Evening News
London, U.K.
12 December 1888
Mr. Berry, public executioner, seems to have had "a high old time" in Kidderminster, which town he visited after a professional engagement in Worcester. "He visited several public houses, and at one was induced to make a speech to a large number of persons. He spoke of various executions carried out by him, and moralised upon his public calling. He freely distributed his visiting cards, bearing his name and profession as public executioner. One publican offered him five pounds to lecture in the evening on his public duties. He conversed freely with all, and was followed about by a considerable number of persons, members of the Corporation were introduced to him, and he held quite a levee at one hostelry." Thus the accounts of the visit. Mr. Berry should receive a hint to have a little more regard to public decency.
AN EX-MILITARY OFFICER AS "JACK THE RIPPER."
William Moses, 50, of military appearance, giving his address as 229 Mare street, Hackney, was charged before Mr. Horace Smith, at Dalston Police court, today, with being drunk and disorderly, in Dalston lane.
Constable 128J said that he was on duty in Dalston lane, at a quarter to ten on Tuesday night, when he saw the prisoner go up to a number of females and speak to them. When they declined to have anything to do with him, he became very disorderly and shouted out that he was "Jack the Ripper." He was evidently drunk, and witness took him into custody.
The Clerk showed the magistrate the charge sheet on which the prisoner was described as a retired officer from the army, and Mr. Smith remarked that for a man of the prisoner's education and position to be guilty of such conduct was positively disgraceful. He should impose a fine of 40s., with 7s 6d the doctor's fee, or one month, but he was not quite sure that he ought not to send the accused to prison without the option of a fine.
