The Braddock family had worked for the Grimshawes since the building of Errwood Hall. So it was a surprise to learn that they were a tight-knit band of notorious highwaymen.
Topic tags: Crime & punishment...
Bodies in boots?
The discovery of two cars in the pond beside Goyt’s Lane, and rumours of bodies being found in the boots, attracted media attention. There were also four safes plus a cache of bullets.
Recording a brutal murder
Macclesfield’s Talking Newspaper brings to life the story of William Wood’s brutal murder on the road between Whaley Bridge and Disley in 1824. The culprits narrowly escaped capture in the town.
Life for the killers
Four murderers receive life sentences for the brutal and senseless attacks which occurred just over 35 years ago in the scenic spot known as Goytsclough, close to the packhorse bridge.
The Goytsclough murders
Two young men brutally murdered, and one who just managed to escape a similar fate. It’s hard to believe this happened in picturesque Goytsclough, and well within living memory.
‘Gruesome’ memorial
‘…it was not in keeping with the spirit of the times that so public a reminder of such a gruesome event should exist, and that it acted as a deterrent to persons of a timid nature going there.’
10. The execution
‘…he observed, with a smile upon his countenance, “This is an easy way to get to Heaven.” He was then led towards the drop, which he surveyed with undiminished firmness.’
9. Judgement of death
When the concluding words of “the Lord have mercy on your soul” were pronounced, the prisoner looked fervently up to Heaven, and in a trembling voice said “Amen”.
8. The verdict
The prisoner heard the awful decision without any apparent emotion; and shortly afterwards a glass of water or lemonade was brought, which he drank off at a draught.
7. Macclesfield witnesses
The story of the brutal murder of William Wood on the road between Disley and Whaley Bridge now moves to Macclesfield, where Joseph Dale and his two co-accused fled on the following day.
6. The trial begins
The trial of Joseph Dale for the murder of William Wood took place at Chester Castle. One of his co-accused had already hung himself. The other was still at large. Dale pleaded not guilty.
5. Suspects lost & found
17-year-old murder suspect, Charles Taylor, is securely locked behind the grim walls of Manchester’s New Bailey Prison. He uses his stockings and gaiters to escape justice.
4. The chase
“…a suspicion arose that these three fellows had been concerned in the deed, and upon examining their old cloathes, they were found much stained with blood.”
3. The inquest
“On Saturday week, an Inquest was held at the Cock Inn, Whaley, on the body of this unfortunate man, who was found barbarously murdered on the old road from Disley to Whaley-Bridge…”
2. Innocent or guilty?
Did 17-year-old Joseph Dale, described in court as “a very peaceable, quiet lad, always good tempered and kind to his family”, pay the ultimate price for a murder he did not commit?
1. The Murder Stone
This small, stone memorial, on the back road between Whaley Bridge and Disley, commemorates William Wood who was murdered at this very spot nearly two centuries ago. It’s a gruesome tale!
Drunk in charge
He fell back upon some hay, also on to a child. Witness stopped him, and said he could not allow him to drive in a state like that. Defendant said “He had been a sight worse than this many a time.”
Killing at Errwood Hall
An 1847 newspaper clipping reports a ‘desperate burglary, in which one of the burglars was killed’ at Errwood Hall. The gamekeeper was said to have fired the fatal shot. But did he?