Isenschmid(t) Records: Part 2

[Chris Scott]

Before I decided to take a break from posting I had promised Lynn that I would transcribe and post the second lot of records for Isenschmid. I must again stress that all the credit for tracking down and obtaining these records goes to Lynn Cates.
As I wanted to honour this promise these records and the photos included in the notes are below. I am now off for a break in rural Hertfordshire - thanks to all for the good wishes and the messages
Best wishes to all and hopefully be back soon
Chris Scott


Notes
Part 2

Page 75
Registered No. of admission: 11,417
Date of Admission: 15th October 1891
Name: Jacob Isenschmid
Reception order signed by H. Lee Esq., J.P. Dated 12th October 1891.
Age: 47
Parish: Islington

Single, Married, or Widowed: Married
Condition of Life and previous Occupation: Pork Butcher
Religious Persuasion: Church of England
If First Attack: Third
Age on First Attack: 43
When and where under previous care and treatment: Colney Hatch, Sept. 12th, 1887; Grove Hall, Sept. 24th, 1888. T(ransferred) to Banstead.
Duration of existing attack: 3 weeks
Supposed Cause: Hereditary
Whether subject to Epilepsy: No
Whether Suicidal: Yes
Whether dangerous to Others: Yes. Threatening to murder wife
Whether any near relative has been afflicted with insanity: No, as far as can be ascertained but it is thought it may be hereditary
Name and abode of nearest known Relative, and degree of Relationship: Wife; Mary Isenschmidt, 42 Grovedale Road, Upper Holloway

Facts specified in Medical Certificate upon which opinion of Insanity is founded:-
1) Facts indicating Insanity observed by Medical Man - On admission, 12th October, it took the united efforts of four policemen to hold him. He was incoherent in his speech, threatened to murder every one and he did not know what he was doing.
He makes rambling statements about the large amounts of money he makes, believes he is possessed of Van and Horses; afterwards says he hires it - then said it was given to him.
C. ST. J. W.
Oct. 27, 1891

2) Other facts indicating Insanity communicated to him by others:-
Wife - Mary Isenschmid, 42 Grovedale Road, N. He imagines he owns a van and pair of horses. First he says they cost him £100, then says they have been given to him. He will not go to bed at night - makes every one get up. Says people are coming in, and wanted them to nail up the door. He attempted to strangle her and would have done so had not a neighbour rescued her.

Name of certifying Medical Officer: C. St, J. Wright, St. Mary's Infirmary, St. John's Road, N.

Form of Disorder: Mania

Ward: 11.5.2

Observations:
On admission patient is in the later stages of an acute maniacal attack. He is somewhat excited and garrulous. Strongly denies being insane and tells of a great struggle he had with some policemen who he says treated him very roughly. He has sores(?) on lip and tongue. he is fairly coherent now and the worst part of his attack is over. He will probably rapidly convalesce as on former occasions. Health fair.

Oct.18: Much better mentally. Has a bruise on ankle with some teno-synovitis. he says this was caused by a kick from the policeman.
Oct. 21: Ankle much better and he is mentally rapidly convalescing.

1891:
Jan. 4: Wife states that patient was discharged from Banstead rather more than a year ago; within a month he began to ill-treat his family and left his home; has tried to kill his wife and children on several occasions; it seems doubtful whether he drinks much; father believed to have been insane. Is now quiet and well behaved, and working well in the grounds, but he is evidently very unstable.
March 26: Remains in a fairly satisfactory condition; he is quiet, well behaved and usefully employed on the farm; health fair.
May 14: Continues to be quiet, coherent and usefully employed; health fair.
Sept. 19: There is no change in patient's state since last note. He is somewhat morose in manner, but there is no distinct evidence of insanity at the present time.
Sept. 23: Discharged Recovered - Parish
(Signed) Wm. Seward.


Page 298.
Registered No. of Admission: 12,238
Date of Admission: 3rd October 1895
Name: Jacob Isenschmidt
Age: 52
Parish: Islington
Order signed by: E. Austin, Esp., J.P. Dated 28th Sept. 1895

Single, Married or Widowed: Married
Condition of Life and previous Occupation: Butcher
Religious Persuasion: (Jewish - crossed out) Church of England
Previous Place of Abode: Islington Workhouse, St. John's Road; 42 Grovedale Road, Upper Holloway
If first Attack: No
Age on First Attack: 43 years
When and where under previous care and Treatment: Colney Hatch, Sept. 12 1887; Grove Hall, Sept. 12 1888; Colney Hatch, Oct. 15 1891
Duration of existing attack: Unknown
Supposed cause: Unknown H
Whether subject to Epilepsy: No
Whether suicidal: No
Whether dangerous to Others: Yes, attempted to assault attendants
Whether any near Relative has been afflicted with insanity: Father
Name and abode of nearest known Relative, and degree of Relationship: Wife, Mary Ann Isenschmidt, 42 Grovedale Road, Upper Holloway

Facts specified in Medical Certificate upon which opinion of Insanity is founded:-
1) Facts indicating Insanity observed by Medical man: He is violent and maniacal. He talks in an irrational manner about wearing a white rose button hole because he is all purity, and says he is doing detective business for the French Government

Name of certifying Medical Officer: C.A.J. Wright, Islington Infirmary

Form of Disorder: 10191, 11417 Rec: Mania
Ward: 11.B2

Observations:
This patient has been here twice before and also in Grove Hall and Banstead asylums. He was here for rather over two months in 1887 and for 12 months dating from Oct. 1891. The cause in the first instance is said to have been drink, and his wife is said to have believed that his father died insane. When last discharged it is noted that he was not in a very satisfactory state as regards his general bearing. His name was spelt without the final -t.

On admission now he is admitted under restraint and has a recent wound on the left thumb and slight bruises on big toes. His tongue is furred. A man of fair height, slim and foreign appearance.
He is now recovering from an acute attack of mania and is quiet but in a dazed state; mentally he is confused and unable to answer questions rationally. C. Beadles.
Oct. 7: Since admission has been fairly well in his behaviour but very talkative. He has delusions of money and possession of diamonds. He calls himself a single man and claims that he is divorced from his wife. He used to travel round this neighbourhood with meat. C. Beadles.
Nov. 25: Is quiet and seems to be improving in his mental state. C. Beadles.

1896:
Feb. 25: Is at work in kitchen, quiet and well conducted, clean and tidy. Put on flesh. Rarely visited. C. Beadles.
May 26: Still quiet and works well in kitchen. Health fair.
Aug. 29: Continues to be coherent, quiet and well behaved, and usefully occupied in the kitchen. Health good. W. Seward.
Sept. 26: Discharged (on expiration of Reception Order) W. Seward.


Page 104.
Registered No. of Admission: 13089
Date of Admission: 5th June 1899
Name: Jacob Isenschmid
Age: 56
Parish: Islington
Order signed by: J. Murray Dated 5th June 1899

Single, Married or Widowed: Married
Condition of Life and previous Occupation: Butcher
Religious Persuasion: Church of England
Previous Place of Abode: Westminster Workhouse
If first Attack: No
Age on First Attack: 48
When and where under previous care and Treatment: 1891 Colney Hatch
Duration of existing attack: One month
Supposed cause: Unknown H
Whether subject to Epilepsy: No
Whether suicidal: No
Whether dangerous to Others: Dangerous
Whether any near Relative has been afflicted with insanity: Unknown / Father
Name and abode of nearest known Relative, and degree of Relationship: Wife, Mary Isenschmid, 42 Grovedale Road, Upper Holloway

Facts specified in Medical Certificate upon which opinion of Insanity is founded:-
1) Facts indicating Insanity observed by Medical Man: Unnaturally voluble and interfering, violent, and destructive, tearing up the sheets and bedding
2) Other facts indicating Insanity communicated to him by others: Mrs. Isenschmid - "I am unable to live with my husband, he has been off and on in asylums for 13 years; he is melancholy in the winter, and raving every summer."

Name and Address of Certifying Medical Officer: F.W. Axham, 31 Glasshouse Street, W.

Form of Disorder: Mania Recurrent
Admitted to Ward: 11.2

Physical Condition on Admission: Fair
External appearance, habit of body, temperament, expression of countenance, form of the head (if abnormal): Head of normal shape - covered with grey curly hair
Eyes - vision: abnormality of other specific senses, or of common sensibility: Pupils equal - react to light and action(?)
Pulse, tongue, skin and temperature if abnormal: Normal
Vascular and respiratory organs and abdominal viscera: Normal

Symptoms of Mental Disorder:
Patient upon admission was in a very excited state of sensibility, and incoherent in speech, and has delusions - has a collection of studs and other cheap articles in a piece of paper, which he said were worth no end of money.
Dangerous to other.
Habits clean.
(Signed) F.C. Robinson

Previous History:
Previous Nos. 12238 11417

Page 104:
Registered No. 13089
Name: Jacob Isenschmid

1899:
June 9: Is rambling and incoherent - has delusions that he has plenty of money. Tidy in dress and fairly well behaved. Health fair.
June 16: Patient has been noisy - he has threatened attack of patients and attendants
June 23: Patient is quieter, though still rambling and somewhat incoherent in his speech
June 29: Patient has been transferred to (Ward) 14. He has been violent and has broken several articles in the ward. He has been ordered Ammonium Bromide.
July 6: He is quieter, but rather excited still. He desires to go to work.
July 13: The patient is more rational in conduct and speech. The Bromide does not appear to have had any effect.
Oct. 30: Is now much quieter and more rational, and is and is making himself useful; habits clean; health good

1900:
Jan. 1: Has for some time been working in the kitchen. Is coherent, intelligent. Well conducted. Health good.
Jan. 5: Discharged recovered


Page 126
Registered No. of Admission: 13709
Date of Admission: 4th November 1902
Name: Jacob Isenschmidt
Age: 59
Parish: Islington
Order signed by: Fredk Ward
Dated: 3rd November 1902

Single, Married, or Widowed: Married
Condition of Life and previous Occupation: Market Porter
Religious Persuasion: Church of England
Previous Place of Abode: Clerkenwell Police Court
If First Attack: No
Age on First Attack: 44 years
When and where under previous care and treatment:
Colney Hatch, Sep. 24 to Dec. 2 '87
Grove Hall, Sep. 12 to Feb. 4 '90
Banstead, Feb. 4 to May 19 '90
Colney Hatch, Oct. 15 '91 to Sep. 20 '92
Colney Hatch, Oct. 3 '95 to Sep. 26 '96
Colney Hatch, Jan.9 '99 to Jan. 6 1900
Duration of existing attack: A few days
Supposed Cause: Unknown. H. Drink
Whether subject to Epilepsy: No
Whether Suicidal: No
Whether dangerous to Others: Yes. Threatened to murder landlady
Whether any near relative has been afflicted with insanity: Unknown. Father
Name and abode of nearest known Relative, and degree of Relationship: Wife. Mary Ann, 74 Wedmore Gardens, Holloway


Facts specified in Medical Certificate upon which opinion of Insanity is Founded:
1) Facts indicating Insanity observed by Medical Man:
Patient stated that he has a good chance of getting the Chief Inspector of the Police's job, he is going to have the freedom of the City given to him, also a silver key and a parchment
2) Other facts indicating Insanity communicated to him by others:
P.C. 679 N. stated that Patient was disorderly, used threatening language, said he would take the lives of four women

Name and address of Certifying Medical Officer:
Matthew Benjamin James, Islington Workhouse


Page 126:
Form of Disorder: Rec(urrent) Mania
Admitted to Ward: 11.2.13

Physical Condition on Admission:
External appearance, habit of body, temperament, expression of countenance, form of the head (if abnormal): Fair
Eyes - vision: abnormality of other special senses, or of common sensibility: Good
Pulse, tongue, skin and temperature if abnormal: Normal
Vascular and respiratory organs and abdominal viscera: Normal
Presence or absence of bruises or other injury, or if under restraint on admission: Scar of old wound at base of R. Thumb

Symptoms of Mental Disorder:
Delusions marked - more especially regarding his connections with the police - not (crossed out) dangerous - intelligence and memory poor - habits cleanly

Previous history; any facts that may be known:
Prev. Nos.
10191
11417
12238
13089
June 1: Daughter states that patient lives away from his family, but in July he came to see them and was very excited. Probably drinks to excess. A daughter was certified and sent to Brentwood in July last but has since been discharged


Registered No.: 12709
Name: Jacob Isenschmidt

1901:
Nov. 6: Behaviour in the ward excellent - has an idea that he is about to be given the freedom of London. Transferred to 2.
Nov. 16: Though employed in kitchen, is still somewhat excitable and talkative. Clean. Health good
Nov. 24: Remains much the same mentally and physically
Dec. 17: Patient has never really settled down this time. This morning he is excitable, incoherent; trousers turned up to knees, and red garters with bows much in evidence. Had to be fetched up from kitchen. Removed to 13 ward.
1902:
March 25: Is much quieter now - though still inclined to be very talkative. Fair health
July 5: Is doing a little work again; at times abusive and mischievous. Fair health
July 30: Improvement in mental continued; enjoys excellent health

July 31: Discharged recovered to Parish (crossed out) Wife

[lynn cates]

thanks

Hello Chris. Thank you so very much! Your hard work is deeply appreciated.

The best.
LC

[Natalie Severn]

Its quite amazing all this that Chris has posted together with photos. The person suddenly has a real identity and is no longer just a nameyou have come across.
And btw Lyn, many many thanks for your kind pm and accompanying text.That too really brought those folk to life somehow!

Enjoy your break Chris!
Best
Norma

[lynn cates]

thanks

Hello Norma. The pleasure was all mine.

Cheers.
LC

[Phil Carter]

Well done Lynn!, well done Chris!!

Hello Lynn,

Wow! This time you have really got a fish my friend! Well done indeed!

Look at the whole scenario from all of this...admittedly plucking out points, without dating them all...

Whether dangerous to Others: Yes. Threatening to murder wife...
....Facts indicating Insanity observed by Medical Man - On admission, 12th October, it took the united efforts of four policemen to hold him. He was incoherent in his speech, threatened to murder every one and he did not know what he was doing....Other facts indicating Insanity communicated to him by others:-
Wife - Mary Isenschmid, 42 Grovedale Road, N. He imagines he owns a van and pair of horses. First he says they cost him £100, then says they have been given to him. He will not go to bed at night - makes every one get up. Says people are coming in, and wanted them to nail up the door. He attempted to strangle her and would have done so had not a neighbour rescued her....Form of Disorder: Mania.... Wife states that patient was discharged from Banstead rather more than a year ago; within a month he began to ill-treat his family and left his home; has tried to kill his wife and children on several occasions; it seems doubtful whether he drinks much; father believed to have been insane. Is now quiet and well behaved, and working well in the grounds, but he is evidently very unstable.....Yes, attempted to assault attendants....He is violent and maniacal....Whether dangerous to Others: Dangerous....1) Facts indicating Insanity observed by Medical Man: Unnaturally voluble and interfering, violent, and destructive, tearing up the sheets and bedding
2) Other facts indicating Insanity communicated to him by others: Mrs. Isenschmid - "I am unable to live with my husband, he has been off and on in asylums for 13 years; he is melancholy in the winter, and raving every summer."....Form of Disorder: Mania Recurrent....Dangerous to other....Patient has been noisy - he has threatened attack of patients and attendants.... He has been violent and has broken several articles in the ward.....Whether dangerous to Others: Yes. Threatened to murder landlady....2) Other facts indicating Insanity communicated to him by others:
P.C. 679 N. stated that Patient was disorderly, used threatening language, said he would take the lives of four women.....

This man has been dangerous since 1887. He has tried to commit murder with strangulation, threatened it to various women, is a butcher by trade, violent.... Reading these lines is an eye opener. Have we got someone here in the right place at the right time with means to be involved in the first two of the canonical 5 crimes I wonder? What do you think Lynn? Is this man a feasable suspect?

Personally, I think this puts the likes of Kosminski and his gutter-like habits into the shade. If one is to accept that Kosminski is capable of being a murderer, then what class do we put THIS man in? Head and shoulders a potential homocidal maniac.

Chris, many many thanks (once again) for the transcript work...marvellous!)


Congratulations Lynn. Marvellous find!

best wishes

Phil

[lynn cates]

description

Hello Phil. Thanks for that. I came across the following Star report for September 10. Please read slowly and carefully--then compare.

THE OTHER CLUE

is that of the man who went into the Prince Albert public-house with bloody hands, a torn shirt, and a bloodstreak on his neck. Mrs. Chappell, who saw the man along with Mrs. Fiddymont, was a customer, not friend of the latter, and the two stories of the man, which were independent of each other, agreed perfectly. Mrs. Fiddymont yesterday added to her previous statement the fact that the back of the man's head was grimy, as if it had been bloody, and had been dampened or spit upon in the endeavor to rub the blood off instead of washing it. The dried blood between the fingers was thus clear, though the back of the hand held only three or four small distinct spots. The man did not look in the least like a butcher, and no theory born of his appearance could account for his bloody hands at seven a.m.

Joseph Taylor also had some facts to add to his account of Saturday. Mr. Taylor is a cautious and entirely reliable man, and freely told all he knew to two detectives on Saturday. He says that as he entered the public-house Mrs. Fiddymont said that a man had just left whom she would like to give in charge on suspicion of the murder. Taylor went out a moment later without any particular intention of

FOLLOWING THE MAN,

whom Mrs. Chappell pointed out to him. The man was going towards Bishopsgate, however, and, as this was Taylor's direction, he increased his pace.

"It was all I could do to overtake him," he said yesterday, "and I am not a bad walker myself. The man walked very rapidly, however, with a peculiar springy walk that I would recognise again. He carried himself very erect, like a horse soldier. He had a ginger-colored moustache, longer than mine and curling a little at the ends. His shoulders were very square and his neck rather long. He was neither stout nor thin, and seemed between 30 and 40 years old. His face was medium in stoutness. There were faint hollows under the cheekbones. One thing that impressed me was that the man

SEEMED BEWILDERED.

He crossed Brushfield-street three times in going from the Prince Albert to the next street, which was Bishopsgate. He clearly did not know where he was going. When he reached Bishopsgate, he stood at the corner and looked up and down the street undecided. Then he made up his mind and started across Brushfield-street rapidly, and kept on down Bishopsgate towards Liverpool-street. I followed as far as Half-Moon street, where my work was, and watched him for some time from the corner, but he kept straight on. I assure you that when I came alongside of him his look was enough to frighten any woman. His eyes were wild-looking and staring. He held his coat together at the chin with both hands, the collar being buttoned up, and everything about his appearance was exceedingly strange.

Description of a Man "Wanted."

The series of murders which now even the police believe to be the work of one man, is engaging the attention of a large force of plain clothes detectives. At eight o'clock last night the Scotland-yard authorities circulated a description of a man who, they say, "entered the passage of the house, 29, Hanbury-street, at which the murder was committed with a prostitute, at two a.m., the 8th." They give his age as 37, height 5ft. 7in., and add that he is rather dark, had a beard and moustache; was dressed in a short dark jacket, dark vest and trousers, black scarf and black felt hat; and spoke with a foreign accent.

(Accessed from Casebook.)

The best.
LC

[Phil Carter]

Hello Lynn,

Just had a careful look at the above. I would say, according to the age and description...more or less bang on. On 19th Sept, Abberline said that JI was the man believed to have been seen by Mrs Fiddymont.

On 11th September, two Doctors, Cowan and Crabb, believed JI to be the murderer of the women up until then. He was missing from his lodgings at 60, Milford Road on the night of Annie Chapmans murder. He had been lodging there since 5th September with a Mr. Tyler.
On 17th September Sgt Thicke learned he had told a number of women he was "Leather Apron".

It is only presumed that he wasn't the Ripper because of the subsequent murders, when he was safely locked up. But that doesn't mean he wasn't the man who killed at least one of the first two of the canonical 5, if not both, does it?

best wishes

Phil

[lynn cates]

indeed

Hello Phil. Yes, well spoke. There are several letters from Abberline and Thick concerning this chap.

By the way, it's Mitford rd. Milford rd is in Ealing--over 14 miles away from WC. Mitford rd is in Upper Holloway--under 6 miles from WC. The first 2 letters in the "Ultimate Companion" have Milford, but later the police writers correctly change it to Mitford. The A-Z repeats the early police error.

Thanks, as always.

The best.
LC

[Phil Carter]

Hello Lynn,

I stand corrected.. you are quite right.

best wishes

Phil

[lynn cates]

cheap articles

Hello Phil. One thing that bothered me about JI was that Annie had her pockets ransacked and her brass rings taken. I wondered if there was anything in JI's behaviour indicating any such. Yes. Notice this:

"Symptoms of Mental Disorder:
Patient upon admission was in a very excited state of sensibility, and incoherent in speech, and has delusions - has a collection of studs and other cheap articles in a piece of paper, which he said were worth no end of money."

And now the answer is obvious. He would have thought those rings in the same category. Stupid me--the hints were there in his 1908 incarceration. Notice that there he is picking up rocks, calling them diamonds, and stuffing his pockets with trash.

It all makes sense now.

Cheers.
LC

[Phil Carter]

Hello Lynn,

I have never thought of that. That is very thought provoking indeed. Association is often misinterpreted. I don't think you have misinterpreted this, and it is quite plausible.
Your presentation is excellent. I think this could be a very important find indeed.

best wishes

Phil

[Hunter]

Great stuff,

Does anyone know if the attempted ID ever took place or did it all come to a halt when the double murders happened? I can't find anything in the police files after the end of September.

[lynn cates]

sequel

Hello Hunter. Dr. Julius Mickle, attending physician at Grove Hall lunatic asylum, pronounced Mr. Isenschmid too ill to be put into an identity parade for Mrs. Fiddymont et al. (You have most likely already read Mickle's statement to the police concerning JI's being Leather Apron.)

Yes, once the "double event" happened, it seems JI fell through the cracks. (See Sugden on this score.)

The best.
LC

[Phil Carter]

Hello Lynn,

It seems that the whole theory of there being more then one killer was squashed from the start. Strange, considering they INCLUDED Tabram to start with, a totally different type of murder when compared with Nicholls and Chapman.

best wishes

Phil

[lynn cates]

definitive word

Hello Phil. I know that feeling. I've spent many an hour reading about a good suspect and then throwing him overboard because he didn't have an opportunity to kill all 5. After all, Dr. Bond (who saw one of them) and Sir MLM (who was only 6 months removed from the case) said it must be so. Definitive word.

Cheers.
LC