JTR: Native or Foreigner?

[Edward]

I believe Jack was a native

Hello All

Jack certainly had the ability to blend in with the locals (or at very least, had the ability to not stand out). In all probability, his escapes were accomplished on foot. So, the likelihood of encountering other pedestrians and not attract attention speaks to his ability to blend. It seems that his walking pace was one that could get him away from the scene of a crime, but not so rapid that he called attention to himself.

I wonder what percentage of the Whitechapel area actually were foreigners? If foreigners represent a substantial number of the local populace, a person of “foreign appearance” might not necessarily stand out. I think that I have read more than once on the Forum that “foreign” appearance was a euphemism for “Jewish” in appearance, further complicating witness statements/descriptions. I too believe that the Jewish issue was a red herring.

I believe Jack was a native, very familiar and comfortable with his surroundings. I believe that Jack was cunning, and perhaps lucky on occasion, but not a criminal mastermind. I believe that much of his “luck” relates to when he committed the crimes: 1888. The London police had not encountered a serial killer before, and did not seem to know how to proceed. Forensics was in its infancy. Multiple jurisdictions involved.

Comments?

All the Best,
Edward

[DVV]

....and you say this one minute before France / Ireland ?

Psychologic cheating!


Good luck my friend,
David

[JackDaw]

Hi Jack,

I agree he was certainly a local.

However, from Ireland :

"I recall we took care of him one Sunday
We got him at the back and we broke his *****ng balls
And maybe that was dreamin' and maybe that was real
But all I know is that I left the place without a penny or f*ck all..."

And again :

"The boys and me are drunk and looking for you
We'll eat your frigging entrails and we won't give a damn..."

Amitiés,
David

DVV,

Everyone knows Irish are all talk no action!

[DVV]

Hi Jack,

I agree he was certainly a local.

However, from Ireland :

"I recall we took care of him one Sunday
We got him at the back and we broke his *****ng balls
And maybe that was dreamin' and maybe that was real
But all I know is that I left the place without a penny or f*ck all..."

And again :

"The boys and me are drunk and looking for you
We'll eat your frigging entrails and we won't give a damn..."

Amitiés,
David

[JackDaw]

Hi JTRSickert, oddly I was actually just thinking of this very topic before I logged on.

I think he was native English and a possibly longterm local resident.

Why? Just a feeling. A bland, ordinary guy who can move about without rousing any suspicion amongst the frightened populace seems the likely sort.
All that talk and suggestion of a Jewish involvement may have helped distract away from a regular, dull and boring local.
The whole Jewish angle has always seemed slightly racist to me as far as reading reports from the time.

As for an Irish Ripper - We Irish are much too kind and gentle to be involved in anything so horrible, surely?!


PS: JTRSickert - love your 'The Prisoner' quote!

[JTRSickert]

Hey everyone, I just wanted to get everyone's opinion about a certain matter concerning this case. In 2006, JTR was named the worst British person in History; however, we cannot be definitely sure he was even of that nationality. So, if we assume that Jack was the "Unknown Local Man" and not one of the aforementioned celebrity suspects, what does everyone think? Was Jack a native Londoner or, at the very least, one of Her Majesty's loyal British subjects, or one of the many foreigners that lived in the East End. it's really difficult argument. For example, we have some witness statements like Mrs. Long saying he had a "foreign appearance" and George Hutchinson saying his appearance was "Jewish." However, if Hutchinson is to be believed, Mary Kelly seemed to be conversing with the gentleman rather easily, so no appearance of a language barrier. However, if the Lusk letter is genuine, then it looks to be a person writing in either Irish phrases or possibly the work of an immigrant who is writing English the way he hears it.

So, what does everyone think? Was Jack a native or foreign?