Alexandra Hotel 1870s

Kentish Gazette 22-3-1870

On Wednesday afternoon some person abstracted a hand­ful ofsilver from the till of the Alexandra Hotel (Mr. Spurrier being from home) by reaching over the counter of the bar. The perpetrator has not been discovered.

Southeastern Gazette 28-3-1870

Local News

On Wednesday afternoon some person abstracted a handful of silver from the till of the Alexandra Hotel (Mr. Spurrier being from home) by reaching over the counter of the bar. The perpetrators have not been discovered.

Folkestone Chronicle 5-11-1870

Inquest

An inquest was held on Tuesday morning last at the Alexandra Inn before J. Minter Esq, coroner of the borough, on the body of a full grown male child, found in the Lower Sandgate Road on Saturday morning last.

William Stewart, a journeyman baker, sworn, said he was walking along the lower part of the Sandgate Road on Saturday morning when he observed a brown paper parcel lying by the side of the road. He immediately opened the parcel, which he found contained the body of a male child. He lost no time in communicating with the police into whose custody he delivered the body of deceased.

P.C. Sharp deposed to being sent for, and received from last witness the body and what was picked up with it. The child was wrapped in a copy of the Times newspaper of October 30^th, 1870. It was further enveloped outside in brown paper, which had a string tied round it.

D. Bateman, sworn, said he was sent for to examine the body of the deceased, and saw the child at the police station on Saturday morning. On examination he could discover no marks of violence of any description on the body. He afterwards made a post mortem examination; the lungs of the deceased were fully inflated and he could not undertake to say the cause of death.

The Coroner having summed up the evidence given, and briefly commented on the facts of the case, said the jury must be guided by the medical evidence. They had elicited no facts giving positive proof of the cause of death, and in the absence of such proof the only verdict that could be consistently returned was an open one. The jury considered for a few moments, and returned a verdict in accordance with the Coroner`s suggestion.

Folkestone Express 5-11-1870

Inquest

On Saturday morning last the body of an infant was picked up by a butcher in the Lower Sandgate Road, about 100 yards to the west of the Bathing Establishment. The body was wrapped in a newspaper, and a piece if brown paper which was tied with twine. Information having been given to the police, they conveyed the parcel to the old police station, High Street.

An inquest was held at the Alexandra Hotel, Harbour Street, on Tuesday morning, before the coroner, J. Minter Esq. and a jury.

The first witness was William Stewart, who said: I am a butcher, living at Sandgate, in the employ of Mr. Woodman. On Saturday last, about 11 o`clock in the morning, I was going to Sandgate, along the Lower Road, when I saw a parcel lying on the side of the road, and on examination I found it contained the body of a child, wrapped in a newspaper and then covered with a piece of brown paper and tied with a string. I asked a man passing to inform the police.

P.C. Sharpe deposed to receiving the child from the last witness. The newspaper was a copy of The Times, dated the 3^rd of October, 1870.

Mr. W. Bateman, surgeon, said he was called to see the child. It was a newly-born male child and of full size. There were no marks of violence about it to account for death. He had made a post mortem examination and found the lungs were fully inflated; no doubt it had breathed, and there was no appearance to account for death. It was his opinion the child was born alive, but it was impossible to say if it had a separate existence. Supposing it to have been born alive it would die of neglect.

Mr. Martin, superintendent of the police, said the police had made every enquiry, but so far were unsuccessful.

The Coroner summed up the evidence, when the jury returned an open verdict of Found Dead.

Southeastern Gazette 5-11-1870

Inquest

An inquest was held on Tuesday, at the Alexandra Hotel, by the Coroner, J. Minter Esq., on the body of an infant found mon Sunday last near the Bathing Establishment.

The child had breathed, but the doctor could not decide whether or not it had had a separate existence; the cause of death was no doubt neglect at birth. The body was wrapped in a copy of The Times newspaper of the 13^th October last.

The jury returned a verdict of “Found Dead”.

 

Folkestone Chronicle 11-3-1871

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Alexandra Hotel on Monday morning last before the Coroner (Mr. Minter), and a jury, of whom Mr. Brown was chosen foreman, on the body of a young man named Elliott, 18 years of age, and who, when he met his death, was in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. From the evidence adduced, it appears that on Thursday, the 23rd of February, the deceased went home and complained of being ill in consequence of some injuries received. Dr. Bateman was sent for, and after a week of much suffering, he died on Thursday, March 2^nd. Jacob Spicer, wharfinger, in the employ of the Company, said the unfortunate young man was engaged in coal tipping on Thursday, February 23^rd, along with others, when he stood beside a truck, and another coming along, he was jammed between the two. With all possible haste he was rescued from his perilous position and taken home. Deceased was very prone to put himself in danger, and had had several narrow escapes. Dr. Bateman stated that death arose entirely from internal injuries arising from this accident. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

Southeastern Gazette 11-3-1871

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Alexandra Hotel, on Monday last, on the body of Thomas Elliott, who was fatally injured (crushed between the buffers of two trucks) while employed as a tipper of coal for the S.E.R. company, on the 23rd ult. After hearing the evidence, which showed that deceased was killed through his own carelessness, the jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death”.

Folkestone Express 9-5-1874

Monday, May 4^th: Before J. Kelcey and R.W. Boarer Esqs.

Margaret Clark, who said she was a laundress, surrendered on bail on a charge of being drunk and using obscene language.

Prisoner said: I was not drunk. If I had used obscene language, it was requisite. I had been at work all day, and had been taking clothes home.

P.C. Ovenden said: I was sent for on Saturday night about half past eleven, to go to the Alexandra Hotel. When I got there I found prisoner and a crowd of people in front of the hotel. Mr. Spurrier requested me to remove her from the front of his house, having previously ejected her. I advised her to go away quietly. Making use of bad language, she refused to do so. I then took hold of her and forcibly removed her. She then made use of very bad language. She was drunk; there is no doubt of that. She was not staggering drunk, but no-one would have used the language she did if sober. She knew what she was about. I procured assistance and locked her up. She had her bonnet off and her sleeves tucked up above the elbow.

Prisoner: That is how I get my living.

Witness continued: I merely caught hold of her arm, and she resisted me and struck me. My hat warded the blow off, so I did not think it proper to press the charge of assault.

Prisoner said: I was working very hard all day till ten o`clock at night, when I went with another woman to take some clothes home. When we had done so we went to have a glass of beer at the Alexandra. Three people were sitting under the window, who, of course, were picked parties. Mr. Spurrier came out mad drunk and handled me very roughly.

The Bench to Ovenden: Was Mr. Spurrier drunk?

Ovenden: No, he was quite sober.

Prisoner continued: The three persons made some observations which were not proper, and no doubt I retaliated. Ovenden had no business to handle me as he did. Mrs. Spurrier said to her husband “Charlie, don`t you interfere with the woman”.

Prisoner was fined 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs for using bad language. The amount was paid.

Folkestone Express 20-6-1874

Wednesday, June 17^th: Before J. Tolputt Esq.

A dirty, unkempt fellow, who gave the convenient name of John Smith, and who appeared in the dock innocent of soap, shirt and vest, was charged with begging and also with being drunk.

P.C. Hogben gave an account of the fellow`s proceedings, which were as follows: At half past eight on Tuesday night he saw prisoner coming down Dover Street, and accosted a Provost Corporal, telling him the “bobby” has been watching him all the evening, and that he was going to watch the “bobby”. He then went to the Royal George and laid a tract on the counter and asked someone to buy it, and refused to go away unless something was given to him, which was done. Thence he went to the True Briton and offered a coastguardsman a tract, and received a coin. Thence to the Alexandra Hotel, and then followed two gentlemen with a tract in his hand and rolled against them, and they told him they would punish him if he did not go away. He then followed some gentlemen coming from the Pavilion. Hogben, thinking the fellow had enjoyed his game long enough, asked him if he had a certificate for hawking, and he said a gentleman had given him the tracts to get a living with when he came out of a London hospital, and that he had a wife and two children. Prisoner was worse for drink, and he was run in.

Tenpence halfpenny and a bundle of religious tracts were found on prisoner, who begged hard to be let off, promising never to visit Folkestone again. He was sent to Dover for fourteen days` hard labour.

Folkestone Express 9-1-1875

Wednesday, January 6^th: Before The Mayor, Col. De Crespigny, Dr. Bateman, J. Kelcey, R.W. Boarer and J. Tolputt Esqs.

Jane Pellitt was charged on remand of having obtained certain groceries by false pretences from J.B. Spinks, Guildhall Street, on the 24^th ultimo. The depositions taken on Monday having been read over, a consultation took place between the members of the Bench. Prisoner was cautioned, and said she didn`t wish to say anything, only that she was guilty.

Prisoner was then committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions, Mr. Andrews being bound over to prosecute. He objected to do so, but was told that as he had taken out the summons he must do so.

A further charge was then laid against the prisoner of having obtained also by means of false pretences 1½ lbs. of cheese, 2 lbs. of prunes and 2 ozs. of peel, value 1s 8½d., the property of George Daniels, grocer, Beach Street, on the 19^th and 23^rd ult.

John Daniels, prosecutor`s brother, said he was in prosecutor`s employ, and knew the prisoner, who had been in the habit of coming to his employer`s shop for goods for Mr. Spurrier, of the Alexandra Hotel. On the 19<sup>th</sup> ult. witness served her with 1½ lbs. of cheese for Mr. Spurrier. She gave Mr. Spurrier`s name. Witness gave it to her. On the 23^rd she again came in, saying she wanted “2 lbs. of prunes and 2 ozs. of peel for Mr. Spurrier”. Witness served her. Would not have trusted her had he not understood the goods were for Mr. Spurrier.

Mr. C.W. Spurrier, of the Alexandra Hotel, Harbour Street, said the prisoner was formerly employed by him as a domestic servant, but left his service early in November. Did not send her to Mr. Daniels` either on the 19^th or 23^rd ult., not did she bring him any goods on those days. Witness added that he had had several applications for money for goods procured by prisoner. On Monday evening witness received a bill for the articles in question from prosecutor, and then gave information to the police superintendent.

In answer to the charge prisoner said that the witness Daniels did not serve her with the cheese, and that she asked for a pound of cheese but was given 1½ lbs. She had no witnesses to call.

Prisoner was then committed to the Quarter Sessions for trial on this charge also.

A third charge had been preferred against the prisoner by Mr. Summers, but this was withdrawn.

Folkestone Express 30-1-1875

Quarter Sessions

Thursday, January 28^th: Before J.J. Lonsdale Esq.

Jane Pellett, 16, domestic servant, imperfectly educated, was indicted for having obtained by false pretences 1¼ lbs. of cheese, 2 lbs. of prunes, and 2 ozs. of candied peel, value 1s. 8½d., the property of George Daniels, on the 19^th and 23^rd December.

A second count charged her with obtaining by false pretences 12 oranges, 1 quart of chestnuts and 1 lb. lump sugar, value 1s 2½d., the property of James Reeves Spinks, on the 24^th December.

Prisoner pleaded Guilty to both charges, and in reply to the Recorder said she had no witnesses to speak to her character.

Superintendent Wilshere stated, in answer to the Recorder, that he had received information of 12 or 13 similar charges against prisoner, who had been identified in several cases.

Mr. Edward Simmons, the Governor of the Dover Gaol, said prisoner had been well behaved when in gaol, and appeared to feel her position acutely. If she continued to conduct herself aright during her term of imprisonment he hoped, with the help of the Chaplain, to get her some employment after it`s expiry.

The Recorder said taking into consideration prisoner`s youth he should sentence her to a light term. She would be sentenced to two calendar months` imprisonment for the false pretences to Mr. Spinks, and two similar sentences in each of the other cases of fraud upon Mr. Daniels, making in all six months` imprisonment.

Folkestone Chronicle 6-2-1875

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Alexandra Hotel on Thursday evening last, on the body of Mrs. Erridge, the wife of Mr. Pickford`s clerk, who died under the most painful circumstances on Thursday morning last. Sarah Hall, who nursed the deceased, stated that deceased told he she had missed her footing on the plank as she was leaving the Belgian boat, and thus fell underneath the vessel onto the gridiron. Dr. Mercer stated that deceased had received such violent injuries to her spine that she could not possibly recover. The evidence of John Henry Marsh and Robert Hall only confirmed these sad particulars, and the jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Folkestone Express 6-2-1875

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Alexandra Hotel on Thursday evening before John Minter Esq., Borough Coroner, upon the body of Ellen Herridge, wife of a clerk at Messrs. Pickford`s office, The Stade, Radnor Street, who died in consequence of injuries received under the circumstances detailed below. It will be remembered that the facts of the accident were fully reported at the time.

Mrs. Hall, nurse, of Radnor Street, said: I recognise the body as that of Ellen, the wife of Frederick Herridge, agent for Messrs. Pickford. Deceased was 39 years of age. While nursing her witness heard deceased say that the heel of her foot caught the plank when going from the coal hulk when going on board a Belgian steamboat lying in the harbour. She said she was going to call her little boy from on board. Witness was sensible to the last, and died at a quarter past six that (Thursday) morning.

Mr. Richard Mercer, surgeon, stated that on Thursday the 21^st ult., he saw deceased about seven o`clock p.m. He found her suffering from a very severe injury to the spine, and on subsequent examination discovered a fracture about the sixth or seventh bone from the top of the column. There was complete paralysis both of motion and sensation below the seat of the injury. The sternum or chest bone was also fractured. Witness did not think she could last two hours, but she rallied under the use of stimulants, and to his astonishment survived to that morning. On the Thursday evening deceased was incoherent in speech and did not know she had had a fall. When witness saw her deceased was sober. On a subsequent occasion, when sensible, deceased said she slipped when crossing a plank. The injuries were such as would result from a fall. There was no hope from the first. Death was only a question of time.

John Henry Marsh, a baker`s boy, aged 14, said on Thursday week, about four in the afternoon, he was near the harbour. He saw Mrs. Herridge on the hulk, looking at the steamboat. She put one foot on the plank, when she fell over on to the ground. A Belgian sailor was standing about a foot off Mrs. Herridge when she fell over. He seemed to be waiting to follow her across the plank. Directly she fell, he helloed to the men below scraping the ship, which was on the gridiron. Witness could not understand what the man said.

A Juror: The man probably spoke Flemish.

To another Juror: I was on the bridge, near the hulk. I don`t know why Mrs. Herridge fell, except she might be “swimmy-headed”.

Robert Hall, fisherman`s son, 13, said he was under the railway close to the hulk on Thursday afternoon week. He heard a noise, and turning round, saw Mrs. Herridge close by on the ground. Witness then ran away. (Laughter) He afterwards saw some men pick her up.

The son was proffered to show why his mother was going on board, but the jury said they did not need to hear further evidence.

The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Folkestone Chronicle 20-3-1875

Wednesday, March 17^th: Before The Mayor, Col. De Crespigny, R.W. Boarer, J. Tolputt, and W. Bateman Esqs.

Hobson Wright Lebutt was summoned for wilfully damaging a ladder, the property of Charles W. Spurrier, on the 13^th inst.

Mr. Minter appeared for defendant.

The defendant was also charged with stealing a cask and a pair of trousers, of the value of 21s., at the same time.

The Bench, having heard the evidence, dismissed both cases.

Notes: Lebutt was licensee of the Royal George and Spurrier the Alexandra Hotel.

Folkestone Express 20-3-1875

Wednesday, March 17^th: Before The Mayor, Col. De Crespigny, R.W. Boarer, J. Tolputt and W. Bateman Esqs.

Hobson Wright Le Butt, of the Royal George Hotel, was charged with wilfully and maliciously damaging a ladder, the property of Charles William Spurrier, of the Alexandra Hotel on the 18^th inst.  Mr. Minter appeared for defendant.

Prosecutor deposed that at half past six p.m. on Saturday evening he was in his bedroom at the back of the house, and heard someone moving some casks. He saw it was Mr. Le Butt, and thinking that he was moving his own casks took no further notice of it. On Sunday morning he missed a ladder which lay partly on his own ground and partly on that belonging to the Royal George. He afterwards found a broken piece of the ladder by the back door of the Royal George; the other part he had seen in the back premises of the same hotel. The value of the ladder was 15s.

Cross-examined by Mr. Minter: I believe defendant is landlord of the Royal George. Had not been unfortunate with his ladder; had often lent it to defendant. Had had no dispute with Mr. Groves, the late landlord. Had not asked defendant for the ladder on account of his state; he considered he would not have done it if he had been sober. He considered he was a dangerous man.

Mr. Minter: And therefore you want to get rid of him.

The Bench dismissed the case without calling on Mr. Minter for his defence.

Mr. Minter: You ought to be obliged to us for taking care of your ladder. You can have it on application.

Mr. Spurrier: Very well, my next action will be in the county court.

Mr. Minter applied for a certificate of dismissal to bar further proceedings, but as the charge was not one of felony, the Magistrates did not grant it.

The same defendant was next charged with stealing a cask and pair of trousers, value 21s., at the same time from the same prosecutor. Mr. Minter again defended.

Mr. Spurrier said on Saturday he had a 36 gallon cask, belonging to Messrs. Truman, Hanbury and Co., standing on ground at the back of his house. He saw it at 5 p.m. At 6.30 he saw defendant moving some casks, and at seven o`clock he found the cask in question was gone. He saw the cask on Sunday in Mr. Le Butt`s back building. Prosecutor also lost a pair of trousers hanging on a line on defendant`s land, and he also found these in this building. He could identify them.

By Mr. Minter: I laid the information and knew that I was swearing that defendant feloniously took these. I did not, as a neighbour and hotel keeper, think it well to ask him for it. The cask stood on the right of way, but on one side, so that defendant could have passed.

The trousers – a very small pair of knickerbockers – were produced by Mr. Le Butt, to the amusement of the Court.

Mr. Minter addressed the Court for the defence, saying he was sorry Mr. Spurrier had allowed his temper to get the better of him and bring forward this charge. He saw that he had not taken the usual course of apprehending the supposed thief under a warrant, but had summoned Mr. Le Butt to answer this trumpery charge. The fact was Mr. Le Butt had suffered depredations on a fowl house, and locked up all the loose property in the yard.

The Mayor said the Magistrates had unanimously decided to dismiss the case.

Applause was expressed in Court at the decision, but this was instantly suppressed.

The parties then left the Court. Miss Spurrier took up the offending pair of breeks left by Mr. Le Butt, and retired with her father.

Folkestone Chronicle 5-6-1875

A most extraordinary case of mistaken identity occurred on Tuesday morning last. A coastguardsman discovered a body in the water just beyond the toll house in the Lower Sandgate Road. It was that of a young man, respectably attired, and several at once identified the corpse as that of George Hopley, who at one time was waiter at the Paris. On breaking the news to Hopley`s father, the young man was found alive, and came back to Folkestone. The resemblance is very marked. Deceased is deformed in one of his fingers near the nail, and Hopley has a similar peculiarity. On his person was found a copy of Uncle Tom`s Cabin, and inside of which was the name in pencil, “Harry Renshaw, Dean Street, Lincoln”. The Superintendent has written to make enquiries in that place, but no information can be gleaned. A photograph of the body has been taken, and the peaceful expression of the face, almost a smile on the mouth, is most striking. Evidently the young man, according to his hands, has done very little laborious work. Absurd rumours were afloat as to a betting book being found on him, which suggested the cause of suicide, but this altogether is one of those stories which imaginative persons are so fond of circulating.

An inquest on the body was held at the Alexandra Hotel on Tuesday evening, before John Minter Esq., Coroner.

John Sharp, gardener, deposed to seeing the body, and drawing the attention of the coastguard to it.

John Fitzgillon, a coastguardsman stationed at Folkestone, deposed: Just before five o`clock I was coming from my house at Sandgate, to perform my duties at Folkestone, and when hear the toll house on the Lower Sandgate Road the last witness called me from the top of the cliff. I walked down the beach in the direction Sharp pointed, and saw the body just seen by the jury. It was quite cold, and lying on it`s back, with the head towards the eastward (the harbour), about fifteen yards below last water mark. He was fully dressed, except that he had no hat. The tide was high between seven and eight last night, and between eleven and twelve that night it would have receded to where the body lay. There were rocks to the seaward, but none ashore of the body. I commenced the motions for restoring animation, but the state of the body showed me the man was quite dead. With the help of the last witness I drew the body above high water mark and searched the pockets. We found in them the articles produced – a copy of Uncle Tom`s Cabin containing the name twice written in pencil “Harry Renshaw, Dean Street, Lincoln”, a bunch of keys, a handkerchief, a penny, and two half pence, which I delivered to the police. From the appearance of the body and the “little dock” that he had made in the beach by the rolling it had received from the waves, I believe the body had not been moved after it was dead, nor had it been in the water very long before we found it.

Dr. Bateman stated that from an examination he had made, he believed that death came by drowning.

Supt. Wilshere produced some studs and gold plated sleeve links which he had removed from the shirt.

The Coroner summed up, showing that there was no evidence as to how deceased came by his death, and the jury returned a verdict of Found Drowned.

Folkestone Express 5-6-1875

Inquest

Early on Tuesday morning the body of an unknown man was found between tides on the beach, just beyond the toll-house on the Lower Sandgate Road, by a coastguardsman and a gardener. The body was fully dressed (with the exception of a hat) in good clothes, but had but three halfpence in the pockets. The corpse was taken to the tan house at the back of the fishmarket pending identification. While it lay there several persons who saw it recognised in it the body of a man named George Hopley, who at one time was a porter at the London and Paris Hotel, and more recently a railway ticket collector at Dover. A messenger was sent to Dover to break the intelligence to the young man`s friends, but returned bringing with him the supposed drowned man that he might lend his assistance in identifying it. Even then the resemblance was so great that those standing by remarked that if Hopley was not then present they should still consider it his body. In consequence of the false scent on which persons were thus put, a travelling copy of “Uncle Tom`s Cabin”, in which was pencilled the name Harry Frenshaw, Deane Street, Lincoln, was overlooked till late in the day. A gentleman living not a hundred yards from the Manor Road was also recognised in the body, but, like the ticket collector, he proved still to be alive and able to speak for himself. It was surmised that deceased was a betting man and that he had committed suicide, possibly in consequence of losses at the Derby, by making into the sea at high tide on Monday night, but these suppositions had necessarily no solid foundation to rest upon.

An inquest was held on the body at six o`clock on Tuesday evening at the Alexandra Hotel before Mr. J. Minter, Coroner for the Borough, and a jury.

John Sharp, gardener, said: I live in the Bayle, lodging at the Red Lion public house. This morning about half past four o`clock I was walking on the cliff, and when near the half way toll gate saw something near the edge of the beach. I drew the attention of a coastguardsman named John Fitzgibbon to it, and we went down and found it was the body of an unknown man – the one that has just been viewed by the jury.

John Fitzgibbon, a coastguardsman stationed at Folkestone, deposed: Just before five o`clock I was coming from my house at Sandgate to perform my duties at Folkestone, and when near the toll house on the Lower Sandgate Road, the last witness called me from the top of the cliff. I walked down the beach in the direction Sharp pointed and saw the body just seen by the jury. It was quite cold and lying on it`s back, with the head towards the eastward (the harbour) about fifteen yards below the last high water mark. He was fully dressed, except that he had no hat. The tide was high between seven and eight last night, and between eleven and twelve that night it would have receded to where the body lay. There were rocks to seaward, but none ashore of the body. I commenced the motions for restoring animation, but the state of the body showed me the man was quite dead. With the help of the last witness I drew the body above high water mark, and searched the pockets. We found in them the articles produced – a copy of “Uncle Tom`s Cabin” containing the name twice written in pencil, Harry Frenshaw, Deane Street, Lincoln, a bunch of keys, a handkerchief, a penny, and two halfpence, which I delivered to the police. From the appearance of the body and the “little dock” that had been made in the beach by the rolling it received from the waves, I believ the body had not been moved after it was dead, not had it been in the water very long before we found it.

Mr. W. Bateman, surgeon, said he saw the body of the deceased at the tan house between seven and eight o`clock. He examined the body externally, but found no marks of violence. From the air bubbles on the mouth and nostrils and the pinched appearance of the features, death appeared to have arisen from drowning. He believed that the body had only been in the water a few hours. The body appeared to be that of a young man of about two or three-and-twenty.

In reply to a juror: The body could not have floated over any rocks that lie to seaward. The “little dock” described by the last witness would indicate that the man had not been far in the water when he was drowned.

Superintendent Wilshere produced some gold-plated sleeve links and studs removed from deceased`s shirts. The body was dressed in a tweed suit of olive green. There was no mark upon the clothing by which identification could be established. Witness had had the body photographed.

In answer to a juror, witness said he had not telegraphed to the address in the book because till within a short time of the inquest he had been on a wrong scent as to the identity.

The Coroner asked whether the jury considered they had sufficient evidence as to the cause of death, or would they adjourn for further evidence? It was almost certain from the doctor`s evidence that the deceased met with his death by drowning, but they could not tell whether he fell into the sea during a fit, whether he drowned himself, or if he was pushed in. Even if they met another day and evidence was adduced as to who he was, and even supposing it was stated that he left home in an unsound state of mind, that would not render the cause of death absolutely certain.

After a brief consultation the jury returned an open verdict of Found Drowned

Folkestone Express 10-7-1875

Local News

There can no longer be any doubt as to the fate of the four young men and young ladies employed as shop assistants, and of the boatman who left Dover harbour in the pleasure boat Vivid on the evening of the 16^th June. It will be remembered that great alarm was created in that town by the non-return of the party, and that the suspense deepened to almost certainty when the empty and rudderless boat washed ashore next morning. During the week all the bodies of the missing persons have been seen, and four out of the five recovered, and inquests duly held thereon.

The first instance of recovery was that of Miss Laney. The facts brought out at the inquest on the body will be found recorded in our sixth page amongst the Dover news. The body of Frank Hogben was towed into Hythe on Monday, and an inquest was held on it before Mr. William Smith, coroner for the borough, when a verdict of “found drowned” was returned. On the same evening, the body of Ladd, the boatman, was picked up off Dover and brought into the port. On Sunday some fishermen from Folkestone saw the body of Miss Coleman, the second young lady, but were not successful in grappling with it. On Wednesday it was again seen, somewhat nearer Dungeness, but a rope could not be thrown on it.

On Thursday morning the last and fifth body, that of Edward Hogben, the younger brother of the other young man who perished by this accident, was seen floating off the Folkestone Harbour, about a mile from the shore. It was brought ashore by the boatmen who observed it, who were just in the act of taking provisions to a ship, and after four hours` towing was got within the piers, and removed to the tan house on the East Quay. It was in an advanced state of decomposition from the length of time it had laid in the water.

An inquest was held before John Minter Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body, at the Alexandra Hotel on Thursday evening.

Mr. Edward Hogben, landlord of the Ship Hotel, Faversham, identified the body lying at this house as that of his son, Edward, aged eighteen. Deceased was employed at Messrs. Killick and Back`s, Market Place, Dover. Witness recognised a watch, bunch of keys, and other articles, which had been shown to him by P.S. Reynolds as those that had belonged to his son, Edward.

John Davidson, boatman, North Street, found the body when in a hovelling boat, about a mile and a quarter off Folkestone. He picked it up, and towed it into the harbour, and put it in the tan house. They saw it about half past ten a.m. that morning.

Police Sergeant Reynolds deposed to searching the body at the tan house, and to finding upon it a watch (which had stopped at half past nine). Two bunches of keys, a purse of money, tobacco pipe, case and pouch, a knife, and handkerchief marked Hogben, which he had shown to deceased`s father.

The jury returned a verdict of Found Drowned.

Folkestone Chronicle 27-11-1875

The inmates of the Alexandra Hotel, having for some time heard melodious sounds issuing from behind a wall in one of the rooms in the house, they were certain from what they heard and observed, that a singing mouse had taken up it`s residence on the premises. The noise proceeding from the mouse resembled the chirping or singing of a canary. Several traps were set, and eventually the mouse was caught. This valuable prize was at once placed in a squirrel-shaped cage, but although it sang so freely in the air of freedom, confinement seems to depress it`s spirits, and it`s vocal organs have not been so powerfully manifested as hitherto. Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen has brought out another book of Fairy Tales, and we recommend the owner of this valuable acquisition to send it to him, and perhaps we might have a charming story entitled “The Folkestone Singing Mouse”, or if there is to be a Pantomime this Christmas, it`s originators could not have a more taking title. We understand that Mr. Spurrier will most likely offer what he esteems as a great rarity either to the Zoological Society or to the Brighton Aquarium.

Folkestone Chronicle 25-12-1875

Auction Advertisement

Folkestone

The Alexandra Hotel

Close to The Harbour

The most substantially built Freehold Premises, fully licensed, so well known as the Alexandra Hotel, Folkestone. A well frequented house. The premises are most substantially built of handsome elevation, and are complete with every comfort and convenience.

Mr. Herbert Bean will sell the above by Auction, at the Auction Mart, Token House Yard, Lothbury, E.C., on Tuesday, January 11^th, 1876, at 2 o`clock precisely.

Folkestone Express 12-8-1876

Wednesday, August 9^th: Before The Mayor, General Cannon, Alderman Caister, J. Tolputt, J. Clark, and R.W. Boarer Esqs.

Transfer of License:

Temporary authority to sell was granted to Mrs. Spurrier of the Alexandra Hotel.

Folkestone Express 19-1-1878

Friday, 11^th January: Before J. Kelcey and R.W. Boarer Esqs., General Armstrong, and Captain Fletcher.

Edward Attwood, a tramp, who had arrived in the town from Dover, was charged on his own confession with stealing a half crown and a florin, the property of Mrs. Caroline Spurrier, of the Alexandra Hotel. Mrs. Spurrier declined to prosecute and prisoner was therefore discharged.

Folkestone Express 14-9-1878

Saturday, August 7^th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Caister, and Captain Carter.

Philmon Tyas appeared to a summons charging him with assaulting Esther Caroline Dickson.

Complainant, the wife of John Dickson, of Woodin Street, Cornwall Road, Lambeth, said defendant was her brother. On Wednesday, the 4^th September, she was in Folkestone, and saw her brother in the Alexandra Hotel, in the private bar. She was having a glass of ale with her sister.Defendant came to the door, and drank a glass of ale which her sister handed to him. He then asked her when she was going home, and she replied “By the excursion train”. He afterwards called her a liar because she knew nothing of some woman he wanted to find, and struck her a severe blow on the forehead, and knocked her down in the road, blacking her eye. When she got up he struck her again.

P.C. Keeler said he saw what took place. The last witness was beating the defendant on the back with her umbrella. She was helloing and drunk. She slapped defendant`s face several times, and rushed at him as he was going away. He was going to take her into custody, but her sister took her away. He reported the case to the Sergeant.

Annie Weatherhead, sister of the complainant, said she was with her sister at the Alexandra Hotel. Her brother and sister went to the door and talked together. She saw her sister on the ground, and pucked her up, but she did not know if she was knocked down or whether she fell. The complainant was not drunk, and she told her defendant knocked her down.

In reply to defendant, Mrs. Weatherhead said she did not ask him to go and fetch complainant out of the Paris Hotel before tea. She saw het take a Mr. Franks into the hotel and treat him.

The Bench considered the assault proved, and as there were several previous convictions against him, the defendant was fined 40s. and 11s. costs, or one month`s hard labour.

Folkestone Express 23-11-1878

Wednesday, November 20^th: Before Colonel De Crespigny, Capt. Carter, W.J. Jeffreason, J. Clark, and James Kelcey Esqs.

Caroline Spurrier, of the Alexandra Hotel, was summoned for keeping her house open for the sale of liquor during prohibited hours on Friday the 15^th inst. Mr. Mowll, of Dover, appeared for the defendant, who pleaded Not Guilty.

Supt. Wilshere deposed: At ten minutes past twelve in the early morning of the 15^th of November I saw a light in the public parlour at the Alexandra Hotel. I knocked four or five times, and after waiting about three minutes I was admitted. The place was then in darkness. I called for a light and someone lit the gas in the passage. Then I saw there were some people in the room sitting at the table, and there were a number of glasses on a centre table, some of which contained liquor. I told defendant I should report the case and apply for a summons against her. She replied “Don`t do that, they are all good friends to you”.

Mr. Mowll said he considered he had no case to answer. It had not been proved that the house was open, and it had been held by Justice Mellor that the Magistrates must be satisfied that the house was open for the purpose of sale, of which there was no evidence in that case.

The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. Bradley) said there had been three or four decisions to show that it was not necessary for a door to be opened after closing time in order to obtain a conviction.

Mr. Mowll said the Act of Parliament specially provided for that because it contained a clause which expressly stated “for the purposes of sale” – either an actual sale must be proved, or the house must be open for the purpose of sale. There was nothing in the Act of Parliament which said that at eleven o`clock a landlord should close his house, and it was perfectly competent for persons to remain in his house so long as he did not supply them with any liquor whatever, and there must be some special circumstances in order to justify the Bench in deciding that there was a sale after eleven o`clock. He quoted a case stated by the Magistrates of Maidstone for the opinion of the Court of Queen`s Bench to decide whether in certain circumstances the Magistrates were justified in convicting. A policeman had entered this house in the Boxley Road at half past eleven on Sunday. There were two lodgers in the parlour, and on going to a closet at the rear of the house the policeman found two men who lived in the neighbourhood, one of them having in his hand a pot of freshly drawn beer. There was evidence of beer having been recently drawn, and the Court decided that it was a proper conviction. But in this case there was not any evidence of sale, and there was nothing for him to address the Bench upon.

The Magistrates retired for a short time, and on their return Colonel De Crespigny said they were of opinion that there was a case to answer.

Mr. Mowll then said he should call Mrs. Spurrier as a witness, as he was entitled to do under the provisions of the Act. She would tell them that these persons were in the house long before eleven o`clock, and that there was no sale of any liquor of any description whatever after that hour, and upon the evidence and upon the merits of the case he should confidently ask the Bench to dismiss it. The Superintendent said there were seven or eight glasses on the table, but there were only three persons in the room. He did not pretend to carry his case further than that, or to say that there was any beer, any wine, or other refreshment sold after eleven.

He called Mrs. Caroline Spurrier, who said: I am proprietress of the Alexandra Hotel. On the night in question the house was locked up when the Superintendent called. In my coffee room there were three gentlemen. They came in about half past eight. I closed the house at eleven. I did not supply the gentlemen with any liquor after eleven.

Mr. Bradley: Why did you put out the lights? – I did not do it. I had no idea the lights were out. It must have been done by one of those in the room.

Colonel De Crespigny said the Bench had come to the conclusion to dismiss the case.

Summonses had also been issued against the persons who were found in the house.

Mr. Mowll, in asking the Bench not to deal with these cases, said he had advised his client that whether she was acting legally or not in allowing persons to remain in her house, she was acting indiscreetly. He knew that the spirit of the Licensing Act must be carried out, and that when eleven o`clock came all the people in the house must leave. He could give the Bench Mrs. Spurrier`s assurance that henceforth the Bench would not again be troubled by a summons of that description. He did not think, after the evidence which had been given by one of the persons that the Bench would convict them, because they would one and all say that no liquor was drawn after eleven.

The Magistrates` Clerk said the Bench had no power in the matter, but the Superintendent could withdraw the summonses.

The Superintendent said as far as he was concerned he would comply with Mr. Mowll`s request, but he was sure it would not meet with the approbation of the authorities from whom he received his instructions.

Mr. Mowll said an intimation from the Bench would justify the Superintendent in withdrawing.

The Bench thought he might do so if he felt disposed.

The Superintendent said he could not do so without first communicating with the Watch Committee.

Mr. Mowll: Have you received instruction from the Watch Committee to prosecute?

The Superintendent: I have received general instructions to prosecute in cases where houses are found open after hours.

Mr. Jeffreason: The Bench think there will be no impropriety, but they do not advise the Superintendent at all.

Mr. Mowll then said he should ask the Bench to adjourn the case, but immediately afterwards determined to let it go on.

Superintendent Wilshere gave similar evidence to that in the last case, and the Bench considered that there was no doubt the defendants had contravened the Act, and rendered themselves liable to fines of 40s., but they reduced the penalty to 2s. 6d. each and costs.

Southeastern Gazette 23-11-1878

Local News

On Wednesday Caroline Spurrier, the landlady of the Alexandra Hotel, was summoned for keeping her house open during prohibited hours on Friday, the 15th inst. She pleaded not guilty.

Mr. W. Mowll appeared for the defence, and argued that no offence had been committed. The superintendent had admitted that the door was fastened when he visited the house, and, no evidence had been adduced to prove that any sale had taken place after the hour of closing. As far as the persons found in the house were concerned, there was wording in the Act which compelled a landlord to close his house at 11 o’clock, but a man who went in before closing time could stay as long as he liked afterwards, provided no refreshments were served to him.

 The Bench dismissed the case.

John Trevener, Frederick Kelly, and John Jones were summoned for being found on licensed premises during prohibited hours, and were fined in the mitigated penalty of 2s. 6d. and costs.

Kentish Gazette 26-11-1878 

On Wednesday Caroline Spurrier, the landlady of the Alexandra Hotel, was summoned for keeping her house open during prohibited hours on the 15^th inst. She pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. W. Mowll appeared for the defence and argued that no offence had been committed. The Superintendent had admitted that the door was fastened when he visited the house, and no evidence had been adduced to prove that any sale had taken place after the hour of closing. As far as the persons found in the house were concerned, there was wording in the Act which compelled the landlord to close his house at 11 o`clock, but a man who went in before closing time could stay as long as he liked afterwards, providing no refreshments were served to him.

The Bench dismissed the case.

John Trevener, Frederick Kelly and John Jones were summoned for being found on licensed premises during prohibited hours and were fined in the mitigated penalty of 2s. 6d. and costs. 

Folkestone Express 11-1-1879

Saturday, January 4^th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Caister, General Armstrong, R.W. Boarer and W.J. Jeffreason Esqs.

Richard Spearpoint, charged with being found drunk at the Alexandra Hotel at a quarter to twelve on New Year`s Eve, pleaded Guilty, and was fined 1s. and 8s. costs, or seven days` hard labour.