From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle, Saturday, 15 October, to Wednesday, 19 October, 1768. Price 2d.

FOUND

On the Road between Chilham and Wye, between the Hours of Six and Eight at Night:

A Brown Gelding, about fourteen Hands high, and on, when found, a Saddle and Bridle. The Horse is now at the “King's Head” at Wye; where the Owner, by applying and paying all reasonable Charges, may have him again.

Kentish Gazette, 16 March, 1804.

DEATH.

On Thursday se'nnight died, at Wye, Mr. J. Ryall, landlord of the "King's Head inn" at that place.

From the Kentish Gazette, 18 February 1840.

Wye.

A dinner took place at the "King's Head Inn," numerously attended. Another meeting was also held at the "New Flying Horse Inn," at both loyalty, conviviality, and good feeling reigned throughout the evening. The ball was well attended.

From the Kentish Gazette, 24 October 1843.

DEATH.

Oct. 11, at Wye, Mary, the wife of Mr. John Betts, of the "King's Head Inn," aged 41.

From the Kentish Gazette, 18 January 1848.

On Monday last T. T. Delasaux, Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the "King’s Head Inn," Wye, on the body of John Chapman, aged 50, who was employed by Mr. Betts, the landlord, as hostler at the above establishment, and who was found hanging in the loft over the stable on Sunday morning. By the evidence of the witnesses before the jury, it was shown that deceased was a person of eccentric character, and was considered "underwitted" by those who knew him, and that recently he had appeared to be very dull and melancholy. The jury returned a verdict that deceased hung himself while labouring under temporary insanity.

Kentish Gazette, 12 September 1854.

A Jury Summoned and Dismissed Without Holding an Inquest.

On Tuesday last, at six o’clock, a respectable jury assembled at the "King's Head Inn," to inquire touching the death of Silas Haycock, which event occurred the previous evening.

Various reports had been circulated as to the cause of death, some attributing to the prevailing epidemic, others to an improper medicine having been administered,—while the friends of the deceased said it resulted from natural causes.

From inquiries made, it appears that the deceased was taken ill with cramp in his stomach, when his housekeeper went to a neighbouring grocers (Mr. Mills) and wished to be supplied with some cholera mixture. Mrs. Mills asked her why she did not send for the doctor; but she said Mr. Lovell was not at home. Mrs. Mills then advised her to send for Mr. Wildash, but the housekeeper said no; she should prefer having some of Mr. Mill's stuff.

Accordingly Mr. Mills asked if the deceased's bowels were relaxed, and the housekeeper replied in the negative; but he was in great pain. He then supplied from 1/2 to 3/4 of an ounce of Daffy's Elixir, which he believed consisted principally of tincture of senna; he should, however, have sent cholera mixture if the deceased's bowels had been opened.

Some of the elixir was administered, but the deceased getting worse, Mr. Lovell, surgeon, was sent for, and death soon after ensued.

Upon entering the inquest-room, on Tuesday, the coroner, Mr. T. T. Delasaux, enquired for the usual notice for holding the inquest.

The constable said he had not obtained any notice, and had not seen any forms for that purpose.

The Coroner:- The law says that the notice from the coroner is legal—this is only a suggestion from the magistrate I have told the magistrates that these notices are very well, but that they cannot compel me to wait for them. The law says:— when a coroner receives a notice from a peace officer, he shall issue his precept for holding an inquest; but I do not wish to quarrel with the magistrates.

A Juror:- Are there any reasons for holding an inquest in the present case?

One of the overseers of the parish impressed his conviction that there were no grounds for such proceeding. Another Juror inquired at whose instigation the jury had been summoned?

The constable said he was told by the surgeon to go for the coroner.

The Coroner:- What are the circumstances? What was the cause of death?

A Juror:- We must have the doctor to tell us that.

The Coroner:- But he will not give his opinion without receiving his fee.

A Juror:- But you are not obliged to hold an inquest, if you find the circumstances do not require it, are you?

The Coroner:- Certainly not; I have a discretionary power as to whether I should, or should not hold an inquest. Can any of you give me the cause of the man's death?

A Juror:- His son told me that his father was ill all day; and at tea time he came out with the tea kettle and kept leaning about very strangely. He then went in-doors, and had one cup of ten, when he was taken worse. They got him upstairs, and sent for the doctor, who gave the deceased some medicine. Soon after, he said "Oh dear," and then died. It appears he had been having some cholera mixture, which the doctor (Mr. Lovell) disputed, and said if he had been called upon sooner, he could have stopped it. It has been said it was cholera.

The Coroner:- If the doctor attended the deceased in his life time, it is not necessary to have an inquest. And as the jury appear to think that it is unnecessary I will go with one of them to the house of the deceased, and make some inquiries, and if I do not see any necessity for holding an inquest, I will not detain you gentlemen here.

The coroner, accompanied with one of the jury, then left the room; upon their return, in a brief period the Coroner said:- I have been to the house and seen two of the family, and they have satisfied me that there is no occasion to trouble you to inquire into the circumstances attending the death of the deceased. The surgeon told one of the son's that it was caused by cramp in the stomach; how that occurred, it is impossible for any of us to say.

The jury were then dismissed in the course of the proceedings, Mr. Delasaux remarked that although his office was open from nine o'clock in the morning till seven o'clock in the evening, for the transaction of business in connection with his official duties, scarcely a night passed over but he was summoned from his bed to answer the inquiries of constables or police officers expecting inquests; he thought that was too great a tax upon a public officer, who required a cessation from his labours as well as private individuals,—and he gave notice that, for he future, he should only attend to such business during his regular office hours.