the employed colliers that he had got the favour of a half hour to send them away. David said that burning was too good for him." Witnessed crossed his own farm with the men, as the nearest way to Dowlais, followed by the mob. On seeing the mob, he cautioned them not to follow, as that was a violation of the pledge given by David. Witness tried to prevent the mob coming up, but they passed him. Witness then left the colliers and returned to his own house. He did not see them throwing stones. In reply to a question from Edmund David, whether wit- ness heard him threaten him or any other person, witness replied, Yes for it was you that measured out the time." Witness continued—David was with him as a boy on the land. There was then no fault with him. He saw David from Mr. Phillips's field, which adjoins witness's house. The mob were on many fields besides. The character of David was like that of the other colliers, rather tolerable, IUch as colliers in general have. Lewis's character was not quite so good as the rest. When witness asked him how much time he would get, Lewis capered forward like a devil. If witness were to speak for a week he could not state the threatenings he heard on the occasion. Witness did not hear either of the prisoners threatening individually any one of the colliers, but they said in the course of conversation they had when in the ring that certain persons ought to be burnt." The ring" obliged him to swear on the frying- pan, as a substitute for a bible, that he would not fetch fresh colliers. The prisoners, who were in the ring, must have seen and heard what passed. The ring gave witness beer, and obliged him to join in the shouting; and then ex- acted a promise from him not again to bring any strange colliers. The women brought the beer. Mr. Booker, at this stage of the proceedings, intimated that he declined taking part in them. As a magistrate, he thought it his duty to attend, but as a coal proprietor it might be considered ungracious in him to take a more pro- minent share in the proceedings. Mr. Owen felt it his duty to urge on the magistrates the expediency of dealing with leniency towards the prisoners coucilitation, in this regard, would be found at length the best policy. He was convinced, from an intimate knowledge of their situation, that such a course would be found best calculated to put down whatever spirit of subordination may have existed, and be ultimately productive of the best results. He thought that the fact of the prisoner David getting the half-hour for their removal should be taken as an extenuating circumstance. Mr. Bruce Pryce thought such a feature in the case showed ascendency of David over the prisoners. Mr. Owen said if middle men were not so much en- couraged, matters would be better. This closed the case on the part of the prosecution. The room was then cleared for consultation. After a deliberation of some length the parties were called in, when the bench announced its decision to be, that Llewellyn Lewis should be imprisoned for three months and as there appeared some extenuating circumstances in the conduct of David, he was sentenced to one moath's imprisonment. ASSAULT. William Thomas was charged with having assaulted Lewis Lewis Lewis Lewis stated, that on the day in question he went to the top of the bridge to look for the fresh colliers he ex- pected. There was on the bridge a boy with a bill-hook in his hand, and the prisoner said to witness, on asking the boy to give way, If you did that to me I would drive my fist through your heart arid pull you about the road." Thomas was at the time in a threatening attitude. Witness was so terrified he could not say how near he was to him. The boy was swaying the hook to and fro. The bridge was full of people. Prisoner swore and stormed at witness for bringing the colliers into the place. Witness never had reason before to complain of the prisoner. The people on the bridge had met to annoy the colliers, 5 of whom he had at the time in the Nelson public-house. Mr. Owen quoted" Rosser, on Criminal Evidence" to show that no assault was committed. The blows charged constituted merely threatening language, but shewed no evidence of an intention to commit an assault. The threat was a qualified one, and was merely contingent on an act which there was no intention to perform. Mr. EvanH, on the part of the prosecution, submitted that the case had all the essentials of an assault about it, and con- sidered it proved, and such as the bench could take cogni- zance of. He thought, however, it would meet the justice of the case if the prisoner was bound over to keep the peace. This was supposed to be rather an arbitrary course with- out the assurance of the prosecutor that he apprehended bodily harm from the prisoner. Prosecutor, on this question being put to him, said that he Was afraid to go about his lawful business. His business lay in the neighbourhood of the riot, and he could safely say that he was in personal fear of William Thomas and he meant to apply for such protection to the magistrates. Mr. Evans said on the part of the prosecution he would be content to have the prisoner bound over for six months to keep the peace. The prisoner was then bound over in his own recognizance in the sum of £20. Prisoner was then cautioned against a recurrence of the assault. It was his business, as a pensioner of Her Majesty, to stand by the police on such occasions. Two females, presumed to be active in the riots, were then put forward. Mr. Evans said the females then in the room were active in fomenting the disturbance at Gellygaer, Mr. Powell, however, in consideration of their sex, and in the hope that his forbearance would be appreciated, would not press the charge against them. He would be content on this occasion with a reprimand from the bench. J. Bruce Pryce, Esq. spoke in warm terms of the conduct of Lewis Lewis on the occasion in question it was distin- guished by prudence and firmness, and such as to entitle him to the thanks of the magistrates. Sentiments in which the rest of the bench warmly concurred. The females were then cautioned against assisting in such riots in future. Their business, if they should be meddling in affairs that did not concern them, was rather to assist in dissuading their husbands and brothers, than goad them on to courses that must eventually lead to the ruin of all. The court then broke up. MERTHYR. ATTEMPT AT BIGAMY.—It is commonly reported that a married man in this neighbourhood was on the point of starting to church on Friday, the 10th instant, with a young woman, when lo! his wife intruded herself into their pre- sence, to their great disappointment. Some busy bodies, for the sake of fun, slily tied a red herring to the intended bride's clothes, when all the canine species in the neigh- bourhood followed her as eagerly as she thought of cleaving to another woman's husband. FATAL MINE ACCIDENT.—David Davies, miner at Penydarran works, aged 53 years, was killed on Monday •e'nnight, by a stone falling on him when at work in one of the levels. He has left a wife and five children to lament his 10. An inquest was held on the body on the same day before W. Davies, Esq., coroner, at the Duffryn Arms, Tydvil-street, when a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by a respectable jury. Fatal underground acci- dents have never been so numerous at Merthyr, it is sup- posed, ai these last few months. The deceased lived close by the unfortunate miner who met with a similar accident at the same wJrks the previous week but no blame is at- tached to any one. The iron trade continues exceedingly dull, quite devoid of that briskness attending it some years ago not many large orders, and the price is unparalleledly low yet it is whis- pered in the best informed circles that a general reduction will not take place. The iron masters are very humane, possessing a kind feeling towards their men, and will not reduce if they can possibly avoid it. Far as the poles as- sunder from being iron masters. LLANVAPON MANNERS.—It appears that twenty colliers went to work to one of the collieries of that parish about nine days ago, but they were driven back by men, women, and children, with stones after them, towards Merthyr. Some followed them upwards of three miles, and the lan- guage used was quite Billingsgate. RHYMNEY IRON WORKS.—Many of those who were getting high wages have been reduced here also. POVERTY AT MERTHYR.—It is a fact, that a woman died in a part of this town last week whose whole household furniture consisted only of an iron kettle and two small stools. Many at a distance infer that the generality of the people at Merthyr get money like sand," as they say, whereas the case is quite the reverse. As far as we have been able to get information, we are not far from the mark in saying, that the whole will not average much above fifty shillings a month. It is true that some in the fire works get five and six pounds, or, perhaps, more but there are hun- dreds in the mine works below two pounds. Indeed, we were informed by an industrious, hard-working, and sober miner lately, that his whole earnings last month amounted only to 34 shillings and some pence. THE WELSH WESLBYAN TEA PARTY was held on Wed- nesday last, and was remarkably well attended by parties of all religious denominations. Upwards of one thousand cards, at one shilling each, were sold, which is a large num- ber, considering the distressed state of the times, and the frequent occurrence of such meetings, ever celebrated for the love of order. The arrangements were truly excellent, such as reflected great credit on the followers of the venera- ble John Wesley. The ladies performed their duties ad- mirably. At the close, those who were not under the necessity of leaving were ably addressed by Messrs. William Morris, O. Shellard, the Rev. B. Owens, of Zoar chapel; Messrs. William Jones, John Davies, and the Rev. T. Davies, of High-street chapel. V otes of thanks were passed after to the different speakers, to the ladies who officiated, to the waiters, the steward (Mr. Jones), the singers, Mr. Williams, for the loan of his boards; Mr. Williams, for the loan of his boiler, and for water and to the chairman. MERTHYR THE REFUGE OF THE DYNION DmvG" (bad men).—The whole of the iron works from Hirwain to Blaenavon is designated by the distant country people by the name of Merthyr and when any one commits a crime it is immediately supposed that he is fled to Merthyr. It must be admitted that there is some truth in the supposition, for a fellow of the name of John Evan*, alias "Cotton," who had committed two robberies at Carmarthen in April last, was taken by Sergeant Davies lately, and was sent down to take his trial in that town. This fact, like many others, loudly calls on those who love morality to do their utmost for their fellow-men. BUILDING.—Most unfortunately for our artisans there is less building going forward here than has been for the last ten years. The weather, even on the hills of Glamorgan, the latter part of last week more resembled the finest weather in June than the middle of March. This week we have had heavy gales. The oldest inhabitant" does not recollect such variableness in the atmosphere. Sowing has commenced in many parts of the country. Plymouth iron works, it is reported, intend following the example of the other works, in reducing the men'i wages to some extent. MERTHYR POLICE.—FRIDAY, 17. (Before G. R. Morgan, Esq., and the Rev. C. Maybery.) John Evans, labourer, of Dowlais, was committed to 14 days' hard labour at Cardiff House of Correction, for leaving his wife become chargeable to the parish of Merthyr. Evan Richards, collier, was charged by John Jones with asaulting him on the 27th ult. Case dismissed.—Ordered to pay costs between the parties. David Rees, Newbridge, appeared to a summons obtained against him by William Rees for non-payment of wages— jE3 17s. Ordered to pay part of the demand only, and costs to be paid between the parties. A few other cases of drunkenness, &c., were disposed of. MONDAY. (Before G. R. Morgan, Esq.) John Long was committed for trial at the next Glamorgan Quarter Sessions, for stealing a pair of shoes at Hirwain, on the 18th instant. ABERDARE. AEERDARE.—Upwards of 100 fresh hands have been taken in here to the the coal work. The 69 old colliers are •till unemployed. On Tuesday last they had the offer of going for a month to the coal work, near Pontaberpengam, and that at the expiration of that period they should be re- employed at Aberdare but this offer they thought proper to refuse. They are wandering about in a pitiable condi- tion, and have nobody to blame but themselves. It being arranged by Mr. Powell, proprietor of the Duf- fryn colliery, Aberdare, to resume the working of the colliery which had been closed nearly three weeks, in con- sequence of the turbulent conduct of the wives of the turn- out colliers, who were located in a row of cottages adjoining the works, who whenever any new workmen were seen to approach the works assembled in front of their houses, beating frying-pans and old kettles, and other articles which they could collect—hooting, yelling, and making such other noises, for the purpose of annoyance, the husbands and other colliers being amongst them, exciting them on accordingly. About 50 colliers from other works were engaged by Mr. Powells agents, and proceeded to the works early on the Monday morning. Mr. Superintendent Davies received information that the Monmouthshire colliers intended meeting at Gellygare early on the morning of the 13th inst. also, and from thence intended proceeding to the Duffryn works, he consequently sent a body of police to the works, to prevent a breach of the peace, followed by Captain Napier, chief constable, and a strong body of police. Upon the men arriving near the colliery the women again made their appearance, making use cf the same means of annoy- ance, and then proceeded to throw stones at the men and police. Several of the police proceeded amongst the women to remonstrate with them on the illegal proceedings. Two masons, father and son, John and Williqrrt Evans, were apprehended and taken before the magistrates, J. B. Pryce, and G. R. Morgan, Esquires, at the Duffryn Arms, where the magistrates were located they were committed for trial at the ensuing Quarter Sessions, the former for exciting the women and others to assault the police, and the latter for actually assaulting them since which no annoy- ance has occurred from the women. The new hands as many as Mr. Powell wishes to employ still continue to work. The constabularly have had a most harrassing and labori- ous duty to perform within the last three weeks, towards preventing disorders, riot, and damage to property, being committed by the turnouts. Nothing but the cool fearless, and decisive exertions on the part of the officers under Captain Napiers command, has saved a general rising which at one time threatened the district. [We insert the above because it appears to be the accurate account of an intelligent workman, or other eyewitness; but we are happy to say that they have all returned to their work, both at the Gellygare and Duffryn collieries, except those who so wantonly gave up good employ.]

-"a-Disturbances in South…

I __Jttoitmottiftgfure.

[No title]

IBrecotitfitre, --I

Imperial itarhammt,

CHURCH-RATES.

Family Notices