Age: 29
Sex: male
Date: 22 Nov 1904
Place: Woodstock, Tackley, Oxfordshire
Frank Allwood was found dead in a barn by the side of the road.
He was a carpenter from Marston Green. He had left his home the month before with £7 to look for work. His body was discovered in a barn covered with straw and rubbish and his head had been battered in.
His body was first discovered by the Vicar of Wotton who happened to be passing and saw a naked foot protruding from a heap of straw and rubbish. However, he thought that the foot belonged to a sleeping tramp and didn't do anything. The foot was later seen by two other men who told the police.
When the police arrived they found a heavy rail near his body that was splattered with blood.
It was thought that robbery was the motive because when they searched him they found that the £7 he was proven to have had was missing as well as his silver watch.
Two tramps had been seen acting suspiciously near the time but were never traced.
Several people were arrested but no one was convicted.
In 1906 a labourer confessed to his murder but his confession was discredited and he was discharged.
see www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
see Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Tuesday 22 November 1904
see Derby Daily Telegraph - Friday 14 October 1904
see Dundee Courier - Saturday 09 September 1905
see Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Tuesday 11 October 1904
see Gloucester Journal - Saturday 15 October 1904
see St James's Gazette - Tuesday 11 October 1904
see Western Chronicle - Friday 09 March 1906