The Warwickshire Herald. — 1894-07-26 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE SOTITHEND MURDER.  At Southend Police-court, on Monday, before a full bench of magistrates, presided over by the Mayor, James Canham Read, 39, until lately employed as cashier at the Royal Albert Docks, was brought up on remand, charged with the wilful murder of Miss Florence Dennis, aged 23 years, a single woman, late of Slakspere-road, Herne Hill, London, whose body was found in a brook at Prittlewell, near Southend, on June 24th. The court and its precincts were densely crowded. Mr. Lamb, solicitor, instructed by the Treasury, prosecuted; Mr. Warburton defended. —Mr. Lamb said inquiries were still proceeding, and while he had put in evidence everything he possibly could, lie would be quite fair to the prisoner, although facts in his possession would amply justify the prisoner's committal. He then proceeded to give a history of Read's antecedents, and narrated the circumstances under which he became acquainted with Miss Dennis.  Detective-insPector Baker repeated the evidence given on the previous Monday, and added that, when arrested, prisoner said, "There is a lady here passing as my wife. She does not know who I am." Under the bed witness found £35 in silver wrapped in cloth. In a locked box he found a large number of letters (produced) signed "Edgar." On the way to the station prisoner said, "This about Southend is all 'rot.' I was considering whether I should attend the inquest and offer to be examined." Turning to his brother Harry he said, "What do you think of the little milkmaid now? Isn't she a little—?" At Read's house in Jamaica-street witness found a dozen marriage certificates in blank—Cross-examined: On the day following the murder it was discovered that Read had taken £159 from the Docks.  Dr. Avery deposed to being called to Springfield, Prittlewell, where he saw the body of the murdered woman. The skull was fractured. Witness found the small bullet (produced) embedded in the brain. The injuries to the bead were the came of death 20 hours before witness saw the body.—Frederiek Rush stated that on June 25th he was walking from Coleman's Farm to Prittlewell, when he found a glove on the grass, and noticed signs of a struggle. He looked in the brook and discovered the boly.— Police-sergeant Alfred klarden deposed that in consequence of receiving information from Rush he went to the brook, and subsequently removed the body Witness, continuing, said he searched for a revolver, but failed to Sad one. He went in search of the assailant the same day. Witness had since received & box and 40 cartridges (produced) marked "Eley, No. 1" from Dirs. Florence Kelly, prisoner's sister. They contained bullets similar to the One in deceased's brain.—Robert Dowthwaite, umbrellamaker, Prittlewell, stated that at 5 minutes past 10 on the night of the murder he was in Solentyneslane, going towards Prittlewell, when prisoner and the young woman walked past him arm-in-arm. Witness added that on Friday, the 130 inst., he twice picked prisoner out from seven men as the one he bad seen with the woman on the night of the murder.  After further evidence the case was adjourned for a week.