East Kent Arms, 1978 |
| East Kent, 1914. Credit Folkestone Library |
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| Steamroller Accident outside East Kent Arms. Date unknown |
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| East Kent Arms, May 2012 |
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| East Kent, 1999. Credit Martin Easdown |
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| East Kent Arms, 1996. Credit Patricia Streater (from http://www.dover-kent.com/East-Kent-Arms-Folkestone.html) |
Licensees
John Scott 1885 1896
Amy Scott 1896 1901
Walter Checkley 1901 1901
Charles Major 1901 1914
Frank Funnell 1914 1924
Percy Booker 1924 1937
Dorothy Funnell 1937 1942
Charles Perkis 1942 1957
Thomas Moore 1957 1962
Isobelle Moore 1963 1964
Dudley Grey-Wilson and John
Strath 1964 1966
Dudley Grey-Wilson and
James Maskell 1966 1968
Leslie Comer and William
Wilson 1968 1971
John Tobin and Peter
Stephens 1971 1972 Peter Stephens from London And Paris
Peter Stephens and Brian
Sinclair 1972 1976
John West and Keith
Loughton 1976 1978 John West also Bouverie Arms 1975-79
Stuart Workman and Brian
Smart 1979 1980
Michael Rugg-Gunn and Brian
Smart 1980 1980
Michael Rugg-Gunn 1980 1981
Michael Rugg-Gunn and Carlo
King 1981 1982
Kenneth Attfield and Carlo
King 1982 1983
Michael Norris 1983 1991
John Godden and Patricia
Morgan 1991 1993
Eamonn Delaney and Maurice
Cartwright 1993 1996
Ross Dick-Clelland and
Glenn Collins 1996 1997
Jane Thomas and Helen
Barton 1998 1998
Helen Barton, Lisa McDuff
and Mark Hollingsworth 1998 2004
Robert Warren and Helen
Warren 2004 2004 +
Folkestone News 9-1-1886
Quarter
Sessions
Thursday,
January 9th: Before J.J. Lonsdale Esq.
William Armit
(59) was charged with stealing a pony and cart and other articles, value £50,
the property of John Paul Scott, of the East Kent Arms, Folkestone. He pleaded
Not Guilty.
Mr. Croft
prosecuted, instructed by Mr. J. Minter.
Mr. Croft
opened the case, and briefly outlined the evidence he intended to call.
John Paul
Scott, the prosecutor, said: I am the proprietor of the East Kent Yard and
Stables in Sandgate Road. I saw the prisoner at the bar on the morning of
November 13th last. I had not known him previously. He was dressed
very respectably. I thought he was a customer of the former proprietor. My man
said the prisoner wanted a trap to Dover and back. I let him have one for 10s.
6d. on the understanding that he was not gone more than three hours. He took
the trap. I subsequently received a telegram, in consequence of which I went to
Canterbury, where I found my pony and trap. The value was £50.
Cross-examined:
I did not lose anything, excepting that the pony was laid up five weeks with a
cold, and I had to pay the expenses of the stabling.
Henry Hogben
said he remembered the prisoner coming to his master`s stables on the morning
of November 13th. He said he had come for the pony and trap which he
had hired. He asked for a rug, and witness told him there was one in the cart.
He said he was going to bring a lady back with him.
---- Bennett,
a stableman, living at Canterbury, said on Friday, November 13th, he
saw the prisoner there about two o`clock at the Flying Horse Yard. He was in
conversation with three or four men about selling a cart, rug and whip, which
were in a lodge near. He believed the pony was in the stable. He knew the pony
belonged to Mr. Scott. He saw the prisoner again about three o`clock with a man
named Hill driving the cart. He got out at the Flying Horse, and offered to
sell the cart, rug and whip for £7. He did not say anything about the pony.
Witness telegraphed immediately to Mr. Scott and received a reply. He showed it
to prisoner, who read it. Witness said he should detain the pony and cart. He
next saw the prisoner at the police station. The prisoner was not drunk,
although he had had a glass or two of beer.
The Recorder
said the witness had behaved most creditably.
Prisoner
asked no questions.
Police
Sergeant Harman said he happened to be in Canterbury on that day on special
duty. He went to the Beehive Stables and found the pony and cart there.
Prisoner was not there. He searched for him, and afterwards found him in
custody. He told him the charge, and he said “I suppose you have got it or know
where it is. They wanted me to sell it for £6, but I wanted a saddle”. Mr.
Scott came from Folkestone afterwards. Witness brought the prisoner to
Folkestone next day, and when charged he made no reply.
Cross-examined:
He was under the influence of drink at eight o`clock in the evening. He
appeared to be stupid.
Elizabeth
Johnson was called, but the Recorder asked if it was necessary.
Mr. Croft
thought not.
The Recorder
said it was an undefended case.
Prisoner said
he was under the influence of drink at the time or it would not have happened.
He had been an officer in the Army, and was ruined.
Mr. Scott,
re-called, said the prisoner was quite sober when he hired the cart.
The Recorder
summed up the evidence, and said if the prisoner hired the trap bona fide, and
it afterwards came upon him to sell it, that would not be theft.
The jury,
without hesitation, returned a verdict of Guilty, and the Recorder passed a
sentence of six months` hard labour.
Kentish Gazette 12-1-1886
The Quarter Sessions were held on Thursday before the Recorder (J.J. Lonsdale Esq.).
A true bill was found against a respectably-dressed and well-educated man named William Armit, who was indicted on a charge of stealing a horse and cart and other articles, value £50, the property of Mr. Scott, who keeps some stables at Folkestone.
Prisoner (who was arrested in Canterbury) pleaded Not Guilty.
The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Croft, who stated the facts of the case (which have already appeared in these columns).
Superintendent Taylor said that he had made inquiries about the prisoner, and had ascertained that his father was an officer in the army. If not convicted prisoner would be arrested on a charge of stealing a trap under precisely similar circumstances at Coventry.
Sentenced to six calendar months` hard labour.
Folkestone Chronicle 3-9-1887
Local News
The police
are making investigations into a case of robbery which was perpetrated in the
Sandgate Road on Monday night at the East Kent Arms public house. At present
the affair remains a mystery, but it appears that the entrance was effected
through the fanlights. Money amounting to upwards of £7 was stolen from a
cupboard. No clue has yet been obtained of the burglar or burglars. Amongst the
stolen money there was 25s. in bronze.
Folkestone Express 3-9-1887
Local News
There have
been several robberies committed in Folkestone during the past two or three
weeks, public houses being apparently the favourite places for the raids of the
thieves. On Monday night an entrance was effected at the East Kent Arms,
Sandgate Road, by way of the fanlights, and about £7 abstracted from a cupboard.
The money included 25s. worth of new bronze coins. Mr. Scott is, not
unnaturally, astonished that is house, almost under the shadow of the police
station, should be visited by burglars.
Southeastern Gazette
5-9-1887
Local News
The East Kent Arms, Sandgate Road, in the occupation of Mr. J. P. Scott,
was broken into on Monday night, and about £7 stolen, including 25s. worth of
new bronze coins. Entrance to the house was made by way of the fanlights.
Southeastern Gazette
28-1-1890
Local News
Mr. Thomas B.
Hammond, who was well known as having been associated with Mr. J.P. Scott in
the running of the Folkestone and Canterbury coach for two seasons, died at the
East Kent Arms on Monday evening. The deceased appears to have been for some
time past suffering from a complication of disorders, but his death was
accelerated by an attack of “the prevailing epidemic,” as it is termed. He was
a lieutenant in Her Majesty’s Navy, but retired about 10 years ago, after
having taken part in the Chinese War, for which he received a medal and two
clasps. He was a member of the Temple Lodge of Freemasons, and among a large
circle of friends and acquaintances he was very highly esteemed for his general
good nature and many sterling qualities. The funeral took place on Friday at
the cemetery.
Folkestone Chronicle 19-4-1890
Local News
Great
sensation was caused in Sandgate Road yesterday morning upon a man named
Charles Jordan being found amongst some straw in the loft of the East Kent
Arms. Dr. Thomas Eastes was immediately summoned, and the injuries of the
unfortunate man were attended to. He was removed to the Dispensary as speedily
as possible, where he was placed under the care of Dr. F. Eastes and Dr.
Bateman. The wound is a very severe one, the windpipe being badly cut. He lies
in a very precarious condition and appears to be gradually sinking. No hopes
are held of his recovery. Jordan, who lived in Bradstone Road, is only 23 years
of age, and had been in the employ of Mr. Scott at the East Kent Arms about two
months. He has been noticed to be in very distressed spirits lately, but at the
present time we are unable to assign any reason for the unfortunate man`s act.
Folkestone Chronicle 14-6-1890
Wednesday,
June 11th: Before J. Clarke Esq., Alderman Dunk, E.T. Ward, F.
Boykett and J. Hoad Esqs.
A respectably
dressed young woman named Kate Caine was charged with obtaining a quantity of
underclothing, valued at 16s. 3d., from Mr. Stephen John Petts, of Rendezvous
Street, by false pretences on the evening of the 7th instant; with
obtaining a mantle from Mr. Shaw on the same date by false pretences, and two
woollen skirts, valued at 4s. 11d., by false pretences, from Mr. Longley,
draper.
Stephen John
Petts, draper, of 34, Rendezvous Street, said the prisoner came to his shop on
Saturday evening between eight and nine o`clock. He had seen her before. The
prisoner said “I want to see some underclothing”. Witness showed her some and
she asked that she might take them to Miss Scott, at the East Kent Arms, on
book. She said she had been sent there by her. She went towards the door, but
came back again and said if the goods did not suit Miss Scott she would bring
them back again directly. Witness believed the statements which she made, and
upon the faith of them allowed her to take them away. She did not return with
the goods, and he saw no more of her until he saw her at the police station on
Tuesday. He identified the things produced as his property. The selling price
would be 16s. 3d.
Miss Ada
Scott, residing at the East Kent Arms, said she knew the prisoner, who lived in
her father`s service at the East Kent Arms about two years ago. Witness did not
send her to Mr. Petts` shop, or to any other shop, to purchase underclothing.
Elizabeth
Wakefield, assistant to Mr. Shaw, draper, said the prisoner went to her shop
about quarter past eight on Saturday evening. She asked for a dusk cloak, and
not having one to show her, gave her a mantle, which she tried on. She said “I
will take this to show Mrs. Scott. She has made me a present of it”. She said
Mrs. Scott lived at the East Kent Arms, and asked witness`s permission to take
it there, promising to return by quarter to nine. Witness believed her
statements and allowed her to take the mantle away. She did not return. On
Tuesday she accompanied Sergeant Butcher to a house in Theatre Street, Hythe,
where she saw the prisoner, whom witness identified as the woman who came to
the shop on Saturday. Witness went into the prisoner`s bedroom, and she
produced a mantle from the cupboard. Witness identified it as Mr. Shaw`s
property. The value of it was 14s.
Mrs. Amy
Scott, wife of Mr. Scott, proprietor of the East Kent Arms, stated that the
prisoner was formerly in her service as cook. She did not send her to Mr.
Shaw`s on Saturday night to purchase a mantle or a dusk cloak, nor did the
prisoner bring her one. She had never sent her there on any other occasion.
Miss Emily
Ward, assistant to Mr. T.W. Langley, draper, said the prisoner came into the
shop on Saturday evening to see some flannel skirts. They had none in stock,
and she showed her some woollen ones. She said she was kitchen maid at Mrs.
Hart`s, Bates Hotel, and wanted them for the chambermaid. She asked to take
them away, and witness allowed her to do so. She said she would come back in a
quarter of an hour, but she did not return. She identified the things produced.
The selling price was 4s. 11d.
Esther
Hambrook said she was chambermaid at Bates Hotel, and had been there four
years. The prisoner had been employed there as kitchen maid, but that was some
two years ago. She had not seen her since, and had never sent her to purchase
any skirts, or any other goods.
Sergt.
Butcher said he went to Hythe on Tuesday in company with Miss Wakefield, and
went to a house occupied by Mr. Johnson, in Theatre Street, at half past two.
He asked to see the prisoner, and Miss Wakefield identified her. Witness read
the warrant to her. She replied “Any question you ask me I shall answer
truthfully”. Witness told her he had no questions to ask her. He would have to
take her to Folkestone. She went upstairs and called witness up. She said
“You`ll find the things there”, pointing to a cupboard. Witness called Miss
Wakefield up, and they found the mantle hanging up. Witness then found, wrapped
in a brown paper parcel, two bodices and some other underclothing, and in
another parcel he found one skirt. Witness brought her to Folkestone, and at
the police station the warrant was again read over to her. She said “I did have
the things”.
Louis Sharpe,
a female searcher, said she searched the prisoner at the police station at four
o`clock on Tuesday. She was wearing some of the clothing, but made no
statement.
Prisoner
stated that she did not know what caused her to do it. She did not wish to soil
any of the goods, and those which she had worn she would pay for. When she got
the things home she was sorry for what she had done.
The Bench
committed the prisoner for trial at the Quarter Sessions.
Folkestone Express 14-6-1890
Wednesday,
June 11th: before J. Clark, J. Hoad, J. Dunk, F. Boykett and E.T.
Ward Esqs.
Kate Caine
was charged with obtaining by false pretences from Mr. S.J. Petts a quantity of
drapery articles; from Mr. R.J. Shaw, a mantle; and from Mr. Thomas White
Longley two woollen shirts.
Stephen John
File Petts, draper, of 34, Rendezvous Street, said on Saturday evening, between
eight and nine o`clock, prisoner went to his shop. He knew her by sight. She
asked to see some underclothing. He showed her some chemises, drawers and
bodices. She asked to be allowed to take the articles to Miss Scott, of the East
Kent Arms, on approval. She went towards the door, returned, and said if the
goods did not suit Miss Scott she would bring them back directly. Believing her
statements, he allowed her to take away the goods. She did not return, and he
saw no more of her until he saw her at the police station on Tuesday. He
identified the three bodices, three chemises, and three pairs of drawers
produced as his property. The total value of them was 16s. 3d.
Ada Scott,
daughter of Mr. J.P. Scott, of the East Kent Arms, said she knew the prisoner,
who lived in her father`s service about two years ago. She had not sent her on
Saturday to Mr. Petts`s shop to purchase underclothing, nor did she see
prisoner at all on Saturday last.
Elizabeth
Wakefield, assistant to Mr. R.J. Shaw, draper, Dover Road, said on Saturday
evening about a quarter past eight prisoner went to the shop and asked for a
dust cloak. Not having one to show her, witness showed her a mantle instead.
She tried the mantle on and said “I`ll take this to show Mrs. Scott, as she is
making me a present of it”. Witness allowed her to take the mantle away, and
prisoner promised to return by a quarter to nine. She did not return. On
Tuesday witness went with Sergt. Butcher to a house in Theatre Street, Hythe,
and there saw the prisoner. From a cupboard in a bedroom prisoner produced the
mantle. The selling value of it was 14s.
Amy Scott,
wife of Mr. J.P. Scott, said the prisoner was formerly in her service as cook.
She did not send her on Saturday to Mr. Shaw`s for a dust cloak or a mantle.
Emily Lord,
assistant to Mr. T.W. Longley, of 69, High Street, draper, said prisoner went
to the shop about nine o`clock on Saturday evening, and asked for some flannel
skirts. They had no flannel, so she showed her some woollen skirts. She said
she wanted them for the chambermaid at Mrs. Hart`s, Bates Hotel, where she was
kitchen maid. She selected the skirts, and asked to be allowed to take them
away to show the chambermaid. She was allowed to do so, but did not return.
Witness identified the skirts produced as Mr. Longley`s property; the selling
price was 4s. 11d.
Esther
Hambrook, chambermaid at Bates Hotel, said the prisoner had lived at the hotel
for several months as kitchen maid. She left quite two years ago, and witness
had seen her but once since.
Sergeant
Butcher said he went on Tuesday to Hythe with Miss Wakefield, to a house in
Theatre Street, occupied by a Mrs. Johnson. He found prisoner was lodging there
and asked to see her. Miss Wakefield identified her. He read the warrant to her
and she replied “Any question you ask me I shall answer truthfully”. He told
her he should ask her no questions, but she must put on her things and go to
Folkestone. She went upstairs, and then called him, and, pointing to a
cupboard, said “You will find the things in there”. He called Miss Wakefield
up, and showed her the mantle produced, and she identified it. In a brown paper
parcel he found the articles identified by Mr. Petts, and a skirt identified as
Mr. Longley`s property.
Rachel Sharp,
wife of Richard Sharp, said she searched the prisoner. She was wearing a
bodice, chemise, a pair of drawers, and a skirt, which formed part of the
property she was charged with obtaining.
Prisoner said
she did not know what to do. She had no money to take her boxes further than Sandgate
Station, and rather than trouble anybody with them she left them there, and was
paying a penny a day for them until she knew what she was going to do. She did
not mean to soil any of the goods except those she put on, which she meant to
pay for. She had no clean changes to put on, and she wanted to go and see a
young man in London.
Prisoner was
committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.
Holbein`s Visitors` List 9-7-1890
Quarter
Sessions
At the
Quarter Sessions held at the Town Hall on Monday, there were only two prisoners
for trial, but there were two indictments in one case and three in the other.
The Recorder was unable to be present, and Mr. Abel John Rann acted as his
deputy. It is an open secret that the Recorder is engaged in a case at present
pending in the High Courts, in which the Victoria Pier sharehiolders are deeply
interested.
Kate Caine
was then charged on three counts with obtaining goods by false pretences from
Mr. S.J. Petts, Mr. R.J. Shaw, and Mr. M.W. Longley.
Mr. Watts,
barrister, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. G. Thorne Drury (instructed by
Mr. Neve), for the defence.
Prisoner, who
was allowed to be seated, pleaded Guilty to all the charges, and Mr. Watts
stated that he believed his learned friend had certain facts to lay before the
Court, and in view of these he was instructed not to press charges.
Mr. Drury
then told a sad story of prisoner`s life, saying that she was utterly destitute
when she committed the crimes. He would respectfully urge upon the Court that she
was shortly to become a mother, that she had been in prison a month, that all
the goods had been restored, and a charitable lady was willing to take her into
a home until her trouble was over and she could obtain a situation.
Mr. Wray, the
police court missionary of the CETS, was called and bore out these statements.
The lady had the highest regard for prisoner on account of kindness which had
been shown by prisoner during the lady`s illness.
In reply to
the Deputy Recorder, prisoner expressed her willingness to go into the home
offered her by Mrs. Francis. The Recorder said he had listened to a sad story,
and he hoped that these crimes were the only ones of which prisoner had been
gulty. He was happy to hear that a lady, actuated by Christian kindness, had
offered to take care of her. It was not because the offences were light, for
they were very serious, but in consequence of her condition and of certain
mitigating circumstances, that he was only going to impose a very light
sentence. He hoped it would not induce others to think that they would meet
with a light punishment for similar offences, because that would not be so. He
would only sentence her to one day`s imprisonment, which meant that she was
free to leave the Court then and go to the home which the kind lady he had
mentioned had offered to receive her into.
Prisoner was
then released, and the business of the day ended.
Folkestone Chronicle 12-7-1890
Quarter
Sessions
Monday, July
7th: Before Abel John Ram Esq.
Kate Caine
was then placed in the dock charged with obtaining a quantity of underlinen by
false pretences from Stephen John File Petts, of Rendezvous Street, and also
from Robert John Shaw and Mr. W. Longley, on the 7th June. Prisoner
pleaded Guilty.
Mr. Watts
prosecuted and Mr. G. Thorpe Drury defended.
Mr. Drury, in
addressing The Recorder, said the prisoner admitted the offence and was truly
sorry that she had been tempted to commit it. All he could do for her was to
plead for mercy. Her career had been one of misfortune, and some two years ago
she was delivered for a child, which she had worked hard to maintain. When in
service she only earned 7s. per week, and as long as she could she contributed
£1 per month towards it`s keep. Her parents had both died, and a short time ago
she fell victim to another man who had promised to marry her, but he had gone
away and broken his promise. At the time she committed the offence the prisoner
was in great distress, and it was with the idea of obtaining enough money to go
to the man who had promised to marry her that she did it. She had been in
prison since the 7th June, and during that time Mr. Wray, the Church
of England Temperance Missionary at Folkestone, had been in communication with
her friends. A lady – Mrs. Francis – in whose service the prisoner had been,
took a great interest in her, and she had promised to take her into her house
until after her accouchement, and then, if necessary, to obtain a situation for
her, or send her to her relatives in Ireland. If the Court were disposed to take
such a merciful view of the case as to allow her another chance she would do
her best to amend and was quite willing to go back to Mrs. Francis.
Mr. Wray was
called, and stated that he had seen Mrs. Francis on the subject, and she would
be pleased to do all she could for the prisoner. He had written to the man who
had promised her marriage, but had not had any reply to his letter.
In answer to
The Recorder, the prisoner said she was quite willing to go with Mrs. Francis
and to remain with her.
The Recorder
said the offence which the prisoner had committed was a very serious one, and
one which was perpetrated with a great deal of determination. The prisoner`s
story was truly a sad one, and he was willing to believe that she was led away
by her misfortunes. He was glad to learn that there was a lady who, on account
of the prisoner`s previous good conduct, was willing to take her back into her
house. Under the circumstances he would deal leniently with her, but he hoped
it would not be thought that the sentence was in consequence of the lightness
of the offence. It was not. The offence was a very bad one, and had there not
been mitigating circumstances he would have been obliged to sentence her to a
long term of imprisonment. He particularly hoped it would not cause others to
think that they would receive the same amount of mercy. He would sentence the
prisoner to one day`s imprisonment, which meant that she would be able to go to
Mrs. Francis that day.
The sentence
was received in Court with loud applause, which was instantly suppressed.
Folkestone Express 12-7-1890
Quarter
Sessions
Monday, July
7th: Before Abel John Ram Esq.
Kate Caine
was indicted for obtaining goods by false pretences from Stephen John File
Petts on the 7th June. There were two other charges against her of
obtaining goods, the property of Robert John Shaw, and J.W. Longley.
Mr. Watts
prosecuted. Mr. Drury addressed the Recorder on prisoner`s behalf. He said her
career had been one of misfortune. She was two years ago seduced by a soldier,
she had lost her parents, and since then she had got into trouble and was again
enceinte. He said she obtained the goods to get money to go to the man who had
promised to marry her. Mr. Wray, agent of the Church of England Temperance
Society, was present, and he was instructed to say that a lady was prepared to
receive her into a home, and then either to get her a situation or send her to
her relatives in Ireland.
Prisoner, in
reply to the Deputy Recorder, said she was willing to go and remain in the home
proposed by Mrs. Francis.
The Deputy
Recorder addressed the prisoner on the enormity of the offence, and said had
there not been mitigating circumstances in the case, and had not the lady
promised to look after her, a very much heavier sentence would be passed. He
would sentence her to one day`s imprisonment, the meaning of which was that she
would be discharged then, on her promise to go to the home.
Folkestone News 12-7-1890
Quarter
Sessions
Monday, July
7th: Before Abel John Ram Esq.
Kate Caine
was charged with obtaining goods under false pretences from Stephen John File
Petts on 17th June. There were two other charges of a similar
nature, the victims being R.G. Shaw and J.W. Longley.
Mr. Watts
(barrister) prosecuted, and Mr. G. Thorne Drury (instructed by Mr. Neve)
defended. The prisoner pleaded Guilty to all the charges, and Mr. Watts said he
need not detain the Court as he understood his learned friend had certain facts
to communicate, in face of which he had no desire to press the charges.
Mr. Thorne
Drury asked the Court to take the most merciful view possible. Two years ago
the prisoner had been seduced by a soldier, and she was again enceinte. She was
utterly destitute when she obtained these goods, and she did so in order to go
to the man who had promised to marry her. She had been in prison for a month,
and all the goods had been restored as they had been taken, with the exception
of two garments which she had worn. A lady was willing to take her into a home
until her trouble was over and she was able to get a situation.
Mr. Wray, the
Police Court Missionary of the C.E.T.S., said the lady (Mrs. Francis) had the
highest regard for prisoner in consequence of kindness shown by the latter
during the illness of the former. If the prisoner would go into the home she
would be well cared for, and either a situation would be found for her, or she
would be sent to her friends in Ireland when her trouble was over.
The Deputy
Recorder admonished the prisoner as to the serious nature of her offence, and
hoped that no-one else would imagine that a similarly light sentence to that
which he was about to impose would be dealt out to them for a similar offence.
He would sentence her to one day`s imprisonment, which meant that she could
leave the dock at once, on her promise to go to the home which Mrs. Francis,
actuated by Christian kindness, had offered her.
Prisoner was
then discharged.
Folkestone News 26-7-1890
Monday, July
21st: Before Major Poole and W.G. Herbert Esq.
Emily Koe,
20, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Sandgate Road on the
previous evening.
P.C. Swift
said he saw the prisoner outside the East Kent Arms, shouting and using filthy
language. He advised her to “move on”, but as she would not, he was compelled
to take her into custody.
Supt. Taylor
said that nothing was known against the girl, who had been for a fortnight in
the employ of Mr. Scott at the East Kent Arms as a domestic servant, and
previously at the South Foreland. She had stayed out after ten o`clock, when
the house was closed, and had imbibed too freely.
Emily
admitted the drunkenness, but denied that she was disorderly or used bad
language.
Fined 5s. and
4s. 6d. costs, with the alternative of seven days` hard labour. Prisoner said
she could get the money during the day, and she was allowed 24 hours for
payment.
Folkestone Chronicle 1-8-1891
Wednesday,
July 29th: Before The Mayor, Captain Crowe, Major H.W. Poole, W.G.
Herbert Esq., and Alderman Banks.
John Paul
Scott, proprietor of the East Kent Arms, was fined 5s. and 9s. costs for
allowing his dog to be at large in Guildhall Street, without a licence, on the
18th of July.
Folkestone Chronicle 13-8-1892
Monday,
August 8th: Before Mr. J. Fitness, Aldermen Pledge and Dunk.
Three
privates in the West Surrey Regiment, named Edward Anwyl, William Davis, and
William Bruce, were charged, with others not in custody, of assaulting and
robbing Charles Guilliams and John Winfelder.
Guilliams
said he was a Dutch waiter, and on Saturday evening from 10 o`clock till 10.45
he was in the Guildhall Vaults with John Winfelder and others. There were some
soldiers there, and witness “stood treat” and remained with them in the bar
about ten minutes. They left together and went to the East Kent Arms just
before closing time, and he and his his friends treated the soldiers again.
They left there at closing time and went up Sandgate Road as far as Christ
Church Road, where they stood talking for a time. He and Winfelder accompanied
them along Shorncliffe Road. He walked arm-in-arm with one of the soldiers, and
after he had gone some distance he missed his friend and looked back to see
what had become of him, but could not see him. About six or seven soldiers were
with him then. Just at that moment one of the soldiers got hold of his watch
chain. He was wearing a gold double-cased keyless watch and a gold Albert chain
with twisted links. He requested him to let go, but he would not. The soldier
called “Help” to the other soldiers. They were close behind and came running
up. The Scotch soldier put his hand inside of his waistcoat, and must have
stolen his silk handkerchief and pocket book. He also said “You had better walk
on. Your friend will be with you in a minute”. They had a struggle for a
minute, the soldiers got hold of his arms, he got free, and ran away towards
the town. He missed his watch and chain, pocket book, letter case, a silk
handkerchief, his stick and hat. He shouted to his friend, and after a time saw
him coming out of a field. He was very excited, had his tie unfastened, no
collar on, and his clothes were dirty. He told witness what had happened and
they went together to the police station. On Sunday morning they went with
Sergeant Swift to Shorncliffe Camp. He saw the stick produced at the Camp – it
was the one he had on Saturday night. He saw no more of his property. The value
of the watch and chain was £13. He could not identify any of the prisoners as
those who assaulted him.
John
Winfelder, also a foreign waiter, said that when he was in Shorncliffe Road one
of the soldiers he was with tried to get his hand into his trousers pocket.
Four or five others came up and knocked him down in the cornfield. They held
him down by the arms and legs and took everything he had about him – about 15s.
or 20s. in money, a silver watch and chain, a cigarette case, a pipe, and a
stick. He was not sure as to the men. The man Anwyl was one of the two who
walked with him arm-in-arm. On Sunday they went to the Camp, and witness
identified the stick produced as his property. The watch and chain were worth
about £1. In reply to the Court he said he first saw Anwyl in Christ Church
Road.
Anwyl said it
was correct that he was one of the soldiers who walked with witness up
Shorncliffe Road.
William
Stanley, caretaker of the Recreation Room, Provisional Battalion, said he lent
Davis and Bruce 1s. 6d. on the two sticks, and subsequently handed them to the
colour sergeant.
Sergeant
Swift said the robbery was reported to him at 1.30 on Sunday morning. The men
had been drinking and were not sober. Neither of them had a hat on, and they
were excited. He went to a field in Shorncliffe Road, near Leigh House. He
found a Glengarry cap of the West Surrey Regiment and a linen cuff. When the
men were arrested, Bruce said “I have got myself into this through selling that
stick”. Davis had on him 6s. 10½., and the others about 18d. each.
Supt Taylor
asked for a remand until Saturday, and it was granted.
Folkestone Express 13-8-1892
Monday,
August 8th: Before Aldermen Pledge and Dunk, and J. Fitness Esq.
Edward Anwyl,
William Davis, and William Bruce, privates in the West Surrey Regiment, three
smart looking soldiers, were charged with being concerned with others, not in
custody, with assaulting and robbing Charles Guilliam and another.
Charles Guilliam
said he was a Dutch waiter. On Saturday evening from ten o`clock till a quarter
to eleven he was in the Guildhall Vaults with John Winfelder and others,
drinking together. They were in a bar at the back of the house. They left and
returned to the house, entering another bar. There were some soldiers there,
and witness “stood treat” and remained with them in the bar about ten minutes.
They left together and went to the East Kent Arms just before closing time, and
he and his friend treated the soldiers again. There were four or five of them.
They left at closing time and went up Sandgate Road as far as Christ Church
Road, where they stood talking for a time. Some of his friends left him there
and he remained with Winfelder and some soldiers – altogether there were 14 or
15 soldiers – and they wanted some more to drink. He thought they said they
could get it at the canteen. He and Winfelder accompanied them along
Shorncliffe Road. He could not say he was quite sober – he was a little the
worse for drink, but remembered clearly what took place. He walked down
arm-in-arm with one of the soldiers, and after he had gone some distance he
missed his friend and looked back to see what had become of him, but could not
see him. About six or seven soldiers were with him then. A soldier in Scotch
uniform came running up to him. Just at that moment one of the other soldiers
got hold of his watch chain. He was wearing a gold double-cased keyless watch
and a gold Albert chain with twisted links. He requested the soldier to let go,
but he would not. He said he had better give it to him till he went back – it
was not safe to wear it in the company he was in. He requested the soldier
again to leave off, and pushed him away. He called “Help” to the other
soldiers. They were close behind, and came running up. The Scotch soldier put
his hand inside of his waistcoat, and must have stolen his silk handkerchief
and pocket book. He also said “You had better walk on. Your friend will be with
you in a minute”. They had a struggle for a minute, the soldiers got hold of
his arms, he got free, and ran away towards the town. He missed his watch and
chain, pocket book, letter case, a silk handkerchief, his stick and hat. He
shouted to his friend, and after a time saw him coming out of a field. He was
very excited, had his tie unfastened, no collar on, and his clothes were dirty.
He told witness what had happened, and they went together to the police
station. On Sunday morning they went with Sergeant Swift to Shorncliffe Camp. A
number of men were paraded before them, but they could not identify the men who
had assaulted him. He saw the stick produced at the Camp – it was the one he
had on Saturday night. He saw no more of his property. The value of the watch
and chain was £13. He could not identify any of the prisoners as those who
assaulted him.
John
Winfelder, also a foreign waiter, said when he was in Shroncliffe Road one of
the soldiers he was with tried to get his hand into his trousers pocket. Four
or five others came up and knocked him down in a cornfield They held him down
by the arms and legs, and took everything he had about him – about 15s. or 20s.
in money, a silver watch and chain, a cigarette case, a pipe and a stick. He
cried out for help, and they threatened to kill him. He was not sure as to the
men. He also lost a cuff. The man Anwyl was one of the two who walked with him
arm-in-arm. He was not sure whether he was one of the men who pushed him in the
field, but he supposed he was there. They left him after they had taken everything.
He called for Guilliam, who came along a few minutes after, and they went
together to the police station. On Sunday they went to the Camp, and witness
picked Anwyl out. He identified the stick produced as his property. His watch
and chain were worth about £1. He was not quite sober.
By Anwyl: You
were not one of the men I saw in the East Kent Arms.
In reply to
the Court, he said he first saw Anwyl in Christ Church Road.
Anwyl said it
was correct that he was one of the soldiers who walked with witness up
Shorncliffe Road.
William
Child, a private in the West Surrey Regiment, said he saw the two stick
produced, one in the possession of Davis, at 6.30 on Sunday morning. He asked
witness the value of the Malacca cane. He said he exchanged his regimental cane
for them. Bruce brought the acacia stick and asked what it was worth. He took
it from behind his cot.
William
Stanley, caretaker of the Recreation Room, Provisional Battalion, said he lent
Davis and Bruce 1s. 6d. on the two sticks, and subsequently handed them to the
colour sergeant.
Thomas
Roblon, colour sergeant in the West Surrey Regiment, said he heard of the
robbery about 10.30 on Sunday morning, and received the stick from the last
witness. The three prisoners slept in the same barrack room.
Sergeant
Swift said the robbery was reported to him at 1.30 on Sunday morning. The men
had been drinking and were not sober. Neither of them had a hat on, and they
were excited. He went to a field in Shorncliffe Road, near Leigh House. He
found a Glengarry cap of the West Surrey Regiment, and a linen cuff. When the
men were arrested Bruce said “I have got myself into this through selling that
stick”. Davis had on him 6s. 10½d., and the others about 18d. each.
Supt Taylor
asked for a remand till Saturday, and it was granted.
Folkestone Herald 13-8-1892
Police Court
Jottings
Three smart
young fellows of the West Surrey Regiment, whose collars were adorned with a
little brass representation of the Sphinx with the word “Egypt” underneath,
were brought up in custody on Monday, before Mr. Fitness and Alds. Pledge and
Dunk, charged with an offence which, if proved against them, and should they
have to take their trial before a judge of the same disposition of either Sir
H. Hawkins or Sir C. Stephen will probably result in their acquaintance with
the lash – highway robbery with violence. They were named respectively Wm.
Bruce, Edwd. Anwyl, and Wm. Davis.
It appeared,
according to the voluminous evidence which was most painstakingly recorded by
the Deputy Magistrates` Clerk. On Saturday evening, about half past ten, a
couple of Dutch waiters at an hotel in Folkestone, who gave the names of Chas.
Guilliams and John Jas. Winfelder, met a number of soldiers in a public house,
whence they adjourned to another, at each of which they treated them. On their
leaving the second at “closing time” they walked up the Sandgate Road, and from
thence towards the Cheriton Road; the soldiers, who were afterwards joined by
some seven or eight others, accompanying them arm-in-arm, for, as they admitted
in the course of their examination, they were the worse for drink. After they
had gone some way on the road, some of the soldiers asked them to come further
on, as they knew where they could get more drink. This invitation they ill-advisedly
accepted, but after proceeding but a short way, Guilliams and his brother
waiter found themselves hustled into a bean field, where they were knocked down
and robbed of their watches and chains, and what money they had about them,
together with their walking sticks, their pocket handkerchiefs, and their hats.
The former managed to get away from his assailants and ran off, afterwards
meeting his companion. They then went together to the police station and gave
information of the outrage, and the case was put into the hands of P.S. Swift,
who accompanied them to the scene of the tussle, where the Sergeant found,
about ten yards from the highway, in the field, a Glengarry cap belonging to a
private of the West Surrey Regiment. This was about two on Sunday morning. At
nine the same morning the Sergeant accompanied the prosecutors to the
Shorncliffe Camp, when some thirty men were paraded before them, and Winfelder
identified Anwyl as one of the soldiers who had taken part in the robbery, but
Guilliams was unable to pick out either of his assailants.
It was,
however, proved by Wm. Stanley, a caretaker at the recreation room of the
Provisional Battalion at the Camp, that Davis and Bruce each pledged with him a
stick for 1s. 6d., which the two prosecutors now identified as their property
which had been taken from them.
When
apprehended by Sergt. Swift, the only one of the three who made any reply to
the charge was Bruce, who said “I have got myself into this by selling that
stick”. When searched Bruce had on him 1s. 7d., Anwyl 1s. 6½d,. and Davis 6s.
10½d.
Guilliams put
the value of his watch and chain at £13 – they were of gold. Winfelder
estimated his watch and chain at about a sovereign, while he had also been
robbed of between 15s. and 20s. in money.
The three
prisoners, who had conducted themselves very coolly throughout the Magisterial
proceeding, said they were not guilty, Anwyl remarking “I most emphatically say
that I am not guilty”.
At the
conclusion of the case Mr. Supt. Taylor said he should ask for a remand in
order to trace the stolen property, and this was granted until Saturday.
Sandgate
Visitors` List 13-8-1892
Local News
At the Folkestone Police Court on Monday three privates
in the West Surrey Regiment, named Edward Anwyl, William Davis, and William
Bruce, were remanded on a charge of being concerned with others not in custody,
with assaulting and robbing Charles Guilliams and another on the previous
Saturday evening. The prosecutor, who is a Dutch waiter, and another foreigner,
named John Winfelder, met several soldiers in the Guildhall Vaults, Folkestone,
and treated them. They left the house together and went into the East Kent
Arms, just before closing time, where they again stood treat. They afterwards
proceeded with the soldiers up Sandgate Road towards the Camp, and accompanied
them along the Shorncliffe Road. Both were a little the worse for drink. They
were afterwards assaulted by the soldiers, and robbed of their watches and
money. The soldiers made off, and the prosecutor and his companion went to the
police station and informed the police. P.S. Swift went to the spot, near Leigh
House, where the assault was committed, and found a Glengarry cap of the West
Surrey Regiment. Prisoners were arrested at the Camp on Sunday. Only Anwyl was
recognised, but the sticks of prosecutor and his companion were found in the
possession of the other two prisoners.
Folkestone Chronicle 20-8-1892
Saturday,
August 13th: Before Aldermen Sherwood, Dunk, and Pledge, Councillor
Holden and Mr. J. Fitness.
William
Bruce, William Davis, and Edward Anwyl, three well-built soldiers, belonging to
the West Surrey Regiment, were brought up on remand, and further charged with
assaulting and robbing two Dutch waiters, named Charles Guilliams and John
Winfelder on the night of the 6th inst.
It will be
remembered that the case came before the Bench on the 8th inst.,
when the prosecutors deposed that they had been robbed of a gold double-cased
keyless watch, gold Albert chain, pocket book, letter case, silk handkerchief,
sticks, hats, 15s. in money, silver watch and chain, cigarette case, and pipe.
Frederick
Harris, a lance corporal in the same regiment, now deposed that the defendants
passed the quarter guard together at three minutes past twelve on the Saturday
night, and went into quarters. He knew the men personally.
Bruce stated
that he came into Folkestone on the evening of the 6th inst. with
his comrades in the dock, and after drinking with them at the George Hotel, he
left them and went to the Alhambra, Sandgate, where he stayed till closing
time; after that he returned to barracks. He was not accompanied by the other
defendants. With regard to the stick, he found that outside hut number 23 early
on Sunday morning, and he carried it away and hid it behind his own cot.
Anwyl stated
that he was in Folkestone until closing time. As he was returning to the Camp
he overtook a group of soldiers with whom were the two prosecutors. He
addressed the latter in Dutch and they replied. Shortly after he bid them “good
night” and went into the Camp. He had neither handled nor seen the missing
property.
Davis also
averred that he had had nothing to do with the robbery.
The Bench
stated that they had decided that the case should go before a jury for trial,
and the prisoners would therefore be committed for trial.
The men were
removed in custody.
Folkestone Express 20-8-1892
Saturday,
August 13th: Before Aldermen Sherwood, Dunk and Pledge, J. Holden
and J. Fitness Esqs.
William
Brice, Edward Anwyl, and William Davis were charged on remand with assaulting and
robbing two waiters.
Frederick
Harris, a lance corporal in the West Surrey Regiment, was called, and said he
was on duty with the quarter guard on Saturday night and saw the three
prisoners go into Camp together at three minutes past twelve. They went up to
the guard. No other soldiers were with them. They passed the guard and went
into quarters.
All three
prisoners made long statements of their proceedings on the night in question.
Brice denied all connection with the matter or that he was in the company of
the other prisoners, and appealed to the Bench to ask them the question.
Anwyl said he
left the hut early in the morning of Sunday and found the walking stick.
Davis said he
exchanged his regimental cane with a Scotch soldier for the stick in order that
the latter might pass the guard, and next morning pawned it for 1s. 6d.
The prisoners
were committed for trial at the Sessions.
Sandgate
Visitors` List 20-8-1892
Local News
At the Folkestone Police Court on Saturday three
privates in the West Surrey Regiment, named Edward Anwyl, William Bruce, and
William Davis were committed for trial on the charge of assaulting and robbing
two waiters in the Shorncliffe Road on the night of the 6th inst.
Folkestone Chronicle 22-10-1892
Quarter
Sessions
Monday 17th
October: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.
William
Bruce, Edward Anwyl, and William Davis, all privates in the West Kent Regiment,
were charged with stealing from the person of John Winfelder one watch and
chain, one cigarette case, one pipe, one stick, and the sum of 15s. in money on
the 8th August.
Each of the
prisoners pleaded Not Guilty to the charge.
Mr. Matthews
appeared for the prosecution, Mr. Tassell appeared for the defendant Anwyl, and
Mr. Bowles defended the remaining two men at the request of the Learned
Recorder.
The evidence,
as given at the two hearings before the Bench, was repeated.
John
Winfelder, prosecutor, said on the night in question he was drinking until
closing time at the East Kent Arms, with Guilliam and some soldiers. All left
together, and went in the direction of Shorncliffe Road. As they were walking
together, a Scotch soldier tried to thrust his hand into witness`s pocket, but
he prevented him from doing so. The Scotch soldier then left witness and joined
the other party, walking in front with Guilliam. Subsequently a gang of the
soldiers got witness into a field alongside the Shorncliffe Road, knocked him
down, and robbed him of everything he possessed. The next day he went to the
Camp with a police sergeant, and identified Anwyl as one of the party by whom
he was attacked.
In the course
of cross-examination by Mr. Tassell, he said he did not say, before the Bench,
that “he saw Anwyl in the field”, although the remark was on the depositions.
He said “he supposed he was with him”. He could not swear to any of the
prisoners.
By the
Recorder: He told them he identified Anwyl as walking with him, and the Scotch
soldier.
Was Anwyl
with him when he tried to put his hand into his (witness`s) pocket? – Yes.
What did
Anwyl do? – He did not do anything.
Charles
Guilliam, another waiter, deposed to accompanying the previous witness in his
drinking campaign that evening. He did not witness the assault and robbery, but
he saw Winfelder coming out of a field looking very much disturbed and excited.
Private
Childs, of the West Kent Regiment, said on the Sunday morning he was shown a
Malacca stick (produced) by Davis, who asked him the value of it. He told
witness he had taken the stick in exchange for his regimental stick.
William
Stanley, the Caretaker of the Recreation Room of the Provisional Battalion
deposed to lending prisoner Davis 1s. 6d. on the stick until the following day.
Sergeant
Swift said the prosecutors came to him at the Police Station on the night of
the assault, and told him what had happened; they were somewhat excited, and
under the influence of drink. With the men he went to the scene of the
struggle, and there found a Glengarry cap belonging to the West Kent Regiment.
During the Sunday morning they went to the Camp, and Winfelder identified Anwyl
as one of those who had taken part in the assault.
The jury
wished to know if the three prisoners were wearing their caps when they
returned to the Camp.
An answer was
returned, by Lance Corporal Harris, in the affirmative.
Mr. Tassell
made an able speech on behalf on Anwyl, and in the course of his summing up,
the Learned Recorder said Mr. Tassel had put forward his case in a clear
manner. He had made a very able defence that was worthy of the best traditions
of the bar.
The Recorder
also admitted that there was hardly any evidence against Bruce, but the facts
against Davis were of a very important description. He then pointed out that
the latter had not shown how he came by the possession of the stick, and in
affairs of this nature it was held that the recent possession of stolen
property was evidence that either the person stole it, or he knew who did
commit the theft.
Lieut. Geo.
Williams gave the defendant Bruce an excellent character.
The issue was
then left in the hands of the Petty Jury, and after deliberating together for a
short time they found a verdict of Not Guilty against each of the prisoners.
The Court
then adjourned for a short interval.
On
re-assembling the three prisoners were again placed in the dock, and this time
charged withsteal;ing from the person of Charles Guilliams one watch and chain,
one letter case, one pocket handkerchief, one stick, and one hat, on 8th
August, 1892.
Mr. Mavrojain
appeared to prosecute. Mr. Tassell defended Anwyl, and Mr. Bowles the others.
In the second
case Charles Guilliams said he was now living in London, at No. 12, Stamford
Street. He detailed what took place on the 8th August, as already
described in the previous case, to which he added that his watch and chain, and
pocket book, silk handkerchief, stick and hat were taken away from him in the
course of a wrestle with five or six soldiers.
John
Winfelder and William Childs gave evidence. The latter stated that Bruce
produced a Malacca stick on the Sunday morning in his barrack hut. He drew it
from behind his cot, and asked witness the value of it. He replied “One and
sixpence”.
In summing
up, the Learned Recorder said he thought it was right that the jury should
acquit Anwyl, and also Davis, but he again commented very strongly on the fact
that Bruce was found in the possession of a part of the stolen property, and he
had failed to give any reasonable explanation as to how he had come by the
same.
The Recorder
having summed up, the jury expressed a desire to retire to consider their
verdict.
Mr. Harrison
(to the Recorder): There is no room, sir, for the jury to go to.
The Recorder
(to the jury): I can`t help it, gentlemen. It is the fault of the Borough. I
consider it is a perfect scandal and a disgrace to a town like Folkestone. I
have raised my voice over and over again, and I can`t help it, gentlemen. If
you don`t take the matter in your own hands, I can`t do anything.
Mr. Major (a
juror): Put us in the cells! (Laughter)
It was
eventually decided to lock the jury in the Reception Room at the Police
Station.
After an
absence of ten minutes the jury returned, and found a verdict of Not Guilty
against all the prisoners.
Folkestone Express 22-10-1892
Quarter
Sessions
Monday,
October 17th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.
Edward Anwyl,
William Bruce, and William Davis were indicted for stealing from the person of
John Winfelder a watch and chain, a cigarette case, a pipe, a stick, and 15s.
in money.
There was
another charge of stealing from the person of Charles Guilliams, but this was
dealt with separately.
Mr. Matthews
prosecuted. Mr. Tassel defended Anwyl, and Mr. Bowles, by direction of the
Recorder, defended Bruce and Davis.
John
Winfelder, one of the prosecutors, said he was a waiter. On the 6th
August (Saturday night) he was with Guilliams in the East Kent Arms. There were
some soldiers there, and they left at closing time and walked up the
Shorncliffe Road. When they left they had some conversation with the soldiers.
They were talking “some nonsense”, and asked witness to have another drink. He
said he did not mind, and they went off to get another drink. Guilliams was in
front. Witness was behind with two soldiers. One was a Scotch Guard, and the
other a “red”. The Scotch soldier tried to get his hand in witness`s pocket,
and afterwards ran to Guilliams, and some other soldiers came up from behind,
knocked him down, and robbed him of his watch, stick, money, cigarette case and
handkerchief. He called out twice to Guilliams for help. He identified Anwyl as
the man who was walking with him with one of the Scotch soldiers, but was not
sure he was in the field. None of the soldiers stayed in the road. When he met
Guilliams they both went to the police station together. Next day they went
together to the Camp, and he identified Anwyl, picking him out from about 30
men. He was not drunk when the offence was committed, but he had been drinking.
By Mr.
Tassell: I was not drunk and not sober. I know quite well what I did. We left
the West Cliff about ten o`clock. We went first to the Guildhall and had a
drink, and stayed there some time. At a quarter to eleven I and Guilliams went
out and went in again. We did not then stand drinks to the soldiers. Then we
went to the East Kent Arms. I can swear I was not drunk, but not just as sober
as I am now. The place where the robbery took place was about ten minutes` walk
from the West Cliff Hotel. I did not say before the Magistrates that I saw
Anwyl in the field. I said I supposed so. (The evidence was read, in which he
said “I saw him in the field when I was down”.) I did not say that. The
nonsense we were talking was about soldiers. I cannot remember anything Anwyl
did. I could not identify any of the Scotch soldiers. Anwyl was not in the
Guildhall Vaults with us.
By Mr.
Bowles: Neither Bruce nor Davis were in the Guildhall with us. We stood drinks
to several soldiers in the East Kent Arms. I did not see Bruce or Davis there.
I identified Anwyl as being with me when walking down Shorncliffe Road, but did
not see him in the field, nor do I identify Bruce or Davis as having been in the
field.
By The
Recorder: Anwyl was with me when the Scotch soldier tried to put his hand in my
pocket. I only said to him “Leave off!”. Anwyl did not do anything.
Charles
Guilliams was called, and Mr. Matthews asked the Recorder whether he should
examine him.
The Recorder
did not see anything material in his evidence affecting the case of Winfelder,
except that he bore out a part of the statements.
Witness was
then sworn, and corroborated up to a certain point Winfelder`s evidence.
Winfelder, he said, was very excited and very dirty after he came out of the
field.
By Mr.
Tassell: I went with Winfelder in his “little round”. I was not quite sober. I
have not been able to identify any single soldier.
Wm. Childs,
private in the West Surrey Regiment, said he went on the 8th August
to a room, when Davis was in the barracks. Davis showed him the stick produced
and asked him the value of it, and he told him it was worth 18d. or 2s. He said
he exchanged his regimental stick for it.
By Mr.
Bowles: After he asked him the value of the stick he laid it down by the side
of his bed.
Wm. Stanley,
caretaker of the recreation room of the Provisional Battalion, said on the 8th
August he saw Davis at eight o`clock in the morning. He asked him to lend him
18d. on the stick till next day. He said it was his own stick that he had given
him in exchange.
By Mr.
Bowles: It is not an uncommon thing to lend money just before pay day.
Sergeant
Swift said the prosecutors were very excited, and under the influence of drink,
when they went to the police station on the 8th of August. He went
with them to a field in Shorncliffe Road, and there found a Glengarry cap, a
cuff, and some links. The same morning they all went to the Camp together, and
Winfelder picked out Anwyl, who was charged with robbing Winfelder. He replied
“I never laid a finger on him”. When Davis was charged with being concerned in
the assault and robbery he made no reply. Bruce and Anwyl were searched. They
only had 1s. 6½d. and 1s. 8d. on them.
By Mr.
Bowles: Bruce and Davis were not identified. Sergeant Roblow told me they were
in the guardroom.
Frederick
Harris, lance corporal in the West Surrey Regiment, said the three prisoners
entered the Camp together at three minutes past twelve on the 8th
August.
By Mr.
Tassell: They all arrived about the same time. They were due in at twelve.
By Mr.
Bowles: There may have been 20 others come in at the same time.
Prisoners`
statements were put in and read.
Mr. Matthews
contended that the jury would condider that the men were guilty at any rate of
taking part in the robbery.
The Recorder
asked what the evidence against Bruce was.
Mr. Matthews
said they were out together.
Mr. Bowles
emphasised the Recorder`s view.
Mr. Price, a
juryman, asked if the cap found in the field could be identified as belonging
to either of the prisoners.
The Colour
Sergeant was re-called, and said he did not know who the cap belonged to. A man
might have two or three. There was no number on the cap, which had been cut
down. They had tried to find out who it belonged to, and could not. No
Glengarry caps were missing among the men in the guardroom.
Mr. Price:
Did the three men return with their caps on?
Harris was
re-called, and said they did.
Mr. Tassell
said he was extremely obliged to the jury for the manner in which they had
brought out the facts of the cap. He then addressed the jury on behalf of
Anwyl, and said if it had not been for the fact that he was picked out by
Winfelder there would not have been a scrap of evidence against him, and he
urged that it was a mistake altogether, and there was no value whatever in the
identification. He also referred to the fact that Winfelder, two hours and a
half after the public houses were shut up was still, according to Sergeant
Swift`s evidence, under the influence of drink. He remembered very little,
except the identification, which was quite valueless. Even if he did see him,
his evidence did not connect Anwyl in any way into the robbery, and from the
very first moment he had told one consistent story.
Mr. Bowles
addressed the jury on behalf of Bruce, first contending there was no evidence
against him. In dealing with the charge against Davis and his dealing with the
stick, he urged that his explanation was a very reasonable one, namely that he
exchanged his regimental cane for it.
The Recorder
said of course one was not inclined to have very much sympathy with people like
the prosecutors, going about on a Saturday night spending their wages in public
houses. But still the jury had a duty to perform. He scanned the evidence, and
said in regard to Anwyl he had lost nothing at the hands of his counsel, and
that he had been defended in a manner worthy of the best traditions of the bar,
and he congratulated him on the able defence he had made. The evidence against
Bruce, he said, was very slight indeed, but in the case of Davis, he said there
was evidence of a very important nature. The possession of articles recently
stolen had been held to be strong evidence of a guilty knowledge, and Davis was
found within a few hours of the stick being stolen trying to dispose of it, and
when charged by Swift with stealing a watch and chain, and a walking stick, he
made no reply. It was undoubtedly a deplorable state of things that two men in
a state of semi-drunkenness should be set upon by soldiers in such a manner,
but it was for the jury to say whether either of the men were guilty of
stealing or receiving the property stolen.
George
Willes, Lieutenant of the 3rd Royal Berkshire Regiment, said Bruce
bore a good character in the regiment.
The jury
asked to be allowed to retire, and the Recorder was about to adjourn the Court
for half an hour, when the jury consulted in the box for a moment, and gave a
verdict of Not Guilty.
The Recorder
thought the other indictment ought to be proceeded with.
After the
adjournment the prisoners were indicted for assaulting and robbing Charles
Guilliams. Mr. Mavro-Jain prosecuted, and Mr. Tassell and Mr. Bowles defended
the prisoners as in the first case.
Charles
Guilliams gave evidence. He said he was out of employment, and lived at 112,
Stanford Street, London.
The evidence
was practically the same as in the first case.
At the close
of the case, the prosecuting counsel said the evidence against Anwyl was very
slight. Against Bruce it was stronger, because he was found dealing with a
stolen stick, and it was held that that constituted at any rate a knowledge
that it was stolen property.
Mr. Tassell
submitted that there was no evidence against Anwyl at all, but the Recorder declined
to withdraw the case from the jury. Mr. Tassell then said it was especially
hard that Anwyl should have to undergo a second trial, when there was
absolutely no evidence against him whatever. He had told a simple,
straightforward tale, which one jury believed, and acquitted him, and he asked
that jury to do the same.
Mr. Bowles
contended there was not a single bit of evidence against Davis, and, as
regarded Bruce and the stick, the story he told as to finding it was perfectly
probable. It might be a foolish thing to do, but it was not an act that ought
to convict him of being connected with the robbery.
The Recorder
then summed up. He said the evidence as to Anwyl and Davis was of a flimsy
character, and he thought that those two should be acquitted. But because one
jury acquitted Bruce, it was not to say that another should do so. There was
evidence against him of a very cogent nature. Judges had said, and he had said
over and over again that when people were found in possession of goods recently
stolen, it was stong evidence that they either stole them, or knew them to be
stolen, and in such a case the onus was shifted – it was for him to show that
he came by them honestly. He summed up strongly against Bruce, chiefly on the
ground of the inconsistency of the statements he made. He added further, that
if people picked up property and dealt with it it was as much larceny as
anything else.
The jury
retired, and on their return into Court gave a verdict of acquittal in the case
of all three prisoners.
Folkestone Herald 22-10-1892
Quarter
Sessions
Monday,
October 17th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.
William
Bruce, 26, Edward Anwyl, 25, and William Davis, 25, three soldiers of the West
Surrey Battalion, were charged with stealing from the person of John Winfelder
a watch and chain, a cigarette case, a pipe and stick, and 15s.; also wit
stealing from Charles Guilliams a watch and chain, a letter case, a pocket
handkerchief, a stick and hat, on the same date, each robbery being accompanied
with violence.
Mr. Matthew
prosecuted in the first case, and Mr. Mavrojani in the second. Mr. A.J. Tassell
(instructed by Mr. R.M. Mercer, of Canterbury) defended Anwyl, and Mr. Bowles,
at the request of the Recorder, defended the other two.
On the 8th
of August the prosecutors had been drinking at various public houses standing
treat to soldiers. On leaving they were accompanied by the prisoners and
others. They were then in a condition which Mr. Tassell described as “squiffy”,
but upon the Recorder expressing his ignorance of the word, he substituted the
expression “muddled”. After going some distance on the Shorncliffe Road they
were knocked down and robbed by the soldiers. The evidence as to the prisoners
having taken part in the robbery was not very clear, but they were afterwards
found dealing with the sticks.
In summing
up, alluding to Anwyl`s case, the Recorder said he had lost nothing by the way
in which he had been defended. His Counsel (Mr. Tassell) had put forward the
defence in an able and clear manner, worthy of the best traditions of the Bar,
and he congratulated him upon it.
Lieut.
Willes, 3d Royal Berkshire, gave Bruce a good character.
The jury
found the prisoners Not Guilty in the first case.
The second
charge was heard before a fresh jury. The Recorder, in summing up, said he
thought it right to advise them that they should acquit Anwyl and Davis. He
dissented from the proposition that because one jury had acquitted a man a
second should do the same, and in the case of Bruce he thought there were cogent
circumstances in the case against him.
The jury,
however, eventually followed the example of their predecessors in the box and
acquitted all three prisoners.
Sandgate
Weekly News 29-8-189
Local News
As the “Sporting Times” was proceeding through Lyminge
on the road from Canterbury to Folkestone on Wednesday the horses, frightened
at a traction engine, suddenly bolted. Mr. J.P. Scott, the owner and driver,
was thrown into the road and slightly injured. Subsequently the coach collided
with a carriage in which were two ladies. The occupants were thrown out, but
met with little injury. The horses were eventually brought to a standstill by
one of the passengers. It appears that the main billet broke, causing the
leaders to bolt.
Folkestone Herald
19-9-1896
Local News
Of late there have been some unfortunate accidents to the
well-known Sporting Times coach, which has been run for several seasons between
Folkestone and Canterbury by our enterprising and respected townsman, Mr. J.P.
Scott, of the East Kent Arms Hotel, 12, Sandgate Road.
On Wednesday an exciting event occurred at Barton Fields,
near Canterbury, on the outward journey from Folkestone. The two leaders became
frightened at something on the road, and swerving suddenly, they caused the
coach to mount the raised footpath. The leaders managed to break away, and made
off towards Canterbury, colliding with a horse and trap. The wheel horses of
the coach were, however, held under control, and danger was thus averted.
Yesterday (Friday) evening alarming rumours reached
Folkestone to the effect that the Sporting Times had met with a terrible
accident that afternoon in the immediate vicinity of Barham. It was at first
stated that the coach had been upset by an obstacle that was lying unperceived
on the road, and that Mr. Scott had been very seriously injured. The
apprehensions thus entertained were enhanced by the later intelligence that
Mrs. Scott and daughter had set out for Barham in a special conveyance, taking
with them a bed and other comforts for the husband. Under these alarming
circumstances it was determined at the Herald office to despatch a reporter
specially to Barham, and by the next
available train on the Elham Valley Railway, a member of our permanent staff,
on whose discretion the fullest reliance could be placed, proceeded to that
village, taking his cycle with him so as to be enabled to place a full report
of the facts before our readers in case of any failure to secure railway or
telegraphic communication.
Interview with Passengers
I arrived at Barham at 8.42 p.m. by train, and set to work
to find out the real facts of the unfortunate occurrence. Needless to state I
found the accident was the sole topic of conversation. Mr. Scott, I am sorry to
hear, has sustained serious injuries, not only to the back of his head, but
also to the side of his face. The unfortunate whip is well cared for at the Red
House (now in the occupation of Mrs. Yorke) which is near the scene of the
accident. The greatest sympathy is expressed for the unfortunate gentleman,
who, it is no exaggeration to state, is beloved by all the countryside. I was
fortunate enough, after a little trouble, to fina an eye-witness of the
accident. His name is Alfred Cox, by trade a bricklayer, and the substance of
his statement is that as he was going to work he saw the Sporting Times
descending the incline near the Woodman`s Arms. It was going at a very steady
pace, but on rounding the curve near the Parsonage Bridge, which crosses a dry
watercourse, he saw the coach suddenly swerve towards the bank, and running
against a stump of wood, it overturned in an instant. Continuing his clear
statement, Mr. Cox said: I at once ran to Mr. Scott. His face was covered in
blood, and the whole weight of the rear of the coach appeared to be weighing on
his chest. I whistled to some men for assistance, and this being forthcoming we
rescued Mr. Scott from his perilous position. My mate (a bricklayer), with
great presence of mind, ran to the horses` heads, and probably thus prevented
further disaster. The other passengers, Miss Mary Young, Mr. Treloar, and Mr.
Arthur Katanakis, appeared to have fallen luckily, for they escaped unhurt. I
must say the lady was full of nerve and pluck. She picked herself up at once
and ran to Mr. Scott`s assistance. We procured two hurdles and cushions, laid
the whip upon them, and gently conveyed him to the Red House. In the meantime,
Police Constable Skinner, acting upon his own initiative, sent off a telegram
to a medical gentleman at Bridge. The doctor arrived on the scene promptly, and
was joined by his resident colleague in the village. It was God`s own mercy the
whole of the passengers were not killed.
Before leaving Barham, I learned that Mr. Scott, although
conscious, is very low, and as yet it has been found impossible to discover the
full extent of his injuries, some of which it is feared are internal. Hearing
that some of the passengers were at Elham, I mounted my cycle, and was soon
trundling thither over the greasy roads and through the dark lanes. Here I was
fortunate to find both Miss Mary Young, the well-known Kentish vocalist, and
Mr. Treloar. The former readily gave me her experiences. She said “We were
travelling so gently. I could not make it out. I was laughing and and joking
one moment, and in another sitting in the road. Providentially, I escaped
unhurt. The coach swerved, tumbled over, and that`s all I can remember”.
Hearing I had just come from Barham, Miss Young asked most earnestly if I could
give her any tidings of Mr. Scott. I then found out Mr. Treloar. He certainly
did not appear as though he had gone through such an exciting episode. Sitting
in an armchair and puffing at his briar, he said “Yes, I`ll tell you all I know
about it. The coach was going remarkably steady at the time of the accident. It
swerved and was over before “Jack Robinson” could be uttered. I was unhurt, and
my friend, Mr. Katanakis, also escaped. To our horror, Mr. Scott was under the
coach, covered in blood. It was a thrilling experience for us all. We are
deeply grieved for our old friend”. Mr. Treloar also paid a high tribute to
Miss Young for her plucky behaviour and cool-headedness. After exchanging a few
compliments, and congratulating both the lady and gentleman on their
providential escape, I soon covered the remaining nine miles, and wrote out in
the Herald office the facts here recorded.
Folkestone Programme
21-9-1896
We regret to announce this morning that the accident with
which the Sporting Times met on Friday has resulted in the death of Mr. J.P.
Scott, the proprietor.
The Sporting Times was the coach running between Folkestone
and Canterbury and vice versa, and was the property of Mr. Scott, of the East
Kent Arms, who for years has driven himself. Mr. Scott was one of the best
whips in the country, and it may be said that until a few weeks ago he never
met with a single accident, so careful a driver was he. The manipulation of his
four-in-hand team was to him a matter quite as simple as the driving of an
ordinary horse by one of the licensed hackney carriage drivers.
It may be mentioned that a few years ago Mr. Scott drove
from Folkestone to London and back again in less than twelve hours, and this
record has never been broken. Unfortunately the coach this season has met with
two or three accidents. A few weeks ago the leaders shied at something in the
road near Lyminge, but with this exception nothing else occurred. On Wednesday,
when entering Canterbury the leaders swerved and broke away, but were soon
secured.
On Friday, as the coach was going into Canterbury, another
accident occurred. Miss Young, at present residing at Elham, Mr. Treloar, Mr.
Katinakis, together with the Guard, were with Mr. Scott. The horses were going
at a moderate pace, when near Barham, and suddenly the coach overturned,
throwing the occupants over a fence to the ground. It was miraculous that none
of the passengers received any injury, but Mr. Scott was found to be lying
under the coach. Assistance was immediately secured, and the unfortunate
gentleman was conceyed to the Rd House, Barham (in the occupation of Mrs.
Yorke), medical aid being summoned from all parts, and Mrs. Scott fetched from
Folkestone.
The extent of the injuries Mr. Scott received were not
ascertained until the following day, and on Saturday afternoon a telegram was
received intimating that two broken ribs had been bound up, and that the injuries
to his head were very serious. The next information that reached Folkestone was
the announcement that Mr. Scott died yesterday (Sunday) afternoon at 4.20.
There can be no doubt but death was due to some internal injuries, but at the
inquest these may be explained by the medical men.
In Folkestone and Canterbury the news of Mr. Scott`s death
was received with the deepest regret, for the deceased was a gentleman known to
almost everyone, and enjoyed the friendship of a large circle of friends. It
was his custom at the commencement of each coaching season to take the Mayor
and members of the Town Council of Folkestone to Canterbury, and at his own
expense he entertained those gentlemen to luncheon, together with the Mayor and
Corporation of the cathedral city. Towards all charitable objects he was always
the first to contribute. Though proprietor of the East Kent Arms Hotel, Mr.
Scott was a lifelong abstainer, and some of his dearest friends have been members of the Temperance party.
The body of the deceased gentleman will be removed to Folkestone this (Monday)
evening.
Folkestone Visitors`
List 23-9-1896
Local News
Travellers by the Sporting Times coach on Wednesday had an
exciting experience. The journey from Folkestone had been satisfactorily
accomplished as far as the entrance to Canterbury, and the team were trotting
down the New Road in capital form, when, and unexpectedly, the leaders,
scenting something objectionable in the road, swerved sharply to the right and
ran some of the wheels of the coach on to the pavement. The pathway at this
point is about six inches higher than the level of the road, but, as it
happened, the front wheels, or one of them, ran up an approach spanning the
water table. The hind wheels, however, came sharply into collision with the
edge of the pavement. In the plunging which ensued, Mr. Scott coolly held on,
and the leaders broke away. The wheelers struggled on a few paces until a
lamppost barred further progress, and, with the help of a Corporation roadman,
they were then secured. Naturally the accident greatly alarmed the passengers,
but they were induced to keep their seats until all danger was past, and the
majority of them then proceeded on to the Rose Hotel with two horses. The
leaders, still coupled together, had, meanwhile, proceeded down the main street
of the city at a spanking pace. It is the opinion of some that had they been
unchecked they would probably have found the way to their usual place of stay –
the Rose Hotel stables. As a matter of fact, however, several unsuccessful
attempts were made to intimidate them, with the result that they went as far as
the cab stand outside St. Mary Bredman`s Church, and there ran into a horse and
cab belonging to a licensed hackney carriage driver named Harding. Harding saw
the approaching danger, and as the horses showed a tendency to take to the
pavement, attempted to draw out. The runaways, however, had two minds on the
subject, and while one took the inside berth and toppled Harding over in an
unpleasantly unceremonious manner, the other came into collision with his
horse. The cab also sustained slight damage, but this contretemps witnessed the
close of the incident, as P.C. Hawkes was able promptly to seize the runaways,
and with assistance, to ensure their safekeeping.
On Friday again, it is our misfortune to have to record
another accident to the coach, and as a result of this we deeply regret to
announce the death of Mr. Scott, the proprietor. Mr. Scott was driving towards
Canterbury, and was accompanied on the coach by Mr. A. Katinakis, his
son-in-law, who occupied a box seat, and Miss Mary Young, Mr. R. Treloar, and
the guard who always accompanies the coach. They were just leading into Barham
and had passed the Woodman`s Arms where there is a nasty curve in the roadway.
At this curve it seems that the stump of an old tree projects about a foot from
the hedge, and in turning the corner at a gentle pace the wheels of the coach
caught the stump, and the vehicle overturned almost instantly. The whole of the
occupants were thrown to the ground, and the first to recover from this sudden
and unexpected position was Miss Young, who providentially escaped without any
injury whatever. With womanly sympathy she approached Mr. Scott, who was
underneath the coach, but, with that characteristic which always marked him as
a driver, he advised the lady to be careful lest she should be in any way hurt.
The other occupants escaped also with the exception of one or two scratches.
Mr. Scott presented a pitiable appearance, his face and head
being covered with blood, and while he was being removed he said “My back is
broken”. Medical assistance was at once summoned, and, in the meantime, the
injured gentleman was removed to the Red House on a hurdle. He was bleeding
profusely from a wound on the back of the head, but though so seriously injured
he was quite conscious of all that was going on around him. He called Miss Young
and asked her whether any of the passengers were hurt, whether the horses were
hurt, or whether the coach was in any way damaged. Being assured that all these
were uninjured he gave directions to his son-in-law as to how the horses were
to be taken in turn to Folkestone, and other directions with regard to private
matters.
In the meantime, Mrs. Scott and her daughter were summoned,
and the medical gentlemen who had arrived dressed the wounds as far as
possible, and did everything that skill could commend. On Saturday afternoon
Mrs. Scott telegraphed to a lady friend in Folkestone intimating that two
broken ribs had been bound up, but that the injuries to the head were very
severe indeed. Some hopes were then entertained that the injuries were not so
bad, but that recovery in time was possible, but Sunday proved otherwise, and
poor Mr. Scott died about half past four in the afternoon. Mr. Scott was 54
years of age.
The news of his demise was received with the greatest
regret, for Mr. Scott was a gentleman known to almost all in the town, and had
many friends throughout the County of Kent and beyond it. As a whip he had no
comparison, and some of his four-in-hand drives are still records that have not
been beaten. He was careful at all times and won the admiration of hundreds of
travellers he had at one time or another driven from Folkestone to Canterbury
and vice versa. As host of the East Kent Arms he was an exemplary landlord, a
total abstainer throughout his life, yet one of the cheeriest of men. None regretted
more than he the tendency towards inebriety amongst certain classes he had met,
and there are many today ready to acknowledge that his advice has been their
means of salvation. Some of his dearest friends were members of the Temperance
party, but with all classes of society he was a man highly respected. Though he
took but little interest in public affairs, he was ever the first to take an
active part in any charitable work, and if he could not do much he gave
liberally of his substance. It was his custom at the commencement of the
coaching season to take the Mayor of Folkestone and the members of the
Corporation to Canterbury, and he always arranged that the Mayor of that city
and the Corporation should meet their Folkestone friends. Mr. Scott entertained
these gentlemen alwaus right royally, and nothing gave him greater delight than
to gather his friends together for the purpose of spending a recreative hour.
Alas!, how suddenly a single turn of the wheel of life causes a blank in
associations of a town or district.
On Monday, Mr. Mercer, the East Kent Coroner, held an
inquest at Canterbury, when a verdict of Accidental Death was returned by the
jury, who desired also that their expressions of deep sympathy should be
conveyed to the family of the deceased gentleman. The body of deceased was
removed the same evening to Folkestone. The funeral will take place tomorrow at
Folkestone Cemetery, and no doubt will be attended by a very large number of
persons.
Folkestone
Chronicle 26-9-1896
Local News
An accident, the third within a brief period, happened
on Friday to the four-horse coach which plies daily between Folkestone and
Canterbury. Up to last year the route was by way of Denton, but it has now been
changed for the more picturesque but also more difficult country through
Barham. Elham was on Friday reached without incident, and there the horses were
changed. On emerging from Derringstone Street, the road turns sharply to the
left for a short distance of 50 yards, and then again to the right. The first
of these curves were safely passed, but, whether from the horses shying, or
from some other cause, the near wheels almost immediately afterwards fouled the
hedge, and, coming in contact with the stump of an alder tree, the coach was
thrown over on it`s side. Fortunately, the weather not being good, the
passengers were few, there being only five persons on the coach in addition to
Mr. Scott, the driver and proprietor. All the passengers escaped without
injury, but Mr. Scott fell under the coach, and when extricated was found to
have sustained serious injury to the back of the head and spine. He was removed
upon a stretcher of hurdles to the Red House, Barham, and medical aid summoned.
Mr. Scott, however, died on Sunday afternoon. The intelligence has been
received with manifestations of deep regret, for the popular whip was known
throughout the whole of East Kent, and his sterling qualities were generally appreciated.
Mr. Scott was the son of Mr. Henry Scott, who formerly had the business in
Ashford now in the hands of Mr. Henry Headley, and was afterwards a grocer at
Hythe. For some time he carried on the business of a job master etc., leaving
the Walnut Tree posting establishment, which was afterwards bought by the Hythe
and Sandgate Omnibus Company. Mr. Scott was always wonderfully fond of horses,
and he received a course of instruction in taming from the famous Rarey at the
Agricultural Hall, London, some years ago. Since giving up the Hythe business,
Mr. Scott devoted his attention to his Folkestone business, at the East Kent
Arms, a well known house of resort, especially for the sporting fraternity. His
death will be deplored by a very wide circle of friends.
The East Kent Coroner (Mr. R.M. Mercer) held an inquest
on the body at the Red House, Barham, on Monday afternoon.
Arthur Katinakis, of 8, Kingsnorth Gardens, Folkestone,
deposed that the deceased, John Paul Scott, who was his father-in-law, was aged
54. He was a job master, and owner and driver of the coach which ran between
Folkestone and Canterbury. Deceased drove the coach on Friday morning, and
witness sat on the box seat next to him. When at the bottom of the hill near
the Red House, the leaders shied at some scrapings in the road, and the
splinter bar cannoned against the stump of an alder tree in the hedge, which
swung the coach. At the moment the coach was in its extreme swing the wheel ran
up the base of the stump, and the coach went over on it`s off side. Witness
fell clear right of deceased, who was struck by the coach and dragged three
yards. Witness got up at once and got deceased from under the coach, he being
confined in the space between the front and next seat. He was perfectly conscious,
and complained of pain in his back.
Mr. Charles Henry Schon, surgeon, of Bridge, deposed
that deceased sustained serious injury to the spine, paralysis of the legs, and
two fractured ribs on the left side. His injuries were very serious. He had a
bad wound at the back of the scalp, and he was in a state of collapse, from
which he never recovered. He died from shock through the severe injuries which
he received.
The jury at once returned a verdict of Accidental
Death.
A juror asked whether it would be possible to get the
County Council to widen the road just there.
The Coroner feared not. It was not dangerous for
ordinary carriages, though it was for great coaches. He was afraid the County
Council would not make the road wider for them.
Folkestone Express
26-9-1896
Local News
We regret to have to record the death of Mr. John Paul
Scott, of the East Kent Arms, Sandgate Road, Folkestone, proprietor and whip of
the Sporting Time coach, running between Folkestone and Canterbury. Within the
past few weeks two slight accidents had happened, both owing to the nervousness
of the leaders of the team, and there is no doubt that the third, which had
such a sad termination, was due to the same cause. The story told at the
inquest on Monday by Mr. Katanakis, deceased`s son-in-law, who was on the box
with him at time of the accident, was so straight that the Coroner did not deem
it necessary to call any further witnesses as to the occurrence.
The scene of the accident is within a few hundred yards of
Barham Station, and from the elevation on which the station stands it can be
plainly seen. After passing through South Barham the road descends, and at the
foot of the hill, just after passing the Red House, the residence of Mrs.
Yorke, turns sharply to the left, curves slightly, and then turns sharply to
the right and on to North Barham. On Friday night, just after passing the Red
House, and while in the narrow neck slightly on the curve, the leaders shied,
the splinter bar struck the stump of a little gnarled oak tree, not bigger than
one`s arm, which forms part of the hedge, twisted the wheel in slightly, and
over went the vehicle, Mr. Scott, who was of course driving, being caught and
dragged about three yards, the three passengers, Mr. Katinakis, another
gentleman, and Miss Young, happily escaping unhurt. The guard also escaped. The
horses, after the accident, remained perfectly quiet. Mr. Scott was carried to
the Red House, and Dr. Schon was sent for and attended him, but his injuries
were so severe that he died, as we have said, on Sunday afternoon about four.
The Inquest
Mr. Coroner Mercer held an inquest at the Red House on
Monday afternoon, when the following evidence was given:-
Arthur Katinakis, living at 8, Kingsnorth Gardens,
Folkestone, said: I am son-in-law of the deceased. His name was John Paul
Scott, and his age was 54. He was a job master, and owner and driver of the
coach from Folkestone to Canterbury. I was on the coach with him on Friday. He
was driving, and I was sitting on the box seat. He always drove this was. We
arrived here about 12.30. At the bottom of this hill the road turns into a
curve. We were in the curve, which is on the level, when the leaders shied at
some scrapings in the road. Men had been cutting the bank. It being a narrow
road, we had of course to keep very close to the near side. When the leaders
shied, our splinter bar, or rather the roller bolt of the splinter bar,
cannoned against the stump of a tree in the hedge, which swung the coach. At
the same instant that the coach was at the extreme swing, our wheel ran up
about three inches. The box of the axle just scraped, but that did not turn us
over. It turned our wheel towards the stump and the coach went over into the
road. There was just room for me on the road between the coach and the hedge. I
was thrown further than Mr. Scott. He was holding the reins and did not have
such an impetus as I did, and I fell clear. We can`t say for certain where he
fell exactly. All we know is that he was struck by the coach and dragged three
yards. The horses only moved three yards in the interval while I was lying in
the road. I was not insensible and got up at once. Scott was caught by the
coach, but it was not on him. He was at the hind part of the coach when we took
him up, between the seats on the top. No part of the coach rested on him then.
He had one arm under the rail and was not crushed. He was perfectly conscious
when we got him out, and complained of his back. He aws brought to this house,
and died at 4.20 on Sunday afternoon.
Dr. Charles Schon, of Bridge, said: I was called to attend
the deceased, and saw him about three quarters of an hour after the accident.
He was then in this house. He was suffering from serious injury to the spine,
with paralysis of both legs, the fracture of two ribs on the left side, and a
wound in the wall of the chest, caused by the fractured ribs. His injuries were
very bad indeed. The arms were not injured, but he had a very bad scalp wound
on the back of the head. His hat had not saved him at all apparently. He was in
a state of collapse from which he really never recovered, and died from shock.
The Coroner: I suppose he was too much collapsed for you to
do anything for him? – Yes. We could not examine him. The broken ribs were
evident, and the wound on the head, but when we attempted to turn him over, his
suffering was so great that we had to desist. He was brought to this house on a
hurdle, I believe. He died from shock from his severe injuries.
The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
A juror asked whether it would be possible to get the County
Council to widen the road just there.
The Coroner feared not. It was not dangerous for ordinary
carriages, though it was for great coaches. He was afraid the County Council
would not make the road wider for them.
Folkestone Herald
26-9-1896
Editorial
In our last issue we fully reported the terrible accident which
occurred at Barham to the Sporting Times Coach, of which our townsman, Mr. J.P.
Scott, was at once the driver and proprietor. He has succumbed to his injuries,
and the announcement of his death has come as a shock to a large circle of his
friends, admirers, and acquaintances. Elsewhere we devote a considerable
portion of our space to a reviw of his many excellent qualities of head and
heart. In this brief notice, however, we would emphasise the benefits he has
conferred upon Folkestone by maintaining the Sporting Times and a large stud of
horses at his own expense, and for the gratification of that instinct of sport
which might be regarded as the dominant element in his character. Mr. Scott
was, essentially, a sportsman of the genuine British type, and as such his loss
is regretted by hosts of friends, not only in this neighbourhood but in remote
parts, both at home and abroad. The Folkestone Coach, as it has been popularly
termed, and as it has been known in the Elham Valley, has been instrumental in
opening up the beauties of local scenery to a long succession of summer
visitors. In keeping this coach upon the road, Mr. Scott was promoting not only
his own interest but also the prosperity of the town with which his fortunes
have been so long and so honourably identified. He was a believer in the
development of Folkestone, and he did a great deal to attract here the best
class of visitors. It is generally known that the passenger traffic by the
coach was never remunerative, but this did not deter the proprietor from
indulging in his sporting proclivities. In this respect alone, apart from his
many excellent qualities, he deserved the esteem in which he was held, and
there is not a lover of sport in this town or district who does not mourn the
untimely death of one who was always consistent in its patronage and pursuit.
Folkestone is very much the poorer for his loss, and it is a loss which it will
be difficult to replace. We only hope that the sympathies of the whole
community, which have gone out unstintedly to the widow and family of the
deceased, may help to assuage in some measure the poignancy of the anguish into
which they have been so cruelly and suddenly plunged.
Local News
A feeling of gloom settled over Folkestone on Sunday evening
when it became known that the famous Whip had breathed his last at the Red
House, Barham. The story of the sad accident has already been told in these
columns, and the evidence adduced at the inquest removes any doubt as to its
cause. Thus at the comparatively early age of 54 there has passed away one whom
we could ill afford to spare – an altogether interesting personality.
The Hythe correspondent of the Herald, in his appreciative
notice of deceased`s connection with the Cinque Ports town, has left little to
be said in that respect, and I will therefore cursorily glance at deceased`s
Folkestone connection. It was after he had ceased to take any part in the
Folkestone – Hythe omnibus service that Mr. Scott settled down and made his
home at the East Kent. From the date of his retirement from this road, however,
his passion for the noble equine race never forsook him. To handle the ribbons
was his chief delight. For a time, perhaps, “Scottie” (as he was popularly
called), would remain quiescent, but the old life was too much for him, and he
would become restive and yearn for the companionship of his horses.
So it was that the Sporting Times became the outcome of all
this. No need to write here of this institution, which now, alas, is a thing of
the past. We shall ever remember the spanking teams of well-groomed animals,
the appointments of the coach, and above all the manifest pride of the owner
and Whip. The ancient saying that “A prophet hath no honour in his own country”
did not apply here, for it was the almost universal opinion that a more skilful
whip had never tooled a team. One of the greatest living equine artists – Mr.
John Sturgess – whose beautiful delineations of horses have delighted us these
many years in the Illustrated and Sporting and Dramatic News, has never wearied
of paying the highest tribute to “Scottie`s” skill and management of horses.
And the thousands, comprising all classes of society, who have sat behind him,
whether on the Hythe buses or the Canterbury coach, will have no difficulty in
coming to the conclusion that a great whip has gone forever. The villagers in
the peaceful Elham Valley; the schoolchildren who daily welcomed the coach with
their flowers; the labourers in the fields – all these will miss our old
friend, and the sound of the “yard of tin”.
“Scottie” combined in himself, too, distinguishing features.
He was a true sportsman, a licensed victualler, and a rigid teetotaller of
lifelong habit, and it is quite as well to emphasise this latter fact. His
cheerful animal spirits on one occasion led him into trouble, but at the
expense of those who sought to charge him with intemperance. It was even given
in evidence that he with others was “elevated” with something stronger than
water, but our friend was able to prove conclusively and successfully that such
was not the case – that he had never tasted strong drink, and it is reported
that, turning on the witness with dramatic effect, he said to the Magistrates,
“This, gentlemen, is the kind of witness that would swear away a man`s life”.
Year after year in his cosy smoking room, Scottie would sit
in the armchair of an evening with his pint, book, and pint of cocoa, and his
friends might do as they liked. That was his choice. Surrounded with the best
of liquor, tempted by all his friends and acquaintances to join them in the
sparkling cup, he stood his ground, and preferred to stick to his own
principles.
Think of his dogged moral courage, and one cannot but admire
the man. Scottie scorned all kinds of cant and humbug, and it can be truly said
of him he never feared the face of man. He possessed one of the kindest hearts,
and did a deal of good, not only openly but by stealth. Never did a deserving
appeal come his way without his assistance being forthcoming. The latter years
of his life were not unclouded. His hope and pride – his only son, Walter –
died a year or two ago under very sad circumstances. Just as the youth was
entering on manhood the seeds of that fell disease – consumption - manifested
themselves, and the boy was sent for a tour of America in the hope that the sea
voyage and the change might restore him. But the news was flashed across the
Atlantic that the lad had died alone in a strange town in a strange land. This
young fellow possessed one of the sweetest and gentlest of dispositions. I
think one of the most touching letters I have ever read was received by Mr.
Scott from a stranger out in America, who had felt it his duty to write to the
lad`s parents, describing the decease and burial of the boy, also enclosing
flowers that were growing on the grave. It was such a letter that emphasised
“That touch of nature that makes the whole world kin”. And then a bright little
girl – a perfect ray of sunlight – was taken from him. These bereavements were
as the iron entering his soul. He sought solace, and obtained it in the circle
of his family, but there was the blank “the world could never fill”. If
anything could lift the cloud from him it was coaching, and he has been heard
to declare that he wished to die with the reins in his hand. His desire has
almost been fulfilled to the letter, and it is a comfort and consolation to the
bereaved ones that although his sufferings were great, they were not prolonged.
Scottie was essentially a man. “Rough Diamond” he might be
called, yet in that ruggedness there glittered the precious article. We mourn
his tragic death and revere his memory. As a tender husband, a good father, a
true and constant friend, we all mourn the loss, and shall remember him, and
keep his memory green with fond affection.
His employees, too, have lost a good master, and the guard
Jones will no doubt re-echo the sentiments expressed by Walter Godden (to whom
apologies), who acted in a similar capacity to the late celebrated James Selby:
“The last ride that our old friend had was on the (Barham)
road,
Whilst he with favourite anecdote amused his sporting load;
But now he`s left us all to mourn for him, so kind and true,
Respected both by rich and poor, in fact by all he knew.
Ne`er shall I ride another stage with him I loved so well,
Or tootle on his favourite horn the tunes to me he`d tell;
For now he`s gone to realms above, all pleasure here is
marred,
A good old master and a friend was he to me, his Guard.”
To the writer of this notice, Scottie for over a generation
was more than an acquaintance. The drives I have enjoyed with him were amongst
my pleasantest experiences. One by one the old friends fall as “the leaf in
autumn weather”, and every year the world appears to be more and more “like
some banquet hall deserted”. But memory is left to us, and in that stronghold
we will fondly treasure our recollections.
A Tribute From Hythe
The Herald`s report to our former townsman, Mr. J.P. Scott,
aroused much sympathetic feeling in the hearts of many old acquaintances, and
this was much intensified when the news came on Sunday that he had passed away.
It will be remembered that Hythe has an earlier claim to him as a townsman than
Folkestone, for until he removed to the latter town he lived and worked amongst
us and made many friends. “Rarey”, as his friends called him, was endowed with
a wonderful degree of tact and skill in the management of horses, and his care
for them approached that begotten by love. Indeed, it might rightly be said
that he loved his cattle. Time and again I have seen him win over a restive
animal by his gentle manner when nothing could be done with it by a circle of
attendants. His voice and style seemed to bring the erratic one into subjection
when no others could manage it. His feelings were so kindly developed towards
his equine family that on more than one occasion on which he had the misfortune
to lose an animal, I have seen the tears flow down his cheeks, so tender was
his regard for his stud, and his grief at its circle being broken. Rarey was
fond of humour, and frequently shared hilarity with those surrounding him, when
the circumstances permitted the indulgence. I remember one occasion, years ago,
when he was driving his `bus between Hythe and Folkestone, on which his
merriment was the means of his being libelled. A lady passenger, sensitive no
doubt as to her safety, insisted upon getting out of his `bus, and protested
loudly that its driver was drunk and not fit to be entrusted with the
responsibility. Those who knew the habits and behaviour of Mr. Scott, however,
were amused, knowing as they did that “J.P.” was a lifelong total abstainer
from intoxicating drinks, so that the charge of drunkenness was as amusing as
it was unfounded.
“J.P.” had very strict ideas upon the subject of gallantry
as it should be shown by gentlemen to the other sex. More than once I have
heard him subject a male rider inside his bus to severe castigation for
insisting on retaining an inside seat, whilst a lady had to go outside. This,
by the way, was in the old days of the knife-board seats on the top of a bus,
when having to mount there was almost an indignity to a lady. Such instances
always riled the spirit of propriety possessed by “J.P.”, who in turn always
expressed himself in very clear terms to the individual whose conduct prompted
it. As a whip, there was hardly a finer living. This subject, however, I will
leave to those who have a closer technical knowledge of his capabilities. Mr.
Scott was one of a family of two sons, and until a short time back his aged
parents lived amongst us. His brother, being in America, could not give
personal attention to the old people, but “J.P.” appeared to do his best to do
duty for both, for almost daily in the latter part of his mother`s life he
could be seen driving to Hythe to visit her at “The Whim”.
The Inquest
Mr. R.M. Mercer (the East Kent Coroner) held an inquest on
Monday afternoon at the Red House, Barham, on the unfortunate Whip.
Arthur Katinakis, of 8, Kingsnorth Gardens, Folkestone,
deposed he was son-in-law to the deceased. Mr. Scott was 54 years of age, and
was a jobmaster and driver of the Sporting Times, which ran between Folkestone
and Canterbury. Witness was on the coach at the time of the accident on Friday
morning, and was sitting in the box close to the deceased. Witness had
frequently come that way before on the coach. At about 12.30 they reached the
bottom of the hill on which the accident occurred. At this point the road turns
a corner, and as they were rounding it the leaders shied at some scrapings in
the road. Being narrow, of course they had to keep fairly close to the near
side of the road. When the leaders shied, the roller bolt on the splinter bar
cannoned against the stump of an old elder tree in the hedge, which swung the
coach at the moment that it was at its extreme, some three inches into the
hedge, causing the wheel to be raised that amount onto the stump. The coach was
turned over on its offside into the road, only just leaving room for witness to
get between the coach and the opposite hedge. Deceased was holding the reins
and he did not fall clear of the coach as the others did, and was struck
violently by the vehicle, and dragged along with it about three yards. They
could not see where he was struck until they got him out. Witness got up at once
and went to deceased`s assistance. He was jammed up in the back seats, owing to
the horses having moved forward whilst he was on the ground. No part of the
coach rested upon him, but during the whole of the time one of his arms was
under the rail of the back seats. Deceased was quite conscious when they got
him out, but complained of his back being hurt. He was conveyed to the Red
House, and died there on Sunday afternoon at 4.20.
Charles Henry Schon deposed that he was a surgeon residing
at Bridge. He had been in attendance on deceased since the accident till his
death. He first saw him about three quarters of an hour after the accident at
that house. He was suffering from serious injuries to his spine, paralysis of
both legs, and fractured ribs of the left side. He also suffered from a wound
to the chest wall caused by the fractured ribs. His injuries were very bad
indeed. His arms were not injured, but he had a very bad wound at the back of
the skull. He was in a state of great collapse, from which he never really
recovered, dying from the shock. He would not permit any accurate examination
as he was in such pain. He was brought up to the house on a hurdle.
The jury, after consultation, returned a verdict of
“Accidental Death”.
Sandgate
Weekly News 26-9-1896
Local News
Another accident, the third within a fortnight,
occurred to the well-known “Sporting Times” coach on Friday, unfortunately
resulting in the death of the well-known proprietor and whip of the coach, Mr.
J.P. Scott. The coach was being driven from Folkestone to Canterbury, and when
near Barham, in a narrow road, owing to one of the leading horses shying, ran
into the bank and was overturned. There were only five persons on the coach at
the time, and these all escaped uninjured except Mr. Scott, who was struck
violently by the coach and was dragged along a few yards. He was conveyed on a
stretcher to the Red House at Barham, and medical aid summoned. It was at once
apparent that Mr. Scott was in great pain, but it was impossible to make a
thorough examination of his injuries until Saturday, when it was found that his
injuries were very bad indeed, his spine was injured and his ribs fractured;
there was also a bad wound at the back of the skull, and another to the chest.
The unfortunate man lingered to Sunday afternoon. At the inquest held on Monday
a verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned.
The death of Mr. Scott is greatly regretted by a large
circle of friends throughout the neighbourhood. The funeral took place at
Folkestone Cemetery on Thursday.
Hythe Reporter
26-9-1896
Local News
On Wednesday afternoon week, an accident of an alarming
character happened to the Folkestone four-horse coach just as it was entering
Canterbury. It had just passed over the New Road railway bridge when the
leaders shied at some water in the road, and plunging violently they ran the
coach onto some asphalt by the side of Baron Court Park. The coach had a full
complement of passengers, some of whom were naturally much alarmed, especially
as it appeared for a moment that there must be a collision with a lamp post at
the spot. However, the leaders, by their kicking and plunging, broke the
splinter bar against the post, and this set them free, and the coach then came to
a standstill. The released animals tore off down into St. George`s, and were
not stopped until they reached the High Street, where, opposite St. Mary
Bredman`s Church, a landau was drawn across the road, which checked their wild
career. Meanwhile Mr. Scott, the proprietor and whip, had driven the coach to
the usual halting point, the Rose Hotel, the two wheelers being perfectly in
hand. Neither the horses nor the coach sustained any damage; in fact the
accident did not cause anything more than a little excitement both in Barton
Fields and St. George`s, where it was feared the runaway horses would come into
collision with the vehicles in the street, which, happily, was avoided. But for
the skilful way in which Mr. Scott managed the reins at the critical moment,
there is little doubt that serious consequences would have ensued, and it was
fortunate that the restive leaders broke away as they did.
The above paragraph appeared in last week`s Dover Standard.
This week the local papers have to write the account of another accident to the
coach which did not end so satisfactorily.
The Sporting Times coach is now in Worthington`s Yard
undergoing repairs, but the proprietor and driver will never again mount the
box and spin along the country lanes to the sound of the merry horn. He has
gone to his last rest, a victim of his love for horses. To have deprived him of
horses would have been depriving him of life itself. Who does not remember J.P.
seated on the Folkestone and Hythe `bus behind two of the finest horses to be
found on any `bus in the kingdom?
The writer does not remember when Mr. Scott first took over
the Folkestone `bus, but it was some time in the sixties. It was only about
three years ago that he disposed of his `bus business to the Hythe Omnibus
Company, so that for thirty years his vehicles were plying between here and
Folkestone. When he first started he only did three journeys a day – Mr. Laker,
afterwards Denne, doing the other three journeys alternately with him. That was
in the good old time when the fare was a shilling each way. Nowadays sixpence
is deemed sufficient. It was a lucrative business enough, and Mr. Scott throve
well on it. It may not be generally known that Mr. Scott served under the
famous French horse trainer Rairey, so that for years he was known as Rairey
Scott.
Mr. Scott`s father died about four years ago at a ripe old
age – over eighty. Mrs. Scott followed her husband last year, both to be soon
joined by their son. Mother and son were much attached. Before her death Mr.
Scott used regularly to drive over from Folkestone to see his widowed mother.
It is said that the latter always feared that her son would be killed by some
horse accident, and her fears have been fully borne out, although, happily, not
until she herself had passed away. Mr. Scott`s father carried on a grocer`s
business for many years in the shop now occupied by Mr. R. Price, the Mayor of
Hythe – a block of these premises may be seen in another column of this paper –
but it was a long time ago, nearly half a century.
Local News
We regret to have to record the death of Mr. John Paul
Scott, of the East Kent Arms, Sandgate Road, Folkestone, proprietor and whip of
the Sporting Times coach, running between Folkestone and Canterbury. Within the
past few weeks two slight accidents had happened, both owing to the nervousness
of the leaders of the team, and there is no doubt that the third, which had so
sad a termination, was due to the same cause. The story told at the inquest on
Monday by Mr. Katanakis, deceased`s son-in-law, who was on the box with him at
the time of the accident, was so straight that the coroner did not deem it
necessary to call any further witnesses as to the occurrence.
He scene of the accident is within a few hundred yards of
Barham Station, and from the elevation on which the station stands it can be
plainly seen. After passing through South Barham, the road descends, and at the
foot of the hill, just after passing the Red House, the residence of Mrs.
Yorke, turns sharply to the left, curves slightly, and then turns sharply to
the right and on to North Barham. On Friday, just after passing the Red House,
and while in the narrow neck slightly in the curve, the leaders shied, the
splinter bar struck the stump of a little gnarled ok tree, not bigger than one`s
arm, which forms part of the hedge, twisted the wheel in slightly, and over
went the vehicle, Mr. Scott, who was of course driving, being caught and
dragged about three yards, the three passengers, Mr. Katinakis, another
gentleman, and Miss Young, happily escaping unhurt. The guard also escaped. The
horses, after the accident, remained perfectly quiet. Mr. Scott was carried to
the Red House, and Dr. Schon was sent for and attended him, but his injuries
were so severe that he died, as we have said, on Sunday afternoon about four.
Folkestone Programme
28-9-1896
Inquest
The inquest on the body of Mr. Scott was held at the Red
House, Barham, on Monday afternoon by Mr. R.M. Mercer (Coroner for the
district).
Arthur Katinakis deposed: I live at 3, Kingsnorth Gardens,
Folkestone, and am son-in-law to the deceased, who was 54 years of age. He was
the owner and driver of the Sporting Times coach from Folkestone to Canterbury.
He drove the coach on Friday morning. I was on the box seat. At the bottom of
this hill the road turns into a curve. At about 12.30, as we were on the curve
– it is not hilly there – the leaders shied at some scrapings in the road,
where the hedge had been cut. The road being narrow we had to keep fairly close
to our near side. When the horse shied the roller bolt on the splinter bar
cannoned against the stump of an elder tree in the hedge. This swung the coach,
and at the same instant the wheel ran up the bank three or four inches. I think
the wheel ran on to the base of the stump, and the coach then went over on its
off side. There was just room for me between it and the hedge, and I was thrown
clear of the coach, but Mr. Scott did not get so much impetus, having hold of
the reins.
The Coroner: Where did he fall? – All we know is he was
struck by the coach and dragged two or three yards; we cannot say where he was
struck. I got up directly and we found he was confined by the coach, which,
however, did not rest on him; he was right under the part of the coach between
his seat and the first passenger`s seat when we took him out, and we had to
lift it to do so.
I understand no part of the coach rested on him? – No. Of
course the make of the coach left room for his body, but one arm was underneath
the rail. When we got him out he was perfectly conscious.
Did he complain of pain in any special part? – Yes, his
back. He was brought to this house, where he died at 4.20 on Subday afternoon.
Dr. Chas. Henry Schon, practicing at Bridge, deposed: I saw the deceased about three quarters of an
hour after the accident. He was suffering from serious injury to the spine,
with paralysis of the legs and fracture of two ribs on the left side; the chest
wall was wounded, caused by the fractured ribs.
His injuries were very excessive then? – They were very bad
indeed.
Were the arms injured? – No, but he had a very bad wound on
the scalp at the back of the head. He was in a state of great collapse, from
which he never recovered, and he died from the shock.
I suppose he was too collapsed for you to do anything with
him? – Yes.
Could you examine him at all? – Well, the ribs and scalp
wound were very evident, but the injury to the back was not, and he would not
permit any examination as the pain was so great.
What did he die of? – Shock from his severe injuries.
The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
A juror: There is one thing I should like to mention – the
dangerous state of the road.
The Coroner: I am afraid they won`t make the road any wider
for us.
 |
| Folkestone Herald 26-9-1896 |
.JPG) |
| Folkestone Herald 26-9-1896 |
Folkestone
Chronicle 12-12-1896
Wednesday, December 9th: Before Mr. W.
Wightwick, Mr. J. Fitness, and General Gwyn.
The licence of the East Kent Arms was transferred to
Mrs. Scott.
Folkestone Chronicle
18-9-1897
Saturday, September 11th: Before The Mayor and
Messrs. J. Pledge, J. Fitness, and J. Holden.
John Dryland, a fly driver, was summoned for leaving a horse
and carriage unattended in Sandgate Road on August 27th.
P.C. Lawrence stated that he saw the carriage standing in
front of the East Kent Arms unattended. The horse moved away, and witness
stopped it.
Defendant said he left his horse to go in and get a drink.
He was fined 2s. 6d. and 9s. costs.
Folkestone Express
18-9-1897
Saturday, September 11th: Before The Mayor,
Alderman Pledge, J. Fitness and J. Holden Esqs.
A flyman, named Dryland, was charged with leaving a horse
and fly unattended in Sandgate Road on August 27th.
P.C. Lawrence said at a quarter past five he saw a horse and
fly standing in front of the East Kent Arms unattended. The horse moved away,
and witness stopped it.
Defendant said he left his horse to go in to “get a drink”.
Fined 2s. 6d. and 9s. costs, or seven days`.
Folkestone Herald
18-9-1897
Police Court Report
On Saturday – the Mayor (Alderman Banks) presiding – Richard
Bryan was summoned for leaving a horse and cart unattended in Sandgate Road on
the 27th.
P.C. Frank Lawrence gave evidence that on the Friday in
question at 10 past 12 he saw a horse and carriage standing in front of the
East Kent Arms, and about two minutes later the horse started up the Sandgate
Road to opposite Messrs. Brook`s premises. Witness took charge, and about five
minutes later defendant came up and said it was his.
Defendant said it was only four minutes from when he pulled
up. He went in to get a drink. There was another trap and that moved off, and
his horse followed it up. It only went twenty steps.
Fined 2s. 6d., 9s. costs, or seven days` imprisonment.
Folkestone Chronicle
17-9-1898
Tuesday, September 13th: before Messrs. J. Banks,
J. Fitness, C.J. Pursey and W.G. Herbert.
Sherlock Wray was charged with stealing three chisels, one
screwdriver, one bradawl, and a watch, the property of John Reader. He was also
charged with stealing a plated tankard, the property of Amy Scott.
P.S. Swift said that about 3.30 the previous day he went to
29. Westbourne Gardens, and saw the prisoner, where he was at work. Witness
cautioned him, and then told him he was making enquiries as to some chisels,
etc., stolen from the Electric Light Works on Saturday. He replied “I know
nothing about the watch, and the hammer Foad gave to me. The chisels I took
back. I had a drop of drink, and I suppose that was the cause of it”. Witness
said “Will you show me the tools you had in your possession in the football
field on Saturday?” He replied “They are down home, in a box in the scullery”.
Witness said he should take him to the police station, and detain him while
making enquiries. On the way there they met the prisoner`s wife. Prisoner said
“Give the officers those chisels in the scullery down home”. Witness went to
39, Bradstone Road, and was shown a box in the scullery, in which he found
three chisels, a screwdriver, and a bradawl. He also found a silver plated
tankard with “The East Kent Arms” stamped on it. Prisoner was charged. As to
the tools he made no reply, but as to the tankard he said “I didn`t steal
that”.
John Reader, 11, Invicta Road, a carpenter, said that on
Saturday he left his tools in the manager`s office, and on Monday at nine
o`clock he missed them. He identified those produced as his property. He valued
them at 4s. or 5s.
William John Foar, a wireman, in the employ of the same
company, said that on Saturday, about half past three, he was in the engine
house, and saw the prisoner at the door. He afterwards saw him in the manager`s
room, looking at witness`s tools. Witness told him not to touch them. He had a
small volt meter in his coat pocket. When spoken to he took it out and put it
back on the mantelpiece. They then both left the works and went to the football
field.
By the prisoner: He invited him to the works, and sent him
into the manager`s room for some tape. Prisoner was in the employ of the
company.
Annie Ellse, barmaid at the East Kent Arms, said that about
three weeks ago she missed the silver plated tankard produced from the bar. She
valued it at 9s. She had seen prisoner in the house several times.
Prisoner said he was under the influence of drink, and did
not know until Monday morning. He had sunstroke in India, and two or three
glasses of spirits he had on Saturday upset him. He was very sorry he took the
tools, as he had no use for them.
He was sent for trial at the next Quarter Sessions for the
Borough. The Bench offered bail, himself in £20, and another surety in the same
sum.
Folkestone Herald
17-9-1898
Police Court Record
On Tuesday – Alderman Banks presiding – Sherlock Ray was
charged with stealing three chisels, a screwdriver, and a bradawl, value 4s.,
the property of John Reeder, and a tankard, value 9s., the property of Mrs.
Scott.
P.S. Swift deposed that about 3.30 on the previous day, from
information received, he went to 29, Westbourne Gardens, where the defendant
was at work. He cautioned the defendant, and then said to him “I am making
inquiries respecting a watch, hammer, and chisel, stolen from the Electric
Works on Saturday last”. Defendant replied “I know nothing about the watch. The
hammer Foad gave to me. The chisels I took back. I had a drop of drink. I
suppose that was the cause”. Witness said “Will you show me the tools you had
in your possession in the football field on Saturday last?” He replied “They
are down home. The box in the scullery”. Witness said to him “I shall take you
to the police station and detain you to make inquiries”. On the way to the
police station they saw defendant`s wife. Defendant said to her “Give the
officer those chisels out of that box in the scullery”. Witness went to the
defendant`s lodgings in Bradstone Road, where he was shown the box in the
scullery by the defendant`s wife. In this he found the three chisels, the
screwdriver, and the bradawl produced. He also found a silver plated tankard
with “East Kent Arms” stamped upon it. Afterwards the defendant was charged in
witness`s presence. As to the tools, defendant made no reply. With regard to
the tankard he said “I did not steal that”.
John Reeder, of Invicta Road, deposed that he was a
carpenter in the employ of the Folkestone Electric Light Company. On Saturday,
the 10th inst., about 1 o`clock, he left his tools in a basket in
the manager`s office at the Electric Works. On Monday, about 9 o`clock, he went
to the basket for his tools, and they were missing, three chisels, a
screwdriver, and a bradawl. He valued the articles at 4s. or 5s.
William John Foad, in the employ of the Electric Company,
deposed that he was in the Company`s works on the 10th inst., at
about half past 3, in the engine room. Witness called defendant in, and
afterwards saw him in the manager`s room. He was looking at witness`s tools.
Witness said “Don`t touch those. Those are my tools”. He also had a small
volt-meter, which he took out and put back on the mantelpiece. They then left
the room together, and went to the football ground. Witness lost the defendant
just inside the ground. Defendant was in the employ of the Company.
By the defendant: Witness sent him to the manager`s room for
some tape.
Miss Annie Ellse, barmaid, of the East Kent Arms, Sandgate
Road, deposed that she missed from the bar a half pint tankard three weeks or a
month ago. She identified the tankard produced as the missing one. She valued
it at 9s. She had seen the defendant several times in the house. He was a
customer.
Defendant said that he was under the influence of drink. He
had sunstroke in India, and did not know what he was doing. He had been steady
lately, but two or three glasses of spirits he had upset him. He was sorry he
took the articles, as he had no use for them.
The Bench committed him to take his trial at the next
Quarter Sessions on both cases.
Folkestone Chronicle
15-10-1898
Quarter Sessions
Monday, October 10th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward
Esq.
Gillespie Sherlock Wray was charged with stealing a silver
plated tankard, the property of Amy Scott, at Folkestone, on August 15th.
He pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Matthew appeared for the prosecution.
P.S. Swift repeated his evidence given in the Police Court,
and already fully reported. He found the tankard in a box in the prisoner`s
home. Prisoner denied that he stole it.
Miss Annie Ellse, barmaid at the East Kent Arms, recognised
the tankard as the property of Mrs. Amy Scott. She identified it by the name on
it – East Kent Arms – and by the fact that the handle had been recently mended.
She missed it about three weeks before prisoner was before the justices. She
knew the prisoner as a customer.
Prisoner`s statement before the justices was read – “I was
under the influence of drink” he said. “I had a sunstroke in India three years
ago. I have been steady lately. I had two or three glasses on Saturday. I am
sorry I did it”.
Prisoner now said: I had been up to the Pleasure Gardens
Theatre two or three nights before, and found the tankard near Pearson`s, the
coal merchants, in the middle of the road. I took it home, and my wife told me
to take it back to the East Kent Arms. I forgot to do it, and it was put into
the box. I would have taken it back if I had thought of it. I forgot it was
there until Sergt. Swift told me of it. I can only throw myself on the mercy of
the Court.
The Recorder summed up briefly, pointing out the difference
between the two statements.
The prisoner said the statement before the justices referred
only to another charge, and had nothing to do with the tankard.
The jury found the prisoner Not Guilty.
Prisoner was then charged with stealing three chisels, one
screwdriver, and one bradawl, value 4s., the property of John Rins, at
Folkestone, on the 4th September. He pleaded Guilty to the charge,
and also to a previous conviction.
Superintendent Taylor said the former conviction was for
breaking into the Camera Obscura (the property of an invalid), and he received
one month`s hard labour. He was also convicted of stealing a glazier`s diamond,
and the police strongly suspected that he was concerned in petty robberies in
the neighbourhood of the electric works.
John Rina said he had worked with the prisoner three months,
and had missed a hammer and an axe.
Prisoner said he had never worked with the prosecutor.
The Recorder said prisoner had pleaded Guilty to the charge.
As to the former case, the jury had taken a very merciful view. He (the
Recorder) absolutely disagreed with that verdict. Prisoner was a bad man, and
had committed a very mean offence, having stolen the tools of a fellow workman,
and then obliterated his name from them in the hope that they would not be
traced. He would go to prison for nine months with hard labour. Prisoner left
the dock sobbing.
Folkestone Herald
15-10-1898
Quarter Sessions
Monday, October 10th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward
Esq.
Gillespie Sherlock Wray, aged 28, seaman, well educated, was
indicted for feloniously stealing a silver plated tankard, value 9s., the
property of Amy Scott, at Folkestone, on the 15th August. The
defendant had been detained on the indictment of feloniously stealing three
chisels, one screwdriver, and one bradawl, value 4s., the property of John
Riva, of Folkestone, on the 10th September. He pleaded Not Guilty to
stealing the tankard.
Mr. Matthew, who prosecuted, pointed out that it was for an
accused person, who is found in the possession of stolen property, to say how
he came to possess it.
P.S. Swift deposed that on the 12th the prisoner
made certain statements to him, in consequence of which witness went with his
wife to the prisoner`s house. In a box there witness found the tankard
produced. He was charged with stealing it, and replied “I did not steal that”.
He gave no explanation as to how he got it.
Miss Annie Ellse, barmaid at the East Kent Arms, deposed
that she recognised the tankard by the name, and the handle being mended. She
missed it three weeks before the 12th September.
The prisoner`s statement was read. It was as follows: I was
under the influence of drink. I had sunstroke in India three years ago. I have
been steady lately. Two or three glasses of spirits I had on Saturday upset me.
I am sorry I did it, as I know no use for them”.
The prisoner now said he had been to the Pleasure Gardens
about the 26th or 27th, and coming home, opposite
Pearson`s coalyard, about a quarter to 11, he found the tankard on the side of
the road by the rails. He took it home. His wife told him to take it back
again, but he forgot all about it. He threw himself at their mercy. If he
thought of it he would have taken it back.
The Recorder said that when the prisoner was charged with
stealing the tankard by Sergt. Swift he denied stealing it. When he was before
the Justices he made the statement already read. He now made the statement they
had heard.
The prisoner said that the statement he had made before the
Justices was as to the tools. He did not make it on account of the tankard.
The Petty Jury, after consideration, found the prisoner not
guilty of stealing the tankard.
The prisoner Wray pleaded Guilty to the further charge of
stealing the tools. He also pleaded Guilty to a previous conviction at
Folkestone.
Superintendent Taylor deposed that the former conviction was
one month`s hard labour for breaking into a camera obscure and attempting to
steal. On the 27th May, 1897, he was fined 40s. for stealing a
plumbers` diamond from Mr. Holden`s, High Street. Defendant had been employed
by the Electric Lighting Company. He was strongly suspected of being concerned
in several petty robberies.
The prosecutor stated that he had been working on the same
job as the prisoner.
Prisoner said he never worked with Riva.
The Recorder said the jury had taken a lenient view of the
previous charge. Defendant had a very bad career. The crime was committed on a
fellow workman. The tools were stolen, and the initials scraped off, in the
hope that they would not be identified. He was sentenced to nine months` hard
labour.
Southeastern Gazette
18-10-1898
Quarter Sessions
The Michaelmas
Quarter Sessions were held at the Town Hall on Monday, Oct. 10th, before the
Recorder (Mr. J. C. Lewis Coward).
In the case of
Gillespie Sherlock Wray, 28, described as a seaman, who was indicted for
stealing a silver tankard, value 9s., the property of Mrs. Scott, of the East.
Kent Arms, the petty jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty. Prisoner, who had
been employed at the Electrical Supply Company’s Works, then pleaded guilty to
stealing tools, the property of a fellow workman, and was sentenced to nine
months’ hard labour.
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