Page 156 - Reading Mercury

rd
Mon 23 Oct
Tuesday morning, between one and two o’clock, Mrs. Watkins, of the Ninepin and
Bowl public-house, about a quarter of a mile from Wokingham, was awoke by a
noise in the room, on looking up she perceived a man in a smock frock near the foot
of her bed; terrified at the object she darted from the bed to the window, which was
open, being the place where the robber had made his entrance. In her hasty descent
she fell on the ground and was much bruised, but the fright enabled her to give the
alarm to a neighbouring gentleman, who, with his family, immediately went to her
assistance. It is supposed her precipitate escape caused the villain to decamp, without
his prey, as he only took away about 9s. in silver from a table, which Mrs. Watkins
had emptied from her pocket the preceding evening. Her husband was gone to the
Quarter Sessions at Abingdon

1816

1817
st
Mon 31 March
DUEL EXTRAORDINARY
On Thursday a duel was fought in the Cock-Pit, Wokingham, between Mr. D. T—
e, and Mr. T—p—n, both of that place. The combatants arrived on the Field,
accompanied by their respective Seconds, about 10 o’clock, where an immense
number of spectators had collected two hours before. The distance being marked (six
paces) by the seconds, the opponents said a short prayer, and then took their station.
The sounding of a trumpet was the signal to fire—it did so—and both pistols went off,
but neither were wounded: determined to conquer or die, they agreed to have a second
round; fired again and Mr. T. Fell, apparently dead. The successful adversary
immediately took to his heels, and was out of sight in a second. A Surgeon was sent
for, the Constables amanned, and the whole place exhibited a scene of uproar and
confusion, that has seldom been witnessed.—The wounded man being carried to a
neighbouring Public-house to have his wounds dressed; after an long examination, it
was discovered that he was perfectly sound, and a few ounces of blood taken from
him soon brought back his senses. Indeed, it has since been found out, that the pistols
were only loaded by the Seconds, with powder. The conquering Mt. T---e, who
thought he had the blood of his friend on his head, was found, after a long search, in a
privy—where he heard the joyful news of the recovery of the dead man. The origin of
the duel was a point of honour, who could eat the most Beef Steaks in the shortest
time, so that when both the combatants had recovered from their fright, they
adjourned to an Inn in the Town, where they settled the dispute in a more amicable
manner, by one (the conqueror) eating 4½ pound of Steaks, and the other 5¼ pounds,
with a proportionate quantity of vegetables, bread, &c.

nd
Mon 2 June
On Whit Tuesday (the anniversary of the establishment of the Wokingham Charity
Schools on Dr. Bell’s System,) an appropriate Sermon was preached in the parish
Church, to a most crowded Congregation. Never was the Church so full, either on the
like or any other occasion.

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