Nicola Sly - Shropshire Murders

NICOLA SLY

Bristol Murders

Cornish Murders (with John Van der Kiste)

Dorset Murders

Hampshire Murders

Somerset Murders (with John Van der Kiste)

Wiltshire Murders

First published in 2009

The History Press

The Mill, Brimscombe Port

Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2QG

www.thehistorypress.co.uk

This ebook edition first published in 2012

All rights reserved

Nicola Sly, 2009, 2012

The right of Nicola Sly, to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

EPUB ISBN 978 0 7524 8399 3

MOBI ISBN 978 0 7524 8398 6

Original typesetting by The History Press

Severn Hall, near Bridgnorth, 1823

Bridgnorth, 1823

Market Drayton, 1827

Beckbury, 1833

Bronygarth, 1841

Whixall, 1841

Pontesbury, 1845

Nesscliffe, 1854

Much Wenlock, 1857

Baschurch, 1862

Longden, 1867

Mardol, Shrewsbury, 1874

Market Drayton, 1877

Kynnersley, 1883

Prees Lower Heath, 1887

Whixall, 1887

Madeley Wood, Ironbridge, 1887

Much Wenlock, 1898

Broseley, 1900

Westbury, 1901

Ludlow, 1917

Church Stretton, 1924

Market Drayton, 1936

Pen-y-Wern, near Clun, 1939

Minsterley, 1945

Ketley, 1950

Near Atcham, 1953

Bridgnorth, 1960

Shrewsbury, 1960

I was delighted to be asked to compile Shropshire Murders, since I have family living in the area and have always enjoyed exploring the countys beautiful countryside and its historic towns with their timbered buildings and narrow winding streets. My enthusiasm waned slightly when my initial research seemed to show that, historically, Shropshire had case after case of Attempted Murder. (These included my relatives neighbour, a habitual drunkard, who determined to murder his wife. Fortunately for her, he was so befuddled by drink at the time that he actually shot her reflection in the mirror!) However, as this collection of true cases demonstrates, in every county there are always some people who, for one reason or another, are prepared to take a human life.

Several of the cases involve the murders of children, such as those of Edward Cooper, who murdered his son in Baschurch in 1862; John Mapp of Longden, who brutally murdered nine-year-old Catherine Lewis in 1867; and Desmond Hooper, who killed twelve-year-old Betty Smith near Atcham in 1953. Murders by jealous husbands and boyfriends account for several more, including the murder of Eliza Bowen by Richard Wigley at Westbury in 1901. Some of the killers were judged to be insane at the time of their crimes, while others claimed inebriation as the reason why they murdered, such as George Riley who killed elderly widow, Adeline Smith, at Shrewsbury in 1960, while trying to steal her handbag.

As always, there are numerous people to be acknowledged and thanked. John J. Eddleston, George Glover, Paul Harrison and Anthony Hunt have all previously published books either on murder in Shropshire or more general reference works on British murders and executions. These books are recorded in more detail in the bibliography, as are the local and national newspapers from which the details of the featured cases were drawn. My thanks must also go to the staff of the Shropshire Archives for their help with my research.

Map of Shropshire.

I am especially grateful to the Thomas Porter Blunt website (http://members.shaw.ca/TPBlunt/index.htm) for allowing me to use their photograph on page 72 and for providing me with some fascinating information about the Blunt family history. Analysts Thomas Porter Blunt and his father, Thomas W. Blunt, appear in two chapters and, in both cases, their work was a vital part of the police investigations.

On a more personal level, John Van der Kiste was, as always, generous with his help and support. My long-suffering husband, Richard, proof read every word of the book and made invaluable suggestions on how each chapter could be improved. He also acted as chauffeur for the research and photography trips from Cornwall to Shropshire and even took the occasional photograph himself. My grateful thanks also go to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Sue, who opened their home to us during our research trip to Shropshire. My father, John Higginson, was as supportive and encouraging as ever.

Finally, my thanks must go to Matilda Richards, my editor at The History Press, for her continued help and encouragement.

O n 21 January 1823, tinsmith and brazier George Edwards paid a visit to John Newton at his farm at Severn Hall, near Bridgnorth. The purpose of Edwards visit was to collect his outstanding account from the farmer and, as was customary on these occasions, he was invited into the farmhouse and given a drink of beer, while Newton closely scrutinised the bill before paying it.

On this occasion, Newton paused in his examination of the bill querying the inclusion of a lamp, which had cost 3s. Newton insisted that he had given his wife, Sarah, the money to pay for the lamp and was most displeased to see that it had not been paid for. In a passion, Newton called for his wife, who came into the room. He asked her if he had given her the money to pay for the lamp and Sarah had to agree that he had.