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THE BRECOM COUNTY TIMES
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THE BRECOM COUNTY TIMES RFTY YEARS OF JOURNALISM. Some Personal Recollections. [BY EDWIN DAVIES.] Founded in 1866, the Brecon County Times has reached its 50tb year. Of its formation, I can only write from information cleaned in the course of many years' associa- tion with the journal as boy and man. But I gladly accede to a request to contribute eome personal recollections. The late Dr. Jarr.es Williams was practically the founder of the journal, and it was due to his initiative that a company, powerfully supported, was established to float the newspaper and a general printing business. There were two other newspapers in existence about this time, in the hands of private individuals, but they did not long survive the advent of the Brecon County Times." Among the early subscribers to the capital of the company were the late Lord Tredegar, Dr. James Williams, the Rev. John Daniel Williams (of Christ College), Col. Snead, Mr David Thomas (solicitor), and others whose names I have forgotten Mr Evan Jones, of Snead's Bank, and Mr Frederick Watkms were also in some way connected with the early enterprise, for I remember both of them coming to the ofBce on Saturday mornings to pay wages. The business was conducted as a pubic company under direct management for several years, but losses in trading led to changes, and the property was leased as a going concern to various persons, after the controHing interest bad been secured by a well-known local solicitor and county man. For some time the editorship and manage- ment were in the hands of Mr Clarke, then of Mr J. Spriggs, a man always in a hurry, and who did not stay long. He was succeeded by Mr W. H. Smith, a splendid Scotchman, with literary gifts and style more suited to the monthly magazine than a county newspaper. One of his efforts was directed to the establishment of'a monthly magazine for the county, which did not survive the second issue. It fell, and the author with it. Both deserved a better fate. Mr Smith found a more appreciative sphere, and attained some distinction later as a journalist and writer. Associated with these gentlemen in the management were Mr John Thomas, a iittie man with a hump, who was nevertheless a most genial fellow, and perhaps the best canvasser and collector the paper ever knew and a Mr Pritchard, who resided in the Watton. ITS SUCCESSIVE LESSEES. The Srat of these was Mr Henry B. Wheeler, of Brecon, a gentleman who had for some time been foreman of the printing department. He was a man of high character, and an ideal employer; a thoroughly competent printer and a capable manager. The business thrived under his guidance for some nve years. He was succeeded by his brother-in-law, the late Mr Edwin Poole, who appointed as his foreman Mr Thomas Jones, the Bulwark. Mr Poole considerably enhanced the com- mercial value of the property, and signalized bis career with progressive enterprise and remarkable ability as editor. Later, I became his foreman and manager, and worked with him for many years. For several years the paper, priced at 2d., and the only newspaper published in the district, was conducted on, shall I say, neutral lines. The position of editor under such conditions was dimcujt. The newspaper was the receptacle of con- tending opinions, and the editor was expected to hold the scales of controversy at equal poise. For some time Mr Poole was successful in doing this but eventually local circumstances proved too strong for him, and he conducted the paper as a Liberal and Nonconformist. He was for years keld in high esteem by many county BMu, who did not agree with his political views, but who admired him for his literary ability and fighting spirit. He added to his popularity and usefulness by editing and publishing a History of Brecon," a small work issued at 2s. 6d. This had a substan- tial sale, and was soon out of print. Later, he issued a couple of Guides to the town and district; and also a History of the Breconsbire Charities." To these be added a more ambitious enterprise, viz., A History of the County." And here, let me add, in explanation of what follows, that I swggested to him at that time a re-issue of Thebphilus Jones' extensive and valued history, with such additional notes as would bring the work up to date. Mr Poole pre- ferred to summarise some of Jones', and to work on his own plan. He carried out his enterprise well, and although much criticised, as always happens, his book was favour- ably received and extensively supported. It was under his editorship that I first wrote a letter for publication. And in the years that followed few issues did not appear without a contribution in some form or other from myself. Indeed, I was frequently in rbe thick of heated contro- versy with somebody or other. My nom de plume was a puzzle to many, and a source of annoyance to not a few but the enter- prise was exciting at times, if not profitable. I have lived, moreover, long enough to note that many of the changes in government and social life, which were then advocated, have been long ago adopted. When Mr Poole closed his association "^ith the Brecon County Times," and started a rival newspaper, I took over the lease and the whole enterprise with fear and trembling, for I was faced with the opposition of two newspapers. I bad entered the oBEce in the year 1870—when the Franco-German war was in full blaze (and one of my nrst duties was to deliver the daily bulletins issued by the proprietors) —bad served as a printer's devil, a seven years' apprenticeship, and a period as journey- man and foreman. I was now installed as editor and manager—a big jump, full of numerous responsibilities; as you, Mr Editor, must well know. It was inevitable, according to the spirit of the times, that attacks and counter- attacks should enaue. I bad been educated in a good school in this respect, and endeavoured to give pretty much as good as I received, without, as I now vouch, the slightest inward feeling of bitterness towards those with whom I had previously been for so long a period associated. Of my editorship, your nie copies must testify. The newspaper extended its circulation into Radnorshire, Glamorganshire, and Mon- mouthshire and in the two latter counties I had branch newspapers until I sold the copyright of them. After a short period as lessee, I obtained by purchase the controlling interest in the "Brecon County Times," amal- gamated with it "The Brecknock Beacon," and later sold to a new company. Before I left the concern I had, moreover, achieved an object which 1 bad nursed since the days when I served under Mr Edwin Poole, viz., the re-issue of the huge County History written by Tbeopbiius Jones. This work was undertaken and completed in your office, at a great expense, but with success. One of the critics of this undertaking—and criticism was everywhere very eulogistic, as extracts in your columns will show—was kind enough to say that this re-issue would be a monument to my memory! So now you know. I also published a Guide to Brecon," which, like Charley's Aunt," is still running! I compiled, and it was published, a History of the Radnorshire Charities; a History of the Breconshire Agricultural Society; and the nrst half- penny weekly newspaper. When I left the concern, Mr T. A. Davies, my reporter, succeeded as editor and manager, and you know the rest! In the early days, Mr Olarke was editor, but be is only a memory to me. Mr Moss, whom I knew, was a reporter; and Mr David Thomas (Devoir) was also a reporter, and for a short time in charge. Mr Thomas was a writer of considerable ability, possess- ing a most fertile imagination. Mr Brace, who later for some years was editor of a leading Yorkshire newspaper, also acted as one of the reporters, and Mr Tom Pritchard —my fellow apprentice—was for many years on the staff, and known from one end of the county to another. THE HOMES OF THE NEWSPAPER. In the early days, the oSce was where the India and China Tea warehouse now stands, and the newspaper, then known as the "Brecon County Times and Neath Gazette," was printed for a short time at Neath or elsewhere. A general jobbing business was carried on, and the erst poster —a copy of which I had in my possession for, some years—printed in High street, was for the old Brecon Mutual Improvement Associations of which my friend Mr C. E. Weaver Price was then secretary and an active member. If I remember rightly, the members were giving "Bardell versus Pickwick" in aid of a public fund raised after a colliery disaster. Later the Company established itself in premises situated where now stands the Green Dragon Hotel and Messrs Elstpn's. Here was a well-known hostelry called "The Green Dragon," and the old inn was converted into business premises and a printing establishment. In the front were two shops, low and old-fashioned structures. Overhead were the editor's and manager's rooms, binding shop, and paper stores behind was a long room, and beneath this was the printing press and machine. The whole of the latter were cold and cheerless; damp and draughty absolutely devoid of comfort and conveniences, and a positive martyrdom in winter time to those who were compelled to work there. On the outside of the premises had been erected a huge sign bearing the words "Brecon County Times Printing and Publishing Company," in large gold letters. Under the gable roof was a sign with the Red Dragon painted thereon, having the usual Welsh motto "Y graig goch," &c., painted on a aeroll beneath. This patriotic idea originated with Dr. Williams, and it is to be noted that for many years this aymbol and motto appeared on the front page of the "Brecon County Times." In one of the shops, Mr Bell conducted a music ware- house, and Mr Kettle had another as a branch confectionery. Later, Mr Bell's shop was taken over by the company, and opened as a stationery and bookseller's business. This property bad been acquired under lease from the Watkins (of Penoyre) family, and when this lease expired, and the property changed hands, I removed the whole of the machinery and ptMt to the establishment on the Bulwark. EARLY WORKMEN. No review of the "Brecon County Times" would be complete without reference to the early printers. In my boyhood days, they were a merry and an irresponsible crowd. The t'oremac I remember as a warm-hearted but bibulous Irishman, who bad many faithful disciples. His capacity for whisky and his now of blue language were remarkable. The "printers devil's," of
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CRICKET.
Detailed Lists, Results and Guides
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CRICKET. Christ CoHege v. Llandovery. As brieSy reported in oar !apt issne, the annaa! match between these "OoL'pges took placse on Wednesday I&6t week at Brecoa and resoliifd in a decisive victory- for the Breoosiao! Liaadovery batted first and were disposed of before one o'clock for 57. W G Roberts waa the only batsman ttho was ahte to paDisb the bowling at all, aod bis 20 roaa were made in very good sty! The fielding was keen sild epeciat mention should be made of T H Evaoa who brought off a remarkably Food running catch at a somewhat awkward &cgte. TM bowling was also very hot, Wiibioaoo taking five wickets for 32, an average of sUgbtty over six runs, wbiie T L Price took foar tickets for six rons. In the afteruooa the Brecouiaaa made a See start, and before the!' second wicket bad gone down they bad knocked up over a baodred runs. The bright partoersbtp of E T Morgan (57) and T L Evans (61) was an exceedingly pheasant one frono a spectator's point of view, aUbongb iaterest in the resott of the game was practicaHy ended. Both aeverety paniebed the Uandovery bowling and secored several bonndry hits. The Breoociana were not 6naUy disposRd of antit they bad 192 to their credit. The Handovery bovs followed on and this time showed a decided improve- ment while W G RobertB distinguished himself by contributing a usefal score of 43 not oat. [When the Llandovery score stood at 114 and six wickets were down a very heavy shower of raio feU aac! pa!: farther piay oot oi th& question. Seotes:— LLANDOVBRT. latlnaiogs. C H Morgan, b Wiikicaoo 1 W R Richards, c T L Evans, b Henabaw 11 BEJone",caadbWiikiaaoa. 0 D E Davies, o Oxeoham, b Wiikicaoo 1 W G Roberts, c RM Roberts, b Wilkiaaoo. 2$ G R Timothy, b T L Price IS A P N Roberts, c E T Morgan, b T L Price $ J D Bowen, c T Lt Evans, b Wilkicsos 0 N E Evana, o S E Lewis, b T L Price 1 D E Evans, lbw, b T L Price 2 J S G Llewelyn, aot out 0 Extras $ Total let innings 57 'Zodlnsiage. el C H Morgan, c K G Evans, b Wilkinson ia W R Richards, c S E Lewis, b T L Evans. 17 B E Jones, cTL Price, b Wilkinson 5 D K Davies, c Heaabaw, b T L Evacs 5 W G Roberts, not out 43 G R Timotby, b T L Price 16 A P N Roberts, at E J Morgan, b S E Lewis $ J D Bowen, not oat 9 Extras 4 Total (for 6 wkts) 114 CHRIST COM.B6E. E J Morgan, at Roberts, b Liewetyn 57 E G Evans, c Timotay, b Heweiyn 4 T L Evans, b D K Davies 61 Hensbaw, at G Roberts, b L!pwetyo 0 T L Price, o N E Evans, b Hewetyo 4 S E Lewis, c and b D C Evaaa 21 Lloyd Rees, not out .IS WitkmsoQ, st, G Roberts, b D C Evaaa 0 R M Roberts, at G Roberta, b L!ewe)yn 6 Oxenbaca, c Ricba'ds, b D E Davies 10 F M Price, at G Roberts, b Heweiya 8 Extraa 5 Total 192
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MECOM MURAL TRIBUNAL.
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MECOM MURAL TRIBUNAL. A meeting of the Brecon Rural Tribnoat WM held on Friday moroiag, when over 30 oases were deatt with, nearly all pertaiaiBe: to meo employed in agricultural pnraaits. Mr Jeakio Williams presided, and Lieot C. H. deWiotoo attended as military representative. Thos. J. Williams, Tynwaen, Uppsr Chapel, applied on behalf of Edward Thomas, married man, aged 20 ye&rg, who wae said to be the only man oo the farm, which was 174 aorea iu extent. The Cierk (Mr E. J. Hill) Btafd that the man had been granted exemption until May white engaged on another farm mmed Bw!cb- beotlac, aod it was from that {arm that he registered. He bad moved to B?tbaa!a, sod was aow at TynwaeD. acd bad ooaitted to notify bis chants of addceaa. The case was adjonrDed for fcrthpr eDqairiea and Thomas was asked to ioforcs the military antboritiea that bis man changed .his address. Alfred Evaos, maaon'a 6catp).or, of Seaoy- bridge, applied for exemptioo on bebaif of bis Boa, T. R. Melville EvaoB. who Restate him. Apptioaut said bis sou wsa nat very stroag aad when he weot before the ccedica! Board iD Jaccary wae temporariiy rejected. AppiieaQ': v bad fonr brothers serTiag with the Ostoora an well as several nephews. One of biq brothers was a prisoner of war in (jrerm&ay asa he sect. bimaparcelof food every week. He himself bad served 24 years in the volunteers and territoriats and bad a long service coedat. The case was adjoorned to euable applicants' Boa to go before the LOGdical board ageic. The applications made by Mr W. S. Miller, Forest Lodge, acd Mr R. McTark. Cnewr, were de&iS with, and the Tribunal granted me'-aptioc till Nov. Is!: in all sb? c&aes. Mr McTark bad eix applications stud Mr Miller eight. The Chairman informed M.e MoTurk that Eome of the members were of opinion that he oagbt to be married or join the Army. (Load laughter.)
THE BRECOM COUNTY TIMES
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whom I was junior, bad a busy time passing between the omce and the "Punch Bowl," the "Bell," and the "White Lion," according to the fancy of the particular "comp." Pewter measures were much in use, and there was always a nne collection in the office, with the names of the bouses and of their tenants engraved thereon. What these men had to live upon, after satisfying their undoubted thirst, I have often wondered. I possess the old wages book in use at that period, and nnd that 28s was the foreman's wage, and from 24s to 17s the average wage of the men. I drew 2s 6d, and signed my najne for it! The whole life of the omce was rollicking, and devoid of discipline. Hours were long and uncertain. The Factory Acts, or some portion of them, were operative, but these never troubled anybody except when it was known—as it always was—that the old Inspector from Swansea was spending his annual visit to LIangorse Lake. It he should call, as be came up the front stair, the youthful overtimer was quietly shifted down the back stair, and told to come back in an hour's time! Other times other manners With the advent of Mr Wheeler, the class of com- positors improved in personal habits, except perhaps in the art of snuff taking and chewing tobacco. But in these and other respects, the respectability of the printer improved as years passed. But with all his faults, the old-time printer—who sometimes donned the silk hat of respectability—was highly intelligent and possessed brains, which he used in the discharge of his calling. Some of the contributors to the "Brecon County Times" were vile caligraphists, and it was only by the exercise of intelligence and brain power that their contributions were properly re- produced in type. As to the pot books of editors and reporters, these were under- stood, and the thoughts intended were con- veyed, if not in the precise language, at all events in the correct sense intended, to the public eye. Taken as a whole, there is no class of people more reliable than the compositor. He gets to know the handwriting of men, j and is made the recipient of many con- ndences. I have never known such conndences betrayed. METHODS OF PRINTING. Naturally there have been many changes since the "Brecon County Times" was nrst established. In the early days the machine for printing the newspaper was driven by hydraulic pressure, succeeded later by steam, and afterwards gas. Apart from the newspaper, and larger jobs, all other work was printed by hand on presses—of which there were three. The largest was an old iron-framed Stanhope (No 10), which was supposed to have originally been used at' Trevecca. Considerable skill and strength were required in the use of these hand presses, and I doubt if the present race of printers in general know anything of them. The forms were hand-rolled with ink, a distressing process for the printer's devil. Mr Thomas Jones will testify, as I do, to the horror of having to take a hand at the old Stanhope. It was truly an implement of torture, and a thing to be avoided. But foo all the suSering endured with the old press, years later I had my revenge, for I sold the thing to be melted down at Messrs Notts' foundry. The smaller presses were easy to work, once the art had been acquired, and there was no more pleasing sight than to witness the rhythmic swing of the accomplished pressman. How few of them remain CONTRIBUTORS TO THE PRESS. Of these I may not speak in personal terms. They were many and able, and comprised some of the best known men in county public life' Many of them wrote anonymously, not, I feel sure, from any desire to bide their opinions, but rather owing to a desire to shrink from publicity. Con- troversies were many, and oftentimes heated in terms. And as weeks developed, and arguments decreased, abuse—oftentimes actionable—supervened. I remember, at one particular period, a prolonged controversy in which two men were involved. A well-known county and borough magistrate .was the friend of both, and knew they were writing one against the other. Much of the bitterness which eventually arose in the con tro very was due to this magistrate. Of those writers in the Bery days of local controversies, only one remains, and he is now an old man. He was a writer of much ability %nd did yeoman service in defence of the Church. To those inside the omce who knew, it was sometimes amusing to hear that the author- ship of certain anonymous contributions was ascrfbed to persons who were absolutely innocent and very often incapable. OLD TIME FREQUENTERS. The "County Times," being a public institution, was the resort of people in all ranks and positions. Well known and influential county men were frequent callers, and they always carried with them an old-time courtesy. There were other visitors—the billposting tribe. They were birds of distinct variety. There was the Canary and a Partridge and another of saJble hue. Each was a man of distinction in his own particular line. The canary was no singer, but had a taste for poetry— Shakespeare being his favourite author. When in a certain merry mood, and full of the brewery tap, he would reel off yards of blank verse and the only cure for the rambling babbling was to empty a bucket of water over him, which was actually done on more than one occasion. The Partridge was a more subdued individual, mild in appearance, and with a distinctive "high" flavour. The other bird wore an omcial topper, said little, and swallowed much They were an amusing trio, and their appearances were always a welcomed diversion from the cares of office. At election times—the secret does not matter now—the printing of election skits was done in the dead of night and the skits were similarly dealt with by the conspirators whose duty it was to scatter t them for their respective agents. I well remember on one occasion, a chosen few entering the omce robed in mysterious attire and with blackened faces—one of them, now alive, may remember the night—and taking away a well-known skit. On another occasion I remember a skit which had been put in type and was all ready for the press, being reduced to a confused mass of meaningless type through a printer's foot being put into it. An emissary of "the other side" was reported at hand These were some of the little excitements of office work at election times. An eccentric visitor to the omce waa a one-legged bookseller, who used to tramp all the way from Llanwrtyd, with a large parcel of books on his back, and set up his stall in Brecon market. He was for years the agent for the "Llanwrtyd Gazette," a branch paper of the "County Times." PUBLIC MATTERS. In its long and interesting career, quite apart from political work, the "County Times" has played a most important part in the life of the county. Its criticism of public men and matters has been high- minded, and in the main useful, and con- ducive to the public weal. If you, Mr Editor, will trouble to search some of its nies, you will Bnd abundant evidence of this. The controversies around Education, Church and Nonconformity, Sunday Closing, Temperance Reform, and Local Govern- ment were conducted with an intelligence which I venture to assert was highly creditable to any journal. j At times matters arose which called for the exercise of tact and caution, and these were properly exercised by the various editors in charge. Public opinion was oftentimes fostered and led into right channels, and many of the reforms from time to time advocated became settled by the law of the land. I have known cases where in its leading articles, the thoughts of well-known public men have been anticipated. When the great Home Rule controversy was at its highest, a leader appeared in your columns. A fortnight later, the Marquis of Salisbury took the same line of thought, which caused the late Mr E. H. Cheese, then Conservative agent, to remark that Lord Salisbury evidently read the County Times Then there was the Prince Mantuan bubble! The County Times pressed for a sane examination of the claims of the prince and the promises he made. The journal was furiously assailed, and its editor abused,' because the Prince's promises of pictures, in value untold, for Brecon, were not implicitly believed in. The "Brecon County Times was right, and the dupes of the prince hopelessly wrong. During my time an amusing article was published—half in earnest and haK in jest— on the value of the beauties of Brecon, and possible development to make the place better known and appreciated. One of the suggested projects was an electric railway to the Beacons, and another a glass palace on the Crug! Somehow the paper got into the hands of certain London experts in electricity, with the result that some of them hastened to interview the City Fathers at the Brecon Guild Hall. They were furious—whilst) everybody else laughed. The City Fathers did not know that half-a-century before that a spacious marquee had been erected on the summit of the Crug, and that a worthy Archdeacon of Brecon had entertained a distinguished company of Breconshire people there. And since then, from the Cefn Coed side, an electric cable has actually carried tramcars in the direction of the Brecknock Beacons! A more serious article on the matter of *stity, at the time of the Parnell trouble, to much public comment, and to the improvement of public morals in the district. I have no time to pursue the recollections. The men who contributed to the Brecon County Times in the old days, and up to only a few years ago, rest in the security of their tombs. Of many of them I can write as one who saw much of them. Most of them were imbued with the keenest desire to help some good work or other to the best of their ability, and if others were misguided and wrote from selnsh or unworthy motives, the softening innuence of time, and the mellowing of one's own heart and sympathy, will forgive the asperity of their sentences and judge in all kindliness of their feelings, as all of us hope our own weaknesses may be. And by those who carry on the old county newspaper—endeared to me personally by many pleasant recollections spread over a period of 30 years' strenuous labour within its establishment—I feel sure the traditions of the past will be worthily upheld. Fifty years is a long period for any business or institution to survive in Brecon, and from its vitality 1 anticipate a long lease of pros- perity and innuenoe for the old newspaper, to chronicle the doings of the county, to criticise with fairness and wisdom its governors, and to lead aright the inhabitants of the county in which we are al! proud to live.