Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

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f Welsh Topics. The Romance of the Rhondda- Tiiue there was when the name of the Hliondda was unknown. Sixty years ago it was comparatively unheard of, and prior to that was only known to travellers who toured the. Valley to view its rustic glens, its woody slopes, its green swards, and its Alpine scenes. All who camo here were cliarmed by the greenness of the verdure, the varied tinted slopes of her rugged hills, the perfect clearness of her stream and her beautiful trout—alas! no more—and the quaintness of the inhabitants and their musical dialect. Thc.so things are no more. The scene is changed. Instead of the romantic dale, we have, a polluted, filthy stream, the banks made hideous by the black rubbish of the earth's bowels, mining companies vieing to make the hills higher, and all combining to rend the air with the un- ceasing noise of their machinery. The Valley has become the dumping ground of representatives of every county within the United Kingdom, and not a few European nations, and within the course of a. day's journey one may hear as many as half-a-dozen different tongues. EARLY HISTORY OF THE VALLEY. The first written account of the Valley dates back to the sixth century, though the unwritten history goes back two or three thousand years before Christ. The first name which sheds light on these Valleys is Ystradyfodwg, a compound word of Ystrad and Dyfodwg. Ystrady- fodwg, or, as it is written in one book, Ystradyvodwg, means the Vale of Dyfodwg, the son of Gwilfyw, of the family of Coel Godhebog, a saint of tho sixth century. He was associated with the church of Illtyd, whose name is found in the place-name Llanilltyd. Another church dedicated to Dyfodwg was Llan- dyfodwg, in the Ogmore Valley. The Latin form of Dyfodwg is Divitiacus. ANCIENT DIVISION OF THE LAND. Old Welsh territory was, it must be remembered, divided into cantrefs" and "cymwds," or commotes. Ystradyfodwg belonged to the Oantref of Penychen or Pen-y-Nen, and within it were the four commot-e-sof Meisgyn (Miskin), Glyn Rhoddni (Vale of Rhondda), Tal-y-Van (Welsh St. Donats, &c.), and Rhuthyn. In another list they are given thus —Y Van, Maenor Rhuthyn, Meisgyn, and Glyn Rhoddni. This is the division based unon the survey of Llywelyn, the last Prince of Wales, who was slain in 1282. The Rhondda was thus within the Cantref of Penychen, which probably irean's the highlands. (Pen, head; ych, i.e., uch, meaning high). Another word which supports this view is Blaeniau," or .iu the patois of Glamorgan,Blaena. One still hears the men of the hills called by the folks of tho Fro as Gwyr y B taenia." The men of the mountain dis- ttict were to be feared, for they were noted for their dash and undaunting spirit, for it was often said. Ymswynwch rhog Gwyr y Blaena," (" Beware of the men of the hills"). "Gwyr y Blaena" was of equal meaning with" Gwyr yr Ystrad." The Blaena, was noted for its pretty, winsome lasses when the Vale could praise none other than its milched cows. Dywedir er's petli oesa Mae buwch o'r Fro yw'r gora, Ond cyn boddlonir cyflawn serch, RhaId yw cael merch o'r Blaena." To_ return to our former remarks, the palish was divided into four manors — (1) Rhigps. Rhicos, or Rhigoes, now no longer a part of Ystradyfodwg, but of the Aberdare district. (2) Y Faenor Ganol (the Middle Manor). (3) Maenor Clydach (the Clydach Manor). (4) Maenor Penrhys (the Penrliys Manor). A TOUR OF THE RHONDDA IN 1803. Posing by what references there are i ° Pa,1"ish in early times—which we shall note when dealing with the place- names—we will give a description of tho Dhondda asi it appeared in 1803. This is found in The Scenery, Antiquities, and hlOgraphy of South Wales," by Malkin (1807). He approached the Valley from Jji.antnsant, and writes of it thus: — "The parish of Ystradyfodwg exhibits such scenes of untouched nature as the imagination would find it difficult to sur- pass; and yet the existence of the place is scarcely known to the English traveller, lhose who know the wilds of Ystradyfodwg have seen such woods and groves as are rarely to be found. The almost perpen- dicular sides of the hills are clothed nearly to the top with dwarfish stunted oak, scarcely exceeding the size of garden shrubs. Towers of naked stone occasion- ally start up, which overhang the road, and seem to endanger the traveller. Above Porth the district: Hereabout and for some miles to come there is a degree of luxuriance in the valley infinitely beyond what my entrance on this district led me to expect. The contrast of the meadows, rich and verdant, with moun- tains the most wild and romantic, sur- rounding them on every side, is in the highest degree picturesque. On the farm 4)r Llw.ynypia, standing alone by the road- side, there is the tallest and largest oak tnat ever I have happened to meet with." occuPier of the farm at this time i Jane Davies, a widow. Beyond the farm was a very beautiful field, contain- ing a rich grove, overhanging which was a towering rock. The Valley at this date was thinly peopled, the whole number of souls, in- cluding Rhigos, numbered only 542 (Census 1801) The paucity of the popu- lation is emphasised by him thus: I Had met with but one person of whom I could ask a question since my entrance into the parish." The sound of voices from some labourers in a wood near by attracted his notice, their welcomes •startled him, for lie could hardly believe the Valley was peopled at all. The people were few .and poor; "though ignorant f]"ll "P 81/ tlu-.y W6re far from being V th0y, ]l.ad enough boisterous plea- santry exclusively their own." -He' continued his journey to the old "f and of the Valley beyond this he remarks:—" After you passi the^church the fields and meadows L ilnn l0UII,d to' lw narrower and clo^ i 6 •'0cks aiKl llilIs gradually SSJir' » he?immg bolder and more 111 theu' ^Poarances, while the The eoS 3 0 opulence of wood, that are narir1"ltei\co"r,ses .those tlie Perspective v'ffi uniformity of lines, and assist 1 r V-ndulating characteristic interest a be improperly be termed Vhe A?™ "S Glamorganshire." Alps oi Leaving the Rhondda, he remarked However fastidious I may lament what iemed to me their miserable condition, I question whether my pity would be justified by their complaints or rewarded by their gratitude." (To be continued). Next week, What does the word Rhondda mean? Books to be reviewed, accounts of Welsh meetings and societies, &c., should be addressed: Welsh Topics, Rhondda Leader," Tonypandy.

Ton-Peritre Police Court. Monday.—Before the Stipendiary (Mr. Arthur Lewis), Messrs. T. P. Jenkins, Enoch Davies, J. D. Williams, R. S. Griffiths, Alderman Richard Lewis, and Mr. W. T. Jones. "A PERFECT MADMAN." Wm. Mills, a Treorchy collier, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting P.O. Case. The latter described Mills' conduct as being that of a perfect madman." Another charge of drunkenness on a subsequent date was also proved by P.C. D. T. James, and fines amounting to E-2 15s. in all wero imposed. ON TOP OF A CAR. For indecent conduct on top of a Tonypandy car on Saturday afternoon, William Jones was fined Cl. "PLAYING OUT. OF TUNE." Joseph Henry Sheridan, a member of the Tivoli Orchestra, was summoned for drunk and disorderly conduct at the theatre. P.O. James said that defendant was absolutely drunk, and had to, be ejected. Mr. T. P. Jenkins (to defendant): You must have been playing out of tune. Defendant was cautioned and dis- charged. SUPPLYING DRUNKEN PERSON. Ed. Griffiths, licensee of the Boar's Head Hotel, Treorchy, was summoned for supplying a drunken person. Mr. W. P. Nicholas defended. Inspector- Edwards said that about 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, 5th December, in com- pany with P.C. James, lie called at the Boar's Head Hotel, and his attention was called to a, man in the passage, who was ) cursing and swearing at a woman. He was staggering badly, and drank from a half-pint measure of beer. When asked for his name and address, he refused, declaring that he was not drunk, and had only had 3 pints of beer that. night At length he gave his name and address as John Ho wens, 19, Hopkin Street, Tre herbert, which proved false. Witness saw the barmaid and the landlady, and the former admitted that she supplied the man with beer. The man eventually went out, assisted by the woman at whom he had j reviously sworn, and both went away towards Treherbert, the man staggering badly on the way. Mr. Nicholas: This man has the mis- fortune of having a deaf wife, and lie is accustomed to speak to her very loudly 2 Witness: He shouted to me as well (laughter). Mr. Nicholas, for the defence, said that he did not contest the facts of the case. He admitted that a mistake had been made by the barmaid, and that defendant was guilty of a technical offence. Defendant had an excellent char- acter, and he (Mr. Nicholas) could safely describe him as a model landlord. Defendant was ordered to pay the costs. PENTRE SHOP BROKEN INTO. John Wilson and Harry Allison, painters, of no fixed abode, were charged with breaking and entering a. lock-up shop and stealing, therefrom a quantity of painter's tools, brushes, clothing, &c., the property of Israel Cohen, master painter, 19, High Street, Treorchy. Prosecutor said that he kept a lock-up shop in Queen Street, Pentre, and when he left the place on the afternoon of the 23rd December, everything was safe and secured. About 6.30 the same evening, he returned to the shop, and found the lock broken, the door forced open, and 23 brushes, some painter's knives, two scissors a jacket and vest, a pair of boots, and other articles missing, amounting to a total of JE4 18s. On the following day. he was shown some clothing and tools (produced), which he identified as his pro- perty. Wilson, he said, had been in his employ for six weeks, .and was paid off on December 23rd. Joseph Freedman, assistant pawnbroker, Tonypandy, gave evidence of receiving a jacket and vest in pledge from Allison on December 23rd and of having advanced 3s. 6d. upon them. P.S. Griffiths, Tonypandy, said that he arrested both prisoners! at the Dinas lodging-house about 11.30 p.m. December 23rd. Wilson was sleeping with a hand- bag (property of Cohen) under his head. Allison was also asleep on a bench, with a. number of the stolen brushes in his pocket.. When subsequently charged by P.S. James, Pentre, both prisoners pleaded guilty, adding that they were in drink. The charge was reduced to one of stealing, and both prisoners were remanded until Wednesday pending inquiries. & OBSTRUCTING A TRAMCAR. David Jones, haulier, Treorchy was summoned for obstructing a tramcar. Traffic Manager Geo. Roddy prosecuted for the Company. Evidence was given by E. Whittaker, a motorman, to the effect that on Satur- day, 13th December, he was driving a car through High Street, Treorchy. Defen- dant had his cart backed up against the curb, whilst the horse stood on the track and barred his progress. Witness en- deavoured to get defendant to turn the horse, but he refused, and when he (wit- ness) turned the horse, defendant .swore at him, and brought the horse back to his former position. He had several men in the car who wanted to catch a train, and the car was delayed about fifteen minutes. Corroborative evidence was given by T. E. Davies, a passenger in the car. Defendant was fined 15s. OBSTRUCTING THE. HIGHWAY. The following were fined for obstructing the highway — Wm. Newham, Blaenycwm, 10s. Walter Martin, Trealaw, 15s. D. J. Evans, Llwynypia, 10s. Thomas Adams, Blaenclydach, 10s. Ephraim Baker, Blaenclydach, 10s. Robert Locke, Trealaw, £ 1. David Locke, Trealaw, 10s. BILLINGSGATE! For indecent language the following were fined: Thomas Watkins, Cwmparc, los. Isaac Evans, Treorchy, 15s. Ellen Jones, Treherbert, 15s. William Roberts, Ystrad, 10s. Evan Jones, Tonypandy, 15s. Wm. Hughes, Blaenclydach, 15s. STREET CORNER CONFERENCES. For obstructing the pathway at Tre- orchv, Wm. Davies, Dd. Davies and Wm. Williams Treorchy, were fined 5s. each. P.C. Phillips gave evidence. THE CUP THAT INEBRIATES. The following fines were imposed for drunk and disorderly conduct:- Fredk. Sliortman, Ystrad, lOe. Joseph Jones, Pentre 91. Geo. Humphrey, Portli, 15s. Patrick Minihan, 10s. Ed. Chappell, Treorchy, 15s. Robert Leach, Cwmparc, 5s. William Jones, Porth, 10s. William Cronin, Ton, 10s.

"My Body would go Cold." = HEADACHE, CHILL, AND INDIGES- TION. CURED BY CHAS. FORDES BILE BEANS AFTER FOUR HOSPITALS FAIL. For five years I did not know what it was to feel well," said Mrs. Louisa Young, of 69, Uverdale Road, Chelsea., London, S.W., to a local reporter, but after taking Chas. Forde's Bile Beans I am well and strong again. Indigestion attacked iiio violently after every meal. Pains in the chest and stomach fairly took my breath away I rose in the morning with a splitting headache, after being kept awake often the whole night through. My head swam with dizziness, and mv whole body trembled with cold and chilly feelings. There were pains in my back just as though someone was stabbing me. When the attacks were bad 1 fre- quently fainted away completely. Then my body would go cold, and I would be apparently lifeless. I became quite thic, and wasted through inability to take food. In fact, I was too miserable and in too much pain to enjoy food or any- thing else. -1 r. 1,ro. t 1 tried my own doctor, aiui aitti had failed I went to the Women s Hospital. They tried their best, but- could make nothing of my case, so I went back home and had another private doctor,with equally disappointing results. Afterwards I went to two more ho-spitals, but again the best physicians could do nothing: for me. I was in despair until my husband read the account of a. re- markable cure by the genuine Chas. Forde's Bile Beans. We were both so impressed that my husband immediately bought a box of Chas. Forde's' medicine, and before the box was half finished I found they were curing me. I ate and slept much better, and had not nearly so many attacks of indigestion and faintness. I persevered with Chas. Forde's Bile Beans—and when buying I always made certain I got a box with 'Cha.s. Forde's' on' the label—and daily became brighter and healthier. I ate heartily food that I daren't have touched at one time, and with my renewed strength I busied my- self about the house again, quite like old times. Chas. Forde's Bile Beans eventually made a wonderful cure- they brought me splendid health, although skilled doctors failed to give me relief." Chas. Forde's Bile Beans, the genuine kind that cured Mrs. Young, are the most success- ful and famous remedy for liver chill, winter colds, anaemia, bad complexion, constipa- tion, and indigestion. Sold by all chemists, in sealed boxes only, 1/1 and 2/9. Never loose or in pennyworths. Beware of worth- less imitations. Always see "CHARLES FORDE'S on the label before putting your money down.

Llwyn p. to. The interment of the late Mrs. Sarah Saunders, of 17. Glamorgan Terrace, took place on Wednesday, December 23, at Cefncoed-cymmer Cemetery. De- ceased, who lived with her son, Daniel Saunders, had attained the ripe old age of 78 years. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. H. Jones & Son, undertakers, Ystrad Rhondda.

Ystrad. The funeral of Mrs. Annie Ford. wife of Mr. John Ford, 16, Ystrad Terrace, Ystrad, who died on the 16tli inst., at the age of 61, took place at Treorchy Cemetery on Monday. December 21st, the Rev. J. Whittock, Tonypandy, officiating. The mourners included Mr. George Ford (husband), Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Russ (son-in-law and daughter), Mrs. George Chivers (daughter), Miss Edith Ford (daughter). Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ford (brother-in-law and wife), Mrs. Alfred Cox (niece), Mr. and Mrs. Jones (nephew and niece), Messrs. Tally, Oscar, and Charlie Ford (nephews., Misses Pauline and Edith Ford (nieces), Messrs. Frank and Idris Russ and Misses Gwladys and Dorris Russ (grand- children). Intimate friends of deceased who were present included the follow- ing: -Mrs. Henry Ford, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, Mr. and Mrs. John Chivers, Mr. and Mrs. Walker, Mrs. W. E. Willis (contractor), Mrs. Painter (Porth), Mrs. Noble (Porth), Mr. W. Willis (late of Canada), Councillor T. Thomas, Misses Emily Ceasar, 01 wen Boricombe, C. A.,Gi-iffitlis. and A. Evans. A beauti- ful wreath was given by the children, and wreaths were sent by the follow- ing —LVirs. W. E. Willis (contractor), Mrs. John Shergold, Mrs. Plenty, and Mrs. Brinn. The funeral arrangements were successfully carried out by Messrs. Howell Williams & Son, Ystrad-Rhondda. I__