Copyright© UK Genealogy Online 2

Pembrey & Burry Port Cuttings
A Collection of Newspaper Cuttings

LLanelly Mercury 12th January 1893

On Tuesday last, a fire broke out in the Butchers Arms, New Street, the fire originated in a lumber room, which is situated under the stairs, the staircase immediately caught fire, and had it not been for the kind assistance of Mr T.R. Thomas, Chemist, who, as soon as the news was known appeared on the scene with his manual pump engine, the result would have been serious. The house adjoining the Butchers was that of Mr D.L. Rees, Grocer, and it was feared that the fire would break through and then endanger the whole of this large establishment, thanks to the valuable services rendered by Mr Anthony Gower and Mr J . L. Michael (Who with Mr T.R. Thomas, were first on the scene) the fire was soon put out, and thus saved perhaps more than would have been, had it not been for the portable engine, which can be worked easily, the damage is not supposed to be great.

LLanelly Mercury 9th March 1893

New Bridge
The Bridge near the G.W.R. Station is now open to traffic, it will be remembered that the work was commenced in the early part of last spring, and was completed in September, it was then found to be too steep and was taken down and rebuilt.

LLanelly Mercury 16th March 1893

Accident at Burry Port
On Friday a little boy named David Howell Williams, son of Mr David Williams, Carpenter, of Pencoed Road, was knocked down and run over by a trap, on the crossing by Mr W. H.Snooks shop. The lad had been playing marbles, and, having occasion to run across the road, was knocked down by the horse, and before the animal could be brought to a standstill, the trap passed over the boys leg, which was broken, no blame is attached to the driver, Mr J.L. Michael, who did all he could to avert, the accident, but, owing to the group of children who, by-the-by, made it a rule to run across the road whenever a horse and trap approached, the accident could not be availed, Dr. Owen Williams was soon in attendance upon the injured boy.

LLanelly Mercury 16th March 1893

Accident
On Tuesday morning a serious accident happened to Mr Theophilus Reynolds, Mason, residing in Pembrey Village, whilst he was working on Villa's now being erected near Jerusalem Chapel, Mr Reynolds, was, it appears, at the top of a ladder which was leaning against the roof of the house, when, by some unfortunately means, the ladder slipped, throwing the man to the ground, a distance of eighteen feet, three of his ribs were broken, and it is feared that he sustained severe injuries to his back.

LLanelly Mercury 4 May 1893

A STRANGE AFFAIR AT BURRY PORT
PANIC AMONG THE RESIDENTS
SUPPOSED WHOLESALE POISONING
A HUNDRED PEOPLE ILL

One of the most mysterious and most extraordinary affairs which has taken place in this neighbourhood for many years past is that reported from Burry Port, which, taking form of mysterious malady, has stricken almost a hundred of the inhabitants, and cause d a panic to run right through the community. To put the fact into something like narrative form, let us state that on Wednesday morning of last week, Dr. Owen Williams of Burry Port, was summoned to the bedside of one Rachel Williams of Pencoed Road, Burry Port. He discovered that she was suffering from terrible pains in the bowels, accompanied by violent vomit and diarrhoea. The woman was in excruciating pain, and upon being interrogated, stated that she had been taken with the illness in the night, quite suddenly. The symptoms went to show an acute inflammation of the bowels and stomach, due, apparently, to the operation of an irritant poison. The doctor enquired whether she had taken anything calculated to give rise to the symptoms, a query to which Mrs Williams replied in the negative. The doctor prescribed the usual cooling medicine, and left.

No sooner had he arrived home than he was asked to visit a Mr David Evans, carpenter, residing near the G.W.R Station, and upon visiting the house he found that the mans symptoms were precisely similar to those of Mrs Williams, and enquired if Evans had eaten anything calculated to produce such unfortunate results, the affected man replied that he had eaten some home -made brawn supplied by a local butcher. Throughout the day the number of cases increased by an enormously rapid rate. The entire family of the Williamses, some eight or nine in number, were taken ill, and throughout the area scores of people were attacked with the disease, The symptoms of which seemed to point o Asiatic Cholera. The inhabitants were panic stricken and, as the hours sped on both in point of number and gravity, the disquieting feelings were intensified. As a matter of fact, the symptoms, if something like Asiatic Cholera, pointed to the English form of the epidemic, the severe abdominal pains being more consistent with such a theory. However, the doctor and his assistants, guided by the circumstances of the cases, were more and more disposed to look towards the consumption of some item of food as the solution of the mystery.

Questions were, therefore, put to each of the patience, whether they had partaken of any of the brawn, and so as can be ascertained every person affected did partake of it, although when first questioned many of them denied. Upon the question, however, being repeated, they admitted that they had just tasted it. This explanation of the sad occurrence may, of course, be premature, although for the moment it must be conceded that the statements made seem to lend colour to it. At the same time, albeit, regard should be paid to the fact that, so far, in the absence of any expert evidence, the explanation must be taken as conjecture only. Upon making enquires in authoritative quarters, our representative has been informed that in some houses as many of seven of the ten inmates were attacked by the disease, and that it has been elicited that those seven affected were those who partook of the brawn, and that the three that escaped had not tasted it.

DEATH OF A VICTIM
A melancholy event in the sad occurrence took place on Saturday morning, when Mrs Williams, the first person affected, succumbed to the mysterious malady. She had continued to be in excruciating pain from the moment of her seizure, being unable to retain any food, and vomiting every ten minutes or so. The news of her death spread like wildfire, and accentuated the panic previously existing. An unfortunate fact was that in an adjoining room to that occupied by that of the dead body of Mrs Williams, one of her sons lay in a precarious condition, affected with the same complaint. In this case we have sworn testimony that this family did partake of the brawn on Tuesday afternoon, for, on the husband returning home from work, the wife remarked that he had frequently been speaking of brawn, and that at last she had procured some, although it was very warm. The police immediately made investigations and communicated with the coroner, Mr Buckley Roderick, LLanelly, who drove down to Burry Port on Sunday. He made arrangements for the holding of an inquiry on Monday, giving instructions that a post motem examination should be held meanwhile, and that the internal organs should be conveyed to the county analyst, Mr Morgan, of Swansea, to report upon. The poli ce carried out the instructions on Monday, and the report is expected to arrive on Monday next in time for the adjourned inquest.

INTERVIEW WITH MR. DEARDS
The brawn was supplied by a local butcher, Mr Deards, of New Street, who is a reputed butcher for carefulness and cleanliness. He is an Englishman, and made Burry Port his home some twenty years ago. A great deal of brawn was carted around the town, and sold from door to door, and the general opinion was that it was rather palatable. It is stated that Mr. Deards himself had partaken of the brawn and had been ill himself and had been taken ill. With a view of acquiring authentic information one of our representatives upon Mr. Deards in company with another pressman. The conversation if short, was somewhat animated. The following were some of the questions and answers :-
"We have come Mr. Deards, to ask if you could tell us anything in respect of this unfortunate affair?"
"What can I tell you ? I think you have put in a great deal to much already."
" you could tell us something, I daresay, if you allowed us to put a few questions."
" Do I look like a poisoned man? I have been getting up at four o'clock and working till ten. I tell you I have bought some of your papers, and you may hear further of it." The interview then got rather warm, and our representative left. We may mention , however, that we have been informed that the brawn was made from bullock's tongues and sheep's and calves' heads.

ANOTHER DEATH - FURTHER PARTICULARS
The excitement in Burry Port was deepened on Tuesday by the intelligence that another death had occurred. In this case, the deceased victim is Mr. David Evans, carpenter, residing near the railway station, and he expired shortly before eleven on Tuesday morning. From the start he had been in a bad way, and his recovery was considered hopeless. Unfortunately another victim, Mrs Prickett, is very ill, and her condition is calculated to give alarm to her relatives and friends. Meanwhile many rumours are in circulation, many o f them of an absurd nature.

LIST OF THE PEOPLE AFFECTED

Mr Lewis Parkyminos Street 2 affected
Mr Walter Davies Park Terrace 2 affected
Mr Williams New Street 2 affected
Mr J. Owen New Street 2 affected
Mr T. Dunn Dyfatty 4 affected
Mr Davies Dyfatty 5 affected
Mr Erasmus Dyfatty 2 affected
Mr Rees Davies Dyfatty 2 affected
Mr Howells Dyfatty 5 affected
Mr Jenkins Dyfatty 5 affected
Mrs Margaret Williams Dyfatty 4 affected
Mr Dunn Dyfatty 2 affected
Mr Williams Dyfatty 2 affected
Mr D Rees Burrows Cottage 4 affected
Mr Owen Bevan Burrows Terrace 5 affected
Mrs Mary Davies Burrows Terrace 3 affected
Mrs Prickett Park Terrace 3 affected
Mr Thomas Park Terrace 3 affected
Mr Williams Park Terrace 4 affected
Mr H Williams Pencoed Road 7 affected
Mr Harries Achddu Villa 7 affected
Mr Thos. Thomas Pencoed Road 1 affected
Mr Rees Pencoed Road 2 affected
Mr Dunn Saint Helena 2 affected
Mr Jenkins Club Row 2 affected
Mr Roberts Spring Gardens 2 affected
Mr Grills Club Row 1 affected
Mr Rees Spring Gardens 2 affected
Mr Rees Bowsers Cottage 2 affected
Mr D Evans near Railway Station 1 affected
Mr Maliphant Village 1 affected

THE INQUEST

The Inquest was held at the Neptune Hotel, Burry Port, before the coroner for the district, Mr W. Buckley Roderick.
The outcome of the Inquest was that a verdict of manslaughter was returned against Mr Deards the Butcher, he was charged, and committed to the magistrates court in LLanelli and commited for trial at the next Assize Court at Carmarthen.

THE TRIAL VERDICT

A verdict of Not Guilty was brought against Deards at the County Assize Court Carmarthen, and Deards was therefore allowed to walk free.

Richard James

1996-2000