Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper, 22 June 1879
The Murder at Rotherhithe
(From our later editions of last week.)
The adjourned inquest on the body of Robert Collins, a telegraph messenger, who was found stabbed about the body under a railway arch at Rotherhithe, and who died in Guy’s Hospital, was resumed on Friday at the latter institution.
Mr. Poland appeared on behalf of the Treasury. The evidence taken at the last inquiry having been read—
Henry John Causton was called and said: I live at 45, Stafford-street, Peckham, and am a carpenter and joiner. I knew Collins at the Young Men’s Club, and on Saturday, the 31st May, was with him playing billiards till near one o’clock. Collins and another young man named Sheppard were also there. At a quarter past 10 Collins left the club with Sheppard and me. I heard that Sheppard was in a volunteer corps, but I did not know it at the time. I don’t think he was in uniform that night. I noticed his keen face with prominent features, and his brown boots from the club.
Thomas Sheppard, apparently about 19 or 20 years of age, was then called, and said: I am a leather stainer. I am a member of the volunteer corps, and also a member of the Young Men’s Institute. I knew Collins, and was playing billiards with him on the 31st of May. I was not in uniform, and had no bayonet with me that night. We left the club and passed along the Old Kent-road. I did not go home before we reached the New Cross-road. There was a shop at the corner, and three women were standing outside. Collins was wearing his telegraph boy’s uniform at the time. He went with the women towards a public house. I did not see Collins again that night.
Another witness, who saw the attack, described how a man had demanded money from Collins and another woman, Polly, and upon refusal, the man struck at Collins with a stick, and Collins ran off before collapsing from his wounds.
Mr. Poland: When the last witness was with me at the hospital, I did not prevent him asking questions. When the deceased said that Sheppard had the bayonet, Sheppard said to him, “Don’t say anything you are sure,” and I then said, “Do not interrupt.”
The house surgeon was recalled and said that the deceased was uncertain in his answers when he was being questioned; sometimes he said one thing, and sometimes another. His answers were all given to leading questions.
This concluded the evidence, and after some consultation between the Coroner, Mr. Poland, and the police:
The Coroner (addressing the jury) said that the case was one of great importance, not only to the friends of the deceased but to the country generally. The evidence showed that a murder had, undoubtedly, been committed, as was shown by the nature of the wounds, which rendered it impossible for the deceased to have inflicted them upon himself. The Coroner particularly drew attention to the discrepancy between the statements of Sheppard and the other witnesses as to his being at the club and his movements on the Saturday night. The evidence seemed to indicate that Sheppard must have had some connection with the affair. While Sheppard had denied having a bayonet in his possession, it became apparent from his statement that altogether, from that made by other witnesses, there was too much suspicion for the case not to be further confirmed by the examination now taking place. The verdict which they were bound to give, if they thought the justice of the case required it, was that the deceased met his fate at the hands of some person or persons unknown. If they agreed to that verdict, a coroner’s warrant would be issued for the apprehension of Sheppard, and further inquiries by the Treasury, where an offer of a reward might throw some light upon it.
The jury, after a brief consultation, returned a verdict of “Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.”
Legal Implications in 1879
- Murder Investigation: In Victorian England, murder investigations heavily relied on witness testimony, as forensic science was still in its infancy. The reliance on eyewitness accounts, the examination of the wounds, and inconsistencies in testimony were primary means of determining guilt.
- Volunteer Corps & Bayonets: The mention of a bayonet suggests the involvement of the Volunteer Corps, a citizen militia that carried weapons. If Sheppard was indeed part of the corps, this would have given him access to a bayonet.
- The Coroner’s Role: The coroner had significant authority in determining whether a case should be escalated to a formal trial. In this instance, the jury determined the murder was committed by “persons unknown,” leaving it open for further investigation.
Societal Insights into Rotherhithe in 1879
- Urban Crime: The attack took place under a railway arch, highlighting the dangers of urban spaces at night in London. With gaslighting only partially illuminating streets, crimes like robbery and violence were common.
- Telegraph Boys: Collins was a telegraph messenger, which was an essential job in the era before telephones were widely used. These young workers often carried important messages and could become targets for theft.
- Working-Class Social Life: The Young Men’s Club and billiard halls were key gathering places for working-class men. Drinking establishments and late-night socialising often led to encounters with crime.
- The Role of Newspapers: This case’s detailed coverage in Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper shows the Victorian press’s role in crime reporting, which helped shape public perception of law enforcement and justice.
The History of Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper
Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper was a prominent British Sunday newspaper, founded by Edward Lloyd in 1842. Initially launched as Lloyd’s Penny Illustrated Newspaper, it aimed to provide affordable news to the masses. However, due to the high costs of quality engravings and the complexities of avoiding stamp duty, the paper underwent several transformations in its early years. It was first renamed Lloyd’s Illustrated London Newspaper and, after dropping illustrations to reduce costs, became Lloyd’s Weekly London Newspaper in 1843.
In its formative years, the newspaper adopted a radical editorial stance, reflecting the perspectives of the urban poor who lacked voting rights. Despite this, the content was curated to be morally sound, ensuring it was suitable for all members of a household. The paper focused on objective news reporting, covering foreign news, theatre, books, poetry, sport, and essays, while maintaining a high standard of vocabulary and syntax.
Circulation grew steadily, reaching 32,000 in its first year and surpassing 400,000 by 1865. A significant milestone was achieved on 16 February 1896, when Lloyd’s Weekly became the first British newspaper to sell over one million copies in a single day. Its popularity was such that the music hall artiste Matilda Wood adopted the stage name Marie Lloyd, stating, “because everyone’s heard of Lloyd’s.”
The newspaper also played a role in literary culture, serialising works by notable authors. For instance, Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Parasite” was serialised from 11 November to 2 December 1894.
After Edward Lloyd’s death in 1890, the newspaper continued under various editors. In 1918, it was renamed Lloyd’s Sunday News, and in 1924, the title was shortened to Sunday News. Despite these changes, circulation declined, leading to its merger with the Sunday Graphic in 1931, marking the end of its independent publication.
Throughout its existence, Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper significantly influenced British journalism by making news accessible to a broader audience and setting standards for content that were both informative and appropriate for general readership.
Murder in Rotherhithe! The shocking case of Robert Collins, a telegraph boy found stabbed under a railway arch. Jury returns a verdict of “Wilful murder against persons unknown.” Read the full report from Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper, 22 June 1879.
#VictorianCrime #TrueCrimeHistory #LondonHistory #Rotherhithe #HistoricalNewspapers #MurderMystery
