From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 10 December, 1864.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT TO TWO FEMALES

On Sunday afternoon an accident of the most painful nature took place on the South-Eastern Railway, in the long cutting between Abbott's Cliff tunnel and the tunnel nearest to Folkestone. It appears that two young women named Warde and Williams, the daughters of coast-guardmen stationed at the Pelter station, of which is situate midway between Dover and Folkestone, at the base of the cliffs, had been on a visit to their friends and were returning to Folkestone, where they were living in service. For the purpose in saving time they selected the railway line, instead of taking their way by the cliffs. They had got near to the entrance of the Folkestone tunnel when an up-train came along, and before they could get out of the way they were struck down, the train passing over their bodies and leaving them quite lifeless, and sadly mutilated. It is believed that a third young woman, the daughter of another coastguard, would have been in their company, and in all probability shared their fate, had she not left some article of clothing behind her at the house of her parents, whither she had returned at the moment of the hapless catastrophe. The bodies of the unfortunate young woman were removed to the "Railway Bell," at Folkestone, where an inquest was held upon their remains on the following day by J. Minter Esq., the coroner of the borough of Folkestone. The jury having been sworn, were conveyed by special train in charge of the station master, Mr. Willis, to the place of the accident which was inspected and the bodies viewed. On the return to the inquest room, the inquiry was proceeded with, the evidence in respect of the death of the female Wade being first elicited.

Peter Mitchell deposed: I am a ticket-collector in the employ of the South-Eastern Railway Company at the Folkestone station. The 4.15 p.m. mail train, yesterday from Dover stopped at Folkestone Junction station a few minutes late, and the driver told me that he had knocked down two females dressed in black just beyond the first tunnel. I said I would see to it, and the train went on. Having obtained assistance, I went to the spot indicated by the train-driver, and there saw the deceased lying upon the ground. Wade lay on her back at the side of the rails - between the embankment and the outer rail of the up line - with her feet towards the metals and her head towards the embankment.

George Mercer said: I am a carpenter. In company with a young man named George Elliott. I was in the Warren yesterday afternoon at the top of the embankment at the side of the South-Eastern Railway line. On looking over into the cutting, I saw two females walking together - one of them being in the 4ft. up line and the other in the 6ft. which separates the two lines. At that moment I observed the mail train approaching about thirty yards off. I shouted out "Missus, here's the train close behind you," when they both rushed across the up line to get out of the way. Before they cleared the line, however, the buffer or some part of the engine struck them and knocked both of them down. I immediately went down upon the line, and saw the deceased. Wade lying with her clothes over her head on the up line. I lifted her up, and she appeared quite dead. Elliott at the same time went to the deceased Williams, and found she was also quite dead. Having laid the bodies upon the ground clear of the lines, I went to the coastguard station for assistance.

By the Jury: I heard the whistle of the engine just before the deceased was struck. The wind was blowing adverse to the direction in which the train was going, and therefore the sound was carried away from where the females were walking.

Dr. East deposed: Yesterday afternoon, about twenty minutes to five, a message came to me that two females had been killed by a train in the Warren, and that the station-master (Mr. Willis) was taking measures for bringing the bodies to Folkestone. I hastened to the junction station, and was taken in a trolley to the place in question, about a mile and a half from Folkestone and there saw the bodies of the deceased. That of Wade I first examined, and found that she had sustained a severe fracture of the skull, through which considerable portions of the brains had exuded. Her left leg was also torn off close to the knee, it only then hanging to the body by the skin, and the foot was almost cut off. From the injury to the skull alone, death must have been instantaneous.

William Peplar said upon oath: I am an engine driver in the service of the South-Eastern Railway Company, and live at 3, Cooper's Road, Old Kent Road, London. Yesterday I drove the engine of the 4.15 p.m. mail train from Dover. We left Dover punctually at our time. Just before reaching the Martello tunnel, I saw something dark in front of the train upon the line. I could not distinguish what it was because it was dusk. I went from the left to the right side of the engine, and then saw two females attempting to cross the line just in front of us, I blew the whistle; but the train was upon them in a moment, and they were knocked down, although I applied the break and did all I could to stop the train. I stopped the train at Folkestone and informed the ticket collector of what had occurred.

By the Jury: The train was travelling at about 40 miles an hour at the time of the accident. It is not my practise to blow the whistle if I see persons upon the line, unless, they are actually upon the line which the train is travelling upon, as it sometimes has a tendency to frighten people and place them in greater danger; but I blew the whistle in this instance because I saw the imminent peril in which the deceased were upon the line.

The Coroner observed there was other evidence forthcoming, if the jury desired it; but he thought it would be principally corroborative, and as the facts appeared conclusive that the occurrence was purely accidental, he proposed not to adduce it, unless it were the wish of the jury.

The jury expressed themselves satisfied with the facts elicited and returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

The evidence was then taken in the case of the poor girl Williams. The testimony did not materially differ from the above given, and the jury, in this case also returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Folkestone Express 9 January 1869.

Wednesday, January 6th: Before The Mayor and R. W. Boarer Esq.

The "Railway Bell," Dover Road:- This was an application by Mr. Robert Flux for temporary power to sell under the license of Mr. John Willows. Application granted.

Folkestone Express 30 January 1869.

Inquest.

An inquest was held at the "Railway Bell" on Monday, before the Coroner, J. Minter Esq., on the body of a man who was discovered on Saturday morning, quite dead, lying on the lime kilns, adjacent to the Dover Road. It is supposed that he went there for the purpose of sleeping, and was suffocated by the poisonous vapour arising from the lime. The deceased was identified as Edward Jones, a man who is better known as the shoe-black, generally stationed near the Pavilion Hotel, and was considered rather an eccentric individual, his following that employment being apparently voluntary, as some of his friends were in good circumstances, and from what we can hear used their endeavours to influence him to follow a more respectable vocation.

The jury was sworn, but an exception was taken to the name of Mr. Newman, but the Coroner said as he had been sworn he must remain.

The first witness examined was James Burvell, who said: I am a lime burner in the employ of Mr. Thomas Newman, who is the proprietor of the Lime Kilns, Folkestone Hill, where the body was found, and I live in Denmark Road. (The jury then proceeded to view the body, and the witness identified it). On Saturday morning last, the 23rd instant, at twenty minutes past six, I found the deceased lying on the lime kiln. He was on his right side, and his arms partly folded. His body was on the wall of the kiln, and his feet on the lime. The kiln was alight, but the fire did not rise to the top. He was lying between the thatched wattle which I had placed there the previous evening to prevent the wind getting to the lime. He was quite dead, but not cold. I took his feet off the kiln and laid him straight. There was no-one else there at the time, but ten minutes after a boy came, and I sent him for Mr. Hills. The deceased's clothes was all in order.

By the jury: There is no protection to the kiln, but it is generally full, and always when I leave of a night. There is no pathway to the kiln, but to go there you must trespass.

By the Coroner: The kiln is about 100 yards from the road. The one in the Crete Road is only twenty yards.

Dr. Bateman, sworn, said: I am a surgeon, practicing at Folkestone. I was called at eight o'clock on Saturday by a policeman and proceeded to the lime kilns, and there found the deceased lying in the position the previous witness described, looking as if he was asleep. Burvell told me he had only moved his feet.

J. Burvell, re-called: I have seen the deceased there before several times to sleep of a night, and I have cautioned him and told him of his danger of suffocation. He said he thought it no harm; he came to get warm. I did not see him there that night; the fumes are suffocating; if there is a deal of smoke, it is very strong; the lime was fired up.

Dr. Bateman: I examined the body. There was no appearance of violence, and I have no doubt he died poisoned by carbonic acid gas, which produces sleepiness and stupor. When I saw him, the wind took the smoke and gas close to his face. I should think it a very dangerous position at any time. The lew of the wattle would make the smoke come to him. There was no outward appearance but that he died by suffocation. An animal would have died in such a position in a few minutes. In the position he lay he had the whole of the smoke. Carbonic acid is a very poisonous gas, and ten percent of it in the atmosphere would poison any person. I can't tell if he was the worse for drink at the time. I have seen him often, and heard that he has a brother very well off; he is in business in Fenchurch Street as a silk mercer. The deceased was frequently very badly off, and when he had money he spent it in a very foolish manner.

P.C. Hills, sworn, said: On Saturday morning I saw a man lying dead at the lime kilns, and I gave information to Mr. Bateman; deceased was lying on the brickwork; we then removed him to where he now lies. I searched him and found 2d. in money, two knives, one purse, a Common Prayer Book, and a neckerchief, a half dozen shoe brushes, and a little chain. He was a shoeblack and crossing sweeper.

The jury at once returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, that the deceased died from the effects of carbonic acid gas from the lime kilns.

Folkestone Express 27 February 1869.

Wednesday, February 24th: Before Captain Kennicott R. N. and S. Eastes Esq.

Transfer of License.

The "Railway Bell" – Robert Flux, transferred from John Willows. Granted.

Folkestone Express 3 January 1874.

Inquest.

We regret to have to record a fatal accident, which happened on Friday evening, 26th ult., to a respectable young man named Borland, stoker on the engine running between the Upper Station and the Harbour. From the evidence given below it will be seen that the fatality was purely accidental, and arose from a mishap in a simple mechanical operation which deceased had performed hundreds of times safely. We understand that the poor young man who has met with such an untimely end was very steady and was much respected by all those with whom he worked.

An inquest was held on Monday at the "Railway Bell Inn" before J. Minter Esq., Coroner, and a respectable jury. The following evidence was adduced:-

Mr. S. Eastes deposed: On Friday evening last, the 26th December, about five o'clock, I was called to the Upper Station to see the deceased, James Borland. He was taken to his father's house on a stretcher; he was then in a state of collapse, and quite insensible. A few minutes after I entered the room he partially recovered his senses, and was able to swallow a little brandy and water. I had him placed upon a bed, and his clothes taken off; this time he was breathing very rapidly, and on examination I found two of his ribs on the left side broken, and a large quantity of air had escaped under the cellular tissue over a great part of the body, thus proving that the lungs were wounded by the fractured ribs. There was also a dislocation of the left hip joint. After bandaging and supplying warmers to the feet and giving a little stimulants he became quite conscious, but the breathing was still very laborious. I saw him again between seven and eight o'clock; he was in much the same condition. Between nine and ten I received an urgent message to visit him. On arriving at the house I found he was dead. His death was caused by injury to the lungs through the broken ribs.

William Hills was then called. He said: I am an engine driver, in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, stationed at Folkestone, running between the Harbour and Upper Station. I identify the body as that of James Borland, my fireman. I have been in the service of the company for 27 years as engine driver. I left the engine near the water crane on Thursday. We came out to work about a quartr to six on Friday morning. I and deceased had been at work all day with the engine, going to and from the harbour. We had breakfast and dinner hours. I and the deceased left the engine about half past four to go home to tea. I returned about five minutes to five; I met the deceased returning on the up side platform. We then walked to our engine, deceased being a little in advance of me. The engine was standing about twenty yards from the water crane, the bank brake being attached. Deceased got up and moved the engine to the water crane, and I gave him water; I then got up on the engine, deceased was on the other side. I put the engine in motion, with the intention of going to the harbour, and should have directed the deceased to uncouple the bank brake, had I not seen him walk along the side of the engine for that purpose. He had done this before many hundred times. He would uncouple it sometimes standing on the frame of the engine, and sometimes from the brake. It was very dark on that evening, and I lost sight of the deceased when he got halfway along the engine. Not hearing the coupling chain fall, I called out “Is it all right, Jim?”. Receiving no answer, I stopped the engine and got off and called out “Where are you?”, and receiving no answer I walked back and found him lying in the four foot, about fifty or sixty yards from where I stopped the engine. I met a man and asked him to go for a doctor. I then went off for a stretcher, and he was carried to his father's house. Deceased and I were quite sober. The ash pan and cylinders must have struck and passed over the deceased. There would be hardly room where the deceased was lying for the ash pan to pass over, and the ground was rather soft. The regulator was shut. There is a rail goes along and across the front of the engine to hold by whilst examining the machinery when in motion. I put my steam on after I called out.

James Borland, a carpenter in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, deposed: The deceased is my son. He was carried into my house as I returned home. He became conscious just before he died. I then asked him how it occurred. He said he went as usual to uncouple, and as he was doing so the steam was put on. He slipped and the engine passed over him. He made the remark “I wonder I was not doubled up”. The age of deceased was 29.

William Mitchell then said: I am the station master at Folkestone. I was at the Harbour when the accident took place. I arrived at the Upper Station about ten minutes after I left the Harbour, and I met the deceased being carried off on a stretcher by four men. I was aware of the manner in which the engine was uncoupled, and it was done when it was necessary for the light engine to go to the Harbour to fetch a train.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, caused by injuries sustained by falling from an engine whilst in motion.

Folkestone Express 2 May 1874.

Inquest.

An inquest was held on Monday evening at the "Railway Bell," before John Minter Esq., Coroner, on the body of Samuel Goddard, who met with his death as detailed below.

The jury having viewed the body, Edward Hobday deposed: I am a labourer. On Friday week I went home about twelve at noon; I live two door above deceased's house. I heard a noise and went to look; the back door was fastened. I undid the window and reached the bolt of the back door and drew it and went in. I saw deceased laying at the foot of the stairs, doubled up, with his head in a pail, which was fallen over, his legs being on the stairs. There was no-one in the house. He was insensible. I picked him up and laid him in the room, and placed something under his head. When I picked him up I noticed congealed blood hanging to his head. I left him in the care of two men, named Hall and Clay.

Jane Goddard, wife of deceased, deposed: I went out to work about 7 o'clock on Friday morning week. On Thursday evening I went to a party at my sister's, and told deceased I should not be home that night; my husband was out then. Between 12 and one on Friday, in consequence of what I heard, I went home. On my arrival my husband was sensible. He told me he got out of bed between nine and ten on Thursday night and got dressed, and missed the stairs, and did not remember any more. He died about seven o'clock on Saturday night. He was 76 years of age. He told me he had been to bed, and I saw by the bed that he had been there.

Marta, wife of Wm. Hall, deposed: Deceased came home on Thursday evening week about seven o'clock. I did not speak to him. He was a little the worse for drink. About half past eleven next day I heard a moan proceeding from the kitchen of deceased's house. I opened the window and saw deceased lying at the foot of the stairs. I waited until the witness Hobday came home. Mrs. Clay and Mrs. Hobday came. We called to deceased, but he did not answer. We did nothing, but waited till our husbands came home. I did not think anything at all about what was the matter with him.

By the Foreman: I did not hear anything of him the night before. The next door neighbour heard something fall between ten and eleven.

Supt. Wilshere said: I saw deceased going home on Thursday night the worse for drink. He was coming from the "Black Bull" towards his residence. He was in company with another man. Deceased said “I am going home to sleep it off, old fellow”. I told him that was the best thing he could do.

W. Bateman Esq., M.R.C.S., deposed: On Friday afternoon I was called in to see deceased, and found him lying on a couch in the front room, insensible. On examining his head I found on the right side a wound about two inches in length, and on further examination found the skull was fractured to the same extent just over one of the principle arteries of the brain, which runs in a groove in the bone. He afterwards became sensible, so as to answer questions indistinctly. His left side was paralysed, and it was a hopeless case from the first. He died from exhaustion caused by injuries to the brain, which was wounded. After looking at the pail, I think he fell on the ear of the pail.

By a Juror: I do not think medical assistance sooner could have saved him.

The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death while intoxicated”.

Folkestone Express 19 September 1874.

Wednesday, September 16th: Before The Mayor, J. Tolputt and J. Clark Esqs.

The following received temporary authority to sell intoxicating liquors at the houses named until the transfer day:-

Mr. Major, "Railway Bell."

Note: Major does not appear in the list in More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 21 April 1877.

Local News.

On Thursday evening the body of the man Brotherwood, who was killed by a slip at Eagle's Nest, on the Suth Easter Company's line to Dover, was found by the men engaged in clearing away the earth. The body was in a frightful condition, being, as an eyewitness said, like a crushed sheet of newspaper. When discovered the body was bound up with telegraph wire, and three strands of the metal had to be cut before it could be released from it's prison. The inquest will be held this (Friday) afternoon at three o'clock at the "Railway Bell Inn," Dover Road.

Folkestone Express 28 April 1877.

Inquest.

On Friday Mr. Coroner Minter held an inquest at the "Railway Bell Inn," Dover Road, on the body of Henry Brotherwood, who was killed by the fall of earth from Eagle's Nest on to the South Eastern Company's line of railway to Dover on the 15th of January.

At the opening of the enquiry the Coroner remarked that he did not know for what reason the body was brought into Folkestone Parish for the inquest to be held, but inasmuch as it had been brought, his duty was to hold the inquiry into the cause of death.

The first witness called, after the viewing of the body, which laid at the Railway Station, was Thomas Brotherwood, who identified the body as that of his brother, Henry Brotherwood, a labourer in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, who resided at Farley. He was twenty seven years of age.

John Lavender deposed that he was a navvy employed on the slip on the South Eastern Railway. Between ten minutes and a quarter past one o'clock on the previous day he was engaged in excavating on the slip when he came upon the body of the deceased, on the down line, across the rail. His head and his feet were close together. Witness called some of the Company's men and they got the body out. It was placed in a shell and taken away.

Mr. Harvey, the Inspector of the Permanent Way, in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, deposed: Part of my district is on the main line from Ashford to Dover. The deceased was in the employ of the Company as a labourer. On the 15th of January, when the slip occurred, he was assisting on putting a temporary road on the lime kiln siding on the up side of the line. On that day about a quarter to one o'clock I was standing at the eastern mouth of the Martello Tunnel, and I saw the fall of chalk and earth from the face of the cliff into the cutting, about a hundred yards on the Dover side of the lime kiln siding, filling it up to a depth of about forty feet, and a length of about two hundred yards. At the time of the fall I did not see the deceased or any other person near the spot. Capel-le-Ferne is the parish in which the slip took place. My duty is to inspect up to the fence on both sides of the line. The fence on the inland side is about 120 yards from the foot of the cliff. The land from the top where the slip took place, down to the Company's fence belongs, I believe, to a Miss Campbell, who lives in Bouverie Square, Folkestone; at all events, she claims it. I had not inspected the cliff at the spot where the slip took place prior to the fall, but I have done so since. The cause of the slip was that the foot of the cliff was rotten, owing to the water washing the sand and red loam down a fissure at the back, and from the continuation of the wet caused a portion of the cliff to become disconnected from the rest and fall. I have since inspected the cliff and I do not think that there is any likelihood of another similar fall. The earth which branched out has been removed to prevent this, and the face of the cliff has been levelled down. The fall was unexpected.

Albert Link, a labourer in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company, residing at Ashford, stated that on the 15th of January he was assisting in making a siding near the lime kiln. Close upon one o'clock he had just finished dinner when he saw the chalk slipping down the cliff. The deceased was standing on the side of the railway nearest the cliff, holding by the iron railing and looking upwards. The chalk and the earth came down suddenly and covered the deceased.

This was all the evidence and the Coroner summed up. He said that from the testimony adduced there could be no doubt the deceased was smothered by the fall of earth upon him, but then the question rose “What was the cause of the slip?” They were told by Mr. Harvey that the cause was a crack in the back of the cliff, and sand and water washed in there, causing the face of the cliff to become loosened and fall down. It did seem to him (Mr. Minter) as a startling fact that a public line of railway should have been liable to such a calamity as to that which had occurred, and by which two men had lost their lives. When they thought of the number of trains carrying hundreds of passengers passing this spot, and that this fall might have taken place during the passing of a train, it would, he believed, strike them as being a most strange and startling thing that such an accident should be likely to occur on a railway. Then again the question rose in one's mind whether or not there was any means of the occurrence having been prevented. From the evidence of Mr. Harvey they would see that the company had no right to go beyond their line of fence, and therefore it would appear that the duty of keeping all outside in order devolved on the owner of the property. There was not, it would appear, any supposition on the part of anyone that this fall would take place, and therefore no-one's attention was called to it. The occurrence would consequently seem to be quite accidental, and although it made one dread to think of the danger to which passengers to Dover and vice versa had been liable to, yet now there was the satisfaction of knowing that the occurrence had called the attention of the Company, or the owner of the property, to the insecurity of the cliff and a thorough examination of it had been made and precautions had been taken to render it perfectly safe, and to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

The jury then returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

Folkestone Express 24 August 1878.

Inquest.

On Thursday afternoon an inquest was held at the "Railway Bell Hotel" before J. Minter Esq., on the body of Charles Catt, a labourer, who was killed on the previous day through the falling of a large mass of chalk. The deceased appeared to have been killed instantaneously, and a man named Howland, who was working with him, had his leg broken. The following evidence was given:-

John Kitchingham, a labourer, living in the Folly Fields, said he took a contract with the Cement Company to remove a quantity of chalk marked out in the chalk quarry. Deceased and another man named Howland were employed by him to assist. On Wednesday they commenced work at six o'clock in the morning. About half past two o'clock they were working at a large piece of chalk weighing about 2½ tons, and endeavouring to burst it out from where it was wedged in by two other pieces. Witness got on the top of it and told the others he thought they would not be able to do it. Deceased and Howland were standing at the foot of the piece of chalk endeavouring to force it out with a crowbar, when it broke off very suddenly. Catt was crushed entirely beneath it and Howland fell a little on one side of it, and he was caught by the leg and shoulder. Witness ran and called Wiffin and another, and they had to cleave the chalk to release the deceased. He was quite dead.

Mr. S. Eastes, surgeon, said he was called on Thursday afternoon about three o'clock by the last witness, who said there had been an accident at the Cement Works. He said one man was killed, but he wished him to go and see the other, who was badly injured. He told him they had better bring the man into the town, and sent his youngest son back with him to assist. Soon after he went over himself to the Cement Works and found Howland had been removed to the dispensary. He had examined the body of the deceased. Three or four of the upper ribs on the left side were fractured. There was also a compound fracture of the left thumb, which was nearly torn from the hand. Death appeared to have been instantaneous.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

Folkestone Express 5 October 1878.

Wednesday, October 2nd: Before John Clark and W. J. Jeffreason Esqs.

Annie Wood was charged with being drunk and disorderly and using obscene language, and Thomas Wood was also charged with being drunk and disorderly at the same time and place – the Dover Road.

Superintendent Wilshere said he was informed that there was a disturbance near the "Railway Bell." He went there and saw the male prisoner lying in the road drunk. He shook him and got him up and advised him to go away, but he refused, and began to hello and shout, and he was therefore taken into custody and placed in a stable at the rear of the "Railway Bell." While there, the woman came up with another man and tried to force her way into the stable. She was so violent that she had to be placed in a cart to be brought to the cells, and she made use of most disgusting language on the way.

Prisoners said they were man and wife and had just come from hop picking.

The woman was fined 5s. and 6s. costs for drunkenness, and 5s. and 3s. 6d. for using obscene language. The man was fined 9s. 6d., including costs.

Folkestone Express 11 January 1879.

Inquest.

On Monday John Minter Esq. held an inquest at the "Railway Bell Inn" on the body of a child named Mercy Rumbold, aged three years, daughter of Charles Rumbold, a dairyman, living at 3, Canterbury Road, whose death resulted from scalding.

Mercy Rumbold, the mother of the deceased, said that on the 18th of December she was in the back room sitting in front of the fire, and the child was near the tea table. Her niece, Sarah Rumbold, 12 years old, was pouring out the tea from a teapot, when her little boy, four years old, in passing behind her, touched her elbow accidentally, causing the teapot to cant over, and the contents went down the side of the face and neck of the deceased. Dr. Gill had attended the child from day to day until her death, which took place on the 5th inst., at one o'clock.

Dr. Gill said he was sent for to attend the deceased child on the 20th December. She was suffering from a scald, which he believed to have been caused in the manner described by the mother. He attended her constantly up till the day of her death, which resulted from the injuries she had received.

The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death from scalding”.

Folkestone Express 16 August 1879.

Inquest.

On Monday evening J. Minter Esq., Coroner, held an inquest at the "Railway Bell Inn," on the body of a child, aged 17 months, the son of a brickmaker, named George Wire, whose death took place under the following sad circumstances:-

Catherine Ann Wire said she was the wife of George Wire, living at No. 6, Beach Cottages, and the deceased, whose name was George Edward Wire, was their son. His age was a year and five months. On Sunday, the 27th of July, she was engaged in clearing away the dinner things and the deceased child was toddling about the room. She went into the scullery, leaving the knives and forks in the centre of the table, and the child was left for a moment alone. Immediately after she heard him say “Mamma”, and then heard him fall and scream out. She ran to pick him up, and then saw that he had a knife and fork in one hand, and the blade of another knife which he had been carrying was sticking in his eye. He must have dragged the table cloth and thus pulled the knives to him. She drew the knife out, and carried the child into Mrs. Hogben's, her next door neighbour. They bathed and bandaged the eye, and deceased then began to vomit. The child's father at once took him to Dr. Mercer.

Ellen, wife of Herbert Hogben, ticket collector at the South Eastern Railway Station, said Mrs. Wire took the deceased into her house and told her what had occurred. After bathing the eye, which was bleeding, they bandaged it up, and the child's father at once went with him to the doctor.

Mr. Richard Mercer, surgeon, said the child was brought to him between two and three o'clock on the afternoon of the 27th July. On examining the child he found it had a puncture wound on the left eyelid, which had penetrated through the lid of the orbit into the skull. He attended the deceased, and saw him last on Saturday the 9th, and he died on Sunday at half past one, from inflammation of the brain caused by the wound.

The jury at once returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

Folkestone Express 27 December 1879.

Wednesday, December 24th: before The Mayor, Aldermen Banks, Sherwood and Hoad, R. W. Boarer, and Colonel De Crespigny.

The landlord of the "Railway Bell" was granted an extension of two hours on the occasion of a supper.

Folkestone Express 24 January 1880.

Inquest.

On Sunday morning an elderly man, named Henry Kennett, who was well known about town, and especially among visitors and lodging house keepers as a luggage porter, committed suicide by cutting his throat. He at one time was a tradesman in a very good position, but having been much addicted to drink, and at times most eccentric in his conduct, he became reduced in circumstances. Some months ago he met with a severe accident, and since that occurrence he had never properly recovered his health. For the last few weeks he had been in a low and desponding state, and as stated above he ended his somewhat chequered career by committing suicide. An inquest was held on the body of the deceased before the borough coroner, J. Minter Esq., at the "Railway Bell Inn," on Monday evening, when the following evidence was taken:-

Bishop Kennett identified the body as that of his father, Henry Kennett, who lived at No. 1, Randall Terrace, Canterbury Road. Deceased was a fly driver, and his age was 59. For a long time he had been very eccentric in his conduct.

Emma Kennett, wife of the deceased, said for the last two months the deceased had slept by himself in a bedroom adjoining hers. He went to bed on Saturday night at half past ten. He was perfectly sober when he went to bed, but he had been in the habit of getting intoxicated, and that was the reason of his having a separate bedroom. For the last three or four weeks he had been quieter. On Sunday morning he got up before it was light and went into witness's room for a candle. He was in the habit of getting up at two or three o'clock in the morning and making himself some tea. He was partially dressed. He went downstairs without saying a word. Witness got up at half past eight, and on going into the kitchen she saw deceased lying on his face with his head under the grate. She called her neighbour, Mrs. Dawe, and then sent her daughter for her brothers and the doctor. Her husband had been in a very desponding and melancholy state for a long time, and had been very eccentric in his conduct for some months previously.

Harriett Dawe said on Sunday morning she was called by Mrs. Kennett and went immediately to her house. She saw deceased lying on the floor of the kitchen, with his head under the fireplace. There was a quantity of blood inside the fender. She believed the deceased was dead. Mrs. Kennett said “Don't touch him until Dr. Mercer comes”. Witness remained until Dr. Mercer came. She had known deceased for five or six months, and had noticed that he had looked very ill for some time.

Mr. Richards A. Mercer, surgeon, said he was called about nine o'clock on Sunday, and on going to deceased's house found him lying as described by the previous witness. He lifted him off the fender. There was a large pool of blood in the fender, and the razor produced was lying close to deceased's right hand inside the fender, opened and covered with blood, which was quite dry. On turning the body over witness found a very large wound in the throat, dividing the large vessels, and also the windpipe. There were two or three slight cuts both above and below the large wound, and on the right and left side of it, but only just dividing the skin. The main wound would cause almost immediate death. Deceased's vest and under-vest were both unbuttoned and thrown back. In his opinion the wound was self-inflicted. From the position of the body, witness thought he must have been kneeling or leaning over the fender, all the blood being inside. There were no wounds or bruises on the body other than those described, except a bruise or two on the face which would be produced by his falling amongst the cinders. In the opinion of witness he had been dead three or four hours when he saw him. During the past summer witness had noticed that he looked more like a man demented than otherwise.

A verdict that the deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane was at once returned.

Folkestone Express 27 November 1880.

Inquest.

On Tuesday afternoon a young woman named Jane Godden, about 17 years of age, daughter of a widow living in Bridge Street, met her death in the most horrible circumstances. It seems that the poor creature had been from her birth subject to epileptic fits, in consequence of which her intellect was greatly impaired, and in addition to these afflictions she was “flesh tongue tied”, and unable to articulate. The mother is a laundress, who on three days of the week is away from home at work, and during these days it has been her custom to leave her daughter alone in the house whilst two younger children were away at school. On the return of the little boy on Tuesday afternoon, when he opened the front door to go in, a volume of smoke came out, which a neighbour noticed, and at once went in. In the yard she saw the poor imbecile lying with her face on the ground and her clothing almost consumed. She drew the unfortunate girl away from the burning fragments and had her carried indoors. Dr. Mercer happened to be in the neighbourhood, and within a few minutes of the occurrence the sufferer received such relief as medical aid could afford, but her injuries were so severe that it was impossible for her to recover, and death put an end to her sufferings about midnight, after she had lingered for eight hours. There was no evidence to show how deceased's clothing got alight, but the probability is that she was attending to the fire, and on seeing herself in flames, rushed out into the yard. The intensity of the fire may be imagined by the fact that the wash-house door became ignited, probably while the deceased was endeavouring to get it open, and that her body was in places completely charred. An inquest was held by the Borough Coroner at the "Railway Bell" on Wednesday evening, when the following evidence was taken:-

James Godden, a labourer, living at 28, Bridge Street, said the deceased was his sister, Jane Godden. Her age was between 16 and 17 years. On Tuesday afternoon about four o'clock his wife told him that the house, No. 16, Bridge Street, was on fire. He ran to the house with a small quantity of water, and on going into the back room, and thence into the wash-house, he saw the back door on fire. The deceased was lying out in the yard on the bricks. Her clothing was burnt completely off with the exception of her stays. He took off the remnants of her clothes, wrapped her in his jacket, and carried her into Mrs. Southon's. Dr. Mercer was sent for and came in about five minutes.

Mr. Richards Mercer, surgeon, said he was driving up Bridge Street about ten minutes past four on Tuesday, and saw a crowd outside No. 16. Smoke was issuing from the door. He went there and found the deceased lying in the passage just inside the front door. He caused her to be taken into a neighbour's house as there was so much smoke in No. 16. On examining deceased he found her very much burnt. All her clothing was gone and she was wrapped in a blanket. The whole of the surface of the body was burnt, and in some places the flesh was charred. She was sensible. He dressed the burns and administered opiates, but the deceased only survived for about eight hours and died from shock to the system at twelve o'clock. She must have eventually died from the effect of the burns. He had known the deceased, and had been in the habit of attending her occasionally for six or seven years for epileptic fits. She had been an idiot, he believed, from birth, and was utterly incapable of taking care of herself. In his opinion she ought not to have been left in the house alone, but someone ought constantly to have been looking after her. He had never suggested that she should be placed in an asylum.

Mary Ann Wilkins, wife of a labourer, living at 19, Bridge Street, said she saw smoke coming from No. 16 when Mrs. Godden's little boy opened the door to go in. He ran out again directly. Witness went to the door and called, but could not make anyone hear. She went through the passage into the wash-house. The door of the wash-house leading into the yard was in flames. It was wide open. She saw Jane Godden lying face downwards in the yard, enveloped in flames. She turned her over out of the flames on to the bricks. There was only a portion of her stays left upon her, and one shoe and half a stocking. Mrs. James Godden came, and ran and fetched her husband. Whilst she was gone, witness got some blankets to roll deceased in. When Godden came deceased was carried into No. 16, and from thence into Mrs. Southon's. There was a fire in the back room of No. 16, in an ordinary open grate. There was no disarrangement of the fire-irons, nor was there anything burning about the fireplace or the room. She had known deceased for the past nine or ten years. She was tongue-tied and could not talk, but was not deaf and understood what was said to her. She was not quite right in her mind, in consequence of having had fits. Witness believed she was capable of taking care of herself. She had frequently been left. Witness would have been afraid to leave her alone in the house with a fire, not on account of the state of her mind, but lest she should have a fit and fall into the grate. Witness knew that she had frequently attended to and kept a fire up during her mother's absence, and tidied the room up, washing up all the dirty things and doing other domestic duties.

Emily Godden, a widow, mother of the deceased, said she left her home every week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays to go out washing, and was absent the whole of the day. She had two other children besides the deceased, a boy aged six, and the other girl aged nine. She left home at half past seven on Tuesday morning and went to the Bouverie Laundry, where she remained all day. She lit a fire in the back room before she went, and left it alight. The deceased was upstairs dressing, and the two little ones were in the back room. Deceased had been subject to fits since her birth, but had not had any during the past 12 months. She always attended to the fire during witness's absence. There was no cooking done except when witness was at home. Deceased was of weak intellect, but would do anything she was asked to do. Witness used sometimes to be afraid to leave her, but she did not know how to avoid it.

The Coroner having summed up, and commented on the fact of the deceased having been left entirely alone, when it was clearly shown that she was not capable of taking care of herself, the jury returned a verdict that the deceased met her death by burning, but there was no evidence to show how her clothing became ignited.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 3 June, 1881. 1d.

SUPPOSED MURDER NEAR DOVER

In the early part of Wednesday there was a rumour in the town that a man had been robbed and murdered near Folkestone. Inquiring as to the report we went to the half-way house, the “Royal Oak Inn,” about three o'clock in the afternoon, and there heard that an inquest was going to be held on a man found dead with his head severely injured. The inquest was held about four o'clock, before the County Coroner (Dr. Johnson), on the body, which was in the shed adjoining the Inn, and which was identified as that of Thomas Tickner, supposed to have been in the East Kent Militia at Dover.

The Rev. T. Biggs was chosen foreman of the Jury, and the body being viewed, the following evidence was taken:-

Henry Charlton, landlord of the “Railway Bell,” Folkestone Junction, said: On Saturday morning at about quarter to eight, the deceased with several other men came into my house all a little the worse for drink. There were about six or seven in all, and they used the most filthy language I have ever heard. Four or five left my house a little before nine to catch the 8.40 train to Dover. The deceased and another man remained a short time afterwards. The other man a few minutes after picked up his things which were in an handkerchief, went out of the door, and got halfway down the road towards the station, when the deceased called after him and asked him to look after his kit. The man came back to the house, undid his bundle, and asked the deceased if there were anything there that belonged to him. He (the deceased) answered that the pair of boots in the bundle were his property, but were not marked, and as they were marked the other man put them back into his bundle and again went towards the station, but returned in a few minutes, very angry, as he had lost the train, and there were words but no fight between the two men. I then got deceased to leave the house quietly, but he returned in a minute or two, and then took up the other man's beer and drank it. I persuaded him to go once more, but he again returned, picked up another customer's beer and drank the contents off, and also knocked over a pint of stout. I threatened to give him in charge, so he left and was away about a quarter of an hour, when he came in the private bar door on the other side of the house, and asked for some drink, which I refused to serve him with, and at once commenced to put him out, and the deceased held the sides of the doorway to prevent me from putting him out, but just then a man named Clarke pulled his hands away, and the deceased shot forward out into the street, turned a somersault, and fell foremost on his head. The deceased's face rubbed along the ground. About a quarter of an hour after I saw the deceased going to the railway station. The other man went to the back of the house, and washed his face before he went away.

David Whitehead, a smith, residing in Folkestone, said: At about 8 o'clock on Saturday morning I was in the “Railway Bell Inn,” with an old mate, who stood treat to a pint of beer, which the deceased shortly after came and snatched off the counter and drank without asking for permission. The deceased used very bad language so I remonstrated with him. The deceased being the worse for liquor, the landlord refused to draw beer for him. He abused the last witness who turned him out twice more and then the deceased came into the private bar, and was ejected and fell as described by last witness. We afterwards took him to the back of the house, and washed his face, and I said to him, “You scratched your nose, old fellow, when you fell,” but he did not complain of anyone ill-using him. I didn't know the deceased was dead till yesterday. His eyes at the time were blackened through his face going on the ground.

Thomas Butcher, a dairyman, living at Capel, said: On Saturday last between nine and ten in the morning, I was passing the “Railway Bell,” returning from Folkestone, when I saw the deceased lying in the road just below the lamp about ten or twelve yards from the house. I stood and looked at him for a minute, the deceased seeming to be senseless, and then a man came out and turned him over, and went back into the house, and returned with two others named Clarke and Whitehead, and they took him inside. The other one, whom I don't know, defied anyone to touch the deceased till he fetched a doctor, and then went away. Clarke and Whitehead then dragged him to the back of the house, as he could not walk alone. I passed on up the hill, and that was the last I saw of him. The deceased appeared to be one mass of blood, and there was a quantity of blood in the road. I never saw any signs of consciousness although I was there quite five minutes. On Monday morning about 20 minutes past 6, I was with my master driving our milk cart through Downfield Lane, leading to Capel, when I saw the deceased staggering along as if he were drunk, first on one side and then on the other. I said to my employer, Mr. Marsh, “that's the man whom I saw at the “Railway Bell.”

By the Jury: The deceased was alone lying in the road on the Saturday when I first saw him. I went into the public-house afterwards, and the man I don't know by name, but who was marked with the smallpox spoke as to the ejecting of the deceased.

The Coroner: Where it that man?

The constable in charge: He has gone away by train.

Mr. Marsh corroborated the evidence of the witness Butcherm, and further said when he saw him staggering along the road the deceased had a black eye. That place would be about five minutes walk from the “Railway Bell.”

Alfred James Clarke, labourer working in the Channel Tunnel, and living at Pudding Hole, said: On Saturday evening, between nine and ten, I was in the “Railway Bell” with others, when the deceased came in and drank some of my beer. The landlord spoke to him about it and the deceased abused him. Another man asked for a pint, and he also drank that without permission, and he was then put out of the house, but returned, and the landlord pushed him towards the door, which the deceased caught hold of, so I unloosened his hands and the deceased fell over my foot violently on to his face, about 12 feet from the door. There are two steps to the door and the road is down hill. We picked him up and took him to the back of the house and washed him. I did not hit him, nor did the others, but the deceased was so drunk that he could not keep himself from falling. At first he was unconscious, but when washed he became all right and walked away. I didn't see him again alive. He didn't' complain of any undue violence. The landlord was very civil to him, but he would not go out alone so he had to be put out.

By the Foreman: I asked him where he was going, and he answered that he didn't know.

William Aird, landlord of the “Valliant Sailor” at the top of Folkestone Hill, said: The deceased came to my house on Sunday morning, a little before eleven o'clock, and asked for a ginger beer and brandy, which was served him. I asked him how he came by the bruises and two black eyes he had, and he answered that they were more than blows, they were kicks, but he didn't say where they were done. He had no hat, so my wife fetched him one of my old ones. The deceased left soon after, going in the direction of Capel. He didn't seem to know much about how he come by the bruises, as he was so muddled. My house is about one mile from the “Railway Bell.”
James Hogbin, plumber and painter, living at Folkestone, said: On Monday morning last about half past eight I was going along Capel Lane, with my son, and on arriving at the opening he drew my attention to the deceased, who was lying on a land roller. I immediately went up to him and found he was quite dead, being black in the face and round the neck. I went and got the assistance of Mr. Marsh, waggoner and another man took the deceased to the nearest shed, and then went for a constable at Hougham. There appeared to be no marks of struggling at the spot. The deceased looked as if he had sat on the roller and had fallen back on his head. His head was lower down than his body.

Instructing-constable Ross said he examined the body and found two documents, one from an aunt of the deceased, and another from the War Office, there were some pawn tickets for goods pledged in Dover. There was a hole in the bottom of the trousers pocket.

Dr. A. Long said: I have examined the body in the shed, and find no marks of violence except on the face and forehead. There was no fracture of the skull or effusion of blood. I am of opinion that death was caused through dislocation of the neck. The deceased would die immediately after his neck was broken. It might have been done by falling heavily back from the roller.

The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased was found dead with his neck accidentally broken.

Folkestone Express 4 June 1881.

Inquest.

On Wednesday afternoon an inquest was held at the "Royal Oak Inn" on the Dover Road on the body of a man who was found dead in a field at Capel-le-Ferne. From a paper found on the body it was ascertained that his name was Thomas Tickner, and that he was formerly a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He had been previously seen in the Railway Bell Inn, and subsequently at the "Valiant Sailor Inn," where he appears to have created a disturbance. The body was found lying over a land roller. There were several bruises about the face, both eyes were blackened, and the head, face, and neck were very greatly discoloured in such a manner as to lead to the suspicion that the man had met with foul play. The presumption was further strengthened by the fact that on searching the body the police only found a sixpence and some coppers, while it was stated that the morning previous he was at a public house in the neighbourhood, when he had, besides other money, a half sovereign in his possession. It appeared, however, from the medical evidence, that the man's neck was dislocated. There was no extravasation of blood in the brains, and as there appeared to be no doubt that the man had been addicted to drinking, it was thought he probably sat on the roller and fell over, and a verdict was returned of death from dislocation of the neck, there being no evidence to show how it occurred.

Folkestone Express 16 April 1887.

Inquest.

An inquest was held at the "Railway Bell Inn" on Wednesday afternoon, respecting the death of a man, whose name was unknown, and who was found dead in Dover Road that morning.

George Jenner, a gardener, living at 42, Sidney Street, said: This morning I was going to work at about twenty minutes to six and saw deceased lying partly in the road, just above the "Railway Bell." I went to him and spoke to him, but got no reply. His eyes were partly closed. I lifted him up and hen laid him down again. He gave a moan and then died. There was no appearance of a struggle, and a little blood was oozing from his mouth. I lifted him up and waited for one of my fellow workmen, named Frazer, and together he and I brought the body down to the "Railway Bell."

George Collins, living at the "Railway Bell," said: Deceased came to my house with two volunteers, who gave him a glass of ale and then left. Deceased stayed in the front bar until about ten minutes to eleven. I believe he had several glasses with other people, until I thought he had quite enough, and told him he had better go out and get lodgings. He went out with that intention. The next thing I heard was that his body was in my back yard.

Mr. E.C. Maynard, surgeon, said he had examined the body, and believed the cause of death was haemorrhage on the brain, or apoplexy.

The jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Superintendent Taylor took possession of a few scraps of paper deceased had in his possession, and has instituted inquiries with the view of getting the poor fellow identified. The general appearance of the deceased would lead to the belief that he was a stable helper.

Folkestone Express 27 July 1889.

Saturday, July 20th: Before Alderman Banks, Surgeon General Gilbourne, F. Boykett, H. W. Poole, J. Pledge and J. Brooke Esqs.

Mary Sellis was charged with assaulting Jane Prior on the 6th July. She pleaded Guilty.

Complainant said she was housekeeper to John Allen, of 29, Bridge Street. She went outside her house on the 6th, and Mrs. Sellis wanted to know what she had said about her bastard child, and at once knocked her down.

Defendant said she smacked complainant's face, and she fell down because she was drunk.

John Allen was then charged with assaulting Mary Sellis on the same day.

Complainant said she was the wife of Wm. Sellis, of 3, Arthur Street. She went outside of the "Railway Bell" about half past nine. Defendant was there and wanted her to fight, and the men there prevented him striking her a second time.

Sarah Allen said she was with Mrs. Sellis outside the "Railway Bell," and she saw Allen strike Mrs. Sellis on the side of the head. She did not stay to see the end of the row. She was wife of the defendant, and he had turned her out of doors.

On it's transpiring that the witness was defendant's wife, her evidence was struck out.

Defendant said that Mrs. Sellis attacked him, and his head was bandaged up in consequence of the injuries she inflicted.

Robert Allen, son of the defendant, said he was going to the fair on Saturday evening, and he saw Mrs. Sellis strike his father three times. Mrs. Sellis struck Mrs. Prior. A policeman separated them.

The Bench dismissed both summonses, Sellis having to pay 3s., and Sellis 4s.

Folkestone Express 10 January 1891.

Saturday, January 3rd: Before The Mayor, Alderman Pledge, J. Holden, J. Fitness and S. Penfold Esqs.

Mr. Collins, landlord of the "Railway Bell," was granted an extension of an hour, on the occasion of a dinner given to the railway employees.

Folkestone Express 4 may 1895.

Wednesday, May 1st: Before W. G. Herbert and Alderman Pledge.

George Collins, landlord of the "Railway Bell," was summoned for selling intoxicating liquors during prohibited hours on the 14th of April. He pleaded Not Guilty. Mr. Hall appeared for defendant.

Sergeant Lilley said on Sunday morning, April 14th, in company with Sergeant Swift and P.C. Johnson, he watched the "Railway Bell," Dover Road, the house kept by defendant, from 7 a.m. till 10.35, and saw the postman go in and deliver letters. He came out and two men went in and stayed two or three minutes. At 8.35 two men went in by the yard gate at the side of the house. At 9 o'clock another man went in.

Here Mr. Hall raised an objection to all the evidence given, as the defendant was summoned for an offence alleged to have been committed at 10.35, but the Bench overruled the objection.

Examination continued: During the time he was watching, from seven o'clock till 10.35, twenty one men entered the house, some by the front door, and some by the yard gate. The whole of them were residents in the town – thirteen he knew by name, and the others by sight. At 10.35 three men went in, and he entered the house. The men were Tunbridge, Suckling, and Anslow. The two first went in by the yard gate, and the other by the front door. Witness got over the yard gate, and upon entering the house he saw the three men named in a room at the rear of the house. He judged it was a wash-house, opening into a kitchen or living room, through which they had to go to get to the bar. He asked what they were doing there, and neither answered. He then saw defendant in the living room, coming from the bar. He had a small tray, on which there were two glasses containing whisky, and a jug containing water. When he saw witness, he stood the tray on a dresser behind the door which separated the two rooms. He asked the landlord twice what the men were doing there, and he made no reply. He then said “Who is this whisky for?”, and defendant replied “For myself”, and then turned to the men and asked them what they were doing there. They made no reply, and after taking their names and addresses they left the house. Witness then went into the bar and saw the man Anslow, who is a railway porter, and he pointed to a bag on a chair and said ”I came in to fetch that”. On the counter there was a pint glass and two half pint glasses. The pint glass contained a small quantity of freshly-drawn ale. Defendant said “You will see that this man goes across with the bag, as I had sent for him to fetch it”.

Cross-examined by Mr. Hall: He was in a house about 100 yds. up Dover Road. Neither of them were in 1, Alexandra Street that morning watching. From the position he was in, he could see people going in by the front door. He could not see into the house at all. The other people who went in opened the gate, and did not have to climb over it. Five went in through the front door and 16 went through the gate in the ordinary way. He gave the names of all the men. The most in the house at one time was three. When he went into the scullery the men were there. The defendant did not say “What men?” when he asked him what they were doing there. During the time he was watching, he saw about sixteen travellers going in. There was no refreshment bar at the station, and persons coming in by train were in the habit of frequenting defendant's house. No summons had been taken out against the three men.

Sergeant Swift said he was in company with the last witness up to the time he entered the house. He corroborated Lilley's evidence entirely up to that time. Lilley unfastened the yard gate and he passed through and entered the house by a different door to Lilley, and went straight into the bar. He saw Mrs. Collins, and, he believed, Miss Collins, in front of the bar, apparently making for the front door. He heard Mrs. Collins say “Police” and go to unbolt the front door, and she said “Come along” to Anslow, who left the house. He said “What are you doing here, Anslow?”, and he made no reply. He did not see a portmanteau at all. There was none in front of the bar. When Alsow left he was not carrying anything. He then went to the back, where Lilley was in the scullery, and his attention was called to the glasses containing whisky. They then went back to the bar, and there saw Anslow, who had returned, and he said to witness “That is what I came in for”, and pointed to a portmanteau which he was holding. Defendant said “Yes, I asked him to fetch it for me. See he goes across the yard with it”. He knew that Anslow was a railway porter.

Cross-examined by Mr. Hall: He did not think it surprising that Mrs. Collins should say “Here are the police”. None of the men got over the gate, but went through.

Re-examined: About five minutes before they entered the house, they had seen travellers leave by the front door.

Mr. Hall then called the defendant, who said he had held a publican's licence for twenty years – eleven years at Ashford, and nine at the "Railway Bell." It cost him £650 to go into the house. He was bound to admit travellers. It was not true that twenty people had entered from 8.15 to 10.25. They were not down until ten minutes to nine, and then they went into the bar to attend for the nine o'clock down train. Several people came in from the 9.38, and a lady and gentleman had breakfast, and made a request that he would find a man to take a portmanteau to the harbour. He saw Mr. Croucher and asked him if he had anyone to take a portmanteau. He said there was Anslow, and beckoned to him and he came and took the portmanteau. Four or five people came from the Canterbury train – one had a pint of ale, and three had glasses of bitter. His servant came to him and said there were two travellers from Dover at the back door, who wanted two threes of whisky, and he said he would go and see himself. The instruction to the girl was always to keep the door shut and not to admit anyone. When he went out with the whisky, Lilley was there and said “Collins, what are these men doing here?”. He replied “What men?”, and stepping forward saw them and asked them what they wanted. He could not have served the men. He would have turned them out. He let the stables to a man named Ward, who employed three or four men. Neither Anslow, Tunbridge or Suckling were served, Lilley only asked once who the whisky was for, and he replied it was his. The people off the Canterbury train had left only a few minutes when the police arrived, and the glasses on the counter were those in which they had their drink.

Kate Long, who had been a domestic servant in the employ of defendant for the past two years, said on Sunday, April 14th, she was in the scullery and heard a knock at the scullery door. The door was bolted at the top; she unbolted it and opened it and she saw two men who said they were travellers, and that they had come from Dover and wanted two threes of whisky. She told them to wait and closed the door and went and told Mr. Collins there were two travellers outside, and he said he would go and see them himself. She did not serve in the bar, and did not know who the men were. Her instructions were always to keep the back door bolted on Sunday. One of the men was rather dusty. She did not admit anyone into the house at all. There was only one door at the back. She was down soon after seven o'clock and was about the house all the time, and only the two men came to the door.

The Bench gave the defendant the benefit of the doubt, as in their own minds they thought he would have served the two men if the police had not been there, and they therefore dismissed the charge.

Folkestone Express 29 August 1896.

Annual Licensing Day.

The annual licensing meeting was held on Wednesday. The Magistrates present were W. Wightwick, James Pledge, and W. G. Herbert Esqs. The old licences were all renewed. A very large number of the publicans did not attend to receive their certificates.

In the case of the "Railway Bell," the Magistrates suggested an alteration so as to shut off the yard, and prevent people getting access to the house in that way. Mr. Crouch, on behalf of the owners, promised to have the suggestion attended to.

Folkestone Express 26 June 1897.

Saturday, June 19th: Before J. Holden, J. Fitness, T. J. Vaughan, and J. Pledge Esqs.

Mr. Smiles, of the "Railway Bell Inn," applied for an hour's extension on Jubilee Day – until midnight. The applicant said it was a universal thing. The Bench declined to grant the application.

Folkestone Express 21 January 1899.

Saturday, January 14th: Before The Mayor, W. Wightwick, C. J. Pursey and J. Fitness Esqs.

Mr. Smiles, of the "Railway Bell Hotel," was granted an extension of an hour on the occasion of a dinner of the staff at the Junction Station.

Folkestone Express 18 March 1899.

Monday, March 13th: Before The Mayor, Colonel Westropp, J. Hoad, E. T. Ward, J. Pledge, T. J. Vaughan, and J. Stainer Esqs.

John Adams was charged with stealing a pair of boots, the property of Jessie Finn.

Jessie Finn, a labourer, said on Tuesday afternoon he went to the "Railway Bell Hotel," and left a pair of new boots on a seat. He had bought them at Mr. Vickery's. Having occasion to go out he left the parcel, and when he returned it was gone. Witness informed the police, and afterwards met the prisoner in Tontine Street with the boots in his possession. He was taken into custody.

In reply to prisoner, witness denied that he gave him the boots to carry in Dover Street.

George Fagg, a labourer, said he was in the bar at the "Railway Bell Hotel" on Tuesday afternoon while the two men were there. After Finn had left the bar, prisoner took a parcel and went down the street,

P.C. Prebble said he went with prosecutor to the various common lodging houses to find prisoner. They met him in Tontine Street with the boots in a paper bag under his arm. Finn gave him into custody. He was formally charged at the police station, and he replied “I did not steal them. He gave them to me to look after for him”. Prosecutor was sober. Prisoner was carrying the boots quite openly, and it was about six o'clock.

Prosecutor said he knew the prisoner, and had been working with him. In Dover Street he had given him the boots to carry while he lit his pipe.

The Bench dismissed the case.

Folkestone Express 17 March 1900.

Wednesday, March 14th: Before J. Fitness and W. Wightwick Esqs.

Mr. Smiles applied for an extension on the occasion of a dinner, to be held at the Railway Bell, of the railway employees on Wednesday. The Bench granted it.

Folkestone Express 2 March 1901.

Monday, February 25th: Before J. Hoad, E. T. Ward, Geo. Peden, J. Pledge, and T. J. Vaughan Esqs., and Lieut. Col. Westropp.

Mr. Smiles was granted an extension of time on the occasion of the railway servants' dinner at the "Railway Bell."

Folkestone Express 9 March 1901.

Wednesday, March 6th: Before W. Wightwick, W. Salter, G.I. Swoffer, C.J. Pursey, and J. Pledge Esqs.

Mr. Smiles, of the "Railway Bell," was granted an extension of time of one hour on the occasion of a dinner of the Junction Station railway staff.

Folkestone Express 17 March 1901.

Wednesday, March 14th: Before J. Fitness and W. Wightwick Esqs.

Mr. Smiles applied for an extension on the occasion of a dinner, to be held at the "Railway Bell," of the railway employees on Wednesday. The Bench granted it.

Folkestone Express 19 October 1901.

Friday, October 11th: Before T.J. Vaughan, W.C. Carpenter, and J. Stainer Esq., and Col. W. Keilly Westropp.

Mr. J. Tunbridge, of the Guildhall Vaults, was granted a temporary transfer of the licence of the Railway Bell, Dover Road.

Folkestone Express 25 September 1901.

Tuesday, September 24th: Before W. Wightwick, W. G. Herbert, and G.I Swoffer Esqs.

John Henry Barton and Rhoda Herring were placed in the dock, the former on a charge of being drunk and disorderly, and the other with assaulting the police.

P.C. Thomas Allen said about 8.05 p.m. on Monday evening he was in Dover Street, where he saw Barton, with several others, drunk and in a fighting attitude. He requested him to go away, and the prisoner pulled his jacket off and threatened to fight witness. P.C. Bourne came along, and the two prisoners left and went towards Canterbury Road. Witness followed, and the prisoners went into a fried fish shop. P.C. Smith went into the shop and asked Barton for his name and address as the prisoner had assaulted the landlord of the "Railway Bell." The prisoner left the shop and offered to fight witness and three other constables. Witness took him into custody, when prisoner became violent, and witness required the assistance of P.C. Bourne, P.C. Smith, and P.C. Johnson. The latter attempted to handcuff the male prisoner, when the prisoner Herring, who had been very disorderly, snatched them from him and struck him in the mouth.

P.C. Leonard Johnson said at the time in question he was in Canterbury Road in plain clothes. The prisoner Barton was in custody, but as he became violent witness went to the constables' assistance. As he was attempting to put the handcuffs on his hands the female prisoner snatched them and struck him in the mouth with her right fist. He told he he was a police constable, and she struck him two more blows and said “Are you another Burniston?”

P.C. Smith corroborated, and added the female prisoner behaved like a mad woman.

The Chief Constable said the prisoners had just returned from hop picking.

The Bench fined Barton 10s. and 5s. 6d. cots, or 14 days', and Herring was fined £1 and 5s. 6d. costs, or 14 days' for the assault. They told the latter she should think herself lucky, as they had the power to send her to prison without the option of a fine. The money was paid.

Folkestone Express 26 October 1901.

Wednesday, October 23rd: Before W. Wightwick, W. G. Herbert, and G. I. Swoffer Esqs., and Col. Hamilton.

A full transfer of the licence of the "Railway Bell" was granted to Mr. Tunbridge, late of the "Guildhall Vaults."

Folkestone Express 7 December 1901.

Wednesday, December 4th: Before J. Stainer, G. Peden, and T. J. Vaughan Esqs., and Col. W.K. Westropp.

A special licensing sessions was held, when Mr. Tunbridge, of the "Guildhall Vaults," was granted transfer of the licence of the "Railway Bell."

Folkestone Express 15 March 1902.

Wednesday, March 12th: Before W. Wightwick and W.G. Herbert Esqs.

Mr. J. Tunbridge, of the "Railway Bell Hotel," applied for an extension of one hour on Wednesday evening on the occasion of the annual dinner of the S.E. Railway employees at the Junction Station.

Folkestone Chronicle 28 February 1903.

Saturday, February 21st: Before Lieut. Col. Penfold, Lieut. Col. Westopp, and Messrs. W.C. Carpenter, E. T. Ward, J. Stainer, and G. Peden.

Mr. Tunbridge, of the "Railway Bell Hotel," applied for an extension on Tuesday evening, the occasion being the annual dinner of the Junction and Harbour staff.

The Chief Constable raised no objection, and the application was granted.

Folkestone Express 15 April 1905.

Wednesday, April 12th: Before Lieut. Col. Fynmore, and W.C. Carpenter Esq.

The Bench considered several applications for the transfer of licences, and granted the following: The "Railway Bell" from Mr. J. Tunbridge to Mr. J. B. Saunders.

Folkestone Express 12 May 1906.

Monday, May 7th: Before Alderman Spurgen, Alderman Vaughan, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, and T. Ames Esq.

John William Minter, of Invicta Road, was charged with being drunk and disorderly the previous night in Dover Road.

Prisoner, when asked to plead, said he had only spent 4s., so he did not believe he was drunk.

P.C. Bourne said about nine o'clock the previous night he was called to the "Railway Bell Hotel" to eject the prisoner from the bar. He had gone into the house intoxicated, but refused to go out when requested. When witness got him outside, he refused to go away and commenced to shout and use most filthy language. Witness therefore took him into custody, when he became very violent, and he had to obtain the assistance of P.C.s Prebble, Ashby, and Smith to get him to the police station. Minter continued to struggle and kicked all the way there, notwithstanding that he was handcuffed and had his legs tied together.

Minter, who had nothing to say, had six convictions against him, the last being twelve months ago. He was fined 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs, but in default of payment he was sent to prison for seven days with hard labour.

Folkestone Express 30 September 1911.

Tuesday, September 26th: Before E. T. Ward Esq., Alderman Vaughan, and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

The licence of the "Railway Bell" was temporarily transferred to Mr. George Hoare, who said he had previously kept a public house at Sandgate.

Folkestone Express 2 December 1911.

Wednesday, November 29th: Before J. Stainer and R. J. Linton Esqs., and Major Leggett.

The following licence was transferred:- "Railway Bell," from Mr. S. Saunders to Mr. G. Hoare.

Temporary authority had been granted.

Folkestone Express 20 January 1912.

Local News.

The Transfer Sessions were held at the Police Court on Wednesday morning, when the licence of the Rendezvous Hotel again came before the Bench. The Magistrates were E. T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Major Leggett, Alderman Jenner, and W. G. Herbert Esq.

Plans for the alteration of the "Railway Bell," opposite the Junction Station, were approved.

Folkestone Express 15 June 1912.

Thursday, June 13th: Before J. Stainer, G. I. Swoffer, W. J. Harrison, A. Stace, and G. Boyd Esqs.

Margaret Driscoll, who is a stranger and a cripple, was charged with breaking a plate glass window, value £3 10s., at the "Railway Bell Hotel" on the previous day. She said it was an accident.

John Watson said he saw “the lady” come up Dover Road at about a quarter to twelve. She went into the "Railway Bell," where she was refused drink. She took up her crutch and struck the window – a large plate glass one – three times with the foot of the crutch, but it did not break. She then reversed the crutch and struck the window with the head, breaking the glass at the third blow.

In reply to the defendant, witness said he did not see her thrown out of the house.

George Hall (sic), landlord of the "Railway Bell," said he saw the prisoner between ten and eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning, when she went into the public bar and asked for a glass of beer. With which she was served. She commenced to dance, and he requested her to leave, which she did. At a quarter to twelve she returned, and was refused any drinks, and the barmaid turned her out. Prisoner sat down on the pavement. Witness went back into the house, and shortly after he heard the glass break. He went outside and saw prisoner standing up, shouting “Rule Britannia”. He sent for a constable and gave her into custody. The value of the window was £3 10s.

P.C. Styles, who took the prisoner into custody, said he saw her sitting in the Junction Station yard. When told the charge, she replied “I don't care”. She had had a drink or two, but was not drunk.

Prisoner said she was a stranger to the town. She went in a temper to strike a person, and had no intention of breaking the window. She was heartily sorry, and if she could pay for the window she would willingly do it. She was invited to the house by “two other ladies”.

The first witness said he saw two other women go into the bar before the prisoner went in.

Prisoner said the “two ladies” took her in.

The Bench imposed a fine of 5s., damage £3 10s., and costs 6s. 6d., or 21 days' imprisonment with hard labour.

Folkestone Express 15 January 1921.

Local News.

Mr. J. G. Smiles, of Cheriton, the Chairman of the Elham Board of Guardians and a member of the Cheriton Urban Council, about ten days ago left for Switzerland for the winter sports. Early this week notification was received from Switzerland that he had met with an accident, as a result of which pleurisy had ensued. Mr. Roy Smiles, his son, who was in Scotland at the time of the receipt of the news, returned to Cheriton, and has left for Switzerland in order to be near his father.

It will be the sincere wish of Mr. Smiles' numerous friends in Folkestone, Cheriton, Hythe, and the surrounding district that he will have a speedy recovery.

Yesterday (Thursday) intimation was received that Mr. Smiles broke his collar bone. His condition was more reassuring.

Local News.

In another column reference is made to an accident to, and the illness of, Mr. J. G. Smiles. Last (Thursday) evening information was received from Switzerland that he was suffering from double pneumonia.

Folkestone Express 22 January 1921.

Obituary.

Last week we reported that Mr. J.G. Smiles, who resided at Brier Lea, Ashley Avenue, Cheriton, was seriously ill in Switzerland with double pneumonia, following an accident, which had resulted in a broken collar bone and two broken ribs. We now regret to have to record his death, which took place on Saturday morning, and the news of which was received later in the day at Cheriton. His demise, we are sure, be received with the greatest regret of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, not only in Folkestone, but in the surrounding towns and district, for wherever Mr. Smiles went he was exceedingly popular. He was always full of geniality, and wherever he went he speedily won the affections of those who came in contact with him. His sympathy, particularly for those who were in straightened circumstances, was very great, and he was ever ready to help in alleviating the wants and sufferings of those who, unfortunately, had to seek help. As Chairman of the Elham Board of Guardians, he was particularly solicitous of those who had to seek assistance of that body, but he always placed such people who had to come before the Board at their ease in a quiet manner. He did great good by stealth, and many people will be the poorer in friendship and in various other ways by his death.

Mr. Smiles went with Mr. Fentiman, of Folkestone, to Switzerland to take part in the winter sports there shortly after Christmas, proceeding to Grindelwald. On January 6th he was tobogganing when he crashed into a fence, and the force of the collision was such that he sustained the injuries previously mentioned. On Monday, January 10th, pneumonia developed, and it was then that Mr, Fentiman wired to Mr. Smiles' family at Cheirton stating that Mr. Smiles had met with an accident, and that pneumonia had set in, and suggesting that members of the family should go out to Switzerland. Mr. Roy Smiles, his son, had been to Scotland, and was at Leeds on Tuesday. Mrs. Smiles and Roy Smiles decided to go out to Switzerland late on Tuesday night, and they sought the aid of Mr. G. Harvey in obtaining passports for them. Mr. Harvey proceeded to London by the eleven o'clock train on Wednesday morning, and by one o'clock had obtained the necessary passports from the Passports Office. He visited the French and Swiss Offices in order to get them visaed, and the passports were in the possession of Mrs. Smiles and her son shortly after six o'clock. They, however, decided not to proceed on their journey to Switzerland until Thursday morning, when they travelled via Dover to Calais. Unfortunately they arrived too late to see Mr. Smiles alive.

Mr. Smiles was 62 years of age. He leaves a widow and three sons, Mr. Roy Smiles, the licensee of the "White Lion Hotel," Cheriton; Mr. Horace Smiles, who is in Australia, and who served in the Australian Forces during the war; and Lieut. Eng. Percy Smiles, R.N. His eldest son, Mr. Joe Smiles, died two or three years before the war from pneumonia, when about to take over the Shakespeare Hotel, in Folkestone. Mr. Smiles' father is still alive, and is 88 years of age. With Mrs. Smiles and the members of the family the greatest sympathy of the whole community in the district will be extended.

Mr. Smiles had many activities, and was very keen on all kinds of sport. He was an enthusiastic supporter of football, cricket, and hockey, and one of his chief delights was to have a good walk.

Mr. Smiles associated himself a great deal with the public life of the district. At the time of his death he was Chairman of the Elham Board of Guardians, a position he had filled with conspicuous ability for eight years. He was also Chairman of the Assessment Committee, the Finance Committee, and the House Committee. He had been a member of the Board for 21 years, during which time he had shown the greatest sympathy with those who had to seek assistance from the Guardians. He had represented the Board frequently at the meetings of the Poor Law Unions Association.

In politics Mr. Smiles was a Unionist, and an ardent supporter of Sir Philip Sassoon and the late Sir Edward Sassoon.

As a member of the Cheriton Urban Council he had always been characterised as one of the ablest representatives of the ratepayers, for whose interests he had the greatest consideration. He had served on that body for over eighteen years, and in this direction his loss will be deeply felt. He associated himself with everything for the good of the community of Cheriton and any good cause had his ready assistance. He was a vice president and the Treasurer of the Cheriton Gardeners' Society. It can be truly said of Councillor Smiles that he was a man who was fearless in his public duty and imbued with the spirit to do the best he could for his fellow men.

Previous to going to Cheriton to take over the "White Lion Hotel" in 1903, Mr. Smiles resided at the "Railway Bell Hotel," Folkestone, and at various times was connected with other Folkestone hotels.

Councillor Smiles was a sidesman at All Souls Church, Cheriton, and was one of the managers of the schools.

At the meeting of the Elham Board of Guardians yesterday (Thursday) a vote of sympathy was passed with the widow and family.

Folkestone Express 11 March 1922.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, March 8th: Before Mr. G. I. Swoffer and Colonel P. Broome-Giles.

The licence of the "Railway Bell" was transferred from Mr. George Hoare to Mr. Arthur John Clark.

Folkestone Express 14 April 1923.

Local News.

At the transfer sessions held at the Police Court on Wednesday the following licence was transferred: The "Railway Bell," Dover Road, to Mr. F. Bean, of the Duchess of Kent, Dover, from Mr. Clark.

Folkestone Express 22 November 1924.

Local News.

At the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday, before The Mayor and other Magistrates, the licence of the "Railway Bell" was transferred from Mr. Bean to Mr. Joseph George Brown (late of the King's Head, Cheapside, London.

Folkestone Express 13 March 1926.

Obituary.

We regret to have to announce the death of Mr. James Tunbridge, of Laudec Villa, 74, Radnor Park Road, and which took place in the Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday morning. He was 76 years of age, and had enjoyed good health until about a month ago. The deepest sympathy, we are sure, will be extended to the members of the family, who are left to mourn a very great loss. He leaves a widow, three sons and a. daughter, nine grandchildren and three great-grand­children.

Ever a fine personality, the late Mr. Tunbridge was characterised by his extreme geniality and goodwill. He was a typical old English gentleman, who had won the highest esteem of those whom he came in contact. He was ever ready to help those in distress, and some of his staunch advice proved invaluable. His kindly nature had won the admiration of his fellow men. He celebrated his golden wedding on Christmas Day, 1921, the marriage taking place at the Holy Trinity Church, Dover, on Christmas morning, 1871. He was born at Alkham, the village midway between Folkestone and Dover, and was a son of the late Mr. Thomas Tunbridge. He was a brother of the late Mr. Tilden Tunbridge. He was a carpenter, and was employed on the South Eastern Railway for twelve years. He was one of the first to commence the work on the projected Channel Tunnel. He assisted in the building of Shorncliffe Station and was foreman-in-charge of Cheriton Arch Station, which, at the present time is known as the Central Station. He became the proprietor of the Castle Inn, Foord, and subsequently resided at the "Guildhall Vaults," the "Railway Bell," and the "Fountain Hotel," Seabrook. He retired from business in 1917. He was the chairman of the Licensed Victuallers Society on three occasions, and was the chairman of the Licensed Victuallers’ Mineral Water Co. for six years. He was exceedingly fond of bowls, and was a member of the Hythe Bow­ling Club. He was quite content and happy when “trundling the woods’.” He was, in his time, an excellent shot, and was probably one of the best shots in the neighbourhood. He was greatly devoted to shooting, and with! his canine friend and a gun and cartridges, would make his way to the woods, where he spent many happy hours. He loved a game of billiards, and was known to be a very good welder of the cue, and was a rather formidable exponent of the game. He came to Folkestone 47 years ago. He was a member of the Brotherhood of the Cheerful Sparrows, and also of the Folkestone Club.

The funeral took place yesterday (Thurs­day), at the Folkestone Cemetery, when the Vicar of St. John’s Church (the Rev. J. B. Cowell) officiated at the Church and at the graveside in the Folkestone Cemetery.

Folkestone Express 26 January 1929.

Friday, January 18th: Before Alderman G. Spurgen and other Magistrates.

Richard Ryan was charged with stealing on the 5th January, he being the bailee, a bicycle, the property of Mr. Attwood, by converting it for his own use. Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Mr. J. Attwood, a cycle engineer and dealer of 40, Coolinge Road, said he identified the prisoner. He first called at his shop on the 1st January, with the view of purchasing a bicycle, and took the machine on the 2nd January. He had wanted to know the terms for buying a machine on the instalment system. He entered into an agreement to have the bicycle on the hire-purchase system. On the 2nd January he read the agreement completely through, some of it aloud. He said he would pay 7s. 6d. He took the machine away. He paid nothing further, beyond the first 7s. 6d. Witness sent to his house twice and he had had a letter from him. He had given the defendant no authority to deal with the bicycle.

Prisoner: Did you say “This is the first bike I have sold this year?”

Mr. Attwood: I did.

The Clerk: When you went through this transaction were there any transfers on the machine? - Two, one on the front, and one on the rear.

Are they there now? - No, they have been rubbed off.

Prisoner: My boy rubbed it off.

Frederick Harold Croucher, 19, Canterbury Road, employed as a barman at the "Railway Bell," said defendant was a customer there. He saw him there about a fortnight ago, and he was trying to find someone to buy a bicycle. Prisoner asked him, and he had the bicycle outside the bar. Three or four days later he went in the bar, and asked again if he wanted to buy it. Prisoner said he was hard up, and he purchased it for £2, under the belief that the bicycle belonged to him. He never noticed any transfers, whether they were on or off. He had had the bicycle ever since.

In reply to prisoner, witness said he wanted him not to sell it, as he wanted it. He told him he did not want a receipt, as he knew him.

David Edward Brown, employed by Mr. Attwood, said he was there when Ryan went to buy the bicycle. A few days later Mr. Attwood sent him to see prisoner about the payments, and he said he would go round on the Saturday, but he did not go. He went on the Monday, and prisoner said he would give him a note for Mr. Attwood.

Det. Sergeant Rowe said that about noon on the 16th he went to 117, Canterbury Road, where he saw the bicycle. He saw it was a new machine, and the transfers had been scratched off and painted over. He saw the prisoner in Folly Road. At first prisoner said he would not toll him where he got it, and afterwards he said “I got it from Mr. Attwood at Coolinge Road”. On Thursday he took a statement from Mr. Attwood, and in consequence ho charged the prisoner, and he replied “I bought that bicycle, I did not steal the bicycle.”

Brown, recalled, said he handed a copy of the agreement (produced) to Mr. Ryan.

Walter John Masters said he saw prisoner sign the agreement.

Prisoner, giving evidence on oath, said that when he went to Mr. Attwood he thought he had purchased the machine, and he told his wife it would do to ride up and down if the work opened up on Dover Road, and he got a job as night man. He honestly believed it was his bicycle. If he did a thing like that with a wife and three children, with the pension of £1 a week, he would deserve horse whipping. He did not think he had purchased it for 7s. 6d., but he knew he had to pay for it. He sold it because his wanted him to get rid of it.

The Magistrates found defendant guilty. Inspector Pittock said there was one previous conviction, for stealing ten fowls with another man. He had been wounded in the arm, which was practically useless. In 1927 he was thrown off a cart, and fractured his skull.

Prisoner was sentenced to one month’s hard labour.

Prisoner: I thank you.

Folkestone Express 24 August 1935.

Local News.

The licence of the Railway Bell, Dover Road, was transferred from Mr. Peter C. Richardson to Mr. George Gumbrill at the Folkestone transfer sessions at the Town Hall on Wednesday. Mr. Gumbrill, who has managed several other licensed houses, comes from Fairlight Cove, Hastings.