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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 10 February, 1893. 1d.
THE DROWNING OF FLAHERTY
EXCITEMENT AMONGST THE MILITARY
We briefly reported last week that a private soldier of the Inniskilling
Regiment, was drowned in the Wellington Dock on Thursday night, and that
a woman named Dennis had been arrested on suspicion of having caused his
death.
BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES
On Friday morning the woman, Jane Ann Dennis, was brought up at the
Borough Police Court, Maidstone on the Beckoning J. L. Bradley, Esq.,
Captain Bagshaw, H. F. Edwin, and T. A. Terson Esqrs. The following
evidence was given:-
Edward Morris, a sergeant, in the 1st Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers, said:
A private in our regiment named Flaherty, No. 3,636 was drowned last
night in Wellington Dock. I saw him taken out of the water about ten
minutes past nine o’clock. I was on garrison picket duty, and having
been told by Private Fullerton, of our regiment, that one of our men was
in the water, I went on the Commercial Quay. There were a few people
assembled there, and some men were dragging for a body, and they
recovered the body in about 25 minutes. It was removed to the Military
Hospital. The prisoner was standing on the footpath on the quayside when
I reached there, and in consequence of something Private Fullerton told
me I detained her. I afterwards handed her over to the police. She tried
to get away, but I prevented her.
Private George Purdy, in the Northumberland Fusiliers, said: Last night
I was talking to a woman about 9.30 outside the “Wellesley” public
house, Commercial Quay, and I saw the prisoner who was in the company of
Flaherty. They came out of the “Wellesley” together and went towards the
quayside. Two or three minutes after I heard a splash, and went towards
the quayside. I then saw the man in the water. When I first looked
round, the prisoner was coming across towards the footpath, she stood on
the footpath and did not say a word. I gave the alarm. The man floated
for about two seconds and then sank. I think he must have fouled
himself. I stopped on the quayside about ten minutes, but the man did
not rise again. Before the police arrived I went back into the public
house. When the men arrived with the drags I came to the police station.
The Chairman: What state was the man in when he left the public house?
Witness: He was so drunk that he could hardly walk.
The Clerk: Did you hear any angry words between them?
Witness: No, sir.
Witness, in reply to further questions, said: the prisoner herself
shouted out that there was a man in the water, when she returned from
the quayside. The deceased had some difficulty in getting over the chain
when he left the public house. There was a good few people in the
“Wellesley,” and when I went and told them, some of them ran across, but
that man was gone down then. I afterwards saw the prisoner at the
police-station and identified her as the woman I had seen with the
deceased. I had seen both the deceased and the prisoner in the
“Wellesley” together previously, and they were then drinking together.
When I saw them drinking together the deceased was already drunk, and I
saw him supplied with beer by the barman. The landlord was there. I saw
deceased supplied twice with beer. Deceased ordered it, and the barman
served him, the landlord was there. Deceased staggered about. He paid
for the drink which the prisoner had. She was sober.
By the prisoner: I was with a woman named Wood. The deceased was drunk.
Superintendent Sanders asked for a remand until Monday, and the Bench
granted the application.
THE INQUEST
The inquest on the body of Private Thomas Flaherty, of the Inniskilling
Fusiliers, who was drowned in the harbour on Thursday evening, and for
whose death a woman named Jane Ann Dennis was charged at Friday’s
Police-court on suspicion of having caused, was held at the “Hotel de
Paris,” by the Borough Coroner (Sydenham Payn, Esq.). the following
gentlemen composed the Jury:- D. Houlden (foreman), S. H. Carrier, F.
Bartholomew, J. Rowland, R. A. Marks, G. S. Cheeseman, W. Finnis, S.
Springgay, S. Landall, C. Geartner, E. Conner, C. Young, I. Hinkley, F.
Hawerier, W. G. Wells.
Before the Jury left to view the body, which was lying at the Military
Hospital, the Coroner asked them to dismiss anything they might have
heard outside from their minds.
Sergeant E. Morris, Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers, said that the body the
Jury had viewed was that of Private Thomas Flaherty, aged 19 years and
three months. On Thursday evening about 8.45, witness was in charge of
the Grand Shaft Garrison Picket, and was going from the South Front of
the Shaft when he met Private Fullerton, who said there was one of the
Inniskillings in the water. Witness went down to the Commercial Quay. He
saw a crowd of people on the footpath, and some men grappling in the
water. In consequence of information he received from Private Fullerton,
he had the woman in court (Dennis), detained until the police arrived.
The body was recovered about twenty-five minutes later, and was conveyed
to the Military hospital. The deceased had his overcoat and belt on, but
the lower buttons of the coat were undone. About 9 o’clock the police
arrived, and the woman was handed over to them.
Private John Wallace, Inniskilling Fusiliers, said that on Thursday he
left barracks with the deceased about half-past six. They came straight
from barracks and went into the “Wellesley” public house. They remained
in the house until half-past eight. They had had only a pot of beer
between them. There was a woman in the bar, the same as in court
(Dennis), and the deceased said he was going with the girl and would not
be long. Witness remained inside the house waiting for the deceased.
They left the “Wellesley” by the side door, and he saw them go across
the street. Five minutes later, he heard an uproar, and heard that a man
had fallen into the water. He heard that it was his chum from several
people who were standing around. Witness went across the chain in the
direction of the crowd at the back of the crane. There was a large
number of blocks timber, and several of them were very close to the edge
of the quay. The handle of the crane was across the edge of the quay,
and was low down, and left no room to pass. The woman who had left the
house with the deceased was standing close by. Witness did not speak to
her, and went back to his quarters about 9 o’clock. Witness heard the
woman screaming whilst he was in the public house. She was shouting for
help. In consequence of that, witness went across to the edge of the
quay, but could not see anything but the deceased’s cap in the water.
The deceased and witness were quite sober.
By the Jury: The female was perfectly sober.
Private John Davis, Inniskilling Fusiliers, said that on Thursday
evening he was going up the quay, about twenty past eight. He saw the
woman walk across from the “Wellesley” with private Flaherty. Witness
went on into Snargate Street, but returned in less than two or three
minutes. He saw a crowd with the woman in the centre. Witness heard her
saying an Inniskilling was drowned. Witness, at the direction of
Sergeant Morris detained her, whilst he was holding her she said that
she would hit him in the mouth. (Laughter). Deceased appeared when he
walked across the road to be all right, and not the worse for drink. He
did not tell the Sergeant that the deceased staggered.
Private George Purdy, Northampton Fusiliers, said that on Thursday
evening about half past nine, as near as he could guess, he was standing
by the “Wellesley.” He saw the deceased and the woman Dennis go over the
chain. Witness was standing against the door of the “Wellesley” talking
to a woman. About ten minutes afterwards he heard a splash right
opposite. Directly afterwards the woman came running out, and shouted to
him that a man had fallen overboard. The woman had noticed him before.
He went across to the edge of the quay and saw a man in the water. He
was just underneath the crane. He went back to the “Wellesley” and gave
the alarm to those inside. When witness went to the edge of the quay he
was the only one present. He did not notice the life-buoy on the lamp
post. When he returned to the quayside the deceased had gone under. The
life-buoy was brought a few minutes afterwards. Deceased was drunk and
witness had spoken to him in the “Wellesley.” He could speak all right,
but staggered slightly when he walked. Witness was in the “Wellesley”
about an hour and a half. He saw deceased have two pints of beer.
By Mr. Marks: The last he saw of deceased and the woman was about five
yards from the crane and they had not stopped there.
Private A. Broad, Assistant-Military-Surgeon, proved receiving the body
at the Station hospital.
Stephen W. Wood said he was a labourer and lived at Oxenden Street. He
was in the Market Place on Thursday evening, and hearing that there was
a man overboard went to the spot. He saw that the life-buoy had been
taken down. He took the grappling irons and hooked the deceased in about
twenty minutes. He got the body into a boat and brought it to the steps,
where the Military Authorities took the body from him.
Private W. Fullerton, Inniskilling Fusiliers, said that on Thursday
evening he was standing outside the “Wellesley” about twenty-five
minutes past eight, in company with Private Hamilton, when he saw
Flaherty and the woman Dennis cross the road. Flaherty appeared to be
sober. A minute or two afterwards the woman came from the quay side,
shouting out that one of the Inniskillings was in the water. He went to
the edge of the quay, but could see nothing except a cap floating in the
water. He immediately went to report the matter to the Grand Shaft
guard, but met the picket on the road. He heard no quarrelling after
Flaherty and the woman crossed the road. He assisted in detaining Dennis
until the police arrived.
By a Juror: If the woman had been so disposed, she could have gone away
after giving the alarm. She went back to the quay side with him, to show
where the deceased had fallen in.
Jane Ann Dennis in reply to the Coroner said she wished to make a
statement. The Coroner then cautioned her in the usual manner. She said:
I am a widow, and live at 4, Tower Hamlets Street. On Thursday about ten
minutes to six I went to the “Wellesley” and had a glass of beer there.
Whilst standing in the bar an Inniskilling came in that I knew. He asked
me to drink and gave me another glass. I went out with him. We came back
again and went in the “Wellesley” and had another pint. In a short time
two more Inniskillings came in. It was the deceased and another man.
When they saw the Inniskilling with me they came into the part of the
bar I was in, and gave me some beer out of a pot. I went out with
Wallace, and when we returned he called for another pot of beer. Then
the one who was drowned asked if the others would wait until he came
back. I then left the house with the deceased. We stood at the
“Wellesley” corner about two minutes talking. I told Flaherty to go over
there and I would follow. He went, and was about three yards in front of
me when he got over the chain. Then I heard a splash, and not seeing the
deceased I said “Where are you Paddy?” and I heard someone shouting in
the water. I did not see him go over. I looked over the side but could
not see him. It was very dark. I then ran across the road and shouted
for help. A lot of people came and I went over with them. When I went
back I could see nothing, but a 5th Fusilier said “There he is.” There
were a lot of ropes near the crane over, which the deceased had stepped.
Nothing had occurred between us in the way of a quarrel. The deceased
appeared sober. I have seen him before, and been in his company. I am
innocent of having pushed him over.
Luther Herbert Parris, landlord of the “Wellesley” public-house, said he
saw the deceased in his house on Thursday night. Witness was in the bar.
He came in between 7 and 7.30, and witness served his comrade with a
quart of beer. Deceased was quite sober. Witness left the bar, and went
into the kitchen. He heard nothing of the affair until about 9 o’clock.
His wife served when witness left. Flaherty was quite sober when he came
in.
The Coroner in summing up, said he did not think there was any evidence
against the woman, and in that case there was only one course for them
to adopt – to return a verdict of accidental death. With regard to the
moral aspect of the case, they, of course, had nothing to do with that.
The Jury then returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”
THE DISMISSAL OF THE WOMAN
At the Police-court on Monday, before J. L. Bradley, T. A. Terson, H. F.
Baldwin Esqs., and Capt. Bagshaw, the accused woman Dennis was brought
up on remand from Friday, charged on suspicion with having caused the
death of Private Flaherty.
The Court was crowded.
The Superintendent of Police informed the Magistrates the result of
Flaherty on Saturday, when a verdict of accidental death was returned.
The evidence given at the inquest was laid before the Bench, and after
they had examined it, the Chairman addressing the prisoner said: “Jane
Ann Dennis, you were charged on suspicion with causing the death of
Private Flaherty, but the police have no further evidence to offer
against you in that matter; and there having been an inquest in the
meanwhile, the magistrates have no other course than to dismiss you.
THE FUNERAL OF FLAHERTY
The news got abroad that the funeral of Flaherty would take place on
Monday afternoon and crowds thronged the main streets about the centre
of town waiting for it to pass. The interment was however postponed till
Tuesday afternoon, when the whole regiment volunteered to follow their
unfortunate comrade to his premature grave. With the exception of the
long train of followers, it differed in nothing from an ordinary
soldier’s funeral, but the curiosity of the townspeople to see the last
that could be seen of the sad affair was manifested by large crowds
lining the streets and following to the cemetery at Copt Hill. As the
procession was approaching the Market Place, it was noticed that the
woman Dennis was in the crowd, whereupon great excitement arose; the
soldiers following the gun carriage vented their feelings in groans and
it was feared they would break rank and go for her. The police promptly
intervened, and got the woman away, mud was hurled by the crowd, and the
woman was escorted, amidst yells, up the town to Tower Hamlets.
FACTS ABOUT FLAHERTY
Concerning poor Flaherty it should be said that he was little more than
a lad. He came with the Inniskillings from his native county, Clare,
where he left his widowed mother, for whom he had a strong filial
affection, which he frequently exhibited by sending over to her what he
could from his pay. It is said that he had in his possession a postal
order for 4s. to send to her, at the time of his death. Unfortunately he
succumbed to temptations which are allowed to flaunt themselves in Dover
in houses licensed by the Magistrates, for which he had to pay a
terrible penalty.
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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 22 March, 1901. 1d.
CONDUCT OF A COMMERCIAL QUAY HOUSE
At the Police Court on Friday, before Messrs. A. Bottle, H. Peake, C. W.
Bagshaw, and P. W. J. Mackenzie, Alfred Smith, landlord of the
“Wellesley Inn,” Commercial Quay, was summoned for knowingly permitting
his premises to be the habitual resort of prostitutes, and allowing them
to remain longer than necessary for refreshment on February 23rd and
divers subsequent dates.
Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Mr. Vernon Knocker appeared to prosecute.
Mr. A. E. Aldington said he had only been instructed that morning to
defend the case on behalf of the defendant and the brewers, and
therefore asked for a week’s adjournment as he had not been able to go
into the defence, which he believed to be a good one. The owners of the
house were not informed of the prosecution until late the previous
night, although the defendant was served with the summons on the 8th. No
notice had been sent to the owners by the Police.
Mr. Knocker said the Police were not bound to give the owners notice. He
did not wish to appear unreasonable, but inasmuch as the summons was
served a week ago ample provision was given for the defence. Several
Sergeants and Police Officers were engaged in the case, and would be
kept at the court owing to this case.
Sept. Sanders stated that defendant had called on him during the week
and asked if the case could not be settled out of court.
The Bench decided that the case must go on.
Mr. Aldington said it was impossible for him to go on with it, and he
must therefore withdraw from the case, as he could not take the
responsibility of the defence. It was a case of great importance to the
owners.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Knocker said the defendant was employed late
each night at the coalmine, but the word “knowingly” would apply equally
to the responsible manager of the house, who in this instant was the
man’s wife.
Police Sergeant Scutt stated that on February 23rd he, in company with
Police Sergeant Ovenden, visited the “Wellesley” public house at 7.30
p.m., and in the bar he found two women named Godsmark and Swinburne.
Two men were also there, the defendant’s wife being behind the counter.
Witness asked her if she knew who the women were, and she replied, “Yes,
they do not stop over their time.” The women drank their liquor and left
the house. Again at 9 o’clock witness went to the house, and the same
two women were there, as well as a number of soldiers and civilians. The
landlady then said she had not kept them over their time. The women left
the house at once. At 9.55 witness was standing opposite the house with
Police Constable Southey, and he saw the women Swinburne leave the
house. On the last visit to the house witness asked the landlady if her
husband was at home, and she said he was at work.
By Defendant: The women were in the front bar. When he made his first
visit there were three women there, but one he did not know. Witness did
not see them sitting down.
Police Sergeant Lockwood said that on the 23rd February he visited the
house with Police Constable Ovenden at 9.05 p.m., and there was nothing
wrong then. On the 28th witness went again at 9.25 p.m., and found no
women there. The same thing happened on March 1st at 9.20. On March 2nd
witness went to the house at 8.45 with Police Constable Bond, and found
the woman Godsmark in the bar with three soldiers. The landlady was
behind the bar, and she said she knew the character of the woman, but
that she had only just entered. Godsmark left the house a few minutes
later. On March 4th witness visited the house at 9.05 and found Godsmark
there again. The landlady again said the woman had only just come in.
She remained in the house five minutes, and then left with two soldiers.
Police Sergeant Fogg said he visited the house on February 27th with
Police Constable Groombridge at 8.45 p.m., and found Godsmark with two
soldiers there drinking. The landlady said her husband was not in, and
when asked if she knew the character of the woman she said, “Yes, all
right.”
Police Constable Southey said that he watched the house at night from
the 23rd February to March 1st. According to a table of notes he had
made, and from which he read, Police Constable Southey had seen two
women, Godsmark and Swinburne, whoce character he knew, go into the
house each evening, and come and go with soldiers. He had also seen two
sisters named Vickers, as well as a woman named Gatehouse, make use of
the house. The period of their stay in the house ranged from two minutes
to thirty-five. One night there was a row between some soldiers who came
out of the house with two of the women, and some more soldiers waiting
outside, and witness had to whistle for a piquet. Every evening the
landlord left the house shortly before nine, apparently to go to work,
and either the wife or the daughter would come out of the door to see if
anyone were watching. The woman Godsmark visited the house 26 times in
seven days, and Swinbourne 15 times. On the sixth night of witness’s
watching he was “spotted” – (laughter) – and only two women left the
house.
Defendant had nothing to say in answer to the charge; he said he had no
wish to give evidence or to call any witnesses. He had been in the house
2½ years.
The Chairman said this was a very serious charge against defendant, and
in order to give him an opportunity of calling witnesses or obtaining
professional advice, the case would be adjourned till the following
Monday.
PEST GOT RID OF
Elizabeth Godsmarkm, one of the women referred to in the “Wellesley Inn”
case, was sent to prison for a month for disorderly conduct and being
drunk. She was described as one of the pests of Snargate Street.
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