From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 17 July, 1868. Price 1d.

UNLAWFUL THREAT

Ann Dudgeon, an Irish washerwoman, was summoned for having unlawfully threatened to "do" for Mrs. Harriet Stageman, a lady in the house she had been engaged.

Mrs. Stageman is the landlady of the "Rose Inn," Charlton Green, and it appeared from her statement that the defendant had for some time been employed by her to assist her in washing. She had been in the habit of jocularly describing herself as "Paddy;" but because one of Mrs. Stageman's children indulged in the use of the use of the same appellative she took offence. She manifested her mortification, however, at first by hints and observations of a caustic nature, observing, for one thing, that she never was in such a dry public-house in her life; but gradually working herself up till she left the house in a state of great wrath and uttering many threats, one of which was the threat to "do," which was the subject of the present summons.

The defendant admitted that she felt some annoyance at the tern "Paddy" being applied to her by a child; but denied that she made use of the threat attributed to her, unless "by way of a return compliment." This might have been the case, as Mrs. Stageman used all kinds of dreadful threats towards her.

The Magistrates considered that she should be bound over in her own recognizance's of £10 to keep the peace, and was bound accordingly.

From the Dover Express. June 1875.

Rose Inn Maison Dieu.

At one o’clock on Tuesday morning a fire was discovered at the Rose Inn, Maison Dieu by Police Constable Bowles who immediately gave an alarm. He succeeded in arousing the landlord whom with his wife son and daughter was compelled to descend from the bedroom window in their nightclothes the staircase having taken fire. A message was at once sent to the Police Station and the fire apparatus arrived under the direction of Superintendent Sanders.

The hose was fixed at 1.20 and 1.45 extinguished the fire. Previous to the arrival of the engine some men living in the neighbourhood named Hicks, Blanch, Henry Green, and Huntley prevented the flames spreading by breaking open the back door and flinging buckets of water upon them. The water was obtained from the washhouse at the rear. The house being in the district the surveyor had extended an experimental constant supply. Had the service been intermittent the house would probably have been totally destroyed as a strong wind was blowing at the time.

As to the origin of the fire, nothing definite is known but it is supposed that a spark caused it from a candle. The staircase, landing, cupboard, and a portion of the flooring of the bedroom have been burnt and considerable damage done by the water and smoke. The building is insured in the Guardian Fire Office agents Messrs Worsfold and Hayward and the furniture in the Liverpool, London and Globe agent Mr. Hunt.

Information kindly supplied by Joyce Banks.

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

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 29 May, 1885. 1d.

ALLEGED THEFT

John Kirk was placed in the dock charged on suspicion with stealing a tin box containing 10s. in coppers from the “Rose” public-house, Maison Dieu Road, the property of the prosecutor.

Mary Francis Burbridge, wife of Joseph Burbridge, landlord of the “Rose” public-house, who said: Defendant came into my house yesterday about half-past three, and called for a glass of ale. I supplied him with it. He paid for it, and I left him in the bar drinking. I had put the money in a tin box in the till. He could see the drawer from where he was standing. When I returned from the living room, where I went to look at the children, the defendant was gone. There was no one at the bar. I went to the till directly I returned to get some money to pay for the milk. I found the tin box and 10d. worth of coppers gone. When my husband returned I told him what had happened, and he came to the Police Station. About half-past six defendant came in again and called for more beer. I served him with the beer and told him about the missing money. He said, “Oh, this won’t come right, it must be seen into.” My husband then came with a policeman and gave him in charge. Defendant has been in the house several times before.

Police-constable Cook said: Yesterday evening I was on duty in High Street, and from information I received I went with the last witness’ husband to the “Rose” public-house, and saw the prisoner. He was then given into custody on suspicion of stealing the box and money. Defendant made out he did not hear what was said and answered, “Yes, a pretty thing.” I took him to the Police Station, searched him, and found a penny. The box has not been found.

The magistrates dismissed the charge, as they considered the evidence was not sufficient.