Francis Smith's Trial Started a Week After the Shooting of James Millwood

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Francis Smith's trial started a little more than a week after the shooting. The argument was really became an argument of law as to whether he should be found guilty of murder or of manslaughter for what he'd done. James Millwood's sister Anne Millwood testified that she and her brother had been at their father's house that night. Shortly after she heard someone yell, who are you? And then, what are you? I'll shoot you. Immediately followed by a gunshot. She went outside and discovered her brother dead.

In the winter of 1803, residents outside of London reported strange encounters with a ghost. Some said it looked like Napoleon Bonaparte, or a horse without a head. Others said the ghost breathed fire and smoke. By Christmas, there was a “full-scale phantom panic.” Shortly after the New Year, one man decided he’d stop the ghost once and for all.

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