Two authentic comms from the Ripper?

[Abby Normal]

As you state, several Ripper murders were committed in Jewish neighbourhoods and antisemitism was rife. It was not Jewish women who were targeted however, and so it is a stretch for me to conclude that antisemitism was the motivator for the murders. Of course, this does not preclude the possibility that the murderer was nevertheless antisemitic.

As for the GSG, this may be explained as general graffiti and the fact that it referenced Jews was not surprising given the neighbourhood and so it may simply be a coincidence that the night the murderer was disturbed by a Jewish man that message became part of the case. We do not have the luxury of knowing precisely what it said, but the police at the time obviously saw a potential link and the possibility that it could be interpreted as murder related. The presence of the piece of apron at that spot where the graffiti was written could be mere coincidence. The reference to blame in the message needn't be a reference to the murders that took place that night, that too may have been mere coincidence. The fact that the only other piece of authenticated messaging (though not proven a hoax or authentic) relating to the Ripper murders was also connected with the murder of Catherine Eddowes may also be mere coincidence. When so many coincidences converge, a simpler explanation might be sought, such as the murderer spooked by being disturbed wrote the GSG and sent the Lusk letter. To avoid a repeat, his next victim was murdered inside a house.

Hi eten
Good post. It got me wondering if the ripper might have thought that any of the Jews that may have disturbed him, particularly Lawende and company , might have been part of a vigilance committee and or associated with Lusk? Hence from hell letter.


RE Kelly and indoors... IMHO more than likely a lucky accident for the ripper.

[etenguy]

"Several of the murders happened in Jewish neighbourhoods, at a time when antisemitism was rife. It's just as likely that the Jewish theme is circumstantial rather than inherent to the murders." c.d.

As you state, several Ripper murders were committed in Jewish neighbourhoods and antisemitism was rife. It was not Jewish women who were targeted however, and so it is a stretch for me to conclude that antisemitism was the motivator for the murders. Of course, this does not preclude the possibility that the murderer was nevertheless antisemitic.

As for the GSG, this may be explained as general graffiti and the fact that it referenced Jews was not surprising given the neighbourhood and so it may simply be a coincidence that the night the murderer was disturbed by a Jewish man that message became part of the case. We do not have the luxury of knowing precisely what it said, but the police at the time obviously saw a potential link and the possibility that it could be interpreted as murder related. The presence of the piece of apron at that spot where the graffiti was written could be mere coincidence. The reference to blame in the message needn't be a reference to the murders that took place that night, that too may have been mere coincidence. The fact that the only other piece of authenticated messaging (though not proven a hoax or authentic) relating to the Ripper murders was also connected with the murder of Catherine Eddowes may also be mere coincidence. When so many coincidences converge, a simpler explanation might be sought, such as the murderer spooked by being disturbed wrote the GSG and sent the Lusk letter. To avoid a repeat, his next victim was murdered inside a house.

[c.d.]

"Several of the murders happened in Jewish neighbourhoods, at a time when antisemitism was rife. It's just as likely that the Jewish theme is circumstantial rather than inherent to the murders."

Calling Mr. Occam. Calling Mr. Occam. Good one, Harry. As usual. If someone is intent on finding a connection they most likely will whatever it may be.

c.d.

[c.d.]

The individuals who interrupted the killer on the night of the double event may have been Jewish but their being Jewish played no part at all in what took place. In other words, they weren't in the place they interacted with the killer because it was somehow related to being Jewish, i.e., part of a ceremony or ritual. I suppose it could have been the straw that broke the camels back if he harbored a long standing resentment against them but it seems that in and of itself it was inconsequential that they happened to be Jews.

But even if we grant that an interruption by Jews that evening triggered some sort of anti-semitic rage the GSG does not reflect that. Now it is possible that the author of the GSG considered what he wrote to be the most insulting and damning indictment of Jews the world had ever seen up to that point but to us it seems to be indicating some mild resentment against them and certainly not what we would expect from someone in a rage against the Jews.

c.d.

[Abby Normal]

In his report dated 1st November 1888 Abberline says "Schwartz has a strong Jewish appearance" (my italics). Whilst that could be taken as a reference to physical strength, the context is surely far more suggestive of meaning that he was very Jewish in appearance. Schwartz may have been heavy but then again he may not.

Ok my bad. Strong Jewish appearance. And your right and that’s what I meant he was very Jewish looking.

[Bridewell]

hi Bridewell
abberline said Schwartz was of "heavy jewish appearance".

I don't know much about the theatrical angle on Schwartz, but if that was in the papers I wouldn't doubt hutch might have incorporated that in his fake description of Aman.

In his report dated 1st November 1888 Abberline says "Schwartz has a strong Jewish appearance" (my italics). Whilst that could be taken as a reference to physical strength, the context is surely far more suggestive of meaning that he was very Jewish in appearance. Schwartz may have been heavy but then again he may not.

[Abby Normal]

Hi Abby,

What is there to indicate that Israel Schwartz (assuming that's who you mean) was of 'heavy appearance'? Theatrical I'm familiar with, but heavy? Talking of theatrical (which we weren't but we are now) isn't Hutchinson's description of Astrakhan man essentially that of a 'theatrical Jew'?

hi Bridewell
abberline said Schwartz was of "heavy jewish appearance".

I don't know much about the theatrical angle on Schwartz, but if that was in the papers I wouldn't doubt hutch might have incorporated that in his fake description of Aman.

[Abby Normal]

Hello Abby,

Very intriguing. I forgot that Hutch is one of your favourites.

Several of the murders happened in Jewish neighbourhoods, at a time when antisemitism was rife. It's just as likely that the Jewish theme is circumstantial rather than inherent to the murders.

hi Harry
I don't go as far as Stephen with the jewish theme. I don't think the ripper always started off with the jewish angle(but he might have) and intentionally murdered near jewish sites, I don't think it was his major motivation etc. I think that was more than likely just chance. agree with you there.

but the night of the double event pissed him off with the interuptions by jews so he ran with the blaming them theme. carried over to the Kelly murder when he came forward because he was worried he had been spotted and continued with the jewish suspect theme.

[Bridewell]

Hi harry
No. That the person who tried to accuse a Jew was a gentile and his name was Hutchinson.

It goes like this. While trying to murder stride he’s seen by a (heavy appearance) jew, prompting him to shout lipski at him. Pissed off by this he later writes the gsg to throw blame on them. He continues the theme with describing aman as a Jew.

Hi Abby,

What is there to indicate that Israel Schwartz (assuming that's who you mean) was of 'heavy appearance'? Theatrical I'm familiar with, but heavy? Talking of theatrical (which we weren't but we are now) isn't Hutchinson's description of Astrakhan man essentially that of a 'theatrical Jew'?

[Harry D]

Hi harry
No. That the person who tried to accuse a Jew was a gentile and his name was Hutchinson.

It goes like this. While trying to murder stride he’s seen by a (heavy appearance) jew, prompting him to shout lipski at him. Pissed off by this he later writes the gsg to throw blame on them. He continues the theme with describing aman as a Jew.

Hello Abby,

Very intriguing. I forgot that Hutch is one of your favourites.

Several of the murders happened in Jewish neighbourhoods, at a time when antisemitism was rife. It's just as likely that the Jewish theme is circumstantial rather than inherent to the murders.

[Abby Normal]

Hello Abby,

Re: Astrakhan man - are you suggesting that the killer disguised himself as a Jew? I don’t understand.

Hi harry
No. That the person who tried to accuse a Jew was a gentile and his name was Hutchinson.

It goes like this. While trying to murder stride he’s seen by a (heavy appearance) jew, prompting him to shout lipski at him. Pissed off by this he later writes the gsg to throw blame on them. He continues the theme with describing aman as a Jew.

[Harry D]

Hi Stephen/ all
The three clues that that try to implicate Jews:
Lipski
GsG
Aman

IMHO point the ripper himself. The clues are there, we just need to recognize them.

Hello Abby,

Re: Astrakhan man - are you suggesting that the killer disguised himself as a Jew? I don’t understand.

[Darryl Kenyon]

Regarding the Lusk kidney if Jack had made his mind up, [and i no it is an if ] to communicate with someone after his next murder. Why didn't he wrap the kidney before sending it, in the apron instead of discarding it ? That would surely have authenticated it.
Also if he dropped the apron to authenticate the GSG why not make any mention of the rubbing out of said communication ? Or anything else regarding the double event . As has been mentioned by other posters, i feel that the tried suppressing of the news that the heart was missing with MJK might have been done to see if it was sent to the police etc later. When it was not i think [ just guessing here ]that the Mepo probably considered the lusk kidney a hoax but couldn't be certain as we are not today.

[cnr]

Hi Stephen/ all
The three clues that that try to implicate Jews:
Lipski
GsG
Aman
IMHO point the ripper himself. The clues are there, we just need to recognize them.

Hi Abby,

You well know how I feel about that , but there's more to it !

I pursued the relevant arguments in the first edition of my book - and by taking my time with the second incarnation and maybe being a bit more bullish in discussing those points, I hope to have done a more thorough job of outlining the grand architecture, as it were, of the saga. Hopefully, the new bits and pieces brought forward in support helped too - in all, about an extra 20% by way of volume.

But I don't want to derail this thread with self-serving references, so I'll pipe down. If anyone's interested, I suggest reading my 'Dear Rip' letter in edition 155 of 'Ripperologist'; or the 'author's note' which follows my piece on Toppy in edition 160; or London-based author and journalist Robert Philpot's fair summary of the first edition of my book.

Happy posting, Abby et al.

Stephen

https://www.pressreader.com/australia/tweed-daily-news/20180414/281694025363295

[Damaso Marte]

The strongest argument I've seen against the Lusk letter is not anything related to the kidney, but rather that it appears to be written in "Stage Irish" - i.e., what native English speakers wrote when imitating an Irish accent. I don't think people with accents generally "write their accent" - Germans who learn English as a second language for example do not generally write "we" as "ve" even though they might pronounce it that way.

As for Lipski, keep in mind that a great many people on this forum don't find Israel Schwartz to be a credible witness at all. Also, many people on this forum don't accept Stride as a Ripper victim.