Swan (2) 1910 - 1914

Folkestone Express 6-5-1911

Saturday, April 29^th: Before W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd Esqs.

Robert Death was summoned for assaulting Charles Andrews. He pleaded Not Guilty.

Charles Andrews, 16, Athelstan Road, a limeburner, said on Sunday, 2^nd April, about ten o`clock in the evening, he was in Dover Road, near the Skew Arches. He had come out of the Swan public house with a man named Tutt. He said “Goodnight” to a man named Gillam, and was going over to the urinal, near the arches, when he received a blow in the left eye and fell down and became insensible. He underwent medical treatment as a result of the blow. He did not know the defendant.

Frederick Tutt, 19, Canterbury Road, a carter, said he remembered Sunday night, the 2^nd of April. He left the Swan withthe  last witness at ten o`clock. Gillam and Andrews were walking together, and witness was just behind. Andrews said “Goodnight” to Gillam and told witness to wait. Witness then saw defendant come up and strike Andrews in the face with his fist. Andrews fell on his back, and witness picked him up and helped him home. He was insensible, and bled at the nose and mouth. Witness saw defendant in the public house. There was no quarrel.

Charlotte Andrews, wife of the complainant, said she was at home when her husband was brought home. He was insensible, and it was five o`clock the next morning before he knew anything. There was a cut at the back of his head, and he had a black eye. Witness called in a doctor on the following Friday, and complainant did not get up until Thursday in last week. Defendant called on witness on the Friday following the occurrence. He said he was the man who struck her husband. He had had words with him before he struck him. Andrews said that if he (defendant) had said as much to him as he (defendant) said to Gillam he would have floored him.

Death said it was because Andrews threatened him that he did what he did.

The Chief Constable said there was one conviction for gambling six years ago against defendant. He was in the employ of the railway company.

The Chairman said defendant was liable to a fine of £5, or two months` hard labour without the option of a fine. It was a most unprovoked and brutal assault, and he would be fined 40s. and 11s. costs, or one month`s hard labour.

Folkestone Herald 6-5-1911

Saturday, April 29^th: Before Messrs. W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd.

Robert Death was summoned for assaulting Charles Andrews. Defendant pleaded Not Guilty.

Charles Andrews, of 16, Athelstan Road, said that on April 2^nd at about 10 p.m. he was in Dover Road, near the Skew Arches. He was coming out of the Swan public house with a friend, when he saw defendant talking with a man named Gillam, and bade Gillam goodnight. Shortly afterwards, witness left his friend to go across the road, when he received a blow which caused him to become unconscious. He did not see who struck him, nor did he hear defendant come up to him. He was confined to bed for 17 days as a result of the blow, and had been under the doctor`s hands for that period. Witness had never spoken to defendant in his life.

Frederick Tutt, of 19, Canterbury Road, a carter, stated that he left the Swan Inn with the last witness on the evening of April 2^nd at about 10 o`clock, and proceeded in the direction of the Arches. Gillam and Andrews walked on ahead of him for a moment or two, but afterwards witness joined complainant again. As they got near the Arches, Andrews left witness and went across the road. Thereupon defendant came across the road and struck the complainant in the face with his fist, causing him to fall heavily on his back and head. Witness picked him up and took him home. Witness was about seven or eight yards from complainant when the blow was struck, and did not hear any word spoken.

Defendant: Did you see anybody pick me up?

Witness: No..

The Chairman: Was there any fighting going on of any description?

Witness: Not that I know of.

The Magistrates` Clerk: As far as you know then, it was an unprovoked assault?

Witness: Yes.

Mrs. Charlotte Andrews, wife of complainant, said she was at home when her husband was brought in. He was unconscious, and was suffering from a cut on the eye and a bad cut on the back of the head. So bad did he become that during the week she called in the doctor, and he had been under his hands ever since. Defendant called to see her on Friday, and said he was the man who had struck her husband, and that he had had words with him.

Defendant then said he had been threatened by complainant in the public house. He had no witnesses.

The Chairman said defendant was liable to be fined £5 or imprisonment without the option of a fine for two months. The Bench were of the opinion that he was guilty of a brutal and unprovoked assault, and he would be fined 40s. and 11s. costs.

Folkestone Daily News 13-8-1912

Tuesday, August 10^th: Before Messrs. Stainer, Swoffer, Harrison, Morrison, Boyd, and Stace.

Mr. Phillips was present to ask for the transfer of the licence of the Swan, Dover Road.

It was explained, however, that a difficulty arose through the absence of the landlord, who could not be traced.

The application was therefore adjourned.

Folkestone Express 17-8-1912

Tuesday, August 13^th: Before J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, G. Boyd, W.J. Harrison, E.T. Morrison, and A. Stace Esqs.

The Clerk said there was notice of an application that morning for a protection order in respect of the Swan Inn, Dover Road, but Mr. Phillips, on behalf of the owners, informed him that there was some hitch, and the application would not be made.

The Chief Constable said he had inquired into the character of the proposed incoming tenant. He understood the hitch had arisen out of the outgoing tenant not being there.

Mr. Phillips said that was so.

The Clerk (to Mr. Phillips): Then you do not make any application. You must come again in due course.

Folkestone Daily News 20-8-1912

Local News

Mr. Clarke, proprietor of the Swan Hotel, Dover Road, mysteriously disappeared some few days since. Such disappearance has caused a good deal of speculation as to his whereabouts and the reason as to his absence. Some thought he might have gone for a holiday, and others that he had gone abroad.

All doubts were settled on Monday morning by the news reaching Folkestone that he had been found shot in a lane near West Hythe, leading to the canal. He was in a very decomposed condition and presented a fearful sight.

Clarke was a native of Hythe, but had resided in Folkestone for many years. He was a man greatly respected and is reported to have been very successful in the licensing victuallers` trade.

The County Coroner will hold an inquest on Tuesday at the County Members Hotel, Lympne.

Folkestone Daily News 23-8-1912

Local News

The County Coroner held an inquest at the County Members Hotel, Lympne, on Tuesday, when the jury returned a verdict that Robert Clarke committed suicide while temporarily insane.

Folkestone Express 24-8-1912

Inquest

Mr. A. Clarke, the licensee of the Swan Inn, Dover Road, who had been missing from Folkestone for about three weeks, was found dead on Sunday evening in a secluded spot about four miles west of Hythe. His body was discovered by a man named Percy Cheeseman, who at once gave information to the police. Close to the dead man`s head was a revolver, by which it is almost certain that the unfortunate man shot himself. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, and it was impossible to identify the man by his face, as it was practically eaten away. However, several articles found in the pockets of the clothing proved who the man was. With assistance the police had the body removed to the County Members Inn, at Lympne, where an inquest was held last Tuesday. It appeared that Clarke, after leaving Folkestone, went to West Hythe, where he took lodgings and remained until the day after Bank Holiday, since when all trace was lost of him until his dead body was discovered. It is therefore probable that he met his death about that time. When the clothing was searched a considerable sum of money was found on him. On Tuesday week an application was made to the Borough Magistrates to transfer the licence of the Swan Inn, but it could not be proceeded with owing to the fact that the present licensee (Clarke) was not present. The deceased man had not liced with his wife for a considerable time, and on Monday the County Police were making enquiries as to her whereabouts.

The inquest was held at the County Members Inn, Lympne, on Tuesday afternoon, when th inquiry was conducted by Mr. A.K. Mowll, the Deputy Coroner for East Kent.

Alonzo William Alexander Clarke, a baker, of 10, Russell Street, Dover, said he was the brother of the deceased. He identified the clothes on the body viewed by the jury as those belonging to his brother, Alfred Robert. He had seen him wear them at Folkestone. His brother was a publican, and was the landlord of the Swan Inn, Dover Road, Folkestone. He recognised the gold watch and Albert, gold seal, gold pin, and two rings (produced) as his brother`s property. His brother was fifty years old last September. He was married, but had no children. His wife was not living with him, but left him about two years and a half ago. He was then holding the licence of the Swan Inn. He last saw his brother alive on August 2<sup>nd</sup>, a day before he was missing. It was between five and six in the afternoon he met the deceased in Biggin Street, Dover. He asked him (the deceased) how he was, and he replied that he was not at all well, and was taking steps to get rid of his business and to be out within a fortnight. Previous to that he saw him some weeks ago. His brother complained to him on the last occasion he saw him that he was not up to the mark, his teeth troubling him a great deal. He knew there were things on his brother`s mind in relation to his family life. He was upset at the time his wife left him, and he never seemed to recover properly from it. He heard by telegram that his brother was missing on the following Tuesday.

John Hadfield, of the Swan Inn, Folkestone, said he was employed by the deceased as barman at the house. Mr. Clarke had been tenant at the Swan Inn for nine years. He left because he saw how things were going between the deceased`s wife and another man. He told Mr. Clarke what was happening, and he left six months before Mrs, Clarke eloped with the man. He last saw his employer at 11 a.m. on August 3<sup>rd</sup>, when he told him he was going to the bank to get change, and he would not be long. He never came back. On the following Tuesday he informed the deceased`s brother and sister, and the brewers that he was missing. On the 13^th August he told the police that Mr. Clarke was missing, that being the day when the licence was to have been transferred. The deceased had got mixed up with a woman who lived in one of his cottages, and she had given birth to a child four months ago. The woman said he was the father of the child, and the deceased said he was not. He used to sleep off the premises about fifteen months ago. He had informed witness that she was trying to get some money out of him. The deceased`s house was doing a good trade, and the accounts were all in good order. Mr. Clarke had threatened to take his wife`s life, but had never threatened to take his own life. He never said he was worrying over anything, and he never gave him the idea that he was going to put an end to his existence. He never seemed at all strange in his manner. He, however, complained of pains in his head the Friday previous to his going away, and he said he had dropped his false teeth and had broken them. When he came back from Dover on the Friday he told deceased that he was thinking of going in for the Richmond house, and the deceased said that he had practically got rid of the house, and if he (witness) stopped with him until he went he would give him a cheque.

Peter John Uden, of the Carpenters Arms, West Hythe, said a man, who was a stranger to him, came to his house at six o`clock on the evening of the 3<sup>rd</sup> August. He asked for tea, and he was served with it. He asked for a bed, and he (witness) got him one at Nightingale Cottage, close by. He left the house about eight o`clock and went to bed. He came on the following morning about ten o`clock and had breakfast. He stayed about the place all day on Sunday, and on Monday morning he came to the house again. After breakfast he came to the bar and asked if he could put him half a quarter of whisky in a bottle for him to take away. As the weather was bad, he asked him (witness) to lend him a Mackintosh, as he was going for a stroll. He said he would be back for dinner, but he did not return until evening. On the Tuesday morning he came in to breakfast about 9.30, and afterwards he had another half quartern of whisky to take away. He then paid up his account for the time he was staying there, it including his night`s lodgings and amounting to 15s. He said he might not be back until evening, and asked him to lend him his Mackintosh again. He went on the canal bank, and proceeded in the direction of Hythe. That was the last he saw of him. The body viewed by the jury had his Mackintosh on it. The man did not appear to be strange in his manner, but was very quiet. On the Sunday he was in the smoke room all day, and smoked several cigars. He was very pleasant when spoken to. He (witness) had other people staying in the house, or they would have put him up. His (witness`s) wife asked him for his name, and he replied “Oh, it`s all right”. He had no luggage with him. The man only had one pint of beer in his house, and that was the only intoxicant, besides the whisky, he had in his house.

John Hadfield, re-called, said the deceased was practically a teetotaller.

Walter Cheeseman, a farmer, of Court-at-Street, Lympne, said he had been to look at some sheep near Aldergate Bridge at a quarter to seven on Sunday evening, the 18^th, when he smelled something very offensive. He thought it must be the body of a dead sheep, so he looked into the bracken. He then noticed the body of a man in the bracken, on a bank in a meadow, five or six rods away from the road leading to Aldington. It was impossible to see the body from the road. The deceased was lying on his back, with his arms on his chest. It was getting dusk, and he immediately sent for P.C. Kingsbury at Sellinge, but could not find him until one o`clock in the morning, as he was on duty. As soon as it was light the constable came to his house, and they went to the spot, where they saw the body lying in the same position. He then saw a revolver in the man`s right hand. He saw the constable take the two envelopes (produced) from the pockets of the clothing.

The Coroner was then handed the two envelopes, the writing on which was not easily distinguishable. He said the first one had on one side of it “Mr. Clarke, Swan Hotel, Folkestone”. On the other side was “Mrs. Looker. I am sorry for what I have done to you. Get the deeds of Ivy Cottage at Lloyds Bank. The house you can have, also the furniture. Ever, A.R. Clarke”. The second ran as follows: “I find those papers I signed were false, not what you told me they were. They told me they were for £600 valuation, to be paid in bills”. Mr. Mowll thereupon asked if anyone could explain either of the letters. The witness Hadfield said Mrs. Looker was the woman to whom he had referred; and Mr. Battiscombe, of Messrs. Flint and Co., said he could explain the other letter.

Witness, continuing, said he was present when the constable searched the body, and took from the clothing a gun licence, which was taken out on August 3^rd, the five chambered revolver (produced) with one discharged cartridge and four loaded cartridges in it, an account from Messrs. Upton Bros., another account from Messrs. Lee and Son for £1 12s. 6d., the jewellery previously identified, a note with £700 and £16 upon it, a box containing 42 loaded cartridges, and £14 16s. 7d. in money.

P.C. Kingsbury, stationed at Sellindge, said he searched the body and found the articles previously described. He conveyed the body later to the County Members.

Mr. C.W. Battiscombe, Managing Secretary for Messrs. Flint and Co., said he could throw a little light on the second paper read by the Coroner. On Aug. 1^st Mr. Clarke came to his office in the afternoon to see him in regard to a contract he had seen in respect to the change at the house he was giving up. The contract was between him and the prospective tenant. Deceased said he did not think the contract was quite in order and he asked him if he would read it through. He (witness) did so, and then pointed out that it was all in order. So far as he could see, it was perfectly in order, and Clarke was quite satisfied when he left the office that it was so. The contract was drawn up by Messrs. Phillips and Son, valuers, of Dover, who were acting on behalf of the prospective tenant. Deceased`s accounts were up to date, and there were no debts owing to them. He was in a most happy position, so far as their accounts were concerned – in fact, they could not be better. Deceased would have come out of the house with over £700. He was a first class tenant, and so far as he (witness) knew there was nothing for him to worry about.

Dr. Clifford Hackney said he examined the body at seven o`clock on Monday evening in the coach house of the County Members Inn. The features were unrecognisable, as they were in a state of advanced decomposition. An examination of the body revealed no injury of any kind until he came to the haed, when he found a hole in the right upper jawbone, and a fracture of the bone, which was splintered from the hole. The hole suggested to him gun trouble. The point of entry was all eaten away, but the hole went in the direction of the base of the skull. The right hand was clenched in the typical position for gripping a revolver, the position of the trigger finger being projected. The man must have been dead for fourteen days. The cause of death was the injury to the upper jawbone, probably from the revolver. The size of one of the undischarged cartridges was about the size of the hole in the jaw.

The Coroner, in summing up, said he thought the jury must come to the consclusuon that the body was that of Alfred Robert Clarke. He also thought it was quite clear from the evidence that the deceased must have taken his own life. It was for the jury to say whether at the time the deceased was temporarily insane.

The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst temporarily insane”.

Folkestone Herald 24-8-1912

Inquest

A sensation was caused on Monday by the news that the body of Mr. Alfred Robert Clarke, the landlord of the Swan Hotel, Dover Road, Folkestone, had been found a few miles west of Hythe. It was discovered near a hedge not far from Aldergate Bridge, in the parish of Lympne, by a man whose attention was drawn to it on account of a strong odour.

There was a bullet wound in the head, and in one hand was clasped a five-chambered revolver containing four full cartridges and one empty one. On the body were about forty other cartridges. The corpse was decomposing.

Mr. Clarke left the Swan Hotel on the 3^rd August. He stayed at West Hythe until August 6^th, when he disappeared. Formerly the deceased held the licence of the Eagle, Guildhall Street, and was likewise known as the owner of bathchairs.

An inquest on the body was held at the County Members Inn, Lympne, on Tuesday afternoon by Mr. A.K. Mowll, Deputy Coroner. Mr. G.W. Haines, solicitor, of Folkestone, was present.

Previously to the jury going to view the body, the Deputy Coroner asked each to put in his mouth a medical lozenge, a quantity of which he had brought with him.

Mr. Alonzo William Alexander Clarke, a master baker, identified the clothes of the deceased as those belonging to his brother. (The Deputy Coroner had previously remarked that it was impossible to recognise the features of the deceased.) Witness had seen his brother wearing those clothes when he had been over to Folkestone. His brother was a publican, and kept the Swan Inn, Dover Road, Folkestone. Witness identified the gold watch, chain, rings, and other articles now produced, as having belonged to his brother. The age of the deceased was fifty last December; he was married, but there were no children. His wife was not living with him, she having left him about 2½ years ago. Witness last saw his brother on Friday, August 2^nd, between the hours of five and six in the afternoon. The deceased was then on his holidays in Dover, and they met in Biggin Street. They stopped and had a talk. Deceased said he was not very well, that he was taking steps to get rid of his business, and was hoping to leave it in a fortnight`s time. Witness had not seen him for some time previously, though Alfred had called at his house a fortnight before his death, when he (witness) was out. His brother had complained about his teeth, and witness told him that he wanted a change. Deceased had a season ticket on the railway, and witness had suggested to him that he should travel up and down a bit. Witness knew that there were things on his brother`s mind which he would not reveal to him. Deceased did not seem to have properly recovered from his wife leaving him. Witness was informed by telegram of his brother being missing.

Mr. John Hadfield stated that he was now manager at the Swan Inn, but had been in the employ of deceased as barman. Witness was with him some time before Mrs. Clarke eloped with another man; he could see that there was something coming off, and so he (witness) left the Swan Inn in order that he would not be placed in any difficulties. He came back in the employ of Mr. Clarke afterwards. Witness last saw the deceased on August 3^rd, at about 11 a.m., when the latter said that he was going to the bank to get some change, and that he would not be long. However, he never came back. Witness informed the brewery, and also the brother of the deceased on Tuesday, August 13^th; that was the day of the transfer. He told the police the same day. He knew the deceased had been accused by a woman of being the father of her child, but he had denied it. He also knew that Mr. Clarke had slept away from the house for the past fifteen months. Deceased had told him that the woman had been trying to get some money out of him. Witness knew that there was no worry in connection with the house; there was a good trade, and all the accounts were in order.

The Deputy Coroner: Did he ever threaten to take his life?

Witness: No, but he threatened once to take the life of his wife if ever she came to Folkestone.

I didn`t ask you that. Did he ever threaten himself? – No, I never heard him.

Did he ever complain? – Only about his head and his teeth.

Continuing, witness said that, in the course of a conversation he had with the deceased, the latter talked about going to Richmond, and said that he had practically got rid of the Swan. He also told witness that if he stayed with him he would write him a cheque. Witness understood by this that if he stayed with Mr. Clarke until he left the Swan he would receive the cheque as a little present.

Mr. Peter Uden, licensee of the Carpenters Arms, West Hythe, said that on August 3^rd, at about six in the evening, a stranger came to him and asked for tea, and afterwards for a bed. Witness got the latter for him at Nightingale Cottage, which was close by. Deceased came to the Carpenters Arms for breakfast the next morning (Sunday), and stayed about the place all day. He came in again for breakfast on the Monday, and he afterwards came to the bar and asked witness if he would put a half quarter of whisky up in a bottle for him to take away. He also asked if, as the weather was bad, witness could lend him a Mackintosh, as he was going for a stroll, and said that he would be back for dinner. However, he did not come back that day until supper time. Deceased had breakfast on Tuesday morning at about 9.30, and after that he had another half quarter of whisky in a bottle. He paid up all his accounts that morning, including that for the night at Nightingale Cottage, the total being 15s. He then said that he might not be back before the evening, and asked witness if he would lend him the Mackintosh again, which he did. Deceased then went up on the Canal bank, and proceeded in the direction of Hythe. That was the last which witness saw of him. Witness identified the Mackintosh as the one which he had lent to the deceased, and he also recognised the clothes as having been worn by the deceased.

The Deputy Coroner: How did he behave while he was with you?

Witness: He was a very quiet man; he did not speak unless he was spoken to. There seemed nothing strange about him, however.

You say that he stayed about your place all day on Sunday. What was he doing with himself? – He was smoking sometimes, and sometimes he was reading.

What was he reading? Do you know? – He was reading the Folkestone Herald; he seemed rather anxious to have the Folkestone Herald.

In reply to further questions, witness said he could not provide a bed for the deceased at the Carpenters Arms, because he already had ten people sleeping there. Witness`s wife did ask him his name, but he said “Oh, it doesn`t matter”. They (witness and his wife) had wondered who he was and where he had come from. The deceased had no luggage with him. While he was at the Carpenters Arms his drinks consisted of stone ginger beer chiefly, but he had a pint of beer on the Sunday. He had never asked witness as to where he could get a revolver or anything else of that sort.

Mr. John Hadfield was re-called at this point, and, in reply to a question put by Mr. Mowll, said the deceaserd was practically a teetotaller, drinking ginger beer during the day, though he usually had some port wine during the evening.

Mr. Walter Cheeseman, a farmer, of Court-at-Street, Lympne, described how he found the body. He said it was at about 6.45 on Sunday evening, August 18^th. He had been round to have a look at some sheep which he had near Aldergate Bridge (about two miles west of the County Members Inn) when, smelling something offensive, he looked amongst some bracken, thinking that the cause of the smell was a dead sheep. He found it to be the body of a man. The spot was near a by road, though it could not have been seen from the thoroughfare. The corpse was in a meadow which belonged to Mr. Fredk. Uden, of Hythe. The deceased was lying on his back with his arms across his chest. Witness noticed no revolver then; it was getting dusk. He went to the police at Sellinge, but could not find P.C. Kingsbury there, as he was on duty elsewhere. It was after midnight before he found him and told him of his discovery. When witness again saw the body in the morning he noticed that a revolver was in the right hand.

The police then produced various documents which had been found upon the body. One was a note written on the back of an old envelope addressed to the decease at the Swan Inn; the note was partially indecipherable, but the Deputy Coroner read it as best he could. It was addressed to Mrs. Looker, of Ivy Cottage, and apparently ran as follows:- I am sorry for what I have done to you. Hope you will forgive me. Get the deeds of Ivy Cottage at the bank; the house you can have. Ever (?) A.R. Clarke.

Then followed a postscript in which some mention was made of £709, and also the passage “I have found that the papers I signed were false”.

The police also produced a gun licence taken out on August 3^rd, and other documents relating to the business of the deceased. The contents of these, however, were not made public. The revolver was also produced, and it was mentioned that when found it contained four loaded cartridges and a blank one. There was also a box of 42 cartridges, while the sum of £14 in gold and 16s. 7d. in other coin were likewise found upon the deceased. The false teeth were broken.

P.C. Kingsbury deposed to having his attention called to the body, and to searching the clothes, etc., on Monday, August 19^th. He found the articles and documents produced that afternoon.

Mr. Christopher Wm. Battiscombe, Secretary to Flint`s Brewery, Canterbury, was called with the object of throwing, if possible, some light upon the passage written y the deceased “I have found that the papers I signed were false”. Witness stated that Mr. Clarke once called to see him in regard to a contract he had signed about giving up the Swan Inn. Deceased then seemed to think that the thing was not in order, but after hearing the document read through with some explanations he went away quite satisfied. Witness added that the accounts of the deceased were absolutely up to date.

The Deputy Coroner suggested that the £709 mentioned in the note might have been the amount Mr. Clarke was going to receive at the termination of his tenancy of the Swan Inn.

Witness: I can throw no light upon that. He would get a few hundred pounds; it would be more, I think.

Dr. Clifford Hackney, of Hythe, gave evidence as to his examination of the body on Monday evening in a shed attached to the County Members Inn. The features were unrecognisable, owing to decomposition. There was no injury to the body, but in the head was what appeared to be a shot hole, the direction of which was towards the base of the skull. The right hand was clenched; this would be a typical position for gripping a revolver, the position of the trigger finger being particularly well marked. The deceased must have been dead not less than fourteen days. The cause of death was the injury to the jawbone; this injury could have been caused by a shot from the revolver produced.

The Deputy Coroner reviewed the evidence taken, and said that to his mind there was only one question for the jury to decide – that of sanity. There was no doubt that the body was that of Mr. Clarke, and, to his mind, he had come to that part of the district with the idea of taking his life. He was a man who was practically a teetotaller, and he had got the whisky perhaps to get his heart high enough to commit the deed. They also had that letter to Mrs. Looker written on the back of the envelope, which also showed that the idea was in his mind.

The jury, with but little discussion, returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst temporarily insane”.

Southeastern Gazette 27-8-1912

Local News

The Deputy Coroner for East Kent (Mr. A. K. Mowll) held an inquest at Lympne, on Monday on the body of Alfred Robert Clarke, aged fifty.

Alonzo William Alexander Clarke, of 10, Russell Street, Dover, a master baker, identified the body as that of his brother who was the licensee of the Swan Inn, Dover Road, Folkestone. The deceased was married but had no children. His wife left him some two and a half years ago. Witness saw his brother alive last on Friday, August 2nd, but he then said he did not feel at all well.

John Hadfield, barman at the Swan Hotel, Folkestone, said the deceased was the tenant of the house for eight or nine years. Witness left his employ about three years ago, but came back again after Mrs. Clarke had eloped with another man. Witness left because of the unpleasantness. Witness saw deceased alive at 11 a.m. on August 3rd. He said he was going to the bank to get change and that he would not be long, but he never came back. Some four months ago a, woman who lived in one of the deceased’s cottages gave birth to a child, and deceased told witness that she said it was his and had been trying to get some money out of him.

Peter John Uden, of the Carpenters’ Arms, West Hythe, stated that the deceased came to his house at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 3rd. He. asked for tea, and subsequently witness got him a bed at Nightingale Cottage close by. The deceased remained about until Tuesday, the 6th August, when he paid his account. He borrowed witness’s mackintosh and said he would be back in the evening, but he never returned.

Walter Cbeeseman, grazier and farmer, of Court-at-Street, Lympne, stated that at 6.45 on the evening of Sunday. August 18th, he was looking at some sheep of his near Aldergate Bridge when he smelt something which might be a sheep. He went into a meadow in the occupation of a Mr. Uden and saw on the top of a bank hidden by bracken the body of a man. He was lying on his back with his arms on his chest. Witness did not notice whether there was a revolver as it was getting dusk. He communicated with the police. The next day on going to the spot with a police constable he saw the revolver in the deceased’s right hand lying across his chest.

P.O. Kingsbury gave a list of the articles he found on the body, including £14 16s. 7d. in cash.

Mr. C. W. Battiscombe, manager and secretary of Messrs. Flint and Co., Ltd., stated that the deceased owed nothing to his firm except on the. current account. As far as witness knew there was nothing for the deceased to have worried about.

Dr. Hacknev, who examined the body, stated that the deceased’s features were unrecognisable, being in an advanced state of decomposition. There was a hole in the right upper jawbone and a splinter of the jawbone from the hole. The hole suggested to him a gunshot wound. The man must have been dead for about fourteen days.

The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide during Temporary Insanity”.

Folkestone Herald 21-9-1912

Friday, September 20^th: Before Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Alderman C. Jenner, Col. Owen, Capt. Chamier, and Mr. J.J. Giles.

Mr. G.W. Haines applied on behalf of Mrs. Clarke, of the Swan Hotel, Dover Road, the landlord of which, Mr. Clarke, was recently found dead near Hythe, for the transfer of the licence to Mr. Norman. Letters of administration had been granted to Mrs. Clarke. Mr. Norman was well-known in the town, and had formerly been landlord of the Gun Tavern for 12 years.

The application was granted.

Folkestone Daily News 21-9-1912

Friday, September 20^th: Before Messrs. Vaughan, Giles, Fynmore, Jenner and Chamier.

The licence of the Swan, Dover Road, was transferred to Mr. Norman, who some years since held the licence of the Gun, Cheriton Road.

Folkestone Express 28-9-1912

Friday, September 20^th: Before Alderman Vaughan, Alderman Jenner, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Captain Chamier, J.J. Giles Esq., and Captain Owen.

Mr. G.W. Haines applied for the temporary transfer of the Swan Inn to Mr. Norman. He said they would remember the landlord recently died, and his widow, to whom letters of administration had been granted, applied for the temporary transfer to Mr. Norman, who was well-known in the town, having some time ago kept the Gun Tavern for twelve years.

The Bench granted the temporary authority asked for.

Folkestone Express 5-10-1912

Local News

At the police court on Wednesday the following transfer of licence was sanctioned by the Magistrates: Swan Hotel, Dover Road, from the late Mr. A.R. Clarke to Mr. Norman.

Folkestone Herald 5-10-1912

Wednesday, October 2^nd: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Mr. W.G. Herbert, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, and Mr. R.J. Linton.

Mr. G.W. Haines appeared on behalf of Mrs. Robert Clarke, whose husband died recently. The licence was transferred to the applicant, who now wished to transfer it to Mr. Norman. The application was granted.

 

Folkestone Express 12-10-1912

Notice

Alfred Robert Clarke, Deceased

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against the estate of Alfred Robert Clarke, late a licensed victualler, of the Swan Inn, 176, Dover Road, Folkestone, Kent, who died on the 6^th day of August, 1912, intestate, are herby required to send particulars of such claims to me the undersigned on behalf of the Administratrix on or before the 30^th day of November next, after which date the Administratrix will distribute the assets having regard only to claims then notified.

Dated this 3^rd day of October, 1912.

Geo. W. Haines, 18 & 20, Church Street, Folkestone, Solicitor for the Administratrix.

Folkestone Express 29-8-1914

Saturday, August 22^nd: Before Mr. E.T. Ward and Col. Owen.

Lucy Foreman was charged with stealing a ring, the property of a fellow servant at the Royal Pavilion Hotel.

Maud Ellen Lambert, a chambermaid employed at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, said the prisoner had also been employed there as staff maid from July 28^th until August 14^th, when she left without notice. The ring (produced) was her property. On Thursday week she placed the ring in a hatpin box in her bedroom, and she saw it safe on the following morning at ten o`clock. The same evening she went to the box, but the ring was missing. She made a search for it, but could not find it, and on Saturday she gave information to the police. On Friday she was shown the ring with two others, and identified it as her property. She valued the ring at 32/6. On Thursday before the prisoner left she was sweeping he (prosecutrix`s) room at four o`clock. She did not give the prisoner permission to take the ring; in fact, she had not even shown it to her.

Harrison Prescott, manager to Mr. S.W. Joseph, pawnbroker, of High Street, said the previous day, at half past eleven, the prisoner came to the shop and offered the ring produced in pledge, and asked a loan of 5/- or 6/-. She said it was her property, and had been in her possession five or six years, it having been given to her by a young man. He ultimately advanced 5/- on it. Prisoner gave the name of Lily Gilham, 85a, Marshall Street. Later in the day he handed it over to Det. Sergt. Johnson.

Det. Sergt. Johnson said from information received he made inquiries. The previous evening at 9.45, he, in company with P.C. Butcher, saw the prisoner in the public bar of the Swan Inn, Dover Road. He called her outside, and told her they were two police officers, and asked her her name. She replied “Lucy Foreman”. He then cautioned her, and showed the ring (produced), which had been given to him by the last witness, and told her she answered the description of a woman who had pledged the ring, which had been stolen, at Mr. Joseph`s, and had been identified by Maud Lambert as her property. He informed her she would be charged with stealing it from a bedroom at the Royal Pavilion Hotel on the 14<sup>th</sup>. She replied “My young man, named Carter, gave it to me two years ago”. He saw Carter in the prisoner`s presence, and showed him the ring produced, and told him that the prisoner said he gave her the ring two years ago, He replied “I did not. She asked me to pledge it for her. I took it down to the pawnshop, and they refused to take it in”. Prisoner then said “I may as well tell you the truth. My husband gave it to me as an engagement ring ten years ago, but he is now in Canada”. He brought her to the police station and formally charged her, and she again said her husband gave it to her ten years ago. Prisoner had not a wedding ring on.

Prisoner asked the Magistrates to decide the case, and pleaded Not Guilty. She said her husband gave her the ring ten years ago when she was in the Victoria Hospital.

The Clerk pointed out that she told Det. Sergt. Johnson that her young man gave it to her two years ago.

Prisoner said what she told the Magistrates was the truth.

The Chief Constable (Mr. Reeve) said they knew nothing about the prisoner there. She had, however, been drifting about a good deal. Mr. Easton, the Police Court Missioner, told him that she was eight or nine years ago in service in the town, and bore a very good character then. She was married, but her husband had deserted her, and she had one or two children in the Cottage Homes at Chatham. He was afraid she had not been leading a very good life since she had been down there.

The Clerk said Mr. Easton informed him that the prisoner had been in a Salvation Army Home from January to July, when she was found that situation down there.

Prisoner agreed to go into a home.

The Chairman said they did not wish to send her to prison. They wished to give her another chance. They had decided to bind her over for twelve months, the condition being that she was to go into a home for that period, during which time she would be under the supervision of the Probation Officer.

Folkestone Herald 29-8-1914

Saturday, August 22^nd: Before Mr. E.T. Ward and Col. G.P. Owen.

Lucy Foreman was charged with stealing a ring, the property of Maud Ellen Lambert. She pleaded Not Guilty.

Miss Maud Ellen Lambert said she was employed at the Royal Pavilion Hotel, and prisoner was employed there as staff maid from July 24^th till August 10^th. On the 14^th inst. accused left without giving notice. The ring produced was identified by the witness as her property. On Thursday, August 13^th, witness placed the ring in a hairpin box. At 10 o`clock on Friday morning it was safe there, but on the same evening when witness went to the box it was gone. She made a search, but was unable to find it. On Saturday afternoon witness gave information to the police, and on Friday afternoon, the 21^st inst., she was shown the ring with two others. She identified hers. She valued it at 32s. 6d. On the day it disappeared prisoner swept out her room. Accused left about seven in the evening. Witness had not given or lent the ring to prisoner.

Mr. H. Prescott, employed by Mr. S.W. Joseph, pawnbroker, deposed that on Friday, 21^st inst., at 11.30, prisoner came into the shop and asked for a loan of 5s. or 6s. on the ring. Witness asked her if it was her property, and she said it had been in her possession for about two years, it having been given to her by her young man. Witness advanced her 7s. in the name of Lillie Gibbons, 85a, Marshall Street. Later in the day witness handed over the ring to Detective Sergt. Johnson.

Detective Sergt. Johnson deposed that on Friday night, at 9.45, he saw prisoner at the Swan Hotel, in Dover Road. In the company of P.C. Butcher he called her outside and told her they were two police officers. Witness asked her for her name and she replied “Lucy Foreman”. He then cautioned her and showed her the ring, telling her that it had been stolen and that Miss Lambert identified it as her property. Witness added that she would be charged with stealing it from a bedroom at the Royal Pavilion Hotel on the 14^th inst. She said “My young man, Carter, gave it to me two years ago”. Witness then saw Carter in prisoner`s presence and showed him the ring, but he said he did not give it to her. Carter said she had asked him to pledge it, but they refused to do so at the pawnshop. Accused then said “I may as well tell you the truth. My husband gave it to me ten years ago, but he is now in Canada”. Witness brought her to the police station and there formally charged her. Prisoner again said her husband, who was in Canada, gave it to her ten years ago.

Prisoner, in defence, said her husband had given it to her ten years ago when she was in the Royal Victoria Hospital.

The Chairman asked her if she would go in a home. At first she refused, but on second thought she said she would. She was then bound over for 12 months, and to go into a home selected by Mr. Easton, the Police Court Missioner, for that period.

Folkestone Express 24-10-1914

Local News

On Tuesday, an application was made at the Police Court with regard to the transfer of the licence of the Swan Inn from Mr. Norman to Mr. E. Miles.

The Chief Constable said it was a similar application to that of the previous day, and was done for safety. Mr. Miles was a very respectable man, and he had had a licence at Canterbury.

Mr. Norman said he was a naturalised Englishman, and had lived here for forty years. He had a public house for twenty two years at Postling, and had been two years at the Swan. He had no objection to the transfer,

The application was granted.

Note: This does not appear in More Bastions.

 

Folkestone Express 28-11-1914

Wednesday, November 25^th: Before E.T. Ward, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, G. Boyd, and E.T. Morrison esqs.

Mr. Phillips, on behalf of Messrs. Nalder and Collyer, said he wished the Bench to give Mr. E. Miles, now in possession, temporary permission to sell at the Swan Inn. They would shortly ask for the transfer of the licence to Mr. Clarke, of Watford.

The request was granted.

Note: This does not appear in More Bastions.

Folkestone Herald 28-11-1914

Wednesday, November 25^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. R.J. Linton, Councillor G. Boyd, Alderman C. Jenner, Mr. E.T. Morrison, and Mr. J.J. Giles.

A temporary transfer of the licence of the Swan Inn from Mr. Ernest Miles to Mr. Butler, of Ramsgate, was applied for.

The Bench decided that Mr. Butler was not a suitable person, and the application was withdrawn until December 9^th, when Mr. Clark, of Watford, would be proposed, Mr. Miles remaining in control until that time.

Note: No record of Miles in More Bastions.