A special London despatch to THE WORLD yesterday morning announced the arrest of a man in connection with the Whitechapel crimes, who gave his name as Dr. Kumblety, of New York. He could not be held on suspicion, but the police succeeded in getting him held under the special law passed soon after the "Modern Babylon" exposures.
Dr. Kumblety is well known in this city. His name however is Twomblety, not Kumblety. Twenty-four years ago he made his advent in this city and was since then known only as "Dr. Twomblety" a most eccentric character. He formerly resided in Nova Scotia, where he practiced medicine under the name of Dr. Sullivan. About the time of his appearance in this city he was a fugitive from justice, having fled his Nova Scotian home to escape punishment for malpractice.
Ever since his identity became known here he has been under surveillance of Inspector Byrnes's officers, who rarely lose sight of him or knowledge of his whereabouts. For twenty years he has been widely known as the manufacturer of Twomblety's pimple banisher, from which he professes to gain a livelihood. His own face is covered with pimples, and although his features are otherwise regular, his appearance on this account is somewhat repulsive. He is a large and heavily built man, standing fully six feet in his stockings. The doctor's dress and appearance upon the street were remarkably eccentric. He had an office on Broadway, near Eighth street, and another in Jersey City, but he spent most of his time in this city.
Every afternoon, for years, he was seen with a huge button-hole bouquet in the lapel of his coat, walking up Broadway and later in the day promenading up and down in front of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. On all these occasions he would be followed at a distance of about ten feet by a valet, a short and stocky built fellow, who led by their collars two monster greyhounds. The doctor also drove a gorgeously equipped turnout.
One day a brief history of the man appeared in Frank Leslie's paper, showing him up in his true colors. A few evenings later Editor Ralston, of the journal, was enjoying a tete-a-tete with a friend in the Fifth Avenue Hotel cafe, when in popped Dr. Twomblety. The latter immediately accused the editor of writing his history and followed up the abuse by assaulting Mr. Ralston. The doctor was arrested, but discharged the next morning, as Editor Ralston refused to prosecute.
During the past few years Twomblety has opened a branch office in London and has been making regular trips across the ocean at intervals of five or six months. He was last seen here about five months ago, when he appeared on Broadway, just as he did twenty years ago, with his leather-peaked cap, white over-gaiters and button-hole bouquet.
