Wicked Words - A True Crime Talk Show with Kate Winkler Dawson Tenfold More Wicked - The Wolf Among Us: The Escape
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May 29, 2023 AI Snips
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John Tawell's Train Escape
- John Tawell escaped after poisoning Sarah Hart by rushing to catch a train at Slough station.
- He was easily identified by his distinctive Quaker garb but managed to board the first class carriage unnoticed at first.
Telegraph's Role in Crime Catching
- The electric telegraph line between Slough and Paddington was crucial for rapidly sending the murder suspect's description to London.
- Despite technical limits like missing the letter Q, operators improvised to communicate the critical information.
Complex Police Jurisdiction Issues
- Multiple police agencies with different jurisdictions complicated the investigation and apprehension of John Tawell.
- Coordination was haphazard despite appearances of slick telegraph use, reflecting early police communication challenges.