Ripper Morganstone, Geography THE CASEBOOK Elizabeth & Victorian Phoenix English & Culture issue one Mrs Carthy David M. Gates April 2010 Neal Shelden

Jack the Ripper studies, true crime & L.V.P. social history

R. J. Palmer Examines OF TheRWalterise Andrews Michael Kidney IS INNOCENT! Tom Wescott Takes A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths THE CASEBOOK The contents of Casebook Examiner No. 1 April 2010 are copyright © 2010 Casebook.org. The authors of signed issue one articles, essays, letters, reviews and April 2010 other items retain the copyright of their respective contributions. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication, except for brief quotations where credit is given, may be repro- Contents: duced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise circulated in Greetings! pg 3 Collectors Corner any form or by any means, including Subscription Information pg 5 Expert Advice pg 86 digital, electronic, printed, mechani- Exonerating Michael Kidney On The Case cal, photocopying, recording or any Tom Wescott pg 6 News From Ripper World pg 88 other, without the express written per- mission of Casebook.org. The unau- The Rise of Walter Andrews On The Case Extra thorized reproduction or circulation of R. J. Palmer pg 30 Feature Story pg 90 this publication or any part thereof, Reconsidering Ripper Geography Ultimate Ripperologist’s Tour Explore pg 92 whether for monetary gain or not, is & Victorian English Culture strictly prohibited and may constitute D. M . Gates pg 55 CSI: copyright infringement as defined in pg 102 Morganstone, Elizabeth Phoenix domestic laws and international agree- & Mrs Carthy From the Casebook Archives ments and give rise to civil liability and Neal Shelden pg 62 Emma Smith pg 108 criminal prosecution. Undercover Investigations Scenes of Crime Book Reviews pg 73 Christ Church pg 108 The views, conclusions and opinions expressed in articles, essays, letters and other items published in Casebook Editor in Chief Don Souden Acknowledgements: Examiner are those of the authors and Publisher Stephen P. Ryder Suzi Hanney & Rob Clack do not necessarily reflect the views, for Casebook.org for use of images. conclusions and opinions of Casebook. Features Editor Jennifer Shelden org, Casebook Examiner or its editors. Design David Pegg Greetings! Welcome to Casebook Examiner… Don Souden

… the newest publication in the field. magazine and that we do not intend to barker’s shout “Folks, you ain’t seen And, like most proud parents, we at be, as borne out by this first issue with nothing yet!” because there are many the Examiner already see a wonder- articles on a variety of subjects as well more exciting articles coming in future ful future for our progeny and hope as a number of interesting features issues by both old hands and newcom- that this and subsequent issues will and columns. ers in the field. have you, our readers, agreeing that In this initial issue, Tom Wescott In the same way, the features our initial pride is more than justified. provides a strong case for the exonera- in this issue are just the beginning Indeed, we recognize that any publica- tion of Michael Kidney for the murder of what promises to be an innovative tion’s success depends on its ability to of Liz Stride while Roger J. Palmer and entertaining section. There will satisfy its audience and we pledge to begins his examination of Walter always be reviews of the latest books, keep that simple truth forever in mind Andrews’ “Mission to Montreal.” In films and stage performances relating — this magazine is for our readers and addition, Jennifer and Neal Shelden to Ripperology as well as other regular not for ourselves. provide new genealogical insights features like the column on collecting The Examiner is still growing and on a few of the peripheral — but fas- by Stewart P. Evans, Robert Clack’s evolving, but there are two things we cinating — players in the Mary Jane photo column and The Ultimate Ripper will promise our readers and they are Kelly murder and David Gates offers Tour that will take readers down high- that we will inform and we will enter- a thought-provoking essay on Ripper ways and byways everywhere in the tain. In fact, one without the other research. Yet, even with that strong world to places that have ties to the would make for a rather pointless opening lineup we echo the carnival . And again,

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 3 there are many, many more fascinat- will be signed. In theory, at least, an this is a labor of love, what is earned ing features set for subsequent issues. unsigned review allows the reviewer will be donated annually to a suitable Finally, there are a few things to be more honest, especially in a field charity. Finally, although we are finan- that should be said about our purpose like Ripperology that is so small and cially independent from Casebook, in and policies. The first is that while we where feelings are so easily hurt. In return for server space and sponsor- are sponsored by Casebook, and are practice, however, anonymous reviews ship, a subscription to our magazine obviously bound by that organization’s sometimes allow a reviewer to perpet- will be included with all Casebook high standards for comity and fairness, uate petty animosities and pursue a Premium Memberships. If you would we are quite independent in outlook personal agenda beyond simply inform- like to purchase a no advertisements and operation. First and foremost, that ing readers about a book. Conversely, account on Casebook in addition to means we welcome submissions, let- unsigned reviews also can lead to a receiving a bonus subscription to the ters and comments from EVERYONE. painting of the lily because of friend- Examiner, please click h e r e. Submissions will be judged solely on ship or other close association with the That is our story for today: the merit and not the name at the top of author. We will strive to assure neither newest and best magazine in the field the page. If a point is arguable — and happens, but in any case our reviewers has arrived with a pledge to inform rationally argued — it is worthy of pub- will be fully accountable for what they and entertain now and in the future. lication in the Examiner. Indeed, lively write. And opposing views will always We intend to be around a long while but informed controversy is one of our be welcome. and we hope you will join us for that goals and intend to make that happen. This issue has been supplied free long and adventuresome journey as we Nor will personal animus by anyone to all so that everyone could get a real explore not only the evergreen realm at the Examiner toward an individual sense of just what the Examiner will of Ripperology but the related fields of or theory be tolerated or will that ever bring both to the field and to them per- LVP crime and social history. It prom- influence what a contributor may write sonally. Subsequent issues, however, ises to be one heck of a ride in the years — short, of course, of the laws of libel will be available by subscription at a ahead and we urge you to book passage and physics. rate of $9 a year — six big issues for now so you won’t miss a single thrill on In the same vein, all reviews only a dollar fifty each. Moreover, as the Casebook Examiner Express.

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THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 5 Exonerating

Michael Tom Wescott A Fresh Look At Kidney Some Old Myths

While there is not a shred of evidence to support the belief that was murdered by the Ripper this murder is included, for, like that of , no account of the East End murders would be complete without it. The murder of Stride was a coincidence and, merely because her body was found in a yard, both Press and public jumped to the conclusion that both this murder and that of Eddows [sic] which took place an hour later, was the work of the Ripper…

William Stewart, : A New Theory, 1939

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 6 nd such is the genesis of a The Final Solution. But 37 years is a qualifications that the knife used on perspective that not only con- long time; far more than enough for Stride was dull or blunted at the tip, Atinues to this day, but thrives the idea of ‘Stride out’ to settle into or that the doctors said she was killed and multiplies along with the number the back of the minds of researchers with a much shorter knife than that of publications that appear each year coming to the case in the interim. used on Eddowes. None of this is true. dissecting the Ripper’s crimes – that Once an idea takes hold in your The confusion arises over a knife found Elizabeth Stride’s murder is not to be mind, it is not always an easy thing to a street away a full day following the counted among them. But what reason let go of, even if you come to discover murder that was discussed at the did William Stewart give for so confi- that the reason you adopted the idea inquest. The knife was found shortly dently striking her from ‘the list’? He in the first place was founded in error. after it was dropped on the street by had only one reason, but he clearly We might simply invent other rea- some unknown passer-by and could felt it was good enough: In each of the sons to support our flawed conclusion. not have been deposited by her killer Ripper murders the victim was killed Now, it is not my intention to empiri- in the minutes following the murder. by the throat being cut from left to cally state that Stride was killed by The tip had been ruined, and this is right. This characteristic alone marked the same hand that slew Catherine almost assuredly why it had been dis- the murder of Elizabeth Stride as not Eddowes, but merely that the reasons carded. Certainly, the doctors did not being the work of Jack the Ripper. most often given for concluding other- think Stride’s killer would have used What he assumes to be the truth here wise are founded in myth, exaggera- such a knife, although they conceded is that Stride’s killer was left-handed, tion, or a confused understanding of whereas the Ripper was right-handed. the source material. Even the most ardent ‘non-canonical’ Anyone who has followed or even today will concede that Stewart was occasionally perused the numerous wrong and that all the canonical vic- Stride threads that have appeared at tims had their throats cut from left Casebook.org since 1996 will be quite to right (with Mary Kelly being a pos- familiar with the following reasons sible exception), which indicated a given by those who feel Stride could right-handed killer in each case, not not have been, or was most likely not, the left-handed murderer that Stewart the work of the Ripper. incorrectly arrives at; it was a mistake that stood uncorrected for almost 40 She was killed with a years until put the lie different knife to it in his 1976 book Jack the Ripper: This argument usually includes the

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott the possibility. There was only one scarf was tightened it can only mean victims, are all very good reasons why wound to Stride, that being the cut that her killer used the scarf to pull we might not expect to see the same on her neck, and from this the only her head and neck up from the jagged severity in the wound. possible conclusion the doctors could stones so that he could maneuver his draw regarding the weapon was that it knife into position. This is the only She was killed at an was sharp. practical solution to the scarf mystery earlier time than the The notion that the blade used and suggests the use of a long-bladed other victims on her was ‘short’ came from Drs. knife, in keeping with the Mitre Square This is also true, but if we strike Blackwell and Phillips questioning the murder, and at the very least puts to Stride from the list, then the same ease at which her killer would have rest the supposition that her murder argument would have to be applied been able to maneuver a long blade in any way indicated the use of a short- to , who was mur- under her neck, given the condition in bladed knife. dered at 1:45am, anywhere from 2 to which her body was discovered — her 3½ hours earlier than the times Annie neck lying over the jagged stones that The wound to her neck Chapman is variously described as comprised the make-shift gutter of 40 was less severe than in having lost her life to the Ripper’s Berner Street. However, they provided any of the other cases blade. Conversely, if we are to accept as the solution to their own mystery when This is certainly true, but it should be mere coincidence that Stride’s murder they discussed the matter of Stride’s remembered that Jack the Ripper was occurred within an hour’s time and ten scarf, which had been pulled very a human being and not some pre-pro- minute’s walk from that of Catherine tight on the left side, undoubtedly by grammed robot. We should expect to Eddowes, then we must also accept as her killer. see variance in his crimes, and indeed coincidence that the Ripper decided to As there was no sign of struggle we do with each sequential slaying. It get ‘on the game’ early that night of all it seems unlikely that the killer uti- should also be remembered that the nights. Had three hours separated the lized the scarf in any way to take con- single wound to Stride’s throat was murders there’d be a much better case trol over Stride. She must have been sufficient to kill her, which was his pri- for supposing two unrelated assassins unconscious and lying down when the mary objective. He went for the carotid were at work. scarf was tightened, and the fact that artery and fulfilled his mission with a the wound followed the line of the scarf single swipe of the blade, something The location was not proves that it was being held tight at very rarely witnessed in knife mur- one Jack would have the time her wound was inflicted. If ders. The darkness of the pathway, the chosen Stride was already lying in the posi- jagged stones, the fact that her head I am surprised at how often I see this tion in which she was found when the was not as well-supported as the other particular nugget brought forward.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 8 The location

Br e n e r St r e e t , s h o w i n g y a r d e n t r a n c e

Pl a n o f Du t f i e l d s Ya r d

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott There are two different arguments here, any other two Whitechapel murder The man one being geography – that because locations; both and Liz saw did not behave as Berner Street is off Commercial Road Stride were murdered in the yard of a the Ripper would have and not Whitechapel Road it couldn’t house fully occupied; both women were behaved be Jack; as though Jack wore a leash murdered next to the only exit in order This is a very presumptuous argu- that tied him only to the one main thor- to assure a quick escape for the killer; ment, because it presupposes that a) oughfare. The fact that Berner Street in both locations, the killer would have Schwartz was an honest witness, and was a stone’s throw from Hanbury known if someone was coming before b) that the man he saw was actually Street and only a ten-minute walk they would be aware of him. If any- Stride’s killer. “Non-canonicals” will from Mitre Square renders this argu- thing, the Hanbury Street location was tell you that it’s beyond the realm of ment moot. The other, more frequent more precarious for the killer because coincidence for the same woman to be point made against Stride’s candidacy he would have had to push past anyone attacked twice within 15 minutes, yet as a Ripper victim is that the yard at coming out of the door in order to make they’re perfectly willing to accept two 40 Berner Street was too busy and the his escape, and he must have been stealthy knife murderers killing pros- house too noisy for Jack to have chosen aware of Albert Cadosch going to and titutes at the same time and in the it as a murder spot. Remarkably, when from the water closet as each could same area. Being one who doesn’t put this same point is used to suggest have seen the other through the breaks too much stock in coincidence, I per- the Ripper’s choice to make it a “rush in the fence. fectly agree that if Schwartz really did job” and not mutilate the victim, the By contrast, Louis Diemshitz1 see what he said when he said he saw “non-canonicals” call foul play and it himself stated that the killer could it, then either the broad-shouldered becomes a circular argument. have remained in the gateway man or the pipe-smoking man or both Of course, one very significant and exited behind his cart with- (from here on referred to as BS Man point is often lost in the debate, and out his knowing. Whether this actu- and Pipeman, respectively) were the that is that a murder did take place in ally occurred or not isn’t important, killer(s). the gateway without anybody seeing or only that someone intimately famil- This brings us to presupposition hearing a thing, so it is rather silly to iar with the yard in that light felt he c) that we are in a position to decide suggest it wouldn’t make a good murder wouldn’t have been aware if some- how Jack would or would not have spot. The Ripper (or his victims) chose one had been standing only a few feet behaved. When we consider what rather risky spots from the first to the from him. This is what made it a good Schwartz saw, we have a man and last. In fact, 29 Hanbury Street and 40 murder spot. a woman quietly talking before the Berner Street are more similar than man takes her and throws her to the

1 The correct spelling of Louis’ surname.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 10 ground, whereupon she softly pleads “no.” Returning briefly to Hanbury Street and the firmly canonical murder of Annie Chapman, we have “ear wit- ness” Albert Cadosch describing soft conversation followed by a “thump” against the fence and a voice saying “no.” Either the Ripper was completely oblivious of Cadosch’s movements only feet away, which would strongly sug- gest he was a confident and somewhat careless risk-taker, or he was perfectly aware of Cadosch’s presence but con- tinued on, which would also suggest he was a confident and somewhat care- less risk-taker. What Cadosch heard and what Schwartz saw are so similar that any commentator arguing Stride’s candidacy based on BS Man’s behavior is probably more interested in holding Ne w s p a p e r s k e t c h f r o m t h e t i m e onto his “mythic Jack” than he is in putting a name to the real Ripper. myths, misunderstandings, and mis- keeping with the evidence? And isn’t it takes that have been passed down over just possible that the Ripper planned Stride was not the years came into being for no other on killing two women that evening? mutilated like the reason than to explain why Elizabeth If that’s the case, it explains why he other victims Stride’s body was not mutilated below “got to work” so early, and he certainly This is really the only true piece of the neck. The very simple explanation, couldn’t risk having blood on his person evidence that can be put forth to sug- put forth by Louis Diemschitz himself if he was to seek out another woman gest someone other than the Ripper as and the contemporary investigators and get away clean, so he planned on Stride’s killer. Once all the nonsense is — that the Ripper was interrupted — not mutilating the first woman. Maybe stripped away, this is all that remains, is now scoffed at. But isn’t that a far he just didn’t feel comfortable in the and there’s no question but that all the simpler explanation which stays in Dutfield’s Yard pathway and decided

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott to follow his instincts to leave. These had epilepsy, the roof of her mouth in Devonshire Street for at least 10 are all far simpler explanations that was deformed, her husband died on months following Stride’s death sug- don’t require twisting, eliminating, or the famous and tragic Princes Alice gests that he wasn’t reliant on her for ignoring evidence to find support. disaster, the list goes on. All of these his upkeep, and most likely his low- The final and perhaps most con- lies, and certainly more we don’t know ered circumstances were a result of his vincing reason offered up by “non-ca- about, were created to camouflage worsening health, which must have nonicals” for supposing that Stride was Stride’s perceived flaws and insecuri- affected his work. His declining health not a Ripper victim is that a ready- ties. It is crucial to keep this trait in and financial situation could be seen made murderer was already at hand in mind when considering evidence relat- as the effects of a guilty conscience, the person of Michael Kidney, her abu- ing to things she might have said. but could also be seen as signs of some- sive, alcoholic, slave-driving, jealous In June of 1889, Kidney was still one very much affected by the loss of a boyfriend, from whom she’d perma- living at 36 Devonshire Street, the last loved one. The same could be said for nently separated only a few days prior address he had shared with Liz. On the his drunken behavior at the Leman to her murder. At least, that is the pic- 11th of that month he was admitted to Street police station on Monday, Oct. ture often painted of him. the Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary 1st, the day following the discovery of for syphilis. He returned on August Stride’s body. Michael Kidney – The Man 17th with lumbago3 and on October Michael Kidney is reported as having 11th with dyspepsia.4 For his last two Kidney’s Theory of the been age 36 at the time of Stride’s visits, Kidney gave his address as 12 Murder murder, though he may have been Thrawl Street, a significant down- Michael Kidney arrived at the police as old as 39.2 Either way, he was grade from his rooms in Devonshire station in a cab5 and asked for the much younger than the 45-year-old Street. Some researchers see this move on duty. He asked the inspec- Elizabeth, who lied to both Kidney and as evidence that Kidney was Stride’s tor to provide him with a “strange, lodging house mate, Charles Preston, pimp and that his circumstances wors- young ,” believing that the about her age, saying she was 36 or 38 ened as a result of losing her income. assistance of such a man could aid him years old. In fact, Elizabeth Stride lied While it is quite possible that Kidney in solving the murder of his common to everyone in her life from her friends turned a blind eye while Liz turned the law wife. When the inspector refused, to her lovers to the courts of law; she odd trick, the fact that he remained an angry Kidney called him “uncivil.”

2 On his August and October, 1889 trips to the Whitehchapel Workhouse, he gave his age as 40, which would have made him 39 at the time of the murder. 3 A painful condition of the lower back, as one resulting from muscle strain or a slipped disk. From Anwers.com. 4 Dyspepsia can be defined as painful, difficult, or disturbed digestion, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, heartburn, bloating, and stomach discomfort. From Answers.com. 5 Daily News, Oct. 3rd, 1888.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 12 Neither the police nor the coroner was considered reliable but one who curi- Police Sergeant Stephen White to find able to get from Kidney just what his ously did not want to reveal all they Packer and get his statement. information was, but there are a few thought they knew. A clue to this White must have felt rather put clues left for us to speculate upon. source is to be found in how Kidney out by this time as it was he who spoke Some writers, such as Dave Yost6, arrived at the police station. with Matthew Packer only eight hours have taken Kidney’s request for a It goes without saying that a following Stride’s murder and was told ‘strange’ young detective to be a mis- hansom cab is beyond the means and by the 58-year-old man that he had print, suggesting that it should read wants of a broke, drunken waterside seen and heard nothing strange. Now ‘strong’, however, this is not the case. laborer. However, one was certainly that Packer was being hailed by the Although often missed by researchers, in the possession of Charles Le Grand press and public as the man who saw Kidney explained to the coroner why and his colleague, J.H. Batchelor. the Ripper, White had to protect not he specifically needed a “strange” — Le Grand, a career criminal employed only his own reputation, but that of his A “strange, young detective” meaning locally unknown — detective: as a “private detective” with the entire force. He detailed the saga in a I thought that if I had one, privately, Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, had report dated October 4th. 7 he could get more information than I been in Berner Street since just after When White arrived at 44 Berner could myself. The parties I obtained the discovery of the murder and was Street, Mrs. Packer informed him that my information from knew me, and I also present at the mortuary on Oct. two had taken her husband thought someone else would be able 1st. He was responsible for the “break- to the mortuary. While on his way to to derive more from them. ing” of Matthew Packer’s famous story the mortuary, White ran into Packer So at some point in the hours in the Evening News edition of Oct. with one of the “detectives.” As they between Kidney identifying Stride at 4th , which caused much consternation were speaking, the other detective the mortuary and his arrival at the within all ranks of the police. With joined them. Only when pressed to police station, Kidney received infor- Inspector Abberline being out at the prove their authority as detectives did mation from a source he apparently time, Inspector Henry Moore ordered the men show a card and admit they

6 Yost, Dave, Elizabeth Stride and Jack the Ripper: The Life and Death of the Reputed Third Victim, McFarland, 2008. 7 Evans, Stewart P. & Keith Skinner, The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Companion, pp. 129-130, Carroll & Graff Publishers, Inc. 2000.

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott were really “private” detectives. White people think differently, he and some noticed a letter in one of the men’s of his colleagues consider that the mur- hands addressed to “Le Grand & Co., ders were not the work of one man, Strand.” They would not allow White or, at all events, that he had associ- to speak to Packer and induced him to ates. Their belief is that at least four go away with them. Later that day, at or five men were engaged in the mur- 4 pm, White found himself back at 44 derous plot, and it was in the hope of Berner Street, and as he was speak- inducing one of them to turn informer ing with Packer, the two private detec- that the committee were so anxious tives arrived in a hansom cab and once that the Home Secretary should offer again induced Packer to go with them, a reward. This opinion, however, was stating that they were taking him to see formed when what is now known as Commissioner . the “medical requirement” hypothesis It’s worth noting that the first time gained credence. Several members of White encountered the men they were the committee even thought they were on foot, but when they were prepar- on the track of the gang, but investi- ing a trip to the police station, they did gations have neither substantiated the so in a cab. As there doesn’t appear to theory nor led to the unravelling of the have been anyone else whisking away mystery. Nevertheless, the Vigilance witnesses in hansom cabs, we’re on Committee, under the presidency of Mr. safe ground in concluding that Michael , continues to meet daily, Kidney himself was taken to the Leman and focus, as it were, the sentiments of Street police station by none other than the inhabitants. Charles Le Grand, and that it was prob- The Daily Telegraph of Oct. 3rd, Le Grand and Batchelor would ably him from whom Kidney wanted reported: A member of the Vigilance have had no trouble in locating Michael the “strange, young detective” to elicit Committee informed our representative Kidney. All had been to the mortuary further information. It seems that the last night that a great deal of informa- on the same day and may have met vigilance committee, by whom Le Grand tion about the state of the streets, and there, or perhaps through the police and Batchelor were employed, had its suspicious men who frequent them, contacts of the “private detectives,” or own theory of the murders, and it was had been collected by them, and they even in Berner Street, where Kidney likely a version of this theory that was believed that at least some of it might was sure to have gone, and where it is conveyed to Kidney. turn out of value. Although many known that Le Grand and Batchelor

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 14 spent a good deal of time in the days following the murder. A reporter for the Echo newspaper spent the morning of Oct. 1st in Berner Street and describes with irritated bemusement a couple of men who had managed to gather a crowd with their tale of intrigue. Very little additional information was to be obtained (writes an Echo reporter shortly after noon) concern- ing the murder of the woman Stride up till noon to-day. Except for a couple of hundred or so of men, women, and children, whose morbid curiosity had attracted them to the scene of the crime, there was nothing to indicate that another of these mysterious murders had taken place. Among the loungers were, of course, many who professed to be in possession of all the details connected with the unfortunate wom- an’s death, but on being questioned, it transpired that the stories which they were obligingly disposed to relate were nothing more than conjecture. Several men who were surrounded by respective groups of eager listeners went so far as to say that the woman Stride had been seen in the neighbourhood of Berner- street about twelve o’clock on Saturday night in company with a middle-aged man of dark complexion, but here the

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott description of the supposed murderer in agony trying to find answers and not The following excerpts are from of the woman stopped. In answer to that of a murderer perpetrating a ruse. chapter two of his book as it appears at questions, however, neither of the men Casebook.org. would father the story, preferring to Michael Kidney The final evidence for Michael escape any direct, or to them inconve- – The Suspect Kidney’s guilt is so surprisingly obvious nient, inquiries on the subject by saying While at least the notion that Stride was that it is difficult to believe that it has ‘They had heard so.’ killed by someone other than Jack the lain around for so many years without It is quite possible these men were Ripper goes back as far as the murder anyone realizing its importance. Le Grand and Batchelor, offering up itself, the idea of Michael Kidney as One day after the murder of Long an early version of the Packer story. the perpetrator did not start in earnest Liz — Elizabeth Stride — Michael As regards the vigilance commit- until 1993 and the publication of Jack Kidney arrived in a drunken condi- tee theory, the source described a gang the Myth: A New Look At The Ripper, tion at Leman Street Police Station, of four to five men who met the ‘medi- by A.P. Wolf. While A.P. Wolf is cer- Whitechapel. He demanded to speak to cal requirement’ imposed on the Ripper tainly one of the most talented authors a detective, ranting and raving that if following Dr. Phillips’ testimony at to write about the Ripper, he’s also one he had been the constable in the area the inquest into the death of Annie of the most imaginative; most myths where the murder took place he would Chapman, where he described, in a about the Stride murder in general, and have killed himself. This is a vital state approaching awe, how Chapman’s Michael Kidney in particular, are to be point because Kidney did this before killer executed in record time opera- found within the pages of his book, and the inquest opened on Long Liz and her tions that would have taken him much as the text of the book has been avail- body had still not be [sic] Identified, longer. Le Grand and Batchelor must able to peruse for free at Casebook.org in other words nobody knew who the have imparted no more information for years now, it continues to have an victim was, and even later, after the than this to Michael Kidney, and per- influence on new students coming on to inquest had opened, she was still being haps under a sworn oath of secrecy, the case. There is no question but that wrongly identified as Elizabeth Stokes. and refused to divulge any further Wolf’s theories about the Stride murder So how then did Kidney know that the details. It is with this false hope that a influenced a great many books to follow, latest murder victim was his ex-girl- drunken, frustrated Kidney entered the some of which we will also consider in friend Long Liz before she had even Leman Street station and requested a this section. But to understand the gen- been identified?’ “strange, young detective,” in hope that esis of the Kidney theory, we must start There is no doubt now that Kidney such a man might glean more informa- with the blundering error that first did murder Long Liz... going to the tion from the two private detectives. convinced A.P. Wolf that Kidney mur- police to complain about the circum- These seem like the actions of a man dered Stride. stances of her death before anyone knew

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 16 she was dead clinches it. Then to consider that 105 years of proof,” he did follow along in his think- It is astonishing that the inquest solid research should follow in the ing that Kidney was Stride’s killer, jury were so quickly satisfied with his most studied murder series in history, and along with co-author Paul Gainey, testimony, particularly after he admit- with no one being any the wiser about summed up his thoughts in a single ted lying to them. Equally, one can only Kidney and what essentially amounts paragraph in his 1995 magnum opus, wonder at the total incompetence of the to his loud and public confession. Jack the Ripper: The First American police in failing to realize that Kidney Of course, the truth is that Stride (U.K. title ‘The Lodger’). could not have known that it was Long had been identified at the mortuary The evidence surrounding the Liz who was murdered before her by many people, including Kidney, Stride murder is very problematical, body had even been identified, unless prior to his drunken trip to the police and extremely confusing when read of course he had committed the crime station. Nevertheless, Wolf’s error in in full. The lasting impression is of a himself. Again, as in other inquests on reading had convinced him of Kidney’s domestic dispute-related murder. On the so called Ripper murders, the atti- guilt, and he supported his erroneous the Tuesday before her death, Stride tude of the police is quite unbelievable. conclusion with a host of equally poor walked out of the home she shared The failure of the police in Long Liz’s miscalculations — that Kidney pad- with Michael Kidney, a brutal, heavy- case of not calling the single eyewitness locked Stride in their rooms, that he drinking labourer, who was known to to her murder, Israel Schwartz, to give habitually abused her, that he had lied have frequently assaulted her. The case vital evidence at the inquest is absolute to the inquest jury. These and many does not bear the distinctive stamp of a criminal neglect.’ more fallacies continue to plague the Ripper killing. Wolf is correct in only one point research of writers on the case. Here again, we are told, without in his write-up of Kidney; it would Wolf’s writing teaches us more evidence, that Kidney was “brutal” and indeed have been absolute and unprec- about his lack of faith in the police “frequently assaulted” Stride. We are edented incompetence on the part of and his fellow researchers than it also told that Stride’s murder resem- the police if a man had walked into does about the Ripper murders, but bles a domestic homicide, although their station and berated them over a the impact of his work is everlasting. I can’t think of one domestic murder murder that had yet to be discovered Remarkably, Stewart Evans pointed that even remotely resembles the and then been allowed to walk about this error out to him and he has yet Berner Street case. If nothing else, scot-free without serious investigation. to correct it, though doing so would be Evans and Gainey could not be accused It would also be quite the anomaly if quite simple as his work now exists of playing with the evidence to sup- this person were to then sit in the primarily as an online text. port their suspect, Francis Tumblety. jury box at the inquest and deliver the Although Stewart Evans was too Quite the opposite, in fact, as they same tale without anyone catching on. wise to be convinced by Wolf’s “final believed Francis Tumblety to have

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott been the fabled “Batty Street Lodger,” in absentia, for the murder of Elizabeth If we were to look at the Stride kill- living at 22 Batty Street, so close to Stride and hasten to Mitre Square. ings in isolation, discounting the other the scene of Stride’s murder that one [p. 322] killings entirely, what path would the could have probably heard the sing- Here, we are told that Liz Stride police follow. Liz Stride is living with ing from the club from at open window was leaving Kidney for good and never a man, who when drunk becomes vio- at number 22. Also, as far as witness coming back, that it is “beyond doubt” lent and beats her up. She has twice suspects go, the Berner Street murder that Stride was frightened of Kidney, had him in court for this offence, once offers about the only candidate for the and that only he could have been her she failed to turn up and the charges tall, fair-haired Tumblety, in the way murderer. Tully was indeed in such a were dropped, the second time she gave of Pipeman. Nevertheless, Evans and hurry to get to Mitre Square that he evidence and he was gaoled. A few days Gainey did not feel that Tumblety forgot to give us the evidence for his before her murder she apparently had would kill so close to home, so Michael conclusions! another violent quarrel with Michael Kidney is brought in as the murderous The next year, 1998, brought us Kidney (he denied this) and moved out BS Man, with Pipeman being nothing Bob Hinton’s : The Jack the to lodgings of her own. [p. 78] more than an innocent passerby. Ripper Mystery, which served indict- We know that Kidney was violently James Tully, in his impressive and ments on both George Hutchinson and jealous of Liz Stride, before when he woefully overlooked 1997 work on the Michael Kidney. Unlike many authors thought she had another man he beat case, Prisoner 1167, The Madman Who on the case, Hinton spends a good deal her and padlocked her in their lodg- Was Jack the Ripper, makes equally of time on Berner Street, discussing ings. [p. 79] short work in condemning Kidney, the evidence and offering his insights. Given all these indicators I believe believing him to have been a heartless As he served as a magistrate and has that we are justified in saying that if we pimp wanting to punish Stride for leav- a very strong knowledge of the case were to examine Liz Stride’s murder in ing him and killing his golden goose. materials, many of his insights are isolation, the police would have wanted All the circumstances point to the delightfully fresh and deserve serious to interview Mr. Kidney. Because the fact that Liz had had enough of Kidney consideration. However, as with many police wanted to keep Israel Schwartz and was intent upon leaving him for authors, he seemed to have blind- and his testimony secret, he never gave good. That she was frightened of him is ers on when it came to the murder of evidence at the inquest, an inquest where beyond doubt, as is the fact that Kidney Liz Stride and the history of Michael we know Michael Kidney was present, it would not have been at all pleased Kidney. Indeed, the influence of the is interesting to know what would have to discover that his steady source of authors already discussed, A.P. Wolf happened if they had met. [p. 82] income had taken flight.[p. 320] in particular, is very apparent in the Hinton is absolutely correct that Let us then convict Michael Kidney, following paragraphs. we should look at each murder in the

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 18 series independently. However, his look case, Kidney’s culpability for Stride’s at the Stride case seems to have told murder — it is absolutely essential to him that whenever Kidney got drunk study how that mode of thought came he beat up Stride, and that she took into being. It is a singular, if not unfor- him to court twice, providing evidence tunate, fact that the opinions of those against him and putting him in jail who have published books on the case the second time. He also tells us that are given more weight than those who Kidney, far from being Tully’s heart- merely publish essays or post on mes- less pimp, was an insanely jealous man sage boards, at least as far as the rel- who would padlock her in their rooms atively new researcher is concerned. whenever he felt another man might Therefore, it is important to put the be lingering about. We also learn that conclusions brought forth in these she left Kidney the last time as a result books in their proper context. of “another violent quarrel.” Again, we are offered no evidence of any of this. But by the time Hinton’s book came out, five years following Wolf’s, the myths had been so oft repeated that they had become accepted knowledge. It is not my wish to disparage the authors whose work I’ve quoted here. In fact, it is my sincere hope that none Michael Kidney of them become offended that I’ve put their work “on the spot.” All of has been convicted their books offer cases against viable suspects, and I consider Evans and before he had Gainey’s tome to be the model exam- ple of how a suspect book should be his day in court. approached. However, we all share the common goal of getting to the truth, and It is time now to to understand a popular and persistent mode of thought in the field — in this rectify that.

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott Michael Kidney in virtually every book that favors Michael Kidney: Yes; there was only – The Facts Kidney as the killer (Evans and Gainey the one key, which I had, but she got in All we know about Michael Kidney’s being the exception); even Casebook. and out somehow. character comes from his testimony org, with its barebones, “Just the From this sentence, countless at the Stride inquest, where he was Facts” approach, has offered the fol- researchers have concluded that Kidney described by an attending Daily News lowing paragraph for many years now kept Stride prisoner in her own home, reporter as “morose”, “rough-spo- to anyone clicking Stride’s picture overlooking the fact that he didn’t say ken” and occasionally “incoherent.” and wanting to learn more about her: “she got out somehow,” but that “she Members of the press must have been “Their relationship is best described got in and out somehow.” [Emphasis clamoring for an interview with him, as stormy. He says that she was fre- added.] This is a significant differ- not only to discuss Liz but also the tan- quently absent when she was drink- ence. In fact, other papers did a much talizing theory he had mentioned in ing and he even tried, unsuccessfully, better job of reporting what Kidney court, all the more tantalizing because to padlock her in (see list of possession said; the Scotsman [Edinburgh] of Oct. Kidney wouldn’t let the police have it. at time of death).” It is difficult to say 6th reported Kidney’s reply to Inspector Yet to date no interview with Kidney with certainty just where this myth Reid as follows: When deceased and I has been discovered, suggesting he originated, but it is almost certainly lived together, the door was padlocked refused publicity. Had he known the from the inquest reportage of the when we were out. I had a key, and she speculation that would surround him Times, which in the pre-Internet days borrowed one to get in or waited till I more than a hundred years later, he of Ripper research was the favored came. On the Wednesday before her might have been a little quicker to set and most accessible newspaper avail- death, I found she had gone into the the record straight, but since he did able. Unfortunately, the Times cover- room and taken some things, although not, we must work with what we have. age of the Stride inquest left much to it was locked. In this section we will look at each of be desired, and many writers to this This makes it clear that Kidney the favored arguments used by writ- day fall victim to its errors and poorly and Stride would leave together, ers to speculate upon Kidney’s guilt in constructed sentences. However, even him locking the door behind them. the Stride murder and see how they the Times can’t take all the blame for Sometimes she would let herself in, compare with the facts. We will also this particular error, as its coverage of explaining that she borrowed a key, consider some important information Kidney on this point wasn’t altogether probably from the landlord. In reality, that will be new to most readers. ambiguous: it seems she had applied to the land- That Kidney would padlock Stride Inspector Reid: When you and deceased lord for a duplicate some time before into their rooms is one of the most lived together I believe you had a pad- and simply hadn’t told Kidney, as indi- commonly repeated myths, appearing lock on the door? cated by the fact that the key remained

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 20 in her possession after she moved away to go without comment that none of Regarding the confident asser- and was found amongst her belongings. Stride’s lodging house mates held tions of many authors that Kidney Nevertheless, it is nowhere intimated any suspicions against Kidney, even “frequently abused” Stride or, in one that Kidney at any time kept Stride though they were asked point-blank if author’s case, that Kidney indeed prisoner in her own home. Stride was frightened of anyone or felt served jail time for abusing Stride, Other comments of Kidney’s are anyone wanted to hurt her. On the other all we have in the way of official docu- often taken completely out of context hand, we have Catherine Eddowes tell- mentation is that on one occasion, on and painted with the blackest possible ing a police officer on the night of her April 6th, 1887, Stride accused Kidney motives; for instance, when he states death that she expected a “damn fine of assault but failed to turn up at the that he was a great believer in “disci- hiding” from her beau, John Kelly. As hearing, so the charges were dropped. pline,” he meant not that he disciplined writers prefer to romanticize their rela- While it is well-known that abused Stride, but was responding to questions tionship, this is generally explained as women often refuse to press charges, from coroner Baxter about his career mere banter. we have only this one accusation over and pension as an army reservist. He a three-year relationship, and when was also still steaming about the police one considers that Stride was a habit- handling of her murder. none of ual liar who herself was arrested a The Times reported Kidney as record-breaking eight times between having said, “I have cautioned her the Stride’s 1887 and 1888 alone, it might be wise same as I would a wife,” again misin- to extend Michael Kidney some benefit terpreted by modern researchers to lodging of the doubt. In July of 1888, a little mean that he would punish or beat over two months before the murder, Stride. In fact, Kidney never said this, house Kidney served three days in jail for what he actually said being, “I treated being drunk and disorderly and using her the same as I would a wife,” mean- mates obscene language, but this had noth- ing simply that they lived together as ing to do with Stride, although some man and wife and he financially pro- held any authors have assumed it did and vided for her. A reading of his inquest have used the incident to bolster testimony in other newspapers bears suspicions the idea that Kidney “repeatedly this out. abused” Stride. There is absolutely nothing in against In reality, Stride and Kidney were Kidney’s inquest testimony to suggest both alcoholics, with Stride seemingly an abusive relationship and it seems Kidney, the worse of the two, so there probably

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott was an element of abuse on both sides, victim. She also was believed to be old acquaintance sake. ‘Oh dear, oh although the official records don’t bear trying to regain respectability, and it dear!’ ejaculated the woman, ‘ain’t it this out and previous writers had no seemed worth while to go down into the awful though!’ ‘No doubt all these poor cause to accuse Kidney in the manner depths of the neighbourhood that was creatures are dreading to go into the that has been done. However, at the formerly known as Tiger Bay to hear streets,’ it was observed. ‘I should just risk of appearing hypocritical, my own what this woman had to say about her think they was,’ was the reply. ‘Why, research has turned up an acquain- former companion. She was found in a they’re a’most afraid to sit indoors. tance of Stride’s who did inform a small back room at the inner end of a I gets my living among ‘em,’ continued reporter that Kidney beat and ill-used dark court not far from the scene of the the woman with frank communicative- her. Her statement, which appeared in murder, and proved to be a vivacious ness, ‘Not them as lives at the lodging- the Daily News of October 3rd, 1888, is widow with three children, and one houses like her,” she explained; “there important not so much in this regard eye to look after them with. She first ain’t much to be got out o’ them, but the than for other reasons that shall be knew the dead woman three years ago, regular respectable ones. I does char- seen, so is offered here in full. she said, and she was then certainly ing for ‘em, and lor’ bless you they just very pretty, always had a nice clean are scared. “shall turn it up,” they says. New Information On apron, and was always smart and tidy. But then, as I says, what have they got Stride’s Movements She took up with a labourer, said the to turn to?’ The Daily News reporter was inter- woman, and ‘lived indoors with him,’ There is little doubt but that this viewing a woman at a mission house but he beat her and so ill-used her that woman knew Stride, who did indeed where Stride was known, and was told she was forced to turn out in the streets. “take up” with Michael Kidney about the following: She took to drink, and seemed to grow three years before, as was her recollec- ‘The woman who looks after these reckless and desperate. For two years she tion. She stated that she hadn’t seen mission rooms,’ continued the speaker, never saw anything of her, but recently Stride for about two years prior to just ‘was another of the same class, and the deceased called on her old acquain- recently, when Stride turned up again, who used to be an associate of the poor tance, who had got her own room and a and that when she had previously creature murdered in Berner-street. few scraps of furniture about her. The seen Stride she had moved out from She saw her only last Thursday, and desolate woman congratulated her old Kidney’s place on account of abuse. she, that is, the murdered woman, said acquaintance on having a comfortable The woman clearly was not aware that then that she felt all was coming to home (!) invited her to come and drink Stride returned to Kidney and that her some bad end.’ with her, and, this being refused, she leaving him was somewhat frequent. The missionary made mention of took out two pence, all she had in the Regarding the abusive behavior of another associate of the Berner-street world-and insisted on sharing it for Kidney, the woman could be a bit off

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 22 in her time and this could refer to the just the Thursday before her death. did not see Stride until Thursday, but same incident in April of 1887 when The mission in question was probably the watchman, Thomas Bates, recalled Stride accused Kidney of assault, or it Dr. Thomas Barnardo’s mission in seeing her on Tuesday (the day she left could be another incident that occurred Hanbury Street, as Barnardo claimed Kidney). Although it may mean abso- before this, or it could just be Stride that Stride was present in the lodging lutely nothing in connection with her using sympathy to get money to drink. house at 32 Flower and Dean Street murder, I am suggesting that Stride The crucial point about this woman’s when he visited only the day before. He had recently visited the Berner Street statement is that it is the first evi- stated that the women were frightened area, and was thus not a stranger to dence we have that Stride had been in of the Whitechapel murderer, and one it, and was in nearby Hanbury Street the Berner Street area not long before woman called out, “We’re all up to no only the day before her murder. her murder. Tiger Bay was in the same good, no one cares what becomes of us! I would not, however, go so far as neighborhood as Berner Street, so close Perhaps some of us will be next!” A few to suggest that Stride’s comments to that many mistakenly thought Berner days later he identified Stride’s body Dr. Barnardo or the mission worker Street a part of Tiger Bay as well. The as the woman who spoke out. reveal any knowledge of her killer reporter even remarked that the one- Prior to now I had never given or impending murder. Stride was eyed woman’s back room lodgings were Barnardo’s tale much thought, but as an unhappy woman and her outlook “not far from the scene of the murder.” we find corroborating evidence from a appears to have been bleak regardless, It is unfortunate that the journalist did mission worker that Stride visited the and considering our sources are mis- not press the woman for more details, mission on the following day and told sionaries, it’s certain that Stride would such as how recently Stride had paid the mistress of the house a similarly have played upon their sympathies in her a visit. But we do have clues, such bleak prediction (that she was herself any way she felt might benefit her, just as that Stride had apparently told the coming to ‘some bad end’), this indi- as she did with the Swedish Lutheran woman she was staying in a lodging cates that Barnardo was correct in his Church in . house. If this is true, it means that identification, and allows us with some Moving forward, the next myth we Stride may have visited her the very degree of accuracy to identify the mis- will look at is the oft-repeated sugges- week of her murder. sion Stride visited on Thursday with tion that Stride had left Kidney for the Without wanting to digress from that of Dr. Barnardo’s. Stride may even last and final time, with no intention our primary topic too much more, have spent Wednesday night at the to return, and that knowing this, an I will quickly mention that it is inter- mission, leaving on Thursday morn- angry and/or jealous Kidney went in esting that the missionary woman ing. This would explain why Catherine search for her. That these events took should say that the lady in charge of Lane and Elizabeth Tanner, the place is absolutely crucial to the argu- the mission rooms had seen Stride deputy of 32 Flower and Dean Street, ment that Kidney killed Stride. If she

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott hadn’t left for good or if Kidney hadn’t acquaintances? Coroner: Or that any one had ever gone in search for her, then the motive Tanner: Only of one. threatened to injure her? crumbles to dust. Coroner: Who is he? Tanner: No. Elizabeth Tanner, deputy of 32 Tanner: She was living with him. She Coroner: The fact of her not coming Flower and Dean Street, who enjoyed left him on Thursday to come and stay back on Saturday did not surprise you, a drink with Liz at the Queen’s Head at our house, so she told me. I suppose? public house on the last day of Liz’s Coroner: Have you seen this man? Tanner: We took no notice of it…Before life, gave the following testimony Tanner: I saw him last Sunday. last Thursday she had been away from at the inquest (from the Daily (Oct. 1st) my house about three months. Telegraph, condensed here for only the Coroner: Did she ever tell you she was Coroner: Did you see her during that relevant portions). afraid of any one? three months? Coroner: Do you know any of her male Tanner: No. Tanner: Yes, frequently; sometimes once a week, and at other times almost every other day. Coroner: Did you understand what she was doing? Tanner: She told me that she was at work among the Jews, and was living with a man in Fashion Street. This exchange is very reveal- ing, and is also quite important as it is coming from a woman who had known Stride for six or more years and had recently been spending much time with her. She seems to have been aware of Stride’s penchant for lying, as when she told the coroner that Stride had left Kidney on Thursday to live at their house, she chose to qualify the information with “so she told me,” which meant the same then as it does Th e St r i d e i n q u e s t now, that Tanner was relaying what

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 24 she was told, for what it was worth, him, a point strongly enforced by the address of “6 Fashion Street” in the which might not be much. It’s not clear medical evidence, which reported no hours before her murder. This may just whether both Tanner and Catherine signs of abuse (other than some minor be one of the many little coincidences Lane merely assumed Stride had left bruising left only that evening, pre- that plague the case (and make it so Kidney on Thursday because that’s sumably by her murderer or a recent compelling), or there may be something when they had first seen her, or if client). Frequent abuse over a three- to it we just don’t see yet. Stride chose to tell them she had year period will leave its mark, par- It should be clear that Kidney was left Kidney only that day. For this ticularly on the body of a middle-aged telling the truth when he said he had reason, many commentators assume woman, yet Stride was free of any such no reason to assume Stride wouldn’t that Kidney saw Stride on Thursday, indicators. be returning to him. After all, she two days after she left him, but this Another important point is that had gone off like this before and had is clearly not so. There’s no question Kidney, allegedly on the hunt for Stride, always come back. But he had another that Stride left Kidney on Tuesday never once showed up looking for her at reason to assume she’d come back, and and no reason to suppose he saw her the one place she was most likely to be that is the fact that when she left on after that. Tanner’s evidence conclu- found, 32 Flower and Dean Street. Tuesday, she took nothing with her. sively shows that Stride had said she From the evidence we’ve collected, She returned the next day when he left Kidney after they had “had words,” the worst we can say with any certainty was gone and took her Swedish hymn and Tanner merely assumed (or was about Kidney is that he abused Stride book and (presumably at this time) her told by Stride) that this occurred on early on in their relationship, but even long piece of green velvet. No doubt she Thursday. on this there must remain some doubt took the velvet because of its financial Coroner Baxter, ever quick on his considering our only source is Stride value and the hymn book because of its game, tried to slip Kidney up by stat- herself, an intelligent woman who sentimental value. She chose to leave ing (in the form of a question) out of knew how to play on people’s sympa- the hymn book with their neighbor, the blue, “You had a quarrel with her thies and could not seem to help herself Mrs. Smith, saying she would be back on Thursday?” to which Kidney imme- from lying about virtually everything. for it. No doubt she was worried that diately replied, “I did not see her on It is curious that she would choose Kidney might do something with her Thursday.” to lie to her friend about where she more prized possessions once he real- A point of significance here is that and Kidney were living, telling her it ized she wasn’t returning right away. although Stride was seeing Tanner was on Fashion Street. Compounding Apparently, Liz did not trust Mrs. socially on a regular basis, she never this curiosity is that, of all the streets Smith enough to leave the velvet with at any time suggested she was fright- in London, Catherine Eddowes should her. But if she was not planning to ened of Kidney or being abused by have chosen to give to the police a false come back at all, why leave belongings

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott temporarily with a neighbor? It simply and wearing a dark jacket and trou- doesn’t add up if one is to believe that sers and a black cap with a peak. This Stride and Kidney had taken their final description is in keeping with what bow together. Schwartz told the Star newspaper, Moving forward to the murder adding the detail that he was “respect- itself, virtually every writer who feels ably dressed.” Kidney was between 36 that Kidney murdered Stride has and 39 at the time of the murder, and implied or stated outright their belief probably appeared older than his age, that Schwartz’s “BS Man” was Kidney. so it is doubtful he’d register in anyone’s This is a circular argument because mind as being :about 30,” but on this they steadfastly believe that BS Man’s point we will give Schwartz the benefit behavior was not fitting with their of the doubt. We do not know Kidney’s perception of Jack the Ripper (as dis- height, and even if we did, height along cussed earlier in this essay) and there- with age are where witnesses can often fore wasn’t the Ripper, but had to be be mistaken, so unless Kidney should Stride’s killer, and Stride’s killer was turn out to be a dwarf or outlandishly most likely her abusive boyfriend tall, we couldn’t in good conscience Michael Kidney, thus Kidney and BS use this as an identifying characteris- Man must be one and the same. This tic. However, Kidney was a waterside all sounds well and good, but like the laborer and probably deeply tanned, Mi c h a e l Ki d n e y other persistent myths about Kidney so it is difficult to reconcile this with and the Stride case, it doesn’t stand up a ‘fair complection’, and as Kidney was nor full-faced, nor apparently broad- to scrutiny. very poor and would have had no cause shouldered. More damning is the fact Schwartz got a good look at his to own good clothes, it would require a that he sported a very full and obvi- man before and after BS Man’s ‘attack’ healthy imagination to describe him as ous moustache, whereas BS Man had on Stride, so we would expect the more “respectably dressed.” a small moustache. This is not a point pertinent points of his description to A press artist at the inquest did at which Schwartz would have been in be accurate. According to Swanson’s a good job capturing the likenesses of error. If you would have difficulty imag- summary of the police report, BS Man those giving testimony, and Kidney ining yourself looking upon Francis was 30 years old, 5’ 5” in height, fair was no exception, so we have in our pos- Tumblety, even for half the amount of complected, with dark hair, small dark session an extremely good idea of what time Schwartz had to witness BS Man, moustache, full face, broad shoulders, Kidney looked like; he was not stout, and coming away describing him as

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 26 having a “small moustache,” then you any yelling or screaming, there were crimes, they started with her closest must conclude that when Schwartz no signs of any struggle, and her killer associates. described BS Man, he was describing efficiently dispatched her with a single In Chief Inspector Donald someone very different from Michael swipe of his blade. There was absolutely Swanson’s lengthy report of Oct. 19th, Kidney. no passion or anger in the murder at he states: Supporting this conclusion is all, and Michael Kidney was, if noth- The body was identified as that of Kidney’s behavior after the murder. He ing else, a passionate person when Elizabeth Stride, a prostitute, & it may went willingly to the police, identified unhappy, as his behavior at the police be shortly stated that the enquiry into the body, volunteered a statement, drew station and his overall demeanor at the her history did not disclose the slightest additional negative attention by going inquest attests to. pretext for a motive on behalf of friends back drunk and raving, then appeared The final and perhaps most or associates or anybody who had not once but twice at the inquest. And remarkable argument proposed for known her. [A little later on, Swanson if he were BS Man, then he did all this Kidney’s guilt is the notion that the reports] The numerous statements knowing that at least two people, and investigating police never considered, made to police were enquired into and possibly more, had seen him attacking or were close-minded to the idea that the persons (of whom there were many) Stride and would quite likely be at the the killer could have been anyone were required to account for their pres- inquest as well. And it should be noted other than Jack the Ripper. This, of ence at the time of the murders & every that his behavior is more in keeping course, couldn’t be further from the care taken as far as possible to verify with a bereaved loved-one and quite in truth. Another woman, Eddowes, had the statements.’ contrast to Catherine Eddowes’ steady, been murdered on the same night in We know that Kidney was one John Kelly, generally held up as the City Police territory, which must have of the “many” inquired into, and as a sympathetic antithesis to Kidney, who put considered additional pressure on recently separated partner, he would while identifying the body had the pres- the to discover have topped the list of priority inquiries, ence of mind to sift through Eddowes’ their killer. Even if they could have yet we are told here by the man over- bonnet looking for money she may have solved just this one murder, the press, seeing the investigation that his state- stashed away. And there is no record of which clearly favored the City Police ment was taken, his alibi investigated, Kelly pressing the police for justice in due to their more open attitude about and he was cleared of all suspicion. the way Kidney had. sharing information and offering a Michael Kidney was cleared of the When we consider the evidence of reward, would have shifted their light murder of Elizabeth Stride in 1888, the Stride murder, we see none of the across the boundary. The investigation and now in the 21st century, he must signs of a domestic murder. Stride was into Stride’s murder was exhaustive once again be found ‘Innocent’. not in any way abused, no one heard by any standards, and like all such

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott Exonerating Michael Kidney Summation lthough the relationship even half his details correct. Kidney that she wasn’t mutilated, are shown between Kidney and Stride provided a statement and an alibi and to have no merit whatsoever; and it is Aappears to have been a stormy put himself up to public scrutiny at only from this misguided doubt that one, and quite likely physical at times, two different inquest hearings, proving Kidney was ever offered up as an alter- there is absolutely no evidence that he had nothing to hide. nate killer to begin with. Kidney was habitually abusive, and The circumstances surrounding Michael Kidney did not murder indeed quite a lot of evidence (medical the Stride murder indicate a quiet, Elizabeth Stride, but somebody did. and otherwise) that he was not. The efficient, passionless murder; if Kidney popular idea that Kidney locked Stride murdered Stride, then the crime is in their rooms is without a doubt an anomaly in the annals of domestic untrue, as are the suggestions that his homicide and not at all in keeping with The case for discounting inquest testimony indicated a violent their ‘stormy’ relationship. Elizabeth as a Ripper victim man, or that he had any reason to sus- Kidney’s health and financial situ- is not as weighty as it first pect that Stride had left him for good. ation deteriorated rapidly in the year appears. The differences He clearly did not go looking for her, following Stride’s death, and it’s likely between her injuries and those otherwise he would have first gone to the one led to the other. I believe that inflicted upon Polly Nichols the lodging house at 32 Flower and Michael was truly in love with Liz. Dean Street where she had been stay- Michael Kidney, along with all of and Annie Chapman do not ing when he met her and where she Stride’s close associates, were thor- oblige us to take the view that went to stay every time she left him. oughly investigated and their alibis she was slain by another hand. He certainly couldn’t have expected to were confirmed. As desperate as the find her standing in a dark gateway in police were to catch her killer, they were Berner Street. able to clear Kidney of all suspicion. Philip Sugden, Michael Kidney could not have All arguments given to eliminate The Complete History of Jack the Ripper been BS Man, assuming Schwartz got Stride from the Ripper’s tally, save

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 28 Acknowledgements and fellow posters at the Casebook who I would like to first thank the late encourage me and/or challenge me on Adrian “Viper” Phypers for conceiv- all matters Stride-related — Debra ing and initiating the “Casebook Press Arif, Glenn Andersson, “Fisherman,” Have a comment about Project,” and Stephen P. Ryder, Chris Michael Richards, Harry Mann, Simon something you read Scott, and the many volunteer tran- Wood, c.d., DYLAN, Neil Bell, Don scriptionists for taking Adrian’s project Souden, and countless others. I would in this issue? and making it a legacy. Ripperology like to thank Howard Brown for, many Write a letter now to without this ever-growing body of work moons ago, pointing out to me the fact would be unfathomable. I would also that Kidney’s detailed likeness ruled the Examiner at like to thank Stewart Evans for his him out as BS Man. [email protected] inspiration, and the numerous friends Biography Tom Wescott

om lives in America’s heart- appeared in Ripper Notes, Ripperologist land and, while still a and the Whitechapel Society Journal. Tyoung man, he has been a This the first of what is hoped will be Casebook.org member since 1998. many articles for Casebook Examiner. He has written extensively on the Ripper murders and his articles have

Exonerating Michael Kidney: A Fresh Look At Some Old Myths Tom Wescott Time has not been kind to Walter Andrews. Of all the police officers connected to the Whitechapel Murder investigation, he is among the most controversial, but the least studied; the easiest to dismiss, but the hardest to interpret correctly. A growing number of theorists now argue — sometimes with aggression — that Andrews never worked the Jack the Ripper case at all. Yet, in truth, it may well have been Inspector Walter Andrews who once held the key that will finally unlock the case...

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one:

The Rise of R.J.Palmer Walter Andrews

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 30 n the years before 1995, ‘Andrews’ New York from Montreal. It is gen- quack and petty criminal who prac- was not a name one normally erally believed that he has received ticed medicine in North America in Iencountered in books about the orders from to commence his the 1850s and 60s, and who frequently Whitechapel murders. An exception search in this city for the Whitechapel visited London in the 1870s and 80s. was Begg, Fido, and Skinner’s Jack murderer. Tumblety’s substantial ties to New the Ripper A to Z (1988) which not only This, it seemed, was a straightfor- York City, coupled with a previous included a brief entry on Andrews, but ward confirmation of Dew’s version of arrest in Montreal for supplying abor- afforded him a prominent role in the events; on the other hand, when this tifacients to a prostitute, made him an investigation. was first republished in 1988, at a time obvious solution to Andrews’ mysteri- “,” the authors wrote, when no prominent American ‘Ripper’ ous voyage to America in the closing “lists Andrews along with Inspector suspect loomed on the horizon (let weeks of 1888. Even more compel- Moore and Inspector Abberline as alone one with connections to Montreal ling was Evans and Gainey’s discov- having been seconded to Whitechapel or New York), it appeared to be little ery that, shortly after the murder of from Scotland Yard to take charge of more than an oddity taking place on Mary Kelly, Tumblety jumped bail on the investigation.” 1 the wrong side of the Atlantic Ocean. unrelated charges, fled to France, and Even so, this prominence only left Indeed, the date ‘December 31st’ was then onward to aboard Andrews with a considerable aura of infinitely more famous among students the steamship La Bretagne — only mystery, for although Dew’s accuracy of the case for its association with a five days before Inspector Andrews could be readily gauged by the many certain sopping corpse fished out of the climbed aboard the S.S. Sarnia, also contemporary references to Moore and Thames that same morning.2 No further en route to America. It seemed like an Abberline working the ‘Ripper’case, not information was available, and there excellent ‘fit.’ a single surviving document in either matters stood for nearly seven years. Nevertheless, students of the the MEPO or Home Office files directly The situation suddenly changed in Whitechapel Murder investigation tend referred to Andrews. Equally strange 1995 with the appearance of Stewart P. to be highly skeptical, and the sugges- was an obscure snippet culled from the Evans and Paul Gainey’s The Lodger, tion that Andrews’ trip to America had Pall Mall Gazette, first published on a book presenting the case against an anything to do with the Ripper mur- the last day of 1888. otherwise forgotten police suspect in ders — let alone Tumblety — soon met Dec. 31. Inspector Walter Andrews, the Whitechapel murder investigation with challenge, dismissal, and even, on of Scotland yard, has arrived in — Francis Tumblety, an Irish-born occasion, contempt.

1 Paul Begg, Martin Fido, and Keith Skinner, The Jack the Ripper A-Z (Headline, 1991) pp. 26-27 2 Montague J. Druitt, later named by as a suspect in the Ripper murders. Although Druitt’s body was discovered on December 31, the drowning was not reported until two days later, when it appeared in the County of Middlesex Independent of January 2, 1889.

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer The war-cry of the opposition first rang out in Bob Hinton’s 1998 book, From Hell. As for Scotland Yard pursuing their man across the Atlantic, this is patently nonsense. If Tumblety was released, presumably because the police had absolutely no evidence tying him to the Ripper killings, what was the point in pursuing him?3 Similar, albeit less aggressive, doubts resurfaced six year later in Paul Begg’s Jack the Ripper: The Facts (2004). Citing the New York Herald, Begg theorized that Andrews’ 1888 mission to North America may have actually involved finding “evi- dence that will seemingly injure the Parnellites,” or, in other words, that Andrews was not really hunting Jack the Ripper, but, rather, was aiding the Special Commission, then underway in London, in an effort to link MP Charles Stewart Parnell to the violent fringe of the Irish Nationalist movement — a suggestion that requires a great deal of scrutiny, and will be addressed in Fr a n c i s Tu b l e t y

3 Bob Hinton, From Hell: The Jack the Ripper Mystery (Old Bakehouse Publications, 1998) p. 214. In point of fact, Hinton’s remarks are based on a misconception. It is by no means evident that Tumblety was released because ‘the police had absolutely no evidence tying him to the Ripper killings.’ Tumblety was released for one reason only: charged with four counts of gross indecency, he successfully produced two sureties willing to stand in for bail. Hinton, like many theorists, is attempting to gauge Scotland Yard’s level of suspicion against Tumblety in a series of mur- ders by pondering the legal technicalities of an entirely different set of charges—a highly dubious proposition.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 32 the second installment of this article.4 over thirty years.”5 Finally, quoting a voices, authors Ivor Edwards, Timothy Meanwhile, a year later, at suggestion by British journalist and Riordan, and A.P. Wolf, have resur- greater length and with considerable MP Henry Labochere, Vanderlinden rected similar arguments in recent more insistence, Wolf Vanderlinden, offered an alternative theory, suggest- years; Edwards in an article appear- coeditor of Ripper Notes, joined the dis- ing that Andrews had, in reality, slipped ing in the February 2008 issue of the senting voices in a well received two- off to Chicago to meet with Henri Le Ripperologist, Riordan in a recent part article entitled “On the Trail of Caron (real name, Thomas Miller biography of Tumblety, and Wolf on Tumblety?,” that once again plumped Beach) a spy working for Assistant internet forums.6 Nevertheless, fur- for the ‘Special Commission’ theory Met Commissioner Robert Anderson. ther research casts considerable doubt of Andrews’ investigation. Among Beach, as will be shown, had infiltrated on these nay-sayers and not only con- Vanderlinden’s arguments is Home the Clan-na-Gael — an Irish-American clusively demonstrates that Andrews’ Office correspondence showing that dissident group dedicated to achiev- 1888 trip to North America had abso- the negotiations to send a Scotland ing Irish Home Rule by any means, lutely nothing whatsoever to do with Yard detective to America were first including dynamite and assassination. the Special (Parnell) Commission, instigated on November 19th, 1888, On the surface, Vanderlinden’s theory but strongly suggests that Evans and which, Vanderlinden argues, was was an attractive suggestion, for two Gainey were correct all along: that before Tumblety had fled to France, months later — in February, 1889 — Walter Andrews was specifically sent thus disproving that Andrews could Beach did, in fact, startle the world by to North America to investigate Ripper have “chased” Tumblety anywhere. appearing before The Times’ Special suspect Francis Tumblety. It will be Vanderlinden further notes Commission in London, giving damag- further shown that the investigation of that nearly all of Andrews’ time in ing testimony against Parnell and his Tumblety in North America was more North America was spent in Toronto, supporters. Ultimately, Vanderlinden extensive then hitherto supposed, lead- Ontario, giving very little indication concluded that any suggestion that ing to a nagging suspicion that some- that he could have been investigating Andrews had been sent to America to thing akin to a cover-up extended to the Whitechapel Murders, let alone ‘track’ Francis Tumblety was “highly the highest levels of the Metropolitan Francis Tumblety, since the quack had unlikely.” Police — where it still sits, threaten- not practiced medicine in Toronto “for Finally, to round out the dissenting ing to twist the case in a bizarre new

4 Paul Begg, Jack the Ripper: the Facts (Robson, 2004) p. 254 5 Wolf Vanderlinden, “On the Trail of Tumblety, Part Two,” in Ripper Notes 24 (October, 2005) p. 44. 6 Ivor Edwards’ article “Tumblety, the Patsy?” is in Ripperologist 88 (February 2008). For Timothy B. Riordan’s skepti- cal view of Andrews, see Prince of Quacks: The Notorious Life of Dr. Francis Tumblety, Charlatan and Jack the Ripper Suspect (McFarland & Co., 2009) A.P. Wolf, a proponent of the Thomas Cutbush theory of the Whitechapel Murders, has posted a multitude of statements discrediting Inspector Andrews connection to the ‘Ripper’ case. See www.jtrforums.com

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer on November 15th he made a dramatic decision —he joined the Metropolitan police. direction, and begging for a radical years the couple drifted around rural climber; Jane was the fourth daughter reexamination of what we know — Suffolk, settling in the village of of William and Charlotte Carr of West or think we know — about Scotland Hasketon shortly after Walter’s birth, Malling, Kent, ‘agricultural laborers,’ Yard’s opinions as to the identity of then moving on to Melton, an indepen- who, on occasion, probably worked the ‘Jack the Ripper.’ dent township in the 19th Century, but same hop-bines that Kate Eddowes Before these arguments can be now a suburb of Woodbridge.7 would pull twenty years later. discussed in detail it is first necessary Little is known of Andrews’ forma- By the winter of 1869, Andrews to examine the man behind the contro- tive years, but around the age of four- was twenty-two, married, and facing versy, Inspector Walter Andrews. teen he began working as a page and a lifetime in domestic service. He servant to William Colchester, a pros- obviously didn’t relish the prospect, A Bloke from Suffolk perous Suffolk ship owner and Justice because on November 15th he made Walter Simon Andrews was born on of the Peace. The 1861 UK census lists a dramatic decision — he joined the April 27, 1847 in Boulge, a small vil- Andrews as living on the Colchester Metropolitan police. Jane had recently lage in southwestern England, some family estate in Grundisburgh, but given birth to the couple’s first child, twenty miles from Ipswich. His child- within the next four years he moved Edith, and it might be wondered if hood appears to have been humble and to London where he still pursued a becoming a family man had somehow even humdrum; his father, William career as a valet. Here he met and precipitated the decision; whatever the Andrews, toiled his entire life as a courted fellow servant Jane Carr, case, Andrews would spend the next ‘market gardener,’ while his mother and the couple married in Marlebone, five years slogging away as a beat con- Sarah (née Goodfellow) worked as a West London, on August 4, 1867.8 The stable in Lambeth and The Borough, maid and dressmaker. For several future detective was certainly no social South London.

7 Much of this information has been gleaned from UK Census data, circa 1851, 1861, and 1871. 8 Stewart P. Evans & Keith Skinner, The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Companion: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (Carroll & Graff, 2000) p. 676

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 34 Somewhat odd for a young man regard. Chief Inspector Nathaniel the ranks: in 1877 Scotland Yard was reared in the English countryside, Druschovitch, an accomplished lin- very nearly ruined by a scandal of Andrews had one rather unusual talent guist, handled most of the Yard’s enormous proportions. For two brief — he was fluent in Russian. Where he foreign fraud cases, while Chief moments, Walter Andrews found him- picked up the language is unknown; Superintendent ‘Dolly’ Williamson (a self in the middle of it. possibly from a fellow servant, or, more former beat patrolman who studied The background to the scandal likely perhaps, he deliberately studied French and German in his spare time) is of considerable importance. To the Russian in order to advance his career. credited much of his success as a detec- modern observer, there has always been London in the 1870s was inundated tive to his ability to understand several a long-standing love affair between with foreign swindlers and politi- European tongues.9 Walter Andrews’ the British public and the British cal intriguers from Eastern Europe, similar proficiency brought dividends; detective, or, at least the fictional and, as a consequence, there was an in November 1875, he was promoted British detective.10 The truth, how- increased demand for ‘educated’ police- to the rank of Detective Sergeant, ever, is very different. For most of the men who could interview foreign sus- and, only two years later, he became a 18th and 19th Centuries, the average pects and correspond with detective Detective Inspector. British citizen utterly loathed every- departments on the Continent. Two There may, however, have been thing even remotely smelling of ‘crimi- Scotland Yard detectives had already another and altogether more dramatic nal detection.’ The attitude may seem set something of a standard in this reason for Andrews’ rapid rise through strange to us now, but the Victorians,

9 For Chief Inspector Druscovitch, see Douglas G. Browne, The Rise of Scotland Yard : A History ( G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1956). A number of Scotland Yard historians have wrongly referred to Druscovitch as ‘foreign born.’ He was, in fact, born in Limehouse, London, in October 1841. See London Metropolitan Archives, St. George in the East Register of Baptisms, P93/GEO item 019. Superintendent Dolly Williamson’s lan- guage skills, and how they related to his police work, are briefly discussed in Bernard Porter’sThe Origins of the Vigilant State (Weidenfield and Nicolson, 1987) pp. 7-8. 10 The extensive coverage of the Whitechapel Murders by the London dailies was a significant factor in the popularization of detective work in Britain. Other early influences included the press coverage of the murder of Saville Kent at Road Hill in 1860 (which featured, among others, Chief Inspector Dolly Williamson), Wilkie Collins’ novel, The Moonstone (1868), and, above all, the ‘’ stories of the early 1890s. So wildly popular was Conan Doyle’s detective that large crowds lined Southampton Street on the day that the Hound of the Baskervilles was first serialized in theStrand magazine, and when Doyle momentarily killed off his detective in “The Final Problem,” some members of the public wore black armbands. See the Annotated Sherlock Holmes, edited by William S. Baring-Gould (Clarkson N. Potter, Inc. 1971) Volume 1, pp. 15-16. This “cult of the detective” seems to have grated on the nerves of some police officials at the Met; using considerable irony, two important figures in the “Ripper” investigation, Dr. Robert Anderson and Detective Inspector , both refer to “Sherlock Holmes” when discuss- ing their own involvement in the Ripper case.

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer in particular, were deeply protective scandal erupted; six years later, similar Montgomery,’ who, the Sport claimed, of their civil liberties, widely believing outrage was heaped upon a policeman was so successful at picking winning that the government (and hence the who was caught lurking behind a tree race horses that he had been banned police) had no right to pry into private in order to watch two men suspected of from every track in Britain. Initially affairs — even if it meant that a few ‘public indecency.’11 Such police antics, skeptical, several wealthy Europeans criminals might go undetected. Lord however well-meaning, were seen as placed bets for ‘Montgomery’ — and Palmerston, possibly the greatest poli- dangerous infringements to personal won. Indeed, they won so consistently tician of his era, typified this attitude, liberty, and, as such, political pres- that, with swelling confidence, they putting his faith in an open society, and sures kept the Met’s detective depart- soon plumped down enormous bets announcing that any attempt to keep a ment exceedingly small throughout the using their own money. It was all a con force of ‘secret’ detectives would be an 1850s, 60s and early 70s. game, of course; with their personal unnecessary and unjustifiable measure. In late 1877 — only two years fortunes now on the line, the gamblers ‘Secret’ policing struck Palmerston, as after Andrews’ promotion to detective watched the chosen horse limp home it did many of his contemporaries, as sergeant — this widespread distaste in last place. It was, in effect, the same fundamentally European in concept for ‘secret’ policing exploded in a scan- swindle later made famous in the Paul — suitable for autocratic governments dal of far greater proportions. During Newman and Robert Redford film “The like Russia or France, but utterly un- a highly publicized trial held at Old Sting” with an added twist: to insure the British. As such, the British bobby, Bailey, a horrified public learned that scheme’s longevity, Benson and Kurr unlike the 19th Century French detec- many of Scotland Yard’s best detec- had boldly bribed several detectives at tive, wore easily recognizable uniforms tives were in the secret pay of two Scotland Yard, who were to alert them and patrolled the streets openly; for swindlers named Benson and Kurr, the to any pending police interference. The decades he was even required to wear proprietors of a bogus racing journal scheme worked wonderfully until the his uniform while off duty, thus alert- called Sport. Disturbed by the implica- Comtesse de Goncourt lost £10,000, ing his neighbors to the fact that a cop tions, Parliament demanded an inves- and her solicitor wired Superintendent was in their midst. Further, if a police- tigation, and, soon afterwards, heads Dolly Williamson at Scotland Yard. man ever dared to overstep his author- began to roll. Smelling a rat — and pressured by the ity there was nearly always a public Benson and Kurr had devised Home Office — Williamson ordered outcry. In 1845, for instance, when an exceedingly clever swindle. Using an internal investigation, enlist- a constable briefly disguised himself the columns of Sport, they encour- ing the aid of a trustworthy young as a cobbler in order to spy on a man aged gamblers on the Continent to Detective Sergeant named John suspected of counterfeiting, a minor place bets on behalf of a certain ‘Mr. Littlechild, after first warning him to

11 For a brief discussion of these two cases, and Lord Palmerston’s distrust of ‘secret’ policing, see Porter, op. cit., pp. 3-5

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 36 Wi l l i a m Ku r r Ha r r y Be n s o n

Jo h n Li t t l e c h i l d

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer keep his inquiries profoundly secret. In time, Littlechild arrested Kurr in (who pulled a revolver) and nabbed one Edwin Murray — the man who had been laundering the gang’s money. Charged with fraud, the two swindlers refused to go down quietly. Instead, they began naming names, and in October 1877 four of Scotland Yard’s top men — Detective Inspector John Meiklejohn and Chief George Clarke, William Palmer, and Nathan Druscovitch (the linguist) — found themselves in the dock at Old Bailey. Three of the officers were found guilty of ‘conspiracy to pervert justice’ and sentenced to prison.12 Of considerable interest is that one of the witnesses at this so-called ‘Trial of the Detectives’ was none other than Walter Andrews. Further, there is weak but tantalizing evidence that Andrews may have played a covert role in the investigation. Andrews’ involvement in the affair chiefly concerned the movements of one of the disgraced officers, Chief Inspector Mi k l e j o h n , Dr u s c o v i c h & Pa l m e r Palmer. While the Treasury had found it relatively easy to prove that detec- tives Meiklejohn and Druscovitch had accepted bribes, the evidence in

12 For the complete history of the Benson & Kurr scandal, see George Dilnot (ed.), The Trial of the Detectives (Geoffrey Bless, 1928).

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 38 Palmer’s case was lacking. Instead, Masonic Lodge held their meetings in was being called as a witness for the they sought to show that he was the the Strand — a mere minute’s walk defense, and there is little doubt that mysterious ‘Mr. Brown’ — a shadowy from the telegraph office and not overly Palmer’s solicitors wanted to portray character who had been sending warn- far from Charing Cross. Questioned by this as an alibi — a weak one, but an ings to the swindler Kurr, who, for a the police, several lodge members read- alibi nonetheless. A close reading, time, had been lying low in Scotland ily admitted that Palmer had been at a however, shows that Andrews’ testi- under the alias ‘Gifford.’ To make mat- lodge meeting on November 10th, but mony was noncommittal and, indeed, ters extremely ticklish for Palmer, they doubted whether he could have may have helped tighten the noose Superintendent Dolly Williamson tes- slipped outdoors without their know- around the Chief Inspector’s neck. tified under oath that the warnings ing it. Earlier in the trial, Edwin Ogen, a from ‘Mr. Brown’ looked suspiciously Called to testify, Walter Andrews telegraph clerk, testified that the tele- like Palmer’s handwriting. Moreover, was asked to clarify Palmer’s move- gram sent from West Strand had been shortly after Scotland Yard had first ments on the day in question. On wired at precisely 3.09 pm. Similarly, taken possession of the incriminating the afternoon of the 10th, the Chief Postmaster Frederick Hill showed that telegrams, Palmer boldly marched into Inspector had accompanied a police- the two letters sent from Charing Cross Williamson’s office, asking to see them. man’s widow to Bow Street Police were stamped sometime between 3.45 Williamson politely refused and instead Court. He was then seen walking in and 6.00 pm. notified the Treasury. The implica- the direction of Waterloo Bridge at In light of these revelations, tions were ugly in the extreme, for, around 1.30 or 2.00 pm. Here he met Andrews’ testimony did Palmer very by all appearances, a Chief Inspector up with Andrews as the two detectives little good. Even if the two detectives had been sending secret warnings to a were investigating a man in Lambeth had gone their separate ways as late criminal who later pulled a revolver on suspected of selling obscene prints. as 2.45 pm, Palmer could have easily Detective Sergeant Littlechild. They conferred for a short time and walked back to the Strand. Indeed, The key question concerned then parted company. considering that his lodge meeting in whether Palmer actually had enough In court, Andrews produced his was at 4.30, his natural time to send the telegrams to ‘Gifford’ detective’s notebook, but couldn’t pin- direction of travel would have been in Scotland. Two of the warnings, dated point exactly when he and Palmer had to cross Waterloo Bridge on his way November 10th, were traced to a post parted company — only that it had been towards the City — putting him within office in Charing Cross; two others, on the Lambeth side of Waterloo Bridge 500 yards of both Charing Cross and sent the same afternoon, were wired — roughly a twenty minutes’ walk from the West Strand Telegraph Office. A from the West Strand Telegraph Office. the West Strand telegraph office. final witness for the prosecution, a tele- This was also suggestive, for Palmer’s The timing was critical. Andrews graph clerk from Scotland, completed

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer the chain of evidence. Foolishly, the warning him to keep his inquiries dis- investigation of police corruption swindler Kurr had responded to the creet — even from fellow officers15 — that followed directly on the heels of warnings sent by ‘Brown.’ Just before and it was precisely at this same critical the Benson and Kurr scandal. With midnight on November 10th, some- stage that Andrews began working public confidence in tatters, an infu- one identifying himself as ‘Gifford with Palmer. Was this just coincidence riated Home Office demanded a com- at Glasgow’ had wired a laconic tele- or was Andrews assigned to keep ‘tabs’ mission ‘to inquire into the state, gram to ‘Palmer at Methley Street, on a suspected Chief Inspector? There discipline, and organization of the Kennington’ — Methley Street being is no clear answer, but Andrews’ sub- Metropolitan Police.’17 Andrews was Chief Inspector Palmer’s home address sequent successful career is suggestive one the few detective sergeants called in London. This was the death-blow. his appointment was intentional. before the Commission — an inquiry Palmer was duly convicted of ‘pervert- In the two years following the that ultimately led to the disman- ing justice’ and given two years with Benson and Kurr fiasco, Andrews tling of Scotland Yard’s old Detective hard labor.13 would be the lead detective in a number Department, which was afterward There are also hints that Andrews of very similar ‘turf fraud’ investiga- replaced with an entirely new entity: may have played a more prominent tions, including the case of John Cave, the C.I.D. In effect, the famous role in the Benson and Kurr investi- publisher of the Sporting Clipper. Criminal Investigation Department gation than this brief trial appearance The police columns in The Times also was organized to replace a system that suggests. The major historian of the list Andrews as the head officer in at had been so adroitly manipulated by scandal, George Dilnot, notes that the least four other cases involving either Benson and Kurr. Home Office had been calling for an crooked horse racing or bogus lot- In addressing the Commission, internal investigation at Scotland Yard teries.16 Somewhere along the line, Andrews was particularly keen on as early as December 1876 — that is, Andrews had become an expert in how pointing out that the mystique of once it had become obvious that Benson these swindles operated. Scotland Yard had played a significant and Kurr were being fed inside infor- Equally intriguing is the fact role in the corruption scandal. By main- mation.14 Superintendent Williamson that Andrews also played a minor but taining a band of ‘elite’ detectives, the quickly assigned Littlechild to the case, important role in the Parliamentary Metropolitan Police had unwittingly

13 For Walter Andrew’s testimony in the case against Palmer, see The Times, November 9, 1878, and The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, t18771022, Case No. 805. “ JOHN MEIKLEJOHN (38), NATHANIEL DRUSCOVICH (37), WILLIAM PALMER (43), GEORGE CLARKE (60), and EDWARD FROGATT (35), were indicted for Unlawfully conspiring with William Kurr, Harry Benson, and others to obstruct, defeat, and pervert the due course of public justice. Other counts varying the manner of stating the charge.” 14 Dilnot., op. cit., p. 51. 15 Ibid., p. 45. 16 For several examples of Andrews’ investigations into illegal gambling, see The Times, December 28, 1878 p. 9; March 26, 1883, p. 12; February 25 and April 8, 1887 pg.5 and 10; and February 23, 1888 p. 13. 17 Browne, op. cit., pp.190-194, and Porter, pp. 6-7.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 40 created an atmosphere of rivalry and serve at least two years in uniform, and that what the Met really needed was mistrust among other policemen work- then three years as a divisional detec- a better class of men, and went so far ing in London. This was particularly tive, before coming to Scotland Yard. 18 as to enlist graduates of public schools true at the ‘divisional’ level, where offi- Andrews’ point was astute. Under as detectives — an experiment that cers viewed their Scotland Yard coun- the old system, deceitful detectives George Dilnot later characterized as terparts as ‘outsiders’ with little tact, (like the thoroughly disreputable a ‘dismal failure.’ As can be readily and even less humility — to the extent Meikeljohn19) had little or no experi- imagined, Vincent’s policy only exas- that divisional men often resented ence at the divisional level. Further, perated the perceived rivalries further, Central Office interference in their they worked with minimal supervi- and eventually proved so controversial local investigations. It was an impor- sion. Thus isolated — and often poorly that it was abandoned. tant enough point that, decades later, paid — they stood a good chance of In short, Andrews’ side of the argu- the historian Douglas G. Brown would going rogue. To alleviate this danger, ment eventually won out. It can thus cite Andrews’ testimony before the Andrews’ proposed solution was to be noted that, in 1888, when Scotland Commission, using it to show that, in draw all future Scotland Yard men Yard Inspector forming the new C.I.D., the Met was from the divisions, which would help was called back to H-Division to help particularly eager to avoid creating foster an atmosphere of camaraderie in the ground-level search for Jack similar ‘rivalries’ in the future. and accountability that had been lack- the Ripper, he was not viewed in the Detectives from the uniformed ing under the old system. Disastrously, way that someone like Meikeljohn branch were jealous of outsiders, Howard Vincent — the ‘astute young would have been viewed ten years ear- another of whom, Sergeant Andrews, lawyer’ chosen to be the first head lier. Abberline had earned his stripes who spoke Russian and had worked as the C.I.D. — had an entirely differ- in H-Division, still had colleagues a valet, thought that a detective should ent philosophy. Vincent was convinced on the local patch, and the divisional

18 Browne, p. 190 19 The latter-day career of disgraced Detective-Inspector Meiklejohn is particularly fascinating, and gives considerable insight into the ugliness perpetrated by the vying sides of the Irish Home Rule movement. Meiklejohn, having endured two years imprisonment with hard labor, soon reinvented himself as a private detective. In 1883 he was hired by William O’Brien, publisher, Irish Home Rule activist, Member of Parliament, and close friend of Charles Stuart Parnell, after Meiklejohn’services were recommended by the English lawyer and Parnell solicitor, Sir George Lewis. Meiklejohn’s task was to dig up dirt on the Dublin Police Department, and he soon uncovered a ‘ring’ of homosexuals on the force, whose activities allegedly included liaisons between police constables and their senior officers. The ensuing scandal, first publicized in O’Brien’s United Irishman, led to a spate of arrests and resignations, including those of James Ellis French, the Detective Director of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and Gustavus Cornwall, Secretary of the Irish Post Office. One Dublin wit later quipped that Cornwall had been caught “tamper- ing with her Majesty’s males.” See Leon Ó Broin, The Prime Informer: A Suppressed Scandal (Sidgwick & Jackson, 1971) pp. 26-28

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer detectives were only too eager to work months after Littlechild’s promo- or, in other words, to take on what- with him. After the scandal of 1877, tion, Andrews advanced to the rank ever assignment the Chief Inspector there is little evidence that any seri- of Detective-Inspector in Lambeth’s or Superintendent slaps on his desk, ous rivalries existed between any of K-Division, and he, too, would be trans- and it is not surprising to find that the detectives working in London — ferred to Scotland Yard the following Andrews’ subsequent career involved a be they Scotland Yard men, the City of year.20 This was mildly ironic, for the wide variety of criminal cases, includ- London Police, or the various divisions speed of the promotion was two years ing investigations of fraud, theft, of the Met. faster than the timetable Andrews’ had and illegal abortion. Fairly recently, While Benson and Kurr had ruined proposed during his recommendations researcher A.P. Wolf has suggested the careers of many at Scotland Yard, to the Parliamentary Commission. that Walter Andrews never worked a their exposure also led to a wave of pro- Andrews was now thirty-one. His murder investigation — an innuendo Andrews’ subsequent career involved a wide variety of criminal cases, motions — particularly among those career was truly starting to bloom, evidently meant to bring into ques- detectives who had proven their integ- and so, too, was his personal life. tion Andrews’ later association with rity in the case. In April 1878, only four He recently moved his wife and their the Whitechapel Murder case. The months after the verdict at Old Bailey, three daughters to No. 9 Trigon claim is neither relevant, nor true; DS John Littlechild was made a full Terrace, Lambeth, and a fourth child, one of Andrews’ first major cases Detective Inspector at Scotland Yard. a son, was on the way.21 on becoming a Detective Inspector He would later be Williamson’s hand- involved a murder. On August 20th, picked choice to head the most ‘secret’ Andrews as Detective 1878, Andrews arrested a Dutchman group of detectives of all: the Special Inspector named Peter Froman, a stowaway Branch. Walter Andrews was another A Detective-Inspector in the Metropol- aboard the bark Cwm Donkin, shortly rising star. On July 6th, a mere three itan Police is required to be versatile, after the ship landed in Gravesend.

20 Evans and Skinner, op. cit., p. 676 21 Walter S. Andrews in the 1881 UK Census, Class RG11, Piece 602, Folio 23, Page 40; GSU Role 1341138

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 42 In mid-ocean Froman had darkly Andrews tracked down and arrested in the line of duty.’25 hinted to having killed two men on the Frederick Richardson, an escaped con- One of Andrews’ most interesting Bull River in Santa Cruso — one being vict who had managed to break out of cases in the 1880s involved a black- a business partner, the other a police Wandsworth Gaol while serving a two- market in young English boys enlisted constable (who, in fact, survived). year sentence for theft. to work as acrobats in a circus run by Called in to investigate, Andrews elic- Such arrests were not always an Arab businessman, Hadji Ali Ben ited a confession and arranged for without their bumps and bruises. Four Mohammed. With the assistance of a Froman’s extradition.22 years earlier, in 1883, Andrews was London procurer, Hadji hired the boys Andrews, in fact, was not infre- called-in to investigate a bogus butler as ‘apprentices,’ carted them off to quently called-in to secure confessions named Horatio Nelson Lay, described Constantinople, and there kept them in and track down fugitives — something as ‘a fine looking man’ who had entered tiny rooms as veritable slaves. It is dif- to bear in mind when examining his domestic service in order to steal from ficult to believe that Victorians would mysterious trip to North America at his employers. While taking Lay into be so callous as to allow their children the height of the Ripper investigation. custody, a fight broke out. to be shipped off to a foreign country, Indeed, manhunts spanned the whole When Andrews arrested the pris- but such was the case. Even more dis- of Andrews’ career. In 1877, a 46 year- oner he was in bed. He got up and par- turbing, part of the boys’ apprentice- old thief named Frederick Johnstone tially dressed himself, and then made ship involved becoming contortionists was arrested for stealing a large quan- a rush at the officer, whom he seized by in the circus. The method of training tity of silks from Messr. Spiers & Co., the throat and gave a violent blow in was later described at a court hearing. in the Borough, South London. While the side. A sharp struggle ensued, and To obtain the necessary pliancy the awaiting trial at Old Bailey, Johnstone Inspector Andrews eventually secured children’s bodies were at a very tender jumped bail and fled to the Continent. the prisoner by pushing him into a bath. age doubled up and strapped together A year later, Andrews learned that It took several officers to take [Lay] to for two hours a day, and each day the he was in Dunkirk, in custody of the the station, so violent did he become.24 strap was pulled a hole tighter until French police. Andrews obtained an The country boy from Suffolk won proficiency had been attained.26 extradition warrant and personally the wrestling match, and was not, evi- During these so-called ‘proficiency’ crossed the Channel to collect the pris- dently, hurt; Andrews’ 1889 pension exercises, one boy suffered a broken oner.23 Similarly, in February 1887, papers state that he was ‘never injured back. Clearly disgusted by the case, an

22 For the Froman case, see The Times, August 22, 1878 p.10 and October 10th, 1878, p.12 23 The Times, August 7, 1878, p. 12 24 The Times, February 13, 1883 25 Stewart P. Evans and Paul Gainey, Jack the Ripper: First American Serial Killer (Kodansha International, 1995) p. 41. Andrews’ retirement papers refer to a crooked left finger and scars on the groin (evidently from surgery; Andrews suffered from thrombosis of the left thigh). Even so, the same papers also state that Andrews was never injured in the line of duty. 26 The Times, January 9, 1882., p. 10

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer indignant Inspector Andrews focused much of his investigation on the boys’ London procurer, whom he found to be a bizarre sadist who relished the work. “He gloried in it,” Andrews told the court, “though he knew he had no right to do it.” Largely due to Andrews’ efforts, the boys were rescued from Constantinople, brought back to London, and lodged in one of Dr. Bernardo’s homes. Andrews also worked abortion cases, including, significantly, an 1879 investigation alongside K-Division Police Surgeon Dr. Thomas Bond — later famous for his part in the Mary Kelly murder investigation. It was a particularly deplorable and pathetic affair, but one not particularly uncom- mon during the latter-half of the 19th Century. Francis J. Hammond, a married ‘surgeon’ (his name was not actu- ally listed in the Medical Registry) Dr Th o m a s Bo n d had successfully seduced a 22-year- old patient and unwed mother named hours for the better part of two weeks, the fetus finally aborted, Hammond Ellen Saunders. Inevitably, the young but this only made her violently ill. renewed his sexual predations, making woman became pregnant. Horrified, He then resorted to surgery, poking Saunders pregnant for a second time Hammond used his medical expertise and prying over the course of several within the month. Finally, in early — such as it was — to induce a mis- days, using wires, pieces of whalebone, July 1879, Saunders’ half-sister found carriage. This he attempted by feed- and other instruments, causing her to her in bed, writhing in agony, and ing Saunders abortifacients every four ‘suffer dreadfully.’ Remarkably, with contacted the Metropolitan Police.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 44 Inspector Andrews, accompanied by society.’ Of considerable significance 1888, Andrews arrested Roland Dr. Bond, visited the young woman’s is the fact that Andrews had worked Giddeon Barnett after spotting the bedsit, where he found twelve empty an earlier pornography case with longtime confidence man lounging medicine bottles, bloodstained linen, a the aid of Detective Sergeant Frank in Picadilly. Andrews knew Barnett piece of ivory, a piece of wire, and sev- Castle Froest — the same young detec- by sight from past offenses, but was eral surgical instruments. Hammond tive who would be involved in Francis unable to hold him for any recent crim- was arrested, put on trial, and eventu- Tumblety’s gross indecency case in inal activity in London. Instead, he dis- ally sentenced to ten years imprison- 1888. This is highly suggestive, for it covered Barnett was wanted in Canada ment.27 seemingly indicates that Froest was for fraud against the Central Bank of By the late 1880s, on what would Andrews’ detective-sergeant, leaving it Toronto and promptly secured a war- be the eve of the Whitechapel mur- all but certain that Andrews was the rant under the Fugitive Offender’s Act. ders, Andrews was still engaged in a Scotland Yard Inspector in charge of Ultimately, it would be the Roland variety of standard criminal cases. In investigating Francis Tumblety at the Barnett case that became Scotland May 1887 he arrested Stephen Vincent height of the Ripper murders.28 Yard’s vehicle for sending Andrews to Foleh, alias ‘Stephen Fiennes,’ alias Meanwhile, in February 1888, North America in late November 1888 ‘Captain Morris Barton,’ a habitual Andrews arrested William Page, alias — and here… thief, confidence-man, and pornogra- Brewer, alias Ward, alias Smith, a low- pher. The case is interesting in that we stakes bunco artist who ran a crooked …the get another glimpse of Andrews’ moral lottery. In May 1888, he brought an inclinations, for he refers to Foleh as absconding bankrupt named William plot ‘the author of all sorts of filthy litera- Townsend, alias Martin, alias Stone, ture’ and a ‘most dangerous person to into custody. Finally, in September thickens.

27 The Times, July 25, 1879., p.12 and August 1,1879, p. 12. The Old Bailey records do not include a transcript of Hammond’s trial, stating that the details of the case were “unfit for publication.” 28 The author would like to thank Stewart Evans for this important observation. The Metropolitan Police were (and are) organized in the style of a military hierarchy, with each Detective Inspector working beneath a Chief Inspector, while, at the same time, overseeing his own small team of Detective Sergeants and Detective Constables.Thus, this previous association between Inspector Andrews and Detective-Sergeant Froest may play an important role in correctly interpreting the events in 1888. Specifically, it suggests that Froest was Andrews’ detective-sergeant; if true, Froest’s 1888 investigation of Francis Tumblety would have been on behalf of Andrews—one of the three Scotland Yard inspectors working the Whitechapel Murders case. Further support for this appears in the initial press release of Tumblety’s 1888 arrest for gross indecency, which states that Tumblety “couldn’t be held for the Whitechapel Murders,” and in the Littlechild Letter, which, while mentioning Tumblety’s arrest for “unnatural crimes,” reveals that he was also a police suspect in the murders.

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer Andrews and Anderson: A Special Relationship? Before studying the events of 1888 in detail, an important question remains. Although Walter Dew would later identify Andrews as one of the three Inspectors brought in from the Central Office to work the Whitechapel Murders investigation in September 1888, it is not known why Andrews, in particular, was chosen for the assignment. The answer, in all likelihood, lies with Dr. Robert Anderson. In the fall of 1888, Anderson had been appointed the new Assistant Commissioner in charge of the C.I.D. — the same position earlier held by Howard Vincent and, after- wards, James Monro. But Anderson was not a career policemen; he had been an ‘Advisor on Political Crime’ at Dublin Castle, and, for a considerably longer span, for the Home Office in London. Other than Dolly Williamson (who Anderson frequently consulted about Irish nationalist living in London), this meant that Anderson was not directly acquainted with any of the detectives then working at Scotland Yard.29 There was, however, one exception. In 1882, six years before his appointment to the Ro b e r t An d e r s o n

29 In the mid-1880s, Robert Anderson, then an intelligence expert for the Home Office, met daily with Williamson to discuss Fenian activity in London. See Christy Campbell, Fenian Fire: the British Government Plot to Assassinate Queen Victoria (Harper/Collins, 2003) pp. 124-125

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 46 Met, Anderson’s house in London was ‘gunpowder plot’ that leveled a London ‘official’ explanation. The timing of burglarized. The ensuing investiga- Street and killed twelve people — the the trip suggests otherwise, however, tion threw him into close contact with British government suddenly realized for the recent passing of a so-called one of Scotland Yard’s ‘best men.’ The that the Irish ‘troubles’ were growing ‘Anti Crime Bill’ had pushed Ireland to investigating officer, it so happens, was more serious, and decided to station the brink of open rebellion, and, only Walter Andrews. an expert on political crime directly three months earlier, on May 6th, the At the time Anderson was living at the Home Office. Anderson was Irish Secretary Lord Cavendish and at No. 39 Linden-Gardens, his long- chosen for the task, and, in various his undersecretary, Thomas Burke, time residence in London’s affluent forms, would serve in this capacity for had been murdered in Phoenix Park, Bayswater district. Ostensibly, at another twenty years — that is, until Dublin, by a revolutionary group least, Anderson was now serving as a his appointment to Scotland Yard known as the ‘Irish Invincibles.’ From secretary in the Prisons Commission; in 1888. the British point of view, the assassi- in reality, he was still heavily involved It was during this stint at the nations in Dublin were the most dia- in anti-Fenian surveillance. In Home Office that Anderson returned bolical outrage since Clerkenwell, and 1867, following the infamous bomb- to Ireland for a five week ‘holiday’ in Anderson was undoubtedly consulted. ing of Clerkenwell Prison — an Irish August 1882. At least that was the Indeed, in a recent study of the Phoenix

Ph o e n i x Pa r k , Du b l i n

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer Park murders, author Senan Molony Dublin Castle, as Under-Secretary for their contents scattered about; the wine reproduces a telegram sent directly to Police and Crime, he called on me at cellar door was broken open, and about No. 39 Linden Gardens — showing that Whitehall to claim my help. I refused his three dozen of wine gone. I missed a very Anderson was among the first govern- appeal when he returned a second time large quantity of property; the value of ment officials alerted to the assassina- to press it upon me. But I had to give it was more than £100... On my arrival tions.30 Considering Anderson’s former way at last. He convinced Sir William the condition of the principal rooms position at Dublin Castle, and the fact Harcourt that it was essential to have was such that no one could enter them that the hunt for the ‘Invincibles’ would me represent his department at London; without knowing at once that thieves continue unabated throughout that and to the pressure thus brought to bear had been at work. The cabinet doors summer and fall, it is all but certain upon me I was obliged to yield. were broken open and left open; in my that Anderson was not ‘on holiday,’ Four months later, on September wife’s bedroom the doors were open and but, rather, was actually in Ireland in 25th — on what was the eve of the drawers out...31 some official capacity. Indeed, in his Anderson’s return from Ireland — Initially, the investigation was own book, Sidelights on the Home Rule he received a frantic message from handled by the local Inspector, Thomas Movement (1907), Anderson specifically Isabella Martin, his live-in cook in Edward Maber of X Division, and it states that his long awaited holiday in London. Martin had taken a stroll in looked very much like a routine bur- Ireland had been abruptly canceled by Hyde Park that afternoon, and, on glary. There were oddities, however. that year’s tragic events. returning to Linden Gardens, found The thieves had rather unconvinc- The spring of 1882 seemed to prom- the house broken open and plundered. ingly hacked and hewn at Anderson’s ise me another opportunity of escap- When Anderson and his wife arrived back door with a chisel, but a careful ing from Secret Service work...[and] I in London the following afternoon, examination showed that the lock was began to look forward to a holiday such the place was still in shambles. As undamaged. Nor were there any signs as I had not enjoyed for years. Anderson later testified: of forced entry at the windows. Then, But the Phoenix Park murders When I got into the house I saw somewhat oddly, the investigation was changed all that, and when Colonel the sideboard in the back room broken taken out of Maber’s hands and turned Brackenbury was appointed to office at open. Dispatch boxes broken open and over to Inspector Walter Andrews.

30 Senan Molony, The Phoenix Park Murders (Mercier Press, 2006) photograph facing p. 97. That autumn’s hunt for the Invincibles is also admirably recounted in Tom Corfe’s The Phoenix Park Murders: Conflict, Compromise, and Tragedy in Ireland, 1879-1882 (Hodder and Stoughton, 1968). 31 Quite literally, ‘the drawers’ were out—among the missing items were several pairs of Mrs. Anderson’s underwear. Proceedings of the Old Bailey, t18821120. Case 59. Isabella Martin (27), Matilda Biggs (29), William Charles Patten (29), and Charles Kitching (42). Stealing a metal tray and other goods of the value of £100 of Robert Anderson, the master of Isabella Martin.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 48 there may have been justifiable fears that state secrets had fallen into the wrong hands,

Why the local plod was superseded secrets had fallen into the wrong hands, the burglary had been committed (or by a detective from Scotland Yard is or, at the very least, that Anderson’s at least reported) on the very day that unclear, but it must surely have had secret position at the Home Office had the Andersons were packing their bags something to do with Anderson’s sen- been comprised. for London. sitive position at the Home Office. That said, the levelheaded Isabella Martin, for her part, Particularly suggestive were the ‘dis- Inspector Andrews indulged in no fan- insisted that she had never entertained patch papers’ strewn across the floor, ciful conspiracy theories. His years as visitors — male or otherwise — during for later events indicate that Anderson a working valet had left him with a the whole of the Andersons’ absence. had a habit of keeping sensitive gov- hard-nosed view of Victorian house- Yet, questioned further, she eventually ernment papers at his private resi- holds, and he instead quickly focused admitted to having one male compan- dence.32 It is known, for instance, that his investigation on Isabella Martin, ion — but he was an entirely respect- Anderson’s chief contact in America, the Anderson’s live-in cook. Andrews able chap, a policemen, in fact, by the the spy Thomas Miller Beach, sent was particularly interested to know name of William Charles Patten. A year his correspondence directly to No. 39 if Miss Martin kept a ‘sweetheart’; he and a half earlier, her employer, Mr. Linden Gardens. As such, there may was also more than a little struck by Anderson, had even helped Patten find have been justifiable fears that state the seemingly odd coincidence that a job as a warder at Holloway Prison.33

32 Anderson had a long history of keeping sensitive government documents at his private residence. In 1910, for instance, when Anderson’s pub- lished memoirs created a stir among Irish members in the House of Commons, there was a spirited attempt to revoke Anderson’s pension on the grounds that his former conduct had been “foreign to the whole spirit of the British Government and Constitution.” During the ensuing debate, it became increasingly clear that papers relevant to Anderson’s ‘secret work’ in thwarting Irish Nationalism were still in his possession, and the young Winston Churchill called on Anderson to “restore documents which are the property of the public.” See Christy Campbell, op. cit., p. 41-48. 33 Anderson, however, denied this, claiming that he had merely told Patten how he could apply for a position at the prison. See the tran- script of the Isabella Martin trial, op. cit.

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer To the average person, this nugget items — nearly all of them engraved or On October 6th, Andrews found of information would hardly seem rele- embroidered with the image of a tree, Kitching lounging on a street corner vant, but Scotland Yard detectives are the Anderson family crest. Biggs pro- in and slapped a pair of hand- known for their intuitive powers, and fessed ignorance of any wrongdoing, cuffs on his wrists. “I am an inspector Andrews quickly shifted his attention however. The proceeds, she claimed, of police,” he announced, “and I am to Patten. This led to a surprising devel- were used to buy Patten food during going to arrest you for being concerned opment. Billy Patten, an ex-constable, his recent incarceration.34 with Billy Patten in robbing the house was already languishing in jail on an Now convinced the burglary was of Mr. Anderson, Linden Gardens, of unrelated charge. Securing a warrant, an ‘inside job,’ Andrews returned to property of about the value of £100.”35 Andrews marched to Patten’s lodging Linden Gardens to again interview the Leading Kitching to a nearby door- house, No. 7 East Street, Kennington, Andersons’ cook. In the presence of her way, Andrews frisked his suspect. In where he discovered a pair of expensive employers, Andrews searched Isabella one pocket was a notebook with a miss- sealskin gloves and a detachable shirt- Martin’s pockets, finding a tattered ing leaf — matching the page earlier collar monogrammed ‘R. Anderson.’ page torn from a notebook. The name found on Isabella Martin. A search of Also recovered were a pair of boots, ‘Mr. Fitzgerald of Holborn’ — a pawn- Kitching’s lodgings, No. 8 Staple’s Inn two pairs of trousers, and an expensive broker — was scribbled on one corner. Buildings, turned up a pawn ticket for Ulster overcoat — all belonging to the Martin denied knowing how the paper two petticoats and a towel — later iden- future head of the C.I.D. came to be in her pocket, but in light of tified by Robert Anderson as belonging Other items were still missing her relationship with Patten, Andrews to his wife. from Linden Gardens, but Andrews immediately placed her under arrest. Martin, Biggs, Patten, and widened his investigation and soon By now, ex-policeman Billy Patton, Kitching were subsequently charged recovered more stolen property in still languishing in his cell, became with larceny and put on trial at Old pawnshops in Holborn, Fleet Street, desperate. Quizzed at length, he admit- Bailey on November 20th. Patten Oxford Street, and Lambeth. Andrews ted to having received the stolen goods turned state’s evidence while the also traced an acquaintance of Patten’s, and even helped Andrews compile a prosecution quietly dropped the case a Mrs. Matilda Biggs, who had one list of all the items taken from Linden against Matilda Biggs, convinced she of Anderson’s traveling bags in her Gardens — ranging from silver plat- was merely an innocent dupe. Only lodging house. Confronted with this ters to biscuit tins to bed sheets. Patten when the trial neared its conclusion did fact, Biggs readily admitted to having denied committing the actual burglary, Isabella Martin finally reveal the dark helped Patten pledge silverware, ivory however, and instead implicated a secret that had been hounding her for desert spoons, tablecloths, and other friend named Charles Kitching. months. Back on August 24th, a mere

34 The Times, October 21, 1882, p. 10. 35 Ibid.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 50 Th e Ol d Ba i l e y

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer week after the Andersons had first left Along with the hapless Isabella Martin, Gazette announcing his appointment for Ireland, she had gone walking with Kitching was found guilty and sen- as ‘Resident Magistrate for County Billy Patten in Hyde Park. There he tenced to prison.36 Inspector Walter Dublin.’ introduced her to his friend Kitching, Andrews, demonstrating a great deal “The pretext was a mere sham,” and the two men were allowed to of skill, had solved the case. Joyce later admitted, “as I never per- return with her to Linden Gardens. There are two interesting side- formed magisterial duty in the County What followed seems to have been a lights to the affair. In a number of Dublin, nor was anything of this kind rather rollicking spree, ending with books on the Whitechapel murders, ever contemplated.”37 Patten and Kitching breaking into the it has been suggested that Robert Clearly, Robert Anderson’s Andersons’ cellar and drinking sev- Anderson was relieved of his duties appointment to the Prison Commissions eral bottles of expensive wine. When as an advisor on political crime some- served a similar purpose — a mere Martin woke the next morning, she time in the mid-1880s (he was, briefly) ‘cover’ that allowed him to come and go found the house ransacked. She knew, and booted to a lowly position in the at the Home Office while briefing the of course, that Patton and Kitching Prisons Commission. The second half government on Irish Nationalists sta- had been up to no good, but kept her of this claim now needs to be revised, tioned in London. mouth shut for nearly a month (one can for a transcript of the proceedings Of considerably more importance only imagine her growing panic as the at Old Bailey, dating to 1882, clearly is Walter Andrews’ success in a case Andersons’ return loomed ever closer), refers to Anderson as already being a that, obviously enough, would have until, finally, she concocted a wild ‘Secretary of the Prison Commission.’ been of great personal significance to story to cover her own foolish behavior. As the Victorian political intriguer the man who later went on to head After clumsily staging a burglary, she and intelligence expert William Joyce the C.I.D. Anderson’s house in Linden had called the police and then wired later explained, such appointments Gardens had been violated and his per- Anderson in Ireland. were a ruse — a ‘dummy’ appointment sonal items scattered across London. Following Martin’s dramatic con- that allowed men involved in secret Inspector Andrews’ tact and compe- fession, the trial at Old Bailey quickly work to come and go at Whitehall tence had successfully recovered those concluded. Ten pawnbrokers were without drawing undue attention. items. At the initial Police Court hear- dragged into court, nearly all of them When Joyce himself became a political ing held back in October, Mr. Paget, identifying Kitching as the man who advisor at Dublin Castle in the early the Magistrate, had specifically com- had pledged Anderson’s property. 1890s, a notice appeared in the Dublin plimented Andrews on his “expert

36 Showing considerable compassion, Robert Anderson asked the court for mercy when sentencing his longtime cook, Isabella Martin, believing that she “had been led away by the other[s].” See The Times, December 13, 1882, p.10. Martin’s ultimate sentence is unknown. 37 Leon Ó Broin, The Prime Informer. A Suppressed Scandal (Sidgwick & Jackson, 1971) p.99

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 52 handling of the investigation.”38 And in the middle of a crisis — which the murder of Mary Kelly, Anderson per- this leads to an intriguing possibility. Whitechapel Murders certainly were. sonally wrote to Dr. Thomas Bond, An often under-appreciated aspect Given the situation, and considering having heard glowing reports of to the Whitechapel Murder investiga- that Anderson had little or no direct Bond’s ‘expertise’ in handling grue- tion is Dr. Robert Anderson’s relative knowledge of the men working beneath some forensic cases — specifically, the inexperience as a senior police officer. him, it is not particularly difficult to Regent Canal torso affair of 1887. In When Anderson assumed his duties at imagine that he would have placed his Anderson’s phrase, Scotland Yard had the C.I.D. on September 1st, 1888, the confidence in the one Scotland Yard no ‘clear guidance’ in regard to the med- Martha Tabram murder investigation detective that he knew personally — ical evidence in the Ripper murders, was just three and a half weeks old, and who had so successfully recovered and wanted Bond’s expert opinion.40 and Polly Nichols had been murdered personal items amounting to more As we have already seen, Dr Bond had only a day earlier. Over the next two than £100. Nor is it difficult to imagine something else going for him: He, too, months, four more gruesome murders that Inspector Andrew’s success in the had previously worked with Walter would plague London’s East End. As Martin case had set Anderson’s mind Andrews. Donald Rumbelow and Stewart Evans at ease — for, potentially, at least, The precise chain of events may have pointed out in their important the burglary could have led to a seri- never be known, but this early asso- study, Jack the Ripper: Scotland Yard ous breach of security. As such, this ciation between Walter Andrews Investigates, at the very height of the early connection between Andrews and Robert Anderson is particularly murders Anderson ‘had a new job to and Anderson may well explain why intriguing in light of the strange events settle into.’39 Any new job involves a Walter Andrews was drafted into the of November and December, 1888 — transition — that uncertain period Whitechapel Murder investigation in events that will be fully explored in the when the boss is first learning his 1888. second part of this article. responsibilities and is ‘sizing up’ the In fact, we know that Robert abilities and limitations of his subordi- Anderson did personally enlist men nates. This ‘settling-in’ period is all the in the hunt for Jack the Ripper. more challenging when it takes place In November, 1888, shortly after the to be continued…

38 The Times, October 21, 1882, p. 10 39 Evans and Rumbelow, op. cit. p. 65 40 Anderson wrote to Dr. Bond on October 25th, 1888; for an extract of this letter, see Anderson’s subsequent correspondence with the Home Office dated November 13th, 1888. HO 144/221/A49301C/21, reprinted in Evans and Skinner’s The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Companion, pp. 359-360.

Inspector Andrews Revisited Part one: The Rise of Walter Andrews R.J.Palmer Think you may have an article just waiting to be published?

Contributions are always welcomed by the Examiner and we would be glad to Biography discuss future articles on Jack the Ripper studies, R.J.Palmer other LVP crime and .J. Palmer lives and works in London’s East End. Currently, he social history. Eugene, Oregon. He began is researching a book on the Irish Rstudying the Whitechapel Nationalist journalist Jeremiah Drop us a line with your Murder case in 1989, after taking O’Donovan Rossa. ideas to Donald Rumbelow’s classic tour of [email protected] and we will reply promptly along with our short style sheet. Don’t be shy — we look forward to hearing from you soon.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 54 Reconsidering Ripper Geography & Victorian English Culture D.M.Gates hen we consider any physical we conceive becomes our “ideal” for movements by someone, we the trip for milk. This conception, usu- Wdefine it in terms of shifts in ally drawn from our own experiences, geographic space. In the casual sense, becomes our ideal of Bobby’s trip. As words can demonstrate this in work- humans this is the default modality of able terms. For example, “Bobby got out geographic thought, and like it or not, of bed and went to the kitchen to get a it is a very serious consideration for glass of milk.” We know as readers that Ripperologists. Bobby changed his physical location So let us further complicate this as the result of a desire for milk. But trip for milk. If Bobby is living in a we rarely consider the fact that what mansion, his trip is farther than most

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 55 of us would conceive. And of course, the opposite is true; if Bobby lives in a mobile home, his trip is likely shorter. We have already been led astray of reality in our conceptions, simply by virtue of the manner in which we per- ceive the actor’s relationship to his space. We cannot blame this error on our understanding of the “facts” per se, because we all know Bobby got out of bed and went to the kitchen for milk. These are the facts, and yet an error in conception is demonstrable. But it gets worse. If we the readers are relatively healthy, we perceive the nature of Bobby’s trip as we ourselves we have a experience our own trips for milk, and the opposite also applies. Again, we conception of have a conception of what has been described, substituting our own past what has been experiences for “blank spots” in the narrative. To illustrate, “Bobby the described, track star” produces a completely dif- ferent image in our minds than “Bobby substituting the paraplegic.” So how does this apply to our own past Ripperology? There are two main applications: If we read about Lambeth experiences for Infirmary we likely have no idea of where this place is and that allows us “blank spots” to be led astray from an accurate con- ception of reality in much the same in the narrative.

Exonerating Reconsidering Ripper Geography & Victorian English Culture D.M.GATES way that we assumed some variables Kitty has a well defined shape that as students of these cases, to ensure about Bobby’s kitchen. Of course, the matches the known parameters of a cat. we have a correct understanding. It same is true if we fail to understand the Of course, for Ripperologists it is more is our responsibility to seek out the fact that we are discussing a woman a complex than our simple analogy. information needed to correct our erro- couple of inches over five-feet tall, or Visual deficits are easily identifi- neous perceptions. It will not be the one who, without money, would have able. Most of us quickly recognize with same for everyone, it cannot be stan- been obligated to walk the distance haste when our visual field becomes dardized, it will remain the student’s to place X from Lambeth. So another distorted. Most of us fortunate to be responsibility. error has crept into our understanding, living in the current era enjoy the ben- There are upsides to our shift in through a simple failure to comprehend efit of specialized medical systems that behaviors in seeking an accurate geo- the woman and her space. We as read- have standardized and systematized graphic and cultural picture, however. ers must demand the adequate detail visual perception. We have the benefit First, is an overall improvement in our needed for an accurate understanding of ophthalmologists imbedded in the ability to assess the accuracy of geo- of the historical person/place relation- social systems that govern our lives graphic and cultural data that is being ship. We must demand it of ourselves who ensure that, for the majority of presented to us by others. Moreover, to find the information that will make the western world, a visually impaired we learn about the more subtle aspects our conception clearer. child is identified and remediation of Victorian life in the East End. As an I will use the analogy of a lens to begins immediately. example, I recently undertook a study illustrate. Say you happen to be a visu- But what if there were no over- of 1888 maps of the river Thames. I now ally impaired lens grinder. Your lenses arching system to detect and correct have a much clearer conception of just are your window to the world. To be those with distorted vision? In the how many docks, piers, and wharves quite specific, they condition how you world of mental conceptions, there is were in the vicinity of in view the world. Now imagine your no such body. Distortions persist for 1888. lenses are pretty good — you can tell a years, lifetimes even, undetected and I can assert this from experience; cat is a cat for example — but if the cat uncorrected. It becomes the responsi- I have yet to learn something useless is on the right side of your field of vision bility of the thinker to ensure his con- or trivial. It only appears so to others (viewed through the right side of your ceptions are correct. In that light, all because the context used by others to lens), he is a more amorphous shape or Ripperologists, from the new to the evaluate the value of information is in may appear unusually long, depend- aged, can do with a regular check up some manner fixed. Most commonly, it ing on your particular impairment. It is of his geographic and cultural under- is that their frame of reference places your responsibility, therefore, to grind standings of the events in the narra- a small value on that knowledge. your lens further on the right side until tive we all study. It falls to us all then, Contexts do change however.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 57 To illustrate, my knowledge of data. In a similar vein, if “solving” this and size of the various poor unions, waterside features in the current con- phenomena is the goal of the student, workhouses, and almshouses in the text plays little part. It would be what that also is a conditional factor in our Victorian East End. many consider to be trivial. Yet suppose evaluation of new (or old) data. Traditionally, the view of poverty tomorrow some clever Ripperologist in the East End has been measured finds some form of evidence that places in large part by Charles Booth’s note- some importance on old Dundee wharf. books. The majority of students use I will not have to invest any more time this data as a means to evaluate pov- in finding this place or knowing its erty. We must remember, however, spatial relationship to other places. My that this data set was generated in research can move on unfettered by Victorian times, with a Victorian frame the need to clarify my understanding of reference. Since none of us possesses on this issue. For those of us for whom an accurate Victorian frame of refer- time is an unlimited resource, this is of ence, a bias is introduced immediately little import. For the rest of us, though, between the reality of what actually time is a valuable commodity. was and what we conceive to be the Here lies a great danger to the Victorian reality. Even assuming the accurate conceptions of students of complete accuracy of the notebooks, the Ripper phenomenon. Whether we the bias still exists. update our understandings or not in Booth is without doubt the best light of new data, is largely a function primary source material on economic of our frame of reference for seeing distribution we have. I will go even the phenomenon. Remember our lens? further in saying a strict application Well it is a conditioning factor in our of historical study dogma demands conceptual framework. This applies Ch a r l e s Bo o t h we use the Booth data. Yet, there is equally to seasoned or new students of another method of conceiving of the the phenomenon of the Ripper. I would like to offer an example poor-distribution data. This concep- There is, however, a more insidi- of how geography has been demon- tion, unlike Booth’s, gives a greater ous and potentially distorting factor in strably beneficial to my study of the understanding of the type of poor our conceptual framework. Whether Ripper phenomenon, and how it differs we meet in our studies — the dispos- we strongly favor a suspect or not will from the conception of many who study sessed and the marginal. It is an accu- strongly affect how we evaluate new this case. The example is the location rate conception of the terrain on which

Exonerating Reconsidering Ripper Geography & Victorian English Culture D.M.GATES the tragedies occurred. It is an under- standing of the stage on which these historical actors were performing. It is a modern mind’s accurate concep- tion of the terrain and features in our narrative. I submit to you, that given the Victorian world view, we can more accurately assess the distribution of dispossessed Victorians by examin- ing the distributions and histories of such institutions as workhouses and casual wards. The only assumption in this conception is that the Victorians would have constructed more or larger institutions in areas of greater per- ceived need. Not only does this avoid the importation of a Victorian bias into our modern conceptual framework, it provides the student with an in-depth conception of Victorian life in the East End. In short, it further polishes our lens in so far as our understanding of Victorian culture. This is just one example of a cul- tural understanding provided by an enhanced view of geography. On the issue of our understanding of cultures then and now I offer this insight. One of my degrees will be in anthropology (the study of things related to humans). In North America, this includes a very Wh i t e c h a p e l Po o r Ma p healthy dose of cultural awareness

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 59 and the evaluation of cultures. I have that the wearer of such a lens would There is a great deal of data that has noticed there is greater ease in study- never detect his or her visual distor- been researched and distributed that ing cultures dissimilar to those of our tion, and as we know, there are pre- many of us disregard as trivial. own. I believe this is in part because cious few Ripper ophthalmologists. It is also true that non-Ripperol- the frames of reference are so differ- The good news is that the remedy ogists have much to offer. You do not ent, that the differences become readily is the same as with geographic concep- have to collect information on, say, apparent. In contrast, similar concep- tualizations. Due diligence on the part workhouses; there are scholars in that tions invite us to fill in any missing of the student does a great deal in the field of endeavor that have gathered it, data from our own experience, and avoidance of accumulating such distor- and many share it freely on the web. so, to fall victim to error. This is not tions, and the abatement of already We all seek a greater understanding unlike an easily noticed severe visual established distortions. The fewer of this phenomenon. It is not a race to change (like spontaneous partial blind- assumptions one makes in his or her “solve” this case. We will all find our ness) and the more subtle macular understanding, the better off the con- own answers that fit our unique con- degeneration. ceptual framework in relation to the ceptual framework. This is fitting to the Not unlike making erroneous geo- reality of the subject. A modern student individual nature of the human animal, graphic assumptions, erroneous cul- cannot assume either a geographic or and is in my mind the appropriate out- tural assumptions can be very subtle cultural variable without the assump- come. Your solution however, will only and, consequently, difficult to detect. tion of risk in the distortion of his or be as good as the grinding of your lens. As with Bobby and his milk, we tend her lens. For the sake of all future students of towards assuming that gaps in the Ripperology has existed since the the case, it would be wise to double- narrative can be filled by substitutions creation of the Ripper phenomenon. check your own lens before submitting from our own understandings. Modern There is more than a century of data your solution to the community. British culture is not Victorian British accumulation in regard to this phe- culture. The assumptions with cul- nomenon. Yes, some scholars have ture, again not unlike those of geog- and do twist the facts to fit their own raphy, are poorly illustrated by the agenda. This is both historically, and casual use of words alone. The damage currently true of this phenomenon. done to our conceptual lens by cultural So much more is the justification for assumptions is both severe and pro- the student to be aware of his or her found. One could easily end up with a lens. We need to determine what dis- lens not unlike the distorting mirrors tortions still exist and, once we have at a fun house. The chief difference is identified one, set out to correct it.

Exonerating Reconsidering Ripper Geography & Victorian English Culture D.M.GATES Biography D.M.Gates

y name is Dave. I was born in and still reside in Kansas. I Mhave been an airborne soldier, a carpenter, had a stroke at age 33, and now I am finishing my degrees in Anthropology and History. I genuinely enjoy both, and they marry together well. My concentrations in both areas have been centered on the First Nations of North America. My sense of humor is very dry, and usually on prominent display. My interest in the Ripper case was brought about by the podcasts of Mr. Menges, and my acute insomnia. Since coming to the case, I have been and continue to be fascinated by both the anthropological and historical issues involved, I wish my fellow stu- dents of this phenomenon well and I urge them to look outside the “facts” of the case to increase their understand- ing of these events more fully.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 61 Morganstone, Elizabeth Phoenix and Mrs Carthy Neal Shelden (with Jennifer Shelden)

ack in 2003, in a booklet I pub- Morganstone lished about the life of Catherine Barnett relayed Kelly’s story of her BEddowes, I began research into time in London as one that began in a the lives of the people that had known brothel in the West End of London, then . Three of the people after a short stay with a gentleman in I concentrated my research on were France, she returned to live in London’s Mrs Carthy of Breezer’s Hill, Elizabeth East End at the Ratcliff Highway with Phoenix of 157 Bow Common Lane, a Mrs Buki. Barnett also claimed that and Morganstone who was said to she lived near Stepney Gas Works work at the Stepney Gas Works. with a man named Morganstone. Well- Recent study carried out by myself known Ripper authors Stewart Evans and my wife Jennifer into these three and Nick Connell made an identifica- people has brought forth new informa- tion of a candidate for Morganstone tion and an unexpected revelation that in their book of 2000, The Man Who could change our perception of how we Hunted Jack the Ripper. They found view accounts given in 1888 by Joseph him on the 1881 census, at 43 Victoria Barnett, Mary Jane Kelly’s lover. Jo s e p h Ba r n e t t Road, Fulham, in the West End of

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 62 London as follows: his wife and her son to Wandsworth. Thomas Morgenstern, On the 1901 census Maran was called head, widower, aged 51, gas stoker, Adrienus L. Morgestern, ‘Morgenstone’, and probably worked born Holland, Naturliazed Subject. head, married, aged 33, gas stoker, at the gas works at Fulham and then Maria Morgenstern, born Alphen en Riel, Netherlands. Wandsworth. boarder, single, aged 26, shirt Jeanette S. Morgestern, Adrianus (correct spelling) Lucas machinist, born Poplar, London. wife, married, aged 28, Morgenstern, on the other hand, had born Mzerbo, Netherlands. apparently vanished from the 1891 It can be seen that Morgenstern Johanna C. Morgestern, census. His eldest daughter, Anna was recorded as a widower, his wife daughter, aged 7, born Roosendaal Kornelia (recorded as Johanna C. Antonettea (mistakenly called Jeanette (not Proogentel), Netherlands. on the 1881 census) married George S. on the 1881 census) having died in Maria Morgestern, Biscardine on the 1st August 1892 at St the Hackney district in 1884. Adrianus’ daughter, aged 5, Peter, Limehouse, in the East End of last remaining single daughter Maria born Roosendaal, Netherlands. London. At this time her father’s name was married in 1901, in the Poplar Wilhelmina C. Morgestern, was given as Adrianus, and Anna area, to Thomas Wheeler. We then daughter, aged 4, gave her address as 7 Garford Street. found that Adrianus altered his name born Fulham, London. Adrianus’ youngest surviving daughter, again for the 1911 census, at which Petronella C. Morgestern, Wilhelmina Christina Morgenstern, point he had also moved to 82 Joshua daughter, aged 0, married in 1897 to Thomas Fenwick, Street, Bromley, born Fulham, London. also in the Poplar area. His daughter and is listed as: Maria A. Morgestern, Petronella died in 1882, aged just one brother, single, aged 28, gas stoker, year. Adrian Morgenstern, born Alphen en Riel, Netherlands. A Casebook message board con- head, widower, aged 62, tributor named Louis van Dompselaar, gas stoker - gas works, Although the name was written as wrote in late 2003 and early 2004 that born Butol, Holland. Morgestern on the census, the correct he was contacted by a living relative of spelling was Morgenstern. The brother the Morgenstern’s and that a Thomas We found that Morgenstern died mentioned on the census, whose real Morgenstern on the 1901 census at as Adriaan L. Morgenstern, aged 83, in name was in fact Maran, married in Bromley, in the East End of London, was the Poplar district in 1932. But it still 1881 in Fulham and remained living in fact Adrianus Lucas Morgenstern. remained a mystery as to where he was there until sometime in the latter part The 1901 census for 22 Joshua living on the 1891 census? of the century when he moved with Street, Bromley, records the following:

Morganstone, Elizabeth Phoenix and Mrs Carthy Neal Shelden Elizabeth Phoenix eyes and a very fine head of hair, that also stated that Kelly had two false A woman, named as Elizabeth reached nearly to her waist. At the teeth which projected very much from Phoenix in newspaper reports such time Phoenix knew the woman, she the lips. When living at Breezer’s Hill, as the Morning Advertiser of the 12th gave her name as Mary Jane Kelly and Kelly stated that she had a child aged November 1888, and stating she was stated that she was about 22 years of two years, but Mrs. Phoenix never living at 157 Bow Common Lane, age (so that her age in 1888 would be saw it. At that time Kelly also had a Bow, came forward to give information about 25 years). There was, it seems, friend known as Lizzie Williams. Mrs. about Mary Jane Kelly. She had called some difficulty in establishing her Phoenix was reportedly confident that at the Leman Street Police Station on nationality. She stated to Phoenix at the woman to whom she referred was the evening of the 10th November 1888 first that she was Welsh, and that her indeed the Mary Jane Kelly, who died and had given information that the parents, who had discarded her, still at Miller’s Court, although she had not officers there were satisfied was infor- resided at Cardiff when she came to seen her since she left the neighbour- mation about the murdered woman at London. On other occasions, however, hood of the London Docks, where she Miller’s Court. she declared that she was Irish. She is was well known. She is described as being very quarrelsome and abusive when intoxicated

Phoenix had stated that about described as being very quarrelsome In 2003, when I carried out some three years previously (about 1885) and abusive when intoxicated, but “one research looking for Elizabeth Phoenix, a woman, apparently Kelly from the of the most decent and nicest girls” I chose to start at the address she had description given of her, had resided when sober. About two years previous given in 1888, that of 157 Bow Common at her brother-in-law’s house, at to her death she had left Breezer’s Hill Lane, Bow. The only people I found on Breezer’s Hill, Pennington Street, near and moved to Commercial Road, from the 1891 census living there were a the London Docks. She described the which quarter she had been reported family called Howes, and more inter- lodger as a woman about 5ft. 7in. in to Mrs. Phoenix as leading an immoral estingly, a family called McCarthy. height, of rather stout build, with blue life in the vicinity of Aldgate. Phoenix They are recorded as follows:

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 64 Frederick Howes, Catherine on the 1881 census living Elena McCarthy, married, aged 30, at 97 Wentworth Street, Whitechapel, daughter, aged 16, assistant to general labourer, East End of London, as follows: mother, born Spitalfields, London. born Southampton, Hants. Eugene McCarthy, Rachel Howes, Catherine McCarthy, son, 13, scholar, married, aged 27, head, widow, aged 60, born Wapping, London. born Swansea, Wales. chandler’s shop keeper, Theodore Frantzen, Reginald Howes, born Ireland. boarder, aged 25, printer’s compositor, son, aged 5, Eugene McCarthy, born Germany. born Rochester, Kent. son, aged 21, cooper, Jane Frantzen, Eugene McCarthy, born Wapping, London. boarder, wife, aged 33, married, aged 31, cooper, Hannah Caldon, born Wiltshire. born St George’s, London. niece, aged 14, shop assistant, Johnanna Phoenix, Hannah McCarthy, born Wapping, London. boarder, married, aged 32, married, aged 30, Timothy Crawley, charwoman, born Kerry, Ireland. born Whitechapel. grandson, aged 2, lodger, Robert McGregor, born Whitechapel, London. boarder, aged 44, coal agent, Unfortunately, I could still find no born Sunderland, Durham. connection to an Elizabeth Phoenix. Recently, I decided to look further Eugene McCarthy had married at a into this information on a hunch that There is no pointer on the census Catholic chapel in 1889 to Hannah Catherine McCarthy was either related entry to suggest Johnanna (prob- Russell and at that time gave his to Elizabeth Phoenix, or possibly even ably Johanna) Phoenix was related address as 94 Globe Road. I didn’t find Elizabeth Phoenix herself, using an to Catherine McCarthy, but can it any significance either, with regard to alias. Looking back to the 1871 census be a coincidence that someone called Mary Jane Kelly’s alleged Welsh con- brought me the first breakthrough, Phoenix was living with Catherine nections, to the fact that Rachel Howes’ as it shows at 97 Wentworth Street, and Eugene in 1871, then an Elizabeth maiden name was probably Davies and Whitechapel, East End of London: Phoenix lived at 157 Bow Common that she was born in Swansea, Wales. Lane in 1888? All in all, it appears to In 2004, researcher Chris Scott Catherine McCarthy, prove some sort of connection if only as expanded on Eugene McCarthy’s head, widow, aged 42, friends of the family. After all, Phoenix family history on Casebook by find- general shop keeper, was by no means a common name, ing him and his widowed Irish mother born Ireland. Johnanna being the only one born in

Morganstone, Elizabeth Phoenix and Mrs Carthy Neal Shelden Ireland and living in the East End at Back to the previous census for White believing her to be the Johnanna that time. 1851 at 11 Harrow Alley, St Botolph, Phoenix living at 97 Wentworth Street Unfortunately, research up to Aldgate, East End of London we find: in 1871, but this excitement was short- now, has not revealed any more details lived as subsequent research proved about Johnanna Phoenix, but checking John White, this not to be the case. Johanna White back further into Catherine McCarthy’s head, married, aged 52, married Edward Quinlan in 1853 and family we find her on the 1861 census, general labourer, lived in Artillery Street in Whitechapel spelt as McCarty, living at 9 Wellington born Cork, Ireland. in 1871. Building’s, Samuel Street, St George in Mary White, Catherine McCarthy, probably the East, East London: wife, aged 51, died in February 1889 at the Sick born Cork, Ireland. Asylum in Bromley, east London, and John White, Morris White, may have lived at 157 Bow Common head, widower, aged 62, son, aged 26, Lane prior to/with her son Eugene. I dock labourer, general labourer, considered that it could be possible born Cork, Ireland. born Cork, Ireland. that Elizabeth Phoenix and Johnanna Catherine McCarty, Catherine White, Phoenix were in some way related and daughter, widow, aged 36, daughter, aged 24, peddler, that further research might reveal laundress, born Cork, Ireland. this connection and a connection to born Cork, Ireland. Johanna White, Catherine McCarthy’s family. William White, daughter, aged 19, peddler, So what of Elizabeth Phoenix her- son, aged 27, dock labourer, born Cork, Ireland. self? Searching through numerous born Cork, Ireland. William White, census years for the name of Phoenix Ellen McCarty, aged 17, peddler, revealed absolutely nothing and espe- grand daughter, aged 8, scholar, born Cork, Ireland. cially not for London’s East End. But born Middlesex. Eleanor White, then one afternoon, Jennifer began Eugene McCarty, aged 14, peddler, to search for spelling variations on grandson, aged 2, born Cork, Ireland. the name of Phoenix, and made a born Middlesex. very important discovery. An 1891 Catherine Hegerty, Catherine appears to have married census entry gave this interesting list widow, aged 55, general servant, Jeremiah McCarthy the next year, but of occupants at 20 Cordelia Street, born Cork, Ireland. was widowed between 1858-1861. I was St Leonard’s Bromley, East End of at first excited to find a sister Johanna London:

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 66 Adrianus Felix, 1888 giving her address as 157 Bow head, married, age 43, gas stoker, It didn’t Common Lane. Surely, it is easy for born Rotterdam, Holland. us to understand that Morgenstern, Elizabeth Felix, take with a Dutch accent, was misheard wife, married, age 27, tailoress, by the census enumerator, and that born Cripplegate, London. long his attempt to pronounce the name of Anna Felix, Phoenix was translated into ‘Felix’? daughter, single, age 17, milliner, to spot Of course, it is equally possible that in born Rotterdam, Holland. 1888, Elizabeth was misheard by the that the news reporter that she gave her state- It didn’t take long to spot that ment to, as Phoenix rather than Felix. the details for Adrianus Felix and details There can now be no doubt that Adrianus Morgenstern were the Adrianus Morgenstern was the man same. They were both born in 1848, in for mentioned as ‘Morganstone’ by Joseph Holland, a gas stoker by trade. We also Barnett in connection with Mary Jane noted that Felix’s daughter, recorded Adrianus Kelly. He might have been working at as Anna, had details that matched up Stepney Gas Works, but there were also with Johanna C. Morgenstern’s birth Felix separate gas works at Harford Street, year of 1874 and birthplace of Holland Shadwell, and even Bow Common, that recorded on the 1881 census. We were and could have been considered by Kelly to of course, previously unable to find have been the Stepney Gas Works. This Morgenstern on the 1891 census under Adrianus new research throws a completely dif- that surname. We ferent light on the relationship between were sure that this Morgenstern Mary Jane Kelly and Morganstone, was the census entry that was missing now that we can accept that the same for Adrianus Morgenstern. were the man was in fact the lover of Elizabeth More important was the informa- Phoenix/Felix. Despite the census entry tion that Jennifer did not expect to same suggesting the Felix couple were mar- find, that Adrianus was living with a ried, no marriage can be found, and it woman called ‘Elizabeth Felix’ that can suggests a very likely scenario that hap- clearly be identified as the ‘Elizabeth pened on the days after Mary Jane Kelly Phoenix’ who reported to the police in was murdered at Miller’s Court in 1888.

Morganstone, Elizabeth Phoenix and Mrs Carthy Neal Shelden If we study the statement given Phoenix/Felix near to a gas works Miller’s Court. From Joseph Barnett’s to the press in 1888 by Elizabeth that Mary Jane Kelly later called the statement at Mary Jane Kelly’s Phoenix/Felix in the days following Stepney Gas Works. In about 1885, inquest, which said that she had lived Kelly’s death, we find no mention of Mary Jane Kelly probably went to with Morganstone, it has been assumed Morganstone/Morgenstern. There can live with them after she lived with that they were lovers. However, it is be no doubt that when Elizabeth hot- a Mrs Buki, or maybe after she lived difficult to say as to whether Kelly was footed her way across East London with Mrs Carthy of Breezer’s Hill. Morgenstern’s lover at one time, or if, from Bow Common Lane to Leman Kelly could have plied her trade from as we now think more likely, she was Street Police Station, it was because the Morgenstern’s home in a similar simply living with him and his family, she believed that it was in both their way that she did at Breezer’s Hill and probably at a house of ill-repute. best interest to call on the police and press, before they in turn chose to call on them. The reason for this may have been revealed on the Casebook web- site by a direct descendant of Adrianus Morgenstern’s daughter Wilhelmina. In 2005, Grant Fenwick posted that he was Morgenstern’s great-great-grand- son and that he had “heard a story that Wilhelmina, when she was a child, was brought up in a brothel in Limehouse.” Taking Wilhelmina Morgenstern’s birth date as 1877 and that she was aged 7 when her mother died in 1884, her childhood experiences being brought up in a brothel was likely to have been between the age of 7 and 14, in date terms 1884 to 1891. It is our conclusion that after the summer of 1884 when Adrianus Morgenstern became widowed, he set up home with his new lover Elizabeth Br e e z e r ’s Hi l l © Ro b e r t Cl a c k

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 68 Maybe they were lovers, but if so, possible candidate for Mrs Buki, a boarder, single, aged 28, unfortunate, only behind Elizabeth’s back and as Mercy Ann Booty, wife of Benjamin born Glasgow, Scotland. Elizabeth was still with him in 1891, Booty living in the Ratcliff Highway Abey March, it seems unlikely, although certainly area. Mercy’s maiden name was White, boarder, single, aged 36, unfortunate, not out of the question. We could, for but there appears to be no family con- born Whitechapel, London. instance, take her assertion that Kelly nection between Catherine McCarthy Emma Britton, had two protruding false teeth as a mother of Eugene McCarthy, whose boarder, single, aged 29, unfortunate, swipe at her now dead love rival, but maiden name was also White, and born Bristol. this is contradicted by her compliment Mercy Ann Booty. William Fenely, of Kelly’s “very fine head of hair.” All in visitor, single, aged 40, all, Elizabeth’s statement in 1888 sug- Mrs Carthy seaman seas, Bristol. gests that it was imperative for her to As already stated, when Mary Jane Ellen Fallon, deflect attention away from Adrianus Kelly left Mrs Buki’s house in about a child, aged 8, scholar, born St and herself, and to speak only of Kelly’s 1884 -1885, it was said that she went George in the East, London. stay at the house of Elizabeth’s brother- to live with a Mrs Carthy of Breezer’s in-law in Breezer’s Hill. That way, the Hill, off Pennington Street, in the The fact that there were three Carthy’s of Breezer’s Hill became the London Dock’s area. In my 1999 book single women living in the house as focus for the attention of further inves- about the victims, I made an iden- “unfortunates” (crossed out on the tigation, and Adrianus and Elizabeth tification from the 1891 census that entry) proved beyond doubt that the were left alone. I believed to be obvious candidates house was used as a brothel. Turning away from the Phoenix/ for the people with whom Kelly had Recently, Jennifer and myself have Felix’s for one moment, but stopping at stayed, as they resided at this time at been making a thorough search for any the address Elizabeth gave in 1888, I 1 Breezer’s Hill, St George in the East John McCarthy’s living in London on would like to state that though I dis- and were recorded as follows: the census from 1881 to 1891 in order covered a Williams couple living at 157 to finally establish a positive identifica- Bow Common Lane on the 1881 census, John McCarthy, tion for the John and Mary McCarthy research into them has not revealed a head, married, aged 36, dock labourer, of Breezer’s Hill. Several attempts to connection to the Lizzie Williams men- born Whitechapel, London. prove the identity of this couple can tioned by Elizabeth Phoenix in her Mary McCarthy, now be entirely dismissed. statement of 1888. Also, in 2008, Sam wife, married, aged 29, born One of which was my 2003 iden- Flynn (aka Gareth Williams) posted Shoreditch, London. tification of a Mary Ann Jane Brooks on the Casebook message boards, a Ellen Forbes, who married a John McCarthy in 1884

Morganstone, Elizabeth Phoenix and Mrs Carthy Neal Shelden at Hackney. Unfortunately, Jennifer 16 Cromwell Street, St George in the in 1896), aged 32, and her family, as well discovered this same woman, named East, East London as their brothers Henry Brooks, aged 36, as Jane McCarthy, with her husband Mary McCarthy, and Robert Brooks, aged 22. Initially, I John on the 1891 census living at 36 head, married, aged 40, needlewoman, did not make too much of this. In fact, I Church Lane in Whitechapel. On 7th born Shoreditch. had just signed this article off and put March 2004, researcher Chris Scott Charlotte Brooks, the Brooks coincidence to one side when put forward his candidates on the sister, single, aged 21, I noticed a thread on the Casebook, that Casebook website for the McCarthy’s of general servant – domestic, was titled “Is this who I think it is?” 1 Breezer’s Hill. He believed they were born Hoxton. that had a link posted by Pinkerton to a John Dennis McCarthy and Mary Ann Mary Donovan, find of an Old Bailey court case relating McCarthy who were married in Poplar niece, aged 5, to 1 Breezer’s Hill. Mrs McCarthy was in 1881. Unfortunately, purchase of born St George in the East. a witness in an attempted murder case this certificate proves that they were on 19th October 1891, the same year as not the couple of Breezer’s Hill, and I noted that this lady seemed to the census outlined above showing John they can be found in 1891 living at 7 fit perfectly with the details from the and Mary McCarthy, seemingly run- Malmesbury Road, Plaistow. Mary McCarthy in 1891 at Breezer’s ning a brothel. The case was against one During the course of my research, Hill and that although she said she was Joseph Brescher for an attack on a Lottie of 2003, into what happened to the married her husband was not recorded Jones, both the accused and the victim Breezer’s Hill McCarthys, I made an at the same address. Also living at this were the neighbours of the McCarthys, interesting discovery of a 1901 census address, as a separate household, was residing at 79 Pennington Street. entry for a Mary McCarthy as follows: Mary’s sister, by then Jane Donovan (as I excitedly clicked on the link provided she had married one Michael Donovan and found the following statement, this lady seemed to fit perfectly with the details from the Mary McCarthy in 1891

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 70 “Rose McCarthy: I am the wife of therefore used in court proceedings in the East End of London; they were John McCarthy, of 1, Breeze Hill, St. and at her marriage, she was usually headed by her father, David Brooks, a George’s”. Later, I also found an old link known by her middle name of Mary. It labourer, as mentioned on the marriage to jtrforums.com and a message posted therefore followed that she was also the certificate. I also noted that in 1901, by Debra Arif dated all the way back Mary McCarthy I previously found on the Brooks/McCarthy clan referred to to 2007, in which Debra stated she had the 1901 census whose maiden name above, living at the same address as come across a newspaper article con- was Brooks. I ordered the certificate as a family headed by a Jerry and Mary necting a John and Mary McCarthy of a means to confirm this suspicion. The Shea. Curiosity getting the better of 1 Breezer’s Hill to a case where numer- certificate dated the 17th February1889 me, for I could not see a family con- ous defendants had been brought to read: nection to the Brooks/Donovan clan, court for selling liquor without a license I looked them up on the 1891 census from 13 Ship Alley (a street nearby). I Marriage at the Roman Catholic and found that they were living at 14 were stumped as there was no date on Church of St Mary and St Michael’s, Artichoke Hill, like Breezer’s Hill this the article, but I quickly emailed Debra St George in the East. was off Pennington Street, and Jennifer and she helpfully provided us with the John McCarthy, noted it was just one street along. They date; it was the 10th May 1890. To us, aged 35, bachelor, occupation, also had a daughter named Rose Mary it now seemed certain that the Mary stevedore, residence, 27 Shorter born in 1891. McCarthy mentioned in 1890 and on Street, St George in the East, With the information now at hand, the 1891 census was the same person father’s name, Charles McCarthy, the John McCarthy and Rose Mary as the Rose McCarthy mentioned in a labourer. Brooks marriage certificate of 1889, the 1891 court proceedings. Indeed, Rose Mary Brooks, along with the the newspaper article there was no death recorded for a aged 27, spinster, residence, of 1890, and the Old Bailey court case Mary McCarthy that would fit the pic- 7 Pennington Street, St George in the record of 1891, led to only one conclu- ture between April (the month of the East, father’s name, David Brooks, sion that Mary McCarthy, otherwise census) and September (when she wit- a labourer. Rose Mary McCarthy, formerly Brooks, nessed the incident reported at court). The witnesses were John Calnan and living at 1 Breezer’s Hill on the 1891 I found a marriage for a Rose Mary Catharine Donovan. census, was highly unlikely to have Brooks and John McCarthy for the been the Mrs Carthy of Breezer’s Hill March quarter of 1889, which I felt was I was able to identify census entries between 1885-1888. The first record of probably this couple at Breezer’s Hill. for the family of Rose Mary Brooks for the couple being at 1 Breezer’s Hill was I felt it was likely to be the case that 1871 at 9 Rose Street, Shoreditch, and 1890, and they had not married until although Rose was her official name, in 1881 at 7 Philip Street, Shoreditch, 1889, this was after the Kelly murder

Morganstone, Elizabeth Phoenix and Mrs Carthy Neal Shelden and Mrs Carthy had, in 1888, stated coincidence that another unrelated knows what is out there waiting to sur- that Kelly left Breezer’s Hill in 1886. family called Carthy or McCarthy lived prise us, yet again, in relation to the We wondered if the real Mrs Carthy at Breezer’s Hill from 1885 to 1888. enigma that is Mary Jane Kelly? was in fact related in some other way Further research could finally to the John McCarthy residing there reveal the identity of the Carthy’s of in 1891, possibly his mother, or aunt, Breezer’s Hill, and hopefully, who was or sister-in-law, and the house and indeed the brother-in-law of Elizabeth been taken over by John and his new Phoenix/Felix. It may yet open the door wife Rose Mary after their marriage in to more intriguing revelations concern- 1889? The worst scenario, of course, is ing their connections to Morgenstern, that it was nothing more than a sheer and in turn to Mary Jane Kelly. Who Biographies Neal & Jenni Shelden

Neal Shelden hails from Dagenham thing that happened on that occasion, in Essex. He began his research into as it was there he met his now wife the lives of the victims of the Ripper Jennifer (then Pegg). They married in when he was 18 and has subsequently 2008, this was the best decision he ever written five books on the subject, most made (however, letting Jennifer write recently The Victims of Jack the Ripper, this biography was perhaps not the published in 2007. At the 2007 Ripper best decision he ever made!) Jennifer Conference he collected an outstand- is the features editor for this publica- ing achievement award for his victims tion. This is their first piece of jointly research. However, this is not the best published work.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 72 Undercover Our regular read between the lines. Investigations

This issue’s reviews were written by Jenni Shelden Undercover Investigations The Jack the Ripper Location Photographs: Dutfield’s Yard and the Whitby Collection Philip Hutchinson 2009 Amberley Publishing PLC, Stroud Paperback 96 pages with illustrations £12.99

his is a book that does exactly of the Dutfield’s Yard what it says on the cover as image, in a somewhat THutchinson reproduces every eerie fashion! Although single image from the Whitby Collection much has been made and also the new Dutfield’s Yard image, of the Dutfield’s Yard the first known photograph of this image (and it certainly is murder location. Hutchinson himself a unique find) I found the acknowledges that this is a book aimed Whitby pictures taken in at the serious Ripper student, rather the 1960s and their pho- than a general market. It therefore tographer, little known in provides no overview of the case, the the Ripper community, yet suspects or victims, the reader must clearly a committed enthusi- rely on a working knowledge of the ast until his death, even more case in order to fully inform what they fascinating. Whitby, certainly are looking at. Instead, it focuses on used his camera to capture the the images purchased by Hutchinson atmosphere of the East End in 2007 and diligently researched. The extremely well. The images of 29 cover cleverly combines a photograph Hanbury Street, particularly of from John Gordon Whitby and part the inside, are stand out pictures

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 74 Undercover Investigations to this reader. Turning next (as the image is placed, as within these pages, them are very detailed and thorough book does) to the Dutfield’s Yard with other images of Dutfield’s Yard it and Hutchinson is a very able and photograph and Hutchinson’s expla- is clear to see that this is indeed pho- entertaining writer, while the images nation of how he came upon it and the tographic evidence of the crime scene, themselves are reproduced clearly, extensive research he has undertaken if from 12 years after the murder. making this book a good buy. The into it and its photographer (he man- This book is the first time this unique reference on the back cover to colour aged to purchase the remainder of the image has been published, however, modern comparison shots, proves to be album it was taken from, from its eBay the claim it is the most important pho- false, however, Hutchinson has himself seller, hence the image of Tower Bridge tographic discovery in the field for 25 stated that this is due to an error on on the back cover, which comes from years, seems to forget other important Amberley’s part, that will almost cer- the said album). I almost found the dis- finds in this time, notably the Annie tainly be corrected in future editions. cussion of how he found purchased and Chapman photograph and that of Dr. I wasn’t sure what I would make of investigated this image as fascinating Tumblety, and is perhaps a little bit this book when I first got it, but I was as the image itself. It certainly allows of publisher hyperbole. Nonetheless, pleased to find it a thoroughly enjoy- an insight into the thorough research of Hutchinson’s accounts of the images, able read. It is therefore recommended leading Ripperologists. When the new their discoveries and his research into for serious Ripper students. I was pleased to find it a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Our rating

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 75 Undercover Investigations The Man Who Hunted Jack the Ripper: Edmund Reid – Victorian Detective Nicholas Connell & Stewart P. Evans Introduction by Richard Whittington Egan

2009 Amberley Publishing PLC, Stroud Paperback, 192 pp, biblio, index, illus. £14.99

e obviously have to be upfront some of Reid’s other cases, and point out that we may such as the great silk robber- Wwell be biased given that this ies, his early life and early book is co-authored by a regular con- police career, his married tributor to the Examiner. However, we life and his retirement to like to think that this is not reflected the seaside. They point out in our overall view of the book and so however, that the Ripper we bring you this review. Connell and seemed to be something Evans have produced a well written that followed him around, and interesting addition to the field by and he gave several inter- presenting the crimes from the view views on the subject that of Inspector Reid, who worked on the the authors quote from. ground as senior member of H Division They are very intriguing during the murders. They present interviews and offer a Reid’s own views on the case in light different view to some of of his position, affectionately but criti- the other police officials cally. This is not just a Ripper book as that are on record, such also provided is a lot of biographical as Anderson’s of whom information on the Inspector, charting Reid was dismissive.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Undercover Investigations

He also seems to have been quite a the 2000 Rupert Books original, none- character in retirement and there are theless (and having read the original) … a cup some nice pictures of Reid as an older I found I was thoroughly engrossed. A retired gentleman. I love the image on quick glance at the first edition shows of tea & the back cover it seems to bring to life that though the chapter headings are exactly the image the authors conjured largely the same, the text has been a chat up in my head of what Reid was like somewhat revised. There are also dif- when he was a retired man. One can’t fering images in this revised book to the about help but feel a little warmed to Reid on pictures in the first edition the authors seeing these photos. The authors paint seem to have found some more images the a picture of Reid as someone who liked of Reid and his impact on Hampton on to air his views in public on the Ripper Sea (where he retired to) in particu- Ripper and on other matters. Those of you who lar. This book makes me want to invite have been in Ripperology a while might Reid round for a cup of tea and a chat find this title familiar; that is because about the Ripper. Recommended. this is a revised and updated version of

Our rating

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 77 Undercover Investigations Oxfordshire Murders: True Crime History Series Nicola Sly

2010 History Press, Stroud Paperback, 154 pp, index, biblio, illus. £14.99

xford is probably the most real life Oxfordshire crimes famous murder hot spot in the that would, in some cases, rival OUK, but, luckily for its resi- Midsomer in terms of bizarreness, dents, usually only famous for crimes and in others, have challenged committed in fictional scenes as it is even Morse’s intellect? The earliest the the setting of the widely popular crime in these pages is from 1751 fictional detective series “Inspector and the latest from 1963, so a wide Morse” as well as the setting for the range of years are covered. Sly has filming of TV’s “Midsomer Murders”. written numerous true crime books This True Crime Series title comes for History Press and she is certainly from History Press and this particular a good writer who manages to tell the volume contains an impressive total of story of each crime well and the mate- 27 real life crimes that have been com- rial seems to be fully researched. For mitted in Oxfordshire. Some cases are anyone interested in Oxfordshire, this obscure and others better known, but book is a must have, for others it is still all fascinating. It is a series of crimes an interesting read. that would rival “Midsomer Murders” and “Morse” in terms of intrigue and surprise, but why look at fictional TV accounts when you can read about Our rating

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 78 Undercover Investigations Parents Who Kill: Murderers of newborn, pre-teen and teenage children Carol Anne Davis

2009 Pennant Books, London Paperback, biblio £7.99

ere is a book that is compel- abuse and those instances where par- kill their child, usually due to a dis- ling, disturbing and heart ents have killed due to mental illness turbed mental state (Davis calls this Hrending all at once, a difficult or for reasons of euthanasia. chapter ‘Tell No One Mothers’). One of combination to pull off whilst remain- The book contains some shocking the most bizarre and saddening cases ing objective, but a combination that statistics on these crimes For example, is that of Catherine Beale who con- Davis manages perfectly well. The apparently 30 infants are murdered cealed her pregnancy from her part- author has researched her subject in the UK each year, usually by their ner, and then secretly gave birth in thoroughly and set out a powerful mothers. As well as this there were 30 a hotel in the USA whilst on holiday. combination of true crime accounts of honour killings in the UK between 2005 She was caught whilst attempting to when one or more parents killing their and 2007 and there is one familicide leave the US with her dead baby’s body child(ren). A situation, as Davis states, committed (mainly by fathers), every strapped to her own body. Another most of us find hard to comprehend. six to eight weeks in the UK. There are area discussed is when mothers, such The book is divided into the sections a startling 520 cases in the USA and 16 as Beth Wood, who drowned her infant ‘Mothers Who Kill’, ‘Fathers Who Kill’ cases in the UK each year of men who daughters in the bathtub in 1918, kill and ‘Couples Who Kill’ and further sub- kill their children and then themselves due to severe cases of severe post-natal divided according to the types of crime as a act of revenge on the breakdown depression. Another category of men- that have been committed. There is of their marriage/relationship. tally ill women discussed is those, such every imaginable scenario covered here The first chapter deals with the as Tanya Reid, who act whilst suffer- from cold-hearted murders, revenge or emotional issue of mothers who give ing from Münchhausen’s By Proxy honour killings, cases of neglect and birth without telling anyone and then Syndrome. These accounts of mental

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 79 Undercover Investigations and emotionally ill mothers who kill the terrible lives they must have lived their children are truly saddening and being so badly ill-treated by the people shocking, one feels terribly for them that they should have been able to and their children. trust the most and it is enough to make A further bizarre and disturbing one’s stomach turn and bring tears to set of killings are examined within the one’s eyes. One particularly disturb- pages are those committed by women ing account is that of the crimes of such as Susan Smith and Diane Downs, Angela Camacho and John Allen Rubio who apparently are motivated to kill who killed their children together. all their offspring in order to gain the They did this as they thought them hand of a new boyfriend who might to be possessed by the devil and it is be put off by the additional baggage frankly, too disturbing to think about of their pre-existing family. Another and therefore only recommended read- only well known case to be featured is that ing to those with of Christopher Foster, who burnt down the strongest of recommended his Shropshire home in 2007 after stomachs. However, in spite of these having killed his wife and daughter, factors, the book is fascinating and so reading horses and dogs and parking a horse is recommended. box in the driveway to prevent access to those from the fire service. He had also shot himself. with the Cases of child abuse and neglect by one or both parent/guardian also strongest of feature and these are truly harrow- ing and gut wrenching accounts. In her stomachs narrative of these cases, Davis spells out in grim detail the full extent of the abusive and neglect treatment dished out to these poor children prior to their untimely deaths. One can fully imagine Our rating

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 80 Undercover Investigations Sheffield Murder and Crime Series Margaret Drinkall

2010 History Press, Stroud Paperback, 95pp, illus, biblio. £9.99

he Murder and Crime series of All crimes featured are from local true crime books are gen- the , a benefit to Terally a quick, easy and fairly those of us interested in true entertaining read. This edition man- crime specific to Jack’s times, but ages to tick those boxes too, however, in a different area, though one unlike other editions it is short on that was similarly working class. cases that might be previously recog- In common with others in the nisable to the reader if they are not series there are some nice illustra- familiar with the area. It is also com- tions to help the reader picture the paratively short, at just 95 pages at scene better. Those from the area £9.99, and so a specific interest in the might also be interested to note area, or the types of crimes might be that Drinkall, a capable writer has needed to justify the spending of the also written the Rotherham addition money in these hard times. That said, of this series. Certainly worth a look it is not that the book is not informa- for those interested in true crimes tive about those crimes it does feature that occurred in Yorkshire. or is badly written, it is just that I felt, in this instance that a more close rela- tionship with the city of Sheffield might have given this reader that extra edge. Our rating

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 81 Undercover Investigations: From The Library Shelves

Jack the Ripper in the Newspapers elcome to our fictitious library, which contains all the best books on all the subjects that are of inter- West to Ripperologists! This edition we are going to pull out all the books that we can find in our library that deal with Jack in the contemporary newspapers. The press coverage of the crimes can offer an intriguing insight to both details of the murders and how the public reacted to them. It can also be used to see how certain sto- ries themselves have emerged and been continued to this day. There are a surprisingly good range of books that deal with this topic available to read.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 82 Undercover Investigations: From the Library Shelves

Jack the Ripper The News from Whitechapel: the newspaper reports and the authors and the London Press Jack the Ripper in the Daily also provide extensive notes expand- L. Perry Curtis Junior Telegraph ing on certain points. However, we Alexander Chisholm, noted that a new copy of the book on 2002 Yale University Press, London Christopher-Michael one online store was priced at £40 with Hardback, pp 364, index, illus. DiGrazia and Dave Yost used copies at just over £30. Forward by Paul Begg erry Curtis Jnr., analyses the London newspapers of the day 2002 Macfarland, North Carolina Pand their coverage of the crimes. Paperback, pp 248, biblio., index, illus. Using this analysis of 15 London news- papers he discovers how Jack was he Telegraph, was, apparently, presented in the era and how journal- the world’s largest selling daily ists used Jack to play on people’s fears. Tpaper at the time of the mur- He also is able to examine newspaper ders. The authors tell the tale of the culture of the era and how they may Ripper crimes, using the lens of the have changed people’s perceptions of reports on the case from the Telegraph Whitechapel at the time. This book can at the time. As Paul Begg states in the be picked up up at Amazon for £25, or forward, you are entering the streets at w w w .l a y b o o k s .c o m for £20. of Whitechapel and experiencing the crimes as readers of the Telegraph would have themselves at the time by reading this book. However, one should add, the authors also extensively annotate giving modern readers an advantage over their Victorian coun- terparts, since they would not have been privy to the authors corrections of

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 83 Undercover Investigations: From the Library Shelves

Jack the Ripper in the London Correspondence: Provinces: The English Jack the Ripper and the Irish Press Provincial Press Reporting of the Alan Sharp Whitechapel Murders Forward by Andy Aliffe Stawell Heard 2005 Ashfield Press, Dublin 2005 Self Published, Blackheath, Paperback, pp 288, bibilo, index, illus. London Paperback, pps 37, biblio, illus. harp, who at the time he wrote the book, had a home in Dublin, his self published booklet looks SIreland, turned his attention to at the reporting of the Ripper the reporting of the London Ripper Tcases in the provincial English crimes in the press in Ireland. Sharp press of the day. The publication was notes some interesting points about limited to 100 copies, making it a how the Irish Press seized upon the rare gem of a Ripper book. As Heard Ripper crimes, amongst other things, states “Provincial newspapers are an to attack the English police forces underused source for research into the and establishment. It is an invalu- Whitechapel murders”. Heard had felt able guide to how the Ripper and the that in light of Perry Curtis’ book on Irish situation came together at this the London press coverage, he himself period and how the crimes were there- would limit his book to the neglected fore politicised in Ireland. It offers a provincial press. It contains some previ- unique perspective on the crimes. It’s ously unpublished coverage, and reports well worth a read if this sort of aspect that shed a different light on events. It interests you. It can still be picked up is currently unavailable due to its lim- on Amazon and other online stores for ited print run, but if you ever see a copy about £16. it is certainly worth picking up.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 84 Undercover Investigations: From the Library Shelves They Also Ripped From The Headlines: Public Reactions to Jack the Wrote... Being The Story of Jack the Ripper Ripper: Letters to the editor as Reported in The London Times August – December 1888 Shirley Harrison is the author and the New York Times 1888-1895 Edited by Stephen P. Ryder of the controversial Ripper book Foreword by Don Souden The Diary of Jack the Ripper, 2006 Inklings Press, 2007 Ramble House, Shreveport Paperback, 247 pp, index, illus but did you know that she Louisiana also wrote, Sylvia Pankhurst Paperback, 112 pp, index. e thought a mention of A Crusading Life, a biography the bosses’ tome might be of the suffragette which his book is pretty much summed Wthought of as a little cheeky, up by the title, a compilation it does however fit into this issue’s was first published by Aurum Tof contemporary newspaper theme of Jack in the press. It features in 2003? articles from Times of both London contemporary letters to the editor from and New York. Nothing new here the period of the canonical murders in for the student, but it is handy refer- chronological order. One can be picked ence guide. Moreover, as it says in the up at various on-line stores for those introduction “Jack the Ripper owes his who may feel so inclined. enduring infamy to newspapers” so it is interesting to see how these two major newspapers covered that story. Available online for $16 to $29 (that’s approximately £25).

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 85 CollectorsC

“I want to start a collection of Jack the Ripper books and memorabilia, what advice can orner you give me on how to go about building my collection?” Most Ripper collectors will have a few items, probably books, magazines and maybe some press with cuttings, before they make the decision to start Stewart collecting. It pays to hang on to what you have as P. Evans it’s easy to regret getting rid of something later on. eBay is a good place for collectors to look as tewart is widely recognised as a you can pick up some real bargains there. leading authority on the Jack the SRipper case. He is the author of “I only have limited funds and so I want several Ripper books, including Jack the to focus buying the Jack the Ripper books of Ripper Scotland Yard Investigates, The today that will be rare/worth something in Man Who Hunted Jack the Ripper, Jack future, from the current crop how would I the Ripper Letters From Hell and The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Sourcebook. He know what to select?” is also an avid collector of Jack the Ripper The Ripper books of today that will be rare and related items, making him the perfect worth something in the future are not those candidate to answer your questions about that are published for a mass market, they will Jack the Ripper books and memorabilia. always be available. The ones that will be worth So, let’s see what’s been asked this time... something are those that have a limited print

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 86 CollectorsC

run and they will become harder to obtain “What would you say is the most sought as time passes by. So, on limited funds, aim after book on Jack the Ripper for to get these sort of books as an investment orner (perhaps buying a couple of copies if you can collectors?” afford them). The most sought after book on Jack the Ripper, by collectors, is Jack the Ripper: A “How much value will it add to my Jack New Theory, by William Stewart (1939). As it was published just before the start of World the Ripper book if I get it signed by the War II it appears it was never reprinted and author, rather than leaving it unsigned?” copies may have been destroyed in wartime Any signed copy of a book by the author will bombings as the book is notoriously difficult always make it more desirable for a collector. to find. I have seen copies go for up to £500. However, it is worth noting that, with an eye to the future marketing of a book, it is best That’s it for this issue, so if you have a ques- to have a non-personal inscription or just the tion about Ripper books and collectables author’s signature as someone else’s name that you would like answering then why does not appeal to collectors, unless that not send it to Stewart via our email address person, like the author, is also well known. [email protected] Stewart will be answering another selection next issue, so don’t be shy email today! don’t be shy email today!

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 87 On The Case… Th e Ne w s Fr o m Ri pp e r Wo r l d On the On for a On the Screen… game… job… Just added to the British Films It has been confirmed that EA and The news filtered to our ears that Catalogue is a British movie based on Visceral Games’ new offering on Jack the recent ‘London Job’ meet up the Jack the Ripper story called Jack the Ripper, “imaginatively” titled The of Ripperologists on 3rd April, as the Ripper – Whitechapel. Slated for Ripper, is set to be released through announced by Monty aka Neil Bell release in early 2011, it is to be pro- on-line channels only. So those read- on Casebook back in January, went duced by Phil Howard for Jog On Son ers with a PSN or access to the X box off well. We were sorry none of our Productions and will be directed by Live Arcade, are in luck and will be number were able to be present on this Sacha Bennett. Stars are said to include able to add this to their collection, the occasion, nor at the WS1888 meeting Ray Winstone, Danny Dyer, Geoff Bell rest of us will not. This download-only held on the same day. Nonetheless we and Lucinda Rhodes-Flaherty who will technology marks and important step hear that the trip, a visit to Limehouse play Mary Jane Kelly. We know that in download gaming, according to one and Poplar, was a good gathering of the movie will feature at least five website. However, if reports that the Ripper companions. Andrew Firth one suspects as there are five actors listed game will feature action seen through of the brains behind the operation, has as playing “the suspects” on the cast the Ripper’s eyes and that he will be kindly written a full report of the day list. We were also relieved to note that portrayed as a good guy turn out to be for On the Case Extra, which follows. widely respected Ripper researcher and true it might well be one download not We understand that the next trip is tour guide Richard Jones is working as worth the bandwidth. already being mulled over. Interested a historical advisor for the production. w w w .dreadcentral .c o m parties might find the ‘London Job’ j a c k t h e r i pp e r m o v i e .c o m w w w .c h e a t c c .c o m Facebook group useful so check out w w w .f a c e b o o k .c o m t h i s l i n k for more details and info.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 88 On The Case… Th e Ne w s Fr o m Ri pp e r Wo r l d On the On On a mend… fashion… date… The news that regular Casebook poster For those readers who like to get Saturday June 5th Archaic aka Bunny McCabe had been out and about in Whitechapel and Whitechapel Society 1888 unwell was posted recently on the Spitalfields, we thought the event June meeting ‘James Maybrick the Casebook message boards. We were Alternative Fashion Week might tickle Most Controversial Ripper Suspect’ upset to learn this news but pleased your fancy. The event is set to run with speaker - Chris Jones. when Bunny recently was back posting between the 19th and 23rd of April at again with the good news that she is Spitalfields Traders Market, Crispin Andrew Firth mentioned that his new now out of hospital. We of course wish Place, Brushfield St. It will be open to book, Fragments of the East End, is Bunny a speedy recovery back to full the public daily at 1.15pm with a ‘fash- due out in Autumn 2010. fitness and are sure our readers echo ion market’ surrounding the catwalk these sentiments. featuring stalls selling clothes, tex- The New Edition of Begg, Fido and f o r u m .c a s e b o o k .o r g tiles and accessories open from 11am Skinner’s Jack the Ripper A to Z , to 5pm each day. Admission is free and to be published by John Blake, is includes a programme. apparently now slated for publication w w w .alternativearts .c o .uk on the 6th September 2010.

If you enjoy fundraising whilst spoofing famous sporting events and enjoy On a spending time in the Spitalfields area then we hope you did not miss out on the Goat Race held to raise funds for Spitalfields City Farm (we are not making this lighter up). Two real life goats raced on the same day as the boat race, as part of the note… Easter activities. This was the second running of the event. m o r e

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 89 On The Case…Extra Th e Ne w s Fr o m Ri pp e r Wo r l d

The London job 2010 by Andrew Firth

’d heard about these “jobs” before. We headed east, away from the victim in situ, clearly showing that Groups of Ripperologists roaming well known streets of Whitechapel and very little had changed over the past Ithe East End with their cameras Spitalfields and it wasn’t long before 65 years. The railings and brick walls and arousing suspicion in the local we arrived in Star Place, where Martha are the same ones that appear in the populace, visiting unsavoury places Tabram once lodged, (although in 2010 picture that Rob showed us. such as mortuaries, dark alleyways, no trace of this remains). Shadwell Next calling point was Chrisp and of course, murder sites. So, back in Place followed shortly afterwards, near Street, where in the 1880s Elizabeth January, when Neil “Monty” Bell sug- to the old Shadwell Station where, in and John Stride ran their coffee shop. gested doing another trip, I knew that 1892 , a woman had been stabbed in an Today the street is a wide road car- I had to get involved. attack that the press suggested might rying a high volume of traffic, and so So it came to pass, that at midday have been the work of Jack the Ripper. probably bears very little in common on Saturday 3rd April, that a group of After admiring the view of Limehouse with the Chrisp Street of the nine- nine of us (Neil Bell, John Bennett, Cut, we arrived in Rich Street, teenth century. Before long, we dou- Trevor Bond, Rob Clack, Philip Limehouse. Rob produced a photo- bled back on ourselves and began to Hutchinson, Laura Prieto, Mark Ripper, graph of murder victim Lilian Hartney, head west again, this time along Poplar Peter Whitby and myself) met outside who was found lying in a gateway here High Street, stopping off at the site of Aldgate East for a walk that Rob Clack back in the 1940s. As is well known, Clark’s Yard where Catherine Mylett had carefully planned, which took in the murder sites of Jack the Ripper’s was murdered in December 1888. As some of the more obscure Ripper related victims have changed enormously since with many places in the East End, sites, and also a handful of non-Ripper the 1880s, so it was striking to see that the actual spot where she was found related ones for good measure. in this case, there was a picture of the is buried under concrete, and as such

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 90 there is very little to see, but I very much appreciated Rob including this on the walk, as it was the one remain- ing Whitechapel Murders location I’d not visited up to that point. Passing the site of the Poplar Workhouse, mentioned in Jack London’s People of the Abyss, a number of us were beginning to crave some liquid refreshment and a nice sit down, and so the sight of the Grapes pub on Narrow Street, amongst all the pre- served old warehouses was very wel- come. Rob, Philip and Neil left the rest of us in the pub, and headed off to Brick Lane for a curry, taking in the site of the Ratcliffe Highway murders, and Breezers Hill where Mary Kelly was said to have lodged. The group were reunited that eve- ning for the April Whitechapel Society Na r r o w St r e e t meeting, where strange tales of a game of football in Mitre Square were told. covering more obscure locations in the late April, and will be announced on It’s on YouTube, so it must have taken East End! Casebook in due course. place, albeit with a tennis ball! At the Two excellent videos of the London Andrew Firth is the author of Past meeting, John Bennett gave an excel- Job filmed by Philip Hutchinson, are Traces available from w w w .b l u r b .c o m lent talk on the changing face of Jack available on his YouTube page. the Ripper’s London, which was agreed Gu i l f o r d Gh o s t Lo n d o n Jo b 2010 by many to have been one of the best Finally, a book of everyone’s If you have a story you society talks in ages. It was a fitting photos from the London Job 2010 is would like to submit end to a very enjoyable day. Already, in preparation, and will be available please email us. there’s talk of another London Job, for purchase from www.blurb.com in [email protected]

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 91 Ultimate Ripperolgist’s Tour: Leicestershire A compendium of travels through locations pertinent to the Ripper case.

Le i c e s t e r To w n Ha l l

Th e Je w r y Wa l l a n d St Ni c h o l a s Ch u r c h

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 92 elcome to the first part of the Casebook Examiner Ultimate WRipperologists Tour. We will set the scene of what Leicestershire has to offer before we mark up places here that have an interesting connection to the Jack the Ripper case and then out- line your perfect route by telling you how to find the landmarks of interest. Sit back and let us do the hard work so you do not have to. What better place to start a tour of every conceivable Ripper related loca- tion than Leicestershire, the birthplace of the package holiday. It was here, in 1841, that Thomas Cook, a name now synonymous with holidays, was en route to a temperance meeting when he had the idea of arranging excur- sions. Cook decided to arrange a trip for five hundred and seventy temper- ance society members to depart from Leicester’s Campbell Street train sta- tion to Loughborough, eleven miles away, in order to attend a rally. He made arrangements with the railway company and took a share of the ticket price. Success at this and further tem- A l i k e n e s s o f Th o m a s perance excursions led him to set up his Co o k c a s t f r o m f i n e s t own business offering rail-based holi- b r o n z e a n d e m b l a z o n e d days to passengers. He subsequently w i t h t h e g e n t l m a n ’s organised trips abroad to the continent. m o n i c k e r !

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 93 Therefore, it is fitting that when you You can also easily reach Leicester via link is that Lady Jane Grey, the ‘nine get to the train station and beat a hasty train links from , Luton, day Queen’, had her family seat in exit towards Leicester city centre one of Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. Bradgate in Leicestershire. And did the first thing you may notice on leav- Leicestershire has several famous you know that Phil Shaw, inventor of ing is Thomas Cook’s statue. sons and daughters and we hope you extreme ironing started the sport in have heard of at least some of these his back garden in Leicester! About Leicester and people! From a cultural aspect there According to legend, Leicester was Leicestershire are the novelists Sue Townsend and founded by the mythical King Lear. Leicestershire is tucked in the Anne Fine; from the world of TV and The Romans had a city in Leicester and heart of England; in the East Midlands film there are Gok Wan (How To Look the remains of the bathhouse, known region. It is a good starting point for Good Naked), Sir David and Lord locally as the Jewry Wall, can still be any trip; you can fairly easily get to it Richard Attenborough and Parminder seen today. This ruin is second largest from all around the country. Leicester Nagra (ER, Bend It Like Beckham) and piece of surviving civil Roman building has good train connections, travelling from the music world there are John in Britain. In the 9th century Leicester from London’s St Pancras train station Deacon, who is the bassist of Queen, became one of the five boroughs it is a mere hour and eleven minutes pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck of Danelaw (along with Stamford, away on the express trains. There are and Brit award winning rock band Lincoln, Derby and Nottingham) and also regular direct trains to Leicester Kasabian. For a sporting connection therefore was under Viking (and not from Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, there are footballers Gary Lineker, Anglo-Saxon) law and control. This Peterborough, Birmingham and Emile Heskey, Dion Dublin and Peter period of Viking law is said to have Nuneaton, as well as good connections Shilton; rugby’s Dean Richards, and run until the eleventh century. A little in all directions. You can also travel to snooker players Mark Selby and further forward in time, an interesting Leicester via bus or coach on direct ser- Willie Thorn — and what a team they note is that it was in Leicester in 1265 vices from Birmingham, Coventry and make! Leicestershire is also associated that Simon De Montfort forced King Northampton, amongst others. There with several historical figures includ- Henry III to hold the first parliament are plenty of main roads nearby includ- ing King Richard III, who died in the of England at Leicester Castle. It was ing the M1 which runs from London to Battle of Bosworth in Leicestershire also at the Castle that John of Gaunt the North and M69 (running east to and whose body was, according to local (as well as being Duke of Lancaster, west and connecting to the M6). You legend, thrown into the River Soar, in Gaunt was the Earl of Leicester) and can also fly into the confusingly named Leicester (there is a statue in his like- his second wife, Constance of Castile, Nottingham East Midlands Airport ness in the Castle Gardens, Leicester to both died. In 1530, Cardinal Wolsey, (actually located in Leicestershire). commemorate this). Another historical on the run and disgraced at the Court

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 94 of King Henry VIII after failing to secure him a divorce form Catherine of Aragon (Henry’s first wife), died of nat- ural causes at Leicester Abbey where he was subsequently buried. No memo- rial was put up in his honour. One of the oldest buildings in the city is Leicester’s Guildhall, which dates back to the 14th Century and is one of the best preserved wooden halls in the UK. It once housed a police station and also the Quarter Session Courts for Leicester. In 1836 a brick house was built at the Guildhall to house the constable, police cells and other police buildings that were developed after the Borough Police Force was established. One can still visit the cells and view the old gibbet if feeling a little ghoulish. Leicestershire’s traditional industries were knitwear, hosiery, and footwear but these have steadily declined over time in the city since their heyday. Today Leicester is known for its ethnic diversity; in addition to English over seventy other languages are spoken by residents of the city.

Th e Gu i l d h a l l

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 95 Leicestershire True on the bike was enough to eventually of Leicester, developed DNA finger- Crime Links trace it to Light. At the trial, on the printing in Leicester. The key moment It was in the criminal court at advice of his barrister, Light admitted arrived in September 1984 when Leicester Castle that the trial of the to everything placing him with Wright Jeffreys realised the possible scope of alleged Green Bicycle Murderer, one on the night of her death but denied variations in the DNA code. It was first of the city’s best known true crimes, killing her. A case was made that she used in police work in the 1983/1986 took place in 1920. Bella Wright had could have been accidentally killed by a cases of the rapes and murders of two been found shot to death near Little stray bullet fired by a third party from fifteen-year-old girls, Lynda Mann Stretton, Leicestershire on 5th July a distance from nearby farmland. This and Dawn Ashworth in Narborough 1919. Initially and somewhat bizarrely, theory was enough to convince the jury and Enderby in Leicestershire. Colin the doctor on scene stated she had died of reasonable doubt and acquit Light. Pitchfork was convicted of the crimes of a biking accident but after washing Sir Alec Jeffreys (knighted in 1994), after samples from him were matched the face of the corpse the entry wound Professor of Genetics at the University with semen samples taken from the was discovered. The leading suspect was one Ronald Light. He did not originally come forward in response to wanted posters that tried to identify a man who rode a green bicycle and was the last person to be seen with Wright on the evening of her death. After the murder, Light acted somewhat suspi- ciously by firstly hiding his bike in a cupboard for five months (he said so as not to worry his ailing mother) and then taking it to pieces and throw- ing it off a bridge into the River Soar/ Leicester Canal. The bike was subse- quently discovered by a man pulling a horse-drawn barge. Upon dredging the canal, a gun and bullets matching those found at the crime scene were also dis- covered. A faint serial number found Le i c e s t e r Ca s t l e

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 96 bodies of the victims. During an origi- he was aged just three, was born on 5th to display himself as a curiosity at the nal DNA search of men in the area a August 1862 at 50 Lee Street, Leicester. Gaiety Theatre, on the corner of Wharf blank was drawn, the reason for this He was the son of Mary Jane Potterton Street, Leicester. It was at this loca- was ascertained when Ian Kelly, in a and Joseph Rockerly Merrick, who at tion in 2004 that the Friends of Joseph local pub, was heard to boast that he one time lived on Syston Street, which Carey Merrick had a plaque erected had been paid the sum of £200 to fill has now been demolished and is under in his honour. However, the Theatre in for Pitchfork at the time his sample the Codben Street Estate. Joseph’s was subsequently demolished in 2009, was supposedly given. mother died when he was aged just and a block of flats is being built in its twelve and his father subsequently place. This block is to be called Merrick The Ripper Connections remarried Emma Antil Wood, but it is House, and the Merrick plaque is to to Leicestershire said that his new stepmother was not be re-erected on its completion. Some There are three people whom we kind to young Joseph. Joseph ended of the ornamental stonework from connect with the Jack the Ripper case up in the Leicester Union Workhouse the original theatre has been saved. who have a Leicestershire link. These several times, on at least one occasion Merrick had surgery at a Leicester are the so-called Elephant Man, Joseph as a destitute. In 1884, Joseph decided Hospital (presumably the Leicester Carey Merrick, who was born and raised in Leicester; , the Victorian Spiritualist who allegedly tracked down the Ripper through psy- chic means, who was born in Hinckley in Leicestershire and died in Leicester, and finally, Frederick Bailey Deeming, who committed familicide and is some- times thought to have been Jack, who was born in Ashby De La Zouch in the county.

Joseph Merrick’s Leicester Joseph Merrick, sometimes referred to as the Elephant Man due to Le i c e s t e r Ro y a l deformities that began to develop when In f i r m a r y

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 97 Royal Infirmary) in 1882. He had an Our Route Heading away from Lee Street and uncle, a hairdresser of 144 Church If you have arrived in Leicester down Belgrave Gate, you will come to Gate, who was said to have been on a train you are now in a good posi- the Clock Tower, perhaps Leicester’s good to Joseph when he was younger. tion to take a swift trip to the site of most iconic landmark (originally a traf- Other places associated with Merrick Leicester’s Workhouse, now under fic island) and one of the streets run- in Leicester include Upper Brunswick Moat Community College. It is located a ning from this is Church Gate, where Street, where the family lived in 1865; short distance away along Sparkenhoe Merrick’s uncle’s shop was. You have Birstall Street/Russell Square, where Street. Unfortunately, none of the orig- already done a lot of walking and we they lived in1868, and 4 Wanlip Street, inal structure now remains, it being think you deserve a treat so why not where they moved to in 1874. largely an Astroturf™ pitch for the College. However, on our trip we noted, Robert James Lees with a wry smile, this sign for Elephant Leicester Connections Gardens at the edge of the pitch, which Robert Lees moved back to we assume to be a coincidence rather Leicester around 1928. He stayed at than anything else. A short hop back to a house at 120 Fosse Road South, and the main road of St George’s Way will it was here that he died in January leave you well placed for a further jour- 1931. Lees was cremated at the nearby ney into Merrick territory. Following Gilroes Cemetery and his ashes were the road away from the Station, and interred at Ilfracombe in Devon where turning left at the roundabout down his wife, who died in 1912, is buried. Humberstone Road , you will now be His daughter Eva lived at 54 Fosse approaching Wharf Street. Along this Road after her father’s death, whilst his street, at the corner with Gladstone son Claude resided for many years in Street, is the site of the space where Greenhill Road on the outskirts of the the historic Gaiety Theatre, now tragi- city. Lees’ image is said to adorn the cally demolished, once was. After a altar at Leicester , pause for a reflection that this was the Vaughan Way. Lees also preached a site where Merrick first displayed him- key sermon at the Corn Exchange in self as a curiosity, you can make your Leicester, the building of which is still way to the nearby Lee Street to see standing today. where the house he was born in would have been if it was still standing! We l c o m e t o t h e El e p h a n t Ga r d e n !

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 98 have a cuppa at Mrs Bridges Victorian Tea Rooms, for a sense of the bygone era. The tea rooms are a short distance away off the High Street (where inci- dentally Claude Lees once had a pho- tography shop) on Loseby Lane. Once you are suitably refreshed, why not make your way back toward the train station via Market Street (recom- mended by Ripperolgist Neal Shelden as the nicest Street in the whole of Leicester!). Those feeling a bit adven- turous might like to follow the signs towards Leicester Royal Infirmary, perhaps via Leicester Castle, to see the oldest part of the hospital — now called Victoria Building and dating back to 1777. If you have good legs you are now nearer to 120 Fosse Road South, the place where Robert Lees died, than you have been at any other point on your journey so far. If you walk behind the Infirmary towards the River Soar you will find Upperton Road, at the end of Upperton Road lies Fosse Road South, 120, now converted into flats is on the corner of Harrow Road. Mr s Br i d g e s Vi c t o r i a n Te a Ro o m s

Th e Cl o c k To w e r , constructed i n 1868, i s a p o p l a r m e e t i n g p l a c e i n Le i c e s t e r

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 99 Branching into the County

Frederick Bailey about where Frederick himself was It was in this bustling market town Deeming, Ashby born but we do know that he was the in 1849 that Robert James Lees, who Connection son of Thomas and Ann Deeming (nee was called a ‘madman and fool’ by the Nestling on the Leicestershire, Bailey). He was one of seven children. police after he went to several police Derbyshire and Warwickshire border He ran off to sea aged 16 and little is stations in October 1888 to offer to lies the historic town of Ashby De La known of his early life. Deeming was psychically aid their enquires. Was Zouch. Ashby is best known for its hanged in Melbourne Gaol for murder born. In the 1850s Lees’ family owned wonderful ruined castle, which was in 1892. the Queens Head in the town and this built by the first Lord Hastings in pub still stands today. One can pop in the 15th century and is the setting for Lees and Hinckley and still capture the atmosphere that the tournament in Sir Walter Scott’s To the southwest of Leicester, on probably greeted Lees and one may Ivanhoe. The castle is well worth a the border with Warwickshire that is let their imagination run wild and pic- visit for all interested in English his- marked by the Roman road of Watling ture young Lees and his siblings run- tory and boasts the magnificent twen- Street, lies the town of Hinckley. ning about the place. It also happens ty-four metre tall Hastings Tower. The It is easy to get to from Leicester to be the perfect location for a quiet unusual name of Ashby De La Zouch is Train Station via a train bound for drink or two (or three or four!) There is derived from the Breton noblemen who Birmingham New Street. The town is now a plaque on the front of the build- inherited the estate through marriage known for its long connection to the ing adjacent, put up by Hinckley Civic in the 12th century. knitwear industry, as it was the first Society, as this building (a shop also Upon first glimpsing this historic town in the Midlands that saw the owned by the Lees) is said to be the town it is hard to think that the infa- stocking frame introduced. William place of Robert’s birth. As a side note, mous killer Frederick Bailey Deeming Illife brought this first framework- Regent Street in Hinckley was also the (known for murdering his first wife and knitting machine to Hinckley in 1640, residence of Lees and his family at the family before fleeing to Australia—only having purchased it for the sum of £60. time of the 1861 Census. to kill his second wife) was born here It took a further forty years before on 30th July 1853. Sadly, we know little the trade began in nearby Leicester.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 100 Local dialect more information to Hinckley and its links to Jack to help you understand help plan your trip what the blithering heck Robert James Lees they are going on To check train and travel info go to: w w w .r j l e e s .c o .uk about there! w w w .traveltoleicester .c o .uk w w w .c a s e b o o k .o g r /dissertation s w w w .t r a v e l i n e .o r g .uk Mardy = grumpy, in a sulk. w w w .nationalrail .c o .uk Hinckley Cob = bread roll w w w .h i n c k l e y -b o s w o r t h .g o v .uk (NB chip cob = chips in a bread roll). Car Park Information: Twisted Yarns (2000) by S. Barton and Ey up mi duck = Hello, my friend. w w w .l e i c e s t e r .g o v .uk R Murray, North Warks and Hinckley It’s black over Bill’s mothers = College, Hinckley. it looks as if it might rain soon. Leicester and its links to Jack Jitty = alleyway Asbhy De La Zouch and its links Yorn = yours Joseph Merrick to Jack Ourn = ours w w w .j o s e p hcareymerrick .c o m Theirn = theirs w w w .thisisleicestershire .c o .uk Frederick Bailey Deeming Croggie = to ride illegally on the w w w .w o r k h o u s e s .o r g .uk w w w .a d b .o n l i n e .a n u .e d u .au handlebars of a bike ‘Frederick Bailey Deeming’ by Janet OR to cross one’s fingers. Leicester Deeming (2004) Leicestershire and People from Leicester are known as w w w .oneleicester .c o m Rutland Family History Society Chesits in the nearby seaside resort w w w .goleicestershire .c o m Journal No 116 June 2004 of Skegness due to confusion arising The Leicester Guildhall : A Short Ashby De La Zouch when they ask “How much is it?” History and Guide by Pete Bryan and w w w .e n g l i s h -h e r i t a g e .o r g .uk (heard as “I’m a chesit”!) Sue Cooper Leicester City Council Leicester (2009) w w w .t h o m a s c o o k .c o m With thanks to Neal Shelden for “I’m a w w w .leicesterchronicler .c o m / photography. chesit”! greenbicycl e

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 101 CSI: Whitechapel

August 1888 Nichols Mary Ann

Location: Buck’s Row, Whitechapel

Date: 31st August, 1888

Time: 3:45 AM

The Victim: Identified as Mary Ann Nichols by Ellen Holland, a friend and subsequently by William Nichols, her husband. Mary Ann was born on 26th August 1845, her maiden name was Walker.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 102 Victim Discovered By: Charles Cross and Robert Paul, carmen who were on route to their workplace and also by PC Neil 97J.

First Police on Scene: PC Neil 97J, PC Mizen 55H and PC Thain 96J

Medical Assistance: Doctor Llewellyn was summoned by PC Thain and he pronounced Mary Ann Nichols to be dead and apparently only by a few minutes. He had her removed to the mortuary by ambulance for fur- ther examination.

The Crime Scene: A stable entrance gateway in Buck’s Row, Whitechapel. This street was narrow and dark, to the west of the The Discovery of the breathing, unsure if Mary was still murder location was the local board Body: alive, but sadly, he could detect noth- school and past this point the street When discovered Mary’s body was posi- ing. Charles Cross felt her hands and became a little wider and more open. To tioned on the pavement outside the he found that they were cold and limp. the east lay a row of terraced houses, the stable gateway and the gate was closed. Also at about this time PC Neil felt her first being New Cottage, whilst Essex Mary’s head was to the east and her left arm and found it to be warm from joints Wharf was on the opposite side of the hand touched the gate, which was said upwards. Doctor Llewellyn noted, on street. It has been noted that the exte- to have been nine or ten feet high. She examining the deceased, that her body rior settings and the dim light by which was lying on her back and her skirts and legs were still warm. Mary’s eyes the bodies were first discovered would were raised almost to her stomach. At were wide open when she was found have made containment and examina- the time of the discovery Robert Paul and her bonnet was discovered lying by tion of the crime scene more difficult. crouched down to see if he could detect her right side close to her left hand.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 103 The Evidence: It was reported, that on discovery there was still blood oozing from her throat wound at the time she was found. The police reports indicated that Mary’s throat had been cut from left to right, with two distinct cuts on the left side and that her windpipe and gullet had been cut through. Chief Inspector Swanson’s report of 19th October 1888 recorded the throat cut had nearly sev- ered the head from the body. Mary’s abdomen had been cut open from centre of the bottom of the ribs along the right side and under the pelvis to the left of the stomach; the wound was jagged and the coating of the stomach was also cut in several places. There were also two small stabs on her pri- vate parts apparently made using a strong bladed knife. It was also stated in the initial official reports that the Du r w a r d St r e e t C1970 wounds were supposed to have been done by some left handed person, but bruise on left side of face might have said to leave no doubt that the murder later that this theory was now doubt- been inflicted by the pressure of the was committed at the location where ful. A bruise, apparently of a thumb, on fingers. the body was found as there was not the right lower jaw and also one on the Doctor Llewellyn stated that blood pattern to indicate that the body left cheek were found. The bruise, run- Mary had not been dead for more than had been dragged. ning along lower part of the jaw on the thirty minutes at the time she was According to PC Thain on the spot right side of the face, might have been discovered and that death had been where the body had been lying there caused by a blow from a fist or pres- almost instantaneous. Furthermore, was a mass of congealed blood about sure from a thumb, whilst the circular the results of the post mortem were six inches in diameter that had run

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 104 towards the gutter and this appeared flannel petticoat (both stencilled with Railway, the East London Railway to be a large quantity of blood. It was Lambeth Workhouse on the bands), and the District Railway as far as also found that Mary’s clothing had flannel drawers and men’s elastic sided Thomas Street. He did not discover the absorbed quite a lot of blood at the back, boots (with the uppers cut and steel murder weapon nor any bloodstain. thus creating the initial appearance tips on the heels). At around eleven Inspector Spratling of more minimal blood loss. PC Thain searched Buck’s Row and Brady Street believed this blood had flowed from the The Murder Weapon: but returned empty handed. Sergeant neck and waist. No blood was found on It was ascertained from Mary’s wounds Godley also searched the great Eastern the breast either of the body or clothes. that the knife used to kill her had Railway yard and the premises of When Inspector Spratling arrived at been strong bladed. It was also stated the East London and Metropolitan 4:30 am blood was being washed away the knife must have had a long blade District Railways, finding nothing of from the pavement but he could see and that the wounds could only have note. Inspector Helson later searched some stains in between the stones. been committed using a dagger or long the area, but he discovered only one According to Philip Sugden (2002) the sharp knife. stain which might have been blood, in blood patterns indicate that Mary Ann Brady Street. was killed whilst lying on her back. The Search for Clues: At the time of the grim discovery Witnesses: On Her Person: a search with a view to finding the There were several people in the vicin- The police found a piece of comb and a murder weapon took place but noth- ity of the murder location at the time bit of looking glass, but no money. In her ing was found. The police also reported no one saw or heard any indication pocket was an unmarked white hand- that they had found nothing left that Mary was being murdered. Emma kerchief. An inventory of her clothes, behind at the scene by the murderer. Green, resident at New Cottage, on subsequently taken at the mortuary As Sugden (2002 pp 47) stated “the Buck’s Row, the cottage was adjacent to by Inspector Spratling, indicated that Buck’s Row killer left nothing except where Mary was found. She her daugh- Mary Ann was wearing a black straw Polly’s body to mark his passing”. ter and two sons were all in bed by bonnet trimmed with black velvet, red- Several officers searched Buck’s Row eleven o’clock. They occupied the front dish brown Ulster (with seven large and its vicinity between five and six room on the first floor of the house. She brass buttons bearing the pattern of a am on the morning of the murder and and her family heard or saw nothing woman on horseback accompanied by Inspector Spratling sent PC Thain to unusual during the night and they did a man), a brown linsey frock, a white examine all the premises near the spot not wake up until the police knocked flannel chest clothe, black ribbed wool where the body had been found includ- on her door. Walter Purkiss who lived stockings, one grey wool petticoat, one ing Essex Wharf, the Great Eastern at and was manager of Essex Wharf

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 105 also reported that he and his family were held responsible for moving it and similarly did not see or hear anything in none of the Whitechapel Murders untoward until awoken by the police at did they waste much time doing it approximately four o’clock. In his previ- (Sugden, 2002). ous beat passing down the street some Wagner (2006) was highly critical thirty minutes previously PC Neil had of the procedures used at the mortuary not spotted anything untoward. stating that “At the inquest it became apparent that no logical method has Suspects: been applied in moving the corpse or John Pizer aka Leather Apron was collecting the clothes and other physical initially suspected as there had been evidence. The “mortuary attendants” reports of him ill treating prostitutes were totally untrained inmates of the in the area. However, further investi- workhouse ... with no idea of proper pro- gation cleared him of suspicion. cedure, they had made no notes, labelled no evidence, and had only vague recol- Criticisms: lections of what they had done.” Wagner Mary’s body was not screened off and further noted that the coroner had subjected to a thorough examination stated publicly that the mortuary and in Buck’s Row. This led to the embar- its keeper were inadequate. However, rassment of the full extent of her Sugden (2002) noted that however defi- injuries only being discovered at the cient police procedures might appear by mortuary by Inspector Spratling, who modern standards, they do not seem to on completion of a description lifted up have departed from Victorian conven- her clothing to reveal the full extent tions. Whilst Sugden acknowledges in of the mutilations and then had to his book that it is true Whitechapel had call Dr Llewellyn back to the mortu- no public mortuary and the body had to ary to carry out further investigation. be taken to the workhouse mortuary in Whilst it would have been possible to Old Montague Street, that the atten- carry out such an examination at the dants stripped and cleaned the body scene, it would also have been difficult. before the post mortem, but he feels they Furthermore, at that time when a body were probably just following orders. was discovered in the street the police

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 106 The Limitations stains up to three years old. However, Sources: of the Day: in the nineteenth century, blood on a Cooper, C. (2008) Eyewitness: Forensic The methods of rigorous forensic analy- suspect, or at a crime scene, such as the Science, DK, London. sis we have become accustomed to today suspected blood discovered in Brady Evans, S. and Skinner, K. (2001) The were not established in 1888, at this Street, could not be defined in terms of Ultimate Jack the Ripper Sourcebook, point in time it was not unlikely that its origins. It could equally be claimed Constable and Robinson, London. you would find police walking around to be animal blood as human and sci- Sugden, P. (2002) The Complete History a crime scene handling evidence with ence was not able to prove this either of Jack the Ripper, Revised paper- their bare hands. Indeed the use of way. Hence confusion and uncertainties back edition, Constable and Robinson, rubber gloves, even at autopsies, was could easily be raised and reasonable London. not common place until at least 1890. doubt cast. Wade, S. (2009) DNA Crime Scene Today, this might seem like a lack of Investigations, Wharncliffe books, care and understanding, however, it Conclusion: Barnsley. was not so important then because the Due to the nature of the crime, the Wagner, E.J (2006) The Science of simple forensic techniques that were lack of witnesses, the drawbacks in Sherlock Holmes, John Wiley and Sons, available were less likely to be affected contemporary forensic medicine, and New Jersey. by these actions. Understanding blood the seeming lack of motive for this ter- w w w .c a s e b o o k .o r g /v i c t i m s /p o l l y evidence has come a long way since rible crime the case is still open. At last 1888, indeed it was not until 1901 that count, more than 200 suspects reported Karl Landsteiner first established the and being investigated. blood groups A, B and O and it was another 24 years, 1925, before it would be determined that blood groups were obtainable via other body fluids. It was not until the 1960’s that Scotland Yard was really able to use its forensic lab for the purpose of using bloodstains to relate evidence to various suspects. One reliable test which could detect the presence of blood and this was spectrum analysis, which was highly sensitive and could detect blood in

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 107 from the casebook archives: Emma Smith – Murdered April 1888

urdered in April 1888 Emma born around 1843 and that she was Smith, who is not generally a mother of two, possibly a widower, Mbelieved to be a victim of although she also stated that she left Jack the Ripper, but nonetheless is the her husband in 1877, and so she may victim of a horrific unsolved murder in have simply been separated. It also the East End in 1888, is the focus of states that she was a prostitute living …it was clear that the this issue’s look through the Casebook’s at 18 George Street, who was to regu- woman had been barbarously extensive archives. larly go out for the night, presumably to The main Casebook site has a ply her trade on the nearby streets. The murdered. It was impossible wealth of information on the murder. Wiki information can be found h e r e. to imagine a more brutal and Not least, it contains some interesting Quentin L. Pittman’s essay, ‘The press reports, for example, the Times’, Importance of Fairy Fay and Her dastardly assault… Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper and East Links to Emma Smith’, argues the London Advertiser’s coverage of her importance of considering the early inquest. This can be found h e r e. Whitechapel attacks, such as on Smith The Times, Monday, April 9, 1888 The Casebook Wiki, offers a and Wilson as important. It opens “At detailed round up of the information first glance, Fairy Fay, as the name currently known about Smith. It is suggests, does indeed appear to be a also reproduced on the main Casebook mythical creature, having sprung from site. The Wiki recounts that Smith was journalist Terence Robertson’s inkwell

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 108 Next month we will focus on the topic of “Ripperologists”

Os b o u r n St r e e t , w h e r e Sm i t h w a s a t t a c k e d early in the Autumn of 1950. However, Some pictures relating to Smith, occurred in Whitechapel the mystery surrounding this often dis- namely, her death certificate and From the Ripper Podcast housed on missed Chapel dweller could be the key a couple of illustrations from the the Casebook comes an episode where to learning Jack the Ripper’s identity.” Illustrated Police News, can be found Jonathan Menges, Ally Ryder and Pittman’s suggestion that Fay was in on the Ca s e b o o k Ph o t o Ar c h i ve. various guests discuss the pre-Nich- fact a reference to an earlier attack on The Casebook Message Boards for ols Whitechapel murders, including a Lillian Hayes, who lived in the same March 2008, contain an interesting that of Emma Smith. It is interesting block as Smith is certainly thought discussion on an attack that took place to hear fellow Ripperologist’s views on provoking. It is well worth a look and on the same day as Smith’s. This is this aspect of the case and can be found can be found h e r e the attack on one Malvina Hayes and h e r e.

from the casebook archives: Emma Smith – Murdered April 1888 Scenes of Crime Robert Clack

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1C h April r i s t C2010h u r c h110 1909 he first image is a section of noticeable from this photograph is that Along with the name change, the street a larger photograph taken in The had three entrances in was renumbered and 31 Church Street TMarch 1909, and is one of a 1909 rather than the one entrance we became 3 Fournier Street. It was series that covered Christ Church, know today. around this time in the early 1890s Spitalfields, which were taken in The proprietor in 1888 was John that Joseph Jones retired and moved March and April of 1909. Most likely Waldron, who seems to have spent to 3 Edbrooke Street in Paddington, taken from the southeast corner of most of his adult life living in The Ten London, with his wife Emma. William Duval Street (formerly Street), Bells. Edward Waldron, his uncle, was and Arthur carried on the business the photograph shows the north- proprietor in the 1841 census. By the renaming it ‘Jones Bros, Pawnbrokers’ east corner of Commercial Street and time of the 1851 census, John Waldron An early sign ‘W & A Jones’ can still Fournier Street. There are not one but had joined him as ‘Bar Man’, from be seen today on the shop front. two Jack the Ripper connections on which start he eventually took over show here. Edward’s duties as proprietor, a posi- The Ten Bells on the corner of tion he held until 1891. Commercial Street and Fournier Street Two doors from the left of The (formerly Church Street), is probably Ten Bells in Fournier Street is ‘Jones the most well known public house asso- Brothers, Pawnbrokers’. There had ciated with the Whitechapel Murders, been family run pawnbrokers on this although there is no firm evidence that site for at least forty years. Initially any of the victims actually drank there. started by Joseph Jones, when he The earliest known recording of the died (possibly around 1879), his eldest name The Ten Bells on this site was in son, also named Joseph, ran the busi- 1754; the current building itself dates ness with help from two of his younger from 1845. brothers, William and Arthur. In 1888, The association with the mur- the business was registered as ‘Joseph ders probably has more to do with the Jones, Pawnbrokers’ at 31 Church renaming of the public house in 1975 Street, Spitalfields. It was here that to the Jack the Ripper. As the cente- Catherine Eddowes pawned John nary of the murders approached in Kelly’s boots on the morning of the 1988, protests by the public over the 29th September for 2/6d. name caused the owners to change the Church Street was renamed name back to The Ten Bells. What is Fournier Street on 7th November 1893.

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 111 Acknowledgements I would like to thank Debra J. Arif and John Bennett for their help with this article.

Biography Robert Clack

obert Clack is from Surrey, 1901, published in Ripper Notes 24. England. He has been studying He has co-authored with Debra J. Arif, Rthe Whitechapel Murders for ‘A Rose By Any Other Name?’ a look at more than 25 years. At the 2009 Jack the life of Catherine Mylett aka ‘Rose’ the Ripper Conference he was pre- Mylett’ and he recently co-authored a sented with the Jeremy Beadle Award series of articles with Neil Bell on the for his outstanding contributions Police Officers involved to Ripperology. He is the co-author in the Whitechapel Murders. For both of the book The London of Jack the these articles he was short-listed for Ripper: Then and Now, with Philip Ripperologist’s Beadle Prize for 2009, Hutchinson. He also is the author of eventually winning for his article ‘Death in the Lodging House’ a look with Debra. at the murder of Mary Ann Austin in

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1 April 2010 112 The End

THE CASEBOOK Examiner Issue 1C h April r i s t C2010h u r c h113 2007