Memories from the pubs in and around Folkestone, with contemporary newspaper reports.
Thanks And Acknowledgements
My thanks go to Kent Libraries and Archives - Folkestone Library and also to the archive of the Folkestone Herald. For articles from the Folkestone Observer, my thanks go to the Kent Messenger Group. Southeastern Gazette articles are from UKPress Online, and Kentish Gazette articles are from the British Newspaper Archive. See links below.
Paul Skelton`s great site for research on pubs in Kent is also linked
Other sites which may be of interest are the Folkestone and District Local History Society, the Kent History Forum, Christine Warren`s fascinating site, Folkestone Then And Now, and Step Short, where I originally found the photo of the bomb-damaged former Langton`s Brewery, links also below.
Paul Skelton`s great site for research on pubs in Kent is also linked
Other sites which may be of interest are the Folkestone and District Local History Society, the Kent History Forum, Christine Warren`s fascinating site, Folkestone Then And Now, and Step Short, where I originally found the photo of the bomb-damaged former Langton`s Brewery, links also below.
Welcome
Welcome to Even More Tales From The Tap Room.
Core dates and information on licensees tenure are taken from Martin Easdown and Eamonn Rooney`s two fine books on the pubs of Folkestone, Tales From The Tap Room and More Tales From The Tap Room - unfortunately now out of print. Dates for the tenure of licensees are taken from the very limited editions called Bastions Of The Bar and More Bastions Of The Bar, which were given free to very early purchasers of the books.
Easiest navigation of the site is by clicking on the PAGE of the pub you are looking for and following the links to the different sub-pages. Using the LABELS is, I`m afraid, not at all user-friendly.
Contrast Note
Whilst the above-mentioned books and supplements represent an enormous amount of research over many years, it is almost inevitable that further research will throw up some differences to the published works. Where these have been found, I have noted them. This is not intended to detract in any way from previous research, but merely to indicate that (possible) new information is available.
Contribute
If you have any anecdotes or photographs of the pubs featured in this Blog and would like to share them, please mail me at: jancpedersen@googlemail.com.
If you`ve enjoyed your visit here, why not buy me a pint, using the button at the end of the "Labels" section?
If you`ve enjoyed your visit here, why not buy me a pint, using the button at the end of the "Labels" section?
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Saturday, 25 May 2013
Updates
25th May, 1913: Folkestone Chronicle Reports for 1903 Added
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Updates
18th May, 2013: Southeastern Gazette Reports for 1891 - 1900 Added
Bricklayers` Arms 1880s
Folkestone
Express 11-12-1880
Thursday, December 9th: Before R.W. Boarer,
General Armstrong, Capt. Crowe, Capt. Fletcher, and Ald. Banks.
William Clinton was charged with being drunk and
disorderly, and assaulting P.C. Keeler.
Prisoner behaved in a very excitable manner in the
dock.
P.C. Keeler said that shortly before two that morning
he was on duty at the bottom of High Street. Prisoner passed him near Mr.
Powell`s. He noticed that he had something bulky under his coat, and he
therefore asked him what he was doing and where he was going. Prisoner immediately
drew out a poker and struck witness a violent blow on the left arm, disabling
it. He closed with the prisoner, seizing him with his right arm,
and he then struck him another blow on the helmet with the poker. He threw
prisoner down, and P.C. Smith coming to his assistance, they conveyed him to
the station. Prisoner was very violent all the way, and was drunk.
Mr. Whiting, son of the landlady of the Bricklayers`Arms,
said the prisoner had lodged there for three nights. He seemed to be labouring
under some delusion. Whilst in their house he had scarcely anything but water
and a few scraps of food other people gave him. The poker was taken from their
kitchen.
The Bench, in sentencing the prisoner to four months`
hard labour, remarked that if his mind was affected the prison authorities
would deal with him. The charge of drunkenness was dismissed.
The weapon with which P.C. Keeler was struck was a
heavy kitchen poker. He will be invalided for a time, and had it not been for
the protection afforded by his helmet there is hardly a doubt that the blow on
the head would have been fatal.
Folkestone
Express 15-7-1882
Thursday, July 13th: Before The Mayor, R.W.
Boarer and M.J. Bell Esqs., and General Armstrong.
John Champion was charged with stealing a coat, value
4s., the property of Frederick Champion, his brother.
Prosecutor said he was a hawker, living at No. 2,
Imperial Terrace, Foord. On Wednesday morning he missed a coat from behind the
sitting room door, where he had hung it overnight. Prisoner slept in the room
where the coat was hung, with witness. When witness woke up about nine o`clock,
the coat was still there. Prisoner had been out, and just as witness was
leaving the house he returned. About an hour afterwards witness went back, and
met the prisoner coming out the door with the coat tucked under the one he was
wearing. He told his sister to go after him and ask prisoner to give it up.
About a quarter past one the prisoner was taken into custody by P.C. Kettle.
William Taylor, a pedlar, said he was at the Bricklayers`
Arms on Wednesday morning, when prisoner came in with the coat produced on his
arm, which he asked witness to buy for 2s. He said he belonged to the reserve
and was called up and wanted to part with his things. Witness bought the coat
for 2s. He afterwards gave it up to the police.
P.C. Kettle said the prisoner was given into custody by
the first witness, at his father`s house. He said he had sold the coat for 2s.,
but would not say who he sold it to.
A second charge was then preferred against the prisoner
of stealing a pair of trousers belonging to another brother. The evidence was
of the same character.
The prisoner was convicted on both charges and
sentenced to two months` with hard labour for each offence.
Folkestone
Express 14-10-1882
Saturday, October 7th: Before R.W. Boarer
and F. Boykett Esqs., Captain Crowe, General Armstrong, and Alderman Hoad.
John Gardner, a police constable in the borough force,
was summoned for an assault on Amelia Lepper on the 1st October. He
pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Mowll appeared for the complainant and Mr. Minter for
the defendant.
Godfrey Lepper was charged with opening his house
during prohibited hours, and Sarah Lepper with assaulting P.C. Gardner. They
pleaded Not Guilty.
John Lepper, charged with resisting the police, also
pleaded Not Guilty.
The whole of the cases arose out of the same
circumstances, and the Bench decided to hear them together.
Amelia Lepper, the daughter of Godfrey Lepper, landlord
of the George III in Fenchurch Street, said on Sunday, October 1st
she went out of the house, across the road to Miss Hart`s, a dressmaker, to
fetch a dress which was being altered for her. Miss Hart asked her to get some
vinegar for pickling. Her father sold vinegar, and she fetched a pint, and
afterwards some more. When she got to the door, a police constable took hold of
her. She thought he was a tramp from the Bricklayers` Arms. He said that he
wanted her. When he pulled her, the jug fell into the street and was broken.
She struggled to get away and asked him what he wanted. He said she must go
with him, as a police constable wanted her. She called out to her mother and
brother, who both came. Her brother threatened to strike him, and he said “I am
a police constable in disguise. Don`t strike me”. He went away and fetched
another constable, and when he came back Miss Hart took out the pickled cabbage
and vinegar in a can, and said “This is what she brought”.
Cross-examined by Mr. Minter: I had been across about
ten minutes before. I did not carry the jug under my apron. No-one came out of
the house with me. There had not been two women come out of the house with
jugs. Someone might have been in the house, but I should not know. I took a
pint of vinegar across each time. Gardner did not say “What is in your jug?” He
asked me for my name, and I said “Lepper”. I did not refuse to let him see what
I had got. I did not deliberately throw the jug down and smash it. When they
came back, and Miss Hart brought the vinegar, I did not hear the constable say
“You are very clever to collect the vinegar after it has been spilt”. I saw
mother push the constable in the road, before he wanted to search the house.
By Mr. Mowll: There were two lots of vinegar, one in
the can, and the other lot was spilt.
Sarah Lepper, wife of Godfrey Lepper, said: My husband
has held a license for 11 years. On Sunday morning I heard my daughter say
“Here`s a tramp got hold of me”. I had the key of the bar in my pocket, and had
it all the morning. When I got there I said “You dirty-looking Pikey, what are
you doing with my daughter?” My son said “What are you doing with my sister?”
and threatened to strike him, but he put up his hands and said that he was a
police constable. The house had not been open.
By Mr. Minter: An old lady came into my house and took
an empty jug in and out. An old gentleman did not come, nor an old lady, or a
young lady. I don`t know how many people came, as we have a lot in on business
matters. When the police constable in uniform came down, I asked him what was
the matter, and he said “What is your name?”, and “Is that your daughter?” I
said “What about it?” and he said “You have been serving beer”, and Miss Hart
then brought out the vinegar. I did not say there was nothing the matter. I
will swear that I said “That tramp has been dragging my daughter about the
street”. He did not ask for admittance. I and my son did not prevent him coming
in. I did not slap him in the face, but shoved him (defendant) in the head with
my fist.
By Mr. Bradley: The vinegar was kept in the cellar, not
in the bar.
John Godfrey Lepper, son of last witness, said: The
first I heard of the case was that my mother called me, and I saw my sister
lying against the post door. I threatened to strike the man who I thought was a
tramp. I did not know he was a constable. From the time he left until he came
back was two or three minutes.
By Mr. Minter: I found my sister lying on her side in
the doorway, and my mother beside her. The constable was on the doorstep and
had hold of her hand, trying to pull her up.
John Wettingstall, coal dealer, of Harvey Street, said:
When I reaced Lepper`s I saw a navvy sort of man ill-treating a girl, as I
thought. He had got hold of the girl round the shoulders. I heard the jug drop.
By Mr. Minter: I live not far from this house. I don`t
go to Lepper`s. The girl was standing beside Hart`s door. He had his right arm
round her neck. Miss Hart`s house is on the opposite side of the street. She
got away from the policeman. He released her just off the kerb and he ran
across and pulled her nearly down. He had hold of her round her neck at her
mother`s door.
By Mr. Mowll: I have been a Good Templar for five
years.
Godfrey Lepper, landlord of the George III, said: I
have held a license eleven years without a complaint ever having been made
against me. I was not in the house during Saturday night. The key of the bar is
as a rule in my wife`s possession. We sell vinegar, which is kept in a cask.
Miss Hart was said to be ill, and the case was
adjourned for a month for her attendance.
Folkestone
Express 14-7-1883
Saturday, July 7th: Before Colonel de
Crespigny, Alderman Caister, J. Fitness, J. Holden and W.J. Jeffreason Esqs.
Margaret Harrington was charged with being drunk and
disorderly in Fenchurch Street, and also with breaking two panes of glass,
value 15s. 6d., at the George III, on Friday, July 6th.
Mrs. Lepper, wife of the landlord of the George III
public house, Fenchurch Street, said the prisoner went to the house on the
previous evening a little before five o`clock. She went to the private bar and
knocked, and asked if witness was Mrs. Lepper. She then said something about
her daughter-in-law and slapped her face. She then shut the window. Prisoner
then went across to the Bricklayers` Arms and fetched some beer. Another woman
who was with prisoner took the glass from her, and as she was going into the
house again she shut the door to keep her out and prisoner then smashed the
windows. She was very drunk.
Henry Lepper, a son of the last witness, corroborated.
P.C. Knowles said that on the previous afternoon he saw
the prisoner outside the George III. She was very drunk and shouting and made a
great noise. He advised her to go away, but she swore at him. He then locked
her up, having a “terrific job” to get her to the station. It was necessary to
put her on a stretcher and strap her down.
The Bench fined the prisoner 5s. for being drunk and
disorderly, and 4s. 6d. costs, and 15s. 6d. damage to windows, and 5s. fine and
5s. 6d. costs, or in default 14 days` hard labour.
Folkestone Express
24-1-1885
Monday:
Before Captain Crowe, Captain Fletcher, and Captain Bell.
John
Lewis pleaded Guilty to being drunk and disorderly on licensed premises, the
Bricklayers` Arms, and breaking panes of glass, to the value of 10s. In default
of paying fine and costs, amounting to 20s., he was ordered to be imprisoned
for 14 days.
Folkestone
News 24-1-1885
Local News
A labouring man named John Lewis, a lodger at the Bricklayers`
Arms, was brought before the Bench on Monday for being drunk on the premises
and breaking 10s. worth of window glass. It appeared that he had always been
well behaved before, and had been a teetotaller for a month, but had broken the
pledge. He pleaded Guilty and was mulcted in the sum of £1 0s. 6d., including
fines, costs and damages.
Folkestone Express
21-3-1885
Wednesday,
March 18th: Before The Mayor, Captain Fletcher, Captain Crowe, and
Alderman Hoad.
Michael
O`Brien was charged with stealing a broom, value 1s., the property of Mr. W.
Wightwick, on the 16th February.
A
domestic servant in the employ of Mr. Wightwick said prisoner went to the back
door of Mr. Wightwick`s house begging. She refused to give him anything. Next
morning she missed a broom which had been standing outside the back door.
George
Skelton, assistant to Mr. G.M. Smith, said the broom produced was purchased at
their shop and sent to Mr. Wightwick`s. The selling price was 1s.
Joseph
Allan Whiting, of the Bricklayers` Arms, Fenchurch Street, said the prisoner
was staying at his house until about three weeks ago. He owed a trifle, and
left the broom produced as a security. He did not notice any writing on the
broom. Subsequently he gave the broom up to the police.
Sergeant
Harman said he apprehended the prisoner on Tuesday afternoon at the City Police
Station, Canterbury. When charged with stealing the broom he said he did not
know anything about it.
Prisoner
was sentenced to a month`s hard labour.
Folkestone Express
27-6-1885
Monday,
June 22nd: Before The Mayor, Captain Carter, Alderman Caister and J.
Fitness Esq.
Jane
Summers, charged with being drunk and refusing to quit the Bricklayers` Arms
when requested by the landlord, pleaded Guilty, and was fined 3s. and 3s. 6d.
costs, or seven days`. The prisoner and her husband had been lodging at the
house for a month, and went in on Saturday night drunk and made a disturbance.
John
Summers, the husband of the last prisoner, was then charged with being drunk
and disorderly in the Market Place on Saturday. He was found by Supt. Taylor
sitting on the window sill of the police station. He roused him and he then
became very abusive and said he would be locked up with his wife. His request
was complied with, and with his wife he was detained in the cells on Sunday. He
was fined 5s. and 3s. costs, and allowed a week to pay both his own and his
wife`s fine.
Folkestone
Express 15-5-1886
Saturday, May 8th: Before The Mayor, Captain
Carter, and Alderman Caister.
Alfred Swinborne, described as a flower seller, was
charged with stealing a watch, value £1, the property of William Watts.
Prosecutor said he lived at Canterbury. On Friday he
saw the prisoner at the Raglan Tavern, Dover Road, and entrusted him with a
pawn ticket and the money to go to Mr. Joseph`s and redeem a watch and take it
to him. Prisoner did not return, and prosecutor gave information to the police.
The watch produced was his.
By the prisoner: You were not drunk, nor was I.
Joseph Whiting, of the Bricklayers` Arms, Fenchurch
Street, said the prisoner went to his house on Friday evening. He had been
drinking, but was not drunk. He offered the watch produced for sale for half a
sovereign. Witness told him he did not want it, and the prisoner went away.
Prisoner said he had found the watch.
Sergeant Pay said he went in search of the prisoner and
found him in Harbour Street. He told him the charge and took him into custody.
Prisoner said he didn`t steal the watch. He took it out of pawn for a
gentleman, and afterwards could not find him.
Prisoner pleaded Guilty and was sentenced to one
month`s hard labour.
Folkestone
Express 29-5-1886
Tuesday, May 25th: Before Dr. Bateman,
Alderman Caister, J. Holden and J. Fitness Esqs.
Jane Potter was charged with stealing four sheets,
value 24s., the property of Joseph Whiting.
Constance Whiting, landlady of the Bricklayers` Arms,
said the prisoner had lodged in her house for six months past and she
occasionally employed her to do washing. Recently she missed some sheets from a
cupboard in her bedroom. The bedroom door was left unlocked. P.C. Knowles
produced the sheets, which witness identified as her property. She valued the
six sheets at 24s.
Joseph Whiting, landlord of the Bricklayers` Arms, said
the prisoner had been lodging at his house, and as he suspected her when the
sheets were missed he asked her to let him search her bundle, and he there saw
some pawn tickets which referred to the sheets. He then sent for the police.
Emma Davis, a widow lodging at the Bricklayers` Arms,
said she had been there about a fortnight, and on the second day she was there
prisoner asked her to pawn one sheet, which she said was her own property, and
told her to ask 1s. upon it. Witness took the sheet to Mr. Joseph and pawned it
for 1s. in her own name. The second sheet she pawned on the 12th
inst. for 9d.
P.C. Knowles said he apprehended the prisoner in a
bedroom at the Bricklayers` Arms on the previous afternoon. He asked Mr.
Whiting if he would give the prisoner into custody, and he said “Yes”. The
prisoner said “I hope you won`t have me locked up, Mr. Whiting”, and he replied
that he must.
Prisoner was then brought to the station.
Stephen Turner, assistant to Mr. Joseph, pawnbroker,
proved the pledging of the sheets.
The Bench sentenced the prisoner to two months` hard
labour.
Folkestone
News 29-5-1886
Tuesday, May 26th: Before Dr. Bateman,
Alderman Caister, J. Fitness and J. Holden Esqs.
Jane Potter was charged with stealing six sheets, of
the value of 4s. each, the property of Mr. Whiting, on the 1st May.
Mrs. Whiting, landlady of the Bricklayers` Arms, said
prisoner had lodged at her house and they occasionally employed her. Witness
recently missed some sheets from a cupboard in her bedroom, put away for use
when required. Prisoner had no reason for going to this bedroom. The sheets
produced by P.C. Knowles were three of those missing. The value of the six
sheets was 24s.
Joseph Whiting, landlord, said: Yesterday when I saw
prisoner overhauling her own bundle in her own room, I asked her to let me look
at her things, and then found some duplicate pawn tickets, but did not take
them from prisoner. The tickets produced by Sergeant Ovenden relate to three of
the sheets stolen.
Emma Davis, widow, lodging at the Bricklayers` Arms,
knew the prisoner, who had asked her to pawn one sheet for a shilling. She had
done so at Mr. Joseph`s in her own name. On the 12th she had pawned
another sheet for 9d.
P.C. Knowles said that he apprehended the prisoner at
the Bricklayers` Arms at half past one yesterday, in a back room where she was
locked in. She said she hoped Mr. Whiting would not have her locked up. He took
her into custody and brought her to the police station.
Rachael Sharpe, female searcher, proved finding the
pawn tickets in prisoner`s purse.
Stephen Turner, pawnbroker`s assistant, knew the witness
Davis, and the prisoner who had pawned the sheets produced.
At the conclusion of the evidence prisoner pleaded
Guilty, and was sentenced to two months imprisonment with hard labour.
Folkestone
Express 21-4-1888
Wednesday, April 18th: Before The Mayor,
Surgeon General Gilbourne, Col. De Crespigny, J. Brooke and H.W. Poole Esqs.
James Furlong was charged with being drunk and
disorderly in Fenchurch Street on Tuesday.
P.C. Smith said the defendant was stripped to his
shirt, and with his hat off, and wanting to fight. His wife came out and he
struck at her. He commenced to fight with a stranger, and witness, with the
assistance of Mr. Whiting, of the Bricklayers` Arms, took him to the police
station.
Defendant said he came from Chatham.
The Mayor: A nice importation from Chatham, you are.
How old are you?
Defendant: Twenty one next August.
The Mayor: What are you? – A sailor.
The Mayor: A turnpike sailor, I suppose. You will be
fined 5s., and 3s. 6d. costs, or seven days` hard labour.
James Noble was charged with being drunk and disorderly
in Beach Street on the 14th inst. He pleaded Guilty, and said he
“had a drop too much to drink, and like a good many more when they got a drop
too much to drink, had too much to say”. (Laughter)
He was fined 5s. and 8s. costs, or 14 days`.
Folkestone
Express 8-9-1888
Wednesday, September 5th: Before Alderman
Banks and J. Holden Esq.
Henry Gossidge, who said he came from Satchwell Street,
Leamington, was charged with wandering about the streets without visible means
of subsistence.
P.C. Knowles said he saw the little boy near the bottom
of High Street on Monday night. He said he had no home, and that he came to
Folkestone three days before, with two organ grinders who had gone to Dover,
turned him off. He told witness he came from Leamington. He took him to Mr.
Whiting, at the Bricklayers` Arms, who said the Italians seemed to be very kind
to him.
An order was made to commit the boy to the workhouse,
from whence he would be sent to Leamington.
Holbein`s
Visitors` List 29-5-1889
Inquest
On Thursday evening there were rumours in the town that
a horse had bolted down Sandgate Hill and had thrown out of a carriage two
ladies, the wives of officers in the Carabiniers. Later in the evening it was
stated that one of the ladies was dead, and unfortunately rumour was, in this
case, speaking only too truly. But the facts of the case will best be conveyed
to our readers by the reproduction of the evidence tendered before the Borough
Coroner (J. Minter Esq.) at the inquest, which was held at the Town Hall on
Saturday at three o`clock, “to enquire touching the death of Agnes Mary Green”.
The Jury having been sworn and having chosen Mr.
Frederick Petts as foreman, the Coroner said that Dr. Charles Lewis, who was a
witness, had a most important case to attend, and he (the Coroner), would go
out of the ordinary course and take the evidence before the Jury viewed the
body.
Dr. Charles Lewis then deposed: I was called shortly
before seven on Thursday evening to the residence of the deceased in Darnley
Terrace, Sandgate, in consultation with Dr. Chubb, who was in attendance. I
found the deceased insensible, and suffering from a fracture of the left side
of the skull, about five or six inches in length. There was also a large wound
near the right ear. The injuries were such as would be produced by a fall. I
remained with deceased until her death. There was nothing that could possibly
be done, and she died about 8.45.
The Jury then proceeded to Sandgate to view the body,
and on their return to the Town Hall the following additional evidence was
given.
William Barr: I am a groom in the employ of Mr. Dixon
Green, who is a Lieutenant in the Carabiniers, and resides at 2, Chichester
Villas, Sandgate. I identify the body which the jury have seen at that of my
late mistress, Agnes Mary Green. On Thursday evening Mrs, Green, in company
with the wife of Colonel Dennis, drove a mare in a dog cart to witness the
Yeomanry sports in a field off Sandgate Road. Shortly after six o`clock we were
returning; Mrs. Green was driving and I was on the back seat. Going down
Sandgate Hill the whip was hanging over the reins and touched the mare, causing
her to jump forward. I immediately jumped down, intending to get to the mare`s
head, but before I could do so she had bolted and was galloping down the hill.
I followed as quickly as possible and saw the mare swerve to the offside as if
she was intending to pull up at the house, which she evidently knew. When she
saw the wall she shot out again, but the wheel of the cart caught the wall and
Mrs. Green was thrown out. I saw her fall. The mare galloped on through
Sandgate. When I reached the place where Mrs. Green was lying, I found her
insensible, and with blood flowing freely from her head and face. Some other
men carried her into the house, and I ran off for a doctor. Mrs. Green had been
in the habit of riding and driving for a good while. The mare was half-bred.
She would not stand a whip, but was otherwise quiet.
Sidney Saunders, landlord of the East Cliff Tavern,
said: On Thursday evening I was going across the footpath from the Leas into
Sandgate, when I saw a dog cart in which there were two ladies, with a groom on
the back seat. They were going down the hill at a gentle trot, when suddenly
the mare plunged, but I could not see from what cause. The groom jumped down
and rushed to the horse`s head, but the horse had galloped off before he could
get to it. I went as fast as I could and saw the horse run over to the offside.
The wheel of the cart caught the kerb, and the lady who had been driving was
thrown against the wall. The lady was insensible and blood was flowing from her
head and mouth. I lifted up her head, got a towel and some water, and washed
her mouth out. Someone said that she lived a few doors below, and we then
carried her into her house. Dr. Chubb was sent for and soon came.
Samuel Saunders, of the Belle Vue Tavern, and Joseph
Whiting, of the Bricklayers` Arms, who were in company with the previous
witness, having corroborated his evidence, the Coroner said he thought the jury
would have no difficulty in coming to a decision.
A verdict was immediately returned of Accidental Death.
Folkestone
Express 1-6-1889
Inquest
On Saturday afternoon an inquest was held at the Town
Hall before J. Minter Esq., the Borough Coroner, on the body of Agnes Mary
Green, who was killed on Thursday evening by being thrown from a dog cart.
Mr. Charles Lewis, surgeon, said: On Thursday evening,
a little before seven o`clock, I was called to attend the deceased at her
residence in Darnley Terrace, Sandgate, in consultation with Mr. Chubb, who was
in attendance. I found her insensible, and suffering from a fracture of the
left side of the skull some four or five inches in length. There was also a
large wound near the right ear. She remained insensible until her deat, about
an hour and a half after I left. She died from injuries to her head, which were
such as would be produced by a fall. There was nothing which could be done to
save her. She was evidently sinking when I first saw her.
William Barr, a groom, in the employment of Mr. Dixon
Green, lieutenant in the Carabiniers, stationed at Shorncliffe, and residing at
2, Chichester Villas, Sandgate, identified the body viewed by the jury as that
of Agnes Mary Green, wife of Lieut. Green, and said on Thursday, in company
with the wife of Col. Dennis, she drove a mare in a dog cart to the sports in
Sandgate Road. I was in attendance and riding on the back seat. About ten
minutes past six in the evening we were returning, and on driving down Sandgate
Hill, the deceased being driving, she accidentally hit the mare with the whip,
which caused the mare to jump forward. I jumped down to get the mare`s head to
steady her. Before I could get there the mare bolted and galloped down the
hill. I followed, and saw the mare turn off, as if with the intention of
pulling up at the house from which they started. She made for the wall on the
off side. The mare saw the wall and shot out again. The cart collided against
the kerb, and Mrs. Green was thrown out. I saw her fall between the wall and
the wheel. The mare continued on through Sandgate, and on my arrival at the
place where deceased laid on the path I noticed that she was insensible and
blood was flowing very freely from her head and face. I ran off for the doctor,
knowing I could not catch the mare. Deceased had been in the habit of riding
and driving the mare for the past eight or nine months. It was half-bred, and
would not stand the whip, otherwise she was quiet.
Sidney saunders, a publican, living at East Cliff,
said: On Thursday, the 23rd May, I, with others, was walking across
the footpath leading into Sandgate Road, and saw a dog cart, in which were two
ladies and a groom. The horse was going at a gentle trot. I saw it make a
plunge forward, and the groom get off the back of the trap and rush towards the
horse`s head. Before he got up to it the horse had bolted. He then made a grasp
at the trap, appeared to stumble, and the horse was gone. I ran as fast as I
could. I saw the horse turn towards the kerb on the off side, and as the wheel
caught the kerb, one of the ladies was pitched out against the wall. The horse
went right away through Sandgate. I found deceased lying on the path,
insensible, and blood flowing freely from the head and mouth. I lifted up her
head, unfastened her bodice, and procured some water and washed her mouth.
Someone came along and said the deceased lived a few doors off, and asked them
to carry her indoors. They did so, and Dr. Chubb came. Samuel Saunders and
Joseph Whiting were with me.
These two having given corroborative evidence, the jury
returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
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