| Jack the Ripper: A Suspect Guide |
This text is from the E-book Jack the Ripper: A Suspect Guide by Christopher J. Morley (2005). Click here to return to the table of contents. The text is unedited, and any errors or omissions rest with the author. Our thanks go out to Christopher J. Morley for his permission to publish his E-book.
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Henderson, who was described as a person of rather singular appearance, was charged in October 1888 at Bow Street Police Court with being a suspected person loitering about the streets. Considerable excitement was raised in Covent Garden when, at about 3.30 a.m. it was rumoured Jack the Ripper was in the area and going about threatening people. Henderson was carrying a black bag and was himself wandering around aimlessly, and it was claimed that his strange behaviour had alarmed several people. Police Constable 411E dually arrived and took Henderson to the station, where he was questioned and searched. Henderson was unable to give a satisfactory account of himself and was thus detained. When searched, 54 pawn tickets were found in his possession, also found upon his person was a rough draft of a letter which had recently appeared in print suggesting to the Home Secretary that those who were harbouring the Whitechapel murderer felt that they were equally guilty as accomplices after the act, and could not come forward and give him up, no matter for what reward until a free pardon was offered to them. In court, witnesses came forward on Henderson's behalf and spoke of him as a respectable man. He was summarily discharged though was cautioned to refrain from walking the streets at such an hour behaving in an alarming manner. He was also advised that at such an early hour of the morning he would be better at home.
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