Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald - 20 August 1887

Transcribed by G Lamb for the HRGS.

SITTINGBOURNE

BRAVE RESCUE - A young man named Goatham, of Milton, was seized with cramp while swimming in the Creek on Sunday afternoon, and was sinking for the last time, when he was rescued by Mr. Cook, of the Crown and Anchor Inn, who was also swimming in the water.  Goatham was drawn to a boat until assistance arrived, when he was lifted in.  He afterwards recovered from teh effects of the immersion, but, if it had not been for the timely help of Mr. Cook, he must have been drowned.

SERIOUS CASE OF BLOOD POISONING. - On the night following the Local Jubilee Fete Mr. Harms, pastrycook, High-street, was in the act of opening a crab for supper, when his hand slipped and he inflicted a slight scratch on the thumb of his right hand.  No notice was taken of this incident at the time, but in a few days the hand became inflamed and troublesome, and as the pain increased medical aid was called in, when it was found that Mr. Harms was suffering from blood poisoning.  Despite all that was done alarming symptoms set in, until his whole system became affected, and as a last resource it was decided that Mr. Harms should undergo an operation.  The operation was successfully performed at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester, a portion of his right arm being cut off above the wrist.  During the past few days Mr. Harms has shown signs of improvement, and he is now on the road to recovery.

ROBBERIES AT HARVESTERS - At the Sittingbourne Petty Sessions on Monday, before F. Locke, Esq. (in the chair), W. W. Gascoyne, Esq., Captain Vallance, and J. B. Hole Esq., Thomas Candon, a labourer, was charged with stealing a piece of beef, of the value of 7d., from William Higgings, a labourer, at Eastchurch, on August 10th.  Prosecutor was eating the meat when prisoner snatched it away and at it himself.  Prisoner who admitted theft, but said he was drunk at the time, was sentenced to seven days' hard labour. - William George Dunster, a youth, of Milton, was charged with stealing two hen's eggs, of the value of 2d., the property of Mr. J. T. Long, Milton, on August 4th.  Prisoner took them from the stable in which they had previously been placed by the prosecutor as a test to see who it was continually robbing him.  He was let off with a fine of 10s., and was allowed time for payment. - Mary Coe, a tramping harvester, for stealing a bagging hook from Elizabeth Sarah Robinson, at Minster, on August 2nd, of teh value of 1s. 9d., was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. - Michael Buckley, William Jackson, Michael McGuire, and William Bright, four harvesters, were charged with stealing a quantity of beer and twelve stone bottles at Eastchurch, of the value of £1 10s. on August 9th.  Stephen Ladd, the landlord of the Wheatsheaf, Eastchurch, said that the prisoners were drinking at his place from six till ten o'clock that evening.  He had had in some beer on the previous day, and hearing a noise went out and saw the prisoners rolling one of the barrels into a lodge at the back of the premises, there were afterwards found in the lodge, with a dozen stone bottles, and had helped themselves to the contents of the cask.  Prisoners stoutly denied the charge but evidence was called in corroboration; and they were each sentenced.  21 days' hard labour.