Sarah Rowley

Sarah Rowley was found dead in the Peak Forest Canal in New Mills.

She had lived in Station Road, Bugsworth.

She had gone with her daughter to see some relatives in Hayfield on Saturday 11 March 1905 and while there she went to see a woman, but failed to show up later at the railway station to meet her daughter to go home and so her daughter left without her.

Sarah Rowley later caught the 9.23pm train from Hayfield to New Mills having missed the last train to Bugsworth.

When she arrived in New Mills she went to the Railway Hotel and had a glass of whisky and then left for the London and North-Western Station to catch a train for Whaley Bridge, but was never seen alive again.

It was noted that the night was dark and very rough.

Her body was found in the Peak Forest Canal the following day.

Her death was described as a mystery, but the police said that there was no evidence of foul play.

The inquest returned an open verdict of 'Found drowned'.