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** This is an archived, static copy of the Casebook messages boards dating from 1998 to 2003. These threads cannot be replied to here. If you want to participate in our current forums please go to https://forum.casebook.org **
Michael Ostrog
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Suspects: Specific Suspects:
Contemporary Suspects [ 1888 - 1910 ]:
Ostrog, Michael:
Michael Ostrog
Author: R.J. Palmer
Thursday, 28 September 2000 - 07:25 am |        | Michael Ostrog: one interesting bloke.
Excuse my speculations, but I sometimes wonder if the 'Ostrog' of Macnaghten's memoranda might be a 'composite' of more than one person. In the case of Druitt, Macnaghten seems to be mixing together the historical Druitt (the young barrister that we've come to know and love) along with the folklore (?) of the deranged medical student. Similarly, in dealing with Ostrog, Macnaghten makes claims that don't necessarily fit with what we now know. Ostrog is said to 'have been habitually cruel to women, & for a long time was known to have carried about with him surgical knives & other instruments'.... two statements which --though they might be true-- don't necessarily fit with the sneak thief that we see in the detailed rap sheet compiled by D.S. Goffee and others. I'm thinking that it might be noteworthy that the above comments about Ostrog are only in the Aberconway manuscript and are left out of the 'official' Scotland Yard version--the one in Macnaghten's own handwriting. Was Sir Melville being more cautious here, or did he remember that these attributes applied to someone else? I just wonder if Macnaghten didn't briefly mix Ostrog up with 'the mad doctor with the black bag' folklore of Sarah Lewis and others, or, more intestingly, mix him together with some other doctor/imposter that was 'habitually cruel' and frequented Whitechapel at the same time... someone like Francis Tumblety, for instance. Then, refering back to notes or merely revising his memory, he left all of this out of the 'official' version. Speculation, of course.
On the other hand, it is interesting to note that so much of Ostrog's "activities" centered around Oxford, Cambridge, London Hospital, etc., medical and academic environments, and that he stole such things as microscopes, books, and the like. All of which makes me wonder if Ostrog didn't have some sort of intellectual pretensions. If I remember correctly, one judge was both perplexed and impressed by Ostrog's merits, utterly at loss to explain his self-destructive criminal career. |
Author: Stephen P. Ryder
Sunday, 09 September 2001 - 04:58 pm | | My thanks to John Winn Oswell for providing the following images. In his own words:
Quote:My Great Grandfather was the Superintendent Oswell of Burton on Trent who arrested Ostrog in 1873. I didn't know this until I stumbled across your site and saw mention of Ostrog's arrest. We've had a picture and description of a wanted man (Ostrog) in the family documents that we had no idea why it was there. Picture and description are attached. I also attach a picture of Superintendent Oswell - Benjamin Thomas Oswell,
Lieut Colonel N.Staffs Regiment and Deputy Chief Constable of Staffordshire.
 |
Author: R.J.P.
Sunday, 09 September 2001 - 10:54 pm | | | Excellent. |
Author: Tom Wescott
Sunday, 09 September 2001 - 11:46 pm | | A NEW PICTURE OF OSTROG!!!
I think this is awesome, and I hope it becomes a trend. Although, Stephen, next time you get a scoop like this I hope you will sit on it until I can publish it as a first in my book. 
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott |
Author: R.J.P.
Monday, 10 September 2001 - 12:32 am | | | Orloff---where have I heard that name before?? |
Author: The Viper
Monday, 10 September 2001 - 03:50 am | | Congratulations to Stephen Ryder and Mr. Oswell: great find. Would it be possible to have the photograph and text added to the Suspects section of the Casebook some time please? This find deserves a more prominent location.
Regards, V. |
Author: Stephen P. Ryder
Monday, 10 September 2001 - 08:48 am | | Hi Viper,
You read my mind.
The Ostrog photographs are now on the corresponding Suspect page on the main section of the Casebook. I've enhanced the photo a bit for better clarity.
- Stephen |
Author: Simon Owen
Monday, 10 September 2001 - 01:45 pm | | Brilliant Spry , now if only we could find a photograph of Abberline ! Who says new stuff doesn't turn up in this case ?
Simon |
Author: David Radka
Tuesday, 11 September 2001 - 12:46 am | | Why do you people continue to postulate suspects who couldn't have done it? What is this fascination with marking time, wasting your precious biological clocks, setting a new world's record for watching paint dry? Ostrog was in France when the murders took place, for God's sake. You can do this, and you can write musical comedies about Jack ther Ripper, but have you got half a brain in your head to actually work toward a solution?
You have never had any idea whatever of who you're dealing with.
David |
Author: graziano
Tuesday, 11 September 2001 - 03:06 am | | Instinctivly ( is it english ? ) speaking I must agree with David.
But David, let us be fair and say that pictures like this are quite important for the case as any new theory could be.
I have always had problems picturing myself a lunatic, a shabby-genteel dressed man, an overcoat, simple or diagonal cut, a hard or soft felt hat and so on.
I am sure that with more of these pictures it would be easier.
Then I think that "Jack the Ripper" has now become much more that the simple killer's story.
It is a story much more about life in the East End at the time, a story that has gained its own right to existence beyond the killer, the killing and the victims.
A story that has been created by the researchers of all times, conditions (still too many intellectuals) and nationalities (still too many anglo-saxons).
That's why it has become ever more interesting.
If Michael Ostrog (or whatever its name) has been put inside it (rightly or wrongly)at one time or another, he has now gained his place.
Welcome other pictures of other characters.
A Price should be put on on this Casebook for:
- the best picture of the year,
- the best contribution (theory) to the case of the year.
With previously a list of nominees (Americans should like it).
Well, a thought as others.
Bye. Graziano. |
Author: R.J.P.
Tuesday, 11 September 2001 - 07:10 am | | To David Radka--
Glendower. I can call spirits from the vasty deep!
Hotspur. Why so can I, or so can any man, But will they come when you do call for them?
* * *
If thou have power to raise him bring him hither,
And I'll be sworn I have power to shame him hence."
--Henry IV, Part One, III, iii |
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