Jack McCurdy
On 1 December 1888 the Minneapolis Chief of police received a letter signed William Hallen, alias Knife Stab, late of London, England. The letter stated that, 'Unless all the select houses on First Street are closed up before 8 December, the Chief will have a reign of terror and blood equal to the Whitechapel of London'. The letter writer added that he was a pal of Jack McCurdy, alias Jack the Ripper, and that he had been in Minneapolis three days and wrote the letter in the West hotel, before concluding that he was going to St Paul to make certain arrangements and would be returning on 8 December, and that the dawning of the morning is not more sure than is the death of fifteen unfortunates by his hand. The newspapers reported that the police did not know whether to set the man down as a crank, a practical joker or a desperado. Unfortunately nothing is actually known of Jack McCurdy.
