The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-25
THE JACK THE RIPPER
STRANGE STORY TOLD BY A PROMI-
NENT LONDON PHYSICIAN.
Says the Perpetrator OF the White
chapel Murders Was a Doctor Af-
Hicted with a Peculiar Mania.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 24.-Dr. Howard,
a London physician of considerable prom
inence, was the guest of William Greer
Harrison at the Bohemian Club, recently.
The Englishman told singular story to
his host and vouched for it's correctness in
every particular. 1t related to the mystery
of Jack the Ripper" which the physician
declared was no longer mystery among
the scientific men of London, nor the de-
tectives of Scotland Yard. He said that
this assassin was a medical man of high
standing and extensive practice He
married to a beautiful and amaible wife
and had a family. Shortly before the be-
ginning of the Whitechapel murders he de-
veloped a peculiar and to his wife, an in
explicable mania-an unnatural pleasure in
causing pain. She grew so alarmed that
she became afraid of him and locked her.
self sand children up when she saw the
mood coming over him. When he recov-
cred from the paroxysms and she spoke to
him about it he laughed at her fears. Then
the Whitechapel murders filled London with
horror. The suspicious of the wife were
aroused, and as one assassination sue
ceeded another she noted with heart-break-
ink dread that at the periods when these
murders were supposed to have been COM
mitted her husband was invariably alb
sent from home. At last the suspense and
able and She went to some of her husbands
medical friends, stated the case and asked
their advice and assistance. They called
the Scotland Yard force to assist them, and
by adding one fact to another, the chain
of evidence pointing to the doctor as the
author of the murders became complete
The physicians visited the murderer and
told him they wished to consult him about
remarkable case. Tasg stated his own
be done under the citclaAstances. He re-
piled that while the uniI takably insanity
crimes would save him from the halter
he should certainly be confined in a lunatic
asylum. Then they told him that he him
self was the maniac who had committed
these fearful acts He declared the impos-
sibility of the accusation, but confessed
that of late years there were, gaps in the
had no recollection. He said he had awak-
ened in his room as if from a stupor. and
he found blood on his boots and stains OF
blood on his hands He had also scratches
on his face, and his amputating knives had
showed signs of use, though he could not
These These Doctors Doctors taen assured him there could
be no doubt of his identity with the White
chapel assassinations They made an ex-
accused, found ample proofs of murder,
and the unhappy man, whose mind at that
moment was in its nominally clear condi-
tion begged to be removed from the world
as a guilty and dangerous monster. The
necessary papers were made and the ire
sponsible murderer was committed to an
insane asylum. In a month or two he lost
all semblance to sanity, and is now the most
intractable and dangerous man confined in
William Greer Harrison, manager of the
Thames and Mersey Marine Insurance COM
pany, playwright and cluoman, was seen
story. He stated that it was correct in
every particular. He also stated that DR..
who passed through San Francisco on a
tour of the world several months ago. and
that while he was here he lHarrisom met
Howard at the Bohemian Club and the lat
ter told him the remarkable story and
.vouched for it's authenticity.