Imagine a man dressed head to toe in a handmade leather suit, trekking an almost 400-kilometer loop across towns in New York and Connecticut, like clockwork, every month — and becoming a local legend in the process.
This was the Old Leatherman, a French-speaking vagabond from the late 1800s who captured the hearts and curiosity of everyone he met.
Schoolchildren would get excused from class just to wave hello or offer him a meal.
Newspapers eagerly followed his every step on his 34-day journey.
But who was he? Where did he come from? And why did he wear that heavy leather outfit? These questions have lingered for nearly 170 years.
The Man Behind the Legend — Fact or Folklore?
Local stories say the Leatherman was Jules Bourglay, a disgraced suitor from Lyon, France, who fled scandal and financial ruin after his involvement with a wealthy leather merchant’s family.
But his true identity remains a mystery.
Some historians believe he was actually French Canadian with a Native American grandfather, who taught him the survival skills that helped him endure harsh winters and long travels.
The man seemed almost otherworldly — he spoke little English, answering mostly in grunts and gestures, carrying a French prayer book and smoking a pipe.
The Unending Mystery of His Grave
In 2011, an excavation team led by Connecticut State Archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni attempted to uncover the Leatherman’s remains in Ossining, New York, hoping DNA tests might finally reveal the truth.
But instead of bones, they found only rusted nails — likely from an old coffin — and no sign of human remains.
To make matters more complicated, the grave marker wasn’t placed until 30 years after his death, identified by the daughter of the woman who had found his body.
Bellantoni believes they may have dug in the wrong spot entirely, or that the acidic soil had decomposed his remains completely.
“The moral of the story is that Old Leatherman was elusive in life, and remains elusive in death,” Bellantoni said.
A Life of Routine and Resilience
By the early 1880s, the Leatherman had perfected a 365-mile clockwise route through about 40 towns, sticking to it like clockwork every 34 days.
His unique leather suit — reportedly weighing around 60 pounds — and his odd habits made him a fixture in local folklore.
He lived simply, surviving off kindness and the food people left out for him.
Despite his mysterious nature, he never begged and was known for being polite, even as he faced harsh weather and later, debilitating illness.
He suffered from mouth cancer, which eventually led to his death in 1889 at about age 50.
Keeping the Legend Alive
Even after his death, the Old Leatherman’s story only grew.
His leather suit was put on display, and in 1953, a bronze plaque was placed at what was believed to be his grave.
Hiking trails and races now commemorate his famous loop, and his story inspired music, including a Pearl Jam song celebrating this “man of the land.”
But as more research emerged, many began to question the accepted narrative.
Local historian Dan DeLuca, who dedicated years to studying the Leatherman, argued the man was more likely a French Canadian trained in wilderness skills rather than a disgraced French noble.
His extensive research remains a treasure trove of clues, even after his passing in 2016.
Why the Mystery Still Matters Today
The fact that we still don’t know exactly who the Old Leatherman was, or even where he’s truly buried, keeps his story alive.
Experts like Michael Hoberman, a folklore scholar, suggest the legend resonates because it touches on timeless themes: kindness to strangers, freedom from societal pressures, and the longing for simpler times.
In today’s world, where issues like immigration are hotly debated, the tale of a mysterious wanderer crossing borders and relying on the goodwill of strangers reminds us of our shared humanity.
A Puzzle That May Never Be Solved
Despite modern technology like ground-penetrating radar, archaeologists haven’t been able to locate another burial site.
The story might remain just that — a story — preserving the mystery of the Old Leatherman forever.
As Bellantoni said, “Maybe that is for the better,” because sometimes legends live on precisely because we can’t fully explain them.
And perhaps, that’s the true legacy of the Old Leatherman: a reminder that some mysteries are meant to inspire, not just solve.