by Covell, Mike
The bloodstained newspapers, found near the scene of the murder, have been analysed and proved to be human blood. It is believed the murderer wiped his hands on the papers. The funeral of Annie Chapman took place early this morning. Strict secrecy was observed in the arrangements, and the removal of the body from the mortuary attracted little attention. Several relative s of the deceased met the hearse at the Manor Park Cemetery, where the interment took place and a service was duly performed. The body was enclosed in a black covered coffin of elm. London, Friday, Midnight. The Press Association says - The police made another arrest to-night in connection with the recent murder. The man, who is detained at Commercial Stand, answers the descriptions communicated by several persons. He was handed over to a police officer this evening near Flower and Dean street, Spitalfields, his movements having created since yesterday grave suspicion. The man is about 5ft 7in in height, with hair, beard and moustache inclining to be sandy, shabbily dressed with cloth skull cap. On being searched one of the most extraordinary accumulation of articles was found, including tow for purposes usually carried by females, and several pocket handkerchiefs. The man has no fixed abode. The detectives are investigating his recent movements.
The Central News says - A man has been arrested on a charge of threatening to stab people in the neighbourhood of the Tower. A roughly sharpened knife was found upon him. He is a short, stout man, with a sandy beard, and wears a dark cap. The police offer no opinion as to the value of this latest arrest. It is pointed out as a fact which cannot be too clearly emphasised that anyone harbouring a person who may be a murderer is liable to be arrested as an accessory after the fact. The Central News further says - The police have to-day been in communication with the pensioner who was said to have been seen in the company of the murdered woman Chapman. He has voluntarily explained his connections with deceased and his antecedents. His statements were, it is understood, entirely satisfactory, and he will be produced as a witness when the inquest is resumed. In the course of to-days investigations the police have become possessed of some further important information from which it is hoped important results will follow. All ranks are working in a most indefatigable spirit, and a complete sense of security seems to be entertained by the inhabitants.
The Hull and East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Times, September 15th 1888
THE WHITECHAPEL TRAGEDY. THE INQUEST. The inquest on the body of Annie Chapman, who was found murdered in Hanbury-street, Whitechapel, on Saturday, was opened at ten o'clock on Monday by Mr. Baxter, District Coroner, at the working lads' Institute, Whitechapel-road. – Inspector Nelson, J Division, represented the police. – The court and vicinity were crowded, and the latest newspapers were eagerly scanned by those in waiting for the commencement of the proceedings. – Mr. Collier, deputy coroner, accompanied Mr. Wynne Baxter. The jury having been sworn went to view the body at the mortuary. On their return John Davies deposed: I live at 29, Hanbury-street, Spitalfields. I am a carman, and occupy a front room with my wife, and three sons. On Friday night I went to bed at eight o'clock. My sons came in at different times, the last at about a quarter to 11. I was awake between three and five o'clock, but fell to sleep for about half an hour, and got up at a quarter to six. I went across the yard. When I opened the back door of the yard I found a woman lying on her back. I called two men in the employ of Mr Bayley, packing case maker, in Hanbury-street, three doors from No, 29. They came and looked at the body. I do not know them personally. – In reply to the Coroner, Inspector Chandler said the men referred to were not known to the police. – The Coroner expressed surprise at this. He said the man must be found, if they had not already been seen and identified. – Davis (continuing) said: I informed the inspector at Commercial-street what I had seen in the yard. I heard no voice on Saturday evening. - Amelia Palmer, living at 30, Dorset-street, lodging house, was next examined. She said her husband was an army pensioner. She knew the deceased for five years, and identified the body as that of Annie Chapman, a widow. Her husband died at Windsor 18 months ago. Prior to that she received 10s a week from him. Deceased was called Mrs Liffey, because she lived with a man who was a sieve maker. She had been staying at 35, Dorset-street. Witness had seen her several times the worse for drink, and she was frequently out in the streets late at night. On Friday afternoon witness saw her in Dorset-street about five o'clock. She said she had no money, and had been in the casual ward, and she could not pay for her lodging. - Timothy Donovan (35), Dorset-street, deputy of a common lodging house, identified the body at the Mortuary as the woman who had lodged at his house occasionally. She was not at No. 35 last week until Friday afternoon, about three o'clock. She went into the kitchen, and he did not see her again till Saturday morning at 1.45. She afterwards left the house, and said she should come back again for a bed. She was somewhat the worst for liquor, and when she left in the morning the witness said, “You can find money for your bed.” He did not see her with any man that night. Sometimes she came to the house with a man said to be a pensioner, and sometimes with other men, and witness had refused to allow her a bed. Replying to the Coroner, witness added that, the pensioner had told him not to admit her with any other man. - Inspector Chandler, in answer to the Coroner, said nothing was known of the man called the pensioner.- Donavan (resuming) said on August 29th deceased had a row with another woman in the kitchen, and sustained a bruise over her eye.- John Evans, night watchman, 35, Dorset-street, said he saw the deceased go out on Saturday morning, she never returned. She was worse for drink. Witness knew she was on the streets at night, but only knew of the man with whom she associated. He used to come to her on Saturdays. He called about half past two on Saturday last, and when he was told of the murder went away without saying anything. He did not know this man's name or address. The inquest was adjourned until Wednesday. The inquest was resumed on Wednesday, at the Boys' Institute, Whitechapel, by Mr Wynne Baxter. – Inspectors Abberline and Helson attended to represent the police. A plan of the locality was prepared for the information of the jury. There was a large attendance of the public. Fontain Smith, printing warehouseman, deposed that he recognised deceased as his sister. She was the widow of a head coachman, who formerly lived at Windsor, and had lived apart from him for three or four years. He last saw her alive a fortnight ago. He gave her 2s. She did not tell him where she was living. James Kemp, packing case maker, Shadwell, said he worked at 23, Hanbury-street, for Mr. Bailey. His usual time for going to work was six o'clock. On Saturday he got there at ten minutes or a quarter past six. His employers gate was open. While he was waiting for the other men to come an elderly man named Davis, living near, ran into the road and called him. Witness went, accompanied by James Green and others. He saw a woman lying in the yard of No. 29, near the doorsteps. Her clothes were disarranged. Nobody entered the yard until the arrival of Inspector Chandler. The woman's hands and face were smeared with blood, and the position of the hands indicated that a struggle had taken place. The woman's internal organs had been torn out, and were lying over her shoulder. Witness went to fetch a piece of canvas to throw over the body, and when he returned the inspector was in possession of the yard. James Green, another of Mr. Bailey's workmen, corroborated. Amelia Richardson, 29, Hanbury-street, said she and her son occupied separate parts of the house. Francis Tyler carried on the work of a packing case maker there. He came at eight o'clock on Saturday morning, instead of six, the usual hour. Her son lived in John-street, and was occasionally late. About six o'clock on Saturday morning, her grandson, Thomas Richardson, hearing a commotion in the passage, went out, and on returning said there was a woman murdered in the yard. Witness went down and saw people in the passage. The inspector was the first person who entered the yard. She was awake part of Friday night, but heard no noise. Witness proceeded to describe the number of lodgers in the house, and the apartments they occupied. The inquest was resumed on Thursday by Mr Wynne Baxter, at the Lads' Institute, Whitechapel. – Inspector Chandler, H. Division, Metropolitan Police, dep
osed he was on duty on Saturday morning a few minutes after six, at the corner of Hanbury-street. He saw several men running, one of whom said another woman had been murdered. Witness accompanied him to 29, Hanbury-street, Whitechapel. About two yards from a water-tap was a leather apron, which was afterwards shown to the police surgeon. There was also a nail box and a piece of steel in the yard. There was no evidence of any person having climbed over the fence dividing the yard from the next yard. Marks were found on the wall of No. 25 on Tuesday last. There were no traces of blood outside of the yard where the body was found. Inspector Chandler proceeded to describe the clothing on the body, and said the underclothing was not torn at all. The Foreman asked with reference to the envelope that had been found and the mention of a pensioner named Stanley, did the police promise to produce that man? Inspector Chandler replied that he had been unable to find him. The Foreman said it was very important, as the pensioner had been staying with the deceased night after night. The inspector replied that nobody knew who he was. The lodging house keeper had been requested to inform the police if the man came there. The Coroner – The pensioner knows his own business, but I should have thought he would come forward himself. The inquiry was again adjourned. FUNERAL OF THE VICTIM. The funeral of Annie Chapman, the victim of the Hanbury-street murder, took place early this morning. Strict secrecy was observed in the arrangements, and the removal of the body from the mortuary attracted little attention. Several relative s of the deceased met the hearse at the Manor Park Cemetery, where the interment took place and a service was duly performed. The body was enclosed in a black covered coffin of elm. 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. Another fresh point was elicited in the form of a statement made by a woman named Darrell, who minds carts on market mornings in Spitalfields Market. She asserts that about half-past five on Saturday morning she was passing the front door of No. 29, Hanbury-street, when she saw a man and a woman standing on the pavement. She heard the man say “Will you?” and the woman replied “Yes,” and they then disappeared. Mrs. Darrell does not think she could identify the couple. A meeting of the chief local tradesmen was held yesterday, at which an influential committee was appointed, consisting of sixteen 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 a district vigilance committee also meets with greater 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. The Press Association says a statement was made on Thursday night to a reporter by a person named Lloyd, living in Heath-street, Commercial-road, which may possibly prove of some importance. While standing outside a neighbour's door on Monday night she heard her daughter, who was sitting on the door step, scream, and on looking round saw a man walk hurriedly away. The daughter states that the man stared into her face, and she perceived a large knife at his side. A lady living opposite stated that a similar incident took place outside her house. The man was short of stature, with a sandy beard, and wore a cloth cap. The woman drew the attention of some men who were passing to the strange man, and they pursued him some distance. He turned up a bye-street, and was eventually lost sight of. A Press Association's representative had an interview on Wednesday 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 lodging house, 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 public house, 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.
The Hull Daily News, a Hull based newspaper, featured the following, dated September 15th 1888,
THE HORRIBLE TRAGEDY IN WHITECHAPEL. SEARCH FOR THE MURDERER. During the week London has been greatly agitated concerning the murders committed in the neighbourhood of Whitechapel, the last being that of a woman named Chapman, who was found on Saturday morning so horribly mutilated in a yard in Hanbury-street. The police have been very active, and numerous arrests have been made, but up to the present time no evidence has been forthcoming to connect any of the prisoners with the tragedies, and with one exception all have been released. The principle interest attached to the apprehension of a man named Piser, who was believed to be a character known as “Leather Apron,” and who is alleged to have been frequenting the streets under suspicious circumstances. But the police have failed to in any way associate him with the deeds of blood which have been committed. Another arrest was that of a man named Piggott, at Gravesend, who was found to be in a blood spattered condition. In this case the man was afterwards pronounced insane, and was detained in custody. All day on Sunday five policeman guarded the scene of the crime in Hanbury-street. No one was admitted unless he resided in the house. In the street half a dozen costermongers took up their stand and did a brisk business in fruit and refreshments. Thousands of respectably dressed persons visited the scene, and occasionally the road became so crowded that the constables had to clear it by making a series of raids upon the spectators. The windows of the adjoining houses were full of persons watching the crowds below. A number of people also visited the house in Dorset-street, where t
he murdered woman lodged. The usually busy condition of Whitechapel and Spitalfields on a Sunday was considerably augmented on Sunday by reason of the excitement aroused by the murderer, in the course of the day nearly a dozen persons were arrested and conveyed to the Commercial-street Police Station. In the afternoon a vast crowd had collected about the streets, and as each apprehension was made they rushed pell-mell towards the station, obviously under the idea that the murderer of the woman had been caught. Shortly before five o'clock a man was arrested in Dale-street after a long phase on a charge of assault. The officer who took him proceeded with his prisoner by the way of Hanbury-street to the police station, and so was obliged to make his way through the crowd outside the house. His prisoner stood in some danger of being mobbed, but the crowd eventually gave way, and the prisoner was safely lodged in the station. A few minutes later two men were arrested in Wentworth-street. So soon as the crowd saw them in the hands of the police there were loud cries of “Leather Apron,” and thereupon hundreds of persons turned out from the side streets and followed the officers in a tumultuous throng to the station. Not five minutes afterwards a woman was arrested on some trifling charge, and the excitement became so intense that a posse of officers were sent out from the building to preserve order. These marched three and four abreast up and down the pavement, and while they were so engaged yet another prisoner was brought in. There was a good deal of shouting by the mob, which surged about in a dangerous fashion, but by and by a diversion was caused by the rapid passage along Hanbury-street of three men who was supposed to be two detectives and the prisoner. The centre man bore a striking resemblance to “Leather Apron,” and the cry of “That's him” having been raised, a rush was made at him, but the little party immediately turned down a side street and the police prevented the crowd from proceeding further. The scene of the murder was again visited on Monday by crowds of morbid sight seers, and there was a good deal of excitement throughout the squalid district, due briefly to the arrests and the many rumours of arrest. Intelligent observers who have visited the locality express the utmost 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 like a slaughterman, and yet if the theory that the murder took place between five and six he accepted, he must have walked almost in broad daylight along streets comparatively well frequented, even at an early hour, without his startling appearance attracting the slightest attention. Sir Charles Warren resumed his duties at Scotland Yard on Monday morning, and during the day conferred with some of the chief officials respecting the murders. A meeting of the chief local tradesmen was held on Monday, at which an influential committee was appointed, consisting of sixteen well known gentlemen, with Mr. J. Aarons as the Secretary. The committee issued on Monday 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 certain that a large sum will be subscribed within the next few days. The proposal to form district Vigilance Committees also meets with great popular favour and is assuming practical form. Meetings have been held at the various working men's clubs and other organisations, political and social, in the district, at most of which the proposed scheme was heartily approved and volunteers enrolled. AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY. An important discovery, which throws considerable light upon the movements of the murderer immediately after the committal of the crime, was made on Tuesday afternoon. A little girl happened to be walking in the back garden of the yard of the house 25, Hanbury-street, the next house but one to the scene of the murder, when her attention was attracted to peculiar marks on the wall, and on the garden path. She communicated the discovery to Detective Inspector Chandler, who had just called at the house in order to make a plan of the back premises of the three houses for the use of the coroner at the inquest, which was resumed on Wednesday. The whole of the yard was then carefully examined, with the result that a trail of blood was found distinctly marked for a distance of five or six feet in the direction of the back door of the house. Further investigation left no doubt that the trail was that f the murderer, who it was evident after finishing his sanguinary work, had passed through or over the dividing fence between numbers 29 and 27, and thence into the garden of 25. On the wall of the last house there was found a curious mark between a smear and a sprinkle, which had probably been made by the murderer, who, alarmed by the blood soaked state of his coat, took off that garment and knocked it against the wall. Abutting on the end of the yard at 25 are the works of Mr. Bailey, a packing case maker. In the yard of this establishment is an out of the way corner the police on Tuesday afternoon found some crumpled papers stained, almost saturated with blood. It was evident that the murderer had found the paper in the yard of number 25, and had it wiped his hands with it, afterwards throwing it over the wall into Bailey's premises. The house, No. 25, like most of the dwellings in the street, is let out in tenements direct from the owner, who does not live on the premises, and has no direct representative therein. The back and front doors are therefore always left either on the latch or wide open, the tenant of each room looking after the safety of his own particular premises. The general appearance of the trail and other indications seem to show that the murderer intended to make his way as rapidly as possible into the street through the house next door, but being frightened by some noise or light in No. 29, retreated by the way which he came. On reaching the yard of No. 26, he made for the back door, and then suddenly remembering his bloodstained appearance, he must have hesitated a moment, and then catching sight of the places of paper lying about he doubtless retraced his steps to the end of the yard, and there performed his toilet. He might have had some thoughts of retreating by way of Bailey's premises, but the height of the walls made such a course somewhat perilous, and he finally elected to make his way into Hanbury-street by way of the house. He could have met with no difficulty, so both back and front doors were open, and he could, if needful, wait in the passage while anyone might be passing down the street. It will be seen that the discoveries made on Tuesday afternoon prove that the murderer was fully alive to the danger of detection, but such cunning is not of course incompatible with the theory of his insanity. It, however, somewhat lessens the chances of his capture and unfortunately, dispels the idea of his being an utterly reckless maniac. The St. Jude's Vigilance Association has only been in existence about four weeks. It is largely composed of working men, assisted by some of the members belonging to Toynbee Hall, its operations being confined to this neighbourhood. No action has yet been taken as to the result of the watching which has been done by the association. In an interview with a newspaper representative, a member of the committee stated that rows are constantly occurring in the district and that the police force is too small to deal with the disturbers of the peace. The night after the murder in Buck's-row a man and a woman disturbed Wentworth-street for more than half an hour. Two members of the committee were present, but no policeman could be found. Another brawl took place only on Tuesday in the same thoroughfare, and one of the committee who became aware of it looked for a constable for twenty minutes before one was found. The inhabitants of a certain fixed point, and it was only after two years endeavour that they obtained their object. Inquiries last night failed to discover that any similar associations have been started. THE POLICE BAFFLED. The police continued their inquiries and investigations on Wednesday, but their labours were entirely without reward, and it is now beginning to be admitted, even in official circles, that the detectives are once more at fault. The slender clue afforded by the blood trail in the yard of No. 25 Hanbury-street was eagerly taken up, but so far it has not resulted in anything that can be described as important evidence. Some persons who have examined the marks have expressed some doubt as to their being bloodstains, but on the whole there is good reason to believe that they are really the tracks of the assassin. In regard to the blood stained paper found in Bailey's pac
king case yard adjoining No. 25 Hanbury-street, there is practically no room for doubt that it was used by the murderer to cleanse his hands and thrown by him where it was found. The little girl, Laura Sickings, and other inmates of numbers 29, 27, and 25, have been questioned by the police, and the paper has been handed over to the police doctors for more scientific examination. A woman named Mrs. Durrell made a statement on Tuesday to the effect that about half past five o'clock on the morning of the murder of Mrs. Chapman she saw a man and a woman conversing outside No. 29, Hanbury-street, the scene of the murder, and that they disappeared very sufficiently. Mrs. Durrell was taken to the mortuary on Wednesday, and identified the body of Chapman as that of a woman whom she saw in Hanbury-street. If this identification can be relied upon it is obviously an important piece of evidence, as it fixed with precision the time at which the murder was committed, and corroborated the statement of John Richardson, who went into the yard at a quarter to five and has consistently and persistently declared that the body was not then on the premises. Davis, the man who first saw the corpse, went into the yard shortly after six o'clock. Assuming, therefore, that the various witnesses had spoken the truth, which there is not the slightest reason to doubt, the murder must have been committed between half past five and six o'clock, and the murderer must have walked through the streets in almost broad daylight without attracting attention, although he must have been at the time more or less stained with blood. This seems incredible, and it has certainly strengthened the belief of many of those engaged in the case that the murderer had not so far to go to reach his lodgings in a private house. POLICE DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPOSED MURDERER. An official description of the supposed murderer has been circulated by the police in London and the provinces as follows:- Description of a man who entered a passage of a house at which the murder was committed of a prostitute, at 2-0 a.m. on the 8th:- Age, 37; height, 5feet 7 inches; rather dark beard and moustache; dress, shirt, dark jacket, dark vest, and trousers, black scarf, black felt hat, spoke with a foreign accent. AN INTERVIEW WITH “LEATHER APRON” The Press Association's representative had an interview this morning with John Piser, at 22, Mulberry-street. He was released from Leman-street Police Station about 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday. 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 11 on Thursday night. I knocked, and my sister opened the door. My sister's young man was present. We had some conversation about work. My sister first went to bed , and put the bolt in the latch so that anyone going out could not get back in again. From Thursday until I was arrested I never left the house except to go into the yard. I was seen several times in 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 know what for, you will have to come with me.” I said, “Very well, I will go with you with the greatest of 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 the could find nothing that could incriminate me, thank God, or connect me with the crime I have been unfortunately suspected me of. I know of no crime, and my character will bear the strictest investigation. I am generally here, but occasionally stay at a lodging house, 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 if I was the man, referring presumably to the Buck's-row murder? I said, “God forbid my good woman.” A man then came and asked to treat him to a beer. I walked on. I do not know Mrs. Tiddyman's public house, and was ignorant of such a name as Mrs Siffy until it was published. I do not know the woman. On Tuesday a man came to Leman-street Station, and at the request of the police I went out into the yard. A stalwart man, of a negro cast, whom I know to be a boot finisher placed his hand upon my shoulder. I said “I don't know you; you are mistaken.” His statement 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 can not legally proceed against those that 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's representative adds: 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 making his statement, and more than once appealed to his father for confirmation of his story. THE INQUEST. The inquest on the body of Annie Chapman, who was found murdered in Hanbury-street, Whitechapel, on Saturday was opened at ten o'clock by Mr Wynne Baxter, District Coroner, at the Working Lads Institute, Whitechapel Road.- Inspector Nelson, J Division, represented the police.- Mr Collier deputy coroner, accompanied Mr Wynne Baxter. The jury having been sworn in went to view the body at the mortuary. On their return John Davies deposed: I live at 29, Hanbury-street, Spitalfields. I am a carman, and occupy a front room with my wife and three sons. On Friday night I went to bed at eight o'clock. My sons came in at different times, the last at about quarter to 11. I was awake between three and five o'clock, but fell to sleep for about half an hour, and got up at about quarter to six. I went across to the yard. On the ground floor there is a front door leading into a passage through the basement. There is a back door in the passage. Sometimes the doors are left open during the night. I have never known either of them to be locked. Anyone can open the front door by the latch, and enter the yard by the passage, I cannot say wether the back door was latched when I got down, but the front door was wide open, which was not an unusual circumstance.- Witness being asked to describe the general appearance of the yard, was not very clear in his statements.- The Coroner said the police in country places had generally prepared a plan of the locality which was the subject of investigation. Certainly this was of sufficient importance for such a plan.- Inspector Chandler promised that a plan should be drawn up.- The Coroner said that delay might prove fatal.- Witness resuming said: When I opened the back door of the yard I found a woman lying on her back. I called two men in the employ of Mr Bayley, packing case maker in Hanbury-street, three down from no. 29. They came and looked at the body. I do not know them personally.- In reply to the Coroner, Inspector Chandler said the men referred to were not known to the police.- The Coroner expressed surprise at this. He said the men must be found, if they had not already been seen and identified. Davis (continuing) said: I informed the inspector at Commercial-street what I had seen in the yard. I heard no voice on Saturday evening.- Amelia Palmer, living at 30, Dorset-street, lodging house, was next examined. She said her husband was an army pensioner. She knew the deceased for five years, and identified the body as that of Annie Chapman, a widow. Her husband died at Windsor 18 months ago. Prior to that she received 10s a week from him. Deceased was called Mrs Liffey, because she lived with a man who was a sieve maker. She had been staying at 35, Dorset-street. Witness had seen her several times the worse for drink, and she was frequently out in the streets late at night. On Friday afternoon witness saw her in Dorset-street about five o'clock. She said she had no money, and had been in the casual ward, and she could not pay for her lodging.- Timothy Donovan (35), Dorset-street, deputy of a common lodging house, identified the body at the Mortuary as the woman who had lodged at his house occasionally. She was not at No. 35 last week until Friday afternoon, about three o'clock. She went into the kitchen, and he did not see her again till Saturday morning at 1.45. She afterwards left the house, and said she should come back again for a bed. She was somewhat the worst for liquor, and when she left in the morning the witness said, “You can find money for your bed.” He did not s
ee her with any man that night. Sometimes she came to the house with a man said to be a pensioner, and sometimes with other men, and witness had refused to allow her a bed. Replying to the Coroner, witness added that, the pensioner had told him not to admit her with any other man.- Inspector Chandler, in answer to the Coroner, said nothing was known of the man called the pensioner.- Donavan (returning) said on August 29th deceased had a row with another woman in the kitchen, and sustained a bruise over her eye.- John Evans, night watchman, 35, Dorset-street, said he saw the deceased go out on Saturday morning, she never returned. She was worse for drink. Witness knew she was on the streets at night, but only knew of the man with whom she associated. He used to come to her on Saturdays. He called about half past two on Saturday last, and when he was told of the murder went away without saying anything. He did not know this man's name or address. The inquest was adjourned till Wednesday afternoon. The inquest was resumed on Wednesday. Fountain Smith, printing warehouseman, deposed that he recognised deceased as his sister. She was the widow of a head coachman, who formerly lived at Windsor, and had lived apart from him for three or four years. He last saw her alive a fortnight ago. He gave her 2s. She did not tell him where she was living. James Kemp, packing case maker, Shadwell, said he worked at 23, Hanbury-street, for Mr. Bailey. His usual time for going to work was six o'clock. On Saturday he got there at ten minutes or a quarter past six. His employers gate was open. While he was waiting for the other men to come an elderly man named Davis, living near, ran into the road and called him. Witness went, accompanied by James Green and others. He saw a woman lying in the yard of No. 29, near the doorsteps. Her clothes were disarranged. Nobody entered the yard until the arrival of Inspector Chandler. The woman's hands and face were smeared with blood, and the position of the hands indicated that a struggle had taken place. The woman's internal organs had been torn out, and were lying over her shoulder. Witness went to fetch a piece of canvas to throw over the body, and when he returned the inspector was in possession of the yard. James Green, another of Mr. Bailey's workmen, corroborated. Amelia Richardson, 29, Hanbury-street, said she and her son occupied separate parts of the house. Francis Tyler carried on the work of a packing case maker there. He came at eight o'clock on Saturday morning, instead of six, the usual hour. Her son lived in John-street, and was occasionally late. About six o'clock on Saturday morning, her grandson, Thomas Richardson, hearing a commotion in the passage, went out, and on returning said there was a woman murdered in the yard. Witness went down and saw people in the passage. The inspector was the first person who entered the yard. She was awake part of Friday night, but heard no noise. Witness proceeded to describe the number of lodgers in the house, and the apartments they occupied. John Piser said he lived at 22, Mulberry-street, and was a shoemaker. He was known by the name of “Leather Apron.” On Thursday night he arrived at the house from the West End shortly before eleven o'clock. He remained indoors until he was arrested by the police on Monday, the 10th inst, at nine o'clock. – By the Coroner: He never left the house till then. He remained indoors because his brother advised him. – You were the subject of suspicion? – I was the object of unjust suspicion. – where were you on the 30th August. – I was staying at the Crossingham's common lodging house, Holloway-road. The jury did not question the witness and the inquiry was adjourned. The inquest on the body was resumed on Thursday, by Mr. Wynne Baxter, at the Lads' Institute, Whitechapel. Inspector chandler, H Division, Metropolitan Police, deposed that he was on duty on Saturday morning a few minutes after six, at the corner of Hanbury-street. He saw several men running, one of whom said another woman had been murdered. Witness accompanied to 29, Hanbury-street. About two yards from a water tap was a leather apron, which was afterwards shown to the police surgeon. There was also a nail box and a piece of steel in the yard. There was no evidence of any person having climbed over the fence dividing the yard from the next yard. Marks were found on the wall of No. 25 on Tuesday last. There were no traces of blood outside of the yard where the body was found. Inspector Chandler proceeded to describe the clothing on the body, and said the underclothing was not torn at all. The Foreman asked with reference to the envelope that had been found and the mention of a pensioner named Stanley, did the police promise to produce that man? Inspector Chandler replied that he had been unable to find him. The Foreman said it was very important, as the pensioner had been staying with the deceased night after night. The inspector replied that nobody knew who he was. The lodging house keeper had been requested to inform the police if the man came there. The Coroner – The pensioner knows his own business, but I should have thought he would come forward himself. Dr. George Phillips, divisional police surgeon, said he examined the body of the deceased in the yard when it was discovered on Saturday morning. He described the injuries, which were of a frightful nature, and must have been inflicted with a long thin, sharp knife, such as slaughtermen use. The inquest was adjourned until Wednesday next.
