Why Is William Melville Listed On Casebook?

[Johnr]

O.K., I'll bite, why is William Melville mentioned on the list of police officials on Casebook Forums?

I can see why "Johnny Upright" Thick should be there ; and Inspector Ferrett and P.C. Batten; and P.C. Large; and Sergeant Badham...
But why is poor Inspector/Superintendent William Melville sitting up in the list when he is the only policeman with his own thread with NOT ONE ENTRY TO HIS POOR NAME?

Now, anyone who has read Bernard Porter's book on the Metropolitan Police Special Branch, or Mr Clutterbuck's marvellously generous and informative thesis from the University of Portsmouth, on the same subject or Mr Butterworth's new book on the Specials, will know all about Inspector Melville...

But what did Insp. M. have to do with the JTR cases?

(Just Wonderin'...).

JOHN RUFFELS.

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn,

I'll make sure you're the first to know.

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

book

Hello Simon.

"If we're playing according to Hoyle, you gotta pay to see my cards."

Then all I can say is, are you taking pre-orders for your book?

Cheers.
LC

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn,

If we're playing according to Hoyle, you gotta pay to see my cards.

I don't yet know enough about McKenna to make a judgement, but I would venture to suggest that Tumblety was an opportunist and survivor who was far too self-obsessed to align himself with any cause other than one of his own creation, and far too canny to ever make the fatal mistake of paying lip service to the Fenians.

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

press

Hello Simon. I do indeed.

Do you think that McKenna was an embarrassment to the Americans? (I mean, by his very existence.)

Is there a Tumblety link? Please feel free to lay your cards out on the table.

Cheers.
LC

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn,

. . . but not half as much fun.

Interesting that in the NYT 6th June 1888 [post #29] it was being denied that McKenna was ever in Europe, while in the previous day's NYT [post #33] McKenna's departure from France was being reported.

See what I mean?

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

agreed

Hello Simon. Thanks. I tend to agree. Thomas seems a small time gun runner.

It would be lovely if one could penetrate the entire network of Fenians and Anarcho-socialists. My job would be so much easier.

Cheers.
LC

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn,

I feel that Thomas Walsh was small beer and not connected in any meaningful way with John Walsh of the Clan-na-Gael, who on 4th June 1888 sailed with McKenna from Le Havre to New York

The name Roger McKenna does appear to be an error. As I mentioned before, everytime I come across him he's referred to as Joseph or Joseph Patrick McKenna.

Here he is again, New York Times, 5th June 1888–

"Joseph Patrick McKenna, a member of the Lodge No. 96 of the Clan-na-Gael of Chicago, is said to have been assisting [John] Walsh. While in Paris McKenna lodged at the Hotel Boulevard St. Michael, registering as John Sylvester . . ."

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

Walsh

Hello Phil and John. Here's another Fenian Walsh. How does he figure into the situation? (Clipping is from Lloyd's May 20, 1888.)

Cheers, lads.
LC

[Johnr]

"Roger" McKenna ..

Thanks for that Simon, and Phil.
The article is very forthright and asks a pretty relevant question. (Why is his name and address and membership of "Clan N G" known in Europe?).

It looks asif MPSB indulging in outing people by leaking to U.S. papers.
Incidentally, McKenna is not mentioned in Alex Butterworth's book.

JOHN RUFFELS.

[Phil Carter]

Hello Simon,

"Roger" McKenna comes from Andrew Cook's book, above. Where HE got the name from, I do not know, as it seems that Joseph McKenna is the correct name.
Whether THAT name is his real name, however, is another matter.

I wonder what happened to "carroty"?.....

best wishes

Phil

[Simon Wood]

Hi All,

I'm not certain where the name Roger McKenna comes from as all the references I have list him as Joseph or Joseph Patrick McKenna.

It's interesting that in the following newspaper cutting it was denied that McKenna was ever in Europe. Mind you, as much of the police shenanigans going on around the time of the WM and Special Commission were of a shady, if not downright illegal, nature it's hard to get a firm grasp on the truth.

NY Times, 6th June 1888–



I've got an artist's sketch of Moroney which I'll dig out and post.

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

thanks

Hello Phil. Thanks. I shall broaden my search.

Cheers.
LC

[Phil Carter]

McKenna

Hello Lynn,

According to Clutterbuck, there are entries referring to McKenna the the Chief Constable's register, but name him as Joseph McKenna, not Roger.

These are references probably from Melville as they refer to his actions in France.

" McKenna, Joseph -description of sent to ports"
" McKenna, Joseph -suspect under observation in Paris"

best wishes

Phil

[lynn cates]

McKenna

Hello Phil. I have been searching for McKenna; but, so far, to no avail. Will continue.

Cheers.
LC