Inquest · 10 September 1888, 12 September 1888, 13 September 1888, 19 September 1888, 26 September 1888
The inquest into the death of Annie Chapman
Editorial summaryCompiled by the research team from the transcribed press reports.
The Chapman inquest ran for five sittings at the Working Lads' Institute. Lodging-house witnesses (Donovan, Evans, Palmer, Stevens, Cooper) reconstructed her last days, poverty, illness and quarrel with Eliza Cooper, while residents of 29 Hanbury Street described a house whose front and back doors were never locked. John Pizer, the shoemaker publicly identified as 'Leather Apron', was called to clear his name, and 'the Pensioner' Edward Stanley was eventually produced. The timing evidence was in sharp conflict. Dr Phillips put death at least two hours before 6.30 a.m., but John Richardson saw nothing in the yard at 4.45-4.50, Albert Cadosch heard a 'No' and a fall against the fence at about 5.20, and Elizabeth Long saw Chapman alive with a man outside No. 29 at 5.30. Phillips at first resisted giving details of the mutilations in public. Recalled on 19 September, he described them, said the organs removed showed anatomical knowledge, and estimated the work would have taken even a surgeon at least a quarter of an hour. In a long summing-up on 26 September, Baxter preferred the witnesses' timing to the medical estimate, concluded that the object of the murder was to obtain the uterus, and floated the theory that an American had sought to buy such specimens. The jury returned wilful murder against a person or persons unknown.
About these reports. No official verbatim transcript is used here. Each testimony comes from a newspaper's report of the hearing, read through a modern transcription. Reporters condensed and paraphrased, and papers sometimes differ. Where a second paper's version exists, it is shown as well. Inside quotations, "[...]" marks text left out by this project. Bracketed words such as "[Coroner]" were added by the transcriber.
Witnesses
John Davis (Davies)
carman lodging at 29 Hanbury Street who found the body
Gave evidence 10 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A Leadenhall Market carman lodging in the top front room of 29 Hanbury Street, Davis woke at about 5.45 a.m., went down to the back yard and found a woman lying between the steps and the fence, her clothes thrown up. He called two men from Bayley's nearby, then went to Commercial Street police station. He said the front door was often left open, and he heard nothing in the night.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
John Davies [Davis] deposed: I am a carman employed at Leadenhall Market. I have lodged at 29, Hanbury-street for a fortnight, and I occupied the top front room on the third floor with my wife and three sons, who live with me. On Friday night I went to bed at eight o'clock, and my wife followed about half an hour later. My sons came to bed at different times, the last one at about a quarter to eleven. There is a weaving shed window, or light across the room. It was not open during the night. I was awake from three a.m. to five a.m. on Saturday, and then fell asleep until a quarter to six, when the clock at Spitalfields Church struck. I had a cup of tea and went downstairs to the back yard. The house faces Hanbury-street, with one window on the ground floor and a front door at the side leading into a passage which runs through into the yard. There is a back door at the end of this passage opening into the yard. Neither of the doors was able to be locked, and I have never seen them locked. Any one who knows where the latch of the front door is could open it and go along the passage into the back yard.
[Coroner] When you went into the yard on Saturday morning was the yard door open or shut? - I found it shut. I cannot say whether it was latched - I cannot remember. I have been too much upset. The front street door was wide open and thrown against the wall. I was not surprised to find the front door open, as it was not unusual. I opened the back door, and stood in the entrance.
[Coroner] Will you describe the yard? - It is a large yard. Facing the door, on the opposite side, on my left as I was standing, there is a shed, in which Mrs. Richardson keeps her wood. In the right-hand corner there is a closet. The yard is separated from the next premises on both sides by close wooden fencing, about 5 ft. 6 in. high.
The Coroner: I hope the police will supply me with a plan. In the country, in cases of importance, I always have one.Inspector Helson:
[Insp Helosn] We shall have one at the adjourned hearing.
The Coroner: Yes; by that time we shall hardly require it.
Examination resumed: There was a little recess on the left. From the steps to the fence is about 3 ft. There are three stone steps, unprotected, leading from the door to the yard, which is at a lower level than that of the passage. Directly I opened the door I saw a woman lying down in the lefthand recess, between the stone steps and the fence. She was on her back, with her head towards the house and her legs towards the wood shed. The clothes were up to her groins. I did not go into the yard, but left the house by the front door, and called the attention of two men to the circumstances. They work at Mr. Bailey's, a packing-case maker, of Hanbury-street. I do not know their names, but I know them by sight.
The Coroner: Have the names of these men been ascertained?
Inspector Chandler: I have made inquiries, but I cannot find the men.
The Coroner: They must be found.
Davies: They work at Bailey's; but I could not find them on Saturday, as I had my work to do.
The Coroner: Your work is of no consequence compared with this inquiry.
Davies: I am giving all the information I can.
The Coroner (to witness): You must find these men out, either with the assistance of the police or of my officer.
Examination resumed: Mr Bailey's is three doors off 29, Hanbury-street, on the same side of the road. The two men were waiting outside the workshop. They came into the passage, and saw the sight. They did not go into the yard, but ran to find a policeman. We all came out of the house together. I went to the Commercial-street Police-station to report the case. No one in the house was informed by me of what I had discovered. I told the inspector at the police-station, and after a while I returned to Hanbury-street, but did not re-enter the house. As I passed I saw constables there.
[Coroner] Have you ever seen the deceased before? - No.
[Coroner] Were you the first down in the house that morning? - No; there was a lodger named Thompson, who was called at half-past three.
[Coroner] Have you ever seen women in the passage? - Mrs. Richardson has said there have been. I have not seen them myself. I have only been in the house a fortnight.
[Coroner] Did you hear any noise that Saturday morning? - No, sir.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 1 (10 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 1 (sitting of 10 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Also recorded as: Davies; John Davies
Amelia Palmer
friend of the deceased; identified the body
Gave evidence 10 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A friend of five years, Palmer identified the body and gave the inquest most of Chapman's background: widow of a Windsor man (the police suggested a coachman rather than a vet), formerly paid 10s a week until his death, nicknamed 'Mrs. Sivvy' after a sieve-maker she had lived with. She described seeing her bruised and ill in the last week and, at about 5 p.m. on Friday 7 September in Dorset Street, Chapman saying: 'It is of no use my going away. I shall have to go somewhere to get some money to pay my lodgings.'
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
Amelia Palmer, examined, stated: I live at 35, Dorset-street, Spitalfields, a common lodging-house. Off and on I have stayed there three years. I am married to Henry Palmer, a dock labourer. He was foreman, but met with an accident at the beginning of the year. I go out charing. My husband gets a pension, having been in the Army Reserve. I knew the deceased very well, for quite five years. I saw the body on Saturday at the mortuary, and am quite sure that it is that of Annie Chapman. She was a widow, and her husband, Frederick Chapman, was a veterinary surgeon in Windsor. He died about eighteen months ago. Deceased had lived apart from him for about four years or more. She lived in various places, principally in common lodging-houses in Spitalfields. I never knew her to have a settled home.
[Coroner] Has she lived at 30, Dorset-street? - Yes, about two years ago, with a man who made wire sieves, and at that time she was receiving 10s a week from her husband by post-office order, payable to her at the Commercial-road. This payment stopped about eighteen months ago, and she then found, on inquiry of some relative, that her husband was dead. I am under the impression that she ascertained this fact either from a brother or sister of her husband in Oxford-street, Whitechapel. She was nick-named, "Mrs. Sivvy," because she lived with the sieve-maker. I know the man perfectly well, but don't know his name. I saw him last about eighteen months ago, in the City, and he told me that he was living at Notting-hill. I saw deceased two or three times last week. On Monday she was standing in the road opposite 35, Dorset-street. She had been staying there, and had no bonnet on. She had a bruise on one of her temples - I think the right. I said, "How did you get that?" She said, "Yes, look at my chest." Opening her dress, she showed me a bruise. She said, "Do you know the woman?" and gave some name which I do not remember. She made me understand that it was a woman who goes about selling books. Both this woman and the deceased were acquainted with a man called "Harry the Hawker." Chapman told me that she was with some other man, Ted Stanley, on Saturday, Sept. 1. Stanley is a very respectable man. Deceased said she was with him at a beer-shop, 87, Commercial-street, at the corner of Dorset-street, where "Harry the Hawker" was with the woman. This man put down a two shilling piece and the woman picked it up and put down a penny. There was some feeling in consequence and the same evening the book-selling woman met the deceased and injured her in the face and chest. When deceased told me this, she said she was living at 35, Dorset-street. On the Tuesday afternoon I saw Chapman again near to Spitalfields Church. She said she felt no better, and she should go into the casual ward for a day or two. I remarked that she looked very pale, and asked her if she had had anything to eat. She replied, "No, I have not had a cup of tea to-day." I gave her two-pence to get some, and told her not to get any rum, of which she was fond. I have seen her the worse for drink. [...]
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 1 (10 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 1 (sitting of 10 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription The excerpt is shortened. The full report is longer: follow the source link.
Timothy Donovan
deputy of Crossingham's lodging house, 35 Dorset Street
Gave evidence 10 September 1888 and 13 September 1888 and 19 September 1888 (recalled)
Editorial summary of the evidence
The deputy of Crossingham's lodging house said Chapman had lodged there about four months; at about 1.45-1.50 a.m. on 8 September she came to his office without the 8d for her bed, saying 'I have not sufficient money for my bed. Don't let it. I shan't be long before I am in,' and left towards Brushfield Street. He spoke of a 'pensioner' of soldierly appearance who stayed weekends with her. Recalled, he identified the neckerchief she wore, and on 19 September identified Edward Stanley as that 'pensioner'.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
Timothy Donovan, 35, Dorset-street, Spitalfields, said: I am the deputy of a common lodging house. I have seen the body of the deceased, and have identified it as that of a woman who stayed at my house for the last four months. She was not there last week until Friday afternoon, between two and three o'clock. I was coming out of the office after getting up, and she asked me if she could go down in the kitchen, and I said "Yes," and asked her where she had been all the week. She replied that she had been in the infirmary, but did not say which.
A police-officer stated that the deceased had been in the casual ward.
Witness resumed: Deceased went down in the kitchen, and I did not see her again until half-past one or a quarter to two on Saturday morning. At that time I was sitting in the office, which faces the front door. She went into the kitchen. I sent the watchman's wife, who was in the office with me, downstairs to ask her husband about the bed. Deceased came upstairs to the office and said, "I have not sufficient money for my bed. Don't let it. I shan't be long before I am in."
[Coroner] How much was it? - Eightpence for the night. The bed she occupied, No. 29, was the one that she usually occupied. Deceased was then eating potatoes, and went out. She stood in the door two or three minutes, and then repeated, "Never mind, Tim; I shall soon be back. Don't let the bed." It was then about ten minutes to two a.m. She left the house, going in the direction of Brushfield-street. John Evans, the watchman, saw her leave the house. I did not see her again.
[Coroner] Was she the worse for drink when you saw her last? - She had had enough; of that I am certain. She walked straight. Generally on Saturdays she was the worse for drink. She was very sociable in the kitchen. I said to her, "You can find money for your beer, and you can't find money for your bed." She said she had been only to the top of the street - where there is a public-house.
[Coroner] Did you see her with any man that night? - No, sir.
[Coroner] Where did you think she was going to get the money from? - I did not know. She used to come and stay at the lodging-house on Saturdays with a man - a pensioner - of soldierly appearance, whose name I do not know.
[Coroner] Have you seen her with other men? - At other times she has come with other men, and I have refused her.
[Coroner] You only allow the women at your place one husband? - The pensioner told me not to let her a bed if she came with any other man. She did not come with a man that night. I never saw her with any man that week.
In answer to the jury witness said the beds were double at 8d per night, and as a rule deceased occupied one of them by herself.
The Coroner: When was the pensioner last with deceased at the lodging-house? - On Sunday, Sept. 2. I cannot say whether they left together. I have heard the
deceased say, "Tim, wait a minute. I am just going up the street to see if I can see him." She added that he was going to draw his pension. This occurred on Saturday, Aug. 25, at three a.m.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 1 (10 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 1 (sitting of 10 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
[...] Timothy Donovan, the deputy of the lodging-house, 35, Dorset-street, was recalled.
[Coroner] You have seen that handkerchief? - I recognise it as one which the deceased used to wear. She bought it of a lodger, and she was wearing it when she left the lodging-house. She was wearing it three-corner ways, placed round her neck, with a black woollen scarf underneath. It was tied in front with one knot.
The Foreman of the Jury: Would you recognise Ted Stanley, the pensioner?
A Juryman: Stanley is not the pensioner.
The Coroner (to witness): Do you know the name of Stanley? Witness: No.
The Foreman: He has been mentioned, and also "Harry the Hawker."
Witness: I know "Harry the Hawker."
The Coroner, having referred to the evidence, said: It may be an inference - there is no actual evidence - that the pensioner was called Ted Stanley.
The Foreman said he referred to the man who came to see the deceased regularly. The man ought to be produced.
The Coroner (to witness): Would you recognise the pensioner? - Yes.
[Coroner] When did you see him last? - On Saturday.
[Coroner] Why did you not then send him to the police? - Because he would not stop.
The Foreman: What was he like? - He had a soldierly appearance. He dressed differently at times - sometimes gentlemanly. A Juror: He is not Ted Stanley.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 3 (13 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 3 (sitting of 13 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2
Historical text, verbatim:
[...] Timothy Donovan, deputy of the lodging-house, who gave evidence on a previous occasion, was then recalled.
The Coroner: Did ever you see that man (pointing to Stanley) before? - Yes.
[Coroner] Is he the man you call "the pensioner"? - Yes.
[Coroner] Was it he who used to come with the deceased on Saturday and stay till Monday? - Yes.
[Coroner] Was it he who told you not to let the bed to the deceased with any other man? - Yes; on the second Saturday he told me.
[Coroner] How many times have you seen him there? - I should think five or six Saturdays.
[Coroner] When was he last there? - On the Saturday before the woman's death. He stayed until Monday. He paid for one night, and the woman afterwards came down and paid for the other.
The Coroner: What have you got to say to that, Mr. Stanley?
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 4 (19 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Inquest day 4 (sitting of 19 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Transcription The excerpt is shortened. The full report is longer: follow the source link.
John Evans
night watchman at 35 Dorset Street; saw Chapman leave
Gave evidence 10 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
The lodging-house night watchman saw Chapman leave at about 1.45 a.m., going through Paternoster Row into Brushfield Street and towards Spitalfields Church; she had said she had been to her sister's in Vauxhall and was 'the worse for drink, but not badly so'. He also described the quarrel over a piece of soap with a woman called 'Eliza' in which Chapman was struck in the chest.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
John Evans testified: I am night watchman at 35, Dorset-street, and have identified the deceased as having lived at the lodging-house. I last saw her there on Saturday morning, and she left at about a quarter to two o'clock. I was sent down in the kitchen to see her, and she said she had not sufficient money. When she went upstairs I followed her, and as she left the house, I watched her go through a court called Paternoster-street, into Brushfield-street, and then turn towards Spitalfields Church. Deceased was the worse for drink, but not badly so. She came in soon after twelve (midnight), when she said she had been over to her sister's in Vauxhall. She sent one of the lodgers for a pint of beer, and then went out again, returning shortly before a quarter to two. I knew she had been living a rough night life. She associated with a man, a pensioner, every Saturday, and this individual called on Saturday at 2.30 p.m. and inquired for the deceased. He had heard something about her death, and came to see if it was true. I do not know his name or address. When I told him what had occurred he went straight out, without saying a word, towards Spitalfields Church. I did not see deceased and this man leave the house last Sunday week.
[Coroner] Did you see the deceased and another woman have a row in the kitchen? - Yes, on Thursday, Aug. 30. Deceased and a woman known as "Eliza," at 11.30 a.m., quarrelled about a piece of soap, and Chapman received a blow in the chest. I noticed that she had a slight black eye. There are marks on the body in a similar position.
By the Jury: I have never heard any one threaten her, nor express any fear of any one. I have never heard any one of the women in the lodging-house say that they had been threatened.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 1 (10 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 1 (sitting of 10 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 11 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Fountain Smith
brother of the deceased; printer's warehouseman
Gave evidence 12 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
Chapman's brother, a printer's warehouseman, identified her as his eldest sister, the widow of coachman John Chapman of Windsor. He had last seen her about a fortnight before, in Commercial Street, and gave her 2s for a lodging; she did not tell him where she lived.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
Fontain Smith, printer's warehouseman, stated: I have seen the body in the mortuary, and recognise it as that of my eldest sister, Annie, the widow of John Chapman, who lived at Windsor, a coachman. She had been separated from her husband for about three years. Her age was forty-seven. I last saw her alive a fortnight ago, in Commercial-street, where I met her promiscuously. Her husband died at Christmas, 1886. I gave her 2s; she did not say where she was living nor what she was doing. She said she wanted the money for a lodging.
[Coroner] Did you know anything about her associates? - No.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 2 (12 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 2 (sitting of 12 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription James Kent
packing-case maker working at Bayley's, 23A Hanbury Street; saw the body
Gave evidence 12 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A packing-case maker at Bayley's, Kent arrived at about 6.10 a.m. when Davis ran out crying 'Men, come here.' From the back steps he saw the woman lying in the yard, clothes disarranged, face and hands smeared with blood, as if she had struggled; he fetched a piece of canvas to cover her as a crowd gathered.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
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James Green
packing-case maker working at Bayley's; saw the body
Gave evidence 12 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
Kent's workmate arrived at about 6.10 a.m., went with him to the back door of No. 29, and saw no one touch the body.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
James Green, of Ackland-street, Burdett-road, a packing-case maker, in the same employ as last witness, said: I arrived in Hanbury-street at ten minutes past six on Saturday morning, and accompanied Kent to the back door of No. 29. I left the premises with him. I saw no one touch the body.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 2 (12 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 2 (sitting of 12 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Amelia Richardson
tenant of 29 Hanbury Street; packing-case business owner
Gave evidence 12 September 1888 (recalled)
Editorial summary of the evidence
The widow who ran a packing-case business at No. 29 slept lightly and was awake at 3 a.m., but heard nothing; she said the front and back doors were never locked and people passed through at all hours. Recalled, she explained that the leather apron found by police in the yard belonged to her son and had been put under the tap by her on the Thursday.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
Amelia Richardson, 29, Hanbury-street, deposed: I am a widow, and occupy half of the house - i.e., the first floor, ground floor, and workshops in the cellar. I carry on the business of a packing-case maker there, and the shops are used by my son John, aged thirty-seven, and a man Francis Tyler, who have worked for me eighteen years. The latter ought to have come at six a.m., but he did not arrive until eight o'clock, when I sent for him. He is often late when we are slack. My son lives in John-street, Spitalfields, and he works also in the market on market mornings. At six a.m. my grandson, Thomas Richardson, aged fourteen, who lives with me, got up. I sent him down to see what was the matter, as there was so much noise in the passage. He came back and said, "Oh, grandmother, there is a woman murdered." I went down immediately, and saw the body of the deceased lying in the yard. There was no one there at the time, but there were people in the passage. Soon afterwards a constable came and took possession of the place. As far as I know the officer was the first to enter the yard.
[Coroner] Which room do you occupy? - The first floor front, and my grandson slept in the same room on Friday night. I went to bed about half-past nine, and was very wakeful half the night. I was awake at three a.m., and only dozed after that.
[Coroner] Did you hear any noise during the night? - No.
[Coroner] Who occupies the first floor back? - Mr. Walker, a maker of lawn-tennis boots. He is an old gentleman, and he sleeps there with his son, twenty-seven years of age. The son is weak-minded and inoffensive. On the ground floor there are two rooms. Mrs. Hardman occupies them with her son, aged sixteen. She uses the front room as a cats' meat shop. In the front room on the first floor on Friday night I had a prayer meeting, and before I went to bed I locked the door of this room, and took the key with me. It was still locked in the morning. John Davies and his family tenant the third floor front, and Mrs. Sarah Cox has the back room on the same floor. She is an old lady I keep out of charity. Mr. Thompson and his wife, with an adopted little girl, have the front room on the second floor. On Saturday morning I called to Thompson at ten minutes to four o'clock. I heard him leave the house. He did not go into the back yard. Two unmarried sisters reside in the second floor back. They work at a cigar factory. When I went down all the tenants were in the house except Mr. Thompson and Mr. Davies. I am not the owner of the house.
[Coroner] Were the front and back doors always left open? - Yes, you can open the front and back doors of any of the houses about there. They are all let out in rooms. People are coming in or going out all the night.
[Coroner] Did you ever see anyone in the passage? - Yes, about a month ago I heard a man on the stairs. I called Thompson, and the man said he was waiting for market.
[Coroner] At what time was this? - Between half-past three and four o'clock. I could hear anyone going through the passage. I did not hear any one going through on Saturday morning.
[Coroner] You heard no cries? - None. Supposing a person had gone through at half-past three, would that have attracted your attention? - Yes.
[Coroner] You always hear people going to the back-yard? - Yes; people frequently do go through.
[Coroner] People go there who have no business to do so? - Yes; I daresay they do.
[Coroner] On Saturday morning you feel confident no one did go through? - Yes; I should have heard the sound. They must have walked purposely quietly? - Yes; or I should have heard them.
By the Jury: I should not allow any stranger to go through for an immoral purpose if I knew it.
[...]
Mrs. Richardson, recalled, said she had never missed anything, and had such confidence in her neighbours that she had left the doors of some rooms unlocked. A saw and a hammer had been taken from the cellar a long time ago. The padlock was broken open.
[Coroner] Had you an idea at any time that a part of the house or yard was used for an immoral purpose? - Witness (emphatically): No, sir.
[Coroner] Did you say anything about a leather apron? - Yes, my son wears one when he works in the cellar.
The Coroner: It is rather a dangerous thing to wear, is it not?
Witness: Yes. On Thursday, Sept. 6, I found my son's leather apron in the cellar mildewed. He had not used it for a month. I took it and put it under the tap in the yard, and left it there. It was found there on Saturday morning by the police, who took charge of it. The apron had remained there from Thursday to Saturday.
[Coroner] Was this tap used? - Yes, by all of us in the house. The apron was on the stones. The police took away an empty box, used for nails, and the steel out of a boy's gaiter. There was a pan of clean water near to the tap when I went in the yard at six o'clock on Saturday. It was there on Friday night at eight o'clock, and it looked as if it had not been disturbed.
[Coroner] Did you ever know of strange women being found on the first-floor landing? - No.
[Coroner] Your son had never spoken to you about it? - No.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 2 (12 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 2 (sitting of 12 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Harriet Hardiman
cat's-meat saleswoman, ground-floor tenant of 29 Hanbury Street
Gave evidence 12 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A cat's-meat seller occupying the ground-floor front room, Hardiman slept undisturbed until woken at about 6 a.m. by trampling in the passage; her son went to look and reported a woman had been killed in the yard.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
Harriett Hardiman [Hardyman, Hardman], living at 29, Hanbury-street, catsmeat saleswoman, the occupier of the ground-floor front room, stated: I went to bed on Friday night at half-past ten. My son sleeps in the same room. I did not wake during the night. I was awakened by the trampling through the passage at about six o'clock. My son was asleep, and I told him to go to the back as I thought there was a fire. He returned and said that a woman had been killed in the yard. I did not go out of my room. I have often heard people going through the passage into the yard, but never got up to look who they were.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 2 (12 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 2 (sitting of 12 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription John Richardson
market porter, son of Amelia Richardson; sat on the yard steps at 4.45 a.m.
Gave evidence 12 September 1888 (recalled)
Editorial summary of the evidence
Amelia Richardson's son testified that between 4.45 and 4.50 a.m. he went to check the cellar, sat on the back steps and cut a piece of leather from his boot with an old knife, and saw nothing in the yard; he was certain he would have seen the body had it been there. He was sent to fetch the knife, which turned out to be a worn dessert knife.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
John Richardson, of John-street, Spitalfields, market porter, said: I assist my mother in her business. I went to 29, Hanbury-street, between 4,45 a.m. and 4.50 a.m. on Saturday last. I went to see if the cellar was all secure, as some while ago there was a robbery there of some tools. I have been accustomed to go on market mornings since the time when the cellar was broken in.
[Coroner] Was the front door open? - No, it was closed. I lifted the latch and went through the passage to the yard door.
[Coroner] Did you go into the yard? - No, the yard door was shut. I opened it and sat on the doorstep, and cut a piece of leather off my boot with an old table-knife, about five inches long. I kept the knife upstairs at John-street. I had been feeding a rabbit with a carrot that I had cut up, and I put the knife in my pocket. I do not usually carry it there. After cutting the leather off my boot I tied my boot up, and went out of the house into the market. I did not close the back door. It closed itself. I shut the front door.
[Coroner] How long were you there? - About two minutes at most.
[Coroner] Was it light? - It was getting light, but I could see all over the place.
[Coroner] Did you notice whether there was any object outside? - I could not have failed to notice the deceased had she been lying there then. I saw the body two or three minutes before the doctor came. I was then in the adjoining yard. Thomas Pierman had told me about the murder in the market. When I was on the doorstep I saw that the padlock on the cellar door was in its proper place.
[Coroner] Did you sit on the top step? - No, on the middle step; my feet were on the flags of the yard.
[Coroner] You must have been quite close to where the deceased was found? - Yes, I must have seen her.
[Coroner] You have been there at all hours of the night? - Yes.
[Coroner] Have you ever seen any strangers there? - Yes, plenty, at all hours - both men and women. I have often turned them out. We have had them on our first floor as well, on the landing.
[Coroner] Do you mean to say that they go there for an immoral purpose? - Yes, they do.
At this stage witness was despatched by the coroner to fetch his knife.
[...]
John Richardson (recalled) produced the knife - a much-worn dessert knife - with which he had cut his boot. He added that as it was not sharp enough he had borrowed another one at the market.
By the Jury: My mother has heard me speak of people having been in the house. She has heard them herself.
The Coroner: I think we will detain this knife for the present.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 2 (12 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 2 (sitting of 12 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription John Pizer
boot finisher known as "Leather Apron"; arrested and cleared
Gave evidence 12 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
The shoemaker publicly identified as the feared 'Leather Apron' testified that he had stayed indoors at 22 Mulberry Street from 6 September until his arrest on 10 September because of the rumours, and accounted for his movements on the night of the Nichols murder at a Holloway lodging house. The coroner noted that his statements could be corroborated, effectively clearing him in public.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
John Piser [Pizer] was then called. He said: I live at 22, Mulberry-street, Commercial- road East. I am a shoemaker.
[Coroner] Are you known by the nickname of "Leather Apron?" - Yes, sir.
[Coroner] Where were you on Friday night last? - I was at 22, Mulberry-street. On Thursday, the 6th inst. I arrived there.
[Coroner] From where? - From the west end of town. The Coroner: I am afraid we shall have to have a better address than that presently.
[Coroner] What time did you reach 22, Mulberry-street? - Shortly before eleven p.m.
[Coroner] Who lives at 22, Mulberry-street? - My brother and sister-in-law and my stepmother. I remained indoors there.
[Coroner] Until when? - Until I was arrested by Sergeant Thicke, on Monday last at nine a.m.
[Coroner] You say you never left the house during that time? - I never left the house.
[Coroner] Why were you remaining indoors? - Because my brother advised me.
[Coroner] You were the subject of suspicion? - I was the object of a false suspicion.
[Coroner] You remained on the advice of your friends? - Yes; I am telling you what I did.
The Coroner: It was not the best advice that you could have had. You have been released, and are not now in custody? - I am not. Piser: I wish to vindicate my character to the world at large.
The Coroner: I have called you in your own interests, partly with the object of giving you an opportunity of doing so.
[Coroner] Can you tell us where you were on Thursday, Aug. 30?
Witness (after considering): In the Holloway-road.
[Coroner] You had better say exactly where you were. It is important to account for your time from that Thursday to the Friday morning.
[Pizer] What time, may I ask?
The Coroner: It was the week before you came to Mulberry-street.
Witness: I was staying at a common lodging-house called the Round House, in the Holloway-road.
[Coroner] Did you sleep the night there? - Yes. At what time did you go in? - On the night of the London Dock fire I went in about two or a quarter-past. It was on the Friday morning.
[Coroner] When did you leave the lodging-house? - At eleven a.m. on the same day. I saw on the placards, "Another Horrible Murder." Where were you before two o'clock on Friday morning? - At eleven p.m. on Thursday I had my supper at the Round House.
[Coroner] Did you go out? - Yes, as far as the Seven Sisters-road, and then returned towards Highgate way, down the Holloway-road. Turning, I saw the reflection of a fire. Coming as far as the church in the Holloway-road I saw two constables and the lodging-housekeeper talking together. There might have been one or two constables, I cannot say which. I asked a constable where the fire was, and he said it was a long way off. I asked him where he thought it was, and he replied: "Down by the Albert Docks." It was then about half-past one, to the best of my recollection. I went as far as Highbury Railway Station on the same side of the way, returned, and then went into the lodging house.
[Coroner] Did any one speak to you about being so late? - No: I paid the night watchman. I asked him if my bed was let, and he said: "They are let by eleven o'clock. You don't think they are to let to this hour." I paid him 4d for another bed. I stayed up smoking on the form of the kitchen, on the right hand side near the fireplace, and then went to bed.
[Coroner] You got up at eleven o'clock? - Yes. The day man came, and told us to get up, as he wanted to make the bed. I got up and dressed, and went down into the kitchen.
[Coroner] Is there anything else you want to say? - Nothing.
[Coroner] When you said the West-end of town did you mean Holloway? - No; another lodging house in Peter-street, Westminster.
The Coroner: It is only fair to say that the witness's statements can be corroborated.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 2 (12 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 2 (sitting of 12 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Also recorded as: Leather Apron
Detective Sergeant William Thick (H Division)
arrested John Pizer
Gave evidence 12 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
Thick said he arrested Pizer on 10 September because 'Leather Apron' was suspected, that locally the name meant Pizer, and that Pizer had been released the previous evening.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
William Thicke [Thick], detective sergeant, deposed: Knowing that "Leather Apron" was suspected of being concerned in the murder, on Monday morning I arrested Piser at 22, Mulberry-street. I have known him by the name of "Leather Apron" for many years.
[Coroner] When people in the neighbourhood speak of the "Leather Apron" do they mean Piser? - They do.
[Coroner] He has been released from custody? - He was released last night at 9.30.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 2 (12 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 2 (sitting of 12 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Henry John Holland
boxmaker who looked at the body and sought a policeman
Gave evidence 12 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A boxmaker on his way to work at about 6.08 a.m., Holland was asked by an elderly man (Davis) to look in the yard, saw the body, and went to a policeman in Spitalfields Market who said he could not leave his fixed point; he complained of this at Commercial Street station.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
Henry John Holland, a boxmaker, stated: As I was passing 29, Hanbury-street, on my way to work in Chiswell-street, at about eight minutes past six on Saturday. I spoke to two of Bayley's men. An elderly man came out of the house and asked us to have a look in his back yard. I went through the passage and saw the deceased lying in the yard by the back door. I did not touch the body. I then went for a policeman in Spitalfields Market. The officer told me he could not come. I went outside and could find no constable. Going back to the house I saw an inspector run up with a young man, at about twenty minutes past six o'clock. I had told the first policeman that it was a similar case to Buck's-row, and he referred me to two policemen outside the market, but I could not find them. I afterwards complained of the policeman's conduct at the Commercial-street police station the same afternoon.
The Coroner: There does not seem to have been much delay. The inspector says there are certain spots where constables are stationed with instructions not to leave them. Their duty is to send some one else.
The Foreman of the Jury: That is the explanation.
The Coroner: The doctor will be here first thing tomorrow.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 2 (12 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 2 (sitting of 12 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 13 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Inspector Joseph Chandler (H Division)
first police officer at the scene
Gave evidence 13 September 1888 (recalled)
Editorial summary of the evidence
First police officer on the scene at about 6.10 a.m., Chandler described the body's position, sent for Dr Phillips and the ambulance, and listed what was found: a piece of muslin, combs, part of an envelope bearing the Sussex Regiment crest, and a leather apron in the yard. He described blood on the wall and palings. Recalled about the mortuary, he admitted a constable and pauper keeper were left in charge, and the coroner criticised the handling of the body.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3
Content notice: graphic material
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Also recorded as: Insp.
Sergeant Edward Badham (31H)
took the body to the mortuary
Gave evidence 13 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
Badham took the body to the Whitechapel mortuary on the ambulance and stayed with it until Inspector Chandler arrived, stating that nobody touched the clothing except Sergeant Thick.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
Sergeant Baugham [Badham], 31 H, stated that he conveyed the body of the deceased to the mortuary on the ambulance.
[Coroner] Are you sure that you took every portion of the body away with you? - Yes.
[Coroner] Where did you deposit the body? - In the shed, still on the ambulance. I remained with it until Inspector Chandler arrived. Detective-Sergeant Thicke viewed the body, and I took down the description. There were present two women, who came to identify the body, and they described the clothing. They came from 35, Dorset-street.
[Coroner] Who touched the clothing? - Sergeant Thicke. I did not see the women touch the clothing nor the body. I did not see Sergeant Thicke touch the body.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 3 (13 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 3 (sitting of 13 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Also recorded as: Baugham
Dr George Bagster Phillips
H Division police surgeon; examined body at the scene and made the post-mortem
Gave evidence 13 September 1888 and 19 September 1888 (recalled)
Editorial summary of the evidence
The H Division police surgeon arrived at 6.30 a.m. and described the body, with the small intestines lying above the right shoulder, and judged her dead 'at least two hours'. He gave cause of death as syncope from loss of blood after the throat was cut, with signs of partial strangulation first, and said the knife was very sharp with a narrow blade at least six to eight inches long, used by someone with anatomical knowledge. He at first declined to give details of the abdominal injuries. Recalled on 19 September, he described them in open court (the Telegraph did not print the details) and said he 'could not have performed all the injuries... under a quarter of an hour', and that the object was to obtain the parts that were removed.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3
Content notice: graphic material
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Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2
Content notice: medical evidence
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Also recorded as: George Baxter Phillips (in press); Dr Phillips
Sarah Simonds
resident nurse, Whitechapel Infirmary; undressed and washed the body
Gave evidence 13 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A resident nurse at the Whitechapel Infirmary said that she and the senior nurse undressed and washed the body at the mortuary, she believed on Inspector Chandler's direction, leaving the handkerchief round the neck. Chandler then denied giving any such instruction.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3
Historical text, verbatim:
Sarah Simonds, a resident nurse at the Whitechapel Infirmary, stated that, in company of the senior nurse, she went to the mortuary on Saturday, and found the body of the deceased on the ambulance in the yard. It was afterwards taken into the shed, and placed on the table. She was directed by Inspector Chandler to undress it, and she placed the clothes in a corner. She left the handkerchief round the neck. She was sure of this. They washed stains of blood from the body. It seemed to have run down from the throat. She found the pocket tied round the waist. The strings were not torn. There were no tears or cuts in the clothes.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 3 (13 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3 · Inquest day 3 (sitting of 13 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 14 September 1888, p. 3 · Transcription Eliza Cooper
hawker and lodger at Dorset Street who quarrelled with Chapman
Gave evidence 19 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A hawker at the same lodging house, Cooper described a quarrel with Chapman over soap Chapman had borrowed for Edward Stanley; it ended in the Ringers pub, where Chapman slapped her and Cooper struck her in the eye and chest. She said Chapman wore three brass rings on the middle finger of her left hand.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2
Historical text, verbatim:
Eliza Cooper: I am a hawker, and lodge in Dorset-street, Spitalfields. Have done so for the last five months. I knew the deceased, and had a quarrel with her on the Tuesday before she was murdered. The quarrel arose in this way: On the previous Saturday she brought Mr. Stanley into the house where I lodged in Dorset-street, and coming into the kitchen asked the people to give her some soap. They told her to ask "Liza" - meaning me. She came to me, and I opened the locker and gave her some. She gave it to Stanley, who went outside and washed himself in the lavatory. When she came back I asked for the soap, but she did not return it. She said, "I will see you by and bye." Mr. Stanley gave her two shillings, and paid for her bed for two nights. I saw no more of her that night. On the following Tuesday I saw her in the kitchen of the lodging-house. I said, "Perhaps you will return my soap." She threw a halfpenny on the table, and said, "Go and get a halfpennyworth of soap." We got quarrelling over this piece of soap, and we went out to the Ringers Public-house and continued the quarrel. She slapped my face, and said, "Think yourself lucky I don't do more." I struck her in the left eye, I believe, and then in the chest. I afterwards saw that the blow I gave her had marked her face.
[Coroner] When was the last time you saw her alive? - On the Thursday night, in the Ringers.
[Coroner] Was she wearing rings? - Yes, she was wearing three rings on the middle finger of the left hand. They were all brass.
[Coroner] Had she ever a gold wedding ring to your knowledge? - No, not since I have known her. I have known her about fifteen months. I know she associated with Stanley, "Harry the Hawker," and several others.
The Foreman: Are there any of those with whom she associated missing? - I could not tell.
A Juryman: Was she on the same relations with them as she was with Stanley? - No, sir. She used to bring them casually into the lodging-house.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 4 (19 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Inquest day 4 (sitting of 19 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Transcription Elizabeth Long (Mrs Durrell)
saw Chapman with a man outside 29 Hanbury Street at 5.30 a.m.
Gave evidence 19 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
Passing 29 Hanbury Street on her way to Spitalfields Market, Long heard the brewery clock strike 5.30 a.m. and saw a man and woman talking on the pavement; she later identified the woman as Chapman. The man had his back to her; she saw only that he was dark, over forty, a little taller than the woman, wore 'a brown low-crowned felt hat' and looked 'like a foreigner', 'shabby-genteel'. She heard him say 'Will you?' and the woman reply 'Yes.'
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2
Historical text, verbatim:
Mrs. Elizabeth Long said: I live in Church-row, Whitechapel, and my husband, James Long, is a cart minder. On Saturday, Sept. 8, about half past five o'clock in the morning, I was passing down Hanbury-street, from home, on my way to Spitalfields Market. I knew the time, because I heard the brewer's clock strike half-past five just before I got to the street. I passed 29, Hanbury-street. On the right-hand side, the same side as the house, I saw a man and a woman standing on the pavement talking. The man's back was turned towards Brick-lane, and the woman's was towards the market. They were standing only a few yards nearer Brick-lane from 29, Hanbury-street. I saw the woman's face. Have seen the deceased in the mortuary, and I am sure the woman that I saw in Hanbury-street was the deceased. I did not see the man's face, but I noticed that he was dark. He was wearing a brown low-crowned felt hat. I think he had on a dark coat, though I am not certain. By the look of him he seemed to me a man over forty years of age. He appeared to me to be a little taller than the deceased.
[Coroner] Did he look like a working man, or what? - He looked like a foreigner.
[Coroner] Did he look like a dock labourer, or a workman, or what? - I should say he looked like what I should call shabby-genteel.
[Coroner] Were they talking loudly? - They were talking pretty loudly. I overheard him say to her "Will you?" and she replied, "Yes." That is all I heard, and I heard this as I passed. I left them standing there, and I did not look back, so I cannot say where they went to.
[Coroner] Did they appear to be sober? - I saw nothing to indicate that either of them was the worse for drink.
Was it not an unusual thing to see a man and a woman standing there talking? - Oh no. I see lots of them standing there in the morning.
[Coroner] At that hour of the day? - Yes; that is why I did not take much notice of them.
[Coroner] You are certain about the time? - Quite.
[Coroner] What time did you leave home? - I got out about five o'clock, and I reached the Spitalfields Market a few minutes after half-past five.
The Foreman of the jury: What brewer's clock did you hear strike half-past five? - The brewer's in Brick-lane.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 4 (19 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Inquest day 4 (sitting of 19 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Transcription Also recorded as: Mrs Durrell; Elizabeth Darrell; Durrell (some reports)
Edward Stanley
bricklayer's labourer, Chapman's companion known as "the Pensioner"
Gave evidence 19 September 1888 (recalled)
Editorial summary of the evidence
The bricklayer's labourer known as 'the Pensioner' admitted knowing Chapman but denied being a pensioner or ever serving in the Sussex Regiment, and said he had been at Gosport from 6 August to 1 September. Donovan nevertheless identified him as the man who had stayed weekends with her.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2
Historical text, verbatim:
Edward Stanley, Osborn-place, Osborn-street, Spitalfields, deposed: I am a bricklayer's labourer.
The Coroner: Are you known by the name of the Pensioner? - Yes.
[Coroner] Did you know the deceased? - I did.
[Coroner] And you sometimes visited her? - Yes.
[Coroner] At 35, Dorset-street? - About once there, or twice, something like that. Other times I have met her elsewhere.
[Coroner] When did you last see her alive? - On Sunday, Sept. 2, between one and three o'clock in the afternoon.
[Coroner] Was she wearing rings when you saw her? - Yes, I believe two. I could not say on which finger, but they were on one of her fingers.
[Coroner] What sort of rings were they - what was the metal? - Brass, I should think by the look of them.
[Coroner] Do you know any one she was on bad terms with? - No one, so far as I know. The last time I saw her she had some bruises on her face - a slight black eye, which some other woman had given her. I did not take much notice of it. She told me something about having had a quarrel. It is possible that I may have seen deceased after Sept. 2, as I was doing nothing all that week. If I did see her I only casually met her, and we might have had a glass of beer together. My memory is rather confused about it.
The Coroner: The deputy of the lodging-house said he was told not to let the bed to the deceased with any other man but you? - It was not from me he received those orders. I have seen it described that the man used to come on the Saturday night, and remain until the Monday morning. I have never done so.
The Foreman: You were supposed to be the pensioner.
The Coroner: It must be some other man?
Witness: I cannot say; I am only speaking for myself.
[Coroner] Are you a pensioner? - Can I object to answer that question, sir? It does not touch on anything here.
Coroner: It was said the man was with her on one occasion when going to receive his pension?
Witness: Then it could not have been me. It has been stated all over Europe that it was me, but it was not.
The Coroner: It will affect your financial position all over Europe when it is known that you are not a pensioner? - It will affect my financial position in this way, sir, in that I am a loser by having to come here for nothing, and may get discharged for not being at my work.
[Coroner] Were you ever in the Royal Sussex Regiment? - Never, sir. I am a law-abiding man, sir, and interfere with no person who does not interfere with me.
The Coroner: Call the deputy.
[...]
Stanley: You can cross it all out, sir.
[Coroner] Cross your evidence out, you mean? - Oh, no; not mine, but his. It is all wrong. I went to Gosport on Aug. 6 and remained there until Sept. 1.
The Coroner: Probably the deputy has made a mistake.
A Juror (to Stanley): Had you known deceased at Windsor at all? - No; she told me she knew some one about Windsor, and that she once lived there.
[Juror?]You did not know her there? - No; I have only known her about two years. I have never been to Windsor.
[Juror?] Did you call at Dorset-street on Saturday, the 8th, after the murder? - Yes; I was told by a shoeblack it was she who was murdered, and I went to the lodging- house to ask if it was the fact. I was surprised, and went away.
[Juror?] Did you not give any information to the police that you knew her? You might have volunteered evidence, you know? - I did volunteer evidence. I went voluntarily to Commercial-street Police-station, and told them what I knew.
The Coroner: They did not tell you that the police wanted you? - Not on the 8th, but afterwards. They told me the police wanted to see me after I had been to the police.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 4 (19 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Inquest day 4 (sitting of 19 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Transcription Albert Cadosch
carpenter living next door at 27 Hanbury Street; heard a voice and a fall
Gave evidence 19 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A carpenter living next door at No. 27, Cadosch went into his yard at about 5.20 a.m. and heard a voice say 'No' from the direction of No. 29's yard; three or four minutes later he heard 'a sort of a fall against the fence'. He did not look over, and passed Spitalfields Church at about 5.32 a.m. The coroner later suggested his times might be a quarter of an hour out.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2
Historical text, verbatim:
Albert Cadosch [Cadoche] deposed: I live at 27, Hanbury-street, and am a carpenter. 27 is next door to 29, Hanbury-street. On Saturday, Sept. 8, I got up about a quarter past five in the morning, and went into the yard. It was then about twenty minutes past five, I should think. As I returned towards the back door I heard a voice say "No" just as I was going through the door. It was not in our yard, but I should think it came from the yard of No. 29. I, however, cannot say on which side it came from. I went indoors, but returned to the yard about three or four minutes afterwards. While coming back I heard a sort of a fall against the fence which divides my yard from that of 29. It seemed as if something touched the fence suddenly.
The Coroner: Did you look to see what it was? - No.
[Coroner] Had you heard any noise while you were at the end of your yard? - No.
[Coroner] Any rustling of clothes? - No. I then went into the house, and from there into the street to go to my work. It was about two minutes after half-past five as I passed Spitalfields Church.
[Coroner] Do you ever hear people in these yards? - Now and then, but not often.
By a Juryman: I informed the police the same night after I returned from my work.
The Foreman: What height are the palings? - About 5 ft. 6 in. to 6 ft. high.
[Coroner] And you had not the curiosity to look over? - No, I had not.
[Coroner] It is not usual to hear thumps against the palings? - They are packing-case makers, and now and then there is a great case goes up against the palings. I was thinking about my work, and not that there was anything the matter, otherwise most likely I would have been curious enough to look over.
The Foreman of the Jury: It's a pity you did not.
By the Coroner. - I did not see any man and woman in the street when I went out.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 4 (19 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Inquest day 4 (sitting of 19 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Transcription Also recorded as: Cadosh
William Stevens
painter, fellow lodger at 35 Dorset Street
Gave evidence 19 September 1888
Editorial summary of the evidence
A painter lodging at 35 Dorset Street, Stevens saw Chapman in the kitchen at about 12.20 a.m., not drunk, and saw her pick up a piece of envelope near the fireplace, which he believed was the one later found by her body; he thought she was going to bed.
Verbatim report: The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2
Historical text, verbatim:
William Stevens, 35, Dorset-street, stated: I am a painter. I knew the deceased. I last saw her alive at twenty minutes past twelve on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 8. She was in the kitchen. She was not the worse for drink.
[Coroner] Had she got any rings on her fingers? - Yes.
[Witness was] Shown a piece of an envelope, witness said he believed it was the same as she picked up near the fireplace. Did not notice a crest, but it was about that size, and it had a red postmark on it. She left the kitchen, and witness thought she was going to bed. Never saw her again. Did not know any one that she was on bad terms with. This was all the evidence obtainable.
Casebook transcription: Annie Chapman inquest, day 4 (19 September 1888), from The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Inquest day 4 (sitting of 19 September 1888); The Daily Telegraph, 20 September 1888, p. 2 · Transcription
The coroner's summing-up (excerpt)
Historical text, verbatim:The Coroner then addressed the jury. He said: I congratulate you that your labours are now nearly completed. Although up to the present they have not resulted in the detection of any criminal, I have no doubt that if the perpetrator of this foul murder is eventually discovered, our efforts will not have been useless. The evidence is now on the records of this court, and could be used even if the witnesses were not forthcoming; while the publicity given has already elicited further information, which I shall presently have to mention, and which, I hope I am not sanguine in believing, may perhaps be of the utmost importance. We shall do well to recall the important facts. The deceased was a widow, forty-seven years of age, named Annie Chapman. Her husband was a coachman living at Windsor. For three or four years before his death she had lived apart from her husband, who allowed her 10s a week until his death at Christmas, 1886. Evidently she had lived an immoral life for some time, and her habits and surroundings had become worse since her means had failed. Her relations were no longer visited by her, and her brother had not seen her for five months, when she borrowed a small sum from him. She lived principally in the common lodging houses in the neighbourhood of Spitalfields, where such as she herd like cattle, and she showed signs of great deprivation, as if she had been badly fed. The glimpses of life in these dens which the evidence in this case discloses is sufficient to make us feel that there is much in the nineteenth century civilisation of which we have small reason to be proud; but you who are constantly called together to hear the sad tale of starvation, or semi-starvation, of misery, immorality, and wickedness which some of the occupants of the 5,000 beds in this district have every week to relate to coroner's inquests, do not require to be reminded of what life in a Spitalfields lodging-house means. It was in one of these that the older bruises found on the temple and in front of the chest of the deceased were received, in a trumpery quarrel, a week before her death. It was in one of these that she was seen a few hours before her mangled remains were discovered. On the afternoon and evening of Friday, Sept. 7, she divided her time partly in such a place at 35, Dorset- street, and partly in the Ringers public-house, where she spent whatever money she had; so that between one and two on the morning of Saturday, when the money for her bed is demanded, she is obliged to admit that she is without means, and at once turns out into the street to find it. She leaves there at 1.45 a.m., is seen off the premises by the night watchman, and is observed to turn down Little Paternoster-row into Brushfield-street, and not in the more direct route to Hanbury-street. On her wedding finger she was wearing two or three rings, which appear to have been palpably of base metal, as the witnesses are all clear about their material and value. We now lose sight of her for about four hours, but at half-past five, Mrs. Long is in Hanbury-street on her way from home in Church- street, Whitechapel, to Spitalfields Market. She walked on the northern side of the road going westward, and remembers having seen a man and woman standing a few yards from the place where the deceased is afterwards found. And, although she did not know Annie Chapman, she is positive that that woman was deceased. The two were talking loudly, but not sufficiently so to arouse her suspicions that there was anything wrong. Such words as she overheard were not calculated to do so.
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I received a communication from an officer of one of our great medical schools, that they had information which might or might not have a distinct bearing on our inquiry. I attended at the first opportunity, and was told by the sub-curator of the Pathological Museum that some months ago an American had called on him, and asked him to procure a number of specimens of the organ that was missing in the deceased. He stated his willingness to give œ20 for each, and explained that his object was to issue an actual specimen with each copy of a publication on which he was then engaged. Although he was told that his wish was impossible to be complied with, he still urged his request. He desired them preserved, not in spirits of wine, the usual medium, but in glycerine, in order to preserve them in a flaccid condition, and he wished them sent to America direct. It is known that this request was repeated to another institution of a similar character. Now, is it not possible that the knowledge of this demand may have incited some abandoned wretch to possess himself of a specimen. It seems beyond belief that such inhuman wickedness could enter into the mind of any man, but unfortunately our criminal annals prove that every crime is possible. I need hardly say that I at once communicated my information to the Detective Department at Scotland- yard. Of course I do not know what use has been made of it, but I believe that publicity may possibly further elucidate this fact, and, therefore, I have not withheld from you my knowledge. By means of the press some further explanation may be forthcoming from America if not from here.
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