Date:1860 - 1865 (c.)
Description:John Poole was an excavator by trade, a job which took him all over the country. He had worked in the USA for a period, and as a result had the nickname 'American Jack'. In 1866, he was lodging with his father at Croxall when he was murdered on January 10, aged 49. The culprit was 27-year-old George Bentley, a deserter from the 17th Regiment of Foot who was thought to be an acquaintance. The two men shared a drink at the inn at Offley Brook, where Poole paid with a sovereign. Poole continued walking towards Eccleshall, followed shortly after by Bentley. Poole fell asleep by the side of the road, and as he slept Bentley murdered him for the rest of the sovereign, his waistcoat and his boots. Bentley was apprehended in Eccleshall. He was convicted of Poole's murder and hanged in Stafford on 27 March 1866.
Click on an item to view details for that resource
A broadsheet detailing the trial and execution of George Bentley of Mill Meece, near Eccleshall. Bentley ...
John Poole was an excavator by trade, a job which took him all over the country. He had worked in the ...
Share:
Image courtesy of: William Salt Library
Donor ref:William Salt Library No., Stafford 25N, img: 2271 (18/2671)
Source: Staffordshire Museum Service
Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.