Woodford Times (Essex)
Friday, 26 July 1889

"JACK THE RIPPER."

Whitechapel and the vicinity last Sunday resumed its normal aspect. Since Saturday the police have had no one of importance in custody in connection with the recent murder, neither have any statements been lodged providing the officers with ground upon which to base their operations, and they are still without any clue whatsoever to the murderer or his whereabouts. Beyond the supposed lunatic, Brodie, charged on Saturday at the Thames Police-court on his own confession with murdering the woman, there is no other person in custody. Acting on special instructions from Scotland-yard, the local police, under Superintendent Arnold, will, with the assistance of nearly 100 men drafted into the district from the western, southern and northern divisions, be placed on special beats and under such conditions that every thoroughfare will be guarded by at least two men. A man who was arrested for attacking a woman on the night of the 19th inst. in the neighbourhood of Castle-alley was discharged shortly after his arrest.

On Saturday, at the Thames Police-court, before Mr. Lushington, William Wallace Brodie, aged 33, having no occupation and no fixed abode, was charged with being a wandering lunatic. Inspector Pinhorn said: At half-past eight on Thursday night, while I was in charge of the Leman-street Police-station, the defendant came up to the window of the office and said, "I wish to give myself up for the murder of that woman on Tuesday night. I tell you I murdered her on Tuesday night. I don't tell you anything about the other eight or nine." I said, "Let me hear what you have to say about the one on Tuesday night." He then said, "I shan't tell any more. You can find out." I questioned him further, but could get nothing more from him. When he made the statement he was under the influence of drink, and appeared to be suffering from delirium tremens. In answer to the magistrate, the defendant said he had no question to ask the witness. What he had stated was perfectly correct. Detective-inspector Moore said: About ten o'clock yesterday morning I found the defendant detained at Leman-street Police-station. He was in a very depressed condition. I said, "Do you remember coming here last night, and the serious charge you preferred against yourself?" He said, "Yes. I committed the murder on Tuesday night, and if you like I will tell you all about it." I told him I would take down in writing anything he said. He then said: "I, William Brodie, wish to give myself up for committing a murder up a court in High-street, Whitechapel, about two o'clock on Tuesday morning. Last December I came here." He then went on to describe what he had been doing since he came from Africa. He further said that the knife with which he committed the murders he had specially made for him at Sheffield. I afterwards examined his clothing, when he said, "This is the ninth murder I have committed in Whitechapel; but none of them has caused any trouble to my mind except the last one. What with that and a worm in my head that wriggles about, I can't stand it any longer." In May, 1877, Brodie was sentenced to 14 years' penal servitude, and was discharged in August, 1888, as a license-holder. He reported himself in September last, stating that he was embarking for the Cape of Good Hope. On Monday last he reported himself at Scotland-yard, stating that he had arrived from South Africa that day, and intended to reside at 2, Harvey's-buildings, Strand. I found that Brodie lodged there, and that on the night of the murder he went to bed about eleven o'clock, and stayed there until eleven the next morning. Brodie: The statement that I made to Mr. Moore yesterday is correct. The statement that I lodged at Harvey's-buildings is not correct. Detective-inspector Reid said when the defendant came in he was suffering from the effects of drink. In his bundle was a razor, but no knife. Sergeant Bradshaw said: Yesterday morning I went to 2, Harvey's-buildings, and asked the landlady if she knew Brodie. She replied that he slept there on Tuesday, and went to bed about eleven o'clock, and did not leave until eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning. He came back at eight o'clock on Wednesday night drunk. Brodie: I did not sleep there on Tuesday. Inspector Moore: I must ask for a remand. Mr. Lushington: He is only charged with being a wandering lunatic. Brodie: Do I look like one? I am as sane as any man in this court, I can assure you. Inspector Moore: He has not yet been seen by a doctor. Mr. Lushington remanded the defendant.

FUNERAL OF THE VICTIM.

Thanks to the kindly offices of Mr. A. S. Parker, a publican, and of Mr. Tenpenny, the lodging-house keeper, "Jack the Ripper's" latest victim, Alice M'Kenzie, has received decent burial at Plaistow, Essex. An immense crowd of people gathered around Mr. Parker's house to see the funeral start. Beyond the crowd there was no demonstration. The H Division had a small force on the spot, and the City Police were also represented, but the funeral drove quietly away.