Summary of the rather fishy set of facts related in The Times' report of the inquest:
Sarah Jane ("Jane") was a domestic servant to 70 yr old Mr Greenwood (who was deaf, and a property-owner) and his wife. At the relevant time Mrs G had been confined to bed through illness for about three weeks.
On 7 January 1880 an elderly Mr Cooper (Mr G's long-standing business partner) came to see Mr Greenwood at his home. On arrival he spotted an unopened letter on the floor of the lobby. Sarah Jane picked it up and handed Mr Greenwood the letter from a mystery writer saying Mr G was to go to the Three Tuns pub between 5 and 6 that evening about some land. Mr Cooper went home to read the paper and smoke his pipe. Mr G reluctantly went the three quarters of a mile to the pub, did not find his mystery correspondent, stayed two minutes and went home.
Meanwhile, whilst Mr G was out, the ailing Mrs G heard Sarah Jane downstairs and heard her open the door to another person, who entered the house. All went quiet for 5 minutes, after which there were female screams. Mrs G went downstairs, couldn't find Sarah Jane, shouted "Murder" to attract attention - when neighbours (?) came in they found Sarah Jane on the kitchen floor.
In due course Mr G arrived home to find a commotion, and Mr Cooper heard about it all later that evening.
