Leon Goldstein had empty cigarette cartons, used by cigarette makers to package their hand rolled products. There were cigarette makers in the cottages in the passageway, awake at the time of the murder and discovery. I believe Leon intended to deliver his empty cartons to the men who waited for him in the cottages, but was probably waived on past as he looked into the yard, by gathering members crowding around Stride.
Interesting possibility, but it relies on Louis arriving before Leon. Yet Fanny says she saw Goldstein walk by, and only afterwards heard Diemschutz's cart go by.
William West says in his inquest evidence that he left the club with his brother, so presumably he too was a member. West also says that another member, named Louis Stansley, left with them.
Eagle says that a member named Jacobs and another ran off looking for police.
The Daily News has the member who left with Wess and his brother as "Lewis Selzi".
Was William West actually Wolf Wess, as the witness page says, or was this his brother?
According to Sugden's "Complete History", Leon Goldstein - the man with the black bag seen by Fanny Mortimer - was a member of the club. Can anyone confirm this, or know where he got this from?
Found it!
Daily News 3rd Oct '88
"Mr. W. Wess, Secretary of the International Working Men's Club, Berner-street, called at our office at midnight and made the following statement:-It having come to my knowledge that the man who was seen by Mrs. Mortimer, of 36, Berner-street, passing her house "carrying a black shiny bag," who walked very fast down the street from the Commercial-road about the time the murder was supposed to have occurred, was a member of the club, I immediately went with him, between 10 and 11 to-night, to the Leman-street Police-station, where he made a statement as to his whereabouts on Saturday evening which was completely satisfactory"