Saturday, 31 August 2013
White Lion (2) 1905 - 1909
Folkestone Express
1-4-1905
Hythe County Police
Thursday, March 30th: Before J. Du Boulay Esq.,
Col. Hutchins, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, F.E. Burke, F.D. Brockman, A.S. Jones, T.
Amos, F.A. MacKinnon and H.P. Jacques Esqs.
Frederick Barker was summoned for refusing to quit the
licensed premises of the White Lion Hotel when requested to do so by the
landlord, Mr. J.G. Smiles, on March 17th. Defendant pleaded Guilty.
Mr. B.C. Drake prosecuted on behalf of the complainant.
Mr. Smiles said on Friday, March 17th, there were
a number of men in the house, when he was sent for by his son into the bar. He
asked a man to go out because he had had sufficient to drink. Defendant then
began to use obscene language, and complainant asked him to go out three or
four times, but he refused to do so. He used more bad language, and eventually
defendant went out on the arrival of a policeman. Defendant was not drunk.
Defendant said under the circumstances he was a bit put out.
His comrade was “chucked” out of the house, and he felt “a kind of hurt” about
it.
Fined 10s. and 35s. costs.
Folkestone Herald
1-4-1905
Elham County Bench
Thursday, March 30th: Before Mr. J. Du Boulay,
Councillor T. Amos, Councillor H.P. Jacques, Councillor R.J. Fynmore, Colonel
Hutchins, Messrs. A.S. Jones, F.E. Burke, and F.D. Mackinnon.
Fredk. Barker, an out porter, of Cheriton, was summoned for
refusing to quit the White Lion, Cheriton, on the 17th March.
Mr. Drake, who appeared for complainant, said that the White
Lion was a licensed house which had always been conducted in a proper way, and
if people were allowed to come in and be abusive, it would become very
difficult to carry on the house as it should be. The licensee was determined to
let the public know that the house was to be conducted as it had been in the
past.
Mr. Joseph G. Smiles, landlord of the White Lion, said that
on the 17th March he was called into the bar to ask a man who had
had enough to drink to leave the premises. Defendant, who was in the bar,
declared that the man was sober, and interfering, he became quarrelsome. The
defendant protested against the man being put out, and witness advised him to
go. He refused to go, and witness sent for a constable, who took his name. The
defendant was not drunk, and had only had a half of ale on the premises.
Defendant pleaded Guilty, and explained to the witness that
his reason for interfering was because he thought it was right to stick up for
a mate.
To the Bench he said “My comrade was chucked out, and I felt
a kind of hurt”.
He was fined 10s. and 35s. costs.
Defendant asked for a month in which payment would be
allowed, and the Bench agreed to let him pay half in fourteen days, and the
remainder in another fourteen days.
The Chairman pointed out that the Magistrates were very
severe with publicans if they allowed certain people to remain on their
premises, but when those people obstructed the licence holders and were
summoned, then the Bench had no sympathy with them.
Folkestone Chronicle
10-6-1905
Elham County Bench
Thursday, June 8th: Before Capt. Mansell, Capt.
Hutcheson and Mr. F.E. Burke.
Thomas Sutton was summoned for being drunk and disorderly at
Cheriton.
P.C. Stevens stated that on Saturday evening, May 27th,
he saw the prisoner in High Street very drunk. He entered the White Lion Hotel,
but was ejected by the landlord. When outside he became very excited, and after
considerable persuasion his friends succeeded in taking him home.
Defendant, who pleaded Guilty, was fined 10s. and 11s.
costs, or in default 14 days` hard labour.
Folkestone Express
3-2-1906
Inquest
An inquest was held at the White Lion, Cheriton, on Monday,
by the County Coroner (Mr. R.M. Mercer), respecting the death of the infant
child of Mr. and Mrs. Giddy, of 25, Dunnett Road, which was suffocated on
Friday morning.
Alfred James Giddy said he was an agent for an assurance
company. He was 25 years of age and had been married about fourteen months.
Deceased was his child. It had not been registered or christened. It was born
on January the 23rd. About half past two on Friday morning he heard
the baby crying. At three o`clock he got up and made some tea for his wife. She
asked him to put deceased on the pillow, which he did. Upon his wife asking him
if deceased was all right, as she thought he looked funny, witness looked at
him and put his lips to deceased. They felt clammy, and holding deceased to the
light, he saw his face was blue. He then sent for Dr. Madden. Witness`s mother
was present.
Mrs. Giddy corroborated, adding that deceased must have been
suffocated against its mother`s breast.
The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
In dismissing the jury, the Coroner said it was ridiculous
so many men having to be taken away from their work to attend that inquest. He
hoped the new Parliament would do something to reduce the number of the
Coroner`s jury.
Folkestone Herald
3-2-1906
Inquest
An inquest was held by the East Kent County Coroner (Mr.
R.M. Mercer), at the White Lion Hotel, Cheriton, on Monday, regarding the death
of the infant son of Mr. A.J. and Mrs Giddy.
Alfred Jas. Giddy stated that he was 25 years of age, and
had been married fourteen months. He lived at 25, Dunnett Road, and was an
agent for the Prudential Insurance Company. The child was born on January 23rd,
and had neither been registered or christened. On Thursday evening he went to
bed as usual, and on rising in the morning got some tea for his wife. She asked
him to remove the baby, which was lying face downward on her breast, so that
she might take it. He did so, and discovered that its face was blue. He
concluded that the child was dead, but sent for Dr. Madden. His mother was
there, and she was an experienced person.
Mrs. Giddy (the last witness`s mother) stated that she was
there when the doctor came, and he stated that the child had been suffocated.
She stripped the child while he was there, and found that there were no marks
of violence on the body; only those indicating suffocation.
The Coroner said he was sorry for the parents. What was true
years ago was true today. They preached against mothers taking the children to
sleep with them, but they would do it. It was rather ridiculous that thirteen
men should be taken from their work to hold that enquiry, and he hoped that the
new Parliament would do something to reduce the number of inquests.
The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
Folkestone
Express 11-5-1907
Inquest
An inquest was held at Cheriton on Tuesday afternoon by
the East Kent Coroner (Mr. R.M, Mercer) respecting the death of Mary Dow (61),
who met with a fatal accident at 5, Albert Road, Cheriton, on Saturday morning.
Henry Dow, widower of deceased, said he was an Army
pensioner. He came home at 11.30 on Saturday morning. Deceased was washing, and
he said he had better get the dinner. Deceased went downstairs, and then
witness heard her fall. Witness went down and saw her at the bottom of the
stairs. She came up the stairs carrying a kettle. Deceased was 61 years of age.
She had never suffered from fainting fits, and witness could not account for
the accident. Witness sent for a doctor, and he came at 12.30. Deceased died at
4.30 in witness`s presence.
Henry Moseling, barman at the White Lion Hotel, said he
heard the accident at ten minutes to twelve. He went to the house and found
deceased lying at the bottom of the stairs. She was unconscious. Witness bathed
her head and got deceased upstairs. A nurse came soon after and witness then
left. Deceased was not able to tell witness how it happened.
Dr. Walter W. Nuttall, practicing at Folkestone, said
he arrived at the house at 12.40. Deceased was lying in bed. Her head was
bandaged and she was unconscious. Witness examined her and found she had a cut
on her head about an inch and a half long. There was another large bruise on
the right forearm and the skin was broken. Witness advised deceased`s removal
to the Hospital, but there was some difficulty in obtaining an ambulance, and
she was not removed. Witness did not see deceased again. He could not say what
the specific injury was from which she died. Presumably it was shock, but he
could not say for certain.
The Coroner advised the jury to bring in a verdict that
death was due to injuries received from accidentally falling downstairs, and a
verdict was returned to that effect.
The Coroner then asked if anything had been done with
reference to having a medical officer nearer to the district. He had written to
the Clerk to the Guardians, and was assured they would take it into
consideration. What had been done he did not know.
Mr. Smiles, a Guardian, said the Board had communicated
with the Local Government Board, but as there was no medical man resident in
the district the Guardians could not alter the existing state of affairs.
The Coroner said he did not think they had got any more
forward.
Mr. Smiles said they were very reluctant to appoint a
doctor for that district alone.
The Coroner said he could not help thinking something
ought to be done, and intimated that he would see into the matter.
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Granville Inn 1905 - 1909
Folkestone Daily News
5-4-1905
Wednesday, April 5th: Before Alderman Herbert and
Mr. J. Stainer.
John Smith, who did not appear, was charged with assaulting
Frederick Skinner, landlord of the Granville Inn.
The wife of the defendant appeared and said her husband was
not at home when the summons was left, and had not been home since.
The Magistrates decided to issue a fresh summons.
Wednesday, April 5th: Before Alderman W.G.
Herbert and Mr. J. Stainer.
John Smith failed to appear in answer to a summons for
assault on Frederick Skinner.
Defendant`s wife said the summons had not been served on the
defendant, he having left the town before the service. She did not know where
he had gone.
A fresh summons was ordered to be issued.
Folkestone Express
8-4-1905
Wednesday, April 5th: Before W.G. Herbert and J.
Stainer Esqs.
John Smith was summoned for assaulting Frederick Skinner.
Defendant`s wife said the defendant had gone away before the
summons was served and would not be back before Saturday.
The summons was ordered to be re-served.
Folkestone
Daily News 18-8-1906
Saturday, August 18th: Before The Mayor,
Messrs. Banks, Swoffer, Stainer, Hamilton, and Linton.
William Spearpoint, William Bailey, and Nora Hill were
charged with using obscene language in Dover Street. Hill and Bailey did not
appear.
Mr. Skinner, landlord of the Granville, was called, and
deposed that on Monday last the accused came to his house the worse for drink,
and he refused to serve them, upon which they used indecent language, and the
prisoners commenced to break his fittings, smoe of which witness produced.
T. Franks, a grocer in Dover St., corroborated the
statements of Mr. Skinner, and added that the Granville was a well-conducted
house.
The Bench fined Spearpoint 12s. 6d. including costs,
and issued warrants for the apprehension of Bailey and Hill.
Folkestone
Daily News 22-8-1906
Wednesday, August 22nd: Before Messrs.
Banks, Swoffer, Stainer, Ames, Linton, and Herbert.
Frederick Bailey was charged on a warrant with using
obscene language on August 13th. He pleaded Guilty.
Mr. Frederick Skinner said on the 13th
August the prisoner with another man and woman came into his house, the
Granville Inn, and ordered something to drink. As they were the worse for drink
he refused to serve them, whereupon they used obscene language. They also used
very offensive language when they got into the street.
The Chairman said he should like to remind the prisoner
that public houses had as much right to be protected as private houses, and the
public were much indebted to Mr. Skinner for coming forward. Prisoner would be
fined 10s. and 11s. 6d. costs, or 14 days`.
Prisoner said he only had 13s. with him, but would pay
the rest on Saturday if they would allow him time.
The Chairman: What`s that? Do you say you want credit?
Prisoner: Yes, please, sir.
The Chairman: What about it, Chief Constable?
The Chief Constable satisfied the Bench that it would
be all right, and the Chairman told the prisoner to be sure and bring the
balance up on Saturday.
Folkestone Express
25-8-1906
Saturday, August 18th: before The Mayor, Alderman
Banks, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, and J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, and R.J. Linton
Esqs.
William Spearpoint, Frederick Bailey, and Isabella Hill were
summoned for using obscene language in Dover Street on the 13th
August. Spearpoint was the only defendant who appeared, and he pleaded Guilty.
Frederick Skinner said he kept the Granville Inn, Dover
Street. At 8.45 on Monday morning last he saw Spearpoint and the other two
defendants in Dover Street. The three defendants came in and asked for a drink,
but witness refused to serve them, seeing their condition. The two men and the
woman also then commenced to use obscene language, and witness asked them to
leave the premises. The men left, but the woman refused to and started to break
witness`s pictures up. He then got her outside, where for about twenty minutes
she used most obscene language. When witness requested her to go away she
commenced smashing the windows. A large crowd of people assembled.
Thomas Franks corroborated. He said Spearpoint tried to get
the woman away after a time.
The Superintendent said Spearpoint was there eighteen months
ago.
Spearpoint was fined 2s. 6d. and 10s. costs, or seven days`.
He was allowed time to pay in. Warrants were ordered to be issued for Bailey
and Hill`s arrest.
The Mayor said they were indebted to Mr. Franks for coming
forward and giving evidence as he had done.
Wednesday, August 22nd: Before Alderman Banks,
Lieut. Col. Hamilton, and G.I. Swoffer, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, T. Ames, and
W.G. Herbert Esqs.
Frederick Bailey, a fisherman, was charged on a warrant with
using obscene language in Dover Street on August 13th. Prisoner
pleaded Guilty.
Frederick Skinner said on August 13th, at half
past eight in the morning, the prisoner, with another man and a woman, came to
his premises and asked for drink. He refused to serve them, and they became
abusive and used bad language. They remained outside for twenty minutes, using
very bad language, and causing a large crowd to assemble.
The Chairman said, on behalf of the Bench and the public, he
wished to say they were indebted to the landlord of the public house for coming
there to give evidence. The defendant would be fined 10s. and 11s. 6d. costs,
or in default 14 days` imprisonment.
Folkestone Herald
25-8-1906
Saturday, August 18th: Before The Mayor, Alderman
J. Banks, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, and Messrs. J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, and G.I.
Swoffer Esqs.
William Spearpoint, Frederick Bailey, and Isabella Hill were
summoned for using obscene language. Only Spearpoint appeared, and pleaded
Guilty.
Frederick Skinner, landlord of the Granville Inn, Dover
Street, stated that on Monday evening, at 8.45, Spearpoint and another man and
a woman came to his house drunk. Seeing their condition he refused to serve
them. The man then went out and waited for the woman, who started breaking up
his fixtures. He had to put her outside, and she stopped hear the place about
twenty minutes, using obscene language and threatening to break the windows.
The men also used bad language.
Thomas Franks said he saw the woman on the night in
question, when she appeared to be mad drunk, running up to the door of the
Granville and using most obscene language. He said he would like to mention
that the house was a well-conducted one.
The Chief Constable said the defendant had been before the
Bench several times, but not lately. They had had no trouble with him for some
18 months.
He was fined 2s. 6d. and 10s. costs, being allowed time to
pay, the Bench intimating that a warrant would be issued against the others.
George Inn 1900s
Folkestone Programme
9-9-1901
Local News
It will be observed from the list of collections on behalf
of the Victoria Hospital Saturday and Sunday Fund, that “Joe”, the hospital
dog, has collected during the last twelve months £3 0s. 2½d. This is somewhat
behind Joe`s average, but then this friend of the hospital is “getting on in
years”, being a dog seventeen years old. He is blind and almost toothless, and
the wonder is that he can do anything at all for the institution. Joe is not a
collector on behalf of the hospital who receives his crown pieces and half
sovereigns; he is content with pennies and halfpennies; indeed his owner, Mr.
Russell, of the George Inn, does not remember him ever receiving more than half
a crown at a time. During the past ten years Joe has collected on behalf of the
Victoria Hospital alone the sum of £37 13s. 4½d. But his charitable disposition
extends further than the hospital, for there are other charities on behalf of
which he begs a copper, and to which he pays. In his old age the friends of the
hospital hope Joe may for some time yet
be able to follow his vocation – that of helping the local hospital and other
charities.
Folkestone Express
9-4-1904
Wednesday, April 6th: Before W. Wightwick and
G.I. Swoffer Esqs.
The licence of the George Inn was transferred from Mr.
Russell to Mr. Frederick Taylor.
The Bench granted transfer of the licence of the following premises: The George Inn, from Charles Russell to Frederick Taylor
Folkestone Chronicle
16-4-1904
Wednesday, April 13th: Before Mr. W.G. Herbert,
Lieut. Cols. Westropp and Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, and Mr. J. Stainer.
The Bench granted transfer of the licence of the following premises: The George Inn, from Charles Russell to Frederick Taylor
Folkestone Express
16-4-1904
Wednesday, April 13th: Before W.G. Herbert Esq.,
Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Westropp, G.I. Swoffer and J. Stainer Esqs.
The licence of the George Inn was transferred from Charles
Russell to Frederick Clark.
Licence
was transferred as follows:- The George, from Charles Russell to Fredk. Hayward
Godden Taylor.
Folkestone Herald
16-4-1904
Wednesday, April 13th: Before Ald. W.G. Herbert,
Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Mr. J. Stainer, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, and Lieut. Colonel
Westropp.
Folkestone
Daily News 26-7-1906
Inquest
Mr. G.W. Haines (the Borough Coroner) held an inquest
at the Town Hall on the 25th inst., on the body of James George
Quint, who was found bleeding on the pavement in front of Battery Terrace, The
Bayle, on Wednesday morning.
The first witness, Mr. Winds, living close by, deposed
that he heard a scream and saw the deceased lying on the pavement in a pool of
blood. He went to his assistance, and Dr. Barrett was sent for.
Dr. Barrett deposed that he was called to The Bayle
early on Wednesday morning, and found the deceased quite dead. He had evidently
fallen from the top window and struck his head on the kerb, which had caused a
lacerated wound of the skull and a fracture of the bone. He could not say
whether his neck was broken, but those injuries were sufficient to cause death.
He had been in the habit of attending the deceased for three months, since he
had a slight attack of paralysis, which had left spinal trouble, and since that
time he was scarcely ever free from pain, and had been a terrible sufferer.
Mrs. Quint, wife of deceased, deposed that she was
married eighteen years since. He had formerly kept the George Inn, Folkestone,
and his name was James George Quint. They resided at Battery Terrace, and the
deceased had been in bad health for some time, but about three months since he
had an attack of paralysis, and since that time he had been a great sufferer.
He was never free from pain, and had sometimes remarked that his pain was such
that he wished he were dead. On Tuesday night they went to bed as usual, and in
teh early morning she missed him. She thought at first he had gone to the
lavatory. On getting up to try and find him she discovered that he had gone
upstairs to a room that was unoccupied, the window of which she believed was
fastened. She heard a scream, and her attention was called to him lying on the
pavement by a neighbour close by, who, she understood, saw him fall.
The Coroner summed up at great length as to whether the
deceased overbalanced himself and fell out of the window, or whether, being in
such pain, he at that time might not be responsible for his actions and jumped
out. He explained the theory of suicide and the theory of accident in great
clearness to the jury, leaving it to them to consider the verdict.
The jury returned a verdict that deceased met his death
by committing suicide by jumping from a window during a fit of temporary
insanity brought about by terrible illness and suffering.
Folkestone Express
28-7-1906
Inquest
The Borough Coroner (Mr. G.W. Haines) had a very painful
case to enquire into at an inquest at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, on the
body of George James Quint, an old man residing at 26, The Bayle. Quint was
well known in the town, as he for some years held the licence of the George
Inn, George Lane.
Frederick Wines, residing at 12, The Bayle, a cellarman,
said the body viewed by the jury was that of George James Quint, formerly
landlord of the George Inn. He had lately resided at 26, The Bayle. His age was
71. Witness had known him about eight or nine years. Deceased had not been out
lately, and for the past month or so he had not spoken to him. That morning,
about five o`clock, he was in his house when he heard screaming. He looked out
of the window and saw Mrs. Quint leaning over her husband, who was lying
halfway on the pavement and over the kerb opposite to his house. Deceased was
on his back about two feet from the house, with his head on the pavement. To
all appearances Quint was dead when he first saw him. There was a quantity of
blood under his head. He was dressed in a paid of pants, socks, and shirt. Mrs.
Quint told him her husband got out of bed to take some medicine. She thought he
was going to the lavatory, but instead of that he must have gone upstairs,
opened one of the windows, and got out. Witness noticed that the window at the
top of the house was the only one open. The bottom sash of the window was wide
open.
Dr. Barrett said he had attended the deceased for the last
three months. He had a slight attack of paralysis on one side. That left him
with very severe pains in the spine, and the arm in particular. He was scarcely
ever out of bed. He saw him on Monday, when he seemed more cheerful. That
morning, at a quarter past five, he was told that Mr. Quint had got out of the
window. He went round immediately and found the deceased lying in the street
with his head on the pavement, and his neck just over the kerb. The width of
the pavement was about six feet. There was a good deal of blood on the
pavement, and there was blood coming from the deceased`s mouth and nose. He was
quite dead. Witness examined his head, and found he had considerable lacerated
wounds right from the top to the bottom of his head. The bone was fractured
across the top. The injuries were quite sufficient to cause instantaneous
death. He could not say whether Quint`s neck was broken. Witness thought that
deceased had fallen on his head, and he then must have turned a complete
somersault. There was only one window open, and that was in the top storey.
Deceased had apparently not been dead more than a few minutes when he saw him.
Quint had complained to him that he was not able to sleep except for a short
time. He had said nothing to lead him to think he could not put up with it.
After the stroke, deceased was more or less helpless on one side, and the pain
seemed to increase more than decrease. In his opinion death was due to
fractured skull. He had never shown signs of being mentally affected.
Mercy Quint, the widow of the deceased, said she resided at
26, The Bayle. Her husband held the licence of the George Inn twenty years ago.
His age was 71. For nearly a year he had been declining, and three months ago
had a stroke. He seemed to sleep fairly well. She had had the parlour arranged
for a bedroom, and her husband and herself slept in it. Her husband was unable
to walk about the house. During the past few days his pain had been a little
easier. He had complained very much about it, and he had told her if the pain
did not cease he thought he would go out of his mind. At times deceased could
walk without assistance to the end of the passage. They both went to bed the
previous night jut after ten, and during the night she heard nothing of him. At
five o`clock she missed him from the room. She then called out, thinking he was
upstairs, but as she received no answer she went upstairs, and found the top
floor bedroom window facing the street with the bottom sash wide open. She
looked out, and saw her husband lying on the pavement below. She went down and
screamed for assistance. By the side of the bedroom window there was an easy
chair. There would be no difficulty in anyone getting out of the window without
standing on the chair. The window was opened as far as it would go. Deceased
was six feet high. The windows were always fastened before they went to bed.
The Coroner said the question for the jury was to try and
find out how the deceased got out of the window. The evidence showed, in his
opinion, that he could not possibly have fallen out, so he must have jumped
out. With regard to the state of the deceased`s mind, they knew that there was
a turning point when pain overcame people, and caused them to take steps for
which they were not morally responsible.
The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst temporarily
insane”.
Folkestone Herald
28-7-1906
Inquest
The Bayle was on Wednesday morning the scene of a very sad
occurrence, involving, as it did, the gruesome death of an old man of 71.
Demented, it is supposed, by unendurable pain, for which there seemed no
relief, and which deprived him in a large measure of sleep. Mr. James Quint, at
one time landlord of the George Inn, George Lane, threw himself, it is
presumed, from a top-storey window. He was found on the pavement by his wife
with a fearful gash on his head. Assistance was soon at hand, but it was of no
avail, for the unfortunate man was dead.
The inquest was held on Wednesday evening before the Borough
Coroner, Mr. G.W. Haines.
Frederick Wm. Hines, living at 12, The Bayle, a cellarman,
identified the body. He was 71 years of age, and witness had known him for 8 or
9 years. He had not been out much lately. Witness last saw him alive about a
month or so ago. He had been laid up for a month or so. That morning, about
five o`clock, witness was indoors, when he heard screams. He jumped out of bed
and looked out of the window, and saw Mrs. Quint, wife of the deceased, leaning
over her husband, who was lying on the kerb and road opposite his (deceased`s)
house. He was lying on his back about two feet from the house. The body had not
been shifted when Dr. Barrett came up. Deceased`s head was on the pavement, and
his feet in the road. Witness should think he was dead when he saw him. There
was a lot of blood on the ground near his head. He was dressed in a pair of
pants, socks, and shirt. Mrs. Quint said to witness that her husband got out of
bed to take some medicine, and she thought he was going to the lavatory.
Instead of that he must have gone upstairs and opened the window and got out.
Here was only one window (at the top) open; all the others were shut. The
bottom sash of the top one was wide open.
Dr. Barrett said he had attended the deceased for the last
three months. About three months ago he had had a slight stroke of paralysis
down one side, and that had left him with very severe pains down that side. He
was scarcely ever out of bed. Witness saw him on Monday last, and then he
seemed more cheerful. That morning, at a quarter past five, he was called, and
on going round found deceased lying on the pavement, his feet pointing to the
road. The pavement was about 6 ft. wide There was a good deal of blood on the
pavement, and blood was coming from deceased`s mouth and nose. Witness examined
deceased`s head, and found he had a considerable lacerated wound right at the
top of his head, and the bone was fractured right across the top. The injuries
were quite sufficient to cause instantaneous death. Witness could not say
whether his neck was broken. The probability was that deceased came down on his
head and then turned over. The top window was open as wide as it could be. The
body had not been moved when he arrived. Witness had seen deceased once or
twice a week for the last two months. He had complained that he could not get
sleep, but he said nothing to lead the witness to suppose that he could not put
up with it. The stroke had left him much weaker on one side than the other. The
pain seemed to increase rather. That was not an unusual thing in cases of
neuralgic pains. In witness`s opinion death was due to a fractured skull. The
want of sleep and pain did not seem to have produced any signs of mental
trouble.
Mercy Quint, wife of deceased, living at 26, The Bayle, said
that her husband had been landlord of the George Inn about twenty years ago. He
had been declining for nearly a year. Deceased seemed to sleep fairly well. She
slept with her husband in the front room on the ground floor. He could not walk
about or sit up, and had had to have his food cut up for him for the last two
months. The pain had been a bit easier during the past few days. He complained
very much of it, and he had said that if it did not cease he thought he should
go out of his mind. He could at times go to the end of the passage without
assistance. About five o`clock that morning she woke up and missed him from the
room. She then called out, thinking he was upstairs, but could not make anyone
hear. She then went upstairs, and then found the top floor bedroom window,
facing the street, with the bottom sash wide open. She looked out and saw her
husband lying on the pavement below. She went down and screamed for assistance.
There was nothing in front of the upstairs window, but an easy chair was at the
side. The window sill was about four feet from the floor, and deceased could
easily have got out without using a chair. The window was rather difficult to
open, and did not open far. When she saw it, it was open as far as it could be
opened. Deceased was a man of 6 ft. His head would probably have been above the
level of the sash when opened. The windows were all fastened overnight.
The Coroner, in summing up, said the question for the jury
to consider was how the deceased came out of the window; whether overcome with
weakness or by a sudden spasm of pain as he was opening the window to get some
fresh air, he fell out, or whether he threw himself out. As far as he (the
Coroner) could see, deceased could not have actually fallen out. As to the
state of his mind, it was very possible to suppose that he was not at the time
responsible for his actions. Some sudden feeling might have overcome him which
gave him the strength to go up to the top room, open the window, and throw
himself out. If, on the other hand, the jury thought he overbalanced himself,
they could give that as their verdict. They well knew there was a turning point
when pain overcame people, and they took those steps for which they were not
morally responsible.
The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide during temporary
insanity”.
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