Ripper Confidential by Tom Wescott (2017)

[Patrick S]

Hey, Tom.

First off, congratulations on the book. "Bank Holiday" was wonderful in that it provided a wealth of new information and perspectives. "Confidential" is more of the same. Clearly, the Buck's Row information is very interesting to me, especially the statement made by Harriett Lilley.

Lilley clearly states that a train went by "AS (she) heard the sounds (painful moan, two or three faint gasps)". Thus, she is very clear that these sounds occurred simultaneous with the train passing that location. You tell us that the Echo reported that the "3.7 out from New-cross" passed at "about half passed three". I wonder if you've been able to find any more specific information with respect the timing of the "3.7"? Any departure/arrival records that may help firm up the time?

In kicking this around with others it was suggested to me that Lilley's statement does nothing to exonerate Charles Cross since he himself provided the timings relative to his own departure time, his route, etc. While that's true, I think it misses the point entirely: Had Cross killed Nichols at 3:30am, why would he still be there at 3:45am? If the train DID pass at 3:30am and we accept that as the time the attack on Nichols occurred, we are now required to believe that Cross killed her, dissected her for a quarter of an hour, was still there (even though he likely knew the spot lay upon a PCs regular beat), when Paul came along at 3:45am, heard his approach, remained close to the body, refused to let Paul pass through the scene as he attempted to do, touched his shoulder, asked him to "come see this woman", examined the body in Paul's company, and then continued on with Paul until they met Mizen in Baker's Row.

I loved the bit on Thain, his cloak, and the horse-slaughterers, as well. I posted a treatise on that very topic some time back, making the point that there were other examples of PCs being perhaps less than honest about their actions that night in and around Buck's Row. Thain is a very obvious example of that. Thus, we must be careful in viewing Mizen's testimony about his actions (being told he was wanted by a PC, not continuing to call up, etc.) as a means to indict the testimony of Cross and/or Paul.

Congratulations again on the fantastic and original work!

[Robert]

I think in 1903 Esther was in the workhouse with an illegitimate son (she had not then married Samuels). The son died the following year.

[MrBarnett]

I've trawled through the list of names on the 64/5 electoral registers for Reede Road to see if I recognised anyone, but no luck. I was at the school (Hunters Hall) from 1960 to 1966 and Reede Road was so close it must have been in the catchment area.

[MysterySinger]

Yes Esther was a shop lady then and living at 6 Brick Lane. The best I can make it out to be is pregnancy but that's unlikely since her daughter was born a couple of months before. Actually it feels a bit weird talking about "real" people in this way - normally they're just a name on a page.

[MrBarnett]

That's a bit spooky Mr B. Bet she re-told that Ripper tale to her friends a few times.

I know I would have!

I think Esther spent a month in the Whitechapel Infirmary in 1903, but I can't decipher the malady she was suffering from.