When we think of terrifying figures lurking in the night, we picture shadowy figures, highwaymen, or even the infamous Jack the Ripper. But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a different menace haunted the streets—one far less deadly but no less disturbing.
They called him… Jack the Hugger.
These men—yes, there were multiple—didn’t kill, but they certainly terrified women across the United States. Some grabbed victims from behind, some leapt from the shadows, and at least one chased women down… on a bicycle.
1. Horrible Man on Wheels
First, let’s begin in 1899, when a newspaper reported that a woman was chased by a “horrible man on wheels.”
The article tells us:
“For fear of Jack the Hugger, Pittsfield women are afraid to go out after dark unless they go in squads. It is rare to find one woman walking alone in any of the streets that are not patrolled by the police. The mysterious Jack the hugger not only lies in wait in dark corners for women, but rides a bicycle. Several cases have been reported to the police by women who have been chased by a bicyclist who came up beside them and compelled them to dismount. So far as learned, the women have escaped any great injury.”
2. Terrible Prank
And if it wasn’t scary enough to know that there was a Jack the Hugger on the loose, two young women thought it would be hilarious to put on their brothers’ clothes and false mustaches and set out on a hugging expedition.
According to the newspaper article:
“One of the masqueraders met a girl that she knew, and after following her some distance, threw her arm around her and tried to kiss her. The girl who was hugged is named Kate Roberts… She drew the regulation weapon, a hat pin, and with two or three thrusts, she put her assailant to flight.”
Source: Arizona Republican. Phoenix, Ariz., 15 Dec. 1899.
3. Left Her Mark on Him
A few short years later, in 1902, we find yet another Jack the Hugger on the prowl in Portland, Maine. However, things don’t go quite as he planned.
The article states:
“It was about 9 o’clock when a young woman was on her way home that she saw a man standing on the corner of Park and Danforth Streets. She thought he might be the “Hugger” and was a little afraid of him, but after watching him a moment thought he was waiting for someone and harmless.
“The man was well dressed, wore a long light overcoat and was of medium size. The young woman was positive that she would know him if she saw him again.
“After hesitating a moment she got up the courage enough to walk past him. As she got near him the man made a spring for her and grabbed her by the collar of her jacket and tore it off. He attempted to throttle her but she was too quick for him and swinging at him with all her might, struck him a blow in the eye that sent him staggering out into the gutter where he almost fell down.
“The young woman then picked up her collar which had been torn off in the scuffle and started for home. The man did not attempt to follow her. He had evidently made up his mind that she was well able to take care of herself.”
Source: The Portland Daily Press. Portland, Me., 05 Dec. 1902.
4. Back Again
Almost a full year later, the hugger returned to the streets of Portland.
As reported:
“[The victim] was on her way home at about quarter past ten o’clock and was near the corner of Clark Street. A man had followed her up the street but had kept on the opposite side from her. He crossed over finally and caught up with her.”
He asked the young woman why she was out so late, but she ignored him. He then offered to take her home and tried to grab her, but she took off down the street, screaming for help.
Jack the Hugger followed her right up the stairs to an unfamiliar house and she screamed again as he put his hand over her mouth. This time, however, someone heard her, and a young man came running out of the house and chased the Hugger away.
Source: The Portland Daily Press. Portland, Me., 17 Nov. 1903.
5. Rock Island Hugger Caught
Meanwhile, a Rock Island, Illinois, Hugger was caught and arrested in 1904. The older man, described as having long whiskers, was caught terrifying young girls along 10th Street and Sylvan Avenue. Police said they caught him “almost” in the act and planned to keep him locked up for a month for his piss-poor behavior.
Source: Rock Island Argus. Rock Island, Ill., 21 Nov. 1904.
6. Atlanta’s Own
By 1906, Atlanta had its own Jack the Hugger. He was reportedly hanging out on Peachtree Street, between 3rd and 4th Streets, and everyone was on the lookout for him.
A Call Officer said, “Not a day passes but that some lady is insulted. The man in question is a white man and makes his appearances usually at dusk. Unattended ladies stand in danger of meeting him at this hour. It is almost impossible for a lady to pass along Peachtree… without meeting this man.”
Source: The Birmingham Age-Herald. Birmingham, Ala., 26 July 1906.
7. Hides Behind Poles
In Frederick City, Maryland, 1918, a Jack the Hugger was terrorizing young women on North and South Market Streets, as well as on East and West Patrick Streets. Witnesses said the man was young and well dressed.
One article said:
“His practice is to dart from behind a telegraph or telephone pole, and after embracing his victim, he makes his escape in the darkness.”
Source: Martinsburg W Va Evening Journal. Martinsburg, W. Va., 15 Feb. 1918.
