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Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 25 July 1854.
"Dukes Head Inn and Railway Tavern," High Street, Rochester.
Charles Edward Beck respectfully informs his friends and the public
that he has commenced business at the above old established house.
With an entirely new stock of wines and spirits of the first quality
at the lowest possible prices.
C. E. B. avails himself of this opportunity to inform his North
Country friends that, in order to increase their accommodation, the
house been embellished and refurnished, and is in every respect
well adopted to secure their comforts.
Barclay and Perkins Fine London Stout and Porter, Winches Fine Ales.
Good Stabling and Lock-up Coach-houses.
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South Eastern Gazette, 20 November, 1860.
Death in the Street.
On Friday afternoon last an inquest was held at the "Duke’s Head"
public-house, before J. Lewis, Esq., coroner for the city, on the
body of Michael Lacken, aged 33, who died in the streets at an early
hour.
Police-constable 20 said he was on duty at the bottom of Star hill
that morning, about half-past two, and saw the deceased standing
against the door of Mr. Bartlett, bookbinder. Deceased trembled and
appeared to be intoxicated. Witness advised him to go home, but he
sank down on his knees twice after the officer had lifted him up.
The only word the deceased uttered was "Tom," and then appeared to
sink down insensible. With the assistance of another
police-constable deceased was removed to the station-house in a
wheelbarrow, but he died before they could reach the Guildhall.
Police-constable Winter, 5, said he saw the deceased staggering
about in Eastgate a short time before the last witness discovered
him. Witness told him he had better go home, but deceased, who said
he lived on the Brook, replied that he could not, but if the
police-constable would let him sit down a short time he should be
better. Deceased appeared to be very much intoxicated, and witness
offered to assist him along, allowing him to lake hold of his hand
for that purpose. Deceased, after walking a little way, said he must
sit down, and seated himself on a doorstep. Witness accused him of
having been drinking, and he replied that he had, but he would not
state his name, nor where he lived. He stated that he had formerly
been a soldier, but was invalided from India seven years ago.
Thomas Benster, landlord of the "White Swan" public-house, Brook,
said the deceased had lodged with him upwards of three years. He was
a pensioner and formerly belonged to the 51st Light Infantry. He
last saw deceased on Wednesday afternoon, and had not heard of him
since until he received information of his death. Deceased appeared
to enjoy good health until the Sunday before his death, when he
complained of a pain in his side. On Tuesday night he appeared to be
deranged, and kept shouting that "the devil was in the house." On
the following day he was better and went out. Deceased was much
given to drinking, and was frequently inebriated. On Wednesday
witness sent for Mr. Fayle, surgeon, who said deceased was suffering
from the effects of drink.
This being the whole of the evidence the coroner asked the jury if
they wished the inquiry to be adjourned, to enable a post mortem
examination to be made. The jury, however, thought there was no
necessity for any postponement of the inquest, and returned a
verdict of "Died from natural causes."
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