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Montreal Pilot (Canada)
12 October 1857
AN INDIAN HERB DOCTOR - CURIOUS CASE
Complaints having been lodged with the police authorities that pamphlets containing prescriptions of remedies for different diseases, but particularly those incident to females, were being largely circulated through the city by a person styling himself Dr. Tumblety, the Indian Herb Doctor, and rumours being in circulation, and having reached the ears, that he had administered remedies to females in this city for the purpose of procuring abortion, the authorities determined to set a trap for him. Accordingly, on Monday, Detective Simard, of the Government Police, paid a visit to Dr. Tumblety. at his office in Great St. James Street, and inquired from him whether he could get any remedies to procure a miscarriage, as there was a young girl of his acquaintance in the family way. Dr. Tumblety replied that he could, but inquired whether the intended patient was a Protestant or a Catholic, to which he received as an answer that she was a Protestant, whereupon the doctor said he would assist her. Simard then inquired his terms, which he stated would be $20 cash. The detective then left, promising to come back next day, and in the meantime stated he would inform the young girl of what had taken place. On Tuesday morning Simard returned and informed Dr. Tumblety that the young girl was afraid to take his medicine unless she was assured by the doctor in person there would be no danger of her own life. He then left. A little after twelve the same day he returned to the doctor's office, accompanied by a young girl about 17 years of age, named Philomene Dumas, who stated she was in an interesting condition. After being questioned by the doctor regarding her symptoms, she got from him a bottle of medicine and a box of pills, and was assured they would make her all right, and relieve her from her present condition. Before leaving the doctor's office she drank some of the medicine. Simard then paid the doctor his fee of $20, and left in company with the young girl. About four hours after this he was arrested. The young girl who figures in this case states she is a prostitute, and has only been in the city about a month.
12 October 1857
AN INDIAN HERB DOCTOR - CURIOUS CASE
Complaints having been lodged with the police authorities that pamphlets containing prescriptions of remedies for different diseases, but particularly those incident to females, were being largely circulated through the city by a person styling himself Dr. Tumblety, the Indian Herb Doctor, and rumours being in circulation, and having reached the ears, that he had administered remedies to females in this city for the purpose of procuring abortion, the authorities determined to set a trap for him. Accordingly, on Monday, Detective Simard, of the Government Police, paid a visit to Dr. Tumblety. at his office in Great St. James Street, and inquired from him whether he could get any remedies to procure a miscarriage, as there was a young girl of his acquaintance in the family way. Dr. Tumblety replied that he could, but inquired whether the intended patient was a Protestant or a Catholic, to which he received as an answer that she was a Protestant, whereupon the doctor said he would assist her. Simard then inquired his terms, which he stated would be $20 cash. The detective then left, promising to come back next day, and in the meantime stated he would inform the young girl of what had taken place. On Tuesday morning Simard returned and informed Dr. Tumblety that the young girl was afraid to take his medicine unless she was assured by the doctor in person there would be no danger of her own life. He then left. A little after twelve the same day he returned to the doctor's office, accompanied by a young girl about 17 years of age, named Philomene Dumas, who stated she was in an interesting condition. After being questioned by the doctor regarding her symptoms, she got from him a bottle of medicine and a box of pills, and was assured they would make her all right, and relieve her from her present condition. Before leaving the doctor's office she drank some of the medicine. Simard then paid the doctor his fee of $20, and left in company with the young girl. About four hours after this he was arrested. The young girl who figures in this case states she is a prostitute, and has only been in the city about a month.
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