The Otley Murder
Buckle in for a story too gory for the Otley Ghost Tour:
The infamous Otley Murder took place in 17 Cambridge Street on 23rd November 1887. The streets were buzzing with festivity for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, and the Jubilee Clock in the market square had recently been erected. William Taylor was an abusive drunkard, and, on this day, became a murderer as well.
On his return from the pub, William initiated an altercation with his wife Hannah about a draft in the house. Escalating things beyond control, Hannah attempted to flee from her own home after he grabbed the shotgun from the wall, knowing what he would do. Unable to break free, William Taylor viciously murdered his own baby daughter and later a policeman with a shotgun in November 1887.
Annie Taylor and Superintendant Birkhill were both buried in the Otley cemetery. It is said that William Taylor appeared "excited" and "smiley" at his hearings, and was admitted to a mental asylum.
His wife, Hannah Taylor, despite attempting to flee the house with Annie, was unable to save her daughter. She remained at 17 Cambridge Street for three years following the killings, suffering constant public shame despite clearly being a victim herself.
Unsuprisingly, she cut contact with William, but one day received a letter from Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum:
"Hannah, I should be very pleased for you to come and see me. It would not take you long to come. Old Satan told me to pull my eyes out, and I cannot see anything now. I have nothing else fresh to tell you.
From your affectionate husband - W Taylor”
This letter was followed by another enclosed page:
"Madam: in forwarding the enclosed letter, written at your husband's request, I write to say that the statement he makes about having injured his eyes is, unfortunately, too true. In an attack of manical insanity and under the influence of delusion he destroyed the sight of his eyes with his fingers, when in his room one evening. He has, up to the present, so far recovered from the immediate effects of the injury, but something will have to be done to make his condition less uncomfortable. His sight, alas, is gone. His mind. I am glad to say. Is now comparatively tranquil.
Yours - Mr David Nicholson, MD, Medical Superintendant, Broadmoor Clinical Lunatic Asylum”
To read more about this story, take a look at Mark Bridgeman's 'Dark Side of the Dales': True stories of murder, mystery and robbery from Yorkshire's dark past.
