Documents relating to the murder of Margaret Brett

Wife Murder at Halifax.

Residents in Queens Road, Halifax were shocked by the news of a dreadful tragedy at Mile Thorn.

For the last two months an Army Reserve man named Frederick Brett, a labourer (age 42) and his wife have lodged at 1 Mile Thorn Yard with an old man named James Hindley.

Brett has worked at a brick yard in Elland Edge for about two months and, it was said, was addicted to drink. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, after Brett had had two or three pints of beer, but was not drunk, the couple were seen going upstairs by Mr Hindley and a few minutes later the woman screamed loudly.

Hindley went up to see what was the matter and was met by a shocking sight. The woman was stretched on the bed, covered in blood, and Brett was standing near with a knife in his hand besmeared in blood. He flourished the weapon towards the old man who ran out into the street as quickly as possible. One or two neighbours went in and met the prisoner at the door putting on his coat. He was stopped and held until PC Turner arrived. Dr Smith of Rhodes Street was sent for but the woman was already dead.

On being arrested Brett treated the matter with the greatest coolness saying

Yes, I've done it

He was taken to the police station and manifested the utmost concern.

The couple were married in Manchester about two years ago. The deceased's maiden name was Higgins and the motive appeared to be jealousy.

Brett was an army pensioner who was not a native of Halifax, coming to Halifax to work on the high level railway in course of construction. The Chief Constable said that Mr Hindley was dozing in a chair when he heard the woman cry

Jem, Jem

and when he went upstairs, Brett was in the act of cutting his wife's throat with a pocket knife. He tried to get the prisoner off, but the prisoner gave his wife a heavy blow and she never spoke again.

The prisoner confirmed that the knife was his and that his wife had scandalised him and he could do nothing right for her.

The inquest was held last night and the jury returned a verdict of Wilful Murder against the prisoner, who, it was stated, told the neighbours he had been acting Jack the Ripper