1823
...
April 8th, Mrs. Elizabeth Richards discovered murdered.
This atrocious deed excited the most alarming sensations throughout Clapham and its neiglibourhood, the circumstances of which are as follows; Mrs. Richards, who was an elderly lady, of between seventy and eighty years of age. Was the widow of a respectable man, who had been chief clerk to a wholesale pin-maker in the city, and had lived in the house in which she lost her life thirty years, and in the same neighbourhood upwards of forty. She had a moderate competence to live upon, and resided in a small cottage situate in a row of houses at the entrance to the Common, and adjoining the Baptist Meeting.
The cottage in question, and two others adjoining, are built on the same scale, the front doors opening directly from little fore courts or gardens, surrounded with dwarf palings, into the parlours. Mrs. Richards, from her infirmities and great age, seldom quitted her home•, but an old friend, of the name of Bell, lodged in an up-stairs room in the house with her, and ministered to her little wants and comforts, as she did not keep a servant. A niece of her's also came to her once a week, to assist in cleaning the house. Her neighbours likewise were constant and kind in their attentions, and entertained for her the highest respect. On Tuesday evening (the 8th April) Mrs. Bell left the house for the purpose of attending the Dissenting Meeting at only a short distance. The deceased was then in good health and spirits sitting in her parlour. At a quarter before eight a Mrs. Jones, who occasionally dropped in to read a newspaper to her, arrived at the door, and gave her usual knock. No notice was taken; she repeated the knock, but still all was silent. On knocking a third time, the door was gradually opened, and she stepped in, observing as she entered, that she was admitted with unusual reluctance. The parlour was perfectly dark, and she called out "Mrs. Richards," but no answer was returned. She then stepped a couple of paces forward, thinking Mrs. R. might be in the kitchen, and repeated her call. At this moment she thought some person rushed from behind the door out on the Common, and in her momentary surprise she stepped on another pace, when her foot came in contact with a heap on ihe floor. She now became alarmed, and running out, called for assistance. Persons soxjn arrived, and the first object that excited suspicion, was Mrs. Richards' parlour poker Ij'ing in the little fore court. They now procured a light and entered, when the unfortunate deceased was found lying on her back, quite dead, with her feet towards the fire, and her head towards the door, a larg-e folding screen, which she had to protect her from the wind of the door, standing close by her side. On her face her apron appeared to have been carefully spread; but upon attempting to remove it, the greater part was found to have been double twisted, in the form of a cable, and thrust down her throat, so as completely to prevent respiration, and so tightly wedged as to require great force to remove it.
There was also a bruise on her throat, and her nose seems to have been squeezed so as to close the nostrils. The state of debility in which the poor woman was, must have rendered her destruction extremely easy. Indeed there were little symptoms even of a struggle; and from the position of the body, as well as the decorous manner in which her apparel was found, it was evident she had been laid gently down by her murderer, after life was extinct. Ker pocket had been torn off and rifled, and near her head lay a small tea caddy, in which she kept her money for trifling expenditures. A watch, bearing herhusband's name (' Thomas Richards, Clapham, Surrey'), which hung over the chimney-piere, was removed, and this, with a few silver tea spoons, was all the property that was misstd. Indeed, it was manifest that the murderer had been disturbed in his work by Mrs. Jones, for on the dresser in the kitchen there were a silver cream ewer and other silver articles which had not been touched; and nothing had been removed up stairs, where the ffreat bulk of the property of the deceased, includinsr a considerable sum in cash, was deposited. The fire was nearly out, and there was no candle in the room.
On the first horror excited by the discovery having subsided, a more minute search took place, if possible, to discover a trace of the author of the bloody scene; when, near to the person of the deceased, a brown paper parcel was found, tied up with packthread, and bearing four seals of wax. This, was addressed, in almost ilegible characters, to "Mrs. Bell, hat (at) Mrs. Richards's, Clapham Common;" and hence it was concluded, that by this stratas^em the villain Ifained admittance, for the deceased was particularly cautious to whom she opened her door after dusk, invariably asking" who was there.^" two or three times before she admitted them.
It was clear from this, too, that the murderer must have been acquainted with the habits of the old lady, and the name of her companion "Mrs. Bell," whom he must have known was the only inmate of the house, and whose absence on the night in question he had either ascertained by watching" her out, or from the deceased herself on her opening the door. Various surmises were of course afloat, and the surrounding inhabitants being alarmed, a diligent but fruitless search was made for suspicious characters.
On the ensuing morning, Mr. Franks, the vestry clerk of Clapham parish, proceeded to Union Hall, to the Magistrates of which he communicated all that had been discovered. Two active officers, Hall and Glannou, immediately repaired to the spot - by personal observation to ascertain the proper channel of pursuit. In the interim the Magistrates and i^entry held meetings, at which it was resolved to offer a reward, first of.50/., rvd subsequently of 200 gfuineas, for the apprciien^^ion ofthe murderer, and every possible inquiry was set on foot to further the ends of justice.
The terror excited through-out the parish of Clapham was excessive, and for the first two nights after the murder, scarce a family would retire to rest, without taking" additional pecautions to protect them from surprise; and, among^ the females, the most terrifying apprehensions prevailed.
After the inquest, which was held on the Thursday following-, the officers who were in attendance said they had obtained a clue which they resolved immediately to pursue with the utmost activity. It was learned that Mrs. Richards had left a will, but it had not then been read, nor was it intended to read it till the arrival ©f her executor, who lived at some distance in the country, and whose presence had been required as soon as possible. The body was, for the present, placed in a coffin. The countenance exhibited all the placidity of happy old age.
The intelligence of the murder having been widely spread, equipages of all descriptions were seen drawing up in front of the house at all hours ofthe day, to make inquiries into the particulars.
The removal of the poker into the front garden was accounted for by the supposition that the murderer, on finding himself interrupted by Mrs. Jones's knocks, seized it to defend himself, and on reaching the open air threw it away, as no longer necessary.
CORONER'S INQUEST.
An inquest was held at the Plough public- house, Clapham, before William Crabb, Esq., deputy coroner of the liberty of the Duchy of Lancaster, in Surrey, on the body of JMrs. Elizabeth Richards. As soon as the Jury were sworn, they proceeded to the house of the deceased to take a view of the body. The appearance was such as described in the evidence of Surgeon Rippon, After taking their view the Jury returned to the Plough.
Sophia Jones was then sworn; and said, I live in Clapham; I am not married. I was well acquainted with the deceased, Mrs. Elizabeth Richards; she was a widow lady, 1 understand she was about 75 years of age; very feeble, and not capable of taking care of herself; she kept no servant, but a woman of the name of Mrs. Bell lived with her; and the deceased's niece came to her once a week to clean the house; she reresided near the Baptist Chapel, on the Common.
Mrs. Bell was never married, and resided with the deceased as a lodger; she occasionally helped her about the house, in a friendly way. I have known them nearly two years; I never heard the least dispute between them; Mrs. Bell lived with her aboutthree years; she was not at all in distressed circumstances; I last sawthe deceased at about four o'clock on Monday afternoon; on Tuesday evenings I generally went to read the newspaperto her; she seemedin herusual health on Monday afternoon; I stayed with her about half an hour; I was to have gone to her again on Monday afternoon, but the heavy storm prevented me; I went in the evening ofTuesday, to read the newspaper, as usual, at a little after eight o'clock - not more than a quf\rterpasteight; seven o'clock was my usual hour, but I had some one with me, and I consequently did not go for an hour after the usual time, and then found her dead; I have reason to believe the villain who murdered her was in the iiouse at the time.
I gave one knock at the door, and stayed longer than usual to be admitted. I looked through the key-hole, and saw the room on the ground- floor in darkness. I stayed about a minute longer, thinking that she had gone up stairs for her night-things, as she usually did. I was then going to knock at the door again, When it opened a little, I said, "it's me, Mrs. Richards," three times. Then the door opened wide (I can't say if I touched it with my hand), and I went in.
I went up stairs, calling "Mrs. Richards"; I then returned, and seeing what I knew to be Mrs. Richards's body, by the dead light of the fire, lying on the floor, I thought she was in a fit. I went home very much agitated, and called Mrs. Stratton, who instantly returned with me.
V/e then saw a poker under the parlour-window outside. I had a light in my hand at this time.
I said, "Oh God! Mrs, Richards is murdered." I went immediately to Mr. Miller, a next door neighbour, and called ]Mr. Glaysher, another neighbour also. They both came with me that moment. It was a very dark night. The shock 1 had received was so great, that upon seeing her feet I was able to go no farther. Her feet lay from the fire, and her head towards it. She was not veiy near the fire-place. She had had two par.alytic strokes, and nearly lost the use of one side, and one hand in particular, but could walk about the house, feed herself, and make her bed, I don't know what money she had; she did not talk to me on the subject. She promised to leave me somethings in her will; she said she would say nothing about it until it was made; I suppose she has made a will; I don't know if I am mentioned in it, nor do I know where it is.
She promised to remember me in her will about two or three months ago. She seldom visited any one about us. I lived four doors from her.
There was no communication backwards between our houses, so that if she had called for assistance 1 could not have heard her. She was on the most friendly terms with the people next door. She had been at Mr. Miller's about half an hour before I found her dead. Mr. Miller told me so; and that she had left his house by the back way. Mr. Miller is a carpenter. She had not a great deal of plate; she had a watch which generally hung over the fire-place in the parlour. She had some table spoons. I never saw any old guineas with her. She did not complain of the times. She seemed very comfortably situated. Her niece was in the habit of coming once a week. She is a married woman. Her name is Cooke, and her husband a labourer.
The deceased did not approve of her niece's marriage. The only time I ever saw iier husband there was about three months ago, when he came respecting the lease of a house which she built them. I never heard her say any thing ill of the husband, but she did not like him. He is a gravel digger, and lives in Love-lane, between Brixton and Stockwell. I always found the deceased at home when I called to read the newspaper on Tuesday, but Mrs. Bell was almost always out on those evenings. The deceased's husband's name was on the watch "Thomas Richards." It is a silver watch, with a tortoise-shell case, the name was on the silver part, inside. I should know it again. When I knocked at the door I did not press against it.
I believe it to have been fastened when I knocked.
When it opened first it only opened a little, and there appeared to be something pressing behind it, and I, thinking it was Mrs. Richards, was afraid to push against it, lest I should throw her down. When it next opened it fell back altogether as it usually did. My firm conviction is, that there w^as somebody behind it when it first opened. I always knocked when I went there. I never heard her express any uneasiness on account of having money in the house. I did not perceive whether the back door was open or shut. I am no relation of the deceased. Mrs. Richards' habits were known in the neighbourhood. She never slept out all night. (A poker produced.) I am confident that that was the poker which I saw under the window. It was generally in Mrs. Richards' parlour, but she did not use it in common. Mrs. Richards had half a dozen silver table-spoons, a dozen of tea-spoons, two silver cream-jugs, and two salt-spoons. That is all the plate I ever saw with her. I dined with her last NewYear's Day. I never had any quarrel with her niece.
She (the niece) seemed a very nice woman. I saw her this morning. She seemed to feel this affair very much. She said she was easy in her mind,as both she and her husband were innocent.
She made that observation of her own accord: what led to it was her saying that a gentleman examined her very minutely yesterday, and asked her many questions respecting her husband, in regard to the different places he was at on Tuesday last, which hurt her very much. When she said this, her feelings seemed very calm and composed. She said she did not care any thing about it, as they were quite innocent. I observed," If you are innocent, Mrs. Cooke, that is every thing"." She replied that she was innocent. She seemed attached to her aunt, and said she would not have cared if they had robbed her of every tiring, if they had not murdered her. No other person was present when this conversation took place; it was in the room with the deceased. My own opinion is, that these people are innocent, but that the mnrder was perpetrated by somebody who knew her.
Charles Miller, of Clapham, carpenter, said I have known the deceased these 18 years. We have been next door neighbours. We have been on terms of intimacy. She was in the habit of coming" to my house once or twice a week.
There was a communication between the houses the back way, in consequence of one pump serving" four houses with water. I have no wife living. My children do not live with me; but they sometimes come and see me. The name of my son who was with me on Tuesday is Wilkinson; he is my son-in-law, and was with me at dinner. There were none of them with me when Mrs. Richards called. She called on me about a quarter before 8. She seemed uneasy some time past lest she should be disturbed in consequence of the lease of her house having been purchased lately by a solicitor. I had some conversation with her about a person of the name of Chester, who had not called on her for some months. She said nothing about her will, or about any uneasiness with respect to robbers.
I can hear the voice when any thing is said at Mrs. Richards' house, but I cannot distinguish the words. Nobody could go into her house the back Way without my hearing them. I have no doubt that she was murdered; the murderer must have got in the front way. The circumstance of the poker leads me to believe that they went out at the front door; and my not having" heard any noise in the rear, and she having- told me when she was leaving my house that she had a light in her house, and having- besides bolted the back gate after her, convinces me that they must also have got in by the front door. I went for a constable at Mr. Glaysher's suggestion, somebody else went for a medical person. My son, who called on meon Tuesday, only stopped ten minutes while I was at dinner. That was at one o'clock. He called on me sometimes when he came to town. 1 have not seen him since. It was about half an hour after Mrs. Richards had left me, that Mrs. Jones gave the alarm. She said that something was the matter at Mrs. Richards', for she was lying on the floor, and a poker was standing outside the door. I accompanied Mrs. Jones in, and saw the deceased lying on her back in the parlour near the fire, and an apron stuffed into her mouth. Mrs, Stratton pulled it out, and there was a little blood upon it. It was a white apron. She appeared to be quite dead. I don't know if she was cold, for I did not touch her. I went for the constable; and when I returned the doctor was there, i then touched the body, as several others did. My son-in-law has been out of work some time. He used to spend what he earned, be has got a wife now, and I suppose it is not better with him. His name is George Wilkinson. He was brought up here from a child.
He left me on Tuesday before two o'clock. He is a stone-mason. He has been out of work the greater part of the winter. He went out with me after dinner. I was at work out. I returned about seven. I was told that two suspicious looking" men were about the place having- the appearance of sailors. My son-in-law's brother is a tailor at Tooting, and does business for Mrs. Bishop. His name is John. Georg^e expected me to g-ive him something; but I had nothingto give him this time. I gave him half a crown in the winter. He wore a fustian jacket that day, and blue trowsers. He told me where he lived, but I can't recollect it. I believe somewhere near Tothill-fields. He has one child, and his wife is far gone with another. He is upwards of 30 years of age. He has been married these three years: I have never seen his wife. I don't know where he was born. He parted from me as I was going to work. He said he had dined with John at Tooting. He was sober then; but he used to be fond of drink.
"My son Charles is servant to Mrs. Cook,* of Clapham; he often comes to see me; he went to Chelmsford on Monday morning to meet his other at his aunt's, and returned on Tuesday night as he informed me, I did not see him until Wednesday morning. [The apron was here sho^Ti to witness. It was an old white one, very much worn, and had two spots of blood upon it, each about the size of the palm of a man's hand. A pocket was also produced without strings.] This is the apron, to the best of my belief, which was on Mrs. Richard's face and mouth. I think so by the blood. I did not ^ee that apron on her before. I saw that pocket it was lying on the ground beside the deceased.
* The widow of the celebrated circumnavigator, Captain Cook.
It was after I returned with the constable that I saw it. I think it was in the constable's hand when I first saw it; it was then without any strings.
Joseph Reppen said - I am a surgeon. About a quarter before nine on Tuesday evening, a boy whom I did not know, called on me, and informed me that a woman was killed. I followed him to the house of JNIrs. Richards, and found her lying flat on her back on the floor in the front room, with her head near the fire-place. She was lying quite straight, and her clothes not at all discomposed. 1 assisted in placing the body in a chair, and found her quite dead. Mrs. Stratton then produced this cloth (the apron) and said she had pulled it out of Mrs. Richards' mouth. I found a mark on the side of the throat, as if a thumb had been placed on it, and the nail had slightly raised the skin. There was another similar one on the nose, a sliglit one on the left temple, and one of her teeth had been forced out, which seemed to have occasioned the blood on the eloth. She had only one more tooth. I could not find the tooth which had been forced out: I believe she swallowed it. The marks on her throat and nose were not mortal; they seemed to have proceeded from a person placing his thumb on the throat, and pressing her nose with the fingers to prevent her from breathing through that organ. I am of opinion that her death was occasioned by suffocation. I do not think there is any occasion for the body to be opened. It was impossible she could have placed the apron in her mouth herself.
Susannah Stratton said - I have known the deceased near 40 years. She was about 74 or 75 years of age. I lived within two doors of her. The remainder of this witness's testimony corrohorated, so far as it went, the evidence of the preceding witnesses. The apron, she said, was twisted tightly, and stuffed down the deceaseds throat. She had to give it a considerable tug to get it out, and when she did the mouth opened widely, Jane Bell, the woman who lodged in the house of the deceased, deposed that she had lived with herbetween four and five years. On Tuesday last she left the house before seven o'clock, to go to Mr. Phillips's meeting; but it was not open, and she Avent over to Mrs. Haynes's, opposite the meeting, where she remained until near nine o'clock. As she was going home, in company with a sister of Mrs. Haynes, she met a man dressed in black, who said," Ladies, if you are going home, mind what you are about, for Mrs. Richards has been murdered." Witness said," Impossible," and he replied, 'twas true.
He was very civil, although a stranger to witness, and accompanied her to the door. She did not see the body until to-day. To the best of her knowledge, the apron produced belonged to the deceased. A brown paper parcel was handed to witness by the nurse who had the care of the " body, sealed and directed to witness at Mrs. Richards's." She opened it immediately and found it to be a sham; it contained nothing but brown paper. She was convinced that that parcel had not arrived previously to her leaving home on Tuesday evening.
Francis Hinton, of Clapham, carpenter, said, I cannot throw any light upon this business, but I believe the reason why I have been called upon is, that when I heard of the affair I observed to Mrs. Ching that a suspicious character, who had belongd to a gsiug, all of whom but himself were transported, was seen to pass by on Monday with a bundle in his hand; and as he was sheltered by his mother, he should not be surprised if the murderer were not found in that quarter. That individual had been brought up in this neighbourhood.
William Glaysher corroborated that part of the preceding"" evidence which related to his being called in after the murder, &c. There was no money found in the pocket.
One of the jurors stated, that all the money which she might be considered to keep in the house was found by him up stairs. The sum was considerable for a woman in in her situation.
Thomas Burgess, ofthe Larkhall public house, in the parish of Lambeth, stated that, at about lialf-past eight o'clock, he was going to the house of Mr. Foot to inquire what beer was wanted, when he met a man running towards him, apparently from Clapham, who inquired if that was the way to Wandsworth. He had a blue coat and blue trowsers on, with a pair of shoes in his hand.
Thomas Reed, the constable, who had been called in by Miller, was then sworn, but communicated no new fact.
The Jury consulted together, and instantly returned a verdict - ''That the deceased, Elizabeth Richards,had been wickedly and maliciously murdered by suffocation, by some person or persons at present unknown." The Jury sat from 12 until seven o'clock in the evening.
The best thanks of the parish were due to its officers, particularly to Robert Dewar, Esq., one of the churchwardens, by whose unwearied personal exertions, in conjunction with Hall and Glennon of Union Hall Police Office, the murderers were traced, and three of them taken, viz., Phillip Stoffell, Charles Keppell, and John Scott. Scott was admitted King's evidence. Stoffell was the son of one of her nieces. StofFell and Keppell were executed on Monday morning, July 28. The other murderer William Pritchard has not yet been found.
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