Comments on: Jack the Ripper Mormons

By: Adam G.

Adam G. — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:00:16 +0000

We’re far enough removed from these calumnies that we can laugh, but they must have been a trial to some at the time, especially the “deceased” Jarman fils. Its suggestive of all sorts of back story and hidden family drama.

By: David Y.

David Y. — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:01:53 +0000

“Jack the Ripper Mormons” — what a disgustingly genius melange! Kinda like the more recent (and equally ridiculous) term “Kenyan Socialist.”

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:09:29 +0000

Amy, I just went through the Missionary Index, thinking I’d be a showoff and come back to say, “Oh, that was so-and-so.” There are a lot of Jarmans (Jarmen? har har) on the index, but not one who was in the British Mission in 1895. He may have been a local man, or man have been an American visiting Britain (like Mrs. Jarman was in the late 1880s, apparently), without a formal mission call.

By: Amy T

Amy T — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:10:42 +0000

I thought I had a reference to Jarman in my family history, but I can’t see it. The reference that came up, surprisingly, in a blog search was this entry from Henry Overson’s London missionary journal:

Sunday April 28th [1895]

Nice morning. Spent the day at 36 until 230. then attended Testimony Meeting Was invited to Bro Birds to dinner then 630 Meeting meeting again Bro Jarman and the Pres spoke to a full Hall including 5 strangers event to Birds again to spend the evening and had a very nice time.

I wonder who he meant. I’m guessing he didn’t mean William.

Well, I can’t find the reference I was looking for, but I see that there will be a presentation on Jarman at the upcoming MHA Conference in Calgary. Bitton’s Guide lists a diary of Mrs Jarman (Maria Bridgood Jarman Ford) which mentions that she took a trip to England in the late 1880s, as well as a couple of other confrontations with William Jarman by missionaries in England.

By: kevinf

kevinf — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:45:33 +0000

Lawrence O'Donnell and Bill Maher could take lessons from this guy, but I really don't want them to do that. They are bad enough as it is. Makes me wonder if Jarman's book had any influence on Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet, the first Sherlock Holmes story, written in 1886. Doyle initially claimed his depiction of bloodthirsty Danites exacting retribution on foreign soil was "historical." Doyle only seemed to be slightly more interested in accuracy than Jarman, as indicated by his "murdered" son.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:50:42 +0000

Not only tame, but dull.

But I rather like the continuation of the assassination theme. It sure beats “Rape and Pillage Week” over at By Common Consent.