Tumblety and Ireland

[Siobhan Patricia Mulcahy]

Hi folks,
I have a question:
O'Riordan showed in his book Prince of Quacks... that members of the Tumblety clan (including T) left Ireland on a Famine ship in the late 1840s; Tumblety himself claimed that he was born "near Dublin" - the only time he seems to have referred to his birthplace - and T also claims in one of his self-published books that he visited Kerry in the early 1860s, BUT is there any evidence that he visited Ireland on other occasions? If so, where did he visit; when and why?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Wolf Vanderlinden]

Tumblety reportedly visited Ireland in late 1882 with Martin H. McGarry as his traveling companion. McGarry stated that they visited Queenstown, Dublin and spent a week at Inniskillen Falls.

Wolf.

[mklhawley]

Hi Siobhan,

Here's what Wolf was referencing:

New York World (U.S.A.)
5 December 1888


Martin H. McGarry, a young New York business man who says he owes everything he has to "Dr. Tumblety's kindness, talks freely of the past life of the notorious man. He was engaged in the Doctor's service in 1882, and for a long time accopanied him on his travels, living with him constantly and being his constant companion.

Mrs. McNamara was kept busy yesterday answering the bell at No. 79 East Tenth street, and telling all who came that Dr. Tumblety, the notorious man accused of being connected with the Whitechapel attrocities, was not there, and that she had no idea when he would be there. Among those who rang the bell was a young man with a smooth-shaven face and a strong athletic-looking figure, who appeared very anxious to see the Doctor. The young man gave his name as Martin H. McGarry, and said he was of the firm of Caffrey & McGarry, who are in the electric bell, burglar-alarm and speaking-tube business, No. 274 East Broadway. He was put off like everybody else and informed that he could not see the Doctor. Then he told THE WORLD reporter what he knew about him.

"In the first place, said he, "the Doctor's name is Thomas F. Tumblety, and he is not a herb doctor any more than I am a street contractor. It was July 1882, that I applied for work at No. 7 University Place. I saw a big, fine-looking man standing on the stoop. He had on a braided English smoking jacket, black-striped trousers, Oxford ties and a peaked cap. He told me there was no work for me in the house, but if I wanted to work he would give me a trial. I asked him what he wished me to do, and he said he was in need of a traveling companion. We walked upstairs to his room, and he told me all about himself, and I afterwards found it was true.

"He was born near Dublin, Ireland, in 1835, and was the son of a wealthy Irish gentleman. He was educated at the University of Dublin, where he graduated, as he showed by his diploma. He then studied medicine in Dublin and got another diploma, which he also showed me. In 1853 he left Ireland for America, landing in New York. Here he studied surgery, and when the war broke out he was an army surgeon. He showed me his honorable discharge from the army, and a number of personal letters from General Grant speaking of his efficiency and good conduct. About this time his father died and left him a big lot of money. I don't know how much, but it kept him from having to do anything for a living.

"He took a liking to me, and that day I was employed by him. My duties were not hard. I was always to be near him. He got up at 11 o'clock when he would usually send out his jug for a pint of old ale. He breakfasted in the house and then walked around town. Usually he went up to the Morton House, where he pointed out the actors to me and told me who they were and what they did. Sometimes in the afternoons we would drop in to the matinees. In the evenings we would stay at home generally. After we had been in New York a while he said we were to go to Niagara Falls. We stopped at a French hotel where everybody knew the doctor and seemed glad to see him. He showed me about, and after a short time grew tired of the place and we started to Rochester.

"After we saw everything about Rochester we went to Saratoga. The Doctor took rooms at No. 151 Congress street. It was the finest suite of rooms at the Springs; there was nothing at the Grand Union that could approach them. We stayed there two months and enjoyed life. He was very kind to me and sent my people presents. We came back to New York, where we spent the Winter. He had nothing to do but amuse himself, and he used to walk about town, ride, and drive through the Park, and read to me and have me read to him. He kept everything that was said about him in the newspapers. He had no associates or companions but me, and sometimes for days I would be the only one he would talk to.

"After a trip to Rome N.Y. we returned to New York and went to the Hygeia Hotel on Laight street, although the Doctor still kept his rooms on University Place. He took the front parlor room and I went back to my folk, No. 300 Henry street. Although I was not boarding with him he sent the money he would have paid for my board in a package with my salary to my people.

"One day he told me he wanted to see Boston, and off we started for Boston, and then visited New Haven and Philadelphia, when we stopped at the Girard Hotel in Philadelphia. It took us three weeks to see the sights in Philadelphia. The Doctor showed me everything. We came back to New York and the Doctor took it in his mind to go to Glasgow. I wouldn't go with him and he went alone. He was back in a month, and went to Mrs. McNamara's No. 79 East Tenth street to live. He telegraphed for me to come there and I lived with him for three weeks. We knocked about New York during that time and he then persuaded me to go to Queenstown with him. When we got there we went to Dublin and then after a week to Inniskillen Falls."



Sincerely,

Mike

[Siobhan Patricia Mulcahy]

Thanks Wolf.
This is the mention T gives of Ireland in one of his books (entry dated) 1869. (Repeated in a later book also)

Brighton, too, the sea bathing place par excellence of the British Islanders. I have just returned from the latter place, which I very much like. I left the vessel at Queenstown, Ireland, and afterwards visited Cork, where I was the guest of Dr. Barter for a few days. He is one of the most distinguished gentlemen in the United Kingdom. I visited the Lakes of Killarney, where Lord Headley entertained me as if I were a Prince. I explored the Wicklow Mountains, the Curragh of Kildare, and many other points of legendary interest. I remained some time in Dublin, which is really a beautiful city. I also visited the Giant’s Causeway; the scenery beggars description. From Ireland I crossed over to Liverpool, the great maritime port, so noted for its magnificent docks.

Sounds like he was on a cruise above.

When he visited in 1882 was it another holiday? Was his companion his boyfriend? I can check it out but just thought you might have the answers in you head...

[Siobhan Patricia Mulcahy]

Hi Siobhan,

Here's what Wolf was referencing:

[I]New York World (U.S.A.)
Mike

Terrific. Thanks Mike.
Tumblety was a restless and lonely soul if he had to pay for a companion. Too many secrets to keep and too many lies to remember to have real friends.

[mklhawley]

Hi Siobhan,

What do you know about Inniskillen Falls?

Mike

[Siobhan Patricia Mulcahy]

Hi Mike,
There is nowhere in Ireland called "Inniskillen" but McGarry may have been referring to Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. It has underground caves with waterfalls that can only be accessed in a small boat. May well have been a tourist attraction in Tumblety's day.
T visited Northern Ireland (or so he claims) in 1869 also.
I would say that McGarry , being American mispronounced the name "Inniskillen" or the journalist misheard it and just wrote down the phonetic spelling. Typical of a journalist to get it wrong!

[Simon Wood]

Hi Siobhan,

It's worth remembering that Tumblety lifted most of his travel writing from various guides and books.

Tim Riordan uncovered some egregious examples.

Regards,

Simon

[Lechmere]

How reliable are the memoirs of a scorned rent boy?

[Siobhan Patricia Mulcahy]

How reliable are the memoirs of a scorned rent boy?

McGarry doesn't come across as scorned, but rather fawning, loyal and grateful to Tumblety. Mike copied the interview from New York World above. I suggest you read it.

Simon, I agree T was an inveterate liar and probably copied stuff from travel books but would he have instructed McGarry to lie (about the places they visited or did not visit as you suggest) in an interview?
McGarry does not come across as the brightest tool in the box, therefore would he have remembered the lies he was instructed to tell in such detail? Perhaps, but the impression given in the interview is that T and McGarry were no longer companions in 1888, and had not had one-to-one contact for some time.
I would say what is true of most liars - including Tumblety - some of what they say is true. The problem is filtering out which is which.

[Lechmere]

I did read it - someone scorned does not always respond with fury.

[Simon Wood]

Hi Siobhan,

Did Tumblety need to instruct McGarry to lie?

McGarry told the NY World, "After a trip to Rome N.Y. we returned to New York and went to the Hygeia Hotel on Laight street, although the Doctor still kept his rooms on University Place. He took the front parlor room and I went back to my folk, No. 300 Henry street. Although I was not boarding with him he sent the money he would have paid for my board in a package with my salary to my people."

There was no Hygeia Hotel on Laight Street, New York, before, during or after 1882.

This particular hotel was at Old Point Comfort, Virginia.

But there was an institution at 15 Laight Street, New York.

The Hygienic Institute was run by Dr. Russell T. Trall, a specialist in water cures as practised at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Saratoga Springs, NY, two locations at which we can place Dr T.

Regards,

Simon

[Siobhan Patricia Mulcahy]

I did read it - someone scorned does not always respond with fury.

Okay, fair enough, if you want to believe McGarry was scorned, then no probs. Let's not fall out over it...

Would you or anyone else know where the full transcript of the New York World article dated 29 January 1889 is on Casebook? There are bits of the article in dissertations (eg Tumblety Talks) and a few posts but no full transcript in Press Reports section. Some help in locating it would be great thanks.

[Siobhan Patricia Mulcahy]

Hi Siobhan,

Did Tumblety need to instruct McGarry to lie?

McGarry told the NY World, "After a trip to Rome N.Y. we returned to New York and went to the Hygeia Hotel on Laight street, although the Doctor still kept his rooms on University Place. He took the front parlor room and I went back to my folk, No. 300 Henry street. Although I was not boarding with him he sent the money he would have paid for my board in a package with my salary to my people."

There was no Hygeia Hotel on Laight Street, New York, before, during or after 1882.

This particular hotel was at Old Point Comfort, Virginia.

But there was an institution at 15 Laight Street, New York.



Regards,

Simon

Hi Simon,
McGarry was recalling events from 6 years earlier.
Tumblety stayed in the institute not McGarry so why would McG care if it was a hotel or a posh bath house. McG went back to his own accommodation.
The word "hygienic" is one of the most misspelt words in English - even today.
The journalist also misspelt Enniskillen as "Inniskillen" even though the word would have been spelt correctly in the brochure Tumblety might originally have copied it from. Words get lost in translation or transit...
Could the hygiea versus hygienic confusion be simply poor recollection by McGarry or sloppy journalism by the writer?

I will give you this much: Paul Begg implies that McGarry still had contact with T at the time of the interview. (See "Tumblety Talks" in dissertations/ footnotes section) which means - if Begg's assumption is correct - T may have rehearsed his pal McGarry before the interview.

[Simon Wood]

Hi Siobhan,

I get the impression you want McGarry's story to be true.

Regards,

Simon