| Author |
Message |
    
Chris Scott
Inspector
Username: Chris
Post Number: 440
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 6:59 pm: | 
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I am currently transcribing a long article from the Maryland News which is dated 10 November 1888. As I was reading through this I came upon the passage below. This claims that the first victim was killed "a year ago last month" i.e. in October 1887. It says the victim was never identified and was buried in "Potter's Field"
Does anyone know more about this victim and where Potter's Field was please?
Chris
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Christopher T George
Inspector
Username: Chrisg
Post Number: 297
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 9:07 pm: |
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Hi, Chris:
First of all, "Potter's field" was a general term for a pauper's cemetery which might be anywhere. Second, I believe this report is a reference the oft-heard claim for a late 1887 "murder" of the fictitious "Fairy Fay" which is often repeated in the press of the day. This event is usually said to have occurred in December 1887 not October of that year but I should say we can be fairly confident that the same mythical event is being alluded to.
All the best
Chris |
Andrew Spallek
Detective Sergeant
Username: Aspallek
Post Number: 105
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 12:35 am: |
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And remember, there were no deaths recorded as murders in Whitechapel in 1887, Miriam Angel notwithstanding (must not have been ruled a murder intially).
Andy
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Chris Scott
Inspector
Username: Chris
Post Number: 441
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 7:17 am: |
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Many thanks guys for the prompt feedback:-)
Potter's Field - an interesting term which I'd never heard before - I wonder what its origin is. Will try and find out
Thanks for the help
Regards
Chris
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Andrew Spallek
Detective Sergeant
Username: Aspallek
Post Number: 109
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 1:56 pm: |
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On the term "potter's field" as a burial ground for outcasts, see Matthew 27:7.
Andy
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Stanley D. Reid
Detective Sergeant
Username: Sreid
Post Number: 60
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 9:43 pm: |
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Hi all
Sounds more like an inaccurate version of the "Rainham Mystery" to me.
Regards,
Stan |
