THE TITHE WAR IN WALES

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 26, 11 August 1887, Page 3

THE TITHE WAR IN WALES

LIVELY SCEbES 5

The war against the payment of tithe in Wales is being actively carried on. Says a London paper" On May 28 Mr Roberts, auctioneer, Rhyl, known as ”Ap Mwrog, 1 ' attempted at a very early hour in the morning, to sell the stock seized at Llangwm, Cerrig-y--druiddion the previous day, before proceeding to the Meifod Valley. The fanners and their men were upon the scene at four o’clock, and immediaiely the police and auctioneer were seen cannons were fired from a dozen anvils, and about thirty horns were blown from as many farmsteads by the tafmerS' wives. A long pole was erected on the loftiest mountain path, Mt the fop of which a large faggot, drenched with paraffin, was fired; this was instantly in a blaze, and in a shbrt space of time a crowd Of several hundred men, women, and youths, strongly armed with cudgels, congregated on the scene of the sale. A coach containing Mwrog, Mr Vaughan, the appraiser, a clerk, and three constables, was surrounded on reaching the first farm by the mob, who assumed a menacing attitude. Mwrog commanded the coachman to drive through the crowd; this was attempted but the horses were clubbed about the face with the cudgels, and, in turning suddenly round, the centre pole Or the coach broke in two, and the broken ends penetrated the body of one of the horses. The animals then plunged forward, and dashed through the crowed, causing the wildest confusion. The constables were thrown out, but the other men Clung to the coach, and were carried furiously along the road for nearly a mile, when the horses fell from loss cf blood, The crowd hurried after the coach, and on their reaching it an extraordinary scene ensued. The crowd became so excited that Mwrog’s life was in danger. A conference was held, and it was ultimately decided that if, upon his knees, he would

swear never again to attempt a sale upon a distrained farm, his life should be (pared. The auctioneer, assenting, was lifted upon some palings on the roadside. He was afterwards commanded to kneel, which he did, and, taking a solemn oath in the presence of the multitude, he signed the following document, which was drawn up in pencil:—“ To Thomas Thomas,—l hereby promise not to come to this business in any part of Wales or England, tc sell for tithes.— Signed, K. J. Roberts, Wellington Chambers, Rhyl, May 27,1887.” Mr Vaughan, the appraiser, then fell on his anees in the road, and, after swearing, signed the agreement. As a proof of their sincerity, the two men were then instructed to take off their coats, turn them inside out, and wear them as “ turncoats.” Thus attired they were marched by their two .defenders to Cymmo, a village two miles distant, the crowd following in a long procession behind. Before arriving at Cymmo the victims were allowed to have some refreshmonte Tfc was tkon nrrsi.ncroH fn

divide the procession, only 300 being allowed to make the remainder of the journey, and the rest returned home to their farms. The cortege was then re-formed, a red flag being borne in triumph before the representatives of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and a black one was carried immediately behind them. The crowd proceeded along the highway to Corwyu, a distance of four miles, to the station at which the auctioneer and appraiser were seen off.