Did Robert Paul Encounter Jack The Ripper In Buck's Row?

Robert Paul was a 31-year-old carman, or delivery driver, who, at a little before 3.45 on the morning of Friday the 31st of August, 1888, set off for work.

His journey took him along Buck's Row, a locality that was notorious for attacks on people by the local gangs.

Well aware of its reputation, Paul quickened his pace and headed towards the Board School that towered over the western end of the first section of the thoroughfare.

As he got near to it, a man who had been standing in the road came over to him and urged him to come and loom at a woman who was lying in a gateway.

Paul did so, and saw the body of Mary Nichols, who is now widely believed to have been the first victim of the killer we now know as Jack the Ripper.

The other man was Charles Cross, albeit we now know that his actually name was Charles Lechmere, and, since Lechmere is now a favoured suspect for having been the perpetrator of the crimes, what Robert Paul saw that morning is extremely important in the field of ripper studies.

In this video, using newspaper reports and interviews with Robert Paul, we let him tell us in his own words exactly what happened on that long ago August morning when, on his walk to walk, he stepped into the story of the Jack the Ripper crimes.

[blrenx]

These are my favorite videos. Digging into Jack the Ripper opens you to a whole new world of study into one of the most fascinating time periods of human history, Victorian England. Richards videos mean something more to me due to the fact that I've been suffering brain cancer and these videos help keep my mind active which is a major part of recovery.. It's kind of funny that you can receive a lifesaving nudge from someone you've never met, only seeing them on YouTube ....

[omega]

I had to chuckle when you talk about how Robert Paul was treated poorly as a witness by the court system. I was recently subpoenaed to testify as a witness in a criminal case (albeit in the U.S., not the U.K.), and had to endure lost wages and poor treatment by the court system as a result. I thought to myself, rather wryly, "nothing's changed!"

[PEMBYSGAMINGWORLD]

At the end of the day, if Lechmere was not the Ripper, then we have to discuss why the abdominal wounds were not left on display. There may be more than one explanation perhaps, but i personally believe Lechmere made her look more decent to bolster his "Innocent passer-by on his way to work." image to fool Paul. This is how cool in these circumstances serial killers can be. Just my opinion. There is also the blood evidence indicating a very fresh kill. The main way to run was with the college building on the left and you would have had to run into the road to get a clearer view of the road ahead because of the building jutting out and obscuring your view of the way ahead.

[straingedays]

After following Ripper videos for two decades, this was the first time learning that Robert Paul lost earnings by being fetched up for the inquest. Also, that Paul walked home from work via Buck's-Row and was interviewed by Lloyds. (Did Lechmere later avoid Buck's-Row?)
Excellent video as always - They're all a pleasure to behold.

[brianbommarito]

I find Lechmere’s social interactions in regards to Robert Paul and later Constable Mizen to be highly suspicious. First, he professed care for the woman lying in Buck’s Row and flagged down Paul to observe and assist him with her if they could. Both he and Paul tried to find a pulse but there was none, or they assumed it was very slight if at all. At the time, Lechmere was convinced the woman was dead, but Paul was uncertain and thought they should try and prop her up. Lechmere said no and suggested they go find a policeman to handle the woman so that he and Paul could both resume their walks to work. But by the time they found Constable Mizen, Lechmere now seems uncertain himself if the woman was actually dead. He tells the Constable that there is a woman lying in Buck’s Row, either passed out drunk or dead, and that he personally thinks she is dead. The statement implies a lack of certainty on the matter, which is why Constable Mizen did not immediately drop his wake-up call duties to go and investigate. Lechmere changes his mind and course of action frequently in a short period of time. I think it more likely he knew what was going on and was manipulating Paul and Mizen so he could escape the scene without either of them suspecting him.

[MadderMel]

The police knocking on people's doors to get them up for work !!
Very quaint !

[Dude]

2:45 once came across a guy overdosing and he was groaning. He looked dead, but a women gave him CPR and when the paramedics turned up, they said that was normal, and she saved his life, or at least gave his brain enough oxygen as to not cause brain damage.

The feeling of helplessness freaked me out so much I took CPR and use of defibrillator courses. Never had to use them since, fortunately. If she hadn’t been there, I would have just ‘watched him die’ as Johnny Cash said. Pretty dark.

[nicktatters]

Another amazing video Richard, thankyou. Im doing a tour of all the locations on Saturday the first of April for family and friends, it wont be as good as your tours, but im going to try my best! Keep up this wonderful work you do, your the best 👍

[aidanlynn]

Didn’t Lechmere tell Mizen that another policeman was waiting in Buck’s Row and when they went back, by sheer luck, PC Neil was standing over the body?

[johnmichaelson]

Charles Cross not wanting to act on Paul's suggestion that they "sit the woman up" is interesting. That's exactly what the Ripper would say, knowing her throat had been cut through to the bone.

[Pingthescribe]

I had no idea the inquest reports have been lost. Probably something people should look for, assuming they could be recovered, no?

[MrTowton]

Superbly constructed and sensitively delivered by the commentator. Thank you.

[troymundy]

Jack was not the only murderer of those times

[frankb]

Very well researched and presented...I love the zeroing in on details many of the histories leave out.

[mathewlawton]

Everyone says Cross heard Paul, so stopped the killing. But isn't it more likely Cross fond polly after the ripper heard Cross

[lisakaz]

Would Paul's negative encounters and view of police cause him to inadvertently cast Cross/Lechmere as an innocent witness, too?

[Legionmint]

Thank you yet again Mr.Jones.
In Paul’s “remarkable statement” he allegedly said “it was too dark to see the blood about her”. This happened on his way home from work. The question is how did he knew there were blood? All he knew first hand was that he was the second man to find an unconscious or dead woman. If drunk and unconscious there wouldn’t have been any blood. If dead she could have been knocked down or strangled, which wouldn’t have left any blood neither.

Did the reporter tell him about the blood? Had he heard rumors during his work hours? Or could it have been a slip up? Could Paul have known more than what he was revealing to the reporter and at the inquest?

[anignorantbrit]

Great video as always.

I don't think it was Cross. Would be stupid to linger around and I think the Ripper would have pretty much legged it on the approach of anybody. It is what he did with all the other murders which was pretty much leave the scene as soon as possible. Makes no sense to remain and have a conversation after you have just murdered a woman.
With regards to Robert Paul, it just goes to show how much of a mess things were done. They couldn't even get his name right.

[victorcontreras]

Another great, factual presentation! Many of these I watch again to remember more details.

[Kingdavidthegreat]

Why does no one suspect Robert Paul is the ripper I’ve heard how they think Charles Lechmere is guilty but Robert Paul wanting credit for finding the body is megalomaniacal which clearly Jack had to be he would’ve wanted to be able to get away with it in plain sight while Lechmere wanted no scandal no press no shame brought onto his family which already had issues