Thomas Basquil

This is not a happy story. Thomas was the son of Denis Basquil and Ellen Carney, and like all but their oldest son, he was born in England. Thomas worked as a house and sign painter, as did his oldest brother, John. He struggled with alcoholism and never married. When he died, everyone, including his family, thought he was drunk. And I’d guess alcohol played a part, but his death certificate only lists heart disease as the cause of death.

At Flint
Thomas Basquil, aged 36, and [unmarried], was found dead at his father’s door, at 305 Davis street, early Sunday morning. Dr. Buck, the medical examiner, pronounced death due to alcoholism. Basquil had been drinking heavily, Saturday evening, and was last seen alive at 3:15 Sunday morning, by Patrick Toolan, who saw him sitting on his father’s doorsteps apparently intoxicated. Toolan did not speak to [him], as he was apparently asleep. At 4:45, Basquil’s father, Dennis Basquil, heard a fall at his door, and on investigating, found Thomas apparently drunk, lying in the hallway. Thomas had not lived at home for some time, because of his drinking habits, and his father on perceiving his condition, locked the door and went to bed. At 6:30 a.m., Dennis passed Thomas in the hall as he left the house on his way to church, but thinking that he was sleeping off his intoxication, did not endeavor to awaken him. Later, Alice Basquil, as sister of the deceased, saw the body at the door and endeavored to arouse him, and was horrified to find that he was apparently dead. Thomas was taken into the house and a physician summoned, but life was extinct. The medical examiner found no marks of violence except some superficial bruises caused by the fall, and he pronounced death due to alcoholism. Basquil had not lived at home for some time, as his drinking habits had caused a [quarrel] between himself and his parents. He had been boarding with his sister, Mrs. John Horan, at 39 Linden street.
Source: Fall River Evening News, 15 Jun 1903, p. 2, col. 2

East End Echoes
Thomas Basquil, 36 years of age, was found dead in the entry leading to his father’s home at 205 Davis street, yesterday morning. Alcoholism was the cause of death certified by Medical Examiner Buck, and some sad feature attended the case. The deceased was unmarried and lived with his married sister, Mrs. John Horan of 36 Linden street. He was a son of Dennis and Ellen Basquil. The police report of the affair says that Officer Skelly was summoned to the house shortly after 6:30 o’clock. His report is to the effect that during the early hours of the morning a person was heard to fall in the entry. Mr. Basquil stated that he had an idea that it was his son but surmising the circumstances did not go out to him. When the father went out to attend church service he saw his son lying at his door and fully believing that he was not in his normal condition allowed him to remain. A few minutes later a sister of Basquil’s came down stairs from her room in the attic. She saw her brother lying in a heap and she judged from his looks that he was dead. Officer Skelly was immediately summoned and he found that the girl had judged correctly. Medical Examiner Buck was summoned and stated the cause of death as given above.
Source: Fall River Daily Globe, 15 Jun 1903, p. 7, col. 3

Died in Doorway
Thomas Basquil Sought His Father’s Home and Died There.
Thomas Basquil, 36 years of age and unmarried, was found dead early yesterday morning at the door of his father’s residence at 305 Davis street.  Basquil has not lived at home for some time for various reasons and has been boarding at the home of Mrs. John Horan, 39 Linden street.  He came to his father’s house yesterday morning and his father heard him fall at the door.  He looked out and, thinking the man was asleep in a drunken stupor, let him stay there.  Later when he went out to church Basquil was still there.  He passed along and left his son in the entry.  When Alice Basquil, who sleeps on an upper floor, came down stairs she found her brother on the floor and an examination by the family convinced them that he was dead.  Officer Michael R. Skelley was called in and he in turn called Dr. Buck.  Alcoholism was given as the cause. 
Source: Fall River Daily Herald, 15 Jun 1903, p. 6, col. 3