Annie Chapman - Wife, Mother, Victim: The Life & Death of a Victim of Jack The Ripper

by Covell, Mike

  Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser, a newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland, featured the following, dated September 13th 1888,

  LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. (BY FREEMAN SPECIAL WIRE) (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT) Freeman Office, 211 Strand, London, Monday Morning. The cry of “Down with the Home Secretary” was raised afresh yesterday by the Daily Telegraph. The fact that so influential a Ministerial journal should consider itself justified in making a ferocious attack upon Mr. Matthews at the present juncture, when the Government has trouble enough upon its hands, would seem to indicate that the Home Secretary's position has again become precarious. Mr. Matthews has survived many trials, and he may survive this one, but it is quiet patent that he is considered by some of his colleagues as well as the majority of Ministerial supporters as a source of weakness to the Government. He is especially blamed for the mismanagement of Scotland Yard, and there can be no doubt that he was privy all along to Mr. Munro's extraordinary proceedings for the implication of Mr. Nolan in the dynamite plots. He has not got on well with Sir Charles Warren, who is too independent for him, and it is reported that the fresh mess he has got into lately is entirely owing to the quarrels he has had with the Chief Commissioner, and the improbability of establishing harmonious relations between them. THE WHITECHAPEL MURDER. THE INQUEST ON THE MURDERED WOMAN. London, Wednesday. A Press Association representative had an interview this morning with John Piser at 22 Mulberry street. He was released from Leman street Police Station about 8.30 last night. In reply to questions the ex-prisoner said:- Whatever particulars the world at large and the police authorities wish to know as to where I was staying when these atrocious and horrible crimes were committed I am quite willing to give. I came into this house at a quarter to eleven on Thursday night. I knocked and my sister opened the door. My sister's young man was present, and we had a conversation about work. My sister first went to bed and put the belt in the latch, so that anyone going out afterwards would not get in again. From Thursday until I was arrested I never left the house except to go into the yard I was seen several times I the yard by a neighbour. On Monday morning Sergeant Thicke came. I opened the door. He said I was wanted and I asked what for. He replied, “You known what for; you will have to come with me.” I said, “Very well; I will go with the greatest pleasure.” The officer said, “You know you are `Leather Apron,' ” or words to that effect. Up to that moment I did not know I was called by that name. I have been in the habit of wearing an apron from my employment, but not recently. When I arrived at the police station I was searched. They took everything from me, according to custom, as I suppose. They found nothing that could incriminate me, thank God, or connects me with the crime that I have been unfortunately suspected of. I know of no crime, and my character will bear the strictest investigation. I am generally here, but occasionally at a lodginghouse, but not in Dorset street. Before coming here on Thursday I was at Holloway. Last Sunday week I was accosted in Church street by two females, unknown to me. One of them asked me if I was the man, referring presumably to the Buck's row murder. I said “God forbid, my good woman.” A man then asked me to treat him to beer. I walked on. I do not known Mrs Fiddyman's publichouse, and was ignorant of such a name as Mrs. Siffy until it was published. I don't know the woman. Yesterday a man came to Leman-street station, and at the request of the police I went out into the yard. A stalwart man, of Negro cast, whom I know to be a boot finisher, placed his hands upon y shoulder. I said, “I don't know you, you are mistaken.” His statements that he saw me threaten a woman in Hanbury street is false. I can give a full account of my whereabouts. I shall see if I cannot legally proceed against those who have made statements about me. The charges against me have quite broken my spirits, and I fear I shall have to place myself under medical treatment. The Press Association representative adds that Piser is a man of medium height, with a moustache and whiskers. For a man of his class he displays more than an ordinary amount of intelligence. He was perfectly at ease when making his statement, and more than once appealed to his father for confirmation of his story. An inquest into the circumstances connected with the death of the woman Chapman was resumed this afternoon by Mr Baxter, coroner, at the Working Lads' Institute. Inspectors Affeline and Helson watched the proceedings on behalf of the police. Fontain Smith, printers' warehouseman, identified the body as that of his eldest sister, Annie Chapman, a widow. She was forty-seven years of age. He last saw her alive a fortnight ago, when he gave her two shillings. She did not say where she was living or what she was doing, and he knew nothing of her associates. Evidence was then given by James Kemp, one of the men who found the body, as to its position and appearance, his statements agreeing with the descriptions previously published. Mrs Richardson, who occupied the house at the back of which the deceased was discovered, said she heard no noise during the night. About a month ago there was a man on the stairs who said he was waiting for the market, and on being told he had no business there he went away. If anybody had gone through the house about half-past three in the morning she would have thought it was one of the lodgers. She had no doubt people did go into the back who had no business there. John Richardson, son of the last witness, said he had caught people in the back yard for immoral purposes. John Piser was the next witness. In answer to the coroner he said - I am a shoemaker. Are you known by the nickname of Leather Apron? Yes sir. Where were you on Friday night last? At my home, 22 Mulberry street, Commercial road. I went there on Thursday, and I never went out all day Friday. Where did you come from? From the west end of town. Coroner - I will take that for the present, but I shall have to get a better address than that presently. Who lives at 22 Mulberry street? My brother and stepmother. And you remained there till when? Till I was arrested on Monday last. My brother advised me to remain in-doors, and I never left the house. Were you the object of suspicion? I was the object of false suspicion. Coroner - It was not the best advice that could have been given you, but still you acted on the advice of your brother in staying in? Yes, but I had certain proof that I should have been torn to pieces. I now wish to vindicate my character to the world at large. Yes, you were called to admit of your doing so. Where were you on Thursday, 30th August, that would be bank holiday, would it not? No, last Thursday week in Holloway road. Did you sleep the night there? Yes sir; I went in about a quarter past two and left it on Saturday morning. But you had not been out on Friday? Yes, at eleven o'clock. I saw on the Star placard “Another Terrible Murder.” Previously to this where were you? ON Thursday night I had supper in the same house. Then I went out, and seeing a reflection of fire at the Docks I spoke about it to a policeman. I then went towards Highgate Station, ad did not get to the lodging house till a quarter to two on Friday morning. I got up at eleven next morning. Is there anything else you wish to say? Nothing else. Referring to your previous evidence, what do you mean when you said the west end of town? Witness - Peter street, Westminster. Another lodging house there. Coroner - I think it only fair to say that these statements by witness have been corroborated in every particular. Detective Sergeant Thicke said he had known him for many years as Leather Apron, and, knowing he was suspected of murder, had arrested him, Coroner - When people in the neighbourhood speak of Leather Apron they mean Piser? They do. After further evidence the inquiry was adjourned until to-morrow afternoon. The Press Association adds that Pigott, who was arrested at Gravesend, is still in Whitechapel Infirmary. Dr Lardner cannot yet express a decided opinion a to his state of mind, and he will probably remain in the institution for some days. A policeman is in charge of him, but otherwise there is nothing to distinguish his care from that of any other patient. A man was arrested on suspicion at Holloway to-day, but on being medically examined was found to be of unsound mind, and was sent to the workhouse infirmary. Central News says - No further arrests have been made in connection with the Whitechapel murders. The bloodstained paper found in Bailey's Packing case yard abutting on the back of the garden of No 25 Hanbury street has been handed to t
he police experts for chemical analysis. The woman Durrell has identified the body of the murdered woman Chapman as that of the woman whom she saw talking with a man outside No 29, the scene of the murder, about half past five on Saturday morning. This corroborates other witnesses and leaves no doubt that the murder was committed between half-past five and six o'clock, in almost broad daylight. Dr Forbes Winslow writes to the Times expressing a confident belief that the murderer is not of the class to which “Leather Apron” belongs, but is of the upper classes of society, and that the murderer is a lunatic lately discharged from some asylum, or one who has escaped. He suggests a return of all homicidal patients recently discharged.

  The Irish Times, a newspaper published in Dublin, Ireland, featured the following, dated September 13th 1888,

  THE WHITECHAPEL TRAGEDY. THE RESUMED INQUEST. EVIDENCE OF “LEATHER APRON.” (SPECIAL TELEGRAPH). LONDON, WEDNESDAY. The inquest on the body of the unfortunate woman, Nannie Chapman, also known as Annie Sivey, who was so brutally murdered and mutilated in Hanbury street, on Saturday morning, the 8th inst., was resumed this afternoon at the Working Lads' Institute, Whitechapel road, by Mr Wynne Baxter. Mr Fontaine Smith, a respectable man of about 35 years of age, said he was a printers' warehouse man and a brother of the deceased Annie Chapman. He evidently felt somewhat unnerved, and gave his evidence in a low tone of voice. He said he had seen the body, and recognised it as that of his eldest sister. She was the widow of John Chapman, a coachman who had lived at Windsor. She had been separated from her husband for about three years. She was 47 years old. I saw her alive a fortnight ago in Commercial street, where I met her promiscuously. Her husband died at Christmas 1886. When I met her she recognised me first, and I gave her a few shillings. She didn't say where she was living or what she was doing. She said she wanted the money for lodging. I knew nothing about her associates. The next witness gave his name as James Kent, packing case maker. He had some of the diffidence of the previous witness but spoke out in a loud and clear manner. He came in his working dress, with a blue handkerchief twisted round his neck. He had not much of importance to say, but his answers to the Coroner had the merit of lucidity. “I work,” said he, “for Mr Bailey, 23 Hanbury street. I go to work at six o'clock. On Saturday last I arrived at the place about ten minutes past six. The gate was open, but I waited a minute or two as I usually do. While waiting an elderly man called me. I believe his name is Davis. He came out of his house and ran into the road. He said, `Men, come here.' I and James Green went to 29 Hanbury street. There were others standing about. I went to the passage and saw a woman lying in the yard between the back door steps and partition. Her head was against the house, and her body was flat on the ground. Her feet were towards our premises where I am employed. I did not examine her. I did not go down the steps into the yard. No one went in until Inspector Chandler arrived. She was dead. She had some kind of handkerchief round her throat, which seemed soaked in blood. I saw no blood running but she was smeared with blood - her face and hands - as if she had struggled. Her hands were in front of her, as if she had been struggling - as if she had fought for her throat. Her legs were wide apart, and on them were marks of blood. I did not notice whether there was blood on the clothes. I was too much frightened to notice very particularly. It seemed as if her inside had been torn out. (Sensation). I went then to look for a policeman, and I had some brandy. Next I went to the shop and got a piece of canvas to throw over the body. By that time a mob had assembled and the police inspector had arrived. Green went to the yard with me, but afterwards went and looked over the wall. James Green, also a packing case maker working for Mr Bailey, then stepped forward on the invitation of the Coroner. In answer to the coroner, he gave his evidence, entirely supporting that of Kent, with whom he had been when they were called by Davis. His testimony was not very important except that it corroborated that of the preceding witness. Mrs Amelia Richardson, 29 Hanbury street, Spitalfields, was then brought in. On being sworn, she kissed the book, and proceeded to say that she rented the house in Hanbury street.”I carry on business there," she went on, “and employ there my son, aged 37, and a man named Francis Tyler. Tyler should have come to work at 6 o'clock but he did not come until 8. I sent for him. He was often late when work was slack. My son also works at the market. He went through our yard soon after 5 o'clock, but there was nothing then. About 6 o'clock my grandson, Thomas Richardson, aged 14, went down to see what was the matter as there was so much noise in the passage. He came back and said, `Oh, mother, there is a woman murdered.' I went out and saw the deceased in the yard. There was no one in the yard at the time, but there were people in the passage. Soon afterwards a constable arrived and took possession of the place. So far as I know he was the first person to go into the yard. I occupy the first floor front. My grandson also slept in the same room. I went to bed at half past 9. I was very wakeful, and was awake half the night. I woke at 3, and only dozed afterwards. I heard no noise during the night. The first floor back was occupied by Mr Waker, an old gentleman, together with his wife and son. The son is an imbecile. On the ground floor there are two rooms occupied by Mrs Hardiman and her son, aged 16. Mrs Hardiman keeps a cat's meat shop. The son goes out with the cat's meat. I occupy the back parlour for the cooking and on Friday night I had a prayer meeting there. When I went to bed I locked that room up. It was still locked in the morning. John Davis and his family occupy the third floor front. An old lady occupies the back room on that floor. The house is practically open all night, and although I have property there I am not afraid. There are never any robberies there. I am not the owner of the house. I can hear anyone going through the passage, but I heard nobody on Saturday. A Juryman - You mean to say you could hear them if you were awake? Witness - Yes. Of course there is noise and bustle on market mornings. I heard no cries on Saturday. By the Coroner - It is customary for people to go through the house. They go to the back yard, but I always hear them. Some people go through who have no business there. I still adhere to the fact that I heard nobody go through on Saturday morning. If anybody had gone through he must have walked purposely quietly. Mrs Hardiman, who occupied the ground floor front room at 29 Hanbury street, said she was asleep all Friday night and did not go through the passage into the yard that night. John Richardson, a porter in Spitalfields Market, living in John street, said he travelled for his mother in the packing case business. On Saturday morning at 20 minutes to 5 he went to 29 Hanbury street to see if the cellars were all secure. He found the front door closed and opening it, and going through the passage to the back door he sat on the back door step to cut a piece of leather off his boot with a long knife that he had in his packet. He did not go into the yard. After two minutes he went back through the passage and closing the front door left. Was not quite daylight, but he could see all over the place. If the deceased had been lying in the yard then he could not have failed to notice the body, as he sat close to where it was afterwards found. He saw the body there about 6 o'clock from the next yard. He had been there all hours of the night, and had seen many strangers there. He had often turned them out. Mrs Richardson (recalled) explained that her son while in the cellar wore a leather apron, which on Thursday last she found in the cellar, and took out to wash. She put it under the tap in the yard, and left it there. It was found in the yard on Saturday morning. John Piser, 29 Mulberry street, the man who was apprehended on Monday, was then brought in. When he gave his name there was quite a sensation. On the officer approaching to administer the oath Piser produced his own Bible, put his hat on his head, and swore”by Jehovah." In answer to the coroner he spoke in a subdued manner, but with clearness and deliberation, admitting that he was known as “Leather Apron.” He had been, he said, at Mulberry street since Thursday, and arrived there then “from the West End of the town” upon which the coroner remarked sotto voce, “We shall have to get a better address than that presently.” He had, he said, kept indoors at Mulberry street by advice, as he was the object of false suspicions, and he fea
red he would be torn to pieces. The Coroner then went on to question him closely as to his previous movements, and there was some vagueness in his answers which will be best shown in the following exact note of his evidence:- To the Coroner - I am a shoemaker. Are you known as “Leather Apron?” Yes, sir. Where were you on Friday night? At 22 Mulberry street. I went there on Thursday night, I came from the West End of the town. I reached Mulberry street at about 11 o'clock. My brother and step-mother live at 22 Mulberry street. I remained indoors there until I was arrested by the police on Monday at 9 a.m. I never left the house during that time. I remained indoors as I was the object of false suspicions. My brother advised me to remain indoors. The Coroner - It was not the best advice. Piser - I should have been torn to pieces if I had gone out. I am not now in custody. I wish to clear my character. Where were you on the Thursday before you came to Mulberry street? I was in the Holloway road. I think you had better say where you were? On that Thursday, August 30, I was staying at a common lodging-house called the “Round House,” Holloway road. I slept there. I went in about a quarter past 2 on Friday morning. I left it the same day about 11 a.m. Where were you before 2 o'clock on Friday morning? At 11 o'clock on Thursday night I had my supper at the same house. Previous to that I went to Seven Sisters road. I saw the reflection of a fire, and on meeting two policemen asked them where it was. They said it was at the Albert Docks. When I returned to the lodging-house and paid for my bed, I went in to the kitchen and sat down for a little while. I soon after went to bed. I got up at 11 o'clock. On last Thursday the 8th inst., I came from a lodging house in Westminster. The Coroner - I think it is only fair to say that these statements can be corroborated. Sergeant William Thicke said, on Monday last I went to 22 Mulberry street and arrested Piser, whom I had known as “Leather Apron” for many years. He was released from custody last night at 8.30. John Richardson (recalled) produced the old table knife - a small and rusty specimen. After some further evidence the inquest was adjourned until to-morrow. LONDON, WEDNESDAY NIGHT. No further arrests have been made in connection with the murders. The bloodstained paper found in Bailey's packing-case yard, abutting on the back of the garden of No 25 Hanbury street, has been handed to police experts for chemical analysis. The woman Darrell has identified the body of the murdered woman Chapman as that of the woman whom she saw talking to a man outside No 29, the scene of the murder, about half-past five on Saturday morning. This corroborates other witnesses, and leaves little doubt that the murder was committed between half-past five and six o'clock, in almost broad daylight. Pigott, who was arrested at Gravesend, is still in Whitechapel Infirmary. Dr Lardner cannot yet express a decided opinion as to his state of mind and he will probably remain in the institution for some days. A policeman is in charge of him, but otherwise there is nothing to distinguish his case from that of any other patient. A man was arrested on suspicion at Holloway to-day, but on being medically examined was found to be of unsound mind and was sent to the workhouse infirmary. THE SUPPOSED MURDER AND MUTILATION IN LONDON. (BY TELEGRAPH). LONDON, WEDNESDAY. This afternoon, Dr Thomas Neville, divisional surgeon, visited the mortuary at Ebury Bridge, Pimlico, for the purpose of minutely examining the arm found in the Thames on Tuesday. The limb at present will remain at the mortuary awaiting the orders of Mr Troutbeck, the district coroner, who has been officially informed of the discovery, but it is improbable that an inquest will be held. The Thames police are making every endeavour to find other portions of the body if there are any in the river, and the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department are making inquiries. The authorities still believe a murder has been committed. (CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM) LONDON, WEDNESDAY. The Thames police were engaged for several hours this afternoon in dragging the river between Pimlico Steamboat Pier and London and Brighton South Coast Railway Bridge, between which points the arm of the woman was found yesterday. A careful examination was also made of the timber rafts floating in the river, but no discovery of human remains was made. It is the opinion of the river police that the arm was dropped over the embankment, which at night is darker than most thoroughfares owing to the numerous trees now in full leaf, and little frequented. The arm is still in the mortuary, and will be further examined by surgical experts. In regard to the theory that the arm might have been thrown on to the river by a medical student with a view to create a scare, our representative called at one of the chief London hospitals to-day. He was assured that the arm could not possibly have been removed by a student from any hospital dissecting room. Students are allowed to dissect only in the room set aside for that purpose. Under the Act of William IV, hospitals and medical schools are allowed to receive unclaimed bodies for the purposes of dissection, but 48 hours notice has to be given after death to the Inspector under the Act before the body can be removed from the place of decease, and then only after a certificate of death has been given. The bodies, after being dissected, must be buried in consecrated ground and within six weeks a certificate of burial must be forwarded to the Inspector. Under no circumstances are students allowed to take portions of bodies to their own homes; in fact they would be liable under the Act to heavy penalties for doing so.