From the Kentish Gazette, 26 September 1865.

A "Jollification" in Clyde Street.

Yesterday the City Magistrates were engaged upwards of four hours, at the Guildhall, investigating a charge of alleged assault preferred by Mrs. Deverson, wife of a labourer, against Thomas South. The Magistrates on the Bench at the commencement were the Right Worshipful the Mayor (Peter Marten, Esq.), Wm. Mount, Esq., Edward Wootton, Esq., Alderman Philpott and Alderman Austin; but the two latter gentlemen left before half the witnesses had been examined.

Mr. A. Fielding: appeared in support of the charge, and Mr. Delasaux for the defendant.

The defendant South is the landlord of the "Tally Ho" public house, Clyde-street, and the complainant, till Thursday last, resided with her husband in the next house, where she dealt in sweets. It appeared that the complainant was on rather bad terms with her neighbours, and when it was known that she was about to leave on Thursday, they determined to have, as some of the witnesses described it, a jollification. Others called it a "spree," and one or two designated it "a bit of a caper." The defendant took an active part in promoting the "rejoicings." In the forenoon a broom was hoisted out of one of the upper windows of the "Tally Ho," and it was alleged that South encouraged a crowd to collect during the day by giving away liquor, throwing sweets to be scrambled tor by boys, whom he instigated to "holler," and the harmony was kept up to the delightful strains of tin kettles. This was going on the greater part of the afternoon, and some of the witnesses said there was a large concourse of persons.

With regard to the assault it was alleged that in the evening, Mrs. Deverson went to fetch some things away, accompanied by her two brothers Frederick and John Ferry. The brothers went into a gravel pit in the locality, and Mrs. Deverson went to the house. When passing the "Tally Ho" Mr. South rushed out and put his arm round her neck. He then got hold of her hair and struck her repeatedly about the face and head. The brothers hearing her cries ran out of the gravel pit, to her assistance, and something like a general fight ensued. At length Mrs. Deverson and her brothers succeeded in getting into the house and barricaded the door. They were kept there for several hours, the defendant going about on the outside, calling the complainant opprobrious names and threatening to do for her and her brothers when they came out. At length two policemen came to the rescue and they were able to get away. The disturbance continued for several hours and there was a crowd of people there till 9 or 10 o’clock at night. Some of the witnesses described the proceedings as very disgraceful, and others "knew nothing about it," being evidently very unwilling witnesses. Three of them — W. D. West, baker, Thomas Solley, baker in the employ of West, and Daniel Bourne, cow keeper, — had to be severely censured and threatened with imprisonment for contempt of Court. For the defence it was alleged that, instead of being assaulted, the complainant assaulted both South and his wife, using very offensive and disgusting language to them, and that any wounds she sustained were in the melee which followed. The witnesses called by Mr. Delasaux for the defendant directly contradicted that given in support of the complaint. At 4 o’clock, when seven or eight of the defendant’s witnesses had been examined, Mr. Delasaux said he had at least as many more to call. On hearing this the Magistrates decided to adjourn the further hearing of the case till this (Tuesday) morning at 10 o’clock. Another case, in which Mrs. Wiggell, one of the witnesses for the defendant, charged Mrs. Deverson with assaulting her, on Friday last, was also adjourned.