Richard Cartwright (murderer)

Richard Cartwright (1874 – February 1, 1903) was a British man convicted of the murder of Eliza Buck in Eccles, Lancashire, in 1902. The case garnered significant attention due to the brutality of the crime and the subsequent trial and execution of Cartwright.

Background:

Richard Cartwright was a collier (coal miner) working in the Lancashire coalfields. Little is known about his early life or motivations prior to the murder.

The Murder of Eliza Buck:

On September 29, 1902, Eliza Buck, a 74-year-old widow, was found murdered in her home in Eccles. She had been brutally attacked and robbed. The crime shocked the local community, and police launched an extensive investigation.

Investigation and Arrest:

Suspicion quickly fell on Cartwright, who lived nearby and was known to be in financial difficulties. Evidence linking him to the crime included footprints found at the scene that matched his boots, and the discovery of stolen items from Buck's home in Cartwright's possession. He was arrested and charged with murder.

Trial and Conviction:

The trial of Richard Cartwright took place at the Manchester Assizes in December 1902. The prosecution presented compelling evidence linking him to the crime, including circumstantial evidence and witness testimony. Cartwright maintained his innocence, but the jury found him guilty of murder.

Execution:

Richard Cartwright was sentenced to death by hanging. Despite appeals and petitions for clemency, his execution was carried out on February 1, 1903, at Strangeways Prison in Manchester. He was executed by hangman James Billington.

Significance:

The Cartwright case is notable for its brutality and the speed with which justice was served in the Edwardian era. It highlights the social conditions and the often harsh realities of life for working-class individuals in industrial England at the time. The case continues to be studied as an example of a significant criminal case from the period.