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The Butler, the Gun, and the Judge: A Shocking Welsh Murder in 1876
News of the Times | Episode 526 | 1876
A trusted servant.
A quiet estate.
A double-barrelled gun.
And a judge who would not survive the day...
When the peaceful Dolaucothy estate is rocked by gunfire in August 1876, the crime that unfolds becomes one of the most shocking in Welsh Victorian history. Retired magistrate Mr Johnes is left fatally wounded, and his daughter clings to life. The man behind it all? His long-serving butler.
But was it sudden madness — or something more deliberate?
In this gripping episode, we uncover the dark path from resentment to murder, told entirely through first-hand newspaper accounts, courtroom testimony, and eyewitness statements. Join us as we unravel a tale of pride, rejection, and a man pushed too far.
🎩 Also in this episode:
Strange happenings at the Bull’s Head Inn — where ghosts ring bells, tap doors, and vanish into the walls.
A chilling mystery from 1930 you won’t want to miss.
👤 Hosted by Robin Coles
📅 New uploads every Monday, Wednesday & Friday
🎥 Special 2+ hour compilation on the last Sunday of every month
▶️ Related episodes from the vault:
1878: The Case of the Bodies in the Dung Heap | EP445
https://youtu.be/RzNM8NsheFY
1877: The Isle of Wight Murder of 1877 | EP459
https://youtu.be/dGIcAuTsldA
1851 & 1875: Cases of Double Black Widows | EP464
https://youtu.be/k9YYxpoQ9Go
1874: The Case of the Vengeful Grandmother | EP489
https://youtu.be/DTRHrVKn1SE
1873: The Matricide in Chisenhale Street | EP490
https://youtu.be/cQ29REvzIDI
❤️ Support the Channel
Enjoying these tales of historic mayhem and murky mischief? Help keep the archive candle burning:
🎧 Like true historical crime, atmospheric storytelling, and carefully sourced archives?
Subscribe, comment, and share to help keep these stories alive.
🕯️ Explore over 500 real Victorian and Georgian crimes — ad-free on Patreon:
👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
🕯 About News of the Times
We are a small (and mildly chaotic) band of history enthusiasts uncovering the darker corners of Britain’s past — no corporate sponsors
Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs.
Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e
Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes.
https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
Support the show
Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd
By Robin Coles4.9
1818 ratings
The Butler, the Gun, and the Judge: A Shocking Welsh Murder in 1876
News of the Times | Episode 526 | 1876
A trusted servant.
A quiet estate.
A double-barrelled gun.
And a judge who would not survive the day...
When the peaceful Dolaucothy estate is rocked by gunfire in August 1876, the crime that unfolds becomes one of the most shocking in Welsh Victorian history. Retired magistrate Mr Johnes is left fatally wounded, and his daughter clings to life. The man behind it all? His long-serving butler.
But was it sudden madness — or something more deliberate?
In this gripping episode, we uncover the dark path from resentment to murder, told entirely through first-hand newspaper accounts, courtroom testimony, and eyewitness statements. Join us as we unravel a tale of pride, rejection, and a man pushed too far.
🎩 Also in this episode:
Strange happenings at the Bull’s Head Inn — where ghosts ring bells, tap doors, and vanish into the walls.
A chilling mystery from 1930 you won’t want to miss.
👤 Hosted by Robin Coles
📅 New uploads every Monday, Wednesday & Friday
🎥 Special 2+ hour compilation on the last Sunday of every month
▶️ Related episodes from the vault:
1878: The Case of the Bodies in the Dung Heap | EP445
https://youtu.be/RzNM8NsheFY
1877: The Isle of Wight Murder of 1877 | EP459
https://youtu.be/dGIcAuTsldA
1851 & 1875: Cases of Double Black Widows | EP464
https://youtu.be/k9YYxpoQ9Go
1874: The Case of the Vengeful Grandmother | EP489
https://youtu.be/DTRHrVKn1SE
1873: The Matricide in Chisenhale Street | EP490
https://youtu.be/cQ29REvzIDI
❤️ Support the Channel
Enjoying these tales of historic mayhem and murky mischief? Help keep the archive candle burning:
🎧 Like true historical crime, atmospheric storytelling, and carefully sourced archives?
Subscribe, comment, and share to help keep these stories alive.
🕯️ Explore over 500 real Victorian and Georgian crimes — ad-free on Patreon:
👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
🕯 About News of the Times
We are a small (and mildly chaotic) band of history enthusiasts uncovering the darker corners of Britain’s past — no corporate sponsors
Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs.
Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e
Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes.
https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime
Support the show
Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

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