Kelly Inquest - The Scotsman

[Fisherman]

Yes, thanks, Chris! Well, well, well...! "A military appearance", perchance?

Letīs blame it on the papers, why donīt we!

The best,
Fisherman

[Ben]

The "tall" reference is wrong.

The Scotsman had clearly ommitted the "not" (tall) in relation to the man's height. Every other version gives the man's height as "not tall". It's a basic error.

[Chris Scott]

Hi Ben
many thanks for the correction
Chris

[Ben]

You're welcome, Chris, and many thanks for sharing one of the lesser-known accounts of the Kelly inquest with the forum.

All the best!
Ben

[Fisherman]

Yep, Ben, you would be right here. "Not very tall" is what the other sources have, so it seem reasonable to conclude that those two words were indeed ommitted.
One wonders, though, how errors like these came about so frequently...!?

The best,
Fisherman

[Chris Scott]

Maria Harvey, of New Court, Dorset Street, knew deceased. On Monday and Tuesday she slept with the deceased. She saw the deceased on the Thursday night about seven o'clock. Joe came in whilst she was there. She left some clothes to be washed, including one man's shirts, petticoats belonging a child, and a black overcoat.
The Coroner - Two shirts belonging to the same man?
Witness - No, sir. She saw the coat again on Friday, when it was shown her by some gentlemen.

Inspector Walter Beck, of the H Division, stationed at Commercial street, said information was brought to the station at five minutes to eleven on Friday morning. He went at once and gave direction to prevent any one leaving the court, and he directed other constables to make a search.

Inspector G. Abberline, of Scotland Yard, said he was in charge of the case on behalf of the police. He reached the court about 11.30 on Friday last. When he reached the place he was informed by Inspector Beck that the bloodhounds had been sent for and were on their way, and Dr. Phillips said it would be better not to force the door until the dogs arrived. At 1.30 Superintendent Arnold arrived, and stated that the order for the dogs had been countermanded, and gave directions for the door to be forced. I looked through the window and saw how matters really were before we entered. I subsequently took an inventory of the things in the room. There were traces of a large fire having been kept in the grate, and the spout of the kettle had been melted off. We have since gone through the ashes of the grate, and found portions of the brim of a hat, and portions of a shirt. I consider that the articles were burnt to enable the murderer to see what he was about. There was a small piece of candle standing in a broken wine glass. The key of the lock had been missing for some time, and the door could be opened by putting a hand through the broken window and pushing the latch back. A man's clay pipe was found in the room, belonging to Barnett.
The Coroner said that was all the evidence they were prepared to lay before the jury today. It was for them to say whether they were satisfied with it, or whether they would adjourn and hear the further evidence on a future occasion. If the Coroner's jury came to the conclusion as to the cause of death, that was all they had to do. The police would take charge of the case, and it was for the jury to say whether they had heard sufficient evidence to enable them to come to a conclusion as to the cause of the death of Mary Jane Kelly. If that was the case, there was no occasion for a further adjournment; but the matter was one entirely for the jury.
The Foreman said the jury considered that they had heard enough evidence to justify them in coming to a verdict.
The Coroner - Then, gentlemen, what is your verdict?
The Foreman - Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.
The Coroner - You are satisfied as to the identity of the deceased?
The Foreman - We are, sir, perfectly satisfied.
This closed the inquiry.