The Blandford and Wimbourne Telegram. — 1880-07-02 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

HORRIBLE IL-RDER IN LAAIBETH.  At the Southwark Police-court, on Friday, Ann Maria Martin, 74, lodging-house keeper, Lambeth, was charged with the wilful murder of Eliza Barlow, 17 years of age, mutilating the body, and secreting it in a box, at 7, York-road. Eliza Barlow first entered the house as servant three years since, when only 14 years of age. She was an orphan, but had an uncle living some distance away, and when occasionally he visited the house he was at times. refused admission. On no occasion, however, did his niece make any remarks calculated to arouse fear in his mind for her safety, although the violent disposition of her mistress scents to have been known to many of the neighbours. The frequent visits of George Martin, the brother of the prisoner, seem to have been suggested by the eccentric habits of his sister. When Detective-Sergeant Jupe and Inspector Green visited the house the prisoner took but little notice of their presence, and entered the front parlour, where she seated herself in an arm-chair. On the officers descending into the back kitchen they found a pillow on the floor, a pair of stays, and some boots. It was in the front kitchen that the deal box containing the dead body of the girl was found; the head being cut off, and wrapped up in a flannel petticoat. The right eye was open, and the left perfectly closed, and close to the forehead there were marks of a severe blow. A further search being made, a carving-knife was found bearing traces of blood, and in the kitchen was also discovered a small saw, to which there were blood and human hair still adhering. The bedroom of the prisoner was on the second floor, and the police there discovered a hammer of considerable weight, with marks of blood thereon, an attempt to remove which had been made by washing. It is believed that the deceased was first stunned by the hammer and her head afterwards cut off. The female lodger in the house is somewhat advanced in years, and was in bed at the time of the discovery, and appears to have been quite unconscious of anything unusual having occurred. The prisoner is rather of diminutive size, and when placed in the dock appeared to be very cool and collected, and was represented by a solictor. George Martin, brother of the prisoner, of Hercules-buildings, who said that on Wednesday evening he went to 7, York-road, and knocked at the door. It was on the latch, and she refused to admit him, and he went away. On the following morning, at half-past eight, he went to the house again, and saw the place closed as before. On Friday evening he went again and knocked at the door. The prisoner came down and asked who it was. He said, "Your brother George." He begged of her to open the door. She said, "I shan't. Who is that behind you ?" Witness told her he had no one with him, and implored her to admit him or take her milk in. He handed her the milk can, and told her if she did not let him in he would fetch the doctor. He then went to Dr. Pywell, and he returned with him to the house. He knocked, and she admitted the doctor, who came out and told hint she was in a very bad state. He fetched his brother, and she admitted them, and as soon as they entered she rushed at them. They seized hold of her and placed her on a chair, when she said "I have done for one." They tried to calm her, and then they left her, went to the station-house, Kennington-road, and fetched a constable. In the back kitchen they found the body of a girl with her head off, in a trunk.— Remanded.