Retrospectives On The Ripper

[Howard Brown]

Thread for reflections on the Ripper from police officials, housewives, and a wide assortment of characters throughout the last 122 years.

[Howard Brown]

Henry Moore offers his view on the likely occupation of Jack The Ripper plus more....


Bangor Daily Whig & Courier
(Bangor, ME)
Thursday, November 30, 1899
Page 7

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[Howard Brown]

The Milwaukee Sentinel
Saturday, August 19, 1899
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[Howard Brown]

Boston Daily Advertiser
Wednesday, March 15, 1899
Page 8
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[Cris Malone]

There is a profound statement in the Henry Moore article-

'It was almost impossible to get anything like a trustworthy statement while every crank in England was sending postcards or writing on walls. The class of women we had to deal with have told any number of stories for a shilling, and it was impossible to believe any woman, owing to the hysterical state of fear they get themselves into... We have in the East End, foreigners from every corner of the earth, and when they hate they will tell such lies that would make your hair stand up...'

This is why, I believe, before anyone endeavors to suggest a "new approach" on the WM, they should first try to understand the contemporaries; their mindset and what they were going through at the time. That should be the starting point for any historical research. If you don't try to walk in that man's shoes, you are running barefoot and will end up stepping on a nail.


Love these old clippings you post here, How.

[Joe Chetcuti]

That Bangor, Maine article on Post 2 appeared in the Nov 16, 1899 Philadelphia Inquirer.

Moore favored an unknown 'sailor' as having been the Ripper. While Andrews felt that the Ripper was already amongst the suspects in December 1888.

[Howard Brown]

Yes it did Joe...and Nina and I brought that one up over a year ago on the Forums.
Thanks Cris...expect hundreds more.

[Adam Went]

Might be worthwhile mentioning some of the interviews Dan Farson did in the late 1950's with remaining East Enders who could remember the Ripper.....I don't actually have his work in full unfortunately, but have seen and heard bits and pieces, like the old man who was then a young boy, who claimed to have been the one to wash Polly Nichols' blood away off Bucks Row.....not necessarily fully accurate, but interesting stuff nonetheless, from those who were actually there.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Chris G.]

Might be worthwhile mentioning some of the interviews Dan Farson did in the late 1950's with remaining East Enders who could remember the Ripper.....I don't actually have his work in full unfortunately, but have seen and heard bits and pieces, like the old man who was then a young boy, who claimed to have been the one to wash Polly Nichols' blood away off Bucks Row.....not necessarily fully accurate, but interesting stuff nonetheless, from those who were actually there.

Cheers,
Adam.

Hello Adam

I don't know if this matches up with what you read, but Emma Green's son is said to have washed the blood away in Buck's Row:

Emma Green, of New Cottage, Buck's-row, deposed -- I am a widow, and occupy the cottage next to where the deceased was found. I have a daughter and two sons living with me. On the night before the murder I went to bed about eleven o'clock, my children going about an hour earlier. My bedroom is on the first floor, and I do not remember waking till I heard a knock at the street door.

The Coroner: What time was that? -- Witness: I should think about four o'clock. I opened the window and looked out. There were several constables near my door.

Coroner: Did you see anybody on the ground? -- Witness: I saw something like a body, but it was very dark at the time, and I could hardly distinguish it.

Coroner: I may take it that you heard no noise during the night? -- Witness: None of us heard any.

Coroner: Are you a heavy sleeper? -- Witness: A very light sleeper.

The Coroner: Do you know that your son went out to wash the blood away (emphasis mine). -- Witness: Yes; I thought it had better be done directly the body was moved. A constable went into my yard with my son, and they returned with a broom and washed the stains away.

Morning Advertiser (London), 18 September 1888


Chris

[Tom_Wescott]

While Andrews felt that the Ripper was already amongst the suspects in December 1888. Can someone post the source for this? I've no doubt it's true, but would love to read the article regarding Andrews' views.

[Joe Chetcuti]

Toronto Globe
December 21, 1888

Inspector Andrews, of the Metropolitan Police, says that the Whitechapel murderer may go on for another year without being found. The police are perfectly powerless, no one ever having seen the murderer except the victims. It was his impression that the right man was among the suspects. Twenty-three detectives, two clerks and an Inspector were specifically detailed for the Whitechapel affair. They have received 6000 letters from police officers and others trying to give clues.

(Wolf Vanderlinden reprinted this Toronto article five years ago.)

[Tom_Wescott]

Thanks Joe!

[Howard Brown]

Boston Daily Advertiser
Wednesday, December 22, 1897
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[Adam Went]

Hey Chris,

Again, just relying on memory here, it wasn't Emma Green's son that Dan Farson was talking to....this was another young boy from the area who claimed that it had infact been him to wash the blood away, although it already been established that it was Emma Green's son. If that makes sense. So yes, 2 different people, one of whom with clearly very faded and confused memories......but even so, it's still interesting to hear from those who were there at the time and some of the word of mouth stories that were floating around.

Cheers,
Adam.

[Adam Went]

Aha! From The Complete History by Philip Sugden, page 6:

"In 1959 a ninety-year-old Mr. Wright could still show broadcaster Dan Farson the spot in Buck's Row where one of the murders took place. He had lived in Buck's Row as a boy, he explained, and it was he who had washed the blood from the pavement. Contemporary records reveal that there was, in fact, very little blood and that what there was was washed down by a son of Emma Green, who lived adjacent to the murder site."

That's the bloke I was thinking of. When in doubt, turn to Sugden....

Cheers,
Adam.

[Howard Brown]

The Milwaukee Journal
Tuesday, May 18, 1897
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[Howard Brown]

Boston Daily Advertiser
Tuesday, February 16, 1897
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[Howard Brown]

The Daily Inter Ocean
Monday, June 08, 1896
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[Howard Brown]

The Milwaukee Journal
Friday, March 20, 1896
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