The Kenilworth Advertiser. — 1881-08-20 (Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England)

THROWING A WOMAN OVER  WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.  On Wednesday morning, shortly after one o'clock, an atrocious murder of a woman by a soldier was witnessed by some persons passing over Westminster Bridge. It appears that a few minutes before "Old Ben" struck the hour a soldier belonging to the Coldstream Guards was seen in Parliament-square, Westminster, in company with a young woman dressed in white. They were seen to proceed towards Westminster Bridge by a woman who knew the deceased by sight. At the time in question, and just as the soldier and the woman arrived at the second arch of the bridge, on the north side, an altercation took place, and high words ensued. The soldier, who is a powerful, squarebuilt man, apparently about twenty-eight years of age, suddenly turned round just as a Madame Huint, the wife of a Frenchman, residing at No. 4, Blythe-terrace, Lambeth, was passing. He then deliberately hoisted the unfortunate victim in his powerful arms and hurled her into the River Thames. The alleged murderer took no further notice of what became of his late companion, but quietly walked away across the bridge. A cabman, who was driving over the bridge, heard the couple quarrelling, but did not see the woman thrown over the bridge. An alarm was immediately raised, when another soldier belonging to the Goldstream Guards came on the scene. and through him and others the alleged murderer was apprehended, and removed to King Street Police Station, Westminster. In the meantime a police-officer ran down the turn leading to the floating pier at Westminster Bridge, and, with the aid of the night watchman, the Conservancy boat was launched, and proceeded in search of the woman, but they failed to discover any trace of her. The spring tide being on three-quarters ebb, and knowing that the body would be carried down river, Police-constable 196, A Division, ran along the Embankment, and gave information to the night watchmen of the Thames Police Waterloo Floating Station. One of the Thames Police galleys was manned, and the crew proceeded in search. Drags were thrown out, but without result. As the Vesta, belonging to the Thames and Channel Steamship Company, which had been moored all night alongside the Temple floating pier, was leaving, the body of a woman, dressei in white, and answering in all paiticalare with the woman alleged to be murdered from Westminster Bridge, was cast up as the paddlewheels revolved. Unfortunately the body sank before the captain and his crew had time to lower a boat. On the prisoner being placed in the charge dock he presented a firm, soldier-like appearance, being a powerful-built man, standing about sft. 10in. high. He appeared perfectly unconcerned as to his position. He gave his name as John Evans, aged 29 years, and said he was a private in the 2nd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards, stationed at Chelsea. On being charged he said, "I bad several words with the woman, when she jumped on to the top of the bridge, when she said, "Shall I jump into the 'names or not ? " Prisoner then said " Yes."—Prisoner was remanded.  Robert Swanton, footman to fdr. Walter Long was on Monday sentenced to six months' imprison-, ment for stealing a necklace of pearls. It had been delivered at Mr. Long's house, but Swanton, instead of giving it to his mistress, decamped with it. He pleaded guilty, and said be intended going to America.