13throwcenter
03-31-2001, 03:27 PM
Who is Jules Bourglay, you ask? Why.... he was LeatherMan, of course!
http://members.esslink.com/~channy/leath.gif
So I've been listening to the Indy boot in the car for about the last week and I think it has my favorite version of Leatherman I have heard so far. I love the way Ed says "to whom I MAY be reLAted" in the second verse... cracks me up every time.
Anyway, I'm wondering how many of you have ever read the story about Leatherman? It's really quite interesting and knowing the story has made me love the song even that much more. I'll post a link to the story I found online... I really encourage you to read it. I wonder how Ed figured out he may be related to this guy? If I ever had a chance to talk to Ed... I'd definitely want to talk with him about LeatherMan : )
http://members.esslink.com/~channy/leatherman.html
here are a few excerpts from the story:
Considerable inquiry was made concerning him and in time he became accepted for what he was, an itinerant who asked for food and wished to be left alone. His wishes were acceded to but some residents, more curious than others, took the time to learn more about him. It was found that he had a circuit of 365 miles that he covered every thirty-four days and slept at night in caves. He traveled in a clockwise direction, never once retracing his steps.[i]
[i]The Leather Man knew how to take care of himself and where to get what we (sic) wanted. He made all of his utensils and looked to kind friends for food, tobacco and matches only. A man of the out-of-doors, he knew every vagary of nature and how to deal with it. Never did he accept an invitation to sleep indoors, regardless of the inclement weather but made himself comfortable through his own ingenuity and handicraft. The question is frequently asked, "How did he keep warm in winter?" A number of people observed carefully his cave-keeping methods and took particular note of his heating plant (sic). Before leaving his cave each day an inverted "v" of small dry sticks would be placed on the "hearth" or large flat stone in the center of his shelter, needing only to be lighted on his next arrival. Additional dry wood was stored in the rock crevices within the structure. With such preparation little time was lost in starting a fire after a day's journey and soon the small area was comfortable and warm. When enough coals had accumulated to warm the hearth thoroughly, they were swept outside and the Leather man lay down on his improvised "soapstone" to sleep in a warm, if not soft, bed. Additional warmth radiated from the low overhang of rock and the sensation must have been like sleeping in a hot oven. It was sufficiently warm for him to come through every winter in good health.
~.~.~.~.~
And the rivers shall open for the righteous, someday.
http://members.esslink.com/~channy/leath.gif
So I've been listening to the Indy boot in the car for about the last week and I think it has my favorite version of Leatherman I have heard so far. I love the way Ed says "to whom I MAY be reLAted" in the second verse... cracks me up every time.
Anyway, I'm wondering how many of you have ever read the story about Leatherman? It's really quite interesting and knowing the story has made me love the song even that much more. I'll post a link to the story I found online... I really encourage you to read it. I wonder how Ed figured out he may be related to this guy? If I ever had a chance to talk to Ed... I'd definitely want to talk with him about LeatherMan : )
http://members.esslink.com/~channy/leatherman.html
here are a few excerpts from the story:
Considerable inquiry was made concerning him and in time he became accepted for what he was, an itinerant who asked for food and wished to be left alone. His wishes were acceded to but some residents, more curious than others, took the time to learn more about him. It was found that he had a circuit of 365 miles that he covered every thirty-four days and slept at night in caves. He traveled in a clockwise direction, never once retracing his steps.[i]
[i]The Leather Man knew how to take care of himself and where to get what we (sic) wanted. He made all of his utensils and looked to kind friends for food, tobacco and matches only. A man of the out-of-doors, he knew every vagary of nature and how to deal with it. Never did he accept an invitation to sleep indoors, regardless of the inclement weather but made himself comfortable through his own ingenuity and handicraft. The question is frequently asked, "How did he keep warm in winter?" A number of people observed carefully his cave-keeping methods and took particular note of his heating plant (sic). Before leaving his cave each day an inverted "v" of small dry sticks would be placed on the "hearth" or large flat stone in the center of his shelter, needing only to be lighted on his next arrival. Additional dry wood was stored in the rock crevices within the structure. With such preparation little time was lost in starting a fire after a day's journey and soon the small area was comfortable and warm. When enough coals had accumulated to warm the hearth thoroughly, they were swept outside and the Leather man lay down on his improvised "soapstone" to sleep in a warm, if not soft, bed. Additional warmth radiated from the low overhang of rock and the sensation must have been like sleeping in a hot oven. It was sufficiently warm for him to come through every winter in good health.
~.~.~.~.~
And the rivers shall open for the righteous, someday.