A Murder of Passion: The Weeton Tragedy

Warning: This post contains details of violence and domestic abuse. Please do not read if this would cause you upset.

On the morning of Saturday 7^th August 1909, 46-year old Henry James Cross was woken for work at 5.30am by his 16-year-old daughter, only to discover his wife of almost 25 years was dead on the floor by the bed. He exclaimed “I have done it this time”, kissed his wife, and set off on the walk into Wesham to give himself up to the police.

When PC Willacy arrived at Slack Cottages that morning, he saw an awful scene. The bedroom floor, walls and ceiling were covered in blood. The arms of Henry's wife were a mass of bruises from attempts to protect herself from the ash sapling that he was using on her; her left arm broken. Her skull was visible, and her left ear was almost torn from her head. Her death was attributed to loss of blood, and shock from injuries received.

Henry and Jane (whom he called Jenny) had married on St Valentine’s Day in 1885. Children arrived at regular intervals, totalling nine by 1909; five of whom were still living at home. Henry worked as a platelayer for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, and a colleague stated that “a nicer man than Cross could not be found on the railway”.

Jenny developed an alcohol problem, and the two became known for quarrelsome drinking bouts. There had been a recent argument about a £9 bill which Jenny had been given the money to pay, but instead the money had been spent on drink.

The couple also had arguments where Jenny had threatened to “go with another man”. She had developed a fondness for William Dagger, a local man for whom she had washed and baked after his wife’s death a year earlier, and had turned up at his house drunk on several occasions.

This all came to a head on Friday 6^th August 1909. Henry had been for drinks for the evening in Wesham. He met Jenny at the Lane Ends Hotel just before closing time, and the pair left arm in arm for the walk home.

At some stage during that walk home, an argument erupted  and Jenny ran inside the house to get away from her husband. She entered the bedroom where the children had been sleeping, but Henry got there before she could lock the door.

Witnessed by all of their children (the youngest only 3 years old), Henry produced a stick, with which he began to beat Jenny. Their eldest, 16-year-old Elizabeth Alice called “don’t daddy don’t” and tried to stop him, but stood back after she was threatened with a thrashing too. 

After about 15 minutes, Henry then took off his jacket and waistcoat, then beat Jenny for a further ten minutes. He threatened “If you don’t get up I will come to you again” when Jenny rolled onto the floor, but received no reply from her. Eventually, Henry fell asleep, and with the help of a neighbour, Elizabeth Alice put Jenny onto the bed.

Illustrated Police News - Saturday 14 August 1909

Public interest in what the press dubbed the 'Weeton Tragedy' was huge. The trial was reported on in great detail, providing an excellent source for curious descendants such as myself. Entertainment seeking Edwardians flocked across the Fylde in their hundreds, many turned away from the packed-out courtroom. They even gathered at Weeton for Jenny's funeral, but were refused admission to the churchyard by the Weeton vicar. 

It's clear that Henry showed remorse. He broke down in court when the stick was produced, and instructed the police about his club money to ensure Jenny got a proper burial. Locals had some empathy for him, calling meetings to petition the court for leniency and even to help to pay for his defence. The judge said that he did not believe he had intended to kill his wife, but had allowed passion to get the better of him. Henry was instead sentenced to 14 years for manslaughter.