The Royal Oak, Stodman-street, Newark (again)

Samuel Taylor certainly had a good run as landlord of the Royal Oak. But not quite as long as I first thought. Why, because he had a son, also called Samuel, who took over the pub in 1876.

The following articles refer to Samuel Taylor junior.

"NEWARK BOROUGH POLICE COURT.
THURSDAY.— (Before the Mayor, Mr. J. Handley, Mr. P. Handley, and Mr. Riddell.)
Disorderly Conduct and Assault.— Samuel Sharpe, of Weston, was charged with having been drunk in the Royal Oak Inn, Stodman-street, and with refusing to quit when requested to do so.— Mr. Smith prosecuted. — According to the evidence of Mr. Samuel Taylor, the landlord, defendant came into his house about a quarter to 11 o'clock on the previous evening and asked for a glass of port wine. As defendant was intoxicated witness refused to fill him anything and requested him to leave. Defendant thereupon used abusive language to him and to the barmaid, and as he would not go witness had to put him out. A scuffle ensued during which witness was hit on the head with a stick. A few minutes later a brick came through the window. - Robert Spencer gave corroborative evidence, and Sergeant Free deposed to apprehending defendant in Kirk-gate. — In reply, defendant said he would have gone out quietly, but complainant seized him by the collar and struck him. He denied that he was drunk, having only had two glasses of ale. — The Bench considered the charge proved, and ordered defendant to pay £3, including costs. — A second charge was preferred against him for assaulting Mr. Taylor, who alleged that the defendant hit him on the forehead with a stick. A scuffle arose, and in trying to defend himself and put him out he knocked defendant down. — Mr. Spencer said he saw defendant with a stick, and told Mr. Taylor to look out. Immediately defendant hit Mr. Taylor on the head. — Defendant, in reply, said he received various blows on the head, and had suffered in consequence of them — He was fined 1s. and costs."
Nottinghamshire Guardian - Friday 29 December 1876, page 6.

Odd priorities they had back then. A three quid fine just for being drunk, but just a shilling fine for whacking someone over the head with a stick.

It seems this kind of incident wasn't a rarity. Funny how it was always just before 11 when the trouble kicked off:

"Samuel Taylor v. Samuel Sharps. — This was a claim of £5 5s. for damage done to a door; also for one bottle of sherry and three bottles of ale. — Mr. Smith appeared for the plaintiff, who stated that he was the landlord of the Royal Oak Inn, Stodman-street, Newark. A few minutes to eleven o'clock on the night of Wednesday, December 20th, defendant came into his house. As he was drunk and misbehaved himself witness ordered him to go, and as he refused to quit he turned him out. In the course of two or three minutes defendant tried to re-enter, and witness put him out again. Defendant assaulted him, and was fined for the offence by the magistrates. After witness had put him out defendant said he would serve him one for that, and shortly after a brick was thrown at the glass door, and the glass was smashed. He subsequently saw defendant at the police office, and at that time there was brick dust on his hands and trousers. — Defendant, who is a farmer at Weston, did not now appear, and His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff, the money to be paid in a mouth."
Nottinghamshire Guardian - Friday 23 February 1877, page 7.

Putting a brick through a glass door for being refused a drink - sounds just like Newark today.

Samuel Taylor junior was still the landlord of the Royal Oak in 1881. And still having trouble with drunken customers:

"NEWARK BOROUGH POLICE.
MONDAY.— (Before the Mayor, Ald. Branston, and Mr. Oldham.)
Assaulting the Police. — John Rowland was charged with assaulting P.c. Watson whilst in the execution of his duty on the 13th inst. P.c. Watson said that he was sent for by Mr. Taylor, landlord of the Royal Oak, Stodman-street, to remove defendant from the premises. He requested him to leave, but he refused to do so, and the officer thereupon attempted to put him out. Defendant then struck him on the chest, and kicked his legs. With some difficulty he got defendant outside, and brought him to the police office. Joseph Low corroborated. Defendant said be was drunk at the time, and had no recollection of what took place. Fined 11s and 9s costs, or 14 days' imprisonment."
Nottinghamshire Guardian - Friday 19 August 1881, page 2.

But Samuel Taylor wasn't going to be there much longer, as we'll find out next time. And guess who took over the lease of the pub from him?