Of Forward, for the Murder of Three Children and His Wife
LIFE, TRIAL, CHARACTER, CONFESSION, AND EXECUTION OF
STEPHEN FORWARD,
For the Horrid Murder of THREE CHILDREN near Holborn, also of his WIFE AND CHILD at Ramsgate.
Murder of Three Children by Poison, Near Holborn
On Wednesday, August 9th, 1865, the neighbourhood of Red Lion Square, was thrown into a state of excitement owing to a report that three brothers had been murdered at the Star coffee-house, Red Lion street.
It appears that on the Saturday, a man called at the above hotel, and inquired if three children could be accommodated with a bed for a few nights. Having been informed that there was one room unoccupied, he said the children were aged respectively six, eight, and ten years, and that accommodation would be suitable. He called again on the Monday evening with the three children, and saw them to bed.
Half-past eight, when one of the chambermaids entered the first room in which the two younger children were in bed, and to her extreme horror found they were dead. She immediately raised an alarm, when the proprietor and others entered the room in which the eldest child had been placed, and there found that he also was in the sleep of death. Medical assistance and the police were instantly summoned, the surgeon firstly arriving, and upon his examination of the bodies, pronounced life to have been extinct for some hours, the limbs being rigid and cold.
From information gained by the police, it appears that the person who left the children at the coffee house went by the name of Southey.
Murder of Mother & Daughter at Ramsgate, by the Person Who Committed the Other Murders
On Thursday morning, August 10th, Ramsgate was thrown into a state of intense excitement by a report that a man named Stephen Forward had committed a double murder in a dyer’s house in King street. It appears that Forward, who was formerly a baker in the town, left Ramsgate some eight years ago, leaving his wife and a little girl behind him in a state of almost total destitution. On Wednesday evening Forward suddenly appeared in Ramsgate, and made his arrival known to his wife. On Thursday morning, about twenty minutes past eight, Forward went to Mr Ellis’s house. His wife was there, having some breakfast with Mr Ellis and his daughter. He was asked if he would take any breakfast, but he declined. He sat down and commenced talking. Shortly before nine Ellis went into his workshop, and while there his daughter told Forward and his wife if they had anything to say in private they might go up stairs. They both went up stairs, and had not been there many minutes before the daughter of Forward went up with them. She had hardly got there when Mr Ellis and his daughter were startled by two rapid reports of a pistol, and on the latter rushing up stairs she arrived at the landing just in time to see Forward’s daughter fall down dead, she having been shot by her father. Miss Ellis then called out to her father, who came in, and he saw Forward standing at the top of the stairs. He said, “What have you done, Forward?” and seeing that he had a pistol in his hand he called on him to give it him, which he did. Forward at this time had a black moustache and dark whiskers on. Ellis then saw the feet of Forward’s wife, and on looking over the table he saw her head, and that blood was oozing therefrom. He told Forward to sit down, and he then perceived that he had neither moustache nor whiskers on. He asked Forward where they were, and he replied that they were under the grate. He looked there, but could not find them, and Forward then gave them to him. He then called out to send for the police and a surgeon. Forward added, “Yes; send for a policeman.” He was then given into custody.
At twelve o’clock at noon Forward was brought before the magistrates, charged with the murder of his wife and child.
Previous to the calling of any witnesses, the prisoner, addressing the magistrates, said: I have here a paper to Sir Richard Mayne, which I hope you will permit me to read to you. I have a reason for it. If you will grant me a favour, I think you will see that my reason justifies me in asking it. Immediately I was brought to the station-house I asked for some paper, a pen, and some ink, that I might draw up this statement, but it is not finished. I also made a statement to the inspector in charge. I inquired whether he had heard of the murder of three children in London. My reason for asking this question was, that previous to my being charged with this crime I was guilty of the murder of the three children in London. I hope this may be taken as a communication to Sir Richard Mayne, and also that it is made quite voluntarily.
The evidence having been gone through, he was fully committed to take his trial at the next Assizes for wilful murder, when he was found guilty of the murders, and was EXECUTED THIS MORNING and died without a struggle.
Copy of Verses
Of all the crimes we ever heard, of all the crimes we read,
Sure none on earth did ever know, a more sad dreadful deed;
Five murders were committed—he with Satan did connive—
It was in the month of August, eighteen hundred and sixty-five.
The murderer’s name is Forward, he led a wicked life,
Living with a married woman, whose husband’s name was White;
She had four little children, three of which he vile did slay,
In Red Lion street, in Holborn, then he did from London stray.
The cruel murderer Forward, at Ramsgate had a wife,
She had a youthful daughter; but the murderer lived with White,
Who of his cruel usage, had cause oft to complain,
Not long ago she left him, and sailed o’er the briny main.
When he had killed the little boys, from London he went down,
Where dwelt his wife and daughter, in peace, in Ramsgate town.
He shot his wife and daughter dear, it cruel was, and sad,
And wanted to make it appear the villian, he was mad.
Five innocents he did destroy, how dreadful to unfold,
Mrs. White’s three little boys, his wife and child, were told;
The boys he killed in London, which caused great excitement round,
And his wife and lovely daughter he killed in Ramsgate town.
When Mrs White’s dear children he did in London slay,
He with a dreadful weapon to Ramsgate went straightway;
His own wedded wife and daughter, so maliciously he shot,
And thousands flocked from far around to view the dreadful spot.
For those five cruel murders, may the villian punished be,
And die a malefactor upon the fatal tree;
More cruel dreadful murders we very seldom hear,
And wonderful excitement it has caused both far and near.
H. Disley, Printer, 57, High street, St. Giles, London.