The English Mail via Brindisi 8.12.1888

[Phil Carter]

Hello all,

This article seems different and has things in that I have not seen before. Apologies if it has been posted before, but the start is most interesting..

... A few days ago a postman delivered at Mr.Lusk's residence in Alderney Road, Globe Road, Mile End, a postcard, which read as follows:

Say Boss-
You seem rare frightened, guess I'd like to give you fits, but can't stop time enough tp let you box of toys play copper games with me. but hope to see you when I don't hurry too much. Bye Bye Boss.

(for those unitiated, a "box of toys" is Cockney Rhyming slang for "boys")
The article in full has a long quote from Mr.J Aaroms, treasurer of the vigilance committee and can be found here..

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=TAN18881208.2.28&e=-------10--1----0-all

best wishes

Phil

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi Phil,

This is generally referred to as the 'box of toys' postcard. According to Lusk and a reporter at the Evening News, this postcard was in the same hand as the From Hell letter which came later. If this is true, the notion that the From Hell letter tried to distinguish itself from the 'Dear Boss' letters and therefore might be legitimate (assuming the DB letters are not), goes right down the drain. Unfortunately, this postcard has been lost and no facsimile exists. We have only the text and the word of a few people that it was in the same hand as the 'From Hell' letter.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Phil Carter]

Hello Tom,

Thank you, Yes, I realised the postcard bit, it was the article comment from Aaroms that I had not seen before. Perhaps in the washing machine of my memory it became fully rinsed!

Many thanks again!

best wishes

Phil

[Tom_Wescott]

My apologies, Phil. I misunderstood your meaning. I didn't mean any offense. I have read that interview with Aarons before, though probably from a different paper. As you know, I suspect that certain members of the vigilance committe hoaxed these letters. It was Aarons who completely misrepresented the medical opinions to the press in order to make the kidney appear more 'legitimate'. Personally, I don't think Lusk was involved in the hoax.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Phil Carter]

Hello Tom,

Of course no offence taken... you know me.. easy going.... getting old and confused at times, but easy going!

Now, with ref to Lusk Aaroms and co, I have been searching and phoning just about every archive in London, trying to track down the minutes, or reports that came directly from the three Vigilance Comms. (Mile End, Spitalfields and Whitechapel). No luck.. the Police museum even kindly offered to email Mr K. Skinner for me! I would have thought Keith would have let them see the light of day if he knew where they were...however I digress.
The only other option is living relatives....

best wishes, as always

Phil

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi Phil,

Obviously, I have a keen interest in the goings on of the vigilance committee, so I applaud you in your efforts and would be happy to help anyway I can.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Phil Carter]

Hello Tom,

It is very much the other way around, just trying to do my bit where and when I can. I have a theory that if, and I know this sounds quaint and old fashioned, , we can help each other, more "i"s get dotted and more "t"s get crossed, instead of me going dotty with my eyes crossed!

best wishes

Phil