From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 21 September 1867. Price 1d.

SUDDEN DEATH

On Monday last an instance of the uncertainty of life occurred at Hop Hall hop gardens. It appears that a man named Daniel Gammon, a resident of Longport, was hop picking, when he was observed to fall; and on a man named Sladden going to pick him up, was found to be dead. He was then taken to the "Ship Inn" to await the Coroner's inquest. In the evening the inquest was held on the body, and the following evidence was taken:—

William Strut said:- This morning about nine o'clock I saw the deceased in Hop Hall hop gardens hop picking. I spoke to him, and saw him several times as I passed up and down the gardens. At that time he appeared in his usual health. My attention was afterwards drawn to the deceased by a man named Sladden, and on going to him I found him lying on the ground. With assistance I turned him over, and I believe he shortly afterwards expired.

Henry Ebenezer Hutchings, surgeon, said:- I was sent for to the hop garden above mentioned to attend the deceased, and found him lying on his back quite dead. I made a post-mortem examination of the body, and there were no Marks of violence on it. From the appearance, and the evidence given by Strut, I am of opinion that deceased died of disease of the heart.

Richard Sladden said:- I know the deceased, who is 70 years of age. He was employed in the hop garden this morning. I saw him about a quarter-past twelve. He was then walking over some ploughed ground towards Canterbury, and appeared to be a his usual health. As soon as he had reached the hop garden he fell to the ground. I went to him about eight minutes alter he fell, and I believe he was then dead. He was quite alone when he fell, no person being within 100 yards of him. I called for assistance, and William Strut, the previous witness, came.

The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes.”

From the Whitstable Times, 21 July, 1900.

SUICIDE OF A PRISONER IN CANTERBURY GAOL.

The City Coroner (Dr. T. S. Johnson) held an inquest at the "Ship Inn," St Martin's Hill, Canterbury, on Monday evening, respecting the death of James Henry Spilling, who was found on the previous Friday with several strands of oakum tied round his neck in his cell at the Canterbury Prison, where he was undergoing a sentence of twenty-one day's imprisonment for begging in Deal.

William John Spilling, labourer, living at 9, Cannon Street, Deal, identified the deceased as his brother who lived at 5, Cannon Street, Deal. The deceased was a married man and left six children. he was addicted to drink at times and once before he was convicted for begging and sent to prison. On the 11th July he was convicted again and sentenced to twenty-one days' imprisonment.

Harrison Wall, a warder at her Majesty’s Prison, Longport, Canterbury, deposed that he was acting as gate-keeper when the prisoner was brought in at five o'clock on the 11th from Deal. he seemed vary rational and witness passed him on to the reception. On the 14th witness took over the duties of orderly officer and was at the infirmary till 6.50 watching the deceased when he died.

Chief Warden Ward stated that he received the prisoner on the morning of the 12th. He was acting governor at the time. The man was brought before him with many others. He was able to answer all his questions and there appeared nothing unusual about him. He seemed a man that had been drinking a good deal. On the 13th when the witness was making his morning inspection of the cells he found the deceased lying on the floor with his face downwards. Witness turned him over and immediately unfastened his shirt in the neck. He found several pieces of oakum which had been tied together round the deceased's neck. They were tied round his neck very tightly. He cut the rope away and with Warder Hill dragged deceased into the daylight, where they applied artificial respiration for three or four hours. His breathing eventually came back. The doctor was sent for and he arrived at 11.45. About four o'clock the doctor had the deceased removed to the Prison Infirmary. The deceased died about thirty-two hours after he was found in the cell. He never regained consciousness.

Mathew Hills, a warder, who was with the Chief Warder, corroborated.

Mr. Pugin Thorning, surgeon to H.M. Prison, Canterbury, deposed that he was sent for and on arrival at the gaol found the Chief Warder and the deceased. He gave instructions what was to be done and had the man sent up to the Hospital. he died at ten minutes to seven o'clock on Saturday evening from the effects of strangulation.

The jury returned a verdict that deceased committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.

From the Whitstable Times, 27 September 1900.

The City Coroner (Dr. T. S. Johnson) held an inquest on Monday afternoon at the "Ship Inn," St. Martin's Hill, Canterbury, touching the death of a baby named Charles William Wellard.

Isobel Margaret Wellard, the mother, stated that she lived with her husband at 21, St. Martin's Hill. The deceased baby was five months old. The previous Monday the child was taken ill and she procured a powder for it from Mr. Harris, chemist, St. Margaret's Street. She then got another powder from Mr. Harris's as the child did not get better. At 6.30 on Sunday morning the child seemed bad and a doctor was sent for at 8.30, but the child died about nine o'clock before the doctor's arrival.

In answer to the Coroner witness said she thought the child had a fit before dying.

Charles Wellard, a labourer, in the employ of the last witness and father of the deceased. He woke up on Sunday morning and noticed the child was queer. He fetched Mr. Frank Wacher afterwards. The doctor got to the house about a quarter past ten but the child was then dead. He went and asked Mr. Wacher to come up but when he got back he was told that the child was very bad so he went down to Mr. Wacher again. Mr. Wacher was then just putting his hat on in order to come to see the child.

Mr. F. Wacher, surgeon, stated that on Sunday morning he was called to 21, St. Martin's Hill, to see the deceased. The father, who fetched him, told him that the child was suffering from diarrhoea. He came again about about a quarter past ten just as witness was about to start. He went to the house and found the child dead. It had been dead some time. He examined it. It was a healthy child and well nourished. There were no marks of violence.

In reply to the Coroner witness said the only sign of the deceased having had a fit was that its hands were clenched.

The Coroner said the doctor surely did not want any more evidence about that.

Mr. Wacher said he was told that the parents had obtained powders from Mr. Harris, St. Margaret's Street. he (Mr. Wacher) considered that the fact of the child being ill from Tuesday until Sunday should have induced the parents to seek medical advice after giving the first powder to the child which was obtained from an unqualified practitioner.

Mr. F. R. Harris, who was in attendance, said that he had dispensed powders and medicines for a great number of years. He was dispenser at the Canterbury Dispensary for many years, and had never been connected with an inquest before in all his career.

The Coroner, in summing up said that it was very clear from the evidence that the child had a fit. Children often had convulsions, and in this case it was quite clear from the fact that the child's hands were clenched that it had had a fit. It would no doubt have been better had the parents called in a doctor before, but it was a good thing that poor people could go to chemists and to Mr. Harris and get powders at a cheap rate.

The jury returned a verdict of "Death from convulsions."

From the Whitstable Times, 18 May, 1901.

George Philpott, landlord at the "Ship Inn," St. Martin's Hill, was summoned for keeping his house open during prohibited hours on the 3rd May.

Mr. H. Fielding prosecuted on behalf of the police. Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Sergeant Jackson stated that at 11.30 p.m. on the 3rd Inst. he was outside the "Ship" public house with P.C. West. He saw lights and heard voices, and, on listening, he heard someone say that if anyone came to the house they were to say they were lodgers. On entering the house he found two soldiers, who said they were on pass, but on further questioning them one said he had not got his pass with him, and the other said he had got an extension of leave, but it had been sent to his home. Defendant said the men were lodgers, and had paid for beds. On the table were glasses containing beer, and another one gin.

P.C. West corroborated.

Defendant stated that early on the evening in question the two soldiers came and asked if they could have beds, and he told them they could. At 11 o’clock one took his beer into the living room, and the other went out, but came back shortly afterwards and paid for his bed, the other having done so early in the evening. No liquor was drawn after 11 o’clock, except a little rum for his wife. The soldiers slept in the house that night. He did not know they were out without leave. One of them had slept at his house on previous occasions.

Mary Smith, who was staying at the "Ship" with her husband on the night in question, stated that she was in bed at 11 o’clock and heard the premises closed, and afterwards re-opened. She knew the men slept at the house that night as she heard them go to bed and also heard them get up in the morning.

William Kain, private in the 9th Lancers, stated that on the 3rd May he slept at the "Ship." He had been on leave, and an extension of the leave had been sent to his home, but had not reached him, so he decided to stay for the night at the "Ship." He paid for his bed early in the evening. He was in the landlord’s room when the police came in.

The Chairman said that the Magistrates had come to the conclusion that although there was a certain amount of justifiable suspicion, it was apparent at any rate one of the soldiers had intended to sleep there, and the case would be dismissed; but he advised the landlord to be very cautious as to taking in soldiers without seeing their passes.

From the Whitstable Times, 8 February, 1902.

DEATH OF A PRISONER.

The City Coroner (Dr. T. S. Johnson) held an inquest at the “Ship Inn,” St. Martin's, Canterbury, last Wednesday afternoon, touching the death of Theodore McNeill, alias William Mason, aged 42, a clerk, a prisoner in His Majesty's Prison at Canterbury.

The Governor of the Gaol (Mr. Farewell) and Father Power, the Roman Catholic Priest, attended the inquest.

Evidence was given by William Norris and Henry Penny, temporary warders, and Harrison Wall, warder at the gaol, as to deceased being admitted and as to his health during the time he was there.

It appeared that the deceased was convicted at Margate Quarter Sessions in August, 1901, of theft, and sentenced to nine months' hard labour. He had been in ill-health and everything was done for him that could he done. On the doctor’s advice he had not been put to hard labour and he had been in the Prison Hospital for some time. He got worse and died on February 8. In the opinion of Mr. W. Pugin Thornton, who made a post-mortem, death was due to an aneurism of the aorta.

The jury returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes.

From the Whitstable Times, 15 November, 1902.

ALLEGED THEFT OF FOWLS.

William Seames was charged with stealing ten fowls from an out-house at the back of the “Ship Inn,” St. Martin's Hill, and Frederick Steed was charged with receiving two of them knowing them to have been stolen.

Inspector Dunk said he only proposed calling evidence of arrest, and he would then ask the magistrates to remand prisoners until Friday.

Inspector Dunk stated that at about 4.50 the previous evening he arrested the prisoner Soames in the “Garrison Arms,” Northgate Street. He charged him with steeling ten fowls, the property of Mr. Shrubsole, St. Margaret's Street. Prisoner said witness had made the biggest mistake he had ever made in his life, and was on the wrong scent. He had never seen any fowls. Witness took him to the police station.

Sergeant Swain stated that ha saw the prisoner Steed sitting on a form in the bar with the two fowls produced, beside him. Witness asked him how he accounted for being in possession of the fowls. Prisoner said he knew nothing about them. They didn't belong to him. He took prisoner to the police office and charged him with receiving two fowls knowing them to have been stolen. Prisoner said he gave 2s. for them.

Prisoner denied knowing the fowls were stolen.

Prisoners were remanded until Friday, bail being allowed.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 28 July 1923.

The "Ship Inn" to go for Compensation.

At the principal meeting of the Canterbury Licensing Magistrates on Thursday a final effort was made to retain the licence of the old "Ship Inn," St. Martin's Hill. Mr. R. H. Arrowsmith applying for its renewal on behalf of the owners and the tenants. At the last annual licensing sessions the house was scheduled for compensation, the police having reported it as not being required for the needs of the district. After hearing Mr. Arrowsmith and his witnesses the justices refused to renew the licence.