How Brown
07-17-2008, 06:27 PM
Thanks to Mike for taking time out of a rough schedule this week to answer these 8 questions. As always,Mike's input is top shelf.:kiss:
________________________________________
1. Over the course of your research into Stephenson, which has been primarily focused on the 'technical' areas of his life, as in your unparalleled chronological work and articles in Ripperologist Magazine focusing on the Flamborough shooting in 1868 as well as Hull related data....how do you personally size up the 'theoretical' areas of his suspectworthiness, which now covers the revelation of facts regarding the true nature of the condition known as neurasthenia..?
There were some finds during the early days of Stephenson research which caught my eye, but were nothing more than coincidences. For example, George Yard where Tabram was murdered in London, had a very similar layout to George Yard in Hull. The Hull George Yard was the location for one of the Cities largest Primitive Methodist Chapels, which we know was a part of the Stephenson’s religions.
As for the finds on Neurasthenia, these pretty much back up the claims that this man was genuinely ill and could not fake his condition. This is testified to by people who deal with these conditions and see them more often than most.
Let me put it in a simple manner,
When I was first diagnosed with my condition, my Doctor told me I was ill, my Cardiologist told me I was ill, and all of the nurses told me I was ill.
When I went to work, my medication was helping me fight the symptoms and my bosses from head office wanted to chat to me. They met me one day and because my symptoms were not showing they claimed “Your not sick!”
Days later my heart was at 180 b.p.m and I was ready to die!
They had no right to tell me I was not ill, nor to make a judgement, as none of them had the knowledge that my medical team had at the time.
After the event I was signed off work and they still wanted proof I was sick! I had to meet with them monthly and pass on medical notes and even sign a document stating they could look at my medical history. All to prove I was actually sick!
2. If the opportunity presented itself and you were at the PRO/ National Archives once more...which NEW area of Ripperology would you consider worthy of inspection, right now, since as with many things, our views and wants change over time?
I would still look into the Stephenson/Dawber areas I have been concentrating on. I know there is still material out there on this family, and I wish to gather as much info on the families as possible.
3. Have you really looked at the current argument or theory made by the woman from France about the 'suspectworthiness' of Sir Melville Macnaghten ? To you, is this the template of future attempts to make suspects out of thin air...or is this merely an anomaly?
I tend to shy away from people stating they know who did it. I do read suspect books, but rarely so. I think that most current suspects are based on trying to create a suspect out of thin air. I tend to read books based on primary sources as opposed to hear say and conjecture. It helps build an actual picture and not a send me off on an unwelcome tangent.
4. You had contacted someone within the ranks of researchers who focus on Aleister Crowley recently. One theory given to you as to why Vittoria Cremers 'fluffed' up Stephenson in the text of the 'Cremers Memoirs' was that Cremers wanted it known that there was someone with greater 'black magic' skills than Crowley. What’s your opinion in regard to this theory ? Could some sort of personal animus be behind the preposterous Cremers' story?
I have spoke with numerous Crowley biographers who have backed up my conclusions. Cremers was bitter at Crowley and told everyone in her circle that Stephenson was a bigger and better magician to get back at Crowley! There are supposed reason’s for her doing this.
5. What does it tell you as you read the O'Donnell Manuscript, that there is no reference made to any black magic or any 'magic' practice demonstrated by Stephenson during the year and a half of the relationship between Cremers and Stephenson, although they worked 'together' and at some point Collins would have mentioned what that practice was?
It tell’s me that someone is lying but why? Again I am faced with the conclusion that Cremers or Collins was telling lies and as such leads me to believe their role in the O’Donnell should be withdrawn. Of course if we do this, we totally discredit Stephenson, and some people just don’t want that. The only “proof” we have of Stephenson’s link to Black Magic come’s from the recollection of Cremers some 40 years after the relationship! The claims were also made during a period were Cremers and Crowley had, had a serious falling out, and leads me to believe she was doing it to get back at Crowley.
6. At this point in time, which 'type' of the 'two types' of people are you in relation to the Case overall? Are you a 'learner', someone who is constantly thinking and rethinking elements of the Case...or are you a 'solutionist', someone who either tries to put a name on the Ripper or at least helps in the process of eliminating the coterie of suspects?
I would like to think I have a little of both in me. Everyday is a new day, and a day for learning. There was a time when I would have just said that I am a “solutionist“, and I had delusions of grandeur about framing Stephenson with actual facts rather than “hear say”. The more I primary sources I uncovered, the more I revised my standing. As for the case, it is so diverse I think that even as we learn more, we forget just as much. Which is why books like the “A-Z” and “Sourcebook” are valuable tools and reference guides I turn to everyday.
7. Has Tim Mosley griped to you in private about the 75 cent per hour raise he received recently as not being concomitant to the efforts he produces on this site? You can tell me Mike..
Ha ha!! No, nothing!
8. Are there any new articles in the future coming out of Casa Covell?
Work on the book “Jack the Ripper, From Hell, From Hull?” is taking up a huge slice of my time. I am also trying to digitise all the Hull press reports from the period, which is a mammoth task. With that said, if I see something I wish to explore further, it could happen. One such idea was to look at the National Curriculum in relation to the Whitechapel Murders. School children between the age of 11 and 16 can go to school and in their history lesson learn about the murders. I wanted to explore what is on the curriculum and what lessons are being taught. I have contacted numerous school’s in the area regarding this, so we shall see.
I have also been approached to write something for a local college. It happened through something unrelated to the case, but as we got talking and my interests were revealed I was asked to write something. It’s along the lines of what I do in the field of Ripperology, rather than writing about the case and how I got to be involved.
In terms of local history, several local authors have approached me to write chapters in their new books. Nothing has been written as it’s in the very early planning stages but it’s still exciting to be asked.
So I am keeping busy!
________________________________________
1. Over the course of your research into Stephenson, which has been primarily focused on the 'technical' areas of his life, as in your unparalleled chronological work and articles in Ripperologist Magazine focusing on the Flamborough shooting in 1868 as well as Hull related data....how do you personally size up the 'theoretical' areas of his suspectworthiness, which now covers the revelation of facts regarding the true nature of the condition known as neurasthenia..?
There were some finds during the early days of Stephenson research which caught my eye, but were nothing more than coincidences. For example, George Yard where Tabram was murdered in London, had a very similar layout to George Yard in Hull. The Hull George Yard was the location for one of the Cities largest Primitive Methodist Chapels, which we know was a part of the Stephenson’s religions.
As for the finds on Neurasthenia, these pretty much back up the claims that this man was genuinely ill and could not fake his condition. This is testified to by people who deal with these conditions and see them more often than most.
Let me put it in a simple manner,
When I was first diagnosed with my condition, my Doctor told me I was ill, my Cardiologist told me I was ill, and all of the nurses told me I was ill.
When I went to work, my medication was helping me fight the symptoms and my bosses from head office wanted to chat to me. They met me one day and because my symptoms were not showing they claimed “Your not sick!”
Days later my heart was at 180 b.p.m and I was ready to die!
They had no right to tell me I was not ill, nor to make a judgement, as none of them had the knowledge that my medical team had at the time.
After the event I was signed off work and they still wanted proof I was sick! I had to meet with them monthly and pass on medical notes and even sign a document stating they could look at my medical history. All to prove I was actually sick!
2. If the opportunity presented itself and you were at the PRO/ National Archives once more...which NEW area of Ripperology would you consider worthy of inspection, right now, since as with many things, our views and wants change over time?
I would still look into the Stephenson/Dawber areas I have been concentrating on. I know there is still material out there on this family, and I wish to gather as much info on the families as possible.
3. Have you really looked at the current argument or theory made by the woman from France about the 'suspectworthiness' of Sir Melville Macnaghten ? To you, is this the template of future attempts to make suspects out of thin air...or is this merely an anomaly?
I tend to shy away from people stating they know who did it. I do read suspect books, but rarely so. I think that most current suspects are based on trying to create a suspect out of thin air. I tend to read books based on primary sources as opposed to hear say and conjecture. It helps build an actual picture and not a send me off on an unwelcome tangent.
4. You had contacted someone within the ranks of researchers who focus on Aleister Crowley recently. One theory given to you as to why Vittoria Cremers 'fluffed' up Stephenson in the text of the 'Cremers Memoirs' was that Cremers wanted it known that there was someone with greater 'black magic' skills than Crowley. What’s your opinion in regard to this theory ? Could some sort of personal animus be behind the preposterous Cremers' story?
I have spoke with numerous Crowley biographers who have backed up my conclusions. Cremers was bitter at Crowley and told everyone in her circle that Stephenson was a bigger and better magician to get back at Crowley! There are supposed reason’s for her doing this.
5. What does it tell you as you read the O'Donnell Manuscript, that there is no reference made to any black magic or any 'magic' practice demonstrated by Stephenson during the year and a half of the relationship between Cremers and Stephenson, although they worked 'together' and at some point Collins would have mentioned what that practice was?
It tell’s me that someone is lying but why? Again I am faced with the conclusion that Cremers or Collins was telling lies and as such leads me to believe their role in the O’Donnell should be withdrawn. Of course if we do this, we totally discredit Stephenson, and some people just don’t want that. The only “proof” we have of Stephenson’s link to Black Magic come’s from the recollection of Cremers some 40 years after the relationship! The claims were also made during a period were Cremers and Crowley had, had a serious falling out, and leads me to believe she was doing it to get back at Crowley.
6. At this point in time, which 'type' of the 'two types' of people are you in relation to the Case overall? Are you a 'learner', someone who is constantly thinking and rethinking elements of the Case...or are you a 'solutionist', someone who either tries to put a name on the Ripper or at least helps in the process of eliminating the coterie of suspects?
I would like to think I have a little of both in me. Everyday is a new day, and a day for learning. There was a time when I would have just said that I am a “solutionist“, and I had delusions of grandeur about framing Stephenson with actual facts rather than “hear say”. The more I primary sources I uncovered, the more I revised my standing. As for the case, it is so diverse I think that even as we learn more, we forget just as much. Which is why books like the “A-Z” and “Sourcebook” are valuable tools and reference guides I turn to everyday.
7. Has Tim Mosley griped to you in private about the 75 cent per hour raise he received recently as not being concomitant to the efforts he produces on this site? You can tell me Mike..
Ha ha!! No, nothing!
8. Are there any new articles in the future coming out of Casa Covell?
Work on the book “Jack the Ripper, From Hell, From Hull?” is taking up a huge slice of my time. I am also trying to digitise all the Hull press reports from the period, which is a mammoth task. With that said, if I see something I wish to explore further, it could happen. One such idea was to look at the National Curriculum in relation to the Whitechapel Murders. School children between the age of 11 and 16 can go to school and in their history lesson learn about the murders. I wanted to explore what is on the curriculum and what lessons are being taught. I have contacted numerous school’s in the area regarding this, so we shall see.
I have also been approached to write something for a local college. It happened through something unrelated to the case, but as we got talking and my interests were revealed I was asked to write something. It’s along the lines of what I do in the field of Ripperology, rather than writing about the case and how I got to be involved.
In terms of local history, several local authors have approached me to write chapters in their new books. Nothing has been written as it’s in the very early planning stages but it’s still exciting to be asked.
So I am keeping busy!