The Leatherman - Final resting place
Posted by: 
POCrow222
N 41° 08.206 W 073° 51.655
18T E 595601 N 4554564
The Leatherman was a local vagabond that was famous for making round trips by walking between Westchester and Conneticut.
Waymark Code: WM2WPW
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 01/01/2008
Views: 128
The Leatherman (ca. 1839 – 1889) was a vagabond famous for his handmade leather suit of clothes who traveled a circuit between the Connecticut and Hudson Rivers from about 1856-1889. Although sometimes identified as Jules Bourglay, his identity remains unknown.
Residing in rock shelters and "leatherman caves" as they are locally now known,he stopped at towns along his 365 mile loop once every 34 days for food and supplies. He was dubbed the "Leatherman" as his entire adornment, from hat, scarf, clothes to shoes were handmade of leather.
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. Upon his death, among his possessions was found a French prayerbook.
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".
Leatherman was quite popular in Connecticut. Reliable in his rounds, people would have extra food ready for him, which he often ate on their doorsteps. Ten towns along the Leatherman's route passed ordinances exempting him from the state "tramp law" passed in 1879.
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. His body was found in March of 1889 in his Saw Mill Woods cave, Sing Sing, NY.
Leatherman inspired a song by Pearl Jam, "Leatherman" (b-side of the single "Given to Fly", from the album Yield)
Type: Local Legend or Lore
Referenced in (list books, websites and other media):
Leatherman inspired a song by Pearl Jam, "Leatherman" (b-side of the single "Given to Fly", from the album Yield)
Additional Coordinates: N 41° 08.206 W 073° 51.655
Website Reference: [Web Link]
|