Skegness Magazine

A shocking wife murder was committed in the Boston district on Monday evening. A plate-layer named Root, and his wife, residing at the Gatehouse, Sibsey High Ferry, quarrelled on Friday last, and Root threw the woman out of the house. She then went to Frithville, a neighbouring district, with her daughter.

About 5 o’clock on Monday evening it is stated that Root, after leaving work, left Sibsey High Ferry armed with an axe and walked to where his wife was staying at Frithville. He entered the house, and is alleged to have at once attacked the poor woman, striking her a terrible blow with the axe, which split open her head, scattering the brains. Death was of course instantaneous.

Root ran from the house and the police who were soon in search of him found his dead body about midnight on the railway near to his home with the head partially severed from the body.

He had been run over by a train during the night, and there is little doubt that he committed suicide.

The body was removed to Sibsey. The inquests on both bodies were held on Wednesday and in the case of the wife the jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Root. In the other case a verdict of felo de se was returned.

Source: Skegness Herald 1902

If you use any of the information contained in this website please credit the research to Angela Gooch skegnesshistory.com