A Grim Almanac of South Yorkshire

From bodies in wells to withchcraft, highway robbery, suspicious deaths and bizarre murders, this book explores the darker side of South Yorkshire. Kevin Turton has searched meticulously through court records, Victorian newspapers and penny dreadfuls to fing a true grim tale for every day of the year. The stories recounted here include: 31 January 1905 when seven people died as the Scotch express hit a mail train on the Midland Railway at Storrs Mill, Cudworth in heavy fog. !2 February 1803 when Colonel Despard and six others were executed for inciting rebellion in Barnsley. Thirty-four years later while developing land just north of Barnsley a man named William Crossley discovered a hoard of weapons, mainly spears, believed to have been part of Despard's intended arsenal. 17 July 1827 when Jonathan Wilson was almost eaten by a lion called Wallace at Wombwell. The unfortunate man died 8 days later from his injuries.