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Frightful Loss of Life at…
Frightful Loss of Life at Middle Duffryn Colliery. SIXTY-FOUR LIVES LOST. Intelligence of this dreadful event reached our office on Monday night; and on proceeding to the spot next morning, our reporter immediately put himself in communication with the agents at the Colliery, from whom he received every at- tention, and the fullest information that could be obtained, upon all matters in connection with the lamentable catastrophe. The Middle Duffryn pit and works are situated in the Aberdare valley, at the foot of the wood-crowned Duffryn mountain, almost directly opposite the residence of Crawshay Bailey, Esq., M.P., and the iron furnaces of that gentleman, at Aberaman. The Colliery thus lies on the right hand side of the valley, about two miles up from the Mountain Ash station on the Taff Vale Railway, adjoining the canal, and distant from Aberdare about two miles. The cottages in ■which the workmen principally resided, are adjacent to the Lletty Shenkin Colliery; and this quiet and picturesque locality was on Monday night converted into asadand terrible "place of mourning." We have stated that every information was readily afforded; indeed, after Messrs. Williams and Shipley, the intelligent and experienced agents, and Mr. Daniel, the clerk, had replied to all questions put to them, our reporter Was solicited to make enquiries of the colliers who were then at the pit's mouth, some of whom were called in; and their answers were also freely and unreservedly given. It appears that on Sunday, Mr. Shipley, agent, and Evan Beddoe, fireman, witli others, were below ground, attending to various works, i:i respect to new headings, &c.; and that on Sunday evening, the pit was left, apparently free from gas. Next morning, two firemen went in at four o'clock, attended to the furnace tire, made a thorough examination, and found all right; after which, they returned, and acted in accordance with the following rule of the works :— The firemen to examine the whole of the working places, and the main returns every morning, and af1 .-wards return to the lamp room for the purpose of stipplyi lamps to the Wh orkmcn, and giving them necessary instructions until they have all proceeded "in-bye;" and no workman shall, on any account, proceed to the in. bye side of the lamp room, before the firemen have returned to that place, and reported the Workings safe." Evan Beddoe, one of the firemen, whom we saw at his own house, suffering slightly from burns, stated that he was one of those firemen, and added I saw nothing like gas anywhere, nor anything dangerous -no, not a cause to fear anywhere." Everything being thus reported quite safe, the colliers and boys,at about half-past six o'clock, began to descend in lots of eight; and ninety-two human beings, with several horses, were all busily engaged at eight o'clock in their subterranean occupations. There were, at this time, several naked candles burning in parts of the working; but this, we understood, was usual, and permitted, under the following regulation — No person is allowed, under any pretext whatever, to work without a safety lamp, in any place where there is the least appearance of fire-damp; and the firemen are hereby authorised to compel any person to leave the mine imme- diately, who persists in using a naked light, after having been ordered to use a safety lamp; and such person shall not be allowed to resume work again without orders from the manager. Between seven and eight o'clock, Beddoe, the fireman, discovered indications of a fall in the deep heading-that is, some of the stuff" apparently becoming loose and disengaged in the roof of the heading. He at once apprised Mr. Shipley of this circumstance, who proceeded to examine the spot with naked candles, the fireman having previously pronounced it free from gas. Mr Shipley directed four men to be sent for, who were to erect a ceiling of timber to prevent the antici- pated, fall and preparations for this work were soon after commenced. At this time, the ventilation of the pit was very strong; indeed, one of the colliers informed us, that he was obliged to shelter his candle in a lantern, to prevent its being blown out by the current of air. There were then from twenty-eight thousand to thirty thousand cubic feet of pure atmospheric air, driven into the works per minute this being aceom- plished by two modes—the ventilating furnace, at the bottom of the descending or winding shaft, which forces the air through the works in a particular direction, and the steam jet, which work at the top of the upcast shaft, drawing out all the foul air which the atmospheric current has displaced. The ventilation goes on night and day continuously. There was, then, not the slightest apprehension of danger, or of the frightful calamity which presently afterwards ensued The men who were directed to board up the appre- hended fall, proceeded about the work, just previously to nine o'clock, and all was going forward in the accustomed manner Suddenly, a loud booming roar, and an upfiying cloud at the pit's mouth, told the terrified men on the surface, that an explosion of fire-damp had taken place. Horror and con- sternation deprived those who heard and saw those frightful Judications of the appalling event which had occurred, of all ■TjRwet to speak or move for many seconds; till Mr. Shipley, StPfche a^ent, bidding some men follow him, proceeded down the ladders of the descending shaft, as fast as possible, to render assistance in bringing those who might have escaped the deadly effects of the fire-blast, to the surface. Some men Were hurrying up the ladder, having been near the pit's moutil when the explosion took place, and able to escape. Shipley harried on but oncoming to the place of the bottom ladder, which was about 20 yards long, lie found that it had .^broken away. Laying hold of a swinging rope, he slid to the bottom by it, and there found three or four dead men. -1 hey were the party he had sent to repair the heading; and it wa- probable, that before they could arrive at that place, the fall had occurred, either by a "biower," or explosion of 11re-1 damp, or from some other cause, and had dislodged the gas which might have been pent up there; and then, these poor fellows rushing back, fled to their only means of escape, the ladder which being broken, as above stated, they were killed by the fall. Mr. Shipley and his assistants proceeded into the levels, so t-. far as the after-damp, or choke-damp, permitted. They first met some poor fellows staggering along, half suffocated, and almost insensible. Tliese were helped out. Stumbling over one or two dead bodies in their way, they returned, and renewed an air door, which had been blown away by the explosion. After that, they proceeded to the deep heading end, and found one man alive, Him they rescued. then they came upon more of the dead. This was all on tne east side of the working, where the explosion was supposed to have occurred. They next met four men staggering along, like people inebriated, having imbibed some of the terrible choke-damp, and others being slightly burnt. All the men in the west side escaped easily: and those who were injured ■were quickly removed to the surface, twenty-eight men and youths being saved, out of the ninety-two. Beddoe, the fireman, stated that when he found the fall had taken place in the deep heading, he "met the gas" himself, rushing along the levels. He cried out to his partner to run one way, while ho ran the other, to give warning, and take precautionary measures and he says that, knowing the danger if the gas reached the flue, or furnace, lie saw that lie could perhaps avoid the explosion, if he had time to rush forward, and closo the air-doorway. But at that moment, he heard the explosion. He was then about eighty yards from the bottom of the shaft. The force of the explosion struck him down. He arose in a short time, and lost him- self for a bit:" then he heard voices, recovered his conscious- ness and ran before the choke-damp, with other men whom he found at the bottom of the downcast, to the pumping pit, where the fresh wind was rushing down, and he and his companions were saved.. Returning to Shipley and his brave companions, we find them pursuing their way amidst all the horrors of the place, and ultimately, at about one hundred yards from the winding shaft, stumbling over a large heap of dead bodies. These poor fellows had, it may be supposed, rushed towards the shaft, on hearing the explosion, but being met by the fatal "choke damp" on their way, the foremost perhaps foil, and then those who followed, fell also, until the accumulating pile of dead men stopped all further progress. The bodies were conveyed to the surface: and the men still went on, presently coming to a second heap of the dead. These, too, had no doubt," staggered along, till, obstructed by the fall of one of their companions, all fell likewise, and perished on the ground. The last groans, the last prayers, the farewells, uttered for those who, at home, were at that moment uncon- scious of their sons', their husbands', or their brothers'fearful doom,-alas! none can tell how agonizing were these. Harrowing as even the general details of this calamity must be, there were incidents connected therewith which give to it additional painfulness. Among those who were killed were a father and his two boys. Happy youths on the Sabbath day before then proceeding cheerfully on the first day of labour, to toil anew with their father, for the maintenance of their mother, at home, and themselves. They were but children -ten and eleven years of age. Among the ghastly heap of the dead, poor Morris, the father, was found, clasping his boys, one under each arm, to his sides; and.4there they were, cold and stark and dead. God only knows the dreadful apprehension, the strong affection, the despair, of that poor father, when, endeavouring to snatch his children from the Destroyer, he rushed along the dark level, with the hope of life and parental affection impelling him onwards. But their companions had fallen; the path waschoked up escape impossible; and the terrible after-damp quickly executed its work. Near them, also, were two fine youths, who were the only support of their mother; and she was a widow." Imagination may pourtray tho utter desolation of her home on that Monday night.. Some lay clasping each other—perhaps in their blind ana bewildered moments of death, grasping, as drowning men will do, at their companions, and falling down lifeless together. But the spectacle exhibited at the pit's mouth surpassed all others. There were aged mothers, awaiting with frightful sus- pense, to clasp the bodies of their darling sons-wives. staring wildly over each other's shoulders to catch the first glimpse of their husbands' ceuntenances-sisters, looking with speechless ap- prehension. for brothers; and young maidens, fearing that among each fresh lot of human corpses brought up, they might recognize those whom they had loved. Language would fail to depict this harrowing spectacle in its true colours. i Humanity is always prominent, in the hour of danger and dis- • '—«s. among the Welsh colliers and it was well displayed on this -1; for the moment the intelligence spread throughout the at an explosion had taken place at the Middle Duffryn 1 of eolliers and others ran to the scene of disaster, from all the works in the locality. Indeed, we were informed that more than a thousand had gathered together in a few hours afterwards, all anxious to render some service, and administering rough but timely consolation to the suffering widows and mothers they saw around them. The first bodies were brought up at about eleven o'clock, and the whole sixty-four were up soon after six. Two men who had been very severely burnt, expired after they had been taken to their homes. All the bodies were conveyed from the pit at once to the lodgings or houses which had been their place of abode, on being handed over to the friends who were_ present to receive them. Three horses were killed by the after-damp. They were brought Three horses were killed by the after-damp. They were brought up on Tuesday evening. There were fifteen persons burnt by the explosion, but. escaped the after-damp; although two, as we stated above, died from the effects of the injuries received. The intelligence was conveyed to Mr. Powell, at The Gaer, near this town, by special messenger; and Mr. Oakley, manager for Mr. Powell, and Mr. Watson, the engineer, at once proceeded to the spot, where Mr O. rendered every assistance to the unfortunate fami- lies that had been thus suddenly deprived of their protectors, and gave the necessary instructions for the interment of the dead. Twenty-four men were at once put to work to prepare coffins; and those colliers who were injured by burns, were promptly attended by Mr. Davies, of Aberdare, the surgeon of the works. 'That gen- tleman, on an examination of the dead, declared it as his opinion, that not a single death had been occasioned by burning, except the two which occurred after the sufferers had been brought from the pit. Wc understand that the explosion did not occasion so much damage to the works, as the great loss of life might lead one to expect. It may be correctly inferred from this fact, that the deaths were rather the result of the choke," or after-damp, than fire- damp. A mineral surveyor of considerable eminence (Mr. Llewellin, of rontypool) inspected the colliery on behalf of J. B. Price, Esp., the landlord, only on the previous Thursday; and we have seen a letter from him, written to Mr. Powell, in which he expressed himself as quite satisfied and pleased with the manner in which the colliery was managed, especially ia respect to the ventilation. Mr. Llewellin will be called upon, without doubt, to give evidence on this point, at the inquest. It will be consolotary to the friends of the deceased, and espe- cially to Mr. Powell, the proprietor, that the lamentable casualty was one of those against which, apparently, human forethought and experienced ingenuity could devise no more effectual means than were adopted and that, consequently, no blame is attachable to any person or persons as to its cause. Several other explosions have occurred in the locality. The explosion of fire-damp at Lletty Shenkin, where the same highly-gaseous seam of coal is worked, and which happened about four years ago. occasioned the deaths of fifty-two in the pits, and two on the surface. The proper notice of the explosion was despatched to the Home Government, shortly after its occurrence, by H. A. Bruce, Esq., ma- gistrate and it was fortunately the case, that II. J. Mackworth, Esq., government inspector, was at Cardiff when the intelligence reached that place. He at once proceeded to the spot, and made a minute examination of the plans of the workings, and instituted inquiries, which will be carried to a greater extent, when the works are sufficiently cleared below to permit examination. All this will doubtlessly occupy about a week from the time of the accident, during which time the colliers will suspend work. On Tuesday, Mr. Overton, of Merthyr, the coroner, visited the spot, and summoned his jury, who made personal observations at the colliery, and viewed the bodies; and their further inquiry was then adjourned to Wednesday next. The following were the gentlemen of the jury: — Mr. John Lewis, foreman. Mr. David Thomas Mr. Nicholas Davies David Davies Jacob Giles ])all iel Davies John Roberts Nathaniel Mills 1 Thomas Thomas Morgan Morgan David Williams Morgan Morgan John Davies Itichard Jenkins David Griffiths Daniel Davies Nathaniel Jones George Watts John Jones LIST OF THOSE WHO DTED • — Edward Davis, aged 34, collier, wife and five children. David Davis son, 14, collier. Richard Smith, 3S collier, wife and two children. Richard Smith, son 17, collier, single. Richard Jonathan, 43, collier, wife. David ltees, 52, collier, widower, two children. Ebenezer Morris, 32, collier, wife and four children. David Morris son, 10, collier. John Morris, son, 11, collici. James Jones, 37, collier, wife and four children. William Jones, son, 12, collier. Daniel Matthews, 18, collier, single. Bicliard Richards, 5.5, collier, widower, two children- Thomas Jcnk Itees, 29, collier, wife. Owen Jenkins, 27, colliei, single. William Lewis, 23, collier, single. Rees Hopkins, 5'), collier. wife and one child. John Ilopkins, son, 15, collier. William Marks, 15, door boy. Charles Marks, U, door boy. Jenkin Rosser, 22, collier, single. John Thomas, 12, door boy. Jenkin Aubrey, 2S. hallier, wife and two children. David Lewis,32, collier, wife and two children. Thomas Williams, 28, collicr, wife and four children. John Rees, 30, collier, wife and one child. William Ashton, 22, collier, single. David Jenkins, 36, collier, wife ani five children. Edmund Phillips, 16, collier, single. Charles Davis, 46, collier, wife. Evan Evans, 17, collier, wife. Evan Evans, son, 21, collier, wife and child. Richard Evans, son, 11, collier. Samuel Rees, 37, fireman, wife and child. Charles 1\ hite, 35, collier. wife and three children. Thomas Pritchard, 36, collier, wife and four children. W illiam Richards, 16, collier. John Richards, 12, door boy. Thomas Rees, 23, collicr, wife. William Andrews. 29 collier, wife and family. James Griffiths, 20, collier, single. 'J homas Roes, 13, door boy. John Jenkins. 12, door boy. Thomas Evans, 41, collier, wife. Charles Thomas, 46. collier, wife and four children. Evan Thomas, son, 19, collier, single. David Thomas, son, 17, collier. Charles Thomas, son, 11, collier. Henry Davis, 26, collier, single. Itosser Thomas, 3 2. collier, widower and one child. Rowland Rowlands 50, collier, single. David Jones, 38, collicr, wife and two children. Lewis Jones, 42. collier, wife and fourctiildren. William Jones, son, 16, collier. John Jones, son, 14, collier. Owen Evans, 56, collier, wife and three children. Thomas Morgan, 23, collier, single. William Samuel. 16, collier. John G riffiths, 21 hallier, single. Daniel Dear, 26. collier, wife and two children. David John, 11, door boy. Levi Harris, 27, roadman, single. Thomas Phillips, 30, collier, wite and four children. David James, 36, collier, wife and three children. LIST OF THOSE WHO SURVIVED: — I John Jones, David Edwards, David ttowlands, William Ley- shone, David Jones, John Edwards, David Evans, Morgan Rosser, Daniel Griffiths, William Jones, Thomas Lewis, David Davies, Jenkin Griffiths William Williams, Jenkin Thomas, and John Morris colliers; Evan Beddoe. fireman David Davis, and son, fluprr.cn- Mik-- Barrv, roadman; Jenktu-Tones,hitcher; William Thomas,' Daniel llafries, .David Lewis, John Thomas, and David Williams, lialliers; ltees Leyshone and Walter Price, door boys and Thomas Morgan, windway. „r It is a singular fact that so recently as Wednesday morning, in o-oing down the pit, and to the end of tne main level heading, one I of the horses was found quite well and uninsured and there is but little doubt, had the unfortunate men and boys remained where they were at work, for half an hour or an hour, instead of rushing out into the danger, where they fell over cachoth' r and were suf- focated by the choke or after- damp—that neaii) the whole of them miuht have survived. We understand that Mr. Powell, being overwhelmed with gnefi has not left his room since the occurrence of the above appalling catastrophe.
ABERGAVENNY.
ABERGAVENNY. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 12. (Magistrates present:—The Hon. W. P. Rodney, F. H. Williams, Esq., and the Rev. G. W. Gabb.j The case of Lear v, Williams, both of Garnddyris, which had been adjourned till to-day, in order to allow Williams the opportunity of producsng witnesses-that would establish the falsity of Lear's statement—accordingly came on. Com- plainant established the assault, notwithstanding the severe cross-examination which she underwent by Mr. Baker, who had been retained by Williams; yet it was under such pro- voking circumstances, that for the peace of the neighbour- hood, the Bench very wisely beund them both over to keep the peace for three months, in the sum of jE5, and divide the expensas ( £ 1 7s. 6d.) between them. Elizabeth Meredith charged Mr. Tranter with being the father of her illegitimate child and not allowing her any- thing for its support. The child, she said, was 15 or 16 months old. Franter had allowed her 2s. 6d. a week ever since the birth of the child, till within the last five years; and, upon the discontinuance of payment, his excuse was that he had not paid her the 2s. 6d. for the child, but for washing and mending his clothes, Mr. Baker, on the part of I ranter, cross-examined Mere- dith, and a sad tale of frailty was thus drawn from the un- willing exponent of her own folly. Still nothing could shake her evidence as to who was the father of her child. She gave many proofs of the probability that Tranter was the man- proofs that were indeed, sufficiently convincing, even if the pledge of their illicit loves had been in any other arms than those of her mother. Emma Haywood stood charged, by Louisa Clark, with an assault. Complainant is the wife of a sailor-her husband being at present from home. Defendant was, according to complainant's statement, a loose woman of the town. The quarrel began aboet'the children and their dogs, and ended, according to complainant's statement, by her having a large jug of water slushed over her and her chitd. From the sample given in the court of the volubility of the married woman's tongue, there really seemed some reason in the defendant's beating her frying-pan to drown the din. There was nothing remarkable in this, more than in quarrels by women In the same situation in life, except that, perhaps, their language was somewhat coarser. They pledged the Bench that they would keep the peace towards each orher and the rest of her Majesty's subjects for three months paid the expenses be- tween them, received a kind word from the Bench, and left. On Monday, three of the ringleaders of a gang of drunken navies, who had disturbed the neighbourhood on the previous Sunday, were brought before tho Court, when one of them was sent to tho' House of Correction for 14 days for druukj enness, and the other two committed to Usk, to take their trial for an assault on the police. It is hoped there will not be many more occasions for the magistrates, interference in this manner; but, should circum- stances require it, the Bench will act with as much decision as in this instance. It is the only way to convince the wilful and the wayward the drunken and disorderly—that the arm of the law is more powerful than theirs, brawny and powerful though they be.
CARDIFF.
CARDIFF. TAFF VALE RAILWAY TRAFFIC For the Week ending May 8, 1852. Total A704 11 4 I
BLAINA.
BLAINA. PETTY SESSIONS, BLAINA INN—MAY 7. Magistrates present—John Conway, Frederick Levick, and Tom Llewellin Brewer, Esqrs.; and the Rev. David Reece. THE IRON WATCH. Win. Daniel, a good-tempered son of Vulcan, was charged with assaulting a Jew pedlar named Jacob Comeo. -Com- plainant stated that he was last Monday at Nantyglo market, when the defendant reeled up to him, crying out sneeringly, There is that French who robs the country." On gently recommending him to be quiet, and say nothing till he was sober, complainant received from defendant a blow in the mouth, which knocked out one of the few teeth he possessed, the assailant also accusing him of having robbed him of a sovereign, by selling him a worthless watch.-p.C. Marfell was accordingly called to the rescue, and the present charge was brought.—Daniel here cried out loudly, "Oh I'm guilty, III admit; but I had a little beer in me, and so was bound to tell him (Corneo) the truth. And lie did rob me, too for he got a sovereign out of me for an old iron or tin watch, nine or ten years ago."—The charge of assault being thus admitted, Daniel was fined 2s. Sd., and 14s. costs, which he paid. BEER-HOUSE INFORMATIONS. Daniel Samuel, William Harrison, Sarah Williams, and Edward Griffiths, beerhouse keepers, were severally charged, on the information of P-C. Marfell, with having sold beer at improper hours.— One or two of the defendants appeared to entertain the idea, that because the beer which had been drunk after eleven o'clock, had been drawn before that hour, the charge could not be sustained; but Mr. Conway dispelled this illusion, and told the defendants that to allow beer to be consumed in their houses after the hour prescribed by law, constituted the offence, irrespeStiva of the time at which it had been drawn. SERIOUS CHARGE—WESTERN VALLEYS RAILWAY. A well-dressed young man, of gentlemanly appearance, named William Webb, son of Mr. Webb, maltster, Aber- beeg, was charged with having wilfully thrown a quantity of oil into the water tank of No. 14 engine, whereby the said engine was obstructed on the Western Valleys Railway, and the safety of persons drawn by the said engine endangered, contrary to the form of the statute in that case made and provided.—The information was laid under the 15th section of the 3 and 4 Victoria, cap. 97—" An act for regulating rail ways" Mr. Henry Roberts, of Tredegar, was solicitor for the Monmouthshire Hailway ano. Canal Company; and Mr. R.J. Cathcart, of Newport, for the defendant. The case excited great interest in the neighbourhood. The driver of the engine in question was not a member of the engineers' society," the rules of which prohibited fitters from becoming drivers; and he having been a fitter previously to filling his present post, it was suspected that whoever placed theoil in his water tank, did so from malicious motives against him. The defendant, however, was said to be in no way connected with the regular drivers, except by mere ac- quaintance. Mr. Roberts called Joseph Shaw, the driver of No. 14 en- gine but previously to his examination, Mr. Cathcart was desirous of ascertaining if the other side was proceeding under the 15th section as by that section, the offence was rendered a misdemeanour, which could not be disposed of by that Court summarily, but must be tried at the Sessions. Mr. Roberts replied that he was proceeding under the 15th section of the act for regulating railways. Mr. Conway intimated that it would perhaps be better if the Court could deal summarily with the case. Mr. Craig, superintendent of the locomotive department, said the 13th clause rendered persons liable to be taken into custody for doing wilful damage. Mr. 'Cathcart replied that this applied to persons taken in the actual fact. Mr. Conway: But if the party were not taken at the time, the act does not prohibit their being afterwards apprehended. Mr. Cathcart: On looking at the clause. I find it does not assist the other side, as it applies only to the servants of the company-to" engine drivers, guards, porters, and other ser- vants of the company." Only such persons can be appre- hended. Mr. T. L- Brewer: That would not relieve other parties who committed similar offences. It gives power to take such others into custody. Mr. Cathcart: Very well. Let us clearly understand on Mr. Cathcart: Very well. Let us clearly understand on what clause we proceed, and we shall then know what we are about. The Rev. David Reece: Better proceed with the case. If the offence committed is a misdemeanour, it cannot be treated summarily. Mr. Craig- I am sorry to say, then, we shall be obliged to proceed under the 15th section, for a misdemeanour. Shaw was then called, and stated on oath that lie was the driver of No. 14 engine ou the Western A alleys Railway^ at Aberbeeg, driving the passenger train to Ebbw Vale, 'tHtd • assisting at other driving, lie had been on No. 14 since the mi of February last. He was acquainted with the work [ previously to that date. if-- Mr. Conway here intimated to, Mr. Cathcarf,'fhat the (fth section gave the Court power to deal with the case surnfflarily, and to inflict a penalty of £ 5. The words of the sectidtt-Were as follow Any person wilfully obstructing any officer, or agent, of any railway company, in the execution of his duty upon any railway." It was then arranged to proceed under the 6th section. The witness Shaw was again called, and continued his evidence. He said that on the 20th of April, No. 14 worked The witness Shaw was again called, and continued his evidence. He said that on the 20th of April, No. 14 worked as well as an engine could work that he l^ft her all right~in the shed at half-past seven that evening, with tho lid of her water tank properly fastened down by the cotter.' Next morning, on assisting to push a train up the bank, he found his engine "priming," and thereupon attributed it to an over- quautity of water in tho boiler, which would cause priming, as, also, would grease, or any foreign substance of that kind. They did not then look in the tank. to ascertain the cause; I but kept at work, as well as they;could, the engine struggling much, and doing her work badly, priming very much all the while. Had he been wilful, and gone on, he said there might have been a probability of a burst. They then returned to Aberbeeg, where the engine was drawn, and then she worked well. Cross-examined by Mr. Cathcart: I drove the same engine two years ago, and several times afterwards for hours together; but during those periods she was under the charge of a regular driver. Before I became driver, I was a fitter, at Aberbeeg. I was not quite a young hand at driving. My experience with locomotives might be rather new as 1 never had charge of a locomotive as driver, except the times I have Evan Davies, the fireman of No. 14, corroborated the last witness, and added that lie thought at the time, some one had "physicked" the engine. He looked to the fastening of the tank, and found the cotter" out. He saw no sign of oil or any greasy substance on the water; but he saw a mark of oil on the lid of the tank. There was no oil or grease to be seen inside the tank, on the circular bottom, or on the water at the sides. No fresh water had been pumped in, after the priming and before he looked into the tank. Edward Evans was next examined. He said: I am an engine cleaner and fire lighter. It was In the shed at Aber- beeg when No. 14 came in on the evening of the 20th April. I cleaned her, and while about it, saw Wm. Webb, Thomas Parfitt, and Lewis Miles's stepson come in. While I was on the right hand side of the engine, I heard a noise, as if the lid of the tank had been moved; and on looking up, I saw William Webb standing on something by the engine on the left hand side. He must have climbed up there. I could not have seen him, if he stood on the ground. I saw him after- wards, and asked him, "What are you going to stand ? I had heard others ask him, and that was why I made so bold. He went away, but I saw him at Aberbeeg afterwards, when he said, Here, drink and offered me gin in a jar. He, Parfit, and myself, drank some. It was about a pint he had. He has asked me to drink once since that. Next day, 21st of April, when the engine came home, and a conversation took place about the priming. I said to the driver Shaw, "Beware of your friends." I said so, from no particular reason. No one has been talking to me about it since, only Mr. Webb told me to speak the truth. j i Mr. Levick pressed the witness to stato why he had told Shaw to "beware of his friends; but could get no other Shaw to "beware of his friends; but could get no other answer than that he had no particular reason. Mr. Levick said the man was evidently unwilling to state all he knew in the matter.. Mr.Brewer considered the witness had not been sufficiently schooled. Mr. Webb, sen hoped no one would impute improper in- terference with the witness to him. He could assure the Bench that he had not descended to tamper with the M\Ir. Levick said, nothing of the kind was attributed to him. (To witness:) Did you mean, when you gave that warning to Shaw, to refer to the defendant ? Witness: It was more towards lnm than anybody else, he having been in the shed. Mr. Levick: This is evidently an insincere and equivo- cating witness. I only want to get at the truth. However, Mr. Webb had no business in the shed at all, I presume. Mr. Cathcart: There were others there also, who had no business there. Mr. Roberts: But the others with him were not on the engine; and Webb had no business there either. Mr. Cathcart, to the Bench: Gentlemen, you are asked to believe that a young man of respectability, in the presence of several other persons, did all that is imputed to him, wilfully and maliciously, to obstruct the engineer, at the risk of Eunishment by imprisonment or penalty.^ Why, gentlemen, e would have been the most foolish man in existence, to he would have been the most foolish man in existence, to- Mr. Conway: I think you need not trouble yourself to go on Mr. Cathcart. Mr. Roberts: My instructions are, that the company did not impute to Mr.Webb that he committed the offence without instigation. Mr. Conway: You must not impute to him that he did it at all; for there is no evidence either that lie placed oil in the tank., or that any had ever been placed there. The priming is not the consequence alone of oil or grease being in the water; but it also results froqi an over quantity of water. Mr. Craig: It was only on the statement of the last witness, that the case was proceeded with at all, against Mr. Webb. The Bench dismissed the case. Mr Cathcart thanked the Bench, and applied for costs, which Mr. Roberts opposed; but costs were allowed. CURIOUS CASE-FINDINCI OR STEALING. Thomas Parry, mason, Ebbw Vale, was charged on suspi- cion of stealing a pair of trowsers, the property ot Khys Davies.—The case had been adjourned from the previou Court.—Mr. Cathcart, attorney, Newport, now appeared for, the defence.-Rhys Davies stated that his trowsers, which were newly made, were seen by him on the 26th March, at his lodgings, and he missed them and other articles of apparel on the following day; and a month afterwards he saw his trowsers at David Evans's, a tailor. —Thomas Lloyd identified the trowsersas the prosecutor's, he having made them for him, and having a particular mark upon them.—David Evans accounted for their being in his possession, by stating that they had been brought to him to be altered, by Isaac Phillips, who was his journeyman.—Isaac Phillips corroborated the evidence of David Evans, and said he received the trowsers from the prisoner to be altered so as to fit him. On cross- examination, this witness said he was brother-in-law to the prisoner, and that the prisoner went to Pembrokeshire on the 23rd February, and did not return until 6th March prisoner was a married man, of good character,with five or six children depending on him for support.-Thc Bench: Did he tell you where he got the trowsers^—Phillips: Yes; he said he found them in a saw pit.-Upon this evidence,the Bench considered a prima facie case was made out for prisoner's committal; but on his attorney strongly urging that if further evidence were taken, it would exculpate him from the larceny, the Bench consented to do so.—William Griffiths, mason, was then called, and proved that on the 12th March he and the prisoner,with several others, wore digging a foundation across an old saw pit, on the Ebbw Vale Works, when they found a bundle containing the trowsers produced and several other articles that they hung them on a line for five or six hours, and then the trowsers were shown to a publican near the spot, and enquiries made for the owner; but none being found, it was agreed that the prisoner should have them —The Bench dismissed the case but observed that the prisoner had acted very imprudently in adopting some other person's property; and the trowsers, which unfortunately had been considerably shortened to adapt them to the prisoner's length, were handed over to the prosecutor. Several cases, of little importance, having been disposed of, the Court rose-
ESBW 7ALD.
ESBW 7ALD. T. BROWN. ESQ., AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE MONMOUTHSHIRE BOROUGHS. [TO THE EDITOR.] SIR,—In your issue of the past week is a letter from one, signing himself A Liberal Elector." It is not my intention to question the motives of your correspondent, although his signature may bear some doubt as to consistency, if not to veracity. To one so familiar with the proceedings of the Ebbw Vale and Sirhowy firm, it should be a notorious fact, that since the important and highly beneficial change (socially and commercially speaking) in the proprietary of the Ebbw Vale and Sirhowy Works, a marked improvement is every- where seen in the moral and physical condition of those dependent on that firm for employment and bread. In the consummating of this improvement, who was so laboriously energetic as Sir. Tiiomas Brown ? and who so liberal in the evolving of the good here alluded to? In entering on the management of the Ebbw Vale Works, Mr Brown found, in connection with the same, a school for the daily education of the children of the workpeople. Like a consistent Protestant, freely granting to the humblest parent under his employ that right of private judgment which he is anxious to secure to himself, as a man, and to his country, as a politician, he enforces no obligation on the dependents of the firm, for the attendance of their children either at the day or Sunday school, or even at the church of which he is a consistent and regular attendant. It is doubtless his desire that those parents careless of the education of their children, and who have no fixed rule of faith, should impress on the minds of their off- spring the necessity of Sabbath school tuition, even though that tuition be in connection with the Established Church- Beyond this, it is generally known that Mr. Brown has no desire. Coercion, in matters of conscience, has never yet characterised his proceedings; and those parents whose bias of opinion leads to Dissent, have the greatest liberty from him to exercise their convictions to the fullest extent that conscience can demand. Indeed, it is well known that to the English Wesleyan chapel of this neighbourhood, he pre- sented £ 50; to the Welsh Independents, stone, railing, and gate, for the erection of a chapel; and to tho Welsh Inde- pendents and Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, similar benefac- tions have been made. With these facts before us, it is passing strange that A Liberal Elector," so apparently intimate with the proceedings of the district, should question Mr. Brown on matters so familiar to the humblest inhabitant of the neighbourhood. Even three private schools exist under the very gates of the Ebbw Vale Works, and these supported by the workpeople of the firm! More need not be said, unless it be that in this practical and progressive good, the other members of the Ebbw Vale and Sirhowy Company, are cog- nizant and efficient helps. Craving your indulgence for this brief occupancy of your columns, I remain, most respectfully, your obedient servant, WILLIAM EVANS. Btiery Hill, Ebbw Vale, May 3rd, 1852. j* r Pro THE EDITOn-1 Ebbw Valo, May 4th, loo2. SrR -1 read A-letter, addressed to Thomas Brown, Esq., in your last MERLIN, Co,tirl,, *ic. intended evidently, if possible, to injure the fair latpe of that gentleman. Allow me, through the medium of your valuable organ of publicity, to say that, as a Dissenter, I can conscientiously state that the reflections attempted to be made, by inference, against Mr. Brown, are in every way. unjustifiabld. In the first place, 1 be?to sav, without fear of contradiction, that Mr. Brown, when solicited by any denomination of Christians is well known to contribute liberally towards the erection of their places of worship, and has, in many cases, allowed them ground to build upon. Does this appear like high church or sectarian exclusiveness ? I think not- In the next place, children attending his secular school, may go where they like on the Sabbath, for instruction, provided they bring a ticket from their teachers, to prove their attendance and I cannot conceive what offence this arrangement can give any elector for the county or borough. Let this rifleman, who- ever he may be, give his name, and stand the result of his endeavour to falsify the generous character lie has so un- wortliilv assailed. Let this be a warning to him so that the next time he feels disposed to make a flourish in the news- paper, he may be more fortunate in his subject. Yours respectfully, A CALVINISTIC METHODIST- P.S. I shall be most happy to answer any queries, and to give my name, if required. THOMAS BROWN, ESQ., OF EBBW VALE. [TO THE EDITOR.] SIR,-I have no political object in view in the few remarks I now wish to make on the letter of A Liberal Elector," which appeared in your paper of the 30th ult.; my sole pur- pose being to correct some misrepresentations contained in the letter referred to. I quite agree with your correspondent that the principles of the British and Foreign School Society are. by far. better adapted to the circumstances of the Iron Districts, where, as he truly says, nine tenths of the people are Dissenters, than those of the National School Society; though he need not to have gone so far as Caermarthenshire for an instance of the liberality of iron masters, in this respect- for he would find in the very next vale to that of the Ebbw, schools supported most liberally, on the principle he advocates, by the Blaina and Cwm Celyn Iron Company (to their honour be it said), which give satisfaction to all. But your correspondent is most unfortunate in Ins compa- rison of the Messrs. Bailey with the Ebbw Vale Company, with regard to their treatment of education, as the following facts will plainly show. It may be assumed for our present purpose, that the numbers of men employed by these two powerful companies at Nantyglo, Brynmawr, and Beaufort— and at Ebbw Vale, Sirhowy, and Victoria, are nearly alike. Let us now see what provision is made by each respectively, for the education of the children of their workmen: By the Ebbw Vale Iron Company, there are, at Ebbw Vale, 2 schools, with education for about 300 children Sirhowy, 2 „ „ „ :300" Victoria, 1 „ » 150 Pontygof, 1 „ „ n x 150" Total, I) schools, with the means of education for 000 children By the Messrs. Bailey, there are, at Nantyglo, 2 schools, with education for about 300 children Brynmawr, None! >> Sone! Beaufort, None! „ >? u°\ onntt Total, 3 schools, with tho means of education for about 300!' Now, look on this picture and on that! A word as to the management of the schools. Your correspondent asserts that "the Messrs. Bailey do not interfere with the religion and education of their workmen, but allow them to choose their own preachers and schoolmasters." Pray, is he aware that the only schools which they support, are conducted entirely on the principles of the National Society, in all their exclu- siveness? whereas, in the schools of the Ebbw Vale Company (at least in some of them.) the children are not compelled to attend Church on Sunday, nor to learn Church doctrines. Your obedient servant, FAIE PLAT.
MONMOUTH
MONMOUTH JONES'S FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.—A deputation consisting of Messrs, David Owen, W. A. Cossens, Thomas James, and Ed- win Richards, waited personally on the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in London, on Monuay last, and presented a memo- rial in accordance with the resolutions adopted at the public meeting held in the Borough Court on the Tuesday preceding. The reply to the memorial, we understadd, was in consonence with. its prayer, and in aecordance with the wishes of the inhabitants- "that there be no boarders or pay boys allowed in the establish- ment."
StISCA.
StISCA. NEW WBSLEYAN CHAPBL.—The services, in connection with setting apart this edifice for religious worship—tbe com- mencement of which we reported last week-were continued on Sunday last, when eloquent and effective sermons were preached by the Rev. H. Comforth, of Cheltenham, and liberal collections were realised.
CRICILHOWELL.
CRICILHOWELL. A melancholy occurrence took place near this town on Monday, the 3rd instant, which has thrown a gloom over the mnghhouilioml. Mr. \V. H. Thompson, of Glanowncy, farm bailitt to His utrace the Duke of Beaufort, left his home on the previous mormng, without informing his friends of his route, simply sayw0 that he should return to dinner. On his not appearing at the promised time, suspicions were aroused in the minds of his menus, all was not right. A search was made in the afternoon, in Llangat- tock Park, before his disappearance was made known Nothing being heard up to six o'clock, his absence was made public, ana an active search was made by several persons during the evening, out to no purpose. At six o'clock on the Monday morning, hundreds had collected together, and were then divided into parties, to pro- ceed in different directions hill and dale were then scoured; woods and plantations were diligently explored; the canal was carefully dragged, but without any trace of him for whom they sought. In consequence of his being seen at eleven o c o on Sunday, near the Union workhouse, the parties proceeded towards Llangunider, but he had not been seen there. It being no> ne middle of the day, and many of the persons having left their homes without breakfast, some refreshment was given tliem. xnree parties were then formed, and a minute search was commece to- wards the place from whence they started-one party proceeded under the lull towards Llangattock the second, went aLon0 tne canal; and the other, the course of the river towards Crickho w Jl. After a minute investigation, and when the latter party had arrived at Glanusk Park, a hat was observed lying on the side of the l ver, and recognised as belonging to the missing gentleman. A oat was then procured, and in the middle of a deep pool in the U sk, known as the Campwll, the body of the unfortunate man was dis- covered, lying at the bottom, of course quite dead, diately taken to the residence of his friends, whose inexpressible grief may be imagined The deceased had some £ 10 abt him when found, and his watch had stopped about one o clock, tdus in- dicating that the body had been in the water froni hat t me on Sunday, till about six in the evening on XKjday-. An inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon, bafore Edvvan~ Davis, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, when a verdict of T emporary insanity was returned. Several rumours are afloat as to the probable cause of the committal of such an act, the deceased being, as was sup- posed, in good circumstances.
CHEPSTOV7.
CHEPSTOV7. CHORAL SOCIETY.—The second public rehearsal for the season, is announced to take place on Tuesday evening next, at the Bunk Buildings. The programme contains an excellent selection of classical music. 1 he first part is taken entirely from Handel's sublime oratorio, the Messiah. To render this rehearsal more effective, the Society will be assisted by several efficient vocalists, who will sustain the principal parts to per- form so difficult a task, persons of no ordinary ability are re- quired. Indeed, the works of all the classical authors will not admit of a performance, unless given nearly to perfection. Such is the case with the work, a portion of which constitutes the first part of the present programme, and it is determined, on this occasion, to give as peifect a performance of Handel's music as possible. The second part consists of a miscellaneous selection, and contains anthems, quartette, &c. Although not necessarily requiring so strict and elaborate a performance as the preceding, it will constitute an interesting part of the evening's amusement—for those wh > may be present a rich treat is provided. Although some little display in the number of those who will assist, will be manifest, it is the desire of the promoters of the Society, whatever they do, to do it well at the same time, feeling it impossible to execute good music without an efficient and well-disciplined force, combined with effective instruction, afforded by professional aid, the con- ductor, inspired by the hope that classical music, whether sacred'or secular, will ultimately become appreciated, and a knowledge of it cultivated, —feels determined, consistently with the^funds of the society, to make every succeeding re- hearsal equal or superior to the !>receeding one. It is to be hoped that all the members will be present as early as po-Bi- ble, on Tuesday evening, as it is intended to commence punc- tually at the time mentioned in the programme. The society is-presided over by the Rev. J. I), Gabriel, chairman Fenton iioft, Esq., vice-chairman and Mr. E. T. Rvans, (orgaIlMl. of Chepstow), conductor. d..
PONTYPOOL.
PONTYPOOL. A DISTRESS"-ING CASE.—A few days since, a gay OHFR bachelor, who. sometimes, does a little in the bailiff's line, fell over head end ears in love with a httxora widojr of thisiplace, to whom a spruce young boatman had already paid his de voirs. Our bailiff was a strategist, as all bailiffs are said to ba; and resorted to a mode which was well calculated to be distress-big to the widow, but to result pleasantly for himself. He heard" hut she was in ariears to the landlord for reut; and, oh1! wicked Lothario he persuaded the landlord to be re- morseless, and to place in his (the would he suitor's) hands, a distress on her goods for rent: and this advice he cunningly enforced, by mysteriously hinting that all the goods, with the widow, were to 'flit" that very night. Anxious not to be choused," the landloid unwittingly fell into the trap, and ordered a distraint. The scheme was working wonderfully well. The ancient suitor levied, and tried to console the widow's distress, by asking her to share in a drop of creature comfort imtiioing which, she dried bar tears as she listen d to his a'iuse of the unworthy landlord, and his own protesta- tions that he would be her friend. He actually volunteered to pay the rent himself, on getting merely noniinal" possession of her goods, as an acknowledgment,—" you see- he widow was softened by such gallantry and kindness; and drowned her cares in another draught; and the cunning bailiff, having made all square with the landlord, then urged his burning suit and at length was stated to have made all square with the'widow, who intends, it is said, to finish this distressing affair at the hymeneal altar. COUNTY COURT-—The report of the proceedings at this Court vesterday, is necessarily held over, having been received too late for publication in our present number. THIRD PAOK.—The police and other Pontypool intelligence, appears in our third page.
VESSELS LOADING AT CARDIFF.…
VESSELS LOADING AT CARDIFF. FOR FOREIGN. I For the week ending May 12. 1852. Viitorioso, Augoparidi, Malta, 333 tons. Gleniffer, Sargent, San Francisco, 423 tons. Anno, ,\Ic' Taxas, Malta, 526 tons. Sapho, Vlc'Donald, Malta, 416 tons. Albert, Carr, Cadiz, 166 tons. Carleson, Jones, Callao, 758 tons. Vigilant. Spragen, Harberg 98 tolls. Jimelie, Lemeile, Nantes, 74 tuns. Trisoo, Scbultz, Quebec, 383, tons. Coup d'Essai, Lassere, Nantes, 64 tons. Railway, Gremayue, Lisbon, 54 tons. William, Huggitt, Havre, 186 tons. Falcon, Lihone, Madeira, 59 tons. Eliza, Morice, Havre, 189 tons. Ada, Down, Harburg, 99 tons. Clara. Gregory, Horhurg, 171 tons. Ann Clark, Batry, Mora, 213 ions. Hexam, Robinson, Alexandria, 270 tons. Meta, Foradyce, Palermo, 231 tons. Ellen, Bailhade, Malta, 182 tons. Aimee Victoria, Duforce, Algiers, ]20 tons. Joseph Main, ilalgaud, Nantes, 49 tons. Alida, Dreckmam, Krnden, 68 tons. Namsen, Abrahamen, Alexandria, 127 tons. Zuleik, Mark, Porto Rico, 177 tons. Venus Candelo, Malta, 03;; tons. Fori una. Menertz, Constadt, BUtons. Maiia, Howels, Madeira, 291 tons.
MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.—MAV 11.
MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.—MAV 11. (Before Mr. Sergeant Adams, Assistant-Judge, at the Guild- hall, Westminster.) THE BRIGHTON CARD. CHEATING CASF. The grand jury re. turned a true bill, containing nine counts, against Richard Sill, attorney, tor misdemeanour. It was pleferred by Henry Broome, and had relation to the charge of card-cheating at Brighton against John Broome and others. Upon the application of Mr. Parry, the Court granted a war- rant, and fixed the amount of bail, the defendant himself in toO, with two sureties in 940 each. FATAL COLLIERY EXPLOSION-UPWARDS OF TWENTY LIVES LOST. A fearful explosion took place on Thursday fn the A pit, Hepburn Colliery, five miles fiom Shields. There were 200 men and boys in the pit, but the explosion was confined to the Chapter flat, an advance working. The whole of the men and boys in that portion of the colliery, amounting to 22 in number, were instantly killed by the fite, which was quickly extin- guished, in consequence of meeting a horse drawing a number of tubs along the rolley way. The horse was upset and severely injured, bat the men travelling in the tubs fortunately esoaped. The pit was well ventilated, and nothing is as yet known as to the cause produoing the accident. The lessee of the colliery is Mr. Easton, of Gateshead. The colliery is in the fiery Beosham seam, and this is the third explosion that has taken place in it I during the last 20 years. The whole of the bodies were brought to the bank in about two hours after the accident occurred; but I one poor fellow, named Scott, who went in with the hope of saving his brother, fell a victim to his fraternal affection by the after-damp. About 40 children are left fatherless. No injury has been done to the ventilation.
USK
USK PETTY SESSIONS, MAY 7.-Before Evan Jones, Esq., Port- reave. MM arguret Griffiths was charged with having violently assaulted Jemima Davis, on tile 6th inst., at Usk. 1 he amazoa was hound over to keep the peace for three months, and or- dered to pav 8s. 6d. costs MAY 10th. — William Pntchaw, of UsU, butcher,was charged with having, on the 3rd instant, assaulted Henry Roberts, of Usk, mill-w'right. Allowed to settle their civil dudgeon out of cour'.