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| Packet Boat, c1910. Credit John Hall |
Geoffrey Ernest Roden 1935 1935
The licence of the Packet Boat was transferred from Richard Boorn to John Boorn
Kentish Gazette 22-12-1857
At the special sessions for transferring licences on Wednesday, the license of the Packet Boat was transferred from Richard Boorn to John Boorn
Kent Herald 24-12-1857
Special Sessions: The license of the Red Cow was transferred from William Prebble, deceased, to his widow, Charlotte Prebble; the Packet Boat, from Richard Boorn to John Boorn; the Black Bull from Charles Daniels to John Harrison.
Folkestone Chronicle 9-8-1862
Birth: On Tuesday, August 5th, at the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, the wife of Mr. John Boorn, of a son
Folkestone Chronicle 15-7-1865
Notice: Boorn and Rayment. I hereby give notice that the partnership which has been carried on for some time past between Mr. John Whittingham Boorn and myself in the trades or businesses of Boat Owners, Boat Builders, Shipwights and General Dealers, in Folkestone, Kent, under the style or firm of John Boorn and Company, has been dissolved from the 12th day of July, 1865, and that I shall not hold myself liable or responsible for any debts incurred, or engagements entered into, by Mr. John Whittingham Boorn, on account of, or relating to the partnership or myself individually.
Dated this 12th day of July, 1865, Alfred Rayment, Mill Lane, Folkestone.
Witness, W.G.S. Harrison, Folkestone, Kent, Solicitor.
Kentish Gazette 17-10-1865
Folkestone County Court: The usual monthly sitting of this Court was held on Friday, at the Town-hall, before Charles Harwood, Esq., Judge.
John Boorn v Alfred Rayment: This was a claim of £4 6s. 6d. for spirits. Mr. J. Minter appeared for the plaintiff.
The defendant at first said that he did not dispute the claim, but pleaded that it was constructed under a partnership, and said that plaintiff owed him a good deal larger sum of money than he had sued him for.
Plaintiff having said he was landlord of the Packet Boat public house, and was in partnership with defendant as a builder and owner of fishing boats, but never with respect to the public house. He sold the goods charged in the account to the defendant, and delivered some of them himself, and sent the others. He did not claim the money before, because he owed defendant money, but after defendant sued him at the last court, he made out his bill.
Defendant said the partnership between them commenced in January, 1864. Never took any money for the sale of spirits. Plaintiff kept the house and he kept the books. Had advanced money to plaintiff and others on account of the house. Defendant was examined at length by His Honour as to the partnership, and defendant said it could be proved by an entry in the books.
The cash-book, day-book, and ledger were put in and examined by His Honour for evidence of the partnership, and two entries for sums entered in the defendant’s name for spirits and beer, to the amount of £109 were found.
Defendant, cross-examined by Mr. Minter, said he agreed with the plaintiff as to the partnership about January, 1864. He was to have half of the profits arising out of the public house business. Before the partnership agreement was made, the plaintiff war greatly embarrassed, and he offered to find the money to pay off the old debts, on condition that the whole concern - the boat building, fishery, and public house - should be thrown into one partnership. He kept the books, but there had never been any division of profits.
The case came to an end in rather a singular manner. Mr. Minter pressed the defendant closely in cross-examination, and Mr. Harrison, the deputy registrar of the Court, appealed to His Honour to protect the defendant, who had no legal adviser, and said that defendant had been advised by him in the course he had taken, and he was sorry that his position compelled him to remain silent in a case which he could explain in a few words.
Plaintiff’s attorney, said that Mr. Harrison, holding the position he did, had no right to try to influence His Honour in his decision, and withdrew the case.
After this His Honour asked a question, when Mr. Minter contended that as the case, having been withdrawn, was out of court, the plaintiff was not bound to answer.
His Honour then struck the case out, and Mr. Minter, upon this, took a non-suit, stating that it was his intention to carry the case into another court.
Dover Chronicle 21-10- 1865
Folkestone
County Court, Friday, Oct. 13: before C. Harwood Esq., Judge.
John
Boorn v Alfred Rayment
This
was an action brought by the plaintiff, a publican, residing in Folkestone, to
recover the sum of £4 4s. 6d. for spirits from the defendant, a gentleman. Mr.
J. Minter appeared for the plaintiff.
His
Honour asked defendant whether he disputed the claim.
Defendant
said he had the goods and did not dispute the claim. Plaintiff owed him a great
deal more money than he had been sued for.
His
Honour said defendant should have made this a set-off. He again asked defendant
if he disputed the debt.
Defendant said he did, as the goods were partly his own, being a partner with plaintiff in the public house. He was about to hand some account books to the judge when His Honour told him to stand back, as he had been trifling with him in first admitting the debt, and then denying it.
John Boorn said he was the landlord of the Packet Boat Inn, and plaintiff in this action, and sued the defendant for £4 4s. 6d. for spirits. The defendant was in partnership with him as the builder and owner of fishing boats. Defendant had never been in partnership with him in the public house. He sold the goods charged in the account to the defendant. The items in the account were correct. On June 30th he sent defendant a quart of whisky to his house. The defendant offered to keep the books when plaintiff took the Packet Boat inn, and he let him do so. A gallon of gin and one bottle of brandy charged in the account were sent by defendant`s orders to the camp at Shorncliffe. Some of the goods he delivered himself and others he sent. He did not make any claim for payment before because he owed the defendant some money, but after defendant had sued him at the last Court he made out his bill.
His
Honour asked defendant what he had to say to meet this.
Defendant
said he objected to the plaintiff`s claim, as the goods were had on a
partnership account.
His
Honour reminded defendant that plaintiff had denied the partnership, and asked
how he could prove it.
Defendant
said he had all the partnership books in Court. The partnership between them
commenced in January, 1864, as an entry in one of the books would show. (He
handed a cash book to His Honour.)
His Honour: Have you ever made out any bills to customers?
Defendant: No doubt I have.
His Honour: How were they headed?
Defendant: I do not remember.
His Honour: Did you ever receive any money for the sale of spirits?
Defendant: No. The plaintiff kept the house and I merely kept the books.
His Honour: Did you ever advance the plaintiff any money on account of the house?
Defendant: I advanced money to plaintiff and to others on account of the house.
His Honour: Who ordered the spirits for the house?
Plaintiff:
I did, except in one instance when the defendant ordered some gin from London.
Mr.
Minter said this was easily explained. Some gin which was in the house was
complained of, and the defendant advised plaintiff to let him order some gin
from a house which he knew in London, and, much to his surprise, he found
defendant was trying to wriggle himself into a partnership in the house, which
plaintiff at once repudiated.
His
Honour said the entry of the gin was in the name of Boorn and Rayment, and
agreed with the other entry as to the partnership.
Plaintiff
said the entry was not correct.
Mr.
Minter: We allege that the entry is a fraudulent one, and put in by Mr. Rayment
himself without plaintiff`s knowledge or consent.
Plaintiff
said that as soon as he saw the book and found the entry he went to the
defendant about it.
Mr. Harrison, the Deputy Registrar of the Court, said that Mr. Rayment had acted under his advice all through, and he was sorry that his position as an official of the Court kept his tongue tied, otherwise he could explain all in a few words.
His
Honour said that the entries in the day book seemed to be chiefly about the
boat building and fishing, and there was only one entry with respect to the
public house.
Defendant
handed up the cash book and ledger; in the former two entries with respect to
the public house were found.
His
Honour asked defendant who Mackenzie was and who Beer was.
Defendant
said the first was a spirit merchant and the other a brewer.
His
Honour said that there were entries of money paid by defendant to those two
persons to the amount of £109.
Defendant,
cross-examined by Mr. Minter, said he endorsed all the books “Packet Boat Inn,”
which was not on the books before he had them. The agreement as to the
partnership was made some time in January, 1864, but he could not say on what
day, neither could he remember what was said upon the occasion. He was to have
half the profits.
The
defendant told His Honour that plaintiff was much embarrassed with respect to
the public house, and he offered to pay all his old debts on condition that the
whole affair – the boat building, fishing and public house – should be thrown
into one partnership, and on that condition he advanced tha plaintiff £300.
Mr.
Minter asked defendant if there had ever been any division of profits.
Defendant
said there had not, as he could not get the accounts from plaintiff, although
he (defendant) kept the books.
Mr.
Minter asked defendant if he had ever heard plaintiff deny the partnership.
Defendant
said he had heard him do so at the office of Messrs. Brockman and Harrison.
Mr.
Harrison asked His Honour`s leave to explain.
Mr.
Minter objected to any interference on the part of Mr. Harrison, and asked
defendant whether he was now in partnership with plaintiff.
Defendant
said he did not know how to answer the question, for he was and he was not a
partner, as he had given plaintiff notice of dissolution of partnership.
Mr.
Minter asked defendant whether he had served the plaintiff personally with
notice of dissolution of partnership.
Defendant
said he had not.
Mr.
Harrison here appealed to His Honour to protect the defendant, who was
unprovided with legal assistance in consequence of the position in which he
(Mr. Harrison) was placed.
Mr.
Minter again objected to Mr. Harrison`s interference, and said it was
unbecoming of him as an officer of the Court to try to influence the judge`s
decision, and if he was not allowed to conduct the case in his own way he would
withdraw, and take it to another Court.
His
Honour put a question to plaintiff, which he did not catch, when Mr. Minter
objected to plaintiff`s giving an answer, as having withdrawn the case it was
out of Court.
His Honour remarked that Mr. Minter ought to have shown him some respect, and said he should take upon himself to dismiss the case.
A
judgement of nonsuit was then entered.
Dover Express,
Kentish Express 21-10-1865
Folkestone
County Court, Friday: before Charles Harwood Esq., Judge.
John
Boorn v Alfred Rayment
This
was a claim for £4 6s. 6d. for spirits. Mr. J. Minter appeared for the
plaintiff.
The
defendant at first said that he did not dispute the claim, but pleaded that it
was constructed under a partnership, and said the plaintiff owed him a good
deal larger sum of money than he sued him for.
Plaintiff
said he was landlord of the Packet Boat public house, and was in partnership
with defendant as a builder and owner of fishing boats, but never with respect
to the public house. He sold the goods charged in the account to the defendant,
and delivered some of them himself, and sent the others. He did not claim the
money before, because he owed defendant money, but after defendant sued him at
the last Court he made out his bill.
Defendant
said the partnership between them commenced in January, 1864. Never took any
money for the sale of spirits. Plaintiff kept the house and he kept the books.
Had advanced money to plaintiff and others on account of the house.
Defendant was examined at length by His Honour as to the partnership, and defendant said it could be proved by an entry in the books.
The
cash book, ledger, and day book were put in and examined by His Honour for
evidence of the partnership, and two entries for sums entered in the
defendant`s name for spirits and beer, to the amount of £109, were found.
Defendant, cross-examined by Mr. Minter, said he agreed with the plaintiff as to the partnership about January, 1864. He was to have half of the profits arising out of the public house business. Before the partnership agreement was made, the plaintiff was greatly embarrassed, and he offered to find the money to pay off the old debts, on condition that the whole concern – the boatbuilding, fishery, and public house should be thrown into one partnership. He kept the books, but there had never been any division of profits.
The case came to an end in a rather singular manner.
Mr. Minter pressed the defendant closely in cross-examination, and Mr. Harrison, the deputy registrar of the Court, appealed to His Honour to protect the defendant, who had no legal adviser, and said that defendant had been advised by him in the course he had taken, and he was sorry that his position compelled him to remain silent in a case he could explain in a few words.
Plaintiff`s
attorney said that Mr. Harrison, holding the position he did, had no right to
try to influence His Honour in his decision, and withdrew the case.
After
this His Honour asked a question, when Mr. Minter contended that as the case,
having been withdrawn, was out of Court, the plaintiff was not bound to answer.
His
Honour then struck the case out, and Mr. Minter, upon this, took a non-suit,
stating that it was his intention to carry the case into another Court.
Dover Telegraph
21-10-1865
Folkestone
County Court, Friday. John Boorn v Alfred Rayment.
This was a claim for £4 6s. 6d. for spirits. Mr. Minter appeared for the plaintiff.
The
defendant at first said that he did not dispute the claim, but pleaded that it
was contracted under a partnership, and said the plaintiff owed him a good deal
larger sum of money than he had sued him for.
Plaintiff
said he was landlord of the Packet Boat public house, and was in partnership
with defendant as a builder and owner of fishing boats, but never with respect
to the public house. He sold the goods charged in the account to the defendant,
and delivered some of them himself, and sent the others. He did not claim the
money before, because he owed defendant money, but after defendant sued him at
the last Court he made out his bill.
Defendant
said the partnership between them commenced in January, 1864. He never took any
money for the sale of spirits. Plaintiff kept the house and he kept the books.
Had advanced money to plaintiff and others on account of the house.
Defendant
was examined at length by His Honour as to the partnership, and said it could
be proved by an entry in the books.
The cash book, day book, and ledger were put in and examined by His Honour for evidence of the partnership, and two entries for sums entered in the defendant`s name for spirits and beer, to the amount of £109, were found.
Defendant,
cross-examined by Mr. Minter, said he agreed with the plaintiff as to the
partnership about January, 1864. He was to have half of the profits arising out
of the public house business. Before the partnership agreement was made, the
plaintiff was greatly embarrassed, and he offered to find the money to pay off
the old debts, on condition that the whole concern – the boatbuilding, fishery,
and public house should be thrown into one partnership. He kept the books, but
there had never been any division of profits.
The case came to an end in a rather singular manner.
Mr.
Minter pressed the defendant closely in cross-examination, and Mr. Harrison,
the deputy registrar of the Court, appealed to His Honour to protect the
defendant, who had no legal adviser, and said that defendant had been advised
by him in the course he had taken, and he was sorry that his position compelled
him to remain silent in a case which he could explain in a few words.
Plaintiff`s
attorney said that Mr. Harrison, holding the position he did, had no right to
try to influence His Honour in his decision, and withdrew the case.
After
this His Honour asked a question, when Mr. Minter contended that as the case,
having been withdrawn, was out of Court, the plaintiff was not bound to answer.
His Honour then struck the case out, and Mr. Minter, upon this, took a non-suit, stating that it was his intention to carry the case into another Court.
Maidstone Journal 23-10-1865
County
Court, Friday, Oct. 13; Before C. Harwood Esq., Judge
John Boorn v Alfred Rayment
This was an action brought by the plaintiff, a publican, residing in Folkestone, to recover a sum of £4 4s. 6d., for spirits, from the defendant, a gentleman. Mr. J. Minter appeared for the plaintiff. Plaintiff said he was the landlord of the Packet Boat inn. The defendant was in partnership with him as the builder and owner of fishing boats, but had never been in partnership with him in the public house. His Honour asked defendant what he had to say. Defendant said he objected to the plaintiff`s claim, as the goods were had on a partnership account. After a lengthened hearing, His Honour gave a non-suit.
Kentish Gazette 2-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of Geo. T. Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—Wm. Laurence Earnshaw, superintendent of workshops for the South Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone, identified the body as being that of George Thomas Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw deceased at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th instant, in my office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages, and took his signature. He then left, and had to come to work in the afternoon at two o’clock,
Mr Silvester Eastes, a surgeon practising at Folkestone, said the body presented the usual appearance of death by hanging - face pale and livid, pupil of the eye much dilated.
Thos. Grayling
said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Co. On
Friday, the 28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on board
the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some
bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my
assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and
hung on to a hammock hook The flooring was taken up, and his | feet were
hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him,
and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We
then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I
found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep
it in its place. [Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I
have hung myself, it is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, May the Lord
pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His
waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never
seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John Vye said:
I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about
one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in.
The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told
him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him
to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room
yesterday 1 said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re
a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, It would be
much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and sec these
little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get
well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.”
His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and
if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop
and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before
I come in again."
Deceased was 17 years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for firm to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the jurymen told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his opinion it was a clear case of felo de se.The Coroner said he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record the verdict as given.
Dover Chronicle 3-10-1868
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—
William Laurence Earnshaw said: I am superintendent of the workshops for the South Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone. I identify the body as being that of Thomas Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway. He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw the deceased at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th ult., in my office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages, and took his signature. If he had wanted a holiday he ought to have asked. He did not ask. About five minutes past two o`clock the same afternoon I saw two men running from the yard. I inquired the cause, and they said George had hung himself in the forecastle of the Lord Warden. I then proceeded there and Thomas Grayling had just taken deceased down, and on passing him on deck Richard Cullen gave me the paper produced. I have never seen anything strange in deceased`s conduct. A surgeon was sent for immediately. The paper produced is, I believe, in deceased`s handwriting.
Silvester Eastes said: I am a surgeon practising at Folkestone. Yesterday afternoon, at half past two o`clock, a man named Jenkins came to my surgery, and told me that a lad had hung himself at the Company`s workshops. I immediately drove down, and on one of the benches in the Company`s shop I saw the body of deceased. Some of the men were chafing the limbs. They had loosened the ligature. On examining the body I found it presented the usual appearance of death by hanging - face pale and livid, pupil of the eye much dilated. There was a mark round the neck where the handkerchief had been tied. The body was warm, the limbs getting very cool. The action of the heart and lungs had entirely ceased, and deceased was dead. I opened the external jugular vein; there were a few drops of blood only escaped.
Thomas Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Friday, the 28th ult., a little after two o’clock I went on board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and hung on to a hammock hook The flooring was taken up, and his | feet were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him, and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We then took the body up into the workshop and the handkerchief came slack round the deceased`s neck as soon as we unhooked him. We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. (Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
Frederick Gower said: I am a riveter in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Wednesday I went to the Company`s workshop at half past one o`clock. Went into the after-cabin to my work. Whilst there, about ten minutes after I had gone down, the deceased came down and commenced moving a piece of board, and caught sight of me, and then took a ginger beer bottle as an excuse. He seemed to me as if he intended getting under the flooring. Deceased then went on deck. I have not known deceased more than three months. I have not seen anything strange in his conduct.
John Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now eighteen years of age, and not being forward in your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and sec these little sports that are.” I said “You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased was seventeen years and eleven months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. Mr. Pope, one of the jury said he did not agree with the verdict, as in his opinion it was a case of felo de se. He asked the Coroner to read over the oath which the jury had taken at the commencement of the inquiry. The Coroner told Mr. Pope he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as they had given it.
Vye is Dolphin
Dover Express 5-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—
William Laurence Earnshaw said: I am superintendent of the workshops for the South Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone. I identify the body as being that of Thomas Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway. He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw the deceased at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th ult., in my office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages, and I took his signature. If he had wanted a holiday he ought to have asked. He did not ask. About five minutes past two o`clock the same afternoon I saw two men running from the yard. I inquired the cause, and they said George had hung himself in the forecastle of the Lord Warden. I then proceeded there and Thomas Grayling had just taken deceased down, and on passing him on deck Richard Cullen gave me the paper produced. I have never seen anything strange in deceased`s conduct. A surgeon was sent for immediately. The paper produced is, I believe, in deceased`s handwriting.
Silvester Eastes said: I am a surgeon practising at Folkestone. Yesterday afternoon, at half past two o`clock, a man named Jenkins came to my surgery, and told me that a lad had hung himself at the Company`s workshops. I immediately drove down, and on one of the benches in the Company`s shop I saw the body of deceased. Some of the men were chafing the limbs. They had loosened the ligature. On examining the body I found it presented the usual appearance of death by hanging - face pale and livid, pupil of eye much dilated. There was a mark round the neck where the handkerchief had been tied. The body was warm, the limbs getting very cool. The action of the heart and lungs had entirely ceased, and deceased was dead. I opened the external jugular vein; there were a few drops of blood only escaped.
Thomas Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Friday, the 28th ult., a little after two o’clock I went on board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and hung on to a hammock hook. The flooring was taken up, and his feet were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we unhooked him. We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. (Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
Frederick Gower said: I am a riveter in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Wednesday I went to the Company`s workshops at half past one o`clock. Went into the after-cabin to my work. Whilst there, about ten minutes after I had gone down, the deceased came down and commenced moving a piece of board, and caught sight of me, and then took a ginger beer bottle as an excuse. He seemed to me as if he intended getting under the flooring. Deceased then went on deck. I have not known deceased more than three months. I have not seen anything strange in his conduct.
John Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now eighteen years of age, and not being forward in your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and see these little sports that are.” I said “You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased was seventeen years and eleven months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. Mr. Pope, one of the jury said he did not agree with the verdict, as in his opinion it was a case of felo de se. He asked the Coroner to read over the oath which the jury had taken at the commencement of the inquiry. The Coroner told Mr. Pope he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as they had given it.
Vye is Dolphin
Kentish Mercury 5-10-1866
An inquest was held at Folkestone on Saturday morning on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil – “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother`s doings. All I have to say is may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. It appeared that his mother and father had prohibited him from going to the local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary insanity”, but one of them wished to return felo de se.
Vye is Dolphin
Deal Mercury 6-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of Geo. T. Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
Thos. Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Co. On Friday, the 28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and hung on to a hammock hook The flooring was taken up, and his | feet were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him, and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. [Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself, it is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, May the Lord pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John Vye said: The deceased was my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday 1 said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, It would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and sec these little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again."
Deceased was 17 years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the jurymen told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his opinion it was a clear case of felo de se. The Coroner said he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record the verdict as given.
Dover Telegraph 6-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of George T, Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—
William Laurence Earnshaw, superintendent of the workshops for the South Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone, identified the body as being that of Thomas Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw the deceased at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th instant, in my office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages, and took his signature. He then left, and had to come to work in the afternoon at two o`clock.
Silvester Eastes, a surgeon practising at Folkestone said the body presented the usual appearance of death by hanging - face pale and livid, pupil of eye much dilated.
Thomas Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Friday, the 28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and hung on to a hammock hook. The flooring was taken up, and his feet were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him, and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. (Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and see these little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased was 17 years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the jury told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his opinion it was a clear case of felo de se. The Coroner said he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as given.
Vye is Dolphin
Kentish Express 6-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of Geo. T. Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—
Wm. Laurence Earnshaw, superintendent of workshops for the South Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone, identified the body as being that of George Thomas Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. He had been in the service about three and a half years. He saw the deceased at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th instant, in his office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages, and took his signature. He then left, and had to come to work in the afternoon at two o`clock.
Mr. Silvester Eastes, a surgeon practising at Folkestone, said the body presented the usual appearance of death by hanging – face pale and livid, pupil of the eye much dilated.
Thos. Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Co. On Friday, the 28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and hung on to a hammock hook. The flooring was taken up, and his feet were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him, and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing it. I found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. (Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and see these little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased was 17 years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the jurymen told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his opinion it was a clear case of felo de se. The Coroner told said he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as given.
Vye is Dolphin
Thanet Advertiser 6-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of George T. Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—
Wm. Laurence Earnshaw said, superintendent of workshops for the South Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone, identified the body as being that of George Thos. Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw the deceased at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th instant, in my office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages, and took his signature. He then left, and had to come to work in the afternoon at two o`clock.
Mr. Silvester Eastes, a surgeon practising at Folkestone, said the body presented the usual appearance of death by hanging – face pale and livid, pupil of the eye much dilated.
Thomas Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Friday, the 28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and hung on to a hammock hook. The flooring was taken up, and his feet were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him, and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. (Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and see these little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased was 17 years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the jurymen told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his opinion it was a clear case of felo de se. The Coroner told said he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as given.
Vye is Dolphin
Maidstone Journal 8-10-1866
An inquest was held a few days ago, on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil – “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother`s doings. All I have to say is may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. It appeared that his father and mother had prohibited him from going to the local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary insanity”, but one of them wished to return felo de se.
Vye is Dolphin
Folkestone Chronicle 2-2-1867
Court of Bankruptcy, London, Jan. 28: Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn
Re. J.W. Boorn
This was an adjourned examination sitting and application for discharge, under the bankruptcy of John Whittingham Boorn, described as “of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, Folkestone, in the county of Kent, innkeeper, and for some time in partnership with Alfred Rayment, of Folkestone aforesaid, as boat owners, boat builders, shipwrights and general dealers, at Folkestone aforesaid”.
Mr. W.W. Aldridge, solicitor, Moorgate Street, represented the official assignee.
The bankrupt petitioned the court on the 18th of September last, and obtained protection from arrest. He attributed his failure to the following causes, viz.: “Insufficiency of my profits to meet my expenses, caused by my partner Alfred Rayment having filed a bill in the High Court of Chancery against me.”
On the 30th of November the bankrupt applied to pass his examination upon accounts showing debts £735 10s., and deficiency £735 10s. He was then ordered to file a cash and goods account for twelve months previous to his bankruptcy, and a deficiency account; and the sitting was adjourned for that purpose, and to enable Mr. Aldridge to make enquiries into a bill of sale executed by the bankrupt shortly before petitioning the court.
Upon the case now being called on, the bankrupt did not appear, whereupon the court ordered an adjournment sine die and of course left him without further protection.
Dover Express 8-2-1867
Court of Bankruptcy, London, Monday: Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.
Re. J.W. Boorn: This was an adjourned examination sitting and application for order of discharge, under the bankruptcy of John Whittingham Boorn, described as “of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, Folkestone, in the county of Kent, innkeeper, and for some time in partnership with Alfred Rayment, of Folkestone aforesaid, as boat owners, boat builders, shipwrights and general dealers, at Folkestone aforesaid”.
Mr. W.W. Aldridge, solicitor, Moorgate Street, represented the official assignee.
On the 30th of Nov. the bankrupt applied to pass his examination upon accounts showing debts £735 10s., and deficiency £735 10s. He was then ordered to file a cash and goods account for twelve months previous to his bankruptcy, and a deficiency account; and the sitting was adjourned for that purpose, and to enable Mr. Aldridge to make enquiries into a bill of sale executed by the bankrupt shortly before petitioning the court.
Upon the case now being called on, the bankrupt did not appear, whereupon the court ordered an adjournment sine die and of course left him without further protection.
Kentish Express 9-2-1867
Court of Bankruptcy, London, Monday: Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn
Re. J.W. Boorn
This was an adjourned examination sitting and application for discharge, under the bankruptcy of John Whittingham Boorn, described as “of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, Folkestone, in the county of Kent, innkeeper, and for some time in partnership with Alfred Rayment, of Folkestone aforesaid, as boat owners, boat builders, shipwrights and general dealers, at Folkestone aforesaid”.
Mr. W.W. Aldridge, solicitor, Moorgate Street, represented the official assignee.
On the 30th of November the bankrupt applied to pass his examination upon accounts showing debts £735 10s., and deficiency £735 10s. He was then ordered to file a cash and goods account for twelve months previous to his bankruptcy, and a deficiency account; and the sitting was adjourned for that purpose, and to enable Mr. Aldridge to make enquiries into a bill of sale executed by the bankrupt shortly before petitioning the court.
Upon the case now being called on, the bankrupt did not appear, whereupon the court ordered an adjournment sine die and of course left him without further protection.
Kentish Express 16-3-1867
Court Of Bankruptcy, London. March 8th: Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn
Re. J.W. Boorn, the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone.
This was an adjourned examination sitting and application for order of discharge under the bankruptcy of John Whittingham Boorn, described as of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, Folkestone, innkeeper, and for some time in partnership with Alfred Rayment, of Folkestone, aforesaid, as boat owners, boat builders, shipwrights, and general dealers, at Folkestone aforesaid.
Mr. W.W. Aldridge, solicitor, 46, Moorgate Street, represented the official assignee, and Mr. R. Griffiths appeared as counsel for the bankrupt, whose creditors reside at Ashford, Folkestone, Dover and Maidstone in this county.
The bankrupt had been ordered to file a cash account from the 13th of September, 1865, to the date of his bankruptcy in Sept., 1866, and was adjourned until the 18th of January last for that purpose. On the latter day he did not attend the court, and, no-one appearing on his behalf, the sitting was adjourned sine die, and he now came up at his own expense.
The cash account for twelve months shows a total of receipts and payments (including £108 2s. for housekeeping expenses) of £457 9s., and after hearing the respective advocates, the learned commissioners passed the bankrupt`s examination upon the following statements of accounts, viz.
Partnership Statement Of Accounts £ s d
Dr. - To creditors unsecured 735 10 0
Cr. - By Deficiency 735 10 0
Private Statement Of Accounts
Dr. – To creditors unsecured 302 10 0
To ditto holding security 400 0 0
Total 702 10 0
Cr. – By property in the hands of creditors 225 0 0
By Deficiency 477 10 0
Total 702 10 0
The bankrupt stated his expenditure to have been £120 per annum for the past two years.
The creditors holding security are as follow, viz.
Mr. George Beer, Canterbury, Brewer, £180, holds security valued at £200
Mr. John Minter, Folkestone, Solicitor, holds lease of the Packet Boat Inn, of no value
Mr. James Pledge, Leas, Folkestone, Auctioneer, holds bill of sale on bankrupt`s furniture for securing £120, - value of security, £25
The bankrupt, having sworn to the truth of his accounts, was granted an unconditional order of discharge, and the sitting terminated.
Dover Chronicle 30-3-1867
An inquest was held on Thursday afternoon, at the Packet Boat inn, before John Minter Esq., coroner, touching the death of Ann Baker, who was killed by falling down the landing steps on the Quay, on Wednesday night last.
Sarah Grant deposed: I am the wife of Henry Grant, a fisherman. I went last night with the deceased on board the South Eastern Railway Company`s steamer Prince Ernest to scrub the cabin. After we had finished scrubbing I went on deck for the purpose of going ashore. In going to shore I fell overboard into the harbour. William Baker, the husband of deceased, jumped overboard into the water and caught hold of me, and he and some other men got me onto the landing. Whilst going up the steps I heard Baker`s son call out that his mother was dead. Baker then sent me home.
William Baker, a seaman on board the Prince Ernest, and husband of the deceased, said: Yesterday evening the deceased came on board with Mrs. Grant. I was scrubbing out the cabin. The deceased and Mrs. Grant offered to do it. They scrubbed out the cabin, and after asking whether there was any other scrubbing to be done, Mrs. Grant said “Good night” and went up the companion to go on deck. I followed, and my wife followed me. Directly I got on deck I heard a splash, and Mrs. Grant calling out “Baker.” The cries came from the water. I jumped overboard and caught hold of Mrs. Grant. Some other man then brought a punt. I got in and helped Mrs. Grant in, and then onto the landing. I heard my boy call out “Oh, here`s mother killed.” I told Mrs. Grant to go home, and went down the steps, and at the bottom found my wife lying dead.
James Brown deposed: I am steward on board the Prince Ernest. Last evening I saw Mrs. Grant come on deck and disappear suddenly. I ran and got a boat hook, and, finding her in the water, hooked hold of her clothes. Baker at the same time jumped overboard and caught hold of her. A man named Fleet pulled a punt to the spot, and she was got on to the landing. I then turned round and saw deceased going on shore. I said “Let me hold you across the plank.” I did so, and left her safely on the landing. She thanked me, and said “Good night.” I then went to my cabin, but immediately after heard Baker`s boy call out “Mr. Brown, my mother has killed herself.” I immediately went on to the landing, and saw deceased lying at the bottom of the steps doubled up and, as I thought, quite dead. I believe she mistook her way and turned to the right instead of to the left. If she turned to the left she would go up the steps, but if to the right she would fall a distance of perhaps ten or eleven feet.
William Bateman deposed: I am a surgeon, practising at Folkestone. I was sent for last evening to see a woman who had injured her head. I went to the residence of deceased, and found her lying in a low room on a sofa, with a great deal of blood about her. Upon looking at her head I found she was dead and I have no doubt death was instantaneous. There was no external wound, but a great deal of bleeding from the left ear. There was a fracture of the posterior of the left part of the parietal bone, extending from the vertex down to the ear. I have no doubt there was an extensive fracture of the bone of the skull.
The son of deceased saw Mr. Brown help his mother on shore. He did not see his mother fall, but heard her and then cried out.
Captain Mortelman attended on behalf of the South Eastern Railway Company, and explained that if the Company`s orders had been carried out the unfortunate accident would not have occurred. The orders were that no woman should be allowed on board after dark, that no-one should be allowed to come on board without hailing the ship, when a light would be shown to enable them to come in safety, as well as one on their leaving. Baker was perfectly aware of the orders, and ought not to have had his wife on board.
After the coroner`s summing up, the jury immediately returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”
Folkestone Chronicle 30-3-1867
Editorial
The Fatal Accident At The Harbour
On reading the evidence given at the Inquest, our readers will doubtless wonder at two circumstances at least, that appear on the face of it. It is usual in cases of accident for the jury to go and view the place where it happened, and when singular facts are elicited, to enquire if the persons connected with the accident were sober. Neither of these usual requirements were even suggested. If the jury had gone to view the place where the deceased fell, they would probably have suggested that some barrier should be placed across the top of the steps to secure other persons from a similar accident.
Then again, when they learned that the first witness had actually walked over the side of the boat into the water on the opposite side to that of the pier, and then that the deceased, who well knew the place, had fallen down instead of going up from the landing (although, as the coroner suggested, she may have been so flurried by the other accident, that she did not know which way she went), the jury ought decidedly to have enquired whether the whole party had been drinking or not. If they had not, there was certainly something remarkable about it. Here are two women on board the Prince Ernest – against the harbour regulations – ostensibly for the purpose of scrubbing out the cabin. At seve o`clock, or a little before, when it is not quite dark, one of the women falls overboard; the other goes ashore without waiting to see if her friend is safe or not, and falling, is killed; while her friend, although hearing the boy call out “Here`s mother killed” makes the best of her way home.
As for the husband of the unfortunate woman, Baker, great must be his regret that his disobedience to orders was the cause of the death of his wife, as, doubtless but for that, he would have seen her safe to the pier. At the same time, however, great praise must be given him for his gallant conduct in jumping into the water to rescue Mrs. Grant.
We should hope after this that more care will be exercised by the officials whose duty it is to see that the company`s regulations are not infringed.
On Wednesday evening, two women who had been on board the Prince Ernest passenger boat were returning, when one of them, named Grant, mistook the way, and walked over the wrong side of the vessel into the water. She called out for help, and the steward held her up with a boat hook until the husband of the other woman jumped in and rescued her. A boat pulled alongside and Mrs. Grant was put ashore at the landing place. Just then an alarm was given that Mrs. Baker, the other woman, was killed, and Baker, telling Mrs. Grant to go home, ran down on to the bottom landing and found his wife in a heap, dead. It appeared that the steward saw her off the boat safely, and she must have turned the wrong way without knowing it and so fell down. Both women are said to have been sober. Our report of the inquest will be found in another column.
An inquest on the body of the unfortunate woman, Ann Baker, was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, on Thursday last, before John Minter Esq., borough coroner.
Capt. Mortleman attended to watch the case on behalf of the South Eastern railway Company.
The Jury having been to view the body, the first witness called was:
Sarah Grant, wife of Henry Grant, fisherman, Radnor Street, who deposed that at about seven o`clock on Wednesday evening she was with the deceased on board the Prince Ernest, then lying alongside the middle berth in the harbour. They had been to scrub the steward`s cabin out: the vessel was afloat. The husband of deceased was on board, and after the cabin had been scrubbed out, witness went on deck, leaving deceased and her husband below. As she was going along the deck she fell overboard through the gangway, which was open. She was got out of the water on to the deck again, and heard the deceased on the landing, making a noise, as though hurt. She did not see deceased, but went home.
William Baker, husband of the deceased, seaman on board the South Eastern Railway Company`s steamer Prince Ernest said he and the steward were on board on the evening of Wednesday. He was in charge of the ship. He sent for his wife to bring his tea, and when she came with it, she offered to scrub out the steward`s cabin. His boy, aged fourteen, was scrubbing the deck. Mrs. Grant went on deck first, after the cabin was scrubbed out, and when he came up he heard something splashing in the water, and Mrs. Grant calling “Baker”. He jumped off the sponson into the harbour, and caught hold of her. Another man named Fleet pulled alongside in a boat, and the got her on to the landing. Witness was leading her up the steps, and heard his son call out “Here`s mother killed”, and told Mrs. Grant to go home, as she could do no good. He went down the landing, and saw his wife lying at the bottom of the second flight of stairs, not in the water. She was hardly alive. She was taken home on a chair.
James Brown, steward of the Prince Ernest, was on board the steamer on Wednesday evening, and saw the women cleaning his cabin. After Mrs. Grant fell overboard, on the port side, he held her up with a boat hook, until Baker rescued her. Mrs. Baker was at this time on the foredeck, waiting to go on shore, which was communicated with by means of a plank of 16 in. wide. He saw her safe off the plank on to the landing, and left her, for which she thanked him. About a minute after, as he was going down to the cabin, he heard the boy call out “My mother`s killed herself”. He ran ashore and found deceased at the foot of the ladder, doubled up. The distance she fell was about nine feet: the steps were not slippery. She must have made a mistake, turned the wrong way, and fallen down instead of going up on to the pier.
W. Bateman Esq., surgeon, was called about nine o`clock on Wednesday evening to see deceased, whom he found lying on a sofa, with a great deal of blood about her. She was dead, but no-one seemed to be aware of it, as he was called to see her “on account of her having hurt her head”. On examination he found no external wound, but a great deal of bleeding from the left ear and a fracture on the left part of the parietal bone, extending from the vertex down to the ear, and he had no doubt that there was an extensive fracture at the base of the skull, from the quantity of blood exuded from the ear. Death was therefore doubtless cause by fracture of the skull, and would be almost immediate.
Captain Mortleman stated that if Baker had not disobeyed his orders the accident could not have happened, as no woman is allowed aboard at night, and nor person belonging to the crew, or any other, is allowed there without first hailing the ship; and the man in charge has then to bring a light to show the way. Baker was well aware of this and ought to have carried out his instructions.
The coroner summed up, remarking that it was a great pity the regulations of the company had not been carried out, and suggested it was caused by Mrs. Grant falling overboard, that having agitated Mrs. Baker so that she did not know which way she turned.
The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
Kentish Express 30-3-1867, Kentish Chronicle 6-4-1867
On Wednesday evening, about seven o`clock, an accident which might have been attended with fatal consequences to two lives occurred at the south side of the S.E.R. Co.`s harbour. It appears that a seaman named William Baker was left in charge of the Prince Ernest cargo boat, and the steward, Mr. Brown, was also on board. Baker`s wife and a woman named Sarah Grant had been scrubbing out the steward`s cabin, and on leaving to go ashore Mrs. Grant walked off the boat into the water, and while Mr. Brown and Baker were getting her out of it Mrs. Baker went ashore and fell down one of the flights of steps on to the bottom landing, where she was picked up dead. An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, on Thursday, before Mr. J. Minter, the above facts having been elicited, and Mr. Bateman, who was called in to see the deceased, having stated that in his opinion death resulted from a fracture of the skull, a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned. Capt. Mortleman attended for the S.E.R. Company, and stated that no woman was allowed on board any of the company`s boats after dusk; and no person was allowed to land or embark without first hailing the ship and having a light brought by the person in charge. Thus, if the husband of deceased had not acted in disobedience of the instructions, the accident could not have happened.
Maidstone Journal 1-4-1867, Kentish Mercury 6-4-1867
About seven o`clock on Wednesday evening a seaman named William Baker was in charge of the Prince Ernest, cargo boat, at the south side of the South Eastern Railway Company`s harbour. Mr. Brown, the steward, was also on board, and Baker`s wife and a woman named Grant had been scrubbing out the steward`s cabin, and on leaving to go ashore Mrs. Grant walked off the boat into the water, and while Mr. Brown and Baker were getting her out Mrs. Baker went ashore and fell down one of the flights of steps on to the bottom of the landing, where she was picked up dead. An inquest was held on Thursday, before J. Minter Esq., and a jury, when a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned. Capt. Mortleman attended for the South Eastern Railway Company, and stated that no woman was allowed on board any of the Company`s boats after dusk, and no person was allowed to land or embark without first hailing the ship, and having a light brought by the person in charge. Thus, if the husband of deceased had not acted in disobedience of the instructions, the accident could not have happened.
Southeastern Gazette 2-4-1867
Inquest
On Wednesday evening a fatal accident happened on the south side of the S.E.R. Company’s Harbour. It appears that a seaman, named William Baker, was left in charge of the Prince Ernest, cargo boat, and the steward, Mr. Brown, was also on board. Baker’s wife and a woman named Sarah Grant had be«n scrubbing out the steward’s cabin, and on leaving a go ashore Mrs. Grant walked off the boat into the water, and while Mr. Brown and Baker were getting her out Mrs. Baker went ashore and fell down one of the flights of steps on the bottom landing, where she was picked up dead.
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, on Thursday, before J. Minter, Esq., when Capt. Mortleman attended on behalf of the Company. The medical evidence showed that deceased died from from fracture of the skull, and a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.
Kent Herald 4-4-1867
On Wednesday evening, two women who had been on board the Prince Ernest passenger boat were returning, when one of them mistook the way, and walked over the wrong side of the vessel into the water. She called out for help, and the steward held her up with a boat hook until the husband of the other woman jumped in and rescued her. A boat pulled alongside and Mrs. Grant was put ashore at the landing place. Just then an alarm was given that Mrs. Baker, the other woman, was killed, and Baker, telling Mrs. Grant to go home, ran down on to the bottom landing and found his wife in a heap, dead. It appeared that the steward saw her off the boat safely, and she must have turned the wrong way without knowing it and so fell down. Both women are said to have been sober.
The inquest on the body of Ann Baker was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, on Thursday last, before John Minter Esq., borough coroner.
Captain Mortleman attended to watch the case on behalf of the South Eastern railway Company.
The Jury having been to view the body, the first witness called was Sarah Grant, wife of Henry Grant, fisherman, Radnor Street, who deposed that at about seven o`clock on Wednesday evening she was with the deceased on board the Prince Ernest, then lying alongside the middle berth in the harbour. They had been to scrub the steward`s cabin out: the vessel was afloat. The husband of deceased was on board, and after the cabin had been scrubbed out, witness went on deck, leaving deceased and her husband below. As she was going along the deck she fell overboard through the gangway, which was open. She was got out of the water on to the deck again, and heard the deceased on the landing, making a noise, as though hurt. She did not see deceased, but went home.
Wm. Baker, husband of the deceased, seaman on board the South Eastern Railway Company`s steamer Prince Ernest said he and the steward were on board on the evening of Wednesday. He was in charge of the ship. He sent for his wife to bring his tea, and when she came with it, she offered, with the last witness, to scrub out the steward`s cabin. His boy, aged fourteen, was scrubbing the deck. Mrs. Grant went on deck first, after the cabin was scrubbed out, and when he came up he heard something splashing in the water, and Mrs. Grant calling “Baker”. He jumped off the sponson into the harbour, and caught hold of her. Another man named Fleet pulled alongside in a boat, and they got her on to the landing. Witness was leading her up the steps, and heard his son call out “Here`s mother killed”, and told Mrs. Grant to go home, as she could do no good. He went down the landing, and saw his wife lying at the bottom of the second flight of stairs, not in the water. She was hardly alive. She was taken home on a chair.
James Brown, steward of the Prince Ernest, was on board the steamer on Wednesday evening, and saw the women cleaning his cabin. After Mrs. Grant fell overboard, on the port side, he held her up with a boat hook, until Baker rescued her. Mrs. Baker was at this time on the foredeck, waiting to go on shore, which was communicated with by means of a plank of 16 in. wide. He saw her safe off the plank on to the landing, and left her, for which she thanked him. About a minute after, as he was going down to the cabin, he heard the boy call out “My mother`s killed herself”. He ran ashore and found deceased at the foot of the ladder, doubled up. The distance she fell was about nine feet: the steps were not slippery. She must have made a mistake, turned the wrong way, and fallen down instead of going up on to the pier.
W. Bateman Esq., surgeon, was called about nine o`clock on Wednesday evening to see deceased, whom he found lying on a sofa, with a great deal of blood about her. She was dead, but no-one seemed to be aware of it, as he was called to see her “on account of her having hurt her head”. On examination he found no external wound, but a great deal of bleeding from the left ear and a fracture on the left part of the parietal bone, extending from the vertex down to the ear, and he had no doubt that there was an extensive fracture at the base of the skull, from the quantity of blood exuded from the ear. Death was therefore doubtless cause by fracture of the skull, and would be almost immediate.
Captain Mortleman stated that if Baker had not disobeyed his orders the accident could not have happened, as no woman is allowed aboard at night, and nor person belonging to the crew, or any other, is allowed there without first hailing the ship; and the man in charge has then to bring a light to show the way. Baker was well aware of this and ought to have carried out his instructions.
The coroner summed up, remarking that it was a great pity the regulations of the company had not been carried out, and suggested it was caused by Mrs. Grant falling overboard, that having agitated Mrs. Baker so that she did not know which way she turned.
The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
Canterbury Weekly Journal, Whitstable Times 6-4-1867
On Wednesday evening a fatal accident happened on the south side of the S.E.R. Company harbour. It appears that a seaman, named William Baker, was left in charge of the Prince Ernest cargo boat, and the steward, Mr. Brown, was also on board. Baker`s wife and a woman named Sara Grant had been scrubbing out the steward`s cabin, and on leaving to go ashore Mrs. Grant walked off the boat into the water, and while Mr. Brown and Baker were getting her out, Mrs. Baker went ashore and fell down one of the flights of steps on the bottom landing, where she was picked up dead.
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat inn, Radnor Street, on Thursday, before J. Minter Esq., when Capt. Mortleman attended on behalf of the Company. The medical evidence showed that deceased died from fracture of the skull, and a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.
Dover Telegraph 6-4-1867
An inquest was held on Thursday afternoon, at the Packet Boat inn, before John Minter Esq., coroner, touching the death of Ann Baker, who was killed by falling down the landing steps on the Quay, on Wednesday night last.
Sarah Grant deposed: I am the wife of Henry Grant, a fisherman. I went last night with the deceased on board the South Eastern Railway Company`s steamer Prince Ernest to scrub the cabin. After we had finished scrubbing I went on deck for the purpose of going on shore. In going on shore I fell overboard into the harbour. William Baker, the husband of deceased, jumped overboard into the water and caught hold of me, and he and some other men got me onto the landing. Whilst going up the steps I heard Baker`s son say that his mother was dead. Baker then sent me home.
William Baker, a seaman on board the Prince Ernest, and husband of the deceased, said: Yesterday evening the deceased came on board with Mrs. Grant. I was scrubbing out the cabin, and after asking whether there was any other scrubbing to be done, Mrs. Grant said “Good night” and went up the companion to go on deck. I followed, and my wife followed me. Directly I got on deck I heard a splash, and Mrs. Grant calling out “Baker.” The cries came from the water. I jumped overboard and caught hold of Mrs. Grant. Some other man then brought a punt. I got in and helped Mrs. Grant in, and then onto the landing. I heard my boy call out “Oh, here`s mother killed.” I told Mrs. Grant to go home, and went down the steps, and at the bottom found my wife lying dead.
James Brown deposed: I am steward on board the Prince Ernest. Last evening I saw Mrs. Grant come on deck and disappear suddenly. I ran and got a boat hook, and, finding her in the water, hooked hold of her clothes. Baker at the same time jumped overboard and caught hold of her. A man named Fleet pulled a punt to the spot, and she was got on to the landing. I then turned round and saw deceased going on shore. I said “Let me hold you across the plank.” I did so, and left her safely on the landing. She thanked me, and said “Good night.” I then went to my cabin, but immediately after heard Baker`s boy call out “Mr. Brown, my mother has killed herself.” I immediately went on to the landing, and saw deceased lying at the bottom of the steps doubled up and, as I thought, quite dead. I believe she mistook her way and turned to the right instead of to the left. If she turned to the left she would go up the steps, but if to the right she would fall a distance of perhaps ten or eleven feet.
William Bateman deposed: I am a surgeon, practising at Folkestone. I was sent for last evening to see a woman who had injured her head. I went to the residence of deceased, and found her lying in a low room on a sofa, with a great deal of blood about her. Upon looking at her head I found she was dead and I have no doubt death was instantaneous. There was no external wound, but a great deal of bleeding from the left ear. There was a fracture of the posterior of the left part of the parietal bone, extending from the vertex down to the ear. I have no doubt there was an extensive fracture of the bone of the skull.
The son of deceased saw Mr. Brown help his mother on shore. He did not see his mother fall, but heard her and then cried out.
Capt. Mortelman attended on behalf of the South Eastern Railway Company, and explained that if the Company`s orders had been carried out the unfortunate accident would not have occurred. The orders were that no woman should be allowed on board after dark, that no-one should be allowed to come on board without hailing the ship, when a light would be shown to enable them to come in safety, as well as one on their leaving. Baker was perfectly aware of the orders, and ought not to have had his wife on board.
After the coroner`s summing up, the jury immediately returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”
Thanet Advertiser 6-4-1867
On Wednesday evening a fatal accident happened on the south side of the South Eastern Railway Company`s harbour. It appears that a seaman, named William Baker, was left in charge of the Prince Ernest cargo boat, and the steward, Mr. Brown, was also on board. Baker`s wife and a woman named Sara Grant had been scrubbing out the steward`s cabin, and on leaving to go ashore Mrs. Grant walked off the boat into the water, and while Mr. Brown and Baker were getting her out, Mrs. Baker went ashore and fell down one of the flights of steps on the bottom landing, where she was picked up dead.
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat inn, Radnor Street, on Thursday, before J. Minter Esq., when Captain Mortleman attended on behalf of the Company. The medical evidence showed that deceased died from fracture of the skull, and a verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.
Dover Chronicle
3-10-1868
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—
William
Laurence Earnshaw said: I am superintendent of the workshops for the South
Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone. I identify the body as being that of Thomas
Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway.
He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw the deceased at
ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th ult., in my office at the
workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages,
and took his signature. If he had wanted a holiday he ought to have asked. He
did not ask. About five minutes past two o`clock the same afternoon I saw two
men running from the yard. I inquired the cause, and they said George had hung
himself in the forecastle of the Lord Warden. I then proceeded there and Thomas
Grayling had just taken deceased down, and on passing him on deck Richard
Cullen gave me the paper produced. I have never seen anything strange in
deceased`s conduct. A surgeon was sent for immediately. The paper produced is,
I believe, in deceased`s handwriting.
Silvester Eastes said: I am a surgeon practising at Folkestone. Yesterday afternoon, at half past two o`clock, a man named Jenkins came to my surgery, and told me that a lad had hung himself at the Company`s workshops. I immediately drove down, and on one of the benches in the Company`s shop I saw the body of deceased. Some of the men were chafing the limbs. They had loosened the ligature. On examining the body I found it presented the usual appearance of death by hanging - face pale and livid, pupil of the eye much dilated. There was a mark round the neck where the handkerchief had been tied. The body was warm, the limbs getting very cool. The action of the heart and lungs had entirely ceased, and deceased was dead. I opened the external jugular vein; there were a few drops of blood only escaped.
Thomas
Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company.
On Friday, the 28th ult., a little after two o’clock I went on board
the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some
bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my
assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and
hung on to a hammock hook The flooring was taken up, and his | feet were
hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him,
and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We
then took the body up into the workshop and the handkerchief came slack round
the deceased`s neck as soon as we unhooked him. We then took the body up into
the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found the piece of paper now
produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. (Written in
pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my
mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord pardon me my wicked doings,
and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His waistcoat, slop, and cap were
laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in
deceased’s conduct.
Frederick Gower said: I am a riveter in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Wednesday I went to the Company`s workshop at half past one o`clock. Went into the after-cabin to my work. Whilst there, about ten minutes after I had gone down, the deceased came down and commenced moving a piece of board, and caught sight of me, and then took a ginger beer bottle as an excuse. He seemed to me as if he intended getting under the flooring. Deceased then went on deck. I have not known deceased more than three months. I have not seen anything strange in his conduct.
John
Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on
Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and
deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to
the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the
morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races.
When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to
you.” I said, “You’re a lad now eighteen years of age, and not being forward in
your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to
want to go and sec these little sports that are.” I said “You should not lose
half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your
trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George,
we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall
acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and
said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased
was seventeen years and eleven months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. Mr. Pope, one of the jury said he did not agree with the verdict, as in his opinion it was a case of felo de se. He asked the Coroner to read over the oath which the jury had taken at the commencement of the inquiry. The Coroner told Mr. Pope he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as they had given it.
Dover Express 5-10-1866
An
inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning,
before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of George Thomas
Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the
forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South
Eastern Railway Company.
The
following evidence was adduced:—
William
Laurence Earnshaw said: I am superintendent of the workshops for the South
Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone. I identify the body as being that of Thomas
Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway.
He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw the deceased at
ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th ult., in my office at the
workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages,
and I took his signature. If he had wanted a holiday he ought to have asked. He
did not ask. About five minutes past two o`clock the same afternoon I saw two
men running from the yard. I inquired the cause, and they said George had hung
himself in the forecastle of the Lord Warden. I then proceeded there and Thomas
Grayling had just taken deceased down, and on passing him on deck Richard
Cullen gave me the paper produced. I have never seen anything strange in
deceased`s conduct. A surgeon was sent for immediately. The paper produced is,
I believe, in deceased`s handwriting.
Silvester Eastes said: I am a surgeon practising at Folkestone. Yesterday afternoon, at half past two o`clock, a man named Jenkins came to my surgery, and told me that a lad had hung himself at the Company`s workshops. I immediately drove down, and on one of the benches in the Company`s shop I saw the body of deceased. Some of the men were chafing the limbs. They had loosened the ligature. On examining the body I found it presented the usual appearance of death by hanging - face pale and livid, pupil of eye much dilated. There was a mark round the neck where the handkerchief had been tied. The body was warm, the limbs getting very cool. The action of the heart and lungs had entirely ceased, and deceased was dead. I opened the external jugular vein; there were a few drops of blood only escaped.
Thomas
Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company.
On Friday, the 28th ult., a little after two o’clock I went on board
the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some
bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my
assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and
hung on to a hammock hook. The flooring was taken up, and his feet were hanging
about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and the handkerchief came
slack round deceased's neck as soon as we unhooked him. We then took the body
up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found the piece of
paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. (Written
in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my
mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord pardon me my wicked doings,
and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His waistcoat, slop, and cap were
laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in
deceased’s conduct.
Frederick
Gower said: I am a riveter in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company.
On Wednesday I went to the Company`s workshops at half past one o`clock. Went
into the after-cabin to my work. Whilst there, about ten minutes after I had
gone down, the deceased came down and commenced moving a piece of board, and
caught sight of me, and then took a ginger beer bottle as an excuse. He seemed
to me as if he intended getting under the flooring. Deceased then went on deck.
I have not known deceased more than three months. I have not seen anything
strange in his conduct.
John
Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on
Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and
deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to
the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the
morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races.
When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to
you.” I said, “You’re a lad now eighteen years of age, and not being forward in
your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to
want to go and see these little sports that are.” I said “You should not lose
half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your
trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George,
we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall
acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and
said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased
was seventeen years and eleven months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. Mr. Pope, one of the jury said he did not agree with the verdict, as in his opinion it was a case of felo de se. He asked the Coroner to read over the oath which the jury had taken at the commencement of the inquiry. The Coroner told Mr. Pope he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as they had given it.
Kentish Mercury
5-10-1866
An inquest was held at Folkestone on Saturday morning on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil – “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother`s doings. All I have to say is may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. It appeared that his mother and father had prohibited him from going to the local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary insanity”, but one of them wished to return felo de se.
Deal Mercury 6-10-1866
An inquest was held at the
Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a
respectable jury, on the body of Geo. T. Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in
the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of
the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
Thos. Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Co. On Friday, the 28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and hung on to a hammock hook The flooring was taken up, and his | feet were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him, and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in its place. [Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself, it is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, May the Lord pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John Vye said: The deceased was my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday 1 said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, It would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and sec these little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again."
Deceased was 17 years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and
told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or
temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that
deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the
jurymen told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his
opinion it was a clear case of felo de se. The Coroner said he must give the
eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record the verdict as given.
Dover Telegraph 6-10-1866
An inquest was held at the
Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a
respectable jury, on the body of George T, Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican
in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of
the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—
William Laurence Earnshaw, superintendent of the workshops for the South Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone, identified the body as being that of Thomas Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw the deceased at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th instant, in my office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages, and took his signature. He then left, and had to come to work in the afternoon at two o`clock.
Silvester Eastes, a surgeon
practising at Folkestone said the body presented the usual appearance of death
by hanging - face pale and livid, pupil of eye much dilated.
Thomas Grayling said: I am
a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. On Friday, the
28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on board the Lord
Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see about some bolts
and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert Poole to my
assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's neck and
hung on to a hammock hook. The flooring was taken up, and his feet were hanging
about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked him, and the
handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so. We then
took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I found
the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep it in
its place. (Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I have
hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord
pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His
waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never
seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and see these little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased was 17 years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the jury told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his opinion it was a clear case of felo de se. The Coroner said he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as given.
Kentish Express 6-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of Geo. T. Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The
following evidence was adduced:—
Wm.
Laurence Earnshaw, superintendent of workshops for the South Eastern Railway
Company at Folkestone, identified the body as being that of George Thomas Vye,
who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway
Company. He had been in the service about three and a half years. He saw the deceased
at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th instant, in his office
at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his
wages, and took his signature. He then left, and had to come to work in the
afternoon at two o`clock.
Mr.
Silvester Eastes, a surgeon practising at Folkestone, said the body presented
the usual appearance of death by hanging – face pale and livid, pupil of the
eye much dilated.
Thos.
Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Co.
On Friday, the 28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on
board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see
about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert
Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's
neck and hung on to a hammock hook. The flooring was taken up, and his feet
were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked
him, and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so.
We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing it. I
found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep
it in its place. (Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I
have hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord
pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His
waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never
seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John
Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on
Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and
deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to
the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the
morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races.
When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to
you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your
business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want
to go and see these little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your
business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You
can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you
than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your
grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he
went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased was 17
years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the jurymen told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his opinion it was a clear case of felo de se. The Coroner told said he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as given.
Thanet Advertiser
6-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of George T. Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:—
Wm.
Laurence Earnshaw said, superintendent of workshops for the South Eastern
Railway Company at Folkestone, identified the body as being that of George
Thos. Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern
Railway Company. He had been in the service about three and a half years. I saw
the deceased at ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th instant, in
my office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s.
6d., his wages, and took his signature. He then left, and had to come to work
in the afternoon at two o`clock.
Mr.
Silvester Eastes, a surgeon practising at Folkestone, said the body presented
the usual appearance of death by hanging – face pale and livid, pupil of the
eye much dilated.
Thomas
Grayling said: I am a shipwright in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company.
On Friday, the 28th inst., a little after two o’clock I went on
board the Lord Warden steamship to work. I went down the forecastle to see
about some bolts and saw the deceased hanging to the beam. I called Robert
Poole to my assistance. The handkerchief now produced was tied round deceased's
neck and hung on to a hammock hook. The flooring was taken up, and his feet
were hanging about two inches clear of the beam. We lifted him up and unhooked
him, and the handkerchief came slack round deceased's neck as soon as we did so.
We then took the body up into the workshop and the men commenced rubbing him. I
found the piece of paper now produced on the locker with a wooden wedge to keep
it in its place. (Written in pencil on the paper was, “To whoever finds me. I
have hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord
pardon me my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.”) His
waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. I have never
seen anything strange in deceased’s conduct.
John Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday I said, “George, I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and see these little sports. You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again." Deceased was 17 years and 11 months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. One of the jurymen told the Coroner that he did not coincide with the verdict. In his opinion it was a clear case of felo de se. The Coroner told said he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as given.
Maidstone Journal 8-10-1866
An inquest was held a few
days ago, on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in
the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of
the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper
was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil – “To
whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother`s doings. All I have to
say is may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him
this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam.
It appeared that his father and mother had prohibited him from going to the
local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary insanity”, but one of
them wished to return felo de se.
Southeastern Gazette 9-10-1866
Inquest
An inquest was held at Folkestone, last week, on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South-Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil:—“To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother’s doings. All I have to say is, may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. It appeared that his mother and father had prohibited him from going to the local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary Insanity,” but one of them wished to return felo de se.
Kent Herald 11-10-1866
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Folkestone, on Saturday morning, before J. Minter, Esq., and a respectable jury, on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company.
The following evidence was adduced:
William Lawrence Earnshaw said: I am superintendent of workshops for the South Eastern Railway Company at Folkestone. I identify the body as being that of Thomas Vye, who was a shipwright apprentice in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. He has been in the service about three and a half years. I saw deceased about ten minutes past one on Friday, the 28th ult., in my office at the workshops. He came to receive his pay. Mr. Lyall paid him 7s. 6d., his wages, and I took his signature. If he had wanted a holiday he ought to have asked. He did not ask. About five minutes past two o`clock the same afternoon I saw two men running from the yard. I enquired the cause and they said George had hung himself in the forecastle of the Lord Warden. I then proceeded there, and Thomas Grayling had just taken deceased down, and on passing him on deck Richard Cullen gave me the paper produced. I have never seen anything strange in deceased`s conduct. A surgeon was sent for immediately. The paper produced is, I believe, in deceased`s handwriting.
Corroborative evidence was given.
John Vye said: I am a publican. The deceased is my son. He came home to dinner on Friday about one o’clock, and had his dinner. I was in the tap room and deceased came in. The evening before deceased told his mother he was going to the races. She told him he had better be looking after his business, and in the morning I called him to my bedside, and told him he should not go to the races. When in the tap room yesterday I said, “I’ve a word or two to say to you.” I said, “You’re a lad now 18 years of age, and not being forward in your business, it would be much better for you to attend to your work than to want to go and see these little sports.” I said “You should not lose half an hour in your business until you get well accomplished in your trade." I then said, “You can do as you please.” His mother said, “George, we have more trouble with you than all the rest, and if you don’t alter I shall acquaint your grandfather." He took his slop and jacket off the table, and said as he went out, “It will be some time before I come in again."
Deceased was seventeen years and eleven months old.
The Coroner summed up, and told the jury it was for them to decide whether it was a case of felo de se or temporary insanity. After a consultation the jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while in a state of temporary insanity. Mr. Pope, one of the jury, said he did not agree with the verdict, as in his opinion mit was a case of felo de se. He asked the Coroner to read over the oath which the jury had taken at the commencement of the inquiry.
The Coroner told Mr. Pope he must give the eleven jurymen credit for honesty, and record their verdict as they had given it.
Canterbury Journal 13-10-1866
An inquest was held at Folkestone last week on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil – “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother`s doings. All I have to say is may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. It appeared that his mother and father had prohibited him from going to the local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary insanity”, but one of them wished to return felo de se.
Faversham Mercury 13-10-1866
An inquest was held at Folkestone last week on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil – “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother`s doings. All I have to say is may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. It appeared that his mother and father had prohibited him from going to the local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary insanity”, but one of them wished to return felo de se.
Canterbury Journal 13-10-1866
An inquest was held at Folkestone last week on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil – “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother`s doings. All I have to say is may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. It appeared that his mother and father had prohibited him from going to the local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary insanity”, but one of them wished to return felo de se.
Faversham Mercury 13-10-1866
An inquest was held at Folkestone last week on the body of George Thomas Vye, aged 18, the son of a publican in the town, who was found hanging in the forecastle of the Lord Warden, one of the steamships belonging to the South Eastern Railway Company. A piece of paper was found near the body, with the following words written upon it in pencil – “To whoever finds me. I have hung myself. It is my mother`s doings. All I have to say is may the Lord pardon my wicked doings, and take me in Heaven with Him this day.” His waistcoat, slop, and cap were laid close to his feet on a beam. It appeared that his mother and father had prohibited him from going to the local races. The jury returned a verdict of “Temporary insanity”, but one of them wished to return felo de se.
Folkestone Chronicle 13-10-1866Dover Chronicle 10-11-1866
Police Court, Tuesday: Before The Mayor, R.W. Boarer and J. Tolputt Esqs.
John
Whittingham Boorn was charged with obtaining £60 under false pretences from
James Pledge, on the 5th September, 1865, and also with obtaining
other sums on different days and by like means.
Mr.
Fox appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Towne for the defence.
The Bench, after hearing the evidence, considered that the case against the defendant was not proved, and therefore dismissed the charge.
Kentish Express 10-11-1866
Police Court, Tuesday: Before The Mayor, R.W. Boarer and J. Tolputt Esqs.
John Whittingham Boorn was summoned for having on the 5th Sept., 1865, obtained the sum of £60 from James Pledge, with intent to defraud him of the same. Mt. Fox appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Towne for the defence.
The facts of the case seemed to be that on the date specified Mr. Pledge advanced £60 on a bill of sale of defendant`s goods, trade fittings and fixtures at the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, but that the fixtures and fittings had been purchased in Sept. 1863 by Mr. Beer, of Canterbury, the landlord of the house, who about a month ago distrained for the rent due. Several witnesses were examined on both sides, but nothing beyond the above was elicited, and the Bench decided that the charge was not proved, and dismissed the case.
Southeastern Gazette 13-11-1866, Kent Herald 15-11-1866
At the borough police court on Tuesday, John Brown (sic) was summoned for having, on the 5th September, 1865, obtained £60 from James Pledge, with intent to defraud him. Mr. Fox appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Towne for the defence.
It appeared that Mr. Pledge advanced £60 on a bill of sale on defendant`s goods, trade fittings, and fixtures, at the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, on the 5th September, 1865; but that the fixtures and fittings had been purchased in September, 1863, by Mr. Beer, of Canterbury, the landlord of the house, who about a month ago distrained for the rent due.
Several witnesses were examined on both sides, and the bench ultimately decided to dismiss the case.
Folkestone Chronicle 8-12-1866
Court
Of Bankruptcy, London: Friday 30th November before Mr. Sergeant
Goulburn, D.C.L., Commissioner
Re. J. W. Boorn
This
was an examination sitting and application for order of discharge under the
bankruptcy of John Whittingham Boorn, described as “of the Packet Boat Inn,
Radnor Street, Folkestone, in the county of Kent, innkeeper, and formerly in
partnership with Alfred Rayment, of Folkestone, aforesaid, as boat owners, boat
builders, shipwrights, and general dealers, at Folkestone, aforesaid”.
Mr.
E.W. Sykes, solicitor, 46, Moorgate Street, represented the official assignee.
The
bankrupt`s separate “statement of accounts” was thus summed up, viz. –
Dr £ s d
To creditors unsecured 302 10 0
To ditto holding security 400 0 0
Total 702 10 0
Cr
By property in the hands of creditors 225 0 0
Deficiency 477 10 0
Total 702 10 0
The partnership accounts disclose the following results, viz. –
Dr
To
creditors unsecured 735 10
0
Cr
By deficiency 735 10 0
The bankrupt stated his expenditure to have been £120 per annum for the two years prior to his bankruptcy. His unsecured creditors chiefly reside at Folkestone and Canterbury, and the creditors holding security are thus described, viz. –
Mr.
George Beer, Canterbury, Kent, brewer, “holds title deeds and a piece of land
in Radnor Street, Folkestone, Kent, of the estimated value of £200”. Mr. John
Minter, Grace Hill, Folkestone, £150 “holds second mortgage on land mortgaged
to Mr. G. Beer, also a mortgage on the lease of the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor
Street, which will realise more than sufficient to pay these creditors”.
Mr.
Sykes said that in this case he should require further accounts, as the
bankrupt had made over all his property to a Mr. Pledge and his brother.
Mr.
R. Griffiths, who supported the bankrupt, stated that there had been a quarrel
between the partners, and the bankrupt`s partner had filed a bill in chancery
against him, but he (Mr. Griffiths) was afraid he could not resist successfully
the application of Mr. Sykes.
The
court then ordered the bankrupt to file a cash, goods, and deficiency account
for eight months prior to the date of the adjudication, and adjourned the
sitting until the 18th of January next, at 2 o`clock, with renewed protection
from arrest to the bankrupt.
Kentish Gazette 2-4-1867
On Wednesday evening, about seven o’clock, an accident that might have been attended with fatal consequences to two lives occurred at the south side of the S.E.R. Co.’s harbour. It appears that a seaman named William Baker was left in charge of the “Prince Ernest," cargo boat, and the steward, Mr. Brown, was also on board. Baker’s wife and a woman named Sarah Grant had been scrubbing out the steward’s cabin, and on leaving to go ashore Mrs. Grant walked off the boat into the water, and while Mr. Brown and Baker were getting her out of it Mrs. Baker went ashore and fell down one of the flights of steps on to the bottom landing, where she was picked up dead.
An inquest was held at the Packet Boat Inn, Radnor Street, on Thursday, before J. Minter, Esq., and a jury, with J. E. Cripps, Esq., foreman, when the above facts having been elicited, and Mr. Bateman, who was called in to see the deceased, having stated that in his opinion death resulted from fracture of the skull, a verdict of Accidental Death was returned.
Capt. Mortleman attended for the S. E.R. Company, and stated that no woman was allowed on board any of the company’s boats after dusk; and no person was allowed to land or embark without first hailing the ship, and having a light brought by the person in charge. Thus, if the husband of deceased had not acted in disobedience of his instructions, the accident could not have happened.
Kentish Gazette 2-3-1869
The following license was applied for on Wednesday and granted: R. Smith, for the Packet Boat Inn
