How many Teesdale people have been executed for murder in the past 150 years? The question comes from a student planning an essay on this gruesome topic.

Off-hand I can think of three, including two who were hanged at Durham Prison on the same day, August 2, 1875. One was Lizzie Pearson, 28, a mother of four from Gainford, who was convicted of murdering her 74-year-old uncle James Watson.

She was looking after the sickly fellow, but was alleged to have poisoned him with strychnine from a threepenny packet of vermin destroyer. She denied it strenuously, and the evidence against her seemed flimsy to say the least. The other doomed figure on the gallows that day was William McHugh, 36, an umbrella mender who lived with his wife and six children in Priory Yard, off Thorngate in Barnard Castle. He was convicted of murdering Thomas Mooney, 29, whose body was found in the Tees at Bridgegate. William Gallagher was also accused of the killing but was acquitted. It was reported that Mooney was killed after a late night drinking spree that turned into a squabble. The third person hanged was Joseph Lowson, 25, a miner, married with three children, of Butterknowle. He was convicted of murdering a policeman, Acting Sergeant William Smith, on Diamond Bank. Lowson met his end on May 27, 1884. His brother-in-law, William Siddle, also a pitman, was convicted and sentenced to death as well, but was given a late reprieve. It was a crime that caused great controversy, and the feeling among many was that justice was not done at the trial, at which a third man was cleared. There may have been other dale killers hanged, but there must be enough drama and tragedy in these three examples for any student essay. Let's hope she gets good marks.

There have long been arguments about whether camp fires should be allowed on the old bandstand site beside the Tees near Barnard Castle. But those who go there at night during weekends and sit around the flames do themselves no favours when they leave behind a dreadful mess. Beer bottles, cans, food wrappers and other debris lay among other rubbish on the riverbank on Monday morning along with the remains of a log fire. A litter bin stood empty nearby. The revellers have only themselves to blame if their frolics are outlawed in the near future. The spot is well used by walkers and families who call there for picnics in the summer. It is a shame that it is being spoiled for them. There was even evidence lately that attempts were made to set one of the benches on fire.

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