Tuesday 16th Oct 1888
Good evening from Whitechapel on Tuesday Oct 16th 1888. Today someone sent a grotesque parcel, now delivered...
Mr. George Lusk, the chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, is once again sorting his post. He has been sent a parcel. The cardboard box is about 3½ inches square, and wrapped in paper. The cover bears a London post-mark. He cautiously unwraps it. On examination it is found to contain a meaty substance that gave off a very offensive odour. The meat appears to be part of a kidney. Enclosed in the box is a letter in the same handwriting of the postcard two days ago.
"From Hell" is the sender's address. "Mr. Lusk. - Sir, I send you half the kidne I took from one woman. Prasarved it for you. Tother piece I fried and ate; it was very nice. I may send you the bloody knife that took it out, if you only wate whil longer. - (Signed) CATCH ME WHEN YOU CAN, MR. LUSK." Mr Lusk does not know whether this is a sick joke or the actions of the killer.
The handwriting of the letter differs from that of "Jack the Ripper," specimens of whose calligraphy were recently published. The papers report the continued inactivity and lack of success by the police. One report reports a failed arrest as follows: "Inquiries at the police stations showed that there is at present no one in custody in connection with the Whitechapel murders. Shortly before midnight a man was arrested, on suspicion of being the murderer, in a lodging-house in Brick-lane, The inmates regarded his conduct as suspicious, and informed police. He was conveyed to Commercial St Station amid excitement. "In the course of half an hour he was set at liberty, as he was able to convince the authorities he was not the man."