Murder At Gorse Hall

[belinda]

Does anybody know much about this case?

George Harry Storrs murdered in 1909 by an unknown intruder

http://www.stereograffiti.com/gorse/murder.htm

[apricot]

Hi Belinda,

I seem to remember that this very interesting case was dramatised by Julian Fellowes in his Most Mysterious Murders, where he gave his own conclusion as to the culprit, unfortunately, I can't remember what that was, only that I probably didn't agree with him as I thought he was wrong on most of the cases he covered! But as with most long ago unsolved murders, we'll never know, which is why we all find them so fascinating!

KR Angie

[belinda]

That's where I first saw it the other night.It's very intriguing.Are there any books about this case?

[Chris]

That's where I first saw it the other night.It's very intriguing.Are there any books about this case?

Jonathan Goodman wrote a book about it - The Stabbing of George Harry Storrs (1983).

[Graham]

Wasn't there something about an electric alarm bell being rigged up after the first attack on Storrs, so when he pressed the button it alerted the police at the local nick? I've got a vague memory of reading that he rang it so often for no good reason that the police ignored it after a while, so when after the second attack he was mortally wounded no police or other assistance arrived.

Or am I thinking of a totally different case?

Graham

[belinda]

Thanks Chris I'll look for a copy of that.

Graham in the Julian Fellows programme they had him doing" tests" to see how fast the police would get there.So they got fed up and ignored him.

It's strange that with people in the house the intruder came in like that.You'd think they'd have waited for a quieter time

[sdreid]

Gorse Hall is one of the greatest murder mysteries ever. The victim apparently knew he was going to be murdered but would not give up his stalker.

[wolfie1]

Thanks Chris I'll look for a copy of that.

Graham in the Julian Fellows programme they had him doing" tests" to see how fast the police would get there.So they got fed up and ignored him.

It's strange that with people in the house the intruder came in like that.You'd think they'd have waited for a quieter time

Hello Belinda
I have hit a snag in my genealogical family research and was hoping you could perhaps put on your thinking cap for me.
I will fill you in on the details off site.
can you pm me please.
cheers
Eileen

[kidtwist]

I just finished Jonathan Goodman's book on this case. He mentions the suspect that Julian Fellowes focused on (the brother of Storr's possible lover, Maria Hohl), but he seemed to think it was probably Mark Wilde, the second man tried for the murder, and thinks he would have been convicted had the witnesses not discredited themselves by identifying Cornelius Howard at the first trial.

An interesting read.

[sdreid]

Howard didn't seem to have a good enough reason. Mark Wilde looks like a good candidate but why would Storrs "protect him", so to speak. That behavior would have more reason in the case of John Hohl, that is, to keep from having to give the "why" to his wife. That said, Maria was a willing participant in the affair so wasn't she as much to blame for any "difficulties" and why wouldn't John realize this? Storrs seemed to have a talent for making enemies so it may well have been a killer that we know nothing of now like someone he cheated in business or something - who knows?!

[belinda]

It is a really strange one this.Maria may have been a willing perticipant but would she have told her family that given attitudes at that time I don't think she would.

I think her brother has a strong motive but as you say he wasn't popular and we could be looking for somebody else completely

[belinda]

The Grounds Keeper who was found hanged was considered a suicide at the time is there any reason to doubt that it was definently suicide?

[sdreid]

I haven't seen anywhere that the suicide was questioned that should certainly be looked at. There's also the possibility that it was a suicide but the reason had nothing to do with the case.

[belinda]

I think the suicide was linked but you never know.

This has the George Harry Storrs Episode on it

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F4RHBG/ref=s9_simh_co_p74_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-2&pf_rd_r=1QEZYZ0NGVHY1HRZK4HG&pf_rd_t=3201&pf_rd_p=1263271402&pf_rd_i=typ01

[sdreid]

Yes, I have this box set with that and 4 other unsolved murders. I recommend it.