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Malta Joe
Detective Sergeant
Username: Malta
Post Number: 146
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 12:56 pm: | 
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It's finally time to reveal the underlying cause of the Hughes-Hallett study. I recognized a certain aspect to this story as I began working on it last Christmas, and I gave myself a year to research into it. The calendar says my year is now up, so let's get to it:
On Aug 7, 1888 a prostitute was murdered in a slum. Soon thereafter, a Knighted Member of Parliament disguised himself and rode out to George Yard. Shortly after midnight, he checked out the murder site, then he hunted in that slum for the killer.
Why was Colonel Hughes-Hallett doing all of this? What possible reasons were there to compel this Parliament Member to actively take such an abrupt personal interest in the killing of a vaguely known East End prostitute? The Tabram killing hadn't provoked any talk of a mass murderer on the loose. At first, her death was treated as a gory isolated crime. It didn't command national attention, nor was there an immediate demand for an increased police presence. So why did a man of HH's stature inject himself so suddenly into this?
It had been correctly implied that vigilantes, amateur sleuths, and concerned citizens all hunted for the Ripper in Whitechapel at night time. But none of those people commenced this Ripper-hunting activity until after the murders of Nichols and Chapman had occurred. Yet here we had a Knighted Parliament Member who conducted a determined hunt in August despite no signs of a city crisis being evident. There was something different going on here.
HH admitted that while he surveyed the scene at George Yard, he had spotted a policeman a block away. HH questioned the policeman and after "a great deal of persuasion" the policeman relented and described the appearance of Tabram's corpse to the Colonel. The cop gave HH the details concerning Tabram in relation to...
"...where she was found a few hours before, bleeding like an abattoir..."
This quote had measured the time lapse between the 4:50am discovery of the corpse and the Colonel's George Yard arrival time as having been only a matter of hours. It wasn't even denoted as a full day's period. HH conducted his midnight search in George Yard during the first hour of Aug 8th. Even John Paul Babock wrote in the Oct 7, 1888 Atlanta Constitution that HH's hunt had transpired "just after" Tabram's death.
HH conducted and completed his George Yard business before the general public was even informed that there was a possible Military involvement to this murder. On Aug 7th, The Star and The London Evening Times were the only newspapers I know of who reported this killing. Neither of those two Aug 7th articles spoke of Guardsmen.
I bet some of you are starting to put this all together now. So why did HH instantly drop all of his Parliament activity and head out in disguise to privately question a policeman at the murder site? There is a reply that answers all of the questions I've asked in this posting. It is a reply which I first recited to myself a year ago. And this reply was the hidden reason why I contacted Jeff last December to initiate research into this former Parliament Member.
Colonel Hughes-Hallett was in George Yard immediately after this killing because the Colonel was associated with the internal Military Investigation of the murder of Martha Tabram.
HH wouldn't have reacted so quickly and so decisively without having a specific suspect in mind who had committed this murder. Whatever HH thought he knew about this killer was sufficient reason enough for the Military to authorize the Colonel to immediately investigate the crime scene.
It's odd how the Military Investigation of Tabram's death never gets discussed. The Officer who had been in charge of it would have certainly kept this enquiry as low-keyed as possible. If any Army man wanted to pump a George Yard cop for info at the murder site, then he would have needed Military permission to do so. I feel HH was granted this clearance. The Colonel was an experienced Officer who knew protocol. He wouldn't have been in George Yard on this night without authorization.
On Aug 7th, Inspector Reid and P.C. Barrett were presented a line up of out-of-uniform soldiers in the Tower of London. The two would have to return the next morning to view properly uniformed Grenadier Guardsmen. After Reid & Barrett were escorted out the door on Aug 7th, I believe the internal Military Investigation of the Tabram killing started right up, and the first order of business was to check out the murder site before the general public's interest was aroused to a Military involvement. Colonel Hughes-Hallett was putting the questions to a George Yard cop that very night. I've always wondered if that cop was Barrett himself.
The scene at the Tower on Aug 7th must have been very busy after Reid & Barrett left. The Guardsmen who were off-duty at the time of the murder needed to be brought in and their whereabouts accounted for. An internal investigation had to be quickly organized, and the means of confirming or testing Barrett's credibility needed to be addressed. Hughes-Hallett would not have approached the Tower during this hectic time on Aug 7th to offer just a 'generalized theory' of who he thought may have perpetrated that morning's murder. The Colonel knew something more concrete about this, and the head investigating Officer concurred with him. The information HH had must have been very persuasive because he was swiftly given the thumbs up to head out to Whitechapel that night. That's why I don't dismiss this Knighted Colonel's words.
The fact that HH didn't speak to the British Press about this was an indication to me that the man was mindful of protecting the privacy of this investigation. While reading his interview, I couldn't help but notice how persistent HH was about getting his point across that he wasn't identifiable at the crime scene. HH claimed to have been heavily disguised; He said an old clubman friend didn't even recognize his face; The Colonel made it a point to reveal that after he left his (Military) club, he changed into civilian attire before he rode out to Whitechapel. The man accentuated the fact that he wasn't detectable while he conducted his midnight assignment.
HH didn't believe that Tabram was killed by a Guardsman. This was a viewpoint that must have been well-received by the Tower. After they factored in the information the Colonel had on his specific suspect, plus noting the stature this Knighted Parliament Member possessed, the result was predictable. Colonel Hughes-Hallett was granted the authority to go to George Yard that night.
Within one hour, I'll post what the Royal Military Police had to say about internal Military Investigations of 1888. This is going to get really good now. Please hold off posting anything on this thread for a hour. Thanks! |
Malta Joe
Detective Sergeant
Username: Malta
Post Number: 147
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 1:47 pm: |
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I'll get right to the point. I'd say that the two Knighted Officers who were in charge of the internal Military Investigation of Martha Tabram's murder were Field Marshal Sir Robert Cornelius Napier and General Sir Thomas Montagu Steele. Of these two, Lord Napier held the higher authority.
The Royal Military Police of West Sussex informed me that The Mounted Military Police and The Military Foot Police were in existence during 1888. However, neither of them investigated crimes in the manner which the civilian police did until a slightly later period in English history. So I asked,
"Who then in the Royal Army would have conducted an enquiry into a crime that may have involved 1888 English Guardsmen?"
I was told that three men were candidates for this. Two of which were the Provost Marshal and the Deputy Provost Marshal who had jurisdiction over the soldiers in question. The third person would have been the Senior Officer of whichever regiment the crime was associated with. (It was the battalions in the Tower of London & the Wellington Barracks which got focused on after the murder.)
I received further clarity from England's National Military Museum. I was told, "Although the title Provost Marshal sounds impressive, he was simply a functionary appointed to maintain discipline."
I weighed this info and concluded that the Tabram Investigation wouldn't have been initiated by any Provost Marshal. Instead, the Commander of the Wellington Barracks and the Commander of the Tower of London would have been the two Officers to have gotten the ball rolling on this. So who were these men?
Over at the Wellington Barracks, General Steele was in charge. He would have been the Officer to have ordered the round up of the Aug 7th off-duty Coldstream Guards for Connelly's Aug 15th viewing. Steele originally entered the Army as a teenage ensign in the Coldstream Guards. He earned numerous medals on the battle field against the Russians in the Crimean War. But what is very interesting was his Irish connection. Steele commanded the Dublin District from 1872-1874. The Feb 26, 1890 London Times reported that Steele was the Commander-in-Chief of Ireland from 1880-1885. That coincided with Colonel Hughes-Hallett's command of his British Artillery Division in Ireland which had a tenure of 1881-1885. General Steele was the Officer whom HH would have reported to.
The Commander of the Tower of London in Aug 1888 was a great man named Field Marshal Napier. The Curator's Department at the Tower of London informed me that his official title was "The Constable of the Tower." Traditonally, this was a very powerful position in London. It was second only to the Sovereign. Lord Napier had been India's Commander-in-Chief from 1870-1876. According to the Dec 18, 1886 British Vanity Fair, Colonel Hughes-Hallett "had seen a good deal of service in India" prior to accepting his 1881 Ireland command. I'm currently exploring into the likelihood of HH as having been a consultant to Napier in regards to a high-level study of the Russian Army. The Vanity Fair pointed out that HH was devoted to the subject of the Russian advance on India. As for Napier, I'll share this hint from the Jan 15, 1890 London Times:
"In the middle of 1878, when there seemed every possiblility of war between (England) and Russia, Lord Napier was selected for the command of an expeditionary force, and he was summoned to England to consult with the authorities of the War Office on the preliminaries of the expected campaign."
HH & Napier had common ground on this Russian Army subject. We had HH & Steele in Ireland during the early 1880's and HH & Napier in India during the 1870's. The Colonel was an Artillery Division Commander, and Steele & Napier were the Officers he had to answer to. His connection with these men had been in existence for a number of years. History books show that in Aug 1888 Napier was in charge of the Tower of London and Steele was in charge of the Wellington Barracks. Royal Military Museum curators have helped me deduce that thos two Officers would have been the ones to have initiated the internal Military Investigation of the Tabram killing. Then within 24 hours of that murder, we see a Knighted Colonel in George Yard. Hughes-Hallett was in disguise and questioning a cop. Napier - Steele - HH, it was these three Englishmen who I'd say were at the heart of the Tabram case during its intitial stages, yet for 117 years their names were hardly linked to the matter.
(The remark I just typed about HH questioning the George Yard cop can be construed in one other way. The Colonel stated during his NY interview that when he rode out to Whitechapel on this night he had brought "plenty of money, but no jewelry" with him. As it was told in my previous posting, HH claimed it took "a great deal of persuasion" to get the cop to talk.)
I'm presently trying to determine if Napier & Steele were fellow members with HH in The United Service Club. I see inklings that Napier could have been. The 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica stated that a statue of Field Marshal Napier was erected at Waterloo Place, Westminster. (The United Service Club was located at the corner of Waterloo Place & Pall Mall.) More significantly, the Jan 21, 1890 London Times reported that the State Funeral of Lord Napier was going to be a major affair. The newspaper told that the tickets of admission into St. Paul's Cathedral could be obtained through application in The United Service Club. I'd think that The USC would organize this only if the deceased had been a club member.
In summary, Hughes-Hallett was a Parliament Member who expressed his belief on Oct 6, 1888 that the Ripper had been Tabram's killer. There are strong indications that this Colonel was associated with the internal Military Investigation of the George Yard killing, and that he must have had a specific suspect in mind who committed this crime. What points did HH believe could be made about the Ripper?
1. He was a man with dubious medical credentials.
2. He had portrayed himself as being associated with the Army.
3. He was a West End clubman who stayed at multiple dwellings.
A lot of this research was inspired by Jeff's discovery of the double-murder Sunday document written in The United Service Club. This was the document which defended Hughes-Hallett and had exposed & lambasted his political enemy, Editor Stead. Burton's document made reference to Stead's "exaggerated Russophilism and Anglophobia." Stead wasn't shy about expressing his pro-Russian and anti-British Military sentiments. The incredible timing of this Sept 30th writing combined with HH's Oct 6th interview drew our attention to Pall Mall. It caused further research which resulted in the discovery that the only United Service Club membership registry book which is currently missing was for the year 1888.
In conclusion, I'll repeat a haunting Ripper statement. In 1976, Nigel Morland said he once interviewed a retired Frederick Abberline. The former Chief Inspector told Morland that he had been sworn to secrecy in regards to the Whitechapel murders. As a result, there were no public statements about the Ripper issued by Abberline during the final 26 years of his life. Abberline confessed to Morland that the Ripper would have been found "a long way up" in English society at the time of the murders. He wasn't talking about Chapman here. I think Hughes-Hallett's account deserves to be considered in conjunction with Abberline's final statement.
I'd say Abberline made his March 1903 Chapman remarks when the Ripper was still alive. And I'd say Abberline was informed of the "a long way up" revelation after it was confirmed that the Ripper had died.
When I make my farewell post later this month, don't worry. It'll be much shoter than today's postings! Thanks for reading this. |
Robert Charles Linford
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Robert
Post Number: 5373
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 2:32 pm: |
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All fascinating stuff, Joe. Come in, Jeff.
Robert |
Robert Charles Linford
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Robert
Post Number: 5374
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 4:01 pm: |
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AP's found this sketch of HH.
Robert |
Natalie Severn
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Severn
Post Number: 2704
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 4:05 pm: |
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An exciting read Joe-cant wait for the next posting!
Natalie |
R.J. Palmer
Chief Inspector
Username: Rjpalmer
Post Number: 776
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 11, 2005 - 12:22 pm: |
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Well done, Mr. C. I admire you determination to keep digging. |
Christopher T George
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Chrisg
Post Number: 1712
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 10:53 am: |
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Hi Joe
I am pleased to see that you are in the process of establishing a connection between Sir Francis Hughes-Hallett and the commanders of the Tower of London and Wellington Barracks. This could explain the reason why Hughes-Hallett's interest in the Whitechapel murders particularly hinges on the George Yard murder rather than any of the other of the crimes.
Chris
Christopher T. George
North American Editor
Ripperologist
http://www.ripperologist.info
http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com/
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Malta Joe
Detective Sergeant
Username: Malta
Post Number: 148
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 2:18 pm: |
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I've got about nine "Thank You" remarks to pass out! I have to warmly acknowledge both Natalie + Howard who publicly supported my Infiltrator article without knowing the full details of it. I've got a long memory for those kind of things. Thank you both.
I'm so glad Mr. P and Mr. L are pleased with these new findings. Thanks for your comments, guys. I remember reading an Abe Lincoln quote he made as the Civil War was starting. There was a question on whether his home state was going to join the Union cause or not. Honest Abe said, "I've got to have my Kentucky!" Well, Honest Joe says if I'm going to go to war with this Pall Mall material, "I've got to have Roger + Robert as my allies!!" I'm grateful for your encouragement, and I bet you two would look very distinguished in Union Blue Uniforms, heh heh.
My appreciation to the editorial staff at Ripperologist Magazine is huge. They too didn't know what the whole enchillada was about with this HH topic, but they still stuck their necks out and published a two-part article this year on the subject. I'm very happy that Mr. Begg, Mr. George, Mr. Zinna and everyone at Ripperologist felt that we had something good here, and I'm glad I didn't disappoint them.
The best moment for me came when I asked Jeff + Mr. Evans if I may use their material for the article, and they agreed. I have so much gratitude for that. Those two gentlemen trusted their material with me, and their input played such a big role in this.
I decided to introduce the Lord Napier & General Steele info on the Casebook because without Stephen's great site here none of this would have evolved. His well-organized categorization of press clippings and dissertations are so vital to what we do. Stephen provides the much needed world-wide communication between his members, and that's truly the winning formula. When the Whitechapel mysteries get unlocked, it will be credited to modern communication.
AP, that was nice of you to share that HH photo. I see that the old white button-hole bouquet has made its return. HH's flower is something else. Last January, I lit up when I read how Tumblety was walking around NY while mockingly wearing a white button-hole bouquet during June 1888. This was just prior to his embarkment on which I believe was his assignment to Westminster. I can't wait to hear what more things you dig up on HH, AP.
I've been computer-less for a couple of weeks so I had to type Saturday's postings up at the public library. They only allow you only so much time to be at their computers, and there is no spell-check button. My time was running out during my second posting, and I know those library computers just click off fast. I think I sent that last posting in with one minute to spare, and I didn't even have time to properly check the spelling + grammar. That's why I had about a half-dozen butchered words in it! What was weird about the library was that I was the only person out of 20 people in their computer room who wasn't 8 years old. I think the kid to my left was buying real estate on his computer, while the kid to my right was launching the Space Shuttle.
I mentioned something on Howard's jtrforums yesterday about mircofilm. Yes, if anybody knows someone who is hanging around Kildare Street in Dublin, Ireland just let me know. The National Library of Ireland is on Kildare Street, and I've got the catalogue number of a microfilm reel that's on their shelf. It won't take longer than 30 minutes to view it, and there may be something really good in it.
I'm glad this new HH material has been appreciated, and we'll try to learn more about it. Bye!
Joe |
Natalie Severn
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Severn
Post Number: 2715
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 2:44 pm: |
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I had to smile Joe when you talked about the library
being full of highly motivated 8 year olds!I know----its the same over here! Sometimes when i have had trouble with my computer I have gone there and been sandwiched between a 92 year old needing very big keyboard letters and an 8 year old ready both of them, to help me out with navigating my way round the internet there!
Congrats again on bringing this story to life and giving it flesh and bones.A really fascinating study brought back to life!
Natalie |
AP Wolf
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Apwolf
Post Number: 2956
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 5:06 pm: |
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Joe
Thanks for your kind comments.
Hughes-Hallett is a difficult guy to get your hands around.
Certainly many people were in absolute awe of him, and it was not unknown for the House of Commons to come to their feet when he walked into the House.
But in later years he seemed to have lost his spell and spark, and it does appear that he was definitely out of favour in 1888 when the following is recorded in ‘The Salisbury Parliament’ by Henry Lucy, published in 1892:
‘Hughes-Hallett was a year ago one of the most widely-known men in the House of Commons; he knew everybody, and was always ready to chat. It was curious to see how carefully he was avoided to-day.’ (1888)
The same writer also records how Hughes-Hallett took the seat in the Commons next to Lord Randolph Churchill - a one time friend - and Churchill ‘blacked’ him without saying a word.
It is interesting that Gladstone also commonly wore the white flowers on his chest.
Anyways, Joe, keep on digging.
This is vital stuff and you have my full interest and thanks. |
Diana
Chief Inspector
Username: Diana
Post Number: 897
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 8:27 am: |
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Your post indicates three descriptors for Hughes Hallet's suspect.
1. He was a man with dubious medical credentials.
2. He had portrayed himself as being associated with the Army.
3. He was a West End clubman who stayed at multiple dwellings.
Douglas says in his writings that SK's often are police hangers on, or people who aspire to a position of authority. Dennis Rader actually had a degree in the Administration of Justice. Due to the mercy of God he never got a post greater than that of dogcatcher. It would be natural for JTR to portray himself as associated with the army. |
Dan Norder
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Dannorder
Post Number: 1061
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 10:03 pm: |
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The thing is, though, it's important to note that Hughes Hallet's actual words do not say those things. He did not say the killer was a medical man of dubious credentials. Being associated with the army was just one out of a long string of self-contradictory possibilities that were offered. The multiple dwellings thing I don't recall offhand (doesn't sound familiar, but I could have forgotten it). Most importantly, he was clearly (and admitted so himself) presenting a theory about the type of person the killer might be, not claiming that he knew a specific person was the killer.
Furthermore, his claims to having disguised himself and trying to hunt down Tabram's killer don't meet the smell test. Why on earth would someone doing an official investigation go out with makeup and so forth to try to pretend to be someone else? It sounds more like someone making up a story of having played amateur detective than something that really happened, especially in an official capacity. And as far as it being authorized by the military, I don't understand why they would have even bothered to investigate on its own. The police already did what it thought was necessary, and there wasn't some huge press sensation at the time.
People present stories all the time, and there were no lack of personal anecdotes related to the Ripper killings. Some may be true, some might not be. But at the very least, if someone is going to come up with a potential storyline based upon an anecdote, what was actually said should be the basis for the theorizing, not something that was never said at all.
This is how myths about the case evolve... People reading things into other people have read things into unproven anecdotes and then not only treating them as fact but building other ideas up around them.
Dan Norder, Editor
Ripper Notes: The International Journal for Ripper Studies
 Profile  Email  Dissertations  Website
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Jeffrey Bloomfied
Chief Inspector
Username: Mayerling
Post Number: 997
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 12:08 am: |
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Hi Joe and all,
Congradulations on the information on Hughes - Hallett and the personal investigation of August 1888. Very interesting.
Napier had a full career in India both before and after the Sepoy revolt, and he developed a cantonment system known as the "Napier system". But it was his service in the wars in India that led to his promotions. He became 1st Baron Napier of Magdala for his victory over Theodore, Emperor of Abyssinia in 1868 (one of the first wars fought to free hostages). For a good account of this story (outside of Whitechapel studies) see Alan Moorehead's THE BLUE NILE.
I have not found anything on General Steele yet.
Can somebody double check for me a story I am sure I read that Emma Smith, the victim of a murderous attack in April 1888 was possibly stabbed by a bayonet? I am sure that I saw somewhere. I was looking through Donald Rumbelow's THE COMPLETE JACK THE RIPPER, and it says that she was not stabbed with a knife, but I keep thinking someone said it could have been a bayonet.
Of course, a bayonet (if the true weapon) does suggest a military connection of the killer's.
But what specifically about the Tabram murder would have jumped up and interested the military and Col. Hughes - Hallett?
Best wishes,
Jeff |
Caroline Anne Morris
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Caz
Post Number: 2417
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 3:42 am: |
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Hi Jeff,
Emma Smith was raped and a blunt instrument was forced inside her. But I know of nothing to suggest she was stabbed as such.
Love,
Caz
X |
Gareth W
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 - 1:41 pm: |
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Robert,
"AP's found this sketch of HH" (see above)
Looks like he's on the lavatory! Jack the Crapper? |
AAH
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 6:37 am: |
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I know of nothing to suggest Emma Smith was raped. |
Spiro
Sergeant
Username: Auspirograph
Post Number: 45
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 9:44 am: |
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Hi Joe,
Thanks for sharing this intriguing research into Hughes - Hallett and the continuing saga of the military investigation of the Tabram murder.
Hi Jeff,
At the inquest on the murder of Martha Tabram, one of a series of the Whitechapel Murders along with Emma Smith, Dr Killeen who conducted the post mortem, is reported in the Times as saying that he "did not think all the wounds were inflicted with the same instrument. The wounds generally might have been inflicted by a knife, but such an instrument could not have inflicted one of the wounds, which went through the chest-bone. His opinion was that one of the wounds was inflicted by some kind of dagger..." Earlier, he says that "The heart, which was rather fatty, was penetrated in one place, and that would be sufficient to cause death".
Although The Manchester Guardian reports Dr Killeen from different notes and possibly the result of the Coroner's adjournment, that "the heart was stabbed once, which was rather fatty; except for stab wound nothing about the heart to cause death; some blood in the pericardium", and "death was due to hemorrhage and loss of blood...except for the wound on the chest bone, all injuries seem to have been inflicted by a right-handed person, using a penknife; the stab wound to the heart might have been made by a dagger or bayonet by a left-handed person".
The press further took up Dr Killeen's statements and, along with the witness evidence of Pearly Poll (Mary Ann Connolly) of two soldiers being present, PC Barrett and the subsequent investigation into the Tower and Wellington Barracks, the notion that a bayonet was used became entrenched. And that would have been the end of the matter after the military were cleared in the solid alibis that were established.
Inspector Reid, in charge of the case, summarised the military identity parade in a police report of 24th September 1888; "Inquiries were made to find some other person who saw the deceased and Pearly Poll and the P.C. having both picked out the wrong men they could not be trusted again as their evidence would be worthless".
On Tabram, Macnaghten suggests that "the body had been repeatedly pierced, probably with a bayonet. This woman had, with a fellow prostitute, been in company of 2 soldiers in the early part of the evening: these men were arrested, but the second prostitute failed, or refused, to identify, and the soldiers were eventually discharged".
The Home Office in a short note appendage remarks that "some of the wounds are so narrow that a bayonet was first suspected as the weapon. But bayonet wounds are quite unmistakable". This regardless of the same report of 24th Sept by Reid on the AWOL Corporal Benjamin "I at once took charge of his clothing and bayonet, and asked him to account for time...I examined his clothing and bayonet but could find no marks of blood on them".
The issue continues to be contentious especially in view of why would a murderer use two weapons unless by two killers. So without the original inquest and post mortem reports it's unclear what was stated except by inference.
We have the police and press reported inquest into the murder of Martha Tabram but what Joe appears to be uncovering, are the details on the internal military investigation that would have been considered simply out of procedural completeness. |
AP Wolf
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Apwolf
Post Number: 2963
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 1:14 pm: |
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Joe
Firstly to Colonel Hughes-Hallet’s wife, known in her later years in high society as the ‘Queen of Dinard’ because of her sumptuous parties at her charming home there.
The ‘Queen of Dinard’ was actually an American citizen before her marriage to HH, a Miss Emily Schaumburg, the daughter of a colonel in the American Army.
During the years we discuss here - 1888 & 1889 - she was unfortunately dragged into court to answer charges on behalf of her husband, HH.
HH was supposed to be up before the court on the 11th October 1889 after being summoned for ‘publishing a false and defamatory libel’ concerning allegations about a John Arthur Chandor.
These allegations implied that Chandor was a bit of a bounder, who whilst attempting to woo a friend of the HH’s already had a wife and six children in America, and had also seduced a young lady locally who also had two of his children.
All not relevant to the case I agree, but it is a statement that the ‘Queen of Dinard’ makes to the court to explain her husbands absence after being summoned that I think is quite vital to our understanding of events, for she says:
‘Her husband was obliged to leave London a year ago and the consequence was that she was no longer living with him.’
Obviously ‘a year ago’ would have been in the October of 1888 which tallies nicely with the American press reports of the time.
It is the use of the word ‘obliged’ that worries me a great deal here, for the implication is that HH was ‘forced’ to leave London against his will.
I think.
Another interesting piece of information comes to light a few years later in the April of 1893 where HH once again finds himself in court on libel charges.
It comes out in this case that HH freely admits that he bribed his way into Parliament using what he calls ‘secret service money’ on two occasions - both times the sum of £500.
Astonishing stuff really. |
AP Wolf
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Apwolf
Post Number: 2964
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 1:28 pm: |
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Just to keep things neat and sweet concerning Emma Smith, it does appear that two distinct weapons were used in the attack, just as in Martha Tabram, and I do wonder whether the single injury caused to Tabram was achieved with a ‘pike’ or ‘spike’ as in the Smith case.
I repost the following from another thread:
‘Following on from Stan's post I have been trying to track down this reference to a 'spike' or 'spiked instrument', and think I have finally found it.
Here we go:
'A long 'pike' like instrument had been run through the body, the medical authority stated.'
The report mentions the throat being cut, and 'abdomen mutilated with disgusting wounds.'
I'm assuming that 'disgusting' here is a reference to Smith's privates.
The report can be found in 'Leather Apron' by Sam Hudson, published 1888 (?) in Philadelphia.’
AP.Wolf. |
Malta Joe
Detective Sergeant
Username: Malta
Post Number: 149
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 1:34 pm: |
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"He should be detected by his disposition of these organs. He may have burned them, but he has probably preserved them in his apartments to gloat over them."
These were HH's words in the Oct 7, 1888 Atlanta Constitution. His "apartments" quote seemed to show that HH felt his man lived in multiple dwellings.
Spiro, thanks for the good words. This is a tough subject to tackle. It's not easy for an American civilian to try to obtain info from a private English Military club!
Jeff, Napier's career was really something. He earned his Knighthood from that terrific Ethiopian raid in Magdala.
AP, great stuff. I've heard that Chandor wanted HH's Parliament seat, and that he had used many different aliases. Mrs. Hughes-Hallett was featured in a chapter of a book called "American Belles of the 19th Century." There is a lot of things to look into here.
Joe |
Jeffrey Bloomfied
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Mayerling
Post Number: 1001
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 3:04 pm: |
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Hi Joe,
Napier got a barony out of Magdala, not a simple knighthood (well, relatively simple).
I have a suggestion - it might lead nowhere, but one never knows. A year ago nobody on these boards was talking about Col. Hughes - Hallett.
Try to find (if it exists on microfilm or microfiche or in bound volumes) a magazine called "TOWN TOPICS". It was published in New York City in the late "Gilded Age" by a Col. William D'Alton Mann. Mann, a cultured gentleman with a head with a magnificent patriarchal white beard, was a blackmailer. His magazine gave the scoop on the latest information of the rich and super-rich of that period. Like Dennis Price's publisher, in the comedy film THE AWFUL TRUTH, he agreed not to publish stories if the subjects paid him for "publishing expenses". I have always had mixed feelings about Col. Mann. I don't approve of blackmail, but his targets so deserved it.
However, it occurs to me that somewhere he might mention the latest doings of Dr. Tumblety. The doctor is certainly not a robber baron, but he was prosperous and notorious enough - and he might actually have had relations with upper crust individuals. Furthermore, Mann might also have commented on Mrs. Schaumberg/Hughes - Hallett, her husband and the libel suit. It's a stretch, but it just might be possible.
The statue of Napier near the Union Service Club was based on an original one in India by Boehm, according to the 11th Edition of the Ency. Brit.
I am trying my Civil War material to see if I can find anything about Col. Schaumberg. Was he from a New York regiment or brigade or what?
Best wishes,
Jeff |
AP Wolf
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Apwolf
Post Number: 2965
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 5:33 pm: |
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Jeff
It might help a search to know that Mrs Hughes Hallett was a direct descendent of Colonel Page, one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. |
Malta Joe
Detective Sergeant
Username: Malta
Post Number: 150
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 6:30 pm: |
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I'm drinking it all in guys! Thanks for these great leads. A Casebook Member has notified me that he'll be able to take a look in the National Library of Ireland during the next upcoming days. I had made a request on my Dec 12th posting about this. It's just wonderful how so many people are willing to lend a hand, and I'll sure take all the help I can get!!
Jeff, I'll look up that "American Belles" book again when I'm at Cal Berkeley. I remember the chapter on Mrs. Hughes-Hallett spoke a lot about her famous family and that she was a popular figure in Philadelphia. There was even a portrait of her in the book. Col. Schaumberg was talked about, too.
I've got one last public posting in me! It'll be on Friday, then old Malta Joe will fade into the background. I tilt after 150 postings!
I guess I could leave one last Tumblety item for everyone before I go. In the upcoming weeks you might read on these Message Boards about Tumblety making a reference to a name called Fontenoy. He was talking about the 1745 Battle of Fontenoy where the Irish Brigade teamed with the French forces to turn back the English Army.
The Irish Brigade distinguished itself gallantly during that battle by employing a ferocious bayonet attack which led to the defeat of the English Army. Since Jeff brought up the bayonet topic on this thread, I thought I might just throw that last bit in there. In 1888, Tumblety claimed to be a doctor during the 1870 Siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War. That was another fight where the Irish Brigade teamed with the French Army.
It's time to close the Tumblety treasure chest. It's practically empty now anyway! I hope I can get it refilled at the Dublin Library soon!
AP, Jeff, I'll put your info to good use.
Joe |
Caroline Anne Morris
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Caz
Post Number: 2420
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 9:43 am: |
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Hi AAH,
I know of nothing to suggest Emma Smith was raped.
How reassuring.
I suppose Annie, Kate and Mary were, to use Victorian parlance, mercifully not 'interfered with' either.
Hi AP,
The Ultimate Saucepot has Inspector Edmund Reid reporting on the assault on Emma Smith:
The peritoneum had been penetrated by a blunt instrument thrust up the woman's passage, and peritonitis set in which caused death.
The Morning Advertiser of April 9 1888 carried a report of the inquest which included:
Dr. G.H. Hillier, the house surgeon in attendance [at the London Hospital] ...when the deceased was brought in, said...there was a rupture of the peritoneum and other internal organs, caused by some blunt instrument.
From Emma Smith's own account, the doctor learned that she crossed over the road to avoid some men, who followed, assaulted her, robbed her of all the money she had, and then committed the outrage.
I don't know what sources the A-Z used, but it give us this:
She was robbed and raped, and a blunt instrument was forced into her vagina, tearing the perineum.
I wonder then if it would have been more accurate to say that she was raped - or violated - by means of a blunt instrument, which was....etc.
Ghastly business. Emma must have suffered more than her mutilated sisters that year. At least they hardly knew what hit them.
Love,
Caz
X
(Message edited by caz on December 15, 2005) |
AP Wolf
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Apwolf
Post Number: 2966
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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Yes, agreed, Caz.
But two other sources do talk of a spike or a pike being used in the attack... whether this was the cause of the violation or not I guess we will never know.
Whatever, it is interesting that two different weapons appear to have been used in both the Smith and Tabram murders.
Hudson does seem to imply that Smith was badly mutilated in her 'privates'; and that her throat had been cut. Some time ago I also remarked that the tip of one of her ears had been removed and pointed out that this was often the consequence of a blade being drawn across the throat. |
AP Wolf
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Apwolf
Post Number: 2967
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 - 1:04 pm: |
|
Joe
afore yee go.
There is also the offer made by Lieutenant Colonel Sewell of the Tower Hamlet Militia Division on behalf of Sir Alfred Kirby to supply fifty soldiers to apprehend the murderer; plus the offer of a £100 reward.
This was made by letter on the 1st October 1888. |
Jeffrey Bloomfied
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Mayerling
Post Number: 1005
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 12:26 am: |
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Hi A.P.
I have been checking the internet today. There was no signer of the Declaration of Independence that I found named Colonel Page. Nor was there a Colonel Page who signed the U.S. Constitution.
There could be some confusion here (maybe the wrong ancestor's name was given). Maybe Mrs. Hughes-Hallett had an ancestor in the Continental Army named Colonel Page. Or maybe it was a lie?
Best wishes,
Jeff |
AP Wolf
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Apwolf
Post Number: 2968
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 3:26 am: |
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It was reported in The Times, Jeff, on the death of the Queen of Dinard.
Maybe they got it wrong? |
Malta Joe
Inspector
Username: Malta
Post Number: 151
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 1:51 pm: |
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I'll just do some mopping up in George Yard, then I'll say my good-bye. Obtaining a copy of the Military records of Napier, Steele, and HH should be within our reach. We might learn more about the Aug 7th investigation by taking this approach. I think it's worth a try.
For some reason my statement concerning HH's belief that the Ripper was a man with dubious medical credentials has been questioned. So I re-checked into it. HH's assessment of the Ripper's medical education was spoken of twice. In the Reno Evening Gazette, the Colonel remarked that he felt the killer "had read medicine and studied anatomy as a fad or simply as part of a liberal education." The Atlanta Constitution had HH adding that the man "has read medicine as amusement."
So did HH believe the Ripper's medical credentials were dubiously earned or did HH believe they were legitimately earned? Nobody should find it difficult to arrive at the correct answer. I properly stated in my Dec 12th posting that HH believed the Ripper was a man of dubious medical credentials, and I'll let that stand.
Progress won't be achieved here by splitting hairs over the wording of a slyly delivered NY interview. To go forward with this, one has to roll up his sleeves and get to work on finding out the motive for the Colonel's Aug 7th George Yard investigation.
Get the violin out, I'll say my goodbye next! |
Malta Joe
Inspector
Username: Malta
Post Number: 152
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 2:06 pm: |
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Stephen made me feel welcome here right from the start, so joining up as a Casebook Member was a very easy decision for me to make. It all starts at the top, and I've only known our leader to be first-class. Stephen + I have gotten a chance to work on a few things on the side lately, and I look forward to many more years of comradery with you, sir. But most importantly....to me you'll always be the man who identified Squibby!!!
I've taken particular enjoyment in talking with people in England + Ireland since being here. Chris Scott, Natalie, Alan and everyone over there have all been really good folks to me. Thanks for all your help because I sure needed it!!
Howard Brown & Adam Went show so much enthusiasm for what we do, and that's contagious! They're both inspirational men, and I do want to see them succeed at the jtrforums site. They take a fine apporach to their work, and I wish them continued success.
CB, if there is one person I'd want as a drinking buddy, it'd be you. I don't know if you and your gal can handle my Manhattens though. It's a magical blend of Crown Royal, Cinzano, Angostura bitters, and of the old Maraschino cherry. Joe's Manhattens - it's the Breakfast of Champions, partner! I tell you Brad, if you were in charge of the CID in 1888, somebody would have hung for the Ripper killings. It probably wouldn't have been the Ripper, but you'd see to it that somebody would hang!! I look forward to reading your posts for a long time to come. From your friend, Joe.
I expressed my gratitude to the Ripperologist staff before, and it's worth repeating. It's been terrific working with them throughout the year. I'm constantly amazed at the writing talent of Mr. George in both his poetry and his magazine articles. And being a fine gentleman comes natural to him. A short article of mine may be appearing in Ripper Notes on the horizon. That's something I'll look forward to experiencing for the first time. Both magazines are fine publications.
I only wish I got to know Robert Linford & AP a lot sooner than I did!! I'll have to make up for that lost time. (I'll be over tomorrow night about 7pm, Robert. Prime rib will do, heh heh) How you two can retain so much Whitechapel knowledge without blowing a brain-fuse is beyond me. You've both helped so many researchers on these threads for such a long time. It's really commendable.
Once in awhile you'll hear of an automobile that gets "50 miles to the gallon." I call those cars "Tim Riordans." He may have posted only a dozen times or so on the Casebook so far, but boy, the amount of knowledge-mileage I've learned from his few postings is remarkable. Tim is a fabulous reseacher. Whenever I see that he has posted something, I sure pay attention.
I bet my brother $5 once that Jeff Bloomfield would correctly answer a tough American history question which we knew. I contacted Jeff, and bang he got it right! I bought a mortadella sandwich with the $5 Jeff won for me. Jeff has such a firm grasp of American history that it's mind-boggling. He has enhanced articles I've submitted with his writing talent and his important discoveries. He is the type of man you really want on your side. Here's to you, Jeff.
When I arrived here a year and a half ago, I needed somebody to show me the ropes. So I went to Roger, and that was by far the smartest move I ever made here. Roger has been a good friend and a great advisor. I somehow get the feeling he knows a thing or two, as well!!
The "Malta" Joe name was in honor of my deceased father who was born in Malta. As a young teenager he worked along side the RAF Pilots at an English Base on Malta during WWII. That island was a living hell during the war, but it never surrendered to the Axis Powers. My dad had a strong admiration for England and the English Spitfire fighter pilots who defended the island. The pilots shared a few Ripper stories with my dad, and he in turn would tell them to me when I was a kid. My dad would have liked this Casebook site very much, so I made sure to give it my best effort here. It was way more than worth my while. Be good to each other. It was a pleasurable experience publicly chatting with everyone here.
Signing off,
Joe Chetcuti |
Robert Charles Linford
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Robert
Post Number: 5386
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 2:22 pm: |
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Joe, thanks for those remarks. It's been a real pleasure knowing you.
You're leaving a big hole, you know - I hope you'll pop in from time to time.
And if your family want you to spend more time with them, hell, buy them JTR books and get them to register!
Robert |
Natalie Severn
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Severn
Post Number: 2723
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 3:32 pm: |
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lovely post Joe....and thanks for all your hard work this past year and the brilliant, illuminating research that you
have done and shared with us so generously.
You write like you are in the room talking with us and so its like a good friend taking his leave---so we will miss you if you quit here for good.It won"t be the same Joe.
Like Robert says----if its family matters buy them the books and get them started!
Natalie
The ghost of Christmas past has just appeared to say its out of order to have given a Knighted Colonal a part and then deny him any further
say!
Take Care Joe[see you back here soon!] |
Jeffrey Bloomfied
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Mayerling
Post Number: 1006
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 5:46 pm: |
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My God Joe, I wish you would reconsider. Whatever results in the end about Tumblety and Hughes - Hallett, your research was amazing. Please, if you cannot keep on the Board, keep in touch with us from time to time.
My hoping you great success.
Jeff |
Jeffrey Bloomfied
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Mayerling
Post Number: 1007
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 5:56 pm: |
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Hi A. P.,
Considering how frequently the newspapers did get information wrong in this murder investigation, I can believe they got the ancestry of Mrs. Hughes-Hallett wrong too, or botched the information up.
Best wishes,
Jeff |
AP Wolf
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Apwolf
Post Number: 2970
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 8:57 am: |
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Jeff
Well it looks like The Times did botch it up.
They must have meant Colonel George Ross, for he is the only signature on the declaration from Philadelphia carrying the rank of a Colonel in the Continental Army. |
CB
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005 - 6:32 pm: |
|
Hi Joe,
I think I will have a Joe's Manhatten Tomorrow morning. The Local bar opens up at 7:00am that should be just the thing to get my weekend of to a great start.
Take care and best of luck! In your research, and at the track.
Your friend, Brad |
Jeffrey Bloomfied
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Mayerling
Post Number: 1010
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 8:05 pm: |
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Hi A. P.
It sounds logical that it was actually George Ross - but I wonder what the actual geneological connection was. Great granddaughter or granddaughter?
Best wishes,
Jeff |
c.d.
Detective Sergeant
Username: Cd
Post Number: 128
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 17, 2005 - 11:48 pm: |
|
I have a couple of problems with the soldier-Tabram connection. If a soldier did kill her, I would suspect that sneaking back into the barracks with blood stained clothes would present some difficulties. Also, given the size of the reward and the brutality of the attack, I would think that anyone with information or suspicions would have come forward. Money can override esprit de corps. |
Howard Brown
Assistant Commissioner
Username: Howard
Post Number: 1245
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 12:34 am: |
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Say it ain't so Joe !!!
Hoping all goes well for you and that you are able to continue on this site in one way or the other...
Your friend, even though you are a Niners fan..
How |
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