A Modern Day BS Man/Liz Encounter

[Hunter]

1) Schwartz's story is an invention, and William Wess covered for Schwartz.
2) (This being the most probable possibility): Schwartz's testimony was true, but exaggerated, and William Wess just wanted to protect his friend Schwartz from the press.

Hi Maria,

There is another possibility... and it is what the police seemed to surmise; that Schwartz may have been telling the truth, but the incident he described could have been a bellicose drunk acosting her and then, going on his way; with someone else (the killer) coming upon her afterwards. A woman in Stride's position could be approached by several men in a short time; whether she was soliciting or not. The pubs had closed and many men were 'crawling' their way home. Indeed, they believed that she had likely been seen in the company of several men within an hour an a half before she was murdered. This was in Swanson's report and he had to rely on Abberline for the information and insight - as the 'Lipsky' explaination incures. Abberline would have known the district and its people far better than we could ever hope to do now.

As far as the Echo article is concerned... one must be cautious about the press - unless it is a direct quote; especially the Echo or the Star and certainly in the immediate aftermath of an event when the rumor mill is rampant and the inquest hasn't gotten under way. As Tom suggested, Wiess could have gotten his information garbled and the reporter could have further embellished it. They were more interested in selling papers than checking their facts. It would get even worse after the Kelly murder.

And, the club members - particularly Wiess and Eagle? Having Stride killed on their very doorstep would be like finding a turd in your kitchen sink... given the nature of the club and the social climate of the time. Its hard for me to believe that not one member saw Stride before she was found dead in their yard. Whether they were complicite or not, its easy to understand why they said they didn't see her or any prostitutes around the premises... even though their neighbor at No. 38 told a different story. "I do not think the yard bears a very good character at night..."

[lynn cates]

paranoia

Hello Maria. I read your earlier post. I heartily believe that IS was a, basically, law abiding citizen. If, however, he did what I am suggesting he did, it might be best interpreted as merely trying to help a friend or patron.

We must not lose sight of the fact that:

1. The Orthodox Anglo Jews would have been delighted to see the club shut down.

2. SY would have been glad to see the club shut down.

3. The European law enforcement agencies/intelligence gathering groups would have been happy to see 40 Berner shut down

Such a climate promotes paranoia. Add to this the article from the year before by William Morris about police spies and I think you can see where Wess was coming from.

There is no absolute evidence that IS fibbed with his story, but it was VERY convenient.

Cheers.
LC

[lynn cates]

IS

Hello Maria. I don't think IS was in England in 1881. I tend to agree with Tom that he arrived quite recently.

I am still coming up empty for the theatres. Have found the Lupinos though.

Cheers.
LC

[mariab]

I know we can't say for sure it's him. (And Schwartz is a super common name.) Were the censuses PRIOR to 1888 also checked? There's a thread on casebook about trying to establish if Schwartz came from Hungary or Poland, or maybe the thread was about Lawende. I'll check it out.
Lynn's checking the local theaters for Schwartz.

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi Maria, all that work has already been done on Schwartz. A likely Israel is in the records, but we can't say for sure it's him. He probably moved to England in 1888.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott