|
From South Eastern Gazette 2 March 1830.
MAIDSTONE. Tuesday, March 2, 1830. SUICIDE OF LIEUTENANT BASSAN.
Saturday morning an inquisition was
taken before Joseph Carttar, Esq., the coroner for Kent, and a very
respectable jury, at the "Plough Inn," Bromley-common, on the body of
Lieut. Edward Bassan, of the Royal Marines, who put an end to his
existence by hanging himself.
About half an hour before his death he wrote a letter, which was
afterwards found in his pocket. The following is a copy:- "My dear wife, - I have only time to say I shall suffer death for
presuming to the crown of England, as it is stated by some evil-minded
persons. "I am, my dear wife, yours truly, "Edward Bassan" "Feb. 23." It was stated that the deceased had for some years entertained an idea
that he had some claim to the throne, in consequence of a dream he had
whilst residing in Sheerness, some years back, and had represented
himself as a particular and bosom friend of the late Lavalette, and
nephew to the Duke of Bassano; and at the time the funeral of the
former appeared in the newspapers, he expressed his determination to go
into mourning. The deceased was 35 years of age. The jury returned a verdict of Insanity. |
|
Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Saturday 26 June 1869.
Extraordinary charge of assault.
William Whitehead, Arthur Whitehead, and Charles Edmunds, was severely
charged with assaulting William Wilson, on Sunday
evening, 20th June, and also with damaging his coat.
Mr. Alsop appeared for the defendants.
Prosecutor stated he was a bricklayer, residing at Masons Hill, Bromley.
On Sunday evening, at 10 o'clock, he was at the "White
Lion," Locksbottom, and met with defendants, and they had a dispute
about some donkeys. He afterwards left them to go home.
On arriving at the "Plough Tavern," Bromley Common, he and his two
friends went in and asked for some whisky, but as it was
past 11 they were not served. His friends went on ahead, and he followed
them. Shortly after William Whitehead overtook him,
then turned around and whistled, and instantly "let drive at him"
cutting his lip. The other defendants then came up, with several
others not known, and they all pitched into him, tearing his coat
completely in two.
Mr. Alsop cross-examined the complainant, setting up a defence that he
had thrown a large flint stone at William Whitehead, and
that he also took out a knife with the intention of stabbing him, at the
same time cutting his thumb.
Prosecuted denied the statement, and called as a witness, Charles
Julian, who said he resided at Bromley, and was in company
with his friend Wilson on the evening in question, and he could
positively swear that his friend neither threw a stone nor had a
knife with him. Witness also prove the assault as stated by prosecutor.
Joseph Whitmore, also residing at Bromley, who was present at the
assault, identified William Whitehead as the first man who
struck Wilson, and also identified the other two defendants as coming up
after William Whitehead had whistled, both of them
likewise striking the complainant. Complainants neither threw a stone or
had a knife in his possession.
Mr. Alsop, on behalf of defendant, stated that on the previous evening,
about 11:30, a great commotion was heard among some
ducks in a pond belonging to Mr. Woodnough, proprietor of the "Plough
Tavern." Mr. Woolnough jun., ran out and found the
complainant Wilson lying down near the pond, and at the same time he saw
a dog belonging to the complainant come out of the
pond. He asked complainant what his intention was, and he instantly got
up and walked away. Mr. Woolnough believing it was the
intention of the complainant to steal his father's ducks called for
assistance, and the defendant's instantly gave chase, and overtook
complainant and his friends, which caused the disturbance in question.
Police constable J. Sims 23P, stated he was on duty at Bromley Common on
the night in question, and heard a great disturbance. He went to the place where the row was and saw the defendant and
complainant fighting. Defendant wanted to give plaintiff into
custody for attempting to steal some ducks, but he used his own
discretion and took defendants into custody for assaulting the
complainant.
P.C. 376P., corroborated the last witness's statement, and said that he
saw W. Whitehead on the top of the complainant, striking
him, and the other defending, Arthur Whitehead, also came up and struck
him while he was on the ground.
Mr. Walnut Woolnough was called for the defence, and stated that on the
Sunday evening his uncle came in and said there was a
dog in the pond after the ducks. He went out and saw the complainant
lying down by the palings, about 5 yards from the pond. He
asked complainant what he was doing, and he instantly jumped up and ran
across the road. He called to the defendants, who at
once gave chase, and that was the cause of the disturbance.
The court was then cleared, and on being reopened the chairman said the
defendants stood convicted of assaulting a stranger from
a distant County, who was in Bromley holding a respectable position; and
it was fortunate for them that they had not individually
accused the complainants of using a knife, for there was not the least
evidence to prove such an accusation. William Whitehead
would have to pay a fine of £1, 3 s. 4d. damages, and 3s. 2d. costs.
Arthur Whitehead the same, and Edmunds, who was also
present at the assault, 10s., with damages and costs.
|
)
