John Gurd

Case record: John Gurd

Background

John Gurd was engaged to Miss Florence Adams and was looking forward to getting married. Florence announced to her fiancé: “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to marry you after all.” John Gurd, 29, was flabbergasted.

Florence Adams had broken off the engagement after it was revealed that he owed money to patients and tradesmen. Florence discovered that John Gurd owed money to some of the patients and several local tradesmen. She broke off the engagement, and in a letter to her former fiancé, she explained the reason.

John Gurd suspected that Florence Adams’s uncle, Henry Richards, had put her up to it and made no pretence of liking the young man. Gurd suspected that Richards was behind the letter. After brooding for three days, Gurd handed in his resignation at the asylum and returned to his family home in Shaftesbury. Gurd was an attendant at a lunatic asylum, and he had been engaged to the asylum’s housemaid, Florence Adams.

John Gurd met Henry Richards for a drink in Melksham, Wiltshire, and afterwards they went for a walk together. On April 9th, 1892, John Gurd travelled back to Melksham to confront the uncle.

The offence

During the ensuing argument on 19 April, Florence told him she wanted to call the wedding off but could give him no satisfactory explanation. John Gurd suspected that Henry Richards was behind the break up and decided to confront him.

As they strolled along the canal bank, Gurd shot Richards twice. Gurd was incensed and began to look for scapegoats. The murder was immediately reported to the police, and a woman standing nearby provided an excellent description.

John Gurd later tried to rouse the landlord of a pub at Corsley, near Warminster, in the middle of the night, hoping to get some food. When the landlord refused him, Gurd shot his horse and fled.

Investigation

A massive police hunt was mounted after the murder. Gurd was sighted at Bath and Frome. He gave away his whereabouts on the night of 12th April when he tried to gain entry to a pub at Corsley.

Superintendent Perret, Sergeant Enos Molden, and two constables hurried off in hot pursuit. Hearing the approach of the officers, Gurd turned and shouted, “Do you want me, Sir? Here I am.”

Superintendent Perrett replied that they wanted to speak to him in connection with a murder in Melksham. Gurd drew the revolver from his pocket and aimed at the constable.

Arrest

A constable advanced to within a few feet of the murderer, and in desperation Gurd aimed before he could fire. Before he could fire, the constable knocked him to the ground. The two wrestled, but Gurd managed to get a hand free. Still holding the revolver, he pointed it in the general direction of the others.

Two shots were fired; one hit Sergeant Molden squarely in the chest. The Sergeant collapsed and died shortly afterwards. By then, Gurd had been overpowered and handcuffed by the Superintendent and the two constables.

Once they had got their breath back, he was asked why he had shot the Sergeant. Gurd replied: “Because you did not give me time to shoot myself.”

Trial

John Gurd was charged with the murder of Harry Richards and Sergeant Molden. Angry crowds surrounded the Town Hall at Trowbridge the following day, when he was committed for trial at Salisbury Assizes.

Gurd was tried in front of Mr. Justice Charles. From early morning crowds gathered around Salisbury’s Guildhall, and a police cordon was formed to prevent “all and sundry” gaining admission to the courthouse.

At the start of the proceedings, Gurd was asked whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty to the charges. He replied that he was guilty. This came as a surprise to the judge and his defence lawyer. The judge told Gurd: “You must stand your trial.” Gurd replied: “I wish to say I am guilty and I am quite willing to die for what I have done.”

The judge and defence lawyers persuaded him to plead “not guilty,” and the trial got under way. His defence revolved around the fact he had been depressed and had been drinking all day when the crimes were committed. After his confession at the beginning of the trial, the jury took only eight minutes to return their guilty verdict.

Sentencing

Gurd was sentenced to death for the double murder of Sergeant Enos Molden and Harry Richards.

Timeline

• April 9th, 1892 — John Gurd travelled back to Melksham to confront Henry Richards and, later, shot Richards twice as Richards walked up Spa Road.

• 19 April, 1892 — Florence told John Gurd she wanted to call the wedding off but could give him no satisfactory explanation; Gurd suspected Henry Richards was behind the break up.

• 12th April, 1892 — Gurd tried to gain entry to the White Hart Inn at Corsley during an after-hours “lock-in” and shot a horse after being refused entry.

• July 26, 1892 — John Gurd was executed by hanging in Devizes Prison.

Outcome

John Gurd was found guilty of double murder following a trial. He was hanged by Billington.

An inquest held after the execution claimed that the drop had failed to break his neck, which had very strong muscles.

Aftermath

The threat of the death penalty was no deterrent to John Gurd. The hanging on 26th July 1892 was greeted with public celebration.

A huge crowd attended the funeral at Christchurch, Warminster, where a memorial still stands. The mourners included 120 policemen, headed by the Chief Constable, followed by the cortege and a band.

Sergeant Enos Molden’s name is inscribed on the London memorial. Sergeant Enos Molden was shot while trying to arrest John Gurd at the entrance to Longleat, near Warminster. Sergeant Molden was 49. It had been revealed that the day after the murder, Sergeant Molden had been due to return to Shrewton to receive a testimonial and a marble clock from the villagers as a token of their respect.

Other details

John Gurd hid out in the surrounding countryside after shooting Richards and became a fugitive. He went on the run and later turned up at the White Hart Inn, in Corsley, where he was recognised by the landlord. Police were alerted, and Sergeant Molden was shot while a second officer tried to wrestle the killer to the ground.