The Elephant Man

[Phil Carter]

Limehouse,

Well said indeed. I echo those sentiments entirely.

best wishes

Phil

[DVV]

On this subject...

Compelling evidences show that Joseph Vacher went on killing before he was disfigured.

Amitiés all,
David

[kensei]

Just throwing in my two cents' worth, both for JTRSickert who started the thread tongue-in-cheek and for Nschaal who seems to have taken it more seriously, and I really think this should set things to rest.

In the Chapman, Stride, Eddowes, and Kelly murders, witnesses SAW an individual with the victims just prior to the killings and gave adequate descriptions. In Chapman, Stride, and Eddowes, allowing for some witness fallibility, the descriptions were virtually identical- a fairly young moustached-man in a dark overcoat and a peaked cap. This was overcrowded Whitechapel, there were potential witnesses everywhere, even in the dead of night. The Ripper was bound to be seen, but at NO POINT did anyone report seeing a shambling figure with a white hood over his head, OR an unmasked figure that was hideously disfigured. 'Nuff said. Let's let poor Merrik rest in peace.

[Monty]

For those who may be interested.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/meet-the-elephant-man/episode-guide

Monty

[Monty]

It has been announced on local radio that Merrick is to get a memorial within the City of Leicester.

Whilst it is an acknowledgement to the man himself it will also be aimed as an inspiration to all sufferers of disabilities.

Monty

[Steve S]

Any idea where?

[Scorpio]

JTR was none other than The Elephant Man himself, John/Joseph Merrick! Motive? The guy is very seriosuly deformed, mocked by many as a sideshow freak attraction, no woman wants him, he resides in a hospital (under the care of Dr. Treves); this could account for alleged "medical knowledge; the hospital is in the heart of Whitechapel, same hospital where Openshaw examined the "From hell" kidney and received a Ripper letter. He kills prostitutes to vent his rage against women and society in general and then makes his way back to the hospital, no one suspecting the truth. LOL.

Well done JTRSickert. This thread has aroused those who do not seem to participate that much !. But the fact is, lots of people have been named as JTR with nothing but circumstantial evidence, and sometimes very poor circumstantial evidence;but no one seems to get quite so worked up about them, with the exception of Aaron Kosminski . I think the details John Merrick's tragic but courageous life are of value here: a document detailing Victorian attitudes and practices, which perhaps provide some insight as to why JtR was able to commit multiple homicides. JTR was a man of unexceptional appearance; his disease was to well hidden to be observed by Victorian science and did not rob him of his physical and social mobility, only of his humanity.