Dodds/Mysterious Train Death in 1906

[Rodeo]

According to his death certificate, the body of Walter Dodds, solicitor, age 34, was found on 23 November 1906, at about 8:15 PM, 'on the North British Railway approximately ¼ mile from Lenzie Station.' The cause of death was cited as 'injuries to neck.' His usual residence was 5 Glenbank Terrace, Lenzie.

I presume that Walter was found on the tracks and not in a railway carriage. For some reason, the RCE relevant to this death isn't available online but I have requested it.

It's possible that the incident was reported in The Glasgow Herald or a local newspaper and an obituary published subsequently.

Does anyone have access to The Glasgow Herald archives who could kindly have a look for me? Alternatively, does anyone know which libraries in Lanarkshire hold these archives in their collections?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Rodeo

[NellW]

Here is a report from the Scotsman 26 November 1906. 

Killed on the Railway
Mr Walter D. Dodds, a Glasgow writer, residing at Lenzie, was killed on the railway on Friday night at a place about half a mile west of Lenzie Station. How he came to be on the line is not known.  The head was completely severed from the body. Deceased was a son of a former headmaster of Queen Mary Street School, Glasgow, and was himself very well known in the community.  He was for a time election sub-agent for the Unionist party in North-West Lanark, and subsequently election agent in the Kilmarnock Burghs.  He was about 33 years of age, married, and is survived by a widow but no family.

It's not likely the Herald would contain much more but if you contact the Mitchell library in Glasgow, they hold copies.

Helen

[Rodeo]

Hi Helen

Many thanks for so kindly posting that report of the tragic, and rather grisly, demise of Walter Dodds. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help.

All the best,

Rodeo

[Caltha]

I live at Lenzie Station and indeed walked along the path westwards only yesterday.  The path is quite regularly used - the one on the south side linking with Boghead Road and the one on the north side with the heathland of what is known as Lenzie Moss.

Regrettably it sounds to me very much like suicide, unless he was crossing the tracks.  I can think of no reason why he would have needed to cross the track at that point, however.

If you want a picture of that part of the track, i would be pleased to send it on to you.  Coincidentally, my GGGrandmother died on the railway in Glasgow in 1872.

[Rodeo]

I think you're quite right that it was suicide, Caltha. I had drawn the same conclusion.  However, we shall never know what drove Walter to such a desperate act .

Yes, I would love to have a photo of that part of the track at Lenzie. How did your GGGrandmother die on the railway in 1872?

Cheers,

Rodeo

[Caltha]

I'll get a pic tomorrow and email it to you.  My GGGM was also the subject of a newspaper report on her death.  She had met a man about some business earlier in the evening (perhaps a moneylender?) and was next found dead.  Murder was initially suspected, although I think they concluded suicide.  She was around 52 at the time with a family (and by GGGF).

I'll try bto find out a little more about poor Walter.  There is a small snooker club in Lenzie - the Lenzie Gentleman's Club, which has been going for over 115 years.  I'll try to find out if they have a minute relating to him.

I take it that he was a relation.  Coincidentally, I had a friend, Robert Dodds, who also lived in Lenzie some years ago, although he later went to Boston.  I don't think he was indigenous to the area though.  I hope that this helps.

Incidentally, I have attached two pictures you may find of interest.  One shows the station as it is now and another shows the 'centre' of the town around the time of Walter's death.  These would have been the only shops at that time and this picture has changed little.  The shops are less than 100 yards from the station.

Cheers

Caltha

[Rodeo]

Thanks so much, Caltha, for those images of Lenzie, which are very interesting indeed.

It may well be that Walter had some affiliation with the Lenzie Gentleman's Club you mention but I can tell you with certainty that, from 1899 until his death in 1906, he was a trustee of the Lenzie Bowling Club.

Have you managed to identify the man your GGGM met prior to her death on the railway?

Cheers,

Rodeo

[Caltha]

Yes, the man my GGGM met at the station was identified and interviewed.  He was the last person to see her apparently and his comments were incvluded within the newspaper coverage.  However, there was no mention of why he met her, other than on some businesss.

Like most of these things, I guess it will forever remain a mystery.

Cheers

Caltha