Confessions of a Ripperologist
John Malcolm. Revised e-text version, 2007.
Full text below.
PART ONE: IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?
Preface,
objectives, acknowledgements:
If you are more than a little familiar with this subject, I have an idea about
what you’re thinking…Yes, this is yet another book about the faceless fiend we
know as Jack the Ripper and the infamous Whitechapel Murders that took place in
the East London of late 19th Century Victorian England; I can offer
you no convincing reason why this needs to be read. Before you go any further,
it must be said up front that you should not expect to find any revelations
regarding this topic; this book will not settle any debates or solve this
puzzle, nor does it profess to be a defining last word. What this book will do
is repeat some of the basic facts as we tend to accept them, explore some of
the controversies and their origins and attempt to clarify or challenge some of
the general assumptions associated with this case, all through the eyes of one
of the many who have become obsessed with this most profound riddle of history.
Currently we are in the midst of another red tide epidemic of “Ripper” books.
Very little in the way of new information (at least of the significantly
relevant type) has come to light in relation to the number of words that have
been recently published. That’s not to say there hasn’t been a few good new
works, but the pickings are slim.
And in consequence, the field has become unnecessarily bloated and convoluted.
Yes, I find the explosion of interest a bit intimidating and it shows in my
general attitude toward the case, but there are, most definitely, some
researchers of late who have put considerable and honorable effort into
furthering our understanding of the crimes and times of Jack the Ripper and I
am confident that there are things yet to be discovered that will be found and
subsequently have profound effects on our perceptions. Maybe never a
universally satisfactory identification, but with any luck something may turn
up that can allow us to categorically reject some of the parasitic entities
that have attached themselves comfortably to their sometimes all-too-willing
host of commercial Ripperology.
Our opinions are often formed with only scraps or singular “clues” with which
to work; we amplify the significance of these bits and pieces because the
surviving “facts” are few, therefore rare, therefore significant- but the gaps
in information are at least as important as the tangible facts that we do
possess. Frustrating as this conclusion is, we just don’t know enough... The resulting
conclusions/assumptions can retard our investigative inclinations with respect
to overall scope, potentially limiting our resources and possible avenues of
research.
Despite my ego and awkwardly attempted semantic gymnastics, I have no right to
expect you to trust me. Just because I have read the majority of the obligatory
works on this topic doesn’t make me an expert; I am not presenting an
encyclopedia. And I am opinionated. I have not touched nor even seen any
of the remaining original documents or official records, so my credentials may
be flawed in the eyes of some; I have placed my trust in such monstrously
invaluable works as The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Sourcebook by Stewart
Evans and Keith Skinner, The Jack the Ripper A-Z by Paul Begg, Martin
Fido and Keith Skinner, as well as The Complete History of Jack the Ripper and
Jack the Ripper: The Facts. I’ve done my best to keep up with historical
updates and corrections.
For the record, I’ve always held that I believe in nothing; mainly because
I can’t ever seem to interpret the impressions made upon my senses as gospel;
But there are things that I am inclined to imagine that appear to me as
representations of truth that have profound influences on my words. The words I
speak cannot alter history, they only represent the dominant images that are a
result of my obsessive attraction to these particular historical events and the
subsequent technical scrutiny that I continuously subject these images to. I
don’t know anything more than the next dude…but I do aspire towards the
most probably impossible nonetheless.
Most books are fairly formulaic and follow particular patterns, varying most
often only regarding particular priorities and general tone: descriptions of
the crimes and times, including the geography, inhabitants, victims, politics,
witnesses, the police and government officials, investigations, the Press and
the “suspects”; a declaration of objectivity; the exposition of previous
literary “errors”; and the inevitable endorsement of a suspect or particular
theory…all using tools from the same toolbox: like using and over-using the
same sources, or the same words and phrases, while repeating the same popular
relevant quotes. These things are practically inescapable, and I cannot ignore
my own vulnerability and inability to resist such temptations. I don’t see a
good enough reason to purposely deviate from these time-tested blueprints,
however, but it seems that I cannot help but to occasionally stray. Hopefully
the result will not be too confusing…
My arguments will be disproportionate compared with my summary of events.
Something I would like to address, which will be one of several recurring
themes in the course of these writings, is the rather sneaky habit of using
assumptions, however they are arrived at, whether it be consciously or
otherwise to simplify or organize the facts, or remnants thereof that survive
to substantiate a hypothesis or personal belief. (Although this principle can
and will be used against me in the Court of Ripperology, in regards to some of
my own prejudices later on.) In a later chapter I will offer just a few samples
of offenses, albeit only minor ones, (and I must stress the nit-picking nature)
to show just how tricky things can be, even when dealing with the best sources.
(And because these details can and have been used as building blocks that can
tend to lead to conspicuously weak foundations.)
Certainly my personal opinions will not always sit well with everyone, and in
many circumstances will be dismissed outright by those who also claim to be
well informed in these matters; regrettably, my opinions will undoubtedly
alienate some who read this. I expect that those whose beliefs are firmly
rooted in supposition are far less likely to find any value in this, but
others, I think, may find a few things deserving a closer inspection. In the
course of this, some of my own views will likely change, as they’ve continued
to evolve throughout my interest in this particular episode in history.
I will, however tedious this may seem to some, attempt a crude summary of the
crimes and times, which I do feel is compulsory when undertaking any survey or
scrutiny of these events, and in the course will suggest better places to look
for the missing, yet available details that are so important in putting in
perspective and understanding these crimes; for those new to this, I hope you
will find in these writings a useful and economical tool to further explore,
but for those who have studied the Whitechapel Murders this is a challenge to
question your own thinking and maybe, just maybe be a light that shines
through a pinhole in the blind. In the course I will pillage the best sources,
but acknowledge every instance; I will cut and paste a great many words and
quotes that have been authored by others. My words will weave in and out of
this curious, if uneven compilation, hopefully with some positive effect.
Something went terribly wrong in the East End of London in 1888; something
profoundly different from the daily tragedies and usual hardships of life on
the outer fringes of a great city and a great Empire. Women were murdered in a
most savage and disturbing manner, calling to attention the unimaginable depths
of the human condition in those places, in those times…To this day the
particulars are contested and engulfed in a fog thicker and as pungent as any
experienced in Queen Victoria’s London. Ten women in all were included in the
Whitechapel murders file,
which covers the years 1888 to 1891 when the last investigative entry was
deposited.
No one was ever convicted or even brought to trial for any of these crimes;
and, as it is very unlikely that only one person was responsible for all of
these murders, most studies concentrate on what are currently known as the “canonical
five” (the 3rd through the 7th victims, from 31 August to
9 November, 1888) and from there the debates go haywire. It has become a game
in which none of the original participants survive; and so now, apparently, it
is left up to us to continue…Unfortunately, it seems we are so detached that
often it is forgotten that the victims of these crimes were living, breathing
human beings not so much unlike ourselves than we tend to imagine. And another
obvious tendency seems to be to try and neatly organize and explain the
circumstances of these women and their respective demises, in relation to a
simple solution and hopefully universally accepted identification of an overtly
sinister fiend whose methods and madness separated him from the common murderer
and whose anonymity became his signature. But in each of the cases, whether or
not connected to one another, we cannot underestimate the significance of that
particular prospective murderer or victim nor should we carelessly toss aside any
possible connections; we need to stop and take a breath once in a while and
survey the scene from above.
The romantic visions of gaslight, top hats, feathered bonnets and Sherlock
Holmes that immediately come to mind when Victorian London is mentioned bear
little resemblance to the realities of the every day struggles of the men,
women and children who suffered and persevered amidst the growing chasm between
the wealth and prosperity of the “successful” and the poverty and despair of
the downtrodden. West and East London were dramatic examples of a disparity that is seldom
observed in the cities of today’s Western society. (Although without doubt this
is something that is not yet extinct in the modern world. Have you ever been to
Washington, D.C.?)
J.H. MacKay (c. 1891) wrote:
“The
East End of London is a hell of poverty. Like an enormous, black, giant kraken,
the poverty of London lies there in lurking silence and encircles with its
mighty tentacles the life and wealth of the West
End…”
This may have been a frightening view of some of those closest, yet still
clearly on the outside looking in, but this was only the tip of the iceberg.
I have been personally moved by these other, darker visions of Victorian London
on a level that I can neither justify nor explain. I feel humbled and remain
confused as to why I have been affected in such a way, but I feel an
overwhelming need to explore further. And so I wander, sometimes aimlessly, in
many different directions.
“…Mary Kelly, last victim of Jack the Ripper…”- it was a combination of those
words, not necessarily in that order, that sent my imagination spiraling,
almost immediately out of control. Quite unexpectedly a deep nerve was struck,
something stirred inside and life took on a permanent new dimension.
I had caught the tail end of a television documentary about a subject I new
nothing of, save the name…interest snowballed and inspiration steamrolled.
Since then I have journeyed upwards of twenty times to the East End from New England,
slept in almost every room of the Ten Bells, the infamous Commercial Street
public house and spent countless hours trying to absorb what remains of the
ghosts of 1888. This is my twisted Mecca, the latest stop on a questionably pointless
pilgrimage toward the meaning of it all.
I’d rather not waste too much of your time, so to make things perfectly clear
right at the outset, this is, most apparently to me, an exercise more
specifically designed for my own benefit, with the ulterior motive being the
hopes of benefiting the casual observer and even more hopefully the studied,
with an alternative insight via yet another collection of opinions and
observations regarding the time-worn story of Jack the Ripper. I cannot
reasonably justify writing a book, but I am not alone in trying to rationalize
the horrific crimes that, by today’s standards may not seem so outstanding, but
were such a violent shock to Victorian England and which have since created
such a storm of debate. And the big problem is that there is no ending for the story
of Jack the Ripper. We don’t know who, we don’t know how many and we don’t know
why. And with what we do know now, we begin the restoration project: from every
conceivable angle and in every conceivable direction. Many scenarios have been
proposed, some easily embraced, and others easily disposed of. The parameters
for theorizing are set by popular consensus, which is a combination of known
facts and speculation, for the indeterminate truths leave gaping holes in this
sad and ugly story.
“Theories!”
exclaims the inspector, when conversing about the murders- “we were lost almost
in theories; there were so many of them.”
Personally I do not subscribe to any particular theory nor do I feel obligated
to formulate one of my own. Certainly there are opinions that I carry that tend
to hold sway on my observations, but I continuously try to overcome these, for
speculation is far too easily transformed into fantasy.
Nobody can seem to find the key…should we wait for someone on the inside to
open the door, should we knock it down, or should we just guess what lies
behind it? Patience, determination, learned speculation…these are the
ingredients we have at our disposal to concoct our sublime recipes. But we all
have different tastes; and dare I suggest that we consider ourselves here? I’m
not ashamed to say so, for I find it unlikely that anyone could enjoy my words
more than me. And thus I embark on this doomed journey of self-aggrandizement,
in hopes that I can at least make some sense of this Jack the Ripper business
to myself.
What this is not. As intimated earlier, this is not a “final
solution”, a reference guide, an encyclopedia, a “must have”, or a “complete”
or “definitive” anything; I really can’t say for sure what it is…this
book will solve nothing. But I feel a great weight will somehow be lifted from
my shoulders and maybe, just maybe, someone will somehow find this in
some way useful.
Here I will renounce my objectivity openly and not just try and disguise my
subjectivity with heroic claims or subtle infusions. I need to know, as
desperately as anyone, how the story of Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel
Murders ends; and I am quite prepared to share everything I know, have
experienced and think about this subject to get nearer to this goal. (And I’m
sure I’m not alone, if not as admirably ambitious as some others.)
I will most certainly be emphasizing the aspects of this story that most
intrigue and provoke me. And I will stress my firmest subjective conviction:
that as of this moment, the words of Sir Robert Anderson, Assistant
Commissioner of Police and head of the Criminal Investigation Department during
the “Autumn of Terror”, contain the best clues that we have. He repeatedly
asserted in print that the Whitechapel murderer was known to the police and
that his reign of terror came to an end after his identification and subsequent
incarceration in an asylum. I believe that Sir Robert was more credible than he
gets credit for. I believe he was proud of his service and his conscience was
clear. Because we have not yet been able to make sense of all the details
pertaining to this identification and incarceration, and in spite of the
representatives of this new kind of flea circus who are executing miraculous
and clairvoyant leaps of imagination, we can’t be sure that we’ve
identified the man Anderson speaks of, or the actual witness who made the
identification. There are many proposed possible solutions (not least of which
that Anderson was mad), and there are many dubious contradictions of the
official and unofficial records that can be and are used to bolster or
shred the characters of those who have left us these clues- it can be a very
effective way of helping to drive home personal convictions- but often there is
more bark than bite. I doubt my bark will scare anyone enough to fear my bite.
An alternative purpose of this adventure is to re-visit very basic points and
re-think some of the things that we may or may not have taken for granted,
while still trying to digest the current explosion of minutiae attaching to
this baffling case. I am committed to the belief that our best shot at
“solving” this conundrum is to continue to examine the basic facts on the
simplest level over and over again without submitting to the persuasions of our
imaginations. Impossible? I think not. Improbable? Unfortunately it appears so.
But I haven’t given up and I’ll bet you a pint that if we ever find out who
Jack the Ripper was, my general guesses won’t be too far off.
Apologies.
I’ve become less patient with the current state of affairs of “Ripperology”,
whether it is because I am put off by the current expanding interest, depressed
by the dust that has collected on my images, or a combination of both- but not
an hour goes by that is void of manufactured memories of 1888…it’s some kind of
illness, I readily, if unsteadily acknowledge; a sure form of self-abuse this
is, but will it cause me to go mad?
Relax, this is only a test…To summarize, this is an attempt to evaluate my own
impressions and positions; it’s doubtful that these views have become
permanent, and hopefully, despite periods of stagnation, new information will
continue to trickle our way that influences the collective. By presenting
several unpopular arguments, examining elements of this mystery that, in my
eyes, have been neglected, ignored, or diminished- and allowing the words of
several of the key players in the perpetuation of this mystery to stand side by
side with each other and also within and around one another as support, the
pictures I have in my head have the opportunity to explain themselves, while
testing their lucidity. I’d like, for the sake of future comparison, to preserve
my thoughts and images as they are at this point; I have every intention of
expanding and augmenting this continuously; something may eventually emerge
that is more organized and even. These pictures, however influenced by
prejudices, are what I see at this juncture of the State of Ripperology.
Should you care? Well, if you do, then you’ll read on…
Prerequisites.
If you don’t already possess the obligatory handful of important books on the
subject, you will need to access some sources of information that will be
necessary to more fully comprehend my ramblings in the context in which they are
meant to be included. Otherwise you can skip around to the important parts,
which will probably not need to be pointed out. But for the beginner first:
For starters, a short-cut and unquestionably the most complete and up to the
minute source of information at the moment is Stephen P. Ryder’s Casebook:
Jack the Ripper website. It’s an unbelievably vast and varied repository of
Ripper-related material. All the history, all the quotes, all the debates, all
the statistics, almost everything, including transcripts of truck-loads of
newspaper accounts from across the world are there. Dozens of the most informed
and able researchers, enthusiasts and writers contribute regularly. I can’t say
enough- just check it out.
Several books exploring various subjects surrounding this mystery should serve
as a solid foundation for a proper objective study. Books dealing with subjects
such as the people and conditions of Victorian London’s East End, more
specifically the histories of the indigenous Cockneys, immigration, crime and
the Press are also necessary to put all of the details of the murders in proper
perspective. This is something, I believe, that is an often neglected
responsibility when one is serious about this particular study. East End
1888, The Streets of East London, and of a deeper element East End
Jewish Radicals 1875-1914 by William J.
Fishman are among my favorites, as well as the absolutely amazing The East
End Then and Now, edited by Winston G. Ramsey and Rothschild Buildings by
Jerry White. There are many more interesting sources to be mentioned along the
way.
Especially in the last few years, a number of works dedicated specifically to
the Whitechapel murders have cleared a good amount of the fog that had engulfed
the history of the murders, yet only a few are really necessary to understand
the basic elements. On the simplest level, the best places to start might be
the mini-sized The Life and Times of Jack the Ripper by Philip Sugden or
The Pocket Essential Jack the Ripper by Mark Whitehead and Miriam
Rivett. These two offer a great overview with most of the important details and
virtually no trace of bias, which can be the Achilles’ heel of otherwise
admirable works. The main cornerstones of further investigations would include The
Jack the Ripper A-Z, The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Sourcebook/Companion,
The Complete Jack the Ripper by Donald Rumbelow, Jack the Ripper: The
Facts, and the reigning king of the field, Philip Sugden’s The
Complete History of Jack the Ripper. There are, of course, imperfections of
varying degrees to be found in almost every book pertaining to the Whitechapel
murders, and the earlier the publication date, the more likely these errors are
to occur. (But, unbelievably, there have been some of very recent date that are
riddled with mistakes via shoddy research.) Our knowledge base is being
continuously updated and revised and one really needs to be up to the minute to
be safe in these sometimes treacherous waters. As an example of how particular
my scrutiny can be, I have to admit my reservations regarding Mr. Sugden’s opus
The Complete History…, for although it is a tremendously well-researched
and accurate account of the facts up to its original print date, there is an
underlying slant that is cleverly and astutely masked by the author’s shout of
supreme objectivity and condemnation of subjectivity. Most noticeable is
suggestion of a possible “most likely” suspect and less overt but more
disagreeable (to me, that is) is his character assault of Sir Robert Anderson. (Anderson,
incidentally, has become quite the popular whipping boy. Sugden pummels him as
if he were taking revenge on the bully who had stolen his lunch money back in
primary school.) He very persuasively argues his reasons why we should treat
his suppositions, however scholarly and logical they may be, as nearly truths,
but I for one, cannot accept that as being without bias or prejudice. His own
“spirit of gross boastfulness” can be forgiven, for this book is an invaluable
and indispensable factual account of the murders. But here is where my
“objectivity” goes out the window; more on this later. A sample of some of the
other books dealing directly with the Whitechapel murders that do justice to
honest research are (again, as will be the case throughout this effort, only my
not-so-humble opinions), in no particular order, Jack the Ripper: The
Definitive History by Paul Begg, The News from Whitechapel: Jack the
Ripper in the Daily Telegraph by Alexander Chisholm, Christopher-Michael
DiGrazia and Dave Yost, The Crimes, Detection and Death of Jack the Ripper by
Martin Fido and The Jack the Ripper Handbook : A Reader’s Companion by
Ross Strachan. Of a more specific nature, Jack the Ripper : A Cast of
Thousands and Will the Real Mary Kelly…? by Christopher Scott are prime
examples of just how dedicated today’s researchers of Ripperology can be. These
are by no means the only works worth reading, only a few personal suggestions. Who
Was Jack the Ripper? , a collection of 53 different takes on the murders by
authors, researchers, historians and enthusiasts, compiled by Camille Wolff, is
worth the investment if you can track one down also. Shortly I will mention
some that should be avoided like the plague. In between the extremes there are
dozens upon dozens of varying substance. Many of these are hard to find. The
vast majority have been written since 1988, the centenary of the murders. There
are a number of period photographs, sketches, maps and other reproductions of
the murder sites, victims, suspects and officials available and many books
whose text may be of questionable value are rescued by their inclusion. This
one will sink or swim without such insurance; the less-than-spectacular
photographs included in these pages show what remains of Jack the Ripper’s
hunting ground and require some degree of imagination to appreciate. Many of
these scenes are changing as you read this and some have all but vanished…
In recent years there have been a number of television documentaries, spanning
the spectrum of reality, that generally acquit themselves fairly well when
summing up the story and in spite of the barrage of criticisms that can be
levied by us Ripperologists. I find myself viewing these as a sort of “find the
flaws” game show, and this behavior in itself reveals a glimpse of the sort of
mentality which one might possess who obsesses over this mystery.
Sifting Through the Rubbish
“The link between fact and fiction
was being forged in a way that would influence people’s understanding of the
mystery for the next hundred years, helping to obscure the relevance of those
ten weeks in 1888.”
Inevitably, when dealing with such a marketable commodity as a
fill-in-the-blanks mystery, fantasy as well as treachery flourish. And the task
of detecting and debunking such undesirable elements (if, in fact you are
seeking the “truth”) can be laborious.
Many dark trails have been carved through the dense smog that shrouds this
mystery; yet, let the unwary be warned, for you are entering a dangerous and
untamed world where both fact and fiction hide in the shadowy recesses of
consciousness, both waiting in the wings to burst forth and claim their
respective victims. But indeed they both seek the same victim, albeit for
different reasons. (If we are ever to solve this puzzle, it might be logical to
conclude that concerted efforts, as opposed to individual and exclusive
pursuits, would be more beneficial if, in fact, we do share a common goal. I
believe that most of us do.) Sometimes it is difficult to tell the two apart.
The foul stenches associated with the slums of the East End toward
the end of the nineteenth Century can be rivaled only by the exploits of the
greedy charlatans who have built themselves strategically placed nests
throughout the land of Ripperology. We have all been fooled at one time or another and
unfortunately this game is far from over. To try and fit hunches to the known
facts or speculate about suspects or motives is not in and of itself unhealthy
or undesirable and most efforts begin sincerely, but to exploit the curiosity
of others deceitfully deserves the criticisms I am hereby inflicting. To follow
one’s instincts to the end is noble, but to deny or conceal wrong conclusions
and by selling a book simply to recoup the emotional or financial losses incurred
when undertaking such endeavors is not only selfish, it’s dishonest and
disrespectful. Unfortunately this has been the case much too often. But surely
we must all make a living. Anyway, enough moralizing for now (surely to be
continued). Yes, it is also disrespectful for me to criticize authors who have
undoubtedly worked hard to see their efforts to fruition, but I will not let
these criticisms apply to authors or their theories simply because I disagree.
I have had hunches and explored scenarios born of my imagination also and I
suspect this should not cease. The following represents only the blatantly
deceptive. My apologies to those who have been able to admirably restrain
themselves, out of respect for us all, when discussing these particular situations;
an obvious weakness of mine is that I take all of this a bit too seriously. But
at this point I really have nothing much to lose.
The most well-publicized and unfortunately most innocently consumed and
accepted attempts at solutions tend to be the furthest from reality. (Any
discussions pertaining to our individual perceptions of “reality” need not make
an appearance here!)
Royal conspiracy theories, the supposed Maybrick diary and Hell-bent forensic
imposters must be dispensed with immediately and completely if we are seeking
the truth, unless of course you fancy fraud and wild fantasy to spice up the
quest…and have the time to kill. (I’m sure this radical departure from polite
acceptance will be a shock to some, especially those who may have been
previously influenced by any of these sensational digressions. No offense to
those who may have been duped, many of these stories have been meticulously
researched and well written, as well as being convincing.)
The Royal Conspiracy Theories: Intricate and sometimes valuable
research, scandalous intrigue and delicate weaving make these stories
fascinating reading and hard to resist, but ultimately their origins are all
traceable to suspect sources and conniving literary philanderers. Any theory
that includes Prince Eddy, Duke of Clarence, Sir William Gull, et al., secret
marriages and government blackmail by low-class prostitutes, or any combination
of these interchangeable characters is rooted firmly in fantasy. Not
necessarily bad reads, but you will not find the real Jack the Ripper here.
(The 2002 Hughes Brothers’ film From Hell exploits these elements, and
my advice is, if you feel compelled to be exposed to a conglomeration of these
tales, see the movie, forget the books. In spite of the fictional treatment,
the style, music and surprising attention to detail make this an atmospheric
and entertaining adventure.)
The Maybrick Diary: A journal mysteriously appeared around 1992 that was
supposedly written by a man from Liverpool who described in detail his murderous exploits in London in
1888. Much hoopla has swirled about regarding this provocative piece of shit,
including the testing of the paper, handwriting, “ion migration” of the ink
used, etc., but a close inspection of the text renders it all a serious waste
of time. (As usual, the composer was very attentive to detail- kudos to the
evil SOB.) Absolutely nothing as far as actual details of the crimes described
here is news to researchers and as a matter of fact, just about every detail
can be traced to previous authors, newspaper accounts and otherwise public
information readily available to anyone so interested. One only needs to look
at the supposed details of the murder scene of Mary Kelly to find a whopping
contradiction of the official record, which of course is later ridiculously
explained away in defense of our drug-addicted hero.
The author’s true identity and the time of its creation are of little concern
as, whoever it was who penned this journal was NOT the author of these famous
crimes. But again, professional spin doctors manipulate readers unmercifully
with their smoke and mirrors, and the “diary” and its evil offspring continue
to sell, as do the sensational yarns of the aforementioned “conspiracy”
theories. Sure, see for yourself, I will say I told you so.
Case Closed? In the autumn of 2002, Patricia Cornwell, prolific fiction
writer, declared that she had proven beyond doubt the identity of Jack the
Ripper. This claim has been made over and over again, and this one deserves a
big, sarcastic yawn. Although she may be an intelligent and gifted speaker, she
not only has defamed a respected, if idiosyncratic Victorian artist, she may
have succeeded in destroying any hope of future credibility in the realms of
“true crime” writing. (Not that she needs it.) Her absurd bent on “proving” her
suspect’s guilt is a genuine insult to the dedicated researchers, theorists and
enthusiasts who, although not able to claim such insane financial sacrifices,
have spent countless years studying the case. Ms. Cornwell’s “voodoo
forensics” also do a substantial injustice to REAL criminal investigators. To
believe in a particular theory is not the issue, it’s the way it’s presented
that gets my goat. (I have grave doubts that she actually believes this theory
herself.)
It is politically incorrect and may or may not serve a practical purpose to
spit such venom, but I am deeply offended and cannot help myself from being
honest about these feelings. I have not and will not EVER use the knowledge I
have gained to deceive. (With the possible exception being myself.)
The burning irritation I feel for even mentioning these farcical endeavors does
not allow for any more discussion about them in these pages. PERIOD.
There are some other baffling works not quite so deserving of such harsh
treatment, but worthy of mention amongst the rubbish nonetheless.
I’m still not quite sure what to make of Jack the Ripper “Light-hearted
Friend” by Richard Wallace, but at best it is merely a bad joke. Anagrams
in the works of Lewis Carroll implicate him in the murders of prostitutes? This
book is a finalist for the “most ridiculous theory” award. This was the first
book that actually made me angry for being so obviously ripped-off, but
apparently the joke is on me and now I have to accept that.
Pamela Ball’s Jack the Ripper A Psychic Investigation by title alone
pretty much says it all, but this is a perfect example of a book being saved by
the inclusion of quality illustrations. I myself have done a considerable
amount of “psychic research” and have experienced various Epiphanies, some
“startling”, others “prosaic” yet I will choose at this time not to reveal
them. (Cash in now, baby.)
(I may add here that these last two specific examples do not fall under my
category of “blatantly deceptive”.)
These are only a sample of the most obvious deviant studies and although
far-fetched, thankfully not always devoid of aesthetic value. At best,
all of these do represent a colorful bridge that spans the spectrum of the
legend of “Jack the Ripper”. There are many more kicking about, of varying
collectible or historical value. For the right price, any of these might make a
handsome addition to any completist collector’s empty shelf space. It seems an
inescapable right of passage to read and, whenever possible, possess every word
written on the subject, but I guess it’s all in good fun (and good practice)
anyway. As much as I’d like to deny it, I am guilty, as charged.
Anyway, let’s get on with the show. I will do my best during the next few
chapters to bite my tongue when it comes to opinion and try (that’s try)
to present the bones of the story with as little embellishment as possible. My
prejudices, I’m sure, will find a way to expose themselves, as they’ve not the
patience to wait for the chapters dedicated specifically for them, which will,
as it happens, provide the bulk of this adventure.
I’m very relieved to have gotten that out of the way; it’s unnecessary to tow any
dead weight…
Continue to Part Two »
FOOTNOTES:
