James Lampard

[Craig H]

John Bennett, and others, did some research on James Lampard a few years ago.

James David Lampard was born in 1850 in Stepney, was a brick mould maker and also an enrolled militiaman (East Kent Militia) in 1881.

Most of what we know is from a letter to Police in October 1888 from J J Beckett who managed a hotel where Lampard was a frequent customer.

He said Lampard:

• Was previously affluent, and had travelled America and Europe. Had recently fallen into hard times
• “Had a great taste for Anatomy and had dissected and stuffed different animals and birds. He was a good scholar; and I have heard him speak of the human body in a very learned manner”
• Had suffered a nervous disorder in August 1888 and hospitalized
• “He is about 5ft 8ins in height, is well knit, broad shouldered and has the appearance of a military man. Has a very authoritative tone of voice. Has a red face (?? Similar to “Blotchy” ??) Pointed moustache, no whiskers, dark hair. High forehead and bald in front”
• His writing style was similar to that of the alleged Ripper letters. He used the American phrase “boss”.

Some of Nemo’s 2011 posts drew the link between Lampard’s interest in animal dissection and the November 1889 long letter / poem allegedly by the Ripper which talks of the same.

He seems a likely candidate. What do others think ? What do we know about him ?

Craig

[Pcdunn]

I think it is interesting, but how long did his hospital stay last?

Are you considering him for JtR or for the Torso killer?

[Harry D]

This is the kind of suspect we should be looking at.

[Wickerman]

It just looks to me like an attempt to check too many boxes all at once.

- Medical knowledge: “Had a great taste for Anatomy and had dissected..."

- Resembles the Stride suspect: broad shouldered

- Resembles Hutchinson: "has the appearance of a military man"

- Resembles the Kelly suspect: Has a red face

- Wrote some Ripper letters: His writing style was similar to that of the alleged Ripper letters. He used the American phrase “boss”.

Mind you, he doesn't seem to have had access to chalk, or hated Jews and prostitutes, nor committed suicide so that's saying something I guess.

[Jason]

Knowing what we do today about serial killers , I think the most interesting aspect of that list is the part about the animals ....had the FBI been in London in 1888, I'm sure Mr Lampard would have been interviewed ......I wonder if he was related to Frank and was fat ?

[Phil Carter]

Hello all,

As can be seen from the original jtr forums link I was pretty involved in some research about this fellow. John Bennett may have discovered more since that time.

Many links to many bits and pieces turn up.
interesting fellow indeed.

Jason..I believe he could well be a distant relation to Frank, yes.



Phil

[Craig H]

James Lampard makes more sense if the Ripper letter / poem of November 1889 is authentic.

This long letter of rhyming couplets suggests the Ripper:

• Was motivated by a hatred of prostitutes “Destitution against which I desperately fight; Destroy the filth ........hideous whores of the night”
• Was articulate – the letter is long and well written
• Was comfortable in talking with police at the scene of the crime
• Worked on his own
• Is familiar with vivisection (the cutting up of animals)
• Has a set of knives

I’ll do a separate post with the complete letter. Nemo did a great analysis on this letter on jtrforum 4 years ago.

I think Lampard may have done some of the Torso murders as well as the Whitechapel ones.

Craig

[Craig H]

Here is the transcript of the November 1889 letter sent to Police

Dear Boss
My first shot to justify myself I now fire
You will see by this I am not a liar
Frank Stupid fool, believes me to be insane
His next shotlog will be that I'm vain
In the papers you sometimes see
Letters written by him but not by me
He declares an accomplice is concerned
That he has to prove and learn
He describes my complexion dark with good looks
Tells the public he has my boots
Togs & suits many of hats I wear
And people at me often stare
Those spots are bullydogs and not fair
The ......spots I packed 2 pair in High street
To pay rent buy food (no gin) but meats
The togs have I, 2 suits both dark and blue over coat
Hard felt hats (hat) and blue ruff on my throat
Long hair no beard and none on chin
Do neither smoke swill or touch gin
At Finsbury St Paul's ward near
I never dossed the rents are too dear
Think old donkey, say he can me catch
He would soon find in me his match
The detectives of London are all blind
They know they cannot me search and find
I think you should a spark make
He would soon be tired and try to escape
Operations will begin this month again
Despatch the police and good strong men
Whitechapel alone is the place
The knife is keen quick and leaves no trace
My blood boils and with indignation rages
To perpetuate more bloody outrages
Destitution against which I desperately fight
Destroy the filth ........hideous whores of the night
Frequenters of Music Halls and drinkers of Hellish Gin
Dejected (ejected) lost cast down ragged mean and thin
My knives are sharp and very keen
Determined I swear what I mean
At Finsbury St Paul's ward (hard) near
I never dossed the rents are too dear
Whitechapel High Street ward near my home (near army home)
I always do my work alone
Some months hard gone near Finsbury Square
An eccentric man lived with an unmarried pair
Mad on vivisection (the cutting up of animals) he gave me a treat
He would get hold of a dog or cat for a joke
With one cut of the knife sever its throat
He was very dark, teeth (if new) pocked and marked disease on nose, I did him meet
The tale is false there never was a lad
Who wrote essays on women bad
I'm not a flash away Belgravian Swell
Although self taught I can write and spell
The Miller's Court murder a disgusting affair
Done by a Polish knacker rather fair
The morn (of the morrow I went to the place
Had a shine but left by haste
I spoke to a policeman who saw the sight
And informed me it was done by a knacker (knocker) in the night
I told the man you should try and catch him
Say another word old chap I'll run you in
The swellish flash away I echo I very often see
Treating whores and asking them to tea
One night hard gone I did a policeman meet
Treated and walked with him down High Street
The letter addressed to 22 Hammersmith Road
Was written by some vulgar lying toad
Old Frank thinks me a flash away swell
A first rate man and in a fine house I dwell
A fourpenny doss I have at a common east End dosshouse
And do not dine on aristocratic grouse
When by luck some browns and bobs do make
Sometimes early, but at others very late
He thinks a large fortune I have got
And love to ridicule and me mock
He well knowing the reason that I kill
The whorish women then I him
Money (of which) Sir I have none
But I detest ridiculous sarcastic puns and fun


J Ripper

[Craig H]

Hi Phil
Thanks for the reply.
You and the others had a lot of discussion about 4 years on Lampard as well (I think) on the November 1889 letter.
What's you thoughts on Lampard as a suspect ?
Rgds
Craig

[Patrick S]

Did some research on Lampard. Can someone tell me if I'm looking at the correct James David Lampard:

Born July 1850 to James and Elizabeth Lampard (Link).
Traveled to United States 1872.
Mother died 1881.
Father died 1890.

1891 was living in Hackney with wife Emma and five (5) children ages 6 to 15.

Died 1893 London.

I'm suspicous of the above bold info. Let me know.

Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting.

PDS

[Karl]

[*]Was articulate – the letter is long and well written

A matter of opinion. Mine is that the letter was indeed long, but rather poorly written. If faithfully rendered here, it does show good spelling, but he has no sense of rhythm or prose - some of the rhymes are rather forced and it has no flow. Attempting to write poetry in rhythmless rhyming tuplets shows no education in the field, and little exposure to it besides.

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.

[Mayerling]

Who is Old Frank he refers to? Is that a nickname or an actual name of somebody who made comments he is mocking.

Lampart had a wife and children. What happened to them? Are there possible descendants?

Does it strike any of you that he protests too much about not liking to drink gin?

Jeff

[Craig H]

Hi Patrick,

The James Lampard (iron founder) with wife Emma and kids is another one. This family is in the 1881 Census as James Lombard (spelling mistake) – however it’s the same as he is a whitesmith in 1881 Census with wife Emma and oldest daughter Ada.

Our James David Lampard travelled to the US In 1872 (fortunately he uses his full name which appears on travel to New York).

His father - James Lampard – had his own business of brick mould makers.

I can’t find James David Lampard anywhere in the 1891 Census. Did you have any luck ?

I think he is the James Lampard who died in 1893 – am ordering birth certificate.

It would be great to find any more information on him

Craig

[Craig H]

NEMO did an excellent analysis of the letter on the other JTR site.

He suggested that "Frank" referred to "Forbes Winslow" who had some beliefs about who JTR was.

Craig

[Patrick S]

Hi Patrick,

The James Lampard (iron founder) with wife Emma and kids is another one. This family is in the 1881 Census as James Lombard (spelling mistake) – however it’s the same as he is a whitesmith in 1881 Census with wife Emma and oldest daughter Ada.

Our James David Lampard travelled to the US In 1872 (fortunately he uses his full name which appears on travel to New York).

His father - James Lampard – had his own business of brick mould makers.

I can’t find James David Lampard anywhere in the 1891 Census. Did you have any luck ?

I think he is the James Lampard who died in 1893 – am ordering birth certificate.

It would be great to find any more information on him


Craig

Hi, Craig. I'll keep looking. Thanks for pointing me in the right directions.