Hanbury Street Back yard photo

[DRoy]

...and one of the back

[Bridewell]

29, Hanbury Street

Here is a drawing of the front of 29 Hanbury Street from The Adirondack News Nov 3, 1888

Interestingly the house seems to have lost one of its doors. I wonder if this is an 'artist's impression'?

Regards, Bridewell

[Monty]

It only had one door in 1888 Colin.

Monty

[Bridewell]

It only had one door in 1888 Colin.

Monty

I stand corrected.

Regards, Bridewell.

[Stephen Thomas]

It only had one door in 1888 Colin.

Yes, in the 1920s or before, the front room of #29 became a 'lock up' barbershop which got its own front door next to the original C19th one.

[Michael W Richards]

Hi C.F.

I think the 'wooden cover' that people are discussing is that sort of rooflike thing that you can see in the contemporary crime scene drawings in posts #32 and #33. It looks as though it would have impeded Richardson's view of the cellar door as he stood in the back doorway of the house.

With respect to Richardsons view from the top step, I believe the entrance to the cellar was covered by a wooden "roof", and there are signs of that original configuration in some of the old photos. It was higher than the top of the cellar door jamb. There were no sides on the structure, it was likely just to keep rain off anyone going in and out of the cellar.

So I think when Richardson says he could see if the door was locked by just peeking out and looking down to his right, my bet is he could.

Best regards

[Bridewell]

So I think when Richardson says he could see if the door was locked by just peeking out and looking down to his right, my bet is he could.

Especially if he actually checked the lock while sitting on the second step, rather than before as the record suggests. (Just a thought).

Regards, Bridewell.

[Cogidubnus]

I think he'd have to come down the steps at least a bit, because it is obvious from the photos that the doorway is somewhat deepset...I don't think he could've just stood in the ground floor doorway and peered out to his right as his mother seemed to be implying (unless of course she meant that he could see from the top of the cellar steps).

If he sat on the bottom step whilst trimming his boot then he could've seen the cellar door...but then he could hardly have missed a body on his left could he?

All the best

Dave

[Bridewell]

If he sat on the bottom step whilst trimming his boot then he could've seen the cellar door...but then he could hardly have missed a body on his left could he?

Hi Dave,

Of course, he could easily have missed it if it wasn't there yet!

Regards, Bridewell.

[Cogidubnus]

Hi Colin

precisely...or unless of course he actually didn't check at all that morning and the gradual escalation of his story is consequent upon one initial silly fib...

All the best

Dave