Poe Toaster

The Poe Toaster is a mysterious figure who pays homage to one of America's greatest writers, Edgar Allen Poe, every year on the night of January 19th.  The mysterious figure, whose identity has never been discovered, appears wearing a long, dark coat with hat and scarf (which he uses to conceal his face). 
The Poe Toaster makes his way to the original grave of Poe and proceeds to place three red roses (thought to symbolize Poe's deceased wives) as well as a bottle of Cognac.  The Poe Toaster first pours a glass for himself and then leaves the rest of the expensive drink on the tomb (apparently the bottles are collected by an historian working for the city of Baltimore, although I suspect the actual Cognac ends up in someone's belly). 
In recent years, the Poe Toaster has left notes, although this primarily began when it is believed that the 'original' Poe Toaster ceased his annual ritual and another individual took up the identity.  This appears to be confirmed in the notes left behind, with one note in particular poignantly stating that the "torch would be passed on." 
Those who have been keeping track of the Poe Toaster sightings say that this makes sense, since more recent visits by the Toaster have been slightly different in style, owing to a difference in personal taste and execution.  
It would also help to explain why the seemingly same guy keeps turning up every January in the dead of night in Baltimore since about 1930!
The Poe Toaster quickly became a local celebrity during 'his' 70+ years of nightly activity.  He would appear near the cemetery and make his way in, always avoiding the crowds that showed up to watch for him.  On one occasion, a group of local youth attempted to stop and forcefully reveal his identity, but the attempt failed. 
In 2009, Poe's Bicentennial, the last genuine sighting of the Poe Toaster occurred.  Since then, the City of Baltimore has begun hosting an artificial toasting that takes place during the day, with a designated candidate to stand in for the Toaster himself, complete with coat, hat and scarf. 
== References: ==
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe_Toaster 
-https://www.historicmysteries.com/who-was-the-poe-toaster/ 
-https://www.bathroomreader.com/2015/01/strange-tale-poe-toaster/ 
Category:Writer
Category:Death