The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-27
AsTRANGE HISTORY,
The sold Leather hIRp," q Tramp, found
Dead on n COnuVetieut Farm,


HARTFORD, Conn.,, March ga pri
yate dispatch received here from Mr.
Sutton, at Sing Sing, establishes the ideI
that the tramp found dead on GeorgI
Dell's farm, Mount Pleasant was thl
famous "old Leather Man." who, for
quarter Of o century, had been charac
ter In Connecticut,
II Ia probable that his true historywil
never be known, for the queer old fellow
could never be induced to speak q ful
sentence either in English or In the Ian
guage OF France, Of which country he
was q native,
The story generally accepted, although
It's origin Is unknown, Is that his name
was Jules BoprgelSy, and that he was q
native OF Lyons. In early manhood he
fell in love with the daughter Of NJ. La
ron, a leather manufacturer, but her
father objected, as Bourgelay was with
out means. Finally n, Lsron took him
into his employ as q confidential clerk,
This was about 1857, Business depres.
sion led to specalations by Bourgelay
with NJ, Laron's funds until he had
ruined his employer,
BouTgelay became insane and after
two years confinement In private asy-
lum fled To America. He first came TO
public attention In LitChAeld county,
where he tramped around doing little
odd jobs at tinkerlng on the pots and
kettles OF the farmers wives, He wore
a suit OF clothing made wholly Of pieces
OF boots legs, stitched together with
thongs, as q leather belt Is laced. His
leather cap had visor, and was of a
military design. His boots were dis
carded ones picked up or given him,
and he alwaysadded heavy wooden soles,
Over each shoulder was slung leather
bag, one containing scraps OF food and
the other pieces OF leather,
Early In the history oi his ceaseless
tramping he established regular circuit,
beginning in Litchheld county, thence
eastward to the Connecticut river (which
he never crossed, thence down the river
valley and westward through New
Haven county TO Fairfield county, and
thencenorthward to the starting point.
His circuit occupied four weeks, and in
mild weather he was so regular that the
people along the route knew 10 the day,
and almost the hour, when to expect
him. Formany years until this time he
had not crossed into New York, but did
so frequently years ago. He never
begged, but always took whatever food
or tobacco was offered him.
Every attempt 10 draw him into con.
yersation failed. No weather was So
we're enough 10 intercept his tireless
round, and in the terrible blizzard OF
last year he would have perished II SYM
pathizing farmers had not forCibly de-
tained him. As 1t was, he was quite bad
ly frozen. Some time last fall a cancer
formed on his lower lip, and rapidly ate
Its way through the jaw To the throat.
He was taken into custody by the HUI
name society's officers, near Middle
town, and brought to the Hartford Hos
pital on tho morning OF December 8. He
refused TO stay, and as there was no
authority for restraining his liberty, he
was released. The next morning lie ap-
peared in North Haven, thirty miles
distant, wet, cold and rayenously hun.
cry, as shown by his eating six bowls OF
bread soaked In coffee. .HHh