Leatherman (vagabond)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Leatherman (ca. 1833 – 1889) was a vagabond of unconfirmed identity who traveled a circuit between the Connecticut and Hudson Rivers from 1858-1889. Residing in rock shelters and "leatherman caves" as they are locally now known,^[1] he stopped at towns along his 365 mile loop once every 34 days for food and supplies.^[2] He was dubbed the "Leatherman" as his entire adornment, from hat, scarf, clothes to shoes were handmade of leather.^[3]

Fluent in French, he communicated mostly with grunts and gestures, rarely using his broken English. When asked of his background, he would abruptly end the conversation.^{[4] [5]} Upon his death, among his possessions was found a French prayerbook.^{[3] [5]}

It is unknown how he earned money, although one store kept a record of his order, "one loaf of bread, a can of sardines, one-pound of fancy crackers, a pie, two quarts of coffee, one gill of brandy and a bottle of beer".^{[3] [6]} Reliable in his rounds, people would have extra food ready for him, which he often ate on their doorsteps.^{[5] [7]}

Contents 1 Health 2 Grave 2.1 Tombstone 3 Controversy 4 Towns visited 5 Popular media 6 References

[edit] Health

The Leatherman survived blizzards and other foul weather by heating his rock shelters with fire. The Connecticut Humane Society had him arrested and hospitalized in 1888, which resulted in a diagnosis of "sane except for an emotional affliction" and release, as he had money and desired freedom. His ultimate demise was from cancer of the mouth due to tobacco use.^{[6] [3]} His body was found March, 1889 in his Saw Mill Woods cave, Sing, Sing, NY.^[4]

[edit] Grave

Located at the Sparta Cemetery, Route 9, Scarborough, NY.

[edit] Tombstone

FINAL RESTING PLACE OF
Jules Bourglay
OF LYONS, FRANCE
"THE LEATHER MAN"
who regularly walked a 365 mile route
through Westchester and Connecticut from
the Connecticut River to the Hudson
living in caves in the years
1858-1889

[edit] Controversy

Although the Leatherman's tombstone reads, "Final resting place of Jules Bourglay of Lyons, France, 'The Leather Man'…", and he is identified with that name in many accounts [1], according to researcher Dan W. DeLuca, this name first appeared in a story published in the Waterbury Daily American, August 16, 1884, but was later retracted March 25, 26 and 27, 1889 and also in The Meriden Daily Journal, March 29, 1889.^{[2] [7]}

[edit] Towns visited

^[4]

[edit] Popular media

• Pearl Jam: "Leatherman", b-side of the single "Given to Fly" (from the album Yield)^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ Mattatuck State Forest (retrieved July 21, 2006)
2. ^ ^{a b c} Hudson Valley Ruins (retrieved July 21, 2006)
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Samantha Hunt, Jules Bourglay, Notable Walker. (retrieved July 21, 2006)
4. ^ ^{a b c} History of Redding (retrieved July 21, 2006)
5. ^ ^{a b c} NY Hudson Valley (retrieved July 21, 2006)
6. ^ ^{a b} Canning, Jeff and Wally Buxton, History of the Tarrytowns, Harbor Hill Books 1975
7. ^ ^{a b} Research by Dan W. DeLuca (retrieved July 21, 2006)

• The Legend of the Old Leatherman