Southeastern Gazette, 26 July 1853.

Suspected Child Murder.

On Saturday last, an inquest was held at the "Hare and Hounds," St. Margaret’s-bank, before R. Prall, Esq., deputy coroner, on the body of a newly-born female child, name at present unknown, who was found dead and tied up in a bundle in the garden of the above public-house, on Thursday morning last. The jury, having been sworn, proceeded to view the body, which presented the appearance of a finely formed child, but recently born. There did not appear to the jury any marks of violence on the body. The first witness called was John Brown, who stated that he was a waiter at the "Hare and Hounds," and that he found the body as described, in the garden at the rear of the house, on Thursday morning, between eleven and twelve o’clock. The bundle appeared as if deposited there by some person. He immediately informed his master. Mr. Weeks, the landlord, deposed to the last witness informing him of the discovery he had made. The garden extended from St. Margaret’s-bank, to the New-road, a gravel walk leading to it from the New-road. Police-constable Forshew stated that he examined the body, which was tied up in a black gauze handkerchief; it had on a cap, bed-gown, and napkin, all very clean: the cap was rather old. On the napkin he had discovered the marks, "B. No. 1—37." There did not appear any marks of violence about the body. On searching the bed gown of the child, he discovered a paper amongst the folds, which contained the following writing:- “An unfortunate girl. Will you please to bury my poor little boy? He died at his birth, but I think it was for the want of help, I have not the means of having him put under ground. His father is rich, but a brute; I am thankful he has found a better one." The writing appeared written in rather a neat hand. The "B" on the napkin corresponds with the B in the word "boy" of the writing found on the child. Dr. Ely said he had examined the child, which was a full grown one. In his opinion it was alive at its birth, or a short time before it. He should say the mother could have had no assistance. From the present decomposed state of the body it was now impossible to ascertain whether the child had actually been born alive. This being the whole of the evidence the coroner put it to the jury whether it would not be better to adjourn the inquest to give time for enquiries to be made, and fresh particulars elicited. Several of the jurors expressed their dissatisfaction at the inquest not having been held before. It was then decide to adjourn, the inquiry till Monday, August 1.

Southeastern Gazette, 2 August 1853.

The Supposed Case of Child Murder.

The adjourned inquest on the body of the male child, name unknown, discovered in the garden of the "Hare and Hounds" public-house, the particulars of which appeared in our last week’s impression, took place on Saturday evening last, before the deputy coroner, R. Prall, Esq. The coroner asked the police-constable, who has charge of the inquest, if he had any fresh evidence to lay before the jury? The constable having replied in the negative, the coroner briefly addressed the jury on the facts of the case. Mr. Furminger, one of the jury, thought it was a great pity that the jury had not been summoned earlier, as in that case there would have been a greater probability of important facts being adduced. There was evidently neglect somewhere, though by whom it was not for him to say. The coroner said the time of holding the inquest made no difference in the nature of the evidence offered. Mr. Furminger thought differently in his evidence Dr. Ely said he could not make a post mortem examination of the body, owing to its decomposed state. The body was found on Thursday morning, and no inquest was held till Saturday night, which was viewed with surprise, out of doors. The jury then consulted and returned an open verdict of "Found dead."

South Eastern Gazette, 25 September, 1860.

Dreadful Death.

A frightful accident occurred last week at the "Hare and Hounds" public-house, St. Margaret's-bank, to a journeyman mason, named Thomas Osman, who came by his death under the following circumstances.

The deceased entered the tap-room of the "Hare and Hounds" on Sunday evening, about 8 o'clock, in a state of intoxication, and after sitting down for a short time rose up and stood with his back towards the fire. Whilst in that attitude he gave a drunken reel backward, when his back touching the top of the large boiler over the fire, it upset, and several gallons of boiling water were thrown over the back of his head, body, and legs. He was removed to bed by Mr. Luoy, the landlord, who behaved to deceased in a very kind manner, and Dr. F. Brown immediately sent for, who did all that human skill could suggest to alleviate his horrible sufferings. On the following day deceased was removed to the infirmary of the work-house, where Mr. Ely, surgeon, was unremitting in his attention to him, but deceased never rallied, and after lying several days in great agony expired.