Honest Lawyer 1920s

Folkestone Herald 21-6-1924

Friday, June 20^th: Before Colonel G.P. Owen and other Magistrates.

Frederick Green was summoned for assaulting Rosina Eleanor Lenton. Mr. H.W. Watts appeared for defendant and pleaded Not Guilty.

Prosecutrix said she lived at 24, Peter Street. Defendant, who had a shop, lived opposite. On Saturday, June 14^th, about 9 p.m., she came out of her house with some bottles. Defendant`s wife and she “had words” and blows were struck. Defendant came out of the Honest Lawyer and struck her five or six blows about the head.

Mrs. L. Mockridge and complainant`s daughter also gave evidence.

Defendant, on oath, said he had been in the Army for twenty one years, being discharged four years ago with an exemplary character. He had a general store in Peter Street. On Saturday night he got a message and went towards his house. He saw Mrs. Lenton and his wife fighting. He separated them, and went into the shop with his wife. He did not strike Mrs. Lenton.

Defendant`s wife, Mr. Edward Severn, and Mr. Harrington also gave evidence for the defence.

The Magistrates dismissed the case.

Folkestone Herald 12-7-1924

Felix

On the occasion of the recent visit of the Oddfellows, I conducted a small company of the brethren through the town, including some portions of “Old Folkestone”. One of the company noticed a public house sign in St. John Street painted with the designation “The Honest Lawyer”. There followed some comments, including the question “Why pick out the Honest Lawyer? Why not apply it to any other trade or profession?” My Yorkshire friend suggested that the lawyer in whose memory the sign was painted did no more or less than charge the legal fees. But why single him out as being honest? Perhaps some of those who have the time can search out from past records why this particular man of the law was immortalised in this manner. The present “lawyer” does not administer the law, but dispenses a beverage “guaranteed to be brewed from Kentish hops and malt”.