druitt getting the sack

[Graham]

Druitt's as good a suspect as any, and better than some, and fair play to Dan Farson for first identifying him as a suspect.

However - and these points have been raised before but stand raising again - the only documentary source of evidence against Druitt is Macnaghten. And Mac said he destroyed a lot of documents relevant to the Ripper Case. Of course, he got Druitt's profession wrong, and also the date of his disappearance, which he said was 10th November 1888. Probably no big deal, but perhaps these points do demonstrate that Mac's memory was not as infallible as some would believe. The 'private information' that Mac alludes to is of course from an origin completely unknown (or so I believe); it could have come from anywhere, including the celebrated West of England MP. Mac also said that it was alleged that Druitt was 'sexually insane', a term which in Victorian times could refer to a masturbation habit. or homosexuality, or both. It has been suggested many times that the reason Druitt got the bullet from Mr Valentine's school was that he was taking liberties with the pupils. As good a reason as any, I'd say.

As far as I'm aware, the only other possible reference to Druitt's being a Ripper suspect is down to G R Sims, who stated in The Referee magazine in 1903 that the man found drowned in The Thames was one of three possible suspects for Jack, and that the police were looking for him at the time his corpse was dragged out of the river. Sims also adds that Druitt was suspected not only by Scotland Yard, but also by his friends. Why should the police be looking for Druitt at the time prior to his disappearance? Because of goings-on at Mr Valentine's school, or because they thought he was the Ripper?

Due acknowledgment to my (old) copy of 'The Jack The Ripper A-Z' for confirmation of some of the above, most of which I've dredged from my memory.

G

[pinkmoon]

Good post graham .what I like about druitt as a suspect is that he is one of only so called suspects who's life seems to going down hill at the time when all the murders started also he lived alone so he would have some where to stash human organs.this story about murderer killing himself after last murder also been a toff fits in nicely.

[Mayerling]

You emigrated, Jeff?

http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/read-james-canham.htm

What can I tell you Robert? I happened to find a web dealing with Stepney Murders and gave details to several. Read's case is unjustly forgotten these days - it is a guide on "how not to commit a perfect crime" because every idea of the killer comes back to bite him when he is captured. I wish a full scale study was done of it.

But still my question remains - Sir Melville is shown to be a smart detective and self appointed guardian angel of the name and reputation of the Druitt family in the fascinating theory advanced by Jonathan. I wonder if there is any evidence that Sir Melville behaved the same way towards any other suspected killer in any non-Whitechapel murder case from the 1890s to the days before World War I began.

Jeff

[Wickerman]

...Mac also said that it was alleged that Druitt was 'sexually insane', a term which in Victorian times could refer to a masturbation habit. or homosexuality, or both.

I'm sure one of the Druitt threads provides information from the period which indicates the term 'sexually insane' also includes an over active sexual drive (heterosexual).

Sims also adds that Druitt was suspected not only by Scotland Yard, but also by his friends.

The reference to Scotland Yard is indeed interesting, it would be nice to learn of the source used by Sims.

[Robert]

Hi Jeff

Jonathan has replied to you here :

http://www.jtrforums.com/showthread.php?t=9937

[lynn cates]

unhealthy

Hello Graham, Jon.

"I'm sure one of the Druitt threads provides information from the period which indicates the term 'sexually insane' also includes an over active sexual drive (heterosexual)."

Insane would refer, broadly, to its Latin etymology. Insane = insanus--unhealthy.

Cheers.
LC

[pinkmoon]

I think the term sexually insane in Victorian terms meant hommosexual I remember watching a programme years ago about Oscar Wilde and I seem to remember that expression been used might be wrong though

[Lechmere]

If Druitt was a chronic masturbator then who would know? Unless he did it in public which would imply some other form of mental illness, unless he was some type of flasher. Which seem unlikely.
You will never find a female linked to Druitt, so an over active heterosexual drive seems unlikely and less likely still to be the cause his sacking nor to be worthy of police comment.
Which leaves homosexuality, which is the obvious inference but one that some are reluctant to accept.
It is the obvious reason for his sacking – the sort of minorish transgression that would result in personal disgrace and social exclusion, but could be and was hushed up to avoid scandal by association.
The idea that the school would hush up damning evidence that Druitt was the Ripper is risible.
The idea that Macnaghten would be motivated by protecting the name of a ‘fairly good’ family is also risible. Fairly good – i.e. a little inferior – not quite the thing. Non U.

[pinkmoon]

Call me old fashioned if you will but if I found out that the school where I was paying a lot of money to have my children educated was linked to the worst crime of all times I think I would withdrawn them from such an establishment

[Lechmere]

Maybe you would but the idea the school would have been complicit in hushing up an event of that magnitude does bear scrutiny.

[pinkmoon]

I think if there was any real evidence like blood stained clothing ,knife,or body parts found in druitts room then yes the school would cooperate with police but if it was just rumour or gossip because of his suicide then no they wouldn't

[Lechmere]

But we have no reason to think the school suspected anything linking Druitt to the Ripper murders.

[Wickerman]

You will never find a female linked to Druitt,

We shouldn't expect to though, Victorian society being what it was.

Which leaves homosexuality

The same situation applies, no noticeable links to a male either.
On both counts we are left to our suspicions.

[Nick Spring]

There are elements of conspiracy(if I dare use that word ) and society closing ranks and the true story not getting out. The truth will never be known.

[pinkmoon]

Yes Nick I think you hit the nail on the head never believed in these major police conspiracys or cover ups but a few people from the higher classes yes