THE WHITECHAPEL TRAGEDY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4595, 11 December 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WHITECHAPEL TRAGEDY.

(From the Home papers.) A singular development has been given to the Whitechapel murder case by the arrest of Thomas Wainwright, brother of the prisoner Henry Wainwright. Thomas Wainwright was apprehended on the Ist October on a charge of deserting his wife and children, and on the following day he was brought up at the Clerlcenwell Police Court, but was discharged after some evidence had been taken, the magistrate stating that he could not deal with the case criminally. He was immediately rearrested, and taken to the Southwark Police Court, where ho was charged with being accessory after the fact to the murder of Harriet Lane. Evidence was given to show that the letter to Mrs. Wilmoro, signed “ E. Frieke,” is in Thomas Wainwright’s handwriting. The prisoner admits having bought a spade and a wood-chopper for his brother on the 10th September, and says he told him he wanted them for his house at Chingford. It is now said that the police have formed a new theory on the case, which is that Thomas Wainwright represented himself to Harriet Lane as Edwin Frieke, and suggested certain arrangements with her which are referred to in the letter from her to Mrs. Wilmore.

Henry and Thomas Wainwright were brought before the magistrate at Southwark Police Court on the 4th October. Mr. Poland intimated that the prosecution were now prepared to complete their case, and that only one more remand was likely to be required. Mrs. Wilmoro repeated most of the evidence which she had given on former occasions, mentioning that when Harriet Lane lived with her a gentleman, who, she was told, was named Frieke, had called a week before the missing woman disappeared. She could not identify Thomas Waimvright as that person, but she thought she had seen him before somewhere. Another female witness thought prisoner like the man who had been pointed out to her as Prieke, but she could not swear to it. She was quite sure, however, that the genuine Mr. Prieke was not the man.

The Wainwrighta were again before the Southwark magistrate on the sth, and the chief witnesses examined were George Win. Rogers (who was formerly manager to Henry Wainwright) and Mrs. Rogers. These persons occupied a portion of the premises at 84, Whitechapol-road, from July to November, 1374, and had frequent opportunities of seeing Harriot Lane, whom they knew only as Mrs. King. Rogers was employed by Waimvright on several occasions to convoy messages to Mrs King, sometimes taking money to her, and at other times apologise for non-payment. Ho also obtained on behalf of Wainwright a quotation for chloride of lime, which was afterwards bought by prisoner, but witness did not know what became of it. At the Southwark Police Court, on the Tuesday afternoon following, Henry Wainwright, charged with the wilful murder of Harriet Lane, alias Mrs. King, and Thomas Wainwright, his brother, charged with being an accessory after the fact, wore again placed in the dock boforo Mr. Benson, magistrate. As large a crowd as has previously assembled was gathered at the entrance of the court, and the court itself was inconveniently crowded, notwithstanding the exertions of the officials. The prisoners boro uamistakeable traces of their incarceration.

Mr. F. G. Larkin, surgeon, cross-examined : I made a post-mortem examination of tho remains. Tho head was in an advanced state of decomposition—what is called mummified. The remains of tho eyes were in the sockets, in a shrivelled condition. Tho tongue was dry and shrivelled and the larynx was not gone. Tho brain was so decomposed as to reader it difficult to be handled. It is from the appearance of the coagulated blood in tho passage of the bullet, and that only, that makes me say it entered during life. There was some coagulated blood beneath tho scalp at tho point of entrance. With reference to tho cut on tho throat, in my opinion the wound was inflicted immediately after death ; it might have boon inflicted during life. Tho cross-examination was then directed to the minute medical particulars which tended to show whether or not the woman had been a mother, and tho witness gave it as his distinct opinion that tho woman had borne children. Witnes (resuming) : From tho state of the body it is impossible for science to state the exact time of death, but it can be done within weeks. I will not pledge myself, from my scientific knowledge, that the remains were those of a woman who was alive in May, but I have a very positive opinion that it is near twelve months, and that it is nearer twelve than nine months.

Mr. Thomas Bond, 8.R.C.5., assistant-sur-geon, and lecturer on forensic medicine at Westminster Hospital, said he had found a scar on the right leg on the outside, and about four inches below the joint of the knee. It was oval, thick, and well defined, and on the inner side there was a considerable puckering of the sound skin. It appeared to have been caused by a bad burn. Ho did not tell anyone of the nature of the soar until after Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Lane had given their evidence before the coroner. Cross-examined by Mr. Besley : I have cut out and preserved the scar. I said before the coroner that I thought it was impossible, on account of decomposition, to say whether the woman had ever been a mother, and I now repeat the statement. The face and all trace of features had gone when I saw the remains. It is possible, with a body marked and decomposed, to tell the age within about ten years. Decomposition has little to do with it. The reason I gave the age of deceased at from twenty to twenty-five years, is that she had cut one of her wisdom teeth and had not cut the other. By the Magistrate : I should say the bullets were not fired from a rifle, as in that case they would have gone through the head. I think they must have come from a pistol. Bullet No. 1 behind the ear weighs 60 grains. Bullet No. 2 before the ear 78 grains, and the bullet in the pad 83 grains. P. C. McDonald examined said ; I am chief inspector of the H. Division of police. I visited the premises 215 Whitechapel-road, on the 17 th September, and in course of a search I made I found two jet buttons which I gave to Inspector Box. The articles were amongst some cinders and ashes that were at the back part of the premises. In the fireplace of the room on the first floor I found a pair of earrings. In answer to Mr. Moody witness said he was present when Thomas Wainwright was arrested and searched, when some keys were found upon him. Witness had them in his possession, and would, as Mr. Moody wished it, bring them to the Court to-day. Emma Isard, sworn, said : I am the wife of John Isard, a carman. Towards the end of June I was placed in possession of the premises, 215 Whitechapel-road, by a Mr. Behren, a solicitor, in order to take care of them. I knew the prisoner H. Wainwright in consequence of his calling for his letters. When I left I left several old things behind me, such as an old umbrella and an old slipper. Before I left I threw into the grate in the kitchen on the first floor an old pair of brass ear-rings. I threw them away because they were useless. Before throwing them away I took off the rings. I left the premises on the 27th of August. In answer to Mr. Benson, the witness said that she could not remember how much she paid for the earrings in question, neither could she remember where they were bought, which was about three years ago. She had not been examined before that day, and had refused to give evidence until she was subpoenaed. Witness had never seen another pair similar to those, and believed that the pattern was uncommon. The witness repeatedly laughed whilst she was giving her evidence, a proceeding which often eheited from the magistrate a caution, “ as it was a serious matter.” On leaving the dock both the prisoners exchanged a few words with a woman standing near, who, it is believed, is Thomas Wainwright’ s wife. On Wednesday the inquiry was resumed. Charles Ohabot, 27 Red Lion Square, was called. Mr. Poland ; You have made handwriting a study for a great many years, and have been secured as a witness in a great many trials, and have had large experience in comparing handwriting 1 Yes, I have.—You were shown the documents purporting to be written by Thomas Wainwright ? Yes.—Look at these the ones referred to in Mr. Lewis' evidence, and the statement purporting to be signed by Thomas Wainwright and given to the police, and look at the letter marked E; in your judgment is that in the same handwriting as these letters and that statement 1 It is. The letter marked E is in an undisguised handwriting. The general character corresponds with the handwriting of the documents which I have compared with it. It agrees in points of detail, some of which arc very characteristic and striking.— Have you any doubt whatever that they were written by one and the same person ? Not the slightest. The letter E was the one written from Charing Cross Hotel to Miss Wilmore, and signed Edward Brieke. Mr. Boland stated that that was his case.

The depositions of the witnesses were read over by Mr. Stafford. After reading the depositions of Inspector Macdonald, Mr. Moody asked to be allowed to put a' question to the witness, and in answer to Mr. Moody he said that by direction of the magistrate he removed the padlock from the door of the Hen aud Chicken, and compared it with the keys found on Thomas and Henry Wainwright. Both the keys worked the look, although very different in make ; the key found on Henry being evidently the proper one. That found upon Thomas, in his opinion, was made for a different look. Of course it would be easy to get a key that would fit the lock, as it was a very common one. The Magistrate then ordered both prisoners to stand up, and addressing them, said;—You have both heard the evidence in support of the charge which has been made against you. You, Henry Wainwright, are charged for that you did upon a certain day, which it is not necessary to mention, feloniously, wilfully, and of malice aforethought, kill and murder a certain Harriet Lane; and you, Thomas Wainwright, will bo indicted as an accessory to the killing and wilful murder of Harriet Lane. If both or either of you desire to say anything, now is the time for you to do so either in your own person or that of your respective counsel. Counsel on behalf of prisoner Henry said he pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him. Ho did not desiro to say anything, but would reserve his defence. The Magistrate expressed his intention of committing both prisoners for trial at the Old Bailey. Mr. Moody said, on behalf of his client, Thomas Wainwright, that although the Magistrate had intimated his intention of sending the case for trial, ho would say, in answer to the charge against him, that he totally denied it. When he was first taken into custody he gave an explanation so far as related to the purchase by him of the shovel and He made a statement which went as far as it was necessary. It appeared that when the case was before Mr. Partridge the additional fact was introduced that the letter signed Prieke was in his handwriting. That Ido not deuy ; but it was not necessary for him whilst defending himself to criminate his brother. He said he was perfectly willing to make a statement, which ho did. He distinctly denied that he had over any knowledge of such a horrible crime, as he is said to have had. He was induced to write the letter for his brother by a statement that he made, which has already been given. The fact of having written that letter does not prove that he was aware of the crime, as it is only natural that a brother could easily bo induced by another brother to write such a letter in order to oblige him. You have been shown that ho had a key in his possession which fitted the lock of the Hon and Chickens, and he declares that that is the only one ho ever had. As may be seen, the lock of the house is very common, and there are thousands of other keys that would turn it although not made for it. Tho Magistrate said it was his duty to send the case for trial. Mr. Moody applied that Thomas Wainwright should bo admitted to bail. Tho Magistrate ; I must decline to admit him to bail. You have the power to make application to a Judge in Chambers, and I must throw tho responsibility on him. Mr Moody said the expense of applying to a Judge in Chambers would be very great, aud would press unduly upon tho prisoner. The Magistrate said that could not be helped ; but if Mr Moody would renew his application, supported by affidavits that the prisoner would he injured by being detained in prison, be would be ready to listen to him. The prisoners were then fully committed to trial at the next Old Bailey Sessions, and they appeared rather more anxious than during the earlier part of tho day.