Newcastle Emlyn History Society
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Newcastle Emlyn
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More Holy Trinity Churchyard
Fatal School Shooting 1864
Report in Carmarthen Journal Friday November 11th 1864
The little town of Newcastle Emlyn on Friday last (4th November) was the scene of great excitement by the report that a young lad had been shot dead, and which unhappily proved too true. The facts connected with the case are as follows:
About three o’clock in the afternoon, the Pupil Teacher, Thomas Jones was in the National School with the children when he heard a knock at the door, he went to answer it and saw four boys with three pistols, who asked him to fire one of them.
He loaded one of the pistols and went to the adjoining field and aimed at the door of the closet which adjoined the schoolroom: but unfortunately the contents entered through the window and shot a poor boy, named John Evans, who sat next the window writing, in the eye and entering the brain: death ensued in about three hours.
An inquest was held on Monday (7th November), before G Thomas esq., Coroner and twelve respectable persons of the town, Reverend John Williams was the foreman.
After hearing the evidence of the boys present, and Thomas Jones, who stated the case in a straightforward manner, the jury after consultation returned a verdict of ‘Accidental Death’
The Coroner very feelingly addressed the witnesses upon the incautious use of firearms and we trust this sad case will be a warning to all children and boys not to handle such dangerous weapons.
Gravestone to 14 year old John Evans who was shot in school.
Gravestone to Thomas Timothy Elias, founder of the Emlyn Grammar School in 1867 stands in the corner of Holy Trinity Churchyard.