Murder at the Midland Station - Sheffield September 1900
When I described the murder of Walter Hague I had very little idea that there would be an outcome to the case. The attack seemed a random one and furthermore there was no discernable motive. The police confessed that they were baffled by the murder and given the nature of the crime I thought that a conviction would be quite a remote possibility.
I was therefore amazed that in the Manchester Times dated Friday 12th October 1900 a report stated
THE SHEFFIELD MURDER
A CONFESSION AT HULL
MARINE ENGINEER SURRENDERS HIMSELF
Between 11 and and 12 o'clock Monday night a man giving the name of GEORGE DONOVAN went to the Parliament-street police station, Hull and told the sergeant in charge that he had come to give himself up on the charge of murdering WALTER HAGUE at Sheffield on the 27th September, and for which he was wanted by Sheffield police. He said he was a marine foreman and was 38 years old. He further stated that he had been in Hull about a week, seeking a berth on a ship but had failed. In reply to interrogations he stated that he went from Hull to Sheffield on a visit, and met a woman with whom he became friendly. He bought he a hat or a bonnet and they intended to proceed to Hull together by the night train. He ad a lot to drink but they proceeded towards the station quietly together. Suddenly he missed his companion and going as directly as he could to the Midland Station he thought that he saw the woman that was to accompany him in company with another man. He promptly went forward to renegotiate with her whereupon her companion resented his intrusion and, as far as he could see, intended to follow it up with forcible methods. Upon this, and purely in self defence, and with no idea of doing serious injury to the man, he drew his knife and stabbed him. He lost his hat in the struggle and remained in Sheffield overnight. The prisoner then went on to state that he afterwards went on to Hull and the consciousness of the crime so worried him that he thought it would be best to give himself up to the authorities and have the matter put an end to.
Prisoner on Tuesday was taken to Sheffield. It is ascertained that the prisoner later seemed somewhat inclined to cast some doubt on his previous confession. He still adheres, however, to the statement that he remembers having an altercation, and that he made an attack on some person.
The man James Donovan was brought up at the Sheffield Court House on Wednesday. The case was taken before the Stipendiary Magistrate and Donovan was charged with wilful murder, the information being laid before the Chief Constable Commander Scott. Various witnesses were examined and afterwards the prisoner made a statement denying his alleged confession insisting that he was not sober when he made it after which he was remanded
The next article was 13 days later in the Manchester Times dated 25th October 1900
And that infuriatingly is as far as I can research it at the moment. I do not have access as yet to twentieth century newspaper - court reports. I can state that James Donovan was not executed for the crime but I am not aware of either the verdict or sentence.
Source
The Times, Sep 24, 1900; pg 9; Issue 36255; column D
The News of The World dated 30th September 1900
Illustrated Police News 29th September 1900
BMD Reference - Death September 1900 quarter Sheffield - Walter Hague age 23 Volume 9c Page 354
Manchester Times dated Friday 12th October 1900
Manchester Times dated Thursday 25thOctober 1900
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