[ABERCONWAY VERSION]

[OFFICIAL VERSION]

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[Memor]andum on articles which appeared in the Sun re JACK [THE R]IPPER on 14 Feb 1894 and subsequent dates.
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Confidential.

The case referred to in the sensational story told in the Sun (in its issue of 14 Feb 1894 and following dates) is that of Thomas Cutbush who was arraigned at the London County Sessions in April 1891 on a charge of maliciously wounding Florence Grace Johnson and attempting to wound Isabella Fraser Anderson in Kennington. He was found to be insane and sentenced to be detained during Her Majesties pleasure

The case, referred to in the sensational story told in "the Sun" in its issue of 13th. inst, & following dates, is that of Thomas Cutbush who was arraigned at the London County Sessions in April 1891, on a charge of maliciously wounding Florence Grace Johnson, & attempting to wound Isabelle Fraser Anderson in Kennington. He was found to be insane, and sentenced to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure.

This Cutbush who lived at 14 Albert Street Kenningto Street escaped from the Lambeth Infirmary (after he had been detained there only a few hours) at noon on 5 March 1891. He was re-arrested on 9th idem. Previously to this,- a few weeks before several cases of stabbing girls behind had occurred in the neighbourhood, and a man called Colicott was arrested and charged, but was subsequently discharged owing to doubtful identification. The cuts in the girls' dresses in Colicott's case were quite distinct from those made by Cutbush, who was no doubt influenced in his action by a wild and morbid desire of imitation. Cutbushs' antecedents were enquired into by P.S.McCarthy, (an officer who was specially employed in Whitechapel during the time of the murders there); it was ascertained that he was born, and had lived always, at Kennington. His Father died when he was [page 2] quite young, and he was a 'spoilt' child. He had been employed as a clerk and traveller in the Tea Trade at the Minories, and subsequently canvassed for a Directory in that part of London - during which time he bore a good character. He, apparently, contracted syphilis about 1888, and after that year led an idle and useless life. His brain seems to have become affected, and he believed that people were endeavouring to poison him. He wrote to Lord Grimthorpe, and others, - and also to the Treasury, complaining of Dr Brooks, Westminster Bridge Road (whom he threatened to shoot!) for having supplied him with indifferent medicines. He is said to have studied medical books by day, and to have rambled about at night, returning to his home with his clothes covered with mud etc., However, little reliance can be placed on the statements of his Mother, or his aunt, who were both of a very excitable disposition.

This Cutbush, who lived with his mother and aunt at 14 Albert St. Kennington, escaped from the Lambeth Infirmary, (after he had been detained there only a few hours, as a lunatic) at noon on 5th. March 1891. He was rearrested on 9th. idem. A few weeks before this, several cases of stabbing, or "jobbing", girls behind had recurred in the vicinity, and a man named Colicott was arrested, but subsequently discharged owing to faulty identification. The cuts in the girls dresses made by Colicott were quite different to the cut made by Cutbush (when he wounded Miss Johnson) who was no doubt influenced by a wild desire of morbid imitation. Cutbush's antecedent[s] were enquired into by Ch: Inspr. (now Supt) Chis[holm,] by Inspr. Race, and by P.S. McCarthy CID -(the last named officer had been specially employed in Whitechapel at the time of the murders there,-) and it was ascertained that he was born, & had lived, in Kennington all his life. His father died when he was quite young, and he was always a "spoilt" child. He had been employed as a clerk, [page 2] and traveller in the Tea trade at the Minories, & subsequently canvassed for a Directory in the East End, during which time he bore a good character. He apparently contracted syphilis about 1888, and, - since that time, - led an idle and useless life. His brain seems to have become affected, and he believed that people were trying to poison him. He wrote to Lord Grimthorpe, and others, - & also to the Treasury, - complaining of a Dr. Brooks, of Westminster Bridge Rd., whom he threatened to shoot for having supplied him with bad medicines. He is said to have studied medical books by day, & to have rambled about at night, returning frequently with his clothes covered with mud; but little reliance could be placed on the statements made by his mother or his aunt, who both appear to have been of a very excitable disposition. It was found impossible to ascertain his movements on the nights of the Whitechapel murders.

I may here mention that this Thomas Cutbush was the nephew of the late well-known Supt. of Executive Branch at C.O. The knife found on him was traced, and found to have been bought by him at Houndsditch about a week before he was detained in the Lambeth Infirmary, or just 2 years and 3 months after the last Whitechapel murder was committed! This upsets the statement made in the Sun's issue of 14th Feb. that "the writer has in his possession a facsimile of the knife with [page 3] which the murders were committed."

[3] Cutbush was a nephew of the late Supt Executive. [2] The knife found on him was bought in Houndsditch about a week before he was detained in the Infirmary. [6] This knife (which for some unexplained reason has, for the last 3 years, been kept by Inspr. Race, instead of being sent to Prisoners' Property Store) was traced, & it was found to have been purchased in Houndsditch in Feb. '91, or 2 years & 3 months after the Whitechapel murders ceased! [5] And now with regard to a few of the [page 5] inaccuracies and misleading statements made by the "Sun". In its issue of 14th. Feb, it is stated that the writer has in his possession a facsimile of the knife with which the murders were committed.

The statement, too, that Cutbush "spent a portion of the day in making rough drawings of the bodies of women, and of their mutilation," is wholly based on the fact that two drawings of women in indecent postures were found torn up in his room. The head and body of one had been cut from some old 'fashion plate', and legs were added and made to represent naked thighs and pink stockings.

[7] The statement, too, that Cutbush "spent a portion of the day in making rough drawings of the bodies of women, & of their mutilations" is based solely on the fact that 2 scribble drawings of women in indecent postures were found torn up in Cutbush's room. The head & body of one of these had been cut from some fashion plate, & legs were added to shew a woman's naked thighs & pink stockings.

The statement in the issue of 15th Feb. that a man in a light overcoat had been seen talking to the woman, whose dismembered torso was found in Pinchin St, (and that a light overcoat was among the things discovered in Cutbushs' house) is hopelessly incorrect. On 10th Sept.1889 the naked body, with arms, of a woman was found under a Railway arch in Pinchin Street; the head and legs never came to light, nor was the woman ever identified. She had been killed at least 24 hours before the remains were discovered, and the said remains had evidently been brought from some distance. The head and legs had been severed from the body in a manner identical with that of the women whose remains were discovered, piecemeal, in the Thames, Battersea Park, and on the Chelsea Embankment on 4th June of the same year (1889) and these murders (?) had no connection whatever with the Whitechapel horrors. The [page 4] Rainham mystery in 1887, and the Whitehall mystery (where the remains of a woman were found under New Scotland Yard in September 1888) were of a similar type to the mysteries of "The Thames" and Pinchin St.

In the issue of 15th. inst it is said that a light overcoat was among the things found in Cutbush's house, and that a man in a light overcoat was seen talking to a woman in Backchurch Lane whose body with arms attached was found in Pinchin St. This is hopelessly incorrect! On 10th. Sept. '89 the naked body, with arms, of a woman was found wrapped in some sacking under a Railway arch in Pinchin St: The head & legs were never found nor was the woman ever identified. She had been killed at least 24 hours before the remains -(which had seemingly been brought from a distance,) [page 6] were discovered. The stomach was split up by a cut, and the head and legs had been severed in a manner identical with that of the woman whose remains were discovered in the Thames, in Battersea Park, & on the Chelsea Embankment on 4th June of the same year; and these murders had no connection whatever with the Whitechapel horrors. The Rainham mystery in 1887, & the Whitehall mystery (when portions of a woman's body were found under what is now New Scotland Yard) in 1888 were of a similar type to the Thames & Pinchin St crimes.

It is perfectly untrue to say (as the Sun asserts) that Cutbush stabbed six girls behind; this is confusing his case with that of Colicott - already spoken of.

It is perfectly untrue to say that Cutbush stabbed 6 girls behind. This is confounding his case with that of Colicott.

The theory that the Whitechapel murderer was left handed, or, at any rate, 'ambi-dexter' had its origin in the statement of a certain doctor who examined the corpse of one of the earliest victims. Other doctors did not agree with him, and medical evidence, on this point, was (as it not infrequently is!) alike conflicting and confusing.

The theory that the Whitechapel murderer was left handed, or, at any rate, "ambi-dexter," had its origin in the remark made by a doctor who examined the corpse of one of the earliest victims; other doctors did not agree with him.

Now the Whitechapel murderer had 5 victims and 5 only. His murders were, as follows -

[4] Now the Whitechapel murderer had 5 victims - & 5 victims only, - his murders were

[page 5]The last murder is the only one which took place in a room, and the murderer must have been at least 2 hours over his hellish job. A photograph was taken at the time, - (showing the woman as she was when the officers entered the room) without seeing which it is impossible to understand, or grasp the extent of the awful mutilation.

The last murder is the only one that took place in a room, and the murderer must have been at least 2 hours engaged. A photo was taken of the woman, as she was found lying on the bed, without seeing which it is impossible to imagine the awful mutilation.

With regard to the double murder which occurred on 30th September there is no doubt but that the 'Ripper' was disturbed by some Jews just after he had cut Elizabeth Stride's throat, and before he had time to commence to mutilate her. He had got the victim behind a kind of stable door through which three Jews drove up to an Anarchist Club in Berners Street. The murderer must have been alarmed and fled away - but, 'nondum [2] satiatus', went off in search of a second victim whom he found at Mitre Square, and on whose body the mutilations far exceeded anything that he had before perpetrated. It will be noted that the fury of the murderer, as evinced in the mode of mutilation, increased every time, and his appetite appears to have become 'sharpened by indulgence.' It seems, then, improbable, that he should have suddenly stopped after 9th Novr.1888 and been content to resume operations by merely prodding a girl lightly from behind some 2 years and 4 months afterwards. A much more [page 6] rational and workable theory, to my way of thinking, is that the 'rippers' brain gave way altogether after his awful glut in Millers Court and that he then committed suicide, or, as a less likely alternative, was found to be so helplessly insane by his relatives, that they, suspecting the worst, had him confined in some Lunatic Asylum.

With regard to the double murder which took place on 30th. Sept., there is no doubt but that the man was disturbed by some Jews who drove up to a Club, (close to which the body of Elizabeth Stride was found) and that he then, 'nondum satiatus,' went in search of a further victim whom he found at Mitre Square.

It will be noticed that the fury of the mutilations increased in each case, and, seemingly, the appetite only became sharpened by indulgence. It seems, then, highly improbable that the murderer would have suddenly stopped in November '88, and been content to recommence operations by merely prodding a girl behind some 2 years & 4 months afterwards. A much more rational theory is that the murderer's brain gave way altogether after his awful glut in Miller's Court, and that he immediately committed suicide, or, as a possible alternative, was found to be so hopelessly mad by his relations, that he was by them confined in [page 4] some asylum.

No one ever saw the Whitechapel murderer (unless possibly it was the City P.C. who was on [3] a beat near Mitre Square) and no proof could in any way ever be brought against anyone, although very many homicidal maniacs were at one time, or another, suspected. I enumerate the cases of 3 men against whom Police held very [4] [page 6A] [re]asonable suspicion. Personally, & after much careful & deliberate consideration, I am inclined to exonerate the last 2. but I have always held strong opinions regarding no 1., and the more I think the matter over, the stronger do these opinions become. The truth, however, will never be known, and did indeed, at one time lie at the bottom of the Thames, if my conjections [5] be correct.

No one ever saw the Whitechapel murderer; many homicidal maniacs were suspected, but no shadow of proof could be thrown on any one. I may mention the cases of 3 men, any one of whom would have been more likely than Cutbush to have committed this series of murders:-

No 1. Mr M. J. Druitt, a doctor of about 41 years of age & of fairly good family, who disappeared [at?] the time of the Miller's Court murder, and whose body was found floating in the Thames on 3.st Dec: i.e. 7 weeks after the said murder. The body was said to have been in the water for a month, or more - on it was found a season ticket between Blackheath & London. From private information I have little doubt but that his own family suspected this man of being the Whitechapel murderer; it was alleged that he was sexually insane.

(1) A Mr. M. J. Druitt, said to be a doctor & of good family, who disappeared at the time of the Miller's Court murder, & whose body (which was said to have been upwards of a month in the water) was found in the Thames on 31st. Decr. - or about 7 weeks after that murder. He was sexually insane and from private info.. I have little doubt but that his own family believed him to have been the murderer.

[page 6B] no 2. [Kos]minski, a Polish Jew, who lived in [... ...] [6] heart of the district where the murders were comimitted. He had become insane owing to many years indulgence in solitary vices. He had a great hatred of women, with strong homicidal tendencies. He was (and I believe still is) detained in a lunatic asylum, about March 1889. This man in appearance strongly resembled [7] the individual seen by the City P.C. near Mitre Square.

(2) Kosminski, a Polish Jew, & resident in Whitechapel. This man became insane owing to many years indulgence in solitary vices. He had a great hatred of women, specially of the prostitute class, & had strong homicidal tendencies; he was removed to a lunatic asylum about March 1889. There were many circs connected with this man which made him a strong 'suspect'.

no: 3. Michael Ostrog, a mad Russian doctor & a convict & unquestionably a homicidal maniac. This man was said to have been habitually cruel to women, & for a long time was known to have carried about with him surgical knives & other instruments; his antecedents were of the very worst & his whereabouts at the time of the Whitchapel murders could never be satisfactorily accounted for. He is still alive.

(3) Michael Ostrog, a Russian doctor, and a convict, who was subsequently detained in a lunatic asylum as a homicidal maniac. This man's antecedents were of the worst possible type, and his whereabouts at the time of the murders could never be ascertained.

And now with regard to the 4 additional murders asentied ? [8] by the "Sun" writer to the "Ripper". [9] [page 6 continued]

[8] With regard to the 4 additional murders ascribed by the writer in the Sun to the Whitechapel fiend:-

(1) The body of Martha Tabram, a prostitute, was found on a common stair case in George Yard buildings on 7th. August 1888; the body had been repeatedly pierced, probably with a bayonet. This woman had, with a fellow prostitute, been in company of 2 soldiers in the early part of the evening: these men were arrested, but the second prostitute failed, or refused, to identify, and the soldiers were accordingly discharged. [page 7]

(2) Alice McKenzie was found with her throat cut (or rather stabbed) in Castle Alley on 17th. July 1889; no evidence was forthcoming, and no arrests were made in connection with this case. The stab in the throat was of the same nature as in the case of the murder of

(3) Frances Coles, in Swallow Gardens, on 13th. February 1891, for which Thomas Sadler, a fireman, was arrested, &, after several remands, discharged. It was ascertained at this time that Sadler had sailed for the Baltic on 19th. July '89, & was in Whitechapel on the night of 17th. idem. He was a man of ungovernable temper & entirely addicted to drink, & the company of the lowest prostitutes.

(4) was the case of the unidentified woman whose trunk was found in Pinchin Street on 10th Sept.'89 and has already been dealt with in this memorandum.
 

(4) The case of the unidentified woman whose trunk was found in Pinchin St: on 10th. Sepr 1889, which has already been dealt with.

M.L.Macnaghten.
 

MLMacnaghten
23rd. Feb. 1894