Tragic Affair at Perry Barr

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Date:11th of February 1899 - 13th of February 1899 (c.)

Description:These cuttings deal with the deal of Harry Reginald Bradley who drowned when his mother jumped into the canal at Perry Barr while holding him. (Use the 'zoomify ' function to make the cuttings readable.)

The missing portion at the end reads
'tried to save her baby, but she could not, she was so weak from having carried it so far. When charged with murder she knew that the child was dead. She could not manage her home properly. Her husband treated her too kindly. When she said she would destroy herself and her child on the previous day it was merely a threat. It was true that two of her brothers in India had committed suicide. The jury returned a verdict of 'Wilful murder' against Susannah Bradley, adding a rider that they were unanimously of opinion that she was not accountable for her actions when she committed the act. Prisoner who up to this point had not betrayed the slightest emotion now burst into tears.'

Sadly a further cutting dated 15 February is a letter from a J Adams reporting that the triplets born to Susannah Bradley's sister had all died. The children were named Faith, Hope and Charity.

From the G.H. Osborne collection of newscuttings

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Image courtesy of: Birmingham Central Library

Donor ref:L93.2 G H Osborne Collection (15/3096)

Source: Local Studies & History Department ,  Birmingham Central Library

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