London, U.K.
6 November 1888
HE WAS ONLY "GUYING."
A sensation for a time was created at noon, yesterday, in the vicinity of Commercial-street Police-station, Whitechapel, when a rumour gained currency that the real murderer had at last been apprehended. A crowd followed the suspected culprit to the station, into which he was taken by a constable who had him in charge. The accused's face was blackened, and this fact, coupled with his rather forbidding appearance, lent colouring to the story of his connection with the crimes. The outside mob quickly dispersed when it was announced that the man had only been associated with some "guying" festivities.
"I want to know about these mutilated remains found in Osborne-street," exclaimed an excited man, as he rushed into the police-station in Commercial-street, Whitechapel, on Sunday night. The officers were at once on the alert. "What mutilated remains?" was asked the man. His tale was then briefly explained. The poor fellow, producing a Sunday paper, asserted that "Jack the Ripper" had actually committed the crime mentioned in the announcement, which, it may be said, was a hoax. Through dwelling on the painful incident of the district for the past few weeks the applicant's mind had become affected; and after denouncing a thoroughly respectable man (since proved innocent) the strange visitor, who gave an address in Brick-lane, was allowed to depart after he had declined to make any formal statement. The police have visited Osborne-street. No trace has been discovered of any fresh crime.