by Ivor Edwards
I do not hesitate myself to say that if that writing had been left there would have been an onslaught upon the Jews, property would have been wrecked and lives would probably have been lost; and I was much gratified with the promptitude with which Superintendent Arnold was prepared to act in the matter if I had not been there.
I have no doubt myself whatever that one of the principal objects of the Reward offered by Mr Montagu was to show to the world that the Jews were desirous of having the Hanbury Street Murder cleared up, and thus to divert from them the very strong feeling which was then growing up.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(signed) C. Warren
If Warren had obliterated the word ‘Jewes’ then I cannot see any logical reason why a riot should have taken place. Such a decision undoubtedly brings his judgement into question. Sir Charles Warren was to resign his post on 8 November 1888. This was the day before Mary Kelly was found murdered.
The Times of Tuesday, 13 November 1888 wrote that ‘relations between Warren and the Home Office have for some time been strained’. The report added ‘that the resignation of Sir Charles Warren practically arose out of a difference of opinion with Mr Monro’. The latter was assistant commissioner and was head of the CID. He resigned in August 1888, and became ‘Head of Detective Service’. He was replaced by Anderson. Monro replaced Sir Charles Warren.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE FIFTH VICTIM
FRIDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1888, SPITALFIELDS
Alias: Marie Jeanette Kelly
Age: 25
Height: 5ft 7in
Profession: Prostitute
Eyes: Blue
Build: Stout
Complexion: Fair
Hair: Fair
Dress: Usually wore a black silk dress and often a black jacket, and red crossover shawl
MARY JANE KELLY, also known as Marie Jeanette or Black Mary, was alleged to be 25 years of age, stout and very attractive. Eddowes had a mustard tin with a pawn ticket inside which had been found near her body. The ticket was in the name of Mary Ann Kelly. Victim five is an enigma, for little is known of her early days. No records in births or marriages are known to exist.
Joseph Barnett, her boyfriend, made a statement to police on 9 November 1888, stating: ‘She left her home about 4 years ago, and she was married to a collier, who was killed through some explosion. I think she said her husband’s name was Davis or Davies.’
Moving to London in 1884 it was alleged that she had worked in a high-class French brothel in Knightsbridge. She stated to Barnett that a gentleman had taken her to France. She did not like it there and had returned to London after a fortnight. The suspect named in this book spent time in France and had French connections. The Goulston Street graffito indicates his knowledge of French.
Barnett stated that on her return from France she moved to Ratcliffe Highway for some time. Then she was living near Stepney Gas Works with a man named Morganstone. She then moved to Spitalfields, where she was picked up in Commercial Street by Barnett. He then took lodgings in George Street, Spitalfields.
Barnett said that Kelly was frightened of a man or men and often had him read accounts of the murders to her. This could indicate that Kelly could not read. However, a witness named Harvey of New-Court, off Dorset Street, said she had been on good terms with the deceased, whose education was much superior to that of most people of her position in life!
Kelly visited Harvey in New-Court on Thursday night. After drinking together they parted company at 7.30pm. Kelly went off in the direction of Leman Street, which she was in the habit of frequenting. Kelly had been living with Joe Barnett for 18 months until 30 October 1888. Eight months of these were spent at 13, Millers Court, 26, Dorset Street. Barnett and Kelly had a row over Kelly resuming prostitution and letting other prostitutes stay overnight.
A widow and resident of 1, Millers Court, and a close friend of Kelly’s, Julia Venturney, mentioned in her statement dated 9 November 1888 that a few weeks previously Kelly was drunk and had broken the windows in room 13. The key to 13, Millers Court also disappeared (lost or stolen?) prior to the murder.
After Barnett moved out of 13, Millers Court, No. 26, Dorset Street, a German girl named Julia stayed. After a few days Julia left, her place being taken by Mrs Harvey. She stated that she had stayed over with Kelly on the Monday and Tuesday prior to the murders (5 and 6 November). She also stated that she had left a man’s overcoat, two shirts, a boy’s shirt, a black crepe bonnet, a child’s petticoat and a pawn ticket in Kelly’s room.
So Kelly, who for the last eight months had been living with Barnett in Dorset Street, now found herself living alone in a room only three days before her murder. This is very convenient for her killer. Many assumptions have been made in relation to the time lapse (nearly six weeks) between murders four and five. The killer had to wait for the right moment to kill Kelly after killing Eddowes.
Kelly had to be killed in her room and the killer could not proceed with his plans while Kelly was sharing her room with Barnett, Julia or Mrs Harvey. This simple fact explains the long period of time between the double event of 30 September and the Kelly murder. The killer had his eye on this victim and planned her murder well in advance. However, he had to wait for the opportunity before he could proceed to murder her in her room.
Dorset Street circa 1890, looking east towards Commercial Street
Photo courtesy of Stewart Evans
Several minutes prior to 2.00am on 9 November 1888, George Hutchinson was walking north along Commercial Street. After passing the corner of Thrawl Street, and on approaching Flower and Dean Street, he met Kelly walking towards him. Hutchinson had known Kelly for about three years. She said to Hutchinson, ‘Mr Hutchinson, can you lend me sixpence?’ Hutchinson replied, ‘I spent all my money going to Romford.’ They then parted company, Kelly walking in the direction of Thrawl Street.
Commercial Street, circa 1898. The entrance to Dorset Street is to be found bottom left by the Britannia public house. The Ten Bells public house can be seen on the corner, middle right. Spitalfields market is the building with the gables
After parting company with Kelly, Hutchinson then turned round and looked in the direction that Kelly had taken. Hutchinson said he saw a man reach out and tap her on the shoulder, he then said something to her, and they both burst out laughing. Kelly said, ‘All right,’ to which the man replied, ‘You will be all right for what I have told you.’ (Was he referring to a promise made previously?) He then placed his arm around her shoulders. He was carrying a kind of small parcel of American oilcloth in his left hand, tied with a strap. (Change of clothes or an oilcloth apron?) This night was cold and very wet, and oilcloth would keep a change of clothes dry.
The same scene as it appears today
Hutchinson was so surprised at the dress of this man that he decided to follow him. Kelly and the man walked towards Dorset Street. Hutchinson stopped under the lamp on the corner of Fashion Street and eyeballed the man as he walked by. Hutchinson stated that the man gave him a stern look on passing. The couple stood at the entrance to Millers Court. The man spoke to her and Kelly was heard to say, ‘All right, my dear, come along, you will be comfortable.’ Kelly then kissed him saying, ‘I have lost my handkerchief.’ The man then gave her a red one.
Hutchinson had alleged that he not only saw the colour of the handkerchief but had also heard what the couple had said. Under such dark and overcast conditions he must have been only a few yards away from them to notice the colour of the handkerchief. Therefore they must have noticed that Hutchinson was on their case.
The couple then went into Millers Court at about 2.05am. Hutchinson was so interested in the man that he stood opposite the court waiting for the suspect to appear. When this did not transpire, Hutchinson left the scene at 2.45am. The suspect was about 35, had a dark complexion, heavy moustache turned up at the ends, bushy eyebrows, dark eyes, long dark coat trimmed with astrakhan, soft felt wide-br
immed hat, white collar, black tie fixed with a horseshoe pin, dark spats, light button overboots and a massive gold chain was showing in his waistcoat.
Mary Anne Cox, No. 5, Millers Court, made a statement to police on 9 November 1888. She stated that she had last seen Kelly at about 11.45am when she came into Dorset Street from Commercial Street, and saw walking in front of her Mary Jane with a man. They turned into the court and as Cox entered the court they went indoors, as if they were going into Kelly’s room. Cox stated that she said goodnight to Mary Jane, and that she was very drunk and could scarcely answer her, but said goodnight. Cox heard Kelly singing shortly afterwards.
Looking down Commercial Street from the North corner of Dorset Street towards the main cross-roads and the centre of the 500-yard radius. Fashion Street is to the far left of the picture. The shuttered shop (marked with an ‘X’) on the corner was once the Queen’s Head Public House. It was on this corner that Hutchinson stopped under the lamp to get a good look at the suspect as he walked past with Kelly and crossed the street to Dorset Street. It was between Flower and Dean Street and Thrawl Street that Kelly was picked up by the suspect
The man seen by Cox was about 36 years old and about 5ft 5in tall. His complexion was fresh, although he had blotches on his face, and he had small side whiskers and a thick carrotty moustache. He was dressed in shabby, dark clothes, a dark overcoat and a black felt hat. Kelly was wearing a linsey frock, a red knitted crossover around her shoulders and no hat or bonnet. Cox left the court shortly after midnight and returned at about 1.00am and Kelly was still singing in her room.
Catherine Pickett, a friend and neighbour of Kelly’s, was annoyed by her singing and intended to complain about it at the time. David Pickett, her husband, persuaded her from doing so. Cox left the court again shortly after 1.00am returning at 3.00am (15 minutes after Hutchinson had left the scene) all was quiet and no sign of a light or fire was seen to come from room 13. Sarah Lewis, of 34, Great Pearl Street, Spitalfields (who was staying the night at No. 2, Millers Court), and Elizabeth Prater, of No. 20, room 27, Dorset Street, both stated that they heard a cry of ‘Murder’ come from the direction of Kelly’s room between 3.30am and 4.00am.
Room 13, Millers Court, 26, Dorset Street, Spitalfields, taken on 9 November 1888. Elizabeth Prater, one of the women who heard a cry of ‘Murder’, lived above Kelly’s room. The two broken windows are those nearest to the drainpipe. It was from this window that Mr Bowyer discovered the body
Photo courtesy of Stewart Evans
At 7.30am Catherine Pickett knocked on Kelly’s door with the intention of borrowing her shawl. She received no answer and left.
The body was found, by Thomas Bowyer, just after 10.45am on Friday, 9 November, the day of the Lord Mayor’s Show. (Bowyer had been sent to collect the rent owed of 35 shillings, which was a lot of money. Why had she not been evicted? We have two victims that were turned out for not having 4d for the price of a bed.) After knocking on the door and receiving no reply he tried the door, but it would not open. He then went to the back window of the room and pulled aside a muslin curtain by placing his hand through the lower of the two broken panes of glass.
The first thing he saw was a pile of flesh on a bedside table. The victim, in a chemise lying on the bed, was barely recognisable as a human being. She had been gutted, dissected and partly skinned. This victim had had her heart removed and stolen. Was it taken for a personal reason? Did the killer intend to use it in a ritual?
Bowyer rushed to get his boss, John McCarthy, who stated, ‘The sight we saw I cannot drive away from my mind. It looked more like the work of a devil than of a man. I had heard a great deal about the Whitechapel murders, but I declare to God I had never expected to see such a sight as this. The whole scene is more than I can describe. I hope I may never see such a sight as this again.’
The police did not enter the room until 1.30pm, at which time access to the room was forced by breaking open the door. Signs of a roaring fire were in the grate, the ashes still warm. It was concluded that several items left by Mrs Harvey in the room were burned on the fire. The solder on the spout and handle of a kettle found in the grate had melted. It is not known whether or not this damage may have occurred prior to the murder.
The remains of Mary Kelly lying on the bed in room 13, Millers Court
The table with the pile of flesh taken from the victim. Note the leg bone in the foreground stripped of all flesh. The victim was dissected
The following post-mortem report was written by Dr Thomas Bond after his examination of Mary Kelly’s body. The report was missing for many years until it was returned to Scotland Yard, anonymously in 1987. A large proportion of Ripper-related paperwork in official files went missing for various reasons.
Plan of room 13, Millers Court. The broken windows from where Mr Bowyer saw the body is marked ‘B’
Position of body
The body was lying naked in the middle of the bed, the shoulders flat, but the axis of the body inclined to the left side of the bed. The head was turned on the left cheek. The left arm was close to the body with the forearm flexed at a right angle and lying across the abdomen. The right arm was slightly abducted from the body and rested on the mattress, the elbow bent and the forearm supine with the fingers clenched. The legs were wide apart, the left thigh at right angles to the trunk and the right forming an obtuse angle with the pubes.
The whole of the surface of the abdomen and thighs was removed and the abdominal cavity emptied of its viscera. The breasts were cut off, the arms mutilated by several jagged wounds and the face hacked beyond recognition of the features. The tissues of the neck were severed all round down to the bone.
The viscera were found in various parts viz.: The uterus and kidneys with one breast under the head, the other breast by the right foot, the Liver between the feet, the intestines by the right side and the spleen by the left side of the body. The flaps removed from the abdomen and thighs were on a table.
The bed clothing at the right corner was saturated with blood and on the floor beneath was a pool of blood covering about 2 feet square. The wall by the right side of the bed and in a line with the neck was marked by blood, which had struck it in a number of separate splashes.
Post-mortem examination
The face was gashed in all directions the nose, cheeks, eyebrows and ears being partly removed. The lips were blanched and cut by several incisions running obliquely down to the chin. There were also numerous cuts extending irregularly across all the features.
The neck was cut through the skin and other tissues right down to the vertebrae the 5th and 6th being deeply notched. The skin cuts in the front of the neck showed distinct ecchymosis.
The air passage was cut at the lower part of the larynx through the cricoid cartilage.
Both breasts were removed by more or less circular incisions, the muscles down to the ribs being attached to both breasts. The intercostals between the 4th, 5th, and 6th ribs were cut through and the contents of the thorax visible through the openings.
The skin and tissues of the abdomen from the costal arch to the pubes were removed in three large flaps. The right thigh was denuded in front to the bone, the flap of skin, including the external organs of generation and part of the right buttock. The left thigh was stripped of skin, fascia and muscles as far as the knee.
The left calf showed a long gash through skin and tissues to the deep muscles and reaching from the knee to 5 inches above the ankle.
Both arms and forearms had extensive and jagged wounds.
The right thumb showed a small superficial incision about 1 inch long, with extravasation of blood in the skin and there were several abrasions on the back of the hand moreover showing the same condition.
On opening the thorax it was found that the right lung was minimally adherent by firm old adhesions. The lower part of the lung was broken and torn away.
The left lung was intact: it was adherent at the apex and there were a few adhesions over
the side. In the substances of the lung were several nodules of consolidation.
The Pericardium was open below and the heart absent.
In the abdominal cavity was some partially digested food of fish and potatoes and similar food was found in the remains of the stomach attached to the intestines.
According to Dr Bond the body was naked when, in fact, a chemise was in evidence. However, the chemise had been cut from the torso. Under such circumstances it is understandable why Dr Bond referred to the body as naked.
Ritual mutilation of the dead such as we find in this series of murders has a great deal of significance in occult murder. Such practices are still in evidence today on the west coast of Africa. In fact my suspect was known to have travelled to the West Coast of Africa in search of such occult knowledge. He even went so far as to write on the subject.
Certain superstitious religious beliefs world-wide also have a bearing on ritual mutilation of the dead. Several tribes world-wide held the belief that disembowellment of an adult enemy signified that the spirit of the deceased would go straight to the afterlife, thus ensuring that the spirit does not wreak revenge while remaining on the earthly plain.
In January 1879, at the Battle of Isandhlwana, over 800 Europeans were disembowelled and mutilated by Zulu warriors who held such religious beliefs. The Drummer boys at Isandhlwana, not considered as men by the Zulu, were not disembowelled. Instead they were hung on meat hooks. North American Indian tribes such as the Sioux and Cheyenne mutilated their dead enemies because of certain religious beliefs they held.