h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Spring-Heeled Jack - 18th century enigma - A17439924
Author: Serephina - U191719

My first in a while.. be gentle

Is this 18th or 19th Century? You mention both. 19th I would imagine

century -> Century
formeing -> forming
spring wearing -> spring-wearing

updated

though why has it been referred to the mods?

I've no idea - you'd think someone would have posted something here before they referred it.

Let's be patient and see what happens...

Oh, welcome back, by the way - I've missed your Guide Entries

Thanks

I think this was in PR before wasn't it .... I don't know how to find the thread.

I see we've been restored!

Great subject, but I'd love it if you could expand it with some more detail. It's such a colourful tale and it would make a brilliant Guide Entry.

Do you have Haining's book? If not, then there's lots of stuff out there. I'll be happy to e-mail you what I've just found - drop me a note on my PS if you'd like me to. It includes a Time Out article which says his first reported sighting was on Barnes Common in September 1837, and also that he crossed the Atlantic, and one of his last reported sightings is in Houston, Texas in 1953. I also have more detail about a Liverpool sighting in 1887, and other stuff.

His story was the subject of a Victorian melodrama, revived in 1950 - played by the actor Tod Slaughter (great name) - it was even televised.

There was also a movie last year: http://www.springheeledjackmovie.com/

Icy

I agree - an intriguing topic, but I'd love more detail! Just walking around having glowing eyes isn't much of a "bizarre crime" Weird, certainly, but not criminal

Sounds fascinating - but what did he *do*?

Hi all, sorry for the delay in replying here, been in hospital with m y asthma again I'll get onto it and the others as soon as I can.

as others have said, a bit more detail and some links might be good.

Feel better. We'll wait.

I was wondering what he did too - he seems like an odd character but not a reason not to go out at night, unless he was murdering and raping while jumping 30 feet in the air?

How's this one coming? Are you able to work on it again yet?

Again Sereph, you about? I suggest removal to Flea Market if not (I think Gnomon expressed an interest in the topic a while ago)

I have some material on it, Matt. I could give it a go.

Well, it has been a month, so I propose it goes to the Flea Market. WHEN Sereph comes back, because she will, she can always collaborate from there.

I too have some material on Jack, as I think does Gnomon, so it could be quite a fun little collaboration

Request for removal sent

It's in the FM now Icy, I'm happy to collaborate, or add bits to what you collect. I think it deserves more than a short Entry

OK, I'll take a look when I get a moment - there are a few in the pipeline I'd like to finish first. Alternatively, if anyone else wants to 'lead', then I'll happily provide supporting info.