A Belfast suspect.

[nicole]

Hi all,

I just came across this on ebay and I don't remember seeing it before. It's grom the Springfield Republican Newspaper dated Sat Oct 13th 1888.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/JACK-THE-RIPPER-Caught-Whitechapel-in-1888-Newspaper_W0QQitemZ320308310785QQihZ011QQcategoryZ13993QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

Does anybody know anything more about this person??

Nicole

[Mike Covell]

Tis naught but John Foster Ma'am

12th October 1888 Hull Daily Mail

STRANGE ARREST IN BELFAST
EXTRAORDINARY EVIDENCE

Shortly before twelve o’clock on Thursday night a man, who gives his name as John Foster, was arrested in Belfast, on suspicions of being the Whitechapel murderer, and refusing to give account of himself. The prisoner, who was found lodging at the house of Samuel Beatty, Memel Street, had in his possession a bag containing a large knife and three razors. One of the latter bears marks of blood. The man is 30 years of age, 5ft, 8in, or 9in high, of slight build, and fair complexion, and is shabbily dressed. He also had close upon £20. He stated to the police that he has been in Belfast since last Sunday, Previously he was two days in Glasgow, and before that two days in Edinburgh; but he declines to give further information regarding himself.
At Belfast Police court this morning John Foster, who was arrested on being suspicious of being concerned in the Whitechapel murders was brought up.- Constable Carrand deposed that from information received he went to Memel Street, and there found the prisoner, who gave the name of William John Foster, and said he had no place of residence. In reply to a question, he said he arrived in Belfast on Sunday evening, having previously been for two days at Greenock, and for four days previous to that at Glasgow, and still earlier at Edinburgh. A clasp knife was found on him, and in a bag were three razors, two knives and a number of watchmakers appliances. He said he was a watchmaker. He had £19 in money, a watch with the monogram “A.M.R,” a locket, and a piece of a necklet. He wore boots similar to those worn by soldiers. The magistrates remanded him for a week for enquiries.

[nicole]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info. Maybe the Massachusetts paper 'embellished' a little when it mentioned the taunting letters bit. Thanks anyway!!

regards
Nicky

[Mike Covell]

Here is a follow up Nicole from the Hull Times 20th October 1888. It appears although he is suspected of being involeved in the affair, he is actually being held due to his alleged involvement in housebreaking!

THE BELFAST SUSPECT

At the Belfast Police Court yesterday John Foster was charged on remand with having being connected with the Whitechapel murders.- The police gave evidence to the effect that a locket and chain found in the prisoners possession had been identified as having been stolen from a house in Bootle.- The prisoner is wanted at Bootle on a charge of housebreaking.- The Magistrates remanded him for a week, in order that further inquiries may be made regarding him.