The North Cumberland Reformer. — 1891-10-29 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

CONFESSION OF MURDER. At the Southwark Police Court, London, on Saturday, the mate of a vessel lyiust in the Thames, who gave his name as Charles Green, 28, was placed in the dock, charged, upon his own confession, will, murdering his sweetheart, Minnie Gilmore, the daughter of a Philadelphian hotel proprietor, by shooting her near the racecourse, Philadelphia, in March last.—lnspector Odea (C.1.D.), watched the cane on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.—Tlw accused is a good-lookiug, well-dressed, and ligent man, and followed the proceedings aticutively. Whilst Inspector Styles was giving his evidence the prisoner nodded his head repeatedly. When placed in the dock Sergeant Duncan, the gaoler, asked the accused if his name was Green, whereupon he replied, " Yes, James Green is my correct name." Inspector Styles, of the M Division, attached to Bermondsey police-station, stated: This morning, about 12.15 a.m., the prisoner entered Bermondsey police-station. He was quite sober. He said, "About the middle of March last I murdered my sweetheart Minnie by shooting her with a six-chambered revolver near the racecourse in Philadelphia." I cautioned him, and asked him if he had been drinking. He replied, "No, I am quite sober." I said, "Do you know what you are saying," and to this the prisoner answered, "Yes, it is only too true." I told him that I should take down his statement, and the accused then dictated to me the following: "I am now living at No. 12, High Street, Deptford. In January last I arrived at Philadelphia, United States of America, and I went to reside with my parents at No. 315, South Francis Street, and remained with them until about the middle of March. I became acquainted with Minnie Gilmore, who resided with her parents at 28, Christian Street, Philadelphia. I went out with her. One afternoon iu March—l think it was about the middle of March-1 took her for a walk. We went on the racecourse near Grant's Buildings. Whilst there I took my six-chambered revolver from my hip pocket and then I shot her. I aimed at her face. threw the revolver away on the racecourse and ran off. I hid myself in the forepart of the steamship Francis which was then lying in the Princess Dock, and which left for Queenstown in the middle of the night. I was concealed during the voyage by the other seamen and arrived in Queenstown in about nine days. I went whore at Queenstown fur a few how s and I subsequently went aboard the steamship Clan M'Donald which sailed for Sunderland, where we arrived on the following day. 1 joined another vessel, and went to Odessa, Russia. After trading in the Black Sea for some time I was paid off in Rotterdam. I left Rotterdam on the 19th limit., and came to London. I cannot rest because lam always thinking about the deed I committed in Philadelphia, and 1 have come to the police-station to have the matter cleared up. I am certain I allot her, and I have been told that she died. lam an American subject. Continuing, the inspector said he read the statement over to the accused, who signed it, observing, " Yes ; it is only too true. I have not had an hour's rest since I did it." He then said there was some luggage and some money at his lodgings in Deptford. When he was searched, a seaman's discharge was found on him.—Mr. Fenwick : Have you anything to ask the inspector, Green.—Prisoner: No, sir.— Inspector Odea stated that at present he had not had time to communicate with the police authorities in Philadelphia. The statement the accused made with regard to the vessels in which he said he had sailed was being investigated. The witness added that when he was speaking to the prisoner he said he saw the girl full as he turned to run away. He also stated that he purchased the revolver of a negro who was living in a boarding house in Philadelphia.—Mr. Fenwick remanded the accused, directing Mr. Odea to communicate with the Home Mee. A Dalziel telegram from Philadelphia under Sunday's date says: "Nothing is known here of the murder of Miss Minnie Gilmore, whom the sailor, James Green, alleges that he shot in this city in March last. No such person as Gilmore ever lived at the address given by Green to Inspector Styles, and there is no such ?street in Philadelphia as South Francis Street, in which Green said that his parents lived.