Times (London)
5 July 1889

Yesterday Mr. A. Braxton Hicks, the Mid-Surrey Coroner, resumed the inquiry for the third time at the Star and Garter, Battersea, as to the death of Elizabeth Jackson, whose mutilated remains were found in various parts of the Thames, on the Embankment, and in Battersea Park.

The first witness called was a Margaret Minter, 3 Cheyne-row, Chelsea, who said she had received from Mrs. Girards an ulster, which she gave about two months ago to Elizabeth Jackson. Witness had known her and her sisters about two years. Two months ago she had seen Elizabeth in the street looking very shabby, and had given her 3d. to buy food. Witness recognized a skirt produced as one worn by the deceased girl. The girl said she had bee living with a man who had been very unkind to her, and had finally left her. At this interview witness recommended her to go in to the union, but she said her parents were there, and she did not want them to know she was with child. She also said she had no home, and had slept on the Embankment the night before. On the 20th of May witness gave her the ulster and some food. The 21st was the last time witness saw her, and she then was wearing the ulster.

Johanna Keefe, sister to last witness, said she had known Elizabeth Jackson and saw her at her sister’s, where she gave her some black cotton to sew a string on an under-garment, which witness identified, as well as the skirt and ulster. Having recapitulated much of the evidence given by her sister, she said she particularly noticed the hands of Elizabeth Jackson; they were very white and clean and nicely shaped, though the nails were bitten to the quick.

Annie Dwyer, of 14, Turk’s-row, Chelsea, said she kept a lodging house there. She had known the deceased about two years, and last saw her about eight weeks ago. Witness identified another ulster which deceased left behind her—theo ne sworn to by Elizabeth Jackson’s first sister—as having belonged to the deceased. She was very dirty and untidy.

Jennie Lee, of 14, Turks-row, said she had known the deceased Lizzie Jackson two years. She confirmed the former evidence as to the destitution of the girl. Witness last saw her on the Monday before Whit Sunday, and she was then with a man who had on light moleskin trousers, dark cloth coat, and a rough cap, and she thought he was a navvy. She was wearing the check ulster and skirt produced, and went away with the man to Battersea.

Elizabeth Pomeroy gave similar evidence.

Kate Paine, of 5, Manilla-street, Millwall, proved letting a room to a man and the deceased on the 18th of April at 4s. per week. He used her very roughly, and knocked her about and he left her on the 28th, and the woman went away on the next day. They owed 6s., and took a quilt off the bed. The man was called John Fairclough, and deceased, who wore a ring, said he was her husband. She was five months advanced in pregnancy at the time. She remembered the man Fairclough, otherwise known as Smith, well, and had thus described him to the police:--Age about 37; height, 5ft. 9in.; complexion, fair; clean shaven; slightly pitted with smallpox, and deaf. His nose was twisted as if it had been broken, and he was broad shouldered, and had “steelmarks” on the left hand. When last she saw him he was dressed in a light green and black stripped jacket, light striped trousers, with a piece of light check sewn into the waist. He also had on a blue and white striped Oxford shirt, a white muffler, laced boots, light gray or mouse-coloured felt hat, and also carried a soft cap with a peak of the same material.

The CORONER added that in the police description he was stated to be a native of Cambridgeshire, a miller and millstone dresser, and had been discharged from the 3d Battalion Grenadier Guards.

The inquiry was then adjourned for three weeks.