Folkestone
Express 26-12-1925
Inquest
On Monday evening Mr. G.W. Haines (Borough Coroner)
held an inquest at the Town Hall, concerning the death of Mr. Thomas Southall,
the licensee of the Railway Tavern, Dover Road.
Albert Edward Philpott, 128, Dover Road, handyman, said
he assisted in the morning at the Railway Tavern, Dover Road, and had done so
for the past seven years. That (Monday) morning he went to the Railway Tavern
about ten minutes past seven. His house was immediately opposite. He saw Miss
Cook, who also daily assisted, who came out of the Tavern and ran across to
him. She said “Go in the bar. I believe he has made off with himself”. He went
through the private entrance door, which was unlocked, and on looking into the
front public bar he saw Mr. Southall lying on the floor on his side. The
electric light was burning. He could not smell any gas. Miss Cook followed behind
him, and there was no-one else in the bar. An India-rubber tube was attached to
the nozzle where the gas tap was, and the other end of the tube was in
deceased`s mouth. The tap was still turned on, and he took the tube out of
deceased`s mouth and put it on the floor. The hands were warm. He moved
deceased to see if he was alive, and he made no sound or movement. Deceased
seemed to snore once whilst he was trying to revive him. Deceased`s head was
lying on a cushion, and his cap was close by. He (witness) cleared the bar out
on Sunday night, and left the bar at 10.05. He knew deceased had been ill in
bed for the past week, and he (witness) had not seen him. Deceased was fully
dressed, with the exception of his collar and tie.
Miss Cook, 11, Folly Road, Folkestone, said she had
helped in the bar at the Railway Tavern for the past eighteen years. The
deceased had been confined to his bedroom for the past seven days, and had been
attended by Dr. Roker Evans. Deceased was suffering from nerves. She saw deceased
the previous night in his room at 8.15, when she took him some biscuits and
cheese. She asked him how he felt, and he said he felt much better. Deceased
had been worrying of late. That (Monday) morning, about seven o`clock, she
found the front door open, and directly she got into the bar she smelt a very
strong smell of glass. The electric light was on. There was a gas radiator in
the bar, and there was a tube from the partition connected to the radiator. She
left on Sunday night at 10.40. The tube was still fixed to the radiator then.
She went into the front bar that morning and saw Mr. Southall lying on the
floor, and she went at once for Mr. Philpott.
P.C. Little said that morning, at 7.20, he was called
by Miss Cook to the Railway Tavern. On arrival there was a strong smell of gas,
and in the public bar he saw the body of deceased lying on the floor, his head
being about three feet from the radiator, with his head resting on a cushion.
He saw a rubber tube connected to a tap nozzle, the gas having been turned off.
The end of the tube was on the floor. The body was warm, and he commenced
artificial respiration, without avail. Dr. Anness was sent for, and on arrival
pronounced life extinct. When called by Miss Cook, she said “Will you come to
the Railway Tavern, as I think there is something wrong?”
Philpott, re-called, said he turned the gas off at the
meter.
Mr. H. Southall said the deceased was his father, aged
63 years, and the licensee of the Railway Tavern. He last saw his father alkive
on Thursday last. Deceased had been confined to his bed for seven days,
suffering from nerves and a general breakdown. He believed his father had been
worried lately, as Mrs. Southall`s health had given rise to considerable
anxiety. Miss Cook went for him that morning, and he arrived about 8.30. The
cushion on which deceased`s head rested came from the drawing room upstairs.
His mother said deceased had got up early, and said he would get her a cup of
tea.
P.C. Little said a letter (produced) marked “Private”
was found in the bar on the counter.
Mr. Southall said it was in his father`s handwriting.
His father had not previously had fits of depression, and had never suggested
he would take his life.
Mr. E.J. Chadwick (Coroner`s Officer) said he went to
the Railway Tavern about 9.20, and saw deceased lying on the floor of the
public bar, and he was dead. He had all the appearances of gas poisoning.
The Coroner said there was very little doubt from the
appearance of the body, and how things were found, that deceased died from gas
poisoning, and that he administered that gas to himself with the intention of
taking his life. He had to consider what was the state of the poor fellow`s
mind before doing it, and there was a letter addressed to his son in which he
said “I regret the step which I am taking. This year has been the most worrying
year of my life. Ma has some trouble which has worried me lately. I cannot see
to write any more. Have me taken to the mortuary, and from there to the grave.
Have no carriages and no black. Just put me below, come away, and forget. God
bless you”. Continuing, the Coroner said he had no doubt after this letter that
deceased intended to take his life. As to the state of his mind, no-one knew,
except those who went through it. He found that deceased committed suicide
whilst temporarily insane.
Folkestone Herald
26-12-1925
Obituary
We regret to record the death on Monday, at 119, Dover Road,
of Mr. Thomas Southall, at the age of 63. The details of his death are given in
our report of the inquest.
The deceased, who had been proprietor of the Railway Tavern,
Dover Road, for over a quarter of a century was widely known. Of a quiet,
unassuming nature, he was the personification of geniality and goodwill towards
his fellows. It can be said of “tommy”, as he was popularly known, that his
heart was never closed to those who really deserved practical help. The manner
in which he conducted his own particular calling was regarded as a model.
It is not generally known that the late Mr. Southall was a
very able musician, having been bandmaster of that distinguished regiment the
Carabineers (6th Dragoon Regiment). In that capacity he served with
his regiment not only in all the principal garrisons of the British Isles, but
also in India. He was regarded by his fellow bandmasters as a very able
representative of his own branch of the musical profession. Sincere sympathy is
extended to the widow and his two children.
Inquest
An inquest touching the death of Mr. Thomas Southall was
held by the Borough Coroner (Mr. G.W. Haines) at the Town hall on Monday evening.
Edward Philpott, of 128, Dover Road, said he assisted in the
morning at the Railway Tavern, Dover Road, and had done so for the past seven
years or more. That morning he went to the Railway Tavern at about ten minutes
past seven o`clock. He lived immediately opposite. Miss Cook, who also assisted
daily, ran across to his house, and said “Go in the bar. I believe he`s made
off with himself”. On going across witness found the private entrance door was
unlocked, and on looking into the front public bar he saw deceased lying on the
floor on his side. The electric light was burning. Witness did not smell any
gas. Miss Cook followed behind him. There was nobody else in the bar. Witness
noticed an Indiarubber tube attached to the nozzle where the gas tap was. The
other end of the tube was in deceased`s mouth. The tap was turned on, and gas
was coming from the tube. Witness took the tube from Mr. Southall`s mouth, and
turned the gas off. He attempted to revive deceased, whose hands were warm.
Deceased made no sign, but seemed to snore once. Witness did not otherwise move
deceased, whose head was lying on a cushion. Witness left the bar about five
minutes past ten the previous night. Deceased had been ill in bed for the past
week, and witness had not seen him. When he found him Mr. Southall was fully
dressed, with the exception of his collar and tie. His boots were also off. It
was deceased`s habit to let witness in in the morning.
Miss Cook, of 11, Folly Road, said that for nearly eighteen
years she had assisted in the bar at the Railway Tavern. Deceased, the
licensee, had been ill and confined to his bedroom for the past seven days. He
had been attended by Dr. Baker Evans, who saw him on Thursday. Deceased was
suffering from nerves. Witness saw deceased in his room at half past eight the
previous night, when she took him some biscuits and cheese. He said he felt
much better then. He had been worrying of late. Witness usually got to the
Tavern about seven in the morning, and that morning at about seven she found the
front door open. When she got in she noticed a strong smell of gas. The
electric light was on. The gas was used for a radiator in the bar. There was a
tube from a nozzle on a partition connected with the radiator. When witness
left about twenty to eleven the previous night the tube was still connected to
the radiator. Witness went into the front bar and saw deceased on the floor.
She went at once for Mr. Philpott.
P.C. Simpson deposed that that morning, at 7.30, the last
witness called him in the Railway Tavern. He was near there at that time. On
arrival he smelt gas strongly, and in the front bar he saw the body of
deceased, whom he knew well, lying on the floor close to the radiator, with his
face about three feet from it. His head was resting on a cushion. Witness saw a
rubber tube connected to the radiator. The tap was turned off. The other end of
the tube was on the floor close to the radiator. The body was warm, and
deceased`s face was very red, but only his usual colour. Witness trued
artificial respiration without avail, and in the meantime sent for Dr. Evans,
who on arrival pronounced Mr. Southall dead. When Miss Cook called him she said
“Will you come in the Railway Tavern? I think there is something wrong”.
Edward Philpott (re-called) said he turned the gas off.
Mr. Harold Southall said deceased was his father, who was 63
last October. He was licensee of the Railway Tavern, Dover Road. Witness did
not live at the Railway Tavern. He last saw deceased alive on the previous
Wednesday. During the last seven days deceased had been confined to his bed and
under the doctor, suffering from nerves and general breakdown. Witness did not
notice that he was depressed, but he had been worried lately. His wife`s health
had given him some worry. That morning Miss Cook came for witness, and he
arrived at the Tavern about 8.30. The cushion on which deceased`s head was
resting came from the drawing room upstairs. Witness`s mother said that morning
deceased got up early and said he would get her a cup of tea.
P.C. Simpson (re-called) said that he found a letter
(produced) in the bar in which he found deceased.
Mr. Southall said the letter was in deceased`s handwriting.
Deceased had never suggested that he would take his life.
Mr. R.J. Chadwick (Coroner`s Officer) said that morning at
9.20, from information received from the Police Office, he went to the Railway
Tavern. He there saw deceased, whom he had known for many years, on the bar
floor. His colour was very pink. Deceased had a florid complexion, but at the time
it was an unusual redness. He was dead, and had all the appearances of gas
poisoning.
The Coroner said that he did not doubt from the appearance
of the body and the things found that deceased died from gas poisoning, and
that he administered that gas to himself with the intention of taking his life.
He (the speaker) had to consider the state of his mind before doing it. There
was a letter addressed to his son, in which deceased said “I regret the step
that I am taking. This has been the most worrying year of my life. Ma has some
trouble which has worried me lately. I cannot see to write any more. Have me
taken to the mortuary, and from there to the grave. Have no carriages and no
black. Just put me below, come away, and forget. God bless you”. Proceeding,
the Coroner said he had no doubt after reading that letter that deceased
intended to take his life. As to the state of his mind, nobody knew except
those who went through it. He found that deceased committed suicide whilst
temporarily insane.
Folkestone
Express 9-1-1926
Local News
At the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday Mr. Harold
Southall applied for a protection certificate in respect of the Railway Tavern.
The application was granted.
Note: No record of Harold Southall in More
Bastions.
Folkestone Herald 9-1-1926
Local News
At the Folkestone Police Court on Wednesday (Mr. G. Boyd in
the chair), Mr. Harold Southall applied for a protection certificate in respect
of the Railway Tavern, Dover Road. Mr. G.W. Haines, who appeared for the applicant,
said that Mr. Southall was in possession of the premises, and intended to carry
on the business until the general annual licensing meeting of the 10th,
when an application would be made for the transfer. The application was
granted.
Note: No record of Harold Southall
in More Bastions.
Folkestone
Express 13-2-1926
Notice
Thomas Southall, Deceased.
All persons having claims against the estate of Thomas
Southall, late of the Railway Tavern, Dover Road, Folkestone, licensed
victualler (who died on the 21st December, 1925) are requested to
send written particulars thereof to me, the undersigned Solicitor for the
Administrator, before the 1st March next, after which date the said
Administrator will distribute the deceased`s assets having regard only to
claims then notified.
Dated this 10th day of February, 1926.
Geo. W. Haines, Solicitor,
18 – 20. Church Street,
Folkestone.
The licence of the
Railway Tavern was transferred to Mr. H. G. Reed.
Folkestone
Express 13-2-1926
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 9th: Before Alderman
R.J. Wood, Messrs. A.E. Pepper, Swoffer, E.T. Morrison, A. Stace, Owen, J.H.
Blamey, W.R. Boughton, W. Hollands, W. Griffin, P. Broome-Giles, Miss A.M.
Hunt, and Dr. W.J. Tyson.
Folkestone Herald
13-2-1926
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 10th: Before Alderman R.G.
Wood, Dr. W.J. Tyson, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Col.
G.P. Owen, Mr. A. Stace, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Mr. W. Griffin,
Mr. W.R. Boughton, Col. P. Broome-Giles, and Miss A.M. Hunt.
Mr. G.W. Haines, on behalf of the administrators of the late
Mr. Thomas Southall, applied for the transfer of the Railway Tavern to Mr. H.
Reed.
The Magistrates sanctioned the transfer.
Folkestone
Herald 19-1-1929
Local News
Mr. Harry Read, the licensee of the Railway Tavern, a
well-known Folkestone man, had a thrilling adventure on a car journey from
Folkestone to Dover on Tuesday night.
“It was a clear and starlight night”, Mr. Read told a
Herald reporter. “The road was like glass. At Dr. Norton`s corner the car
skidded. No-one was hurt, and only minor damage was done, but within a few
yards was the cliff edge, with a drop of about 300 feet. If it had not been for
God`s providence, we should have all gone over the cliff”.
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