Alderley and Wilmslow Advertiser
Friday, 21 September, 1888

THE WHITECHAPEL MURDER.
EXTRAORDINARY EVIDENCE.

An important charge was made at the Thames Police Court on Tuesday which the police believe may throw some light upon the recent tragedies in Whitechapel. Charles Ludwig (40), a decently dressed German of 1, The Minories was charged with being drunk and threatening Alexander Finlay, of Leman-street, Whitechapel. Prosecutor said that at three o’clock that morning he was standing at a coffee stall in Whitechapel, when the accused came up drunk, and in consequence was refused to be served. He then said to the prosecutor “What are you looking at?” and then pulled out a knife and tried to stab witness. Ludwig followed him round the stall, and made several attempts to stab him. A constable came up and he was given into custody. Constable 221H said the prisoner was in a very excited condition, and witness had previously received information that prisoner was wanted in the city for attempting to cut a woman’s throat with a razor. On the way to the station, he dropped a long bladed open knife, and on him was found a razor and a long bladed pair of scissors. - Inspector Pimley, H Division, asked the magistrates to remand the prisoner, as they had not had sufficient time to make the necessary inquiries concerning him.

A city constable, John Johnson, stated that early on Tuesday he was on duty in the Minories, when he heard screams of “Murder” proceeding from a dark court, in which there was no light. The court led to some railway arches, and was well known as a dangerous locality. On going into the court he found the prisoner with an unfortunate. The former appeared to be under the influence of drink. Witness asked what he was doing there, when he replied “Nothing.” The woman, who appeared to be in a very frightened and agitated condition, said, “Oh, policeman, do take me out of this!” The woman was so frightened that she then made no further statement. He sent the man off, and walked with the woman to the end of his beat; when she said: “He frightened me very much when he pulled a big knife out,” and witness said, “Why didn’t you tell me at the time,” and she replied: “I was too much frightened.” He then went and looked for the prisoner, but could not find him, and therefore warned several other constables of the occurrence. Witness had been out all the morning trying to find the woman, but up to that time without success. He should know her again. He believed prisoner worked in the neighbourhood. – The magistrates thereupon remanded prisoner. The arrest has caused intense excitement in the neighbourhood. Prisoner professes not to be able to speak English. He has been in this country about three months. He accounts for his time for about three weeks, but nothing is known of his doings before that time.

The adjourned inquest on the body of Annie Chapman, who was murdered in Hanbury-street, Whitechapel, on the morning of the 8th inst., was resumed on Wednesday afternoon. Eliza Cooper, a hawker, stated that she knew deceased, and last saw her alive on the Wednesday preceding the tragedy. Deceased was then wearing three brass rings on her left hand. Deceased used to associate with two men known as Stanley and “Harry the hawker,” but she also brought men casually to the house where she lodged. Witness could not say if any of these men were now missing. Witness had quarrelled with deceased, and they had come to blows. – Dr. Phillips, divisional surgeon, was recalled, and informed by the Coroner that all the details of the post mortem examination should be placed on the depositions. – Dr. Phillips expressed regret that the coroner should have come to this decision, as he believed that to make public the further result of the examination would thwart the ends of justice. Eventually Dr. Phillips gave evidence indicating that the object of the mutilation was to obtain one of the abdominal parts. The weapon used must have been from five to six inches long. It must also have been very sharp, and there were numerous indications that the murderer possessed anatomical knowledge. He could not have performed all the injuries, even if there had been no struggle, in less than a quarter of an hour. – Edward Stanley, bricklayers labourer, known as the “Pensioner,” and other witnesses having been examined, the inquest was adjourned for a week. – The jury expressed a strong opinion that a Government reward should be offered.