Once the infamous “Dear Boss” letter was made public in early October 1888, the name Jack the Ripper caught on amongst the press and public alike.
Indeed, throughout October numerous letters from Jack the Ripper were sent to the authorities, most, if not all, of them most certainly hoaxes.
The other thing that becomes noticeable once when perusing the newspapers of the period, is the fact that attacks all over the country were being attributed to Jack the Ripper.
These attacks, although not fatal, could have a dreadful effect on the mental stability of the victims, and there were a fair number of people who were, quite literally, driven mad by Jack the Ripper.
One such attack was reported by The Aberdeen Evening Express, in its edition of Friday the 19th of October, 1888:-
“JACK THE RIPPER” IN ABERDEEN
EXTRAORDINARY AFFAIR IN GARVOCK WYND
GIRL BRUTALLY ATTACKED
That Aberdeen should escape the “Jack the Ripper” craze was too much to be expected, seeing that almost every city and town of importance both in England and Scotland has already produced some foolish persons ready to work on the fears of the female population.
Accordingly, this specimen of idiotcy has turned up here, and so far the result of his operations has been to drive a poor girl nearly mad.
ATTACK ON HELEN WATT
About eight o’clock last night, the inhabitants of Garvock Wynd and Footdee generally were thrown into a state of the wildest excitement by the intelligence that a girl had been savagely attacked after the manner now so well known as that of “Jack the Ripper.”
The young woman thus assaulted is named Helen Watt, who resides with her parents, most respectable people, in Garvock Wynd.
When the girl was found, her appearance was such as to indicate that the horrible method of the London murderer had been followed here.
The clothes had been torn right up, but greatly to the relief of those who had been attracted by the screams, it was found that no attempt had been made to butcher her.
The only wound observed was a slight scratch on the stomach, and that, it is quite evident, was not done by a knife, and is easily accounted for by the fact that in the struggle the steel clasp of the girl’s stays became broken.
THE STRANGE CHARACTER
The people in the locality state that for some time back their attention had been directed to the movements of a worthless looking character, who almost invariably put in an appearance on darkness setting in.
It was thought that he was some mendicant, who, afraid of attracting the notice of the police, kept about the most secluded places for the purpose of soliciting alms from passers-by.
THE PERFECT SPOT
Than Garvock Wynd no better spot could have been selected for the perpetration of the outrage.
The thoroughfare is an extremely narrow one, and, from the fact that it contains very few houses, it is little frequented at any time, and still less so in the evening.
It runs in a direct line from St Clement Street to the Links, having on one side the high wall of Messrs Blaikie Brothers’ workshops, and on the ether the gables of several large dwellings. In the middle of the thoroughfare there is an open space which is used as a bleachgreen by the occupants of Williams Square.
It is not by any means well lighted.
THE HOME OF THE WATTS FAMILY
The cottage occupied by the Watts is about 100 yards from the Links, and near a number of curing sheds.
Not more than half a dozen yards from the cottage is a small well fitted up in a recess in the wall, of a size which could have permitted it being conveniently used as a hiding-place.
Here the girl’s assailant is supposed to have lurked, and, as he could not readily be seen, it is supposed that when he sprung out upon her he had taken the girl completely unawares.
The clothing worn by Watt was her ordinary working dress, and therefore little difficulty had been experienced in tearing it up.
IN A STATE OF DELIRIUM
However, nothing of a definite nature has yet been learned of the attack.
The girl has been in delirium ever since the assault, and, though the police are now investigating the occurrence, no clue is expected till the young woman is able to give a coherent account of the circumstances.
The clothes she wore were taken to the Police Office, and Dr Matthew Hay was early on the spot last night, and made an examination of the girl, who was at the time, and still continues, in convulsions.
She does nod appear to have sustained any bodily harm, beyond the slight scratch inflicted, it is believed, by the broken steel in her corset; but her system has sustained a serious shock.
HER MOTHER’S STATEMENT
The following statement was made by the mother of the girl to one of our representatives:-
“Shortly after seven o’clock last night, my daughter, Helen, who is twenty years of age, went out to the well close by to take in some water.
She had no sooner gone to the door than she came back saying that she was afraid, as she saw a suspicious-looking man, dressed in a brown sort of coat, hovering near the door.
I told her never to mind the water, but she took her little sister along with her, and made for the well.
THE CROUCHING MAN
Some time after she went out a message came from the house of a Mrs Barron, which is only a hundred yards or so from Garvock Wynd.
As the girl was returning home about a quarter past eight o’clock, a man suddenly sprang out upon her.
He had been crouching close to a small enclosure.
HER DAUGHTER’S SCREAMS
The first intimation I got was hearing the screams of my daughter.
I found her lying fainting in the house of Mrs Murray.
Mrs Murray had first heard her screams of “Mother! Mother!” and, on opening the door, Helen fell into her arms.
At this moment I came out and saw her.
HER WOUNDS AND CONDITION
I noticed that her clothes were torn open in front, and, on examining her, I found that the steel clasp of her corset was broken.
With the assistance of Mrs. Murray, I got her undressed and then found a scratch right across the stomach.
This, I think, must have been occasioned by the wrench on the stays.
A sergeant of police and my husband were required to hold her in bed, so terrible were the convulsions she was in.
Dr. Hay examined her, but found that no injury had been committed on her person.
NO REASON FOR THE ATTACK
She works at Bannermill, and is a great support to us, her father being unable to work since he had his leg injured by an accident.
I can give no reason for any man wishing to meddle with her, as Helen was not one that went out very often, preferring to sit and work in the house.”
LOCAL TREPIDATION
Since the affair became known, many of the fisher girls who have to walk from Torry to Footdee have stated that during the past two nights they have seen a suspicious looking character at their heels on more than one occasion.
Up to the time of going to press, the girl had not recovered consciousness.
Quite a crowd assembled at the entrance of Garvock Wynd this morning, and the wildest rumours were afloat.
NO CLUE AS YET
Writing at five o’clock, our reporter states that the girl, though quieter, is still in an insensible condition.
As already mentioned, the police are greatly handicapped in efforts to run the scoundrel to earth by the fact that the girl is unable to speak.
But they hope to obtain a clue tonight from some of the lads who congregate about the lane in the evenings, and therefore had an opportunity last night of any stranger in the vicinity.