Wednesday 17th Oct 1888
Good evening from Whitechapel on Wednesday Oct 17th 1888. The nights are drawing in and everyone is in fear of the killer. His latest piece of terrorism however is not a murder, but a piece of grotesque postage which arrived at the house of Mr Lusk. Yesterday a parcel containing a foul-smelling meat arrived at the house of the chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee. Tonight, Mr Lusk has arrived at the meeting of the Vigilance Committee to present the matter to them. The meeting is held at The Crown, on Mile-end-road, in Whitechapel. The members of the meeting are most perturbed by the news. The committee resolves to investigate tomorrow, and go to inspect the parcel, and seek a medical opinion.
7.15pm
Meanwhile, the police continue their house-to-house searches amongst the Jews. Here we can see a typical visit taking place. Mrs. Andleman, of 7, Spellman-street, Whitechapel has come home from work. Presently there is a knock at the door. As soon as she opens the door, two men come up and ask, "Do you live in this front room?" "Yes," she replies. "We want to have a look at it," says one of the men. She asks suspiciously, "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The man replies, "We are police officers, and we come to look for the murderer." Mrs. Andleman is somewhat incredulous. "Do you think I keep the murderer here, or do you suggest that I associate with him?" she replies. The police answer that it is their duty to inspect the rooms. She shows them into her room. They look under the bed. The police then ask her to open the cupboards. She opens a small cupboard, where she keeps plates and things. The cupboard is not more than two feet wide and about one in depth. The police make an inspection of this tiny space.
"Do you think," she asks them, "that it is possible for a man, or even a child, to be hidden in that small place?" The police make no answer, and simply walk out. Then they go next door and knock, to inspect those premises. It is hard to know whether to admire or laugh at the fact the police are literally checking under beds for the killer.