THE MURDER OF MELVILLE WATSON, 1914
Thomas Simms, the landlord of the Horse & Jockey Inn on Leabrooks Road, Somercotes is probably the most infamous of all landlords in Somercotes and the surrounding district. In 1914 he murdered Melville Watson, a partner in the firm of Wm. Watson & Sons, Auctioneers, and then whilst still at the scene of the murder Simms committed suicide. This event was widely published in the newspapers. Following is a full transcript of the Coroner’s Inquest into the incident as published in the Derby Daily Telegraph on 18 June 1914: “THE ALFRETON TRAGEDY - DAY'S INQUEST - BROTHERS GRAPHIC STORY - WILFUL MURDER AND FELO DE SE [a term denoting an illegal act of suicide]. The Coroner for the district (Dr. A. Green, of Chesterfield) held his inquiry this (Thursday) afternoon into the circumstances attending the terrible tragedy which was enacted at Alfreton on Wednesday morning, and which caused such a sensation throughout the whole county. Both the victims were well known in the locality, Mr. Melville Watson a partner in a well-known business firm, and his murderer Thomas Simms, not only as landlord of the Horse and Jockey, Somercotes, but also as belonging to a family long connected with the farming industry in the same district. The proceedings took place in the billiard-room the George Hotel, Alfreton, and it was inconveniently crowded with jurors, the general public, and newspaper-men. The Coroner, at the outset, briefly outlined the story of the crime, and said they would no doubt like to express their sympathy with Mr. Watson's relatives in their terrible bereavement. Inasmuch as both men were dead, and no further proceedings could possibly be taken, it would not be necessary to go into all the facts, and it would be sufficient for the purposes of this inquiry to accept the general story. Arthur William Watson was the first witness. He said was managing clerk to the firm of William Watson and Sons, auctioneers and valuers, Alfreton, of which Mr. Melville Watson, his brother, was a partner. His brother was 45 years of age. Witness was in his own private office adjoining Mr. Melville Watson's room when the tragedy occurred. This was about 10 a.m. Witness did not know that Simms was there until he heard his voice.
The Coroner: Was he speaking in angry tones?- Witness: No, he seemed to be speaking in ordinary language. They were in the passage just outside witness's brother's office door. The telephone was there. Simms had visited the office before on business, but he was not a frequent visitor. Suddenly, witness heard three shots in quick succession, and jumping from his stool rushed into the passage. He saw Simms standing near the telephone, and catching hold of him swung him round to pull him out of the way while he looked round for his brother. While witness had hold of him, Simms put a revolver to his head and fired.
Did you leave hold of him?-l don't know what happened then. I left Simms to look after my brother, whom I found lying on his back in the passage, bleeding from the mouth. Witness added that until the doctor told him he did not know that Simms was dead. Witness thought Simms was going away when the tragedy occurred.
Do you know of any grievance which this man Simms had with your brother?-l think he had an imaginary grievance, but am not sufficiently acquainted with the circumstances to into it. It has been said that the trouble was about a valuation, but that was not true, as my brother never made any valuation for Simms at all.
The Coroner: All sorts of rumours get about at these times. Witness: I can tell you what I know of the matter between my brother and Simms. Simms took a farm under my brother and then gave it up.
Do you know anything of the character of the man Simms?-l have known him from a boy. Would you say he was a man with a hot temper?-He was the last man I should expect to commit an act of this kind - I have never seen him in a temper, and this thing seems to me to be foreign to his nature. If I was to express an opinion I should say he was mad with drink.
Was he a hard drinker?-l should not like say that. He was in very low circumstances and was no doubt troubled in his mind about his private concerns.
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Years later, I recall chatting to well known boxer Billy Shinfield, who recalled the incident very well, He was on his way home from school and saw the police carrying the bodies into the town hall on the high street.
It was a gruesome sight he said, blood was dripping from the blanket covered stretchers.
Billy ran home to tell his father Nehemiah Shinfield, who had recently bought at auction 5 houses which make up Raglan street, he paid in cash to Mr Watson the sum of 982 pounds and 10 shillings. Nehemiah was shocked and wondered if the houses would ever be his property or if the money was lost forever. Eventually Nehemiah did receive the houses but only after a very long delay.
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