The `Reverand Dott letter to Australia

[Al Bundy's Eyes]

Hi Seecomber,

Yeah, stuff like this is the holy grail of the Ripperologist. I think we all harbour the belief that somewhere out there is a long forgotten document with new, vital evidence, waiting to be discovered. This might be it, but even removing the whole case for its its authenticity and provenance, it leaves the fact that the Rev'd Dott might just be plain wrong, retelling a story that's just that, a story, gossip from the time. How many people at that time and place "knew" who the killer was? Most of the East End had their opinions.
Personally, I'm wary of anything that makes its first appearance on eBay. And, why have these "tests" been done in secret? Surely, as a self proclaimed Ripperologist, transparency would be paramount?
As it stands, it's interesting, and may very well be genuine, but it doesn't really shed any knew light or change any perceptions, it's an addition to the overall picture of how the killings were perceived in daily life.
And as for dating ink and paper, this may have been debated in great detail elsewhere, I think there was some diary? There should be a thread about it somewhere, but I don't think many people ever looked at it.

[jmenges]

Until more is known of its provenance, the veracity of its contents (like the real existence of the individuals mentioned in it), and the experts the winning bidder claims to have consulted... IMO it should be treated with large dose of healthy skepticism.

While this letter may have been totally ignored on Casebook, it has been researched and discussed over on JtR Forums ever since it first appeared on eBay.

JM

[JeffHamm]

Here's a link to the story:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7831203/Is-final-proof-Jack-Ripper-Polish-barber.html

- Jeff

[seecomber]

The publication in the Daily Mail Saturday,28/12/2019 of a letter written to either relatives or missionary workers in Australia in July 1889 by the Reverand W P Dott does not seem to have aroused any interest on the Casebook even though it further strengthens the candicy of Kosminski as the perpertrator. It seems that even if senior police officers had no idea of the killer`s identity the writer was in no doubt of the culprit!