Proof of Tumblety's Misogyny

[Lechmere]

[QUOTE=Lechmere;281358]Let’s take a closer look Tumblety’s abortive 1857 election bid.
The accounts appear in his self-published 1866 book ‘A few passages in the Life of Francis Tumblety’ and should be read in contex, and it is simplest just to quote from the suspects section here on Casebook:
‘Tumblety was arrested on September 23, 1857 for attempting to abort the pregnancy of a local prostitute named Philomene Dumas. It was alleged that he sold her a bottle of pills and liquid for the purpose, but after some legal haggling Tumblety was released on October 1. A verdict of ‘no true bill’ was reached on the 24th and no trial was ever undertaken.’

Soon after this damaging incident a report appeared in various newspapers speaking of Tumblety in glowing terms:
It is hinted that Dr. Tumblety will offer himself as a candidate on Grittish principles, in case of a vacancy in this constituency, and that he is now feeling the pulse of the people. The Doctor having amassed a fortune in the treatment of “all the ills that flesh is heir to”—in which treatment he has ever been successful—now philanthropically proposes to devote his brilliant abilities to the cure of the dangerous diseases affecting the body politic, and is proudly conscious of the success that awaits him in the effort.

Who do you think might have written such cringeworthy purple prose and supplied this story to the press?
To which, he replied in an equally cringeworthy manner – declining to stand in the Irish interest.
Not as a Fenian, merely as a representative of the Irish community.
And to emphasise the non-threatening nature of his involvement in Canadian politics Tumblety went on to list members of Canadian society who he claimed endorsed his professional standing:
Sir E. Head, Governor of Canada.
Hon Hy. Sternes, Mayor of Montreal.
Hon. Geo. Hall, Mayor of Quebec.
Hon. Jno. Hutchinson, Mayor of Toronto, C. W.
Hon J. B. Robinson.
Hon. James Cummings, Mayor of Hamilton, C. W.
Hon W. Matthews, Mayor of Brantford, C. W.
Hon W. Barker, Mayor of London, C. W.
W. Savage, Col. of Artillery.
H. P. Dwight, Superintendent Montreal Telegraph.
J. Taylor, Justice of Peace, Toronto, C. W.
R. H. Cook, Alderman, Toronto, C. W.
J. Urquhart, Surgeon, Toronto, C. W.
Not very revolutionary.
The only hint at sentimental Oirishness in this book comes in this passage:
‘The chronicles of Ireland will furnish many instances of undue harshness exercised during troubled times, and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, but I challenge the record to produce such a flagrant abuse of power’.
He was actually moaning about being arrested on suspicion of involvement in the Lincoln assassination!
Tumblety’s references to Britain, her culture, Empire and leading men in this book can only be described as warm and positive.

His 1889 book ‘A Sketch of the Life of the Gifted, Eccentric and World-Famed Physician Francis Tumblety’ also talks warmly of Britain. The only vaguely Oirsh passage being a reference to Parnell:
‘Now let me say a word about the attacks which certain American newspapers recently made upon me, attacks that were as unfounded as the onslaught made on the great Irish leader. While I was not in a position to defend myself, these papers continued their foul slanders, but my friends will readily see, from the foregoing pages and from the testimonials that follow, how utterly base and wholly groundless these aspersions were. Like Parnell, I have emerged from the battle entirely unscathed with my social and professional standing unimpaired.’
He is of course referring to the allegations in the US press where he was accused of being a Ripper suspect and compared his plight to that of Parnell.

This book, with the New York World interview in January 1889, were part of Tumblety’s plan to rehabilitate himself and clear the air after the dust had settled and the Gross Indecency charges had been forgotten about in the brouhaha he himself generated about being a Ripper suspect.

So Tumblety’s self penned books give no space to promoting Fenian viewpoints and the 1857 election episode is of no utility in suggesting that Tumblety had Fenian leanings.

[Lechmere]

Let’s take a closer look Tumblety’s abortive 1857 election bid.
The accounts appear in his self-published 1866 book ‘A few passages in the Life of Francis Tumblety’ and should be read in contex, and it is simplest just to quote from the suspects section here on Casebook:
‘Tumblety was arrested on September 23, 1857 for attempting to abort the pregnancy of a local prostitute named Philomene Dumas. It was alleged that he sold her a bottle of pills and liquid for the purpose, but after some legal haggling Tumblety was released on October 1. A verdict of ‘no true bill’ was reached on the 24th and no trial was ever undertaken.’

Soon after this damaging incident a report appeared in various newspapers speaking of Tumblety in glowing terms:
It is hinted that Dr. Tumblety will offer himself as a candidate on Grittish principles, in case of a vacancy in this constituency, and that he is now feeling the pulse of the people. The Doctor having amassed a fortune in the treatment of “all the ills that flesh is heir to”—in which treatment he has ever been successful—now philanthropically proposes to devote his brilliant abilities to the cure of the dangerous diseases affecting the body politic, and is proudly conscious of the success that awaits him in the effort.

Who do you think might have written such cringeworthy purple prose and supplied this story to the press?
To which, he replied in an equally cringeworthy manner – declining to stand in the Irish interest.
Not as a Fenian, merely as a representative of the Irish community.
And to emphasise the non-threatening nature of his involvement in Canadian politics Tumblety went on to list members of Canadian society who he claimed endorsed his professional standing:
Sir E. Head, Governor of Canada.
Hon Hy. Sternes, Mayor of Montreal.
Hon. Geo. Hall, Mayor of Quebec.
Hon. Jno. Hutchinson, Mayor of Toronto, C. W.
Hon J. B. Robinson.
Hon. James Cummings, Mayor of Hamilton, C. W.
Hon W. Matthews, Mayor of Brantford, C. W.
Hon W. Barker, Mayor of London, C. W.
W. Savage, Col. of Artillery.
H. P. Dwight, Superintendent Montreal Telegraph.
J. Taylor, Justice of Peace, Toronto, C. W.
R. H. Cook, Alderman, Toronto, C. W.
J. Urquhart, Surgeon, Toronto, C. W.
Not very revolutionary.
The only hint at sentimental Oirishness in this book comes in this passage:
‘The chronicles of Ireland will furnish many instances of undue harshness exercised during troubled times, and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, but I challenge the record to produce such a flagrant abuse of power’.
He was actually moaning about being arrested on suspicion of involvement in the Lincoln assassination!
Tumblety’s references to Britain, her culture, Empire and leading men in this book can only be described as warm and positive.

His 1889 book ‘A Sketch of the Life of the Gifted, Eccentric and World-Famed Physician Francis Tumblety’ also talks warmly of Britain. The only vaguely Oirsh passage being a reference to Parnell:
‘Now let me say a word about the attacks which certain American newspapers recently made upon me, attacks that were as unfounded as the onslaught made on the great Irish leader. While I was not in a position to defend myself, these papers continued their foul slanders, but my friends will readily see, from the foregoing pages and from the testimonials that follow, how utterly base and wholly groundless these aspersions were. Like Parnell, I have emerged from the battle entirely unscathed with my social and professional standing unimpaired.’
He is of course referring to the allegations in the US press where he was accused of being a Ripper suspect and compared his plight to that of Parnell.

This book, with the New York World interview in January 1889, were part of Tumblety’s plan to rehabilitate himself and clear the air after the dust had settled and the Gross Indecency charges had been forgotten about in the brouhaha he himself generated about being a Ripper suspect.

So Tumblety’s self penned books give no space to promoting Fenian viewpoints and the 1857 election episode is of no utility in suggesting that Tumblety has Fenian leanings.

[The Good Michael]

Tumblety was born near Dublin and was a Catholic. His sympathies would be natural and inborn. It is not a mere aside and with these published sympathies, some as early as 1857, he had all the credentials for a Fenian supporter, if not a member. Certainly enough to be worth watching as an Irish American visiting London at the time of the troubles.

As McCulloch states, 'It is not necessary to identify Tumblety as a covert Fenian organizer to understand how he could be taken as a representative of certain strands of Irish radicalism.' And this was speaking with knowledge gleaned from 1857 sources and written in 1993 before Tumblety became known as a Ripper suspect. However, people with a Ripper interest usually see only what they want to see.

It is understandable for those wishing to minimize Tumblety's profile with regard to his Fenian sympathies and hatred of women to gainsay clear evidence. That's 'Ripperworld' for you.

The hiring of Fenian lawyers is what I was referring to. He wanted representation that would keep him out of jail.

Mike

[Stewart P Evans]

Ambivalent

...
We also see heightened bitterness against Albion following his arrest on charges of Gross indecency.
Prior to this London and London society - mixing with the Old Ascendancy - was his favourite playground - hence his bitterness.
In any case let's give all the evidence such as his grovelling pro British letter at the time of the Boer War.
Also be wary of ascribing any Irish reference to Fenianism and any Irish politician who represented Irish interests as being a Fenian - Littlechild seems to have understood the difference .
...

Tumblety always had an ambivalent view of England and the English which was evinced in his writings as far back as 1866. Whilst greatly admiring such literary figures as Dickens he, at the same time, railed against the English treatment of Ireland.

It amuses me how those with an agenda tend to try and write Tumblety off as a mere con man at the same time forgetting how many con men have figured amongst the worst murderers. There is no way that Tumblety would have been written off by Littlechild as not worth being looked at as an Irish sympathizer.

But, hey, you are brim full of idees fixe and I appreciate that nothing can change such an inflexible mind. Sorry, but I really have tired of this pointless 'debate'.

[Stewart P Evans]

Liaison

...
The problem with making a case that Tumblety was a Fenian - or rather more to the point that he would have attracted Littlechild's attention as a Fenian is that he was a con man.
He was also vain and liked applause. So in front of an Irish audience in a district where Irish sentiment ran high he can be seen - superficially I Would suggest - playing to the crowd.
...
Also be wary of ascribing any Irish reference to Fenianism and any Irish politician who represented Irish interests as being a Fenian - Littlechild seems to have understood the difference .
And please there were plenty of Irish Catholics who loyally served the crown - even after independence and most I am sure we're apolitical.

There was a highly developed liaison between the Canadian and Metropolitan police with regard to suspected Irish American sympathisers. This would have certainly brought Tumblety to the attention of the English police. Tumblety himself published his Boston speech so it did not reach a mere limited audience. I am well aware of Irish political history, the history of the Fenians and religious loyalties. We have some very good Catholic friends, with whom we have stayed, in Dublin.

[Stewart P Evans]

Expected

The expected response, illustrating just what I mean.

[Lechmere]

I'm a bit of a novice so please excuse me for misspelling Dunham.

The problem with making a case that Tumblety was a Fenian - or rather more to the point that he would have attracted Littlechild's attention as a Fenian is that he was a con man.
He was also vain and liked applause. So in front of an Irish audience in a district where Irish sentiment ran high he can be seen - superficially I Would suggest - playing to the crowd.
We see him making a great show of withdrawing as an election candidate - all too typical of the man.
We also see heightened bitterness against Albion following his arrest on charges of Gross indecency.
Prior to this London and London society - mixing with the Old Ascendancy - was his favourite playground - hence his bitterness.
In any case let's give all the evidence such as his grovelling pro British letter at the time of the Boer War.
Also be wary of ascribing any Irish reference to Fenianism and any Irish politician who represented Irish interests as being a Fenian - Littlechild seems to have understood the difference .
And please there were plenty of Irish Catholics who loyally served the crown - even after independence and most I am sure we're apolitical.

[Stewart P Evans]

A Ps

Merely as a postscript I should like to add the following.

Apropos of suspects I know that there is no hard evidence in support of any named suspect actually being the Ripper. I also know that the identity of the Ripper will never be proven. I am also, here, not arguing for Tumblety being the Ripper, and not trying to build any sort of theory. I am merely reproducing printed and published material. I am also happy for any individual to believe just whoever he wishes to be the Ripper.

Now, although I realize that the interpretation of such written material does rather depend on the bias of the person making that interpretation, it seems to me to be an objective conclusion in saying that Tumblety was an Irish sympathizer and that he was not afraid of broadcasting the fact.

There are several other references to this fact but I now tire of reproducing the references and I tire of some of the misguided souls who haunt these boards. I shall leave the arguments to those with more stamina than I.

[Stewart P Evans]

Irish Born Catholic

Thanks for posting this. While I'm sure Tumblety at least portrayed himself as a staunch Irish supporter, he doesn't seem like the guy that would do anything without something in it for him. As far as having Fenian lawyers, I assume that is merely an aside as it wouldn't matter what their leanings were. What mattered was hiring people with connections enough to get him out of trouble.
Mike

Tumblety was born near Dublin and was a Catholic. His sympathies would be natural and inborn. It is not a mere aside and with these published sympathies, some as early as 1857, he had all the credentials for a Fenian supporter, if not a member. Certainly enough to be worth watching as an Irish American visiting London at the time of the troubles.

As McCulloch states, 'It is not necessary to identify Tumblety as a covert Fenian organizer to understand how he could be taken as a representative of certain strands of Irish radicalism.' And this was speaking with knowledge gleaned from 1857 sources and written in 1993 before Tumblety became known as a Ripper suspect. However, people with a Ripper interest usually see only what they want to see.

It is understandable for those wishing to minimize Tumblety's profile with regard to his Fenian sympathies and hatred of women to gainsay clear evidence. That's 'Ripperworld' for you.

[The Good Michael]

Thanks for posting this. While I'm sure Tumblety at least portrayed himself as a staunch Irish supporter, he doesn't seem like the guy that would do anything without something in it for him. As far as having Fenian lawyers, I assume that is merely an aside as it wouldn't matter what their leanings were. What mattered was hiring people with connections enough to get him out of trouble.

Mike

[Stewart P Evans]

Do try...

I think you've got a persecution mania.
I took the trouble to read your articles as I wanted to understand why you thought you had 'nailed it' with Durham and what your arguments are.
...

Do try to spell the name 'Dunham' correctly.

[Stewart P Evans]

Tumblety's Fenian connections

Summary of Tumblety's Fenian connections in 1857.


-Michael McCulloch, Historian, B.C.

[Stewart P Evans]

Tumblety's Fenian Lawyers

When arrested for attempted abortion, on the prostitute Philomene Dumas, in September 1857, Tumblety was represented by two Irish supporting lawyers, Devlin and Drummond, who succeeded in getting the charge dismissed.


- Michael McCulloch, Historian, B.C.

[Stewart P Evans]

Really?

...
The reason why Tumblety came under the notice of the police and the contents of the resulting dossier has been much debated.
To some it suggests that he was involved in political activities – as a Fenian. After all Littlechild was in charge of Special Branch. Yet there isn’t the slightest indication in this letter to back up that claim. There is very little in Tumblety’s life to suggest any serious interest in Irish republicanism on his part, and certainly none in this letter. Littlechild was to complain that he was forever being fed information throwing suspicion on Irishmen just because they were Irishmen.
...

Oh, really? Care to re-assess his Irish sympathies?

[Stewart P Evans]

Conclusion

Conclusion of Tumblety's anti-English tirade.