Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1888-09-22 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

TRH TERRIBLE MURDERS  IN LONDON.  ANOTHER MAN WITH A BIG  KNIFE.  An important charge was made at the Thames Police Court on Tuesday which the police believe may throw some light upon the recent tragedies in Whitechapel. Charles Ludwig (10), a de...,attly-dressed German, of 1, of the Minories, was charged with being drunk and threatening to stab Alexander Finlay, of Leman-street, Whitechapel. Prosecutor said at three a.m. on Tuesday he; was standing at a coffee stall in Whitechapel, when the accused came up drunk, and in consequence was refused to be served. He then said to prosecutor, "What are you looking at ?" and then pulled out a knife and tried to stab witness. Ludwig followed him round the stall, and made several attempts to injure him. A constable came up, and he was given into custody. Constable 222 H said that prisoner was in a very excited condition, and witness had previously received information that prisoner was wanted in the City for attempting to cut a woman's throat with s razor. On the way to the station he dropped the long-bladed open knife, and on him was found a razor and a long - blecied pair of scissors. Inspector H Division, asked the magistrate to remand the prisoner as they had not had sufficient time to make the necessary enquiries concerning him. A City constable, John Johnson, stated that early on Tuesday morning he was on duty in the Minories when he beard screams of 'Murder. " proceeding from a dark court in which there were no lights. The court led to some railway arches and was well known as a dangerous locality. On going into the court he found the prisoner with a woman of ill repute. The man appeared to be under the influence of drink. Witness asked what he was doing there, when ho replied "Nothing.' The woman, who appeared to be in a very frightened and agitated condition, said, " Oh, policeman, do take ma out of this." The woman was so frightened that she could then make no further statement. He sent the man off, and walked with the woman to the end of his best, when she said, "He frightened me very much when ho pulled a big knife Out." Witness said, "Why didn't you tell me that at the time ?" and she replied, I was too ranch frightened." He then went and looked for the prisoner, but could not find him, and therefore warned several other constables of the occurrence. Witness had been out all the morning trying to find the woman, but without success. He should know her again ho believed. Prisoner worked in the neighbourhood. The Mit2istrate thereupon remanded the prisoner. The arrest has caused intense excitement in the neighbourhood. Prisoner professes not to be able to speak English. He has been in this country about three mouths. Ile accounts for his time for shout three weeks, but nothing is said of his doings before that time. The Central News has ascertained that the real name of Ludwig is Wetzel. He came to this country from Rani berg about fifteen months age, and is a haircireener by trade. He bears an indifferent character, being described as cowardly and quarrelsome and given to drink. The woman who complained that Wetzel threatened to murder her has not yet been found, but there should be little difficulty in tracing her, OA she has only one arm. . . .  The landlord cif the hotel where Weitzel. charged on Tnesday with the attempted stabbing of a youth. sometimes stayed says the man was an extraordinary character and of a very violent temper. He had been a medical assistant in the German army, and always carried a case of razors and some scissors. He WAS of dirty habits and appearance.