Pall Mall Gazette
13 November 1888

THE MURDER IN WHITECHAPEL
THE SUPPOSED MURDER ACCURATELY DESCRIBED

During yesterday several arrests were made, but after a short examination in all cases the persons were set at liberty. Yesterday evening the police received an important piece of information. A man, apparently of the labouring class, with a military appearance, who knew the deceased, stated that on the morning of the 9th inst. He saw her in Commercial-street, Spitalfields (near where the murder was committed), in company with a man of respectable appearance. He was about 5 ft. 6 in. in height, about thirty-four or thirty-five years of age, with dark complexion and dark moustache turned up at the ends. He was wearing a long, dark coat, trimmed with astrakhan, a white collar with black necktie, in which was affixed a horse-shoe pin. He wore a pair of dark gaiters with light buttons, over button boots, and displayed from his waistcoat a massive gold chain. His appearance contrasted so markedly with that of the woman that few people could have failed to remark them at that hour of the morning. This description, which confirms that given by others of the person seen in company with the deceased on the morning she was killed, is much fuller in detail than that hitherto in the possession of the police.

WHY DID THE INQUEST CLOSE SO ABRUPTLY?

Some surprise was created among those present at the inquest in the Shoreditch Town Hall by the abrupt termination of the inquiry, as it was well known that further evidence would be forthcoming. The coroner himself distinctly told the jury that he was only going to take the preliminary portion of Dr G. B. Phillips's evidence the remainder of which would be more fully given at the adjourned inquiry. No question was put to Dr Phillips as to the mutilated portions of the body, and the coroner did not think fit to ask the doctor whether any portions of the body were missing. The doctor stated to the coroner during the inquiry that his examination was not yet completed. His idea was that by at once making public every fact brought to light in connection with this terrible murder, the ends of justice might be retarded. The examination of the body by Dr Phillips on Saturday lasted upwards of six and a half hours.

The explanation given of why the bloodhounds were not used is that they would be of no use whatever in the locality in which this murder took place. Had it occurred in an open, unfrequented part, the dogs might have had some chance of success.

The police now have no one in custody in connection with the murder. All was quiet in the district during the night, and there is very little excitement apparent. The police are busily engaged following up the fresh information gathered from the inquest. So conflicting, however, are various descriptions of the supposed criminal that there is but slight ground for anticipating successful investigation.