Recent Book: Crime by Gaslight: The Gaslight Murders
| Published date | 01 May 1961 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X6103400318 |
| Date | 01 May 1961 |
| Subject Matter | Recent Book |
L.F.W.
In many instances there are useful footnotes to direct the attention of the
reader to fundamental ingredients of the charge or to remind him of certain
aspects which merit careful consideration before deciding what charge is correct.
Although there is no doubt that every effort has been made to check the
script, in charge No. 196 which is
"drunk
and
disorderly"
contrary to s. 12 of
the Licensing Act, 1872, no mention is made in the wording of the charge of
the fact that the offence is committed " whilst
drunk".
The contents
of
the book are exceptionally well indexed and there is a full
table of Statutes for reference. The charges have been usefully grouped under
74 general titles in alphabetical order, the result being
that
offences of a kindred
nature are found together so that each charge can be considered when deciding
the most appropriate one to prefer.
The scope
of
this little volume is comprehensive and it is the best
of
its type
yet produced. A.
GLAISTER.
CRIME BY GASLIGHT
JAMES
EDWARD
HOLROYD:
The Gaslight Murders. Allen and Unwin. 21s.
MR.
HOLROYD
gives a detailed account of two familiar crime cases in an easy
and plain style reminiscent of routine police reporting. He submits his own
theory as to the possible connexion between the shooting of police officers by
Russian anarchists in Houndsditch and the murder of a Russian Jew on Clapham
Common. He asks the reader to consider a link between the
mysterious"
Peter
the
Painter"
and Steinie Morrison who was convicted of the murder on Clapham
Common. As a backcloth to the stage of events we are treated to a vivid account
of
the"
Siege of Sidney
Street".
The final chapter bridges half acentury and
reveals how much of the actual scenery and how many
of
the players in the two
cases can be discovered today.
The
book
is particularly interesting from two points of view. Life in the East
End
of
London some 50 years ago is described with such ease and understanding
that
one almost feels Mr. Holroyd must have been an eye witness in the
dark
happenings of bothcases. Further, one cannot help but notice
that
the characters
and mode of life in those days have changed little after so many years.
In a most graphic account the reader is forced to live those dreadful irrespon-
sible moments in Exchange Buildings, Houndsditch, when five uniformed
police officers, resolutely performing their duty, were fired upon by a gang of
anarchists, disturbed in the act of breaking into shop premises. Three officers
received fatal wounds. The incident reveals the hopeless battle, against over-
whelming odds, which the unarmed
police-encumbered
by heavy
dress-were
called upon to face. Almost a daily incident in the present even darker days.
One can accept the clear pen sketches of the characters as being entirely
authentic. One cannot, however, accept the doubt in the theory regarding the
connexion between the two cases put forward by the famous Detective Inspector
Wensley, This officer had the most intimate knowledge of activities in the
East End of London. His informants were legion. Without doubt he must have
been in possession of many facts and much accurate information which the rules
of evidence precluded in
both
trials.
Mr. Holroyd fairly places other theories beside his own for the reader to make
comparison and weigh the facts in the balance. Once again the reader will
close the
book
and remember
that
fact is indeed stranger than fiction.
The book is worthy of a place in the crime section of all libraries. Ajourney to
Aldgate today will produce scenery and characters similar to those in the two
cases now 50 years old. The newspapers of todayecho the same events, the same
method
of
police investigation and effort, the same type
of
crime and petty
crook and the constant background of intrigue, easy-living and gang warfare.
Mr. Holroyd paints his picture true to
type-then
as indeed now.
234 May-June 1961
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