Royal Exchange Hotel
The former Railway Hotel, Katanning’s second hotel, opened its doors in 1891 with Richard Bell its first publican in 1897. The Railway Hotel was a wood and iron structure located directly across from the railway station. The name was changed to the Royal Exchange Hotel when owned by John C Cook. On 3 April 1894, the hotel was badly damaged by fire due to arson.
John C. Cook
In 1899, when Katanning was experiencing a building boom, A Stewart was contracted for a new Royal Exchange hotel building. The new hotel was badly damaged by fire and therefore, in 1905, vast improvements were made to the hotel, the builder being Mr Alex Thomson. The two-storey hotel was constructed from bricks made from the F & C Piesse Brick Works. The hotel was extended again in 1910.
From the inHerit website:
RAILWAY HOTEL – Katanning
The two-storey hotel is cement rendered brick, timber-framed roof with corrugated iron sheeting. The street facade is rendered in the Federation Italianate style with a parapet level balustrade linking a central panel and the terminating pediments. The original timber verandah and railings with its decorative frieze and stanchions have been removed. An awning has replaced the verandah and the shop fronts have been altered. New concrete shading devices have been applied to the upper story, visually impairing its aesthetic value. The hotel was extended in 1910. Renovations were undertaken in 2004/2005 including the addition of Pub Tab (now gone) and an outdoor beer garden.
History
The former Railway Hotel, Katanning’s second hotel, opened its doors in 1891. Richard Bell was the first publican in 1897, the Railway Hotel a wood and iron structure located directly across from the railway station, was changed to the Royal Exchange Hotel and was owned by J.C. Cook. In 1899, when Katanning was experiencing a building boom, A Stewart was contracted for a new Royal Exchange hotel building. The new hotel was badly damaged by fire and therefore in 1905 vast improvements were made to the hotel, the builder being Mr Alex Thomson. The two-storey hotel was constructed from bricks made from the F & C Piesse Brick Works
Royal Exchange Hotel – 1905
(State Library of Western Australia)
THE KATANNING ARSON CASE.
AN ARREST MADE.
West Australian
19 April 1894 – p6
(FROM OUR KATANNING CORRESPONDENT.)
An official enquiry into the circumstances under which an attempt at arson was committed at the old Railway Hotel, Katanning, took place on the 10th inst., before Mr. W. K. Adam, R.M. The jury consisted of Messrs. R. M. Fonceca (foreman), F. H. Piesse, and O. Murray. Mr. A. E. Piesse watched the case on behalf of the Commercial Union Assurance Company.
The jury having been sworn, and having also inspected the scene of the fire, the first witness called was Minnie Cathleen Martin, who deposed that on the night of the 3rd inst. she was sleeping with Mrs. Knox in the building. Mr. Knox was absent on business. She was awakened by Mrs. Knox at about 2 am.
The room was full of smoke; they partially dressed and went into the kitchen to see if the fire proceeded from the fire there. It did not, the whole house was full of smoke. They both ran up to rouse Mr. Butler of the Katanning Hotel, witness’ stepfather. He came down at once and discovered the fire to be in an unoccupied bedroom, two doors from where they were sleeping. Mr. Butler got water at once and succeeded in putting out the fire after some trouble. It was then seen that it was the work of an incendiary, and witness described the appearance of the room, as already published.
Mrs. Knox’s evidence was materially the same as that of the preceding witness, with the additional mention of the house dog, which was in their room, and seemed very dull, never barking during the night.
James Butler deposed to being called up as stated above and gave a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the putting out of the fire. He had a considerable amount of furniture in the house, including bedsteads and a bagatelle table. He knew nothing about any insurance on the building; did not report the matter that morning, as the police were absent.
T. J. Knox deposed to renting the building from Mr. Butler. He used it as a general store. He was absent at the time of the fire and returned the following day. The place was locked, his wife being absent, but on finding her she acquainted him with the details of the fire. He noticed the dog, in his opinion it seemed as though it had been dosed.
Elijah Bell
Elijah Bell deposed that he was the son of Richard Bell, formerly landlord of the Railway Hotel. He used to manage the business for his father. The building and out-buildings were insured for £700 and, although he did not know the name of the company, Mr. Piesse was the agent. The policy was in his father’s name, he thought.
He first heard of the fire on Thursday the 5th inst., from the Rev. Mr. Philipps. A. E. Piesse deposed to being agent for the Commercial Union Assurance Company. The hotel and out-building were insured for £700. The annual premium was something over £12 and would fall due on April 21st.
This closed the evidence, during the delivery of which the jury questioned continually and showed painstaking efforts to elicit some fact which might throw light upon the affair, without avail, however. Mr. Adam briefly summed up, and the jury, without leaving their seats, returned a verdict of attempted arson against some person or persons unknown.
The affair seemed likely to remain an unsolved mystery, and for some days things were in status quo, until on Saturday the 14th inst, from information received, Constable Connor procured a warrant and arrested Elijah Bell, on the charge of arson.