"City PC"

[Wickerman]

Who do you think Robert Sagar had in mind when he wrote this:

"At 1:45 a. m. she was dead. A police officer met a well dressed man of Jewish appearance coming out of the court. Continuing on his patrol he came across the woman's body. He blew his whistle,..."

Regards, Jon S.

[Monty]

So why take almost a year to sack Harvey? And Watkins resigned.

Contrary to belief, Harveys dismissal is noted. However the reason why is not given. He is noted as being dismissed with a fellow PC and reasons for his dismissal are not given either, which is normal for the monthly returns.

Is other words, his dismissal is seemingly routine and is most likey tied to drink, judging by his record.

Monty

[Bridewell]

Gavin Bromley promotes Harveys candidacy in his article the name of which escapes me but is very very good.

As you state, it was on Watkins beat Eddowes was found.

The 'contenders' apart from Harvey are PCs, George Simmons and Louis Robinson. These Guys were on beat duty prior to the 9.45pm switch to night duty.

After that the only other City PC we are aware of who patrolled within that area was PC Frederick Holland.

It must be born in mind Harveys beat is the most easterly for a City PC.

Monty

Thanks, Monty. What, if anything, do you see as the significance of Harvey's being the most easterly beat?

Regards, Bridewell.

[lynn cates]

stories

Hello Colin. There has been speculation that Harvey saw the murder occur as he neared the end of Church passage. It was thought that he was frightened and went back out again. If he later admitted this to his superiors, that would (perhaps) explain his dismissal.

But for my part, if this had occurred, it seems that later he would not have been able to hide the fact when apprised of the murder.

I have also seen the same claim for Watkins. It's all possible but I don't lean much weight on either.

But I would still like to know why Harvey was sacked.

Cheers.
LC

[Monty]

Gavin Bromley promotes Harveys candidacy in his article the name of which escapes me but is very very good.

As you state, it was on Watkins beat Eddowes was found.

The 'contenders' apart from Harvey are PCs, George Simmons and Louis Robinson. These Guys were on beat duty prior to the 9.45pm switch to night duty.

After that the only other City PC we are aware of who patrolled within that area was PC Frederick Holland.

It must be born in mind Harveys beat is the most eastertly for a City PC.

Monty

[Bridewell]

Thanks

I may only be an engineer (and not a magician) captain, but I think there is much in what you say. I have often pondered this enigma, and wondered what details of this sighting may once have been given in the lost City Police archives.

Cheers!
'Arry

Thanks, Harry. At least there's one person who doesn't think me a swivel-eyed looney for suggesting this. That's a great comfort, believe me!

Regards, Bridewell.

[Harry the Hawker]

I may only be an engineer (and not a magician) captain, but I think there is much in what you say. I have often pondered this enigma, and wondered what details of this sighting may once have been given in the lost City Police archives.

Cheers!
'Arry

[Bridewell]

Whenever there is discussion of Anderson's witness and/or the Marginalia, the two names which constantly recur (understandably so) are Israel Schwartz & Joseph Lawende. Yet, according to MacNaghten:

"Nobody ever saw the Whitechapel Murderer unless possibly it was the City PC who was (on) a beat near Mitre Square" (my italics).

Every time I raise it (and, yes, I am an Aberconway bore) I am assured that Sir MM has to be either misinformed, mistaken or attempting to mislead, so

"the City PC who was (on) a beat near Mitre Square"

can be either

(a) a Polish Jewish cigarette salesman on Dukes Place or
(b) a Hungarian Jew of theatrical appearance on Berner St, but definitely not
(c) James Harvey, "the City PC who was on a beat near Mitre Square" and who, in July 1889, for reasons unknown, was dismissed.

On another thread we're prepared to consider the possibility of Schwartz being a fraud. Should we not also give serious consideration to the possibility that Harvey witnessed the murder of Kate Eddowes - and funked it? Okay, so he (probably) wasn't Jewish, but he was a City PC and he was on a beat near Mitre Square - and he was dismissed a few months later.

Watkins' beat included Mitre Square, so "near" doesn't fit. Are there any other contenders? If not, why does MacNaghten have to be either deluded, misled, forgetful, devious or mendacious? Why can't he just be telling the truth as he believed it to be?

Okay. I have my finger on the Ejector Seat button ready for a quick exit, but set fazers on stun please!

Regards, Bridewell.