New Brunswick, Canada
16 October 1860
We received by mail on Saturday a copy of the Eastport Sentinel, with an article which we were requested to copy. It is all about Dr. Tumblety, as is probably his story as told by himself. Why he or any friend of his should wish such a story to be republished in St. John, we can not imagine, as the gross mis-statements with which it abounds, must only do him further injury in St. John, whatever service they may render him in Eastport. Here is a sample of the article:-
"This state of things would not do: could not longer continue with any degree of comfort to the physicians. What business had this strolling, humbugging Yankee to be making such a demonstration among them?
The Doctor was fined for something. He demurred, refused, appealed and Judge Parker reversed the decision.
He gave the fine which they would have extorted from him to the poor. Dr. Tumblety had triumphed. The rush of the afflicted to his rooms was greater than ever. The city doctors shouted out to the people at every street corner, even on Dr. Tumblety's doorstep, "he is a humbug." But this did no good. The people heeded them not. The money still poured into Tumblety's pockets. They then declared the people were fools, to be thus humbugged.
Vain, vain. They could not check the current. Something desperate must next be resorted to. One Mr. Portmore died. He had been an invalid for many years. The doctors, after draining his pocket, had declared him incurable. He called on Dr. Tumblety who told him he could not be cured, but that he would give him some medicine what would somewhat relieve his case. The medicine was given (a decoction of parsley tea). Mr. Portmore stated to sundry persons that the medicine did him good. The following individuals have stated that in their presence Mr. Portmore declared Dr. Tumblety's medicine relieved him: Mr. McSorley, Mr. Esty of the American House, The Editor of the New Brunswicker, of St. John. and Mr. Isaiah Grendle of this place. One of the faculty, hearing of the case, had an interview with Portmore, advised him to abandon the parsley tea, and take his medicine. Portmore took the advice and the medicine, and died. Here was the case. The ingenuity of the doctors was employed to use it against their rival. Dr. Tumblety was absent from the city on professional business.
Over their wine the doctors planned. Portmore was dead. He had taken Tumblety's medicine. These were the materials. A coroner's inquest was held, presided over by one of the doctors, a bitter enemy of Dr. Tumblety's. Three brothers of the Coroner were on the Jury. A post-mortem examination was had. No traces of poison in the stomach, not the slightest indication of any deleterious drug.
But Portmore was dead that was certain, what killed him was not so certain, but they would charge it to Tumblety. The Coroner, therefore, put on a solemn face, and told the Jury they should bring in a verdict of manslaughter. The Jury knew what they were empanelled for and obeyed. Dr. Tumblety was at St. Stephens, and a letter informed him of the proceedings against him."
It is said that he will return as soon as the Circuit Court opens, in order to stand his trial, and that he does not come sooner and he understands that the offence of which he stands charged is not bailable.