In search of Mickeldy Joe

[lynn cates]

M J

Hello Jon. Thanks.

Based on that, and another snippet or two, it sounds like he was from the same social class, etc., as Leather Apron. Rather like today's homeless people.

So at least there seems to be some basis for the story?

Cheers.
LC

[Bridewell]

Hello Jon. I tried Ancestry and all the variants my poor imagination would allow--Mikelde, Mikalde, Michelde, Michalde, Meikelde, Meikalde, Meichelde and Meichalde. No go.

Any other German name suggestions? I am open.

Cheers.
LC

Hi Lynn,

Have you considered the possibility that Mickeldy derives from a forename? 'Michael', in German, is pronounced something like Meekile.
Michael D something?

[Debra A]

Is Mickeldy Joe connected to LA or Pizer?
If it's Pizer then Mr Lucky recently mentioned Mr Nathan. Is there a Joseph Nathan?
I hope it isn't big Joe Fleming?!

[lynn cates]

Hmmm

Hello Colin. Thanks.

No, I was thinking Joseph or Josef.

Vielen Dank.

Cheers.
LC

[lynn cates]

"Leather Apron"

Hello Debs. Thanks.

He was supposedly a friend of "Leather Apron."

If Nathan was a friend of Piser then I doubt he is my man.

Cheers.
LC

[Bridewell]

Flemming?

I'd say it does indeed mean big Joe, from the Scottish adverb "mickle", meaning much or great.

Hi Lynn,

If, as suggested, Mickeldy Joe does mean "Big Joe" perhaps Joseph Flemming really was 6' 7" tall?

[lynn cates]

lodging house

Hello Colin. Thanks. Well, if he lived in a lodging house . . .

Cheers.
LC

[Ben]

If - naturally a great big "if" - Mickeldy Joe was Fleming and there was a connection to "Leather Apron", it might just account for the following article from the Star, 5th September 1888:

When two of the Philpott-street women directed the Star reporter to Commercial-street, opposite the Princess Alice Tavern, as the most likely place to find him, she added that it would be necessary to look into all the shadows, as if he was there he would surely be out of sight. This locality, it may be remarked, is but a few steps from the model dwellinghouse in George's-Yard, where the murdered woman of four weeks ago was found.

"Commercial Street, opposite the Princess Alice Tavern" precisely describes the location of the Victoria Home, the likely residence of Fleming in 1888.