Letters: Authentic or Hoaxes

[YankeeSergeant]

Sender

Does anyone have any thoughts as to why the author of "From Hell" chose Lusk to send it to? On its face it seems obvious, given Lusk's position, but that's speaking from my own firmly middle class, "respectable" perspective.

But if the sender was a poor, not too terribly literate immigrant lunatic, how aware would he have been of the gentleman who was head of the Vigilance Committee? Wouldn't it have been off his radar? Or was Lusk a well-known name on the streets at the lowest level? Was the sender of the "lowest level", come to that?

The letter along with the parcel containing the kidney was delivered to Lusk's house. As head of the Mile End Vigilence Committee, even if the sender wasn't terribly literate, they could have heard of his role just by frequenting teh Crown Pub which served as headquarters for the vigilance committee or heard it through the grapvine. I'm sure then as now that rumor, innuendo and gossip spread like wildfire. I Believe the sender was literate and was trying to disguise the fact with intentional misspellings and puntuation errors in the initial postcard to Lusk and the from hell letter. To what end I don't know but I believe if ANY of the correspondence is genuine, the post car and from Hell letters to lusk are.

[caz]

Hang on though, that 10 Nov letter is nonsense, because before the sender says: THOSE OTHER LETTERS WERE NOT WRITTEN BY ME AT ALL, he says: WELL YOU SEE I'VE KEPT MY WORD, AND DONE FOR THE ONE I SAID I WOULD. I SUPPOSE YOU TOOK NO NOTICE OF WHAT I SAID.

Well call me old-fashioned, but how the devil could the recipient have taken heed of this clown's previous warning if he hadn't communicated before?

Love,

Caz
X

PS And of course: 'LOOK OUT FOR THE NEXT' could mean the next letter from the same source. It's a bit ambiguous given the context.

[JTRSickert]

That one happens to be my personal "favourite" amongst the letters, JTRS. The one thing that, for me, reduces the likelihood of its being from the killer is the very fact that it ends "look out for the next". It seems to me that the writer of this missive just couldn't resist the thought of signing-off with the threat of more murders. So many of the hoaxes - from Dear Boss onwards - seemed to adhere to this predictable pattern. If the author had left out that last line, I'd be more inclined to back this letter as being from the Ripper himself.

Sammy,

Here's a thought though....What if, in fact, it was from the real JTR, but something happened to him before he could carry out his threat (i.e murdered or incapacitated)? Of course, it's just merely speculation.

How bout the Oct. 6, 1888 that isn't addressed to anyone specific, but seems to be directed at a witness? The one where the writer says, "if you though I dident see you now I know you know me and I see your little game, and I mean to finish you and send your ears to your wife if you show this to the police or help them if you do I will finish you. It no use your trying to get out of my way Because I have you when you don't expect it and I keep my word as you soon see and rip you up. Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper.....You see I know your address." Anyone care to speculate whom the letter was supposed to be directed at? Israel Schwartz or Joseph Lawende, or some other possible individual?

[Sam Flynn]

One interesting letter that I came across while reading is the one postmarked "London, EC. Nov. 10, 1888... "Those other letters were not written by me" and "some one has been kind enough to give me the name of 'Jack the Ripper' I'll accept it and act up to it. Look out for the next."

That one happens to be my personal "favourite" amongst the letters, JTRS. The one thing that, for me, reduces the likelihood of its being from the killer is the very fact that it ends "look out for the next". It seems to me that the writer of this missive just couldn't resist the thought of signing-off with the threat of more murders. So many of the hoaxes - from Dear Boss onwards - seemed to adhere to this predictable pattern. If the author had left out that last line, I'd be more inclined to back this letter as being from the Ripper himself.

[JTRSickert]

One interesting letter that I came across while reading is the one postmarked "London, EC. Nov. 10, 1888." It was sent to Leman street police station. In it, the writer claims responsibilty for a recent murder (presumably Kelly's), He goes on and says "Those other letters were not written by me" and "some one has been kind enough to give me the name of 'Jack the Ripper' I'll accept it and act up to it. Look out for the next."

It's quite interesting because, even if it isn't authentic, the writer seems to have a very serious tone and denies writing previous letters. This sort of backs up my presumption that, even though most of the letters may not be real, they may not necessarily be "pranks," in the strictest sense of the word. Some of them may have been written by some very disturbed and delusional people.

Hello. Mr. Mason, your dictum:

"To me From Hell is the only correspondence that I have seen that could have been from the killer known as Jack the Ripper."

may need just a slight emendation given that the Poor Annie letter might have been written by the same hand. See my pdf under the "Process of Elimination" thread, General Discussion.

Best Rgds,

LC

Hi Lynn,

I see what youre saying, there are quite a few similar character nuances and the formation of the word "the" seems consistent in both letters. The content tone is decidedly different though....if From Hell was intended to scare Lusk it was by implication only, the letter "Poor Annie" that you compared it with is openly threatening. And decorated. Trying really hard to be convincing with the knife and the rings.....and the heart....Im assuming that this letter was received after the 5th Canonical death?

Cheers Lynn

[richardnunweek]

Hi
The Letter that fascinates me the most was the Telegram sent to Inspector Abberline c/o Scotland yard written in red ink dated 21st Nov 88'
...Jack The Ripper wishes to give himself up will Abberline communicate with him at Number 39, Cutler street Houndsditch with this end in view .
This is written with the 'Blood of Kelly' all long Liz's blood is used up...
This is one of two letters written to either police , or press, the other was a correspondence written regarding Hanbury street, that is not quoted in the publication 'Letters from hell'.
It is because the number 39 is clearly mentioned that personally I feel it is authenticaly from the killer.
And one can also see that the term Long Liz is used given the six victims as TABRAMNICHOLSCHAPMANLONGLIZEDDOWESKELLY, which equal 39 letters. that along with all the other 39 coincidences?? tend to make me take that letter as significant.
Regards Richard.

[lynn cates]

Poor Annie

Hello. Mr. Mason, your dictum:

"To me From Hell is the only correspondence that I have seen that could have been from the killer known as Jack the Ripper."

may need just a slight emendation given that the Poor Annie letter might have been written by the same hand. See my pdf under the "Process of Elimination" thread, General Discussion.

Best Rgds,

LC

[Sam Flynn]

Does anyone have any thoughts as to why the author of "From Hell" chose Lusk to send it to? ... was Lusk a well-known name on the streets at the lowest level?

Lusk's name AND address had recently been splashed all over the papers. Talk about asking for trouble...

[JennyL]

Does anyone have any thoughts as to why the author of "From Hell" chose Lusk to send it to? On its face it seems obvious, given Lusk's position, but that's speaking from my own firmly middle class, "respectable" perspective.

But if the sender was a poor, not too terribly literate immigrant lunatic, how aware would he have been of the gentleman who was head of the Vigilance Committee? Wouldn't it have been off his radar? Or was Lusk a well-known name on the streets at the lowest level? Was the sender of the "lowest level", come to that?

[Sam Flynn]

I dont have to expound on that at all Sam

I'm so glad, Mike.

Baxters final remarks, likely based in part on Phillips earlier press comments.

I dont have to expound on that at all Sam.

All the best Moriarty

[Sam Flynn]

However, Kate is also a questioned inclusion in the Ripper roster by a contemporary medical authority....

Who would he be, Mike? Please substantiate - but, please, on an Eddowes-specific thread.

To me From Hell is the only correspondence that I have seen that could have been from the killer known as Jack the Ripper.

However, Kate is also a questioned inclusion in the Ripper roster by a contemporary medical authority....so even if the section was Kates, does that mean for certain it was Jack who wrote the letter?

Im with Howard on insitincts....I think this one letter and package is "small" enough, mailed to a source that is intimate rather than a news broadcast, and it included a specimen that would be difficult for an average person to obtain....narrowing the source possibilities dramatically.

Cheers all

[JTRSickert]

Yeah, Howard. I've always felt the "From Hell" letter to be the most likely authentic one of the famous letters. I've always wondered if it was meant to be a taunting letter or a plea for help (if it was from the killer, of course). Because he says "I may send you the bloody knife...if you only wait a while longer" and, notice he writes "catch me WHEN you can," not "Catch me IF you can." Also, there is no "ha ha" or JTR signature for this one. The address may also reflect his state of mind as well. I mean, what exactly are we to make of the letter originating "From Hell." Maybe it means that while he enjoys commiting the crimes as they occur, later on, he reflects on his deeds and realizes he wants to stop, but can't help himself. I dunno.

Also, Howard (and anyone else who wants to comment), on pg. 110-111 of "letters From Hell," check out the letter that was sent out on November 11, 1888...while not from the killer, the letter is particularly "colorful" and very frank in the language. In short, a very angry man.