***A Timeline : Albert Bachert***

[Howard Brown]

Bump up of Dave's excellent work.

[Howard Brown]

http://www.jtrforums.com/showthread.php?p=207681#post207681

That is the link to go to for discussing Dave's work.

Thanks !

[Howard Brown]

Page 6

The Echo, Tuesday December 13, 1892, Page 1
THE UNEMPLOYED.
MIDNIGHT MARCH IN THE CITY.
PROCESSION DISPERSED BY THE POLICE.
Though the weather was bleak and cold, several hundreds of men and youths were attracted to Tower-hill last night to witness, as they thought, scenes in connection with the "midnight march," so much alluded to in the meetings of the unemployed. The sight was one of a most dismal character. The police, with their top-coats, protected with capes, paraded the wharf - from whose walls the speeches are usually made - and marched up and down the pavement, which is bordered by the iron railings of the Tower enclosure. Ample arrangements had been made to cope with any disturbance or with any attempt to light torches. In all the police-stations of the City constables were kept in reserve, and a strong contingent was also kept at the Seething-lane Police-station. O'Keefe, one of the leaders, opened the proceedings with a rambling speech, in which he told the people they never would be able to do any good until they made themselves a nuisance in the City; and he meant to do it if he got six months. He declared, "I will lead you through the City, follow me."
ORDERS FROM THE POLICE.
At this moment Backert arrived and mounted the wall. When he began to speak a detective touched him on the leg with his walking stick, and told him he wanted to speak to him. Backert jumped from the wall, and went aside. In a few moments he remounted the wall, and said that Colonel Smith had given orders that if torches were lighted the men were to be attacked and dispersed. Therefore he hoped the people would abstain from doing anything to excite the police or anger them. But if they behaved quietly and were seized by the police, they had better take their numbers. He had friends, however, who would meet them as soon as they had got out of the City boundary, and then, if the Metropolitan Police did not object, they could light the torches and continue their march through the West-end. As the Tower clock struck 12 a procession was formed, accompanied by the police, but at Ludgate-hill the number of enthusiasts had dwindled down to a very small number. Upon reaching Temple Bar - close to which the jurisdiction of the City Police ceases - the processionists were met by men of the Metropolitan Police. Passing in among them, they soon scattered the marchers, who made no effort to light torches, but quickly dispersed; and the midnight march thus ended quite peacefully.
The Echo, Monday December 19, 1892
THE ARREST ON TOWER-HILL.
Albert Backert, whose name has been frequently mentioned in connection with the unemployed and other matters, again attended at the Thames Police-court, today, and said on Saturday a man was charged with obstructing Chief-Inspector Vedy, and causing a "supposed disturbance" on Tower-hill. He was not going to question whether this man was drunk or not. - Mr. Mead (interrupting): Do you want anything with regard to the case that was decided here on Saturday? That was heard before another magistrate. - Backert: You will do as well. - Mr. Mead: I am much obliged for the complimentary way in which you speak, but I am not going to interfere. - Backert: I am not going to criticise the action or judgment of the magistrate. - Mr. Mead: That is very good of you. What is it you want? - Backert: I am acting on behalf of the wife of the man. She has one child, and has no food in the house. I want you to send an officer to give her something from the poor-box. I notice that last week Mr. Dickinson received several large sums from the City Companies. - Mr. Mead: I will see what can be done.
At this point the Bacherts are living at 40 Whitechapel Highstreet.

1893 A Change of Priorities – The Unemployed and Albert’s Downfall
The Standard, 9 January 1893 reports the foundation of the Stepney Branch of the Unemployed Investigation and Relief Committee with Bachert as Secretary to the Central Committee.

The Morning Post, 19 January 1893, a letter from Harry Wilson, chairman of the committee repudiating a letter to Mr Gladstone from AB. AB was sacked as a result of this.
The Echo, Tuesday January 24, 1893
SCENE ON TOWER-HILL.
A man of the name of King alleged, at a meeting of the unemployed on Tower Hill this morning, that he and Backert had received each 5 pounds from Lord Rothschild, for the purpose of speaking against the Social Democrats. He was met with a hostile reception and had to be protected by the police.
The Echo, January 24, 1893
SCENE ON TOWER-HILL.
A man of the name of King alleged, at a meeting of the unemployed on Tower Hill this morning, that he and Backert had received each 5 pounds from Lord Rothschild, for the purpose of speaking against the Social Democrats. He was met with a hostile reception and had to be protected by the police.
The Guardian, January 25, 1893
From the central office of the "Unemployed Investigation and Relief Committee," 85, Commercial-road, Mr. A. Backert, secretary of the committee, lately addressed a letter to the Prime Minister, in which he said: -
Thousands of workmen who voted for your party at the last election expected that when you were returned to office work would be found for them, but you adjourn Parliament and neglect the unemployed. The men, with their wives and families, are now starving, and we are doing our best to help them from a starvation grave. Now, sir, let me know at once whether you will, as soon as Parliament assembles, take the unemployed question in hand in preference to that of Home Rule for Ireland. If you do not attend to the unemployed we, the committee, shall feel it our duty to call upon the unemployed in general to elect men who will stand by them in their hour of need.
The letter was promptly followed by another from the Rev. Harry Wilson, vicar of St. Augustine's, Stepney, and chairman of the committee in question, in whose name he repudiated the language used by Mr. Backert, and informed Mr. Gladstone that that gentleman had, in consequence of his action, ceased to be their secretary. The committee claims to be entirely non-political.
Bristol Mercury & Daily Post 10 February 1893
AB arrested for fraud in London and handed over to London police who came to collect him. Again, this story got nationwide coverage.
8 March 1893. Trial for relief fraud. 3 months hard labour.
June 18, 1893. Court appearance to clear his name
And so, up-to-date, this is the last appearance of Albert Bachert in the newspapers.

To finish off, here’s an updated list of Albert’s names:
Bachert Backart Backbest Backers Backert Backest
Backet Backhert Baebert Barbert Barker Barkert
Baskert Baskett Batchard Bechart Bechert Beckett
Blackbest Bocker Bracker Brackert Bracket Albert Parker

[Howard Brown]

Page 5

Sept 3, 1892 charged with stealing £300 from father. No evidence, discharged. Reported in several papers.
The Echo, Wednesday 9 November, 1892
THE UNEMPLOYED.
The man BACKERT announced today, at the usual meeting of the unemployed at Tower-hill, that an unemployed meeting, not under the auspices of the Social Democratic Federation, would be held on Saturday next. - The official organiser JUCHAN protested against the conduct of the police during the demonstration at the offices of an evening paper yesterday. He exhibited his leg, showing a wound, and stated that this was done by the police. The police were ordered to break up any procession that should attempt to start from Tower-hill today.
The next speaker, a man named KING, in alluding to what took place yesterday, stated that if he had had a stick in his hand yesterday afternoon, he would have retaliated. He cautioned the police not to continue their practices of yesterday, because if they did he thought the people would then have the right to use dynamite.
"PREPARED TO FIGHT THE POLICE."
Later on the assistant organiser, Mr. H. Waite, appeared on the scene. He had improvised a large red pocket handkerchief, which was attached to a staff, in the place of the banner which was yesterday captured by the police. In mounting the parapet he called for "Three cheers for the social revolution," and continued to say that the police had behaved cowardly and basely, and if they continued to do so they should all of them provide themselves with such toothpicks (a big stick) as he carried. He cautioned the police that they would not stand any further nonsense, and, if they fought them, they were prepared to fight the police.
Lloyd's Weekly London Newspaper, 13 November, 1892
THE UNEMPLOYED.
On Sunday morning a contingent of the unemployed, headed by Mr. O'Keefe, marched from Tower-hill to Westminster Abbey, where they occupied four rows of seats close to the north door. The Rev. Sir James Erasmus Philipps, Bart., M.A., was the preacher, but he made no reference to the unemployed question or the presence of the contingent. The offertory was for the poor of Westminster. At the conclusion of the service the men had an interview with Dean Bradley and Archdeacon Farrar in the Jerusalem chamber. After some conversation Archdeacon Farrar asked: Do you want relief or do you want work? O'Keefe: We want work. Archdeacon Farrar: The sympathies of every good man in England are with you. We have it on the authority of Mr. Keir Hardie that there are 1,250,000 men throughout the country out of work. That number of men represents a nation. Supposing, then, we could dispense relief to those in London, we should have a host of men flocking up from the country, and things would be as bad as ever. If extra work were provided it would dislocate those industries already in existence. The dean and myself cannot, of course, provide you with work; and, in the matter of relief, we have the district of Westminster, where our own parishes are situated, to look after. You may rest assured, however, that we will do all we can to alleviate the distress which is so rife at the present moment. Archdeacon Farrar, amid the cheers of the deputation, announced that the dean would be pleased to present each man with 1s. as an evidence of his sympathy, and that he (the archdeacon) would present each of them with a similar amount. On retiring the deputation thanked Dean Bradley and Archdeacon Farrar for the kind manner in which they had been received.
On Tuesday afternoon a body of unemployed, acting on the announcement made at the morning's meeting on Tower-hill, paid a visit to the offices of the St. James's Gazette, to protest against some remarks published by that journal on the previous evening. The editor explained that there was no intention to attack the genuine unemployed, and the deputation, expressing satisfaction, withdrew.
On Thursday Mr. Backert and two others waited as a deputation on the Dean of St. Paul's, who told them that it would do more harm than good to have a sermon and collection in St. Paul's on behalf of the unemployed. If the deputation would send to the secretary of the Diocesan Board of Education the names of any genuinely unemployed men, the dean promised to use his influence with that gentleman in order to get work for them.
On Friday Mr. Backert addressed a meeting of unemployed on Tower-hill, vigorously denouncing the Dean of St. Paul's reception of the previous day.

The man Daniel O'Keefe, was charged at the Thames Police-court on Wednesday with causing an obstruction on Lord Mayor's day in front of the Sailors' home, Dock-street, Whitechapel. - Mr. Mead bound defendant over to keep the peace.
A tailor giving the name of George Burnett, living in Clerkenwell, was charged, at Bow-street police-court, on Monday, with obstructing the police in Trafalgar-square on Saturday last and bound over to keep the peace.
The Echo, Thursday November 17, 1892
THE UNEMPLOYED.
INTERVIEW WITH THE LORD MAYOR.
Mr. A. Backert, the leader of one of the sections of the unemployed which has separated itself from the leadership of Messrs. Juchan and Waite, the Social Democratic Federation organisers, had an interview yesterday with the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House. The interview was strictly private, but Mr. Soulsby, the Lord Mayor's private secretary, afterwards furnished an account of what had taken place. After hearing Mr. Backert's statement, the Lord Mayor said that he did not believe the distress at the present time was exceptional. With regard to starting a relief fund, he thought that such a course was altogether inadvisable, as people would thereby be induced to come up from the country. Mr. Backert asked him to use his influence with the City companies with a view to them taking action, but his influence in that direction was not so great as Mr. Backert appeared to imagine. His (the Lord Mayor's) opinion was that trade had been greatly injured by strikes, the depression caused by which he, as an employer of labour, had himself experienced. He was willing, in his individual capacity, to do all that lay in his power to remedy any genuine distress that could be shown to exist, and if Mr. Backert would furnish him with the names and addresses of a few typical cases, he would cause such cases to be investigated. Before this had been done he could not take any action.
MEETING ON TOWER-HILL.
The usual daily meeting of the unemployed was held on Tower-hill yesterday. A speaker named Dennis denounced the paid organisers, Juchan and Waite, and defended the Shipping Federation in its attitude towards the dockers.
The Echo, Friday December 2, 1892
There is something comical about the conduct of newspapers. Let a well-known man give an instructive address at the Toynbee Hall, or the People's Palace to hundreds of people, and in nine cases out of ten he is taken no notice of. But let some unknown and, it may be, broken-winded orator address a hundred or two of the "unemployed," and he gets a paragraph of publicity in a dozen papers. This encourages him to spout again, and he again gets noticed.
Listen to what the Times, in its well-prepared summary, today, says: -
THE UNEMPLOYED. - The gathering on Tower-hill yesterday was very small at first, but by midday two and three hundred persons had assembled. Among the speakers were Backert and the newly-appointed paid organiser Oldland, who declared that, if something were not immediately done, the unemployed would seize the 16,000 rifles in the Tower, and use them. Nothing but a bloody revolution would benefit the working-man. Some other violent speeches were delivered, but the proceedings ended quietly.
It is bad enough for such pernicious balderdash to be spouted on Tower-hill, or anywhere else; but worse when the insignificant spouters get the honour of notice in leader type in the leading journal. Speakers of the type referred to can no more advance the true interests of the unemployed or the employed than gesticulating buffoons can interpret Plato or produce a satisfactory Home Rule bill.
Reynold’s Newspaper, 11 Dec 1892. In a follow up to the theft from his father case, AB was discharged after his father stated that AB was innocent. In a twist to the story, AB said that his father had lost two coats at the beginning of the week and he had reported this to the police. AB claimed that the police investigated and tried to get his father to say that AB had taken the coats.

[Howard Brown]

Page 4

14 May 1891 AB is mentioned in Hansard with regard to
DRUNKENNESS IN THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DISTRICT
MR. ROWNTREE: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is correct that in March, 1890, Mr. Albert Backert, of 13 Newnham Street, Whitechapel, called the attention of two policemen on duty (258 and 567 H D) to the fact that 13 men were being served liquor at the "Coach and Horses," High Street, Whitechapel, after 1 o’clock a.m.; if the police declined to take any notice of the information; if Mr. Backert then wrote to the Commissioner of Police; and if an Inspector subsequently called on Mr. Backert and urged him to let the matter drop; and if he will inquire as to the necessity for a more vigilant administration of the laws for checking drunkenness in some of the Police Districts of the Metropolis?
MR. MATTHEWS: The answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative; and to the second paragraph in the negative. The police entered the house. Mr. Backert wrote to the Commissioner, and I am informed that an inquiry followed which showed that there was no evidence on which proceedings could be taken. The men appeared to be personal friends of the landlord. The Chief Inspector called on Mr. Backert and informed him that an inquiry had been made, and that the police did not intend to take action. The Commissioner of Police assures me that every effort is made by the police to check drunkenness, and to enforce the law whenever evidence can be procured to justify proceedings.
Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper 28 June 1891. AB gets another letter from JtR, this time addressed George Yard, and signed Jack the Ripper G.W.B – my initials.
29 June 1891. Bachert appears in the Old Bailey record of the Kingsland murder trial.
In the Manchester Times, 3 July 1891, AB gets a double hit. The first is the story above, the second is his court appearance for disorderly conduct. Apparently, AB liked to get drunk on Mondays and Tuesdays! Five shillings fine or five days.
Reynold’s Newspaper 26 July 1891. AB in court again, applying for warrants against policemen in H Div alleging perjury. This was a continuation of a previous complaint.
The West Coast Times (NZ) 25 August 1891.
A very disparaging article on AB which accuses him of writing and sending JtR letters to himself. This was as a result of the drunkenness case of 28 June. This has to be read to be believed, it isso vitriolic.
Western Mail, 17 November 1891, AB back in court on a drunkenness charge. AB claims it was a police fit-up and called witnesses who said they saw the police pushing him around. Given the benefit of doubt and discharged.
Nov 19, 1891. Bachert appears at inquest on Arthur Charles Puleston, aged 14 years, a printer's boy, who was killed while passing through the Poultry during the gale on the 11th inst. Albert Edward Backert, an engraver, residing at Aldgate, stated that on the afternoon in question he was in the Poultry.
The deceased was walking in front of witness, and was about to pass Pimm's restaurant when some iron ornamentation fell off the roof and struck the deceased on the head felling him to the ground. Witness was also struck and injured by some falling boards.
This was reported in several papers at the time.

1892 A Change of Priorities – The Unemployed
1892 was busy year for Backert in the unemployed labour movement. But to start the year…
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 3 January 3, 1892
"JACK THE RIPPER." - Albert Bachert, who stated that he was the chairman of the Whitechapel Murder Vigilance committee, was amongst the applicants at the Thames police-court yesterday for advice. He said the committee was formed some years ago for the purpose of discovering the author of the Whitechapel murders. A few weeks since he received a letter, signed "Jack the Ripper," stating he would shortly commence operations again. In consequence, he and some friends went out on the watch during the recent foggy weather. During "their adventure" they found a number of men and women sleeping in the streets. He wanted to know whether he could call the attention of the police to these people, and so have them removed to workhouses or shelters? Mr. Dickinson told the applicant, who had not made his first appearance at that court, that he knew very well that the matter was nothing to do with him, and that he could not advise in cases of that sort. He would have to go to the inspector of police or the proper authority about such a matter.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal 2 March 1892. AB in court for advice. He had received another JtR letter signed A.F.P. and thought he knew who the writer was. He wanted to know if he could give the man into custody and was told that he couldn’t.
The Echo, Friday April 1, 1892
THE UNEMPLOYED.
A meeting of unemployed was held yesterday on Tower-hill. - Mr. W. Cartwright, of the Vestry Employees' Union, was the first speaker, and he explained that they were met together to obtain employment, and so put an end to the sufferings which they were enduring for want of work. They wished, first of all, to be heard quietly, because they only wanted to have work found for them, and they hoped that their reasonable requests would be granted, according to the promises made them by the Progressive members of the County Council. (Cheers.) - Mr. Henry Waite, who is a dock labourer, moved the following resolution: - "That this meeting of unemployed workmen condemns the action of the County Council in refusing to receive a deputation; and, further, calls upon the Council to open municipal workshops at once to provide work for the unemployed of London." - Mr. Moore, of the Navvies' Union, seconded the resolution, and among the subsequent speakers were Mr. A Backert and Mr. Lloyd, a commercial traveller. - The resolution adopted.
Also in the Standard the day after and a disparaging item about AB in the Sheffield & Rotherham Independent on 4 April.
Decatur Daily Republican
8 April 1892
DIVIDED FACTIONS - Assaulted and Ejected From a Workingmen's Meeting For Denouncing Their Leading Men.
The Republican also reported other scrimmages that AB had with the Socialists in the following days.
The Echo, Saturday April 9, 1892
MR. BACHERT COMPLAINS OF BEING LIBELLED.
At the Thames Police-court, Mr. Albert Bachert, the chairman of the so-called Whitechapel Murder Vigilance Committee, made an application to Mr. Dickinson, under the Libel Act. He stated that yesterday a meeting of the unemployed was held on Tower-hill, during which a man got up and made a speech. In the course of his remarks he mentioned having received a post-card, on which it was stated that applicant was a drunkard, and a person of bad character. Applicant asked for the name of the writer, and the speaker replied that it had been sent anonymously. He (Mr. Bachert) wanted to summon the speaker for libel.
Mr. Dickinson - Haven't you got something better to do than take an interest in these meetings? Are you one of the unemployed?
Mr. Bachert - I am.
Mr. Dickinson - Then go and look for employment, and take no notice of such stupid things.
Mr. Bachert - I have never been fined for drunkenness, although I must admit Mr. Montagu Williams fined me for being excited. (Laughter.)
Mr. Dickinson - Take my advice, and leave such matters alone for the future.
Mr. Bachert - Yes. They are only Socialists. I shall drop them for the future.
Applicant then withdrew.

[Howard Brown]

Page 3



Eastern Post 3 August 1889 – AB writes to apologise for not answering all the letters that he receives with tips and hints, as he doesn’t have a secretary.
North-Eastern Daily Gazette 11 Sept 1889. Letter from AB regarding the latest murder. This letter was repeated in several nespapers.
14 Sept, 1889 – Albert gets a letter from JtR.
21 Sept, 1889. Letter to the police proposing that a female slaughter man was JtR!
14 Oct, 1889, Letter from JtR. “…the last job wasn’t me, for I shouldn’t have made such a ‘botch’ of it.” Again, this was carried nationwide.
Albert also received a letter at the end of October, around the time LFW got the P S R Lunigi letter.
The Times 5 Dec 1889. Bachert was charged with counterfeiting. Acquitted
THE ASSIZES
SOUTH EASTERN CIRCUIT
Albert Backert, Henry Norman, Albert Waple and John Smith were indicted for uttering counterfeit florins at Barking and Hornchurch on November 3 last year. Mr. Wightman Wood prosecuted for the Mint. Mr. J Harvey Murphy defended Norman and Mr. C.E. Jones Waple. The facts were shortly these. Waple and Smith hired two dog carts, and in company with the other two drove down into Essex. Various public houses were called at, and several bad florins were found after prisoners had paid for refreshments. The jury acquitted Backert and Norman and convicted Waple and Smith, who were sentenced to four months' and 15 months' hard labour respectively.
The Whitechapel Murders Period. 1890
Birmingham Daily Post, 14 Jan 1890
AB applies for a warrant or summons to sue the editor of the New York Herald for alleged libel.
Taranaki Herald 21 Jan 1890.
AB gets another letter. He says it is the same handwriting as previous and as LFW’s letter.
Lloyd’s Weekly 5 October 1890.
Albert is threatened by friends of the ‘Kingsland Murderer. He wanted to know if he could give them into custody before they assaulted him.
York Herald 7 October 1890
Albert, who is now Mr Backers, gets another post card from Jack. “Dear Boss, be prepared for another murder and mutilation, not in Whitechapel, but in the Hackney district, perhaps the Strand way….
Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper, 12 October 1890
Letter to the editor saying that if he gets anymore letters he will re-form the VC.
Reynold’s Newspaper, 12 October 1890
AB’s lodger story surfaces. It receives a lot of coverage, but over the next few days appears to get debunked. The Belfast NewsLetter, for instance, “The recent attempt to revive the Jack the Ripper scare in London has utterly failed. The vigilance committee of the East End has been imposed upon by the hysterical story of a woman, the wife of a Corporation employee.” Albert’s star seems to have been on the wain. Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, 14 October 1890. “The man Backert, the self appointed Vigilance Association and amateur detective, was long ago discredited as a crank.”
These articles would take up a good part of October.
The Whitechapel Murders Period. 1891
A post by Chris Scott
An article I found would explain why Backert had been so insistent on being on the Coles jury. Backert claimed to have had not one but two sightings of Coles with a man shortly before she was killed, and one of them was right outside his own house in Newnham Street!
The article reads as follows:
Birmingham Daily Post, 16 February 1891
Mr Albert Backert, writing on Saturday from 13 Newnham Street, Whitechapel, says:-
The woman who has been murdered was seen by a friend and myself last night at a quarter past twelve, outside Leman Street Railway Station, speaking to a man, and when I arrived home (only a few yards from the scene of the murder), it being then five minutes past one, the same woman was talking to a man opposite my house. I went inside, and later I heard some loud talking. I looked out of the window, and heard the man say, "Well, you won't come home with me?" She made some reply which I did not understand. He then said, "If you don't you will never go home with another man." They then walked off in the direction of the arches in Chambers Street. I have been called upon to serve on the jury tomorrow afternoon, and it is my intention to enquire into this case. If evidence is brought forward which can prove that it has been committed by the late Whitechapel fiend, I shall at once reform the Vigilance Committee, and appeal to the public for aid.

Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper, 22 February 1891
SCENE IN A CORONER'S COURT.
THE JURY LOCKED UP.
This morning Mr. Coroner Baxter resumed an inquest at the London Hospital respecting the death of James Evans, aged 65, a labourer, lately living at a common-lodging house, 6, George-street, Spitalfields. From the evidence at the opening it appeared that on the 5th inst. deceased was suddenly taken ill at the lodging-house, and that he was conveyed to the hospital, where he died early next morning. A nurse said that deceased had a bruise on his temple when admitted. Dr. Pembridge, however, deposing that death was due to apoplexy, the jury asked for an adjournment and a fresh doctor. - Dr. Earnest James Reynolds, medical officer of Poplar Hospital, now deposed that, acting on the coroner's instructions, he had made a post-mortem examination. There were no bruises.
The Coroner - The nurse said when she saw him alive there was a bruise on the left temple.
Witness - I examined him most carefully, and there was no bruise.
Mr. Backert - (the chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, who was a jury-man.): Would a blow on his forehead cause his death?
The Doctor - I say that his death was due to cerebral hemorrhage.
Mr. Backert - You say there was no blow on the temple?
The Doctor - I don't say so. I say there was no bruise.
The jury here expressed their intention of having all the witnesses recalled. - During the examination of Sergeant Cook the coroner told Mr. Backert that he must behave himself, and speak in a proper manner.
Mr. Backert - You were very nasty with me on Saturday, and I have got a nasty name through it.
The Coroner - I don't know you. I never heard your name till Saturday.
Mr. Backert - Why would you not let me serve on Saturday?
The Coroner - Simply because you were not summoned. I did not know you were the same man. I have no feeling against you.
Mr. Backert - Thank you. I am much obliged for your remarks.
All the witnesses were recalled, but nothing fresh was elicited. While the jury were considering their verdict, Mr. Backert was writing on a piece of paper, and the coroner said, "I don't know what you are doing.
Mr. Backert - I do. We are just getting the verdict ready.
The Coroner - I cannot imagine you have any difficulty. If you cannot agree I shall adjourn the case to the Central Criminal Court, and take the judge's opinion on it.
A show of hands was taken, and out of fourteen jurymen eight were for a verdict of "Natural death," Mr. Backert remarking that he wanted an open verdict.
The Coroner - There are only two alternatives - to adjourn you again to come to a verdict, or to the Central Criminal Court, where you may be kicking your heels about for a week.
Backert - I like "fairations." I shall not alter my opinion.
The Foreman - He can order me to the Central Criminal Court if he likes.
Another Juryman - I speak for eight or nine jurymen, and I think that any sensible man must come to the conclusion that the death is quite natural.
Backert - The jury empanelled here are working men, and the reason why they give way is they don't want to lose time.
The Foreman - The Coroner seems to threaten us with the Central Criminal Court. (To the coroner.) This is only a repetition of last Monday about your 10 pound fine.
The Coroner - There is no threat whatever.
The foreman was about to speak, when the Coroner sternly ordered him to sit down. The Coroner then said that unless he could get twelve of the jurymen to agree he must adjourn the inquiry. "I must," said the Coroner, "ask you to remain here till the end of my Inquests today, to try and come to a decision."
Mr. Backert - We can go out?
The Coroner - Certainly not.
A juryman said that he thought they all ought not to be punished for the sake of one or two.
The Coroner said that he was sorry, but had no option in the matter. Eventually the jury were locked up, the coroner informing them that he would return about four o'clock to see if they had agreed. In the meantime, they would have nothing to eat or drink. Two constables were left in charge of the jury.

[Howard Brown]

Page 3

Oct 1, 1888. Three Nuns Hotel – The (in)famous I met JtR story breaks. Reported in several papers including the Huddersfield Daily Chronicle.
Oct 2, 1888 Story expanded in further reports of the murders. This was probably the origin of JtR’s shiny bag. Another first for AB.
Western Mail, 6 October, 1888
Albert Benchard applied for costs against Mr Bradlaugh MP, after being subpoenaed as awitness in the Bradlaugh – Peters libel case. (Sam Peters was one of the ‘Trafalgar Group’ at the 1886 Trafalgar Sq meeting/riot).
In the Times of 10 Oct, 1888 Mr Batchard applied for the same advice. Again, in the Times, 12 Oct, 1888, Mr Bradlaugh replied that Mr Bechert had been paid by postal order thesum of 10 shillings.
20 Oct 1888, Postcard from JtR - Dear Old Baskett
19 Nov 1888 – Message written on his wall at Maidment Street.
The York Herald, 20 November, 1888, reported this as being Newnham St, the house of Albert Parker.
The Star (St Peters Port) 22 November 1888 reported this same story happening to Arthur Bachert. It also reported that Mrs Bachert (Albert’s mother?) partly removed the writing by washing it off the wall “…Otherwise the police would have photographed the writing.”
Sometime in 1889 Bachert becomes chairman of a Vigilance Committee. I suspect that it was the working men’s committee, based at the Three Nuns Hotel in October 1888.
The Whitechapel Murders Period. 1889
March 1889. Bachert was supposedly told by police that the Ripper had drowned at the end of 1888. This story has been discounted of late through lack of evidence. Supposedly it was in the ‘lost’ diary of Dr Dutton.
June 1889. – Letter from JtR. This is the Eastern Hotel. Pop letter and was repoted in several papers.
Pall Mall Gazette 17 July 1889. Same letter reported. AB is reported as taking “…a leading part in the vigilance proceedings of last year.”
20 July 1889. During an attack on a woman nr Castle Alley, Albert, who was on vigilance patrol, takes the knife off the assailant. The assailant was arrested but later released, because the woman did not come forward to lay charges. In the Birmingham Daily Post he was reported as being Albert Brackert.

[Howard Brown]

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TO THE EDITOR OF “THE EVENING NEWS.”

SIR—Permit me, as an inhabitant of twenty years in Whitechapel, to express on behalf of a number of tradesmen and shopkeepers in Whitechapel our deepest regret and indignation at the shocking and revolting murders which have further diagnosed the unfortunate district of Whitechapel of late. The question that now arises is what is to be done, and what can be done to check and prevent the further spreading of such dastardly crimes. In the first place I would suggest that the police force should be strengthened in the East End, and secondly that there should be more gas lights in our back streets, courts, and alleys. There is no doubt but that these unfortunate women were butchered by their bullies (men who gain their livelihood from these unfortunates) and were the police to watch the haunts and dens of these villains and thieves, no doubt in a short time we should have a decrease of these crimes which have disgraced the capital of England. There are several supposed clubs in Whitechapel which these villains frequent, which are open all night for the sale of wines, spirits, and beer, and where any non-member can be admitted and served with as much drink as he or she can pay for. It is in these vile dens that the seed of immorality and crime is sown which brings forth the fruits we have just witnessed. The police must know of these places; if not, I am prepared, if required, to give the names of these places to any person in authority. The East End police are, with a few exceptions, a good and noble body of men who at all times have a hard and difficult duty to perform, and I feel sure (illegible line) will do their uttermost to stop the breeding of further crimes by these ruffians. In the second place I suggest more gas lights in our bye-streets, courts, and alleys. We pay rates and taxes, and have a right to have our district properly lighted. Only a little while back a City manufacturer living opposite me was knocked down, beaten, and robbed of a valuable gold chain within a few yards of his own street door, the villains escaping because the spot is dark. My sister also a short time ago was knocked down by some cowards. They also got away, the place being dark. Now, Sir, I hope and trust that the Whitechapel Board of Works and the Commercial Gas Company will awake to their duty, and do their best to have this grievance removed. Apologising for trespassing upon your valuable space, I am, &c.,
ALBERT BACHERT.

[Howard Brown]

Albert Bachert – Time Line

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This is a compilation of work done by many people. First and foremost Dave O' Flaherty and Chris Scott. Debs Arif has contributed a lot to various AB threads and all the others who have posted their finds. To Bachertites everywhere, my thanks.
First appearance in the newspapers.
East London Press, September 19, 1885
“On Monday night, another indignation meeting was held in Christ Church Schoolroom, Brick-lane, Spitalfields for the purpose of "Protesting against the action of the Conservative Party of this Borough in their scandalous attempt to deprive you of your vote at the next general election, by issuing nearly three thousand mostly unjust, vexatious, and frivolous objections, signed by Joseph Kaufman on behalf of the Conservative Party."
Mr. A. E. Bachert attempted to move an amendment to the effect that the action of the Conservatives was legal and should not be censured, and stated that the Liberals had made false statements about the Conservatives. Despite the earnest entreaties of the chairman, there was such a continuous uproar that Mr. Bachert could not be heard even at the reporters' table within a yard of him, and he was ultimately compelled to desist from his attempt to address the meeting.”
Pall Mall Gazette 24 Nov, 1885. This story was also in Lloyds Weekly Newspaper 29 Nov, 1885
Bachert makes a court appearance re being threatened by Lewis Lyons whilst canvassing for Col Cowan, Conservative candidate for Whitechapel. Lewis Lyons was a socialist activist, who started the East London Tailoring Union was involved in the parliamentary ‘sweating’ enquiry into E London work practices.
Lloyds Newspaper 14 Feb, 1886
Bachert attends the Trafalgar Square unemployed meeting, on platform with Kelly, Peters, Mr Cooke, late Conservative candidate for Battersea. This meeting was hijacked by the Socialists and degenerated into a riot, but Bachert does not seem to have been involved.
As I have posted elsewhere, Kelly, Peters and others were involved in the Sugar Bounties and Free Trade campaigns. They have links to dubious conservative backed union movements (basically strike-breakers). It is possible that Bachert was involved with Kelly and Peters and the ‘Trafalgar Hotel’ group, in starting a vigilance committee, based at the Three Nuns Hotel, Aldgate, in 1888.
East London Press, 13 November, 1886
NOISY MEETING AT THE GREAT ASSEMBLY HALL.
“Under the presidency of Mr. F. N. Charrington, a public meeting was held last Wednesday evening at the Great Assembly Hall, Mile End, for the purpose of protesting against the sale of Intoxicants in the Palace, and the opening of the same on Sunday. The meeting was well attended, there being between two and three thousand persons present. The chairman was supported on the platform by Mr. George H. Barber Beaumont, Rev. M. T. Myers, Rev. Thomas Richardson, Mr. T. Wickham, Mr. E. H. Kerwin, Mrs. Urmston, Mr. J. B. Wookey and others. The proceedings were of a very noisy character, the interruption at times being so great as to prevent speakers being heard.”
After much arguing for and against,
“The Chairman then announced that any amendment could be moved, whereupon, Mr. A. E. Bachert endeavoured amidst great noise and uproar to move an amendment to the effect that the non-sale of intoxicants on the premises would be detrimental and injurious to the benefit of the working classes. He proceeded to argue upon the question of Sunday opening, maintaining that he was in order when corrected by the Chairman. However, the audience would not allow him to speak, but upon the Chairman asking them to give both sides fair play, the speaker continued by saying that it was marvellously strange that a gentleman like Mr. Charrington, who for years had filled his pockets with gold - (groans, hisses, cries of "No" and "Order!") - who had reaped a good harvest - (a voice, "Turn him out.") - and turned against - (great interruption and disorder). The speaker was ultimately obliged to give up any further attempt at expressing his opinion.
Mr. Albert Potto Ekins seconded the resolution, and asked why the gentleman on the platform did not make a tremendous attack on the publicans, who did all the mischief, and close the beastly butchers' shops in the Cambridge-road on a Sunday morning. (A voice, "You have a try at it.) Mr. Charrington had done a noble work in East London - (hear, hear, and cheers) - but the speaker did not think he was doing it now by opposing this Palace scheme. (Groans and hisses.) Remember Noah! he got drunk after preaching 500 years. (Interruption.)”
The Morning Post, 16 Aug, 1887
Bachert makes the first of many accusations against the police. He accused the police of conspiracy to bring him up on ‘trumpery’ charges.
Western Mail 21 Sept, 1887 Disappearance of father
Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper, 25 September, 1887. Father missing since 10 Sept.
AB’s father disappeared on his way to the City. At the time he was carrying a large quantity of money (£400) and jewellery including a large diamond ring.
Pall Mall Gazette 1 December, 1887 (and several other newspapers). Court appearance as witness to assault on Mr Robert Cunninghame-Graham MP and Mr Burns by the Police. Graham and Burns were charged with assaulting the police. This was quite a notorious case at the time with a lot of press coverage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Burns

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bontine_Cunninghame_Graham

Graham's main concerns in the House of Commons were the plight of the unemployed and the preservation of civil liberties. He complained about attempts in 1886 and 1887 by the police to prevent public meetings and free speech. He attended the protest demonstration in Trafalgar Square on 13 November 1887 that was broken up by the police and became known as Bloody Sunday. Graham was badly beaten during his arrest and taken to Bow Street Police Station, where his uncle, Col William Hope VC, attempted to post bail. Both Cunninghame Graham, who was defended by H. H. Asquith, and John Burns were found guilty for their involvement in the demonstration and sentenced to six weeks imprisonment.
When Graham was released from Pentonville prison he continued his campaign to improve the rights of working people and to curb their economic exploitation. He was suspended from the House of Commons in December 1888 for protesting about the working conditions of chain makers. His response to the Speaker of the House, "I never withdraw" was later used by George Bernard Shaw in "Arms and the Man".[6]

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUchampion.htm

The Leaflet Newspaper 7 April, 1888
The Leaflet reported a letter written by AB to the Daily News. A Conservatives Opinion. “As a conservative I consider it my duty to come forward in the time of need, to cast aside all political opinions, and stand united with those who were upholding the right of free speech, claiming justice and denouncing a cruel and tyrannical Government which would never have got into power if the people had known their programme beforehand.”
This was in regard to the ‘Trafalgar Square question and the heavy handed policing.
The Whitechapel Murders Period. 1888
The Evening News 6 Sept 1888. AB wrote in interesting letter regarding the conditions in Whitechapel. This was before there was any links to vigilance committees.

[Howard Brown]

Complied by U.K. researcher Dave James in June of 2013.
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Please look for the companion thread which will appear shortly for member discussion.