Jack the Ripper – Timeline (2 of 6) starts conveniently on October 1st, where Theodore’s letter has conveniently placed our campaign in time.
On October 1st, the following (Ripper related stuff – I could do with a more universal timeline…) occured:
- Coroner Wynne E. Baxter begins inquest into the murder of Elizabeth Stride at the Vestry Hall, Cable Street. Adjourned until the 2nd.
- The morning issue of the Daily News first prints the text of the Dear Boss letter.
- Thomas Coram finds a bloodstained knife in Whitechapel Road, with a blade of about 9 inches.
- The Financial News contributes £300 toward a reward for the capture of the murderer.
- Lord Mayor offers £500 reward.
- Sir Alfred Kirby offers £100 reward and 50 militia men to help apprehend the criminal. Offer declined.
- Queen Victoria telephones the Home Office at 3:30 pm and expresses her shock at the murders.
- The ‘Saucy Jacky’ postcard is received at the Central News Agency.
- Michael Kidney arrives drunk at Leman Street Police Station, blaming the PC on duty at the time of Stride’s murder, and asking to speak with a detective.
- The Star prints the text of the Saucy Jacky postcard in the evening edition.
- The first of many imitative hoax letters is received, with the word “Boss” hastily inserted in play of “The City Police.”
In short, Rippermania is at it’s peak.