History of Dover

Thomas Smith a man with one arm, and who described himself as a “vendor of braces and bootlaces” was charged with being on the premises of Mr. W. Moxon for an unlawful purpose on Sunday morning. P.C. Thomas Geddes said he had charge of Mr. Moxon’s timber yard and premises at the Maison Dieu. About two o’clock on Sunday morning he was led to believe by the barking of a dog that some person was on the premises and he therefore made a search. He went over them without discovering anyone, but on returning to the timber yard he ran against the prisoner who was in front of the carpenter’s shop. A large quantity of tools and other property were within the reach of the prisoner at that spot. Several of the men had at various times lost their tools. The defendant pleaded in excuse that he was drunk at the time and did not know where he was, but the policeman said this was not true, but that the prisoner being quite sober. Prisoner was committed to the House of Correction for one month. (1860)