Tweet
Hi All,
Having read suggestions that Jack may have been a burglar, I thought I would start this thread.
The following may be of interest:
Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News
22 February 1889
THE CAPTURE OF A SUPPOSED BURGLAR. At the Highgabe Police Court, London, James Fairman (21), seaman, of 21, Commercial Road, E., was charged on remand with loitering at Crouch End for the supposed purpose of committing a felony, and further with having housebreaking implements in his possession. Prisoner now said on the night in question a man came up to him in the Commercial Road and asked him to go with him, and as he had been out for three or four night, without any food he consented. At Crouch End the man gave him the keys and jemmy. The man then left him, telling him to wait for him. He had only been waiting about two minutes when the detective book him into custody. The Bench committed the prisoner for trial.
Why would this be of interest, well, he was a seaman (I emphasise this because of the possible sighting before Eddowes death, and the witness statements). The address at which Fairman stayed puts him in the area that places him pretty much in the heart of the murders, not to mention the GSG. He could have possibly had a knife on him, it has been noted that some lower class burglars used a knife to gain access to drawers, desks etc.
Also I found this:
Aberystwyth Observer
5 December 1885
ATTEMPTED DOUBLE MURDER BY A BURGLAR, A desperate attempt at double murder was made at Bolton on Wednesday morning. A Mrs. Bradley, residing in Oldball-street, entered her chamber shortly after midnight, when a man sprang upon her in the darkness, and began slashing her tbroat with a razor. Hearing screams the servant girl came in, whereupon the miscreant turned and attacked her, attempting to cut her throat also. Fortunately her neck was protected by a thick scarf and she escaped with slight cuts. An alarm was raised, and the neighbours came in, when the stranger dashed through the bedroom window, and let himself into the street by means of a projection under the window. Chase was given by the police, but, after being followed through several thoroughfares, the would-be murderer was lost in the darkness. It is thought that a burglary was meant, and that, being disturbed, the fellow scught to dis- pose of the two women before escaping.
Having read suggestions that Jack may have been a burglar, I thought I would start this thread.
The following may be of interest:
Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News
22 February 1889
THE CAPTURE OF A SUPPOSED BURGLAR. At the Highgabe Police Court, London, James Fairman (21), seaman, of 21, Commercial Road, E., was charged on remand with loitering at Crouch End for the supposed purpose of committing a felony, and further with having housebreaking implements in his possession. Prisoner now said on the night in question a man came up to him in the Commercial Road and asked him to go with him, and as he had been out for three or four night, without any food he consented. At Crouch End the man gave him the keys and jemmy. The man then left him, telling him to wait for him. He had only been waiting about two minutes when the detective book him into custody. The Bench committed the prisoner for trial.
Why would this be of interest, well, he was a seaman (I emphasise this because of the possible sighting before Eddowes death, and the witness statements). The address at which Fairman stayed puts him in the area that places him pretty much in the heart of the murders, not to mention the GSG. He could have possibly had a knife on him, it has been noted that some lower class burglars used a knife to gain access to drawers, desks etc.
Also I found this:
Aberystwyth Observer
5 December 1885
ATTEMPTED DOUBLE MURDER BY A BURGLAR, A desperate attempt at double murder was made at Bolton on Wednesday morning. A Mrs. Bradley, residing in Oldball-street, entered her chamber shortly after midnight, when a man sprang upon her in the darkness, and began slashing her tbroat with a razor. Hearing screams the servant girl came in, whereupon the miscreant turned and attacked her, attempting to cut her throat also. Fortunately her neck was protected by a thick scarf and she escaped with slight cuts. An alarm was raised, and the neighbours came in, when the stranger dashed through the bedroom window, and let himself into the street by means of a projection under the window. Chase was given by the police, but, after being followed through several thoroughfares, the would-be murderer was lost in the darkness. It is thought that a burglary was meant, and that, being disturbed, the fellow scught to dis- pose of the two women before escaping.
Comment