Height of GSG a Clue?

[Stewart P Evans]

Writing

A note to Stewart first off, do you know if the precise location of the writing is one that would be affected by the rain? It was raining earlier, but I believe it had ended near the time we first see Elizabeth on Berner Street. I dont know if it would be a factor for that dado. I recall that there was some discussion that the writing might be brushed in passing by someone, and that site does get very busy. Could it have been blurred as a result of some accidental brushing?

All I know about the actual location of the writing is what appears in the various reports of the time. Like Jon, I have always imagined that it was located on the entrance surround as shown in his post # 126. Thus, being at right angles to the street and not on the outside part it would be sheltered from the rain unless a strong wind was blowing the rain into the entranceway.

[The Good Michael]

Here's the best online definition of 'dado' I could find:

Dado
Noun 1. dado - panel forming the lower part of an interior wall when it is finished differently from the rest
wainscot
panel - sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat) section or component of something
wall - an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure; "the south wall had a small window"; "the walls were covered with pictures"

2. dado - the section of a pedestal between the base and the surbase
footstall, plinth, pedestal - an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
segment, section - one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object; "a section of a fishing rod"; "metal sections were used below ground"; "finished the final segment of the road"

3. dado - a rectangular groove cut into a board so that another piece can fit into it
groove, channel - a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)

Using these definitions, 'dado' must mean, in this instance, a sheet that forms a distinct (usually flat) section or component of something. That would make sense because a flat piece of say... wood, would be easier to write on than brick. Yet, a furrow cut by natural process (erosion of brick) would make sense too. A projection of moulding doesn't work here. Perhaps, the word 'dado' was used incorrectly and was meant to just mean the base of the wall?

Cheers,

Mike

[Sam Flynn]

Actually, I thought both photo's show the same buildings, one looking down the street, the next looking up the street. The architecture of both buildings tends to suggest this.

I agree, Jon - but for Scott's (and others') benefit, I thought I'd better point to the clearer photo.

[Wickerman]

The more sharply-defined image (the upper one, with the writing on it) shows Wentworth Model Dwellings, Scott. Taken from Wentworth Street, facing south/south-east.

Actually, I thought both photo's show the same buildings, one looking down the street, the next looking up the street. The architecture of both buildings tends to suggest this.

[Sam Flynn]

Which side(s) of the street are these images showing?

The more sharply-defined image (the upper one, with the writing on it) shows Wentworth Model Dwellings, Scott. Taken from Wentworth Street, facing south/south-east.

[Scott Nelson]

Which side(s) of the street are these images showing? I would think that any dado designs on one side of a street would not be copied on the other side. You know, like two women wearing the same dress to a party...

[Wickerman]

So with all the above in mind, lets look at these old pictures from Goulston St. (courtesy of who?).
Does anybody think that some dado designs appear to embrace both sides of those doorways farther down than in the more recent close-up view?

[Wickerman]

Perhaps some detailed dado work originally extended farther down the doorway on both sides. We can see the brickwork appears well chipped for some reason from just over halfway up the door jamb.

[Wickerman]

.....I agree that the height doesn't seem to matter at all, but a dado is an inset in the wall, if I'm not mistaken, so the fact that it's inset may be more important, psychologically than the height.

If I'm not mistaken a dado is a moulded or carved design that looks like it is not part of the general surroundings. Today they can be made of plaster of styrofoam.
Here is some dado work still evident above the tenements in Goulston st. painted white.

[The Good Michael]

If the killer didnt write it, he just endorsed it. IMHO.

Thanks for taking my side on this one. I don't see JTR writing it, just liking it.
Yet, I know your're giving just an "if there's a connection" scenario. I agree that the height doesn't seem to matter at all, but a dado is an inset in the wall, if I'm not mistaken, so the fact that it's inset may be more important, psychologically than the height.

Mike

Hello all,

A note to Stewart first off, do you know if the precise location of the writing is one that would be affected by the rain? It was raining earlier, but I believe it had ended near the time we first see Elizabeth on Berner Street. I dont know if it would be a factor for that dado. I recall that there was some discussion that the writing might be brushed in passing by someone, and that site does get very busy. Could it have been blurred as a result of some accidental brushing?

On the height of the writing, I think its fair to assume that if the man who left the apron piece wrote it, he would do so discreetly...and crouching seems in keeping with the height to me. In other words an adult male, not a child.

If the killer didnt write it, he just endorsed it. IMHO.

Best regards all.

[Johnr]

This thread is about the clue contained in the height of the GSG.....A very interesting concept.
Get your own thread you guys.
JOHN RUFFELS.

[DVV]

Why can't social grievance be related to murder? Wasn't the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand about social grievance in a way? How about McKinley? This is the era of social grievance. Don't you think printed and written messages such as what is found in newspapers or in flyers, or on plain old t-shirts can contribute to aggressive behavior? To eliminate possible connections between text, including Der Arbeter Fraynt, newspapers, and the GSG, and the deaths of prostitutes is to unnecessarily, and perhaps, cluelessly eliminate an avenue of solution. Yet, what do I know?

Mike

Exactly, Mike,
and that's why, contrary to what Wickerman wrote, more than a few theorists are still giving the matter some thoughts, as did the police in 1888.
Amitiés,
David

[The Good Michael]

There needs to be something specific, the GSG isn't it!
Why isn't it?, because the wording has nothing to relate it to a murder, and everything to relate it to social grievance.

Why can't social grievance be related to murder? Wasn't the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand about social grievance in a way? How about McKinley? This is the era of social grievance. Don't you think printed and written messages such as what is found in newspapers or in flyers, or on plain old t-shirts can contribute to aggressive behavior? To eliminate possible connections between text, including Der Arbeter Fraynt, newspapers, and the GSG, and the deaths of prostitutes is to unnecessarily, and perhaps, cluelessly eliminate an avenue of solution. Yet, what do I know?

Mike

[Wickerman]

I'm not sure that the Jews are the men that have not be blamed for nothing in September 1888 since the first and infamous Star's article on Leather (piece of) Apron...

Now lets see, what were Jews blamed for, taking over the east-end - a growing population?, making their fortunes in a deprived area?, looking after each other at the expence of outsiders, prefferential treatment?
There has always been contention between the 'have's' and 'have-nots', the Jews were the 'have's' the east-end poor, mostly gentiles, were the have-nots'. What else do we want to blame them for - murder?
Any other ambiguities we want to add to the list?

"The Jews are the men that will not be blamed for nothing" - evidence of murder, or just gossip?

There's plenty a disgruntled public can choose to blame the Jews for, especially in the east-end.

There needs to be something specific, the GSG isn't it!
Why isn't it?, because the wording has nothing to relate it to a murder, and everything to relate it to social grievance.