Jack The Ripper's Only Clue - The Goulston Street Apron And Graffito.

At 1.45 on the morning of the Sunday the 30th of September, 1888. Police Constable Edward Watkins found the body of Jack the Ripper's fourth victim, Catherine Eddowes, in Mitre Square on the eastern fringe of the City of London.

It was soon apparent that a portion of her apron was missing, and the detectives presumed it had been taken away by her killer.

At 2.55 a.m. Police Constable Alfred Watkins found the missing portion of apron in a doorway in Goulston Street, 5 to 10 minutes walk east of Mitre Square. It was stained with blood, and the killer had used it to wipe his hands. This apron would be the only physical clue that Jack the Ripper would leave behind. Above the apron was a chalked message on the wall of the inner doorway which read "The Juwes are the men that will not be blamed for nothing" (it should be noted that, as you will see in the video, people remembered different versions of the graffito.)

In this video you will visit the doorway and see it as it is today and as it was in 1888 as Richard Jones takes you through the events of that early morning when two Police forces, the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police, clashed over what should happen to the mysterious message.

CONTENTS OF THE VIDEO
0:00 - Intro
0:11 - The murder of Catherine Eddowes
0:45 - Apron found in Goulston Street
0:57 - Wentworth Model Dwellings
1:38 - Constable Long finds the portion of apron
2:24 - Jack the Ripper’s clue
3:04 - How much blood would he have had on his person
3:49 - Why he used the doorway
4:15 - Long’s first thoughts
4:26 - Finding the Goulston Street Graffito
5:17 - Police fears about the graffito
6:04 - The City of London Police
6:27 - The City of London and the Metropolitan Police clash
7:23 - The arrival of Sir Charles Warren
7:45 - Warren orders the erasure of the graffito
8:39 - Was Warren Correct?
8:49 - Did the murderer write the message?
9:47 - No rioting occurred
9:58 - The doorway today
10:37 - Closing credits

The Video used film of the streets and locations as they are today, and features contemporary images that give the viewer an idea of how these locations appeared back in 1888.

[garylancaster]

I stood in that doorway only two days ago. Although I've visited most of the Ripper scenes before I'd never found Goulston Street until this trip so seeing the actual spot was a buzz. The narrator is right that in the main the people going about their lives in the area seem to have no knowledge of what happened there. In Durward Street (Bucks Row) the new Elizabeth Line tube entrance opens literally next to the spot where Polly Nicholls was killed. As you step out onto the street look to your right and about a metre away, that's the spot. 99 out of 100 people wouldn't know.

[Sayaable]

Think about it, everytime you stand in that shop door, you’re literally standing where Jack the Ripper stood

[GLC]

Very interesting tale. How surprising that in the days that followed, nobody thought to ask the local vendors if that message had already been on the wall for days or if they had never seen any sign of it before.

[elijahbey]

This guy does a great job with this series of videos

[elguapo]

All the police had todo was cover it with a sheet until the camera arrived.

[glennanderson]

Essential viewing! A fine film, superbly constructed and narrated, I've found out much about the horrid crime I was unaware of. Thank you & VBW x

[violinmerchant]

I guess if it was the Ripper, he would have been writing in the pitch dark of the night, in a doorway he specifically chose so as to not be seen (hence even darker). Pretty hard to write in the dark, although not impossible. Without photos I guess we wouldn't know how legible it was. Interesting things to ponder.

[Svvithred]

To think that some of my ancestors lived in this area, although before these horrendous acts took place.
This was a very straightforward and informative video, thank you!
Definitely subbed!

[gerardnglavin]

Absolutely fascinating. Love the narration. Thanks for posting.

[jeffreyriley]

It's amazing they didn't just cover up the graffiti and protect it with a police presence until they were done with it.

[YourOldUncleNoongah]

LOVE LOVE LOVE these vids! so happy i found this channel. THIS is the kind of awesomeness that youtube was meant for!

[markrowley]

Brilliantly informative and thought provoking video. I'm new to your channel but thoroughly enjoy your work.

[Mr.Goldtop]

I agree, I don't think Jack wrote it. Who ever did, chose this spot because it was particially out of sight.

[legitbeans]

Once again lovely narration. The sudden volume spike of the music at the end always gives me a start though lol. Don't fall asleep to these videos people or you'll wake up with your heart jumping

[Island-lava]

What happened to the bloody apron?! Archived as evidence somewhere or lost forever?

[stevenedwards]

They could have covered it up with a sheet and 2 nails and shooed people away for the minute it would take to photograph.

[dubliner]

Brilliant analysis and commentary, again brilliant, educational and thoughtful 👌

[babycharliebrown]

Fabulous channel! Just discovered it and have subscribed. Your manner of presentation is very professional and the content is intriguing. Looking forward to watching all your videos. Thanks!

[InNorrisWeTrust]

If the writing had already been on the walls in the days before, wouldn't have at least one person been able to say they had seen it there previously?

[Theturtleowl]

I personally don't think that the killer wrote the mesage. Surely, if he was in such a hurry to discard the evidence and get away, he would not take the time to start writing a message in the pitch black street? I think that the message was already there and the killer just tossed the apron there. Perhaps even without thinking about what it ment if the police found it. We don't know if the killer was fluent in English and we don't know if he could read and write.