Hampstead murders – Part seven
from the Illustrated Police News, 29 November 1890
At the Old Baily yesterday morning the trial of Mary Eleanor Pearcey for the murder of Mrs. Hogg and her baby was commenced before Mr. Justice Denman. Mr. Forrest Fulton and Mr. Gill prosecuted; Mr. Hutton defended. Mr. Grain watched the case on behalf of the husband.
The prisoner in a clear voice, replied to the charge, "Not guilty, sir."
The prisoner was accommodated with a seat in the dock.
Mr. Fulton, in opening the case, said the murder, took place on the evening of 24th of October, at 2 Priory-street, Kentish-town. The deceased woman was thirty-one years of age and her baby eighteen months. She lived with her husband at the Prince of Wales-road, Kentish-town, the husband being employed by his brother in the furniture-removing business. The husband became acquainted with the prisoner about five years ago, and there was no doubt that the prisoner was most passionately attached to him. He was in the habit of visiting her two or three times a week, and had a latch-key by which he could admit himself to the house. He had denied that there was any improper intimacy between them until after his marriage with the deceased; but looking at the letters which have been found in the possession of the prisoner that was a most improbable statement. Some of those letters, which were copies of letters sent by the prisoner to the husband, were read, and they were couched in the most affectionate terms.
REMARKABLE LETTERS
The first letter was as follows:–
2nd October 1888
My dear F.,– Do not think of going away, for my heart will break if you do; don't go , dear. I won't talk too much, only to see you for five minutes when you can get away; but if you go quite away, how do you think I can live? I would see you married fifty times over, yes. I could bear that far better than parting with you for ever, and that is what it would be if you went out of England. My dear loving F., you was so down-hearted to-day that your words give me much pain for I have only one true friend I can trust to, and that is yourself. Don't take that from me. What good would your friendship be then with you so far away? No, no, you must not go away. My heart throbs with pain only thinking about it. What would it be if you went? I should die. And if you love me as you say you do, you will stay. Write or come soon, dear. Have I asked too much? — From your loving, M. E.
P.S.–I hope you got home safe, and things are all right, and you are well.– M.E.
The next letter was in the following terms:–
18th November 1888
Dearest Frank,– I cannot sleep, so am going to write you a long letter. When you read this I hope your head will be much better, dear. I can't bear to see you like you were this evening. Try not to give way. Try to be brave, dear, for things will come right in the end. I know things look dark now, but it is always the darkest hour before the dawn. You said this evening, "I don't know what I ask." But I do know. Why should you want to take your life because you want to have everything your own way? So you think you will take that which no man has a right? Never take that which you cannot give–you will not if you love me as you say you do. Oh, Frank, I should not like to think I was the cause of all your troubles, and yet you make me think so. What can I do? I love you with all my heart, and I will love her because she will belong to you. Yes, I will come and see you both if you wish it. So, dear, try and be strong, as strong as me, for a man should be stronger than a woman. Shall I see you on Wednesday about two o'clock? Try and get away, too, on Friday, as I want to know if you are off on Sunday till seven o'clock. Write me a little note in answer to this. I shall be down on Monday or Tuesday in the morning, about 5 a.m.–So believe me your most loving, M.E.
That obviously referred (counsel said) to the fact that Mr. Hogg was contemplating suicide, and also meditating marriage with Phoebe Hogg. There were other letters found, which were undated, which went to show that affection existed between Mr. Hogg and the prisoner. The following was found in an evelope:–
Dear Frank,– You ask me if I was cross with you for only coming for such a short while. If you know how lonely I am you would not ask. I would be more than happy if I could see you for the same time every day, dear. You know I have a lot of time to spare, and I cannot help thinking. I think and think, till I get so dreary that I don't know what to do with myself. If it was not for your love, dear, I do not know what I should really do, and I am always afraid you will take that away, then I should quite give up in despair, for that is the only thing I care for on earth. I cannot live without it now. I have no right to it; but you gave it to me, and I can't give it up. Dear Frank, don't think bad of me for writing this. I hop your cold will soon go away. Hoping to see you to-morrow, with love from your loving and affectionate M.E.
P.S.–Don't think any one would know the handwriting.
