Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1879-06-07 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SQUARE MURDER.  On Wednesday afternoon, M Bow-street Police Court, Hannah Dobbs was brought , up n remand charged with the wilful ' murder of Miss Matilda Backer. Long before the commencement of the proceedings a large crowd had assembled outside the Court eager to catch a glimpse of the prisoner. The expectation was, however, to be disappointed, as the prisoner had been conveyed into Court at an early hour. Prisoner looked pale, but was perfectly self-possessed. Sweederor Bastendorff, examined by Mr Poland, said he resided at No. 4, Eustonsquare. He did not recollect a lodger named Utah, the name assumed by the deceased He remembered the prisoner coming down one day and telling him that the lady lodger, who had left a few days before, forgot her "dream book." He noticed prisoner wearing a watch and chain, which he took from her and wore for half a day. He understood it had been left her by her uncle, but could not say who told him so. [Witness was here shown the watch and chain. He identified the watch, but he could not say the chain was the same one.] Wm. Stohman. a boy, testified to finding the body when clearing the cellar, but he hail not detected any smell. Joseph Savage, a workman, also spoke to finding the body in the cellar. Policeman Dowling testified to finding a rope round the neck of the remains, and Inspector Demaid gave corroborative evidence.  Inspector Hagan deposed that be at first did not suspect the prisoner, but saw her in prison. She told the names of Mr Bastend ifs lodgers, describing Miss Hacker's dress and appearance without hesitation. She was absent when Miss Harker left. She said Mr Bastendorff was always in want of money. Prisoner first mentioned Miss Hacker's name to him, and she identified some of the things at the mortuary as Miss Hacker's. Witness also spoke to tracing articles belonging to Miss Hacker. The enquiry was thereafter adjourned until Thursday.  On Thursday Hannah Dobbs W 9.9 again brought up at the Bow-street Police Court, London, charged with the wilful niuider of Miss Matilda Hacker, at 4, Euston-square. Mr Pol,ind prosecuted for the Treasury, and Mr Beard, solicitor, appeared for the accused.  Prisoner, on being placed in the dock, smiled at the audience. She was thoroughly composed, and watched the proceedings with keen interest.  David Rose, silversmith, proved repairing the watch of deceased. Mrs Pierce, mother of Mrs Bastendorff, was next called, and depgsed to receiving the watch from the prisoner b get cleaned by a gentleman living with the witness. Mr Edward Hacker deposed that he was brother of the deceased. He identified the watch (produced) as having belonged to his sister. She was a very eccentric person, dresse I too young for her years, and changed her name to avoid an unjust claim made against her. Mr Davis, Chief of the Canterbury Police, said he knew Miss hacker, and the watch and trunk produced were hers. John Sandilands Ward, solicitor, identified several articles of dress and jewellery as having belonged to his former client, Miss Hacker.  Walter Cozens, Canterbury, said he received a letter from Miss Hacker, bearing date October 10th, 1877. A cheque for £5 14s was sent in ansv,r, but it was returned through the Dead Letter Office. William Partington, pawnbroker's assistant, deposed that the watch identified as Miss Hacker's was pledged, and sold as an unredtemed plelge. The prisoner pawned the gold watch, two gold chains, and a locket in the name of Rosina Bastendorff.  Mrs Bridges indentified a cash boa and other articles as the property of her former lodger, Miss Syckelmore, otherwise Hacker. Rebecca Nash, servant, corroborated the last witneEs's testimony. Hannah Fries, laundress, testified to washing clothes of a lodger for two weeks, and getting the handkerchief produced from the prisoner. The case was adjourned until Friday.  On Friday afternoon Hannah Dobbs, domestic servant, was again brought up at the Bow-street Police Court, and charged with the wilful murder of Miss Matilda Hacker, at No 4, Euston-square. An immense crowd again assembled outside the c•iurt to catch a glimpse of the prisoner, who was brought in a cab. —Mr Francis Riggenbach, sworn, said he had lodeh at 4, Euston-square, and remembered Sunday, 14th Oc ober, 1877 (the day on which the murder is alleged to have been committed). He used to keep a dog in the cellar then, and never noticed any smell there. On returning on the day in question late at night he found no one in the 'douse. He had no recollection of an old lady lodging there.—Peter Bahtendorff said the prisoner was his brother's servant. He had kept company with her. She had no watch at first.