*Illustrated Police News - Saturday 14 August 1909*

On the morning of Saturday, 7th August 1909, 46-year-old Henry James Cross was woken for work at 5.30am by his 16-year-old daughter. What she would soon discover, however, was far beyond the ordinary: Henry's wife of almost 25 years, Jenny, was dead on the floor beside their bed. Henry’s first words were “I have done it this time.” He kissed his wife and then walked into Wesham to turn himself into the police.

When PC Willacy arrived at Slack Cottages, he was greeted by an awful scene. The bedroom was covered in blood - on the floor, the walls, and the ceiling. Jenny's arms bore the marks of desperate attempts to protect herself from the ash sapling Henry had used to beat her. Her left arm was broken, and her skull was visible, with her left ear nearly torn from her head. Her death was attributed to shock and blood loss from the brutal injuries.

Henry and Jenny had married on Valentine's Day in 1885, and over the years, they had nine children, five of whom were still living at home in 1909. Henry worked as a platelayer for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, and his colleagues described him as a “nicer man than Cross could not be found on the railway.” But behind closed doors, trouble brewed.

Jenny had developed an alcohol problem, which led to frequent quarrels between the couple. One particularly upsetting argument had occurred recently when Jenny had spent money that Henry had given her to pay a £9 bill on alcohol instead. Jenny had also threatened to leave Henry for another man, and had grown particularly fond of William Dagger, a local man for whom she had washed and baked after his wife passed away. Jenny was often seen drunk and had visited Dagger’s home on multiple occasions.

The tragic events of 6th August 1909 marked the culmination of these tensions. Henry, having been drinking that evening in Wesham, met Jenny at the Lane Ends Hotel just before closing time. They left the pub together, arm in arm, for their walk home, but an argument quickly erupted. Jenny ran inside to escape, seeking refuge in the bedroom where their children were sleeping. But Henry caught up with her before she could lock the door.

In full view of their children, the youngest only three, Henry began to beat Jenny with a stick. Their 16-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Alice, screamed “Don’t, Daddy, don’t” and attempted to intervene, but she was threatened with a thrashing herself. The violence lasted for about 15 minutes before Henry removed his jacket and waistcoat, continuing the assault for another ten minutes. At one point, he threatened Jenny, saying, “If you don’t get up, I will come to you again.” But Jenny didn’t respond. Eventually, Henry fell asleep. Elizabeth Alice, with the help of a neighbour, placed Jenny on the bed.

The brutal killing, now known as the "Weeton Tragedy," captured the public’s attention. The trial was closely followed, with reports detailing every moment of the court proceedings. People from all over the Fylde came to witness the case, many being turned away from the packed courtroom. Even Jenny’s funeral attracted crowds, but the Weeton vicar refused to let the curious attend her burial.

In court, Henry showed clear remorse. He broke down when the stick used in the attack was shown, and he made arrangements for Jenny’s proper burial, instructing the police on his club money. Locals, who had some sympathy for him, even petitioned the court for leniency and helped fund his defence. The judge concluded that Henry had not intended to kill his wife but had allowed passion to overtake him. As a result, Henry was sentenced to 14 years for manslaughter.