johndawsonjune1955

Here is the complete story of the murder at Hirst Head Farm. Hope this gives a good insight into it. Any extra information would be great if anyone has any. A terrible murder took place at Hirst Head Farm, Bedlington, between August 25th and August 26th, 1906, when the body of seventy two year old, Miss Mary Ann Swann was discovered. Her home was originally the farm house at Hirst Head, but some years previously a new and larger house was built on an adjoining site and the older building became available solely for the use of Miss Swann, who lived alone. Her father Mr. Robert Swann was a member of one of the best known families amongst agriculturists in the North. For generations the Swann's had carried out their business as farmers and butchers in Bedlington and other East Northumberland districts. After her father died she lived with her brother Robert, who sadly died in June 1899. The management of the farm then passed on to Mr. John Carr Swann, a nephew of the deceased lady. Miss Swann was last seen alive at about 11.30 pm on Saturday August 25th, when she was about to retire for the night. John Swann who lived in the larger house, heard no unusual sounds to arise his fears for the safety of Miss Swann on the Saturday night. However it was Mr. Swann's maidservant, Ellen Brown, who last saw Mary alive on the Saturday night. Miss Swann did not put in her usual appearance about the farm on Sunday morning, and at 11.30 am, Mr. J. Swann and the farm steward, Mr. Robert Richardson, made their way into the house by the use of a ladder after having vainly attempted to get an answer. A shocking spectacle then presented itself before their eyes. Miss Swann was lying in a pool of blood near the fireplace in the kitchen, clothed only in her nightdress, and there was an ugly wound to her throat, having apparently been inflicted by some sharp instrument. A razor was discovered a short distance away from where the body lay. The disordered state of the house pointed in the direction that Miss Swann had been murdered in a brutal fashion. Her bedroom was upstairs and this and other rooms in the house had been evidently ransacked. There was both money and jewelry to a considerable amount in the house at the time. However it was assumed that the murderer failed to notice all this as both money and valuables were found untouched in the house after the murder was committed. All that lay on the floor was two empty purses. Mr. Swann summoned Dr. Morris of Bedlington to the house, but it was to no avail as it was discovered the woman had been dead some hours. Next, Police Sergeant Metcalfe, who was in charge of Bedlington Police Station was notified of the murder, who subsequently notified Supt. James Tough, the chief of Blyth Police Division, and investigations were immediately set underway to trace the person responsible for this terrible crime. During investigations neighbours would tell the police of a mans odd behaviour the night before. One name kept cropping up whenever the police questioned someone. That of George Smith. With this information Sergt. Metcalfe traveled to the home of George Smith who resided at Clive Street, Cowpen Quay, Blyth. He arrived there at 9.30 pm on the 26th August, and found Smith, drunk and sporting a black eye sitting by the fire in the kitchen. The sergeant then apprehended Smith. George Smith was then taken to the Police Station, and after cautioning him, Sergt. Metcalfe charged him on suspicion of having murdered Miss Swann. Smith, who had a history of mental illness sat shaking his head, then made some rambling statements which were recorded by Sergt. Metcalfe. These were as follows: "Me murder a woman. ? I had a fight last night in Bedlington when I was coming home. I walked into a tree at Banktop, and that made the black eye, and I have had the toothache ever since. It might be a labourer's woman, a shoemaker's woman, a pitman's woman, or a farmer's woman; I cannot tell. I went to Bedlington to see my mother yesterday, and I have never murdered anybody. Murder a woman sergeant ?. Why, no man. You know me. Why, you are a funny bastard, but you have got the wrong 'un this time, but, mind, there's very few funnier bastards than me. I'm a queer one. You know I didn't steal the clock. It was a New Years clock, but I had to pay for the bastard all the same. Did you say murder, sergeant ? Murder, ? murder, ?murder.? Why, no, man. I was at Bedlington seeing my mother, mind. Yes, I was at Bedlington.†The following day the sergeant cautioned Smith, and charged him with the murder of Miss Swann. Smith who was sober by this time, replied, "I knaa nowt aboot it, lad.†When the case got to court, shocking medical evidence from doctors would be told. Police evidence, and bizarre stories would unfold from witnesses linking Smith to the murder. One witness was Smith's brother, William, who was a hairdresser, and ran a barber shop in Bedlington. He gave his evidence and was seen to be full of emotion. Beginning his evidence he stated that on the afternoon of the Saturday in question his brother called at his shop to pick up an old razor and case which he had left with him some three weeks previously to be set. He shaved his brother with the razor, and three other men, his brother then paid him for it. His brother was sober, but struck him as being strange in his manner. He asked him to go with him for a drink, but he reminded his brother as to where he had been, (referring to a period in the Asylum,) and he told his brother that he ought not to take any drink. His brother said to him that drink did him good and kept him right. William remarked that he better go home to his wife. His brother then sat in the shop for about ten minutes, and was quite quiet before leaving. The next time he saw his brother was while he was attending a customer, about an hour and a half later coming out of a public house on the opposite side of the street, and it struck him then that his brother had an awful look. Smith's brother in law, George Crawford, was next to give evidence. He gave a good account of the movements of Smith as he was with him for about three hours during the evening. Mr. Crawford, met up with Smith at about 6.00 pm, on the Saturday night, when he went to the Black Bull Inn, Bedlington. They had about two glasses of beer, and left to go to the Turks Head, where they had several glasses of beer. Next they went to the Mason's Arms, which was the last pub they visited. They had several drinks together before the drink was stopped. The manager approached him and asked if he would get Smith out, which he did. Smith had paid his turn at the Turk's Head, but did not always do so, but paid for some. When they left the pub Smith, grabbed him by the collar when asked to go to his mothers, but would not as he wanted more drink. He then left Smith, at 9.00 pm. How Saturday night began for Smith on August 25th can be interpreted by the evidence given by Mrs. Mary Plant of Cowpen Village. She stated that owing to having some disturbance with her husband, she went about 9.00 am in the morning to the house of George Smith and his wife Margaret. She was a friend of the Smith's. When she explained to Smith why she had come, he said he was sorry that he could not send out for a gill of beer, as he had no money. Smith dressed himself, and went out to get some powder, and later about noon, he went out for the day. He was wearing a suit of dark clothes and a light cap. His wife asked him where he was going, and he replied that he was going to Bedlington to see his mother. He asked his wife for some money, saying, "Jenny, I cannot go to Bedlington with nothing.†He then went to the desk bed and took 2s / 4d, about (12p) out of it, and went out. Mrs. Plant then slept at Smith's house that night. Mary Plant was awakened on the Sunday morning at about 4.40 am, when Smith was knocking at the door. His wife got up and let him in, and then went to bed again. Mary took no notice of Smith, but she heard him making a noise, as though he was scraping his clothes with a knife. About 7.00 am, Mary got up, and noticed that Smith seemed to be asleep. Smith got up later at about 9.00 am, and Mary asked him why he got up so early. He replied that he could not sleep. He then put on a pair of trousers different to those he had worn on the previous day. The Smiths lived in one room, and the clothes lay in that room. Mary did not see Smith take anything other than a clean shirt from the clothes line. Smith went to the stair head, and closed the door behind him. She did not notice what Smith was wearing when he went back into the room. Smith took a clothes brush, and a jacket and vest he wore on the Saturday, and went to the bottom of the stairs. He brushed the clothes, and returned upstairs, wrapped them up carefully and put them into a box. Later he put a tin trunk on top of the same box. Mary saw Smith washing his trousers in a pail of water on the stair head. He also washed his blue socks. Smith then took the socks into the room, and put them on the oven door to dry. He then said to Mary, "Our Jenny won't do anything for me.†Mary then went to the cellar for some coals, and saw the wet trousers hanging there. The water in the pail was red coloured. Smith was still busy washing and cleaning his Saturday clothes, which took him until Sunday afternoon. Smith then sat down and had dinner. He sent his wife for a pint of beer, giving her a 2 shilling piece to pay for it. He then gave Mary more money, 6d, to go for another pint. Smith then gave his eldest child a three penny piece, and the two youngsters a penny each. He then went to bed, and got up about 4.00 pm. Mary noticed Smith was bare footed as he stooped down to wipe something off one of his feet with a wet flannel. He then sat near the fire opposite Mary, with his legs crossed. At first Mary thought she saw varnish on Smith's right foot, but she soon realised it was blood. Smith then asked her what time he had got home in the morning and Mary replied it was 4.55 am. Sarah Bella Hay, a domestic servant, and living at Hirst Terrace, near Hirst Head Farm, said that at 10.15 pm on August 25th, she saw a man at the entrance of the farm. He was standing against one of the gate posts. She had since identified him as George Smith. As she approached the gate entrance and saw Smith, she turned to go back towards Bedlington. Smith shouted "Come here, Miss,†and ran after her for some distance with his arms outstretched. Sarah, returned later and told Smith if he did not go away she would tell the police. He then doubled his fists and said, "You Bastard, Ill murder you.†Smith then stretched out his arms, and said "Come on Mary Ann†or "Mary Lizzie,†but Sarah could not say which. Sarah proceeded down the avenue followed by Smith, and there saw a man Joseph Gilhespie a farmer from Bedlington. Smith came forward and attempted to strike Mr. Gilhespie. The two fell to the ground ending in Gilhespie striking Smith, he then noticed that Smith's breath stank of drink and he was intoxicated. Cuthbert Edward White a refreshment house keeper in Vulcan Place gave an account of Smith's activities in his shop. He said that between 10.45 and 11.00 pm, Smith entered his shop and purchased a pie and some peas. Afterwards he asked for another pie, and said to Mr. White, "You need not be afraid of trusting me. I am broke, but will come back the next day and pay you.†He said they called him Geordie Smith of Blyth, and everybody knew him. Mr. White then offered to put the pie into an outside pocket, but Smith said he had a nice razor in there. Smith then showed him the razor which was a black handled one. Mr. White told him to be careful with it, and Smith then left the shop with the pie in one pocket and the razor in the another. Thomas Hemstead, who lived about two or three hundred yards from the farm, stated that on the night in question he left home at 6.30 pm, and did not return until around 11.00 pm. When he left the house the yard door and the ashpit door were locked. At 11.30 he noticed both were open. He heard a noise outside the kitchen window. Going outside, he struck a match and saw a man trying the window. He then realised it was George Smith, a man he knew well. Mr. Hemstead then got hold of Smith and asked him what he wanted there. Smith said, :You know me,†and Hemstead replied, "Yes, and you know me,†to which Smith said, "Yes.†Mr. Hemstead then heard someone moving about the back door, and thinking he might get some help, or maybe see the police, he opened the yard door, but as soon as the bolt was drawn, Smith, struck him. They came together and Hemstead, threw Smith to the ground. Smith got up, and was still full of fight. This resulted in the two of them coming together again and Smith ending up on the ground once more. Smith then began to kick and bite while on the ground, which ended up with Mr. Hemstead grabbing Smith by the throat and nearly choking him. He then allowed Smith to go, and as he went he shouted, "I an George Smith, and I don't care a f??? for anyone. Smith then went in the direction of Hirst Head Farm. More witnesses would give accounts of Smith's movements at the trial. Another witness, Christine Binks, who lived at the Gas House, Bedlington, near Hirst Head Farm, said that about 11.30 pm on Saturday, August 25th, she went to the back door of her house which was closed but not locked intending to lock it. She was away a few moments and heard a noise in her scullery. When she looked she saw a man standing with a dark suit, white cap, and a white shirt in front of her. She became afraid and ran out the house and returned in a minute or two with her husband. When they entered the house, the man had gone, having unlocked the front door and letting himself out. The man she saw was George Smith. John Atkinson, from Mill Bank Terrace, Bedlington, stated that in the late hours of August 25th, he heard a scuffling in the yard. He went out to see what the noise was and found Smith, who he knew, sitting in the wash tub. Atkinson, asked Smith, what he was doing there. Smith then replied, "You won't hit a man for sitting in a barrel,†He then told Smith to go away. Smith made no reply, but just stared at Atkinson like a wild man. He then got up and walked away backwards. Atkinson, then noticed that Smith, whom he had known for about ten years, had no jacket or vest on, and his braces were hanging down. Richard Walker, a farm labourer, of Gladstone Terrace, Bedlington, was next. He said at about 1.00 am, on August 26th, he was returning from Bedlington Station. It was not dark, but a fine starlight night when he saw a man come out of the entrance of Hirst Head Farm, and halt in front of him and make his way across the highway. The man looked towards Bedlington and then made his way towards Bedlington Station. It was the movements of the man that attracted his attention so much. The man was dressed in a dark suit and light cap, and appeared more excited than drunk. Richard Nicholson, a miner of Bell's Place, Bedlington, stated that on August 26th, in the early hours of the morning between 3.00 to 3.30 am, he was returning home by way of Puddler's Lane. On approaching White's Cottages, he noticed a man coming from the direction of Hirst Head Farm. The man passed on the other side of the road, and was walking where there was no footpath. He could not see the mans face and noticed he had a light cap and dark clothes on. The man then crouched into the hedge. Sergt. W. Metcalfe, of Bedlington, recounted his visit to the house of Miss Swann, at about mid - day on Sunday, August 26th. He said he found the body of Miss Swann, lying in the kitchen on the hearthrug. Her throat had been cut and there was a mark above her left eye. There was much blood in the room, on the door and on the floor. An old open razor was lying underneath the right hand in a pool of blood. There was a candlestick with a candle in it lying near the body. A broken poker was found, one part lying parallel with the body and the other part lying twelve inches from her head. The pieces of a broken crumb brush were found in the room, and the front door key was lying on the sofa underneath the window. The window at the back was broken, leaving a hole large enough for a man to get through. He found blood stained footmarks on the stairs and in the parlour. There were appearances in the kitchen of a struggle having occurred. In the bedroom the bed - tick was turned up, as though someone had been searching under it. The draws and boxes were also open. In the bedroom was a basin containing water tinged with red. He then went to Clive Street, Blyth, and arrested Smith. Smith was taken to the police station and made a lot of rambling statements. He then went back to Smith's house and took possession of his clothing. Back at the police station he got Smith to take off his shoes and socks, and saw what he believed to be blood on the soles of his feet. There was also blood on the knees of his drawers. All his clothing except a pocket handkerchief had marks of blood upon them. Medical evidence was next given by Dr. Robert. Morris, of Bedlington. He described wounds on the body and said that when he saw it about mid - day death, had taken place about ten or eleven hours previously. The cause of death was bleeding from the wounds and shock. Dr. W. H. Manners, police surgeon at Blyth, corroborated the evidence of Dr. Morris, as to the cause of death, and added that during the post-mortem examination he found a large bruise over the right ear and another on the left side of the face and forehead. The poker was an instrument which might have caused the wounds. A razor would have caused the wound to the throat and the other cuts on the body. On Sunday evening he examined Smith at Blyth Police Station in the presence of Dr. Fox, who was there on behalf of Smith. Smith was under the influence of drink, and his right eye was black. He also had three or four scratches to his face, and not so deep as to cause bleeding. Smith was wearing drawers, which were blood stained at the knees, as though he had been kneeling in blood. The socks were rather hard on the soles, but he could not detect the presence of blood at the time. There was blood marks on Smith's feet and all the sleeves of his garments. He continued, by saying that there was no wounds to Smith's body which would cause bleeding. Supt. Tough, of Blyth, gave evidence as to taking impressions of Smith's feet, and these corresponded in his opinion with the prints on the step and on boards of the flooring. He then pointed out the peculiarity of Smith's socks, part of the leg being under the heel, which made the similarity of the impressions so obvious. This concluded the evidence for the prosecution, and Mr. Jones proceeded to call his witnesses for the defence. Dr. Thomas William MacDowall, medical supt. of the County Asylum, Morpeth was the first. He stated that Smith was admitted to the institution in June, 1901, and was discharged as having recovered in February, 1904. Smith, suffered from a severe attack of insanity, chiefly maniacal, and was very excited; and on three occasions he made attacks upon his keepers. He had homicidal tendencies. Persons who so suffered recovered; but there were cases where insanity recurred, usually because of drinking to excess or of excitement. He had heard the evidence in this case, and in his opinion Smith's doings would indicate insanity. If a man had an attack of frenzy, it was quite a common occurrence for him to have no recollection of what he had done during the frenzy. He had seen Smith, about a month ago and he was quite sane then. Dr. MacDowall, was cross-examined by Mr. Joel, and went on to say that when Smith was discharged from the asylum, he was completely cured. If under the conditions he had described, a man avoided drink, he was to all intents and purposes, a sane man. Under the influence of drink, such a man would be like a somnambulist. Dr. Ernest Bramwell, medical officer at the Tynemouth Workhouse and surgeon to the Tynemouth police was next to give evidence. He stated that he had a large experience of causes of insanity. He examined Smith on November 13th, in prison, and found him quite sane then. He said, he agreed with the evidence of Dr. MacDowall. From the evidence he had heard he was of the opinion that at the time of the tragedy, Smith, was insane. No further evidence was called, and Mr. Jones proceeded to address the jury on Smith's behalf. He told them Smith was in such a condition on the night of the tragedy that he couldn't remember what had occurred. It was for that reason Smith wasn't called to give evidence. The evidence was purely circumstantial, though he admitted that it was strong, but it was a question whether it was sufficient to convince the jury that the poor lady met her death at the hands of the accused. There was no motive for such a crime. Supposing that the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to convince the jury that the death of Miss Swann was due to the accused, the prisoner he submitted, was at the time not sane. The previous history of the accused, and all the circumstances of the night of August 25th, pointed to a condition of insanity. While he was in the Asylum he exhibited the very symptoms which would have led him to such an act as this. Mr. Joel, at some length on behalf of the Crown, said that every man must be presumed to be sane until the contrary was proved. The onus of the defence was to prove that the accused was insane. Mr. Joel submitted that there was evidence of drunkenness and violence, but not of insanity. The absence of motive was no evidence of insanity. He commented particularly upon the method Smith had evidenced in apparently endeavouring to make the circumstances point to a case of suicide. The Judge, Lord Alverstone, told the jury that the question whether Smith had committed the murder was not a question of great difficulty, but the question as to his state of mind at the time was one of considerable difficulty. In his opinion if the defence could have challenged any of the evidence he was sure they would have done so. You the jury, should come to the conclusion that Smith had caused Miss Swann's death. The Judge then turned to the point of insanity. He said it was open to them to find that if Smith committed the act he was insane at the time and was not responsible for his action in law. If his condition was induced by drink, the man would be guilty in the ordinary sense, but if he was insane temporarily so as not to know the difference between right and wrong, and not to understand the acts that he was doing, the jury would be justified in finding he was not responsible, even though part of insanity was caused by drink. The jury retired to consider the verdict. After an absence of about twenty minutes they returned. Smith who was sitting in the dock quietly flanked by two police officers listened as the verdict was read out. The jury found him guilty of murder, but insane, and not responsible in law for his actions when the act was committed. His Lordship then ordered Smith to be detained in a Lunatic Asylum until His Majesty's pleasure.

This is brilliant. Was this Smith the barbers brother ?

Bedlington Brick Yard and workers. have we any idea who they are ? Cracking old pic

Another of Hirst Heads Farm., Who is he. See if anyone can give names as there are none on the pics saying who anyone is. Get some more up for weekend.

Hirst Head Farm, Bedlington There was a murder here when i believe a Miss Swann had her throat cut about 1911 i think. Will get the story put together for you all.

The next are of Hirst Head Farm Do you know anyone. Rare pic this

just scanned this one in quickly of front street. Looks a good pic from long ago Malcolm is on the push bike

sorry. looked at the pic it says south row , skeekburn 1941 its been scanned and wrong title on. my appologies. looking through these photographs i recon there is at least 600 pics of local and maybe more. i can't believe there is so much. i will pick some rare ones out to u/l for you all for the weekend.

Have a look at this. Just browsing some old pics and came across this. Not this man will have some pics of the area. I think he is still alive. Bill Ward woprked at the Doctor Pit. But look at the old shops and the old 1/2 pence Also look at Bills shop he is advertising Kodak Film too Not much use for that these days i think. Enjoy

The bully must have smoked a lot. It stumped his growth

Collecting from the middens, but where in Bedlington ?

ok i will let you know Melrose terrace 1941 ww2

no pic of my wife yet ? cumon someone must have one of her at westridge school janette charlton, she has a brother trevor, gary, and sister denise and lynne get me a pic of her please desperate for one

its a terrace, but what one ?

Nothing wrong with a large helping.I will have to cut down on mine tho, Im too heavy now its nice to know that bill and his mam are fine too, as i said earlier, just lovely people

thanks malcolm.

1941 is spot on. but where ?

I will put more up soon. Good Luck with this pic and year

For you Bedlingtonians on the forum, do you know where this photograph was taken ? Can you get the year ? I think its hardish, lets see who knows.

Was that Franky 's brother married to Joyce Lumsden ?If i am right Franky was a cutter man at the High Pit and trained my dad on the longwall cutter

Certainly is that one. But a canny one.

Yes Watsons Wake is a good little story. He was sleepwalking when he fell from the tower. Them pics would be nice too that you took at the Sun Inn. The policemens monument was all done up by the Police Federation only a few years ago. I believe it was them ? So it looks very good now. It was in a very bad state of repair. Getting back to the murders. If you go into the cellar you can see the old cellar stars as they are as they were. Its just the location of the cellar entrace was changed in later years. Have a look and you can see where Mrs. Grice fell. Dark stains from blood were visible about 8 years ago. If the stairs aint been renovated it will still be the same. Mind you i wouldn't remove them old stairs as they tell part of the story. Really an artefact in situ i would say. On our website we are putting local murder stories up. Hopefully our webmaster will have them up in a week or so. Got that one too from the Hirst Head Farm that was Mrs. Swann. Thats the one mentioned in the Sun Inn story when people turned out at the funeral. Speak soon Wilma

your right Wilma. There are some sites you get are abusive, but to be fair on here we just plod on nicely and we debate a little. The best way i thnk. Your a diamond mate and a pleassure to read what you have to offer the forum. Keep your good work up, its the likes of all on here that i visit it and share with all.

A friend of mine goes fishing with Robson.I will be drinking with him saturday and ask him to have a word about it