The Times (London).
4 January 1889

There are many rumours of an unfounded and contradictory character in reference to the circumstances surrounding the Bradford murder, and the police are frequently employed in vain efforts to ascertain their truthfulness. On Wednesday, while the charge on suspicion against the prisoner Barrett was proceeding before the magistrates, a visit was paid to Bradford by Mr. Phillips, the police surgeon for the Whitechapel division of London, for the purpose of obtaining information and comparing notes between the Whitechapel and Bradford tragedies. In company with Dr. Lodge, jun., Dr. Major, and Mr. Miall he visited the corporation mortuary and was afterwards engaged for several hours in an examination of the remains of the murdered boy Gill. Mr. Phillips afterwards visited the stable at Belle Vue, where the murder is supposed to have been committed. Mr. Phillips, it is stated, expressed his conviction that the Bradford murder had no connexion whatever with the series of fiendish crimes which have recently occurred on the East end of London, and that there was apparently reasonable ground for the theory the Bradford police authorities entertain in reference to the motive for the crime. There is nothing, it is stated, to support the allegation as to lunacy having existed in the family of Barrett. Great sympathy is expressed by persons in various parts of the country with the parents of the boy, and intimations are made as to intentions to send wreaths for the funeral, which is said to be intended as an occasion for a demonstration of public sympathy. Barrett still manifests a cheerful demeanour in his cell. Yesterday he was visited by the Rev. J. Whitaker, vicar of Cononley, near Skipton, a district whence the prisoner recently came to reside in Bradford, and it is stated that in the interview the prisoner was quite cheerful and composed.