A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Fight with a baker

Source: Cardigan Bay Visitor 1/7/1905       Date: 1905
Copyright:       Type: Newspaper
Description:

Transcript:
Row Between Publican and Baker at Cardigan. On Monday, at the borough petty session, before John Daniel (mayor); J. C. Roberts, and A. Clougher, Esqrs., an amusing assault case was heard. Thomas Phillips, Greenfield-Square, baker, summoned Thomas Johns, landlord of the Plasterer's Arms public house, for assaulting and beating complainant at Mwldan, Cardigan, on the 23rd June. Mr. W. F. Roch appeared for the complainant. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The story of the complainant was that on the day in question, about two p.m.. one David Blake, a widower with a number of children, who was a tenant of complainant's, came to his house under the influence of drink and. being wishful to sober him. as he had been drinking heavily for a week and neglecting his children, complainant and his wife persuaded him to go to bed, but in the meantime Blake slipped out again and was seen by complainant entering the Plasterer's Arms where the complainant followed him. Seeing the landlady after knocking at the door, he made this request " I beg you not to supply Blake with any drink as he has been drinking all the week." In consequence of the demeanour of Mrs Johns, who threatened to use a whip, he cleared into the middle of the street and waited there a short time. Presently defendant rushed out of the house, resented complainant's interference with his business, came towards him, kicked him in the thigh and struck him on the right side of the face. where a slight mark was to be seen. The assault was witnessed by Mr Wm. Morgan Davies and Mrs Lloyd. William Morgan Davies stated that he was on the way to his storehouse when he noticed complainant standing on the doorstep of the Plasterer's Arms and wrenching a whip-handle out the hands of Mrs Johns, so as to prevent her using it. The defendant then came out of the house, went towards complainant, who stood in the middle of the road, kicked and struck him. Witness was about fifteen yards away at the time near his warehouse. Defendant elected to give evidence, and stated that he was upstairs lying on the bed, when in response to his wife's call, he came down and pushed complainant out of the house as he had frightened his wife. He denied kicking or striking complainant, but did push him out. Mrs Johns admitted that David Blake did rush into the house, pass her in the passage, and enter the kitchen. Blake was not in the habit of coming there to drink. Complainant followed Blake and was very excited and warned her against supplying Blake with drink. Complainant refused to leave the house, though she threatened him with a whip, of which he caught hold. She thought, he was going to use it against her. when she called her husband, who only pushed him out. The Bench decided that a technical assault had been committed, gave a word of caution as to supplying drink to. drunken person and imposed a fine of 2s. 6d. and 17s. costs.
Notes:
Linked to
Plasterers Arms , 41 Mwldan, Cardigan