December 9th, 1888, was a Sunday, and so there were only a limited number of newspapers actually published on that day. However, each of those that was published featured stories about people who had found themselves embroiled in the Jack the Ripper saga, either inadvertently or through their own foolish behaviour.
The People, on Sunday 9th December 1888, carried what it dubbed a “silly” story:-
ARRESTED IN THE EAST END
HOW SILLY
“A man, who was aged around 35 years of age, of dark complexion, came before the court during the afternoon and asked the advice of Mr. Chance as to what he should do with regard to his having been taken into custody in an unjustifiable manner.
Mr. Chance asked what were the actual circumstances with regards to the alleged illegal arrest.
The applicant said that he had, a short time back, been arrested at the East End of London, and had been taken to a police station upon a suspicion that he was Jack the Ripper and was implicated in the murders at the East End.
HE WAS DETAINED IN CUSTODY
Mr. Chance asked if he was detained in custody, and the man said that he was, and after inquiries had been made he had been allowed to go.
Since then the matter seemed to have acted in a very detrimental manner towards him, and he had been unable to obtain work. He wanted to know what his worship could do in the matter.
BETTER APPLY TO THE COMMISSIONER
Mr. Chance said that it was a proceeding which had nothing to do with the district of this court.
If, however, the statement made by the applicant was correct, then he had better apply to the commissioner of police and explain, the case to them.
The applicant thanked his worship, and said he would follow his advice.”
I’M JACK THE RIPPER
Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper, on the other hand, featured a brief article about yet another man who had claimed to be the murderer whilst in his cups:-
David Mudy, 36, of respectable appearance and address, an engineer in the Peninsular and Oriental steamship Afghan, was on Monday fined twenty shillings and six shillings and sixpence costs, at Stratford, for shouting to a woman in the street, ” I’m Jack the Ripper; and I mean to have you.”
A LETTER TO A MAGISTRATE
Reynolds’s Newspaper, of the same day, carried news that yet another letter purporting to come from the perpetrator of the Whitechapel murders had been received, this time addressed to Mr Saunders, a presiding Magistrate at the Thames Police Court.
MR SAUNDERS RECEIVES A LETTER
“The presiding magistrate at the Thames Police Court has received another letter addressed to, “Mr. Saunders, chief magistrate, Police Court. Whitechapel.”
The contents of the letter were as follows:-
Dear Pal,
I am still at liberty.
The last job in Whitechapel was not bad, but I mean to surprise them on the next. Shall joint it. Ha! ha! ha!
After that shall try on the lazy lurchers who live on unfortunates.
We have just enrolled several pals for the job. I am in the country now, for the benefit of my health.
I met the ‘super’ here (Wellingborough) the other day, and like him immense. He looks like a yard of pump-water starched.
Shall try a job here next time.
So look out for news from
JACK THE RIPPER. “