I remember reading about this in the introduction to a very large Jack the Ripper book. I cannot remember the title and it looks like one that was lost in a house move. The introduction, which set the scene for London that year, mentioned that there were quite a few disappearances and that before they vanished they all had a far off look in their eye. I'd like to say that the book mentioned that some of them had said that they were going to a better place, but I am not 100% sure of this.
I remember reading the book when we lived in our house 2007-2018. I think there were two authors and they were renowned names in Ripper research.
Can anyone help? I'd love to know more about this.