The East Riding Telegraph. — 1903-01-31 (Beverley, Humberside, England)

THE LATE MR. SOUTHERN.  SUICIDE OF A BEVERLEY EX-TOWN  COUNCILLOR.  On Sunday afternoon last the sad intelligence reached Beverley that MT. James Hardy Southern, a well-known and highly respected resident of Beverley had been found dead in his office in Chapel-lane, Hull, about noon on that day. When discovered his body was quite cold, and he had apparently been dead some hours. His right hand rested on a five-chambered revolver, winch contained two loaded cartridges and one discharged cartridge. A bullet had passed through his head, which rested upon a closed prayer-book. The deceased was left in the office on Saturday noon by his son, at which time his father appeared to be in his usual health and spirits. His failure to return home alarmed his wife, and inquiries resulted in him being found as related above. On the desk was a letter written by the deceased to his wife, and also a document in the form of a will. The deceased was a gentleman of considerable ability, and was only forty years of age. Prior to commencing business for himself as architect and surveyor be was for many years agent for Mr. C. H. Wilson, M.P., first at his Highland shooting box in Aberdeenshire, and later at Waster Priory. A number of improvements in connection with several industries in Hull were carried out by him, and only recently he was a member of the Beverley Town Council. Mr. Southern had a high reputation in the East Riding, and particularly in the Market Weighton district. He leaves a widow and two sons to mourn his loss, for whom the deepest sympathy is felt by a wide circle of friends. On Monday an Inquest was held in St. Matthew's Mission-room by the Coroner (Colonel Thorney). James Percival Southern, the son of deceased, said that he saw his father alive for the last time at 12.30 on Saturday morning, in the office. Witness knew that deceased was not very well off financially, but he never showed any signs of trouble. His father had been in business for himself for six or seven years. Six years ago his father was thrown off a horse, and some time after a brick fell on him, causing concussion of the brain. Witness never noticed that either of these accidents affected his father mentally. Being shown the revolver, witness said that lie could not say where deceased kept it, although he knew that he had one. Continuing, witness said that his father did not come home, and his mother, who knew he had an appointment at 3.30 on Saturday afternoon, became alarmed. At 8.30 witness telephoned to Hull, but they did not hear of his death in Beverley till Sunday morning. William Purdon, who had known the deceased for several years, said he saw him last on Saturday morning between 11 and 12 o'clock at the back of St. Mary's Church. The Coroner then referred to a letter which had been found in deceased's office. It had been written by deceased to his wife, and was dated January 23rd. The letter commenced, "My dear Mary," and referred, incidentally (said the Coroner) to another letter dated January Bth, in which deceased appeared to have contemplated suicide owing to 'business troubles. The letter dealt with business matters, and concluded : " My pet, my head is all of a whirl, and has been for some time." Sergeant Hart detailed the circumstances which led to his going to deceased's office. Lying on the floor in front of the fire, with his right arm beneath him, deceased was quite dead. Deceased was lying face downwards, and the pistol was rested on the open hand, under the body. The Coroner commented on the singularity of a man shooting himself where deceased did with I the revolver in his right hand. Replying to the Coroner, witness said that the room was in perfect order. The will (produced) and the letter were found inside a half-opened drawer. Witness had come to the conclusion ' that deceased shot himself through the mouth, and that the bullet came through the back of his head. The Coroner remarked that in the absence of the letter he should have been very doubtful that the deceased had shot himself. The jury found that deceased committed suicide. On Tuesday the remains of the late Mr. J. H. Southern, 24, North Bar Without, were laid to rest in the Hull General Infirmary, amidst many manifestations of regret at his untimely end. The chief mourners were the widow and her two sons, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Southern, Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett, and Mr. Tom Southern. There was a large company at the grave side. Chief amongst these were the Mayor of Beverley (Councillor H. - Wray), Councillor J. H. Hargreaves, J.P., Mr .Byass, J.P., Councillor Clarke (Beverley), Councillor Pybus, Mr. Hudson Earle, Mr P. J. Drasdo, Mr. J. Southern, Mr. Walter Fenner (Marfleet), Mr. H. Fenner, Mr. J. Forrester, and a number of members of the Masonic craft. The Rev. P. Duncan conducted the funeral service, and Councillor Scott, J.P. was the undertaker.  Mr. J. Compton Rickett has addressed a letter to the chairman of the Liberal executive, Scarborough, stating that he does not propose to seek re-election for that borough. He desires a constituency in which his attention will not be distracted y local controversies from the political and social problems which keep him in public life.