Alookbackto where it all began...
In the office we recently came across a copy of the Maidstone Telegraph and West Kent Messenger dated January 18, 1862. The title, which was then in its third year, was the forerunner of the Kent Messenger - the paper would be acquired by the Boorman family in 1890.
There was plenty going on in 1862 on the world stage. Britain had just annexed Lagos Island in modern-day Nigeria.
The French had taken it upon themselves to interfere in the internal politics of Mexico and landed troops at Veracruz.
The Americans were one year into their Civil War, with things still going well for the Confederate side - their general Stonewall Jackson occupied Bath in the state of Maine.
On January 18, the territory of Arizona was formed for the first time.
Closer to home, the country had just suffered the Hartley Colliery disaster in Northumberland. The beam of the pit’s pumping engine broke and fell down the shaft, trapping the miners below. A total of 204 men died.
None of these events featured in the Maidstone Telegraph. Instead, as was the custom in those days, the front page was entirely taken up with adverts. D. Bartletts of Week Street, Maidstone, described himself as a “tea-dealer” but was advertising somewhat stronger beverages.
He offered “good sherry wine” at two shillings a bottle, “pure Champagne” at one shilling and one penny per half pint, and “ripe Burgundy” at two shillings and nine-pence a quart (two pints).
For those only familiar with decimal currency that’s 10p, 6p and 14p respectively Meanwhile, E.Vinson, chemist, based at 8&9 Middle Row was offering “astringent tooth powder.”
Apparently Nervine was good not only for the instant cure of toothache, but also “forms at the same time a complete stopping for a decayed tooth.”
Rather more unusual, T.Smith offered “curiosities” from his address Under The Cliffe, Bridge Foot, Maidstone. Mr Smith was a dealer in birds, foreign skins, goldfish, green lizards, tortoises and “birds’ and animals’ eyes, either wholesale or retail, at London prices.”
Mr Smith also promised “2,000 stuffed birds always on hand.” The news stories started on page two with international events.
The paper reported the massacre of European settlers by Aborigines at their sheep farm in Queensland.
The farmer, a Mr Wills, and 18 family members including the women and children had been murdered.
Another disturbing incident was the “brutal outrage on a married woman.”
The story contained the full detail of how Mr McCarthy had attacked a Mrs O’Conner at Listowel, threatening her with a knife and stabbing her when she resisted his advances, leaving her at the side of the road after “he had effected his hellish purpose.”
What is of interest to journalists of today is that the case had yet to come to court, but readers were left with not a shadow of doubt that McCarthy was guilty. Local news began on page four of the paper.
It recorded the court case of Mecoy, Hart and Hollands, who were accused of assaulting the Sandling constable, Levy Irving. Earlier he had caught the three stealing potatoes from a field. After a ticking off, they were released as the quantity was small. But the three swore revenge and decided to take it on coming across the constable off-duty in the Phoenix pub later where they gave him a good “pumbling.”
In Cranbrook, the paper recorded an “accident to an aged couple.”
Mrs Deering “was lighting her husband up to bed and walking behind him.
When near the top of the stairs the man slipped and falling back on his wife, knocked her backwards, and both fell to the bottom.”
The woman fractured a leg. The paper declared: “The people, though poor, are very respectable and are both over 80 years old.”
In Aylesford, the paper was happy to report “that the interest of master and men is well understood.”
The occasion was a supper laid on by Mr Fuller, a barge-owner and stone merchant, for 60 of his employees at the Anchor Inn. The paper reported that the evening was very happily spent with “the toast and song going round in a pleasant manner.”