Explore JTR - Letters

Alleged communications from the killer.

Doorway at 108-119 Wentworth Model Dwelling Buildings, Goulston Street

The authorities received hundreds of letters during the course of the investigation, and anti-Semitic writings were sufficiently common. Yet, these particular pieces have stood out unto the present day. Albeit, the debates continue over whether or not the murderer actually wrote them.

[Goultson St Grafitto] [Dear Boss Letter] [Post Card] [From Hell Letter] [Openshaw Letter]


GOULSTON STREET GRAFITTO

On September 30, 1888, PC Alfred Long, 254A, found a blood stained apron piece in an archway at Wentworth Model Dwellings, Goulston Street, (c.2:55am) and then a chalked message on the black brick fascia edging of the open doorway which led to the staircase and basement door of #108-119. DC Daniel Halse, City, arrived back at Goulston Street sometime after 3:00am. PC Long returned at c.5:00am. The writing was sponged out at c.5:30am.

PC Long's version

"The Juwes are the men That Will not be Blamed for nothing"

(PC Long's original spelling, as seen in the above image, used "Jewes," which was corrected to "Juwes," on the scene by DC Halse. This correction was noted in PC Long's notebook and during the Eddowes Inquest.)


DC Halse's version

"The Juwes are not the men That Will be Blamed for nothing"


In the above images, the text of the transcriptions has been maintained, but the "layout" is not indicitive to how it might have been actually written on the wall at Goulston Street.

Typically, the City Police accepted DC Halse's version, while the Metroplitan Police accepted PC Long's version - each backing their own man. And, because of the numerous discussions concerning the word, "Juwes," and what it is supposed to mean, it is interesting to note that there are actually many spellings of "Juwes" to be found within the official records (HO 144/221/A49301C f164, 195, 197; Eddowes Inquest Records):

    Jewes, Jeuwes, Juwes, Jeuws, Juewes, Juews.
A lexicon search on the variations will invariably produce the same result - "Jews," with only reference to the group, at large, and not to any person or persons, in particular.

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"DEAR BOSS" LETTER

A morning paper, The Daily News, published the "Dear Boss" letter on October 1, 1888, (It was written in red ink with a second postscript done in red crayon).


25 Sept. 1888.

Dear Boss,

I keep on hearing the police
have caught me but they wont fix
me just yet. I have laughed when
they look so clever and talk about
being on the right track. That joke
about Leather Apron gave me real
fits. I am down on whores and
I shant quit ripping them till I
do get buckled. Grand work the last
job was. I gave the lady no time to
squeal. How can they catch me now.
I love my work and want to start
again. You will soon hear of me
with my funny little games. I
saved some of the proper red stuff in
a ginger beer bottle over the last job
to write with but it went thick
like glue and I cant use it. Red
ink is fit enough I hope ha. ha.
The next job I do I shall clip
the ladys ears off and send to the
police officers just for jolly wouldnt
you. Keep this letter back till I
do a bit more work, then give
it out straight. My knife's so nice
and sharp I want to get to work
right away if I get a chance.
Good luck.

Yours truly
Jack the Ripper

Dont mind me giving the trade name

wasnt good enough
to post this before
I got all the red
ink off my hands
curse it
No luck yet. They
say I'm a doctor now ha ha


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POST CARD

A second Jack the Ripper letter, a postcard, was received by the Central News Agency. This one had a London E postmark. It was printed in an evening paper, The Star on October 1, 1888. (It was possibly written in crayon.)

I was not codding
dear old Boss when
I gave you the tip,
youll hear about
saucy Jack s work
tomorrow double
event this time
number one squealed
a bit couldnt
finish straight
off. had no time
to get ears for
police thanks for
keeping last letter
back till I got
to work again.
Jack the Ripper

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"FROM HELL" LETTER

On October 16, 1888, George Akin Lusk, President of the one-month old Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, received by post a 3" square cardboard box wrapped in brown paper. It was addressed without the house number, and the blemished postmark might have been London E. Inside, Half a kidney and the following letter.


From hell

Mr Lusk
Sor

I send you half the
Kidne I took from one women
prasarved it for you tother piece I
fried and ate it was very nise. I
may send you the bloody knif that
took it out if you only wate a whil
longer

Signed Catch me when
you can
Mishter Lusk

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LETTER TO DR OPENSHAW

On October 29, 1888, Dr Thomas Horrocks Openshaw, Curator of London Hospital's Anitomical Museum, received the below letter, which he turned over to Major Smith.


Old boss you was rite it was
the left kidny i was goin to
hoperate agin close to your
ospitle just as i was going
to dror mi nife along of
er bloomin throte them
cusses of coppers spoilt
the game but i guess i wil
be on the job soon and will
send you another bit of
innerds
Jack the ripper

O have you seen the devle
with his mikerscope and scalpul
alookin at a kidney
with a slide cocked up

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For sources used, refer to the Time Line of Catherine Eddowes.

Many THANKS to the people who have contributed to this page:
Letter images - Courtesy of Stewart P. Evans.
Goulston St doorway image - Courtesy of Stewart P. Evans.

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