In the News

25 May 2021 ·

The Barry Dock Newspaper gives us a fascinating insight into the goings on in the town of Barry and the daily lives of the people who lived here. We have loved reading the newspapers and even got to use a microfiche in Barry Library.

Some of the newspaper clippings:

STACEY SENTENCED.

ON A VERDICT OF MAN- SLAUGHTER.

THE FATAL FIGHT AT BARRY DOCKS.

Henry Stacey (38), a hobbling coaltrimmer, of Sydenham street, Barry Docks, was tried at Glamorgan Assizes this (Thursday) afternoon on the serious charge of wilfully murdering Thomas James Lloyd, boilermakers’ helper, of Travis-street, Barry Docks, by stabbing him to the heart with a pocket-knife on the night of the 21st of November last. It will be remembered that the men met at a local hotel, and according to the evidence Lloyd became abusive towards Stacey. The former was ejected from the bar and waited some time till Stacey came out. Lloyd then followed him to Sydenham-street where a scuffle took place, in which Lloyd was stabbed, and died almost immediately. The Jury returned a verdict of manslaughter, and the Judge sentenced prisoner three years’ penal servitude. – The Barry Dock News 1918.


FOUND DROWNED AT BARRY.

MARKS OF VIOLENCE ON THE BODY.

Mr E. B. Llewellyn Reece, deputy coroner, conducted an inquiry on Friday afternoon last at Barry Police Court into the circumstances attending the death of Rosina Guy, a single woman, aged 37 years, who resided at 52, Redbrink Crescent, Barry Island. The deceased was found drowned early on Wednesday morning in Barry Harbour by Henry Watkins, a labourer, as he was proceeding to work. Dr Treharne said the only marks of violence on the body were two bruises on the forehead, which were probably caused before death. He was of opinion that the cause of death was drowning. The jury returned an open verdict of Found drowned.”

16th August 1901


NARROW ESCAPE OF CADOXTON LADY.

A trading van belonging to Messrs. LvoOff and Co. was being driven up Barry road’ Cadoxton, on Friday afternoon last, when the horse suddenly took fright, and bolted off through a by-street into Court-road, whereby the animal leaped over a fence into a neighbouring enclosure. During the mad chaos of the horse and van, Mrs. Collini, of Arcmoyle  3 Barry-road, who was wheeling a Perambulator containing a baby, had a narrow escape, just managing to get on the pavement in Court-road as the runaway vehicle dashed by. Both horse and van escaped serious injury.

16th March 1914


BARRY ISLAND MURDER CASE.

DOWDLE CONVICTED OF MANSLAUGHTER.

AND SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS’ PENAL SERVITUDE.

The unfortunate man Henry Dowdle (55), boilermaker, of 54, Clive-road, Barry Island, was brought before the Lord Chief Justice (Lord Alvestone) at the Glamorgan Assizes on Tuesday last charged with the wilful murder of his wife, Annie Dowdle, who died from the effects of in- juries sustained between the night of February 11th and the morning of February 13th last. Mr J. Lloyd Morgan, M.P.. and Mr Ernest Bowen Rowlands, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr B. Francis William*, E.C and Mr J. A.   Lovat Fraser (instructed by Mr T. P. Prichard, solicitor, Barry) were for the defence. The case, the circumstances of which are already familiar to the readers of the Barry Dock News, was an exceedingly painful one. Prisoner and his wife were addicted to drink, and whilst in one of these drinking bouts the parties quarrelled, and the dead body of Mrs Dowdle was found lying on the floor of the bedroom on the morning of February 13th, neither having been seen since the previous Saturday. Deceased had marks of violence on her head and throat, but whether death was caused by injuries inflicted by Dowdle or not the Jury were called upon to determine. The Jury brought in a verdict of manslaughter, and his Lordship sentenced Dowdle to seven years penal servitude. The delivery of the sentence created a painful impression in Court.

Barry Dock News  1918


CADOXTON MAN CHARGED WITH DOUBLE MURDER.

At Wells Assizes on Thursday, the 10th instant, Charles Tucker Roach, aged 32, a labourer, was placed on his trial for the wilful murder of his wife and child at North Petherton on the 12th of January last. The parties lived for some time last year at 27, Commercial-road, Cadoxton, where the deceased woman gave birth to a female child, and for the murder of both of whom he was now under arraignment. Roach was employed as a  labourer on the Barry Island Railway Works. The jury returned a verdict of “Guilty, but insane,” and prisoner was ordered to be detained during her Majesty’s pleasure. – Barry Dock News 1897


CHARGED WITH MURDER BUT FOUND INSANE.

Thomas Lippett Thomas (63), carpenter, was indicted for the murder of his wife, Margaret Thomas, at Barry Docks. Evidence was given that the man was insane and unable to plead, and the jury found accordingly. The Judge ordered him to be detained during his Majesty’s pleasure. Mr. Clem Edwards, M.P. (instructed by Mr. Alfred Jackson, solicitor, Barry) prosecuted. – Barry Dock News 1918


FOR FOUR YEARS SHELTERED BY FRENCH WOMAN.

A British soldier, Lance-Corporal P. J. Smith, has returned to his home, in Castleland street, Barry Docks, after a period of nearly four years in hiding’ in Lille, being liberated upon the entry into the town of his fellow-countrymen recently. He attributes his safety from the enemy to the kindness of a French woman who sheltered him. Lance-corporal Smith is prohibited by the authorities from giving the name of his benefactress, or of his method of concealment. In October, 1914, he was taken prisoner. The War Office reported him as killed, and the family mourned him as dead. Six months afterwards a post card was received from him that he was a prisoner of war, A companion and himself escaped into Lille, and the former became so affected by the joyful news that the British had entered the town that he lost his reason temporarily, and had to be removed to hospital. Upon arrival at Barry, Smith was given a reception, and a brass band accompanied him to his home. – 15th November 1918


FOUND DROWNED AT BARRY.

At an early hour on Wednesday morning whilst Henry Watkins, of 29, Dunraven Street Barry was proceeding to work he saw the body of Miss Guy,  Redbrink Crescent. Barry Island, in the harbour. He sent for assistance and P.C. Smith    arrived and took the body out. The body now lies at the public mortuary awaiting a coroner’s inquiry. °-9th August 1901


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