Was Mitre Square being watched that Double Event night?

[Simon Wood]

Sorry Monty,

That makes no sense at all.

Regards,

Simon

[Monty]

Eddowes never claimed the reward, why not?

Monty

[Simon Wood]

Hi Monty,

Of course she never claimed the reward [had their been one at the time].

"Instead she she went to Mitre Square to confront the murderer rather than seek the support of the authorities...and claim that reward."

Why did she think he'd be there?

That's the bit that makes no sense.

Hope you're well.

Regards,

Simon

[Herlock Sholmes]

Hi Michael,

You need to keep a keen eye out for all those pesky policemen.

Eddowes allegedly told the Superintendent at the Mile End Casual Ward [ELO, 13th October] that she had "come back [from hopping in Kent] to earn the reward offered for the apprehension of the Whitechapel murderer. I think I know him."

As of the date Eddowes started out on her walk with John Kelly from Kent [27th September], no reward had yet been offered. Leather Apron had been absolved, and Jack had yet to make his debut.

But—

Shortly after the murder of Annie Chapman, on 21st September, the Sevenoaks Chronicle reported that "it is just possible that the police in their anxiety to unravel the mystery may have made some enquiries amongst Whitechapel people employed in the Kentish Hop gardens . . ."

So it is possible that Eddowes knew something.

She certainly wasn't a random victim of the "Ripper."

Regards,

Simon

Hello Simon,

Surely this is a bit of a leap just on the basis that the The Sevenoaks Chronicle said that “it is just possible that...” the police “....may have made some enquiries..?”

[Herlock Sholmes]

Why didn’t she mention knowing the identity of the ripper whilst she was actually in the police station?

I think that Eddowes was just trying to impress people with her claim of knowing the ripper. Maybe she was trying to convince someone that she’d soon have money?

[Sam Flynn]

Morris expressed rage at the previous murders and said he wished one would happen where he could get involved

I'm sure there were thousands of right-minded men who thought the same, regardless of whether they were (retired) policemen or not.

[Simon Wood]

Hi Herlock,

Evening News, 14th September1888—

“Our Maidstone correspondent states that a Scotland Yard detective has arrived there and interviewed the commander of the Sussex Regiment, with a view to identifying the writing found on the envelope found on the murdered woman [Chapman].

Reporting the same story, Freeman’s Journal, 15th September 1888, added, “. . . but the Press Association correspondent states that this is incorrect.”

And there the matter was dropped by the mainstream press.

However, the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kent Advertiser, 21st September 1888, followed up the story—

The envelope found in the yard of 29 Hanbury Street bore the seal of the Sussex Regiment. So why was Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Manners, who commanded the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, stationed at Maidstone, being inquisited? Why would a London detective embark on a seventy mile round trip to make inquiries with the wrong regiment?

The Sevenoaks Chronicle questioned Lt. Col. Manners—

“He cautiously guarded himself against making any statement as to the visit of the detective, stated that there was no foundation whatever for any supposition that the slightest light could be thrown on the Whitechapel mystery by any information within the knowledge of the military authorities at Maidstone.”

The newspaper followed up its inquiry by questioning the local police—

“Supt. Dalton, head of the Borough police, and Supt. Bates at Wren’s Cross, revealed the fact that they were completely ignorant of any visit paid to Maidstone by a London Detective, who would scarcely come to the town without calling upon either or both of those gentleman.”

By now, Herlock, you should be spotting a Ripper trend.

Regards,

Simon

[Sam Flynn]

Shortly after the murder of Annie Chapman, on 21st September, the Sevenoaks Chronicle reported that "it is just possible that the police in their anxiety to unravel the mystery may have made some enquiries amongst Whitechapel people employed in the Kentish Hop gardens . . ."

Must have been a quiet news day in leafy Sevenoaks. "It is just possible that the police may have...", indeed. Why use such vague language if the police really had done so? With tens of thousands of people to question in Whitechapel, I'd be amazed if the police would have ventured to Kent in order to quiz a few dozen muddy hop-pickers, on the offchance that (a) they actually were from Whitechapel and (b) they had any useful information about the murders.

[Simon Wood]

Read the previous post.

[Monty]

Hi Monty,

Of course she never claimed the reward [had their been one at the time].

"Instead she she went to Mitre Square to confront the murderer rather than seek the support of the authorities...and claim that reward."

Why did she think he'd be there?

That's the bit that makes no sense.

Hope you're well.

Regards,

Simon

Apologies Simon, I was being unnecessarily facetious. Forgive me.

Im recouperating slowly after major surgery. Thanks for asking, appreciated. I trust you are well also.

Monty

[Simon Wood]

Monty,

OMG! I had no idea.

Are you going to be okay?

Best, best wishes.

Simon

[Herlock Sholmes]

Hi Herlock,

Evening News, 14th September1888—

“Our Maidstone correspondent states that a Scotland Yard detective has arrived there and interviewed the commander of the Sussex Regiment, with a view to identifying the writing found on the envelope found on the murdered woman [Chapman].

Reporting the same story, Freeman’s Journal, 15th September 1888, added, “. . . but the Press Association correspondent states that this is incorrect.”

And there the matter was dropped by the mainstream press.

However, the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kent Advertiser, 21st September 1888, followed up the story—

The envelope found in the yard of 29 Hanbury Street bore the seal of the Sussex Regiment. So why was Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Manners, who commanded the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, stationed at Maidstone, being inquisited? Why would a London detective embark on a seventy mile round trip to make inquiries with the wrong regiment?

The Sevenoaks Chronicle questioned Lt. Col. Manners—

“He cautiously guarded himself against making any statement as to the visit of the detective, stated that there was no foundation whatever for any supposition that the slightest light could be thrown on the Whitechapel mystery by any information within the knowledge of the military authorities at Maidstone.”

The newspaper followed up its inquiry by questioning the local police—

“Supt. Dalton, head of the Borough police, and Supt. Bates at Wren’s Cross, revealed the fact that they were completely ignorant of any visit paid to Maidstone by a London Detective, who would scarcely come to the town without calling upon either or both of those gentleman.”

By now, Herlock, you should be spotting a Ripper trend.

Regards,

Simon

Apologies for being dim Simon but I don’t see a trend. The police appeared to be following up some kind of lead? The fact that a detective travelled so far would lead us to believe that the police felt that it was a worthwhile line of enquiry.

Why would a London detective embark on a seventy mile round trip to make inquiries with the wrong regiment?

I certainly can’t answer that one Simon, it’s a mystery, but can we really infer anything from the lack of detail? What I’m really asking of course is “what do you infer from this?“ Or are you making the point that the police were being less than open about their lines of enquiry? Is that a surprise?

[Herlock Sholmes]

Monty,

OMG! I had no idea.

Are you going to be okay?

Best, best wishes.

Simon

Yes Monty I hope that youre ok now?

[Simon Wood]

Hi Herlock,

Try inferring something from the information at hand.

Regards,

Simon

[Joshua Rogan]

Hi Michael,

You need to keep a keen eye out for all those pesky policemen.

Eddowes allegedly told the Superintendent at the Mile End Casual Ward [ELO, 13th October] that she had "come back [from hopping in Kent] to earn the reward offered for the apprehension of the Whitechapel murderer. I think I know him."

As of the date Eddowes started out on her walk with John Kelly from Kent [27th September], no reward had yet been offered....
So it is possible that Eddowes knew something.

Perhaps she knew that Whitechapel MP Samuel Montagu, as reported in the press on 12 September, had offered a reward of £100, along with another "substantial reward" offered by the vigilance committee.

Daily Telegraph
"On Monday Mr. Samuel Montagu, M.P., had an interview with Chief-inspector West respecting the offer of a reward of £100. As member for the Parliamentary division of Whitechapel, Mr. Montagu was anxious to remove any slur that might remain upon his constituents, but he did not wish to do anything contrary to the policy of the police. As is well known the practice of granting money rewards for information leading to the apprehension of murderers has of late years been discountenanced by the Home Office. Mr. Montagu's proposition was submitted in writing to the Commissioner of Police, and yesterday morning he was informed that it had been duly communicated to the Home Office, whose decision, he was told, would be forwarded to him. Until late in the afternoon the expected notification had not arrived, but Mr. Montagu has authorised us to say that he adheres to his intention, and will pay the sum of £100 to the persons who may become entitled to it. The notices which appeared, in the form of handbills and posters placarded in the shop windows in Mile-end, Whitechapel, and Houndsditch, had no reference to Mr. Montagu's offer. A committee of the tradespeople and others, which is to meet every night at the Crown, Mile-end-road, were responsible for the issue of the following manifesto:

"Finding that, in spite of murders being committed in our midst, our police force are still inadequate to discover the author or authors of the late atrocities, we, the undersigned, have formed ourselves into a committee, and intend offering a substantial reward to any one, citizen or otherwise, who shall give such information that will bring the murderer or murderers to justice.""