Mike Covell’s Blogg

Jack the Ripper- The Hull Connection.

I just recieved word that the staff at Carengie Heritage Centre are taking bookings for the free lecture on Jack the Ripper- The Hull Connection. People wishing to reserve a space can contact Carnegie on,
01482561216 or email them at enquiries@carnegiehull.co.uk

The lecture will include a presentation on the 8 ripper suspects with links to Hull, an overview of the Hull Ripper Crazes, and examples of newspaper reports and letters concerning Hull and the Whitechapel Murders!

Examples of my research, and several other items from the period will be on display.

I know it’s been a while since I have posted a book on here, but I have been quite busy with the research and family business. 

It seems like only yesterday when I recieved the first edition of this book, so when I found out that a second edition was on the way I was quite pleased.

The first edition was a materclass of research and investigation, showing that you could create a book on the crimes without forcing a suspect on the public, and still create an exciting read.  This weeks book is the excellent, The London of Jack the Ripper - Then and Now, by Philip Hutchinson and Robert Clack.

Once again the reader is taken on a journey through the East End of London on the trail of the Ripper, through all of the locations associated with the victims, the murder sites, the sites of the inquests, post mortems and much much more.

The first edition was a must have, and it would seem like it was impossible to improve on that, but Philip and Robert do just that, with the text reading better than ever, and the images the sharpest I have ever seen!

It’s been a busy time, preparing for the December 8th lecture at Carnegie Heritage Centre, and the local media have been getting in on the run up to the events.

Hull Daily Mail

The Hull Daily Mail featured a snippet on the lectures on Monday 19th October 2009, which ran under the heading, “Talk on the Ripper”

Radio Humberside

On Saturday 24th October 2009 I appeared on the Helen Philpot show, Philpot’s Files, discussing both Local History, Jack the Ripper and the Carnegie Heritage Centre.  The show went out live and it was fantastic to be in the studios on what used to be the West Side of the Old Dock, where the Dawber and Stephenson company traded from in the mid 1800’s!

Update

For those wishing to attend the Jack the Ripper -The Hull Connection lecture, full details can be found here, http://www.carnegiehull.co.uk/

I finally receieved the full files for the company known as Pompadour Cosmetiques.

The basic facts are,

The company started on 16th Oct 1891 by H. Y. Dickinson, of Grays (Something) Road.
It ceased on 24th Sept 1895.

There is no mention of Cremers, Collins or Stephenson among the list!

STEPHENSON 

Well, it’s been a busy month of research, with efforts made to trace more information on some of the people that surrounded Robert D’Onston Stephenson during his life.

Among those targeted where,

• Inspector Thomas Roots
• Rev. Charles Prest
• Bishop Westcott
• Thomas Fowler
• Dr Allan

I managed to secure pictures, newspaper reports, and valuble official records on all 4, as well as many other people.  Most of this material is brand new and has never been published!!

DEEMING

Efforts have also been made in several previously unseen newspaper accounts of Frederick Bailey Deeming and his alleged involvement in the Whitechapel Murders, all of which make interesting reading.

I also traced several previously unpublished newspapers detailing Deeming’s visit and incarcaration in Hull.  All of these offer a fresh new light on this mysterious man!

THE ROYAL STATION HOTEL CONNECTION

Over the years 4 previously named suspects have had links to Hull’s Royal Station Hotel.  This week I managed to trace a very rare copy of a book about the hotel, written by the North Eastern Railway company, and offering valuble insights into the Hotel, it’s formation, and ever changing interior. 

I also managed to trace over 20 newspaper reports, dating from 1854 to 1900, featuring the 4 previously named suspects in conjuction with this wonderful Victorian hotel.

This December I will be giving a free lecture at the Carnegie Heritage Centre in Hull.  The lecture will centre on the Hull Connection to the Whitechapel crimes, and will take place on Tuesday, December the 8th 2009.

For more information visit, http://www.carnegiehull.co.uk/events.php

After years of searching I have finally found a picture of Inspector Thomas Roots, than man from the Criminal Investigation Dept who spoke to George Marsh and Robert D’Onston Stephenson.

The man who wrote, what is now termed, the Roots Report.

The man who was sent to Gateshead during the Gateshead Tragedy.

The picture is alongside other notables including Inspector John George Littlechild!!

It’s been a busy week researching again, with work carried out on Rev. Charles Prest.  Prest carried out sermons at several churches in Hull during the 1850’s and 1860’s and later had a property in Islington, London, that was used by Robert D’Onston Stephenson.  This week I have uncovered information that connect both the Stephenson and Prest families as far back as the 1840’s!

I have also began work on a list of Charles Prest’s work,

Some books by Rev Charles Prest,
 

1840 Rev Charles Prest releases his book The witness of the Spirit. A sermon preached in the Wesleyan Chapel, Cherry-Street, Birmingham: and published at the request of the leaders’ meeting, printed and sold by R. Peart and Son, 1840

1842 Rev Charles Prest releases his book Baptismal regeneration: considered in a sermon suited to the times, and preached to the congregations of the Wesleyan Methodist branch of the church of Christ in Birmingham, Printed by R. Peart and Son, 1842

1844 Rev Charles Prest releases his book Christian discourse: a sermon, Printed by James Nichols, 1844.

1845 Rev Charles Prest releases his book A sermon on the specific duties of Wesleyan parents in the present circumstances of the church and the world, Printed for the author, by James Nichols, 1845

1855 Rev Charles Prest releases his book The home-work of Wesleyan Methodism: its sustentation and extension, viewed in relation to the support and application of the contingent fund, printed by John Mason.

1856 Rev Charles Prest releases his book Fourteen letters on the home-work of Wesleyan Methodism, its sustentation and extension: addressed to the editors of the “Watchman” newspaper, in the years 1855 and 1856, printed by John Mason.

1863 Rev Charles Prest releases his book A charge delivered to fifty-seven newly ordained ministers: in Brunswick chapel, Sheffield, on Wednesday, August 5th, 1863, printed by John Mason.

Finally, bringing the list full circle is an entry by Frederick James Jobson, covering Rev Charles Prest’s life and death,

1875 Frederick James Jobson releases his book The course fulfilled: A sermon preached … on the death of … Charles Prest, general secretary of Wesleyan Home-Missions. With a sketch of the life and services of the deceased, published by Wesleyan Conference Office, 1875

I didn’t realise these exsisted, but might very well order a few for future usage!

http://www.hullarchives.co.uk/fotoweb/grid1.fwx?columns=5&rows=3&folderid=5000&SF_GROUP1_BOOLEAN=and&SF_FIELD1_GROUP=1&SF_LASTSEARCH=&Stemming=&Synonyms=&Phonic=&SF_SEARCHINRESULT=0&SF_FIELD1=&search=jack+the+ripper&searchOptions=Select+a+common+search…

This morning I took delivery of a document that gives subtle hints and clues as to the centre of education that Robert D’Onston Stephenson was said to attend. 

The centre, which was certainly in exsistence during and before Stephenson’s life, still stands today as an educational centre.

Efforts have been made to contact the establishment, and a dialogue has been opened regarding his educational background at the location.

Previously it has been suggested that Stephenson had obtained certificates from America, Paris, and Germany, but no proof has ever surfaced, and no paper trail can be found.

Updates will follow….