Never at all?—No.
Mr. Bradbury explained that the letters were picked up by a constable about fifteen yards from where Peace was seen to get over a wall. They were found the morning after the murder. Peace had been in the neighbourhood to several places, and showed the papers, which he said were in Mrs. Dyson’s handwriting, and written by her at the time she lived in Darnall.
The Jury: Are they all in one handwriting?—Some are in ink and some in pencil. There is one scrap in Mr. Dyson’s handwriting, telling Peace that he would have nothing to do with him.
To witness: Whose handwriting is that?—I don’t know.
Is it in your handwriting?—No.
Can you write?—No, I never do write.
The Coroner said they were not addressed, but one scrap was identified by witness as her husband’s handwriting. It was, “Charles Peace is requested not to interfere with my family.” (To witness.) Do you know Peace’s handwriting when you see it.—Yes.
Witness then went over the letters, and thought that some of them were in Peace’s handwriting. The writing was similar to that contained in the threatening letters which were at Mr. Chambers’s office.
Inspector Bradbury explained that the letters had been given up to the chief constable, who had intended to be present at the inquest, but his brother’s death had prevented him.
The Coroner (to witness): I understand you to say that, with the exception of the threatening letter, Peace never wrote to you, or to him?—No, I never did.