From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 28 September, 1877.

ATTEMPTED MURDER OF A DOVER PUBLICAN

The Ashford magistrates have issued a warrant for the apprehension of a man charged with attempting to commit wilful murder near Ashford under the following extraordinary circumstances. It appears that a well-dressed man who gave the name of E. T. Butcher was brought to the “Pier Inn,” Beach Street, Dover, on Saturday evening, the 15th inst., by an inhabitant known to the landlord, and was accommodated with an apartment. He represented to the landlord, Mr. Joe Fawcett, that he was connected with a firm in Liverpool engaged in supplying provisions for shipping, and that he was commissioned to buy pigs in Kent for the purpose of killing and salting down. He stated that he should want to drive to Ashford on Monday to make purchases, and invited Mr. Fawcett to accompany him. This the latter consented to do, and a horse and trap were hired from Mr. Styles, of the “Mitre Inn,” Dover, with which they started early in the forenoon. When beyond Folkestone the stranger alighted at Mr. Jeffrey’s farm, leaving Mr. Fawcett in the trap. When he rejoined Mr. Fawcett, he stated that he had succeeded in buying thirty pigs there, and that he had left a cheque for £20 with Mr. Jeffrey as a deposit. They then drove on to Ashford, and alighted at the Market Hotel. Here a fresh horse and trap were procured of Mr. Andrews, the landlord, and the stranger, with Mr. Fawcett, drove on to Great Chart, in which neighbourhood he pretended he had another call to make. They made a short stoppage at the “Swan,” and again drove on. When they had got about a quarter of a mile beyond the village the stranger pulled up at a gate, and asked Mr. Fawcett to get down and open it, saying that this was the place to which he had to come. Mr. Fawcett accordingly opened the gate, resumed his seat in the trap, and the stranger drove across a field into which the gate opened. It was by this time dark, and when they had arrived at the side of the field furthest from the road the stranger asked Mr. Fawcett to alight again and open another gate. Mr. Fawcett accordingly got down, but on looking about he remarked, “You must have made a mistake; there is no gate nor no house here.” The man replied, “Oh yes, there is,” and jumping out of the cart, he exclaimed “I’ve got you now,” and seizing Mr. Fawcett by the throat he hurled him to the ground. The attack came upon Mr. Fawcett with startling suddenness, as up to that moment he and his companion had been conversing together in the most friendly manner possible. They were both perfectly sober, and thinking he had to do with a madman Mr. Fawcett shouted for help, whereupon his assailant knelt upon him with all his force, exclaiming, “If you say a word, I’ll pull out my pistol and blow your brains out.” Mr. Fawcett did not believe he had a pistol and struggled desperately. His assailant drew a large knife and made more than one violent to plunge it into his throat. In this endeavour he was foiled by Mr. Fawcett striking his arm on one side, receiving in so doing a somewhat deep stab just above the left wrist. So near was one of the thrusts to his throat that his scarf and a gold pin in it were slightly cut across by the knife. By a supreme effort Mr. Fawcett managed to throw the fellow off him, and springing to his feet dealt him a blow in the face which caused him to stagger backwards. Mr. Fawcett at once ran off as hard as he could. The fellow jumping up in the cart drove after him, but Mr. Fawcett was able to conceal himself from him in the darkness. The man actually made a circuit of the field two or three times looking after him, but finally gave up the pursuit, passed out at the gate, and drove towards Bethersden. It appears he galloped on until he came to the “Bull” at Bethersden, where he stopped and engaged a labourer to show him the way to Pluckley station. They arrived there just as the last train was coming in. The man took a ticket for Tunbridge, and told the labourer to take the horse and trap back to the “Bull” and leave it there, and ask the landlord to give him half a sovereign, which he (the stranger) would repay when he came back for the trap. Mr. Fawcett in the meantime made his way to Ashford and gave information to Superintendent Noakes. To his utter astonishment Mr. Noakes produced an exact description of the man, embracing every article of outside dress he was wearing. It appeared that a Mr. Morris, an hotel keeper at Hinckley, Leicestershire, was robbed on August 20th last of a horse, trap, harness, gold watch and chain, money and other articles, by a man with whom he went out for a drive under similar circumstances to those in Mr. Fawcett’s case. The name of the man is given in the information as George Jones, alias John Barfield. Other cases of a like nature in different places are reported concerning him, and there are warrants out to take him. Mr. Fawcett had with him a valuable gold watch and chain, and these articles and his purse the rascal doubtless designed at appropriate, and probably the horse and trap as well. He is described as being from 24 to 26 years of age, 5ft 9in. or 5ft. 10in. high, fresh complexion, full eyes, no moustache or whiskers, rather large and flat feet, dressed in a dark snuff coloured corduroy trousers, grey check coat, light check cap with peak before and behind, light muffler, and wore a ring on each hand. As yet his capture has not been effected, although the police have been making active search for him.

ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY THE SAME MAN

A Brighton correspondent, writing on Tuesday last, says:- Mr. Henry Gearing, landlord of the “Prince Arthur Inn,” has been victim of a highway robbery with violence. Yesterday afternoon he accompanied a young man (whose acquaintance he had lately made) for a drive in a pony and trap to Worthing. They put up at that town, and on resuming their journey the culprit took the reins and having driven to a lonely part of the district he violently attacked Gearing, robbing him of his gold watch and chain, stole his money, and leaving him upon the road drove rapidly away. Gearing was picked up by the driver of a market cart and conveyed to Worthing, whence he subsequently took a train to Brighton. The assailant, whose name is Jones or Barfield, is known to have committed other robberies of a like nature and under similar circumstances, and he answers the description of a man for whose apprehension a warrant awaits execution for highway robbery and assault with intent to murder at Great Chart, in Kent.

From the Dover Express. February 1890.

Fire at the Pier.

On Saturday morning a serious outbreak of fire occurred in the Pier District in Beach Street known as Piers Inn and kept by Mr. Wraight. Police Constable Brace was on duty in the neighbourhood at 2.30 a.m. had his attention called to a fire and he immediately obtained assistance and brought the fire escape to the spot ready for use when required. The constable telephoned to Superintendent Sanders at the Town Hall and the hose reel from the drainage works was brought out. In the meantime however the night staff of the south-eastern railway station, which is opposite the house, were on the scene and having fixed their stand pipe commenced to play upon the fire which had originated in the bar parlour.

The occupants of the house were got out in safety and the fire was apparently extinguished in a few minutes. Superintendent Sanders and several members of the fire brigade who were quickly on the spot brought with them the hose reel from Queen Street and after examining the premises left at 3.30 a.m. leaving Police Sergeant Suters with Police Constables Brace and Hanson in charge. A number of people had assembled but as the fire appeared to be extinguished most of them went back to their homes. About twenty minutes to four however smoke was discovered issuing from the front room upstairs and the police at once set to work to prevent it spreading. On the partitions being taken away it was found that the fire had accumulated between the ceiling of the second room and extended between the partitions from top to bottom of the house. Superintendent Sanders was again sent for and returned. The stand-pipe with the hose was brought into requisition and the fire was finally extinguished at 5 a.m. There was a good supply of water but the house was entirely gutted and everything destroyed.

Information kindly supplied by Joyce Banks.

More reading of Dover at www.DoverHistory.co.uk

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 25 January, 1895.

DOMESTIC QUARREL

George Stitson was charged with assaulting his wife by striking her on the shoulder with a fire shovel, and also with assaulting his daughter by striking her with a fire shovel.

Georgina Stitson, the wife of the prisoner, said that there were ten children alive, and they lived at the Brewery Yard, Bulwark Hill. On the previous morning, about 10 o’clock, the prisoner found witness sitting in a chair, having been ill, and being out for the first time, had broken down. Witness took him to task about leaving her without any maintenance, only having had 3s. from the prisoner a week ago. They then quarrelled, and the prisoner began to break up and put his foot through the chairs. He then picked up the fire shovel and threw it at witness as she was going out of the door. It struck her on the shoulder, and then rebounded on to witness’ baby’s head. Witness had to take the child to the Hospital, as its head was bleeding. The defendant was the worse for drink and behaved like a madman. He had not maintained her since she had been to the Union, when he had been brought before the Magistrates.

Police Constable Lockwood said that he went to the defendant’s house on the previous morning, and saw one of the children, which was bleeding. The shovel which the defendant had committed the assault with, witness produced. Witness found the prisoner at the “Pier Inn.” Witness took him into custody. He had 2s. 1d. on him, and was in drink.

The House Surgeon of the Hospital said that he dressed the wounds on the child’s head. It was an inch long and might have been caused by the shovel produced. It was not dangerous.
Caroline Stitson, 13 years old, eldest daughter of the prisoner, corroborated the evidence of her mother.

The prisoner said he should call evidence to show that when he came out of the house blood was running down his face from the assault made on him by his wife.

The Bench sentenced the defendant to three months’ imprisonment, and made a separation order.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 11 February, 1910.

DOVER LICENSING SESSIONS

THE PIER INN.

This license was also opposed  by direction of the Magistrates on the grounds of redundancy.

Mr. Mowll said that he appeared on behalf of the licensee and Mr. Gardiner, who was the immediate leaseholder for the premises.

Mr. Spyh appeared for the freeholder.

The Chief Constable said that the "Pier Inn" was a fully licensed house, and also an early morning licensed house. The brewers were Mr. T. H. Gardiner, trading as the Burton Beer Co., Herne Bay. The present tenant was William Thomas Hunter, and it was transferred to him on 25th January, 1907, and there had been six changes in ten years. The rateable value was £30 gross and £24 net. The licensed house in the immediate neighbourhood were the "Brussels," 19 yards, the "Terminus," 25 yards, the "Sceptre," 73 yards, and the "Railway Bell," 128 yards, all in the same street, There were also  the Railway buffet, the "Rose and Crown," 59 yards, the "Cinque Port Arms," 47 yards, the "Royal Hotel,"106 yards, and the "Silver Lion," Middle Row, 68 yards. There were also the "King's Head," the "Lord Warden," and the "Dover Castle Hotels." This was one he mentioned in the case of the "Neptune Hall," Beach Street and a total number of 26 houses, including five licensed premises. The frontage was 20ft. 6in., and the house had a side abutting on to King's Passage of 26ft. 6in. The accommodation was front bar, private bar at side, and private sitting room on the ground floor, kitchen on the basement, and four bedrooms. He visited the house at 11.10 a.m. on Thursday, 20th January, and there were no customers; at 3.25 on Monday, 24th January, two customers; at 9.55 a.m. on Monday, 31st January, one customer; at 7.30 p.m., on Thursday, 3rd February, two customers.

Cross-examined: This house has been occupied by the present licensee three years? - Yes.

It has an early morning license? - Yes.

Why? - I do not know how many years it has had one.

Do you not know the object? - All the early morning licenses have been granted for the supply of coffee to men working all night.

This is opposite the Railway station and the nearest house to the Admiralty Pier? - Yes.

And it is frequently used by men coming from the boats? - Yes. It is open at 3.30.

Mr. Mowll said: In regard to these cases I only want to say a few words. I think the "Pier Inn" I can dismiss by saying that this man has been there three years, that he gets up very early in the morning, and he supplies what is undoubtedly a want - coffee, ad if people require it, intoxicants for the passengers coming from the early morning boats, and for the many men employed down there in the night traffic. One could imagine that men working on the Admiralty Pier on the depth of winter were exceedingly thankful to have a nice place like the "Pier Inn" where they can go and have a cup of coffee or something else if they wish it, or something in their coffee, as I believe some of then do after they have done their work. In regard to the "Neptune Hall," I do think I aught to offer you a few observations on that case. This man has held the license for 14 years. It goes without saying that as it is a fact that the man has got no other means of livelihood that he has been making a living there, or he could not have held the license for those many years. You will remember you had the case of the "Albion" before you last year, and then I suggested to you that the "Albion" could not very well be taken away because of the trade it was doing. You then invited me to offer the name of another house. That invitation placed me in a very invidious position, having various clients, and I could not with justice to them make any suggestion to the house that should be selected. The "Albion" was referred by you to the Quarter Sessions. But it was renewed by the Quarter Sessions, no doubt on the grounds of the very considerable trade it did. Now we come to this year. The "Albion" is left standing, and the "Neptune Hall" is selected for extinction. I think the very fact of the man having been there so long is some indication of the "Neptune Hall" doing a very decent trade, and I ask you to renew the licence. There seems to be a sort of feeling that it is almost hopeless to ask the Dover Bench to renew licenses selected by them for extinction. I hope it is not hopeless. It is rather discouraging to the advocate to find that the remarks he makes so seldom bear fruit, and that is particularly discouraging to me as being the unfortunate advocate who usually appears in these cases that so little success in this department falls to me. I can only say that it does seem to me a very hard case that the tenant of the "Neptune Hall" is to have his licence taken away from him after holding it for no less than 14 years, and therefore I ask you to renew the licenses.

THE DECISION.

The Mayor at once said: The Bench have come to the conclusion that the four licenses ought to go forward. Of course we quite appreciate the eloquence of our friend, Mr. Mowll, and if it were a question of dealing with a matter from one of sentiment, it might have been decided otherwise. We have a very difficult question to deal with, and the decision we have come to must have regard to the question of redundancy in the neighbourhood. before even this case went to Court great care was taken that those houses which we really believed are redundant, are those that come before the Court, and I think the Bench in this case are of the opinion that all these houses are in that category, and that it is important to do otherwise than to send the four cases to be dealt with by the Quarter Sessions.

The licenses were provisionally renewed pending the decision of Quarter Sessions.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 9 February, 1912.

DOVER LICENSING SESSIONS

THE PIER INN, BEACH STREET

There was a notice of objection against the renewal of the licence of the "Pier Inn," Beach Street, (occupied by Mr. W. T. Hunter) on the grounds of redundancy.

Chief Inspector Lockwood stated that he visited the house at 8.20 p.m. on 20th January, and found two customers, and at 2.30 p.m. on 29th January, one customer. On the following dates he found no customers:- January 20th, 30th, 31st and February 1st.

The Chief Constable stated that the house was fully licensed, and the registered owners were Mr. Flynn and Co., of Herne Bay, Mrs. Absalem, of London, being the freeholder. It was a free house, of which Mr. T. H. Gardiner was the supplier. The present tenant had the licence transferred to him on 24th January, 1907. The rateable value was £30 gross and £24 nett. The licensed houses in the vicinity were the "Brussels," 19 yards away; the "Terminus," 25 yards,; the "Cinque Port Arms," 48 yards; the "Rose and Crown," 39 yards; the "Silver Lion," 68 yards; the "Sceptre," 73 yards; the "Royal," 106 yards; and the "Railway Bell," 128 yards. The Station buffet was opposite and the "Dover Castle Hotel" and "King's Head" Hotel were within 100 yards.

The Magistrates, without retiring, intimated that the renewal of the licenses would be withheld, and the houses sent forward to the Compensation Authority to deal with.