It's a distant branch of my family, but I have come across this report for the murder of Mary Ann Swann LONDON Oct 20th The story of the Bedlington (Northumberland) tragedy was told when the inquest was resumed on the body of MARY ANN SWANN, 72, who was found with her throat cut and head injured, in a cottage at Hirst Head Farm, Bedlington, where she lived. A miner named George Smith is in custody on a charge of murdering the woman. Evidence was given that Smith was seen near the farm house about midnight on August 25. He accosted a domestic servant named Mary Brown and threatened to murder her. Next morning the deceased's nephew, who keeps the farm, found the old lady dead in the kitchen. She had been outraged. A woman named Plant, who was living in Smith's house, said Smith came home on the Sunday morning at 4.40am. He washed his trousers, socks and shirt. The water in which they were washed was as though blood had been in it. She saw a blood-mark on Smith's right foot. Imprints of stockinged feet were discovered in the farm cottage. Blood was found on Smith's clothing. The jury returned a verdict of "wilful murder" against Smith, who was committed for trial. Police Station at Blyth 27th August 1906 Police officers report to coroner concerning death. Name : Mary Anne Swann Age : 72 Years Occupation : Spinster Address of deceased : Hirst Head Farm Cottage Found dead at 11:30am on 26th August 1906. Seen Dr Manners after death. Body is now lying at Hirst Head Farm Cottage. Cause of death : MURDER The information of witnesses severally taken and acknowledged on behalf of our Sovereign land and King touching the death of Mary Ann Swann at the house known by the name of Court House at Bedlington in the county of Northumberland, on the twenty eighth day of August 1906 before me, Joseph Richard Davidson Lynn, Gentleman, one of His Majesty's Coroners for the said County, on an inquisition then and there taken on view of the body of the said Mary Ann Swann then and there lying dead (the said several witnesses having first duly sworn), as follows with : John Carr Swann saith:- I live at Hirst Head Farm, Bedlington. I identify the body viewed by the coroner and jury as that of my aunt Mary Ann Swann – She was a spinster. 72 years of age, residing at Hirst Head Farm aforesaid – she lived alone in the old house there – she was found dead in her house on Sunday morning last 26 August instant. John C Swann Inquest adjourned to Friday 14th day of September 1906 at 3pm. Jurors bound over in £10 each. Henry J Rutherford Deputy coroner John Carr Swann recalled saith:- On 26th August 1906 about 11:30am, from what I was told, I went to the deceased house – I obtained a ladder and I entered the house by her window of the west bedroom – it was in this bedroom my aunt slept - the bedroom window was closed but unfastened. On entering the bedroom I found the bed disarranged, part of her bed clothes being on the floor and a quantity of blood upon them – I then went down stairs to the kitchen and saw my aunt lying upon a hearthrug in front of the fireplace – she was lying on her back in a pool of blood – there was a large wound in her throat, and she appeared to be dead, she was in her night dress. I then sent for the police and Dr Morris. John C Swann George Crawford saith:- I am a miner and I reside at Glebe Row, Bedlington. Smith is my brother in law. On Saturday the 25th August 1906 about 6pm I entered the Black Bull Inn at Bedlington and saw Smith there. Shortly after I left the Black Bull in company with Smith and we went to other public houses in Bedlington and had several drinks of beer, Smith paid for some of the beer, Smith became quarelsome in the Masons Arms and I got him out. I tried to get him to go home but he was very obstinate and refused to go, shortly after I left him, he appeared to be under of the influence of drink. Geo Crawford Mary Ellen Brown saith:- I am a domestic servant in the employ of the witness Swann. I knew the deceased Miss Mary Ann Swann. On Saturday the 25th August about 11:30pm I went to the deceased house and saw her there. I received a door key from her and she appeared to be in normal state of health. I said "Good night†to her and did not see her again. Mary Ellen Brown Sarah Bella Hay saith:- I am a single woman and reside with my parents at 5 Hirst Terrace, Bedlington, near Hirst Head, Bedlington. On Saturday the 25th August last about 10:15pm I was going from Bedlington to Hirst Head – When I got to the west entrance to the farm I saw a man dressed in a dark suit of clothes and wearing a light cap and whom I have since identified as George Smith in custody – He was standing against one of the gate posts. When I saw him I turned back and went a short distance towards Bedlington, as I did he shouted "Come on Miss, walk on†and then he sat down – I returned to the entrance and again saw Smith standing – as I passed him he rushed towards me with his arm out stretched, I said to him "I will bring a policeman if you dont let me pass†He then doubled his fist and said "You c***I will murder you†and "Come here Mary Anne or Mary Lizzie†I then went up to the avenue at a sharp pace and when half way up I met Joseph Gillespy – Smith then came forward and attempted to strike me, but Mr Gillespy closed with him and I went away – Smith appeared to be intoxicated. Sarah B Hay Joseph Gillespy saith:- I am a farmer and reside at Broadway House, Bedlington. On Saturday 25th August last between 10:15 and 10:30pm I was standing half way up the west entrance to Hirst Head farmstead when I heard a noise in the direction of the highway – the witness Sarah Bella Hay then came hurrying towards me and a man who I have since identified as George Smith following her – when Smith came forward he pushed against me and made as if to strike me – I closed with him and we both fell to the ground, I got up and went away leaving him there. He appeared to me to be intoxicated. J Gillespy Herbert Edward White saith:- I reside and keep a refreshment place at Vulcan Place, Bedlington. On Saturday the 25th August last between 10:45 and 11pm a man whom I have since identified as George Smith, now in custody, came into my house and bought a pie and a plate of peas giving me 2d for them – after eating the pies and peas he asked for another, I gave him a pie and he said "I have no money but i will come back tomorrow and give you the money, they call me George Smith, every body knows me, i used to live in this shop†He was attempting to put the pie in his inside jacket pocket, I took it out and found it to contain a black happed razor similar to this one now shown to me – I returned the razor and case to Smiths pocket. Mr H E White Thomas Hemstead saith:- I am a miner and reside at No 4 Millbank Crescent, Bedlington – My house is about 100 yards from where the deceased resides. About 6:30pm on Saturday 25th August last I fastened my back yard door also the ashpit door which leads into the yard – I then went out for the evening and returned home about 11 o'clock about half an hour afterwards I looked at both doors – I then went into my kitchen which adjoins the yard and sat there a few minutes when I heard a slight noise at the kitchen window, I went into the yard, struck a match and saw George Smith moving away from the window – I got hold of him and said "What do you mean by being in here?†He said "Do you know me?†I got to the yard door and unbolted it. Smith then went out of the yard and as he passed me he drew his fist and struck me on the chest - I closed with Smith and flung him to the ground – He got up and I struck him in the face – I closed with him a second time and again struck him. He still continued to fight and I let him up and he went away. In going away he shouted "I'm George Smith and I dont care for any c*** in the place†I then saw Smith go into the direction of the school masters house which leads in the direction of the Hirst Head Farmstead – He was under the influence of drink. Thomas Hempsted Christina Binks saith:- I am a married woman and reside at the Gas Works, Bedlington. My house is situated about 400 yards from the west entrance of Hirst Head farmstead. On Saturday night 25th August 1906 at 11oclock I had occasion to leave my house and went out by the back door leaving it open. I returned in a few minutes and heard a noise in the scullery. I looked there and saw a man dressed in dark clothes and wearing a light cap – I ran out of the house and on returning with my husband the man was gone. I was afterwards taken to the police station at Blyth and shown several men – I identified George Smith now in custody as the man I found in my scullery on the night of the 25th August last. Christina Binks Mary Plant saith:- I am the wife of William Plant of Cowpen Village. On Saturday the 25th August last I went to reside at 52 Clive Street, Cowpen Way, Blyth with George Smith and his wife at 9am. Smith was in his house when I went and told him I had had a disturbance with my husband. - He remarked "Well Im sorry I cant send for a gill of beer as I have no money†about noon on the same day I saw Smith dress himself in a dark suit of clothes and a very light coloured cap – He said to his wife "Im going to Bedlington to see my mother you had better give me something Jennie. I can not go to Bedlington with nothing†He then went to the top of the desk bed and I saw him take 2/4 from it – He left the house and I did not see him again that day. About 4:40am the following day I was awakened by Smith knocking at the house door – I know that was the time as I had looked at the clock – His wife let him in and I heard him in the room – Mrs Smith went into bed and shortly after I heard Smith making a scraping noise as if he was scraping clothing – I fell asleep shortly afterwards – When I awoke Smith was in bed asleep. About 9am I noticed he was in the act of getting up. I said to him "Are you getting up already†and he replied "I cannit sleep†and he got out of bed and put on a different pair of trousers to the ones he had been wearing on Saturday – He washed himself and left his shirt sleeves rolled up – He had some tea, but would not eat anything. He took a shirt off the clothes line and went to the stairhead closing the door behind him – He then took a clothes brush and the jacket and vest which he wore on the Saturday down stairs and I heard him brushing them - He returned, wrapped the jacket and vest in brown paper, put them in box and placed another box on top of the box containing the clothing – Shortly after I heard him washing the trousers in a pail of water on the stairhead – He had only 2 pairs of pants, the pair he was wearing and the pair he wore on Saturday – I also saw him washing his blue socks – He hung the socks over the oven door – When he finished washing them he said to me "You know our Jennie will do anything for me†shortly afterwards I saw the trousers hanging on the line in the cellar downstairs – They looked as if they had just been washed. I noticed the water Smith had been using for washing – It was a red colour. He was engaged washing and cleaning his Saturdays clothing and going from the room upstairs to the room down stairs until between 1 & 2pm – He then had dinner and sent his wife for a pint of beer giving her a 2p piece to pay for it – later on he gave me a 6th piece to go for another pint of beer, which I did – I also saw him give two of his children a penny each. He then went to bed and got up again about 4pm and washed himself – He was barefooted and I saw him take a wet flannel and rub one foot – He then came and sat down at the fireplace opposite side to me – He had one leg crossed over the other and I had noticed that one foot (I think it was the right one) stained as if with blood – I did not say anything to him about it – Whilst talking Smith said "What time was it when i came n? , I think it was about 2 o'clock†I said (referring to the previous morning) "Aye there it was 20 minutes to 5†- He made no reply. Smith had a black eye that day – He had not this on the Saturday. I was present in Smiths house when Mrs Smith handed a jacket and vest to Sgt Metcalf and I saw the Sgt take the trousers off the line and afterwards saw him receive 2 shirts and a hanker chief from Mrs Smith in the empty room. I also noticed that the sleeves on one of the shirts had been partly washed. The suit now shown to me is the one Smith was wearing the Saturday. Mary Plant X Her mark
