3 December 1888
Sir Charles Warren has taken formal farewell of his officers and men in the following general order, which was issued to the Metropolitan Police force on Saturday evening: - " December 1, 1888.-Sir C. Warren, having resigned the office of Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, which he has held since April, 1886, desires to convey to the members of the force his hearty appreciation of their efforts to do their duty during a time of unexampled difficulty. And, in bidding them farewell, Sir Charles Warren wishes to express his earnest thanks to all those members of the force who, in loyally serving their country, have given him so much support and assistance in carrying out the reorganisation entrusted to him.-(Signed) CHARLES WARREN."
This morning, at about one o'clock, intense excitement was caused in the district of King's-Cross by a report that that another attempt had been made to murder a woman. It appears that Harriet North, an unfortunate, residing at 12, Wood street, Cromer street, Gray's Inn-road, was accosted in the Euston-road by a young man, with a black moustache. After some conversation she accompanied him up Belgrave-street, King's-cross, and a few minutes afterwards she found that she had been stabbed with some sharp instrument in the abdomen. She exclaimed, "Oh, my God, what have you done?" and the man, without replying, ran off. The woman called out, and Sarah Ann Masters, a companion of hers, went to her assistance. Police constables Henry Stone, 273 E, and Charles Palmer, 871 E, also went to her aid, and finding she was bleeding profusely from the wound, they removed her to the Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn-road, where she was seen by Dr. Henry Tonks, one of the house-surgeons, and was by him admitted into the Milne ward. Whether the wound received by the woman is serious or not, has not yet been ascertained. The man made good his escape. The woman North states that he was apparently a foreigner, and that he wore a heavy black moustache.
Our Havant correspondent says that some additional and important information was obtained yesterday regarding the murder of the lad Searle, two boys having contributed valuable testimony. The prisoner Husband was visited by his father yesterday, and the scene was most affecting.
The man arrested on Friday night at the "Crystal" Tavern, Burdett-road, Mile-end, on suspicion in connexion with the east-end tragedies, was liberated almost immediately after his apprehension, as he gave a satisfactory account of himself.
Among the new engagements for Mr. Richard Mansfield's company at the Globe Theatre, December 22, are Mr. Weedon Grossmith, who will play Howard Algernon Briggs in "Prince Karl," and Mr. Lionel Brough, who will play the burglar in "Editha's Burglar," which will precede the comedy every evening.
It is not generally known that after "Paul Jones" has run its course at the Prince of Wales's Theatre, Frank Wyatt's and Goring Thomas's new opera will be produced. Miss Melnotte has commissioned Mr. B.C. Stephenson to write her a comedy drama, which she will produce on her return to England from Monte Carlo.
Mr. Monro, the new commissioner of the metropolitan police, will, we understand, commence his duties at Whitehall-place to-day, and henceforth his signature will appear on all police orders in the place of that of Sir C. Warren. Since his resignation of the post of assistant-commissioner, Mr. Monro has been almost daily in attendance at the Home Office; but to-day he will take formal possession of the rooms of the commissioner.
Annie King, 61, was charged, before Mr. Lushington, with being disorderly.-Constable 617 K said that early on Saturday morning he found the prisoner holding the arm of a gentleman, who was trying to get away from her. Witness got her away from the gentleman, when she became very disorderly, and as she would not go away he arrested her. - Prisoner said she sold the gentleman a flower, and he made her and several people laugh by reading a card. He said there had been a benefit for "Jack the Ripper," when Mr. Peace was in the chair, and a gentleman from Scotland-yard was deputy.-(Laughter.) The constable then came up.-Mr. Lushington fined her half a crown, or three days.
A man about 35 years of age, of dark complexion, came before the Court during the afternoon, and asked the advice of Mr. Chance as to what he should do with regard to being taken into custody in an illegal manner.-Mr. Chance asked what were the circumstances with regard to the alleged illegal arrest.-The applicant said he had a short time back been arrested at the East-end of London, and taken to a police-station upon a suspicion that he was "Jack the Ripper," and implicated in the murders at the East-end.-Mr. Chance asked him if he was detained in custody, and applicant said he was, and after inquiries had been made was allowed to go. His arrest had been very detrimental to him, and he had been unable to obtain work. He wished to know what his worship could do in the matter.-Mr. Chance said it was a proceeding which had nothing to do with the district of this Court. If, however, the statement made by the applicant was correct, he had better apply to the Commissioner of Police and explain the case to them.-The applicant thanked his worship and said he would follow that advice.
John Weidon, 28, of 15, Frances-street, Woolwich, was charged, before Mr. Fenwick, with wilful damage.-Mrs. Segain, the keeper of a fish shop in New-road, Woolwich, said the prisoner came there and wanted credit. She refused to trust him, and thereupon he became very abusive and said, "I am Jack the Ripper, and will do for you," at the same time commencing to smash everything in the shop, sweeping a number of plates, vinegar bottles, &c., off the counter.-The prisoner was ordered to pay 12s., or be imprisoned for seven days.