#march 1888

Hi!

The available evidence about Ada Wilson tells us little about her. She was “a young dressmaker” in 1888 when she was attacked.She may was born in 1863 (she’d have been around 25 in 1888), although Christopher Scott puts her birthday on 1868/69 (she’d be around 19 or 20 years old when she was attacked) and Phillip Sudgen said she was 39 (but doesn’t give sources of his information).

Ada was a dress maker who lived in Mide End, very close to Whitechapel. She described herself as a “seamstress” the world the unfortunates described themselves.

On March 28, 1888, at 12:30am, while home alone, Ada Wilson was about to retire but answered a knock at the door to find a man she didn’t know of about 30 years of age, 5ft 6ins in height, with a sunburnt face and a fair moustache. He was wearing a dark coat, light trousers and a wide awake hat. The man forced his way into the room and demanded money, and when she refused he stabbed her twice in the throat with a clasp knife and ran, leaving her for dead. It is reported that nearby neighbours almost captured the man, but he found his escape.

She might be an early Jack the Ripper victim because as she survived the attack, she could tell the authorities a good description of the man, and it matches with other descriptions witnesses gave at the time of the Ripper killings. Also she was young and she was attacked in her house as Mary Kelly.

But the fact he asked her some money when he attacked her makes no sense with the Ripper killings as we know the victims were really poor and when their bodies where found they kept the little possessions they had when they were alive.

But…

who knows if Jack the Ripper first was a thief who later became a killer?

who knows if first he was in a gang and then he acted solo?

I think that as officially he was never caught, some of these questions will be unanswered for a long time. But I hope one day all the missing files will come back and a new investigation will find out who was the killer, and then we will know all the unsolved answers.

Thank you very much for your question.

28 MAR 1888. Austin Daily Statesman.

That Bridge.

Chief Engineer Heinman and Superintendent of Construction James P. Nelson, of the Aransas Pass Railroad company, reached the city yesterday morning. They were met by Messrs. Castleman, president of the board of trade, and Hon. A. P. Wooldridge, Johh McDonald, Mr. Saunders, Mike Butler and Gus Wilke. They went down and examined the river from East avenue to a point several miles below town. At the foot of East avenue, the most available point in the opinion of the railroad men to construct a bridge, a measurement was taken, and it was ascertained that it would require a bridge 926 feet long to span the river at that point or at any other for a distance not exceeding a few hundred feet below it. Below the old Stone ferry, the next point available for a bridge, was several miles down the river. Mr. Hienman will make an estimate of the cost of the bridge, and will submit it to the railroad committee.

26 MAR 1888. Austin Daily Statesman.

NAILED. The Arsenal Lot Deeded to the City.

Yesterday the city school board received the following deed to the Arsenal lot:

Whereas, By an act of congress, approved March 5, 1888, entitled, “An act to authorize the secretary of war to convoy to the city of Austin, Texas, a tract of land in said city for educational purposes,” it was enacted, “That the secretary of war be, and he is hereby authorized to convey to the city of Austin, in the state of Texas, for educational purposes, a certain tract or parcel of land known as the ‘Arsenal Block,’ and lying in the southeast portion of the said city of Austin.

Provided. That any conveyance made by the secretary of war pursuant to this act shall be upon the express condition that the title to the property described shall revert to the United States whenever the city of Austin shall cease to use the same for educational purposes.”

Now, know all men by these presents that I, Wm. C. Endicoit, secretary of war, by virtue of authority conferred upon me by the act of congress, aforesaid, and in pursuance thereof, have given, granted and confirmed, and, by these presents do give, grant and confirm, unto the city of Austin, Texas, for educational purposes, and for no other purpose, all that certain tract or parcel of land known as the “Arsenal Block,” and lying in the southeast portion of the said city of Austin, and bounded by Live Oak street, East avenue, Water and Sabine streets; to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land and the appurtenances, to the sole use and behoof of the said city of Austin, Texas, so long as the said city shall use the same for educational purposes, and no longer, and whenever the said city of Austin shall cease to use said tract or parcel of land exclusively for educational purposes, it shall, in accordance with the proviso in the act of congress, aforesaid, operate as a defeasance of the grant herein made, and the said tract or parcel of land shall thereupon revert to the United States.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the war department to be affixed, this day, March 19, 1888.

IN PRESENCE OF

H. M. ADAMS,                          

WM. C. ENDICOTT, Sec. of War.

JOHN TWEEDALE.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,

COUNTY OF WASHINGTON.

Before me, a notary public, on this day personally appeared Wm. C. Endicott, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in pursuance of the act of congress in said instrument recited.

Given under my hand and seal of office this day, March 19, A. D., 1888. JOHN TWEEDALK, Notary Public.

26 MAR 1888. Austin Daily Statesman.

DRILL AND DEDICATION. List of Privileges and Decoration Notes.

Our citizens are urged to consider the benefits of purchasing a booth or privilege for the great celebration on the encampment grounds at the sale to take place next Monday, April 2. Sale commences at 11 o’clock a. m. on the grounds; everybody is invited. The following lot will give the public some idea of the numerous privileges that will be sold. This is a very small portion of the big list: Restaurant, barbecue, cold lunch, cake, bread and pie, whisky, beer, native wines, lemonade, soda water, Ice cream, milk, milk shake, native mineral water’, cigars and tobacco, shooting gallery, check room for baggage, etc., flowers, fans, photograph gallery, visiting cards, perfumery, umbrellas, advertising, stationery, boot black, barber shop, pop-corn balls, cane rack, doll babies, flying jennies, jewelry, knives, gents’ furnishing goods, celluloid collars and cuffs, Mexican candy, chili and tamales, newspapers, bound books, laundry, peanuts, fruits, cider, mead, knife board, dry goods and notions, toy balloons, weighing and lifting machines, striking machines, lung testers, galvanic batteries, opera glass, telescope, cyclorama, panorama, photo, souvenir, but her shop, tin ware, hitching posts, type writer, bath rooms, signs on fence and in grounds, glass blowing, side shows, freaks and monstrosities. Also a large number of privileges for the accommodation of the military companies in camp, such as groceries, vegetables, poultry and eggs, bakery, fresh fish, lamps and lighting, wood and charcoal, etc.

Bidders will remember that the attractions on the encampment grounds are so varied and numerous that the exercises will begin early in the forenoon of each day, and continue until late at night. There stands will, therefore, never be closed from the beginning until after the entire celebration is over, and the 100,000 strangers who will have visited Austin and our beautiful camp grounds have returned to their respective homes proud to say that they have attended the grandest military encampment, the most magnificent celebration, in the loveliest capital city on the face of the broad earth today.

Should any person desire to purchase a privilege not mentioned above he will have the opportunity to do so by furnishing the name of the privilege to the board of directors, and it will be put up for sale when the other privileges are sold.

The professional decorator, Mr. Harry Harman, informs the board that the fund for the erection of the triumphal arch has been steadily increasing for the past few days, and that the arch will be erected at the corner of Congress avenue and Pecan street. The committee hope to be able to erect still another arch at the entrance to the capitol grounds, which will add greatly to the appearance of the old gate and fence at the head of the Avenue. Under this arch everyone of the visitors will pass on their way to the new state house.

A telegram received yesterday from Mr. B. W. McCullough, general passenger agent Missouri Pacific system, states the traffic association, while in session yesterday at Kansas City, decided to put on a rate of one cent a mile from all Missouri and Mississippi river points for military companies in uniform attending the Austin inter-state drill. This low rate covers half the United States, and assures the attendance of a large number of companies from other states.

Maj. A. H. Swanson, general manager of transportation of the Houston and Texas Central railroad, has given orders for the immediate construction of the spur track to the drill grounds. He has also given assurances that he will add as many coaches as the travel demands, transporting the passengers in a comfortable and expeditions manner, and, if necessary, will double the service.

A diagram of the location on the encampment grounds of the booths and privileges has been made, under the direction of the board. By this plan every booth has a prominent place on the main promenades, and, so far as being in a popular location, all stands will be on the same footing. The arrangement is after the manner of the Paris exposition, and will be satisfactory both to the proprietors of privileges as well as to their patrons. Copies of this diagram are being printed for the use of bidders on the day of sale, next Monday, April 2.

26 MAR 1888. Austin Daily Statesman.

The Public Comfort Committee’s Appeal. HEADQUARTERS DEP’T PUBLIC COMFORT,

AUSTIN, March 26, 1888.

The committee of public comfort, having inquired of dealers in bedsteads, etc., are impelled, from the information obtained from this source, to call the attention of our citizens to the absolute necessity for them to make their contracts for such articles as they may require to comply with understandings had with this committee through their canvassers.

The outlook for a failure to provide for the throng of visitors whom we have invited to our city during the dedication and drill, is unfortunately too promising, there seems to be a spirit of procrastination possessing a large number who have reported their intention to provide a certain portion, and, as delays are dangerous, we most respectfully request all who intend or expect to entertain guests that they act at once in securing such articles as they may need for this purpose, and thereby facilitate manufacturers and dealers, by allowing them the necessary time in which to provide themselves with a sufficiency to meet the extraordinary demand. Unless we have the hearty cooperation of the people of this city, this committee’s labors will prove fruitless. We have used our best endeavors to impress this all important subject upon the minds of our citizens, and, being in a position to know, we cannot delay any longer in making this appeal in the hope of instilling into the minds of all tardy persons the necessity to proceed at once, without further delay, and arrange for their requirements to carry out their expressed determinations.   Respectfully,

J. H. DANIEL,

F. SCHMITZ,

R.D. CUNNINGHAM,

WALTER TIPS,

M. BUTLER,

DR. FRANK RAINEY,

N. V. DITTLINGER.

25 MAR 1888. Austin Daily Statesman.

THE CROOKS. Three Very Bad Men in the Travis County Jail. Members of a Well Known Gang of Cracksmen—A Chippy Little Woman.

It will be remembered that some two or three months ago a burglary was committed at the Union depot and $300 stolen from the safe.

Detective Chenneville arrested three men suspected of having done the work, but the money stolen has never been recovered.

There appears to be no doubt but what the three men are the right ones, and there is no doubt but what they were accompanied to this city by a dapper, sprightly little woman who succeeded in getting away with the money. A STATESMAN reporter met the little woman once, and she was decidedly chippy, and her every look and movement betokened the woman of the world, sharp, alert, quick, cunning, but withal of pleasing address and neat appearance. She appeared in the city suddenly the day before the robbery, and as suddenly disappeared during the day it occurred, notwithstanding she had a paid up advertisement in this paper announcing that she would be here for some time.

25 MAR 1888. Austin Daily Statesman.

COLORED TEACHERS. A Resolution of Thanks Voted County Officers.

Notwithstanding the inclement weather, the Colored Teachers’ institute, of Travis county, was attended by a large and enthusiastic gathering of teachers and school trustees. Several papers were read on educational topics, that evinced a thorough knowledge of the subject treated, and showed the commendable interest taken in the school work of the country by the colored teachers. Superintendent Maxwell is well pleased with the progress of this institute, and cordially invites all citizens of Austin, who have an interest in the progress of colored teachers, to meet at their next meeting, the last Saturday in April.

The following resolutions were unanimously passed by the institute:

Whereas, The colored teachers of Travis county, in conjunction with the whites, have been benefited by the liberality of our county superintendent, J. W. Maxwell, and Treasurer A. J. Jernigan, by drawing on their private resources, thereby enabling teachers to be promptly paid; and,

Whereas, These gentlemen have thus testified to their generous interest in the teachers’ welfare, and placed them beyond the necessity of a loss by “shaving” their vouches, and otherwise suffering a loss, which necessarily follows in the wake of delayed payment of salary; be it

Resolved, That the colored teachers of Travis county, as a mark of appreciation, pass these resolutions of thanks and have them engrafted in the minutes of the Travis County Teachers’ institute.

THOS. BANTON, Chairman.

W. E. EASTON.

22 MAR 1888. Austin Daily Statesman.

Sparkling Soda.