The Press Association says - A statement was made last 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.
No further arrest has been made up to this evening. On the question of the hour at which the crime was committed, concerning which there was a difference between the evidence of the man Richardson and the opinion of Dr Phillips, a Press Association reporter to-day elicited that Mr Cradoche, who lives in the next house to No 29 Hanbury street, where the murder was committed, went to the back of the premises at half past five a.m. and as he passed the wooden partition he heard a woman say, "No, no." On returning he heard a scuffle, and then some one fell heavily against the fence. He heard no cry for help, so he went into the house. Some surprise is felt that the statement was not made in evidence at the inquest. Inquiry reveals the circumstances that some of the four murdered women were known to one another, but there is great reticence amongst the women of the locality to give information, partly because of the shame at making public the life they are leading, and also from fear of being subjected to rough usage. Although there is not so much surface excitement as earlier in the week, there is a very strong feeling in the district and a large number of people continue to visit the locality. A rumour was prevalent to-day that inquiries were being made by a detective at Maidstone with a view to the identification of the handwriting on the envelope found near the body, but the Press Association correspondent states that this is incorrect.
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.
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.
Inspector Webber, A Division, attended before the magistrate at Westminster this afternoon and stated that the police last night found and took to her house the girl Emma Porter, who was reported missing by her mother. A description of the girl had been circulated, and the mother thought that the discovery of a mutilated arm at Grosvenor-road might have some connection with the girl's disappearance.
