From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 16 November, 1833. Price 7d.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT.

Yesterday an inquest was taken at the Fox Inn, St. Jame's Street before J W Pilcher, Esq, Mayor & Coroner, on the body of Benjamin Burwell a poor man who with his wife and several children resided in a cave beneath the Castle Cliff. The deceased accompanied by another man, was returning from Deal with a cart on Thursday night, and had taken on two soldiers of the Rifle brigade. The party rode at the side of the cart and when near Broad Lees Bottom, the float on which the deceased sat gave way, and he fell on his head with such violence as to cause his death within a very short time after his removal from the spot where the accident happened, to the auxiliary poor house of St. James parish.

Verdict. Accidental death.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 25 July, 1840. Price 7d.

LAMENTABLE CASE OF DESTITUTION

On Thursday, at half past 6 o'clock, an inquest was held before Mr. Thompson, the borough coroner, at the "Fox," St. James's Street, on view of the body of Elizabeth Hall, aged 78, who fell down at the corner of Townwall Street, on the previous day, and almost instantly expired. - Mr. Warren, Marine Library, deposed that he was passing Townwall Street about half past two  on Tuesday, when he saw the deceased fall down on the pavement. He on the instant sent a person that was near for a surgeon. Mt. Astley soon after arrived, but the poor woman was dead before he came. - Dr. Astley deposed that the deceased was a corpse before he saw her. He attributed her death to the rupture of a blood vessel, but could not speak positively as to this, as he had not made a post mortem examination of the body. There were no marks of violence on the body. - Elizabeth Bass deposed that the deceased, who was the widow of David Hall, of Dover, mariner, had lived with her as a lodger for five weeks. Deceased had been poorly, though not confined to bed, for a fortnight back; but said she was better yesterday, and went out at half-past two for the purpose of getting some cherries. - Examined by the foreman of the Jury-The deceased had often complained of witness to want. She had only 2s from the parish to live on, and out of this she paid 1s to witness for rent. Witness had known deceased to be two days without a mouthful of food; and she told witness that she had been necessitated to eat tea leaves as a substitute for bread. In short the state of distressed deceased was in was quite shocking. She did not complain of want to witness on the day she died; but she did the day before.- Mary Wye, age 17, granddaughter of deceased, said it was her practise to go and see her grandmother every morning. On day she died witness had called and been told by deceased that she was better. Had her her say that her grandmother had twice fallen down before; once when coming from the Union, and on another occasion; but did not know of her own knowledge know of the cause of these falls.- This being the evidence, the Coroner, in reference to that part of the evidence which represented deceased as suffering from want of food, very properly said, that if the Jury had any doubts on their minds, he would order a post mortum examination of the body. This, however, the Jury declined; and after a few seconds of consultation brought in their verdict that the deceased "Died by the visitation of God."

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 25 July, 1840. Price 7d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

On Thursday last, and inquest was held at the "Fox Inn," before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Coroner for the Borough, and a respectable jury, over the body of Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, widow, aged 87 years, who dropped down dead in Townwall Street, o Wednesday, the 22nd inst.

George Warren, librarian, deposed that about half past two on Wednesday afternoon, as he was passing the corner in Townwall Street, he saw the deceased lying on the pavement. There were two women with her at the time. He immediately sent for a surgeon, and assisted in conveying deceased into the garden of the Rev. Mr. Drake, where she lay till the surgeon arrived.

Dr. Astley, surgeon, deposed, that he was called upon by a stranger. to go and attend the deceased. He found her in the garden of the Rev. Mr. Drake, quite dead. The cause of death, he thought, in all probability was from the bursting of a blood vessel; but of that he could not speak positively in the absence of a post mortem examination of the body.

Mrs. Elizabeth Bass said the deceased lodged at her house. She was the widow of D. Hall, fisherman, aged 78. Deceased had complained of being poorly during the last fortnight, but on Wednesday morning she stated that she was quite well; and about half-past two o'clock went out, stating that her appetite failed her very much, and she would go out to see if she could get some ripe cherries.

By the Jury: Deceased was in very low circumstances not having more than two shillings a week from the parish, out of which sum she had to pay her rent. I have known deceased to be without anything to eat for 2 days together; and have known her to eat leaves with fish, in lieu of bread, she not having any money to purchase bread with. On the morning of her decease, she had some meat and bread sent to her by a neighbouring butcher's wife.

Mary Wise, grand-daughter to the deceased, deposed, that she had been i the habit of visiting her grand-mother every day; she had been very poorly of late, but was much better yesterday morning. She had heard her say that deceased had dropped in two different fits.

The Jury then gave the verdict of "Died by the visitation of God."

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 14 November, 1840.

POLICE REPORT

FRIDAY, NOV 5. - Richard Butler, charged by policeman Drenner, with keeping his house, the "Fox," open during divine service on Sunday.

Fined 13s. including costs.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 6 March, 1841. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

Yesterday afternoon, an inquest on the body of Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, wife of the late Mr. Walter Jones, aged 68 years, was held at the "Fox Inn," before G. T. Thompson, Esq. when the following particulars connected with her death were brought before the jury.

Mrs. Margaret Jones, on being sworn, deposed that she had known the deceased for some years past, having been in the habit of going to her house to work. She saw the deceased on Tuesday last, the day on which her husband died, when she seemed much troubled. Deceased took two or three opium pills before she went to bed, as was her usual custom, she believed, from her being troubled from a cough. Deceased had a small bottle of brandy in the house, but she did not see her drink any; but on the following day, when she visited the house, she perceived that about half of it had been drunk. Witness visited the deceased at about half-past seven on Wednesday morning, when she was fast asleep; and, on looking at her, perceived that she did not look so well as usual. She then went and called Mrs. Goodban, the nurse, and acquainted her of the facts. They then sent for the daughter of the deceased, and subsequently for a surgeon. The surgeon aroused the deceased, and gave them some medicine to give her every four hours, with directions to keep her awake. It was with difficulty, however, that they could keep the deceased roused up; and at about half-past seven that evening she gradually sunk and died.

James Cuthbert Ottaway, surgeon, deposed that he was sent for to visit the deceased between one and two on Wednesday afternoon. On his arrival at the house, he found her in bed, partly insensible, and labouring under the effects of narcotic. Upon enquiry he found that she had been in the habit of taking large quantities of opium for some considerable time past; but he was unable to learn whether she had taken more than her usual dose on the previous night. He questioned the attendants whether she had taken any spirits, and found that she had drank a small quantity of brandy. As he was satisfied by her state that she was effected by the opium, he used the usual means to arouse her, and succeeded pretty well. He remained with her about half an hour, during which time she seemed in a peculiarly sleepy state. He ordered that she should be kept roused, and prescribed stimulants for the same purpose. At about half-past six o'clock, he was sent for again, and told that she was suddenly worse. He went and found that she was dying. He believed that a sudden effusion had taken place on the brain, produced in all probability, or accelerated by the opium, which was the cause of death. Under the circumstance of grief, occasioned by the loss of her husband the day before, the same quantity of opium, or a little more than she had been in the habit of taking, would be enough to produce the effects which he witnessed. Four grains of opium in an adult, not accustomed to it, had been known to produce death; but to a person accustomed to use it regularly, from 5 to 7 grains might be taken with impunity.

The size of pills which he understood the deceased took, would contain about two grains and a half each.

Death from opium usually occurs about 7 or 8 hours after taking it; but a small quantity of opium would delay the effect. The deceased was a likely subject for an effusion on the brain, independently of her taking narcotic.

Catherine Goodban said that she went to the house of Mrs. Jones, on Tuesday morning, for the purpose of nursing her husband. She remained in the house all day with Mrs. Jones who was exceedingly full of grief. She saw her take some opium pills just before she went to bed; but did not know how many; there might be 2 or 3 more. She also drank a little brandy and water. Deceased was not at all restless during the night; but when witness arose in the morning, she perceived that she did not look so well as usual, but was fast asleep, and she continued to sleep till the surgeon came in the afternoon. When the surgeon came, he roused her up, and ordered them to continue to do so, but it was with the greatest difficulty that they could keep her awake. She died about half-past seven in the evening.

Verdict - "That death was caused by an effusion of the brain, caused by excessive grief from the death of her husband."

Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 2 March 1844.

MAIDSTONE INSOLVENT COURT—Feb. 22.

(BEFORE Mr. COMMISSIONER NICHOLS.)

Richard Butler, late of the "Fox Inn," Dover, victualler, and coach proprietor, from Dover to Herne Bay, came up to be heard on his petition.

Mr. Carless. from the office of Mr. Ross, Wine-office-court, Fleet-street, London, attorney, appeared to oppose on behalf of F. Perkins, Esq., late sheriff of Kent; Mr. Court, wine merchant; Mr. Hills, coach maker; Mr. Davidson, corn merchant; and Mr. Lester, saddler, all of Dover; and a Canterbury creditor.

Counsel for opposing creditors—Mr. T. B. Hughes. Mr. Philp appeared in person. Attorney for Insolvent—Mr. Dally, Maidstone.

Counsel for Insolvent—Mr. Woodruffe.

Insolvent, examined by Mr. Hughes:- I was guard to the Dover mail. On the 4th November, 1839, I took the "Fox Inn," Dover, of a Mrs. Marsh; I paid her £105 odd. I borrowed £400 of my brother, William Butler, who lived at Canterbury at the time of my taking the "Fox inn." I gave him an I O U for it; the money was in notes and gold. I cannot tell whether there was ten or one hundred sovereigns. My brother, William Butler, lent me £200 on the 15th June, 1840; I gave him an I O U for it; both I O Us given at the time of the advances. I have bought, since the valuation at the "Fox," furniture and stock to the amount of £250. I borrowed the £200 to go into the coach business. I went into the coach business in June or July, 1841. On the 19th October, 1941, deposited £100 at Latham's bank, at Dover. On the 20th September, 1842, I deposited another £100 there. I had £50 at Fector’s bank. I was to pay my brother four per cent. interest. I was to receive from the bankers 2 1/2 per cent. Interest. I drew the money out of both banks on the 21st of September, 1843. I disposed of the furniture and stock at the "Fox Inn," Dover, on the 2nd of September, 1843, by valuation, to my brother, William Butler. Mr. Terson, of Dover, was the only appraiser employed. After the valuation I gave my brother money to pay the rent due on the 29th of September, 1843, I paid for this year's licences; also the gas and taxes since the valuation to my brother. My brother William is living at the "Fox Inn," Dover, as proprietor; he is not there perhaps a day in a week. The Insolvent then underwent a long examination to shew that his wife and family were now living at the "Fox Inn," Dover, and that he was proprietor. I brought an action, by the advice of Mr. Philp, against Capp. I got a verdict, but nothing else. An execution was issued, but there was no goods. I paid Mr. Philp £40 and two tavern bills. I brought an action against Mr. Perkins, the sheriff; it was tried last assizes, and I lost the trial. An execution came into the "Fox Inn" for costs. My brother William claimed the goods in November last. I have heard him say there was to be a trial about it with Mr. Perkins. I made over to my brother, William Butler, one coach, one omnibus, one fly, and five horses. I gave I O Us for the £400 and £200 in the presence of Terson, a man named Lott and Charles Butler, in the back parlour at the "Fox," at the times the money was advanced.

Mr. McMillen, clerk to the Under-Sheriffs, Messrs. Palmer and France, of Bedford-row, examined by Mr. Hughes:- I produce the record in Butler v. Perkins, Esq., costs taxed at £95. fi. fa., issued 24th November, 1843, into the Cinque Ports, property seized at the "Fox Inn." Dover, claimed by William Butler. On the 13th December, 1843, Judge directed an issue to try the question, if goods the property of the claimant. It is now pending.

Mr. Edward Hills, examined by Mr. Hughes: I did work for Insolvent to the carriages, after the valuation to William Butler. It was at the request of Insolvent. It was charged to Insolvent. I do not know William Butler.

Insolvent, examined by Mr. Philp:- I have paid you £38 I saw you at Dover, but did not blackguard you.Mr. Thomas A. Terson, examined by Mr. Woodruff:- I valued Insolvent into the "Fox Inn." Dover, on the 4th of November, 1839; valuation came to £105 19s. 0d. I saw William Butler advance £400 to Insolvent on that day; it was very late, twelve o'clock at night. We had to wait for William Butler. An I O U was given for the £400 I drew up a memorandum about it in my book. (Book put in.) The memorandum is for the money to be repaid back in the middle of September, 1843. Lott and Charles Butler were there. I was present when £200 was lent by William Butler to Insolvent, on the 15th June, 1840. An I O U was given for it. I saw William Butler in September, 1843 and he said he must have his money. I valued the goods at the "Fox Inn," in September, 1843, from the Insolvent to William Butler. The valuation came to £317 odd. Insolvent paid William Butler, in September, 1843, £250 in notes and
gold; this was at the "Fox."

Cross-examined by Mr. J. B. Hughes:- This is my handwriting (book produced); also this (another book); nearly all my books are in pencil, these memorandums are in ink. I solemnly swear that these memorandums were made on the 4th November, 1839, and 15th June, 1840. These are the I O U's. I swear these were written at the time of the advance of the money. Mr. Lott was present. (The witness here underwent a most searching examination by the Learned Counsel, also Mr, Philip, and the Learned Commissioner Nichols, as to the memorandums and I O U's being writ-en at the time, and on the days they bore date.

William Lott, publican, at Swingfield, examined by Mr. Woodruffe, to prove the advance of the £400 and £200, and that the memorandums, were given, and the I O U's signed, as stated by Mr. Terson, on the 4th November, 1839, and 15th June, 1840, and that he was present as a witness.

This witness also underwent a strong examination by Mr. J. B. Hughes, as to the advance of the money, the memorandums being signed and the I O U's given on the days they bore date, which he swore was the case; also on an examination by Mr. Philp, and that the I O U's were given up by William Butler to the Insolvent on the 20th September, 1843.

Charles Butler, coffee-house-keeper, Old Kent road, London, examined by Mr. Woodruffe, to prove the same facts and the same examination on the part of the opposing creditors took place.

William Butler, examined by Mr. Woodruffe, to prove the lending of the £400 and the £200, the signing of the memorandums, and the giving of the I O U's on the days they bore date; the receiving of the £250 on the 22nd September, 1843, and the valuation, made on that day, of the goods at the "Fox Inn," Dover, from Insolvent to witness, amounting to £317. 10s. 6d.

Examined by Mr. T. B. Hughes:- I was not in Dover at three o'clock on the 4th November, 1839. An I O U was given for the £400. Mr. Lott did not make any memorandum about it. Mr. Terson did not make any memorandum about it. Nothing was assigned but the I O U. My brother wrote it. I went to Dover in a gig. I was walking up the New-road, Canterbury, and a man asked me to take a ride. I did so. I went to Dover with him. I have not seen him since. It was about half-past five o'clock. I was at the "Fox" before Lott. Terson was there. Lott went down about ten o'clock. I am certain nothing was signed but the I O U at the time.

On the 15th June, 1840, I lent my brother, the insolvent, two hundred pounds more. Terson and Lott were present at the "Fox". An I O U was given for that, but nothing else. That I swear. I have sold the horses my brother had. I was, in 1840, served with a writ by Mr. Austin, for £35, that I had received for him, but not paid. In January 1839, I was summoned to the Canterbury Court of Requests, for a small debt due to William Parsons; in April, 1839, by Thomas Dean, for £1 10s.; in February, 1843, by Howard; in March, 1843m by one White, for £1 15s.; and on the 13th April, 1843, for £1 10s., doctor's bill due to mr. Hunt, nothing was signed but the I O U's.

Examined by Mr. Philp:- These are the licences, all in my brother's name. I do not intend to turn him out of the "Fox."

Examined by Commissioner Nichols:- I agreed to lend the Insolvent £200 for twelve months; interest at 4 per cent. At the end of the twelve months I asked him for it; he put me off for three months; then I asked him. I waited another mont. In February, 1843, I asked him. I knew of the trial with the sheriff. There was no agreement made for payment of the £200 in September, 1843. I never told Terson to write a memorandum. The memorandums, as stated to have been written on the 4th November, 1839, and 15th June, 1840, were here handed, by the learned commissioner to witness. The witness said this (the one dated 15th June, 1840) was written by Terson at the "Fox" about three or four months ago; Lott, Terson, and Insolvent were there. I was present; it was written in the back parlour; I saw it signed. The other memorandum about the £400 was not written at the same time; I do not know when that was written.

Mr. T. B. Hughes addressed the Court on the part of the opposing creditors, as did Mr. Philp on his own behalf.

Mr. Woodruffe replied:- He disclaimed all the evidence given by Terson, Lot, and Charles Butler, and would rely on the testimony of William Butler as to the advance of the money and the giving of the I O U's.

Mr. Commissioner Nichols said the case had lasted all day and now, seven o'clock, he should adjourn until the following morning at
ten, when he would give judgment. He should take Terson's books, the I O U's, and papers with him, to examine previous to giving judgment.

Friday, Feb. 23.

On the opening of the court Mr. Hughes stated, that from what Mr. Carless, the clerk to the attorney to the opposing creditors, had heard since the breaking up of the court last evening, he, Mr. Carless, had been engaged all night in obtaining evidence to prove that the I O U's were concocted and written in Maidstone gaol the beginning of January 1844, and that three witnesses could be produced to prove the fact, and that Mr. Carless was but that moment returned from Gravesend, to which place he had been in a post-chaise to fetch the party who furnished the paper for the I O U's to be written on. He had an affidavit of facts, and requested the learned Commissioner to allow him to read the affidavit.

The Learned Commissioner consented to open the and let in fresh evidence as to the I O U's.

Robert Frazer, examined by Mr. Hughes:- I am a bookseller at Gravesend. I was a prisoner for debt in Maidstone Gaol. The Insolvent was there. I was discharged yesterday. The Insolvent told me he had borrowed £600 of his brother. I asked him if his brother had any security? He said no; I gave him two pieces of paper to write I O U's on; I did not see him write them. (The I O U's produced.) These are the slips of paper I gave him. I wrote out I O U's for a copy for him. This was in January last.

Examined by Mr. Philp:- There were three or four men with Insolvent about a week ago. The receipt for interest was not on the back at the time I gave him the paper. I do not know whose writing that is.

Examined by Mr. Commissioner Nichols:- I saw the I O U's afterwards in the prison, in my room. The Insolvent had them. I wrote the copy for the Insolvent to copy from.

Cross-examined by Mr. Woodruff:- Insolvent always stuck to owing his brother £600. I proposed the I O U's and gave him the paper. It was about the first week in January, before making out his schedule. I was subpoenaed here this morning about half-past six, as I was opening my shop. I did not split.

Mr. Commissioner Nichols shortly examined the Insolvent as to what the money (£250) was, in either notes or gold, paid to William Butler.

Mr. Woodruffe addressed the Court for insolvent, and still I repudiated all evidence but William Butler's, and that not any fact had been adduced to prove that the money had not been advanced, but he stated that he believed all the documents to be fabricated.

Mr. Commissioner Nichols made some most severe remarks as to the conduct of the insolvent and his witnesses, and that the evidence adduced that morning fully bore out his opinion on the case, that it was fraudulently concocted. Before giving the judgment, he said, he should advise the insolvent to settle with his creditors. The Sheriff must be paid, and Mr. Philp would no doubt take something less than the full amount of his claim. If the issue was tried with William Butler respecting his claim to the goods, William Butler must lose it. According to the insolvent’s own showing he could pay 20s. in the pound, but he did not believe that the £600 was ever advanced by William Butler, who might have advanced insolvent £100, perhaps or thereabout, but this he did not say for certain. The insolvent was in prosperous circumstance, but having once embarked in fraud he did not know where to stop. As to the evidence, he could not attach much importance to that either Lott, Terson, or Charles Butler. The Learned Commissioner then pointed out and referred to the books to show that the memorandums were not written at the time stated by the witnesses. Respecting William Butler his statement was directly contradicted by all the other witnesses as to the memorandums, but confirmed them as to the I O U's, and those by the evidence produced that morning were fully proved to have been written in Maidstone gaol in January last. The learned commissioner then said he trusted the parties would, for their own sakes, immediately settle with all the creditors of insolvent, as they were liable to get into serious difficulty if they did not do so. The judgment of the Court was, that insolvent be imprisoned for 18 months for fraudulently making away with property.

Mr. J. B. Hughes applied for the assigneship.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 4 January, 1845. Price 5d.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS

This ancient order is now in a flourishing condition in Dover. Since the occupation of the "Fox Inn" by the present worthy host, the attendance of the brethren has been very numerous, and fourteen candidates have been initiated during the past quarter. On Monday  last a medal was voted to P. G. W. Tart, in token of the respect entertained for him by the brethren.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 8 June, 1846. Price 5d.

CORONER'S INQUEST

An inquest was held on Saturday last, at the "Fox Inn, St. James-street, before G. T. Thompson, Esq., Coroner to the Borough, on the body of an unbaptized infant, aged 3 weeks, son of Caroline White, spinster.

Caroline White being called deposed - The child slept with me and my niece on Wednesday. About 2 or 3 o'clock the child awake, and appeared in pain, but soon went off as if asleep. I laid it up on the pillow, and fell asleep. A little before 6, my sister, Mrs. Butler, came to call me, and soon after, as the child did not look as usual, I sent the girl for my sister, who came and took the child into her room, and then sent for a surgeon, who came about 7 o'clock, and said the child was dead. The child never had any convulsions or fits, but appeared to suffer from a heaving of the chest. I always laid the child on my pillow, for fear it should get suffocated under the clothes.

James Cuthbert Ottaway, surgeon, deposed - On Thursday morning, about 7 o'clock, I was called to attend at the "Fox," where I found the child dead. It appeared to have been dead 2 or 3 hours. There were no external marks of violence, and I could come to no conclusion as to the cause of death, I have since made a post mortem examination, and found the brain, lungs, and all the viscera healthy, except the kidneys and bladder, the former of which were much inflamed, and the latter were enormously distended. These appearances were the result of disease, and sufficient to cause death. The witness further stated that it was a most extraordinary case, there being no obstruction whatsoever in the urethra, but explained that it might have been spasmodic, which would cease with death. In rely to a question from Mr. J. B. Adams, the foreman of the jury, Mr. Ottaway said he was perfectly satisfied that no unfair treatment had been practised on the child, and the jury returned a unanimous verdict of "Natural Death."

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 14 November, 1846. Price 5d.

DOVER POLICE COURT

Friday November 5th: Richard Butler, charged by policeman Drenner, with keeping his house, the "Fox," open during divine service on Sunday. Fined 13s. including costs.