George Chilton

George Chilton was found dead in the river near the landing stage at North Shields on Saturday 15 September 1900.

He was last seen the day before. 

When he was found he had a fearful wound to the back of his head and his inquest heard that the circumstances surrounding the case led to the suspicion of foul play.

He was last seen alive on the Friday night at about 11pm and his body was found the following Saturday morning at about 9am floating in the river near the public landing stage, about 100 yards from the Star and Garter Quay by a night watchman. 

The night watchman added that he heard a quarrel between some men on the quay in question about an hour before George Chilton's body was found, which had then suddenly stopped. 

George Chilton's cap was found nearby on the quay.

His inquest returned an open verdict.