There is a great deal of commentary on the Police investigation into the Whitechapel murders.

It is also well documented that, at the height of the Jack the Ripper scare, numerous amateur detectives head out onto the streets of Whitechapel determined to bring the killer to justice.

What is less known is that the atrocities piqued the attention of Spiritualists, thought-readers and mesmerists across the country, and they too involved themselves in the hunt for Jack the Ripper.

JACK THE RIPPER AND THE SUPERNATURAL

The psychic hunt for the perpetrator of the East End crimes began in September 1888, when several séances were held in London at which the spirits of Mary Anne Nichols “came through” to inform the sitters of who her killer was.

THE KENTISH TOWN SITTING

On September the 6th, according to an article that appeared in The Medium and Daybreak – a weekly journal devoted to Spiritualism – a séance had been held which “threw some light on the Whitechapel murders.”

“The medium”, the article informed its readers, “was a Mrs C. Spring, through whom it is stated the spirit of Mary Ann Nicholls, the third of the Whitechapel victims, and the first whose remains were mutilated after death, has revisited this earth.

The séance was held at the house of a Mr. Warren, 245 Kentish Town Road, London, N.W.

“There were,” the article continued, “several persons present, and the correctness of what transpired is certified by Mr and Mrs Warren and three other witnesses.

SPIRIT GUIDES

Before quoting from the proceedings, we should explain for the benefit of readers unacquainted with the Spiritualistic vocabulary that the “guides” referred to are certain spirits who can claim the medium as their own.

Most mediums, we believe, have a certain number of guides who have exclusive use of the medium’s powers, when in the trance state, to communicate with this world, and without whose consent no strange spirit can possess the medium.

MRS. SPRING THE MEDIUM

The date of the séance was September 6th, six days after the murder of Mrs Nicholls, and one day before the discovery of the body of Mrs Chapman.

The medium, Mrs Spring, was controlled, and appeared in great pain all over the body, as if suffering from severe wounds in the body; and she also went through the action as if cutting her throat.

One of the sitters (being impressed) asked the control if it was. “the spirit of Mrs. Nicholls, the woman who had been murdered at Whitechapel a short time ago, and the spirit answered, “Yes,” adding, “The fiend! the fiend! I am not the only victim; there will be others yet. More, more, before long, and of a more brutal kind.

The police are asleep; in fact it required soldiers to keep watch. There is a gang of them. ‘Tis a secret society.”

TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS

The control also said that it was impossible for any one present to form an opinion of her sufferings, and that she was still suffering; in fact, she could not come out of her condition at present, and asked the circle if she would be permitted to come, and all present answered yes.

The control then left the meeting, wishing all “Goodnight,” and thanking them.