The Last Days of
A Fatal Friendship:
Grace Hamilton's Final Act

 

Episode Summary

Trigger warning – This episode covers the topic of suicide. 
In this episode, we go back to Glasgow in 1883 and explore the tragic murder of 22-year-old Grace Hamilton, a rising theatrical star. The episode looks at the relationship between Grace, whose real name was Janet Russell, and Galbraith Macpherson, a well-connected gentleman from Glasgow. As jealousy and mental instability intertwine, the narrative unfolds with Galbraith’s violent outburst leading to a shocking murder-suicide. The episode also touches on similar historical crimes in the area, providing a broader context of the period’s societal issues. With detailed accounts from historical newspapers, a picture is painted of the events of December 1833 and the aftermath, offering a poignant look at a historical crime.

Please Be Advised – This episode may contain content that some may find distressing. As always, we advise listener discretion. This episode it not suitable for anyone under the age of 13.

Listen on:

Murder Of A Pantomime Artist. | The Era | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

In Glasgow. Suicide Of The Murderer. | Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Terrible Tragedy In Glasgow. Murder Of An Actress. Surcide Of The Murderer. | Dundee Weekly News | Saturday 08 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Shocking Murder and Suicide At | Banffshire Reporter | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murder and Suicide. | Alloa Circular | Wednesday 12 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murder Of An Actress Hi . Glasgow. Suicide Of The Murderer. | Evening Gazette (Aberdeen) | Saturday 08 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murder Of An Acirb9s In Glasgow. Sficide Of Tue Murderer- | Kirkcaldy Times | Wednesday 12 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Charwoman – Wikipedia

The Murder Of An Actress In Glasgow. The Antecedents Of M`Pherson. | Evening Gazette (Aberdeen) | Monday 10 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murder and Suicide In Glasgow. | East Kent Times and Mail | Thursday 13 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murder or An Actre S.-Suicide Of The Murderer. | Alcester Chronicle | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murder Of An Actress. | Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser | Wednesday 12 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Shocking Murder Of An Actress. | Worcestershire Chronicle | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murders. | Manchester Times | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Shocking Tragedy In Glas- Murder Of An Actress, and Suicide Of “i”‘He Miirdrer. | Northern Weekly Gazette | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Terrible Crime In Glasgow. Murder Of An Actress. and Suicide Of Vie 2suederer. | Weekly Scotsman | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murder Of An Actress. Suicide Of The Murderer. | North British Daily Mail | Saturday 08 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Murder Of An Actress. | Nottingham Evening Post | Saturday 08 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

A West,end Tragedy. Landlady Ahoy By Dnb Lodge% | Glasgow Weekly Mail | Saturday 03 March 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

The Glasgow Tragedy. Death Of Miss Jack. | Kirkcaldy Times | Wednesday 21 March 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

The Gilfillan Case. | Dundee Courier | Friday 26 April 1878 | British Newspaper Archive

The Mysterious Murder In Glasgow. | Bradford Daily Telegraph | Tuesday 29 January 1878 | British Newspaper Archive

The Mysterious Murder In Glasgow. | Dundee Evening Telegraph | Monday 28 January 1878 | British Newspaper Archive

The Mysterious Murder T\t Glasgow. | Huddersfield Chronicle | Saturday 02 February 1878 | British Newspaper Archive

Expected Heavy Floods In The Midlands. O | Echo (London) | Monday 28 January 1878 | British Newspaper Archive

Suspicious Affair In Glasgow. | Falkirk Herald | Thursday 31 January 1878 | British Newspaper Archive

The Lost Heir Glencorran; Or, The Emigrants. | Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser | Saturday 15 December 1883 | British Newspaper Archive

Millport, Great Cumbrae – Wikipedia

BBC – A History of the World – Object : Grand Theatre and Opera House, Glasgow

Oban railway station – Wikipedia

Tay Bridge disaster – Wikipedia

Scottish Murders is a production of Cluarantonn

Hosted by Dawn

Researched and Written by Dawn Young

Edited and Produced by Erin Ferguson – instagram.com/erinfergus0n/

Production Company Name by Granny Robertson

 

Intro and Outro Music:

ES_Battle of Aonach Mor – Deskant epidemicsound

 

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