British-based reader Douglas Ellingford is asking Jamaicans to furnish him with information on convicted murderer, Thaddeus Hyatt, the 26-year-old labourer and part-time musician who stabbed eight people to death in Labryinth, St Mary in 1959.

Thaddeus had promised the people of Labryinth that when he was finished “pruning the town” of police informers, there would be “weeping and wailing”.

“It will be bloodshed… I will kill the babes and suckling,” was his spine-tingling promise, which he carried out on Easter Monday night of that year.

Ellingford, who was among online readers commenting on the article, made his request for information, after reading Hyatt’s story on December 2, 2012 in the Sunday Observer series — Crimes that rocked the nation — written by veteran journalist Sybil Hibbert and her former detective husband, Isadore ‘Dick’ Hibbert.

“I’ve just read your report on the convicted man, Thaddeus Hyatt. I’m helping a dear friend of mine who is writing about his time growing up in Jamaica as a colonial child during the 1950s. He recalls the time that he met Thaddeus Hyatt hiding in a field when he was on the run from the authorities. My friend was only a small boy at the time, around 10-11 years of age, but remembers vividly that Hyatt had about him a bloodied sack in which appeared to be a severed head.

He was very traumatised by this encounter and remembers the exact words spoken to him by Hyatt. I’m wondering if you had any further information on Thaddeus Hyatt or if you knew whom I should ask. We are very keen to establish the exact events in the days surrounding the attack and for how long he was on the run. I have already made some inquiries to the Bellevue Hospital as this was the institution that possibly housed his father and grandfather.

We are looking to build a stronger case of this individual and trying to ascertain exactly why he committed the atrocities on that fateful evening. It is an experience that was burned into the memory of my friend and we would be grateful for any further information.” – Douglas Ellingford, England, douglas.ellingford@byinternet.com

Keep the articles coming

“What some people don’t understand is that in reality and for the most part, you are writing stories about a Jamaica that no longer exists. A Jamaica where the rule of law was respected by the majority of the population. A Jamaica where the police utilised learned investigative skills…”The Jamaica of today appears to be one where vigilante justice is OK (witness the recent Negril and Trelawny killings). The problem with vigilante justice is that it could be used to eliminate innocent persons who happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time…or maybe the right time.

“If only a few learn something from your articles, Jamaica will be better for it. Keep writing.” – Mike Ramsay, Ontario, Canada

mike_ramsay@wrdsb.on.ca

NY ‘Lotto winner’ responds to Ian Fleming Airport story

A reader who says she won a mega million dollar lottery in New York, responds to a call from Sandals Chairman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart for private investment in the Ian Fleming International Airport at Boscobel, St Mary.

“My name is Garina Fearon. If you can remember two years ago the Jamaica Observer ran a story about me, the Jamaican woman who won the mega million lotto in NY. The reason for my email is I would love to invest in Jamaica, and the airport story would be a great investment opportunity for me as well as for the people of Jamaica.

“I was born in Manchioneal, Portland. Portland would benefit greatly from such a project. I have donated to the Manchioneal All-Age and Jones Park schools, just to name two in the said parish. If you can forward my email address to the right people, I would really appreciate it.” – Garina Fearon, garinafearon@aol.com

Love the Ian Fleming Airport suggestion from ‘Butch’

“I just got home from work and read this interesting piece on the Ian Fleming Airport, and ‘Butch’ Stewart’s thinking and proposal. As one who comes from St Mary, the proposal has a special appeal to me.

“On a broader thinking though, the proposal makes a lot of sense, and is something I think the Government should embrace without any hesitation. Ironically, the Boscobel area is home to a large number of returning Jamaican residents, mainly from the United Kingdom. I am sure that the expansion of the airport would also open up vast opportunities for nearby Oracabessa, the area from which Fleming actually penned his legendary 007 series.

“Quite frankly, I think the Government and or private sector interests, including the business community, civic leaders, ordinary citizens and all stakeholders in St Mary would be missing a great opportunity to revive the economic fortunes of the parish, should they fail to lobby the powers that be to act positively on Mr Stewart’s proposals.

“My heart has been bleeding for years now over the developmental decline of my parish. I do hope the vision, as enunciated by Mr Stewart, will be accepted by all concerned, and will be the engine of revolution that will see the long anticipated revival of the development of my beloved St Mary.” – Harold Bailey, gandhihgj2@aol.com