11th Sep 1888 - Sucpicion falls on Joseph Isenschmid
2.10pm
Afternoon all. Welcome to Whitechapel on Tuesday 11th Sep 1888. There's something afoot today. Maybe something very important. Half an hour's coach ride north of Whitechapel in Holloway live two doctors who may be about to give the police a massive clue. Dr Cowen of 10 Landseer Road and Dr Crabb of Hollyway Road have something on their minds. And they have resolved to act.
Together, Cowen and Crabb head for their local police station where they ask to make a report about their suspicions. They begin to tell the police about Mr George Tyler of 60 Milford Road who has a very suspicous tenant - naturally a foreigner. Who else but a foreigner could commit these murders? As newspapers and baying mobs both declared: 'No Englishman would do it.' The police are very intrigued indeed to hear about Joseph Isenschmid, Swiss-born man known locally as the Mad Pork Butcher. The nickname alone points to this man's suitability as a candidate for the recent murders! The police send for George Tyler.
2.35pm
George Tyler is brought in to tell the police about his mysterious and dangerous tenant, Jacob Isenschmid. Tyler says that Isenschmid has lodged with him since Wednesday. Isenschmid stays out late and hasn't been back since Saturday. Which would mean the last night he was seen was the night of Annie Chapman's murder. This lead sounds too good to be true. The police decide to visit the wife of this man. And they take a five minute cab ride to 97 Duncombe Road, Upper Holloway.
2.50pm
Knocking at the door 97 Duncombe Road, Upper Holloway, police are greeted by Mary Isenschmid, wife of the possible new suspect. But unfortunately Mary Isenschmid hasn't seen her husband for two months, since an argument. She gives intriging information. Apparently Jacob Isenschmid is in the habit of carrying knives. She thinks he would happily kill her if he had the chance. About five years ago, her husband had a fit a so-called "sun-stroke", and since then has been prone to fits of madness. His fits usually come on in the latter parts of summer and his behaviour sometimes so bad he's been carried off to Colney Hatch. Colney Hatch is the norotious lunactic asylum for whose inmates conditions are very poor. He was released just before Christmas. He has delusions of graniur and has called himself "The King of Elthorne Road", threatening violence against a number of people. There is currently a warrant out to have him detained again to the Lunatic Asylum, should he be found.
The Police ask for a description of this dangerous individual and they are astounded by what they hear from his wife... He is about 38, 5ft 7", stout, with ginger whiskers & hair on his face - exactly like the blood-stained suspect in the pub. And when police learn that this man has been telling local woman that he is Leather Apron - that clinches it. It must be him. The police will take this information back and the house will be put under surveillance in the hope the madman returns. The police will be more than happy to have a new suspect, as the real Leather Apron was released today without charge. His alibi for the night of the murder of Polly Nichols proved that he could not have been her killer.