The Spur Question

[JMadonna]

First of all 'Uncle' Sam's lifestyle seems to raise issues. This paragraph in particular caught my eye:

"He never married, but spent much of his earnings assisting poor boys, bearing the expense of rearing and educating four boys, all of whom are living but one, who was only seventeen years old when 'Uncle' Sam died. The young man mourned his death and died of a broken heart two weeks later."

'Uncle' Sam would have been much in demand by the ladies since the war left them with few options, but Sam preferred to hang around with young boys......hmmm.

People who lead lonely lives as Sam did are more frequent to tell tall tales to impress people, usually, making certain that no one can contradict them. This story coming out some 60 years after the fact, seems to fit the pattern.

The opening paragraph claiming he was the last eyewitness probably added to his confidence that he had outlived his contemporaries and was safe to tell his tale. Yet, he leaves himself an out by claiming he had 'sneaked' into the theater that night. If he took the spur as a souvenir he most certainly would have kept his ticket stub to commemorate the historic night. If anyone asked him to produce it he already had his excuse. Furthermore, he never identifies his 'buddies'.

I doubt he was anywhere near the theater that night. Anyone could have made his claims based solely upon newspaper reports. To me, its very doubtful that the leather strap would have broken during the jump let alone the strap AND the metal spur.

That's my take.