Why did Watkins leave Eddowes body?

[BillyE]

Just a thought: even if Watkins had blown his whistle (which apparently he didn't have) the sound would have likely echoed around the square, and not gone anywhere else. It would likely have been too faint to have been heard by any other constible.

[Monty]

PS

I forgot to mention, City Police Constables, which Watkins was one, were not issued with whistles till the following year.

Watkins couldnt blow his whistle....he didnt have one.

Cheers
Monty

[Monty]

Jenny,

As GM states, it was procedure.

Nightwatchmen were often called upon to aid Constables when required. Morris, the Nightwatchman concerned, was an ex Met PC, did indeed have his own whistle (he stated this at the inquest) and was already up and mobile.

The distance from the corner to Morris's ajar door was around ten paces, nothing more.

As Watkins had no idea which direction to go in (Halse and co later covered that by spreading out in pursuit minutes later) therefore his job was to secure the scene whilst Morris called for assistance, which he knew would be found in Aldgate as it was heavily patrolled.

As not for calling Pearce. This for me is an issue. However we are not sure when Pearce moved into what seems to be a Police house and my own assumption is simply this, Watkins and Morris were unaware Pearce lived there.

Monty

[The Grave Maurice]

Jenny,

There are people around here who know a lot more about the police practices of the time, but it's late and I'm the only one around, so I'll have a crack at it. I believe it was standard procedure that, should an officer discover a body, he was to remain with it until aid arrived. Watkins knew that Morris was in the warehouse, so Watkins fetched him and sent him off into Aldgate in search of another copper while Watkins himself stayed with the body. Paul Begg, among others, says that Morris had his own whistle. If so, Watkins probably knew about that, too. And he didn't actually "leave the scene". If you've been to Mitre Square, you'll remember that it's only a few metres from the corner where Eddowes was found to the former site of Kearley and Tonge's. Watkins went to the nearest place possible to find assistance. I suppose PC Pearce in No 3 was actually closer and Watkins could have knocked him up, but Morris was a better choice since he was already (most likely) awake.

[Jenny]

Something has been troubling me about the Mitre Sq. murder and I am not sure if it is meaningful of pasting on the message board but I guess someone will let me know if I am off base.

The thing is this: PC Watkins shines his light into the corner of the square about 1:45 am and with the aid of his lamp discovers the disembowelled Eddowes. Immediately, what does he do? Inspect the rest of the square? Take of in purusit in one direction at least? No, he leaves the scene.

He knows that there is a night watchman in the warehouse of Kearle and Tonge and it is to this direction he hurries. What is he expecting George Morris, the watchman to do? Was it sheer panic and horror which led Watkins to the warehouses? Did he need something to steady his neves? We have heard that the police offer said"ForGod's sake, mate, come to my assistance!"

Why didn't he blow whistle? What could do but share the awefu scene with the policemen? To my way of thinkig. that would be my first action

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