Dr. T Goes to London

[Simon Wood]

Hi All,

The NY World reported on Nov 19th that Tumblety was last seen in New York during June 1888. He arrived in London at some time after this, and the first of his four gross indecency offences [that with Albert Fisher] took place on Friday 27th July 1888.

I have always wondered why Tumblety left New York in the first place. Vacation? Pimple Banishing business? Family obligations?

And then I found this, from the Medical Standard 1888—

5915

"Buchanan graduate" is a reference to Dr John Buchanan who ran a number of fake diploma mills in Cincinnati, St Louis and Camden.

Can anyone shed any light on Tumblety leaving NYC "under a cloud"; also the NYC debauchee clubs like the "Busy Bees"?

Regards,

Simon

[Joe Chetcuti]

(Tumblety) visited both this city and Brooklyn at semi-yearly intervals and became a member of several questionable clubs. - New York Times Nov 19, 1888.

I've often wondered what these "questionable clubs" were. This Busy Bees reference is the first time I've ever heard a name get attached to one of these clubs. Good work, Simon.