This document is a photocopy of an original newspaper article from Lampa, published on the 31st of October 1910. Below the photocopy of the newspaper article is a photocopy of a translation of the article, stamped by Uppsala University. Uppsala’s seal is also found on the letter from V.M. Straka to Mr. Grahn, eloquently stating that he does not approve of Mr. Grahn using his book to inspire a movie.

As the translation articulates, on Sunday evening a 19 year old man, Václav Straka, jumped off the Charles Bridge to his death. Straka had been working at Novacek & Sons Fabrication, and had supposedly recently been seen spending time with a group of syndicalists. He had even been attempting to distribute literature up until his death. One final crucial part of this article, was the fact that the body had not yet been found.

Charles Bridge

For those who believed that Straka was VMS, the unrecovered body was a key detail. This led many to believe that this death was simply an act, and instead he survived, escaped, and then lived the rest of his life in private as VMS. Although this article lacks concrete details, it does provide strong clues to whether or not Václav Straka is VMS, and furthermore it provides specific dates, and information.