Dear Boss

[mariab]

Got Danish things, don't give them to no one...
As for his handwriting, I was hoping that someone might have found something, but who knows...
I'll attempt some more research after I have slept one night through.

[lynn cates]

examiner

Hello Maria. You wouldn't know an inexpensive forensic document examiner?

Cheers.
LC

[mariab]

I know of none, Lynn, expensive or inexpensive, but I honestly think it can be done by yourself. In my field we do the handwriting recognizing ourselves, and we're talking Beethoven, Mozart, Rossini. The same with the field of literature, they also do it by themselves. I've always considered it an overreaction that Ripperology relies so much on expert handwriting analysts, though I'm aware of all the accusations of forgery over the years (the Diary, the Photoshop “scandal“ with a Berner Street pic, etc..).
I'm sure SPE can suggest a handwriting specialist.

[lynn cates]

try

Hello Maria. Thanks, but your confidence in me may be unwarranted.

I'll give it a go, but would feel much better with an expert.

Cheers.
LC

[mariab]

Lynn, for me this is the part I truly consider as money thrown down the drain. If you wish me to help out, I can try, I'm used to be examining handwritings (for both text and music) at least weekly, if not daily.
By the by, still working with things in Lyon (per email now) pertaining to MJK pics, and just finished with both the Greek and the US bureaucracy for the time being (until next week). But some French bureaucracy and a Mellon/Volkswagen Stiftung application to go. (What fun.) After those two are done, I'm good to re-start working on the Jewish matters (AF related).

[TradeName]

Another account of Hurlbert and the Pigott letter:

Otago Daily Times , Issue 9135, 6 June 1891, Page 4

THEATRICAL BREACH OF PROMISE CASE

But it was not until after The Times published the famous “fac-simile letter” that Hurlbert lit upon that tide in his affairs which, taken at the flood, led on to fortune. When the Royal Commission was appointed and rumours began to fly about that the fac-simile letter and its fellows were clumsy forgeries, the unionists were rescued from despair by the news that Mr. Hurlbert could testify to the genuineness of the original letter, because he bad seen it In New York in the hands of P. J. Sheridan, to whom it had been, he said, addressed. Hurlbert at once became the rage. As the months of suspense wore on, whenever a distinguished unionist felt low he would ask Hurlbert to dinner, and make up a party to meet him. At table Hurlbert would repeat to an awe-struck audience his story with wonderful detail and dramatic effect, bringing before them the picture of the ill-lit, shabby flat, high up in a down-town house, half a dozen grimy Milesians sitting around, the arch-conspirator Sheridan unlocking a cabinet, and bringing forth the well-worn document, which, as he held it to the candle, the others, for the fiftieth time, greedily devoured with their eyes. After the suicide of Pigott, Hurlbert, so far from being eclipsed, was more in request than ever. He stuck gallantly to his guns, and his gay assurance was about the only consolation which the friends of The Times could boast at that trying juncture. When nothing else was discussed but ”the letter,” a unionist, driven to his last ditch, would exclaim, “But Hurlbert was prepared to swear the letter was genuine.” “Why didn’t he?“ would be the fierce retort of the triumphant Separatist. Why, indeed? Well, for that many reasons wore found--Hurlbert’s fear of making his wife nervous by drawing fire from the Nationalists, and so on. Meanwhile Hurlbert went on triumphantly.

[lynn cates]

do it yourself examiners

Hello Maria. You mean the forensics examiners? You're probably right. We'll do it ourselves.

Were you on the boards during the Iremonger/Leander conundrum? I think everyone agreed to disagree.

Good luck with work and research.

Cheers.
LC

[lynn cates]

Sheridan

Hello Trade. Thanks for this. For some reason I thought that Sheridan was a rancher in Colorado at this time (Parnell Commission)?

I want to thank you for uncovering this chap. He has a very fertile imagination--just the kind of lad to cook up the "Dear Boss."

Cheers.
LC

[TradeName]

Sheridan was in Colorado in '89. I think Hurlbert was supposed to have seen the letter in New York in '83. I don't know if Sheridan was actually in New York at that time.

ETA: Looks like Sheridan was in New York in 1883

New York Times, February 23, 1883, link

A TALK WITH P.J. SHERIDAN

HE DENIES CERTAIN STATEMENTS MADE BY CAREY, THE INFORMER

[lynn cates]

Alice Carroll

Hello Trade. Thanks for that. You are unusually well informed about the various Irish groups--both pro and contra physical force--and their members.

You wouldn't happen to have a list of the "Irish National Invincibles" lying about? There was a rumour, squashed by "The Echo," in which one of the old Invincibles was seen in London within a couple of weeks of MJK's death. "The Echo" claimed that they were all incarcerated--except one named Kelly. I had thought Tim Kelly the only one by that name. But he was hanged.

There was also a young lady in Dublin, Alice Carroll, who gave evidence at the Phoenix Park trials. PJP Tynan, in his book on the Invincibles, claimed that she was in British pay. If I recall properly, she received a modest sum for her efforts. She also received death threats from some of the Irish groups. I have trouble locating her records. She would have been born about the mid-1860's. Wonder whatever became of her?

Cheers.
LC

[TradeName]

Hello Trade. Thanks for that. You are unusually well informed about the various Irish groups--both pro and contra physical force--and their members.

I've just nibbled around the edges a bit.

[mariab]

Were you on the boards during the Iremonger/Leander conundrum? I think everyone agreed to disagree.

No idea what that is (too newbie), sounds like something out of Midsummer night's dream. ;-)
Lynn, I've got things for you, just give me a couple days. Almost finished with the bureaucracy, but have tons of things to take care of with both my bosses tomorrow (which is much more fun than bureaucracy).
And thank you so much for your well wishing.

[Tom_Wescott]

the Photoshop “scandal“ with a Berner Street pic, etc

What scandal? There's only been one Berner Street photo discovery, by Philip Hutchinson, and there's absolutely no scandal attached to it.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

What scandal? There's only been one Berner Street photo discovery, by Philip Hutchinson, and there's absolutely no scandal attached to it.

That's why I put “scandal“ in ““. You know perfectly well I'm referring to the AP accusations, Tom. I should have perhaps used another word, but I'm beat (and about to go to sleep), and don't feel like searching for a synonym.

[Tom_Wescott]

One man making unfounded accusations just to stir does not a 'scandal' make.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott