Ripperologist 124, February 2012

[Phil Carter]

Adam and crew - Oustanding article on Macnaghten, thank you.

We have pondered why Macnaghten's official report was not initialed off by others and didn't seem to "go anywhere." Was apparently not needed in an official capacity, such as by the Commissioner to respond to the Home Office for information.

Macnaghten wrote in response to the Sun articles. The same week that series appeared in February 1894 there were other stories, first among them an anarchist killing himself trying to detonate a bomb at Royal Observatory Greenwich. And police then raided the Autonomie Club.

Here is an interesting link about the Observatory Archives (click here) illustrating the many news articles that week kept as clippings there. Perhaps this big story stole some thunder from the Sun articles.

Roy

Hello Roy,

Excellent posting. It has been assumed that Sir MM's response was meant for the Home Office. We assume that it was not needed, as you say, we also assume that the Home Office asked for it in the first place.

Yes, sure, it would be logical to assume it.. but as we do not actually know, then we cannot be sure. Could it be that assumption on this matter seems to win over interpretation of the possibilities?

best wishes

Phil

[Hunter]

Its quite possible that Macnaghten was just directed by Bradford to prepare something in case the need might arise; with or without any queries from the Home Office. It would certainly be within the duties of a Chief Constable, which served as a kind of secretary for the Commissioner.

Macnaghten, also, could have done this on his own in anticipation of such a request- should the need arise- and just filed it away. The memo reads like he was using this episode to put his thoughts down on a case that was of keen interest to him, despite the fact that he wasn't involved in the investigation during the fall of 1888.

[Monty]

"Could it be that assumption on this matter seems to win over interpretation of the possibilities?"

Oh the irony.

Nothing more than opinion and maybe the defence of a friends relative.

Monty