Daily Chronicle (U.K.)
Friday, 28 December 1888

A CLUE TO THE POPLAR MYSTERY.

The police have succeeded in finding Mrs. Mylett, the mother of the woman found dead in Clarke's Yard, Poplar, a few days ago. The deceased woman had frequently spoken of her mother living somewhere near Baker's Row, Whitechapel, and it was near this thoroughfare, in Pelham-street, that Mrs. Mylett was found to be residing. When the detectives called at the house on Boxing Day they found the inmates indulging in Christmas festivities, and upon their stating the object of their visit one of the women in the house had a serious fit. Upon visiting the mortuary Mrs. Mylett stated that she had no doubt that the body shown her was that of her daughter, and added that she last saw the deceased alive on Sunday week, when she called at Pelham-street. The mother had frequently remonstrated with her daughter upon her mode of life, but without avail. Mrs. Mylett, who is an Irishwoman, also stated that her daughter was born in London, and some years ago married, unknown to her parents, a man named Davis, whom Mrs. Mylett believed was an upholsterer by trade. The young couple had one child, but as they often disagreed they separated. This child is now in a school at Sutton, and is about seven years of age. A curious fact in reference to the woman having had a child is that Dr. Brownfield, when at the inquest, expressed the opinion that the deceased had never been a mother.

Inspector Swanson, Inspector Wildey, and the Criminal Investigation officers under their guidance are working energetically to elucidate the mystery, and another statement has afforded the detective officers with an additional clue. It appears that Charles Ptomoley, an attendant at the Poplar Union, was proceeding to the workhouse last Wednesday night week when he saw two sailors having an altercation with the deceased woman, who was heard strenuouslv to decline their overtures to accompany them. They were then at the corner of England-row, within sight of Clarke's-yard. Ptomoley has given the police authorities a full description of the men's appearance, and says that, though in other respects they were dressed as seamen, one had a fur cap, drawn partly over his face, while the other wore a round black hat. This statement has been verified, for the two men described by the attendant were seen by others in the district, and it also confirms the assertion of Alice Graves, who knew the deceased well, and who states that she saw the unfortunate woman walking along early on the morning of the tragedy with two men dressed as sailors.