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The Man with the Black Valise: Tracking the Killer of Jessie Keith
A chronicle of one of the vilest murders in Canadian history.
One brilliant October day in 1894, a drifter, carrying a black valise, met thirteen-year-old Jessie Keith on the railroad tracks and slashed her in such a way that people thought Jack the Ripper must have fled London, England, to wander loose in rural Ontario.
The Man with the Black Valise traces the killer’s route through three Ontario counties — a trajectory compiled by Detective John Wilson Murray. Though emotions ran feverishly high, the region’s farmers and townsfolk kept their heads to try to bring the killer to justice.
One brilliant October day in 1894, a drifter, carrying a black valise, met thirteen-year-old Jessie Keith on the railroad tracks and slashed her in such a way that people thought Jack the Ripper must have fled London, England, to wander loose in rural Ontario.
The Man with the Black Valise traces the killer’s route through three Ontario counties — a trajectory compiled by Detective John Wilson Murray. Though emotions ran feverishly high, the region’s farmers and townsfolk kept their heads to try to bring the killer to justice.
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2019
About the author
John Goddard
20 books2 followersJohn Goddard works as a Toronto-based journalist, author, copy editor, and media professional. His interests range widely. He travels extensively. He enjoys both writing hard news to deadline, and delving into subjects that most news organizations tend to let fall through the cracks.
As a reporter for The Canadian Press, he covered the American Hostage Crisis in Tehran, and opened the agency’s first bureau in the Far North, based in Yellowknife.
At the Southam News agency, he covered national arts & entertainment news — books, film, dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts.
As a freelance magazine writer for fifteen years, he wrote on everything from a mass caribou drowning in northern Quebec, to the adventures of B.C. author Edith Iglauer, to the truth behind Farley Mowat’s early Arctic books. All three stories won awards.
At the Toronto Star for twelve years until recently, he served variously as a photographer, copy editor, page-layout editor, world-music columnist, reporter for the city-news, business and entertainment sections, and once as videographer documenting pop-star Kemer Yousuf on his triumphant homecoming tour of Ethiopia.
Goddard has written or collaborated on six books covering such diverse subjects as the Arab-Israeli conflict, Indian land rights, and rock and roll. His most recent book tells the stories behind Toronto’s heritage museums and their most-prized artifacts.
As a reporter for The Canadian Press, he covered the American Hostage Crisis in Tehran, and opened the agency’s first bureau in the Far North, based in Yellowknife.
At the Southam News agency, he covered national arts & entertainment news — books, film, dance, music, theatre, and the visual arts.
As a freelance magazine writer for fifteen years, he wrote on everything from a mass caribou drowning in northern Quebec, to the adventures of B.C. author Edith Iglauer, to the truth behind Farley Mowat’s early Arctic books. All three stories won awards.
At the Toronto Star for twelve years until recently, he served variously as a photographer, copy editor, page-layout editor, world-music columnist, reporter for the city-news, business and entertainment sections, and once as videographer documenting pop-star Kemer Yousuf on his triumphant homecoming tour of Ethiopia.
Goddard has written or collaborated on six books covering such diverse subjects as the Arab-Israeli conflict, Indian land rights, and rock and roll. His most recent book tells the stories behind Toronto’s heritage museums and their most-prized artifacts.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 14, 2020
2.5 stars -- I was anticipating a murder mystery/cold case, but the perpetrator of the crime was found and punished quite swiftly, with little question of his guilt. The first part of the book is about the title story, but the rest of it is just a collection of anecdotes and history of an Ontario town, and while I can see how enlightening this could be if you lived in/were visiting the area, it might not be so intriguing for those who have no idea of the landmarks being discussed. Some of the stories were interesting in their own right, but I guess this just wasn't really what I was expecting.
March 11, 2020
This book is divided into two parts: 1) the killing of Jessie Keith and tracking her killer and 2) a guided tour of the area with stories.
The first part is DRY. Research has definitely been done for this section of the book, but I felt like it was literally just listing facts. The very beginning of the book was X saw this person at this time, Y saw this person at this time, Z...you get the point. I thought it would get better, but it didn't really.
The second part is unexpected. It's like a true crime tour of the area. I really had little interest in this section because I'm not from the area and the description of the book said nothing about this!! I listened to this section simply because of the stories--the Black Donnellys and the fire and other interesting tidbits. Those were interesting, but the parts where the author began listing addresses and talking about tours I spaced off. Do we really need to know about a quilting show? NO. I thought this was about a crime!
So, in conclusion, don't read this book unless you only want to read half of it OR you're from/visiting the area and want to know exactly where a killer 100+ years ago walked.
The first part is DRY. Research has definitely been done for this section of the book, but I felt like it was literally just listing facts. The very beginning of the book was X saw this person at this time, Y saw this person at this time, Z...you get the point. I thought it would get better, but it didn't really.
The second part is unexpected. It's like a true crime tour of the area. I really had little interest in this section because I'm not from the area and the description of the book said nothing about this!! I listened to this section simply because of the stories--the Black Donnellys and the fire and other interesting tidbits. Those were interesting, but the parts where the author began listing addresses and talking about tours I spaced off. Do we really need to know about a quilting show? NO. I thought this was about a crime!
So, in conclusion, don't read this book unless you only want to read half of it OR you're from/visiting the area and want to know exactly where a killer 100+ years ago walked.
February 28, 2020
Interesting fact-based account of the search and capture of Amedee Chattelle, killer of thirteen year old Jessie Keith just outside of Listowel in 1894. This book was of particular interest to me owing to the geographic proximity to my home.
November 25, 2019
A fascinating story about the killing of a young girl near Listowel, Ont in the late 1800s. I really enjoyed the book as I know many of the small communities mentioned. This is almost a tour guide of the region and the best part is the reference to the wonderful restaurant....Anna Mae's in Millbank.
September 18, 2020
Well written story of a dark event in local history. Probably of most interest to those in southern Ontario but Goddard's engaging style would be enjoyed by anyone interested in the society of the time.
February 28, 2021
I found the first part of this book to be a little difficult to read, but I grew up in Listowel and was always intrigued by the story. The writer definitely payed attention to detail - now the curiosity of the Jessie Keith murder has been payed out for me.
The second part was ok to read - but enjoyable as I learned about spots in my hometown that I had not know about - ie the original town hall, Livingston(e) Manor, Vera McNichol, etc. Skipped past a couple of sections in the second half.
If you are from the area, def a good read.
The second part was ok to read - but enjoyable as I learned about spots in my hometown that I had not know about - ie the original town hall, Livingston(e) Manor, Vera McNichol, etc. Skipped past a couple of sections in the second half.
If you are from the area, def a good read.
April 28, 2024
Only the first part of the book tells the story of the man with the black valise. The second part tells the stories of other murders in Southern Ontario. It also describes what has remained from the original murder in the way of buildings and other structures. It is a good guidebook for the people taking a tour of the murder sites of Southern Ontario.
April 7, 2020
The information on Jessie Keith was interesting and well researched. I did not enjoy the second part of the book where the author discussed buildings not related to the case. Other than that it was good.
October 26, 2019
History in my neighbourhood.
February 24, 2020
Excellent piece of local history. Makes me want to take the route as the killer and the author have done.
January 9, 2021
Good book and very well written for the first portion. The second portion felt like a different book. Overall I would read this writers work again though.
February 23, 2021
there was a lot of info in this book but ngl it was all able to tie back to the murder. not how most true crimes are but interesting read
March 12, 2021
DNF. Came for the historical murder. After half the book it turned into a quaint Canadian travelogue. Not that interested. But the murder part was okay.
April 26, 2022
I loved this book but mostly because I live in the area it is set in and was interested in the history. If I didn't know the settings I would not have enjoyed it as much. Especially the second half.
June 7, 2022
I can see how this book would be completely boring if you didn’t know the area. Thankfully, that’s not the case for me and I really liked all the history!
December 20, 2019
Listened to audiobook.
November 3, 2020
This is a weird one. The first half was an interesting enough true crime story. Then it changed to random, unrelated stories about the history of the small town where it happened, which would only be interesting to people who live there.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews