Backert's Letter From Jack

As is known Mr. Backert, Chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, received three weeks ago a postcard signed Jack the Ripper, on which a new murder was announced by 18th October. On 27th October Mr Backert received a communication by the same hand, which Jack said that there had been too many police agents in the streets, and that he therefore could not work, but the next thing time he would operate indoors. Dr. Winslow got such a letter, in which Jack said, he would alter his activity to another part of town, and perhaps even before Christmas would paya vistit to Dr. Winslow himself. The manuscript though somewhat distortedly, is similar to that of a few pages that the mysterious stranger left behind in one of his previous homes.

Source: Leydse Courant, 05/11/1889, Page 4

"JACK THE RIPPER." - Albert Bachert, who stated that he was the chairman of the Whitechapel Murder Vigilance committee, was amongst the applicants at the Thames police-court yesterday for advice. He said the committee was formed some years ago for the purpose of discovering the author of the Whitechapel murders. A few weeks since he received a letter, signed "Jack the Ripper," stating he would shortly commence operations again. In consequence, he and some friends went out on the watch during the recent foggy weather. During "their adventure" they found a number of men and women sleeping in the streets. He wanted to know whether he could call the attention of the police to these people, and so have them removed to workhouses or shelters? Mr. Dickinson told the applicant, who had not made his first appearance at that court, that he knew very well that the matter was nothing to do with him, and that he could not advise in cases of that sort. He would have to go to the inspector of police or the proper authority about such a matter.

CROYDON PETTY SESSIONS.

ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT. - James Parsonson, a well-dressed, middle-aged man, living in Southbridge-road, Croydon, was charged with criminally assaulting Rose Sylvester, a girl under the age of 16, at Bramley-hill, Croydon, on the 30th ult. - The complainant, a modest-looking girl of 15, stated that she was a servant in the employ of Captain Boynton, at 3, Nottingham-road, Croydon. On Wednesday night she had been to post some letters and was returning when the prisoner suddenly sprang upon her and committed the assault. He had previously asked her to walk out with him, but she ran away. It was stated that the defence would be an alibi. - A remand was granted, the Bench offering to accept bail in the sum of 80 pounds.

CHILD MURDER.

Yesterday Dr. Danford Thomas held an inquest at the Coroner's court, Holloway-road, on the body of a female child found on Thursday in Northampton-park by William Easton, a plumber, of Stoke Newington-road. It was wrapped up in calico, and was then taken to the station by Police-constable 143 J, who subsequently had the body examined by Dr. Jackman. He found marks of violence on the head and face. He told the court that the cause of the death was suffocation by deliberate pressure. The jury returned a verdict of "Wilful murder against some person at present unknown."

Source: Lloyd's Weekly London Newspaper, January 3, 1892, Page 10