Why did Watkins leave Eddowes body?

[Simon Wood]

Hi Monty,

I think that last paragraph reads—

"In forming their opinions, it will be essential of course to bear in mind the size of the beats at night and the proximity of the Constables to each other."

Regards,

Simon

[Monty]

Does anyone have a transcript of the letter? I have tried reading it on both threads, blowing it up magnifying it, and cannot make it out. Thanks if you have it, if not don't worry about it.

Yeah, thanks for asking Ally,

May have a few words wrong, and some blanks but.....

21st May 1889

Police Order

It having been
suggested to the Commissioner that
it might be desirable to supply
members of the force with whistles
as part of their equipment –

Inspectors of Divisions are to
Report fully for the Commissioners
information their views as to the
desirability of this suggestion being
_______stating their reasons
in detail whether in favour of, or
against the proposition and referring
to any instances in which a
whistle would in their judgement
have proved more useful in
obtaining ready assistance in
Cases of need than the rattle now
Carried.

In forming their opinions, it
Will be essential of_______to
bear in mind the age of the _____
That at night and the proximity
Of the Constable to need____

By order
Of the Commissioner

John Whatley
Chief Clerk


Monty

[Ally]

Does anyone have a transcript of the letter? I have tried reading it on both threads, blowing it up magnifying it, and cannot make it out. Thanks if you have it, if not don't worry about it.

[Fisherman]

Jon Guy:

"It`s a simple case"

It is.

"albeit unsolveable"

Not necessarily, Jon. It may already be solved - but proving such a thing, therein lies the problem.

For example: I think you provided the real answer to Simon on the rattle business, and solved the problem. But I can´t prove it. I can only recognize that the logic is there.

The best,
Fisherman

[Jon Guy]

It`s a simple case - albeit unsolveable, Christer.

Nutter on the loose in an over crowded and desperately poor neighbourhood, police and detective forces in their infancy.

[Fisherman]

Simplifier!!

Fisherman

[Jon Guy]

A question occurs to me—

Why didn't Watkins spin his rattle for all it was worth?

Because George Morris had a whistle ... ?

[Simon Wood]

Hi Monty,

Great post. Most informative.

Watkins [inquest]: "I did not sound an alarm. We do not carry whistles."

A question occurs to me—

Why didn't Watkins spin his rattle for all it was worth?

Regards,

Simon

[Monty]

City of London Police Station No6 (Bishopsgate) Order Book entry dated 21st May 1889.

As stated, all along, the City of London Police Officers did NOT have whistles until 1889.



Monty

[Monty]

Hi Mont (y) hehe

Just PM'd you re a whistle question.

Ref this pic below
[ATTACH]9373[/ATTACH]

Who's the lttle guy??

Suz xx

Andy Ailiffe

Tecs,

If so, obviously there must have been some sort of cover up as Watkins kept his job and the story didn't get out.

Obviously.

Or, oddly enough, he did as he said he did. Just me thinking outside the box.

Monty

[Tecs]

Dear all,

As you can see I'm new to all this so apologies if it's way too late to post a reply. I'm still getting used to the etiquette of the boards but for now, I'd be interested to see what people say?

I was only wondering why nobody had mentioned Don Rumbelow's theory from years ago that Watkins may have been having a sneaky cup of tea with Morris inside the warehouse at the time? As a former City PC himself, Don knows that this sort of thing does go on and wondered if it might explain a few discrepancies?

When the Stephen White story came to light, it may possibly have added to the idea. I know many people doubt the story, but if we did take it as fact, the PC who discovered the body "came out of the house he had been in." I know there is debate about whether the story is true or not and if it is, which murder site it relates to, but it could be a description of the events in Mitre square.

If so, obviously there must have been some sort of cover up as Watkins kept his job and the story didn't get out. It would not have been good for the police to be seen as lazy, tea swiggers who let the ripper kill right under their noses. Also, there is the issue of White's being a Metropolitan officer in City territory, so what authority would he have had to do anything anyway?

One thing against this though is that in "White's story" he did appear to say that it was one of the two incognito policemen who came out of the house and as we know, Watkins was a beat officer not involved in a stakeout.

Oh and just a final quick one, if I may, regarding the whistle. The description said it was "c 1887" Doesn't this mean Circa 1887 ie "around" 1887 in other words could mean 1888, 1889 etc?

Thanks all,

Kindest Regards.

[Suzi]

Hi Mont (y) hehe

Just PM'd you re a whistle question.

Ref this pic below


Who's the lttle guy??

Suz xx

[Jenny]

Whew! I never thought up stirring up such a hornet's nest with my first post. I am amazed at tje responses and the JTR intelligencia that is behind them. My hat is off to you..this is going to be fun!

Jenny

[The Grave Maurice]

I don't see any reason to be critical of Watkins. He ran the dozen or so steps to Morris's door knowing that he was an ex-cop, was probably awake and alert, and (maybe) that he had a whistle. He was shaken certainly (who wouldn't be?) but didn't seem very fearful. What was he supposed to do? Stand there and wait until PC Harvey's beat brought him back to the end of Church Passage?

[dixon9]

imo i think Watkins is just human like the rest of us,probable that he ran to the nightwatchman(knowing he would be there) in fear and for back up,who could blame him in the circumstances?

Dixon9
still learning
and btw still celebrating our double winning season.