''The Prolific Poisoner'' (Thomas Neil Cream)

By Crusader1307

The ‘’career’’ of one Dr. Thomas Neil Cream was marked with as much controversy as could be mustered for life in the late 19^th Century, especially for one of such ‘’celebrity’’. Cream is seen by History as a Serial Killer who struck on 2 continents it seemed and was even seen by some (although incorrectly) as a Suspect for London’s infamous ‘’Jack The Ripper’’. Cream was born into a modest affluent Family in Scotland in 1850. Early on, His Family moved to Canada, where He would grow up and eventually be accepted into Medical School there. Setting up a Practice, He would soon meet His future Wife, get Her pregnant and – as most assumed, begin a ‘’profitable life’’. But for some unclarified reason, Cream grew sour on His pregnant soon to be betrothed. Although it was said Cream WOULD marry Her, He nonetheless performed an abortion on His Child. Successful, His ‘’Love’’ would grew very ill – taking many years to recover. Leaving Her, Cream would be tracked down by Her Brother – demanding satisfaction. Cream said he would return to marry Her. He didn’t and ‘’ran off’’ to London.

As a Doctor, Cream set up Practice in London’s ‘’seedier side’’. He offered His services to the ‘’Lower Classes’’ and made little money. When He refused to perform an abortion for a known Prostitute, She was later found dead from ‘’chloroform poisoning’’. Cream it seems was a HUGE proponent of it’s use. But Police did not have enough evidence for conviction, and Cream (who was arrested), was released. He left England immediately for The United States. Setting up Practice in The American State of Illinois, Cream would go back to His work with ‘’The Poor’’. But this time, He worked with Prostitutes and Criminals – having no issues giving abortions. But a very unusual after effect began to noticed by local Police. Dead Prostitutes began to show up – all of which have had abortions and were poisoned – by Chloroform! Cream was traced by Police due to the many letters He wrote to His ‘’victims’’ requesting blackmail monies. It is thought that His victims were in fact, blackmailing Him for performing abortions (a fact that would have cost Him His medical License). But regardless of ‘’which side’’ was blackmailing the other – Police arrested and tried Cream – who was sentenced to a lengthy Prison sentence. But Cream was NOT without means. He knew many influential Politicians and had enough money to ‘’grease the right tracks’’ (as it were). His influence made it’s way to The State Governor. Cream was freed in 1891. He quickly made His way to New York….and shipped back to England.

Cream set up Practice again in London’s poor section. After 3 years (prior) of surviving ‘’Jack The Ripper’’ Residents were still on edge. Cream went about to His old ‘’habits’’ of blackmailing Prostitutes as well as outright murdering them by Chloroform. His ‘’body count’’ rose. But for the chance of a visiting American Policeman who met Cream at a Pub and recognizing Him (reporting it to local English Police) – Cream’s background was opened. They found the earlier English Crime as well as Cream’s ‘’American connection’’. He was arrested and tried for 2 poisonings. Cream was eventually credited with 3 more (5 total), but Criminal Historians agree – Cream no doubt slayed MANY more, most of whom would never be known, on BOTH sides of ‘’The Ocean’’. Sentenced to ‘’Hang by The Neck Until Dead’’ in 1892, some over zealous Newspapermen began to associate Cream with ‘’Jack The Ripper’’. Cream was a poisoner and not a ‘’Slasher’’. In fact, He was in Prison in Illinois when ‘’Saucy Jack’’ made HIS name. But Cream’s habit of killing Prostitutes (as did Jack) was the link. In fact, and Historians still argue this fact as well – when Cream was on the scaffold – just seconds before ‘’The Drop’’, He screamed ‘’I AM JACK’’……an acclamation still never quite understood.