Herbert Nottingham Turner

Herbert Turner was murdered whilst sleeping rough at a works.

During the struggle he had the thumb on his left hand cut off whilst warding off a blow.

He was a conjurer and better known as Mexican Joe although he was born in Pontefract.

At the coroner’s inquest his brother was unable to corroborate whether or not Henry Turner had ever been treated in a London hospital for swallowing a sword.

Earlier on the night he was killed Henry Turner had been to a man’s house to get a place to stay but was told that it was too late for a doss house. Henry Turner had asked if he could sleep in the pipe works but was told that he couldn't because of the watchman and was directed to the other works which were just under the hill where his mutilated body was later found.