The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-03-26 00:00:00

SAD END OF A SHOP-GIRL.

At the Paddington Coroner's Court, Dr. G. Dan-
ford Thomas has held an inquiry concerning the death
of Elizabeth Culling, 22 years old, a shop girl, who
died under sad and suspicious circumstai ces. Charlotte
Culling, a widow, residing at Downham, Norfolk, said
that the deceased, who was her daughter, left her
home in the country on the 11th of November, and
came up to London, where the witness believed she
was engaged as a shop assistant. In consequence of
a telegram she received from Mrs. Fuller, 11, London-
street, Praed-street, she arrived in London on Monday
to find her child dead. Witness was not aware that
her daughter was pregnant until after her death.
Mrs. Fuller, private hotel keeper, 11, London-street,
deposed that the deceased, who was a fine, strong
girl, came to lodge at her house in November last, en-
gaging apartments at half-a-guinea per week. Witness
believed she was enlaged in a confectioner's shop in
the Harrow-road. She was in the habit of going away f re-
quently,tellin g the witness that she went to see her friend
", Lizzie" at Holloway, and on her return she would
speak to the witness of how she had enjoyed herself
and been about with her friend and her friend's hus-
band. She left witness's house on the 7th inst., osten-
sibly to go to her "friend's at Holloway," and she
never returned. She merely took with her a change
of clothing. On Saturday, the 12th inst., a lady,
whose name the witness could not remember, but who
was the friend " Lizzie" referred to, called upon her
and informed her that Miss Culling was very ill, and
expressing surprise that witness was not aware of the
nature of her illness, which had necessitated visits to
the Lock Hospital. " Lizzie " said if the deceased
did not get better at her house at Holloway, she would
take her to her mother's home iti Norfolk. On the
following evening the friend called again, and asked
if witness could arrange for deceased's reception at the
private hotel. Witness could not do this, and as she
was unable personally to go and see Miss Culling, she
sent her barmaid, Miss Hunt, to see her. Beatrice
Hunt deposed that she went to Praed-street on Sun-
day night by her mistress's orders to see the deceased,
whom she knew, but did not suspect of being
pregnant. When she reached opposite the house,
No:40, Freed-street, a four-wheeled cab drove up,
In which were seated the deceased, the woman known
as " Lizzie," and a gentleman whom the latter des-
cribed as her husband. Witness got into the cub.
Miss Culling seemed to be very bad. She informed
her that she had had a miscarriage. This was bi-
tween 11 and 12. The cab was driven to the Pad-
dington Parish Infirmary, where the deceased was
admitted, giving the name of Cissy Phillips, of
London-street. "Lizzie" and her hnsband promised
to call to see her the next day, but did not do so, and
witness had not seen them since. Witness saw the
deceased three times before she died. She expired on
the Monday night shortly before ten. Detective-
inspector Morgan, X Division (who appeared for the
Commissioners of Police, to witness) : Did this un-
known man and woman bring deceased to a four-
wheeled cab in the Southwark Bridge-road from the
direction of the Borough-road Railway Station?
Witness: No. Detective Morgan: Did not the gen-
tleman get out of the cab as you were going to the
infirmary and have a cup of coffee? Witness :He
did get down. Detective Morgan: Did he say it
was unnecessary to go to the infirmary? Witness:
Ido not recollect those words. Detective Morgan:
Was he about 50 or 60 years of age? Witness: I
should think about 50. Dr. Thomas Ernest Hillier,
acting medical officer at the Paddington Parish
Infirmary, deposed that it was one o'clock on Sunday
morning when the deceased reached that institution,
accompanied by Miss Hunt and another lady and
gentleman. She gave a false name, said she had
lately resided at 11, London-street, and that Miss
Hunt was her only friend and had been attending
her. She afterwards added that the others, when
they had gone, said the other woman was "no friend
of hers." She told him she had had a mi,carriage.
She gradually collapsed, and died on Monday night.
Having made a post-mortem examination, the witness
ettributed death to blood poisoning, and Dr. Smith
Russell, 75, Great Russell-street, stated he discovered
that an unlawful operation by means of an instru-
ment had been performed by some skilled and prao-
tised hand, causing injuries which produced bloo3
poisoning. In this evidence Dr. A. J. Pepper,
F.R.C.S., exptessed his concurrence. Some farther
evidence baying been given the coroner adjourned the
case that further inquiries might be made.

SAY, Mr. Einoggs, said Tommy, What makes yon
walk differently from other men? Oh, I don't,
Tommy.—Yes, you do. Pa says so, anyhow.—What
did your father say about me?—He told sister Pine'
line this morning that he had heard you were a veva
high stepper,.