JACK the RIPPER



Report as Printed in the London Times -- August 10, 1888




THE MURDER IN WHITECHAPEL


Yesterday afternoon Mr. G. Collier, Deputy Coroner for the South-Eastern
Division of Middlesex, opened an inquiry at the Working Lads' Institute,
Whitechapel-road, respecting the death of the woman who was found on
Tuesday last, with 39 stabs on her body, at George-yard-buildings,
Whitechapel.

Detective-Inspector Reid, H Division, watched the case on behalf of the
Criminal Investigation Department.



Alfred George Crow, cabdriver, 35, George-yard-buildings, deposed that he
got home at half-past 3 on Tuesday morning. As he was passing the
first-floor landing he saw a body lying on the ground. He took no notice,
as he was accustomed to seeing people lying about there. He did not then
know whether the person was alive or dead. He got up at half past 9, and
when he went down the staircase the body was not there. Witness heard no
noise while he was in bed.



John S. Reeves, of 37, George-yard-buildings, a waterside labourer, said
that on Tuesday morning he left home at a quarter to 5 to seek for work.
When he reached the first-floor landing he found the deceased lying on her
back in a pool of blood. He was frightened, and did not examine her, but at
once gave information to the police. He did not know the deceased. The
deceased's clothes were disarranged, as though she had had a struggle with
some one. Witness saw no footmarks on the staircase, nor did he find a
knife or other weapon. Police-constable Thomas Barrett, 226 H, said that
the last witness called his attention to the body of the deceased. He sent
for a doctor, who pronounced life extinct. Dr. T.R. Killeen, of 68,
Brick-lane, said that he was called to the deceased, and found her dead.
She had 39 stabs on the body. She had been dead some three hours. Her age
was about 36, and the body was very well nourished. Witness had since made
a post mortem examination of the body. The left lung was penetrated in five
places, and the right lung was penetrated in two places. The heart, which
was rather fatty, was penetrated in one place, and that would be sufficient
to cause death. The liver was healthy, but was penetrated in five places,
the spleen was penetrated in two places, and the stomach, which was
perfectly healthy, was penetrated in six places. The witness did not think
all the wounds were inflicted with the same instrument. The wounds
generally might have been inflicted with a knife, but such an instrument
could not have inflicted one of the wounds, which went through the
chest-bone. His opinion was that one of the wounds was inflicted by some
kind of dagger, and that all of them had been caused during life. The
CORONER said he was in hopes that the body would be identified, but three
women had identified it under three different names. He therefore proposed
to leave the question open until the next occasion. The case would be left
in the hands of Detective-Inspector Reid, who would endeavour to discover
the perpetrator of this (illegible) murder. It was one of the most dreadful
murders any one could imagine. The man must have been a perfect savage to
inflict such a number of wounds on a defenceless woman in such a way. The
inquiry would be adjourned for a fortnight.
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Report as Printed in the London Times -- August 24, 1888




Inquests


Yesterday afternoon Mr. George Collier, the Deputy Coroner for the
South-Eastern Division of Middlesex, resumed his inquiry at the Working
Lads' Institute, Whitechapel Road, respecting the death of the woman who
was found dead at George-yard-buildings, on the early morning of Tuesday,
the 7th inst., with no less than 39 wounds on various parts of her body.
The body has been identified as that of MARTHA TABRAN, aged 39 or 40 years,
the wife of a foreman packer at a furniture warehouse. Henry Samuel Tabran,
6, River-terrace, East Greenwich, husband of the deceased woman, said he
last saw her alive about 18 months ago, in the Whitechapel Road. They had
been separated for 13 years, owing to her drinking habits. She obtained a
warrent against him. For some part of the time witness allowed her 12s. a
week, but in consequence of her annoyance he stopped this allowance ten
years ago, since which time he had made it half-a-crown a week, as he found
she was living with a man. Henry Turner, a carpenter, staying at the
Working Men's Home, Commercial Street, Spitalfields, stated that he had
been living with the woman Tabran as his wife for about nine years. Two or
three weeks previously to this occurance he ceased to do so. He had left
her on two or three occasions in consequence of her drinking habits, but
they had come together again.

He last saw her alive on Saturday, the 4th inst:, in Leadenhall-street. He
then gave her 1s. 6d. to get some stock. When she had money she spent it in
drink. While living with witness deceased's usual time for coming home was
about 11 o'clock. As far as he knew she had no regular companion and he did
not know that she walked the streets. As a rule he was, he said, a man of
sober habits, and when the deceased was sober they usually got on well
together.



Inspector Reid -- At times the deceased had stopped out all night. After
those occasions she told him she had been taken in a fit and was removed to
the police-station or somewhere else.



The Coroner -- He knew she suffered from fits, but they were brought on by
drink. Mrs. Mary Bousfield, wife of a wood cutter, residing at 4,
Star-place, Commercial Road, knew the deceased by the name of Turner. She
was formerly a lodger in her house with the man Turner. Deceased would
rather have a glass of ale than a cup of tea, but she was not a woman who
got continually drunk, and she never brought home any companions with her.
She left without giving notice, and owed two weeks' rent. Mrs. Ann Morris,
a widow, of 23, Lisbon Street, E., said she last saw the deceased, who was
her sister-in-law, at about 11 o'clock on Bank Holiday night in the
Whitechapel Road. She was then about to enter a publichouse. Mary Ann
Connolly, who at the suggestion of Inspector Reid was cautioned in the
usual manner before being sworn, stated she had been for the last two
nights living at a lodging house in Dorset Street, Spitalfields. Witness
was a single woman. She had known the woman Tabran for about four or five
months. She knew her by the name of Emma. She last saw her alive on Bank
Holiday night, when witness was with her about three quarters of an hour,
and they separated at a quarter to 12. Witness was with Tabran and two
soldiers -- one private and one corporal.



She did not know what regiment they belonged to, but they had white bands
around their caps. After they separated, Tabran went away with the private,
and witness accompanied the corporal up Angel Alley. There was no
quarrelling between any of them. Witness had been to the barracks to
identify the soldiers, and the two men she picked out were, to the best of
her belief, the men she and Tabran were with.



The men at the Wellington Barracks were paraded before the witness. One of
the men picked out by witness turned out not to be a corporal, but he had
stripes on his arm. By Inspector Reid.--Witness heard of the murder on the
Tuesday. Since the occurrance witness had threaten to drown herself, but
she only said it was for a lark. She stayed away two days and two nights,
and she only said that when asked where she was going. She knew the police
were looking after her, but she did not let them know her whereabouts.



A Juryman.--The woman Tabran was not drunk. They were, however, drinking
at different houses for about an hour and three-quarters. They had ale and
rum. Detective-Inspector Reid made a statement of the efforts made by the
police to discover the perpetrator of the murder. Several persons had
stated that they saw the deceased woman on the previous Sunday with a
corporal, but when all the corporals and privates at the Tower and
Wellington Barracks were paraded before them they failed to identify the
man. The military authorities afforded every facility to the police.
"Pearly Poll" picked out two men belonging to the Coldstream Guards at the
Wellington Barracks. One of those men had three good conduct stripes, and
he was proved beyond doubt to have been with his wife from 8 o'clock on the
Monday night until 6 o'clock the following morning. The other man was also
proved to have been in barracks at five minutes past 10 on Bank Holiday
night. The police would be pleased if anyone would give them information of
having seen anyone with the deceased on the night of Bank Holiday. The
Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that
the deceased had been murdered by some person or persons unknown.
------------------------------------------------------------------------





Report as Printed in the London Times -- September 1, 1888




ANOTHER WHITECHAPEL MURDER


Another murder of the foulest kind was committed in the neighbourhood of
Whitechapel in the early hours of yesterday morning, but by whom and with
what motive is at present a complete mystery.

At a quarter to 4 o'clock Police constable Neill, 97J, when in Buck's Row,
Whitechapel, came upon the body of a woman lying on a part of the footway,
and on stooping to raise her up in the belief that she was drunk he
discovered that her throat was cut almost from ear to ear. She was dead but
still warm. He procured assistance and at once sent to the station and for
a doctor.



Dr. Llewellyn, of Whitechapel Road, whose surgery is not above 300 yards
from the spot where the woman lay, was aroused, and, at the solicitation of
a constable, dressed and went at once to the scene. He inspected the body
at the place where it was found and pronounced the woman dead. He made a
hasty examination and then discovered that, besides the gash across the
throat, the woman had terrible wounds in the abdomen. The police ambulance
from the Bethnal-green Station having arrived, the body was removed there.
A further examination showed the horrible nature of the crime, there being
other fearful cuts and gashes, and one of which was sufficient to cause
death apart from the wounds across the throat.



After the body was removed to the mortuary of the parish, in Old Montague
Street, Whitechapel, steps were taken to secure, if possible,
identification, but at first with little prospect of success. The clothing
was of a common description, but the skirt of one petticoat and the band of
another article bore the stencil stamp of Lambeth Workhouse.



The only articles in the pockets were a comb and a piece of a looking
glass. The latter led the police to conclude that the murdered woman was an
inhabitant of the numerous lodging-houses of the neighbourhood, and
officers were despatched to make inquiries about, as well as other officers
to Lambeth to get the matron of the workhouse to view the body with a view
to identification. The latter, however, could not identify, and said that
the clothing might have been issued any time during the past two or three
years. As the news of the murder spread, however, first one woman and then
another came forward to view the body, and at length it was found that a
woman answering the description of the murdered woman had lodged in a
common lodging-house, 18, Thrawl-street, Spitalfields.



Women from that place were fetched and they identified the deceased as
"Polly," who had shared a room with three other women in the place on the
usual terms of such houses -- nightly payment of 4d. each, each woman
having a separate bed. It was gathered that the deceased had led the life
of an "unfortunate" while lodging in the house, which was only for about
three weeks past. Nothing more was known of her by them but that when she
presented herself for her lodging on Thursday night she was turned away by
the deputy because she had not the money.



She was then the worse for drink, but not drunk, and turned away laughing,
saying, "I'll soon get my 'doss' money; see what a jolly bonnet I've got
now." She was wearing a bonnet which she had not been seen with before, and
left the lodging house door. A woman of the neighbourhood saw her later,
she told the police -- even as late as 2:30 on Friday morning -- in
Whitechapel Road, opposite the church and at the corner of Osborne-street,
and at a quarter to 4 she was found within 500 yards of the spot, murdered.
The people of the lodging-house knew her as "Polly," but at about half-past
7 last evening a woman named Mary Ann Monk, at present an inmate of Lambeth
Workhouse, was taken to the mortuary and identified the body as that of
Mary Ann Nicholls, also called "Polly" Nicholls.



She knew her, she said, as they were inmates of the Lambeth Workhouse
together in April and May last, the deceased having been passed there from
another workhouse. On the 12th of May, according to Monk, Nicholls left the
workhouse to take a situation as servant at Ingleside, Wandsworth Common.
It afterwards became known that Nicholls betrayed her trust as domestic
servant, by stealing L3 from her employer and absconding. From that time
she had been wandering about. Monk met her, she said, about six weeks ago
when herself out of the workhouse and drank with her. She was sure the
deceased was "Polly" Nicholls, and, having twice viewed the features as the
body lay in the shell, maintained her opinion.



So far the police have satisfied themselves, but as to getting a clue to
her murderer they express little hope. The matter is being investigated by
Detective Inspector Abberline, of Scotland Yard, and Inspector Helson, J
Division. The latter states that he walked carefully over the ground soon
after 8 o'clock in the morning, and beyond and the discolourations
ordinarily found on pavements there was no sign of stains.



Viewing the spot where the body was found, however, it seemed difficult to
believe that the woman recieved her death wounds there. The police have no
theory with respect to the matter, except that a gang of ruffians exists in
the neighborhood, which, blackmailing women of the "unfortunate" class,
takes vengeance on those who do not find money for them. They base that
surmise on the fact that within 12 months two other women have been
murdered in the district by almost similar means -- one as recently as the
6th of August last -- and left in the gutter of the street in the early
hours of the morning.



If the woman was murdered on the spot where the body was found, it is
impossible to believe she would not have aroused the neighborhood by her
screams, Bucks Row being a street tenanted all down one side by a
respectable class of people, superior to many of the surrounding streets,
the other side having a blank wall bounding a warehouse. Dr. Llewellyn has
called the attention of the police to the smallness of the quantity of
blood on the spot where he saw the body, and yet the gashes in the abdomen
laid the body right open.



The weapon used would scarcely have been a sailor's jack knife, but a
pointed weapon with a stout back -- such as a cork-cutter's or shoemaker's
knife. In his opinion it was not an exceptionally long-bladed weapon. He
does not believe that the woman was seized from behind and her throat cut,
but thinks that a hand was held across her mouth and the knife then used,
possibly by a left-handed man, as the bruising on the face of the deceased
is such as would result from the mouth being covered with the right hand.
He made a second examination of the body in the mortuary, and on that based
his conclusion, but will make no actual post mortem until he recieves the
Coroner's orders. The inquest is fixed for to-day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------





Report as Printed in the London Times -- September 3, 1888




THE WHITECHAPEL MURDER


Up to a late hour last evening the police had obtained no clue to the
perpetrator of the latest of the three murders which have so recently taken
place in Whitechapel, and there is, it must be acknowledged, after their
exhaustive investigation of the facts, no ground for blaming the officers
in charge should they fail in unravelling the mystery surrounding the
crime.

The murder, in the early hours of Friday morning last, of the woman now
known as Mary Ann Nicholls, has so many points of similarity with the
murder of two other women in the same neighbourhood -- one Martha Tabram,
as recently as August 7, and the other less than 12 months previously --
that the police admit their belief that the three crimes are the work of
one individual. All three women were of the class called "unfortunates,"
each so very poor, that robbery could have formed no motive for the crime,
and each was murdered in such a similar fashion, that doubt as to the crime
being the work of one and the same villain almost vanishes, particularly
when it is remembered that all three murders were committed within a
distance of 300 yards from each other.



These facts have led the police to almost abandon the idea of a gang being
abroad to wreak vengeance on women of this class for not supplying them
with money. Detective Inspectors Abberline, of the Criminal Investigation
Department, and Detective Inspector Helson, J Division, are both of opinion
that only one person, and that a man, had a hand in the latest murder. It
is understood that the investigation into the George-yard mystery is
proceeding hand-in-hand with that of Buck's Row. It is considered unlikely
that the woman could have entered a house, been murdered, and removed to
Buck's Row within a period of one hour and a quarter.



The woman who last saw her alive, and whose name is Nelly Holland, was a
fellow-lodger with the deceased in Thrawl Street, and is positive as to the
time being 2:30. Police constable Neil, 79 J, who found the body, reports
the time as 3:45. Buck's Row is a secluded place, from having tenements on
one side only. The constable has been severely questioned as to his
"working" of his "beat" on that night, and states that he was last on the
spot where he found the body not more than half an hour previously -- that
is to say, at 3:15.



The beat is a very short one, and quickly walked over would not occupy
more than 12 minutes. He neither heard a cry nor saw any one. Moreover,
there are three watchmen on duty at night close to the spot, and neither
one heard a cry to cause alarm. It is not true, says Constable Neil, who is
a man of nearly 20 years' service, that he was called to the body by two
men. He came upon it as he walked, and flashing his lantern to examine it,
he was answered by the lights from two other constables at either end of
the street. These officers had seen no man leaving the spot to attract
attention, and the mystery is most complete. The utmost efforts are being
used, a number of plainclothes men being out making inquiries in the
neighbourhood, and Sergeants Enright and Godley have interviewed many
persons who might, it was thought, assist in giving a clue.



On Saturday afternoon Mr. Wynne E. Baxter, coroner for the South-Eastern
Division of Middlesex, opened his inquiry at the Working Lads' Institute,
Whitechapel Road, respecting the death of MARY ANN NICHOLS, whose dead body
was found on the pavement in Buck's-row, Whitechapel, on Friday morning.



Detective Inspectors Abberline and Helston and Sergeants Enright and
Godley watched the case on behalf of the Criminal Investigation Department.



The jury having been sworn and having viewed the body of the dead woman,
which was lying in a shell in the Whitechapel Mortuary.



Edward Walker, of 16 Maidswood-road, Camberwell, deposed that he was now
of no occupation, but had formerly been a smith. He had seen the body in
the mortuary, and to the best of his belief it was that of his daughter,
whom he had not seen for two years. He recognized the body by its general
appearance and by some of the front teeth being missing. Deceased also had
a scar on the forehead which was caused by a fall when she was young. There
was a scar on the body of the woman then lying in the mortuary.



His daughter's name was Mary Ann Nichols, and she had been married quite
22 years. Her husband's name was William Nichols, a printer's machinist,
and he was still alive. They had been living apart for seven or eight
years. Deceased was about 42 years of age. The last time witness heard of
the deceased was about Easter, when she wrote him a letter. He produced the
letter, which was in the handwriting of the deceased. It spoke of a
situation she was in, and which, she said, she liked very much. He answered
that letter, but had not since heard from the deceased.



The last time he saw deceased was in June, 1886, when she was respectably
dressed. That was at the funeral of his son, who was burnt to death through
the explosion of a paraffin lamp. Some three or four years previous to that
the deceased lived with witness; but he was unable to say what she had
since been doing.



Deceased was not a particularly sober woman, and that was the reason why
they could not agree. He did not think she was "fast" with men, and she was
not in the habit of staying out late at night while she was living with
him. He had no idea what deceased had been doing since she left him. He did
not turn the deceased out of doors. They simply had a few a words, and the
following morning she left home.



The reason deceased parted from her husband was that he went and lived
with the woman who nursed his wife during her confinement. Witness knew
nothing of his daughter's acquaintances, or what she had been doing for a
living. Deceased was not 5ft. 4in. in height. She had five children, the
eldest of whom was 21 years of age and the youngest eight or nine. She left
her husband when the youngest child was only one or two years of age. The
eldest was now lodging with witness.



He was unable to say if deceased had recently been living with any one;
but some three or four years ago he heard she was living with a man named
Drew, who was a house smith by trade and had a shop of his own in York
Street, Walworth. Witness believed he was still living there. The husband
of the deceased had been summoned for the keep of the children, but the
charge was dismissed owing to the fact that she was then living with
another man. Deceased was in the Lambeth Workhouse in April last, when she
left to go to a situation. Her husband was still living at Coburg-road, Old
Kent Road, but witness was not aware if he was aquainted with his wife's
death. Witness did not think the deceased had any enemies, as she was too
good for that.



Police constable John Neil, 97 J, deposed that on Friday morning he was
passing down Buck's Row, Whitechapel, and going in the direction of Brady
Street, and he did not notice any one about. He had been round the same
place some half an hour previous to that and did not see any one. He was
walking along the right-hand side of the street when he noticed a figure
lying in the street. It was dark at the time, although a street lamp was
shining at the end of the row.



He walked across and found the deceased lying outside a gateway, which was
about 9ft. or 10ft. in height and led to some stables, was closed. Houses
ran eastward from the gateway, while the Board school was westward of the
spot. On the other side of the road was the Essex Wharf. The deceased was
lying lengthways, and her left hand touched the gate. With the aid of his
lamp he examined the body and saw blood oozing from a wound in the throat.
Deceased was lying upon her back with her clothes disarranged. Witness felt
her arm, which was quite warm from the joints upwards, while her eyes were
wide open.



Her bonnet was off her head and was lying by her right side, close by the
left hand. Witness then heard a constable passing Brady Street, and he
called to him. Witness said to him, "Run at once for Dr. Llewellyn." Seeing
another constable in Baker's Row, witness despatched him for the ambulance.
Dr. Llewellyn arrived in a very short time. In the meantime witness had
rung the bell of Essex Wharf and inquired if any disturbance had been
heard. He was told "No." Sergeant Kerby then came, and he knocked.



The doctor, having looked at the woman, said: -- "Move the woman to the
mortuary; she is dead. I will make a further examination of her." They then
placed deceased on the ambulance and removed her to the mortuary. Inspector
Spratley came to the mortuary, and while taking a description of deceased
lifted up her clothes and discovered she was disembowelled. That had not
been noticed before. On the deceased was found a piece of comb and a bit of
looking glass, but no money was found. In the pocket an unmarked white
pocket handkerchief was found. There was a pool of blood where the neck of
deceased was lying in Buck's Row.



He had not heard any disturbance that night. The farthest he had been that
night was up Baker's Row to the Whitechapel Road, and was never far away
from the spot. The Whitechapel-road was a busy thoroughfare in the early
morning, and he saw a number of women in that road, apparently on their way
home. At that time any one could have got away. Witness examined the ground
while the doctor was being sent for. In answer to a juryman, the witness
said he did not see any trap in the road. He examined the road, but could
not see any marks of wheels.



The first persons who arrived on the spot after he discovered the body
were two men who worked at a slaughterhouse opposite. They stated that they
knew nothing of the affair, nor had they heard any screams. Witness had
previously seen the men at work. That would be a quarter past 3, or half an
hour before he found the body.



Mr. Henry Llewellyn, sugeon, of 152, Whitechapel Road, stated that at 4
o'clock on Friday morning he was called by the last witness to Buck's Row.
The officer told
 him what he was wanted for. On reaching Buck's Row he found deceased lying
flat on her back on the pathway, her legs being extended. Deceased was
quite dead, and she had severe injuries to her throat. Her hands and wrists
were cold, but the lower extremeties were quite warm. Witness examined her
chest and felt the heart.



It was dark at the time. He should say the deceased had not been dead more
than half an hour. He was certain that the injuries to the neck were not
self-inflicted. There was very little blood round the neck, and there were
no marks of any struggle, or of blood as though the body had been dragged.
Witness gave the police directions to take the body to the mortuary, where
he would make another examination. About an hour afterwards he was sent for
by the inspector to see the other injuries he had discovered on the body.
Witness went, and saw that the abdomen was cut very extensively. That
morning he made a post mortem examination of the body.



It was that of a female of about 40 or 45 years. Five of the teeth were
missing, and there was a slight laceration of the tongue. There was a
bruise running along the lower part of the jaw on the right side of the
face. That might have been caused by a blow from a fist or pressure from a
thumb. There was a circular bruise on the left side of the face, which also
might have been inflicted by the pressure of the fingers. On the left side
of the neck, about 1in. below the jaw, there was an incision about 4in. in
length, and ran from a point immediately below the ear.



On the same side, but an inch below, and commencing about 1in. in front of
it, was a circular incision, which terminated in a point about 3in. below
the right jaw. That incision completely severed all the tissues down to the
vertebrae. The large vessels of the neck on both sides were severed. The
incision was about 8in. in length. The cuts must have been caused by a
long-bladed knife, moderately sharp, and used with great violence.



No blood was found on the breast, either of the body or clothes. There
were no injuries about the body until just below the lower part of the
abdomen. Two or three inches from the left side was a wound running in a
jagged manner. The wound was a very deep one, and the tissues were cut
through. There were several incisions running across the abdomen. There
were also three or four similar cuts, running downwards, on the right side,
all of which had been caused by a knife which had been used violently and
downwards. The injuries were from left to right, and might have been done
by a left-handed person. All the injuries had been caused by the same
instrument.



At this stage Mr. Wynne Baxter adjourned the inquiry until this morning.




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Report as Printed in the London Times -- September 11, 1888




THE WHITECHAPEL MURDERS


Two arrests were made yesterday, but it is very doubtful whether the
murderer is in the hands of the police. The members of the Criminal
Investigation Department are assisting the divisional police at the
East-end in their endeavours to elucidate the mystery in which these crimes
are involved. Yesterday morning Detective Sergeant Thicke, of the H
Division, who has been indefatigable in his inquiries respecting the murder
of Annie Chapman at 29, Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, on Saturday morning,
succeeded in capturing a man whom he believed to be "Leather Apron." It
will be recollected that this person obtained an evil notoriety during the
inquiries respecting this and the recent murders committed in Whitechapel,
owing to the startling reports that had been freely circulated by many of
the women living in the district as to outrages alleged to have been
committed by him. Sergeant Thicke, who has had much experience of the
thieves and their haunts in this portion of the metropolis, has, since he
has been engaged in the present inquiry, been repeatedly assured by some of
the most well-known characters of their abhorrence of the fiendishness of
the crime, and they have further stated that if they could only lay hands
on the murderer they would hand him over to justice. These and other
circumstances convinced the officer and those associated with him that the
deed was in no way traceable to any of the regular thieves or desperadoes
at the East-end.

At the same time a sharp look-out was kept on the common lodginghouses,
not only in this district, but in other portions of the metropolis. Several
persons bearing a resemblance to the description of the person in question
have been arrested, but, being able to render a satisfactory account of
themselves, were allowed to go away. Shortly after 8 o'clock yesterday
morning Sergeant Thicke, accompanied by two or three other officers,
proceeded to 22, Mulberry Street and knocked at the door. It was opened by
a Polish Jew named Pizer, supposed to be "Leather Apron." Thicke at once
took hold of the man, saying, "You are just the man I want." He then
charged Pizer with being concerned in the murder of the woman Chapman, and
to this he made no reply. The accused man, who is a boot finisher by trade,
was then handed over to other officers and the house was searched. Thicke
took possession of five sharp long-bladed knives -- which, however, are
used by men in Pizer's trade -- and also several old hats. With reference
to the latter, several women who stated they were acquainted with the
prisoner, alleged he has been in the habit of wearing different hats.
Pizer, who is about 33, was then quietly removed to the Leman Street Police
station, his friends protesting that he knew nothing of the affair, that he
had not been out of the house since Thursday night, and is of a very
delicate constitution. The friends of the man were subjected to a close
questioning by the police. It was still uncertain, late last night, whether
this man remained in custody or had been liberated. He strongly denies that
he is known by the name of "Leather Apron."



The following official notice has been circulated throughout the
metropolitan police district and all police stations throughout the
country: -- "Description of a man who entered a passage of the house at
which the murder was committed of a prostitute at 2 a.m. on the 8th. -- Age
37; height, 5ft. 7in.; rather dark beard and moustache. Dress-shirt, dark
vest and trousers, black scarf, and black felt hat. Spoke with a foreign
accent."



Great excitement was caused in the neighbourhood of Commercial Street
Police station during the afternoon on account of the arrival from
Gravesend of a suspect whose appearance resembled in some respects that of
"Leather Apron." This man, whose name is William Henry Pigott, was taken
into custody on Sunday night at the Pope's Head publichouse, Gravesend.



Attention was first attracted to Pigott because he had some bloodstains on
his clothes. Superintendent Berry, the chief of the local police, was
communicated with, and a sergeant was sent to the Pope's Head to
investigate the case. On approaching the man, who seemed in a somewhat
dazed condition, the sergeant saw that one of his hands bore several
recently-made wounds.



Being interrogated as to the cause of this Pigott made a somewhat rambling
statement to the effect that while going down Brick Lane, Whitechapel, at
half-past 4 on Saturday morning he saw a woman fall in a fit. He stooped to
pick her up, and she bit his hand. Exasperated at this he struck her, but
seeing two policemen coming up he then ran away. The sergeant, deeming the
explanation unsatisfactory, took Pigott to the police-station, where his
clothing was carefully examined by Dr. Whitcombe, the divisional surgeon.



The result of the scrutiny was an announcement that two shirts which
Pigott carried in a bundle were stained with blood, and also that blood
appeared to have been recently wiped off his boots. After the usual caution
the prisoner made a further statement to the effect that the woman who bit
him was in the street at the back of a lodging-house when seized with the
fit. He added that he slept at a lodging-house in Osborne Street on
Thursday night, but on Friday was walking the streets of Whitechapel all
night. He tramped from London to Gravesend on Saturday. He gave his age as
52, and stated he was a native of Gravesend, his father having some years
ago had a position there in connexion with the Royal Liver Society.



Subsequently Pigott told the police that he had been keeping several
publichouses in London. As the prisoner's description tallied in some
respects with that furnished by headquarters of the man wanted,
Superintendent Berry decided to detain him until the morning. In response
to a telegram apprising him of the arrest Inspector Abberline proceeded to
Gravesend yesterday morning, and after hearing the circumstances of the
case decided to bring the prisoner at once to Whitechapel, so that he could
be confronted with the women who had furnished the description of "Leather
Apron."



A large crowd had gathered at Gravesend railway station to witness the
departure of the detective and his prisoner, but his arrival at
London-bridge was almost unnoticed, the only persons apprised beforehand of
the journey being the police, a small party of whom in plain clothes were
in attendance. Inspector Abberline and Pigott went off in a four-wheeled
cab to Commercial Street where from early morning groups of idlers had hung
about in anticipation of an arrest.



The news of Pigott's arrival, which took place at 12 48, at once spread,
and in a few seconds the police-station was surrounded by an excited crowd
anxious to get a glimpse of the supposed murderer. Finding that no
opportunity was likely to occur of seeing the prisoner, the mob after a
time melted away, but the police had trouble for some hours in keeping the
thoroughfare free for traffic. Pigott arrived at Commercial Street in much
the same condition as he was when taken into custody. He wore no vest, had
on a battered felt hat, and appeared to be in a state of high nervous
excitement.



Mrs. Fiddymont, who is responsible for the statement respecting a man
resembling "Leather Apron" being at the Prince Albert publichouse on
Saturday, was sent for, as were also other witnesses likely to be able to
identify the prisoner; but after a very brief scrutiny it was the unanimous
opinion that Pigott was not "Leather Apron." Nevertheless, looking to his
condition of mind and body, it was decided to detain him until he could
give a somewhat more satisfactory explanation of himself and his movements.
After an interval of a couple of hours, the man's manner becoming more
strange and his speech more incoherent, the divisional surgeon was called
in, and he gave it as his opinion that the prisoner's mind was unhinged. A
medical certificate to this effect was made out, and Pigott will, for the
present, remain in custody.



Intelligent observers who have visited the locality express the upmost
astonishment that the murderer could have reached a hiding place after
committing such a crime. He must have left the yard in Hanbury Street
reeking with blood, and yet, if the theory that the murder took place
between 5 and 6 be accepted, he must have walked in almost broad daylight
along streets comparatively well frequented, even at that early hour,
without his startling appearance attracting the slightest attention.



Consideration of this point has led many to the conclusion that the
murderer came not from the wretched class from which the inmates of common
lodging-houses are drawn. More probably, it is argued, he is a man lodging
in a comparatively decent house in the district, to which he would be able
to retire quickly, and in which, once it was reached, he would be able at
his leisure to remove from his person all traces of his hideous crime. It
is at any rate practically certain that the murderer would not have
ventured to return to a common lodging-house smeared with blood as he must
have been. The police are\ therefore exhorted not to confine their
investigations, as they are accused of doing, to common lodging-houses and
other resorts of the criminal and outcast, but to extend their inquiries to
the class of householders, exceedingly numerous in the East-end of London,
who are in the habit of letting furnished lodgings without particular
inquiry into the character or antecedents of those who apply for them.



A visit to Dorset Street, which runs parellel with Spitalfields Market
from Commercial Street, reveals the fact that nearly every house in the
street is a common lodging-house, in which wretched human beings are, at
certain seasons of the year, crammed from cellar to roof. The streets
leading into Dorset Street, where the woman was last seen alive, are also
occupied by lodging-houses. In Hanbury-street, Deal Street, Great Garden
Street, and several smaller thoroughfares houses of the same sort are
located and are frequen
ted by the poorest class of the "casual" community.



Some of these places have been searched and inquiries made as to their
recent inhabitants, but so far nothing has been discovered to lead to the
supposition that any regular frequenter of these establishments committed
the murder. The woman Chapman was known by appearence to the policemen on
the night beats in the neighbourhood, but none of those who were on duty
between 12 and 6 on Saturday morning recollect having seen her. It is
ascertained that several men left their lodgings after midnight with the
expressed intention of returning who have not returned. Some men went to
their lodgings after 3 o'clock, and left again before 6 in the morning,
which is not an unfrequent occurrence in those houses.



None of the deputies or watchmen at the houses have any have any memory of
any person stained with blood entering their premises, but at that hour of
the morning little or no notice is taken of persons inquiring for beds.
They are simply asked for the money, and shown up dark stairways with a bad
light to their rooms. When they leave early, they are seldom noticed in
their egress. It is then considered quite probable that the murderer may
have found a refuge for a few hours in one of these places, and even washed
away the signs of his guilt. The men in these houses use a common washing
place, and water once used is thrown down the sink by the lodger using it.
All this might happen in a common lodging-house in the early morning
without the bloodstained murderer being noticed particularly. The
conviction is growing even, that taking for granted that one man committed
all the recent murders of women in the Whitechapel district, he might in
this fashion, by changing his common lodging-house, evade detection for a
considerable time. Whoever the man may be -- if the same person committed
the last three murders -- he must on each occasion have been bespattered
profusely with bloodstains. He could not well get rid of them in any
ordinary dwelling-house or public place. Therefore it is supposed he must
have done so in the lodging-houses.



The murderer must have known the neighbourhood, which is provided with no
fewer than four police stations, and is well watched nightly, on account of
the character of many of the inhabitants. On Saturday morning, between half
past 4 o'clock and 6, several carts must have passed through
Hanbury-street, and at 5 o'clock, on the opening of the Spitalfields
Market, the end of which the murder occurred was blocked with market
vehicles, and the market attendents were busy regulating the traffic. In
the midst of the bustle it is admitted that two persons might have passed
through the hall of 29, Hanbury-street, and in consequence of the noise of
passing vehicles, any slight altercation might have occurred without being
overheard. Although at first, from the contiguity of Buck's Row to a
slaughter-house and the neighbourhood of the Aldgate Shambles, suspicion
fell on the butchers employed in those establishments during the night, the
suspicion is disappearing, inasmuch as the names and addresses and the
movements of all those engaged in the occupation are known.



A meeting of the chief local tradesmen was held yesterday, at which an
influential committee was appointed, consisting of 16 well-known gentlemen,
with Mr. J. Aarons as the secretary. The committee issued last evening a
notice stating that they will give a substantial reward for the capture of
the murderer or for information leading thereto. The movement has been
warmly taken up by the inhabitants, and it is thought certain that a large
sum will be subscribed within the next few days.



The proposal to form district vigiliance committees also meets with great
popular favour and is assuming practical form. Meetings were held at the
various working men's clubs and other organizations, political and social,
in the districts, at most of which the proposed scheme was heartily
approved.



From inquiries which have been made in Windsor, it seems that the deceased
was the widow of a coachman in service at Clewer. While the deceased lived
at Clewer she was in custody for drunkenness, but had not been charged
before the magistrates.




------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Inquest


Yesterday morning Mr. Wynne E. Baxter, the Coroner for the North-Eastern
Division of Middlesex, who was accompanied by Mr. George Collier, the
Deputy Coroner, opened his inquiry in the Alexandra room of the Working
Lads' Institute, Whitechapel Road, respecting the death of Annie Chapman,
who was found murdered in the back yard of 29, Hanbury Street,
Spitalfields, on Saturday morning.



Detective Inspectors Abberline (Scotland Yard), Helson, and Chandler, and
Detective Sergeants Thicke and Leach watched the case on behalf of the
Criminal Investigation Department and Commissioners of Police.



The court room was crowded, and, owing to the number of persons assembled
outside the building, the approaches had to be guarded by a number of
police constables.



The jury having been impanelled, proceeded to the mortuary to view the
body of the deceased, which was lying in the same shell as that occupied a
short time since by the unfortunate Mary Ann Nichols.



John Davis, a carman, of 29, Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, deposed that he
occupied the front room, which was shared by his wife and three sons. About
8 o'clock on Friday night he went to bed, and his sons came in at different
times. The last one arrived home about a quarter to 11. Witness was awake
from 3 to about 5 o'clock, when he fell off to sleep for about half an
hour. He got up about a quarter to 6. Soon afterwards he went across the
yard.



The front portion of the house faced Hanbury Street. On the ground floor
there was a front door, with a passage running through to the back yard. He
was certain of the time, because he heard the bell of Spitalfields Church
strike. The front door and the one leading into the yard were never locked,
and at times were left open at nights. Since he had lived in the house
witness had never known the doors to be locked; and when the doors were
shut any person could open them and pass into the yard. When he went into
the yard on Saturday morning the back door was shut; but he was unable to
say whether it was latched. The front door was wide open, and he was not
surprised at finding it so, as it was frequently left open all night.
Between the yard of 29, Hanbury-street, and the next house there was a
fence about 5ft. high. When witness went down the steps he saw the deceased
woman lying flat on her back.



The coroner here observed that in similar inquiries in the country the
police always assisted him by preparing a plan of the locality which
happened to be the subject of investigation. He thought the present case
was one of sufficient importance for the production of such a plan, and he
hoped that in future a plan would be laid before him.



Inspector Chandler told the Coroner a plan would be prepared.



The coroner replied it might then be too late to be of any service.



Witness, continuing, said the deceased was lying between the steps and the
fence, with her head towards the house. He could see that her clothes were
disarranged. Witness did not go further into the yard, but at once called
two men, who worked for Mr. Bailey, a packingcase maker, of Hanbury Street,
whose place was three doors off. These men entered the passage and looked
at the woman, but did not go into the yard. He was unable to give the names
of these two men, but knew them well by sight. Witness had not since seen
the men, who went away to fetch the police. Witness also left the house
with them.



In answer to the Coroner, Inspector Chandler said these men were not known
to the police.



The coroner remarked that they would have to be found, either by the
police or by his own officer.



Witness further stated that on leaving the house he went direct to the
Commercial Street Police station, and reported what he had seen. Previous
to that he had not informed any one living in the house of the discovery.
After that he went back to Hanbury Street, but did not enter his house. He
had never previously seen the deceased.



In cross-examination, the witness said he was not the first person down
that morning, as a man, named Thompson, who also lived in the house, was
called about half-past 3. He had never seen women who did not live in the
house in the passage since he had lived there, which was only a fortnight.
He did not hear any strange noises before getting up on Saturday morning.



Amelia Farmer stated that she lived at a common lodginghouse at 30, Dorset
Street, Spitalfields, and had lived there for the past four years. She had
identified the body of the deceased in the mortuary, and was sure it was
that of Annie Chapman. The deceased formerly lived at Windsor, and was the
widow of Frederick Chapman, a veterinary surgeon, who died about 18 months
ago. For four years, or more, the deceased had lived apart from her
husband, and during that period had principally resided in common
lodginghouses in the neighbourhoods of Whitechapel and Spitalfields.



About two years since the deceased lived at 30, Dorset Street, and was
then living with a man who made iron sieves. She was then recieving an
allowance of 10s. a week from her husband. Some 18 months since the
payments stopped, and it was then that she found her husband was dead. That
fact was also ascertained from a relative of the deceased, who used to live
in Oxford Street, Whitechapel. The deceased went by the name of Sievey, on
account of the man with whom she had cohabited being a sieve maker. This
man left her some time ago. During the past week witness had seen the
deceased some two or three times.



On Monday, in Dorset Street, she complained of feeling unwell. At that
time she had a bruise on one of her temples. Witness inquiring how she got
it, the deceased told her to look at her breast, which was also bruised.
The deceased said, "You know the woman," and she mentioned a name
which witness did not remember. Both the deceased and the woman referred to
were acquainted with a man called "Harry the Hawker." In giving an account
of the bruises, the deceased told witness that on the 1st inst. she went
into a publichouse with a young man named Ted Stanley in Commercial Street.
"Harry the Hawker" and the other woman were also there. The former, who was
drunk, put down a florin, which was picked up by the latter, who replaced
it with a penny. Some words passed between the deceased and the woman, and
in the evening the latter struck her and inflicted the bruises. Witness
again saw the deceased on Tuesday by the side of Spitalfields Church.



The deceased again complained of feeling unwell, and said she thought she
would go into the casual ward for day or two. She mentioned that she had
had nothing to eat or drink that day, not even a cup of tea. Witness gave
deceased twopence saying, "Here is twopence to have a cup of tea, but don't
have rum." She knew that deceased was given to drinking that spirit. The
deceased, who frequently got the worse for drink, used at times to earn
money by doing crochet work, and at others by selling flowers.



Witness believed she was not very particular what she did to earn a living
and at times used to remain out very late at night. She was in the habit of
going to Stratford. Witness did not again see the deceased until Friday
afternoon, and about 5 o'clock on that day she met her in Dorset Street.



The deceased, who was sober, in answer to a question from witness as to
whether she was going to Stratford, said she felt too ill to do anything. A
few minutes afterwards witness again saw the deceased, who had not moved,
and she said, "It's no use my giving way. I must pull myself together and
go out and get some money, or I shall have no lodgings." That was the last
time witness saw her. She mentioned that she had been an inmate of the
casual ward. Deceased was generally an industrial woman, and witness
considered her clever. For the last five years she had been living an
irregular life, more especially since her husband died. She had two
children, and on the death of her husband they were sent away to school.
The deceased had a sister and mother, but witness believed they were not on
friendly terms.



Timothy Donovan stated he was the deputy of a common lodginghouse at 35,
Dorset Street, Spitalfields. He had seen the body in the mortuary, and
identified it as that of a woman who had lodged at his place. She had been
living there for about four months, but was not there any day last week
until Friday. About 7 o'clock that day she came to the lodginghouse and
asked him to allow her to go down into the kitchen. He asked where she had
been all the week, and she replied, "In the infirmary." He then allowed her
to go down into the kitchen. She remained there until shortly before 2
o'clock the next morning. When she went out she said, "I have not any money
now, but don't let the bed; I will be back soon."



At that time there was a vacant bed, and it was the one she generally
occupied. She then left the house, but witness did not see which way she
turned. She had had enough to drink when he last saw her, but she was well
able to walk straight. The deceased generally got the worse for drink on
Saturdays, but not not on the other days of the week. He told her that she
could find money for drink but not for her bed, and she replied that she
had only been to the top of the street as far as the Ringers' publichouse.
He did not see her with any one that night. On Saturday night deceased used
to stay at the lodginghouse with a man of military appearance, and witness
had heard he was a pensioner.



She had brought other men to the lodginghouse. On the 2d inst. deceased
paid 8d. a night for her bed. The pensioner was about 45 years of age and
about 5ft. 8in. in height. At times he had the appearance of something
better. Witness had never had any trouble with the deceased, who was always
very friendly with the other lodgers.



John Evans, night watchman at the lodginghouse, also identified the body
of deceased. He saw her leave the house at about a quarter to 2 on Saturday
morning. Just before he had asked her whether she had not sufficient, and
then told the last witness she would not be long before she got it. Witness
saw her enter a court called Paternoster Row and walk in the direction of
Brushfield Street.



Witness should say she was the worse for drink. She told him she had that
night been to see one of her sisters who lived at Vauxhall. Before he spoke
to her about her lodging money she had been out for a pint of beer. He knew
that she had been living a rough life, but only knew one man with whom she
associated. That man used to come and see her on Saturdays. He called about
half-past 2 on Saturday afternoon to make inquiries about the deceased. He
said he had heard of her death. Witness did not know his name or address.
After hearing an account of the death of the deceased he went out without
saying a word. Witness had never heard any person threaten the deceased,
and she had never stated she was afraid of any one. He did not see the
deceased leave the lodginghouse with the pensioner on Sunday week.



On Thursday the deceased and a woman called Eliza had a fight in the
kitchen, during which she got a blow on the chest and a black eye.



The coroner here intimated that that was as far as he proposed to carry
the inquiry at present, and it was adjourned until tomorrow afternoon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------





Report as Printed in the London Times -- Sept. 15, 1888




THE WHITECHAPEL MURDERS


The police at the Commercial Street station have made another arrest on
suspicion in connection with the recent murders. It appears that among the
numerous statements and descriptions of suspected persons are several
tallying with that of the man in custody, but beyond this the police know
nothing at present against him. His apprehension was of a singular
character. Throughout yesterday his movements are stated to have created
suspicion among various persons, and last night he was handed over to a
uniform constable doing duty in the neighbourhood of Flower and Dean Street
on suspicion in connection with the crime.

On his arrival at the police station in Commercial Street the detective
officers and Mr. Abberline were communicated with, and an inquiry
concerning him was at once opened. On being searched perhaps one of the
most extraordinary accumulation of articles were discovered -- a heap of
rags, comprising pieces of dress fabrics, old and dirty linen, two purses
of a kind usually used by women, two or three pocket handkerchiefs, one a
comparatively clean white one, and a white one with a red spotted border;
two small tin boxes, a small cardboard box, a small leather strap, which
might serve the purpose of a garterstring, and one spring onion.



The person to whom this curious assortment belongs is slightly built,
about 5ft. 7in. or 5ft. 8in. in height, and dressed shabbily. He has a very
careworn look. Covering a head of hair, inclined somewhat to be sandy, with
beard and moustache to match, was a cloth skull cap, which did not improve
his appearance. Suspicion is the sole motive for his temporary detention,
for the police, although making every possible inquiry about him, do not
believe his appehension to be of any importance.



Regarding the man Pigott, who was captured at Gravesend, nothing whatever
has been discovered by the detectives in the course of their inquiries
which can in any way connect him with the crimes, and his release, at all
events, from the custody of the police is expected shortly.



In connexion with the arrest of a lunatic at Holloway, it appears that he
has been missing from his friends for some time now. The detectives have
been very active in prosecuting their inquiries concerning him, and it is
believed the result, so far, increases their suspicion. He is at present
confined in the asylum at Grove Road, Bow.



All inquiries have failed to elicit anything as to the whereabouts of the
missing pensioner who is wanted in connexion with the recent murder.



On the question as to the time when the crime was committed, concerning
which there was a difference between the evidence of the man Richardson and
the opinion of Dr. Phillips, a correspondent yesterday elicited that Mr.
Cadoche, who lives in the next house to No. 29, Hanbury Street, where the
murder was committed, went to the back of the premises at half-past 5 a.m.
As he passed the wooden partition he heard a woman say "No, no." On
returning he heard a scuffle and then someone fell heavily against the
fence. He heard no cry for help, and so he went into his house. Some
surprise is felt that this statement was not made in evidence at the
inquest. There is a very strong feeling in the district and large numbers
of persons continue to visit the locality.



Annie Chapman, the victim of the crime, was buried early yesterday morning
at Manor Park Cemetery. Some of her relatives attended the funeral.




------------------------------------------------------------------------





Report as Printed in the London Times -- November 10, 1888




ANOTHER WHITECHAPEL MURDER


During the early hours of yesterday morning another murder of a most
revolting and fiendish character took place in Spitalfields. This is the
seventh which has occurred in this immediate neighbourhood, and the
character of the mutilations leaves very little doubt that the murderer in
this instance is the same person who has committed the previous ones, with
which the public are fully acquainted.

The scene of this last crime is at No 26 Dorset Street, Spitalfields,
which is about 200 yards distant from 35 Hanbury Street, where the
unfortunate woman, Mary Ann Nicholls, was so foully murdered. Although the
victim, whose name is Mary Ann (or Mary Jane) Kelly, resides at the above
number, the entrance to the room she occupied is up a narrow court, in
which are some half-a-dozen houses, and which is known as Miller's Court;
it is entirely separated from the other portion of the house, and has an
entrance leading into the court. The room is known by the title of No 13.
The house is rented by John M'Carthy, who keeps a small general shop at No
27 Dorset Street, and the whole of the rooms are let out to tenants of a
very poor class.



As an instance of the poverty of the neighbourhood, it may be mentioned
that nearly the whole of the houses in this street are common
lodging-houses, and the one opposite where the murder was enacted has
accommodation for some 300 men, and is fully occupied every night. About 12
months ago Kelly, who was about 24 years of age, and who was considered a
good-looking woman, of fair and fresh complexion, came to Mr M'Carthy, with
a man named Joseph Kelly, who she stated was her husband, and who was a
porter employed at Spitalfields Market. They rented a room on the ground
floor, the same in which the poor woman was murdered, at a rental of 4s a
week.



It had been noticed that the deceased woman was somewhat addicted to
drink, but Mr M'Carthy denied having any knowledge that she had been
leading a loose or immoral life. That this was so, however, there can be no
doubt, for about a fortnight ago she had a quarrel with Kelly, and after
blows had been exchanged, the man left the house, or rather room, and did
not return. It has since been ascertained that he went to live at Buller's
common lodging-house in Bishopsgate Street.



Since then the woman has supported herself as best as she could, and the
police have ascertained that she has been walking the streets. None of
those living at the court or at 26 Dorset Street, saw anything of the
unfortunate creature after about 8 o'clock on Thursday evening, but she was
seen in Commercial-street, shortly before the closing of the public house,
and then had the appearance of being the worse for drink. About 1 o'clock
yesterday morning a person living in the court opposite to the room
occupied by the woman heard her singing the song "Sweet Violets," but this
person is unable to say whether any one else was with her at that time.
Nothing more was seen or heard of her until her dead body was found.



At a quarter to 11 yesterday morning, as the woman was 35s [thirty five
shillings] in arrears with her rent, Mr M'Carthy said to a man employed by
him in his shop, John Bowyer, "Go to No 13 (meaning the room occupied by
Kelly) and try and get some rent." Bowyer did as he was directed, and on
knocking at the door was unable to obtain an answer. He then turned the
handle of the door, and found it was locked. On looking through the keyhole
he found the key was missing. The left-hand side of the room faced the
court, and in it were two large windows. Bowyer, knowing that when the man
Kelly and the dead woman had their quarrel a pane of glass in one of the
windows was broken, went round the side in question.



He put his hand through the aperture and pulled aside the muslin curtain
which covered it. On his looking into the room a shocking sight presented
itself. He could see the woman lying on the bed entirely naked, covered
with blood and apparently dead. Without waiting to make a closer
examination he ran to his employer and told him he believed the woman Kelly
had been murdered. M'Carthy at once went and looked through the broken
window, and, satisfying himself that something was wrong, despatched Bowyer
to the Commercial Street Police station, at the same time enjoining him not
to tell any of the neighbours what he had discovered. Inspector Back H
Division, who was in charge of the station at the time, accompanied Bowyer
back, and on finding that a murder had been committed at once sent for
assistance. Dr Phillips, the divisional surgeon of police, and
Superintendent Arnold were also sent for. During this time the door had not
been touched. On the arrival of the Superintendent Arnold he caused a
telegram to be sent direct to Sir Charles Warren, informing him what had
happened.



Mr Arnold, having satisfied himself that the woman was dead, ordered one
of the windows to be entirely removed. A horrible and sickening sight then
presented itself. The poor woman lay on her back on the bed, entirely
naked. Her throat was cut from ear to ear, right down to the spinal column.
The ears and nose had been cut clean off. The breasts had also been cleanly
cut off and placed on a table which was by the side of the bed. The stomach
and abdomen had been ripped open, while the face was slashed about, so that
the features of the poor creature were beyond all recognition. The kidneys
and heart had also been removed from the body, and placed on the table by
the side of the breasts. The liver had likewise been removed, and laid on
the right thigh The lower portion of the body and the uterus had been cut
out, and these appeared to be missing. The thighs had been cut. A more
horrible or sickening sight could not be imagined. The clothes of the woman
were lying by the side of the bed, as though they had been taken off and
laid down in the ordinary manner.



While this examination was being made a photographer, who, in the
meantime, had been sent for, arrived and took photographs of the body, the
organs, the room, and its contents. Superintendent Arnold then had the door
of the room forced. It was a very poorly furnished apartment, about 12 ft.
square, there being only an old bedstead, two old tables and a chair in it.
The bedclothes had been turned down, and this was probably done by the
murderer after he had cut his victim's throat. There was no appearance of a
struggle having taken place, and, although a careful search of the room was
made, no knife or instrument of any kind was found.



Dr Phillips, on his arrival, carefully examined the body of the dead
woman, and later on made a second examination in company with Dr Bond, from
Westminster, Dr Gordon Brown, from the City, Dr Duke from Spitalfields, and
Dr Phillip's assistant. Mr Anderson, the new Commissioner of Police,
Detective Inspectors Reid and Abberline (Scotland Yard), Chief Inspector
West, H Division, and other officers were quickly on the spot. After the
examination of the body it was placed in a shell, which was put into a van
and conveyed to the Shoreditch mortuary to await an inquest.



From enquiries made among person living in the houses adjoining the court,
and also those residing in rooms in No 26 it appears clear that no noise of
any kind was heard. No suspicious or strange-looking man was seen to enter
or leave the murdered woman's room, and up to the present time the
occurrence is enveloped in as much mystery as were the previous murders.
The man Kelly was quickly found, and his statement ascertained to be
correct. After the examination the windows were boarded up, and the door
padlocked by direction of the police, who have considerable difficulty in
keeping the street clear of persons. Dr M'Donald, coroner in whose district
the murder has happened has fixed Monday morning for the opening of the
inquest, which will be held at Shoreditch Town-hall. It was reported that
bloodhounds would be laid on to endeavour to trace the murderer, but for
some reason this project was not carried out, and, of course, after the
streets had became thronged with people that would have had no practical
result. The street being principally composed of common lodging houses,
persons are walking along it during all hours of the night, so that little
notice is taken of any ordinarily attired men, the murderer, therefore, had
a good chance of getting away unobserved.



With regard to Kelly's movements just before the murder, a report says
that she was seen as usual in the neighbourhood about 10 o'clock on
Thursday evening in company with a man of whom, however, no description can
be obtained. She was last seen, as far as can be ascertained, in
Commercial-street about half-past 11. She was then alone, and was probably
making her way home. It is supposed that she met the murderer in Commercial
Street, and he probably induced her to take him home without indulging in
more drink.



At any rate, nothing more was seen of the couple in the neighbouring
public houses, nor in the beerhouse at the corner of Dorset Street. The
pair reached Millers Court about midnight, but they were not seen to enter
the house. The street door was closed, but the woman had a latchkey, and,
as she must have been fairly sober, she and her companion would have been
able to enter the house and enter the woman's room without making a noise.
A light was seen shining through the window of the room for some time after
the couple must have entered it, and one person asserts positively that the
woman was heard singing the refrain of a popular song as late as 1 o'clock
yesterday morning, but here again there is a conflict of testimony which
the police are now engaged in endeavouring to reconcile.



The same reports, describing the removal of the mutilated body, says at 10
minutes to 4 o'clock a one-horse carrier's cart, with the ordinary
tarpaulin cover was driven into Dorset Street, and halted opposite
Millers-court. From the cart was taken a long shell or coffin, dirty and
scratched with constant use. This was taken into the death chamber, and th
ere the remains were temporarily coffined. The news that the body was about
to be removed caused a great rush of people from the courts running out of
Dorset Street, and there was a determined effort to break the police cordon
at the Commercial Street end.



The crowd, which pressed round the van, was of the humblest class, but the
demeanour of the poor people was all that could be described. Ragged caps
were doffed and slatternly-looking women shed tears as the shell, covered
with a ragged-looking cloth, was placed in the van. The remains were taken
to the Shoreditch Mortuary, where they will remain until they have been
viewed by the coroner's jury.



Mr John M'Carthy, the owner of the houses in Millers-court, who keeps a
chandler's shop in Dorset Street, has made the following statement as to
the murdered woman:



The victim of this terrible murder was about 23 or 24 years of age, and
lived with a coal porter named Kelly, passing as his wife. They, however,
quarrelled sometime back and separated. A woman named Harvey slept with her
several nights since Kelly separated from her, but she was not with her
last night. The deceased's christian name was Mary Jane, and since her
murder I have discovered that she walked the streets in the neighbourhood
of Aldgate. Her habits were irregular, and she often came home at night the
worse for drink. Her mother lives in Ireland, but in what county I do not
know. Deceased used to receive letters from her occasionally. The
unfortunate woman had not paid her rent for several weeks; in fact she owed
30s altogether, so this morning I sent my man to ask if she could pay the
money. He knocked at the door, but received no answer. Thinking this very
strange he looked in at the window, and to his horror he saw the body of
Kelly lying on the bed covered with blood. He immediately came back to me,
and told me what he had seen. I was, of course, as horrified as he was, and
I went with him to the house and looked in at the window. The sight I saw
was more ghastly even than I had prepared myself for. On the bed lay the
body as my man had told me, while the table was covered with what seemed to
me to be lumps of flesh. I said to my main "Go at once to the police
station and fetch some one here." He went off at once and brought back
Inspector Back who looked through the window as we had done. He then
despatched a telegram to superintendent Arnold, but before Superintendent
Arnold arrived, Inspector Abberline came and gave orders that no one should
be allowed to enter or leave the court. The Inspector waited a little while
and then sent a telegram to Sir Charles Warren to bring the bloodhounds, so
as to trace the murderer if possible. So soon as Superintendent Arnold
arrived he gave instructions for the door to be burst open. I at once
forced the door with a pickaxe, and we entered the room. The sight we saw I
cannot drive away from my mind. It looked more like the work of a devil
than of a man. The poor woman's body was lying on the bed, undressed. She
had been completely disembowelled, and her entrails has been taken out and
placed on the table. It was those that I had seen when I looked through the
window and took to be lumps of flesh. The woman's nose had been cut off,
and her face gashed beyond recognition. Both her breasts too had been cut
clean away and placed by the side of her liver and other entrails on the
table. I had heard a great deal about the Whitechapel murders, but I
declare to god I had never expected to see such a sight as this. The body
was, of course, covered with blood, and so was the bed. The whole scene is
more than I can describe. I hope I may never see such a sight again. It is
most extraordinary that nothing should have been heard by the neighbours,
as there are people passing backwards and forwards at all hours of the
night, but no one heard so much as a scream. I woman heard Kelly singing
"Sweet Violets" at 1 o'clock this morning. So up to that time, at all
events, she was alive and well. So far as I can ascertain no one saw her
take a man into the house with her last night.



A correspondent who last night saw the room in which the murder was
committed, says it was a tenement by itself, having formerly been the back
parlour of No 26, Dorset Street. A partition had been erected, cutting it
off from the house, and the entrance door opened into Miller's Court. The
two windows also faced the court, and, as the body could be seen from the
court yesterday morning, it is evident that, unless the murderer
perpetrated his crime with the light turned out, any person passing by
could have witnessed the deed. The lock of the door was a spring one, and
the murderer apparently took the key away with him when he left, as it
cannot be found. The more the facts are investigated, the more apparent
becomes the cool daring of the murderer. There are six houses in the court
besides the tenement occupied by the deceased. The door of Kelly's room is
just on the right-hand side on entering from the street, and other houses
-- three on either side -- are higher up the passage.



The young woman Harvey, who had slept with the deceased on several
occasions has made a statement to the effect that she had been on good
terms with the deceased, whose education was much superior to that of most
persons in her position in life. Harvey, however, took a room in New Court,
off the same street, but remained friendly with the unfortunate woman, who
visited her in New Court on Thursday night. After drinking together they
parted at half past 7 o'clock, Kelly going off in the direction of Leman
Street which she was in the habit of frequenting. She was perfectly sober
at the time. Harvey never saw her alive afterwards. Joseph Barnett, an
Irishman, at present residing in a common lodgingh ouse in New Street,
Bishopsgate, informed a reporter last evening that he had occupied his
present lodgings since Tuesday week. Previously to that he had lived in
Miller's Court, Dorset Street for eight or nine months with the murdered
woman Mary Jane Kelly. They were very happy and comfortable together until
another woman came to sleep in the room, to which he strongly objected.
Finally, after the woman had been there two or three nights he quarrelled
with the woman whom he called his wife and left her.



The next day, however, he returned and gave Kelly money. He called several
other days and gave her money when he had it. On Thursday night he visited
her between half past 7 and 8 and told her he was sorry he had no money to
give her. He saw nothing more of her. She used occasionally to go to the
Elephant and Castle district to visit a friend who was in the same position
as herself.



Another account gives the following details: Kelly had a little boy, aged
about 6 or 7 years living with her, and latterly she had been in narrow
straits, so much so that she is reported to have stated to a companion that
she would make away with herself, as she could not bear to see her boy
starving. There are conflicting statements as to when the woman was last
seen alive, but that upon which most reliance appears to be placed is that
of a young woman, an associate of the deceased, who states that at about
half-past 10 o'clock on Thursday night she met the murdered woman at the
corner of Dorset Street, who said to her that she had no money and, if she
could not get any, would never go out any more but would do away with
herself. Soon afterwards they parted, and a man, who is described as
respectably dressed, came up, and spoke to the murdered woman Kelly and
offered her some money. The man then accompanied the woman to her lodgings,
which are on the second floor, and the little boy was removed from the room
and taken to a neighbour's house. Nothing more was seen of the woman until
yesterday morning, when it is stated that the little boy was sent back into
the house, and the report goes, he was sent out subsequently on an errand
by the man who was in the house with his mother. There is no direct
confirmation of this statement. A tailor named Lewis says he saw Kelly come
out about 8 o'clock yesterday morning and go back. Another statement is to
the effect that Kelly was seen in a public-house known as the Ringers at
the corner of Dorset Street and Commercial Street, about 10 o'clock
yesterday morning, and that she met there her lover, Barnet and had a glass
of beer with him. This statement is also not substantiated. A somewhat
important fact has been pointed out, which puts a fresh complexion on the
theory of the murders. It appears that cattle boats bringing in live
freight to London are in the habit of coming into the Thames on Thursdays
or Fridays, and leave for the continent on Sundays or Mondays. It has
already been a matter of comment that the recent revolting crimes have been
committed at the week's end, and an opinion has been formed among some of
the detectives that the murderer is a drover or butcher employed on one of
these boats -- of which there are many -- and that he periodically appears
and disappears with one of the steamers. This theory is held to be of much
importance by those engaged in this investigation, who believe that the
murderer does not reside either in the locality or even in the country at
all. It is thought that he may be either a person employed upon one of
these boats or one who is allowed to travel by them, and inquiries have
been directed to follow up the theory. It is pointed out that at the
inquests on the previous victims the coroners have expressed the opinion
that the knowledge of anatomy possessed by a butcher would have been
sufficient to enable him to find and cut out the parts of the body which in
several cases were abstracted.



The Whitechapel Vigilance Committee who have recently relaxed their
efforts to find the murderer, have called a meeting for Tuesday evening
next, at the Paul's Head Tavern, Crispin-street, Spitalfields, to consider
what steps they can take to assist the police.



A Mrs Paumier, a young woman who sells roasted chestnuts at the corner of
Widegate Street, a narrow thoroughfare about two minutes' walk from the
scene of the murder, told a reporter yesterday afte
rnoon a story which appears to afford a clue to the murderer. She said that
about 12 o'clock that morning a man dressed like a gentleman came up to her
and said, "I suppose you have heard about the murder in Dorset Street?" She
replied that she had, whereupon the man grinned and said, "I know more
about it than you." He then stared into her face and went down Sandy's Row,
another narrow thoroughfare which cuts across Widegate Street. Whence he
had got some way off, however, he vanished. Mrs Paumier said the man had a
black moustache, was about 5ft 6in, high, and wore a black silk hat, a
black coat, and speckled trousers. He also carried a black shiny bag about
a foot in depth and a foot and a half in length. Mrs Paumier stated further
that the same man accosted three young women, whom she knew, on Thursday
night, and they chaffed him and asked him what he had in the bag, and he
replied, "Something that the ladies don't like." One of the three young
women she named, Sarah Roney, a girl about 20 years of age, states that she
was with two other girls on Thursday night in Brushfield-street which is
near Dorset Street, when a man wearing a tall hat and a black coat, and
carrying a black bag, came up to her and said, "Will you come with me?" She
told him that she would not, and asked him what he had in the bag, and he
said, "Something the ladies don't like." He then walked away.



A further report received late last night says: -- "Not the slightest
doubt appears to be entertained in official headquarters that this fresh
crime is by the same hand which committed the others. There is also, it is
to be noted, a striking similarity of the month in which the crime has been
committed, for while two of the most atrocious of the other murders in the
same district were committed on the 7th of the month of September and
August, this was committed on the 8th -- approximately the same period in
the month. This would seem to indicate that the murderer was absent from
the scene of these horrors for fixed periods, and that his return was
always about the same time. The late storms might account for the crime on
this occasion being a day later, the suggestion, of course, being that the
murderer journeys across the sea on some of the short passages.



"Last night nothing further was known at Scotland Yard. In fact, all the
enquiries centre in the east of London, whither have been sent some of the
keenest investigators of the country. The murders, so cunningly continued,
are carried out with a completeness which altogether baffles investigators.
Not a trace is left of the murderer, and there is no purpose in the crime
to afford the slightest clue, such as would be afforded in other crimes
almost without exception. All that the police can hope is that some
accidental circumstance will lead to a trace which may be followed to a
successful conclusion."



The latest account states upon what professes to be indisputable authority
that no portion of the woman's body was taken away by the murderer. As
already stated, the post-mortem examination was of the most exhaustive
character, and surgeons did not quit their work until every organ had been
accounted for and placed as closely as possible in its natural position.



A man's pilot coat has been found in the murdered woman's room, but
whether it belonged to one of her paramours or to the murderer has not been
ascertained. Late yesterday evening a man was arrested near Dorset Street
on suspicion of being concerned in the murder. He was taken to Commercial
Street police-station, followed by a howling mob, and is still detained
there. Another man, respectably dressed, wearing a slouch hat and carrying
a black bag was arrested and taken to Leman Street station. The bag was
examined, but its contents were perfectly harmless, and the man was at once
released.




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