Ernest Ewerstadt

Ernest Ewerstadt, a twenty three year old  Russian sailor was sentenced to death by Mr Justice Day at Liverpool Assizes on 22 November, for the murder of his former paramour. Ewerstadt had been living with Elizabeth Hamblin for many months until she left him during the summer of 1884 because he was reluctant to give her any housekeeping money. They parted but remained on friendly terms. On 19 September he asked a friend to visit Elizabeth with a request to meet him that night. The friend later returned with the news that not only did she have no wish to meet him, but that she was also in the company of two black sailors who were plying her with drink. Ewerstadt told his friend that when he received his wages, he would buy a gun and shoot her. The next day he bought a dagger instead, and went to find Elizabeth. He caught up with her in a bar and told her that unless she agreed to come back with him, there would be a 'bloody deed done that night.' She took no notice and together they visited a friend's house where she left after he again threatened to kill her. He followed her home, and after a quarrel on the doorstep, stabbed her to death. He fled, but later bumped into a friend to whom he said: 'Me kill my Lizzie, me die too!' He was tried in Liverpool and having been found guilty was sentenced to death.  The sentence was carried out on 8th December 1884.