John's Echo Interview

[lynn cates]

Take that!

Hello Simon. Thanks.

Quite. In reading about casual wards, I found they were intended as quasi-punitive. Hence, you were expected to work until the afternoon. I suppose that accounts for the jury chap who astonished himself at inquest with Kate's early release.

Cheers.
LC

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn,

Apocryphal is a good word.

No mention from the superintendent, I notice, about the all-important spot of bother which released Eddowes from the casual ward a day early.

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

Here endeth the lesson.

Hello Simon. Thanks. If true, that would establish Kate at Mile End Friday night.

But it sounds a bit like a sermon, if you catch my meaning. And the date makes it look a bit apocryphal.

Cheers.
LC

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn,

Here's another spurious story for your delectation.

East London Observer, 13th October 1888—

A reporter gleaned some curious information from the Casual Ward Superintendent of Mile End, regarding Kate Eddowes, the Mitre-square victim. She was formerly well-known in the casual wards there, but had disappeared for a considerable time until the Friday preceding her murder. Asking the woman where she had been in the interval, the superintendent was met with the reply, that she had been in the country "hopping." "But," added the woman, "I have come back to earn the reward offered for the apprehension of the Whitechapel murderer. I think I know him."

"Mind he doesn't murder you too" replied the superintendent jocularly.

"Oh, no fear of that," was the remark made by Kate Eddowes as she left.

Within four-and-twenty hours afterward she was a mutilated corpse.

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

money talks

Hello Jon. Don't know. But surely John was eating and he was paying his rent at Cooney's? Whence das Geld?

Cheers.
LC

[Wickerman]

Hello Simon.

"What money?"

I wonder if they did not have just a tad somewhere? After all, John was able to live on a few days at Cooney's after Kate was killed. Surely a bit was squirreled away?

Where?

[lynn cates]

Oh, bother the casual ward.

Hello Simon. Thanks. Actually, this is so convoluted that speculation may be counter productive.

I am still trying to understand Kate's early release from Mile End. John claims that he was surprised but that there was a bother at the casual ward. Later, however, he claims that Kate had told him that she would see him early. Could she foresee the bother?

Cheers.
LC

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn,

I don't think we were ever meant to understand them.

What astonishes me most from what we know is that, except for one juryman, the inquest, the press and the police appeared to swallow all the gaping holes in Kelly's BS story without so much as batting a collective eyelid.

I have a few speculative ideas, but don't want to send Monty's defibrillator into orbit.

Regards,

Simon

[Phil Carter]

So there would have been no need for Eddowes to "go the Mile End Casual Ward"; and even less need if, as you say, they might have had a few bob squirreled away.

Hello Simon,

According to Kelly, Eddowes said that she wanted to go find some money. They agreed according to Kelly, that he was to book his place at the Lodging House, whilst she went on a trip somewhere hunting for money. Correct?

Meanwhile Wilkinson states that it would have been ok with a berth on tick.

So why did Kelly only book a single bed? He only earned 4d apparently the day she left his sight. (at the market?)

Simon, you said, "string vest". Ive the feeling that almost all he said was "inVESTed".

best wishes

Phil

[lynn cates]

actions

Hello Simon. Thanks. That was my understanding.

So I still cannot understand John and Kate's Friday and Saturday actions.

Cheers.
LC

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn and Phil,

Wilkinson, the deputy lodging house keeper, said at the inquest, "If they had told me the previous day that they had no money I would have trusted them. I trust all lodgers I know."

So there would have been no need for Eddowes to "go the Mile End Casual Ward"; and even less need if, as you say, they might have had a few bob squirreled away.

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

exceptions

Hello Phil. Thanks. But I thought "Fred" made an exception for old trusted lodgers?

Cheers.
LC

[Phil Carter]

Hello Simon.

"What money?"

I wonder if they did not have just a tad somewhere? After all, John was able to live on a few days at Cooney's after Kate was killed. Surely a bit was squirreled away?

Cheers.
LC

Hello Lynn,

Especially as, I believe I am correct in saying that the lodging house attendant said that nobody was allowed to stay and pay "on tick".. i.e. write it up on account.

best wishes

Phil

[lynn cates]

stash

Hello Simon.

"What money?"

I wonder if they did not have just a tad somewhere? After all, John was able to live on a few days at Cooney's after Kate was killed. Surely a bit was squirreled away?

Cheers.
LC

[lynn cates]

clueless

Hello (again) Phil.

"So why wait? She wasn't going to be locked up for 3 days on drunk and disorderly, surely?"

This is one I am trying to figure out myself.

Cheers.
LC