In early 1882, Doyle spent a crazy six weeks or so working for the eccentric and deceptive George Budd in his practice in Plymouth. In Doyle's 'Memories and Adventures', he wrote:
In a book written some years afterwards called “The Stark Munro Letters,” I drew in very close detail the events of the next few years, and there the curious reader will find them more clearly and fully set out than would be to scale in these pages. I would only remark, should any reader reconstruct me or my career from that book, that there are some few incidents there which are imaginary, and that, especially, the whole incident of the case of a lunatic and of Lord Saltire in Chapter IV occurred to a friend and not to myself. Otherwise the whole history of my association with the man whom I called Cullingworth, his extraordinary character, our parting and the way in which I was left to what seemed certain ruin, were all as depicted. I will here simply give the essentials of the story, and retain the fictitious name.
Budd was the true name of that doctor. Budd was a fellow Edinburgh medical student of Doyle, a rambunctious rugby player, and hBudd had eloped with an underage woman (i.e., without permission) and brought her from London to Edinburgh in disguise. After completion of studies, Budd went to Bristol to practice (his father was a well-known physician) but it failed. Budd convinced his creditors to give him time to repay them, and moved on to Plymouth.
I thought I'd take a look at Budd's time in Plymouth, and identify some newspaper articles that captured his time there.
Part of Budd's business practice was to offer free consultations, but dramatically prescribe and over-prescribe medications, that he himself sold. This questionable practice led to dramatic success, and Budd convinced Doyle to join him there, against the advice of others.
The newspaper articles for 1881 announce Budd's arrival, demonstrate that his qualifications were questioned by more conventional practitioners (perhaps concerned at the loss of business), and also show that in late 1881 the Budd's welcomed a daughter into the family.
Western Morning News - Wednesday 30 March 1881
Dr. Budd may be consulted free at his residence, 1. Durnford-street, from 11 am to 1 pm daily.
Western Morning News - Saturday 03 September 1881
SEVERAL Medical Practitioners in the Three Towns having thought it their business to assert that I am not a properly qualified Medical Man, I beg to state that I hold Two Degrees, the one. in Medicine, the other in Surgery. These Degrees I took at Edinburgh University upon the 2nd of August, 1880, and those who have had their doubts on the subject may inspect the said Degrees at my residence, at Twelve a.m., from the 12th to the 20th of this month.
GEORGE BUDD, 1, Durnford-street, Stonehouse, September 1st, 1881.
Western Morning News - Wednesday 19 October 1881
WANTED, on a lease a farm of about 30 acres, within 5 miles of Plymouth. - Apply Dr. Budd, 1, Durnford-street, Plymouth.
Exeter Flying Post - Wednesday 16 November 1881
BIRTHS. November 12 at Durnford-street, Stonehouse, the wife of Dr George Budd, a daughter.
In 1882, when Doyle had joined Budd for 6 weeks, Budd appeared in the papers writing letters to the editor with grievances over the market inspector and some dodgy pork he had purchased, continuing to advertise his 'gratis days' , and complaining that he was insulted by the tax collector (did he protest too much or was he experiencing financial trouble?).
Western Morning News - Monday 23 January 1882
Western Morning News - Thursday 06 April 1882
Sir - To-day my servant purchased of W. H. Ross, in the Plymouth Market, a piece of pork. It smelt, and sharing the somewhat common opinion that smelling meat is not a desirable commodity I sent it back to the shop. They refused to take it, Whereupon seeing that the meat, both in appearance and odour, was in an evident state of decomposition. I decided to push the matter further. Imagine my surprise when Mr Julian, the inspector of the Plymouth Market, told me that be knew nothing about meat, as he was not a butcher. If he is prepared to make a similar declaration with regard to vegetables and the rest, he is certainly an inspector in the same sense as Mr. Pecksniff was a surveyor. Mr. Peeksniff, be it remembered, surveyed the country from his window. Mr. Julian seems simply to inspect the market. Mr. Julian sent for two neighbouring butchers, who pronounced the meat to be sour but eatable. Such evidence may be taken for what it is worth. It is a curious fact that all the persons other than butchers who, at my request, smelt the meat without exception said that they should be very sorry to eat it. These were some nine in number. If ever the post of inspector for the Plymouth market should fall vacant I would suggest that a person chosen who possesses some knowledge of provisions and their condition.
GEORGE BUDD, 6, Eliiott-terrace, Plymouth, April 5th.
Western Morning News - Monday 10 April 1882
THE GREAT PORK MYSTERY.
Sir, The ways of the inspector of the Plymouth Market appear more mysterious than ever.
The piece of pork to which I have alluded was in my presence cut up while under examination (by the two butchers) in the market. Some needy and apparently greedy persons in the crowd said they would like to try it. I thereupon distributed the portions among them, hoping that indigestion might punish their temerity. How these pieces of pork have re-collected themselves and found their way into Mr. Julian's hands will perhaps remain for ever a mystery. In the meantime I beg to question the identity of the pork which Mr. Julian sold at petty sessions yesterday had been examined by Dr. Greenway, and pronounced sound.
Yours truly, GEORGE BUDD.
6 Elliott-terrace, Plymouth, April 9th, 1882.
Western Morning News - Tuesday 11 April 1882
To lighten my work on GRATIS DAYS during the summer months I will see patients FREE from nine to ten a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays (other hours as before.)
GEORGE BUDD
1, Durnford-street, Stonehouse, April 7th, 1882
Western Morning News - Friday 11 August 1882
This month I received a demand- the Ist of th A foot. note for income-ta: appended thereto stated that the office was at 29, Union-street Stonehouse, and that the duties would be received there between the hours of two and four o’clock on Wednesdays, and six and eight on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The notice added that “the collector is required to call once only.” This demand-note was presented to me for the first time upon August 1st and during the few days which have since elapsed the collector, Charles Davis, has called at my house no fewer than five times. To-day he brought matters to a climax by calling at my house in my professional hours and refusing to leave my study. I sent for a policeman, and this energetic collector thereupon departed, calling oat in a loud voice that he would immediately, put a man in possession, This happened within the hearing of many of my patients. Now, the demand-note stated that the tax could be paid at the office on Wednesdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, the plural number implying that no immediate payment was required. Yet within eight days from the first presentation of the note the collector called, and threatens to put a man in possession. I may add that I had, when the collector called, promised to send the money to the office as the note requested. I write to you in the public interest, for I see no reason why a heavily-taxed community should be subjected to unnecessary insult.— Yours truly, G. BUDD, 1, Durnford-street, Stonehouse, August 10th.
In 1883, Budd appears to again experience financial rumors, and has to deny that he is bankrupt Budd had his practice at Elliott-terrace, and removed his practice to his home at Durnford-street. On the other hand, an advertisement appeared stating that three years after leaving Clifton (Bristol) Budd had settled his debts with his creditors from those days.
Western Morning News - Tuesday 10 April 1883
The truth of the matter is that I am removing to 1, Durnford-street, and am disposing of some of my surplus furniture.
I have treated over 90 Patients at my residence to-day.
GEORGE BUDD, Bachelor of Medicine, 1 Durnford-street
Western Morning News - Tuesday 18 September 1883
(Signed) Samuel Shirley; Hancock and Co.; James Wise; John Cordeux, Sons and Were.
Clifton, Bristol, Sept 14th.
In 1884, onwards, Budd was selling his blood tonic preparation. The advertisement mentions the tonic was used in "the remarkable cure of Dropsy effected by him in September 1881, which was classed in the Three Towns Almanack as one of the chief local events of the year". I haven't been able to find this publication yet to read the account - but it lines up with the tales Doyle told of getting the town talking as the best alternative to advertising (which was not allowed).
Western Morning News - Tuesday 06 May 1884
The medicine is prepared from a prescription designed by Dr. Budd, of Plymouth.
It possesses extraordinary power in renovating the Blood and is clearing it from impurities.
It is identical medicine prescribed by him in the remarkable cure of Dropsy effected by him in September, 1881, which was classed in the Three Towns Almanack as one of the chief local events of the year.
A bottle containing twenty doses forwarded to any address (carriage paid) on receipt of Post-office order for Three Shillings and Threepence, payable to
Dr. George Budd
1, Durnford Street, Plymouth
In 1888, the Budd family lost a new-born son, and the next year Budd died.
London Evening Standard - Friday 11 May 1888
DEATHS
BUDD - May 5. at 1. Durnford-street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, William, the infant son of Dr. George Budd, aged five days.
Bristol Times and Mirror - Monday 04 March 1889
George Turnavine Budd was buried in Ford Park Cemetery in Plymouth, with a beautiful headstone marking the burial place of Budd and his son William (who died at approximately a week old). The ceramic tile placed in the middle of the headstone is not something I recall seeing before.
George Turnavine Budd
Bornd 3rd November 1855
Died 28th February 1889
Also his son
William
Born 30th April 1888
Died 5th May 1888
What happened to Budd's wife and children? I'll have a post on that next.
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