News: State of the County, Nenagh Guardian 27-2-1839

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Tipperary Index
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File contributed by:  Mary Heaphy

STATE OF THE COUNTY, NENAGH GUARDIAN 27-2-1839

  A man of the name of Conway, from the Parish of Kilmore, 
about three miles from this town, was beaten at the Public 
House of Laurence Finn, in Silver Street on last Saturday 
night by Finn himself, and Peter Darmody, a baker, in the 
employment of Mr. Brindley. The parties were drinking 
together, and a dispute arose out of some trivial 
circumstance. Conway was pushed outside the door; when the 
others attacked him, and inflicted two severe wounds on his 
head, and fractured his skull. The poor man is as yet unable 
to swear his informations, and these lawless miscreants, are 
still at large. This is the second riot which we have had to 
record as taking place in Finn's house in the last month.
  
  On Thursday evening last, as three of the Donaskea Police, 
were returning from patrol, they came up with a party of 
fellows rioting on the road, and endeavouring to disperse 
them quietly, they all turned on the Police, and attempted 
to disarm them, but without effect, for after much 
struggling and fighting on both sides, the Police proved 
successful, and not only preserved their arms but also made 
three of the ringleaders prisoners who are now lodged in 
safe custody. One of the Police received a severe wound in 
the arm.
  
  On last week the Castle Llyod Police arrested a man named 
Ryan, charged with having attacked, and robbed of arms a 
house a short time ago. In Tipperary, on Friday the 22nd. 
Inst. An Inquest was held on the body oa a woman who was 
found dead on the street. Verdict-Died from the effect of 
constant dissiapation.
  
  A serious affray took place in Templemore last Sunday 
evening, between the Military and Constabulary arising out 
of some private dispute. Two respectable inhabitants of the 
town who interfered between them were severely cut. The 
Police endeavoured to identify some of the rioters next day, 
but did not succeed.
  
  A wretched woman, a midwife, from Roscrea, named Catherine 
O'Brien, on Saturday morning last, went to Delaney's 
establishment and bought some poison under the pretence of 
destroying rats. She took it in some coffee on her return 
home. Mr. Keogh, superintendent of the establishment, being 
called upon, by the timely use of the stomach pump, 
succeeded so well as to put her in a fair way for recovery. 
It is said she had taken in the course of the day, no less 
than five glasses of whiskey in one shop. She made an 
attempt to drown herself sometime before under the same 
baneful influence. A would be affair of honour.
  
  On last Wednesday morning, two "Knights of the yard" 
attempted to perpetrate an affair of honour in the fields 
adjacent to this town. (Nenagh). The subject matter of the 
quarrel was a Valentine, and not a fair lady, as reported. 
Mr. B. one of the belligerents, and assistant to Mr. D. was 
accused of sending a Valentine to his "brother chip", in 
which some language was used which nettled the other's 
feelings. We have got a peep at the offensive document, and 
let us now see what it was that curdled the younger hero's 
ire. It happens that he had, some time since, returned from 
"Lunnon town" and, because consequently a "travelled man", 
became the envy of his compeers. The Valentine thus speaks 
of his return;
  
  You've wonders brought, and God knows what, Not least of 
all, a broad brim'd hat, And this you're now ashamed to 
wear, Lest folks should laugh and at thee stare, Or, others, 
gaping, wondering, cry, Lord! Look at the Broad-Brim passing 
by.
  
  Could flesh and blood stand this?. It was in vain that he 
endeavoured to argue himself into a similarity of opinion 
with Sir John Falstaff, "That discretion is the better part 
of valour". "His voice was still for war"-and, at last, his 
courage being raised to the "sticking point", a 
determination to avenge his insulted honour was the 
consequence.
  
  Friends were nominated-time and place agreed upon-and 
these two beardless and milk and water striplings, sallied 
forth to burlesque the aristocracy of the county. The 
parties were on the spot at the appointed hour, each 
expecting that the other would shy. Face to face they 
met-and though many an imploring and supplicating look was 
cast at the seconds, still the dumb but expressive eloquence 
of white lips, chattering teeth, and "hair on end, like the 
quills of the fretful Porcupine" were either unnoticed or 
uninterpreted by the friends.
  
  The signal, a white kerchief, having been withdrawn, the 
younger hero fired, and lodged the contents of his pistol in 
the green sward, within a few yards of his own feet. Mr. B's 
pistol missed fire.
  
  Again, looks big with supplication, were in requisition, 
the seconds laughed outright-and the duellists , though they 
did not smell powder, smelled that it was all a joke, as the 
assistants were judicious enough to forget that bullets were 
generally used on such occasions.
  
  On discovery of the hoax, both waxed exceedingly valorous, 
and vowed that they should fight a real duel. Fortunately 
they were interrupted by the authorities, who dispersed the 
youthful combatants, and thus terminated this ounter-action 
of "honour".