Welsh UFO sightings from 1881. For sightings from other years please click HERE.
An undated old Aberdovey ghost tale was related in the April 2nd edition of the Aberystwyth Observer and the April 8th 1881 edition of the Llangollen Advertiser:
ABERDOVEY. A GHOST TALE. Since time immemorial it is said that something is accustomed to break the peace of the quiet and lenely locality called Nantyglo, situated about two miles from Aberdovey, on the Machynlleth road. It got the name because in remote ages there used to be a very extensive coal mine. And, recently, when raising stones to erect new buildings adjoining Braichycelyn, they found a considerable sum of money, apparently hidden there perhaps in the times of the wars, and its possessor being unable to return to re-possess his hidden treasure.
Most of the coins were exchanged for a considerable amount of our present coin, and many of the old pieces are still in possession of the Rector of Merthyr, and Mr. Grffiths, Esgairgyfela. Any- one judging from the appearence of the place would hardly credit that anything would disturb the slumber of the owl, which since the writer can remember, is the sole occupant of the place. Morgan Evan, Esgairgyfela, was courting Mari Evan, afterwards his wife, then residing at Penhelig, Aberdovey. Evan one night stayed very late with his sweetheart, a habit not at all uncommon in those days. On his way home he heard some noise in Nantyglo as if the stones were rattling about. Onward went Evan, and when opposite Nantyglo the noise ceased all at once. Everything became quite calm, when to his surprise Evan beheld a tall lady walking calmly in the centre of the road. She was handsomely dressed in black, and from that day till now the mystery remains unfathomed.
The Aberdare Times of April 30th 1881 reported on an assault case with ghostly references:
ASSAULT. -Mary Ann Rees was summoned for assaulting Thomas Morgans, a neighbour, on the 18th ult Complainant said his wife and defendant were quarrelling. He went out to stop them, when defendant tore his coat, pelted him with stones, and kicked on the leg. Defendant said complainant came to her window covered with a blanket and said he was a ghost. She denied having assaulted him. She was fined 2s. 6d. and costs.
PRESS
August 1881
Cyfartha
Two unnamed witnesses were at Cyfarthfa ironworks at night, when the works suddenly sprang into action, seemingly through the power of ghostly hands. It was soon explained that it was just water accumulating and then powering the machines. The Western Mail of August 17th 1881 reported:
A CYFARTHFA GHOST STORY. STRANGE APPEARANCES AT THE WORKS. WHO WERE THE SPIRITS!
Our esteemed correspondent at Merthyr has sent us the following extraordinary narrative relating to the great ironworks at Cyfarthfa, which, he says, is vouched for on the most unimpeachable authority. Certainly the names he mentions as being the chief dramatis persona in the wonderful scenes related are gentlemen of the highest integrity and of unblemished reputation. They, we have no doubt, believe that their experiences were stubborn realities, but we sceptically incline to the belief that Merthyr respectability has, In this instance, been the victim of an hallucination occasioned by "spirits" emanating rather from the genial precincts of the "Castle" or the "Bush," than from any more supernatural region, However, the story is a good one, and ww insert it as it has been sent to us:-
"I had occasion," says the narrator of this most remarkable adventure, "to visit Cyfarthfa Works at night lately, and did so in company with a friend. What my business was must remain unexplained, enough that it was towards the gloomiest part of the night that we sallied forth, and made our way over tramroads and intricate paths to the scene. Cyfarthfa Works had been familiar to me for many years, but they were associated with the fullest activity, with the glare of furnaces, the whirl of the rolls; and that picture was vividly in my imagination when we stood at length before the works that were slumbering in thick darkness, and as silent as the grave. No change could have been greater, no stillness more profound. We were far enough from the town to lose its glare and its noise, and out of the way of the people journeying from one place to another. No place could thus be more isolated, even as no contrast from the wild dash of work to utter quietude could be more intense.
We stood a while just within the dense shadow of one of the mills, just tracing the ponderous wheels and the dimly outlined rolls, when suddenly the huge wheels creaked and began to revolve, the rolls to move, and in a moment there was all the whirl of industry again, only needing the glare of light and forms of men to assure us that the works were in full action. My companion, with an exclamation of profound astonishment, clasped me by the arm. Cool, iron man as he is, strong-minded and proof against the superstitions of the ago, I felt his voice tremble, as he said, 'This is most strange. There are no men here; the works are stopped; no steam, no motive power.' And the grip on my arm became severe. I, too, felt alarmed, and am not ashamed to confess it. My imagination, livelier than that of his, conjured up misty shades, and I saw shapes flitting to and fro, and heard the cry of men and boys amidst tho clanging iron. Involuntarily we stepped back into the air, and as suddenlly as the medley arose, so it died away; not a wheel moved, all was hushed, and at rest.
"We walked away a little distance, our purpose unaccomplished, and talked to each other about this extraordinary incident. My friend, better able than I to afford a clue, was, like myself, utterly at sea, and could give no explanation. 'But,' said he, resolutely, 'it must be fathomed, and we will find it out.' With these words he hurried back again to the works. I followed, and in a few minutes again stood looking into the silent mill. There was the same strange hush, the same weird gloom that appeared palpable did we but attempt to grasp it; but no sound. 'Was it fancy?' said my friend with his cheerful laugh. He had scarcely spoken when the great wheel again revolved, and machinery here and there, to the right, to the left, ponderous wheels and rolls, all sprang into motion, and the din of work was perfect in its fullness. With this came the clanging of falling iron, the rattle of trams sounded strangely alike, and again the impression was strong that puddlers and moulders flitted by, and ghostly labour went on.
This was sufficient for us. We hurriedly left the scene, and on our way home met one of the old ironworkers of Cyfarthfa going to Cefn, to whom my friend related the circumstance. He knew the man as an old and respectable inhabitant, and made no secret of what we had heard. 'Ha,' said the veteran, stopping and leaning on his stick, 'I have heard it too'; and, sinking his voice, he continued, 'it always comes when the works are stopped.' It did one time before, many years ago, and when Mr Robert was living it came again. No one can say what is the reason, and perhaps it is best not to make any stir about it.' Our correspondent has not done the same as the overman, but gives the narrative. He adds: "This I know, that the hearts of the Crawshays have been bound up with their great iron industry. Richard was never happier than in his works, William never slept so well as in the sound of his great hammer. Robert's last look of keenest interest was on the old furnaces and mills. If omens are true in these secular as in Scriptural days, and to the degenorate Briton as to the Greek aud Roman, let us accept it as an augury of good, and these ghostly shadows forerunners of the big event, a genuine practical start at Cyfarthfa."
On August 19th, the Western Mail published correspondence explaining the experience:
THE GHOST AT CYFARTHFA. COMMONPLACE EXPLANATION
TO THE EDITOR. SIR, —The communication which appeared in your columns on Wednesday last has created no little sensation amongst the inhabitants of Merthyr, and the oft-repeated query, "Is it true?" regarding the "ghost" is answered by the seemingly appropriate epithet, "Bosh." Some people may wonder when I say that there is truth in the statement made by your correspondent and, as an explanation of this strange event is loudly demanded by all interested in it, I will try to throw a little light on the subject.
Having occasion to pass by the works on Wednesday afternoon I met a workman, whom I know to have been employed in the ironworks for a large number of years, and after the usual comments on the weather, I drew him into conversation on this absorbing "ghost story." I asked him if there was any truth in the story made by your correspondent, and expected to receive an answer in the negative. But, judge of my surprise when I heard him say that it was quite true, end that the works did start of their own accord sometimes. I aked him for an explanation, and he gave me one which I will state as briefly as possible.
He said that the big wheels which started the works were driven by water. A large trough descended to the wheel, and the water being propolled along this from pipes above, flowed over the wheel and consequently set it going, which would of course start the works. When the machinery is motionless a "gate" is placed at the top of the trough, which prevents the water from passing. This gate, being worn out as it were, does not fit the trough to a nicety, and consequently a quantity of water escapes down the trough. This water is continually dropping down the trough, and after a time a large quantity accumulates on the wheel, and being continually increased, it suddenly falls over the wheel and sets it going, which has a like effect on the machinery. -I am, &c., H.
On August 20th the Western Mail published an indignant response to this from the ghost theirself...
THE CYFARTHFA GHOST. AN INDIGNANT EEMONSTRANCE: TO THE EDITOR. I resent indignantly the attempt of your correspondent to put such a common-place interpretation on the cause of the mysterious events at Cyfarthfa. If we can move a table why not a wheel? If woecan start musical boxes and send them playing around the room, why not wake up the music of machinery, rusty as it is? Sir, no if one of us should appear to a benighted yokel, it is put down as ? or a turnip. If Jones looks up at night, out of his sleep, just in time to behold a ghost flitting away, it is "optical delusion," or Williams hear sounds it is "that pork sausage."
No one, or, at all events, very few, give us any ? or the Tabernacle savs, which is recommended like port or cheese, just use it has a fine old crust f., go about it. This doubtful bread and cheese and two-and-two--make-four age. In order to explain how the works go on at midnight under our unseen influence, "H," goes into details about this part of the machinery being worn, that gate off; and one is left to infer that "this screw is loose" and "that other screw defective." This is always the way; but the explanation of an old woman at Cyfarthfa may be taken as very much nearer the truth. The good old soul, who wears her spectacles on even in bed, and has never changed the position of her dress, opened both eyes and mouth, and lifted up her hands in astonishment when she heard of it, and then exclaimed, "I believe it, every word. Bless your heart, the Crawshays loved their works as a father does his children, and they would not rest easy in their graves to see them stopped." Good old woman. Wearing down this part of the machinery, and accumulating water on boxes! always, THE CYFARTHFA GHOST.
PRESS
August 1881
Grangetown, Cardiff
The 'Man about Town' column in the South Wales Echo reported on a rumour of a female ghost haunting the area:
I hear that a "ghost" has lately been seen at Grangetown. It took the form of a cadaverous looking woman who was seen on the top of a wall. She has, it appears, been watched and pursued nightly, but being a mere phantom, she, as a matter of course, always eludes her pursuers.
PRESS
December 1881
Newtown
Locals were said to be hunting a ghost that wore a white robe and a goat's skin, leaping easily over hedges and ditches. The Llangollen Advertiser of December 9th 1881 reported:
NEWTOWN. A GHOST IN A BRICKFIELD. —The inhabitanst of Newtown were alarmed on Friday and Saturday evenings last by the appearance of a ghost in the brickfield of a well-known brickmaker. The wet and rough weather that prevailed about the time did not seem to damp the spirits of this inasmuch, so we are informed, as this ghostly object, attired in a goat's skin and a white robe, leaps nimbly over hedges and ditches with wonderful agility. One night it was determined to catch the ghost, if such a thing was possible, but, of course, it was a vain attempt. The ghost appeared again on Monday, and attracted a mob of people to the place. The efforts of the police and others to catch this mysterious visitor has as yet been in vain. The sensation even rivals that caused by the appearance of the world-famed Church Stretton ghost.
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