Murder - Willesden c1900 - COMPLETED

[Patsy Beech]

Hi Everyone,

Can you please help my next door neighbour who is as 'hooked' on family research as I am, but unfortunately not on the internet at home? She has asked me to post this 'family legend' to see if anyone can help confirm or add to the story.

Her grandfather was Fred Ryden and as a young man he had a horse and cart, and he earned a living as a carrier. He was apparently asked to transport a trunk late in the evening from a house in Ladysmith Road, Willesden, to the Welsh Harp Reservoir, but as he was rather suspicious of the circumstances he took a friend along with him. As they carried the trunk down stairs they dropped it and it burst open to reveal the body of the client's wife. The client then ran out into the road and cut his throat. Because of all the bad publicity the road was renamed to Dundonald Road. This would have been circa 1900.

Can anyone say if the road was renamed, or can any newspaper reports be found? Or where was Welsh Harp Reservoir. She would really love to know just how much truth is in this family story.

Thank you all for your interest.
Patsy

[tamor]

Hi Patsy,
The Times has a report from March 1904 about a Commission Agent, George Albert Crossman, who slit his throat, after the body of his 5th wife was found in a tin box, in Ladysmith Road. Have a look at The Times Digital Archive via the Bedfordshire Libraries site.
Toni

[Patsy Beech]

Dear Toni,

Thank you so much for the information. Guess which website I'm now off to!!!!!!!

Best Wishes,
Patsy

[jorose]

Here's some info on the Welsh Harp Reservoir.  And some more, with some nice pictures, here.

The first (horrible) thought I had when I googled that up was 'good place to dump a body', which probably was what George had in mind.  In your search of the Times, don't miss the Mar 25, 1904 story (doesn't seem to come up unless you search for 'Crossman' by itself), which says that Crossman had arranged for a 'local dealer to take the trunk to Cricklewood', and mentions the carman who was supposed to be shifting the trunk (Fred?) although it gives no name.

[paulalou]

5th wife!!!! i wonder what he did with the other 4?

[Patsy Beech]

Thank You Jorose,

I went straight back to the Times Archives and found the article you mentioned. It makes fascinating reading! As for what he did with the other wives - well the problem was he had more than one at a time!!!!!!!!! It is all in the article.

The public were so interested that in another small article it mentions two police officers had to be posted outside No.43 Ladysmith Street.

My next door neighbour is over the moon to be able to confirm the family story and the roll her grandfather played as a cartman, plus now she has a date for the event as well.

Thank you once again.
Patsy

[mc8]

5th wife!!!! i wonder what he did with the other 4?

he went through the process 7 times it seems
first died a natural death
second divorced
third still alive
fourth still alive
fifth-the woman in the box
sixth still alive
seventh still alive
 

[Jones the Search]

Probably related to Henry VIII   

                            Patricia 

[joboy]

5th wife!!!! i wonder what he did with the other 4?

he went through the process 7 times it seems
first died a natural death
second divorced
third still alive
fourth still alive
fifth-the woman in the box
sixth still alive
seventh still alive
 

I think he had a serial problem,
joboy