ThanksMurder - Crimes - History - Bootle and North Liverpool
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fatboyjoe90
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Thanks for your comments Lynne, and Shelagh. 
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
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The Altcar Tragedy
A soldier on training at the Altcar camp near Formby was sentenced to death after battering a fellow serviceman after a night out, but was reprieved by the Home Secretary.
On the afternoon of Saturday 16th May 1903 Private John James and Private Arthur Wilkes of the Royal Welch Fusiliers went out drinking in Formby. They went to several beerhouses before being turned away from the Railway Hotel for being too drunk at around 9pm.
James was 29 years old and had fought in the South African War then served in China, where he received an injury that meant his fighting days were over, but he remained with the regiment as a cook. Wilkes had yet to see any action and was at Altcar with his regiment for musketry training.
The circumstances that led to what happened next will never be known, but 21 year old Wilkes arrived back at camp on his own. At 330am another private, Frederick Boswell, was walking back to the camp along Fisherman's Walk and heard moaning coming from a ditch. On going to investigate, he found James in an insensible state with several wounds on his face. Boswell ran to the camp for help and returned with a Sergeant Jenkins and a stretcher. They took James to the camp hospital but after being laid on a bed he took his last breaths and died.
A key find near the scene had been a regimental belt, meaning that somebody at the following mornings parade would be without one. That person was set to be Private Burke, who had reported his belt as missing at 6am when he saw that it wasn't hanging up where it should be. The belt was then found in Wilkes's tent and he became agitated when confronted about it. He was also unable to explain where his regimental trousers were, having been wearing normal ones. This was enough for Sergeant Jenkins to authorise the detention of Wilkes and he was taken to Formby police station.
The following day Wilkes's regimental trousers were found hidden behind a radiator, covered in mud. Wilkes appeared at Birkdale Magistrates Court that day and was remanded having been charged with murder. An inquest opened on the Tuesday at the Railway Hotel, with the Coroner ordering the body to be laid out where it had been found so that the jury could get a full picture of the surroundings. When they went to view it though one member of the jury fainted and had to be taken to hospital, leading to an adjournment of a week.
When the inquest resumed it was at the police buildings in Birkdale. Knowing how much evidence was against him Wilkes decided to issue a statement via Inspector Hodgson. In this he claimed that the two men were on friendly terms whilst walking back but James insisted on returning to try and find more drink. Wilkes said that when he tried to stop him, James's replied 'You will have to go to the front and get some medals on you chest before you can stop me going to town.' He then claimed that James wrestled him to the ground and he had to use his belt to get him off and he had no idea what state he left him in.
A verdict of wilful murder was returned by the inquest jury and Wilkes was formally committed for trial at the next Liverpool assizes. He appeared before Justice Bigham on 31st July, pleading not guilty on the grounds that he was acting in self defence. However, medical evidence showed that he had not received any injuries and was much stronger than James, who had a fractured skull, crushed nose and sixteen wounds on his face, hands and fingers. in summing up Justice Bigham said that if the jury was satisfied that it was Wilkes who carried out the act then it was a 'wicked and brutal murder.'
Wilkes was found guilty by the jury who recommended mercy on account of his youth. The judge said he would pass this on but that he should not hold out much hope of a reprieve. A petition was presented to the Home Secretary by Wilkes's solicitors who were based in North John Street but time was running out fast with the execution fixed for Tuesday 18th August and no news forthcoming. Finally on the 15th August a letter was received by the Governor of Walton Gaol saying that the sentence had been commuted to penal servitude for life.
A soldier on training at the Altcar camp near Formby was sentenced to death after battering a fellow serviceman after a night out, but was reprieved by the Home Secretary.
On the afternoon of Saturday 16th May 1903 Private John James and Private Arthur Wilkes of the Royal Welch Fusiliers went out drinking in Formby. They went to several beerhouses before being turned away from the Railway Hotel for being too drunk at around 9pm.
James was 29 years old and had fought in the South African War then served in China, where he received an injury that meant his fighting days were over, but he remained with the regiment as a cook. Wilkes had yet to see any action and was at Altcar with his regiment for musketry training.
The circumstances that led to what happened next will never be known, but 21 year old Wilkes arrived back at camp on his own. At 330am another private, Frederick Boswell, was walking back to the camp along Fisherman's Walk and heard moaning coming from a ditch. On going to investigate, he found James in an insensible state with several wounds on his face. Boswell ran to the camp for help and returned with a Sergeant Jenkins and a stretcher. They took James to the camp hospital but after being laid on a bed he took his last breaths and died.
A key find near the scene had been a regimental belt, meaning that somebody at the following mornings parade would be without one. That person was set to be Private Burke, who had reported his belt as missing at 6am when he saw that it wasn't hanging up where it should be. The belt was then found in Wilkes's tent and he became agitated when confronted about it. He was also unable to explain where his regimental trousers were, having been wearing normal ones. This was enough for Sergeant Jenkins to authorise the detention of Wilkes and he was taken to Formby police station.
The following day Wilkes's regimental trousers were found hidden behind a radiator, covered in mud. Wilkes appeared at Birkdale Magistrates Court that day and was remanded having been charged with murder. An inquest opened on the Tuesday at the Railway Hotel, with the Coroner ordering the body to be laid out where it had been found so that the jury could get a full picture of the surroundings. When they went to view it though one member of the jury fainted and had to be taken to hospital, leading to an adjournment of a week.
When the inquest resumed it was at the police buildings in Birkdale. Knowing how much evidence was against him Wilkes decided to issue a statement via Inspector Hodgson. In this he claimed that the two men were on friendly terms whilst walking back but James insisted on returning to try and find more drink. Wilkes said that when he tried to stop him, James's replied 'You will have to go to the front and get some medals on you chest before you can stop me going to town.' He then claimed that James wrestled him to the ground and he had to use his belt to get him off and he had no idea what state he left him in.
A verdict of wilful murder was returned by the inquest jury and Wilkes was formally committed for trial at the next Liverpool assizes. He appeared before Justice Bigham on 31st July, pleading not guilty on the grounds that he was acting in self defence. However, medical evidence showed that he had not received any injuries and was much stronger than James, who had a fractured skull, crushed nose and sixteen wounds on his face, hands and fingers. in summing up Justice Bigham said that if the jury was satisfied that it was Wilkes who carried out the act then it was a 'wicked and brutal murder.'
Wilkes was found guilty by the jury who recommended mercy on account of his youth. The judge said he would pass this on but that he should not hold out much hope of a reprieve. A petition was presented to the Home Secretary by Wilkes's solicitors who were based in North John Street but time was running out fast with the execution fixed for Tuesday 18th August and no news forthcoming. Finally on the 15th August a letter was received by the Governor of Walton Gaol saying that the sentence had been commuted to penal servitude for life.
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
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Thanks for your reply Shelagh, yes you’re right another one walked free.
Cheers Joe.
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Larry Devine
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:25 pm
- Location: Bootle
hi joe one of my great aunts was murderd in what was called the teapot murders the files on this case are still hard to get
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fatboyjoe90
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Hiya Larry, the only info that I could get about about the teapot murders is this below.
Heading out of Liverpool, through Bootle, along Derby Road, if you look carefully, to your left, you'll notice Beresford Street. It is very easy to miss. If you look at this photograph, the street is the gap between the two buildings.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Bootle was nicknamed 'Brutal Bootle.' The towns reputation was based on the dockland slum in the south-west of Bootle - Dundas, Lyons and Raleigh Streets. The census of 1871 reported that of the 850 people crammed into Lyons Street, 140 were lodgers.
Lyons Street was the scene of appalling violence, two sailors lured several women to the street and murdered them. The killings were dubbed 'The Teapot Murders' - Lyons was a popular brand of tea at the time. A Maggie Donoghue was killed there in 1903, a child, Tommy Foy, was murdered there in 1908.
It is even claimed that in 1896, demonic figures appeared to a mother and daughter staying at 48 Lyons Street.
Finally, just before the First World War, it was decided to rename Lyons Street - Beresford Street.
https://www.facebook.com/TheLiverpoolNo ... =1&theater
Heading out of Liverpool, through Bootle, along Derby Road, if you look carefully, to your left, you'll notice Beresford Street. It is very easy to miss. If you look at this photograph, the street is the gap between the two buildings.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Bootle was nicknamed 'Brutal Bootle.' The towns reputation was based on the dockland slum in the south-west of Bootle - Dundas, Lyons and Raleigh Streets. The census of 1871 reported that of the 850 people crammed into Lyons Street, 140 were lodgers.
Lyons Street was the scene of appalling violence, two sailors lured several women to the street and murdered them. The killings were dubbed 'The Teapot Murders' - Lyons was a popular brand of tea at the time. A Maggie Donoghue was killed there in 1903, a child, Tommy Foy, was murdered there in 1908.
It is even claimed that in 1896, demonic figures appeared to a mother and daughter staying at 48 Lyons Street.
Finally, just before the First World War, it was decided to rename Lyons Street - Beresford Street.
https://www.facebook.com/TheLiverpoolNo ... =1&theater
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
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- Location: merseyside
The Blundellsands Tragedy
A Crosby woman who killed two of her children and then attempted suicide herself was detained at His Majesty's Pleasure
Shortly before 9am on the morning of Sunday 31st May 1903 Joseph Cannell, a journeyman plasterer living at Brighton Vale in Blundellsands, went out for a walk with his three elder children leaving his wife Eleanor in charge of the youngest two. Joseph did not speak to Eleanor before going out which wasn't unusual, but there was nothing normal about the scene which greeted him when they returned at 2pm.
Eleanor was in an excited state and told her husband that she had drowned their two youngest children. When Joseph saw that they weren't in their cots, he ran into the kitchen where he found eighteen month old Alfred and six month old Eleanor lying face down in a tub that was usually used to wash clothes. They were both dead and when Joseph went back to his wife's bedroom, she was trying to strangle herself with a rope that she had tied to a bedpost.
Joseph managed to cut the rope from his wife's neck but she ran off with the knife threatening to cut her throat. When Joseph managed to get the knife from her, Eleanor pleaded to be allowed to go to the beach to drown herself then tried to drink boiling water, causing her to vomit profusely.
A doctor arrived and managed to sedate 38 year old Eleanor who was then taken to hospital. A letter was found in her clothing which read addressed to her father which read 'I cannot live in such trouble, forgive me and don't blame me too much.'
At the inquest on 12th June Joseph told the Coroner Mr Samuel Brighouse how his wife had been acting oddly in recent weeks and he had turned down work on occasions to stay at home and look after her. The day before the killing, he had been in a pub when she threw a glass of beer over him. Eleanor stated that she did what she did as she was upset and a neighbour said she had been erratic recently when the weather was hot. During the proceedings she often wept and cried out for her daughter Jane, who was in the horrible situation of giving evidence against her mother.
A verdict of wilful murder was returned by the coroner's jury and Eleanor then appeared at the County sessions House in William Brown Street, where she was committed to the assizes for trial. On 8th September Dr Price from Walton gaol said that she was unfit to plead and was suffering from melancholia at the time of the tragedy. This was not challenged by the Crown, leading to Justice Bigham ordering that she be detained at His Majesty's Pleasure.
Justice Bigham
A Crosby woman who killed two of her children and then attempted suicide herself was detained at His Majesty's Pleasure
Shortly before 9am on the morning of Sunday 31st May 1903 Joseph Cannell, a journeyman plasterer living at Brighton Vale in Blundellsands, went out for a walk with his three elder children leaving his wife Eleanor in charge of the youngest two. Joseph did not speak to Eleanor before going out which wasn't unusual, but there was nothing normal about the scene which greeted him when they returned at 2pm.
Eleanor was in an excited state and told her husband that she had drowned their two youngest children. When Joseph saw that they weren't in their cots, he ran into the kitchen where he found eighteen month old Alfred and six month old Eleanor lying face down in a tub that was usually used to wash clothes. They were both dead and when Joseph went back to his wife's bedroom, she was trying to strangle herself with a rope that she had tied to a bedpost.
Joseph managed to cut the rope from his wife's neck but she ran off with the knife threatening to cut her throat. When Joseph managed to get the knife from her, Eleanor pleaded to be allowed to go to the beach to drown herself then tried to drink boiling water, causing her to vomit profusely.
A doctor arrived and managed to sedate 38 year old Eleanor who was then taken to hospital. A letter was found in her clothing which read addressed to her father which read 'I cannot live in such trouble, forgive me and don't blame me too much.'
At the inquest on 12th June Joseph told the Coroner Mr Samuel Brighouse how his wife had been acting oddly in recent weeks and he had turned down work on occasions to stay at home and look after her. The day before the killing, he had been in a pub when she threw a glass of beer over him. Eleanor stated that she did what she did as she was upset and a neighbour said she had been erratic recently when the weather was hot. During the proceedings she often wept and cried out for her daughter Jane, who was in the horrible situation of giving evidence against her mother.
A verdict of wilful murder was returned by the coroner's jury and Eleanor then appeared at the County sessions House in William Brown Street, where she was committed to the assizes for trial. On 8th September Dr Price from Walton gaol said that she was unfit to plead and was suffering from melancholia at the time of the tragedy. This was not challenged by the Crown, leading to Justice Bigham ordering that she be detained at His Majesty's Pleasure.
Justice Bigham
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
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Thanks for that Bob. 
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:29 pm
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Thanks for your kind comments Bob, and Graham.
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
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- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:29 pm
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Wife Killed For Not Making Supper
An elderly man killed his wife in 1881 after she refused to make his supper, leading to cutting comments from the Stipendiary Magistrate about the role alcohol played in the crime.
John Kelly was a 69 year old ironmonger who had been married to his wife Elizabeth for 43 years, the couple living in the parlour at Beatrice Street in Bootle.
They spent most of the time around Christmas of that year drinking and on the 27th December at about 6pm, John returned home with half a pint of whisky. He offered it to Elizabeth saying that he had had enough but she responded by striking him in the face in front of her friend Lydia Clark,who lived two doors away in number 7. There was no further disturbance between the two, with John leaving the property so as not to cause any further trouble. However around midnight the occupants of the cellar below heard banging and shouting coming from the Kelly's room, with John appearing to be demanding money.
At 530am the couple's daughter Ann Lloyd was woken by John at her home nearby. After Ann heard from her father that he had killed her mother, she went to Beatrice Street where she saw her mother's blood covered body. The police were called and they found a pair of tongs that was covered in blood. A doctor who examined the body believed that death was caused by shock due to her injuries, which included cuts to the face and several broken ribs.
John had disappeared but he was soon apprehended by Inspector Hookes in Great Homer Street, where he was coming out of a public house. On being told that he was being arrested, he replied to the Inspector 'Oh yes I know all about it I murdered her.' As he was being transported to the Bridewell he said that she had refused to make him supper and he had given her two or three heavy blows.
At his committal hearing on 3rd January, the Stipendiary Magistrate Mr Raffles heard how several of the witnesses had been drunk along with Elizabeth Kelly, causing him to remark 'It was drink again, it should be a warning to people but they take no notice of it.'
John was tried at the Assizes the following February. His defence counsel argued that the killing had taken place 'in a frenzy of drink and under great provocation' and as such the charge should be reduced to manslaughter. The jury agreed and returned such a verdict after just a few moments deliberation.
In passing sentence Mr Justice Stephen said it was terrible to see a man of John's years convicted of this crime. Calling him 'old and disgraced', he sentenced John to 15 years penal servitude, telling him that he would probably spend the rest of his days in prison and hoped he would repent while there
An elderly man killed his wife in 1881 after she refused to make his supper, leading to cutting comments from the Stipendiary Magistrate about the role alcohol played in the crime.
John Kelly was a 69 year old ironmonger who had been married to his wife Elizabeth for 43 years, the couple living in the parlour at Beatrice Street in Bootle.
They spent most of the time around Christmas of that year drinking and on the 27th December at about 6pm, John returned home with half a pint of whisky. He offered it to Elizabeth saying that he had had enough but she responded by striking him in the face in front of her friend Lydia Clark,who lived two doors away in number 7. There was no further disturbance between the two, with John leaving the property so as not to cause any further trouble. However around midnight the occupants of the cellar below heard banging and shouting coming from the Kelly's room, with John appearing to be demanding money.At 530am the couple's daughter Ann Lloyd was woken by John at her home nearby. After Ann heard from her father that he had killed her mother, she went to Beatrice Street where she saw her mother's blood covered body. The police were called and they found a pair of tongs that was covered in blood. A doctor who examined the body believed that death was caused by shock due to her injuries, which included cuts to the face and several broken ribs.
John had disappeared but he was soon apprehended by Inspector Hookes in Great Homer Street, where he was coming out of a public house. On being told that he was being arrested, he replied to the Inspector 'Oh yes I know all about it I murdered her.' As he was being transported to the Bridewell he said that she had refused to make him supper and he had given her two or three heavy blows.
At his committal hearing on 3rd January, the Stipendiary Magistrate Mr Raffles heard how several of the witnesses had been drunk along with Elizabeth Kelly, causing him to remark 'It was drink again, it should be a warning to people but they take no notice of it.'
John was tried at the Assizes the following February. His defence counsel argued that the killing had taken place 'in a frenzy of drink and under great provocation' and as such the charge should be reduced to manslaughter. The jury agreed and returned such a verdict after just a few moments deliberation.
In passing sentence Mr Justice Stephen said it was terrible to see a man of John's years convicted of this crime. Calling him 'old and disgraced', he sentenced John to 15 years penal servitude, telling him that he would probably spend the rest of his days in prison and hoped he would repent while there
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
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Thanks for that Davey.
Cheers Joe.
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Liz H
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:26 pm
- Location: Buxton
This isn't a murder case, but it's the first known police reconstruction of a fraud crime. Hopefully, I can post the link. Fingers crossed.
https://www.facebook.com/martin.quirk/v ... 8/?fref=nf
https://www.facebook.com/martin.quirk/v ... 8/?fref=nf
Lived in Garden Lane Bootle then moved to Netherton, where my mum still lives.
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Liz H
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:26 pm
- Location: Buxton
No, it didn't work. Try this link. Fingers crossed again.
http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-arr ... 1901-1901/
If it doesn't work, google "Goudi fraud" .
http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-arr ... 1901-1901/
If it doesn't work, google "Goudi fraud" .
Lived in Garden Lane Bootle then moved to Netherton, where my mum still lives.
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James Moorcroft
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:55 pm
Hope I can be enlightened. Were they the steps leading to Millers Bridge and the tunnel from Berry Street to Brasenose Road. ? Also at the end of the film, the buildings looked like Bootle Town Hall, library etc and the police station. Please excuse me if I am stating the obvious. If correct my cousin John Moorcroft lived the opposite side of Whitties pub, many years later of course.
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Shelagh
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Sun Apr 05, 2015 4:40 pm
More historic murders Joe, the first one being just around the corner from me, a particularly shocking murder because it involved two infants...
Couldn't help but feel sorry for the mother, sounds like she was in need of help rather than punishment.. not much help around then though!
The next murder, that of Elizabeth Kelly was an alcohol related murder, John Kelly's reason for the murder...she wouldn't make my supper!!
All historical and interesting Joe, thanks!!
(James you are right, it is the same area, steps leading up to Millers bridge, tunnel from Berry St to Brasenose.. Public buildings in video are Bootle Town Hall, library, and Police Station!!
Shelagh K!
Couldn't help but feel sorry for the mother, sounds like she was in need of help rather than punishment.. not much help around then though!
The next murder, that of Elizabeth Kelly was an alcohol related murder, John Kelly's reason for the murder...she wouldn't make my supper!!
All historical and interesting Joe, thanks!!
(James you are right, it is the same area, steps leading up to Millers bridge, tunnel from Berry St to Brasenose.. Public buildings in video are Bootle Town Hall, library, and Police Station!!
Shelagh K!
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fatboyjoe90
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Thanks for your input Liz H, and James.
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
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Thanks for your comment Shelagh, it didn’t get any better in those days for the poor women.
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
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Mother of Seven Hanged,
In 1874 a Bootle mother was hanged despite pleas for mercy, leaving seven children in the care of the workhouse.
Irish born Mary Williams lived in Raleigh Street with her husband, to whom she had been married ten years, most of them unhappily. She was regularly in trouble and in 1872 was sentenced to seven days imprisonment for non payment of a fine. On 20th April 1874 Williams got into an argument with some female neighbours who set about beating her. The brother of one of the women was Nicholas Manning, who later that evening was seen in the street by Williams who threw cups at him, causing him to run away towards his father's house, shouting that he had never struck a woman in his life. Later on he was back and Williams produced a revolver from under her apron and fired it at him, before handing herself over to police and saying that she had done it and would do it again. Manning was taken to Bootle Borough Hospital where he died two weeks later.
Williams maintained at her trial that she had only intended to frighten Manning and not cause him harm, but she was found guilty of murder. Her husband, a 27 year old dock labourer, told authorities he was unable to cope and handed six of their seven children over to the Walton Workhouse The youngest, aged just eight months, was allowed to stay with Williams in gaol until she had been weaned before going to the workhouse.
Despite numerous pleas, including by the Mayor of Bootle, for the sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment, the Home Secretary refused to grant a reprieve and there were heartbreaking scenes when Williams said goodbye to her children when they were brought from the workhouse to see her three days before the execution. Williams was hanged at Kirkdale Gaol on 31st August in a double execution with Henry Flanagan, who had killed his aunt. Williams was the first woman hanged at Kirkdale for 30 years, at that time.
Irish born Mary Williams lived in Raleigh Street with her husband, to whom she had been married ten years, most of them unhappily. She was regularly in trouble and in 1872 was sentenced to seven days imprisonment for non payment of a fine. On 20th April 1874 Williams got into an argument with some female neighbours who set about beating her. The brother of one of the women was Nicholas Manning, who later that evening was seen in the street by Williams who threw cups at him, causing him to run away towards his father's house, shouting that he had never struck a woman in his life. Later on he was back and Williams produced a revolver from under her apron and fired it at him, before handing herself over to police and saying that she had done it and would do it again. Manning was taken to Bootle Borough Hospital where he died two weeks later.
Williams maintained at her trial that she had only intended to frighten Manning and not cause him harm, but she was found guilty of murder. Her husband, a 27 year old dock labourer, told authorities he was unable to cope and handed six of their seven children over to the Walton Workhouse
photo by Sue Adair).
The youngest, aged just eight months, was allowed to stay with Williams in gaol until she had been weaned before going to the workhouse.
Despite numerous pleas, including by the Mayor of Bootle, for the sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment, the Home Secretary refused to grant a reprieve and there were heartbreaking scenes when Williams said goodbye to her children when they were brought from the workhouse to see her three days before the execution. Williams was hanged at Kirkdale Gaol on 31st August in a double execution with Henry Flanagan, who had killed his aunt. Williams was the first woman hanged at Kirkdale for 30 years, at that time.
In 1874 a Bootle mother was hanged despite pleas for mercy, leaving seven children in the care of the workhouse.
Irish born Mary Williams lived in Raleigh Street with her husband, to whom she had been married ten years, most of them unhappily. She was regularly in trouble and in 1872 was sentenced to seven days imprisonment for non payment of a fine. On 20th April 1874 Williams got into an argument with some female neighbours who set about beating her. The brother of one of the women was Nicholas Manning, who later that evening was seen in the street by Williams who threw cups at him, causing him to run away towards his father's house, shouting that he had never struck a woman in his life. Later on he was back and Williams produced a revolver from under her apron and fired it at him, before handing herself over to police and saying that she had done it and would do it again. Manning was taken to Bootle Borough Hospital where he died two weeks later.
Williams maintained at her trial that she had only intended to frighten Manning and not cause him harm, but she was found guilty of murder. Her husband, a 27 year old dock labourer, told authorities he was unable to cope and handed six of their seven children over to the Walton Workhouse The youngest, aged just eight months, was allowed to stay with Williams in gaol until she had been weaned before going to the workhouse.
Despite numerous pleas, including by the Mayor of Bootle, for the sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment, the Home Secretary refused to grant a reprieve and there were heartbreaking scenes when Williams said goodbye to her children when they were brought from the workhouse to see her three days before the execution. Williams was hanged at Kirkdale Gaol on 31st August in a double execution with Henry Flanagan, who had killed his aunt. Williams was the first woman hanged at Kirkdale for 30 years, at that time.
Irish born Mary Williams lived in Raleigh Street with her husband, to whom she had been married ten years, most of them unhappily. She was regularly in trouble and in 1872 was sentenced to seven days imprisonment for non payment of a fine. On 20th April 1874 Williams got into an argument with some female neighbours who set about beating her. The brother of one of the women was Nicholas Manning, who later that evening was seen in the street by Williams who threw cups at him, causing him to run away towards his father's house, shouting that he had never struck a woman in his life. Later on he was back and Williams produced a revolver from under her apron and fired it at him, before handing herself over to police and saying that she had done it and would do it again. Manning was taken to Bootle Borough Hospital where he died two weeks later.
Williams maintained at her trial that she had only intended to frighten Manning and not cause him harm, but she was found guilty of murder. Her husband, a 27 year old dock labourer, told authorities he was unable to cope and handed six of their seven children over to the Walton Workhouse
photo by Sue Adair). The youngest, aged just eight months, was allowed to stay with Williams in gaol until she had been weaned before going to the workhouse.
Despite numerous pleas, including by the Mayor of Bootle, for the sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment, the Home Secretary refused to grant a reprieve and there were heartbreaking scenes when Williams said goodbye to her children when they were brought from the workhouse to see her three days before the execution. Williams was hanged at Kirkdale Gaol on 31st August in a double execution with Henry Flanagan, who had killed his aunt. Williams was the first woman hanged at Kirkdale for 30 years, at that time.
Cheers Joe.
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Shelagh
- Posts: 1873
- Joined: Sun Apr 05, 2015 4:40 pm
Another sad piece of history Joe, a young mother with a temper and a revolver - disaster!
Married ten years and her husband only twenty seven, so young to have all them kids.. and him trying to scrape a living down at the docks..must have been a tough life for them.. Tougher still after their mother had gone!!
Married ten years and her husband only twenty seven, so young to have all them kids.. and him trying to scrape a living down at the docks..must have been a tough life for them.. Tougher still after their mother had gone!!
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filsgreen
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Sun May 12, 2013 8:28 am
Hi Lynn, I've often heard your opinion that hanging was not a deterrent and of course you are right, murder still happened. However, we do not know for certain how many murders it prevented, by acting as a deterrent. Let me give you a personal example
When I was at school (Warwick Bolam), I more or less sagged the last two years. On several occasions I got caught and duly got six of the best on the backside or hand. Now caning obviously was not a deterrent to me because overriding factors ensured that I continued my behaviour.
However, many of my friends said that yes, they too would prefer not to attend school, but were too afraid of the consequences. Hence my assertion that although hanging did not stop murder, we do not know how many more people would have been killed had it not existed.
Although I do not advocate taking a person's life; I do feel that punishment these days, certainly does not fit the crime. And if nothing else, not having hanging as a punishment has also saved lives. Erroneous judgement has led to people mistakenly losing their life, Derek Bentley bring a fine example.
Apologies for hijacking your thread Joe.
Phil
When I was at school (Warwick Bolam), I more or less sagged the last two years. On several occasions I got caught and duly got six of the best on the backside or hand. Now caning obviously was not a deterrent to me because overriding factors ensured that I continued my behaviour.
However, many of my friends said that yes, they too would prefer not to attend school, but were too afraid of the consequences. Hence my assertion that although hanging did not stop murder, we do not know how many more people would have been killed had it not existed.
Although I do not advocate taking a person's life; I do feel that punishment these days, certainly does not fit the crime. And if nothing else, not having hanging as a punishment has also saved lives. Erroneous judgement has led to people mistakenly losing their life, Derek Bentley bring a fine example.
Apologies for hijacking your thread Joe.
Phil
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henry
- Posts: 1869
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 6:45 pm
Everyone knows of Derek but do you know of anyone else who was hung by wrong evidence as i cant think of anyone as it was just a 1 off so there was a deterrent in capital punishment as it proved with so many hangings of real criminals
HENRY BORN FLORIDA STREET OFF STRAND ROAD
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filsgreen
- Posts: 3434
- Joined: Sun May 12, 2013 8:28 am
Apologies once more Joe, but Henry has asked me a question, which I don't think was rhetorical.
In answer to your question Henry, here is an article that examined wrongful convictions. Off the top of my head I can think of the Birmingham six, or that poor chap who spent many years in jail, who was released on fresh evidence. Only to die a year or so later. These people may not have hanged, but their lives were ruined, which in turn reinforces my opinion that the abolition of the death penalty saved them.
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/523
Phil
PS I didn't see your post as argumentative Lynne, it just sparked a possible debate, but not on this topic.
In answer to your question Henry, here is an article that examined wrongful convictions. Off the top of my head I can think of the Birmingham six, or that poor chap who spent many years in jail, who was released on fresh evidence. Only to die a year or so later. These people may not have hanged, but their lives were ruined, which in turn reinforces my opinion that the abolition of the death penalty saved them.
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/node/523
Phil
PS I didn't see your post as argumentative Lynne, it just sparked a possible debate, but not on this topic.
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Liz H
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:26 pm
- Location: Buxton
Hope I can be enlightened. Were they the steps leading to Millers Bridge and the tunnel from Berry Street to Brasenose Road. ? Also at the end of the film, the buildings looked like Bootle Town Hall, library etc and the police station. Please excuse me if I am stating the obvious. If correct my cousin John Moorcroft lived the opposite side of Whitties pub, many years later of course.
I do believe they are, James. They are all very distinctive buildings, aren't they?
I do believe they are, James. They are all very distinctive buildings, aren't they?
Lived in Garden Lane Bootle then moved to Netherton, where my mum still lives.
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fatboyjoe90
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:29 pm
- Location: merseyside
Lynne, and Phil I have no problem with your input,
Cheers Joe.
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fatboyjoe90
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:29 pm
- Location: merseyside
Liverpool Soldier Kills Officer With Shovel
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A Liverpool soldier who took a dislike to one of his officers killed him with a shovel, leading to him being sentenced to death but later reprieved.
On 5th September 1941 Thomas Leatherbarrow, a 29 year old trooper based at kirbymoorside in North Yorkshire, was in the mess which was under the charge of Corporal Cyril Johnson. When Leatherbarrow replied that he was not on duty when asked Johnson was ordered out of the mess, leading to him going for a drink with three other soldiers at a nearby hotel.
All four spoke badly about Johnson, leading to Leatherbarrow asking one to accompany him to the mess and beat him up, a request that was declined. When they returned to the camp at 2230hrs Leatherbarrow then began loading his rifle but it was taken off him by one of the others. Having already drank four pints of beer and three shots of rum, Leatherbarrow then started drinking sherry and offered it around, but the other soldiers opted to go to bed.
About midnight a sergeant was woken by the sound of bangs and running water from Johnson's room. This turned out to be Leatherbarrow washing his clothes to get rid of the blood. He then quickly roused one of his friends pleading for help, saying that he had hit Johnson with a shovel and that the corporal was dead. Johnson was in fact just unconscious and after being taken to hospital where x-rays showed a fractured skull, he made some progress to recovery and came round 48 hours later.
A few weeks later after being taken to another hospital Johnson developed meningitis and died on 5th October. Leatherbarrow, a married father of three whose home was at Longfield Road in Litherland, claimed to have no recollection of the night and had no idea why he was in the guard room when he woke up the morning after.
On 11th December Leatherbarrow appeared at the Leeds assizes, where his defence counsel suggested he was too drunk to form an opinion and that manslaughter would be a more appropriate charge. The judge appeared to back this in summing up, but the jury found him guilty of murder with a strong recommendation for mercy. Leatherbarrow was sentenced to death in the usual fashion, but without even having to appeal the Home Secretary acted upon the recommendation and commuted the commuted the sentence to life imprisonment.
.
A Liverpool soldier who took a dislike to one of his officers killed him with a shovel, leading to him being sentenced to death but later reprieved.
On 5th September 1941 Thomas Leatherbarrow, a 29 year old trooper based at kirbymoorside in North Yorkshire, was in the mess which was under the charge of Corporal Cyril Johnson. When Leatherbarrow replied that he was not on duty when asked Johnson was ordered out of the mess, leading to him going for a drink with three other soldiers at a nearby hotel.
All four spoke badly about Johnson, leading to Leatherbarrow asking one to accompany him to the mess and beat him up, a request that was declined. When they returned to the camp at 2230hrs Leatherbarrow then began loading his rifle but it was taken off him by one of the others. Having already drank four pints of beer and three shots of rum, Leatherbarrow then started drinking sherry and offered it around, but the other soldiers opted to go to bed.
About midnight a sergeant was woken by the sound of bangs and running water from Johnson's room. This turned out to be Leatherbarrow washing his clothes to get rid of the blood. He then quickly roused one of his friends pleading for help, saying that he had hit Johnson with a shovel and that the corporal was dead. Johnson was in fact just unconscious and after being taken to hospital where x-rays showed a fractured skull, he made some progress to recovery and came round 48 hours later.
A few weeks later after being taken to another hospital Johnson developed meningitis and died on 5th October. Leatherbarrow, a married father of three whose home was at Longfield Road in Litherland, claimed to have no recollection of the night and had no idea why he was in the guard room when he woke up the morning after.
On 11th December Leatherbarrow appeared at the Leeds assizes, where his defence counsel suggested he was too drunk to form an opinion and that manslaughter would be a more appropriate charge. The judge appeared to back this in summing up, but the jury found him guilty of murder with a strong recommendation for mercy. Leatherbarrow was sentenced to death in the usual fashion, but without even having to appeal the Home Secretary acted upon the recommendation and commuted the commuted the sentence to life imprisonment.
Cheers Joe.