Dr. T smoked Cigars

[mklhawley]

Hi all,

We see Francis Tumblety enjoyed a cigar on occasions.

Morning Freeman, New Brunswick, Canada, 29 September 1860
S.B. Estey was called, and stated that Dr. Tumblety's Christian name was Francis; that he had boarded with him about thirteen weeks; that the last he saw of him was on Thursday night about 9 o'clock, when he came down stairs, lit a cigar and went out.

There you go, Steadmund Brand!

Sincerely,

Mike

[GUT]

Should make Steady happy.

He was looking for someone to share a cigar with at ripper con.

[Steadmund Brand]

There ya go, Must be a NY thing.. however I will not wax my moustache.. and we share no other hobbies

see, now someone has to enjoy a Tumblety with me.. I know Howard Brown smokes ( or use to) cigarettes and pipes, not sure on cigars!

Steadmund Brand

[ChrisGeorge]

Hi Mike, Steadmund, and GUT

A poet friend of mine here in Baltimore grew his beard long (see below) in emulation of a poet hero of his, W. D. Snodgrass -- or was it in emulation of Walt Whitman? . . . Actually it's possible that Snodgrass, a generation or two older than my friend, grew his beard long as a tribute to Whitman (also below).

Unfortunately, Gary reported that recently he suffered an accident while lighting his cigar: he burned a big hole in that luxuriant beard. I am not able to report whether he is now clean shaven or if he was able to salvage part of his beard. In any case, it will take a while to grow it that long again!

Cheers

Chris





Walt Whitman, 1887, photograph colorized by Dan Keller.

[mklhawley]

Interesting, Chris. I hear Israel Schwartz said Tumblety switched to a pipe by 1888, because of his mustache being in the way!

Mike

[Steadmund Brand]

I switched when I gave up cigarettes'....god I miss them...but been 6 years now....I smoke a pipe at times but they are a pain to keep up.....plus...I love the camaraderie of a cigar shop....very relaxing and always great conversation....

My beard is much shorter so I'm safe from that kind of accident....I hope.....

I have my travel humidor all ready for April!!!!!

Steadmund Brand

[The Good Michael]

Morning Freeman, New Brunswick, Canada, 29 September 1860
S.B. Estey was called, and stated that Dr. Tumblety's Christian name was Francis; that he had boarded with him about thirteen weeks; that the last he saw of him was on Thursday night about 9 o'clock, when he came down stairs, lit a cigar and went out.

May have been his first and last cigar, if he was smart.

Mike

[mklhawley]

May have been his first and last cigar, if he was smart.

Mike

Interesting thought, Mike. Here was a person who claimed to promote health by taking into the body only healthy things, yet he was known to smoke and even have his fine ale.

[GUT]

Interesting thought, Mike. Here was a person who claimed to promote health by taking into the body only healthy things, yet he was known to smoke and even have his fine ale.

But in the 1880's they weren't seen as unhealthy.

[mklhawley]

But in the 1880's they weren't seen as unhealthy.

It looks like Dr. T was against 'stale' beer in gallons. Here's his Jan 29, 1889 interview:

Why, they stuff themselves all day with potpies and beef and drink gallons of stale beer, keeping it up until they go to bed late at night, and then wake up the next morning heavy as lead. Why, all the English police have dyspepsia.

Mike

[GUT]

It looks like Dr. T was against 'stale' beer in gallons. Here's his Jan 29, 1889 interview:

Why, they stuff themselves all day with potpies and beef and drink gallons of stale beer, keeping it up until they go to bed late at night, and then wake up the next morning heavy as lead. Why, all the English police have dyspepsia.

Mike

But pints of the stale stuff or gallons of the fresh is fine.

[Shaggyrand]

Interesting, Chris. I hear Israel Schwartz said Tumblety switched to a pipe by 1888, because of his mustache being in the way!

Mike

It's almost a shame he didn't live long enough to smoke Prince Albert in a can. Something about that idea just pleases me... I really don't know why.

[mklhawley]

It's almost a shame he didn't live long enough to smoke Prince Albert in a can. Something about that idea just pleases me... I really don't know why.

So close, though. He only had to live five years longer!

[ChrisGeorge]

[mklhawley]

A Second Account of Cigars and Ale

Hi all,

Here's another account of Tumblety enjoying his cigars and ale, now in 1870:

Cincinnati Enquirer, Dec 14, 1888
..."It was back in the spring of 1870," he [James Jackson] said. "when I first met Tumblety in Pittsburg. He was a tall, handsome man, excessively dignified and polite, with a military bearing. We met on the street, and after a few words he invited me to have a cigar at the Monogahela House. It was a cold, snowy evening, and, smoking our cigars, we walked down to his office. In the mean time he had introduced himself by showing me a heavy gold medal which purported to have been presented to him by the citizens of Salt Lake, Utah, for some service. The doctor carried a gold-headed cane, so heavy that it would tire our hand. Arrived at the office, he insisted on examining my physical condition. And freely gave his advice as to a line of habits which would in a few years make me a perfect specimen of manhood. I frequently called on the doctor, and we became great friends. He always had on tap at his office a barrel of ale, and we used to sit and drink until both of us were feeling somewhat jolly."

Sincerely,

Mike