Weird Threat To A Boy

A Cowardly Joke.

A few days ago there was a 16 year old butcher's apprentice walking in the way of Ginneken to Breda, when near Breda a man who was dressed like a Lord had walked up to him and entered him into a conversation. He proved to be very interested in the boy and invited him to certain hotel, telling him that he would be treated. Finally, the gentleman promised a golden coin to the boy, and told him to come to a remote point close to town later this evening. This offer was, however, obstinately refused. A while later, on the occasion of the fair in Breda, the two persons met together again. The boy tried to escape the stranger, but he followed him. Deeply afraid, he turned to a policeman and the man suddenly disappeared. The boy did not give the happening much importance and the incident was almost entirely forgotten, when his mother received a letter in the post, which declared that her son before his 23rd year was achieved, would be killed, because some years ago he wanted to deliver the writer of the letter to the police. This statement had been signed with the famous name of Jack the Ripper. Now likely to be a cowardly joke, just imagine how the poor mother was distraught with fear. She states to have little rest or peace and will not agree to let her son travel in the evening to a village as so often occurs in a butcher's business.

Source: Leeuwarder Courant, 19 January 1899