Spring-Heeled Jack

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 910, 1 March 1930, Page 18

Spring-Heeled Jack

Unknown Man Who Once Terrified All London

SHE mysterious attacks on women and children which have given rise to a reign of terror in the German town of Dusseldorf„ remind us that these events happen from time to time (says a writer in.“ This and That.”) Forty years ago Jack tlie Ripper terrorised Whitechapel, and still further back, in the year that Queen Victoria came to the throne, a mysterious person who was known as “Springlieeled Jack,” made a great stir, although he did not go to the extent of killing anybody. On January 10, 183 S, at the Mansion House Police Court, the Lord Mayor of London announced that he had received a number of letters relating to this person, who was going about the suburbs frightening women to such an extent that they were afraid to go out; after dark. It was said that they were met by a man who assumed different disguises on different occasions, and who would suddenly appear before them with great bounds, and just as Suddenly disappear. It was this mode of approach and departure which led to his being named Spring-heeled Jack. The queer thing about this man was that robbery played no part in his pranks. Apparently he simply wished to frighten the women. His first appearance was at Barnes in December, 1837, ninty-two years ago. There he is said to have appeared as “a large white bull.” Next he was seen at East Sheen as “a white bear,” and later at Kingston Richmond, and Hampton, where, we are told, he was “clad in brass armour, with large, claw-like gloves.” Other riverside towns were visited, and he was described as wearing “steel armour.” Gradually he made his way nearer to London, and at Hammersmith was seen “in the form of a huge baboon.” The Ringing At The Sell The matter became so serious that a committee was formed at the Mansion House to receive subscriptions and organise means of capturing Spring-heeled Jack.

He now made his way to the East End of London, and we find in the “Times,” of February 23, that a gentleman, named Alsop, living at Bow, appeared before the Thames police magistrate, accompanied by his three daughters, one of whom stated that at about a quarter to nine on the evening of February 21, she heard a violent ringing at the front gate of the house, and on going to the door to see the cause, beheld a man standing outside. . He said he was a, policeman, and exclaimed: “For God’s sake bring me a light, for we have caught Springheeled Jack here in the lane!” She went into the house and brought out a candle, which she handed to the stranger, who thereupon threw off the large cloak which he was wearing, applied the - lighted candle to Ills breast, and as she declared, “presented a most hideous and frightful appearance, vomiting forth blue and white flame from his mouth, his eyes resembling red balls of fire.” He was wearing a large helmet, and his clothes, which fitted him tightly, appeared to be made of white oilskin. Without uttering a word, he seized her by the neck and dress, placed her head under one of his arms, and commenced to tear her clothes with his claws, which, she was certain, were made of metal. She screamed and struggled, and after a time managed to get loose; but her assailant followed her and caught her on the doorstep, again tearing her with violence. All this might seem like the imaginings of a hysterical woman, but the state of her clothes and the injuries to her head, arms, and neck, proved that she had. actually been attacked. A fortnight later an attack was made upon two other women in Limshouse, and here again the acounts speak of ‘blue flame” being spurted from his face. All London was now in a ferment. For about live months the man kept the female element of the population In a state of terror, but now, fortunately, thinking that the chase was getting too hot, Spring-heeled Jack ceased his escapades and no more was heard of him. Who he was will never be known.