|
Published by Owl Books, Wigan
The tales in this book recall the often violent actions of men and women trapped in a harsh and cruel environment not of their own making.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century there was much poverty in the land as a result of England's protracted continental wars. About one fifth of the inhabitants of Preston in Lancashire were in great distress. Local trade disputes plus the cotton famine of the 1860's ensured that poverty and despair remained endemic throughtout Lancashire.
For many, relief from hardship came by means other than entry to the workhouse. Robbery with violence, breaking and entering, forgery, rape and murder - often drink related crimes - were all too frequent.
Justice was severe. Even the petty criminal of the 19th century faced the very real threat of the hanmgman's noose, or at best transportation for life or penal servitude with hard labour. Punishment was swift; a condemned man of the 1820's was not allowed to see the sun set for a second time before execution.
Until 1868, hangings were a great public spectacle. Preston's inhabitants travelled in their hundreds to Lancaster to witness villainous 'Old Ned' or the awesome Calcraft practice "the art of driving immortal souls from this life to the next ..."
CONTENTS
- Jane Scott Accused of "Paracide"
- A Dog Called 'Morgan' Finds A Savage Killer
- A Most Peculiar Parcel
- The Double Life Of Mayor Birchall
- The Attempted Murder Of Samuel Horrocks, MP
- The Slaying Of Annie Ratcliffe
- The Disappearance Of Anthony Henry
- The Shocking Murder Of A Sweetheart
- The Trial Of Doctor Thomas Monk
- Drownings At Chain Pit
- Tragedy At Fulwood Barracks
- Murder In Bleasdale Street
- The Slaying of A Church Street Butcher
- Wife Killing At The Grapes Hotel
- The Sad End Of Philip Samuel Park
- Double Killing In Avenham Road
- Dreadful Murder In Peel Hall Street
- Insanity Drove Husband To Kill
- The Brutal Slaying Of Ann Gilligan
- Dispute Over A Dog
- Brutal Murder In Brown Street
- The Preston Bank Swindler
- Double Death In Albert Road
- The Murder Of Bombardier Short
- The Mysterious Murder Of James Fell
- Wife Killer Declared A Criminal Lunatic
- Tragic End For A Mother Of Six
- Quarrel Over A Penny Piece
- The Hanging Of Stephen Burke
Book Reviews
Lancashire Evening Post:
A history of foul crimes and dirty deeds. Real life horror stories.
For ten weeks this best selling book beat off stiff competition from famous national authors to remain top of the Evening Post best seller's list.
Preston Citizen:
Murder, mystery and mayhem strike town.
It's a pick up and put down book which shouldn't be read all at one sitting or you could end up with nightmares for a month.
[ Back to Top | Email: Keith Johnson ]
|
|
