From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 1 October, 1869.

THREATENING TO MURDER AND COMMIT SUICIDE

George Duell, an hotel commissioner, belonging to Dover, was charged with having threatened to murder his wife, Ann Duell, and also having threatened to commit suicide.

Mr. Wollaston Knocker appeared in the place of Mr. Thomas Fox to prosecute.

Miss Emma Martin, a lady staying at the Convalescent Home, Strond Street, said she knew the prisoner from his living at the home with his wife' who fulfilled the duties of cook. About eight o'clock on the previous night the prisoner came into the dining room, and asked for his wife. he had a pistol in his hand, and a stick under his arm. Fearing that he had some desperate design, she endeavoured to divert his attention; but prisoner still demanded that his wife might be found, and on  witness promising to go in search of her, he went back to his room. She subsequently found Mrs. Duell upstairs , and told her what the prisoner had said. The prisoner did not use any threatening language towards the witness, nor in witness's presence towards Mrs. Duell.

 Mrs. Ann Duell, the prisoner's wife, said she lived at the Convalescent Home. Her husband, the prisoner, acted as commissioner at the "Harp Hotel," Strond Street. Prisoner's conduct towards witness during the last few days had been very bad. On Thursday night he got out of bed and threatened to cut his throat with a clasp knife, which he had in his hand; but witness took the knife away from him. The prisoner was very restless during the remainder of the night. He was the worse for liquor when he threatened to commit suicide that act. The prisoner was very quiet when not in liquor. Witness had another occasion taken a knife from him.

Charles Sims said he lived with his father at the "Shipwright's Arms," near the Convalescent Home. he saw the prisoner at his father's house on the previous evening, when he had a revolver in his possession. In reply to a question put to him, he said he had purchased it. Witness did not hear the prisoner use any threats towards any person. Before prisoner left the house the witness asked him  what he was going to do with the revolver, when he told him to mind his own business. Witness informed the prisoner that he should take the pistol from him, if he did not put it away. Prisoner afterwards left the house. The prisoner had then had too much to drink. From what witness afterwards afterwards heard, he went into the Convalescent Home, and entered the prisoner's private room, where he found him. The revolver was lying on the table, with powder and caps near to it. Witness shook hands with the prisoner, and asked him what was the matter. He then took possession of the pistol and caps, and removed the prisoner out of the room. This took place about half-past eight. He did not hear the prisoner threaten to hurt any one. Witness also took a bullet from off the table in the same room.

Mr. Richard Thomas said he was a chemist residing at the Cross Wall. On arriving home on the previous night, at a quarter past eight, he found the prisoner in the shop with witness's wife, and another person. The prisoner and witness went into the sitting room. The prisoner was at the time suffering from delirium tremens. Witness thought that prisoner must have been drinking four or five days. While witness was in  the parlour, he said something about blowing his wife's brains out, and also used similar threats towards Mr. Cox and Mr. Dyne, the two station-masters at Dover. It was witness's desire to give the prisoner some medicine, and send him to bed.

At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. Knocker and for a remand, and the Magistrates remanded the prisoner till Friday (this day).

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 May 1890.

FIRE AT THE HARP HOTEL.

A fire broke out on the premises of the "Harp Hotel," Strond Street on Saturday evening about 9.30 and it assumed very alarming proportions at first. It appears that about 9.30 the book-keeper heard a sound as of an explosion and rushing out of her office found the top of the landing in flames. She immediately raised the alarm and got a neighbour to telephone to the Police Station. Police-constables Baker and Danson were quickly on the spot. It was found that all communication with the top floors was cut off and great fears were expressed for the safety of Miss Miller, sister of the proprietors who was in one of the upper rooms. Noting the danger Police-constable Baker at once ran off to fetch the fire escape while Police-constable Crockford was soon at the burning building with the hose reel from the drainage works. In the meantime Police Constable Danson, who was left in charge, succeeded with assistance in rescuing Miss. Miller and a visitor at the house both, of whom found their retreat cut off, and had to jump out of one of the first floor back windows into Limekiln Street.

The hose reel was sent from the Fire Station at Queen Street but in the meantime Mr. Lanham, foreman of the Packet Yard, and Mr. Haydon resident engineer at the Oil Mills, with commendable promptitude, fixed their private stand-pipes at the Oil Mills and Packet Yard, and got to work at the back of the hotel, and greatly assisted the Fire Brigade. But for the timely aid rendered by these two gentlemen much valuable property, might have been destroyed, as Mr. Lanham was the first to play water upon the burning building. Valuable assistance was also rendered by Mr. J. B. Cass, London Chatham and Dover Railway Superintendent, who, living adjacent to the scene of the conflagration, was very quickly on the spot, and was instrumental in saving the account books of the hotel, the cash box, and till money. Mr. Cass also had the railway fire engine brought to use, and instructed his men then on duty to render every assistance. He also offered the hospitalities of his house to Mrs. Morely and others. The fire was ultimately extinguished, soon after eleven o’clock. It is supposed that it originated in the linen room, where a number of sheets and other articles were being aired.

While Superintendent Sanders was directing the operations of his men inside the house the staircase gave way beneath him, and he fell through, but likely without sustaining hurt.

Five rooms on the first floor, consisting of the private office, linen, sitting, smoking, and store rooms were entirely gutted and the contents destroyed. The staircase leading to the second floor, and the various passages and corridors, were very much charred, as were also the doors and partitions of several other rooms. The furniture in the bedrooms was considerably damaged by heat and water; while the bar parlour, kitchen, coffee room, and other domestic offices, on the ground floor were also damaged by water and smoke.

Number 8, Strond Street, which, although a separate house, forms a portion of the hotel, and is rented by Mrs. Morley, was slightly damaged by smoke and steam. The buildings and contents were insured in the Guardian Fire Office, of which Messrs Worsfold and Hayward are the local agents. Notwithstanding the serious damage done, business will be carried on as usual at the hotel.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 14 September, 1900.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT ON THE ADMIRALTY PIER

A MAN’S HEAD CUT OFF

A terrible accident occurred on the Admiralty Pier last Friday at noon, when the Ostend boat train was running on to the Admiralty Pier. A carriage cleaner named Canham in the employ of the S.E.R. endeavoured to jump on to the foot-board of the train as she was passing No. 2 platform at a good rate of speed. He missed his hold and fell head first under the wheels, meeting with instant death.

The shocking sight was witnessed by a great many people, spectators on the top of the Pier and passengers about to go on to the boat, and created the greatest horror.

The inquest was held on Saturday afternoon at the “Harp Hotel” by the Borough Coroner, Sydenham Payn, Esq. Mr. J. Jarry was chosen foreman of the Jury, which also included Messrs. George Hatton, Edward Woodward, R. Knott, G. Hirten, J. Knight, B. Williams, M. Musk, J. Hogben, A. Watson, G. Mondstone, E. Baynton, and Scott Wallace.

Mr. R. Mowll was present to watch the case on behalf of the Harbour Board, and Capt. Iron, the Harbour Master, attended.

John William Canham, a signalman at Kearsney loop, said he lived at 30, Longfield Road. The deceased Alfred Frank Canham was his son. He would be 19 years of age on the 12th of this month, and was a carriage cleaner in the employ of the South Eastern Railway Company. He last saw him alive last Sunday night.

Thomas Rigden said: I am a marine baggage checker in the employ of the South Eastern and Chatham Dover Railway Company. I was on the Admiralty Pier at 12.55 on No. 2 platform. The Ostend South Eastern train came down and the engine had just passed me. The train was travelling at its usual pace. I turned round and saw the deceased nearly at the other end of the platform trying to catch hold of the carriage handle. He missed it and made a bit of a slew and the carriage caught his left shoulder. I was close to him and then and tried to catch him, but just as he got to me he fell down between the carriage and the platform. As the train passed on the footboards of the next carriage caught his legs, his head going right underneath the wheels. I was with two ladies, who saw the occurrence, and I had to attend to them as they were overcome. Afterwards I went to our lobby and got a blanket to put over him – I was going to get a flag but they would not let me have it, so I took my blanket. I saw that the young fellow’s head was cut off.

The Coroner: Is it the usual thing for the men to have a ride down?

Witness: Not very often.

The Coroner: I thought they always did it. Are the carriage handles fairly low down to catch hold of?

Witness: Yes.

The Coroner: Would he have to make a spring?

Witness: No, he was a tallish chap. He would not have to make a spring.

A Juryman asked if any attempt was made to stop the train?

The Coroner said he did not suppose the guard or driver would have seen it.

Witness said it all happened in three or four seconds. He saw the deceased on the Admiralty Pier when the French Mail arrived earlier in the same morning.

George Neville, guard of the S.E., said: I was in charge of the Ostend train yesterday morning. I was in my van at the rear of the train. The first thing I saw was two ladies, one fainting and being held by the other, and thinking that she had tried to commit suicide I watched her so as to put the brake on at once if she made another move. The train was proceeding at the rate of five or six miles per hour. The next thing I saw was a man thrown out from under the second carriage from the end. I could have stopped the train in two or three carriage lengths if I had seen deceased before.

The Coroner: is it the usual practice for men to jump on the carriages?

Witness: I have been running to Dover for 17 years and have always found the staff waiting on the platform.

The Coroner: You have never noticed this before?

Witness: No.

The Coroner: Where were all the other porters on this occasion?

Witness: Standing on No. 3 platform waiting for the train.

Witness said that the inspector had told him that the deceased had been at the Station about four months.

A Juryman: You say you have been there 17 years and have never seen anyone riding down?

Witness: No, I have never seen anyone jump on the train. I never looked out for it.

The Juryman: I have had experience of the Admiralty Pier for some years and I have seen it done repeatedly.

John Parker said: I am a marine porter in the S.E. and C.D.R. Companies’ employ. I was yesterday at 12.55 nearly at the further end of No. 2 platform. I was looking towards the end of the Pier, but as the train passed by I saw a man clinging to one of the footboards. It seemed to me as if he was struggling to get a footing on the platform of the Pier. The train was going so fast that it was impossible for him to do so. He seemed to get foul, and when about a yard away he fell. I tried to make a grab for him but could not. The train dragged him along to the wedge end of the platform and threw his legs out, and I pulled him out before the last carriage passed by, but his head was smashed.

The Coroner: Was it part of his duty to attend the trains?

Witness: I do not know. The inspector would know.

The Coroner asked if the Railway Inspector were present?

Inspector Knott said he was not, but he could be sent for.

A Juryman said that he ought to be sent for. Someone should be present to represent the Railway Companies.

Another Juryman said he also thought so.

A Juryman asked if one of the witnesses did not say that he saw deceased trying to grasp the handle?

The Coroner said that a previous witness said that, the present witness only saw the deceased afterwards when he was trying to catch hold of the footboard. There was no doubt that deceased tried to jump off the platform on to the train.

Witness in reply to Coroner, said that he did not think that the train was going quicker than usual.

Dr. J. Ormsby said that he was called to the Mortuary about one o’clock and there saw the body of the deceased. He had recently been killed. His skull was cut in two, the top being off and the brai out. The left arm was very severely lacerated. The injury to the head must have caused instantaneous death.

The Coroner, in summing up, said that no doubt the man was a little late and tried to jump on the train. Unfortunately, he missed his hold and he eventually went under the wheels and sustained the frightful injuries they had seen. What he did was his own act, and he ran the risk by which he lost his life.

The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death,” and added that he was killed whilst in the execution of his duty.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 11 January, 1901. 1d.

ROW IN THE SCOTCH HOUSE

Carle Fontani was charged with assaulting a soldier named Patrick O’Brien in the top room of the “Harp Hotel.”

Frederick Carden, boots at the “Harp Hotel” said he was in the back bar of the “Scotch House” ….

The Clerk: It is not recognised as the “Scotch House.”

Superintendent Sanders: It is the Hotel bar in Limekiln Street.

Witness, continuing, said he was in charge of the bar. The soldier came there alone before seven o’clock. He was perfectly sober when witness first saw him there. He stayed till the prisoner came in with two other foreigners. They appeared to be sober till one of them called for drink, and then the barmaid, seeing the condition they were in, refused to serve them. They had already had enough. The prisoner and his companions then became quarrelsome, and the soldier began flourishing his stick about. The prisoner said something about his having been an old soldier, and O’Brien said he did not want to have anything to say to him. The prisoner then struck O’Brien in the eye, drawing blood. The prisoner and the other two men left. Witness then gave information to a constable, who followed them back into the “Harp” bar. O’Brien then charged the prisoner with having struck him. O’Brien had had two pints of beer from 7 o’clock till 8.45. Witness did not know what he had had before, but he could not have had much, for he had not been there long. He was sober, but after he was struck he was giddy.

The prisoner said that the soldier struck him with his cane on his arm.

Captain Cay: All the soldiers seem to carry a cane.

The Superintendent of Police: They are not considered properly dressed if they go out without a cane.

The Clery: And very dangerously they carry them – just tucked under their arms, convenient to run into people’s eyes.

Police Constable Blackman, who arrested the prisoner, said that when he took him to the tap room he found O’Brien there bleeding, and he gave the prisoner into custody. The bar was full of soldiers – there were from 12 to 20 there, and a good deal of noise. He thought that O’Brien was rather the worse for drink; it might have been through the blow. While he was there O’Brien wanted to fight the prisoner.

Prisoner, who is a figure maker, at present living in Oxenden Street, was remanded in custody until Monday.

MONDAY AGAIN ADJOURNED

Carlo Fontani, an Italian, was charged on remand with assaulting Patrick O’Brien, 5th Inniskillings, at the “Harp Hotel.”

Superintendent Sanders said he had received an intimation from the Military Hospital that O’Brien had a dangerous wound under the eye, and would be unable to attend for a week.

The case was adjourned for a week, and a surety being found, prisoner was admitted to bail.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 January, 1901. 1d.

ITALIAN’S ASSAULT ON A SOLDIER

Carlo Fontani was again brought up on remand on the charge of assaulting a soldier, O’Brien.

The military authorities wrote that O’Brien was still unable to attend.

The landlord of the “Harp” attended, having been directed by the Bench at the first hearing to be called.

Mr. Bradley said that the Magistrates understood from the evidence at the last hearing that defendant was only manager, but the license was taken by him as a bona fide tenant.

The landlord said he was the bona fide tenant. The brewers owned the property, and he was tenant. The man who had said he was only manager made a mistake. He lived on the premises.

Mr. Bradley said that he thought the evidence went to show that witness was away, and the Boots was managing.

Witness said that he put Boots to look after the top bar from 7 p.m., because it was rather a rough bar.

[The evidence did show that the Boots said he took over the bar at 7 p.m.]

Witness, continuing, said he was on the premises when the row took place, and he was called to the top bar.

The case was again adjourned.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 22 March, 1901. 1d.

THE RINGWOULD TRAGEDY

A BASELESS RUMOUR DENIED

We have received the following letter:

[To the editor, “Dover Express.”]

Sir,

Re Ernest Ovenden, deceased.

It has come to my knowledge that a rumour (which is totally unfounded) is gaining currency in the town to the effect that I gave the deceased a note telling him to take same to the Police Station, and that having opened it he found it contained instructions to the Police to detain him. I must emphatically deny that such a proceeding took place. The suggestion in such a course is in itself perfectly ridiculous, and how such a base rumour could have been circulated is beyond my comprehension. The deceased was given no letter or message of any description whatever. He was merely spoken to with reference to his duties in the office. I need hardly say that to have such remarks passed painfully to me in the extreme, and I trust that through the medium of your paper you will allow me to contradict such baseless accusations.

Yours obediently,

William Edward Lovegrove.

Witness, D. Watson.

Rearsby Cottage,

2, Alfred Road, Dover

March 18th, 1901.