Moors Murder

The Worcester Moors
Murder 1905

compiled from contemporary
newspaper reports.
by
Michael Peter Yarnold
Copyright 2002 Michael Peter Yarnold All rights reserved.
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
Foreword
The 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
Preface
Whilst 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: mike.yarnold@tiscali.co.uk
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 CASE
VICTIM 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 PROCEEDINGS
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 COURT
Berrows 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 VICTIM
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 EVIDENCE
Mr. 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 AR TS THR O U G H THE S INAL O R D
What 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 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?
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 S MMING P
The oroner said it remained for him now to tell them what the law was on the sub 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 sub 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 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 uestion of of excuse did not arise, and the only 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 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 in ury upon anyone which necessitated surgical
treatment, and that surgical treatment took place before death, the person who inflicted that
in 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 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 uestion rested with them, and so did the responsibility.
THE E R D IC T
The 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 ury had signed the usual document, the oroner read it to the prisoner, charging him
with wilful murder of his wife.
The 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 AR INC ID E NT
We 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 VICTIM
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 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 1 , 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 COURT
The Worcestershire hronicle and B errows ournal , S aturday, O ctober 4 , 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
char e to a less serious one
WITNESSES CALLED
The irst itness called as Mr William Collins ill cler to Mr ohn tallard Cler
o the eace or the Cit e produced the depositions o Annie arnold ta en at the n irmar
e ore her death hich ere read the Ma istrates Cler (Mr in le) The contents
o the depositions ere i en in ull at the in uest and the stated that arnold came hen
Mrs arnold as cleanin the indo s o her house and sta ed her in the ac as she as
reachin or the e o the door
As ed i he ished to as the itness an thin arnold ho sat in the doc ent
or ard ith his head o ed do n replied o ir in a lo oice
At this point Mr in le as placed in the curious position o ritin do n and
s earin to the act that he too the depositions o Annie arnold at the n irmar
The arious itnesses heard at the in uest repeated their e idence
Mrs arah Ann taite 10 Court The Moors a nei h our o the murdered oman
and ho as an e e itness to the sta in as tal in to Mrs arnold hen the risoner
came and spo e to her repeated her e idence i en at the in uest descri in ho the
risoner committed the crime There as no ne eature in her e idence he said that the
risoner came up to the house hile Mrs arnold as cleanin the indo and the latter
cried What rin s ou here o hite ou are Mrs arnold ent to the door a and
ent to reach the e o the door The risoner then put his hand into his reast too out
somethin lac ( itness could not tell i it as a ni e at that time) and struc Mrs arnold
a lo in the ac The Witness ran to Mrs arnold and cau ht her as she ell hilst the
risoner ran a a alon The Moors
dith A nes tone a sin le oman residin in The Moors deposed to seein a man
ho as dressed li e the prisoner stri e Mrs arnold in the ac he could not reco nise the
man
ran Thomas andlord o the or ouse nn told ho upon hearin screams he
rushed to the house and sa the risoner near the house e ound Mrs arnold l in on her
side ith a ni e uried deepl in her ac ith onl a out hal an inch protrudin Mrs
arnold as conscious and spo e to him as he pulled the ni e out ith di icult
A resh itness in the case as ohn a ne ho resides ith his ather a armer at
Catle Cross os ur ere ordshire e said that the risoner as emplo ed his ather hop-
pic in rom Au ust 0th to eptem er 9th urin that time the risoner had a ni e hich
the itness reco nised as the one that Mr Thomas ithdre rom the murdered omans
od The ni e (produced) as used arnold in his or
nspector eacoc deposed to indin the deceased on her le t side on the doorstep in
The Moors There as a hole in her louse and a lot o lood a out e said he had ta en
Mrs arnold to the n irmar
The Wor cester Moor s Mur der 190
Chapter 9 Yar nold in Cour t The Wor cester Chr onicle : 3
THE AR R E ST
P C E ans ho arrested the Prisoner said he ound him at a out o cloc in the
Droit ich road e had no n the Prisoner or some ears e stopped the Prisoner and said
arnold I ant ou ut dont sa an thin
The Prisoner said What or
The Witness replied I shall e etter a le to tell ou at the Police Station
e too the Prisoner to the Police Station and char ed him a ter cautionin him ith
attemptin to murder his i e The Prisoner replied Is it me or the man she is li in ith
The Witness char ed him that mornin ith the murder and the Prisoner made no repl
Mr Pearce When arrested did he ha e a red mu ler on
Witness es
Mr G eseseltine house sur eon at the In irmar a e e idence o the operation
made on the oman to stop the leedin and to clean the ound ut this ailed to sa e her li e
The ound cut three uarters throu h the spinal column paral sin the reathin muscles and
causin death rom con estion o the lun s The deceased as in e er other respect a
health oman
PR ISONE R COMMITTE D F OR TR IAL
This concluded the case Throu hout the hearin the Prisoner had remained seated and
per ectl collected e replied to the Ma istrate s Cler hen as ed i he ished to as the
itness an uestion ith a clear No Sir When char ed he stood up listened stolidl to
the Cler and a ain said No Sir hen as ed i he had an thin to sa a in replied he
turned sharpl and too his seat e rose uic l a ain as the Bench in ormed himhe ould e
committed to the Assi es or his trial As he ent elo he a e one hurried lance around the
Court ut etra ed not the sli htest emotion
Chapter 10 - The Trial o William arnold: 7
Chapter 10
T T A W AM A
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 Yar nold at Wor cester .: 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 - Wor cester fr ee fr om 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
Appendi - 1 1 ritish Census:
Occ: Governess (Private)
Ann I 19 F Dodderhill Worcester En land
el: ervant
Occ: Domestic 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)
D ellin : 1 a e ur Terrace ha ane
Census lace:Dodderhill Worcester En land
ource: FH Film 1 1 0 O ef 11 iece 9 Folio a e 19
Marr A e e irthplace
Ed ard I M 0 M to e rior Worcester En land
el: Head
Occ: altma er
Eli a I M 6 F roms rove Worcester En land
el: Wife
Ed ard T I 1 M roms rove Worcester En land
el: on
Occ: a
eor e I 11 M Dodderhill Worcester En land
el: on
Occ: cholar
Henr I M Dodderhill Worcester En land
el: on
Occ: cholar
Al ert I 6 M Dodderhill Worcester En land
el: on
Occ: cholar
Mar E I F Dodderhill Worcester En land
el: Daur
Occ: cholar
Flora I 1 F Dodderhill Worcester En land
el: Daur
Henr I M Dodderhill Worcester En land
el: ephe
Occ: a
William EWBURY U 23 M Dodderhill, Worcester, England
Rel: Boarder
Occ: Lab
The Wor cester Moor s Mur der 1 05
Appendix C - Ancestor Tr ee of WILLIAM YARNOLD: 4
ncestors of William R N O L D
William YARNOLD
b: 30 dic 1857 in
BROMSGROVE,WORCESTERSHIRE
m: 07 abr 1890 in KIDDERMINSTER,
WORCESTERSHIRE
d: 05 dic 1905 in WORCESTER,
WORCESTERSHIRE
LUCY YARNOLD
b: Bef. 27 ene 1828 in BROMSGROVE,
WORCESTERSHIRE
JAMES YEARNOLD
b: Bef. 08 abr 1808 in BROMSGROVE,
WORCESTERSHIRE
m: 12 feb 1825 in BROMSGROVE,
WORCESTERSHIRE
MARY ANN PALMER
b: Abt. 1805 in BROMSGROVE,
WORCESTERSHIRE
Appendix D - nown facts about WIL L IAM and ANNIE YARNOL D: 4
Descendants of William R N O L D
eneration No.
1. WILLIAM
1
YARNOLD was born 30 dic 1857 in BROMSGROVE,WORCESTERSHIRE
1
, and died 05 dic
1905 in WORCESTER, WORCESTERSHIRE . He married ANNIE KING 07 abr 1890 in
KIDDERMINSTER, WORCESTERSHIRE. She was born Abt. 10 mar 1863 in WORCESTER,
WORCESTERSHIRE, and died 07 oct 1905 in WORCESTER,WORCESTERSHIRE
3
.
Notes for WILLIAM YARNOLD:
42, BROMSGROVE STREET
W.B.Hulme, Coroner
Death certificate states:-
Died in His Majesty's Prison, Castle Street, Worcester UD.
More About WILLIAM YARNOLD:
Address.: 07 abr 1890, KIDDERMINSTER, WORCESTERSHIRE
Death Registered: dic 1905, WORCESTER, WORCESTERSHIRE
INQ : Inquest: 05 dic 1905, WORCESTER, WORCESTERSHIRE
Occupation: 1890, KIDDERMINSTER, WORCESTERSHIRE; Occupation: LABOURER
Probate: dic 1905, WORCESTER, WORCESTERSHIRE
Notes for ANNIE KING:
Description: BRICKLEYS BUILDINGS, THE MOORS
Cause of death: Knife wounds in the back inflicted by husband William
Yarnold. Willful murder.
More About ANNIE KING:
Address.: 1905, WORCESTER, WORCESTERSHIRE
Cause of Death: Knife wounds in the back inflicted by husband
Endnotes
1. ST CATHERINES HOUSE, SCH Index of B irths, 6C,381.
2. ST CATHERINES HOUSE, SCH Index of Deaths, Hanged by the neck until dead in due execution of sentence of
death for murder of Annie Yarnold.
3. ST CATHERINES HOUSE, SCH Index of Deaths, 6C,131, Cause of death: Knife wounds in back inflicted by
husband William Yarnold. Wilful murder against him.
4. ST CATHERINES HOUSE, SCH Index of Deaths.
5. Prison Records.
i lio raph : 50
i liog raph
Glossar y: 5
Glossar y
The Wor cester Moor s Mur der 9 0 5
Index of Places and ames used in this ook: 2
A
Attwood Co
B
B aker, as Clar ke Murder tr ial jur y
B atty, ohn
B ayliss, oseph Murder tr ial jur y for eman
B each, Thomas
B ear cr oft, Colonel Worcester Militia
B esley, Arthur Edward Coroner ' s jur y
B ir d, ohn
B ir d, William
B lissett, ouisa
B oswell, oseph
B oswell, Samuel
B romage, ames High Sheriff of the City
B ur nett, ames Murder tr ial jur y
B ur ton, R .J .C. ever end Cur ate of St. G eorge' s
B yr ne, T. W. Chief Constable
C
Car ter , J ames
Car ter , J oseph
Chance, J . Sent a wr eth to the funer al
Chance, Sally
Cheese, Thomas Undertaker
Cheston, Alber t Edwar d Murder tr ial jur y
Clar ke, Miss Sent a wr eath to the funer al
Clements, William
Cock, Mr . Wor cester Watch Commitee
College, R ichard
Collins Y arnold' s alias in the Militia
Condon, J ohn Thomas Coroner ' s jur y
Coney, Alfr ed Chas. Murder tr ial jur y
Cook, Ann
Cor field, William
Coventr y, . The Hon. Prosecution
Cox, Merle Co. B anker s
Cr addock, Edwin Murder tr ial jur y
Cr owther , Samuel
Curtis, Alec Murder tr ial jur y
D
D alton, W
D aniel, Char les Murder tr ial jur y
D avenpor t, ohn
D avies. Police Constable
D avis, Ann
nde of laces and ames used in this oo : 5
avis rthur Murder trial ur
avis ames
a lderman lderman Worcester Watch Commitee
ea es Wm Murder trial ur
in le F Cler to the ustices
ood everend
ou las retas ers ome ecretar C M
er Thomas
d umale u e
ccles Capt rison overnor

llen orou h ord
llis of ochdale an man s ssistant
vans olice Consta le
vans Mrs Mentioned
Farrant Mr Councel for the defence
Foss eor e Murder trial ur
ardner lfred Coroner s ur

i son e rison Warden
Index: 5
Inde of Individuals

IN -
Annie: 49
P ALMER -
MARY ANN: 48
Y
Y ARNOL -
LUCY: 48
William: 48, 49
Y EARNOL -
JAMES: 48

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