100 YEARS AGO:

CRIPPEN’S end – fiend turns craven. Dr Crippen has been executed at Pentonville Gaol for the murder of Bell Ellmore. He passed a restless night and presented a haggard and worn appearance when awakened in the morning, seeming to lose all fortitude as the end approached. He left his breakfast practically untouched. On the stroke of nine, Ellis, the executioner and his assistant entered the condemned cell. Bareheaded and colourless, he was escorted to the gallows and placed on the drop. He was then on the point of collapse but the noose and cap were quickly adjusted and the bolt was drawn.

He was given a seven foot drop and death was instantaneous. In the days leading up to his execution, Crippen’s condition had been one of agonised mental prostration and near nervous collapse. He made no confession or statement of any kind before his execution.

150 YEARS AGO:

ON Tuesday evening as a mail coach from Worcester to Ludlow was descending the hill beyond Abberley Lodge, by some unaccountable mishap the leading horse suddenly fell down, and before Bennett, the coachman, could pull up, the coach ran over the horse. By the instant application of the brakes the coach was brought to a standstill, fortunately without any damage being done further than the breaking of the horse’s knees and a portion of the harness, but for a moment there had appeared considerable danger.

Mr Flewett of Worcester, was one of the passengers and by his coolness and promptness in getting down the lady passengers and telling them were was no danger, restored confidence.

200 YEARS AGO:

THIS morning about midday, Lucien Bonaparte, brother of Emperor Napoleon, arrived in Worcester, accompanied by three gentlemen and three servants in two carriages and four. He was on his way from Plymouth, Devon, having slept at Gloucester last night. During his short stay a large crowd assembled near the Hop Pole Hotel in the Foregate to have an opportunity of seeing a man rendered so celebrated by his relation to the Emperor Napoleon and by his own character. He appeared much gratified with this attention and bowed several times to the surrounding spectators who cheered him as he left the Hop Pole. In person he very much resembles the portrait of Napoleon, though the expression of his countenance is much more pleasing. He has a high forehead, an aquiline nose, a long chin and a sallow complexion. He appears taller than his brother and wore a singular hat of white beaver, made in the shape of a huntsman’s cap. After the horses were changed at Worcester, his carriages set off for the Hundred House, from where they will proceed to Ludlow and then Lymore Lodge near Montgomery, an ancient seat of Earl Powis.

250 YEARS AGO:

WE are told that an additional duty will be laid on salt this winter. The present duty upon Salt is 3s1p a bushel and so amazing a quantity of this article is constantly made at Droitwich in this county only, that the duty amounts to about £1,400 a week there.