The City Press (London)
Saturday, 6 October 1888.
THE excitement in connexion with the murder in the City continues to be intense. At the representative meeting of working men, held at the Three Nuns Hotel on Wednesday, for the purpose of considering what action the bodies of working men should take regarding the recent murders, it was proposed, on the motion of Mr. Chandler, seconded by Mr. John McLean: "That a very hearty vote of thanks be hereby presented by the working men of the East-end of London to Mr. L. H. Phillips, C.C., and to the Corporation of the City of London for their prompt action in offering a substantial reward for the apprehension of the murderer." Also this meeting votes "That its members form a Workmen's Vigilance Committee, to assist, by all means in their power, the police in their present arduous duties."
Several country magistrates have visited the scene of the tragedy, amongst them being Mr. T. S. Scarborough, of the Halifax bench. In all cases the City Police courteously received them.
A man who entered a restaurant in Milk-street on Wednesday, and acted in a very suspicious manner, was detained for some hours at the Chief Office, Old Jewry, but was ultimately discharged. He exposed a small knife, and an instrument for injecting morphia. He had a light overcoat stained with blood, and is reported to have said, "If this coat could speak it would be worth a £1000; I lent it to a man last Saturday."
On Tuesday, a meeting was convened in Leadenhall House, Leadenhall-street, regarding the need of special measures to track the murderer. Numerous suggestions have found their way to the papers. One is that a bloodhound should be put upon the murderer's track.
On Thursday the inquest on Catherine Eddowes, alias Kelly, who was so cruelly murdered in Mitre-square, Aldgate, was opened by Mr. S. F. Langham, the City coroner, at the mortuary, in Golden-lane, Barbican. There was a considerable crowd outside of the building during the day. Mr. H. H. Crawford, (the City Solicitor) was present on behalf of the Corporation, and very materially assisted in the inquiry. Colonel Sir James Fraser, K.C.B., Commissioner of Police; Major Smith, Assistant Commissioner; and Superintendent Foster represented the City Police. Mr. Foster, jun., laid before the jury a plan of Mitre-square. This plan showed the woman as she was lying in the square and on the floor of the mortuary. It also included an accurate drawing of the mutilations of the body. For this sketch Mr. Foster was complimented by the Coroner, Dr. Sedgwick Saunders, Dr. Brown, and others. The evidence of identification was taken first, an elderly woman, named Gold, stating the deceased was her sister. The evidence, however, which created the greatest excitement, was that given by Dr. Gordon Brown, the surgeon of the City Police. At the conclusion of the doctor's evidence, which occupied two hours, the inquest was adjourned for a week. The jury expressed great satisfaction at the prompt measures taken by the Lord Mayor in offering a reward.
A CONFESSION WHEN DRUNK. - William Bull, of 6, Stannard-road, Dalston, was charged, upon his own confession, with the murder of a woman in Aldgate. Inspector Izzard deposed that on Tuesday night, about twenty to eleven, he was on duty at Bishopsgate police-station, when the prisoner came to him, and made a confession. After writing it down in his presence, and cautioning him, witness asked him if it was right, he replied in the affirmative, giving details of the occurrence. Subsequently witness asked him what had become of the clothes he was wearing at the time of the murder. He replied, "If you wish to know, they are in the Lea. The knife I threw away." Prisoner was very drunk. Sergeant Miles, who was instructed to make inquiries, found he was not known at the London Hospital. Defendant's father said that he (accused) was not out on Saturday. Prisoner's parents were highly-respectable people. The Alderman (to accused): Have you any question to ask the witness? Defendant: No; when I made that confession I was mad drunk; I could not do it. The Alderman remanded him so that further inquiries might be made, and refused to accept bail.
The LORD MAYOR said: The Court is aware of the course I was advised and thought it right to take, as to the prompt offer, in the name of the Corporation, of a substantial reward for the apprehension of the Mitre-square murderer, and I am glad to see that not only is public opinion satisfied, by, judging from the paper of business, the Court is equally so. I will only now ask the Court to endorse that which I have done in its name, and I am sure we all join in the earnest hope that the perpetrator or perpetrators of these hideous crimes will be speedily detected. (Cheers).
Mr. F. Green said he was sure the Court would endorse the action of the Lord Mayor, and he moved, "That the Court do entirely approve of the action of the Lord Mayor in directing the offer of a reward of £500 for the discovery and conviction of the Mitre-square murderer or murderers, and that the amount, if properly claimed, be paid out of the City's cash."
Mr. Alderman Cowan seconded the motion, observing that he was one of the earliest to advise the Lord Mayor to take the course he had adopted.
The motion was then agreed nem. con.
Amongst the motions on the paper was one by Mr. L. H. Phillips: "That this Court do offer a reward of £250, to be paid out of the City's cash, to any person or persons by whose aid, information, or evidence, the perpetrator or perpetrators of the recent atrocious murders in the East-end, or any of them, shall be convicted."
Mr. Price to move: "That a reward of £200 be offered and be paid out of the City's cash, to any person who shall give such information as will lead to the apprehension and conviction of the murderer of the woman who was found dead on Sunday morning last in Mitre-square, within the precincts of this City." As an amendment to which, Mr. Alderman Cowan was to move, "That the reward be £500 instead of £200."
Mr. J. Pound to move: "That a reward of £500 be forthwith offered for the apprehension of the perpetrator of the atrocious murder committed in Mitre-square, Aldgate, at or shortly after midnight on Saturday 29th last."
These resolutions apparently fell to the ground in consequence of the action of the Court.
