Enfield

1/ Enfield Murder, October 1885 (Somewhere between Enfield and Haringey boroughs).

2/ Enfield Murder, March 1900

A verdict of “Wilful Murder” was returned against 76-year-old Henry Groves, costermonger, for causing the death of Henry Smith aged eighty-two. The men were next-door neighbours, and while they were arguing Groves attacked Smith with a scythe and inflicting such hideous injuries that after lingering for a month, in abject pain, he finally passed away.

3/ Angel Road Explosion, Edmonton, July 1895

4/ Enfield, (Accidentally Shot) June 1839

An inquest was held at the Greyhound Inn, Enfield, regarding the accidental death of James West, who was shot being mistaken for a deer. He was accidentally shot in the head and the viewing of the body turned a few stomachs. The bullet entered just above his right eye which took part of the scalp away thereby causing instant death. The circumstances are as follows:-

A stray deer had been seen repeatedly by various witnesses, and on the day in question. A young man named Nott was informed and he wanted to shoot the deer so he brought a gun along, also accompanied by a dog and a boy. He told the boy not to move about in case he injured him. While hunting the deer West was showing the boy a blackbird’s nest when Nott thought the movement behind the hedge was the deer and took a pot-shot. Nott’s father has promised to aid the family of the deceased. A verdict of “Accidental death” was recorded.

5/ Edmonton Child Murder, August 1905

6/ Near Edmonton Station, (Corpse in Woods) November 1866

In a copse on Bury Farm, about a mile from Edmonton Station, some human remains were discovered. Mr Ellis, the proprietor, along with his son were out shooting in the woods when the young lad thought he spotted a man lying on the ground. On closer inspection, it was found to be the body of a dead man, stretched out and with the face leaning to one side. He was dressed for a day’s shooting, in dark trousers, a shooting jacket, silk hat and boots with spring sides. An old newspaper was in his pocket, dated August 18th. Judging by the state of the body and the decomposition, it was around then that he died, fully three months ago. There was nothing to identify him and the remaining flesh of the body, fell away when removed. How he got there is a bit of a mystery, as there is no path in the wood, nor in any direction. Police think that due to the proximity of the railway to the farmhouse it is likely that he was injured on the line then crawled to the wood, then died there.