Joseph VACHER / Signed Autograph Letter / Serial Killer / Assassin / Prison

  

Signed autograph letter "Joseph Vacher" to Dr. Lacassagne [Prison de] Belley, December 30, 1897, 4 pages. Ancient traces of adhesive on the second and third pages without affecting readability, some minor defects. Long letter from Joseph Vacher, one of the first French serial killers.

With anarchic handwriting and approximate spelling, the "Jack the Ripper of the Southeast" writes his wishes before his imminent transfer to Saint-Paul de Lyon prison. Despite being highly educated, Vacher deliberately makes numerous mistakes in spelling, conjugation, and agreements, even using slang expressions. We transcribe the letter as he wrote it.

"God - Right - Duty.] Gentlemen Doctors, For the second current event, we still have the most serious small matters to discuss. I forgot the question (for example) of the ordinary bi-bi cap. It is not the least important in my case, although it may seem insignificant to some.

Providence, which alone gave it to me, as if from its own hands, as I explained to you. Reminds me that even though it is made of rabbit fur, it is just as good as any other fur (dog or billy goat, etc.), and it is only natural that I used whatever chance put in my hands most often. I have thought about this question, and since my case has an impact on everyone, I thought to myself: yes, I need the cap, and it should be as white as the one I have on my head in my photographs, the one I had when I entered. I was thinking of buying a hat, maybe not gray because there might not be one, but one that comes closest, but then I thought: "I mustn't rush things, like the prophets in my case, and avoid the barking of my dogs as much as possible, because I, too, have them and I want to ensure that those with a good voice (small or big) are only heard at the hour of matins.

For that, I thought: My men should buy the hat themselves and bring me the cap, which I would take with me to the hospice, folded, in a small package. But since this matter is in God's hands above all, I warn you that I will ask for 5 minutes of solitude to visit my little package. Make sure it is as easy as possible for me to visit.

Above all, make sure it is not made by the fools. I will only take with me the Bible folded in a white sheet in my jacket pocket. My remedies, books, and instruments will be returned to their place in the cardboard box that has already been used for them.

(at the office) it will remain stored in my bag. As for the accordion, I hope to give it some news. I will take my military record and my wallet, which I will only ask for when I leave, from Mr. the examining magistrate, along with the doctor's case to be added to my bag.

I also thought about the letters and photographs that were requested from me. Yes, I understood that it was to avoid the backlash effect of Mr. But as long as they are greased, that's all that matters, because they also hardened again at the Instruction Office next to Mr. I think that's all.

Reformed sergeant turned vagabond, Joseph Vacher is considered, after Martin Dumollard, one of the first French serial killers. Although he was only convicted of one murder, he confessed to 11 and was suspected of being responsible for around fifty particularly sadistic crimes, including the throat-slitting of at least twenty women and adolescents, who were later mutilated and raped.

At the time of writing this letter, Vacher is in Belley prison (in Ain) to be questioned by examining magistrate Fouquet. Less than three months earlier, at the beginning of October 1897, he made his first confessions, promising more details in exchange for the publication of his confession letter in Le Petit Journal, Le Lyon Républicain (which he regularly read), Le Progrès de Lyon, and La Croix. This caused considerable media attention to his crimes in the French and foreign press. Knowing that he would soon be transferred to Saint-Paul de Lyon prison, he writes his instructions here to Dr. Lacassagne, whom he is to meet with Dr. Rebatel, who are responsible for examining him. His case, from his trial (held in October 1898), sparked a lively debate on the topic of "mental health and criminal responsibility. Lacassagne's report highlights the degree of atrocity of the crimes attributed to Vacher, and concludes: "Vacher is not insane; he is completely cured and fully responsible for the crimes he committed and confessed to.

" He was ultimately sentenced to death and guillotined on the Champs-de-Mars in Bourg-en-Bresse on December 31, 1898. The character of Joseph Bouvier, portrayed by Michel Galabru in the film "The Judge and the Assassin" (1976) by Bertrand Tavernier, is inspired by Joseph Vacher. Private letters from Joseph Vacher are extremely rare.