Ripperologist 112

[Tom_Wescott]

The new issue is being sent out. Looks like some good stuff here! I'm excited about John 'Gravitas' Bennett's new series on the City police Ripper letters. A few I'm particularly curious about is the one naming a 'Hyde Park anarchist' as the Ripper, and also the fact that Dr. Blackwell's neighbor wrote a letter believing that his wife might be the (then) unidentified Mitre Square victim. Most of the City letters seem to be people suggesting the same old stuff - hire women as decoys or dress constables up as women. But there seems to be some very interesting material in there.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Natalie Severn]

Thanks Tom.That Hyde Park character might have been PC Brown for all we know.He shot himself in Hyde Park I seem to remember.Maybe he was a double agent and got shopped?

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi Nats. I doubt it, as anarchists spoke quite a bit in Hyde Park, and our friend Albert Bachert would be on hand to speak against them. I've read that William Morris suspect an anarchist as the Ripper...whether or not he had someone specific in mind, I have no idea, but I'd like to know more. I know he came to resent the anarchists of Berner Street and only spoke there out of obligation after 1888.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Natalie Severn]

Thats fascinating Tom.I think they gave poor old Morris a very hard time,even though he had funded the magazine Commonweal.He lived in the clouds William Morris, but he would have been canny enough to spot a real bad un operating at Berner Street.Mind nothing would surprise me about Albert Bachert----over interested in the whole thing from start to finish.
Best
Norma

[Tom_Wescott]

Landmark issue

This issue of Rip is a landmark issue. Anybody want to guess what the landmark is?

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Monty]

Swamped in the rush there Tom.

Monty

[Tom_Wescott]

It's the 50th issue since going electronic with issue #62.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Monty]

Wow, you counted them huh?

Monty

[Tom_Wescott]

I'm not very good at math, but this was a simple one. LOL.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Monty]

Heh,

I got kids to do that for me. I tell them it helps with their education.

Read Johns piece yet?

Monty

[Tom_Wescott]

I'll be printing off most of the issue today and reading it at home the next couple of evenings. Although I'm more of a Phillips man, I'm anxious to read your Brown piece! There's also something in there on Sherlock, which I'm sure to enjoy. I recently rewatched all the Rathbone films, am watching Brett now, and at bedtime am reading the collection 'The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes', so I guess I'm on a bit of a Holmes kick.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Monty]

I had a Holmes kick back in the late 90s but Jons recent pieces on the detective has rekindled my interest greatly.

I hope Rob and my article gives you a little insight into Browns world....and keep your eye open for the piece in the BMJ dated 10th November 1888. Id be interested in your view on that.

Monty

[Debra A]

Rob and Monty,
Just finished reading and enjoying your article.
The Association of Police Surgeons, mentioned in the BMJ is very interesting. I imagine the various police surgeons involved must have talked informally if not 'officially' about the Whitechapel murders. Nice to see something that shows there was a bit of co-operation between them all for once. Good find!

Re Brown's photo...that's just got to be him.

[Natalie Severn]

Yes,I have half read the Brown article and its fabulous!

[Monty]

Many thanks Debs and Norma, glad you enjoyed it.

Debs,

When I first found the article I kinda got over excited, thought the association was formed as a direct result of the murders, a kinda Ripper task force similar to the Yorkshire Ripper one.

However I was wrong. That said, I find it nigh on impossible to think the murders were not discussed, even if off record. After all, along with Brown we we have Sir Charles Warren, Philips, Bond, McKellar as well as McDonald all at the same meeting the Wednesday before Mary Kellys murder.

Then after her murder, who turns up in Millers Court? Most I mentioned above.

As for the photo, obviously you are aware as you were consulted but your aid re Post Mortems/attire is another pro and most helpful...thank you

Monty