123 years ago, a man known as Jack hung around Whitechapel, ridding the world of prostitutes. Five murders have been attributed to him. Grotesque murders, but still “only” five. Judging by the number alone, he seems a bit of an amateur among serial killers. Yet Jack is the most famous of them all. Never discovered, he has been the subject of myths, urban legends, conspiracy theories and plot for a good number of novels.
On this chilly evening, Whitechapel seems sanitized and a bit dull. The only interesting building around is the landmark known as the Gherkin. It takes a pretty big leap of the imagination to picture a man sneaking around here, slashing up prostitutes. In fact, it all looks slightly disappointing. Until Jason begins to elaborate; thus underlining the importance of a good story teller.
Picture if you will, Whitehall in late summer of 1888. A crowded slum with the most abject living conditions. 15 – 20 % of London’s then 4.5 million inhabitants lives in this area. That’s about 900 000 people sharing 1.5 square miles! Though only a mile from the City of London, it’s a different world. A lawless world.
It’s late in the evening of 30th August. Although it’s summer, it’s a cold night. Your name is Mary Ann Nichols, but everyone calls you Polly. You’re 43 years old and the mother of five children. Life’s hard, so you turn to the bottle. Gin’s your tipple; it’s cheaper than beer. You’ve had a jolly good time at the pub and you now want a good night’s sleep. Not so easy, that. Turns out you’re lacking four pence to rent a bed in the lodging house. But no worries. You’ll rake in those measly 4 p in a matter of minutes, using your considerable skills with men. Also, you have a nice, new bonnet. They can’t help falling for you. So off you go. But something happens. You meet a man who’s not impressed by your new bonnet at all. He’s a nasty piece of work. And before you know it, a “jagged wound runs the length of the abdomen”. Thus read the police report.
Only eight days later, Annie Chapman found herself in the same predicament. Needed somewhere to sleep, was out and about trying to earn it and didn’t make it through the night alive. She was 47 and mother of three children.
A Swedish girl was next, Elizabeth Stride, born Elizabeth Gustafsson in Gothenburg, also in her forties. She was more of a veteran; engaged in the business since she was 17. An international prostitute, even; active both in Sweden and in England. Elizabeth was found in the early hours on 30th September. Just an hour later, victim four was discovered.
46-year-old Catherine Eddowes had been brought in to police custody earlier that night for drunk and disorderly behaviour; then released. Three witnesses saw her talking with a man at about half past two in the morning. Ten minutes later she was found murdered and badly cut up. Her kidney had been removed. So had part of her uterus. One wonders how he had the time.
This all happened on Mitre Square where we’re standing. Jason eagerly points to the corner where she was found, and to where she must have walked just minutes before that. By now, it’s quite dark; the nondescript present-day Mitre Square is not that well lit. Suddenly, the imagination kicks in. Is that a dark bundle I see, in the corner over there? And someone standing over it? Spine-tinglingly eerie!
About six weeks later, Mary Jane Kelly – at 25, a mere slip of a girl compared to the other four – became the final victim. She was found in her bed by her landlord who came to collect the rent. Dead and brutally butchered.
Photo of Beer Street and Gin Lane Wikimedia Commons
Mary Jane was fond of drink, too. Gin was the staple of the working class as Madame Geneva was cheaper than beer. The consequences were also much worse, at least according to 18th century artist William Hogarth. In his work Beer Street and Gin Lane, he paints a vivid picture of the benefits of beer to you and to society in general – and the evils of gin.
The painting is said to have been partly inspired by a story of a woman who killed her baby to sell the baby clothes for gin money. Vile stuff indeed. I’ll think of that next time I’m enjoying a GT. Or perhaps not.
This is an excerpt, somewhat reworked, of my Boots’n'All article on Jack the Ripper
This concludes the series of deliciously dreadful London of the past. In addition to spooky Jack, we’ve covered London’s bridges and some eerie executions. Hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Yes, yes, yes…I was waiting for this one. My absolute favorite ‘shudder’ walk in London. Great that you also told the stories about good old Jack’s victims. Did you know that rumors persist Jack was actually the Prince of Wales? NOT the present one, of course…
inka recently posted..House hunting on a donkey in Fez/Morocco
next time i’m in london, i want to walk this tour. I guess i’m morbid like that…
jenjenk recently posted..My Top 10 Travel Bucket List
Know what you mean, Jen – I can be a bit morbid myself.
Gripping tale Sophie. Don’t wander alone around Whitehall at night.
Jim recently posted..Look through any window, door or archway… Magnificent Monday Oct 31st.
Wow. Loving your way of presenting history with a personal touch!
I’ve been wondering when you got round to the Ripper
Great to finally meet him here (at a safe distance).
Italian Notes recently posted..Grinning skeletons in all year parade
Yes, safe distance both in time and space, thank goodness.
Such a intriguing story, this one…I love unsolved mysteries!
Andrea recently posted..Postcards From Amsterdam: Dutch Food
I didn’t realize that it was still an unsolved mystery…ooohh. Really enjoyed this series and learning more about a different side of London.
Laurel recently posted..Show Caves of Germany
I wonder if the murdered could be found should this happen nowadays.
BTW, I wasn’t too fond of G&Ts before, even less so now
Ana recently posted..5 fun facts about Texas
Loved these stories!! Like you said, Jack the Ripper is so famous, but I really knew nothing about him (for better or worse!)
Abby recently posted..Let your “spirit” be your guide: hypnotherapy
You’re a good storyteller too!
The Travel Chica recently posted..Buenos Aires Odd Jobs: The Recycling Program
Very appropriate being as today is Halloween…I’ll also check this out when I venture to London in a few months. Thanks!
Mike recently posted..Review of Jamorama
You know, I don’t think I’ve ever thought about Jack the Ripper when I’ve walked about Whitechapel. What a well-told and interesting story, Sophie!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Portals of the Past
Eeek! being an unsolved murder making it even more creepy to hear the tales and walk through the sites where things happened….(because you never know if the murderer or its spirit might be lurking around)..
Annie – FootTracker recently posted..5 Ways to Tour San Francisco
Great story telling! I really enjoyed this – so much that I would love to take a walking tour on this very subject.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..A Beautiful Resting Place in Salzburg
Wonderful storytelling, Sophie! I never really knew the story behind Jack the Ripper (I promise I haven’t been living under a rock…) so this was as educational as it was entertaining.
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..Art and Rebellion: An Art Squat Attempts to Survive Berlin’s Changing Landscape
Woooo! j’ adore ce genre d’ histoires!!!!
Merci beaucoup, Aline.
I was wondering when we would have met Jack the Ripper in this series, what a story, and how many myths and legends were written about him. Makes me shiver, really…
Angela recently posted..A trip, a photo – Tehran by night from Milad Tower
Thanks for all your very kind comments, everyone. So glad you enjoyed this little look back at a piece of London’s horrible, yet so intriguing history.
Gory – and nothing like an unsolved mystery to fuel the imagination!
robin recently posted..La Torre
Thanks for sharing this. I’d love to learn more from you. Be back here for more!
Urissa recently posted..Geneva To Chamonix Transfers
Yikes, creepy! But so interesting. It’s always fascinating to think about what life was really like in these places we visit and the things (good and bad) that happened there.
Jenna recently posted..Summer Travel in California: Navigating the options
@Robin – So true!
@Urissa – thanks.
@Jenna – It really is, isn’t it… Nothing I’d like better than having a time machine.
The history is fascinating. It seems to me that a few years back I read a book about Jack the Ripper authored by Patricia Cornwell. It was meant to solve the crimes but I recall coming away from the read with as many questions as answers. Of course, that could be attributed to my declining memory and attention span. Anyway, ejoyed your prose. It was a good series and a great read. Thanks.
Barry recently posted..Siesta Lake – Yosemite – Hiking California
Thanks, Barry. I’ve read Patricia Cornwell’s book, too – and she didn’t manage to convince me Sickert was the culprit.
Yes, by today’s standards old Jack was a rookie. I wonder why he was never found out. I know that there was speculation that it was the Queen’s physician. I could see that…..rich, privileged, likely to look down his nose at wanton women, adept with a surgical knife….and more likely than not protected by the powers that be. Great post, Anne-Sophie!
Renee King recently posted..Bucking ‘n Bronco’ n in Wyoming at the Jackson Hole Rodeo
@Renee – Yes, I’ve heard that theory as well. Interesting, all the speculation that abound. People have a need to know, of course – yet, at the same time, our not knowing adds to the mystery and the morbid fascination.
I want to read more!!! You are a wonderful storyteller! Hopping over to Boots n All now, to look for your article!
Jen Laceda recently posted..Saffron Risotto with Heirloom Vegetable Broth
@Jen – Many thanks for your kind comment
You really have great writing skills
I loved this post, and all posts related with Jack the ripper or mysterious happenings of any kind
Very kind words. Thank you