Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal. — 1895-06-29 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

RUNAWAY. The case of Edmund Jarrat's runaway cab horse, of which a note appeared in our columns last week, was made the subject 'of an inquiry by their Worships, the police having alleged that Edmund had not proper control over the animal, and was therefore to blame for the accident. The horse, with cab attached, was standing in High-street, when it took fright and bolted, overturning the cab in its flight. Defendant put witnesses into the box, who said that every effort had been made to stop the animal. The magistrates adjourned the case that they might look up the law governing such cases. A similar charge of not having proper control of his horse in Castle-street, at about half-past nine on Thursday morning, was also brought against Thomas Williams, a rag gatherer. Two of Messrs. Masters and Company's assistants swore that they looked after the horse for defendant while he left the spot for a short time. The Bench were of opinion, however, that proper control 'of the horse had not been maintained, • and fined defendant 4s. 6d. inclusive.  Mr. J. R. Richards, solicitor, gave formal evidence of having acted for the plaintiff. Mr. Evan Matthews, coal merchant, of Aberdyberthi-street, Swansea, corroborated plaintiff's evidence. Mr. Tudor Evans, Welsh interpretai to the court, also gave evidence. Mr. Thomas Phillips, the defendant, who is 70 years of age, stated' that the only words he made use of—and these to a woman named Mrs. Lewis, who was seated at his side in the tramcar—were "He's laughing at me I,icause-,I had to pay £50." That was all he said, and he did not get up from his seat and go to the defendant.  Cross-examined by Mr. Abel Thomas: Defendant could not remember that he was I.:Gund over in the assault case. Mr. Abel Thomas: Do you know the meaning of the word "ddygais?" Defendant, who was deaf, hesitated for a little time, and then replied, "Steal isn't it." (Loud laughter.) Mr. Abel Thomas: Yes, I think it is. (Renewed laughter.) M. Elizabeth Lewis, Dinas-street, Landore, said she mw Mr. Owen nodding at Mr. Phillips. She drew the attention of the defendant to it, and be replied, "I suppose he is nodding at the £5O I had to pay." By Mr. Abel Thomas: She would swear de-: fendant did not get up from his seat and rush to the door.  This was kali the evidence, and Mr. Arthur Lewis, in his address to the jury, maintained that it could not be said that defendant mearft that plaintiff had committed a felony, but that, if the word "ddygais" was used, then it was said in the sense that plaintiff had obtained an unjust verdict. _ _ _  Mr. Abel Thomas urged that the impression made by the use of the words complained of upon the other passengers in the tram-car must ! have been that plaintiff had committed a theft. In summing up, Mr, justice Lawrance said the oefendant's own answer in reply to Mr. Abel Thomas had put beyond all doubt the meaning he put upon the word "ddygais," and said. that the plaintiff's case was either a story concocted by .him and Mr. Matthews, or it was not. The jury retired to consider their verdict, and after an absence of about half-an-hour, returned into coat and announced a verdict for plaintiff, £25 damages. udgment was entered accordingly.  Bertie Potter, the son of a Swansea painter, committed suicide in Victoria Park on Sunday,  " gert Potter, Twelvo o'clock exactly,  One of Satan's Slaves."  22-6.95.  "Satan's Slave," it might be mentioned, is the title of a drama, with which a Company open at the New Theatre this Monday evening— scenes from which have been posted on the hoardings around Swansea for the past few days. The constable afterwards searched the place where l'otter was found lying down, and found a cork, the bottom of a broken bottle, which had contained poison and a pocket-handkerchief, which were lying near a quantity of vomit which deceased had thrown off his stomach after taking the poison. •