The Pontypridd District Herald and Rhondda Valley, Llantrisant, Caerphilly, and Mountain Ash News. — 1891-02-21 (Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

THE LATE DUKE OF BEDFORD. AN EXTRAORDINARY FIRE AT WOBURN ABBEY.  Extraordinary rumours have been circulated as to a bonfire that took place at Woburn Abbey a few days ago. As the result of a visit made to Woburn by a reporter of the Press the statements were confirmed in certain particulars, while, as is invariably the case in episodes of this character, it was found that the facts of the case had been considerably exaggerated. On the 6th inst. two loads of faggots were depobited in a retired spot behind the Abbey near to the Chinese dairy, and set on fire. Various boxes and packages were then brought out of the Abbey and put on the fire. It appears that the boxes did not burn well, and it was considered necessary to open them and display the contents. To the amazement of some of the bystancters a large quantity of rich apparel and fine linen made its appearance. It is difficult to obtain definite information as to the nature of the articles contained in these boxes and packages, but there is no doubt that they consisted mostly of clothing, such as suits of slothes, shirts, socks, boots, shoes, and slippers. It is said that a great many of these things were quite new, that some of the packets of hosiery had never been opened, and that as many as sixty pairs of boots and shoes contributed to this wonderful holocaust. Some richly embroidered slippers were observed, and another account has it that several walking-sticks anl umbrellas were consigned to the flames, including a valuable stick presented to the late Duke by a foreign potentate, but that this article was snatched as a brand from the burning by Lord Herbrand Russell, who, with Mr. Thornhill, is stated to have watched the conflagration. The general theory is that the late Duke left a direction in his will that his personal effects should be destroyed in this manner, and according to more precise statements, this direction appeared in a codicil dated on his last birthday. As to the boxes and packages containing wearing apparel there are two statements, one that they came to Woburn from the late Duke's London residence, but there are other assertions to the effect that there has been a fire of a similar character held in London for the destruction of articles there, and that only articles at the Abbey were concealed in the boxes that were committed to the flames at Woburn. There is no truth in the statements that the carriages were butnt, or that the horses were shot. The story probably arose from the fact that one old horse was destroyed a few days ago, in accordance with the custom of the ducal family not to send out into the world animals that have rendered good service. It is stated that the boxez brought from the Abbey were in the form of wine cases, and were sealed with the ducal seal. At the time, the onlookers were quite ignorant of the nature of the contents, and were somewhat astonished by the rich and valuable materials that were subsequently turned out. Estimates of the value vary, but probably are much exaggerated,  Lord Dungarvan "staked ' a valuable hunter in jumping a fence while out with the Warwickshire hounds near Banbury on Saturday. The animal died in a short time. --.  A man named Hockett, 82 years of age, was on Sunday found hanging by the neck in a shed at the rear of his house. No reason is assigned for tee suicide.