During the late 1880's in London England a serial killer nicknamed "Jack the Ripper" murdered an unknown number of prostitutes; all the victims were strangled prior to the mutilations. The killings occurred in the districts of Whitechapal, Spitfields, Adgate, and the city of London. At the time of these murders the east end of London was a place of abject poverty where the dregs of society lived. .
Due to the political turmoil between the liberals and the social reformers, they tried to use the crimes to their own end. The newspapers all over the world chronicled the murders, the police investigations, and even the feelings of the witnesses and people living in the immediate areas. They were responsible for sensationalizing these heinous crimes. Although the public, press, and even police believed the Ripper was responsible for at least nine slayings, there are only five that are generally accepted as being definitive. .
The five are Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapmen, Elizabeth Stride, Catharine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly. All five women were murdered between August 1888 and November 1888. No one really knows the reason for the murders stopping. Newspapers reported many theories such as the Ripper dying, moving to America, or being thrown into an insane Asylum.
.
The name Jack the Ripper came from a letter sent by someone claiming to be the murderer. On Sept 27th a letter was sent to the Central News agency.
"Dear Boss" I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they wont fix me just yet. I have laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the right track. That joke about Leather Apron gave me real fits. I am down on whores and I shant quit ripping them till I do get buckled. Grand work the last job was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can they catch me now. I love my work and want to start again. You will soon hear of me with my funny little games. I saved some of the proper red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over the last job to write with but it went thick like glue and I cant use it.
