A Man Arrested in Montreal Who Claims to the Ripper, but His Methods and Actions Give Him Away as a Crank
Montreal, Dec. 18.
Jack the Ripper, or a man claiming to be he, is caught at last, and is at police headquarters on the serious charge of assaulting women. His arrest has caused quite a sensation.
Last evening Miss Florrie Newcomb was walking on La Gauchetiere street, in a dark quarter of the city, when a man suddenly darted out of a gateway and caught her by the arm, exclaiming, "You must come with me!" The girl screamed, and, breaking away, rushed along the street closely followed by the man.
At the corner of Montcalm street two gentlemen, hearing her cries, rushed up and grabbed the scoundrel, and immediately handed him to two policemen who had also heard the cries and were hurrying to the scene.
The man made no resistance, and when confronted with Sub Chief Kehoe at police headquarters, said: "I am Jack the Ripper. All Whitechapel is looking for me. I have just arrived. I intended to give myself up, as I have already killed fifteen, and I'll yet complete the number if you let me go. You had better hang me by the neck till I'm dead."
He laughed uproariously, and finally the police managed to make out that his name was John Langhorn, aged 25, of London, England. On being searched, a large, murderous looking knife was found in his pocket, and a letter addressed to the chief of police, the writing of which proved that he was the author of the following letter which Chief of Police Hughes received on Saturday:
"Windsor Hotel, Dec. 18.
Dear BossOwing to the annoyance and trouble the police and enraged citizens of Whitechapel have been to me of late, I have determined to cross the water, and having heard so much of your beautiful city made up my mind to come here.
I wish to inform you that I have not finished the murder I first decided upon to kill and that I'm going to begin work in your city at once.
This is to give you fair warning. I want no quarter and expect none.
Yours truly
Jack the Ripper."
The city clerk received a similar letter inquiring as to the disposition of electric lights to enable the writer to begin his murderous work in dark quarters, where he would not be caught. The man is looked upon as a crank, but he will be taken good care of.
