Railway Bell, Dover Road 1863 - c2008

Railway Bell, 1978

Railway Bell, 1930s. Photo kindly supplied by Martin Easdown

Railway Bell, 2010, Awaiting Demolition. Photo kindly supplied by Legends Of Folkestone Facebook Group

Site of former Railway Bell, May 2012

 

 

Railway Bell c1910. Credit Mrs. R.I. Wassell

 

Railway Bell 1999. Credit Martin Easdown

Railway Bell 6-7-2009. Credit Paul Skelton (from http://www.dover-kent.com/Railway-Bell-Folkestone.html)

Railway Bell, 19-10-1940. Photo from Folkestone Herald 11-2-1978 (from http://www.dover-kent.com/Railway-Bell-Folkestone.html)

Railway Bell (old and new) 1961. Photo from Folkestone Herald 21-10-1961 (from http://www.dover-kent.com/Railway-Bell-Folkestone.html)

Railway Bell (old and new) 1961. Photo from Folkestone Gazette 18-10-1961 (from http://www.dover-kent.com/Railway-Bell-Folkestone.html)

Railway Bell, 2009. Credit Dave Anstiss (from http://www.dover-kent.com/Railway-Bell-Folkestone.html)

 

Licensees

C. Haytor, G. Wormster and J. Drummond 1863 1865

Joseph Moret 1865 1868

John Willows 1868 1869

Robert Flux 1869 1874

Frederick Heavens 1874 1874
Mr. Major 1874 1874

James Angell 1874 1875

Theodore Nave 1875 1879

George Phillips 1879 1880

Henry Charlton 1880 1883

Richard Pilcher 1883 1886

George Collins 1886 1895 To Rendezvous

Joseph George Smiles 1895 1901 Later Shakespeare Hotel

James Tunbridge 1901 1905 From Guildhall Tavern

Sidney Saunders 1905 1911

George Hoare 1911 1922 Ex Oddfellows Arms

John Clarke 1922 1923

Francis Beane 1923 1924

Joseph Brown 1924 1928

Albert Leigh 1928 1929

P.C. Richardson 1929 1935

George Gumbrill 1935 1942

Maude Gumbrill 1942 1942

Leonard Barker 1942 1942 Also Prince Albert 1928-45

Horace Reader 1945 1975

Edward Hallett 1975 1986

Patrick Gill 1986 1986

Paul Parish and Arthur Beedon 1986 1987 Arthur Beedon Also Black Bull 1985-87

Michael Roberts and Arthur Beedon 1987 1987

George Brindle and Edward Clark 1987 1990 Also Black Bull 1987-90

George Brindle and Simon Blyth 1990 1991 Simon Blyth Also Black Bull 1990-94

Allen Peeks and Michael Lowe 1991 1993 Allen Peeks Also Master Brewer

John Rudyard and Malcolm Rudyard 1993 1993 John Rudyard To Master Brewer

Rodney Cole and Lynn Cole 1993 1996

Derek Lynes and Angela Lynes 1996 1997

Steve Betts 1997 1997

Francis Tunney and Bridget Tunney 1997 2002

Steven Haward and Christine Haward 2002 2003

Anthony Gallagher and Stacey Hayward 2003 2004 +

Folkestone Observer 10-1-1863

Monday January 5^th:- Before the Mayor and John Kingsnorth Esq.

Robbery

Thomas Groves and George Cockson, privates in the 96^th Regiment, stationed at the Camp, were placed in the dock, and the following evidence was given:-

Thomas Brown, K.C.C., was on duty at Hougham on the 2^nd of January, and at ten a.m., at the Royal Oak in that parish, saw the prisoners, who were drinking in the tap room, and told him that they had passes, but they had lost them. He approached them as deserters, they being in uniform, but Groves had no military cap on. He saw the chisel produced sticking out of the pocket of Groves`s tunic, and charged Groves with having stolen property in his possession. While talking, the chisel fell out of the pocket, and witness picked it up. Groves said he bought the chisel at Dover. Witness then asked Groves for the hammer in his possession, which he had been offering for sale. He at first denied having a hammer, but after a few minutes he gave it up. He took them in a conveyance to Seabrook ststion, and on the way they found Groves`s cap. The prisoners were committed from Hythe as deserters, and after they had been conveyed to Shorncliffe Camp he apprehended them on the present charge.

James Quested Petts, builder in Folkestone, was building a house near the railway station. The workmen and himself left their tools in the house at night. The chisel produced was his property, and was in the house at five o`clock on the 1^st of January. At half past 7 the following morning he missed several tools, but having no occasion to use the chisel he did not miss it till the afternoon. That morning he found a ladder against the back kitchen window, the window open, and a piece of candle in the yard.

There being no evidence against Cockson the charges against him were dismissed, but Groves elected to be tried by a jury at the Quarter Sessions.

Groves and Cockson were then charged with a second offence.

John Allen, labourer at Hougham, saw the prisoners between 9 and 10 on the morning of the 2^nd of January come out of a meadow near Steady Hole (sic) on the road to Dover – Groves being without his belt, and Cockson without his cap. When he first saw them they were standing in a corner of the field, and he thought they had left something there, so he went to look, and found the painter`s basket, tools, and two coats, now produced, which he took home, but he did not open it until P.C.Swain came to his lodgings for it.

George Haynes, painter, was at work on the 2^nd of January at Mr. Petts`s house, near the railway station. The basket, and the dust brush, chisel, two punches, scraper, screwdriver, and nail claw, now produced, were his property, and were left in the building at half past  four o`clock on the 1^st of January. The hammer was also his property, and was left in the basket. The tools were worth about six shillings. There were two other articles in the basket.

The prisoner Cockson said he left the barracks about half past three o`clock on the 1^st of January, with two men who slept in the same room. He went to the Three Horseshoes, but did not remember leaving there. He supposed he went out about tattoo until next morning, when he found himself lying in the Dover Road. He had lost his waist belt and the number of his forage cap, and looking about to find these articles he saw Groves. They went together to a public house, where they had a pint of beer. They left that house, and went on to the Royal Oak. The policeman came in there and took them into custody as deserters. He saw nothing but the chisel and the hammer in the house.

The prisoners were then committed for trial at the Sessions.

Note: The tools were stolen from the then-nearing-completion of the Railway Bell

Folkestone Chronicle 7-3-1863, Folkestone Observer 14-3-1863

Advertisement

To Be Let, with Immediate Possession, the RAILWAY BELL INN, near the Upper Railway Station, Folkestone. The house is just completed, and contains large Bar and Bar Parlour, Tap Room, Parlour, and Club Room, Six Bedrooms, commodious Cellars, and all the usual Conveniences, besides a large Walled Garden.

For particulars apply to G. Holledge Esq., White Post House, or Mr. J. Gardner, Architect, Folkestone.

Folkestone Chronicle 4-4-1863

Quarter Sessions

Thursday April 2^nd:- Before J.J. Lonsdale, Recorder

A true bill having been returned against Thomas Groves and George Cockson, two soldiers of the 96^th, for larceny, they were placed in the dock, and the following witnesses were examined –

George Haynes, sworn: I am a painter, residing in Folkestone. I recollect the 1^st of January. I was at work at the Railway Bell, near the upper railway station. I had a basket of tools with me. I put them in an upper front room. I left them safe at half past 4. I missed them next morning at 7. The room was not locked. The outer doors of the house were locked. I saw the men closing them. The door was open when I got there. I saw a back room window open. I don`t know if it had been fastened overnight. I have not seen the prisoners before. I saw some of the tools next in the possession of P.C. Swain, and some with the county constable.

Thomas Brown, sworn – I am constable in the K.C.C. On 2^nd January I found the two prisoners drinking in the Royal Oak public house, in the parish of Hougham, about half past 10. I asked them if they were on “pass”. They said they were. I asked for their passes, and they both said they had lost them. I said I should apprehend them as deserters. They said they were not deserters. I said they were liable, as they were more than one mile from the camp without a pass. They had been drinking. While I was speaking, the chisel produced fell from the back pocket of the tunic of the prisoner Groves. I asked him where he got it. He said he bought it at Dover. I then asked him for the hammer. He first denied having one. When I told him, from information received, I knew he had been offering them both for sale, he then took the hammer from his trousers pocket. I was half an hour trying to apprehend them, and to put the handcuffs on. The landlord and another man assisted me after a while. I took them into custody, and conveyed them to Seabrook, and gave them in charge of Superintendent English.

John Allen: I am a labourer. I recollect the 2^nd January. I was going along the Dover Road between nine and ten in the morning with a load of manure. I saw the two prisoners in a meadow near Steddy`s Hole. Thinking they had left something behind them I went to look. They were stooping down in a corner near the road. They then went away over the further field – away from me. Stephen Burvill was with me, but he went on with the horses. I found a basket with a quantity of tools hid under some gorse, and two painter`s coats laid over them. I saw prisoners look round when I went to the spot. I live at Stephen Burvill`s, at a cottage under the cliff. I took the basket and coats home with me.  The basket produced was identified by witness. Burvill then went on to the Royal Oak to pay a bill, and found Petts and P.C. Swain enquiring about the things. I gave them up to Swain the same day. Witness continued – I had passed the house building by Petts, from whence these things were stolen, earlier in the morning. I did not see the prisoners again. I was about 30 rods off when I first saw them, but I will swear to the two prisoners being the same men – Groves, the tallest, had his belt and no cap, and Cockson had his cap and no belt.

In answer to the Recorder witness repeated this – although when before the magistrates he had sworn just the opposite, and when cross-examined by prisoner Groves, had said he was not certain.

P.C. Swain deposed: From information received, he went up the Dover Road and saw Burvill and Petts. I had heard two soldiers had been taken with some tools. Burvill told me the last witness (Allen) had found a basket of tools, and they were at his house. He went down the cliff and brought them up to me.

The learned Recorder summed up as favourably as he could for the prisoners, who were undefended; adverting to the contradictory evidence of the principal witness, Allen, and the credit due to his testimony.

The jury retired for a short time, and returned with a verdict of Not Guilty.

The learned Recorder discharged the prisoners with a caution and admonition on the narrow escape they had had.

Folkestone Observer 4-4-1863

Quarter Sessions

Thursday April 2^nd:- Before J.J. Lonsdale Esq.

Thomas Groves, 24, and George Cockson, 24,  Privates in the 96^th Regiment, were indicted for stealing one hammer, one painter`s basket, one dust brush, one chisel, two punches, one scraper, one screwdriver, and one nail claw, the property of George Haynes, at Folkestone, on the 1^st of January last. Both prisoners pleaded Not Guilty, and a petty jury being empanelled, Mr. Frederick George Francis being foreman, the following evidence was called.

George Haynes, painter, was employed on the 1^st of January last on a house that was being built by Mr. Petts near the railway station. He last saw the tools that had been stolen in that house on the 1^st of January, in an upper room, in a basket, where he put them at half past four o`clock, and he missed them the next morning at seven o`clock. The outside of the house was locked, but not the room. In the morning the back room window was open. The articles were worth about 6s.

Thomas Brown, K.C.C., on the 2^nd of January, found the two prisoners at the Royal Oak Inn, in the parish of Hougham, at half past ten in the morning. The prisoners were drinking in the tap room, and said they were on pass, but had lost their passes. He then apprehended them as deserters. While talking with them a chisel fell from the tunic pocket of Groves, who then said he had bought it at Dover. Witness asked him for the hammer, saying that he had had information of his trying to dispose of a hammer and chisel. At first he denied having a hammer, but afterwards he produced it from his trousers pocket. He then secured the prisoners, and conveyed them to Seabrook.

John Allen, labourer, saw the two prisoners in a meadow near Steddy Hole, Dover Road, between nine and ten in the morning of the 2^nd of January. Suspecting something from their manner, when they went away he went to see if anything was left behind, and he found a basket with a quantity of tools and two old painters` coats. The coats were laid over the basket, and the whole was under a piece of gorse. He took the basket and coats in his hand to his lodgings at Steven Burvill`s, where he put them in the front room. Before he got to the place where the soldiers were, he had passed by the house Mr. Petts was building. When the prisoners were in the field they were about thirty rods from him, or six times the length of that room, but he could swear to them. Groves had his belt, but no cap; Cockson had his cap, but no belt. Burvill went to the Royal Oak, and between two and three in the afternoon P.C. Swain came to his (witness`s) lodgings, and he delivered the things up to him.

P.C. Swain on the 2^nd of January went to the Royal Oak in company with Mr. Petts, where he saw Mr. Burvill, who said that his lodger had got a basket of tools and two coats, and he went on to Burvill`s house under the cliff. Burvill went down to the house, and returned with Allen and the basket and coats.

This was the case for the prosecution.

The prisoner Groves then said that he came into possession of the hammer and chisel by picking them up in the Dover Road. He had been drinking for two days, and when the policeman asked about the things he was not in uniform, and it was on that account he told him  he had bought them.

The Recorder, in addressing the jury, threw some doubt on the testimony of the witness Allen, who gave positive evidence before the magistrates as to the identity of the prisoners; afterwards, on cross-examination, said he was not positive, and now again had become vey positive, but gave a description of the dress of the men differing from that he gave before the magistrates. It was for the jury to say if this was due to the confusion of mind of an ignorant witness.

The jury retired for a short time, and on returning into court gave a verdict for both prisoners of Not Guilty.

There was a second indictment against Groves for stealing, at the same time and place, a chisel, the property of James Quested Petts; but as the case was supported only by the same evidence as that upon which he had just been acquitted, the prosecution was dropped, and both prisoners were strongly admonished by the Recorder, and discharged.

Kentish Gazette, Southeastern Gazette 7-4-1863 

Advertisement: To be let, with immediate possession, the Railway Bell Inn, near the Upper Railway Station, Folkestone. The house is just completed and contains large bar and bar parlour, tap room, parlour, and club room, 6 bedrooms, commodious cellars and all the usual conveniences, besides a large walled garden. For particulars apply to G. Holledge Esq., White Post House, or Mr. J. Gardner, Architect, Folkestone.

Quarter Sessions: The Quarter Sessions for the Borough were held in the Town Hall on Thursday before J.J. Lonsdale Esq., Recorder.

Thomas Grotes and George Cookson, two soldiers of the 96^th  Regiment, were charged with stealing, at the “Rail­way Bell” public house, on the 1^st January last, a basket of tools the property of George Haynes, painter. The evi­dence was not clear and the jury acquitted the prisoners. 

Folkestone Chronicle 21-5-1864

Petty Sessions, Friday, May 20^th: Before James Kelcey and R.W. Boarer Esqs.

Hugh McMath was brought up in custody, charged with one macintosh pack, one piece blue pilot cloth, one piece blue cloth, one piece lining, one pair blue cloth trousers, one black coat, one piece black lining, one piece calico, one scarf shawl, one piece merino, one piece flannel, one plaid shawl, and two pieces skirting, value £11 14s. 8d., the property of Mr. Peter Thomson, 69, Castle Street, Dover.

On the application of the prosecutor the depositions were taken, and the case remanded, and sent to be heard before the bench of magistrates at Dover.

Kentish Gazette 24-5-1864

Dover: At the sitting of the Borough Police Court on Monday (before J. Worsfold, E. Back and W. Mummery Esqs.), Hugh McMath, a respectably dressed man was charged with stealing one mackintosh, one leather strap, one piece of cloth, one piece of blue cloth, one piece of lining, and a pair of Scotch tweed trousers, the property of Mr. P. Thomson, draper, 9, Snargate Street, Dover. Mr. Strood, of Cheltenham appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. Fox, of Dover, for the prisoner.

From the evidence of prosecutor it appeared that prisoner had been in his employ since April 1^st, 1863, and that it was arranged that prisoner should remain in his service for years provided he conducted himself properly. Prosecutor had suspected the prisoner`s honesty, and having various other complaints against him, he dismissed him on the previous Saturday night. On the previous Thursday prosecutor went to Folkestone, and there he saw the prisoner with the pack cover and strap which prosecutor had provided him with while in his employ. He exchanged some few words with prisoner, and then gave him into custody. On getting to the station house at Folkestone, the pack prisoner had with him was searched, and several articles belonging to prosecutor were found in the pack. Prosecutor returned to Dover, and immediately went to the White Horse Inn, where prisoner`s boxes had been removed to on his leaving prosecutor`s employ. Sergeant Baily, of the Dover force, went with him, and the boxes were removed to the station house, where they were searched, and a number of articles were found in them belonging to the prosecutor. A number of the goods were then sworn to by the prosecutor, which he estimated in round numbers at £4.

P.C. Ovenden, of the Folkestone force deposed to taking the prisoner into custody, and sergeant Baily, of the Dover force having corroborated the statement of prosecutor as to the articles found in the boxes on their being searched at the station house, prisoner was cautioned in the usual manner, and committed for trial at the next quarter sessions for the Borough of Dover.

Southeastern Gazette 24-5-1864

Dover: On Saturday last, a respectably-dressed young man, named Hugh McGarth, was taken before the sitting magistrate (C. Stein Esq.), and charged with stealing a quantity of cloth, lining, &c., the property of his late employer, Mr. Peter Thomson, woollen draper, of Snargate Street. It appears that on the previous Saturday the prisoner was ordered to quit the premises of his employer, and after he was gone several things were missed, suspicion attaching itself to the prisoner. On Thursday, as Mr. Thomson was passing through Folkestone, he met the prisoner with a pack belonging to him. This led to the young man being taken into custody, and at his lodging a number of articles, the property of Mr. Thomson, were found. In reply to the magistrate the prosecutor stated that he had not given the prisoner permission to take the articles from his shop. Mr. Fox appeared to defend the prisoner, but as the police were not prepared with the necessary evidence, the case was remanded. The prisoner was again placed before the magistrates yesterday (Monday). Mr. F. Strood, of Cheltenham, appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. Fox for the prisoner. Mr. Thomson identified the articles found at the prisoner`s lodgings at Folkestone as his property. On Thursday evening, after the prisoner was in custody, he went to the White Horse public house, St. James`s Street, Dover, and there found three large boxes which the prisoner took from his house, containing three parasols, a pair of Scotch tweed trousers, two pairs of stays, scarves, handkerchiefs, and a variety of other articles which belonged to him (the prosecutor). The value of those enumerated he estimated at £4. In answer to Mr. Fox, the prosecutor said the prisoner was entrusted with the things he was charged with having stolen to sell, and he ought to have given them up when he was discharged. Mr. Fox submitted that a charge of felony could not be substantiated. The prosecutor might seek his remedy by an action of trover against the prisoner. The Bench, having elicited that the boxes were taken from the prosecutor`s house subsequently to the prisoner`s discharge, decided to hear the case. Mr. Thomson was then subjected to a cross-examination by Mr. Fox, after which police constable Charles Ovenden, of Folkestone, said he received the prisoner into his custody on Thursday. In answer to the charge read over to him at the station house, the prisoner said he had still some things which he ought to have accounted for. Mr. John Friend, landlord of the White Horse, said the prisoner brought the boxes containing the articles stolen to his house on Monday, and he afterwards handed them over to the police. The Bench committed the prisoner to take his trial at the next Quarter Sessions.

Canterbury Weekly Journal 28-5-1864

Dover: At the sitting of the Borough Police Court on Monday (before J. Worsfold, E. Back and W. Mummery Esqs.), Hugh McMath, a respectably dressed man was charged with stealing one mackintosh, one leather strap, one piece of cloth, one piece of blue cloth, one piece of lining, and a pair of Scotch tweed trousers, the property of Mr. P. Thomson, draper, 9, Snargate Street, Dover. Mr. Strood, of Cheltenham appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. Fox, of Dover, for the prisoner.

From the evidence of prosecutor it appeared that prisoner had been in his employ since April 1^st, 1863, and that it was arranged that prisoner should remain in his service for years provided he conducted himself properly. Prosecutor had suspected the prisoner`s honesty, and having various other complaints against him, he dismissed him on the previous Saturday night. On the previous Thursday prosecutor went to Folkestone, and there he saw the prisoner with the pack cover and strap which prosecutor had provided him with while in his employ. He exchanged some few words with prisoner, and then gave him into custody. On getting to the station house at Folkestone, the pack prisoner had with him was searched, and several articles belonging to prosecutor were found in the pack. Prosecutor returned to Dover, and immediately went to the White Horse Inn, where prisoner`s boxes had been removed to on his leaving prosecutor`s employ. Sergeant Bailey, of the Dover force, went with him, and the boxes were removed to the station house, where they were searched, and a number of articles were found in them belonging to the prosecutor. A number of the goods were then sworn to by the prosecutor, which he estimated in round numbers at £4.

P.C. Ovenden, of the Folkestone force deposed to taking the prisoner into custody, and sergeant Bailey, of the Dover force having corroborated the statement of prosecutor as to the articles found in the boxes on their being searched at the station house, prisoner was cautioned in the usual manner, and committed for trial at the next quarter sessions for the Borough of Dover.

Dover Chronicle 28-5-1864

Dover Police Court, Monday: Before J. Worsfold, W.R. Mummery, and T.E. Back Esqs.

Hugh McMarth, a bagman in the employ of Mr. Peter Thomson, draper, of Castle Street, was charged with stealing a macintosh cover, a leathern strap, a piece of pilot cloth, a piece of blue ditto, piece of lining, pair of trousers, piece of black lining and other goods, the property of his employer.

Mr. Frederick Stroud, of Cheltenham, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Thos. Fox for the defence.

Mr. Peter Thomson: I carry on business as a draper at 69, Castle Street. The prisoner was lately in my employ as traveller, but was discharged by me on Monday, the 16^th instant, and his wages paid up to that time. When he left I asked him if he had anything booked against him, and he said “No”. I then said “How many pairs of boots have you had repaired since you entered my service?” He replied “Three.” I said “You have only accounted for two;” and then I asked him if he had anything to give up, to which he replied in the negative. The last time I saw him in Dover was when he came to take his boxes away. I next saw him at Folkestone on Thursday last, when he had on his back a macintosh packing cloth with a strap round it belonging to me. It was in his charge when he was in my service but ought to have been given up when he left me. I asked him if he were travelling for anyone, or whether he was in business for himself, and he replied “No.” We then walked up to the Bell and had a glass of ale together, and I there took him into custody. I opened his pack in the presence of a constable at the station, and found the articles I now produce, some of which I can swear to as my property. There are two pieces of calico, each containing six yards; and two five yard lengths of skirting. The calico has my private mark, and I have the piece in Court from which the skirting was cut. The pack and strap I identify as my property by marks inside. On Thursday, accompanied by a Dover policeman, I went to the White Horse, where we found three boxes and three sunshades. Two of the boxes were the same as those taken from my house by the prisoner on Monday. I identify two of the sunshades by our private mark, but the ticket has been taken from the third. I examined the boxes on Friday afternoon at the Police Station. The articles I now produce – a pair of Scotch tweed trousers, two pair of stays, and the scarf are mine, and the prisoner ought to have given them up to me when I discharged him.

Mr. Fox: On that remark of the prosecutor I would endeavour to spare the time of the Court by observing that there are not the necessary requisites to substantiate a case of felony.

Mr. Stroud said that was a very summary way of disposing of a serious charge. He submitted that it came within the 4^th section of the fraudulent trustees act.

Mr. Worsfold: Were the articles entrusted to him for sale?

Prosecutor: They were, sir.

Mr. Fox: Then that only substantiates my remark.

Mr. Worsfold: Were those articles found at his residence after his dismissal?

Prosecutor: They were, sir. He took the boxes away from my house about twelve o`clock the same morning I had dismissed him.

By Mr. Fox: The prisoner was taken into my service on the 1^st of April, 1863. The agreement then made was that he was to travel for three years, providing he behaved himself properly. The wages were to be £25 a year or £30 if he suited me, and all his travelling expenses. I gave him a month`s notice, as I was not satisfied with him, because he rode about on horseback and in flys. I also had a bill sent from Hythe, but I have not it with me. On one occasion he stopped out all night, and he always kept very late hours. No particular hour was mentioned in the agreement. I had my suspicions that the prisoner was dishonest as I missed several articles. When I discharged him I had not verified my suspicions. There were no other reasons that induced me to discharge him – I don`t know how many more you want. When the prisoner left me I paid him £8 19s. 6d in cash, the balance due. It was the prisoner`s duty to solicit orders and take cash. When I was not present the prisoner was allowed to cut the goods off himself and enter them. In fact it was competent in him to take goods out of the stock itself. I have examined my books with regard to some of the items mentioned, and I can swear they are not entered. With regard to the first sunshade marked “L O” I will swear it is my handwriting; and the one marked 2s. 6d. I believe is in the handwriting of my wife, but the one marked 10s., to the best of my belief, is in the handwriting of the prisoner, but I will not swear that it is. The pair of trousers have no marks upon them, but they are the same quality and pattern as the pair I now wear. When I charged the prisoner at Folkestone with stealing the pack cloth and strap he said they were not mine.

Charles Ovenden, police constable of Folkestone: Last Thursday I received the prisoner into custody from the prosecutor at the Railway Bell. He did not say anything until we got to the station, when he said “I know the prosecutor has got an account against me of something which I have not accounted for.” He also asked me what the prosecutor could do to him for having them and I told him I did not know. The prisoner said all the things in the pack that he had with him were his. I was present when the pack was opened this morning.

William Cheeseman, omnibus driver to Mr. Clements: Last Monday I was employed by the prisoner to take his luggage from Mt. Thomson`s in Castle Street to the White Horse. I do not remember what it consisted of, but I know there was a gun. (Laughter) Whatever there were, I deposited them at the White Horse.

John Friend, landlord of the White Horse Inn: Last Monday morning the prisoner came to my house, and said he should send something there. About noon on the same day he returned with three boxes, besides a parcel he had in his hand. I afterwards showed the boxes to Mr. Thomson.

By Mr. Fox: I was in the bar of my house when the prisoner came with the boxes.

P.C. Ovenden re-called: When I searched the prisoner I found on him a bunch of keys, which I handed over to Sergeant Bayley.

Prosecutor re-called: The two large wooden boxes produced by police sergeant Bayley are the same as those taken away from my home on the 16^th. I found the articles now produced in them at the police station.

Police sergeant Bayley deposed: I produce a bunch of keys I received from police constable Ovenden. The boxes produced were brought to the station about twenty minutes past ten on Thursday evening. I opened them in the presence of Mr. Thomson. The articles enumerated, and which I now produce, are a part of the contents of the boxes.

The prisoner, by the advice of his solicitor, reserved his defence, and he was them committed for trial to the Sessions.

Mr. Fox made application that the money found in the possession of the prisoner on his apprehension might be returned to him for the purposes of his defence, which the Magistrates granted.

Dover Express 28-5-1864

Dover Police Court, Monday: Before J. Worsfold, E. Back, and W.R. Mummery Esqs.

Hugh McMarth, remanded from the previous Saturday for fraudulently detaining in his possession a quantity of drapery goods, the property of Mr. P. Thomson, draper, Snargate Street and Castle Street, Dover, was again placed at the bar..

Mr. Stroud, of Cheltenham, appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. Fox, of Dover, for the defence.

Mr. Peter Thomson, having been sworn, said: I am a draper carrying on business in Castle Street and Snargate Street, Dover. The prisoner was in my employ as traveller up till the 16^th instant. On the morning of the 16^th, about 9 o`clock, I paid the prisoner his wages. I asked him if he had anything booked against him. He said he had not. I then asked him how many pairs of shoes he had had mended, and he replied three. I remarked that he had only accounted for two pairs. He said he had nothing to give up to me, and he then left me, but returned between 11 and 12 o`clock and took three boxes away. I can swear positively to two of the boxes. On the following Thursday I went to Folkestone, and then I saw the prisoner with the macintosh wrapper and leather strap produced. He had a quantity of articles strapped up in the wrapper. Prisoner ought to have returned the wrapper and strap on leaving me, as they were only supplied to him for his use while he was in my employ. I asked him whether he had started in business on his own account, or whether he was travelling for anybody. He replied that he was doing neither. We then went to the Railway Bell together, and I there had him taken into custody. At the Folkestone station house I opened the pack prisoner had on his back when I met him, and found two pieces of calico, each containing six yards, and two five yard lengths of skirting. The calico bears my private mark in my own handwriting, but the skirting has no mark on it. I had twenty yards of skirting, and I find on measuring the piece I have by me that ten yards are gone. The macintosh also has my mark upon it, and although the strap bears no mark I can swear to it as my property, as I have used it myself for the last fifteen years. I returned to Dover by the train on the same evening, and went as soon as possible, with Sergeant Bailey, to the White Horse Inn, where three boxes belonging to prisoner had been left. The three boxes produced were taken to the station house, and on searching them I found that they contained one pair of Scotch tweed trousers, value 28s., two pairs of stays, one flannel shirt, one scarf, and twelve yards of mohair check. All these things bear my private marks. I value the whole of the goods I have positively sworn to at £4. All of them should have been given up to me when prisoner left me.

Mr. Fox: The last remark prosecutor has made, I contend, puts an end to the case. Prisoner, by prosecutor`s own showing, only retained them in his possession, but not with a felonious intent, and, therefore, prosecutor has his remedy in another Court.

Mr. Stroud: That would certainly be an easy way of getting rid of a very grave charge. I apprehend that a felonious aspect has already been given to the case.

Prosecutor said that the boxes were removed from his house after he had paid prisoner his wages, and all the goods produced were found in the boxes, except three sunshades, and the goods found upon prisoner at Folkestone.

In cross-examination by Mr. Fox, prosecutor said: On 1^st April, 1863, prisoner came into my employment. The terms of our agreement were that he should travel for me for three years, provided he conducted himself properly. Nothing was said about terminating the agreement by notice. I agreed to give him £25 a year, and pay all his travelling expenses. He was ultimately to have received £30 a year if he suited me. I gave him one month`s notice.

Mr. Fox: Why did you give prisoner notice to leave you?

Witness: Because I was not satisfied with him. He managed somehow to ride about on horseback, and in flies, and on one occasion I had a bill sent to me for traps he had engaged at Hythe, instead of walking his rounds. He has also kept very late hours, and I have lately had suspicion as to his honesty, having missed goods and been unable to trace them anywhere.

Mr. Fox: Have you ever verified these suspicions?

Witness: Not till after I had discharged the prisoner. I could not get sufficient proof, or he would have been here before now.

Mr. Fox: Were there no other reasons?

Witness: None that I know of.

Mr. Fox: How did you calculate the prisoner`s wages when you discharged him?

Witness: At the rate of £25 a year. I paid him £8 16s. 6d., the amount due to him after deducting the cost price of some cloth he had had of me and the cost of one pair of boots. Prisoner did not always go out for the purpose of selling goods. On Tuesdays his duties were to solicit orders and collect the accounts.

Mr. Fox: How were the prisoner`s orders supplied to him?

Witness: Sometimes I supplied them, but occasionally he cut them himself, and he was then supposed to enter all he took from the shop in an account book, which I produce.

Mr. Fox: Have you examined your book with respect to the particular items mentioned in this charge?

Witness: Some of them I can swear are not entered, and among those are the parasols, or sunshades, and the skirting. The things were found in his own clothes boxes. The strap and macintosh cover had been in prisoner`s possession ever since he first came into my employ, and he should have given them up on leaving. One of the parasols has “L.O.” marked upon it. “L.O.” is a private mark of mine. The other is marked in my wife`s handwriting, and the third bears a mark in prisoner`s handwriting.

Mr. Fox: Can you swear that is the prisoner`s handwriting?

Witness: To the best of my belief it is.

Mr. Fox: Will you positively swear that the mark on this parasol is in the prisoner`s handwriting?

Witness: Well, I won`t swear positively.

Mr. Fox: Well, now, how do you identify the trousers as your property?

Witness: They correspond exactly with those I have on.

Mr. Fox: Do you mean to say that your private marks are different from the private marks of any other tradesman in the same line of business?

Witness: Well, I dare say they are. We never tell each other our private marks, and if there were any like mine it is quite by accident. But I will undertake to swear that there are no other private marks like those I have pointed out to you, more especially as those marks are in my handwriting. When I took prisoner into custody I told him that I charged him with stealing these things, and the wrapper and the strap.

Charles Ovenden, police constable of the borough of Folkestone said he took the prisoner into custody at the Railway Bell Inn, Folkestone. On arriving at the police station with prisoner, he said “I know that Mr. Thomson has got an account against me for goods I have received, and not accounted for.” He asked witness what he thought prosecutor could do to him for this offence. Prisoner also asked whether the things in the pack he had on his back when taken into custody would be shown to prosecutor. Witness identified part of the things sworn to by the prosecutor as those found in the pack at the Folkestone police station.

William Cheeseman, an omnibus driver, deposed to removing for prisoner three large boxes from 69, Castle Street, to the White Horse Inn, but he could not swear positively to the description of the boxes.

John Friend, landlord of the White Horse Inn, said that on the previous Monday morning the prisoner called at his house, and said he had two or three large boxes he was going to bring there. About noon on the same day, prisoner returned to his house in an omnibus, and brought three large wooden boxes like those produced. They were placed in the front parlour, and when Mr. Thomson came in the evening with Sergeant Bailey the boxes were shown to them.

Sergeant Bailey said he received a bunch of keys from the constable Ovenden on the previous Thursday. On the same evening about 10 o`clock the boxes produced were brought from the White Horse by his direction to the station house, and on the following morning they were opened in the presence of Mr. Thomson. Witness produced a list of the articles he found in the boxes, several of which formed part of the present charge.

This was the whole of the evidence, and Mr. Fox having declined to address the Bench on prisoner`s behalf, the usual caution was read to prisoner, and he was fully committed for trial at the next quarter sessions.

Prisoner did not make application to be released on bail, and he was therefore sent to prison.

Dover Telegraph 28-5-1864

Dover Police Court, Monday: Before J. Worsfold, W.R. Mummery, and T.E. Back Esqs.

Hugh McMarth, a young man of very intelligent and respectable appearance, who was recently in the employ of Mr. Peter Thomson, draper, of 69, Castle Street, was charged with stealing a quantity of cloth and a variety of articles, the property of Mr. Thomson.

The prisoner had been apprehended at Folkestone and handed over to the Dover police by the magistrates of that borough. He was brought before C. Stein Esq., at Dover, on Saturday, and was remanded until Monday to complete the evidence for the prosecution.

Mr. Frederick Strood, of Cheltenham, appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. T. Fox for the defendant.

Prosecutor deposed that the prisoner was lately in his employ as traveller. He gave him notice to quit on the 16^th instant, and paid him his wages at nine o`clock in the morning. He then asked the prisoner if he had anything to be booked against him, and he replied “No.” He asked the prisoner how many pairs of boots he had had from him since he had been with him, and the reply was “Three.” He told the prisoner he had only accounted for two pairs, and deducted for another pair from his wages. He asked the prisoner if he had any goods to give up, and the answer was “No.” The prisoner then went away. Between eleven and twelve o`clock the same day he saw two of the boxes produced taken away from his house and put into an omnibus. On the following Thursday he saw the prisoner in Folkestone, carrying upon his back a packing cloth and leather strap which belonged to him. They were in the prisoner`s charge when in his employ, but he had neither given them him nor given him permission to take them away. He stopped the prisoner and asked if he was going on business for himself, or if he was travelling for anyone, but he replied “No.” He then took him to the Railway Bell public house, and after they had had a glass of ale together, he gave him into custody upon a charge of stealing the packing cloth and strap. At the police station he opened the pack, and found in it two pieces of calico, each six yards long, two five yard lengths of skirting, the former bearing his private mark, and the latter matching with some in his possession. In the pack were other things which he believed belonged to him, and at the defendant`s lodgings at Folkestone were also found some blue pilot and other cloth, &c., which he believed was his property. On Thursday evening he went to the White Horse public house, St. James`s Street, and found three boxes, two of which he knew belonged to the prisoner, and had been removed from his house on the previous Monday. The boxes were taken to the police station, and when they were opened he found they contained a variety of things, some of which he identified as his property, viz., three sunshades or parasols, a pair of Scotch tweed trousers, a flannel shirt, three pairs of stays, a scarf &c. Those articles which he could swear to as belonging to him he valued at £4, but he believed the whole of them were his property.

Mr. Fox: How did the prisoner become possessed of these things?

Prosecutor:  He had them in his charge, and he ought to have given them up to me when I discharged him.

Mr. Fox: Then, in order to save the time of the Bench, I submit that there are not the requisites necessary to substantiate a felony against the prisoner. The prosecutor has distinctly stated that the prisoner ought to have given up the things, and if that be the case, he has his remedy against the prisoner in a civil court by bringing an action for trover against him.

Mr. Strood: That is a summary way of getting rid of a serious charge. I apprehend that if a person in the position of the prisoner is found in the possession of articles belonging to his master, and appropriating them to his own use, after he had been discharged, he comes within the meaning of the 4^th section of the Fraudulent Trustees Act, of misappropriating goods, and therefore acts feloniously. I submit there is a clear case of larceny.

The magistrates inquired whether the goods were properly entrusted with the prisoner?

Mr. Fox said they were, but it could not be said he was appropriating them for his own use.

Mr. Worsfold asked whether the boxes containing the stolen articles were removed from the prosecutor`s house after the prisoner`s dismissal?

Prosecutor: Yes.

The Bench then intimated their intention of going on with the case, expressing their belief that the removal of the goods after the prisoner`s discharge would constitute a felony.

Prosecutor, in cross-examination by Mr. Fox, said the prisoner entered his service in April, 1863. The agreement between them was that the prisoner was to travel for him for three years, if he conducted himself properly, at £25 per year, and £30 if he suited him, and all travelling expenses. There was nothing said about determining the engagement by notice. He gave the prisoner a month`s notice to leave because he was not satisfied with him – he rode about on horseback and in flys, stayed out late at night, and because he suspected his dishonesty, as he had lost things from his shop and could not make out where they were gone. He did not verify his suspicions until after he had discharged the prisoner, but he travelled a fortnight endeavouring to detect his dishonesty. There were no other reasons for his discharging the prisoner. He paid the prisoner his wages at the rate of £25 a year. After deducting several items for clothes, he paid him £8 19s. 6d. in cash as the balance due to him. The prisoner`s duties were to solicit orders and take goods for sale. The goods he took out he cut off pieces in prosecutor`s shop, and he was supposed to enter them in a book, but some of them he could swear the prisoner had not entered. To the best of his belief the letters on the sunshades were in the prisoner`s handwriting, and the figures in his wife`s handwriting, but he could not swear to this. He identified the Scotch tweed trousers because he was wearing a pair of the very same material. The prisoner when charged with stealing the packing cloth and strap said they were his property.

Charles Ovenden, police constable of Folkestone, deposed that he received the prisoner into his custody at the Railway Bell, Folkestone. Nothing was then said by the prisoner, but at the police station he said “I know the prosecutor has got an account against me for some things which I have received and not accounted for.” The prisoner also asked him what he thought he could do in the matter, and he replied he could not tell him. The prisoner said the things in his possession were all his own property.

William Cheeseman, an omnibus driver, was called to prove that the boxes found at the White Horse were those he had conveyed thither from the house of the prosecutor to the prisoner, but all the witness would say was that he took some boxes there, but did not know how many there were or what they were like.

Police sergeant Bailey said he received a bunch of keys from the witness Ovenden, and with them he unlocked the boxes brought to the police station by the prosecutor, and which contained the articles enumerated.

Mr. Strood submitted that was the case for the prosecution.

Mr. Fox said the prisoner would reserve his defence.

The Bench committed the prisoner to take his trial at the next quarter sessions for the borough.

Folkestone Chronicle 28-5-1864

Dover Petty Sessions, Monday: Before J. Worsfold, T.E. Back and W. Worsfold Esqs.

Hugh McMath, a respectably-dressed man, was charged with stealing a quantity of goods, the property of Mr. P. Thomson, draper, 9. Snargate Street, Dover. Mr. Strood, of Cheltenham appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. Fox, of Dover, for prisoner.

From the evidence of prosecutor it appeared that prisoner had been in his employ since April 1^st, 1863, and that it was arranged that prisoner should remain in his service for years provided he conducted himself properly. Prosecutor had suspected the prisoner`s honesty, and having various other complaints against him, he dismissed him on the previous Saturday night. On the previous Thursday prosecutor went to Folkestone, and there he saw the prisoner with the pack cover and strap which prosecutor had provided him with while in his employ. He exchanged some few words with prisoner, and then gave him into custody. On getting to the station house at Folkestone, the pack prisoner had with him was searched, and several articles belonging to prosecutor were found in the pack. Prosecutor returned to Dover, and immediately went to the White Horse Inn, where prisoner`s boxes had been removed to on his leaving prosecutor`s employ. Sergeant Bailey, of the Dover force, went with him, and the boxes were removed to the station house, where they were searched, and a number of articles were found in them belonging to the prosecutor. A portion of the goods were then sworn to by the prosecutor, which he estimated in round numbers at £4.

P.C. Ovenden, of the Folkestone force deposed to taking the prisoner into custody, and sergeant Bailey, of the Dover force having corroborated the statement of prosecutor as to the articles found in the boxes on their being searched at the station house, prisoner was cautioned in the usual manner, and committed for trial at the next quarter sessions for the Borough of Dover.

Folkestone Observer 28-5-1864

Extensive Robbery

Hugh McMarth, a young man of very intelligent and respectable appearance, who was recently in the employ of Mr. Peter Thomson, draper, was charged on Monday with stealing a quantity of cloth and a variety of articles, the property of Mr. Thomson. The prisoner had been apprehended at Folkestone, and handed over to the Dover Police by the magistrates of this borough. He was brought before C. Stein Esq. at Dover on Saturday, and was remanded to complete the evidence for the prosecution.

Prosecutor deposed the prisoner was lately in his employ as traveller. He gave him notice to quit on the 16^th instant, and paid him his wages at nine o`clock in the morning. He then asked the prisoner if he had anything to be booked against him, and he replied “No”. He asked the prisoner how many pairs of boots he had had from him since he had been with him, and the reply was “Three”. He told the prisoner he had only accounted for two pairs, and deducted for another pair from his wages. He asked the prisoner if he had any goods to give up, and the answer was “No”. The prisoner then went away. Between eleven and twelve o`clock the same day he saw two of the boxes now produced taken from his house and put into an omnibus. On the following Thursday he saw the prisoner in Folkestone, carrying upon hi back a packing box and leather strap which belonged to him. They were in the prisoner`s charge when in his employ, but he had neither given him them or given him permission to take them away. He stopped the prisoner and asked if he was going on business for himself or if he was travelling for anyone, but he replied “No”. He then took him to the Railway Bell public house, and after they had had a glass of ale together he gave him into custody upon a charge of stealing the packing cloth and strap. At the police station he opened the pack, and found in it two pieces of calico, each six yards long, two five yard lengths of skirting – the former bearing his private mark and the latter matching with some in his possession. In the pack were other things which he believed were his property. On Thursday evening he went to the White Horse public house, St. James`s Street, and found three boxes, two of which he knew belonged to the prisoner, and had been removed from his house the previous Monday. The boxes were taken to the police station, and when they were opened he found they contained a variety of things, some of which he identified as his property – viz. – three sunshades or parasols, a pair of Scotch tweed trousers, a flannel shirt, three pairs of stays, a scarf &c. Those articles which he could swear to as belonging to him he valued at £4, but he believed the whole of them were his property.

Prosecutor, in cross-examination by Mr. Fox, said the prisoner entered his service in April, 1863. The agreement between them was that the prisoner was to travel for him for three years, if he conducted himself properly, at £25 per year, and £30 if he suited him, and all travelling expenses. There was nothing said about determining the engagement by notice. He gave the prisoner a month`s notice to leave because he was not satisfied with him – because he rode about on horseback and in flies, stayed out late at night, and because he suspected his dishonesty, as he had lost things from his shop and could not make out where they were gone. He did not verify his suspicions until after he had discharged the prisoner, but he travelled a fortnight endeavouring to detect his dishonesty. There were no other reasons for his discharging the prisoner. He paid the prisoner his wages at the rate of £25 a year. After deducting several items for clothes he paid him £8 19s 6d in cash as the balance due to him. The prisoner`s duties were to solicit orders and take goods for sale. The goods he took out he cut from pieces in prosecutor`s shop, and was supposed to enter them in a book, but some of them he could swear the prisoner had not entered. To the best of his belief the letters on the sunshades were in the prisoner`s handwriting, and the figures in his wife`s handwriting, but he could not swear to this. He identified the Scotch tweed trousers because he was wearing a pair of the very same material. The prisoner, when charged with stealing the packing cloth and strap, said they were his property.

P.C. Ovenden, Folkestone, deposed that he had received the prisoner into his custody at the Railway Bell, Folkestone. Nothing was then said by the prisoner, but at the police station he said “I know the prosecutor has got an account against me for some things which I have received and not accounted for”. The prisoner also asked him what he could do in the matter, and he replied he could not tell him. The prisoner said the things in his possession were all his own property. Upon the prisoner he found a bunch of keys.

William Cheeseman, an omnibus driver, was called to prove that the boxes found at the White Horse were those he conveyed thither, from the house of the prosecutor to the prisoner, but all the witness would say was that he took some boxes there, but did not know how many there were, nor what they were like.

John Friend, landlord of the White Horse, said the prisoner came in an omnibus with the three boxes produced, and two of which had been identified by Mr. Thomson, to his house about noon on the 16^th inst., and left the boxes there. He afterwards showed them to the prosecutor, who removed them to the police station.

Police sergeant Bailey said he received a bunch of keys from the witness Ovenden, and with them he unlocked the boxes brought to the police station by the prosecutor, and which contained the articles enumerated.

Mr. Strood submitted that was the case for the prosecution.

Mr. Fox said the prisoner would reserve his defence.

The bench committed the prisoner to take his trial at the next quarter sessions for the borough.

Thanet Advertiser 28-5-1864

Dover: At the sitting of the Borough Police Court (before J. Worsfold, E. Back and W. Mummery Esqs.), Hugh McMath, a respectably dressed man was charged with stealing one mackintosh, one leather strap, one piece of cloth, one piece of blue cloth, one piece of lining, and one pair of Scotch tweed trousers, the property of Mr. P. Thompson, draper, 9, Snargate Street, Dover. Mr. Strood, of Cheltenham appeared for the prosecutor, and Mr. Fox, of Dover, for the prisoner.

From the evidence of prosecutor it appeared that prisoner had been in his employ since April 1^st, 1863, and that it was arranged that prisoner should remain in his service for years provided he conducted himself properly. Prosecutor had suspected the prisoner`s honesty, and having various other complaints against him, he dismissed him on the previous Saturday night. On the previous Thursday prosecutor went to Folkestone, and there he saw the prisoner with the pack cover and strap which prosecutor had provided him with while in his employ. He exchanged some few words with prisoner, and then gave him into custody. On getting to the station house at Folkestone, the pack prisoner had with him was searched, and several articles belonging to prosecutor were found in the pack. Prosecutor returned to Dover, and immediately went to the White Horse Inn, where prisoner`s boxes had been removed to on his leaving prosecutor`s employ. Sergeant Baily, of the Dover force, went with him, and the boxes were removed to the station house, where they were searched, and a number of articles were found in them belonging to the prosecutor, which he estimated in round numbers at £4.

P.C. Ovenden, of the Folkestone force deposed to taking the prisoner into custody, and sergeant Baily, of the Dover force having corroborated the statement of prosecutor as to the articles found in the boxes on their being searched at the station house, prisoner was cautioned in the usual manner, and committed for trial at the next quarter sessions for the Borough of Dover.

Kentish Gazette 28-6-1864

Dover Quarter Sessions, Monday: Before W.H. Bodkin Esq.

Hugh McMath, 23, a packman in the employ of Mr. P. Thomson, draper, of Castle Street, Dover, pleaded “Not Guilty” to stealing a packing cloth, a strap, ten pieces of calico, and other articles, the property of his master. Mr. Biron, instructed by Mr. Minter, was for the prosecution, and Mr. Marsham, instructed by Mr. I. Fox, was for the defence.

Although only the articles above named were mentioned in the indictment the defalcations of the prisoner related to a large quantity of goods, which were found in his possession after he had left the prosecutor`s employ. It appeared that it was the prisoner`s duty to render up everything belonging to Mr. Thomson on leaving his employ, and he had professed to have done so; notwithstanding, he was found travelling with his old pack, and a great quantity of goods identified by Mr. Thomson as his property.

Mr. Marsham, for the prisoner, urged that the prisoner had not intended to commit felony, but had believed that if Mr. Thomson had any claim against him for goods entrusted to him, he would bring his claim in the County Court, which was in fact what he ought to have done.

The learned Recorder having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of Guilty, with a recommendation to mercy on the ground of the little check exercised on prisoner by the prosecutor. In reply to the Recorder the prosecutor said the cause of his discharging the prisoner was his suspecting that he was robbing him. The goods identified amounted to £42. There was also £42 in money unaccounted for, together with 110 yards of silk, the price of which was from 2s. 6d. a yard upwards. At the expiration of three years prisoner would have had the option of taking the business.

Mr. Biron: He would have been put into business by the prosecutor, my Lord.

The Recorder: Is that so?

Prosecutor: It is.

The learned Recorder said it was one of the worst cases he had ever heard of. He sentenced him to 18 months` hard labour, and it was only the fact that this was his first appearance that saved him from penal servitude.

Southeastern Gazette 28-6-1864, Canterbury Weekly Journal, Faversham Mercury 2-7-1864

Dover Quarter Sessions, Monday: Before W.H. Bodkin Esq.

Hugh McMath, 23, draper, was indicted for stealing one packing cloth, one strap, two pieces of calico, and other articles, the property of Peter Thomson, at Dover, on the 16^th of May, 1864.

Mr. Biron appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Marsham defended the prisoner.

Prosecutor, a draper, of Castle Street, employed the prisoner as a packman up to May 16^th, when he was discharged. Subsequently he was seen carrying a pack and a variety of articles at Folkestone, belonging to the prosecutor. At the time the prisoner was discharged he was asked whether he had anything to account for to the prosecutor, and he replied in the negative. On examination of his boxes which had been moved from the prosecutor`s house, they contained a number of articles, among which were a pair of trousers, several pair of stays, scarf, sunshades and a quantity of cloth.

Mr. Marsham set up a defence that the prisoner intended to pay for the articles when he sold them, and that the remedy of the prosecutor was in the County Court.

Prisoner was sentenced to eighteen months` hard labour.

Dover Chronicle 2-7-1864

Dover Quarter Sessions, Monday last; Before W.H. Bodkin Esq.

Hugh McMath, 23, draper, was indicted for stealing a packing cloth, strap, two pieces of calico, and a quantity of other articles, the property of Peter Thomson, at Dover, on the 16^th of May.

Mr. Biron appeared to prosecute; Mr. Channell conducted the prisoner`s defence.

In opening the case to the jury, the learned counsel said the prosecutor was a draper, carrying on business in Castle Street, and for rather more than a year previous to the 16^th of last May the prisoner was in his employ as a packman, in which capacity he used to travel round to neighbouring towns and dispose of his master`s goods. Upon making up his book he ought to have inserted a list of articles he was going to take away, so that his master might have an opportunity of taking an account when he returned. For some reason or another, the prosecutor gave the prisoner a month`s notice to leave, and on the 16^th of May he left his employ. The prisoner`s wages were £30 a year, and he also had the privilege of taking at cost price such articles of clothing as prosecutor kept in his shop; and from time to time, as his wages were paid him, prosecutor deducted any money which might be due on this account. On the 16<sup>th</sup> of May, as the prisoner was leaving, they went into the accounts, and prosecutor said “Have you got anything I am to charge against you?” Prisoner said there were three pairs of boots which he had had repaired, and this was deducted from his wages, with some other trifling charges, and the balance, £8 19s. 6d., handed over to him as his wages. Before he left prosecutor said “Have you taken anything else?” Prisoner replied “I have now accounted for everything I have had.” This transaction took place about nine in the morning, and in the middle of the day the prisoner came and fetched his boxes away, which he had conveyed to the White Horse public house, in St. James`s Street. In the course of the day the prosecutor went over to Folkestone, and there he found the prisoner with a pack. The pack and oil-skin cover and staff all belonged to the prosecutor, and ought to have been given up before the prisoner left. On opening it, the prosecutor found it to contain two 6 yard pieces of calico, two 5 yard pieces of skirting, among other articles which he identified as belonging to him. The prisoner was then charged with theft and given into the custody of the police at Folkestone. He was afterwards brought over to Dover, and taken to the White Horse, when his boxes were opened and in them was found a large amount of property which had been taken from his employer. When apprehended at Folkestone, prisoner said in reply to the charge “I know that I have received the property, but I have only received what I have accounted for.”

Mr. Peter Thomson, the prosecutor, was then called and examined. He said he was a draper carrying on business in Castle Street, and that the prisoner entered his employ some time in the spring of last year. He was what was called a packman, and it was his duty from time to time to take out goods from the shop and sell them in the neighbouring towns. Before taking them away, he had to put down in a book what quantities he had, and what the goods were. The prisoner`s wages were to be £25 a year, and £30 if he suited. Such clothing as he took out of the stock he was to have at cost price, and other allowances, including travelling expenses, were granted him. He (prosecutor) at length gave him a month`s notice to leave his service, and the prisoner did so on the 16^th of last May. About nine in the morning of that day he went into an account with the prisoner to see what wages he was to pay. He questioned him as to whether anything was to be deducted for clothes, and asked how many pairs of boots he had had repaired. Prisoner said “Three,” when he (prosecutor) remarked “You have only accounted for two.” He then deducted 4s. 6d., and handed to him a balance of £8 19s. 6d. The prisoner ought to have given up at that time everything which belonged to him (prosecutor). About the middle of the day prisoner came for his boxes and carried them away. The Thursday following, the prosecutor went over to Folkestone, where he fell in with the prisoner about five o`clock in the afternoon. He asked him if he was in business for himself, and he said “No.” He then asked “Who are you travelling for?” Prisoner replied “No-one.” He had a pack with him. Prosecutor then sent for Ovenden, a police constable, and at the police station he looked into the pack. The oil-skin cover and strap were his property, and the former bore his private mark on the inner side. They were entrusted by him to the prisoner whilst in his service, and ought to have been given up when he quitted it. He believed the clothes contained in the pack to be his property, but there was no private mark upon them. He had such clothes in his store, and he had measured his stock since and found deficiencies corresponding with the goods in the wrapper. The prosecutor then identified various articles taken from the prisoner`s boxes, including a pair of tweed trousers, respecting which he stated that in the month of January he missed some stuff similar to that of which the trousers were made. He consequently asked the prisoner if he had sold any of this material to customers, or had taken it for himself, and he answered “No.” No entries were made in the book the prisoner kept to say of these things.

Cross-examined: The prisoner had been in his employ about a year. He had a character with him – not direct from his master, but from a fellow traveller. The prisoner took what goods he liked in prosecutor`s absence, and the things were entered in a book. He had that book with him. None of the things he had sworn to were entered.

John Friend: I am the landlord of the White Horse Inn. I remember the prisoner coming to my house on the 16^th of last May. He called in the morning, and again in the middle of the day, when an omnibus brought three boxes which he gave into my charge. He remained in my front parlour till the following Thursday. On that day Mr. Thomson and a police constable came, and I gave up the boxes ultimately to the police.

Charles Ovenden: I am a police constable at Folkestone. I was sent for on Thursday, the 19^th of May, to the Railway Bell in that town. I found there, at 5.30 p.m., the prosecutor and the prisoner, who was given into my custody. I took him to the station house. I had told him previously the charge, and he made no reply to it. He said afterwards that he knew the prosecutor had got something against him that he had not accounted for, and he asked me what he could do in the matter. I told him I did not know. He also asked if Mr. Thomson would look into the pack, and I told him I could not tell. The things in the pack, he said, were his property. I was present when the pack was opened. The calico and skirting, and other things produced here today, were taken from the pack. I searched the prisoner, and found upon him some keys, which I handed over to police sergeant Bayley.      

                                                                                                                                                     Police sergeant John Bayley produced the keys which he had received from the last witness. They opened the boxes of the prisoner which were brought from the White Horse. He found in them trousers, scarves, handkerchiefs, and other articles mentioned. The prisoner was not present.

William Cheeseman, an omnibus driver, proved being employed by the prisoner on the 16^th of last May to take three boxes for him from Mr. Thomson`s house to the White Horse. The prisoner was with him and not on the box (a laugh).

A witness named Smith, a tailor, residing in Military Road, was then called and deposed that the trousers produced were made by him for McMath somewhere in the latter end of January.

Cross-examined: We call the stuff of which they are made 42^nd plaid.

This was the case for the prosecution.

Mr. Channell then spoke in the prisoner`s defence. The jury, he said, had now heard all the evidence in this case, and the defence which he was going to put before them was exactly what the prisoner, when charged with the crime, told the policeman – simply that the prosecutor had an account against him which was not settled. Now, this was a very serious charge to being against him. The prisoner had been in the habit of doing a great deal of business for the prosecutor by taking things round the country, and the prosecutor had hitherto considered him a man to be trusted, but the jury were now asked to believe he had taken all the things which had been produced that day and appropriated them to his own use. It turned out that some things he had taken with him when they were both travelling together; and did the jury suppose it was necessary the prisoner should enter all these things into a book, seeing that the prosecutor knew perfectly well that he (prisoner) took them when they were together? He would pass over that matter, then, because he did not think it very important to the case. Then as to the account of what prosecutor said to the prisoner at the time he settled with him, that did not at all show that the prisoner might not have had in his possession goods which he was going to sell for the benefit of his employer. He was asked “Is there anything I have to charge you with?”, that is, any of the clothes he was entitled to take at cost price, “that you have not accounted for?2 He said “No.” Then he was asked about the boots, and volunteered a statement which ledt to another pair being charged for. He asked them to take that as a proof that the prisoner was acting honestly throughout the transaction and not with the intention of defrauding his master. With regard to him carrying these things about to sell, he was not in business on his own account, and he (the learned counsel) asked the jury to take a charitable view, and to suppose that he was going to sell them for the prosecutor, to whom he would in process of time have rendered an account.

The Recorder, in his summing up, observed that the learned counsel seemed to have forgotten that on the 16^th of May the prosecutor and the prisoner came to a final settlement.

The jury found the prisoner Guilty, but with a recommendation to mercy.

The Recorder asked why this recommendation was coupled with their verdict?

The foreman said because the jury did not consider the prosecutor had looked after his business sufficiently.

The Recorder said there had been no evidence of any carelessness on the part of the prosecutor, and he had paid the prisoner a good salary to keep him honest.

Prosecutor was re-called, and in answer to questions put to him by the Recorder stated that the value of the property stolen was £42, in addition to 110 yards of silk at from 2s. 6d. to 3s. 10d a yard, and £40 in money.

The Recorder then passed sentence upon the prisoner, observing that the Court had a very grave doubt as to whether it was not his duty to order that he be kept in penal servitude, for he hardly remembered a worse case than this. This was not a case of a person led into such temptation through distress, but of a man who was receiving liberal wages, and yet systematically robbing his employer, receiving £40 in goods and £40 in money which he had not accounted for. He must therefore be treated with severity, and stopping short of penal servitude, have the full extent of punishment the law would allow. The prisoner was then ordered to be imprisoned and kept to had labour for eighteen months.

Dover Express 2-7-1864

Dover Quarter Sessions, Monday last; Before W.H. Bodkin Esq.

Hugh McMath, 23, a packman in the employ of Mr. P. Thomson, draper, Castle Street, pleaded Not Guilty to stealing a packing cloth, a strap, two pieces of cloth, and other articles, the property of his master.

Mr. Biron, instructed by Mr. Minter, was for the prosecution, and Mr. Channell, instructed by Mr. Fox, defended the prisoner.

Peter Thomson: I am a draper carrying on business in Castle Street, Dover. The prisoner entered my employ in the spring of last year. It was the duty of the prisoner to take out goods as a packman. His wages were £25 a year, and he had his clothes at cost price, besides other allowances. He left my service, after a month`s notice, on the 16<sup>th</sup> of last May. On the morning of that day I went into an account with him of the clothes he had had. He accounted for some things, and I paid him the balance of wages due to him, £8 19s. 6d., and he went away. The prisoner should have given up everything belonging to me before he left my service. In the middle of the day he came for his boxes, which he took on the following Thursday (the 19<sup>th</sup>). I went to Folkestone, and saw the prisoner there about five o`clock. He had a pack with him. I asked him if he was in business for himself. He said he was not, and also said that he was not travelling for anyone. In the meantime I had sent for a Folkestone police constable (Ovenden), and I subsequently saw the contents of the pack at the Folkestone station house. The oil-skin cover and strap in which the articles were wrapped are my property, and I believe the contents to be all mine. I had just such materials in my stock. I have measured the stock since then, and have found deficiency in goods corresponding to those found in the pack, and also in a great many more. The goods produced by Ovenden, calico and skirting, I also identify as mine. I have the pieces in stock from which they were cut. The articles produced by Sergeant Bailey, consisting of a pair pf tweed trousers, two pairs of stays, a scarf, and other things, all have my private mark. These were found in the boxes of the prisoner at the White Horse Inn. The boxes also contained other goods which I believe to be mine. I missed the stuff from which the trousers were made in January and asked the prisoner if he had sold it to a customer or taken it himself, and he said he had not done either.

By Mr. Channell: I have found none of the things I have sworn to entered in the prisoner`s book. The private marks are in my own handwriting.

By the Court: I have been through the entry book and the day book since the 1^st January, and find no entry corresponding with any of the things I have sworn to.

By Mr. Channell: Before the prisoner left my employ I asked him if he had anything to give up, and he said no.

John Friend: I am landlord of the White Horse Inn. The prisoner came to my house on the 16^th May. He called first in the morning, bringing nothing with him, but he came again in the middle of the day in an omnibus and brought the three boxes with him. They remained at my house till the Thursday following, when I gave them up to the police.

Charles Ovenden: I am a police constable at Folkestone. I was sent for on the 19^th of May, to the Railway Bell, at Folkestone, where I found the prosecutor and prisoner. The prisoner was given into my custody and I took him to the police station. On the charge being told him there he said he knew the prosecutor had got something against him which he had not accounted for, and asked what prosecutor could do to him in consequence. I said I did not know. He said the things in the pack were his own property. I was present when the pack was opened. The calico and skirting produced today were contained in it. On searching the prisoner I found on him some keys, which I handed over to police sergeant Bailey.

John Bailey: I am a police sergeant in the Dover police force. I produce a bunch of keys which I received from the last witness. They fit the prisoner`s boxes, which I found at the White Horse. I opened the boxes and I found in one of them the trousers and other things I have produced, and which have been identified by the prosecutor.

William Cheeseman: I am an omnibus driver, and was employed by the prisoner on the 16^th May to take three boxes from Mr. Thomson`s house to the White Horse. Prisoner rode with the boxes.

Robert Smith: I am a tailor, living at Military Road. I made the trousers produced for the prisoner in the latter end of January.He gave me the stuff to make them with.

This was the case for the prosecution, and

Mr. Channell then addressed the jury on the prisoner`s behalf, accounting for the prisoner`s possession of the goods by the plea that he had regarded them as left in his hands by the prosecutor as the subject of future arrangement between them. He had regarded himself, indeed, as i9ndebted to the prosecutor in the value of these goods. That prosecutor had a right to recover the value of the goods there was no doubt, by County Court action or some other process of that sort, but it was hard that the prisoner should be charged with felony.

The learned Recorder having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of Guilty, with a recommendation to mercy on the ground of the little check exercised on the prisoner by prosecutor.

In reply to the Recorder, the prosecutor said the cause of his discharging the prisoner was his suspecting that he was robbing him. The goods identified amounted to £42. There was also £42 in money unaccounted for, together with 110 yards of silk, the price of which was from 2s. 6d. a yard upwards. The prisoner was recommended to him by a brother packman. He had no other recommendation with him. Had he suited, his wages would have been increased to £30 a year, and at the expiration of three years prisoner would have had the option of taking the business.

Mr. Biron: He would have been put into business by the prosecutor, my Lord.

The Recorder: Is that so?

Prosecutor: It is.

The learned Recorder said it was one of the worst cases he had ever heard of. He sentenced him to eighteen months` hard labour, and it was only the fact that this was his first appearance that saved him from penal servitude.

Dover Telegraph 2-7-1864

Dover Quarter Sessions, Monday; Before W.H. Bodkin Esq.

Hugh McMath, 23, draper, was indicted for stealing a packing cloth, strap, two pieces of calico, and a quantity of other articles, the property of Peter Thomson, at Dover, on the 16^th of May.

Mr. Biron (instructed by Mr. Minter) was for the prosecution; Mr. Channell (instructed by Mr. Fox) conducted the defence.

Mr. Biron, in opening the case, said the prosecutor was a draper, carrying on business in Castle Street, and for rather more than a year previous to the 16^th of last May the prisoner was in his employ as a packman, in which capacity he used to travel round to neighbouring towns and dispose of his master`s goods. Upon making up his book he ought to have inserted a list of articles he was going to take away, so that his master might have an opportunity of taking an account when he returned. For some reason or another, the prosecutor gave the prisoner a month`s notice to leave, and on the 16^th of May he left his employ. The prisoner`s wages were £30 a year, and he also had the privilege of taking at cost price such articles of clothing as prosecutor kept in his shop; and from time to time, as his wages were paid him, prosecutor deducted any money which might be due on this account. On the 16<sup>th</sup> of May, as the prisoner was leaving, they went into the accounts, and prosecutor said “Have you got anything I am to charge against you?” Prisoner said there were three pairs of boots which he had had repaired, and this was deducted from his wages, with some other trifling charges, and the balance, £8 19s. 6d., handed over to him as his wages. But before he left prosecutor said “Have you taken anything else?” Prisoner replied “I have now accounted for everything I have had.” This transaction took place about nine in the morning, and in the middle of the day the prisoner came and fetched his boxes away, which he had conveyed to the White Horse public house, in St. James`s Street. In the course of the day the prosecutor went over to Folkestone, and there he found the prisoner with a pack. The pack and oil-skin cover and strap belonged to the prosecutor, and ought to have been given up before the prisoner left. On opening it, the prosecutor found it to contain two 6 yard pieces of calico, two 5 yard pieces of skirting, among other articles which he identified as belonging to him. The prisoner was then charged with theft and given into the custody of the police at Folkestone. He was afterwards brought over to Dover, and taken to the White Horse, when his boxes were opened and in them was found a large amount of property which had been taken from his employer. When apprehended at Folkestone, prisoner said in reply to the charge “I know that I have received property that I have not accounted for.”

Prosecutor was then examined. He spoke to the facts as detailed by the learned counsel, and added that when he met the prisoner at Folkestone he asked him if he was travelling for anyone, or in business for himself? The prisoner replied neither, but added that he must get a living. He then requested the prisoner to let him see the contents of the pack, and subsequently gave him into custody for stealing several articles which it contained. The calico, stays, sunshades, scarf, &c., he identified by his private mark upon them, and said that they had never been accounted for by the prisoner. He missed some stuff like that of which the trousers produced were made in January last, and he asked the prisoner whether he had sold or taken any of it, but he replied he had not. The whole of the stock which the boxes and pack contained he believed to be his property, although he could not swear to them by any distinct mark.

Mr. Channell cross-examined the prosecutor in reference to the several articles named in the indictment, and endeavoured to identify them with entries of goods taken and accounted for by the prisoner in the day book, but the prosecutor distinctly swore that he had been through the books carefully from January last and found that the articles which the prisoner was charged with stealing were not entered, and had not been accounted for.

William Cheeseman, an omnibus driver, stated that he removed the prisoner`s boxes to the White Horse at his request on the 16^th May, and John Friend, the landlord of the White Horse, spoke to receiving them in his care from the prisoner.

Charles Ovenden, of the Folkestone police, took the prisoner into custody, and at the police station prisoner said he knew the prosecutor had something against him which he had not accounted for, and asked him what he could do in the matter. He told him he did not know. The prisoner also said the things in the pack were the property of Mr. Thomson.

Police sergeant Bailey said he received the prisoner into his custody from the last witness, who also handed to him a bunch of keys found upon the prisoner, with which the locks of the boxes were unfastened.

Robert Smith, tailor, of Military Road, stated that he made the trousers produced from cloth brought to him by the prisoner in January last.

Mr. Channell made a forcible address to the jury on behalf of the prisoner, and said that the admission made by the prisoner to the Folkestone policeman, that he had received some goods belonging to Mr. Thomson and not accounted for them, far from operating against the prisoner, was exactly the defence he was about to offer. There was no doubt that the prisoner was in possession of these goods. But he would ask the jury to take a charitable view of the case, and suppose that the prisoner had no intention to defraud the prosecutor, but that he was selling them, and would have paid the money over to Mr. Thomson as soon as he had sold them. Assuming that this was the prisoner`s intention, the prosecutor`s remedy would be in the County Court.

The Recorder having summed up, and pointed out that the fact of the prisoner having retained the property fo his master after all business connection between them was at an end would constitute the offence a larceny.

The jury consulted, and gave a verdict of Guilty, but recommended the prisoner to mercy.

The Recorder: On what grounds do you recommend him to mercy?

A juror: Because we think the prosecutor did not take sufficient care with his books.

The Recorder (to prosecutor): Have you any doubt that all or any of the things belong to you?

Prosecutor: Not the slightest.

The Recorder: What is their value?

Prosecutor: About £42.

Mr. Biron: I am told there is also about £40 the prisoner has received since January which he has not accounted for?

Prosecutor: There are also 110 yards of silk missing which I can find no account of.

The Recorder, in passing judgement, said he had great doubts whether it was not necessary to send the prisoner to penal servitude. This man was receiving liberal wages, and yet carrying on a system of robbery upon his employer. He must therefore be treated with severity, and stopping short of penal servitude, he must have the full extent of the punishment the law would admit. The prisoner would therefore be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for 18 months.

Folkestone Observer 2-7-1864

Dover Quarter Sessions

The Dover Quarter Sessions were held on Monday, before the Recorder. The case of chief interest was the following: -

Extensive Robbery By A Packman

Hugh McMath, 23, draper, was indicted for stealing a packing cloth, strap, two pieces of calico, and a quantity of other articles, the property of Peter Thomson, at Dover, on the 16^th of May. Mr. Biron (instructed by Mr. Minter) was for the prosecution; Mr. Channell (instructed by Mr. Fox) conducted the prisoner`s defence.

Mr. Biron, in opening the case, said the prosecutor was a draper carrying on business in Castle Street, and for rather more than a year previous to the 16^th of last May the prisoner was in his employ as a packman, in which capacity he used to travel round to neighbouring towns and dispose of his master`s goods. Upon making up his book, he ought to have inserted a list of articles he was going to take away, so that his master might have an opportunity of taking an account when he returned. For some reason or another, the prosecutor gave the prisoner a month`s notice to leave, and on the 16^th of May he left his employ. The prisoner`s wages were £30 a year, and he also had the privilege of taking at cost price such articles of clothing as prosecutor kept in his shop, and from time to time, as his wages were paid him, prosecutor deducted any money which might be due on his account. On the 16<sup>th</sup> of May, as the prisoner was leaving, they went into the accounts, and prosecutor said “Have you got anything I am to charge against you?”. Prisoner said there were three pairs of boots which he had had repaired, and this was deducted from his wages with some other trifling charges, and the balance, £8 19s 6d, handed over to him as his wages. But before he left, prosecutor said “Have you taken anything else?”. Prisoner replied “I have now accounted for everything I have had”. This transaction took place about nine in the morning, and in the middle of the day the prisoner came and fetched his boxes away, which he had conveyed to the White Horse public house in St. James`s Street. In the course of the day the prosecutor went over to Folkestone, and there he found the prisoner with a pack. The oil-skin cover and strap belonged to the prosecutor, and ought to have been given up before the prisoner left. On opening it, the prosecutor found it to contain two 6 yard pieces of calico, two 5 yard pieces of skirting, among other articles which he identified as belonging to him. The prisoner was then charged with theft, and given into the custody of the police at Folkestone. He was afterwards brought over to Dover and taken to the White Horse, when his boxes were opened, and in them was found a large amount of property which had been taken from his employer. When apprehended at Folkestone, prisoner said in reply to the charge “I know that I have received property I have not accounted for”.

Prosecutor was then examined. He spoke to the facts as detailed by the learned counsel, and added that when he met the prisoner at Folkestone with the pack he asked him whether he was travelling for anyone or in business for himself. The prisoner replied “Neither” but added that he must get a living. He then requested the prisoner to let him see the contents of the pack, and subsequently took him into custody for stealing several articles which it contained. The calico, stays, sunshades, scarves &c., he identified by his private mark upon them, and said they had never been accounted for by the prisoner. He missed some stuff like that of which the trousers produced were made in January last, and he asked the prisoner whether he had sold or taken any of it, but he replied he had not. The whole of the stock which the boxes and pack contained he believed to be his property, although he could not swear to them  from any distinct mark.

Mr. Channell cross-examined the prosecutor in reference to the several articles named in the indictment, and endeavoured to identify them with entries of goods taken and accounted for by the prisoner in the day-book, but the prosecutor distinctly swore that he had been through the books carefully from January last and found that the articles which the prisoner was charged with stealing were not entered and had not been accounted for.

William Cheeseman, an omnibus driver, stated that he removed the prisoner`s boxes to the White Horse at his request on the 16^th of May, and John Friend, the landlord of the White Horse, spoke to receiving them in his care for the prisoner.

Charles Ovenden, of the Folkestone police, too the prisoner into custody, and at the police station prisoner said he knew the prosecutor had something against him which he had not accounted for, and asked him what he could do in the matter. He told him he did not know. The prisoner also said the things in the pack were the property of Mr. Thomson.

Police sergeant Bailey said he received the prisoner into custody from the last witness, who also handed him a bunch of keys found upon the prisoner, with which the locks of the boxes were unfastened.

Robert Smith, tailor, of Military Road, stated that he made the trousers produced from cloth brought to him by the prisoner in January last.

Mr. Channell made a forcible address to the jury on behalf of the prisoner, and said that the admission made by the prisoner to the Folkestone policeman, that he had received some goods belonging to Mr. Thomson and not accounted for them, far from operating against the prisoner, was exactly the defence he was about to offer. There was no doubt that the prisoner was in possession of these goods, but he would ask the jury to take a charitable biew of the case, and suppose the prisoner had no intention to defraud the prosecutor, but that he was selling them and would have paid the money over to Mr. Thomson as soon as he had sold them. Assuming that this was the prisoner`s intention, the prosecutor`s remedy would be in the County Court.

The Recorder, having summed up, and pointed out the fact of the prisoner having retained the property of his master after all business connection between them was at an end would constitute the offence a larceny.

The jury consulted, and gave a verdict of Guilty, but recommended the prisoner to mercy.

The Recorder: On what grounds do you recommend him to mercy?

A Juror: Because we think the prosecutor did not take sufficient care with his books.

The Recorder (to prosecutor): Have you any doubt that all or any of the things belong to you?

Prosecutor: Not the slightest.

The Recorder: What is their value?

Prosecutor: About £42.

Mr. Biron: I am told there is also about £40 the prisoner has received in January, which he has not accounted for.

Prosecutor: There are also about 110 yards of silk missing which I can find no account of.

The Recorder, in passing judgement, said he had great doubts whether it was not necessary to send the prisoner to penal servitude. This man was receiving liberal wages, and yet carrying on a system of robbery against his employer. He must therefore be treated with severity, and stopping short of penal servitude, he must have the full extent of punishment the law would admit. The prisoner would therefore be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for 18 months.

Thanet Advertiser 2-7-1864

Dover Quarter Sessions, Monday last, before W.H. Bodkin Esq.

Hugh McMath, 23, draper, was indicted for having stolen one packing cloth, one strap, two pieces of calico, and other articles, the property of Peter Thomson, at Dover, on the 16^th of May, 1864.

Mr. Biron prosecuted, and Mr. Channell defended the prisoner.

The prosecutor deposed that he is a draper, carrying on business in Castle Street, Dover. The prisoner entered his employment in the spring of last year, and he was what was called a packman. His duty was from time to time to take out goods and sell them in the neighbouring towns, and before going out he ought to have entered in a book the quantities he had taken and what the goods were. His wages were to have been £25 a year, and he was to have all his clothes at cost price, his travelling expenses, and other allowances. Prosecutor gave him a month`s notice to leave, and he left on the 16<sup>th</sup> of May. About nine o`clock on that day prosecutor went into an account with him to see what amount of wages was due to him. He asked him if there was anything to be deducted for clothes, and he said “No.” He asked him how many pairs of boots he had had, and he said “Three.” Prosecutor told him he had only accounted for two pairs, and then entered another pair against him. He afterwards paid him what was due, amounting to £8 9s. 6d., and the prisoner left. About the middle of the day he returned and took away his boxes. On the 19^th of May he (prosecutor) went to Folkestone, and saw the prisoner there carrying a pack. He asked him if he was in business for himself, and on him saying he was not he asked him who he was travelling for, and he replied “No one.” Prosecutor thought this was strange, and sent for a policeman. On one arriving, he had the pack examined, and at once identified the oilskin covering and the strap, and likewise the contents. The articles in question, consisting of calico, dress lengths, cloths, flannel, sheeting, a pair of stays, scarves, pair of trousers, &c., &c., some of which were in the pack, and some in a box belonging to the prisoner found at the White Horse, were all produced before the prosecutor, and he identified them, mostly by his own private marks, as his property. In January last he missed some stuff like the trousers, of which he acquainted the prisoner, when he denied having sold it or taken it for himself. There were no entries in the book for any of the things produced.

Cross-examined by Mr. Channell: Prisoner had been in his employment about a year; he had a character with him, but not direct from his previous employer. He (prisoner) was allowed to take what goods he liked for sale, but he ought to have entered those he did take in a book. On discharging him he hasked if he had any goods to return, and he said he had not.

John Friend, landlord of the White Horse public house, proved that the prisoner brought three boxes to his house on the 16^th of May and left them there, and that he (witness) subsequently gave them up to the police.

P.C. Ovenden, Folkestone, deposed to receiving the prisoner into custody on the 19^th of May, at Folkestone. At the police station he told him the charge, and he (prisoner) said he knew the prosecutor had got something against him that he had not accounted for, and asked witness what could be done to him in the matter. In answer to that question witness said he did not know. Prisoner also asked if the prosecutor would look into the pack, and said the things in it were his (prisoner`s) property.

Sergeant Bailey, Dover police, produced some keys, which he said he received from the last witness, and which opened some boxes belonging to the prisoner, that were found at the White Horse, wherein were found the trousers, scarves, stays, &c.

Robert Smith, tailor, proved making the trousers produced for the prisoner about the latter end of January last.

Mr. Channell then addressed the jury for the defence, urging that the prisoner had no intention of stealing the things, but that he intended to have accounted to the prosecutor for them, and that he had them in his possession for his (prosecutor`s) benefit.

The Recorder, in summing up, said it was all very well for the learned counsel to say the prisoner intended to account for the things, but the jury would bear in mind that the prisoner had been actually discharged by the prosecutor three days before he was found going about with the goods.

The jury found the prisoner Guilty, but recommended him to mercy.

The Recorder asked what reason the jury had for such a recommendation.

The foreman replied that they thought the prosecutor had been very lax in the way he conducted his business.

The prosecutor was re-called, and in answer to the Recorder, said the value of the whole of the property was about £42.

Mr. Biron said he believed the prosecutor had also missed about £40 in money.

The prosecutor said such was the case, the money being what the prisoner had received and not accounted for; in addition to that there was about 110 yards of silk missing.

The Recorder said that had the prisoner been before him previously he should have sentenced him to penal servitude, because he evidently carried on a systematic robbery for a long time. The jury had recommended him to mercy, but for his (the Recorder`s) part he could not see any grounds for such a recommendation. However, he would not send the prisoner for penal servitude, but the sentence of the court was that he be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for eighteen months.

Canterbury Weekly Journal 10-12-1864

On Sunday last a shocking occurrence took place on the South Eastern Railway between Dover and Folkestone by the mail express train, which leaves the former place at 4.15 p.m. It seems that three young women living at Folkestone had been spending Sunday with their parents, who live at the Pelter coast guard station. On returning in the afternoon they seemed to have been desirous of taking the shortest way. Hence they ventured to trespass along the South Eastern line instead of going by the road, which is about a mile further. When they had proceeded some distance one of them, who had left some article behind her, went back to fetch it, while the others walked slowly along. The two girls thus passed along the line of up-rails until they had reached midway between Abbot`s Cliff and Martello Tunnel, when the express train came on at full speed, and ran over the poor girls. The engine driver blew his whistle immediately on seeing their perilous position, but this was unheard or unheeded until it was too late. The two unfortunate girls were killed upon the spot, their bodies being horribly mutilated. The sad news of the occurrence was soon made known, and when their mangled bodies were conveyed back to the coast guard station the scene was a most heartrending and painful one.

On Monday afternoon J. Minter Esq. opened a coroner`s inquest at the Railway Bell, Folkestone, on the bodies of the two young women.

George Mercer, carpenter, said: I was in the Warren on Sunday afternoon a few minutes after four. I was at the top of the embankment, on the sea side, walking towards Dover. I first saw two females walking, one in the six feet between the rails, and the other in the four feet up-line. At the same time saw the train approaching, about 30 yards off. I halloed out to the women. They both ran to get out of the way, and one of them was upon the rails when the engine struck them and knocked them down. I immediately went down and picked one of them up; they both appeared quite dead.

William Pepler, of 3, Cooper`s Road, Old Kent Road, London: I am an engine driver in the employ of the South Eastern Railway. On Sunday I drove the engine of the 4.15 up-mail train from Dover. We left Dover punctual, and just before reaching the Martello Tunnel, it being rather dusk, I saw two females on the down road, and went to the other side of the engine, when I saw them cross over in front of the engine to the up side. I blew my whistle and put on the brakes but could not stop the train, as we were going at about 40 miles an hour.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Chatham News 10-12-1864

Inquests were held on Monday afternoon at the Railway Bell, Folkestone, on the bodies of Mary Anne Wade, 17 years of age, and Mary Rebecca Williams, 16 years and six months. The deceased were daughters of coastguard-men, at the Coast Pelter station, between Folkestone and Dover, and in service at Folkestone, and were returning to the town after a visit to their friends. There is a footpath to the town over the sea cliff, and running by the side of the railway at an open cutting between the two tunnels; but the girls appear to have got over the fence on to the line. A third girl had just left them to return for a pair of gloves, and it is supposed that the deceased were loitering for her. As the driver of the Continental mail train from Dover came up to the open cutting at 4.15 p.m., his attention was drawn by the stoker to the two women on the line, but seeing that they were on the down line he did not blow his whistle, lest he should alarm them. The wind blowing strong down the line, the girls did not hear the train until it was close upon them, when one of them looked back, and immediately hurried with her companion across the line on which the train was approaching. The driver promptly blew his whistle, but the train immediately struck the girls, knocking out the brains, breaking the legs, and cutting off the feet of one of them, and breaking the back and cutting off the leg of the other. Death was instantaneous. Evidence to the above effect having been given by persons who saw the accident from the top of the cutting, and the engine driver, the jury returned verdicts of Accidental Death.

Dover Chronicle 10-12-1864

An appalling railway casualty has during the past seven days been brought into frightful neighbourhood with our own locality. The portion of the South Eastern Line between the Abbot`s Cliff and Martello tunnels was the scene of the catastrophe, Sunday afternoon the time, and the victims were two young women of the ages respectively of 17 and 19 years, and named Mary Rebekah Williams and Margaret Ann Wade. Why the parties became exposed to the risk invariably incurred by those whom expediency tempts to stray from the legitimate pathways between Dover and Folkestone, or the cause in any way of their presence in the vicinity of the iron road that proved their terrible passage to the grave, did not transpire in the evidence at the subsequent inquisition upon the bodies. From other sources we learn that on the day in question the deceased and another female (three), all living at Folkestone, had been on a visit to their parents and friends at the block of buildings in the Warren known as the Pelter Coastguard Station, and left on the return journey shortly after four o`clock. No doubt wishing to reach Folkestone by the shortest route they chose the rail instead of the more circuitous road for the accomplishment of their purpose – a course dangerous indeed, but by no means of rare adoption, as the Company`s servants have often to warn persons from the line who are found there; and melancholy as may be the satisfaction, it is not improbable that the fearful lesson of Sunday will now find many an ear attentive that had too often been closed to prudential suggestions. Shortly after leaving the Coast Guard Station, one of the three females had occasion to return thither in reference to some omission; but in the brief interval of her absence deathhad severed her from her companions, and left her the solitary survivor of the trio who, a few moments previously, were in all the vivacity of youth, anticipating the pleasure of social intercourse in their homeward journeying – illustrating the awful truth of the text that “In the midst of life we are in death.”

The enquiry before the coroner (J. Minter Esq.) took place on Monday afternoon at the Railway Bell, Folkestone. After the jury had been sworn, a special train in charge of Mr. Willes, station master (who in every possible way facilitated the objects of the investigation), conveyed them to the site of the accident, where they inspected the mutilated bodies. On returning to the inquest room witnesses were called (first in reference to the young woman Wade and then as concerned Williams), whose examination elicited the following:-

Peter Mitchell: I am a ticket collector in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company at the Folkestone Station. The 4.15 p.m. mail train on Sunday from Dover stopped at Folkestone Junction Station a few minutes late, and the driver told me that he had knocked down two females dressed in black just beyond the first tunnel. I said I would see to it, and the train went on. Having obtained assistance, I went to the spot indicated by the engine driver and there saw the deceased lying upon the ground. Wade lay upon her back at the side of the rails – between the embankment and the outer rail of the up line – with her feet towards the metals and her head towards the embankment.

George Mercer: I am a carpenter. In company with a young man named George Elliott I was in the Warren on Sunday afternoon, at the top of the embankment at the side of the South Eastern Railway line. On looking over into the cutting, I saw two females walking together – one of them being in the 4 ft. up line, and the other in the 6 ft., which separates the two lines. At that moment I observed the mail train approaching about thirty yards off. I shouted out “Missus, here`s the train close behind you,” when they both rushed across the up line to get out of the way. Before they cleared the line, however, the buffer or some part of the engine struck them and knocked both of them down. I immediately went down upon the line, and saw the deceased Wade lying with her clothes over her head on the up line. I lifted her up, and she appeared quite dead. Elliott, at the same time, went to the deceased Williams, and found she was also quite deal. Having laid the bodies upon the ground clear of the lines, I went to the Coast Guard Station for assistance.

By the jury: I heard the whistle of the engine just before the deceased was struck. The wind was blowing adverse to the direction in which the train was going, and therefore the sound was carried away from where the females were walking.

Dr. East: On Sunday afternoon, about 4.40 p.m., a message came to me that two females had been killed by a mail train in the Warren, and the station master (Mr. Willes) was taking measures for bringing the bodies to Folkestone. I hastened to the Junction Station, and was taken in a trolley to the place in question, about a mile and a half from Folkestone, and there saw the bodies of the deceased. That of Wade I first examined, and found that she had sustained a severe fracture of the skull, through which a considerable portion of brains had exuded. Her left leg was also torn off close to the knee, as it only then hung to the body by the skin, and the foot was also almost cut off. From the injury to the skull alone, death must have been instantaneous.

William Peplar: I am an engine driver in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, and live at 3, Cooper`s Road, Old Kent Road, London. On Sunday I drove the engine of the 4.15 p.m. mail train from Dover. We left Dover punctually at our time. Just before reaching the Martello Tunnel I saw something dark in front of the train upon the line. I could not distinguish what it was because it was dusk. I went from the left to the right side of the engine, and then saw two females attempting to cross the line just in front of us. I blew the whistle, but the train was upon them in a moment, and they were knocked down, although I applied the brake and did all I could to stop the train. I stopped the train at Folkestone and informed the ticket collector of what had occurred.

By the jury: The train was travelling at about 40 miles an hour at the time of the accident. It is not my practice to blow the whistle if I see persons upon the line, unless they are actually upon the line which the train is travelling upon, as it sometimes has a tendency to frighten people and place them in greater danger; but I blew the whistle in this instance because I saw the imminent peril in which the deceased were upon the line.

The Coroner said there was other evidence forthcoming if the jury desired it, but he thought it would be principally corroborative, as the facts appeared conclusive that the occurrence was purely accidental.

The jury expressed themselves to be satisfied without the production of further evidence and returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

Dover Express 10-12-1864

On Sunday afternoon an accident of the most painful nature took place on the South Eastern Railway, in the long cutting between Abbot`s Cliff tunnel and the tunnel nearest to Folkestone. It appears that two young women, named Wade and Williams, the daughters of coastguard-men stationed at the Pelter Station, which is situate midway between Dover and Folkestone at the base of the cliffs, had been on a visit to their friends and were returning to Folkestone, where they were living in service. For the purpose of saving time they selected the railway line, instead of taking their way by the cliffs. They had got near to the entrance of the Folkestone tunnel when an up-train came along, and before they could get out of the way they were struck down, the train passing over their bodies, and leaving them quite lifeless, and sadly mutilated. It is believed that a third young woman, the daughter of another coastguard, would have been in their company, and in all probability shared their fate, had she not left some article of clothing behind at her parents, whither she had returned at the moment of the hapless catastrophe. The bodies of the unfortunate young women were removed to the Railway Bell, at Folkestone, where an inquest was held upon their remains on the following day by J. Minter Esq., the coroner for the borough of Folkestone. The jury, having been sworn, were conveyed by special train in charge of the station master, Mr. Willis, to the place of the accident, which was inspected and the bodies viewed. On the return to the inquest room, the inquiry was proceeded with the evidence in respect of the death of the female Wade being first elicited.

Peter Mitchell deposed: I am a ticket collector in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company at the Folkestone Station. The 4.15 p.m. mail train yesterday from Dover stopped at Folkestone Junction Station a few minutes late, and the driver told me that he had knocked down two females dressed in black just beyond the first tunnel. I said I would see to it, and the train went on. Having obtained assistance, I went to the spot indicated by the engine driver and there saw the deceased lying upon the ground. Wade lay upon her back at the side of the rails – between the embankment and the outer rail of the up line – with her feet towards the metals and her head towards the embankment.

George Mercer said: I am a carpenter. In company with a young man named George Elliott I was in the Warren yesterday afternoon, at the top of the embankment at the side of the South Eastern Railway line. On looking over into the cutting, I saw two females walking together – one of them being in the 4 ft. up line, and the other in the 6 ft., which separates the two lines. At that moment I observed the mail train approaching about thirty yards off. I shouted out “Missus, here`s the train close behind you,” when they both rushed across the up line to get out of the way. Before they cleared the line, however, the buffer or some part of the engine struck them and knocked both of them down. I immediately went down upon the line, and saw the deceased Wade lying with her clothes over her head on the up line. I lifted her up, and she appeared quite dead. Elliott, at the same time, went to the deceased Williams, and found she was also quite deal. Having laid the bodies upon the ground clear of the lines, I went to the Coast Guard Station for assistance.

By the jury: I heard the whistle of the engine just before the deceased was struck. The wind was blowing adverse to the direction in which the train was going, and therefore the sound was carried away from where the females were walking.

Dr. East deposed: Yesterday afternoon, about twenty minutes to five, a message came to me that two females had been killed by a mail train in the Warren, and the station master (Mr. Willis) was taking measures for bringing the bodies to Folkestone. I hastened to the Junction Station, and was taken in a trolley to the place in question, about a mile and a half from Folkestone, and there saw the bodies of the deceased. That of Wade I first examined, and found that she had sustained a severe fracture of the skull, through which a considerable portion of brains had exuded. Her left leg was also torn off close to the knee; it only then hanging to the body by the skin, and the foot was also almost cut off. From the injury to the skull alone, death must have been instantaneous.

William Peplar said upon oath: I am an engine driver in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, and live at 3, Cooper`s Road, Old Kent Road, London. Yesterday I drove the engine of the 4.15 p.m. mail train from Dover. We left Dover punctually at our time. Just before reaching the Martello Tunnel I saw something dark in front of the train upon the line. I could not distinguish what it was because it was dusk. I went from the left to the right side of the engine, and then saw two females attempting to cross the line just in front of us. I blew the whistle, but the train was upon them in a moment, and they were knocked down, although I applied the brake and did all I could to stop the train. I stopped the train at Folkestone and informed the ticket collector of what had occurred.

By the jury: The train was travelling at about 40 miles an hour at the time of the accident. It is not my practice to blow the whistle if I see persons upon the line, unless they are actually upon the line which the train is travelling upon, as it sometimes has a tendency to frighten people and place them in greater danger; but I blew the whistle in this instance because I saw the imminent peril in which the deceased were upon the line.

The Coroner observed that there was other evidence forthcoming if the jury desired it, but he thought it would be principally corroborative, but as the facts appeared conclusive that the occurrence was purely accidental, he proposed not to adduce it, unless it were the wish of the jury.

The jury expressed themselves satisfied with the facts elicited and returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

Dover Telegraph 10-12-1864

The line of rails of the South Eastern Company which crosses the Warren between Abbot`s Cliff and Martello tunnels was the scene of a very shocking occurrence last Sunday afternoon. Three females living at Folkestone, who had been on a Sunday`s visit to their parents and friends at the Pelter coastguard station, were returning in the afternoon, and, it is supposed, being desirous of taking the shortest route, instead of going by the road, passed along the railway line. When they had proceeded some distance, one of them, having occasion to return to the coastguard station, left her companions to pursue their journey. The names of the two young women who were thus wending their way to Folkestone were Mary Rebecca Williams and Margaret Ann Wade. When they had reached the cutting, about a mile and a half from Folkestone, they were walking, one upon the other, near the up line of rails. The 4.15 p.m. mail express train from Dover at this moment came along, and the girls, being unaware of its approach until it was within a few yards of them, were unable to get out of its way before the train dashed against them and killed both of them upon the spot.

A croner`s inquisition was held upon the bodies (before J. Minter Esq.) at the Railway Bell Inn, Folkestone, on Monday afternoon. The jury, having been sworn, were conveyed by special train in charge of the station master, Mr. Wills, to the place of the accident, which was inspected and the bodies viewed. On the return to the inquest room the inquiry was proceeded with, with evidence in respect of the death of the female Wade being first elicited.

Peter Mitchell deposed: I am a ticket collector in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company at the Folkestone Station. The 4.15 p.m. mail train yesterday from Dover stopped at Folkestone Junction Station a few minutes late, and the driver told me that he had knocked down two females dressed in black just beyond the first tunnel. I said I would see to it, and the train went on. Having obtained assistance, I went to the spot indicated by the engine driver and there saw the deceased lying upon the ground. Wade lay upon her back at the side of the rails – between the embankment and the outer rail of the up line – with her feet towards the metals and her head towards the embankment.

George Mercer said: I am a carpenter. In company with a young man named George Elliott I was in the Warren yesterday afternoon, at the top of the embankment at the side of the South Eastern Railway line. On looking over into the cutting, I saw two females walking together – one of them being in the 4 ft. up line, and the other in the 6 ft., which separates the two lines. At that moment I observed the mail train approaching about thirty yards off. I shouted out “Missus, here`s the train close behind you,” when they both rushed across the up line to get out of the way. Before they cleared the line, however, the buffer or some part of the engine struck them and knocked both of them down. I immediately went down upon the line, and saw the deceased Wade lying with her clothes over her head on the up line. I lifted her up, and she appeared quite dead. Elliott, at the same time, went to the deceased Williams, and found she was also quite deal. Having laid the bodies upon the ground clear of the lines, I went to the Coast Guard Station for assistance.

By the jury: I heard the whistle of the engine just before the deceased was struck. The wind was blowing adverse to the direction in which the train was going, and therefore the sound was carried away from where the females were walking.

Dr. East deposed: Yesterday afternoon, about twenty minutes to five, a message came to me that two females had been killed by a mail train in the Warren, and the station master (Mr. Willis) was taking measures for bringing the bodies to Folkestone. I hastened to the Junction Station, and was taken in a trolley to the place in question, about a mile and a half from Folkestone, and there saw the bodies of the deceased. That of Wade I first examined, and found that she had sustained a severe fracture of the skull, through which a considerable portion of brains had exuded. Her left leg was also torn off close to the knee as it only then hung to the body by the skin, and the foot was also almost cut off. From the injury to the skull alone, death must have been instantaneous.

William Pepler said upon oath: I am an engine driver in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, and live at 3, Cooper`s Road, Old Kent Road, London. Yesterday I drove the engine of the 4.15 p.m. mail train from Dover. We left Dover punctually at our time. Just before reaching the Martello Tunnel I saw something dark in front of the train upon the line. I could not distinguish what it was because it was dusk. I went from the left to the right side of the engine, and then saw two females attempting to cross the line just in front of us. I blew the whistle, but the train was upon them in a moment, and they were knocked down, although I applied the brake and did all I could to stop the train. I stopped the train at Folkestone and informed the ticket collector of what had occurred.

By the jury: The train was travelling at about 40 miles an hour at the time of the accident. It is not my practice to blow the whistle if I see persons upon the line, unless they are actually upon the line which the train is travelling upon, as it sometimes has a tendency to frighten people and place them in greater danger; but I blew the whistle in this instance because I saw the imminent peril in which the deceased were upon the line.

The Coroner observed that there was other evidence forthcoming if the jury desired it, but he thought it would be principally corroborative, but as the facts appeared conclusive that the occurrence was purely accidental, he proposed not to adduce it, unless it were the wish of the jury.

The jury expressed themselves satisfied with the facts elicited and returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”

The inquisition was then held upon the body of the deceased Williams, but the evidence was nearly identical and the jury found a verdict also in this instance of Accidental Death.

Faversham Mercury, Kentish Chronicle 10-12-1864

On Sunday last a shocking occurrence took place on the South Eastern Railway between Dover and Folkestone by the mail express train, which leaves the former place at 4.15 p.m. It seems that three young women living at Folkestone had been spending Sunday with their parents, who live at the Pelter coast guard station. On returning in the afternoon they seemed to have been desirous of taking the shortest way. Hence they ventured to trespass along the South Eastern line instead of going by the road, which is about a mile further. When they had proceeded some distance one of them, who had left some article behind her, went back to fetch it, while the others walked slowly along. The two girls thus passed along the line of up-rails until they had reached midway between Abbot`s Cliff and Martello Tunnel, when the express train came on at full speed, and ran over the poor girls. The engine driver blew his whistle immediately on seeing their perilous position, but this was unheard or unheeded until it was too late. The two unfortunate girls were killed upon the spot, their bodies being horribly mutilated. The sad news of the occurrence was soon made known, and when their mangled bodies were conveyed back to the coast guard station the scene was a most heartrending and painful one.

On Monday afternoon J. Minter Esq. opened a coroner`s inquest at the Railway Bell, Folkestone, on the bodies of the two young women.

George Mercer, carpenter, said: I was in the Warren on Sunday afternoon a few minutes after four. I was at the top of the embankment, on the sea side, walking towards Dover. I first saw two females walking, one in the six feet between the rails, and the other in the four feet up-line. At the same time saw the train approaching, about 30 yards off. I halloed out to the women. They both ran to get out of the way, and one of them was upon the rails when the engine struck them and knocked them down. I immediately went down and picked one of them up; they both appeared quite dead.

William Pepler, of 3, Cooper`s Road, Old Kent Road, London: I am an engine driver in the employ of the South Eastern Railway. On Sunday I drove the engine of the 4.15 up-mail train from Dover. We left Dover punctual, and just before reaching the Martello Tunnel, it being rather dusk, I saw two females on the down road, and went to the other side of the engine, when I saw them cross over in front of the engine to the up side. I blew my whistle and put on the brakes but could not stop the train, as we were going at about 40 miles an hour.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Folkestone Chronicle 10-12-1864

Inquest

An inquest was opened on Monday last at the Railway Bell inn by John Minter Esq., coroner for the borough, on the bodies of Margaret Ann Wade, aged 17 years, and Mary Rebecca Williams, aged 16 years and 6 months, who unfortunately lost their lives in the cutting of the railway in the Warren on the previous day, as detailed in the evidence given below.

The jury, having been sworn, proceeded in special carriage and train, provided by the company, to the Coast Guard Station in the Warren, where the bodies of the deceased lay, and on their return viewed the spot where the accident occurred.

The first witness called was Peter Mitchell, ticket collector, South Eastern Railway Company, upper railway station, sworn: At 20 past 4 yesterday afternoon the driver of the 4-15 p.m. mail from Dover stopped the train at the Folkestone Junction, and said he had knocked two females down just beyond the tunnel; they were dressed in black. Witness immediately went down with assistance, and found the body of Margaret Ann Wade, who was lying on her back on the up side of the line, between the embankment and the outside rail,, her feet towards the metals and her head towards the bank, about two hundred yards beyond the Martello Tunnel; she was dead; identified the body as that which he found.

George Mercer, carpenter, Folkestone, sworn, deposed he was in the Warren yesterday afternoon a few minutes after 4. Witness was just on top of the batter on the up line side, walking towards the Coast Guard buildings; George Elliott was with him; witness looked over the cutting and saw two females walking, one was in the 6 foot and the other was in the 4 foot, on the up line; witness at the same moment saw the train coming on them; the train was not more than 30 yards off. Witness halloed out “Missus, there is a train close behind you”. They both then attempted to cross the line to the sea side, and witness believed they both had their feet on the off metal when the engine struck them and knocked them down. Witness then went down and found the body of Margaret Ann Wade, who lay in the 4 foot of the up line, with her head towards Folkestone and her clothes disordered. Witness then took her off the rails and laid her on the bank; she was dead. The accident happened about 200 yards beyond the Martello Tunnel. The wind was blowing towards the train, and the whistle was blowing. The train struck deceased, but witness could not hear the train coming.

Silvester Eastes, sworn, deposed he was a surgeon, practicing in Folkestone. About 20 minutes to 5 yesterday afternoon a messenger came to him from the station and told him that two women had been hurt by the mail train in the Warren, and that Mr. Willes was sending down to bring them to the station. Witness went down in the trolley to the Pelter Coast Guard Station, and there saw the body of Margaret Ann Wade. On examining it witness found she had received a most extensive fracture of the upper part of the skull, through which a considerable portion of the brain had exuded. The left leg was torn off close up to the knee, merely hanging by the skin, and about half the right foot cut off. There was also excessive haemorrhage. She was dead. He had no doubt that death was instantaneous.

William Pepler, engine driver in the employ of the S.E.R. Company, residing at No. 3, Cooper`s Road, Old Kent Road, London, sworn, deposed: Yesterday, the 4<sup>th</sup> December, he was driving the 4-15 mail train from Dover; left Dover punctually; and just before going into Martello Tunnel witness`s attention was attracted to the front of the train, where he saw someone in black. They were on the down line. Witness went to the off side of the engine and saw the person or persons cross over in front of the engine towards the sea side. Witness blew his whistle and put on his brake. Witness could not tell whether he had struck anything or not. The train was brought up on the station side of the Martello Tunnel. Witness started the train again into the station, where he stopped and gave information to the ticket collector. The train was going at 40 miles an hour. When witness first saw them, it was impossible to pull up the train. Witness did not whistle when he first saw them, as they were clear of him, and blowing the whistle he considered might have the effect of frightening them.

Mr. Minter then read a rule, dated 8^th July, 1862, by the commander of the Coast Guards:- “Whereas the railway master, Mr. Willes, had made complaint that the women and children at the station were continually on the line it is ordered that no person shall continue such practice, and this is to be made known to the men, their wives, and children. This order is to be retained at the Pelter Station, in case of any accident occurring by the disobedience of it. T. Davies”.

The inquest on the body of Mary Rebecca Williams then took place.

Peter Mitchell, being sworn, gave similar evidence to that in the previous case, but found the body lying about 30 yeards from that of the other deceased, in a similar position.

George Elliott, labourer, residing at East Cliff, Folkestone, sworn, deposed he was with the witness G. Mercer in the Warren yesterday afternoon. They were standing near the fence on the top of the embankment of the S.E.R.; saw steam from an engine coming from Dover. Witness looked down on to the line and saw two females in the 4 foot of the upper line. Witness made a remark to Mercer “There are two women on the line” and Mercer called out to them. As soon as Mercer spoke deceased looked round and the buffer struck her and she was knocked clean off the rails; heard the whistle blow before the girls were struck. As soon as the train passed witness thought they were clear, but Mercer said “No, there lies one”. Witness went down and found deceased lying clear of the rail, about 18 inches from it, and dead.

Silvester Eastes repeated his evidence as in the former case, and added that Mary Rebecca Williams had a most extensive fracture of the right temporal bone, which extended to the base of the skull, causing immediate death; also a compound fracture of both bones of the right leg, with great laceration of the muscles, and a fracture of the left arm.

The Coroner remarked that from the evidence adduced the accident was purely accidental, and the jury, having shortly consulted, returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

Folkestone Observer 10-12-1864

Two Young Women Killed On The Railway

A very dreadful mistake was made on Sunday by two young women, daughters of coastguardsmen at the Pelter Station, and in the service of Folkestone, by which they in an instant lost their lives. One of the young women, Mary Ann Wade, would have been seventeen years of age on Christmas Day next; the other young woman, Mary Rebecca Williams, was but sixteen years and six months old, and was remarkably tall and well formed. They had been on an afternoon visit to their friends, and were returning to their places of service, having to be in by five o`clock. As the girls were hurriedly getting ready, the father of one of them advised them not to be in too much haste and get overheated. It was but a quarter past four and there was ample time for them to get leisurely into town. It was usually the case, we believe, that nearly all the young folks in the coastguard colony accompanied the young women into town on Monday afternoons, but on Sunday last Miss Williams entreated them not to go with her – she would rather that they not go that evening; and only one girl set out to accompany the two who were returning. This young woman soon afterwards remembering that her own sister, then at tea, had to go into Folkestone, and was afraid to go by herself over The Warren, left her companions and returned home. There is a footpath through The Warren (an old and extensive landslip from the contiguous cliff) and running at first by the side of the railway, where the railway is an embankment or open cutting. This path must have been in good condition on Sunday, but the deceased appear to have intended to take their way through the Martello Tunnel, for they got on to the line soon after they had left the cottages, and after their companion left them were proceeding along the down line, in quiet conversation, facing any train that might be on that line, and so likely to receive an intimation of any danger that might threaten. Very soon after they had entered on the line the afternoon mail emerged from the eastern tunnel, and came on with it`s usual quiet rapidity through the gathering shades of evening. The stoker of the train, observing some persons on the line, drew the driver`s attention to them and he looked out for them, keeping them constantly in his eye, but refraining from sounding his whistle lest he should alarm them, they being then safely on the down line. The wind blowing strongly down the line, the young women did not hear the approaching up train, but just as it neared them they were hailed from the top of the cutting by a person who wished to put them on their guard. That hail was unfortunate. One of the young women turned her head, and rushed instantly, as all women do, into the peril which a simple standing still would avoid. The fatal movement was seen by the engine driver, and he quickly turned to his whistle and gave the alarm – too late, alas! The shriek of the whistle was a shriek of the dead. Just at the moment the whistle gave forth it`s sound the buffer struck Miss Williams on the back, sending her forward thirty yards – dead. Miss Wade received her instantaneously fatal blow at the base of the skull, then the wheels cut open the upper portion of her leg, smashed the bone and flesh of the lower portion, and tore off half a foot. The men who had hailed them from the top of the cutting rushed down to them, but found them utterly dead. The unusual yell of the engine whistle alarmed the coastguardsmen and they ran up to the rail, only to find dead beyond recall those young friends who eight minutes before were in exuberant health. The engine driver slowed his train to the Folkestone Junction station, where ordinarily he does not stop, and reported the fatal mishap; then a messenger was dispatched for surgical aid, and everything prepared for service, should human service yet be of avail. But all was useless. The bodies of the young women were borne sorrowfully to the houses of their relatives, and every kindly attention paid to the shattered remains to fit them as far as possible for the necessary inspection by the coroner and his jury.

On Monday afternoon the borough coroner (J. Minter Esq.) held his court at the Railway Bell, and the jury having seen the bodies and the locality of their death (the railway authority placing a train at the service of the Coroner and jury), the following evidence was taken as to the death of Mary Ann Wade:

Peter Mitchell, ticket collector to the South Eastern Railway, said: At twenty three minutes to four yesterday the driver of the 4-15 mail train called me to him, and stopped the train, which does not ordinarily stop at the Junction Station. He said he had knocked two females down  just beyond the Martello tunnel, who were dressed in black. I told him I would see to it, and he proceeded with his train. I immediately got assistance, and went down, and found the body of Margaret Ann Wade was lying on her back on the up side of the line, between the embankment and the outer rail, with her feet on the rail and her head towards the embankment. The body was about 200 yards from the tunnel. Mary Ann Wade was dead. I found the body of Williams about 30 feet from the body of Wade, also between the embankment and the outer rail.

George Mercer, carpenter, Folkestone, said: I was in The Warren yesterday afternoon, a few minutes after four, and saw the mail train coming up. I was on the top of the cutting, on the sea side. I was walking towards Dover in the company of George Elliott. I saw the females before I saw the train. Elliott said to me “George, there are two females on the line”. I looked over the cutting, and saw two females walking, with the train coming. One was in the six foot and the other in the four foot, the up line. There was no-one else with them. The train was about thirty yards off when I saw them. I hallooed out “Mrs. There`s a train close behind you”. I could not see whether they were young women or aged persons. Before the words were hardly out of my mouth the train struck them. They both ran together, as if they were arm in arm. They ran to get on the sea side. I believe they both had one foot on the outside metal when the train struck them. The train knocked one of them on towards Folkestone. Elliott said “I think they are clear”, and I said “No, there one lies, there”. The buffer struck them. I first went to the body of Mary Ann Wade. She lay on the metal, on the four foot, with her head towards Folkestone – on the up rail, between the two rails, with her clothes over her head. I pulled her clothes down over her legs and picked her up. I held her a second or two in my arms, and found her head drop on one side, and she had no use of her legs, and was dead, as I thought, and I took and drew her on one side of the rails, and laid her against the bank. The accident happened 200 yards the other side of the first tunnel. The wind was dead against the train; I could not hear it coming. The driver blew the engine, I suppose, as it was blowing just at the moment the engine struck them, but the wind was blowing so hard I could not hear it but then, and I could not hear the train. The young women were in the act of crossing sideways before I spoke to them. They were walking apparently close together, one with her foot against the metal on one side and one with her foot against the metal on the other side.

Silvester Eastes, surgeon, said: Yesterday afternoon about 20 minutes to 5 a messenger came to me from the railway station and said two women had been run over by the mail train down by the tunnel, and Mr. Wilkes was sending down to bring them up to the station. I had a carriage waiting for me at the door at the time to take me to a patient who had sent an urgent message some time before, and I sent word that as soon as I had seen my patient I would come. I went on to the station soon after, and was taken down on a trolley to the Pelter Station. I saw the body of Margaret Ann Wade, and found that she had received a most extensive fracture of the upper part of her skull, through which some considerable portion of the brain had exuded. The left leg was torn off close up to the knee; the bone was fractured in many places, and it only held on by a piece of the skin. About half the right foot was also torn away. She must have died instantaneously.

William Pepler, residing at No. 3, Pepler`s Road, Old Kent Road, London, engine driver, in the employ of the South Eastern Railway, said: Yesterday I drove the engine of the mail train from Dover, leaving Dover at 4-15 punctually. Just before coming to the Martello Tunnel my attention was attracted to the females on the up line. I took them to be one female; my mate said there were two. It was very dark. I could hardly tell who it was, man or woman. I could only see it was someone in black. I passed over to the other side to see what it was, and no sooner did I see them than they ran across to the other side. I stand on the left of the engine, but no sooner did I go over to the right side than they ran to the other side. They were first on the down side. I could not tell whether it was one or more than one when they crossed. I blew my whistle as hard as I could, and we both tried to pull up as quick as we could. I never felt anything – whether we struck them or not. I did not see anything afterwards. We could not stop till we came to the end of the tunnel. Then we proceeded slowly to give information at the station. My mate said to me “I believe there`s two”. We were going about 40 miles an hour. I could not have pulled up the train when I first saw them. They were standing clear, and I never like to blow the whistle when I see persons standing clear. It alarms them.

The Coroner then pointed out to the jury the bearing of the evidence towards an accidental death and read the following rule, that had been constantly hanging in the public room at the Pelter Coastguard Station to which all had access:- “Folkestone. 9^th July 1862. Whereas the Railway Station Master has spoken to me upon the subject of women and children continually lying on the railway in the rear of the Pelter buildings, it is my direction that they be not allowed to continue such practice, and this is to be made known to the men, their wives, and children. T. Davies T.C. This order is to be retained at the Pelter Station in case of any accident occurring by the disobedience of it”.

The jury immediately returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

The inquest on the body of Mary Rebecca Williams was then proceeded with, and Peter Mitchell, ticket collector, repeated the evidence given in the former case.

George Elliott, labourer, living at East Cliff, said: I was at The Warren with Mercer yesterday afternoon, standing against the fence at the top of the cutting. I saw the steam from an engine coming from Dover. I looked down on the line and saw two females in the four foot between the rails of the up road that the train was running on. I should think the train was from 20 to 30 yards off. I did not see the engine till it struck the girls. I remarked to Mercer “There`s two females on the road”, and he said “Yes” and called out “Look out, Missus!”, and the train struck them. When he called out I think one of the two females looked round, and then ran. She appeared to me to have hold of the other one`s hand, and stepped from the rail with the left foot. The buffer struck her, and knocked her out of the rails, clear of the embankment. That was Miss Williams that I went to. I heard the driver sound his whistle before the girls were struck. As soon as I saw them in the four foot I heard the whistle blow. We got over the fence and I made a remark to Mercer – “I think they are clear”. He said “No, they are not. There lies one”. That was Miss Williams. Her feet were about 15 or 18 inches from the rail. She was dead.

Mr. Eastes said: I saw the body of Mary Rebecca Williams. I found a most extensive fracture of the right temporal bone of the skull, which extended through the base of the skull, and which caused instant death; also a fracture of both bones of the right leg, great laceration of the muscles, and integuments, and fracture of the right arm.

The Coroner briefly left the case to the jury, who in this case also returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

Kentish Express 10-12-1864

Inquests were held on Monday afternoon at the Railway Bell, Folkestone, on the bodies of Mary Anne Wade, 17 years of age, and Mary Rebecca Williams, 16 years and six months. The deceased were daughters of coastguard-men, at the Coast Pelter station, between Folkestone and Dover, and in service at Folkestone, and were returning to the town after a visit to their friends. There is a footpath to the town over the sea cliff, and running by the side of the railway at an open cutting between the two tunnels; but the girls appear to have got over the fence on to the line. A third girl had just left them to return for a pair of gloves, and it is supposed that the deceased were loitering for her. As the driver of the Continental mail train from Dover came up to the open cutting at 4.15 p.m., his attention was drawn by the stoker to the two women on the line, but seeing that they were on the down line he did not blow his whistle, lest he should alarm them. The wind blowing strong down the line, the girls did not hear the train until it was close upon them, when one of them looked back, and immediately hurried with her companion across the line on which the train was approaching. The driver promptly blew his whistle, but the train immediately struck the girls, knocking out the brains, breaking the legs, and cutting off the feet of one of them, and breaking the back and cutting off the leg of the other. Death was instantaneous. Evidence to the above effect having been given by persons who saw the accident from the top of the cutting, and the engine driver, the jury returned verdicts of Accidental Death.

Kentish Gazette 13-12-1864 

Inquests were hold yesterday after­noon week, at the Railway Bell, Folkestone, on thé bodies of Mary Ann Wade, 17 years of age, and Mary Rebecca Williams, 16 years and six months. The deceased were daughters of Coastguard-men, at the Coast Pelter Station, between Folkestone and Dover, and in service at Folkestone and were returning to the town after a visit to their friends.

There is a footpath to the town over the sea cliff, and running by the side of the railway at an open cutting between the two tunnels, but the girls appear to have got over the fence on to the line. A third girl had just left them to return for a pair of gloves, and it is supposed that the deceased were loitering for her. As the driver of the Continental mail train from Dover came up the open cutting at 4.15 p.m. his attention was drawn by the stoker to the two women on the line, but seeing that they were on the down line he did not blow his whistle, lest he should alarm them. The wind blowing strong down the line, the girls did not hear the train until it was close upon them, when one of them looked back, and immediately hurried with her companion across the line on which the train was approaching. The driver promptly blew his whistle, but the train immediately struck the girls, knocking out the brains, breaking the legs, and cutting of the feet of one of them, and breaking the back and cutting the leg of the other. Death was instantaneous.

Evidence to the above effect having been given by persons who saw the accident from the top of the cutting, and by the engine-driver, the Jury returned verdicts of Accidental Death.

Southeastern Gazette 13-12-1864

Yesterday week an inquest was held on the two young women, Mary Rebecca Williams, 17, and Margaret Ann Wade, 19, who, as we stated in our last, were accidentally killed on the previous day on the South Eastern Railway between the Abbot`s Cliff and Martello Tunnels, Folkestone, as they were crossing the line on their return home from a visit to their parents and friends at the block buildings in the Warren known as the Pelter coastguard station. The jury returned a verdict of Accidentally Killed. On Thursday last the funeral of the two unfortunate girls took place. An engine, second class carriage, and a luggage truck were sent down the line as far as the Pelter station, and the coffins and mourners and others were brought up to the upper station, and from thence proceeded to the village of Capel. The funeral was attended by the whole of the Coast Guard off duty, stationed at the Folkestone and the Pelter station, with Mr. Jarvis, the chief officer, in command. The bodies were buried in one grave in the quiet little churchyard of Capel le Ferne, being followed there by the parents of both the deceased and a number of other friends in deep mourning.

Folkestone Chronicle 11-3-1865

Thursday March 9^th:- Before Captain Kennicott, A.M. Leith, James Tolputt and James Kelcey Esqs.

Permission was granted to Mr. Moret for a temporary authority to sell excisable liquors at the Railway Bell Inn until the next transfer day.

Folkestone Observer 11-5-1866

Fatal Accident In Abbot`s Cliff Tunnel

An inquest was held at the Railway Bell Tavern, near the Folkestone Junction Station on Tuesday, before J. Minter Esq., Coroner, on the body of Matthew Hammond, aged nine years, who gad met his death under the circumstances detailed in the evidence.

Matthew Hammond, second officer of the “Breeze” L.C.& D. steamboat, and residing at Dover, identified the body of deceased as being that of his son, who was nine years old last October, and was engaged by a woman named Lacy to come to Folkestone and sell shrimps. He left home on Monday morning at eight o`clock, and came to Folkestone by the eight o`clock train for the purpose of selling shrimps.

Elizabeth Lacy, living at 8, Round Tower Street, Dover, said deceased was in her employ selling shrimps. Came to Folkestone with her yesterday morning by the eight o`clock train. Parted with him at about quarter past eight at the station. He was to go down town to sell shrimps. Witness went round to sell to the shops. They were to meet somewhere in the town, and would return at two or five o`clock, according as they had sold out. Witness had his return ticket in her pocket. He came away in good spirits. He left his basket in the tea shop near the Swan, where witness usually had her tea. Did not know why he went back so soon. He had not done so before. He was a very good boy. Where he had left the basket he said witness had told him to go to the station, but she had said nothing of the kind. Had had no words with him. Did not know why he returned.

William Marsh, platelayer, in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, was yesterday at work on the line between Dover and Folkestone, about a mile and a quarter from the Folkestone station. Was sitting down taking his breakfast at the side of the line about ten minutes before nine, when this lad came along from Folkestone, walking in the six-foot between the lines, and when he came up asked him where he was going. He said he was going to Dover. Told him he must not go that way. He had better go up the cliff onto the hard road. Said his father was coming behind him. Told him he had better wait till his father came, and then he should send them both off. Then he began crying, and said he did not know the road up the cliff, and he turned back again. Told him he must not walk up the line. He had better go on to the beach, for the water was down, and he could go either to Dover or Folkestone. He had better not be seen on the line again, or witness would lock him up. He went on to the beach, and witness saw no more of him till he was picked up. He did not seem at all confused, until when he told witness his father was coming, and then he was confounded a little. He said his father was a shipwright, living at Dover.

Charles Carter, inspector, in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, stationed at Dover:- On arrival of the 9-30 mail train at Dover, a child`s hat fell from the engine previous to it`s entering the station. On examining the same, blood and brains were found inside. The engine was then examined, and blood and brains were found on the ash pan and also on the wheels. Reported this to the superintendent, and took an engine to search the road from Dover to Folkestone. Mr. Colbeck, surgeon, and others accompanied witness, and they came on the up line. About a quarter of a mile before they came out of the Abbot`s Cliff Tunnel, on the Folkestone side, found the body of a little boy, on the down-line rails, in the four-foot. The body was examined by the surgeon and brought to Folkestone. The body was quite dead. The Parliamentary train had passed over the body, but had not touched the body. The mail train arrived in Dover at 9-23 and the Parliamentary at 10-22. Witness left Dover at 10-28. Previous to leaving Dover telegraphed to Folkestone, at 10-25, to say that an accident had occurred on the down line of rails. The Parliamentary train had left Folkestone before an accident was known to have occurred. Did not know of the accident till witness came back from the pier where he had been with the mails. The signalman near the Abbot`s Cliff Tunnel had picked up the hat as soon as the train had passed, but he would not be allowed to leave his signal box until the train had returned from the pier, which would be at five minutes to ten.

Thomas William Colbeck, surgeon, practicing at Dover, was called soon after ten o`clock yesterday to go up the line in company with the last witness. About a quarter of a mile before getting out of the tunnel on this side a man, who was walking on the down line with a lantern, said “Here it is, sir”, and on getting out of the carriage they saw the greater part of the skull and one boot. About ten yards nearer Folkestone they discovered the body. Both legs had been broken and greater part of the skull carried away. Twenty yards nearer Folkestone they found several masses of brain. Death must have been instantaneous. Porters who were there took the body up, put it on a truck, and took it to Folkestone. The Belgian, who accompanied witness, said as they approached the spot “You will find it near about here”. He had felt the shock, and at the same time exclaimed “What on earth is that?”. He thought a box had fallen off.

The Coroner, on summing up, suggested that possibly the boy had got tired of his occupation and wanted to throw it up, and went home the nearest way he could to Dover.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Editorial

Is Crowner`s Law Law For The Crowner?

At the opening of the Coroner`s Court at the Railway Bell on Tuesday the following conversation took place.

Foreman (Mr. Hide, Dover Street): I am deputed, Mr. Coroner, to ask you a question. How much a juryman would be fined in the event of his being absent?

Coroner, scenting the game: But they are all here.

Foreman: But in the event of one being absent, what would be the fine? It is 40s, I think. Now, you have kept us waiting –

Coroner: It is the first time I have been absent at the time fixed for opening the court, and I thought this was called for six o`clock. I saw Mr. Willes, the station master, last night, as to the trains, and I found that I could be here in time for six o`clock. I am very sorry I have detained you half an hour.

Foreman: It`s an hour, Mr. Coroner. We had thought it was Mr. Morford`s, the summoning officer`s fault, and we had intended fining him, but as you have confessed we will let him off. (laughter)

Mr. Bolt: I hope Mr. Minter will charge you 6s 8d for advice. (laughter)

Folkestone Chronicle 12-5-1866

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Railway Bell Inn on Tuesday evening, on the body of a lad named Matthew Hammond, who was killed on Monday morning while walking through Abbot`s Cliff Tunnel on his way to Dover. Owing to a mistake between the Coroner and Morford, who “warns” the jury, the latter were kept waiting for an hour and a half before Mr. Minter arrived, when, in answer to a question from the foreman (Mr. Hale) as to how much a Coroner ought to be fined who kept a jury waiting – a juryman being liable to a fine of 40s, who kept a coroner waiting – the mistake was explained. The jury, having viewed the body, which presented a sickening spectacle, the following evidence was adduced.

Matthew Hammond, mariner, of Dover, said he identified the body as that of his son, Matthew Hammond. He was nine years of age last October. He was employed by a woman named Lacey to come with her to Folkestone to sell shrimps, and left home yesterday morning for the purpose of coming to Folkestone by the eight o`clock train.

Elizabeth Lacey said she lived at Dover. The deceased was employed by her to sell shrimps, and came to Folkestone for that purpose with her by the eight o`clock train on Monday morning. Parted with him about a quarter past eight o`clock in the Dover Road. He was to have gone round the town to sell shrimps whilst she went to serve the shops. When he had done selling he either found her in the town or waited for her at the station. She had his return ticket in her pocket. She had no words with him. He left his basket of shrimps at a coffee shop near the station. He was generally such a good boy to sell, and she did not know why he went away. Could not say whether he could find his way home to Dover by the road. He had never left her before.

William Marsh said he was a platelayer in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Monday morning he was at work on the line about a mile and a quarter from Folkestone. A few minutes before nine o`clock he was sitting on the bank eating his breakfast, when he saw a lad walking towards him from Folkestone in the six foot. Asked the lad where he was going and he said “To Dover”. Told him he must not go that way, but he had better go up the cliff and along the road, when the lad began to cry, and said his father was coming behind him. Told him he had better wait till his father came, when he must turn them both off. The lad began to cry, said he did not know the road over the cliff, and started to walk back towards Folkestone. Told him he must not be on the line at all, and he could go down on the beach as the water was down, and reach either Dover or Folkestone that way, and that if he caught him on the line again he would lock him up. He went over on to the beach, and witness saw no more of him till he was picked up dead. The lad did not seem at all confused, but came along boldly as if he did not know he was doing wrong, and said his father was a shipwright living at Dover.

Charles Carter, an inspector in the employ of the South Eastern railway Company, said that previous to the 9-33 mail train entering the station yard at Dover, the signalman at the Archcliff Tunnel saw a child`s hat drop from under the engine, and on picking it up found in it a quantity of blood and brains. When the train came back from the pier, the signalman reported the circumstance to the station master, and on examining the engine blood and brains were found on the ash pan and the wheels. Witness received instructions to take an engine to search the up line between Dover and Folkestone, and a telegram was sent to Folkestone asking the station master to search the down line. Witness was accompanied by Mr. Colback, surgeon, and several others. About a quarter of a mile before they got out of Abbot`s Cliff Tunnel, on the Folkestone side, they found the body of deceased on the down line of rails, lying in the “four foot”. The body was examined by the surgeaon and brought to the Railway Bell, Folkestone, on a truck. In answer to a question by a juryman, witness said that the Parliamentary train passed over the body after the mail train: it had started from Folkestone before the accident had been reported. He was of opinion that this train did not touch the body, and that if deceased had been lying down the mail train would not have touched him. There is plenty of room at the side of the tunnel to stand as a train passes.

Thomas William Colback, a surgeon practicing at Dover, said that soon after ten o`clock on Monday morning he was sent for by Mr. Way, the superintendent at the Dover terminus, to accompany the last witness along the line in search of the deceased. About a quarter of a mile from the end of the Abbot`s Cliff Tunnel, a man who was walking along the down line with a lantern said “Here it is, sir”, and on getting out of the carriage witness fount the greater portion of the upper part of a skull, and a boot. About ten yards nearer Folkestone they found the body of deceased, which was very much lacerated, and both legs broken. He need hardly say that it was quite dead, and death must have been instantaneous. About twenty yards further on they found masses of brains. The Belgian Mail Master (who accompanied them in the search), on approaching the spot where the body was found, remarked “You will find it somewhere about here”, and said that when they passed that place in the morning he felt a shock, and made a remark about it at the time to one of his men.

After a few remarks from the Coroner the jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Southeastern Gazette 28-8-1866

Local News

On Monday afternoon, a fashionably-dressed man, carrying a large black glazed leather bag, entered the Railway Bell Inn, and ordered tea and a chop, with a bed for the night. He then requested to be shown to his bedroom, to refresh himself with a wash. His desire was complied with, and he was shown upstairs to a room on the first floor. This chamber, it seems, opened into a corridor, at the end of which was a room containing a large cabinet, in which the silver plate and other valuables of the establishment were kept. In about half an hour the gentleman came down, carrying the black leather bag with him, which he had taken upstairs. As he passed the bar he mentioned that he was going out on business for half an hour. Several hours passed away without the return of the “traveller,” when it just struck the landlady to go upstairs to see whether all was safe. On going into the room where the plate had been left, she found that the chest had been broken open, and some forks and spoons, amounting in value to about £15, abstracted. It need scarcely be remarked, that the stranger did not come back for his “tea and chop.”

Kentish Gazette 28-8-1866

One of the most daring and cool hotel robberies was perpetrated at Folkestone yesterday week. 

About four o’clock in the afternoon of that day a fashionably-dressed man, carrying a large black-glazed leather bag, entered the Royal Railway Hotel (sic), and ordered tea and a chop, with a bed for the night, and breakfast next morning. 

He was ushered into the reception room, and he presently requested to be shown to his bedroom, to refresh himself with a wash. 

His desire was complied with, and he was shown upstairs to a room on the first floor This particular chamber, it seems, opened into a corridor, at the end of which was a room containing a large cabinet, in which the silver plate and other valuables of the establishment were kept. 

In about half-an-hour the gentleman came down refreshed, carrying the black leather bag with him, which he had taken upstairs. As he passed the bar he mentioned that he was going out on business for half an hour, but was very particular in requesting that the “tea and chop” should be ready at the expiration of that time. So he departed. Half an hour - an hour - two hours - passed away without the return of the “traveller,” when it just struck the landlady to go upstairs to see whe­ther all was safe. 

On going into the room where the plate had been left, she found that the cabinet had been broken open, and the whole of the plate, amounting in value to about £70, abstracted. In one drawer in the cabinet there were two gold watches, several diamond rings, and other ar­ticles of jewellery, altogether valued at about £100. 

This drawer, however, fortunately escaped the notice of the “traveller,” who, it need scarcely be remarked, did not come back for his “tea and chop.” 

As soon as the fact of the robbery was ascertained information was given to the police, but up to the present time nothing has been ascer­tained as to the perpetrator of the daring theft.

Folkestone Chronicle 11-5-1867

Coroner`s Inquest

The inquest on the body of the unfortunate man, Charles Wood, was held at the Railway Bell Hotel on Thursday, before John Minter Esq., Borough Coroner, and a jury.

William Mitchell, station master, identified the body, which presented a frightful appearance, the head being all but separated from the body, which was much mangled.

Thomas Mann, engine driver, of 9 Alfred Place, Bedford Place, Old Kent Road, London, was in charge of the engine drawing the 9-05 a.m. down train from Charing Cross, on the 8^th inst., reaching Folkestone about 12-47. On nearing Folkestone Junction Station he was looking out, and saw just at the end of the platform, the deceased step from behind a truck on the siding by the goods shed, on the down line, so that he was momentarily struck down by the left hand buffer of the engine. The train was stopped at once.

Cyrus Southerden Offen, carriage inspector, in employ of South Eastern Railway Company, at Folkestone Harbour and Upper Stations, whose duty it is to attend the arrival of each train, witnessed that of the 9-05 a.m. from Charing Cross on Wednesday. He was walking in the 6 ft. between the turntable road and the down road, towards the down platform, and saw deceased just in front come from behind a truck into the way of the train: witness helloed to him twice, but he took no notice: he ran to try to save him, but was too late: he saw him knocked down by the engine, and turned away horrified: deceased was carried about 15 ft. by the train. When the train had passed, witness went to deceased, who was lying in the 4 ft: he gasped twice when he was found.

John Porter, goods porter at the South Eastern Railway Upper Station, was close to the goods shed at the Dover end, and about a rod from deceased when he was struck down by the engine as described by the last witness.

Mr. Mitchell, re-examined: Deceased was well aware of the train. Richards should be on the spot where the accident occurred, to warn persons crossing the line. There was formerly a man specially appointed to warn them, but not now. It was everyone`s business.

The Coroner told P.C. Swain that he understood the door of the room had been locked, and no-one allowed to see the poor man. It was not necessary for the police to take charge of the body in a case like this, where there was no suspicion of foul play. The body might have been taken home.

Richards, the ticket collector, and Chester, the head porter, having been examined, the jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Folkestone Observer 11-5-1867

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Railway Bell on Thursday by Mr. Coroner Minter, on the body of Charles Wood, a goods porter, who was knocked down on Wednesday by the train leaving Charing Cross at 9-05 a.m. The deceased was about 54 years of age, unmarried, and has been heard to say that he had not communicated with his friends at Chipping Ongar for thirty years.

Thomas Mann, living in Old Kent Road, London, said he was the driver of the 9-05 a.m. mail train from Charing Cross on the South Eastern Railway, on Wednesday. Stopped at Shorncliffe, and arrived at Folkestone about 12-28. On approaching the Folkestone Station he was keeping a look out, and the line was clear until he approached the station. Saw Wood come out from behind a truck on a siding by a goods shed. He was only three or four feet from the engine when he stepped out on to the four feet of the down line, and witness shouted to him instantly. Had not time to blow the whistle. The brake had been previously applied, and the engine was slung out of gear, in accordance with the regulations for entering the station. It was impossible to stop the engine before it struck deceased, with the left hand buffer, on the side. He was evidently going to pick up the goods train from Dover, and when shouted to he still looked at the pick up. Did not think the engine was going six miles an hour.

Cyrus Offen, who is carriage inspector at both Folkestone stations, said it was his duty to attend on the arrival of each train to examine the carriages. Was present on Wednesday on the arrival of the 9-05 train from Charing Cross, and which arrived in Folkestone from about half past twelve to one. Was walking in the six foot between a siding and the down line, near the turntable on entering the station. Saw just in front of him the deceased coming from behind a truck. Called out to him by his name to warn him of the approaching down train. Was six or seven feet from him. He took no notice of witness`s calling to him. He was not deaf. Deceased`s attention was called to the pick-up coming in from Dover, and the noise of the engines would drown witness`s voice. Witness ran towards him to save him, but was too late. Thought he heard witness call, as he seemed partly to turn around after his foot was on the metal. The buffer struck him, and witness saw the engine go over one of his legs. He then turned away horrified, and did not see him again till the train had passed. He was then about fifteen feet from where he was knocked down. Witness went up to him, and he gasped twice. The engine was going about six miles an hour. Cannot say whether any officer was on either of the stations to warn people from crossing.

John Philpott, goods porter at the Upper Railway Station, was close to the goods shed, Dover side, on the arrival of the 9-05 train from Charing Cross on Wednesday. Saw deceased going from the goods shed to the goods pick-up, to which he always attended. The truck from behind which he stepped was between the turntable and the goods shed. Was about a rod from deceased, and as soon as he stepped out he was knocked down by the engine. Went up and looked at him, and he was quite dead.

Mr. Mitchell, station master, said the train had been running at this time for many years, and had not been altered more than five minutes. Deceased was quite aware of the time of arrival. They have the timetables and book of rules in the goods shed, and also the warning bell.

A juryman enquired whether Mitchell, the station master, was at his post when the train came in. Mr. Mitchell said he was at the Harbour Station at the time. His representative, Inspector Chester, was in charge at the time.

Samuel Chester was called and said: I am head porter at Folkestone Junction Station. In the station master`s absence I take his place and duties. Hills was at the signal post at the arrival of the train. The ticket collector should have been at his.

Mr. Minter said the question asked as to the duties of the various officers would have a good deal to do with the verdict, supposing the person killed was a stranger, but the deceased was an official, and knew the time at which the trains should arrive, and he (Mr. Minter) could not help thinking, and had no doubt the jury would agree with him, that habits of familiarity with danger caused the railway employees to take risks on themselves which were wholly unnecessary, and he wondered there were not more accidents. He did not know that anyone was really more to blame than the unfortunate deceased himself. If he had not been so intent on his duty, so anxious to give the way bills to the Dover “pick-up”, he would not have, probably, met with his death. A question had been asked as to the duties of the various officials, and according to the answer he thought it was almost impossible that such an accident should have happened to a stranger as there was a man stationed at the signal post one side, who would warn passengers off, and there was the ticket collector on the other. The ticket collector was not where he should have been in this instance, but the probabilities were that if he had been, in this instance, he would have taken no notice of deceased, who was well acquainted with shunting trains and knew more of the danger to be incurred than the witness.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Southeastern Gazette 14-5-1867

Inquest

An inquest was held on Thursday last, at the Railway Tavern (sic), before J. Minter, Esq., coroner, and a respectable jury, on the body of Charles Woods, a goods porter in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, who bad met with his death on the previous day, by being knocked down by an engine.

It appeared from the evidence that on Wednesday, shortly after noon, the pick-up goods train, from Dover, was standing on the up line of rails; and Wood (who was standing on the space between the two lines of railway) stepped back upon the down line of rails, not observing the approach of the train which is due at Dover at 12.40, which was slowly drawing into the station and then close upon him. The unfortunate man was knocked down, the guard-iron striking him so as to nearly sever his head from his body - the ash-pans completing the work of his destruction by crushing him as they passed over. The spectacle to the passengers who were waiting on the platform was of a very appalling description. Deceased had been many years in the company’s service at Folkestone, and was much and deservedly respected. He was an unmarried man. Mr. Minter, in summing up the case, said, as far as the evidence went, it did not appear that blame was attachable to anyone.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned. 

Folkestone Observer 15-2-1868

Wednesday, February 12^th: Before The Mayor, R.W. Boarer and W. Bateman Esqs.

John Williams applied for a transfer of the license granted to Joseph Moret to sell excisable liquors at the Railway Bell hotel, Dover Road. Application granted.

Southeastern Gazette 20-7-1868

Inquest

On Friday afternoon an Ashford man named Prebble dropped down dead at his work under the circumstances narrated below. The inquest was held on Saturday morning, at the Railway Bell, Dover Road, before J. Minter, Esq., borough coroner.

The body was identified by the postmaster of Ashford as that of his cousin, William Prebble, an insurance agent and messenger to the post office of Ashford. He had been sent to Folkestone to paint the huts and apparatus belonging to the post-office. Deceased was 45 years of age, and had formerly been in the 23rd Fusileers, having served through the Crimean war, where he was shot through the body at the last storming of the Redan.

Mr. Silvester Eastes, surgeon, deposed to having been sent for to attend deceased, at about a quarter to six o’clock on Friday. He found him lying on the ballast on the north side of the down line, with his face on the ground, slightly inclining to his right side, quite dead and cold. Close to where his work was left unfinished were two or three small pools of blood, as though he had been coughing, and witness believed that some large vessel of the chest had been ruptured, especially as he found an old wound about him; it was greatly accelerated by the intense heat. There were no marks of violence on the body. There was no doubt that death was occasioned by natural causes.

Other witnesses having been examined, the jury returned a verdict of “Died by the visitation of God.”

Folkestone Chronicle 25-7-1868

Coroner`s Inquest

An inquest was held at the Railway Bell on Saturday before J. Minter Esq., coroner, and a jury, on the body of Wm. Prebble, whose sudden death we reported in our last.

The jury having viewed the body the following evidence was taken.

John Edward Munn, postmaster, Ashford, identified the body as being that of William Prebble, an insurance agent and messenger to the Post Office, Ashford, and a cousin of his own. He was here engaged painting the huts and apparatus belonging to the Post Office, and he came down from Ashford on Thursday. His age was 45, and he had been a soldier in the 23^rd Fusiliers, and went all through the Crimean War, being shot through the body at the last action at the Redan.

S. Eastes Esq., surgeon, deposed: Yesterday about a quarter to 6 o`clock I was sent for to attend deceased, who had been found laying on the railway. He was lying about 4 feet from the north side of the rail and parallel to it, on his face, quite dead, and getting cold. There was a little blood mixed with phlegm on the ballast close to where his work had been left unfinished. I believe some large vessel about the chest had been ruptured, and as he had an old wound it is very probable it was connected in some way with that. I think the death was greatly accelerated by the intense heat. There were no marks of violence, and I have no doubt death was occasioned from natural causes.

Wm. Hills, signalman, in the S.E.R. Company`s employ, saw deceased at ten minutes to five at his work, spoke to him, and received a reply that it was very warm.

Robert Leonard, engine driver, at 5-26, was driving his train and saw deceased lying with his face on the ground close to the mail apparatus, between that and the down line. He appeared to be asleep and I reported the circumstance at the station.

Eli Belcher, porter, S.E.R. said he was directed to go to the mail apparatus about half past five, and there saw deceased  lying down, with his face to the ground, his head on his right arm. He appeared to be asleep, but as I could not arouse him I touched his face and found it was cold. I got assistance and helped to remove the body to this house.

Supt. Martin deposed: Last evening at a quarter to six the last witness came to him and stated a man had been found dead on the line. He searched the body and found a silver watch with steel chain, a purse containing £2 10s. in gold, 11s. in silver, 1 1/2d. in copper, and a knife.

The coroner then briefly summed up, and the jury returned a verdict of “Died by the visitation of God”.

Kentish Gazette 28-7-1868

An appalling instance of the dreadful uncertainty of human life occurred on the South Eastern Railway, near the Folkestone Upper Station, on Friday afternoon week, the particulars of which will be gleaned from the following evidence adduced at the inquest held on Sa­turday morning, at the Railway Bell, before J. Minter, Esq., Coroner.

John Edward Munn, postmaster, at Ash­ford, identified the body of deceased as being that of Wil­liam Prebble, aged 45 years, an agent and messenger at­tached to the Post Office, and residing at 17, Regent’s Place, Ashford. Deceased was his cousin, and engaged by witness to paint the huts and apparatus belonging to the Post Office, on the South Eastern Railway, and came down to Folkestone for that purpose on Thursday. Deceased had been a soldier in the 23^rd Fusiliers, and had been through the Crimean war, where he was shot through the body at the storming of the Redan.

Wm. S. Eastes, surgeon, de­posed that on the previous evening about quarter before six o’clock, he was called to see the deceased. He found him lying on the railway near the bridge, about three or four feet from the up-rails. He was lying on his face, and quite dead, and the limbs were getting cold. His attention was called to some blood mixed with phlegm, on the ground close to deceased's work, the body being about three or four yards away, and it appeared as though the blood had been coughed up. From this he believed that some large vessel had given way about the chest, and finding that he had an old wound connected with the chest, he was further strengthened in that belief, death being accelerated, per­haps, by the great heat - of course he could not say posi­tively such was the case without a post mortem examina­tion. There were no marks of violence about the body, and he had no doubt death resulted from internal causes.

William Hills, signalman, said he spoke to deceased about ten minutes to five the previous evening, and saw him painting the mail apparatus. Deceased then said it was very warm.

Robert Leonard, engine-driver, deposed that he was on the engine of the 2.18 train from Charing Cross, and arrived at Folkestone Junction about 5.26. On passing he saw a man lying near the bridge, and gave in­formation at the station. The man was lying quite clear of the rails and appeared as though asleep.

Ely Belcher deposed that he went to the spot by the order of the sta­tion-master, and found on his arrival that the man was dead. He was lying on his right side with his cheek on the ground, and the paint brush still in his hand.

Super­intendent Martin also deposed to going to the spot and seeing the deceased. He ordered the body to be conveyed to the Railway Bell.

The jury at once returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes.

Folkestone Observer 9-1-1869

Wednesday, January 4^th: Before The Mayor and R.W. Boarer Esq.

Robert Flux applied for a temporary authority to sell excisable liquors at the Railway Bell Hotel under the license granted to John Willows.

Application granted.

Folkestone Express 9-1-1869

Wednesday, January 6^th: Before The Mayor and R.W. Boarer Esq.

The Railway Bell, Dover Road: This was an application by Mr. Robert Flux for temporary power to sell under the license of Mr. John Willows. Application granted.

Kentish Gazette 12-1-1869

On Wednesday the following licenses were transferred: The Dolphin Inn, from Mr. Packham to Mr.

Ayliffe; the Hope Inn, from Mr. Arthur Ayliffe to Mr. John French. An application was granted for 

temporary power to sell to Mr. Robert Flux, of the Railway Bell, he not having had time to make the 

ordinary application for a transfer of the license from Mr. J. Willows.

Folkestone Chronicle 30-1-1869

Inquest

On Monday afternoon an inquest was held at the Railway Bell before J. Minter Esq., coroner, and a jury, on the body of a man named Edward Jones, well known to all the residents and visitors of the town as a crossing-sweeper at the bottom of Mill Lane, as a shoe-black near the Pavilion Hotel, and as a vendor of nuts and oranges, who was found dead at the lime kiln, Dover Road, on Saturday morning, under the circumstances detailed below.

The court having been opened and the jury sworn, the proceeded to view the body, which was lying on some straw in the stable, and was identified by James Burvill. On their return, a juror asked if Mr. Thomas Newman, the proprietor of the kiln, should be on the jury. The Coroner replied, that having been sworn, it was not in his power to discharge him, but had he known the circumstances he should not have allowed him to be on the jury. The enquiry then proceeded.

James Burvill, lime burner in the employ of Mr. Thomas Newman, Folkestone Hill Lime Works, said: On Saturday morning last, at twenty minutes past six, I found deceased lying on his right side, arms partly folded, on the wall of the kiln, and his feet in the kiln, on the lime. The kiln was alight, but not burned through. I put a thatched wattle on Friday to keep the wind from the kiln, and deceased was in it`s shelter. He was quite dead, but not cold. I took his feet off the kiln, and laid him straight. I sent for the police. I have often seen deceased there before, and have cautioned him of danger. There is nothing to prevent anyone from falling in if the kiln is empty, but it is never left empty, and `tis not on any road. There is no right of way to it.

William Bateman, surgeon, said: On Saturday morning I was called to see deceased, who was lying at the lime kiln in the position described by last witness. He appeared to be asleep. I examined the body – there is no appearance of violence, and I have no doubt he was poisoned by the carbonic acid gas from the fumes of the lime, which first produces torpor, next insensibility, and soon death. The wind may have shifted, for there was an eddy of smoke over his face. It is a very dangerous position for him to be in. I know nothing of deceased except by hearsay.

P.C. Hills said: From information received, I went to the Folkestone Hill Lime Works on Saturday morning about eight o`clock, where I found deceased. I informed Dr. Bateman of the occurrence. I assisted to remove the body to the stable, where it now lies. I searched it, and found 2d. in coppers, two knives, one purse, a Book Of Common Prayer, his shoe brushes, a chain, and a necktie. He obtained a livelihood as a crossing-sweeper and a shoeblack.

A verdict of “Poisoned by carbonic acid gas” was returned.

It was stated that deceased had a brother, a silk mercer, in Fenchurch Street, but no-one had written to inform him of the occurrence. The parish officers would have to apply to him for the funeral expenses.

Folkestone Observer 30-1-1869

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Railway Bell Hotel, before the Coroner, J. Minter Esq., on Monday afternoon last, on the body of Edward Jones, about 35 years of age, a shoeblack and crossing sweeper, who usually took up his quarters near the Harbour.

After the swearing of the jury and seeing the body, a juror asked if Mr. Newman, who was proprietor of the lime kiln, should be allowed to sit on the jury.

The Coroner said it was not proper that Mr. Newman should be on the jury, but as he was sworn he could not discharge him.

The following evidence was then taken:

James Burvill said he was a lime burner and lived in Denmark Road, in the employ of Mr. Thomas Newman, proprietor of the Folkestone Hill Lime Kilns. On Saturday morning last, about 20 minutes past six, he found deceased lying by the side of the lime kiln. He identified the body as that of Edward Jones. Deceased was lying on his right side, with his arm partly folded on the wall of the kiln. His feet were lying over the wall into the top of the lime. The kiln was lit, but the flames had not reached the top. He was lying behind a wattle, which had been put there to keep the wind from the kiln. Deceased was quite dead but not cold. Took his feet from the kiln, and laid him straight. There was no-one with witness until ten minutes after, when he sent the boy for a policeman.

By the jury: There was no protection for passers by, but it was not a public thoroughfare. The Dover Road was 100 yards, and the Crete Road but 20 yards from the kiln. Never left the kiln empty at night; it was his duty to fill it.

William Bateman, surgeon, practicing at Folkestone, said he was called about eight o`clock by a policeman and proceeded to the Folkestone Hill Lime Kiln. Found the deceased in the position described by the last witness. He was lying as if asleep.

Burvill, re-called, said deceased had been there before, and witness had cautioned him as to the danger of sleeping there. Deceased said he thought there was no harm, as he only came to have a warm. Did not see him there on Saturday night. They had what they called “Fired up” when he left. The smoke from the kiln was very suffocating.

Mr. Bateman then continued his evidence. The last witness told him he had only moved his legs. Examined the deceased and found no appearance of violence. Had no doubt he had died from the carbonic gas from the kilns. When witness saw him the wind took the smoke right across his face. The lew of the wattle would make the eddy dangerous. The body did not show any outward appearance. In some cases the carbonic gas discoloured the face. If an animal had been in the same position he had no doubt it would be dead in a few minutes. Had seen deceased about the town very often, but did not know much about him. Had heard that deceased had a brother well off at Fenchurch Street, London, a silk merchant, he believed.

P.C. Hills said on Saturday morning about seven o`clock he received information that a man was lying dead at the lime kilns. He gave information to Mr. Bateman, and then proceeded to the lime kilns where he saw deceased lying as described by the first witness, Burvill. He then, with the assistance of Burvill, removed him to the stable where he now lay. On searching him, he found twopence, two pocket knives, a money purse, a common prayer book, one neck tie, and half a dozen shoe brushes, the whole of which he now produced. Deceased was a shoeblack. He earned his livelihood by sweeping crossings and by shoe cleaning.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased was poisoned by inhaling carbonic acid gas.

Folkestone Express 30-1-1869

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Railway Bell on Monday, before the Coroner, J. Minter Esq., on the body of a man who was discovered on Saturday morning, quite dead, lying on the lime kilns, adjacent to the Dover Road. It is supposed that he went there for the purpose of sleeping, and was suffocated by the poisonous vapour arising from the lime. The deceased was identified as Edward Jones, a man who is better known as the shoe-black, generally stationed near the Pavilion Hotel, and was considered rather an eccentric individual, his following that employment being apparently voluntary, as some of his friends were in good circumstances, and from what we can hear used their endeavours to influence him to follow a more respectable vocation.

The jury was sworn, but an exception was taken to the name of Mr. Newman, but the Coroner said as he had been sworn he must remain.

The first witness examined was James Burvell, who said: I am a lime burner in the employ of Mr. Thomas Newman, who is the proprietor of the Lime Kilns, Folkestone Hill, where the body was found, and I live in Denmark Road. (The jury then proceeded to view the body, and the witness identified it). On Saturday morning last, the 23^rd instant, at twenty minutes past six, I found the deceased lying on the lime kiln. He was on his right side, and his arms partly folded. His body was on the wall of the kiln, and his feet on the lime. The kiln was alight, but the fire did not rise to the top. He was lying between the thatched wattle which I had placed there the previous evening to prevent the wind getting to the lime. He was quite dead, but not cold. I took his feet off the kiln and laid him straight. There was no-one else there at the time, but ten minutes after a boy came, and I sent him for Mr. Hills. The deceased`s clothes was all in order.

By the jury: There is no protection to the kiln, but it is generally full, and always when I leave of a night. There is no pathway to the kiln, but to go there you must trespass.

By the Coroner: The kiln is about 100 yards from the road. The one in the Crete Road is only twenty yards.

Dr. Bateman, sworn, said: I am a surgeon, practicing at Folkestone. I was called at eight o`clock on Saturday by a policeman and proceeded to the lime kilns, and there found the deceased lying in the position the previous witness described, looking as if he was asleep. Burvell told me he had only moved his feet.

J. Burvell, re-called: I have seen the deceased there before several times to sleep of a night, and I have cautioned him and told him of his danger of suffocation. He said he thought it no harm; he came to get warm. I did not see him there that night; the fumes are suffocating; if there is a deal of smoke, it is very strong; the lime was fired up.

Dr. Bateman: I examined the body. There was no appearance of violence, and I have no doubt he died poisoned by carbonic acid gas, which produces sleepiness and stupor. When I saw him, the wind took the smoke and gas close to his face. I should think it a very dangerous position at any time. The lew of the wattle would make the smoke come to him. There was no outward appearance but that he died by suffocation. An animal would have died in such a position in a few minutes. In the position he lay he had the whole of the smoke. Carbonic acid is a very poisonous gas, and ten percent of it in the atmosphere would poison any person. I can`t tell if he was the worse for drink at the time. I have seen him often, and heard that he has a brother very well off; he is in business in Fenchurch Street as a silk mercer. The deceased was frequently very badly off, and when he had money he spent it in a very foolish manner.

P.C. Hills, sworn, said: On Saturday morning I saw a man lying dead at the lime kilns, and I gave information to Mr. Bateman; deceased was lying on the brickwork; we then removed him to where he now lies. I searched him and found 2d. in money, two knives, one purse, a Common Prayer Book, and a neckerchief, a half dozen shoe brushes, and a little chain. He was a shoeblack and crossing sweeper.

The jury at once returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, that the deceased died from the effects of carbonic acid gas from the lime kilns.

Southeastern Gazette 1-2-1869

 

Inquest

An inquest was held before J. Minter, Esq., at the Railway Bell Hotel, on Monday afternoon, on the body of a man found on the Lime Kiln, near the Dover Road, on Saturday morning.

James Burvill deposed that he was a lime burner, and that when proceeding to his work about six o’clock on Saturday morning last he saw the deceased lying on his side, his feet resting on the lime, and quite dead. He had seen the deceased there previously, and cautioned him of the danger of suffocation. Deceased answered “There is no harm in trying to get warm.” The fumes of the lime were very suffocating if there was much smoke. The kiln was fired up on Friday night. The kiln was away from any public thoroughfare, and about 100 yards from the road. There is no protection to it, but it was generally full.

Mr. W. Bateman, surgeon, had no doubt that death arose from his having been poisoned by the carbonic acid gas, which produces sleepiness and stupor, and was caused by the burning lime.

Deceased’s name was Edward Jones, and he followed the calling of a shoe black and crossing sweeper near the Pavilion Hotel.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

 

Folkestone Chronicle 27-2-1869

Wednesday, February 23^rd: Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and S. Eastes Esq.

License of the following house was transferred at a special sessions:- The Railway Bell to Robert Flux

Folkestone Observer 27-2-1869

Tuesday, February 23^rd: Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and S. Eastes Esq.

Robert Flux applied for a transfer of the license granted to John Willows, to sell at the Railway Bell Hotel. Granted.

Folkestone Express 27-2-1869

Wednesday, February 24^th: Before Captain Kennicott R.N. and S. Eastes Esq.

Transfer of License

The Railway Bell – Robert Flux, transferred from John Willows. Granted.

Southeastern Gazette 1-3-1869

Transfer of Licence.—The following licence was applied for on Wednesday and granted :—R. Flux, from J. Willows, of the Railway Bell

Kentish Gazette 2-3-1869

The following license was applied for on Wednesday and granted: R. Flux, from J. Willows, of the Railway Bell