Meet the Richardsons

[Chris]

We are led to believe that HJWD conjured this story out of thin air to boost circulation. How is it, then, that a great number of details in his mythical Leather Apron story actually matched those of John Piser?

I think you can add the timing of the first press reports about Leather Apron, which immediately followed the incident on the afternoon of Sunday 2 September, when a woman tried to have Pizer arrested in Spitalfields, and according to his brother's account he was pursued by a "howling crowd."

My own interpretation would be that Pizer was indeed the main inspiration for the reports, and that once he was cleared the newspapers really had no choice but to claim that it had been a coincidence that "Leather Apron" resembled him so closely.

[lynn cates]

LA

Hello Chris. I think you are right that Pizer was the main inspiration for the myth and likely was called Leather Apron--as he seemed to admit.

I don't think, however, that he was the only one nor does the description of the demented person with the crazy eyes seem to match Pizer, or, indeed, that Pizer was the person accosting Richardson.

Hence, my suggestion of conflation.

Cheers.
LC

[Simon Wood]

Tales of Natty Bumppo

Hi All,

I found a slightly clearer version of the Echo, 11th September 1888–

FICTION RE "LEATHER APRON."

It is stated that the many absurd rumours as to the man "Leather Apron" have been inquired into and found to be utterly devoid of truth. A high authority at Scotland-yard, asked what truth there is in the naming account of the personage, said, "just as much as there is in the career of Leatherstocking; only I prefer Fenimore Cooper's literary style." The man suspected-rightly or wrongly-of being him is a person of weak physique and but a short time ago underwent a very painful operation, when a large carbuncle was extracted from the back of his neck. Since then, until within quite recently, he has been an inmate of a convalescent home and at the present time his physical powers are less than those of any woman.

Regards,

Simon

[Roy Corduroy]

But this can't be the same Bumppo that young Richardson and the reporter bumped into five days later on the street. The one in your original article. The demented man.

Roy

[Simon Wood]

Exactamundo, young Corduroy. So why weren't the cops arresting demento man?

[Roy Corduroy]

So why weren't the cops arresting demento man?

The coppers picked up many a local strangelove. But here's my point -

Question - did the name Leather Apron

(a) begin locally
(b) was made up by a newsman

Answer - I don't care. Because once it was out there, it took off like wildfire. Isenschmidt was asked about it and said "the girls said are you Leather Apron?" and he told them, "yes I am Leather Apron."

Leather Apron became a sort of catch phrase. And I'm OK with that.

Roy

[Simon Wood]

Hi Roy,

I would suggest Harry Dam first got the name from the cops. That's why so many of his "mythical" Leather Apron details in the Star matched those of the real-life John Piser.

Report by Inspector Helson dated 7th September 1888—

"The inquiry has revealed the fact that a man named Jack Pizer, alias Leather Apron, has, for some considerable period been in the habit of ill-using prostitutes in this, and other parts of the Metropolis, and careful search has been, and is continued to be made to find this man in order that his movements may be accounted for on the night in question, although at present there is no evidence whatsoever against him."

John Piser ill-using prostitutes? Not bad going for of a man of "weak physique and but a short time ago underwent a very painful operation, when a large carbuncle was extracted from the back of his neck. Since then, until within quite recently, he has been an inmate of a convalescent home and at the present time his physical powers are less than those of any woman."

Regards,

Simon

[Stephen Thomas]

It sure beats all that Kosminski musta dun it cuz Robert 'only the truth drips from my lips' Anderson said so.

Tut tut, Simon. As you know, Anderson didn't name anybody.

[Simon Wood]

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the reprimand.

Duly noted.

For Kosminki read "low-class Polish Jew"

Regards,

Simon

[Simon Wood]

Hi All,

The press cutting in Post #1 should read Lloyds Weekly News.

My thanks to Debra Arif for alerting me.

Note to self: must be like Avis and try harder.

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

por que

Hello Simon and Roy. Has any one asked the question, "Why did the girls ask Isenschmid if he were Leather Apron?"

Cheers.
LC

[lynn cates]

walk that walk

Hello Simon. Here's a snippet about the LA walk. I've not seen it before.

Cheers.
LC

[Observer]

Weak Legs!!!!!!!!!!!! As predicted by Fleetwood Mac, in the recent BS man thread.

Methinks a portion of the good people of late Victorian Whitechapel had rather vivid imaginations. Not unlike some of the posters here in Casebook.

[Simon Wood]

Hi Lynn,

What a fascinating find.

I believe that style of walking is called the goose-step.

Regards,

Simon

[lynn cates]

gait

Hello Simon. Indeed. One might compare that to the following account from the Star.

"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."

Now, I think this wandering lunatic was indeed the origin of the "Leather Apron" legend and may be identical to Richardson's violent bloke.

Identify this chap and you've made progress indeed.

(By the way, Abberline and professor Sugden have already offered a subject in this regard. Know whom?)

Cheers.
LC