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Washington Post
15 May 1910

"RIPPER" NEVER CAPTURED
London Doctor Says Notorious Murderer Effected His Escape

Special Cable to the Washington Post

London, May 14.
An extremely interesting revival of the excited interest once felt in the "Jack the Ripper" tragedies has been brought about by the publication of the following letter in the Daily Telegraph from Dr. Forbes Winslow:-

"I beg to challenge the observations which have appeared during the last few days relative to the announcement that "Jack the Ripper" was captured. If there is any one who should know as to this I claim to be that person. The last murder committed was that of Alice Mackenzie on July 17, 1889. On August 30 of that year I obtained a clew which I carefully worked up.

I traced the man from lodging to lodging; in fact, where he had stayed the night of the individual murders. I had feathers from the hats of the woman which he left in the individual lodgings which were handed to me by the proprietors of the rooms. I had a pair of Canadian snowshoes he left behind him at some lodgings, which were stained with blood.

I knew his haunts, his ways of living, and his habits. He was religious, homicidal monomaniac. Every Sunday morning he was to be seen on the steps on St. Paul's Cathedral. I took the police into my confidence. I offered to catch the man provided they would render me the assistance I asked.

The red-tapeism surrounding Scotland Yard prevented their doing this. I was told by one of them that my clew was a very good one, but as a public body they could not help a private individual in his investigations. I warned them of what I should do.

Receiving no help as requested, I published my clew. From that time to the present day no more "Jack the Ripper" murders have been committed.

Though I did not actually capture the man, my intervention and action frightened him away. I have in my possession the actual letter sent me by "Jack the Ripper", the same writing as to which Sir Robert Anderson alludes to being found under the arches, and which the police rubbed off. One of the force identified the writing on my letter as being the same to which I am alluding.

It was a keen disappointment to me that the police did not act in cooperation with me. I cannot, however, allow the statement to be made that he was ever captured. What became of him after I had frightened him away remains a mystery which will never be fathomed."


Related pages:
  Forbes Winslow
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