2008 Ripper Conference, Knoxville, TN

[Dan Norder]

How much was raised for charity?

The charity auction was separate from the conference funding auction, and we let everyone know that items will also be available online for bids just to make sure that the great stuff Simon Wood donated will have a chance to raise as much as we can for Jeremy Beadle's favorite charity: Children With Leukaemia. Give us a chance to finish up the remaining loose ends we need to tie up with the hotel and making sure the speakers who are still in town get to the airport alright and we'll post the items up on special threads here.

So far, with the bids already in, we have just under $300 raised so far. We expect at least one of those items -- the limited edition Camille Wolff book with some 40 signatures of Ripperati past and present -- to bring in more bids. On top of that, on the last day Robert McLaughlin graciously donated a signed copy of his very rare book The First Jack the Ripper Victim Photographs to the charity auction, which never got the chance to get bids yet and will most likely do pretty well.

What was the "new evidence" as described in the pre-conference press release that was presented? And who presented it?

There are a variety of things that could qualify, but there were two big completely brand new ones:

The first is the photo Philip has mentioned above, which Philip will reveal to the rest of the world in the way he sees fit. But I can say it's a great photo, and it visually confirms a lot of specifics about a major Ripper crime scene that we could only speculate about previously. In my opinion, it's one of the the most significant discoveries in this field in the last decade or more.

The second was my announcement of some of the results of research Kelly and I made that was helped along by unprecedented access to the personal effects of Dr. Thomas Openshaw through one of his descendants,. This included some never before seen photos and, most importantly, confirmation that Openshaw did, in fact, expressly conclude that the Lusk letter was a hoax by a medical student. (Previous to this we only knew that he denied what some press reports had falsely claimed he said and could only mke an educated guess about what his unstated opinion actually was.) Oh, and not to mention we tracked down the ultimate fate of the Lusk kidney after the Whitechapel murders investigation... More details on all of this will, of course, be published later.

And of course the speakers also gave out a lot of other new and little-known information.

[George Hutchinson]

Kelly - what can I say? We are just sooooo wonderful.

To counter Alan's deliberate choice of the worst photos of me he could find (by his own admission) I have one of Alan, kilted, at the banquet. Trust me, this does not look typical Scottish. This is Grayson Perry. And I will most CERTAINLY be posting it when I get home.

I've got five hours before Kelly and Dan take me to the airport so I'm going to look around the town. It is STILL blazing sunshine outside. I had no idea Tennessee was so beautiful. It was not at all like I expected the South to be. I was expecting rednecks in clapped-out pick-ups, dirt, dust and ramshackle old houses. Nope. It's fab - and I've been driven past the world famous Body Farm a couple of times already (no bodies visible, of course!)

Ally - there wasn't any new EVIDENCE at the Conference. There was a lot of things we didn't know about Tumblety that were revelatory and there was, of course, my photo.

Suzi - there are photos of the cat for you. Not quite as ostentatious as they might be if you were present, but there's a few.

PHILIP

[Kelly]

I still have a lot of end-of-conference business to attend to, plus taking Philip to the airport today. I'll post properly later, but I just wanted to say...

...how are there so many conference posts by delegates before it was even over? I was too busy attending a conference to post!

[Ally]

When the great drunk wears off come in and give us some details!

How much was raised for charity? What was the "new evidence" as described in the pre-conference press release that was presented? And who presented it?

I need a shot of kilted Alan! Did he sing? Did anyone notice his knees?

[Suzi]

Bring on The Camel Song !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xx

John- Damned sure you're on a winner with Cadosh!!

Adrian- Ripperland at the Xmas do??? It's just WONDERFUL!!!!!!

[caz]

Morning All,

Sounds like everyone had a great time. I knew John Bennett's Ripperland would go down well (told you, John, didn't I? ). I put in a word with Adrian Morris because I'd love the WS1888 to show it. One of my favourite voices is James Mason - uncanny. John should also have enough material now for a sequel - with Martin's camel song providing plenty of fuel.

Hi Philip,

I wish I'd been there to see the reaction to your little surprise. I bet they never thought they'd see that ripper suspect being snapped hanging around that location.

That was the one you showed them, wasn't it?

Love,

Caz
X

[Mike Covell]

Hee hee hee.

We've just got in from an evening out. Martin is very, very drunk and has been singing rude songs about camels in the street. I have it videod.

PHILIP

Thank God for Youtube, I am eagerly awaiting a subscription update to tell me you have posted a new video!!

I am guessing the building (inside and out) is Robert D'Onston Stephenson's Black Magicians Meeting place!!

Seriously, I had thought of Miller's Court, but when you mentioned it had never been photographed, I was a little puzzled! I look forward to seeing it!!

[anna]

Hi guys,

Been following this thread......

Phil,that hotel!!!!!.....hmmm..you sure it wasn't a little guest house,with a landlady complete with fag hanging out of her mouth,cooking you a fry-up!(only,joking!!!!!!)...OMG I'm so envious,you lucky thing!!!

The other pictures were great too....thanks for sharing them,everyone.

Can't wait to learn about this mysterious picture....mind you....Martin Fido's rude camel song is equally enticing!!!..Poor Martin,(bet he's REALLY gonna regret that one).
Philip....you naught boy for videoing it!...hee-hee.

Safe journey home!...looking forward to all the gossip,
Warmest Regards to you all,
ANNA.

[Ash]

Still shell-shocked from the camel song, but just before I collapse drunkenly into my bed...



Eugenia Parry giving her talk on French crime scene photographs



Some men who will not be blamed for nuffink.

[George Hutchinson]

Hee hee hee.

We've just got in from an evening out. Martin is very, very drunk and has been singing rude songs about camels in the street. I have it videod.

PHILIP

[Bailey]

I'll be happy to show it to people face to face, but I'm not putting it online where it can be used and abused.
PHILIP

That seems fair, when shall I expect you so I can put the kettle on?

Cheers,
B.

[Celesta]

The original is safely stashed in a safe deposit box. Right?

[The Grave Maurice]

I'll be happy to show it to people face to face....

Just noticed this bit. Right. I'll be in Guildford late Tuesday afternoon. Have the kettle on.

[The Grave Maurice]

I'm keeping a close rein on this one. (emphasis added)

So it's a picture of Diemschutz's pony and cart?

[Ally]

I am glad everyone had a great weekend at the conference. I hope someone took pics of Alan's talk. Can't wait for everyone to start sharing stories and photos.