Manchester Guardian
22 November 1888
"A SCARE IN WHITECHAPEL"
Great excitement was caused in Spitalfields yesterday morning
by a report that another murder of a woman had been
discovered about eight o'clock at a lodging-house, 19,
George-street--a street running from Flower and Dean-street
to Thrawl-street. The report was exaggerated. It seems that
at four o'clock a woman, aged about 28, went to the house
with a man. It is stated that the woman was intoxicated, and
commenced singing, which she continued until eight o'clock,
when, according to Phillip Harris, who lodges at the house,
the signing ceased. About half-past nine Harris was sitting
in the kitchen eating his breakfast when he saw a man come
from the room and hurriedly leave the house. About the same
time the woman, who is known as "Dark Sarah," came
downstairs, and Harris observed that her throat was cut, and
that she was bleeding. Harris says:--"I saw what was the
matter, and several of us rushed out of the house and pursued
the man, who, we were told, had gone up Thrawl-street. We
saw him running before us; but when we got to the corner of
Brick Lane we lost sight of him. He was about 5ft. 6in. in
height, and wore a thick black moustache. I noticed that he
had an overcoat with a cape on it, but I did not see anything
in his hand." John Arundell, a coal heaver, living at 15,
Wood-street, Spitalfields, said that he went to No. 19,
George-street, yesterday morning and saw the woman sitting on
the bed, Dr. Phillips, the divisional surgeon, dressing her
throat. After she had been attended to she got up, walked
downstairs, and was placed in an ambulance and was wheeled to
the Commercial-street Police Station. The woman's wounds are
slight. There is a strong belief that the man who attempted
the murder is the individual now known as "Jack the Ripper,"
and the streets were crowded with people eagerly discussing
the latest outrage.
The following telegraphic communication has been circulated
among the police:--"Wanted, for attempted murder, on the 21st
inst., a man, aged 36 years, height 5ft. 6in., complexion
dark, no whiskers, dark moustache. Dress: Black jacket,
vest, and trousers, round black felt hat. Respectable
appearance. Can be identified."