See also
1 Charlotte PRIDGEON1 (c. 1850-1874) [444]. Born c. 1850, MI.1 Died 6 Mar 1874, Detroit, MI.1 Cause: Stab wound inflicted by knife wielded by William Thomas Underwood. Buried 8 Mar 1874, Royal Oak Cemetery.2
Article on Charlotte's murder in the Detroit News, March 7, 1874.
"FATAL FLIRTING. Charlotte Pridgeon Tantalized Her Lover. AND PAID FOR IT IN HER HEART'S BEST BLOOD. A SAD STORY OF WOMAN'S FOLLY AND MAN'S WRATH. Some strange Incidents of a Strange Courtship - - A Sinless Liaison. Last evening a shocking murder was committed at the house of Mr. Straight, No 240 Lafayette street east. THE VICTIM was Miss Charlotte Pridgeon, aged 23 years who had been boarding at Straight's since Wednesday last. She was a sister of Capt. John Pridgeon of this city. The murderer was William Thomas Underwood, an Englishman 33 years of age, who is by trade a sailor, and has also worked in shipyards in this city. Last evening about 7 o'clock Underwood called at Straight's house to see Miss Pridgeon. After being in the house a few minutes she asked him to go out and take a walk, to which he assented. After being out for about an hour they returned to the house, when she bid him good-night and rapped at the door. Underwood then drew a knife and FRANTICALLY STABBED HER IN THE HEART. He then ran into the street, and ran down Lafayette street to Antoine, and thence to Gratiot street, where he met patrolman E.F. Deitrich, and surrendered himself. A few second after Miss Pridgeon was stabbed, Mr. Straight answered her rapping by opening the door, when she staggered into the hall, gasping out: "I am dying, I am stabbed. THAT MAN KILLED ME." Mr. Straight caught her in his arms, her blood welling out in a torrent from the gaping wound, and covering her dress and the carpet. She died in a few moments. The consternation of the family and some visitors then in the house may be imagined. After the news of the horrible deed spread around, the house was crowded with friends and relatives of the deceased, as well as strangers, attracted by a morbid curiosity. SHE WAS TALL AND GRACEFUL, with a handsome face, and blonde hair and complexion. When alive her manner was engaging and pleasant, and with her prepossessing appearance made her a general favorite with the other sex. Her features, when cold in death, bore little trace of the agony or horror, except a noticeable contraction of the mouth and muscles of the face. As soon as possible, the police authorities were summonsed, and coroner Rowley and Griffin arrived and HELD AN INQUEST, Officer Deitrich being sent for, testified the Underwood had come up to him on Gratiot street, looking wild and excited, and said, "Have you got your handcuffs with you?" He asked him the reason of his inquiry, when Underwood said "Come along and I will tell you." They went into a neighborhood saloon, where Underwood called for and drank two glasses of whisky. He then said to Deitrich, "I have killed my love; take me and lock me up." and was taken to the Gratiot street station where between his groans and sobs he told the local?ty and some of the circumstances of the murder. Mr. Straight testified to the circumstances detailed above, and Mrs. Klaney [Canney], sister of the murdered girl, testified that Charlotte had called at her house yesterday forenoon, since which time she had not seen her till she beheld her dead. THE JURY RETURNED A VERDICT that the deceased came to her death from a wound inflicted with a knife by William Thomas Underwood. THE MURDERER'S REMORSE. Underwood, since his incarceration has betrayed a pitiable amount of anguish. Were it not for the horrible position in which he is placed, and the dreadful act he has committed, his conduct might be characterized as weak and childish. He paces his cell, grovels on the stone floor or frantically throws himself on the wooden bench in paroxysms of weeping and wailing. He is about five foot eight in height, and weighs about 140 pounds. He is somewhat round-shouldered, and his appearance is the very reverse of a lady-killer, in the common acceptation of the term, being plain in face and figure and having the appearance of a hard working, honest, and common-place looking man. He is decently dressed, but has not a particle of style about him. His hair is brown and straight, and he has light whiskers under his chin and a thin, light moustache. His face is partially bronzed with out-door work, and his hands show that he has been used to severe manual labor His statement, as given by himself to an EVENING NEWS reporter, is as follows, though more connected, in form, and omitting many pauses and exclamations, in which he seemed unable to proceed, or answer questions. THE MURDERERS STORY. "My name is William Thomas Underwood. I am a native of London, England. All my relatives live there, - - father, mother, sister, brother, and other relatives. I always address my letters to my cousin, William Waker, 3 Grove Terrace, Bishop's Road, Bayswater, London. I have been in this country for 14 years, and for the last ten years have been in different places on the lakes. I was married in Cleveland, but my wife and I separated. It was all my fault. I used to drink then. Last summer I sailed on the John Burt, but most of the time I have worked in a shipyard in this city. THE FIRST TIME I SAW CHARLOTTE was on the 29th of November last. I was boarding at her sister-in-law's, Mrs Eliza Pridgeon, and she used to come there. She had been going with three or four young men, but she gave them all up for me. It was on Christmas that I first told her my love, and she agreed to go with me, and give everybody else up. She was always changing her boarding place, staying with one sister or sister-in-law and then with another. I LOVED HER BETTER THAN MY LIFE, but she used to torment me awfully." The reporter asked him whether the fact that she found out about his having a wife in Cleveland influenced her conduct in the latter respect. "No; she told me that she had written to my wife, and had received for answer that everything between her and me was at an end, and Charlotte said she was satisfied as to that. My wife sent me back her wedding-ring and said she was never going to get married again. I don't know whether she ever got a divorce or not." Reporter - - Did you live with Miss Pridgeon? Underwood - - Yes, I'll tell you about that. Some time ago she went out to see a friend in Clio, and when she came back she came up to the shipyard after me. We were engaged to be married then. I went with her to the Paris Hotel, near the foot of Riopelle Street, and we lived there for a week, sleeping together every night. BUT SHE WAS A VIRTUOUS GIRL. It may seem strange, but I would swear my life on it, so far as I am concerned. Her folks were all down on her about going with me. They said there was something curious about it. SHE USED TO TORMENT ME about a man she knew in Clio, and used to get telegrams from him, and would show me only the top address of them and keep me nearly distracted. I told her three times solemnly, "Now Lottie, if you don't love me, tell me, and I will go." But when we would get so far as that, she would say, 'I do love you, Tommy, and I can't live without you.' But she would go on just as bad in a little while. After we were engaged I PAID HER BOARD AND EXPENSES, and bought her things. "She concluded to leave her sister-in-law's house and go to another boarding house. I went with her to Mr. Straight's, and we were accompanied by Mrs. Turner, who lives at 122 Franklin street. I paid $5 for her board in advance. Mrs. Turner recommended her as a respectable young lady, that was to be married to me. I went every night to see her. Mr. Straight was to have a sociable, or party, last night, and he and his wife invited me. Lottie knew that I was invited. When I got to the house she said as soon as I got in, that she wanted to go out with me. She put on her things and we had no sooner got out, than SHE BEGAN AT ME. She said my clothes and appearance were not good, and that I should not try to disgrace her by coming into company with her dressed that way. I said, "My God, Lottie, you know that I give you every cent I can get, and I can't do that and dress up too." Then she said if I had no respect for myself I might have some for her. HER WORDS CUT ME TO THE HEART. No one will ever know what I have done for that girl. Here was I, engaged to be married to her, and paying her bard, and when I came into the house I found that she had agreed to be the partner of a Gentleman who had been invited to the party. If she had told me that she didn't want me to come I would have stayed away. When we came to the door I asked her if she intended to keep her word and marry me. She wouldn't give me any satisfaction. She told me if I went in with her, she would leave the house and go away that moment, and take up with the Clio gentleman. I WAS OUT OF MY SENSES and I did not know what I was doing. My heart was nearly bursting, and I could hardly see anything before my eyes. I am the murderer of my love. I KNOW NOW THAT SHE LOVED ME. Oh, my God, if I could see her. Do you think they will let me see her?" The reporter said it was altogether improbable, and, after some further conversation, left the murderer in his lonely cell, a prey to the most vivid remorse, and declaring piteously that all he wished was to be laid in the same grave with her. THE MURDERER'S WEAPON was a knife such as sailors generally use. The blade is about five inches long, and he wore it in a sheath attached to a leather belt round his waist. LOVE LETTERS. At the station may be seen a number of letters addressed to him from Miss Pridgeon, in which she used the most affectionate terms, such as "Dear Willie," and "Ever your Lottie."
A similar article was also published in the Detroit Free Press and abbreviated versions were found in the March 8, 1874 Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia), the March 12, 1874 Athens Messenger (Athens, Ohio) and the March 9, 1874 Daily Democrat (Sedalia, Missouri).
The mental state of the murderer was detailed in the Detroit News and Free Press. The Free Press article of March 10, 1874 follows.
"THE PRIDGEON TRAGEDY. The murderer Underwood Determined to Starve Himself to Death. The remains of the murdered Charlotte Pridgeon were taken to Royal Oak and buried on Sunday. Underwood is still in jail, but has neither slept or eaten a mouthful of food since his arrest. The jail officials and several friends have in vain tried to persuade him to take rest and eat, but all their importunities he has but one reply: "My love can't eat no more, and I'll never eat no more too." Day and night he paces up and down, and he is now grown so weak that he can with difficulty keep his feet. Sunday evening Dr. D.C. Yemans administered a hypodermic injection of morphine, in the hope that it would produce sleep, but the drug had no visible effect upon him. He is gradually becoming demented, and there is little reason to believe that he will not survive very long. He pays no heed whatever to his fellow prisoners, and whenever outsiders question him about the deplorable affair of which he is the unhappy cause his emotion is as great as when he first came to realizing sense of what he did on that fatal Friday night. It is understood that a council of physicians will be called in his case."
That the murderer, William Thomas Underwood, did survive however, is learned in part of a biographical sketch of Henry M. Cheever (counsel for the defense) from Landmarks of Wayne County and Detroit by Robert B. Ross and George B. Catlin, 1898 as follows:
"In the Underwood murder case, at Detroit in 1878, the defendant was charged with the murder of Lottie Pridgeon by stabbing her. The killing was admitted; it seemed to be without possible provocation or excuse, and so strong was public sentiment and the press against the prisoner that the judge before whom the case was tried expressed surprise that any defense should be attempted. The defense was emotional insanity, and the prisoner was acquitted."
From the Inter Ocean (Chicago).
December 11, 1874 - "Underwood is amusing himself in the insane department of the State prison by innocently whittling out ships, while he patiently awaits his examination and discharge. - Detroit News. Underwood it will be remembered, assassinated Miss Pridgeon at Detroit."
From the Wheeling Register (Wheeling WV).
April 28, 1875 - "GOOD NEWS FOR INSANE CRIMINALS. Special Telegram to teh Inter-Ocean.
Detroit, Mich., April 27.-- The State Supreme Court to-day decided to be unconstitutional the law providing that men acquitted of crim on the plea of insanity shal be confined in the INsane Asylum. Under this decision, Underwood, who stabbed Miss Pridgeon here in a fit of insane jealousy, will be discharged from the asylum connected with the State Prison.".
2 John Hayes PRIDGEON3 (c. 1798-c. 1879) [436]. Born c. 1798, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, England.3,4 Bap 22 Sep 1799, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, England. Marr Maria ROBSON 26 Dec 1826, Horkstow Church, Lincolnshire, England.3 Died c. 15 Jan 1879, Birmingham, MI.5 Buried Royal Oak Cemetery.5
Hayes and Maria and family left Liverpool, England on the ship "Carolin Auguste", arriving in New York on October 27, 1837. Nat'l Archives Series No. M237, Microfilm Number 35, List No. 898 as follows:
"Hayes PRIDGION 40 yrs, Occupation: Farmer, Maria 34 yrs, William 11 yrs, Henry 10 yrs, Hayes 9 yrs, Mary Ann 1 yr, Country of Origin: England. Country of Destination: Michigan. Ship Name: Ship Carolin Auguste Port of Departure: Liverpool. Port of Arrival: New York Arrival Date: Oct 27, 1837"
From the Detroit Free Press, January 16, 1879. "Died. PRIDGEON - In this city, on the morning of the 18th inst. at the residence of his son-in-law, Henry Fuller, 478 East Congress st., Hays Pridgeon, father of Capt. John Pridgeon, aged 81 years. Funeral at Royal Oak, on Friday the 17th inst., at 1 o'clock p.m."
From the Birmingham Eccentric, January 24, 1879. "Friday January 17th the funeral of Hayes Pridgeon of Detroit, father of Captain John Pridgeon was held in the M.E. Church of this village. Sermon by Rev. S.E. Warren after which the remains were interred in the Royal Oak Cemetery.".
4 Joshua PRIDGEON3 (1772-1850) [464]. Born 29 May 1772, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.3 Marr Mary HAYES 23 Mar 1795, Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, England. Marr Ann ROBSON 13 Jun 1825, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England. Died 1850, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England.3
8 Thomas PRIDGEON3 (c. 1722-1798) [472]. Born c. 1722.3 Marr Mary SEYMOUR 10 Jun 1762, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.3 Died 23 Apr 1798, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.3
9 Mary SEYMOUR3 ( -c. 1817) [473]. Marr William PARKER 15 Dec 1803, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.3 Died c. Feb 1817, Friskney, Lincolnshire, England.3 Buried 22 Feb 1817.3
Note on Marriage to Thomas PRIDGEON: In the presence of Andrew Robins and William Walker.
5 Mary HAYES (1770-1824) [465]. Born 1770, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England. Died 1824, Surfleet, Lincolnshire, England.
10 Robert HAYES ( - ) [491].
11 JEAN ( - ) [492].
3 Maria ROBSON3 (c. 1807-bef1870) [437]. Born c. 1807, England.3 Died bef 1870.
| 1 | "Article on Charlotte's murder in the Detroit News, March 7, 1874.". |
| 2 | "Article in the Free Press, March 8, 1874". |
| 3 | "Information provided by Richard Brothwell". |
| 4 | "Ward 4 city of Detroit 1870 census". |
| 5 | "Newspaper obituary". |