Royal George 1880s

Folkestone Express 17-4-1880

County Court

Saturday, April 10^th:

Crump v L.S. Wallace: Plaintiff is the landlord of the Royal George Inn, and he obtained judgement against the defendant, who is a medical man, residing at Brockley, near New Cross, for £2 13s. 4d., a debt incurred while he was staying at plaintiff`s house. His Honour ordered his committal for 30 days, but suspended the warrant for 14 days for payment.

Folkestone Express 30-7-1881

Wednesday, July 27^th: Before The Mayor, General Cannon, Alderman Caister and J. Fitness Esq.

William Davis was charged with stealing a concertina, value 7s. 6d., on the previous day.

George Heatcote, a boiler maker, lodging at the Oddfellows Arms, said he was in the Royal George on the previous afternoon playing a concertina, and left about seven o`clock, leaving the concertina there. When he returned a few minutes afterwards the instrument was gone. He gave information to the police, and subsequently saw the prisoner at the Radnor lodging house, with the concertina in his possession.

P.C. Hogben said he received information from prosecutor that he had lost a concertina. He went to the common lodging house, and there found prisoner in the kitchen playing a concertina. He asked prisoner to let him look at it, and prisoner said it belonged to one of his mates. Witness took the concertina and showed it to prosecutor, who identified it as his property. Prosecutor went with witness to the kitchen and gave prisoner into custody. Prisoner was very violent and used beastly language all the way up the street.

Prosecutor, in reply to the clerk, said he had not known prisoner previous to Monday. They had been in company together on that day.

Prisoner said he took the concertina to his lodging, thinking prosecutor would go there for it. He had no intention of stealing it.

The Bench did not consider there was any felonious intention and dismissed the prisoner.

Folkestone Express 14-1-1882

Editorial

There is no getting away from the fact that publicans are a badly-used class of tradesmen, and this was very strongly exemplified at the borough bench on Saturday. If a landlord of an inn permits a disturbance to take place in his house, he is amenable to the law. This being so, the law should uphold him in any reasonable precautions he may take to secure order. The County Court Judge recently remarked that when he could not reconcile common law with common sense, he came to the conclusion that there was something wrong in the common law. And that is just the conclusion common sense must arrive at in regard to the case in point. We have not the slightest doubt that the Magistrates` Clerk rightly advised he justices as to the law, but an Act of Parliament which will not protect and support a publican who refuses to serve a man, whom though apparently sober, he believes will create a disturbance, but who actually says he was so drunk that he could not remember what had taken place, is manifestly an unjust one.

Saturday, January 7^th: Before The Mayor, Captain Fletcher, Alderman Hoad, F. Boykett and M.J. Bell Esqs.

John Davidson jun. was charged with being abusive and quarrelsome and refusing to quite the Royal George Hotel on the 31^st December.

Mr. J.H. Mountstephen, the proprietor, said the defendant was in the bar using very bad language about 2.30 in the afternoon. He was abusing the barmaid, and witness ordered him to leave, but he refused to do so. He went in search of a policeman. Defendant appeared to be sober. He had nothing to drink, and the barmaid had orders not to serve him, and that was the cause of his abuse.

Harriett Smith, the barmaid, said in consequence of instructions she refused to serve defendant. He called her foul names. Mr. Mountstephen ordered him to leave, and as he refused he went to fetch a policeman. While he was gone, defendant went away.

Defendant said he had been off to a ship where he had a lot to drink. If he had not been drunk, he should not have entered the house. He did not remember using abusive language in the house at all.

The Bench dismissed the summons.

Folkestone Express 17-11-1883

Monday, November 12^th: Before The Mayor, Colonel De Crespigny, Alderman Caister, J. Fitness, J. Clark, and J. Holden Esqs.

James Higgins was charged with being a deserter from the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, stationed at Dover.

P.C. Knowles said he found the prisoner in the Royal George on the previous day, without either pass or furlough. He took him into custody, and had considerable trouble in getting the prisoner to the police station.

Corporal West, 2^nd Battalion, Dublin Fusiliers, said he knew the prisoner as a private in the Regiment. He left the barracks on Saturday night without leave.

The prisoner was ordered to be handed over to a military escort and taken back to his Regiment.

Folkestone Express 19-1-1884

Monday, January 14^th: Before Colonel De Crespigny, Alderman Caister, J. Holden, J. Clark and J. Fitness Esqs.

Charles Jones was charged with stealing a till, value 1s., and 4s. in money, the property of Matilda Crump, landlady of the Royal George.

William John Ford, a ship`s carpenter, said on Saturday afternoon he was in the private bar of the Roay George, kept by his aunt, Mrs. Crump. His attention was attracted by hearing money jingle in the direction of the outer bar. Someone in the bar called out “Two sixpences for a shilling”. He ran into the bar, and saw a man with no hat on just going out of the door. He noticed the till was gone. He ran out of the wholesale entrance and met P.C. Keeler, whom he asked if he had seen a man go past with no hat on. Keeler said he had. They then went in opposite directions and witness overtook the prisoner in a court. He was counting some money. He said “I want you, old fellow, for taking a till out of the bar”. Prisoner replied that he knew nothing about it, and had never been in the house. He gave him into the custody of P.C. Keeler. He subsequently found a hat in the bar of the Royal George. A chair had been removed up to the front of the counter so that anyone standing on it could reach the till. When they got to the top of High Street prisoner refused to go any further unless he was carried. He could identify the prisoner as the man he saw in the bar. There was no-one else in the bar when he left.

Arthur Frank Ellis said he saw the prisoner in the bar of the Royal George about five o`clock, in company with two other men. He then had his hat in his hand. Witness afterwards went with Ford, and saw him stop the prisoner, who had his hat in his hand.

Mrs. Crump said on Saturday afternoon she saw the till safe. It then contained about 4s. Prisoner was in the bar at the time with two men.

P.C. Keeler said he took the prisoner into custody on Saturday afternoon. At the police station he searched him. When charged with stealing the till and contents he said “I deny the charge”. He had 1s. 7½d. concealed in a sock in the lining of his coat. He searched for the till and found it in a doorway in Queen`s Square, near the Royal George. He had previously seen prisoner pass that way, and noticed that he had no hat on. He received the hat produced from Mrs. Crump. He offered it to prisoner, who said “That`s mine, and the handkerchief too”.

Prisoner elected to be tried summarily, and pleaded Not Guilty. He said he left the bar intending to return, or he would not have left his hat there.

He was convicted, and sentenced to two months` hard labour.

Folkestone News 19-1-1884

Monday, January 14^th: Before Colonel De Crespigny, Alderman Caister, J. Clark, J. Holden and J. Fitness Esqs.

Charles Jones was charged with stealing a till and 4s. in money from the Royal George on the 12^th inst.

Wm. J. Ford, carpenter on board the steamship Boulogne, stated that he was in the Royal George hotel about 5.10 on the afternoon of the 12^th inst., when he heard money jingle in the direction of the bar, and he ran to the bar and saw the prisoner just going out, without a hat. Witness noticed the till was gone and he ran out, and seeing a policeman, asked him if he had seen a man without a hat. He and the policeman took different directions, and witness eventually overtook the prisoner, who was counting some money in his hand. On his charging the prisoner with the theft, prisoner denied having been in the place. P.C. Keeler came up, and he gave the prisoner into his custody. Prisoner`s hat was afterwards found in the bar at the Royal George. There was a chair placed against the bar so that prisoner could reach to get at the till. Witness saw the face of the man as he went out the bar door, and he recognised the prisoner as the man who ran out the bar door.

A.F. Ellis, visitor at the Royal George, said he saw the prisoner in the bar in company with two other men. Prisoner then had his hat in his hand. Witness went with Ford and overtook the prisoner in South Street. Prisoner was then counting some money.

Mrs. Crump, landlady of the Royal George, said she served a customer shortly before the robbery. Prisoner was in the bar at the time. There was about 4s. in the till.

P.C. Keeler said he received the prisoner into custody from the witness Ford. On their arrival at the police station prisoner was charged with the robbery. He denied the charge. On being searched, prisoner was found to have 1s. 7½d. concealed in his coat. Witness afterwards searched for the till, and found it near the Royal George, in a doorway. Witness had previously seen the prisoner come from the direction where the till was found. Witness then noticed that prisoner had no hat on. Prisoner had, since he had been in custody, acknowledged that the hat found in the bar was his.

Prisoner pleaded Not Guilty. He was in the bar with two or three other men. He left his hat whilst he went out for a few minutes. He had been in and out several times during the afternoon.

Prisoner was sent to prison for two months.

Folkestone Express 27-9-1884

Wednesday, September 24^th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Caister, Dr. Bateman, Captain Carter, J. Holden, J. Clark and J. Fitness Esqs.

Adjourned Licensing Meeting

Mrs. Crump, of the Royal George Hotel, was called upon to support the renewal of her licence, and she did not appear, but had sent her barmaid, who said that Mrs. Crump was unwell. The Bench at first refused to grant the licence, but eventually granted it and gave it to the person who represented Mrs. Crump, with instructions to tell her that she would have to appear in person for the future, and look well to the conduct of her house during the ensuing year.

Folkestone Express 28-3-1885

Tuesday, March 24^th: Before Aldermen Banks and Hoad.

Richard Gatehouse, no home, was brought up on a charge of stealing 1s. and a purse belonging to William Bull, of 16, Rossendale Street. It appeared that the men had been together in the George Hotel bar, and there, it was alleged, the purse was stolen.

The prosecutor was not in Court, and the prisoner was therefore discharged. Almost at the same instant, the prosecutor arrived, only to find that the prisoner had departed.

Folkestone Express 30-1-1886

Saturday, January 23^rd: Before The Mayor, F. Boykett, W.J. Jeffreason and H.W. Poole Esqs.

Mrs. Crump, landlady of the George Hotel (sic), was summoned for having her house open for the sale of liquor during prohibited hours.

Sergeant Warman said on Wednesday morning, the 6^th January, at ten minutes past twelve, he was on duty in Beach Street. In company with P.C. Wood he visited the Royal George Hotel. The front door was unfastened. He saw three men in front of the bar, named Tucker, Griffiths and Nelson, in company with a person named Miss Smith, who lived in the house, and a young person behind the bar. There were five tankards standing on the bar close to the men, and two glasses, which had contained stout or porter. He asked how it was they made it so late. Miss Smith said “All right, Sergeant Harman. I am talking to these men about my window being broken last night”. He said “Are you in charge of the house?” She said “Yes. Mrs. Crump is away, and I am very sorry for it”. He told her he was responsible, and should report the matter to the Superintendent. She said “I am very sorry. I hope you won`t do that”.

By Mr. Minter: I believe Mrs. Crump was away. I asked the men in the presence of Miss Smith if they could give any explanation why they were there at that time of night. I got no reply from them. Tucker endeavoured to get out of the house, but was prevented by P.C. Wood.

Mr. Minter, for the defence, said Mrs. Crump was away ill in Devonshire. She left instructions that the house was to be closed at the proper time, and that had been done. There had been some damage done to the doors and windows the previous night, and Miss Smith was simply in conversation with the three men about the matter, and the lapse of time was not noticed.

Harriet Smith said she was managing the house for Mrs. Crump. She was particularly careful to close the house at eleven o`clock. On the night in question Tucker went in about half past ten, and another man about a quarter to eleven. She was telling them of what had occurred on the previous night. They had nothing drawn for them after eleven.

Elizabeth Macpherson, barmaid, said on the night in question she was sitting in the private bar waiting for Miss Smith to go to bed. Nothing was drawn for the men after eleven. The bar door was closed and locked, and only the hotel entrance door was open.

The Bench dismissed the summons, and summonses against the three men who were on the premises were withdrawn.

Folkestone News 30-1-1886

Wednesday, January 27^th: Before The Mayor, General Armstrong, H.W. Poole and F. Boykett Esqs.

Mrs. M. Crump, landlady of the Royal George Hotel, was summoned for keeping the house open during prohibited hours. Mr. Minter appeared for the defendant, and on her behalf pleaded Not Guilty.

P.S. Harman said on Thursday morning, January 6^th, about ten minutes past twelve, he was on duty in Beach Street. In company with P.C. Wood he visited the Royal George Hotel. The front door was unfastened and he went in. Three men were standing in front of the bar, along with a Miss Smith, who lived in the house. There was a young person behind the bar. A pint tankard and two glasses stood on the bar near the men. They appeared to have been recently used. Witness said “How is it you make it so late tonight?” Miss Smith said “It`s all right, Sergeant Harman. I`m talking to these men alone, my window being broken last night”. He said “Are you in charge of the house?” and she said “Yes. Miss Crump is away. I am very sorry for it”. He told her he should report it to the Superintendent. She said “I hope you won`t. I`m very sorry”. He then left the house.

By Mr. Minter: I believe Mrs. Crump is away.

By the Clerk: I asked the men in the presence of Miss Smith if they could give any explanation why they were there at that time of night, and they did not answer. One of the men, Turner, tried to escape, but was prevented by P.C. Wood.

Mr. Minter said the house was in the care of Miss Smith. Her instructions were to close the house punctually at eleven o`clock. He believed that had been done, as no previous complaints had been made. The night previous the front door had been smashed, and the handle taken off the bell. Undoubtedly Miss Smith was telling those three men about it, and they did not observe how the time was flying. The charge was for keeping the house open for the sale of liquor. The question would have to be decided by the Bench. The fact of the men being there did not prove the case.

He called Miss Harriett Smith, who said she was in the employment of Mrs. Crump. She always closed the house at eleven o`clock. It was a fact that the door had been broken, and that she was telling the men about it. No liquor was served after eleven o`clock. They did not notice the time as there was no clock in that bar. They were just shaking hands when the police sergeant came in.

Corroborative evidence was given by the barmaid.

The summons was then dismissed. The summonses against the three men were withdrawn.

Folkestone Express 29-5-1886

Tuesday, May 25^th: Before Dr. Bateman, Alderman Caister, J. Holden and J. Fitness Esqs.

James Leon and Thomas Leon were charged with stealing one bowl, containing 15s., the property of William Hearnden, landlord of the Oddfellows in Radnor Street. The prisoners lodged there, and on the previous morning they both kept asking him to trust them with beer. They were in the taproom which was close to the bar. He watched the prisoners and saw them go to the closet and come out, and afterwards he noticed the bowl in the closet. The money was all in silver.

Susannah Hearnden, wife of the prosecutor, said she went to the bowl on the morning in question between 9 and 10, and there was between 9s. and 15s. in silver in it. She went out a few minutes and when she returned she went to the drawer again and missed the bowl and the money.

Elizabet Macpherson, barmaid at the Royal George Hotel, recognised both the prisoners, who went to their bar between 10 and 11 o`clock that morning. She served them with beer and rum, for which the prisoner Leon paid each time with a sixpence.

Sergeant Butcher proved apprehending the prisoners. He found them lying on the embankment near the Junction Station at 12.45. He awoke them and found they were both very drunk. With assistance he took them to the police station. He searched the prisoners and found 4d. on Leon and 1s. 2d. on the other prisoner.

The prisoners were sentenced each to six weeks` hard labour.

Folkestone News 29-5-1886

Tuesday, May 26^th: Before Dr. Bateman, Alderman Caister, J. Fitness and J. Holden Esqs.

James Leon and Thomas Freeney were charged with stealing a bowl containing 9s. in silver, the property of William Hearnden.

William Hearnded, landlord of the Oddfellows, in Radnor Street, said: About a week ago, prisoners came to lodge in my house. Yesterday they kept asking me for beer in the taproom. They wanted trust because they had no money. My wife was in and out of the bar, and left there about nine o`clock for a few minutes. I kept seeing them peep into the bar, and afterwards I found the bowl in which the money was kept in the closet. It was usually kept in the bar. He had seen it there about eight o`clock, when there was about 15s. in it.

Cross-examined: I did not see you sell your coat and shirt for 8d. I gave you two pints for a “livener”, but that was at eight o`clock.

Susannah Hearnden, landlady of the Oddfellows, said she was absent from the bar only a few minutes, and on coming back she missed the bowl and the silver that was in it. She left prisoners standing in front of the bar when she went out.

Elizabeth MacPherson, barmaid at the Royal George Hotel, recognised prisoners, who came to the bar, and she served them with three quarts of beer and twopennyworth of rum. The prisoner Leon paid each time with sixpences.

Police sergeant Butcher said he went in search of the prisoners and found them lying fast asleep on the embankment near the Junction Station at 12.45. He woke them. They were very drunk, and with assistance he brought them to the station. They were charged by the Superintendent, when Leon asked if anyone saw them take it. On Leon he found 4d., and on Freeney he found 1s 2d.

Prisoners pleaded Not Guilty. Sentenced to six weeks` imprisonment with hard labour.

Folkestone News 12-6-1886

Saturday, June 5^th: Before The Mayor, Aldermen Caister and Sherwood, J. Clark, J. Holden and J. Fitness Esqs.

William Bartlett was called, but did not answer, and the charge of being disorderly was heard in his absence.

P.C. Stanning said: On Sunday evening last I was on duty in Beach Street, and was called to the Royal George to turn defendant out of the house. When he was outside I requested him to go home, but he went into Radnor Street, and there made a most horrible noise with a mouth organ, and collected a most disorderly mob around him.

Fined 20s., with 10s. costs, or 14 days`.

Folkestone Express 29-10-1887

Wednesday, October 26^th: Before H.W. Poole and Surgeon General Gilbourne.

Thomas John Pope was granted an extension of temporary authority to carry on the Royal George Hotel.

Folkestone Express 17-12-1887

Wednesday, December 14^th: Before Capt. Carter, J. Hoad, J. Fitness and E.R. Ward Esqs.

The licence of the Royal George Inn, was transferred to Mr. Thomas J. Pope

Folkestone Express 21-4-1888

Wednesday, April 18^th: Before The Mayor, Surgeon General Gilbourne, Col. De Crespigny, J. Brooke and H.W. Poole Esqs.

Charles Stone was charged with obstructing P.C. Osborn in the execution of his duty.

P.C. Osborn said when he had Noble in custody, Stone came from the direction of the arches and tried to take him away. He dragged both of them from the Royal George to Austin`s shop. Defendant was not sober.

Defendant said he was trying to get the man home quietly when P.C. Osborn came up. He then advised him not to resist the police.

John Minter, a labourer, said he saw defendant have hold of Noble`s arm whilst the constable had him.

Supt. Taylor said there were several convictions against the defendant, from 1880 onward. On one occasion he was sentenced to a month`s imprisonment for assaulting the police.

The Bench fined him £1 and 11s. costs, or 14 days` hard labour. Allowed a week to pay.

Folkestone Express 14-7-1888

Saturday, July 7^th: Before The Mayor and J. Fitness Esq.

Edward Sheward was summoned for being drunk and disorderly in Fenchurch Street.

Kennett, the Market Inspector, said on Friday he was called by the landlord of the Royal George to eject the defendant and a prostitute from his house. He did so; the woman went away, but the defendant wanted to fight and was very abusive. A man named Smith ultimately took him away.

The defendant said he formerly lodge with Kennett, and ever since that time he had sought to annoy him.

Defendant was fined 2s. 6d. and 9s. costs. He asked for time to pay, and the Mayor recommended him to go to the landlord of the public hose where he got drunk and get the money.

Folkestone Chronicle 8-6-1889

Saturday, June 1^st: Before Alderman Banks, W. Wightwick Esq., Surgeon General Gilbourne, Major H.W. Poole, and J. Brooke Esq.

The licence of the Royal George Hotel was transferred to Mrs. Susan Caroline Elgar.

Folkestone Express 8-6-1889

Saturday, June 1^st: Before Alderman J. Banks, H.W. Poole, J.H. Brooke, and W. Wightwick Esqs., and Surgeon General Gilbourne.

Mrs. Susan Caroline Elgar applied for the transfer of the Royal George Hotel, which was granted.

Folkestone Chronicle 22-6-1889

Thursday, June 20^th: Before Captain Crowe and J. Brooke Esq.

George White, a tramp, was charged with stealing a cheese, value 2s. 6d., the property of Joseph Baxendale (Pickford and Co.).

Herbert Major, landlord of the Queen`s Head Inn, said on Wednesday afternoon one of Pickford`s vans was standing opposite the Royal George, and he saw the prisoner take something out of the van, put it under his coat, and run in the direction of Radnor Street. He told the driver of the van what he had seen, and afterwards went with P.C. Bailey to the Radnor lodging house, where he pointed out the prisoner. There was a cheese on the table, cut into pieces.

William Rye, a carman in the employ of Messrs. Baxendale, said he was delivering beer at the Royal George Inn, and had 25 Dutch cheeses in his van. He was in the cellar, and when he came up Mr. Major told him what had occurred.

Prisoner was sentenced to two months` imprisonment.

Folkestone Express 22-6-1889

Thursday, June 20^th: Before Captain Crowe and J. Brooke Esqs.

George White was charged with stealing a cheese, value 2s. 6d., the property of Joseph Baxendale.

Herbert Major, landlord of the Queen`s Head Inn, said on Wednesday afternoon one of Pickford`s vans was standing opposite the Royal George. Prisoner was standing by the van. Witness saw him take something out of the van, put it under his coat, and run in the direction of Radnor Street. He told the driver of the van what he had seen, and afterwards went with P.C. Bailey to the Radnor lodging house, where he pointed out the prisoner. There was a cheese on the table, cut into pieces.

William Rye, carman in the employ of Messrs. Baxendale (Pickford and Co.), said he was delivering beer at the Royal George Inn, and had 25 Dutch cheeses in his van. He was in the cellar, and when he came up Mr. Major told him what had occurred. He counted the cheeses and found one was missing.

P.C. Bailey proved apprehending the prisoner at the Radnor and finding the cheese on the table. When charged he said he knew nothing about it.

Prisoner was sentenced to two months` imprisonment.

Folkestone Chronicle 7-9-1889

Wednesday, September 4^th: Before J. Clarke and J. Fitness Esqs.

Edwin John Pope was summoned for being drunk and refusing to quit the Royal George on August 28^th, and also with assaulting a barman.

Stephen Fowle, barman at the Royal George, said on Wednesday last the defendant went to the house in a drunken condition, and he refused to serve him. He then struck witness between the eyes.

The Bench fined defendant 5s. for refusing to leave, and 9s. costs, and 10s. for the assault, with 9s. costs.

Folkestone Express 7-9-1889

Wednesday, September 4^th: Before J. Clarke and J. Fitness Esqs.

Edwin John Pope, a fisherman, was summoned for being drunk and refusing to quit the Royal George on August 28^th, and also with assaulting the barman. The defendant pleaded Guilty.

Stephen Fowle, barman at the Royal George, said on Wednesday last the defendant went to the house in a drunken condition, and he refused to serve him. He then struck him between the eyes, and was afterwards ejected from the house.

The Bench fined defendant 5s. for refusing to leave, and 9s. costs, and 10s. for the assault, and 9s. costs, and in default seven days` hard labour for the first offence, and for the second, 14 days` without hard labour.