THE NEWS of DINAS 1894 – 1900 Transcribed from the COUNTY ECHO
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THE NEWS OF DINAS 1894 – 1900 transcribed from THE COUNTY ECHO DINAS HISTORY SERIES his book is a transcription of all the Dinas news items from The County Echo, a Fishguard-based newspaper, for the years 1894, Twhen the newspaper commenced publication, to 1900 inclusive. The content is remarkable for its comprehensive coverage of village life. The correspondent(s), perhaps unwittingly, produced a social history of Dinas in the last seven years of the nineteenth century, one which almost reads, without editorial help, as a connected narrative. A picture emerges of a lively, sometimes controversial, but confident community in the far-south-western fringe of Wales at the very end of the Victorian era. The way of life recorded is both rural and truly parochial, but always tempered with the globe-trotting adventures and tragedies of the many sailors and master mariners from the village. This was still the age of the horse and cart, with bicycles being a novelty. Chapel and church life, along with deferential accounts of the clergy involved, inevitably take a prominent part in the narrative as do the fulsome accounts of funerals and tragedies; however, social innovation in the form of a Regatta in 1899 is proudly recorded. The Temperance Movement, so vitally important at the turn of the century, is faithfully described in its manifestations from hayfield to chapel. The text is presented without editing or alteration, variable spellings and local usage being preserved; where some doubt exists over the original, then the editorial convention of square brackets is used. Only one comment is made and that to explain a deliberate policy of concealment by the correspondent. It should be noted that no copies of The County Echo for 1897 are known to exist. The transcription, typesetting and layout are Ann and John Hughes. © Ann Hughes, John Hughes 2012 The publication is funded by Cymdeithas Hanes Dinas Historical Society. 1894 15 February SAD DEATH AT DINAS A woman named Ann Phillips, aged 47 years and living at the Black Horse, Dinas Cross, met with a dreadful death in her own house last week. It appears that Ann Phillips, in company with her mother Maria Evans aged 89, was sitting by the fireside on Friday morning last when suddenly the mother remarked that there was a smell of something burning, and upon investigation, it was found that the daughter's clothes had taken fire. Efforts were at once made to extinguish the fire and cries for assistance were made which were heard by a man named Thomas Lewis, Garn, who immediately went to their assistance and, after great difficulty succeeded in putting the fire out, but not before the poor woman had been seriously burnt. Dr Havard, Newport was at once telegraphed for and upon his arrival, he found that the unfortunate woman had been frightfully burnt about the limbs and body, from the effects of which she died about 1 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. An inquest was held on Monday. Her mortal remains were interred at Machpela burying ground on Tuesday and the funeral was largely attended. 22 February Thomas Thomas, Pentre was charged by Mr Joseph Davies, Clerk, Fishguard with trespassing in pursuit of game on 23rd December last. Fined £2 7s 6d. BURNT TO DEATH. A sad burning fatality occurred to the infant daughter of Mr and Mrs James Evans of Brynhenllan. It appears that on Thursday February 8th the mother left the house for a short time to feed the fowls, but before leaving she took the precaution to put the baby in her chair which she fastened to the leg of the table. During her absence, her two year old child caught hold of his father's scarf, and this coming in contact with the fire, ignited, and it is supposed that the little mite in throwing the burning scarf away, set fire to the little child in the chair. Her clothes instantly took fire and the child so severely burnt that it died the following Tuesday morning. The little girl was but nine months old. At the inquest on the body by Mr Ivor Evans (coroner for North Pembrokeshire), the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”. The interment took place on Friday last at Macpelah burying ground, the Rev J W Maurice (Tabor) officiating. The Rev J Evans (Gideon) who had promised to attend the funeral was unavoidably absent through indisposition. Much sympathy is felt in the parish for the bereaved parents in their sad affliction. 24 May BURNING FATALITY On Friday evening, the 13th last, a sad accident occurred at Cilwenen. A woman named Jane Thomas accidentally fell into the fire whilst baking. She was subject to an apoplectic fit and it is believed that she fell into the fire whilst in this state. She was observed in flames and assistance was promptly rendered. Doctor Havard was soon at the spot, but no earthly skill could save her life. She expired on the following Sunday morning. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved husband. This is the second person that has died from the effects of burning and the fourth coroner's inquest held in Dinas since last September. The verdict returned was that the deceased met her death through the shock to the system caused by burning. 31 May BURNING FATALITY A little girl, aged eight years, daughter of Mr James Bowen, butcher, Brynhenllan, narrowly escaped being burnt to death on Thursday last. It 1 appears that Mrs Bowen had gone to Fishguard as usual to the market, leaving the children at home, and that whilst one of them was in the act of putting water in the boiler, her dress caught fire. When she discovered herself on fire, she screamed and ran to the garden to an elder sister who had a blanket in her hands at the time and had the presence of mind to wrap it around the burning child, and thus succeeded in extinguishing the fire, but not before the little girl was severely burnt about her face and right arm. Dr Havard was sent for, and the child's injuries were attended to. 14 June Mr James Raymond, Island Farm, received the sad news on Friday last of the death of his only daughter, - Mrs Hopkins – in Canada. Great sympathy is felt for Mr Raymond in his great bereavement. Marriage at Liverpool on June 12th Capt Titus George of Pantydwr, Dinas, to Emily, the daughter of Mr J Reynolds, stone cutter, Dinas Cross. 23 June ESTABLISHED 1822 J REYNOLDS & SON Stone and Marble Works Dinas and Fishguard Monuments. Tombs, Crosses, and all kinds of Gravestones executed TO ANY GIVEN DESIGN We have had great experience and have erected throughout the county Monuments in Granite and Marble which have given the highest satisfaction. ESTIMATES AND DESIGNS ON APPLICATION 26 July At an examination held recently at Aberystwyth, we find that Mr Jenkin Jones (son of Mr D Jones, miller) has passed the second division in Matriculation. Mr Jones was a pupil at the Hall Grammar School, Fishguard. 2 August Last week we reported the success of Jenkin Jones (son of Mr D Jones) at the London University Matriculation examination, which entitles him to an exhibition of £10 a year during his course at the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen. This week we are glad to announce his success at two examinations under the Science and Art Department, London in Mechanics both solids and fluids. Mr Jones was a pupil at the Hall Grammar School, Fishguard. 11 October DINAS CROSS SCHOOL BOARD A correspondent who signs himself “Parent” writing under the above name says:- “The rupture between the Headmaster and members of the Dinas Cross Board School is the subject of general conversation in this place. No doubt the majority of the readers in the district are aware that the Headmaster, Mr W J Howells, has been served with a notice to leave. I am not in a position to say that there is no doubt that the public are under a misapprehension and one of this kind is fraught with so many serious consequences and to introduce friction into many questions affecting the parish that they require very careful handling. I hear that a petition is being sent round for signatures in favour of Mr 2 Howells returning to his position as Headmaster and in this way the parents of the children will be given the opportunity of showing their appreciation (if they wish to do so) of Mr Howells's teaching ability and no doubt the moot point will be carefully considered by the Education Department.” 6 December A Parish meeting was held at the Board School on Tuesday evening when it was agreed that there would be no contest. [in the election to the council] 27 December A very successful Gymanfa Ganu was held at Tabor on Christmas Day. The singing this year showed great improvement and the meetings, both afternoon and evening were crowded with appreciative audiences. There were five choirs taking part in the singing who belonged respectively to the following Baptist Churches, Caersalem, Bethlehem (Newport) Glandwr, Jabes and Tabor. For Sale Two mill grinding stones with fly wheel (4ft 6ins high) to suit. Will be sold reasonably. Apply J D Harries, Ivy Cottage, Dinas Cross. 1895 21 February Marriage at Tabernacle Fishguard by Rev B Rowlands, Joseph James to Elizabeth Harries, both of Dinas Cross. 26 March A letter condemning the deceit of a petition circulated in Dinas against the Disestablishment Bill. Apparently, people including Non Conformists were being hoodwinked into signing as they were not fully informed of what they were signing.