Druitt and Monro

[Fiver]

I don’t have a transcript or whether Jon Hainsworth does Fiver but in his book he says:

In an angst-filled November letter, however, Mrs Isabella Druitt informs Emily that she has visited ‘Cavendish Square’, which matches the Earl’s address. Uncharacteristically, no details are provided, yet her daughter must understand the implications of that location without further elaboration. Mrs Druitt then laments that she feels she may never be rid of this ‘encumbrance’ – again, no clarifying details.

- Stephen Ryder found that Emily Druitt had a connection to Crawford, however loose, through a publishers called Quaritch.

In the next sentence JH writes:

Mrs Isabella Druitt’s small book containing names of people within her social circle or of her acquaintance has survived. As to be expected it lists relatives, friends and colleagues of her late and esteemed husband. The authors also discovered in this small, long-forgotten book a name that connects Mrs Druitt once more to the ‘Ripper’ case: Farquharson.

The source given is - Druitt Mss 252,The Druitt Papers, West Sussex Record Office.

Thank you for the information. Hainsworth has said "A nephew of the late, famous Dr Robert Druitt was arrested in 1887 for allegedly trying to stab an East End "fallen woman". " This is provably false - Minnie Cameron never named her attacker and no one was arrested for the attack. After that, I don't accept anything Hainsworth says without independent confirmation.

[Lewis C]

Your example is an intriguing possible suspect. The problem with the period accusations against Druitt is that most contain wildly inaccurate claims like him being a doctor or a recent escapee from an asylum. One even said he was Russian.

Those period accusations are the equivalent of - A London woman announces that she has found the private papers of her father who was a Scotland Yard detective in the 1960’s. In it he states “…at the time I had a strong feeling that Jack the Stripper was a car mechanic from Walthamstow’s called Frank Thompson.”, but further research shows that her father was a police constable and Frank Thompson was a plumber. It could still mean that Thompson was guilty, but the errors undermine the claim.

I don't dismiss Druitt. Druitt belongs on the suspect list thanks to the murders probably ending after his death, but I don't put him near the top of the list.

(bolding added)

Correct me if I'm wrong - anybody - but I believe the Hainsworths are claiming that Druitt was in 2 different lunatic asylums after being dismissed from the school, and one of them was in France. If this is what they're claiming, I'd like to know what evidence there is for it. It seems rather unlikely that he would have been in 2 different asylums during the very short period of time after his firing from the school but before his death, especially with one of them being in France.

[Fiver]

On the side issue of Druitt being possibly murdered, I have always found the details of his alleged suicide to be very odd, and perhaps suspicious.

His mind didn't "give way" immediately after the Kelly murder as claimed, because we know he continued to carry out his legal work successfully, and was active as the hon sec of Blackheath cricket club, but we don't know why he was sacked from the school, and whether that caused him serious problems.

He was said to have written a suicide note, which suggested that he chose to take his own life, but he then bought a return train ticket, and died with two cheques and quite a bit of cash on his person.

According to modern currency conversions, Druitt had the equivalent of over 10 thousand pounds in cash and cheques on him. I find it unlikely that someone willing to murder Druitt wouldn't have at least taken the cash.

[The Rookie Detective]

On the side issue of Druitt being possibly murdered, I have always found the details of his alleged suicide to be very odd, and perhaps suspicious.

His mind didn't "give way" immediately after the Kelly murder as claimed, because we know he continued to carry out his legal work successfully, and was active as the hon sec of Blackheath cricket club, but we don't know why he was sacked from the school, and whether that caused him serious problems.

He was said to have written a suicide note, which suggested that he chose to take his own life, but he then bought a return train ticket, and died with two cheques and quite a bit of cash on his person. That was a very untidy and disorganised suicide for someone as disciplined as a teacher/barrister who had written a suicide note and therefore planned his death! It was also a very unpleasant method of suicide, the cold waters of the Thames in December! An overdose would have been so much easier.

Obviously, if he didn't plan his suicide, he had to have a reason for going to Chiswick, and if it wasn't business, it could have been to take a look at Manor House Asylum. His mother was at an asylum in Brighton, which wasn't very convenient, and actually she was transferred to Manor House in May 1890.

So, someone killing Druitt does seem possible, but that implicates his brother, who allegedly found the suicide note. Do we have anything tangible to suggest that William was a rogue? We have perhaps only the allegations on this thread, and the report from the inquest that William claimed to be his brother's only relative, which was untrue.

Now we're talking!


Fabulous post!

[Doctored Whatsit]

According to modern currency conversions, Druitt had the equivalent of over 10 thousand pounds in cash and cheques on him. I find it unlikely that someone willing to murder Druitt wouldn't have at least taken the cash.

I understand the point, but isn't the suggestion on this thread that theft wasn't the purpose of the murder? People with money might not feel the need to steal. Having said that, some money could have been taken, we cannot know.

[etenguy]

The fact that some treat Druitt as if he’s unworthy of interest is a constant source of surprise and disappointment. As far as I’m concerned. Druitt is the most intriguing of suspects.

Hi Herlock - fascinating post, thank you.

I have not researched in any serious way whether or not Druitt makes a good ripper suspect. His death soon after the ripper murders stop does not commend him as a strong suspect to me solely on that basis, but I am intrigued that senior police officials did consider him a viable suspect. This is supposedly from information supplied by the family. The same family who also try to stop the police pursuing or naming Druitt - whether through blackmail or other means. This contradiction in the actions of the family is strange, for surely if they wanted to keep this a secret they need not have said anything to police officials at all and could have easily found ways to curb Montague's behaviour more discreetly.

[The Rookie Detective]

Hi Herlock - fascinating post, thank you.

I have not researched in any serious way whether or not Druitt makes a good ripper suspect. His death soon after the ripper murders stop does not commend him as a strong suspect to me solely on that basis, but I am intrigued that senior police officials did consider him a viable suspect. This is supposedly from information supplied by the family. The same family who also try to stop the police pursuing or naming Druitt - whether through blackmail or other means. This contradiction in the actions of the family is strange, for surely if they wanted to keep this a secret they need not have said anything to police officials at all and could have easily found ways to curb Montague's behaviour more discreetly.

Great Post.

The sceptic in me feels that perhaps the family were so embarrassed by Druitt's alleged homosexual tendencies and oddball antics, that they told MM he must have been the Ripper; as though it was some kind of warped explanation as to Druitt's behaviour.

In reality, it would seem less likely (and not more) that the Ripper was Homosexual.

A man who deliberately charms, controls, dominates, incapacitates, mutilates, evicerates and then obliterates an innocent woman by primarily targeting her reproductive and sexual organs, is more likely NOT to be a Homosexual.

Statistically speaking.

But of course, that archaic and pathetic mindset that outlawed homosexuality at the time, was probably used as a means to ridicule gay men.

Shameful of course, yet it possibly did play a part in making it easier to then throw mud onto the likes of Druitt.

[mklhawley]

According to the bits and pieces the Hainsworths found, Druitt WAS a doctor, in the sense of having been a medical school drop out - "doctor", "surgeon" and "medical student" being used interchangeably at the time.

This is why Abberline in 1903, for example, refers to the unnamed Druitt as both a young doctor and a student. Macnaghten refers to him being "said to be a doctor" by implication nut officially registered. The vicar tells a reporter he was "at one time a surgeon". Sims writes in 1923 that the lodger has sketchy medical credentials. Macnaghten told a newspaper that the real murderer was long deceased and had been a "student of surgery".

Also the Ripper murders did not cease with Druitt's death. There were at least three more. That's why he was initially cleared as a suspect.

As for the "barrister" of 1887, if you would carefully read what the Hainsworths actually posted in context - since you're too scared to read their book - they were trying to find an explanation as to how Druitt came to police attention in 1888 as a minor suspect. Was he arrested in Whitechapel doing his charity work for Oxford House but then let go? Did a detective do a follow-up re: that woman stabbed by a "barrister" whom she knew as a regular client ("friend")?

The Hainsworths are trying to figure out why certain Victorians believed so adamantly it was Druitt, as they veiled that part of the story from the historical record because it was reputational kryptonite for all of them.

For example, if Druitt was a patient of the Tukes' in Chiswick and absconded to drown himself in the adjacent Thames, then that is "escaping from an asylum" which Sims claims in 1913.

[GBinOz]

On the side issue of Druitt being possibly murdered, I have always found the details of his alleged suicide to be very odd, and perhaps suspicious.

I share your suspicions.

His mind didn't "give way" immediately after the Kelly murder as claimed, because we know he continued to carry out his legal work successfully, and was active as the hon sec of Blackheath cricket club, but we don't know why he was sacked from the school, and whether that caused him serious problems.

Do we even know when he was sacked. If it was in fact weeks later and for being AWOL it casts a different connotation to having been sacked for mis-behaviour.

He was said to have written a suicide note, which suggested that he chose to take his own life, but he then bought a return train ticket, and died with two cheques and quite a bit of cash on his person. That was a very untidy and disorganised suicide for someone as disciplined as a teacher/barrister who had written a suicide note and therefore planned his death! It was also a very unpleasant method of suicide, the cold waters of the Thames in December! An overdose would have been so much easier.

Was the alleged "suicide note" dated? It seems to me very odd that a letter assumed to having been written the Saturday morning before his departure for London would make reference to "since Friday" rather than "since yesterday". Kelly was murdered on a Friday. Was the note written some weeks before, or contrived to implicate him?

Obviously, if he didn't plan his suicide, he had to have a reason for going to Chiswick, and if it wasn't business, it could have been to take a look at Manor House Asylum. His mother was at an asylum in Brighton, which wasn't very convenient, and actually she was transferred to Manor House in May 1890.

So, someone killing Druitt does seem possible, but that implicates his brother, who allegedly found the suicide note. Do we have anything tangible to suggest that William was a rogue? We have perhaps only the allegations on this thread, and the report from the inquest that William claimed to be his brother's only relative, which was untrue.

Hi Doc,

I've always thought that there was somethings that don't seem quite right about the official hypothesis.

Cheers, George

[Fiver]

I understand the point, but isn't the suggestion on this thread that theft wasn't the purpose of the murder? People with money might not feel the need to steal. Having said that, some money could have been taken, we cannot know.

If Druitt was murdered, what would be the purpose of the murder and why would the killer or killers stage it as a suicide. And if the body hadn't resurfaced and been found, which the killer would have no control over, Druitt would have been a missing person.

[Fiver]

On the side issue of Druitt being possibly murdered, I have always found the details of his alleged suicide to be very odd, and perhaps suspicious.

His mind didn't "give way" immediately after the Kelly murder as claimed, because we know he continued to carry out his legal work successfully, and was active as the hon sec of Blackheath cricket club, but we don't know why he was sacked from the school, and whether that caused him serious problems.

Have you known any suicides?

Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.

It's called masking. People put on a front. They act normal, even happy, yet inside they're struggling. And sometimes they get tired of the struggle. Druitt was a robust athlete, a successful barrister. And one fine day he filled his pockets with stones and jumped into the river.

[Fiver]

So, someone killing Druitt does seem possible, but that implicates his brother, who allegedly found the suicide note. Do we have anything tangible to suggest that William was a rogue? We have perhaps only the allegations on this thread, and the report from the inquest that William claimed to be his brother's only relative, which was untrue.

I have not found any report of William Druitt saying he was Montague's only relative.

Southern Guardian, 1 January 1889. (This mentions a letter written to Mr Valentine in addition to the note, as well as mentioning several member's of Druitt's family.)

Acton, Chiswick & Turnham Green Gazette, 5 January 1889.

Richmond and Twickenham Times, 5 January 1889

Dorset Chronicle, 10 January 1889. (This also mentions a letter written to Mr Valentine in addition to the note.)

[mklhawley]

Maybe, Fiver, if you read the primary sources a little more carefully...

Acton, Chiswick & Turnham Green Gazette
United Kingdom
Saturday, 5 January 1889
FOUND DROWNED. William H. Druitt ... — Witness, continuing, said deceased had never made any attempt on his life before. His mother became insane in July last. He had no other relative. ...


If you, ehem, actually read the Hainsworths on this you would know that Christine disovered that the coroner, Dr Thomas Diplock, was already known to William Druitt. Diplock had also been the coroner in a previous case of a young, male Druitt killing himself due to being of "unsound mind". This means Diplock knew exactly who William was, and vice versa.

Previous researchers have counter-argued that what the witness, William, meant was that no other relatives were in attendance (even though obviously his mother wasnt in attendance either, and she and her serious mental illness are pointedly mentioned).

The Hainsworths counter-counter that William must have said that he and his mother had no other relations as this was the suicide of a nephew of a very famous, deceased physician, Dr Robert Druitt, which is the angle the press would have led with had they known. Ergo they did not know, because Diplock allowed William to perjure himself to protect the family name and appear to be different Druitts and inconsequential ones.

What Diplock did not know is that a no doubt desperate William was deceiving him too; as J. F. Nesbit would reveal in 1894, the brother was covering up his belief that his tragic sibling was "The Ripper".

In the extraodinary US article ("The Philadelphia Times" Jan 13, 1889) found by R. J. Palmer and used by the Hainsworths in their book, there are no names but there is reference made to two young, English gents escorting a third, young English gent to be placed in an expensive French asylum. The patient is raving that he is "Jack the Ripper". At one point his two escorts are claimed to be a solicitor who is just a "friend" (as Griffiths and Sims will later characterise William) and a "cousin" who is a "clergyman". The solicitor tells the asylum medicos that their ill friend/cousin has "no other relatives".

[Doctored Whatsit]

Hi Doc,

I've always thought that there was somethings that don't seem quite right about the official hypothesis.

Cheers, George

Hi George,

Yes, I share your reservations about the "since Friday" aspect of the suicide note. If false it seems to use the 30th November date, with the writer either not knowing the date of death, or believing that nobody else would discover it. If the suicide note was genuine it would be expected to say "since yesterday", or "since a week Friday".

[Doctored Whatsit]

I have not found any report of William Druitt saying he was Montague's only relative.

Southern Guardian, 1 January 1889. (This mentions a letter written to Mr Valentine in addition to the note, as well as mentioning several member's of Druitt's family.)

Acton, Chiswick & Turnham Green Gazette, 5 January 1889.

Richmond and Twickenham Times, 5 January 1889

Dorset Chronicle, 10 January 1889. (This also mentions a letter written to Mr Valentine in addition to the note.)

Hi Fiver,

I quoted directly from the A-Z, or actually slightly misquoted, "he reportedly described himself and his mother as Montague's only relatives." This is from the Acton Chiswick and Turnham Green Gazette.

Ooops - already stated at #28 above!