The Complete Jack the Ripper, Donald Rumbelow

[BooksbyBJThompson]

I've atrached a page on the Nichols murder.

Rumbelow says it was Cross who suggested they prop Polly up, and it's Paul who refuses.
Is this correct? Or is this an earlier research gaffe on Rumbelow's end?

Any info on this appreciated. Thanks.

[Herlock Sholmes]

Hi Barbara,

In The Telegraph - Witness suggested that they should give her a prop, but his companion refused to touch her.

- so they have Cross suggesting it


In The Times version - The other man, having put his hand over her heart, said “I think she is breathing.” He wanted witness to assist in shifting her, but he would not do so.

- so they have Paul suggesting it


The Echo: Sit her up," I replied, "I'm not going to touch her.

- So they have Paul suggesting it.


The Star: He suggested they should shift her - set her up against the wall - but witness said, "I'm not going to touch her.

- So they have Paul…


It looks like The Telegraph got it wrong and it was Cross who didn’t want to touch the body

[BooksbyBJThompson]

It looks like The Telegraph got it wrong and it was Cross who didn’t want to touch the body

Thanks Herlock.
Hm...
But why would Donald Rumbelow go with the Telegraph then?

[Herlock Sholmes]

Thanks Herlock.
Hm...
But why would Donald Rumbelow go with the Telegraph then?

Sorry I’m late responding Barbara. I don’t know that answer to that one for certain but I can only assume that The Telegraph was the first one that Don referenced when researching his book which came out in pre-internet 1975. He must have just assumed that all versions would have been the same.

[The Rookie Detective]

"George Cross" & "John Paul"

That infamous duo.

[Tom_Wescott]

"George Cross" & "John Paul"

That infamous duo.

John, Paul, George. They stole Polly's ringo.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[BooksbyBJThompson]

I'm gathering there are some sardonic storms a gathering on The Complete JtR .

[Fiver]

"George Cross" & "John Paul"

That infamous duo.

"George Cross, a carman, stated that he left home on Friday morning at 20 minutes past 3, and he arrived at his work, at Broad-Street, at 4 o'clock." - 4 September 1888, Times

"John Paul, of 30, Foster-Street, Whitechapel, said he was a carman. On Friday, August 31st, he left home at about a quarter to four o'clock to go to his work in Spitalfields." - 22 September 1888, Illustrated Police News