The Murder of Kate Garrity

information from the Oldham Chronicle, Thursday 21 Dec 1905

Kate Garrity, having been given two shillings by her mother, was sent out with a jug and a bottle to buy beer and whisky. She took a route that passed the corner of Greenfield Lane and Moss Hey Street. This was a popular short cut leading to Moss Hey. It was an open space occupied by various stables.
Kate did not return home that night and a search was instigated with no result. She was discovered the next morning about 7am by Robert Griffiths when he went to Brierley’s Stable to collect the horse and cart.

A Chronicle representative was one of the first on the scene and found a large number of rumours flying around and so relied on the police reports. These report varied as to what might have happened.
PC Moffat alongside PC Harrop told him the girl went out on Tuesday evening and did not return. It was not mentioned that the corpse was covered with sacking. When asked if there was anything serious about the case PC Moffat stated that he did not think so. The body had been examined and no marks of violence were found upon it. No signs of foul play had been detected. He did not mention that froth had come from the mouth.
A witness stated that he had seen John also known as Jack Griffiths and Kate arguing earlier and that Jack had made a lunge for Kate. He was later seen entering the Temperance Club on the Duke of York corner. Jack was picked up from the Temperance Club and further evidence was obtained from the fact that one of his clogs had a broken iron and this matched a footprint found at the scene.
On Thursday morning, the 29.12.1905, at a special Police Court held at Shaw Police Station, John Griffiths age 19 of Moss Hey, Shaw was charged with the murder of Kate Garrity, age 19, also of Moss Hey, Shaw. The inspector cautioned the prisoner before charging him. On hearing the charge the prisoner fell fainting into a chair.
A remand was requested until Saturday 31.12. 1905 at the Royton Police Court. A large public interest was taken in the case and a large crowd of men and women waited outside the court until the proceedings were concluded.
Later it emerged that there was a mark around her neck and the charge of murder was influenced by the Doctor's opinion that she had been strangled.

The prisoner is the son of Robert Griffiths the man who found the body. Although information from the police was not very forthcoming it has been stated that blood was found on the sacks that covered the body, and on the stable door from where it is believed the sacks came.
John Griffiths and Kate Garrity had been friends since they were children and it was said that of late they had been seen walking out together. Jack was said to be a clean living, teetotaller and played football for the Temperance Club.
The main trial was held on 3.2.1906 and the jury took only 19 minutes to reach a guilty verdict. His execution was fixed for the 27th Feb 1906.

Contributor Pat Etchells