moors murder

The Worcester Moors

Murder 1905

compiled from contemporary

newspaper reports.

by

Michael Peter Yarnold

This book is dedicated to

all the Yarnolds around the world.

Table of Contents

Foreword............................................................................................................................................................1

Preface ...............................................................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgments..............................................................................................................................................3

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................4

"Tippity Toe Nance" Yarnold.............................................................................................................................5

Chapter 1 - Attempted murder in Worcester! (The Worcestershire Chronicle) ..................................................6

Chapter 2 - Attempted murder in Worcester! (Berrows Worcester Journal) ....................................................10

Chapter 3 - Police Court Proceedings (The Worcester Chronicle) ...................................................................12

Chapter 4 - Yarnold in the Police Court. (Berrows Worcester Journal) ...........................................................14

Chapter 5 - Death of the victim (The Worcester Chronicle) .............................................................................16

Chapter 6 - Funeral of the victim (The Worcester Chronicle) ..........................................................................25

Chapter 7 - The story of two lives (The Worcester Chronicle) .........................................................................29

Chapter 8 - Yarnold interviewed in jail (The Worcester Chronicle) .................................................................32

Chapter 9 - Yarnold in Court (The Worcester Chronicle) ................................................................................34

Chapter 10 - The Trial of William Yarnold ......................................................................................................37

Chapter 11 - Reward for P.C. Evans ................................................................................................................38

Chapter 12 - Date of execution and petition for reprieve..................................................................................39

Chapter 13 - Preparing for the execution..........................................................................................................40

Chapter 14 - The execution of William Yarnold at Worcester. ........................................................................41

Chapter 15 - The Inquest..................................................................................................................................43

Addenda...........................................................................................................................................................44

Appendix A - Worcester free from capital crimes............................................................................................45

Appendix B - 1881 British Census...................................................................................................................46

Appendix C - Ancestor Tree of WILLIAM YARNOLD .................................................................................48

Appendix D - Known facts about WILLIAM and ANNIE YARNOLD..........................................................49

Bibliography.....................................................................................................................................................50

Glossary ...........................................................................................................................................................51

Index of Places and Names used in this Book..................................................................................................52

Index ................................................................................................................................................................54

ForewordThe book is organised into chapters each dealing with a stage in the events which occurred.

The newspapers of the time gave their accounts of the happenings and I have used the full

details from each paper. Each stage is given a chapter and each paper has its' own chapter for

that stage. For example, Chapters 1 and 2 give the same story line but from the viewpoint of

the specific newspaper.

The reason for this approach is so that the reader can make up their own mind as to the facts.

Each reporter had his own style of reporting and therefore some of the details may appear

exaggerated to us today.

The Worcester Moors Murder 1905

Preface: 2

PrefaceWhilst conducting family history research into the Yarnold name I came across a reference to

the Moors Murder case.

Not long afterwards, an article appeared in the Worcester Evening News giving details of the

case. This led me to do further research into the case by looking at copies of the newspapers of

the time which are held at Worcester Records Office. As a result, I have produced the

following booklet which I hope will be of interest to some readers.


Acknowledgments: 3

Thanks to the following for the details:

The Worcestershire Chronicle.

Berrows Worcester Journal.

Account of the murder throught to the hanging being published between October and

December 1905.

Introduction

This publication has been compiled from the contemporary reports published in the following

publications:

THE WORCESTERSHIRE CHRONICLE

BERROWS WORCESTER JOURNAL

for the period from October to December 1905.

The contents are intended to be for the purpose of Family History Research. A copy of this

manuscript will be deposited at the major Genealogical Societies in England as well as at the

Worcestershire Records Office.

The compiler can be contacted via the following means:

The Guild of One Name Studies;

The Genealogical Society;

e-mail: [email protected]


Chapter 1 - Attempted murder in Worcester! (The Worcestershire Chronicle): 6

Chapter 1

ATTEMPTED MURDER IN WORCESTER!

The Worcestershire Chronicle, Saturday, October 7, 1905

WORCESTER STABBING CASEVICTIM IN CRITICAL CONDITION

There was great excitement in the city on Wednesday evening, when rumours were

circulated that a shocking tragedy had taken place in the district known as the Moors. The

rumours were at first discredited, but when the Chief Constable and many of the city force

were seen searching that part of the city it was realised that something very serious had

occurred, and the evening papers quickly supplied confirmation.

The place where the tragic affair

occurred is situated almost at the end

of the street named the Moors. The

house is one of three substantially

built cottages, which face the high

wall at the back of Britannia Square.

The backs of the cottages abut on

Pitchcroft. The third house on the

south side from the York House Inn

is numbered 31, and there is a small

garden in the front, about 4 to 6 feet

wide, surrounded by an iron fence,

and it was here that the crime was

alleged to have been committed. As

some little help to the location of the

house, it may be mentioned that

during the summer a number of fine

geraniums have been displayed by

the householders, which gave the

houses a bright appearance.

There are various stories in circulation concerning what actually took place, but according

to information supplied by persons living in the neighbourhood, the correct version is believed

to be as follows: The time that the deed was committed is fixed at 20 minutes to five, and about

that time a man met another whom he did not know, going towards the house. He took no

notice of the occurrence then, but returning a few minutes later, and hearing of the affair, he

immediately connected the strange man and the crime.

THE INJURED WOMAN

Mrs. Annie Yarnold - for such is the name of the victim - is about 40 years of age. She is a

well-built woman of robust appearance, but has something the matter with one leg which

causes her to limp. Because of this slight lameness, she is known among associates as "Tippity-



toe Nance". She seems to have had a passion for cleanliness and was constantly sweeping the

dust from the front of her house. On wednesday afternoon she was engaged in this occupation

when, her neighbour going into her garden also, both women leant against the railings and had

a friendly chat.

Mrs. Yarnold did not see her husband - from whom she lived apart - until he was close to

the gate. It is said that she then turned to reach the key to lock the door, so that he should not

enter the house, whereupon he produced a knife and plunged it deep into his wife's back.The

blow was delivered with tremendous force, and penetrated so far that - left in the wound as it

was - nothing but the hilt was visible outside her clothing.

The poor woman fell "all in a heap", with the deadly weapon still in her back. Her head

was against the door and her feet were touching the railings. The blood poured out of the

woma, and the pavement was literally covered with it. Her assailant bolted - in fact the terrible

deed was done in such a short space of time that the man had gone before the eyewitness to the

scene could recover from the terrible shock and raise the alarm.

Mr. THOMAS'S SICKENING TASK

Screams for help were raised, and Mr. Frank Thomas, the licensee of the York House Inn,

was one of the first to be attracted. He rushed along and found a few women assembled, all

gazing helplessly on the sickening scene. Mr. Thomas, with commendable promptitude, went

to the poor woman and pulled out the knife. This required considerable physical force, for

whether the blade stuck in her corsets or in the flesh, it took him several seconds - one person

put it at a minute and a half - before he could abstract it. He had to put his knee against the poor

woman's body in order to get a purchase suffieient to extract the weapon. The woman could

not speak when Mr. Thomas abstracted the knife, but simply turned her face upwards. Mr.

Thomas rushed to his house and fetched some brandy, which he poured down Mrs. Yarnold's

throat.

Mr. Thomas does not think that she uttered any remarks, but persons who were standing

around at the time said that she faintly remarked when offered more brandy: "No more, thank

you, I'm so hot." The knife was an ordinary butcher's one, and the blade was about five inches

long. It's now covered with blood and in the possession of the police.

By this time, Inspector Peacock had arrived on the

scene, and he at once hurried in a cab for Dr. Hesletine, the

house surgeon of the Infirmary. He made an examination of

the woman, who was bleeding profusely, and she was

conveyed to the Infirmary. On further examination it was

found that the wound was in dangerous proximity to the vital

organs.

CHASING THE FUGITIVE

Meanwhile the assailant had got a good start, and as

it was believed that he had made for Pitchcroft a large

number of the City Police scoured that place.



Information was at once given to the county police authoroties, and their men were warned of

the crime. It was confidently expected that the assailant would not long escape the vigilance of

the combined force. Enquiries were energetically pursued in the public-houses and other likely

places in the city.

About four hours after the crime was committed, P.C. Evans, of the City force, arrested the

man, whose name is William Yarnold, in the Droitwich Road. Evans had been to Droitwich on

his bicycle, and coming back, being dressed in plain clothes, he spotted the man walking in the

direction of the city. He made no resistance, and was in a dazed condition.

He was brought down High street by P.C. Evans, and a large and excited crowd followed

him, but he seemed to take little notice of the people and walked wearily. He was wearing a

reddish scarf around his neck and a fairly respectable light blue suit.

No one seems to have any idea of the motive that prompted the man to commit such a

terrible act, though his domestic troubles may have preyed on his mind. One old lady in the

Moors, however, has formed a conclusion from which she will not budge. She says there is "an

unlucky star about, and that is the cause of all these terrible crimes that have recently been

reported." It is a fact that the woman was not living with her husband. The neighbours say that

she was a most civil and well conducted person.

AFTER THE WAR

Yarnold resided in Dolday, and has been doing a good business in the rag and bone line.

At one time he was in the Worcester Militia, but on the outbreak of the South African War, he

was transferred to the Line, and went to the front. There he acted for some time as an officer's

servant. When he came home, it is alleged that he went to live with his wife and a man named

Miles. He stayed some few weeks at the house, and then left them. He is a slim soldierly-

looking man, about 5ft 7ins, and his hair drops slightly over his forehead.

Late on Wednesday evening, the next door neighbour, Mrs. Staite, went to the Police-

station for the purpose of identifying Yarnold, and she, on return, informed a representative of

this journal that she had done so.

It is alleged that when the woman was lifted into the cab she made a statement

incriminating a certain person, but owing to the weakness of her voice, only officials were able

to hear her remarks, which consisted of one short sentence.

A story was in circulation in the city late to the effect that, as the man had gone in the

direction of Pitchcroft, he would probably throw himself into the river. However, the police

never gave any credence to the suggestion, and later events have proved their wisdom.

It is now some years since any such terrible crime has been committed in the city.

The anxiety occasioned by the reported escape of Yarnold was allayed on the publication

of the latest edition of the "Echo" announcing his capture.



Last evening, just at the time of the affair, the Rev. G.M. Isaac, the Rector of St. George's,

was in the neighbourhood. He was at once fetched, and offered up a prayer before the woman

was removed.

The name of the man who has been living at Mrs. Yarnold's is Miles, and he is a

woodcutter. He was much upset by the sad news, and it is stated called at the Infirmary to

inquire about her condition soon after her removal thereto.

Mrs. Yarnold had lately been hop-picking, and it is said that Wednesday was the first day

she had spent at home lately.


Chapter 2 - Attempted murder in Worcester! (Berrows Worcester Journal): 10

Chapter 2

ATTEMPTED MURDER IN WORCESTER!Berrows Worcester Journal, Saturday, October 7, 1905

STABBING A WOMAN IN THE BACK

ASSAILANT ARRESTED

The Moors provided a sensational occurrence on Wednesday afternoon. A woman named

Annie Yarnold, aged 40, of 31, The Moors, was admitted to the Infirmary with a very serious

wound in the back, about four inches deep, and perilously near her vital organs.

It is understood that the woman, who, because of slight lameness, was known among

associates as "Tippity-toe Nance", whilst dusting the windows was talking to a neighbour Mrs.

Staight, when her husband came up. There seems every reason to belive that, so far from

fearing any attack, she talked to him in a jovial way. She had been living for lately with a man

named Miles, and apparently did not intend her husband to get into the house. Thus when he

entered the gate she attempted to lock the house door. While her back was turned to him he

produced a small butcher's knife and struck her in the back with tremendous force, which may

be guessed from the fact that it penetrated no less than four inches. The woman fell down with

the knife still in her back, and the husband forthwith bolted. Mr. Frank Thomas, the licensee of

the York House Inn, was one of the first to be attracted by the woman's screams.

Mr. Thomas had quite a task to pull out the knife, which stuck in her corsets or in the flesh.

He had to put his knee against the poor woman's body, in order to get a purchase sufficient to

extract the weapon. The woman could not speak when Mr. Thomas abstracted the knife, but

simply turned her face upwards. Mr. Thomas rushed to his house and fetched some brandy,

which he poured down her throat.

The Chief Constable and Inspector Peacock, who were appraised of the occurrence, were

quickly on the spot. The Inspector, obtaining a cab, called on his way to the Infirmary for Dr.

Harris and together they went to the house, from which the woman was afterwards conveyed

to the Infirmary. The woman bled very profusely for a long time, and the pavement between

the house door and the palisading was covered with blood.

In the meanwhile the man ran along the Moors, and, it is believed, made a dash across

Pitchcroft. Half the city police force scoured the neighbourhood in search of him, at the

direction of the Chief Constable. The police energetically continued the search for a couple of

hours without success, and there was just the thought among some [though not among the

police] that he had committed suicide in the Severn. But about 8 o'clock P.C. Evans came

across the man on the Droitwich Road, near St. Stephen's Church. He appeared to be in a

dazed condition, and when arrested by the officer made no resistance. He was quietly taken to

the Police Station, followed by a large crowd.

Just at the time of the affair the Rev. G.M. Isaac, the Rector of St. George's, was in the

neighbourhood. He was at once fetched, and offered up prayer before the woman was moved.

Yarnold resided in Dolday, and has been engaged in business in the rag and bone line. At


Chapter 2 - Attempted murder in Worcester! (Berrows Worcester Journal): 11

one time he was in the Worcester Militia, but on the outbreak of the South African War he was

transferred to the line, and went to the front. There he acted for some time as an officer's

servant. When he came home, it is alleged that he went to live with his wife and a man named

Tyers. He stayed some few weeks at the house, and then left them.

For many years at the annual training of the Militia, Yarnold acted as orderly to Col.

Bearcroft, and at Ross early this year he filled that position. He has been hop-picking at

Bosbury for a month, returning last week.

Inquiries among those with whom he was associated show that Yarnold, although he spent

a good deal of time hanging about public-houses, was not addicted to drink, and he was rarely

seen the worse for it. He was in a Newport Street public-house on Wednesday, but it is said he

was quite sober and rational when he left there in the afternoon. Of a quiet and almost moody

disposition, he was regarded with something like respect in his class, and the news of the

attempted murder came as a shock to those who knew him. Although he often met his wife in

this public-house he never spoke to her, nor was he heard at any time to threaten her. She is

referred to by one who had known her for years as a "civil, respectful kind of woman".


Chapter 3 - Police Court Proceedings (The Worcester Chronicle): 12

Chapter 3

POLICE COURT PROCEEDINGSThe Worcestershire Chronicle, Saturday, October 7, 1905

PRISONER BEFORE THE BENCH

The man, William Yarnold, who was described as a labourer, aged 49, of Bevan's Rooms,

Dolday, was brought up at the City Police Court, on Thursday, before Mr A. Webb (in the

chair) and Mr. J. V. Stallard, when he was charged with attempting to murder his wife, Annie

Yarnold, by stabbing her in the back with a knife, on October 4.

Prisoner appeared in the dock without the red scarf he was wearing when arrested. The

court was crowded, and much interest was taken in the case. He stood with downcast eyes, and

appeared not to realise the seriousness of the crime.

The Chief Constable said it was not often in the Court that such a charge was preferred

against any prisoner brought before the Justices, and they would see that it was a very serious

charge. About 4:30 on Wednesday afternoon, the prisoner, who was separated from his wife -

and had been for some time, - went to her house in the Moors. A woman named Staite, a

neighbour, was talking to the injured woman, when the prisoner came up, and after quite a few

words with his wife stabbed her in the back with the knife produced, and afterwards made off.

Mrs. Staite raised an alarm and the neighbouring landlord of the York House Inn came and

took the knife out of the woman's back, where it had been left by the man. She was then

bleeding very seriously indeed, and a gentleman went to the Infirmary and fetched the house

surgeon, who at once attended to her and did all he could. He had her taken to the Infirmary,

where she was now lying in a very serious condition. He would call Mrs. Staite, and then ask

for a remand for eight days, to see how the injured woman progressed.

MRS. STAITE'S EVIDENCE

Mrs. Sarah Staite, a middle-aged woman, was next called. She looked pale as if suffering

from the shock of yesterday, but she gave her evidence in a clear and firm voice. She said she

lived at 10 Court, the Moors, and yesterday afternoon the the injured woman was outside in

her garden sweeping the window sill. The prisoner came along the street and opened the gate

and went inside.

Mr. Byrne: Did Mrs. Yarnold speak to him?

Witness: Yes.

What did he say - He came right up to her, and she said; "What brought you here? How

white you are!" He answered her with a laughing sneer, and she appeared to put her arm round

the door to get at the key.

You think she was going to close the door so as not to admit him? - Yes.

Whilst she had her back to him, did you see him take something out of his breast pocket

and stab her? - Yes

Is this the knife (holding up a black handled knife, the blade of which is five inches long,

and the handle three inches)? - Yes.


Chapter 3 - Police Court Proceedings (The Worcester Chronicle): 13

And the landlord of the public-house, Mr. Thomas, came up? - Yes. The knife was still in,

and he took it out whilst I held her.

You picked this man from out of seven other men at the police-station? - Yes.

Did you know him before? - I have not seen him for a good while, but I know it was the

man that did it.

The Clerk then asked whether the prisoner wished to ask any questions, and he replied,

"No, sir."

The prisoner was then remanded for eight days.

WOMAN'S DEPOSITIONS TAKEN

After the Police Court proceedings Yarnold was taken in a cab, by Inspector Peacock and

P.C. Guy, to the Infirmary, where the woman's depositions were taken. Colonel Webb was the

magistrate, and Mr. F. B. Dingle (magistrate's clerk) and Mr. T.W. Byrne (Chief Constable)

were also present. The woman has lost a large quantity of blood since the occurrence, but her

life is not in immediate danger, though it is feared that her injuries may terminate fatally being

of such a nature that it is supposed that she will pass through a crisis at the fifth day. The

prisoner's knife entered deeply into the woman's back, and as it is thought that the spinal cord is

affected an operation took place.

The proceedings at the Infirmary lasted about half an hour, after which the accused was

conveyed to the gaol, where he will remain till he again comes up at the Police Court.

Later information is to the effect that during the taking of the depositions the accused

appeared to be perfectly indifferent. The woman complained of pain in her leg, but this was

due to her lameness. She has become partially paralised owing to the spinal cord having been

punctured, and consequently there is now little pain as the result of the stab.

The woman's statement was to the effect that her husband came up to her while she was

standing in the garden. She asked him what he wanted, to which Yarnold replied "Nothing."

and then stabbed her in the back and ran away. The accused, we understand, put a few

questions to his wife, which were, however, quite irrelevant; but he did not, nor has he at any

time, denied or admitted that he committed the crime.


Chapter 4 - Yarnold in the Police Court. (Berrows Worcester Journal): 14

Chapter 4

YARNOLD IN THE POLICE COURTBerrows Worcester Journal, Saturday, October 7, 1905

HIS GORY WEAPON

At the Police Court on Thursday, before Messrs. A. Webb, and J. V. Stallard, William

Yarnold (49), described as a labourer, of Bevan's Rooms, Dolday, was charged with

attempting to murder his wife, Annie Yarnold, by stabbing her in the back with a knife. Interest

in the sensational case attracted a considerable number of the public to the Court, and they had

a good view of the prisoner, though of course, his victim was unable to appear. Prisoner is a

man of quite soldierly aspect, standing about 5 feet 6 inches high, with erect carriage, having

quite a military moustache, and a brown, sun-burnt complexion. They also had a glimpse of the

weapon that Yarnold employed. The knife was produced by the Chief Constable. It was an

ordinary butcher's knife with a sharp double edged blade about five inches in length, and it was

apparently an old one, the handle being bound with string. On the blade was an indentation on

one side, close to the point. Both handle and blade were covered in blood.

The Chief Constable remarked that it was not often that such a grave charge as this came

before the Court, and he outlined with care the circumstances of the case.

Mrs. Sarah Staight, of 10, The Moors, said Mrs. Yarnold was cleaning the window, and,

for that purpose, standing within the garden gate. She spoke to the prisoner and said "What

brings you here?" remarking also, "How white you are!" He made a laughing sneer, and he

moved away from her as she stood at the window. She went towards the door as if to close it,

and, while her back was towards him, the prisoner drew the knife from his breast and struck

her in the back. He left the knife standing in her back and ran away. She fell, and the witness

cried "Murder!". Mr. James, the landlord of the York House, came up and he took the knife out

of Mrs. Yarnold's back while the witness held her. Later in the evening the witness picked the

man out from seven other men at the police station. She had not before Wednesday seen the

man for a good while, but she knew well that he was the man who did it.

The prisoner was asked if he had anything to say why he should not be remanded, and he

said "No.".

Whereupon he was remanded.

A little knot of idle people who had been in the police court, gathered round the police

station yard and the Guildhall to see the prisoner driven away, but when they saw him go in a

cab they believed that he was being taken straight to gaol, little suspecting that he was going to

the Infirmary.

THE WOMAN'S GRAVE CONDITION


Chapter 4 - Yarnold in the Police Court. (Berrows Worcester Journal): 15

DEPOSITIONS TAKEN IN ASSAILANT'S PRESENCE

The prisoner's knife entered the middle of the woman's back, and, penetrating deeply, to

some extent affected the spinal cord. She bled very profusely from the first, but her condition

was not such as to suggest the immediate peril of her life. Therefore, it was not necessary for

the Magistrate's Clerk and the Chief Constable to call in a magistrate to take her dying

depositions. Had she been in fear of death, they might have done so with or without a

magistrate, and in the case of her death it would have became evidence. A woman's dying

declaration may be taken by anyone and retain its virtue as evidence. The woman bled a great

deal on Thursday, and she there was some fear that her injuries might have fatal effect, being

of such a nature that it is supposed she will pass through a crisis at the fifth day. Her condition

was so grave that Mr. Albert Webb as Magistrate, Mr. F. B. Dingle, Magistrate's Clerk, and

Mr. T. W. Byrne (Chief Constable) proceeded to the Infirmary immediately after the police

court was over. The object was to take take the woman's statement as a precautionary measure.

The prisoner was taken down too, so that he might hear her accusation, a formal procedure

which adds to the value of the statement as evidence. The proceedings were in private.

An operation was performed at 2 o'clock, by Mr. T. Bates, other surgeons being also in

attendance. Until it is seen whether the operation has been successful or not, it will be

impossible to tell what probability there is of the injured woman's recovery.


Chapter 5 - Death of the victim (The Worcester Chronicle): 16

Chapter 5

DEATH OF THE VICTIMThe Worcestershire Chronicle, Saturday, October 14, 1905

INQUEST. - HER DEPOSITION

The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Annie Yarnold, late of 31, The

Moors, who was stabbed by her husband, William Yarnold, when outside her cottage, were

investigated at the Worcester Infirmary on Wednesday by the City Coroner (Mr. W. B.

Hulme).

The Chief Constable (Mr. T. W. Byrne) and the Clerk to the Justices (Mr. F. B. Dingle)

and Inspector Peacock were present.

THE JURY

The following were sworn upon the Coroner's jury: Messrs. Stanley James (foreman),

Herbert Preston, George Rutter, Alfred Gardner, Edward Sallis, Albert Edward Jones, Albert

Edward Joslin, Charles Joseph Witts, James Jabez Pryce, Frederick Winwood, John Thomas

Condon, Charles George Sparshoft, William Rawson Hyron, Arthur Edward Besley, and

Arthur Williams.

PRISONER'S ARRIVAL

The prisoner entered the Board Room between two warders immediately after the

jurymen had taken their seats. His progress from the prison to the Infirmary had been watched

by a considerable crowd. He was wearing a dark suit and a red scarf. Yarnold is an undersized

man, clean shaven except for a small fair moustache. His hair is turning grey, and he is of

sallow complexion. He looked ill, and when asked by the Chief Constable if he would view

the body after or before the jury, replied "After" in a low voice.

After the viewing of the body, the prisoner was accommodated with a seat near the

reporter's table, a warder being seated upon either hand.

SISTER'S EVIDENCE

Maria Gudgeon, a widow, 53, Southfield street, was the first witness. She gave

evidence of identification.

The Coroner: "Was she a married woman?"

- "Yes. I suppose she was."

"Whose wife was she?"

- "The wife of that man." Pointing to the prisoner. "Her age was about 42."

The prisoner: "She was 43 the 10th of last March.

After this witness's evidence had been taken, she was allowed to depart, as she was

unwell.



THE WITNESS OF THE CRIME

The second witness was a fresh-complexioned, middle-aged woman named Sarah

Anne Staite, wife of Charles Staite, labourer, 10 Court, The Moors. She said Mrs. Yarnold had

lived near her for nearly two years.

The Coroner:

Was she living alone or with anyone else?

- With a man, Sir, the name of Miles.

Was she of quarrelsome disposition or otherwise?

- A very quiet woman.

And the man she was living with?

- A very quiet man.

Did you know that her name was Yarnold, and that she was married?

- Yes, she told me she was married when the war was on.

Describing the crime, the witness said that on Wednesday afternoon last she was

talking with Mrs. Yarnold about 4:30 by the palings in the front of her house.

Was she doing anything in particular?

- Sweeping the window ledge with a hand broom.

While the witness was talking to deceased "that man" (pointing to Yarnold) came up.

Which direction did he come from?

- I could not say, sir.

Continuing, the witness said:

"He went through the gate, sir, and walked up to Mrs.Yarnold, who said to him,

'What brings you here? How white you are!' Then she walked away from to the

door of her house."

What did she do then?

- She put her right hand round the door, which was shut, to get the key and open

the door. The witness afterwards saw the key lying under the deceased.

While she was in the act of getting the key, that man there (Yarnold) went like that -

(the witness raised her hand and imitated the act of striking a hard downward

blow).

The Coroner:

Did you see where his hand came from?

- His hand came as if from the breast of his coat. After giving her the blow in the

back he ran away.

Did you see anything in his hand?

- Only something black. She did not see what it was until after the blow had been

struck. She then saw that a knife was sticking in the woman's back.

What kind of blow did he strike?

- A very fierce blow, sir.

What became of Mrs. Yarnold?

- She went "Oh, oh!" She was leaning on the step. I helped to lay her on the

ground and hollered "Murder" for my life.

Did anyone come?

Mr. Thomas, of the York House, was the first to arrive, and he pulled the knife ou

of the deceased's back and put it down by her side.



Did you notice how far the knife appeared to be in?

- As far as it would go, sir.

Mrs. Yarnold, she added, received attention from a lot of people and was

afterwards taken to the Infirmary.

Did you see anyone named Stone standing near?

- No, sir, I did not.

ACCUSED ASKS NO QUESTIONS

Upon being asked whether he wished to ask the witness any questions, Yarnold replied

"No sir".

Questioned by the Coroner as to whether the deceased, when Yarnold came up to her,

said anything but what she (the witness) has stated, Mrs. Staite replied in the negative.

The Coroner:

Did she strike him?

- No sir.

Did he speak?

- I never heard him speak.

A Juror:

How far would you be from the man?

- About a yard.

You are sure you would have heard if he had said anything?

- Positive.

ANOTHER WITNESS OF THE CRIME

The next witness was a nice looking young woman named Edith Agnes Stone, a single

woman, residing at Mr. Moseley's, a baker in the Moors. At the time of the tragedy she was

walking in the direction of the York House. She saw Mrs. Staite talking to Mrs. Yarnold near

the gate. The witness was about ten yards away.

The Coroner:

What did you see?

- I saw a man raise his hand, but I could not say that Yarnold was the man.

Did anything in his dress attract your attention?

- I saw that he was wearing a red muffler. He walked up to Mrs. Yarnold and both

went towards the door of the house. Yarnold then struck Mrs. Yarnold.

Where did he strike Mrs. Yarnold?

- At her door.

I meant in what part of her body?

- In her back.

What did the man do?

- I saw him walk out of the gate and up the street.

Did he run?

- No.

At this point the bloodstained butcher's knife was produced, and the witness identified

it. She added that she went to get assistance.



The Coroner:

Is the muffler Yarnold is wearing now anything like the one he was wearing then?

- Well, it was red; that is all I know. It looks the same.

Mr. THOMAS'S EVIDENCE

The landlord of the York House Inn, The Moors, Frank Thomas, said he was passing

Mrs. YARNOLD'S house on his bicycle. He passed a man, who was wearing a red muffler,

walking towards Mrs. Yarnold's. He was about two yards on the town side of Mrs. Yarnold's

house.

"When I got to the York House," the witness continued, "I jumped off my bike and

looked round and saw the man with the red muffler had entered Mrs. Yarnold's front gate. I

saw him give two distinct strides to the house. I noticed that Mrs. Yarnold turned round to face

him. I then went into my house, but immediately heard screams." The witness then went to

Mrs. Yarnold's house. She was lying upon her right side, with the knife produced sticking in

her back. "I could see about half-an-inch of the blade sticking out. I stooped down to pull it

out, but could make no impression. I had to put my knee in her back and my left hand against

her back, and push her from me, so that I used great force."

"IT'S MY HUSBAND"

Did Mrs. Yarnold say anything to you?

- She was speaking to me while I was drawing the knife out.

What did she say?

- She said, "It's my husband, Mr. Thomas, that have murdered me," or she used th

word "stabbed" for "murdered", I'm not quite sure which. She seemed in no pain

and never moved a muscle in her face.

Did you see what became of the man?

- I never saw the man.

In reply to a juror the witness said he only saw the man side face, and that was before

the stabbing.

Inspector Peacock, the next witness, stated that he went to Mrs. Yarnold's house on the

Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was lying on the ground on her right side bleeding from a

wound in the back. The witness assisted to lift her into a cab.

Have you since shown this (the knife) to anyone and found that it belonged to

Yarnold?

- I have.

How long had Yarnold had the knife?

He had had it for about a month, and made use of it for cutting hop plants.

The Coroner asked the Jury if they would like the deceased's depositions read. They

were taken in the presence of the husband.

The Jury said they would like to hear the depositions.

Inspector Peacock said he served a copy of a notice on the prisoner on October 5th in a

cell at the Worcester Police Station before he was taken to the Infirmary. He explained it to the



prisoner, who said he understood it. The notice was one informing the prisoner that his wife

was likely to die, and that her depositions would be taken.

SINGULAR MISTAKE

Mr. Dingle was about to read the depositions when he discovered that the book upon

which he was required to swear was not a Testament but a Prayer Book. The Coroner

announced this to the Jurymen in the following terms:

"Gentlemen, owing to an oversight on the part of the authorities of this Infirmary, the

book upon which you have been sworn, turns out to be a Prayer Book and not a Testament. It

is a pity that the proceedings should be hampered by this mistake, but I shall be obliged to re-

swear you, and you will have to again see the body and the witnesses will have to be re-sworn

and have their evidence taken again."

PRISONERS DISTRESSED CONDITION

The prisoner listened to the evidence with downcast eyes, his fingers playing nervously

with his cap. At this point he became faint and sighed heavily. One of the warders removed his

handcuffs, and he at once placed one of his elbows on an arm of the chair, and leaned his head

upon his hand, closing his eyes. A draught of water was at once sent for, and Yarnold drank it

eagerly, immediately relapsing into his previous attitude, head upon his hand. He occasionally

sighed and passed his hand across his brow.

The whole of the evidence having been repeated, Mr. Dingle, sworn, said he attended

on October 5th at the Infirmary, with a Magistrate, Mr. Albert Webb, and took the deposition

of the deceased in the presence of William Yarnold, the accused, Mr. Webb, the Chief

Constable (Mr. Byrne), and others.

THE DECEASED'S DEPOSITION

The dead woman's deposition was as follows:

"I am the wife of William Yarnold. I was dusting yesterday between five and six

o'clock in the afternoon a window ledge, and saw my husband coming up the street. I

was outside the house talking to Mrs. Staite, my neighbour. He came inside the

garden gate. I did not think he was coming inside or I should have got away from him.

I asked him what he wanted. He said "Not much". I went to get the key out of the door

from the inside. The door was open. I was turning round to get the key. I had to bend

somewhat. I said to him, "You are not going in there". He said, "I don't want to go in".

He then struck me and I fell. He went at me with great revenge. I could not see what

he had in his hand. I lost my senses at once. By revenge I mean as if to kill me. I have

not lived with my husband since before he came back from the front during the last

war. I have been married to him for 15 or 16 years. He threatened me once in the

street with a knife. This was two years ago.

This was before he went to the front, when I was living in Newport Street. Two

years ago, when I was living in Farrier Street, he ran me in the street. I was not close

enough to hear what he was saying. I got away from him. The same evening he came

to my house and threatened to 'put me out of the mess'. I have seen him several

times since then. I saw him last Saturday at the Hope and Anchor, when he asked me

to 'have a drink with a loving husband'', or something like that. I did not answer. I



walked out. I saw him yesterday at the Hope and Anchor, where I was having a

peppermint. He said nothing, only looked very queer in the face at me. When he went

to the W.C. I left.

I lived with another man while he was away at the front. My husband went under

the name of Collins while in the Army. I got my money as his wife while he was away

at the front. When he came back I lived with him for a week. I then separated from him

and went to live with the man with whom I have lived up to the present time. My

husband has said something to me about my 'fancy man'. The reason I separated

from him after he came back from the front was because he started knocking me

about.

While I was living with my husband we were very uncomfortable. He has been

horribly brutal to me most of the time I lived with him. He did not work. I had to keep

him by prostitution. He knew it."

Cross-examined by Yarnold, the dead woman stated;

"The man used to come to the house while I was living with my husband. My

husband used to get into the closet and hide while I was talking to him. His name was

George Miles."

HOUSE SURGEON'S EVIDENCEMr. Heseltine, house surgeon of the Infirmary, said the deceased was suffering from a

slash in the back such as would be caused by the knife produced.

Was her condition serious?

- Yes, it was very serious. He observed certain symptoms which pointed to the

spinal cord having been cut.

Did these symptoms induce you to think an operation necessary?

- Yes. It was not so much the cutting of the spinal cord, but it was the continued

bleeding of the wound. She was operated on the next day at 2 o'clock with her own

consent by Mr. Bates.

Were you present?

- Yes, with all the surgical staff.

What was discovered?

- We found that the spinal cord was cut across.

Were you able to do anything to stop the bleeding?

- Yes.

Was the operation performed with skill?

- Yes, it was a difficult operation.

May I take it that it was necessary to prevent her bleeding to death?

- Yes, in order to stop the bleeding and to ascertain whether any bone had been

driven in by the knife, and to clean the wound of any septic matter introduced by

the knife.

She did not recover?

- The operation relieved a great deal of the pain. When she first came in she

complained of pain, but after the operation she did not complain.

When did she die?

- On Saturday at half past six.

You have since made a post-mortem?



- Yes. and the whole of the surgical staff were present.

THR E E P A R TS THR O U G H THE SP INAL C O R DWhat injury did you find?

- The spinal cord cut three q uarters through. There was a dent in the body of the

vertebrae.

How deep was the wound?

- About 3 inches.

Must any force have been used?

- Yes.

Did the operation hasten death?

- No, certainly not.

Did it lengthen life?

- No, I do not know that it did.

What was the cause of death?

- C ongestion of the lungs.

What caused the congestion?

The spinal cord being cut bringing about paralysis of the muscles of the chest and

thereby stopping the proper act of respiration and making the breathing entirely

abdominal.

Were all of the other organs perfectly healthy?

- Yes.

You have no doubt that that was the cause of death?

None whatever.

The coroner said that was all the evidence and addressing Yarnold said it remained to

ask him if he wished to give evidence. His own advice to Yarnold was that he should not do

so.

Yarnold: I do not want to give evidence.

THE SU MMING U PThe C oroner said it remained for him now to tell them what the law was on the subj ect.

He had to tell them that, in arriving at their verdict, they must dismiss from their mind as far as

possible anything they might have heard outside, and base their verdict on the evidence

brought before them that day. He would also say they they ought not to let their sympathy with

the woman or with the man influence them in any way.

Before going into the facts he would draw their attention to the law on the subj ect.

When a person struck another with a deadly weapon, such as a knife, with the intention of

causing death or grievous bodily harm, and the person who received the stab afterwards died

from the wound inflicted, the person guilty of the stab was also guilty of murder, unless it was

shown that he was j ustified in inflicting the stab or that under certain circumstances there was

provocation. But a man was only j ustified in killing another when acting under orders , such as

those given to a soldier by his superior officer in the lawful execution of his duty. Therefore he

took it that they need not take that into their consideration at all. The only other excuse that a

man had for killing another was in his own defence or in defence of a relative or accidentally.



Therefore he took it that the q uestion of of excuse did not arise, and the only q uestion remained

as to whether the man received any provocation, and whether that provocation was sufficient

to j ustify them, if they believed him to have killed that woman , in bringing a verdict of

manslaughter instead of murder. To enable provocation to be pleaded the act must have been

done in the heat of passion. The provocation must not have been of old standing, and he must

have acted on such provocation before he had time to consider what would be the result of his

action. Mere words would not be sufficient. In that case they were told that the deceased said

to he husband "What brings you here? You look white." These were innocent words, and the

q uestion was were they such as were likely to anger a man, so that in any way he was j ustified

in using such a deadly weapon in punishment for them. Therefore, if no such words were used,

there was the q uestion of the blow, and, as far as the evidence went, there was no assault and

only that the man acted upon those innocent words used by the wife to the husband.

Speaking again of provocation, the C oroner said they might have heard that the woman

had been living with another man - not her husband - for two years, but that could hardly be

called sufficient provocation, because for two years or possibly more, she had been living with

that man, and the husband's anger would have had time to cool, and if the man's passion had

had time to cool, then he could not plead provocation in reduction of the offence. He wanted

them to clearly understand that provocation could only be pleaded when the act was done in

the heat of passion, and such passion as to cause a man to loose his mental balance and self-

control. But the act must follow immediately upon provocation and not after an interval.

There was one aspect of the case which might be in their minds, and on which he

perhaps had better say a few words, and the reason he mentioned it was that he had seen some

reference to it in one of the papers. It was the fact of the operation bearing upon the verdict. He

would tell them that when a person inflicted an inj ury upon anyone which necessitated surgical

treatment, and that surgical treatment took place before death, the person who inflicted that

inj ury was still liable to a verdict of murder or manslaughter if the operation was performed

with ordinary skill and knowledge. In that case they had heard that the operation was

performed skillfully, and it was neccessary in order to stop bleeding, and to ascertain whether

the bone had been broken and pushed further into the body, and also to relieve to cleanse the

wound. Therefore, this surgical treatment was necessary, and, if skillfully performed - as they

heard it was - no q uestion was raised on it at all, for the woman would have died in any case,

whether she had been operated upon or not.

After dealing with the facts, the C oroner said he was going to put to them one or two

q uestions. They had to decide whether she died from a wound in the back, and by whom it

was inflicted. He thought they would have no doubt on those points. As to the q uestion

whether it was a case in which the man intended to inflict death or grievious bodily harm, they

had to take into consideration the weapon used and the force with which it was used. As to the

provocation, he did not think the facts of the case would j ustify them saying there was

provocation. The q uestion rested with them, and so did the responsibility.

THE V E R D I C TThe j ury retired, and upon returning were asked by the coroner what verdict they had

arrived at.



The Foreman: "We find a verdict of Wilful Murder against William Yarnold".

The prisoner lifted his head to hear the verdict, and then dropped it upon his hand

again.

After the j ury had signed the usual document, the C oroner read it to the prisoner, charging him

with wilful murder of his wife.

The P risoner ( faintly) : "Yes".

Yarnold was then handcuffed and removed by the two warders. A crowd numbering

several hundreds of people watched him taken from the Infirmary to the j ail, but there was no

demonstration.

SING U L A R INC ID E NTWe are informed that the prisoner, as he passed from the Infirmary to the J ail, noticed a

woman in the crowd near him crying. He looked at her, and then, looking at the top of the

main gateway of the prison, remarked: "Behold, the gallows".


Chapter 6 - Funeral of the victim (The Worcester Chronicle): 25

Chapter 6

FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMThe Worcestershire Chronicle, Saturday, October 14, 1905

THE SCENE IN THE CEMETERY

The remains of Annie Yarnold, the victim of the Worcester stabbing case, were interred

at Astwood Cemetery on Thursday amid considerable demonstrations of sympathy from the

inhabitants of the Moors where the deceased lived, Newport street, and other parts of the city.

The majority of those who attended at the graveside were probably attracted there out of

curiosity. During the morning Mr. Thomas Cheese, who had the funeral arrangements in hand,

removed the body from the mortuary at the Infirmary to Brickley's buildings, the home of

George Miles the man with whom Mrs. Yarnold lived, and who has borne all the expences of

the funeral.

The coffin, which was of polished elm with solid raised lid and brass furniture, bore a

plate with the inscription:

"Annie Yarnold. Died October 7, Aged 40 years."

It remained in a lower front room of this house, outside which the tragedy took place, until

immediately before the time, 2:30, for the funeral to start, when it was placed in a

hearse,attached to which was a mourning coach. The mourners were Mr. George Miles, Mr.

W. Mitchell, Mrs. Staite and Mrs. Pogson, neighbours.

By two o'clock, some dozens of children and people had assembled in the Moors, and

when the time of starting arrived there must have been between 500 and 600 people present.

Inspector Bishop, with a staff of policemen, kept a clear space of some eighty to a hundred

yards in front of the deceased woman's house. The crowd were very orderly and spent the time

they had to wait in discussing the gruesome tragedy. Some of the women seemed to never tire

of dwelling upon Mrs. Yarnold's good qualities.

As soon as the hearse arrived the coffin was speedily, but reverently, transferred from

the house, and a few nice wreaths were placed upon it. A small artificial wreath of pure white

was taken into the coach with the mourners. A nurse superintended the arrangements in the

house.

The majority of the people followed the hearse as it slowly proceeded along the moors

and up Castle street, though a number of the women, who had evidently come from the

Newport street district, left the cortege as it turned up by the Infirmary.

AT THE CEMETERY

The funeral procession - for such it may be termed, including as it did a long string of

people who filled the road for nearly a hundred yards behind - was watched by numerous

groups of people en route. At the Cemetary a good many additional people had gathered. The

first part of the burial service was read in the Cemetery Chapel, this part of the service and

the part at the graveside being conducted by the curate of St. George's (the Rev. R. J. C.

Burton). The grave is situated to the north-east of the chapel. The coffin was borne from the



chapel to the grave between two long rows of people standing several deep.

The scene at the graveside was a most unusual one.Four stalwart members of the City

Police Force had all they could do to keep the crowd back, and it was quite impossible to hear

the voice of the clergyman above the above the buzz of only partially subdued conversation.

The faces of the people and the many conversations taking place on the outskirts of the crowd

were an interesting study. Women predominated very largely, and it cannot be said, judging by

many of the remarks which were overheard, that they regarded the dead woman very

sympathetically, though on the other hand, they had nothing but condemnation - expressed

afterwards in the strongest terms - for the accused. People appeared to regard the matter more

as a show than as a religious ceremony, and to forget that the last solemn rites of the Church

were being exercised. An exception must be made in the case of the actual mourners who, the

women particularly, appeared to be very upset.

The most interesting mourner, perhaps, had joined the procession at the Cemetery. This

was the dead woman's mother, who, it was said, is an inmate of the Kidderminster Workhouse;

but as a fact, she is an outdoor pauper, living with Mrs. Williams at Moss Cottage, Hartlebury

Common. There was a strange incongruity in the appearance of this elderly relative, as she did

not appear to have known when the ceremony was to be, and came on chance. It appears that

Mrs. Collins, of Stourport, paid her fare from that town, and on her arriving in Worcester,

totally unaware of when or where the funeral was, she asked the way to the Cemetery, and

was put in a tram. Upon arriving at the Cemetery an hour or more before the funeral service,

she was told when the funeral would take place, and subsequently joined the mourners.

Entrance to Astwood Cemetery, Worcester.



Wreaths were sent by "The Neighbours", Miss Clarke and Friends, Mr. and Mrs. J.

Chance, and Mrs. Gudgeon.

The one from Miss Clarke bore the description "What a surprise, when the curtain of

life is withdrawn".

There was some commotion after the service and when the mourners had departed,

caused, apparently, by the inscription on one of the wreaths.

WHAT THE VICTIM'S MOTHER SAYS

Grave of Annie Yarnold



That from Mrs. Gudgeon bore a card inscribed "From a Friend". The old lady, Mrs.

King, when told of this was most indignant. She is 75 years of age, but has full command of

her faculties, and she declared to one of our representatives: "It's shameful. I never had but one

sweetheart and one husband, and Mrs. Gudgeon is one of my daughters. I have had 12

children. Those remaining are - Fred, who lives in Birmingham; James, who lives at Crossway

Green, near the Mitre Oak; Mrs. Phillips who lives at Astley, near Stourport, Mrs. Evans who

lives at Stoke Heath, near Bromsgrove, and Mrs. Gudgeon". She added that her maiden name

was Powell, and that in her maiden days she used to live at Grove Farm, Lincombe, near

Stourport.


Chapter 7 - The story of two lives (The Worcester Chronicle): 29

Chapter 7

THE STORY OF TWO LIVES

The Worcestershire Chronicle, Saturday, October 14, 1905

The deceased woman, whose maiden name was King, belonged to stourport. Her father

was a farm labourer, and has long since been dead, but her mother was, till lately, living at a

farmhouse in the neighbourhood, "and if she was to come into the room now" , said one of our

representative's informants, "the first thing she would do would be to go down on her knees and

offer up a prayer for rthe poor girl who is dead". Thus to emphasize the old lady's religious

inclinations.

William Yarnold is not a Worcester man, though this city has been the place of his

settlement in recent years. His parents died when he was very young, and he was brought up as

a child at Walsall, afterwards removing to the neighbourhood of Stourport. This accounts for

the two individuals playing together as children on Hartlebury Common, as we have said, and

thus commencing an acquaintance which has ended so tragically. When Yarnold emerged

from childhood, and had to seek an occupation, he worked for a time as a nailmaker at

Bromsgrove.

Afterwards he entered the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment, served several years in

India, and was then passed into the Militia Reserve. Meantime Annie King went out to service,

one of her situations being at the Crown Inn, Friar Street, in this city, and subsequently tiring of

this, she joined that mournful sisterhood whose ranks seem never to decrease, despite the

strenuous and earnest efforts of philanthropists all the world over.

When Yarnold left the Regular Army he had some deferred pay to receive, and,

meeting his old playmate of childhood days in Worcester, he offered to "make an honest

woman" of her as the saying goes. He provided a home, and married her 15 years ago. They

lived for some time at a house in Ann's entry, Newport street - now closed as uninhabitable -

and, so far as can be gathered, the husband did odd-jobs occasionally, but had no regular

employment, and - whether with or without cause we know not - became very jealous of a

certain acquaintance of his wife. The woman, it is added, "helped to keep the home going".

The outbreak of the Boer War led, as in so many other cases, to the separation of

husband and wife, and, indirectly to the commission of the crime which Yarnold now has to

answer for. He was in the Militia Reserve, and when he went to south Africa became an

officer's servant, having been in attendance on Colonel Bearcroft. When he came bact to

worcester - meanwhile his wife had been receiving a portion of his soldier's pay - it is alleged

that he found his previous suspicions confirmed.

The parties were, it is now ascertained, married at the Worcester Registrar's Office.

They hired a cab for the occasion, and the bride had a pink hyacinth and maidenhair fern in her

dress, and wore a bonnett which, a neighbour says, "made her look very nice". She has a

brother named Frederick King, who lives at Monument square, Birmingham, and is believed to

be a coachman.

One sister is a laundress at Stourport, and a second, Maria Gudgeon, lives in Southfield



street, Worcester.

Many years ago, the deceased lived at Hereford, lodging with Mrs. Morgan in West

street.

Yarnold, after his return from South Africa, used to take a certain amount of pride in his

personal appearance, especially in the arrangement of the hair on his forehead, as many

soldiers do. He would stand so long in front of a mirror and with the aid of a little soap "fake" it

into a proper - or his ideal - shape, that his landlady used to remark jocularly, "Save a bit of the

glass, Bill!"

Some question has arisen as to how the deceased woman's lameness was caused. we

learn that, when a child she was seriously burned, the injury affecting not only the foot, but

also the leg almost up to the waist.

She was frequently accompanied by a little terrier dog, named Toko - which belonged

to her husband, but was very fond of her. Toko once found on Pitchcroft a purse containing

half a sovereign. He accompanied her on her hop-picking expeditions.

The people with whom Yarnold lodged gave him a fairly good character. They say he

was quiet and well-behaved, very clean in his habits and person, and scrupiously honest. "He

would not owe a penny, if he knew it", observed his late landlady.

"Did he drink?"

"Well very little" she replied. "When he drew his pension he would have a drop, but he

did not get drunk. He was very quiet - kind of sullen - and scarcely ever spoke of his affairs,

and never about 'her'. He did not have much money for drink as you may guess, from

collecting rags and bones; and lately, when he went hop-picking and drew his money, he

bought himself a new blue serge suit".

Mrs. Yarnold also went hop-picking. He was employed at Mr. Payne's, Cattley Cross,

near Bosbury; she at Mr. Powell's, Lower Wick.

Now comes the most singular part of this most singular story. At the bottom of Newport

street is a certain licensed house which is kept so spick and span in the way of cleanliness and

brightness that it would be a credit to a much more imposing thoroughfare, and be admired by

the most fastidious class of customers. In the little bar of this public house, Yarnold and his

wife, although living apart, regularly went to take refreshment - she usually drank a drop of

peppermint and half his pint of beer, yet they never spoke to each other or of each other!

They were there on Wednesday afternoon, the day upon which the crime was

committed.. The woman was the first to go to the house, and was partaking in her usual

refreshments, when in walked Yarnold.

Then a strange thing happened. The woman - had she a foreboding of danger? - did she

learn by mental telepathy that he had the knife in his pocket and murder on his mind? - took the

unusual course of walking out into the back yard to avoid him. This was between 3 and 4

o'cock in the afternoon. Upon previous occasions she had never taken the slightest notice of



him when she was there or in any other public-houses. Indeed, one who knew them both and

who evidently sympathises with Yarnold, said, with some austerity in her voice, "She would

stand and drink with other fellows right in front of him - she has brought it on herself".

However that may be, the fact remains that, on this occasion, the woman walked into

the yard to avoid her husband - perhaps he had a sinister fierceness in his eye - and after a few

moments drank her refreshment and walked home.Shortly afterwards Yarnold did the same.

He followed in her footsteps; he found her outside the door of her cottage; and we all know

what then happened.

The question will arise - indeed it is already being discussed - did she die from the

effects of the wound, or of the operation, or of both? As to the cause of the operation, of

course, there is no question; but judgement must be reserved as to the exact bearing of the one

or the other upon the final result. The woman, it is said, was subject to violent fits, from which

she frequently suffered. Otherwise she had good health, and was of a rather jovial

temperament.


Chapter 8 - Yarnold interviewed in jail (The Worcester Chronicle): 32

Chapter 8

YARNOLD INTERVIEWED IN JAIL

The Worcestershire Chronicle, Saturday, October 14 , 190 5

Yarnold has no relatives, but in the solitude of his prison cell he has evidently felt a

yearning for the sight of, and a chat with, some of the Worcester people whom he has been

accustomed to meet and talk with, as the following letter was received on Tuesday by one who

has known him for some years, and has been accustomed to talk with him in a casual way from

time to time:

No 1583 , - Wm. Yarnold,

Worcester Prison, 9th Oct. 1905.

Dear ______,

Just a few lines to let you know I am going on as well as

can be expected.

I want to know if any one of you would like to come and

visit me here, as I should like to see one of you.

I have no-one else to write to.

I hope you would not think anything of my writing to you.

So no more from

Your Friend,

William Yarnold.

The recipient of the letter at once responded to this appeal, and with a relative visited

Yarnold on Tuesday afternoon. As is customary on such occasions, the interview took place in

the presence of a warder, with iron bars between the prisoner and his friends, the man thus

being, as one of them remarked, like a rat in a cage. They found Yarnold looking far from

well, downcast in demeanour and subdued in spirit, and in a frame of mind which, judged by

both his manner and his remarks, showed that he fully realised the serious position in which he

is placed.

"How are you William?", he was asked at the greeting.

And he responded in identical terms as his letter - "As well as can be expected".

"I'm sorry to see you here under such circumstances", was the next remark. "Whatever


Chapter 8 - Yarnold interviewed in jail (The Worcester Chronicle): 33

made you do it?"

"I don't know - something came over me," was Yarnold's reply. Then he wept, and the

visitors noticed, in the course of the interview, that he not only broke down two or three times,

but that he constantly passed his hand over his brow, and through his hair, and appeared to be,

as he said he was, "suffering with his head". His manner too, was such that he gave the

impression of being "a little queer".

Yarnold said that he was told at Sunday dinner time of his wife's death, and was not

apparently greatly surprised at the result of the terrible blow which he dealt her.

This led up to an inquiry as to the knife with which the crime was committed.

"Where did you get that knife - did you buy it to do the deed?" he was asked.

"No," was the answer. "It was my hop-picking knife, the one I had for cutting the

wires. It was an old one, ground down."

He intimated that he feared the worst,and that he must prepare to leave the world.

Nothing was said by him by way of request for legal aid to be invoked in his behalf,

but he seemed to realise that the Judge at the Assizes might ask some member of the Bar to

defend him.

He did not, at the interview, allude to his wife or her mode of living, or give the

slightest hint that anything had occured between them - unknown to others - which led up to

the crime, or that it was an act of revenge.

"I don't know what made me do it", he repeated more than once. "If I had wanted to do

it before", he remarked, "I had lots of chances".

He even referred to specific opportunities which he had on the afternoon of the day

when the crime was committed, which indicates that the act sprang, possibly, from some

sudden prompting after they had parted on the fateful Wednesday.

The conversation ended with some allusions to the prisoner's creature comforts. He can

have food sent to him while he is under remand, and arrangements have been made for a

dinner and a pint of beer to be supplied to him daily.

We have ascertained that the statement that he was servant to Colonel Bearcroft when

with the Worcestershire Militia in South Africa, is correct.

It was suggested in the course of the interviewthat the Colonel should be written to and

asked if he would give a testimonial to the accused man. Yarnold approved, but he did not

think it would do him much good.


Chapter 9 - Yarnold in Court (The Worcester Chronicle): 34

Chapter 9

YARNOLD IN COURTThe Worcestershire C hronicle and B errows J ournal , S aturday, O ctober 1 4 , 1 9 0 5

TREASURY PROSECUTES ON A CHARGE OF MURDER

PRISONER BREAKS DOWN

The Worcester City Police Court was crowded this morning when William Yarnold,

described as a labourer, of Dolday, was charged on remand by the Director of Public

Prosecutions that, on october 4th he "did felloniosly kill and murder his wife, annie Yarnold,

by stabbing her in the back with a knife". The prisoner's age was stated on the charge sheet, as

49 and his address was Bevan's lodging house, Dolday. The magistrates were, Mr. Albert

Webb and Mr. J. Sigley.

Yarnold was driven in a cab from the County Jail to the City Police Station at 10:30.

He was placed in a cell, the entrance to which was guarder by a police officer. A constable

who asked him how he felt, received the answer: "Oh, I feel alright. At least, so well as can be

expected under the circumstances", or words to that effect.

As the hour of 11 o'clock drew near, a small crowd began to collect outside the open

gates of the police station in Copenhagen Street, all eager to catch a glimpse of Yarnoldas he

was escorted across the yard into the Guildhall. The few groups of women, chatting together

on the subject of the crime, soon swelled into a concourse that entirely blocked the roadway at

that point. Suddenly, a man handcuffed to a constable appeared. "That's him", was heard on all

sides, only to give way to a cry of dissappointment as another prisoner, escorted by another

policeman, was taken to the Guildhall in a similar fashion. The crowd were not without hopes

of ultimately seeing the prisoner and satisfying their curiosity, when, without warning, their

expectations were dashed to the ground. A constable began to close the gates! The curious

were baffled, and three minutes later the street was clear.

A number of other cases occupied an hour, and it was afternoon when Yarnold was

placed in the dock.Yarnold, who was accomodated with a seat in the dock, was not between

warders, as at the inquest, but a police officer sat with him. He was trembling slightly as he

stood to hear the charge. He wore the same blue suit and the conspicuous red muffler which

caused him to be spoken of by some of the witnesses at the inquest as "the man in the red

muffler". He seemed to be in very low spirits. Now and then he looked up at the witnesses as

each was called, then lowered his head, and apparently took very little interest in what was

happening.

Mr. S. Pearce who prosecuted on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, said

that the charge was a serious one, but the story was a comparatively simple one. It would

present no features of difficulty to the Bench, because there was one witness who saw the

attack upon the deceased. Mr. Pearce then reviewed the evidence, and mentioned that when

arrested and charged with attempting to murder his wife he replied, "Is it me or the man she

was living with?" He was charged with the capital offence that morning and made no reply.

Mr. Pearce said he knew of no circumstances which would justify the Bench in reducing the


Chapter 9 - Yarnold in Court (The Worcester Chronicle): 35

charg e to a less serious one.

WITNESSES CALLED

The f irst w itness called w as Mr. William Collins H ill, clerk to Mr. J ohn Stallard, Clerk

of the Peace f or the City . H e produced the depositions of Annie Y arnold tak en at the Inf irmary

b ef ore her death, w hich w ere read b y the Mag istrates Clerk (Mr. F . B. Ding le). The contents

of the depositions w ere g iv en in f ull at the inq uest, and they stated that Y arnold came w hen

Mrs. Y arnold w as cleaning the w indow s of her house and stab b ed her in the b ack as she w as

reaching f or the k ey of the door.

Ask ed if he w ished to ask the w itness any thing , Y arnold, w ho sat in the dock b ent

f orw ard w ith his head b ow ed dow n replied, " No, Sir" , in a low v oice.

At this point Mr. Ding le w as placed in the curious position of w riting dow n and

sw earing to the f act that he took the depositions of Annie Y arnold at the Inf irmary .

The v arious w itnesses heard at the inq uest repeated their ev idence.

Mrs. Sarah Ann Staite, 10 Court, The Moors, a neig hb our of the murdered w oman,

and w ho w as an ey ew itness to the stab b ing , w as talk ing to Mrs. Y arnold w hen the Prisoner

came and spok e to her, repeated her ev idence g iv en at the inq uest, describ ing how the

Prisoner committed the crime. There w as no new f eature in her ev idence. She said that the

Prisoner came up to the house w hile Mrs. Y arnold w as cleaning the w indow , and the latter

cried, " What b ring s y ou here? H ow w hite y ou are" . Mrs. y arnold w ent to the doorw ay , and

b ent to reach the k ey of the door. The Prisoner then put his hand into his b reast, took out

something b lack , (w itness could not tell if it w as a k nif e at that time), and struck Mrs. Y arnold

a b low in the b ack . The Witness ran to Mrs. Y arnold and caug ht her as she f ell w hilst the

Prisoner ran aw ay along The Moors.

Edith Ag nes Stone, a sing le w oman, residing in The Moors, deposed to seeing a man

w ho w as dressed lik e the prisoner, strik e Mrs. Y arnold in the b ack . She could not recog nise the

man.

F rank Thomas, L andlord of the Y ork H ouse Inn, told how , upon hearing screams, he

rushed to the house and saw the Prisoner near the house. H e f ound Mrs. Y arnold ly ing on her

side w ith a k nif e b uried deeply in her b ack , w ith only ab out half an inch protruding . Mrs.

Y arnold w as conscious and spok e to him as he pulled the k nif e out w ith dif f iculty .

A f resh w itness in the case w as J ohn Pay ne, w ho resides w ith his f ather, a f armer, at

Catley Cross, Bosb ury , H eref ordshire. H e said that the Prisoner w as employ ed b y his f ather hop-

pick ing f rom Aug ust 3 0th to Septemb er 2 9th. During that time, the Prisoner had a k nif e w hich

the w itness recog nised as the one that Mr. Thomas w ithdrew f rom the murdered w oman' s

b ody . The k nif e (produced) w as used b y Y arnold in his w ork .

Inspector Peacock deposed to f inding the deceased on her lef t side on the doorstep in

The Moors. There w as a hole in her b louse, and a lot of b lood ab out. H e said he had tak en

Mrs. Y arnold to the Inf irmary .


Chapter 9 - Yarnold in Cour t ( The Worcester Chronicle) : 36

THE AR R E ST

P. C. Ev ans, w ho arrested the Prisoner, said he f ound him at ab out 8 o' clock in the

Droitw ich road. H e had k now n the Prisoner f or some y ears. H e stopped the Prisoner and said

" Y arnold, I w ant y ou, b ut don' t say any thing " .

The Prisoner said, " What f or? "

The Witness replied, " I shall b e b etter ab le to tell y ou at the Police Station. "

H e took the Prisoner to the Police Station, and charg ed him, af ter cautioning him, w ith

attempting to murder his w if e. The Prisoner replied, " Is it me, or the man she is liv ing w ith? "

The Witness charg ed him that morning w ith the murder, and the Prisoner made no reply .

Mr. Pearce, " When arrested, did he hav e a red muf f ler on? "

Witness, " Y es. "

Mr. V . G. H eseseltine, house surg eon at the Inf irmary , g av e ev idence of the operation

made on the w oman to stop the b leeding and to clean the w ound, b ut this f ailed to sav e her lif e.

The w ound cut three q uarters throug h the spinal column, paraly sing the b reathing muscles, and

causing death f rom cong estion of the lung s. The deceased w as, in ev ery other respect, a

healthy w oman.

PR ISONE R COMMITTE D F OR T R IAL

This concluded the case. Throug hout the hearing the Prisoner had remained seated and

perf ectly collected. H e replied to the Mag istrate' s Clerk , w hen ask ed if he w ished to ask the

w itness any q uestion, w ith a clear " No, Sir" . When charg ed, he stood up, listened stolidly to

the Clerk , and ag ain said, " No, Sir" , w hen ask ed if he had any thing to say . H av ing replied, he

turned sharply and took his seat. H e rose q uick ly ag ain as the Bench inf ormed himhe w ould b e

committed to the Assiz es f or his trial. As he w ent b elow , he g av e one hurried g lance around the

Court, b ut b etray ed not the slig htest emotion.


Chapter 10 - The Trial of William Y arnold: 3 7

Chapter 10

TH E TRIAL OF WIL L IAM Y ARNOL D


Chapter 11 - Reward for P.C. Evans: 38

Chapter 11

REWARD FOR P.C.EVANS


Chapter 12 - Date of execution and petition for reprieve: 39

Chapter 12

DATE OF EXECUTION AND PETITION FOR REPRIEVE


Chapter 13 - Preparing for the execution: 40

Chapter 13

PREPARING FOR THE EXECUTION


Chapter 14 - The execution of William Yarnold at Worcester .: 41

Chapter 14

THE EX ECU TION OF WIL L IAM YARNOL D AT WORCESTER


Chapter 14 - The execution of William Yarnold at Worcester.: 42


Chapter 15 - The Inquest: 43

Chapter 15

THE INQUEST


Addenda: 44

ADDENDA


Appendix A - Worcester free from capital cr imes: 45

Appendix A

WORCESTER F REE F ROM CAPITAL CRIMES


Appendix B - 1881 British Census: 46

Appendix B

1881 BRITISH CENSUS

Dwelling: No 7 Lich St

Census Place:Worcester St Helen, Worcester, England

Source: FHL Film 1341699 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2917 Folio 126 Page 1

Marr Age Sex Birthplace

Samuel STATE M 28 M Worcester, England

Rel: Head

Occ: Bricks Labourer

Fanny STATE M 27 F Leicester, England

Rel: Wife

Charles STATE 10 M Leicester, England

Rel: Son

Occ: Scholar

Enoch STATE 5 M Leicester, England

Rel: Son

Occ: Scholar

Elizabeth STATE 2 F Leicester, England

Rel: Daur

Hannah STATE 3 m F Worcester, England

Rel: Daur

Dwelling: Upper Westfields

Census Place:Hanbury, Worcester, England

Source: FHL Film 1341703 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 2937 Folio 13 Page 1

Marr Age Sex Birthplace

Thomas WYATT M 43 M Feckenham, Worcester, England

Rel: Head

Occ: Farmer Of 248 Acres Employing 7 Men And 2 Boys

Mary Ann WYATT M 36 F 'orth Piddle, Worcester, England

Rel: Wife

Louisa WYATT 13 F Hanbury, Worcester, England

Rel: Daur

Harry WYATT 12 M Hanbury, Worcester, England

Rel: Son

Sarah WYATT 10 F Hanbury, Worcester, England

Rel: Daur

Mary WYATT 9 F Hanbury, Worcester, England

Rel: Daur

'athaniel WYATT 7 M Hanbury, Worcester, England

Rel: Son

Jane WYATT 5 F Hanbury, Worcester, England

Rel: Daur

Elizabeth WYATT 2 F Hanbury, Worcester, England

Rel: Daur

Mary GROVE U 30 F Tutbury, Stafford, England

Rel: Governess


Appendix B - 18 8 1 B ritish Census: 4 7

Occ: Governess (Private)

Ann K IN G S U 19 F Dodderhill, Worcester, Eng land

R el: S ervant

Occ: Domestic S ervant

Sarah ROBERTS U 15 F

Rel: Servant

Occ: Domestic Servant

John Saml. PUGH U 20 M Sandlin, Worcester, England

Rel: Servant

Occ: Farm Servant (Indoor)

Dw elling : 12 S ag eb ury Terrace S haw L ane

Census P lace:Dodderhill, Worcester, Eng land

S ource: FHL Film 13 4 17 03 P R O R ef R G 11 P iece 2 93 7 Folio 8 7 P ag e 19

Marr Ag e S ex B irthplace

Edw ard K IN G S M 4 0 M S tok e P rior, Worcester, Eng land

R el: Head

Occ: S altmak er

Eliz a K IN G S M 3 6 F B romsg rove, Worcester, Eng land

R el: Wife

Edw ard T. K IN G S 14 M B romsg rove, Worcester, Eng land

R el: S on

Occ: L ab

G eorg e K IN G S 11 M Dodderhill, Worcester, Eng land

R el: S on

Occ: S cholar

Henry K IN G S 7 M Dodderhill, Worcester, Eng land

R el: S on

Occ: S cholar

Alb ert K IN G S 6 M Dodderhill, Worcester, Eng land

R el: S on

Occ: S cholar

Mary E. K IN G S 3 F Dodderhill, Worcester, Eng land

R el: Daur

Occ: S cholar

Flora L . K IN G S 1 F Dodderhill, Worcester, Eng land

R el: Daur

Henry K IN G S U 2 7 M Dodderhill, Worcester, Eng land

R el: N ephew

Occ: L ab

William 'EWBURY U 23 M Dodderhill, Worcester, England

Rel: Boarder

Occ: Lab

The Worcester Moors Murder 19 05

Appendix C - Ancestor Tree of WILLIAM YARNOLD: 48

Ancestors of William Y AR N OL D

William YARNOLDb: 30 dic 1857 in

BROMSGROVE,WORCESTERSHIRE

m: 07 abr 1890 in KIDDERMINSTER,

WORCESTERSHIRE

d: 05 dic 1905 in WORCESTER,

WORCESTERSHIRE

LUCY YARNOLDb: Bef. 27 ene 1828 in BROMSGROVE,

WORCESTERSHIRE

JAMES YEARNOLDb: Bef. 08 abr 1808 in BROMSGROVE,

WORCESTERSHIRE

m: 12 feb 1825 in BROMSGROVE,

WORCESTERSHIRE

MARY ANN PALMERb: Abt. 1805 in BROMSGROVE,

WORCESTERSHIRE

The Worcester Moors Murder 19 05

Appendix D - K nown facts about WILLIAM and ANNIE YARNOLD: 49

Descendants of William Y AR N OL D

Generation No. 1

1. WILLIAM1 YARNOLD was born 30 dic 1857 in BROMSGROVE,WORCESTERSHIRE1, and died 05 dic

1905 in WORCESTER, WORCESTERSHIRE2. H

moors murder

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