Len Hendershott

Beyond Doubt - the Murder of William Henry Hendershott Len Hendershott

The Murder of William Henry Hendershott by his Uncle and farmmate William Welter in December 1894 in St. Thomas, Ontario is explored along with the trial and subsequent hangings - one of only two double hangings in Canada. The murderer, William Welter and his accomplice John Hendershott were brought to justice by the Great Detective, John Wilson Murray, the inspiration for the character of Murdoch in the CBC Production of Murdoch Mysteries. They were contested in court in March, 1895 by the most eminent Crown Attorney in the Province, Britton Bath Osler and sentenced to death by William Ralph Meredith in his first trial since returning from politics as the leader of the Provincial Tory party. Finally, they were hung in June, 1895 by John Radclive, Canada's first professional hangman. This is a rare look into one of the most gruesome crimes committed in the history of Elgin County. The trial was carried in newspapers from San Francisco to New York.