The Red Cross Drawer

[Chris Scott]

Lloyds Weekly
21 October 1888

Our attention has been drawn to a rather curious fact in connection with the East End atrocities, and that is that the murders have been committed in the form of a dagger shaped cross, Mitre Square, George yard, Hanbury Street, and Berner Street forming the hilt of the dagger in the order named, and Buck's Row the point of this imaginary dagger. A reporter says: In connection with the above, it may be stated that for some time past a man has been noticed going about London and drawing crosses of the shape of the above in red pencil on the pavement. His description is as follows:-
Height about 5ft 7in; age about 45; dark complexion and moustache; rather shabbily dressed, and wearing a soft felt hat, knocked in at the top.

[jmenges]

This observation (sans man with red pencil) also appeared in a letter to the Editor of the Daily Telegraph 3 October.

See pg. 97 of Ryder's Public Reactions to Jack the Ripper


or read it here:


Sir-

In examining the chart representing the locality of the Whitechapel murders, published in your issue of to-day, it is curious to observe that lines drawn through the spots where the murders were committed assume the exact form of a dagger, the hilt and blade of which passes through the scenes of the sixth, second, first and third murders, the extremities of the guard making the fourth and fifth. Further, the spot where the portion of the apron belonging to the victim of the Mitre-square tragedy was picked up lies in the imaginary line which forms the hilt of the dagger. Can this possibly afford a clue to the position of the next atrocity?

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

OBSERVER
London, Oct. 2.

JM

[Chris Scott]

Hi Jonathan
Interesting - many thanks
I wonder where the story of the many drawing red crosses came from?
Chris

[Sam Flynn]

By Jove, they were right!