Dora Strouse

Dora Strouse was shot in Allerton Road, Wavertree.

She was found wounded in the street at about midnight on Tuesday 29 November 1910 and taken to the infirmary where she died soon after.

A 21-year-old barman was charged with her murder but discharged. He said that Dora Strouse shot herself with his revolver after a tiff.

They had been out for a walk on a foggy night.

Medical evidence stated that the wound to her head was consistent with having either been inflicted by another person or by Dora Strouse herself.

The inquest on Dora Strouse found that she had shot herself, however, the barman was charged with her murder. However, the magistrates found that there was insufficient evidence to send the barman for trial and he was discharged.

Dora Strouse had been the wife of a ship's steward and had known the barman for several years, having been intimate for the previous twelve months.

They used to see each other both whilst Dora Strouse's husband was away as well as in his company and would go to places of amusement together. The barman would also meet Dora Strouse after she came from her dancing classes.

However, in June 1909 Dora Strouse's husband became possessed of a revolver, which it was stated that Dora Strouse had taken from him because he had threatened to harm himself.  It was also heard that her husband had also made further attempts to regain possession of the revolver.

However, it was further noted that the barman had himself shown signs of jealousy.

It was heard that on the date of Crippen's execution, the barman went to a dancing class to meet Dora Strouse and whilst outside encountered a policeman who he knew. During their conversation, the policeman said, 'Well, Crippen will be out of the way now', to which the barman replied, 'Yes, there will be a case for you soon. I will shoot her one of these nights'.

Later, when Dora Strouse's husband came home he found the barman in the kitchen and they had some words, although everything ended peacefully, with Dora Strouse going off to the theatre with her husband.

Later, on the night of 28 November 1910, during a thick fog, Dora Strouse and the barman went out for a walk during which Dora Strouse was shot.