Folkestone Chronicle
12-4-1902
Saturday, April 5th: Before Messrs. W.G.
Wightwick, C.J. Pursey, W. Salter, W.G. Herbert, and G.J. Swoffer, and Lieut.
Colonel Hamilton.
Michael Reilly was summoned for being drunk at the Queen`s
Head on Easter Monday afternoon. He pleaded Guilty.
Fined 5s. and 9s. costs, or seven days.
Walter Tame was next summoned for permitting drunkenness on
the same premises. Mr. G. Haines, for the defendant, pleaded Not Guilty.
Inspector Lilley deposed to seeing Reilly at the entrance to
the Queen`s Head, Beach Street, very drunk. Afterwards, when a constable came
up, he saw the man leaning against the partition inside, and the landlord was
behind the bar serving. The landlord said he had told Reilly to go out, and
that he had had nothing to drink there. Witness said “I know that he has been
on your premises for some time; you have had plenty time to get him off, and I
shall report you”.
Cross-examined: I did not see the man go in.
Mr. Haines, for the defence, said his client had been in the
house 13 years without any complaint. He did not serve Reilly, but, seeing his
condition, advised him to go home and go to sleep. Reilly left the bar and went
outside the partition, but evidently came back unobserved by Mr. Tame, there
being eight people in the bar at the time.
Defendant bore out this statement.
The Chairman, in dismissing the case, said it was not
sufficiently proved that defendant knowingly permitted. At the same time, the Inspector
did quite right in bringing the case before the Bench.
Folkestone Express
12-4-1902
Saturday, April 5th: Before W. Wightwick, W.G.
Herbert, G.I. Swoffer, C.J. Pursey, and W. Salter Esqs., and ColonelC.J.
Hamilton.
Michael Riley pleaded Guilty to a summons for being drunk on
licensed premises on Easter Monday afternoon.
Inspector Lilley said at three o`clock on March 31st
he saw prisoner drunk, and a woman was holding him up in the bar of the Queen`s
Head.
The defendant said he was drunk, and he went into the
Queen`s Head for a pint of beer, which the landlord refused to serve.
Fined 5s. and 9s. costs or seven days` imprisonment.
Walter Tame, landlord of the Queen`s Head, Beach Street, was
summoned for permitting drunkenness on his premises on March 31st.
Mr. G.W. Haines defended, and entered a plea of Not Guilty.
Inspector Lilley said about 3.05 p.m. on Monday he saw a man
named Riley (the last defendant) in the Queen`s Head. He was very drunk. He
kept observation until 24 minutes past three o`clock, when P.C. Philip Prebble
joined him. They went to the Beach Street bar and saw Riley leaning against the
partition. Witness informed the landlord of the condition of Riley, and he said
“Yes, I have told him to go out”, and speaking to Riley said “What have I told
you Riley?” He assured witness he had not had anything to drink in the house.
Witness told defendant he had had plenty of time to eject Riley, and he would report
him for the offence. He and Riley then left.
Supt. Reeve: You had the premises under observation for 19
minutes, Inspector? – Yes.
The Chief Constable: And it would be impossible for Riley to
leave the premises without your seeing it? – There is another entrance.
Mr. Haines: Was there anyone else in the bar? – Yes, seven
or eight.
Did you see Riley drinking? – No, I cannot say he was.
When he left, did he require any assistance? – No.
P.C. Philip Prebble corroborated.
Mr. Haines, in defence, said the town ought to be
congratulated upon having only one case of drunkenness on Bank Holiday, and it
reflected much credit upon the conduct of the licensed victuallers. It was idle
to deny the facts in this case, but the defendant did not knowingly permit
drunkenness on his premises.
The defendant went into the witness box, and said he had
been the landlord of the Queen`s Head for nearly 13 years. About three o`clock
on Easter Monday Riley entered the bar, and knowing he had had enough, he went
up to him and told him to leave, which he did very civilly and quietly. Witness
did not see Riley again in the bar until the Inspector entered. He did not
serve Riley with any liquor at all.
The Chief Constable: Is it a fact that Riley went right off
your premises?
Witness: It is a fact he went out of my sight.
You cannot say he went right off the premises into the
street? – He went out of the door.
Mr. Haines: How far are the doors from the street? – About
three or four yards.
The Chairman said the evidence was not sufficiently
conclusive to convict the defendant, who had borne a good character at this
house for many years.
Folkestone Herald
12-4-1902
Saturday, April 5th: Before W. Wightwick, G.I.
Swoffer, W.G. Herbert and C.J. Pursey Esqs., Alderman Salter, and Councillor
Lieut. Colonel Hamilton.
Michael Riley was summoned for having been drunk on licensed
premises, the Queen`s Head, on the 31st March. Defendant pleaded
Guilty.
Inspector Lilley gave evidence, and the Bench imposed a fine
of 5s. and 9s. costs, or in default 7 days`.
Walter Tame was summoned for permitting drunkenness on his
licensed premises, the Queen`s Head, Beach Street, on the 31st
March. Mr. G.W. Haines defended, and a plea of Not Guilty was entered.
Inspector Lilley stated that at 3.05 p.m. on the day
mentioned he saw the man Riley (the last defendant) in the Queen`s Head. He was
very drunk, and witness observed the house, until a constable came up, for 19
minutes. With the constable he visited the house, and went into the bar, where
the man Riley was leaning up against the partition. The landlord was in the bar
serving and, pointing to Riley, witness said “You see the condition of that
man?” He replied “Yes, and I have told him to go out”. Turning then to Riley,
he added “What have I told you, Riley?” The landlord also said “He has had
nothing to drink here”. Witness said “I know he has been on your premises for
some time. You have had plenty of time to get him off”. Witness also said he
would report him for permitting drunkenness on licensed premises.
By Mr. Haines: There were seven or eight more persons in the
bar – men, women, and soldiers. Witness did not see the man drinking, and when
he left he did not require assistance.
P.C. Prebble said he saw Riley very drunk, leaning against
the partition.
By Mr. Haines: He did not know how long the man had been
there.
The Chief Constable remarked that it was not alleged that
the man was served there.
Mr. Haines said Mr. Tame had held the house for 13 years.
How carefully it required a man to look after his house in such a locality they
would know. He had no conviction against his house. The landlord did not permit
this drunkenness. His very conduct in turning the man out showed this.
Knowledge was a question which came in there. It must be knowingly on the part
of the landlord. It was not sufficiently proved to come within that section.
Defendant said on oath that on Bank Holiday Monday, close
upon 3 o`clock, the man Riley came into the bar. Defendant thought he had had
enough beer, so he would not serve him. Not hearing him ask for anything,
defendant went round and spoke to him, and he said he had called for a pint of
beer. Defendant told him to take his advice and go home. He replied that he had
not done anything, and afterwards went out quietly, and without another word.
Defendant would not have served the man with any liquor in any shape or form.
He did not see Riley again in the bar until the Inspector entered.
The Chief Constable: Did Riley go right off your premises?
Witness: He went out of my sight.
The Chief Constable: You cannot say he went into the street?
Witness: He went out of the door.
Mr. Haines: How far are the doors from the street?
Witness: About three or four yards.
The case was dismissed, the Bench not considering the
evidence sufficient, and remarking upon the landlord`s good character.
Folkestone
Daily News 1-1-1906
Inquest
An inquest was held this afternoon on the body of John
Brann, aged 68, a well-known Folkestone fisherman.
From the evidence it appeared that deceased, who lodged
at the Queen`s Head, Beach Street, went to bed about 11 o`clock on Saturday
night. Two other men slept in his room. They left about 8 o`clock on Sunday
morning. At half past 9 deceased was found hanging to the footrail of the
bedstead by a handkerchief.
His son was buried on Thursday, and this seems to have
worried him.
A verdict of “Suicide while temporarily insane” was
returned.
Folkestone Chronicle
6-1-1906
Inquest
The New Year opened in the Coroner`s Court on Monday
afternoon with an inquest upon the body of John Brann, a well-known and highly
respected Folkestone fisherman, who on Thursday last followed his son to the
grave at the Folkestone Cemetery. From that which transpired at the inquest it
would appear that deceased, a fine-made, jovial man, had no apparent trouble,
but brooded upon the fact that another son did not attend the funeral on
Thursday.
The Borough Coroner, Mr. G.W. Haines, having sworn the jury,
the first witness called was John Charles Hagg, who said: I am a mariner, and
reside at 42, Bridge Street. The body now viewed by the jury I identify as that
of John Brann, who resided at Mr. Walter Tame`s, the Queen`s Head, Beach
Street. I believe he would have been 68 today. He was a fisherman by
occupation. He followed his occupation up to Thursday morning. The last time I
saw him alive was on Saturday night. I am his son-in-law. His health of late
has been very good. I have always found him a very hearty man, with a cheerful
disposition, but I noticed on Saturday he seemed rather quiet. On Thursday last
deceased attended the funeral of his son. He seemed rather troubled over his
son in London not coming down to the funeral. On Saturday night at nine o`clock
I left him. He took my wife`s hand and said “Good night, God bless you”, and I
said I would see him at Capt. Dorrell`s the next morning. I asked him to have
some tea and he refused, saying he had had a jolly good dinner. I noticed that,
because he generally ate so heartily. He did not say anything to me to lead me
to think he would take his life, or I should have kept him with me all night.
At his fishing he was in constant work.
Walter Tom Tame said: I am the landlord of the Queen`s Head,
Beach Street. Deceased has lodged with me about two months. He shared a bedroom
with two others. When he was ashore he had his meals at my house. To my
knowledge, money matters were not troubling him. I should say that he had an exceptionally
healthy constitution. On Thursday he attended the funeral of his son. I saw him
on the Thursday evening. Considering that a funeral had taken place, he was in
very bright spirits, and it did not appear to have a depressing effect upon
him. On Friday he went to sea, and came in on Saturday morning. I think he had
his dinner at my house on Saturday, and a cup of tea in the afternoon. He was a
man of sober habits; he would take his glass, associate with other men, and
conduct himself in the same manner. The last time I saw him alive was on
Saturday night, between 9.30 and 10. He said to me “Well, old chap, I`m going
round the other side”, intimating that he was going to bed. On Saturday he
seemed to be more quiet that at any time previous. He told me that he had
consulted a solicitor over his son`s affairs. The son`s absence from the
funeral seemed to trouble him considerably. On Saturday night he shared his
bedroom with two young men, Spearpoint and Bailey. At a few minutes to eleven
o`clock my daughter wished him goodnight. She told me he had gone to bed, and
wished her goodnight. Bailey and Spearpoint had been sharing the room on and
off for the past ten days. They were not regular lodgers. It was a week prior
to Saturday that they had last slept at my house. I went to bed that night at
12 o`clock. I sleep on the same floor in an adjoining room. I heard nothing
whatever during the night. On Sunday morning my wife got up about seven
o`clock. Just before nine o`clock she came in to me and said “There is
something has happened to old Jock” (meaning the deceased). She said “Do come;
I think he has hung himself”. I went into the adjoining room. No-one else was
in there, save the deceased, who was in a sitting position on the floor at the
foot of the bedstead occupied by the two young men. His feet and legs were
stretched out along the floor, his body was about that much from the ground
(indicating about a foot from the ground). Round his neck was the handkerchief
produced. Deceased had his shirt on. The handkerchief was fastened round his
neck, and over the knob of the bedstead, twice turned, two half-hitches, and
tied in a third knot between his neck and the bed knob. When I looked at him
his tongue was not out, there was no saliva, the eyes were shut, but the face
seemed quite black. I tried to untie the knot, but failing, took my knife out
and cut him down, and sent for a doctor and constable. Deceased`s hands were
clasping the rail of the bedstead at the foot. The handkerchief is similar, if
not the one, to those used either round his neck or in his pocket. When I saw
both hands clutching the rail of the bed, the position struck me as rather
peculiar. (Witness illustrated the position of deceased, which showed that the
loop was forcing him outward from the bed).
Mrs. Elizabeth Tame said: I am the wife of the last witness.
I saw Brann on Saturday night about 9.30, when he said he was going to bed. On
Sunday morning I got up about seven o`clock. I said “Good morning” to the two
boys, Bailey and Spearpoint, when they went out; they told me they were coming
back that night.
The Coroner: Did they come back?
Witness: They did not come back, I suppose because the man
was there dead. Just after the postman, Pantry, came with a letter from the
undertaker. I went to the bedroom, opened the door, and did not at first see
him. I looked round and saw the back of his head beside the bedstead, and
thinking there was something the matter, went and fetched my husband.
John Spearpoint said: Occasionally when I stop ashore I stay
at the Queen`s Head, but generally I am aboard the boat, F.E. 59. On Saturday
last I was sharing a room at the Queen`s Head with deceased and Frederick
Bailey. I knew deceased well. At 10.30 Bailey and I went to bed together. When
we went up Brann was not gone to bed. I shortly went to sleep, and did not hear
him come to bed. I saw deceased in the bar about 9.30. He had not been
drinking, and was sober. About 5.30 in the morning I heard a rumbling about,
and said to myself “There is old Jock mumbling to himself”, and went to sleep
again. At 7.45, when the St. Peter`s bell was ringing, I got up and called
Bailey. While I was dressing, deceased rolled over and mumbled again. I said
“What is the matter, old Jock?”, and he rolled over, pulled the clothes over
him, and made no reply. Bailey and I went downstairs, wished Mrs. Tame “Good
morning”, and went out. It was then 10 past 8 by Jordan`s clock. The next thing
I heard was a man, who came up to me and said “There is a policemen looking
after you. Brann has hung himself”. I said “No, he has not. I spoke to him at
eight o`clock”. Subsequently I proceeded to the police station and gave all the
information I knew.
Frederick Bailey said: I generally sleep on the boat F.E.
59. On Saturday last I slept at the Queen`s Head with Spearpoint. During the
night I did not hear anything. I have heard all that Spearpoint said, and
corroborate it.
P.C. Harry Johnson said: On Sunday morning, at nine o`clock,
from information received, I proceeded to the Queen`s Head, and there found in
a back bedroom on the first floor the body of the deceased, Brann. The
handkerchief had been cut off. Mr. Tame was then in the room, and showed me the
handkerchief produced. Deceased was lying on the floor on his back, and in his
shirt. His face was dark blue, eyes closed. There was a slight impression round
the back and sides of the neck. Deceased`s body was very warm. I tried
artificial respiration for ten minutes, and sent for the doctor. Dr. Gilbert
arrived in about ten minutes. Everything in the room was in order.
Dr. William Thornton Gilbert said: On Sunday morning, about
9.30, I was called by the police to the Queen`s Head. On arrival I found
deceased lying on the floor, and the police constable doing artificial
respiration. There being no response at all to the artificial respiration, I
examined the body and found the man dead. The body was warm, but cooling down.
I should say he had been dead about 20 minutes. There was discolouration at the
back of the neck, and a slight constriction on the left side. Mr. Tame told me
exactly the same story as given in evidence, and Mrs. Tame a story about him
being worried at not receiving some money. Deceased was a well-nourished man.
From the symptoms death, in my opinion, resulted from strangulation. I have no
doubt about that. From the position in which the body was found it would be
possible for deceased to strangle himself. The constable and I put the
handkerchief round his neck, and found that it would only go once round. The
doctor concluded by setting up a theory as to how deceased became strangled.
The Coroner summed up upon the evidence given, and pointed
out that there was no doubt death arose through strangulation. The two
witnesses, Spearpoint and Bailey, had given their evidence straightforwardly,
and there was no doubt that deceased committed the act himself. The question
for the jury was, having regard to the evidence; Was deceased in his right mind
when the act was committed?
The jury at once returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst temporarily
insane”.
Folkestone Express
6-1-1906
Inquest
An inquest was held at the Town hall on Monday afternoon by
the Borough Coroner (Mr. G.W. Haines), respecting the death of John Brann, a
fisherman, who was found dead in his bedroom on Sunday morning.
John Charles Hagg (son-in-law) said he identified the body
as that of John Brann. He lived at the Queen`s Head. He was 67 years of age,
witness believed, and was a fisherman. He was always a hearty man, and was of a
cheerful disposition. On Thursday last he attended a funeral of his son, and
seemed to be worried by the absence of another son. On Saturday he came to
witness`s house, and left about tea time. He seemed a little quiet, but witness
did not think he was strange in his manner. There was nothing about deceased which
would lead witness to think he would take his own life.
Walter Tom Tame said he was the landlord of the Queen`s Head
Inn, Beach Street. Deceased had lodged with him about two months. When he was
ashore he had meals with them. He had no monetary troubles. He was a healthy
man. Witness knew he had attended a funeral on Thursday, and under the
circumstances he did not seem depressed. On Friday he went to sea, and came
back early on Saturday morning. He had his dinner at the Inn that day, and a
cup of tea in the afternoon. He was a man of sober habits. Witness saw deceased
last time on Saturday evening between half past nine and half past ten in the
bar. He then said he was going out. He seemed very quiet, and told witness he
had had to consult a solicitor about his son`s affairs. Witness`s daughter told
him that deceased had gone to bed. Deceased shared his bedroom with two other
men, Spearpoint and Bailey. Witness went to bed on Saturday about twelve
o`clock. His bedroom was on the same floor as that of deceased. He heard no
sound during the night. On Sunday morning his wife got up about seven o`clock,
and just before nine o`clock she came in to him and said “There is something
happened to old Jack”. Witness said “What do you mean?” She said “Do come; I
believe he has hung himself”. Witness then went into the adjoining room, and
found deceased was on the ground in a sitting position at the foot of the
bedstead occupied by the other two men. Deceased`s body was not more than a
foot from the floor. Round his neck was the handkerchief produced. He was only
attired in his shirt. The handkerchief was twisted round the knob of the
bedstead twice, and the ends came down and were tied round deceased`s neck. His
face was discoloured and the eyes were shut. The hands were clasping the rail
at the foot of the bed. Witness cut the handkerchief and lowered the body down,
and sent for a constable and a doctor. Deceased used to wear a handkerchief
similar to the one produced.
Elizabeth Tame, wife of the last witness, said she saw the
deceased the last time on Saturday at half past nine. She got up about seven
o`clock on Sunday morning, and said “Good morning” to Spearpoint and Bailey.
Shortly after witness went to deceased`s bedroom with a letter. She opened the
door and looked round the room and saw deceased in a sitting posture near the
bedstead. Witness then communicated with her husband.
John Spearpoint, a fisherman, said on Saturday he was
sharing a room at the Queen`s Head with deceased and Bailey. He and Bailey had
one bed. They went to bed at half past ten. Deceased came to bed afterwards,
but witness had gone to sleep. He had seen him in the bar previously. About
five o`clock witness woke up and heard a mumble, but took no notice and went to
sleep again. At a quarter to eight witness woke up again and called Bailey.
While he was waiting for Bailey, deceased mumbled something, and deceased spoke
to him, but he made no answer. Bailey and he then went downstairs and went out
for about an hour and a half. When they came back they heard what had happened,
and went to the police station and gave all the information they could.
Frederick Bailey, a fisherman, corroborated Spearpoint`s
evidence.
P.C. Harry Johnson said on Sunday at nine o`clock, from
information received, he went to the Queen`s Head, and on the first floor in a
back room he saw the body of the deceased. Mr. Tame accompanied witness and
showed him the handkerchief produced. Deceased was lying on the floor. His face
was a dark blue, the eyes were closed, and there was a slight impression round
the neck. His body was warm, and witness applied artificial respiration. Dr.
Gilbert arrived some ten minutes afterwards. There were no signs of a struggle.
Dr. Thornton Gilbert said about 9.30 a.m. on Sunday last he
was called to the Queen`s Head Inn, where he found the deceased lying on the
floor. A police constable was applying artificial respiration. There was no
response, and he found the man was dead. The body was cooling down, and witness
thought deceased had been dead about twenty minutes. There was a discolouration
at the back of the neck, and a slight mark of constriction on the left side of
the neck. The body was well nourished. In witness`s opinion death was due to
strangulation.
The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide during temporary
insanity”.
Folkestone Herald
6-1-1906
Inquest
An enquiry was held at the Town Hall on Monday afternoon by
the Borough Coroner (Mr. G.W. Haines), with regard to the death of George
Brann, a fisherman, who was found hanging in his bedroom at the Queen`s Head
Inn on Sunday morning.
John Charles Haig stated that he identified the body as that
of Brann. As far as he knew the deceased would have been 68 that day. He was a
fisherman, and went out fishing up till the previous Thursday morning. On
Saturday evening, between 6 and 6.30 he last saw the deceased alive. Witness
was his son-in-law. Deceased had always been a hearty man, and of a very
cheerful disposition. The previous week he noticed that deceased was rather
quiet. On Thursday last the deceased attended the funeral of his son. He was
troubled that a son in London did not come down to the funeral. On Saturday the
deceased was at his house between six and seven. Witness asked him to have some
tea, but he declined. This rather surprised his, as deceased was such a hearty
man. He said he had had a good dinner, and did not want anything. When he went
he said “Good night, and God bless you”. Witness did not notice it then, but he
afterwards thought it was unusual. He remembered, too, that he did not take
much interest in the children as he usually did. Deceased was in good work.
Walter Thomas Tame, landlord of the Queen`s Head, Beach
Street, stated that the deceased had lodged with him for about a couple of
months. He slept alone usually, but occasionally others shared the room with
him. He was a man of exceptionally strong constitution, witness thought, and
never complained of anything. On Friday evening he saw the deceased, and,
considering that he had been to a funeral, he was in very good spirits. It did
not seem to have any effect upon him. Deceased went to sea on Friday, and came
back on Saturday at about 4 a.m. Deceased, he thought, had his dinner at the
house, and also a cup of tea then. He was generally a temperate man, having a
glass or two occasionally. Witness last saw him between nine and ten p.m. on
Saturday, when deceased said “Well, old chap, I am going round the other side”,
intimating that he was going to bed. Witness remarked to his wife that deceased
was remarkably quiet. Deceased had said he would consult a solicitor with
regard to his son`s affairs. His other son`s absence from the funeral seemed to
trouble him. At about eleven o`clock witness`s daughter wished deceased good
night. Two young men named Bailey and Spearpoint shared the room with deceased
that night. They were not regular lodgers. On Saturday he went to bed at 11.45,
on the same floor, in an adjoining room. On Sunday morning his wife got up
about seven o`clock, and at about 9 she came to him and said “There`s something
happened to old Jack”, meaning the deceased. Witness said “What`s the matter?”,
and she said “Do come; I think he`s hung himself”. He then went into the
adjoining room. No-one was in there save the deceased, who was on the ground in
a sitting position at the foot of the bedstead. His feet and legs were
stretched out along the floor, and the body was about a foot from the floor. A
handkerchief was round his neck. He was attired in his shirt only. A
handkerchief was twined round the knob of the bed twice, and tied in a knot
round the man`s neck. The knot was near the deceased`s ear, underneath the jaw.
He thought the handkerchief was tight. Deceased`s eyes were shut, and his face
was discoloured and black. His hands were clasping the rail at the foot of the
bed. Witness tried to untie the knot, but failed, and so he cut it. He then
told his wife to send for a doctor and a constable. At times he had seen the
deceased with a similar coloured handkerchief. There was no doubt that this was
the same. It struck him as peculiar that the deceased`s hands were in the
position they were.
At the request of the Coroner, witness intimated the
position of the deceased when found. Continuing, he said that the deceased was
leaning back as if falling.
Elizabeth Tame, the wife of the last witness, stated that on
Sunday morning she got up early, and saw the boys, Bailey and Spearpoint, go
out. That was about eight o`clock. They said they were coming back that night,
but they did not come back. She thought that was because the man was dead. After
the two young men had gone the postman came with a letter. From what he said
she went up to ask deceased if it was the eldest or youngest son who was dead.
She went into his room and saw him, apparently hanging from the bed. She then
called her husband.
John Spearpoint stated that he was a fisherman, and
generally stopped on the boat, No. 59, Folkestone. On Saturday last he was
sharing a room with the deceased, whom he knew very well. Frederick Bailey was
also there. He and Bailey occupied one bed, and Brann the other. He went to bed
with Bailey at about 10.30, and shortly afterwards went to sleep. He did not
hear deceased go to bed. At about 5 a.m. he heard a rumbling noise, and thought
it was Brann mumbling to himself. He went to sleep, and awoke again about 7.45.
After dressing, he said “What`s the matter, old Jack”?”, but Brann rolled over
the other side, and made no answer. He waited for Bailey, and after wishing
Mrs. Tame “Good morning”, they went out at 8.10. They were gone about an hour
and a half, and he heard that a policeman wanted him and Bailey. They looked
for the policeman, and afterwards found him and went to the police station,
there giving all the information they knew.
Frederick Bailey stated that he worked on the same boat as
the other witness. He corroborated Spearpoint`s evidence.
P.C. H. Johnson stated that on Sunday last, at 9 o`clock, he
was spoken to by a lad in Tontine Street, and afterwards went to the Queen`s
Head, where he saw the body of the deceased lying on the floor. Mr. Tame was in
the room, and showed him the handkerchief. The face of the deceased was of a
dark blue, his eyes were closed, and there was a slight impression round the
back of the neck. The body was warm, and witness commenced artificial
respiration and sent for a doctor. Dr. Gilbert arrived about ten minutes
afterwards. The furniture was in its place, and the room did not appear to be
the scene of any struggle or disturbance.
Dr. Gilbert stated that on Sunday last, at about 9.30, he
saw the deceased lying on the floor, and the police constable carrying out
artificial respiration. As there was no response to this he examined the body,
and found the man to be dead. There was a discolouration on the back of the
neck, and a slight mark of constriction on the left side. The cause of death
was strangulation. It would be possible for the deceased to strangle himself in
the position he was in. The handkerchief went round the neck only once, he
would say. He thought the deceased had tied himself to the bed tightly in the
first place, and that his own struggling afterwards loosened the handkerchief.
The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide during temporary
insanity”.
Folkestone
Daily News 16-3-1906
Friday, March 16th: Before Messrs. E.T. Ward
and T. Ames.
George Thomas Boreham pleaded Guilty to being drunk,
that is, he admitted he had “had a little”.
P.C. Butcher stated that he was on duty in Beach Street
at 10 o`clock on the previous evening when the prisoner came out of the Queen`s
Head. Seeing he was drunk, witness requested him to go home. He refused and put
himself in a fighting attitude. As he still refused to go away and made use of
obscene language, with the assistance of P.C. Sales he was conveyed to the
police station and charged.
In reply to the Chairman, the constable said he
believed prisoner was served with one ½ pint of beer in the Queen`s Head.
The accused said that when he came out of the Queen`s
Head he saw two policemen. One of them (previous witness), he alleged, pushed
him. He also asserted that it was the constable who used the bad language
referred to.
Prisoner, who was described as a Rye fisherman, was
fined 2s. 6d.with 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days` hard labour.
The fine was paid by another fisherman.
Folkestone Express
24-3-1906
Friday, March 16th: Before E.T. Ward and T. Ames
Esqs.
George Thomas Boreham, a Rye fisherman, was charged with
being drunk and disorderly in Beach Street the previous evening.
P.C. Butcher said at eleven o`clock the previous night, when
on duty in Beach Street, he saw the prisoner come out of the Queen`s Head
public house. He was drunk, and as he would not go away, witness told him to do
so. Boreham then put himself in a fighting attitude, and eventually began to
pull off his coat. As he would not go away, witness, with the assistance of
P.C. Sales, took him into custody.
In answer to the Chairman, witness said the landlord of the
public house told him he had served the prisoner with half a pint of beer.
Boreham said the constable shoved him, and also used a
filthy expression to him.
Fined 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs, the money being paid by one
of his friends.
Folkestone
Daily News 28-4-1906
Saturday, April 28th: Before Messrs. W.G.
Herbert and R.J. Linton.
Henry Todd was charged with being drunk on licensed
premises. He pleaded Not Guilty.
P.C. Sales said he saw the defendant in High Street on
the 19th about 1.40. He was drunk. Later he saw him go into the
Queen`s Head. Witness went in and told the landlord not to serve him as he was
drunk. Afterwards he left the house.
P.S. Osborne spoke to seeing the defendant in Dover
Street at 3.00 on the afternoon in question. He was drunk and shouting
“Primroses a penny all the large handful”.
Defendant said he had been sent out with primroses. He
went into the West Cliff because it was raining, and did not have more than two
pints of beer. He should reckon that if he had been shouting as described he
would have been stopped.
Geo. Pilcher said he went down the street with
defendant on the day in question. They went into the Queen`s Head. P.C. Sales
came in as he had stated. Todd was not drunk. He went into the Hope Inn and the
landlord served him, so he could not have been drunk.
The Chief Constable said the defendant was before the
Bench on the 9th of April, charged with being drunk and disorderly,
and fined.
The Chairman said they considered the case fully
proved, and fined defendant 5s. with 11s. costs, or 7 days` hard labour.
A request for time to pay was refused.
Folkestone Express
5-5-1906
Saturday, April 28th: Before W.G. Herbert and
R.J. Linton Esqs.
Henry Todd was charged with being drunk on licensed
premises. He pleaded Not Guilty.
P.C. Sales said about 1.40 on the afternoon of April 19th
he saw defendant in High Street. He was drunk. Shortly afterwards witness saw
Todd go into the Queen`s Head public house. Witness went in too, and told the
landlord not to serve Todd. The landlord refused to serve him, and told him to
leave the house. Witness told defendant he should report him for a summons, and
defendant made no reply.
P.S. Osborne said shortly after three o`clock on the
afternoon in question, he saw defendant in Dover Street. He was carrying a
basket containing primroses, and shouting “Primroses”, etc., at the top of his
voice. He was reeling as he came up the street. Witness saw he was drunk.
George Pitcher said Todd was not drunk.
The Chief Constable said defendant had been before the
Magistrates once that year, when he was fined 2s. 6d. and costs for being drunk
and disorderly.
Todd was fined 5s. and 11s. costs, or seven days`. He went
below.
Folkestone Herald
5-5-1906
Saturday, April 28th: Before Alderman W.G.
Herbert and Mr. R.J. Linton.
Henry Todd was summoned for being drunk on licensed
premises.
P.C. Sales stated that at 1.40 p.m. on the 19th
inst. he saw the defendant in the High Street, drunk. Shortly afterwards he saw
him go into the Queen`s Head. Witness told the landlord not to serve him, and
he took the defendant`s name and address.
P.S. Osborne stated that shortly after three o`clock on the
afternoon in question he saw the defendant in Dover Street with a basket of
primroses, which he was showing for sale. He was reeling, and witness saw that
he was drunk. He stopped and spoke to a man, and when he started off again he
reeled, caught his toe in the footpath, and fell against a house.
Defendant said he had been out with primroses, and came down
from the West Cliff. If he was drunk, surely somebody else would have taken his
name before he got down so far. He called George Pitcher as a witness.
Geo. Pitcher stated that he went down to the Queen`s Head on
the day in question with Todd, who on the way shouted “Primroses”. When they
went in the house Sales followed them and took Todd`s name, although he was not
drunk.
The Chief Constable stated that defendant had been before
the Court for being drunk and disorderly on the 9th April.
A fine of 5s. and 11s. costs was imposed, or in default 7
days`.
Defendant asked for time to pay, but this was refused.
Folkestone Express
11-8-1906
Tuesday, August 7th: Before Alderman Spurgen,
Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, and T. Ames Esq.
William Bradshaw was charged with being drunk and disorderly
in Beach Street the previous night. He admitted the offence.
P.C. Sales said he was in Beach Street at 8.30 p.m., when he
saw the prisoner, who was drunk, fighting with another man. He was also
flourishing a stick and attempting to smash the windows of the Queen`s Head
public house.
Prisoner said he did not try to smash any windows.
Fined 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days` hard labour
in default.
Folkestone Herald
11-8-1906
Tuesday, August 7th: Before Alderman G. Spurgen,
Councillor R.J. Fynmore, and T. Ames Esq.
William Bradshaw was charged with being drunk and disorderly
in Beach Street the previous evening.
P.C. Sales stated that at 8.30 the previous evening he saw
prisoner in Beach Street, drunk and fighting with another man, also attempting
to smash a window of the King`s Head (sic) public house. Prisoner was using
filthy language.
Accused denied that he tried to smash the windows.
In default of paying a fine of 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs,
Bradshaw was sentenced to seven days` hard labour.
Folkestone
Daily News 5-2-1907
Annual Licensing Sessions
Tuesday, February 5th: Before Messrs. Ward,
Hamilton, Linton, Fynmore, Herbert, Pursey, and Carpenter. Mr. Stainer, Mr.
Wells, and Mr. Boyd, the two latter being the new Magistrates, occupied seats
on the Bench, but did not adjudicate.
The Chief Constable read his report as to the number of
houses and convictions, which showed a decrease last year. He recommended that
the Bench should still continue to take advantage of the Act and refer some of
the licences to the Compensation Committee at the Canterbury Quarter Sessions.
He then went on to say that although he did not oppose the renewal of any
licences on the ground of misconduct, there had been five convictions during
the last year, and he had had to warn one licence holder against allowing
betting and taking in slips. He also wished to caution all licence holders that
these practices would not be allowed on any occasion, and after giving this
public warning he should take steps to detect and prosecute for any such
offences.
The Chairman, before commencing, stated that the
Licensing Bench had visited a large number of houses, and they had seen in
various places automatic machines, into which people put pennies, and in some
instances got their penny back or a cigar, &c. The having of these machines
was practically permitting gambling, and it had been decided that they were
illegal. Every licence hiolder must understand that they were to be immediately
removed, otherwise they would be prosecuted for having them. As regards the
automatic musical boxes, gramophones, &c., if licensed victuallers had them
on their premises, they were to be used in such a way as not to be a nuisance
to the neighbourhood, and if complaints were made they would have to be
removed.
The renewal licences for the Black Bull Hotel, the
Railway Inn, the Chequers, Queen`s Head, Channel Inn, Alexandra Tavern,
Perseverance, and Railway Hotel at Shorncliffe, were adjourned till the 4th March, some on
account of convictions, and some for the consideration of closing them under
the Licensing Act. The other applications were granted, a full report of which
will appear in our next issue.
Folkestone
Express 9-2-1907
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 6th: Before E.T. Ward
Esq., W.G. Herbert, R.J. Linton, C.J. Pursey and W.C. Carpenter Esqs., Lieut.
Col. Fynmore, and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.
The Chief Constable read his report as follows:
Chief Constable`s Office, Folkestone, 6th
February, 1907.
Gentlemen, I have the honour to report that there are
at present within your jurisdiction 128 places licensed for the sale by retail
of intoxicating liquors, viz.:- Full licences, 80; beer “on”, 9; beer “off”, 6;
beer and spirit dealers, 14; grocers, 12; chemists, 4; confectioners, 3; total
128. This gives an average, according to the census of 1901, of one licence to
every 239 persons, or one “on” licence to every 344 persons. This is a
reduction of 8 licences as compared with the return presented to you last year,
as the renewal of 3 “off” licences was not applied for at the last annual
licensing meeting, and at the adjourned licensing meeting the renewal of one
full licence was refused on the ground that the premises had been
ill-conducted, and four other full licences were referred to the Compensation
Committee for East Kent on the ground of redundancy. These four licences were
subsequently refused by the Compensation Committee, and after payment of
compensation, the premises were closed on 31st December last. Since
the last annual licensing meeting 22 of the licences have been transferred,
viz:- Full licences, 15; beer “on”, 5; off licences, 2; total 22. During the
year three occasional licences have been granted by the justices for the sale
of intoxicating liquors on premises not ordinarily licensed for such sale, and
thirty extensions of the ordinary time of closing have been granted to licence
holders when balls, dinners, etc., were being held on their premises. During
the year ended 31st December last, 131 persons (106 males and 25
females) were proceeded against for drunkenness. 114 were convicted and 17
discharged. This, it is most satisfactory to find, is a decrease of no less
than 52 persons proceeded against as compared with the preceding year, when 164
were convicted and 19 discharged. Six of the licence holders have been
proceeded against, and five of them convicted, for the following offences:
Selling adulterated whiskey, 1; permitting drunkenness, 1; delivering beer to a
child in unsealed vessels, 2; supplying drink to a constable when on duty, 1;
total, 5. In the latter case notice of appeal against the conviction has been
given by the licensee. Eleven clubs where intoxicating liquor is sold are
registered in accordance with the Act of 1902. There are 16 places licensed for
music and dancing, and two for public billiard playing. I offer no objection to
the renewal of any of the present licences on the ground of misconduct, the
houses generally having been conducted during the past year in a satisfactory
manner, but on one occasion one of the licence holders was cautioned (as the
evidence was insufficient to justify a prosecution) for receiving slips and
money relating to betting, which practice he immediately discontinued, bit I
desire to intimate to all the licence holders that if in future any such
practice is allowed, or any illegal gaming whatever is permitted on their
premises, I shall take such steps as may be necessary to detect and prosecute
the offenders. I beg to submit a plan showing the situation of all “on”
licensed premises within the congested area, which I have marked on the plan,
and would respectfully suggest that the Committee again avail themselves of the
powers given by the Licensing Act, 1904, and refer the renewal of some of the
licences within this area to the Compensation Committee to deal with under the
Act. Within this area there are 920 houses, with a population approximately of
4,600, with 37 “on” licensed houses and 8 other licences, giving a proportion
of one licence to every 20 houses or every 102 persons, and one “on” licence to
every 24 houses or every 124 persons. This number of licences I consider
excessive for the requirements of the neighbourhood. I have received notices
from eight persons of their intention to apply at these sessions for the
following new licences, viz.,:- Full licence 1; beer off 1; cider and sweets
off 1; wine off 3; music, etc., 2; total 8.
I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, H. Reeve, Chief
Constable.
The Chairman said the report seemed to be highly
satisfactory. The Magistrates were very pleased to see the diminution in the
number of cases of drunkenness brought before the Bench. One point about the report
he wanted to make a remark upon, and that was the prevalence of gaming in
public houses. In several houses the Committee visited they saw automatic
machines, in which customers placed pennies and pulled a trigger. Occasionally
they got something out for their pennies. That was gaming. It had been decided
to be illegal, and they warned all licence holders that they would be watched,
and that the machines would not be allowed, and proceedings would be taken
against the offending publicans, whose licences would be jeopardised next year.
There was one other point of a similar nature with regard to musical
instruments, which were reported to be a great nuisance. They warned all
licence holders to be careful not to create a nuisance with those pianos and other
instruments, which were now very common indeed in public houses.
The following houses were ordered to be opposed as not
required: The Channel Inn, High Street; the Queen`s Head, Beach Street; the
Railway Tavern (sic), Beach Street; the Chequers, Seagate Street; and the
Perseverance, Dover Street.
Folkestone
Herald 9-2-1907
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 6th: Before Mr. E.T.
Ward, Alderman W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, Major Leggett, Councillor
W.C. Carpenter, and Messrs. R.J. Fynmore, R.J. Linton, and C.J. Pursey
The Chief Constable presented his annual report (for
details see Folkestone Express report).
The Chairman: The report seems to be very satisfactory,
and we are very glad to see the diminution in the number of cases of
drunkenness brought before the Bench. One point about the report I should like
to make a remark upon, and that is about gambling in public houses. In every
house we have visited we saw automatic machines in which you put a penny,
pulled a trigger, and occasionally you get something out, either your penny
back, or a card for a cigar. That is gaming, and it has been decided as
illegal, and we warn all licence holders who have these machines that they must
be removed or otherwise proceedings will be taken against them for gaming, and
their licences may be in jeopardy next year. There is another thing. In the
same way, with regard to these musical instruments, which have been reported to
the Bench as a great nuisance, we warn all the licence holders to be careful,
and not create nuisances with these machines.
The licences of the Channel, High Street, the Queen`s
Head, Beach Street, the Railway Inn, Beach Street, the Chequers, Seagate Street,
and the Perseverance, Dover Street, were not renewed, notice of opposition
being given on the ground of redundancy.
Folkestone
Daily News 4-3-1907
Adjourned Licensing Sessions
Monday, March 4th: Before Messrs. Ward,
Fynmore, Linton, Boyd, Herbert, Pursey, Carpenter, Leggett, and Hamilton.
There were seven licences to be considered: The Black
Bull, Railway Tavern (sic), Railway Hotel, Perseverance, Chequers, Channel Inn,
and Queen`s Head.
The Queen`s Head
The Chief Constable opposed on similar grounds to the
previous case.
Mr. De Wet, who appeared for the brewer and tenant, admitted
the notice subject to examination.
The Chief Constable gave details of structure, showing
limited accommodation. There were 26 houses within 100 yards radius. In his
opinion the house was one of the least suitable for licensed premises.
Mr. Mowll could hardly think that the Bench had made up
their minds. It was doing the largest trade of any licence that had been
opposed.
Inspector Burniston corroborated, and added that the
house was principally used by hawkers and fishermen, and people who lived in
common lodging houses.
Mr. De Wet called Mr. Ernest Hands, from Nalder and
Collyer`s, who deposed that the trade of the house in beer and spirits for
three years had been:- 1904, 197½ barrels, 151 dozen ginger beer, 189 gallons
of spirits; 1905, 187¾ barrels, 198 dozen ginger beer, 188 gallons of spirits;
1906, 239½ barrels, 330 dozen ginger beer, 196 gallons of spirits. The trade
was fairly average all the year round.
Mr. Walter Tame deposed that he paid £305 to go into
the Queen`s Head. He paid £40 per year rent. He did a good general run of
public trade, and had never been convicted. He was quite satisfied with the
trade, but if he had got the Morehall licence he might have done better. He had
made eight or nine applications to change the licence. There was more drinking
going on, but if his house was closed his customers would not go thirsty.
The case was referred to the Licensing Committee.
Folkestone
Express 9-3-1907
Adjourned Licensing Sessions
The adjourned licensing sessions were held on Monday at
the Police Court, when the principal business to be considered was whether or
not the five licences should be referred to the East Kent Licensing Committee
for compensation. The Licensing Justices on the Bench were E.T. Ward Esq.,
Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, W.G. Herbert, C.J. Pursey, R.J.
Linton and W.C. Carpenter Esqs., while other justices present were Major
Leggett, Mr. G. Boyd, and Mr. J. Stainer.
The last house for consideration was the Queen`s Head,
Beach Street.
Mr. De Wet appeared on behalf of the tenant and
landlords.
The Chief Constable stated that notice of opposition
had been served upon the tenant and landlords of the house, on the ground that
the licence was not needed for the requirements of the neighbourhood. The house
was situated in Beach Street. Walter Tom Tame, who obtained the transfer of the
licence on August 7th, 1889, was the tenant. The registered owners
were Messrs. Nalder and Collyer, of Croydon. The rateable value of the house
was £32. The house adjoined the Wonder Tavern, and the back-way was directly
opposite the South Foreland. The rateable value of the Wonder Tavern, although
only a beerhouse, was £36, while that of the South Foreland was £72. There were
twenty four houses in Beach Street, and six of them were licensed houses. The
entrance was at the back of the house. The door opened into a passageway. The
serving window overlooked the bar. There was also a tap room, which was 9 ft. 9
in. by 9 ft. 10 in., and about 7 ft. 6 in. high which opened from the passage. There
was really no light to that room except that obtained from the window
overlooking the front bar. Within a radius of 150 yards there were twenty six
other on licensed houses. There was no yard to the premises, and the whole of
the accommodation of the premises was inferior to the immediate adjoining
houses. He considered, with the exception of the Railway Inn, those premises
were less suitable than any of the licensed premises. The majority of the
customers appeared to be men working at the fish market and employed about the
fish market, and a few working on the Harbour. He considered the licence to be
unnecessary for the needs of the neighbourhood, and if the house was closed
there would still be ample accommodation for them to be supplied at the remaining
houses.
The Justices decided to refer the house to the
Licensing Committee.
Inquest
Folkestone
Herald 9-3-1907
Adjourned Licensing Sessions
Monday, March 4th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward,
Alderman W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, Councillors W.C. Carpenter and
G. Boyd, and Messrs. R.J. Fynmore, C.J. Pursey, R.J. Linton, and J. Stainer.
The Queen`s Head
The last case was that of the Queen`s Head, Beach
Street, the ground of opposition being the same as in the previous case (that
the house was not needed).
Mr. De Wet appeared for the tenants and owners.
The Chief Constable said that the licensee was Walter
Tom Tame, who obtained the licence in 1889. The owners were Messrs. Nalder and
Collyer. The house adjoined the Wonder Tavern, and directly opposite the back
entrance was the South Foreland. Its rateable value was £32, while that of the
Wonder, which was only a beerhouse, was £36, and the South Foreland £72. There
were 24 houses in Beach Street, six of which were on licensed houses. There
were two entrances to the house on one side, and one on the other. The two
entrances at the front entered the public bar. At the entrance at the back of
the house the door opened into a passageway, which had a swing window opening
into the bar. There was also a tap room opening from that passage, which was 9
ft. 9 in. by 9 ft. 10 in., and about 7 ft. 6 in. high. Witness drew the
particular attention of the Bench to the facts as to that room, seeing that
there was only borrowed light.
Mr. De Wet took exception to this point, as it had to
do with structural manners, which were not included in the notice of
opposition.
Witness added that within a radius of 150 yards there
were 26 other on licensed houses. The accommodation for the licensee was
upstairs. The whole house was inferior to the immediately adjoining premises,
and he considered that, with the exception of the Railway Inn, which he dealt
with that morning, the premises were the least suitable of any in Beach Street
for the purpose of a licensed house. The majority of the customers appeared to
be employed about the Fishmarket, and a few men at the Harbour. He considered
the licence to be unnecessary, and that if the house was closed there would be
ample accommodation at the other houses.
Cross-examined by Mr. De Wet: In the congested area,
not one sixth of the borough was included. During the eighteen years that Mr.
Tame had held the house he had not been convicted, nor had there been a
conviction against a tenant of the house since 1883.
Detective Sergeant Burniston corroborated. The
landlord, he said, did a fairly good trade. The majority of his customers were
hawkers and fishermen. There were some residents who used the house.
Mr. Ernest Hand, collector for Messrs. Nalder and
Collyer, stated that he had inspected the books in connection with the beer
supplied to the Queen`s Head. He had taken the returns for three years, as that
was the custom of the Authorities in his district. The three years were the
lean years of the trade. In 1904, 197¼ barrels were sold, in 1905 187 3/8
barrels were disposed of, and in 1906, 239½ barrels were sold. The bottled
trade for the respective years was 150 doz., 198 doz., and 330 doz., showing an
increase each year. As to wines and spirits, the figures were 190, 189, and 196
gallons respectively. The trade was a good steady one all the year round, and
there was very little difference in it.
The Chief Constable: And you call that a good trade?
Witness: Yes.
The Chief Constable: And yet you wanted to surrender
that and give another away for the one at Morehall, didn`t you? (Laughter)
Mr. Walter Tom Tame gave evidence as to the trade. He
said he paid £40 a year rent. He had a good general round of public trade, and
he had had tradespeople in the immediate neighbourhood who were customers for
several years. He was satisfied with his trade, though he thought if he had
been able to get to Morehall it would have been a better trade.
Cross-examined: He had made eight or nine applications
for the transfer of the licence of the Queen`s Head. He thought the people
there were drinking more than they did formerly. He had more customers now. He
was certain that if his house was closed his customers would not go thirsty.
(Laughter)
The Bench decided to refer the licence to the East Kent
Committee.
Folkestone
Express 15-6-1907
The circumstances surrounding the death of Charles
Foster, a Rye fisherman, will always remain to a certain extent a mystery.
Early on Friday morning he was found severely injured on the railway line
leading from the Junction to the Harbour Stations, almost immediately below the
Radnor Bridge. His injuries, however, were plainly not the result of a railway
accident, and there was hardly any doubt that they were caused by a fall from a
good height. He was taken to the Victoria Hospital, where he succumbed several
hours after without becoming conscious. The inquest was held on Saturday
afternoon at the Town Hall, the Borough Coroner (Mr. G.W. Haines) conducting
the enquiry, but nothing of a definite nature came to light as to how the
unfortunate man came to fall off the bridge.
John Henry Baker, mate of the fishing boat No. 48,
registered at Rye, said he identified the body as that of Charles Foster, who
resided at Church Square, Rye, and who was master of the fishing lugger, the
Florence, No. 48, registered at Rye. On Thursday evening the boat was lying in
Folkestone Harbour. He saw the deceased, who was 27 years of age, at seven
o`clock, when they went aboard after they had been shopping. He left the
deceased on board at eight o`clock, and the deceased said he was going ashore.
Foster told him to have steam ready by eleven o`clock. When he left the
deceased he was sober, but he had had a glass or two.
Mr. Blake, solicitor, said he represented Mr. Kingsford
Read, the owner of the smack, and he would like to ask the witness whether the
deceased had any reason to go up to the bridge in the course of his work.
The Coroner: I do not think you need trouble with that
question at this enquiry.
Mr. Blake: Very well.
George Knight, of 26, Greenfield Road, said he was an
engine driver in the employ of the S.E. and C.R. Company. On Friday morning,
about four o`clock, he was driving his engine, with a bank brake attached, from
the Junction to the Harbour, and just before coming to Radnor Bridge he noticed
something fifty yards in front of his engine on the Harbour side of the
crossing, lying about two feet from the outside rail. When he got closer to it
he saw it was the body of a man. The body was quite clear of the rails, and he
ran past it. They then applied the brakes and got down. On going to the man, he
found he was alive, but unconscious. His mate went for a police constable, and
he returned with P.C. Lawrence. The body was never touched from the first time
he saw it.
P.C. Lawrence said on Friday morning, about half past
four, from information received, he went to the Tram Road, and the last witness
pointed out to him the body of a man, who was lying about two feet clear of the
down rails. The body was about three feet on the Harbour side of the bridge.
The man was unconscious, lying on his stomach, and bleeding from the nose and
ears. He at once went for Dr. Gilbert and sent for the stretcher. Dr. Gilbert
came immediately, and under his directions he removed the body to the hospital.
When the doctor arrived they had got the man on the stretcher. The sleeper was
marked with blood just where the man`s head was resting.
P.S. Osborne said on Friday morning, just after six
o`clock, he went to Radnor Bridge and examined it. On the Harbour side of the
bridge at the end nearest the East Cliff, there were some marks on the outside
of the bridge, as if someone had climbed over. The marks appeared to have been
caused by the toe, the moss being scraped from the wall, and on a ledge about
four or five feet down there was the impression of a foot in grit. The ledge
was about 10 inches wide. The grit appeared to be the same as that in the
roadway. There had been a lot of rain during the night. The marks were almost
perpendicular with the place where the man was found. On one of the chains of
the rails he found a piece of hair.
Dr. Thornton Gilbert said on Friday morning, at twenty
past four, he was called by the police to the crossing, and on his arrival he
found they had got the body on the ambulance. He examined the body, which was
that of an unconscious man. He found an abrasion on the face, a cut over the
right eye, and blood oozing from the nose and ear. The jaw was broken in three
places, and the right thigh was also broken. Having dressed the wound on the
face, he ordered the man`s removal to the hospital. He saw the man again in the
hospital and he was dying. The injuries were such as would be caused by a fall
from a height. He should not think there were any marks which could have been
caused in a brawl. The distance from the arch of the bridge to the ground was
28 feet. The man, who smelt slightly of alcohol, but not much, might have been
near the rails half an hour, the blood on his face having commenced to
coagulate. It was very difficult to give an accurate idea of how long he had
been lying on the railway.
Dr. Cecil Hadley, the house surgeon at the Victoria
Hospital, said on Friday morning, at five o`clock, the deceased was brought
into the Hospital suffering from a fracture of the right thigh, fracture of the
jaw, and fracture of the base of the skull. Deceased died at one o`clock in the
afternoon from the fracture of the base of the skull. The injuries were such as
would be received from a fall of 28 feet. They were not of such a character as
would have been received in a brawl.
John Allen, 3, Kenley Bridge Road, Lower Sydenham, said
he was a bricklayer. On Thursday evening last he was going across the Radnor
bridge, about 11.30, from Dover Road, and saw a man on it nearest the Warren
end. The man, who appeared to be a fisherman, was leaning over the bridge,
looking down on the rails below. When he passed the man he said to him “It is
time you were aboard”, and he replied “I will ---- well go when I like”.
Witness then passed on. He could not tell from the man`s voice whether he was
drunk or sober.
Mrs. Bertha Fagg, who offered to give evidence, said
she lived at 5, Fenchurch Street. She was a widow. She knew the deceased as
“Shamrock”, a name by which he was generally known. On Friday night, about nine
o`clock, she left off work and went into the Queen`s Head, where she saw the
deceased and several other fishermen with other women. They all came out of
there and went into the North Foreland (sic), where they had another drink. She
then went with the deceased, in company with other men and women, to the
Clarence Inn, where they remained until eleven o`clock. She left the deceased
at five minutes past eleven, at the bottom of Dover Road, near St. Michael`s
Church. She asked him to go along with her, and then go aboard his boat, but he
refused to do so. When he left her he had about a quartern of rum in a bottle
with him. Deceased was not sober, and was the worse for drink. She had had no
more drink than the other women.
The Coroner, in summing up, said there was nothing to
show that the injuries were received in a brawl or from any instrument.
Mr. Hopper, the station-master at the Harbour Station,
in reply to the Coroner, said two trains came from the Junction Station during
the night – one at 12.35 and the other at 2.08. He had had no report from the
drivers as to having seen or struck anyone, and there were no marks on the
engines when they were examined the same morning.
The jury held that death was caused by the fall from
the bridge, but there was no evidence to show how the deceased got there.
Folkestone
Daily News 12-7-1907
Local News
Our readers will remember that at the recent Folkestone
Licensing Sessions the Justices decided to refer the licences of the Channel
Inn, High Street, the Queen`s Head, Beach Street, the Railway Inn, Beach
Street, and the Perseverance, Dover Street, to the County Licensing Authority.
At a meeting of this body on Thursday the question came up for consideration,
and eventually it was decided to withdraw the licences of the Channel Inn, the
Perseverance, and the Queen`s Head. The licence of the Railway Inn was renewed.
Compensation will, of course, be granted to the owners and tenants of the
closed houses.
Folkestone
Express 13-7-1907
Local News
At the Folkestone Licensing Sessions the Justices
decided to refer four licences to the County Licensing Authority with a view to
the houses being closed and compensation given.
The Committee held a meeting on Thursday, and decided
to withdraw the licences from the Channel Inn, High Street; the Queen`s Head,
Beach Street; and the Perseverance, Dover Street. The fourth licence, that of
the Railway Inn, Beach Street, was renewed. The owners and tenants of the
others will be compensated.
Folkestone
Herald 13-7-1907
Local News
Lord Harris presided at the principal meeting of the
East Kent Compensation Authority at Canterbury on Thursday.
The Committee had referred to them twenty four houses,
including four from Folkestone, viz., the Channel, High Street; the Railway
Inn, Beach Street; the Perseverance, Dover Street; and the Queen`s Head, Beach
Street.
The Queen`s Head
Mr. Matthew was for the Justices, and Mr. W. Clarke
Hall (instructed by Mr. F. Hall) for the brewers (Messrs. Nalder and Collyer).
Mr. De Wet appeared for the tenant (Mr. W.T. Tame).
Chief Constable Reeve stated that this house was in the
same street as the Railway Inn. There was another licensed house next door to
it of higher rateable value. On three or four different occasions the owners of
this house had offered to resign it if the Magistrates would grant them a
licence in another part of Folkestone.
In reply to Mr. Hall, witness admitted the present
tenant had been in the house 18 years. There were no convictions against him.
He did not know he paid £300 to go in.
Mr. De Wet examined the witness at some length on the
point of differentiation, and put in a series of photographs and plans to prove
his point.
The tenant said he had lived in the house 18 years, and
had brought up a family there. During the last three years he had done a
barrelage of 624. His spirit trade had also greatly improved.
Mr. Bromley, architect, and Mr. Andrew Kennedy, of 3,
Harbour Street, a fishmonger, who had used the house for 29 years, gave evidence
in support of the renewal.
The Decision
The Committee decided to renew the Railway Inn, but to
refuse those of the Channel, Perseverance, and Queen`s Head.
Folkestone
Daily News 17-8-1907
Saturday, August 17th: Before The Mayor,
Messrs. Boyd and Ames.
Henry Jones was charged with assaulting Mercy Simpson.
Prosecutrix said she lived in Mill Bay, and on Bank
Holiday defendant came to her at the Queen`s Head and struck her. He then
dragged her to the ground by her hair.
Ellen Simpson said she was with the prosecutrix on the
day in question at the Queen`s Head, and saw the defendant put his knee into
Mrs. Simpson`s back.
For the defence, defendant said it was all lies. He did
not touch the woman. He asked for an adjournment for a week so that he might
bring witnesses to prove what he said.
He was fined 10s. and 10s. costs, or 14 days` hard
labour.
Folkestone
Express 24-8-1907
Saturday, August 17th: Before The Mayor, T.
Ames and G. Boyd Esqs.
Henry Jones was summoned for assaulting Mercy Simpson.
He pleaded Not Guilty.
The parties were of the “`Arry and `Arriett” type, and
the evidence was very amusing.
The complainant narrated how on August Bank Holiday
night she and her husband, who live at 14, Mill Bay, went to the Queen`s Head
to have a glass of stout. Defendant, with some women, was there. Witness saw
something was “working”, and advised her husband to get out. As they left the
bar, witness`s husband, who was leading his father-in-law, who was blind, was
set upon, while defendant caught hold of the complainant by the hair and tore
her down to the ground. “I have been under the doctor for four days” said
Mercy, very impressively, “and I have lived on soda and milk”.
Ellen Simpson said she saw defendant put his knee in
complainant`s back.
Defendant denied the assault, but the Magistrates were
of opinion that the case had been fully proved and fined him 10s. and 10s.
costs.
In default of payment, he was taken below to do
fourteen days` hard labour.
Folkestone
Herald 24-8-1907
Saturday, August 17th: Before The Mayor,
Councillor G. Boyd, and Mr. T. Ames.
Henry Jones was summoned for assaulting Merca Simpson.
Merca Simpson, of 14, Mill Bay, stated that she was the
wife of Arthur Simpson, a dealer. On Bank Holiday she was at the Queen`s Head.
Defendant, when she went out, threw her to the ground, and put his knee into her
back. He pulled her down by the hair. She was under the doctor for four days
afterwards, owing to her back being injured.
Ellen Simpson corroborated the last witness`s evidence.
She saw the accused put his knee into Mrs. Simpson`s back, and pull her down by
the hair.
Defendant stated that what the witnesses had said was
“nothing at all but lies”. He wanted the case adjourned for a week, so that he
might be able to bring his witnesses at the end of that time. He had never
touched the woman.
The Chief Constable said that the defendant had had the
summons since the previous Wednesday.
Defendant: I was not at home at that time.
The Mayor said the Bench considered the defendant had
committed a gross assault on the poor woman, and a fine of 10s. and 10s. costs,
or 14 days` hard labour, would be imposed.
Folkestone
Herald 2-5-1908
Advertisement
W.T. Tame has now opened the Queen`s Head, at Beach
Street, Folkestone, as Dining, Tea and Coffee Rooms. Close to Sea, Harbour, and
Fishmarket. Early morning house. Dinners, Teas, Chops, Steaks, etc., at
moderate charges. Accommodation for Cyclists. Mr. Tame would be pleased to see
any old friends at any time.
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