Folkestone Chronicle 3-1-1874
Inquest
An inquest
was held on Monday last before J. Minter Esq., Coroner for the Borough, at the Railway
Bell Inn, Dover Road, on the body of James Borland, a fireman in the employ of
the South Eastern Railway Company, who met with his death on Friday evening
last, under the circumstances detailed below.
The jury,
having been sworn, proceeded to view the body, which was lying at the father`s
house. On their return the following evidence was taken –
Sylvester
Eastes, surgeon, being sworn, deposed that about 5 o`clock on Friday evening he
was called to the house of the father of the deceased, whence he had been
removed on a stretcher. He found deceased quite stiff, and in a complete state
of collapse, and insensible. After a little time he partially recovered
sensitiveness, and swallowed a little brandy and water. I had him placed on a
bed, and had his clothes removed. He was then breathing rapidly. Upon
examination I found two or three ribs on the left side broken, and a large quantity
of air had escaped under the cellular tissues over the greater part of the
body, thus proving that the lungs had been injured by the fracture of a rib.
There was also a dislocation of the left hip joint. After bandaging the chest,
I applied warmth to the feet and gave him some stimulants. He then became quite
conscious, but breathing very laboriously. I then left him, but saw him again
between 7 and 8 o`clock; found him in much the same condition. Between 9 and 10
o`clock I received an urgent message to come and see him again. Upon my arrival
I found he was dead. Death was caused by injury to the lungs caused by broken
ribs. I have not held a post mortem examination; did not think it necessary; he
only lived about 4 hours.
William Mills
was next sworn, who said: I am an engine driver in the employ of the South
Eastern Railway Company, and am stationed at Folkestone. I drive the engine
(No. 152) to and from the Harbour to the Junction. I have identified the body
of deceased as that of James Borland, who was my fireman. I am 63 years of age,
and have been in the employ of the Company as an engine driver for 27 years. I
and deceased had been at work all day on Friday, December 26th, from
about a quarter before six, driving the engine to and from the station and the
Harbour with passengers and goods, excepting during breakfast and dinner. We
left the engine to go to tea about half past four. On my return a few minutes
before five, I met deceased at the end of the platform, on th up side of the
line. We walked down to the engine together, deceased being a little in front
of me. The engine was standing about 20 yards from the water crane. There was a
bank brake attached to our engine; there was no tender. Deceased got up and
moved the engine to the water crane, and I gave him water. I then got up on the
engine, deceased being on the other side. I put the engine in motion, intending
to go to the Harbour. It would have been my duty to have directed the deceased
to uncouple the chain from the bank brake, had I not seen him walk along the
outside of the engine for that purpose. Unless a brakesman happened to be
present, deceased always did it. He had done it hundreds of times before.
Sometimes he would do it from the framework of the engine, and sometimes from
the brake. It was very dark on the evening in question. I did not see deceased
again. I listened to hear the chain thrown off, but not hearing it fall I
called out to deceased “Is it all right, Jim?”. Receiving no answer, I got off
the engine and called out “Where are you?”. Still receiving no answer, I walked
back, and found him in the 4 ft., about 50 or 60 yards from where I left the
engine. When I came up to him I found he was insensible. I went and fetched
assistance and had him carried on a stretcher to his father`s house. We were
both quite sober, having had no liquor to drink that day.
In answer to
a juryman, the witness said: I did not feel the wheels pass over him; the ash
pan and cylinders caused his death. Had he been lying flat there would hardly
have been room for the engine to pass over him.
By another
juror: The regulator was shut directly deceased began to walk along the engine.
There being no steam on, could not consequently feel any bumping of the engine
against the buffers of the brake. There is no particular regulation about
detaching the engine from the brake.
Witness
continued: There is a rail which passes along the smoke box, and another rail
along the side of the engine, so that when travelling we can walk alongside to
oil the engine, or to examine it to see that it is all right.
James
Borland, sworn, said: I am a carpenter in the employ of the S.E.R. Company.
Deceased was my son. He was 29 years of age. I was not at home when he came
home to tea. Just before he died, he became conscious. I asked him how it had
occurred. He replied “I went, as usual, to uncouple, and whilst in the act of
doing so, the steam was put on. I slipped in the four foot, and the engine
passed over me. I wonder I wasn`t doubled up”. I have frequently seen him uncouple
the engine in different ways.
The witness
Mills was then re-examined, and said: I did put steam on again, after I had
said “Is it all right, Jim?”. It was from 20 to 30 yards from where I had first
left the engine before I put on steam again.
William Mitchell,
sworn, said: I am station master at Folkestone. I was at the Harbour at the
time of the accident. About 10 minutes after, I arrived at the Junction. I saw
Mills that evening; he was quite sober; he is generally a very sober man. I
have often seen the uncoupling of the engine, as spoken to by the previous
witnesses.
The jury
returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”. The Coroner remarked that it did not
appear to him there was culpability attaching to anyone, as the system of
uncoupling appeared to be a customary one, but it was a great pity men would
run such risks, and endanger their lives.
Folkestone Express 3-1-1874
Inquest
We regret to
have to record a fatal accident, which happened on Friday evening, 26th
ult., to a respectable young man named Borland, stoker on the engine running
between the Upper Station and the Harbour. From the evidence given below it
will be seen that the fatality was purely accidental, and arose from a mishap
in a simple mechanical operation which deceased had performed hundreds of times
safely. We understand that the poor young man who has met with such an untimely
end was very steady and was much respected by all those with whom he worked.
An inquest
was held on Monday at the Railway Bell Inn before J. Minter Esq., Coroner, and
a respectable jury. The following evidence was adduced:
Mr. S. Eastes
deposed: On Friday evening last, the 26th December, about five
o`clock, I was called to the Upper Station to see the deceased, James Borland.
He was taken to his father`s house on a stretcher; he was then in a state of
collapse, and quite insensible. A few minutes after I entered the room he
partially recovered his senses, and was able to swallow a little brandy and
water. I had him placed upon a bed, and his clothes taken off; this time he was
breathing very rapidly, and on examination I found two of his ribs on the left
side broken, and a large quantity of air had escaped under the cellular tissue
over a great part of the body, thus proving that the lungs were wounded by the fractured
ribs. There was also a dislocation of the left hip joint. After bandaging and
supplying warmers to the feet and giving a little stimulants he became quite
conscious, but the breathing was still very laborious. I saw him again between
seven and eight o`clock; he was in much the same condition. Between nine and
ten I received an urgent message to visit him. On arriving at the house I found
he was dead. His death was caused by injury to the lungs through the broken
ribs.
William Hills
was then called. He said: I am an engine driver, in the employ of the South
Eastern Railway Company, stationed at Folkestone, running between the Harbour
and Upper Station. I identify the body as that of James Borland, my fireman. I
have been in the service of the company for 27 years as engine driver. I left
the engine near the water crane on Thursday. We came out to work about a quartr
to six on Friday morning. I and deceased had been at work all day with the
engine, going to and from the harbour. We had breakfast and dinner hours. I and
the deceased left the engine about half past four to go home to tea. I returned
about five minutes to five; I met the deceased returning on the up side
platform. We then walked to our engine, deceased being a little in advance of
me. The engine was standing about twenty yards from the water crane, the bank
brake being attached. Deceased got up and moved the engine to the water crane,
and I gave him water; I then got up on the engine, deceased was on the other
side. I put the engine in motion, with the intention of going to the harbour,
and should have directed the deceased to uncouple the bank brake, had I not
seen him walk along the side of the engine for that purpose. He had done this
before many hundred times. He would uncouple it sometimes standing on the frame
of the engine, and sometimes from the brake. It was very dark on that evening,
and I lost sight of the deceased when he got halfway along the engine. Not
hearing the coupling chain fall, I called out “Is it all right, Jim?”. Receiving
no answer, I stopped the engine and got off and called out “Where are you?”,
and receiving no answer I walked back and found him lying in the fourfoot,
about fifty or sixty yards from where I stopped the engine. I met a man and
asked him to go for a doctor. I then went off for a stretcher, and he was
carried to his father`s house. Deceased and I were quite sober. The ash pan and
cylinders must have struck and passed over the deceased. There would be hardly
room where the deceased was lying for the ash pan to pass over, and the ground
was rather soft. The regulator was shut. There is a rail goes along and across
the front of the engine to hold by whilst examining the machinery when in
motion. I put my steam on after I called out.
James
Borland, a carpenter in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company,
deposed: The deceased is my son. He was carried into my house as I returned
home. He became conscious just before he died. I then asked him how it
occurred. He said he went as usual to uncouple, and as he was doing so the
steam was put on. He slipped and the engine passed over him. He made the remark
“I wonder I was not doubled up”. The age of deceased was 29.
William
Mitchell then said: I am the station master at Folkestone. I was at the Harbour
when the accident took place. I arrived at the Upper Station about ten minutes
after I left the Harbour, and I met the deceased being carried off on a
stretcher by four men. I was aware of the manner in which the engine was
uncoupled, and it was done when it was necessary for the light engine to go to
the Harbour to fetch a train.
The jury
returned a verdict of accidental death, caused by injuries sustained by falling
from an engine whilst in motion.
Folkestone Express 2-5-1874
Inquest
An inquest
was held on Monday evening at the Railway Bell, before John Minter Esq.,
Coroner, on the body of Samuel Goddard, who met with his death as detailed
below.
The jury
having viewed the body, Edward Hobday deposed: I am a labourer. On Friday week
I went home about twelve at noon; I live two door above deceased`s house. I
heard a noise and went to look; the back door was fastened. I undid the window
and reached the bolt of the back door and drew it and went in. I saw deceased
laying at the foot of the stairs, doubled up, with his head in a pail, which
was fallen over, his legs being on the stairs. There was no-one in the house.
He was insensible. I picked him up and laid him in the room, and placed
something under his head. When I picked him up I noticed congealed blood
hanging to his head. I left him in the care of two men, named Hall and Clay.
Jane Goddard,
wife of deceased, deposed: I went out to work about 7 o`clock on Friday morning
week. On Thursday evening I went to a party at my sister`s, and told deceased I
should not be home that night; my husband was out then. Between 12 and one on
Friday, in consequence of what I heard, I went home. On my arrival my husband
was sensible. He told me he got out of bed between nine and ten on Thursday
night and got dressed, and missed the stairs, and did not remember any more. He
died about seven o`clock on Saturday night. He was 76 years of age. He told me
he had been to bed, and I saw by the bed that he had been there.
Marta, wife
of Wm. Hall, deposed: Deceased came home on Thursday evening week about seven
o`clock. I did not speak to him. He was a little the worse for drink. About
half past eleven next day I heard a moan proceeding from the kitchen of
deceased`s house. I opened the window and saw deceased lying at the foot of the
stairs. I waited until the witness Hobday came home. Mrs. Clay and Mrs. Hobday
came. We called to deceased, but he did not answer. We did nothing, but waited
till our husbands came home. I did not think anything at all about what was the
matter with him.
By the
Foreman: I did not hear anything of him the night before. The next door
neighbour heard something fall between ten and eleven.
Supt.
Wilshere said: I saw deceased going home on Thursday night the worse for drink.
He was coming from the Black Bull towards his residence. He was in company with
another man. Deceased said “I am going home to sleep it off, old fellow”. I
told him that was the best thing he could do.
W. Bateman
Esq., M.R.C.S., deposed: On Friday afternoon I was called in to see deceased,
and found him lying on a couch in the front room, insensible. On examining his
head I found on the right side a wound about two inches in length, and on
further examination found the skull was fractured to the same extent just over
one of the principle arteries of the brain, which runs in a groove in the bone.
He afterwards became sensible, so as to answer questions indistinctly. His left
side was paralysed, and it was a hopeless case from the first. He died from
exhaustion caused by injuries to the brain, which was wounded. After looking at
the pail, I think he fell on the ear of the pail.
By a Juror: I
do not think medical assistance sooner could have saved him.
The Jury
returned a verdict of “Accidental Death while intoxicated”.
Folkestone Express 19-9-1874
Wednesday,
September 16th: Before The Mayor, J. Tolputt and J. Clark Esqs.
The following
received temporary authority to sell intoxicating liquors at the houses named
until the transfer day:
Mr. Major,
Railway Bell
Note:
Major does not appear in the list in More Bastions
Southeastern Gazette 14-8-1876
Inquest
An inquest was
held at the Railway Bell, on Monday, on the body of James Godden. On June 30th
he was working with William Hogben on a scaffolding inside the Congregational
Chapel, when he accidentally fell backwards. He sustained concussion of the
brain and injury to the spine, but lingered fire weeks and died on Friday, the
4th inst. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”
Folkestone Express 21-4-1877
Local News
On Thursday
evening the body of the man Brotherwood, who was killed by a slip at Eagle`s
Nest, on the Suth Easter Company`s line to Dover, was found by the men engaged
in clearing away the earth. The body was in a frightful condition, being, as an
eyewitness said, like a crushed sheet of newspaper. When discovered the body
was bound up with telegraph wire, and three strands of the metal had to be cut
before it could be released from it`s prison. The inquest will be held this
(Friday) afternoon at three o`clock at the Railway Bell Inn, Dover Road.
Folkestone Express 28-4-1877
Inquest
On Friday Mr.
Coroner Minter held an inquest at the Railway Bell Inn, Dover Road, on the body
of Henry Brotherwood, who was killed by the fall of earth from Eagle`s Nest on
to the South Eastern Company`s line of railway to Dover on the 15th
of January.
At the
opening of the enquiry the Coroner remarked that he did not know for what
reason the body was brought into Folkestone Parish for the inquest to be held,
but inasmuch as it had been brought, his duty was to hold the inquiry into the
cause of death.
The first
witness called, after the viewing of the body, which laid at the Railway
Station, was Thomas Brotherwood, who identified the body as that of his
brother, Henry Brotherwood, a labourer in the employ of the South Eastern
Railway Company, who resided at Farley. He was twenty seven years of age.
John Lavender
deposed that he was a navvy employed on the slip on the South Eastern Railway.
Between ten minutes and a quarter past one o`clock on the previous day he was
engaged in excavating on the slip when he came upon the body of the deceased,
on the down line, across the rail. His head and his feet were close together.
Witness called some of the Company`s men and they got the body out. It was
placed in a shell and taken away.
Mr. Harvey,
the Inspector of the Permanent Way, in the employ of the South Eastern Railway
Company, deposed: Part of my district is on the main line from Ashford to
Dover. The deceased was in the employ of the Company as a labourer. On the 15th
of January, when the slip occurred, he was assisting on putting a temporary
road on the lime kiln siding on the up side of the line. On that day about a
quarter to one o`clock I was standing at the eastern mouth of the Martello
Tunnel, and I saw the fall of chalk and earth from the face of the cliff into
the cutting, about a hundred yards on the Dover side of the lime kiln siding,
filling it up to a depth of about forty feet, and a length of about two hundred
yards. At the time of the fall I did not see the deceased or any other person
near the spot. Capel-le-Ferne is the parish in which the slip took place. My
duty is to inspect up to the fence on both sides of the line. The fence on the
inland side is about 120 yards from the foot of the cliff. The land from the
top where the slip took place, down to the Company`s fence belongs, I believe,
to a Miss Campbell, who lives in Bouverie Square, Folkestone; at all events,
she claims it. I had not inspected the cliff at the spot where the slip took
place prior to the fall, but I have done so since. The cause of the slip was
that the foot of the cliff was rotten, owing to the water washing the sand and
red loam down a fissure at the back, and from the continuation of the wet
caused a portion of the cliff to become disconnected from the rest and fall. I
have since inspected the cliff and I do not think that there is any likelihood
of another similar fall. The earth which branched out has been removed to
prevent this, and the face of the cliff has been levelled down. The fall was
unexpected.
Albert Link,
a labourer in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, residing at
Ashford, stated that on the 15th of January he was assisting in
making a siding near the lime kiln. Close upon one o`clock he had just finished
dinner when he saw the chalk slipping down the cliff. The deceased was standing
on the side of the railway nearest the cliff, holding by the iron railing and
looking upwards. The chalk and the earth came down suddenly and covered the
deceased.
This was all
the evidence and the Coroner summed up. He said that from the testimony adduced
there could be no doubt the deceased was smothered by the fall of earth upon
him, but then the question rose “What was the cause of the slip?” They were
told by Mr. Harvey that the cause was a crack in the back of the cliff, and
sand and water washed in there, causing the face of the cliff to become
loosened and fall down. It did seem to him (Mr. Minter) as a startling fact
that a public line of railway should have been liable to such a calamity as to
that which had occurred, and by which two men had lost their lives. When they
thought of the number of trains carrying hundreds of passengers passing this
spot, and that this fall might have taken place during the passing of a train,
it would, he believed, strike them as being a most strange and startling thing
that such an accident should be likely to occur on a railway. Then again the
question rose in one`s mind whether or not there was any means of the
occurrence having been prevented. From the evidence of Mr. Harvey they would
see that the company had no right to go beyond their line of fence, and
therefore it would appear that the duty of keeping all outside in order
devolved on the owner of the property. There was not, it would appear, any
supposition on the part of anyone that this fall would take place, and
therefore no-one`s attention was called to it. The occurrence would
consequently seem to be quite accidental, and although it made one dread to
think of the danger to which passengers to Dover and vice versa had been liable
to, yet now there was the satisfaction of knowing that the occurrence had
called the attention of the Company, or the owner of the property, to the
insecurity of the cliff and a thorough examination of it had been made and
precautions had been taken to render it perfectly safe, and to prevent a
similar occurrence in the future.
The jury then
returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.
Folkestone Chronicle 24-8-1878
Inquest
On Thursday
afternoon an inquest was held at the Railway Bell Hotel, before J. Minter Esq.,
on the body of Charles Catt, a labourer, who was killed on the previous day through
the falling of a large mass of chalk. Deceased and another man named Howland
were employed to remove a quantity of chalk, and on Wednesday they commenced
work at six o`clock in the morning. About half past two they were working at a
large piece of chalk weighing about 2½ tons. Deceased and Howland were standing
at the foot of the piece of chalk, endeavouring to force it out, when it broke
off very suddenly. Catt was crushed entirely beneath it, and Howland fell a
little on one side of it, and he was caught by the leg and shoulder. Assistance
was speedily obtained, and they had to cleave the chalk to release the
deceased. He was quite dead. Dr. Eastes said he had examined the body of the
deceased. Three or four of the upper ribs on the left side were fractured. From
the copious bleeding from the left ear, he believed the base of the skull was
fractured. There was also a compound fracture of the left thumb, which was
nearly torn from the hand. Death appeared to have been instantaneous. The other
man named Howland had his leg broken and arm fractured. The jury returned a
verdict of Accidental Death.
Folkestone Express 24-8-1878
Inquest
On Thursday
afternoon an inquest was held at the Railway Bell Hotel before J. Minter Esq.,
on the body of Charles Catt, a labourer, who was killed on the previous day
through the falling of a large mass of chalk. The deceased appeared to have
been killed instantaneously, and a man named Howland, who was working with him,
had his leg broken. The following evidence was given:
John
Kitchingham, a labourer, living in the Folly Fields, said he took a contract
with the Cement Company to remove a quantity of chalk marked out in the chalk
quarry. Deceased and another man named Howland were employed by him to assist.
On Wednesday they commenced work at six o`clock in the morning. About half past
two o`clock they were working at a large piece of chalk weighing about 2½ tons,
and endeavouring to burst it out from where it was wedged in by two other
pieces. Witness got on the top of it and told the others he thought they would
not be able to do it. Deceased and Howland were standing at the foot of the
piece of chalk endeavouring to force it out with a crowbar, when it broke off
very suddenly. Catt was crushed entirely beneath it and Howland fell a little
on one side of it, and he was caught by the leg and shoulder. Witness ran and
called Wiffin and another, and they had to cleave the chalk to release the
deceased. He was quite dead.
Mr. S.
Eastes, surgeon, said he was called on Thursday afternoon about three o`clock
by the last witness, who said there had been an accident at the Cement Works.
He said one man was killed, but he wished him to go and see the other, who was
badly injured. He told him they had better bring the man into the town, and
sent his youngest son back with him to assist. Soon after he went over himself
to the Cement Works and found Howland had been removed to the dispensary. He
had examined the body of the deceased. Three or four of the upper ribs on the
left side were fractured. There was also a compound fracture of the left thumb,
which was nearly torn from the hand. Death appeared to have been instantaneous.
The jury
returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.
Southeastern Gazette
24-8-1878
Inquest
An inquest was
held at the Railway Bell Inn on Thursday afternoon, before the coroner (J.
Minter, Esq.), respecting the death of Charles Catt, who was killed by a fall
of chalk at the Cement Works on the previous afternoon.
Stephen Catt,
brother of the deceased, identified the body, and said deceased was 26 years of
age and was a labourer.
John Kitchingham
said he was a labourer living in the Folly Fields. Witness had taken a contract
with the cement company to remove some earth and chalk which was marked out in
the chalk quarry. He employed deceased and another man named Howland to assist
him in the work. They were working in the quarry on the previous day. They had
undermined a large piece of chalk about two or three tons weight which was wedged
in between two other pieces and they were endeavouring to force it out. Witness
got on top and having looked said to them he did not think they would be able
to do so. Deceased and Howland were standing at the foot of the chalk with a crow-bar
trying to force it out. One side had been cleared. It stood about 8ft. high.
While deceased and Howland were endeavouring to move the block it broke short
off. Deceased fell in front of it, and the chalk fell upon him and crushed him.
Howland fell a little wide and the block caught him by the leg and shoulder.
Witness called to a man named Whiffen and another for assistance, and
ultimately they cleared the chalk and released the body of deceased from under.
Deceased did not speak at all.
Dr Eastes said he
was called to see the deceased on the previous afternoon about three o’clock by the last
witness, who said one man was killed by an accident and wished him to come and
see the other who was badly injured. Witness said he had better bring him into
the town and sent his younger son back with him to assist. Subsequently witness
went over to the cement works and found that Rowland had been taken to the
cemetery. He had examined the body of deceased’ and found several of his ribs
fractured on his left side and from the copious bleeding from the left ear he
believed the base of the skull was fractured. There was also a compound
fracture of the left thumb which was nearly torn from the hand. Death appeared
to have been instantaneous.
The Coroner
pointed out the principal points of the case, and the jury returned a verdict
of “Accidental death.
Folkestone Express 5-10-1878
Wednesday,
October 2nd: Before John Clark and W.J. Jeffreason Esqs.
Annie Wood
was charged with being drunk and disorderly and using obscene language, and
Thomas Wood was also charged with being drunk and disorderly at the same time
and place – the Dover Road.
Superintendent
Wilshere said he was informed that there was a disturbance near the Railway
Bell. He went there and saw the male prisoner lying in the road drunk. He shook
him and got him up and advised him to go away, but he refused, and began to
hello and shout, and he was therefore taken into custody and placed in a stable
at the rear of the Railway Bell. While there, the woman came up with another
man and tried to force her way into the stable. She was so violent that she had
to be placed in a cart to be brought to the cells, and she made use of most
disgusting language on the way.
Prisoners
said they were man and wife and had just come from hop picking.
The woman was
fined 5s. and 6s. costs for drunkenness, and 5s. and 3s. 6d. for using obscene
language. The man was fined 9s. 6d., including costs.
Folkestone Express 11-1-1879
Inquest
On Monday
John Minter Esq. held an inquest at the Railway Bell Inn on the body of a child
named Mercy Rumbold, aged three years, daughter of Charles Rumbold, a dairyman,
living at 3, Canterbury Road, whose death resulted from scalding.
Mercy
Rumbold, the mother of the deceased, said that on the 18th of
December she was in the back room sitting in front of the fire, and the child
was near the tea table. Her neice, Sarah Rumbold, 12 years old, was pouring out
the tea from a teapot, when her little boy, four years old, in passing behind
her, touched her elbow accidentally, causing the teapot to cant over, and the
contents went down the side of the face and neck of the deceased. Dr. Gill had
attended the child from day to day until her death, which took place on the 5th
inst., at one o`clock.
Dr. Gill said
he was sent for to attend the deceased child on the 20th December.
She was suffering from a scald, which he believed to have been caused in the
manner described by the mother. He attended her constantly up till the day of
her death, which resulted from the injuries she had received.
The Jury
returned a verdict of “Accidental Death from scalding”.
Folkestone Express 16-8-1879
Inquest
On Monday
evening J. Minter Esq., Coroner, held an inquest at the Railway Bell Inn, on
the body of a child, aged 17 months, the son of a brickmaker, named George
Wire, whose death took place under the following sad circumstances:
Catherine Ann
Wire said she was the wife of George Wire, living at No. 6, Beach Cottages, and
the deceased, whose name was George Edward Wire, was their son. His age was a
year and five months. On Sunday, the 27th of July, she was engaged
in clearing away the dinner things and the deceased child was toddling about
the room. She went into the scullery, leaving the knives and forks in the
centre of the table, and the child was left for a moment alone. Immediately
after she heard him say “Mamma”, and then heard him fall and scream out. She ran
to pick him up, and then saw that he had a knife and fork in one hand, and the
blade of another knife which he had been carrying was sticking in his eye. He
must have dragged the table cloth and thus pulled the knives to him. She drew
the knife out, and carried the child into Mrs. Hogben`s, her next door
neighbour. They bathed and bandaged the eye, and deceased then began to vomit.
The child`s father at once took him to Dr. Mercer.
Ellen, wife
of Herbert Hogben, ticket collector at the South Eastern Railway Station, said
Mrs. Wire took the deceased into her house and told her what had occurred.
After bathing the eye, which was bleeding, they bandaged it up, and the child`s
father at once went with him to the doctor.
Mr. Richard
Mercer, surgeon, said the child was
brought to him between two and three o`clock on the afternoon of the 27th
July. On examining the child he found it had a puncture wound on the left
eyelid, which had penetrated through the lid of the orbit into the skull. He
attended the deceased, and saw him last on Saturday the 9th, and he
died on Sunday at half past one, from inflammation of the brain caused by the
wound.
The jury at
once returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.
Southeastern Gazette
16-8-1879
Inquest
An inquest was
held at the Railway Bell, Dover Road, on Monday, before the borough coroner,
Mr. Minter, respecting the death of Charles Edward Wise, aged one year and five
months, who died from the effects of an accident, as described in the following
evidence:—
Catherine Ann
Wise, the mother of the deceased, said her little boy was sitting at the table
on the 27th July whilst she was clearing away the dinner things. She heard him
say “Mamma,” and then heard him fall and scream. She went to him and found that
he had fallen with a knife in his hand, the blade of which had penetrated his
left eye. She bandaged up the wound and took him to Dr. Mercer.
Dr. Mercer said
he attended the child and found him suffering from a punctured wound in the
eye. Deceased died on Sunday from inflammation of the brain caused by the
wound.
The jury returned
a verdict of “Accidental Death”.
Folkestone Express 27-12-1879
Wednesday,
December 24th: before The Mayor, Aldermen Banks, Sherwood and Hoad,
R.W. Boarer, and Colonel De Crespigny.
The landlord
of the Railway Bell was granted an extension of two hours on the occasion of a
supper.
Folkestone Express 24-1-1880
Inquest
On Sunday
morning an elderly man, named Henry Kennett, who was well known about town, and
especially among visitors and lodging house keepers as a luggage porter,
committed suicide by cutting his throat. He at one time was a tradesman in a
very good position, but having been much addicted to drink, and at times most
eccentric in his conduct, he became reduced in circumstances. Some months ago
he met with a severe accident, and since that occurrence he had never properly
recovered his health. For the last few weeks he had been in a low and
desponding state, and as stated above he ended his somewhat chequered career by
committing suicide. An inquest was held on the body of the deceased before the
borough coroner, J. Minter Esq., at the Railway Bell Inn, on Monday evening,
when the following evidence was taken:
Bishop
Kennett identified the body as that of his father, Henry Kennett, who lived at
No. 1, Randall Terrace, Canterbury Road. Deceased was a fly driver, and his age
was 59. For a long time he had been very eccentric in his conduct.
Emma Kennett,
wife of the deceased, said for the last two months the deceased had slept by
himself in a bedroom adjoining hers. He went to bed on Saturday night at half
past ten. He was perfectly sober when he went to bed, but he had been in the
habit of getting intoxicated, and that was the reason of his having a separate
bedroom. For the last three or four weeks he had been quieter. On Sunday
morning he got up begore it was light and went into witness`s room for a
candle. He was in the habit of getting up at two or three o`clock in the
morning and making himself some tea. He was partially dressed. He went
downstairs without saying a word. Witness got up at half past eight, and on
going into the kitchen she saw deceased lying on his face with his head under
the grate. She called her neighbour, Mrs. Dawe, and then sent her daughter for
her brothers and the doctor. Her husband had been in a very desponding and
melancholy state for a long time, and had been very eccentric in his conduct
for some months previously.
Harriett Dawe
said on Sunday morning she was called by Mrs. Kennett and went immediately to
her house. She saw deceased lying on the floor of the kitchen, with his head
under the fireplace. There was a quantity of blood inside the fender. She
believed the deceased was dead. Mrs. Kennett said “Don`t touch him until Dr.
Mercer comes”. Witness remained until Dr. Mercer came. She had known deceased
for five or six months, and had noticed that he had looked very ill for some
time.
Mr. Richards
A. Mercer, surgeon, said he was called about nine o`clock on Sunday, and on
going to deceased`s house found him lying as described by the previous witness.
He lifted him off the fender. There was a large pool of blood in the fender,
and the razor produced was lying close to deceased`s right hand inside the
fender, opened and covered with blood, which was quite dry. On turning the body
over witness found a very large wound in the throat, dividing the large
vessels, and also the windpipe. There were two or three slight cuts both above
and below the large wound, and on the right and left side of it, but only just
dividing the skin. The main wound would cause almost immediate death.
Deceased`s vest and undervest were both unbuttoned and thrown back. In his
opinion the wound was self-inflicted. From the position of the body, witness
thought he must have been kneeling or leaning over the fender, all the blood
being inside. There were no wounds or bruises on the body other than those
described, except a bruise or two on the face which would be produced by his
falling amongst the cinders. In the opinion of witness he had been dead three
or four hours when he saw him. During the past summer witness had noticed that
he looked more like a man demented than otherwise.
A verdict that
the deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane was at once returned.
Southeastern Gazette
24-1-1880
Inquest
On Monday evening
an inquest was held at the Railway Bell Inn, on the body of Henry Kennett, a
fly driver.
Bishop Kennett
said he identified the body as that of his father, who lived at Randall
Terrace, Canterbury Road. He was 59 years of age. Latterly he had been very
eccentric in his conduct.
Emma Kennett, the wife of deceased, said her
husband slept in an adjoining room to hers and had occupied a separate room for
two months. The reason for this was that he used to get intoxicated. On
Saturday night he went to bed at half-past ten o’clock, and she retired shortly
afterwards. He was in the habit of going downstairs early in the morning in
order to make some tea for himself. On Sunday morning he came into her room and
took the candle, and she then heard him go downstairs. At half-past eight she
got up and went into the kitchen, and there saw deceased lying on his face with
his head under the fire grate. She called in the assistance of a neighbour,
Mrs. Dair.
Dr. Mercer said
he was called to see the deceased about nine o’clock, and found him lying under
the fire grate. There was a pool of blood inside the fender, and the razor produced
was close by, covered with blood. There was a large wound in the throat,
dividing the larger vessels and also the windpipe. He was of opinion that the
wound was self-inflicted.
The jury returned
a verdict of “Suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity.”
Kentish Gazette 27-1-1880
On Wednesday evening week an inquest was held at the Railway Bell Inn on the body of Henry Kennett, a fly driver.
Bishop Kennett said he identified the body as that of his father, who lived at Randall Terrace, Canterbury Road. He was 59 years of age. Latterly he had been very eccentric in his conduct.
Emma Kennett, the wife of the deceased, said her husband slept in an adjoining room to hers and had occupied a separate room for two months. The reason for this was that he used to get intoxicated. On Saturday night he went to bed at half-past ten o’clock, and she retired shortly afterwards. He was in the habit of going downstairs early in the morning in order to make some tea for himself. On Sunday morning he came into her room and took the candle, and she then heard him go downstairs. At half-past eight she got up and went into the kitchen, and there saw deceased lying on his face with his head under the fire grate. She called in the assistance of a neighbour, Mrs. Dair.
Dr. Mercer said he was called to see the deceased about nine o’clock, and found him lying under the fire grate. There was a pool of blood inside the fender, and the razor produced was close by, covered with blood. There was a large wound in the throat, dividing the larger vessels and also the windpipe. He was of opinion that the wound was self-inflicted.
The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity.”
Southeastern Gazette
11-9-1880
Local News
On Wednesday
Benjamin Colman was summoned for assaulting Henry Charlton, on September 1st.
Complainant is the landlord of the Railway Bell, and on September 1st
he went to see the defendant about the rent of some stables which he owed him.
Defendant, however, pushed him and struck him on the hand with his stick.
There was a cross-summons,
and defendant gave his version of the affair. He said that plaintiff came up
and asked what he was going to do about the rent he owed him. He told him as he
had placed the matter in his solicitor’s hands he had nothing to say to him; he
had better go home to his pothouse and not stay there insulting him. Witness
then wanted to pass into Mr. Mortimer’s garden, but Charlton blocked the way
and struck a blow at him with his stick. It was possible in parrying the blow
that witness hit him on his hand, but he did not strike a deliberate blow.
The Bench
dismissed both summonses with costs.
Folkestone Chronicle 27-11-1880
Inquest
An inquest
was held at the Railway Bell Inn, Dover Road, on Thursday evening on the body
of an imbecile girl named Anne Godden, between 16 and 17 years of age, who met
with her death under the following sad circumstances.
She was left
alone whilst her mother, who lived in Bridge Street, went out washing. Mrs.
Wilkins, a neighbour, deposed that she had often seen the girl, and believed
although deficient in intellect she was able to take care of herself whilst her
mother was out, although she believed she ought not to be left alone.
The evidence
of the girl`s brother merely stated that the girl was found in a burning state,
whilst the statement of the mother proved that she was a poor widow woman
compelled to get her livelihood, and in her opinion the deceased was competent
to be left alone.
The Coroner,
in summing up, cast some blame on the mother for leaving the girl alone, as she
was not in a position to take care of herself, and if the mother was too poor
to do so, she could have asked for assistance from the Parish. On the other
hand they should recollect the poor position of the woman, that she was obliged
to go out for her daily livelihood, and the opinion expressed by the mother and
a neighbour, that in their opinion the girl, although deficient in intellect,
was able to take care of herself.
The jury
returned a verdict to the effect that deceased had died from the injuries sustained
from burning, but in what manner those injuries were recieved, there was no
evidence to show.
Folkestone Express 27-11-1880
Inquest
On Tuesday
afternoon a young woman named Jane Godden, about 17 years of age, daughter of a
widow living in Bridge Street, met her death in the most horrible
circumstances. It seems that the poor creature had been from her birth subject
to epileptic fits, in consequence of which her intellect was greatly impaired,
and in addition to these afflictions she was “flesh tongue tied”, and unable to
articulate. The mother is a laundress, who on three days of the week is away
from home at work, and during these days it has been her custom to leave her
daughter alone in the house whilst two younger children were away at school. On
the return of the little boy on Tuesday afternoon, when he opened the front
door to go in, a volume of smoke came out, which a neighbour noticed, and at
once went in. In the yard she saw the poor imbecile lying with her face on the
ground and her clothing almost consumed. She drew the unfortunate girl away
from the burning fragments and had her carried indoors. Dr. Mercer happened to
be in the neighbourhood, and within a few minutes of the occurrence the
sufferer received such relief as medical aid could afford, but her injuries
were so severe that it was impossible for her to recover, and death put an end
to her sufferings about midnight, after she had lingered for eight hours. There
was no evidence to show how deceased`s clothing got alight, but the probability
is that she was attending to the fire, and on seeing herself in flames, rushed
out into the yard. The intensity of the fire may be imagined by the fact that
the wash-house door became ignited, probably while the deceased was
endeavouring to get it open, and that her body was in places completely
charred. An inquest was held by the Borough Coroner at the Railway Bell on
Wednesday evening, when the following evidence was taken:
James Godden,
a labourer, living at 28, Bridge Street, said the deceased was his sister, Jane
Godden. Her age was between 16 and 17 years. On Tuesday afternoon about four
o`clock his wife told him that the house, No. 16, Bridge Street, was on fire.
He ran to the house with a small quantity of water, and on going into the back room,
and thence into the wash-house, he saw the back door on fire. The deceased was
lying out in the yard on the bricks. Her clothing was burnt completely off with
the exception of her stays. He took off the remnants of her clothes, wrapped
her in his jacket, and carried her into Mrs. Southon`s. Dr. Mercer was sent for
and came in about five minutes.
Mr. Richards
Mercer, surgeon, said he was driving up Bridge Street about ten minutes past
four on Tuesday, and saw a crowd outside No. 16. Smoke was issuing from the
door. He went there and found the deceased lying in the passage just inside the
front door. He caused her to be taken into a neighbour`s house as there was so
much smoke in No. 16. On examining deceased he found her very much burnt. All
her clothing was gone and she was wrapped in a blanket. The whole of the
surface of the body was burnt, and in some places the flesh was charred. She
was sensible. He dressed the burns and administered opiates, but the
deceased only survived for about eight
hours and died from shock to the system at twelve o`clock. She must have
eventually died from the effect of the burns. He had known the deceased, and
had been in the habit of attending her occasionally for six or seven years for
epileptic fits. She had been an idiot, he believed, from birth, and was utterly
incapable of taking care of herself. In his opinion she ought not to have been
left in the house alone, but someone ought constantly to have been looking
after her. He had never suggested that she should be placed in an asylum.
Mary Ann
Wilkins, wife of a labourer, living at 19, Bridge Street, said she saw smoke
coming from No. 16 when Mrs. Godden`s little boy opened the door to go in. He
ran out again directly. Witness went to the door and called, but could not make
anyone hear. She went through the passage into the wash-house. The door of the
wash-house leading into the yard was in flames. It was wide open. She saw Jane
Godden lying face downwards in the yard, enveloped in flames. She turned her
over out of the flames on to the bricks. There was only a portion of her stays
left upon her, and one shoe and half a stocking. Mrs. James Godden came, and
ran and fetched her husband. Whilst she was gone, witness got some blankets to
roll deceased in. When Godden came deceased was carried into No. 16, and from
thence into Mrs. Southon`s. There was a fire in the back room of No. 16, in an
ordinary open grate. There was no disarrangement of the fireirons, nor was
there anything burning about the fireplace or the room. She had known deceased
for the past nine or ten years. She was tongue-tied and could not talk, but was
not deaf and understood what was said to her. She was not quite right in her
mind, in consequence of having had fits. Witness believed she was capable of taking
care of herself. She had frequently been left. Witness would have been afraid
to leave her alone in the house with a fire, not on account of the state of her
mind, but lest she should have a fit and fall into the grate. Witness knew that
she had frequently attended to and kept a fire up during her mother`s absence,
and tidied the room up, washing up all the dirty things and doing other
domestic duties.
Emily Godden,
a widow, mother of the deceased, said she left her home every week on Mondays,
Tuesdays and Wednesdays to go out washing, and was absent the whole of the day.
She had two other children besides the deceased, a boy aged six, and the other
girl aged nine. She left home at half past seven on Tuesday morning and went to
the Bouverie Laundry, where she remained all day. She lit a fire in the back
room before she went, and left it alight. The deceased was upstairs dressing,
and the two little ones were in the back room. Deceased had been subject to
fits since her birth, but had not had any during the past 12 months. She always
attended to the fire during witness`s absence. There was no cooking done except
when witness was at home. Deceased was of weak intellect, but would do anything
she was asked to do. Witness used sometimes to be afraid to leave her, but she
did not know how to avoid it.
The Coroner
having summed up, and commented on the fact of the deceased having been left
entirely alone, when it was clearly shown that she was not capable of taking
care of herself, the jury returned a verdict that the deceased met her death by
burning, but there was no evidence to show how her clothing became ignited.
Southeastern Gazette
27-11-1880
Inquest
An inquest was
held at the Railway Bell Inn on Wednesday evening, before the borough coroner
(Mr. Minter) respecting the death of Jane Godden.
James Godden said
he was a labourer and lived at 18, Bridge Street, and he identified the body as
that of his sister Jane. She was between 16 and 17 years of age. About four o’clock
on Tuesday afternoon his wife came to him and said No. 16, Bridge Street was on
fire. He went immediately to the house and into the back room, and when he got
there he saw that the washhouse
door was on fire, and his sister was lying on the bricks outside. He took her
into a neighbour’s.
Dr. Mercer
deposed that on examining the deceased he found her clothes entirely burnt off,
and her body covered with burns more or less severe. She was conscious. He dressed the burns, but deceased
did not survive the shock more than eight hours. He had known deceased for the
last seven years or more, and had attended her occasionally for epileptic fits,
but of late she had not had them so frequently. Her mental condition had been
idiotic since he had known her. She was certainly not able to take care of
herself. In his opinion someone ought to have been constantly looking after
her.
Mary Ann Wilkins,
a neighbour, deposed that she had known deceased for nine or ten years.
Deceased was not “quite right sometimes” on account of her fits. She believed deceased
was quite able to take care of herself. She had been left a good many times in
charge of her little sister. She thought deceased was not fit to be left alone
where there was a fire, on account of her being liable to fall into it in case
of a fit. Deceased was quite capable of looking after the fire, tidying the
room, and washing up the dirty things. She had done so many times. Deceased was
tongue-tied and could not speak so as to make one understand.
Emily Godden, the
mother of the deceased, a widow living at 16, Bridge Street, said deceased had
been subject to fits from her
birth, but had had none for the last twelve months. Witness used to do the work of the house when she got home
at night. Deceased always looked after the fire. There was no dinner cooked for
the children. Witness would cut
it off and leave it for them. Deceased was sensible enough to do anything witness
asked her to do. Witness was sometimes afraid of leaving deceased by herself
because of the fire. The two other children went to sohool. She gave directions to them to look after deceased.
The jury returned
as their verdict “That deceased came by her death by burning, but how the fire
was caused there is no evidence to show.”
Kentish Gazette 30-11-1880
An inquest was held at the Railway Bell Inn on Wednesday evening, before the borough coroner (Mr. Minter) respecting the death of Jane Godden.
James Godden said he was a labourer and lived at 18, Bridge Street, and he identified the body as that of his sister Jane. She was between 16 and 17 years of age. About four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon his wife came to him and said No. 16, Bridge Street was on fire. He went immediately to the house and into the back room, and when he got there he saw that the washhouse door was on fire, and his sister was lying on the bricks outside. He took her into a neighbour’s.
Dr. Mercer deposed that on examining the deceased he found her clothes entirely burnt off, and her body covered with burns more or less severe. She was conscious. He dressed the burns, but deceased did not survive the shock more than eight hours. He had known deceased for the last seven years or more, and had attended her occasionally for epileptic fits, but of late she had not had them so frequently. Her mental condition had been idiotic since he had known her. She was certainly not able to take care of herself. In his opinion someone ought to have been constantly looking after her.
Mary Ann Wilkins, a neighbour, deposed that she had known deceased for nine or ten years. Deceased was not “quite right sometimes” on account of her fits. She believed deceased was quite able to take care of herself. She had been left a good many times in charge of her little sister. She thought deceased was not fit to be left alone where there was a fire, on account of her being liable to fall into it in case of a fit. Deceased was quite capable of looking after the fire, tidying the room, and washing up the dirty things. She had done so many times. Deceased was tongue-tied and could not speak so as to make one understand.
Emily Godden, the mother of the deceased, a widow living at 16, Bridge Street, said deceased had been subject to fits from her birth, but had had none for the last twelve months. Witness used to do the work of the house when she got home at night. Deceased always looked after the fire. There was no dinner cooked for the children. Witness would cut it off and leave it for them. Deceased was sensible enough to do anything witness asked her to do. Witness was sometimes afraid of leaving deceased by herself because of the fire. The two other children went to school. She gave directions to them to look after deceased.
The jury returned as their verdict “That deceased
came by her death by burning, but how the fire was caused there is no evidence
to show.”
Folkestone Express 4-6-1881
Inquest
On Wednesday
afternoon an inquest was held at the Royal Oak Inn on the Dover Road on the
body of a man who was found dead in a field at Capel-le-Ferne. From a paper
found on the body it was ascertained that his name was Thomas Tickner, and that
he was formerly a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He had been previously seen in
the Railway Bell Inn, and subsequently at the Valiant Sailor Inn, where he
appears to have created a disturbance. The body was found lying over a land
roller. There were several bruises about the face, both eyes were blackened,
and the head, face, and neck were very greatly discoloured in such a manner as
to lead to the suspicion that the man had met with foul play. The presumption
was further strengthened by the fact that on searching the body the police only
found a sixpence and some coppers, while it was stated that the morning
previous he was at a public house in the neighbourhood, when he had, besides
other money, a half sovereign in his possession. It appeared, however, from the
medical evidence, that the man`s neck was dislocated. There was no
extravasation of blood in the brains, and as there appeared to be no doubt that
the man had been addicted to drinking, it was thought he probably sat on the
roller and fell over, and a verdict was returned of death from dislocation of
the neck, there being no evidence to show how it occurred.
Folkestone Chronicle 19-6-1886
Wednesday,
June 16th: Before The Mayor, Maj. Gen. Armstrong C.B., and H.W.
Poole Esq.
George
Collins applied for a transfer of the license of the Railway Bell, Dover Road,
late in the occupation of Mr. R. Pilcher. Granted.
Folkestone Chronicle 16-4-1887
Inquest
An inquest
was held at the Railway Bell Inn on Wednesday afternoon before the Borough
Coroner, Mr. Minter, respecting the death of a man unknown, whose body was
found in the Dover Road that morning.
George Jenner
said: I am a gardener, living at 42, Sydney Street. This morning as I was going
to work about twenty minutes to six I saw the deceased lying partly in the
road, just above the Railway Bell, in front of Kensington Lodge. I went up to
him and spoke to him, but got no reply. His eyes were partly shut. I lifted his
head up and then laid him down. There was not the least appearance of a
struggle; a little blood was issuing from his mouth. I sat him up and waited
for one of my fellow workmen, named Fraser, to come up, and together we brought
the body down to the shed here.
George
Collins, landlord of the Railway Bell, said: Deceased came to my house last
night with two volunteers, who gave him a glass of ale and then left him.
Deceased stayed in the front bar until a quarter to eleven o`clock. I believe
he had several drinks with other people, until I thought he had had quite
enough, and I told him he had better go and see to his lodgings if he wanted
any in the town. He said he had secured his lodgings, and was going to see a
Mr. Berry, and went out, I believe, with that intention. The next thing I heard
was when a policeman asked if I knew I had a dead man lying in the yard. I said
“No”, because I thought he was joking.
Dr. Maynard
said he was called to examine the body of the deceased that morning, and he did
so about quarter past eight. The body was still warm. There were no external
marks of violence, and from the evidence of the last two witnesses he should
say that death was caused by haemorrhage on the brain or apoplexy. He should
judge his age was about sixty.
The jury
returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.
Folkestone Express 16-4-1887
Inquest
An inquest
was held at the Railway Bell Inn on Wednesday afternoon, respecting the death
of a man, whose name was unknown, and who was found dead in Dover Road that
morning.
George
Jenner, a gardener, living at 42, Sidney Street, said: This morning I was going
to work at about twenty minutes to six and saw deceased lying partly in the
road, just above the Railway Bell. I went to him and spoke to him, but got no
reply. His eyes were partly closed. I lifted him up and hen laid him down
again. He gave a moan and then died. There was no appearance of a struggle, and
a little blood was oozing from his mouth. I lifted him up and waited for one of
my fellow workmen, named Frazer, and together he and I brought the body down to
the Railway Bell.
George
Collins, living at the Railway Bell, said: Deceased came to my house with two
volunteers, who gave him a glass of ale and then left. Deceased stayed in the
front bar until about ten minutes to eleven. I believe he had several glasses
with other people, until I thought he had quite enough, and told him he had
better go out and get lodgings. He went out with that intention. The next thing
I heard was that his body was in my back yard.
Mr. E.C.
Maynard, surgeon, said he had examined the body, and believed the cause of
death was haemorrhage on the brain, or apoplexy.
The jury
returned a verdict accordingly.
Superintendent
Taylor took possession of a few scraps of paper deceased had in his possession,
and has instituted inquiries with the view of getting the poor fellow
identified. The general appearance of the deceased would lead to the belief
that he was a stable helper.
Folkestone Express 27-7-1889
Saturday,
July 20th: Before Alderman Banks, Surgeon General Gilbourne, F.
Boykett, H.W. Poole, J. Pledge and J. Brooke Esqs.
Mary Sellis
was charged with assaulting Jane Prior on the 6th July. She pleaded
Guilty.
Complainant
said she was housekeeper to John Allen, of 29, Bridge Street. She went outside
her house on the 6th, and Mrs. Sellis wanted to know what she had
said about her bastard child, and at once knocked her down.
Defendant
said she smacked complainant`s face, and she fell down because she was drunk.
John Allen
was then charged with assaulting Mary Sellis on the same day.
Complainant
said she was the wife of Wm. Sellis, of 3, Arthur Street. She went outside of the
Railway Bell about half past nine. Defendant was there and wanted her to fight,
and the men there prevented him striking her a second time.
Sarah Allen
said she was with Mrs. Sellis outside the Railway Bell, and she saw Allen
strike Mrs. Sellis on the side of the head. She did not stay to see the end of
the row. She was wife of the defendant, and he had turned her out of doors.
On it`s
transpiring that the witness was defendant`s wife, her evidence was struck out.
Defendant
said that Mrs. Sellis attacked him, and his head was bandaged up in consequence
of the injuries she inflicted.
Robert Allen,
son of the defendant, said he was going to the fair on Saturday evening, and he
saw Mrs. Sellis strike his father three times. Mrs. Sellis struck Mrs. Prior. A
policeman separated them.
The Bench dismissed
both summonses, Sellis having to pay 3s., and Sellis 4s.
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