A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Trigger-happy publican part 2

Source: Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser 14/09/1899       Date: 1899
Copyright:       Type: Newspaper
Description:

Transcript:
SHOCKING AFFRAY. At the Aberystwyth Police Court on Tuesday, Evan Evans, landlord of the Farmers' Arms, Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, was charged by Superintendent Phillips with shooting William Morgan Wright on the night of September 2nd, with intent to do him bodily harm. At a previous hearing sufficient evidence was given to grant a remand, and the evidence of Wright was now taken. On the night in question he came down to the village in company with his sister and cousin. They heard a row in the village, and when they got down they found a crowd outside the Farmers' Arms. He went to the post office, at which place he was sleeping, and just as he opened the door he heard a report and felt a stinging sensation in his right arm. He saw a flash of fire in the upstairs window of the Farmers' Arms, but did not see Evans. Cross-examined by Mr. Hugh Hughes, witness said he did not think Evans tried to shoot him.
Re-examined: He heard no noise of breaking windows.
Dr. Hughes, Llanilar, said the bullet had gone right through the fleshy part, of the arm. The wound was not dangerous, and would leave no after effects.
Eliza Morgan Wright, sister of the first witness, confirmed her brother's story,
Margretta Powell, a married woman, said that Evan Evans was rowing outside the house with some men who wanted to go into his stable, He then went into the house and produced a revolver, then locking the door and leaving his son outside amongst the crowd, he went upstairs, opened the middle window and fired. After the shooting she heard stones thrown.
By the Bench: She could not say if Evans was drunk or sober, neither could she say if Lewis Powell, with whom Evans was rowing, was sober.
Lewis Powell (19) described his visit to the public-house and the refusal of Evans to allow him to enter the stable. He saw the shot fired, and heard Wright cry out that be was shot.
By the Police Three shots were fired.
Cross-examined: He might have had eight glasses of beer that night (laughter). Evans was irritated by the crowd when he went into the house. P. C. Thomas gave evidence of arrest. When charged Evans said that he fired in self-defence, and only did so to frighten the crowd. He did not want to hurt anyone. There were marks of stone throwing, and some of the window panes were broken. The Bench committed the accused to the Quarter Sessions. He pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £ 50 and himself £ 100.
Notes:
Linked to
Y Ffarmers , Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Llanfihangel y Creuddyn (p)