Newport Chartists Vol.14, p.31

Description

[Top right hand margin:-] 31
Proofs
Esther Evans Widow of Hugh Evans states-
I lodged with the Prisoner Benjamin Richards. He was the
Head of a Chartist Lodge held at the Star at Dukes Town Sirhowy
kept by Evan Evans alias Yanto Darlwm. My daughter (Mary
Williams) was forced to take 6 cards. The Prisoner has said
he would sacrifice his body to the ruin of the Place. He also carried
letters every night backward and forward to and from Frost &
went to Newport with many others on the night of the Riots armed
with Pikes.
For about 3 months before the Riots I saw two
sticks with spikes at the end up the chimney. People used
to assemble at his house to accompany the Prisoner to the Lodge, and
he said if they were so fortunate as to gain the day he would
take the lives of Mr. Homan and his family, William Davies the
Constable and all the Tories. He had a pike in his hand when
he left home. He also gave two painted sticks with knobs at the
end to two men who were with him and who put them under their
coats.

[Centre bottom margin:-] 1a