The Warwickshire Herald. — 1894-10-11 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE HANDSWORTH STATION FATALITY.  Mr. E. Hooper held an inquest at the Station Inn, Handsworth, on Friday night of last week touching the death of Thomas Southall (48), striker, Ross Row, Rowley, who was found dead on the line at Handsworth Station on Tuesday night —Rebecca Jackson deposed that she had habited with deceased, who was a married man, for 19 years. Deceased had been in Birmingham for a fortnight drinking. Witness came over to fetch him, as his master said he would take him bark if he returned at once. They had a few words when they met, but. they proceeded to the station to return to Rowley. At the station deceased asked her if she was going to pay his fare back. Witness replied that she had not got the money, and that he ought to have_plenty, seeing that he had pawned his coat and sold his dog. Witness, who was a widow, did not know deceased was a-married man when they commenced living together —ln answer to the Coroner, witness said deceased did not tell her on the way to the station he would not live with her another 19 hours.—Archie Taylor, porter, deposed to finding the body on the line, life being extinct. He did not see the woman until after, and then she said, "Oh, good God, has he done it? He has promised to do that past two or three years.—At this point the woman Jackson, who had previously sworn that the deceased had never threatened to commit suicide, and who was in the room, ejaculated. "Oh, the wicked man, how can he tell such lies?"—Chief-inspector Ledbrook iskeil witness whether the woman Jackson was sober, and Taylor said she was not.—The Coroner: What reason have you for saying so?—Witness said she was so drunk she could scarcely stand.—Taekon (sotto voice): "Oh, what a lie."—Maud Simkins said she was at the booking office when deceased and the woman Jackson was there. The woman was swearing all the time, and deceased reque-ti'i 1.• to keep quiet, as the people would wonder what was up. The language used by the woman was so had that witness left the booking office. A few minutes after she returned, and then the man went outside. Witness saw a goods train go by. and then she went on the platform and saw the man's body on the line—Witness said she heard the woman say to the man, "You have lived with me 19 years, but you will not live with me another 19 hours."— The woman Jackson. in reply to the coroner. s.id what the previous witnes shad said was quite true.— Police-constable Matthews, in reply to the Coroner, said the woman appeared "a bit boosey."— The Coroner said it was very clear the man was killed by a goods train passing the station, but whether it was an acoident or the man had committed suicide through being exasperated by the woman it was for the jury to decide.—The iury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."—The Coroner remarked that the man was dearly trP,rmsBing. and the railway company was entirely free from blame.  A fine dog fox WaS observed on Wednesday morning in the garden of Mr. C. Chipman. New Oseott, which after an exciting chase was captured by Mr. Walter Chipman. Its fore leg Was broken. It offered a desperate resistance, but was taken alive and can be seen at Mr. Chipman's, New °mutt, Chester Rout