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Chris Scott
Chief Inspector
Username: Chris
Post Number: 578
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 7:44 am: |       |
The account below (which comes a from a long articel which I will be posting to the press reports) contains a witness story I had not seen before from a man called Henry Birch. This alleges that an unnamed woman was attacked the night after the Buck's Row murder and the description given by Birch is of a man he saw acting suspiciously on that night.
Hopes it's of interest
Chris
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Alexander Chisholm
Sergeant
Username: Alex
Post Number: 35
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 1:22 pm: | |
Hi Chris
The report referred to in the article you reproduce above is found in The Star, 6 October 1888, page 3. As it contains some additional information I’ve posted it below.
A MAN OF DISGUISES.
The Police Believe the Murderer is in the Habit of Frequently Changing His Clothes.
The police have reason to believe that the Whitechapel murderer is a man of several disguises. They do not care to make public all the information they have on this point, but they will be very pleased to have any information as to what may be known about anyone changing their clothing under peculiar circumstances near or about the time of any of the murders. The first information on this point came to hand immediately after the Buck’s-row murder, and there is a strong probability that facts then ascertained have a direct bearing on subsequent events. It will be remembered that Ann Nichols was murdered on the night of 30 August. On the following night it was reported that a woman was set upon by a gang of roughs in Cambridge-heath-road, one of whom had attempted to force her into an alley way. This report proved to be false as far as the gang were concerned. The police ascertained, however, that
A WOMAN HAD BEEN SET UPON
by a man, and that her cries had attracted a number of others, whose efforts to capture her assailant led to the gang story. The miscreant escaped in the direction of Commercial-road. That was about eleven o’clock. Not later than a quarter-past eleven a man stepped hurriedly into a yard entrance at No. 2, Little Turner-street, Commercial-road. On one side of the yard is a milk stand. The man asked for a glass of milk, and, when served, drank it hurriedly, then, looking about in a frightened manner, asked if he might step back into the yard. The proprietor, Henry Birch, did not object, but presently, his suspicions being aroused, he stepped towards the man and found him drawing on a suit of new overalls over his ordinary clothes. The pants were already on, and he was stooping to take a jacket from
A BLACK SHINY BAG
that lay at his feet when Birch stepped up to him. He seemed to be very much upset by the interruption, and for a moment could not speak. Presently he said, “That was a terrible murder last night, was’nt it?” and before Birch could answer he had added, “I think I’ve got a clue,” and, snatching up his bag, he disappeared down the street. Mr. Birch then thought he might be a detective, adopting a disguise for some purpose, but the police believe he was the man who assaulted the woman in Cambridge Heath-road, and that he donned the overalls to mislead anyone who might be tracing him. They have the name of the woman referred to, and her description tallies with that given by Birch of his mysterious caller. The clothing was described as a blue serge suit, and a stiff but low hat. He wore a stand-up collar and a watch-chain. He wore no beard, but
A SLIGHT DARK MOUSTACHE,
and his face was evidently sunburnt. Birch says he thought he was a seafaring man, or one who had recently made a long voyage. When he got the overalls on he had the appearance of an engineer. Many points of this description correspond so well to that given of the man who made such pointed inquiries about women at the Nuns Head Tavern, Aldgate, last Saturday night, and also to another description the police have received, that they are inclined to connect the man with the latest murders.
THE ONLY QUESTIONABLE POINT
appears to be in regard to the hat, and it is just there that the theory of his frequent disguises comes in. It is deemed possible also that what a neighbor in Mitre-square thought was a light paper parcel may have been a black shiny bag, which with the light of the street lamp upon its glazed surface might easily have misled one. It is from a combination of the descriptions above referred to that the police have formed a pretty good idea of one man they would like to find.
Best Wishes
alex
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Chris Scott
Chief Inspector
Username: Chris
Post Number: 582
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 2:54 pm: | |
Alex
many thanks for the prompt response and the extra info
Chris |
Alexander Chisholm
Sergeant
Username: Alex
Post Number: 36
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 5:38 pm: | |
You’re very welcome, Chris
Your tireless research and generosity benefits everyone here, so when the opportunity arises to add a little to your information I think it’s the least I can do.
All the Best
alex
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Monty
Inspector
Username: Monty
Post Number: 292
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 9:54 am: | |
Scott,
Has Scott Medine been intouch with you re the above article ?
Sorry if my question seem odd, but it does hold an valid reason.
Monty
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Chris Scott
Chief Inspector
Username: Chris
Post Number: 595
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 03, 2003 - 12:42 pm: | |
Hi Monty
No I have not heard from Scott
Regards
Chris |
Monty
Inspector
Username: Monty
Post Number: 293
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 4:43 am: | |
Chris,
Many thanks,
Later
Monty
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