1893 Autobiography

[Joe Chetcuti]

A VIEW OF THE UNITED STATES

From wild Canada's cold and frozen shores
To where the gentle Mississippi pours
Along the tide, as through the woods it bends,
So far the seat of liberty extends;
Here all the gentle virtues are combined
Which form the pure and the enlightened mind;
Here live content the hero and the sage.
Here the old soldier droops under his age,
Not as in Europe, wretched, forced to roam
Without a shelter and without a home.

Tumblety placed that in his 1893 autobiography. The last two lines of the poem seemed to reflect his feelings about getting out of England.

[Joe Chetcuti]

This is a classic Tumblety story. Check out Robert Linford's post #91 on this thread:

http://www.jtrforums.com/showthread.php?t=2722&page=10 (http://www.jtrforums.com/showthread.php?t=2722&page=10)

A wild 19 year Chicago kid named Samuel Sickerman ran away from his family and went to Europe. The kid changed his name to Frank Sherman as he was on the run. His money dried up while in Liverpool, so he hopped aboard a steamer and stowed away to New York. Upon his arrival, the American authorities viewed him as an illegal alien. Tumblety took over from there. The 'doctor' placed two newspaper items into his 1893 book that spoke of the matter.




New York Herald, July 22, 1891.

Here's Generosity for You.

Dr. Francis Tumblety of No. 109 East Ninth street, sent the HERALD yesterday his check for $323.75, with the following letter, which is its own best expounder:

To the Editor of the Herald: -

Returning from Long Branch this morning I read an account in the brilliant New York HERALD of an outrage about to be perpetrated on an American stowaway named Frank Sherman. His mother, being a widow, has my sympathy, and I am willing to defray his expenses, including his passage and trip back to his mother.

Francis Tumblety, M. D.

Dr Tumblety has the thanks of the HERALD and of every right thinking man in the country.




The second news clip that the 'doctor' placed in his autobiography came from the Daily Graphic of Hot Springs, Arkansas dated August 31, 1891. It was entitled:

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES.

What Constitutes a Good Man in the Eyes of Dr. Tumblety.

(The article claimed that a local physician named Dr. John B. Brookes received a letter from Tumblety. The letter went as follows.)

You mentioned my act of benevolence in assisting that poor boy Sherman. I simply did my duty - and for what? For such regard as the kindness of a good deed can give to a naughty world - nothing more.

Faith, truth, unselfishness and regard for the happiness of others constitute the essential qualities of a good man. Perfection can only be attained by striving for everything that is noble, pure, and sublime. All men may be great; the world will not know it, but God will.

With kind regards, I am yours respectfully,

Francis Tumblety M. D.

[Joe Chetcuti]

From there, Tumblety piled it on thick in his 1893 autobiography. He printed up five letters that he claimed were sent to him in appreciation.


To Dr. F. Tumblety, Bar Harbor, Maine.

Dear Dr. Tumblety - I was delighted in reading in today's Herald your manly and democratic letter, enclosing your check for the amount of $323.75 for the release of the young man Sherman. You are a hero. Where are all our great American millionaires? You have put shame to every one of them; you show true composition of what a man is made of. You have a good heart, and it's in the right place. "God bless you."



MY DEAR FRIEND - I noticed in the Herald an item concerning your generous act in regards to the stowaway, which was a noble one, but nothing more than I should expect and look for from you.

To do good towards the worthy and needy is your motto; you look upon your wealth as a heritage held in trust for the destitute.

Many acts of a like nature indicate the noble heart within you, and I more than ever prize your acquaintance.

When I informed my wife of your kindness she was loud in her praises for you.



DEAR FRIEND - It seemed almost a personal loss when I read of the theft of your diamonds (in the Plateau Hotel.) I read with pleasure the article in the Herald at your magnificent action in coming to the aid of the stowaway and not proffering advice but money to assist him.

I am indeed proud to call you my friend, who after sustaining such a grievous loss as you had, coming gallantly forward at the cry of distress. Yours is a true charity.



DEAR SIR - In reading the Herald I noted the fact that you were still engaged serving the Lord in a very proper manner - if such service does not bring reward in this world it must do so in the next!



DEAR SIR - I read the account of your generosity with pleasure, and I am glad to know you were instrumental in protecting a boy from injustice and cruelty.

Very respectfully,your obedient servant,
WM. H. Barry M. D. (President of the Board of Health, Hot Springs, Arkansas.)

[How Brown]

Dear Pedestrian:

Thank you very much for putting these posts up...sorry for the late response ....