Jack the Ripper

It all started in the East End of London in 1888, from August 7 till November 10.

All killings occurred within one mile area and involved the districts of Whitechapel,

Spitalfields, Aldgate, and the city of London proper. The man I am referring to is no

other then the notorious Jack the Ripper, the Whitechapel, or the Leather Apron.

Jack the Ripper is significant and popular, not just because he was a serial killer,

but because he was the first to appear in a large metropolis at the time when the general

puplic had become literate and the press was a force for social change. The Ripper

appeared when there was a tremendous political turmoil and both liberals and social

reformers, also the Irish Home rule partisans tried to use the crimes for their own ends.

Its hard to believe that this has only happened twelve years ago. Everyday there would

be an editorial or a chronicle in the newspaper about the activities of the Ripper or the

police. Many of you remember this and reading about the Ripper and know what I am

talking about. The press was a big part of the whole case because we informed the public

of the killings and it seemed that this was all new to everyone only because it was the

most publicized case. This type of thing has happened before, but no one knew about it

and now you know the real world. The press had created the “boogey man” and many

myths and puzzles for the public.

The Ripper was thought to know a great deal about anatomy because the body’s

were slashed at the throat and the way the body’s were mutilated suggest that. The

victims all prostitutes all slashed at the throat and mutilated. The body’s were found out

in the open were everyone could see them. Many officers and junior officers believe

there are anywhere from five to nine murders by the Ripper.

The Victims:

1) Mary Ann Nichols, murdered Friday, Augest 31, 1888.

2) Annie Chapman, murdered Saturday, September 8, 1888.

3) Elizebeth Stride, murdered Sunday, September 30, 1888.

4) Catherine Eddowes, murdered same day.

5) Mary Jane Kelly, murdered Friday, November 9, 1888.

How the Ripper operated was by approaching the women he would stand facing

his victim. When the victim lifted her skirt he would strangle her until unconsciencness

or death. Then the Ripper would lay the victim on the ground and cut the left side of the

throat