Ripperologist 124, February 2012

[GregBaron]

Wiry strong...

Would he not have worked with heavy carcasses? I suspect his upper body might have been muscular.

I suppose you could be right curious but I struggle with the diminutive sizes I've read about. I guess we must keep in mind the poverty and depravity of the living conditions. I imagine some of these guys could be the lean wiry-strong types due to physical labor.

I'm sure it's a 21st century prejudice but I have a hard time believing Jack the Ripper was the size of my girlfriend...


Greg

[curious]

I suppose you could be right curious but I struggle with the diminutive sizes I've read about. I guess we must keep in mind the poverty and depravity of the living conditions. I imagine some of these guys could be the lean wiry-strong types due to physical labor.

I'm sure it's a 21st century prejudice but I have a hard time believing Jack the Ripper was the size of my girlfriend...


Greg

Understandable. But a considerably younger man, accustomed to dealing with heavy carcasses all day long -- could he not easily have overpowered the women who were killed?

[tji]

Hi Curious


Sorry

Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it.

Jimi is more able to answer this question I think, but as he is probably lazing about doing nothing I will try and answer ;0)

There are a few things we would like to look at.

1. Was Mary Kelly a Jack the Ripper victim? well, for us the perfect answer would be no, as that could indicate that Joseph stepped in after seeing Jacob with Catherine Eddowes and that was the reason for no more Ripper killings, but as good as that sounds I think we have to say that Mary followed the escalation of the previous kills and so was a jtr killing.

2. Did he start off with the older women as they were easier more vulnerable victims, gaining confidence with each kill, before targeting his real prey?

3. Did he intend to kill the matriarchal women and Mary Kelly was off script because of Police presence on the streets leaving him with no option but to adapt his kills?

I think while we put forward it was possible for the killings to be matriarchal, the death of his mother a few month earlier being the stressor, it is still supposition, a way to try and learn why these victims were picked. The death of his mother a few month earlier being a stressor that could explain this.

Tracy

[curious]

Hi Curious


Sorry

Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it.

Jimi is more able to answer this question I think, but as he is probably lazing about doing nothing I will try and answer ;0)

There are a few things we would like to look at.

1. Was Mary Kelly a Jack the Ripper victim? well, for us the perfect answer would be no, as that could indicate that Joseph stepped in after seeing Jacob with Catherine Eddowes and that was the reason for no more Ripper killings, but as good as that sounds I think we have to say that Mary followed the escalation of the previous kills and so was a jtr killing.

2. Did he start off with the older women as they were easier more vulnerable victims, gaining confidence with each kill, before targeting his real prey?

3. Did he intend to kill the matriarchal women and Mary Kelly was off script because of Police presence on the streets leaving him with no option but to adapt his kills?

I think while we put forward it was possible for the killings to be matriarchal, the death of his mother a few month earlier being the stressor, it is still supposition, a way to try and learn why these victims were picked. The death of his mother a few month earlier being a stressor that could explain this.

Tracy

Thanks, Tracy.

Still so many questions -- for all of us, of course. But when my mind gets to whirring . . . well, so far my obsessions have not led to anyone's death.

[Jimi]

So Many Questions

Hi All
First may I express my gratitude for all the kind words about our article.
Part of the aim was to create discussion and questions about the liklehood of Jacob being JTR, so I guess it worked then!

Hi Greg
As a butcher, at 16 years old, part of my job was to unload carcasses from wagons, at the time I was about 5' 9" and weighed roughly 10 stone, i could unload from 20-40 a day. The secret was not to use STRENGTH but to know HOW to lift and carry that weight, it's not unlike a firemans lift, grip fimly and step into the lift using your legs not just your arms.
Just as a matter of comparison do you know how much you can actually lift?

Hi Velma
As i've already sent you a pm i'll wait for your reply before tackling the full subject.
Keep Well
Jimi

[ChrisGeorge]

I suppose you could be right curious but I struggle with the diminutive sizes I've read about. I guess we must keep in mind the poverty and depravity of the living conditions. I imagine some of these guys could be the lean wiry-strong types due to physical labor.

I'm sure it's a 21st century prejudice but I have a hard time believing Jack the Ripper was the size of my girlfriend...


Greg

On the other hand, if he was a small man and not a big lumbering type it might explain how he got away so fast each time. Small, wiry, strong, and nippy.

Chris

[curious]

Hi Velma
As i've already sent you a pm i'll wait for your reply before tackling the full subject.
Keep Well
Jimi

Thanks, I look forward to reading it. It hasn't arrived yet, so it may be tomorrow before I can get back to you.

[GregBaron]

Giants abound...

On the other hand, if he was a small man and not a big lumbering type it might explain how he got away so fast each time. Small, wiry, strong, and nippy.

Chris

As a butcher, at 16 years old, part of my job was to unload carcasses from wagons, at the time I was about 5' 9" and weighed roughly 10 stone, i could unload from 20-40 a day. The secret was not to use STRENGTH but to know HOW to lift and carry that weight, it's not unlike a firemans lift, grip fimly and step into the lift using your legs not just your arms.
Just as a matter of comparison do you know how much you can actually lift?

Understandable. But a considerably younger man, accustomed to dealing with heavy carcasses all day long -- could he not easily have overpowered the women who were killed?

Hi Chris, Jimi, curious,

Yes, I fully accept the small man thesis. Let's face it, most men of Whitechapel were quite small by today's standards. And small doesn't mean weak, I'm also aware of this. As Chris said, perhaps quickness and agility were his allies?

Like I said, it's a prejudice. Remember, I'm an American, where many are between 14 and 21 stone and 6 to 7 feet tall. I'm in a land of behemoths as many of us are today.........

PS - And Jimi, I only know that I can lift a frothy pint to my lips....


Greg

[Captain Hook]

Hello Rob,

If you haven't got the latest Rip yet please email me at editorez@yahoo.co.uk and we'll solve the problem for you. BTW, congratulations on your book. I've got Amazon on the case.

All the best,
Eduardo

[ChrisGeorge]

Hi Chris, Jimi, curious,

Yes, I fully accept the small man thesis. Let's face it, most men of Whitechapel were quite small by today's standards. And small doesn't mean weak, I'm also aware of this. As Chris said, perhaps quickness and agility were his allies?

Like I said, it's a prejudice. Remember, I'm an American, where many are between 14 and 21 stone and 6 to 7 feet tall. I'm in a land of behemoths as many of us are today.........

PS - And Jimi, I only know that I can lift a frothy pint to my lips....


Greg

Thanks, Greg. I was intrigued by Adam Went's photograph of himself and former Men at Work front man Colin Hay at JtR Forums. Adam looks a giant next to Hay who only looks a didger. Hay might resemble the type of man who could have done the crimes and got away quickly.

All the best

Chris

[robhouse]

Thank you Eduardo,

I managed to get a copy, but thanks for the offer. And thank you for the remark about my book. By the way, if you (or anyone else) wants to post a review on Amazon, I would be most obliged.

Rob

[Scott Nelson]

I'll do it.

[GregBaron]

Review by an illiterate American...

Thank you Eduardo,

I managed to get a copy, but thanks for the offer. And thank you for the remark about my book. By the way, if you (or anyone else) wants to post a review on Amazon, I would be most obliged.

Rob

I'll review your book too Rob. I found it to be stellar. A very fine, well written, well researched read. But is Koz the ripper, darn I'm not sure......?


Greg

[robhouse]

Thanks Greg. I am not sure if Kozminski is the Ripper either.

RH

[Beowulf]

Thank you Eduardo,

...if you (or anyone else) wants to post a review on Amazon, I would be most obliged.

Rob

Rob,

Wonderful book! I might do that Very well written and am enjoying the read immensely. A lot of good information in there and things to ponder.

Is Kosminsky the ripper? Well, it's certainly plausible. Amazed to read that he was living right in the dark heart of JTR's playground.