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Greetings,
I found this article from the Brockville Times in Ontario, Canada:
"Brockville Times, July 9, 1903
DR. F. TUMBLETY
– – – –
AllegedHistory ofMysteriousManBorn inBrockville
– – – –
Suspected of a Southern Plot To Infect the North With Smallpox
During the U. S. Civil War—Also of Being Jack-the-Ripper
— Left a Big Fortune Which His Heirs Want to Use
Ogdensburg Journal: There died recently a notorious Canadian
who, though born in Canada, lived in the United States most of his life.
He was Dr. Francis Tumblety.
His Rochester heirs are trying to get possession of a large sum of
money that he left in the hands of Henry Clews&Company, bankers of
New York. He died in St. Louis recently without leaving a will or making
any provision for the disposal of the money. Michael H.
Fitzsimmons, who was appointed temporary administrator of the estate,
has begun a proceeding for an order directing the banking firm to
turn over to him the money that he may control it in the interest of the
Rochester claimants.
This proceeding recalls something of the career of the man who was
known in many cities, and who was more or less a mystery to those who
came in contact with him. Dr. Francis Tumblety was born in
Brockville. His family moved to Rochester when he was very young.
His education was meagre and it was often said that he received his
medical degree while working in a drug store on the banks of the Erie
canal.Heleft Rochester with a nostrum for clearing the complexion and
just before the Civil War began he made thousands of dollars out of it.
He was in Washington at the time Secretary Stanton of the War Department
discovered a plot of one Dr. Blackburn to infect the North
with smallpox. Dr. Tumblety was arrested on suspicion of being concerned
in the plot, but he was exonerated.
In 1888 he went to England. While he was there the work of Jack the
Ripper in the Whitechapel district began. For some reason, possibly
because he was a self-avowed woman-hater, he was arrested on suspicion.
He was admitted to bail and returned to this country, followed by
Scotland Yard men. He was entirely cleared of the charge. He lived in
New York for a time and then moved to Buffalo. From there he went to
New Orleans, where he lived for many years in the French quarter on
Royal street in a small room, dirty and meanly furnished.
While in New Orleans he was arrested on a charge of robbing a man
named Henry Govan. He claimed to be a British subject. The British
consul came to his defence, and the case was dropped. Here, as in all
other cities where he remained for any length of time, he was known as a
night prowler and a misogynist. He was often seen on the streets after
midnight, and about two years ago was assaulted one morning about 3
o’clock on the street in New Orleans and robbed of his diamonds.
He died in St. John’s Hospital in St. Louis a few days ago. It is believed
besides the sum of money on deposit with the New York bankers,
which is variously estimated at from $73,000 to $138,000, he left other
property that has not yet been traced."
It's interesting how they comment upon his night prowling in New Orleans.
Mike
I found this article from the Brockville Times in Ontario, Canada:
"Brockville Times, July 9, 1903
DR. F. TUMBLETY
– – – –
AllegedHistory ofMysteriousManBorn inBrockville
– – – –
Suspected of a Southern Plot To Infect the North With Smallpox
During the U. S. Civil War—Also of Being Jack-the-Ripper
— Left a Big Fortune Which His Heirs Want to Use
Ogdensburg Journal: There died recently a notorious Canadian
who, though born in Canada, lived in the United States most of his life.
He was Dr. Francis Tumblety.
His Rochester heirs are trying to get possession of a large sum of
money that he left in the hands of Henry Clews&Company, bankers of
New York. He died in St. Louis recently without leaving a will or making
any provision for the disposal of the money. Michael H.
Fitzsimmons, who was appointed temporary administrator of the estate,
has begun a proceeding for an order directing the banking firm to
turn over to him the money that he may control it in the interest of the
Rochester claimants.
This proceeding recalls something of the career of the man who was
known in many cities, and who was more or less a mystery to those who
came in contact with him. Dr. Francis Tumblety was born in
Brockville. His family moved to Rochester when he was very young.
His education was meagre and it was often said that he received his
medical degree while working in a drug store on the banks of the Erie
canal.Heleft Rochester with a nostrum for clearing the complexion and
just before the Civil War began he made thousands of dollars out of it.
He was in Washington at the time Secretary Stanton of the War Department
discovered a plot of one Dr. Blackburn to infect the North
with smallpox. Dr. Tumblety was arrested on suspicion of being concerned
in the plot, but he was exonerated.
In 1888 he went to England. While he was there the work of Jack the
Ripper in the Whitechapel district began. For some reason, possibly
because he was a self-avowed woman-hater, he was arrested on suspicion.
He was admitted to bail and returned to this country, followed by
Scotland Yard men. He was entirely cleared of the charge. He lived in
New York for a time and then moved to Buffalo. From there he went to
New Orleans, where he lived for many years in the French quarter on
Royal street in a small room, dirty and meanly furnished.
While in New Orleans he was arrested on a charge of robbing a man
named Henry Govan. He claimed to be a British subject. The British
consul came to his defence, and the case was dropped. Here, as in all
other cities where he remained for any length of time, he was known as a
night prowler and a misogynist. He was often seen on the streets after
midnight, and about two years ago was assaulted one morning about 3
o’clock on the street in New Orleans and robbed of his diamonds.
He died in St. John’s Hospital in St. Louis a few days ago. It is believed
besides the sum of money on deposit with the New York bankers,
which is variously estimated at from $73,000 to $138,000, he left other
property that has not yet been traced."
It's interesting how they comment upon his night prowling in New Orleans.
Mike
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