From the East Kent Mercury, 27th November 1997.

NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT.

By L. W. Cozens.

The building is on the North corner of Brewer Street, at its junction with Middle Street. In the late 1700s it was called the "Star Inn" and renamed the "Paragon Music Hall" in 1873.

It was always of dubious character, and the Royal Marines were, at one time, banned from it.

In 1866, the landlord of the "Star" appeared before the Bench to answer to answer the complaint of an "unfortunate" who said she had been unable to obtain possession of articles given to her. She was accompanied by one or two "frail sisters."

The landlord said the girls were his servants.

In 1871 the landlord, one Mr. Elson took over the licence, coming from Ramsgate with four or five prostitutes. Elson denied that and said that three of the girls were servants and two went on stage. He still got his licence.

In 1900 it was bought by Chitty, the miller of Deal, who, to raise the tone of the place, turned it into a reading and leisure room for young men.

In 1908 it was called "Citizens Hall," in 1928 "McLuskie's Billiard Hall" and in 1934 the "Social and Billiards Club." It was empty during the war years and is now a private residence.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 20 March, 1869. 1d.

ANOTHER DRUNKEN FREAK

Thomas Bailey, 18, waterman, was charged with wilfully breaking a jug, and also damaging a door, at the "Star" public-house, the property of Elizabeth Weston. Prisoner was before the Magistrates for a similar offence only a fortnight since, (Click here) and was then fined £1.

Mrs. Weston deposed: I live at No. 1, Brewer Stree, and keep the "Star" public-house. On Thursday evening last, I heard a noise in my tap-room as of a jug being broken, and I went in and enquired who had broken it. All of those present said the prisoner Bailey had, and I said to him, "Bailey, you have broken several things of mine, and you must therefore pay for the jug." he then became very abusive and followed me out of the tap-room, and demanded a pint of beer. I refused to serve it him, and he then struck the door of the tap-room, which I was holding, and smashed one of the panels and otherwise broke it. He broke the door because I would not serve him with the beer. Mr. Waters, a carpenter, has examined the door and says it will cost 6s. to repair. (Prisoner, who had been conducting himself in a very boorish manner during the whole time, here commenced whistling, which, however, was instantly suppressed. He was very unruly and declared that he could get the door repaired for 1s.) Mrs. Weston continued: Mr. Waters told me that that was the cheapest he could repair the door for. The prisoner came into my house before and broke a jug and I was then obliged to call for the police. The piece that was knocked off the top of the door fell on me. Prisoner was not sober, but he knew what he was about. He has been constantly upsetting me for the last 10 weeks, and I have repeatedly had to send for the police to remove him from my house. He has frequently been found lying outside the house drunk, and has greatly annoyed the neighbours. His father and mother have been to me repeatedly to have him taken away from the house. P.C. Cox took the prisoner into custody.

Prisoner: I can get the door repaired for 1s., which he says cannot be done for less than 6s.

I defence, prisoner further said: I say I broke the pot accidentally, and the door was split as I was going out of the room, when I tripped and fell against the door, and my fist went through it. A child two years old could break the door.

Mr. Iggulden: We cannot believe what you say.

Prisoner (insolently): Why not, as well as Mrs. Weston? There are several chaps in court who were in the room at the time.

After a short consultation the Mayor said it was no use giving the prisoner good advice, as they endeavoured to do that when he was here before. He was always in rows and riots, doing damage to himself as well as to others. He knew that Mrs. Weston had been lying almost at death's door, but he did not seem to have cared for that, as he had abused her with violent language. The bench considered that he had done the damage wilfully and by way of a drunken, stupid frolic, and they would therefore send him to prison for three weeks, with hard labour.

Prisoner: But how am I going to do the hard labour with one arm?

The mayor said no doubt the prison surgeon would attend to that.

As Bailey was leaving the court he addressed Mrs. Weston, and said if he had known he was going to have three weeks' imprisonment he would "have given her a lift under the ear."

There were several of prisoner's companions present in court, and it was pretty well known that they were quite ready to club round to pay any fine the Magistrates might have inflicted; but the Bench very properly considered that it was time that more stringent measures were taken to check the prevalence of cases of drunkenness and disorderly conduct, which have recently become so common amongst the class to which Bailey belongs.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 10 April, 1869. 1d.

ANOTHER VISIT TO SANDWICH GOAL

Thomas Bailey was brought up for having on the 7th inst. again assaulted Mrs. A. E. Weston, landlady of the "Star" public-house, and also with threatening to do her further harm, as well as destroying her property.

The prisoner was before the Magistrates only about a month since for a similar offence, when he was committed for three weeks, which had only terminated on the previous Friday.

Ann Elizabeth Weston deposed: I keep the "Star" public-house, Brewer Street. On the afternoon of the 7th inst., about half-past three or four o'clock, the prisoner came to my house and threatened to smash the front of my house belonging to me in Beach Street, and said i had robbed other people to buy it. He also said he would smash the front of the "Star," that he would wring my neck and cut my head off, that he intended to "do" for me in some way before long, and made use of very bad language not fit to repeat. He attempted to strike me, and in doing so tore my jacket. I opened the front door and asked him to go out, when he caught hold of me, but I resisted him, and got the door shut. He came in again and got into the concert room. I followed him out at the back door. He then tried to grasp me by the throat, but I got the better of him and fastened the back door, when he got over the gate and came in again by the window. He then came out and wanted me to draw him a pint of beer, but I would not, and the then commenced abusing me again in front of the bar. After some time he went away. This was the third time he had been to my house that day. He came again in the evening and threatened he would destroy everything he came near and me too. I stood in the passage and my daughter also watched him. We would not draw him any beer.

By the Mayor: I have been very ill in health for a long time - almost at death's door, which Bailey perfectly well knew. I feel quite inn danger of my life since he has followed the house.

Bailey, being asked whether he wished to put any questions to Mrs. Weston, denied that he mentioned a word to her about the house in Beach Street, and also declared that nearly everything she had said was wrong. He denied most positively that he touched her at all, and said that Mrs. Weston chased him out the back-way, and that in doing tripped and fell and that my means tore her dress. She also threatened to tear his eyes out, and in attempting to do so did scratch his hand.

Mrs. Weston said that very likely when the prisoner was trying to get at her throat she did say she would tear his eyes out and scratch him, but whatever she did was to protect herself.

Bailey said there were three girls and some "Walmer-roaders" present at the time, who could prove that he never touched Mrs. Weston.

The Mayor after conferring with his brother Magistrates, said that as it was a matter of veracity between two persons, they would like to send for Mrs. Weston's daughter if she was handy.

Bailey requested that one of the girls he had referred to, and who lodged at the "Star," should also be asked to attend; and a constable was accordingly despatched to obtain the two witnesses in question.

After a short interval, Mrs. Sarah Elazabeth Allwork, entered the court, and after being sworn, deposed the following: I am the daughter of the complainant, and have been staying with her a few days. I was there on Wednesday last. The first I heard of the affair was the very abusive language from Bailey to my mother, and a scuffle between them in the tap-room, near the front door. I ran to her assistance, but I was not in time to see the dress torn, but I saw it afterwards. the language was of a threatening character, and to the effect that he would knock my mother's head off; that he had had 21 days through her, and that he would "cop" her for it. I spoke to him and asked him if he was not ashamed of his own tack. i saw my mother fall. She was going to fasten him out of the door. She was very much agitated, and I think this has somewhat to do with her fall. I saw Bailey pulling my mother, I think by the body, and he was vary violent. She fastened him out, but he afterwards got over the gate and obtained an entrance by the window.

P.C. Spicer informed his Worship that he had seen the young woman mentioned by Bailey, but she said she knew nothing about the affair and should decline coming.

Bailey then said there was one of the "Walmer-roaders" who was present at the "Star," in court, but this worthy also pleaded ignorance and declined to give evidence.

After a short consultation the Magistrates committed the prisoner to gaol for two months, with hard labour, and informed him that at the end of that time he would be required to two sureties in £10 each for his good behaviour for three months, and unless he could find those sureties he would have to lay in gaol for another three months.

Mr. Chittended, who had attended before the Magistrates on the previous day to complain of Bailey having broken an oar belonging to one of his boats, and also of his having taken another of his boats from off the beach and gone to Ramsgate in it and left it there, did not appear to-day, and consequently no further notice was taken of the matter.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 14 January, 1871. 1d.

BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS

Mr. Elson, of Ramsgate, applied to have the license of the "Star" public-house, Brewer Street, endorsed in his name till next transfer day, he having taken the business off Mrs. Weston. In answer to the Magistrates, Supt. Parker said he understood applicant had brought four of five prostitutes with him, and that he had kept such a house in Ramsgate. Mr. Elson, however, denied this, and said that two of the four women he had brought with him were servants and the others went on the stage. He handed in several testimonials of character from tradesmen at Ramsgate, but the Bench considered it preferable that the Superintendent should make official enquiries, and accordingly adjourned the application till Thursday next.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 7 December, 1872. 1d.

DOG CASE

James Elson, landlord of the "Star Inn," Brewer Street, was summoned, upon the information of Mr. G. Sutton, for allowing a ferocious dog to go at large unmuzzled, contrary to the pavement Act, whereby he had rendered himself liable to a penalty not exceeding £5.

George Sutton deposed: I live at 161, Middle Street. On the night of the 25th November, I and my wife were going home about twenty-five minutes to eight. When we had proceeded as far as Mr. Stubberfield's shop in Middle Street, Mrs. Budd came down from Coppen Street, and she spoke to my wife, who is her sister. Just then a dog named "Tiger" turned upon my missus and seized her by the hip. I kicked the dog, and it let go, and caught my wife by the shawl at the throat. A woman then called "Tiger," and the dog went off. The woman, I believe, was Mr. Elson's daughter. I took my wife indoors, and afterwards went to Mr. Parker's. The dog, which belongs to the defendant, attacked my wife early in the summer. The present attack lasted, I should think, about two or three minutes. the woman who whistled the dog off was standing by Mr. Langley's shop in Middle Street. It is a large black dog. Neither I nor my wife said or done anything to irritate it. I can assure you it is a ferocious dog and it has been complained of to the police before.

Cross-examined by defendant: I have not laid this information through any spite towards you. There was mud in the roads on the night in question, and the dog's feet would be muddy. The dog was of a black colour. I won't say whether it had a collar on. I could tell a black dog from a brown one in the dark. I could not tell what colour its paws were.

Mrs. Budd deposed: I saw my sister and brother near to Mrs. Stubberfield's shop. I saw the daughter of defendant with the dog coming from Middle Street. I spoke a word to my sister, and whilst doing so the dog rushed at her and barked very loudly. It frightened me so that I could not stop. I went down to the police-station, thinking the dog could be fastened up. I have frequently seen the dog before. It comes with Elson's daughter to Mr. May's for milk, and she is often obliged to drag it by the collar. It seems rather a rough dog, I have never seen any other ferocious act. It generally goes quietly with the young woman. I think the dog aught not to be at large.

Supt Parker said there had been a complaint made against the dog by a person living in Farrier Street.

In defence Elson said the dog was not ferocious, and it was not out on the night in question. He called Mrs. Bailey, who stated that as she was going to the "Star" on the night in question to fetch her supper beer, she heard a hubbub in the street and waited a little while till it was over. When she went in she saw the dog, and said to it "Well, my lord, what have you been up to?" Mr. Elson asked her what she meant, and she asked him if it had not flew at Mrs. Sutton just before. He said "No. The dog has not been out," and upon her stroking the dog she found it was not in the least wet. It was a rainy night. She did not think he could have been dried in the short time that elapsed between the noise in the street and her entering the house. She did not consider the animal at all ferocious, and had frequently seen it playing with the boys' caps.

Thomas Kenny, a musician living at the "Star Inn," deposed that the dog was in the kitchen from six till eight on the evening in question.

The Magistrates were about to dispose of the case by ordering defendant to pay the cost of the damage done to the shawl, remarking that although defendant denied that his dog was out, he had refrained from producing his daughter, who was alleged to have been with the dog at the time it attacked complaint's wife.

Defendant said his daughter could be easily fetched, and a constable was accordingly despatched for her.

Sarah Eyers, the young woman in question, deposed; I am step-daughter to Mr. Elson, who keeps the "Star Inn." I live there, and was at home on Monday week. I went to Lewis's marionettes at the "Royal Oak," about a quarter or ten minutes to eight that evening. I had been at home till that time. I took a little girl with me. I left the dog indoors in the kitchen. I did not see anyone on my way to the "Oak," nor did I speak to anyone. I will swear that. I will swear I did not take the dog out that evening, nor was I near Mr. Stubberfield's at the bottom of Coppen Street. I do not know Mrs. Budd or Mrs. Sutton. I do not go for the milk, as a boy always calls at our house with it. I have no sister in Deal.

The case was then dismissed.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 23 May, 1874. 1d.

EXTENSION OF TIME

Mr. J. Elson, landlord of the "Star Inn," Brewer Street, was granted permission to keep his house open till one o'clock  on Saturday morning, on the occasion of a supper to the professionals engaged in the Music Hall, which is to be closed for the season.