What 5 Questions Would You Like Answered?

[Fleetwood Mac]

Seriously, it seems that Kate was quite eager to get out AND on time.

Cheers.
LC

Hello Lynn,

If you're sat around in a police cell, generally bored to tears and uncomfortable, then I reckon the obvious thing to do is ask to be let out.

I just don't see how this suggests she was meeting someone. It is a bridge too far for me.

There aren't many people who gladly sit around in police cells.

[Digalittledeeperwatson]

Why did Druitt commit suicide?

Zetsubou. Come, unstoppable eraser rain. That is, if it was suicide! Dun dun duh!!!

[RivkahChaya]

Why did Druitt kill himself?

What sort of an answer would you expect? That he had huge gambling debts? tertiary syphilis? If he had tertiary syphilis, then he would have probably been "crazy," but how far advanced makes a difference-- there's an ironic fact of degenerative brain conditions, in that you notice something wrong in the early stages, but in the later stages, you don't.

If he had tertiary syphilis, or any sort of degenerative condition, is it enough to get that back as an answer? what we really want to know is what he knew, or thought. It could be that he had a psychotic break, but we want to know the root cause, and what was going on in his mind as well.

It could, after all, be that something happened to him to make him think he was going the way of his mother, but what it was, was actually transient, and not related to his mother's condition, and yet, coming ion a string of letdown, getting fired, and so forth, he jumped to the worst conclusion possible-- or, was just looking for an excuse.

Suicide doesn't usually have just a single reason.

Even when there is an obvious factor, like end-stage cancer, there are probably other factors, like exhaustion of finances, lack of physiological response to pain medication, and lack of family support.

[Digalittledeeperwatson]

Dr. Who

A desperate Doctor (Who?) between Companions? Then the follow-on becomes Which Regeneration was it? (I'm guessing the 9th Dr- never did trust THAT one!)

Christopher Eccleston. My favourite. Only one series with him is a shame. Speaking of television, there is a show called Santuary that gives the best explanation for Druitt being the ripper I've ever heard.

[C. F. Leon]

I think I need to revise my choices...because I would just love to know who Mrs Long really saw.

Cheers all

A desperate Doctor (Who?) between Companions? Then the follow-on becomes Which Regeneration was it? (I'm guessing the 9th Dr- never did trust THAT one!)

[Bridewell]

I think I need to revise my choices...because I would just love to know who Mrs Long really saw.

Cheers all

Me too.

[Bridewell]

Hello Gwyneth. Thanks.

Pinched your bottom whilst playing Wagner? Ride of the Valkyries, perhaps? (heh-heh)

Seriously, it seems that Kate was quite eager to get out AND on time.

Cheers.
LC

And a police cell is, generally speaking, a safe place to be in the interim.

[RivkahChaya]

35 miles is more than a 12 hour walk, as the crow flies, if you walk 3 miles an hour, and you'll need food, and to stop for water, unless you are carrying a lot of it with you from the start.

Even if the walking itself wasn't a problem for people who were used to walking, that's a chunk of time.

[curious4]

In an emergency?

I think I was just trying to illustrate the point that Kidney gets run over by the bus where as Kelly gets viewed as a good fella. Most of what we have to go on about these women comes from their partners. So a level of objectivity should be maintained. I was also unaware of his potential ill health. So Eddowes having to, at least occasionally, prostitute herself when things got really rough seems at least a little more likely in my book. No one is prob gonna admit to their lady turning tricks. Just don't see it as probable. Especially not publicly.

Hallo Watson,

Yes, I think that is a distinct possibility, not saying Kate was whiter than white. In fact the newspaper article Simon quotes goes on to say that Kelly stated that he tried to prevent any immoral goings on by taking Kate to the Casual Ward whenever he was without the eight pence, so the temptation must have been there. Nevertheless I do think they did their utmost to avoid it and may have succeeded.

I don't think Kidney was as bad as he is painted either, just for the record. Unfortunately when you have taken a little dutch courage, it can impede your efforts to express yourself!

All good wishes,
C4

[Digalittledeeperwatson]

Hullo C4 I'm a romantic as well.

Hello again Watson,

I think you are being a little hard on Kelly. They seem to have been fond of each other. Kelly by all accounts stood barefoot in the street outside while Kate pawned his new boots, not Kate's new jacket (both bought with the little money they had earned hop-picking). The landlord of the lodging house recalls them both being in by nine(ish) whenever they stayed there and is quite clear that as far as he knew Kate never went with any man apart from Kelly.

Kate was said to have earned her living during the winter by hawking and cleaning and in the summer by fruit-picking and hopping. I grew up in Kent, and to this day it is possible to earn a good wage by fruit-picking (not sure about hopping, though).

I think there is a good case to be made for Kate being the only victim who didn't prostitute herself.

All good wishes,
C4

I think I was just trying to illustrate the point that Kidney gets run over by the bus where as Kelly gets viewed as a good fella. Most of what we have to go on about these women comes from their partners. So a level of objectivity should be maintained. I was also unaware of his potential ill health. So Eddowes having to, at least occasionally, prostitute herself when things got really rough seems at least a little more likely in my book. No one is prob gonna admit to their lady turning tricks. Just don't see it as probable. Especially not publicly.

[Simon Wood]

Hi Gwyneth,

As you appear to have a handy explanation for every discrepancy in John Kelly's story, you might like to address the facts behind his story about Eddowes' stay at the Mile End Casual Ward.

Regards,

Simon

[curious4]

Long walks

Hello again Simon,

There as an affection of the kidneys related to circulatory problems which is associated with a bad cough. Hop-picking was thought to be a health-giving occupation and ailing family members would often be taken along. And walking 35 miles was a doddle for a victorian - they habitually walked very long distances - see the Pickwick Papers.

Best wishes,
Gwyneth

[curious4]

False name

Hi Gwyneth,

Yes, it does matter whose name was on the pawn ticket.

Why would the wholly innocent, hapless, hop-picking, arrested-for-drinking girl from Wolverhampton have had reason to pawn John Kelly's boots using a fictitious name and address?

It's not like she had a stellar reputation to maintain.

Hi Observer,

Given the alleged circumstances of Kelly and Eddowes' peregrinations, the answer isn't exactly Von Braun material.

Regards,

Simon

Hello Simon,

Perhaps for the same reason she gave a false name and address at the police station? Just guessing. The pawn ticket for the shirt didn't have her name on it - presumably if you had the ticket and the money there would be no problem in taking out whatever was pawned.

Best wishes,

Gwyneth

[Simon Wood]

Hi Gwyneth,

Yes, it does matter whose name was on the pawn ticket.

Why would the wholly innocent, hapless, hop-picking, arrested-for-drinking girl from Wolverhampton have had reason to pawn John Kelly's boots using a fictitious name and address?

It's not like she had a stellar reputation to maintain.

Hi Observer,

Given the alleged circumstances of Kelly and Eddowes' peregrinations, the answer isn't exactly Von Braun material.

Regards,

Simon

[curious4]

Cool head

You`re not wrong, C4.
Don`t let them distract you ...

Thank you Jon - trying my best to keep a cool head.

Best wishes,
C4