South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 27 September 1864.

Stone.

On Saturday evening last, and inquest was held at the "Bull," Horns Cross, before C. J. Carttar, Esq., coroner, on the body of a man named John Macarthey, who died suddenly near the above house on the day before. It appeared that the deceased had been hopping in the neighbourhood, and was noticed by the neighbours to be lying down in a place called Hughes's alley. They called the attention of Sergeant Beeching, K.C.C. to the man, and he immediately went for a conveyance to take into the Union, but when he returned the man was dead. Dr. Secombe, of Greenhithe, made a post-mortem examination on the body, and found that death was caused by internal disease. The jury returned a verdict of death of natural causes.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 27 February 1866.

SATURDAY. Before Sir P. H. Dyke, Bart, and F. M. Lewin, Esq., James Lehar, an Irishman, was charged with cutting and wounding George Freeman and Samuel Croucher, at the “Bull” public-house, at Stone on the 17th February. It appeared that all the parties are farm labourers, and had been hop-digging for Mr. John Walter, and fell out about the dividing of their earnings; from this they came to blows, when the prisoner drew his knife and severely wounded his two companions.

The prisoner, who had nothing to say, was committed for trial.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 20 March 1866.

TRIAL OF PRISONERS.

Cutting and Wounding at Stone.

John Lehay, 24, labourer, was charged with cutting and wounding Samuel Croucher and George Freeman, at Stone, on the 17th February. The Hon. Mr. Stanhope prosecuted.

George Freeman, labourer, said he was at the “Bull Inn,” Stone, on the 17th February. The prisoner was there and Samuel Croucher. They were engaged sharing their money. Prisoner would not agree. He asked witness if he would fight, and took him by the throat, and cut him in the muscle of the arm and on the knuckles, and ran away.

By the Judge:— The money we were sharing was for hop-digging. We had had four or five pots of beer to drink.

Samuel Croucher said that “the Irishman” (meaning prisoner) and the previous witness fought together. Did not know who struck the first blow. He was struck himself.

By prisoner:— Prosecutor said he had been trained by Tom Sayers.

The jury found the prisoner guilty of unlawfully wounding, and recommended him to mercy on account of provocation.

Two months’ hard labour.