Harry Hammond Swindells

SWINDELLS murder.

The original source is probably wrong and in fact this is: Harry Hammond Swindells for the murder of James Wild.

Also reference to him here.

In 1877, fifty year old Swindells, a book-keeper at an Oldham foundry met Mrs Suzan- nah Wild, a wealthy widow and mother of two and after a short courtship the couple married. Mrs Wild had been left a successful yeast business and a healthy annual income. After the wedding Swindells left his job at the foundry and began working for his wife's business. Very soon, he began pestering her for the money which he knew she had, and when she eventually relented, he quickly frittered a large sum away on drinking and womanising. Mrs Swindells seemed to tolerate her husband's behaviour for a while but when a friend informed her he was responsible for another woman's pregnancy, she threw him out of the house. Swindells used some of his wife's money to emigrate to America, only to return home when it had run out and attempt to win his wife, and her wealth, back. Despite his constant attempts. Mrs Swindells, with the backing of her children, refused his pleas. In July 1884, Swindells called at the house and made a scene, and his stepdaughter was sent to fetch her Uncle Jim who lived nearby. James Wild who was fifty nine, hurried to the house and told Swindells to leave. a request which quickly erupted into a fierce quarrel. The step-daughter was again sent to find assistance, this time a policeman. Before help could arrive. Wild was shot dead. Swindells fled the scene and a thorough search failed to find him. It was assumed he had managed to return to America and the hunt cooled. but a few weeks later he was spotted dressed as a tramp near Oldham, and taken into custody. He was sentenced to death and hanged on the 24th November 1884 in Manchester by Berry and Chester.