unsolved-murders.co.uk
Unsolved Murders
Tags

William Spriggs

Age: 71

Sex: male

Date: 21 Oct 1911

Place: North Bridge, Soar Lane Bridge, Leciester

William Spriggs was found drowned in a canal near Soar Lane bridge in Leicester.

When he was pulled out he was found to have a cut on his forehead. His body was found at about 8am on Monday 16 October 1911 by a Corporation waterman.

It was thought that his body had been in the water for some time. When he was pulled out he was found to be fully dressed apart from his hat.

It was not thought that he had any reason to commit suicide.

He had lived at 51 Gladstone Street in Leicester and had been a journeyman baker.

It was heard that he had had to relinquish his work owing to old age and that on Friday week he had left home after a row with his wife saying that he was going for a walk and that that was the last that was seen of him until his body was found in the water.

His wife said that he had been a strong man and that for some years past, probably nine, he had been employed by Messrs Gipson Clarke and Co, shoe manufacturers, but had been discharged about a month earlier for being too old. She said that he had made a trouble over losing his employment and had been short of money but had received an old-age pension.

She said that on the Friday week that they had had a few words, but nothing serious and that William Spriggs had left the house but returned about half-an-hour later and said that on his return she told him that he was just in time to swill the yard to which she said he made no reply. she said that she was not angry with him and that shortly afterwards he went back out and she didn't see him again.

She said that there was no reason why he should not have returned, stating that she had not nagged him.

She said that he had been away from home on previous occasions, once for a week, but that she had not trouble over it as be had always returned when he wanted.

She noted that she had not heard him say anything about committing suicide.

His cause of death was given being due to suffocation by drowning. It was thought that the cuts on his head might have been made by the drags.

His inquest returned a verdict of found drowned. The Coroner said that it appeared that William Spriggs had gone into the water soon after he left home but that there was no evidence to show how he got into it.


*map pointers are rough estimates based on known location details as per Place field above.

see www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

see Leicester Chronicle - Saturday 21 October 1911, page 5

see Leicester Evening Mail - Tuesday 17 October 1911