From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 12 September, 1863.

ANNUAL LICENSES

A spirit license was granted to Charles Eastes, of the "New Endeavour," Buckland.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 1 May, 1868.

DRUNKENNESS

James Barton was charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct at the "New Endeavour Inn," Buckland, and with wilfully breaking the panel of a door, value 5s.

Mr. East said: Yesterday afternoon prisoner and several others came to my house and began to be very noisy. I ordered them out, and they broke the door. Prisoner came back and offered to pay for it.

The prisoner was fined 5s. for being drunk and disorderly, and ordered to pay 5s. for the damage, with costs; amounting in all to 16s.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 15 September, 1882. Price 1d.

HORRIBLE SUICIDE AT BUCKLAND

Considerable excitement occurred at Buckland on Saturday afternoon last by the report of a horrible and shocking case of suicide, that had taken place. Report of firearms were heard in the direction of the Old Park Road, and on proceeding there it was found that a man, afterwards described as being an officer’s servant, of the name of John West, was lying in a pool of blood under an elderberry tree, with a pistol firmly clasped in his right hand, and with every appearance of having committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. A constable arrived shortly after the discovery of the body, and on examining it he found that the right side of the head, including the ear, had been completely blown away, apparently by the pistol which was so firmly clasped in the right hand of the deceased. Lying on the side of the deceased was a pistol case, containing several bullets and a quantity of powder and caps. The first notice that was taken of the man was at the “New Endeavour,” where he called for refreshment, remaining about three quarters of an hour, and during that time it is supposed that he loaded the pistol, some powder being afterwards found on the ground near where he sat. The manager of the “New Endeavour” spoke to the deceased, who seemed very depressed in spirits, and answered in a very low tone, but kept continually turning over and over a case which he had in a red handkerchief. He was seen to leave the house quite sober, and then proceeded to the Old Park Road, and on arriving near a large tree he sat down. The deceased was next seen by a greengrocer who was driving by the tree, when he saw the deceased fire the pistol downwards, as if he were testing it. The greengrocer took no particular notice, but drove on and saw no more of the deceased. A second shot was heard shortly after, but no notice was taken of it. A few minutes later the deceased was found by a waggoner’s mate, who was riding home to dinner, and on assistance arriving the body was taken to the dead-house.

On Monday afternoon at four o’clock an inquest was held at the “Union Hotel,” Commercial Quay, before the Borough Surveyor (S. Payne, Esq.) The Jury consisted of the following gentleman:-Messrs. T. Holloway (foreman), A. Laird, W. Tutt, W. Young, E. Groombridge, W. Hard, H. F. Edwin, R. Easton, C. Hatton, J. R. Geddes, J. Ralph, B. Simmonds, W. Webb, J. Baker, and D. Hambrook.

The body, the head of which was a horrible sight to see, having been viewed at the dead-house, the following evidence was taken.

Colour-sergeant James Loma, of the Royal Irish Rifles, said: I have seen the body of the deceased at the dead-house, and identify it as the body of a private in H Company of Royal Irish Rifles, and his name is John West. He was 38 years of age. I last saw him alive at about eight o’clock on the 5th instant. His health was generally good, and he did not seem in any way depressed. At the latter part of last month he was in hospital, having injured his arm. He had been twenty years in the services. He has been a married man for about fifteen years, and I have never heard of him quarrelling with his wife or anyone.

By the Jury: It is twelve years ago since he was taken before an officer for any crime whatever. He was a very steady sober man.

George Alfred East, said: I manage the business of the “New Endeavour” public-house, Buckland, for my sister. I have been to the dead-house and have seen the body of the deceased, and I recognise it as that of a man who came to my house on Saturday at about one o’clock. He called for a pint of beer and something to eat. I served him and gave him some bread and cheese, and he ate the latter but left half the beer. He remained in the house for about three-quarters of an hour. He looked very pale and low in spirits, and seemed depressed. When I returned to the bar to give the deceased the change for a two shilling piece I saw that he had a red coloured handkerchief, which contained a box, and which he turned over and over in his hands. The box produced appears to be the same. The deceased left my house, and about twenty-five minutes after a man came running down the street and said that the man who had been in my house had shot himself. I ran further up the road, and saw the deceased in a cart near Mr. Brett’s farm. I went back to the tap-room and saw on the ground near where the deceased had sat a small quantity of powder.

By the Jury: The deceased was perfectly sober when I served him, and also when he left. He spoke in a very low tone, and as if he were suffering from some trouble.

James Pilgrim, greengrocer and coal dealer, carrying on business at St. Radigund’s Road, said: On Saturday, at about a quarter to two o’clock, I was going round the houses at the rear of the “Three Cups Inn,” Buckland, and about fifty yards distance I saw a man sitting down on the grass under a tree in the Old Park Road, and on approaching him he fired a pistol off, which frightened my horse. I drove on and on passing him he was loading it again, ramming it down as fast as he could. I never heard another report. I went on with my horse and cart and served my customers. There was only a little child near, and that was along the road some yards near Mr. Coleman’s garden wall.

By the Jury: I had no idea of his shooting although the pistol was pointed down the road towards me, but it was pointed to the ground. I saw that he had something like bullets or marbles.

William Booth, waggoner’s mate in the employ of Mr. Brett, of Buckland Farm, said: I was riding down the Old park Road at about five minutes past two o’clock, when I saw at the top of the new cross road leading to Old Park a man lying on the bank dead. He had a pistol clasped in his right hand, and as someone came along I told them to fetch assistance. I saw that the back of his head was blown away. I had come from the fields, and when by horse saw the body it threw me off its back, and would not keep near it. I went on, and after giving information, went home.

Police-constable D. Fox, said: I was on duty in the London Road, Buckland, at about a quarter past two o’clock on Saturday last, when from information I received I went to the old Park Road and saw the deceased, who was lying on his back, with his legs crossed, and a pistol in his right hand, which was on his breast. He was lying in a pool of blood, and the back of his head was completely blown away, and I sent for a doctor, obtaining a cart, and brought the body to the dead-house. The box produced laid near his feet, and it contained four bullets, some loose powder, gun caps, and other articles. I searched the body and found 5s. 8½d. in money, two sick reports and bill, and a lawn ticket for a watch and chain pledged on the same day for 12s. at Messrs. Hart and Co. pawnbrokers.

By the Jury: A gentleman in a cab gave me the information of the deceased’s death. I don’t know where the pistol was obtained, no one appears to have missed one. It is a very old fashioned pistol.

Mr. Clement Walter, surgeon to the Police, said: I was called on Saturday last at a few minutes before three o’clock to go and see the body of the deceased at the dead-house. I found that the deceased had sustained a frightful wound in the head, which must have caused instantaneous death. I know the deceased very well, and he was under my care in the military hospital through a broken arm. It was about a month ago, and he was discharged cured, apparently very well, and that was about a week before this occurred. He was always a silent man. He was the servant to the colonel, and did not lose his place on account of the accident. He had four good conduct stripes, and his wife did the regimental washing, and appeared to be better off than the majority of the soldiers’ wives. The colonel liked the man very much. I believe the wound might have been inflicted by the deceased himself. He must have put the pistol close to his ear, for the ear was blown entirely away, and there was a large hole on the side of his head. He has left five children.

The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide while in an unsound mind.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 22 July, 1910.

ALLEGED ADVERTISING FRAUD

DOVER PUBLICAN GIVES EVIDENCE

At the Croyden Borough Police Court on Saturday, before Dr. S. Parsons Smith (in the chair), Dr. H. G. Thompson and Alderman H. K. Moore, Charles Sleigh, alias Leigh, (46), of 6, Culvert Road, Tottenham, a sign painter, and Herbert Henry Marriott (31), of Oakwood Road, Croyden, a carpenter, were brought up in custody charged on remand with obtaining by false pretence a cheque for 25s., from Miss Fanny Bateson, a lady residing at Godalming, and with obtaining a cheque value 30s., of William Walter Wall, licensee of the "New Endeavour Inn," London Road, Dover.

Mr. Wall said that on July 1st he advertised in he Feathered World for 25 turkey poults. He received a reply on paper headed "Memorandum from M. McQue, contractor for removal by road or rail, 17, Oakwood Road, West Croyden. Furniture warehouse." This read: "Dear Sir, - Turkey poults hatched April 3rd for £3. I can warrant them most healthy. On receipt of half cash I will forward on and you can forward balance on receipt. Yours truly, H. McQue." He sent a cheque for 30s., and in reply received a postcard in these terms: "Dear Sir, - I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter and cheque for turkey poults. The matter receives my best attention. - Yours truly, H. McQue." He had not seen either of the prisoners, and had not received any poults.

Marriott said he had not had time to send the poults before he was arrested.

Evidence was called to show that the cheque was cashed at Tottenham by Mrs. Sleigh, who said that Marriott gave it to her to cash.

Detective-sergeant Storey and Detective-sergeant Webber arrested the prisoners one in a Post Office and the other at the house. In the house, which contained not a stick of furniture, was found a number of letters from persons who had replied to advertisements in The Feathered World" for poults, asking the advertiser to supply them with turkey poults, kennels, and fanciers' requisites.

The prisoners, on the application of the police, were remanded in custody for a week.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 24 October, 1911.

CORPORATION WORKMEN IN PUBLIC-HOUSE

EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENT IN CASE TO-DAY

At the Dover Police Court this morning, before Messrs. J. L. Bradley (in the chair) and T. A. Terson.

Arthur Edward Clark, 48, George Street, was summoned by Alfred Thomas Cook, 34, Eaton Road, for assault. Defendant pleaded guilty.

Complainant stated that he was a ganger in the employ of the Dover Corporation, and on November 18 was engaged working on the tram lines in London Road. The defendant and another man named Kinch went into a public house about 10.50, and between that time and 12 o'clock Kinch went there four times. Eventually he told him hoe would have to knock off work for the remainder of the day as he was getting in such a state that he could not carry on his work. Kinch made use of filthy language, and he said he would go across to his mate, Clark, in a public house. About 12.45 Clark came to where witness was bending down working. Defendant said "What sort of a _____ man do you call yourself." Seeing that although not drunk he was the worse for drink, witness told him he did not want to talk to him, whereupon defendant gave him an uppercut in the mouth, loosening a toooth and knocking it through his lip. He also struck him on the nose twice, and so dazed him that he hardly knew what he was doing. Clark made another rush at him, but witness warded off his blows and he fell down. Defendant got up and went for him again, and so to gave further trouble he fetched a constable, and gave defendant in charge.

In answer to the Chairman, the witness said the defendant had been in the public house since 10.30. It was not his business to fetch him out, but to report it to the foreman.

The Chairman said that was a serious statement to go forth to the public respecting a Corporation servant, and would like to go a little further into the case.

Thomas File, a labourer in the gang employed on the work, corroborated as to the assault. He saw the defendant come down the road from the public house and strike Cook, but he did not know the name of the house.

Complainant, re-called, said Clark was in the "New Endeavour" from 10.30 to 12.45.

The Chairman: You are quite sure of that? One wants to be very careful, because further questioning may take place. You are quite prepared to prove that he was in the public house from 10.30 to the time you mentioned? - Yes, as far as I know.

You must know whether he was there or not. - He was absent from work, and after he went there I never saw any more of him till a quarter to 1.

Are these men allowed to go into a public house like this? - No.

How is it that this man was not stopped? - No notice is taken of a man provided he goes and gets a drink and comes back at once. I did not see Clark from 10.30 to 12.30, and it is not my business to go to a public house to find him.

In answer to Clark, witness said he reported defendant's absence to the foreman at 12 o'clock.

Defendant said he met a friend and got a glass too much. Kinch told him what Cook had said, and he suppose that aggravated him. He was sorry for what occurred.

The Chairman: Were you in the public house during the time that was mentioned? - I was in the "Old Endeavour," but not from 10.30 to 12.45. I came out at intervals.

P.C. M. Taylor stated that about 12.55 on November 18 he was called by the ganger, who complained of having been assaulted by the defendant. He was bleeding from the mouth. Defendant was very excited and had evidently been drinking.

It was stated there were previous convictions against the defendant, the last being in 1906.

Defendant, answering the Magistrates, said he had a wife and three children, and had been working for the Corporation for seven months. He earnt on average 23s. a week. He had been discharged from his work and was now carting for Mr. Dennis.

The Chairman said it was a very bad case. Defendant was in good employment, and yet he would get that horrid drink and make himself go muddled that he assaulted the ganger. His conduct was disgraceful. He was liable to imprisonment, but the Bench had decided to fine him £1 including costs, with a fortnight to pay it. He hoped it would be a caution to him, and if the defendant came before the Magistrates again he would not be so leniently dealt with.

Subsequently the Chairman and whether the public house in question was "Old" or "New Endeavour," he would like the Police to give the people a word. This kind of thing must be stopped.

From the Dover Express, 9 January 1948.

DARTS CHAMPIONS

The "New Endeavour" Darts Team, which won the Gardner's Cup with an unbeaten record in twenty games.

Front Row:- W. White, F. G. A. Bowley (Manager Messrs. Gardner and Co.) J. Chayney (Captain), H. Vyse (Licensee), and A. White.

Back Row:- W. Ward, F. Freeman, S. Jackson, W. Hopley, E. Champion, M. Longley and P. O'Neill.

From the Dover Express, 19 January 1951.

A Tramps' Supper is becoming a popular idea. This one was held at the "New Endeavour," London Road, on Saturday. [Photo: Hudson.] Unfortunately, so far, people in photograph, unknown.