‘…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.’

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“…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.”

“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…”

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?

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!