The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1885-12-05 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

LONDON TRAGEDY.  At the Thames Police-court on Tuesday, Henry Patrick, 24, a ship's cook, was charged on remand with murdering Rachel Bailey, aged 19, at 1, Ettrickstreet, Poplar. Mr. Sims prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury. A coroner's jury had returned a verdict of wilful murder. Mrs. Ann Adams, 3, Edwardstreet, Canning Town, said she was the wife of Richard Adams, a labourer. The deceased girl, Raehel Bailey, was her daughter. She was formerly a domestic servant, but latterly had been leading an immoral life. Witness last saw her on Sunday, Nov. 22, when she had tea with witness. The prisoner had been with her daughter twice to her house. Witness did not know they went out together. On the Friday before the Sunday her daughter brought her things to the house. (At this point the witness saw the prisoner and became very excited, saying, " Oh, good God ! there's the villain.") The prisoner was with deceased on the Sunday, and she told witness she was going to marry "that thing" (pointing at the prisoner). Her daughter went by the name of Emily. Cecilia Stillman, 93, Leman-street,Whitechapel, stated that she formerly lived at Ettrick-street, Bromleyby-Bow. On Saturday, Nov. 21, between four and five in the afternoon, she let a room to the deceased at a rental of 4s. or ss. a week. She paid witness a deposit of 2s.' and she was to take possession on the Monday with her husband, as she called him. On the Sunday witness and her husband went out, and did not return until one o'clock on the Monday morning. She heard someone come out of the first floor back room and go downstairs. That person spoke to her son, and said to him, "Call her in two hours' He then slammed the street door. Later on she was told something, and her son went and fetched a doctor and the police. The prisoner: You say Emily did not come on Saturday? Witness: I did not see her before Saturday. Prisoner: She stopped there then. Witness: She did not. Prisoner: You lie. She stopped at the woman's house on Saturday. Annie Connor now :said she lived at 93, Leman-street. Witness was sent by the deceased to get some ale, which she got, and gave the deceased the change out of a half-sovereign she had given witness. They appeared to be on friendly terms. The deceased said, just before 11 o'clock, "The gin palace is not shut yet, and I shall go and see George." Prisoner said something which witness did not hear. They then went upstairs together. The prisoner said to the landlord's son, as he went out in the morning, Call her in about two hours' time.' He then went away. Witness was the first to go into the room. Prisoner: What time did you leave the house on the Saturday? Witness: Between eight and nine. Mr. W. Erskine, surgeon, 267, East India Dock-read, said when he saw the deceased she was lying on the bed, with the clothes over her. Deceased was lying with her face to the pillow. He removed the clothes, and turned the body over. He then found that the throat was cut. A large knife was found. All the leading arteries were divided, including the jugular vein. Death must have occurred almost instantaneously. He noticed the wash-hand basin was discoloured. There was a quantity of blood on the floor, but most was on the bed. He did not notice any splashes on the wall. The deceased died from bxmorrhage consequent on the incised wound in the throat. The wound could not have been self-inflicted. Evidence of arrest having been given, it was stated that when charged the prisoner made no reply. Mr. Luslaington committed the prisoner for trial on the charge of wilful murder.