The history of the London Burkers: Containing a faithful and authentic account of the horrid acts of the noted Resurrectionists, Bishop, Williams, May, etc., etc., and their trial and condemnation at the Old Bailey for the wilful murder of Carlo Ferrari, with the criminals' confessions after trial. Including also the life, character, and behaviour of the atrocious Eliza Ross, the murderer of Mrs. Walsh, etc., etc.Anonymous
History
The history of the London Burkers: Containing a faithful and authentic account of the horrid acts of the noted Resurrectionists, Bishop, Williams, May, etc., etc., and their trial and condemnation at the Old Bailey for the wilful murder of Carlo Ferrari, with the criminals' confessions after trial. Including also the life, character, and behaviour of the atrocious Eliza Ross, the murderer of Mrs. Walsh, etc., etc.
Anonymous
Bishop, John, -1831; May, James, -1832; Ross, Eliza, 1793 or 1794-1832; Trials (Murder) -- England -- London; Williams, Thomas, -1831
trowsers, made of coarse grey cloth, together with a striped waistcoat
and an old shirt. These articles were apparently made to fit a boy
of about fourteen or fifteen years of age. The trowsers were patched
on the knees, and stains of blood were discovered on the waistcoat.
The coat was of a peculiar cut, and resembled those worn by charity
school-boys. After the discovery of these clothes, an application was
made to Mrs. King, who, it will be remembered, had seen an Italian
boy, with a cage slung before him, on the morning of Thursday, the 3d
instant, in Nova Scotia Gardens; and her description of the coat which
the boy wore agrees both in colour and cut with the one which was thus
discovered.
These facts, with others that came to light in the course of the same
day (Saturday), induced Mr. Thomas, and Messrs. Corder and Cribb, to
wait on Mr. Minshull, at Bow-street Office, on Saturday night, for the
purpose of requesting that, in consequence of the additional evidence
received, a special examination of the prisoners should take place at
as early a period as possible.
Mr. MINSHULL, to whom the additional evidence was detailed, considered
it of so much importance, that he expressed his willingness to send for
the prisoners that night, in order to proceed with the investigation
at once, or, if necessary for the ends of justice, he was willing to
devote Sunday for that object. It was subsequently arranged that the
examination of the prisoners should take place on Monday at twelve
o'clock.
In consequence of the advanced state of pregnancy of Mrs. King, who,
it will be seen, is a material witness in the case, it was at first
supposed that the trial of the prisoners must have been deferred until
after the Old Bailey Sessions next ensuing. To obviate this difficulty,
Mr. Corder applied to Mr. Minshull, to have the deposition of Mrs. King
taken specially, and certified, in which case, he said, it was ruled by
the judges, that it might be admitted as evidence on the trial of the
prisoners.
Mr. MINSHULL at once agreed in the propriety of the application, and
gave directions accordingly.
Consistently with this arrangement, Bishop, May, Williams, and Shields,
were brought forward on Monday the 21st, for the purpose of undergoing
a special re-examination.
Mr. Minshull presided on the bench, and was assisted by Mr. Halls, Dr.
Robinson, and Mr. Mallard. Lord Montford and other county magistrates
were also present, and the office was crowded in every part. Several
hundred persons were assembled in Bow-street, to learn the result of
the examination and catch a sight of the prisoners.
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