FIRST USE OF THE TELEGRAPH TO CATCH A MURDERER

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The origins of the ‘phone’ can be traced all the way back to our first technological form of communication – the telegraph. Telegraphy developed to what we know today, all the way from this much simpler device and concept. One event, involving the use of this technology to track and capture a wanted murderer, helped pave the way for these devices to become much more, illustrating their use to the world.

 

The telegraph was being worked on around the world, by scientists like Samuel Morse (the creator of the Morse code, used primarily for this device) in the USA. In the UK, a team of two, by the names of Cooke and Wheatstone, were developing their own telegraph device. Instead of utilising a language like the Morse code, they created a device which had five magnetic needles that were able to be manipulated with an electric current to point at a specific number or letter. This system was used quite commonly on railroad tracks around Britain.

 

Before the telegraph could flourish in the 1850s and onwards, with the help of government funding and support, the usefulness of this invention first had to be proven. Whilst it seemed promising, the prospect of widespread, long range communication, there was no point in mass producing it should it be insignificant or a failure of a creation. Thus, the technology desperately needed a chance to prove itself, to show that mass communication could be one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

 

In 1845, the police of Great Britain didn’t utilise any technological advancements to help with their work. This was a time before the police force even had cars, making technology not even a consideration for them. This is quite the stark contrast compared to what we see today, where anyone can reach any emergency service as long as they have a phone signal on their personal mobile, being automatically put through to someone waiting with their headset and computer, ready to assist you properly.

 

John Tawell brought upon himself financial debt, having to pay a woman he had an affair with, as well as two children. Child-support and the other fees he owed to the women drove John over the edge, as he resorted to murdering her to escape his issues. He bought two bottles of prussic acid, lacing her drink with the chemicals to create a deadly concoction. After feeing her the drink and fleeing, his ‘wife’ caused a noticeable enough scene to attract their neighbours, sparking alarm as a doctor was called. Sadly, frothing at the mouth and writhing in agony, Tawell’s wife could not be saved.

 

Quickly, the local Reverend was on scene, and rushed to the nearest train station, anticipating that Tawell would make his get away there. Managing to arrive just in time, he caught a fleeting glimpse of what Tawell was wearing, and what the suspect ultimately looked like. They saw that he was heading to Paddington, departing at 7:42pm, and felt dejected as they were unable to stop the murderer from escaping into the busy city of London.

 

Thankfully, Slough station – the one in which this scene unfolded – was one of the few stations at the time which was equipped with telegraph equipment for long distance communication. Telling the station conductor about what had happened, this message was sent along to Paddington station:

“A murder has just been committed at Salt Hill and the suspected murderer was seen to take a first-class ticket to London by the train that left Slough at 7.42pm. He is in the garb of a Kwaker [sic] with a brown great coat on which reaches his feet. He is in the last compartment of the second first-class carriage.”

 

With this information, the Sergeant on duty at Paddington station disguised himself as an ordinary man and followed after Tawell. He even mistook the Sergeant for a bus conductor, paying the police officer his fare. After finding where Tawell was residing, he brought with him an Inspector and made the arrest. Despite Tawell pleading that he wasn’t in Slough, the Sergeant told him:

“Yes you were sir, you got out of the train and got onto an omnibus and gave me sixpence.”

 

The suspect was found guilty of his crimes and sentenced for them accordingly. This was the first major record of the police using technology to assist in an arrest of a criminal, really highlighting the utility of the invention and how it could benefit the world in a greater sense. This event helped pave the way for the telephones and mobiles that we know and love today.