The Leatherman (ca. 1833 â€" 1889) was a vagabond of unconfirmed identity who traveled a circuit between the Connecticut and Hudson Rivers from 1858-1889. Residing in rock shelters and "leatherman caves" as they are locally now known,Mattatuck State Forest (retrieved July 21, 2006) he stopped at towns along his 365 mile loop once every 34 days for food and supplies.Hudson Valley Ruins (retrieved July 21, 2006) He was dubbed the "Leatherman" as his entire adornment, from hat, scarf, clothes to shoes were handmade of leather.Samantha Hunt, Jules Bourglay, Notable Walker. (retrieved July 21, 2006)
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.History of Redding (retrieved July 21, 2006)NY Hudson Valley (retrieved July 21, 2006) 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".Canning, Jeff and Wally Buxton, History of the Tarrytowns, Harbor Hill Books 1975 Reliable in his rounds, people would have extra food ready for him, which he often ate on their doorsteps.Research by Dan W. DeLuca (retrieved July 21, 2006)
The Leatherman survived blizzards and other foul weather by heating his rock shelters with fire. The ConnecticutHumane 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 March, 1889 in his Saw Mill Woods cave, Sing, Sing, NY.
Located at the Sparta Cemetery, Route 9, Scarborough, NY.
Tombstone
FINAL RESTING PLACE OF Jules Bourglay OF LYONS, FRANCE "THE LEATHER MAN" who regularly walked a 365 mile route through Westchester and Connecticut from the Connecticut River to the Hudson living in caves in the years 1858-1889
Although the Leatherman's tombstone reads, "Final resting place of Jules Bourglay of Lyons, France, 'The Leather Man'…", and he is identified with that name in many accounts [1], according to researcher Dan W. DeLuca, this name first appeared in a story published in the Waterbury Daily American, August 16, 1884, but was later retracted March 25, 26 and 27, 1889 and also in The Meriden Daily Journal, March 29, 1889.
