As London came to terms with the murders of Mary Nichols and Annie Chapman, which had taken place on the 31st of August and the 8th of September respectively, other deaths were occurring in London, which were overshadowed by the Whitechapel Murders.
The Morning Post, on Friday the 21st of September 1888, published a round-up of that weeks inquests:-
A ROUND UP OF INQUESTS
A CHILD’S BODY FOUND IN BRIXTON
Yesterday an inquest was held at the Windsor Castle, Mayall-road, Brixton, touching the body of a child, whose name and sex are unknown, which was found in a cellar at No. 47, St. James’s-road, Brixton.
Mrs. Mary Forwood, who occupies the house, stated that on Monday last she had occasion to go to the cellar to procure some coals, and noticing an aperture in the flooring, she put her hand through, and it came in contact with a parcel, which on examination she found to be the body of a child.
A police-constable was communicated with, and subsequently Dr. Knight of Brixton-road, examined the body.
THE DOCTOR’S OPINION
Dr. Knight said it was wrapped up in a sheet of brown paper, and it was headless.
In his opinion it had lain in the cellar between two and three years, and was in a mummified state, as on being touched it crumbled to dust.
POLICE INVESTIGATION
Detective Clarke said he had made investigation into the affair, but could not discover any clue to the mystery.
In the absence of further evidence, the jury returned a verdict of found dead in a cellar in a mummified state.
THE DEATH OF MARTHA SMITH
Mr. A. Braxton Hicks, coroner, held an inquiry at the Town-hall. High-street, Wandsworth, concerning the death of Martha Smith, aged 46 years, a married woman, who was found drowned in the river Wandle.
THE HUSBAND’S EVIDENCE
Arthur Smith, an ostler, the husband, stated that he had been married 22 years, and had had a miserable existence owing to his wife’s habits.
She was a member of the Salvation Army for three years, but left it two years ago.
On Saturday last she charged a man at the Wandsworth Police-court with assaulting her, and the man was discharged.
Early the next morning he saw his wife sitting on some steps leading down to the Wandle, but she had been there so often that he took no notice of her.
She had several times threatened to destroy her life.
THOMAS PARKER’S TESTIMONY
Thomas Parker, a Labourer, deposed to finding the woman in the Wandle on Sunday morning.
She was lying face downwards amongst some weeds.
The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity.
THE DROWNED WOMAN
Mr. A. Braxton Hicks also held an inquest on the body of a woman, aged about 35 years, who was found drowned.
Police-constable Ryder stated that at half-past five on Monday morning he saw the body floating with the tide in the Thames near Chelsea-bridge.
He secured it, and, having brought it ashore, conveyed it to the mortuary.
The clothing was very old, and no property of any description was found upon the body.
THE SURGEON’S EVIDENCE
Mr. Felix Kempster, surgeon, said that the woman had been in the water about a week.
Death was due to suffocation by drowning.
There was an entire absence of any marks of violence.
An open verdict was returned.
THE DEATH OF ELIZABETH NATION
Mr. Hicks also held an inquiry at the Cottage Hospital, Surbiton, regarding the death of Elizabeth Nation, aged 25 years, of no occupation, lately residing at Essex Villa, Cadogan-road, Surbiton, who died on Tuesday last.
SARAH BAMLETT’S TESTIMONY
Sarah Bamlett, domestic servant in Miss Nation’s service, stated that on Thursday, the 5th inst., she went with her mistress to Hampton Court, and on their way back a gentleman named Hewett offered to give them a ride in his dog-cart.
They started from the Greyhound Hotel soon after eight o’clock, Miss Watson taking the reins.
THE TRICYCLE
All went well until they were passing along the Portsmouth-road, when a tricycle suddenly turned out of Uxbridge-road, and something caused the trap to overturn.
All three were thrown out into the road, Miss Nation being seriously injured.
Mr. Hewett attributed the accident to the tricyclist, who, he said, ran into them, causing the horse to swerve and bring the dog-cart into contact with the kerb.
FREDERICK MORTON’S EVIDENCE
Frederick Morton, the tricyclist in question, however, gave it as his opinion that the accident would never have happened if the course of the trap had not been altered at the critical moment.
He alleged that it was going at a very rapid pace, and was on its wrong side.
He was injured, and his tricycle considerably damaged.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.