James Dalgleish

Dalgleish had moved to Penrith in 1870 and had held several good jobs in the town. Early in 1876, he was sacked from his last position and took to drink. On the evening of 24th September, he entered the parlour being shared by his landlady, Sarah Wright, and her cousin. They were awoken, and the cousin saw him whisper something to Mrs Wright, who followed him from the room, returning immediately. Later that night, the cousin woke and saw a figure leave the room. She turned up the gas and found Mrs Wright lying beaten to death on the bed. Her screams alerted the other lodgers and Dalgleish was seen entering his room covered in blood. A bloodstained billhook was found in his room and he later confessed. Sentenced to death by Mr Justice Lopes at Manchester Assizes on 31st November. No motive was ever established for the crime although witnesses testified that they had frequently quarrelled over rent money. Twenty seven year old Dalgleish was hanged by Thomas Askern in Carlisle on the 19th December 1876.