From The Times
February 1849
A MILLER KILLED BY HIS OWN MILL SAILS.
On Thursday an inquest was held on the body of John Marshall, aged 26, a journeyman miller in the employ of Mr. R. Somerford, of Borstal Mill, Whitstable. Mr. Somerford stated that he saw the deceased at noon on Monday, and sent him a short distance on an errand; about a quarter of an hour afterwards he found him lying insensible on some sacks near the door of the mill, his cap being close to the sweeps. It was his impression that the deceased must have been struck on the head by the sails.
Deceased was found to have an extensive fracture nearly seven inches long at the base of the skull, and also about four ounces of blood extra vascalated on the surface of the brain.
Verdict, “Accidental death.”
It appears that a man named Coirr nearly lost his life a few years ago, and a cow was seriously injured at the same mill, owing to the dangerous lowness of the sails.
