Double murder in King's Cross 1896......

[The Station Cat]

Crime scene map......

[The Station Cat]

1901 census...........

[Mayerling]

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/sur...ol47/pp298-321

Do you happen to know if these structures were standing at the time of the 1868 Clerkenwell Prison explosion?

Jeff

[The Station Cat]

Do you happen to know if these structures were standing at the time of the 1868 Clerkenwell Prison explosion?

Jeff

Jeff it seems so......

Nos 76 and 78, formerly King's Cross Police Station and Clerkenwell Magistrates' Courtof the original early 1840s police station and police court on this site only the front portion of the court building survives. This is flanked by a replacement police station of the late 1860s, to the south, and a new court-house of 1903–6.

[The Station Cat]

It would be interesting to know what happened to the two unfortunate daughters of the victims. Obviously it was a most traumatic thing to witness, and the older girl had to repeat the testimony twice on a witness stand. How did they fare afterwards? Were they able to find some degree of happiness after seeing their young lives destroyed by the butcher? And what was like after two decades in prison for "the people's butcher"?

Jeff

Haven't been able to find very much out about the Riley's. But the Galley's on the other hand, Elijah was married to a lady called Fanny. They had 5 children,
Ada born 1889,
Joseph born 1892,
James born 1894,
John born 1896
and perhaps the saddest of all,
Arthur born Feb 1897,
who interestingly became a butcher.
So it would appear that Fanny was two months pregnant with Arthur when Elijah committed his deed!

All this stands testament to the fact that there was in point of fact at least 12 victims in this case!!

[The Station Cat]

Having been dismissed from the Force in 1908, Robert Wagg seems to have had no luck, if this newspaper article is anything to go by!!!

[The Station Cat]

Floor plan of typical house on North Street.

[The Station Cat]

It would be interesting to know what happened to the two unfortunate daughters of the victims. Obviously it was a most traumatic thing to witness, and the older girl had to repeat the testimony twice on a witness stand. How did they fare afterwards? Were they able to find some degree of happiness after seeing their young lives destroyed by the butcher? And what was like after two decades in prison for "the people's butcher"?

Jeff

Having done a little more research into this case, I have to say that the ironies are just palatable.....

When one considers that the RILEY's met their end because of the wrath of GALLEY, once James RILEY had given notice for GALLEY to vacate number 42. Yet until at least 1905 Fanny GALLEY and her children remained resident at 42 North Street until as late as 1905, still running a butchers. That both families remained neighbours during this entire period, the children growing up next door to end other (Alice Riley is still listed at the address in 1901 and other Riley family members well beyond that!) One can only imagine what that must have been like and speculate as to how that situation came to be!!?

GALLEY was released from prison in 1911 having served 15 years of a double 20 year sentence. He continued in his trade as a butcher. Fanny & Elijah appear to have continued with their marriage, despite the 15 years apart and were still in Clerkenwell in 1915, before moving to Camberwell by 1918. Fanny died in 1942 (leaving her estate of £425 to Elijah) and Elijah died in 1944 leaving an estate of £4545 15s & 6d a not inconsiderable sum!

Robert WAGG's fortunes certainly didn't mirror those of Elijah having been dismissed from the job in 1910, the 1911 census lists him as being out of work. One can only speculate on the grounds for his dismissal from the police in 1908 (something I am trying to ascertain). He died on the 11th August 1947 leaving an estate of £423 3s & 3d.

[The Station Cat]

Fanny & Elijah GALLEY

Born 1866 St Leighs, Essex
1881 still living in St Leighs
1887 23rd October marries (Fanny Louisa Tyson) at the Parish Church Islington (butcher) 54 Outram Street
1891 living at 179 Copenhagen Street Islington
1893 Electoral Register 42 North Street
1896 Elijah murders James & Emma RILEY at 40 North Street
1899 Electoral Register Fanny still living at 42 North Street
1900 Electoral Register Fanny still at 42 North Street
1901 Electoral Register Fanny Still living at 42 North Street
1901 Portland Grove Prison
1902 Electoral Register Fanny still at 42 North Street
1903 Electoral Register Fanny still at 42 North Street
1904 Electoral Register Fanny still at 42 North Street
1905 Electoral Register Fanny still at 42 North Street (Riley's still living next door!!!)
1911 (2nd April) Maidstone Prison
1911 Fanny 63 Southampton Street Pentonville
1911 Granted prison license 31st July 1911
1915 Electoral Register 48 Collier Street Clerkenwell
1918 Electoral Register 47 Woodwarde Road, Camberwell (with Fanny)
1919 Electoral Register 47 Woodwarde Road, Camberwell (with Fanny)
1920 Electoral Register 47 Woodwarde Road, Camberwell (with Fanny)
1921 Electoral Register 47 Woodwarde Road, Camberwell (with Fanny)
1942 Fanny dies 12th September at Lewisham aged 78
1944 Elijah died 5th February at Bromley aged 78