"Jerome"- Mystery Man of Sandy Cove
"Jerome"

Mystery Man of Sandy Cove

1854 - 1912

It was an early October morning in Sandy Cove, a fisherman who had gone to the shore to gather rock weed noticed a dark figure along side a big rock on Bay of Fundy beach. As the fisherman got closer he saw the huddled form of a man. Both legs had been amputated just above the knees and beside him was a jug of water and a tin of biscuits. His legs were only partially heeled but was obvious later on that they were amputated by a skilled surgeon and the stumps were bandaged. The man was also suffering from cold and exposure. The fisherman recalled a ship the day before passing back and forth a half mile off shore on the Bay of Fundy side and decided that the man must have been brought in from the ship after dark and thrown overboard.

The castaway was then carried to the home of Mr. Gidney in Mink Cove where he was wrapped in warm blankets and given hot drinks. Through the moaning and muttering only one word was understood, "Jerome". So they called him by this name. The fishermen, boat builders and families took care of Jerome but soon learned he was not going to talk and was taken into the home of the lowest bidder.

Jerome seemed fond of children and wary of strangers but in appearance and manner was a gentleman and easy to care for. He got so he could move nimbly on his stumps but sat most of the time.

It was soon realised that Jerome was there to stay so the Provincial Government contributed to his keep, $2.00 a week. Sailors of many nationalities were brought to Jerome to see if he would speak their language.

He still did not speak but some believed that through his expressions he was familiar with European languages. He also became very angry when any such visitor mentioned Trieste. Some believed him to be from noble stature and that he once must have been an officer. From his foreign looks, and dark complexion they felt he must be French, or possibly Italian.

The people of Sandy Cove looked after him for a long time and then the Government had Jerome taken to the home of John Nicholas in Meteghan, who spoke several European languages. Mr. Nicholas tried to break Jerome's silence but failed. Jerome conducted himself with dignity and when offered money he would appear humiliated. However he would accept gifts of candy, tobacco and fruits. He spent most of his time with children and seemed to enjoy watching them play.

Jerome spent 7 years with Mr. Nicholas and the remaining 40 years of his life with Deider Comeau and family at Alphonse de Clare.

Many attempts were made to find an identity for this mystery man but none succeeded. Jerome died in April, 1912 and took with him the secret of his mutilation and of his mysterious arrival on the Bay of Fundy shore.

Jerome's Rock can still be seen jutting out of the sand on beautiful Bay of Fundy beach in Sandy Cove, if only that rock could speak what a tale it would tell.

In the picture to the right, the rock on the far right is Jerome's rock. The other rocks rarely come above the sand.

Jerome's Rock
Coordinator: Kathleen Harris

Story Mapping

Excerpts from:

Digby Courier Article: Jerome, The Mystery Man of Sandy Cove

Copy of Death Certificate: Meteghan

"Jerome" The "Mystery Man"of Clare, by Blauveldt

Digby Courier Article, 1949 , Jerome Mystery Man of Digby County

Free Press Weekly Magazine, 1962, Mystery Man