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Inspector Anderson and Swanson's recorded remarks about Aaron Kosminski ring true. Israel Schwartz apparently did identify his as the perpetrator.
I am now convinced that the plethora of suspects mentioned by various police officials, each appearing to have his own favorite, was a deliberate effort to mislead, an act of misinformation. As Sir Charles Warren wiped away the most tantalizing clue, he offered the best logical reason for what happened afterwards. The wave of Jewish immigrants to White Chapel had created a lot of friction with the denizens of neighborhood. What would finding out that Jack the Ripper was a Jew from Poland have done? No telling, but the risk of a pogrom like happened in the Russian Pale was real. No intelligent person could discount it.
So my conclusion is, that Tumblety, Druitt and the others mentioned at the time as suspects were simply to "keep a lid" on the story. Druitt, a totally inappropriate suspect for a variety of reasons(no one can see what happened to Mary Jane Kelly and not know the perpetrator was totally insane) deserves an apology or at least his family does.
But the main thing to come out of all this, is that the Police were much better at this investigation than they have been credited having been. And the useful fiction that they employed, in hindsight is excusable under the circumstances. Hats off, to Sir Charles, Inspectors Anderson, Swanson and Abberline for a Job well done.
I am now convinced that the plethora of suspects mentioned by various police officials, each appearing to have his own favorite, was a deliberate effort to mislead, an act of misinformation. As Sir Charles Warren wiped away the most tantalizing clue, he offered the best logical reason for what happened afterwards. The wave of Jewish immigrants to White Chapel had created a lot of friction with the denizens of neighborhood. What would finding out that Jack the Ripper was a Jew from Poland have done? No telling, but the risk of a pogrom like happened in the Russian Pale was real. No intelligent person could discount it.
So my conclusion is, that Tumblety, Druitt and the others mentioned at the time as suspects were simply to "keep a lid" on the story. Druitt, a totally inappropriate suspect for a variety of reasons(no one can see what happened to Mary Jane Kelly and not know the perpetrator was totally insane) deserves an apology or at least his family does.
But the main thing to come out of all this, is that the Police were much better at this investigation than they have been credited having been. And the useful fiction that they employed, in hindsight is excusable under the circumstances. Hats off, to Sir Charles, Inspectors Anderson, Swanson and Abberline for a Job well done.
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