From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 17 March, 1838. Price 7d.

DOVER POLICE COURT

Wednesday:- Johan Auguste Kihlstedt and Jamed Kennedy, mariners, were committed for trial on a charge of stealing two boxes, containing about 20lbs. of candles, and 40lbs. of soap, from the cargo of the schooner Aarora, of Jersey. Three boxes had been stolen; and it appeared by the evidence against the prisoners, that they, with two other men, were the thieves. One of the latter having taken apart of the stolen goods to the "Cross Keys," where they were afterwards found and given up by the landlord to the sergeants of police, who apprehended the prisoners.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 27 December, 1845. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held on Monday last, at eight o'clock in the evening, at the “Cross Keys,” Custom-house Quay, before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, on the body of John Allison, porter, who met with his death by falling over the Quay into the water on the previous night. The Jury having appointed Mr. W. B. Batcheller as foreman, they proceeded to view the body, and on their return the following evidence was adduced:-

Samuel Clark, labourer, deposed: Last night, shortly after nine o'clock, as I came upon Custom-house Quay, I saw a man, four or five feet from the “Cross Keys,” staggering about as if very much in liquor. He was fumbling about with his trousers, and as he was making for the edge of the Quay I ran over to save him. When I got to him he was reeling, and in the act of falling; and I caught a slight hold of his gabardine on the shoulder, but could not keep him from falling. There was about three or four feet of water in the harbour at the time. I directly boarded a schooner that was laying close by, and hailed her. A man came up from the forecastle directly, and was soon after joined by another, both of whom I supposed belonged to the schooner. We looked for a rope, but not finding one, one of the men cut the schooner's boat adrift, and, with two others, went to her to where deceased was. They did not place him in the boat, but fastened a rope round him, below his arms; and then I an others dragged him up the Quay wall. This being done, I instantly ran to the “Cross Keys,” and ordered blankets to be got in readiness. On my return I recognised the deceased as Allison, and he was then foaming at the mouth. While in the water he appeared standing, bent forward; but I do not know whether or not his face was under water. He groaned heavily seven or eight times while in the water.

By a Juror: He was eight or ten minutes in the water.

John Coleman, jun., surgeon, deposed: I was called about nine last evening to attend deceased. His clothes had been taken off before I saw him. On examining the body, I found life quite extinct. There was neither sensation, voluntary motion, respiration, or circulation, to be observed. I used the ordinary means for respiration for upwards of two hours without success. I discovered no marks of violence of any character or importance. I am of opinion that he died from suffocation by drowning.

Edward Woolcock, mariner, deposed: Last night, about nine, I left my vessel (the Elizabeth fishing-smack, lying nearly opposite the “Cross Keys”) to go on an errand, and had not proceeded far when a person called out that a man was overboard. I ran back, went on board the Rotyal Oak schooner, and, accompanied by another man, got into a boat, with which we went and found the deceased lying with his head bent forward into the water, the back of it appearing above the surface. I lifted up his head, and he appeared to me to be quite gone. He was taken up on the quay, as described by the first witness. I heard the man groan in the water. Five minutes elapsed between the time I got on board the Royal Oak and the boat reaching the body.

Peter Colebray, shipwright, deposed: I was at the “Cross Keys” last night, at about ten minutes to nine, and saw the deceased in the parlour. He was not perfectly sober. He had been drinking, but could walk straight, and talk sensibly. As near as I can judge, he left the house at twenty minutes after nine, by the side door. About ten minutes after, I heard some one on the quay cry out, “Oh!” twice. I ran out, and found deceased in the water, and I helped to get him out. He was brought to this house. – before signing his deposition this witness wished to know if he were not to be remunerated for his loss of time, &c., in attending to give evidence, as an allowance was made to witnesses in Court. – The Coroner said that he had no power to award him anything; and the witness after some conversation on this head, retired.

Isaac Pattison deposed: I am landlord of the “Cross Keys.” Allison first came to my house last night about seven o'clock, and left about half-past seven, having had one pint of beer. He came back about eight, and remained till a little after nine, during which time he had one pint and about one third of a quart of beer. He then left, affected by liquor, though to no great extent. I heard the alarm about eight minutes after he had left, and think he was quite ten minutes in the water.

John Blunden deposed: I am servant at the “Cross Keys.” About nine last night, I was called to let deceased out at the yard, which I did, offering to see him home as he was in liquor. He refused to let me, and went on his way alone. I saw him go up the lane towards Strond Street, and turn down that street as if he was going home. I did not see him again till he was brought out of the water.

This being the whole of the evidence, after a short consultation, the Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death, by Drowning.”

Mr. George Gray, one of the Jury, asked why there Jury were called together so late? The accident happened last night at nine, and it was well known throughout the town that afternoon. It was a great length of time to keep the body from the family.

The Coroner replied that it best suited most business people to hold inquests in the evening. He did not believe there was a Coroner who held inquests sooner than he did; and it was disadvantageous to the enquiry to hold them too soon, as the necessary evidence could not often be obtained. Coroners were not restricted as to the time of holding inquests, farther than it should be done while the body was fresh, and that they should be so held, as something could be gained by the view.

Mr. Gray was looking for the inconvenience and discomfort to which the wife of the deceased must have been put. It might be convenient to gentlemen who were scarcely ever summoned upon a Jury. He had also much reason to complain of being so often called as a Juror, and he thought the duty should be borne in regular turns.

The Coroner replied – the instructions he gave were that they should be called upon in turns. If Mr. Gray had any complaint to make, let him send in a written statement to the Town Council, and he would be ready to answer it.

Mr. Gray said it was not too late to do so yet.

The Foreman then asked whether any of the Jurors, in addition to Mr. Gray, had experienced any inconvenience by being summoned at so late an hour; and was replied in the negative.

The enquiry terminated at about a quarter to eleven.