Exploring the Gruesome 1868 Outrage and Murder in Scotland
News of the Times Episode 444 | 1869
In today’s episode, we journey back to Scotland to the year 1868 — a time of change. And at the heart of it, a crime so chilling in its day, it would capture international attention.
Robert Smith, a young drifter, and man of occasional employment one fateful day, visits a house with a lone middle aged woman with a nefarious plan in mind.
However, his plan is diverted when a nine-year-old girl crosses his path. Her errand of fetching groceries becomes her last journey. She never makes it to the store.
But Smith isn’t finished. Believing he has only one witness, he returns to silence the lone woman forever.
And so, in Dumfries, Scotland, in front of a silent crowd, Robert Smith would meet his end — his execution marking the final public hanging in Scottish history.
In our further particulars segment at the end of this episode, we take a look at one of final assignments of England’s most prolific executioner, William Calcraft. The man who hanged hundred would soon hang up his own noose.
Hosted by Robin Coles.

#NewsofTheTimes #truecrimedocumentary #truecrime #truecrimepodcast #victorian #history #scotland

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EPISODE
If you like this, here are links to some other recommended videos:
1868: Frances Kidder– the Last female Public Execution | Ep100
https://youtu.be/zK4WuKx9p8k
1865-1920: Madness, Mayhem and Murder on the Railways | Ep106
https://youtu.be/TgAqhsp3xdY
1869: The Pantin Massacre | Ep125
https://youtu.be/PmxL0CE5iUY
1865: Dr Edward Pritchard | Ep131
https://youtu.be/w0XXXGnE-6g
1866: The Todmorden Murders | Ep137
https://youtu.be/wDrB26rPxWQ
1859-1861: Forgotten Fridays 1859-1861 | Ep142
https://youtu.be/4SXWSqdr9Mw
1869 - 1898: Joseph Vacher - The French Ripper | Ep159
https://youtu.be/-yBOUy0ZTs8
1862: Martin Dumollard: The Maid Killer | Ep179
https://youtu.be/Bx-GZSxRAec

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